Santa Ynez Valley Star • August 8, 2025

Addie Madrid chosen as Solvang’s Danish Maid for 2025

Santa Ynez High senior is the fourth woman in her family to preside over annual event, which will be from Sept. 19-21 this year

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Addie Madrid has been chosen as Solvang’s Danish Maid and will preside over this year’s 88th Solvang Danish Days celebration, whose theme this year is “Be Happy–Vær Glæde!” Madrid will fulfill her “royal” duties during this year’s event weekend — Friday through Sunday, September 19 through 21 — and throughout her year’s reign. She is the fourth woman in her family to hold the title of Solvang Danish Maid. That title was also held by her grandmother, Glenda Jaeger Madrid (1971); her mother, Ashlee Madrid (1999); and her sister, Aleena Madrid (2022).

Madrid, who is 17 and will be a senior this year at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, applied last spring to the Solvang Danish Days Foundation for a chance at becoming this year’s Danish Maid. Due in part to her familial background and involvement in previous Danish Days events “every year since I was born,” she was chosen to be this year’s Danish Maid.

Both sides of Madrid’s family

ancestry run deep in the history of Solvang and are rooted in Denmark. According to information provided by the foundation, Madrid’s great-great-grandfather, Viggo Tarnow, came to the United States from Copenhagen in 1914. He settled in Minnesota, where he met and married Cora, later moving his family, including their daughter, Marie, to California. Tarnow taught at Solvang’s Atterdag Folk School and helped to shape what is now the Atterdag

Village of Solvang senior care center. His love for the Santa Ynez Valley ran deep, and through his dedication, Addie’s family became woven into the very fabric of Solvang.

The foundation also stated that Madrid’s great-grandfather, Johannes Jaeger, came from Tindbæk, Denmark, in 1948, with hope in his heart and carpentry tools in his hands. In Solvang, he met and married Marie Tarnow, and together they built not just homes but a life of service

and commitment to the community. Johannes became a partner in the Madsen & Jaeger Contracting Firm, and many of the Solvang structures that he helped build still stand today — such as the large windmill on Alisal Road and the Solvang Brewing Company windmill on Mission Drive. Alongside Marie, he gave back to the community through volunteer work at Atterdag College, Bethania Lutheran Church, the Elverhøj Mu

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Community | Pg 9

It was a great Saturday to barbecue in the Santa Ynez Valley

News Briefs Pg 2

• Solvang nominated for 2025

Readers’ Choice Award in ‘Best Historical Small Town’

News Pg 4

• Buellton City Council approves private school for Willemsen property

Spotlight Pg 6

• New Waldorf School opening this fall in Buelton

Sports Pg 8

• SYHS names co-head coaches for girls flag football program

Sports Pg 10

• SYV Midwifery offers complete care for mothers-to-be

Arts and Nonprofits Pg 11

• Artist/musician/photographer Robbie Kaye proves creativity has no bounds

Lifestyle Pg 12

• ‘Wartime’ strategy: The importance of herbs

Events Pg 16

• Government meetings and events

NEWS BRIEFS

SOLVANG

Solvang nominated for 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award in ‘Best Historical Small Town’ Category

Solvang, affectionately known as “The Danish Capital of America,” has been nominated for the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of “Best Historical Small Town.”The awards contest and online voting launched for the history-themed category on Thursday, July 17, is now live on the Newsweek site: www.newsweek.com/ readerschoice. Voting is open to the public and all official contest rules found atwww.newsweek. com/rca-voting-rules (voting limited to one vote per person, per category list, per day; voters must be 18 or over). Online voting runs through Thursday, Aug. 14, at 8:59 a.m. PDT.

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards present up to 20 nominees in a broad range of categories to be voted on by readers. All nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts, or experts from various fields. Newsweek editors then determine the final lists of “the best of the best in the USA.” Once a Category List is published, voting runs for 28 days for each Category List and at the end of the voting period, once voting is closed,Newsweek announces and publishes the businesses with the most votes as Reader’s Choice Winners in their respective categories. More information about the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards may be found here.

“This particular Newsweek awards nomination aligns with a number of heritage and history projects that the City of Solvang is undertaking, including preparations for our annual Danish heritage festival, Solvang Danish Days, this year Sept. 19 through 21. Solvang’s history and Danish roots are always on display for visitors from around the globe, and we’re thrilled to be recognized for how we proudly protect our heritage,”

said Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy.

Registration now open for 3rd Annual Viking Classic Car Show on Oct. 11

On Saturday, Oct. 11, the streets of downtown Solvang — affectionately known as the Danish Capital of America — will once again fill with chrome, horsepower, and community pride as the 3rd Annual Viking Classic Car Show returns.

Hosted by the Vikings of Solvang, this free-admission event will take place on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and invites classic car lovers, and curious visitors to enjoy a day of vintage vehicles, small-town charm, and charitable impact.

More than 200 pre-2000 cars and trucks will line the streets of Solvang, including everything from hot rods and muscle cars to sports cars, pickups, and fully restored classics. New for 2025, the show introduces a “Specialty Vehicles” class — open to unique or unusual entries that don’t fit standard categories, including select post-1999 vehicles.

“This event is more than a car show, it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and compassion,” said Vikings Chief Joe Tyson. “We’re proud to bring people together in Solvang to admire these timeless machines while raising funds for a meaningful cause.”

Vehicle registration is now open, and enthusiasts with pre-2000 vehicles or qualifying specialty entries are encouraged to register now at www. vikingsofsolvang.org/carshow

All proceeds from the show benefit the Vikings of Solvang Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing medical assistance to individuals and healthcare organizations throughout Santa Barbara County. Thanks to the Vikings' all-volunteer model, 100% of donations go directly to those in need.

Rotary Club of Solvang installs new officers

caption: The new officers of the 2025-26 Rota-

ry year for the Rotary Club of Solvang are (from left) Treasurer Eileen Bristol, Secretary John Adams, President Frank Smithson; and President-Elect Kristan Morrison. Not pictured is Vice President Tom Olmsted.

Officers for the 2025-26 Rotary year were recently installed. President Frank “Smitty” Smithson takes over with his theme “Anything is Possible in America”. The Rotary Club of Solvang is celebrating 40 years of service. Smithson is looking to continue many of the Solvang Rotary projects such as the 4th of July Parade and the major fundraiser in May 2026 but is focused on engaging community and expanding service and volunteerism. The 2025-2026 officers are Frank Smithson, President; Kristan Morrison, President-Elect; Tom Olmsted, Vice President; John Adams, Secretary; and Eileen Bristol, Treasurer. Please contact Valerie Kissell @ vaokissell@gmail. com or 724-366-3679 for further information

Tickets on sale for Atterdag Village Harvest Party Fundraiser on Sept. 6

On Saturday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., people are again invited to gather with friends at Circle JB Polo Ranch in Buellton for an evening of live music, ample food and drink, and more than anything, raise funds to support Atterdag Village of Solvang’s charity outreach to vulnerable, low-income seniors right here in the greater Santa Ynez Valley.

Included is a fire-roasted gourmet dinner, live music by the Bryan Titus Trio, and “action-packed” live and silent auctions led by Auctioneer Kenny Hollister.

Circle JB Polo Ranch is located at 560 McMurray Road in Buellton, for tickets and more information, visit givebutter.com/c/atterdagharvestparty.

