On a busy weekend in Solvang, a number of Santa Ynez Valley demonstrators gathered along Mission Drive in front of the Veterans Memorial Hall to participate in a national day of protest on Saturday, April 5.

The protest, referred to as “Hands Off,” was against the recent policies of President Donald Trump, including newly imposed global tariffs, cuts to government agencies and federal workforce, and raids to round up undocumented immigrants, among other policies made by the president after his reelection in 2024.

According to the Associated Press, demonstrations were organized for more than 1,400 locations in all 50 states, with an estimated 3 million participating.

Among the ones on the Central Coast was the one in Solvang (there were also demonstrations in Santa Barbara and Lompoc) spearheaded by Solvang resident Christine Pickavet, with help from Santa Ynez resident Leslie Churchfield.

“I wanted to go to Santa Barbara, and I saw there was one in Lompoc, but I knew we had a strong presence of people here in Solvang to do one,” Pickavet said. “So I contacted Leslie, and we got the word out.”

Pickavet said she organized the demonstration mainly to give people a voice, and there was no one issue over the others that prompted her to protest.

“We wanted something here in Solvang for local representation for our voices, because I think it can lean the other way sometimes,” she said. “I just wanted everyone who shares our perspective to know that they’re not alone here in the Valley, and I knew it could gather even if it was just Leslie and I on the corner.”

Plans for the protest were curtailed somewhat by the Bricks and Builds weekend-long event, which was an inaugualconvention for Lego builders and enthusiasts. Organizers had reportedly sought to use Solvang Park, but the Bricks and Builds already had activities and entertainment set up there. The protesters gathered instead at Mission Drive in front of the Veterans Hall, which was the main location of the Lego event.

Most demonstrators had handmade signs that they held up for passing motorists to see, many playing off the “Hands Off” idea, and others referring to more specific subjects, like the tariffs, governmental cuts, immigration, and LBGTQ+ issues. Motorists could be heard sounding their horns, presumably in support, as they passed the protesters.

“The reactions from people passing by has been very positive,” Churchfield said. “We’re getting a lot of honks.”

While the more than 100 protesters had a few issues to protest, Nancy Dale of Solvang said it all stemmed from what she thought the federal government was becoming.

“With who’s in charge now, I feel the government is becoming autocratic, and that really scares me,” she said.

Amy Derryberry of Solvang, who came to the demonstration with Dale, agreed, saying, “I think it’s become a power grab that’s unconstitutional and with all of [Trump’s] that are completely not qualified for any of the offices that they’reat.”

Ultimately, for Churchfield and other protesters, it was the satisfaction of being a part of something bigger, and letting her voice be heard.

“We’re taking part here, but it’s the National Day of Protest, and we’re standing strong with apparently two and a half million other Americans, and that feels good,” she said.

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The S. Y. Valley Residents Association, a Santa Ynez Valley community group, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Solvang challenging the city’s processing of the application of the Wildwood development near Solvang’s eastern gateway, the corner of Highway 246 (Mission Drive) and Alamo Pintado Road.  

SYVRA’s lawsuit contends that the City Planning staff acted improperly: 1) in processing the defective preliminary application for the Wildwood project, 2) in unilaterally revising the full development application, and 3) in ultimately finding the development application complete.  The lawsuit asks the court to declare the application void and of no effect and to issue a writ of mandate requiring the city to cease processing the application. It also asks the court to vacate the determination of completeness made by City Planning and to deem the City Planning manager’s actions to unilaterally revise the application a violation of state law.

The Wildwood Project was proposed by developer Joshua Richman/Lots on Alamo Pintado, LLC of Oakland, California, to be constructed both on undeveloped lands northwest of the corner of Alamo Pintado Road and Old Mission Drive and on a portion of the open space area of the Mission Oaks subdivision. The developer filed the application as a “Builder’s Remedy” project, including a 100-unit multi-family housing development that includes seven buildings, reduced parking, and setback requirements. Current zoning on the site allows up to 56 units, 36 of which are planned for affordable housing.

