Tennis player love-ing her nonprofit work

Jana Rossi Staff writer

Oak Ridge High School freshman and tennis player

Rianna Dhillon has been playing the sport since she was 6 years old, picking up a racket when her father taught her the game. Her passion for tennis led her to volunteering at an organization called Second Serve, a youth-run nonprofit committed to bringing the sport of tennis to everyone interested in playing, no matter their economic status.

The vision of Second Serve, according to its website, “is to foster greater access, inclusion and diversity within the sport of tennis by giving everyone a chance to play.”

Those volunteering with the organization are able to accomplish this by collecting and distributing new and gently used tennis equipment such as rackets, clothing and shoes, to the underserved communities around the world.

Rianna is Second Serve’s regional president for El Dorado Hills and has been on a mission to collect equipment for more than a year, holding local drives and talking to various tennis stores in order to raise awareness. Her goal is to get the word out about this amazing organization that she pours herself into daily.

“It feels really great to be able to help people who I have the same thing in common with,” Rianna shared.

A donation box has been set up at the Broadstone Sports Club in Folsom and will happily take new or gently used rackets, shoes, bags and clothing that will then be sent to schools and groups around the country and across the globe.

For more information about the organization visit the website at secondserve.org. For inquiries on making donations email secondserveedh@gmail.com.

No short circuits here!

The FRC 3189 Circuit Breakers Robotics Team had an awesome visit from Harrison Zea, representing Assemblyman Joe Patterson. Team members were honored and humbled to be recipients of personalized Certificates of Recognition from the Assemblyman, recognizing the team for its win at the FIRST Sac Regional Competition. The team designed, manufactured and built a robot to meet this year’s challenges put out by FIRST, an organization that inspires young people to become leaders and innovators in science and technology that “fosters well-rounded life capabilities that include self-confidence, communication and leadership.”

Wildlife group, Ducks Unlimited team up

Special to the Mountain Democrat

Ducks Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people and aligned with the goals of California Watchable Wildlife. Their new partnership will allow California

Watchable Wildlife to continue its mission of promoting efforts to get Californians outside and interacting with wildlife and nature on public and private lands across the state.

“DU is excited to partner with California

Watchable Wildlife to promote outdoor recreational opportunities on DU projects and public lands throughout California. This is a natural partnership as DU’s conservation work not only benefits waterfowl, shorebirds and other waterbirds, but also the public,” said Craig Garner, manager of Conservation Programs, Calif., Nev., Ariz. and Hawaii. “We have completed numerous conservation projects on California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service properties that enhance or improve public recreation opportunities such as outdoor education, wildlife photography, bird watching and other activities that benefit public interaction with public lands.”

Ducks Unlimited and California Watchable Wildlife celebrate the state’s wildlife and diverse habitats by acknowledging and elevating the value of wildlife viewing to benefit individuals, families, communities and industries while fostering awareness and support for conservation and protection of wildlife and habitats.

“There’s a natural synergy between our two organizations,” said Barbara L. Steinberg of California Watchable Wildlife. “We’re really excited to work together to bring more Californians outdoors.” downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Ducks Unlimited’s conservation programs have always had a strong biological foundation, built on current research and scientific knowledge. That science and research tradition continues today. DU and its partners also have conserved more than 808,046 acres of waterfowl habitat in California.

Live music at Red Hawk Resort + Casino continues with live music at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. See Mike Furlong Band (classic rock) April 28; and Maxx Cabello (blues/rock) April 29. Visit redhawkcasino.com for more details.

April 29

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts its ornamental plant sale, 8 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. Check the inventory preview at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu a week to 10 days before the sale.

Join the Rise & Shine Community Day of Service, 8 a.m. to noon., and work with other fun-loving volunteers as they clean up, fix up and spruce up parks and community spaces. For more information visit placerville-riseandshine-2020.eventbrite.com.

The 18th annual CCAC Camino Clean Up Day takes place 8 a.m. to noon at 4621 Pony Express Trail in Camino. Items accepted include green waste, household trash and scrap metal. No hazardous materials or construction debris. Proof of Camino residence is required. For more information visit caminocac.com.

Don’t miss out on Placerville’s 36th annual Spring Fishing Derby, 9-11 a.m. at Lumsden Park, open to all kids in preschool through eighth grade. This event, rain or shine, is sponsored by the city of Placerville Community Services Department, the El Dorado County Fish & Game Commission, the Placerville Kiwanis Club and the Placerville Lions Club. All participants should bring their own fishing equipment. For more information call (530) 642-5232.

Kids Helping Kids presents Rock Out Pediatric Cancer with Switchfoot, 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.

Hear the best of Main Street Collective 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Cordova Community Council presents the 33rd annual Kids Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova. Admission is free and the event features giveaways, animals, parent resources and more. For more information visit cordovacouncil.org.

