Mountain Democrat, Friday, March 15, 2024

Eric Jaramishian

Sta writer

The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce has a new emergency evacuation tool in its belt.

Residents across the county now have access to an online map that will show if there are evacuation warnings and orders that impact their area, as well as identify evacuation routes during emergency situations, including fires and flooding.

EDSO Lt. Troy Morton introduced the website, perimetermap.com, at the Board of Supervisors meeting March 5, spelling out its functions.

“It’s just one simple way to see a countywide picture,” Morton said. “In the past you might hear that certain areas are under evacuation order or warning but you wouldn’t know how far that is from you, but you can pull this up and see countywide who is under evacuation order.”

private trip of rafters heads down the South Fork of the American

Odin Rasco

Sta writer

Universally recognized as a natural region worth treasuring, a study into future management of the Upper American River Watershed recently estimated it produces billions of dollars in value annually.

In the face of a decade beset by climatecontributed natural disasters, including flooding, the Caldor and Mosquito fires and extreme heat paired with a legacy of forest mismanagement, 17 water agencies from across six counties came together to create a coordinated plan for managing the Upper American River watershed.

Spearheaded by the El Dorado Water Agency, the

Perimeter informs residents

There are a few dozen designated “evacuation zones” across the county.

The website has been active since February and shows a map of the evacuation zones.

The website will also show resources available during times of crisis, including sandbag locations, evacuation shelters and other resources such as Food Bank of El Dorado County distribution

See PERIMETER, page

A8

spilling.

Dorado

“The district is well positioned to meet 2024 demand,” wrote Jordan Baxter, EID hydrologist.

As of March 8, EID’s snow survey measured 104% of normal.

Upper American River Programmatic Watershed Plan is presented as a roadmap for collaborative e orts for the better management of the region’s natural resources with a long-term mindset focusing on sustainability and community resiliency.

A primary takeaway from the plan and extended discussions is the actual financial value generated by the watershed, which EDWA estimates at $14 billion annually in goods and services.

“A lot if times, it’s not necessarily valued, when you think about things like pollination and visual aesthetics,” EDWA General Manager Rebecca Guo said. “We need to figure out how to invest and based on the existing evaluations out there, it’s more than

Folsom Lake’s level March 11 was 648,549 acre-feet. Normal for this time of year is 532,824. Maximum capacity is 977,000.

This will allow EID to pump water out of Folsom Lake to meet the majority of El Dorado Hills customer demand, Baxter wrote. EID supplies water from Reservoir 1 Water Treatment Plant to El Dorado Hills in the winter. Reservoir 1 draws its water from Forebay Reservoir in Pollock Pines.

EID’s four alpine lakes — Caples Lake, Silver Lake, Echo Lake and Lake Aloha — are surrounded by snow yet to melt. Caples is 53% full, Silver 9% and Aloha in Desolation Wilderness is 22% full. Those figures were measured Feb. 28.

Syblon Reid has replaced the Echo Lake conduit and it is ready to move water. Some details remain such as slope stabilization and rock fall netting.

See ANZINI, page A7

Photo

Raffety

A

rafting.

Water managers plan ‘investments’ for continued watershed windfalls

Barbara Sands

Sept. 10, 1932 – March 3, 2024

Barbara Sands passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday March 3rd. Barbara attended El Dorado High School where she met and married her husband of 67 years, William Sands. They resided in the Diamond Springs area where they raised 4 children and then retired. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed various crafting endeavors throughout the years. In her later years, Barbara was active in Topps, Red Hats and Bunko. She is survived by her 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Snowline Hospice in Diamond Springs.

Geo rey Paul Conine Jr.

May 15, 1962 – Feb. 27, 2024

Geo rey Paul Conine, Jr., was born on May 16, 1962, in Kingston, New York, to Geo rey Paul Conine, Sr., and Mildred Gertrude Conine (Rothery).

Geo spent the first two years of his life in Wiesbaden, Germany, while his dad served in the U.S. Army. Geo and his family returned to the U.S. and lived in Paskenta until his father was transferred to the Eldorado National Forest. Geo attended schools in Placerville, graduating from El Dorado High School in 1980. Geo participated on the Ski and Track and Field teams. He excelled in the long jump and was inducted into the El Dorado Track and Field Hall of Fame by winning the league championship in his senior year. After graduation, Geo went onto get a B.S. degree in Chemistry at U.C. Davis. While at Davis, Geo joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, living in the house o campus where he made many lifelong friends. During his college summer months, Geo worked as a Blackjack dealer at Harrah’s in South Tahoe. After graduation, Geo worked as a chemist for Lockheed, development testing the Space Station carbon filters and age testing Trident D5 solid rocket fuel. After working for Lockheed in Sunnyvale, Geo began a 30-year career with PG&E in Field Metering, which took him to numerous PG&E service areas – San Francisco, Marysville, Woodland, and finally landing back in Placerville for the last several years of his career as Crew Lead in Field Metering. As Crew Lead, Geo enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise with his team and especially training and mentoring new apprentices who transferred into this highly technical position at PG&E.

Geo loved everything about the outdoors and especially the mountains. Geo made many backpacking trips in the Desolation Wilderness. He enjoyed the mountains and would take his GSP dog, Britta, to run the logging roads o Iron Mountain Road. Geo also enjoyed playing golf near his home in Camino at Apple Mountain. Geo traveled to Waterville, Ireland, with his family to enjoy 18 holes at his cousin’s golf course. He loved to camp and fish, trolling for hours in his Tracker fishing boat with his family up at Caples Lake. He also enjoyed traveling with his family and visited Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Alaska, and Florida and took a family cruise to Norway just months before he passed. Geo was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Pirates from his childhood and, later in life, a San Jose Sharks fan enjoying many games with his brother and dad.

Geo can rest proudly knowing he was deeply loved by his family and friends. Geo is survived by his brother and best friend, Derek, (Aihong), his sister, Deirdre, his two nieces, Sydney and Jessica, his uncles, aunts and many cousins throughout the country.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents and stepmother, Jacqueline Conine (Emge, Edmonson), and his infant sister, Lynnette Ann.

Although Geo had no children, he was very close to his nieces and always “showed up” to support them at their school, sports, and other activities. Geo will be laid to rest at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery in Placerville. The family asks that any donations in Geo ’s memory be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral Services will be held at a future date still to be determined.

Chapel of the Pines link: https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/placerville-ca/ geo rey-conine-11695141

Gwendolyn Joyce (Lindner) Upshaw

June 23, 1926 – Feb. 23, 2024

Gwen Upshaw, age 97, passed peacefully at her home in Port Townsend, Washington on Friday, February 23, 2024. She and her husband of 67 years, Rev. Jim Upshaw, were longtime residents of Placerville. She is survived by daughters Mary (John Endres) Upshaw, Susanne (Lindy) Heidt, and son Jim (Cyndy) Upshaw III, and was “Grandma Gwen” to ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and loved by many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 18, 2024 at 1:00pm, at the El Dorado County Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice Foundation for Je erson Healthcare in Port Townsend, WA, or Snowline Hospice, Placerville.

John Lloyd Beaver

Aug. 3, 1959 – Dec. 28, 2023

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we are sharing the passing of our beloved father, Papa and friend John Beaver on December 28, 2023.

Born on August 3, 1959 at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, California to James “Red” and Esther Beaver. He spent his entire life living in and serving El Dorado County.

John started as an Explorer Scout as a teenager and graduated from Ponderosa High School class of 1977. He started his 34-year Firefighting career in 1977 at the age of 18 with Diamond Springs Fire Department where he promoted to Captain in 1985. His transfer to El Dorado County Fire Department in 1993 is where he retired in 2011 as a Captain Firefighter/Paramedic. During his service, John also worked as an Arson Investigator, Private Investigator, WMD Specialist and a Hazard Material Specialist.

