Eight Pickleball Players Honored for Saving Life of One of their Own

The group saved David Pascolla after he experienced cardiac arrest on the court

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS

ATASCADERO — Eight heroes were given a commendation by Chief Casey Bryson and Atascadero Fire at the City Council meeting that took place on Tuesday, March 28, for helping save one of their fellow pickleball players’ lives back in September.

Atascadero High School’s (AHS) photography teacher, David Pascolla, suffered a cardiac arrest on the morning of Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, after a game of pickleball on the indoor court at Colony Park. While there are four courts outside, the group was playing inside due to rain.

“David had played one game, and nothing was unusual. He went over to sit down on the bleachers,” said the Atascadero Pickleball Club’s President Bob Brown. “If you’ve ever been inside the Colony Park Gym, it looks like a basketball court, and there’s these little pullout bleachers. I think they’re three sets high.

“So anyway, David went to sit up against the highest bleacher, which wasn’t very high; it’s only the third one up. And he was resting against the wall, and then all of a sudden, Gail Davidson (one of the members of this group) noticed that he had slumped over, and she initially thought, ‘oh my goodness,

David is playing a trick on us, pretending to go to sleep.’ But then, as she walked over and she was going to say something to him, she noticed that his eyes were just glassy and wide open.”

Davidson, Frank Clyburn, and Dave Mulvey rushed to aid Pascolla. Clyburn had prior CPR training, and once they realized Pascolla was unresponsive, he started CPR immediately. Meanwhile, as soon as Debbie Rothman noticed something was wrong, she got the automated external defibrillator (AED) that was kept right outside the gym in the lobby. And while all that was happening, Donna Martin and Janice Graham dialed 911 simultaneously.

Clyburn continued to give Pascolla CPR,

Equine

Mid State Cow Horse Association Hosts First Ronnie Richards Memorial Show

Phillip Ralls won the open Bridle class at the show

By CAMILLE DEVAUL

PASO ROBLES — Last March, the Mid State Cow Horse Association (MSCHA) hosted its first Ronnie Richards Memorial Show at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Richards was a local Paso Robles resident and was one of the founding fathers of the rein cow horse. He brought much to the sport and gave more to help trainers and riders. The Mid State Cow Horse Association (MSCHA) was created with the purpose to provide a fun, affordable, and educational environment for reined cow horse activities and enthusiasts. Where the most seasoned of competitors, along with non-pro riders can school and show their horses in a premier facility located in the heart of the Central Coast.

Paso Robles residents Phillip Ralls, won the open Bridle class at the show. In February, Ralls won the 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman in Texas. Teresa Fisher won the Non-Pro Bridle class.

For more information on the Mid State Cow Horse Association (MSCHA), visit midstatecowhorseassociation.com and they were able to trigger the AED in the handful of minutes it took for Atascadero Fire to arrive on the scene. Darla Hunt was the one who went outside and made sure the paramedics knew where to find Pascolla.

Pascolla’s heart was functioning by the time he was loaded into the ambulance before being taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo.

“Pickleball brings out the best in people. I think that’s what I saw that day. Everybody had been such good friends that there’s no agendas, so if one person is doing one task, everybody just got together, and they made sure that they did everything they could to save David,” added Brown. “The feelings of the paramedics were that if those eight members hadn’t come together and immediately done that, and Frank hadn’t started CPR, the outcome could have been far, far different.”

Today, Pascolla is back to playing pickleball actively and has returned to his healthy self with the addition of an implanted defibrillator and pacemaker combo.

“We were all so moved by this that we created this acronym called D.E.A.R. We nicknamed this group the D.E.A.R. Eight. David’s Emergency Aid Responders,” stated Brown.

The “D.E.A.R.s” (David’s Emergency Aid Responders) are Frank Clyburn, Dave Mulvey, Gail Davidson, Debbie Rothman, Donna Martin, Barbara Clyburn, Darla Hunt, and Janice Graham.

Entertainment

Summer Concerts in the Park Lineup Announced

Concerts begin in City Park on Thursday, June 15

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles REC Foundation, in partnership with Paso Robles Recreation Services, J. Lohr Vineyards, and Wines and Firestone Walker Brewing Company is pleased to announce the 2023 summer Concerts in the Park series lineup. The concert season will kick off at 6 p.m. at City Park in Paso Robles on Thursday, June 15, and continue through Thursday, Aug. 24.

“We’re so happy to bring back Concerts in the Park this year,” commented Recreation Services Manager Lynda Plescia. “These family-friendly all-ages weekly events offer something for everyone, and if you’ve attended in the past, you know how fun they are. So, put on your dancing shoes or spread out the picnic blanket and celebrate summer with us at Concerts in the Park.”

This year, Paso Robles Recreation Services is offering multiple sponsorship tiers for the series. Sponsorships are available on a first-come, firstserved basis until sold out.

Local businesses interested in sponsoring a summer concert may contact Plescia at (805) 237-3987 or via email at lplescia@prcity.com.

The 2023 summer Concerts in the Park lineup will feature:

Thursday, June 15

Molly Ringwald Project (‘80s pop and rock)

Thursday, June 22 Soundhouse (rock ’n’ roll)

Thursday, June 29

Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band (country, rock ‘n’ roll)

Thursday, July 13

Bobby Santa Cruz Band (pop, rock, soul)

Thursday, July 20

Carbon City Lights (rock, soul)

Thursday, August 3

Back Pages Band (classic rock)

Thursday, August 10 Incendio (Latin/world music)

Thursday, August 17

Dirty Cello (cello-led rock n’ roll)

Thursday, August 24 Joy Bonner Band (rock, pop) J. Lohr wine, Firestone beer, and water and soda will be available for purchase during the concerts. All net proceeds from beverage sales support the Paso Robles REC Foundation, whose mission is to enhance parks and recreation in the city of Paso Robles.

For additional concert information,visit prcity.com/ concertsinthepark or facebook.com/PRCityRecreation for concert updates.

PASO ROBLES — The 2023 Horse Show, Livestock and Still Exhibit Competition

Handbooks are now available on the official California Mid-State Fair website, MidStateFair.com.

The Adult and Youth Still Exhibits include departments like Fine Arts, Flowers, Farm Art, Home Arts, Photography, and Produce. This year’s featured contests are Apple Pie Baking, Best Themed Floral Arraignment, Best Decorated Themed Cake, Best Decorated Lawn Flamingo, Salsa Making, and Best Themed Slot Machine (Special Stars). Exhibitors have a chance to win up to $500.

All Still Exhibits entries are judged, awarded, and displayed during all 12 days of the fair for the community to enjoy. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, June 6, for all departments except for Ag Horticulture and Floriculture which is Tuesday, July 11.

Horse Show events include the Wrangler Country Rodeo presented by Hearst, Cutting, Reined Cow Horse, RSNC Sorting, and 4H/ FFA shows. Entry forms and fees are due by Thursday, June 29, to the Fair’s Administration Office located at 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

Livestock includes Market, Breeding, Dairy, and Small Animals. Entries are due by June 7 and can be completed online at cmsfl.fairwire.com.

The 2023 California Mid-State Fair runs July 19 through July 30 and this year’s theme is “Shake, Rattle & Roll!”