SOLVANG
California Nature Art Museum to debut California’s first permanent Thomas Dambo troll on Feb. 2
The California Nature Art Museum (calnatureartmuseum.org formerly the Wildling Museum), located on 1511-B Mission Drive in Solvang, will be welcoming internationally renowned Danish artist and recycling activist Thomas Dambo, and his crew of international and local volunteer builders, as the team constructs the 154th Thomas Dambo troll inside the Museum’s front tower. The new Thomas Dambo troll will be the California’s first permanent troll, and the first Thomas Dambo troll to reside indoors, anywhere around the globe. The troll will debut to the public on Saturday, Feb. 1.
“I am excited to build my first troll living inside at the California Nature Art Museum,” said Dambo, whose mission is to build one of his trolls in every U.S. state. “The troll will feel right at home in the charming little American Danish town of Solvang, and it will be my first permanent sculpture in California.”
Copenhagen, Denmark-based Dambo is celebrated for his imaginative and colossal sculptures made from recycled materials. Specializing in creating enchanting wooden trolls, he breathes new life into discarded resources, showcasing the boundless potential hidden within our world’s trash cans.
Thomas Dambo’s Solvang build team has, with the help of the Museum, secured donated materials which will be usedto construct the new troll. More than 80 wooden pallets donated by local businesses and wineries, as well as approximately 30 wooden wine barrels of various sizes, will be upcycled to craft “her,” the troll’s gender being the only“detail” released prior to her reveal.
“The City of Solvang lauds Thomas Dambo’s environmentally minded efforts, and we hope that this troll will serve as yet another proverbial bridge between Solvang and Denmark,” added Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy. “We are so fortunate to have the California Nature Art Museum here in Solvang, considering the importance of its mission and its cultural impact.”
The public is invited to a free Thomas Dambo Art Talk on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., in the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building (1745 Mission Drive in Solvang), where attendees may learn more about Thomas Dambo’s career as the world-leading recycle artist, and his adventurous journey of turning trash into his beloved trolls. Guests must register in advance by emailing rachel@calnatureartmuseum.org.
Additional information about the Thomas Dambo troll project may be found at calnatureartmuseum.org/news/thomas-dambo-at-calnam, which also includes a link for online donations. Donations of $250 and above will be listed on a sponsor board in the museum lobby, near the entrance to the Michele Kuelbs Tower, where the troll will soon live.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Goleta Police inform community of new state daylighting law
The Goleta Police Department put out a release explaining California’s new law, Assembly Bill 413, known as the“California Daylighting Law,” which went into effect on Jan. 1.
The daylighting law prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension, which would affect all four corners in all directions. However, when the daylighting law was incorporated into California Vehicle Code section 22500(n)(1)(A), it was determined the law only applied to stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension. This only applies to vehicles parked along the right side of the roadway as you approach intersections.
Effective Jan. 1, the law allows for violators to be issued a parking citation for violating the Daylighting Law.
This law is intended to:
- Improve visibility at intersections
- Make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians, skateboarders, and other road users
- Reduce accidents and save lives
The new law says that:
- Drivers cannot park along the right side of the road, within 20 feet of a crosswalk, whether it’s marked or unmarked
- Drivers cannot park along the right side of the road, within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension
This law was written to address incidents where pedestrians were struck and seriously injured or killed while crossing the street. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, California’s pedestrian fatality rate was 25 percent higher than the national average. Pedestrian fatalities increased from 1,013 in 2020 to 1,108 in 2021. There are 43 other states that have implemented similar laws that have resulted in successfully reducing traffic collisions involving pedestrians.
The Goleta Police Department is aware street parking in local neighborhoods can be difficult, and parking is limited. This law is one component of many meant reduce pedestrian related traffic collisions.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
SYV students named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Dean’s List
Of the students named to the Southern New Hampshire University Dean’s List for fall 2024, two are from the Santa Ynez Valley.
Christopher Bryan, of Solvang, and Eddie Berry, of Santa Ynez, made the list by virtue of being full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the fall term, which ran from September to December. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.
SANTA BARBARA
Cachuma Lake conducting big trout release for 2025
Cachuma Lake is currently at 89 percent capacity, and the rainbows are here. The rainbow trout that is! In cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the County of Santa Barbara is in the process of adding 16,000 pounds of rainbow trout to the lake this stocking season. The second 4,000-pound plant arrived this week, the first took place in November. The fish range in size from half-pound “catchables” to 8-pound trophies and come from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, Inc., located in Paynes Creek, California.
This is a great time of year to be at the lake not only for fishing, but also for viewing the migrating birds passing through with some that are staying on for the winter. Bring a pair of binoculars to look for visiting eagles, osprey, and American white pelicans.
Visitors can also enjoy other park amenities including guided nature walks, Junior Rangers, disc golf, beautiful hiking trails, plus live music and delicious food at Hook’d Bar and Grill. Cachuma Lake Marina and Boat Rentals has everything an angler needs available for rent or purchase at the Bait and Tackle store, which offers pontoons, outboards and kayak rentals, as well as one-day and annual fishing licenses. Fishing from shore in the recreation area or from a boat is open year-round with a valid fishing license. In addition to rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, crappie, carp, catfish, blue gill and red-eared sunfish are ready to bite. At this time the Guided Cruises are on hold until further notice due to maintenance.
