GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XLIX
GOVERNMENT
SLO County Renews The Local Emergency Regarding Drought The Supervisors approve the final reading of the new district map By MELISSA GUERRA melissa@atascaderonews.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. As the State did adopt a mask mandate on Tuesday, Dec. 13, the room was asked to continue wearing their masks. The meeting opened with the consent agenda, which was approved 5-0. Next, the Board submitted a resolution recognizing and commending Nina Negranti on her 21 years of service for the County. Several county employees, as well as members of the public, took a moment to thank Nina for her service. The motion passed 5-0. Public comment on items not on the agenda started with a resolution read by Supervisor John Peschong for individuals who were not able to attend when the resolution was read over the summer. The resolution thanked those involved on June 10 and 11 for their heroic actions in protecting public safety. The motion to adopt the resolution passed 5-0. A presentation from Scotty Jalbert with the 60-day update on current drought conditions and continuing the need for the July 13 proclamation of local emergency was presented. The conditions have improved in Northern California, but San Luis Obispo County has remained largely unchanged. Current rains will hopefully lend some relief, especially with the snowpack in the Sierras. The outlook December through February is estimated to be about 40 percent below normal, but as of today, the County is ahead of schedule for rainfall. The county reservoirs capacity have been steadily falling, but the current rain will hopefully bring better news on the next update. The drought task force strategy meeting is set for Jan. 26 to come up with strategies for the upcoming year to discuss how to handle the drought situation. Burn season is open from Nov. 1 to Apr. 30 for those who have the proper permits. Item 21 was a request to approve CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
SPORTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EVENT
Atascadero’s 18th Winter Wonderland Attracts 10,000 People Along with 75 tons of snow, the event boasted plenty of attractions for the whole family By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — A steady stream of locals brought close to 10,000 people to Sunken Gardens Friday night for Atascadero’s 18th annual Winter Wonderland, which took place on Dec. 10. The event was brought to the community by The City of Atascadero. Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish said, “2021 was the highest attended [Winter Wonderland] to date topping 2019.” The night had all the joy and magic of the holidays packed into one event. With a total of 75 tons of snow brought in, more than any other year, it was truly a Winter Wonderland. “We expanded the snow slide to four runs vs. three and made the snow pile areas bigger to accommodate the number of people this event attracts,” added Banish.
This years Winter Wonderland was the highest attended in its history. Contributed photo
The snow slide was made by Kiwanis of Atascadero, who’s been building it yearly since Winter Wonderland’s inception in 2001. Glacier Ice Company of SLO also
had a hand in creating the slides this year. On top of the slides, there were two snow pile areas for children and adults to frolic in. Both were
used all night, with people lined after that. We are thankful for up to get their time with some both AJ Excavating, Frank Atascadero snow. Sommers, and Atascadero Mutual “The snow tends to last the evening but melts pretty quickly CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
HERITAGE
TRADITIONS
Chinese Food: A Jewish Christmas Day Tradition A New York tradition started over 100 years ago By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — While some families gather around Christmas trees, open presents, and get together with their nearest and dearest, there’s another Christmas Day family tradition that’s just as amazing happening at the same time. The Jewish-American tradition of Chinese Food on Christmas! The tradition started (primarily) in New York when Jewish families started going to Chinese restaurants on Christmas Day due to the fact that they were the only food establishments that were open. But the tradition has spread all over the US since then. “Jews eating Chinese on Christmas may be one of the more cliché things of my childhood, but it’s also probably my favorite. As a child of an interfaith household, every Christmas Eve, my parents would take my brother and me to the movies, and then we’d meet up with my cousins for Chinese food. After stuffing ourselves with too much sesame chicken and pork lo mien, all nine of us would waddle back to my grandma’s house, change into our matching festive PJ sets, hang our stockings with care, and settle down on the couch. My dad would then read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas aloud as we munched on fortune cookies. Although it’s been several years since we’ve done this tradition, they’re still some of my favorite memories, and this is my formal petition to my parents to bring back
NON-PROFIT
the Christmas Eve Chinese food!” said Kate H. from Connecticut. Jews have been eating Chow Mien and Orange Chicken on Christmas Eve and Christmas for over 100 years. Not only is Chinese Food on Christmas a great time to gather the family together, but some Jewish families also use the tradition to celebrate a plethora of life events. Stacey Agdern of New York said, “We do [eat Chinese on Christmas]. My family ties doing it into my mother’s birthday, my uncle (of blessed memory)’s birthday, and my grandparent’s anniversary. It’s been a really nice family tradition.” The great thing about Chinese food is that you can find it almost anywhere in the US, so even if you’re traveling for the holidays, you can continue the tradition. No matter where you are. “I’m going to be down south for Christmas, and CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
Celebrating the Holidays with Winter Solstice and Yuletide Cultures around the world have long held feasts and celebrated holidays around the winter solstice By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@atascaderonews.com
D
uring this time of year, there are so many holiday traditions that bring family and friends together. Holiday shopping, festive events filled with snow, Santa Claus and Reindeer, lights, candles, and cheer; however, one symbolic and richly traditional day will come and go, and most people will miss it. Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the
GOVERNMENT
WEEKLY FEATURE
year. Cultures around the world have long held feasts and celebrated holidays around the winter solstice. Fire and light are traditional symbols of celebrations held on the darkest day of the year. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence and celebrated the subsequent “return” of the Sun in a variety of different ways. In addition, old solstice traditions have influenced holidays we celebrate now, such as Christmas and Hanukkah. There is no better time of the year to feel and show your love than the holiday season. Though many people relate the month of December with Christmas, there’s so much more to be said about the CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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RE/MAX CHARITIES RAISES Over $42,000 for Youth Sports in the North County | A3
PASO ROBLES ECHO ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Shelter Celebrates One Year with Over Addresses Bill SB9 and Approves 18,000 Meals Served | A4 Urgency Ordinance | A5
HOLIDAY SEASON Check out Christmas Event in and around the North County | A13
High 55° | Low 35°
5
SAVE THE DATE!
TAMALE VENDORS NEEDED! Go to www.VisitAtascadero.com/TamaleFest to find the vendor form and information! Deadline, December 27th!
JANUARY 15,
2022
For more info:
www.VisitAtascadero.com/TamaleFest
67808 24135
7
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
SUPERVISOR DEBBIE ARNOLD