Leonard Slatkin conducts the next Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera concert, 8 p.m. at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento. This performance features the only complete symphonic work of Cesar Franck, his Symphony in D minor, plus Aaron Copland’s “Four Dances from Rodeo” and Cindy McTee’s “Circuits.” For tickets and more information visit sacphilopera.org.

April 30

The West Slope Foundation, volunteers in the California Governor’s Office, Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters Association, Pioneer Fire Protection District, Fair Play Community Hall Association and other resources host a free event, noon to 4 p.m., for the communities of Grizzly Flat, Somerset and Fair Play in the parking lot of Station 38 located at 7061 Mount Aukum Road. The event will introduce the Neighbor to Neighbor program, which will include educational workshops, training and field exercises on disaster preparedness, home hardening, go-bag workshops, fire-safe landscaping and other important information.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club presents Authors Day, featuring author presentations, question-and-answer period, book sales, book signings, door prizes and light refreshments. Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 p.m. at the clubhouse, 2940 Bedford Ave., Placerville. For tickets and more information call (916) 802-0186 or (602) 826-7317 or visit placerville-shakespeare.com.

RiverBells Sacramento, an exciting six-octave handbell ensemble, presents the Bells Ain’t Just for Christmas concert, 3 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net. Musician Ed Wilson will perform 5-7 p.m. at Mraz Brewing in El Dorado Hills.

Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne headline Ladies Night 2023, 8 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

Now

The El Dorado Roses are searching for candidates to run for the 2023 El Dorado Rose. Candidates must be at least 60 years old, have lived in the county for 10 years and have many hours of volunteer service to her community. The El Dorado Rose dresses in period clothing from 1849-1910 and then becomes the official hostess of El Dorado County for one year. For more information call Carole Burnley at (530) 626-4949.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2680 in El Dorado County invites veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War as well as those seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries during the war on terror plus those serving peace-keeping missions throughout the globe to become VFW members. Member benefits are plenty and there is no fee for the first year. For more information call (530) 499-2950.

The California State Fair Home Wine Competition is now open. This competition supports and promotes winemaking as a home craft and provides an impartial evaluation of wines. The entry deadline is April 25. For more information visit calexpostatefair.com/participate.

Big Sister Continued from B2

Shalom loves drama and music and Lalani takes her to high school productions of musicals; they recently saw “Beauty and the Beast.” She also tries to meet her for lunch at her school, although now that Lalani has two grandchildren who she babysits, she doesn’t have the same amount of free time as she once did.

Lalani encourages others to volunteer for this special and amazing program. “It is so rewarding,” Lalani told The Mountain Democrat. “It is a privilege to be able to change someone’s future and support them to become a better person.”

BBBSNS named Je Ashburn the 2022 Big Brother of the Year. He has volunteered with the mentor program since 2019. Due to the sensitive nature of his Little’s case, Ashburn was unable to be interviewed.

In a press release, BBBSNS o cials note, “True committed friendship

Stand

Up

with what I do.” are words that would describe the nature of his relationship with Little Brother Jayce, who entered BBBSNS’ program needing the support and encouragement of other adults around him. Je ’s honest, witty and accepting personality has helped Jayce feel comfortable from the start of their first meeting. Je has continually invested in Jayce by taking him to youth group activities and introducing him to healthy peer environments. He has also insistently advocated for Jayce on numerous occasions, which has helped Jayce start to rebuild his trust in other adult relationships.”

BBBSNS serves the youth of El Dorado, Placer and Nevada counties. Currently there is a waitlist of 45 kids who need a mentor match. Those interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister should visit bbbs.org or contact Heather at (530) 626-1222.

Continued from B1

MORE is a private nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life and opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, concentrating e orts on four broad fields for maximum independence: employment, selfadvocacy, health, safety.

“We hope that this can be an example to other nonprofits,” said Davies about the partnership that makes this event a possibility. “Working together, growing together and making a commitment to do the best we can, while having fun, is the best way to raise awareness and gain financial support from the people in our community.”

Stand Up for MORE takes place at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in

A CENTURY OF GOOD LIVING!

Esther “Fritz” Kornmeyer’s family recently celebrates her 100th birthday at her home in Sturgis, S.D. “Fritz” along with her husband Roy Kornmeyer lived for more than 15 years in the Pleasant Valley area along with sons, Roy and Dave and their daughter Elizabeth, who was born at the old Placerville hospital on Coloma Street. “Fritz” worked at Ben Franklin on Main Street for Bud Garlic in the late 1950s and early ‘60s.

Esther was born April 12, 1923, in Bunker Hill, Kan., the youngest of nine children. She married Roy Kornmeyer Jr. on Dec. 3, 1941. Her three children Roy III, David and “Liz,” along with other family and friends, are blessed in the continued good health of their mother and enjoyed this very special celebration.

Esther would appreciate your warm birthday wishes. They may be sent to her at Heritage Acres, 2340 East Ave.. C-26, Sturgis, S.D. 57785.