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IN EL DORADO HILLS n

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MARCH 10, 2021

LATROBE SCHOOL CAN

Courtesy photo

While many local school districts are now easing back into full-time, in-person instruction, the Latrobe School District team has had students back in the classroom since the school year started.

Staff, students navigate together Jana Rossi Staff writer

he town of Latrobe founded in 1864 and named after civil engineer Benjamin Henry Latrobe II once thrived thanks to the Sacramento and Placerville Railroad. And while the days of train-driven commerce and trade are long gone, the community still thrives thanks in part to the small but mighty Latrobe School District. In 1865 the community built a one-room school. Fire claimed that building in 1915 and shortly after the school was rebuilt. That one room stands today as the first-grade classroom and library for Latrobe Elementary School. In 1975 the school went through an expansion, adding kindergarten, second grade and an office. Latrobe Elementary today has a student body of 66 and houses kindergarten through thirdgrade students. Miller’s Hill School takes those in fourth through eighth grade; its total student body, about 90. Latrobe Elementary is considered one of California’s highest rated elementary schools and Miller’s Hill has won several California’s Distinguished School awards.

Village Life file photo by Thomas Frey

OR wide receiver Brandon Barthel was one of the Trojans’ leading returners in 2019. This season he will also play defensive back.

ORHS football all business as season nears

Due to small class sizes and staff ingenuity, both Latrobe Elementary and Miller’s Hill have continued with in-person instruction this past school year, when other area schools were forced to revert to hybrid or distance learning models. These two schools are both community funded and just like the rest of the schools in California they too shut down in March 2020, limping through the last few months of the school year teaching classes via Zoom, shared Principal/Superintendent Natalie Miller. After meeting with her staff in June, Miller said a reopening plan soon followed. Two extra lunch periods were added (bringing the total to three), plexiglass shields were installed in classrooms and masks are mandated. With all safety protocols in place, they were ready and able to open Aug. 17, 2020. Distance learning is available for those not wanting to return to in-person instruction and if a student gets sick or must quarantine; they are able to virtually be a part of the classroom and not miss a beat. With the addition of an instruction aide n

Thomas Frey Staff writer The last time Drew Cowart threw a pass in a game was during the 2019 football season for the Oak Ridge High School freshman team. The next time he lines up behind center, it will be March 13 against one of the most storied programs in the region — the Folsom High School Bulldogs. Fall 2020 was supposed to be Justin Lamson’s senior season but with the uncertainty of whether a season

See SCHOOL, page 7

See FOOTBALL, page 4

CSD pitches Bass Lake project to Planning Commission Sel Richard Staff writer El Dorado County planning commissioners had plenty to say during a recent pre-application workshop to review the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s Bass Lake Regional Park plan. Located north of Bass Lake Road between Serrano Parkway and the new Silver Springs Parkway, the 211-acre future park covers four land parcels the CSD spent several years procuring — 142 acres from the Rescue Union School District includes Bass Lake as well as Sellwood Field; 14.7 acres were purchased from the El Dorado Irrigation District; 41.7 acres from El Dorado County and, most recently, the dedication of Parker Development’s 12.5-acre Village J Lot H was finalized in August 2020. “The park will provide users with two unique experiences,” explained CSD Director of Parks and Planning Tauni Fessler, referring to active and passive uses. The eastern portion offers trails and a 2,500-square-foot education center while the park’s west side houses multi-use sports fields and sand volleyball courts. Also planned is a nature playground with an allinclusive play area, dog park, bocce ball courts and n

See PARK, page 4

Courtesy graphic

El Dorado Hills Community Services District officials shared their plans for Bass Lake Park during a recent county Planning Commission meeting. The district is now in the process of finalizing environmental documents and a traffic study.

INSIDE NEWS VOL. 28

ISSUE NO. 10

HILLTOP OASIS WITH A VIEW

FUN TIME ON THE SLOPES

This beautiful home in Greenstone offers privacy, plenty of open space and a lake view.

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Oak Ridge High School’s ski and snowboard teams take on the competition and win.

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MARCH 10, 2021

PEOPLE TALK

Photos and question by Noel Stack

What’s your favorite spring activity?

