Santa Ynez Valley Star April A 2021 by Santa Ynez Valley Star

April 6 - April 19, 2021

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Local bladesmith wins ‘Forged in Fire’ competition Jordan Kepler's Headhunter Axe helps him become big winner on History Channel program By Pamela Dozois

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

ladesmith Jordan Kepler is the “Forged in Fire” champion in the season 8, episode 9 of the History Channel television

series. “Forged in Fire” is a show where world-class bladesmiths recreate historical edged weapons in a unique competition. Four contestants are pitted against each other in three challenges. Bladesmithing is the ancient art of making knives, swords, daggers and other blades using a forge, hammer, anvil and other smithing tools as well as woodworking for knife handles. Bladesmiths employ a variety of metalworking techniques like those used by blacksmiths. “I’ve followed the show on the History Channel for a few years, and when the host of the show, Grady Powell, put out an email blast asking for auditions, I decided to try out,” said Kepler. “I did a show-and-tell with them in February of last year and then waited for a phone call to let me know I had been accepted. I couldn’t tell anyone what I was doing until the episode neared airing on February 17, 2021. It was filmed in October 2020. “The first challenge was to create the steel por-

Photo by Daniel Dreifuss Bladesmith Jordan Kepler was the winner in a recent "Forged in Fire" episode on the History Channel.

tion of a knife in three hours,” Kepler explained. “At the end of that period, I had already forged a recurved Bowie knife. We then displayed our knives to the panel of judges — J. Neilson, Doug Marcaida and David Baker — showing them what we had completed thus far. Based on the look and integrity of each knife, one person was

then eliminated. “In round two we put a handle on the blade and sharpened it,” continued Kepler. “The blade was then tested by the judges for strength by striking it as hard as they could into a metal clock. The blade was then smashed into rubber tubing in order to see if

the blade held its edge through the strength test. Then another contestant was eliminated. In round three, the two remaining contestants were sent home to create a new blade, which in this case was an historical Filipino weapon called the Headhunter’s Axe. “I had three days to create the whole thing at home in my forge,” Kepler said. “The weapons were then sent back to the film studio where on the final day of filming our weapons were once again tested for their strength, sharpness and their killing abilities, the latter of which is tested on a gelatin test dummy.” Kepler’s axe was made of Damascus steel, which is recognizable by the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal. His opponent made his out of 80CRV2 steel. “We were both neck-in-neck during the kill test. On the strength test my blade went clear through the cattle skull and bamboo rods while my opponent’s axe handle broke on the very last swing,” he said. “At that point the judges called it a ‘catastrophic failure’ and I was awarded the title of ‘Forged in Fire Champion’ and received a check for $10,000. The hardwood I used for the handle of my axe came from Nielsen’s Building Materials – it was a nice, long, straight piece of maple.” Kepler said he’d always had a fascination for building things ever since he was a child. FORGED CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

2 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Solvang council OKs filling some job vacancies related to COVID-19 layoffs By Janene Scully

Noozhawk North County Editor

T Photo by Mike Eliason The Cold Spring Bridge on Highway 154 will be undergoing inspections and be painted, which will affect traffic on the road.

Cold Spring Bridge inspections, painting underway Staff Report

project to clean, paint and inspect the Cold Spring Bridge on Highway 154 is now underway, according to Caltrans

officials. Motorists will encounter one-way reversing traffic control Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Delays are not expected to exceed 10 minutes. The contractor for this $7 million project is

Certified Coatings of Fairfield. This project is expected to be completed in Spring 2023. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Santa Barbara County, motorists may call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or visit our District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/ caltrans-near-me/district-5

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he Solvang City Council has taken steps to fill some jobs left empty by forced layoffs last spring at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday night, the council agreed 4-1 to hire a public works maintenance worker, a parks maintenance officer, an assistant planner and a city clerk. An office assistant would be boosted from part time to full time. Shortly after the shutdown last spring, the city axed 12 positions, citing the expected loss of transient occupancy tax, or bed tax paid by people who stay in local hotels. “Today’s recommendations are the first step in rebuilding the city organization for post-COVID operations,” City Manager Xenia Bradford said Monday. Solvang is one of the top cities to receive transient occupancy tax, estimated at $500,000 a month, Bradford said. That revenue disappeared during the most stringent shutdown orders in the past year. Bradford’s initial recommendation did not include the city clerk slot returning at this point, but Councilman Mark Infanti said he wanted to bring back that position full time now and not later. The abrupt layoffs of both at-will and union employees in March 2020 led to an unfair labor practice charge from Teamsters Union Local 986 representing Solvang workers. “Is the union cool with this? Is this compatible with what the processes are?” Councilwoman Claudia Orona asked. “I would say that as a result of the actions that were taken in 2019-2020, the union was not OK with that,” City Attorney Dave Fleishman said. “They did file an unfair labor practice charge against the city. We are working to try to resolve that with the union.” A vacancy policy, adopted in October 2019 and reversed by a unanimous vote Monday night, required an analysis of each empty city position and council approval to fill the job. Remaining mum about specifics, Fleishman said the matter remained “in a holding pattern,” with ongoing discussions taking place between

city and union officials. Teamsters representative Jeff Lee welcomed talks about rehiring employees, contending the city remained “on course to hopefully try and reverse some of the wrongs that had been done.” “I just want to say I’m glad to see that the council is considering a reversal of the previous council’s vacancy policy and considering to bring back positions,” Lee said. “Of course that’s good. The union’s very happy with the council’s consideration of doing that.” Other residents supported hiring employees for those empty slots. Nancy Emerson favored filling vacancies, noting that the city manager has done that role along with other jobs that had been left vacant. Resident Julie Glendenning agreed that Bradford has been forced to fill too many roles. “I don’t feel we have the proper checks and balances, especially in financial areas,” Glendenning said. Lee also questioned why the former council looked to city staff to save money rather than trimming the costs of its then-city attorney, Chip Wullbrandt from Price Postel & Parma. “When the March 2020 state of emergency was declared, I feel like rather than removing 12 full-time positions, I would have liked to have seen the attorney at the time reduce their expenditures to offset the massive deficit that the city was facing,” Lee said. Wullbrandt resigned in mid-December before his expected firing, and the new council rehired Fleishman, who had done the job with his partner, Roy Hanley, for two decades. Last month, the council approved Jan. 22 invoices totaling another $23,254 for Wullbrandt, putting his total cost at $738,000. After a closed session meeting Monday night, the council voted unanimously to hire Fleishman, from the firm Richards, Watson and Gershon, for the permanent city attorney job, with the formal contract to be brought back at a future meeting. Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @ NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 3

Bethania Lutheran Church volunteers honored to serve the community for more than a year Despite COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions lifting, the need for food and supplies still great By Raiza Giorgi

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hat volunteers thought would be just a few weeks of hardship has now surpassed the one-year mark as people are still struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 crisis. “I was worried the first week that no one would come after we got a lot of donations in food,” said Elizabeth Breen, volunteer at Bethania Lutheran Church’s weekly food distribution. “Boy, was I ever wrong, and week after week, we are seeing a majority of the same families and others who are barely getting by. COVID aside, there is such a great need here for assistance and we will continue to make this happen even after all the restrictions are lifted.” Each Tuesday, dozens of volunteers, some affiliated and some not affiliated with Bethania Lutheran Church, are there rain or shine to distribute food and other necessities like diapers, wipes, sanitary napkins and hope. Sometimes the line has wrapped twice around the church’s building and stretched down another street of people waiting to get food and supplies. Juan, whose last name is withheld, started coming to Bethania with his wife and 1-month old daughter, and they have come almost every week when the restaurant he works at isn’t shut down. “I don’t know where we would be without Bethania and all these wonderful people helping us,” Juan said. “Luckily we live with family otherwise we would have probably had to move out of the area.” From the first week, Bethania has served 64,407 individuals with an average of 320 house-

Photos by Raiza Giorgi Each Tuesday, dozens of volunteers, some affiliated and some not affiliated with Bethania Lutheran Church, are there rain or shine to distribute food and other necessities to people in need.

