Mountain Democrat, Friday, May 17, 2024

A family enjoys a day under the

parks get thousands, if

Eric Jaramishian

Sta

writer

The El Dorado County Parks and Trails Master Plan, which sets goals and implementation measures shaped by the community, is getting an update based on countywide feedback.

When complete, the new 10-year plan will serve as a guide for new park and trail facilities, including recommendations for funding such projects, and set goals on improving park and trail infrastructure.

“It will provide us a road map for how the overall system of parks and trails will be developed and managed accounting for resource constraints and reflecting, again, those community priorities,” said Chief

& PARKS TRAILS PLAN getting update with clearer focus

“Speci cally, AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers willing and able to serve as COLR

in 2023, an application requesting to step away from its COLR obligation without establishing a replacement. A COLR is a telecom service provider legally required to provide access to telephone service to anyone in its service area who requests it; the obligations are divvied into di erent areas across the state. AT&T is the largest COLR in California,

Eric Jaramishian

Sta writer

It didn’t take much time for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to approve the second reading of a new ordinance that will allow under- and uninsured Grizzly Flat property owners whose homes burned in the Caldor Fire to build small dwelling units.

The unanimous vote made Tuesday marks another crucial step in implementation of the ordinance, which county leaders and Grizzly Flat folk have frequently expressed will help the small community, and possibly those surrounding the area, after it burned during the 2021 Caldor Fire.

If the final reading is approved, which is expected to happen May 21, then the ordinance will go into e ect June 20.

“This has been a vision for a long time to try and help people in Grizzly Flat,” said District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo during the meeting, who advocated for the ordinance to help the people in his district.

After thanking Planning and Building Director Karen Garner, who worked with her sta and the supervisors to draft the ordinance, supervisors

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

sun on the American River at Henningsen Lotus Park in Lotus May 15. Each year El Dorado County

not tens of thousands, of visitors. County staff is in the process of updating its parks and trails plan to meet residents’ and visitors’ needs and desires.

Gayla Rooks, right photo, walks her white German shepherd Nikhil at Henningsen Lotus Park in Lotus May 15. A lady practices her ukulele skills at Bradford Park on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs, photo below.

ESSENTIALS

John O’Brien

Aug. 7, 1932 – May 10, 2024

Eddie Thomas Keller

June 6, 1941 – May 4, 2024

John passed away on May 10, 2024 in Placerville, CA at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Carole; children Damon O’Brien, Therese O’Brien, DDS, Mary Weiler (husband Dan Weiler); grandchildren Delaney and Sean O’Brien, René and Sophie Weiler. Though born in Southern California, John spent his formative years in San Mateo where he attended grammar school and Serra High School (senior class president)... from there to Santa Clara University (BS). Entering the military in 1954, he served in Orlean, France. While there John toured Paris, Normandy, The Black Forest, Munich, Benelux, Barcelona, Stockholm, Lourdes, and London. He spent five years as a sta o cer with American President Line’s Trans-Pacific (9 voyages) and round the world (5). John met Carole on the President Cleveland. His auto parts corporate career ended in 1990 as a Regional Marketing Manager for Champion Spark Plugs. Spectator sports was his main hobby with Notre Dame being his passion.

Michael Edward Raffety

Oct. 23, 1946 – April 28, 2024

Michael Edward Ra ety, (the retired long-term editor of The Mountain Democrat), passed away April 28, 2024 at UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento. Michael was 77 years old. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cherie Ra ety, and daughter Natasha Santos of Plymouth, son Wolfgang Ra ety, son-in-law Peter Santos, and daughter-in-law Rortveaktey Ra ety, and five grandsons: Alex, Evan, Leonidas, Michael and Lorenzo.

Michael, better known as Mike, was born Oct. 23, 1946 in Berlin, Germany. After World War II, Mike’s birth mother had di culty finding food for her son, so she put him up for adoption. (Think of the U.S. e orts to bring food to the Germans in the aftermath of WW II. It was a massive operation called “The Berlin Airlift.”) Lucky for Michael, Charles A. and Lois F. Ra ety arranged to adopt Mike and flew him to the United States of America where his new mother nursed him back to health. While in the eighth grade Mike became a naturalized citizen of the USA.

