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‘More Valley Animals’ highlights more fantastic tales of locals and animals
Brooks Firestone's second installment of his book is available at The Book Loft By Raiza Giorgi
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taring into the eyes of a German Shepherd as his big paws were on his chest holding him to the ground, Brooks Firestone got a taste of what a police K-9 can do. Firestone actually asked to be put in that position after learning of a K-9 unit apprehending a suspect in Solvang a few years ago. “I called the Sheriff’s Department and asked to go to a training session to see how these officers and their handlers work,” he said. “I laid down on the ground and the dog Magnum stood on my chest and I glanced over to see the sheriff’s and the other trainers giggling.” That image is now gracing the cover of his revamped version of his book “More Valley Animals,” his second installment of true stories Firestone collected in the Santa Ynez Valley. “For some reason while I’ve lived in the valley, I’ve been collecting stories of people and their connection to not only the valley but animals and decided to put them all together. I really hope people enjoy it,” Firestone said. Firestone is known for many things from his time as a tire brand executive, rancher, winemaker and his political career from being 3rd District Supervisor to California State Assemblyman. “I have always known that I wanted to be an author,” he laughed. “Now at the age of 84, I think I can add that to my resume.” It’s been 10 years since his first installment came out, and Firestone is excited to put in even more stories. “The valley is a rare place. I think it’s expected to have some connection to animals now when people come here, he said. “It’s fun to explore the valley through different animal adventures.” One of the featured stories is about valley local
Photos contributed Brooks Firestone's longtime friend and Scottish artist Alasdair "Loon" Hilleary did the many cartoon drawings to accompany the stories in his book "More Valley Animals."
Photo by Raiza Giorgi Brooks Firestone is known for many things from his time as a tire brand executive, winemaker and his political career but he is especially proud of his title of author of his re-imagined book " More Valley Animals," available at The Book Loft in Solvang.
Jim Pugh and his encounter with a “cat.” Pugh moved to the valley in the early 2000s and is well known for his music career, being a Grammy Award winner, collaborating with artists like Etta James and backing up Robert Cray, another valley local. Pugh also founded the Little Village Foundation, which helps undiscovered and under-appreciated musicians from all walks of life record their original music, and then pushes to get them noticed. Pugh was volunteering for the Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Gardens, spreading mulch in the early morning when a large cat emerged and the two paused to stare at each other. If you have ever seen Pugh in person, he is a rather tall man, and the cat quietly turned and walked away. When Pugh told SYV Botanic Garden founder Carol “Puck” Erickson about the cat, she told him it wasn’t a cat, but a mountain lion. “A local lion going about traditional country business was curious about new people. The two
got along and parted in peace. That is our Valley,” Firestone writes. Others featured in the book range from Dawn Summerlin, the “Possum Lady,” local horse and stunt trainer Ramon Beccera and how the valley springs to action when danger is near. Local heavy equipment operator Ben Johnson told his story about when he helped his friend Dennis Patrick as a brush fire started on his property of Zaca Creek Ranch in September 2019. Johnson happened to be across freeway and took his dozer over to help create containment lines around Patrick’s property. Meanwhile cowboys and ranchers from the valley loaded up and quickly helped to move the cattle to a neighboring property. While the wildlife were scattering and the cattle were being driven away, Johnson spotted a calf that grew tired and lay down. Johnson stopped and picked up the calf and drove it back to the herd to be reunited with its mother.
“Through an opening quickly cut in the wire fence, were welcoming holding pens to keep the herd safe,” Firestone writes. “And that is how ranchers and cowboys operate for mutual aid in the valley.” Along with the stories there are many illustrations done by Firestone’s longtime friend Alasdair “Loon” Hilleary. His humorous and colorful sketches add laughs to some of the funny tales such as when Keith Saarloos was chased out of his field by his family’s herd of buffaloes. Saarloos escaped under the barbed wire fence with a few scrapes, according to Firestone. At the end of the book, Firestone included a few more stories about local valley nonprofits that have been especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic such as C.A.R.E4 PAWS, who have been helping feed and take care of animals and pet owners struggling to pay for food and necessities. “Local types grasp and understand the realities of our valley animal food chain, but also bring their loving sympathy and helpfulness to that understanding,” Firestone writes. To purchase a copy of the book, visit The Book Loft at 1680 Mission Drive in Solvang.
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2 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
ID1 votes to defer 5% water rate increases Staff Report
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he Board of Trustees of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No.1 (ID1) voted Dec. 15 to defer a 5 percent water rate increase that was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1. The scheduled rate increase will be deferred for six months and the issue will be revisited in June. “One of our core responsibilities as a District and elected Board of Trustees is to ensure we have the financial means to carry out our mission of providing sufficient, reliable, high quality etey • Buellton Rocks! water supplies to all of our customers,” said Jeff rack Excursions Clay, president of the district’s board. “While water rates are a critical factor in that equation, we also recognize that our customers have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. Based on the district fiscal stability, deferring water rates seemed the right thing to do at this time,” he added. ID1’s decision to postpone the scheduled rate
increase is the second step this year in support of its customers. From March through October of 2020, the board suspended all late penalties on accounts that were unable to pay on time due to financial hardship. “This is a community effort,” said Clay. “Economically we need to plan and prepare for the future while keeping a close eye on the present.” The district proudly serves potable water supplies for domestic, agricultural, commercial, and institutional needs within the communities of Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Ballard, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and the City of Solvang on a limited basis. The Board of Trustees is comprised of President Jeff Clay, Vice President Brad Joos, and Trustees Mike Burchardi, Lori Parker and Jeff Holzer. For more information about ID1, visit www. syrwd.org and be sure to attend their monthly board meetings.
Photo contributed Cottage Health opened its newest Cottage Urgent Care Center in Buellton on December 15.