Applications for Builder’s Remedy projects were permitted to be filed during the period that Solvang was out of compliance with the state’s Housing Accountability Act, whereby the city was required to update the Housing Element of its General Plan to identify affordable housing locations. The city’s Housing Element was out of compliance with state housing laws for eight months, from June 15, 2023, until Feb. 12, 2024. While the city was out of compliance, the developer filed a Builders Remedy “Preliminary Application” on Oct. 6, 2023. Once the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development certified the city’s revised Housing Element in February 2024, no new Builder’s Remedy projects could be applied for, but projects already in the pipeline that were compliant with the Builder’s Remedy law could still proceed.  

SYVRA observed that the developer failed to submit a compliant “Preliminary Application” for the Builder’s Remedy project because it failed to include signatures from all of the landowners of the proposed project site, including the owners of the Mission Oaks subdivision lands, which is specifically required by the Builder’s Remedy statute. The city notified the developer of the omission, but the developer did not respond. The Builder’s Remedy law requires the preliminary application to be voided if defects in the application are not corrected within six months of submittal. SYVRA said the developer failed to correct the defective preliminary application in a timely manner, and when the Housing Element was certified, the developer could not amend or resubmit a Builder’s Remedy project application for Wildwood. 

The SYVRA claims that despite being notified of the defects in the proposed Wildwood project’s preliminary application, the city and its planning staff then accepted and began processing the developer’s subsequent full application for the Builder’s Remedy project. The developer continuously refused to supply required information requested by the city and then revised its full project application to reduce the number of affordable housing units to 13, which further disqualified the Wildwood project from processing as a Builder’s Remedy development. The City Planning staff then unilaterally revised the application to conform to the affordable housing requirements of the Builder’s Remedy law, and determined the application for the Wildwood project was complete, a critical milestone in the city’s project review process.  

“We are not opposing the project — we are simply asking that it be brought into compliance with the law,” said a SYVRA spokesperson. “We believe in thoughtful development that benefits the entire Santa Ynez Valley and provides needed affordable housing, while respecting our community’s rural character and the integrity of the city’s zoning and land use planning laws.”

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The Board of Directors and staff of the California Nature Art Museum (www.calnatureartmuseum.org) proudly announce their 25th anniversary celebration and fundraiser at Vincent Vineyards in Santa Ynez on Sunday, May 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Embracing nostalgia, guests will enjoy an array of scrapbooks, photo collages, and exhibition monographs from the early days of the museum’s founding, staff and board presentations, and a live auction to follow the delicious lunch on the patio which overlooks the vineyard. A springtime-inspired, locally sourced luncheon catered by High on the Hog promises delicious bites accompanied by the award-winning wines of Vincent Vineyard and floral birthday cake from Solvang Bakery. Key donors, board members, and founder and artist Patti Jacquemain will be honored at the luncheon.
Tickets are on sale now at www.calnatureartmuseum.org/news/25th-anniversary-celebration

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On Tuesday, April 1, Chef Michael Cherney and his wife, Sarah Cherney, owners of Solvang restaurant peasants FEAST (www.peasantsFEAST.com), celebrated their first five years in business with a downtown Solvang block party on a closed-to-traffic section of Copenhagen Drive. At the family-friendly afternoon event from 4 to 7 p.m., friends and fans of the Cherney Hospitality group joined in full force for food from some of peasants FEAST’s culinary colleagues, craft beers and local wines, and party-appropriate activities and entertainment.

Hundreds of community members gathered between the Cherneys’ two downtown Solvang eateries, peasants FEASTand peasants DELI & ARCADE, to “feast” on what amounted to 200-plus smashburgers from Santa Barbara’s Third Window Brewing Co.; more than 100 gyros from Motley Crew Ranch; quesabirria tacos, elote cups, and more from The Birria Boyz; sweets of all sorts from Lindsay’s Little Bakery; and a special “birthday” sheet cake from peasants FEAST Executive Pastry Chef Taylor Tate, delicately adorned with in-season flora.

