COVER STORY —Preserving History while Building a Future If old houses could talk, they might tell of family dinners, lonely spells, or maybe the pleasures of a fresh coat of paint. Inanimate, yet imbued with the spirit of those who have lived in them, these grande dames grace local neighborhoods with their rich histories and [...]
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 [...]
COVER STORY Richard and June Christensen The lucky individuals who live in the Santa Ynez Valley share a profound kinship with the land and a strong bond with their community. From the Danes who founded Solvang in 1911 to locals helping a neighbor in need, the people of the Valley have always taken care of each [...]
COVER STORY —Henning Sorensen and his daughter Susie have celebrated Danish foods and traditions in their family restaurant for 45 years. A century ago, Danish immigrants founded Solvang on a windswept plain they dubbed “sunny fields.” Within a year, they had erected a hotel, store, barn, two houses and, serving as the symbolic heart of [...]
A handsome couple celebrating 63 years of marriage, Gay and Owen Johnston have made their home in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than three decades. Bearing a friendly demeanor common among long-time locals, the pair embraces a venerable Valley ethic that celebrates both community service and respect for the land. Residing on a remote [...]
A dramatic land of rolling hills, shifting light and affable communities, the Santa Ynez Valley breeds intense loyalty in its native sons and daughters. For winemaker Mike Carhartt, who spent his formative years roping cattle and riding horseback on his family’s Alamo Pintado ranch, the place represents not just a glorious spot on the map [...]
COVER STORY Life as an international motorcycle racer. Whether riding a motorcycle or cranking the pedals of a mountain bike, Quinn Cody prefers his forward motion at a high rate of speed. Tall and athletic, he has parlayed a zest for confronting danger along dusty desert tracks into a colorful career as a motorcycle racer. [...]
Determined and confident, Alicia and P.J. Guglielmo have seized self-employment firmly by the handlebars and started three new businesses in the last six years. Though one of their enterprises has since closed, the other two promise to serve the young couple, their Santa Ynez Valley clients and maybe even the world for many years to [...]
The Danes who founded Solvang in 1910 reshaped the landscape with their architecture and social institutions. While their windmills and quaint shops continue to draw visitors and serve residents nearly a century later, it’s not only the cityscape that commands passionate allegiance, but the town’s pastries, those irresistible confections that perfume the air with cinnamon, [...]
Thirty-odd years ago, the Santa Maria Wine and Food Society welcomed new member Louis Lucas, a grape grower who was about to jump-start Santa Barbara County’s viticultural scene. Over a meal and several glasses of wine, Lucas chatted with Royce Lewellen, a Solvang judge with a penchant for community service, and the pair launched what would [...]
