Paso Robles Press • November 17, 2022

Veterans Day Celebrations Honor Local Heroes

cost of war and the peaceful purpose of Armistice Day these 104 years ago.

By CAMILLE DEVAUL and CHRISTIANNA MARKS

NORTH COUNTY —

Across the county, residents took time to attend one of the North County Veterans Day events in remembrance of the

It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — 104 years ago — World War I ended with an armistice signing between the Allies and Germany. Twenty years later, on May 13, 1938, that Nov. 11 was anointed as Armistice Day and proclaimed as “a day to be dedicated to the cause

of world peace.”

This Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, the Paso Robles District Cemetery welcomed back its Veterans Day Cere mony after transitioning to a drive-thru event to comply with COVID regulations the last two years. Each year, the cemetery creates the Avenue of Flags throughout the grounds to pay tribute to our veter ans. Additionally, the flags are

accompanied by a ceremony conducted at 11 a.m. sharp, with notable speakers, bands, and a flyover by the Warbirds Museum.

Master of Ceremonies Salvador Cota welcomed the public to the service, which included an invocation by Dave Bender, Leo Castillo with the welcome address, and retired Marine Kenny Enney as the keynote speaker.

The Paso Robles District Cemetery is home to 1,200 VA (Veteran Affairs) issued headstones. But that number is increased to over 2,000 when counting privately issued veteran headstones. Some veterans from the Span ish American War are buried in the Pioneer section of the cemetery.

Volunteers from the VFW,

By THE PASO ROBLES PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

NORTH COUNTY —

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Office last updated their unofficial General Election results on Friday, Nov. 11.

Prior to Election Day, there were 51,200 vote-bymail ballots received out of 182,291 registered voters in the county. On Election Day, the county clerk-recorder reported 6,896 voters at the polls and approximately 800 voters that voted provisionally at the polling place on Elec tion Day.

As of Nov. 11, there are 46,032 vote-by-mail ballots, 927 provisional ballots, and 51 election night ballots remain ing to be counted — meaning there are 47,320 ballots left to count. The next count result was released on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Below are election night results from the Nov. 11 count, which was available at the time of print.

By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com

PASO ROBLES — An update on capital projects in the city was provided at the Paso Robles City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The Union Road and Golden Hill Road Round about has made progress with the perimeter sidewalks now under construction. The shape of the roundabout has

been outlined and the dirt on the underlying road has been treated in preparation for asphalt paving.

The city would like to remind the public to adhere to the detours around the intersection through Ardmore Road or Golden Hill. For maps and more information on the roundabout project, visit prcity.com/1002/Gold en-Hill-and-Union-Detour

Fire Station Three on Union Road has an expected completion date of May 2023, but city staff stated supply chain issues could delay that completion. Fencing and electrical work are currently underway at the project.

The pickleball court complex at Sherwood Park is currently in the design process. The complex will feature seven courts.

A new event was approved

By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com

Elegant Evening

ficial Elegant Evening that was held last year, hosted by local merchants. This year, the

“It was packed, and hopefully all the merchants were happy, and I hope all the custom ers were happy ... The stores were beautiful,” said

Traditionally,

PASO ROBLES — Down town Paso Robles was alive last Saturday, Nov. 12, with the

return of Elegant Evening. Hosted by the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association, the fancy night has been seen as the city’s first holiday event to kick off the season.

has been postponed since 2020 due to the restrictions during the pandemic, except for an unof

event returned in full to support of the downtown businesses.

Executive Director of the Paso Robles

Downtown Main Street Asso ciation Norma Moye.

the night is a chance for shoppers and merchants to dress up in their most elegant outfits and enjoy fine hors d’oeuvres and refreshments available throughout the downtown shops. Dancers, quartets, and a

(From Left) Master of Ceremonies Salvador Cota, the USASA Camp Robert Honor Guard, and Leo Castillo stand in front of a veterans grave at the Paso Robles District Cemetery. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP

Templeton Historical Museum to Host Founder’s Day

TEMPLETON — On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Temple ton Historical Museum Society will host a celebration of the 1886 arrival of the first passen ger train in Templeton, mark ing it as the southern terminus of the train line from San Fran cisco to Los Angeles.

The museum house and railroad depot will be open to visitors. Blacksmith demon

strations in the museum’s early 1900s Blacksmith Shop will be provided by David Thayer. View antique vehicle and railroad artifacts as well as Hit/Miss engine displays. Guests can also listen to history lectures and take walk ing tours showcasing Temple ton’s old buildings (weather permitting). There will be activities for kids, food avail able for purchase by El Red Rooster, and wine will be avail able adjacent to the museum at Clavo Wines. Music perfor mances will feature “Talie and Smokin’James.” Free pie and

cake will be provided until it runs out — a Founder’s Day tradition since 2006.

The depot has many rail road artifacts and houses a 1927 Ford Model “T” and the original fire cart purchased in 1909 by the newly formed Templeton Fire District. Also, the old Blacksmith’s shop will be opened to view the restored 1932 Templeton School bus, the 1934 Templeton Fire Truck, and the newly restored Model “T” fire truck, along with displays showing the workings of the blacksmiths dating back to 1917.

TEMPLETON — Temple ton Fire and Emergency Services is the recipient of a $20,000 grant to purchase new extrication equipment, referred to as a Combi Extrication tool, and new stabilization struts. These specialized tools help first responders safely rescue vehicle accident victims trapped inside a vehicle and help keep the vehicle stable during an extrication.

“This new equipment will

The Combi Extrication tool combines two tools into one tool that can spread and cut without changing tools,” said Templeton Fire and Emer gency Services Captain Phil lip Goldbloom. “Without the OTS grant funding, we would not be able to purchase modern rescue tools critical for the care of those injured in crashes. We are very grateful for this grant that will allow us to be faster and more efficient at stabi lizing and extricating victims from vehicle accidents, and save lives.”

Delays in providing care to crash victims impacts the “golden hour” of survival, a core principle in the emer gency medical services indus try. Reducing the time it takes to get to the patient, treat what can be treated, and transport the patient to the hospital helps increase the chance for recovery.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traf fic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin istration.

By BLAKE ASHLEY FRINO-GERL

TEMPLETON — Giving is especially important this time of year and the warmth of support is imperative to those in need. This year, Templeton Rotary Club is partnering to support Angels Bearing Gifts as it serves devel opmentally disabled adults in our local community. The Club is offering a beautiful quilt created and donated by SLO County quilter Sara Kelly to benefit Angels Bearing Gifts.

Angels Bearing Gifts (AGB) is a nonprofit organization that helps adults with developmen tal disabilities who have outlived their families (or whose fami lies have withdrawn from their lives.) Beneficiaries may live in group homes, nursing facilities, or in their own apartments with live-in or shift care providers. They have diagnoses that range from Down syndrome, other chromosomal and genetic disor

ders, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, fetal alcoholism spectrum disorder and develop mental delay.

The “Angels” in our SLO Community remember these special people on their birth day, Valentine’s Day and at Christmas. AGB secures wish lists from the homes/caregiv ers of each of the recipients, in which $75 is designated for each person. “Angels” donate funds, as well as shop, wrap and deliver gifts. Furthermore, their annual Christmas gift-wrapping event will be held on Dec. 10 at Atascadero Gospel Chapel.

Donations through the draw ing will help fund Christmas gift purchases for 2022. The drawing is being held now through Dec. 3, when the winner will be drawn at Merry Hill Coffee & Tea in Templeton at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each or 3 tickets for $25 or 10 for $75. For more information, go to templetonrotary.betterworld.org.

help reduce the time it takes us to safely stabilize the vehicle and reach someone who needs immediate medical attention.

The grant will fund the purchase of one Amkus ION battery operated Combi Tool and Paratech Standard Vehicle Stabilization Kit.

2022. Photo by Dave Wood

Colony Market &

Donates $1,000 in Sandwiches to

Veterans on Veterans Day

to veterans and active military by the deli and its patrons.

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS

ATASCADERO — This year, Colony Market & Deli celebrated the military on Veterans Day by donating free sandwiches to both active military and veterans all day long.

“We gave away over $1,000 in sandwiches. It was just so cool,” said owner Joanna Wemple.

The whole idea came about when Kristina Newby, who works for the deli and volunteers with local vets, came up with the idea to give out sandwiches on Veterans Day.

“We are always wanting to support our military, and we have friends who are in the military, and when she came with the idea, we were like, ‘yeah, absolutely.’ We didn’t know it would turn into such a big thing,” added Wemple, whose dad was a World War II veteran.

In addition to the free sandwiches, Colony Market & Deli also hosted a raffle during the day, which included donations from over 30 businesses and individuals in Atascadero and surrounding areas. Including a skateboard from 805 Boardshop, a Gibson Electric Guitar from Al

Martinez, and 100 ice cream cups from Negranti Creamery.

The money raised by the raffle went directly to K9s for Warriors, a nationwide non-profit that rescues dogs from shelters, trains them, and then pairs them with a warrior with PTSD.

“All of that, from the raffle and from what everybody gave us, raised over $4,000,” added Wemple. “What happened was that K9s for Warriors was doing matching dollars. So, we raised over $2,000, and then they matched it.”

In total, over $5,000 was donated

“It was so amazing and what was really cool is that it was about the people that are actively serving us or have served,” Wemple stated. “It was really just to honor all these people. It was just such a beautiful thing.”

She went on to say that multiple people from the community came in and bought 20 or so beers for veterans and asked the deli to give them out throughout the day.

“It was just such a cool community [event], and people just really showed their respect for what the military does for us,” she added.

To add to the atmosphere, Newby bought a 30-foot American flag and asked her friend Damon, owner of A Superior Crane, to hoist it above Colony Market & Deli on one of his cranes. As a result, you could see the flag from most of downtown and even the freeway.

