Atascadero News Magazine • #61 • July 2023

“Peter at Hearing Aid Specialists has helped me with my hearing issues since 2011. He is knowledgeable, professional and has provided me with the best equipment available. Losing your hearing is depressing but his expertise helps me feel normal.”

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California Mid-State Fair

by Camille DeVaul

The 2023 California Mid-State Fair, themed "Shake, Rattle, and Roll," offers 12 days of excitement from July 19-30. Enjoy rides, entertainment, shopping, delicious food, and live concerts featuring Tim McGraw, Sammy Hagar, Luke Bryan, and more.

Speaking Their Language

by Christianna Marks

Inspired by her border upbringing, Sue Hubbard founded the Hispanic Business Association, becoming a prominent figure in Atascadero, supporting horses and the Spanish-speaking community.

Class of 2023

by Christianna Marks

Atascadero High School's 102nd Commencement saw 278 Greyhound students graduate on June 8, with speeches, musical performances, and the presentation of diplomas marking the celebratory event.

Photo by Brittany App

Celebrating 5 Years!

Five years ago, with unwavering faith and the support of dedicated advertisers, we embarked on a journey and launched our beloved community magazine, formerly known as Colony Magazine. Our vision was clear—to create a publication that would reach every home and business in Atascadero, Santa Margarita, and Creston, showcasing the remarkable endeavors of the people who shape our extraordinary community.

Our inaugural issue featured the iconic Printery Building on the cover, accompanied by a wealth of incredible stories. It was during this time that Barbie Butz introduced her renowned column, “Taste of Americana,” which still graces our pages today. We delved into the remarkable work of the Greyhound Foundation and explored the promising prospects of Atascadero Economic Development, including the dream of La Plaza that has now come to fruition.

Our aspiration, from the very beginning, was to deliver a publication directly to residents and businesses—a platform that would celebrate the exceptional individuals and enterprises within our communities and the incredible feats they accomplish. We wanted to illuminate the untold stories of unsung heroes, the unwavering unity of those driven by shared goals or passions to improve our community, and the narratives of business owners who diligently serve and fulfill their dreams.

Our passion for sharing your stories is matched by our remarkable team, who fervently believes in the magnificence of the communities we call home. It is their unwavering dedication, trust, and ardor that allow us to bring this magazine to life. We owe a debt of gratitude to our advertisers, who place their confidence in us, making it possible to print and share these compelling narratives. In addition, it is the incredible vision, love, and energy we all share that binds us together, enabling us to provide our communities with a motivational, unparalleled publication.

Still to this day, our goal with each

Mattson's 2018

issue is to offer in-depth highlights that showcase the inspirational essence of our community, presented in a format that you will cherish for years to come—a piece of living history. We aim to leave a legacy for our children, instilling in them the importance of community involvement and supporting one another, reminding them that our purpose extends beyond ourselves. Our family feels deeply humbled to call the North County our home, and together with our team, we will continue to do everything within our power to share your stories, promote your businesses, and provide a valuable resource for those who visit our community, enabling them to experience the heart that beats within our shared home.

Now, five years later, our children have grown, our company has expanded to publish 17 publications along the central coast, and our team has grown in tandem. Today, our vision remains steadfast— Making Communities Better Through Print.™. We extend our sincerest gratitude for the overwhelming love and support we have received, and we eagerly anticipate the many more years that lie ahead, where we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Please enjoy this issue of Atascadero News Magazine.

Much love, The Mattson's

if thou wouldest win immortality of name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hayley Mattson

CONTENT EDITOR

Camille DeVaul

AD DESIGN

Jen Rodman

LAYOUT DESIGN

Neil Schumaker

Evan Rodda

Anthony Atkins

BUSINESS & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Nicholas Mattson

COPY EDITOR

Mike Chaldu

COMMUNITY WRITER

Christianna Marks

AD CONSULTANTS

Dana McGraw

Jamie Self

COMPANY ADMINISTRATOR

Cami Martin | office@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Barbie Butz

Blake Ashley Frino - Gerl

Kyla Skinner

Jaime Silveira

James Brescia, Ed.D

Josh Cross Shift'N Gears

Simone Smith

The Natural Alternative

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Commentary reflects the views of the writers and does not necessarily reflect those of Atascadero News Magazine. Atascadero News Magazine is delivered free to 17,000 addresses in North San Luis Obispo County. Our costs are paid entirely by advertising revenue. Our Local Business section spotlights select advertisers. All other stories are determined solely by our editors.

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Sum-summ-summa time! Summer on the Central Coast is pretty glorious!

Since I have a relatively new business, I won’t be planning any out-of-town vacations, but lucky for me, tons of fun activities are happening close to home. We live where people vacation — how fun.

Starting out in June and continuing through the season, we have the return of the Summer Concert Series at the Lake Park. It’s free to attend — bring a low back chair or blanket and a picnic, or you can purchase a meal from the food trucks that will be present. July 1 will feature Club Dv8, ’80s dance music. Yes, my era! Their

on the Central Coast

set will include music by Billy Idol, The Cure, INXS, and more. Get ready to see my awkward self out there dancing. Music goes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Saturday evening through July and August, with a variety of music to please all generations.

July 4, same place, the Lake Park, the Bluegrass Freedom Festival will be presented by Colony Days and the Printery Foundation. From 2 to 8 p.m., enjoy music, boating, bounce houses, and games. Admission is free and there will be food, wine, and beer for purchase. If you have plans for fireworks in the evening, you can enjoy this event on your way out to the beach.

On July 15, the annual Ice Cream Zoofari will be held at Charles Paddock Zoo. Sponsored by Pure Pediatric Dentistry; they’ll be happy to help with any resulting cavities. Just kidding. Your zoo entry includes all-you-can-eat ice cream,

sundaes, root beer floats, and sugar-free treats. Sure to include lots of sticky happy faces.

As the kids will be out of school, be sure to check out the wide variety of classes and camps hosted by the Atascadero Recreation Department; info can be found at atascadero.org under Atascadero Recreation Guide. Also, support our local beloved businesses, like Hops Bounce House, perfect for the long hot days with the little ones where they just need to get energy out, and you can relax in the air conditioning and big comfy couches. For older kiddos, check out Andy’s Awesome Arcade at 5880 Traffic Way. A $10 entry gets you in for the entire day with a selection of games from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.

Enjoy your summer and I’ll see ya out there!

Dr. Agarwal is a highly trained and skilled board certified ophthalmologist with a focus on medical and surgical diseases of the Retina and Vitreous such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, uveitis, retinal detachments and flashes and floaters. Dr. Agarwal takes the time to educate his patients on the importance of managing the overall health of their eyes.

Is home staging worth it?

Deciding to sell your home is not a decision arrived at easily. After several sleepless nights of wondering whether or not you should sell your home, plus countless conversations with your spouse, significant other, friends or family, you have decided that putting your home up for sale is the best move for you. With your Realtor at your side, you’ve been advised to put your best foot forward when bringing your home on the market. This not only helps to reduce the number of days on market, but also, hopefully, your profit at the end of the transaction.

