Atascadero News • 10-23-19

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Good News Real News

Hometown News Since 1916 CALIFORNIA

VOL. CIII, NO. XLI

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019

atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY

Celebrate Educate SURVIVE MUJERES DE ÉXITO: FAMILY OF SURVIVOR WORKS TO SPREAD AWARENESS

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR LEADS WITH PASSION AT CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

By MEAGAN FRIBERG For the Atascadero News

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or the past five years, the Echavarria family has worked to increase breast cancer awareness in the Paso Robles and Atascadero’s Latino community. Under the name of Mujeres de Éxito (Women of Success), the family and volunteers host an annual celebration honoring women who survived breast cancer and those currently fighting it. The event also serves as a venue to promote cancer awareness for the Hispanic populace. Held this year on Oct. 19, the celebration showcased authentic Mexican food and performances from mariachis and traditional dancers. “We had a wonderful celebration honoring survivors and women who are going through breast cancer and it was also an event for resources,” Yessenia Echavarria said. Yessenia said that Mujeres de Éxito was inspired by her mother Maria’s battle and survival of cancer seven years ago. The Echavarria family decided to create the event not only to recognize survivors but to also to make that Latino community aware of all the medical resources available to them. Yessenia also said that teaching women to take care CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

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hannon D’Acquisto, of the Cancer Support Community, has been involved with CSC for about nine years, first as a volunteer and then as a board member before being appointed as the Executive Director nearly four years ago. “Being part of this cause is important to me because 14 years ago I was diagnosed with my own cancer,” D’Acquisto said. “It became something that I was passionate about.” D’ACQUISTO The Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast, is an affiliate of the larger nonprofit, Cancer Support Community, which is based in Washington, D.C. and exists as its own independent 501(3)c. This independence allows all funds raised locally to stay in the local community to help those throughout SLO County and along the Central Coast. CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

AHS Principal Bill Neely to Retire By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — After nearly three decades of working in the educational system, Atascadero High S c h o o l Principal Bill Neely announced his retirement. Not one to toot NEELY his own horn, Neely agreed to be interviewed only at the urging of his wife of 35 years, Jeanne. One would be hard-pressed to find someone whose whole life revolved around the Atascadero High School more than Neely’s. Playing the part of student, coach, teacher and finally principal, Neely is an icon in the school’s history. The school system was not Neely’s first endeavor in a career. He said that being a teacher was not prestigious enough for his family, so he conceded and went to Cal Poly to study landscaping and construction and eventually became a contractor. After a successful stint in the Bay Area, Neely returned to the Central Coast and continued his career. The pivotal time in his life came when his father passed away. With a new wife, a new home and soon a new baby, Neely decided to return to school and fulfill his dream of becoming an instructor. He started teaching with a temporary contract at Paso Robles High School. He explained that it was an entry-level agreement and did not guarantee further employment. Already an assistant to Coach Larry Welsh at AHS, Atascadero offered him a probationary full-time position which he took after the PRHS CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Honor Flights: Serving the Veterans Who Served the Nation By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Honor Flights freely transport veterans to view monuments erected in recognition of their services. Founded in 2007 from the merger of two separate organizations, Honor Flight and HonorAir, the Honor Flight Network has helped usher 200,000 veterans to view their memorials. Co-founders Earl Morse and Jeff Miller both sons of war veterans received the Presidential Citizens Medal from George W. Bush in the Oval

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Office in 2008. Since its inception, the organization has helped facilitate chapter openings all over the United States. President of the Honor Flight California Central Coast (HFCCC) Bear McGill said his son Greg first got him excited about the program. Greg, a Kern County firefighter, went to the Kern County Honor Flight hub and requested to piggyback on their operation by inviting vets from San Luis Obispo County. Bear first participated as a Guardian who is an individual that assists in the transportation and

Bob Brigham, left, and his son Matt see the sights in Washington, D.C. during an Honor Flight trip in October of 2014. Photo by Loretta Borges

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AHS HOMECOMING King and Queen Announced | A3

HOMECOMING: Hounds roll Pioneer Valley with 24-10 victory | B1

FRIENDS OF THE LAKE organize clean-up day at Atascadero Lake | A2

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS to open at Wine Country Theatre | B4

A True Community Bank

FORECAST | A9

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At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers. We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.

1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com

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