Letter to the editor: Amgen Terrible Idea

Letter to the editor: Amgen Terrible Idea 

Please add me to the list of people who thought the Amgen bicycle race through Solvang was a terrible idea.  I didn't know it was to take place until it was too late to do anything about it. 

 - I never saw notice that a public hearing was to be held regarding the event taking place at all

 - Who approved it, and were permits issued.

 - The closure of the schools and Post Office was a shock. 

 - The closure of some streets was a huge inconvenience to a lot of citizens.  I personally was greeted by two mature ladies walking by my mailbox. (which, by the way was empty), whose hair was ready to burst into flames they were so mad about it.

 - The race organizers had many vendors of their own selling food, etc. that took away from our local businesses.  Additionally, the city closed the public parking lot on the corner of Alisal and Highway 246 for exclusive use by these vendors.

 - I talked to three prominent business representatives who all said they didn't have near the customers they normally would have had, but they said they thought it was good for Solvang.  They sounded like their responses were rehearsed.  I felt someone was leaning on them to go along.

 - Which reminds me ... by whose authority was the race OK'd, and what permits were issued?

 - I read in the paper that it cost the city SIXTY-SIX THOUSAND dollars, and they made eighty-two.  There has to be a much better way for a sophisticated city such as Solvang to raise sixteen thousand dollars than to put such a chaotic traffic and safety event in place.

 - To stand in a large crowd after trying to find a parking place and then watch hundreds of cyclists go whistling by in maybe thirty seconds is almost unimaginable.  And this comes from a guy who spent years going to the     Indy 500 to watch adult drivers go 'round and 'round (200 times).  At least at an auto or motorcycle race you're sitting, and can keep track of where everyone is in relation to the front runner.

To sum up.

There must be ways to raise money for these good causes that do not intrude on the tranquility of those who live in the valley.  I'd hate to see our wonderful city bend over backwards to the demands of the few, but to the inconvenience of the many.  If you want your voice heard, contact city hall for details about the June 25th meeting regarding this.

Marty Clausen

 

Thank you for writing to us on this issue. There does seem to be only two sides on this topic.  People either feel strongly about having it here, or they feel strongly about wanting the Amgen held somewhere else.

On the plus side, since the Amgen came, so have additional (smaller) fundraisers that aid in the fight for finding a cure for cancer, during the Amgen tour.  

It would be great if those on each side of the issue would come together and find a middle ground.  Maybe planning the events together and possibly having our local businesses participate in such planning, instead of the organizers doing it alone. I’m sure there will not be a perfect answer, but I for one would like to see a compromise. 

The truth is that it is inconvenient; however, if one person with cancer survives it, due to the fundraising that happens from various organizations, then I will gladly accept the inconvenience of the Amgen.

-MLM

 

Central Coast Doula Association’s Letter of Thanks

On Saturday June 2nd, the Central Coast Doula Association presented Healing and the Childbearing Year, headlined by Penny Simkin, PT, at the Goleta Valley Community Center.  It was a wonderful day filled with high quality information and training covering such topics as the effect of childhood sexual abuse on childbearing, the forgotten postpartum period, healing remedies for pregnancy and natural infant care; lunch was catered by Fresco and there was an amazing silent auction abundant with irresistible items.  On behalf of the planning committee and Central Coast Doula Association board, I would like to thank the many people and organizations whose contributions made the event memorable.  Trevor Holly Cates, ND, is the owner of the SB Center for Natural Medicine and represented our local community as our second presenter.  Hyland's, Lansioh Laboratories, Windrage Music, the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, CALM, Teeccino, Earth Mama Angel Baby and Preggie Pops sponsored the event.  In-kind sponsors were Mothering Magazine, Laurel Springs Sanctuary, Community Action Commission and Cal State University Channel Islands.  I would like to recognize the local practitioners and various business that donated to our event: Isla Vista Co-op; Yardi Systems, Inc.; Trader Joe's; Rolling Hills Garden Center; New Frontiers Marketplace; Willa Kveta Photography; Can Do Inc.; Fairview Gardens; Empowered Motherhood; Frannie's Gourds; Island Seed & Feed; Italian Pottery Outlet; Kathy Gurver, LMT; Kids Cuts; Kiwi Magazine; Larry Zimmerman; Laurie Hale; Liesel Rigby; Lori Guynes, LAc; Mountain Rose Herbs; Noah's Ark Veterinary Clinic; Obtenec, Inc.; Pacifica Candles; Pacific Paper Works; Palmina Wines; Rainbow Light; Sandcastle Music Together; Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute; Singer Chiropractic; Solace Salon; Snikiddy Snacks; Stephanie Neumann; Tea Collection; Tensely Wines; Toilex; Virginia Bobro; Zia Natural Skin Care.  Thanks to these generous sponsors and donors, the Central Coast Doula Association has raised funds for its scholarship program and was able to award scholarship funding to three event participants.   

I would like to thank the committee that worked so diligently and tirelessly to put Healing and the Childbearing Year together; Nikole Paulos, Layla Mairleitner, Jennifer Squires, Janet Spargur, Heather King and Holly Goldberg- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!  I would like to thank the Santa Barbara News Press and Karna Hughes for the wonderful article on May 29th highlighting our organization and our speaker, Penny Simkin, PT.  I would also like to thank the Santa Barbara Independent, the Santa Ynez Valley News and Santa Maria Sun for their support of our events and activities. 

As a doula, a woman and the mother of five children, I am so grateful for the generous support that has enabled the Central Coast Doula Association to provide these educational opportunities and informative sessions to our community on the subjects of pregnancy, childbirth, labor support and postpartum support.  

Sincerely,

Michele Zimmerman Daniels

Director of Education and Training, Central Coast Doula Association