Volunteers prepare bags of food to give to families in need at Bethania Lutheran Church.

holds per week, according to volunteer Linda Marzullo. Marzullo keeps track of all the numbers as they are required by several of the food distributors to tally and make sure they get enough to go around.

“The majority of the people coming are usually from the hospitality industry and there are some that are houseless and mostly from the valley,” she said. “We do get some folks from Lompoc and field workers from Santa Maria.” The highest number of households served was

in week 19, with 413. The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County released their one-year stats recently with 19,549,119 pounds of food distributed in the county from March 9, 2020, through March 8, 2021. The previous year, the foodbank distributed 9,708,944 pounds of food. “A larger portion than usual of the total food we distributed was provided to community members in south county,” wrote Judith Smith-Meyer, communications manager for the Foodbank. “Normally north county receives 75 percent of the total food distributed in the county. During the past year, 37 percent of the food we provided to the community was distributed in south county.” See the list of places that are available to people in the county for food pick up. “We get a lot of people who pick up for other families that do not have transportation or are quarantined themselves. You would think that since there are vaccinations now they would start to go down, but they haven’t,” Breen said. “The need was here even before COVID, especially with the housing and rental market being so high here, people are barely scraping by.” The average rent in Santa Barbara County is $1,660 according to the Department of Numbers, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Solvang is $1,800, according to RentCafe.com. Houses are going for anywhere between $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the area of the valley and how much land. “The rental market is absolutely going up, and I think as a community we need to take a serious look at affordable housing and the lack of it here in the valley,” Breen said. Breen said they are in constant contact with People Helping People and the Small Business Administration and other resources to help people battling not just food insecurity but BETHANIA CONTINUED TO PAGE 23

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April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 5

County supervisors approve contract for Redistricting Commission attorney firm

By Giana Magnoli

Noozhawk Managing Editor

he Board of Supervisors approved the contract for the Santa Barbara County Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission’s choice of attorney March 9 in a split 3-2 vote. The 11-member redistricting commission was created by a voter-approved ballot measure and is tasked with drawing new boundaries for the five county supervisor districts. Four firms initially submitted proposals to be the commission’s legal counsel, and members interviewed three of those firms in early February: Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP; Scott Rafferty; and Strumwasser & Woocher LLP. Commission members voted to hire Strumwasser & Woocher, and the majority of the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the $200,000 contract after discussion. Attorney Mark Meuser, representing The Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business, sent a letter to the county threatening litigation if the Strumwasser & Woocher contract was approved. He alleged the firm’s representation of former supervisor Doreen Farr in a 2008 election contest case was a disqualifying conflict of interest. After Farr won the Third District seat in 2008, candidate Steve Pappas filed a lawsuit question-

ing the validity of votes from UC Santa Barbara and Isla Vista. A Superior Court judge threw out the case in early 2009, and in 2012, an appeals court ruled that Pappas had to pay her attorneys’ fees. Farr beat Pappas again in the 2012 election for the seat. When it came up at previous redistricting commission meetings, Fredric Woocher said the merits-based part of the case was more than 10 years ago, and submitted a long memo arguing there is no disqualifying conflict under the redistricting commission ordinance. “Under the Elections Code provision governing such election contests, even though it was the county registrar who allegedly violated the law and Supervisor Farr was not accused of any wrongdoing, she was named as the defendant in the lawsuit since it was her election that the lawsuit sought to overturn,” Woocher wrote. “In defending Supervisor Farr in court against Mr. Pappas’ election contest, I was not providing ‘consulting services’ to her or her campaign. Furthermore, the only payments Mr. (Phil) Seymour and I received from Supervisor Farr were made in 2009 — 11 years prior to our application to serve as this commission’s counsel.” The commission’s interim attorney, Steve Churchwell, and County Counsel Michael Ghiz-

zoni backed Strumwasser & Woocher’s position. “Concluded that the Strumwasser & Woocher law firm does not have a disqualifying conflict from serving as independent legal counsel, largely because providing litigation defense in election contest litigation is ‘non-political in nature,’ as opposed to paid consulting services ‘related to conducting campaign activities or holding office,’” Ghizzoni wrote in a staff report to the Board of Supervisors. “Concluded that the Board of Supervisors therefore may exercise its discretion to approve or not approve this contract for independent legal counsel.” Supervisors Gregg Hart, Joan Hartmann and Das Williams voted in favor of the contract and said they would honor the commission’s decision. “Inevitably they’re going to do something that we don’t agree with. That’s why they’re independent ...” said Williams, who represents the First District on the board. “For me, it is just fundamentally hard to see the independence of the commission preserved if we the board, who they will determine the future of, if the board can spank them for whatever by using our power of the purse strings.” Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Bob Nelson voted against the contract, saying they wanted to avoid even the perception of a conflict. “I feel like if I approve the contract then al-

ready people are going to look at the final product with a skewed glance, and that was exactly the whole reason for putting the independent commission in place in the first place,” Lavagnino said. Since the commission formed in December, three commission members have left and been replaced with new members. Commission members are: n Cheryl Trosky and Karen Twibell for the First District. n William McClintock and Megan Turley for the Second District. n Norman Bradley and James Hudley for the Third District. n James Bray and Amanda Ochoa for the Fourth District. n Glenn Morris and Jannet Rios for the Fifth District. n Benjamin Olmedo of Solvang as an at-large member. Laura Katz recently resigned her First District spot and former commissioners Cary Gray and Lata Murti left their Fourth District spots.

Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

Solvang in process of a comprehensive update to General Plan Community Workshops scheduled in-person and online for April 8 and 9 Staff Report

he City of Solvang (www.CityofSolvang.com) is in the process of a comprehensive update to its General Plan – PlanSolvang – and will be providing several opportunities for the community to participate in the process. A second set of Community Workshops has been scheduled for Thursday, April 8, and Friday, April 9. The second workshop will be held with in-person attendance at the Veter-

ans Memorial Hall, adhering to the County’s Public Health Guidelines, and simultaneously online via Zoom. Due to attendance and crowd restrictions, the second workshop will be split into three identical sessions, two on Thursday, April 8 (5 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m.), and one on Friday, April 9 (10 to 11:30 a.m.). Since there will be social distancing limitations on attendance, the City has a reservation system for community members to sign up if they wish to attend in person, which is posted to the General Plan update website at PlanSolvang. com. The General Plan update officially began in December 2020 and was introduced to the community in Community Workshop #1 on

Feb. 6. The study session was a successful, engaging event that allowed both the City Council and community members the opportunity to learn more about the General Plan update process and express their overall expectation and vision for the General Plan. The second Community Workshop will include findings from the Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook (available on the website prior to the workshop), as well as the ability to provide input and ideas on the issues and opportunities to be addressed in the General Plan. The workshop will also allow community members to help establish a longterm vision for Solvang. The city hosts a web page dedicated to the

General Plan update (PlanSolvang.com) which provides information on the General Plan update and access to reports and materials. Update announcements will be posted to this website as well as to the City’s Facebook page. The City will also periodically provide General Plan update newsletters on the website, via email, and as printed copies available at City Hall. Interested community members will have the opportunity to submit comments and suggestions throughout the update process. For more information about the General Plan update process or to be added to an email distribution list for this topic, please visit PlanSolvang.com or contact City Hall at 805688-5575.

6 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

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to receive this recognition,” said Matthew J. Watson, CPA and managing partner at C&D. “Our mission has always been, and always will be, creating lasting value for our clients. These relationships are built upon respect, transparency, and trust. We accomplish our mission by combining an environment that fosters teamwork and experience whereby we are able to provide the forward planning our clients desire.” C&D llp, CPAs and Advisors, established over 50 years ago, is one of the largest firms of certified public accountants in Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County. The firm’s professionals of 32, including 10 certified public accountants, serve a widely diversified clientele that include individuals and companies from both within and outside the local area.

