Mountain Democrat, Friday, March 22, 2024

volunteerism or sheer dedication to bettering quality of life. Their e orts have now been recognized at the state level as “California women making Herstory.”

The first to come to the attention of the Mountain Democrat was the reputable founder of Rainbow Orchards Christa Campbell, who was nominated to be the Woman of the Year for Sen. Marie AlvaradoGil’s District 4.

Out of all the women nominated across her 13-county, 21-city jurisdiction, Alvarado-Gil accepted the nomination from El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Chair Wendy Thomas, who praised Campbell for her life’s work and accomplishments during Tuesday’s board meeting.

“There are so many (women) and yet when I got a call for a nomination, there was only one woman that immediately came to mind and rose to the top, and that was our beloved Christa Campbell,” Thomas said.

It is no secret Campbell is an agriculture guru in the community. At Rainbow Orchards, which she has managed with her husband Tom Heflin since 1977, she is known for growing

■

■ WILDFIRE SAFETY DAY

Hear about hot topics

Odin Rasco Sta writer

Placerville’s annual fire safety event is set to bring more than two dozen exhibitors ready to talk wildfire preparedness to Main Street Saturday.

For the third year in a row, Placerville Wildfire Safety Day will provide a multifaceted approach to providing wildfire safety tips, from hands-on demonstrations to discussions about how to navigate rough waters of homeowners’ insurance in California. The event will kick o at 9 a.m. March 23 at Midtown Mall — also known as the Wilkinson-Hupcey Building — at 681 Main St. in Placerville. With the Caldor and Mosquito fires still fresh in the minds of county residents, preparedness has become a pressing priority. The event represents a coordinated e ort between the Placerville Fire Safe Council and the city government to promote fire-safe practices such as home hardening, evacuation readiness and vegetation management in the hope of protecting lives, homes and resources.

The inaugural year for Wildfire Safety Day proved a hit, necessitating a change of venue from Town Hall in 2023, when more visitors and exhibitors were expected to appear. Event organizers hope to see hundreds of visitors this year, with more exhibitors signed up than in 2023. Three key presentations will take place twice Saturday, once in the morning and then again in the afternoon. The presentations will go over the evacuation plan for the greater Placerville area, operations of neighborhood radio watch groups during a potential fire emergency and the state of homeowners’ insurance.

Between presentations, a star attraction at previous Wildfire Safety Days will make its return to the event when the El Dorado Hills Fire Department will show guests the Wildfire Simulation Table. The table will present a potential future where a wildfire works its way to

■ See WILDFIRE SAFETY, page A6

Road proposed to alleviate Latrobe traffic

Eric Jaramishian

Sta writer

A proposal to build a roadway that would connect Latrobe Road to the Sacramento County line south of the El Dorado Hills Business Park is currently in talks at the county level. The topic went into brief discussion during the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting March 12 at the proposal of District 1 Supervisor

John Hidahl, whose district consists most of the El Dorado Hills area, seconded by District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo.

Citing the increase in activity in the business park and with developments planned for the area, including a future high school planned for the El Dorado Union High School District, Hidahl called for the county to look into building a new road to alleviate tra c congestion on Latrobe Road. The board voted

unanimously to direct sta to begin the preliminary analysis to identify options on the new roadway, which will consist of working with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the six-county collaboration of local leaders that addresses complex challenges surpassing the capacity of individual jurisdictions to tackle independently. Sta will also work with the El Dorado County Transportation Commission and has been

directed to return to the board within four months to come up with recommendations on how to ensure a functional road network.

According to Hidahl, initial studies were conducted over a decade ago regarding a roadway that would parallel the Sacramento/El Dorado County line going south of the business park. Reviews of the proposed roadway project were stopped

■

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

The “Donut Queen” Christa Campbell shows off her Woman of the Year proclamation at her Camino ranch Rainbow Orchards.

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.

Joseph Louis Caulboy

Nov. 4, 1954 – Mar. 11, 2024

Joseph Louis Caulboy passed away in the early hours of March 11th, 2024, at his home in Cameron Park, CA with his loving family by his side after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Trina. Joe is survived by his caring wife and best friend, Theresa, his children Angela (Clinton), Bryan (Becky), Tara (Jose) & Steven (Lori) Caulboy; his grandchildren, Dylan, Jordan, Brenden, Isabella, Andrea, Damian, Cristiano, Dorian, Ruben, Aeris & Russell; sisters Linda and Marcie; brothers Paul (Claudette) and Peter (Cheri) and a host of nieces, nephews, dear friends and family members. The family will sorely miss his laid-back manner, his jokes, and the love he had for everyone he knew. Born in Oakland, California on November 4th, 1954, to Louis and Mary Caulboy, he was the fourth child of six siblings. Joe graduated from St. Elizabeth High School, Cal State – East Bay and received his Master’s in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling from Phoenix University. He retired after 33 years of service to UPS. After retirement, he worked helping others in the mental health and social work field. He was also extremely proud of his faith and for the last twelve years was a Knight of Columbus (fourth degree). For more information about Joe’s life and his funeral services, go to https://www.cfcssacramento.org/ obituaries_cfcss/joseph-louis-caulboy/.

Robert Ybright

Nov. 23, 1946 – Mar. 11, 2024

Robert passed peacefully early Monday morning. He will be missed by his wife Georgia Ybright, son Lane Ybright & wife Leanne, daughter Evone

Ybright Manzella & spouse Joe Manzella, Deborah Ybright Alanis & Marcos Alanis, Rhonda Ybright Speier & Rick Speier, and Randy Ybright & Maria & Anthony Ybright

Richard Wallace Hill

Sept. 3, 1934 – Dec. 25, 2023

Richard Wallace Hill passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at his home, with his children by his side. He was 89 years old.

Richard was born in Salem, Illinois on September 3, 1934 to Raymond and Ginevra Hill. Richard had four older brothers, Eugene, Morris, Charles and Raymond Jr. and an older sister, Patricia. He attended elementary, junior high and high school in Illinois. Richard worked on the loading docks for the railroad during his high school years. He graduated high school in 1952 and moved from Chicago, Illinois to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lived with his sister and her husband, while attending the University of New Mexico. For a while he worked in construction as a framer/carpenter. At one point he helped his sister and brother-in-law build their home in the Sandia Mountains. He also worked at a Chevron gas station where he learned how to work on cars. He became a lifelong Chevrolet, Volkswagen and Chevron customer.

