Santa Ynez Valley Star December A 2020 by Santa Ynez Valley Star

December 1 - December 14, 2020

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Local fashion bag designer creates label that benefits orphans Her brand, KatFaith, donates 6% of its proceeds to organizations that deal with child welfare By Raiza Giorgi

Photo contributed Nakia Zavala is featured on the latest episode of "SYV Stories," a new local podcast about community and purpose in the Santa Ynez Valley.

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anta Ynez Valley local Katherine Hamaker has always had a love for fashion and wanted to create a line that would not only use her creativity, but also help other kids who were orphaned as she was. “I was an orphan at four years old, and I wanted to do something that combined my creative side with helping kids who were just like me and show them being an orphan or adopted is just a part of your story, not what defines you,” Hamaker said. Hamaker grew up in Lompoc after being adopted at age 8. Her dream of going to fashion school was put on hold when she met and married her husband Evan, who is a firefighter, and the two decided to start their own family. Hamaker decided to wait until after her two children were older to pursue a career in fashion. “I started taking business classes through Women’s Economic Ventures in Santa Barbara and wrote my business plan and they connected me with my mentor who helped me navigate the textile industry and get manufacturers,” Hamaker said. After spending several years researching fabrics and designs she started creating her own line KatFaith, which is using Merino wool, a very durable and renewable fabric resistant to water and flame. “This breed of Merino sheep produces the highest quality of wool well-fitted for different clothing materials,” Hamaker said. “Thus, Merino sheep are highly prized, thanks to their

Photos by Jessica Maher Photography "I was an orphan at four years old, and I wanted to do something that combined my creative side with helping kids who were just like me," said Katherine Hamaker, founder of KatFaith.

‘SYV Stories’ features Chumash member Nakia Zavalla Solvang resident Tamara Rowles produces local podcast

The Theia Tote bag from KatFaith.

Staff Report

Six percent of all KatFaith's proceeds goes to supporting organizations like Hidden Hearts Foundation, which help kids who are orphaned or dealing with child welfare in Tanzania.

fine hair that gives us fluffy wool.” The wool fiber also has a natural waxy coating that repels liquid, which as a mom, Hamaker said, is very “kid friendly” as she finds lots of things her kids put in her purse and sometimes spill or has left stains in other purses

she’s owned. All the handbags are also made in the United States at a shop in Los Angeles, which Hamaker is proud to say because she wanted to be sure all the people working on her handbags were KATFAITH CONTINUED TO PAGE 21

akia Zavalla can trace her Chumash heritage back to at least six generations. She grew up on the Chumash reservation and learned about Chumash traditions from her grandmother and her parents. Zavalla is featured on the latest episode of “SYV Stories,” a new local podcast about community and purpose in the Santa Ynez Valley. Hosted and produced by Solvang resident Tamara Rowles, each episode features an in-depth interview with a member of the community who has contributed something significant to the valley or has an interesting story to share about its history. Those featured in past episodes range from distinguished resident Allan Jones, Santa Ynez Valley Star Publisher Raiza Giorgi, Third SYV STORIES CONTINUED TO PAGE 21

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Seifert hired as county environmental health services director

New official comes to Central Coast from San Diego County Staff Report

he Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is pleased to announce that Lars Seifert has been hired as the county’s environmental health Photo contributed services director. Lars Seifert Seifert comes with extensive experience working in governmental environmental health programs in Imperial County and, more recently, San Diego County. Seifert served as the chief of the Land & Water Quality Division for the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. He was responsible for the fiscal, personnel and operational management, and planning oversight of 14 distinct environmental protection programs. He directed and implemented strategic initiatives and operational objectives for county and Cal/EPA-delegated environmental enforcement

and monitoring programs. Seifert managed land development review, water quality protection programs, acquisitions, community plans and proposed public infrastructure projects. “We welcome Mr. Seifert to Santa Barbara County and appreciate the value that his 20 years of leadership experience will add to the Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Services Division,” said Paige Batson, Deputy Director for Community Health. “His commitment to customer service, community engagement, staff mentoring, and project management will be key to ensuring the high quality of services we aim to provide our community.” In addition, Seifert coordinated messaging and operational responses to community health risks associated with wildfires, beach water quality impairments, safety of drinking water supplies, substandard housing conditions, and sewage and chemical spills. “I look forward to supporting the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in the delivery of quality environmental services and to be provided an opportunity to engage local communities in the protection of public health and to ensure a sustainable environment for the future,” Seifert said. Seifert began with the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services team on Oct. 26.

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Photos by Raiza Giorgi "We have freedom of speech because of veterans, we have freedom of the press because of veterans, we have the freedom to assemble because of veterans," read Ron Herbig during the ceremony.

Veterans Day ceremony honors those who served By Raiza Giorgi

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any Santa Ynez Valley residents showed up to honor local veterans and celebrate their sacrifices on a sunny Veterans Day in Solvang. The ceremony was completely outside and started with the raising of the flags by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7139 and was followed by a speech from local military dignitary Chris Nielsen. “Today our entire nation pauses to give thanks and reflect,” Nielsen said. He then spoke fondly of Erling Grumptrup, his friend and fellow Marine Corps veteran who recently passed away at the age of 100. “He was not large in stature but he had a booming singing voice and laugh,” Neilsen said. “He served our country in the battle of Iwo Jima and was injured by a grenade. He recovered like so many who have returned home to being regular people and raising a family. What we as Americans cherish, the life we have in the United States.” Grumstrup was one of the last few veterans from that era that witnessed the iconic raising of the American flag in Iwo Jima. There is now a statue in Washington, D.C., of that moment immortalized by the iconic 1945 photograph of six Marines raising a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II[3] taken by Associated Press combat photographer Joe Rosenthal. Grumstrup traveled there with Honor Flight Central Coast in October 2019 to see the World War II memorial. “He witnessed horrific loss of life and trauma, but he was quick to enjoy the comaraderie of our fellow veterans and he was so special,” Nielsen concluded. “We have freedom of speech because

Many Santa Ynez Valley residents gathered to honor local veterans on Veterans Day at an outdoor ceremony.

of veterans, we have freedom of the press because of veterans, we have the freedom to assemble because of veterans,” read Ron Herbig during the ceremony. Ed Jorgensen, U.S. Navy veteran and Solvang resident, recounted his experience during Guadalcanal, the first major land offensive by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan. Jorgensen said he was honorably discharged early from his service after contracting malaria while serving. After the ceremony at the Vets Hall there was a parade through Solvang of military vehicles.

December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 3

Supervisors amend ag use ordinance to include more small scale operations Board makes permitting requirements consistent with Gaviota Coast Plan By Raiza Giorgi

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he Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to amend the County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance to make consistent, countywide, the permitting requirements for a variety of small scale uses on AG-II designated land to meet the amendments for the Gaviota Coast Plan. “I have been asked for a while from constituents from other areas of the county why they can’t do something similar that was adopted in the Gaviota plan,” said Joan Hartmann, Third District supervisor. The Gaviota Coast Plan which was adopted in October 2016, provided Gaviota Coast farmers and ranchers with substantial flexibility to change their operations without first obtaining coastal development permits, which can be costly and time consuming. In October 2019 and January 2020, Third District Planning Commissioner John Parke facilitated several community workshops to gather input from the agricultural community on the state of agricultural tourism in the county, according to the staff report. These workshops were followed by meetings of an informal group of farmers and ranchers that grew out of the workshops and who continued the conversation. In October 2020, Planning staff met with the group to listen to their ideas. At the workshops and meeting with staff, participants discussed potential agricultural tourism uses that could help foster economic development while being compatible with the principal agricultural use of the farm or ranch on which the agricultural tourism use would occur. Planning and Development Department Director Lisa Plowman said the board could do Option 2 which move forward now, which will include additional incidental uses on AG-II zone such as allowing farm-to-table dinners, cooking classes, small scale events and educational opportunities like tours from bird watching, ag tours and astronomy. Plowman said the board could also do Option 3 which would expand on Option 2 with more commercial and entertainment enterprises like festivals and concerts. “This would be larger and higher intensity

Photos contributed Small scale uses allowed in the Gaviota Plan will be available to the whole county with the ordinance amendment.

Option 2, which will move forward now, will include additional incidental uses on AG-II zone such as allowing farm-to-table dinners, cooking classes, small scale events and educational opportunities.

tourism uses, and can have any combination of uses,” Plowman said. “Option 3 would take more staffing and consultant services which would mean an amendment to the budget.” Hartmann asked if they could include breweries in the farm tours for Option 2 as a constituent would like to grow hops and have beer served on

his property. During public comment there were roughly 20 speakers who were mostly made up of Santa Barbara County vintners asking for at least Option 2 to expand on their operations. “Ag tourism is unique and why it hasn’t really been allowed here is a mystery,” said Larry

Schaeffer of Tercero Wines in the Santa Ynez Valley. “Every great growing area around the world has opportunities for people to connect with the land and we are getting passed by for Paso Robles which does this.” Andy Caldwell of the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business said the Agricultural Advisory Board needs to be consulted as they represent every sector of agriculture. “Having all uses on all lands may be a fatal mistake as some places that butt up to row crops cannot have tours because of food safety issues,” Caldwell said. “You cannot take a broad brush to one size fits all. If dogs walk through avocado orchards they can bring spores which can decimate the trees. There are some ranch lands that this will work of course, but as you recall some farmers were not happy with the Gaviota Plan.” One commenter, Renee O’Neill, said the board needs to consider appropriate land uses as she didn’t want to see the county become an industrialized area and trails put through private properties. “I was completely unaware of the public workshops that Commissioner Parke held,” O’Neill said. “I feel most of the public is unaware of this ordinance amendment. The Agricultural Commission was not provided with a specific list of proposed uses, which also presents a problem, considering the board relies on them for important input.” “Experiential tastings are the way to go as I had a group from a large food wholesaler come to Buttonwood that didn’t know peaches grew on trees,” said Karen Steinwachs, of Buttonwood Farm. “Ecotourism is being done well all over the world and thriving,” said Ryan Zotovich, of Zotovich Wines. “When people get on the land is gives them a sense of place and connection.” When brought back to the supervisors for discussion, they all said they would be fine with Option 2 and to discuss Option 3 at a later time. To watch the meeting visit the County’s YouTube page for the Nov. 17 meeting. To read the agenda and presentation visit https:// santabarbara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=4693100&GUID=4AC292D2-F0E 2-4967-9964-ABD79B3FF96A&Options=&Search=.

