In its Thursday, Feb. 13, meeting, the Buellton City Council voted to draft a letter of appeal to Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors over the transfer of pipeline permits granted to Sable Offshore by the County Planning Commission.

Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis attended the meeting remotely, with City Manager Scott Wolfe explaining that by emergency Brown Act rules, she would be able to participate in the meeting despite not being present. 

The County Planning Commission granted the pipeline permits allowing the transfer of the pipeline from Exxon Mobil to Sable Offshore. This would allow Sable to re-activate the pipeline running through the city, subject to other approvals from state agencies. A significant question that remains unanswered is what, if any, testing, repair, or re-alignment of the existing pipeline will need to be completed to ensure the safety of the pipeline. This question is a central point of the appeal to the Board of Supervisors.

District 1 City Councilmember Hudson Hornick recused himself from the item because of his status as a county employee, so it was up to Silva, Lewis, and District 3 Councilmember John Sanchez to debate the item.

The subject has been raised in previous Buellton City Councils meetings by residents Larry Bishop and Len Fleckenstein, who both also spoke at the Feb. 13 meeting.

“What I am hoping what the city will do is appeal to the county and even the state to do whatever they can to stop the startup of this pipeline,” Bishop said. “This remedy is important to us because it goes under our city and is unsafe; there’s a lot of corrosion issues they’re not addressing and haven’t addressed for 35 years.”

Fleckenstein spoke later, encouraging the City Council to support the appeal, and also to convince officials to reroute the pipeline around Buellton.

“I ask that the city insist on the oil industry making good on Exxon’s own proposal in 2017 to change the alignment for the pipeline to go around Buellton,” he said. “Residents of the city expected the pipeline to be relocated. The City Council should reject this bait-and-switch scheme by the oil companies.”

Bishop and Fleckenstein were two of four speakers on the item, all of whom supported the appeal of the transfer.

Going back to council, Lewis had mixed feelings about the item.

“I want to be cognizant of the fact that we need to protect our residents, but I don’t want to cut off my nose to spite my face,” she said. “We get a lot of tax revenue, for our city and our schools, from the products these companies produce.”

Silva said he had concerns about the pipeline through personal experience.

“My No. 1 concern is safety for our city,” he said. “I grew up in Santa Maria’s Sunrise Hills where there were 

houses built on sumps and caused health problems although they were up to code.

“It gives me pause that we have a pipeline up to code for 1989. It’s not much to ask council to have this position not to have crude oil running though town.”

However, Sanchez said the city should stay out of it.

“I don’t think we should get into this fight,” he said. “For the safety things that happened, they have check valves now. [Sable] is going to be protective as anyone for that. They’re going to take good care of it.”

However, Lewis and Silva both answered that the city should at least make a statement to let people know where they stand.

“What message do we send if we don’t even give our input,” Silva said. “We can’t sit here and there will be no leak. I’drather take that position, we owe it to our city.”

“I prefer not to take a stance,” Sanchez said.

Silva eventually made a motion to submit a letter supporting the appeal, and Lewis seconded. The motion passed 2-1, with Sanchez appealing.

The City Council will meet next on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m.

District 4 Special Election ratified

As part of its Consent Calendar for the Thursday, Feb. 13, meeting, the Buellton City Council passed three items to establish a Special Election for the District 4 council vacancy. The seat became vacant when District 4 City Councilmember David Silva was elected mayor in November.

The council voted in the Jan. 23 meeting to establish a special election for the seat when the remaining councilmembersdeadlocked on appointing to the seat to either Carla Mead or former Mayor Dave King.

The election will be mail-in only and take place on Aug. 26 for a partial two-year term. The nomination period will run from May 5 through May 30.

To run for City Council District 4, you must be a registered voter in District 4. The Buellton District Map can be foundat cityofbuellton.com/government/district-elections/. To take out candidate papers, please contact City Clerk Linda Reidat lindar@cityofbuellton.com or call (805) 686-7424 to schedule an appointment. 

VOTER REGISTRATION

To be eligible to vote at the Mail-In Special Election on Aug. 26, you must be registered to vote no later than Monday, Aug. 11. For more information regarding voter registration or to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot, visit countyofsb.org/164/Elections

The post Buellton City Council votes to take position over pipeline transfer appeal appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

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

At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St.

