The Gold Mine, Friday, February 16, 2024

Gold Mine

The

February 16, 2024

Israel Valencia

Business Spotlight:

COIN GIV

“The G EAWAY!! ambler”

Tijuana Taqueria See page 6

See Insid e

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To Do Now Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville presents “Rapunzel” through March 3. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

Top activities in the region Feb. 16 El Dorado Musical Theatre presents Disney’s “High School Musical,” Feb. 16-25 at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma presents Abstract Ideas, featuring art by Linda Nunes and Matt Rhoades, Feb. 16 through April 18. In the adjacent Community Art Gallery, art from the Children’s Art Classes at the Folsom Art Center is on display through April 11. For more information call call (916) 461-6601 or visit folsom.ca.us.

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Our business hours are Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm The Gold Mine

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Feb. 17 Battle of the Badges – 911 Chili Cook-Off takes place 4-8 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds (Forni Building), 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit 911chili.org.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “Almost, Maine,” Feb. 17 through March 10. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Feb. 24 The annual Georgetown Rotary Crab Feed takes place at the IOOF Hall in Georgetown. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. It will be reserved seating and tickets will be sold at the Jeepers Jamboree office, 6275 Main St., Georgetown Feb. 17 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets will be available on a first-come basis.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra hosts Crackin’ Crab for Kids at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit bbbsns.org/ events.

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Feb. 25 The second annual Travis Scott Memorial 5k takes place at 9 a.m. on the El Dorado Trail in Camino. Proceeds benefit n See TO DO, page 5

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2006-2013 2015-2022

2012

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FREE ROOF INSPECTION! Identify signs of weakness, deterioration, hazards, or needed repairs.

Inspect exterior for continuity of roof covering; deterioration of fascias, gutters, soffits, and performance of flashings.

Sequoia Roofing & Construction is a general contractor and roofing company based in El Dorado County, servicing the Greater Sacramento and Sierra Nevada Foothills.

Our experience is what sets us apart from the other roofing companies in the area. My name is Rob Williams and I am a third-generation general contractor, specializing in roofing and general construction projects in Northern California for the past 40 years.

We will beat any prices from comparable roof estimates — But NOT skimp on the quality!

Our mission statement is, “All the Security at a Better Price” because we offer the same, elite 50-year warranties as our competition at a savings of 20%. Our professional team is trained to handle any kind of roofing project, including home improvement services. Consider a quote from us before you sign a competitor’s contract!

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ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION 4

The Gold Mine

To Do

Continued from 3

Shatterproof, an organization that helps people suffering from addiction. Register early. For more information contact Lisa Scott at lscott@goldlinebrands.com.

Feb. 28 “Mystic Pizza” comes to at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom, Feb. 28 through March 3. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Feb. 29 The El Dorado Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience hosts a workshop on the Hazardous Vegetation and Defensible Space Ordinance update 6-8 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2505 Country Club Drive. There will be a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. For more information call (530) 621-5569 or email wildfireready@edcgov.us.

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SPOTLIGHT Business

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stackt

Friendly faces greet everyone who walks into Tijuana Taqueria in Placerville, where delicious and fresh Mexican cuisine is served for lunch and dinner.

Q

Tijuana Taqueria

Everything is made fresh using the best uality and authenticity have for the past 24 years helped Tijuana ingredients and while customers wait for their orders, they can snack on warm tortilla chips Taqueria become the go-to Mexican restaurant in Placerville. and Tijuana Taqueria’s house-made salsa, Colorful decor embodying the spirit of which ranges from mild to extra spicy. The restaurant also serves Mexican beer, margarMexico and friendly staff greet all who enter to dine in or take their delicious meals home. itas, horchata and Jarritos to make the meal Israel Valencia’s family bought the Placerville even more authentic. tijuanataqueria.netlify.app eatery two years ago from the previous Valencia said he loves getting to know his owner. His mom had worked there for years customers and meeting new people who and expertly took over the kitchen, elevating come through the door. His goal is to have every customer leave happy ... and full. His efforts have defiTijuana Taqueria’s already spectacular reputation.

“What I hear from the customers is that it’s the best in nitely paid off. town,” Valencia shared.

One review reads, “You have to try this spot, especially if you’re in town from Apple Hill! Huge portions, fair prices, Delicious items available for lunch and dinner include soft tacos, tostada, supreme burrito, flautas, tamales, nachos and delicious food — what’s not to love?”

Valencia said he and his family are grateful for the support quesadillas. Most popular on the menu is the carnitas, which is sold by the pound. they’ve received from the community and those traveling “And I don’t go a day without selling chile relleno and through. “I try to be a friend to them,” he explained. “They are more than a customer to me.” enchiladas,” Valencia added.

