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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CX, NO. XIV
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
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Left: (From left) Andrea Chmelik, district director for Assemblymember Dawn Addis; Atascadero City Councilmember Susan Funk, Citizen of the Year Rick Evans, SLO County Supervisor Heather Moreno, Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Mark Dariz, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau are shown at the Chamber Awards Gala. (Right Top) Nancy Ulloa (center), founder of Ulloa Cellars in Paso Robles, accepts the North County Latino Business of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce Award Gala. Joining her on stage are (from left) Andrea Chmelik, district director for Assemblymember Dawn Addis; Atascadero City Councilmember Susan Funk, SLO County Supervisor Heather Moreno, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau, and Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Mark Dariz. (Right Bottom) Pure Yoga team accepts their Business of the Year award from Chamber Atascadero Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Josh Cross at the Chamber Awards Gala. Photos by Hayley Mattson/ATN
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce honors local leaders at 102nd Annual Awards Gala Masquerade ball celebrates business success, community spirit, and the impact of local entrepreneurs By HAYLEY MATTSON
ATA S CA D ERO — T h e Atascadero Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 102nd Annual Awards Gala with a vibrant theme, “Unmasking Business Success,” featuring a masquerade ball on Saturday, April 5, at Rava Wines in Paso Robles. The event honored local businesses and leaders, fostering community spirit.
Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Jim Dantona, president and CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, the evening was filled with entertainment, recognition, and opportunities to support the Chamber’s mission. The gala began with an inspiring youth dance performance by the Main Street Dance Company, setting the tone for the night. Attendees
also enjoyed a musical performance by Gary Borjan, whose melodies provided the perfect backdrop. The event space was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements from Bees Blossoms and The Floral Parlor. Gina Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, joined Auctioneer Pete Melero to lead a lively auction that raised thousands of dollars. The funds
will support the Atascadero Chamber’s initiatives, particularly the Jr. CEO Program, which received overwhelming support from attendees. The auction underscored the community’s commitment to empowering the next generation of local leaders. During the evening, Chamber leaders highlighted the organization’s recent accomplishments and ongoing efforts. Dantona shared updates on
the Chamber’s economic development impact, particularly the success of programs like “Shop Local” and “Get Your Business Online.” These initiatives have been instrumental in helping local businesses grow, hire new employees, and adapt to the digital age, contributing to a vibrant and resilient Atascadero economy. As the evening continued, past CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
City Council approves changes to zoning ordinance for area lodging Amendments would give hotels and motels the option to be defined as extended-stay establishments By MIKE CHALDU micheal@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council, in its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 8, approved proposed amendments in the city’s zoning for commercial hotels and motels to give them options to allow for extended-stay customers amid changing lodging trends. In the only public hearing of the meeting, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore proposed a change in the city’s Title 9 Planning and Zoning ordinance to add extended hotel/motel as an additional use category and provide standards for that use if a hotel or motel chooses to be classified under that use. “Zoning is something that’s ever-evolving, and these changes are reacting to the way the market’s changing,” Dunsmore said as he began his presentation. “What we’ve seen is a change in CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau (in green shirt) and SLO County Supervisor (and former Atascadero Mayor) Heather Moreno, join City Councilmembers, city officials and zoo staff to celebrate Charles Paddock Zoo getting AZA accreditation. Contributed Photo
Charles Paddock Zoo achieves AZA accreditation After a rigorous evaluation process, the Atascadero zoo celebrates its commitment to animal care, conservation, and community education By HAYLEY MATTSON and CAMILLE DEVAUL
ATASCADERO — On March 26, the Charles Paddock Zoo was granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a distinction that places the zoo among the top 10% of zoological institutions worldwide. The achievement marks a significant milestone in the zoo’s commitment to animal care, conservation, and education.
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Dan Ashe, the president and CEO of AZA, expressed his congratulations to the zoo’s leadership and staff, emphasizing that the accreditation represents the “global ‘gold standard’” in zoological care. “AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core,” Ashe said in a press release. “The Charles Paddock Zoo has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care.”
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The process of obtaining AZA accreditation is said to be a rigorous one, requiring the zoo to undergo a thorough review that includes everything from animal care to staff training and conservation efforts. The zoo underwent a meticulous on-site inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals, who analyzed all aspects of its operations. Following the inspection, the zoo was evaluated by the AZA’s Accreditation Commission, which granted the accreditation after a compre-
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
hensive formal hearing. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in providing exceptional care for our animals, fostering meaningful connections between guests and wildlife, and contributing to vital conservation efforts,” said Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau. “We are incredibly honored to receive AZA-accreditation.” For Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, zoo direcCONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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