Cottage Urgent Care now open in Buellton New facility is eighth location established by Cottage Health Staff Report
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ottage Health has opened its newest Cottage Urgent Care Center in Buellton on Tuesday, Dec. 15, with the goal of providing complete care within 45 minutes. Access to care is an important priority in preventing a minor issue from becoming a more serious health concern, and the new Urgent Care Center provides the community with convenient access from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year. Located at 328 McMurray Road in the Crossroads at Buellton Village, the new center is location number eight with more Cottage Urgent Care facilities opening soon in the tri-county region. Other locations are now open in Goleta on Hollister Avenue as well as on Calle Real, Oxnard on West Esplanade Drive, Santa Maria on North Broadway, Camarillo on Las Posas Road, Ventura on South Victoria Avenue and San Luis Obispo on Broad Street. Cottage providers staffing the Urgent Care Center include a licensed nurse practitioner, a radiology technician and clinical concierges who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care that distinguishes Cottage Health. Patients arriving at the Buellton Cottage Urgent
The new Cottage Urgent Care Center in Buellton provides the Santa Ynez Valley with convenient access from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 365 days a year.
Care will be welcomed with modern and comfortable amenities. Conditions treated include cold and flu symptoms, scrapes and minor cuts, minor burns, sprains, allergies, earache, urinary infection, skin conditions, rash, poison oak and other minor ailments and injuries. Patients who require attention for more serious medical conditions may be referred to a local Emergency Department or physician. Available services onsite include X-rays and lab services. The center also offers physical exams for student sports participation. Walkins are welcome and online appointments are available. For more information and appointments, visit www.cottagehealth.org/urgentcare.
January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 3
Solvang City Attorney Chip Wullbrandt resigns ahead of possible firing Former city attorney Dave Fleishman will return to position on an interim basis By Janene Scully
Photo contributed
Noozhawk North County Editor
The recently elected Buellton City Council members were sworn in before their first meeting on Dec. 10.
Buellton City Council seats new members
City enters into energy program with solar company By Raiza Giorgi
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he newly elected City Council members for Buellton were installed at the council’s regular meeting on Thursday,
Dec. 10. The voters in Buellton decided to give incumbent Mayor Holly Sierra another term, which will also be her last term as she is now at term limits. Sierra, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service as the Buellton postmaster, prevailed over Councilman Ed Andrisek and Isaac Oltmans in the November General Election. For the two open city council seats, incumbent John Sanchez filled one seat and newcomer Elysia Lewis was elected to the other. Sanchez was also appointed vice mayor by the council. Outgoing councilmember Art Mercado was given several gifts from the city as well as a number of kind words about his character and ethics. “I have truly enjoyed serving with you and thank you for putting up with me,� said Sierra. Before the new council was officially installed, the city entered into an agreement with ENGIE Services US (ENGIE) to provide energy related improvements to city facilities with a 4-1 vote with Councilman Dave King dissenting. The agreement will create a solar structure over the library/post office parking lots and at the wastewater treatment plant, as well as ground-mounted solar panels at the pump station on McMurray Road. The solar energy generated will power streetlights along Industrial Way and Central Avenue, and decorative LED streetlights installed along Highway 246 and Avenue of Flags. Additional energy savings will occur due to energy efficient
upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems at City Hall, the Planning Department building, the library, post office, police station and the wastewater treatment plant, according to the staff report. “In short the benefits to this project include a net savings over a 30-year life of $3.7 million after all the improvements are installed and financing paid off,� said City Manager Scott Wolfe. “The city would be protected against rising electric cost where solar panels are at and other facilities with energy efficiency and the added benefit of shaded parking at library and post office. This is showing the city if moving forward with alternative energy sources.� The contract will also include the replacement of the city’s remaining manual water meters with more energy- and water-efficient water meters, with transmitters that will facilitate the remote reading of the meters. The cost of the improvements will be $4,547,947, with $400,000 being paid by the city out of funds currently budgeted for work that will no longer be necessary after this project is completed. The remaining $4,147,947 will be financed through a lease purchase agreement with a 20-year term. At the end of the financing period (20 years), the title to the equipment transfers to the city, which will own the equipment for that point forward. An early purchase option is available should the City decide to terminate the agreement before the end of the 20-year period. The council also appointed two Planning Commission members. Patty Hammel and Mercado, to the two open positions. Hammel was appointed to a remaining three-year term previously and Mercado has served as a past planning commissioner. Councilmembers were also appointed to various boards and commissions. To view the meeting in its entirety, visit YouTube and search City of Buellton.
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olvang City Attorney Chip Wullbrandt resigned days ahead of the expected termination of his contract. Wullbrandt reportedly submitted his resignation the Friday before the special meeting of the Solvang City Council on Dec. 21. That meeting, called by new Mayor Charlie Uhrig at the end of Dec. 14 meeting, had two items set to be discussed in closed session as allowed by the Ralph M. Brown (Open Meetings) Act. The first item identifies public employee discipline, dismissal or release of the city attorney. A second item involved public employee appointment and identifies the position as the city attorney, which when the council returned from closed session, announced that former city attorney Dave Fleishman will be returning at least for an interim basis. Fleishman has now joined the firm of Richards Watson & Gershon. Neither Wullbrandt nor City Manager Xenia Bradford would release Wullbrandt’s resignation letter, and Uhrig did not respond to a query about the matter Saturday night. Wullbrandt, from the Santa Barbara-based firm of Price, Postel & Parma LLC, has spent 18 months as Solvang’s city attorney. “I was essentially recruited by the former mayor, Ryan Toussaint, in mid-2019. I really liked his and the City Council’s vision for Solvang, and very much enjoyed working with and for the former City Council,� Wullbrandt told Noozhawk in a written statement. He said the former council had “big goals and a very active agenda.� “I worked many hours beyond what I billed, and we got a lot accomplished,� Wullbrandt said. “At PP&P, we pride ourselves on doing a thorough and professional job for our clients. We are not cut-rate or cheap, but we are efficient and effective.� Solvang, like other jurisdictions, has experienced challenges because of
Photo contributed Chip Wullbrandt resigned from his position as city attorney for Solvang just days before he was to be let go.