John continued his education, obtaining his AA and BA while working full time and raising his kids as a single father. He was also an avid bicyclist, often making rides across the country on solo and group trips while raising money for di erent charities.

In retirement, John dedicated most of his time to his grandchildren that truly were the light of his life. He was extremely dedicated to his family and cared for his father, James, through his death in 2021. John also continued to pursue his love of art and wood working, making memorial benches as gifts. John joined El Dorado County Sheri s Department as a S.T.A.R. volunteer where he immediately made an impact by helping rescue a fellow volunteer during a car accident.

John was a lifelong baseball fan and enjoyed seeing our local Rivercats team in Sacramento, but more often than not could be found on a soccer field cheering for his granddaughters. He made sure he was at every event, even volunteering at his grandchildren’s schools.

John was passionate about his faith and love. Love of his community, love of servicing and especially love of his family and friends. He was loyal, reliable, and dedicated every day. John was spunky, funny and stubborn. His absence will be forever felt in our community and in our hearts.

John leaves behind his daughter Angella, son Alex and grandchildren Alizsabeth, Aliviea, Ausztyn, Zoey and Wyatt.

A Celebration of life will be held on Thursday April 4th at 1pm at Green Valley Church in Placerville, CA.

Any donations can be made to some of the many Charities John supported; The Firefighters Burn Institute, The National MS Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Gail Bruton Furtwangler

Barker

June 26, 1947 – Jan. 16, 2024

Our beloved Gail passed away from cancer on January 16, 2024 in Clio, CA. Gail devoted her career to being a loving and compassionate nurse working at places including Marshall Hospital, Snowline Hospice as its Co-founder, and Placerville Union and Robla School Districts.

She is survived by her husband Bob, son Jase Brenden, daughter and son-in-law Sara and Derrick Wilkins, grandchildren Dylan and Cienna, stepdaughter, Brooke Barker, brother and sister-inlaw John and Amy Bruton.

As a high schooler, Gail spent a year in Norway as an exchange student and remained close to her Norwegian family and friends over the years.

In her retirement Gail enjoyed traveling with Bob, nesting in her house in the pines, and reading a good book, preferably with her cat or dog, and spending time with friends.

No one who ever met Gail can forget her wonderful laugh, giving heart and sense of humor. She will be dearly missed by all.

The following information was taken from E Dorado County sheri ’s reports:

March 1

12:41 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of postrelease violations on Market Court in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.

3:04 p.m. Burglary was reported on Pine Tree Drive in Pollock Pines.

4:29 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property and possession of a tear gas weapon on Durock Road in Shingle Springs. He was released on $170,000 bail.

7:47 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 58-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and a post-release violation on Lindberg Avenue in Placerville. She was listed in custody.

8:06 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

8:11 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado

Placer County News release

Placer County is planning to remove metal and concrete bridge debris that has been sitting in the American River 60 years.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors took action Tuesday to approve a contract with Dokken Engineering of Folsom for environmental consulting that will result in a plan to remove remnants from the Highway 49 bridge that was washed out after the Hell Hole Dam failed during a weather event in 1964.

Shortly after that incident Congress approved construction of the Auburn Dam and the decision was made to leave the bridge debris in place as it would have been covered by water deep in the Auburn Reservoir. The Auburn Dam, however, has never been built.

“This project is a true environmental remediation project,” said senior civil engineer Cheyenne Toney. “We’ve worked with the Protect American River Canyons group to obtain legislative action for state funding and we’re pleased to be in a position to lead the removal of this debris that has been a safety concern for a long period of time.”

Under the $901,703 contract, Dokken will be tasked with helping the county work with other agencies that oversee water quality and land management to design a debris removal program and obtain permits for the work. The project will include strict requirements to ensure removal methods are safe for the environment and will not do damage to the river or riverbed.

A letter of support from the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors points out the stretch of river where the bridge debris lies is near the Confluence, a popular destination for Auburn State Recreation Area visitors seeing “more than one million people annually and continuing to attract more visitors every year.” Park visitors hike, swim and boat in

the vicinity of the bridge remains.

Funding was secured in February 2023 through an $8 million transfer of Priority Legislative Budget Project Funds from Caltrans to the county.

Residents of Garden Valley and the surrounding area are encouraged to attend the upcoming Garden Valley community planning meeting March 20. Join neighbors and residents at Marshall Grange, 4940 Marshall Road, Garden Valley, for a community discussion beginning with a potluck from 6-6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting from 6:30-8 p.m.

Presented by the Georgetown Divide Fire Safe Council and the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District, the primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss plans for future fuel reduction projects in Garden Valley west of Highway 193. Community residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on potential future fuel treatment areas and to help prioritize grant funding allocations with the objective of

enhancing community safety and reducing the risk of wildfires. Residents will also learn about fire history and potential fire behavior scenarios in the Divide and see where fuel reduction projects have been completed, are currently in process and planned areas of future projects.

The GDFSC, an allvolunteer organization, has been instrumental in obtaining grant funding of nearly $8 million over the past six years for fuel treatment on the Georgetown Divide. The council’s relentless efforts have resulted in the completion of several critical fuel treatment areas — most recently 3.5 miles of roadside treatment on Shoo Fly Road in Kelsey. Numerous fuel treatment projects are in progress. These include roadside treatments on Traverse Creek Road in Garden Valley and Marshall Road between Georgetown and Garden Valley. Additionally, substantial fuel breaks

comprising over 400 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Kelsey and 900 acres in Garden Valley east of Highway 193 are being developed. For additional information on the latter project visit bit.ly/EDRCDproject.

During the meeting an overview of these initiatives will be presented, seeking both acknowledgment and input. Maps of completed projects, current projects and potential projects will be available for viewing. Public engagement plays a vital role in shaping future projects and community feedback is essential for prioritizing efforts for future grant funding. Organizers hope to involve community members actively in the decision-making process to ensure projects align with their needs and concerns.

Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility and the success of these initiatives depends on community support and involvement. By

attending the Garden Valley community planning meeting, residents can stay informed about the progress of fuel reduction projects and contribute their valuable insights.

The project is anticipated to begin in 2026.

For more information on the project visit the Protect American River Canyons website at parcauburn.org/bdr-project.html.

Together, the community can make a significant impact by safeguarding Garden Valley and its surrounding areas against the threat of wildfires.

Sign up for GDFSC’s

e-newsletter at gdfsc. org and attend GDFSC meetings on the second Wednesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Garden Valley Fire Station, 4860 Marshall Road, Garden Valley.

Online registration is available & required to attend at http://www.hangtownkc.org pick your date and time

April 27 or 28, 2024

(April 27 is Full)

June 28 or 29, 2024

www.highonkennels.com

SACRAMENTO

Organization Committee to address the challenges rural counties in California face with limited on-sale general licenses for bona fide eating places. This legislation also aims to empower local economies and cater to the needs of both residents and tourists.

Under the current system many counties across California, despite having small permanent populations, struggle to meet the demands of their thriving tourist industries. SB 1028 will authorize the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue up to 10 additional Type 47 on-sale general licenses for public eating places to counties that have reached their license limit. Type 47 authorizes the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits.

The bill recognizes the importance of tourism in many counties’ economies while addressing the gap between demand and supply for Type

47 licenses. By providing counties with the flexibility to accommodate their unique circumstances, SB 1028 ensures that businesses can thrive and communities can continue to grow.

