GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. XLIX
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023
MUSIC
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
COMMUNITY
Seventy tons of snow show up for Winter Wonderland
Neil Young signs his new album “Before and After” at Traffic Records in Atascadero. Photo by Rick Evans
Neil Young shows up at local record store to sign his new album ‘Before and After’ Fans from all over California drove to Traffic Records to meet the music legend By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — A line of Neil Young’s fans started forming in front of Atascadero’s local record store, Traffic Records, as early as 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. It was announced via Traffic Record’s social media platforms on Wednesday, Dec. 6, that Young would be holding a signing for the release of his new album, “Before and After” at the record store from 12 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. “I showed up this morning at 6:45 with my 9-year-old, and I didn’t think we’d have to get here earlier than that, but there was probably already
Mrs. Claus and Santa pose with the 2023 California Mid-State Fair Court at the annual Winter Wonderland. Photo provided by City of Atascadero
100-plus people in line to buy the LP and CD, so we waited The winter fun was to purchase, and then I had back for its 20th year some obligations, came back about 10:30,” said local resiBy CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com dent Kirstin Andrews. Andrews was raised on Young’s music and saw him live ATASCADERO — Winter in 2016 in Indio, California, Wonderland was back for its at the music festival dubbed 20th year on Friday, Dec. 8, “Oldchella.” Like everyone from 5 to 9 p.m. The snowy, else in line, she couldn’t wait fun-filled night took place to get her hands on Young’s in Sunken Gardens with newest release, which set her up to have her album signed by the legend. The line was huge by 11:30 on Friday morning, which had hundreds of people, 300 of whom were lucky enough to snag an album and a chance to meet Young, stretched from in front of Traffic Records for two Over 1,000 children blocks before snaking its way were signed up to into the alley behind establish- receive coats and toys ments like Hop’s Bounce House.
City Hall lit up in the background, which made everything feel extra festive. There was something fun for everyone who snowed up, with 70 vendors, bounce houses, obstacle courses, bungee jumping, Joe’s Little Train, and more entertainment. In fact, Winter Wonderland had its strongest turnout since the pandemic, and you could feel the
excitement in the air. “The entire community seemed to be in attendance this year,” said Atascadero Director of Community Services and Promotions Terrie Banish. This year, like years prior, Atascadero hauled in 70 tons of snow, creating a ginormous slide as well as two snow piles for different age groups to play in.
“The snow slide takes up most of the snow – about 50 tons and 20 tons are used for the snow piles,” Banish added. “Atascadero Kiwanis, Atascadero Hay & Feed, and Cuesta Springs Ice Company start putting the slide together at 10 a.m. It takes about 5-6 hours to build the slide, which includes delivery and set up of CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
NONPROFIT
Grizzly Academy cadets volunteer at ‘Day of Giving’ ahead of their graduation
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EDUCATION
this year
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — Terri Switzer announced Over 1,000 children received as school board president toys and coats on Saturday,
Trustee Board votes to move funding from Santa Rosa Academic Academy to the completion of the AHS pool By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for its regularly scheduled trustee meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.
AGRICULTURE
Before the start of both the closed and open sessions of this week’s board meeting, the AUSD held an organizational meeting in which they elected a new president and clerk. “We have changed positions here, and I am now the clerk, and Terri Switzer, who is absent today, is the president,” said newly selected clerk Tracy Ellis-Weit. “So since she’s absent, I am acting as the president running this meeting.” During Oral Communication from the public, three of
Dec. 9, during the 29th annual Day of Giving at the Paso Robles Event Center. Chair and Day of Giving Coordinator Amanda Bean told Atascadero News that this year called more families into needing their services at the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles. The Day of Giving is a free event organized each year by the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles and joined by Coats for Kids with additional help from the community. Over 1,000 children and about 500 families were signed up for the event
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
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Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno (left) and Coats for Kids founder Barbie Butz are shown at the Coats for Kids area during the Day of Giving event. Photo by Camille DeVaul
this year. Bean noted that many families signed up for Day of Giving for the first time this year. “We have a lot of families that have never come here
before,” said Bean. “It’s a lot of first-year families because it’s harder this year, which we are happy they found us.” The Toy Bank provides toys, games, playground balls,
SPORTS
WEATHER
stuffed animals, books, and arts and crafts at the Day of Giving. They serve North County families with children in Paso Robles, San Miguel, Shandon, CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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