“It was such a great, positive thing — a great, positive day,” Wemple said. “We will definitely do it again next year. I felt honored to be able to support the veterans.”

Elks Lodge #2733 Looks Back on 35 Years in Atascadero

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS

ATASCADERO — Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733 recently celebrated its 35th year in the North County. The anniversary party was held on Saturday, Sept. 24, with over 100 people attending, including members, charter members, and guests from other lodges in the county. Together they celebrated the building and the lodge’s achievements over the years.

“I think what is most humbling about the whole realization is this was done by volunteers,” stated Exalted Ruler Susan Marple about when the lodge was built. “A lot were retired, in their ‘60s and ‘70s, and it’s a strong structure. I find that the most humbling part of all. It’s a true testimony on what volunteerism is all about.”

Incorporated on Sept. 26, 1987, the Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733 started at the

AARP building before moving to the Grange Hall for their lodge meetings. The current Elks property was bought in 1988 with dreams of building a permanent lodge. It took 17 years of fundraising while still supporting the commu nity to break ground on today’s lodge, which took place in September of 2003. The lodge was completed in November 2004 and dedicated in February 2005.

“It’s allowed us a commercial kitchen. It’s allowed us to be able to make box lunches for those in need, put things together for the holi days, and people can rent the Lodge and have their private events there. So it’s been a great thing for the Elks members, but as well as for the community,” said Marple.

Marple added that at the anniversary party, the very first couple to rent out the lodge was there. Thirty-five years ago, after the couple got married, they held their reception at Elks Lodge #2733. They are both Elks themselves and are still a part of the Atascadero chapter. In fact, Elks Lodge #2733’s membership has grown from 313 members in 1987 to 546 members today.

During the 35th anniversary celebration, the lodge’s BBQ Crew cooked a fantastic barbecue chicken dinner, complete with beans, salad, and bread. And one of the charter member spouses made two delicious cakes for the special occa sion. The lodge also displayed memories of how the current lodge was built.

“We had pictures from when we broke ground all the way to today: Newspaper articles that were published, photo albums, stories, forms that we used when we first started, and today’s forms that we are using now,” Marple said. “So

it was a nice time capsule, a timeline of how things have progressed, which was really cool.”

At the celebrations, the Atascadero Elks Lodge received proclamations from the State of California, the State Senate, the City of Atascadero, Special Congressional Recogni tion, and County of San Luis Obispo, Califor

nia. Councilwoman Susan Funk and Mayor Pro Tem Heather Newsom were both in attendance.

“The saying holds true; if you build it, they will come,” Marple said. “It’s more than a base ball film. I mean, they saw it, they envisioned it, made it happen, and here we are. Definitely, something to be proud of.”

Left: Kristina Newby, Joanna Wemple, Makayla Dallas, Taryn Miller, Lydia Ramos, Ally Yzabal, Damon Meeks, Shayne Wemple, Rick Litz, Mary Grant, David Paniagua, Cade Vegas of Colony

Photo by Rick Evans

LOCAL NEWS

News Briefs: North San Luis Obispo County

STATE ELECTIONS

California Proposition Preliminary Results

California voters voted on seven statewide propositions on Tues day, Nov. 8; here is how the results are coming in as of Tues day, Nov. 15:

Proposition 1

Prop 1 amends the California Constitution to add the right to choose to have an abortion and use contraceptives, currently at 66.3 percent yes and 33.7 percent no.

Propositions 26

Prop 26 amends the California Constitution to legalize sports betting for adults age 21 and older at Native American tribal lands and horse-racing tracks. Allows roulette and dice games at tribal casinos. Imposes a 10 percent tax on sports wagering profits at horse-racing tracks currently at 68.3 percent no and 31.7 percent yes.

Propostion 27

Prop 27 amends the California Constitution to legalize online sports betting for adults age 21 and older via platforms that have agreements with Native Amer ican tribes; imposes a 10 percent tax on sports-wagering revenues, coming in at 82.9 percent no and 17.1 percent yes.

Proposition 28

Prop 28 requires K-12 public schools to spend at least a certain percent age of their funds on arts and music programs, currently at 63.3 percent

yes and 36.7 percent no.

Proposition 29

Prop 29 sets staffing, reporting, and patient coverage requirements for kidney dialysis clinics currently at 69.2 percent no and 30.8 percent yes.

Proposition 30

Prop 30 imposes an additional 1.75 percent tax on individual income over $2 million, with proceeds going toward incentives for elec tric vehicles and charging infra structure and wildfire prevention currently at 58.3 percent no and 41.7 percent yes.

Proposition 31

Prop 31 upholds a state law banning the sale of flavored tobacco prod ucts currently at 63.3 percent yes and 36.7 percent no.

PASO ROBLES

AED ‘SaveStation’ Kiosk Installed in Downtown City Park

Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services is pleased to announce the installation of a new life safety feature for the community: the first 24/7 publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The AED is housed in a specially designed, climate-controlled cabi net known as a “SaveStation.” It can tolerate extreme weather and is available to anyone in the down town city park and surrounding businesses.

“If somebody is unfortunate enough to have a sudden cardiac arrest, what they absolutely need to survive is immediate CPR and an AED.

Sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal if not treated quickly, but with rapid intervention, survival is possible. CPR and the use of a defibrilla tor may improve the probability of survival until emergency services arrive,” says Fire Captain/Para medic John Prickett.

The AED is safe to use, does not require specialized training, and provides instructions in both English and Spanish.

The SaveStation was provided through charitable contributions by Justin Community Grants and the Paso Robles Elks Club.

Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services will hold a presentation ceremony for the SaveStation in the coming weeks to recognize the charitable contributions of the donors who made this lifesaving tool possible.

Please visit the Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services website at prcity.com/198/Fire-and-Emer gency-Services for information about the department as well as information about CPR and AED’s or call (805) 227-7560.

Special Planning Commission Meet ing — ADU Urgency Ordinance

The community is encouraged to attend a special Planning Commis sion meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The Planning Commis sion will be provided a presentation on a proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) urgency ordinance to bring the city’s rules into compli ance with state law.

LOCAL BUSINESS

The City Council will then hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on Dec. 6. The ordinance will be considered urgently due to recently adopted changes to state law that become effective on Jan. 1, 2023.

Both meetings will be conducted in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual partici pation options. The public may attend the meeting in the Coun cil Chamber on the ground floor of the City Hall/Library building at 1000 Spring Street or watch the meeting live on YouTube (prcity. com/youtube). Comments can be delivered in person or by calling (805) 865-PASO (7276) during the meeting. Written comments are also welcome in advance of the meeting; please email to planning@ prcity.com.

The staff report and draft ordinance will be available on the city’s website by the Friday before the meeting at prcity.com/agendacenter/5.

ATASCADERO

Road Closure Information for the 2nd Annual Atascadero Fall Festival

The 2nd Annual Atascadero Fall Festival will take place on Friday, Nov. 18 through 20. The times of the event are Friday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 12 to 10 p.m. in the Sunken Gardens. The follow ing provides street closure and no parking information that will be in place as we plan for this event:

Road Closures

Monday, Nov. 14 through Monday, Nov. 21

Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 a.m: Palma closed between West Mall & East Mall.

• East Mall will not temporarily close for Farmer’s Market, but please watch for the vendors as they set up for the market that will be taking place from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 a.m:

• East Mall closed from El Camino Real to Lewis after morning school drop-off; Palma closed between West Mall & Entrada; the Intersec tion stays open on West Mall & Palma Ave.

Friday, Nov. 18 noon through Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 a.m:

• West Mall closed between El Camino Real to Lewis Ave.

Designated No Parking

Friday, November 18th, 6 a.m. until 12 noon:

• West Mall on Sunken Gardens Side between El Camino Real and Palma Ave.

Friday, Nov. 18, noon through Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 p.m.: No Parking on El Camino Real between West Mall & East Mall in front of Sunken Gardens.

Event information can be found at VisitAtascadero.com/events.

Create a Cycle of Giving by Shopping Local This Holiday Season

STAFF REPORT

ATASCADERO — More money stays in a community when its resi dents shop local. According to the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, “$68 for every $100 spent at a locally owned business stays in the community. When spending the same at a non-local business like a national chain, only $43 stays in your community.” This in turn creates more local jobs, increases the diver sity of products, supports community groups, keeps Atascadero unique, and reduces environmental impact.

Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, said, “Shopping locally is one of the best gifts you can give to your community. Your purchases at local establishments support local fami lies running the businesses and the employees working at them. Fami lies will use that money to frequent other Atascadero shops and restau rants that, in turn, support their own families. It creates a beautiful cycle of giving during the holiday season.”

Irish Oaks Mercantile provides an example of this cycle. Owned by husband-and-wife team Melissa and Matt Garrett, Irish Oaks originated when their children started making soaps and lotions to support the rais ing of their dairy goats as part of a 4-H Club project.

NONPROFIT

Matt said, “We only feature products in our store from local, SLO County farmers and produc ers. When people shop at our store, they get to speak with the person that makes the products and learn the process.”

Besides soaps and lotions, the store also offers meat raised on the Irish Oaks Ranch, candles, bath bombs, metal work, clothing, hats, kitchen supplies, spices, sauces, and jewelry.

Izzy Nunes, an Atascadero High School junior and 4-H Club member, designs and sells her Izzy Bzzzy Jewelry at Irish Oaks.