BUELLTON

Buellton takes flight with new community art project

The City of Buellton and its Arts and Culture Committee are thrilled to announce the official launch of “Up in the Air!,” a vibrant new community art project celebrating imagination, collaboration, and the beauty of all things above. Earlier this year, Buellton invited artists of all ages to submit drawings inspired by the theme "Up in the Air!" — and the response was nothing short of inspiring. In the end, we were able to combine the work of more than 70 local artists, ranging in age from 5 to 80. The chosen artwork has been transformed into colorful street banners that will soon be displayed throughout Buellton.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such talented artists and to live in a city that truly values the power of the arts,” shared the project coordinators. “This initiative has been a wonderful way to inspire and encourage creators of all ages to share their talents. It’s a testament to the remarkable things we can achieve when we come together as a community.”

Each month over the next year, a new banner design will be featured — highlighting the work of different local artists. We’re kicking things off with August’s featured banner, proudly sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which includes artwork from Hazel Hawthorne, Riley Camilleri, Steven Johnson, Walker Liso, and Zoe Marin. You can view their original submissions at buellton. art/2025-august-up-in-the-air-art-feature/

This project was made possible by Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program, the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum (our nonprofit partner), generous monthly sponsors, and the enthusiastic support of the Buellton community.

Explore More at Buellton.Art to:

• View all banner designs and the original submitted artwork

• Learn how you or your organization can apply for an Arts & Culture grant

STAR NEWS

Solvang City Council awards contract for expanded video surveillance pilot program

Councilmembers also OK new appopriations limit, cross connection program, and safety element

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

The Solvang City Council, in its Monday, July 14, meeting, awarded a contract to XIT Inc. to implement an AI-enabled surveillance camera system as part of the Downtown Corridor Surveillance Project.

Based out of Bakersfield, XIT Inc. who founded operations starting in the 2000s, claims to have become a significant player in the technology and IT services sector in the Central Valley of California and Southern Nevada. City Manager Randy Murphy said seven new cameras would be installed as a pilot program to surveill strategic spots that were chosen by city staff with the help of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. This project was hatched from one of the city’s goals, established earlier this year, to improve police response utilizing private security and technology.

The contract calls for surveillance camera purchase and services in the amount-not-toexceed $147,407.01 for the three-year term from July 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2028.

Murphy said XIT will be reponsible for the installation of the cameras, and for storing the data from the cameras.

“The system will be monitored by city staff, with access provided to the sheriff’s department,” he said. “We do not have a policy in place yet for how to operate the program yet. We will bring that to council before its implemented.”

Councilmember Mark Infanti began the council questions by asking who would be doing the monitoring. Murphy answered that he and Assistant to the City Manager Olivia Uribe Mutal would be keeping tabs, but that

Based on population and cost-of-living data provided by the California Department of Finance (DOF).

The council had actually introduced the item in its previous meeting on June 23, but it was published just 12 days before the meeting, short of the required 15 days. Because of that, they couldn’t approve it until the July 14 meeting.

mainly the system would be AI-enabled and that the objective would be to have footage that city officials or law enforcement can look at if a crime or incident is reported in Solvang’s downtown area.

At this point, City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan pointed out that the item was just to OK the contract, and the city would be able to start figuring out policy and usage afterward; however, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona pointed out that according to the schedule supplied to council, the system was going to start operation in September.

“Does the Sheriff’s Department have same software, and can it integrate with our system,” she asked. “We want to know the framework of what criteria they help us set, identifying procedural process, and clearing guidelines on what is being surveilled.

“I would like to approve this, but I feel like we’re behind the times on this,” Orona said.

“There’s no policy; no skill set; there’s still work to do. We don’t know how complicated it gets until we get more answers.”

Murphy answered that by saying he would try to bring the framework of a policy by the next council meeting on Monday, Aug. 11. Infanti then moved to approve the contract, with Councilmember Claudia Orona seconding, with the understanding that a policy for the use of the program was would be coming soon. The items passed 5-0 In other business:

The council unanimously approved the city’s new appropriation limit of $26,362,892 for the Fiscal Year 2025-26, a increase from $24,651,978 in FY 2024-25. The annual appropriations limit is calculated based on the 1978–79 fiscal year limit, adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and population. As required, the City has reviewed and calculated its annual Appropriations Limit.

Also approved was the amendment of the Safety Element of the Solvang General Plan to incorporate the adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and update Figure SAF-8, Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The city had updated the Safety Element in 2024, and the latest amendment included language to make it compatible with Assembly Bill 2140, which opened up funds for use in disaster recovery. Murphy estimated that the city’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) hadn’t yet been added to the Safety Element during the damaging storms in January 2023, and if they had, the city could have gotten another $40,000 in emergency funds.

The council passed the first reading of the amended Cross-Connection Control Plan ordinance, and approval of the actual CCC Plan, which outlines the city’s compliance framework for backflow prevention, hazard assessments, inspection and testing procedures, and legal enforcement authority. Utility Director Jose Acosta said it was the city’s program for protecting its plumbing.

The council OK’d a new agreement with Wildan Engineering for Building Official Services, Plan Review, and Inspection, and an agreement with 4Leaf, Inc. as an on-call contractor for the same services if Wildan is not available. The fiscal impact of the two agreements was give as $200,000.

The City Council will next meet on Monday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m.

Buellton City Council approves private school for Willemsen property

Despite opposition from residents, Hundred Hills School gets go-ahead to establish temporary location next to library

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

For the second time within a month, opponents and proponents of the proposed expressed their views on the potential Hundred Hills School (HHS), a Waldorf-inspired private school, to be temporarily placed on three parcels on the cityowned Willemsen property, this time to the Buellton City Council in its five-hour meeting Thursday, July 24, meeting.

After hearing the arguments, both pro and con, for the school founded by husbandand-wife Sundeep Chanana and Whitney Stevenson, the council voted 3-1 to approve the Conditional Use Permit allows the private educational facility to be established on four parcels next to the Buellton Library on Dairyland Road. The decision overturned the 2-2 vote at the Buellton Planning Commission meeting on July 3, which was technically a denial of the CUP.

After that decision, the council unanimously agreed to approve a license agreement for HHS to operate on the property for up to five years, with a fair-market value compensation of $1,750 per month, to give the school time to find a permanent location in Buellton.

Buellton Planning Director Andrea Kiefer started off the presentation by describing the school that would come to the neighborhood: It would be a Waldorf-inspired school serving preschool through the fourth grade. The campus, on the topmost portion of the Willemsen Property at 202, 208, 212, and 218 Dairyland Road, would consist of four classrooms, one administration building, and one restroom, all of the California Roundhouse building style, more commonly know as "yurts."

The school’s founders spoke on their proposed school, with Montgomery starting off calling HHS a project “small in size, but enormous in possibility.”

Alluding to the opposition that been stated against the school and the founders, Stevenson told her story as someone who was raised in Buellton and went to numerous local schools, and said that heirs of the

Wilhelmsen family that used to own the land approve of the plans.

“My husband and I were lucky to be exposed to an approach to education that deeply resonates with us,” Stevenson said. “Now we’re in a place where we can help bring it home to share it with the place that raised me. I just ask that we pause and consider what tonight means to this town.”

After that, Stevenson’s husband Sundeep Chanana spoke about the project, and listed a number of reasons why he felt the project would benefit Buellton: It would keep the land away from developers who wish to build high-density projects, it would allow the city to collect rent and fees for the property, it would give local families another school option, and it would help the “preschool crisis” for a town that has just one preschool.

“I can’t think of a single reason to vote anti-school,” Chanana said.