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 7

Coast Range & Vaquero Bar set to open first phase in Solvang Staff Report

he Coast Range & Vaquero Bar (www.coastrange.restaurant), a new Solvang steakhouse and seafood restaurant including a full cocktail bar as well as deli counter and pastry program, will begin its opening phases with the April 8 public debut of the Vaquero Bar and patio dining. The new multi-concept hospitality venture inhabits the former Mandarin Touch restaurant and bar space at 1635 Mission Drive in downtown Solvang. Award-winning chefs and industry veterans Anthony Carron, Lincoln Carson and Steven Fretz join forces with renowned sommelier and winemaker, Rajat Parr, to bring their collective experience to the new all-day dining concept in the heart of Solvang. “They say there’s always a silver lining,” Carron said. “While 2020 brought challenges it also allowed us to assemble a world-class team of chefs and find the perfect space to showcase our talents in a part of the world we love.” More than just business partners, the Coast

Range founders are longtime friends who first worked together over a decade ago, and now call the Santa Ynez Valley home. Carron was the executive chef for Michael Mina for many years, then went on to found 800 Degrees Pizza and Top Round, two Los Angeles-based casual dining brands with global reach. Fretz, also a co-founder of Top Round, opened Church Key in Los Angeles and has led some of the top kitchens in the country, working with chefs such as Michael Mina, David Burke and Curtis Stone. Carson, a celebrated pastry chef and recent finalist for a James Beard Award, was most recently the chef and owner of Bon Temps in downtown Los Angeles, which received local and national acclaim including recognition as a “best new restaurant” from Los Angeles Magazine, Los Angeles Times, TimeOut LA, Esquire, and Food & Wine. Parr, James Beard Award winner and Central Coast resident, will curate a focused wine list of the best of the Central Coast, Northern California classics, and special steak- and seafood-friendly wines from around the world.

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Coast Range & Vaquero Bar will celebrate the best that the Central Coast has to offer including steaks from the area’s storied ranches, seafood directly from Central Coast wharves, craft cocktails and a wine program showcasing the region’s finest producers. The restaurant concept will also include proprietary product from the owner’s Santa Ynez ranch, Coast Range Ranch. Coast Range will consist of three parts. Vaquero Bar, opening first, will display a full cocktail menu, local wine and craft beer, and an elevated yet casual bar food menu which will be available on the outdoor dining patio or inside the bar, at Santa Barbara County’s current COVID capacities. A hand-crafted, 16-seat bar will anchor the 500-square foot Vaquero Bar space which now boasts large windows and a new entryway, both of which open to patios, effectively bringing the indoor energy to the outdoor areas. Coast Range & Vaquero Bar’s expansive patio spaces total 1,000 square feet, with seating for up to 36 patrons. The Coast Range dining room and the deli portions of the project will open later this

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spring. The dining room will add another 1,000 square feet of seating for up to 60 guests. The deli area will accommodate daytime walk-up orders meant to be enjoyed on the patios and at night, will transform into a “butcher shop” servicing the Coast Range steakhouse, where guests will be encouraged to pick their own prime steaks before the cuts of meat are delivered to the chef for preparation. One “VIP” table will reside in this space, affording its two diners the opportunity to experience the action of the butcher shop during dinner service. For updates on opening plans and capacities, follow the restaurant on Instagram @ coastrangerestaurant or watch the establishment’s website: www.coastrange.restaurant. Vaquero Bar’s initial opening hours will be Monday, Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. It will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and initial opening hours subject to change. Private event inquiries may be directed to Hillary Calhoun at information@coastrange.com.

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8 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

New sculptures honor wounded warriors on Avenue of Flags By Pamela Dozois

“Sometimes the disabilities you have become your greatest assets, indeed gifts,” he concluded. “We may not be able to recognize them ourselves, but we owe it to each other to see each other. These vets are coming home, and we aren’t even looking at them, never mind seeing them. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to see and be seen, especially at this time.” Erected in early March, “Intimate Stranger” is a temporary installation and will be taken down after Labor Day, “unless someone wishes to purchase it.” It may also travel around the valley and may appear at St. Mark’s Church in Los Olivos.

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

he Buellton Arts & Culture Committee has erected a new art exhibit by contemporary artist and sculptor Joe

Castle. The installation is located on the grassy median on Avenue of Flags in Buellton. It features five sculptures, in figurative form, honoring wounded warriors and the sculptor’s personal introspective journey. The exhibit is an effort on the part of the city of Buellton to enrich the artistic experience for residents and visitors alike. Castle, a Buellton resident, has been sculpting for 36 years. “I’ve been working on this series, “Intimate Stranger,” for 10 years,” said Castle. “Stacey Glasgow Kiss, a volunteer on the Buellton Arts & Culture Committee, suggested I apply for a grant to display my work. When I applied for the grant from the committee I proposed that we show the sculptures on Avenue of Flags and that it was in honor of wounded veterans.” Castle said his series was inspired by a visit to the Walter Reed Hospital about 10 years ago, visiting as a prospective commissioned artist, which did not materialize. He came away from that experience profoundly moved. He saw men and women in the process of healing themselves mentally, physically and emotionally. “It hit me hard,” Castle said. “There were prosthetic appendages everywhere. “A Good Friday service was being held in the chapel at the hospital, so I decided to drop in and pay my respects,” he continued. “The sermon, which spoke about redemption, was so moving that I had to leave and collect myself and get home to start on this project.” Castle used those experiences to create his works. “’Intimate Stranger’ embodies the tension of opposites,” Castle explained. “This series is a progression of sculptures that examined my private world, which was initiated by a visit to Walter Reed Hospital and the passing of my father. There I saw our veterans’ task themselves as they came to terms with their disabilities. “The result was for me to look inward and reflect on my fear of being intimate with myself — an unpleasant and unfamiliar world I pursued

For more information, visit www.castlesculpture. com or email josephlcastle@me.com. Photos contributed "Down the River" represents a figure shedding his inherent existence. The figure steps down as the figure's affected leg leads to plot a course with his foreign appendage.

with reluctance,” he continued. “It is in these waters that I found an unanticipated admission to the emotions that I anxiously repressed. The work provided for me an inner sanctuary.” Castle explained how he used his statues to tell a story. “By going back to the human form, I could tell my story in a way that could reveal to the viewer a broader understanding of my conflict of going inward,” he said. “By exposing the armature and muscle strands and using texture and disproportion, I could evoke powerful emotions such as those that we feel through suffering or when dealing with matters of life and death.” “I created a space that provides a refuge for the sensitivity of the soul,” Castle said. “Here, what is personal became universal, and the viewer is moved past language to participate indirectly and emotionally. It is the viewers’ role to interpret and finish the work for themselves.” After graduating from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in history and English, Castle moved to Pennsylvania where he was mentored by Myron Barnstone, a globally acclaimed artist who taught classical drawing and painting at his studio in Coplay, Pennsylvania. “Myron was as tough as nails on me, but he was also like a father figure. I had a one-man show at his studio,” said Castle. “Then I moved

Joe Castle is seen working in his studio.

to Idaho to hone my sculpting skills. I’ve shown my work throughout the United States and in Canada.” Castle has taught sculpting, physical education, special education, and tutored. He considers the three best times in his career were teaching metals class at Midland School, teaching outdoor education and teaching at his old high school. “I have been very fortunate in my life,” Castle said. “I love teaching and I love art and so far I have been lucky and blessed to be able to do both.”

"A Conversation About a Nightingale" is inspired by the poem "Ode to a Nightingale." These deformed figures advance internally, conversing about their mortality.

