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GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XXIV
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
CHAMPIONS
Gordon Sisters Right on Track: Both Named in Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 The sisters were chosen out 7,000 nominated racers By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
TEMPLETON — Maddi and Macie Gordon are living their lives Right on Track, just like the 2003 Disney Channel movie, which follows American drag racer Erica Enders start in the hot rod racing world. The sisters each began drag racing when they were eight years old—both inspired to get into the sport by their dad, world champion drag racer Doug Gordon. This year, Maddi and Macie were both named in Drag Illustrated’s 30 Under 30. Since 2015, Drag Illustrated has compiled an annual 30 Under 30 list which highlights drag racing’s most accomplished and promising young ambassadors. Honorees are then recognized at a press conference during the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Thousands of submissions are sent in to the magazine. This year, the Gordon sisters were chosen out of 7,000 nominees. Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief
Sisters, Maddi and Macie follow in their fathers footsteps in the hot rod racing world. Contributed photo
for Drag Illustrated, says the 30 Under 30 list is “About more than showcasing what the sport’s young racers, tuners, manufacturers, track officials, and media personalities have already accomplished.” He continues, “It’s also about shining
a light on the future stars and encouraging them to keep forging ahead. Many of the honorees from the first couple lists have gone on to do extraordinary things like set records, win world championships, and move up classes.”
Getting nominated for the list wasn’t something Maddi and Macie were expecting. But after learning what the list was all about and the values the magazine’s editor held, they felt privileged to even be considered. The sisters share the list with some of
GRATITUDE
the sport’s top up and coming racers. They were able to travel to Indianapolis on Dec. 9-11 to personally receive their nomination at the convention. Both of them note it as CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
IN MEMORIAM
The El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society Thanks Dedicated Volunteers The PRAHS has preserved Paso Robles history for 36 years
The historical society and museum are located in the Carnegie Library at the center of Paso Robles City Park. Contributed photo
to our founders, the Blackburn brothers, so much history rests in our soil. The El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society By CAMILLE DeVAUL makes it their mission to keep all this and The El Paso de Robles Area history alive. Historical Society In the 36 years of its existence, the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society PASO ROBLES — Known as “Cali- (PRAHS) has preserved, promoted, and fornia’s Oldest Watering Place,” the world encouraged the knowledge and awarehas been drawn to the Paso Robles area ness of local history through an extenfor hundreds of years. Between being home to the Salinan tribes and later home CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
PASO ROBLES CHAMBER
Every Moment is a Fresh Beginning: Redefining Our Normal ning.” While we all acknowledge that 2020 was not what we expected, with the coming new year, we have a chance to start fresh and redefine our own personal or business normal, not just stand by and watch things unfold. By GINA FITZPATRICK During the last several months, the Chamber President and CEO, staff has reevaluated many of our programs to Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce further achieve our primary priority, which has always been the prosperity of Paso Roblans, their recently read a quote by T.S. Eliot that embod- businesses, and livelihoods. We are excited to share ies my feelings of hope as we watch 2021 roll some of the things we have been working on behind into our lives. “Every moment is a fresh begin- the scenes and from the safety of our homes.
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Barba being honored as a WWII veteran at a Dodger game earlier this year. Contributed photo
Henry Barba of Santa Margarita Passes at 108 Years Old Barba passed on Dec. 24 on his 81st wedding anniversary
As many of our members may have already noticed, we recently launched our redesigned website at pasorobleschamber.com. We have taken several individually established sites and combined them into one easy-to-use location, including VisitPaso.com, PasoStrong.com, and PasoBusiness. com. This will enable visitors and locals alike to benefit from the available content. We are excited to be partnering with Dr. Doug Major to present #PasoGives. Previously known as
SANTA MARGARITA — Beloved Santa Margarita resident and World War II Veteran Henry Barba passed away on Dec. 24 at the age of 108. It was his 81st wedding anniversary with his late wife, Jessie. Barba was born on Oct. 19, 1913, in a home that still
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BEST OF
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
WEATHER
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ATASCADERO GREYHOUND 18 YEARS SINCE SAN SIMEON Boys Varsity Basketball Shoot For CIF earthquake struck and took the lives Championship | A3 of two local women | A4
DAMIAN NORD NAMED Paso Robles Police Chief who previously served PRPD | A5
CAST YOUR VOTES! Support local business when you vote for your favorite establishments | A15
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