During a long public comment session, that saw 55 people speak on the project, many found reasons against the project, with pretty much all indicating that while they didn’t have problems with the school per se, they did not like it being proposed for the parcels on Dairyland Road next to the library.

As in the Planning Commission meeting, most of the objections came from residents

of the surrounding neighborhood who believed there would be a negative impact with traffic and noise because of the school. Others did not like the idea of city-owned land being used for a private school. Others were concerned that some of the trees would be removed (although Chanana stated earlier that would not be the case), and residents would lose the use of the green area on the site.

An informal count of the 55 people who spoke found 34 that opposed the project.

Some of those who spoke in favor of HHS noted the lack of options for students in early education, most notably preschool, while others praised other Waldorf schools and said it would be a great experience for Buellton children. Some said they had to drive their kids to a Waldorf school in Santa Barbara and would appreciate being able to go to the same kind of school in Buellton.

When the item came back to council, Councilmember Hudson Hornick agreed with arguments on both sides, saying he felt the school would be a huge benefit, but also believed its proposed for the wrong site. However, he said he would support it, noting the site would be temporary and that he hoped “the open space would return.”

“It’s important we guide city in positive direction, and the Waldorf school is part of that,” he said. “The preschool is very im-

portant in this, we need more locations.”

Councilmember John Sanchez said he also supported the project, downplaying the complaints about traffic.

“I don’t see the additional trips as a deterrent; there will always be traffic,” he said. “It would be an honor to have a Waldorf school. I don’t see the problem.”

Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis said supported the school for the same reasons Hornick did, although she agreed the location was not a good one. She also thanked the public speakers for their decorum during comment.

Mayor David Silva said his decision on this is “the most torn I’ve ever felt,” and admitted that he was a bit detached on the subject because he doesn’t have kids.

“I sat through experience of people living next to site concerned about it,” he said. “I’ve struggled with it. Hard to make decision you aren’t impacted by, and you’re against. This is one subject where there hasn’t been neutrality, either you’re for it or against it.”

Lewis moved to approve the resolution overturning the Planning Commission decision and OK the Dairyland Road site for the school, with Hornick seconding, and the motion passed 3-1, with Silva dissenting.

The City Council will next meet on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m.

EDUCATION

Libraries’ Summer Reading Program finishes strong

Over 1,200 readers participated at Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley LibrariesStaff Report

Staff Report

The 2025 Summer Reading Program has crossed the finish line with success after this year’s theme invited readers to “Level Up at Your Library!” During the six-week program, over 1,247 readers participated in the all-ages program, logging an impressive total of 7,580 books and 148,039 minutes. The Summer Reading Program is an annual literacy tradition at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, with a goal of connecting readers of all ages through community events and making reading even more rewarding through earning prizes.

This year, Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen redesigned the program to keep access levels high across all libraries while Goleta Valley Library moved into its temporary home during construction. The online tracking tool Beanstack allowed participants to log their reading from anywhere, at any time, while continuing to offer paper logs ensured that

SPOTLIGHT

New Waldorf School opening this fall in Buellton

Hundred Hills School moving forward as SYV native and her husband look to give local children and their families another educational option

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Anew Waldorf-based school called Hundred Hills School will be opening this fall in Buellton. Historically, Waldorf education is based on the education philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. They are independent schools that follow the Waldorf philosophy, which is known for its emphasis on the arts, including music, theater, and visual arts, as well as its focus on the development of the whole child, including their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Its educational style is holistic, intended to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills, with a focus on imagination and creativity.

Hundred Hills School is a private, nonprofit, co-educational day school for students in preschool through grade four. It was founded by passionate Waldorf parents Whitney Stevenson-Chanana and Sundeep Chanana, with the unwavering support from equally passionate Waldorf educators Chinyelu Kunz, Terri Webster, and Marjorie Rehbach.

According to its website, the school’s educational philosophy is influenced by a reverence for children’s EQ and IQ journeys, which are segmented into three stages, or the three I’s: Imitation, Imagination, and Intellect. The philosophy is manifested in a curriculum that elegantly prioritizes both academic rigor and experiential/kinesthetic learning.

“I was born and raised in the Valley,” said Stevenson-Chanana. “My father was a veterinarian who worked for Jim Buell in the racehorse industry in the ‘ 70s, and my mother was a substitute teacher. Just last week my mother gave me a book that she found in her things that was written by Steiner in the 1960s about education. When I was a child, my mother actively managed my education by getting intra-district transfers so I could access the best teachers and curriculum available. I attended Family School, Jonata School, Vista, and Los Olivos schools, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. My parents supplemented my education by in-

Stevenson-Chanana said she would listen to podcasts by Kunz, and that’s what led her to contact Kunz about opening a Waldorf School in Buellton, and they became friends.

Born and mostly raised in Enugu, Nigeria, Kunz came to the U.S. after high school to attend college and majored in interior architecture at the New York Institute of Technology, and then studied architecture at Cal Poly Pomona.

“When my son was almost 2, I was introduced to Waldorf education,” Kunz said. “That was in 1992, and I have been completely involved in early childhood education ever since.”

“In 2020, I left the classroom and started podcasting, coaching, and supporting parents in parenting their young children,” she explained. “When Whitney brought up the idea of opening a Waldorf School in Buellton, I was wholeheartedly in favor. Then, by some miracle, my husband was offered a job in Santa Maria in aerospace, and within weeks we were moving from Pennsylvania to the Central Coast. I joined Whitney and became the joint head of Hundred Hills School.”

corporating 4-H, horses, Suzuki Method violin lessons, art, and ag. My mom had a vision of what she wanted to cultivate in her children.”

After graduating from UC Davis, Whitney worked on Wall Street as a research analyst covering semiconductors, retail, and hospitality. She said that when she became pregnant with their first child, she wanted to do a home birth and raise their child outside of New York City, so she and Sundeep returned to the Valley in October 2020, just two months before their first son was born. All of her family still live in the Valley or nearby.

The journey to launch a Waldorf school began in 2021 when, thinking ahead, Whitney and Sundeep were concerned about the education they wanted for their children. She recalled that she was first introduced to Rudolf Steiner when she was living in New York.

“There was an intriguing little bookstore with a lot of books written by Rudolf Steiner, which was always intriguing,” Whitney recalled. “I had a friend who had interesting grown children, capable and smart people. He once commented that if he had more children, he would send

them to the Waldorf School, which was located on the Upper East Side.”

“Actually, my husband gets all the credit for the idea of opening a Waldorf School here in the Valley,” she added. “We were trying to figure out how we could remain living here and have our children enjoy the kind of education we wanted them to have. It was his idea to open a Waldorf School here in the Valley. He initiated the process.”

The Chananas are on a site for the school on Dairyland Road in Buellton that was approved in a lengthy Buellton City Council meeting on July 24 (see story on page 6), which will grant them a five-year land lease to incubate the Hundred Hills School. After the initial five-year term, their plans are to build a permanent campus in Buellton.

Now the parents of three small children, ages 4, 2, and a newborn, the Chananas are looking forward to seeing all their hard work come to fruition with the opening of Hundred Hills School this fall.

Chinyelu Kunz is the founder of We Nurture Collective, a podcast she started in 2020.

“Our goal is to create a Waldorf community that is not insular but builds a lasting and enriching relationship with the entire Valley,” said Kunz. “I am passionate about Waldorf education, and I see the benefits it has had on my three children, who are all grown up now.”