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 9

Author R. Lawson Gamble releases another non-stop action thriller ‘Lost Oasis’ is eighth in writer's Zack Tolliver southwestern crime mystery series By Pamela Dozois

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

. Lawson Gamble (Rich) has just published his much-anticipated eighth book in the Zack Tolliver southwestern crime mystery series titled “Lost Oasis,” a non-stop action thriller. In this book, FBI agent Zack Tolliver and his trusted friend and expert tracker, Eagle Feather, find themselves embroiled in a first-class mystery involving modern science, high technology, and deeply rooted cultures and ancient rituals. They are called upon to investigate the sudden and mysterious disappearance of a world-class scientist in the goblin rocks and desolate flats of the Eagle Mountains, surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park. When someone plants a bomb in his Jeep the day he arrives, Tolliver begins a desperate duel with an unknown assassin who may very well be more than his match. “I’ve gone to Palm Springs many times because I like to run in the heat and in the desert,” said Gamble, a long-distance runner. “I’d always wanted to visit Joshua Tree and on one of my last visits I was delighted to discover there were a lot

of beautiful trails up there. It’s a great place to run, except that the trails are too short. So, I went to the Ranger Station and got special permission to go past the barrier for a long-distance run, which took me to a place called ‘Hidden Oasis.’ Looking down the arroyo, I saw a virtual Garden of Eden filled with palm trees. It was in this desert wilderness that I was inspired to write this book.” Gamble had participated in the Joshua Tree Half-Mile Marathon which takes place at night. Two thousand five hundred people run it by only the light from the headlamps worn on their foreheads. “The marathon begins just as darkness falls and the moon rises,” said Gamble. “When you look back all you can see in the darkness is a snake of headlamps worn by the runners in the marathon. Absorbing the atmosphere, the coldness of the night and the desolateness of the area, my imagination kicks in and I’m off to write another book, at least until the last few miles when I’m just trying to survive and complete the race.” “One interesting point is that while I was writing the plot of ‘Lost Oasis,’ conjuring up the most vicious and villainous characters, through my research, I was so shocked to discover a real-life parallel of the nefarious activities that I’d imagined for my plot. My story line happened in real life, here in California,” said Gamble. “I couldn’t believe what I was reading; it was all

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there.” The story also incorporates the Chemehuevi, a division of the Southern Paiute Tribe whose legends include flying runners and the trails they run, which are featured in their songs. These songs are passed down through generations. Gamble is working on the ninth book in the series, which is still untitled. He says it will be a little different this time, relating more to human frailties than he has done in the past. He is also the author of “The History of Los Alamos” as well as the “Johnny Alias” series, all of which can be purchased through Amazon and at local bookstores. “Writing novels is my third career,” said Gamble. “It’s something I love to do. I write every morning, rain or shine, 365 days a year.”

Photo contributed R. Lawson Gamble has published his eighth book in the Zack Tolliver southwestern crime mystery series titled "Lost Oasis".

For more information, visit rlawsongamble.com or rlawsongamble/author page on Amazon.

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10 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Fashion’s spring cleaning: Residents can drop off common household items at no cost Out with the old, in with the new Staff Report

By Sue Manning Elna’s Dress Shop

pring is officially here, as of March 20, and the magic of Elna’s Dress Shop is here. We’re gearing up for a fashion adventure this 2021 season. Take a look at this specialty ladies boutique that can help with wardrobe planning, always keeping in mind what is best for you the customer: colors, size fit versatility for work, casual or dressy. For “Fashion Lovers,” spring cleaning is inevitable — we are ready to put winter dressing away. It is a good time to look over the clothes you didn’t wear and donate them to charity. Out with the hardly wore and in with the new season’s pieces. Remember, while seasonal trends can

feel short-lived, the best clothes are meant to be the opposite — long lasting basic colors that you can accent with a “pop of color.” When it comes to filling your closet, stick with pieces that fit your personality. These are the pieces you’ll wear and love for years to come. Spring 2021 is showing ultra-bright tops in solids and figured. Accessories are also being shown in bright, vivid colors. Remember to shop us for THIRD WEDNESDAY of 20% store wide and EVERYDAY A 10% discount to all locals. We also have a 60% rack for fall and winter merchandise. Wardrobe building is a free service of Elna’s Dress Shop. Stop by and let us assist in helping you.

t’s that time of year again! The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department will be hosting its Spring Household Hazardous Waste Event on April 11. The event will be held at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station located at 4004 Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos. This event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free for residents in the unincorporated area and the City of Solvang. Residents can drop off common household items, including automotive fluids, cleaners, paint, pesticides, and batteries, as well as unwanted electronics like computers and TVs. Residents can also bring home-generated “sharps” such as needles and syringes. To protect event staff, please note that sharps must be delivered in rigid, puncture-proof containers. For more details on acceptable materials, visit www.LessIsMore.org. Due to COVID-19, all event attendees must

wear a mask and remain in their vehicles at all times. Additionally, please keep all materials easily accessible in the back of your vehicle (for example, in the bed of your truck or the trunk of your car). This helps workers keep each visit contact-free. Outside of these events, the county offers other ways to recycle hazardous waste. The county’s “ABOP” facility located at the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station accepts antifreeze, auto batteries, motor oil, oil filters and latex paint every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Additionally, county transfer stations accept electronic waste free of charge for residents. Some local cities and private waste management companies also operate household hazardous waste and electronics collection centers. For more information about these programs, call 805-882-3603 or visit the county’s waste reduction website,www.LessIsMore.org.

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April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 11

Easter, Passover share similarities with many other cultures’ spring festivals

By John Copeland Contributing Writer

ere in the Santa Ynez Valley, you can see the evidence of spring nearly everywhere you look. We are also in the midst of two of the most resonant religious observances of our western culture, the Jewish Passover and Christian celebration of Easter. Both Easter and Passover, share similarities with many other of cultures’ spring festivals, all of which represent new beginnings. Passover is probably the best known of the Jewish holidays, mostly because it ties in with Christian history — the Last Supper was a Passover seder. Passover is a festival of freedom and celebrates the Hebrew’s Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. The Old Testament Book of Exodus recounts that God inflicted 10 plagues on the Egyptians before Pharaoh finally released his Hebrew slaves. Before the 10th plague, the Hebrews were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb. The Lord’s Angel of Death would “passover” the homes marked with the lamb’s blood, sparing the first born. But at homes without the mark, the

Angel of Death slew the firstborn male in every family, from Pharaoh’s son to the prisoner in the dungeon, even the firstborn of livestock. This is how the festival’s name “passover” was derived. In the aftermath of the 10th plague, Pharaoh freed the Hebrews. Passover has been observed by Jews for over 3,000 years. Easter, which, this year, is on Sunday, April 4, is for Christians, the time of year with the greatest spiritual significance. For much of the rest of the Western world it is a holiday weekend filled with dyed eggs, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and other sweet treats. However, Easter is more than the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, just as it is more than a massive chocfest for kids and the confectionery industry. Easter and Passover are more than just religious celebrations. We commonly refer to both of them as seasons. Being in the midst of spring they also remind us of life’s cycles. The ancient festivals of this time have a a rich tradition of folklore, which is fascinating and provides insight to the foundations of our own culture and stretches back long before the advent of Christianity. Have you ever wondered why we call this time of year Easter? Or, why do we dye eggs? And who is the Easter Bunny? The name Easter is derived from the Anglo Saxon “Eostre,” their goddess of spring and of the dawn. Eostre was a fertility goddess — eggs and rabbits were sacred to her, as was the full moon. Our words east and estrogen are both derived from her name. Eostre’s festival was a lunar festival held around the spring equinox. Even today, the moon still exerts its influence on when Easter is celebrated. Early in the history of the Chris-

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tian church, and after considerable debate and controversy, the date of Easter was fixed by a formula still in use today. Easter is timed to be on the Sunday that follows the first full moon after the spring equinox. This is the reason why Easter falls between March 22 and April 25 and from year to year the date is always different. You’re probably thinking, OK, I understand the moon association, but what do the eggs and rabbits have to do with all of this? Well, in Eostre’s myth, the goddess saved a bird, whose wings had frozen during the winter, by turning it into a rabbit. Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs, and that rabbit, over time, evolved into the Easter Bunny. Eggs, like rabbits and hares, are fertility symbols of extreme antiquity. To our pre-Christian ancestors, it was a most startling event to see a new and live creature emerge from a seemingly dead object. The egg to them became a symbol of spring. In Judaism, eggs are an important part of the Passover seder. In fact, many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, all used eggs in their spring festivals. In Medieval Europe, eggs were often “given up” during Lent. Folks would not have eaten eggs during those forty days, but the chickens kept laying them. So eggs became a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants. Hardboiled eggs were dyed red in memory of Christ’s blood, then given to children as a talisman to preserve their health over the ensuing twelve months. The protective qualities of the scarlet-dyed egg are still invoked in parts of Europe where a red-dyed hardboiled egg is often buried at the edge of the fields to guard fields and vineyards from lightning and hail. Our modern hardboiled and candy Easter eggs harken back

