September 2015

Annual Member BBQ

Thank You Everyone!

Everyone had a great time at our Annual Membership BBQ! It took many hands (and organizations) to pull it all together.

Photo Courtesy of Tenley Fohl Photography

Special thanks to:

Allan Hancock College (tables, chairs, pop-ups, BBQ expertise).
Waste Management (loan and delivery of the BBQ and trash service).
Aramar via Hotel Corque (table linens).
El Rancho Market
Nielsens Market
Eco Wine Furniture
A multitude of wineries (for donating wine for imbibing and our silent auction).
Frederik's Court (and fellow tenants).
The Good Life (bartending and securing beer and wine--and many other things).
The Wildling Museum (misc. supplies).
Social Buzz SYV (kids activities and prizes).
Raffle Donors: (PCPA, Wildling Museum, Tower Pizza, Horseman's Hangout).
Tenley Fohl Photography and Valley Ace Hardware (for table centerpieces).
Blues Bob (for our great music).

Welcome New Members!

Lost Point Winery

Lost Point Winery has opened a quaint tasting room

on the second floor of the historic windmill at 436 Alisal. For 20 years Christian has been quietly making award-winning wines from Santa Barbara County and says he couldn't pass up the opportunity when he saw the windmill location. The winery makes small-production Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Pinot and most importantly eclectic amazing red blends. Lost Point Winery & Tasting Room is open Wed-Sun 12-6PM and has a nice patio with sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Solvang

Danish Days

Is Almost Here!

Sept. 18th-20th

One of the best things about September in the Santa Ynez Valley is Solvang Danish Days! Mark your calendar for Friday, Sept 18 - Sunday, Sept 20th! Click through to their great website to get all the details! www.solvangdanishdays.org

Welcome to
Solvang's

Sixth Annual
Scarecrow Fest

& Contest!

Oct 9 - Nov 9

Let's Get Creative!

We want the BEST Scarecrow in the Valley

to be from Solvang!

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE

Solvang Scarecrow Fest

Participation Form

Contest Details: Scarecrows will be judged by locals, tourists and other merchants. Ballots will be available at the Solvang Visitors Centers and at select merchants. There will be a map on the back of the Ballot to direct voters to your Scarecrow, ballots can be dropped off in designated Ballot Boxes throughout Solvang.

Scarecrows will be judged by the

public in the following categories:

* Most Danish
* Best Scarecrow in Motion
* Best Use of Recycled Materials
* Spookiest
* Best Use of Business Theme
* Most Humorous

Last year the Scarecrow Fest reached over 300,000 people on Facebook, received nationwide publicity and brought many visitors to Solvang. Get in the spirit, help make Solvang look festive and give people one more reason to visit our wonderful town.

Scarecrow Judging: The Best Solvang Scarecrow will

be selected by a panel of judges. The Best Scarecrow from Solvang will be entered into a competition with the winners from Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez to determine the Valley's Best Scarecrow. The winner will get to keep the amazing handcrafted trophy to display in their town until next year!

Rules:

* Scarecrows must not impede pedestrian traffic and

should complement your storefront area

* Scarecrows may be kept inside or outside. You may bring them into your store when you are not open.

* Scarecrows should have a positive theme

* No ballot stuffing!

Remember These Dates:

Last day to get your scarecrow on the map and ballot - September 15, 2015
First day to display Scarecrows

October 6, 2015
Ballots distributed and voting starts

October 9, 2015
Voting Ends and Scarecrows taken down

November 9, 2015

The Scarecrow Fest is designed to bring

people to your business! Don't Miss Out!

Any questions e-mail Marisa Yott

Solvang Scarecrow Fest coordinator

at: SYVScarecrowFest@gmail.com

or call the Solvang Chamber of Commerce

at: (805) 688-0701

Attention Car Free Partners:

On September 12 Enjoy a

Free Round-Trip Ride!

Limited Seating -

Please Call for Reservations!!

How many times have you heard . . . "How do I get to the Santa Ynez Valley without a car? The car free, public transportation answer is the new Clean Air Express Saturday Service!

WHO:

You and your front-line, visitor-serving staff are invited to a FREE round-trip ride on the Clean Air Express Saturday Service, providing public transportation to explore Solvang, Buellton, and Los Olivos.

WHAT:

On September 12, you'll enjoy a FREE round-trip along with refreshments on board, maps, coupons for wine tasting and dining, shopping, attraction & more!
The new Clean Air Express Saturday Service connects Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley The service began July 11 and offers one round trip every Saturday from Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley on charter-style coaches with comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi.