In 1954 Richard entered into a machinist apprentice program at Sandia National Labs, where he graduated a journeyman machinist. Richard met his wife, Linda, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They were married in February 1956. In November 1960, for a 5 cent an hour raise, the couple moved their young family from Albuquerque, NM to Livermore, CA. Richard worked for a short period at Sandia National Labs in Livermore before getting a job at Lawrence Livermore Labs, where he worked for 30 years. During his years at LLNL, Richard held many positions, from machinist to Superintendent of Manufacturing. Richard had a passion for cars and the outdoors. He loved taking his family on boating, camping, and o road dune buggy trips. He joined the East Bay Hi-Tailers Dune Buggy Club in the late 60’s. He was president at least 2 times during his 10-15 years as a member. He built his own o road dune buggies and enjoyed annual trips through the Rubicon. In the late 70’s he built his own sand rail buggy and enjoyed trips to Pismo Beach and Sand Mountain.

In 1991 Richard and Linda moved to the Placerville/Somerset area, where they lived on 5 acres. During their retirement, they enjoyed trips in their motor home to Arizona, New Mexico, New Orleans, Canada and Washington, DC. Richard had many special projects that kept him busy during his retirement. He rebuilt Volkswagen motors; made a water cooled, flat bed truck out of a Volkswagen bug; and redesigned his 1972 Chevy motor home into a flatbed truck. He was constantly working to take care of his home and 5 acres, right up until the last 16 months of his life.

Richard was preceded in death by: his wife of 67 years, Linda Hill; parents, Raymond and Ginevra Hill; brothers, Morris Hill, Eugene Hill, Charles Hill and Ray Hill Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Robert O’Connell; granddaughter, Melissa Wood; daughter-in-law, Leslie Hill; grandsons, Ryan Wood and Jason Bingham.

He is survived by: his children, Cathy (Richard) Wood, Michael Hill, Steven (Margie) Hill; sisterin-law, Terri Tafreshi; seven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great greatgrandchild.

Our dad, husband, and grandpa, was an amazing, intelligent, man who worked hard his whole adult life. He was a planner, determined, and meticulous in everything he did. We knew we could always count on him if we needed help, had a question, or a problem to solve. He had a great sense of humor. We will miss him very much.

Dale Edwin Cundall

Oct. 24, 1929 – Mar. 14, 2024

Dale Edwin Cundall, age 94, passed away peacefully at home in Placerville, Ca. on March 14, 2024. He was born October 24, 1929, the second child of Dean D. and Mildred M. Cundall. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Marion, who passed away in 2021. All three of his brothers also preceded him in death; Dean William (Bill), Ronald Rich and Earl Elbert.

In June of 1947, Dale graduated from Lincoln High School, then entered the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (B.I.O.L.A.) in September, graduating with a B.A. in 1951. While there he met Marion L. Smith, whom he married on June 20, 1953.

Dale and Marion had four children: Janet Ramler (Paul Ramler), Joyce Owen (Dave Owen, deceased), Judy Miller (Wayne Miller) and Philip Cundall (Tami Warden). He has 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Dale felt God’s calling on his life to become a minister of the Gospel and was ordained as a Pastor on September 11, 1953.

He loved Jesus and people, and in his lifetime served in 5 di erent churches: Agnew Baptist Church in San Jose, Ca. 1954-1957, Redwood Valley Community Church in Redwood Valley, Ca. 19571967, Pine Grove Community Church in Roseburg, Or. 1967-1972, Calvary Bible Church in Placerville, Ca. 1973-1979, and Gold Country Baptist Church in Shingle Springs, Ca. 1979-2006. The latter was a Church Planting Project of which he was the founding pastor. He and Marion retired to Redding, Ca. in 2009 and then moved back to Placerville in 2018. He remained Pastor Emeritus of Gold Country Baptist Church until his death.

Dale learned carpentry from his father and became a skilled carpenter himself. He used those carpentry skills on many building projects at the churches he pastored. He also drove school buses, was a volunteer fireman, and a High School Spanish teacher. He had short-term missionary experiences in Cuba with Practical Missionary training, in Trinidad as a men’s Bible Camp Speaker, in Brazil working on the construction of a parsonage, in Belgium with Biblical Literature Fellowship and in Guam building cabinets for Pacific Islands Bible College.

Dale cared deeply for people and even more for Jesus. He was a Pastor, role model, mentor, and faithful servant who brought honor to the Lord he loved. He was loved by so many people, and the love he had for others in return came naturally to him. He had a true shepherd’s heart as he loved and guided all whom God brought into his life.

Dale has entered into a fuller life than any of us on this side of eternity have ever known. His joy is complete, he is in the presence of glory, he is where he longed to be, though earth is poorer without him.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm. Gold Country Baptist Church 3800 North Shingle Rd. Shingle Springs, Ca. 95682

There will be a celebration of his life with family and friends. The date has yet to be determined.

OBITUARIES

Drew Van Winkle

Jan. 13, 1932 – Feb. 27, 2024

Drew began his earthly journey January 13,1932, in the middle of the Great Depression, a fact he was fond of relating. His life of 92 years was filled with adventures, entertaining stories and the desire to travel on newly discovered roads.

Drew’s life reflected his consuming interest in all areas of history. World, U.S., California. local, and Natural History filled his life with research and the never ending delight with each new event or concept he discovered. His amazing ability to remember and relate so much information combined with his contagious enthusiasm as he generously imparted his interest and knowledge resulted in his status as a living history legend!

He grew up actively enjoying the rural environment of Staten Island, New York. In March of 1951 he answered the call of patriotic duty and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He experienced combat duty in Korea and received a battlefield commission to the rank of Sergeant just one year after his enlistment. Following his discharge in 1954 he took advantage of the G. I. Bill and enrolled in Wagner College with a major in History and a goal of sharing his greatest interest in life as a teacher. His life then took an unexpected turn and he found himself in Europe with the opportunity to discover the history and cultures of the countries he had read and studied in his historical research. After putting many kilometers on his Vespa scooter he realized his experiences were rich and fulfilling, but his cash flow was rapidly diminishing! When he became aware that the newly established Frankfurt International School was hiring staff, he borrowed a jacket, introduced himself to the Headmaster and after an impromptu interview was hired to teach history to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. This was the beginning of Drew’s auspicious teaching career that would span 33 years.

A new life experience for Drew began in 1964 when he met his future wife who had just been hired as a teacher at Frankfurt International School. After numerous transatlantic communications and voyages, Drew and Kristine were married in Washington D.C. in 1966.

They returned to Germany to resume teaching with the FIS and began their family with the birth of twins, Joseph and Anna. Extended family matters necessitated a return to California. After a year in southern California, the attractions of northern California beckoned. The family packed up and began the search for a teaching position. Many miles and many applications later Drew was hired to teach history at Ponderosa High School and the family settled in El Dorado County.

Drew taught many and varied history classes at Ponderosa for 23 years. His knowledge and presentation skills left many students with more than historical facts to remember!! Drew’s retirement party in 1993 remains in the realm of a living legend!

