Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Online sting leads to charges

against

former youth coach

chat investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office in which he reportedly had sexual intent when he contacted an officer posing as a minor. Sacramento County sheriff’s officials say the 44-year-old is a former youth sports coach. The investigation was led by Sacramento County’s Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force that

DANIEl ROBERT TRACy JR

has a unit specifically assigned to cases involving internet crimes against children. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office

Bias training stays for some committees

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

Some county committees and commissions will still have to complete implicit bias training after a Board of Supervisors ruling March 21.

Members of the Assessment Appeals Board, Agriculture Commission, Civil Service Commission, Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Planning

Spring catch

Blooming trout lilies, above, catch some afternoon sun beneath manzanita at the Pine Hill Preserve in Cameron Park. These flowers were spotted on the ridge line not far from Rosebud Drive. On the way hikers pass through pink petals on redbud, right photo, the white blossoms of Pine Hill ceanothus and the yellow blooms of mule’s ear, among other flora growing in the biodiversity hotspot. The California Native Plant Society El Dorado Chapter will lead Pine Hill field trips April 23, April 29 and May 13. For more information go to eldoradocnps. org/news-events/field-trips.

Mountain Democrat photos by Krysten Kellum

Pioneer Fire plans to add to its Somerset station

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

The Pioneer Fire Protection District is getting an addition to its Station 31 facilities on Grizzly Flat Road in Somerset.

Pioneer Fire officials debated March 14 whether to replace the fire station in Grizzly Flat or add to Station 31.

The district will receive money from FEMA after

losing Station 35 in Grizzly Flat in the 2021 Caldor Fire. Station 35 consisted of one garage that held a firefighting SUV with no living quarters. The amount of FEMA money coming in is unknown, according to Pioneer Fire Chief David Whitt.

Since FEMA is allowing the money to not necessarily be used to rebuild Station 35 but also for alternative projects, the district’s board unanimously decided to build an apparatus room at Station 31 to add storage capacity for firefighting equipment.

Whitt, Pioneer Fire Protection District Chief

— David

Station 31’s location, between Four Corners and Grizzly Flat, makes it ideal for the district’s call volumes, Whitt said.

“It is a long way up to (the Grizzly Flat) location and ideally we don’t want to leave a fire engine up there

even if we could afford to staff it, which we cannot right now,” Whitt explained. “What we can do is split the difference since we already have a facility on Grizzly Flat Road that is halfway between Mt. Aukum Road and Grizzly Flat proper that

can currently house staff.”

The station is currently staffed by the U.S. Forest Service by contract with Pioneer. Whitt said expanding Station 31 would be ideal in the future if it comes across extra volunteers or resident firefighters straight from the fire academy.

The district plans to construct a 30- by 40-foot garage to house firefighting apparatus. Plans for the future include

“What we can do is split the difference since we already have a facility on Grizzly Flat Road that is halfway between Mt. Aukum Road and Grizzly Flat proper that can currently house staff.”

Katherine A. Smith

Jan. 3, 1922 – March 20, 2023

Katherine ‘Kay’ Smith passed away at her Garden Valley home at the age of 101. She was the daughter of Harry Connor and Katherine Hanny born in Loomis, California on a strawberry farm and raised on a small ranch at Meadowbrook during the 1920’s to 1935 when her family moved to Missouri. After high school she moved back to California and worked as a waitress along with her sister Helen in Los Angeles as well as working as a riveter at an aircraft factory. She met James Smith, a Marine headed for the Pacific during WWII. They married and had three children. She and her husband, after living in the Bay Area, moved to Garden Valley and operated Jim’s Garden Valley Grocery Store from 1959 until 1979. Kay was active in the community and was a lifelong Grange member and volunteered at FOCUS for many years. Twice she served as Grand Marshall of the Garden Valley Fourth of July Parade. She enjoyed refinishing furniture and working in her garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Katherine Connor, her brothers, Harry Connor and Jack Connor, and her son James W. Smith. She is survived by her sister Helen Mathias of Roseville, daughter Sandra Mancuso (Lawrence) of Garden Valley, son Thomas Smith (Kathleen) of El Dorado Hills, grandson, Nino Mancuso (Claire), granddaughters Lauren Mancuso, Shelly Klose (Christian) and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at a future date to be announced.

Donations can be sent in her name to Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County.

Earl (Trey) Washburn

M.D.

June 18, 1947 – Dec. 20, 2023

Please join the Washburn family as we honor the life of Earl (“Trey”) Washburn M.D. on Sunday, April 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. at Placerville’s Federated Church, Thompson Way. Reception to follow.

Willis E. Nelson

July 24, 1932 – April 8, 2023

Will E. Nelson was born in the small town of Winner South Dakota on July 24, 1932. He was the middle son of Walter and Elsie Nelson who raised turkeys and grew wheat on the homestead. After his service in the Korean War, he moved to Nebraska where he married Jane (Irene) Wilcynski in 1956. While attending the University of Nebraska, they welcomed their first child Nancy and 1 1/2 years later, another daughter Joanie into the family. Will graduated with a degree in Business Administration and the family moved to California.

After Will’s job with the Internal Revenue Service in the Bay Area, the family moved to the Sacramento area where he began his mortgage and real estate business. Will enjoyed flying his airplane and later the helicopter, riding snowmobiles, fishing and camping with the campers group. Will and Jane built a new home and moved up the hill to Shingle Springs and later another home in Cameron Park. They became founding members of the Light of the Hills church where they were very active and enjoyed fellowship with their church family.

The Lord called Will to his eternal home on April 8, 2023. He is survived by his daughters Nancy Nelson and Joanie McCreary (Tom); grandchildren, Jessica Wallace (Chad), Ali Smith (Andrew), Jake Ward and Tommy McCreary; and great-grandsons, Hunter Wallace and Jackson Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife Jane, of 63 years.

Memorial donations can be made to the Light of the Hills Fellowship Fund.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Light of the Hills, 3100 Rodeo Road, Cameron Park, CA at 11:00 am.

Florence Andre (Andy) Ishmael

Aug. 27, 1933 – March 15, 2023

Florence Andre (Andy) Ishmael, of Placerville, passed away at her home on March 15, 2023. Andy was the daughter of Brunhilde Kohler Woods Petosa and Bryan Morrill Woods. She was born in San Francisco and lived in Sausalito where she went to Tamalpias High School and met the love of her life, Don Delano Ishmael at a Valentines Day school dance.