We’ve all seen the home improvement and renovation shows/blogs/magazines that are all over cable television, streaming services, Pinterest, YouTube, or other social platforms. There are more reality shows and pictures that show you how your home should look than we ever could’ve thought possible! But, do most homes that are truly lived in really look like that? If you’re like me (and most people) the answer is no. Real life doesn't look like a magazine — it’s a little messy. You may have children, extended family, full-time careers, pets, or you simply don’t have the energy to take care of the home you moved into 20-plus years ago. No judgment here, I get it! But how do we make your home look like those reality shows so that it stands out to the right buyers?

If you have read my prior articles, I have mentioned that decluttering, depersonalizing, and routine landscape maintenance are efforts that are extremely beneficial when placing your home on the market. With current market conditions, let’s go a step further and talk about home staging. The National Association of Realtors® defines staging as “cleaning, decluttering, repairing, depersonalizing, and updating the home to entice buyers to picture themselves in the space.”

Since buyers reasonably come with expectations of what they want their new home to look like, sellers benefit from looking at their home with a buyer’s lens. What attracted you to the home initially? Was it the open floor space? The incredible backyard? The gourmet kitchen?

Incredible views? If they were attractive to you, they may attract a prospective buyer. Why not accentuate the positive? So, clean those countertops off in the kitchen and bathrooms so they showcase how much counter space there is. Thin out some furniture so that a buyer can really see how much space there is in a room. Remove heavy drapery so the stunning views from the windows catch the buyer’s attention right away. There are quite a few no- to low-cost projects you can do around the house that will make a big impact.

The home improvement items real estate agents say they recommend most to their clients before listing a property include:

• Decluttering: 96 percent

• Entire home cleaning: 88 percent

• Remove pets during showings: 83 percent

• Professional photos: 73 percent

• Minor repairs: 72 percent

• Carpet cleaning: 71 percent

• Depersonalize home: 65 percent

• Painting: 58 percent

• Landscaping: 50 percent

• Grouting: 30 percent

• Source: “2023 Profile of Home Staging,” National Association of REALTORS®

I agree with the 10 items above, especially with the decluttering, home cleaning, and minor

repairs. Overall, I always recommend removing visual distractions from your home. I also encourage my clients to depersonalize their home, i.e. remove most to all of the family photos, pack away collections or reduce the amount of art on the walls. Clutter is not limited to counter spaces and table tops, it can happen on the walls as well. You want a buyer to walk into your home and picture themselves living there.

Without the extra visual distractions, buyers have a much easier time envisioning what their lives would be like in your home. A new home purchase is a very large expense, it is helpful for buyers to see that they can move in and take their time making their new home fit their lifestyle. Detailing it even further, the chart below attaches a percentage to the importance each location staged represents:

Having the conversation with your Realtor about where your efforts make the most sense when presenting your home to potential buyers can have big advantages. They can help reduce unneeded expenses and take projects off your plate. Your Realtor has their finger on the heartbeat of the real estate market and knows what sells and what can help make your home stand out from the rest. With your Realtor by your side, you can devise a game plan that will result in a quick and profitable sale.

The Natural Alternative is gearing up for summer and the hot weather that is sure to follow. One of the most important summertime tips to keep in mind is hydration. The best way to stay hydrated is to make sure you get enough electrolytes throughout the day. This month we are offering 20 percent off all electrolytes. A favorite here at The Natural Alternative is LMNT, a tasty electrolyte drink mix that is formulated to help anyone with their electrolyte needs and is perfectly suited to folks following a keto, low-carb, or paleo diet.

LMNT is a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Their ratio stands out: LMNT delivers a truly meaningful dose of electrolytes without the sugar, junky fillers, or artificial coloring found in other “sports drinks.” We carry a wide variety of flavors that you can add to our Pure Mountain Valley Spring Water or Essentia High Quality Alkaline Water. They make a great pair.

On average, the body loses and

needs to replace about 2-3 quarts of water daily. Luckily, many foods we eat are composed mostly of water. Foods with high water content include greens and most fruits and vegetables. Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.

Experts recommend drinking roughly 11 cups of water per day for the average woman and 16 for men. And not all those cups have to come from plain water; for example, some can come from water flavored with fruit or vegetables (lemons, berries, or orange or cucumber slices) or from coffee or tea.

Make sure to stop by The Natural Alternative and stock up on Electrolytes and Water for The 4th of July holiday. We will be closed for the holiday on Tuesday, July 4, and will re-open on July 5. Wishing you a spectacular summer season.

The Team @ The Natural Alternative

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DIAGNOSIS, PRESCRIPTION OR TREATMENT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DIAGNOSIS, PRESCRIPTION OR TREATMENT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

LAKESIDE FEST

RECORD CARDBOARD BOATS RACE AT ATASCADERO LAKE

The 6th Annual Friends of Atascadero Lake LakeFest, held on May 20, saw record-breaking numbers of cardboard boat entries, with 14 in the Open Class and 11 in the Kids Class. The event attracted a large number of families who enjoyed a day filled with fun activities. The beautiful weather and increased participation, including more boats than ever before, contributed to the festival's success.

The highlight of the event was the Cardboard Boat Regatta & Races, featuring both an Open Class and a kids' class. The Open Class was won by The Bullard Family on Duck Yea, followed by Bill Hair on Big Duck, and Mike Dean on Its 5-0-clock Somewhere. The children's category was led by Ben Grenniger on Uno. Approximately 15 people entered the Fishing Derby, with Aleeno Ortega winning after being the sole participant to catch a fish. Organizers celebrated the success of the event, which was attended by an unprecedented crowd and supported by 32 vendors, thanks to the partnership of The Friends of Atascadero Lake and The Link Family Resource Center.

Photos by Rick Evans

We are here to offer some monthly tips, tricks, and tales from the automotive industry. Whether you are fellow gearheads, garage aficionados, or maybe you think about blinker fluid (Hint, hint, you don’t have any blinker fluid), we are here for you.

We are Jimmy and Leigh-Ann of Shift’N Gears Garage in Paso Robles. If you don’t know us already, we are both locals who decided to give back to our community and open up an ASE Master Certified full-service auto repair shop. We also host Gearhead Radio, a weekly LIVE call-in radio show on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on KPRL 99.3 FM 1230 AM, where all things auto-related are covered.

It’s Summer Time. Let’s Talk About Going Topless!

Once there was a time when all automobiles on the road were open-topped, before the turn of the 19th century, if you were out driving in your fancy motor-powered vehicle and encountered some harsh weather, you either had to be pretty innovative, or you needed to find a tree or bridge to park under.