WHEN:

Saturday, September 12, 2015.

Your choice of pick-up/drop off points . . .

Depart Santa Barbara

10:25 a.m. at the La Cumbre Plaza: State Street & South Hope Avenue

10:30 a.m. Midtown: State Street & Alamar Avenue

10:40 am Downtown: Paseo Nuevo Mall/Macy's corner

10:45 a.m. Beach Area: Funk Zone/Train Station/209 State Street

Arrive Santa Ynez Valley

(via Hwy 154/San Marcos Pass)

11:40 a.m. Solvang - Solvang Park (1635 Mission Drive)

11:50 a.m. Buellton - Pea Soup Andersen's, 376 Avenue of Flags

12:05 p.m. Los Olivos - Jonata & Grand Avenues

Depart Santa Ynez Valley

4:00 p.m. Los Olivos - Jonata & Grand Avenues

4:10 p.m. Buellton - 485 Avenue of Flags

4:20 p.m. Solvang - Solvang Park (1639 Mission Drive)

Return to Santa Barbara

(via Hwy 154/San Marcos Pass)

5:00 p.m. La Cumbre Plaza: State Street & South Hope Avenue

5:05 p.m. Midtown: State Street & Alamar Avenue

5:15 p.m. Downtown: Paseo Nuevo Mall/Macy's corner

5:20 p.m. Beach Area: Funk Zone/Train Station/209 State Street

WHY:

Check out this car free transportation option that you can recommend to visitors, friends and family. See for yourself how easy it is to explore the Santa Ynez Valley Car Free on Saturday.

RSVP:

Reservations are required in advance (there's only so many seats on the bus!)-so reply today to APCD/SB Car Free Project's Lyz Hoffman by calling 805-961-8819 or email: HoffmanL@sbcapcd.org

(Lyz is pictured on left above with Tracy Farhad of the Solvang CVB)

FYI:

Clean Air Express Saturday Service costs $7.00 per person each way (pay cash on boarding) and a book of 10 tickets is $50 (in advance). Children ages 2 and under ride free. The charter-style bus has comfy reclining seats and internal bays to bring bicycles for free. More info:

www.santabarbaracarfree.org/weekend-b us-service-to-syv/

This free event on Saturday, 9/12/15 is hosted by SBCAG Traffic Solutions, County of Santa Barbara, Buellton Visitors Bureau, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau and Visit Santa Ynez Valley--and supported by Santa Barbara Car Free, a cooperative partnership founded and led by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District to encourage car free, carefree travel to and around Santa Barbara for cleaner air and a healthier planet. www.SantaBarbaraCarFree.org

In This Issue

Solvang Free Summer Concert Series Every Wednesday Thru August 19

Friday Night Movies In The Park - Final Month

VisitSYV & SBCWines Summer Networking Reception - Mark Your Calendars!

Sixth Annual Scarecrow Fest and Contest Announcement

Enjoy a FREE Round Trip September 12 on the Clean Air Bus. Sign up now, limited space.

Ken Harwood: "Our Quiet High Tech Industry"

Entertainment and Nightlife August Events.

Member News For August

Other Chamber Articles:

Ken Harwood, Economist

SOLVANG CHAMBER OFFICE HOURS

Tues and Wed: 3 pm - 5 pm

Thursday 10 am - 2 pm.

Other hours by

appointment.

Contact Ellen Hall,

Administrative Ass't at:

solvangchamber@solvangcc.com

or 805-688-0701

Upcoming Community

Events Calendar

Every Wednesday

Solvang Farmer's Market

September 7

Planning Commission Meeting

6pm - Council Chambers

September 10

Visit the Santa Ynez Valley/SYVHA

9:00 am- Council Chambers

September 10

BAR Meeting

6 p.m. - Council Chambers

September 14

City Council Meeting

6:30 p.m. - Council Chambers

September 16

Solvang Third Wednesday

September 18-20

Solvang Danish Days
Kick-off in Solvang Park Friday Night - Free Concert Starts at 4pm

September 28

City Council Meeting

6:30pm - Council Chambers

SOLVANG CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE

2015 Board of Directors

Stacey Otte

President

The Wildling Museum

Charles P. Werner
Vice-President

Attorney at Law

Margee Lennard

Secretary

Ruby Ribbon

Daniel A. Johnson

Treasurer

Johnson & Johnson CPAs

Tenley Fohl

Tenley Fohl Photography

Jamie Martinez

The Right Gift

Lisa Mesa

The Good Life Cellar

Claudia Orona

Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor

Dr. Kevin Walthers

Allan Hancock College

Marissa Yott

Social Buzz SYV

Chamber Travel Coordinator

Linda Johansen

Chamber Economist

Dr. Kenneth Harwood

Administrative Assistant

Ellen Hall

Keep Storm Water Clean

TIP OF THE MONTH

Do not blow grass, leaves, and yard clippings into the streets and gutters. These can clog and contaminate the storm drains.

