Atascadero News • December 18, 2019

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Hometown News Since 1916

Good News Real News Making Communities Better Through Print. VOL. CIII, NO. XLIX

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019

atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY

First Fridays Coming to Atascadero Extended hours and music to enhance atmosphere By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

Local Star Wars mega-fan Deanne LeMoine-McEwen, second from left, poses for a photo with her two sons Jake McEwen, far left, and Josh McEwen, center, along with Josh’s wife Carla Cary-McEwen, second from right, and Jake’s fiance Annie Mae Bohnsack, far right, in front of Galaxy Theatres in Atascadero where they will watch “The Rise of Skywalker” later this week. Photo by Luke Phillips

MEET THE NORTH COUNTY’S BIGGEST

ATASCADERO — For the new year, the Atascadero Downtown Business Improvement District plans to launch First Fridays events to stimulate the local business economy. Part of the ABID’s new theme for the year — 2020 New Year, New Vision — the monthly events are part of the organization’s effort to attract people to shop and dine in downtown Atascadero. “There are thriving First Fridays in a lot of cites, and they are experiencing a lot of success,” said Zoe Zappas of Z Villages. She added that the events in other cities are receiving a lot of positive feedback from businesses. Starting Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, Atascadero will join the ranks of the popular movement with participating downtown businesses volunteering to keep their doors open past 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. “I feel like it’s a trend that will take over on its own and it will be easy for each of the businesses to take advantage CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Locals anticipate ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ By MARK DIAZ & BRIAN WILLIAMS mark@atascaderonews.com/ brian@atascaderonews.com

T

he final chapter in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga will hit local cinemas tomorrow, the culmination of more than 40 years of epic space adventure storytelling that began with way back in 1977 with the first entry in the franchise, what would eventually become know as Episode IV: A New Hope, but at the time was known simply as “Star Wars.” The film was the vision of revolutionary filmmaker George Lucas and would go on to spawn seven more movies in the main saga along with several spin-offs and TV shows and even a theme park attraction at Disneyland. Lucas sold his rights to the franchise, along with creative

atascaderonews.com

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

Templeton High School Band Director David Landers is a big fan of the Star Wars saga. He was 7 when the first movie came out and is enjoying watching the newest movies in the series with his family. Photo by Brian Williams

LOCAL FAMILY BONDS OVER STAR WARS

Local Star Wars fan Sedale Collins holds a replica of the character Ahsoka Tano’s lightsaber at his home in Atascadero last week. Photo by Mark Diaz

Pickleball Courts Added to Colony Park Master Plan

control, to Disney in 2012 for $4 billion. Disney has since released four new Star Wars films to critical acclaim, mixed fan reactions and billions in box office revenues, already recouping what they spent to purchase LucasFilm. We spoke to three North County residents about their love of the Star Wars franchise, how the movies have changed their lives and their anticipation ahead of Disney’s fifth Star Wars release, “Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.”

At the tender age of 7, Deanne LeMoine-McEwen started her journey to a galaxy far far away. When “Star Wars” hit the silver screen at Century Cinemas in Atascadero back in 1977, it set Deanne on a course that would play a major role in her life. Deanne said it’s not an easy thing to pick her favorite movie, but she would have to go with the one that started it all. “It’s like picking your children, but how can you not pick the one that introduced you to the whole universe?” Deanne said. “But I also really, really loved ‘Rogue One’… I love epic stories in the literature I read and everything, and I thought it was amazing how they took a one-liner from “Episode IV” and they made a whole movie out of it.”

Deanne said that several movies have affected her, but arguably the most profound one was the first prequel, “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” She said watching the story of Anakin Skywalker’s origins and how the sweet little boy would become one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history left a lasting impression on her view of motherhood. “I was very fond of that one because it touched my heart and set me on a course to be a mom of boys with a purpose,” Deanne said. “It was very important to me to raise gentlemen with empathetic hearts.” The stories and characters of the Star Wars universe played a vital role in her interaction with her two sons. Deanne said that she purposely made it into a lasting and relatable interaction with her boys. CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

NORTH COUNTY — The City of Atascadero officially jumped on the pickleball bandwagon with Council’s approval of four new courts to the Colony Park Community Center. Pickleball enthusiasts showed up in force at the meeting and cheered when the Council voted unanimously to approve plans for four pickleball courts in the Colony Park Master Plan. Located on Traffic Way, the center provides pickleballers a shared indoor space to play, but the new plans would set aside dedicated spots outside for the sport. The game has gained a lot of traction in the past few years and has become a professional sport. It is played on a badminton-size court, 20 by 40 feet, with competitors separated by a waist-high net. Using wide-faced paddles, players knock the pickleball back and forth, making sure the ball bounces at least once before their return volley. Mayor Pro Tem Charles Bourbeau explained that what wiffleball is to baseball, pickleball is to tennis. The proposed courts will be on the west side of the facility between the basketball courts and Atascadero Creek

LOCAL

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

HOLIDAY

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA Places Wreaths at Local Cemetery | A9

CONCERTS IN THE PARK Seeks Talent for 2020 Concert Series | A4

GREYHOUNDS Host Annual Ruth Doser Basketball Tournament | B1

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Walking Through a Winter Wonderland | B9

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WEATHER

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FORECAST | A8

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