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Program launches 100-Day Challenge to reduce veteran homelessness in county By Jade Martinez-Pogue Noozhawk Staff Writer

he Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care program has launched a 100Day Challenge to reduce homelessness among the veteran population in the county. “Many veterans must navigate service-related challenges, a lack of affordable housing and other economic hardships that civilians face,” said Kathy Simas, North County director for the Santa Barbara Foundation. “The 100Day Challenge presents a unique opportunity to convene cross-sector stakeholders to foster an increase in collaboration, innovative thinking and efficiency in addressing veteran homelessness. Our veterans deserve no less.” There are more than 150 veterans facing homelessness in the county on any given night, according to Lucille Boss, a senior housing program specialist for the county’s Housing and Community Development Division. The goal of the challenge is to connect half of that population to safe and stable housing as well as supportive services. The challenge started Oct. 12 and is set to end in late January. The challenge is modeled after the success of a previous 100-Day Challenge

launched at the end of June that targeted youths experiencing homelessness. The youth challenge established a 100-

day goal to house 50 homeless youths in the county, assign a navigator to 100% of youths identified on a real-time list of

Staff Report

ver the next few months, Caltrans District 5 will host several online presentations featuring the Caltrans US 101 Business Plan during Metropolitan Planning Organization/Regional Transportation Planning Agency board meetings. Caltrans is developing this business plan collaboratively with the Central Coast Coalition, which is working to increase awareness that this corridor is a major economic asset to California and the nation while encouraging highway investments. The plan, which focuses on Highway 101 throughout District 5, will provide the data, strategy and community support necessary to match corridor priorities with potential funding sources for the future implementation of projects. The coalition membership includes the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), San Luis Obispo Council of Gov-

ernments (SLOCOG), Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Council of San Benito County Governments (SBTCOG), Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC), Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) and Caltrans District 5. The public is invited to tune into each virtual meeting to view these presentations. Please consult the corresponding regional board’s address below for meeting log-in information at the following dates and times: n TAMC, Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 9 a.m., https://www.tamcmonterey.org/board-meetings n SLOCOG, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., https://www.slocog.org/meetings-agendas/slocog-board n AMBAG, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at 6 p.m., https://ambag.org/meetings n SBCAG, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at 10 a.m., http://meetings.sbcag.org/ For more information on the Caltrans US Highway 101 Business Plan, go to https:// dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5/district-5-current-projects/us-101-business-plan

Buellton awarded grant for bicycle, pedestrian safety program

Caltrans District 5 to present US 101 Business Plan to transportation leaders State agency developing plan with Central Coast Coalition

people experiencing homelessness, and have 75% of homeless youths accept case management with an individual service and housing retention plan. By the end of the 100 days, the goals were surpassed and 52 youths were connected to safe and stable housing, 100% of youths were assigned a housing navigator, and 100% of youths housed with a housing intervention had an individual service and housing retention plan. “This challenge allowed us to collaborate and work with great agencies that we will be able to continue working with in an effort to help our most vulnerable youth,” said April Ramos, program specialist at Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. “We also made our community aware that youth homelessness is real and we can all help in different ways.” Boss accredited the success of the youth challenge to the various partnerships that worked together on the effort. The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care collaborated with 20 local stakeholders, including various local school districts, UC Santa Barbara, Allan Hancock College, Channel Islands YMCA Youth and Family Services, Good Samaritan Shelter and the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara. The timing of the project worked in HOMELESSNESS CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

Staff Report

he Buellton Public Works Department has received a $40,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to help fund a year-long program aimed at educating pedestrians and bicyclists in the community. “Cyclist and pedestrian safety, especially for our youth, is a priority for the city of Buellton,” said Mayor Holly Sierra. “During COVID-19, we want all our residents to enjoy the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley by walking and biking safely in order to stay physically and mentally healthy.” Grant funding will be used to host walking and bicycling presentations for children in the schools (when possible) and to educate adults interested in becoming walking and bicycling leaders for the community. The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE), a countywide nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote bicycling for safe transportation and

recreation, will lead a variety of activities with collaborative partnerships in the Santa Ynez Valley including: n Education workshops geared toward youth and adults. n Bicycle helmet inspections. n Distribution of bicycle helmets to those in need following education presentations. n Distribution of safety equipment to improve visibility, such as reflective armbands and sets of rechargeable bike lights. n Family rides to encourage community members to explore their neighborhood. n The grant program runs Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Supervisors vote to ask governor for places of worship to have same standards as retail in purple tier By Raiza Giorgi

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he Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to send Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter asking him to amend the purple tier restrictions against churches and places of worship and make them equal to the restrictions of retail. Santa Barbara County moved back to the most-restrictive tier status in California’s reopening system Monday along with a number of other counties, as Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said now 31 counties are in the purple again during her COVID-19 briefing at the supervisors meeting Tuesday morning. According to the County’s new Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the purple tier means that indoor operations of fitness centers and gyms, restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters, wineries and tasting rooms, family entertainment centers, aquariums, card rooms, museums and zoos are not allowed. Indoor retail can retain a 25% capacity, and bars, breweries and distilleries can be open as long as they are outside and selling food with all alcohol purchases. Do-Reynoso said there are now 10,612 confirmed cases with 133 deaths. Of those cases there are currently 255 active with eight of those in the Santa Ynez Valley. There are currently 15 cases in the hospital with five in the ICU, according to the Public Health statistics. “I didn’t hear justification from Dr. Do-Reynoso though of why you can’t hold a church service at the same capacity as a retail establishment,” said Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino. “I think it sends a bad message to send churches and places of worship back outside especially moving into the colder and wetter months.” He added that he passes by Costco every day and there are always long lines to get in and if people can stand in line to shop they should be allowed to go to their place of worship and quietly pray. The four public speakers lamented the step backwards and said the county should

stand up to the governor for changing the rules yet again. “I get some of you (supervisors) agree with him politically and don’t want to disagree and get punished financially like others that have stood up to him, but these businesses will not be around much longer,” said Andy Caldwell, representing the Coalition of Agriculture, Business and Labor (COLAB). “I wish you would push back. I am not a COVID denier, but the hospital and death rates are the only two criteria that matter.” Caldwell said Newsom has arbitrary standards and is constantly changing the rules which only set up the county for failure. “The private sector is dying and please DO SOMETHING,” Caldwell implored. The California Labor Market Information Division released its September 2020 report, and revealed that economic recovery has largely stalled, with unemployment rate improving very little, from 8.7 percent

in August to 8.4 percent in September, according to the latest economic information released by the Economic Development Collaborative. Another speaker, Renee O’Neill, said people should definitely ‘muggle up’ and wear a mask, but the governor was hypocritical for attending a large party in Napa. “We have always pulled together as Americans during trying times,” O’Neill said. Terry Strickland said the county staff has continuously gotten a paycheck during the pandemic and they have no idea how people are struggling. “Cases going up means nothing. My husband is a virologist and he says that cases don’t make a difference and we are not in a pandemic mode,” Strickland said. “You (supervisors) need to stand up for the people of THIS county and push back. You’re elected to represent us and our constitutional rights are getting squished by you.”

Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart said the governor implemented the restrictions because he feared there was another spike beginning like the one in mid-summer. “We are being asked to wear masks and avoid each other; what side of that effort are we on. Do we stay the course or quit because we are tired,” Hart said. First District Supervisor Das Williams said he understood the frustration, but the county does not make up the regulations and they come from the state level. “I agree we need to limit transmission and it’s frustrating how things are changing, but the governor took responsibility for his actions and didn’t defend himself,” Williams said. Fourth District Supervisor Peter Adam disagreed with the restrictive strategy. “I have been arguing this since March, rather than trying to manage the most vulnerable, we are acting like everyone has an equal chance of dying which isn’t true,” he said. “We have identifiable comorbidities but we won’t talk about them. People need to make their own choices and we need to trust people instead of being big government and everyone’s mother.” Adam asked Do-Reynoso what the flu death rates are, to which she said she didn’t have that data available and would get back to him. Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said the county has been successful in keeping the rates down, and people have to keep the faith. “We are being told that the vaccine will be available to most Americans by spring, which means we just have to get through a few months. This won’t last forever,” Hartmann said. The vote was 3 - 2 with Hart and Hartmann voting no against writing to Newsom asking churches to be the same standards as retail.