Drew’s 50 years as an active resident of El Dorado County found him enthusiastically exploring the trails and challenges of the Eldorado National Forest. Hiking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing through the natural wonders at every opportunity. He cherished his corner of the world in Pleasant Valley. He planted many trees to enhance the bare land, raised fruits and vegetables, and welcomed any and all pets that found their way into his home and heart. The family was delighted with the birth of the Katrina. The twins, joined by neighboring kindred spirits, continued to eagerly explore the surrounding undeveloped area including an abandoned mine shaft! The family was involved with many projects as they actively participated with the Southside Top Notch 4H . Drew was always available to help transport project materials and swine to the county auction. He continued his support of 4H as the official auction photographer for several years.

Drew was instrumental in the formation of the Holm Ranch Road Association that collected neighbors contributions to maintain the road that was used by all residents as the area continued to develop. For many years Drew could be seen cleaning ditches, filling pot holes and working diligently to maintain a safe road.

Drew’s energy and enthusiasm never wavered as he continued to enjoy many international travel adventures with family and friends. Scuba diving became a family sport. Weekends and vacations found the family traveling to great diving sites, along the coast of California, Mexico, and British Columbia. A family trip to the Cayman Islands treated the entire family to the comfort of a warm water dive!

Drew volunteered as a docent at the Pt. Bonita Lighthouse in the Golden Gate National Park for 13 years. He never missed a month of appearing on a Saturday and Sunday to bring lighthouse history to life for visitors from around the world.

Drew’s life was full and rewarding. One of his greatest pleasures was basking in the sun, enjoying the view from his deck, preferably with friends and family. Always ready to share a glass or two of El Dorado County’s finest wine or a wee dram of a good single malt Scotch, while leading a spirited discussion on history, politics, or religion! Drew welcomed all into his home …. the more the merrier!

Drew stepped off this planet on February 27, 2024 leaving Kristine, his wife of 57 years, his son Joseph Van Winkle, his daughter Katrina Van Winkle and granddaughter Kristine McAuliffe and many friends and acquaintances with treasured living memories of his infectious zeal for life.

A Celebration of Drew’s Living History (in Drew’s words and in keeping with his request A Party) is planned for April 13th. All with memories of Drew Van Winkle are invited! Contact Kristine Van Winkle for specific time and place and to RSVP. In lieu of flowers a donation in Drew’s name to Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode would honor Drew’s love and care for all living creatures!

in California Disaster Assistance Act funding to help El Dorado County recover eligible costs it incurred in response to the Mosquito Fire.

The bulk of the funding approved by Cal OES

— $7,689 — represents the state’s 75% share of the $10,252 in costs related to performing evacuations, closing roads and conducting other response activities. The remaining $768.90 in CDAA funding approved for the county will help

CRIME LOG

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department

2:54

at the time due to favor for developments for Carson Crossing Drive that connects White Rock and Latrobe roads going into the business park.

“We unknowingly created a situation where we’ve increased the traffic demand on Latrobe Road without alternative routing,” Hidahl noted.

Hidahl said after initial analysis, it “became obvious” the road would have to go through the Sacramento County line to get a roadway from White Rock Road to go south, cross into El Dorado County and connect to Latrobe Road to provide the alternate route.

“That’s what has led to this current study,” Hidahl said. “The future high school was the real thing that drove it, but a number of other things that have come up recently that drove it (including the) Community for Health Independence.”

A project planned by AKT Investments in collaboration with UC Davis Health, the Community for Health Independence is proposed for 3,000 acres in south Folsom and El Dorado Hills.

Hidahl said it would “create an ideal situation” if the road is extended further south from the intersection at White Rock (which goes into Sacramento County) and Empire Ranch Road going toward the lower end of the business park.

“We continue to look at alternative ideas in terms of where that routing might be, meeting with stakeholders on what would be a suitable and acceptable (road) that would minimize impacts on any given business or investment entity down there,” Hidahl said.

In the longterm, Hidahl suggested creating another alternative road that would take the route from Latrobe Road to the south side of Highway 50 that would go through Marble Valley Road.

“Because (there would be a) circulator, a beltway, if you’re coming out of Placerville and want to go to the business park, you wouldn’t have to go through the White Rock Road/Latrobe Road intersection. You would just go around it through Marble Valley,” Hidahl said.

Additionally, a Latrobe Road widening project that would widen the road for a sixth-tenthsof-a-mile segment

Investment

Golden

man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Broadway. He was later

8:10

a

it cover administrative costs related to the county’s response.

CDAA payments are provided based on actual costs incurred by the county and provided by the state as work is completed and as documentation and requests for payment are submitted to Cal OES. A state of emergency proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State of Emergency for the Heat Dome and Wildfires, made El Dorado County eligible for CDAA funding.

More information on the California Disaster Assistance Act is available at bit.ly/ DisasterAssistanceAct.

3:30 p.m. Vandalism was reported on

on Broadway. He was released on $5,000 bail.

Foothill Parkway up to four lanes was added into the county’s Capital Improvement Program last May to address traffic congestion. Some supervisors questioned why White Rock Road could not be widened to four lanes. According to county Department of Transportation Director

Rafael Martinez, other roads with worse failing levels of service have his department’s attention.

“If White Rock is getting level of service D or E, but I’ve got other locations ... that are failing now, those are the projects that need to be funded. It’s holding back on resources for when that project is

most needed,” Martinez explained to the board.

Nevertheless, Martinez was in agreement the study for the proposed road is necessary.

“(Developments aside) this is an opportunity for El Dorado County to study a potential alignment that connects the dots with Sacramento County that will relieve traffic,” Martinez said. “It’s not creating capacity. It’s redirecting the existing traffic off Latrobe to where they want to go in the direction of Sacramento County.”

Martinez said the project, if approved fully, would be added to the CIP program and be funded through the Traffic Impact Fee schedule.

In

The evils of two lessers

The Democrats and Republicans have, together, decided to subject the American public to a rerun of the 2020 presidential election. This may be an exceedingly low turnout election, as most Americans, outside the bases of the two parties, have no desire to vote for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Some Americans, when forced to choose between the two, will just stay home.

Democrats will claim some level of moral superiority. After all, the party that started the Civil War is very high-minded these days about what they have labeled an insurrection. The reality of Jan. 6, 2021, is that it was a multi-hour temper tantrum conducted by the most well-armed group of American ever and they did not bother bringing their guns.

Letters to the Editor Editorial

Republicans, of course, claim Democrats are the immoral party for supporting abortion rights and transgenderism. Republicans, Democrats tell us, support a serial adulterer conman who duped people into believing the 2020 election was stolen, festered an insurrection and even now is swindling people out of money to pay his lawyers.

