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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021
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BUSINESS
Libretto Wine and Jazz Lounge Held Its Grand Opening Combining music, food, art and wine for a decadent way to spend a Paso evening
GOVERNMENT
City Council Plans for the Future Council discusses plans to develop the El Camino Real Corridor
By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — A brand new underground, members-only wine, and jazz lounge has delivered a sudden and powerful jolt to the cultural heartbeat of Downtown Paso Robles. Thursday, Sept. 30, marked the grand opening of Libretto on Park Street next to Fish Gaucho. Owners Corey Jordan and Katelyn Smith have been together for ten years and started AMSTRDM Coffee House and Piano Lounge together in 2020. “We didn’t plan to open a second location this quickly,” said Jordan, “However, with AMSTRDM, we started to gain major attention from LA and Bay area musi-
anything about that kind of stuff. They don’t understand that. This is part of their building blocks as they grow up, so you have to put as many positive [thoughts], colors, smiles, and laughter in these kids while you still have them,” says Russo. Visitors are welcome to drive by his home or park and walk up to watch the lights and special effects. On Halloween night, visitors can walk through the haunted towns and scenes. To add to the fun, Russo and his family and friends dress up on Halloween night. Russo’s Halloween Spooktacular is created with young ones in mind, so all frights and sights are children friendly. “My wife Linda has been helping me along with my sisters and friends who assist as actors during the event. I would like to be sure to thank them for also being part of
ATASCADERO — Atascadero City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 12, for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m., following a closed session with nothing to report. The agenda was approved 5-0, and presentations followed. Councilmember Charles Bourbeau read a proclamation recognizing October 2021 as National Domestic Violence Action month, Mayor Heather Moreno read a proclamation recognizing Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, as National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Councilmember Mark Dariz read a Proclamation Recognizing Oct. 3 to 9, as Fire Prevention Week. Atascadero Fire Chief Casey Bryson and Battalion Chief David Van Son spoke and thanked council members on behalf of Atascadero Fire Department. The Consent Calendar was approved 5-0, and the meeting moved on to updates from Atascadero City Manager Rachelle Rickard. Lake Perimeter Clean-Up Day is Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Volunteers can meet at 8:30 a.m. in front of the pavilion to register. Bring gloves, loppers, a hat, and water and help clean up unwanted brush along the path to improve the viewshed. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Residential Waste Drop Off will take place from Saturday, Oct. 23 to Oct. 30 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Atascadero Chicago Grade Landfill. Atascadero Residents can get rid of extra household waste for free. Please contact Waste Management at (805) 466-3636 or visit the local office to request your voucher. City Manager Rickard announced a variety of fun Halloween activities in town this year. Mark Russo Sr. is once again putting on a Spooktacular Haunted House featuring a “Lights, Sights and Frights Show” every night from 7:00 p.m. until about 10:00 p.m. through the rest of October at 7720 Cortez Ave. The Haunt will host a haunted house at 5805 El Camino Real where “18 Rooms of not-so-pleasant fairy tales, legends, and nursery rhymes are represented in the worst possible way”. Buy your tickets online at thehauntinatascadero.com. On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 5:008:30 p.m., the Charles Paddock Zoo will host their Zoo Boo event. “Join us at the zoo for carnival games,
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From left to right: Corey Jordan, Sasha Vujacic, Al Bjekovic, and Adam Eron Welch. Photo by Patrick Patton
cians. Some of the best studio and concert musicians around. AMSTRDM gained notoriety with a high-quality instrument in an intimate and unique setting.
We began to quickly outgrow our small venue and began looking for a larger space with a similar intimate vibe. We knew with AMSTRDM that people are
willing to pay for a high-quality into a comfortably stylish lounge experience, so we expanded on that with sexy black booths and settle platform for Libretto.” into the warm, inviting glow of the As members enter from the street, they descend a stairway CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EVENT
TRADITION
Russo’s Halloween Spooktacular Returns to Atascadero Other Halloween events include ‘Trick or Treat Extravaganza Downtown Atascadero’
The 91st Pioneer Day was filled with great weather, great people, and great food. Photo by Melissa Guerra
Paso Robles Celebrates 91st Pioneer Day PRHS Class of 1951 also celebrated their 70th reunion By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — For the last 91 years, Paso Roblans have left their pocketbooks at home and gathered in downtown Paso Robles for beans, little cowboys and cowgirls, horseshoes, and even whiskers. On Saturday, Oct. 9, Paso Robles wrapped up their 91st Pioneer Day Celebration. Every intention was made to make this one of the best years yet, making up for the cancellation of last year’s festivities. David Kudija, the “bean captain,” said, “We had a great time. Plenty of help making beans, lots of beans. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough people to come over and eat them.” Leading up to Pioneer Day, Kudija and his bean-making comrades anticipated a larger crowd at the bean pots. Unfortunately, there were some beans left over when the day was finally over. But some leftover beans didn’t flatten out the fun. With some help from Steve Hansen, some new burners were made for cooking the beans--for the first time in about 50 years! Kudija says the new burn-
THEATRE
ers helped cook the beans faster and more even, a definite plus. “It was beautiful weather and lots of friendly people around. It was a great weekend,” said Kudija. The park was full, and the streets were lined with Paso Roblans from near and far. Nicole (Sonne) Hermosillo said, “As a fifth-generation Paso Roblan taking my sixth generation children to Pioneer Day, it’s a pretty big deal.” Hermosillo, who was the Pioneer Day Belle in 2009, said her children loved watching the first responders, Warbirds flying over, and the PTO-driven tractors. “This was their [her children] second year. We took them in 2019 with the hopes of going in 2020 and then, you know, COVID. They loved it [this year],” said Hermosillo. She continued saying, “It felt normal, and people were happy to be there.” Over in downtown City Park, 18 individuals competed in the horseshoe contest. In first place for women was Angel Sharp and Nicolette Barth took second place. For the men, Brad Betschart took first place, and Eric Johnston took second place.
MORRO BAY
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GOVERNMENT
By CAMILLE DeVAUL & PATRICK PATTON
ATASCADERO — Starting in the middle of October, families can visit the Halloween Spooktacular Lights, Sights, and Frights show at the Russo’s Home in Atascadero. For the past six years, Mark Russo has transformed his home into a Halloween display with one goal in mind: to put a smile on the kids’ faces. Russo says, “I always enjoyed Halloween--we love seeing the big smile and sparkling eyes and not just the kids but on the parents’ faces too. They relive their childhood.” Starting in August, Russo begins building the display. Using his construction background, Russo creates Disney-esque ghost towns and spooky scenes. He has always loved to create and learns new skills each year. In the end, he and his family and friends put about 650 hours into the display. Everything going into the Spooktacular comes out of Russo’s pocket. He says this year is set to be his best one yet! “These are challenging times between politics and health and this and that. Kids don’t know
PREP SPORTS
WEATHER
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