Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Dgathered at the Community Observatory in Placerville Monday morning to experience the stellar sight that was the solar eclipse.

As the moon passed between Earth and the sun, observers equipped their eyes with proper eyewear and got close up views through telescopes on a clear day. For some, it was a first-time experience.

“I’ve only ever seen them on TV or videos. The view is great,” said 10-year-old Oliver Banks of Cameron Park.

Parents brought their children to view the eclipse from Placerville, some from outside El Dorado County,

Odin Rasco Staff writer

The preliminary hearing for the case of an El Dorado County Office of Education special education driver accused of sexual assault involving individuals with disabilities was scheduled Monday morning.

Tarik “Ty” Manasrah, 42, is alleged to have raped two adults incapable of giving consent; he was arrested Aug. 4, 2023, following a report of sexual assault filed in late May of that year. Detectives from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices began an investigation that found evidence of this and other alleged assaults, according to an EDSO representative. Manasrah pleaded not guilty to all charges at his Aug. 7 arraignment hearing. After the initial arraignment, progress to a preliminary hearing was stalled as investigators and lawyers worked to access information pertinent to the case.

At Monday’s pretrial, a DA’s Office attorney returned a hard drive containing previously inaccessible recordings from EDCOE vehicles driven by Manasrah to his representative, El Dorado County Public Defender William Dittmann. Investigators reportedly had to construct a bespoke

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

ozens

TAYLEN BROOKS

TARIK MANASRAH

Robert “Bob” Riha

April 10, 1944 - June 13, 2023

“Bob” passed away suddenly on June 13, 2023, at his place of residence in Diamond Springs, CA. He was a native of Villa Park, IL and always considered Villa Park and the surrounding suburbs as “home.” Although he didn’t live in IL. in his adult life, he visited every chance he could. He attended local elementary schools, and almost graduated from Villa Park High School.

The U.S. Army called his name, and he enlisted in August, 1962. He served in Korea, then Vietnam, and made the Army a career for 23 years. During that time, he was stationed in various locations, including San Antonio TX, Fort Indian Town Gap PA, Fort Lewis WA, Colorado Springs, CO and Sacramento, CA. He also served 3 tours in West Germany.

In 1983 he married Peggy Ward of Diamond Springs CA and became stepfather to her children Tracy and Cathleen. He considered the girls his daughters almost from day one and was the best dad they could have asked for. He taught them to drive, watched them marry and have children, and then felt old when they had grandchildren of their own. He considered the kids his grandchildren, even if there was no blood relationship.

Bob is survived by his wife, Peggy Riha, his brothers Ronald and Donald, their wives, Debbi and Debbie, his sister-in-law Karen, his nieces Marie, Corbi Jo, Kathy, and Samantha, and nephews Tim, Jim, Brian, Matthew, and MacKenzie. There were also many grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents, George and Ethel Riha, and older brother George.

“Grampy” is survived by children Tracy Walker, Cathleen Walker, grandchildren Courtney SchwartzFossi and Mark Fossi, Bailey and Michael Durand, Darren Finegan and Ashlynn Loggins, and great grandchildren Abigail Durand, Hunter Fossi, and Waylen Durand.

Bob will always be remembered by his family. He was a fun and funny guy, and a good man.

Services and internment will be held at Chapel Hill Gardens in Oakbrook Terrace, IL on Saturday April 27, 2024 at 11:00.

Sharon (Arnett) Barber

March 18, 1943 - March 29, 2024

Sharon (Arnett) Barber was born in March of 1943 and entered into the gates of Heaven in March of 2024. Sharon grew up in the orchards of Ventura County with her parents and siblings, enjoying the simple farm life. She graduated from Ventura High School. She married Dennis Barber and they embarked on a life full of craft shows, square dancing, honey bees and family. They were married for 27 years. When Dennis passed, Sharon moved to El Dorado County to start a new chapter of her life with her sister and family. Sharon, prior to Covid, had been active at New Hope Fellowship of Shingle Springs and Solid Rock Faith Center of Diamond Springs. Sharon loved people and loved being active in crafts, gardening and cooking. She never had any children but dearly loved her cats: Sierra and Champagne. Sharon has been preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings. She is survived by a niece and nephews. The family would like to thank several people. We are so grateful for the care from Dr. Samuel Ceridon MD and Dr. Mark Schwartzmeyer DC. You both went above and beyond for our Aunt. Thank you to the staff of Blissful Gardens Memory Care for the extended family you became to her final months. And with the most heartfelt gratitude we want to thank Snowline Hospice. Lauren, Beau, Renee = we can never express how truly grateful we are for how you came along side us and helped usher her into eternity.Thank you to Green Valley Mortuary for making final arrangements. There will be no services. Internment will be in Ventura County and will be private. We ask that anyone who knew, cared and loved Sharon to donate to her memory to Snowline Hospice and pay kindness forward in an artistic way, or for the love of cats.

Dain Loring Olsen

March 29, 1975 – April 1, 2024

Dain Loring Olsen, age 49, of Sacramento, California passed away unexpectedly on April 1, 2024. Dain was born on March 29, 1975 to Walter “Wally” Olsen Jr., and Gwendolyn “Gwen” (Fleming) Walter. He is preceded in death by. his mother, Gwen, of Camino, CA and maternal grandparents, Edith and Ray Fleming of Sacramento. He is survived by his father, Wally, stepmother, Jean, stepfather, Gary, sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Jason Engelbertson of Dublin, CA and nephews, Nathan and Spencer. His paternal grandmother, Pauline Olsen, resides in Sequim, Washington.

Most of Dain’s existence over the past 25 years, following a stint in the United States Navy, mirrored a personality in torment due to mental illness. He was drawn by his schizophrenia and paranoia and into a daily nightmare of frightening delusions. While his many medications dulled the pricks, his longevity matched prediction for those carrying the same burden. He was supported in his daily challenges, by his case manager, Mike Petris, and many staff at CMY & Associates. Dain was a beautiful, exceptionally artistic young man believing in his personal magic could carry him across the challenges of his fight on earth. We will miss him profoundly and are thankful for sharing the time we were given.

Individuals wanting to contribute to his memory may donate to the Treatment Advocacy Center, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 801, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Dain will be laid to rest at Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve with family in attendance.

