Mountain Democrat, Friday, January 27, 2023

Celebrate 175

Yusuf pleads not guilty

The man El Dorado County sheriff’s narcotics detectives suspect dealt a fatal dose of fentanyl pleaded not guilty Wednesday in El Dorado County Superior Court.

Kamaal Yusuf faces a second-degree murder charge in the 2022 death of a Shingle Springs woman.

The 22-year-old was taken into custody by law enforcement at his parent’s home in Elk Grove’s Lakeside community Monday. Yusuf faced a different charge filed by Yolo County law enforcement shortly after the woman’s overdose and was arrested then, according to information from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Following that arrest, DA officials report a safe was found which held thousands of pills containing fentanyl and cocaine as well as a rifle and identification belonging to Yusuf.

Yusuf’s private attorney Patrick Hanly asked for conditions to be set that would allow for his client’s release while awaiting trial. Hanly

n See Yusuf page A9

Cogeneration project gains some steam

Noel Stack Managing editor

A proposal to build a biomass cogeneration facility at the Sierra Pacific Industries former sawmill site in Camino will get a closer look.

Tuesday the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to fund a phase 1 fatal flaw analysis for the project. Funding for the $15,000 contract with TSS Consultants comes from Transient Occupancy Tax revenue.

“It is great to see the initial feasibility of the biomass site in Camino moving forward,” District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas said before the vote.

In a letter to the county, SPI officials state they are “willing to negotiate the possibility of selling or leasing 10 to 15 acres or more of our industrial/ agricultural properties in the Camino area.” Two potential sites are on the south side of Carson Road and one sits on the north. It’s unknown at this time how much the county could pay for the land and where the funding would come from.

Since October 2021 Environmental Management Director Greg Stanton has led a biomass facility working group to get the project off the ground.

If constructed, the biomass cogeneration facility

n See Cogeneration, page A7

Photos by Laurie Edwards

A docent playing the role of Henry Bigler, above, gives his first-hand account of gold discovery Saturday at Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. Not only did Bigler witness James Marshall’s discovery at Sutter’s Mill 175 years ago but he recorded it in his diary, which helped historians settle a dispute regarding the date Marshall made his historical find. Everett Bice, 13, swishes water around his pan hoping that the gold flakes will drop to the bottom, left photo.

OBITUARIES

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Samuel Lee Norris

Mar. 2, 1992 – Jan. 8, 2023

Samuel Lee Norris, 30, born on Mar 2, 1992, in Carmichael, Calif., passed away on Jan 8, at his home in Diamond Springs, Calif. Samuel was a unique man who sought for peace and happiness. Samuel embraced a true relationship with Jesus Christ his savior and friend who knew his heart. He was a talented and credentialed Merchant Mariner. Samuel’s gentle soul and joyful spirit will be dearly missed. He is survived by his fiance, Amanda Hammond, Mother, Toni Scheu, Father, Daniel Norris, Step-father, Robert Scheu, Sisters, Sarah Norris and Rebekah Scheu, and aunts, uncles, cousins, step-family, and numerous friends.

Barbara L. Cook

Barbara L. Cook of Cameron Park, in El Dorado County California, died peacefully

Tuesday

January 3, at the age of 91. She is survived by her two children Ken Cook and Denise Cook, sister Shirley Pillow, grandchild Ryan Nutting with great grandchild Henry. She lives on in the hearts of her many family members and friends.

Barbara moved to El Dorado County in 1950 and had many accomplishments throughout her busy career that included working at Inter County Title Co, El Dorado High School, and Clerk to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. She was a Real Estate Broker working with the Developer of Cameron Park Dorado Estates, and later with the formation of Cook & Cook Realtors. She was involved in many activities with the El Dorado Association of Realtors holding the record for most consecutive years of membership in their Top Achievers Club. Barbara loved Cameron Park, and was very active with Cameron Park Country Club. She will be missed.

A private family memorial service was held at the Green Valley Mortuary with Reverend Larry George.

Mary C. Howe

Oct. 7, 1920 – Jan 13, 2023

Mary Catherine Burke Howe journeyed to her heavenly home on Friday January 13, at the age of 102. She was born in Inishdooras, Connenara County, Galway, Ireland on October 7, 1920.

In 1942 she graduated from nursing school and served as a nurse at a hospital near London, England until 1945 when she moved to the United States and settled in Camino, Calif. After the death of her husband in July of 1999 and her son in October of 2001 she moved to Millerstown, Pa to be closer to her daughter and then to Newport, Pa in 2015.

She was preceded in death by both her parents Patrick Burke and Mary Sarsfield Burke, two sisters, Anne, Teresa, three brothers Michael Kevin, Patrick and Joseph. Her husband Williard Howe, son James Howe and grandson Anthony Sharar.

Mary is survived by two daughters Anne Allen and Patricia Sharar (husband James Sharar), seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday January 18 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in New Bloomfield, Pa. She will be buried at a later date at El Dorado Cemetery, Diamond Springs, Calif. beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers donate to Newport Ambulance League, 50 South 3rd Street, Newport, Pa. 17074

Arrangements by the David Myers Funeral Home, Newport.

Ruthie M Loeffelbein

Dec. 7, 1943 – Dec. 18, 2022

Ruth Marie Rumbolz was born on Dec. 7, 1943 in the hospital across the street from her family’s home in Delano, Calif. She loved to climb their big backyard mulberry tree which her father pruned. She attended local schools, graduating from Delano High School in 1961.

Ruthie went to UOP where she made a group of lifelong college friends and reconnected with her childhood friend Dori, including a semester of student teaching in Durango, Mexico. After receiving her 1965 BA in Education, she taught 6th grade at Birch Lane School in Davis for 2 years, making more lifelong friends.

Ruthie married a young pharmacist, Charles “Derf” Loe elbein, at Delano Methodist Church on Dec. 17, 1966. They honeymooned at South Rim Grand Canyon, and lived in various rentals before finally buying a house in Sacramento, where Derf was employed at Mercy General Hospital. While pregnant with their first child, she attended library courses at Sacramento State. They were going to have two children and adopt a third, but the adoption didn’t work out.

Ruthie & Derf built several houses as ownerbuilders, including their first house in Shingle Springs, circa 1971, while living on-site in a 10x50 ft trailer. In 1978, they built their first passive solar home on 10 acres in north Shingle Springs, while living with their 2 kids & 2 dogs in a 10 or 12 ft travel trailer. They also helped build Derf’s parents’ house, a straw-bale house with their daughter in Oregon, and their own straw-bale house in Placerville.

Ruthie took her family on many wonderful camping trips throughout the west with friends, and went on many family whitewater rafting trips, being shuttle driver countless times between put-in and take-out. Later, Ruthie traveled extensively with Derf by train.

Ruthie enjoyed living lightly on the earth, shopping at second-hand stores and other small local businesses, buying organic and local, and gradually becoming vegetarian, then vegan. She got her first electric car in 1992, and took the train for long distances instead of flying or driving.

Ruthie worked briefly for the Post O ce, and teaching adults to read; she served for a few years on the County Civil Service Commission.

Ruthie was active with many community organizations in El Dorado County, including the Women’s Center; environmental groups like EPIC, Friends of the River, Green Party, Earth Day; Federated Church, the Peace Community, Round Table on Human Rights, PFLAG, and forming the Placerville Food Co-op. Ruthie loved to sing with others, and sang for many years with the People’s Freedom Choir. She was an avid reader, and appreciator of people, colors, and textures in the world around her. She said, “I believe in life, and I believe in love.”

She is survived by her husband Derf and sister Roberta in Placerville, her son Dan in Stockton, her daughter Greta in Oregon, and many extended family members and friends. She is, and will be, missed.

Gifts in Ruthie’s memory may be made to Snowline Hospice, or to The Center For ViolenceFree Relationships [thecenternow.org]. A celebration of her life will be held on Feb. 18 at 1 pm at the Corker Building at the Fairgrounds. Please RSVP to gloe @riseup.net

Irene Goleski

July 16, 1939 – Jan. 1, 2023

Irene was born in Erie, PA but raised in San Francisco, attending high school and college there. She had lived in El Dorado County for 26 years. For more than 25 years she worked in general banking at the former Crocker Bank and in Human Resources at Wells Fargo Bank, both in San Francisco.

She is survived by Charlotte Higgins, her wife/life partner of almost 50 years; her sister Pam Arends; brother Jack Cook; nieces Venessa Scott, Tanya Cook-Riley, and Sonja Solorio; and nephew Aron Arends.