Teresa Hannaford

Jill Kearney

Jan Breitigam

Russ Elmore

Placerville

Pleasant Valley

Georgetown

Swansboro

“Getting out and taking my old car for a ride to the train depot in El Dorado.”

“Driving the train for the El Dorado Western Railroad.”

“I like hiking and biking. I walk my dog every day.”

“Working on my property or ... driving the train ... or doing nothing at all.”

CHP OFFICER OF THE YEAR HONORED Courtesy photo

The Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills and California Highway Patrol – Placerville recently celebrated officer Rafael Friend as Officer of the Year. “We’re just proud to have him,” said CHP Placerville Commander Lt. Rick Hatfield, who also presented Friend with a Distinguished Service Citation. Friend came to Placerville’s CHP office about six years ago. The Placerville office covers the entire western slope of El Dorado County. Prior to joining the CHP, Friend served in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with distinction until his honorable discharge in 2003. “Through his 14 years of service to the CHP, his dedication to tirelessly working road patrol, diligently striving to reduce the mileage death rate and provide the highest level of safety and service to the community has not gone unnoticed,” a post about Friend reads. “His selfless service and compassion are attested to by numerous commendations by his supervisors and the public.” “We really, truly appreciate everything you do to keep our community safe,” said Rotarian Mike Martinelli. Friend thanked his commander and Rotarians for the recognition, humbly noting that many officers deserve the honor.

Broker Lic#01320399

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Shingle Springs property offers spectacular living 5660 South Shingle Road 4 BR|4.5 BA|4,800 SqFt | 25.45 Acres HARD to FIND! DESIRABLE ALL USEABLE beautiful 25.45 acre foothill horse property with local views ZONED RE5. CONVENIENT & JUST MINUTES TO HWY 50. Extended driveway with gate lined with seasonal color. OFF ROAD PRIVACY. BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED traditional Cape Cod-like style home boasting approx. 4800 SF, grand living dining with fireplace is surrounded with windows to take in views of the property. Spacious country kitchen, 4 beds, 4.5 baths, office, library & gym. MAIN LEVEL master suite. Upstairs ensuite, 2 additonal BRs, and 1 additional bath. Newer HVAC. Beautiful maintenance free decking. Fabulous 40’x 48’ barn, built 2000 features 6 stalls (one large r for foaling), tack/wash rack, hay storage, 105x60 arena, coral, & pastures. RIDE FROM HOME. PROPERTY BACK TO MILES OF TRAIL. Seasonal creeks. Lagoon in wintertime. Zoning makes for multigenerational expansion. Vineyard potential. Great Find in a peaceful tranquil setting close-in and convenient! LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE! $1,699,000

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his immaculate, two-story home in the Greenstone gated community offers spectacular lake views from a hilltop parcel covering more than 10 acres. Step into the foyer and soak in the natural light. To the right is a formal dining room and to the left is a sitting room that could serve as an office, library, etc. The great room, which encompasses the family room, kitchen and a dining nook, showcases high ceilings, recessed lighting/LED lights throughout, wood flooring, a gas log fireplace surrounded by stacked stone, a wet bar and floor-

to-ceiling windows that make it easy to enjoy the sparkling lake below. Flanking the fireplace is built-in cabinetry. The kitchen features a granite-topped island with a sink, gas cooktop, pantry closet, dining bar and breakfast nook. The home has three bedrooms on the main level, including the owners’ suite. This spacious bedroom has outside access, a gas fireplace and a walk-in closet. The spa-like bathroom features a soaking tub and a walk-in stall shower with multiple shower heads. n