Edna Mae Knutsen

May 26, 1935 – Feb. 24, 2024

Edna Mae Knutsen (nee DuChemin) passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2024, in Cameron Park, CA, at the age of 88. She was born on May 26, 1935, in Fremont, Michigan to Albert and Esther DuChemin and had three older brothers. She was preceded in death by her husband Neil Knutsen in 2019.

Edna had a successful career in accounting and finance, holding many supervisory positions. She obtained her AA degree from Mission College at the age of 52.

She moved from Michigan to the Bay Area of California in the early 80s to be nearer to her children. That is where she met Neil and they were married in 1988. They moved to Cameron Park in 1997.

Outside of her professional life, Edna was deeply involved in various hobbies and community activities. She dedicated 26 years to the Placerville Shakespeare Club where she was a life member. She served as President from 2002-2004, Treasurer for over 16 years, and House Manager. Additionally, she was a life member of the Placerville Women’s Club where she held the roles of President, Auditor, Parliamentarian, and was on the scholarship committee. She volunteered at Marshall Hospital for 18 years and spent 11 years on the Hospital Foundation Board.

Edna was a member of numerous groups, including Gamekeepers, Bunco, Needlers, Couples Group, and Literary Group 2. She was also in a birthday group for over 20 years that got together once a month to celebrate the birthdays of her friends. She always stressed the importance of having female friends, of which she had many. Edna loved reading, playing cards, shopping, computer games, cats, watching the birds and squirrels in her back yard and collecting. She decorated her house for every holiday because she loved to celebrate each one.

She traveled extensively for work and pleasure, both foreign and domestically. In 1995 she and Neil took a 67 day trip across the country visiting 28 states and 4 provinces.

She is survived by her daughter Pam Barnabei and husband Randy, son Russell Gordon, son Erich Gordon and wife Lisa, stepson Neil Knutsen II and wife Sherri, and brother Al DuChemin and wife Nancy. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and her beloved cat, Ellie.

A ceremony to celebrate Edna’s life will be held at the Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedford Ave, Placerville, CA, on April 14th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Placerville Shakespeare Club, PO. Box 102, Placerville, CA 95667.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Patricia Sutton

May 7, 1951 - March 28, 2024

“Patti” passed away at home on March 28, 2024 at the age of 72. She was born in Tulsa Oaklahoma to James and Leona Gregoire. She was raised in Fremont Ca and graduated from Mission high school. She was the oldest of 8. Patti worked at Safeway in Pollock Pines for 27 years. She was known as the friendliest checker and had an infectious laugh heard throughout the store. Her favorite pastime was playing her flute and tambourine in her husband and son’s band (Xstadic).

She is preceded in death by her parents James and Leona Gregoire, sisters Debbie Davidson, Cindy Giocoletto, and brother James Gregoire. She leaves behind her husband and best friend Charles Sutton, daughters Rebecca Gyorgy, Trisha Frost, son Charles Sutton IV. 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, 1:00pm. A celebration of life will follow at the Elks Lodge 3821 Quest Ct. Shingle Springs Ca.

Gary William Johnson, son, brother, grandson, husband, dad, friend, best friend, artist, animal lover (yes, even cats), war veteran, world traveler and one charming individual.

On July 8th, 1948, at 7:18pm, the world met Gary. Born to William and Evelyn Johnson, and brother to Scott. His first-grade teacher said of Gary, “He likes to talk and play a lot.” If she only knew. School on the south side of Chicago ended quickly for Gary, when in 1966 he enlisted in the Air Force and headed to Vietnam. A young man in a war finding joy in training military dogs, he survived, and began a more dangerous journey — marriage and fatherhood. More schooling followed later in life — graphic design at the California College of Arts and Crafts gave him the freedom of creation, while Werner Trucking School gave him the freedom of the open road.

Finding love many times, Gary was father to Scott and stepfather to Chris, imparting wisdom such as, “Think about it.” A 25-year union with wife, Kathy Jennings, punctuated the last years of his life. It was she who held him as Gary passed peacefully on February 24th, 2024.

Always a friend, those who met Gary knew him for life. And those lives were enriched — even when they had to look for it. Grandpa Rocco and Uncle Bud would be proud.

Gary Johnson. The Man. The Myth. The Legend. Never goodbye, just “Asta.” We love you, Gary.

County launches development project website

Carla Hass

El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office

El Dorado County’s Planning and Building Department staff has launched the Projects in Your Area online tool that aims to make it easier to find the current status of and information about proposed, in-progress and approved projects in the county. The new tool includes features and functionality community members and officials have requested.

“We’ve heard our citizens’ frustration about the challenges to being able to easily find various pieces of planning information about projects in El

Dorado County and we’re delighted to launch this easy-to-use, interactive and accessible tool today as a way to overcome the barriers to quick and easy information,” said Planning and Building Department Director Karen Garner.

In conjunction with the county’s Information Technology Department and Surveyor’s Office, Projects in Your Area allows users to find projects by clicking the interactive map that is bound by supervisorial districts, or by clicking a list of residential, commercial, mixed use, campground/ RV and light industrial projects via alphabetical order, according to type of

Trial date set for Slager

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Months after the conclusion of the preliminary hearing regarding a case involving a Camino Union Elementary School janitor accused of sex acts with children, a trial date was set in El Dorado County Superior Court Friday morning.

CHRISTOPHER SLAGER

Two individuals, one of whom is now an adult, have come forward and accused Christopher Slager, 61, of engaging in sexual acts with them while they were younger than 10 years old. El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies arrested Slager in May 2023 shortly after receiving reports from adults acquainted with the younger of the two alleged victims. Sheriff’s officials note neither of the two potential victims were students at Camino School.

The preliminary hearing conducted in January concluded with visiting Judge Thomas A. Smith determining the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office had presented enough evidence against Slager to warrant a jury trial. Because Slager declined to change his plea after the preliminary hearing, his case was set to go to trial; due to uncertainty regarding who Slager would retain as a lawyer for the case, scheduling of the trial had been delayed through February and March.

Slager’s trial is set to begin at 8:30 a.m Sept. 17 in Department 2 of El Dorado County Superior Court. Slager remains in custody at the El Dorado County Jail.

project. Project details include a description of the project, the type of application and when it was submitted, the zoning and elevation, the applicant, the assessor’s parcel number, assigned planner’s name, a status bar, pertinent documents and maps, and the designated General Plan land use. One feature is to be able to see current projects in relationship to each other on the map. The tool will evolve to include more valuable review process information over time, including a link to California Environmental Quality Act documents and public comment periods.