“We applaud Sen. Alvarado-Gil for introducing SB 1028 to address the inequities of how Type 47 liquor licenses are issued,” said Debbie Manning, president and CEO of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce.

“The current formula for issuing liquor licenses in sprawling, lowpopulation counties like El Dorado County often leaves such areas at a disadvantage when attracting restaurants to our community. Today, El Dorado Hills has several current operators that applied and were not awarded. With SB 1028, we can create a stronger workforce while putting El Dorado County on the map of soughtafter food destinations,” Manning added.

Key provisions of SB 1028 include:

• Authorization for ABC to issue up to 10 additional Type 47 licenses to a county in the calendar year following

Courtney Jackson El Dorado and Georgetown Divide resource conservation districts

Courtesy photo

Long a safety concern, remnants of the Highway 49 bridge that was destroyed in 1964 will be pulled from the North Fork of the American River.

What about the size of your Snickers

In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden referred to an American dilemma — the shrinking Snickers bar. He pointed out that his Snicker’s bar purchase had less or fewer Snickers.

I’m not exactly sure what a Snickers is ... nuts, chocolate, sugar, the content of the bar.

Size matters, when you’re hungry. It’s just a bad thing when you stop at your local convenience store to buy a soda pop and you walk out with a Snickers bar that costs more but has less in the wrapper. Apparently, there must be fewer Fritos and Cheetos in the bags as well. This is a sad time in America.

I remember buying a large bottle of Coke, a bag of chips and a pastry for 25 cents. Those were the days but they are long past.

It’s an epidemic, of course. It’s not just candy bars and junk food. Check the size of your fastfood hamburgers and the cost. You are paying more for less. A hundred dollars doesn’t go very far at the grocery store. American families are having a di cult time putting food on the table. A mother who cooks for her family every day is having to stretch her budget more and more.

President Biden is concerned about the problem but it has been a growing problem for three years. It’s not getting better. When does he propose to fix the problem, after he is reelected? Why not now? Or, why not over the past three years? People are hurting today. Promises of a better life if he is reelected are not reassuring to many Americans.

The border crisis is our No. 1 issue this election. It’s not a priority with President Biden. He has had three years to be walking that border. He has had three years to stop the invasion of illegals and gang members into our country. His recent photo op at the border is too little too late. Joe Biden stopped the progress of the border wall. He opened the gates wide to the illegals. The results are not positive. We have major cities on the verge of economic collapse. Public schools, housing and more are su ering. Mayors are pleading for help.

Recently, Biden submitted a Border Immigration Bill to Congress that has not been approved. The bill still allows for an average of 5,000 people a day over seven days to come into the United States illegally before closing the border. Or, the oneday maximum number is 8,500 entries before the border is closed.

This a larger number of people than some of our rural counties in America. Over the course of a year this would amount to a city the size of Indianapolis or larger coming into our country. This is not border security, but only a continuation of Biden’s insanity.

■

Letters to the Editor

Security breakdown

EDITOR:

It looks like I may have overreacted when I said, “What happened on Jan. 6 was Pelosi’s fault.” Now let me tell you why I said that.

On FactCheck.org I read: “Rep. Rodney Davis pointed to the fact that on the afternoon of Jan. 6, the House sergeant at arms sought Pelosi’s permission to bring in the National Guard as evidence that Pelosi was ‘calling the shots on all of their actions on Jan. 6.’”

Rep. Jim Banks said, “Due to the rules of the United States Capitol, the power structure of the Capitol, Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House, has more control and authority and responsibility over the leadership of the Capitol Police than anyone else in the United States Capitol. So she doesn’t want us to ask these questions because at the end of the day she is ultimately responsible for the breakdown of security at the Capitol that happened on Jan. 6.”

I still kinda think Pelosi and the Democrats sat back and watched Jan 6 happen. Hmmm. funny that President Joe Biden puts fencing around the Capitol for his State of the Union Speech. You can’t make this stu up.

TERRI ELDERD Placerville

Heart of the matter

EDITOR:

Once you get past Scott Taylor’s anti-Trump rant and his consideration of almost anything right of the Squad to be MAGA, the heart of his letter was Trump getting GOP politicians to oppose that so-called bipartisan border bill that was really a left wing Trojan horse.

That bill would have completed the Democrat’s two-stage plan to gain total, unassailable political control of the country. I’ll explain.

Part 1 of the Democrats’ plan is well under way. That is to open the borders and get as many illegals in the country as possible. No, they can’t vote, but they are counted when creating congressional districts, giving the Democrats a good number of new Representatives in the

House.

This border bill that Trump helped to get killed was part 2 of the plan. It expedited asylum requests. Asylum puts one on a pathway to citizenship and voting in as little as five years. One has to realize that the Democrats play the long game. With the left things are rarely what they seem.

The border security bill had nothing to do with border security just as the Inflation Reduction Act had nothing to do with inflation, which Biden actually admitted in a rare bout of honesty.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

GOP and Putin

EDITOR:

Recently a journalist was interviewing people leaving a Trump rally. He asked them whether they would rather have Biden as president or Trump as a dictator.

You guessed it, Trump as dictator.

One man even said we should repeal the 22nd Amendment so Trump could be president, or rather dictator, for life.

Despite what Tucker Carlson says, living under a dictator would not be my idea of ideal living conditions. Clearly, Trump’s MAGA followers did not pay attention in history class when they were studying World War II. Perhaps Fox News has not shown a video of people being arrested in Russia for the simple act of putting flowers at a Navalny memorial site.

It is truly spine-chilling that the far right is so infatuated with Putin and a Putin-style dictatorship. He is a brutal thug who has destroyed his country’s economy, stolen billions from the treasury, sent thousands of innocent people to prison, killed o any opposition and sent hundreds of thousands of his citizens to die in a senseless war.

He has a disinformation campaign with the goal of disrupting democracies around the world. Yet, we have the presumptive Republican candidate for president who is a Putin wannabe. We have members of Congress

ee LETTERS

S

When it comes to campaigning, sometimes you just can’t

One of my most productive, confidential sources on the East Coast, whom I’ll call Mac, said he’s been thinking about advising President Joe Biden’s campaign and asked for a little input from me. I said, “Sure, why not.”

My advice to him and the campaign follows:

CHRIS DALEY

A sure fire way to raise those seriously sagging approval ratings?

“Mr. President, get busy sexually assaulting random women in large department stores and don’t quit until you have raised millions in cash from new fans and supporters. (But not before you rake in dozens of indictments. Both seem to be keys to American voters’ piggy banks).

“And, sir, it couldn’t hurt to fleece a couple hundred or more pensioners and disabled folks by cutting down on their Social Security and SSI checks. Heck, don’t just cut them down. Cut ’em o for six months or so. That will open a whole bunch of wallets in the Midwest and South.

And don’t show any favoritism to wounded vets. Suckers shoulda known better.”

“And speaking of vets, sell that ‘vette’ in your garage, the one with all those classified documents you didn’t know about. It’s easily worth $500k.”

“While you’re at it, consider defrauding a lot of banks and insurance companies. They’ve got plenty of money already and won’t miss a billion or two. I mean, who doesn’t like seeing those fat cats eat a little dirt for a change. Easy Squeezie when you’re the president, and you are the president. Fair and square. Right?!”

“Hush money is always money well-spent. You don’t really have to do anything immoral or illegal and nothing too sleazy. Just pay the hush money. Word will get around in the kinds of circles that attract hush money aficionados of all stripes. If you don’t know any of them or you don’t even know if you know any of those people, ask some senators and congressional types. They’ll be glad

While you’re at it, consider defrauding a lot of banks and insurance companies. They’ve got plenty of money already and won’t miss a billion or two.

to steer you in the right direction.”

