As we bid farewell to this chapter of our journey together, we reflect with profound gratitude on the incredible support and enthusiasm you have shown us throughout the years. It has been an honor and a privilege to be featured in your magazine, showcasing many local properties. Though Serrano magazine may be concluding, our cherished memories and the deep sense of community we adore will remain as we continue to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our town.
serranoeldorado.com sacmag.com
Serrano Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills magazine is a publication of the Serrano community in El Dorado Hills. It is written and produced three times a year for Serrano Associates by Sacramento Media LLC. The magazine is distributed under the authority of Parker Development Company to all Serrano residents, property owners and country club members. Additionally, copies are distributed to businesses and outlets throughout El Dorado Hills and neighboring communities from Folsom to Placerville. Copies are available at the Serrano Visitors Center, at Serrano builders’ model home complexes and at select local businesses.
Serrano is being developed by Parker Development Company, a longtime Sacramento-area creator of high-quality and award-winning master-planned communities.
CONTACT: marketing@serranoeldorado.com or call (916) 939-3333
EDITED AND PRODUCED BY SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC
PUBLISHER
Dennis Rainey
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Krista Minard
PROJECT EDITOR
Kristin Conner
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Stephen Rice
PROJECT DESIGNER
Elizabeth Kowalik
SENIOR ADVERTISING DESIGNER
John Facundo Jr.
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER
Lisa Bonk
ADVERTISING MANAGERS
Duffy Kelly duffy@sacmag.com
Victor Obenauf victor@sacmag.com
Carla Shults carla@sacmag.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Dan Poggetti
EDITORIAL & SALES OFFICES: 1610 R St., Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95811
PUBLISHED BY SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC
Stefan Wanczyk, CEO
John Balardo, President
Dear Serrano Community:
It is with incredible gratitude and re ection that I write this editor’s note. Due to the sale of Sacramento Media LLC this past July and the phenomenal news that Serrano lots are nearing build-out, this issue will be our last.
The Parker Development Company team and I wish to share our sincere thanks to our Serrano and El Dorado Hills residents, along with our surrounding community and organizations, for your readership and contributions since the launch of the magazine in 2004.
I also want to thank our amazing freelance writers who have contributed countless stories to the magazine these last 19 years—Bill Romanelli, Jolaine Collins, KK Roberts, Jennifer Bulotti, Janet Fullwood, and Thea Rood—along with our creative and gifted photographer, Charlene Taylor of Charm Photography. I’ve been the editor for 17 of those 19 years, and as you can imagine, we’ve developed strong and lasting friendships.
I also want to thank the executive director of tourism at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Jody Franklin, for her decades-long partnership, as well as CEO Debbie Manning and her team at the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, the EDH Town Center and the EDH Community Services District for sharing your events with our communities for nearly two decades.
I am also extremely grateful for the partnership of El Dorado County O ce of Education Superintendent Dr. Ed Manansala and Communications Director Dina Gentry, who I have also had the honor of working with for the past seven years. Given that my full-time career is also in public school communications, I am cognizant of the passion and dedication our educators have for every student in El Dorado County and beyond.
“As we bid farewell to Serrano magazine, I am lled with profound gratitude for the invaluable partnership we have cherished over the years,” says Dr. Manansala. “Together, we have illuminated crucial educational topics while creating a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for our community. The pages of this magazine have been a canvas where ideas and insights merge, fostering growth and learning. Thank you, Serrano magazine, for being a steadfast advocate of education, and for the privilege of sharing our community’s passion for student success.”
I also want to share my deepest appreciation for Jen Parker Gallaway, who has been not only my creative and fun marketing liaison for all things Serrano but also my friend and shoulder through our many years of raising kids and balancing our careers.
“It’s been an amazing experience to create each issue of Serrano magazine,” she says. “Searching for new stories, whether it be about a new restaurant, a stellar student, or a local hike with a great view, has been so much fun. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the production of our magazine with my friend Kristin Conner. Almost 20 years ago, we came up with the idea of creating a special and unique magazine just for you, our residents. Thank you for reading our creation, and I hope you enjoyed the magazine.”
And, nally, I want to thank my mentor, Krista Minard, the Sacramento Media editorial director, for her nearly two decades of friendship and for her eagle eye and strong leadership of all who have had the honor of working with her at Sacramento Magazine for nearly 30 years.
Take care of each other and always be kind.
Kristin Conner editorSerrano is being developed by Parker Development Company, creator of high-quality, awardwinning master-planned communities since 1956, including Greenhaven and Riverlake in the Pocket area of Sacramento, and The Parkway in Folsom.
Serrano’s amenities include miles of hiking and biking trails and more than 1,000 acres of open space. Numerous neighborhood parks are located within the gated villages. El Dorado County’s K–12 schools offer an exceptional level of education, with test scores that have ranked among the highest in California.
The private, member-owned Serrano Country Club offers elegant and casual dining as well as tennis, swimming and exercise facilities. Serrano’s 18-hole championship golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. For information about Serrano Country Club, call (916) 933-5005 or visit online: serranocountryclub.org.
As we pen down these words, our hearts are brimming with a mixture of bittersweet and reflective emotions. With a grateful heart, we bid farewell to Serrano Magazine. Our journey together has been remarkable, and it’s time to turn the page onto a new chapter
For almost 20 years, Serrano magazine has stood as a beacon of inspiration, a testament to the power of community. With immense pride, we look back on the legacy we have crafted together, showcasing the “Best Master Planned Community in the U.S.” The accolades and achievements we’ve earned over these years are not just testaments to our dedication but also a celebration of the remarkable people who have made Serrano a place we call home.
