Last year’s rainy winter proved to be an exciting time for mushrooms. Instead of wildflowers, mushrooms became my passion. Armed with a few books, I set out to identify the different kinds of mushrooms and took numerous pictures. I soon found that Sunset Valley in Davy Brown was an excellent place to find mushrooms—very large [...]
Business Profile — The Santa Ynez Valley, long known for its outstanding vineyards and stellar wines, is also gaining a well-deserved reputation as a destination for fine food. Contributing to that sensibility is Fresco Valley Café, which has been open in Solvang for just over a year and brings to the Valley the same menu—and [...]
PROFILE— 60 cases of a specially brewed gold label black ale was made to honor the occasion. The bet that father and son owners Jaime and Jim Dietenhofer made when opening Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company a year ago has paid off. A few months ago they added three 30-barrel stainless-steel tanks, tripling the capacity they [...]
As we look ahead to the new year, we must not forget about our four-legged companions, especially those moving closer to their senior years. Don’t think of those years as a sad time, but rather a time to cherish our pets as wise and loyal members of the family. Some things to consider that will [...]
COVER STORY —Solvang’s Danish-American generations in 2011 Often described as more Danish than Denmark, Solvang retains the flavor of its founders’ culture a full century after its inception. Graceful windmills, Old World architecture, and the aromatic drift of Danish foods— from meaty frikadeller to fresh pastries—serves as a reminder of the town’s origins and enduring [...]
Business Profile —Taking a cue straight from the horse’s mouth, the Herthel family of Los Olivos transformed a strictly equine enterprise into one that benefits bipedal patients as well. From their world-renowned veterinary practice, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, the Herthels launched a line of products that improve the health of pets and their people, [...]
Business Profile —Man (and woman, of course) does not live by bread alone, as the saying goes, and Patti Wicks takes those words seriously. She is the Patti behind Pattibakes, a Valley bakery known for its spectacular cakes and cupcakes— and muffins, and tarts, and coffee cakes, and cinnamon rolls and cookies and pies and [...]
Business Profile Purveyors of Fine Woodworking When Matt Leonard founded his general construction company nearly a decade ago, he brainstormed a name that would describe the services he offered. Wisely, he selected Leonard Custom Works, Purveyors of Fine Woodworking, an ideal choice for a business that provides everything from basic framing to elegant furniture. Leonard [...]
With the holidays fast approaching, we’ll need to take a bit of extra time to make sure our homes are pet safe and friendly. It’s easy to forget that our pets can get into tricky situations when it comes to Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. If we take a moment to plan ahead we can reduce [...]
The California Turkey Vulture Returning home one evening I noticed a dead pine tree with several large black “lumps.” As I drove closer, I realized the “lumps” were actually several roosting turkey vultures. I thought they’d make an interesting photo, so as soon as I got home I grabbed my camera and drove right back [...]