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to a time when the eggs were used for a more serious purpose. On orders of the Pope, the early Christian church, assumed the festival of Eostre, incorporating the customs into its ceremonies. Because the festival of Eostre celebrated life and its rebirth in spring, European Christians found it easy to swap Eostre as a symbol of rebirth for the resurrected Christ, but retained the name Eostre or Easter for the holiday. But old festivals and traditions aside, like Christmas, Easter has been commercialized beyond any semblance of religious or even folk customs. However, as long as children still hunt for eggs on Easter Day, we will be re-enacting traditions that stretch back for millennia. One last thing to share with you about Easter: The Celtic folk, poetic as usual, claim that the rising sun actually dances on Easter morning, and to this day, people in Ireland, Scotland and parts of England get up before dawn and head for the nearest hilltop. This tradition is also why outdoor sunrise Easter services have remained popular over the years.

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12 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Farmers, ranchers playing crucial role in combating hunger AFBF president testifies during House Agricultural Committee hearing on food insecurity By Zippy Duvall

President, American Farm Bureau Federation

r. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Zippy Duvall. I am a third-generation farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. I am pleased to offer this testimony on behalf of Farm Bureau members across the country. When COVID-19 hit, it presented extreme hardship for America — farmers were left with nowhere to go with their products

due to supply chain disruptions, and we found the lines to food banks over a mile long in some instances. Our nation’s food insecurity was becoming more apparent by the day, and it was imperative that something be done. As farmers, we were heartbroken that the produce, milk and meat we put our heart and soul into producing wasn’t reaching Americans who so desperately needed it. Farmers across the country took it into their own hands to address hunger. County and state farm bureaus worked with churches and community centers to help those in need. And help, we did! As of today, I am proud to share that through our network of state and county farm bureaus across the country, we have given $5.4

million, 1.4 million pounds of food and over 20,000 gallons of milk to local food banks, food pantries and pandemic relief programs. But we did not do this alone. At the pandemic’s onset, the American Farm Bureau immediately reached out to our friends at Feeding America to join together in calling on USDA to help address the breakdown in our supply chain. Some farmers had no outlet to sell directly to customers, and many Americans had no access to local farms or financial means to purchase food. USDA quickly answered the call by standing up the Farmers to Families Food Box program, which played a critical role in addressing hunger by delivering more than 140 million food boxes across the country. Even in times outside

of a pandemic, strong farm policy, the work of this committee, is important to assisting in the fight against food insecurity. The United States is known as the breadbasket of the world, and as a Georgia farmer, there is no greater honor in my book than to claim that title. Yet food insecurity has crept into our rural communities, schools and neighborhoods. To further address this need, benefits under USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have increased to more than $7 billion per month, 60% higher than pre-pandemic levels, and helping millions more Americans each day access food. I must tip my hat to you for including funding in the COVID relief packages. As those who produce this food, we feel a duty to make sure everyone in America is fed. The greatest joy for a farmer is being able to share with others an abundant harvest. Across

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 13 the country, we found creative ways to do it. In Montana, Park County Farm Bureau member Matt Pierson started Producers Partnership in April of 2020 to donate beef to local food banks and food pantries. What started as one rancher’s idea has now resulted in

17,500 pounds of beef and $65,000 raised for processing costs. In Maryland, our young farmers packed 5,000 meals for families in need as part of their Outreach Program and donated them to Maryland Food Bank community partners. Members of Oneida County Farm Bureau in New York joined with other groups to pass out 4,000 gallons of milk and 43,000 pounds of food to those affected by the pandemic. In Minnesota, 68 county farm bureaus held events resulting in donations of 12,200 pounds of food, 43,000 meals and $33,700 to local food shelves, reaching 52,250 people. In Central California, Farm Bureau members and local organizations came together to donate more than 400,000 meals and 1,000 volunteer hours. And in Arizona, “Friends of the Farm” uses the statewide emergency food relief network to purchase fresh, Arizona-grown produce, dairy, and protein and dis-

tribute it to Arizonans struggling with hunger. Nearly 250,000 pounds of produce has been purchased from small farms. Utah Farm Bureau also stepped up in a powerful way through their charitable foundation’s Farmers Feeding Utah campaign. In 2020, they raised more than $400,000 in donations from individuals and businesses, and provided more than 500,000 pounds of food to Utah residents in the Navajo Nation, northern Utah, West Salt Lake, Ogden and to smaller community pantries throughout the Wasatch Front. In Texas, they do everything big and their charity work is no exception. County farm bureaus in the Lone Star State donated $379,000 directly to food-relief and community organizations in 2020. Matching funds from the state Farm Bureau of another $174,500 increased the positive impact and the state Farm Bureau also donated $25,000 to Meals on Wheels Waco. Altogether, county and state farm bureaus in Texas donated more than a half million

dollars to charities in 2020 to help address food insecurity and keep communities strong. I could go on and on with impressive stories of generous giving by hundreds of county and state farm bureaus nationwide. I could not be prouder to lead this organization. We are having a very real impact on food insecurity and we’re helping to meet the need within our communities all across this great country. We are stronger together. Mr. Chairman, I commend you for holding this hearing on such an important topic. We look forward to the bipartisan solutions this committee will accomplish in the fight against food insecurity. America’s farmers and ranchers have played an integral role in combatting hunger and we will continue to do so, pandemic or not. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before this committee.

FYI On March 11, The House Agricultural Committee held a hearing titled "A Look at Food Insecurity in America." This article is the written testimony given by American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

Welcome to Freedom

14 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Tribe making progress on Chumash Museum and Cultural Center The 14,000-square-foot facility will feature architecture reflecting Chumash culture Staff Report

onstruction and exhibit development for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is making impressive progress. The museum will be a monument dedicated to celebrating the Santa Ynez Chumash tribe’s heritage and history while providing educational opportunities to visitors wanting to learn more about the Chumash people and their rich culture. “We are excited to see firsthand the progress that is being made on the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “This has been a long-anticipated dream of the tribe, and we are committed to telling the story of our people so visitors will come away with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities Chumash ancestors faced living in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than 8,000 years.” The 14,000-square-foot facility will feature architecture reflecting Chumash culture, offering visitors a unique experience and intimate look into the first people of this region. The design of the museum includes a Welcome House, Heritage House, Traditional Tule House, Samala Language House, and a Tomol House; symbolically bringing together several houses to make a village. The project will include a 3.5-acre cultural park featuring native plants

Photos contributed Construction crews continue to make progress on the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, which is slated for completion later this year.

From left, Santa Ynez Chumash Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn, Secretary/Treasurer Maxine Littlejohn, Vice Chair Raul Armenta, and Business Committee members Gary Pace and Mike Lopez stand on the future site of the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, which is slated for completion later this year.

used by the Chumash. The museum was designed by the Seattle-based, award-winning Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects. Founding Partner Johnpaul Jones, who was awarded

a National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama at the White House in 2014, is Choctaw/Cherokee by heritage and was one of the principal designers of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian on

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the Mall in Washington, D.C. Jones & Jones specializes in works of integrated architecture and landscape architecture rooted in nature and culture as diverse as the places they celebrate, giving voice to the region and its people. Bernards, a California-based construction company, is providing general contracting and construction services, while Summit Project Management of Culver City has been retained to manage the project. Throughout the pre-planning, design and build process, the tribe also seeks to advance the legacy of Chumash environmental stewardship by its pursuit to become one of the first LEED-certified tribal museums in the United States. The project will feature high-efficiency systems to protect the tribe’s artifact collection, locally sourced materials – such as stone from the Santa Ynez Valley – and landscape irrigation that utilizes recycled water. Other features will include informative exhibits and cultural objects that have been collected throughout the decades-long planning process for the museum. In all, a collection of more than 20,000 cultural objects have been amassed and preserved to help tell the story of Santa Ynez Chumash. The project is slated for completion later this year. The Santa Ynez Reservation is located in Santa Barbara County and was established and officially recognized by the federal government on Dec. 27, 1901. Today, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation. The tribe is a self-governing tribal sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution.