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MARCH 10, 2021

Football

Continued from 1

would occur, Lamson graduated high school early and enrolled at Syracuse University at the end of January. “Drew was put in a situation I’m sure he was not expecting,” said Oak Ridge head coach Eric Cavaliere. “I’m sure in his mind he was thinking, ‘This year I get to learn from one of the best quarterbacks ever to come through here’ and the next year would be his time. Since getting the official word, he’s been taking the lion’s share of the snaps and taking a leadership role in our offense.” Cowart said his goal was to start at quarterback the moment he got called up to varsity. At the time, he was behind Lamson on the depth chart but he became a sponge. For eight months before Lamson left for Syracuse, Cowart worked tirelessly with the star quarterback to learn everything he could. “He was always mentoring me,” Cowart said. “I think he put me in a perfect place to be able to lead this team and I was just happy that my coaches trusted me enough to lead this team as a sophomore.” Wide receiver Brandon Barthel pushed himself to the limit this offsea-

son and was out on the field working on routes a countless number of times with Lamson and Cowart. He said he has noticed Cowart’s arm strength has improved as have his reads during the offseason. A season ago Barthel was one of Lamson’s top receiving weapons and caught 48 passes for 714 yards and five touchdowns. “It’s nice having a threat like Brandon,” Cowart said. “He can beat anyone with speed or physicality or even the mental part of the game. He’s a pretty smart guy.” This year Barthel will also play defensive back. He said playing receiver has given him insight to the defensive side of the ball. “It helps a lot playing receiver because you kind of get a feeling for what route they’re going to run,” Barthel said. Trojans linebacker Hunter Nabers, who is committed to California State University, Fresno, said Barthel is learning defense quickly and knows how to police and lead the outside. Nabers and fellow senior linebacker Ryan Enney have become a well-oiled

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machine. In their careers they have combined for 333 tackles. Last season as juniors the duo combined for 210 tackles. “I feel like we’re the dynamic duo,” Nabors said. “I feel like we work together really well side by side. We both know each position really well so I can play his position or he can play mine.” Each were named to the All Metro team last season and Cavaliere and the coaching staff said they are ecstatic to have them return. “I can’t tell you how excited Coach Jonutz (defensive coordinator) is,” Cavaliere said. “It’s the best tandem he’s had in his history at Oak Ridge for sure and I’d be willing to bet probably the best in his coaching career.” The duo will also play tight end this year along with defensive end Elijah Hansen. After missing the beginning of last season due to a concussion, Hansen

exploded at the end of the season and had four sacks in the Trojans’ opening round playoff win against Turlock Nov. 15, 2019. “Elijah stepped into that role,” Cavaliere said. “We just couldn’t believe how quickly he adapted and became a player.” Cowart said he feels comfortable throwing to a number of guys including Barthel, juniors Aden Clark, Sean Dwyer, Luke Armstrong, Nick Ecaterinis and especially sophomore Sebastian Sutton, who he said he has played with since seventh grade on the Junior Trojans. “We have a super good chemistry and our timing is far better than I have with any other receiver,” said Cowart. The time for Saturday’s game at Folsom High School is 6 p.m. The Trojans are scheduled to also play Whitney, Rocklin, Del Oro and Granite Bay high schools this shortened season.

Park

Continued from 1

picnic and barbecue facilities. Along Bass Lake Road an 8,500-square-foot multiuse event center will sit near the dock and potential launch for kayaks and paddleboards. No motorized boating will be allowed. An outdoor amphitheater and potential campsites were also mentioned. According to county senior planner Gina Hamilton, the majority of the site is currently zoned as recreational facilitylow intensity with a small portion zoned as low-density residential, in which the El Dorado County General Plan does allow for low-intensity recreational activities. The El Dorado Hills Specific Plan designates Bass Lake and the surrounding properties as an area of permanent open space which, if feasible, should be returned to public recreational use. Hamilton noted a rezone has been suggested. “Staff has recommended the CSD consider a planned development permit as well as a rezone so that the zoning of the site allows for the similar activities which would be recreational facility-high intensity,” she said, also revealing that the CSD is preparing its own California Environmental Quality Act document to be submitted with the application materials. Although Commissioner James Williams brought up concerns with the CSD providing its own CEQA report, Amanda Durgen, LSA environmental consultant, explained that because the CSD has done a thorough job of scoping community desires, an environmental impact report may not be necessary. “We weren’t anticipating the level of controversy that would require an EIR,” she stated. “Granted all of the studies are not complete, but at this point it’s looking like an MND (mitigated negative declaration) would be sufficient.” Deputy county counsel Breann Moebius pointed out that the county has not yet agreed the CSD will be the lead agency. “We will continue to work with the CSD to reach an agreement on that,” she said. Major issues discussed revolved around traffic safety concerns, particularly park access from nearby neighborhoods. Commissioner Amanda Ross advocated pedestrian walkways along both sides of Bass Lake Road. El Dorado County’s Director of Transportation Rafael Martinez confirmed the county is working with developers on that issue. “That is definitely something we’re