She and Don married June 23, 1951, one week after she graduated from High School. They moved to Arizona where Don served in the Air Force during the Korean War. They were married 4 months shy of their 50th anniversary; he preceded her death in 2001. After Don’s discharge from the Air Force, they moved home with their 3-year-old son, Don Ishmael to Tiburon, Ca where they settled with their new family. A few years later they moved their family to Lucas Valley, Ca where they had deLysa (Ishmael) Touey and Scott Ishmael. In 1975 they built a house in Diamond Springs and moved their family to the foothills where they enjoyed the country living.

Both Andy and Don went to work for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, where they both had long careers and retired from. Andy continued her career at Blue Shield of California in the Placerville o ce when it opened in 1982 and retired from there as well in 1992.

She and Don loved to travel, spend time in their boat, swimming in the backyard and camping with their family up the Pacific Coast across the western United States and down to Baja Mexico. Most of all they both loved to just spend time with their kids and grandkids any chance they could.

Andy loved people, she could work a room like no other and leave a person smiling. She volunteered at Marshall Hospital, at her kids and grandkids school. She was an amazing seamstress, she could make any kind of clothing, Halloween costumes, quilting, crocheting and famous for her knitted Christmas stockings for the family.

Andy is preceded in death by her mother Brunhilde, father Bryan, her beloved husband Don, grandson Brian David Ishmael, daughter in law Kimberlee Ishmael, brother Leslie Bender and sister Henrietta Francard.

Andy is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children Don Ishmael, deLysa Touey (Rick) and Scott Ishmael (Becky). Her Niece, Janine Bender and many nephews. Grandchildren Brenda Brown (CJ), Katie Ishmael, Brett Touey (Hilary), Michelle Haley (Colby) and Amanda Satterfield (David). Her 12 Greatgrandchildren Bella, Austin, Maddy, Mack, Prudence, Zoey, Cash, Cooper, Pierce, Jameson, Juniper and Brett Brian.

Private services will be held with the family.

weather

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:

April 3

3:18 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and driving without a license on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was released on $2,000 bail.

11:48 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of a felony post-release violation on South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody.

11:55 p.m. Burglary was reported on Whistlers Bend Way in El Dorado Hills.

2:47 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.

2:49 p.m. Grand theft was reported on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

3:18 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Deerhorn Lane in El Dorado Hills.

5:33 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Indian Rock Road in Cool.

8:35 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Salmon Way in Pollock Pines.

April 4

12:19 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of DUI on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was released on $40,000 bail.

5:22 p.m. Battery was reported at a business on Commerce Way in Diamond Springs.

8:21 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Bridal Veil Falls. He was later released.

April 5

3:47 a.m. Deputies arrested a suspect after responding to a verbal disturbance on Patterson Way in El Dorado Hills.

7:36 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 45-year-old man suspected of possession and transportation of narcotics for sale on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $70,000 bail.

7:37 a.m. Battery was reported on Ellenwood Lane in Placerville.

7:47 a.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.

8:10 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Gilmore Road in Pollock Pines.

9:39 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

9:42 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Stoneman Way in El Dorado Hills.

10:39 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of burglary, grand theft of a firearm and theft of personal property on Lemon Hill Avenue in Sacramento. He was listed in custody in lieu of $375,000 bail.

11:42 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of burglary, grand theft of a firearm, theft of personal property and felony parole violations on Lemon Hill Avenue in Sacramento. He was listed in custody in lieu of $375,000 bail.

1:52 p.m. Battery was reported on Park Woods Drive in Pollock Pines.

3:42 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Garden Circle in Cameron Park.

7:12 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of unauthorized burning, contempt of a court order and resisting arrest on Sparrow Lane in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

April 6

8:01 a.m. Burglary was reported at an apartment complex on Pearl Place in Diamond Springs.

9:42 a.m. Grand theft was

reported at a business on Francisco Drive in El Dorado Hills.

10:06 a.m. Battery was reported at a mobile home park on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

12:07 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Valley View Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

11:18 p.m. Battery was reported at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

April 7

8:17 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.

10:47 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was later released.

11:06 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was later released.

11:50 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Newtown Road in Placerville.

12:21 p.m. Battery was reported on Camellia Lane in Placerville.

1:28 p.m. Burglary was reported on Garden Circle in Cameron Park.

1:31 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia and driving without a license on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. She was later released.

2:28 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of possession and transportation of a controlled substance for sale and felony parole violations on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $310,000 bail.

3:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of a felony parole violation on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody.

3:44 p.m. Grand theft was reported on La Crescenta Drive in Cameron Park.

3:52 p.m. Battery was repotted on Park Woods Drive in Pollock Pines.

6:19 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. She was later released.

7:53 p.m. Battery was reported at a restaurant on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

9:28 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 57-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 near Carson Road. He was later released.

11:59 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 47-year-old man suspected of DUI on Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville. He was released on $5,000 bail.

April 8

12:58 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 35-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Emil Road in Shingle Springs. She was released on $10,000 bail.

1:36 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, DUI and possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $60,500 bail.

2:15 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of carrying a concealed dirk/dagger and possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $85,000 bail.

3:01 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was later released.

Not-so-controlled burn

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

A controlled burn on a Pleasant Valley property escaped containment Saturday afternoon but a quick response from firefighters averted potential disaster. Flames charred about one-quarter acre before fire crews were able to stop their spread, according to a social media post from the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit. The fire, located on a property off Meadowlark Way, was called in at 12:35 p.m., according to Cal Fire representative Wendy Oaks.

Assisting with the call were firefighters from the Shingle Springs Band of

Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Department and El Dorado County Fire Protection District, as well as Cal Fire.

Saturday was a permissible burn day in El Dorado County but with the weather warming up and conditions starting to dry, firefighters urge residents to exercise caution with control burns. Best practices to avoid escaped fires include continual monitoring of the outdoor burn, providing sufficient clearance and having a water source on hand. When the wind picks up, ensuring ash piles are wet and stirred with a hand tool will also aid in keeping the burn to where it should be.

coming to Shingle Springs Rancheria

Fiber internet

Mountain Democrat staff

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians has announced it is partnering with Cal.net Inc., a Shingle Springs-based internet service provider, to bring fiber broadband infrastructure to the Shingle Springs Rancheria.

The installation of reliable broadband aims to enhance communication services for the tribe’s government, services and businesses and improve quality of life for tribal members, states a joint news release from Cal.net and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

The partnership was made possible through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Cal.net’s fiber-to-the-home service

EID’s Mother Lode force main replacement due

leverages technology capable of delivering 10 Gbps internet service and is both expandable to higher speeds and extendable to more homes, as the tribal community grows, notes the news release. The projected completion date is fall 2023.

“We are thrilled to provide this state-of-the-art technology,” states David A. Murray, TBCP program manager. “The project has been a long time coming and will be of tremendous benefit to our community.”