Irene was an avid world traveler, successful entrepreneur, fisherman and a beloved friend and a mentor to many young women and men. She was a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants.

There will be a memorial service Saturday February 4 at 11 a.m. at Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation directly to Snowline Hospice or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Nila Jo Long (Mrs. Long)

June 26, 1939 – Nov. 15, 2022

On November 15 , Nila Jo Long, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away. She was eighty-three years old. Born in Jonesboro, Ark. and grew up in Truman, Ark. Nila moved to central California with her loving husband, Rodney Dale Long, and two children, in the spring of 1975 they moved to Grizzly Flats, Calif.

She is survived by her son, Randy Long; her grandchildren, Jessica Munoz and Rodney Long; and her many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Rodney Dale Long and by her daughter Sandra Jean Long.

Nila loved to travel with her husband. They loved to camp, shot in archery tournaments, and display their handmade wood carvings in art shows together.

Nila worked as a teachers aid at Pioneer Elementary School. She loved her career, and she was dedicated to helping students in need. If any student was in need of anything, such as a winter coat, she made sure they had one. One of her main roles was helping students with special needs. She worked for Pioneer school for many years, as well as volunteering for multiple years after her retirement.

She spent all her free time with her family. Nila went above and beyond to make sure her family was happy and comfortable. Her door was always open for anyone who needed care. Nila was a devoted Baptist Christian and taught her family the love of Jesus Christ.

She spread warmth and comfort to those around her with her kindness and infectious smile, so please join us for a celebration of life, where we will remember Nila Long for her patients, kindness, and generosity. The service will be held on February 16 at Green Valley Community Church, Placerville at 1 P.M.

In remembrance of Nila’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Richard “Dick” Y. Kerr

Jun. 21, 1931 – Dec. 20, 2022

Dick was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Baptist minister Howard Kerr and Mary Kerr. He attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., and then enlisted in the US Navy. Rising to Lt. Commander rank, he served actively for eight years and then settled in California as a reservist for a total of 20 years with his first wife, Lesta.

After the Navy, Dick became a schoolteacher, then a high school counselor, with Concord’s Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and finally retired in 1992 as vice principal of its Adult Education division. After he and Lesta divorced, he met and married Betsy Ehlers, a Special Education teacher in the school district.

Upon retirement, they moved to Placerville and found property with a renovated studio in order to care for Betsy’s first husband, Jack, who had developed dementia and bipolar disorder. Jack died in 2003.

Dick and Betsy were active with the United Democrats and enjoyed years of square-dancing with the Placerville Apple Jacks and Jills. They took a nine-month RV tour of the U.S. in 2001, and finished visiting all 50 states and capitals in 2004. Since Betsy’s daughter, Alison, was lead vocalist on Princess Cruises, they enjoyed accompanying her on cruises to Japan, Australia, UK, Italy, Greece, and Israel.

After their 2-story house on an acre became too much to handle, Dick and Betsy moved to a smaller home in Placerville’s Eskaton Village in 2016, situated on a canyon facing a beautiful western sunset. There, Dick contentedly watched golf and his beloved 49ers football team on TV with his cat, Dolly, on his lap until he became fatigued and decided to finally close his eyes in farewell.

Dick was well-known and well-admired for his sweetness and kindness, and his compassionate care for others. He was adored by those who knew him.

Dick is survived by his wife, Betsy, his sister, Linda Boswell, his brother, Ken, his two children, Douglas Kerr and Deborah Brasel, grandchildren Jason Brasel, Joshua Brasel and Janet Smith and six great-grandchildren. His second family consisted of daughters Robin Callan (Sean), and Alison Ehlers (Phil Roberson).

A Celebration of Life will be held in January. Dick’s ashes will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.

Camino SChool DiStriCt Questions remain as board names new leader

Odin Rasco Staff writer

During Tuesday’s special board of trustees meeting for the Camino Union Elementary School District it was announced that “pending successful employment agreement negotiations” the board would consider having Laurisa Stuart step in as interim superintendent for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year. Stuart, the district’s administrative designee, would fill the vacancy left by the surprise resignation of Patricia Horn Dec. 20. With parents, staff and community

members of Camino school asking for any answers regarding Horn’s sudden departure, the board released employment documents and meeting agenda minutes pertaining to Horn in accordance with a public records act request. The documents show that four months into her three-year employment contract, an addendum signed by Horn and the board changed the term to a single year. The addendum states that the add-on to the contract was put in place rather than a termination of Horn’s n See SuperintenDent page A7

Go behind the scenes with the Sheriff’s Office

News release

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy is now taking applications for enrollment.

The academy aims to familiarize El Dorado County residents with different aspects of law enforcement and the role the Sheriff’s Office plays within the community.

In 16 weeks of classes, participants go behind the scenes and get hands-on experience that engages and educates. The weekly classroom setting builds momentum as participants meet various instructors and the course eventually ends with an opportunity to

play the role of these everyday heroes.

Those enrolled in the Citizens’ Academy also get an opportunity to take a ride-a-long with a deputy and an in-depth tour of both the Sheriff’s Office headquarters and the Placerville jail. The academy is free and enrollment is limited. Two academies will be offered in 2023; the first begins March 22 and the fall start date is Aug. 9.

Classes are held Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m.

For more information or to apply to attend go to tinyurl.com/78vkunma or call or email Det. Sean Fitzgerald at (530) 621-5714 or fitzgers@edso.org.

50%

Storms tell California to upgrade its plumbing

The rain and snow storms that pummeled California for weeks have taken nearly two dozen lives and caused billions of dollars in damages to public and private property.

The flip side, however, is that they dropped immense amounts of water on a state that has suffered through severe drought for several years. At one point this month, an astonishing 160,000 cubic feet of water — 1.2 million gallons — was flowing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta every second. That’s enough water to fill a reservoir the size of Folsom Lake, about 1 million acre-feet, in three days and doesn’t count water falling on other regions, such as Southern California.

Letters to the Editor

Letter to Larry Weitzman

EDITOR:

how can you expect them to be “knowledgeable about local government” as she stated for a requirement of employment?

Several speakers did address The Gang on this issue.

One stated, “County leader’s salaries were astronomical when compared to the county’s median income.” Another said, “Money doesn’t equal the best employee.”

Summary

Whether the storms have ended the drought, however, depends on California’s ability to capture enough water to fill its badly depleted reservoirs and at least begin to recharge underground aquifers that have been terribly over-drafted by desperate farmers.

So far, only a relatively tiny amount of the immense storm runoff has found its way into storage. For instance, just a trickle of the Delta’s heavy flows has been pumped into state and federal aqueducts for delivery to the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, largely because of rules that limit diversions to protect endangered species such as the 2-inch-long Delta smelt.

San Joaquin Valley legislators have beseeched President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom to relax rules so more runoff can be either delivered to farmers or placed in storage, such as the San Luis Reservoir, which is now less than half-full.

“This is no time to be dialing back the pumps,” state Sen. Melissa Hurtado and Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, both Democrats from Bakersfield, told Newsom in a letter. “After several years of drought and low reservoir levels, it only makes sense to capitalize on wet conditions.”

“We have a moral obligation to provide Californians any relief that is within our control,” five Republican congressional members told Biden and Newsom. “Government regulations should not and must not deny our constituents critical water

Guest Column

Larry, I liked your past coverage of local government. At the federal level, not so much. There are a lot of issues when it comes to county government that seem to have been forgotten — road maintenance, for example. More specifically, I’d like to see an update on the Austin lawsuit against the county. Perhaps I missed it but, to my knowledge, a resolution has never been reported. Let us know what happened.

BILL MOSACK Placerville

They know not what they do

EDITOR:

On the front page of the Mountain Democrat Jan. 6 we have an article about the Gang of Five, less the new member, voting to give the new chief administrative officer, whoever he/she could be, a 10% raise. According to the article, the CAO’s monthly salary range at step 1 is $19,250 to $23,400 the top. The raise would be an additional $2,400 a month added to, in my opinion, an overreach above an existing six-figure salary for a government official in this county.

At a time when we have seniors barely getting by — not eating to pay for electricity or rent — this shows no common sense, care or compassion by the Gang of Five, less one. The lady voted no because she did not have enough information on the subject. I extend my gratitude for her action.

So now let’s read some of the rhetoric put forth. Please hold laughing or swearing until the end.

