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.
The Storks of Solvang
The next time you find yourself in the village of Solvang, look up. “Nesting” on rooftops of many of the Danish-style buildings that line downtown Solvang’s main streets are placid wooden storks, life-size replicas of the European White Stork. Why are they “roosting” up there? They’re bringing good luck! In Denmark the long-legged birds—which make… Continue Reading
Santa Ynez Valley Weddings
Planning a wedding? The Santa Ynez Valley is Loaded with Lovely Locations! — Drawn by its scenic beauty and friendly communities, happy couples planning their nuptials naturally gravitate to Santa Barbara County. Whether seeking a storybook location loaded with country charm, a spot with forever views or a venue boasting all the amenities, they’ll find just… Continue Reading
From Figueroa Mountain – First wildflowers of the new year
Before we know it January will be here and the new wildflowers will be coming up. For 2011 I would like to focus on two plants, one being the Hummingbird Sage (Salvia Spathacea) and the other the Fuchsia-Flowered Gooseberry, (Ribes Speciosum). Both of these plants are drought-toleratant and attract hummingbirds. The Hummingbird Sage is a… Continue Reading
The Williams Ranch
Cover Story — Despite acres of vineyards and clusters of houses, the Santa Ynez Valley still bears telltale signs of cattle country. Hay-spattered pickup trucks dominate the byways, “Beef” bumper stickers abound and conversations often run to breeding, branding and the price of feed. Nancy Williams and her son Jerry are third and fourth generation cattle… Continue Reading
Cachuma Lake Nature Center
Naturalist Neal Taylor remembers it well. A busload of school children had come to visit the Nature Center at Lake Cachuma. They gathered in a group, and one of the children picked up an object he saw lying on the ground. He approached Taylor. “What’s this?” he asked, holding out his hand. “Why, everyone knows… Continue Reading
From Figueroa Mountain
As the summer months speed by, I have been spending some time around our pond, cutting down weeds and observing the insects that fly in and around the habitat. Around here the prettiest insects we see is the blue damselfly; we spot them near streams and ponds. It has an oblong head with bulging eyes… Continue Reading
Los Alamos Depot Antique Mall & Wine Pub
Business Profile — An innovative emporium of treasures and treats, the Los Alamos Depot Antique Mall & Wine Pub offers more than 20,000 square feet of furnishings and collectibles. Located in the Pacific Railway’s last surviving depot—three vast rooms built in 1882—the mall boasts a wildly varied inventory ranging from fine glassware and pottery, to movie… Continue Reading
Limotta IT — Virtualization and public and private cloud creation is what’s happening in 2010
Business Profile — Computer technology services have come a long way since the days when users called for help when something went wrong and paid technicians an hourly fee. Mike Limotta, owner of Limotta Internet Technologies, aptly refers to this type of service as the “break/fix model.” The break/fix model evolved into cash retainers for on-call… Continue Reading
MANNY’S a Valley Classic Reborn
Business Profile — Originally located in a quiet corner at the end of Atterdag Road, Manny’s Mexican Restaurant first opened in Solvang in 1989. A family affair, the restaurant was run by Manuel Tovalin Sr., with help from his wife and five children. It was famed as a friendly place where staffers often greeted customers by… Continue Reading
WAXING POETIC
Business Profile — Boasting a fine arts degree and a career path that has taken her from a New Jersey bead store to Hollywood film sets, Patti Pagliei Simpson makes heirloom-quality jewelry to be worn, treasured and collected. Handcrafted from mixed metals and a variety of antique-inspired fabrications, each piece tells a story of spiritual, sentimental… Continue Reading