GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XXXVIII
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EVENT
Colony Days Reception Tea Returns Quota of Atascadero hosts tea party in honor of Colony Days Royalty By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
O
n Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m., the 43rd Annual Colony Days Reception was presented by Quota of Atascadero. This is the first official event of Colony Days, the week-long series of events celebrating the founding of the Colony of Atascadero. The invitation-only event took place at Atascadero Bible Church (ABC) Fellowship Hall on Atascadero Ave., which is reportedly the second oldest building in Atascadero. The event was attended by men and women age 55 years and older who have lived in Atascadero for at least 40 years or attended Atascadero schools and lived in San Luis Obispo County for 40 years. Dyann Shepard, the event’s chairperson, welcomed the audience and thanked Judy Bloom for arranging the flowers, Vons Grocery Store for
Colony Days Royalty and Marshals past and current with founder Maggie Vandergon. Contributed photo
donating over $200 worth of flowers to the event, and ABC Church for setting up all of the tables and chairs and for opening their Fellowship Hall for the event. She also recognized Mayor Heather Moreno, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Heather Newsom, Council Member Charles
Bourbeau, and Council Member Susan Funk, who were all in attendance. Deena Pangborn then recognized and thanked all past members of Royalty and Grand Marshals. The Dexter Family COVID Consort entertained the crowd by
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performing a brief and lively set of classical musical pieces, during which attendees enjoyed their tea and snacked on sandwiches and cookies. After the music came the highlight of the evening—the sharing of memories and stories of growing up
in Atascadero. Dave May shared his tale of moving to Atascadero and experiencing an eventful first 24 hours in town, including hearing a lion roar, his then-girlfriend leaving town out of fear of the lion, searching for the lion, and discovering the Charles
Paddock Zoo, a flooded baseball field, and a near fistfight. Many of the residents shared memories of being baptized and married in the very building. One resident recalled a Christmas presenCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
Atascadero Holds the First Art, Wine and Brew Tour of 2021 Atascadero turns out to support Downtown businesses By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
Last Saturday, Sept. 25, the community came out to support the Long Walk Home fundraiser for El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO). Contributed photo
Long Walk Home Fundraiser Raises Over $43,000 One hundred percent of the proceeds go towards ECHOs housing services in North County By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Last Saturday, Sept. 25, the community came out to support the Long Walk Home fundraiser for El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO). The annual fundraiser engages the community to bring attention to homelessness that impacts our local people. The organization serves North County with three safe and secure overnight shelters in Atascadero and Paso Robles. “The community amazes us each time; this is our 10th annual long walk home, and just by looking at the
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numbers and the people, I would guess that 200 to 300 people came out to support the community that we are serving, so it was pretty amazing,” said Wendy Lewis the Executive Director of ECHO. Participants walked from ECHO Atascadero, located on Atascadero Ave., to the Rotunda building in Sunken Gardens off of El Camino Real, where the traditional group photo was taken on the steps of the City Hall. Participants then routed back to ECHO, where volunteers were cooking a take-home BBQ meal. Some of the participants included Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno, Atascadero City Council Members Charles Bourbeau, Mark Dariz, and Susan Funk, along with ECHO founders and this year’s Colony Days King and Queen Mike Byrne and Charlotte Byrne among many others. “This is our 10th annual, and we had a goal of $40,000,
EDUCATION
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
GOVERNMENT
ATASCADERO — On Friday evening, Atascadero’s Downtown businesses participated in the first 2021 Art, Wine & Brew Tour. Patrons sipped and shopped their way through the downtown stores, enjoyed beautiful artwork, and tasted wine, beer, juice, and other treats. Participants arrived at the front steps of Historic City Hall on the day of the event to claim their wine glasses and wristband for the tastings. Starting at 5:30 p.m., they were able to utilize those in order to taste CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
Hoyt Family Vineyards partnered with Indigo Clothing for Atascadero’s first Art, Wine and Brew Tour of 2021. Contributed photo
GOVERNMENT
City Council Analyzes New State Code for ADU’s Local Code updates are discussed in light of new California requirements By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Atascadero City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 28, for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m., following a closed
TEMPLETON
session with nothing to report. Regular session began at 6 p.m., and the agenda was approved 5-0. A video presentation was played in which city employees were recognized and honored for their work. Bonnie Williams was recognized first. Williams has been working for the city since 2012, and the first person residents usually see at the front desk at the recreation center. Lara Christensen, our Deputy City Manager and City Clerk, was recognized. Steve Tirotta was recognized as an essential member of the animal care staff and one of two Lead Zookeepers at the Charles
Paddock Zoo. Chris Robinson, a Fire Captain and Paramedic, and Tom Little, a full-time Fire Fighter, both with Atascadero Fire Department, were recognized. Director of Administrative Services Jeri Rangel was recognized, who has been with the city since 2001. Bob Mollé is a Police Lieutenant with Atascadero Police Department who has been with the city for 25 years was recognized. These City employees were called up on the steps of City Hall to shake hands with City Council, and recognized for their dedication CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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SLO FOOD BANK RECEIVES TUSD ADDRESSES GOALS SUPERVISORS VOTE 10,260 lbs. of beef to be distributed Templeton schools are reporting higher to approve an amendment on through SLO Food Bank’s partners | A3 enrollment than projected | A4 overnight parking rules | A5
THS CELEBRATES HOMECOMING Abby Allen, owner of Templeton Market & Deli, named Grand Marshal | A13
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