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Keep cannabis retail out of our towns

If there was ever a time to show up and voice your opinion, now is that time. There is a movement to establish cannabis retail storefronts in the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan Area. The County of Santa Barbara is currently considering the applications taken from cannabis proprietors and have identified potential storefront areas in the towns of Santa Ynez, Los Olivos and Los Alamos. The Santa Ynez Valley Youth Coalition has worked steadfast to provide community education and to implement prevention strategies to address the increasing harm of youth use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs, engaging all community sectors to seek local solutions for healthier youth, families and community. Restricting youth access to harmful drugs is a research-based, proven prevention strategy to reduce youth substance use. This is why the Coalition strongly opposes the establishment of cannabis storefronts in the valley. At the very least, we have asked Santa Barbara County to keep cannabis retail shops in industrial zones only, where children and teens are not exposed on a daily basis. If you share this concern for our youth, we invite you to contact Supervisor Hartmann and the County Board of Supervisors to voice your concerns and help support the health and well-being of our youth and families.

Let’s keep our townships cannabis retail free! Molly Carrillo-Walker Community Advocate

Expanded traffic on quiet road bad idea

A developer wants to build as many as 11 homes on a 1½-acre lot in Los Alamos with access from a quiet road that is less accustomed to vehicular traffic than to walkers, joggers, dog walkers, children on bikes and parents with infants in strollers. The county planning department is in the process of granting the developer’s request for access from this road even while two other possibilities would be less problematic. If allowed, the community’s enjoyment of this section of road would be significantly influenced by a considerable increase in vehicular traffic and this impact would be unmitigable. The county planning department has not taken sufficient account of the one-lane bottleneck at the end of this road that, with greatly expanded vehicular traffic, is more likely to result in accident and injury. To this, add the transportation planning supervisor’s complacent remark that the county need not be concerned with accident and injury here because “liability is covered by design immunity as long as we follow adopted county/federal standards and guidelines.” Further, this supervisor woefully underestimated the increase in road traffic arising from an additional 11 homes and from the

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draw resulting from widening the road. The planning department has zigged and zagged on its commitment to hearing concerns of the town’s residents in a forum that could make a decision that would have weight in the deliberations of the county’s planning commissioners. And, mystifyingly, the planning department sees no need for a traffic study that would require it to justify its contested estimates. Many townsfolk have spoken up in favor of a change of access road to one of the other two possibilities and there is concern about the planned density of the development. The first issue could be resolved if the developer was willing to compromise and request a design exception. We look forward to being able to speak up in a forum that would allow residents a say in the outcome of a project that could have major consequences for our wonderful little town. Seth Steiner Los Alamos

Thank you, Solvang, for being involved Never during the entire process

from the first citizens meeting to preserve the Veterans Hall and stop the Solvang 2.0 — until the election — was there any personal animus from me towards any of the individuals on the Solvang City Council — including Mr. Djernaes. My involvement was aimed to protect our town from what I believed was detrimental to our community. I wish every person leaving the council well and hope their future is a good one. I am grateful for those who stepped up to run for office and are committed to making a positive difference in our city government. Thank you to every person who helped with the recall efforts and the election of our new officials. It was rewarding to exercise our legal rights as citizens, to follow proper procedures and work together to achieve what we felt was a worthy and important goal. Thank you citizens of Solvang (and our neighbors as well) for caring enough to be involved. Joanne Clark Solvang

Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words in length. Send letters to: Raiza Giorgi, PO Box 1594, Solvang, CA 93464 or email to: news@santaynezvalleystar.com Please include your name and address and phone number.

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8 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

International futurist to headline EconAlliance Future Forum 2020

"What Could Disrupt Your World in 2021?" virtual event set for Dec. 3 Staff Report

nternational futurist Matthew Griffin, a British futurist and global strategist to a variety of governments and Fortune 500 companies, will deliver the keynote presentation during the Future Forum virtual event from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, being organized by EconAlliance for 2020. The founder of The 311 Institute and other forward-thinking organizations, Griffin is an adviser to agencies and/or leaders of several governments (U.S., United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, UAE, Singapore) and counts among his clients numerous global firms (JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Microsoft, Accenture,

Deloitte). Griffin helps CEOs and global leaders anticipate and pivot for an uncertain future, near and long-term. Speaking from the perspective that what he calls “exponential” technologies are capable of up-ending certain industries, e.g. the financial sector, in a single day, Griffin’s keynote will ask “What Could Disrupt Your World in 2021?” and will share information on the exponential technologies changing industries, businesses, communities, education and workforce development, portfolios and individual lives. Griffin believes that the exponential technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G, virtual and augmented reality, quantum computing, blockchain, synthetic biology and 3D printing are not just emerging, but are here today, changing everything at the speed of life. Reacting to Griffin’s keynote and providing

additional perspective will be a panel of industry representatives recruited to add context and local relevance to Griffin’s global view. EconAlliance will welcome the following panelists to represent key county industries such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and space enterprise. n R. Dean Foreman, PhD, chief economist, American Petroleum Institute n John Furiman, engineering manager, Safran Cabin Santa Maria n Leslie Kovacs, president, Firefly Black LLC, Government Space Launch Services n DeAnn Davis, PhD, senior VP of science, Western Growers Association The panel will be moderated by Eric Daniels, public policy and external affairs, PG&E. Also featured as part of the online Future Forum will be presentation of the annual EconAlliance Innovation Award to a company or

organization enhancing Northern Santa Barbara County innovation and economic vitality, as well as a brief overview of the organization’s 2020 highlights. EconAlliance invites industry and community leaders, financial advisers, and education and workforce professionals to consider registering for the 2020 Future Forum, as the exponential technologies being featured are likely to change the worlds of business, finance and education. Cost for the online event is $25 per person, with more information and registration for the Future Forum featuring the international futurist and industry panel available at www.EconAlliance. org/events. Registration deadline is Dec. 1, with webinar link sent to registrants Dec. 2. For specific questions, email initiatives@ EconAlliance.org.

Buellton receives certificate in financial reporting for 7th consecutive year Staff Report

T Graph contributed

Jobs started coming back to county in September Kenneth Harwood

Economist for Solvang Chamber of Commerce

early half of jobs that were lost in Santa Barbara County from February through September 2020, came back by September. Some 27,000 jobs were lost, while 13,000 jobs were gained. The rate of recovery was 48 percent. The United States had a recovery of 60%; Ventura County, 48%, the same as Santa Barbara County; California, 45%; and San Luis Obispo County, 37%. Each place had a different mix of industries and occupations. Santa Barbara County was notable for its large number of jobs in leisure and hospitality industries. Eating and drinking places recovered more jobs than hotels and motels. Partial re-openings of restaurants attracted local residents as customers, while

travel restrictions continued to affect hotels. Santa Barbara County recovered a slightly greater proportion of jobs than the whole state of California. The county lagged the United States in rate of recovery. Declines in unemployment tended to slow from August to September in Santa Barbara County. The slowing rate of unemployment suggested that the rate of recovery of jobs might slow, too. Perhaps the second half of recovery would require much longer than the seven months in which to recover the first half. Monthly employment statistics were the sources of gains and losses of total private nonfarm jobs. See details of monthly unemployment and employment on the website of State of California, Employment Development Department. Email Andriy.Moskalyk@EDD. CA.GOV. for quarterly tables.

he Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Buellton for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. This marks the seventh consecutive year Buellton has received the award. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standard of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Lana Clark Schutz

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual preparing the award-winning CAFR. This has been presented to Finance Director Shannel Zamora. The City of Buellton is proud of the hard work and dedication its Finance Department staff has committed to the preparation of the CAFR to ensure financial transparency to its residents. The CAFR for Fiscal Year 2018-19 can be found at www.cityofbuellton.com/departments/ finance.php under Financial Statements.

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10 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

We Support the Troops will keep sending care packages, despite COVID impacting funding By Raiza Giorgi

Photos by Raiza Giorgi About a dozen volunteers showed up to help pack boxes with We Support the Troops, with the boxes being sent to deployed troops stationed around the world, including K9 troops.

because of COVID. “There’s always a challenge to overcome and we will get through this,” Sullivan said. “We have some volunteers that are afraid to come, but that’s ok, we will still pack boxes and we will still show our troops as much love as we can.” Volunteer Kay Reid said even though she now lives in Nipomo, she still makes the drive every month to help pack boxes and then visit her friends or do errands. “I love seeing the volunteers and knowing that these items will make a soldier happy somewhere in the world,” Reid said. Jerky is high on the list of favorite things. The weather varies from extra hot to extra cold so the troops also need things like moisturizers and heavy socks. Also included are hand-knitted helmet inserts and scarves of 100% wool, which were knitted by women here in the Santa Ynez Valley. Volunteers also gather on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Bethania Lutheran Church to prepare and pack the boxes to be shipped. Volunteers are always welcome. Tax-deductible donations can be sent directly to Sullivan at 2020 High Meadow Road, Solvang, 93460, or made through the website at www.we-support-the-troops.org.

Roughly 178 boxes were packaged with no box getting the exact same items, as each box is specific to an enlisted serviceman or woman.

For more information, call 805-688-8404.