“You could make some real bank if you started renting out White House facilities like the Lincoln Bedroom between now and Election Day. The Map Room and your private dining room would bag a ton of contributions to the campaign as well. Foreign leaders and ersatz potentates from every continent would pay top dollar just to say they ‘did it’ in the Oval O ce or in the family quarters. Guaranteed.”

“If you know your recent history, and I know you do, you’ll remember the ‘golden shower’ in that Moscow hotel. Imagine what you could bring in from events like that. Here’s the deal on that. No malarkey there.”

“Mr. President, unlike the recommendations above, which are tried and true, inviting and hosting political gangsters, even legitimately elected hoodlums and thugs to talk about ending democracy as we know it, isn’t a rock solid campaign tactic. Not saying it won’t work, just that it’s

pretty theoretical at this point. Not enough good data out there to rely on reliably, in a word.”

“The next suggestion I have could seem a little over the top. It’s a variation on the theme of ‘shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and not losing a single vote.’ You can do that, but change it up to ‘shooting a truckload of illegals on Fifth Avenue …’ That will get your people raiding their Christmas accounts and money flowing in from millions of voters who like your new style. No doubt about it.”

I hope this has given you a few novel ideas for bolstering the president’s electability in November. Feel free to expand on any that you think he will like, and ask him to give me a shoutout at the next State of the Union speech, if there is one, and he’s there.

Good luck, Mac, and keep those confidential tips coming.

Silver Lake campground well dug

n Pump house and piping bid accepted

Michael Raffety

Mountain Democrat correspondent

After some unsuccessful bidding the El Dorado Irrigation District engineering office separated Silver Lake campground well drilling from all the necessary facilities.

The well was drilled by WildHeron Drilling at a cost of

$177,849. For the rest of the work the low bidder was Campbell Construction at $821,310, which was below the engineer’s estimate of $880,000. Campbell Construction will install a well pump and wellhead piping, a solar array, electrical conduit, fencing and 1,115 feet of 2-inch water line. Campbell will also construct a concrete masonry building with electrical equipment and storage tank.

To get the waterline from Silver Lake East Campground to Silver Lake West Campground the pipe must go under Highway 88 through a 6-inch casing. This project completes all work required by the U.S. Forest Service on Silver Lake East Campground as part of its Project 184 license requirements. Construction will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday June through September.

Mollette Continued from A4

We do need to help Ukraine. Putin is not anyone’s friend. Trump made a stupid statement about Putin attacking non-supportive NATO countries. However, the border security and Ukraine expenditures should be separate bills. If we don’t tightly secure our border our children are going to have a scary place to grow up. Sadly, we may already be in that place.

Glenn Mollette is an author and columnist. Learn more at GlennMollette.com.

Letters Continued from A4

who are sympathetic to Putin and refusing aid to Ukraine because they want Russia to win. We have commentators saying that life is better in Russia than in the U.S. and we have MAGA followers who actually believe it.

Ronald Reagan is not rolling over in his grave, he is spinning at several RPMs.

To believe that Trump as a dictator would solve all the country’s problems and guard us against what his MAGA followers see as the evils of the modern world is like believing the tooth fairy will bring you a million dollars. It is not going to happen. To be blunt, it is delusional.

Despite his flagrant disregard for the law, his corruption, his incompetence and Jan. 6, for such a large segment of our population to see Trump as some kind of secular, and even for some a religious, savior is extremely disturbing. Our choice in November could not be more clear, democracy or not. The choice is ours to make.

SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville

These are the solutions for today’s sudoku puzzles that appear on page B3. Solutions for Monday’s sudoku erroneously were printed in today’s B5.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

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) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119

welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

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 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

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 four-part 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. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. For more information, call (530) 622-1180.

Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728

our free counseling can help you.

Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

n SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

BLACK AND WHITE

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“This legislation is critical for supporting our local economies by generating more revenue, creating more jobs, and catering to a robust tourist population,” said Alvarado-Gil. “SB 1028 will ensure businesses have the tools they need to thrive and communities can continue to grow and prosper.”

SB 1028 builds upon previous legislative efforts to address the

Virtual fencing on topic at next Forest Forum

Diane Dealey Neill

Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum

JACKSON –University of California Cooperative Extension Assistant Specialist

Brian Allen and local rancher Leisel Finley will be the speakers at the next Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum. The meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Round Table Pizza, 12280 Industry Blvd., Suite 81, Jackson. Virtual fencing is an emerging technology that contains livestock without a physical fence. The UC Cooperative Extension is partnering with local livestock producers to explore the potential of this technology on California’s diverse rangelands. Projects focus on using virtual fences to direct cattle

challenges faced by rural counties in California. The bill now moves onto the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus and Tuolumne.

to graze on invasive weeds, forest recovery after fire, installing fuel breaks along roadways, excluding livestock from sensitive areas and more. Research will also examine how the technology can be used on goats and sheep for land management applications. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP contact Diane Dealey Neill at dianedealeyneill@ gmail.com or (530) 4171960 by Monday, March 18. Pizza and soda are $15 per person and $20 per person with a salad bar. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Raffle tickets to support

Watershed

the Forest Forum may be purchased at the door. Donations help support scholarships and forestry education efforts.

The Amador-El

Dorado Forest Forum is a group of forestry professionals, forest educators and others interested in forestry practices and issues. The forum meets once a month in fall, winter and spring months at various locations in the two-county area. The forum awards scholarships to local college students majoring in forestry and sponsors the Forestry Challenge. For more information visit forestforum.org.

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$14 billion a year. Billions in goods and services provided by the watershed range from water supply, air quality, recreation, culture, pollination and more. And not that it’s producing this on its own, right? In most factories or things you have to do, it actually requires us putting things or effort into it, but just by having a healthy forest it’s naturally doing that.”

One facet of being future-minded in project planning is identifying how things have already started to change. Guo explained challenges caused by a changing climate have impacted the watershed and water managers in unexpected ways, requiring new approaches. One example is related to how existing means of water storage don’t work when the water comes all at once.

“Maybe the overall precipitation is about the same in this changed climate as it was before, but how it comes and when it comes is different now,” Guo said. “We’re realizing a lot more rain comes as flash floods and storms; that’s why, if you live in the Sacramento area, you often see Folsom spilling and (water managers) get a lot of complaints or questions about why they’re doing that when we’re in a drought. But we need to protect the dam, too. With a changing snowpack and precipitation, we need better ways to capture water and that comes from a healthier forest.”

Though the majority of the watershed is found within the bounds of El Dorado County, maintaining a long-term focus on preservation and management is something that impacts a significant portion of Californians. Beyond its status as a recreation destination, the American River is a direct tributary to the Central Valley and State Water projects that are the backbone of a statewide water system that provides water to millions of residents, farms and businesses, according to an EDWA press release.

Due to split jurisdictions across the watershed area, bigger-scale projects have been difficult or nearly impossible to get off the ground in the past. By coming together at the discussion table and producing the new plan, all parties have refocused on shared goals and identified 13 key strategies to prioritize in watershed management efforts, according to Guo.

“It’s a locally developed plan,” Guo explained. “It’s really taking the bottom-up approach, where it’s identifying needs of the region and working collaboratively to identify the challenges and strategies that help us put together a more cohesive package when we may be looking for state and federal funding and resources. A lot of times policy makers are looking for that approach. They want to know — ‘What do you need on the ground?’ — and that’s really one of the benefits of this very highlevel document.”