the COVID-19 restrictions, which severely affected tourism industry. During that time, Wullbrandt contends, PPP “served the city well in response to the numerous challenges it faced.� “The new mayor and at least some of the new council want to go in a different direction from the former council, and it makes sense that they have the ability to work with counsel of their own choosing. We wish the city the best.� Wullbrandt was named interim city attorney after the former legal counsel resigned in May 2019. Although his hourly rate exceeded others who submitted proposals to serve the city, the council hired Wullbrandt as the permanent city attorney. He quickly racked up a tally that far exceeded the former attorney’s annual rate of approximately $100,000. From July through November, Wullbrandt has submitted invoices seeking payment amounting to $159,905. At some point last year amid concerns about his high costs, Wullbrandt included a “courtesy discount� on invoices. For instance, an invoice on the August agenda and dated July 30 cited $49,181 as the total, but included a courtesy discount of $13,717, putting the price at $35,421. An invoice dated June 30 added up to RESIGNS CONTINUED TO PAGE 10
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4 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
Charlie Uhrig takes new role as Solvang mayor, new council members seated By Raiza Giorgi
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fter the results of the election were made official by the City of Solvang, newly elected Mayor Charlie Uhrig took his seat along with new council members Claudia Orona and Mark Infanti. Orona was made mayor pro-tem during the assignment portion of the meeting Monday evening. During the city manager’s report Uhrig, along with Infanti and Orona, said they were glad to be on the council and wanted to make a statement they did not agree with the past council’s stance of going against the state and not enforcing the stay-at home orders. “I am not in favor of going against public health officials and applaud the business owners and restaurants for adhering to the rules. A few dollars lost are not worth someone’s life,” Uhrig stated. Infanti said the national news coverage to the decision also brought negative attention to Solvang. Several national news outlets from Fox News, Business Insider and the San Francisco Gate all wrote about Solvang’s non-compliance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay at Home Order. City Attorney Chip Wullbrandt urged the council to look at the message put out by former Mayor Ryan Toussaint, stating that only the city wouldn’t enforce but that had no action to supersede the county and state public health nor California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Restaurants who did not comply and move to “to-go” only services were threatened by public health with fines of $5,000 and business licenses suspended, according to the staff report. “To clarify that decision, our intent wasn’t for the businesses to go out and break the law, but after talking with counsel, was to create an opportunity within the law to continue their business,” said Councilman Jim Thomas. The previous council discussed “renting” the tables and chairs outdoors to create a
Lana Clark Schutz
Photo by Raiza Giorgi Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Kay Kuns swears in the new Solvang council members, from left, Mayor Pro-Tem Claudia Orona, Mayor Charlie Uhrig and Councilman Mark Infanti.
public space for people to sit and eat their meals without violating any orders, Thomas explained. In their first order of business the new council held a public hearing for the renewal of the Santa Ynez Valley Tourism Business Improvement District (SYVTBID), which was created in 2010, and is managed Santa Ynez Valley Hotel Association aka Visit the Santa Ynez Valley (Visit SYV). Revenue of roughly $900,000 is generated from hotel rooms within the SYVTBID help fund marketing and sales promotion efforts for Santa Ynez Valley lodging businesses that otherwise couldn’t do it on their own, according to the staff report. The annual assessment rate is $3 per paid occupied room per night. The annual assessment rate may increase to $3.50 per paid occupied room per night in year four (2024), but Visit SYV CEO Shelby Sim said that increase isn’t close to being implemented. Sim said that their petition to renew needs 51 percent of support and 93 percent signed an agreement to renew. The City
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of Buellton and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to continue the renewal. “Do you know why the remainder chose not to renew and what can be done better or encourage them to join,” Orona asked Sim. Sim said none of the hotels gave a reason, a few were going through ownership changes and the others declined to state reasons. Infanti “picked on” Sim and asked what he does for the businesses who are charged membership fees of $250 to be a part of Visit SYV. “Our goal is heads in beds and mainly we have to benefit the hoteliers,” Sim clarified. Infanti said he never signed a contract with someone who implied they “may or may not do something.” “What are your goals and how you measure yourself against those goals,” Infanti said. Sim shot back their goal is to increase TOT and both Buellton and the Santa Barbara County agreed and their agreement with the hoteliers are clearly defined. Infan-
ti responded he never saw that report and would like to see it. Visit SYV Board Chair Linda Johansen implored the council to continue the SYVTBID because it has greatly enhanced tourism in the valley and benefitted everyone. Infanti clarified he wasn’t trying to put anyone down, just the draft wasn’t specific. The SYVTBID will come back before the council on Jan. 11. After listening to the city manager’s report on the upcoming months of council meeting agenda topics and the need for members on the Planning Commission and the Branding and Design Committee (formerly the Board of Architectural Review), the council also voted to let the United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County to use the Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Hall for its after-school program due to it being misplaced from Solvang Elementary School for COVID-19 reasons. The agreement will go until at least the end of the school year. Council members gave a list of things they would like to see on future agendas. Infanti proposed none of the council be allowed to use their cell phones while on the dais, and that councilmember comments be moved to the beginning of the meeting so the public will have the most opportunity to listen. “The General Plan update is needed but it looks like there’s three project managers and the schedule looks like a kid drew his finger across it,” he added. “In a time when we don’t have a lot of budget I would like to revisit the schedule.” Infanti also proposed none of the council receive their $600 a month stipend for the next year and the funds be put towards helping small businesses. Mayor Uhrig also called a special closed meeting for 5 p.m. Dec. 21 to discuss the city attorney contract. To watch the meeting in its entirety visit the City of Solvang’s YouTube page at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=Q_oJ0hG7epU.
January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 5
State grant could provide much needed relief for small business, nonprofits Applications for $500M COVID-19 relief program to be accepted through Jan. 8 By Raiza Giorgi
publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
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he State of California published their website Dec. 23 detailing the new California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program that started taking applications on December 30. The creation of the $500 million COVID Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) will be targeting small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenue as documented in their most recent tax return. Businesses with revenue from $1,000 to $100,000 could be eligible for a $5,000 grant; those greater than $100,000 up to $1,000,000 could receive $15,000 and those greater than $1,000,000 up to $2,500,000 could receive $25,000. Applications opened at 8 a.m. on Dec. 30 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 8. Approvals will be sent starting Jan. 13, and if a business isn’t selected, it will also be notified and rolled into the next funding opportunity at a later date, according to
Photo contributed The amount of funding for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenue.