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bout a dozen volunteers showed up on the chilly morning of Nov. 13, to help pack boxes that will be sent to deployed troops stationed around the world, including K9 troops. “I come every month to pack boxes, it’s the least we can do to make sure our troops know someone back home cares for them and their sacrifices,” said volunteer Ruth Kunkle. Kunkle’s husband is World War II veteran Jim Kunkle, who is a very well-known figure in the Santa Ynez Valley as the 97-year-old fighter pilot still flies his plane. Roughly 178 boxes were being packaged with no box getting the exact same items, as We Support the Troops founder Pat Sullivan explained each box is specific to an enlisted serviceman or woman. “They write in letters to us that we go out and shop for the items they need,” Sullivan said. “Most of these soldiers are stationed in places that don’t have a store. There are also restrictions on what we can send, so it’s preferable if people donate they send in money instead of items.” The recipients of packages are usually but not always connected to someone from the Santa Ynez Valley, whether it’s a relative or a friend or co-worker. Each box sent includes a personal letter. Sullivan said she will never stop, even with COVID-19 making available grants and donations harder to come by. Their largest grant they get has already informed Sullivan to expect half the amount in the coming year

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December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 11

Santa Barbara Zoo announces birth of African lion cub Mother, cub bonding behind the scenes, appear "healthy" and "doing well" Staff Report

he Santa Barbara Zoo’s African lion, Felicia, has given birth to her first cub, and the two are currently bonding together behind the scenes. The cub, whose name will be announced in the coming weeks, was born on Thursday, November 5, just six months after its mother and father, Ralph, arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The cub weighed in at 3.9 lbs at its first medical examination, which took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The sex will be determined at its next examination. “Both Felicia and the cub appear healthy and are doing well,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, the zoo’s vice president of animal care & health. “The first few weeks of a lion cub’s life are very fragile, so the best course of action for us during this time is to allow Felicia to care for and bond with her new cub. Our animal care team will continue to closely monitor Felicia and the cub while giving the solitude needed during this critical first period.” Felicia and the cub will remain behind the

Photo contributed This is the first African lion born at the Zoo since 2005

scenes for approximately eight weeks before making their official public debut. The zoo will share viewing information as soon as it becomes available, but in the meantime, the public is encouraged to tune into the zoo’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updates. The zoo’s animal care staff were strongly suspicious Felicia was pregnant based on her physical changes and fecal hormone analysis. Lion pregnancies are only approximately 110 days and

although pregnancy can be determined by measuring hormone levels in the female’s feces, this is not done until 60 days after mating due to the possibility of a pseudo-pregnancy. If the hormone levels are still elevated 60-70 days after mating, then the female is confirmed pregnant. This is the first cub for both Felicia (2 years old) and Ralph (5 years old), who arrived at the zoo this past May. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recommended the pairing of Felicia and Ralph as part of its Species Survival

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Plan to maintain a sustainable population of lions in North America. As part of the AZA’s cooperative breeding program, the Zoo started the planning process to bring in new lions even before the passing of longtime beloved lion, Chadwick, in December 2019. African lions are the second largest big cat after tigers and are the only truly social cats. In the wild, they live in groups called prides, which consist of six to seven lions on average. All females in a pride are typically related, and outsiders of either gender are not tolerated. Listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their population is steadily decreasing in the wild. Support the pride! The public is invited to help welcome the new lion cub by becoming a Foster Feeder sponsor of the African lion. New Foster Feeders at all levels will receive a personalized digital Foster Feeder certificate (includes honoree’s name and lion photo), and recognition on the Foster Feeder board at the zoo. Various donation levels are available on the website with different, wild benefits! For more information or to become a Foster Feeder, click here: https://sbzoo. pivvit.com/african-lion

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12 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

Winter Solstice: A season that inspires both joy and woe

By John Copeland Contributing Writer

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he nights are feeling pretty long right now and winter is almost here. It will begin on the solstice, Monday, Dec. 21. The solstice occurs simultaneously around the globe when the sun is directly over the equator. Here in Santa Ynez, winter arrives at 5:30 a.m. I know, it’s a little odd that we change seasons at 5:30 a.m. on a Monday, but the solstice is an astronomical event and driven by the clockwork of Earth’s orbit around the sun. As Earth travels around the sun, it wobbles on its axis tilting toward the sun part of the year and then tilting away from the sun, altering the intensity and duration of sunlight falling on the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, driving the cycle of the seasons. As we, here in the Northern Hemisphere start winter, in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the first day of summer. Winter inspires both joy and woe. December is the darkest time of the year and was once both the most dreaded and most hopeful of times. This year’s pandemic is likely to make it feel a lot darker this year. More than ever, it’s important to remember that the darkness is only temporary. Many cultures the world over have solstice festivals. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began celebrating it as a turning point. All were driven by the ancient fear that the failing light would not return unless humans intervened. In ancient times, our ancestors were determined to brighten the darkest month of the year. Ancient Romans welcomed winter with the festival of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. People decorated their houses with evergreen branches and lit lamps all night to ward off the darkness. The ancient Celts hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice. Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated in countries all over the world. In 165 BCE there was a great battle between the Maccabees and the Syrians. The Jews won the battle and when they went to their temple, they found that the Syrians had allowed their sacred light to go out. They only had oil for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil lasted 8 days until a messenger could return with more. There are nine candles in the menorah. One of them is used to light the other candles and the other eight stand for the eight days that the oil kept burning In Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, the mysterious Anasazi were expert sky watchers.

They carved spiral designs into rocks to track the seasons and record the passage of time. In Chaco Canyon is a petroglyph called the Sun Dagger because of the way the sun’s wedgeshape beams strike it in midday during the winter solstice In our times, Christmas has appropriated most of the ancient winter solstices practices and customs steeping it in superstition and folk belief. Christmas is the most culturally pervasive and successful festival of all time. Yet, for all the light and joy of Christmas, it requires the darkness as well. Folklore from around the world is full of stories witches, elves, trolls, vampires and even werewolves that roamed the hours of extended darkness at this time of year. In fact, in several European traditions, even ol’ St. Nicholas was accompanied by dark companions. One of these, the Krampus, carried a sack, not unlike Santa’s, but instead of giving out gifts, the Krampus would stuff the bag full of bad children to be taken away and eaten! After a year full of changes and uncertainty, our classic holiday celebrations are going to look a little different this year, because of the pandemic, and that’s OK. This year as we gather in smaller groups, we can still celebrate, and not just the season, but life itself. The Yule log, evergreens, colored glass ornaments, lights on our houses and Christmas trees, all of these traditions come down to us from our collective human past. Today, just as in earlier times, each is designed to make the season bright. Christmas has a magic that is difficult to grasp and even more difficult to explain. It brings together traditions, ideas and customs from all over the world and from all times in human history. Unlike other holy days, which were often solemn religious observances, the winter solstice was a time for great celebration and joy; a party held in the face of Earth’s darkest hour. If all human civilization could write its own memoir and tell the complete story of Christmas past, surprisingly, the tale would not begin in Bethlehem, but 2,000 years earlier in the cradle of civilization. It would be a story involving Christians and non-Christians alike, and Babylonians, Greeks and Romans — whose ancient customs became part of the Christmas. The tale would tell of early Europeans hanging fir sprigs and winter greenery to renew life and protect against the cold blasts of Arctic wind. People who had not yet heard of the Christ child would be burning Yule logs. And the tale would continue for another 2,000 years after Wise men gathered beside a manger in a stable, with each generation adding to the customs of Christmas. And in the end, it would include the story of each one of us who has ever hung an ornament on a tree or presented a gift to someone special. May your celebrations of this season draw deep from the abundant joy, fierce hopes and enduring traditions of all our ancestors and fill your home with light, warmth and good cheer.

December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 13

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A Photo contributed The Gem Faire, America's Premier Jewelry & Bead Show, reopens in Santa Barbara Dec. 11-13 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Gem Faire reopening at the Earl Warren Showgrounds

Staff Report

ust in time for holiday shopping, the Gem Faire, America’s Premier Jewelry & Bead Show, will reopen in Santa Barbara Dec. 11-13 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, located at 3400 Calle Real, in Santa Barbara. Hours for the event are Friday, Dec. 11, from 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission of $7 is valid for the entire weekend. Attendees can explore the unique and amazing variety of holiday gifts that fit every budget.

Shoppers will find the largest selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gems, beads, minerals, fashion accessories and much more. They can also take advantage of buying direct from the importers and wholesalers, from loose gemstones, raw minerals and millions of bead strands, to finished jewelry, supplies and tools. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring-sizing service is available while you shop. COVID-19 safety protocols are implemented.

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Succulent Cafe takes top Scarecrow honors for 2020 Staff Report

he festival contest winners were announced and the “2020 Harvest Cup: Best in the Valley” title and trophy was handed over to this year’s contest winner, Solvang restaurant, Succulent Café, which will hold the trophy through the end of the 2021 Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest. The 2020 Scarecrow Fest – the eighth annual Valley-wide competition – included the “SYV” communities of Buellton, Los Olivos, and the town that started the original Scarecrow Fest, Solvang. During the festival, visitors and SYV locals were encouraged to play, stay and enjoy the scarecrow sights and seasonal fall ambience which the Valley hosts at harvest-time. The SYV Scarecrows, crafted by local businesses, organizations and individuals, were showcased across the Santa Ynez Valley in the three main communities mentioned above; the overall winning scarecrows from each of the three mentioned towns were eligible for the “2020 Harvest Cup: Best in the Valley” title and trophy, the winner of which was selected by an anonymous panel of Valley-wide judges. Solvang’s 2020 “Popular Vote” winners were: Best Photo Opportunity, CASA of Santa Barbara County (Court Appointed Special Advocates); Best Use of Recycled Materials, Coast Plumbing Solutions; Best Use of Business Theme, Cailloux Cheese Shop; Most Danish, Viking Laser Design; Spookiest, The Giving Ink; Most Humorous, Solvang Senior Center. In addition to the six category winners determined

by public voting, anonymous judges awarded a “Best Scarecrow” title to an overall City of Solvang winner, Succulent Café, which went on to compete for and win the “2020 Harvest Cup”. In the “country wine” village of Los Olivos, visitors and residents voted on their favorite scarecrows with winners in the following categories: Best Los Olivos Scarecrow, Ca’ Del Grevino; Most Humorous, Avec Moi Décor; Spookiest, Alexander & Wayne / Arthur Earl; Best Business Theme, Ca’ Del Grevino; Best Natural Materials, Grimm’s Bluff Wines. The overall Los Olivos scarecrow winner – Ca’ Del Grevino – represented the town in the quest for the “2020 Harvest Cup” trophy. The Buellton Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau sponsored this year’s annual Buellton Scarecrow Fest. Buellton’s scarecrows were judged by locals, tourists and merchants, as well as a panel of judges, with winners in the following categories: Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, Best Use of Natural Materials; Alma Rosa Winery, Most Humorous; OstrichLand USA, Best Use of Business Theme; and Sideways Lounge, Spookiest. Buellton’s “Best Scarecrow” winner, Hitching Post 2, represented the City in the Valley-wide contest.