John Hidahl, supervisor District 1, said, “If we could find somebody that’s Darth Vader’s (current CAO Don Ashton who will be leaving in a few months with a nice six-figure retirement) clone.”

This, in my opinion, is not a qualification to hire anybody anytime. I believe common sense, care and compassion as well as integrity with earned respect by all are the qualifications to be considered.

A high salary is not a sign of “the best and brightest” nor is it a “conundrum” as the Queen of Hearts states in the article.

And it’s not a “challenging balancing act.” In my opinion, the action does not “recognize all of the challenges that we are dealing with at this county level.” If you hire someone from out of the county,

In my opinion, these comments should have driven the nail home; however, with great forethought (oops, what was I thinking?), The Gang went ahead with the scripted plan and approved a 10% pay raise instead.

BRIAN DeBERRY Placerville

Adoption is a wonderful option

EDITOR:

Adoption in an amazing option to the quandary of abortion. In this day and age there are so many programs and services to help a woman going through the crisis or the surprise of an unplanned pregnancy. Across the nation there are hundreds of pregnancy help centers and services that are free and available to anyone going through a difficult pregnancy with many challenges and needs. They offer compassionate pregnancy education, childbirth classes, information on housing, etc. Fifty years ago a pregnant young woman couldn’t finish high school or college but now she can.

If a pregnant woman decides to place her baby for adoption she can choose who she wants to place her baby with. Many adoptions are open, meaning there is contact between the birth mother and the adoptive family. This is an arrangement the birth mother can choose. Adoption is a wonderful blessing with both parties involved. It’s a wonderful choice of sacrificial love for the baby and both families. There are so many families on the waitlist to adopt a baby because they can’t have a baby naturally — and many would love to adopt more that one. There are so many who would love to adopt that there are really no unwanted babies. Adoption is a wonderful (alternative) to abortion ... to give a life, not take a life. So choose life; your mother did.

CLAIRE & JEFF WINGER Somerset

Challenging the recycling religion is blasphemous

For decades we’ve been told: recycle!

“If we’re not using recycled paper, we’re cutting down more trees,” says Lynn Hoffman, co-president of Eureka Recycling.

Recycling paper (or cardboard) does save trees. Recycling aluminum does save energy. That’s about it.

The ugly truth is that many “recyclables” sent to recycling plants are never recycled. The worst is plastic.

Even Greenpeace now says, “Plastic recycling is a dead-end street.”

Hoffman often trucks it to a landfill.

Years ago, science writer John Tierney wrote a New York Times Magazine story, “Recycling Is Garbage.” It set a Times record for hate mail.

But what he wrote was true.

“It’s even more true today,” says Tierney. “Recycling is an industry that uses increasingly expensive labor to

produce materials that are worth less and less.”

It would be smarter to just dump our garbage in landfills.

People think landfills are horrible polluters. But they’re not. Regulations (occasionally, government regulations are actually useful) make sure today’s landfills have protective barriers so they don’t leak.

Eventually, landfills are turned into good things: ski hills, parks and golf courses.

But aren’t we running out of landfill space? For years alarmist media said we were. But that’s not true.

In 1987 media gave lots of publicity to a garbage barge that traveled thousands of miles trying and failing to find a place to dump its load.

But that barge wasn’t rejected because there was a lack of room. States turned the barge away after hysterical media suggested it contained “infectious waste.” The

Environmental Protection Agency later found it was normal garbage.

Landfills have plenty of room for that. In fact, America has more space than we will ever need. Sometimes states and businesses even compete to get our garbage.

“If you think of the United States as a football field,” says Tierney, “all the garbage that we will generate in the next 1,000 years would fit inside a tiny fraction of the 1-inch line.”

Putting garbage in landfills is often much cheaper than recycling. My town would save $340 million a year if it just stopped recycling.

But they won’t, “because people demand it,” says Tierney. “It’s a sacrament of the green religion.”

The religion’s commandments are complex. New York City orders me to: “Place recyclables at the curb between 4 p.m. and midnight ... Rinse plastic containers ... Separate paper from plastic, metal and glass.” Paper must be tied “with twine into bundles no taller than 18 inches” and so on.

“That’s one reason recycling fails,” says Tierney. “It’s so complicated; people never learn the rules.”

Worse, some recycling is pointless or harmful.

“If you rinse a plastic bottle in hot water,” Tierney points out, “the net result is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than if you threw it in the garbage.”

Since most plastic can’t be recycled, what’s the environmentalists’ solution now?

“Stop producing it,” says Greenpeace’s John Hocevar.

Lots of environmental groups now want to ban plastic.

That’s just silly. Plastic is useful. Using it often creates fewer emissions than its alternatives. Plastic bags create fewer than paper bags. A metal straw has to be used 150 times before it creates less pollution than a plastic straw.

Environmental groups rarely mention that or how they misled us about recycling year after year.

“It’s appalling that after telling people for three decades to recycle, they don’t even apologize for all the time and money that they wasted,”

n See StoSSel, page A5

John SToSSEL

A series of storms has dumped immense amounts of water on California, but the state needs some new plumbing to take advantage of such events and counteract the effects of drought.

n See WalterS, page A5

DAn WALTErS

GDPUD Finance Committee looking to fill four vacancies

News

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving the community through an appointment to its Finance Committee.

The primary role of the Finance Committee is to assist the board in the review of financial information of the district and make recommendations to the

board for actions related to the district’s finances and budgeting. No special training is needed to serve on the committee; a general knowledge of public agency budgeting is helpful but not required.

The committee, an advisory body, reports to the GDPUD Board of Directors and meets the last Thursday of each month — more often if needed, or as requested by the board. The committee is comprised of no

Stossel Continued from A4

complains Tierney. “Instead, they have a proposal (banning plastic) that will make life even worse.”

Plastic is not evil. Recycling is no climate savior. When Los Angeles mandated it, they added 400 big noisy garbage trucks.

That creates lots of pollution.

But environmentalists still demand we do things like pick through our trash, switch from plastic to paper bags that rip. California even banned small plastic shampoo bottles.

less than three and no more than seven members with rotating two–year terms. There are currently four vacancies.

Interested parties are asked to submit a letter of interest including qualifications by emailing General Manager Nicholas Schneider at gm@ gd-pud.org. A résumé is optional. At this time there is no deadline for submitting a letter of interest.

“Some of these rules are just so arbitrary and silly,” complains Tierney. “It’s simply a way for greens and for some politicians to pretend that they’re saving the planet.”

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, John Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

6

Walters

A4 from these storms.”

State water officials, however, say their hands are tied by environmental protection rules requiring that initial winter flows be allowed to flush out the Delta and San Francisco Bay.

What’s been happening, or not happening, during the weeks-long deluge indicates that California needs some new plumbing to take advantage of the periodic “atmospheric rivers” that bring immense amounts of precipitation.

Meteorologists believe that due to global climate change, the state will experience more erratic weather — prolonged periods of drought interrupted by occasional storm events such as the ones California has been experiencing.

That means we need more storage, such as the Sites Reservoir on the west side of the Sacramento Valley that’s been in the planning stage for several decades and sinking basins to recharge aquifers. The long-dormant, $4 billion Sites project now has the ardent support of state and federal officials, as well as some serious money.

The relatively meager diversions from the Delta now allowed by law, meanwhile, bolster the case for the “Delta Conveyance,” which would allow more water to be diverted into the state and federal aqueducts, and thus into downstate reservoirs, without running afoul of environmental restrictions. The project has kicked around for six decades, first as a “peripheral canal,” later as twin tunnels dubbed “Water Fix” and now a single tunnel.

California water managers will have another chance to fill reservoirs in a few months, when the immense Sierra snowpack that’s twice the historical average and still growing melts. We can only hope that Mother Nature releases the snowpack’s water slowly enough to avoid destructive floods.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues

and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

Lights out

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

Placerville’s community Christmas tree took a thrashing from strong winds that came with the series of storms that passed over the region earlier this month. Some of the coastal redwood’s branches appear to have broken and strands of torn colored lights could be seen hanging from the tree. City Manager Cleve Morris reported that an arborist will be hired to assess storm impacts and then city officials will discuss options.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

Superintendent Continued from A3 original contract in exchange for her agreement that she “improve her job performance as superintendent/ principal and agrees to adhere to all laws, district policies and regulations and board direction.”

What aspects of Horn’s performance were considered lacking are unclear, with no notation of any concerns in the board minutes. Parents and teachers who spoke at the Jan. 10 board meeting expressed high praise of Horn’s conduct during the time she was working at the school.