The back and forth leads inevitably to one inescapable conclusion: Neither party really has any business making moral claims of righteousness in 2024.

Democrats, Republicans tell us, are led by a human Roomba who shu es back and forth across stages, who lacks the capacity to make his own decisions and who presides over a family that got wealthy o Joe Biden’s position in government. His party champions Black Lives Matter, which in turn has rioted across America, burned down small businesses and declared property damage is not actually violence because of insurance. Even now, many loud voices in the Democratic Party are championing antisemitic views and voices calling for the elimination of the Jewish state and its people.

The Democrats would tell you Republicans are authoritarian and a threat to democracy. Democrats just tried to take Donald Trump o the ballot in several states in defiance of democratic norms until blocked by a unanimous United States Supreme Court.

Republicans will tell you Democrats want to put boys in girls’ locker rooms and advance transgender issues. Democrats will tell you Donald Trump has Caitlyn Jenner’s support and has even wavered on pro-life positions.

The back and forth leads inevitably to one inescapable conclusion: Neither party really has any business making moral claims of righteousness in 2024.

They are both parties of deviancy in varying degrees. The press corps, with its biases toward Democrats, are prone to really believe Jan. 6 was an insurrection and treat Democrats’ moral attacks on Republicans with far more legitimacy than they ever would give moral truth claims of the GOP. But the reality is both parties are asking Americans to choose not the lesser of two evils, but the evils of two lessers. Either way, Americans are asked to pick

Fast food wages too high

EDITOR:

I’m writing this letter as I don’t understand our California Gov. Gavin Newsom on having all fast food wages go up to $20 an hour.

Not only did the fast food restaurants have to raise the food prices way up, but this has caused some places to close up as they could not make it. All this did was put a lot of people out of work — so sad. Our governor did not think of this.

Also, I don’t think a 16-year-old should be getting $20 an hour at their first job. Some construction workers get $18 an hour to start, working in the heat — hard, physical work. Fast food workers should get $16 an hour.

This is not right. Mr. Newsom, you did not put much thought into this.

Who can a ord fast food now?

CONNIE ROSEN Pollock Pines

Not troubling

EDITOR:

Mr. Mosack wonders why someone would vote for Donald Trump after Trump was convicted of financial fraud.

I’ll tell you why.

First, this law has never been misused like this travesty in 75 years. No one, as the banks testified, was defrauded out of a penny. All loans were paid back in full with interest and on time.

Actually, some may be voting for Trump now who wouldn’t have before because what frightens them the most, more than any candidate, is us becoming a banana republic where the courts are used by the ruling party against political opponents.

Before you let your hate for Trump cloud your vision too much, bear in mind that the party you

■ See LETTERS, page A5

Why the measles outbreak keeps me up at night

Since the beginning of this year, measles cases have been reported in 11 states spanning both coasts and heartland.

The situation warrants enough concern that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning to doctors about renewed measles risk.

HELEN BOUCHER

Unfortunately, vaccine skepticism is threatening to undo one of the great public health achievements of the modern era: the e ective victory over this highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral infection, which is particularly dangerous for children and infants.

Many children who catch measles develop pneumonia. Other complications include brain inflammation and, in rarer cases, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis — a deadly neurological disorder.

Measles is highly contagious; so much so that if one person has it, up

to nine out of 10 people around them will also become infected if not adequately protected.

Further, measles is transmitted in the air and can remain in a room where a contagious person has been for up to two hours.

Parents nationwide need to take this threat seriously. The best way to protect your children from measles, and all preventable infectious diseases, is to follow the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule.

It has been nearly a quarter-century since the United States eliminated measles — meaning there has been no continuous transmission of the disease for 12 months or more.

The reason for measles’ dangerous comeback is clear: a decline in vaccination rates in recent years.

According to one investigation, at least 8,500 schools across the country have vaccination rates below 95%, the level the CDC deems necessary for e ective

Measles is a fate no child deserves — and, thanks to modern medicine, it’s one no child needs to face.

prevention of measles spread. Research has shown that the decline is linked directly to growing public skepticism about the safety of vaccines. Yet the measles vaccine is one of the safest and most thoroughly studied public health measures in the world — and has been for decades.

The benefits of widespread vaccination are undeniable. In 2019 alone the routine childhood vaccine schedule, which includes two doses of the measles vaccine, prevented an estimated 24 million cases of illness in the United States. Assuming a roughly even distribution across the population, that’s equivalent to preventing an illness in one in 13 people.

Make no mistake: measles is dangerous. We risk underestimating the threat it poses precisely because widespread vaccination has been extremely e ective in providing herd immunity.

We haven’t seen measles at its worst in the United States for over

a half-century. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, measles was infecting 4 million Americans annually and killing about 450. Even now, the disease leads to well over 100,000 deaths per year worldwide, almost exclusively in regions with low vaccination rates.

Vaccines are critical tools for fighting o both primary and secondary infections. Measles is a fate no child deserves — and, thanks to modern medicine, it’s one no child needs to face. We have the tools to ensure the elimination of measles is permanent. All we have to do is use them.

Helen W. Boucher, M.D. FACP, FIDSA, Hon. FRCPI is dean and professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and chief academic o cer at Tufts Medicine.

Editorial Continued from A4

the evil of their choice.

Republicans will assure everyone their side is not really evil; Democrats are evil. Democrats will assure everyone they are not really evil; Republicans are evil. Republicans will surround themselves with evangelical pastors to insist their flocks vote righteously. Democrats will surround themselves with secular saints doing the same. Everyone will quote Scripture and neither party has a real interest in loving their neighbor unless their neighbor agrees with them politically.

Most Americans are just going to get through this election year with the enthusiasm of someone headed to a colonoscopy. They will not be voting for the moral claims of either party because they see both parties complicit in $34 trillion in national debt and squandering America’s leadership of the Western world. Both parties have made the nation vulnerable to our enemies. Both parties will assert that, actually, their party is the party of truth, justice and the American way. Neither really is.

For most Americans, they just want to be left

alone. They want a sound economy. They want to feel safe in a chaotic world. They’ll be badgered, bullied and hectored by both sides demanding Americans pick them. Many will stay home. Plenty will go vote, and they will vote for the party they think is in their family’s best interest. Right now, judging by the best polling from the best pollsters, that benefits the GOP, which means the Democrats’ moral preening is about to go off the charts.

Erick Woods Erickson is an American conservative talk radio host, blogger and former politician.

Letters Continued from A4

support might not always be the one wielding this awesome weapon against a political opponent. It could someday be the other party wielding it against you. This is the kind of Pandora’s Box that no thinking person in either party wants to see opened.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

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.