CalOSBA during their Zoom meeting. An eligible small business means sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 work, and/or registered “for-profit” business entity (e.g., C-corporation, S-corporation, limited liability company, partnership) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue based on most recently filed tax return; or a “small nonprofit” registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit entity having yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue based on most recently filed Form 990). Businesses and/or nonprofits had to be
established and in operation since June 1, 2019, to qualify. Owners of multiple businesses, franchises, locations, etc. will be considered for only one grant and are required to apply for the business with the highest revenue, and applications should be submitted through Google Chrome for the easiest navigation. Necessary documents for the grant include government-issued photo ID and latest filed tax returns – 2018 or 2019. Copy of official filing with the California Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality for the business such as one of the following: Articles of Incorpora-
tion, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or Government-Issued Business License. “There will be very high demand for this program, so if you are eligible and considering applying, I would recommend preparing your application now,” said Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann in her email to constituents Wednesday evening. Grant applications will be reviewed to determine whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Eligible businesses will then be scored based on COVID-19 impact factors incorporated into the Program’s priority criteria so that distribution can take into account priority key factors, including the following: 1. Geographic distribution based on COVID-19 health and safety restrictions following California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy and county status and the new Regional Stay At Home Order; 2. Industry sectors most impacted by the pandemic; and 3. Underserved small business groups served by the state-supported network of small business centers (i.e., businesses majority owned and run on a daily basis by women, minorities/persons of color, veterans and businesses located in low-to-moderate income and rural communities). For more information about the Grant Program visit https://careliefgrant.com.
Chumash Casino Resort remains open, but tribe’s hotels close temporarily
By Janene Scully
Noozhawk North County Editor
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he Chumash Casino Resort in the Santa Ynez Valley will remain open, but hotels operated by the Native American tribe will stay closed for at least three weeks, Chumash representatives said. “This is a critical time for our state as it grapples with the surge of the pandemic, and we understand the seriousness of this moment,” they said in a social media post. “Our state officials’ hardline approach to preventing the spread of the virus is no different than the position we’ve taken as we’ve added specific guidelines and key infrastructure to maintain a safe environment for you.”
Since Dec. 6, Santa Barbara County has fallen under a regional stay-at-home order affecting Southern California. The Chumash Casino sits on tribal land and is considered a sovereign nation, so gaming operations will continue 24 hours a day, representatives said. Some related sites will close or otherwise see changes, including limiting Willows dining to takeout only, and temporarily shutting the resort’s hotel, Hadsten House, Hotel Corque and the Kitá Wines tasting room. The facility recently reported that 11 employees, less than 1% of the workforce, were recovering from COVID-19. “As one of the largest employers in our county, we’ve seen a predictable uptick in the number of team members who have
been exposed to the virus while outside of our facility, as well,” said John Elliott, chief executive officer of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The majority of the current active cases involve employees under 30 years old, Elliott said, “and we are emphasizing extra vigilance among that cohort in following the scientifically proven methods to combat the spread of this virus.” Earlier this year, Casino officials established the Safe + Well program to avoid spreading COVID-19. “We will continue to operate the Chumash Casino Resort as we have been, under strict enforcement of our successful safety measures, which abide by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines,” Chumash representatives said on social
media. “In addition, we will maintain our strong working relationship with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.” Measures put in place earlier this year include temperature checks, face mask requirements, limited guest capacity, physical distancing, a state-of-the-art air handling system, and an already modified approach to operations. “These protocols, and your support, are what keeps the Chumash Casino Resort functioning safely,” Chumash representatives said on social media. Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com.
6 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
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Photo contributed A group of agents from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices hand-delivered 20 Christmas trees and accompanying holiday decorations to be distributed to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brings holiday cheer to domestic violence survivors Staff Report
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omestic Violence Solutions (DVS) for Santa Barbara County extends its sincere gratitude to the employees of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Santa Barbara. Last month, an amazing group of agents hand-delivered 20 Christmas trees and accompanying holiday decorations to be distributed to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Berkshire Hathaway has been a corporate partner of DVS for many years and delivering holiday cheer has become an annual tradition. This season, the company also awarded
DVS with a generous donation of $2,150. Funds for both the Christmas trees and monetary gift were raised from Berkshire Hathaway’s philanthropic arm, The Charitable Foundation. The fundraising efforts were led and coordinated by Madhu Khemani. In the past year, DVS provided 5,755 safe nights of shelter to survivors and their families. The safety and comfort of residents at DVS depend on the support of outside organizations. This holiday season will be much warmer and brighter thanks to the kindness of Berkshire Hathaway agents.
Los Padres Forest Supervisor’s Office relocates from Goleta to Solvang Staff Report
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os Padres National Forest (LPNF) officials announced that they’ve recently completed moving the Supervisor’s Office from its longtime location in Goleta to a new leased facility at 1980 Old Mission Drive in Solvang at the corner of Alamo Pintado Road and California Highway 246. LPNF officials have been studying potential sites for a new Supervisor’s Office for more than 10 years. A decision was made in 2015 to narrow the focus to the Buellton-Santa Ynez corridor, and in 2016 the General Services Administration (GSA) advertised for interested lessors. The new location was selected in 2017 and construction on the existing building was completed this fall. The telephone numbers for Supervisor’s Office employees have been transferred to the
Solvang office and will remain the same. Due to COVID-19, LPNF offices have been closed since March when employees began working remotely to provide virtual services to the public. The Supervisor’s Office will remain closed until it is safe to reopen the building to employees and the public. As a reminder, developed campgrounds are closed under a Regional Order until Jan. 6 to align with the State Stay-at-Home order prohibiting overnight camping. LPNF day use areas, along with OHV and hiking trails, remain open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to be familiar with and follow CDC guidance when using public lands. For additional information, please visit the Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ main/lpnf/home.
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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.
8 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
Solvang business receives EconAlliance’s Innovation Award Broken Clock Vinegar Works was started in 2016 under a cottage food license By Raiza Giorgi
publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
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roken Clock Vinegar Works has been named the recipient of the North County EconAlliance’s Innovation Award for 2020. This award recognizes a business that is impacting the area through new ideas, products, practices and technologies. “We were told we were nominated by the Solvang Chamber and so great to be chosen,” said Jody Williams, co-founder of the business. “I like to think that we are very innovative, as the only shrub business we know of around, and haven’t gone the normal way of making it like through apple cider vinegar. We make them from the fruit we harvest.” This year the award was given at the Virtual Future Forum which featured keynote speaker Mathew Griffin, an international futurist and the founder and CEO of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures consultancy working between the dates of 2020 to 2070. Broken Clock Vinegar Works was started in 2016 by Solvang residents Charles (C.T.) and Jody Williams, under a cottage food license.
