Woods Humane Society Reduces Adoption Fees to $14 Through Valentine’s Day

time foster volunteer, and supporter of Woods.

“In the short time Indi has joined our family, she has become a happy, confident dog who loves to meet new people and other dogs,” says O’Leary. “She has learned so many manners and, most of all, brings us love and joy every day. She is simply fabulous and does something every day that makes us all laugh.”

Registration Open for 2023 Central Coast Olive Oil Competition

The 15th Annual competition will take place in April 2023

PASO ROBLES — The Central Coast Olive Oil Competition, hosted annually by the California Mid-State Fair and in partnership with the Lodi Grape Festival, is now accepting entries. The 15th Annual competition will take place in April 2023 and feature olive oil from across the state of California.

Olive oils are separated into two categories: extra virgin and flavored. The categories are then separated into classes by varietal which have been reorganized for 2023. The panel of competition judges, who are from across the state of California, evaluate each entry according to aroma, taste, and intensity, ranging from delicate to robust. Judges are qualified based on their experience using olive oil in cooking, education and production. The awarded organic oils (if applicable) will be noted as being organically produced.

The early bird registration period is now through Friday, March 24, and is $65 per entry.

From Saturday, March 25, to Sunday, April 2, registration increases to $75 per entry. Register today at centralcoastwinecomp.com/enter-online/.

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

Blood Drive

Twin Cities Community Hospital Participates in Blood Drive

The 35 pints of blood collected could save up to 105 lives

TEMPLETON — Although the blood shortage in San Luis Obispo County continues, Twin Cities Community Hospital was able to help by hosting a very successful blood drive with the Vitalant “Blood Mobile,” at the end of last week: Every appointment was booked and 35 pints of blood were collected. Vitalant reported that the 35 units could potentially save up to 105 lives.

Among the donors from Twin Cities was Katie Scott (pictured), an administrator for Twin Cities’ highly honored Perinatal Services unit.

Katie regularly donates blood because “Raising awareness of the need for donors is so important to me. My husband received a total of 38 units of blood during his treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. My family is so grateful for each person who aided his recovery. It’s not just for trauma, operating rooms and birth; blood is needed in so many ways that keep our families together.”

ATASCADERO — In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Woods Humane Society hopes to encourage locals to find their pet soulmate with the “Love is in the Air” adoption event running from Feb. 1-14. The promotion reduces standard adoption fees to just $14 for adult pets (5 months or older), down from the typical range of $65 for senior cats to $150 for adult dogs.

“At a time when our kennels and those of our shelter partners are absolutely brimming with adoptable animals eager to give their hearts to a family, Valentine’s Day seems like a great reason to remind our community of the incredible love and companionship they can find by adopting a shelter pet,” says Woods CEO Neil Trent.

To develop the artwork for the adoption special, Woods asked the community for submissions of photos demonstrating their love for their pets and received more than 200 submissions on Facebook in one weekend.

The photo they chose to use shows recently adopted Woods dog Indi with owner Robyn Friedman O’Leary, a three-time adopter, long-

Director of Development Emily L’Heureux explains that O’Leary and Indi are the perfect “models” for this campaign.

“With the iconic Morro Rock background, the idyllic beach sunset, and a moment of pure love on their faces, this picture really captures the joy and special bond shared by Woods adopters and their pets,” L’Heureux said. “We hope it inspires others to consider visiting our shelters to find their next big love.”

The Love is in the Air promotion begins Feb. 1 and runs through Feb. 14. All animals have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, licensed, and treated for parasites. Adoptions also include a voluntary 30 days of pet insurance and a free wellness exam at a local vet clinic.

Woods is located at 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, and at 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero, and is open to the public daily from 12 to 5 p.m., with adoption hours from 12 to 4 p.m. For more information about Woods, visit WoodsHumane.org or call (805) 543-9316.

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS

NORTH COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors reviewed the FY 2023-24 Budget Goals and Priorities, Budget Balancing Strategies and Approaches, and Board Priorities at the board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Rebecca Campbell, the assistant county administrative officer, presented the item to the board.

During her presentation, Campbell presented the board with the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget Focus Chart, which was broken up into three categories.

1. Legal Requirements (which included Meeting Legal Mandates and Meeting Debt Service Requirements).

2. Priorities (which were broken up into two categories)

1. Short Term, including Homelessness, Water

Resiliency, Economic Development, and Housing.

2. Long-Term, including Public Safety and Roads.

It was agreed upon, during deliberation, by all five supervisors that Public Safety and Homelessness (including mental health and housing) were top priorities.

District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson suggested amendments be made to the chart for more focus.

District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold and District 1 Supervisor John Peschong both agreed that roads should maintain being a priority. However, the other three members of the board stated that they would like to have roads removed from the long-term budget priorities.

“I just want to remind everybody this is our budget priorities,” Arnold stated. “This is the money that we’re taking from the taxpayers in one form or another, even if it’s the money that is already siloed out, state or federal; it’s coming from somebody’s pockets somewhere and coming down for us to be able to do the best job we can in