GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. XLVII
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023
ENTERTAINMENT
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THANKSGIVING
Over 800 people participate in ECHO’s 5th Annual North County Turkey Trot
The community raised $90,000 that will benefit both the Paso Robles and Atascadero shelter locations By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
Artistic Director Doriana Sanchez (middle) is shown with Cher’s dancers at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo provided by Doriana Sanchez
Cher takes on the world with the help of local artistic director and choreographer Doriana Sanchez
Pop music legend is on Kenny Ortega, sent Sanchez. tour to promote her hol- In November, Sanchez headed iday album ‘Christmas’ out on the road as Cher’s artisBy CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The creative work relationship between the legendary Cher and local artistic director and choreographer Doriana Sanchez started back in 1987 when Cher saw Sanchez in the classic ‘80s film “Dirty Dancing.” Cher asked for dance lessons for a music video, and the film’s choreographer,
tic director to help promote her new holiday album “Christmas,” which dropped back in October. “We are on a promo tour for her new album, which is so fabulous,” Sanchez said. “It is the new soundtrack of the holiday season, for sure. There is something for everyone on there.” The album, simply titled “Christmas,” features collaborations between Cher and
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ATASCADERO — The El Camino Homeless Organization’s (ECHO) North County Turkey Trot was back for its fifth year, and what a year it was. Not only did the Turkey Trot raise more money than ever before, but more community members than the organization has ever seen showed up on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, Nov. 23) at 9 a.m. to the 5k fun run/walk at Atascadero Lake Park. “It was an incredible day. Our mascot, Mr. Turkey, was there, leading us in some stretches and some amazing dance moves. He really winged it,” said ECHO’s Director of Operations and Development Austin Solheim. “We had so many amazing donors and sponsors, and the community showed up in force. It was just amazing to put on such a wonderful event for our community. We had over 800 individuals from the community show up.”
ECHO Turkey Trot participants enjoy themselves at the Thanksgiving morning event. Photo by Rick Evans
Not only did community members from all over the North County come out in support of ECHO by participating in the 5K, they also competed in the yearly costume contest. Families, co-workers, furry friends, and more dressed up in their best Thanksgiving and turkey-themed outfits for all to see. Solheim said that they always look forward to seeing what the groups come up with. “We’ve had this group that’s
FUNDRAISER
Paso Robles shines bright at 37th annual Light up Downtown and Lights of Hope fundraiser
City Park transforms into a winter wonderland supporting Cancer Support Community
been showing up every year for Turkey Trot, and they showed up as the Thanksgiving meal,” added Solheim. “Every person played a different role. One person was the turkey, one person was the gravy, and one person was the pie. We even had a fork, a spoon, and a knife there, too. And it was four generations of this family, and it was about 15 family members that all dressed up as the dish and all the sides for our Turkey Trot.”
On top of the Turkey Trot having a record-breaking turnout, ECHO also raised more money for both the Paso Robles and Atascadero ECHO locations than ever before. “We actually raised over $90,000,” Solheim said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without one of our amazing sponsors, the BLoved Foundation, and they actually matched all of our community-based donations. So on top of everyCONTINUED ON PAGE A7
CITY
City Council votes to rejoin the Integrated Waste Management Authority City Manager gives update on Downtown Pavement Project
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — Paso Robles City Park was brighter than ever Friday night on Nov. 24 for the 37th Annual Light up Downtown and 12th annual Lights of Hope fundraiser. Supporting the Cancer Support Community California Central Coast (CSC-CCC), the City of Paso Robles joined to bring in additional lights full of color, snowflakes and icicles to create a winter wonderland in the heart of downtown. The event that officially kicks off the holiday season in Paso Robles was welcomed with a park filled with people to sing carols. This year, the Paso Robles City decided they wanted to join the Paso Robles Main Street Associa-
tion in bringing more lights to the City Park. “I’ve had the privilege of attending the downtown lighting ceremonies for a couple decades now,” said City Manager Ty Lewis on the inception of the lighting plan.
“After becoming city manager and attending last year’s event, I talked with Freda Berman (our public works director) about how we might improve. We thought about some of the other communities that have some pretty fantastic lighting
events and hatched the idea to light the park better than ever.” Bigger and brighter was certainly the theme for Friday night as the Main Street Association ran out of candles that were passed out to the crowds.
GOVERNMENT
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SECTION
Paso Robles City Park lit up on Nov. 24 for the Light up Downtown and Lights of Hope fundraiser that kicked off the holiday season. Photo by Camille DeVaul
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ATASCADERO—The Atascadero City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. The hybrid meeting was held in the City Council Chambers. Councilmember Mark Dariz was not in attendance at the meeting. Both the agenda for the evening and the Consent Calendar passed unanimously. In his Updates from the City Manager, Jim Lewis stated that it is looking like the Downtown Pavement Project and the Broadband Utility Work will be completed by Dec. 8. He also mentioned that the public can keep up with the project by going to atascadero. org/downtownpaving.
Public Work Analyst Ryan Betz gave the council a Management Report on the Integrated Waste Management Authority – 2023 County Joinder Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement. “The IWMA (Integrated Waste Management Authority) was originally formed in 1994 as a joint power authority. It enabled its members, which included the county, the seven cities, and the community service districts at that time to form and dedicated resources to help navigate through state regulations related to solid recycling waste at the time. Later certainly CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
WEATHER
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SECOND RECALL Intent Filed for Bruce Gibson | A3
MAN ARRESTED for Assault with Deadly Weapon | A4
DOWNTOWN Events Happening in December | B1
SPORTS Josh Bell: Athlete of the Week | B8
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