GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XIII
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021
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EVENT
GOVERNMENT
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Announces Annual Award Winners By THE ATASCADERO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Supervisors Discuss Land Use Permits and Water Issues
A SPECIAL TO THE ATASCADERO NEWS
T
he Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its lineup of annual award winners. A record number of nominations for each of the categories were submitted by members of the community. Both Chamber members and non-members are invited to celebrate with winners during the Speakeasy Gala on Saturday, Apr. 17. The following summarizes comments received by the nominators.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson shares appreciation for telecommunication employees By MELISSA MATTSON
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – BRENDA MAY
melissa@atascaderonews.com
Brenda has lived in Atascadero for more than 35 years with her husband David and two children Michael and Jamie. She recently retired after over 50 years as a hairdresser, most recently at Heart and Soles day spa. She is also a senior fitness instructor and was formerly a coach. Retirement plans include remaining active with several local organizations. Speaking of organizations, Brenda lends her expertise and service to numerous non-profit organizations, including Coats for Kids, the Atascadero Printery Foundation, the Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee, Quota of Atascadero, the Colony Days Committee, and Dancing With Our Stars. For Dancing With Our Stars, not only has Brenda danced in the competition, but she also decorates the Atascadero Lake Pavilion and has sewn several of the
SUPPORT
Brenda May named 2021 Citizen of the Year. Photos by Hayley Mattson
costumes. She has also organized many events for these groups, such as murder mystery plays for the Atascadero Printery Foundation and Quota. She is also an active council member of the Community Church of Atascadero, which has housed a warming center for the homeless. Brenda is very generous with her time and resources, even when they are limited. She has a giving, loving spirit that adds great value to our community. She is always ready to help the community, friends, non-profit groups, and church. She cares deeply for her family and friends. Her personal integrity and energy is positive, helpful, and plentiful. She is a delightful person and is someone Atascadero can look to as a model citizen.
guest at Hollis’s RISE Women’s Conference. Seeing and meeting Hollis, the one who started it all, was an incredible experience for Twisselman. She told The Atascadero News, “I did get to hug Rachel Hollis [backstage], and I just burst into tears. It’s a really special moment when you get to meet someone who has made such a huge impact on your life and be able to say thank you, and that was an incredible and emotional experience for me.” As if this day couldn’t have gotten better for Twisselman, another exciting thing happened. Twisselman explained, “As I’m talking to
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, Apr. 6, for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting opened with approval of the consent agenda and then an update from Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Director, on the current state of COVID-19. The county remains in the Red Tier, as the case positivity rate is currently around 6.2 and needs to be at 5.9 in order to move to the Orange Tier. Borenstein addressed the slight uptick in cases which she states may be a reaction to St Patrick’s day. While there’s no hard data to show this, historically, holidays have created an increase in cases. For the full COVID-19 update, read the “SLO County Remains in Red While 16 Counties Move to Less Restrictive Tier” story on A5. Vaccinations will soon be open to anyone 16 and older, and currently, county-wide, there have been 142,571 doses administered. The next item was the submittal of April 2021 as “Month of the Child” and “Child Abuse Prevention Month,” as well as “San Luis Obispo County Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Month.” Next was a submittal by the Sheriff-Coroner to proclaim the week of Apr. 11 to Apr. 17 as “San Luis Obispo County National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.” “Even though they’re not on scene, they experience that more than people truly realize...Hats off to everyone who works behind the radio and phones in any center. They deserve a lot more recognition than they get on a daily basis; I’ll tell you that,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson said regarding the telecommunication employees. Following that, the Board discussed item 24 to hear from Tim Reed from Pozo Management Group for an appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of a Conditional Use Permit to establish 2.98 acres of outdoor cannabis cultivation. Supervisor Debbie Arnold recused herself from the discussion because of personal property in the area.