Tribal Chairwoman Regina Cuellar emphasized the importance of the project, saying, “We recognize that access to reliable broadband is crucial for education, emergency services, patient care and economic development. This project will go a long way in ensuring that our community has the tools it needs to thrive.”

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

Three miles in three different sections of the Mother Lode force main will be replaced by Teichert Construction with completion by August 2024, according to an update heard by the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors March 27.

The project involves 16,760 linear feet of new 18- and 20-inch PVC pipe to replace asbestos cement pipeline that has been rotted with hydrogen sulfide buildup. Work will begin in El Dorado.

Celebrate Earth Day with Keep Tahoe Blue cleanup at Heavenly Village

Tahoe Daily Tribune

The League to Save Lake Tahoe will host the ninth annual Earth Day cleanup Friday, April 21, in South Lake Tahoe.

Locals and visitors of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate along with dozens of volunteers and league staff to celebrate the holiday and help Keep Tahoe Blue.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon with participant check-in at Azul Latin Kitchen located at 1001 Heavenly Village Way in South Lake Tahoe.

The cleanup will take place in and around the Heavenly Village/ Stateline tourist core.

South Lake Tahoe visitors and locals are invited to help with an Earth Day cleanup Friday morning.

The winning bid by Teichert Construction was $12,768,539.

The engineer’s estimate was $15,220,800.

With the addition of construction management and inspection service for $351,500, construction engineering services of $88,980, a storm water pollution prevention plan for $15,400, geotechnical services of $61,787, Department of Transportation fees of $100,000, capitalized labor of $350,000 and contingency of $1,373,620, it added up

to a total project cost of $15,109,826.

The three sections to be replaced are labeled 3A, 3B and 3C. The first one, 3A, will be replaced by October 2023 after construction begins in June. The other two phases will be completed by August 2024. These sections will be connected to already replaced sections, taking the PVC pipe all the way to south Cameron Estates. The project and low bid awards were unanimously approved by the EID board.

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

VENEERS VERSUS CROWNS

The most significant difference between veneers and crowns is that veneers are used for cosmetic improvement while crowns are used for structural improvement. Veneers cover the front of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth. Veneers are often used to improve the look of stained teeth or to fix teeth that are chipped, worn down, or have gaps between them. Crowns are used to restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance, or to protect a weak tooth from breaking. Crowns may be used to support teeth with severe tooth decay or to hold a cracked or broken tooth together. They are also used to cover

implants and can improve a tooth’s appearance in shape or color. Enhance your appearance so you can smile with confidence - call us to explore the many ways today’s cosmetic dentistry procedures can improve your teeth as well as change your life. It starts with a simple phone call to our office to arrange an appointment for veneers, crowns, or other state-of-the-art dental procedures, performed by a dedicated professional dental team, that make our office the ideal place to achieve a captivating smile.

P.S. Veneers are permanent and their color can’t be changed once they’re placed.

Dr. Little provides quality family and cosmetic dentistry. His office is located at 344 Placerville Dr., Suite 19, Placerville. (530) 626-9127 Visit us at: www.jefflittledds.com

Day Hiker

The Gold Country Trail Guide

As spring rolls into Tahoe, melting snow reveals a winter’s worth of litter buried by successive storms. Tahoe’s world-renowned natural beauty and

delicate ecology are damaged by to-go food waste, single-use plastics, shattered sleds and a wide variety of other trash left on sidewalks, trails and outdoor recreation spots. Unless the litter

Training Continued from A1

Commission will have 30 days from their appointment to complete the training. After that timeframe, the appointees will be required to notify the clerk of the board if the training is not completed within 150 days and then subsequently

Sting Continued from A1

and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office assisted in taking Tracy into custody at his Knollwood Drive home.

Tracy was booked into the El Dorado County Jail, where he is held on $1.425 million bail. He faces several felony charges, including sending harmful matter with intent to seduce a minor, attempting to produce child porn and arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, among others.

Investigators ask anyone who may have information regarding unreported crimes or who believes a child may have had inappropriate communications or contact with Tracy to contact a local law enforcement agency.

Pioneer Continued from A1

Building a fire station in Grizzly Flat would cost more than $2.5 million, according to Whitt.

Whitt said it would be more prudent to have volunteers keep

is removed it will inevitably end up in Lake Tahoe’s waters. The League to Save Lake Tahoe is hosting the event as an opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate Earth Day by pitching in for a

be considered for removal.

morning of TLC for Lake Tahoe and the planet.

Volunteers can register for the event at keeptahoeblue.org/ earthday. Walk-in participants are welcome.

It was previously recommended the Board of Supervisors, who considered striking the requirement for the training altogether, require implicit bias training for commissions and committees that fill out statements of economic interest.

Five of the 15 county committees/commissions required to complete ethics training per county code must complete the statement of economic interest due to their influence on government decisions.

The training will be optional for the rest of the commissions and committees. The county reported a 67% compliance rate for the training among the appointees, which it claims has created difficulty in recruitment and training inconsistencies.

Supervisors in 2021 recommended the requirement of the training, which teaches how decisions have potential to be made with unintended judgements and behaviors, which did not have full board support at the time.

firefighting apparatus at their homes and respond to calls as needed.

“It would cost the district a lot of money to replace the fire station and staff it,” Whitt said.

“The only thing that would have happened at best would have been to place a small pickup

truck with a small pump, which would not have provided structural fire protection and at best would have been used for small wildland spots.”

Whitt said insurance coverage on the lost station was minimal and not enough to help replace Station 35 infrastructure.

A collection of Day Hiker columns first published in the Auburn Journal between 2016 and 2018

A collection of Day Hiker columns can be seen the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the Mountain Democrat having resident firefighters to utilize the station when the Forest Service is not occupying Station 31.

Placerville News Co, Placerville California Welcome Center, El Dorado Hills Also at Amazon.com

Courtesy photo

Firefighters dig a containment line around an escaped control burn in the Pleasant Valley area Saturday.

Courtesy photo

California Matters

Battles over taxing the rich abound in liberal state

In deeply blue California there’s never a shortage of e orts to raise taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents or corporations to support expansions of government programs.

Each year sees a new batch of tax-therich proposals in the Legislature or in state and local ballot measures, usually under the rubric of forcing the a uent to pay their “fare share,” even though California’s tax revenues, particularly income taxes, are already largely provided by upper-income residents.

Some proposals succeed but many do not, and even those that make it into law are often challenged in the courts.

Letters to the Editor

Warehouse in EDH

EDITOR:

There’s some history behind the 200-plus acres on the south end of the business park on Latrobe in El Dorado Hills.

busy metropolis, planning o cials had wisdom in preserving open space throughout the area known as the Mid Pen Open Space District. It is a model that should be adopted in our county, especially an area such as this with its natural features, history and flora and fauna.