Not exactly luxurious, is it? Convertible tops started emerging

in the 1920s. They were usually cold, drafty, and had unreliable, difficult-to-operate roofs. But that all changed in the early 1930s when Peugeot introduced the Eclipse model. The demand for convertibles spiked after World War II, driven by returning American soldiers who saw all the roadsters in Europe that were not available in the U.S.

In fact, by 1950, every American carmaker had a convertible in its lineup — 33 models in all. In 1965, convertibles sales hit their all-time peak. But with the introduction of higher safety standards and faster drivability speeds in the U.S., convertible sales and manufacturing was on a slow decline. During the ’80s, there was a resurgence with the ragtops, but it still accounted for only a small percentage of sales. As our technology and innovation grow, so too does the open-top car concept. Sliding glass roofs are taking over the convertible landscape, and that shows like anything else, innovation and technology are nowhere near close to slowing down. Where will the convertible be 20 years from now? We’ll keep our eyes open; it should be an interesting ride.

California Mid-State Fair

The Allure of Competition

By Simone Smith

What is it about a county fair that makes it so alluring, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and participants from miles around for this annual event? Sure, our own California Mid-State Fair is known for its outstanding music lineups, but at its very heart lies the basic ingredients of all modern county fairs, exhibits, competitions, and educational opportunities (mixed in with a whole lot of fun, of course).

For myself, my first introduction to the county fair was as a child. Our family would pile into the car and rush to look at the exhibits, specifically to the home arts building to see if my grandmother had again taken first-place awards for her chocolate fudge and divinity and to the floriculture building to see how she did with her entries of live African violets and cut flowers. My sister and I always loved the animal exhibits, and there was nothing like the smell of fresh straw, fuzzy noses, and the crowing, clucking, mooing, and baaing of the barn area. Later, joining 4-H, we worked hard all year to raise the healthiest sheep and dairy goats that we could and put in hours perfecting our showmanship skills all in hopes of winning the top awards, with the associated ribbons, prize money, prestige, and good sales prices for our animals.

According to Linda Preston, the agricultural and horticultural coordinator for the Mid-State Fair 2023, this year is shaping up to be a good one, with things getting back into action after the covid years. The theme for this year is “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” with special themed competitions in floral exhibits, scarecrows, mailboxes, table settings and cake decorating. The entry booklet is released annually in spring, with entries due in early June. If you’ve never looked over the list of competitions available, along with prize money awarded, rules, and entry fees, you can find it here at midstatefair.com. You just might be inspired to enter something in the future, as are many this year.

The California Mid-State Fair at the Paso Robles Event Center will run from July 19-30 and this year you will see a dizzying array of entries, exhibits, and displays. From our Santa Margarita area, you will find agricultural exhibits from 4-H and FFA members, including Kensi Witt, showing her heifer, hog, and dairy goats; Holley Faye Switzer, showing

her sheep, dairy goats, and cattle; and members of Dorothy Wagsters Pozo 4-H group showing dairy goats, market goats, swine, sheep, beef, horses and poultry. Of course, there are many other categories to compete in.

With the challenge of showing off your best, hopes are high and opportunities are abundant. Between the featured contests such as Apple Pie Baking, Best Themed Decorated Lawn Flamingo, Salsa Making, and more, offering sponsored premium cash awards, and the multitude of regular competitions from Arts & Crafts to Fine Arts and Farm Art to Photography, there is something for everyone, and the allure of participating can be quite strong. In addition to their agricultural exhibits, a member from Pozo 4-H will be entering a quilt, and Holley Faye Switzer will be entering the baking and floral competitions. Members of the public are drawn in as well.

This year you can find entries from the Baker-Ballantyne family, who have been participating for several years. Oliver, 17, loves photography, with his interest being sparked at a young age by his mom, Jessica.

He will be entering his photographs and “has fun seeing his photos along with the others in the competition and likes to see how others show different perspectives and how they do their work.”

Oliver’s sister Pearl, 12, has a love of culinary arts and has entered

Photos contributed by: Jessica Baker-Ballantyne and Adriana Gomez Rivas

Adriana Gomez Rivas (right), shown with her mother, will be entering the salsa competition for the first time at the California Mid-State Fair. These photos show the "before" and "after" of Adriana Gomez Rivas' submission to the fair's salsa competition

cupcakes and also stepping stones in the past. Pearl is “in it for the money. Just show her the cash.”

This year she is excited to be entering the salsa competition and will be including many of their homegrown ingredients. It’s a family event for the Baker-Ballantynes, with their father, Glenn entering his garlic and a dahlia in the floral competition and their mother, Jessica, entering a felted item.

Also, from Santa Margarita, we will see several entries at the fair from first-time competitor Adriana Gomez Rivas. Adriana has never entered anything at the fair, but when she saw the salsa competition announced, it was game on.

“What made me want to enter

was the fact that I felt like it was something I had an actual chance of winning,” she said. “This is 100 percent something I normally wouldn’t do.”

However, coming from a salsa-making family and honing her skills with her mother, this is something Adriana feels comfortable with.

“I grew up in a home where if you’re not choking on the fumes of charred peppers, you’re not living,” she said.

Now that’s some spicy competition.

The allure of the competition is strong at the California Mid-State Fair, and it will be fun to see and learn from all those who enter and show us their best.

Oliver BakerBallantyne, 17, takes a shot that may be entered into the photography competition at the California Mid-State Fair.

Pearl BakerBallantyne plans to enter the fair's salsa competition, with her own home-grown ingredients, and has also submitted cupcakes in the baking competition.

Speaking Their Language

Sue Hubbard's upbringing near the border led to a love of horses, a connection to the Spanish-speaking community, and the formation of the HBA

By Christianna Marks

For the last nine years, Sue Hubbard has been well-known as a Farmer's Insurance Agent in Atascadero, but it's the things she's done for the community and her story of how she got here that make this incredible woman stand out. What brought her to the North County? Her love of the horse industry and her love of the Spanish-speaking community, all of which came from growing up near the Mexican border in the Imperial Valley.

"I grew up in a little rural school, where I only had one friend ... We didn't have kindergarten. We just had first grade through eighth grade a very small rural school. It's still there, called Pine Union. In the classes, we never had the same classmates because they were migrant farmworkers," Sue said about her upbringing.

Growing up there, Sue took a shine to the beautiful Spanish language and took Spanish in high school, and then went on to attend the University of California at San Diego, which happens to have the world's largest collection of Spanish literature. The school also required Sue to be able to speak a second language, so it isn't a surprise that she chose Spanish.

"I took Spanish in my first year there, and what was neat was our teachers for our classes were from all different areas of the Hispanic speaking world, so one class I had a Castil ian-speaking Spanish instructor, then I'd have a Puerto Rican Spanish speaking instructor, who I didn't understand hardly at all, and then I'd have a South American speaking Spanish

became actively involved. Since the start of the HBA, Carla has left the area, but Maria is still involved to this day.