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April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 15

Painted Horse round-up coming to Santa Ynez April 17 Visitors can meet creators of the wooden works of art at the Artisan Market Staff Report

collection of painted wooden horses, created by local artists and dispersed throughout downtown Santa Ynez, continues to draw attention from visitors to the area. Visitors can meet the artists Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Artisan Market on the corner of Meadowvale Road and Highway 246, across the street from the Lucky Hen Larder, 1095 Meadowvale Road, Santa Ynez. The Painted Horse Project was launched by the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce last fall in collaboration with local artists. What started as a handful of painted wooden horses on display has grown into 10 works of art showcased prominently outdoors in the Township of Santa Ynez. “Art is always fun to see and experience,” said Linda Small, executive director for the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce. “I hoped to bring something artistic for the community to experi-

Photo contributed Suzanne Huska, painter of this spirit horse, will be one of the artists available at the Artisan Market on April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ence outdoors, and this project fit perfectly.” The Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce obtained private donations and a grant from Visit SYV to pay for the project. Artists also donated their time and materials to make the project’s concept a reality. Participating artists include Susan Cobb,

Life

Celebration of

William (Bill) Brown was born on Sept. 5, 1955, in Los Angeles, Calif., to William Comstock Brown Sr. and Betty Lou (Bundy) Brown. They moved to Ventura from 1966 - 1968 and then Santa Barbara in 1968. Bill graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in 1974. While in high school, Bill was apart of the football team which took home the Championship in 1972. His love of football started in high school and he went on to become a coach at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and St. Joseph High School in Orcutt. After high school Bill attended Santa Barbara City College where we went through their diving program and became a deep sea welder, getting a job off the coast in the North Sea of Scotland. Bill then came back to Santa Barbara, working for his father as a handyman at the Granada Theatre. In 1982, Bill moved to the Santa Ynez Valley and spent the majority of his career as a

William Comstock Brown Jr. September 5, 1955 - March 14, 2021

painting contractor. He loved the Santa Ynez Valley community as well as being a football coach. Bill is survived by his daughters Jennifer Brown Congdon (Jake Congdon) and Christine Brown; granddaughter Dior Harvey; sister Susan Russell and nephews Jim and Brian Russell. His memorial was held Sunday, March 21 at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, a favorite place of Bill’s.

whose horse is located in front of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum on Sagunto Street, Nicole Pena (in front of the Community Services District on Faraday Street), Laurie Owens (corner of Sagunto and Edison streets), Joan Reden (the cloud-painted horse on Edison Street featuring a poem on the back), Suzanne Huska (“spirit”

horse on Edison Street), Annie Guillemette (in front of Mechanics Bank on Sagunto Street), Natalie Asselstine (in front of Lucky Hen Larder on Meadowvale Road), Dawn DeBartolo (in front of Finch & Fern Home Garden on Faraday Street), and 12-year-old Faith K. Ortega, a descendant of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, which sponsored her horse, located on the corner of Edison Street and Highway 246. Visitors who visit all the Painted Horses will qualify for a prize drawing. Drawing cards can be obtained from the artists and from the Chamber Information Table. Once you complete your drawing card, just provide your contact information and leave it with the last merchant you visit in Santa Ynez. The Santa Ynez Chamber will contact all winners. Along with Meet the Artists, please visit the artisans and craft booths. There will also be miniature horses performing with trainer Ramon Becerra. For more information on the project and the artists behind the painted wooden horses, please contact Linda Small at linda@santaynezchamber.org.

16 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Local author creates world of fairies, ghosts — and a talking greyhound Bryan Snyder publishes teen fantasy book titled “The Ghost and the Greyhound” By Pamela Dozois

news@santaynezvalleystar.com

uthor Bryan Snyder has recently published his first book in the Summerday Saga series, a contemporary teen fantasy book titled “The Ghost and the Greyhound.” “The biggest secret in Earth’s history is that everything is intelligent,” Snyder explains. “The humans, the animals, the plants … even the deceased. Ancient magic kept the species from talking to one another until a dog suddenly spoke up and asked his owner to help save the world.” The story is set in a town called Summerday, where 13-year-old Piers Davies has bullies to avoid, a mother to take care of, and a thousand other reasons to stay out of trouble. Nevertheless, the teenager soon finds himself knee-deep in fairies, ghosts and bickering animals, most of whom consider him the sole ambassador of a species previously unknown for their intelligence — the humans. He is recruited by a ghost girl to stop a ghostly abomination from devouring the souls of his city. With the aid of his talking greyhound, a handful of endearing characters, and portals into parallel words, young Piers reluctantly finds himself in a harrowing adventure about tragedy, friendship, and coming-of-age in a diverse world. “These days, people are increasingly trapped within personal online information bubbles,” explained Snyder. “Algorithms feed them articles that reinforce their prejudices. I am writing this series to help encourage empathy for alternate perspectives… even non-human viewpoints. “That’s why the cast of characters includes a human boy, a ghost girl, a dog, a squirrel, a dandelion avatar, and a sentient cellphone. They all have to figure out how to relate to each other in order to get along and achieve common goals…

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Photo contributed Bryan Snyder takes a look through his published book, a teen fantasy titled "The Ghost and the Greyhound."

like saving the world from a genocidal monster. “Some of my favorite parts of the book are when other characters point out how ridiculous the human is being when he’s guided solely by his own narrow perspective,” Snyder continued. “It’s both funny and tragic. We humans are a blip in planetary history, and anything that encourages us to take our species a little less seriously can be generally beneficial to our mental and social health.” Snyder’s taste for narrative adventure was seeded abroad while studying Shakespeare in Edinburgh, Scotland. “I was also lucky enough to study for a year in Scotland in my junior year,” he said. “Instead of devoting all my time to Scottish authors, I’d grab a few friends, hop on a train and jump off in the middle of nowhere. We’d go on adventures to find ruined castles, which we did. After returning to the United States, I knew I needed to work outdoors.” To that end, he said he crammed ecology classes and received a bachelor’s degree in English at Haverford College, a small private

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liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Then he immediately started working in outdoor education at various locations. “It’s easy to bounce your way around from state to state working as a naturalist; from New York to Maine, Colorado, Indiana and Hawaii,” Snyder said. In 2003 he ended up in California teaching outdoor sciences and spent his summers traveling the country getting into scrapes with wildlife and the terrain and then he would write about his adventures in a column for a newspaper in upstate New York. Those columns eventually became a trilogy of books titled “Off the Map,” “Further off the Map,” and “Falling off the Map.” “My ‘Off the Map’ books finally merged my love of writing with my outdoor pursuits,” Snyder said. Following his “Off the Map” series, he also wrote a book titled “Renegade Car Camping,” about finding free campsites on public land. “For the last few years, I have been working for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Adventure Com-

pany,” Snyder said. “Unfortunately, the pandemic shut down the outdoor schools and outdoor programs that I worked for, so I had to shift back into writing and editing projects to make a living, and this new book is one of those pursuits. “I’ve been working on this book for four years, and the pandemic gave me a little space in which I could make the final editing push and get it out there. Coincidentally, the book deals with pandemic fears and quarantines. The similarities to the current struggles were unintentional.” Snyder also edits and ghostwrites articles about golf, and also real estate, which he says, “is more fun than I expected, as an outdoorsman.” He is working on the second book of the Summerday Saga series titled “The Demon and the Dandelion,” which will be out around Christmas of this year. He has also produced a variety of plays and events in Santa Barbara that satirize aspects of California culture for the same reasons: “To help us take ourselves less seriously.” The most recent event was The San Pesci Legends International Film Festival (SPLIFF) — a completely fake film festival, with fake actors and directors, a fake red carpet arrival portion, fake Q&A panels, fake movie montages and fake short films. He said It was meant to satirize the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) and celebrity culture. It took place in the fall of 2019 and January of 2020. Visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Lhb1T7PXqqw&t=31s “I would also like to give a shout out to the Book Loft for how they support local authors and remained open over this troubling period,” Snyder said. “I’m looking forward to having a book signing there next year when my second book comes out.” “The Ghost and the Greyhound” is available on Amazon, at Chaucer’s Books in Santa Barbara, and the Book Loft in Solvang. For more information on Snyder’s books, visit offthemapbooks.com or summerdaysaga.com