Local beers from Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and Third Window Brewing Co., and wines from Future Perfect, filled guest’s cups, while Santa Barbara County’s DJ Peetey spun tunes that had partiers — of all ages — literally dancing in the street. The arcade at peasants DELI was open for gaming fun, Buzzle Bee Face Painting decorated long lines of little faces, and 805 Camera Bus captured moments and memories from within their vintage Volkswagen.

“Our main goal with peasants FEAST was to create a community-focused restaurant, a place for our colleagues to showcase their produce and products, and to join us at the table,” said Michael Cherney. “Turns out, we’re well on our way toward that goal. And that community? We can’t believe the love that they’ve shown us these past five years, and itwas on full display this past Tuesday night. We are beyond honored, and were so happy to celebrate with everyone who has made peasants FEAST what it is.”

peasants FEAST is located at 487 Atterdag Road, in downtown Solvang (at the corner of Copenhagen Drive). peasantsDELI & ARCADE is at 473 Atterdag Road, #104, across Copenhagen Drive from peasants FEAST. peasants FEAST and peasants DELI & ARCADE are currently open for take-away service, indoor or outdoor dining, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reach peasants FEAST directly, please call (805) 686-4555.

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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, APRIL 16

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria

For more info: countyofsb.org

Santa Ynez Community Services District, 5:30 p.m.

At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St.

For more info: sycsd.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Solvang Design Review Committee, 5 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

Buellton Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

Los Alamos Community Services District, 6 p.m.

At LACSD Board Room, 82 Saint Joseph St., Los Alamos

For more info: losalamoscsd.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

Buellton City Council, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, APRIL 28

Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

EVENTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Cottage Heart & Vascular Center Virtual Meet the Doctor, 4 p.m.

Cottage Heart & Vascular Center presents a free Virtual Meet the Doctor event on Thursday, April 17, from 4 to 5 p.m., featuring cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr. Michael Paulsen, who will lead a conversation on advances in cardiac surgery have improved in the diagnoses, treatment and quality of life for heart disease patients. The event will also feature a Q&A session. 

To register for this free virtual event, go to cottagehealth.org/heartmtd

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

High Tea Garden Party, 3 to 5 p.m.

Join us for a delightful afternoon of high tea in the garden, where spring comes alive in full bloom! Dress in your finest florals and chic hats to embrace the season’s charm. Savor a selection of delicious drinks and bite-sized treats, all while being surrounded by the serene beauty of our garden. This special event supports our local botanic garden, offering the perfect setting to relax, connect, and celebrate nature’s vibrant colors. Admission is $50 for members and $100 for non-members.

At Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden (in River View Park), 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton

For more info: santaynezvalleybotanicgarden.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, AND SATURDAY, APRIL 26

38th Annual Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

This legendary show is traditionally held the last Saturday in April each year in Solvang. Nearly 100 Datsun Roadsters descend the town for a get-together on Friday night and the day-long show and shine on 1st Street with Datsun Roadster enthusiasts attending from all over the world. Raffle proceeds go to the American Diabetes Association.

To register, go to ww04.elbowspace.com/secure/20161029130157801040

At 1st Street in Solvang

Solvang Knife Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday); 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday)

A must see – the 2025 Solvang Custom Knife Show happens beginning Friday, April 25, and continues on Saturday, April 26, in Solvang.

One-day and two-day passes are available for purchase at the door on the days of the event. One-day passes will be $20 and two-day passes will be $35. Preserving the tradition started in 1985 by Nordic Knives, we are continuing this highly prestigious custom knife show. Meet the artists and find out the process and history of their work. Artist from various parts of the world come together to display some of the finest and most collectible knives ever created.

At Craft House at Corque, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang

For more info: solvangcustomknifeshow.com

SATURDAY, MAY 3

Buellton Brew Fest, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Join us for the annual Buellton Brew Fest. Taking place on Saturday, May 3, at River View Park, this event promises an exciting lineup of craft breweries, wineries, ciders, kombucha, and spirits — over 55 in total!