SUMMARY

For example, a phalanx of progressive legislators is supporting the latest e ort to impose a “wealth tax.” It’s an annual exercise that so far has never advanced beyond the introductory phase, in part because Gov. Gavin Newsom, although endorsing many leftof-center proposals, is adamantly opposed, saying, “A wealth tax is not part of the conversation.

Wealth taxes are going nowhere in California.”

Newsom also opposed Proposition 30, a 2022 ballot measure that would have placed a 1.75% surtax on personal incomes above $2 million to support climate change resilience. Voters rejected it by an almost 3-2 margin despite support from the Democratic Party and a coalition of left-leaning groups.

Proposition 30 was an unusual measure not only because Newsom opposed it, despite his fervent support of combating climate change, but because wealthy Californians financed a campaign against it after being passive on previous income tax hikes.

Implicitly, Newsom’s opposition to both proposals reflects, at least in part, a growing concern that raising California’s income taxes, already the highest in the nation, would encourage more of the rich to flee the state for Nevada, Texas, Florida or other states without income taxes.

Voters are virtually certain to face another tax-the-rich ballot measure next year. The

Guest Column

I understand that it was annexed from the business park, contingent on the approval of Creekside Village, a subdivision of 900-plus homes. Since Creekside Village has been scrapped, this lot needs to go back into the business park for further review.

Looks like a Nevada developer, who has built warehouses and distribution centers for Amazon in the past, is now interested in buying this parcel in EDH. Not surprisingly, one of the Nevada developer’s newest partners, hired in October 2022, previously ran Amazon’s logistics real estate sourcing and development team.

The proposed warehouse distribution facilities, called Project Frontier, will require the widening of Latrobe to serve thousands of diesel powered trucks each day — and over 4.8 million square feet of warehouses, with dozens of loading docks towering 100 feet right next to a 55+ community and other residential areas.

This project would rival the size of the Pentagon.

You probably already knew about this, but if you live anywhere in the area you should know that they’re applying for a conditional use permit.

Please attend the APAC meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 19 at the El Dorado Hills Fire Station 85 to educate yourself on this proposed project. Voice your concerns.

JACKSON ROBERTSON Shingle Springs

Cameron Woods housing project

EDITOR:

Acouple of years ago I may have been the first to notice that the Rasmussen Pond area was up for sale so I alerted the locals on Nextdoor. Immediately the community responded and residents have continued to voice their passion to preserve this land ever since.

When I moved to Cameron Woods, being able to enjoy this open space played a part in the purchase of our home.

Prior to moving to the area in 2013 I worked as a recreation therapist in the Bay Area, where I led groups on hikes. Although the Bay Area is a very

Help keep the meadow in Cameron Meadows for generations to come. There are better places for homes to be built in our area, plain and simple.

DENNIS CASHMAN Cameron Park

Rasmussen Pond development

EDITOR:

Please, no more housing developments. There is ample housing without destroying the natural landscape of Rasmussen Pond. The area is far more desirable as a watershed, bu er and nature sanctuary. The residents in the outlying area utilize Rasmussen Pond daily for a multitude of reasons: walking, painting, photography and just plain enjoying a slice of nature. Let’s just let it be.

DAN MULLIN Cameron Park

Diamond Springs Park and area mobility studies

EDITOR:

El Dorado County will increase compensation to the environmental consulting company Dudek. This is for additional analysis and planning on the Diamond Springs park project.

The additional work will include a transportation impact study, soil testing, analysis of the draft environmental impact report plus a study of tra c and noise impacts.

This Diamond Springs Community Park meets many programmatic needs in the El Dorado County Parks Master Plan for preservation, recreation, ball fields, soccer fields, picnic areas, playgrounds for the young and a basketball court. This proposed park is 29 acres adjacent to Charles Brown School and near Union Mine High School. Related considerations should be the tra c and road needs to the south of Diamond Springs and El Dorado. The congestion of Pleasant Valley

■ See LETTERS, page A5

Message from the disbanded Human Rights Commission

On March 21 the Human Rights Commission was disbanded by the Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County in a 3-2 vote. As the disbanded commission we are disappointed with the supervisors who have not shown us the respect we deserve. Before accusing commissioners of wrongdoing, respectful communication should have been made to present grievances in order for us to respond. We were not included in the discourse regarding the disbanding and that is a problem.

Human rights’ values of fairness, dignity, equality and respect were overlooked in the process of elimination. We were left with an abrupt ending, given no details to consider — only getting secondhand information and what could be gleaned in the news or at several board meetings. With patience we waited for proper communication on

details of our demise to no avail. This quick demolishment came only a short time after the work of the commission was presented to the board on Nov. 8, 2022, and responded to by supervisors with praise and with no complaints of wrongdoing.

What happened to change this so suddenly?

It should also be noted the Board of Supervisors has severely limited implicit bias training even though such training can give members who serve on committees, commissions and boards a comprehensive understanding to increase productive interactions and reduce discrimination.

We all need to be educated and reminded, on a continual basis, how human rights impact ourselves and our community. Until we really understand why this is important, the protection of our human rights will be fraught with starts and stops. Human rights to protect human interests

(everyone’s interests) is ongoing work and a constant reminder that we are all equal. It is a guiding light for our higher selves that we may strive always to build communities with equity and for diverse human environments to be respected.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with its adoption in 1948 recognizing human rights to be the foundation for freedom and justice, is the most translated document in the world. These rights were created for you and me to provide everyone with basic needs, protect vulnerable groups from abuse, freedom of speech, equal work opportunities, access to education and more.

Eleanor Roosevelt considered her work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be her most important accomplishment, saying, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close

to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or o ce where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seek equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Let us all work together to make human rights happen in our community with or without our public o cials to stand up for these rights and guide us. Maintaining values of tolerance, equality, justice and peace will create the community we

■ See GULARTE, page A5

There’s no shortage of efforts to impose new taxes on the wealthy or corporations in California, but few of them survive the political process.

■ See WALTERS, page A5

We all need to be educated and reminded, on a continual basis, how human rights impact ourselves and our community.

LARA GULARTE

DAN WALTERS

New stars added to tourney lineup

Mountain Democrat staff

Three newcomers will play in the 34th American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe.

Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams will make his first appearance at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort golf course as will Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and stand up comedian Nate Bargatze. Early commitments for the tournament, which takes place from Wednesday, July 12, through Sunday, July 16, include longtime favorites, including three-time champ Tony Romo, who won last year, Charles Barkley, Justin Timberlake, Larry the Cable Guy, Ray Romano, Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Robbie Gould.