“I started making earrings during the pandemic when I noticed people wearing more western-themed designs. I incorporate rocks, feathers, and leaves in my earrings, bracelets,

ECHO Hires Donor Relations and Community Engagement Manager

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero-based El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), which serves all of San Luis Obispo County, has hired a new Donor Relations and Community Engage ment Manager. Austin Solheim, a former Homeless Services Program Specialist for Washoe County, Nevada, was chosen to lead the organization’s philanthropic program to continue the growth of the organization’s capacity to deliver effective programs and engage the community in its mission.

Prior to joining ECHO, Solheim most recently held the position of Homeless Services Program Specialist for the Housing and Homeless Services Division, in support of the Nevada Cares Campus, a community shelter

providing 605 emergency beds, 45 modular Safe Camp units, winter overflow, and day use services. Prior to his role as a Homeless Services Program Specialist, Solheim served as the Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Eddy House, a non-profit organization operating as a daytime drop-in center, over night shelter, and community living program for homeless, and at-risk youth in Reno, Nevada.

“The continued advancement of our leadership team gives me great confidence in the organization’s future,” said Wendy Lewis, Pres ident and CEO of ECHO. “We have built a strong team of experi enced and knowledgeable profes sionals who are bringing new and exciting developments in our mission to prevent and break the cycle of homelessness in San Luis Obispo County.”

Solheim brings five years of expe rience in the nonprofit sector and is committed to creating greater equity, access, and opportunity in our community.

“Creating strong relationships is the foundation of everything I do, both professionally and personally. Embracing ECHO’s mission to empower the community to make positive change and the culture of the organization spoke to my passion for helping others,” said Solheim. “I am excited for this incredible opportunity to work with the amazing staff and commu nity here on the central coast and support ECHO’s mission in this new and exciting role.”

and necklaces. There is something for everyone in this store.”

Visit in person at 7425 El Camino Real or shop online at irishoaksranch. com.

Attracting local customers is key for Hope Chest Emporium. Novem ber and December are typically the biggest grossing months.

Owner Karen McNamara shared, “We carry a huge variety of unique gifts from freshly-made to antiques including toys, tools, dishes, and Waterford goblets. We have 3,000 square feet of cool stuff, plus 500 square feet outside filled with garden accessories, furniture, and practical things for décor.”

McNamara is celebrating seven years at this location with a sale the first weekend of December. When

customers shop for the holidays, she’s hoping they’ll discover that they can come back for the things they need day-to day. “We have everything you need for home, garden, gifts and life.” Visit in person at 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

Atascadero residents can make a difference in their community by shopping locally this holiday season.

Matt shared, “When people shop locally for the holidays, they are actually supporting local families. They can feel good knowing they are getting a top-quality product, supporting the employment and education of our local youth, and their money stays right here in our community.”

For a full listing of Chamber member businesses, visit atascaderochamber.org.

service and dynamic growth. The company is continuing to grow exponentially, relo cating more and more fami lies throughout the Central Coast as well as the United States.”

PASO ROBLES —

The El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), our community resource for safe and secure shelter to meet the needs of fami lies and individuals experi encing homelessness, has a new look in Paso Robles.

The long-awaited move to the newly renovated rooms of the repurposed motel was accomplished last Wednes day with the help of a local business. Central Coast Moving was founded in 2015 by CEO Austin Yarborough, “Central Coast Moving strives to be an industry leading company through outstanding customer

Central Coast Moving Company had a chance to give back, and Austin rose to the challenge. Offering to bring his team and equip ment to the shelter, Austin led the staff in moving all of the beds, dressers, desks, tables, and more.

Staff from the shelter had the following to say:

“Austin and his team were friendly, helping, and hard working. I can’t believe how smooth it went and we can’t say thank you enough. The team was amazing and we would recommend their services to anyone,” Kate Swarthout, Operations and Client Services Manager for ECHO.

The Central Coast Moving Company mission

statement states, “Our story is one of hard work and a passion for helping people. We focus on treating moving like a craft, our employees like family, and our clients like neighbors.”

On this day that mission statement ran true, and with the help of Austin and his team of professional movers ECHO was able to success fully transition to their new location and provide services to residents and guests that night without skipping a beat.

It’s easy to donate to a cause, but to donate back to your community means that you get to see those effects in your hometown. Because of this donation from Central Coast Moving Company, ECHO was able transition the funds they would have spent on the move and put it towards resources and services such as meals, case management, shelter and more.

Austin Solheim is a former Homeless Services Program Specialist for Nevada county

Central Coast Moving Company helps ECHO move into newly renovated rooms

COMMUNITY Local Business Lends a Hand to ECHO

Austin Solheim will now be serving as the Donor Relations and Community Engagement Manager for ECHO. Contributed Photo

STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

The NONPROFIT

AWARENESS - PREVENTION - INTERVENTION - EDUCATION

About: The Atascadero Greyhound Foundation has been serving the Atascadero community for more than 20 years, gradually adding more events that serve its mission. We have grown, and continue to give because of the generous donors, sponsors and participants of our events. Our events are a benefit to the community in healthy activity — either athletically, musically, educationally, or in the fight against addiction.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast Receives Regional Award

Beach, Michael Boyer, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast recognized his whole team as the true recip ients.

CONTACT INFO

P.O. Box 3120, Atascadero, CA 93423 (805)712-6356 atascaderogreyhound foundation.org

Donations: Our support comes from generous donors and sponsors. To make a difference, visit: atascaderogreyhoundfoundation.org/donate.html

Friends of the Paso Robles Library

UPCOMING EVENTS

Book Sale and Holiday Extravaganza Thursday, December 8, 2022, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Early Bird Sale — Friends members only, but you can join at the door.

Public Book Sale

CONTACT INFO

1000 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 237-3870 prcity.com

CENTRAL COAST —

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast was recognized for high achievement at the annual Pacific Regional Lead ership Conference of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Sparkplug Award is presented annually at this conference to the Chief Executive Offi cer of a Pacific Regional Boys & Girls Club organization who has demonstrated excep tional determination, tenacity, spark, and leadership of their Boys & Girls Club. The recip ient is usually relatively new to the CEO position of their Club and the Club has usually evidenced significant improve ments in their operation and results since the CEO assumed leadership.

Presenting the award was John Miller, Senior VP of Affiliate Relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of America who works with over 1,000 Clubs around the country ensuring they have the strategy and resources to gain the most value from their relationship with the national organiza tion. Receiving the award at the evening ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington

“I am truly humbled by this recognition … a leader can have a vision but it is just a dream unless the team also sees and embraces that vision. I am priv ileged to work with an amaz ing group of professionals … they show grit, determination, and an unwavering belief in the potential of our members. This award is the result of the count less hours of hard work our team & board put in serving the youth of our community. I am continually impressed that our team rises to the challenge of meeting our ambitious goals, and then goes on to surpass them. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the future.” Mr. Boyer proclaimed.

Since Mr. Boyer’s hiring as CEO at the end of 2020, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast has increased to running 20 Club sites in seven cities on the Central Coast. The orga nization partners with seven different school districts to offer after school program ming at school-based sites and it completed a multi-mil lion-dollar capital campaign to build and open a state-of-theart Clubhouse in Paso Robles.

It has increased service hours for local children by 42 percent and ended 2021 with the highest level of revenue in its 56-year history. It serves 1,500 households across two counties.

CONTACT INFO

1051 Las Tablas Rd. Templeton, CA 93465 (805) 238-4411 Monday - Thursday 9 am – 4 pm Fridays by Appoint ment cscslo.org

Thursday, December 8 | 2 to 6 p.m., Friday, December 9 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, December 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Enjoy hot apple cider, cookies, and holiday music as you find gifts for everyone on your list.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Support the Library through a Friends of the Library membership, starting as low as $10/year. The Friends of the Library appre ciates donations, which are either added to the Library’s collection or used to generate considerable funds toward the purchase of new books, library materials, programs, services, etc. upport the Library in a 100% volunteer-run retail environment. We are seeking volunteers to assist with Gift Shop sales, book donation sorting, and to provide book sale support.

Due to limited storage space and staff, we are only able to accept two boxes or two bags of materials per household per day. Cash donations always welcome!

BOARD MEETINGS: Call 805-237-3870 for info

Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast

UPCOMING EVENTS

"11th Annual Lights of Hope Fundraiser — November 25" We have a number of special events throughout the year that support our ability to provide programs, support and education FREE of charge to our community! Discover more at cscslo.org/Support-Our-Work

DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

All of our direct services are provided free of charge. Your donations make this possible. You can trust that you are making a difference for local families. We know you have many options when it comes to putting your charitable gifts to work! Our funds go towards the invaluable programs and services that help so many in our community facing cancer. Our online donations are processed securely through authorize.net. Your donations are 100% tax-deductible.

For more information or to discover how you can help, visit cscslo.org/DonationOptions

Redwings Horse Sanctuary

For information about making donations, adoptions, etc, visit redwingshorsesanctuary.com. For upcoming events, visit facebook.com/pg/redwingshorses/events

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

6875 Union Road Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 237-3751 redwingshorse sanctuary.org

Redwings is always looking for volunteers to help us provide the highest standard of care for our horses and burros. You do not need to have any prior horse experience to volunteer at Redwings. If you would like to work with our horses, the first step is to take a Volunteer Training Class. This class covers sanctuary rules, basic safe horsemanship skills, and an introduction to some of the horses that you will be working with. After completion of the class you are welcome to come volunteer and help with the horses any time during our volunteer hours. Volunteer hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8am to 3:30pm, and we are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Note: We do not allow volunteers to ride the horses at Redwings. There are other ways to get involved and volunteer at Redwings too. We have opportunities to help in our rose and memorial garden, volunteering in the office, helping with events and fundrais ing, and more. Please submit the form below to schedule a volunteer training or contact our office: info@redwingshorsesanctuary.org or (805) 237-3751.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tack Sale, November 19, 2022 | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds go to the care of our rescue equine.