Two months after the addendum was signed, a separation agreement was signed, marking Horn’s resignation. An attachment to the separation agreement quotes board president Judy Morris as saying, “The board and Ms. Horn believe this transition is in their respective best interests as well as the best interest of our educational community.” All documents are available for the public at bit.ly/CaminoPRA.

Tuesday’s special board meeting also included time set aside for a presentation on Camino’s budget by Karmen Ortloff, California Teachers

Cogeneration

Association representative. Ortloff attempted to go before the board at the previous meeting but the board stated they were not involved in bargaining and would have to decline unless she kept her presentation to three minutes. Ortloff protested this time limit and during a back and forth between the board and Ortloff, board members Pat Kernan and Bob Van Gilder left the room.

In her presentation Ortloff argued the school was keeping too much money in reserves rather than investing in students and staff; the board provided a statement afterward noting that both the El Dorado County Office of Education and School Services of California reviewed the district’s budget and determined it to be “lawful and appropriate.”

“We desire to have competitive salaries and benefits and simultaneously, we want to ensure that, as a small school district, we budget conservatively and retain sufficient reserves to get us through hard times,” Morris said as she read the board’s statement to those attending Tuesday’s meeting.

Continued from A1

would use waste wood, wood residue and forest debris to produce electricity — a win-win, according to county officials, as thinning and healthy forest projects nearby would provide the fuel needed to provide electricity for residents. The candidate project is a bioenergy market adjusting tariff facility with maximum generation of 5 megawatts, according to county documents.

The consultant is now tasked with:

1. Conducting a high-level forest biomass feedstock supply market analysis to determine forest feedstock availability including timber harvest residuals, forest restoration residuals, sawmill residuals and byproducts from fuels reduction activities. The Feedstock Supply Area for this analysis will be El Dorado County.

2. Conducting a feedstock competition analysis with a focus on commercial-scale facilities currently sourcing feedstocks from the FSA.

3. Reviewing key bioenergy siting

attributes that will define potential fatal flaws for the Camino site including electrical interconnection and distribution capacity, water and sewer availability, land use zoning, regulatory permitting, community support and a potential power purchase agreement.

4. Utilizing findings from Tasks 1, 2 and 3, the consultant will prepare a phase 1 fatal flaw analysis findings report (in executive summary format). The report will include observations regarding the potential to collocate a value-added product yard at Camino and recommendations regarding next steps.

The county’s agreement with TSS Consultants states the consultant has 60 calendar days to complete and submit for review the analysis after receiving a notice to proceed and asks the consultant to conduct two conference calls with the county’s contract administrator to review initial findings prior to delivery of the final report.

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Fears are not facts on which to base ideas about your abilities or worth. The gentle work you’re doing will resolve fear, heal defensiveness and help you gain a greater appreciation of your needs and strengths.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It is a great pleasure of life to surpass where you expected to end up. You will enjoy this pleasure now as you recall your early ideas about what you were capable of and realize how limited and wrong they were.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some of your experiments give you enough information to come to a conclusion and some won’t. Either way, life is more exciting when you try new things, and you’re much further along in your journey of knowledge.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You connect better when you see a bit of yourself in the other person. Arguably, all connection is built on this kind of resonance to some degree. You’ll meet someone new and find a point of relation straight away.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Often you bring out the best in people and they you. But if the chemistry goes another way and people bring out the worst in each other, it’s dramatic, though not necessarily bad for personal growth. At least it’s interesting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The road to happiness doesn’t start with wanting to be happy. Wanting itself is in opposition to happiness. The first signs of joy often come with noticing, admiring and the like. Your glad heart fills as your senses do.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It is said that the best leaders are often reluctant to take power. It’s not that you want to be the leader today, but it might be the case that no one else is stepping up so it naturally falls to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are sights that go unseen but that doesn’t mean they didn’t happen. This is what security video and instant replay is for, should you be so lucky. Today it may come down to whether or not you believe the witness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You prefer to live and let live, so it’s hard for you to relate to people who feel the need to control the expression of others. Whether people agree or disagree with you, it says more about them than you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It will not be enough to read part of the situation. Get the whole story from every person’s point of view. Illumination will happen little by little. It will be so satisfying when this all comes together.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Let nothing dampen your enthusiasm for possibilities hovering on the horizon, even if you seem to be the only one seeing them. It’s better to spend your time working on your passion than discussing or defending it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If only there was always time to think about the best way to react and practice it until it’s smooth. Alas, you never know what the day or the conversation will bring. Your reactions reveal humanity. That’s better than being cool.

Mountain Democrat photos by Krysten Kellum

Kiley urges postmaster to investigate ‘what went wrong’ in South Lake Tahoe

Ashleigh Goodwin Tahoe Daily Tribune

The U.S. Postal Service’s problems in South Lake Tahoe grabbed the attention of Congressman Kevin Kiley, who has asked the postmaster general to take immediate steps to get mail delivered and investigate why many residents have had no delivery for severals weeks.

Kiley (R-Rocklin), who serves California’s 3rd District that includes Lake Tahoe, on Jan. 17 emailed a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, sharing his “serious” concerns after constituents called his office to complain about “unacceptably poor levels of service.” He also said it “appears there was a failure of basic planning, which led to what some are calling a collapse in basic services.”

Kiley asks the postmaster to investigate “what went so wrong.”

Kiley visited the Al Tahoe Post Office Jan. 18 and spoke with people waiting in line.

“Indeed, service has declined to the point where constituents report they are not receiving mail at all — even when visiting the post office in person,” Kiley states in the letter. “At a time when many rely on the postal service to deliver essentials, including prescription drugs and other vital necessities, I don’t have to tell you how critical dependable mail delivery is to public — especially for those who face economic hardship or who are elderly, sick, infirm or

have difficulty traveling to the post office.”

Lake Tahoe has been pounded by the series of storms that started in December and many times roads have been too impacted to deliver, but there have also been windows in the weather when roads are clear but mail still hasn’t been delivered.

With residents complaining, the U.S. Postal Service officials told those impacted in a press release heading into the Jan. 14 weekend that postal workers would offer special pick-ups for customers through the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday on that following Monday. The “special pick-ups” turned out to be not so special with residents waiting in line for

more than two hours and still not receiving all their mail.

“I made my third trip to the post office today. They had four people at the counter instead of two and I was in line at 7:45 a.m. and left with mail at 9:30,” wrote South Lake Tahoe resident Judy Johnson in an email to the Tahoe Daily Tribune. “One package, two still missing. I can’t get a refund on the two not delivered because they show they are ‘out for delivery’ by the post office.

I’m leaving the country on Saturday for two months so I’ll have to try to sort it out upon my return. I should mention I spent over three hours in line on my two previous trips. Unacceptable.”

A Forest Avenue resident

who asked to remain anonymous told the Tribune, “I have not received mail since Christmas and a package, only once. If you host a pick-up event, that’s saying, ‘If you want your mail, you have to come get it. We’re not going to deliver it.’”

When it comes to road conditions in South Lake Tahoe, City Manager Joe Irvin said that despite prolonged storms there hasn’t been an emergency call within the city that first responders were unable to successfully respond to.

U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Kristina Uppal told the Tribune that winter weather was the primary reason for delays in

delivery. Postal operations in South Lake Tahoe have also reportedly been paralyzed by understaffing.

“We have acquired several 4×4 vehicles to help our carriers deliver in these rough conditions,” Uppal said. “Additionally, assistance from outside the local area has come to help since the onset of the weather and we are requesting more assistance to help us deliver and aid in package pick-ups at our main post office. The winter storms have caused the shutdown of major freeways, which did impact the travel from outside the local area to reach the facility.”

Delivery resumed in the south Meyers, North and South Upper Truckee neighborhoods and mail is no longer being held at the post office, Postal Service officials reported Wednesday.

Carriers across the Tahoe Basin, including Incline Village, South Lake Tahoe, and Truckee continue to make every effort to deliver to every address, a news release states. Mail pick-ups for remaining impacted locations will continue to be offered during regular retail hours. Regular mail delivery will resume to those delivery routes as conditions improve.

“The Postal Service apologizes for any inconvenience customers may experience and we remain committed to delivering to our communities daily with a dedicated focus on the safety of our employees,” concludes the release.

resisting arrest on Cactus Court in Cameron Park. She was released on $3,000 bail.

8:57 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported at a condo complex on Valley View Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

10:02 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) on Clark Street in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.