Please note that due to the 30-day Quagga restrictions, boats must be inspected and tagged by Cachuma Lake staff at least 30 days prior to visiting. Kayaks, canoes, and simple boats are eligible for same-day launch. For more information, please visit countyofsb.org/639/Boating-Vessel-Requirements.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a full-service campground offering year-round cabin, yurt, RV and tent camping, recreational activities, nature programs for all ages and of course, fishing! For camping reservations and more information, go to countyofsb.org/334/Parks.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office adds two new K-9 teams
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 7 officially introduced two new members of its K-9 team, Obi and Draco, at the County Board of Supervisors’ regularly scheduled meeting.
Both dogs are specially trained German Shepherds, generously donated by Christine and Reece Duca through funding from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse’s Project Deputy Dog program. The Ducas have previouslydonated two other K-9s to the Sheriff’s Office, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to public safety.
Obi and Draco are trained in patrol, urban tracking, and specialized detection — one in explosives and the other in narcotics. These exceptional additions replace two recently retired K-9 team members. With their arrival, the Sheriff’sOffice now fields a total of five canines: three assigned to patrol operations and two dedicated to custody operations for narcotics detection. This ensures 24/7 patrol coverage across Santa Barbara County and critical narcotics detection capabilities in custody facilities.
The K-9 teams play a pivotal role in public and officer safety, routinely deployed in high-risk scenarios such as building searches, open area searches, human scent tracking, and evidence recovery. They also assist the county’s Special Enforcement Teams with perimeter containment and active searches. Weekly, rigorous training keeps these teams at peak readiness for the challenges they face.
The Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, helps bridge the gap between the increasing demands for public safety and the county’s limited budget. By raising funds for vital equipment and training, the Posse ensures law enforcement can continue to safeguard the community effectively.
“We are incredibly grateful to Christine and Reece Duca for their generous donation through the Posse’s Project Deputy Dog program,” said SBCSBP Board Chairman Richard Kline. “Their unwavering support has funded not only Obi and Draco but also two previous K-9 additions. Their dedication to community safety is both inspiring and deeply valued.”
Born in Germany and trained by the Inglis Police Dog Academy in Oxnard, Obi and Draco recently completed 200 hours of rigorous training and are now actively serving Santa Barbara County. These highly skilled dogs enhance the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to respond effectively to diverse and complex challenges.
Maintaining the County’s K-9 program requires continuous support. To contribute to this critical initiative, visit sbsheriffsposse.org. Donations of $25,000 or more grant the honor of naming the next K-9 partner.
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse, its K-9 Unit campaign, or additional ways to support law enforcement, visit sbsheriffsposse.org
Draft Recreation Master Plan published; comment period lasts until Feb. 24
The County of Santa Barbara, Community Services Department, Parks Division (County Parks) has published the Draft Santa Barbara County Recreation Master Plan, available at Santa Barbara County Recreation Master Plan, additional information on the project can be found at sbcrecplan.com. Comments on the Draft Plan are welcome until 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24.
The Recreation Master Plan’s goal is to enhance the quality of life and leisure experience for Santa Barbara County residents of all ages. It fosters new parks, trails, and recreational facilities in unincorporated communities throughout Santa Barbara County in strategic coordination with other public recreation providers in the county, such as cities and special districts.
The County is also preparing a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the Draft Plan.
If you are interested to hear more about the Program Environmental Impact Report, a virtual environmental scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m. Please visit countyofsb.org/1214/Recreation-Master-Plan for more information.
If you would like to make a comment on the Draft Recreation Master Plan or the scope of the Program Environmental Impact Report please submit your comments by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, via email to RecPlan@countyofsb.org or mail to Jeff Lindgren, Deputy Director of Parks Division, Community Services Department, Parks Division, 123 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.
The Recreation Master Plan is a long-range plan to fund and construct public parks, trails, and facilities to meet recreation needs. The Draft Plan proposes capital improvements, programs, funding, and implementation strategies for the unincorporated area over about 20 years. It includes the proposed Recreation Benefit Project (RBP) Program, allowing private developments to contribute to the public recreation system. The County also proposes amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances to support the Recreation Master Plan and the RBP Program.
The Draft Recreation Master Plan is the result of over two years of community engagement, with nearly 8,000 survey responses and 86 outreach events. The County thanks all contributors, including the multi-jurisdictional steering committee, local cities, districts, and community partners.
New report lays the foundation for a Comprehensive Master Plan for Aging in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County has released a landmark report addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by its rapidly aging population. Titled “Aging Well in Santa Barbara County: Moving Forward with the California Master Plan for Aging,” the report, produced by the Santa Barbara County Adult & Aging Network (AAN), highlights the county’sshifting demographics and provides actionable recommendations to ensure age-friendly practices and policies that enable residents of all ages and abilities to thrive.
“It’s time to implement bold solutions to address the challenges facing older adults in our county and to prepare for the growing and complex needs of our aging population,” said 3rd District Supervisor and Adult and Aging Network Co-Chair Joan Hartmann. “This report is a springboard for our community, offering important recommendations for a more coordinated plan to improve the quality of life for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers, families, and loved ones.”
The report showcases the county’s robust foundation of services and support while identifying critical areas for improvement. It calls for a collective, countywide response to address historically fragmented systems and proactively plan for increasing demands. Key findings from the report were presented to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors at their hearing in Santa Maria on Jan. 14.