As the final pages of this chapter unfold, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our cherished readers, for being the wind beneath our wings. Your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and encouragement have been the driving force behind every issue, every story, and every milestone we’ve achieved. It’s been an honor to share the stories of Serrano with you—stories of triumph, growth and unity.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
With deepest gratitude,
Serrano Magazine and Parker Development Company
FALL 2023
Our region’s most popular farmers market runs every Sunday with more produce and commodities than ever before. Select fresh fruits and vegetables; homemade honeys, jams and cheeses; and other household favorites from local area farms. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit edhtowncenter.com.
HANDS4HOPE—YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Hands4Hope offers year-round service opportunities for youth, including providing companionship and meals for seniors, games for children, meals and groceries for those facing food insecurity and much more. Make new friends and make a difference, too. Click the “Volunteer” tab on hands4hopeyouth.org to get started.
HANDS4HOPE—YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE’S “WARM & FUZZY DRIVE” AND
Donate warm clothing items to more than 100 local families in need by dropping off items at regional collection locations. Volunteers are also needed to participate in a no-sew blanket-making effort.
New and gently used items needed: warm pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, closed-toe shoes, hats and gloves. (*Please do not donate clothing with stains or holes or worn beyond wear.) Items needed in new condition include pajamas, underwear, socks and sports bras. To make a monetary donation, or to learn more about the Warm & Fuzzy Drive and other Hands4Hope community engagement programs, please visit hands4hopeyouth.org/ outreachprogram
NIELLO CONCOURS AT SERRANO 2023
Celebrating 75 Years of Porsche and Featuring 60 Years of Lamborghini
Spend the day on the Serrano Visitor’s Center greens celebrating the 19th anniversary of this premier automobile showcase event. This year’s festivities include a fashion show and a fabulous display of motorcars from the classics to the exotics. This annual event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available online at theconcours.net and at all Niello dealerships. The advance price is $45, and the event day price is $55. Free parking is included in your ticket. The Serrano Visitor’s Center is located at 4525 Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills.
7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Car placement
10 a.m.: Gates open Noon: Fashion show with Felicia Strati
2 p.m.: Bagpiper performance
3 p.m.: Awards presentation
4 p.m.: Best of Show presentation
For ticketing information and to enter a motor vehicle, please visit theconcours.net/ serrano_home.html.
WAKAMATSU FARM MINDFULNESS EVENT
Join local mindfulness instructor Berry Crawford (and special co-leaders Jeanne Courtney and Robert Rosenbaum) for a peaceful and relaxing event at the beautiful and historic Wakamatsu Farm. This event will include sessions of Qigong, mindfulness meditation and walking meditation. Learn to relax, recharge and let go with these ancient and effective practices. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Responsible/quiet children age 12-plus are welcome. Meeting location: Gold Hill/Placerville area. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers. A detailed email will be sent once you register online at arconservancy.org/wakamatsu.
PARK PARTY
Enjoy free food, music, and family-oriented activities and games. For more details, visit edhcsd.org/ events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
OKTOBERFEST
October fun for seniors at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District gymnasium, located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $5; preregistration is required. The price includes a meal, a raffle ticket, entertainment and dancing. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
WAKAMATSU— STARGAZING ON THE FARM
American River Conservancy volunteers and stargazing enthusiasts
Herb Tanimoto and Tim Jackson will host this sky-gazing event from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Expected sights include the Milky Way, M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy) and double stars such as Albireo. The highlight of the evening will be viewing Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes. Event will cancel for unclear skies. Quiet children are welcome. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers. A detailed email will be sent once you register online at arconservancy.org/wakamatsu.
PUMPKIN SPLASH PATCH
Children ages 3 to 10 are invited to hunt for the perfect pumpkin in a heated pool and then decorate it and take it home just in time for Halloween! The event will be held at the El Dorado Hills CSD community pool from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0. Preregistration is required. $18 per person.
This popular two-day event promises fun-filled activities for children from preschool through middle school. Attendees will enjoy classic fall activities like hayrides and pumpkin decorating, along with carnival-style games and booths. This youth-led event benefits Hands4Hope—Youth Making A Difference, a local nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Event sponsorships are available. El Dorado Hills Town Center, Steven Young Amphitheater, located at 4364 Town Center Blvd. in El Dorado Hills. Visit hands4hopeyouth. org/fallfestival for more information.
A friendly competition where individual players compete to see who can kick or throw the farthest and run the fastest. The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the adult softball field in Promontory Community Park, located at 2700 Alexandra Drive in El Dorado Hills. Free event for youth ages 6 and up. Preregistration is required. For more details, visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 9336624, ext. 0.
Visit the site of the first Japanese colony in America. Your self-guided walking tour of Wakamatsu Farm may include a stroll to Okei-san’s 1871 grave site and Charles Graner’s original 1850s farmhouse. Take a trip around the lake on the 1.5-mile wheelchair-accessible trail. Bring a picnic and chair to sit and relax. On-site interpreters can share information and answer questions about Wakamatsu Farm’s human and natural history. Amenities are limited, so plan for rugged outdoor leisure. See registration page for more details. Event will cancel for steady rain or temperatures over 100 degrees F. Cost: $10 per vehicle.
Registration link: app.donorview.com/jRNKg.
The fair will be held at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s gym, located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. For more details, visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
Trunk-or-treaters will walk from trunk to trunk, collecting candy from volunteers who have decorated their vehicles to serve as a backdrop for this spooktacular free event! 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the CSD pavilion parking lot, located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org, or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
The Halloween Spooktacular is an El Dorado Hills Town Center favorite and will feature trick-ortreating from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at participating businesses. A costume contest for kids, families and dogs will begin at 5 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater with categories for Most Creative, Best Hero/Villain or Princess, Cutest, Scariest, and Best Group or Family. For more information, please visit edhtowncenter.com.