going to analyze, making sure that there is some kind of ingress/egress for not just vehicles but for pedestrians to access the park from the southeast side of that area over to the park itself,” Martinez said. “Whether it’s going to be the CSD or DOT’s responsibility will be pursued.” “As a neighboring resident, this is a fantastic project and we’re excited to have the future park across the street,” said Bridlewood resident DeeAnne Gillick, noting that her neighbors are already crossing Bass Lake Road to access the area. “It’s just very important that access is planned out with safe vehicle access as well as pedestrian access.” Commission Chair Jon Vegna said that Silver Springs Parkway and Bridlewood Drive are the two likely candidates for access to the park. “It would be nice to see some revisiting of traffic analysis as the phases build out,” Williams said. “A project like this could really make or break that whole area.” The need for area ballfields was mentioned by Vegna, to which Fessler replied that the community has expressed a desire for the nature element. “We really need to preserve the lake and what’s offered out there for this park site,” she said, assuring that the CSD continues to look for other locations to accommodate active sports such as the recently purchased 50 acres south of Highway 50 that could potentially be developed into a sports tournament athletic field. Park security was broached by Commissioner Cheryl Bly-Chester, who asked how the CSD will plan against the area becoming a homeless encampment. “How are you going to prevent people from hiding out in the park and then using Bass Lake as their toilet,” she asked, mentioning American River Parkway and parts of Placer County as examples. “All of our park locations are monitored by security,” Fessler replied, adding that there will be an on-site park manager and parking lots will be locked nightly. Other issues discussed included bike parking and bike lockers, mountain bike trails, disc golf, wildlife management, lighting, solar covered parking structures and a possible bus stop incorporated into the parking lot. As this was an informational item only, the commissioners took no action on the park’s proposed improvements.

Homes for Sale in El Dorado Hills Area As of March 3, 2020

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by MetroList®. All information provided by seller/other sources has not been verified by a broker. All interested persons should independently verify accuracy of all included information. Listing subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2021 MetroList Services, Inc.

PRICE

ADDRESS

BD BA

EL DORADO HILLS $499,950 $530,000 $534,000 $545,000 $595,000 $599,000 $669,900 $674,900 $675,000 $774,999 $789,000 $795,000 $799,000 $820,000 $824,900 $835,000 $869,000 $869,000 $875,000 $899,000 $899,000 $900,000 $975,000 $997,000 $999,000 $1,000,000 $1,049,000 $1,100,000 $1,100,000

3620 CORAL BELLS DR 5203 IRONWOOD CT 4125 MONTE VERDE DR 4770 CONCORDIA DR 2687 KING RICHARD DR 6023 TERRA LN 2064 LARKSTONE PL 2060 WOOD MAR DR 3425 BIRMINGHAM CT 2616 WAGNER PL 2038 BECKETT DR 3436 KENSINGTON CT 612 COLBY CT 3443 KESWICK DR 3263 KENSINGTON DR 727 ANNA PL 732 GUADALUPE DR 7260 BREAKER POINT 1516 SOUTHRIDGE CT 421 ANDRI 527 POWERS DR 392 GUADALUPE DR 4189 HENSLEY CIR 4180 KILT CIRCLE 1403 SOUZA DR 4597 GREENVIEW DR 1597 LOS ALTOS CT 820 BROWN DR 2981 ABERDEEN LN

3 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4

2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (2 1) 4 (3 1) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 5 (4 1) 3 (3 0) 4 (4 0) 3 (2 1) 4 (3 1) 4 (4 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 4 (4 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0)