Don’t forget your Star Wars costumes for our costume contest, with prizes awarded on stage! Enjoy live entertainment by DJ Peete and Will Breman, alongside delicious food trucks, merchant vendors, and fun activities like mega-sized beer pong and cornhole.

Presented by the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, this event offers VIP and General Admission tickets, with VIP entry starting at 11:30 a.m. and General Admission at 12:30 p.m.

Shuttle transportation options are available from various locations for your convenience.

At River View Park, 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton

For more info: 

Rancho Visitadores Parade, 12 to 3 p.m.

Mark your calendars for one of Solvang’s most cherished traditions, the Rancheros Visitadores Parade! On Saturday, May 3, the charming streets of Solvang will transform into a celebration of history, culture, and the cowboy spirit. While the exact parade time is to be announced, the festivities promise a day filled with excitement and community spirit. The Rancheros Visitadores is a longstanding tradition that brings together horseback riders from near and far. Clad in classic Western attire, riders proudly parade through Solvang, celebrating camaraderie and the enduring legacy of the American West. The parade features beautifully adorned horses, wagons, and riders. The picturesque backdrop of Solvang’s iconic windmills and half-timbered buildings sets the scene.

At Alisal Road to Mission Santa Ines in Solvang

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

MONDAY, MARCH 31

Community Meeting: Preparing the Santa Ynez Valley for Threat of Wildfire, 5:30 p.m.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, along with Buellton Mayor David Silva and Solvang City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, will be holding a community meeting on the threat of wildfire in the Santa Ynez Valley. Also on hand will be fire prevention experts and community leaders on the topics of fire risk assessment, firewise community program, large animal evacuation, and a community wildfire protection plan.

At Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

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

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Kacy Caplan has been chosen as Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation Queen for 2025. She will represent the Santa Ynez Valley and perform the various duties that the title Queen requires.  

Caplan is the daughter of Robyn and Brian Caplan and her grandmother is Paula Albrecht. She also has an older sister, Boe, and a twin brother, Cole. She is currently a junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Caplan says she is looking forward to raising funds for the youth in the Valley so that they can experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that she has benefited from and has had the opportunity to enjoy. She believes in giving back to the community that has given her so much.

“Growing up in the Valley, I have had the opportunity to experience so much, such as raising turkeys and pigs in Lucky Clover 4-H, playing in a variety of sports, dancing, and spending time with my friends at our local parks,” stated Caplan in her application letter. “In high school, I took on leadership roles such as FFA President and ASB class officer. I am also a varsity athlete in girls’ golf (for three years) and track (for two years). The incredible sports facilities in our community, many of which have been built and maintained by SYV Youth Recreation, have had a lasting impact on student athletes, just like me.

“Beyond school, I am also an active member of the National Charity League, where I have volunteered at numerous community events, including the Youth Rec Queen events in years past. I have seen first-hand how much SYVRC has provided for local youth, and I am grateful for the excellent opportunities it has given me, and many others.” 

Caplan said she is proud of serving SYV Youth Rec, whether or not she is Queen.

“Ever since I started volunteering at the youth Rec Queen events, I have had people ask me if I wanted to become queen. I would always respond with a ‘maybe,’ to not seem like the only reason I was volunteering was to become queen, because that was not the case at all,” said Caplan. “However, the more people asked (which was not a ton) themore I saw it as a great opportunity and something I would love to do. I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen, and I am very honored to be given this position.”

Caplan explained what some of her duties are, now that she has been chosen Rec Queen.

“A lot of my duties revolve around the three main events. For instance, I help a lot with the auction part of the events: asking businesses and people for donations, picking those donations up, setting up baskets for different items, making sure it is all organized, and, of course, showcasing the items during the live auction,” she said. “All the money made at the auction goes to the Youth Rec, and they use this money to help the youth in our Valley. For example, they have built several facilities at the high school, including the weight room, supplying all the weight systems, the swimming pool, the softball diamond, the tennis complex, rebuilt the baseball complex and built the Ag Barn for the FFA. They also built the enclosure for the paint booth at the auto shop and continue to help the various teams and clubs at the high school. Amazingly, I have been chosen to help run these events, because I want to give back to the community that has blessed me with so many great things.”

