Hometown News Since 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIV, NO. L
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020
GOVERNMENT
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BUSINESS
CONTSRUCTION
Morjesi Salon Takes First Prize
Atascadero City Hosting Measure D-20 Public Outreach Meetings Study sessions begin mid-January
The first of seven shipping containers for the Block Shops is set in place on the morning of Dec. 18. Photo by Hayley Mattson
By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — Atascadero voters approved D-20, the 1-cent general sales tax measure, in the November election, and city officials are beginning their public outreach via 10 public meetings starting in mid-January. Measure D-20 was placed on the ballot as an “essential services transactions and uses tax” to provide funding for fire protection, paramedics, and 911 emergency response, police, crime prevention, and investigations, maintenance of parks, public facilities and infrastructure, graffiti removal, and recreations, community services, and other general city services in the City of Atascadero. As a general sales tax measure, the City is not legally required to spend the funds raised from the increase in any one spot and needed 50-percent-plus-one to pass the measure. Special sales tax measures, which legally restrict funds to one particular purpose, require a two-thirds majority. Atascadero voters responded with more than 58 percent voting in favor of the increase. “Thank you to the Atascadero voters for passing the sales tax measure on the November ballot,” Atascadero City Manager Rachelle Rickard said in the Dec. 8 City Council meeting. “We want to ensure public participation and that residents have plenty of opportunities to have their voices heard regarding how these additional funds should be spent. We are holding a series of 10 meetings, nine study sessions, and the kickoff.” The public outreach and informational meetings will begin with a kickoff session at the Jan. 12 City Council meeting, which can be viewed online at the City’s CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NONPROFIT
Block Shops Installation Takes Over Downtown By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
Grinch, earning the $750 top prize. Anna & Co came in second place with their big windows full of tinsel, lights, ornaments, and holiday spirit, winning $400. With a prize of $250, third place went to the Raconteur Room who had live Christmas music playing from
ATASCADERO — There was a hustle and bustle about downtown Atascadero early Friday morning as Z Villages Development Company began installing its new, forward-thinking project that is bringing a beer garden, among other things, to the heart of the City. Construction began around 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, when
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Morjesi Salon brought Christmas to life in their windows this December. Contributed photo
First ever Holiday Window Decoration Competition has three top winners overall By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
T
he Businesses Improvement District (BID) held their first holiday window decorating competition this December and gave out $1,500 to its top three winners and one honorable
mention. The competition instructions were simple, make this the most ridiculous display of holiday cheer that you can possibly think of, and encouraged all the businesses in the downtown area to join in on the fun. Morjesi’s Salon came in first place with a stunning display featuring snowmen, lights, Christmas trees, the Grinch and even a baby
COMMUNITY
C
First Annual Holiday Coloring Contest Winners!
ongratulations to the top three winners of our First Annual Holiday Coloring Contest! Each of our winners won a $10 gift card to Sylvester’s Burger in Atascadero. O ur winners were chosen anonymously by our 13 Stars Media Team to be the best of the best. The colorful works of art above that topped the rest, were done by Katie, age 6, Priscilla, age 6, and Mirac, age 8. Congratulations again, and thank you to all who participated. Be sure to keep an eye out for our next coloring contest coming in Spring 2021. KATIE, AGE 6
BUSINESS
COVID-19 UPDATE
PRISCILLA, AGE 6
SENIOR LIVING
MIRAC, AGE 8
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WEATHER
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PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER addresses rising COVID-19 cases, rumors, and the vaccine | A7
AGING IN PLACE is what 90% of Americans want to do, so do it safely | A13
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