Kunz has published one parenting book titled “The Little Book of Parenting” and one children’s book titled “Away to Dreamland,” consisting of poems and stories for bedtime that will be released on Sept. 15. Kunz can be found @wenurture on Instagram, or visit her website at www.wenurturecollective.com.

The school is accepting enrollment for preschool and kindergarten for the fall 2025 classes. They also have a series of free events for families over the summer held on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at SYV Botanic Garden and Saturdays at 10 a.m. under the magnolia on the Buellton Library lawn.

“We have been really inspired by the way the pieces and the people involved have come together for our project to take flight,” said Stevenson-Chanana.

For more information, visit www.hundredhillsschool.org (a 501c3 nonprofit) or on Instagram @ hundredhillsschool.

• Visit our “Shop the Art” store for posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more (new designs launching this August!)

SANTA YNEZ

Santa Ynez high school trustees seek to fill District 3 vacancy after resignation of Jose Juan Ibarra

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board of Education is looking to fill a vacancy after the resignation of District 3 Trustee Jose Juan Ibarra.

Ibarra stepped down from his seat because he no longer resides within District 3, according to Board President Chris Johnson at a special meeting on July 17 to discuss the vacancy. District 3 comprises the northwest part of the district starting above Highway 246 in Buellton and extending to the north part of Los Olivos.

In the meeting, the board voted unanimously to appoint a member to the vacant seat rather than hold a special election, which the trustees disclosed would cost an estimated $75,000 to $100,000.

According to the district, when a board seat is vacated, and the seat is filled with an appointee without a “special election”, the seat is required to be run during the next election cycle which is the next mid-term. The appointee will serve until the 2026 election, and will be able to run for the seat. The newly elected person during the 2026 mid-term election will have a two-year seat and will need to run again in 2028. This is for Trustee Area 3 and 5, which will always run in the General Election cycle. Trustee Area 1, 2, and 4 run in the mid-terms.

The timeline for the District 3 trustee is as follows:

July 17: Board approved a provisional appointment

July 18: District began advertising the opening

Aug. 11: Applications must be completed and submitted to twestfall@syvuhsd.org by 3 p.m.

Aug. 15: District will post names of candi-

dates to be interviewed in the agenda

Aug. 19: Board will interview candidates at the regular board meeting, select the appointee, and do the swearing-in

Aug. 29: District will post a notice of the vacancy and the provisional appointment

Those interested in the vacancy can get the application at www.syvuhsd.org/. Just click on the "Trustee Area 3 Provisional Appointment Application" link on the homepage.

Ruben Olivo Jr. of Santa Ynez earns degree from University of Maryland Global Campus

Ruben Olivo Jr. of Santa Ynez, earned a Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity technology from University of Maryland Global Campus in spring 2025.

Olivo was one of 6,770 students worldwide who earned degrees from UMGC in the spring 2025 term.

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.

LOS OLIVOS

Monthly cooking classes offered in the Grange Kitchen

The Santa Ynez Valley Grange, in partnership with Apples to Zucchini Cooking School, is excited to offer two series of cooking classes for both families and adults/teens: Family Cooking will be offered monthly on second Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Batch Cooking for adults and teens will be offered monthly on second Sunday afternoons from 2 to 3 p.m.

The remaining dates for the Family Cooking Class are Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, and Nov. 10.

The dates for the Batch Cooking Class are Aug. 10, Sept. 7, Oct. 12, and Nov. 9

The classes, led by Chef Bethany Markee, will meet at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall Kitchen at 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave. in Los Olivos.

The Family Cooking class brings the family together to learn side-by-side how to prepare delicious meals. Classes are tailored for children and teens with a family adult. Share your favorite food memories and traditions, build healthy relationships with food and cooking, and let the kids show off all their emerging kitchen skills! The class will meet to prepare a meal and eat it together.

Recipes to be covered include scratch-made pizza and seasonal garden salad; macaroni and cheese and roasted vegetables; chicken or vegetable soup and freshly baked bread; tomato bisque and toasted cheese sandwiches; and French crepes with a variety of “add-ins.”

Batch Cooking is a class for adults as well as teens who are 14 or older. The group will work with seasonally available local produce, using simple and repeatable cooking techniques such as roasting, sautéing, pickling, making soups, salad dressings, and sauces. Students will get to take home all the food prepared in class.

Attendance is limited to 12 per class. Participants may register online at AtoZcookingschool.org.

To find out more about other SYV Grange programs and membership, please visit syvgrange.org or email President Carey McKinnon at syvgrange@gmail.com. To check out more cooking classes from Apples to Zucchini, visit them at AtoZcookingschool.org or email Markee at bethany@atozcookingschool.org.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig announces retirement

Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig has announced his plans to retire at the end of the year, concluding a distinguished career in public safety that began over three decades ago.

Hartwig began his firefighting career in 1992 with the San Bernardino County Fire Department. He went on to serve as a Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District and was later appointed Fire Chief for San Bernardino County. In 2019, following a comprehensive recruitment process, he was selected to lead the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

"Chief Hartwig has shown exceptional responsiveness to the community," said Laura Capps, chair of the Board of Supervisors. "He has led with remarkable effectiveness, earning the trust and admiration of local fire chiefs and community members alike. His departure will be a significant loss to us."

Throughout his career, Hartwig has been a respected leader at both the local and state levels. He served as president of the California Fire Chiefs Association and was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the State Commission on Emergency Medical Services.

During his tenure with Santa Barbara County Fire, Chief Hartwig led efforts to expand paramedic services to all county fire stations, collaborated with regional fire chiefs to establish a countywide emergency dispatch center, and pursued competitive bidding for emergency ambulance services.

In addition, he led the County Fire Department through major incidents, including the Lake Fire in 2024 that burned 38,663 acres and destroyed four structures, and the Alisal Fire in 2021 that burned 16,953 acres and destroyed 12 structures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped stand up the regional Incident Management Team to coordinate response efforts among agencies. Under his leadership at the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management, significant progress was made to improving Fire infrastructure, enhancing training and preparedness, and supporting community resilience and safety.

"Chief Hartwig is one of the most visionary public servants with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work. He has dedicated his career to public service with unwavering passion and

SPORTS

Santa Ynez High School names Hannah Wright and Maddie Quiroga co-head coaches for girls flag football program

School’s newest sport will kick off later this month

The Santa Ynez Valley High School District has named Maddie Quiroga and Hannah Wright as its girls flag football co-head coaches. Wright and Quiroga both graduated from SYHS and currently coach the JV girls basketball team.

Maddie Quiroga graduated in 2014, where she was captain of the varsity girls basketball team her junior and senior years. Maddie broke the school record for 3-point shots in a game and the record for points in a season, while also being named to All Los Padres League team her senior season. She is currently finishing school to become a teacher.

Hannah (Cantrell) Wright graduated from SYHS in 2015, where she was a captain of the girls volleyball and basketball teams. She was all-league in basketball for three years and was all-league in volleyball twice. While playing volleyball, she broke the school record for hitting percentage in a game. Wright went on to play volleyball at Santa Barbara City College, where she was named all-conference both years. She graduated friom UCSB and is currently teaching at Jonata Middle School in Buellton.

“We are extremely excited to be starting girls flag football at SYHS,” SYHS Athletic Director

athlete. Mike was considered one of the best basketball shooters in school history. Since his passing, Maddie and her family have started the Mike Quiroga Scholarship Fund at SYHS in honor of his legacy. Maddie’s uncle, David Quiroga, was an all-star athlete at SYHS along with her aunt Lydia Quiroga. Her sister, Ashley Quiroga, was a four-year varsity basketball starter for the Pirates as well.