There will be free events starting at 11 a.m. at the Gilmore Senior Center, located at 990 Lassen Lane in El Dorado Hills. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
BRIDGE TOURNAMENT
The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library group is thrilled to bring back its annual bridge tournament fundraiser after a sold-out event last year. The event includes a light lunch and door and cash prizes. The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that works to provide essential funding for the library. The tournament will be held at the El Dorado Hills Library, located at 7455 Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. $60 per pair; advance registration is required. Registration forms are available at the library or online at friendsoftheedhlibrary.org/bridge-tournament. For more details, please email mcmnedh@pacbell.net or call (916) 849-0650.
Nov. 17
This free potluck will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gilmore Senior Center, located at 990 Lassen Lane in El Dorado Hills. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0.
Nov. 20
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS LIVE: THE STORIES BEHIND YOUR FAVORITE HIT SONGS
Hands4Hope—Youth Making A Difference is bringing Nashville to Folsom with an unforgettable opportunity to support its work while enjoying an intimate, unique event featuring some of country music’s favorite songwriters and performers. This event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts and benefit Hands4Hope—Youth Making A Difference. Learn more and buy tickets at hands4hopeyouth.org/nashvillelive.
Nov. 24 –Dec. 24
ELF ON THE BOULEVARD SCAVENGER HUNT
Pick up your passport at any participating El Dorado Hills Town Center business, and then the hunt begins! Go looking for the elves hiding in local businesses. Once you find all the elves, return your passport to Face in a Book to be entered into a drawing to receive a Town Center gift card stocking. The first 100 participants to complete their passports will receive a gift! The grand-prize winner will be announced on Dec. 29. For more information, visit edhtowncenter.com.
Nov. 25
SMALL BIZ SATURDAY
This event encourages holiday shoppers to visit brick-and-mortar stores that are small and local! Support your neighbors by participating in the 10th annual Small Business Saturday. To learn more, check out the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce’s social media pages, visit eldoradohillschamber.org or call (916) 933-1335 for details.
Santa Claus will be spreading cheer at the California Welcome Center in the El Dorado Hills Town Center. Families are invited to visit with Santa to share wish lists and take purchased photos. For more information and to see Santa’s full schedule, please visit edhtowncenter.com
The El Dorado Hills Town Center will host the annual Christmas tree lighting in partnership with the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce. The event kicks off in in the theater plaza at 4 p.m. with a merchant open house and the “Stuff Your Stocking” game, where children visit participating businesses to fill their stockings with special gifts. The Holy Trinity Choir will start the event with holiday songs, and a live band will be in the plaza from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Santa will arrive on his traditional El Dorado Hills fire truck to light the tree with his magic glitter around 6:30 p.m. There will be cookies donated by Nugget Markets.
After a three-year hiatus, this popular tour is back! Kick off the holiday season and get inspired by visiting five homes decorated for the holidays. The signature raffle of gift baskets and sale of decorated Christmas trees will return as well. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for youth 10 and under. The tour will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Proceeds assist El Dorado County youth and seniors through six Assistance League Sierra Foothills philanthropic programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills
This event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s gymnasium, located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. $5. Preregistration is required. The price includes one meal, a raffle ticket, entertainment and dancing. For more details, visit edhcsd.org/events or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0
COOKIES WITH SANTA
Visit Santa Claus! He will be making a special appearance from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the El Dorado Hills CSD gym. Santa’s helpers will be serving cookies and hot chocolate. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0. Preregistration is required. $12 per person.
EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER EVENING CARRIAGE RIDES
Town Center is a magical place during the holiday season, and there is no better way to enjoy its charm than with a horse-drawn carriage ride. The rides will run on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit Young Life and Hands4Hope.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Join CSD staff for this festive holiday event, which includes breakfast, a visit with Santa and a holiday craft fair. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the CSD gym, located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. For more details, visit edhcsd.org or call (916) 933-6624, ext. 0. $12 per person; preregistration is required.
This year marks the 17th anniversary of El Dorado Hills’ favorite medical practice for treatments to slow the appearance of aging on the face, neck and body.
Dignity Medical Aesthetics (DMA) was established in 2006 by Missey McCallum, RN, and Sherellen Gerhart, MD.
Dignity Medical Aesthetics has been the premier medical aesthetic practice in El Dorado Hills since 2006. They offer services such as laser and IPL treatments for permanent hair reduction, removing brown spots and redness, as well as treating lines, scars and laxity to help provide younger, smoother looking skin. They offer non-invasive treatments for lifting the neck or brow and skin tightening. They have options for Body Contouring, Radio Frequency Microneedling and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Plus Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are offered to naturally help with hair loss and skin rejuvenation. They are national leaders in injections of Botox and fillers for relaxing lines, adding volume, and for lifting facial areas to lessen the appearance of sagginess and jowls.
All new patients receive a complimentary 45 minute consultation to carefully review their medical history followed by a general overview of treatment options that can best meet their personal needs for enhancing their appearance.
New patients receiving Botox or filler for the first time are strongly encouraged to return for a courtesy follow-up appointment.
They are known for excellent service with competitive pricing All medical providers at Dignity Medical Aesthetics are thoroughly trained.
DMA realizes that natural looking results are a huge priority for their patients and achieves that through their procedures.
By looking at their website (www.dignitymed.com), you can see examples of most of their treatments and services. Check out their amazing reviews on line too.
As the top-ranked real estate team for El Dorado Hills home sales over the past five years, we’ve had the honor of representing hundreds of buyers and sellers throughout Serrano’s many sought-after neighborhoods. We love partnering with clients to prepare their homes for a successful sale, or to help find their dream home and make new connections in our wonderful community.