Michael Boyer surrounded by staff and board members who attended the Pacific Region Leadership Conference in Huntington Beach. Contributed Photo

CEO recognized as a “sparkplug” driving innovation and growth

on June 6, 1987.

She is survived by her

husband Daryl, sister-in-law Marla Herzog of Warsaw, Illinois, sister-in-law Kathy Hollingsworth of Scotia, New York, nephew Justin Prevo of Carthage, Illi nois, aunt Barbara Hanson, uncle Dennis Hanson, cousin Laurel Hanson all of Grand Forks, North Dakota, cousins Alan and Annette Baldwin of Darlington, Wisconsin and cousin Ruth Lawson of Fort Madison, Iowa.

Priscilla’s passing was preceded by her parents, brothers Seth and Joel Hollingsworth, in-laws Donald and Elaine Herzog, and brother-in-law Darwin R. Herzog.

She graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, with the class of 1978

It is with great sadness that we lost our beauti ful mom Pauline, on Oct. 28th, 2022. Mom lived a very long healthy life and is now basking in the pure light and LOVE of all creation with those that went before her. We will miss her, but it helps knowing she had a wonder ful 96-plus years. Family and friends were the most import

and completed her law degree in 1983 at the University of New Hampshire Frank lin Pierce School of Law in Concord.

Priscilla was a public defender with Orange County when she met her husband, Daryl. After marrying, she moved to Santa Barbara County Public Defenders Office and continued prac ticing. After retiring due to chronic health problems, Priscilla and her husband moved to Atascadero.

She is warmly remembered for her caring relationships and love of learning. As a child, she expressed disap pointment that there was no school on Saturdays. She loved others and was often selfless in encourag

ant thing to her, and she kept in touch with many until the end.

Pauline worked as a checker at Scolari’s in SLO before moving to Atascadero, work ing at Lucky’s until she retired in 1988. Mom was blessed to meet the “love of her life,” Billy D. Ragsdale, 18, in 1984. They had 25-plus years together, traveling and enjoy

ing and helping when asked for help or comfort. Pris cilla was inherently curious and intrigued with multi ple areas of knowledge, eventually becoming the Atascadero United Method ist Church librarian for more than twenty years. She read every book donated to the library and provided guidance and an outline ( as well as a caution to parents regarding content and language). Pris cilla also wrote monthly book reviews and suggestions for the church newsletter. She organized and cataloged the collection to keep it timely with the goal of piquing interest and encouraging reading.

Priscilla’s love of animals led her to the North County

ing life. We are so thankful we had mom living here at our house these past four years along side Naiyah, her only Great Grandchild (making us four generations), and with us in SB since 2009. We know we will see you again!

Pauline is survived by her two children, Athena Roebuck (Bob) & Steve Rumrill (Rita);

Humane Society, where she helped care for the animals and maintained their store of Humane Society label cloth ing. She sewed many of the stuffed animals, pillows, and quilts for their fundraisers.

During her parent’s later years, she managed and coor dinated their dementia care and visited them many times to ensure they received qual ity treatment and support.

In the last year, her health declined rapidly. Despite many setbacks, Priscilla continued to send notes of encouragement and support to others. She expressed gratitude for the wonder ful people and experiences that had been a part of her life. Memorial services are pending.

grandchildren, Nicole, Matt, Monique Roebuck & Kasey Clark (Hal); great-grand daughter; many nieces, neph ews, and her entire stepfamily, including Beverly Rogers (Maynard), Phillip Ragsdale (Judi) & Diana Devlin.

Donations can be made in her name to Santa Barbara VNA Health. No services are planned.

District Attorneys Reach Settlement with Nurse Practitioner ‘Dr. Sarah’

STAFF REPORT

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

— District Attorney Dan Dow announced the District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecution Unit has reached a settlement with a local nurse practitioner who referred to herself on her professional website and social media accounts as “Doctor Sarah.”

Sarah Erny, R.N., N.P., earned a doctorate degree in nursing prac tice. Shortly thereafter, she began promoting herself as “Doctor Sarah Erny.” From October 2018 until March 2022, Erny hosted a profes sional website and was active on vari ous social media accounts wherein she identified herself as “Dr. Sarah Erny.” While in most instances Erny

indicated that she was a nurse practi tioner, she failed to advise the public that she was not a medical doctor and failed to identify her supervis ing physician. Adding to the lack of clarity caused by referring to herself as “Dr. Sarah,” online search results would list “Dr. Sarah Erny,” without any mention of Erny’s nurse status.

California’s Business and Profes sions Code prohibits all but a select few healthcare professionals from calling themselves “doctor” or “physician.” As for specially trained registered nurses, such as nurse prac titioners, California law permits titles such as “Certified Nurse Prac titioner,” and “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.” The courts have held that the purpose for limiting the use of titles within the health care field is to protect the public by ensuring every health care provider properly represents themselves in their true capacity by an appro

priate title. Simply put, there is a great need for healthcare providers to state their level of training and licensing clearly and honestly in all of their advertising and marketing materials.

Recent national surveys indi cate that the public is confused as to who is and who is not a medi cal doctor. Funded by the American Medical Association and reported in “Truth in Advertising Campaign,” the surveys indicate that 39 percent of respondents incorrectly identi fied a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a medical doctor and 19 percent incorrectly believed a Nurse Prac titioner was a physician. This is to say there is a great need for health care providers to state their level of training and licensing clearly and honestly in all of their advertising and marketing materials.

“We want all health care profes sionals to clearly display their educa

tion and licensure so that patients know who is providing their care,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “All forms of professional medi cal services advertising, including websites and social media accounts, must be free of deceptive or mislead ing information and must clearly identify the professional license held by the advertiser. Providing patients upfront with the proper title of our health care profession als aids consumers in making a more informed decision about their health care.”

The civil judgment requires Ms. Erny to pay civil penalties totaling $19,750 and to refrain from refer ring to herself as “doctor” in her role of providing medical treatment to the public. It also requires Erny to identify and make reasonable efforts to correct information on internet sites referring to her as “doctor” or “Dr.”

DEATHS

DONALD DUNCAN II age 53 a resident of Paso Robles passed away on 10/14/2022

MARTHA LEWIS SAULSBURY, 101, of Arroyo Grande passed away on November 6th 2022. Services are in the care of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel of Grover Beach.

THELMA GILLESPIE PULLIN, 90, formerly of Visalia, passed away November 6, 2022, in San Luis Obispo. Arrangements are under the direction of MarshallSpoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach.

JEREMY PERKINS age 71 a resident of Nipomo passed away on 11/02/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

VICTORIA TRUJILLO age 52 a resident of Paso Robles passed away on 11/02/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

DANA JACKSON age 65 a resident of Paso Robles passed away on 11/04/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

VIRGINIA UNRUH age 95 a resi dent of Nipomo passed away on 11/05/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

PATRICIA BRAY age 82 a resi dent of Shandon passed away on 11/05/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

RALPH BARRIENTOS JR age 85 a resident of Paso Robles passed away on 11/06/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

JOSE FELIX age 100 a resident of Morro Bay passed away on 11/07/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

RICHARD MAY age 72 a resi dent of Morro Bay passed away on 10/30/2022. In the care of Blue Sky Cremation Service

GEORGE BLACKBURN, JR., 90, of Nipomo, passed away Nov. 6, 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach.

CAROL KOLB, 65, of Pismo Beach, passed away Nov. 7, 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach.

JOHN BECERRA, 80, of Arroyo Grande, passed away Nov. 8, 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach.

ANGELA WESTLEY, 83, of Nipomo, passed away Nov. 10, 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach.

Share your loved one’s story with the community they cherished so that they may be remembered by all. Submit your obituaries to: Email: office@13starsmedia.com

223517

NOVEMBER 07, 2022

Case no. 222820

NOVEMBER 08, 2022

21:44— Donald Wade Higgins, 41, of Templeton was arrested on the 7400 block of El Camino Real and cited for SHOPLIFT ING [459.5(A)]; Case no. 222833 21:44— Donald Wade Higgins, 41, of

NOVEMBER 08, 2022 01:16— Santiago Ortizortiz, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on the corner of

Spring St. and 24th St. for DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL [23152(A) VC], DUI ALCOHOL/0.08 PERCENT [23152(B)VC]; Case no. 223503

09:57— Kaylee Anne Sonniksen, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 1700 block of Wade Dr. for WILLFULLY TO VIOLATE A WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN COURT [853.7PC], WILLFULLY TO VIOLATE A WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN COURT [853.7PC]; Case no. 223507

10:46— Christopher Lawerence Thatcher, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 180 block of Niblick Rd. for WILLFULLY TO VIOLATE A WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN COURT [853.7PC]; Case no. 223509

NOVEMBER 09, 2022

04:55— Darin Christopher Willis, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on the 180 block of Niblick Rd. for Bench Warrant [978.5PC], POSSESSION OF UNLAW FUL PARAPHERNALIA [11364(A)H&S], POSSESS NARCOTIC CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE [11350(A)H&S]; Case no.