After graduating high school, Mike joined the Navy. The Navy sent him to electronics training on the East Coast of the United States. Then the Navy sent him on tour in the Mediterranean. Mike had a terrific time “basking in the sun.” Next, he was sent on a tour in the South Pole. That too was just another great adventure for Mike. He loved it. After his military service obligations were completed, he took some photography jobs and settled in California to continue his education. He studied art, art history and photography. He received several degrees including a master’s degree from California State University after his children were born.

Mike met his future wife Cherie when he was a reporter for The Mountain Democrat and Cherie Albusche was a candidate for the Los Rios Community College Board of Trustees. He interviewed her and they started dating. Within a year they were married on Oct. 18, 1980. Yes, Cherie won the election and Mike became a devoted family man.

Over the years, Mike attended almost all of his children’s sports games: whatever it was ... soccer, baseball, volleyball, or basketball. He also took the the two children to 4-H meetings and taught them on vacations how to swim. He always enjoyed their company. He found time for family despite the fact that he often had two jobs, one full-time at The Mountain Democrat and another teaching art, or art history or photography or journalism for the Los Rios Community Collage.

Mike’s caring stretched beyond his immediate family. He cared about the community, his church and those less fortunate. He served as an American Legion Commander more than once and encouraged others to “honor those who served the cause of freedom.” Mike also served as President of the Mother Lode Lions three times. He supported their projects for kids and eyesight. He worked to get playground equipment at Indian Creek School. He supported the mobile eyesight van which was set up to give eye exams. Local optometrists volunteer to help the homeless (and others) with eyesight check-ups, glasses and referrals, if needed.

The work he did with the service clubs was a labor of love, he also liked the camaraderie.

Mike liked to travel and his wife did too. They saw, for instance, plays in New York City, Impressionist art in Paris, France, and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia. They took a walking tour of the gardens of Japan and let the kids pick where they’d like to go in England, Spain and Portugal. But no matter where the Ra etys traveled, Mike was happy to come home to the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills and his friends and neighbors.

The Celebration of Life for Michael Ra ety will be on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St., Placerville. Parking is limited so it’s suggested that people park on Spring Street where parking spots are abundant.

All friends and family are also invited to the noon reception on May 25 which will be at the Mother Lode Lions Hall at 4701 Missouri Flat Road in Diamond Springs.

Eddie Thomas Keller passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024. Eddie was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. He descended from a long line of early California settlers and was very proud of his heritage. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Jay Keller and Lois Pearl Lack, his siblings Bruce, Jeanneane and Walter, his wife Susan and his daughter Cheri. Eddie attended Sacramento High School and graduated in 1958. It was in high school that Eddie decided to devote his life to public service. He wanted to help people. He always knew that he would go to college to provide him the skills to fulfill his life’s mission. He first attended Sacramento City College in 1958. He then followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and attended Cal Berkeley in 1960 and graduated in 1962 with a BA degree in history. He then focused his studies on law at Hastings in San Francisco where he graduated in 1965 with an LLB Degree in Law. He then passed the CA State Bar Exam and decided to go into the Peace Corps. He lived in Chile for two years with the Alvarado family. His primary assignment was to help organize and advise credit unions to establish a strong financial basis for Chile. He had kept close contact with his Chilean family and returned to the country with his children to meet this wonderful family. In 1968 he started his career with the Attorney General’s O ce in Sacramento where he spent the next 21 years. One of the highlights of his career from his time at the AG’s o ce was a case called Keller v. California State Bar, which was heard at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990 and won in a unanimous decision. In 1989, Eddie was appointed to the El Dorado County Superior Court as a judge. Here he served for 20 years as a highly respected community leader. He was also nicknamed “Killer Keller” as he quickly gained a reputation with being tough on crime. While being tough on those who deserved it, he was also lenient when the correct circumstances warranted it. In the community, he founded multiple groups including the Children’s and Family Network, Teen Court, Job One and others.In 1970, Eddie married his first wife Susan Yost White who had two daughters, Cindy and Cheri. He and Susan then added two sons, Dynan and Justin. They raised their family in the Georgetown Divide where their girls could raise animals and their boys would enjoy playing baseball. Eddie was a 4H leader, a baseball umpire, served on the BOMUSD School Board and was a part of the Rotary Club. His wife Susan passed away in 2006. He then married Davis Morrow in 2010. She has 2 children, Don and Denise from a previous marriage. Eddie’s extended family includes Cindy’s husband David Carroll and Justin’s wife Julie Metesser. Eddie also has 7 grandchildren Whitney (Michael), Logan (Briana), Taylor, Nicole (Steven), Cassandra (Michael), Kaylie and Lucas, as well as 10 great grandchildren. Above all, Eddie loved God, his country, his family and dear friends, who will miss him severely.Services will be held on June 7th at the Foothill United Methodist Church at 10:30 am, 3301 Green Valley Rd, Rescue, CA. Donations in Eddie’s name can be made to The American Cancer Society, the ASPCA or The American Battlefield Trust.

