Staff Report

The Solvang Christmas Tree Burn, which was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 6, has been canceled, the City of Solvang announced Thursday afternoon. The cancellation came after Wednesday’s night’s rainy weather into Thursday morning caused conditions making it impossible to do the event at Mission Santa Ines.

“The rain has been a wonderful and long overdue necessity. But the heavy rains do come with consequences. One of them, unfortunately, is the cancellation of this year’s Tree Burn Event,” the city said in a press release. “Although some of the saturated trees may still be able to burn, the tree pile site at the Mission Santa Ines field has been inundated with water resulting in very large puddles, excessive mud, terrible footing and giant ruts from various vehicles driving directly to the pile to drop off trees causing unsafe terrain.”

The release said that while Friday’s weather is projected to be clear, the poor conditions remain in the field next to the mission, where the trees were to be burned. 

“We are all disappointed that this annual event will not take place this year,” the release continued. “We are working with Waste Management and the tree pile will instead be recycled into mulch. Trees can still be dropped off (due to excessive mud no vehicles, carefully walk it in from the parking lot) through the end of next week by January 13.” 

The city release ended by saying it looks forward to this community event returning next year with the right conditions, and thanked residents for their patience and understanding.

The Christmas Tree Burn was to signal the end of Julefest, the city’s monthlong celebration of the holidays. The festival start Nov. 26, and kicked into gear the first weekend of December, with the tree lighting and parade. 

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By Pamela Dozois
Contributing Writer

The Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides stable facility in Buellton has been open for fun and equine frivolity for one year, and celebrates its anniversary on Dec. 15. The fun continues this month with a unique family holiday experience called “A Cowboy Christmas,” which has been in full force since Thanksgiving, welcoming people from across the Central Coast.

With only a short time left until Christmas, there is still time to take the family to enjoy the long list of activities offered at A Cowboy Christmas, which includes Santa’s Petting Zoo, a Christmas Hay Ride, the North Pole Mercantile, The Village Shops, Official North Pole Mailbox, The Daring Elf Adventure (a pony ride through the North Pole), Tipsy Ornament Challenge (horseback challenge for grownups), Jr. Reindeer Games Obstacle Course, North Pole Carnival Games, Christmas Pony Decorating (with real ponies), Horseshoe Ornament Decorating, Santa’s Speakeasy, North Pole Café, Mischievous Pony Bounce House, and photos with Santa and his mini “reindeer,” along with other special guests.

“We wanted to create an immersive experience that allows both children and adults to experience some North Pole magic,” said Evie Sweeney, event manager for A Cowboy Christmas.

She and her husband Bob own Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides. They are both long-time horse professionals in the Valley, originating from the Arabian horse industry.

This colorful new family holiday event invites guests to experience a “rustic version of the North Pole” as they enter the horse stable facility located inside River View Park at 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton. The doors are open until 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday all through December, then Monday through Friday Dec. 17 to 23, closing Dec. 24 and 25 and reopening on Monday through Friday, Dec. 26 to 30.

Certain activities — but not all — require a punch card, which can be purchased onsite or at checkout. Tickets are on sale now, with limited tickets available daily, and are $20/adult and $14 for kids under 12. Children under two are free. All paid admission tickets include a complimentary 5-hole punch card to get guests started. A limited number of Season Passes and VIP Wristband Tickets (offering unlimited activities) are also available.
The Sweeneys hope to make the event a beloved annual holiday tradition, creating new Christmas memories for Central Coast families.
For tickets or more information, call or text (805) 705-5458 or visit www.syvcowboychristmas.com.

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For the past 15 years, the annual Angels Among Us Remembrance Service hosted by VNA Health has helped community residents celebrate the life and memory of passed loved ones during the holiday season. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, VNA Health continued this important tradition Dec. 8 with a virtual Angels Among Us atvna.health/2020angelsamongus. 

Though online, this year’s service included the tradition of sharing music and stories, lighting candles, honoring veterans and lost soldiers, and remembering loved ones. Since participants couldn’t gather and light candles, VNA Health created make-and-keep candle ornaments in the centerfold of its Fall 2020 issue of Live Wellmagazine. To receive a copy of the magazine, please email marketing@vna.health. 

