Santa Ynez Valley Star

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SYV Presbyterian Church hosting annual Nativity Pageant Dec. 14 show will feature live animals for petting, as well as m...
11/26/2025

SYV Presbyterian Church hosting annual Nativity Pageant

Dec. 14 show will feature live animals for petting, as well as multiple musical performances

Once again, the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church will be hosting the annual Nativity Pageant. Autumn Van der Linden will be directing the event, which will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14, beginning at 4 p.m., featuring live animals for petting, courtesy of Seein’ Spots Farm, along with animals from members of the 4-H Club, coordinated by Debbie Jones. Coffee will be provided by Holy Grounds, followed at 5 p.m. with the Nativity Pageant, which will be held in the Sanctuary.

C.J. Jackson will return as narrator with Sean and Melissa Diggins as Mary and Joseph.

“This year I’m hoping to have the cast members interacting more with the audience,” said Van der Linden. “We will also have Christmas music playing outside for atmosphere and some Bethlehem backdrops for those who would like to take a Christmas photo.”

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/syv-presbyterian-church-hosting-annual-nativity-pageant/

Dec. 14 show will feature live animals for petting, as well as multiple musical performances

A hepato-centric view of diabetesA new lens from modern acupuncture medicineGOOD MEDICINE: By Dr. Hyun K. LeeFor decades...
11/26/2025

A hepato-centric view of diabetes

A new lens from modern acupuncture medicine

GOOD MEDICINE: By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

For decades, modern medicine has approached diabetes primarily through the lens of pancreatic dysfunction — a problem of insulin deficiency or resistance. This view has shaped nearly all therapeutic strategies: insulin injections, glucose-lowering drugs, and dietary restrictions designed to control blood sugar by compensating for the pancreas.

Yet, this narrow focus has obscured a deeper truth: the liver plays an equally vital, if not greater, role in glucose regulation. The liver governs how glucose is produced, stored, and released. It is also the body’s main site of protein synthesis, including the enzymes that convert glucose into glycogen for muscular storage. When hepatic protein synthesis declines — whether from aging, inflammation, or nutritional imbalance — the muscles lose their ability to store glucose effectively. The result is persistent hyperglycemia, even when insulin is present and functioning.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/a-hepato-centric-view-of-diabetes/

A new lens from modern acupuncture medicine

Solvang Julefest adding nightly snowfall and more events More than monthlong holiday celebration starting on Nov. 28Solv...
11/25/2025

Solvang Julefest adding nightly snowfall and more events

More than monthlong holiday celebration starting on Nov. 28

Solvang has announced new facets to its annual holiday celebration, Julefest, the magical time of year when Solvang’s charm reaches peak heights. The 2025-26 edition of Solvang Julefest returns to the Santa Ynez Valley wine country destination on Friday, Nov. 28, uns through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The celebration will once again include multiple holiday-themed happenings all located within the town.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/solvang-julefest-adding-nightly-snowfall-and-more-events/

More than monthlong holiday celebration starting on Nov. 28

Pirates football suffers home loss in first round of CIF Central Section playoffs Pirates girls tennis doubles team adva...
11/25/2025

Pirates football suffers home loss in first round of CIF Central Section playoffs

Pirates girls tennis doubles team advances to CIF Individual Tournament, while SYHS girls water polo is eliminated by CIF division’s top seed

On Friday, Nov. 7, the Santa Ynez High football team got to do something it hadn’t done in 15 years — host a CIF playoff game as the Pirates took on the Dos Palos Broncos of the West Sierra League in the Central Valley in a Central Section Division IV game at Rio Memorial Field.

However, the contest would end up being the end of the season for the No. 6-seeded Pirates as they fell to the 11th-seeded Broncos 14-0. The loss not only meant elimination for SYHS, but was the first time since 2019 the Pirates had been shut out in a game.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/pirates-football-suffers-home-loss-in-first-round-of-cif-central-section-playoffs/

Pirates girls tennis doubles team advances to CIF Individual Tournament, while SYHS girls water polo is eliminated by CIF division’s top seed

Brooke Phelan named SYV Elks Lodge Student of the Month for October SYHS senior on the right ‘track’ for academics and a...
11/25/2025

Brooke Phelan named SYV Elks Lodge Student of the Month for October

SYHS senior on the right ‘track’ for academics and athletics

Brooke Phelan, a senior at Santa Ynez High School has been named The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge Student of the Month for October, chosen by the school’s office staff and administration.

Whether she’s on the road or track, in the classroom, or volunteering in the community, Brooke is an outstanding student-athlete whose dedication, determination, and strong sense of integrity shine through everything she does.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/brooke-phelan-named-syv-elks-lodge-student-of-the-month-for-october/

SYHS senior on the right ‘track’ for academics and athletics

Lucky Clover 4-H: Raising the leaders of Santa Ynez Valley Youth organization has evolved from ag institution to group t...
11/25/2025

Lucky Clover 4-H: Raising the leaders of Santa Ynez Valley

Youth organization has evolved from ag institution to group that develops numerous paths for kids’ and teens’ development

By Hadleigh Bolton: President of Lucky Clover 4-H

Since 1902, 4-H has been fostering growth in kids and teens all across America.