Tickets for tournament spectators went on sale earlier this month, costing $30 for Wednesday and Thursday and $40 Friday through Saturday.

A grounds pass is available for $125 which is good for all days. Active duty, reservists, military retirees and veterans receive one complimentary ticket and one complimentary guest ticket for either July 12 or July 13.

To celebrate 25 years of sponsoring the tournament, American Century Investments will o er monthly contests leading up to the event and will give away a pair of tickets. Follow them on Instagram, @ ACChampionship, for details.

For more information visit americancenturychampionship.com.

Walters Continued from A4 proposal would add a .75% surtax on incomes over $5 million to finance pandemic detection and protection programs.

Proposition 30 wasn’t the only tax hike aimed at wealthy individuals and corporations to face su er recent rejection. In 2020, voters narrowly defeated Proposition 15, which would have removed some property tax limits on commercial holdings.

It would have been a major revision of Proposition 13, the iconic 1978 ballot measure to both limit property taxes and make other taxes more di cult to impose. Speaking of which, the same anti-tax activists who defended Proposition 13 in 2020 will return to the ballot next year with a measure to further tighten restrictions on new taxes, including requiring voter approval of any levies imposed by the Legislature.

The measure to counter state and local tax increase drives would apply not only to future tax hikes but those already enacted since 2022. There’s been a surge of local tax measures in the wake of a 2017 state Supreme Court decision lowering the voting requirement for local taxes imposed via initiative.

If the 2024 measure is endorsed by voters, one e ect probably would be to nullify sti taxes on sales of high-value homes and commercial property that left-leaning cities have adopted in recent years, including those enacted by voters in Los Angeles and Santa Monica last year.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association not only is a lead sponsor of next year’s tax limitation

New York, N.Y. 10018

1-800-972-3550

measure but is the lead plainti in lawsuits aimed at overturning the new property sales levies, which have been dubbed “mansion taxes,” even though they apply to commercial transfers as well.

Battles over taxing the rich, in one form or another, have become a permanent fixture of California’s political landscape.

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

want to live in. Indi erence is dangerous during these contentious times as it reduces those who are marginalized to an abstraction and their lives meaningless. Human rights requires all of us as individuals to consider the rights of others without discrimination or oppression. The steps necessary to build a human rights movement require everyone’s e ort and participation and this means a personal commitment in our daily lives. Together, let us create a human rights community now.

Written by Lara Gularte on behalf of the disbanded Human Rights Commission of El Dorado County comprised of Gularte, Susan Simpkin, Robin Valicenti, Bill Martinez and Carla Carr.

Road in that area needs to be reviewed and actions taken. The Union Mine Road connector has been proposed since the Road Connection Vision Map of 2009. Later studies and concept maps followed. The 2014 Diamond Springs and El Dorado Area Mobility and Livable Community Plan also pointed out the need for this road connector. This should be a road from Fowler Lane in Diamond Springs going west through the Deer Park subdivision to the proposed community park area, Charles Brown School and Union Mine High School to Highway 49 south of El Dorado. This connector road is long overdue and needs priority actions of our county.

The Diamond Springs and El Dorado Community Advisory Committee has reviewed these subjects and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Hopefully these considerations will be included in this new additional analysis and planning study.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

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/

PUZZLE BY MICHAEL B. BERG

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

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 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

CELEBRATE RECOVERY meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

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

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 fourpart 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. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

MARSHALL HOSPITAL

AUXILIARY is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

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)6216304 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 except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

BUD ZELLER Diamond Springs

Rattlesnake Avoidance For Dogs

Duran headed to NCAA

Union Mine football fans will soon see a familiar name in the NCAA roster, as an MVP has been recruited to play for Oregon’s Linfield University.

Andrew Duran, a senior, signed his NCAA commitment to play football last week with head football coach Kirk Anderson and some of his fellow athletes in attendance at Union Mine High School’s large gym. Duran is one of the few students in Union Mine history to play NCAA sports directly out of high school, according to the UM Athletics communications team.

Duran’s accolades are an impressive sight, including Sierra Valley Conference defensive player of the year 2022, Sacramento Bee 2022 All Team Metro and Defensive MVP — a list made all the more impressive given that Duran only started playing football two years ago.

“I started playing football in my junior year in high school,” Duran wrote in an email to the Mountain Democrat. “I immediately loved the environment; the brotherhood along with the physicality the sport required. As my junior season went on, it was apparent that if I continued to work hard, I would have a future in the sport past high school. That’s when I pushed all my chips to the center of

the table and decided to chase that future.”

That chase paid off well, with Duran receiving a dozen official offers from collegiate programs. Duran opted to become a linebacker for Linfield’s McMinnville campus, where he will receive an academic scholarship while he pursues a degree in mechanical engineering. Linfield is an NCAA Division III program.

Duran earned a 4.0 his last semester report card and has an overall 3.6 GPA. He keeps busy with extracurriculars, having been a part of the UMHS men’s basketball team for all four years as well as a Safe School Ambassador Program leader and AVID teacher assistant.

Duran states his success is thanks in part to all the support he’s received along the way.

“I would like to thank my family,” Duran continues. “My mom Linda for always pushing me to be my best and being my role model, my brother Donovan for always being my biggest fan and my dad Daniel for always believing I can do anything and his funny dad jokes. I would also like to thank my head coach Kirk Anderson for being my second father and mentoring me throughout my high school career. Lastly, I’d like to thank my teammates for always pushing me to be my best.”

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

Forsberg claims milestone win on Al Hinds tribute night

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

On a night honoring former Placerville Speedway promoter Al Hinds, it was only fitting that an alltime track legend reached a milestone victory.

Auburn’s Andy Forsberg had been stuck on win No. 199 since last July, but that all changed Saturday as he took the lead on lap 14 and never looked back, en route to his longawaited 200th career triumph. It marked his third victory in the Tribute to Al Hinds, which ranks as the second most behind Justin Sanders.

“It’s a great feeling to finally get this 200th win checked off,” Forsberg said in victory lane. “I was able to get 199 in Petaluma last July and for one reason or another it just didn’t happen. My crew gave me a great car tonight and it’s pretty special to win it during the Tribute to Al Hinds.”

Wilton’s Ashlyn Rodriguez led the early laps in impressive fashion aboard her No. 87 machine. Hanford’s Michael Faccinto then showed his strength on lap six when he drove by and snagged the top spot.

With 14 circuits complete, Forsberg sliced to the inside of Faccinto to claim the lead. The nine-time track champ held command over the duration of the 25-lapper and crossed under the checkered flag to claim his 69th career winged-360 win at the track. Faccinto crossed the stripe in second, followed by Fair Oak’s Jake Morgan in third.