Water Conservation Tip

EVERY DROP COUNTS

Consider developing a Water Management Plan that will provide the foundation for long term water savings for your business. For more information, please visit EPA's Water Sense website at:

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/index.html

or the Santa Barbara County Water Wise website at:

http://waterwisesb.org/business.aspx?id=352

Remember - use it wisely!

For More Information Contact:

City of Solvang Public Works Department

(805) 688-5575

www.cityofsolvang.com

Get Your

Copy!

The Solvang Business & Relocation Guide

is now available on the Solvang Chamber's website. If you have not received a hard copy of the Guide and would like to, please let us know. There are copies available at the Chamber office.

Need a Product or Service but need to SAVE a little CASH?

Check out the Member to Member Discounts on the Chamber website!

Click here

DID YOU KNOW?

Your membership entitles your Business to spread the word about Events, Changes, Milestones, and Accomplishments each month in the Chamber Newsletter!

DEADLINE FOR THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER IS SEPTEMBER 25th! PLEASE SEND ARTICLES AND PHOTOS TO CHAMBER OFFICE: solvangchamber@solvangcc.com

If you want to post a flyer in the newsletter there is a nominal fee of $50 per insertion.

For more information on this important benefit contact the Chamber office: 688-0701

DEADLINE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 25th!

If you or your business have important announcements of any upcoming events or activities that may be important to publish in our Member News or the Entertainment and Nightlife section of the Newsletter... Articles should be no longer than 250-300 words, and are subject to editing based on Newsletter space availability.

...Please submit these announcements and/or images via email to the Chamber office NO LATER THAN the 25th of the preceding month.

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES IN FORMAT LISTED BELOW...

Images should be in either JPG, GIF or PNG format
Articles should be emailed in Word Document format.
PLEASE DO NOT EMBED ARTICLES INSIDE YOUR EMAILS SENT TO THE CHAMBER OFFICE FOR PUBLICATION.

Send to: solvangchamber@solvangcc.com

Shop and Sip at our Seasonal

Third Wednesday "Cash Mob"

Wednesday, September 16!

Every Third Wednesday, year 'round, Solvang hosts its monthly "Solvang Third Wednesday" which features exclusive Third Wednesday deals at local merchants including boutiques of all sorts, restaurants and gourmet food purveyors; the weekly Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market; Solvang Third Wednesday discounts at local hotels; and the best way to take advantage of it all, the popular Solvang Third Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk.

=============================================

The September 16, seasonal Solvang Third Wednesday "Cash Mob" gathering is at 5:45 PM, when "Mobbers" are invited to meet at the Gazebo in Solvang Park (Mission Drive and First Street) each

bearing $10.00 to spend. The "Cash Mob" will then travel together to September's "mystery" location. "Cash Mob" latecomers who miss the 5:45 PM meeting time will be able to find the September 16 "mystery" destination on the Solvang Third Wednesday Facebook page.

Solvang Third Wednesday guests unfamiliar with a "Cash Mob", will learn that it is a gathering of individuals who meet at a certain time and place, with a minimum amount of cash to spend at a local merchant, in order to show appreciation, thanks, and support to a small business. The Solvang Third Wednesday "Cash Mob" is a recurring event, so the "Mob" brings benefits to a variety of Solvang's businesses.

==============================================

Get Together - Meet Friends after work for the

Wine & Beer Walk -- 3pm to 7pm

The monthly Solvang Third Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk for $20 ("cash-only"), which runs 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM every Third Wednesday, includes wine or beer tastings at five venues of participants' choice, a logo glass, and a map to guide tasters to crowd-pleasing Solvang watering holes like Wandering Dog Wine Bar; Sort This Out Cellars; The Good Life, Craft Beer & Wine Cellar; Carivint�s Winery's Tasting Room; Randy's Taproom; the Olive House; Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard's Tasting Room; Dascomb Cellars; Lions Peak Vineyard's Tasting Room; Solvang Brewing Company; Viking Garden Cellars; the Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards and Toccata Tasting Rooms; Royal Oaks Winery; Lucky Dogg Winery; and more.