11:42 p.m. Battery was reported on Estepa Drive in Cameron Park.

Jan. 9

2:22 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 56-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

5:58 a.m. Burglary was reported at an office on Amber Trail in Pollock Pines.

7:12 a.m. Burglary was reported at a school on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park.

8:42 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Highway 49 in Cool.

in Georgetown. He was listed in custody in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Jan. 10

3 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of DUI, possession of a controlled and other offenses on Durock Road in Shingle Springs. He was released on $11,500 bail.

12:54 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Lotus Road in Placerville.

1:23 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Boles Road in Shingle Springs.

1:29 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed dirk/dagger and resisting arrest on Knollwood Court in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $80,000 bail.

4:08 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Bass Lake Road in Rescue.

5:25 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

7:06 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of vandalism on Francisco Drive in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $50,500 bail.

7:58 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Colombia Circle in El Dorado Hills.

9:59 p.m. Battery was reported on French Creek Road in Shingle Springs.

10:33 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Shingle Springs.

11:26 p.m. Battery was reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

Jan. 8

12:18 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Service Drive in Diamond Springs.

8:09 a.m. Burglary was reported at the post office on Deer Valley Road in Rescue.

8:12 a.m . Burglary was reported on Chasen Drive in Cameron Park.

3:38 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Brentford Way in El Dorado Hills.

3:58 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Carson Road in Placerville. He was later released.

4:51 p.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

6:55 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old woman suspected of trespassing and

8:43 a.m. Burglary was reported on Pony Express trail in Camino.

8:43 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Crystal Boulevard in El Dorado.

8:44 a.m. Grand theft was reported on North Street in El Dorado.

8:45 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Mormon Immigrant Trail in Pollock Pines,

8:45 a.m. Burglary was reported on Hacienda Road in Cameron Park.

1:48 p.m. Vandalism was reported on the bike tail in Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

1:54 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Serene Drive in Greenwood.

2:57 pm. Vandalism was reported on Huckleberry Road at Echo Lake.

4:08 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Lotus Road in Placerville.

8:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 38-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license on Highway 49 in Diamond Springs. He was later released.

9:03 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of DUI and misdemeanor child abuse on Lotus Road in Placerville. She was released on $15,000 bail.

9:36 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of felony assault, vandalism, attempted burglary and probation violations on Georgia Slide Road

Jan. 11

12:29 a.m. Battery was reported at store on Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines.

7:05 a.m. Burglary was reported at a storage facility on Chuckwagon Way in Placerville.

8:20 a.m. Burglary was reported on Chapin Road in Placerville.

9:10 a.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Pony Express Trail in Camino.

10:45 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 20-year-old man suspected of DUI on Pleasant Valley Road in Placerville. He was released on $90,000 bail.

1:58 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old man suspected of vandalism and possession of a stun gun. Arrest location not specified. He was released on $40,000 bail

3:24 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 55-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance for sale on Highway 50 at Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody.

11:52 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia and a probation violation on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

Jan. 12

Shingle Springs.

10:17 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a self-storage facility on Latrobe Road

a 36-year-old man suspected of possession of narcotics on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. He was released on $10,000 bail.

5:51 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Business Drive in Shingle Springs.

7:03 a.m. Grand theft was reported on White Oak Road in Rescue.

a.m. Burglary was reported at a school on Pine Street in Pollock Pines.

1:31 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a business on Venture Road in Placerville.

2:22 p.m. Burglary was reported on Woodstock Lane in Diamond Springs.

1:35 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Green Valley Road in Placerville.

4:51 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a storage facility on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs.

6:53 p.m. Burglary was reported on Marble Ridge Road in El Dorado Hills. Jan. 13

7:27 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Hillwood Drive in

4:47 p.m. Illegal entry was reported on Pony Express Trail in Camino.

11:16 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 76-year-old man suspected of DUI, hit-and-run causing property damage and driving the wrong way on a divided highway on Highway 50 east of Ridgeway Drive. He was later released.

Jan. 14

3:37 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of DUI on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $7,500 bail.

Jan. 15

5:24 a.m. Deputies booked into

jail a 27-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia as well as a probation violation on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. He was released on $6,000 bail.

6:12 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 52-year-old man suspected of DUI on Gresham Drive in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

8:47 a.m. Burglary was reported at an eatery on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

11:27 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Union Mine Road in El Dorado.

3:40 p.m. Battery was reported on Headington Road in Placerville.

4:56 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

5:19 p.m. Deputies cited a person reportedly drunk in public on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

5:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance and marijuana for sale as well as unlawful drug paraphernalia on Coach Lane in Cameron Park. She was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.

8:16 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old woman suspected of driving without a license on Broadway in Placerville. She was released on $25,000 bail.

11:16 p.m. Battery was reported on Heath Court in Pollock Pines.

Jan. 16

11 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of identity theft on Robin Lane in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

12:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Oro Loma Drive in Placerville. She was later released on $7,500 bail.

10:22 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 23-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Manchester Drive in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

11:13 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old man suspected of DUI on Hancock Road in Garden Valley. He was later released on $3,500 bail.

Jan. 17

12:50 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of grand theft and

driving on a suspended license on South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. She was listed in custody in lieu of $26,500 bail.

10:57 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Highway 50 in Camino.

11:02 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 72-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs. He was later released.

11:35 a.m. Illegal entry was reported at a mobile home park on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

2:31 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Kruk Trail in Placerville,

5:12 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 52-year-old man suspected of DUI on Ray Lawyer Drive in Placerville. He was later released.

6:46 p.m. Battery was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Shingle Springs.

6:53 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

contended the nature of the case was nonviolent, that Yusuf showed no history that would indicate him to be a flight risk and Yusuf’s mother was willing to act as custodian.

Lawyers from the DA’s Office disagreed, arguing that Yusuf had recently been charged for domestic violence toward his girlfriend and

a 28-year-old man suspected of battery and a probation violation on Lydia Lane in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Jan. 18

had once fled police in a high-speed pursuit while pedestrians were nearby. Superior Court Judge Michael McLaughlin, who appeared remotely in the court via Zoom, ruled Yusuf would be held without bail. Yusuf’s preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 21 in Department 7.

Yusuf Continued from A1

Voctave

In the KNOW

Stellar student

Congratulations to Omar Godinez Quinones of El Dorado Hills, a 2024 computer science major who made the fall 2022 Monmouth College Dean’s List.

Jan. 27

Sierra Community Access

Television will televise on Comcast Channel 2 two in-depth videos featuring Sheriff John D’Agostini’s final days as the leader of law enforcement in El Dorado County. Tune in at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28, to see a fascinating interview as Sheriff D’Agostini shares his history, perspectives and wisdom. At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, sit back to view the heartfelt tribute bestowed on him from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, incoming Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, former Supervisor Brian Veerkamp and Congressman Tom McClintock. Both videos may also be viewed in tandem at 10:30 p.m. each evening.

Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville presents “Inherit the Wind,” Jan. 27 through Feb. 19. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

For a concert titled “Black Voices,” the Warp Trio will perform music by Samuel Coleridge Taylor written in the late 19th century; Harry Burleigh, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk from the first half of the 20th century; and Jessie Montgomery from 2014, interspersed with recitations of writings by Langston Hughes, Ntozake Shange and Maya Angelou at 12:05 p.m. in the Ann E. Pitzer Center recital hall in Davis. For more information visit arts.ucdavis.edu.

The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents We Banjo 3 at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Jan. 28

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Cole Crop Vegetables, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville. Master Gardeners will teach you how to grow these healthy veggies and Master Food Preservers will teach you how to prepare, preserve and enjoy these yummy veggies. Seating for this class is limited so register for class at ucanr.edu/ cole_crops.

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville hosts a swap meet, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

El Dorado County

'Art for the People' showcases the every day struggles of life

News release

The Crocker Art Museum hosts the exhibition Art for the People: WPA Era Paintings from the Dijkstra Collection, on view Jan. 29 through May 7.

Drawn from the Collection of Sandra and Bram Dijkstra, Art for the People focuses on representational painting created in the years between the American stock market crash of 1929 and World War II. During this era, which led to and included the government-sponsored Works Progress Administration of the 1930s and early 1940s, many American artists created scenes that represented the country and its people and sought to produce art that expressed fundamental human concerns and basic democratic principles.