David “Lem” Fusano

Dec . 25, 1957– May 1, 2024

In loving memory of David “Lem” Fusano.

David James Fusano, of El Dorado, California, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2024, at the age of 66 surrounded by family and loved ones.

David, fondly known as Lem then later on, Lempa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, was born to John and Anita Fusano, on December 25,1957, in San Fernando, California. Lem attended Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California graduating in 1976. Lem lived in Sylmar, California where he owned and operated Kwik Market & Deli from 1977 to 2001. Later on in 2001, he moved to Northern California to the town of El Dorado, where he owned and operated Ji y Mart in Diamond Springs until his passing.

Hard working, dedicated to his family, Lem was first and foremost a good father. Embracing the roll of both parents, he skillfully juggled work, school activities and sports. If he wasn’t on the field, a court or baseline coaching one of his kid’s teams he was in the stands cheering them on, never missing a game. He raised his children with endless love and continuous support.

He taught by exemplifying his values, kindness and humility. Known for his incredible sense of humor and quick wit, he was loved by all who knew him.

Lem was an easy-goer. A one of a kind, a classic. He will be missed but never be forgotten.

Lem is survived by his children; Trina (Jason), Angie (Danny), Paul (Lauri) and Marcia (Shauna), 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, his brother Joe; 3 sisters Rose Anne, Annie and Marlene. Lem was preceded in death by his parents, John “Umpa” and Anita “GiGi”, and 3 brothers; Chris “Crue”, John “Beany” and Paul “Vanda”.

A Celebration of Lem’s Life will be held on May 17, 2024 at Fausel Farm Ranch, 4881 Hanks Exchange Rd., Placerville, California 95667. The Reception honoring his life will begin at 4:00 pm.

“Sorry you’re not here Lem!”

CRIME LOG

The following information was taken from EDSO reports:

May 4

4:34 a.m. Grand theft was reported at the casino on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

10:41 a.m. Battery was reported on Springburn Way in El Dorado Hills.

3:23 p.m. Battery was reported on Gutierrez Place in El Dorado Hills.

7:16 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Highway 50 in Placerville.

May 5

12:36 a.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a suspicious circumstances report on Enterprise Drive in Diamond Springs.

10:10 a.m. A prowler was repotted on Murieta Place in El Dorado Hills.

11:08 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Ficus Circle in El Dorado Hills.

12:02 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats on Squaw Hollow Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

2:19 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Paci co Lane in El Dorado Hills.

2:41 p.m. Burglary was reported on Brauer Road in Georgetown.

2:42 p.m. Battery was reported on Camp Snowline Road in Camino.

4:24 p.m. Battery was reported on Freshwater Lane in El Dorado.

5:27 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

5:38 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Solstice Circle in Diamond Springs.

7:25 p.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a brandishing report at a shop on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

8:22 p.m. Battery was reported on Carson Road in Camino.

10:18 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

10:13 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old woman suspected of burglary, animal cruelty, obstruction, giving false information to law enforcement and contempt of court on Solstice Circle in Diamond Springs. She was released on $13,000 bail.