“While not every project application will be included with this tool, we will include projects with wide public interest within weeks of an application submittal and will be updated until the project has been approved,” said Garner. “Importantly, this new tool eliminates the need for the public to use our TRAKiT system, which can be less intuitive.” Projects in Your Area will be available on the county’s website and users are not required to create an account to access the information posted.

Find Projects In Your Area at engageeldorado.us.engagementhq.com.

Seedlings for the burn scar

Spring is here and reforestation is underway, with 68,000 trees planted so far — 21,000 in the 2022 Power Fire footprint (Fresno County) and 47,000 in the 2021 Caldor Fire footprint (El Dorado County). American Forests is currently administering a tree planting contract in coordination with Eldorado National Forest staff on the ground as part of a stewardship agreement with the forest.

Pictured here is tree planting along Leoni Road near Grizzly Flat. A mixture of conifer species is being

Photos by Meredith Sierra/USFS Cone Corps Placerville Nursery/Sierra Nevada Alliance

California Matters

Households making less than $69,000 a year would pay $20 to $34 a month, while those earning $69,000 to $180,000 would be charged $51 to $73. The charge would be $85 to $128 on customers with incomes over $180,000.

SUMMARY

Fixed utility charges separate from usage volume are nothing new. They o set costs for utility companies to maintain the power grid. However, basing utility charges on customer incomes would be a new step that touched o a spirited ideological debate that spread beyond the state’s borders. It drew fire from those on the right because of its class-based underpinnings but also from those on the left who said even small charges would put more stress on low-income families struggling to pay rent and utility bills.

For the past year, debate has raged over plans to impose new xed charges on electric utility customers based on their incomes. The issue began with a 2022 budget “trailer bill,” a process governors and legislators misuse to enact major policy changes without fully debating them.

Recently, the California Public Utilities Commission o ered a less contentious proposal: a flat $24.15 per month fixed charge for most customers, lower $6 or $12 charges for low-income households, and lower overall rates tied to usage. By downplaying the income redistribution aspects and promising lower overall bills for most ratepayers,

Letters to the Editor

My H. Res. 1102 vote

EDITOR:

H.Res. 1102 – Consolidated Appropriations

Act of 2024: No.

This is a package of six appropriations bills covering everything from defense spending to general government, for a total of $1.2 trillion — or roughly $9,600 from an average family’s earnings. It funds 1,600 earmarks totaling $1.9 billion for such projects as a LGBTQ-only senior housing project in Massachusetts, free clothing for transitioning teens in Wisconsin, a culinary incubator in Rhode Island and $4 million for an Arab Community Center in Michigan.

It diverts hundreds of millions of dollars from defense programs to “green energy initiatives” and increases funding to administration programs that are illegally releasing millions of aliens into the United States and tra cking them throughout the country.

Worst of all, it continues to fund unauthorized appropriations, massive subsidies and grants to special interests and completes a spending plan that adds a total of $1.6 trillion to the national debt at a time when total interest costs now exceed our entire defense budget. This 1,000-plus page bill was introduced at 2:30 in the morning on March 21 and passed at 11 a.m. on the next day. It was opposed by a majority of House Republicans, including myself.

TOM McCLINTOCK

5th Congressional District representative

Outrageous

EDITOR:

March 31 was the holiest day for Christians. On that day we celebrated the hope and resurrection of Easter. What did our president do? He issued the following proclamation:

“Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., president of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority in me vested by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility.” Is nothing sacred any more? How far will this

Most recent Gallup polling in March shows that 36% of Americans “approve of Israeli military action in Gaza” and 50% disapprove.

Last November, a month after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians, 55% approved of the military action that Israel initiated.

What has happened over the last few months that now barely more than a third of Americans support the clear case of the right of Israel to defend its country? We might also ask why only 55% last November supported Israel’s military action to defend itself.

Let’s again recall that Americans were strongly united to condemn and retaliate against the horror of the terrorist attack against our own country on Sept. 11, 2001, that took the lives of almost 3,000 American citizens.

The 1,200 Israeli victims of terror, in that tiny country of some 9.5 million, equates to more than 40,000 in our country of over 330 million.

administration go in destroying this nation which was founded upon Christian principles, by men of faith. If you are a person of faith and conscience, I hope you share my outrage at this assault and abomination.

Hindsight regarding COVID

EDITOR:

Aguest column by John Stossel in the Mountain Democrat on March 29 lambasted politicians, public health o cials and the media for their missteps during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and beyond. No one can deny that mistakes were made and that there was o cial overreach, but I believe that they were made mostly out of fear of the unknown. We now have the benefit of hindsight, which we did not have then.

I am an old man who does not remember things as well as I used to, but I do remember the situation four years ago, about which we seem to have collective amnesia. Scientists were dealing with a new virus that they knew little about while our hospitals and emergency rooms were overwhelmed by millions of extremely ill and dying patients.

Our healthcare system may have collapsed if politicians had not issued stay-at-home orders and mask mandates, among other measures, to slow the spread. Sure, some of these measures persisted longer than necessary, but o cials were walking a fine line between too little and too much intervention.

Among the things that we did not know were which subsets of the population were most vulnerable and how easily it spread. Now we know that children are not as vulnerable to COVID-19 as older people, but consider what would have happened if public health o cials had recommended that schools remain open and it turned out that young people were particularly susceptible to illness and death. It would have been a tragedy and the public would have been

Income-based utility charge saga began with misuse of the state budget process Why do Americans, UN support Hamas terrorists?

Why is it not equally clear that Israel must defend itself as we must defend our homeland?

Per Brown University’s Costs of War project, total casualties in Afghanistan, and subsequently in Iraq, as result of U.S. retaliatory military action in the war against terror, amounted to 177,000, some six times greater than casualties reported in Gaza.

We must also note, again, that we’re not just talking about murder, regarding the 1,200 Israelis that were killed. We’re talking about subhuman brutality, documented in video, in which rape, beheadings and desecration of bodies occurred. The Hamas terrorists celebrated with joy every Israeli murder and atrocity. Hamas has long been recognized by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.

