Ep. 12: Vashti Wilson - Veteran, Mother, Entrepreneur, Community Activist

Even before the Covid pandemic, Bethania and its members made it their mission to feed our community.  From brown bag lunches for seniors, to healthy vegetables for Bethania’s preschoolers, to the blessing box outside the Church, Bethania had already been filling the gaps in our community when it came to food insecurity.
So it was fortunate that by the time the pandemic forced closures across the country, Bethania had already started the process to license its facilities for emergency food distribution.  When it became clear that quarantine and the corresponding job loss and school shutdowns pushed many who were already struggling to feed their families into dire straits, Linda Marzullo and Pastor Chris Brown sprang into action.  Within a week, they had been approved to receive food from the Food Bank of Santa Barbara, which distributes millions of pounds of USDA food annually.
In this special “on location” episode, you’ll hear from several volunteers who work with Linda Marzullo, week after week, to feed hundreds of struggling families right here in our community.  You’ll also hear from a few of our friends and neighbors who brave the long line to receive food because times are especially tough this season.  And while the need for food has only increased in recent weeks, so has Bethania and Linda Marzullo’s resolve to meet that need head on. 
In the last half of the episode, host Tamara Rowles of SYV Stories sits down with Linda Marzullo to discuss how Bethania feeds up to 1500 people each week with volunteers, community donations, hard work, and compassion. 
Also mentioned in this episode: The Food Bank of Santa Barbara, Bob’s Well Bread, El Rancho Market, Atterdag Village, Los Olivos Rotary, Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley, SYV Foundation, and Veggie Rescue.
The following businesses have also contributed to Bethania in their food distribution efforts: Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, Solvang Restaurant, Gerda's Iron Art, Birkholm's Bakery, Bert Cohen Foundation, New Frontiers, Wildling Museum.  Thank you for your support!

Nakia Zavalla can trace her Chumash heritage back to at least six generations.  She grew up on the Chumash reservation and learned about Chumash traditions from her grandmother and her parents.  

As Cultural Director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, today Nakia teaches the Samala language and Chumash culture to both the tribe and the Santa Ynez Valley Community.

In our conversation, we discuss her family’s history, her experiences growing up on the reservation, her mission and life’s work to preserve and teach the Samala language and Chumash culture, the challenges she’s faced and overcome along the way, and her vision for the future of her people.

For more information, please visit: Chumash website.

Also mentioned in this episode: Chumash Culture Day, Maria Solares, John Peabody Harrington Papers, Family School, Unity Rally for Inclusion.

Solvang Spice Merchant is featured in Small Business Spotlight.  

Joan Hartmann spent her first 10 years exploring the wonders of rural Wisconsin.  Her father passed away shortly after her family moved to California, leaving her mother, a pediatric nurse, to raise two children on her own.  Hartmann draws heavily on these early experiences, which gave her courage, determination, compassion, and grit.

Her career took a windy path from environmental policy professor to public service.  While living in Buellton, she participated in a grass roots campaign to ensure voters had a say in the size and expansion of their community, an effort that inspired her to get involved in local politics.  Hartmann soon became a planning commissioner under Supervisor Doreen Farr, and with Farr’s endorsement, she took the baton as County Supervisor in 2016.

Winning reelection early in the March primary, Hartmann is poised and ready to begin a challenging second term.  She holds regular office hours via Zoom to hear from community members.  Make an appointment to speak with Supervisor Hartmann by clicking on the following link: https://calendly.com/supervisorjoanhartmannvirtualofficehours.

Also mentioned in this episode: Madi’s Treasure Box, John Ormond, and Jessy Verkler.  

Oneder Child is featured in Small Business Spotlight. 

In the early 70’s, Brooks Firestone left his family’s famous tire company to start the Valley’s first commercial winery.  In the last 50 years, with Kate, his wife of 62-years, the Firestones have raised 4 children, and now boast 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

While he’s most proud of his family, Mr. Firestone has made his mark on our community as a philanthropist and politician.  He served 2 terms as a California Assemblyman and one term as a County Supervisor.  He and Kate were also honored in 2018 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation for their long record of service.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Mr. Firestone and I discuss his career in the wine industry and his achievements in politics.  We also discuss his three books, two about Valley Animals and a third about his recently discovered passion for choral singing.  I couldn’t resist mentioning his brief stint on his youngest son Andrew’s season of the Bachelor.  And there’s a few other classic stories thrown in, including one about President Ronald Reagan and his longtime vet, the beloved Doug Herthel.

Mentioned in this episode: his three books: Valley Animals, More Valley Animals (to be published later this year), and Evensong; Firestone Winery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Messiah… Refreshed!, Doug Herthel, St. Marks Church, Alisal Guest Ranch, and Anya Linden.