Josh McClurg said. “It is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and we had to make it a priority to get it started. I have been impressed with watching Maddie as our girls head JV basketball coach the last three years. She has a great rapport with the girls and brings a positive energy that is needed as a high school coach. The girls program added Hannah as a JV coach this year, and the two of them work extremely well together, so it was a no-brainer on who we needed to have as our inaugural girls flag football coaches.”

Both coaches have deep ties with the Pirates athletic program. Wright’s father, Rob Cantrell, has been SYHS’s girls soccer head coach since

2005. Her mom and brothers all graduated from SYHS, with her brother Austin playing football for the Pirates the last four years. Her uncles all played football for the Pirates in the 1990s, and one of them, Brennan Swanson, went on to play football at Cal State Northridge and then had a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Her cousin, Harloe Swanson, will be a senior and is a member of the girls track 4x100 team that broke the 30-year-old school record this past season. Quiroga is a proud Santa Ynez Valley Chumash descendant of the first students/athletes to become Pirates in 1896. Her father, Michael Quiroga, graduated in 1980 after being a standout basketball, football, baseball, and tennis

“The fact that both coaches come from a long line of standout Pirate athletes is pretty special,” McClurg said. “I remember playing men’s league basketball at 18 years old and having to defend Mike Quiroga, who literally could shoot the lights out of gym. Hannah’s uncle, Brennan, and I were teammates on the Los Padres League champion football team in 1993, and went to elementary school together as well. The small-town connections of the Valley are what make our school so special and it is what helps to instill Pirate Pride in all of our athletes.”

The Pirates girls flag football team will play its first game on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Dos Pueblos (time TBA) and will play at Paso Robles on Thursday, Sept. 4. After weekend tournaments at Pioneer Valley and Lompoc high schools in September, SYHS will play its first home game on Tuesday, Sept. 16, against Lompoc.

A story on the two new coaches and the outlook of the Pirates’ first girls flag football team will run in the next issue, coming out Aug. 19. Staff Report

was a

great Saturday to barbecue in the Santa Ynez Valley

Buellton holds its annual BBQ Bonanza, and the Women Winemakers and Culinarians Foundation holds its BroBBQ in Los Olivos on July 26

By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

It was a picturesque, sunny day in the Santa Ynez Valley on Saturday, July 26, warm, but not too hot, and the perfect day to hold a barbecue. Well, the Valley got two notable ones on this day.

At River View Park, the City of Buellton held its 23rd annual BBQ Bonanza, where all of the city’s residents were invited for a free barbecue lunch and many fun activities to go with it. Meanwhile, later that day in Los Olivos, just past the point where Alamo Pintado Road becomes Santa Barbara Avenue, the Women Winemakers and Culinarians Foundation gave some of the men a chance to show their grilling skills at the inaugural BroBBQ.

The Buellton BBQ Bonanza was started in Buellton more than two decades ago by the city’s Parks and Rec Department to thank the residents of Buellton for their support in making the city a great place to live, and has become

a summertime staple in town.

“It’s been a good day today,” said Buellton Parks and Rec Director Paul Smith. “I got to meet a lot of new families, and we’ve been able to get in a lot of activities and entertainment that has just run the gamut of fun things to do.”

Along with the delicious barbecue food being served up, the event also offered plenty of fun things, like blowup waterslides for the kids, games and activities, and even a karaoke machine at one of the booths.

“We even had an Elvis impersonator come in earlier, and he sung the entire ‘Trilogy’ of

songs he’s famous for,” Smith said.

Another successful Bonanza came and went, and another one will be planned next summer. Meanwhile, a little later that afternoon on a property off Santa Barbara Avenue in Los Olivos, the Women’s Winemaker and Culinarians Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is “to empower and support female winemakers and culinarians by fostering a community that champions their craft, creativity, and leadership,” according to the group’s website, put some of the men on the grills for the first-ever BroBBQ.

According to the organization’s Karen

Steinwachs, the BroBBQ came about inadvertently due to some complaints about the food at the group’s fundraiser in March.

“We had our big fundraising event where our female chefs displayed their cooking skills, and it was vegan and gluten- and sugar-fee cookout,” Steinwachs said. “Anyway, some of the menfolk came around asking why there wasn’t any meat dishes, and we said ‘Well, if you want some meat cooked so bad organize other barbecue and cook it yourself, and we put the event together.”

Brooke Stockwell, a former Valley chef who recently moved to the Bay Area, came back down to organize the roster of male cooks, dubbed the “GrillMeisters.”

“I was sort of the wrangler of the cooks, and I’m still doing it. We’re all enjoying our wine and conversation and I’m trying to get them to start cooking,” Stockwell said with a laugh.

The team of GrillMeisters are considered locally famous for their barbecuing skills, according to Steinwachs. Don Layton, Rafik Tadros, Nate "Tater" Stricker, Loren Tarquinio, Mike Mesikip, Dan Dominquez, Ryan Layton, and Randy Jones were out grilling sausages, elk tips, ribs, tri-tip, tofu (!), brisket, lamb lollipops, artichokes, seasonal veggies, and sides! And while savoring the aroma of the different grills, attendees got to sample a number of wines.

SYV Midwifery offers complete care for mothers-to-be

After years serving as a doula and apprentice midwife, Alexis Starting has been delivering babies since opening her business three years ago

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Alexis Starting opened the doors to her private practice, SYV Midwifery, in January 2022 and recently held a ribbon-cutting opening on May 31 of this year.

Midwifery is one of the most ancient professions. It has been around since the beginning of time, offering the opportunity for at-home births. A midwife is a trained medical professional who provides medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum for those who are considered low risk. Midwives serve families with individualized and highly skilled clinical care and are commonly the primary care provider for pregnancy worldwide. It is the standard of care globally, outside of America. As a California Licensed Midwife (LM), Starting serves as a primary health-care provider that women can choose in lieu of an obstetrician/ gynecologist.

Starting has served as a combination of both doula and apprentice midwife since 2006, before becoming a licensed midwife in 2021. A doula, she explained, is a person who assists the mother, offering nonmedical techniques during labor, such as breathing, massage, and helping you move into different body positions. A doula is not a substitute for a midwife or doctor since they do not have any medical training. Although she attended births since 2007, her ultimate desire was to become a midwife.

She completed her formal midwifery education through the National Midwifery Institute (NMI) in 2021. She says that her teachers and guides in midwifery have been a combination of indigenous and Western teachers, and she weaves aspects of these mo-

dalities into her midwifery care. She believes strongly in the scientific efficacy, common sense, and wisdom of traditional/pre-institutionalized birth and postpartum practices and is committed to learning all she can to bring these support systems back to the community.

Born and raised in Chicago, Starting attended UCSB at 18 and received a degree in religious studies and Native American religious traditions with a minor in indigenous studies.

“At the time, UCSB was the only school offering classes in Native American religious traditions,” said Starting. “I met a Barbareño Ph.D. candidate, Julie Cordero, and I assisted her in her research and herbal medicines. She introduced me to a family who invited me to watch over their two older children while their

mother gave birth.

“That’s when I became interested in midwifery, which was about 20 years ago. From that moment, I was certain I wanted to be a midwife. Some of my friends jokingly suggested that I take part in more births before making a final decision,” she added with humor.

Ironically, Starting’s objective had to wait for her own child’s birth.