This more encompassing look at WPA-era art features paintings from the East, Midwest and West, with a strong representation of work by Californians, who have often been omitted from the narrative. Names for the art of this period have ranged from Regionalism and American Scene Painting to Social Realism and American Expressionism. Regardless of the label, what these works had in common was each artist’s desire to make their work accessible (and hence meaningful) to the general public.

In creating a “people’s art,” these artists used familiar themes, easily readable stories, and, occasionally, nostalgia to make their points and much imagery of the period focused on the people themselves — especially laborers, the poor and the disenfranchised — along with their activities, their rural and urban environments, contemporary modes of transportation and other subjects close at hand. Their cause was advanced by federally funded arts projects that also championed these goals and, at the same time, effectively made artists “workers” themselves. By extension, the artists became visual spokespeople for other types of laborers trying to survive during such difficult times.

The exhibition begins with examples of art from the 1920s, as a modernist visual language of protest emerged and concludes with paintings from the war years, when the focus on representation came to be subverted — and denigrated — by means of an equally politically motivated visual language that sought to privilege abstraction over recognizable content. Art for the People aims to

encourage viewers to see works from this period in a more expansive way and to celebrate artists from varied backgrounds and locales, with diverse world views and artistic goals, who have often been overlooked. The exhibition seeks also to position these artists’ work through an historical lens (rather than the cynical, and often anti-representational, modernist eye of the postwar era) and, by doing so, celebrate not just the artists’ aesthetic accomplishments but the humanity of their intentions.

In the Midwest, these paintings often documented rapidly passing ways of life and the changing landscape. Often anti-urban, anti-modern and escapist, some of the imagery ignored the effects of the Depression and the Dust Bowl, indulging instead in a nostalgia for earlier, better times. And yet, painters broadly designated as Regionalists also participated in an “anti-American Gothic” sentiment as well.

Artists of the East Coast, by contrast, most often called “Social Realists” or, sometimes, “Urban Expressionists,” documented a different experience, one more deeply committed to principles of social justice. Distrustful of the nationalism promoted by the Regionalists, they made art that was deeply humanist and featured the plight of the poor and persecuted in the hope of creating change.

In the West, many of the WPA-era artists were based in California. Here, the beauty of the landscape, which had long inspired transcendental ideals, mitigated the pessimism felt by their East Coast colleagues, though even in this environment artists sought subjects that departed from the previous generation’s idyllic representation of the land. Their work ranged from country farms set amid rolling green hills, to beachgoers on holiday, to socially critical scenes of downtrodden workers in the city. Like their colleagues in other regions, their focus was anything but unified, evidencing regional differences in terms of subject matter and politics that, when looked at broadly, provide us with a greater understanding of what constituted American art at this pivotal time.

Art for the People is accompanied by a fully illustrated hardcover catalogue with essays by Susan M. Anderson, Henry Adams and Scott A. Shields. The exhibition was organized by the Crocker Art Museum, the Oceanside Museum of Art and The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. The show, which will be presented differently at each of these California venues, will be on view at Oceanside June 24 to Nov. 5 and at The Huntington in San Marino

“Coal Miner and Family,” 1938, by Harry Sternberg (American, 1904-2001), oil on panel, from the collection of Sandra and Bram Dijkstra.

“Hooverville on East Tenth Street,” circa 1934, by Louis Ribak (American, born Lithuania (now Belarus), 1902-1980), oil on canvas, from the collection of Sandra and Bram Djikstra.

n See CroCker, page B7

El Dorado County Fair

Horse Arena & Arena Open Ride

Hours of “Open Ride”

(when not closed for a special event)

Sunday & Monday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm**

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday & Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm**

**Check with office for possible availability.

Purchase

Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm at the Fair Office.

(530) 621-5860

https://eldoradocountyfair.org/openride.html For open ride application.

Sweets for your Sweetheart!

Candied Bacon Rose Bouquet Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Box of Sweet Sweet Love Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake

Place Order By 2/8 for Valentine’s Day (530) 903-3158 or sweetpairings@gmail.com

681 Main Street, Unit L3, Placerville (in the Marshall Lab building) • M–F 7am–4pm • Sat 9am–4pm sweetpairingsbakery.com • 530-903-3158

Maggie’s House Cleaning

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Licensed Insured

Young artist stays true to self

Julie Samrick

Special to the Mountain Democrat

Sophie Yoder is just getting started making music full time. The El Dorado Hills resident’s single “girlfriend” dropped in October 2022, spotlighting the 2021 Oak Ridge High School graduate on a larger stage.

Describing her musical style as “sad-girl pop,” Yoder, 19, turned to a producer to create the song’s instrumentals, while she sings and wrote the lyrics to the soaring and heartfelt “girlfriend” herself.

“The lyrics are all my own,” she explained. “They come from my own experiences and I want to stay true to that. Being authentic is important to me.”

“‘Girlfriend’ is about a specific relationship with someone I was friends with for a long time and it turned into more, but they weren’t going to call me their girlfriend,” Yoder continued. “The song is a reflection on the dating scene now; it’s hard to find someone who wants to be in a committed relationship.”

Yoder’s musical roots formed locally. She and her family moved to El Dorado County when she was 5 years old. She attended Blue Oak Elementary School and then Camerado Springs Middle School. She credits Marble Valley Academy for helping her find her love for performing the latter part of middle school. As a member of the school’s Performing Groups for Youth, “Marble Valley is where my creativity and love of music was nurtured,” Yoder explained.

Yoder jumped into El Dorado Musical Theater and then the Oak Ridge Theater program in ninth grade. In 2019 Yoder starred as Sandy in

Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s 2023 Fair Saturday, February 4th, 10am – 1 pm

the school’s production of “Grease.” She was set to perform in “The Odd Couple” when the COVID pandemic hit mere days before live shows were set to open. “I struggled with depression, especially after COVID,” Yoder said. She turned to music as her outlet. She taught herself to play piano, guitar and “a little” ukulele, discovering that music is her greatest passion in life. “Live performances are like fuel … It’s when I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” she shared.

Yoder counts Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams among her musical influences and she also gets inspired by attending other artists’ live shows. Locally Yoder has performed at El Dorado Hills Community Services District events and at the Town Center Thursday night concert series. Does she ever get nervous? “I get nervous every single time,” she offered. “It’s way easier to play a character, but playing on my own is nerve-wracking, but also very freeing. I’ve realized it doesn’t have to be perfect; audiences know that … There’s a magic to live performances.”

Would she like more gigs? “Yes, but I want to do it the real way. I want more of my own songs,” Yoder said. “I don’t want to be the cover band. I want to be the opener and eventually be the main act.”

Where would she like to see herself, say five to 10 years from now? “I will always write my own songs. It’s very raw and real when I’m writing,” she explained. “To have people listen to what I write and find solace in it, my dream has already been achieved.”

With an EP on the way, Sophie Yoder’s music is on all music streaming platforms. Follow her on Instagram at sophie.yoder.

Event Location: Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 S Shingle Rd, Shingle Springs

Come see what we do at Sierra Wildlife Rescue!

What do we mean when we say “Rescue, Rehab and Release?”

You’re invited! Come learn about Sierra Wildlife Rescue and how our local wildlife gets rescued, rehabilitated, and released! You’ll get to meet our ambassador’s Lionel and Whisper too! We also have plenty of volunteer opportunities you can check out.

- Receptionist

- Hotline volunteer

- Office administrative help

- Cage building & maintenance

- Bird & animal rehabbing

- Baby bird nursery

- Grant writing - IT/Web services - Publicity planning

- Event planning

All our team members the work with the various species will be there to answer any questions you may have They love to share their knowledge and years of experience about this fun and exciting non -profit organization.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s 2023 schedule of classes will be available too!

(530) 621-4661

sierrawidliferescue.org

www.facebook.com/SierraWildlifeRescue

Photo by Hayden Bliss

El Dorado Hills musician Sophie Yoder has found her passion in music and performing.

“I will always write my own songs. It’s very raw and real when I’m writing.”

— Sophie Yoder

Trail film featured as benefit for museum

News release

AUBURN — The Auburn State Theatre will present a special showing of the documentary, “They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail,” Sunday, Jan. 29. The film’s co-producer, Kate Riordan, is a resident of Garden Valley. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. for a meet-and-greet session followed by the film at 2 p.m. The showing is a benefit for the new Western States Trail Museum (wstrailmuseum.org), slated to open in Auburn in 2024. The documentary will be followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by a panel of Western States Trail experts, including Tevis Cup and Haggin Cup winner Hal Hall. The theater is located at 985 Lincoln Way in Auburn. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or online at AuburnStateTheatre.org.

