Since 2015, Solvang’s law enforcement costs have doubled, increasing from about $1.5 million to $3.4 million. “That’s 107 percent increase over the last 10 years for the same baseline services,” Assistant City Manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal told the Solvang City Council during its May 26 meeting. “Over that same time, the city has experienced consistent concerns […]
Solvang
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Maverick Saloon hosts Pride-themed karaoke nights for the fifth year in a row
Calling all singersPut yourself out there at the Maverick Saloon during gayraoke on Tuesday nights in June at 8 p.m. located at 3687 Sagunto St. in Santa Ynez. Follow karaoke DJ Sam Silva on Instagram @samcrazypants. For more information about Santa Ynez Valley Pride activities, visit syvpride.org or check out @syv.pride on Instagram. Standing in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Celebrate Pride Prom in Buellton
Disco. Glitz. Grunge. Y2K. It’s Pride Prom Through the Ages. The Tavern at Zaca Creek in Buellton will host the event on June 12, which benefits Santa Ynez Valley Pride and House of Pride and Equality. Pride Prom is meant to give members of the LGBTQ-plus community a safe space to show up as their […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Los Padres ForestWatch hosts a dinner that connects people with the land
Save a seatBuy tickets to The Wilderness Table by visiting forestwatch.org. The June 7 dinner runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at Larner Vineyard (955 Ballard Canyon Road in Solvang). For more on the food and beverage providers, visit larnerwine.com, rock12distillery.com, and highonthehogcatering.com. One summer evening, 50 strangers will have the luxury of breaking bread […]
Posted inNews
Solvang bans public urination, defecation
Constant giggling bled into the Solvang City Council’s discussion of a recent incident that inspired officials to formally ban public urination and defecation within city limits. A sighting of the latter specifically prompted the legislation, City Manager Randy Murphy explained. “I don’t think ‘number one’ was the issue here,” Murphy said at the council’s May […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Four artists dive into the deep for a CalNAM show
Paddle on over to the California Nature Art Museum for an exhibit under the sea. It’s hanging at the museum until July 20. Four artists contributed work celebrating the dynamic ecosystems that are touched by the saltwater spray. Ocean Forests: Our Coastal Communities highlights giant kelp, the largest marine plant on the planet. Each stalk […]
Posted inNews
Phone app controversy inspires changes to Solvang’s ethics code
Skateboard pro Robby Hargreaves’ 60 seconds of airtime at a Solvang City Council meeting in February prompted city officials to take a multi-month deep dive into a cellphone app developed by Mayor David Brown. The local owner of Solvang Skate Shop approached the public comment podium that night to ask about a new scavenger hunt-style […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Experience the work of a Danish violinist in Solvang
Musician and composer Mads Tolling will show off all that a violin can do on the Elverhoj Museum’s patio. The May 9 performance starts at 7 p.m. in Solvang, and doors open half an hour prior. The two-time Grammy award winner is originally from Copenhagen, Denmark. Tolling was part of The Turtle Island Quartet and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Brick and Builds Festival returns to Solvang
What better place to celebrate the Danish-made toys, Legos, than in the Danish Capital of America? On April 18 and 19 festivalgoers have the opportunity to watch builders use their imaginations to create wonderous scenes out of the small, colorful bricks. “This immersive weekend celebration brings together professional builders, Lego Master Builders, and brick enthusiasts […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Ynez Valley Community Theater presents Annie
Cast and crew members of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Theater will bring Annie to life at the Solvang Festival Theater on April 17 and 18. See their months of hard work in action during the musical’s two-night run, supported by Buellton’s Arts and Culture Committee. “This is more than just a play—it’s a celebration […]
Posted inNews
Solvang debates perceived conflicts about a new phone app
Before stepping out of the Solvang City Council’s March 23 meeting, Mayor David Brown playfully handed his gavel to Councilmember Louise Smith. “We’re going to need it,” Smith joked, followed by some laughs on the dais, including from Brown. As the council’s mayor pro tem, Smith didn’t resort to gavel-slamming at the hearing—which Brown recused […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CalNAM’s newest nature-focused exhibit in Solvang
The next time you’re strolling the streets of Solvang, take a pause to enjoy a gallery of art that celebrates the local environment. A juried exhibit called When the Earth Whispers Back: Nature’s Hope is up at California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) through Sept. 6. “This exhibition will center on plant and animal species that […]