As Serrano residents ourselves, we cherish the unique beauty, character, and people of our community. Call us when you’re ready to make a move in El Dorado Hills or the greater Sacramento area! MAURA
DRE#01933761
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLENE LANE AND DOUG STANLEY OF CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER FIREWORKS & FREEDOM CONCERT
…And Brings Nashville Songwriters Live to the Harris Center for the Arts
by KRISTIN CONNERThe Serrano team is excited to share that on Nov. 20, the El Dorado Hills-based youth-service nonprofit Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference will host three country-favorite songwriters/performers for the Nashville Songwriters Live: The Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs event at Folsom’s premier Harris Center for the Arts.
For country music fans like me, this event promises to deliver an evening of musical engagement, laughter and fun, as Nashville-based songwriters Jeffrey Steele, Mark Mackay and CJ Solar will perform the songs they wrote for top country A-listers, including the likes of Keith Urban, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen, Rascal Flatts, and Brooks and Dunn. Grammy Award winner Steele, along with Mackay and Solar, also will treat guests to an inside peek into the stories behind the popular songs they wrote. All three have busy lives touring the country, and they all share a passion for helping others, from Steele’s support of at-risk youth to Solar’s collaboration with veterans’ organizations and Mackay’s service helping unhoused people through the nonprofit The Midnight Mission in the Los Angeles area.
California native and classic rock/country songwriter Mackay shares, “We’re all super excited to support Hands4Hope. They are an amazing nonprofit, and Thanksgiving week is a great time to play in California. I’m also super stoked to be performing with Jeff; he’s my mentor and one of the most talented artists I’ve ever known. By the way, there is no set list for this event, and we don’t script any of the banter—we just go with it!”
Let’s dive deeper into the mission behind Hands4HopeYouth Making a Difference. Entering its 15th year of service learning, the organization allows youth ages 5 to 18 to develop and lead projects in El Dorado Hills, Placerville, Folsom and the greater Sacramento region.
We sat down with Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference founder and Executive Director Jennifer Bassett and Steering Committee member Randy Mintz (of Designing Dreams Flooring and Remodeling) to learn more about how country music songwriters, a youth-driven service organization and a Folsom performing arts gem partnered to deliver the upcoming evening benefiting the nonprofit that continues to give back to its communities.
Serrano magazine: How did the idea of hosting a “stories behind the songs” benefit concert for Hands4Hope at the Harris Center for the Arts come about?
Jennifer Bassett: The idea of doing a fundraiser for our Folsombased Hands4Hope programs came from Hands4Hope Folsom Steering Committee member Greg Margetich (of Margetich Development) during a meeting earlier this year. With a passion for music, Mintz got excited about his idea and shared with the committee that he had the perfect trio of artists to engage the Folsom community. By the end of the meeting, he had already reached out to Nashville songwriters Jeffrey Steele, Mark Mackay and CJ Solar. From there, it was a whirlwind of putting together draft budgets, a project plan and a sponsorship menu. Nashville Songwriters Live is on a larger scale than anything we have done in the past, and we are excited, nervous, thrilled and having so much fun planning it!
Randy Mintz: Mark is a friend of mine, so I texted him to see if he’d be interested in participating. He agreed immediately and asked me who else we should include. When I mentioned Jeffrey Steele and CJ Solar, he contacted them, and they also agreed immediately!
Serrano magazine: Can you tell us how you chose the Harris Center for the Arts as the venue for this benefit?
Jennifer Bassett: This is the first time Hands4Hope is partnering with the Harris Center for the Arts, and we are grateful for their partnership and guidance in planning this event. The initial outreach to the Harris Center was done by our Folsom Steering Committee member Greg, who first broached this idea. We appreciate his vision and inspiration to think boldly!
Serrano magazine: We want our readers to know that Hands4Hope is celebrating its 15th anniversary of service to our communities. Can you share an update on what has transpired these past five years since we covered your 10th anniversary?
Jennifer Bassett: In the last five years, we have expanded to include two schools in Placerville and two schools in Folsom, bringing our total on-campus clubs to 14. We’ve also leased, renovated and opened a Youth Center in Placerville; moved our El Dorado Hills Youth Center to be more centrally located in the EDH Business Park; launched a youth-led emergency food pantry; partnered with ASPIREKids to assist with their ASPIRE Outfitters program; and partnered with the El Dorado Community Foundation and West Slope Foundation to support those impacted by the Caldor fire. We also launched an Alumni Association Committee. As needs grew, our youth participants collected and distributed more warm clothes and blankets, school supplies,
and toiletries through annual drives. From 2020 to 2022, an average of 47 percent more individuals were seeking assistance, and they received needed items.
In Placerville, we began working with Grado Construction and Dr. Reginald Rice on plans to expand our footprint in Placerville to include a permanent clothing boutique for at-risk teens (in collaboration with ASPIREKids), a “shopping” food pantry, and meeting rooms for counseling services for our partner agencies serving youth, including New Morning Youth and Family Services, Snowline Hospice and Sierra Child and Family Services.
In Folsom, Hands4Hope’s ASPIRE Outfitters Committee worked with Folsom’s Hope to provide a back-to-school boutique for youth to “shop” for new and gently used clothing for the upcoming school year. We also launched a Folsom Steering Committee in 2022, which, as you now know, is in the process of planning its first Folsom-based fundraiser to specifically support Hands4Hope programs in Folsom!
Serrano magazine: Can you share some of the data behind the last 15 years of service?