More information about each year’s Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest will be available at www. syvscarecrows.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram at facebook.com/SYVScarecrowFest and @SYVscarecrows.

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14 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

Grand prize winner of MOXI Rock Star Raffle will get to party with Katy Perry Pop star has been ardent supporter of museum, STEAM education Staff Report

hile MOXI (The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation) thinks all its supporters and members are rock stars for standing by the museum during its extended closure, there’s one bona fide star who has stepped up to show her support for STEAM education. Homegrown pop sensation and new mom Katy Perry has donated an opportunity for one lucky family to privately party with her via Zoom as the grand prize in MOXI’s Rock Star Raffle. MOXI hopes this exclusive prize and chance to meet the chart-topping Perry one-on-one will help replace funds typically raised by its gala benefit traditionally held in October. The funds are particularly crucial this year, as MOXI has been closed for more than six months, including the busy spring break and summer months. This has meant the loss of all revenue from paid admissions, program and camp registrations, and facility rentals which collectively make up nearly 60% of MOXI’s annual budget. “Access to unique and engaging ways to learn about science and the arts are so important, especially for kids,” Perry said. “Education is power, and MOXI provides that along with tons of fun. “I can’t wait to bring my daughter to MOXI, and I want more than anything for this incredible museum to weather the pandemic and be here for generations to come.”

Courtesy Katy Perry International pop sensation and Santa Barbara native Katy Perry has been a continuing supporter of MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

Perry’s Firework Foundation has been a supporter of MOXI from the start, providing funding for equipment in the museum’s Innovation Workshop makerspace, helping to build the museum during its capital campaign, as well as the inspiration and materials for digital creativity programming hosted at the museum. The FireWorkShop programs have included afterschool classes and summer camps during which kids in grades 3-6 were introduced to digital audio and video production processes

and practices using a variety of technologies and techniques. Students produced their own original music videos and short films with their new skills. MOXI is preparing to reopen its doors in early November. During the closure, museum staff have offered both free and paid programming including new Innovation Workshop Maker Kits, at-home events and engineering design challenges, and tinkering activities for all ages. MOXI is also working on ways to best

support local teachers with online curriculum, virtual takeovers and other activities as onsite field trips will be suspended for the remainder of the school year. “MOXI is so grateful to have Katy on our side advocating for the importance of STEAM education by offering this fabulous prize opportunity to motivate broad support from the community,” said Robin Gose, president/CEO of MOXI. Rock Star Raffle tickets are $100 each and can be purchased by calling 805-770-5021 or visiting moxi.org/katy to fill out an interest form. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. Everyone who buys a ticket will be invited to join a family-friendly, virtual dance party celebration of all things MOXI, creativity and fun on Thursday, Dec. 10, during which the winner of the Katy Perry virtual party will be announced. Proceeds from raffle ticket sales all directly support the museum’s mission to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity, and help ensure MOXI will continue to be a viable resource for the greater Santa Barbara region. Donations of any size are also welcome at moxi.org/donate. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, at 125 State St., is LEED-certified Gold and serves guests of all ages through exhibits and education programs. MOXI is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization supported by its daily guests, members, facility rentals and donations from individuals, foundations and corporate partners. For more information, visit moxi.org.

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December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 15

Exhibit of original naval paintings sailing in to Maritime Museum ‘Arthur Beaumont: Art of the Sea,’ to run from Dec. 3 to May 2021

in Los Angeles, a series of Revolutionary War-era sailing vessels, portraits of prominent naval officers, and operations along the

Staff Report

Mekong River during the Vietnam War.

he Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will host an exhibit of 55 paintings that chronicle the accomplishments of the U.S. Navy, from the USS Constitution to atomic bomb tests and expeditions to the North and South poles. The exhibit, “Arthur Beaumont: Art of the Sea,” showcasing the work of the man the U.S. Navy called the Artist of the Fleet, will be on display at SBMM for six months, starting on Dec. 3. The exhibit, which ends May 30, 2021, marks its last appearance on the West Coast before it leaves for the East Coast. Although Arthur Beaumont (1890-1978) was born in Norfolk County, England, he came to the U.S. in 1908 to study art at Berkeley. After studying with other artists in the U.S. and Europe and teaching art and watercolor painting, Beaumont received a commission as a lieutenant in the Navy, with his earliest paintings showing naval vessels in various settings and states of preparedness. Following the end of World War II, Beaumont continued to travel with and paint for the U.S. Navy on missions in the Pacific, to

Following Pearl Harbor, Beaumont ‘s work supported the U.S. war effort and reflected dramatic life-or-death struggles in the Pacific. In 1944, he was given the official title of war correspondent. Throughout his life, Beaumont used Impressionist techniques in painting the images in this exhibit and in capturing the majesty of the oceans and the vessels that sail them, so his work will appeal to a wide audience. In addition to Beaumont’s paintings, the show will be accompanied by a book of his life and art, also titled “Arthur Beaumont: Photo from ArthurBeaumont.com In the 1930s, Arthur Beaumont became a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve and began producing the first of many watercolors depicting battle ships and other naval subjects.

China and Japan. In addition to his work during the Korean War, in the production of movies, in private commissions and personal painting, Beau-

Parks&Rec SOLVANG

mont also painted frozen landscapes in Alaska and Antarctica. Over the remaining years of his life, he painted the RMS Queen Mary as it arrived

Art of the Sea,” written by Beaumont’s son Geoffrey Campbell Beaumont and published by the Irvine Museum in Irvine. On Jan. 21 the author will offer a presentation about the exhibit and his father’s life as part of SBMM’s distinguished lecture series.

Home for the Holidays

LETTERS TO SANTA

SYV boys and girls can receive a letter via Solvang Parks and Rec from Santa Claus and his Elves! Children should mail their letters to: Solvang Parks and Rec 1644 Oak Street Solvang, CA 93463 You must include: Self addressed, stamped envelope, postmark by Dec 18* *letters collected with no stamp or after postmark will not get return response

688-7529

www.cityofsolvang.com

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. A Non-profit, Continuing Care Retirement Community • Lic# RCFE421700369 COA #152

16 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

Photo contributed Solvang Theaterfest will produce its first live-stream concert, featuring the Santa Barbara-based Doublewide Kings on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Solvang Theaterfest presents live-stream concert Doublewide Kings to play for virtual audience on Dec. 5 Staff Report

olvang Theaterfest will produce their first live-stream concert featuring Santa Barbara-based Doublewide Kings on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Doublewide Kings play a unique blend of original music and cover tunes that brings new passion to the familiar pleasures of rootsrock, Americana, country-blues, and the glory days of ‘70s FM radio. The band’s leader, Palmer Jackson, Jr., a resident of Montecito and a native of the Santa Ynez Valley, said “Like everybody else, we’ve been sidelined for a while. This opportunity to literally ‘get the band back together ’will be therapeutic -- and a heck of a lot of fun. We’ll bring just as much energy as if we we’re in front of a sold-out house. We feed off each other’s musical energy whatever the situation.” “These guys have quite a following, and we’re going to provide a safe and comfortable way for their fans and hopefully some new fans to get their fix of the Doublewide Kings,” said Scott Coe, executive director of the Theaterfest. The live concert will air at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per household. To purchase tickets please

as Christamnd gifts ents ornam

visit solvangtheaterfest.org. This concert is the first live-stream production for Solvang Theaterfest, whose entire 2020 schedule of concerts and performances were delayed or canceled since March when state and county restrictions were placed on non-essential gatherings. The Doublewide Kings were slated to perform live at the Theater on Oct. 3. Solvang Festival Theater, which first opened in 1974, is the only performing arts facility of its kind on the Central Coast, providing a large open-air venue for audiences of all ages. Historically, all theater performances and events attract more than 40,000 patrons each year. After decades of enjoyment, the theater now requires a renewed investment from the community to sustain the vibrant legacy as a cultural and community anchor for decades to come. The current “IMAGINE! Building the Future” capital campaign has reached 58% of its $4.7 million goal. The project will strengthen and modernize the theater, address aging infrastructure, and improve accessibility, technical capability and audience amenities. The construction project is slated to begin in fall of 2021. For more information or for ticketing assistance, please contact Solvang Theaterfest 805-686-1789 or email info@ solvangtheaterfest.org.

