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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XVII
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
TRADITION
Paso Robles Celebrates 91st Pioneer Day
On Oct. 9 Paso Roblans left their pocketbooks at home to enjoy great weather, good company and even better food for the 91st Pioneer Day. Photos by Melissa Guerra
PRHS Class of 1951 also celebrated their 70th reunion By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.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
EDUCATION
PRJUSD Approve $10 Million ESSER III Funds Expenditure Plan
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 burners 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
EVENT
Pioneer Boys and Girls
Pioneer Girl (0-3 years) • Blayke Sligh • Riley Spale Pioneer Boy (0-3 years) CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
Libretto Wine and Jazz Lounge Held its Grand Opening Combining music, food, art and wine for a decadent way to spend a Paso evening By PATRICK PATTON patrick@pasoroblespress.com
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
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. Meanwhile, in the park gazebo, judges were forced to choose the cutest little pioneers, cowboys, cowgirls, and pets!
BUSINESS
Public showed support for teacher pay raises
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District met in person for a regularly scheduled school board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Before public comment, Superintendent Curt Dubost made a statement regarding an incident that happened in September where a Tik Tok video was widely circulated involving a PRHS student defecating on a pride flag. “First, I do want to apologize to staff and students for the delay in the recent theft and befoulment of a rainbow flag at the high school. This was a vile offense, and students involved have been disciplined in accordance with the District’s policies. The delay, though, in announcing the discipline and the messaging that conflated it with district
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.
Libretto owners Katelyn Smith and Corey Jordan next to the Steinway model D concert grand piano. Photo by Patrick Patton
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 musicians. 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 experience, so we expanded on that platform for Libretto.” As members enter from the street, they descend a stairway into a comfort-
ably stylish lounge with sexy black booths and settle into the warm, inviting glow of the moody lighting which offers an atmosphere of leisure and sophistication. The old opera house, circa 1919, presents a historic charm and atmosphere while the prominent and beautifully displayed art of Adam Eron Welch breathes a fresh excitement and raw energy into the old haunt. “The five paintings I made for Corey at Libretto were done in a single two-week push, mostly late at night,” said Welch. “They were hung at the venue while they were still wet, only moments before the first guests arrived. They are ‘abstract soundscapes’—large-scale, immersive CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EVENT
Russo Family Halloween Spooktacular Returns to Atascadero Other Halloween events include ‘Trick or Treat Extravaganza Downtown Atascadero’ 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
MORRO BAY
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
GOVERNMENT
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 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
PREP SPORTS
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. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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ART IN THE PARK RETURNS to Downtown City Park with over 130 artists and craft designers | A2
POWER PLANT SMOKESTACKS SUPERVISORS APPOINT Leave them be or not? Morro Bay to Elaina Cano to County Clerk-Recorder hold hearings on the issue | A4 Position | A5
STUDENT ATHLETES claim victories across multiple sports during homecoming week | A13
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