GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. L
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021
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PREP SPORTS
EVENT
Holiday Magic at Charles Paddock Zoo Spectators watched animals open wrapped holiday gifts provided by the community By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
Atascadero Greyhounds boys water polo team wins CIF Championship for first time in history. READ FULL STORY ON A4. Contributed photo
HONOR
Wreaths Across America at Templeton Cemetery District Wreaths were placed at 350 veteran graves By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — The El Paso de Robles Chapter, National Society Daughters of America (NSDAR), and the Templeton American Legion Post #220 paid tribute this holiday season to 350 Veterans buried at the Templeton Cemetery. This was the chapter’s third year working with the legion in raising funds for the purchase of the wreaths. Volunteers with the NSDAR and the Templeton Legion gathered around the flag pole, located at the center of the Templeton
Cemetery District, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day. Members from the El Paso de Robles Chapter, NSDAR were Lisa Wood Regent, Lida Lucas, Diana Brenna, Linda Wood, Teresa Terry, Susan Howard, Lori Mansfield, Denise Carlson, Susan Clark, and her husband, Mike Clark. Templeton American Legion Post #220 opened the ceremony with their color guard, and El Paso de Robles Chapter president Lisa Wood led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. A prayer was read, and a bugler played taps, the tune we all know for its role in military funeral ceremonies. Wood addressed the volunteers saying, CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
El Paso de Robles Chapter, NSDAR women and Templeton Legion Post #220 laid wreaths on veteran graves. Photos by Camille DeVaul.
Templeton Mercantile Returns to Main Street Starting with The Pig Iron By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
TEMPLETON — When Taylor Odenwald was working his first job as a busser for AJ Spurs in Templeton, he joked that
EDUCATION
one day he was going to own AJ Spurs. Little did he know that he was right. In late 2020, Odenwald convinced some friends to purchase the AJ Spurs building with him. All locals from San Luis Obispo County, together are bringing a new concept to Templeton’s Main Street while restoring and maintaining the historical value of the building. “It has always been a special
First Inaugural Christmas on Main Street A Huge Success
spot to all of us. I’ve been joking for the last 15 years that someday I’m going to own AJ Spurs,” says Odenwald. Templeton has always been a small community whose Main Street is still home to some of the town’s original buildings. Prior to ever becoming AJ Spurs, the building was called The Templeton Mercantile through the 1970s
The Templeton Chamber of Commerce put on the event
Dec. 18, to participate in the first inaugural Christmas on Main Street. The Templeton Chamber of Commerce put on the event. “Our event started out as, just sort of brainstorming what we By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com could do to give back to Templeton business. So, we thought it would TEMPLETON — Throngs of be fun to just have a Main Street Santa listened to children’s wish people strolled up and down Main lists while on Main St. Photos by Street in Templeton on Saturday, CONTINUED ON PAGE A14 Christianna Marks.
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SPORTS
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HOLIDAYS
BUSINESS
The Pig Iron is now open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on Sunday
ATASCADERO — Local animal lovers of all ages headed out to Charles Paddock Zoo on Saturday, Dec. 18, to participate in the Zoo’s 14th annual Holiday Magic event. From 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., spectators could watch the animals rip into their beautifully wrapped holiday gifts provided by the community. “This is a fun event for us [the Zoo]. What it is, is a chance for the [Zoo] keepers to [get to] think out of the box a little bit. Sometimes they come up with some pretty crazy ideas for the presents for the animals,” said Charles Paddock Zoo’s Director, Alan Baker. Holiday Magic is a busy day for Charles Paddock Zoo, usually bringing in close to 1,000 patrons. And that’s no surprise since the Zoo’s animals are usually fed off exhibit, or where it isn’t easy for people coming to the Zoo to watch them eat. But at the Holiday Magic event, there’s a full schedule provided, so you know precisely when each of the animals will receive their presents. “We have it scheduled that the tiger’s going to get his present at a certain time. Usually, he winds up ripping it all apart. So, it’s a little more spectacular than [him] just walking over and eating something,” continued Baker. The animals were as excited as the people watching as they dug into their gifts provided by the public and members of Charles Paddock Zoo. “What we do is, we have a wishlist on our website, and people can choose to purchase a gift if they want,” added Baker. “Usually, we put that list [for Holiday Magic] up around, right after our Halloween event. But we have a wishlist that’s out there [all] year long for little extra things. A lot of times, they’re special things. And people can if they want to, donate directly to the animal [of their choice].” Each and every animal at the Zoo is gifted an item or fun snack, even if they’re not on the schedule for the day. “Everybody will get something special today. But, if it’s a Dart Frog, it may just be something extra. Nobody would really see that, but the Dart Frog will appreciate it,” Baker said with a laugh.
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ATASCADERO HIGH SCHOOL ATASCADERO GREYHOUND Students Fight Harassment On Campus Boy’s Water Polo Team and marched to the campus | A2 Historic CIF Win | A4
TAP INTO SOCIAL SUPPORT to Lower Stress, Cultivate and Maintain Human Connections | A13
CAST YOUR VOTES! Support local business you vote for your favorite establishments | A15
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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
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PRESENTING SPONSORS:
SUPERVISOR DEBBIE ARNOLD