As a bonus for movie-goers, signups will be available for walks and hikes along the Western States Trail. An Auburn State Recreation Area representative will guide the groups on areas found along this historical route. An opportunity to sign up includes the following:

• Quarry Trail — Sunday, Feb. 5, wheelchair and stroller friendly, dogs on leashes welcome

• Canyon Creek and “The Black Hole” — Friday, Feb. 24, easy to moderate terrain

• The Home Stretch — Saturday, March 11, moderate, challenging, hilly, dogs on leases welcome

“They Crossed the Mountains” spans the recorded life of the Western States Trail, a trans-Sierra

route stretching from Carson City, Nev. to Auburn. The trail is one of only a few east-west Sierra Nevada Mountains trail routes that remains largely untouched by development and, for the most part, remains much like what early-day users would have recognized.

Known history of the Western States Trail begins with accounts of Native American Washoe and Maidu tribes that used portions of the trail as a hunting and trading route. Earliest-known European to see Lake Tahoe, “Pathfinder” John Fremont, is featured in the film, as well as Gold Rush towns with names like Last Chance, Deadwood, Murderers Bar. The “rediscovery” of the trail, after fading from view after the Gold Rush, was captained by Robert Montgomery Watson, the last constable of Tahoe City. Clips from the 1931 silent film showing Watson and a group of Auburn men marking the trail intersperse the documentary.

No mention of the Western States Trail would be complete without reference to the world-renowned Tevis Cup Ride, founded in 1955 and heralded as the beginning of international endurance riding, and the Western States Endurance Run, founded in 1974 and known as the famous and popular world’s oldest 100-mile, ultra trail race.

“They Crossed the Mountains” documentary includes interviews of historians and trail users, little known history, geology, anecdotes and how this Western States Trail evolved from a little-trodden route to a trail that now captures the hearts and dreams of thousands around the world.

Acoustic guitarist comes to the stage

News release

SUTTER CREEK — Beppe Gambetta is a guitarist, vocalist, researcher and composer born in Genova, Italy in 1955 who developed a style of concert presentation that brings American and European Roots to speak together with one voice. In his unique approach, Gambetta blends energetic grooves with passionate melodies, giving new life to sources from different times, periods and places. In addition, the original music he composes gives contemporary influences to traditional roots music.

See the renowned musician live at Sutter Creek Theatre Saturday, Jan. 28.

Gambetta’s unique background is an Italian musician in love with both American roots music as well as the music of his native country, his playing

n See Gambetta, page B4

Photo by Bill Gore

A courageous pair, guided by rider John Crandell, conquer Cougar Rock on the Western States Trail, a portion of which runs through El Dorado County.

Photo by Michael Schlüter

Musician Beppe Gambetta brings contemporary influences to traditional roots music. See him perform in Sutter Creek this Saturday.

Wander through Wonderland

News release

FOLSOM — “Alice in Wonderland” brings its magic to Sutter Street Theatre, opening Saturday, Jan. 28.

Welcome to Wonderland where everything is curiouser and curiouser! Follow Alice down the rabbit hole in this exciting adventure full of strange and fantastic characters. As Alice makes her way through the Tulgey Wood, she quickly meets characters such as the White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts. So don’t be late! Come join Alice and her friends for a fun-filled journey through Wonderland.

This production of “Alice in Wonderland,” written by Kathryn Schultz Miller, is directed by Mike Jimena. Showtimes are 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 28 through Feb. 26, at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For reservations visit SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 3531001.

Images of Hope becomes keeper of banners program

News release

A recent transition will take Banners on Parade, an art installation in downtown Placerville, into the future and enhance this great community art project for years to come. 2023 begins a new chapter of this wonderful community art project.

Images of Hope El Dorado, which has been a major sponsor of Placerville Art on Parade since 2017, has taken over the nonprofit mantle from Placerville Art on Parade and will have Banners on Parade as one of its main events every year.

This is in addition to Images of Hope El Dorado’s main fundraiser on the first Saturday in June every year (Garden Party in the Orchard) at Rainbow Orchards and

Pink in the Night in October.

In the spring of 2005 Barbara Holmes started what would become Placerville Art on Parade. That project was a citywide, collaborative effort of artists, businesses, organizations, individuals and city government that promotes the arts and tourism in historical Placerville. It was originally sponsored (and for many years) by the Placerville Downtown Association, the city of Placerville and many other organizations and businesses in and around Placerville. Placerville Art on Parade committee members Lisa Crummett and Bill Robinson helped launch the project in 2005.

In that first year, the fledgling committee

decided to start this community art project by honoring John M. Studebaker and his wheelbarrows that he created in Placerville for local miners. The committee had replicas of the first Studebaker wheelbarrows created and gathered 28 local artists to create 3D artwork using those wheelbarrows. The decorated wheelbarrows were displayed on Main Street sidewalks during the summer of 2005.

The next year the committee decided to have local artists design 3D art pieces out of wine barrels to celebrate the long and rich history of winemaking in El Dorado County. These wonderful community art pieces (29 wine barrels) were displayed on Main Street during the summer of 2006.

Looking to do something different for the next year, new committee member Paige Vansickle suggested that Placerville Art on Parade have local artists paint 30-inch by 60-inch canvas banners that would be displayed on the light poles on Main Street in Placerville.

During that first year of Banners on Parade, 27 local artists created banners that were displayed on Main Street during the summer of 2007.

In the following years, 2008-22, Placerville Art on Parade continued the Banners on Parade community art project in Placerville. In addition to the wheelbarrows (28) and the wine barrels (29),

and singing stand out for their intimate emotions, communication, research in tone, sobriety and humor. His music is inspired and modestly avoids relying solely on his high level of technical excellence, but also reveals the innermost feelings of a brilliant, playful mind that is always exploring and innovating while staying firmly rooted in tradition. With America in his heart and his roots in the sun and the olive trees of the Mediterranean sea, Gambetta naturally and seamlessly bridges the shores of the two continents, creating in spite of the interposed ocean a musical “koiné” (fusion) where American root music and Ligurian tradition, emigration songs and folk ballads, steel string guitars and vintage harp guitars not only co-exist but interact, weaving a deep dialog unaware of any rigid classification.

In 2001 Gambetta and his wife Federica Calvino Prina inaugurated Beppe Gambetta Acoustic Nights, a series of annual concerts that bring together different top-notch International musicians each year, planned around a special musical theme. Held each spring at the 1,000-seat

473 banners have been created by local artists, bringing the total number of community art pieces to 530 over the last 18 years.

Robinson became president, Crummett became treasurer, and Vansickle became the secretary for the Placerville Art on Parade Community Art Project. They had the help of many wonderful volunteers on the

committee and others throughout the years. Robinson (a current cabinet member of Images of Hope El Dorado), Crummett and Vansickle will still be involved with the Banners on Parade project for Images of Hope El Dorado during the transition and new folks from Images of Hope El Dorado will also help on the Banners on Parade Committee.

Teatro della Corte in Genova, Italy for three or four consecutive evenings, the performances have established themselves as one of the preeminent events in the European musical scene and are broadcast live by the Italian National Radio.

For his 14th CD (“Where The Wind Blows,” Borealis Records, Canada 2020) Gambetta revealed himself to be not simply a master guitarist but also a new songwriter of great feeling, wisdom and maturity. “Where the Wind Blows” is a collection of songs and tunes all written, arranged and performed by Beppe with the extraordinary collaboration of American bass player Rusty Holloway and percussionist Joe Bonadio. The CD title track “Dove Tia O Vento” was a finalist in the “Best Song” Category at the Italian Awards Premio Tenco 2020.

Sutter Creek Theatre is located at 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the music begins at 7 p.m. Open seating, beer and wine are available at the former silent film theater. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

The Worship Directory runs each Friday in the Mountain Democrat. Call Elizabeth Hansen at 530-344-5028 regarding advertising information and to place your ad.

Gambetta Continued from B1

Photo by Allen Schmeltz

Actors Dave Valpreda, Helena Leverett, Summer Smith, Zane Begley and Ryver Reid, left to right, bring zany characters to life in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Courtesy photo

Since 2007 beautiful banners have brightened Main Street in downtown Placerville.

Replace the missing words in this article.

Can you always get the answer?

Read today’s Kid Scoop page and then work with a family member to see if you can nd the answer to each of these questions.

1.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are peace officers of Canada. They work to keep the people in Canada safe from crime and terrorism.