6

1762 Broadway, Placerville (530) 622-9517

The Gold Mine

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

STARS AT SCHOOL

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Ethan Pham Oak Ridge High School In the halls of Oak Ridge High School, a shining example of academic excellence and camaraderie is none other than junior Ethan Pham. He recently claimed victory as the overall highest-scoring student at the El Dorado County Academic Decathlon.

Ethan’s journey into the world of academic decathlon began in his freshman year when his computer class teacher, Jeff Hassian, recognized his curiosity and work ethic. His decision to join the team was a pivotal moment in his high school experience. It not only allowed him to showcase his talents across a spectrum of subjects but also fostered a passion for problem-solving, particularly in his favorite discipline, mathematics.

If a student were ◆ interested in becoming a decathlete next year, Ethan would emphasize to the individual that the program isn’t just about memorization but an opportunity to apply diverse skills in a logical and engaging manner. “I would say not to be overwhelmed or afraid because there are so many subjects, but rather just give it a try and start with the subject you’re most interested in,” he shared.

As Oak Ridge High School gears up for the next academic decathlon, Ethan extends a warm invitation to his peers. So, for those high school students who have hesitated or considered joining in the past, Ethan’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of academic decathlon. Unleash your potential, broaden your horizons, and make your mark alongside Ethan and the academic decathlon team next year.

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News release

The National Special Districts Coalition is promoting its third annual scholarship contest for high school students designed to encourage young people to engage with local government to enhance their civics education. The scholarships are designed as awards for a student video contest operated through the coalition’s public awareness campaign — Districts Make The Difference.

High school students in grades nine through 12 are asked to submit a short video (60 seconds or less) that gives a glimpse into the essential services provided by special districts in the United States. There are more than 30,000 special districts in the U.S., and they include a wide variety of services specific to their community’s needs. Examples include some fire districts, water districts, mosquito abatement districts, recreation and park districts, cemetery districts and more. The video submission period runs through March 31.

Districts Make the Difference at the end of May will award $2,000 for the first-place winner, $1,000 for the second-place winner and $500 for the third-place winner.

In addition, $500 will be awarded to the students’ chosen teacher for each winning video.

“This scholarship fosters an awareness of local government at a young age to encourage students to gain an understanding of the essential services special districts provide in their communities,” said NSDC Board Member Neil McCormick.

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Students can visit the Districts Make the Difference website to watch past years’ video submissions and learn more about the guidelines for this year’s contest. Districts Make The Difference also provides promotional materials for high schools to encourage participation.

Visit districtsmakethedifference.org/video-contest for more information.

The Gold Mine

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To Ask about these pets at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter (530) 621-7631 • 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs

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12th February

ACROSS------------, I) Barn attics 43) Bone-dry 6) Gemstones for some Libras 44) Get in 11) Prankster with pointy shoes 46) Measuring tube (var.)

48) Misfortune 14) Be useful to 15) High hideaway 49) Some signatures of old 51) Kind of helmet 16) Postal motto conjunction 17) Definitely not now?

52) Egyptian cobra 53) Square dancer's need 19) Word with "cents" or "faced" 56) Mariners' assents 20) Longoria of TV 58) Current or former court org.

59) _ of Good Feelings 21) Title of respect, abroad 22) Decaf alt.

60) Movie, in Hollywood lingo 23) Roof supports 61) Ticket word 27) Groups of four 62) What a convict seeks 29) Sculler's item 68) Keogh alternative 30) Enonnous birds of myth 69) Form of lyric poem 70) Cornball 32) In a minute 71) Yorkshire's home 33) Canton that borders Bern 34) Casino machines, briefly 72) Supergiant in Cygnus 36) Postgame segment 73) Kitchen wrap 39) Lushes 41) More in need of liniment

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DOWN I) Judges lay it down 2) Caesar's salad ingredients?

3) Wray of "King Kong" 4) Lhasa is its capital 5) Drools 6) Acorn producer 7) Seat at the wedding 8) Buddhist in Nirvana 9) Feudal vassals 10) Washington, D.C. resident 11) Threshold location 12) Emulated a cow 13) Leaping amphibians 18) December ditties 23) Force out 24) Brother of Moses 25) Squander slowly 26) Ice-cream portion 28) Reddish deer 31) Get naked 35) Brown tone 37) Sprang up 38) Makes baby chick sounds 40) Canonical hour 42) Fix a word-processing error 45) Continued a subscription 47) Some believers 50) Outerwear in Sonora 53) Home to Notre Dame 54) Cancel, to NASA 55) Synthetic fiber 57) African coastal capital 63) Poem of homage 64) Four winter wks.

65) Gas-station offering, sometimes 66) Bake sale organizer, for short 67) Suffix for "Hallow" Answers to puzzle on 17

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The Gold Mine

LOW RES PROOF (for client viewing only)

THE EL DORADO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT OFFERS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS OF EL DORADO COUNTY TO IMPROVE LOCAL AIR QUALITY.