Chico’s Michael Ing returned Saturday to also record one of his finest Placerville Speedway performances in fourth, with Shane Hopkins also having a tremendous run from the rear of the field to fifth. Diamond Springs’ Dan Jinkerson started from the front row and raced to another victory with the late models. The two-time and defending track champ has been a dominant force in the division as of late and earned his 11th career triumph in the class at Placerville. Ray Trimble, Clark Gugliomoni, Matt Davis and Tyler Lightfoot rounded out the top five.

After finishing a close second last week Diamond Springs’ Kevin Jinkerson returned last night to pick up an impressive 20-lap victory with the pure stocks. Kevin tallied his seventh career Placerville Speedway win over brother Dan, Nick Baldwin, Tim Arbogast and Chris D’Angelo.

The Bay Cities Racing Association Lightning Sprints put together a fast and furious 20-lap main event that saw Waterford’s Dakota Albright pick up his second victory of the season. Youngster David Gasper led early but with 13 circuits complete, Albright blasted to the outside and took over the top spot that he would never relinquish. Cody Meyer came home second, with Hunter Kinney in third, Josef Ferolito fourth and Greg Dennett in fifth. Racing continues at Placerville Speedway Saturday, April 22, with the Tilford Tribute.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

SUDOkU

Complete

Solutions

n TODAy HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). In a perfect world, nothing would be perfect because perfection has a short shelf life before it becomes boring, then stale, then totally toxic.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your work doesn’t always come from you. Sometimes it seems to be coming through you instead. Today, it will feel like you are gifted from forces unknown. Still, the results will be yours for a time, before they go on to belong to the world.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Life’s best prizes have a mind of their own. The more you chase them, the less you have them. The disciplined approach will work best. Sit still, blend in, observe unobserved and form a strategy.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Many Greek poets invoked the help and favor of Erato, the Muse of poetry, at the beginning of their works. You will be similarly inclined today. Maybe you’re not writing a poem, but what you’re drawn to apply yourself to will require the artfulness of a creative communicator.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In spite of all you have experienced, you still hold the innocent hope and the faith of the uninitiated. As you see life as precious, wondrous and beautiful, others around you do, too.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As part of a tight group, you’ll know the inside of it like many never will. This is a privilege and a burden. Your loyalty will keep you from revealing other people’s secrets.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have your eye on a

goal that is not quite within reach. Admitting that you’re not yet within striking distance allows for honesty about what’s working and what’s not. Shame and blame have no place in your practical plan.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Leisure doesn’t just magically come together. It can take as much planning and preparation as any work project, if not more. You’ll maximize your experience by delving into the nitty-gritty details of fun.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re not dissatisfied with the familiar so much as bored. The scene can be enlivened with the introduction of someone new because everyone sees things through the new person’s eyes. You’ll understand the danger in beauty and the beauty in danger.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Do not dismiss the importance of fluffy, useless silliness. What seems whimsical and frivolous may strike at the depths of issues in a way that logic cannot. It is highly intelligent to engage in purposeful low humor.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A quest ignites a fire in you. It’s less about a project and more about an emotional mission. When you take risks with your social life, you will feel and experience deeper love, greater engagement, greater excitement.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Among th e basic tenets of success, first and foremost is wanting to succeed. You’ll figure out why a change is worth working toward and what makes it so important to you. You’ll picture your new situation and move toward it.

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

The Andy Forsberg team crowds victory lane after crossing the checkered flag 200 times.

IN THE KNOW

April 19

Cary Morin Duo performs 7-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

April 20

The Camino Fire Safe Council hosts a meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Camino Community Church, 4205 Carson Road. For more information visit edcfiresafe.org/camino.

Martin Media presents Rob Schneider’s I Have Issues tour, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

April 21

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on-site to assist with any questions regarding Sherwood Demonstration Garden or your personal garden. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Book Bans and Other Library Issues by a panel from our local library, 1-3

at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road.

Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor

Passport to the Great Out There is a great way to experience El Dorado County’s family-owned wineries and enjoy food and wine tastings, reserve wines and other surprises at participating wineries from Apple Hill to Fair Play. For 32 years the unique and welcoming El Dorado Winery Association wineries have been hosting Passport events. Visitors can experience beautifully crafted wines, enjoy expertly paired food tastings, meet the folks behind the scenes and take in the spectacular vistas 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23.

Winemakers and winery owners bring out limited releases, obscure grape varieties and award winners for this special event.

To be a part of the wine adventure a one- or two-day passport at cellarpass. com/events/2023-passport-to-the-greatout-there-9489. This year most of the wineries are back to the open house approach where visitors can map their itinerary while out and about and everyone is a VIP. The only winery you must attend is your starting winery. There, you will pick up your wine glasses, wristbands and be off for a fabulous Passport journey. Designated driver passports are available for those who don’t plan on wine tasting but still want to join the journey. Designated driver tickets must accompany a full-priced wine consumption ticket.

Participating wineries

Boeger Winery welcomes Passport To The Great Out There guests with a taste through a stellar lineup of wines, including unique grapes that grow well in its high-elevation vineyards and curated library selections. Guests will enjoy a charcuterie box full of goodies to pair with each wine and learn more about the history of this enchanting estate.

Bumgarner Winery – Camino welcomes guests with the new BUMbly Rosé of Tempranillo paired with fun and colorful candied popcorn. Taste from a selection of red wines: 2019 Barbera, Silver Fork Super Tuscan and 2018 Tempranillo paired with barbecue tri-tip and sample the last of the 2021 Pinot Noir. Finish with two of the hard ciders (traditional and Aloha) paired with apple doughnuts. Featured artist Oran Miller will present a live demonstration.

Bumgarner Winery – Fair Play offers a vegetarian rustic French experience with savory mushroom crêpes and a Niçoiseinspired salad paired with the 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Estate Chenin Blanc, 2019 Grenâche Rosé, as well as the “show-stopper” Rhône-style blends: 2019 Fiona, GSM and 2019 Elle. Sample the last of the 2021 Pinot Noir. Finish with Late Harvest Viognier paired with a handmade chocolate.

Busby Cellars offers delicious food and award-winning wines while taking in panoramic vineyard views. The gourmet menu includes garlic-ginger chicken satay skewers with peanut-lime dipping sauce and caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic glaze. Be sure to finish the wine flight with delicious port and brownie bites. Enjoy the newest releases and old

Cantiga Wineworks is one of the region’s most distinctive boutique wineries now celebrating 24 years of crafting classic European-style, foodfriendly wines with minimal intervention and low sulfites. A visit to Cantiga is both an experience and an education. Learn how the right food can elevate wine to a whole new level with a guided “pairing flight” of culinary creations.