Why are Americans not united in condemning the sickening murder and brutality of the Hamas terrorists, demanding the release of the now estimated 130 hostages they still hold, which include six U.S. citizens?

How could our country abstain in

We must also note, again, that we’re not just talking about murder, regarding the 1,200 Israelis that were killed. We’re talking about subhuman brutality

the recent United Nations Security Council vote demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, with no condemnation of Hamas terrorism and with no demand of unilateral release by Hamas of the hostages they hold?

What is the disconnect that can explain the absence of uniform support among Americans for clear-cut action by Israel to defend itself against brutal terrorists, committed to the destruction of its state and homeland?

Freedom House is a nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based organization that issues an annual report of the state of freedom around the world.

Freedom House, in this annual report, grades countries worldwide regarding the extent to which they are free. Per Freedom House’s methodology, each country is graded on a scale of 1-100, based on political rights and civil liberties in that country.

In the Middle East region, there is only one country that Freedom House scores as free — Israel.

Out of a possible 100, Israel scores 74. For perspective, the United States has a score of 83.

Looking at the Middle East neighborhood where Israel exists, we see it standing alone as free in a sea of unfree countries.

Freedom House scores for Israel’s neighbors: Jordan 33, Egypt 18, Lebanon 42, Syria 1, Iraq 30, Saudi Arabia 8.

Why does the clear lack of freedom across the Middle East not seem to bother anyone while the only free country in the region elicits protests and condemnation?

Why, 76 years after Israel’s founding, and its miraculous emergence as a modern thriving nation — a world center of innovation and technology, boasting 13 Nobel prize winners — do many still reject its right to exist?

Amid this craziness, let’s recall, again, that Israel is the only Jewish country in the world.

There are 49 countries with majority Muslim populations.

There are 15 million Jews in the world and 1.8 billion Muslims.

Yet, worldwide, there remains

JUDY PUTHUFF El Dorado Hills

DAN WALTERS

STAR

Walters Continued from A4

the PUC has quieted some, but not all, criticism. Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks is leading a group of Democratic legislators who think the proposal is still too onerous and back a di erent proposal, Assembly Bill 1999, that would cap the fixed charge at $10 a month for most customers and $5 for low-income families. Irwin complained in a social media post that the PUC is “completely out of touch.”

The merits of the PUC’s plan notwithstanding, the issue is also a classic example of how the annual budget process is misused to enact major policy changes without fully airing their impacts.

The 2022 legislation that authorized the CPUC to enact income-based fixed charges was an omnibus energy-related measure drafted as a “trailer bill” to the state budget – measures that are very long, very complicated and receive only cursory attention as they move through the legislative process at warp speed.

The possibility of an income-based utility charge was briefly mentioned in the first version of the measure, Assembly Bill 205, one of dozens of proposed trailer bills Gov. Gavin Newsom submitted with the budget in January of that year.

As with other trailer bills, it was hustled through the Assembly on a pro forma floor vote a few weeks later and then sat in the Senate for the next four months.

On June 26, 2022, AB 205 was amended into its final form, including language that authorized the CPUC to adopt income-based fixed charges, and was approved by the Senate Budget Committee the

following day with virtually no discussion. Three days later, after the obligatory 72-hour waiting period, AB 205 whipped through both houses of the Legislature and a day after that, on June 30, Newsom signed it.

At no point did either legislative house conduct a real hearing on the issue, nor did either debate its merits before passage. Assemblywoman Irwin was among those who voted for it.

Unfortunately, AB 205 is not an isolated case. Each year, the Legislature passes dozens of budget trailer bills, many containing far-reaching policy changes that have little or nothing to do with the budget, and are often enacted with little or no public exposure.

If Irwin and other legislators are unhappy with what AB 205 wrought, they have only themselves to blame for enabling the blatant misuse of budget trailer bills.

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

antipathy to this lone, tiny yet successful-waybeyond-its-size Jewish country.

Something is wrong.

Very wrong.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now.

outraged. To protect the population, public health o cials have to be conservative.

We should remember what was done right, too. Government and industry worked together to develop and distribute vaccines and therapeutics such as Paxlovid in record time, which saved millions. Federal and state governments provided financial support for families suddenly thrown out of work, which allowed them to pay for groceries and keep their homes or pay the rent.

While these infusions of money to the public have contributed to the inflation that we have experienced since then, it is likely that these funds have kept us out of recession (so far) despite rising interest rates, which in our history has led to recessions. Inflation has been a worldwide phenomenon for the past two to three years, and I believe that government spending is a minor cause of our inflation because our rate is lower than in most of our peer countries.

JOHN L. HERRMAN Placerville

drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships,

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

Pararescueman’s jiu jitsu academy taking off

Malachi Parker

Staff writer

A U.S Air Force special operations pararescueman has landed in Cameron Park, now training locals in the martial art of jiu jitsu.

Cameron Park resident Jeremiah Loser, after serving more than 15 years in the Air Force as a sergeant pararescueman, stepped down to part time and opened Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy in January.

In his time in the Air Force he earned Combat Action Medals and several Air Medals. Combat Medals are

given to those who engage in direct combat. Skydiving from helicopters with a lot of extra weight to complete his missions, Loser received one of his Air Medals by rescuing civilians. He was part of rescue teams and missions that sent him into places such as Afghanistan, Africa and Iraq. Loser, who has a black belt in jiu jitsu, began training in the sport in 2008.

“It takes 10-12 years to become a black belt in jiu jitsu,” he said. “All the belt signifies is time and dedication that someone

has put into it.”

Now, as the founder of Refuge Jiu Jitsu, Loser is in a well enough position to give back. He aims to build a community and to create a safe haven for anyone who may be of need.

The academy will host a free women’s selfdefense class Monday, May 6, at 10 a.m.

The academy began selling memberships before opening its doors and the goal of 23 students was quickly surpassed. After being open a couple months, the dojo hosts more than 150 students. Adult classes, as well as classes for youth and even yoga classes can be found at Refuge.

Loser said. “The amount of work behind the scenes is the hard part.”

The black belt now has the opportunity to incorporate all the things he wants to teach.

“Unless you suffer, you don’t appreciate it,”

Before the lease was signed for Refuge, the building was a nutrition store; there were refrigerators and demolition had to be done to get the space ready for jiu jitsu training.