For more info: sycsd.com

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

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

MONDAY, FEB. 24

Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

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

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

For more info: countyofsb.org

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

Los Alamos Community Services District, 6 p.m.

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

For more info: losalamoscsd.com

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

Buellton City Council, 6 p.m.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

MONDAY, MARCH 3

Solvang Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

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

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

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

EVENTS

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

Celebrate Life Run, 9 a.m.

On February 21, 2020, Siri Lindley — a two-time world champion, Hall of Fame triathlete, coach to Olympic medalists and world champions, and renowned speaker — faced her toughest challenge yet: acute myeloid leukemia. With only a 5 percent chance of survival, Siri overcame the odds and emerged victorious.

Inspired by this incredible journey, Siri and her wife, Rebekah Keat, founded the Celebrate Life Run — an annual event now entering its fifth year! This heartfelt celebration marks the anniversary of Siri being officially declared cured and serves as a tribute to the miracle of life.

This inclusive, timed walk/run honors life, remembers loved ones we’ve lost, and showcases the resilience of the human spirit. Open to all ages and fitness levels, it’s a day of gratitude, community, and inspiration. The run begins and ends at Believe Ranch and Rescue, where Siri and Bek devote their lives to rescuing abused, neglected, and slaughter-bound horses. After the race, meet the rescue horses, Siri, and Bek while enjoying local artisan pop-ups featuring coffee, baked goods, wine, spirits, arts, and crafts.

Registration Fees: $55 until Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.; $65 on race day (registration begins at 8 a.m., Feb. 22); and $40 for the Virtual Race (processing fees included).

At Believe Ranch and Rescue, Santa Ynez

For more info: runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaYnez/SiriLindleysLIFERUN5KRunWalk

Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series: Trio Celeste, 7 p.m.

The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series will continue on Feb. 22 with a performance by Trio Celeste, consisting of 

Iryna Krechkovsky on violin, Ross Gasworth on cello, and Kevin Kwan Loucks on piano. Please join us for an evening with one of the most dynamic chamber music ensembles on the classical music scene today in a program featuring “Vasyl Barvinsky’s Piano Trio No. 1 in A Minor,” Frank Martin’s “Trio sur des mélodies populaires irlandaises,” and Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67.”

In Los Olivos, the St. Mark’s Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series brings exceptional musical performances to the heart of wine country. Hosted in the stunning sanctuary of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, the series showcases world-class talent spanning classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary genres. Known for its superb acoustics and intimate setting, the venue enhances every performance, creating a profound connection between artists and audience.

At St. Marks-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Avenue, Los Olivos

For more info/get tickets: smitv.org/2024-2025-santa-ynez-valley-concert-series.html

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

King Tides Wave Sculptures-Adult Art Workshop, 3 to 5 p.m.

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Community Clayworks for an art workshop on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m., creating King Tides Wave Sculptures. Participants will learn to sculpt a cresting wave and paint their pieces with colorful underglazes.

The Community Clayworks studio will fire and clear glaze completed wave sculptures. About two weeks later, you can pick them up at the museum or request shipping (additional fee applies).

Advance registration is required for the King Tides Wave Sculptures Adult Art Workshop. The class has a 16-person limit and is ideal for ages 15 and up.

Buy tickets on the CalNAM website under Programs & Events.

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

For more info/tickets: calnatureartmuseum.org

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

‘Figuratively Speaking’ Artist Dialogue, 4 p.m.

Join us at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art for an inspiring afternoon as local artist Joe Castle sits down with Neil Goodman to discuss his creative journey. Castle will speak about his current exhibition, “Figuratively Speaking,” that showcases sculptures you may have seen along Buellton’s Avenue of the Flags. His artistic vision was profoundly shaped by a visit to Walter Reed Hospital, where he sought to honor those who have served in the military. Castle also includes his latest explorations with pen and ink, watercolor, and printmaking. The discussion will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the museum gallery with light refreshments available.

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

For more info: elverhoj.org/figuratively-speaking-artist-dialogue/

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 of Events: Feb. 18 to March 4 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Solvang City Council met on Monday, Feb. 10, for its regular meeting, and it was an item on the council’s Consent Calendar that seemed to get the most attention.

