Something Worth Reading • Publisher's Letter

from Paso Robles Press Magazine • #262 • February 2023

Journaling For Mental Health and Clarity

As we welcome February and look to warmer days ahead our community is still recovering from the severe rainstorm that we encountered last month. At the time of writing the Sheriff's Department continues its search for missing 5-yearold boy Kyle Doan, who was swept away by raging floodwaters on January 9 near San Miguel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our community.

In today's fast-paced world, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and neglect our health and well-being. From long work hours to constant social media stimulation, it can be challenging to make time for ourselves and prioritize our physical and mental health. But it's important to remember that our health and well-being should be at the top of our list of priorities.

This month we spoke to local experts who shared with us some of the best ways to focus on our health and well-being is to make self-care a regular part of our routine. This can include simple things like taking a few minutes each day to meditate or practice deep breathing exercises, going for a walk or run, or even just taking a few minutes to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and just be. Be being kind and compassionate to yourself, and recognize that your needs are just as important as anyone else's. It's about taking the time to do things that make you happy, whether that's reading a book, going for a walk, or simply taking a few minutes to sit and breathe.

One thing I have learned over the years is don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Failure is a part of the process, so don’t let it discourage you. Learn from your mistakes and move on. The more you try, the more you will learn, and the closer you will get to achieving your goals. Believing in yourself and having faith that you can achieve your dreams is the key to making them a reality. With hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, you can accomplish anything.

We hope you all have a wonderful February, and a Happy Valentine’s Day. We appreciate all your love and support and look forward to what this year will bring.

Hayley, Nic, and family

if thou wouldest win immortality of name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

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Storm Surge Tears

Through Paso Robles

An atmospheric river was promised for California, and it delivered plenty of rain and destruction throughout San Luis Obispo County the first part of January.

As of Wednesday, January 25, the search continues for 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was swept away on by raging floodwaters near San Miguel. It was reported by Cal Fire that the area the car he inhabited was trying to cross was impacted by a downed tree. A neighbor tried to help rescue those inside, and while Kyle’s mother was pulled to safety, he was unable to be rescued.

The SLO County Sheriff’s Office USAR

(Underwater Search and Rescue) Team, air operations, drone team, detectives, and deputies were deployed to search for Kyle, and after about five hours of searching on Monday, crews had to cease the search due to hazardous weather. However, with a break in the severe weather, the search was continued on the next day.

Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis told Paso Robles Press, “Our hearts go out to the family of the missing little boy. The city stands ready to help in any way needed. There are no words that would adequately describe how heart-wrenching this loss is. We pray the family gets closure; that he is found and brought back home to his family.”

Unfortunately, there have been no signs of Kyle, and the search efforts continue by both the county and volunteers.

Within 24 hours, regions in the county saw over 2 inches of rain and some up to 10 inches. Paso Robles Airport even beat its 1995 record of 1.18 inches. The amount of flooding and rising water levels in the Salinas River led to the

Paso Robles Police Department issuing several evacuation warnings and orders for areas near the Salinas River, which were all lifted by the afternoon on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

During the evacuations, the American Red Cross manned an emergency shelter at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Rural residents in the county have been facing their own challenges, with roads blocked by severe flooding and bridges collapsing like the one at El Pomar and Creston Road.

Commenting on the damage throughout the City, Lewis told Paso Robles Press, “This storm event caused much damage that the city is still assessing. Even though there was much damage reported by various community members and city, I think we faired fairly well considering. We are confident in the resilience and resolve of our community and our ability to rebuild/ repair quickly.”

For more emergency information in Paso Robles, visit the city’s website, prcity.com.

Karyl Lammers

We enter 2023 with the wisdom we’ve acquired from past years, determined to get it right this time. We begin every year with excitement for what’s to come and how we’re going to rock it.

After an energetic two months and a restful, rather eventless January, our calendars begin to fill up in February. Did you know that February 1 is National Freedom Day? In 1865 President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to effectively end slavery in the United States. It was meant for all citizens to take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are and be thankful for the many freedoms we have in this great country.

February 2 hosts Groundhog Day. This fun, cheerful traditional day brings a little joy at this low point of winter, where we are halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. We will wake up Punxsutawney Phil from hibernation at 7 a.m. just to see if he notices his shadow. If yes, we’re in for six weeks more winter weather, if not, early spring will arrive. We have been playing this game for five decades and in some places pancakes and groundhog nog are served. He has a 30 percent correct record, but that’s not the point.

February 20 is Presidents’ Day. It’s always the third Monday in February. It originated in 1879 to commemorate Washington as our first president. In 1971 it was changed to recognize all of our presidents.

February 21 is Mardi Gras time. It started thousands of years ago as a pagan spring and fertility carnival celebration in France. It came to America in 1827 and is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. “Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday” and symbolizes the last day of eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting of the Lenten season ... just thought it was “party time.”

Paso’s Main Street Association is starting 2023 with our first event of the year, Valentine Movie Night, on February 19 at 7 p.m. at Park Cinemas. Your $12 ticket includes popcorn, a soda, and chocolates. The movie is “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.” A 1947 American romantic fantasy film starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison and featuring Natalie Wood and Edna Best. This is the story of a recent widow, Lucy Muir, who rented a house by the ocean for her and her daughter and their devoted maid, only to discover that it’s haunted by a cantankerous sea captain. It’s a movie of comedy, suspense, fantasy, drama, and romance. Our “movie nights” are a popular, fun experience. We start with a trivia session of special prizes, including prizes and a raffle from the theater. Now, The Park Cinema has been converted to a luxury experience with new top-of-the-line recliners and rockers for everyone’s comfort. A bar has been added with locally inspired beer and wine for your pleasure. We’re looking forward to seeing you. Paso is still a small town, so join us and see friends and neighbors you haven’t seen in a while.

February is known as the “Month of Love,” so it seems to give us more joy than most other months. Love is a feeling, an action, a state of being, and a motivation. Do everything with love and be in a state of joy.

When we are centered in joy, we attain our wisdom.

Charles M. Schultz reminds us:

A wise old owl sat on an oak, the more he saw, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he heard. Why aren’t we like the wise old bird.

“Wisdom is not finally tested by the schools. Wisdom cannot be passed from one having it to another not having it. Wisdom is of the soul, is not susceptible of proof. It is its own proof.”

— Walt Whitman