“Angels Among Us has always been one of those very heartwarming programs that connects people; and this year, though safely apart online, we will still be connected,” said Sena Woodall, director of hospice care. “Angels Among Us will continue to be a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one, and the video of the service will remain on our website even after the holidays.” 

During the holiday season, the need for bereavement care and support is greatest, as memories and traditions can bring up grief and loss. Even through COVID-19, the VNA Health bereavement care team has sustained its programs via telehealth care, phone-conferencing, and video-conferencing to support families and friends with grief counseling, group support, workshops and other resources. For more information on Bereavement support, please email at bereavement@vna.health or leave a confidential message at 805.690.6201. All services are offered to the community free of charge.  

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Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) for Santa Barbara County extends its sincere gratitude to the employees of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Santa Barbara. Last month, an amazing group of agents hand-delivered 20 Christmas trees and accompanying holiday decorations to be distributed to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Berkshire Hathaway has been a corporate partner of DVS for many years and delivering holiday cheer has become an annual tradition.

This season, the company also awarded DVS with a generous donation of $2,150. Funds for both the Christmas trees and monetary gift were raised from Berkshire Hathaway’s philanthropic arm, The Charitable Foundation. The fundraising efforts were led and coordinated by Madhu Khemani. 

In the past year, DVS provided 5,755 safe nights of shelter to survivors and their families. The safety and comfort of residents at DVS depend on the support of outside organizations. This holiday season will be much warmer and brighter thanks to the kindness of Berkshire Hathaway agents. 

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Although the Buellton Chamber of Commerce wasn’t able to host its normal Winter Fest activities this year, they were still able to host a Farmer’s Market with a little touch of Christmas.

The City of Buellton, Parks & Rec, Buellton Chamber and Visitors Bureau brought joy to those who came to the Farmer’s Market. Guests got to take a socially distanced photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and their helpers, children wrote letters to Santa and grabbed a craft kit to take home while parents picked up a few things at the Farmer’s Market. 

The Chamber also hosted its first Poker Run on Dec. 5 as another fun activity to do in a safe manner. 

“We had a great number of participants from local and out of town who came to participate in our First Annual Poker Run,” said Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber. “They spent the day visiting the stops along the run and enjoyed venturing around Buellton and learning more about our city.” 

Vreeland said she also thanked the event’s sponsors and locations for hosting people on their property as a stop along the Poker Run. Among them were Mendenhall Museum, Ostrichland USA, The Tavern at Zaca Creek, Santa Ynez Valley Marriott and the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden.

For more information on the Buellton Chamber visit www.buellton.org. 

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reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com

As the buses pulled into the parking lot at the Marriott Hotel in Buellton on the morning of Dec. 2, only smiling faces could be seen peering out of the windows as children anticipated the opportunity of attending a party created just for them with a restaurant lunch, gifts, and a chance to see Santa.

Disembarking, eyes widened as each child was greeted by familiar characters such as Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, a Christmas elf, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

The annual Vikings of Solvang Christmas Party, given yearly on behalf of special-needs children and young adults from northern Santa Barbara County, is the highlight of the Vikings’ many yearly projects.

More than 800 special-needs students, teachers and aides attended the Vikings’ Christmas party on Dec. 2.

Each of the more than 800 guests was served lunch in a highly decorated banquet hall while the Viking Troubadours (Suzanne Hollrah, Gene Madsen and Franci DeFranco) and the Christmas Brass Group (David Pedersen, Doug Bube, Eldon Shiffman, Eugene L. Myers, and Mike Moore) performed Christmas music. 

Each child then visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus, allowing them the opportunity to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Each one then received a bucket of cookies from Olsen’s Bakery to take home.

“The party planning began in August,” explained Jim Cassidy, chairman of the event’s committee. “We have a master list of all the schools and teachers and begin emailing invitations to see who will be attending this year’s party, then we double check the list. If a teacher hasn’t responded, we then track her or him down by telephone in order to get an accurate head count to make sure that we order enough food for the party.