Oak Hill neighbors celebrate their fire safety efforts

Alice Cantelow

Special to the Mountain Democrat A community day family picnic sponsored by the Oak Hill Area Fire Safe Council was held Saturday, March 16, at the field in the back of the Oak Hill fire station. Kids games, free hot dogs, DJ music, a chance to meet Sierra Wildlife Rescue animals and to talk about evacuation with both Neighborhood Radio Watch and Office of Emergency Services

representatives were all available. A fun “ember hunt” for kids was also provided. Around the sides were informative booths on wildfire preparation and free fire safe programs.

One highlight was big posters where residents could record and celebrate their individual defensible space and home hardening work done over the last year, with chances to enter prize drawings. These efforts by residents

totaled $250,000 spent and 1,400 hours of labor done, just by attendees. Residents continue to make their homes and community more wildfire resilient, from re-siding homes to simply raking leaves.

The Oak Hill Area

Fire Safe Council covers the section of Pleasant Valley Road between Cedar Ravine and Big Cut roads, including all feeder roads in between; some 800 homes are in the area.

Courtesy photos

Attendees of the March 16 Oak Hill Area Fire Safe Council picnic Luke Anker Lubetkin, Peter Asher and Michelle Hoogenhout, from left, talk fire safety.

Linda Ray records her defensible space and home hardening work done, winning a reflective address sign in the prize drawing.

One-year-old Zivia finds an “ember” during the kids’ ember hunt.

Women

The “donut queen” is also a founder and co-president of Ag in the Classroom, an outreach program dedicated to educating youth on the importance of agriculture. She regularly participates in El Dorado County’s annual Farm Day that brings hundreds of youth to the county fairgrounds for lessons in everything ag.

Beyond that, Campbell is board chair of the Marshall Foundation for Community Health and has volunteered with numerous other county nonprofits. She has donated use of her orchard to various community causes, including hosting drive-thru vaccine clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Touting her has one of the hardest working, influential women in the county, Thomas sent her nomination to the senator.

“Christa, you are just a treasure, an inspiration. You are who I aspire to be,” Thomas said.

Fittingly, Campbell was honored the same day the state Capitol was celebrating Ag Day, noted Alvarado-Gil. She also shared the first time she met Campbell was on a tour of Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises, which serves adults with developmental disabilities, another nonprofit Campbell is involved with.

“It was very clear that she truly lives what she believes in and the mission,” Alvarado-Gil said.

Campbell’s family, the Rainbow Orchards crew and friends from across the county came to support Campbell as she

was being honored. The honoree described her feelings in two simple words — honored and humbled.

“The award for me is not for the woman of the year, but it is for the women of the year,” Campbell said. “I accept this with the humble recognition that it is not just for me. It is for every woman who has been there at my side — neighborhoods building and supporting our communities.”

Campbell had more of a heads up about the Woman of the Year honor than Amy Pooley did. The new executive director of the El Dorado Community Foundation received a call from Assemblyman Joe Patterson’s office informing her that the legislator and his staff would be visiting Pooley in her office the same day, Monday. The visit was to inform Pooley, much to her surprise, that she was Patterson’s pick for Woman of the Year in his district.

Patterson selected Pooley for her work with Child Advocates of El Dorado, the El Dorado Community Foundation and beyond. While he could accept nominations for Woman of the Year, his office usually chooses for itself. Such was the case for Pooley.

“The one thing that I really appreciated about her is that she is committed to the cause,” Patterson told the Mountain Democrat. “She lives and breathes doing good things for the community.”

Pooley’s work in philanthropy and depth of knowledge of the community’s needs has spanned nearly two decades. She was previously the executive

director of CASA El Dorado that serves neglected and at-risk youth in the county, before becoming the lead at El Dorado Community Foundation.

“I just think ... how fantastic is it for both our senatorial district and our assembly district that both women of the year are from El Dorado County,” Pooley commented. “I think it just shows what great work that El Dorado County continues to do.”

“As a small rural community, we pack a punch and we do fantastic work. Let’s keep up the great work,” she added.

Pooley’s dedication to ensure the greatness of the community she grew up in is what drives her, she insisted. She left the corporate banking industry nearly 17 years ago, feeling the call to help people and taking on an entry-level position with CASA El Dorado.

“My ‘why’ is to ensure that the county that we live in remains like the home that I love, as well as a place that my children potentially would want to come back to,” Pooley said.

Pooley’s mission is to elevate philanthropy in the county through community engagement and efforts to “ensure that the next generation has the same vibrant El Dorado County moving forward.”

“Her vision for the El Dorado Community Foundation and the things she wants to do to improve things that are going on ... if she just scratches the surface of some of the stuff that she wants to accomplish, the residents out there are really going to benefit from some great things,” Patterson said. “That’s another reason why she was selected.”

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You bring a realness to your interactions that puts people at ease. You quickly achieve a level of honesty and intimacy. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will create a strong foundation for new and lasting relationships.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll be the first person they tell, the first in line or catching the first wave of a trend. As wonderful as the cutting edge may be, it also comes with a responsibility and a decision -- to share or not?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Trust your instincts and intuition. If something feels off or doesn’t sit right with you, don’t ignore it. Pay attention to red flags and heed them by putting distance between you and the person waving them.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You feel obligated to perform your duty without hesitation or mention. But is this true? A few honest words will connect you to the reality of a situation and save you from feeling like you’re trapped inside the conventions of it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When people give easily, it implies they have a lot to give, which is attractive. The link between generosity and charisma is further fortified by mystery. There’s something so intriguing about an unknown limit. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Know when to say “good enough.” Don’t let perfectionism waste your time. Tonight brings wonderful, heartfelt conversation. You’ll extend support and understanding, and later you’ll get it back just when you need it most.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Adventure sneaks up on you while you’re executing your very practical plans. You’ll be pleased by the surprising results you get, born out of the desire to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The lake that appears calm from the dock is teeming with activity under the surface. There is always more to know for those who care to go deeper. The question becomes -- should you? Do you really want to know?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Since you’ve known love to cloud judgment, you stay grounded in reality and assess the situation objectively to ensure it aligns with your values and long-term goals. Your balanced perspective keeps you from idealizing a situation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Stories seem to want to stretch and turn in fanciful ways. You may be amused by your own impulse to embellish. You’re responding to others and feeling a strong pull to entertain and delight.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Laziness isn’t always a fault. Sometimes it’s a skill or an instinct. Consider your options carefully. Not everything will be worthy of your involvement. You’ll feel a strong tug when the opportunity is right for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Everything feels better when you’re getting along well with your key people. Resolve any tension before you take on the rest of the world. And if there’s nothing to resolve, this is your chance for proactive thoughtfulness.

won the USA Softball of Sacramento Select Series III Tournament held at Livermore Park in Folsom March 10 and 17. Competing in the 12-and-under division against 14 teams from around the region, the Flyers went 6-1 in the tournament. In the semifinal game, the girls shut out Woodland 12-0 and in the championship game dominated Five Cities 19-4. This was the first time Placerville/Shingle Springs-based Foothill Girls Softball League has had a 12U team win a USA Softball Select Series Tournament Championship. Pictured from left are Aprilia Brown, Eden Sams, Ruby Mutzig, Abby Herrlin, Bella Milton, Sandy Goelz, Chloe Texdahl, Evelyn Betts, Sophia Kingsbury, Brooklyn Texdahl, Makena Linder, Daphne Lofgren, Kaitlin Munz and Gianna Goelz. In back are coaches Tammy Kingsbury, Shaun Kingsbury, Tim Linder, Andy Lofgren and Amber Goelz, from left.