May 6

8:47 a.m. Vandalism

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

Placerville (530) 642-5200 Mayor Michael Saragosa msaragosa@cityofplacerville.org Vice Mayor Jackie Neau jneau@cityofplacerville.org John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org David Yarbrough dyarbrough@cityofplacerville. org

ElL DORADO COUNTY SUPERVISORS EDC Government Center 330 Fair Lane, Placerville

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl (530) 621-5650

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo (530) 621-5651

District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas (530) 621-5652

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin (530) 621-6513

District 5

Laine (530) 621-6577 (Placerville) (530) 621-6577 (South

(916) 445-2841 U.S. SENATE Laphonza Butler SD-G10 Dirksen Senate Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3841 Alex Padilla 112 Hart Senate O ce Building Washington, D.C. 20510

622-1255.

Local high school student aims high, graduates community college

Malachi Parker Staff writer

A Union Mine High School junior has completed two associate degrees from Sierra College before he enters into his senior year of high school.

Brock Buak began taking college courses at the beginning of his freshman year and was enrolled at Union Mine and Sierra College throughout his first three years of high school. Buak was able to take two or three classes a semester at Sierra College on his way to securing degrees in political science and social science.

“I was pursuing a degree in political science because after high school I hope to commission as an officer and enroll in one of the United States military academies,” Buak said.

Buak had the opportunity to take all of his classes at Sierra online, so he was able to do his work on his own time and at his own pace and not have to worry about making it back and forth to campus.

“When I was doing dual enrollment during the semester, it was definitely a lot of late nights,” he admitted.

Buak made juggling high school and college seem effortless as he

graduated Sierra with a 3.82 GPA while maintaining a 4.5 GPA at Union Mine and being a three-sport athlete.

“It was all manageable because of good time management,” Buak said. “Without it, I probably would have fell out in the first couple semesters.”

The soon to be high school senior plays football and baseball and also wrestles. He said he hopes to have the opportunity to play any sport at the next level but believes his best shot is with wrestling. As a wrestler, Buak is a three-time league champion, two time Division 5 champion and placed fifth in the Sac-Joaquin section, qualifying for the state competition. His goal is to place at state next year and be ranked in the top eight in California.

One year left in high school, Buak has goals set for his senior year as he aims to graduate as the valedictorian. He said he’s eyeing a senior schedule that would consist of five AP classes and two honors classes with the goal of getting get A’s across the board.

When he graduates high school, Buak shared his No. 1 one choice is to attend the Air Force Academy as he has a great interest in aviation and loves the location of the school in Colorado.

It was sunny skies for the Blues Blast

Noel Stack Editor

The inaugural Heart of the Hills Blues Blast brought out the crowd Saturday, May 11.

Lucky ticket holders brought their hats, lawn chairs and enthusiasm for the music festival produced by the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce on the sprawling Overland District lawn. Mary Carrera, the chamber’s event operations director, told the Mountain Democrat about 1,100 tickets were sold.

“The reception has been incredible and the Blues Blast’s reach was a lot broader than expected,” shared EDH

Chamber CEO/President Debbie Manning, explaining that people from as far as the Bay Area and Reno purchased tickets and hotel rooms.

“Obviously there was a need for an event like this.”

The Blues Blast lineup boasted great live music performed by Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Chris Cain and Tommy Castro & The Painkillers.

Vendor booths and food trucks lined the venue, which was open to a bright, sunny sky.

Get ready for more fun courtesy of the EDH Chamber. Up next: The fifth annual El Dorado Hills Brewfest at the Serrano Visitors Center Saturday, Sept. 14.

City Council approves public art master plan

Odin

Rasco Staff writer

After a series of revisions made by the city’s planning and recreation and parks commissions in the past month, the Public Art Master Plan drafted for Placerville by Arts and Culture El Dorado was adopted by the city council during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The city originally entered into an agreement with ACED in 2022, commissioning a plan to establish standards, ideals and funding tactics for art located on public property. The plan was developed with the help of Art Builds Community, a Californian public art planning firm hired by ACED with the help of National Endowment for the Arts funds and $10,000 contributed by the city. ABC spoke with individuals and organizations throughout the city,

held focus groups and studied local history to develop a draft of the plan which was brought before the council in April.

The council discussed the plan during its April 9 meeting, ultimately deciding the draft needed a second pass with input from city staff and potentially involved groups such as the planning commission. Comments were collected and corrections made, including the removal of language in the plan that identified the hangman’s noose iconography as important to the city’s current identity at the request of public commenters and council members alike.