Jennifer Bassett: In the last 15 years, Hands4Hope youth have collected 56,585 pounds of food for the food insecure in our community, and prepared and served 60,571 meals to the homeless and to those food-deprived. They’ve collected and distributed 70,869 articles of clothing and blankets, 68,362 school supplies, 16,500 pounds of toiletries, raised $334,903 for local outreach projects close to their hearts, included 563 youth in leadership roles/ camps, and engaged 9,000-plus youth in 120,855 service hours.
Serrano magazine: Wow! I hope our readers can comprehend the breadth of service to our community local youth have provided for those in need. We are honored to have Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference in our communities. How can our communities help Hands4Hope youth and leadership in the coming years?
Jennifer Bassett: We are always in need of adult volunteers to help oversee youth outreaches and to mentor youth through service-learning projects. This fall, we need adult mentors for the Winter Boutique Committee and our Marketing Committee. At the start of the new year, we will need an adult mentor for the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee. The project committees generally run for three to four months. Community engagement outreach leads may volunteer once a month or once every other month. Both roles provide endless joy, inspiration and hope for our future, as these volunteers get to work with incredible youth devoted to helping others. If you don’t have time to volunteer, monetary donations are always greatly appreciated to support the Hands4Hope programs and to purchase needed items to support those struggling most.
Serrano magazine: How are the funds disbursed to the schools, and to what programs?
Jennifer Bassett: Hands4Hope will allocate funds donated where the donor feels the greatest connection, whether it be to support one of our Youth Centers, where Hands4Hope afterschool committees and the Youth Board meet to connect, col-
laborate, plan, team-build and organize supplies for projects such as the School Supply Drive and Distribution, Winter Boutique for Foster/Struggling Families, Fall Festival fundraiser, Toiletries Drive and Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarships, or to support one or more of our current service-learning clubs from Placerville to Folsom.
Serrano magazine: Can you please share more about the community engagement program?
Jennifer Bassett: The Hands4Hope Community Engagement Program introduces youth to hands-on community service. Community engagement outreaches and events are the platform from which youth learn about and engage with their community. Community engagement participation gives youth rich learning experiences that help them develop and deepen their understanding of community issues while providing exposure to populations they may not typically interact with during their day-to-day life.
Community engagement participants make a positive difference by addressing human and community needs firsthand. Through these experiences, youth can find their passion and voice, often recruiting fellow students and friends to join their efforts. Once youth understand the power they have and the impact they can make on another’s life, they are more likely to continue to be socially responsible, acting in their own way or as part of a group, and they have the skills and knowledge to be civic-minded.
Hands4Hope provides multiple community engagement opportunities on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. Many of the
events are designed based on community needs; therefore, new events are being created and added to the Hands4Hope calendar of events quite often.
As far as youth feedback about the event …
The nonprofit’s youth and adult leaders also are excited about this unique event and the work they do in the communities they serve. “I am thrilled to see how the Nashville Live fundraiser will benefit the Hands4Hope programs in Folsom, especially in this upcoming school year with all our different projects and much more!” says Hands4Hope Youth Board member Mia George.
Hands4Hope adult mentor Shirley Maier agrees: “It’s very rewarding doing something for others and finding your niche. There is something for everyone. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or an executive, everyone has some skill to offer and can find their place. Make a difference in our community and get to know our incredible youth!”
And, finally: Named as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 4, the Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference youth leadership team uses its strong and passionate voice to take action on issues that are important to them, while also managing community service projects, promoting school-based clubs and participating in other leadership opportunities.*
We at Serrano magazine and Parker Development Company couldn’t agree more with this nomination. We are honored that Hands4Hope chose our region to provide countless youth-led hours of community service, and we couldn’t be prouder of their selflessness these past 15 years. Keep up the great work!
*Hands4HopeYouth.org
ack Sweeney has an impressive résumé. A lifelong El Dorado County resident, he’s held public office, helped put the county on the map as a wine region, built a successful surveying business and had a hand in making El Dorado County a thriving place to call home. But the most important thing to him is family.
“I’ve been blessed to have such an incredible family,” Sweeney says. “Together, my parents had nine siblings, so my family gatherings were huge and frequent. I think the importance of family is something that gets left out of modern life too much.” His passion for family is easy to understand; he can trace his family’s history in El Dorado County back to 1854. His ancestors settled on what’s known today as Greenstone Country, owning more than 1,500 acres of ranch property that over the years produced peaches and pears and supported sheep and cattle.
Sweeney managed the property until his family sold it in 1979. That experience gave him a love for the county’s agricultural industry, while his parents also instilled a desire for public service.
“My great-grandfather was a justice of the peace in Georgetown, and my dad was the county recorder for 40 years,” Sweeney says. “I grew up in a family that did a lot of public service.”
Sweeney also went on to hold office on the county board of education and served four and a half terms on the county board of supervisors, with a 10-year gap after the first two. Among his many contributions to the county as a supervisor, he’s very proud of the work he did to help draft a wine ordinance. That ordinance helped the county go from two wineries to more than 60 today and still serves as a model for counties across the nation.
It was contributions like that, as well as his boundless support for the county’s agricultural interests, that led the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce to honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual Agriculture Roundtable Dinner last May.
“That award was a big surprise, and it really meant a lot to me,” Sweeney says. “Here I am a guy that hasn’t held public office in more than a decade, and they still remembered me.”
Throughout the time he was serving in public office, he was also running his own surveying business, Sweeney Land Surveying, which his son Dallas now manages. It’s likely that in that job, he covered every inch of El Dorado County in one way or another. He
even surveyed his own family’s former property at Greenstone, ultimately going on to design the subdivision that’s there today and even to complete the first three units.
Asked if it was emotionally difficult for him to see the family land sold, and then to personally do the work to build new homes on it, Sweeney minces no words: Not at all.