Cal Fire sets aside $10M for conservation easements

Cal Fire News release

Cal Fire has appropriated up to $10 million in funding for Forest Legacy Grants to conserve and protect environmentally important, privately owned forestland. This funding supports California’s goals of conserving working forests to help protect natural landscapes threatened with conversion to other uses, promote sustainable and resilient forest practices and encourage longterm stewardship in line with the goals of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.

Under this competitive grant program, Cal Fire purchases or accepts donations of conservation easements or fee titles of productive forest lands from willing sellers, to encourage longterm conservation throughout the state. The solicitation for these grants is

two-part: first, a pre-application must be submitted, which will be ranked and scored; second, successful preapplicants will be invited to complete a full application that will be considered for funding. The pre-application period is open through April 16. Invitations to complete a full application will be made by May 7, with the full application period open until June 7. A field visit by Cal Fire sta to potential project properties is required.

Additional application information, including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements and deadlines can be found on the Forest Legacy Program website. All grant work must be completed by June 30, 2028.

Funding to conserve working forests is provided through the Budget Act 2023. Administered by Cal Fire’s Forest Legacy Program.

Courtesy photo

The Foothill Flyers

Sierra

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce recently announced the creation of a new signature event. Heart of the Hills is this year dedicated to a true American music art form – the blues.

This one-day festival will take place 1-6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the beautiful outdoor grounds at Overland District, just above Regal Cinemas at El Dorado Hills Town Center. Gates open at noon. Tickets are on sale now at heartofthehillsmusicfest.org.

Top-notch music

Acts booked for the inaugural event will blow music lovers’ socks off.

Tom Rigney is one of the premier American roots music fiddle players on the planet. His band — Tom Rigney and Flambeau — specializes in blazing cajun and zydeco twosteps, low-down blues, funky New Orleans grooves, boogie woogie piano and roots rock ‘n’ roll. Much of the repertoire is original music written by Rigney, but they mix in some classics from the cajun/New Orleans songbook.

Flambeau showcases Rigney’s fiery, virtuoso fiddling, his charismatic stage presence and his range and originality as a composer. He and Flambeau have forged a unique sound that blends American roots styles into something original and hot — mixing irresistible grooves with deep musicality and spectacular soloing. Rigney’s high-energy showmanship pulls the audience into his performances and makes them feel they are a part of the music and the show.

“Tom Rigney has written exacting music that requires a high-level of skill to play and absolutely no effort to listen to. Try to sit still while Rigney’s guys play; I dare you. Try to pretend that they are not unabashedly beautiful, wistful, haunting or mirthful; these guys are great,” noted Peter Coyote.

Take some influence from B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles and a pinch of Albert

Collins. Add in dazzling blues and jazz guitar chops, a rich soulful baritone vocal delivering original, often wry and beleaguered lyrics with sophisticated chord changes and instrumentation, and skills on various horns and keyboards, all delivered with an uptown cool that never lacks searing passion. It all adds up to the one and only Chris Cain, who has gone from being a newcomer phenomenon bursting onto the blues scene in 1987 with a classic debut release to being a legend, inspiration and longestablished member of the blues pantheon.

Cain’s jazz-informed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional and always unpredictable. His vocals — gruff, lived-in and powerful — add fuel to the fire. His indelible original songs keep one foot in the blues tradition and both eyes on the future.

The pure joy Cain brings to his playing and singing is palpable and draws fans even closer in.

“Chris Cain is for real. He’s a great blues player with an intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what he’s going to do next,” Guitar icon Robben Ford said.

“Plus he knows how to write a song you haven’t heard before, full of humor and insight. If

you like the blues you’ll like Chris Cain.”

“The hardest thing to do,” said internationally beloved soul-blues rocker Tommy Castro, “is be yourself, take some chances and bring your fans along with you.”

Throughout his long, constantly evolving career, guitarist, singer and songwriter Tommy Castro has always remained true to himself while exploring, growing and creating new music, and he has taken his thousands of devoted fans right along with him. Since his solo debut in 1994, he’s made 16 albums — the last seven for Alligator Records — each its own unique chapter in the book of Tommy Castro. Ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues to fiery, strippeddown rock ‘n’ roll, each release is solidly built upon Castro’s unshakable musical foundation — a dynamic mix of

1960s-influenced guitar-fueled blues, testifying Memphissoaked blue-eyed soul and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk, all driven by Castro’s grab-you-by-the-collar vocals and passionate guitar work. Blues Revue declared, “Tommy Castro can do no wrong.”

Down to the details

There are a little over 250 parking spaces at the venue.

Once these are full a “Lot Full” sign will be placed near the bottom of Rossmore Lane.

Additional overflow parking is being made available at Hills Church on White Rock Road with a free shuttle generously donated by Red Hawk Resort & Casino to take guests to and from. From Town Center take White Rock Road, cross over Latrobe Road and then left on

TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS

CHRIS CAIN

TOM RIGNEY n See BLUES, page B5 n See KNOW, page B4

Sunday, March 24.

News release

The Green Room Social Club in Placerville on Sunday hosts a themed special event in solidarity with the International WorkingClass Story Fest and in celebration of Women’s History Month. Performances will focus on a reclamation of what it means to be a working-class woman, sharing stories and voices on work, women and class.

The event will be cohosted by Storytelling Sunday co-founder and performance poet Rina Wakefield and working-class poet Jen Vernon, both of whom will open the show. Featured writers are Beverly Parayno, Estela Victoria-Cordero, Zheyla Henriksen and Lara Gularte. Live art will be created on stage by Rebecca Billingsley of Rabbit Whole Studio. Music will be performed by Ezra Devore. The International Working-Class Story Fest takes place online with presenters and audiences joining from Canada, Australia, England and the U.S. as well as through local live and streamed events

from Leicester, UK. and Placerville, March 22-24.