"One of the [other] people who helped me early on in the Hispanic Business Association is a guy named Gabriel Quiroz, and he was the station manager for the Hispanic TV station that was in Santa Maria that they closed down," Sue said. "He is now working for Mission Community Services, and he teaches how to start your own business classes in San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield, and King City in Spanish. He's a great guy. He has a whole outline

Homeless Organization's The Long Walk Home every year.

"What I've discovered with Quota and Kiwanis and some of the other groups that I've talked to, the church groups, the VFW, they're all community oriented. Look at our Loaves and Fishes, it is huge. Look at what we have for our homeless, I mean look how much it's grown. We have a huge caring community. That's what I've seen grow exponentially in the last nine years," Sue said about Atascadero. "It's always been there, but it just seems like it just keeps growing and growing and growing."

Sales

JULY 19-30

Welcome to The 2023 California Mid-State Fair

Colleen Bojorquez, California Mid-State Fair CEO,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I welcome you to the 2023 California Mid-State Fair, where we celebrate this year’s vintage Vegas-inspired theme, “Shake, Rattle, & Roll.”

As always, the staff has worked tirelessly, and the grounds are simply beautiful, full of splendor, and many new improvements to enjoy. Whether you ride the rides, listen to the stellar entertainment staged throughout the grounds, watch the livestock and equestrian events, go shopping with the commercial vendors, or just eat fabulous food, please take time to enjoy every aspect that makes this fair “The Biggest Little Fair … Anywhere!”

It is with heartfelt “thank-you, thank-you very much” for the dedicated support from our staff, volunteers, and the many sponsors who all have enabled us to be the great success we are today in the industry. We hope you have an incredible experience and enjoy as we “Shake, Rattle, & Roll” at the 2023 California Mid-State Fair!”

Board of Directors President’s Message

Krista Sabin, President 16th District Agricultural Association

On behalf of the California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors, welcome to the Fabulous California Mid-State Fair. It’s time to Shake, Rattle, & Roll!

For our 77th annual California Mid-State Fair, we are putting all of our chips on the table to celebrate our dynamic community and provide to you the best 12 days of summer! As always, there is something for everyone during the 12 days of the Fair.

Fairgoers can try their luck at one of the many public contests, experience the thrill of the carnival, enjoy shopping, free live music, culinary delights, and educational programs. You will not want to miss the showstopping exhibit buildings bursting with arts and crafts, home arts, photography, fine art, horticulture, and floriculture. Join us on Seniors Day, Kids Day, and Armed Forces Day, as we spotlight and celebrate our Seniors, Kids, and Armed Forces. Take a gamble on who will be crowned the next California Mid-State Fair Queen by attending the pageant — a neon night filled with glitz, glamour, and talent.

Head to the north end of the Fairgrounds to see all the 4-H and FFA livestock and to catch some of the best and most renowned horse and livestock shows. Also on display will be amazing industrial art projects, custom crafted by high-school students. Each evening you will find top-notch artists performing in the main Grandstand arena. The last Saturday features our elite local cowboys and cowgirls competing in the Country Rodeo Finals — a night filled with pride and patriotism. Closing night, join us for the new and exciting Mud Bogs — just be careful where you sit!

The California Mid-State Fair is a true collaboration of our extraordinary community, gracious volunteers, generous sponsors, talented exhibitors, dedicated staff, vendors, auction buyers, and fairgoers of all ages. We invite you to come and experience all that our unique Fair has to offer. Roll the dice and come once, come twice, or come all 12 days; you will not want to miss all the sights, sounds, and thrills of this year’s Fair. I am going to double down and bet that this is going to be the best Fair yet. Come Shake, Rattle & Roll with us.

We look forward to making lasting memories with you at the 2023 California Mid-State Fair. See you at the Biggest Little Fair Anywhere!

Twelve Days of Fun - Highlights

Saturday, Sunday and at 4 p.m. on all other days.

Live Entertainment

Since 1969, the demand for live entertainment has grown at the California Mid-State Fair, and this year truly has something for everyone. So be sure to get your tickets fast at midstatefair.com.

The Michelob ULTRA Concert Series lineup in the Chumash Grandstand Arena includes:

July 19 • Tim McGraw with Annie Bosko

July 20 • Lauren Daigle with Jon Foreman

July 21 • Sammy Hagar with Jet Black Roses

July 22 • B-52’s with Lou Gramm

July 23 • Luke Bryan with Conner Smith

July 24 • Nelly with T.I.

July 25 • Parker McCollum with Ian Munsick

July 26 • Pitbull

July 27 • Los Tucanes de Tijuana

July 28 • Music & Wine with Styx

July 29 • Country Rodeo Finals

Kick off the Fair this year by joining in on the fun of attending opening day on Wednesday, July 19, starting at 8 a.m. with the Cutting Horse Show at the Hearst Equestrian Center. The day is packed full of FFA, 4-H shows, and Career Fair. Grand Opening and Ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., the Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant on the Frontier Stage, and at 7:30 p.m., country superstar Tim McGraw on the Chumash Grandstand Area.

Cattlemen & Farmers Day

One of the most special days of the annual Fair, Cattlemen & Farmers Day, pays tribute to our local cattlemen, cattlewomen, and agriculturalists. Join in on the fun Thursday, July 20, celebrating the accomplishments of the Industrial Arts program. Enjoy a fabulous BBQ steak dinner with a glass of wine or beer, and find out who wins the coveted Cattleman of the Year, Cattlewoman of the Year, and Agriculturalist of the Year!

Kids’ Day & Senior Day

On Kids’ Day, Friday, July 28, children age 12 and under are admitted to the Fair for free, and on Friday, July 21, visitors age 62 and older pay just $9.

Carnival Rides

The California Mid-State Fair is teaming up with Helm & Sons Amusements to offer FREE carnival rides to all patrons on Wednesday, July 19, from 4 p.m. until Midnight. Just pay Fair admission, and that’s it! Helm & Sons Amusements will also be offering their “Fast Pass” on-site for $30. The “Fast Pass” may be limited due to demand. For fast entry into the carnival rides, WOWXpress wristbands are available only at the Carnival Ticket Booths and enable guests to bypass crowds via special entrances on every ride. The carnival opens at noon on Friday,

July 30 • Extreme Truck Madness

805 Beer Frontier Stage:

All shows are free with paid admission to the Fair and start at 8 p.m. The concert series is presented by Five Cities Water Systems.

July 19 • Miss CMSF Scholarship Pageant (6 p.m.)

Come find out who is crowned Miss CMSF 2023.

July 20 • Shake, Rattle, & Roll (Elvis Impersonator)

Watch Scot Bruce celebrate what made Elvis the “King of Rock and Roll!” He’s joined by his rockin’ 4-piece band as they bring you back in time to the electrifying musical excitement of Elvis in his prime.

July 21 • Legends in Concert (Direct from London)

One of the longest-running and most-awarded shows in Las Vegas, Legends in Concert, will pay tribute to some of the biggest icons and luminaries in British music history, including Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart, and Adele, together on one stage.