“Each teacher receives a $300 Amazon gift certificate for use in her classroom,” he continued. “We have parents who bring their children as well, as some may be fearful of getting on a bus or coming alone with a teacher. … Some of the children keep coming back year after year. Some are 18 or 19 years old now.”

Approximately 100 Viking volunteers work at this special event. Some are greeters, some work at the registration desk, others are ushers and food servers, and others help control the traffic into and out of the dining room. After the children have eaten, they are guided into the room where Santa and Mrs. Claus await them. 

“The teachers and aides are absolutely remarkable. They are so peaceful and calm. They know how to handle their children. They have the ‘patience of Job’,” said Dave Bemis, chief of the Vikings this year. “They are so skillful, working with their individual kids, helping them to succeed.”

“Putting on this event is not work, it’s a pleasure,” said Cassidy, who has been chairman of this committee for about 10 years, taking over from the late Hans Birkholm who had run the program for decades before stepping down.

“Sometimes I think it is more pleasure than work,” Bemis agreed with a grin. “But then again, the chief does very little with regard to this event …. Jim is the person who is really in charge.”

“The Marriott is doing such a good job for us. We have been coming here for 10 years now. The Marriott provides a fine team that works with us, making sure everything goes off as planned,” said Cassidy. 

“Every time a bus comes in, we see kids with all kinds of issues, but 99 percent of them step off the bus with smiling faces, and then we start smiling,” Cassidy continued. “I think that’s why we have so many volunteers – it’s because it makes them so happy to be here. The Vikings have close to 200 members. Most service clubs have a hard time recruiting, but we have at least 20 new members each year.”

“We feel very blessed to have the opportunity to attend this party with our kids and to have the Vikings’ support each Christmas. Everyone is having such a wonderful time,” said D.J. Barber, long-term substitute Special Ed teacher at Taylor Elementary School in Santa Maria as the children at her table were happily feasting on hamburgers, French fries, and treats that were being served to them by the Vikings and Marriott staff members.

“This is such a heart-rending event – it makes me want to cry,” said Viking Al Salge. “It makes me so thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.”

The Vikings are a social and philanthropic nonprofit group that exists to provide help with the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County. This year, in addition to the cost of this party, they have made grants for medical needs that total nearly $85,000.

For more information, log onto www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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People Helping People (PHP) is seeking the public’s help, including donations of time, turkeys and gifts, as it prepares its annual Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday programs that serve people throughout the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos.

For Thanksgiving, PHP expands its regular biweekly food program to distribute turkeys and all the fixings to 275 to 300 low-income families and seniors. To do this, PHP must obtain food donations to supplement the nearly 10,000 pounds of food it normally delivers.

Donations of turkeys and other traditional accompaniments, “Turkey Bucks,” or cash gifts for those items can be made at PHP’s Service Center at 545 North Alisal Road in Solvang. PHP staff has already arranged for freezer and storage space so that they can begin taking donations immediately. Call Victor Gonzalez, PHP’s Food Program Coordinator, at 805-686-0295 to arrange a donation or even a pick-up.

PHP is also planning for its 25^th annual valley-wide “Fulfill-A-Wish” program. In the true spirit of the Christmas season, a large cast of PHP staff and volunteers gather donated gifts for teens and basic-needs household items for families.

Additionally, PHP partners with “Toys 4 Tots” to collect and distribute toys, and with the Rotary Club of Buellton to gather and deliver warm coats to children in need throughout the area. PHP is the only official organization in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys designated by the Marine Corps Reserve to accept Toys 4 Tots donations.

Although families must meet income qualifications to participate in the PHP Fulfill-A-Wish program, the eligibility and distribution process is completed with sensitivity and respect for the dignity of the families. All items distributed at Fulfill-A-Wish are donated materials or purchased with cash gifts specified for that purpose.

