"The Grove has been very, very well received by the dinner crowd," and lunch is now also being served. The future looks bright, Colvard added: "We're going to have a very large wedding here in mid-summer," after The Grove was considered a superior venue to the Ventura Beach Marriott.Isbell Middle School Principal Fernando Rivera said that Teacher of the Month Tom Mendoza has proven outstanding in and out of the classroom. "A product of Santa Paula," Mendoza is now in his 11th year at Isbell, where he teaches physical education and English essentials. Mendoza received his BA and Master's Degree at California Lutheran University and received further training at Cal Poly."Tom has taken a lot of home school assignments" and been successfully active in interventions, as well as in the ASPIRE and other specialty programs. Mendoza has also involved the students in community service, and "essentially started the team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life," which Isbell students have participated in for three years. Rivera noted that the students and teachers have raised a "combined total of $30,000" for the ACS."His hard work and education have turned our P.E. department into the finest seen," and Mendoza's efforts are an inspiration to students and staff alike.Mendoza noted that he enjoys being active with the students, and "I like to come up with alternative games" to ensure the maximum in physical fitness. "I love teaching at the school that I went to... good people come out of this community and I tell the students that they can do it, too, and encourage them to strive to do better things."Santa Paula Elementary School District Superintendent Luis Villegas said he would like to express his gratitude, "on behalf of the Board, that we truly appreciate the Chamber's effort, John Macik and Santa Paula Chevrolet (for providing the award plaques) to recognize the Teacher of the Month. Every time they go through this process we're very proud of our community."
The Grove introduced, Mendoza honored at January Good Morning SP!
January 19, 2007
Santa Paula News
Introducing a new restaurant and a newly honored educator occurred at the January Good Morning Santa Paula, with The Grove at the Glen Tavern Inn hosting the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesIntroducing a new restaurant and a newly honored educator occurred at the January Good Morning Santa Paula, with The Grove at the Glen Tavern Inn hosting the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event. "This is a first for us, we're so glad to have Good Morning Santa Paula at The Grove," co-owner Pamela Colvard told the crowd.Colvard noted that in October she and her husband Steve met with Eric Barragan and "spoke about the dream of reopening" a fine eatery at the historic hotel. "We said 'Why don't you do it?' and Eric said 'Why don't we do it?' and it took us about 19 days to open, record time. It was a lot of elbow grease and hard work." Colvard said that Glen Tavern Inn owners Rosanna and Tom Jennett have "been so supportive" of the partners' efforts to open The Grove.Opened in 1911, the Glen Tavern Inn resulted in a local partnership forged by the recognition that travelers needed a fine place to stay and dine. "Tom mentioned how it is interesting that this place has withstood fire, earthquakes and flood," although the former struck and heavily damaged the Inn early last year."We're asked on a daily basis if the Inn is really haunted, and we say that we've found them all to be very friendly," said Colvard with a laugh. But while "scrambling around on opening night, the door to the kitchen fell off," perhaps a hint from otherworldly residents of the hotel that they are at the Inn to stay.Colvard said that the three chefs live in Santa Paula, as do 95 percent of the employees, and, "We're very proud of that.... Since we've opened we've catered a party for 300 at Fry's Electronics," hosted weddings, and staged a successful New Year's Eve celebration.