The Chimney Smoke RIP offers $899 to $2,000* to replace a non-EPA certified woodstove with a new efficient, cleaner burning, eligible EPA certified device. *$2,000 incentive available to low-income residents or residents of designated low-income communities

The Clean Lawnmower Incentive Program (CLIP) offers up to $200 to replace a gas powered lawnmower with a zeroemission cordless electric mower.

COMING SOON: Incentives for residential electric weed eaters, blowers, trimmers, ride-on mowers, etc!

The new CHarge At your Residence and Go Electric (C CHARGE) incentive program offers plug-in car owners and lessees a $300 incentive to purchase and install a home EV charger.

The Drive Clean! incentive program offers El Dorado County residents a $599 incentive towards the purchase or lease of an eligible electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle.

FOR DETAILS, CALL OR VISIT: (530) 621-7501 “Digging for Gold!”

11

Give comfort food classics a Mexican twist Family Features

I

f winter evenings have you stuck in a dinner rut, heat up the kitchen with family favorites everyone can look forward to.

Shaking off the chill can start with a cozy blanket and comforting food that warms you from the inside.

Soup is a wintertime staple thanks to its simplicity, and you can put a delicious spin on your next winter warmup with Mexicaninspired ingredients.

Giving soup night a twist starts with Cacique Foods, one of the country’s top authentic Mexican food brands, that invites friends and family to share real moments while savoring authentic flavors.

Find more comforting recipes at caciquefoods.com.

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Smoky Chorizo and Chicken Pozole

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 6-8 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large white or yellow onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste (optional) 1 package (9 ounces) Cacique Pork Chorizo 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano 1 container (16 ounces) Cacique Medium Homestyle Salsa 1 quart chicken stock 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed of excess fat and diced 1 can (25 ounces) white hominy, drained and rinsed 1 lime, cut into wedges 3/4 cup crumbled Cacique Ranchero Queso Fresco 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions: In large, heavy pot over medium heat, heat oil. Reserve 1/4 cup onion for garnish; add remaining onion to pot and season with salt. Saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high; add pork chorizo and break it apart with spoon. Cook chorizo undisturbed until deeply browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes. Add smoked paprika and oregano; cook 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Pour in salsa and scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. Bring to simmer 1-2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly then add stock and bring to simmer.

Stir in diced chicken and hominy. Decrease heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Taste and season with more salt, if necessary. Remove from heat.

Serve bowls of pozole with reserved onion, lime wedges, crumbled queso fresco and chopped cilantro.

The Gold Mine

Mexican Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Prep time: 35 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Servings: 10 3 pounds russet potatoes (about 9 medium potatoes), peeled and cubed water 6 bacon strips, chopped 1 package Cacique Pork Chorizo 12 ounces Cacique Crema Mexicana 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup Cacique Oaxaca or Queso Quesadilla, shredded 1/2 cup Cacique Crema Mexicana Agria, for topping (optional) 3 green onions, chopped “Digging for Gold!”

Directions: In Dutch oven, add potatoes and cover with water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes, or until tender.

In skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, chop into small pieces and set aside. Remove bacon grease from skillet and cook chorizo over medium-high heat, 6-8 minutes.

Drain potatoes; add to pan. Mash potatoes, gradually adding crema Mexicana, butter, onion powder, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Transfer to greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with cheese, chorizo and bacon. Refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove potatoes from refrigerator and let stand while oven heats. Bake, covered, about 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes, or until heated through.

Drizzle with crema Mexicana agria and chopped green onions.

13

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The Gold Mine

Could you be the next El Dorado County Rose?

A

spiring El Dorado Roses applications are now available.

Candidate qualifications: is 60 years or older; has been a resident of El Dorado County for a minimum of 10 years; and has contributed volunteer services throughout her life.

A candidate must be sponsored by a business, club, organization or an individual.

The sponsor submits the application and pays an entry fee. Both are due April 20 and need to be submitted to El Dorado Rose c/o El Dorado Rose Corporation, P.O. Box 282, Placerville, CA 95667. The entry fee covers admission to the Rose Ball for the candidate.

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All Things

Equine

Best Reins for Trail Riding The type of reins you use for trail riding really need to fit you, your horse and your style of riding. Will you be dismounting frequently? Will you need to tie up? All of these things should be taken into consideration.

LOOP REINS - There’s nothing to drop or fall to the ground with a loop rein.

This is great if you need to grab something from your saddle bag or tie your jacket to your saddle. Also, your horse can’t get their leg stuck because the rein won’t drop. A con is they’re not as easy to use with a bosal.

MECATE REINS - A traditional mecate rein looks like a rope rein but has

extra rope coming off the left side. That’s designed to get down off your horse and lead him easily. Mecate reins can attach to a snaffle or a bosal. Not recommended for use with a curb bit.