In an effort to create a more resilient watershed, the plan drafted by EDWA includes a list of 191 projects in planning and implementation stages across the region. Though many are still in early stages, the list represents a multilateral approach to watershed health, from meadow and wetlands restorations that will help store water and encourage biodiversity to projects focusing on fire fuels reduction. One consistent theme in many of the projects is a renewed perspective on genuine forest management.

“The approach taken for more than 30 years was ‘Do not touch the forest,’” Guo told the Mountain Democrat. “They thought, ‘There’s a lot of trees, that’s natural, that’s healthy,’ but it’s really not.”

Though specific projects are typically oneoff undertakings, the plan serves as more of a broader overview, a guiding star pointed to the future. Though the plan has been put together, the agencies involved — including the American River Conservancy, California Department of Water Resources, El Dorado and Georgetown Divide resource conservation districts and El Dorado Irrigation District, to name a few — will continue to convene meetings to refine projects.

Photo by Nick Pesola

Softball World Series.

Anzini said he was always interested in umpiring, but one day while watching one of his nephew’s games, it became a reality. The head coach of his nephew’s team also happened to be the umpire-in-chief.

“My brother-in-law connected us and next thing I know I was putting on gear and calling balls and strikes,” Anzini said. “From there it’s taken off.”

In order to be in consideration to umpire the biggest tournament of the season, an umpire must first work a regional tournament. Anzini got his chance to umpire his regional in 2021. He was selected to do it in 2020, however COVID-19 prevented that from happening. After working a regional an umpire is deemed World Series qualified to apply if they perform well enough.

Anzini will be on his way to Greenville, N.C., for a week in August to cross another goal off his bucket list.

“It’s a balance of wanting to perform as best I can as an umpire but also soak

it all in and enjoy it as it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Anzini said.

Anzini’s wife Natalie will join him for the trip. Natalie was not able to attend the regional tournament in 2021 due to COVID restrictions. During that tournament she watched Dan from home on ESPN+.

The couple has been able to turn Dan’s umpire travels into vacation time for themselves, like the time they went to New York for Dan’s training.

“I got the chance to watch him in Cooperstown for two days and then we did New York tourist things and built a vacation into it,” Natalie said.

Dan and Natalie have been married for 17 years and have two daughters, Clara and Betty, who are both in high school. They all share a love of music as both girls play the trumpet and are in jazz, marching and symphonic bands. Dan is also the band booster president and music is a family bonding experience for everyone.

This

CHARLIE

The

MCCOY

Anzini Continued from A1

Dan Anzini sports his umpire gear behind home plate.

Photo courtesy of Dan Anzini

An example of a map provided by Perimetermap. com shows how the website functions during emergencies that require evacuations.

Perimeter Continued from A1

“We are hoping it will help people leave earlier,” Morton said. “Say if you live in the Oak Hill zone and you are not under any orders or warnings, but you hear that the Pleasant Valley zone is under an order and you see the one next to that is under a warning, you might think to yourself, ‘I’m not under anything, but I’m at least going to start getting my stuff together.’”

Morton noted the website does not function as an emergency alert system. He insists residents sign up for EDSO’s emergency notification service RAVE, which one can register for at ready.edso.org.

Going door to door remains EDSO deputies’ priority method of alerting communities to evacuate.

Knocking on neighbors’ doors,

Courtesy graphic

RAVE and Perimeter, will all be addressed in EDSO’s “Know Your Zone” campaign, where sheriff’s officials will seek to inform residents about their “evacuation zones” and evacuation routes.

EDSO officials advise residents to prepare an evacuation kit with essential items such as medications and important documents and to obtain information from sources such as EDSO or local fire and police departments during emergencies

“If you think you need to leave, just leave,” Morton said. “That’s the message we are trying to push out to people. It seems basic, but when you are waiting for an alert or for someone to tell you what to do, sometimes it’s stressful waiting for directions. That is something we want to put out there.”

EDSO is hosting a town hall at Union Mine High School’s gym May 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on evacuations and wildfire preparedness.

March

GWonderful weavings

Ryder feels a direct connection to the earth and its landscapes. Living in the Sierra Nevada mountains, she is inspired by the multi-sensory beauty of the forest, lakes, rivers and vistas nearby, nurturing the artistic soul within her and shining through in her work. To capture the tactile nature of the world around her, she experiments by repurposing and recycling familiar textiles in unusual ways, pushing beyond the limits of known fibers and fabrics to create works of startling and often practical-beauty.

She turned to fiber coiling to make fanciful forms that reflect the shapes found in nature and in a person’s home. For example, she wrapped coils of rope with fabric patterned with pinks, greens and blues to create a “Mountain Wildflowers Basket” that looks like armfuls of interwoven flowers collected on a bright spring day. The wide-brimmed “bowl” is

pliant enough to sit flat on a table or be tilted at a jaunty angle to display objects within.

Ryder loves to experiment with unusual techniques, materials and designs to create her many fabric-wrapped, coilrope baskets. A bit of serendipity at the hardware store led to a brainstorm of ideas

when she came across a splendid variety of colored ropes. Her imagination soared with this whole new world of brightly colored ropes, which she immediately incorporated into her weavings as “cores.” Wanting to elevate her baskets to a new

■ See GALLERY, page B5

Sons of Serendip to perform at Union Mine theater

Jeannette Maynard

Special to the Mountain Democrat

El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s fifth concert of its 2023-24 season will feature Sons of Serendip on March 19. Billboard charting classical-crossover quartet, Sons of Serendip won the hearts of fans and judges alike as finalists on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC) with ethereal and emotionally stirring interpretations of pop music, arranged with a unique blend of vocals, harp, piano and cello.

With four successful albums (“Sons of Serendip,” “Christmas: Beyond the Lights,” “Life + Love” and “Mosaic”) and soulful live performances, Sons of Serendip has lifted audiences both nationally and internationally.

Their most notable performances include collaborations with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cynthia Erivo, as well as a performance for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. In 2019 Sons of Serendip returned to the

■ See SERENDIP, page B5

“Sakura” by Randy Honerlah

PROSPECTING

Discovery series seeks gold in Placerville’s backyard

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Anew series set to start airing on the Discovery Channel Friday follows veteran gold miner Dave Turin as he goes digging in America’s backyard, and the initial episode takes its first stop in familiar territory.

When heavy storms in the first half of 2023 inundated the foothills with trillions of gallons of rain and snow, some began to oracle auspicious tidings for those with an inclination for all things aureate. Albert Fausel, local gold hunter and owner of Placerville Hardware, was quick to point out that all that water hammering the hills was the portent of potential paydirt, and soon saw a surge of reporters coming from across the country to cover the story.

“Because of all that water moving, I could go back to one of those old spots I’ve hit up and I can find gold there again,” Fausel told the Mountain Democrat in 2023. “This is sort of almost refreshing everybody’s picked out spots, surprise gold where you never thought it would be again.”

Kicking off episode one of “America’s Backyard Gold,” Turin meets Fausel in Placerville and gets a gander at Gold Country, providing pointers for how viewers could start looking for gold themselves along the way. Though more than $243 billion in gold has been pulled out of the ground since the Gold Rush, Turin explains, there’s still more than enough to go around; estimates say there is more than $3 trillion worth of gold still undiscovered in America alone.

The recent weather events paired with less soil held in place due to the loss of countless trees and vegetation due to the Caldor and Mosquito fires has led to a lot of shifted earth. “From disaster comes the opportunity for new gold,” Turin explains in a voiceover. More than ready to put that idea to the test, Turin and Fausel take a trip to a local stream to go “sniping” — Albert’s preferred way to look for gold.

Sniping is as simple as slipping into a wetsuit, strapping on a snorkel and looking for the shine of gold at the bottom of a waterway. In a 30-minute excursion to a secret spot of Fausel’s — one he believed had previously been emptied out of gold — the duo pulled around $840 worth of gold out of the water.