Tickets, glasses and maps may be purchased at:

The Olive House (1661 Mission Drive)
Wandering Dog Wine Bar (1539-C Mission Drive), and
Sort This Out Cellars (1636 Copenhagen Drive)

===============================================

Get in touch with your crafty side

Jewelry-Making Class at Mie's Beads

Owned by local bead enthusiast, Mie Hartmann

5pm to 7pm ~ 1539-A Mission Drive ~ 805-686-8804

(Go home with a completed project: beaded earrings, a bracelet,

a key ring or a necklace.) Free with purchase of materials.

==================================================

Visit the Wildling Museum - for Free!

located at: 1511-B Mission Drive 805-688-1082

During Solvang Third Wednesday - there is FREE admission
from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM!
Peruse the Museum's current exhibits:
"Legacy and Loss: Landscapes of the Santa Barbara Region";
"Nature in Motion"; and photography exhibit, "Nature's Patterns".

====================================================

Each Solvang Third Wednesday also features various special events, such as sidewalk sales and seasonal shopping "Cash Mobs"; free, live concerts in Solvang Park during the summer months; a dog adoption and all out dog-themed, dog-friendly day-long event in the fall; and the holiday shopping fiesta, "Shop, Mingle & Jingle".

As always, Solvang Third Wednesday visitors may also take advantage of Third Wednesday deals at some of Solvang's best hotels, like 20% off of their night's stay (with a qualifying stay).

More information about Solvang Third Wednesday, and a complete listing of discount offers and events, is available at www.solvangthirdwednesday.com
Or to request more information email us at: solvang3rdwednesday@gmail

Free brochures are also available at the
Solvang Visitors Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang

Advertise With Your Business Cards Here

Opening Reception of "Valley Life" to be held

September 3rd - 4 pm to 6 pm

The public is invited to the Reception and Exhibition of "Valley Life" - on view through September, beginning September 1st. "I am happy to announce that a series of my works will be exhibited at the Valley Grind Urban General Sore & Coffeehouse in Santa Ynez the month of September", states Christopher Brown.

An Opening Reception will be held September 3rd from 4pm to 6pm where you can meet the artist and see his award winning works while enjoying wine, music and appetizers.

The studio is located at 3558-A Sagunto Street in Santa Ynez. For more information call 805-688-1506.

===================================================

Danish Days Organ Recital

Bethania Lutheran Church

September 19 at 1 pm

Jim Welch and Nicholas Welch will be performing:

"Bach's Lunch: An Organic Smorgasbord"

Freewill Offering

For more information please call
Bethania Lutheran Church

805-688-4637 or email: bethania.lutheran@verizon.net

===================================================

Atterdag Village of Solvang Auxiliary presents:
2-Time Grammy-Award Violinist Mads Tolling "Mads Men"
A Celebration of Instrumental Hits from the 60's MAD MEN Era

Our event proceeds will help fund the new Atterdag Care Center Rehabilitation Wing. Please join us in supporting this important and significant addition to the valley's only skilled nursing facility, benefiting our Valley seniors since 1952. With your help this rehab wing expansion will serve the needs of our aging population for years to come.

Solvang Festival Theater on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 7:30 PM

Gates open at 6:30 PM. Refreshments will be available for purchase. VIP tickets are available and

include: Premium seating, wine, beer, and appetizers in the Patrons Garden from 6:30-7:30 PM, Intermission dessert and beverages, and after performance meet and greet with Mads Tolling and the Mad Men.

More information about Mads Tolling and the Mads Tolling Quartet is available at: www.MadsTolling.com, and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Mads.Tolling.

Please visit www.PeopleWhoCare.com for further information about Atterdag Village of Solvang.

===================================================

Peter and the Starcatcher

Only Thru September 13

Solvang Festival Theater

Before Wendy... before he was Captain Hook... before a boy was given the name Peter Pan...and before there was a Neverland, there was a Starcatcher Apprentice named Molly, a pirate named

Black Stache, and a nameless orphan...and they are about to be thrown together in a perilous (and wildly hilarious) adventure on the high seas. But, of course none of this actually exists, unless you are prepared to use your imagination.