Photo contributed Broken Clock Vinegar Works was recently given the EconAlliance's Innovation Award for 2020.
“We had a shrub cocktail at The Landsby and it was really good so we started to research how to make a shrub,” Jody Williams said. “We were harvesting lemons at the time and our kitchen countertop quickly turned into a test lab with lemon and other local fruits.” The duo quickly outgrew that capacity and in 2017, moved into a larger industrial space with a full winery license. Their products span a variety of shrubs and vinegars which are marketed to use in cooking, marinades, dressings and cocktails, or just sparkling water.
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Broken Clock Vinegar Works is unlike other shrub producers as they operate under a winery license to produce fruit wines which are then acetified into vinegar. These vinegars are then used as the base for their shrubs. To their knowledge, they are the only shrub producer handling the process completely in-house, from farm to product. “When we owned Wandering Dog Wine Bar, now Arrowsmiths, we would bring in the shrub as an additional item to promote, and I remember having that ‘A-ha!’ moment with C.T. that this could be a legit business,” Williams added.
They also provide an outlet for farms to use fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste, creating a new sales channel for those farms. All of these relationships have a positive impact on the economic vitality of the North County and provide tourists another unique experience while they visit the Central Coast. “We won’t be opening a retail shop any time soon,” Williams said. “We prefer the more ‘popup’ style where we can take the shrubs to different wineries and showcase how the shrubs can enhance the wine.” The Economic Alliance Foundation (EconAlliance) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization which has a mission to “Build Awareness, Advocacy and Appreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County Industries and Communities.” The organization champions the North County sectors that fuel local communities and inspire regional prosperity and worker opportunities. This cross-industry alliance serves as the only organization solely focused on Northern Santa Barbara County industries. Visit their website at www.econalliance.org.
To learn more about Broken Clock Vinegar Works visit www.brokenclockvinegarworks.com, or call 805-245-7389 to schedule a visit. They are currently open for to-go bottles only but look forward for tastings once permitted to do so.
January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 9
VNA Health hosts Angels Among Us remembrance ceremony virtually
ed,” said Sena Woodall, director of hospice
Staff Report
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or the past 15 years, the annual Angels Among Us Remembrance Service hosted by VNA Health has helped community residents celebrate the life and memory of passed loved ones during the holiday season. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, VNA Health continued this important tradition Dec. 8 with a virtual Angels Among Us at vna. health/2020angelsamongus. Though online, this year’s service included the tradition of sharing music and stories, lighting candles, honoring veterans and lost soldiers, and remembering loved ones. Since participants couldn’t gather and light candles, VNA Health created make-andkeep candle ornaments in the centerfold of its Fall 2020 issue of Live Well magazine. To receive a copy of the magazine, please email marketing@vna.health. “Angels Among Us has always been one of those very heartwarming programs that connects people; and this year, though safely apart online, we will still be connect-
care. “Angels Among Us will continue to be a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one, and the video of the service will remain on our website even after the holidays.” During the holiday season, the need for bereavement care and support is greatest, as memories and traditions can bring up grief and loss. Even through COVID-19, the VNA Health bereavement care team has sustained its programs via telehealth care, phone-conferencing, and video-conferencing to support families and friends with grief counseling, group support, workshops and other resources. For more information on Bereavement support, please email at bereavement@vna.health or leave a confidenPhoto contributed One out of every four dying Americans is a veteran. Each year at Angels Among Us, VNA Health remembers missing soldiers with the Missing Man Ceremony. Veteran and VNA health volunteer Roger Deck performed the ceremony this year.
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10 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
Buellton brings in Christmas spirit with inaugural Farmer’s Market and Poker Run Staff Report
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lthough the Buellton Chamber of Commerce wasn’t able to host its normal Winter Fest activities this year, they were still able to host a Farmer’s Market with a little touch of Christmas. The City of Buellton, Parks & Rec, Buellton Chamber and Visitors Bureau brought joy to those who came to the Farmer’s Market. Guests got to take a socially distanced photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and their helpers, children wrote letters to Santa and grabbed a craft kit to take home while parents picked up a few things at the Farmer’s Market. The Chamber also hosted its first Poker Run on Dec. 5 as another fun activity to do in a safe manner. “We had a great number of participants from local and out of town who came to participate in our First Annual Poker Run,” said Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber. “They spent the day visiting the stops along the run and enjoyed venturing around Buellton and learning more about our city.” Vreeland said she also thanked the event’s sponsors and locations for host-
Photo contributed Brigette and Dan Cassara and Tom and Leanne Walton for joining in the holiday fun as Christmas characters at the Buellton Farmer's Market and Poker Run.
ing people on their property as a stop along the Poker Run. Among them were Mendenhall Museum, Ostrichland USA, The Tavern at Zaca Creek, Santa Ynez Valley Marriott and the Santa Ynez
Valley Botanic Garden. For more information on the Buellton Chamber visit www.buellton.org.
o RESIGNS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
$61,869, but was trimmed by $34,717 with the courtesy discount, so the payment sought amounted to $27,152. For the first nine months of the prior fiscal year, his payments topped $500,000. Wullbrandt also was more involved than most city attorneys, such as riding in the 2019 Julefest Parade with City Council members. He often touted the fact that since he was local, the city did not pay for travel to meetings. With Wullbrandt as legal counsel, Solvang has been accused of violating state law on open meetings, forcing the panel to rescind the improper actions. Fleishman, from the Atascadero-based firm of Hanley & Fleishman, announced his resignation in May 2019. “The City Council majority is entitled to and should be served by a city attorney whose ethical standards and commitment to the rule of law more closely match their own,” Fleishman said in a written statement. Since then, Fleishman’s partner Roy Hanley has retired and Fleishman joined the firm of Richards Watson & Gershon, which has a San Luis Obispo office. Fleishman also serves as the contract city attorney for Pismo Beach. Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. SYV Star Publisher Raiza Giorgi contributed to this story.