Featuring poetry, prose, theater, audio drama and discussions from working-class creatives, everyone is invite to join in celebrating workingclass stories and the people who make them. The art of storytelling in working-class communities has always been and still is an important way to build solidarity and recognize

the talent, diversity and experiences of the working class. This is an international event that aims to establish a global dialogue, featuring working class talent to build solidarity with all working-class people.

The event will take place 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. For more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

purchase at nickcarter. com.

Courtesy photo Performance poet Rina Wakefield will cohost The Green Room’s International WorkingClass Story Fest event

Courtesy photo

Nick Carter will perform solo hits as well as Backstreet Boys favorites when he comes to Harris Center for the Arts in October.

Courtesy photo

Beverly Paraynois one of several storytellers who will speak at the story fest event in Placerville.

‘Anything Goes’ for Photography Month in the Sacramento region

Traci Rockefeller Cusack

SACRAMENTO — Led by Viewpoint

Photographic Art Center, a nonprofit organization located in Midtown Sacramento, and in collaboration with many involved partners including the City of Sacramento, Inside Publications, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Office of Phil Serna (District 1) and Sacramento365.com, Photography Month Sacramento is scheduled for April 2024.

First launched in 2018, the month-long event is highlighted by a variety of diverse and eclectic events that include special exhibits, receptions, photo shoot meet-ups, workshops, lectures, photo shoot gatherings and more. Photography Month Sacramento creates a shared platform for galleries, museums, educational institutions, libraries, retail establishments, photographers and patrons to celebrate and elevate the art of photography.

Interested participants are encouraged to create and/or highlight their own activations to help

showcase the art of photography.

Thus far, a number of museums, businesses and educational institutions from throughout the region have already signed up to participate in 2024, including: Casa de Español, Crocker Art Museum, Granucci Gallery at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, Nevada County Camera Club based in Nevada City, Sacramento History Museum, Sacramento State University Department of Photography, Viewpoint Photographic Art Center and YoloArts in Woodland.

How to get involved

Involvement in Photography Month Sacramento for businesses, museums and organizations is free and simple to do. The regional showcase offers a turnkey way to highlight visually enticing photographic programming already in place (possibly by incorporating a fresh visual element or hosting a special activation), introduce a concept in the planning stages or create something unique to engage enthusiasts and connect with new audiences throughout the region.

Photographers wanted

Photography Month Sacramento is open to everyone — professional and amateur photographers alike — and offers wonderful opportunities to launch and/or exhibit photographic work or to create a grassroots collaborative exhibit with friends interested in the visual arts. Those interested are encouraged to get creative and plan individual activations and/or contact favorite local coffee houses or restaurants to see if they might host an exhibit or reception in April.

Once any photography-related concepts are confirmed by businesses, organizations, museums or individuals, Photography Month Sacramento participants are asked to post information details about any upcoming events at photomonthsacramento.org/events, a community curated calendar that is connected to and supported by Sacramento365.com.

To explore available sponsorship opportunities or find out more detailed (and continually updated) information about Photography Month Sacramento 2024 visit photomonthsacramento.org.

Know Continued from B1

United Methodist Church in Rescue featuring four local

Steel Breeze will perform

p.m.

at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek hosts a Green Sand Molding & Foundry Practice Workshop. In this full-day, hands-on workshop, taught by a team of Knight Foundry’s own experts, students will experience every step of the foundry workflow, from preparing the sand to pouring completed molds in aluminum and removing finished castings. Take home the castings made during the day. To learn more or sign up visit the Education page at knightfoundry.com, email info@ knightfoundry.com or call (209) 560-6160.

The Sacramento Guitar Society presents Adriana Ratsch-Rivera at the CLARA Auditorium in Sacramento at 3 p.m. For more information visit sacguitarsociety.org.

Sutter Creek Theatre presents Tempest – Celtic rock at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

March 24

Kyli Segura will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

March 26

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills blood drive, noon to 5:15 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District baseball fields, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Civil Grand Jurors’ Association of California – El Dorado County Chapter hosts informational meetings about the grand jury process: Placerville Library, 6 p.m March 26; South Lake Tahoe Library, 6 p.m. March 27; Cameron Park Community Center, 6 p.m. March 28; El Dorado Hills Library, 1:30 p.m. April 2; and Georgetown Library, 1:30 p.m. April 6. For more information email EDCchapter.CGJA@gmail.com or visit edcgov.us/Grandjury.

n See KNOW, page B5

Gon March 24.

The Lone Bellow burst onto the scene with a self-titled debut in 2013. The Nashville-based trio (Zach Williams, Brian Elmquist, Kanene Pipkin) quickly became known for their transcendent harmonies, serious musicianship and raucous live performance — creating what NPR calls “earnest and magnetic folk-pop built to shake the rafters.”

In 2015 the band released “Then Came The Morning” produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner. The album was nominated for an Americana Music Award and took the band to numerous late-night shows, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Show With David Letterman and Later … with Jools Holland, among others. In 2017 The Lone Bellow returned with “Walk Into A Storm,” produced by legendary music producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson), followed by 2020’s “Half Moon Light,” an artistic triumph the band worked toward for years.

In a departure from past work with elite producers Dessner and Cobb, the trio struck out on their own for the

Blues Continued from B1

VIP ticket holders get in 30 minutes ealy (11:30 a.m.) so they can pick their spot in the front VIP area or other if desired and will be treated to wine tasting and light bites until 1:30 p.m. on the VIP patio.

General admission ticket holders will also be treated to wine tasting between noon and 1:30 p.m. in designated booths around the event perimeter. Drink tickets for “full pour” wine and beer purchases will be

Know Continued from B4

Now

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents Fire, Fury and Resilience, socially conscience work of Betty LaDuke, through March 23. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

The California Museum in Sacramento presents Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press through March 24. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents ABC — 123, Fletcher Benton’s sculptural alphabet through March 24; AI Am I?, artificial intelligence art created by Alexander Reben, through April 28; Drawn to Beauty, a collection of European drawings, through April 28; and Joyce J. Scott: Messages June 23. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “Cotton Patch Gospel” through March 30. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

fifth full-length album, “Love Songs for Losers,” dreaming up a singular sound encompassing everything from arena-ready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as “little redneck symphonies.” Recorded at the possibly haunted former home of the legendary Roy Orbison, the result is an intimate meditation on the pain and joy and ineffable wonder of being human, at

available at the drink ticket booth at the onset of event gate opening (for both concert ticket types). Several food trucks will be on site with a variety of delectables and wine and beer (and non-alcoholic beverages) will be for sale (beer and wine via drink ticket purchases). No outside food or beverages (other than two personal water bottles) will be permitted. No pop-up tents. Low back chairs only in the main festival grounds; higher chairs will be permitted off to the sides or in back only.

