2017 February PASO Magazine

LAST WORD
By Melissa Chavez
Paso Roblans can strut their stuff on March 4
when Park Ballroom transforms into The Big Easy
to celebrate the second annual “Mardi Gras Underground”
fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will
benefit Hospice of San Luis Obispo County and
Community Counseling Center. The two nonprofit
agencies work in tandem under one roof in Paso
Robles to more efficiently serve the public.
Scrumptious food, wine and beer from local
vintners and breweries will be available, including
a featured “Hurricane” cocktail. Catering for the
event will be prepared in true N’awlins style by
Paso Robles Culinary Arts Academy under the direction
of Gregg Wangard, Director of Food Services
and multiple award-winning chef. Offerings
from Bon Temps Creole Café will also kick things
up a notch with their signature Cajun flair.
To heighten the festive atmosphere, everyone is
encouraged to arrive dressed and ready to celebrate
in true Mardi Gras form in colorful masks and vibrant
attire. Guests will be treated to live music by
the Fat Tuesday band performing a mix of R&B,
jazz, Dixieland and Memphis blues.
To highlight the evening, live and silent auction
items will encourage competitive bidding for products
and services by area sponsors.
A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE
For the frivolity that a night of Mardi Gras can
bring, the day-to-day assistance that both nonprofit
agencies extend to the public is serious business.
Communication, commitment, teamwork and
efficiency are key in making the best use of time,
energy and funding.
“Hospice SLO County and Community Counseling
Center have a long history of working col-
A Beautiful Face 33
Adrienne Hagan 24
Advanced Concrete 29
AM Sun Solar 45
Amdal Transport Svs 36
American Wholesalers 3
Arlyne’s Flowers 33
Artfully Unusual 39
Artworks 33
Austin, Mary Ann 35
Beehive 44
Berry Hill Bistro 10
Bijou 35
Black Diamond
Compost 38
BlakesTrueValue 30
Blenders 33
Body Basics 32
Boy Scout Thank You 21
Bridge Sportsmen 39
Cantinas on Park 13
CASA 48
Casey Printing 48
Casper, EJ, DDS 25
Chains Required 33
Chalekson, Dr. Charles 37
Cider Creek 24
City-Recreation 41
Coldwell Banker 19
Cone & Assoc 46
Connect Home Loans 11
Country Florist 17
Dawg on It 33
Desmond, Heather 4,5
Diffley, Marty 13
El Paso Storage 38
Estrella Warbirds 11
Firefly 46
Friends of Library 33
Frontier Floors 15
laboratively, so it made sense for us to share office
space in Paso Robles,” says Kris Kington-Barker,
Executive Director of Hospice of San Luis Obispo
County. “Both agencies provide short-term counseling
for children, teens and adults with Hospice
SLO County, focusing on areas of severe illness,
grief and bereavement.
The home offices for CCC and Hospice SLO
County are separately located in San Luis Obispo.
The North County headquarters at 517 13th Street
in Paso Robles is a Craftsman-style home office
just west of the Plymouth Congregational Church.
The Downtown location, a brief walk from Spring
Street, makes access especially convenient for
people who use area transit systems as their main
source of transportation.
Both agencies represent a combined total of
more than 87 years of service to San Luis Obispo
County. Community Counseling Center’s (CCC)
mission is “to build and support emotionally strong
families, individuals, and community through confidential,
affordable counseling, education, and advocacy.”
CCC operates as a mental health safety net
contributor, as well as a preventative care provider
of brief psychotherapy assistance for individuals,
couples and families.
CCC lends useful and empathetic help to economically-challenged
individuals, children, couples
and families to receive the assistance they need.
On average, the Center works with more than 90
state-licensed and insured professional therapists
who dedicate volunteer hours to the community.
Referrals are often made to other resources in
hopes of ensuring that every individual can attain
the most practical benefits to bring about the highest
opportunity of success for their clients.
DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS
Gallagher Video 47
General Store 45
Gilliss, Keith/PRIME 40
Golden Collar 33
GRL Computing 29
Hamon Overhead Door 25
Healthy Inspiration 13
Heart to Heart 23
Henry, Lisa 14
HFG Insurance 33
Hunter Ranch 17
Idler’s 9
Inspired Home Expo 29
KAYA 42
Kennedy Fitness 24
Klockenteger, Lisa 33
Lansford Dental 51
Lube N Go 34
Main St Animal Hosp 37
Marriage Encounter,
Trinity 10
Michael’s Optical 22
Dr. Mikulics 35
MOD Studio 36
Mode
Communications 11
Natural Alternative 25
New With Tags 44
Nose to Tail 33
Odyssey Cafe 9
PASO Chevrolet 52
Paso Jules 16
Paso PetCare 19
PR Chamber 47
PR District Cemetery 22
PR Door & Trim 33
PR Handyman 9
PR Heating & Air 31
Since 1977, Hospice of San Luis Obispo County
has invested thousands of hours annually in free inhome
respite care, emotional support and practical
help for those with a life-limiting illness and their
families. Family grief counseling, support groups,
workshops, trainings, book discussion groups for
professionals and the community, end-of-life doula
services and a Pet Peace of Mind program are
available. Hospice of SLO County aims to be inclusive
and provides community response support for
schools, businesses and organizations impacted by
the death of a relative, friend, co-worker or student.
Hospice-trained and professional volunteers (150)
and a small, essential core of paid staff help conserve
operating expenses and are provided with no charge
to the recipients or their insurance carriers.
In an era of rising health care costs, the uncertainties
of an election year and threadbare budgets,
Hospice SLO County and Community Counseling
Center are dedicated to aiding their clients
without adding to the monetary burdens they already
face.
“Lack of insurance or inability to pay is never
a barrier for either agency,” says Kington-Barker.
“In addition to great food, music and a memorable
time, the Mardi Gras event shines light on how
our agencies sustain North County residents within
their most grievous circumstances. Every person
who attends our fundraiser will help their North
County neighbors immensely by making it possible
to continue these vital services.”
Ticket admission for the Mardi Gras Underground
celebration are available for $50/presale
and $55 at the door. Reserved Sponsor table seating
is available for $450 per table and include complimentary
sparkling wine to toast the occasion.
Everyone is encouraged to purchase their tickets
early, as a sell-out is highly anticipated.
The Park Ballroom venue is located at 1232 Park
Street in Paso Robles. For tickets and more information,
call Gracie Rey at (805) 544-2266. To learn
more about Community Counseling Services and Hospice
of San Luis Obispo County, visit www.cccslo.com
and www.hospiceslo.org.
PR Insurance 22
PR Main Street 9
PR Safe & Lock 26
PR Waste 23
Patricia Alexander 48
Perfect Air 27
Photo Stop 15
Planet Fitness 6,7
PW Construction 42
Red Scooter Deli 32
Refine Barre Studio 47
Relay for Life 32
Reneau, J Scott 17
Reverse Mortgage 15
San Luis Sports
Therapy 27
Sauret’s Errand 33
Scoles,Law Offices
of Patricia 38
Señor Sancho’s 13
SLO Hospice 15
SolaraloS 29
Solarponics 40
Spice of Life 23
Sprain Draperies 28
Stifel 30
Tea Trolley 33
Ted Hamm Ins 39
The Big Laugh 16
The Harley Group 25
The Loft 33
Touch of Paso 16
Twin Cities Hospital 2
Vic’s Cafe 27
Western Janitorial 33
Whitehorse 40
Wighton’s 27
Wine Country
Theatre 43
Worship Directory 49
50 PASO Magazine, February 2017