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January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 11
Old Rock Day: Another day to celebrate in January
By John Copeland Contributing Writer
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ove over New Year’s: There’s a new favorite holiday in January, at least for geologists. Thursday, Jan. 7, marks “Old Rock Day.” No, this is not the day to celebrate old rock ’n’ roll music or the elderly musicians still playing it. Old Rock Day is the day that geoscientists and rock enthusiasts encourage people to celebrate and learn more about old rocks and fossils. There are a lot of holidays spread across the year. Some are major holidays, like Christmas and the Fourth of July; others are unofficial holidays that are quirky, not widely observed and yet still have passionate aficionados, like “Talk Like a Pirate Day” or “National Nothing Day.” Many of these unofficial holidays, April Fools and National Grilled Cheese Day among them, have unknown origins. The same is true of Old Rock Day. Not even those of us considered to be fossils in our own right know the origin of this rocky holiday. Throughout human history, rocks have been important to us and we have found many uses for them; as tools, musical instruments, weapons, adornments and building materials. Like our ancestors, I have always been intrigued by all kinds of rocks. So even though I’m a filmmaker and not a geologist, I’m always on the lookout for cool rock formations. When I was scouting for locations for a Discovery Channel documentary, my travels took me to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Above Dove Lake, I came across a section of rocks where in the span of half a kilometer, you can walk over beds that date from the Precambrian Period, roughly 2.5 billion years ago, all the way forward in time to the Jurassic Period, 150 million years ago. As I walked across these aged rocks, I felt like I was time traveling. It was a very moving experience. I was able to touch a
part of Earth’s past so distant it is hard to fathom that span of time. On another occasion, in Iceland, I encountered an entire hillside of obsidian. Iceland is a spot on our planet with a lot younger rocks than other sites in the world (some are formed every day). Later the same day, I found myself in a place where I stood with one foot on the North American Plate and the other on the Eurasian Plate. This was another moment of feeling a connection with Earth’s processes. Old Rock Day also celebrates fossils. The process of fossilization is extremely rare and only a small fraction of the plants and animals that have inhabited Earth are preserved as fossils. It is estimated that 85 to 97 percent of the species that lived in the past have never been fossilized. The existence of all fossils, discovered and undiscovered, and their place in the sedimentary layer of Earth is referred to as the fossil record. The fossil record is what began our study of evolution, and it is still used to this day as a source for studying the history of life on Earth. Earth scientists use the fossil record to figure out what may have caused various species to evolve over time or go extinct. Since distant antiquity, people have noticed and gathered fossils, including pieces of rock and minerals that have replaced the remains of biologic organisms, or preserved their external form. A few years ago, I was in paleontologist, Dr. Phil Currie’s lab at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. Phil pulled a T. rex tooth out of a specimen drawer and handed it to me. The tooth had been fossilized as an agate. It was truly amazing to be holding something that had once been a tooth in the mouth of a living dinosaur and now was a semiprecious stone. Old Rock Day offers a perfect opportunity to learn a little something about fossils and other old rocks — or to teach someone else a little about fossils and rocks — whether you celebrate dinosaur or trilobite fossils, gemstones or coal, or any other rock. The nice thing about this ill-defined holiday is that the interpretation and the means of celebration is really up to you. But, however you decide to celebrate Old Rock Day, just make sure it totally rocks!
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In Loving Memory Barbara M. Albertoni 4/28/34-12/16/20
Our dear sweet Mom, Barbara M. Albertoni, passed suddenly, yet peacefully, on December 16, 2020 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital following a very brief illness. She was full of vitality, life and determination every single day of her life, even until the day she got her angel wings. Barbara was born on a farm in Iowa Falls, Iowa on April 28, 1934 to Andy and Gladys DeWitt, joining an older brother, Chuck. In 1940, Barbara and her family loaded up their car with all of their worldly possessions and made their way to California like so many others did before them. They were fortunate to have relatives in Los Angeles and spent time with them until Andy was able to secure a job as a ranch foreman in Greenfield California. After driving back to Los Angeles to pick up the family, they settled in Greenfield, moving between Soledad and Greenfield from time to time. In 1952, Barbara married her best friend Oliver and they joined his family in the dairy business. Regardless of the fact that their high schools were fierce rivals, Barbara and Oliver were a great team in the dairy industry and in life for 36 years before Oliver’s passing in 1988. Even as she raised four children, she acted as cook for the hired men and bookkeeper for the ranch. Additionally, she was a dedicated 4-H leader, high school chaperone, the best PTA Mom ever, and active in the local Catholic church. As a superb quilter and knitter, she loved to share her handmade items with everyone as gifts of love and friendship. Ready for another life adventure, Barbara decided that after 63 years it was time to downsize from the family ranch home in South Monterey County and move to Solvang. She looked forward to a life of less work and more time to explore the things she was interested in. As a resident of the Valley for six years, she did just that by finding her new forever home in Rancho Santa Ynez Estates. She loved the Valley and all of its beautiful nature, the shape of the hills, the tree lined streets, her neighbors and all the friends she made at the Solvang Senior Center where she volunteered regularly. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, her parents Andy & Gladys DeWitt and her brother Charles (Chuck). She is survived by her four children: Nancy (Pat) Wirz of Hollister, CA., Jan Clevenger of Solvang, Joseph Albertoni of Waipahu, HI and Ellen Albertoni of Solvang. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Donald (Alison) Wirz, Sarah (Sean) Fruit, Heidi Wirz and Esther Wirz; Brian (Tabatha) Jenkins and Brett (Ashley) Jenkins and Drew Barker. Additionally, she is survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law Clem (Phylis) Albertoni, sister-in-law Emily DeWitt, several nieces and nephews and extremely special friends. Once we are able to join together, the family will hold a small celebration of life and intern her ashes next to her husband in Soledad, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Solvang Senior Center’s Building Fund (1745 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463) or Atterdag Village (636 Atterdag, Solvang CA 93463). The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of the wonderful folks at Atterdag Village, Dr. Gus Dascanio and the wonderful doctors and nurses at both Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospitals. Additionally, we would like to thank Fr. Bobby Barbato of Mission Santa Ines who helped fulfill Mom’s final wishes and the Loper Family for their wonderful caring service. Prominently displayed in Mom’s kitchen was her favorite saying which she had cross stitched and framed. It was a reminder of what she strived for at the end of each day: “I done my best”.