10:15— Jesse Daniel Pardo, of Paso Robles was summoned/cited for DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED FOR DUI [14601.2(A)VC]; Case no. 223519

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

12:06— Ottie Webb, of Carlsbad, CA, was on-view arrested on the 180 block of Niblick Rd. for being UNDER INFLUENCE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE [11550(A) H&S]; Case no. 223528

23:37— Edward Eugene Edlin, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 180 block of Niblick Rd. for Bench Warrant [978.5PC]; Case no. 223533

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

00:07— Jose Rivashernandez, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on the corner of Spring St. and 28th St. for DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED FOR DUI [14601.2(A) VC], DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL [23152(A)VC], DUI ALCO HOL/0.08 PERCENT [23152(B)VC]; Case no. 223534

08:06— Michael Edward Contreras, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 180 block of Niblick Rd. for WILLFULLY TO VIOLATE A WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN COURT [853.7PC]; Case no. 223535

09:59— Robert Myers, of Bakersfield, CA, was taken into custody on the 2300 block of Theatre Dr. for BURGLARY [459PC], POSSESS NARCOTIC CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE [11350(A)H&S], RECEIVING/ CONCEALING STOLEN PROPERTY,ETC [496(A)PC]; Case no. 223536

14:54— Abib Priscila Ortiz, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 1200 block of Creston Rd. for FORCIBLY TAKING VICTIM TO ANOTHER PLACE [207(A) PC], CHILD ENDANGERMENT [273A(A) PC], WILLFULLY RESISTS,DELAYS,OB STRUCTS…[148(A)(1)PC]; Case no. 223538

21:24— Manuel Vasquezmartinez, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on the corner of Lana St. and Nanette Ln. for CHILD ENDANGERMENT [273A(A)PC], DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCO HOL [23152(A)VC], DUI ALCOHOL/0.08

PERCENT [23152(B)VC]; Case no. 223544

19:00— Belinda Evangeline Campbell, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 830 block of Nicklaus St. for ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON [245(A)(1) PC], INFLICTING CORPORAL INJURY ON SPOUSE/COHABITANT [273.5(A)PC]; Case no. 223542

19:00— Naomi Gehrke, of Paso Robles was taken into custody on the 2300 block of Amber Garin Pl. for INFLICTING CORPO

RAL INJURY ON SPOUSE/COHABITANT [273.5(A)PC]; Case no. 223546

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

22:09— Jason Lynn Allen, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on N. River Rd. for Bench Warrant [978.5PC]; Case no. 223560

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

23:04— Edgar Ivan Diegomendoza, of Paso Robles was on-view arrested on the corner of 28th St. and Spring St. for DRIV ING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCO HOL [23152(A)VC], DUI ALCOHOL/0.08

PERCENT [23152(B)VC]; Case no. 223566

CRIME

Sarah Erny portrayed herself as a doctor from 2018 to 2022

Social Media Manipulation Law Still Needed

on their content.

lin copays for patients with diabetes, a phaseout of plastic packaging by online retailers and a proposed requirement for gun owners to buy liability insurance.

More than 200 bills died in the state Legislature two months ago, when the Senate and Assembly appropriations committees stashed them in a “suspense file” – but there’s actually no suspense involved. For now, those bills are dead, no matter how positive or how needed they may have been.

Among the at least momen tarily dead: A bill forcing all state agencies to retain public records including emails for at least two years, a cap on insu

THOMAS ELIAS COMMENTARY JENNIFER SCALES GUEST COLUMNIST

All of those were good bills, with positive public policy goals. But the most egregious sudden death befell a measure known as AB 2408, which could have imposed fines of as much as $250,000 per offense on high-tech companies that deliberately addict children to their content.

That’s different and even more important than a new law that did pass and now forbids online services from selling children’s personal information or location.

There’s no doubt that social media like Facebook, Tik-Tok and Instagram have contin ually done all those things for years. But the new law doesn’t do enough; it still lets companies get kids hooked

It’s an unquestioned fact that big tech outfits like Facebook, which owns Insta gram, use algorithms to mine information about users, and have sold that information to advertisers for years.

The preamble to AB 2408 even cited internal Face book research showing the company knows “severe harm is happening to chil dren” who become “decreas ingly connected to family and school” the more addicted they are to Instagram and similar social media.

This is accomplished with targeted videos and notices that turn up at all hours of the day and night using endless scrolling designed to keep users on a particular site.

The bill preamble also notes that girls are more likely to become screen-addicted than boys, and that girls who say they consistently use social

media are more than twice as likely as boys to be depressed, which can lead to suicide.

The bipartisan bill to stop to this deliberate depredation of American children would not have applied to start ups, but only to companies with revenues topping $100 million per year.

The need for restricting this commercial exploitation of naïve youngsters passed the Assembly and one Senate committee with no dissent ing votes. Co-sponsored by Republican Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham of San Luis Obispo and Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks of Oakland, it appeared a sure thing for passage because of its obvious necessity.

But then someone pulled the plug without so much as a vote of the Senate Appro priations Committee, after intensive lobbying by an outfit called TechNet, made

up of CEOs and senior exec utives of technology compa nies. Said their spokesman, “We’re glad this bill won’t move forward in its current form. If it had, companies could have been punished for simply having a platform kids can access.”

That, of course, was not quite correct. The use of algo rithms directed at commer cial exploitation of children would have had to be proven in court for any fine to be assessed, so simply being accessible to kids would be no offense at all.

It’s difficult to see why this bill was suddenly derailed, just as it made little sense to allow state agencies to continue destroying records in as short a period as 30 days, a time frame that allows them to escape most public scru tiny.

In an administration that brags about its transparency,

it’s difficult to see why such a short timetable would be allowed to continue.

But no explanation is needed when proposed laws are stuck in the suspense file, and there was none from Democratic Sen. Anthony Portantino of San Dimas, the Appropriations commit tee chairman.

The obvious need for limits on the electronic exploitation of children over the Internet makes it almost mandatory for this bill to be revived imme diately when the Legislature reconvenes in a few weeks.

Failure to pass something very like this year’s bill, or for Gov. Gavin Newsom not to sign it into law when it even tually reaches him, would amount to child abuse.

Thomas Elias is an inde pendent opinion columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email him at tdelias@aol.com.

Processing Grief: It Takes as Long as it Takes

“There’s an empty space in our hearts,

Where you once held a place. A hollow ache that brings us to tears, Of the sadness, we must face.

We will miss everything about you, Your smile, your laugh, your caring heart. We don’t know how to carry on without you, Maybe celebrating you today, we can find a start.

We will take comfort in your memory, As we reminisce of you, so special, so kind. We love you so much and will do our best, But you will never drift too

far from our mind. We can rest in the assurance of seeing you again, One day we will embrace you again in love. Until then, we know God will keep you, Peaceful and loved in his arms above.”

This past March marked the first anniversary when I sat by my mother’s bedside and watched her leave this world. She fought cancer for 17 months. Her fight ended that day. I have wanted to draft this article for a while, but I could not bring myself to write the words. There is a different kind of grief when you lose a parent. For those of you who have experienced this loss, I am sure you will agree that when a loving parent has passed, there is

an all-encompassing quiet sorrow. That sorrow becomes intensified by the hollow truth that one person you’ve always trusted and who was always there for you is now gone. You will never hear the voice of the first person who guided your steps, encouraged you, and you confided in, ever again in this life. Even if you were not close to your pass ing parent, the sense of loss is still hard to describe. An honest glimpse into your own mortality as the torch passes on to the next generation.

The thing about process ing grief is no one answer works for everyone. There is no one way to make the sorrow lesson quicker. I know one thing about grief, it takes as long as it takes. No steps to complete, and no magical words or prayers can rush this process. It just

takes time. It will get better with the support and prayers from friends and family. But truthfully, losing a parent is hard. I must say that mile stones are the toughest, and holidays are not easy either. Still, there is something about those dates that leave a permanent reminder that someone you love has died. Dates that stand out as a day uniquely theirs, like Moth er’s Day, the day they were born, and sadly the day they died.

Remembering and honor ing my mother is so important to me. I keep in weekly contact with my father, as his loss is much different than mine. He lost the love of his life. Every day is a journey of sorrow for him, missing her presence in his world. I can’t imagine his loss, just like I can’t imagine the loss of a child, which he

and my mother also experi enced. I came to the astound ing realization that wherever you are in your grief. Own it! Take your time to deal with your loss and take the time to reminisce, hurt, cry, and even scream if it helps. Be decisive even when you don’t feel like it, and never give up; your loved one wouldn’t want that for you. Be careful of anyone, all though well-meaning, to tell you it’s time for you to move on or to get past it. It takes as long as it takes, and you need to take just as long as you need. Don’t allow insen sitive family and friends to dictate how you process your grief. I know my grief for my mother will get better with time. I just don’t need some one to remind me of that.

My advice, find solace in whatever your belief system may be. If you need a friend,

San Miguel Community Happenings

MICHELLE HIDO GUEST COLUMNIST

San Miguel Library

The San Miguel Library has closed temporar ily. Longtime San Miguel librarian Judy Brown retired after 24 years of valued service and count less events she provided for the community. Events such as children’s movie shows, centennial movies, presen tations, book discussions, reading programs, crafting, seed exchanges, and so much more. Judy also provided the only public computer and copy service for the San Miguel community. The closure of San Miguel’s Library has affected so many. When the library was open, it was available

three and a half days a week. So it was great news to hear that not only will a replace ment Librarian be hired, but the San Luis Obispo County Director of Librar ies is extending the position to full-time. With that, they are asking for community feedback on the hours that the community would use the library and would like it to be open. Please visit their site at slolibrary.org/

San Miguel Senior Center [601 12th Street]

Quilting and crafting is open to the public every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the San Miguel Senior Center. With a Quilting Retreat happening from November 30 through December 4.

BINGO nights are back

every 2nd and 4th Friday at 6 p.m. For more informa tion, call the Senior Center at (805) 467-3445.

Rios-Caledonia Adobe [700 S. Mission Street]

The Adobe Museum is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. with free admission. Come learn about the T’epot’aha’ l (the People of the Sali nan Tribe), the Stage Coach Days, period pieces, and local history, and walk through the gardens and on the original El Camino Real Road.