For more information about Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy, located at 3342 Coach Lane, call (530) 464-5184 or visit refugejiujitsu.com.

Local Select Service board volunteers needed

News release

Due to recent retirements and relocations, the U.S. Selective Service System is seeking local board members in El Dorado County as there are no volunteer board members at this time.

A Selective Service Local Board is a group of citizen volunteers whose mission, upon a draft, will be to decide who among the registrants in their community will receive deferments, postponements or exemption from military service based on the individual registrant’s circumstances and beliefs.

Local board members are appointed by the director of Selective Service in the name of the president on recommendations made by their respective state governors or an equivalent public official. Those interested in serving as a local board member you will find an application online.

Some requirements to be a board member are that they be:

• U.S. citizens

• at least 18 years old

• not a retired or active member of the Armed Forces or any Reserve component

• live in the area in which the board has jurisdiction

• be willing to spend enough time at the position.

During Peacetime

The board member program is

Brooks Continued from A1

one of the primary components of the Selective Service System. More than 11,000 volunteers are currently trained in Selective Service regulations and procedures so that if a draft is reinstated, they will be able to fulfill their obligations fairly and equitably. Board members undergo an initial five-hour training session and then participate in annual training in which they review sample cases similar to real-life situations. Peacetime commitment is approximately five hours the first year and two hours every year after that.

During a draft

Registrants with low lottery numbers will be ordered to report for a physical, mental and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement or deferment. At that time, board members will begin reviewing and deciding the outcome of the individual registrant’s case. They may personally interview the registrant and persons who know them to gain a better understanding of the situation. A draftee may appeal a Local Board’s decision to a Selective Service District Appeal Board. For more information about the board and Selective Service System visit sss.gov/volunteers.

Fundraiser attendees will pay $15 at the door; the event features a no-host bar and gift baskets for purchase.

The family is also accepting donations. Those looking to support the family can make donations at bit.ly/BrooksBrothersSupportFund.

Taylen and Wyatt were attacked by a mountain lion midday near Georgetown while collecting shed antlers in the Eldorado National Forest. It has been 20 years since a fatal mountain lion attack has been recorded in California; 30 years for El Dorado County.

Manasrah Continued from A1

method for viewing the footage that the DA’s Office had only recently been able to access.

Manasrah is scheduled to return to El Dorado County Superior Court Department 2 on June 24 at 1:30 p.m. for his preliminary hearing. The hearing is expected to take around two hours, according to attorneys, and will be conducted before Judge Mark Ralphs, who will determine if the information presented merits a jury trial.

Manasrah remains in custody without bail at the El Dorado County Jail, according to inmate records.

Two families have recently filed lawsuits against EDCOE and the Buckeye Union School District for negligence, claiming their children with special needs were also sexually assaulted by Manasrah. One alleged victim is a nonverbal 8-year-old boy with autism, who the suit claims was raped by Manasrah and has tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. The other alleged victim is a 4-year-old boy with educational challenges.

Though EDCOE representatives could not speak about the situation due to ongoing litigation, they did release a press statement:

“The El Dorado County Office of Education is deeply saddened by the serious and disturbing allegations. The safety and well-being of our students are paramount priorities for EDCOE. Any allegations of misconduct are taken extremely seriously.

“It is imperative to clarify that EDCOE was not made aware of the allegations until an arrest was made by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 4, 2023. Since the time of the arrest, EDCOE has cooperated fully with the investigation.

“We have been advised by our counsel to not comment on pending litigation. We can inform you that, pursuant to California law, during the hiring process Mr. Manasrah was cleared through the required background checks with the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We want to assure our community that we remain committed to transparency, accountability and providing support to those affected.

“We will continue to offer our full cooperation with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted.”

Al Hinds tribute to kick off speedway season

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Placerville Speedway is prepared to open its 59th season of action Saturday with the Tribute to Al Hinds taking to the red clay. Hinds had a key role in making the speedway a reality.

Divisions set to usher in the championship season will include winged 360 sprint cars, pure stocks, mini trucks and the wingless spec sprints.

Saturday’s winged sprint car main event will also hand out $2,000 to the winner.

The Tribute to Al Hinds began in 2004 following Hinds’ passing. The Placerville resident was an early promoter of the track and mentor, and a true race fan who touched the lives of many. Hinds was the second promoter of Placerville Speedway. With business partner Richard Hirst, Hinds took over operation of the track from its founder Bruno Romani in 1968, three years after it first opened when the facility was built around a community football field.

Operator of a local machine shop by trade, Hinds loved his community and in his final years of life enjoyed sitting with some of his best friends every night in the grandstands at Placerville Speedway to watch young talent make a name for themselves in the sport.

The inaugural Tribute to Al Hinds was captured by Roger Crockett, while last season saw Andy Forsberg claim his third triumph in the event. It was a special night for the nine-time Placerville Speedway titlist, as it marked his milestone 200th career victory. Track champions last season with the winged 360 sprint cars, pure stocks and

mini trucks included Hanford’s Michael Faccinto, Oakley’s Nick Baldwin and Placerville’s Mike Miller, respectively. The wingless sprints make their first of four visits to the Placerville bullring on Saturday. They’ll return for additional outings on Fan Appreciation Night in June and both nights of the Nor*Cal Posse Shootout over Labor Day weekend.

Tickets and details

Purchase tickets online at eventsprout.com/event/psr-041324 or at the gate on race day. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or via the Pit Pay App to take advantage of the expanded seating area on the hill.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. with cars on the track at 5:15. Hot laps, qualifying and racing will follow. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto placervillespeedway.com.

SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE

April 20: International Motor Contest Association sport mods, limited late models, pure stocks, mini trucks | Tilford Tribute

April 27: Winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars

Eclipse

Continued from A1

including Roseville resident Diana Cowan and her 13-year-old grandson Ayden Riley from Citrus Heights. “We love astronomy and we thought this would be the perfect time to develop even more of an interest at a place we have never been,” Cowan said.

Some of the telescopes were provided by docents of the Community Observatory. Members of the Rotary Club of Cameron Park and staff from the El Dorado County Office of Education and the El Dorado County extension of Folsom Lake College, where the observatory is located, helped make the once-ina-blue-moon moments possible for observatory visitors.