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Lompoc Theatre Project adds four new board members Santa Ynez Valley native Michelle Ball among the new electees Staff Report

he Lompoc Theatre Project (LTP) recently added four new board members to the nonprofit. Santa Ynez Valley native Michelle Ball along with Julie Schneringer, Jason Villalobos and Jay Salsburg were voted in at the January board meeting. They will join existing board members Chris Ames, Heather Bedford, Brandon Bridge, Karin Hauenstein, Kathleen Janatsch, Anne Ramsey, Mary Sharp and Barbara Satterfield. Satterfield steps up as the new board president. Ramsey and Sharp will continue to serve as secretary and treasurer, respectively. Mark Herrier, previous board member and its president since 2014, stepped down to take on the position of executive director. Herrier has volunteered to work without a salary for 2021 and will work closely with the board to continue making progress on renovating and reopening the Lompoc Theatre. “It has been an honor to serve as president

of The Lompoc Theatre Project, and I am excited to continue as this organization’s first executive director,” Herrier said. “Without question, this pandemic has been devastating for everyone, especially nonprofits. But we started as a scrappy grassroots organization, and we were able to adapt to the ‘new reality’ and keep moving forward.” Virtual board meetings and committee meetings have kept the organization active, and the LTP has several fundraisers and events planned this year, which kicked off with a live telethon and variety show on March 26. Ball, a returning member to the board, used her experience to help facilitate the live telethon. “For me, last year was a reset,” she said. “I felt rather helpless at the beginning of the shutdown and realized I wanted to do my part to make some kind of difference in the community moving forward.” Despite last year’s challenges, the LTP is beginning to hit its stride. “As bad as 2020 was, we at the LTP wound up having a very big year,” Herrier said. ”For the first time in our history, we hired a team of architects and we will have their conceptual

plans and an accurate construction budget completed by this spring. We also contracted with a professional grant writer and hope to have some exciting fundraising announcements soon.” The Lompoc Theater Project is a registered nonprofit for the community effort to restore the historic Lompoc Theatre, to reopen as a performing arts and film center, educational and community hub, and focal point of a revitalized downtown Lompoc. Since 1927, the Lompoc Theatre has represented the heart of the Lompoc community and has served the broader region. However, since the theater has stood dormant for years, the economic vitality of downtown Lompoc has faltered, as well. Other communities throughout California and the country have restored their downtown theaters and seen tremendous revitalization in surrounding areas. The Lompoc Theatre Project is raising $7.5 million to restore and reopen the theater in order to provide the community with a center for arts, culture and entertainment.

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Wildlife photographer to join Wildling Museum for presentation Chuck Graham to share his experiences taking photos on the Carrizo Plain Staff Report

he Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its April virtual program, “Chuck Graham: Hidden Wonders of the Carrizo Plain,” taking place Wednesday, April 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. Photographer and author Chuck Graham released his new book, “Carrizo Plain: Where the Mountains Meet the Grasslands,” on the 20th anniversary of the Carrizo Plain National Monument in January. In his upcoming presentation with the Wildling Museum, Graham will share his experiences photographing the wild landscape, native flora and fauna of the Carrizo Plain over the last 15 years. “As a photographer, there isn’t a bad time for me to visit (the Carrizo Plain). It doesn’t always have to be about the Super Bloom phenomena,”

Endangered San Joaquin kit foxes Photos courtesy Chuck Graham A pronghorn antelope captured by photographer and author Chuck Graham is shown on the Carrizo Plain. Graham, who will present at the Wildling Museum's next virtual lecture event on April 14, has spent 15 years documenting the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Graham said. “I’ve never returned from the grasslands without at least a few quality images. Stunning light, puffy clouds, sweeping dramatic landscapes, and all its inhabitants are always there, yet it only requires me to simply slow down and scan the horizon.”

The Carrizo Plain has been a special subject for the Wildling Museum, which produced a short documentary film on the region with Jeff McLoughlin of Goodeye Films in 2019, and has also highlighted Carrizo Plain in past exhibitions. “The Carrizo Plain is a critically important habitat. It’s the largest remaining grassland in California and home to thirteen endangered species,” says Stacey Otte-Demangate, executive director of the Wildling Museum. “Given its proximity to our area, we are always happy to bring more attention to this local treasure.” The suggested donation for this virtual event is $5. To register and learn more, visit www. wildlingmuseum.org/news/2021-chuck-grahamwonders-of-carrizo-plain.

Please email info@wildlingmuseum.org or call 805-686-8315 with any questions. The Wildling Museum’s ongoing Zoom programming is sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust.

Barn owls

Chuck Graham

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 19

Kumquat marmalade packs a citrussy punch

By Vida Gustafson

delicious addition to a ham or turkey sandwich. Scale this recipe up as you wish, it is formulated to produce one 16 oz. jar.

Contributing Writer

ne of the biggest perks to living on the Central Coast is the variety and abundance of backyard fruit trees. I’ve spent a lot of happy days finding uses for produce exchanges from neighbors and friends. If you don’t happen to be blessed with a friend with a kumquat tree, you’ll find them at our farmers market in the winter.

Method

Ingredients

n 16 oz (or roughly 2 cups) Kumquats n 1 lemon, zest and juice n 1 C sugar n 1C water

Kumquats are tiny citrus fruits, about one inch in size, that can be eaten whole-seeds and all thanks to their thin pith layer (that’s the bitter white stuff under the skin). Because you can

Photo by Vida Gustafson One of the biggest perks to living on the Central Coast is the variety and abundance of backyard tree fruits like kumquats.

eat them whole and uncooked, they make for a less bitter and astringent marmalade that still maintains a bright citrussy punch. Not only does

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it pair wonderfully with any nutty, salty cheese on your cheese board, but it really kicks up a marmalade or finishing sauce. It also makes a

Rinse kumquats and cut into 1/4-1/8 inch thin, round slices, discarding the seeds as you come across them. Cover with the sugar and let sit for a couple of hours or overnight. When you are ready to make the marmalade, put the macerated kumquats in a small saucepan and add the juice and zest of one lemon and one cup of water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads 215° F. If you do not have a candy thermometer handy, simply drip a small dollop of marmalade onto a cold plate and see what the consistency is when cooled, once it’s the thickness you want, you’re ready to (very carefully) pour it into a sterilized jar to either can for use later or put in the fridge to be consumed within three weeks.

20 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

Dunn School admissions video wins four A ‘ ddys’

what school has been like for the Dunn community during this COVID-impacted school year. A particularly relatable scene, which the AAF used in the opening of the awards gala, is an emotional tonguein-cheek reunion of two masked students returning to campus complete with a pandemic-appropriate elbow tap.