July 22 • Ned LeDoux

The son of the legendary Chris LeDoux, Ned is carrying on the family tradition, but he’s also charting his own course, and his album “Buckskin” is the latest step on that journey. Ned says, “Never forget where you came from and show respect to people no matter where you are.”

July 23: Los Morros del Norte

Pure northern flavor is styled through the veins of these four very cheerful compas, which have a unique and original style.

July 24 • Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery’s current album “Same Truck” contains his No. 1 RIAA Gold-certified singles “You Time” and “Damn Strait,” and his current single “It Matters to Her.”

July 25 • A Flock of Seagulls

As well-known for their bizarrely teased haircuts as their hit single “I Ran (So Far Away),” A Flock of Seagulls was one of the MTV video

rotation staples of the new wave era.

July 26

• Ben Haggard

For fans of his late, legendary father, country music great Merle Haggard, his youngest son Ben is no stranger to the stage. In fact, he’s been the lead guitarist in Hag’s longtime band of the same name for the past eight years since he was 15 years old.

July 27 • Iam Tongi

The winner of Season 21 of American Idol, Tongi has over 1 million Spotify streams for the song “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Tongi is the youngest of five children and is originally from Kahuku, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu.

July 28 • Tyler Rich

Northern California-raised, Nashville-rooted Tyler Rich found his love of music gathered around a Christmas tree alongside family singing holiday classics and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tyler has amassed nearly half a billion global streams to date, and “The Difference” is a staple at country music stations.

July 29 • The Original Wailers

See Al Anderson’s stunning lead work on such classics as “No Woman, No Cry” and “Three O’clock Road Block,” that first alerted rock fans to the Wailer’s music. Andersons’ musical achievements with Bob Marley & The Wailers include the award-winning platinum albums, “Live at the Lyceum,” “Babylon by Bus” and 10 times platinum album “Legend.”

July 30 • Shane Profitt

A salt-of-the-earth Southerner with a straight-shooting swagger and kind smile, Shane Profitt’s musical toolbox is full of all-natural talent. His first country music hit, “How It Oughta Be,” is currently a Top 15 smash.

Free Pancake Breakfast

The Annual Pancake Breakfast in Paso Robles Downtown City Park is on Thursday, July 27, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast includes sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, orange juice, and coffee. The cooking crew is provided by the Mid-State Fair as a way of saying thank you to the community. The Paso Robles Main Street Association provides the servers and handles the ticket distributions. Pick up your tickets in advance from downtown retail stores. Or call the Main Street Office with questions at (805) 238-4103. The best part it’s free!

CMSF Barn Dance

Just outside the Headliner Stage, radio station 98.1 KJUG will host dancing for the public from 9 p.m. until closing.

Country Rodeo Finals

The Country Rodeo Finals will take place on Saturday, July 29. The exciting night will take place at the Main Grandstand Arena and start at 7 p.m. All seats are General Admission and are on sale now at $30/Adult (13+ years old) and $15/Child (3-12 years old) and can be purchased online. The ticket price is $30 for all on the day of the show. The Country Rodeo Finals is the culmination of hard work and stellar performances during the morning’s rodeo events; this is your chance to see some of the best and brightest cowboys and cowgirls. Featured events include Match Roping, Team Penning, Double Mugging, Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, and more.

Extreme Truck Madness

All the mud-slinging, high-flying trucks, and SUVs everyone loves to watch. Stock and modified Tuff Truck along with the stock, modified, and outlaw Mud Trucks.

CMSF Daily Schedule

The official CMSF Daily Schedule will be mailed to every home in the North County and available in print and online prior to the start of the Fair. Visit midstatefair.com for more details.

A Dynamic New Partnership Between The Atascadero Chamber And The Hispanic Business Association

By Josh Cross

Nine years ago, Sue Hubbard of Farmers Insurance in Atascadero saw a need for Hispanic businesswomen to have a collaborative space to discuss their unique challenges as minority business owners. Now as we move into 2023, I'm thrilled to share about an exciting new partnership between The Hispanic Business Association and our Chamber. To ensure the Hispanic Business Association members are equipped with the tools and resources they need for continued success, the association has merged with the Atascadero Chamber.

There's a growing need in our

community for representation and resources for minority-owned businesses. According to Maria Elena Garcia, former president of the Hispanic Business Association, about 20 percent of residents in Atascadero and 36 percent in Paso Robles are Hispanic, with a growing population in San Miguel. Through this partnership, our goal is to better reach and serve the needs of our diverse businesses. In addition, we're keen on understanding their day-to-day challenges from human resources to bookkeeping — and addressing them. To facilitate this, we've recently brought on board three bilingual staff members, two of which have been funded by

PROGRAMS and EVENTS July

Chamber Mixer | La Plaza

July 20| 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

6490 El Camino Real, Atascadero

regional grants.

I anticipate a lot of learning from our combined and growing business community. Our Chamber team is looking forward to building our knowledge and understanding of the diverse business community we serve. This merger demonstrates what makes our community great — our readiness to work together to lend a hand and help out other local businesses.

For more information about the Hispanic Business Association, its history, mission, and how to join, please visit hba-cc.org. You can also reach Maria Elena Garcia at (805) 835-7900 or mariacchba@gmail. com.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

AT&T, Prime Communications primecomms.com

Boone Printing and Graphics boonegraphics.net

Cattos Graphics cattosgraphics.com

El Paso Restoration (HBA Member) pasorestoration.com

Masons (805) 610-8009

Native Nations Group, Inc. (805) 310-1860

Pasolivo pasolivo.com/downtown

Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden sculpterra.com

The Carlton Hotel the-carlton.com

Join us for our July Membership Mixer on July 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at La Plaza. This event offers an exceptional opportunity to connect with local business leaders and engage with our remarkable community. You'll also have the chance to meet new businesses with Member Alley while enjoying complimentary drinks and bites.

Tickets for the mixer are free for Members and $10 for Non-Members; registration is encouraged to assist with food and beverage planning purposes. Even if you cannot register ahead of time, we still happily welcome your attendance. Register at atascaderochamber.org.

Atascadero Lakeside Wine Passport | 2023

Good for all of 2023. For only $75, you can enjoy complimentary tastings, one per location, at 53 wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, olive oil tastings, and more. You will also receive complimentary corkage fees at participating restaurants and discounts on local hotel stays. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will help support the Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo.

Purchase your passport at atascaderochamber.org/wine-passport or by contacting the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce at (805) 466-2044.

Third Wheel Tours thirdwheeltours.com

Timshel Vineyards timshelvineyards.com

Uncle Ed's Outfitters atascaderogunshop.com

Two Knights Insurance Services, LTD twoknightsins.com

Note: All Chamber Members were asked to participate in this Guide by submitting entries.