Inside the observatory a video showed Louisiana in a total eclipse. An observatory docent traveled out of state to make that experience possible.

Though Placerville experienced a partial eclipse — about 35% — locales in other states along the “path of totality” were fully in the moon’s

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

shadow. Another solar eclipse will not be seen in the U.S. until 2044.

In the path of totality ecplise-goers made the most of the celestial event. More than 300 couples packed a Russellville, Ark., soccer complex to pledge their vows in marriage as the moon passed the sun.

Though news outlets warned the eclipse might impede travel plans, Delta Airlines had another idea. The nearly 100-year-old travel company had flights go along the path of totality during the eclipse from Austin-Bergstrom and Dallas-Fort Worth international airports. Delta pilots trained for the eclipse flights through simulations and mapping out flight plans.

Wegmans, a supermarket chain based in New York, closed nearly 50 of its locations during the peak of totality so employees could watch.

The company even provided fireworks for a NASA-run eclipse program held at Niagara Falls.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You have the ability to captivate people, and it comes with a switch you can turn on and off at will. You may do this unconsciously today. Once you decide what you want, your charisma will kick in to assist.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You like to feel as though you’re prepared for anything, and you like that even better when it doesn’t require a lot of extra gadgets and gear. You’ll find ways to ready yourself with knowledge, which won’t bog you down.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). First you’ll handle things, then you’ll check and double-check to make sure things are wrapped up. The next stop is freedom, levity and a feeling that the world is wide open to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Because you care about your work, you’ll end up putting in more time than the others. As long as you enjoy yourself, are proud of your contribution and of what you learn in the process, those hours are well spent.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While a quick internet search can produce millions of answers and solutions, it’s still important to reach out to real people, not for what they know but for what they’ll actually do to help.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). People may ask you to explain your work, walk them through your thought process or reveal some of your inner world. But your mind is your own. Sharing is entirely optional. Mystery looks good on you, too.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you really want to be sure your life transcends the mundane, make the magic happen in the way magicians do. Learn how to build the illusion, put your own spin on it and practice until it’s easy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You sense the needs and feelings of others. You don’t have to say what you’re thinking to convey the messages that exist in microexpressions and subtle body language.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Be discerning about where you invest your energy today. Many options won’t give you what you need. If you’re not quite clear about what you want, start with reviewing what you like and dislike.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Even if nothing goes to plan, a good outcome is still a possibility. If both the plan and the outcome are a bust, the lesson and subsequent course of action just might be best thing that ever happened to you — all reasons to go for it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Love oozes all over things like reason and order. It flips priorities and changes the color scheme of life’s scenery. It’s uncontrollable, unpredictable and it never stops growing. Love is

Photo courtesy of D&P Photos

Some of the region’s fastest winged 360 sprint car drivers will compete at the Placerville Speedway season opener and Al Hinds tribute Saturday.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

T.J. Levenhagen, who works in IT for the El Dorado County Office of Education, shows off the solar eclipse as seen on his phone through a telescope.

Mountain Democrat n mtdemocrat.com

Stellar students

Congratulations to Nathan Poehlman of Placerville, who was named to the Champlain College President’s List.

Congratulations to Ella Slattery of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the University of Puget Sound Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Luke Baco of Shingle Springs, who was named to the Oregon Institute of Technology President’s List.

April 10

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce and EDH Town Center host a mixer, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 2023 Vine St., Suite 105 & 106. To RSVP call (916) 933-1335 or visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

Uncommon Ground will perform at 6 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

April 11

The Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Programs hosts free introductory presentations at 2 & 7 p.m. April 11 and 2 & 7 p.m. April 14 at Shingle Springs SDA Church, 3149 N. Shingle Road. For more information visit NedleyHealth.com or text (530) 333-4430.

Soroptimist International of Placerville will preview “California’s Forgotten

April 10,

‘Peter Pan’ whisks audiences away to Neverland

Theatre at the Mine will soon be the site of clashing swords, magic fairies, Lost Boys and a short plank walk to a clockeating croc when “Peter Pan” opens April 11 at Union Mine High School.

The story opens in London after children across the city have been tucked into bed. In the Darling house, the still night is soon disrupted when the children’s bedroom is breached by Tinkerbell (Oakley Barnes) and Peter Pan (Sage Akers) on the hunt for an errant shadow.

soon initiated into the

gaggle of

proteges, the Lost Boys, then drawn into encounters with a native tribe and the continuing n See PETER PAN, page B4

Ars Vinifera showcases connection between wine & art

Arts and Culture El Dorado News release

Arts and Culture El Dorado’s newest exhibition, Ars Vinifera: The Art of the Wine Label, opens on Thursday, April 11, at the Switchboard Gallery. The exhibition showcases the work of some of the region’s talented working artists who have partnered with local wineries to create art on a bottle— original artworks that grace the labels of El Dorado County’s world-class wines.

The show will complement El Dorado Passport Weekend, April 20-21, an event hosted by the El Dorado Winery Association, a group of independent wineries that meet the association’s strict criteria and embody the region’s spirit. These independent producers are invested in the county’s agriculture, source and produce locally and exclusively feature wines from their AVAs: El Dorado, Fair Play and Sierra Foothills.

“The El Dorado Winery Association is thrilled that Arts and Culture El Dorado is celebrating the relationship between art and wine by showcasing the artistic work that goes into a wine label,” said Teena Hildebrand, EDWA board president. “The label is often a creative expression of the winery or winemaker’s

Artist Oran Miller showcases the area’s beautiful grapevines for a Bumgarner Winery label. n See ARS VINIFERA, page B3

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco Captain Hook (Benjamin Rorden) and Peter Pan (Sage Akers) cross blades in another battle between the two (in Peter's case, literally) timeless foes in Theatre at the Mine's production of "Peter Pan," opening Thursday.

PROSPECTING Soroptimist of Cameron Park/EDH give and receive

Marlyn Pino-Jones Soroptimist International of Cameron Park/El Dorado Hills

On March 21 Soroptimist International of Cameron Park/El Dorado Hills held a special Spring Awards event at the Cameron Park Country Club. The occasion was three-pronged. For the first order of business, the club presented a total of $7,500 to four very

deserving women as part of the Live Your Dream program. These awards provide women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. The awards can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other educationrelated expense. The first recipient,

Jane Duray, 40, a single mother of a 14-year-old, is currently working on two associates degrees at Folsom Lake College. After she graduated from high school in 2001 she struggled. Now, her goal is to transfer to a state university and become a human resource specialist so she can help others as she was helped.