San Miguel Community Services District

The monthly San Miguel Community Services District Board Meetings are now held at the San Miguel Senior Center, 601 12th Street. Fire

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and social media comments published do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of The Atascadero News, The Paso Robles Press or any of our affiliates. The authors opinions are based upon information they consider reliable, but neither The Atascadero News or The Paso Robles Press nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should be relied upon as such.

Chief and Interim General Manager Robert Rober son retired in October; Rob started with San Miguel Fire in 2008 and has been a fire fighter since 1986.

While Rob has retired, he will continue to serve the San Miguel community as a volunteer firefighter. Thank you, Rob, for your dedicated service and care of the San Miguel Community.

The new General Manager for the San Miguel CSD is Kelly Dodds, who’s worked for the San Miguel CSD for over 15 years. The new Fire Chief is Scott Young. The remaining board meetings for 2022 will be on November 17 and December 15 at 7 p.m. For more information and meeting document packets, please go to sanmiguelcsd.org.

The San Miguel Advisory Committee meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. at the Community Center at 256 13th Street. Agendas, Minutes, and additional information is available at sanmigueladvisorycouncil.com.

California Broadband Council

In March, the California Broadband Council issued a “call to action” to get online high-speed internet service to 90 percent of all eligible low-income households by 2024. In San Luis Obispo County, 42,132 (40 percent) of community households are eligible for the Afford able Connectivity Program, with only 13 percent (5,421 households) currently enrolled.

find one; if you need therapy, call one; and if you need a grief group, there are plenty around. Just remember to take care of yourself. Remember the beautiful memories you created with that person. Whoever they are to you, your mother, father, spouse, child, sibling, dear family member, or friend. Mourn them, remember them, honor them, and cherish their memory by loving yourself.

Finally, be gentle with yourself; grief takes as long as it takes.

Thank you for reading my words. Please share them with someone who needs to hear them.

Be kind to yourself and others.

Jennifer Scales is an inde pendent opinion columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press.

Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. On August 27, SLO County had an enrollment event where 21 families qualified for the program, and 15 Chrome Books were distributed. To see how you can enroll, please visit inter netforallnow.org/ or call (866) 935-1519.

The San Miguel Ceme tery District Michael Sanders was appointed to the Board of the San Miguel Public Cemetery District; his term will be till 2024. Thank you, Michael, for faithfully serving the San Miguel community.

Deadline is every Friday for possible placement in Thursday’s paper depending on space available. Letters can be up to 300 words. We do not publish anonymous letters, and we reserve the right to edit for clarity and style. Limit one per month.

Email: editor@13starsmedia.com

PERSECTIVE

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

ATASCADERO GOSPEL CHAPEL

8205 Curbaril Ave. (corner of Curbaril & Atascadero Ave.): Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Ted Mort, Pastor. (805) 466-0175. atascaderogospelchapel.org

AWAKENING WAYS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY A New Thought Spiritual Community. Living the Consciously Awakened Life. Rev. Elizabeth Rowley Hogue Sunday 10:00am at the Pavilion 9315 Pismo Way, Atascadero (805) 460-0762. awakeningways.org

GRACE CENTRAL COAST NORTH COUNTY CAMPUS 9325 El Bordo Avenue, Atascadero; Sunday Services at 9:30 and 11 a.m.; (805) 543-2358; gracecentralcoast.org; Helping people find and follow Jesus.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 238 17th St. Paso Robles; Sunday Worship 10 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m.; Our Wednesday Testimony; Meeting is the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.; Reading room-same location after services & by apportionment.

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 9925 Morro Road, Atascadero; "The Church on the Hill"; An independent church committed to the teaching of God's Word.; Praise and Prayer - 10 a.m.; Morning Worship - 11 a.m.; Evening Worship - 6 p.m.; Wednesday Prayer - 6:30 p.m.; Nursery care and children's classes provided.; Pastor Jorge Guerrero; (805) 461-9197.

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH 535 Creston Road., Paso Robles ; (805) 238-3549 ; Dr. Gary M. Barker, Pastor; Goal of church: To teach Believers to love God and people.; Sundays: 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Fellowship; 10:30 a.m. Service; 6 p.m. Eve Service; Wednesdays: 7 p.m. prayer meeting.

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA

A place of hope! Join us for in-person worship on Sundays at 9 A.M. Services are also streamed on our YouTube channel, Hope Lutheran Church Atascadero. We offer Sunday School for all ages after worship. Learn more at ourhopelutheran.net. 8005 San Gabriel Road, Atascadero. 805.461.0430. office@ourhopelutheran.org.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER-LCMS 4500 El Camino Real, Atascadero; 466-9350; Morning Bible class at 9 a.m. Sunday; Coffee and Sunday Worship with Holy Communion at 10 a.m. Sunday; Thursday morning Bible class 10 a.m. followed by refreshments and fellowship; Developmentally disabled Bible class 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings; redeemeratascadero.org; redeemeratascadero@gmail.com; Pastor Wayne Riddering.

PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC

We honor ancient scriptures, responding to God’s contemporary call to be just and kind.; Join us for Worship Sunday, 10 a.m.; Church School Sunday, 10:15 a.m.; Coffee Fellowship 11 a.m.; Men’s Bible Study, Wednesday, 8 a.m.; Women’s Bible Study, Friday, 10 a.m.; Youth Group; 1301 Oak St., Paso Robles; (805) 238-3321.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 820 Creston Road., Paso Robles; (805) 238-2218- Parish Office open Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; website: www.saintrosechurch.org; Mass times;Daily Mass- 12:00 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.; Tues. 7 p.m. Spanish; Saturday 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Spanish Vigil Mass; Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.; Spanish Mass at 12:30PM. Father Rudolfo Contreras.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 940 Creston Road, Paso Robles; has Sunday worship services at 9:30 a.m; For more information, call the church at (805) 238-3702. Ext. 206.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ATASCADERO 11605 El Camino Real, Atascadero; Sunday Service Time: 10 a.m.; Nurs-ery Care Provided:; 9:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.; Mid-week student ministry; PreK-12th grade Sept-April, Weds, 4 p.m.; (805) 466-2566; Pastor Steve Poteete-Marshall; atascaderoumc.org.

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 513 Palma Ave., Atascadero; Sunday services: Holy Eucharist — 9 a.m., Taize — 8 p.m.; the Rev. W. Merritt Greenwood, interim director; the Rev. James Arnold, Deacon; the Rev. Jacqueline Sebro, Deacon; office (805) 466-0379, fax (805) 466-6399; website stlukesatascadero.org; email office@stlukesatascadero.org

Congratulations to Cerro Alto 4-H for their Coats for Kids collection. At their Novem ber meeting, members turned in 156 new and gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts. According to Evelyn Rockwell, who has been involved with 4-H for many years, their ages range from 5 to 18 years.

This is not the first year that the group has collected for Coats for Kids, but the number of items does top their efforts. They collect, sort, and deliver the items to storage, or to Plaza Cleaners in Atascadero and Paso Robles, or Fashion Clean ers in Atascadero for “refresh ing.” There is no charge by the cleaners, and a CFK committee member picks up. Please visit the CFK website at coatsforkidsslocounty.org

The Last Pumpkin

for more information regard ing donating coats, jack ets, sweaters and sweatshirts, funds for CFK to purchase new items, or to volunteer. Thank you to Kevin Will and Dick Mason at KPRL Radio for their continued support of this project which is now in its 35th year. Also, thank you to the Atascadero News team who continue to help get the word out about the need for warm items as we face our cold winter months.

As you celebrate this Thanksgiving, check your closets for warm items you no longer wear. Take them to the cleaners if needed, or drop them in one of the Coats for Kids collection boxes listed on the website. A big thank you goes to Rotary members in Paso Robles, Templeton, and Atascadero for delivering the boxes to supportive businesses in North County.

The Paso Robles Art Asso ciation is presenting “Tis the Season” at the PRAA Gallery inside Studios on the Park through Jan. 4. Our son, David Butz, has a print titled

“Dragonfly” in the exhibit. He also has 2 Intaglio prints on display in the central Coast Printmakers exhibition “Look Both Ways: Process to Print” at Studios on the Park that runs through Nov. 27.

For information on concurrent exhibits, demos and workshops contact Studiosonthepark.com or call (805) 238- 9800.

This week’s recipe will be the last pumpkin recipe for a while. It is cooked in a crock pot,

lee pitts COLUMNIST

The most influential person in my life was my grandpa, and I found it very comforting recently when I was told I turned out to be just like him. After my grand mother, rodeo was my grandpa’s favorite thing, so much so that he started an RCA (forerunner to the PRCA) rodeo in our town and, with the proceeds, bought land for a big sports park that now bears his name.

My grandpa’s favorite rodeo cowboy was Gene Rambo, and he told me countless times that when Gene came to town for the rodeo, he stayed in grandpa’s “bunkhouse,” which was just a big building behind grandpa’s house for cowboys to stay.

The one thing I did in my life that most pleased my grandpa was I became friends with Gene.

I wrote a story one time about Gene’s setup where he could gather a single animal from the big country he ran in, take it to the corrals and lock the animal

Iwant you to be highly encouraged today. For some of you, 2022 may have been a tough year. But I want to encourage you that you are coming out! It has indeed been a tough year for me also, as last January I lost my 90-year-old dad and 58-year-old sister in a double homicide. It was one of the most difficult things I have had to endure, but I also knew that I needed to stay focused on life. I knew that God would turn this mess into a message. Since then, I have had the opportunity to help others through their grieving process.

in the squeeze all by himself without getting off his horse through the use cowboy engi neering that included several ropes and pulleys. I wrote that Gene’s commercial cattle were so good other cattlemen bought his crossbred calves to use as herd bulls.