Chat with winemaker Rich Rorden about why his non-malolactic technique allows his wines to age gracefully for decades — even the whites. Most dietary restrictions accommodated.

Chateau Davell welcomes visitors to the cellars. Stroll through the barrel room sipping through some of the featured and limited production wines accompanied by savory bites. Enjoy access to some of the member only exclusive wines.

Crystal Basin Cellars is where tasty wine meets the most fun in the foothills. Whether you’re paired up or with a big group, its brand of effusive hospitality is likely to make your day memorable. White wines? Got ‘em. Red wines? Got ‘em. Bubbly? Got ‘em. An impressive line-up of gold medal winning wines? Yup. Tasty wine-friendly grub? Yeah!

Field Number Fifteen pairs its beloved Korean barbecue tacos with its estate organic wines. Reach out with any dietary restrictions and they will try to accommodate.

Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery has a flake pastry extravaganza. Sure to be pastries to please everyone from vegan to meat pies — an assortment of cheese, sun dried tomato, tapenade, mushroom, caviar, shrimp, duck, sausage, fruit, nut and chocolate pastries paired with bubbly, white, rosé and red wines.

n See PASSPORT, page B4

Day hiker

Foresthill Divide Loop Trail A

Clementine. It’s gone now. Probably thrown over the edge. Some call this the Connector Trail, others say Lake View Trail, but the only sign you see is Foresthill Divide Loop Trail.

From the Upper Lake Clementine gate 120 you

walk down the wide road and find the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail on both sides of the road. Go to your left.

The mostly shaded trail begins with a grove of madrone trees. The wellmaintained, but uneven path takes you through an oak woodland, manzanita and pine forest. Interesting rock formations are just off the path.

At about a half-mile the trail turns right, away from Foresthill Road, toward the river. The ferns are growing thick this time of year, as are the mushrooms — some are bright orange. At about the 1-mile point you come to an intersection, head north taking the trail to your right, away from Foresthill Road. In another mile you will see a friendly sign reminding you this is a multi-use trail. It makes me giggle each time I read it.

The view from a nearby bench just never gets old; the river widens as it comes into the dam with green canyon walls on either side. Beyond the canyon you can see snow on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The bench is carved with the recent history of visitors to this spot. On my last visit I found a trail chime made of bicycle gear parts.

This very popular mountain bike trail can be narrow in some places, so it’s not a good idea to wear headphones as you will need to keep an ear out for bikes. Move off the trail to let them pass. Most mountain

bikers are friendly if you are courteous to them. Some even sport bells to give you notice of their approach.

This is a great hike if you have family from out of town who may be urban dwellers. I say this because you are always within earshot of the highway and there is comfort in knowing you aren’t far from the car.

To get there head to the Foresthill Bridge. Twoand-a-half miles above Lower Lake Clementine prepare to turn left onto Upper Lake Clementine. You may notice the sign that states the area is closed. Turn left into the small parking lot near the road and park. Walk around gate 120.

The trail continues past the bench if you want to extend your hike. The Foresthill Divide Loop Trails is around 11 miles.

There are places where you would need to cross the highway so be careful. I prefer to stick to trails so this short 2-mile trek in makes for a nice 4-mile round trip.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Mary West

Outdoor columnist

Photo by Mary West

From the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail you get a beautiful view of the river and Lake Clementine.

The

ultimate raised bed:

Hügelkultur

At the Sherwood Demonstration Garden Vegetable Garden, Master Gardeners of El Dorado County volunteers assembled a hügelkultur.

Hügelkultur, pronounced HOO-gulculture, is a German word meaning mound or hill culture. Plants or crops are grown on this natural raised bed with a mounded shape. This gardening style has been practiced in Germany and Eastern Europe for centuries.

The raised hügel bed gardening technique mimics how soil deep in the forest becomes rich with nutrients.

Imagine an ancient tree falling in the middle of the forest. Over time, leaves, twigs and debris cover the log, causing water retention. It begins to rot. Fungi, insects, amphibians

and worms move in, further breaking down the wood. Eventually, the log collapses and becomes a long pile of compost or what’s known as a “nurse log.”

Vegetation in the forest takes advantage of this moist, nutrient-rich environment and things start growing. Adopted by permaculture (permanent agriculture) advocates, this practice encourages repurposing garden debris into a flourishing natural ecosystem. Soil fertility, good drainage, water retention and loads of organic material for soil

warming are important gardening benefits. Just like any other garden, the hügel bed needs sun. The Master Gardener Veggie Team coordinated Master Gardener volunteers to bring all the necessary supplies to construct the new hügelkultur and received truckloads of large logs, twigs, wood chips, dry leaves, straw, grass and manure. Prep work of removing old soil and installing a drainage grate had previously been completed. Similar to the making of lasagna, layering is key to the process.

• The bottom layer: Large stumps, tree trunks and large branches.

• The second layer: Smaller branches, untreated rotting lumber, decomposing logs.

• The third layer: Twigs, leaves and garden debris, forcefully compressed.

• The fourth layer: Organic material,

manure, straw and wood chips fill in the gaps.

• The top layer: Compost, grass clippings, green waste, mulch and topsoil. Normally, a new hügel bed will need watering to get the decomposition process

Maggie’s House Cleaning

Available for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, & one time cleaning. Reliable, honest, and has over 20 years of experience.

916-370-0651

margaritalherrera@icloud.com

Licensed Insured

Pauline Atkins

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Photo courtesy of Pauline Atkins

Master Gardeners of El Dorado County pose with their hügelkultur, a raised garden bed that will produce the nutrient-rich soil plants love.

n See Gardener page B5

Holly’s Hill Vineyards’ co-winemaker Josh will wow visitors with delicious savory pancakes and fried ravioli. Sip on the estate grown Rhône wines including creative twists on the traditional — a Dry Hopped White Wine and the Best of Class 96 point award-winning Rockbound Red Blend. Revive at the espresso bar and relax in the beautiful foothill vineyard.

Madroña Vineyards celebrates its 50th anniversary and invites everyone to experience wines from its estate vineyards planted in 1973. Known for adventurous food/wine pairings, this year’s focus will be on savory vegetarian sliders matched with a multi-vintage flight as well as a French fry bar highlighting how mountain-grown wines pair with

The Public Square

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Senior Information Technology Analyst

Salary: I: $8,736.92-$10,619.78 per month

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on April 24, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of a Senior Information Tenchnology Analyst.

For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

unique and exciting aiolis.

Mellowood invites guest to enjoy Kenyan barbecue and a flight of award-winning wines, featuring Mellowood Estate Syrahs and Zinfandel, as well as Rosé and Pinot Noir. Relax in the picnic grove under the trees overlooking the syrah vineyard and try your hand at cornhole and horseshoes. Or choose to sit in the indoor barrel room and enjoy barrel tasting of the 2022 vintage wines.