“This award will not only help in my situation to continue

Each dog is individually trained with live rattlesnakes and is personally trained by staff from HIGH ON KENNELS. Sponsored By Hangtown Kennel Club Of Placerville, CA, Inc. with assistance from Dalmatian Club of No. CA

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

April 27 or 28, 2024

June 28 or 29, 2024

You’ll be at the clinic site approximately 40 minutes Cost $90 Per Dog CONTACT: CATHY KEELER — 530-622-6909 www.highonkennels.com

to work 20 hours a week, but will also provide me some peace of mind while I focus on my studies so I can graduate in 2026. I will also pay the blessing forward,” Duray shared.

The second recipient, Victoria Balderas, 35, is a single mother of two children, ages 4 and 5. Balderas had an abusive partner, the father of her children, who one day broke everything in their home. She ended up in the emergency room with no job, little money and an eviction. Her goal is to gain her associates degree and transfer to California State University, Sacramento, to earn her bachelor’s degree and become a social worker.

“I want to be someone my children can be proud of, knowing that I am making a difference in others’ lives … specifically women and children from the court system,” Balderas said. “I have experienced a lot in my life. I want to help those who don’t want to give up.”

Recipient No. 3 is Kathryn Panzica, 36 from Shingle Springs, a single mother with two children ages 14 and 11. Panzica shared that when she was 14 she started using drugs. Then at 21 she had her first child. Her son had seizures and after experiences with both bad and good doctors, she said, “I knew then I wanted to be that person who made a change in somebody’s life, who listened and cared.” She has been clean for 11 years. Panzica’s goal is to be a registered nurse. She has been a medical assistant for several years and an EMT for two years. She said she finished her pre-reqs but used up savings for books, uniforms, supplies. etc.. and that the award will help her complete her goal.

“I want others to know that if I can turn my life around, they can too,” Panzica said. The fourth recipient is Myroslava Vashchuck, 39. She is a Ukrainian refugee who had to

flee her home with her 14-year-old son, leaving family behind who were fighting on the front lines. She is currently enrolled in ESL classes so that she will know English at a sufficient level to continue studies in the field of biology, specifically microbiology, plants and soil science. She found solace in a local spiritual community as a means of dealing with her grief and navigating a new country.

The second exciting prong of the event was a presentation by the Cameron Park Women’s Golf Club to the Soroptimist Club of Cameron Park/ El Dorado Hills of a check for $20,959.58

— money raised during their November Fashion Show. These funds help support the work of Soroptimists with the Live Your Dream, the projects related to helping victims of sex trafficking and myriad of other local projects.

After everyone enjoyed food and wine and celebrated the recipients, the third prong went into high gear. Guests pitched in and filled 38 backpacks with essential supplies for sex trafficked victims.

Soroptimist of Cameron Park/El Dorado Hills is part of a global organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls Soroptimist International of the America Live Your Dream Awards provide more than $2 million in cash grants to headof-household women in need each year. Research by the Fels Institute of Government found this program improves the recipients’ quality of life; builds their confidence; strengthens their selfdetermination and makes them want to, in turn, help others. Helping women in this way has the demonstrated effect of leading to stronger communities, nations and the world. Anyone interested in membership can visit sicpedh.com. All Soroptimist clubs are 501(c)(3) organizations and rely on charitable donations to support programs. Worldwide, Soroptimist has nearly 100,000 members in 120 countries. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls visit soroptimist. org.

The 8th Annual Stand Up For MORE Comedy Night will be in partnership with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce to o er wonderful entertainment 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 is probably best known for the caustic observations and musical satires of his live comedy performances. Also featured is the amazingly talented Derrick Leonard, whose laser-sharp humor will have you in stitches!

Admission: $60 per person; $100 per couple

Tickets available at: MORE, 399 Placerville Drive Online at: www.morerehab.org

This year Women’s Fund El Dorado will grant $100,000 to nonprofit agencies located on El Dorado County’s Western Slope. A nonprofit collective giving organization, WFED pools funds collected from its members to create a grants program. Which nonprofits will receive funding this year is the question 370 members and guests of WFED came to the Marshall Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds on March 28 to decide.

Vice Chair Amarik Singh welcomed WFED members and guests to the Ballot Showcase and Grants Chair Teri Whiting introduced the nonprofits and explained the voting process. Both commented on the quality of this year’s applicants and praised each agency’s ability to articulate its project.

The Ballot Showcase featured 17 nonprofit agencies

Courtesy photo Soroptimist International of Cameron Park/El Dorado Hills members and guests pack backpacks that will go to sex trafficking victims.

GROW FOR IT!

Join the Master Gardeners for April plant sales

The University of California Master Gardeners of El Dorado County are pleased to announce two upcoming plant sales in April. Edible plants will be featured at the first sale on Saturday, April 13, with ornamental plants taking the stage at the second sale on Saturday, April 27. Both sales will be held at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville, behind the Folsom Lake College El Dorado Center. The gates will open promptly at 8 a.m. on both days and close at noon; both sales will be held rain or shine. Parking on the campus costs $2.

Donna Marshall UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

You can expect to find top quality herbs, vegetable and fruit offerings at the Edibles Sale. All plants have been grown locally with care by Master Gardeners. If you are looking for herbs to purchase, you will find anise, borage, chives, cumin, fennel, English lavender, chamomile, mint, basil (11 varieties), marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, tarragon, thyme, nasturtiums and scented geraniums. Tomatoes will also be featured, with cherry tomatoes (14 varieties), dwarf tomatoes (7 varieties), paste/plum tomatoes (10 varieties) and slicing tomatoes (35 varieties) to choose from. You will also find arugula, bloody dock, cardoon, eggplants (6 varieties), hot chili peppers (12 varieties), sweet peppers (13 varieties) and tomatillos available for sale. If fruit is on your list, you will find fig, strawberry, white strawberry, black mulberry, ground cherry and thornless blackberry plants. A complete inventory of the Edibles Sale plants is available at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu.

