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CHAMPIONS
IN MEMORIAM
Gordon Sisters Right on Track: Both Named in Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30
Barba was a WWII veteran and long time resident of Santa Margarita. Contributed photo
Henry Barba of Santa Margarita Passes at 108 Years Old
The Gordons (from left to right): Christina, Maddi, Macie and Doug. Contributed photo
The sisters were chosen out 7,000 nominated racers
like the 2003 Disney Channel movie, which follows American drag racer Erica Enders start in the hot rod racing world. The sisters each began drag By CAMILLE DeVAUL racing when they were eight camille@atascaderonews.com years old—both inspired to get into the sport by their dad, world TEMPLETON — Maddi champion drag racer Doug and Macie Gordon are living Gordon. This year, Maddi and their lives Right on Track, just Macie were both named in Drag
Illustrated’s 30 Under 30. Since 2015, Drag Illustrated has compiled an annual 30 Under 30 list which highlights drag racing’s most accomplished and promising young ambassadors. Honorees are then recognized at a press conference during the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show at the Indiana Convention Center
in Indianapolis. Thousands of submissions are sent in to the magazine. This year, the Gordon sisters were chosen out of 7,000 nominees. Nate Van Wagnen, editor-inchief for Drag Illustrated, says the 30 Under 30 list is “About more than showcasing what the sport’s young racers, tuners, manufacturers, track officials,
and media personalities have already accomplished.” He continues, “It’s also about shining a light on the future stars and encouraging them to keep forging ahead. Many of the honorees from the first couple lists have gone on to do extraordinary things like set records,
Santa Margarita Gets a Little Bit Sweeter
Sammy from The Ritual in San Luis Obispo, stepped in. “I guess Sammy must have gotten tired of hearing me complain about all my odd jobs and eventually was like, ‘why don’t you just go to Barber School?’ And I thought, ‘oh, I could do that.’ It just clicked. So I quit my job, took out a loan, and went to Barber school and never looked back,” Abate shared. “I was fortunate enough that the guy who convinced me to go to school hired me at his shop. I had a place CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
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Clementine Cupcake Company is located at 22720 El Camino Real Suite “A” in Santa Margarita By SIMONE SMITH For The Atascadero News
SANTA MARGARITA — Is it true that if a person likes sweets, their personality reflects their taste preference? True or not, Santa Margarita has gotten a little bit sweeter with the addition of Clementine Cupcake Company. Santa Margarita was first introduced to Clementine’s delicious cupcakes and cookies a few years ago when a selection was offered for sale at Caliwala’s Market and Deli. An ever-changing parade of deliciousness was there, ready to be snapped up. Baked with all-natural, fresh, pure, organic, and locally sourced ingredients with options of gluten and dairyfree, Clementine’s cupcakes and cookies were not too sweet but oh so beautifully perfect. If you were lucky, sometimes an end-of-the-day surprise of extras would even show up in the Community Share Box. Yum! What a way to make someone’s day and put a smile on their face. I got the chance recently to speak to Kari Freitas, the owner of Clementine Cupcake Company, at her new physical location off the parking lot, next to Ancient Peaks Winery at 22720 El Camino Real Suite “A” in Santa Margarita, to learn more about her business. Although Freitas has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and no formal training in baking, she was ready for a career change to something a little lighter that didn’t continue to occupy her mind after the workday ended. A mother of two young girls, she was CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
SPORTS
Owner and barber Nate Abate opened his shop on Entrada in May 2018. Contributed photo
Nate’s Barbershop Brings Retro Vibe to Entrada Atascadero local Nate Abate has been in the barber business since 2013
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
Owner Kari Freitas opened her physical location in October. Photos By Kari Freitas and Simone Smith
HISTORY
ATASCADERO — Nate Abate didn’t always plan on becoming a Barber. In fact, he originally went to school for photography but quickly realized that turning it into a profession would ruin it as a hobby for him. That’s when his then Barber,
COVID UPDATE
BEST OF
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
SANTA MARGARITA — Beloved Santa Margarita resident and World War II Veteran Henry Barba passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 108. It was his 81st wedding anniversary with his late wife, Jesse. Barba was born on Oct. 19, 1913, in a home that still stands in Santa Margarita. But for the first two weeks of his life, he was known as Everett until his mother changed her mind. Barba’s parents were Mauricio Barba of San Luis Obispo and Catherine Walters of Arroyo Grande. The two married and built their home in Santa Margarita on five acres in 1900. Henry Barba was one of seven surviving children. His parents buried six children, including Henry’s twin sister Henrietta who died during infancy. Like most in the area at the time, Barba grew up farming and ranching. As a young child, Barba worked on the Santa Margarita Ranch. He helped Freddy Higuera (yes, the same family as Higuera Street in SLO) put leather collars on the 10 and 20 mule teams, which pulled the harvesters. And in 1936, Barba, his cousin Juaquin Miller and a friend filled a large barn (also still standing) to the top with hay. That’s a successful hay season! Barba met his future wife, Jesse Hampton, when they were kids. Jesse’s family owned a large ranch near the Riconada Mine. Being six years Jesse’s senior, Barba would joke with her brother that one day he would marry Jesse, take over the family ranch, and throw the rest of the family off it! Barba did end up marrying Jesse, but instead of taking the family ranch, they had
CLEAN CUT
SWEET TREATS
Barba passed on Dec. 24 on his 81st wedding anniversary
WEATHER
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