Of course, it was a subject that’s been on the minds of citizens speaking out on the non-agenda Public Communication: The “Builder’s Remedy” application to build a 100-unit apartment complex on Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Road in Solvang, known as the Wildwood development.

The Consent Calendar item was to approve an agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc. to prepare an Initial Study and prepare documents for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance in connection and start toward an Environmental Impact Report for the total amount not to exceed $252,272. 

Public Communication, as usual came before the Consent Calendar, and residents who have repeatedly voiced their opposition to the Wildwood project, objected again on two counts.

The first speaker, Dennis Beebe, expressed his disappointment that the subject was relegated to the Consent Calendar, which are items usually meant to be approved without any discussion and as he said, “you can’t engage with the public on this, as we would like to.”

Beebe then continued on to his second objection: The choice of consultant for the study up for approval, Rincon Consultants.

“I don’t think the contractor, Rincon, has a good understanding of the scope of the project,” he said, pointing out that Rincon proposes just two parcels of the property, when the development is actually planned for five parcels; and that there were 12 studies Rincon planned for peer review, but Beebe said he couldn’t find those studies in the submitted application.

“So, I don’t think this contract is ready for prime time, and I hope you’ll ask the appropriate questions to resolve my concerns,” he concluded.

Subsequent speakers echoed Beebe’s concerns, all requesting that the item be pulled from the Consent Calendar, and put on the main agenda for a future meeting.

Steve Martin agreed there were many factors lacking in Rincon’s proposal, calling it “incomplete” and saying it “could well decide the fate of Wildwood by setting up an unjustified, improper approval” of the project.

When it came time for the Consent Calendar, council did pull the item (6d) concerning the consulting contract while unanimously passing the other consent items.

Planning Manager Rafael Castillo stated that the approval of the contract is just the next step to move it forward so that the project does eventually go before the council, and ultimately is open to public comment.

“The reality is that this is the next step; we need to meet the requirement to move the project forward,” Castillo said. “The EIR is that avenue. We need to move the project along.” Castillo noted the process would take 9 to 12 months.

Ultimately, Councilmember Mark Infante started a motion to approve the contract, but Martin immediately called for a point of order, saying that council couldn’t pass something without it being on the discussion agenda. However, Mayor David Brown and Assistant City Attorney Craig Steele said council was well within its rights to vote on the action, pointing out that the public had commented on it, and it had been pulled from the Contest Calendar for discussion by council.

Infante’s notion stood and was seconded by Claudia Orona. The motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember Louise Smith dissenting.

In other business, council listened to a presentation from Management Analyst Olivia Uribe Mutal proposing increased public surveillance in Solvang.

“While we have a very nice town here in Solvang, there has been an influx of crimes: Theft of tourists, vandalism in public bathrooms, gas siphoned from cars,” Uribe Mutal said. “All are crimes of opportunity, but could have been prevented by increase surveillance. I am seeking direction of expansion of video surveillance.”

Uribe Mutal mentioned possibilities like AI and cloud-based systems that would improve and ease search efforts. She said that could include technology like license plate ID cameras, wi-fi cameras, and drones.

Councilmembers had concerns with cost; when Claudia Orona asked Uribe Mutal the costs, she said it depended on many details of what they might want. That’s why she was requesting direction from council.

Elizabeth Orona expressed concerns about cost and privacy issues, while Infante wondered how much the city reallyneeded license plate ID cameras.

At the end, council instructed Uribe Mutal to get a couple of specific options to study on improving surveillance andthey could move on from there.

The meeting started off with an appearance by young Audrey Smith, the Solvang School student who won the honor of being Mayor for a Day. She was introduced by Brown and led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance, and also sat in the mayor’s chair for City Clerk’s presentation on the ins and outs of her job before departing. Brown said she would take tour of city facilities.

The next City Council meeting will be Monday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. 

The post Solvang City Council moves forward on study for controversial development appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Mike Chaldu

After three straight home playoff wins, the Santa Ynez High girls basketball squad is headed to Fresno next Friday, Feb. 28, to play for the CIF Central Section Division IV championship.

