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Valley News Briefs

Solvang

Clerks cited for alcohol infractions

Four clerks were cited recently for providing alcohol to minors during a decoy operation conducted in Solvang by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), reported the sheriff's department.

Eleven wineries and wine bars were visited Tuesday as part of the decoy operation. Seven of the establishments refused to sell alcohol to a minor, according to the sheriff's department.

Clerks at Alisal Cellars, Mandolina Vineyards, Presidio Winery and Uncorked Wine Shop were cited.

In addition to the four alcohol sales citations, a woman who was walking with an open container of beer was cited, reported the sheriff's department.

The clerks will face a minimum fine of $1,000, and/or 24 hours of community service. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage licensee.

The operation was funded by a grant given to the sheriff's department by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant Assistance Program.

Town Hall meeting series to begin

A series of informative town hall meetings on the November general election are scheduled to begin Friday, May 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the upstairs dining hall of the Holiday Inn Express, 1455 Mission Drive in Solvang.

The series to educate voters on different issues is being sponsored by the Holiday Inn Express; Winnie Anderson, the hotel’s marketing head; and Marta Jorgensen, a former Democratic Congressional Candidate for the 24th District.

The first meeting will focus on healthcare legislation and the current state of veterans affairs and returning Iraq veterans and their needs. Speakers are coming from local veterans organizations and Universal Health Insurance campaign, OneCareNow.org.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Anderson at 688-2018. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be served. The hotel is offering room discounts for those who want to stay over.

Santa Ynez Valley

SYV Rotary to meet with nonprofits

Nonprofit groups interested in participating in the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Old Mission Santa Ines are invited to a meeting from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building.

Nonprofit groups are invited to have a food, activity, or game booth. The meeting is a one-time opportunity to get information on how to have a successful booth. It is for those organizations that have already signed up for a booth and for those that are interested in having a booth. The cost to each booth vendor is $150. Last year, many nonprofit groups located a sponsor to pay the fee.

In 2007, thousands of Valley residents and visitors participated in the event, which begins in the early afternoon and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display after dark. Because July Fourth is on Friday this year, the Rotary Club anticipates even greater attendance.

For more information, contact Jeff Cotter of the SYV Rotary Club at 688-4904.

Santa Barbara County

Neverland Ranch auction canceled

A foreclosure auction scheduled this week for Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was canceled after an investment company bought the loan.

Colony Capital LLC spokeswoman Caroline Luz said the loan purchase was recently made by Colony and the auction slated for Wednesday was off, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

In a statement released Sunday by a Jackson spokesman who identified himself as B. Michael, the singer said he was “pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch ... that would allow me to focus on the future.”

Jackson had gone into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the 2,500-acre spread. He has struggled to pay his debts in recent years after his financial empire crumbled following his arrest in 2003 on child molestation charges. A jury later acquitted him and he hasn’t lived at Neverland for the past two years.

Jackson’s attorney, L. Londell McMillan, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Sunday. A call by the AP to Colony Capital was referred to a public relations firm.

Jackson bought the property in 1988 and turned it into a miniature amusement park with rides, including a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel and roller coaster, and a zoo.

Kitten foster volunteers wanted

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is looking for volunteers who are able to foster the homeless, abandoned kittens that are coming into its three shelters.

Interested persons are invited to a foster parent training program from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Maria Animal Center, 548 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria.

Fostering kittens is an excellent way to help the smallest members of the community without making the permanent commitment to adoption, an Animal Services spokeswoman said.

Fosters are required to have a safe and secure environment and lots of love to share. Training is provided and families are encouraged to apply.

Persons unable to be a foster but who still wish to help, donations of wet or dry Nutro Max kitten food or Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) are also needed. For more information, contact the Santa Maria Animal Shelter at 934-6119.