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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XXIII
EDUCATION
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2022
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
GOLD MEDALIST
Local Archer Bella Otter Takes Two Golds at Pan American Championships
Atascadero City Council Recognizes Employees
AUSD Approves Local Control and Accountability Plan, Annual Update
City OKs price hike for adult general admission tickets to Charles Paddock Zoo
Trustee Board congratulates AHS alum and archer Bella Otter on medals won in California and Nova Scotia
By CAMILLE DEVAUL Camille@atascaderonews.com
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for their board meeting on Tuesday, June 14, at 4 p.m. The early meeting followed the board’s closed session, which was held at 3 p.m. and was followed by a Facilities Study Session. “I’ll just say a big thank you to staff on a very strong finish to this school year. I think it was very beneficial for all of the students. I know we’ve got great parents that are ready to take over for the summer or support them [their children] in camps or our summer school program. We’re looking to see everybody back here in August next year, and have a great summer for everyone,” said Tom Butler during his Superintendent’s Report. During the Board Member’s Report, Trustee Donn Clickard read a message to the board from compound bow archer and 2021 Atascadero High School graduate Bella Otter on her gold medals at the Pan American Championships in Nova Scotia at the beginning of the month, and her silver medal at the SoCal Showdown in Chula Vista. The board congratulated Otter on her big wins. The minutes from the June 7 Board Meeting passed unanimously along with the Consent Agenda. Trustee Tami Gunther pulled item 11.8 so she could acknowledge a donation to San Gabriel Elementary School for $240 from Don Pomi and PG&E matching funds. Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services E.J. Rossi presented the board CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EDUCATION
GOVERNMENT
Compound Archer Bella Otter is shown with both of her gold medals from the Pan American Championships. Contributed Photo
Atascadero resident wins both Compound Female and Compound Mixed Teams events by one point she brought home two gold medals after competing in the Pan American Championships ATASCADERO — Bella in Nova Scotia, Canada, at the Otter made her hometown beginning of the month. The of Atascadero proud when Championships took place from By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
May 31 thru June 5. “The very first day of competition was our qualification day, and basically, at that point, everybody lines up on the line, and you’re all competing against
each other for a ranking,” said Otter. “It was, hands down, the windiest conditions I have ever, ever shot in for any sort of archery event in the history of CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero City Council met for a regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 14, at 6 p.m. Council started the meeting off by recognizing some City of Atascadero employees. Employees were recognized for reaching milestones of years working for the city and their contributions. The employees recognized were: • Justin Camp: Wastewater treatment plant operator II, five years • Andrew Hawkins: Fire Engineer, five years CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
Farron Elizabeth Celebrates Seven Years on Entrada Avenue The store and its owner have been giving back to the community for just as long By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — In 2015, on the then sleepy street of Entrada Avenue in Atascadero, Farron Elizabeth opened its doors for the first time. Seven years later, owner Farron Walker and her clothing boutique are a much-loved part of the community. “It wasn’t an easy start, to say the least, because when I opened, there was not much on this street. Street Side wasn’t even here,” Walker said about the store’s opening. “It was pretty dead, but I had a vision for this street, and I had a lot of faith in what I thought was to come.” Walker, who’s been a part of the fashion industry since she can remember, started out with a retail job before heading off to and graduating from
EVENTS
FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in Los Angeles. She had her own fashion line in LA but decided to go back into retail when she moved to Atascadero, opening Farron Elizabeth, which was also the name of her original clothing line. “At the time [Farron Elizabeth opened], I did still have my line, so I sold; when I first opened, I had a lot of my own stuff. From time to time, I do make my own stuff, but it’s rare,” stated Walker. The retail boutique features styles and clothing for all body types, price ranges, and age groups. Creating an inclusive and affordable shopping experience for everyone who walks through its doors. “We have girls in high school that shop here, and we have women in their 70s that shop here,” stated Walker of her clientele. “So it really is pretty vast.” Farron Elizabeth brings in 15 to 20 new styles a week at an affordable price point, so the clothes are constantly changing, which gives shoppers new
NEWS
options weekly. “That’s kind of how I made it work in the beginning, because this wasn’t like a high tourist area, so I realized by bringing in new stuff every week, the same ladies would come in every week,” Walker added. On top of clothing items, Farron Elizabeth also carries a ton of local products from The Body Bean, Red Road Leatherworks, Blueberry Jewelry, Glasshead Studio, Templeton Olive Oil Company, Queen Bee Caramels, and Life Elements. Walker also represents artist Adam Eron Welch, and his pieces not only decorate the walls of Farron Elizabeth but are available for purchase. “I think that sustains the community. We tell people to shop local, but we should carry local products,” Walker said. “Especially in this area, there’s so much available to us.” But Farron Elizabeth isn’t just a retail store: For the last couple of years, Farron Elizabeth has raised money for Jack’s Helping Hand on Sundays. Five percent of the store’s total sales every Sunday go directly to the foun-
CLASS OF 2022
Artist Adam Eron Welch (left) is represented by Farron Walker (right), who displays his works in her store Farron Elizabeth. Photo by Patrick Patton
dation, which helps children with cancer and disabilities. Walker and both Farron Elizabeth and Bloke (Walker’s men’s boutique) are also affiliated with the Emilio Velci Aloha Project,
which brings fentanyl awareness to the county. “The main thing about this store and my love for it is, being a part of the community and CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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