Staff Report
Jessica Jensen, formerly a 30-year resident of Solvang, celebrated her 100th birthday on July 7 with a festive luncheon at Maravilla Retirement Community in Goleta, with friends from Santa Barbara, Solvang and Southern California.
The luncheon was hosted by her daughter, Carol Jensen Sefchek of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.
Mrs. Jensen is a past president of the Woman’s Club of the Santa Ynez Valley, a 17-year volunteer at the Artist Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley, a member of the Lunch Bunch, and served on the city of Solvang Open Space Committee.
After Solvang became a city, the committee was largely responsible for preserving open spaces such as the open areas on Duff Mesa and in the Village Collection development. She took great pride in her garden on Hornbeck Place and was a regular participant at Solvang City Council meetings in which she advocated for affordable water for Solvang’s residents.
She has resided at Maravilla for the past 11 years.