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Ryan and Jacque Fields owners of Wild Fields Brewhouse, named Business of the Year.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – WILD FIELDS BREWHOUSE Owned and operated by Ryan and Jacque Fields, Wild Fields Brewhouse had just opened its doors to the public for four months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Through creativity, level-headedness, and resourcefulness, the Fields continuously pivoted to meet ever-changing regulations and economic conditions. This did this by investing in tables, chairs, and heaters to accommodate outdoor dining. They simplified their menu to be able to offer food service to their customers. They hosted two bands-and-burgers events donating supplies, root beer floats,
and time. They organized and hosted pop-up movie events giving residents a way to get out of the house during the pandemic while keeping safe. And they serve as a location for blood drives on a continuing basis. Most importantly, if someone needs help, support, or collaboration ideas, Jacque and Ryan make extra effort to be involved or just lend a helping hand. They have both continued their unwavering support of the community while building a sustainable business and making delicious, worldclass craft beers. Wild Fields is dedicated to keeping Atascadero on the map! CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
INSPIRATION
‘Coach Kiah’ Guest Appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show Clarkson surprised Twisselman by introducing her to author Rachel Hollis By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
Community Comes Together in Support of Local Five-Year-Old Diagnosed with Cancer Raquel Gottfried’s daughter Kyndal is being treated in Texas for brain tumors By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
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yndal, five years old, and her mother, Raquel Gottfried of Atascadero, received heartbreaking news during a trip to visit family in Texas for spring break. On Friday, Mar. 12, Kyndal and her mother arrived in Texas. Kyndal appeared to be extremely lethargic and not like herself. The family thought perhaps she was jet-lagged and tired from traveling. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
TENNIS
K
iah Twisselman, Carrisa Plains resident, made a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Mar. 30. Before boarding a plane to a conference for the beef council, Twisselman picked up Rachel Hollis’s book ‘Girl, Wash Your Face.’ Then Twisselman had her ah-ha moment, if you will, after having to ask for a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time. At the time, Twisselman weighed 285 pounds. But since her ah-ha moment, Twisselman has lost 122 pounds and become a full-time life coach. Talking about Hollis’s book, Twisselman said to Clarkson, “Reading her book, her words were like getting slapped in the face, in a good way. It was kind of a hard pill to swallow. Her book talks a lot about taking massive ownership of your life, and I had realized I had been playing the victim in my life in a big way.” Twisselman said the whole experience happened very quickly. She was invited to be on the show one week before taping but had no idea the surprise they had in store for her. During the show, Clarkson surprised Twisselman by introducing her to Rachel Hollis, the author of the book that started Twisselman’s journey.
SPORTS
Kiah Twisselman, Carrisa Plains resident, made a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Mar. 30. Contributed photo
“Their crew was so wonderful from the very first person I met to the last. Getting to meet Kelly was incredible—she was so lovely, and it was the most incredible surprise that they surprised me with Rachel Hollis on the show. I’m still pinching myself.” “I did see the story when it first came out,” said Hollis, “I promise you the ripple effects of you choosing to do this in your life and then telling that story and being public about it you are changing your community, your family, this will reach for generations and you won’t be able to see the effects of the change that you’ve made because it will continue long after your gone.” Hollis then invited Twisselman to be a VIP
COVID-19 UPDATE
WEEKLY FEATURE
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WEATHER
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AHS SENIOR GIRLS TENNIS Battle on Senior Night Against SLO and End Strong | A3
VOLLEYBALL JOINS PREP SLO COUNTY REMAINS IN RED sports line up making it the eighth sports While 16 Counties Move to Less season actively underway | A4 Restrictive Tier | A5 THE ATASCADERO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Wineries of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande | A13
High 74° | Low 41°
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gala - april 17, 2021
5:30 PM VIP EXPERIENCES | 7:00 PM VIRTUAL GALA & AWARDS
THE ANNUAL GALA & AWARDS
TICKETS: ATASCADEROCHAMBER.ORG • (805) 466-2044
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