My grandpa let me know he thought that story was my great est literary accomplishment.

Another thing my grandpa always told me about Gene was that he always wore a cowboy tuxedo: clean Levis and a white shirt. And he competed across the board, entering every event and I still have the entry sheets to prove it.

Gene competed at a time when other contestants looked like they shopped at Goodwill, picked out the cleanest shirt in the dirty clothes hamper and threw their clothes on with a pitchfork. So my grandpa didn’t know how to take my next rodeo hero, Larry Mahan.

For you youngsters, Larry Mahan was one of the greatest rodeo cowboys to ever straddle a horse. He won six All Around Cowboy awards and two bull riding championships riding in all three rough stock events. “Larry literally could ride

Sticky

Caramel Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/3 cups sugar

4 eggs, at room temperature

1 can (15-ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

1 jar (16 ounces) caramel sauce or caramel ice cream topping

Epidermal Cowboys

anything that wore hair.” But old-timers like grandpa didn’t know how to take Larry because they had preconceived notions of how a cowboy should look and Larry didn’t look like that. He wore his hair a little longer, looked like he just stepped off a Hollywood film set and wore his pants so tight you could count the change in his pock ets. In other words, he was no Gene Rambo. And guys like Gene never spent their days off in western wear stores. I don’t know if Gene Rambo was ever in a “changing room” in his life. Let’s just say that he was a man of few fashion surprises. But then Gene Rambo never appeared in movies, released a record with Warner Brothers or signed big dollar deals with boot and hat labels that carried his name like Larry did. And there was some resistance amongst old-timers because Larry didn’t exactly come from rodeo coun try. I mean, for gosh sakes he was born in Salem, Oregon! That’s one of the reasons I liked Larry, he was more living, breathing proof that the far west could produce championship cowboys too. And did Larry have charisma! I got to see this from a front row seat one time

Living with Expectancy

I want to talk to you about expectations. Expectation is the hidden ability to see things change. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That word faith in this context means expectation. Expectation can be positive or negative, though, so take a deep breath and begin to focus on the good things to come. The winter season will pass and the spring season will come. It is during the winter season that things seem dead and dormant, but under the cold, frozen, hard ground, life is still at work. Someone here is getting ready to get through that horrible divorce situation; your poor health is going to be restored to life; the job and financial dilemma is going to rise in breakthrough. You see, negativity will cause us to live in fear and will paralyze

our faith, hope, and fulfilled future. Expectation is the young couple getting ready to have their first child. Months before the birth of their child, they start preparing a nursery. It is the expectancy that keeps the dream alive. During their waiting, they do not forget about what they are expecting. They continually work toward their expectation.

Don’t be controlled by what is happening AROUND you, but create excitement as to what is happening IN you. When we understand or get a grip on great expec tation, we begin to paint a masterpiece. They say that an author is known by his writ ings, a fool by his words, and all men by their companions. Let’s surround ourselves with people who will help us and not hinder us. Don’t allow miserable people to destroy our expectation.

Vanilla ice cream (optional) Directions: Coat 41⁄2 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pump kin pie spice and salt in large bowl. Beat butter and sugar in separate bowl with electric mixer on high speed until light, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating with mixer to incorporate each egg before adding another. Beat in pump kin. With mixer running on low speed, carefully add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Spread evenly in stoneware insert of slow cooker. Cover; cook on HIGH 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

Drizzle 1⁄2 cup caramel sauce over cake. Spoon into bowls and serve warm with ice cream, if desired, and drizzle with additional caramel sauce. Serves 8

Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers!

Barbie Butz is an independent columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email her at barbiewb@hotmail.com.

when he and Les Vogt invited my wife and I to a horse camp near my house to sit around a campfire singing old cowboy songs along with an original member of the Sons of the Pioneers.

Now I’m old and I can under stand how my grandpa felt about guys like Larry Mahan. I was devastated the first time I saw one of my basketball heroes, Michael Jordan, wear ing a diamond earring. And I was just getting used to guys wearing women’s jewelry when along came tattoos. Watching a rodeo recently I saw a “tat” wink at me from the neck of a bull rider and I have a feeling there’s a lot more of those than I’d like to think.

But I’ve learned my lesson. People with style like Larry are “trendsetters” and it’s because of them we now have blunttoed cowboy boots, “formal wear” that includes shirts with advertising embroidered all over them, and cowboys with tattoos of ex-girlfriend’s names they’ve tried desperately to have erased.

Lee Pitts is an independent columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email them at leepitts@ leepittsbooks.com.

Each one of us is a spiritual being having a physical expe rience. We are physical tempo rarily, but we will be spiritual forever. If that be true, it would behoove us to spend more time taking care of the inner man rather than getting caught up in the external things around us. Every life has an expi ration date. Earth is only a portal which each of us walk through to get into eternity. It is time to start living this life with that future expectation in mind. My future expectation is to live with God forever, so I must live toward that expecta tion now. I do so by confessing with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10)

Pastor Gabe Abdelaziz is an independent columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email them at alphabeth@tcsn.net

barbie butz COLUMNIST

Pastor Gabe Abdelaziz COLUMNIST

Atascadero High Golfer First Female to Make it to State Level

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS

ATASCADERO — On Monday, Oct. 31, golfer Julianna Lockaton Honea, representing Atascadero High School, shot a 77 at the San Luis Obispo Country Club during the CIF Central Finals. Honea tied for third place at the match, but after a card-off with the other player taking third place, she ended up fourth and second place in the individual ranking. Her score at the CIF finals meant that she was the very first female golfer at AHS to make it to State competition level.

“It’s unbelievable. I just can’t believe it myself,” Honea said. “What I shot at SLO Country Club was a 77; that was the best score I’ve done. My coaches told me, ‘you were just so focused, so into the game, and you shot very well.’ Usually, I shoot in the low 90s.”

Honea also placed third in her division at the CIF match in Visalia earlier in October. Currently, she is a senior at ACE Academy, and though Honea has been playing golf for the last four years, it wasn’t until this year that she joined the AHS golf team.

“My father actually golfed for Atascadero in the 1990s. He was pretty good, too, so it’s kind of like a family thing. Now I continue that legacy,” added Honea.

Her father, Cory Lockaton, started playing golf at a very young age, and by the time he was 11, he played a golf tournament with Tiger

On

“The

Atascadero Youth Soccer 2022 Season

All-Star tryouts took place on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Youth Soccer season, organized by CalSouth, came to an end on Sunday, Nov. 13, following a two-day tourna ment for U10, U12, and U14.

The Atascadero News was a

proud sponsor of two teams, the U10 Atascadero Bengals, coached by Juan Viveros, and the U12 Tidalwaves, coached by Tori Keen and Jessica Main. Congratulations to all the play ers and coaches for a terrific season.

Atascadero All-Star tryouts took place on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6; teams will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit atascaderosoccer.org.

Woods in Long Beach. Her older brother also started playing when he was 15, and Honea caught the golf bug while helping out on the golf course he was working for.

Nov. 10, Honea competed at the South ern California Regional Championships at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena. There, 113

female golfers shot, and only nine girls moved on to CIF State Tournament. Sadly, none of the players from the Central Section made it through to the next round, including Honea, who shot a strong 91 at the championship.

year’s been going great,” added Honea. “Right when I walked into the group of the girls

golf team, they all accepted me. So I have a lot of friends on that golf team. A lot of them are just very sweet, and I finally have a golfing family.” Honea also volunteers in the community through First Tee, where she teaches children how to play the game of golf and the etiquette that goes with it.

Julianna Lockaton Honea tied for 3rd at the CIF Central Golf Finals and played the Southern California Regionals

Julianna Lockaton Honea shows off her medal after placing third at the CIF Central Section Finals. Contributed Photos. This medal represents Julianna Lockaton Honea’s third-place finish at the CIF Central Section Finals for AHS.

Atascadero Youth Soccer Team U12 Tidalwaves, coached by Tori Keen (left) and Jessica Main (right) on Sunday, Nov. 13. Photos by Hayley Mattson

Atascadero Youth Soccer Team U10 Atascadero Bengals, coached by Juan Viveros (second from the left), with the Red Dragons Co-Ed Youth Team on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Tidalwaves Bengals

1. MOVIES: Who voices the character of Timon in “The Lion King”?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of parrots called?

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What are the main colors of Italy’s flag? 4. SCIENCE: What instrument is used to measure wind speed and direction? 5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the young readers’ novel “Looking for Alas ka”? 6. U.S. STATES: In which state can you find Glacier National Park? 7. MEASUREMENTS: What is the study of measurements called? 8. TELEVISION: The characters in “Laverne & Shirley” live and work in which city?

GEOGRAPHY: Which two coun tries occupy the Iberian Peninsula?

U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which pres ident signed into law a bill that made “The Star-Spangled Banner” the nation al anthem?

Boy Scouts, Moose Lions Club, and others help put flags on every veteran’s grave in the cemetery. During the Veterans Day ceremony, Scouts led the attending crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) trustee and retired Marine Kenny Enney gave the public a brief history of the creation of Armistice Day and its tran sition to Veterans Day.

“The service of the World War II veterans eased the burden of the service for the Vietnam veterans,” said Enney.

“The Vietnam veterans eased the service for the Desert Storm and war on terrorism veterans. And I hope that my service will ease the burden on the next generation.”

The United States Army

Security Agency (USASA) Camp Robert Honor Guard was present to fulfill their memorial duties. Following the ceremony, a lunch was provided by Eddington Funeral Services and hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies were provided by the Cemetery Board.

In Atascadero, Veterans and community members alike headed out to the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memo rial on Friday to participate in the 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Atascadero Veterans Memo rial Foundation.

