I like the Dignity Health slogan on their TV commercial, “Hello Human-kindness.” And last night, I was the recipient of some of that kindness as I arrived at the Chamber for an Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee meeting. I had a heavy basket full of items to take into the session. I set it by the curb in the parking lot while I got my purse and other things out of my car. I was about to pick it up when a teenager came walking across the Centennial Pedestrian Bridge from the Sunken Gardens. He saw me and came right over and said, “Can I help you with that?” I told him how grateful I would be for his help and we proceeded to the Chamber. 

The young man opened the door to the Chamber and allowed me to enter first, showing that he had “good manners.” He was wearing a 49ers cap and I commented on the team and I could tell he was a fan. Then he asked me where I would like him to put the basket and I showed him the conference room.

Why am I telling you about this simple act of kindness? Because good deeds that our teens do seem to go unnoticed, while the news is full of bad things that are happening. When a kindness is delivered, be sure to tell people about it and let’s give our good kids the credit they are due!

Speaking of good kids, there’s a group of Templeton High School students who serve on the Youth Board of must!charities under the direction of Becky Gray. For several years now they have volunteered for Coats for Kids, to help with the Saturday distribution in Paso Robles. They will be there again this year and I love having their bright, smiling faces around me. I let them know that they are appreciated.

Don’t forget the Paso Robles Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase this Saturday evening. I know you will see some of those “good” kids I just mentioned, participating in many of the entertainment groups, along with other activities. 

The event runs from 6-9 p.m. as you stroll down historic Vine Street between 8th and 21st streets. This special evening is sponsored by Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association and El Paso de Robles Historical Society and includes carolers, bands, dancers, “Scrooge,” snow, entertainment, and more.

For more information, contact Main Street at 238-4103.

This Friday, Atascadero’s signature holiday event Winter Wonderland will take place from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Atascadero. This year the organizers will grind approximately 50-plus tons of food-grade ice into fresh, powdery snow and form it into play piles and huge snow slides. There will be food, music, over 50 vendors, and that beautiful snow. 

For more information, visit visitatascadero.com

If you have not attended Holiday Magic at the Charles Paddock Zoo, put it on your list of “to-dos” and don’t miss this remarkable event on Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Zoo.

This event allows you to celebrate the holiday season with animal friends at the Zoo when the animals will be receiving holiday gifts that have been crafted with care by zookeepers and some extraordinary elves. There will also be exclusively made toys and enrichment items for them and you can watch them rip, claw and tear open their presents. Some animals may even eat their gifts, which are made for that purpose.

For more information, call 805-461-5080.

Just a reminder that Coats for Kids will be distributing coats, jackets, and sweatshirts at the Paso Robles Event Center (Fairgrounds) on Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 9 a.m. We will begin the set-up this Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again on Friday starting at 9 a.m. until we finish.

If you are interested in volunteering, call me at 805-461-1234.

On Monday, Dec. 16, we will do the same routine at the National Guard Armory on Olmeda and Traffic Way in Atascadero. We will set-up on Monday and Tuesday and distribute it on Wednesday the 18th.

Even if you only have an hour to help, I encourage you to come by. You will be impressed with how we transition the Armory for this wonderful “giving” event. Loaves and Fishes will be there with boxes of food for the families, Kiwanis and the Marine Corps Reserve will provide toys, Coats for Kids will have warm coats and jackets for the families, and the Salvation Army will have vouchers for meat from the grocery store.  

This is an event started by Loaves and Fishes and is our “umbrella” organization. Jeanne Robbins acts as chairman (followed closely by her husband, Carl).

These are busy times I know, but let’s all remember those among us who are less fortunate. Remember, “Hello, Human-kindness!”

Cheers!