The show takes time to approach modern gold mining from a mix of perspectives, explaining modern advancements and techniques while

also considering the historical context.

“I love history and you can use history as a tool just like you can use a metal detector or a pan,” Turin explained to the Mountain Democrat. “A lot of what brought people to the western United States was gold and for those old timers, gold paid the bills. It put shoes on their feet, it put food on the table and, because of that, you had to get good at finding it. With their knowledge and use of my modern-day equipment, you can use that history to help you prospect for gold.”

Given Turin’s love of history, perhaps it is fitting he begins his new gold adventure in the heart of Gold Rush country. In many ways, gold mining in California is a different beast altogether than how he has done things in the past in shows “Gold Rush: Alaska” and “Dave Turin’s Lost Mine.”

In response to a legacy of overmining and ecological concerns, California’s laws regarding mining are some of the strictest Turin has seen. With laws limiting use of motorized mining equipment, prospectors in the state have to rely on similar techniques to the ones used by ‘49ers

in the old days. “It really was going back to basics — sniping and panning and such,” Turin described. “I have a deep appreciation for the people that started the original Gold Rush, getting back to the basics because I can’t use an excavator. I’d love a big mine but I love getting back to basics using just a pan and a shovel.”

Though the gold finds during his trip are worth a highlight, Turin said his real takeaway from the trip to the Sierra Nevada — complete with a test of the infamous local classic, the

Hangtown Fry — was how much he enjoyed the area and its people.

“I really enjoyed the people and especially Albert,” Turin said. “Without his help, we’d have been at a loss for where to go. I visited Placerville when I was around 20 and, coming back, it really hadn’t changed much since.”

Viewers can catch Turin’s tour through the country and its many ways of finding gold in “America’s Backyard Gold,” which premiers 8 p.m. Friday, March 15, on Discovery Channel.

Free Youth Dance Festival a must-see celebration of movement

Mary Jolley

Special to the Mountain Democrat

After months of intense rehearsal, a phenomenal ensemble of teens of all dance experience levels will perform for the community at 5:50 and 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Ponderosa High School.

The Youth Dance Festival is a huge production of youth ages 11-18 performing a variety of exceptional choreographed dances to tell an inspirational story.

“We have approximately 200 youth participating,” said David Cope, co-director of the 2024 Dance Festival with his wife, Nina.

Behind the scenes, youth will be making props and acting as stage hands. These 200 El Dorado County teens are actively involved in the entire production.

Festival performances in El Dorado County history have included lifts, spins, acrobatics, fireworks, spectacular balloon releases and breathtaking numbers that fill the dance floor.

This year promises to be just as epic.

“We’ll be showcasing the talents and personalities of our youth,” said co-director Nina Cope, “with such awesome, upbeat music and dance styles.”

This year promises to be extra special because the teens will perform one of David’s original songs about “coming unto Christ and also being a light for others as they find their way to Him,” explained Nina. “The song, ‘I am Whole,’ will lead into our big, upbeat finale.”

The festival is sure to be an amazing event for the whole El Dorado County community. “I grew up in El Dorado Hills,” David said, “and participated in a lot of different kinds of performances. I remember feeling like I had the opportunity to give something to the community. In this particular case, our goal for the viewer is to come closer to Christ.”

These local teens are giving back to their community with an inspirational, completely-free event. This event is put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What was it like working with 200 teenagers two

nights a week for the past few months?

“Working with youth is always an incredible experience,” David shared. “The young men and young women are so genuine in all that they do. They have a deep desire to improve themselves in every way. It is inspiring and helps me become a better man myself.”

Nina said she and her husband are “most excited for how fun and entertaining the whole show is going to be.”

Photos courtesy of Discovery Channel / Raw TV Limited

“America’s Backyard Gold” host Dave Turin stands by a sluice, ready to sift through some paydirt. Turin’s show will take a stop in Placerville in its first episode, premiering Friday March 15. Below, Placerville Hardware owner and longtime gold hunter Albert Fausel joins Turin on a dip into a stream where they pull hundreds of dollars’ worth of gold in under an hour.

Photo by Paulette Blomquist

Young dancers Sam Hulbert and Lisi Mann rehearse for the Saturday Youth Dance Festival that will have everyone tapping their toes and feeling inspired.

Do you know how to ‘scratch’?

How lucky Placerville Arts Association is to have Linda Heath Clark as the presenter at the March meeting. She has been a PAA member for many years and a former PAA president. Attend the meeting March 18 and learn how to “scratch” properly.

Clark started her art career as a scientific illustrator. In combining scratchboard techniques learned as a scientific illustrator with acrylic on clay board she e ectively captures light, form and dimension in her full color artwork.

She has been recognized with multiple international and national awards. Highlights include a top 10 placement in Artists Magazine Over Sixty Competition, March/ April 2023 issue, and being one of 30 international artists selected for a billboard display in The Billboard Creative’s We the People Show. Her billboard was on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, February 2023. More recently she was awarded Honorable Mention in AcrylicWorks 10: the Best of Acrylic special edition Artists Magazine, Fall 2023. Her art can be seen at Fire and Rain Gallery

in Folsom, and Placerville Art Gallery in Placerville.

Members and guests gather together on the third Monday of each month (unless it’s a holiday) at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. Meetings are held 2:30–4:30 p.m. Guests are invited and always welcome.

Clark will demonstrate her unique process of using scratchboard techniques with acrylic on clay board to create full color scratchboard art. Guests will learn how to “scratch” — in an artful way. After the demonstration, there will be a meetand-greet time with refreshments — a perfect time to chat with Clark and get to know other art lovers.

Following the refreshments, will be an informative member meeting where future events and opportunities to participate in art shows and 2024 events will be announced. PAA next presents the upcoming Spring Member Art Show in April at the El Dorado County Government Center on Fair Lane in Placerville. It’s not too late to become a PAA member and be in the art show. For everything about PAA visit placervillearts.com. The local nonprofit arts organization is also on Facebook.

a situation only makes it harder to tolerate it. You’re instead willing to poke around a bit and discover the nature of things. It will bring about a realization, then a change.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Strike up conversations with neighbors or fellow commuters during daily routines. You’ll stumble upon an unusual connection or nd intersections of interest you wouldn’t have guessed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some battles are just about being a human willing to live imperfectly in a world of challenges. Roll with the emotions. Let the wave of feeling do the work, showing you the highs and lows while carrying you safely back to shore.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Out of habit, you may feel like you want to keep investing time, e ort and emotional energy into something that’s actually complete. You have achieved success. All is resolved. The thing to do now is to believe it and move on.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Learn all you can about the issue at hand without worrying about how you’re going to solve it. It might not be yours to solve. You’ll come to a threshold of knowledge and know just what to do -- or not do -- as the case may be.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The attributes you want to embody exist in you already, though maybe not to the extent you would prefer. Your attractions will lead you down a path to growing and radiating these qualities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Dogmas are tinted glasses,

coloring a worldview. Let go of a few ideas to see a more accurate picture. Everyone needs to be heard, but for how long? Too many opinions and beliefs can bog down interactions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Someone who has constructive opinions is rooting for you. That doesn’t mean you should apply what they say. Trust your own vision. Well-intentioned people may not understand the breadth of your vision.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There are many perks that spring from heightened sensitivity. You will be more creative, observant and productive. However, you may also be a bit on edge. It takes more energy to feel so acutely.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Empty your mind onto paper. At rst, it will seem overwhelming, but the rst step to handling mental clutter is knowing exactly what it is you’re dealing with. You’ll take care of business and feel lighter.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Let your altruistic nature shine. In giving back to your community, you’ll nd the key to unlock a vault of solutions for what’s been troubling you. Furthermore, profound bonds will be forged in the problem-solving.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your emotional intelligence is evident in the way you handle relationships. You are incredibly skilled at building trust and mutual respect. Your integrity and authenticity shine through in every interaction.