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Photo contributed The paintings of Santa Ynez artist Belinda Hart are inspired by natural settings of earth, water and sky.

‘Pas de Deux’: Unique collaboration unites textiles and metal design Staff Report

Folio Gallery announces an exciting celebration of artistic expression arising from the summer of 2020. The exhibition, “Pas de Deux, » made its debut on Nov. 13, in an exhibit featuring the dimensional silk paintings of Santa Ynez artist Belinda Hart and the sculptural artistry of Bo’s Art. The paintings of Hart are inspired by natural settings of earth, water and sky. Her technique, which utilizes layered and reverse painting on silk, produces a rich, three-dimensional surface with hints of gold metallic highlighting the design. She then mounts each painting on canvas and embellishes it with additional paint and design work to showcase the piece. The result is a blend of color and texture that is both original and unique. Design partners Bozenna and Lukasz Bogucki create one-of-a-kind art in the uncommonly expressive form of stainless steel mesh. In this collaborative show, they will be unveiling their “Opera Collection” of sculptural handbags. Many of these lush creations are embellished with

23 karat gold and are aesthetic as well as utilitarian. They call them Functional Art Objects. ZFolio was voted the best in the United States by the design community for its collection of international contemporary jewelry. ZFolio centers on design and all work presented is a hand-crafted work of art. The environment itself is a work of art. Walking through the door is like stepping into a wonderland of colors and shapes. Over 75 leading American and international jewelry designers and artists working in glass, textiles and photography are represented. In addition to regular gallery hours, private viewings of the “Pas de Deux » exhibit will be offered by appointment. ZFolio Gallery is located at 1685 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Please call 805-693-8480 for an appointment. Regular hours are 10:30 am to 5:30 pm daily.

December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 17

Fess Parker family estate vineyard achieves sustainability certification Rodney's recognized by SIP for meeting environmental standards Staff Report

he Fess Parker family announced today that its estate vineyard, Rodney’s, has been recognized by third-party certifier Sustainability in Practice (SIP) for meeting rigorous standards of environmental protection and preservation. The announcement comes at the end of the 20th anniversary for the family’s Epiphany label, which sources much of the fruit for its wines from Rodney’s Vineyard. “As a family owned and operated business, good stewardship of our natural resources is embedded in everything we do,” says Eli Parker, owner. “When we launched Epiphany 20 years ago, it was a celebration of the grapes from our family estate – Rhone varietals that thrived in the microclimate of Foxen Canyon – so becoming SIP Certified feels like a great way to honor our original vision.”

Photo contributed The Fess Parker family announced today that its estate vineyard, Rodney's, has been recognized by third-party certifier Sustainability in Practice.

SIP Certified is a rigorous sustainable vineyard, winery and wine certification with strict, non-negotiable standards based on science and expert input, independent verification, transparency and absence of conflict of interest. Certification addresses the 3 P’s of Sustainability – People, Plan-

et, Prosperity – ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected. Meeting the standards requires a measurable, holistic set of practices addressing habitat, water, energy, soil, recycling, air quality, packaging, pest management, social equity and business management.

“Achievements such as SIP Certified are fantastic recognition of what that stewardship means not just to our customers, but to our suppliers and staff as well,” adds owner Ashley Parker-Snider. “After more than 30 years on the home ranch in FESS PARKER CONTINUED TO PAGE 21

cozy up with a cocktail join us al fresco for hand-crafted cocktails* featuring classic favorites & new after-dinner dessert drinks, like Wide Awake view our menus at madandvin.com *food purchase required

18 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

Dunn Middle School student donates masks to fire department

At first Kadence started making masks

Kadence Freed and her family made 350 masks over the summer to give to SBC Fire

for the Nielsen Building Materials store to give to the public in exchange for a donation to cover the materials. The masks went quickly.

Staff Report

Then, Matt Farris, a County Fire divi-

unn Middle School student Kadence Freed spent her summer making 350 masks with “SBC Fire” printed in blue for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. She also made about 50 masks for the Type 3 Incident Management Team. Recently when Kadence delivered the masks, Santa Barbara County Fire Medic Engine 31 thanked Kadence in person, with physical distancing protocol in place, for “a job well done.” Kadence made her mask project a family affair, enlisting her mother to help with the pinning and her younger brother to help cut elastic bands. She also enlisted the support of Dunn Middle School Office Manager Allie Andersen’s husband, Ken Andersen, of Nielsen Building Materials in Solvang.

sion chief, told his friend Ken Andersen that someone had asked that the more than 300 fire personnel wear masks with the fire department’s name on them. So Nielsen Building Materials bought the fabric and elastic and used its silk screener to print “SBC Fire” on the fabric. Then they sent the lot to Kadence Freed for completion. It took Kadence a few months to finish the masks. She learned to sew around age 9 when she attended a quilting camp at the Creation Station in Buellton, where she’s continued to take classes. Since then, Photos contributed Volunteers from The Los Alamos Foundation craft one of the desks for students doing distance learning at home because of COVID-19 restrictions.

she’s sewn seven quilts and made some of her own clothes.

Hancock’s Foxworthy Gallery to hold virtual art exhibit

Staff Report

he Ann Foxworthy Gallery at Allan Hancock College will host the work of artist and photographer Marcos Dorado as part of its very first virtual exhibit now through Dec. 4. Dorado was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and immigrated with his family to Madera, California, in 1974. At the Art Students League of New York and Grand Central Academy, he studied classical drawing with live models. In the past few years, Dorado also added photography to his work. The virtual exhibit will include a selection of work that showcases Dorado’s drawing skills and talent as a photogra-

Photo contributed The Ann Foxworthy Gallery at Allan Hancock College will virtually host the work of artist and photographer Marcos Dorado until Dec. 4.

pher. “When the gallery originally talked to Marcos last year about exhibiting his

work in the fall, we had no idea what 2020 would bring,” said Ann Foxworthy Gallery Director Laura-Susan Thomas. “Connec-

tion has become an important issue for all of us as we work through the troubles and challenges of 2020. Marcos focuses on the human side of art, delving into his subjects as inspiration but also as outreach helping us find those connections we share, whether it be dreams, family, shared emotions or more.” People and their stories have always been the subject of Dorado’s art. He is currently working on documentary photography titled “Immigrant Me.” The project is a collection of photos and stories of immigrants from various counties, which he will resume after the pandemic. He is also developing a series of photo essays consisting of a photo series and an interview or article about the person photographed. Some are posted on Dorado’s blog while others are awaiting publication in magazines. In addition to a virtual exhibit of his work, the gallery will also host a virtual question-and-answer session with Dorado on Oct. 22 from 6-7 p.m. For more information about the exhibit and the Q&A event, visit www. hancockcollege.edu/gallery.

December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 19

Who bought what? An ice cream cone costs $1.50. A comic book is $1.65. A deck of cards is $1.10. Count each person’s money to see what they bought. Deb

Fritter, we’re NOT going to go totally crazy during holiday shopping. We need to ...

Oh, Thrifty! Just LOOK at all the sparkly lights and decorations!

WAHOOOO!!! I’m gonna get THIS and THAT and THOSE and THESE and ...

Fritter, you really need a BUDGET!

Vanessa

Theresa

Okay, but can you carry the budget? My arms are full!

Standards Link: Mathematical Reasoning: Problem solving using money.

A budget is a plan that helps you to spend only the amount of money you can afford.

THRIFTY SPARKLY SMART BUDGET HOLIDAY SAVE PARTY COMIC SALE MONEY SPEND GIFTS COUNT TIME PLAN

Look at the things Jodi would like to buy for her family. She has $50 budgeted for her holiday shopping. Make a list of the things she could buy on her budget.

How much money have left over eachdoes Thrifty month? THINK ABOUT could Thrifty do to IT: What money each month save more ?

Thrifty and Fritter are planning a holiday bash for family and friends. They have budgeted $500 for the party! They will need food, decorations and gifts. These are called goods. They also need entertainment and perhaps folks to help set up and clean up. These are called services.

Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.

T S Y E N O M M A S

R E T A S D N E P S

S H G T D S M A R T

O P F D A I R P E R

C I F V U K L S U Y

G I E E L B S O T E A B M Y T F I R H T U I D O E L A S G E T N U O C P L A N T

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

New and Used

Find five new items for sale in the newspaper. Chart the items and their prices. Can you find similar used items for sale? What is the difference in price? What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying new versus used? Standards Link: Economics: Students demonstrate basic economic reasoning in terms of how individual economic choices involve trade-offs and the evaluation of costs and benefits.

Look through today’s newspaper and help Thrifty and Fritter find what they need. Stay within their $500 budget! GOODS:

SERVICES:

Start a Business

If you could start a business, what would it be? Explain why you would like to start this business.

How many silly things can you find at this holiday party?

Standards Link: Investigation: Identify objects that fit into a cagetgory and those that do not belong.