Video ad featuring students and faculty rocking out during pandemic receives praise Staff Report

unn School in Los Olivos was awarded three gold “Addy” awards and one silver award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Coastal California branch for its 2020 video, “Dunn School — More Than a Classroom.” The video captured gold awards in the categories of film/video branded content and cinematography, and a silver award for video editing. Dunn also took home the gold Special Judges Award, beating out all competitors including ads from media savvy companies such as Appfolio, CenCal Health and Procore. “More Than a Classroom” was created and directed by 2007 Dunn alumnus and board of trustees member Justin R. Ching, who is a filmmaker and Forbes 30 Under 30 media award recipient. The video’s aim was to showcase Dunn School’s mission of educating the whole student to their fullest potential, while reassuring prospective students and families facing uncertain times that “while the rest of the world plays catch-up, we’re moving forward.” The video provides an entertaining glimpse into what life at Dunn School has been like during the pandemic. It features an original recording of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” performed and sung by the Dunn School band. Masked and socially distanced teachers, staff and students can be seen rocking out to the song in front of Dunn’s iconic one-room schoolhouse. Scenes from outdoor classrooms depict

In a non-pandemic year, the California Coastal AAF Awards gala is hosted in person, however this year’s gala was presented Photos Contributed A film crew captures a scene for the video "Dunn School - More Than a Classroom," which won three four "Addy" awards from the American Advertising Federation Coastal California branch.

in webinar style. Dunn School was not informed before the online event that it had won. Ching reacted, declaring “these awards belong to the entire community of Dunn School. The mere act of making this video was the epitome of Dunn’s enduring mission, true grit, and unflinching togetherness during an unprecedented global crisis. I hope this small school in a farm town can be an example for all the ‘Little Engine That Could’ underdogs out there looking to bounce back after this pandemic. This win

Students play and dance to an original recording of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" for the video "Dunn School More Than a Classroom."

Class of 2007 Dunn School alumnus Justin R. Ching produced and directed the school video "More Than a Classroom." Ching is a filmmaker and has received a Forbes 30 Under 30 media award.

proves school is truly more than a classroom.” The Dunn School video will be automatically entered into the AFF District 15 competition. “Dunn School — More Than a Classroom” can be viewed at www.dunnschool.org or on the Dunn School Youtube channel. The 2021 AAF California Coastal gala can be viewed on Youtube at www. youtube.com/watch?v=T4rd3en954Y. Dunn School is an independent, private, co-educational boarding and day school for grades 6-12 located in Los Olivos. For more information visit www.dunnschool. org. For more information on the American

A whole group of students play and dance while the film crew shoots the video production

Advertising Federation visit www.aaf.org.

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 21

Solvang students participate in Read Across America Day with virtual readings Staff Report

tudents at Solvang Elementary School participated in a virtual Read Across America Day event on March 2, with several local dignitaries reading over Zoom to several classes. Solvang Mayor Charlie Uhrig read to his granddaughter’s second-grade class over Zoom, as well as Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Matt Farris reading to the entire thirdgrade class. “We had readers from the California Highway Patrol, UCSB men’s basketball team, teachers from the high school and other first responders reading to the kids which was great,” said Charlene Asmussen, third-grade teacher at Solvang. The day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. The day occurs each year on the birthday of beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss, so a

Photos contributed Read Across America Day is celebrated on the birthday of children's book author Dr. Seuss.

perfect way to celebrate is to don a Seussian hat and read one his famous tales, like “One

Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.” On National Read Across America Day,

Solvang Mayor Charlie Uhrig read to his granddaughter's second-grade class at Solvang School.

students, teachers, parents, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading.

Upcoming Issue

Celebrate Your Senior! In our May 18th edition we will be featuring portraits of all the SYV's seniors with acknowledgements!

Send your senior's portrait to ads@santaynezvalleystar.com with their full name, and if you want to include where they will be attending in the fall, or trade school or military service etc.

Cost is $25

- and if you need financial assistance for this let us know!

Deadline is Wednesday, May 5th

Contact Jen at ads@santaynezvalleystar.com (805)680-9979 for more information.

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CEC’s

2021 Virtual

April 22–24

Earth Day Festival EVENT HIGHLIGHTS April 22 Celebrating Youth Leadership with emcee Florencia Ramirez Partners include Explore Ecology, Laura Capps, La Colina Green Club, Kenny Loggins, Jackson Gillies April 23 Celebrating Business Leadership with LOACOM emcees Eric Cardenas and David Fortson Partners include Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Tri-County Regional Energy Network, MIT Forum, Zach Gill April 24 Celebrating Community Leadership with emcee April Price Partners include League of Women Voters SB, Citizens Climate Lobby, Central Coast Climate Justice Network, Glen Phillips Join us to get inspired, make connections, and celebrate the bold climate action of youth, business, and community leaders.

Watch it all and explore virtual booths at SBEarthDay.org

April 6 - April 19, 2021 H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H Santa Ynez Valley Star H 23

o BETHANIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

unemployment and navigating getting loans and grants. “People are just told they have to go online, but many people do not know how to navigate government websites or ability to get online because the library was shut down for a time and access to computers was not available,” Breen said. Breen said that even though people are struggling and having to come every Tuesday for food, she is glad to see them and many have become friendly with the church volunteers and friends. “We get to also celebrate milestones with people, we had a small celebration for a little girl who just turned 6 and we gave her a few presents and a treat,” Breen said. There are more than 60 volunteers now working two shifts to get all the bags put together in the morning and then those who hand them out in the afternoon. There is a line for walk-up and a drive-thru line. Students from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School’s AVID program also come each week to volunteer and help with distribution. The food is given to Bethania each week from a variety of sources such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Veggie Rescue and

the church spends roughly $2,000 a week from donations to supplement with canned meats and other products like diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels and laundry detergent. The church also is home to the Solvang Blessing Box, which is filled and emptied more than 10 times a day. There is another Blessing Box in Buellton located in the parking lot of Crossroads Church that is also filled multiple times a day. “We are so grateful to the community that just comes regularly to donate items of food and other necessities for their neighbors,” Breen said. “This is a grassroots movement and I am so thankful for everyone who is coming together to help others.” Breen wanted to stress to those who are in need to show up, and rumors of the food distribution shutting down were not valid. “We are going to be here as long as there is a need,” she said. “Even when COVID restrictions are lifted and people can go back to work and school full time, we will still be here for people. It might look a little different than a line each week, but we will be here.” For those who are interested in donating visit www.bethanialutheran.net and click on Donate. Make sure the Food Distribution tab is clicked as well.

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Photo by Daniel Dreifuss Bladesmithing is the ancient art of making knives, swords, daggers and other blades using a forge, hammer, anvil and other smithing tools, as Jordan Kepler displays here.

After building various forts and such in Aptos, California, where he grew up, he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying industrial technology. Cal Poly was where he learned every facet of metal work: casting, grinding, welding and machining. “But the one thing you weren’t allowed to make on campus were knives,” Kepler said. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology, he took a job as a graphic designer for a company in San Francisco, where he is still employed. Once he acquired his own place, he started collecting metalworking tools and machines of his own. “I made my first big camp knife and my buddies really liked it and they all wanted one,” he said. “I started making a few more of them and more friends were interested in having one, and now I have a small one-man company. I make survival knives and custom Damascus camp knives.” Kepler makes his knives through his business, Lost Sasquatch Provisions. “To make a Damascus knife you start with alternating types of steel which looks like a big rectangle basically,” Kepler explained. “Then the rectangle is put into a forge which is approximately 2,300 degrees. Once it is glowing yellow you forge the rectangle into a long thin bar. Then you start to hand forge it

by hammering it into the shape of a knife followed by a crazy amount of grinding and hand sanding which finally produces a blade. Forge welding multiple layers produces the watery effect characteristic of this type of Damascus steel. Then you get into some woodworking for the handle.” Kepler said the competition was quite a challenge. “I was extremely surprised to be the winner of “Forged in Fire” because the competition was fierce,” he said. “I had no clue who was going to win or who would hold out. I was stunned when the handle on my opponent’s axe broke but that’s when I knew I had won the competition. “I have to say this has been a crazy time for me,” said Kepler. “My fiancé, Kat Devine, was my greatest cheerleader and supporter through this whole thing. She kept telling me I could do it and she kept me calm and motivated while I was freaking out over which weapon they were going to ask me to make.” Kepler and Devine, who are high-school sweethearts, are planning a June 2022 wedding. To see Kepler’s episode and competition, visit the History Channel (play.history.com) and click on the “Forged in Fire” series. For more information on Kepler’s company, visit lostsasquatch.com.

24 H Santa Ynez Valley Star H www.santaynezvalleystar.com H April 6 - April 19, 2021

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