SF 1237 1530 1513 1876 1808 2336 2755 1849 2669 3085 2962 3292 2891 2278 2621 3562 3487 3545 3756 4019 3252 2331 4065 3828 3106 3434 4184 3267 3766

ACRES 0.20 0.13 0.14 0.17 0.28 0.07 0.26 0.40 0.27 0.20 0.18 0.39 0.17 0.21 0.24 0.26 0.41 0.50 0.22 0.20 0.45 0.81 0.45 0.46 0.74 0.22 0.56 0.46 0.63

LISTING # 221008640 221003159 20078814 20078382 221009664 221011605 221007231 221007350 221012089 221005122 221011207 221003444 20078015 221007288 221009208 221005476 20080610 20058450 221010763 221004040 20076338 20077475 221009347 221003732 20081954 20081110 20081598 221004667 221007268

PRICE $1,125,000 $1,140,000 $1,175,000 $1,200,000 $1,259,000 $1,299,000 $1,299,000 $1,429,000 $1,450,000 $1,599,000 $1,650,000 $1,700,000 $1,725,000 $1,750,000 $1,750,000 $1,850,000 $1,888,500 $2,100,000 $2,199,000 $2,199,000 $2,199,000 $2,280,000 $2,295,000 $2,450,000 $2,495,000 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $4,900,000 $4,950,000

ADDRESS

BD BA

2111 OUTRIGGER DR 2651 MORMON ISLAND DR 4141 KILT CIR 1610 ZAPATA DR 2530 ORSAY WAY 3634 AMER WAY 1279 PROMONTORY POINT DR 2298 LOCH WAY 4081 ERRANTE DR 1501 HIDDEN BRIDGE RD 3001 CAPETANIOS DR 3924 GREENVIEW DRIVE 5001 BREESE CIR 5448 SUR MER DR 5065 GREYSON CREEK DR 6003 WESTERN SIERRA WAY 2660 HIGHLAND HILLS DR 2931 CAPETANIOS DR 1171 LOMOND DR 5001 GREYSON CREEK DR 5060 DA VINCI DR 708 DA VINCI CT 4283 GREENVIEW DR 410 MONTRIDGE WAY 4441 GRESHAM DR 2893 CAPETANIOS DR 2893 CAPETANIOS DR 1780 DOVE TAIL 1127 CLEARVIEW DR 4473 GREENVIEW DR

3 4 (3 1) 4 4 (3 1) 4 3 (3 0) 4 3 (2 1) 5 5 (4 1) 5 4 (4 0) 4 4 (3 1) 6 5 (4 1) 5 4 (4 0) 3 3 (2 1) 6 5 (4 1) 4 7 (4 3) 4 5 (4 1) 4 5 (4 1) 4 6 (5 1) 5 5 (5 0) 5 5 (4 1) 0-4 4 (3 1) 5 7 (6 1) 6 6 (5 1) 5 7 (6 1) 5 6 (5 1) 5 7 (6 1) 6 6 (5 1) 4 4 (3 1) 6 6 (5 1) 6 6 (5 1) 5 6 (5 1) 5 6 (5 1) 5 6 (5 1)

4780 3717 3545 3126 4783 4175 4180 5744 4200 2884 5278 6696 4245 4829 6300 6236 5889 3835 6648 4122 5806 5033 6000 6491 4804 4739 4739 6000 7043 9560

ACRES 0.45 1.00 0.47 0.42 0.20 0.50 0.95 0.69 0.54 3.07 0.69 0.53 0.42 0.42 0.80 0.76 1.00 0.67 0.82 0.70 0.47 0.90 0.65 5.52 0.76 0.74 0.74 10.42 1.63 2.16

LISTING # 20002670 221001425 20079802 20073703 20082459 221007796 20073965 20065527 221004919 221012274 20071595 20029823 221005664 20081708 20018009 221003806 20078668 20063431 221009092 221005615 20067565 221003305 221005755 20080230 20069631 22031104 20072505 20040251 20056887 20066638

El Dorado Hills Area Homes Sold Recently ADDRESS

EL DORADO HILLS 3130 BORGATA WAY 1367 SOUZA DR 816 ROYAL TROON PL

4 5 4

4 (4 0) 5 (3 2) 4 (3 1)

SQ.FT.