Sunrise Organic Farm is featured in Small Business Spotlight.  

As the Consulting Winemaker and Brand Ambassador for Miller Family Wines, Wes Hagen talks about wine for a living.  And if I had a day to spend tasting and learning about wine, Wes would be the first person I’d choose to join me.  He’d wax eloquent about coaxing soil into the deliciousness that is wine and postulate that without wine there would be no democracy.  He is perhaps the most articulate and persuasive advocate for the exceptional wines that come out of the Santa Barbara County.

A former teacher, Wes loves to share the history of the vineyards and founding winemakers and would be the first to point out the many local heroes in the Santa Barbara County wine industry.  He has solidified his own legacy by writing the petitions that created four of the seven American Viticulture Areas recognized by the federal government: Santa Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and the newly created Alisos Canyon AVA.  He is quite literally putting Santa Barbara County wines on the map, and in the process, creating publicity and veneration for the unique wines created in our beautiful community.   

I first met Wes when my then-husband, Noah Rowles, hired him to write the petition of what would become the Alisos Canyon AVA.  Noah had just purchased a ranch in Los Alamos that we would call Dovecote, which was home to the 30-year-old historic Thompson Vineyard.  Five years later, the Alisos Canyon AVA makes its debut this week just as Noah is releasing the first wines he made as full-time winemaker at Dovecote.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Wes and I reflect on the process of creating the AVA.  We also discuss how Wes became the winemaker and vineyard manager at Clos Pepe, how he shaped Santa Barbara county’s maps as its most prolific AVA petition writer, how the wine industry benefits our community and how it can co-exist with the cannabis industry, and why wines from this region stand up to any on the world’s stage.  His passion for wine is contagious and I have no doubt our conversation will leave you yearning for a glass of crisp pinot blanc on this hot summer day.  

Dovecote Estate is featured in Small Business Spotlight.  Mention this podcast to receive 20% off your tasting fee.  Tasting is available by appointment only.

Also mentioned in this episode:  Day Drinking with Wes Hagen YouTube show, Miller Family Wines, J. Wilkes Wines, The Wine Bible, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Richard Sanford, Clos Pepe, Adam Tolmac of Ojai Vineyard, Tom Wark’s Fermentation blog, Arthur George on The Myth of Wine, Will Castello’s Somm School. 

I first met Kim when a friend recommended her yoga studio, The Juicy Life in Santa Ynez.  By my first downward facing dog, I was put off by the loud music as I had never done yoga this way, but by the end of that initial class I realized her playlist, which paired well with the intention she set at the beginning of class, really helped me tune out both the outside world and the inside noise in my brain and focus on my mat and my body’s movement.  I was hooked.

Kim’s passion for health, wellness, and balance is addictive.  In our conversation, we discuss how she left her corporate job to pursue her passion, the ups and downs of owning a small business, how we as members of this community can begin our own wellness journeys, the benefits of yoga and juicing, and what her plans are to bring her “Juicy Lifestyle” to the community.

Mentioned in this episode:  The Juicy Life Yoga Studio, The Juicy Life Juicery, Core Power Yoga.

The Good Seed is featured in Small Business Spotlight.

The Solvang Trolley is truly a family-run business. Since the traditional Danish style trolley hit the Solvang Streets in the 60’s, the trolley business has been passed down from family to family. Today its owned by the Orona family.  Sal Sr. drives the horse and trolley, Sal. Jr. gives tours, Lorena works the stables and the ice cream parlor where tickets are sold, and Claudia (Clau) also serves as tour guide and ice cream scooper.   

Many in town may not know that Solvang Trolley gives free rides to locals (though donations are appreciated).  My children and I rode the Trolley for the first time this week. We picked up our tickets at the Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor inside Hamlet Square, across the street from the Trolley stop at Copenhagen and 2nd Street.  We waited just a few minutes after the prior tour exited while the Orona family carefully cleaned all the surfaces with antibacterial spray.  Then we were off.  Our 30 minute ride let me see the town as a tourist would, and it was truly a special experience that made me so proud of our town.

For the first part of the episode, you’ll join me and my children on the trolley.  In the second part, we’ll chat with Clau Orona about the trolley’s history, her family’s purchase of the business, and how they’ve adjusted their practices since Covid-19.  We also chat about the upcoming hearing at Solvang City Council on July 13th, where the Orona’s permit to operate their business is at stake as the Council considers other alternatives. 

Also mentioned in this episode:  Bethania Lutheran, Father Bobbie Barbato, Elverhoj Museum, Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Valley Fresh Market, Solvang City Council.  Brooks Firestone makes a special cameo.

Kira’s Slime Lab is featured in Small Business Spotlight.

Note: This episode contains some profanity and an honest discussion about racism, including details about racially motivated incidents, that may not be suitable for a younger audience.

