One of the wonderful new changes in Win Country for 2012 is the implementation of Valley-wide themed weeks, thanks to our partners at Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association.

It seems at least two times a week I get wind of a local event or activity that makes me clasp my hands in excitement. Sometimes it’s a reoccurring event that I wasn’t aware of before (Pub Quiz Night, anyone?) and sometimes it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to tie together some of the best pieces of one of our towns together into one amazing day.

In Los Alamos the 2nd Annual Chair Faire is coming in just a few days. This year we’re expecting near 300 chairs to browse, or purchase. There will be judging of chairs in 5 categories: Most Pristine Antique; Best Hand Made Chair; Cutest Child’s Chair; Most Creative Art Chair; and the Chair With the Most Potential.

It’s a special time of year here in Win Country when PCPA takes up residence at Solvang’s open-air Festival Theater for three months of pure entertainment. Last night I attended the Solvang debut of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, and it was everything I wanted it to be – and more!

Everyone had their own method, from precise patting to maniacal pressing and compacting. Participants who were artists rolled the ball with frenzy and speed and no attention to precision at all!It was comical. Our ball of old, though a bit smaller, is with us once again to adorn the sidewalk of Bell Street.