Myka Estates invites guests to stroll through the picturesque grounds with the sweet smells of spring and wine perfuming the air.

Chef Lisa Scott has created expertly paired cuisine to enhance the tasting experience as guests sip through a flight of wines featuring Winemaker Mica Raas’ modern California take on classic French varietals like the wonderful Côtes du Cruz Rouge blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre — Old World wines with a decidedly New World styling.

Narrow Gate Vineyards celebrates biodynamic grown wine in El Dorado Wine Country and pairs the wine with a specially curated tasting plate highlighting herbs grown on the farm. Learn how to practically apply these regenerative farming methods in your own backyard garden through an interactive display of biodynamic preparations that will transform the soil in your own backyard garden, including a Farmer Frank take-away handout.

Nello Olivo – Camino makes your Passport day memorable at the famous 1920s Wine Mob themed event with costumed staff and fun speakeasy atmosphere. Enjoy wines paired with Italian finger foods including meatballs, caprese sticks, herb potatoes, rosemary focaccia and fontina cheese with chocolate. Taste library wines and pose for a selfie with The Grapefather. Nello Olivo – Placerville offers 1920s-themed wine tasting in a historical 1852 Victorian mansion. Enjoy fantastic wines paired with Italian appetizers including cannoli, stuffed mushrooms, tortellini skewers and fontina cheese with chocolate. Spend a moment with Madame Sophia for some fortune-telling fun and spin the wine wheel of fortune for a chance to win prizes.

Saluti Cellars, nestled in a 300 acre picturesque private valley, offers Passport guests music on its vista patio while sampling awardwinning wines with wood fired pizza pairings. Partake in a private tour of the grounds visiting wine caves, vineyards, ponds, an elegant pavilion and the must see Highlander cattle operation. Guests will also visit Norman, the Clydesdale.

Shadow Ranch Vineyards invites guests to join the crew in the barrel room and enjoy live music, dancing and gourmet bites paired exquisitely

622-1134

Cafeteria Assistant

If you enjoy the beautiful outdoors and working with children, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Cafeteria Assistant at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rate: $17.23

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1746010

Maintenance Custodian

If you have experience performing custodial and general maintenance services and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Maintenance Custodian at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rate: $20.47

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1745652

For more information, contact Sacramento County Office of Education Personnel Dept. 916-228-2332

n sudoku solutions

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

Know Continued from B1

For more information visit srsedc.org.

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and Bears By Your Side host at ribbon cutting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the nonprofit’s space, 515 Main St., Suite 101, Placerville. The Shingle Springs Community Center, 4400 South Shingle Road, hosts a Bunko Fundraiser beginning at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, dessert and Bunko. Buy tickets online at shinglespringscommunitycenter.org or call (530) 6727442.

Via Romano in Camino hosts musician Jessica Malone at a Passport kick-off party starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information call (530) 2699463.

Live music at Red Hawk

RepoRteR

with the wines including the Sheriff. Skinner Vineyards at the Stoney Creek Vineyard in Fairplay offers three wines with small pairings for each as well as two of the reserved red wines to taste. Skinner prides itself in hand-crafting each wine with an unerring dedication to blending old-world skills and traditions with innovative farming and winemaking techniques. Relax, sip great wine with the best company you could bring and enjoy spectacular views from the balcony and patio.

Toogood Estate Winery hosts wine tasting inside of its 5,000-squarefoot wine cave. Guests will receive an assortment of wines and will finish off the tasting experience with two barrel tastings. Additionally, there will be complimentary tri-tip sandwiches with the zinfandel-infused barbecue sauce.

Toogood Cellars – Downtown Placerville has a fabulous flight of four estate wines and one port each expertly paired with gourmet cheeses provided by locally owned Dedrick’s Cheese.

Via Romano Vineyard embarks on a journey to Italy to indulge in the diverse flavors of the country. The adventure begins with a taste of the Fiano paired with handpicked a delectable pastry from the EmiliaRomana region, packed with Prosciutto di Parma, asparagus and a creamy, garlicky soft cheese. Next, be transported to the stunning Toscana region to relish the Chiantiinspired Fiasco alongside an Umbrian Panzanella salad. Conclude the epicurean adventure journey at the picturesque Piemonte region in the northernmost part of Italy with estate-grown Nebbiolo, perfectly paired with a scrumptious mushroomstuffed meatball discovered during a visit to Napoli. As a special treat for beloved Via Romano Club members there will be an additional pairing in the exclusive production area. Guests will get to savor the exquisite Library D’Oro di Vermentino, a wine hailing from the stunning island of Sardinia, paired with a delectable Sicilian Pesce Crudo.

Learn more about participating wineries at eldoradowines.org.

Attendee policy

All ticket purchases are final and no refunds will be issued.

Groups will be limited to 10 people. All tickets for groups must be purchased together in one transaction.

There will be no day-of ticket sales and advanced ticket sales will end when they are sold out or on April 20 (whichever comes first).

The local wineries love children (especially babies) but ask guests not bring them to this event. Due to the California Health Code, no pets allowed; certified guide dogs welcome.

Resort + Casino continues with live music at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. See Flat Busted (dance) April 21; Sons of Rock (rock/classic rock)

April 22; Mike Furlong Band (classic rock) April 28; and Maxx Cabello (blues/rock)

April 29. Visit redhawkcasino. com for more details.

Catch the Moody Cats’ post 4/20 party, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

April 22

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts the Community Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center. For more information visit cameronpark. org.

wanted

The Mountain Democrat and Village Life seek a general assignment reporter. Assignments will range from news coverage to features. Must have interviewing skills and photography experience and be able to meet deadlines. Knowledge of AP Style and Adobe Photoshop is a plus. Some evening and weekend work is required. Email résumé, writing and photography samples to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net.

The 38th annual Kids’ Expo takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Whether it be to sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, spin prize wheels or get their face painted, families and children participate in a wide variety of creative activities while learning about community services, educational programs, businesses and extra-curricular activities. The event is free.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts April Pool’s Day, 1-3 p.m. Join the CSD Aquatics staff at the EDH Community Pool for a free day of swimming to jump start the season.

Help keep the doors open. Come for good food and conversation at Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St. in Placerville, serving a delicious lasagna dinner 4-7 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults with children 12 and younger free. Parking is available behind the church. All proceeds go to support the church and its programs. Folsom Lake Symphony presents The Rite of Spring concert with Alon Goldstein, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

Third Eye Spiral Tool Tribute performs 8 p.m. to midnight at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom. com.