“My decision was delayed a bit as I became pregnant and moved to San Diego,” she said. “I had a successful home birth there and ended up having an apprenticeship for a year with my midwife, taking my son to the births with me. That was in 2007. She wanted me to pursue licensing at that time, but I opted to wait until my son was older.”

She subsequently volunteered at UCSD Medical Center as a doula and remained there for a few years, continuing with her training in midwifery skills.

“In 2011, I had my second son with another successful home birth and took a break from attending births for three years while raising both of my sons,” she said. “Then we moved back to the Santa Barbara area, and I started a private practice as a doula, and I was very busy attending five to nine births a month.”

In order to become a licensed midwife in California, it is a requirement to attend a midwife school. So, in 2019, she enrolled in the National Midwifery Institute, graduated, received her license in 2021, and opened SYV Midwifery soon after.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about what is required to become a midwife. Each state has different licensing policies. I’m licensed by the California State Medical Board as a primary care provider for low-risk obstetric and gynecological care, which means you can hire me instead of an OBGYN to oversee the entirety of low-risk care, in an out-of-hospital setting, such as your home or a birth center. There are no birth centers here in the Valley at this time, but I have plans on creating one in the near future,” she said.

“I love home births because they are so intimate, personal, undisturbed, and empowering. It gives the newborn the gentlest entry into this world, and I have seen that peace reflected in the babies as well as the mothers.”

“I have taken on a small number of clients so as to be able to give them full, personalized care through the whole pregnancy and after the birth with multiple home visits to make sure everyone is doing well and thriving,” she added. “I check on the whole person, the mind, body, and spirit, and all aspects of the person to get the complete picture of their well-being and advise my patients should they need more support. I have great collaborative relationships with certain local OBGYNs if I need to consult or transfer care.”

“Women will remember how they are treated in birth for the rest of their lives, and so will their children,” she added.

For more information, visit www.syvmidwifery.com or email syv.midwife@gmail.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a condensed version of the story. The complete story can be found at santaynezvalleystar.com

Artist/musician/photographer Robbie Kaye proves creativity has no bounds ARTS & NONPROFITS

A Valley resident since 2013, Kaye set to appear in fourwoman concert Thursday, Aug. 7, at Lost Chords Guitars

By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer

Robbie Kaye is creativity in motion. As an artist, composer, classical musician, photographer, and former gymnast, she has never stopped exploring the myriads of ways of bringing beauty into this world. Kaye has performed and composed music for many years in New York and Portland, Oregon, before she transitioned into photography and painting. Kaye’s work has been exhibited internationally in museums and galleries and has been featured in numerous publications such as LensCulture, Lenscratch, Gourmet, and Marie Claire magazines.

Three years ago, Kaye returned to her music roots after receiving a box of her old cassettes and started writing and recording again. She will be performing at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang on Thursday, Aug. 7, in a Songwriters in the Round event with Arwen Lewis, Toni Land, and Emily Zuzik. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performance will start at 8 p.m. Lost Chord Guitars is at 1576 Copenhagen Drive, Ste 101, Solvang.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she says her first experience of life consisted of the big city until her parents sent her to summer camp at the age of 5. It was then that she said she took her first breath of fresh air, experienced nature in all its glory, and realized that she was destined to replicate the wonder and beauty she had experienced in those summer months. They were the foundation for her love of art and all the elements of nature.

As a child, she studied gymnastics and was trained in classical piano. After graduating from high school, she attended a college in Georgia because it had a good gymnastics program, and as a gymnast, she wanted to compete collegiately. However, Kaye really didn’t fit into the more-rural area, she said, and quit the gymnastics team. She eventually returned, but an injury derailed her athletic career.

“During spring training, I landed incorrectly and hurt my back,” she said. “Since I couldn’t do gymnastics any longer, I turned to my oth-

er love, which was music. I had been classically trained in piano in New York, so I took music courses instead. When I returned to New York for Christmas vacation, I was immediately put into the hospital for back surgery. I had a herniated disc and never returned to school.”

She then applied to Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying jazz and majoring in composition and piano. After a year and a half at Berklee, Kaye returned to Long Island and joined a rock ‘n’ roll band in 1979.

“We made a 45 record, performed in New York City, got on the radio, and, like most bands, we broke up,” she said. “At the ripe age of 22, I moved to Manhattan and pursued a music career by collaborating with other musicians. In the interim, I tried working 9-to-5 jobs, but I just couldn’t handle it for very long.”

In the early 1990s Kaye had her own band, five girls and one guy, called Reverend Tribble & the Angels. Kaye’s journey as a songwriter is rooted in a deep love of music and a dedication to her craft.

“I started writing my own songs when I was 16, when my parents told me they were getting a divorce. It was a means of expressing my sadness at the time, and I continued writing lyrics for my own music,” she continued. “I also had the good fortune of being signed to Warner Chappell Music as a staff songwriter. The fol-

lowing year, one of the songs I co-wrote was for Disney Records, and the following year, the same song was placed in a Disney film.”

A change in her personal life meant a change in location. She got married and moved to Portland, continuing to put out music and playing in her own band. Entering the new millennium Kaye decided to change course and return to school.

“I quit the music scene for the first time in 2000 and went back to school to study creative writing and literature. I continued writing and recording but got out of the business side of it,” she continued. “I moved to the Oregon coast for six months, where I traded music for my room and board. While I was there, I took writing classes through Portland State University in Cannon Beach, Oregon, then moved to Santa Cruz to continue studying and got a job at UC Santa Cruz while attending school there.”

Kaye then moved to Santa Monica and worked for the Dean of Admissions at USC while continuing her studies, taking photography and poetry classes, and then working with one of her professors, California Poet Laureate Carol Muske-Dukes, on a project for the 125th anniversary of USC in 2005.

“We created a poetry/photography book for the occasion focusing on the school’s architecture and landscapes. I pursued a photographic

career, and in 2009, I traveled the country interviewing women who were in their 70s and older at their weekly beauty parlor appointments and created a photographic book called ‘Beauty & Wisdom.’”

In 2013, Kaye moved to the Valley, launched her book, and started painting motorcycle tire treads on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and on canvas, selling them in a business she started.

“I continued with my photography and transitioned into abstract expressionism, painting trees for a collection called ‘Naked Trees’ and another called ‘All Dressed Up & Everywhere to Go,’ which can be viewed and purchased at Helen’s Hair Studio in Santa Ynez,” said Kaye. Kaye’s new single, “Clear Blue Sky,” was released Aug. 5 on Spotify and all listening platforms, and she is presently writing and recording songs for film, TV, and ads. Robbie’s song, “Big Red Truck,” has been played on NPR Radio and national daytime television. She has an art studio in Santa Ynez, and is continuing to be a creative force of nature.

For more information, visit www.robbiekaye. com or email robbie@robbiekaye.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a condensed version of the story. The complete story can be found at santaynezvalleystar.com

STAR LIFESTYLE

‘Wartime’ strategy: The importance of herbs

By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

In most of my articles, you’ll hear me recommending herbs to pair with acupuncture in order to treat or cure a problem. In this article I’d like to elaborate a bit on how herbs work and why they are so effective, using war as an analogy. When there is a problem in the body — such as knee pain — we can consider that the body is at war with something in the problematic area. If our body is a country and we use World War II as an example, we can as-

sume that the Axis has infiltrated our knee. The Allied forces need to overtake the enemy, but to do so, there has to be a secure battle strategy (diagnosis). In order to develop this plan, we must know what the terrain of the area is like in order to send out the appropriate forces and equipment. Is it mountainous? Is it surrounded by ocean? Is it a desert landscape? What is the climate like? Hot or cold? Dry or damp? What weaponry is being used? All of these indications need to be accounted for in order to devise the best plan of attack.