“There’s a saying in the ranching business: ‘If you want to make a million dollars in ranching, start with 2 million,’” he says. “There was never a lot of money in it for our family, and when all our pear trees died one year, the writing was on the wall. The family got a really great offer from a developer to sell the land in 1979, and they took it.”
Even so, the decision to sell the land was about much more than money. The family also saw an opportunity to share their land, in the area they loved, with other families who could make Greenstone their home. More than 360 families have built homes and made a life in Greenstone today, and Sweeney couldn’t be happier about it.
“With so many people growing their own fruit trees and vegetable gardens in the community today, that property is probably more productive now than it ever was under our management,” he says with a laugh.
In that same spirit, he also offers praise for other developers in El Dorado County who have made it possible for people to live there without, as he puts it, “living in the woods.”
“I really appreciate what companies like Parker Development Company and others have done to help people live in El Dorado County and make it their home,” Sweeney says. “It’s a really wonderful place to live.”
Now, at 85 years old, Sweeney is starting to think about what’s next. He’s got a few more big surveying projects on his desk, and he really hopes to see plans for a commercialindustrial project on Missouri Flat Road come to fruition so folks don’t have to drive all the way to Sacramento to get the things they need. While he’s not ready to stop working entirely, he is hoping to do some travel— particularly around Italy and the Mediterranean—and he is excited to start documenting his family history. Most of all, though, he’s eager to spend more time with friends.
“My friends are also my family. I see how most of them are enjoying retirement life, and I get a little jealous,” he says. “I don’t want to just sit still, but when I see my friends enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the middle of the day, I do have to ask myself, ‘Why am I still working?’”
his past July, Parker Development Company released “Village M,” a collection of 38 new lots at the top of the hill on Serrano’s northeast end. They are large lots, averaging around three-quarters of an acre, but what really makes them special are the views.
“The views from these lots are spectacular,” says Pat Seide, a real estate agent with the Pat Seide Group. “There are views of Folsom Lake; there are views of the greenbelt and open space; there are views of Serrano’s golf course; … and the sunrises and sunsets are indescribably beautiful.”
The new lots cover one full street and a cul-de-sac and are readymade for custom homes, with all the infrastructure and utilities already in place. All a builder needs to start construction are county and HOA approvals and a building permit. The lots’ location at the top of the hill, in an area where there is not likely to be any through traffic, also promises the neighborhood will be quiet and peaceful. As a result, expectations are that the lots will go fast.
“We sold our first lots back in
by Bill Romanelli1995, and now, 26 years later, I can say these are probably some of the nicest custom lots we’ve ever developed,” says Jim Parker, vice president of Parker Development Company.
The large lot sizes make Village M unique, but even within the village, there are a few special lots along the eastern property line that are as large as 5 acres. As part of the development agreement, Parker designed these lots to be 4 to 5 acres in size, in keeping with the design of a neighboring development.
“These lots are also very buildable,” says Lisa Paragary with the Paragary Miller Real Estate Team. “Most have very little slope, and there’s plenty of room to work with, whether you want to be up high on the hillside to get the views or lower down in the greenbelt for added privacy.”
The bittersweet news is that this latest release is likely to be the last batch of custom lots in Serrano as the master-planned community enters its final stages and approaches build-out.
“I don’t know if it was a strategic plan to save these lots as ‘the best
for last’ or not, but they are really special,” says Jon Yoffie with the Yoffie Real Estate Group. “There’s a creek running through the terrain, incredible wildlife and lovely wooded areas. There’s a little bit of everything you could want in scenery and a peaceful, quiet and friendly community.”
That concept, community, is yet one more powerful selling point. New buyers will enjoy all the amenities that make Serrano special, including the par-72 championship golf course that has hosted two U.S. presidents, the 17 miles of walking and riding trails, and the Serrano Country Club, which has become the gem of the community.
Prices for the 4-to-5-acre lots start around $1.25 million, while other Village M properties are listed for between $535,000 and $775,000.
More information on the new lots is available from any of the agents representing Parker Development Company: the Pat Seide Group, (916) 933-1155; Paragary Miller Real Estate Team, (916) 247-1303; or Yoffie Real Estate Group, (916) 941-6566.
A plot of land at Marshall’s Cancer Center in Cameron Park is being turned into a healing garden to encourage a sense of calm for patients and visitors. Marshall staff and volunteers are helping design, build and plant the garden. Shown here are Debi Harlow, Secretary, Marshall Foundation for Community Health Board of Trustees; Siri Nelson, President and CEO, Marshall Medical Center; Megan Buchanan, Cancer Program Coordinator/ Department Lead, Marshall Medical Center; Leeann Hadgis, Vice President of Ambulatory Clinical Operations, Marshall Medical Center; and Tanya Moran, Philanthropy Operations Coordinator, Marshall Foundation for Community Health.
When Wendy Goossen established Images of Hope as a nonprofit organization 12 years ago, she was confident that classes in the healing arts would provide a supportive outlet to cancer patients. At the time, she was director of Marshall Medical Center’s Cancer Center, which made her acutely aware of the challenges that accompany diagnosis.
“Along with cancer treatments, there are physical and emotional paths to healing,” says Goossen, president of Images of Hope. “Gathering together to create art with people on similar journeys can be very calming. It allows people to open up and communicate in a supportive environment.
“The classes are not about becoming an artist. They’re about freeing creativity,” Goossen says, adding that the program has been expanded to include anyone who’s been affected by trauma.
The Images of Hope roster of free classes includes art therapy, photography, knitting, sewing, yoga, meditation and Pilates.
“Synergy Pilates is so much more than an exercise class,” a participant wrote in a note to Goossen. “It’s about healing and dealing with my new reality.