Caplan is looking forward to attending college after she graduates from SYHS next year.

“After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year college outside the state. I want to major in ag communications,” she said. “I have a few schools in mind, such as Texas A&M and Kansas State.”

Caplan realizes the work that is involved with being Rec Queen, and is honored to be a part of it.

“I was really surprised when I became Rec Queen. However, after the initial feelings wore off, I was very honored,” she said. “Getting closer to the events, I realize that it is going to be a lot of work, but it is also going to be a lot of fun.These events are really fun to attend and volunteer at. Knowing that these events are helping raise money for the youth in our Valley makes all the work worth it in the end.”

SYV Youth Rec got a fitting and deserving individual to take the Queen’s crown (which in this case is embroidered on a 10-gallon hat), according to Frank Kelsey, the executive director of Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation. 

“We chose Kacy based on her interest in our program and her outstanding success as a student at Santa Ynez High School,” Kelsey said. “For the last several years she has attended and helped at all of our events. Kacy is an athlete, an ASB officer, and president of the SYFFA.”

The events which Queen Kacy Caplan will preside over are as follows:

• The Kick-Off event will be a barbecue and auction held at noon on Sunday, April 27, at River View Park in Buellton.
• The second event will be held on Monday, May 5, at Gainey Winery in Santa Ynez. It will feature a luncheon and an auction.
• On Friday, May 16, New Frontiers Market will be donating 5% of its sales to the Santa Ynez Valley Rec Queen Campaign. Come shop, meet Queen Kacy Caplan, and help her with this fundraising event.   
• The final event will be held on Friday, May 23. A dinner and auction will be held at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang. 

“I look forward to raising funds for the youth in our Valley to experience the same outstanding programs and facilities that I have,” Caplan said. “We are ready to start the 2025 Queen’s Campaign and I would greatly appreciate your support! Please save these dates for upcoming events — I cannot wait to celebrate with my family, friends, and all of you!”

SYV Youth Rec was started in 1955 to raise money to build a pool at the high school. It was completed in 1965 andSYV Youth Rec has raised over $4 million for local youth programs and facilities and has funded many projects at Santa Ynez High School, fields at local elementary and middle schools, and the volleyball, baseball, and soccer fields at Sunny Fields Park, among other accomplishments.

For more information on SYV Youth Rec, or information on attending the events or donating to Caplan’s campaign, visit www.syvyouthrec.org. 

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The Buellton City Council put in a little extra time in the first full week of April, conducting its regular meeting on Thursday, April 10, before holding a special meeting on Saturday, April 12, at the Buellton Library to discuss future budget priorities.

In the regular meeting, for which Mayor David Silva was absent, the council listened to a presentation by the United Way of Santa Barbara County on its Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative, a program designed to improve access to childcare for low- and middle-income families in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Later, in the meeting’s first business item, Steve Ortiz and Rose Levy of the United Way of Santa Barbara County gave a presentation explaining the organization’s Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Having the United Way come to explain the program was something suggested by Councilmember Hudson Hornick, who has two children in the Zaca Preschool in Buellton, and said he has seen the difficulty that some have had in getting affordable childcare.

“I’ve talked with Shelley Grand, the executive director of the preschool, and she told me she has a waiting list of 100 to get into the school,” Hornick said. “This is just a staggering obstacle for families to get proper care.”

In her presentation, Levy pointed out that the county has a child-space deficit (people waiting to get in to childcare) of 9,371, and their are over 1,000 on waiting lists in the Santa Ynez Valley alone.

Levy said the issues facing families trying to get their kids into childcare include high tuition rates, difficulties ofrunning a childcare facility, lack of providers, and inability of parents to fully participate in the workforce.

The Brighter Futures Initiative tries to narrow the gap with scholarships for the “missing middle” (middle-income families), and programs to encourage more childcare, among other things.