The master plan is intended to serve as a guiding star for public art decisions in the city moving forward, integrating new guidance with previously established city rules n See CITY COUNCIL, page A5

Courtesy photo

Brock Buak stands outside Sierra College with his two degrees while fully representing his high school, Union Mine.

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Tom Rigney & Flambeau entertain as the first act at the Heart of the Hills Blues Blast in El Dorado Hills Saturday afternoon.

EDH Firefighters’ quick action keeps truck fire from spreading

Noel Stack Editor

El Dorado Hills firefighters responded to a reported vehicle fire on the Bass Lake Road onramp to eastbound Highway 50 Wednesday, May 15, finding a truck on fire on the side of the road.

Engine 86, Engine 85 and Battalion 85 crews quickly extinguished the flames, preventing fire from spreading to the surrounding vegetation, which is drying out thanks to warmer temperatures. No injuries were reported. The case of the fire was not released

EDH Fire officials advise the following to the public should anyone find themself in a similar situation:

1. Stay calm and pull over to a safe location.

2. Turn off the engine to prevent fuel from feeding the fire.

3. Evacuate yourself and all passengers from the vehicle quickly.

4. Move to a safe location at least 100 feet away from the vehicle.

5. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself unless you’re trained and equipped to do so.

6. Call 911 immediately and provide your location and details.

EDH Fire documentary highlights the importance of helmets

News release

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department announces the premiere of “Kyle’s Story,” a compelling documentary that explores the serious consequences of not wearing a helmet through the personal journey of a local teenager Kyle Benton.

The film is available on the El Dorado Hills Fire Department’s Facebook page or visit bit.ly/ KylesTBIStory.

“Kyle’s Story” was inspired by a real incident that occurred in El Dorado Hills, where Kyle, a young and enthusiastic skater, suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling off his longboard without wearing a helmet. The documentary aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of helmet safety in preventing debilitating injuries and to promote community-wide commitment to safety.

“With this documentary, we hope to highlight not just the risks associated with recreational activities like skateboarding and biking, but also the real difference safety equipment can make,” said EDH Fire Chief Maurice Johnson. “‘Kyle’s Story’ is a poignant reminder of what is at stake and the simple measures we can take to protect our loved ones.”

The documentary features interviews with first responders, medical experts and Kyle’s family, providing a firsthand look at the traumatic effects of TBIs and the lengthy recovery process. It also illustrates the broader impact on the community and the pivotal role of preventive measures.

“Kyle’s Story” is part of a larger initiative by the El Dorado Hills Fire Department to promote safety and preparedness in the community. Following the premiere, the department will host a series of educational programs and workshops focusing on helmet safety and injury prevention.

“We invite everyone to join us in viewing this important story and to share it with friends and family,” Johnson said. “Awareness is the first step toward change, and together, we can work towards a safer future for all our residents.”

Mother Lode USD superintendent

Odin Rasco Staff writer

The Mother Lode Union School District is under new and possibly temporary leadership following the resignation of previous superintendent Curtis Wilson in April.

“At our recent closed session of our regular board meeting, we accepted

the resignation of our superintendent, Curtis Wilson,” reads a statement from the MLUSD Board of Trustees.

“We did so with very mixed feelings as we have come to appreciate that much of the notable progress made in the past few years has come with Curtis at the helm,” the message continues. “He, together with key and impressive staff that he recruited, has helped us to weather some difficult

times — COVID, declining enrollment and budget intricacies, to name a few.

Whether driving the occasional school bus or cutting down campus trees near power lined, Curtis was willing to ‘pitch in’ to solve problems and help make things run smoothly for our district.”

No official reason was shared as to why Wilson left his post.

After Wilson’s departure, MLUSD

Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Larry Mahoney was brought in to serve as interim superintendent/principal and lead the district through the close of the school year while the board considers what steps to take next.

At this time, there is no timetable for when a permanent replacement superintendent might be selected, according to Mahoney.

Photo courtesy of EDH Fire

Smoke seeps from the engine of a burnt truck that caught fire on the Bass Lake Road eastbound onramp. Crews worked fast to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby grass.

County sheriff to share vision at Taxpayers Association’s breakfast

News release

El Dorado

County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf will speak at the Taxpayers Association meeting Monday, May 20, at Denny’s in Placerville. The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

Leikauf began his career with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office as a correctional officer in 1990.