The ceremony started promptly at 11 a.m. with a flyover by the Estrella Warbirds, followed by the Presentation of Colors, presented by the Cal Poly ROTC band Central Coast Pipes and Drums. Opal Lansky sang the national anthem.

Pastor Steve Shively from

Refuge Church gave the invo cation before the Armed Forces Medley played. Guest speaker U.S. Army Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Rod Dykhouse addressed the audience on what it is like to welcome back soldiers after they’ve gone to war and shared stories from his time in Viet nam.

Twenty-five veterans were presented with Quilts of Valor made by the local Gold Coast Quilt Guild during the cere mony to thank them for their service.

Army Specialist 4 (SPC4) John Couch was presented with the Distinguished Veteran Award by Marine Corporal Tim Haley.

“Who’s John Couch? John is a U.S. Army Veteran who served from 1970 to 1973. He served as a Specialist 4 in Viet nam as a helicopter door gunner from ‘71 to ‘72. He retired from a 31-year career in law enforce

also running unopposed, came in with 100 percent of the vote.

ment, serving his last four years as the Chief of Police in Atascadero,” Haley said. “He’s a graduate of California State University Sacramento and the FBI National Academy. He has served on various boards of directors of local organiza tions, including the Atascadero Veterans Memorial, and serves currently as the president of the Estrella Warbird Museum. He’s one of three generations in his family that have served in the military.”

The Memorial Wreath was presented in honor of all veter ans by U.S. Air Force veteran and VFW 2814 member Michael Lasley and his wife, VFW Aux. 2814 member Heather Lasley. Taps was performed by Dr. Alexander Castellanos. A free barbecue lunch, made by the Atascadero Kiwanis BBQ Crew, was avail able for all veterans after the ceremony.

PASO ROBLES

The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District had 10 people vying for three trustee area seats and one at-large seat. In Trustee Area 2, Joel Peterson ran unopposed and was not on the ballot.

As of Friday, Nov. 11 in Trustee Area 1, results are Jim Cogan with 48.04 percent, Chris Arend with 27.18 percent, and Peter Byrne with 24.79 percent.

In Trustee Area 4, results are Sondra Williams leading with 43.31 percent, Frank Triggs with 35.07 percent, and Catherine Reimer with 21.63 percent.

Finally, the at-large seat shows Adelita Hiteshew leading with 38.07 percent. Close behind is Laurene D. McCoy with 36.12 percent and Jim Irving with 25.81 percent.

As of Friday, Nov. 11, current District 1 Paso Robles City Coun cilmember John Hamon came in with 100 percent of the votes, running unopposed. District 2 Paso Robles City Councilmember Chris Bausch,

Paso Robles City Mayor candidates Michael Rivera currently has 43.06 percent of the vote, and current City Mayor Steve Martin is looking to win his re-election with 53.94 percent.

As for Measure E-22, Appoint ive City Treasurer failed with 59.49 percent. And Measure F-22, Paso Robles Quality of Life/Community Safety Measure, passed with 60.68 percent.

ATASCADERO

The City of Atascadero had two open at-large seats on their council and mayor up for election.

As of Friday, Nov. 11, current City of Atascadero Councilmembers Heather Newsom, with 43.27 percent, and Susan Funk, with 43.58 percent, look like they will both win their re-election for the two open seats on the council.

Bret Heinemann is following behind with 13.16 percent of the vote.

City of Atascadero Mayor candi date Heather Moreno, running unop posed for re-election, has 100 percent of the vote.

will be provided.

City of Atascadero Treasurer candi date Gere Sibbach, also running unopposed for re-election, has 100 percent of the vote.

The Atascadero Unified School District had nine candidates running for four spots on the trustee board. The top four results are Tracy Ellis-Weit with 15.63 percent, Vy Pierce with 14.92 percent, Rebekah Koznek with 11.93 percent, and Denise McGrew Kane with 11.69 percent of the vote.

Other trustee candidate results are Tami Gunther (running for re-elec tion) with 11.31 percent, Dan Hatha way with 10.39 percent, George Shoemaker (running for re-election) has 9.86 percent, Scott Staton with 8.92 percent, and Chris Collins with 5.35 percent of the vote.

TEMPLETON

Templeton Unified School District had two open seats on its board. As of Friday, taking the seats are Janel Armet with 27.32 percent, and Jenni fer Grinager, with 25.01 percent. Following behind them are Matt Allison with 24.87 percent and Jason Tesarz with 10.26 percent.

for Downtown City Park. The City Council approved the Hanukkah Menorah Light ing to take place in the Park Gazebo on Dec. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and is hosted by Chabad of Paso Robles. Attendees are invited to enjoy live Hanukkah music and the lighting of a 9-foothigh Menorah. Traditional foods such as potato pancakes (latkes), soup, and cookies

The City Council unan imously approved to enter a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Central Coast Commu nity Energy (CCCE) since the inclusion of the City of Atascadero into the agree ment. Paso Robles originally joined CCCE in 2019 and began receiving service in January 2021.

According to the staff report, CCCE was established in 2018 to source clean and renew

able electricity at competitive prices for customers through out Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties. CCCE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency.

Paso Robles joined an MOU between CCCE and the cities of Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo and in February 2022, Atascadero also decided to join CCCE, requiring a new MOU

26th Annual Nutcracker perfor mance will be at the Spanos Theater at Cal Poly this Dec. 1 through the 4.

to be approved.

OTHER NOTABLE NORTH COUNTY RACES

• District 2 SLO County Supervi sor — Current District 2 Super visor Bruce Gibson leads the race with 53.54 percent. His competi tor Bruce Jones follows behind with 46.46 percent.

State Governor — Current State Governor Gavin Newsom leads the race with 54.02 percent against Republican Brian Dahle with 45.98 percent.

• State Senator — Democrat Alex Padilla leads with a 55.81 percent against Republican Mark Meuser with 44.19 percent.

State Representative, 19th District — Republican Jeff Gorman leads with 51.70 percent against Demo crat Jimmy Panetta with 48.30 percent.

• State Representative, 24th District — Democrat Salud Carbajal leads with 61.20 percent against Republi can Brad Allen with 38.80 percent.

State Assembly, 30th District — Democrat Dawn Addis leads with 54.53 percent against Vicki Nohrden with 45.47 percent.

The new MOU with CCCE was unanimously approved, and Mayor Steve Martin will be the primary policy board member.

Council then approved to rescind Resolution 16-141 — an agreement with the 16th District Agricultural Asso ciation (DAA or commonly referred to as the fair board) for the sale of a portion of Pioneer Park property. They rescinded the original agree ment to allow for approval of

State Assembly, 37th District — Republican Mike Stoker leads with 51.87 percent, followed by Demo crat Gregg Hart with 48.13 percent. The County Clerk-Recorder esti mates her office will finalize counting all the ballots by Dec. 8.

To see the full results for local and national, visit pasoroblespress.com or slovote.com.

Publisher’s Note: Last week, The Paso Robles Press published an arti cle titled “Preliminary Winning Candidates Announced” on A1 with the headshots of the poten tial candidates who are expected to win their perspective seats. The article included a note “With just over 30 percent of ballots counted, it is still too soon to call the races, but here is what we have so far for our North County races.” However, we understand that adding the head shots of the potential winners could be seen as confusing or as us call ing the race before all is counted. Going forward, we will be sure to hold off on adding images prior to the final count.

an updated agreement which declares the City’s intent to sell the 5.6 acres of Pioneer Park, declare the property as exempt surplus, and finding that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.

Since 2015, the City and DAA have been working to finalize the sale. However, the Department of General Services (DSG) came back to the city saying the agreement could not be approved due to non-substantive or adminis

trative issues that needed to be addressed.

At the Tuesday, Nov. 1 city council meeting, City Staff announced that negotiations between DGS, the City, and DAA reached an agreement, allowing the City to move forward with the sale.

The new resolution was unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote.

The next City Council meet ing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

guests as they strolled downtown.

choir

North County Dance and Performing Arts ballet dancers were back in the downtown shop windows on display as live manne quins. The dancers were dressed in their costume attire for the annual performance of the Nutcracker. The

“They were outstanding,” said Moye of the dancers who were on display.

Moye explains the Elegant Evening is the first chapter in the Christmas Story of Paso Robles. The elegant night starts the scene with the downtown merchants decorat

ing and getting ready for holiday shopping. Next, Mrs. Claus comes to town on Friday, Nov. 25 to the Lights of Hope Holiday Light ing Ceremony in City Park. Mrs. Claus will flip the switch and turn on the more than 35,000 lights at the annual Downtown Tree Light ing Ceremony. This year marks the 11th annual Paso’s Lights of Hope, a special fundraising event benefit ing Cancer Support Community

— California Central Coast. The lights will turn on and shine nightly through Feb. 19, 2023.

Once Mrs. Claus deems the City is ready for the big man in red, they return the following weekend for the 61st Annual Christmas Light Parade.

Next will come the 36th Annual Vine Street Showcase and the 32nd Annual Teddy Bear Tea.

“I want to thank everybody that contributes to [these events]. It is

greatly appreciated,” says Moye.

The Downtown Main Street Asso ciation is additionally hosting a draw ing for a Christmas tree filled with $1000 worth of gift cards from local businesses. Tickets for the draw ing are $20 and can be purchased at Bijou, Odyssey World Cafe, Kahunas, and Jade. The winner will be picked on Dec. 21.

For more information on the giveaway and events, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org

COUNCILMEMBER FRED STRONG (805) 237-3888 fstrong@prcity.com

Paso Robles District Cemetery creates the Avenue of Flags every Memorial and Veterans Day to honor veterans. Photos by Camille DeVaul

Two veterans posing after the ceremony at the Paso Robles District Cemetery.