Laurie Jervis

2 weeks ago | noozhawk.com | Laurie Jervis

Ramon and Sandra Guerrero met at a Santa Barbara school dance as teenagers. Upon his graduation, Ramon left to attend Carleton College in Minnesota, but Sandra remained behind. She had a secret power, however: Her grandmother, named Amada (“beloved” in Spanish), taught Sandra to make homemade pastries to send to Ramon while he was away. “My grandmother kept us together,” she said.

1 month ago | noozhawk.com | Laurie Jervis

Longtime writer and Solvang resident Jamie Baker pranked nearly all Santa Ynez Valley residents for two years with an Instagram account called “The Pretentious Boar & Ale House” — a restaurant that truly exists only within the pages of his new novel, “You Ate It.”Baker’s new book focuses on a 15-year-old boy, Michael, who comes up with an idea that changes the world.

1 month ago | ediblesantabarbara.com | Laurie Jervis

Imagine gathering weekly with friends and neighbors in the Sunday morning sun. There’s a common thread; most guests are there to buy farm-fresh produce, baked goods or a healthy juice. A curly-haired woman greets repeat and new visitors, answering questions and pointing the way to specific vendors. That friendly woman is Shelby Wild, a native of the Lompoc Valley, and the founder and executive director of the Route One Farmers Market, held weekly in Vandenberg Village.

1 month ago | noozhawk.com | Laurie Jervis

On a wind-whipped April 1, Chef Michael Cherney and his wife, Sarah, their children, and about 125 friends and colleagues celebrated the five-year anniversary of the family’s Solvang restaurant, peasants FEAST, with an afternoon block party on a section of Copenhagen Drive. The family-friendly event attracted many young families and several chef friends of the couple, who opened their eatery just two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses in 2000.

2 months ago | noozhawk.com | Laurie Jervis

Adam McHugh’s crusade to raise funds toward publishing an illustrated children’s book featuring one of Solvang’s forefathers turned into reality when donations surpassed the $14,250 goal by its April 12 deadline. “Ferd and the Magic Hat: A Solvang Christmas Story” is a whimsical holiday story for various generations, and celebrates the community and the heritage of Solvang.