Levy suggested ways for Buellton to engage would be create revenue sources to help strengthen the childcare sector,and gave examples from elsewhere in the county.

“In Goleta, they have the Measure B sales tax; in Aspen, Colorado, they use a real estate transfer taxes; and in Hood River, Oregon, they use [transit occupancy tax] to fund childcare opportunities,” she said, naming just a few of many.

Levy said the city can also help by looking at its land-use policy to make it less restrictive for preschool and childcare facilities to open.

In response, Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis said she could direct staff to look at Buellton’s land-use policy, whileCouncilmember John Sanchez suggested the city could incentivize future housing project to include a building or facility for childcare. Hornick, who has already joined a county coalition on the issue, said he would like to explore the possiblity of partnerships with the United Way to help the process.

In other business, the council agreed to install signs at the transit stop near the Buellton Library on Valley Dairy Road. In the March 13 meeting, staff was directed to find a solution other than a red curb to prevent parking at the stop.

Director of Public Works Rose Hess recommended signs prohibited parking while the transit buses were still in operation, which Hess said would be from approximately 6:49 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday. After agreeing to keep a red curb in front of the fire hydrant just before the Dairyland Road intersection, the council voted 3-0 to approve the signs.

On Saturday, April 12, the City Council convened in a conference room at the Buellton Library for a special meeting to discuss budget priorities, one that City Manager Scott Wolfe said would be an “informal discussion” on the city’s budget needs. Hornick had suggested the meeting at previous regular meetings because he believed the council would have to deal with a deficit in future years.

However, after Finance Director Shannel Zamora gave her presentation, which had new numbers that showed the city would be operating with a surplus for the rest of its 10-year forecast, Hornick said the discussion was probably unnecessary as the forecast now did not show a future deficit, thanks to, among other things, an expected spike in the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT).

The councilmembers still decided to go over the budget priorities that were listed in an earlier meeting.

Among the listed items included in the projection:

Willemsen Property Parking Lot: Cost given at $2.6 million which will be split between separate fiscal years. Sanchez voiced his opposition at a stairway up to the library, but Wolfe assured that they would be looking to build a ramp instead.

Highway 246 Safety Improvements: To cost $2 million, to be split between fiscal years.

Motor Officer add to Sheriff Contract: Listed at $270,200 per current contract proposal.

Median 3 (Avenue of Flags) design/improvements: Listed at $3 million — $850,000 paid in FY 2024-25 and $2.15 million paid in FY 2025-26.

Children’s Museum: City has agreed to partner up with museum on Willemsen property, projected as $800,000, with a $350,000 start-up contribution, $150,000 per year in years 1 and 2, with a $150,000 match at 2 for 1 in year 3.

Two items on the list not projected included a splash pad (thought to be part of Children’s Museum budget), and a shade canopy at the River View Park playground (deemed not feasible due to frequent high winds at park).

The City Council will meet next on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m.

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With the recent devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Pasadena still fresh in everyone’s minds, the steps to protect one’s home and property from wildfires becomes more and more important.

With that thinking, Santa Ynez Valley residents attended a public meeting to address fire safety and preparedness, co-hosted by Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Buellton Mayor David Silva. and Solvang City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona on March 31 at the Solvang City Council chambers.

With other local leaders from the Valley present, the meeting had fire personnel and county evacuation experts on the panel to give presentations and answer questions from the audience on fire safety and prevention.

Orona opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and noting that the meeting was held for local residents to be “more aware, more informed, and more prepared” for potential wildfires in the area.”

“Not that we weren’t already conscious of it, but it is important for intercommunities to be coordinated and planning our reponses,” Orona said. “Fire safety and fire abatement is most effective when we work together and follow programs.”

Silva then spoke and urged to practice preparedness for not only fires, but other emergencies.

“Even smaller emergencies can cause havoc,” he said. “Buellton’s a commuter city, and if an emergency happens here at the wrong time, you could be miles away. That’s why you need to be proactive in the neighborhood; emergencies aren’talways going to be with a FEMA element attached to it.”