More than $20,000 in goods and 30 volunteers are needed to help fulfill families’ most basic needs at Christmas. Last year, PHP’s Fulfill-A-Wish Program assisted 83 families, including more than 2,000 children.

Kristina Stewart, PHP Brand and Marketing Manager, said that the overwhelming gratitude displayed by parents who are able to provide gifts on Christmas day for their kids makes the tremendous organizational effort worthwhile. 

“It is a wonderful feeling to help so many celebrate who otherwise could not,” said Stewart. 

According to Stewart, many of those assisted are victims of domestic violence, single moms, and very-low-income families working in the local service and agricultural industries,

PHP will distribute Christmas gifts from its Fulfill-A-Wish Boutique in the Buellton Park Center in space donated by JoAnn Taylor & The Lauren Company. The boutique will be festively decorated, stocked by volunteers, and be ready for operation on Dec. 20.

On that day, families and individuals meeting the PHP eligibility criteria visit the boutique and choose a limited number of gifts and toys based on the size of their family. Ramos indicated that the boutique will be open well into the evening in order to accommodate working families.

“The Fulfill-A-Wish program represents the very best of the valley community. … A great debt of gratitude is owed to the many businesses, schools, churches, and agencies that sponsor locations for donation boxes; the staff of C&D LLC, CPAs, that donate many hours to set up and decorate the boutique; and to the many other generous volunteers and donors who give of their time, toys, clothing, and funds,” said Dean Palius, PHP’s Chief Executive Officer.

To make donating to Fulfill-A-Wish convenient, donation boxes advertising Toys 4 Tots and “wish lists” will be available throughout the valley beginning in mid-November. And, for the second time this year, PHP and the Rotary Club of Buellton are making additional boxes available to collect gently worn coats to help individuals stay warm through the winter months.

In addition to the hundreds of toys needed each year the Fulfill-A-Wish program is especially in need of clothing for children, from infants to teens, and gift items suitable for teens. Gift cards are a great option for teen contributions. 

Individuals or groups interested in making a donation can request a list of recommended items from PHP and drop them unwrapped in one of the donation boxes or deliver them to the PHP offices at 545 North Alisal Road, Solvang.

Individuals and families can support PHP’s Fulfill-A-Wish Program with a donation of a gift, wrapping paper, or cash; placement of a donation box in a business; or by volunteering. For additional information, contact Crystal at People Helping People at 805-686-0295 or crystal@syvphp.org. You can reach PHP by mail at P.O. Box 1478, Solvang, 93464.

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Contributing Writer

The quaint, colorful and charming Solvang Bakery has been providing both locals and visitors with an array of authentic Danish baked goods for 38 years, since Susan Halme established it in 1981.

Halme’s daughter, Melissa Redell, is now the co-owner.

The family moved to Solvang from the Los Angeles area in 1976, when Redell was 6 years old. She and her siblings grew up in Ballard. 

“My husband, Paul, suggested that I open up a store in Solvang,” Halme said. “Melissa was 11 when I purchased an existing bakery called the Danish Mill Bakery, whose owners were leaving the valley, and renamed it The Solvang Bakery. 

“I had to quickly learn how to run a business. Melissa would help me out at the bakery after school. My other children, Maili, Matt and Morgan, all worked at the bakery at some point. Over the years we’ve occupied three different locations in Solvang.”

Halme learned how to make Danish baked goods from the bakers who worked at the Danish Mill Bakery, who were trained by Danish bakers. They still work for The Solvang Bakery, turning out an assortment of pastries, butter cookies, breads, and cakes for all occasions and a variety of other tasty treats.  

Solvang Bakery sells homemade, personalized gingerbread houses to customers around the world.
Photo contributed

“We have always made traditional Danish breads and pastries. We are a full range bakery. We do everything ourselves,” Halme explained.  “We bake our goods in Buellton because there isn’t enough room in this location to do it on site. I work in the production end of things and Melissa manages the office and the retail store. We are a great team.”

“My mother is the hardest working, most creative, generous person I know,” said Redell. “She is extremely imaginative and our cakes reflect her creativity – I like to think of it as edible art. … We specialize in unique custom cakes made artistically for those special occasions in a person’s life, cakes that you may only be able to find in big cities.” 