3578 3950 2657

ACRES

0.18 0.56 0.29

PRICE

ADDRESS

$825,000 $1,065,000 $885,000

3185 BRACKENWOOD PL 1823 BRANDYWOOD WAY 254 MONDRIAN CT 736 CRESTA CT 371 CHAGALL CT

4 5 4 5 5

SQ.FT.

3 (2 1) 6 (5 1) 4 (3 1) 7 (6 1) 5 (4 1)

2365 4202 3670 4425 4531

ACRES

0.24 0.25 0.54 0.47 0.24

PRICE

$777,000 $899,000 $1,700,000 $1,100,000 $1,179,000

MARCH 10, 2021

CRIB NOTES by Julie Samrick

Can you meet me in the middle, please?

his winter my 12-year-old insists on using every throw blanket we have in the house for our dog. She stacks at least three for “his perch” on the couch so that he can look out the window. Then she’s constantly rotating at least three more on his already cushioned bed, which makes our 17-pound dog look like the (Prince) and the Pea. As soon as I get one out of the wash, I see my daughter using it to swaddle Smoky like a baby for fear “he’s cold.” It makes him look like the Wolf disguised as Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother, which makes me laugh so I can’t be mad. “Instead of me having to wash eight blankets all the time, could you just use the three small blankets that are his?” I asked recently, hoping to meet somewhere in the middle. “But Mom, Smoky deserves everything,” she answered in earnest. With my other three kids, I am also trying to strike more balance. A few days before my college freshman came home for the holidays he called to say he’d gotten a negative COVID-19 test, something his university made part of its protocol before students traveled back to their respective home states. I’d been feeling unsettled about anyone in my family exposing my dad to the virus. He’s a bachelor in his 70s in imperfect health and had quarantined in order to join us for Thanksgiving. “That’s great news,” I told my son. “Since we’re hosting Poppy, could you lay low until at least we see him?” “Yeah, no one is even here,” he said. “Everyone’s gone home.” I guess not everyone. Not 24 hours later he

FaceTimed to show me a new accessory — a fat lip he’d gotten by participating in a fight club of sorts. “I held my own, Mom!” he smiled, energized. I winced. “That doesn’t sound like you’re lying low.” I see the need to strike a happy medium all around us. Is it possible to not want to get COVID, but still lead a full life? I have found wearing a mask to be a good compromise. El Dorado Hills school districts have proven how to meet in the middle. Our schools have been inperson hybrid, with kids attending 50 percent of the time in order to maintain space between students. Is it perfect? No. The kids only see half their classmates and they’re getting half the in-person instruction as before. But the way Buckeye Union, El Dorado Union and Rescue Union school districts have done it, the social well-being of kids was taken into account along with the academic. One thing had to be sacrificed for the other to find balance. If the kids are Zooming in five days a week they might be getting the academic portion, but they wouldn’t have time on campus with their peers, which is so important. The majority of public school districts around the state are doing this model and kids are suffering from the toll of social isolation. If schools have been following the hybrid model and teachers are vaccinated, a good balance is to move to full-time, in-person school (which our districts are now doing). If schools are still all virtual, students should be moved to hybrid, in-person instruction now. We know schools are not transmission sites if safety measures are in place, including the most important and least costly — mask wearing.

The focus for many parents now is to see the same balance found in youth sports. There are ways kids can play sports without making games spreader events. Instead of canceling everything, crowd sizes could be limited to 25- 50 percent capacity with masks if a sport is outdoors, or if indoors, no spectators. Is it perfect? No. But it can be done. Let’s do it now, instead of heading into year two with so many California kids shut out of sports. We are living in extraordinary times. We all need to show more grace to one another. We need to meet in the middle. Julie Samrick is an El Dorado Hills mother and writer. Connect with her at juliesamrick.com. PURCHASE • REFINANCE

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MESSAGE FROM EID by Jim Abercrombie