Local writers featured at poetry event

Poetry of the Sierra Foothills hosts writers Frank Gioia and Paul Godwin at Chateau Davell March 17.

Gioia is a short story writer, actor and poet. His recently published memoir, “The Mercury Man: Remembering Brooklyn,” is a collection of personal narratives about coming of age on the streets of Brooklyn in the 1950s and the year he served in Vietnam in the 1960s. His work has been published in the on-line magazine Ovunque Siamo and The Artful Mind.

An earlier version of his poem “I’ll Drink to That,” written while a member of the Veterans’ Voices Writing Workshop, is included in the 2023 anthology, “What do You Want to Know?” He has read his work in the Berkshires, the Twin Cities, Sacramento and the Sierra foothills.

Godwin is a professional musician and closet memoirist. He writes about his dysfunctional suburban New Jersey childhood and adolescence in the ‘60s and ‘70s with humor and honesty. His

blog Surfing and Oblivion dealt with the suicide of his brother Todd and was live from 2011 to 2014.

Godwin is a graduate of Ripe Fruit Writing San Francisco and a student of the master of fine arts program in fiction at Warren Wilson College, Asheville N.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music production and engineering from Berklee College of Music, Boston, and studied oral interpretation of literature with Dwight Conquergood at Northwestern University.

Godwin is the winner of Bay Area Critics Circle Best Composer for his score for “Homebody/ Kabul” by Tony Kushner in its West Coast Premiere at Berkeley Repertory. He is co-founder of Myrtle Tree Arts and hosts the monthly Talk and Culture Podcast, Placertopia Live. He lives in Placerville with his wife Ameera and their Tibetan spaniel, Zeke.

The event begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Chateau Davell, 3020 Vista Tierra Drive in Camino. In addition to discussions with the authors, there will be an open mic opportunity. For more information call (530) 644-2016.

p.m. See more details on the Third Saturday Art Walk Facebook page. The show at Arts and Culture El Dorado at Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St., takes center stage with the first Youth Arts Exhibition, showcasing artworks created by El Dorado High School students.

O’Connell Street Band will perform at 12:30 p.m. followed by Exit 60 at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Mastroserio Winery in the Fair Play area hosts Jazz Night, 5:308:30 p.m. Reserve your seat by texting (530) 417-4321. Moxie Barker, Big Sticky Mess and Local Anthology will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Maxx Cabello will perform 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

The 2024 Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion train season begins March 16-17. Trains will leave from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. March 16 and 1 and 2:30 p.m. March 17. Tickets are available online or at the Central Pacific Passenger Station ticket office on Front Street between I and J streets.

Andis Wines in Plymouth hosts Briny Blanc, a white wine release and oyster party, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a delightful white wine flight perfectly paired with oysters on the half shell and specialty oysters from Flora & Fauna. For reservations and more information call (209) 245-6177 email info@andiswines.com.

Sutter Creek Theatre presents Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 4250077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

Nuala Kennedy, Eamon O’Leary and Kevin Burke will perform at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

March 17

Peak Nutrition, 3392 Coach Lane in Cameron Park, hosts a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy doing specials and chat with representatives from local organizations and vendors. El Dorado Western Railroad’s excursion rides resume, with train rides on the hour, 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. Board at the El Dorado

Know Continued from B1 n See KNOW, page B5

Serendip

Continued from B1 Know

“America’s Got Talent” stage, selected to compete in the first “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” The quartet competed alongside 50 of the winners and finalists from “America’s Got Talent” and Got Talent’s worldwide.

In 2020 the group performed for Oprah Winfrey’s 2020 Vision Tour’s closing celebration in Denver, Colo., and most recently in 2022, they were invited to be one of the artists representing the United States in Dubai at EXPO 2020.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at Union Mine High School’s Theatre at the Mine, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado. The public is welcome. Non-members may attend for $25 at the door ($10 per student). Only cash and checks are accepted at the door (no credit/debit cards).

For more information about EDCCCA call (530) 556-9498 and/or visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com.

level of creativity, she wondered what would happen if she used these cores as part of the design rather than tucked away unseen.

One of the results is “Sunflower Wall Baskets,” a fiber arts sculpture, glowing with sunny golds and yellows interspersed with a cheerful fabric print of greens and browns to give a feeling of happy sunflowers waving in the breeze. Part of the golden-yellow core she used for the coil is left exposed as a delightful attribute, joining the two baskets, one large and the other smaller, ready to be hung on a wall or set as a centerpiece on a table.

She describes her creative process as intuitive, letting her mind go and her imagination wander as she works. Then she will suddenly see something exciting about the colors and patterns that appear. The result is a series of baskets with the saturated colors, interesting textures and the unexpected designs she loves, like the “visual heat” arising from her “Solar Flare Basket.”

Ryder said she finds great satisfaction in the deep bond she creates with others who are emotionally touched by her work. She actively donates her work to various community nonprofits and local libraries, and displays it in a variety of settings throughout the region.

Emotional essence

Claussen has always sketched. As a youngster at school, she said she paid more attention to sketching the students around her than to her teachers. Winning an art award in high school set her firmly on her artistic path. But she must have paid some attention in class because she went on to earn a degree in business, publish many articles and became a teacher herself.

At San Francisco State University, she learned about the elements of art, the importance of structure and how things fit together, persistently exploring, experimenting and meeting personal challenges to grow artistically. However, it is Claussen’s ability to move beyond the technical job of painting to capture the elusive, emotional essence of a subject. Her fanciful spirit also shines through, infusing her work with whimsy, something not that surprising for an artist who uses music and dancing as part of her creative process. She is a master watercolorist, often

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Station March 17 and April 7 & 21. Train rides at the Shingle Springs Station are planned April 14 & 28. For more information visit facebook.com/ ElDoradoWesternRailroad.

Findleton Estate and Vineyard in Camino hosts a St. Patrick’s Day barbecue paired with estate wines. Chris Jensen will sing and play original tunes and Michelle O’Connor from Infinite Light will make jewelry on site. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information call (530) 644-4018.

Sham-rock your taste buds this St. Patrick’s Day at Oakstone Winery in the Fair Play area. The winery offers limited edition food and wine pairing. For more information visit oakstone-winery.com.

Miraflores Winery hosts Soup Sundays through March 31. Enjoy a complimentary cup of soup while wine tasting at the Placerville tasting room.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts two events: Read to a Dog, 1-2 p.m. Therapytrained friend Emma the Corgi will be on-hand for

preferring to paint on clay board, which has a very porous surface. It takes hours for the fluid to evaporate between applications, producing unique effects that add interest to her artwork. She shares the story of when she was a judge at a dog show and had a moment with nothing to do, so she sketched a bulldog to paint later in a monochromatic color scheme using the values of one color or hue. Her watery style of painting implies the wrinkled-skinned nature of “Bulldog,” with its barrel chest and square, wrinkled face. In the end, though, she could not help herself from putting a “pop of color” into the mix.

In another watercolor, “Share the Road,” Claussen included many of the symbols that have come to represent downtown Placerville. The stagecoach parked at the foot of the Bell Tower with the historical “Ketchup and Mustard” buildings and the beautiful old El Dorado County courthouse in the distance lends a fine bit of perspective, almost like a postcard. But, at second glance, one sees a big brown bear lumbering down the middle of Main Street while eyeing a goodsized turkey posed by the Bell Tower, and a doggy sitting at the window of the stagecoach, ready for a ride. And is that a cougar in the window of the Fairchild Building? What other animals can you see in Claussen’s artwork? The scene is captivating, inspiring a closer look.