The RCMP have an unofficial motto that shows their ability to keep people safe. Circle every other letter to find out what that is:

2.

3.

4.

5.

The RCMP wear red jackets and dark riding breeches, tall brown riding boots and a wide-brimmed hat for special occasions. Normally they wear a blue police uniform as seen in this photo.

Hold this page up to a mirror to find out the nickname of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers.

The nickname for the RCMP is the _________________ .

The motto of the RCMP is ________ _________ .

Women were accepted as uniformed o cers of the RCMP in _________ .

On special occasions, the RCMP wear uniforms with ________ jackets.

Three things you can nd on the badge of a RCMP o cer are:

6.

The RCMP have a special badge that includes Canadian images. These include the head of a bison, maple leaves and a crown. Their motto, “Maintiens le droit” is written on the badge. Write the letters found along the correct path through the maze to translate this motto to English.

Caring Community

Look through the newspaper for 10 or more words that make you think of police officers. Use these words to write a poem. Send your poem to the police station to say thank you to the officers who work to keep you safe.

Find

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police was established in 1873 to bring ______ and order to the Canadian ________. The police _____________ at that time all rode horses, that is why they were called the ____________ Police.

In 1923, the RCMP joined with the Dominion Police who took care of the eastern provinces of __________. Even though they are all called “Mounties,” they do not all ride _______ these days.

In 1974, women were first __________ as uniformed officers.

7.

8.

9.

The RCMP were established in the year __________ .

Originally, all members of the RCMP rode _______________ .

RCMP o cers keep people in Canada safe from ___________ .

RCMP o cers today normally wear dark blue police ___________ .

This week’s word: the di erences.

ABILITY

The noun ability means the skill or power to accomplish something.

Try to use the word ability in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Poem of the Month

you just go on with your business soon as it stops snowing pecking the ground for seeds and pebbles drinking snowmelt from leaves positioned in the sun one continuous world you, the snow, the

Local poet coming to winery

News release

Sparrow

warmth, the leaf proffering its cupped sustenance, your beak busy weaving all existence while mindful of flight –the universe is so much bigger than might seem and in the smallest places

Jemi Reis McDonald is a California native, lifelong writer, 22-year Soto Zen Buddhist practitioner, decades-long wife, mother, new grandmother and enduring friend. And despite many human errors along the way, she counts her continuing endeavor to purify her own heart and her collaboration with unending change as her hardest, wisest and most valuable of individual accomplishments.

Poetry of the Sierra Foothills welcomes Dave Boles to Chateau Davell Winery for a special event.

Boles has worked as a publisher, writer and designer since 1982. Founder of the alternative literary and visual magazine, Primal Urge, he went on to develop Cold River Press in the early 1990s to further promote regional writers and artists. His press and focus eventually grew to international levels of publishing with the anthologies “Voices” and “Quiet Room.” He has published, designed, edited and written numerous books, magazines, articles, ads and periodicals. His publications, graphic design and artwork have won him acclaim in 40-year career.

Boles is also a lifelong gear head and speed freak, customizing cars, trucks and motorcycles. He is also a devoted collector of tattoos.

Growing up in El Dorado County, Boles lives in Northern California at his beloved lake house, with his wife, Mrs. America, and

numerous animals, as he chronicles his devotion to Mescalito, a lifelong friend, writing of ancient mysticism through his “Coyote Series,” a four-book series of epic poems that detail Coyote’s wisdom of the ages. The event begins at 2 p.m. at Chateau Davell, 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, Camino. For more

call (530) 644-2016.

Adopt A Pet Adopt A Pet

Courtesy photo

Dave Boles will share some of his poetry during a special event in Camino Sunday.

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DOVEY (A150972)

Museums launch contemporary African art program

News release

SAN FRANCISCO —

Lhola Amira: Facing the Future launches the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s new African art program, foregrounding the permanent collection as a site of exploration for the evolving nature of African arts and their meanings today.

Helmed by Natasha Becker, inaugural curator of African art, the program features contemporary artists whose work draws on and engages the artistic and cultural traditions of Africa. First to present, Lhola Amira (b. 1984, Gugulethu, South Africa) embodies South African Nguni spiritual practices, emphasizing the power of remembering ancestors.

“Natasha Becker has designed a program that is timely and relevant in its approach, interpreting the Fine Arts Museums’ collection of African art as a body of aesthetic practices that are very much alive in the work of contemporary artists from the African continent and throughout the diaspora,” remarked

Thomas P. Campbell, director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “In Lhola Amira: Facing the Future, visitors will be able to trace the trajectory of ancestor veneration from the 19th- and 20th-century figures in our permanent collection galleries

to the new artwork that Lhola Amira has created specifically for the space.”

The artist’s first solo exhibition in the United States, Facing the Future brings together Amira’s new “Philisa: Zinza Mphefumlo Wami” — or portal for spiritual reflection and connection — and a single-channel video projection exploring indigenous forms of healing within the African diaspora, “IRMANDADE: The Shape of Water in Pindorama” (20182020). Created in response to the permanent collection’s ancestor sculptures, Amira’s “Philisa” installation or “constellation”

“Zinza Mphefumlo

Wami” invites viewers to “be at rest with spirit.” Designed to be accessible to all, this portal for remembrance and resurrection pairs beaded curtains with a ceremonial salt bowl for cleansing, golden pillars with candlelight and water pitchers for channeling and song to help invoke ancestral energies. The many ways in which African artworks convey the sacredness of life is explored further in the permanent collection’s ancestor figures, objects for communication with the divine and masquerades that animate and revere previous generations.

“IRMANDADE” follows Amira’s journey through Bahia,

Brazil. A work of “appearance” rather than “performance,” the film is the artist’s response to the woundedness of water, land and generations of descendants of enslaved peoples throughout the diaspora. Amira engages with the site-specific geographic, political and socioeconomic conditions of place. The ceremonial foot washing of AfroBrazilian women in “IRMANDADE” gestures toward healing through ancestral wisdom and is itself an act of profound recognition of diasporic connections.

“To heal ourselves,” said the artist, “is to heal our ancestors, too.”

“I invited Lhola Amira to be the first artist to participate in our contemporary African art program because of the urgency of their call to reclaim indigenous wisdom and healing practices as a way to address the psychological, spiritual and environmental wounds so prevalent in our world today,” noted Becker.

The new African art program is the latest initiative by the Fine Arts Museums to present the work of living artists in dialogue with the permanent collections, as has been the practice of its Contemporary art program over the past six years. With a newly designed temporary exhibition

gallery leading to the permanent collection, the African art program will continue to bring artists who are deeply engaged with African art, culture and society to the Fine Arts Museums to amplify the vitality of the African art collection.

About the museums

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco oversee the de Young museum, located in Golden Gate Park, and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. It is the largest public arts institution in San Francisco and one of the most visited arts institutions in the United States. For more information visit famsf.org.

Dec. 2, 2023, to March 18, 2024.

Events & programs

• Curator in Conversation: Art in Times of Crisis –Saturday, Feb. 4

• Art Boot Camp: Portraiture – Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 7-23

• How to Paint Skin Tone – Tuesdays, Feb. 28 and March 7

• The Official Rogue Book Club: “The Muralist: A Novel” by Barbara Shapiro – Thursday, March 2

• Senior Studio: Introduction to Drawing –Wednesdays and Thursdays, March 8-16

• ArtMix: MOVEments – Thursday, March 9

Also coming to the Crocker

A Graphic Art: German Expressionist Prints from the McNay Art Museum and the Bronston Collection, Feb. 5 through May 7 — Amidst the political and social upheaval at the beginning of the 20th century, German and Austrian artists turned to stark, almost brutal imagery to create a new kind of art. Figural distortion, flattened perspective and straightforward technique served to express their feelings and thoughts in visual form. Ranging from perceptive self-portraits to biting social critiques, this exhibition explores the subjects and styles of Expressionist artists, including Max Beckmann, Georg Grosz and Käthe Kollwitz.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O St., Sacramento. More information about exhibits and programs can be found at crockerart.org.

Crocker Continued from B1

“Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat,” 1921, by Max Beckmann (German, 1884–1950), drypoint, McNay Art Museum, Gift of the Friends of the McNay.

Photo by Jorge Bachman

The Lhola Amira: Facing the Future exhibit runs through Dec. 3 at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Photo by Randy Dodson / Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Divination Bowl, Yoruba, Osogbo, southwestern Nigeria, early 20th century, wood. Museum purchase, Phyllis C. Wattis Fund.