The No. 2 seed Lady Pirates outlasted No. 3 Matilda Torres High of Madera 49-42 in the semifinal matchup Thursday, Feb. 20, at the SYHS gym.

SYHS started off strong, jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes and went to halftime with a 28-19 lead. The Lady Pirates started the third period moving up the lead to 31-19. After that, though, the visiting Toros ran off a 12-2 run to pull within 33-31.

SYHS was able to stave off Torres’s charge and with 5:34 left, Helina Pecile made a layup with a foul shot for a three-point play, and then on the next trip down the floor, Lexi Molera hit a three-point shot to put the Pirates up 43-35. Pecile hit four clutch free throws to clinch it for SYHS.

The playoff run has been enjoyable for the team this year, according to head coach Jennifer Rasmussen, especially after the disappointment last year when the Pirates were the top seed and lost in the second round.

“After last year, we made a goal that we would get past the second round, and we did so,” Rasmussen said. “We definitelywanted to win tonight, but if we hadn’t, at least we had gotten past that level. And I think that took off the pressure tonight.

“We just fought, we played together, and the girls just really focused on what we worked on in practice and played like a team.”

That focus will be tested Feb. 28 in Fresno, as the Pirates face top-seeded Immanuel High of Reedley. Game time will be 2 p.m. at Selland Arena.

The Eagles have shown so far their No. 1 seeding has been earned as they have posted lopsided wins over McFarland (70-6), Fresno (53-25) and Atascadero (67-29) on their way to the title game. Immanuel was 26-5 in the regular season and placed second in the Tri-County-Kings Canyon League with a 7-1 record.

Two days before the win over Torres (Feb. 18), SYHS defeated Coalinga 48-33 in a second-round win over at the SYHS gym.

Sophomore Kailani Ladera led the way for SYHS against Coalinga with 15 points to go along with 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Junior Helina Pecile added 9 points and 11 boards, while senior Kylie LaPoint had 9 points and 4 assists and junior Rylan Agin chipped in 10 boards and 6 assists.

The post Santa Ynez girls basketball beats Torres to gain berth in CIF Division IV final appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

The medical community regularly recommends mammograms as a preventive measure for breast cancer. However, it is advisable to perform self-examinations at home before any abnormalities are detected through mammograms. A simple self-examination method involves using your hands to check for lumps or discomfort in the breast tissue, which may indicate changes in the area.

If discomfort is felt around the left breast, it may suggest potential issues with the left lung and heart. Similarly, discomfort in the right breast could indicate possible concerns related to the left lung, liver, and gallbladder. It is important to take preventive measures accordingly.

Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder often originate from muscle stiffness in the chest area. Poor lymphatic circulation around the armpits can also contribute to these conditions, potentially leading to neck pain.

A simple yet effective way to prevent breast cancer, lung disease, and heart disease is through regular self-examinationsusing your hands. It is recommended to perform this self-check while showering.

For treatment, if you feel a lump or discomfort, gently massaging the affected area can help alleviate early-stage lumps or pain. If the lump persists despite massage, visiting a traditional Korean medicine clinic for acupuncture treatment can quickly reduce and even eliminate the lump within minutes. Acupuncture treatment can also provide immediate relief from pain and discomfort.

Men can also benefit from massaging the pectoral muscles. If they experience any pain or discomfort while doing so, it may indicate underlying issues with the heart, lungs, liver, or gallbladder. In such cases, acupuncture treatment is recommended to promptly address the discomfort and prevent future health issues.

Regular and simple self-massage techniques can help individuals maintain good health and prevent serious illnesses, potentially enabling them to live a long and healthy life up to the age of 120.

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also harbors offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment call 805-693-5162 or 310-666-8021.

The post DR. LEE: Self-examinations helps identify potential breast cancer early appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Santa Ynez High School got to celebrate some more CIF championship athletes on Jan. 23 as members of the Pirates girls golf team received their championship rings during a lunchtime ceremony in the high school’s meeting room.

The ceremony was anything new to the team, as they had the same ceremony last year after winning the title in 2023.

Administrators and family members, joined the golfers as they were introduced one-by-one by head coach Sara Ovadia and assistant coach John Nicholas and given their rings. The team members were Caralyn Barber, Katherine Becerra, Kacy Caplan, Sierra Freedman, Savannah Hudley, Mackenzie Phelan, and Addison West.

