Note: Though we’ve printed quarterly issues since 1999, we’ve digitized from the current issue back to Spring 2008. Older issues have not been digitized for display on our site.
Valley Oak Industries
BUSINESS PROFILE Hidden in plain site at the corner of Highway 246 and Edison Street, Valley Oak Industries has been serving local contractors and homebuilders for 26 years. Often referred to simply as Valley Oak, the family-owned business specializes in handcrafted products for both residential and commercial construction projects. Valley Oak comprises a complex of… Continue Reading
Valley Sweets
Business Profile Three young mothers take their successful sweets business to downtown Solvang By their own admission, Tracy Angel, Claudia Contreras, and Shannyn Tupper tend to go a little cupcake crazy when it comes to their children’s birthday parties. Sometimes, however, crazy is a good thing — especially when it leads to a thriving business.… Continue Reading
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
On a shady lane in Buellton, a family-owned brewery brings a new wave of stylish beers and convivial fun to the Santa Ynez Valley. Called Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, it offers handcrafted brews, savory snacks served in a cozy pub and a customized brewing system complete with ringside seats. Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer, the brewery’s founding father-and-son… Continue Reading
From Figueroa Mountain
Ladybeetles As we head into spring here on Figueroa Mountain, one beetle that is very popular is the ladybug. In the winter we have always had them in big numbers by the creek off Davy Brown Trail, at the headwaters along Bierbent Creek, and in the canyon behind our corrals. The word ladybug is a… Continue Reading
Kirsten Pedersen
“She was born confident in life” Born in Aalborg, Denmark in 1930, Kirsten lived a comfortable life in the country until World War II when her father moved the family to Copenhagen. Kirsten’s sister, Inger Blondel, says the war changed their lives forever. “I never understood how Kirsten could be so confident after all the… Continue Reading
Building Early Solvang
The first decade of Danish-American settlement in Solvang resulted in an unusual blend of architecture. Unlike the Danish bindingsværk (half-timber) and steep, copper roofs seen in the town today, early Solvang architecture had no outward appearance of Danish style. Within the privacy of the community, Solvang represented a haven for the preservation of Danish culture,… Continue Reading
Alyssa Price THE MONSTROSITY
Alyssa Price’s film, The Monstrosity, may be short, but it has a long reach — all the way back to junior high school. Anyone who has experienced those harrowing days will find a kindred spirit in Milly, a sweet thing who just wants to survive the bus ride to her first day at George Adams… Continue Reading
Midland
Founder Paul Squibb instituted a “needs not wants” policy in 1932 and the phrase became a core philosophy for the school, proving its worth to generations of students. Natural wonderland. Working ranch. College preparatory school. Rarely mentioned in a single sentence, much less united in a dynamic enterprise, these terms accurately describe a venerable institution… Continue Reading
House of Treasures
All proceeds support the SYV Humane Society. Every time a baby is born in the U.S., four puppies and kittens also enter the world, many of them homeless. Lost in the cities and wandering the streets, their plight moved a group of Santa Ynez Valley residents to found the Humane Society in the early 1970s.… Continue Reading
Champions: a Cause for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Specifically bred as companion dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels arrived in the United States from Britain in 1952, capturing hearts with their soft brown eyes and sweet nature. Over the last 10 years, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have posted a 400% increase in American Kennel Club (AKC) registrations and currently rate as the club’s… Continue Reading