Investments for the future

s we mark a year since the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic began, I would like to take a moment again to recognize each and every El Dorado Irrigation District worker. Like our sister agencies that provide essential services for public health and safety, I am deeply proud of the work EID employees have undertaken over a year full of challenges. EID’s employees are dedicated and take pride in the work they do for the communities they serve and live in. I am gratified and proud to work with women and men who, with the utmost safety and care, continue to ensure that our community’s vital water and sewer services remain reliable and safe, 24-hours a day, year round. As I write this column in late February the water year is off to a slow start. The Central Sierra region’s snowpack that feeds the watersheds we rely on is at 73 percent of normal. While a single dry year is not an emergency, multiple dry years in a row can be cause for concern. We are not there yet. The district undertakes extensive planning to maximize our water supplies and guard against multi-year droughts, like the one that ended in 2016. Key to these efforts is Jenkinson Lake. This reservoir is managed to supply two years of water supply for our customers even during drought conditions. Even though we are entering what appears to be a second dry consecutive dry year, we are well positioned to meet our customers’ needs throughout 2021. A highlight of this long-term planning was the purchase of Sly Park Recreation Area’s Jenkinson Lake. Last year the district celebrated the final payment on the bonds that allowed EID to purchase the lake from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Jenkinson Lake is

EID’s primary drinking water reservoir and has the ability to serve most customers. In fact, as EID makes necessary upgrades to other treatment facilities, this winter Jenkinson Lake is supplying water to 100 percent of EID customers connected to the main water system from Pollock Pines to El Dorado Hills. Long-term water supply planning and investment make EID better prepared to meet the ongoing needs of our community, including during times of drought. And because of the investments we have made (like the acquisition of Jenkinson Lake) and continue to make to replace critical components of our infrastructure, EID’s water security continues to increase. The following projects now under way highlight the need for continued investment in EID’s aging infrastructure. The modest rate adjustments that were approved in December 2020 for 2021-2025 are used for these projects and without these adjustments they would not be possible. The Folsom Lake intake project, which began construction in 2020, is a costly project that is critical to delivering water to the western portion of our service area. Although the district is capable of meeting district-wide winter demands from Jenkinson Lake, summer demands in the western area must be met by supplies available in Folsom Lake. The intake supplies raw water from the lake to EID’s El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Plant, where it is treated and then delivered to customers in El Dorado Hills. The facility is EID’s sole means of accessing its water supplies from Folsom Lake and provides the only access to a third of the district’s ■

See ABERCROMBIE, page 7

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South 1 holds championships on the slopes Village Life staff Some of the fastest skiers and boarders in El Dorado County hit the slopes March 1-2 in the South 1 Alpine Race Championships at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Earning a first-place spot on the podium in slalom was Oak Ridge High School skier Caden Lowder, Oak Ridge boarders Skylar Gray and Jake Steward and Ponderosa High School skier Zoe Robinson. First place in giant slalom went to Oak Ridge skier Karson Romer, Ponderosa skier Ally Jolly and Oak Ridge boarders Jake Stewart and Skylar Gray. Due to various county and state rules, as well as health protocols, the California-Nevada Interscholastic Ski and Snowboard Federation state championships in Mammoth were canceled this year. But CNISSF South 1 Division Coordinator and El Dorado High School Coach Joe Volek, along with the head coaches of the five area high school teams competing, had a better idea — to hold their own championship. Overall Oak Ridge’s men’s board and women’s ski came out on top as well as El Dorado’s men’s ski and women’s board. Oak Ridge won the overall titles for ski, snowboard and combined while El Dorado finished second and Ponderosa finished in third. Skiers and boarders from Amador, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Union Mine and El Dorado high schools have met to race six times on Sierra-at-Tahoe’s giant slalom course since the South 1 season began Feb. 1.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Saucier

Oak Ridge High School skier Karson Romer finds his line in the men’s giant slalom races March 2. Romer placed first.