The squad successfully defended its CIF Central Section Division 2 title Oct. 29 in Visalia. The Pirates beat runner-up Atascadero by five shots, shooting a team score of 483. Cabrillo (522) and Lompoc (523) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. 

Ovadia also coaches the boys golf team, who has also won the last two CIF Central Section championships. The boys will soon start their season in hopes continuing the Pirates golf program’s amazing run.

The coach said her program is fortunate to have players coming in with prior golf experience.

“We had a few kids who played before high school, and that experience has built a solid nucleus for our team,” Ovadia said. “Then as they progressed, freshman would come in and our established players have been good at pushing them along. We’ve also had a couple who came from other sports who realized, if they put the effort in, could find success in this sport rather quickly.”

Ovadia will soon get started with the boys golf season, which starts March 4 with a match against Santa Barbara atSanta Barbara Golf Club. The Pirates play their first home match on March 6 against Cabrillo at the Alisal River Course in Solvang.

Boys basketball beats Nipomo for seventh straight win

The Santa Ynez boys basketball team is on a roll, as the Pirates defeated Nipomo 76-25 at home. Lucas Ollenburger led SYHS with 18 points in that game, along with 7 rebounds, while Jude Pritchard and Wesley Satterthwaite added 11 points each.

Before the Nipomo game, the Pirates posted a couple of non-league victories. On Jan. 28, they beat Orcutt Academy 78-42, with Ollenburger scoring 18 points in that game, while Pritchard (16 points) and Ikenna Ofiaeli (15) also had high scoring ouputs.

SYHS (15-8, 5-0 in the Sunset League) will return to action tonight (Feb. 4) at Righetti, who is just one game behind the Pirates at 4-1 in league. The Pirates close out the regular season with home games against Morro Bay (Feb. 7) and Cabrillo (Feb. 11). After that, Santa Ynez will find out its postseason seeding.

Pirates boys wrestling finishes dual-match schedule undefeated

The Santa Ynez boys wrestling team defeated host Nipomo 46-35 in its final dual match, finishing 5-0 in duals. The Pirates’ Carter Franson (pin), Curren Lane (pin) and Neal Cunningham (tech fall) posted wins, while the other SYHS winners were by forfeit.

On the girls side, Santa Ynez held an exhibition dual match against Nipomo. Team captains Malia Ortiz and Ariela Contreras, as well as junior Mary Carpenter, picked up wins for the Lady Pirates.

It was an emotional night for the Lady Pirates as they wrestled their final team event with Ortiz, the sole senior to take the mat against Nipomo, picking up a first-round fall, finishing her career undefeated in league duals. 

“Malia has been a captain, role model and dominant force on the team throughout her high school career and has set the bar high for future Lady Pirates,” girls wrestling head coach Chantalle Castellanos said.

Girls basketball battling in Sunset League

The SYHS girls basketball team played the two best teams in the Sunset League and unfortunately, lost them both.

The Lady Pirates fell to first-place San Luis Obispo 58-48 on Jan 31. However, SYHS got a good effort from Helina Pecile, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Kylie LaPointe added in 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Three days before that, the Lady Pirates fell to second-place Cabrillo 47-27, with LaPointe leading SYHS with 10 points.

Santa Ynez (12-9, 3-4 in the Sunset League), will play their final home game tonight, against Lompoc, and will close out the regular season with road games at Paso Robles (Feb. 7) and Templeton (Feb. 11).

Soccer programs get mixed results last week

The Pirates boys soccer team defeated St. Joseph 2-0 on  Jan. 31, with goals scored by Cristian Sandoval and Abraham Corrales. SYHS (5-11-3, 3-2-2 in Sunset League). The team is in second place in the league, pending its regular season finale Feb. 7 at Lompoc.

On the girls soccer side, SYHS lost a close one to Cabrillo 3-2 on Jan. 28, with Hannah Ricci and Grace Vazquez scoring the Pirate goals. SYHS (6-8-1, 2-4 in the Sunset League) closes out its regular season with home games against Pioneer Valley (Feb. 4) and Santa Maria (Feb. 7). 