During his 34-year career Leikauf has been assigned to the Custody and Operations Divisions, served as a school resource officer, general

Crime log Continued from A2

released on $40,500 bail.

7:11 a.m. Illegal entry was reported on Marshall Road in Lotus.

7:54 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 25-yearold woman suspected of DUI and obstruction on Bucks Bar Road in Placerville. She was later released.

8:34 a.m. Burglary was reported on Oak Hill Road in Placerville.

8:48 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of DUI and driving on a suspended license on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

9:41 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation on Smith Flat Road in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $2,000 bail.

12:21 p.m. Illegal entry was reported on Marshall Road in Lotus.

1:42 p.m. Deputies made an arrest after a burglary was reported on Forni Road.

4:03 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Randall Tract Drive in Pollock Pines.

4:18 p.m. Burglary was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

9 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended licenses and a probation violation on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $13,000 bail.

11:24 p.m. Burglary was reported on Tea Lane in Placerville.

City

investigations detective, sergeant for patrol, special enforcement detail, and narcotics and court services. On Jan. 3, 2023, he was sworn in as El Dorado County’s 33rd sheriff. He lives with his wife Jenny in Cameron Park.

The sheriff will share his vision and goals for the department, discussing challenges servicing a rural county and department actions to ensure that the county will continue to be a safe place for families to live and work.

May 9

12:58 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of driving on a suspended license and false vehicle registration on Commerce Way in Diamond Springs. She was released on $7,500 bail.

1:26 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Darr Court in Placerville.

5:43 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Estepa Drive in Cameron Park.

6:53 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of shoplifting, trespassing and obstruction on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was released on $3,000 bail.

9:20 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 19-year-old woman suspected of shoplifting on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was later released.

10:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of shoplifting on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

11:15 p.m. Battery was reported at a bank on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

May 10

1:09 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance, making annoying calls to 911 and a probation violation on Clay Street in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $2,000 bail.

9:16 a.m. Battery was reported at a mobile home park on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

2:18 p.m. Deputies booked into

Council Continued from A3

such as the 2022 strategic plan and 1990 community design standards. Core pillars of community identity are noted by the plan, such as an appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation, local history and a “smalltown feel,” expanding on a guiding directive of “respecting the past, honoring the present and embracing the future.”

“Like the mountains surrounding it, Placerville has a rugged past and this is evident in its independent spirit and history,” states an opening section of the plan. “It also has a legacy of mechanical innovation, indigenous people, environmental beauty, Victorian architecture and long traditions of agriculture from apple orchards to wineries. Today Placerville is home to longtime residents whose families have lived in the area since the 19th century, and newer and returning residents including a substantial artist community.”

Primary goals and potential routes of action are outlined, including ideas such as exploring busking areas, performances at the Bell Tower, art installations in vacant storefronts, artist-designed neighborhood tour maps and more. Recommendations to be explored are also listed, such as prioritizing the establishment or location of public spaces for performances and events, creating native plant walks and seeking funds to create a “gateway feature on Highway 50 eastbound and westbound to welcome people to Placerville.”

Details small and large were refined after the draft received comment from commissions and city staff. Rather than recommending an increase in the city’s Transit Occupancy Tax from 10% to 12%, the actual figure for potential increases has been left open

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

jail a 62-year-old man suspected of obstruction on Flying C Road in Cameron Park. He was released on $3,000 bail.

5:12 p.m. Burglary was reported on Waldwick Circle in El Dorado Hills.

6:45 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, being a felon in possession of a firearm, obstruction, and post-release violations on Highway 193 in Georgetown. He was listed in custody in lieu of $78,000 bail.

7:51 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 33-year-old man suspected of organized retail theft and shoplifting on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $315,000 bail.

8:01 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 33-year-old man suspected of organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $53,500 bail

8:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 33-year-old man suspected of a parole violation on Montclair Road in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody.

10:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of vandalism on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.

11:55 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Maidu Drive in Placerville.

to allow the city more time to consider if and how much of an increase is warranted.

Although the city approved the plan in a 4-0 vote (Vice Mayor John Clerici was absent), more adjustments to specific execution of the plan are forthcoming.