The herbs serve as our soldiers. Some soldiers are stronger than others. Some are armed with guns, while others have tanks, missiles, or other explosives. Knowing what you’re fighting and where the fighting is taking place indicates which soldiers to send out. Oriental medicine is like the strategists. To win the war, you need all the enemy’s information you can acquire to form the best strategy. Then you need the ideal weapons and equipment to attack the enemy, win the war, and return the country to peacetime.

Oriental medicine is also used to maintain peacetime and avoid situations of battle; we refer to this as preventative medicine.

Western medicine has a very different approach. Often, to win the war, they skip the strategic battle and go directly to dropping an atom bomb (surgery). In this instance, the war might be over, but the land has now been altered and is no longer in its natural state. Life in this area is now forever changed.

Once a proper diagnosis (battle strategy) is made, I prescribe the various herbs that will win the war but leave the terrain intact, just as it was found before the fighting began. Some herbs are stronger than others, some are beneficial to a specific organ, and some increase or decrease an element or “weather” issue. Having the correct strategy tells me if herbs are needed to eliminate heat, dampness, dryness, etc., or which organ needs aid.

My herbs are very high quality, cleaned, and boiled together to extract the essence of each. As a master herbalist, I design the mix

and have them created especially for me, tailored to the individual constitutions as well as the patient’s needs. I primarily use liquid herbs, as they are distributed throughout the body quickly and easily. I prefer them over capsules of powdered herbs because pills are slower to disperse and can often end up being wasted by the body more than they are used. Just think of herbs like a prescription that a doctor gives you. You wouldn’t expect to get better if you didn’t take the medication he prescribes. It’s the same with herbs. Nobody wants war, but unfortunately in most generations war is inevitable, both externally and internally (illness). Peace is always the best strategy, but should your own “country” start fighting, it’s good to know that you have access to the best military for proceeding to victory.

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.

‘Wear now, wear later’: Putting an end to seasonal madness

By Sue Manning

Designers who are looking forward for clothing ideas often glance inspiration. The new motto is “wear now, wear later.” It’s time to put an end to seasonal madness! Why should your clothes get half the year off? Unless a piece serves a specific weather-related purpose, one-season clothing is no longer valid, especially in California and warmer climates. Versatility equals value, so while traditional items may cost a bit more, they also work hard.

With creative layering, pieces you may have dismissed as too trendy or too summery can actually become your newest wardrobe staples.

To add versatility to your neutral latte colors, add toast, blue, dusty rose, sage green, or black. For gray, add shocking pink, vibrant orange, lemon or royal blue. For ivory, add eggplant, espresso, pine or ruby. When it comes to expanding your wardrobe, building from pieces you have and adding something new gives you extra wearing capabilities, and who doesn’t want to expand their wardrobe while saving money at the same time.

Remember, wardrobe building is a free service at Elna’s Dress Shop. Our expert staff specializes in this area. With fall just around the corner, fashion can seem intimidating and inaccessible. We think we need the “total” look, but not all things belong together. Some do, some don’t.

Fall gives us the option of being free-spirited, so feel free to mix and match! Forget the norm; mix prints, textures and colors. This fall, look for leopard and leather, earth tones, plush textures, tapestries, florals, plaids, and flannels. Floral textiles have a history in fashion design. From bold statements to muted prints, they give fashionistas a chance to express their personality. One thing is for sure …

floral prints are always in style. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and early modern Europeans have all used the color blue. Probably the most popular color in history, it maintains its strength in today’s fashion world. Whether its denim, silk, cotton, or synthetic fabrics, it rules in apparel and home fashions. Known for its “quiet authority,” nude and beige textiles provide a background for bold statements. The popular trend is suitable for everyday as well as on the runway.

Major denim trends for fall and winter range from key silhouettes to surface finishes. This season’s denim is all about elevating this closet staple. No longer just a casual classic, contemporary denim pieces are being put together with sharp tailoring, surface textures, and eastern aesthetics for a fresh, fashion-forward take on utility wear. Stop by Elna’s during the month of August for our special sale featuring 50% off if you buy three items or more, 40% off if you buy two or more, and 30% off if you buy one.

You’ll find the quality name brands we are known for, but hurry, because when they are gone, they are gone.

Elna’s is open Mondays, closed Tuesdays,

DANISH MAID

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

seum of History and Art, and more.

“My grandfather, Johannes Jaeger, came to the United States after WWII looking for something new and bright in the world. He came to the Valley to work with an uncle and knocked on the wrong door, which ultimately became the right door, because it was then that he met Marie Tarnow and married her a year later. Thank God he knocked on the wrong door, or we wouldn’t be here now,” Ashlee Madrid, Addie’s mother, said humorously.

“My ancestors’ story reminds me that building a life is not only about what you create, but also who you uplift along the way,” Addie remarked.

“My own memories of Danish Days have always carried that same sense of purpose and joy,” she continued. “For five generations, my family has helped bring this celebration to life through folk dancing, baking, crafting open-faced sandwiches, and volunteering at the festival workers’ Danish luncheon from 1994 to 2014. I remember being a little kid in the kitchen, buttering trays of bread, stacking sandwiches, and peeking out the back door to catch a glimpse of the Carlsberg horses pulling their grand wagon through town.”

As Addie grew, she would become more involved in Danish Days, helping to serve coffee and jam at the aebleskiver breakfast tents, marching in the Saturday parade alongside her sister, and proudly leading the Children’s Parade.

“Every Danish Days weekend has felt like a blend of the past and present, honoring history while creating new memories,” Madrid added.

Madrid said she was not nervous or anxious about the Danish Maid selection process.

“I am just so grateful and honored to be chosen as this year’s Danish Maid,” she said.

SUMMER PROGRAM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

I need to be near the ocean or any body of water,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about focusing on business because I love talking to people and being involved in the community. I feel it’s very important in my personal life to work with others. We’re not meant to do it alone. I’ve also thought about going on a mission. Valley Christian Fellowship has missions around the world, and I’ve talked to some of the missionaries and have become very interested. Last fall my youth group at church went to Mexico and worked with an orphanage, and I enjoyed that very much.”

“As a former Danish Maid, I am also so honored and grateful to have watched both of my daughters partake in this long-time family tradition,” Addie’s mother said. “What started out all those years ago as a small community event to celebrate the town of Solvang’s 25th anniversary has grown into a yearly celebration, now in its 88th year, for all the community and visitors to our little town to take part in and enjoy the Danish culture.”

Madrid says she is anxious to fill the shoes of the Danish Maids who have come before her.

“It is my personality not to worry or be nervous; I generally take things in stride. I have a ‘what will be will be’ attitude. Being chosen as this year’s Danish Maid made me feel very humbled and tremendously grateful.”

Madrid’s grandmother, Glenda, who has made all of her family’s previous Danish Maid dresses, also made the dress Addie will be wearing at Danish Days and for all of her appearances throughout the year. The dress itself is mainly blue and gold with gold trim, which she says reminds her of her two favorite things, the ocean and the sun.

