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GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XIV
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Paso Robles High School Choir invited to perform at Carnegie Hall PRJUSD trustees approve the choir to attend famed New York City venue on April 3-7, 2025 By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles High School Choir has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The trip is set for April 3-7, 2025, and was approved by the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Trustees with one dissenting vote by Dorian Baker. The choir was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall by Dr.
Scott Glyssen of Cal Poly Choirs to join him in a performance. Students will participate in rehearsals of major choral works and a culminating performance. Choir Teacher Gaylene Ewing told the trustees, “I know that sending a group of Paso Robles students to perform on such a prestigious stage would be something that the community would be really proud to support.” Ewing, who has been teaching CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Bianca Rangel was a four-year cheerleader and stunt teammate while at Paso Robles High School. Photos provided by Sara Dobroth
Community rallies around Paso Robles teen after unexpected cancer diagnosis
Guests enjoy supporting the Charles Paddock Zoo during the 11th Annual Brew at the Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 7. Photos by Rick Evans
Brew at the Zoo draws crowds for conservation and craft beverages
Charles Paddock Zoo hosts 11th annual event, raising funds for wildlife conservation with beer, wine, and entertainment By MAYLIA BAIRD Guest Contributor
NORTH COUNTY — Saturday, Sept. 7, was the 11th annual Brew at the Zoo, and it was packed with attendees, volunteers, vendors, breweries, pastry booths, food
trucks, and even shaved ice as people enjoyed their drinks, walked around, and admired the animals. Twice a year, the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero holds Brew at the Zoo, a unique fundraising event. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Recent high school graduate Bianca Rangel, 17, faces aggressive treatment for stage 4-B Hodgkin’s lymphoma By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The community is rallying around one young woman after she received an unexpected cancer diagnosis. Recently graduated from Paso Robles High School, 17-year-old Bianca Rangel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in late July. It was later confirmed that she is at Stage 4-B, the most advanced stage of the cancer. “I have found strength within that I did not know I had,” Magdalena Rangel told
Atascadero Kiwanis Club donates $80,000 to ECHO following Annual Winemaker Dinner
Paso Robles Press regarding her daughter’s new diagnosis. “To see your daughter going through chemo and losing her hair little by little every day and finally having to shave your daughter’s hair was a very emotional and tear-jerking time. I have wished that I could take over her sickness and be me who is lying on the hospital bed.” Bianca began an aggressive chemotherapy in early August as part of her cancer treatment. Aggressive treatment is needed due to a large mass in her chest that is compressing her upper lungs and heart. She was diagnosed after experiencing some sudden fainting. After testing at Sierra Vista Medical Center (now Adventist Health Sierra Vista), the tumor was discovered, and Rangel was transferred to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. From there, Bianca was transferred
to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). Bianca, who explains the experience has been a rollercoaster, told Paso Robles Press, “This may sound strange, but I honestly am extremely grateful that I got diagnosed when I did. I am old enough to understand the doctors and explain to them how I feel properly. Other oncology patients aren’t as fortunate as me, and I pray for them and their families. Some patients are too young to understand what is happening to them; some may not have a community to lean against, and others may not speak the language. I’m lucky to have everything that I do.” A GoFundME page was created to help offset the expenses associated with Bianca’s treatment. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Funds from 14th Annual Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner will support ECHO’s Community Shower Program By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — The Atascadero Kiwanis Club recently presented a donation in the amount of $80,000 to the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO). The donation came from the 14th annual Atascadero Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner held in June. Atascadero Kiwanis has awarded in excess of $1 million to organizations since their inception in 1969. “The support from the Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner is truly transformative,”
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said Wendy Lewis, CEO of ECHO. “The funds raised will enable us to enhance our services and better support the individuals and families we serve. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the community’s generosity.” On Friday, June 21, community members headed to the Pavillion on the Lake for the fundraiser. The venue was packed with wineries, state officials, Atascadero’s mayor, and residents from all over San Luis Obispo County who came out to support the Kiwanis and ECHO. This year’s Winemaker Dinner raised From left are Austin Solheim, a director with ECHO; Judy Meyer, Kiwanian; Mark Dariz, Kiwanis treasurer; Blaine Stauffer,
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NORTH COUNTY NEWS
Kiwanian; and Cyndi Workman, Kiwanis president. They are shown holding up the real and ceremonial checks for $80,000, the amount donated by the Kiwanis to ECHO. Photo by Rick Evans
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HIGH SCHOOL Voter Registration | A3
REMEMBRANCE 9/11 Anniversary | A4
DONATION Dental Center | B1
VOLLEYBALL Paso vs Atascadero | B8
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