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Seven months ago, on Oct. 23, 2022, husband and wife Ramiro and Mayra Medina opened La Michoacana in Atascadero. The name refers to how ice cream is made just as they do in Michoacan, Mexico, according to Mayra. It is a family business in which they work along with their children and share their creative and unique foods and treats with their customers.

After coming to Atascadero for certain events and car shows, the Medinas “fell in love with the city,” Mayra says. In addition, Ramiro’s parents have an ice cream shop in Monterey County and they “noticed Atascadero was missing something

like this.” That’s when their idea came to fruition. Their opening took longer than expected, but they are glad to now be open.

“Our ice creams are unique and always have our own twist to it,” Mayra says.

Their Fresas con Crema is made with a homemade cream that they make in-house. The Esquites corn salad is made fresh everyday. Their purées for their Raspados are made in-house as well. If someone is craving something spicy, the snack Tostilocos are recommended.

In addition to their consistent menu, the Medinas incorporate seasonal flavors throughout the year, too. They also consider

everyone’s input when creating new menu items. Upon inquiring about vegan options, Mayra says they have shaved ice and some of the purées are vegan.

The parents are also very proud to have their children be a part of the business and feel that they do an “amazing job.” Mayra beams. “We are very proud of them and all the hard work they do.”

The family business seems to be a sweet and thriving addition to Atascadero.

The Wizard of Oz

Children’s House Montessori School Travels Somewhere Over The Rainbow

The 2023 performance of The Wizard of Oz by Children’s House Montessori School was a great success. Spearheaded by the innovative Guest Play Director, Lyric Gianni, the cast’s vibrant portrayal breathed new life into the timeless classic. Alba Florentini’s portrayal of Dorothy was particularly moving; her performance was filled with a youthful charm that captivated the audience.

Adding to the colorful palette, Dash Taylor as Scarecrow, Michael Messer as Tin Man, and Lark White as Cowardly Lion, each brought a unique dimension to their characters. Their performances were richly layered, embodying the essence of their roles with conviction. The Wicked Witch of the West, Matea Powell, and Glenda the Good Witch, Emma Silveira, provided an engaging contrast, with performances that held the audience in awe.

Ryan Keen’s portrayal as the Wizard of Oz commanded the stage, while Shifa Saiyed and Nolan Waak, playing Auntie Em and Uncle Henry, respectively, lent the necessary warmth to their roles. Emerald City Guards Izzy Huls-Hutton and Serenna Pojas, as well as Trees, portrayed by Mirac Mattson, Sterling Nanasy, and Drake Waak, brought a delightful vigor to the production.

The performance was further enhanced by the compelling performances of Emerald City Citizens, Flying Monkeys, Munchkin Officials, and Citizens, along with the Young Poppies. Altogether, this rendition of The Wizard of Oz was a testament to the talent and dedication of the Children’s House Montessori School.

Workplace learning is a tool used by businesses to staff and maintain effectiveness. Current research indicates that the workplace might be one of the best places to learn about successful employment. Employees or potential employees respond positively to opportunities designed to acquire new skills to obtain additional work skills that lead to employment. This month’s article discusses the current partnerships that the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education promotes between our schools, SLO Partners, and local business leaders. These partnerships are an effort to grow a local skilled workforce that wants to remain in San Luis Obispo County. The County Office of Education launched another phase of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) or local workforce development with SLO Partners, local business leaders, and local chambers of commerce during the spring of 2023.

The three-day 2023 Summer Jumpstart program prepared high school graduates to learn career readiness, workplace communication, and customer service skills. Each participant was paid $300 for completing the

Not your parents’

SCHOOL

program, received a service training certificate recognized by local business leaders, and was assisted in securing local employment. Sessions were held in South County, San Luis Obispo, and North County, with 25 participants in each cohort. Program directors Jennifer Clayton and Paul Piette facilitated preparing 75 young people for employment in San Luis Obispo County. Jasmine, a local Paso Robles participant in the program, expressed gratitude for the support, mentorship, and multiple opportunities to interview with local employers, resulting in employment opportunities.

Throughout the summer sessions, participants received an assessment, training, certification, interview training, and placement in several San Luis Obispo County business sectors. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education funded the cost of the classes, and the CTE Foundation provided each participant stipend. Business leaders provided access to staff to teach participants the skills required to succeed in local businesses. After the summer sessions, participants were invited to enter other apprenticeship programs with employment opportunities in San Luis Obispo County.

The SLO Partners’ mission is to engage business partners and education in aligning workforce needs with career and college

pathways. This alignment helps to provide work experience opportunities to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the workplace and that businesses have skilled workers required for a growing economy. SLO Partners is committed to collaborating with local businesses and education for pathways and opportunities serving local talent. Collaborative training presents a prime opportunity to expand the knowledge base of potential employees without significant expenses. When collaboration occurs, employees can maximize time while attending training sessions. Partnerships such as the Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs invest in professional development as a positive endeavor. When education and business join forces to provide a structured training and development program, the workforce receives consistent experience and background knowledge preparation.

CTE creates value within our local economy so students and future employees gain access to training, feel appreciated, and are more likely to remain productive members of the local economy. I am proud to be part of today’s cutting-edge, rigorous, and relevant CTE programs that prepare our youth and adults for a broad range of high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand jobs. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

JAMES BRESCIA, ED.D COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SLOCOEDU

Meet The 2023 ATASCADERO HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorians and Salutatorians

By Christianna Marks

"They did 90 percent of the work. I just did the final 10. The little homestretch, they set me up for success."

Shawly and his family immigrated to America from Syria back in 2013 due to war and terrorism in their home country. When his family arrived, Shawky's dad worked long hours so his mother, who was a pharmacist in Syria, could get her degree to become an American pharmacist. It's their example that led Shawky to be the go-getter and math lover he is today.

"He's a big influence in my life. He was Valedictorian two years ago. Without him ... my parents got everything set up for me, but also, without my brother, without him, I would not have known half the questions that were here. He ran so I could walk. It's such a cliche quote, but it basically happened here. He worked his butt off so he could help me be where I'm at."

Shawky said that Aziz told him:

Valedictorian Shawky Bassil

Atascadero High School's Valedictorian for 2023 is Shawky Bassil. Shawky landed the title this year with the highest GPA (grade point average) out of the graduating senior class, with a 4.71 GPA after four years of hard work.

"I was happy, I was proud, obviously, but I felt good because I'm basically reiterating how much my parents and my family put in to get me where I'm at," Shawky said of the honor.

"I love math. I really like math. I like science, really STEM; I like STEM a lot, I'm STEM oriented. That's basically it; that's how I raised up; I love math. My grandpa loves math. My dad is really good with numbers."

Shawky's support system through high school had an important role in getting him to this point.

"That's basically why I really came out in this school as Valedictorian. I think it's because my family put in work, my teachers were patient with me, my counselors were patient with me, and I had really good friends."

Shawky also loves to play soccer, compete in cross country, tennis, and is now heading to the gym with his older brother, Aziz.