Hartmann then spoke and delivered a message that would set the tone for the evening: “Resilience is built on relationships, and having social connections gives you a better chance for survival.”

She then introduced Santa Barbara County Fire Marshal Fred Tan, who said that the key for residents is to maintain fire mitigation by keeping vegetation clear around one’s property, and that the county is doing its part in that.

“We take a lot of action in this county, my deputy fire marshal, Vince LaRocco, is the backbone of the mitigation,” Tan said. “We’ve conducted the Spalding-Midland burn, a roughly 1,600-acre project that creates about a 10-year buffer to protect the communities and next year we’re planning the Sedgewick burn, which should help clear more vegetation and keep us safer from wildfires.” 

After Tan spoke, Hartmann then introduced Anne-Marie Parkinson, the executive director of the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, for which Hartmann is a board member. The Fire Safe Council works with fire agencies to reduce risk, and also with neighborhoods, encouraging them to collabarate on fire prevention and mitigation.

Parkinson spoke to the audience about Firewise USA, a program that provides collaborative framework to help neighbors, get organized, understand risk, and work together to decrease wildfire risk. She began her presentation by showing a video of actor James Woods recounting how he saved an elderly neighbor after authorities lost track of him during an evacuation.

“I got chills seeing that, because that is the whole point of Firewise,” Parkinson said. “That man was rescued because the neighbor [Woods] knew him, knew where he was, knew his son’s number, and the man is alive because of that.”

She then went on to say the county had 30 Firewise communities in Santa Barbara County and were looking for more, hoping to have the whole county under the program. The Firewise program promotes creating a committee, identifying boundaries and risk assessments, and putting together an action plan.

Hartmann then proposed a Firewise community be formed in the Santa Ynez Valley and eventually link it to others in the county.

“We’re working on a Firewise community in Lompoc, and we just finished one on the Gaviota coast,” she said. “Having one in Santa Ynez Valley can help bridge the effort to be ready for fires.”

The next speaker was Sara Aguilar, director of animal services for Santa Barbara County, who advised on the evacuation of animals during a fire.

Emergency time is short options shrink immediately,” she said. “You can’t just load your animals in a car, or take them to a hotel. Saving animals can be risk to human lives. The key is to have a plan for evacuation.”

Aguilar also provided a QR code for a livestock registry that can be used so those with the county who are evacuating your animals know the particular and eliminate any confusion at your property. She also suggested an evacuation practice at night to make sure you can load your animal and get out quickly. She said if you can do that at night, it will be much easier during the day.

After the speakers were done, the floor was opened for questions and comments from the audience.

The first audience member pointed out that air support is important for fighting fires, but that the county is currently working with “Vietnam-era helicopters” that need to be upgraded.

“It cost money, but the investment is important, and we have people in this area with money,” the man said. “If the chiefs bring the proposal forward, we’ll support you.”

That speaker also proposed more night capabilities for aircraft, when the conditions were better, and also said partnering with the Chumash Fire Department could also be beneficial.

Another audience member pointed out the shortage of roads to get out of Valley towns during a fire or other catastrophe.

“We have one road in and one road out: I don’t get how it can work,” she said. “We can’t get out on the 4th of July, how will we get out if there’s a fire? where’s the infrastructure?”

To that end, Tam urged an early warning notificiation, and for the people to be self-aware and leave early if they feelthey need to instead of waiting for officials to order them out.

“We’re phasing in an evacuation plan,” he said. “It’ll be a challenge, but with early detection, we should do OK.”

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The City of Solvang was awash in multi-colored plastic bricks on the weekend of April 5-6 as Solvang Park, the Solvang Veterans Hall, and a few other locations hosted the inaugural Bricks & Builds event, celebrating all things Lego.

Solvang, known for its deep Danish roots, was an appropriate site for the event, as the Lego company was started in the workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund, Denmark, who began making wooden toys in 1932. Two years later, his company came to be called “Lego”, derived from the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which means “play well”. In 1947, Lego expanded to begin producing plastic toys, and soon created the interlocking blocks we all know so well. The company is still based in Billund.