Redell left the Valley to attend UCLA, earning a teaching degree. She then married and has three children — Bear, who now attends UCLA; Brooke, who is studying at Pepperdine; and Bennett, who is a sophomore at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

 “I returned to the valley when Bear was a year old and partnered with my mother in the bakery in 1997,” said Redell.

“I love working with my mother. … We like the same things,” she said. 

“We love to give parties,” said Halme. “We love family. We think about what we would want for our family and translate that into products for our customers. We do weddings and special events, corporate and holiday affairs as well.”

The Halmes are deeply rooted in the community and want to keep Solvang a special place because they love living here.

“The holiday season is our busiest time of year as we make homemade, personalized, gingerbread houses that are sold all over the country and internationally,” said Halme. “We start in October and until Dec. 20, it’s a mad house. We work a minimum of 18-hour days baking, packaging, and shipping to our customers. Each year we say to ourselves, “I think this is the last year I want to do this, but when October rolls around the next year, we are excited to do it all over again.” 

“Our particular partnership works because we have trust and respect for each other and we back each other up,” said Redell.

“We encourage and support women to go into business for themselves. It is very rewarding,” Halme added.

The Solvang Bakery at 438 Alisal Road in Solvang is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Christmas Day. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, call 805-688-4939 or 805-770-0089, email melissa@solvangbakery.com or visit www.solvangbakery.com. 

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Santa Ynez Valley resident Anna Lincoln submitted a photo of her pug Magda dressed in her Santa outfit. Meanwhile, Cindy Lou Who, Santa Claus and a friendly Grinch took pictures with shoppers at El Rancho Market on Dec. 16.

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Familiar Christmas characters greeted kids as they arrived at the Vikings Christmas party.

By Raiza Giorgi

Santa Ynez Valley Star

Frosty the Snowman, The Grinch, a Christmas elf and other holiday characters greeted hundreds of kids as they streamed into the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott for the annual Vikings of Solvang Christmas Party.

This year was the 43rd annual party for special-needs children in Santa Barbara County.

“This is such a fun event and a great way for social recreation for our kids. It’s a fun way to get them all together and celebrate the holidays,” said Mariana Murillo, who escorted her son Oscar Lopez, 19, of Cabrillo High School.

More than 600 students attended, and Vikings Chief Mike Peterson said that he and other Vikings look forward to the joyful event every year.

“We want to honor these kids and their caregivers. They are all amazing in our minds,” Peterson said.

The Vikings of Solvang are well known to most Valley residents for riding on their imposing Viking ship in local parades, but the magnanimous group’s community contributions are as robust as their Nordic namesakes.

“This event really starts the Christmas holiday for most of us Vikings. Seeing their faces and making this event special each year for them is what it’s all about,” said Viking Jim Cassidy, chairman of the event committee.

Cassidy said about 80 percent of the Viking membership showed up to help out by greeting children, guiding them to tables, serving meals, decorating, setting up, and tearing down.

The most important job is the role of Santa Claus, and Viking Dan Cassara said he is honored to do that work.

Dan Cassara, pictured with his wife Bridget, said he is honored not only to be a member of the Vikings but also to play Santa Claus at their annual Christmas Party for special-needs kids.

“This event is so special, and I get to help make them smile. That’s the best gift of all,” Cassara said.

Each guest left the party with a full stomach and a bucket of cookies from Olsen’s Bakery, and each of the 58 teachers in attendance were given a gift certificate as well for use in their classroom,.

The Vikings are a men’s social and philanthropic organization dedicated to filling unfunded, medically related needs of individuals and families in Santa Barbara County. Members remain steadfast in their mission to provide county residents with a better quality of life through paying medical expenses, assisting in patient advocacy, and hosting events to serve meals to senior citizens throughout the year.

The Vikings have contributed more than $2.7 million since their inception in 1974 through donations to their endowment fund, their own contributions, and the occasional need-based fundraiser.

For more information, log onto www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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