The post SYHS girls golf squad gets their CIF championship rings appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, in collaboration with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, is pleased to honor Sierra Freedman as the January Elks Student of the Month.

In the eighth grade, Sierra, like many other students,  found herself in the throes of the COVID pandemic. She didn’t want to do schoolwork at all and it took her until her sophomore year to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic. She now maintains a 3.6 GPA. The one thing that turned things around for Sierra was an early birthday gift of her dog, Koda! Koda brought her joy and helped her become more active.

Her love of animals got her involved in the ag program at the high school. She has helped her farm team all four years of high school, where she tends to the ewes and lambs, checking on them every morning and evening. She has been described by an ag teacher as the farm manager.

Sierra has been working since the age of 12 as a baby/petsitter as well as working at OstrichLand in Buellton as an animal caregiver.

Additionally, Sierra has played golf all four years on the SYHS team and helped the Pirates win back-to-back CIF championships in her junior and senior years.

Sierra loves spending her free time at the beach, golfing, and with her dog. Her favorite book is “Lord of the Flies,” her favorite class is veterinary science, her favorite concert is by Pink! and she would love to travel to Yellowstone.

Sierra will be attending Cal State Monterey Bay, majoring in marine biology or wildlife biology. She wants to work with animals, whether domesticated, wild, or marine. Her goal is to work in animal science and environmental conservation.

Santa Ynez Valley Elks honored Sierra with a check for $100. Congratulations!

The post Sierra Freedman named Elks Student of the Month for January appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Chris Chapman came into the world with the eye of an artist. She was born in Pasadena, lived at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and attended school in Las Virgenes Canyon. As a youth she appreciated and absorbed the detail of the beauty of the natural world that surrounded her. 

Developing her innate artistic nature, she became a plein air landscape painter and a member of the Pastel Society of America and Santa Barbara’s Oak Group of dedicated land preservation painters.

“By character, I’m very observant. I see the little things. I remember walking home from the bus stop, and I’d be the only one looking up at the sky and urging my friends to, ‘Look at the sky!’ but nobody looked. I had a fanciful head, I think. I started writing poetry at 9, and at 14 I began painting. At 18 I attended college in Oregon,” she said.

She moved from Oregon to San Francisco, living there for a couple of years, but the city wasn’t her cup of tea. She returned to Oregon, where she worked as a bookkeeper for 10 years. 

However, she came back to California and the Central Coast to be with her parents and eventually found her own place in Santa Barbara.

“I started working for Mike Love as an office manager for the Beach Boys,” she continued. 

Although deep in the managerial aspects of her job during the day, she continued painting in her spare time, joining the Santa Barbara Art Association and doing oil paintings and watercolors. It was there she met her life partner.

“I met my husband, John Iwerks, at Gallery 113 and became a member of the Santa Barbara Art Association,” she continued. “John was managing Gallery 113 at the time. I had been working as a bookkeeper and became the manager/treasurer for the gallery and showed my art there.” 

In Iwerks, who was born and raised in Burbank, California, Chapman found another person whose life was surroundedby art.

“I grew up in an artistic family,” said Iwerks. “My dad, Don, worked for Disney as the head of the machine and camera shop and was the recipient of an Academy Award for Lifetime Technical Achievement in the film industry. He created many of the filming innovations that were used by Disney Studio. My aunt Carlene painted, my uncle David was a portrait photographer, my sister Leslie is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, my brother Larry is a gifted landscape painter, and my grandfather, Ub Iwerks, created Mickey Mouse with Walt Disney in 1928.”

Iwerks was also one of the founding members of the aforementioned Oak Group that Chapman was a part of.

In 1995, Chapman became interested in geology and took geology and art classes at Santa Barbara City College. She also taught a number of art classes at the SBCC adult education campus for 15 years. 

“My first class was called ‘Nature in Collage.’ I also taught watercolor, pastel, and botanical illustration. I originally thought I would become a writer because I liked to write, but I ended up being a painter of landscapes, with a little writing on the side,” she said.

While working at Gallery 113 and with the Oak Group, she and John Iwerks discovered they had a lot in common, dated, and eventually married.

“John and I were married in 1999. We camped out on the Carrizo Plain and painted on our honeymoon while on our way to the Kern River,” she said.