“Cancer sucks, but I know that I can deal with it now and live my life instead of feeling overcome and out of control,” she wrote, referring to her Pilates instructor as “an essential lifeline offering love, acceptance, support and encouragement.”
Images of Hope presents events throughout the year that help raise funds for classes and elevate awareness of the importance of early cancer detection.
This October, the group will work with the community for the 10th year to present Pink in the Night. Placerville’s Main Street and the front of Marshall Hospital are lit with pink lights each year to highlight the value of breast, colon and prostate cancer screenings.
Local artists donate their talents for Images of Hope fundraisers, which include an online auction for quilts in September and displays of colorful posters along Main Street each summer during the annual Banners on Parade program.
Christa Campbell, a longtime board member for Images of Hope and owner of Rainbow Orchards in Apple Hill, hosts the annual Garden Party in the Orchard on her ranch as an annual fundraiser.
Considering the nonprofit’s future, Goossen is dreaming big, hoping someday to have a building where classes and resources are offered under one roof.
Besides having access to outstanding care close to home at the Marshall Cancer Center in Cameron Park, cancer patients living on El Dorado County’s western slope have several local services available to support them on their health care journey.
Images of Hope presents events throughout the year to elevate awareness of the importance of early cancer detection and raise funds for art classes. Local artists donate quilts for an online auction and colorful banners that are sold at the annual Garden Party at Rainbow Orchards. In October, Images of Hope works with Placerville’s Main Street merchants to light storefronts and the bell tower with pink lights, calling attention to the value of cancer screenings.
Valued partnerships with local organizations
— Siri Nelson, Marshall Medical Center’s president
Images of Hope is just one of the many local outreach services supported by the Marshall Foundation for Community Health.
“Cancer care and prevention is a key service area for Marshall Medical Center,” says Mindy Danovaro, executive director of the Marshall Foundation.
“Our board members are passionate about getting cancer patients in our community the care they need locally,” says Danovaro. “It can be very di cult for patients and caregivers to have to leave the county for treatments like infusions.”
For example, the Marshall Foundation o ers local transportation and lodging support for patients in need of treatments at the Marshall Cancer Center. e lodging fund was gifted by the American Cancer Society.
“Volunteers pick up patients and bring them to the Marshall Cancer Center for treatment. Given El Dorado’s sheer geography and rural nature, this is a critical service for many,” says Danovaro.
A community care network managed by the foundation helps ensure that patients with chronic illnesses receive care and support safely at home. e foundation’s community health library, located adjacent to the Marshall Cancer Center, is open to everyone.
By the end of this year, the foundation will place nishing touches on a new healing garden at the Marshall Cancer Center.
“Patients will be able to enjoy the garden’s beauty both outdoors and indoors looking out the center’s windows,” Danovaro says.
“It’s designed to spark the senses with plants like lavender and butter y bushes. It’s one way we maintain a healing environment for our patients, physically and mentally,” she adds.
e garden was designed, built and planted by community members, sta and former patients using funds donated by the community.
“ e community has really supported our patients on their journey,” says Danovaro.
Tying all this support together is the Marshall Cancer Center, a UC Davis Health a liate located in Cameron Park. It o ers specialized physicians and a broad range of services—an infusion center, a pharmacy, and laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, along with nutrition resources, social services and mental health support—all under one roof.
e center is a member of the nationally renowned UC Davis Cancer Care Network, o ering access to UC Davis specialists who can collaborate with Marshall doctors on comprehensive cancer treatment plans for their patients. Marshall patients have access to clinical trials, novel therapies and new approaches to their health care, expertly and conveniently delivered in their own community.
“Marshall’s vision is to provide a truly comprehensive approach to treating those in our community a ected by cancer,” says Siri Nelson, Marshall Medical Center’s president and CEO.
“We seek to address all aspects of the clinical and emotional cancer journey, providing new-patient orientations and navigator consultation services, psychosocial and nutritional screenings, transportation, gas vouchers and wigs. Valued partnerships with local organizations like Images of Hope’s art therapy program further enhance our services, promoting healing, comfort and well-being.”
Marshall Medical Center is establishing a new outpost just off U.S. Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills to meet the needs of the growing community. Marshall’s new medical building is anticipated to open in the winter of 2024-25.
Located in the former Blue Shield building off Latrobe Road and El Dorado Hills Boulevard across from the El Dorado Hills Town Center, the 49,000-square-foot, two-story space will offer Marshall patients living in the western part of El Dorado County convenient access to several specialties.
Medical services expected to be offered at the new facility include family medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, physical therapy, and laboratory services. These services are currently available at Marshall’s existing El Dorado Hills clinic and will be relocated to the new location.
Community leaders from the El Dorado Hills area are serving on Marshall’s El Dorado Hills health care advisory committee, providing Marshall with input on the types of additional services and the delivery of care needed in the community.
“We are thrilled to announce Marshall’s expansion in El Dorado Hills as we seek to meet the current and future needs of this vibrant and growing community,” says Siri Nelson, Marshall Medical Center’s president and CEO. “This project will be something truly special, strategically growing our long-standing presence in the area and underscoring our commitment to the health and well-being of its residents.”
Michael H. Turner, CEO and managing partner of ProEquity Asset Management, which acquired the property from Blue Shield, says, “The partners at ProEquity could not be more excited to see Marshall Medical become a premier part of The Ridge at Town Center West. We greatly admire Marshall’s commitment to providing exceptional health care and dedication to promoting high-quality medical services. We are excited to work together toward a future of providing El Dorado Hills with a balance of services, employment and quality of life.”
like Images of Hope’s art therapy program further enhance our services, promoting healing, comfort and well-being.”