Brought to you by

20 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

Conservationist Beth Pratt to join Wildling Museum for online presentation Highlighting The Wild Wonder of California – and Beyond Staff Report

he Wildling Museum announces its December virtual program, Beth Pratt: The Wild Wonder of California—and Beyond, from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 2. Conservation leader and author, Beth Pratt will share fun tales of wild wonder from California and beyond, sharing photos and videos from her extensive encounters with animals including pika, frogs, mountain lions, bears, and more. Pratt will also provide insight on the importance of fostering a coexistence ethic with wildlife, and what we can do in our own backyard to help wild animals thrive. Pratt will also share an update on the #SaveLACougars campaign and the efforts to build the wildlife crossing at Liberty Canyon, and share some exciting new visualizations of the project. Attendees will also enjoy participating in a couple of the exercises from Pratt’s new book, “I Heart Wildlife: A Guided Activity Journal for Connecting with the Wild World”. Be sure to come with questions about your wild neighbors! A lifelong advocate for wildlife, Pratt has worked in environmental leadership roles for more than 25 years, and in two of the country’s largest national parks, Yosemite and Yellow-

Photo contributed

Beth Pratt

stone. As the California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation, she says, “I have the best job in the world—advocating for the state’s remarkable wildlife.” Beth leads the #SaveLACougars campaign (savelacougars.org) to build the largest wildlife crossing in the world in the Los Angeles area to

We are in this together!

Four Steps to Stay Healthy. Protecting each other

Providing essential service

Following official guidance

1 3

Maintaining a healthy and helpful workforce Visit SYVT.com or call 805.688.5452 to review the complete health and safety steps SYVT is taking to keep public transportation safe and accessible in the Santa Ynez Valley.

help save a population of mountain lions from extinction, and her conservation work has been featured by The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC World Service, CBS This Morning, The Los Angeles Times, Men’s Journal, and NPR. Her new book, “I Heart Wildlife: A Guided

Activity Journal for Connecting with the Wild World”, was released in August, and she is also the author of “When Mountain Lions are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out In California”, published by Heyday Books. She has given a TEDx talk about coexisting with wildlife called, “How a Lonely Cougar in Los Angeles Inspired the World,” and is featured in the documentary, “The Cat that Changed America”. Beth spends much of her time in L.A., but makes her home outside of Yosemite, “my north star,” with her five dogs, two cats, and the mountain lions, bears, foxes, and other wildlife that frequent her backyard. Indoor museums in the purple tier of covid are required to close once again, so they have shifted back to online only. The museum’s live presentation is limited to the first 100 registrants and a recording of the presentation will be available following the event. Guests may register at: https://wildlingmuseum.org/news/beth-prattwild-wonder-of-california Admission to this event is free, however donations in support of the Wildling Museum’s digital programming efforts are greatly appreciated. The Wildling Museum’s Zoom lecture series is sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust. For more information, email info@wildlingmuseum.org or call (805) 686-8315.

December 1 - December 14, 2020 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 21

o SYV STORIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Photo contributed Nakia Zavalla can trace her Chumash heritage back to at least six generations and currently serves as the cultural director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Bethania Pastor Chris Brown and more. “In our conversation, we discuss Nakia’s family history, her experiences growing up on the reservation, her mission and life’s work to preserve and teach the Samala language and Chumash culture, the challenges she’s faced and overcome along the way, and her vision for the future of her people,” said Rowles. Zavala currently serves as the cultural director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Today Nakia teaches the Samala language and Chumash culture to both the tribe and the Santa Ynez Valley community. Zavala is also a credentialed teacher who is available to teach Chumash culture to local

students. She can be reached via email at nzavalla@santaynezchumash.org. As listenership grows, Rowles intends to interview more guests who have ties to the valley going back generations as well as passionate community leaders, volunteers and elected officials. Each episode is between 30 and 45 minutes long. New episodes are released approximately every two weeks. To listen to the podcast, search “SYV Stories” on your phone’s podcast app (Apple, Spotify, Google or your favorite podcast app) or go to www.syvstories.com.

o FESS PARKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Los Olivos, we welcome the opportunity to celebrate what sustainability in practice looks like for the long term.” The multiyear certification initiative was led by winery president Tim Snider, head winemaker Blair Fox and associate winemaker Tyler Eck. The winemaking team, together with Coastal Vineyard Care, pursued best practices that earned the SIP Certified seal of approval: Irrigation is only applied based on the needs of the vines as determined by visual inspection as well as soil and plant-based monitoring sensors. The biological health of the soil is cultivated by introducing beneficial ground cover to deliver nutrients naturally. Natural soil management prevents erosion, restores nutrients and reduces need for human intervention. On Rodney’s Vineyard, owl boxes are placed throughout the vineyards to promote biodiversity and so that the owls will hunt the gophers and ground squirrels that damage the vines by

eating their roots. In addition to providing safe and fair working conditions, Fess Parker Winery is proud to offer competitive employee wages and benefits, including a profit-sharing program distributed across all divisions of the organization. The winery is also committed to the team’s professional growth, with development opportunities from “tailgate meetings” on the vineyard to certifications through GuildSomm and the Court of Master Sommeliers. “SIP Certified represents how it all comes together for us under the Fess Parker family portfolio,” says Snider. “We are committed to making the best wines we can, for as long as we can – and as a generational business, that means thinking about our natural resources generationally, as well.” To learn more about the Fess Parker family’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.fessparker.com/Winery/Sustainability.

Rowles welcomes comments or recommendations for future guests and may be contacted at syvstories@gmail.com.

o KATFAITH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Photo by Jessica Maher Photography Katherine Hamaker chose to use Merino wool, a durable and renewable fabric resistant to water and flame.

getting fair wages. “I want to do my part to show my kids if they have conviction and drive they can do anything they want, no matter where they come from and perhaps they might even want to work with me someday,” Hamaker said. During this time of going through WEV and getting her business started, Hamaker found family members living close by and four years ago took in her niece and nephew who were living in not-so-desirable circumstances. “I decided then that when I started my business that I would do more to help kids that were like me and give part of my proceeds to organizations to help kids who are orphaned or dealing with child welfare,” Hamaker said. Hamaker said she then found out her friends Kim and Floyd Wilson, who also live in the

valley, started a nonprofit called Hidden Hearts Foundation, which raised funds for homeless children, specifically now concentrating on kids in Tanzania. Hidden Hearts helps the Osiligi Orphanage, which educates and supports kids who have been abandoned or lost families to sickness or disease. Hamaker decided to sponsor one of their orphans, Kesia Philpo, and donate towards her residential care, education and/or outreach services by committing $1200 a year beyond her proceeds. Hidden Hearts is working on several campaigns to build a boy’s dormitory and a computer lab. “I’ve spoken with Michael, who is the director of the orphanage and have just been amazed at what he’s accomplished in helping the kids there,” Hamaker said. Hamaker has done work at an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with her church group and said the experience was beyond rewarding, because she knew exactly what the kids were feeling. “This experience has imbued into me natural affection, empathy, and emotional intelligence to identify even the unsaid needs of orphaned children,” she said. “I realize that the events that had taken place in my life at such a tender age were not by accident; I understand that they only empowered me physically, psychologically, and emotionally in preparation for working in my chosen field.” To learn more about KatFaith visit her website and online store at www.katfaith.com and to learn more about Hidden Hearts visit www. hiddenhearts.org.

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o HOMELESSNESS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 favor of its success in housing youths so quickly, Boss said. Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley opened its house for youths experiencing homelessness a few days before the challenge began, which made four beds available for use, according to Boss. Channel Islands YMCA Youth and Family Services also reopened the Noah’s Anchorage homeless shelter in downtown Santa Barbara that provided additional beds to house some youths. “I think the timing of the programs that were launching really helped us and kept us motivated all the way through,” Boss said. “Everybody was putting in an all-out effort.” With the goal of housing 75 veterans, an even greater population than the youth challenge, the leadership team of the 100-Day Veteran Challenge is looking at the successes and road bumps of the first challenge to accomplish its mission. “We are definitely taking a lot of lessons learned from the youth challenge into the veteran challenge,” Boss said. The team created a “Homeless 101” presentation to show the data available and how to obtain it. With a network of more than 500 volunteers, nearly 200 system users and about 30 partner agencies, there are extraneous resources from which the team is able to pull information. “This is an essential resource that we realized we needed later on in the youth

challenge, so we decided to tackle it earlier for this challenge,” Boss said. Since volunteers have a better idea of what to expect regarding the work that the challenge takes, they are better able to balance their outside work obligations with their roles in this challenge, according to Boss. While there is “unprecedented funding” coming from federal and state governments to tackle the issue of homelessness, there was no funding given specifically to these challenges, Boss said. Everyone working on the challenge is an unpaid volunteer working to reduce and prevent homelessness in the county. Homelessness is a nationwide problem that affects 1.5 million people each year, according to Boss. Targeted challenges can provide a way to steadily reduce homelessness. “One of the things we learned is that addressing a target population is really helpful because it allows us to focus on the resources and interventions specific to that population,” Boss said. “It can be really overwhelming if you say we want to end homelessness by the end of the year, but sectioning off these populations gives us more focus.” The success of the first 100-Day Youth Challenge shows that the challenges can be a critical tool in helping solve the national homelessness struggle. Noozhawk staff writer Jade Martinez-Pogue can be reached at jmartinez-pogue@noozhawk.com.

Cottage Health Offers Free Drive-Thru Flu Vaccines in Goleta Dec. 5 Staff Report

ottage Health will offer a free, drive-thru flu vaccine clinic in Goleta near Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5. Free flu vaccines will be administered to adults age 18 and over from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. The location will be in the parking lot across from Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital on Hollipat Center Drive off of Patterson. The high dose vaccine will not be available. Advance registration is required for a specific time slot, as vaccines are limited. To reserve a time, visit www.cottagehealth. org/chflu. Registrants must also fill out and bring a consent form or they may experience longer wait times. COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place, and all attendees over the age of 2 must wear a mask to receive a vaccine. A separate walk-up flu vaccine clinic is also available for children age 6 months old and over. To make a reservation for children age 6 months to 17 years old, visit www. cottagehealth.org/ccmcflu. The location will be outside of the Grotenhuis Pediatric Clinics building at 5333 Hollister Ave., adjacent to the parking lot for Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.