Proceeds from this event will benefit El Dorado Hills Chamber programs.

Youth Art Month takes over Switchboard Gallery in Placerville. Check out student artworks through March 31.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Twelfth Night” through April 1. For tickets

turns heartbreaking, irreverent and sublimely transcendent.

After sketching the album’s 11 songs in a nearby church, the musicians holed up for eight weeks at Orbison’s house on Old Hickory Lake, slowly carving out their most expansive and eclectic body of work yet. Co-produced by Elmquist and Jacob Sooter, “Love Songs for Losers” also finds Pipkin taking the reins as

vocal producer, expertly harnessing the rarefied vocal magic they’ve brought to the stage in touring with the likes of Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves.

For The Lone Bellow, the triumph of completing the first self-produced album marks the start of a thrilling new chapter in the band’s journey.

“At the outset it was scary to take away the safety net of working with a big-name producer and lean on each other instead,” Pipkin said. “It took an incredible amount of trust, but in the end it was so exciting to see each other rise to new heights.”

And with the release of “Love Songs for Losers,” the trio feels newly emboldened to create without limits.

“This album confirmed that we still have beauty to create and put out into the world, and that we’re still having fun doing that after 10 years together,” said Elmquist. “It reminded us of our passion for pushing ourselves out onto the limb and letting our minds wander into new places, and it sets me on fire to think of what we might make next.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Lightning Thief” through April 7. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Courtesy photo

The Lone Bellow Trio celebrates a decade of making music with a special tour.

BUTTERED AND SALTY

‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’

HH PG-13, 1 hour, 55 minutes Action, Comedy, Fantasy Opens today

Iquite liked 2021’s

but by the time we actually see him we are speeding toward an underwhelming climax.

APRIL

Falcon's

TISRA: Zakir Hussain, Sabir Khan, and Debopriya Chatterjee

APRIL

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

The Cher Show –A New Musical

MAY

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!

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” Third act issues and a recycled villain from 1984 original aside, I thought it was a strong course correction after the well-intended but poorly executed 2016 remake. A different location, new, younger characters and some heartfelt connections to the original Ghostbusters made it a fun entry for young and old audiences alike. Despite a cool new villain though, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” can’t seem to trap the one thing that could really set this franchise up for continued success: a good script.

There’s an old adage in real estate and filmmaking: “location, location, location!” Location is great, but if you are going to bring the Ghostbusters back to New York there needs to be a good reason, so “screenplay, screenplay, screenplay!” would be a better slogan, as it’s the achilles heel of this film. The script by Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman — who both wrote “Afterlife” and Reitman directed — is full of cliche’ dialog, recycled moments from previous films and throwbacks meant to give you a sense of nostalgia. It feels a bit inconsistent and undercooked, which is a surprise since it’s been three years since the last film.

This time, when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age. For this new entry Kenan is in the director’s chair, which if you know his filmography (which includes the dreadful 2015 remake of “Poltergeist”) does not instill the same confidence as Reitman (“Juno,” “Thank You For Smoking,” “Up In the Air”) helming the last picture. Reitman is one of the most underrated filmmakers working today. The moment Reitman announced he

Democrat correspondent

wouldn’t be directing the followup to “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and Kenan would be the one strapping on the proton pack, I got concerned. The cast from “Afterlife” have all returned, including Paul Rudd as a type of stepdad to the grandkids of departed O.G. Ghostbuster Egon Spengler, which includes the wonderful Mckenna Grace — who carried “Afterlife” on her young shoulders — and “Stranger Things” Finn Wolfhard as her older brother. The surviving original Ghostbusters all return and, for my money, the best moments usually include the likes of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts.

With the original cast having more screen time than the last film you have all the characters you need. Unfortunately “Frozen Empire” commits the cardinal sin of overstuffing its sequel with way too many characters, so what you have are talented actors who have been cast that have little to do. This includes Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem, who not only supplies the main prop the story is based around but apparently has special powers himself that the story doesn’t give him sufficient time to learn. His comedic moments usually land with a thud as well.

The always reliable Patton Oswalt has also joined the fun but is only around for one or two scenes. Oswalt is the type of presence you want actively working with the Ghostbusters and joining their team, not just there for 10 minutes of exposition.

The “New York freezes over” idea is a fun one, and the villain named Garraka is a spooky and well designed apparition who stands 10 feet tall with huge horns. They set the big-bad up well,

If the Ghostbusters franchise is going to continue, writers and filmmakers need to take risks like Ivan Reitman and company did with the original film 40 years ago. The film was scary and also very funny.

The problems started in 1989’s “Ghostbusters II,” a film I personally love but is fairly criticized for playing it too safe while trying to repeat the success of the first film and leaning into the immensely popular “The Real Ghostbusters” children’s cartoon.

Audiences didn’t particularly like that approach, which is why the film franchise stayed dormant for 27 years. When director Kenan mentioned he wanted to use the 1980s cartoon as inspiration, I knew that would be a problem — even for a kid like me who had every dang figure and vehicle from “The Real Ghostbusters” toy line back in the day. Yes, I had the firehouse and the car.

As Aykroyd’s Ray Stanz points out in the first 15 minutes of the original film:

“The possibilities are limitless!” If that’s the case, why are we still in New York, working out of the firehouse?

Are there no ghosts in Europe? Any specters in Asia?

The best scene in the new film is the opening sequence that shows a flashback of a ghost attack in 1904. I literally would pay to see two hours of that environment with a period piece-type Ghostbusters film. It certainly was something fresh.

If this beloved franchise can’t get a fresh and exciting take for the next film it will be time to file it under “There’s something strange … and it don’t look good.”

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/ producer. He wants to remind everyone that Mr. Stay Puft was the creation of Ray Stanz imagination in the original film’s finale, not a collection of minicharacters that need to be in every Ghostbusters film. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@ mtdemocrat.net.

Nick Carter quickly became an international pop superstar as the youngest member of the iconic boy band, Backstreet Boys. Since taking the world by storm in 1995, the band has sold over 130 million records.

In 2002, Carter ventured into a solo career with his debut album, Now or Never, marking the beginning of a successful solo journey. Since then, Carter has released two additional solo albums I’m Taking Off in 2012, followed by All American in 2016. His 2023 single “Hurts to Love You” became his most successful track, charting in seven different countries, topping the charts in the United States, and charting number one in Canada.

along with a delicious meal catered by John Sanders. Shake o the stress of the week with this hilarious, fundraising showcase. Our Headliner, the hilarious Dennis Blair, who has been described as a Renaissance man. He is an accomplished screenwriter, award-winning songwriter, and comedic actor. Yet he