"Don't settle for less. You know yourself. You know you. You know what's the best version of you, so try to accomplish that, and don't try to peak too early."

Shawky landed a scholarship that will cover his tuition at the University of Arizona, where he will start school in the fall. His plan is to major in biology at the start of his pre-dental track.

"Thank you to my parents; they were awesome. My grandparents for supporting me from across the world in Syria. My brother especially. For just helping me get where I'm at. And definitely, my friends, because friends are the family you choose," said Shawky. "I would also like to thank God because, as an Orthodox Christian, Jesus has played a big role in my upbringing and success."

Shawky Bassil Isabella Brylewski

Salutatorian

Isabella Jade Brylewski

Coming in with a GPA of 4.7, Isabella (Bella) Brylewski became Salutatorian of Atascadero High School's 2023 graduating class, but Bella wasn't surprised that she landed the honor.

"I've actually known this whole time that I would either be Valedictorian or Salutatorian. Shawky — the Valedictorian — is a super competitive guy, and we've talked a lot about this stuff. I believe we would've tied for Valedictorian, but I only took four high school classes my senior year in order to take 5 Cuesta classes as well. So I suppose my actual reaction to this, which probably occurred freshman or sophomore year, was a real sense of accomplishment," added Bella. "In middle school, I never felt like the most academically gifted or most confident, and it felt amazing seeing my efforts in high school pay off."

Bella commented on how hard it was to be in school during COVID, but that there were also a lot of silver-linings and opportunities she doesn't think she would have had otherwise.

"I'm proud of what I accomplished during it (COVID): I was able to start taking online classes through Cuesta College, I kept taking as many AP/Honors courses as I could, and I passed all my AP exams," Bella continued. "I loved taking community college classes, and if I had to do high school again, I'd do more of those. Freedom, responsibility, and more choices are all huge bonuses of community college."

In her time at AHS, Bella completed a total of 15 Cuesta courses, passed all her AP exams, and got accepted at UCLA, which is where she will be going to school

in the fall.

"Next year, I'll be majoring in pre-psychology at UCLA. My current goal is to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist, but we'll see. My overarching goal is to study something I love, and psychology is a fascinating subject to me. I'm also hoping to do a language minor, likely in German," stated Bella.

She added that she thrives in an academic setting, which makes succeeding in school that much easier. And even though she didn't always love school or specific classes, her love of learning never wavered. But she also acknowl edges that it was the people around her that made this all possible.

"I've had some truly amazing teachers — it's easy to work hard with a good teacher," said Bella.

"My parents have always been incredibly supportive, kickstart ing my interest in psychology and medicine, respectively. They want me to do well. Some parents ‘push’ their kids to do well. I never felt that. Instead, my parents taught me a lot and gave me support, like the ‘tool’ to do well, which I think was a lot more helpful. I always knew I would be supported in whatever I wanted to do, academics or other wise."

Atascadero High School

102nd Commencement saw 278 students graduate on June 8

On June 8, 278 students from Atascadero High School celebrated their graduation at Memorial Stadium on the school campus. The 102nd Commencement began with the graduates entering the field accompanied by the Greyhound Band, followed by the Senior Choir performing the national anthem. Emma Blais, the Senior Class President, expressed gratitude to everyone who had impacted their lives. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the class were recognized by Superintendent Tom Butler, with Bella Brylewski named as the Salutatorian and Shawky Bassil as the Valedictorian.

The commencement speaker, Hannah Emmack, delivered a speech highlighting the challenges faced by the Class of 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senior Choir performed "Season of Love" from the musical "Rent." Assistant Principal Jeff Spiller acknowledged the class's accomplishments, ranging from athletic achievements to academic excellence. The students received their diplomas amid cheers and confetti cannons, concluding the ceremony.

Photos by Becca Sligh

Enjoying

SummerSalads

It's summer, and what could be better than a salad for lunch or dinner?

I grew up on salads with iceberg lettuce in the '40s and '50s because the varieties we have now were simply not available in local markets.

Tomato-Watermelon

Salad with Feta and Toasted Almonds

Ingredients:

8 cups 1 1/4-inch chunks seedless watermelon (about 6 pounds)

3 pounds ripe tomatoes (preferably heirloom) in assorted colors, cored, cut into 1 1/4-inch chunks (about 6 cups)

1 teaspoon (or more) coarse kosher salt

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons chopped assorted fresh herbs (such as dill, basil, and mint)

6 cups fresh arugula leaves or small watercress sprigs

1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 5 ounces)

1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Directions:

Combine melon and tomatoes in large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt; let stand 15 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons of the oil, the wine vinegar, and herbs to the melon mixture. Season to taste with pepper and more salt, if desired. Toss arugula in medium bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Divide arugula among salad plates. Top with melon salad; sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted almonds and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings

Can you remember a wedge of iceberg topped with Thousand Island dressing? Today it's wonderful to find salad greens like red leaf lettuce, romaine, escarole, butter lettuce, green leaf lettuce, radicchio, arugula and Belgian endive

Spring Greens with Orange-Fennel

Vinaigrette

Ingredients for Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

2 tablespoons minced shallots

1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons (packed) grated orange peel

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh fennel bulb

2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds

Directions:

Whisk orange juice, shallots, thyme, orange peel, and honey in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil, then fennel bulb and fennel fronds. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made one day ahead. Cover and chill. Re-whisk before using.)

Ingredients for Salad:

3 blood oranges or seedless oranges

12 cups torn assorted salad greens (such as arugula, watercress, and endive) or 1 1/2 fiveounce bags mixed baby greens

1 cup chopped green onions

2/3 cup walnuts, toasted

Directions:

Cut all peel and white pith from oranges. Working over a bowl, cut between membranes to release orange segments. Combine assorted greens, green onions, and toasted walnuts in large bowl. Drain orange segments and add to salad. Toss salad with enough dressing to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 8 servings This next salad is heartier and could easily be served for dinner with fresh warmed rolls.

“Cheers!”

often offered at our markets, including our farmers markets.

To make this a "summer of salads," I'm sharing a variety of salad recipes this month I hope will please everyone in your circle of family and friends.

Tarragon Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Pecans

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3 cups finely chopped cooked chicken (Rotisserie chicken may be used)

2 stalks celery, diced

1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

1 cup red grapes, quartered

1/4 cup fresh tarragon, chopped

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, and salt; whisk until well combined. In another medium bowl, toss together chicken, celery, pecans, grapes, and tarragon. add mayonnaise mixture, stirring to combine. Makes about 4 cups

JULY Calendar of Events

JUL 1, 8, 22, 29

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK BANDSTAND, ATASCADERO

6:30-8:30pm

Bring a blanket or chair to sit on and enjoy the summer at “Saturdays in the Park” concert series. July 1 will have music from Club Dv8, The Rockin’ Bs Band on July 8, Riff Tide on July 22 and Way Out West on July 29

JUL 5, 12, 19

CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES

TEMPLETON PARK

6:30-8pm

Listen to and enjoy live music outside.