12 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
Vikings donate $10,000 to help feed local residents in need
Bethania Lutheran Church, Atterdag Village food programs get $5,000 each Staff Report
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he Vikings of Solvang have donated $10,000 to two local organizations to help feed those in need: $5,000 to support Bethania Lutheran Church’s food distribution program and $5,000 to support Atterdag at Home’s Meals on Wheels program. “Our mission is to help qualified local people and organizations with their medically related needs,” said Vikings Chief Richard Kline. “Helping to keep people healthy when they would otherwise go hungry is completely fitting. Nutrition in a time of hunger is clearly a medically related need. And, it’s especially important at this time of year as families gather to celebrate the holidays.” “I’m incredibly proud of our program and we at Bethania are ‘being who we are called to be’ with this food distribution,” said Pastor Chris Brown of Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang. In conjunction with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Bethania Lutheran Church provides food for approximately 400 families weekly. Bethania funds 50% of the weekly distribution expenses and the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County subsidizes the remaining 50%. Food is distributed to those in need in the local community every Tuesday from 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM. “We’re so appreciative. Vikings contribution will allow us to be certain we will be able to provide food to those in need, at least through Christmas,” said Bethania Lutheran Church’s Social Ministry Chair Linda Marzullo. Atterdag at Home’s Meals on Wheels program services the local community from the kitchen at Atterdag Village in Solvang. Through the program, volunteers
s ristma All CDhecor ff 50% o
Photos contributed The Vikings of Solvang donated $5,000 to support Bethania Lutheran Church's food distribution program.
Atterdag at Home's Meals on Wheels program, another recipient of the Vikings' generosity, services 104 homebound seniors from the kitchen at Atterdag Village in Solvang.
deliver a meal every day to 104 homebound adults. “20,000 meals were served last year,
meals are served on all holidays, five church groups and one community group participate,” said Atterdag at Home Direc-
tor Karen Brown. “The program has 172 volunteers, and one of the volunteers has been with the program since it began 52 years ago.” The Vikings of Solvang is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has provided more than $3 million in medically related aid since the group was founded in 1974, solely on the strength of tax-deductible donations from Vikings members and others in the community. About $1 million of the total has been given to individuals. The other $2 million has been donated to organizations such as local senior centers, therapy centers and other medical service providers and funded the Vikings’ annual Christmas party for special-needs children and their teachers in northern Santa Barbara County (canceled this year for the first time since its inception 32 years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Members pay for all the group’s operating costs, so every penny donated goes directly to helping someone. Each donation is invested in a carefully managed endowment fund, which has allowed the group to maximize each dollar donated by earning interest on it. Only a portion of the interest from the endowment, not the principal, can be spent each year, so donations to the fund help in perpetuity. Vikings grants have helped local people build wheelchair ramps, get prosthetic limbs, buy disabled-accessible vehicles, get cancer treatment, address dental and hearing issues as well as many other needs. To apply for a grant from the Vikings, donate to the group’s endowment fund, or get other information, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com or contact Chief Richard Kline at rskcom@aol.com.
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January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 13
Photo contributed by the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art Pictured in this 1911 photo, from left, are land agent Mads Freese and city founders P.P. Hornsyld, Benedict Nordentoft and J.M. Gregersen contemplating a location in Ballard Canyon for a Danish folk school and church.
Photo contributed From left, the Chumash Casino Resort's Carrie Ruckman, Paul Hohe and Peter Sherlock present Jessa Brooks, Marion Regional Medical Center vice president of philanthropy, with a $12,966 donation to the Mission Hope Cancer Center.
Project Pink campaign raises $12,966 for Mission Hope Cancer Center Staff Report
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ales of pink-colored desserts, snacks, treats and drinks at the Chumash Casino Resort generated $6,483 toward the annual Project Pink campaign, which raises funds throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. This year’s campaign beneficiary, Mission Hope Cancer Center, which is supported by the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation, also received a matching grant from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, bringing the total donation to $12,966. The resort’s Food and Beverage Department, which drives the annual Project Pink campaign, eclipsed last year’s donation total despite operating under a limited guest capacity and with closed food outlets due to the Safe + Well measures that have been in place since the Chumash Casino Resort reopened in June. “Our Food and Beverage team members showed their true dedication to this cause by bringing the same amount of creativity and motivation they’ve had in past campaigns to this challenging year,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “In the face of this global pandemic, they maintained their goal of raising awareness for this important cause and generating valuable funds for Mission Hope Cancer Center, which plays such a critical role in our community.” The Mission Hope Cancer Center, located in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande, features state-of-the art technologies and treatments for cancer care, supportive services, education and preventative care. Its current slate of events and support groups are occurring online or over the phone to maintain its resources for patients during the pandemic. “On behalf of Mission Hope Cancer Center, Marian Regional Medical Center, and the Marian Foundation, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the
Chumash Casino Resort for their Pink Project campaign’s meaningful donation of $12,966,” said Jessa Brooks, vice president of philanthropy for Marian Regional Medical Center. “Our organization remains tremendously grateful for the outpouring of support for local cancer patients shown by the generosity of the employees of the Chumash Casino Resort and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation.” Dr. Robert Dichmann, medical director of Marian Cancer Care, noted that the global pandemic has added more layers of concern to patients during their ongoing battles against cancer. “Now, more than ever, local cancer patients need support as so many are not only dealing with a cancer diagnosis, but they are also encountering the stress of emotional and economic uncertainty,” Dichmann said. “Fortunately, for cancer patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center, 100 percent of generous community proceeds, like the recent donation from the Chumash Casino Resort, directly support cancer patients and their families in need of financial assistance, in addition to supporting the cancer center’s programs and services, and the acquisition of advanced equipment and technology.” For more information on the Mission Hope Cancer Center, including how to donate, please visit missionhopecancercenter.com. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to hundreds of groups, organizations and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving. To find out more about the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation and its giving programs, visit www.santaynezchumash.org.
