Mattei’s Tavern, built in 1886 and considered one of the best-preserved stagecoach stops on the entire West Coast, has undergone a remarkable rejuvenation and is now ready for 21st century customers. Chef Robbie Wilson and his wife and business partner Emily Perry Wilson recently gave me a tour, explaining the changes they made to the […]
Mattei’s Tavern: Comfortably classy, more than a touch of whimsy
Posted inOpinion
Discounts? Count me in!
Here’s something I bet you didn’t know about me: I love discount shopping. I’m talking all kinds of discount shopping: garage sales, Black Friday sales, Christmas sales, Mother’s Day sales, Father Day’s sales, bar mitzvah sales … wait a second. I don’t think that last one is real, at least on a national scale. I […]
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Santa Maria’s library celebrates the new building’s fifth birthday
A day-long celebration in honor of the Santa Maria Public Library’s fifth birthday will take place on Aug. 24. Two local bands, a barbecue lunch, and various children’s activities are scheduled for the day. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the library and outside in the Lavagnino Plaza. The only […]
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Van Leuven will take the helm at the accrediting commission
Retired Santa Ynez Valley Unified School District superintendent Fred Van Leuven was selected as the new executive director of the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Van Leuven will begin his new leadership role on Oct. 1, replacing David Brown, who served in the position since 2002. Before his 11-year run […]
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YMCA plays host to Family Day at Waller Park
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA, Friends of Waller Park, and the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary are teaming up to bring Family Day to Waller Park once again. The event has been happening each year for more than 35 years and draws more than 5,000 people a year to the park. In addition to vendors, this […]
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Spotlight on: Blue Sky Vapes
Unjustifiably taboo to some, a complete mystery to others, and something celebrated by fans, “vaping” is a relatively new alternative to smoking standard analog cigarettes. Frank Compston and Kristi Allen are excited to open Blue Sky Vapes for business in Santa Maria on Aug. 9 to provide this service to all interested customers— mostly cigarette smokers. […]
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Community Notebook 8/8-8/15
MONDAY, AUG. 12 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, AUG. 13 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board […]
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Hobnobbing With Helen
Amelia Earhart made a guest appearanceat the Orcutt library’s special program held on Earhart’s birthday, July 24. But, you say, how could that be? The famous aviatrix and aviation pioneer was lost over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937. Not to worry. It was not a mirage. Local pilot Patricia Lynn paid homage to […]
Posted inNews
Community Corner: Boys & Girls grilling for a good cause
Two things that are familiar to Santa Maria residents are the Boys & Girls Club and barbecues on Saturday. Both of these elements are coming together to raise money for a great cause. On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Alumni Club of the Boys & Girls Club will be host to a benefit barbecue to raise […]
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Global education through dual immersion
Teaching Mandarin, French, Spanish, and Arabic to elementary school kids is a fad that’s starting to eke its way into public schools across the country. But these classes aren’t like typical language classes for adults, which might run for an hour a day, four times a week, and that’s all the exposure you get. With […]
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Grover mayor narrowly holds onto air pollution board seat
The problem of harmful fugitive dust blowing onto the Nipomo Mesa from the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area continues to divide San Luis Obispo’s South County. Grover Beach Mayor Debbie Peterson stepped into the divisive issue, and it nearly blew her off the San Luis Obispo County air pollution control board. Following a heated […]
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Lawsuits line up against Santa Maria’s Windset Farms
Windset Farms and its contract labor provider, Pacheco Labor Services, were named in two lawsuits filed in May by former employees. The cases are separate: One is a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Irma Sanchez; the other is a class action lawsuit alleging labor law violations. In addition to listing Windset Farms and Pacheco Labor […]