JUL 13, 20

CONCERTS IN THE PARK CITY PARK, SPRING AND 12TH STREETS, PASO ROBLES

6:30-8pm

Paso Robles Concerts in the Park is a family friendly, free community event in which proceeds from concession sales and donations collected at the concerts benefit the REC Foundation (Recreation Enhances Community), a local nonprofit organization that helps provide youth recreation scholarships to members of our community.

JUL 4

JULY 4TH IN PASO

BARNEY SCHWARTZ PARK, 2970 UNION

ROAD, PASO ROBLES

2-10pm

The City of Paso Robles, along with Travel Paso, is offering a familyfriendly event throughout the day and culminating with a fireworks show at night. There will be a Family Fun Zone and live music with the Stephen Styles Band followed by the Young Dubliners, all beginning at 5:30pm. The City of Paso Robles, along with Travel Paso, is hosting a 4th of July Celebration at Barney Schwartz Park!

JUL 4

BLUEGRASS FREEDOM FESTIVAL

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK, ATASCADERO

2-8pm

Presented by Colony Days and the Printery Foundation, the 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival will offer music, boating, bounce houses, games and more. There will be food, bear and wine available for purchase. For information, visit atascaderofourthofjuly.com.

JUL 4

4TH OF JULY PARADE

DOWNTOWN TEMPLETON

10am

Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Templeton Fire Station before the parade starts, presale tickets are recommended. Family activities will follow in the Templeton Park after the parade sponsored by the Templeton Chamber of Commerce.

JUL 4

FAMILY FUN DAY

TIDELANDS PARK, MORRO BAY

10am

Beginning at 10am with a decorated bike parade, followed by music, flag ceremony and magic show, it will be a fun day for all to celebrate. There will be a beer garden, food and activity wristbands for purchase

JUL 4

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

PISMO BEACH PIER, PISMO BEACH

Enjoy the 4th of July and fireworks show on the pier.

JUL 4

JULY 4 AT SHAMEL PARK

SHAMEL PARK, 5455 WINDSOR BLVD., CAMBRIA

Enjoy the firework show on the beach in Cambria

JUL 19-30

CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR

PASO ROBLES EVENT CENTER

The California Mid-State Fair is held annually and runs for 12 days at the end of July. The Fair has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry.

JUL 29

MOVIES IN THE PARK COLONY PARK, ATASCADERO

8-10pm

Bring the family, along with a chair or blanket to sit on while watching a movie under the stars. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, call (805) 470-336

AUGUST

AUG 12

CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO

COLONY PARK, ATASCADERO

10am-5pm

Everyone will have an opportunity to watch as the Zoo’s animal residents create their own, unique and artistic pieces. Zoo visitors will also be able to create lots of fun arts and crafts too, with plenty of opportunities for children to color, paint, and much more. In addition, talented local artists will be on hand to showcase their beautiful artwork for sale

AUG 19

CRUISIN WEEKEND

DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO AND ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

The 30th Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite starts on August 18 at 6:30 p.m. and continues on Saturday, August 19, with the 32nd Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Park followed by the 7th Annual Dancing in the Streets in the Downtown from 5 to 9 p.m.

Celebration of

world. Each day, we are faced with consequences and decisions.

By Nicholas Mattson

With this issue, we celebrate the nation’s independence. This Fourth of July, Independence Day, we recognize so much of what we have and are grateful for came to us unearned from generations long ago. We will enjoy family and fireworks, and this July, we celebrate five years of Atascadero News Magazine (formerly Colony Magazine). We respect the freedom we have to create and distribute the free press. We respect and honor the work that goes into small business and hometown community relationships. We appreciate how difficult decisions are sometimes. Everything has a cost and, hopefully, a benefit.

The men we honor as the founders of these United States weighed the cost. They committed the crime of treason. The punishment was death.

These were men of means and education — several lawyers, merchants, and farmers; a teacher, a musician, and a printer — Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin memorialized in his almanacs the quote from Thomas Fuller urging us to “do something worth the writing ...” which we print in each issue on the publisher’s letter page. Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing it was a death warrant if they were to lose the war for America. He had a keen sense of what it meant to “Do something worth writing” and the cost of doing such things.

He was a sharp wit and a wise man.

The quote in his almanac is a significant reason our family ventured into printing. But all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence are factors in the businesses and lifestyles of all Americans. The power written in the Declaration of Independence still sends shivers down the spines of would-be dictators whose urges to dominate the citizens of the several states are tempered by the steely soul of this great nation — made up of

the independent People of these United States.

Many minor conflicts helped form the backbone of this great nation. The ten years before the beginning of the Revolutionary War were riddled with pressure points as the new nation wrestled with the colonizing British government, which it eventually faced in direct war.

In December 1772, Massachusetts governor Thomas Hutchinson wrote letters to the British government urging them to send more troops to suppress American rebels.

Benjamin Franklin, then the Postmaster General, intercepted and secretly circulated the Hutchinson letters. Although he requested they remain private, John Adams published the letters in the Boston Gazette in June 1773. The fury of the residents of Boston forced Hutchinson to flee the country.

The British accused three innocent men of distributing the letters, until Benjamin Franklin stepped forward to admit his role in the affair — for which he was punished severely by the British government.

Shortly thereafter, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence.

The establishment of inalienable rights — including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — was new to governments of the earth, and these rights are still wrestled with in America today. The exercise of these rights does not come without a cost. Each day, we are blessed with another opportunity to better ourselves and our

We celebrate July 4, 1776 as the day 56 traitors to the British government ratified the Declaration of Independence and established inalienable human rights. These rights still garner criticism today, and in the five years that this magazine has published, consequences for speaking out against the “powers that be” remain something every man, woman and child must navigate.

We have watched angry mobs swarm over social issues from every corner of the political spectrum. Social media has given everyone access to more information and the ability to speak their mind on any given issue.

The debate about whether people should be allowed to speak their minds publicly continues. In June this year, the UN announced that “words are weapons.” The consequences of wrong opinions have cost people their livelihoods. The freedom of the press and of speech is under attack even as the upheld narratives fall apart on all sides.

The authors of the Declaration of Independence, for which we celebrate, treasonously signed that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable and self-evident rights endowed by the Creator. If they were correct — and history attests so far they were — then we are all given these same rights, not by a government of men but by the powers of the earth by which we are sustained.

Indeed then, we don’t celebrate the signing of parchment but the establishment of a higher order of law and justice. We don’t celebrate the past but the present in which the weight sits on our shoulders. We don’t celebrate our founding fathers, but our brothers and sisters with which we remain vigilant that these truths remain self-evident: that all are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights. It is this freedom from permission we revere and the responsibility of such we honor. It does not come without a cost, but the story we pass onto our children shall belie whether we did the things worth the writing or wrote the things worth the reading.