In 2000, the couple was asked to manage Arroyo Hondo Preserve before it opened.

“In October 2001, J.J. Hollister III negotiated the sale of the ranch to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, and since then the Land Trust has worked with great commitment to protect and restore Arroyo Hondo Preserve’s natural and historic resources, biodiversity, and native wildlife,” Chapman wrote in her book titled, “Stories of Arroyo Hondo.”

“I did all of the organizational work of setting up visitation summaries. There were researchers, biologists, habitat restoration people, the public, and school kids — all of that had to be on a spreadsheet to itemize the visitations,” she recalled. 

However, Chapman felt she was kept from her true calling. “Here I was in a painter’s paradise and spending all my time in front of the computer,” she said. 

After about five years, she asked her boss if he could show her Dos Pueblos Ranch so she could go there and paint. 

“He gave me permission to meet with the owners, and I just fell in love with Dos Pueblos Ranch. There was a little red hunting cabin under sycamore trees and avocado orchards near a watershed with trout,” she said. “He let us move in there. We lived there for nine years. They sold the up-canyon portion to an avocado company that restored the canyon. That’s when we moved to the Santa Ynez Valley. By that time, I was painting a lot and selling with the Oak Group.” 

She was commissioned to illustrate botanical watercolors in a book called “Chumash Ethnobotany” by Jan Timbrook, and the Carrizo Plain asked for her botanical paintings for its visitor’s center.

“They were printed on wood about 4 feet tall, so I had a room with printed botanicals and a big pastel painting in the main room of rain flowing over the Carrizo,” she described. “The Wildling, now called the California Natural Art Museum, produced a film about that, which John and I were both in. We were also in another film about Ray Strong. I was also on the board of the Wildling Museum.” 

Her book, “Stories of Arroyo Hondo,” was published in 2016 and contained not only her art but short stories and vintage photographs about the history of the region. 

“I wanted to write the history of the area in a way that was engaging and that paired with our paintings to assist the docents of Arroyo Hondo Preserve,” said Chapman.

Previously she wrote a book featuring her artwork titled “Portraits of Gaviota,” which was published in 2005. 

Chapman and Iwerks are also a part of “The Tuesday Group,” a group of artists that meet every Tuesday. It was startedby two female artists who wanted to paint plein air, and it has since grown into a large group that meets weekly at a variety of art-inspiring locations.

When asked about her hobbies and her life in the Valley, it seems that her day-to-day life is her hobby, for the most part.

“Gardening and painting are my two favorite things to do,” said Chapman. “But a lot of my time is taken up withrunning our art business.”

“What I appreciate most about my life is that John and I are best friends and teammates and that we both appreciate the spiritual nature of our earth and beyond,” she concluded.

For more information, visit chapmaniwerks.com

The post A love story inspired by art, nature, preservation, and friendship appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

R & B funk band Tower of Power will make its return to the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. Tickets for the show are $39, $49, $59, $69, and $79. 

Formed in 1968, Tower of Power is a 10-member band that has been performing and releasing music for almost 60 years. Currently featuring founding members Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka, the group is known for its horn section and distinctive blend of funk, soul, and R&B. With a total of 26 studio albums, the band has featured an array of instruments over the decades, including saxophone, drums, keyboard, trumpet, trombone, and bass guitar.

Tower of Power earned the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and have had eight songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, including hits like “You’re Still a Young Man,” “So Very Hard to Go,” and “Don’t Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream).” From its first album, “East Bay Grease” released in 1970, to its most recent holiday album, “It’s Christmas” released in September of 2024, the group continues to be celebrated for their iconic sound and enduring legacy.

With one of the most influential horn sections in the music industry, the band has collaborated with numerous musicians across various genres, adding their signature sound to tracks by artists like Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks and more. 

Don’t miss an opportunity to experience this legendary band perform live in one of the most popular venues in Santa Barbara County.

Located on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, the Chumash Casino Resort is an age 21-and-older venue. Tickets for all events are available at the THE CLUB at Chumash or online at chumashcasino.com

The post Tower Of Power to perform at Chumash Casino Resort on Feb. 14 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Dear Editors and all Citizens:

Solvang, like other Santa Ynez Valley towns, is small and built on strong community values — a place where people know their neighbors, where scenic views define the landscape, and where residents assume that, through their elected representatives, they have a voice in decisions affecting their future. But action by city staff and inaction by City Council regarding the Wildwood development application has shaken that sense of community to its core.

