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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIX, NO. XXXVIII
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
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City Council addressed with new parade route for Colony Days Parade
School board debates gender language in Consent Agenda item
Mayor thanks local businesses for patience during ECR Project By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. AUSD awarded Farm The hybrid meeting was held in to School Grant the City Council Chambers. At the top of the evening, By CHRISTIANNA MARKS the Consent Calendar, which christianna@atascaderonews.com included the minutes for the Sept. 10 meeting, passed unanimously. ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School Deputy City Manager District (AUSD) Board of Lara Christensen stood in for City Manager Jim Lewis and Trustees met for its regularly presented the council with scheduled meeting on TuesUpdates from the City Manager. day, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. PresDuring her updates, Christensen ident Terri Switzer was not announced the new parade route in attendance and treasurer Tracy Ellis-Weit was acting for the Colony Days Parade due president at the meeting. to ongoing construction for the The minutes from the Sept. El Camino Real Downtown Safety and Parking Enhance3 trustee meeting passed unanimously. ments Project (ECR Project). Over 200 community members came out to ECHO’s 13th Annual Long Walk Home. Contributed Photo Trustee Rebekah Koznek The much-loved Colony Days asked to pull Consent Parade that celebrates Atascadero Agenda item 11.4 on Family will be taking place on Saturday, Oct. 5, starting at 10 a.m. Care and Medical Leave. “The new parade route starts She stated that her concern Homeless Organization along with those staying in the this year was that there was was that the words “she” and here, on the back of City Hall. So The event raised over on Lewis [Avenue]. It will travel $50,000 for both of the (ECHO) for their 13th Annual shelter in Atascadero,” said just so much happening in “her” were taken out of the Long Walk Home. The annual ECHO Director of Opera- downtown Atascadero on the new policy change, and she down to 41 and then from 41 on organization’s North walk brings awareness to the tions and Development Austin day of the event,” Solheim said. stated that she felt it was to El Camino Real, and then it local unhoused community Solheim. “With construction happen- devaluing women. Feminine will come back as it normally County campuses and everything ECHO does does, along West Mall,” said The walk began at 10 a.m. at ing on El Camino [Real] to words were replaced with By CHRISTIANNA MARKS ECHO’s Atascadero campus a cornhole tournament in the employee. While trustee Christensen. “So, if you are plan- christianna@atascaderonews.com for them. “This was one of the best before heading to Sunken Sunken Gardens, our aware- Denise McGrew-Kane asked ning to attend the parade, please ATASCADERO — On the turnouts for Long Walk Home Gardens and City Hall for a ness march managed to turn Superintendant Tom Butler just make sure you’re aware of morning of Saturday, Sept. 21, that we have ever had. We had group photo on the steps of the quite a few heads this year, if the changes needed to be that new parade route.” with so many people wanting made and if the California Mayor Heather Moreno over 200 community members over 200 community members historic building. “The best part of the walk then thanked all the downtown showed up to join El Camino come and join in on the walk, CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 Atascadero businesses for their patience during the ECR Project. “I know I’ve talked with a lot of business owners, and I’m sure This cornhole tournaeveryone throughout the city has, Annual event brings ment was first started by and a lot of them [the business community together, the Atascadero Knights owners] are excited about this supporting local Columbus group, and later, downtown project, but it certainly the North County Baggerz is having an impact, and I thank nonprofits with joined in to support the cause you so much for your patience, as well. The event’s main and the really good attitude that competitive, fun, you have about it. I know it can’t and friendly games purpose — aside from having be easy,” stated Moreno. fun and competing in games Moreno also encouraged resiof cornhole — is to raise BY MAYLIA BAIRD Guest Contributor money for nonprofits on the dents to come out and support Central Coast. the businesses that are being “This year we’re donating affected by the ongoing construcATASCADERO — The to North County Adaptive tion. first day of the 8th annual Sports and Recreation. It’s “Please support your local At a s c ad e ro S h owd ow n a great program for individbusinesses,” she said. “I know it C o r n h o l e To u r n a m e n t uals with disabilities,” said might be a little harder navigat- started bright and early Mike LoPicolo, member ing past a few cones, finding a last Saturday, Sept. 21, at 8 of the Atascadero Knights parking space, but please, they a.m. at the Sunken Gardens. Columbus group. “Also, our do rely on us, and I know they The Singles Open Tournament began first, and later Boy Scouts Troop #51 benegreatly appreciate it.” The ECR Project is currently the Doubles Blind Tournafits from this — they get a donation. This is one of the set to be completed in the late ment commenced. Then, on Sunday, Sept. 22, they had last major sponsors for the spring of 2025. Boy Scouts, and Lighthouse The next Atascadero City Coun- the Showdown Tournament cil meeting will be held on Tuesday, and, lastly, the Sponsor Tour- Competitors take part in the Atascadero Showdown Cornhole Tournament at the Sunken Gardens in Atascadero last weekend. Coffee always participates.” Photo by Rick Evans nament. Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Over 200 community members join ECHO for annual Long Walk Home
Atascadero Showdown Cornhole Tournament raises spirits and funds
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