The Santa Maria Public Library announced a new free local history series, titled “Heart of the Valley,” in partnership with local historian Shirley Contreras.
The history series will feature a speaker every month, focused on local history in the Santa Maria Valley. Jay Hardy, CEO of Hardy Diagnostics and owner of Moxie Cafe, will kick off the series on Jan. 19. Hardy is an acknowledged expert on local military history including the Allan Hancock College of Aeronautics during World War II. Hardy will include archive photographs and a discussion of the Santa Maria Army Air Field’s role in military history.
The library is also seeking recommendations for public speakers on the topic of local history. The series will take place at 10:15 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month. Registration is not required; admission is free. The library is located at 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. For more information, call (805) 925-0994, ext. 8562.
This article appears in Jan 3-10, 2019.