Wildwood is a proposed 100-unit high density apartment complex covering a steep hill and scenic viewscape at Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive.

On Jan. 13, residents gathered at the City Council meeting, demanding that council follow the law and act to stop the Planning Department from pushing through a defective Wildwood application. Instead of action, residents were metwith silence.

City Council first failed to follow the law in 2023 when it was eight months late submitting to the state an approved General Plan Housing Element. The proposed Wildwood project is a blatant attempt to take advantage of that failure.

Wildwood will irrevocably damage Solvang’s small-town character. It will add over 200 vehicles coming and going through an already congested main gateway into Solvang, and will create serious hazards for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. A requested waiver allowing insufficient on-site parking will result in increased illegal parking as 250 new residents and their visitors fight for spaces. Taxpayers will have to pay for new infrastructure to deal with blocked intersections, increased erosion runoff, and flooding.

The developer’s Builder’s Remedy application attempts to bypass Solvang’s General Plan and zoning laws and shorten normal public review procedures. Wildwood, promoted as addressing the affordable housing crisis, falls far short, the developer proposes only 13 affordable units — far below the 36-unit goal proposed in Solvang’s General Plan, a goal we strongly support. Eighty-seven higher income units are not needed, will damage Solvang’s vital tourism business, burden its infrastructure, consume precious resources, and serve only to increase developer profits.

By following the law now, Solvang could easily recover from its past failures. From the beginning, the Wildwood application has failed to meet the clear and basic State Code requirements, and therefore is void. However, instead of following the law and declaring it void, staff has overlooked the application’s deficiencies, and pushed it along, therebyprioritizing developer interests over those of the community. The City Council has a duty to oversee and correct staff’s failure to follow the law.  Instead, council does nothing.

Residents have stated many times that council cannot continue to give “our hands are bound by state law” as an excuse for inaction, when council’s own staff continues to selectively follow that very law in favor of the developer — first by applying the State Code to invite the developer to file a Builder’s Remedy pre-application, then ignoring the code when it clearly provided rules, mandates, and multiple remedies to reject the pre-application for initially failing to provide code-required information and later for failing to provide requested documentation before code-prescribed deadlines. There is no excuse for council’s failure to insist that staff consistently follow the law. This is not how good government functions.

This failure cannot go unchallenged. Without action from  council, residents are left with no choice but to consider legal action. Residents have asked council to either hear and act on their appeal of staff actions or act itself to direct staff to follow the law, stop processing the pre-application, and direct that a new, non-Builder’s Remedy application be submitted. But council still does nothing. 

This is about more than one project. It is about the future of Solvang and the Valley, and whether or not our local governments will serve the people who live in this unique place or serve the developers who seek to profit from that uniqueness and irrevocably damage it in the process.

All residents are urged to write, call, or email Solvang City Council members and demand that they follow the law and stop processing the current Wildwood application. Call (805) 688-5575, ext 204, or email council@cityofsolvang.com

Sincerely,

Mark Oliver; Susanne Powell; Chantal Cloutier; Craig Kent; Katie Kusske; Brian Carrillo; Stephen Martin; Kathleen Day; Dan Martin; Janet C. Forster; Paul Matthies; Suzi Matthies; Barbara Allen; Susan Shehab; Felicia Carroll; Al Cortese; Peggie Holley; Bill Powell; Dr. Cythia Matthews; Diana Story; Michelle Neels; Sandra Mills; Heidi Iwasko; Linda Martin; Ginny Erlich;    Elaine Morris; Kelley Davis; Bob Snyder; Ted Allen; John Alexander Moisan; Joseph Kalina; Jacqueline Kalina; Mark Frank; Kent Lockart; Lansing Duncan; Dennis Beebe; Phyllis Martinez; Karen Waite; Patricia Snyder; JoAnn Taylor; Jeff Nelson; Linda C. Smith

Residents of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley

The post Letter to the Editor: Solvang must follow the law appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.