PCPA is proud to present the highly inventive Peter and the Starcatcher - a play by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys - Addams Family) based on the 2004 novel by humorist Dave Barry and suspense writer Ridley Pearson.

Peter and the Starcatcher is the grownup's prequel to Peter Pan. This multi-Tony winner turns the century-old legend of Peter Pan on its head with a madly theatrical and ingenious reboot of how a wretched orphan became The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. A dozen actors play more than one

hundred characters, employing inspired stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination.

"When I was a boy, I wished I could fly."

While appropriate for all ages, this Peter Pan prequel will be best appreciated by children 10 and older.

===================================================

PCPA's 51st Season concludes with
the comedy-drama Other Desert Cities

A comfortable Palm Springs home at the holidays turns into a family battle ground in Other Desert Cities playing in the Marian Theatre September 18 through October 3.

Verbal blows and jabs hit deep, opening old wounds in this family's past that contains a closely guarded secret. Brooke Wyeth is a middle age writer and the liberal daughter of prominent Republican parents who returns home after a six year absence. She throws the Christmastime reunion into turmoil when she announces her plans to publish a tell-all book that dredges up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history that would surely tarnish their political and social reputations.

This searing comedy-drama by Jon Robin Baitz shows us a family struggling to keep their fragile fa�ade from shattering.

(Contains adult language)

(805) 922-8313 Fax: (805) 922-3074

Wednesday - Sunday 12:30 - 7pm
boxoffice@pcpa.org - www.pcpa.org

Wildling Museum Celebrates Our Local Landscapes

The Wildling Museum has just opened a new exhibition, "Legacy and Loss: Landscapes in the Santa Barbara Region." Over 50 artworks celebrate the beauty and evolution of the land around us

in the tri- county area. Of local note are artworks by Ray Strong, Merv Corning, Channing Peake, Bill Dewey, Tenley Fohl, Richard Schloss, Chris Chapman, John Iwerks and many more. The exhibition will be available until February 1, 2016 and the museum is open Wed - Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission $5, children 16 and under free, members and military also free.

====================================================

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital

Offers Free Nutrition & Diabetes Education Classes

with Clinical Dietitian Stacey Bailey

The public is invited to attend free weekly nutrition and diabetes education classes at Santa Ynez

Valley Cottage Hospital, 2050 Viborg Road in Solvang. All classes are held in the hospital's front conference room (enter thru the Physicians Clinic entrance) and will be lead by Clinical Dietitian Stacey

Bailey, MS, RD, CDE. Bailey joined Cottage Health System as clinical dietitian in August 2011. She provides both inpatient and outpatient dietary management and counseling services, as well as assists in formulation of meal and menu planning specifically for Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. One-on-one nutrition sessions with Bailey are also available with a doctor's referral. For more information, please contact Bailey directly at 805-694-2351.

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Free Nutrition& Diabetes Education
Class Schedule for September and October 2015:
Friday, September 4: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Artificial Sweetener Controversy
Friday, September 11: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Water: What's the Big Deal?
Monday, September 14: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Carbohydrate Counting for Diabetics
Friday, September 18: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Aging Healthfully
Monday, September 21: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Diabetes Complications Solutions
Friday, September 25: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Autumn Health Tips
Monday, September 28: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Diabetes Medications
Friday, October 2: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Pre-diabetes: Are You at Risk?
Monday, October 5: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Diabetes & Wound Healing Help
Friday, October 9: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Shake the Salt Habit
Friday, October 16: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Inflammation & Disease
Friday, October 23: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Sugar Blues
Friday, October 30: 12 noon - 1 p.m. - Healthy Halloween Treats

====================================================

New Saturday "Ride Me To The Festivals"
Bus Service Announced

Residents and visitors can use the new Clean Air Express Saturday Service to "Ride Me to Festivals" in Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Barbara for a car free, fun experience. Open to all ages of the public, the service features charter-style buses with free Wi-Fi, reclining seats and internal bays for transporting bicycles (a great way to continue the day without a car). Clean Air Express Saturday

Service allows anyone in Santa Barbara to travel to Buellton, Solvang and Los Olivos for the day; and anyone in Buellton and Solvang to travel to Santa Barbara for the day. The regular cash fare is $7.00 per person each way (buy at boarding) or a booklet of 10 passes is $50 in advance. (Children age two years & under ride free).

The Saturday morning route starts with pick-ups in Buellton (9:30 a.m.) and Solvang (9:40 a.m.) and heads south.