If the child receiving the vaccine is under the age of 8 and has never received the flu vaccine before, a second dose is required. The patient will be assigned a follow-up date and time at the first appointment. About Cottage Health cottagehealth.org The not-for-profit Cottage Health is the leader in providing advanced medical care to the Central Coast region. Specialties include the Cottage Children’s Medical Center, Level 1 Trauma Center, Neuroscience Institute, Heart & Vascular Center, Center for Orthopedics, and Rehabilitation Hospital. The Cottage Health medical staff is comprised of more than 700 physicians, many with subspecialties typically found only at university medical centers. Last year, the Cottage Health hospitals in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley provided inpatient care for 21,000 people, treated 80,000 patients through their 24-hour emergency departments and helped deliver 2,100 newborns. Cottage Health also offers Cottage Urgent Care Centers throughout the tri-counties, as well as 24-hour access to providers via Cottage Virtual Care, an online service for common conditions.

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ore than 100 people turned out for a recent community meeting organized by a group opposed to the “Camp 4” property in Santa Ynez becoming part of the Chumash reservation. Members of the Santa Ynez Valley Coalition, which was created to defeat legislation that would take the rural land “into trust” for the tribe, focused on land use and preserving the valley’s rural character. At the meeting on April 27 at the Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Hall, coalition members recounted the history of land-use master plans called the Valley Blueprint and the Valley Plan and said they would release more information in the coming weeks, organizers said. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians announced in January that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had placed the tribe’s 1,390 acres known as “Camp 4” into federal trust. “Camp 4 is officially part of our reservation so we can begin the process of building homes on the property for tribal members and their families and revitalizing our tribal community,” Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn said in a prepared statement that was part of that announcement. The tribe bought the Camp 4 property in 2010 from late actor, vintner and hotelier Fess Parker, and they soon began the process of placing the land into federal trust, which makes it part of the tribe’s sovereign nation. Those efforts have been loudly opposed

E l Ran T

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Young st they a udents tell w re than h kful fo at r

Staff Repo rt

s Thanksgi first-grad ving approach ers from ed, Mrs. School Ms. Hekhuis’ classes Wright and shar at thankful ed with the Star wha Solvang for t they are I am than this year. kful for… my brot my dad. her, my little sister, my mom, and

my frien ds

my fami me food ly because my — Allie and wate mom and r my siste dad rs are nice give to me. I am than — Hen kful for ry my class room my siste — Xan rs der

my fami — Mig ly and my uel baby brot her. my dad my fami — Bria for help ly beca na nice to ing me use they them. are nice to me. I am my class room — Jose fine

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o 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 2886 M o CAMP ission f the Santa Drive • Solvan Ynez Val g • 805le elranc homar 688 43 y ket.com 00 2886 Mission Drive • Solvang • 805-688-4300 o

El Rancho Market The Heart of the Santa Ynez Valley elranchomarket.com

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

“Your voice is the instrument and I felt like we were in the 1930s,” by Raiza Giorgi Remak said. news@santaynezvalleystar.com Elizabeth, 12, a seventh-grader at Solvang Elementary School, ultimately didn’t win the competition but she definitely left an impression on the hundreds of people who came to see the performances. Nolan shley Carroll does everything she Montgomery can keep her concentration betweenof Dos Pueblos High School was crowned the winner. “Being and on stage was mind blowing and I had such a great time. rounds by wearing dark glasses Performing is about bringing a smile to people’s faces, and that’s what I listening to music as she pushes through each strive for when I perform,” Elizabeth said. trap-shooting match. She’s no stranger to the stage as she has performed in the valley for His career includes images of naturalHer disasprocess is definitely working, because Story by Raiza Giorgi various the national anthem at Fourth of July and porters, Super Bowls and Hollywood’s the biggest 22-year-old from Solvang won her functions-singing first Photos by George Rose traying Poppins in last year’s production with the Arts Outreach celebrities. World Cup gold medal in Acapulco onMary March Summer Theater. Rose started his professional journey 19. more This popular eorge Rose loves to post pictures of the than 40 years ago when he was in college, “I keep my pre-shooting routine going and event along with Teen Dance Star are now in their seventh to season of crowning hardworking students, and creator and executive Santa Ynez Valley landscape, especially studying art history. He fell into photography I’ve met with sports psychologists help me Photo contributed producer Lambert, a former valley resident, talks about his efforts. along Armour Ranch Road where new while he was a copy messenger for the withProgmy mental focus and staying calm.Joe It can Solvang native Ashley Carroll father, Charlie “I am to really and humbled bycredits their her hard work andCarroll, what’swith instilling in her the love of shooting clays and a blacktop paving contrasts starkly with the epic ress Bulletin, a small newspaper in Pomona. be hard when you have people talking you impressed sense of responsibility and safety around firearms. really amazing landscape of meadows and mountains beyond it. “I used to hang out with the sportsbetween editors,matches, and I really try to pick a is they set their goals to get into the show, or into the top 10 and they keep pursuing their dreams,” Lambert However, his stunning landscapes are just and they helped me with my interestsong in phoand focus on it,” Carroll said. or participating in league events.said. My friends Union High School Carroll has been attending Star drew all around Santa “retirement photos” for Rose, who made an tography. I would make the plates on plastic, Carroll has been trap shooting This sinceyear’s she Teenwould wantcontestants me to go tofrom a party with them andBarbara the University of Colorado and working on at the Arlington Theatre. The finalists award-winning career in photojournalism that which would get transferred onto thewas printing in second grade. It was anCounty activityperforming that I their knewhearts if I didout I wouldn’t get enough rest or her general education. She believes this will weredid Jillian GarnettgetofinSan Marcos School (12th Grade), Elizabeth spanned from the days of spending hours with equipment, and back then it was theshe cusp of her father, Charlie Carroll, and togethtrouble andHigh not be allowed to shoot,” be a big year for her shooting. She moved to of SolvangCarroll Schoolsaid. (7th Grade), James McKernan of BishopColorado Springs to be close to the Olympic film in the darkroom to the more immediate the turning point of technology,” Rose said.is now the coach for thePadfield er. He Santa Ynez High School (12th Trujillo of Dos Pueblos High gratification of making and manipulating digital In the late 1970s and early 1980s Valley Rose Sportsman Association’sDiego Scholastic Trap Grade), shootingNicole has also allowed her to Training Center, which is also the headquarPhoto Daniel Dreifuss (11th Grade), Daniel Geiger of Pioneer Valley High School images. spent six years as a staff photographer forTarget the byProgram, Clay in whichSchool hundreds participate in a sport and travel all around the (11th ters for USA Shooting. She placed second Seventh-grader Padfield of Solvangtwice wowedfor theacrowd with her rendition of “Summertime” by Georgeprimarily Gershwin. The judges were stunned to HeElizabeth has been nominated Pulitzer Los Angeles Times, focused in the of kids from all around the Central Coast world for competitions. TEEN Recently went toON PAGE for the learn her age and said her vocal talents were astounding. STAR she CONTINUED 11 2016 Olympic team trials and is still Prize. entertainment industry. He has photographed participate. Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic east of deciding if she wants to go for the next Olym“Photojournalism is such an admirable profes- figures from Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa“He and wouldn’t let me shoot until I could Turkey. pic tryouts. sion because it can really capture the story for Eva Gabor to Meryl Streep, Sidney hold Poitier, the gun up on my own for a good “It was a beautiful country and one of the “A highlight for me was meeting Kim the reader. I was really lucky to have my career amount of time. We would set up boxes in the cleanest places I’ve been to. The streets were Rhode, who has been an inspiration to women GEORGE ROSE CONTINUEDliving ON PAGE 20 and I would practice for hours in the heyday of print journalism,” Rose said. room impeccable and the people were beyond hos- in shooting. After talking to her it became until I was ready,” Carroll said. pitable,” she said. really clear to me that I can achieve this as She she believes that more kids should take Carroll also won bronze in the HH Sheikha well,” Carroll said. lessons and learn their way around a gun. Fatia Bint Mubarak Women’s International Rhode became the first athlete to win an “Guns actually kept me out of trouble, beShooting Championship in the United Arab individual medal during six consecutive sumcause every Friday night and most weekends Emirates on April 13. SHOOTING CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 my dad and I were at the trap range practicing Since graduating from Santa Ynez Valley

George Rose loves taking photos of Santa Ynez Valley landscapes like this Happy Canyon rainbow shot.

ry Tim

by Raiza Giorgi

TELEPHONE:_______________________EMAIL:____________________________

ary Eve

FIRST-GRA

SYV coalition says Camp 4 impacts larger than they seem

Ashley Carroll travels news@santaynezvalleystar.com een Star Santa Barbara judge Catherine Remak thought there the world to compete was a typo next to Elizabeth Padfield’s name because her maturity and depth of range were astounding during the competition in trap shooting on Feb. 25 at the Arlington Theatre.

Sunrise Armour Ranch Road photo by George Rose, photo graphic by Aimée Reinhart Avery

e Com pliment

SCHOOL

o THANKFUL

— Jose — Coli n

— Jaxs on CONTINUE D ON PAGE 28

24 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H December 1 - December 14, 2020

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