The El Dorado Hills restaurant scene is constantly in flux, with exciting new arrivals and heartbreaking departures, along with some signature bastions of familiarity. One such constant is the multiple iterations of The Mimosa House, the brainchild of the Dedier family. With a plethora of choices (the menu runs a whopping seven pages long), this staple offers unlimited breakfast and brunch options.
The newest Dedier family restaurant venture is a sharp turn from their established chain of eateries. Situated in the El Dorado Hills Town Center, Vacanza Romana is a passion project, helmed by chef Devin Dedier, son of restaurateur Louis Dedier, and conceived of by both as a heartfelt ode to Italian cuisine.
Formerly home to Stick House Asian Fusion and Mongo Bar, also owned by the Dedier family, the site was temporarily shuttered, remodeled and rebranded as an upscale Italian eatery. “We opened Stick House at the beginning of the pandemic,” says Dedier, “so the timing was all wrong. My father and I felt we needed an Italian restaurant in that space. If it didn’t work out, we thought we’d still have a place to go on Sundays after the brunch rush at Mimosa House.”
Dedier went to Italy to learn to cook classic Italian fare. “I went to Rome and then Florence and Naples to experience the cuisine firsthand and work in local kitchens,” says Dedier. “We wanted our menu to have a unique balance of Italian American, like chicken parm and meatballs and such, as well as classic Italian.” The menu changes with the seasons, keeping the dishes simple and fresh. “Our goal is to acknowledge and credit the local farms and purveyors,” he adds.
With an emphasis on locally sourced and hyperseasonal ingredients, the menu ranges from the familiar house-made pastas, such as rigatoni and fettuccine Alfredo, to mains that include grilled octopus, pan-seared duck and rack of lamb. “We want to step into the unknown and do something that we have not tried before,” Dedier says.
“Basically, I was born into the restaurant business,” says Dedier. “I started as a dishwasher, then a busser, then server and front of the house, eventually graduating to be a line cook, and finally in charge of the kitchen.” Originally planning to go into the hotel industry, Dedier focused his passion for hospitality on the family business and has not looked back. “Although for a while, it was a little intimidating to work with chefs who have had culinary training, I used the opportunity to learn and push through.
“Our goal is to create an upscale yet family-oriented and comfortable atmosphere. We rethemed our service standard. My mother helped us with style and ambiance, making the space more welcoming and comfortable,” Dedier notes. The goal is to create an environment that is welcoming for celebrating milestones as well as just celebrating the joys of everyday living with Italian flair.
Vacanza Romana, despite having been open for only a couple of months, is already experiencing remarkable success. Well booked in advance, and with rave reviews, the restaurant already has a loyal fan base. “When we review our weekly reservation lists, the return rate is insane. We have customers coming in several times a month. We want everyone to feel like part of our family,” Dedier says. Sounds like a perfect recipe for success.
by DR. ED MANANSALA, EL DORADO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
PHOTOGRAPHY
As the new school year begins, I would like to share valuable insights to help you support your children’s journey toward a successful academic year. By fostering a goal-oriented mindset, prioritizing compassion and nurturing social-emotional well-being, we can create an environment where our children thrive academically, emotionally and personally.
Setting goals is a powerful way to motivate and inspire our children. Empowering them helps them identify their aspirations for the year ahead and assists them in setting achievable yet challenging goals. Remember to make goals speci c, measurable, attainable, relevant and timebound (SMART). By helping your child articulate their objectives, you instill a sense of purpose and provide a road map for success.
Encourage children to dream big and believe in their abilities! Emphasize the importance of persistence, hard work and dedication in achieving goals, while also helping them divide their goals into smaller, manageable tasks. By taking one step at a time, they can develop a sense of accomplishment and maintain motivation. Acknowledge their progress and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement boosts con dence and encourages perseverance.
Compassion is a fundamental value that nurtures resilience, empathy and well-being. By modeling compassion and cultivating an environment of understanding, we create a supportive space for our children to thrive.
Encourage open communication, allowing children to express their thoughts, concerns and emotions freely. Listen actively, without judgment, and respond with empathy. Validating their feelings will help them develop emotional intelligence and build trust. Help them develop empathy by encouraging them to consider others’ perspectives and feelings. Engage in conversations about compassion, inclusivity and supporting one another. Additionally, instill a growth mindset by teaching your child or children that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth. Encourage them to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks and view failures as stepping stones toward success.
Social and emotional well-being is paramount for our children’s happiness and academic success. Here are essential strategies for prioritizing their mental health: Teach your children the importance of self-care activities, such as regular exercise, healthy eating and sufficient sleep.
Promote hobbies, creative outlets, and relaxation to help recharge and reduce stress.
Encourage them to develop positive relationships with peers, teachers and mentors. Strong connections foster a sense of belonging, support and emotional stability. Children learn by observing, so demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms such as problem-solving, stress management and self-reflection. Show them it’s OK to prioritize their mental well-being.
As we embark on this exciting academic year together in El Dorado County, let us remember that success is not defined solely by grades or achievements. It encompasses personal growth, resilience and emotional intelligence. With your unconditional support and love, we can create an environment where every child flourishes.
By taking action today, you can watch your children thrive as they set and achieve their goals, embrace compassion, and prioritize their social-emotional well-being. Wishing you and your children a remarkable year filled with growth, learning and boundless opportunities!
What do rock climbing and gardening have in common? They require strong hands, which was why Marjorie was unable to enjoy either while battling severe carpal tunnel. Fortunately, she chose the experts at UC Davis Health. And following a flawless hand surgery, Marjorie was back to pursuing her passions and reaching new physical heights within weeks.
Visit us online to read Marjorie’s full story.
CHOOSE THE CARE THAT CHANGES YOUR STORY.
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