As well as an author, philanthropist and animal advocate, Claussen is an awardwinning, internationally acclaimed artist whose works have been exhibited globally in museums, galleries and many print publications — great achievements for someone who “didn’t pay attention in class.”

Evolution of color

Honerlah has painted pictures since he was a boy growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, cultivating his artistic skills on his own until earning an art degree in college and studying artistic techniques with various artists over the years. He describes his work as a blend of modern abstraction, classic impressionism and contemporary illustration. His paintings are inspired by the natural world around him and living in the Sierra foothills has provided a rich choice of landscapes, animals and flowers to draw upon.

Honerlah mastered the art of using what seems like simplicity to imply detail and complexity. On closer inspection, the viewer begins to appreciate the intricacy of each image and the attention he invests in every single space of the painting. He developed a unique style, giving each leaf, branch, petal and positive or negative space its own color, resembling an intricately painted mosaic. Many of the patterns in his artwork are created by the intriguing shapes and colors around them, providing rich texture.

“I find the excitement of creating a new painting irresistible and, even as I finish one the next one is in the back of my mind,” he said. “The abstractions created by tree branches, leaves and sunlight have always inspired me. Nature’s light and colors evolve on my canvas, and the dance of shapes completes each piece.”

One of his more recent paintings was inspired by a photograph taken by a friend of an old tree in a forest in England. Honerlah was struck by the interesting shapes of the trunk and branches. The scene in the photo seemed

Freelance Reporters Wanted

a free, fun, one-on-one reading session with kids. Writers’ Coffeehouse, 1-2:30 p.m., allows writers to chat about the latest trends in the industry, about the craft of writing, about marketing, pitching and selling as well as the writing experience. For more information call (916) 941-9401 or visit getyourfaceinabook.com.

ShirlJAM will perform at 1:30 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts a Focaccia Art class with Focaccia Joe. For more information email info@medivineyards.com.

Folsom Concert Association presents Key of G Live! A Tribute to Garth Brooks at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento hosts St. Patrick’s Day crafts and a scavenger hunt to find a pot of gold, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit

rather melancholy, he said, perhaps taken on a foggy day, but it inspired him to instead paint it with the joyous colors of pink, blue, gold and lavender that one might find “In Dreams.”

fairytaletown.org.

March 19

Placerville FamilySearch Center hosts German Research – Finding and reading your German documents, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Two teachers will guide you in your research. Bring copies of documents if you would like help translating. For more information call (530) 621-1378.

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, noon to 3:15 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot at 2101 Vine St. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim from the Gaden Shartse Monastery offers a Basic Tibetan Buddhism class starting Tuesday, March 19, 6-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. This is for new students from Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties and around the world. If interested email sierrafriendsoftibet@gmail.com.

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n See GALLERY, page B8 Follow us! @MountainDemocrat BE WARY OF OUT OF AREA COMPANIES. CHECK WITH THE LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU BEFORE YOU SEND ANY MONEY FOR FEES OR SERVICES. READ & UNDERSTAND ANY CONTRACTS BEFORE YOU SIGN. wanna sell? 622-1255 The Public Square A local marketplace to find what you are looking for…To post your message, call us at 530-622-1255, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. For Rent Announcement For Sale For Sale Employment PLACERVILLE-$1.00 a square foot, includes utilities, 200sf –720sf each, of ce, storage, light industrial? 4600 Missouri Flat Rd, (530) 622-2640 HELP WANTED DA/RDA wanted for permanent position in dental of ce located in Placerville. Three days a week. As a Dental Assistant, you'll be responsible for assisting with dental procedures, sterilization, and interacting with patients to ensure they feel comfortable. Dental x-ray license is required. We would love to hear from you. Please email your resume to: frontof cejerrilynn@yahoo.com AIRPARK OLDIES Historical Aircraft Display March 16th & 17th April 13th & 14th 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Cameron Airpark Hangers ESTATE SALE Artist House, Gorgeous Furniture, Beds, Sofas, Antiques, Dining Table w/Chairs, Artist Supplies, Paintings, Garden, Kitchen, Painted Clothing Noon to 5 PM March 16 & 17 at 2928 Bedford Ave, Placerville. For Earlier Private Showing, call Robyn 530 626-4420 Seasons B&B Any Reasonable offer. Whole House Must Go ESTATE SALE 3037 CAMBRIDGE RD #B CAMERON PARK,CA 95682 (ON THE LAKE) 3/15 & 3/16 STARTS AT 9AM FURNITURE & APPLIANCES JEWELRY & BOUTIQUE ITEMS COLLECTABLES FROM USA & AROUND THE WORLD HOUSEWARES & LINENS BOOKS & GAMES OFFICE SUPPLIES & FURNITURE FINE DISHES & STEM WARE SMALL APPLIANCE SEWING MACHINE & NOTIONS WALL ART & PAINTINGS MEN & WOMEN’S CLOTHING & SHOES & HATS CRAFTING ITEMS & GAMES CHRISTMAS ITEMS & VINTAGE ORNAMENTS PATIO FURNITURE, YARD ART & PLANTS FISHING, CAMPING ITEMS AND CANOE ELECTRONICS ABUNDANCE OF GARAGE ITEMS & TOOLS AND MUCH MORE TREASURES 916-716-7946 Solution to Puzzle 1 Solution to Puzzle 2 ■ SUDOKU SOLUTIONS **NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION** Visit www.hangtownkc.org for Required Pre-registration Hangtown Kennel Club TRAINING & CONFORMATION CLASSES Wednesday, April 10th @ 7pm at the El Dorado County Fairgroun d s Puppy Kindergarten Beginning Obedience Scent Work Novice Tricks More Info Call Cathy (530) 622-6909

TISRA: Zakir Hussain, Sabir Khan, and Debopriya Chatterjee

Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain is proud to present TISRA (three) with two of India’s finest young musicians, Sabir Khan and Debopriya Chatterjee. This unique trio is comprised of tabla, sarangi (a bowed instrument said to possess the sound closest to the human voice), and bansuri (bamboo flute), a combination not often heard on the classical stage. TISRA showcases the rich folk and classical traditions of the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab. This colorful mix combined with

The Cher Show –A New Musical

Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture – breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story. THE CHER SHOW is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony Awardwinning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

Gallery Continued from B5 into distant rolling hills, creating a feeling of calming warmth, harvest done.

In his painting

“Sakura,” pink, white and yellow blossoms vibrate against a vivid, sky-blue background. Although bordering the abstract, these Japanese cherry blossoms sing with a fresh, spring-isin-the-air feeling in a lovely balance of color, shape and composition.

Honerlah’s awardwinning artwork is found in local, national and international exhibitions, private and corporate collections and fine art galleries. He is a Signature Artist in the International Society of Acrylic Painters and selected numerous times as a featured artist in the “Best of Acrylic Painting” book/ magazine series. Of his work, he said he hopes to inspire others to bring nature’s beauty into their homes.

Gold Country Artists Gallery, 379 Main St. in

“Bulldog” by Debbie Claussen

Placerville, features the work of many awardwinning regional artists working in fields as diverse as fine jewelry, photography, fused glass, wood turning, pastels, colored pencil, scratch board, and

watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and until 8 p.m. on the third Saturday each month. For more details call (530) 642-2944 or visit goldcountryartistsgallery.com.