The Lego craze has resulted not only in countless playset and products, but conventions and expos all over the country where Lego builders and fans gather to build and meet up with others who share the passion.

However, such events have been few and far between in California, something that Bricks & Builds organizer Allyson Gail wanted to rectify.

“I really wanted to get something going here, because we haven’t had any Lego event in California after the Bricks LA event stopped a couple years ago,” said Gail, who was on the reality show “Lego Masters” and actually helped organize a similar Lego event in Solvang in 2022. “I just wanted to give somewhere for the Lego builders to go to. We have people from the Bay Area down to San Diego, and from Long Beach, Orange County and LA.”

Gail pointed out the different things going on with the event.

“We have all the builds displayed here, we have vendors in the other room selling Lego stuff,” she said. “We have our town-wide building competition, where we have builders at different locations putting together a build based on a Hans Christian Andersen story, to give it a connection to Solvang.”

One of those builders, John Cooper of San Diego, was set up at Solvang Park, near a public “brick pit” where kids and their parents could build things out of random Lego pieces, various vendors, and a live band playing at the gazebo.

“I guess I’m just a hardcore fan of these,” said Cooper, who was assigned “The Ugly Duckling” for his Andersen work. “I used to do monthly competitions at Legoland [in Carlsbad] with both my daughters.”

One of Cooper’s daughters, Juliana, accompanied him at the table, and said she’s dabbled in Legos herself.

“My dad and I will do some mass-market kits,” she said. “And we enjoy doing the architectural models that they have.”

The time was well spent for John Cooper as he took his completed work to the Veterans Hall on Sunday and won the popular vote over the other town-wide contestants.

Visitors to the Veterans Hall on Saturday and Sunday got to take a look at a number of finished Lego projects, as well as talks with a number of Lego Master Builders, and those who run the Lego community website, Bricklink, a website that has products for sale, but also a designer program where you can design a build online and even enter a contest where one’s design can be picked as a set to be marketed and sold.

“Bricklink is a very fan-centric portion of the Lego community,” said Alex Kastelic, who is the Bricklink Designer Program Lead at Lego. “We are the community space for the most passionate Lego fans, and we pretty much cover the whole world.”

Like many adult Lego enthusiasts, Kastelic can go back to his childhood as his start at building with the plastic blocks. Also like many, there was a period where his building waned, but the interest came back.

“I got interested in other things as I got older, but then I got back into right before COVID,” he said. “It was in 2019 and it was the 20th anniversary of the Star Wars sets, which were the last ones I had as a kid. When they brought them back, it was nostalgia for me; I started doing those and never looked back. And now I’m working for the company.”

Many attendees expressed their gratitude that the Bricks & Builds event has happened in Solvang, among them Jesse Gros of Venice Beach, who won the Lego building contest at Solvang’s Danish Days last September.

“I love it; it’s my favorite new Lego event,” said Gros, who won the category for space/steampunk creations. “We haven’t had any events in California for a while, and it’s good not to have to travel so far.”

At the end of the event on Sunday, the winners for the various categories:

Town-wide Lego Build: John Cooper (The Ugly Duckling). Also entered (with each basing his work on a Hans Christian Anderson story): Riley Blissmer (The Snow Queen), Tim Heinderich (The Emperor’s New Clothes), Conard Scoley (The Little Mermaid), and Tyler Strampp (Princess and the Pea).

Best Solvang-themed build: Lia Von Damm (Solvang stamp and others)

Best Space/Steampunk build: Jesse Gros (The “Aetherhive” from Magic: The Gathering)

Art/Pop Culture build: Nino Guba (Ghostbusters RTV)

Best Lego City/Train build: Bruce Heller (Brentwood Sunshine Preschool)

Best Castle/Fantasy build: “Shy” (Original castle/battle scene)

Public vote winner for inside the Veterans Hall expo:

Scott Thomas (coral reef)

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