Although the organization started out as an agricultural institution, 4-H has shifted to reflect the diverse interests of young people and to explore other paths for youth development.

Here in Los Olivos, Lucky Clover 4-H is dedicated to raising the leaders of the Santa Ynez Valley. Projects offered in the 2025-26 year include beef, swine, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and public speaking, but one of 4-H’s many advantages is that enough interested members can create a new project to add to the list.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/lucky-clover-4-h-raising-the-leaders-of-santa-ynez-valley/

Youth organization has evolved from ag institution to group that develops numerous paths for kids’ and teens’ development

Solvang City Council votes to increase financial pledge for aquatic center Future outlay for project increased to $500,0...
11/24/2025

Solvang City Council votes to increase financial pledge for aquatic center

Future outlay for project increased to $500,000 after a push from Buellton City Council

Eleven days after the Buellton City Council offered to increase its financial pledge to the Santa Ynez Valley aquatic center project from $450,000 to $500,000 — but only if Solvang agreed to do the same — the Solvang City Council voted to meet that challenge during its Nov. 10 regular meeting.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/solvang-city-council-votes-to-increase-financial-pledge-for-aquatic-center/

Future outlay for project increased to $500,000 after a push from Buellton City Council

Those who served: Veterans Day celebrated in Solvang ceremonyKeynote speaker lauds veterans, servicemembers who've done ...
11/24/2025

Those who served: Veterans Day celebrated in Solvang ceremony

Keynote speaker lauds veterans, servicemembers who've done their duty in times of war and peace

The Veterans Day holiday was commemorated in the Santa Ynez Valley this month, with multiple events to honor the people who have served in the armed forces.

A week of celebration culminated in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony held at the aptly named Solvang Veterans Hall on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/those-who-served-veterans-day-celebrated-in-solvang-ceremony/

Keynote speaker lauds veterans, servicemembers who've done their duty in times of war and peace

Residents, visitors live it up at Buellton’s Fall Fest Food, carnival thrills, fun and lots of music as the yearly event...
11/22/2025

Residents, visitors live it up at Buellton’s Fall Fest

Food, carnival thrills, fun and lots of music as the yearly event goes into a fifth year

The fifth annual Buellton Fall Festival returned to the Avenue of the Flags in Buellton the weekend of Nov. 7-9, turning the area north of 246 and west of 101 into a three-day event that was a music festival, street fair, shopping bazaar, and a “restaurant row” all in one.

And according to Buellton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Vreeland, it was the most successful one yet.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/residents-visitors-live-it-up-at-buelltons-fall-fest/

Food, carnival thrills, fun and lots of music as the yearly event goes into a fifth year

Solvang Theaterfest has announced that their final concert of the 2025 season, One Night of Queen, will be moving indoor...
11/14/2025

Solvang Theaterfest has announced that their final concert of the 2025 season, One Night of Queen, will be moving indoors to the Samala Showroom at Chumash Casino Resort on Friday, Nov. 14, due to weather concerns.

Staff Report

SYHS Drama Department presents another fall classic with ‘Emma’Students, with plenty of help from volunteers, to perform...
11/08/2025

SYHS Drama Department presents another fall classic with ‘Emma’

Students, with plenty of help from volunteers, to perform show this month to mark author Jane Austen’s 250th birthday

The Santa Ynez High School Drama Department, led by drama teacher Amy Curti, has had the custom of using its fall production to perform a classic play based on a novel, such as last year’s “Little Women.” This year, Curti had decided to mark the 250th birthday of the esteemed English author Jane Austen by putting on a dramatization of Austen’s classic novel “Emma.”

“Because it was Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, it felt appropriate to do this play,” said Curti, who is in her second year as the drama teacher at SYHS. “I know St. Joseph is doing ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and other high schools are doing Austen plays because of the milestone.”

Curti, the student cast members, and volunteer stagehands are currently hard at work on the production, which will culminate in performances on four straight days from Nov. 13-16.

Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com

https://santaynezvalleystar.com/syhs-drama-department-presents-another-fall-classic-with-emma/

Students, with plenty of help from volunteers, to perform show this month to mark author Jane Austen’s 250th birthday

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The Santa Ynez Valley Star was created in February of 2016 by Santa Ynez Valley local Raiza Giorgi. She created the Star as a way to tell the stories that matter to the area and promote the valley with advertising that compliments the ethos of the publication. The Star tells the story behind the story, and welcomes anyone who has an idea to share or wants to try writing themselves.

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