SOUTH 1 ALPINE RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS Men’s ski slalom 1. Caden Lowder (Oak Ridge) 2. Aedan Burge (El Dorado) 3. Cory Croker (Ponderosa) Women’s ski slalom 1. Zoe Robinson (Ponderosa) 2. Anika Niednagel (Oak Ridge) 3. Charlotte Walker (Ponderosa)

Men’s board top 10

Men’s board slalom 1. Jake Stewart (Oak Ridge) 2. Austin Norris (Oak Ridge) 3. Ryder Short (Oak Ridge) Women’s board slalom 1. Skylar Gray (Oak Ridge) 2. Riley Brozek (Oak Ridge) 3. Olivia Holtrichter (El Dorado)

Men’s ski giant slalom 1. Karson Romer (Oak Ridge) 2. Walden Schafer (El Dorado) 3. Alex Wolff (Oak Ridge) Women’s ski giant slalom 1. Ally Jolly (Ponderosa) 2. Charlotte Walker (Ponderosa) 3. Brooke Davidson (Oak Ridge)

Men’s board giant slalom 1. Jake Stewart (Oak Ridge) 2. Myles Stowe (El Dorado) 3. Tate Hall (Oak Ridge) Women’s board giant slalom 1. Skylar Gray (Oak Ridge) 2. Kindall Henderson (El Dorado) 3. Riley Brozek (Oak Ridge)

School

Continued from 1

dedicated to students on Zoom, they are able to ensure no student gets left behind. The school nurse tracks all illnesses and the school secretary doubles as the playground supervisor. So far there have not been any transmissions of COVID from the classrooms, according to Miller. When two teachers tested positive, their classrooms were shut down. Fortunately, both teachers felt well enough to con-

Village Life photo by Jana Rossi

EDHSC 2011 Girls Blue coached by Jamie Hunter plays USA Stars Saturday.

tinue to teach from their homes via Zoom so students while also at home did not miss any class time. “The staff has done a remarkable job making sure the school is safe and everyone is doing more,” Miller told Village Life. During all of this, a new, somewhat poignant school mantra was created, “Surfing uncertainty together.”

Brrr … It’s Cold

Soccer club hits the field Jana Rossi Staff writer Nobody was more excited than Efrain Mercado for youth sports to begin. Mercado is not only president of the El Dorado Hills Soccer Club, he is also a dad, a coach and a soccer enthusiast. Saturday, March 6, hundreds of youth soccer players in El Dorado and Placer Counties were finally able to put on their soccer cleats and shin guards, dust off their team jerseys and head out to the fields to play. It also marked nearly one year since the last time EDH Soccer Club played competitively. On the sidelines, spectators would find Mercado, who stopped by all the local EDHSC games being played throughout the day at Bass Lake and Promontory parks, before he headed to Rocklin in Placer County to coach his own son’s EDHSC game. Next week games between Sacramento County could be added to the mix.

“As a coach, I’m excited. I’m excited for the kids to be able to play with outside clubs and I am really excited for the grandparents, who will be able to come out and watch their grandkids,” he said. Mercado credits the El Dorado Hills Community Services District for allowing the games to take place so soon after NorCal Premier Soccer was given the green light. “The partnership between the CSD and EDHSC has been awesome and without their help and support, our ability to quickly get our kids back playing would not have been possible,” he shared. Strict protocols, mandated by the state, are in place and must be followed. Players and coaches must wear masks while walking to and from the fields and while on the sidelines. Spectators as well must wear masks at all times. “I’m not making a political statement,” said Mercado. “These are guidelines we have to follow. Let’s move forward and have some fun.”

Abercrombie water supply. Flumes and canals along the 22-mile El Dorado canal system are regularly scheduled for replacement in EID’s capital improvement program and are equally vital as a conduit for raw water that our customers ultimately use, whether it be for drinking water or generating hydroelectric power to offset the cost of provided drinking water supplies. This vital artery, providing another third of EID’s water supply to its customers, runs through mountainous terrain that makes repair and replacement costly. But their role in maintaining our resilient water supply is unmatched: they are the primary means of supplying the northern portion of EID’s service area and also deliver water that can be supplied by gravity to communities all the way to El Dorado Hills. These projects illustrate

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shine every day of the year to keep your system reliably running. With care, targeted investment, hard work and planning, the infrastructure will serve us for generations to come. Jim Abercrombie is EID’s general manager.

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