GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XLVII
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Nipomo development approved by SLO County supervisors with 3-2 vote Vote was made after two-day public hearing By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Community representatives gathered at Barney Schwartz Park on Saturday, April 27, to officially open the new Pump Track with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured from left: Kathleen O’Connor (REC Foundation), Steven Anzel (pump track advocate/K-Man Cyclery), Kord McKinney (California Skateparks), Mayor Pro Tem Steve Gregory with dog Auggie, Pat Bland (REC Foundation), Jim Cogan (board clerk, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees), Chris Taranto (chairman, REC Foundation), Mike Rundstrom (REC Foundation), Ty Lewis (city manager, Paso Robles), Sharon Roden (Paso Robles City Councilmember), Diane Zannotti (district aide for Congressman Jimmy Panetta), and event host Angelica Fortin (director of community services, City of Paso Robles). Photo by Joseph Taranto
Paso Robles unveils new pump track at Barney Schwartz Park The pump track is the only one of its kind on the Central Coast By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PA S O RO B LES — Wheels hit the pavement at full speed on Saturday, April 27, for the unveiling of the Barney Schwartz Park Pump Track. In the works since 2021, the pump track is the only one of its kind on the Central Coast. The initiative was spearheaded by the Paso Robles REC Foundation, a community-based nonprofit organiza-
tion committed to enhancing recreational opportunities within the city. Through extensive public feedback and collaboration, the foundation planned and funded the project, with a total investment exceeding $500,000 for design and construction. Community Services Director Angelica Fortin explained the project was a reflection of the community. “What’s really special about this project is that it was born in the community,” Fortin remarked. “The REC Foundation is a community-based organization that was able to gather a lot of public feedback.
This has been five years in the making, if not longer.” The vision for the pump track took shape with the design help of California Skateparks who is known worldwide for their work including the Tokyo Olympic Skatepark. California Skateparks Lead Designer Kord McKinney was hands-on with the project and present for the ribbon cutting on Saturday. His background with BMX gives him an insight and enthusiasm for projects like the pump track. McKinney shared insights into the design process and emphasized the growing popu-
larity of asphalt pump tracks. “We started working on asphalt pump tracks in the past three or four years,” he explained. “It’s a really popular thing that’s gaining momentum. As a lifetime BMXer myself, it’s something I’ve been passionate about. Building pump tracks and dirt jumps is a way to give back to the community.” Paso Robles REC Foundation Chairman Chris Taranto explained the track’s role in providing recreation for the community. “The REC Foundation manages the Dale Schwartz Memorial Endowment Fund,
which supported the funding for this project,” Taranto explained. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone in our community has access to recreational activities. The pump track is just one example of how we’re fulfilling that mission.” The tracks are made up of small looping asphalt trail systems with rhythmically connected rollers and banked turns and are designed to be ridden continuously without pedaling. The track may be enjoyed by riders using non-motorized wheeled equipment. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Following two days of discussion, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors came to a decision on Wednesday, April 24, to approve the Dana Reserve Specific Plan. The project will bring close to 1,400 homes to Nipomo. With a 3-2 vote — District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson and District 4 Supervisor Jimmy Paulding dissenting — the board approved the plan with mixed feelings from the public. Per the resolution, the Dana Reserve plan is a 288-acre master-planned community with up to 1,370 residential units, 110,000-203,000 square feet (floor area) of commercial and non-residential (visitor serving/hotel, education) uses, a minimum of 55.6 acres of open space and recreation, and related circulation and infrastructure. The county first issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR for the Dana Reserve Specific Plan Project CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Community unites for Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting ECHO Local event raises awareness and funds to combat homelessness By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Cammie Velci (Emilio’s mother) speaks during the fourth annual An Evening of Aloha. Photo by Rick Evans
An Evening of Aloha celebrates the life of Emilio Velci, who died of fentanyl poisoning in 2020
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — The fourth annual An Evening of Aloha was back at the Pavillion on the Lake on Saturday, April 27. The room was full of supportive community members and the family members of loved ones who
AGRICULTURE
NEWS
The event has brought fentanyl awareness to the community for the last four years
CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PASO ROBLES — On Thursday, April 25, the community gathered at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles for the Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO). While this year was the second Paso Robles-based fundraiser for the nonprofit, the 9th annual Empty Bowls was held on April 11. ECHO President and CEO Wendy Lewis announced at the event that already this year, ECHO has assisted 80 individuals and families in securing stable housing. “We cannot thank Studios on the Park enough for donating this beautiful venue,” added Lewis, who thanked all of the volunteers and artists
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
Reece Scrivner, who’s now an outreach case manager for ECHO, tells her story how the organization helped her overcome addicition and homelessness, as ECHO President and CEO Wendy Lewis stands with her. Photos by Rick Evans
who came together to make the fundraiser happen. This year, the handmade ceramic bowls for the event were made by Morro Bay High School students. The Paso Robles Empty Bowls
event was an evening filled with soup tastings, curated wine selections, studio art, and live music. Participating businesses in the event included BL Brasserie, Pappy McGregor’s, Red Scooter Deli, and
SPORTS
WEATHER
Negranti Creamery. Mary Baiamonte, who is on the Board of Directors for Studios on the Park, helped bring ECHO and the studio together over a year ago. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
pasoroblespress.com X.com/ @PasoRoblesPress facebook.com/ @PasoRoblesPress
DAIRY COWS Testing Bird Flu | A3
TAMALE FESTIVAL Happening this Weekend | A4
OLIVE OIL Producer of the Year | B1
KENDALL NANCOLAS Athlete of the Week | B8
High 83° | Low 48°
5
67808 24135
7