SPLIT REINS - Most commonly used in the western style of riding, but can be good for english trail riders, too. They can be criss-crossed over the horse’s neck, or some riders knot them. Split reins come in colors and different lengths. Shop quality! When using leather, you want to make sure it’s supple enough to lay nicely. They can attach to a snaffle or curb bit, and can be used for leading.

Try out a few different types before making up your mind. Remember that you should always choose quality over design.

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The Gold Mine

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Answers

Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

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CLUES

SOLUTIONS

1 got even for (7)

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2 parts of a series (8)

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3 Ontario’s official flower (8)

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4 Lawrence Welk songs (6)

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5 Leno’s predecessor (6)

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6 reformats computer data (7)

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7 gritty sheets (9)

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DES

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ISO

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CAR

SAN

SON

AGS

PO

TRI

EP

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ENG

FR

LK

Today’s Answers: 1. AVENGED 2. EPISODES 3. TRILLIUM 4. POLKAS 5. CARSON 6. DEFRAGS 7. SANDPAPER

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35) Brow 37) Spra 38) Mak 40) Cano 42) Fix a 45) Con 47) Som 50) Oute 53) Hom 54) Canc 55) Synt 57) Afric 63) Poem 64) Four 65) Gas66) Bake 67) Suffi

Mountain Dem ocrat

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Take a hike Jenkinson Lake

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Precious Pawprints Adopt Today! Second-Chance Animals Make First-Class Pets!

To Ask about these pets at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter (530) 621-7631 • 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs

GINGER (A063098)

She is a super senior and a classic tortie with flecks of toasted brown mixed with black. DSH, 14 years young.

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Quietly waiting for you to meet him at the shelter and adopt him into your family. brown Whippet mix 23 mo.

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Siberian Huskies require special adopters.

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JOHN HAMM (A156684)

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OPHELIA (A157132)

Stop by the shelter and take advantage of the opportunity to adopt this F DMH. gray and white, 6yr.

GRAYSON (A157028)

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California Outdoors Q&A Salmon carcasses donated Q: When adult (returning) salmon are processed for eggs at hatcheries, what happens with the carcasses?

A: CDFW has an agreement to donate Chinook salmon carcasses that are fit for human consumption to the California Emergency Foodlink. That agency then works with food banks throughout California to distribute the salmon that comes from five NorCal hatcheries. Nearly 70,000 pounds of fish from the recent Chinook salmon migration were donated.

Returning adult fish that swim hatchery gates and up fish ladders are anesthetized before they are spawned.

Anesthesia methods used at CDFW hatcheries include carbon dioxide and electro-anesthesia, which keep these fish safe for consumption. CDFW is

Courtesy photo

Safe-to-eat Chinook salmon carcasses from hatcheries are donated to food banks throughout California.

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Solo flight vs. flocks Q: Why do some species of birds fly in groups of hundreds — or thousands —

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while some fly or live seemingly single?

A: There can be many benefits to living or traveling in groups. Flocks of birds may gather for longer-distance migration or even shorter-distance local movements.

Groups of birds also may assemble during the breeding season with many individual birds nesting in a colony.

The main advantages of being an individual bird in a flock or nesting colony have to do with safety and finding food resources. Birds within a flock can help alert others to potential predators and other threats. The more eyes there are, the better it is to detect predators. Being in a group can also decrease the chance of any one individual within the flock or colony being taken by a predator. The scientific name for this is called the dilution effect, the more bodies there are the lower the chances of being the individual taken by the predator.

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Birds in a flock also can improve food-finding and wayfinding for other members within the group. For bird species that feed on relatively abundant plants or insects, such as waterfowl or small songbirds, it can be beneficial to be in the company of others both for safety and locating food resources.

The primary disadvantage to group living is competition for food and other resources like mates or territory. When a bird must expend a lot of energy to obtain its next meal, such as catching live prey, it can be beneficial to forage alone.

Grizzlies in California Q: I believe that I may have stumbled upon a grizzly bear in California in June of last year. Is that possible? I live in Siskiyou County, near the Oregon state line.

A: In California, the native grizzly bear (Ursus arctos, also known as the brown bear) went extinct around 100 years ago, leaving California with just the one bruin, the black bear that inhabits the entire state.

It can be easy to mistake a black bear for a grizzly bear though, due to the tremendous variation in black bear colors and sizes we have in California.Many black bears in California possess a brown coat just like their larger and more aggressive relatives. In addition to brown, California also has many animals that are black, dark brown, cinnamon and even some that are blonde. The size of black bears can also vary widely. While most black bear adults are going to be somewhere between 150 to 300 pounds and easy to distinguish from the much larger grizzly adult, there are many more than 300 pounds and some individuals weighing over a whopping 600 pounds, which is heavier than a lot of grizzlies.

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