You will find similar quality landscape plants at the April 27 Ornamental Plant Sale, including native plants, ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees, succulents and perennials. Payment at both sales can be made with cash or by check; Visa and Mastercard will be accepted for

style. It can communicate experience, meaning, memories and the journey traveled as the grape is transformed into a beautiful wine.”

Art lovers and wine lovers are invited to the opening reception for Ars Vinifera: The Art of the Wine Label, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Switchboard Gallery, located at 525 Main St. in Placerville. Many of the wines featured in artwork on the walls will be available for tasting, along with a sampling of locally sourced hors d’oeuvres. The exhibition runs through May 19. “The mission of Switchboard Gallery is to celebrate what is unique about our County through the lens of the arts — history, heritage, preservation, architecture and, of course, agriculture,” noted Terry LeMoncheck, Arts and Culture El Dorado executive director. “This exhibition is a perfect fit for that intersection of ‘art and ag,’ and we

purchases over $25. Consider bringing a wagon or wheeled cart if you have one; there is often a wait for onsite garden wagons at the height of the sale. On both sale days you will find Master Gardeners at the information booth to answer your gardening questions

The UCCE Master Gardeners program is a nonprofit organization staffed largely by trained volunteers. The proceeds from the spring plant sales are used to support Sherwood Demonstration Garden, with its 16 themed gardens, which is the anchor of the program. Open Garden Days are held every Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon March through October, weather permitting, with docents present. A garden tour takes place on the first Open Garden Day Saturday of the month 9-10:15 a.m.; private tours can also be arranged. Many free public education classes are held during the year in our outdoor classroom pergola, with hands-on demonstrations in the garden when possible, along with special public events like Fall into Gardening. Youth gardening is a special focus, with school group tours and youth classes throughout the year. The garden is not only beautiful; it shows what grows well in our county and can offer inspiration to home gardeners. The Master Gardeners thank you for your support of this valuable community resource.

Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_Classe s/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Public_Education/Classes.

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr. edu/master_gardener_e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

are delighted to support Passport Weekend with something special for visitors coming to El Dorado County for this popular wine-tasting event.”

The origin of the exhibition name comes from Latin, with Ars meaning “skilled work or craft activity demanding a high level of technical ability” and Vinifera translating to “derived from a European grape, widely cultivated for winemaking.” Together, the two words neatly encapsulate the culture of agriculture and art that defines winemaking and the art gracing the bottle.

The Switchboard Gallery is open 1-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information about the exhibition visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/arsvinifera. For more details on EDWA’s Passport Weekend and tckets visit

WFED also awards the annual Wickline Scholarship to women needing assistance in pursuing higher education and, through the Lighthouse Fund, provides financial assistance to meet the medical, mental health, dental and optical needs of women and children. For more details visit womensfundeldorado.org.

Photo by Summer Brasuel

Get your wagon or cart ready for the University of California Master Gardeners of El Dorado County annual plant sales April 13 & 27.

Serving as the send-off show for Union Mine’s 2023-24 school year and a very talented batch of seniors, “Peter Pan” is a big show in both a literal and metaphorical sense. With a cast of more than 40 students accompanied by a large live band and a massive backstage and creative crew, director and Union Mine drama teacher Heather Freer considers the play one of the more ambitious undertakings in her time at the school.

“It’s honestly kind of crazy. There are so many people involved in this one; plus right before we open we have spring break and then snow, of all things,” Freer said. “But we’ve really got something special coming together and the kids have just done an incredible job.”

in my future. I want to open my own restaurant, so this skill of being able to lead will be really useful.”

The talents of the soonto-be-graduate class are impressive, with many of the students bringing all four years of drama classes at Union Mine as well as outside experience to bear. Akers and Rorden expressed an interest in further developing their acting abilities outside of high school, a passion for the craft that is clearly put on display in “Peter Pan.” Passion for theater and a community spirit are guiding stars for the Union Mine program, with many students expressing how important the performing arts classes have been on their journey through high school.

The spectacle of the show is brought to life through a collaboration of Union Mine creatives. Freer’s vision comes to the stage with choreography by dance teacher Caitlin Rubini and music played by a band led by music director Matthew Lane. Community members also lent their talents to the creative team behind the show;

vocal

Silver

the fight scenes. Though the teachers and community members provide a strong foundation to build off of, Freer’s approach to productions just as readily brings students into

leadership roles to learn through taking chances and getting directly involved. Though her onstage contributions to the show are obvious as the iconic fairy with an attitude Tinkerbell, Barnes also brought her artistic talents to the fore, acting as art director for multiple plays throughout her three years with Theatre at the

“It’s been the best part of high school for me, absolutely,” Rorden explained. “Things would have been so different if I hadn’t been part of it.”

“Peter Pan: opens Thursday and runs April 11-13 and 19-20 with showtimes at 7 p.m. plus 2 p.m. matinées on April 13 & 20. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students; tickets can be bought at the door or at bit.ly/ UMHSPeterPan. Peter

“When you direct, you get to see all aspects of theater and get to understand all sides,” Wheeler said. “I’ve learned how to manage people and it’s a skill I think will really help

struggle between Peter and the imperious Captain Hook (Benjamin Rorden).

Crocker House Creative Arts Center director Caitlyn Miller served as

coach while performance arts professional Rick

choreographed

Mine. The assistant director for the play is Sophia Wheeler, a senior who also took on directorial duties for previous shows “Be More Chill” and “Ghostlight.”

Know Continued from B1

Children,” a documentary that follows a group of resilient sexually exploited survivors. Mature audience suggested. The lm will be shown at 7 p.m. at Federated Church in Placerville. Admission is free.

Sean Lehe Trio will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Ponderosa Stage Productions at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs presents “Shrek: The Musical,” April 11-13 and April 18-20. For tickets and more information visit pondodrama.com/shrek.

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents the fth annual Rancho Cordova Student Art Show, April 11-27. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

April 12

Enjoy a taco dinner at the Family Fiesta & Silent Auction, 5-7:30 p.m. at Markham Middle School in Placerville. For more information email markhampantherparents@gmail.com.

Carson & Mike present Beatles Unplugged at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/ live-music.

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce and

e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle, with access to all the community services and amenities we o er to make your retirement easier and more enjoyable.

Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry

You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.

• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations

• Transportation services

• 24-hour emergency maintenance

• Gated electronic entrance