My guest this week moved to the Valley less than a year ago, but she’s already made a significant impact.  In the last few weeks since George Floyd’s tragic death reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement to end systemic racism, as well as the call for white folks to become allies and confront white privilege and fragility, I’ve heard her name in several conversations I’ve had among friends about actions we as a small community can take to promote justice and equality.  Vashti Wilson may not have sought out this new role she’s been thrust into, but many have experienced her inspiring leadership. 

Her speech captivated attendees at the Solvang vigil for George Floyd.  She organized a soul affirming gathering to celebrate Juneteenth in Solvang Park, and is putting together a series of raw and real conversations about race. And she’s just getting started.  Air Force combat veteran, cryptologic linguist, MBA holder, entrepreneur, community activist, and mother to Madison, Vashti Wilson has courageously stepped into a leadership role to promote equality and justice in our community.

Vashti’s daughter Madison has also become a local activist in her own right, partnering with the Book Loft to create Madi’s Treasure Box, raising over $3,000 (at last check) to donate multicultural books and multicultural skin tone crayons to local elementary schools.

In our conversation we discuss Vashti’s eclectic resume, her experiences confronting racism, including racially motivated arrests both she and her bother experienced at the hands of police, her move to the Valley, and upcoming efforts to bring awareness, justice, and equality to our community.

This episode is longer than previous episodes.  The second half includes a no holds barred discussion about Vashti's experience with racism and her ideas about how we, as community members, can make small differences that matter.  I hope you'll stick with it. 

Also mentioned in this episode:  Dino Explorerz, Succulent Cafe, Bethania Lutheran, St. Mark’s in the Valley, Happyes Boxes, Solvang School, Laura McVicar, Randall Day, Chris Brown, The Book Loft, Pura Luna Apothecary, SYV Racial Justice Facebook group, Madi’s Treasure box GoFundMe.  To participate in the Raw Real Race Conversation Vashti mentions in this episode, please email her at VashtiWilson2020@gmail.com.

Solvang Pedicab Tours is featured in Small Business Spotlight.

For many of us, the pandemic and recent social unrest has made it tougher to have meaningful conversations with friends and family about issues that affect us all.  But having these difficult conversations and listening to the people who are knowledgeable about these issues is important, perhaps now more than ever.  
I recently exchanged thoughts with a friend about a video she posted on social media.  As the wife of a law enforcement officer, she shared her experiences with me and her candor allowed me to understand her perspective and expand my own.  That conversation led to my inviting her husband, law enforcement officer James Kurowski, to be my first guest for Season 2.  
Prior to recording the episode, we met at a picnic table outside the school both of our children attend and in that hour I learned so much about the day to day experiences of law enforcement officers.  His perspective as a first responder in our community is one worth hearing.  
In this episode, we discuss how James came to be a law enforcement officer, the early years of his career spent in Hawaii, why he and his growing family moved to the Santa Barbara County, and his more recent experiences and thoughts about his job in the past two weeks since the death of George Floyd. 
Thank you to James Kurowski for showing his commitment to engage in meaningful discussions and community relations.  That is true leadership.
As a disclaimer, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode are Mr. Kurowski’s own, and should not be interpreted as representing the views, policies, or opinions of any law enforcement agency.  

Recovery Ranch and Recovery Outreach are featured in Small Business Spotlight. 

As we all hunker down in our homes to flatten the coronavirus curve, finding a guest for this week’s episode was a little difficult. So I asked my friend Chris Brown (my guest in Episode 3) to come back, this time to act as the interview host, so I can share my own personal story.  We sat the requisite 6 feet apart while discussing my childhood growing up in the other Valley (the San Fernando Valley), the tragic loss of my mother, and how that story both affected me in my career and relationships and how it’s now propelled me into this next phase of my life as a story collector. 

In 1990, my brother, mother, and I fell 60 feet down a mountain in Big Sur.  My brother and mother were seriously injured, I was not.  She spent the next year as a quadriplegic.  No longer wishing to be a burden on our family, or to live with the pain of life in a wheelchair, she starved herself for 45 days until she passed away.  Just before she died, my mother, Marlene, gave me a recording of her voice, which I cherish to this day.

In this episode, Chris and I discuss how that story has impacted me and how it’s helped me come to find my passion and purpose for this next phase of my life.

You can find pictures of my mother and me, our beautiful ranch, as well as my family in the SYV at SYV Stories.

The Maverick Saloon is featured in Small Business Spotlight.  Also mentioned in this episode are Santa Ynez MOPS, Bethania Lutheran Church, Allan Jones at Santa Ynez Valley Real Estate, Valley Wellness Collective, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, Dovecote Ranch, and StoryGem.