“The lace around the sleeves was made by my great-grandmother, Marie, who is 93 years old, still drives, and is still involved in Danish Days,” she said proudly. “The trim on my

families could participate in their preferred format. Events were held over the course of the Summer Reading Program at each of the libraries in the Goleta & Santa Ynez system. In Goleta, a first-ever Kick-Off event at Stow House attracted over 1,000 attendees who came to play games, register for the reading program, hear live music by Nathalia and Ukulele Jim, and even enjoy an interactive performance with Elemental Aerial Arts. Special events such as magic shows, hula lessons, outdoor concerts, and reptile visits continued throughout June and July at the Goleta Community Center, at

apron is crocheted and was made by my greatgreat-grandmother, Cora, who was married to Viggo Tarnow.”

Madrid is very involved in the varsity volleyball and beach volleyball programs at the high school, in the Pickleball Club and in the AP Art Club. She is also a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at school. She serves as a youth leader at her church, Valley Christian Fellowship, and is a leader in the Paradigm Youth Group.

As far as what Marid’s future plans are concerned, she says the college she will be attending will have to be near a body of water.

“I’m not too sure about my major yet, but I want to attend a college in San Diego or South Carolina, somewhere by the ocean.

the new Buellton Library’s outdoor spaces, and at Solvang Library, where there was often standing room only. The program concluded with a brand-new event in Goleta — a Silent Disco, where children ages 6-12 danced to their preferred music playlist through special wireless headphones! Overall, a total of 13 free community events were held, and 2,137 patrons of all ages gathered to learn, engage, and delight in these interactive performances. The program would not have been such a success without the efforts of dozens of hardworking teen volunteers, who supported staff in essential ways: covering shifts at special events, awarding prizes as participants reported on their reading, and helping to take photos and inter -

“I’m looking forward to actually being Danish Maid because I’ve grown up watching the other Danish Maids and have looked up to them, and it’s my turn to step into their shoes and also my family’s long-time tradition,” said Madrid. “I hope everyone gets to experience Danish Days to its fullest this September. I’m grateful for my family for upholding the original concept of Danish Days, and that is to have fun together and enjoy a sense of community.”

More information about Solvang Danish Days, including a brief history of the event, the updated 2025 schedule and details, parade applications, and contact information, is or will be available at www. SolvangDanishDays.org. Solvang Danish Days is also on Facebook and Instagram at facebook.com/ SolvangDanishDays and @DanishDays.

act with families during performances. Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries also wish to thank the many local sponsors whose generous donations of reading incentives helped participants meet and exceed their reading goals for the summer. Lastly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Buellton Library, and Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley, whose incredible support funded prize incentives and special events throughout the program.

Planning for the 2026 Summer Reading Program is already underway – the libraries invite all for more literary fun next year!

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 9 A.M.

123 East Anapamu Street, Room 17, Santa Barbara

For more info: countyofsb.org

MONDAY, AUG. 11

SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30

P.M.

At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang

For more info: cityofsolvang.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 9 A.M.

Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria For more info: countyofsb.org

LOS OLIVOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M.

Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos

For more info: losolivoscsd.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 14

BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.

At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton

For more info: cityofbuellton.com

TUESDAY, 1UG.19

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M. County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara For more info: countyofsb.org

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION

HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD, 5:30 P.M.

Board Room, Administration Office, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, 2975 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: www.syvuhsd.org

TUESDAY, JULY 15

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M. County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

CALENDAR

For more info: countyofsb.org

EVENTS

THROUGH SATURDAY, AUG.23

PCPA'S "SOMETHING ROTTEN," 8 P.M.

Embark on a riotous journey as two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, aim to pen the world’s first musical and just maybe outshine the Renaissance rockstar known as the bard.

But along the way, the Bottom Brothers realize that stardom ultimately requires kicking up their heels and being true to thine own self.

Something Rotten blends sixteenth-century Shakespearean wit with twenty-first-century Broadway flair in this uproariously entertaining romp. Shows run Wednesday through Sunday through Saturday, Aug. 23, with prices starting at $25. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang

For tickets/more info: pcpa.org/shows/SATURD5

SUNDAY, AUG. 10

DOCTOR WU (A STEELY DAN COVER BAND), 2:30 P.M.

Doctor Wu shows consist of fan-favorite Steely Dan blockbuster hits, their groovy lyric-driven songs as well as full album shows. Every song is handled with wicked attention to detail — from the slick vocal harmonies, edgy jazz/rock rhythm grooves and searing guitar leads, to the infamous Wu horn section. Wu recreates the textures and believability of Steely Dan’s music.

At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang

For tickets/more info: solvangtheaterfest. org/show-details/doctorwu

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13

SOLVANG SENIOR CENTER DEATH

CAFE, 1:30 TO 3 P.M.

A safe and casual place to share our views and experiences about death. We aim to see death as an integral part of the life cycle. This is a discussion group and not a bereavement support group.

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Our objective is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives."

At Solvang Senior Center/Legion Wing, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: solvangseniorcenter.org, death-

cafe.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 16

WAGS AND RICHES, 12 TO 4 P.M.

Join us for the second annual Wags to Riches, a heartwarming community event benefiting the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG!

Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon featuring: Live broadcasting by Krazy Country, a fashion show featuring adoptable dogs, unique finds from local vendors, and an exciting raffle with all proceeds going directly to support The Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG

Bring your friends, family, and furry companions — and help make a difference in the lives of local pets.

At Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info:

ONGOING

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS STORYTIME AT SOLVANG LIBRARY, 10:30 A.M., TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

Join us indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library

At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang

For more info: Solvang Library (805) 688-4214

WEDNESDAYS

SOLVANG MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES

The Solvang Chamber of Commerce offers Music in the Park, its free, annual summer concert series at Solvang Park. During the Wednesday concerts throughout the summer, you can bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and baskets with food you’ve prepared, or enjoy a tasty meal from a Solvang restaurant nearby.

Aug. 6: Nataly Lola & Ghost/Monster —

Nataly Lola, appearing with her band Ghost/ Monster, is an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and independent recording artist from the Central Coast. Known for her warm, eclectic style and unmistakable voice, she has become a cherished presence in the region’s music scene.

Aug. 13: Out of the Blue — OutOfTheBlue has been bringing Classic Rock 'n' Roll to the

Santa Barbara and Ventura area for the past 10 years. Known for their musicianship and stage presence, they will take you on a trip back in time as they play songs from the '60s to '80s. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

SOLVANG FARMERS MARKET, 2:30 TO 6 P.M.

Each week, the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Join us in downtown Solvang every Wednesday on First Street, between Mission Drive (Highway 246) and Copenhagen Drive.

WINE WEDNESDAYS IN BUELLTON, 4 TO 8 P.M.

Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music, and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there!

At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton

For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com

SPORTS AND RECREATION

DROP-IN ADULT BASKETBALL, YEAR ROUND, MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 6 TO 7:15 A.M.

Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

BALLROOM

DANCING, ONGOING, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 6 TO 8 P.M.

Have you ever wanted to learn to dance ballroom or just brush up on your skills? Join Instructors David and Jo for an evening of fun. No partner needed and drop-ins are welcome! Adults only. Held in Room B.

At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton

AEROBIC TAP FOR SENIORS, MONDAY'S 10 TO 11 A.M.

Tap dance to Broadway show tunes and get a great aerobic workout. Bring your tap shoes and level of experience! Each 75-minute class will include a preview, warm-up, aerobic workout and cool down. Held in Room A.

FOR INFO ON THESE AND OTHER PROGRAMS, GO TO BUELLTONREC.COM