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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXI, NO. XLI
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
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PRJUSD Board of Trustees Adopt a Resolution Condemning Racism Board approves an Ethnic Studies Course at PRHS: Multicultural America elective for the 2021-2022 school year with contingencies
Headhunters owners (left): seated Don Pushea, center Tim Lyons and right Johnny Gates. (Right) Tim Lyons cutting hair and sharing memories. Photos by Camille DeVaul
After 58 Years Headhunters Barbershop Closes its Doors
By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — On Tuesday, Mar. 23, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Board of Trustees met for their regular scheduled meeting after closed session. Upon returning from closed session, Dan Sharon, Principal of PRJUSD Alternative Education (grades TK-14), was the first presenter of the evening. Sharon outlined all the programs from Liberty High School (continuation school), Independent Studies, Homeschool and Adult Program that supports ages 18 through 22. Sharon explained, “I like to take advantage of opportunities like this to correct some common misconceptions or labeling of alternative education student programs too often alt ed [alternative education] students are mistakenly viewed as those kids or trouble CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Johnny Gates, Cletis Moore, Tim Lyons, and Don Pushea shared memories of their time on Spring Street By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
H
eadhunters Barber Service closes its doors after 58 years of service in Paso Robles. At one time, there were barbershops around almost every corner in Paso. And for many of us who grew up in Paso, Headhunters have always been there right on Spring Street. Johnny Gates and A.J. Brown (Brownie) opened Headhunters Barber Service in November of 1963, approximately two weeks before the Kennedy Assassination. When Headhunters initially opened, it was inside the Paso Robles Hot Springs
Hotel. Not long after opening, the shop moved to its current location at 1220 Spring Street, which turned out to be pretty good timing because the Hot Springs Hotel burned down on Nov. 22, 1963. Recently, I was able to visit Headhunters. Inside was a living timeline of the barbershop. Johnny Gates, Cletis Moore, Tim Lyons, and Don Pushea sat around the shop they all owned a portion of at one time. Seated in the shop was Gates, one of the original owners of Headhunters. Gates got his start working for Henry Frisby at Frisby’s Barbershop on Park Street. Long-time Paso residents have said they remember a new sign in front of Frisby’s saying “New Flattop Expert Inside.” The latest expert was Gates, fresh out of barber school. Growing up, Gates began giving his
SPORTS
Historical photo of downtown Spring Street when Headhunters was located inside the Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel before it burned down. Contributed photos.
brother’s flat tops, and it became what he Seated next to Gates was Cletis Moore. was known for. “I worked for Tex Arnold. That was in “I was giving my brothers flat tops and ‘60, ’61, ’62, and then I went back down good flat tops too. I was surprised,” said South and came back home in ’67,” said Gates. Moore. Others remember Gates for being the “Flat top King.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
The Third Degree: An American Grill by Berry Hill Owner Jody Storsteen continues to serve homemade meals from Berry Hill Bistro now at Paso Market Walk By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Senior defensive lineman Anthony Fischer rips down a Wasco ball carrier by just his sleeve. Photo by Rick Evans
Templeton Eagles Roll In Opener Kaschewski, Berna, lead prolific ground attack
openers. The Templeton Eagles and Paso Robles Bearcats were able to start their seasons at home in front of small smatterings of fans while Atascadero traveled to Arroyo Grande in a last-minute By CONNOR ALLEN matchup against the Eagles. connor@pasoroblespress.com Templeton enters this season as new members of the Mountain League after they cruised TEMPLETON — The Friday Night Lights through the Ocean League in 2019, earning made their long-awaited return to the Central their first league championship since 2005. Not Coast this weekend as all three North County teams were suited up and playing in their season CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
SPORTS
EVENT
COVID-19 UPDATE
PASO ROBLES — After 17 years, Berry Hill Bistro closed its Downtown Paso Robles location and reopens in the Paso Market Walk as The Third Degree: An American Grill by Berry Hill. On Aug. 1, 2020, The Third Degree made its opening debut with the Paso Market Walk. With a new concept and menu, owner Jody Storsteen still brings customers delicious homemade meals they expect from the former Berry Hill restaurant. “I had a great 17 years downtown, I loved it, and then when this concept came up, I was like ‘hey, let’s try something new.’ Change is good,” said Storsteen. The Third Degree offers specialty burgers, salads, and sandwiches at a faster pace without sacrificing quality. When business and life pick up after recovering from the pandemic, Storsteen hopes to add a graband-go bar with homemade and ready-to-eat meals. “Local people have been supportive of the Paso Market Walk and the Third Degree, especially people
SENIOR LIVING
Owner Jody Storsteen brings customers delicious homemade meals they expect from the former Berry Hill restaurant. Photos by Camille DeVaul
now finding out that we were Berry Hill. Coming back, saying how much they miss us downtown and like the vision of what this will be someday,” Storsteen said. Storsteen had already sold her Berry Hill Bistro location and planned on moving onto her next Third Degree venture before the COVID pandemic. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
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