Drop-offs AND pick-ups in Santa Barbara are on State Street at La Cumbre Plaza (10:25 a.m.), Mid-town (10:30 a.m.), Paseo Nuevo (10:40 a.m.) and the Train Station (10:45 a.m.). The bus then travels directly to Solvang (11:40 a.m.), Buellton (11:50 a.m.) and Los Olivos (12:05 p.m.) for drop-offs. A second loop in the late afternoon returns riders to their points of origin. Complete schedule and route info at (805) 692-1902 and on their website: www.CleanAirExpress.com.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to ride the Clean Air Express and

discover these upcoming festivals and special events being held on Saturday:

September 5, 2015 - Santa Barbara: 14th Annual SBSA Open Studios Tour

September 12, 2015 - Los Olivos: Art in the Park

September 19, 2015 - Solvang: 79th Annual Danish Days Celebration

September 26, 2015 - Solvang: Free Recycling Festival at Veterans Hall

September 26, 2015 - Buellton: Vintage Trailer Show at Flying Flags RV Park

October 10, 2015 - Solvang: Harvest Festival Grand Tasting at Old Mission Santa Ines Fields

October 10, 2015 - Buellton: Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Free Health Fair (At SYV Marriott)

October 17, 2015 - Los Olivos: Day in the Country

October 17, 2015 - Santa Barbara: Harbor & Seafood Festival

October 24, 2015 - Santa Barbara: Open Streets (Cabrillo Blvd. closed to traffic from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

For more details, access event calendars at

www.VisitBuellton.com; www.SolvangUSA.com; www.VisitSYV.com and www.SantaBarbaraCA.com

Plus, riders on the Clean Air Express Saturday Service can also transfer to Santa Ynez Valley Transit (SYVT) and use a new $4.00 SYVT Unlimited All-Day Saturday Pass providing access within communities of Buellton, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang. For schedule information, visit www.syvt.com.

Funding partners for the first year of the Clean Air Express Saturday service are:

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, County of Santa Barbara,

Buellton Visitors Bureau, Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau and Visit Santa Ynez Valley.

Advertise With Your Business Cards Here

Our Quiet High Tech Industry

From the desk of:

Kenneth Harwood

Economist

Solvang Chamber of Commerce

Hiding in Solvang-in the business district on Mission Drive or First Street, and in quiet residential areas such as Alisal Ranch or Creekside-is a high tech industry that puts Santa Barbara County among the top metropolitan areas in the nation.

Software publishing is the art and science of building programs for computers, providing documentation, helping to install the programs, and offering updates. Programs include those for computer systems, programming languages and compilers, computing utilities, mobile applications, games, and more. Publishers may design, develop, and publish, or publish only.

Here are five examples of metropolitan areas in which the concentrations of software publishers are above the national average.

A location quotient greater than 1.00 means the share of employees in a particular industry in a metropolitan area is that many times greater than the national average. The share of employees in software publishing in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is 4.21 times the national average.

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area is about three times more concentrated in software publishing than Santa Maria-Santa Barbara. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispo County) is less than half as concentrated as Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metropolitan area (Santa Barbara County). e five examples of metropolitan areas in which the concentrations of software publishers are above the national average.

The list suggests the importance to the software publishing industry of (1) a pleasant quality of living, and (2) presence of one or more leading universities. Three of these metropolitan areas are in California. All five places are well west of the Mississippi River. The Seattle area is home to University of Washington. Silicon Valley in northern California has Stanford University. University of California, Santa Barbara, is in this county. University of Texas at Austin is in Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo County.

The concentration of software publishers in Solvang seems to depend on the same two important conditions: quality of living, and nearness to a leading university. Neither the City of Solvang nor the Solvang Chamber of Commerce campaigns to recruit or retain this high tech industry. No tax relief is offered, and landlords receive market rates. Market conditions appear to nourish the industry.

For details of national rank see online Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Areas with the highest concentration of employment in software publishing, December 2014, released July 29, 2015. U. S. Census Bureau defines online the software publishing industry in 2012 North American Industry Classification System code 511210 Software Publishers. Some software publishers in Solvang are listed online in Yellowpages.com, Solvang, CA, Software Publishers.

For more Information:

If you would like more information on these events or have news to share,

please contact the Chamber office:

Solvang Chamber of Commerce

485 Alisal Road, Ste. 245

Solvang, California 93464

805-688-0701

solvangchamber@solvangcc.com