Hometown News Since 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIV, NO. XLVII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
SPORTS
GOVERNMENT
Atascadero Archer Isabella Otter Makes USA Archery Team ATASCADERO — Following her historic run through the indoor season in early 2020, local archer Isabella Otter competed in the outdoor archery circuit. She performed so well that she officially earned herself a spot on the USA Archery Team. When The Atascadero News and The Paso Robles Press last reported on Otter, she was coming off a completely dominant indoor
EDUCATION
season that saw the Atascadero High School junior reel off two state championships, a sectional championship, and a national championship all in the span of three short months. Following her record-setting indoor season, Otter was surprised in May with sponsorship and a new bow from one of the world’s top companies, Precision Shooting Equipment (PSE), just in time to train for the outdoor season. Riding a tidal wave of confidence and
with new equipment in hand, the now Greyhounds senior set her sights a little higher and entered the second half of 2020, aiming for a spot on the USA Archery Team. With her goals set, Otter put in the work and preparation needed to achieve her dreams. First and foremost, she calibrated her new bow, which took nearly four months. She also wanted to approach this season a little differently than in years past. “I transitioned from a lot of physical training into mental training,” Otter told
over it every day, their families as well.” In October, a pumpkin patch and hay maze were created for residents to enjoy with families safely. The maze and patch were opened to the public for safe and distant trick or treating on Halloween. Residents could wave and smile from the window while still enjoying some human interaction in the safest way possible. “It brought together the community with the elderly,” says Jimenez. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
The Atascadero News. “Because they are such a talented group of girls, you know the skill is there, and you know that you have the skill, so really it comes down to your mental game. Who can keep their head in the right place in high-pressure situations.” For the next couple of months, while waiting for her bow, Otter focused on developing mental toughness and the ability to stay calm and relaxed during tense CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COMMUNITY
Adopt A Grandparent This Holiday Season By CAMILLE DeVAUL and then we just did a social camille@atascaderonews.com distanced, masked chat from her
AUSD Trustees Honor Wellness Center Coordinator, Food Service Staff By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees met Tuesday night, Dec. 1, for their first meeting following the holiday weekend for an informational session that saw little action taken. During the meeting, the Board recognized several key workers in the District and engaged in a lengthy discussion on the upcoming standardized testing and how to move forward without a year of in-person education. The meeting opened with staff recognizing the efforts of Kamela Proulox in the Wellness Center and the workers in food service for going CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EVENT
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Wilshire Community Services is looking for volunteers to Adopt a Grandparent this year. Since 2007, Wilshire has been operating its Caring Caller Program for its seniors along the Central Coast. From Paso Robles to Nipomo, seniors are partnered with volunteers who provide friendly calls and visits. The holidays are always tough for seniors, and this year is sure to be an extra difficult one. With travel restrictions and families worried about transferring COVID to their loved ones, there is great potential for our seniors to feel lonely this season. Volunteers can also sign up for Wilshire’s Good Neighbor Program, which started in 2010, running errands, tasks and providing some transportation. Kelly Donohue, a Wilshire Public Relations Specialist, spoke about an experience she recently had while volunteering: “I picked up some groceries and some errands for them
COMMUNITY
porch and I was out on her driveway, and you could just tell she felt so connected to the community cause a real person coming to bring her the things that she needs and so it was not just that it was an errand.” “It was a real person, real human contact, and it was done totally safely, and I could just tell it just made her day. There’s something for everyone, and it’s all meaningful for our clients.” Adopting a Grandparent could be as simple as picking up a prescription, checking in with them on the phone, grocery shopping, or safely chatting with them in person. “It’s actually incredibly daunting when you really think about the fact that it’s difficult for people in our own community to get their groceries, to get their medication,” says Donohue, “Just very basic minimum safety and health needs and so just being able to do that has been really really helpful for so many people.” Become a volunteer today to make check-in calls to our senior neighbors! Contact Kristin at
COVID-19 UPDATE
Wilshire Community Services is looking for volunteers to Adopt a Grandparent during the holidays. Contributed photo
kgrasso@wilshirehcs.org to get started and visit wilshirehcs.org/ volunteer for more on volunteering! Over at A Heavenly Home in Paso, the Jimenez family brings the most memorable holiday activities home to their residents. Inspired by the Cambria Christmas Lights, the staff at A Heavenly Home have created a Winter Wonderland in their two-acre backyard. Jennifer Jimenez, an owner, said, “It’s absolutely beautiful, stunning, and amazing. The residents are just oohing and ahhing
WEEKLY FEATURE
By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council came together the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving with a robust agenda, including discussion on cannabis in the City, the addition of pickleball courts at Colony Park, and construction at the Traffic Way and El Camino Real intersection. Council opened the management reports portion of the meeting with a presentation from Public Works Director Nick Debar on the proposed addition of pickleball courts at Colony Park. In December of 2019, the City Council approved changes to the Colony Park master plan and set aside space for three to four pickleball courts. At the time, Council did not direct City staff to appropriate funds but stated it was amenable to discussing a funding partnership with the Atascadero Pickleball Club in the future. Since the Council approved the changes, the pickleball club has begun fundraising and has raised over $42,000 in pledges, funding, and labor and materials donations. The four proposed courts would be built to the right of the existing outdoor basketball courts located behind the Community Center. Council was presented with several different pricing options based on the concrete’s thickness needed for the courts. The site still needs to have soil testing done, which is a key factor in determining the project’s ultimate cost. After much discussion by the Council members, they agreed to contribute $150,000 to the courts. The item was not voted on but will be brought back to the Council in the next few weeks after soil testing has been performed. The next order of business for Council was a regular hot-button issue in Atascadero — cannabis. In May of 2020, Council decided to re-examine existing cannabis ordinances looking for other commercial cannabis business land uses. Atascadero currently allows residents to purchase cannabis through delivery services located outside of the City. Community Development
Atascadero High School senior Isabella Otter takes aim at a target 50 meters away at the Gator Cup in Florida. Contributed photo
By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
City Council Delays Cannabis, Agrees To Contribute $150K for Pickleball
atascaderonews.com
WEATHER
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TEMPLETON REC DEPT. organizes ‘Run from 2020’ a virtual 5K fun run | A3
‘YOUR OWN BACKYARD’ Podcast Releases 8th Episode on Kristin Smart Case | A4
NEWSON WARNS STRICTER stay-at-home order possible for purple tier counties | A5
HOLIDAY EVENTS From North to South counties, discover safe events in your area | A13
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