Solvang to celebrate 110 years of Danish culture
Elverhoj museum planning exhibits, programming and email series Staff Report
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n Jan. 12, 1911, nearly 9,000 acres of land were purchased for a new Danish colony in the Santa Ynez Valley. Within a month, settlers began to arrive and a name was selected for the new town: Solvang, literally “sunny field” in Danish. The founding of this agricultural town was based on three deeply held principles: community, education and church. Over the decades, Solvang evolved from a rudimentary beginning into a success story driven by perseverance and progressive thinking. Land agent Mads Freese and founders P.P. Hornsyld, Benedict Nordentoft and J.M. Gregersen
initially sought a location in Ballard Canyon for a Danish folk school and church, but later chose the area near Mission Santa Inés as a location for the school and town. The celebration of Solvang’s founding in 1911 and its 110th anniversary will be celebrated by the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art throughout 2021. “Skål Solvang – Celebrating 110 Years of History & Culture” will include special exhibitions and programming, an email series highlighting community milestones, and events when allowed. The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is located at 1624 Elverhoy Way in Solvang. There is no charge for admission; suggested donation is $5 when the museum can reopen. For more information, phone the Museum at (805) 6861211 or visit www.elverhoj.org.
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14 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
Preparing the perfect creme ´ brulee ¨ ´
By Vida Gustafson Contributing Writer
T
his dessert is just about as simple as it gets, but it’s one of those that will have you looking like an absolute wizard in the kitchen. You have the lightest of custards, barely set, not eggy or too sweet, topped with a crispy thin shell of dark, nutty, caramelized sugar. I think it is the perfect ending to a heavy holiday meal. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or gadgets, like a blowtorch, either. I’ve been caramelizing my crème brûlées at home under my broiler for years. While a torch is nice, it’s not essential.
Ingredients
n 1 ½ C cream n 1 C half & half (or use whole milk in a pinch) n 5 egg yolks n 5 tbsp sugar n 1 whole vanilla pod (or 2 tsp vanilla extract) n 5-6 tsp turbinado sugar (or regular crystalized sugar)
Method
Gather together 5 standard size (4.5 oz) oven-proof ramekins, a large sieve/fine mesh strainer and a small baking sheet or dish that can hold at least 1 inch of water and all the
Photo by Vida Gustafson This dessert recipe for creme brulee just about as simple as it gets, but it's one of those that will have you looking like an absolute wizard in the kitchen.
ramekins. Separate the yolks from the whites from 5 large eggs. Save those whites for meringues or omelets. Whisk the yolks with the 5 tablespoons of sugar until the sugar dissolves and set aside. Preheat oven to 350º F. Cut open and scrape the seeds from one vanilla pod, put the pod and the seeds in a small saucepan. Add milk and cream. Set over medium heat and gently stir so that no skin forms. Heat until you see small bubbles releasing on
the edge of the liquid, but do not bring to boil. Once the cream is piping hot, but not boiling, pour into the egg yolks. Starting very slowly and whisking gently and constantly. Once everything is combined, pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve to catch the vanilla pod and any solid bits. Pour into 5 x 4 ½ oz ramekins or into a shallow baking dish (if making a single large crème brûlée). Set individual ramekins inside a larger
shallow vessel and pour boiling water around them at least 1 inch deep. Be careful not to spill any water in the custard, it will not set if you do. Cook individual crème brûlées for 35 minutes and large crème brûlée for 50-60 minutes, until they are set but still a little jiggly. Cool them for 10 minutes or so, before setting them in the fridge to cool completely, for at least an hour. To brûlée in the oven, sprinkle a teaspoon or so of sugar evenly over the top of each and set under a high broiler. After 1 minute you may feel like nothing is happening, but this is just about when things start going really quickly and you end up with a burnt mess. Watch carefully for the sugar to start melting, bubbling and changing color. You’re looking for a light golden brown, that will darken in seconds. Most of these will be done in under 3 minutes, make sure to keep a very close eye. I usually stand right there with the oven door cracked open. If using a blowtorch, keep it about an inch away from the surface until the sugar starts to bubble and turn to a rich caramel color. Keep the torch moving, once the sugar colors it can burn very quickly. Don’t despair if some spots get a little dark. The robust bitter overtones are the highlight of the dish, it is called “burnt cream” after all! Let cool completely and enjoy!
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January 5 - January 18, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 15
Winter Reading Challenge launched Jan. 1 at Santa Ynez Valley libraries Six-week program to run until Feb. 13 for children, teens and adults Staff Report
T
he Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries will host a six-week Winter Reading Challenge from Jan. 1 to Feb. 13 for children, teens and adults to start off the bright new year with the transformational power of reading. This year’s Winter Reading Challenge will be held completely online through Beanstack, a website and app that makes keeping track of your reading incredibly easy and fun, and its theme — Books Like Us — invites readers to celebrate diversity and the power of seeing their stories reflected in books. Readers who used Beanstack for the 2020 Summer Reading Program can simply log in to their existing Beanstack account and sign up for the Challenge on Jan. 1, and new users can get started by creating a free account in just a few minutes. Visit goletavalleylibrary. beanstack.org, or download the free app for
Apple and Android devices to log your books on the go. During each week of the Winter Reading Challenge, the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries will hold drawings for exciting prizes such as themed gift baskets, gift cards to local restaurants, stickers, games, art kits, books and more, thanks to the generous support of
DUNN Middle School
OPEN HOUSE
{ {
In Person*
Virtual
Jan. 30, 2021
2 sessions offered: 10 am or 2 pm
Jan. 28, 2021 at 7 pm
REGISTER NOW!
* Limited space. Reservation and mask required. Contact Admissions.
SCHOOL
805.686.0650 admissions@dunnschool.org
our local partners. Readers are eligible for prize drawings each week that they log at least one book in their Beanstack account. Books of all kind are welcome, including print books, eBooks, graphic novels and audiobooks. In addition to local drawings, our community also has the chance to win national prizes
from the publisher Simon & Schuster, the sponsor of the Books Like Us program. The 10 libraries with the highest participation will win virtual author visits from the likes of Stuart Gibbs, Sharon M. Draper, and many more, plus a collection of 50 books from the Simon & Schuster Books Like Us collection. “We are thrilled to launch this program and to read together as a community as we did over the summer,” said Goleta Valley Library Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo. “Expanding our annual Adult Winter Reading Program to include readers of all ages this year is an exciting opportunity for all of us to start off 2021 with a fun goal and a great book.” The 2021 Books Like Us Winter Reading Challenge will open Jan. 1. For more information on programs and events at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries, see the calendar at www. or check out the Facebook pages of the different Library branches at facebook.com/goletavalleylibrary, facebook. com/buelltonlibraries or facebook.com/solvanglibrary.
16 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H January 5 - January 18, 2021
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