Appendix 3 of the plan, Public Art Policies and Procedures, lays out the specifics on how public art proposals would be submitted to and evaluated by a public art committee. Originally, the city of Placerville Community Pride Committee was to be the approving group, but the re-drafted plan presented to the council Tuesday proposed creating a new committee put together by ACED.

City Manager Cleve Morris explained the separate committee would be under the “sort-of” jurisdiction of ACED, with the intention of streamlining the process and lessening workload on staff. Council members explained they thought the relationship established was not clear-cut enough and could lead to perceived conflicts of interest.

“Whether true or not, it could have an appearance of favoritism or bias,”

Councilmember Nicole Gotberg said. A potential balance to the system proposed by Gotberg would be an appeal process, ideally at no cost to the applicant.

Other operational rules were also discussed by the council, such as a need for clarity on when or if applications would be passed on from the public art committee to the council or parks and recreation or planning committees.

An updated and clarified Appendix 3 is expected to be brought before the council in coming months after city staff has taken comments from Tuesday’s meeting into account.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re comfortable being uncomfortable and for this reason, you’ll get more opportunities, increase your odds at the prize and win a few, too. The more you try, the more impervious you become to fear.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your resources and knowledge overflow in certain areas, and you’ll have the excellent luck to be in the company of those who most appreciate what you know. Give some away for free, and hold some back for revenue.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Whims can add wonder to your world or they can waste your time. Much depends on the urgency of your first priority. Being around other focused people will inspire you to make quick work of the more tedious tasks.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Keeping yourself open to the opportunities is key today. It will benefit you to mix things up, lest you grow too fond in one direction. Test theories, talk through the script, do a trial run -- whatever it takes to keep your mind from fixating.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). True to your feline nature, you will be highly discerning as you choose who gets the pleasure of your attention. Furthermore you bestow your affection strictly at your own whimsical discretion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It feels as though the problem isn’t your fault or responsibility, which may be true, but believing it only makes your work as a problem-solver harder. Assume there’s something here that’s yours to fix.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll dive in and do the work

without thinking about what it will be like. Whether it’s fun or interesting is really beside the point. Those determinations have to do with your mood, and your mood is better when the work is done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are leaving yourself open in some way. It’s as though you’re wearing a loose leash that could be snatched up by someone intent on keeping you close. Unless you have garden sheers, it’s best to tuck and hide this tether.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Since your unique style and preferences are more than enough, trends have to be very special for you to get on board. Today it’s fun to try what’s new, as long as it’s free. Wait and see what sticks, both in the culture and in your interest.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Feedback is your friend, so express yourself and watch the reactions. Whatever comes back will help you improve. This is true even for things that are hard to hear or are just dead-wrong. Any data you can make sense of will sharpen your work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The most effective traps are hidden, though if you’re lucky you’ll catch of glint of them in the sun, like light on

SUDOKU

SHERIFF JEFF LEIKAUF

OPINION

California Matters

Will state Supreme Court knock anti-tax measure off the ballot?

When California’s voters 46 years ago passed Proposition 13, its iconic property tax limit, they ignited a perpetual conflict over how much tax money state and local governments need and who should supply it.

Since 1978, public employee unions and other beneficiaries of government spending have repeatedly tried to repeal Prop. 13’s barriers and make it easier to enact new taxes.

At the same time, business interests and antitax groups such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, named for Prop. 13’s chief sponsor, have backed additional ballot measures to make new taxes more di cult.

As the conflict raged, pro-tax interests became dominant in the Capitol and in local governments, but the anti-tax faction mostly prevailed in postProp. 13 ballot battles. In 2020, for example, voters rejected a union-sponsored ballot measure that would have changed Prop. 13 to allow higher taxes on commercial real estate.

Concurrently, California courts have eroded some of the taxation barriers the anti-tax forces erected. In 2020, the state Supreme Court made raising local taxes easier by declaring that tax measures proposed by initiative needed only simple majority voter approval, rather than two-thirds.

The nearly half-century of skirmishing over taxation is reaching a climax of sorts this year in the form of a ballot measure, backed by the California Business Roundtable, that would require voter approval of new state taxes, increase the threshold of voter approval for taxes to two-thirds, and reclassify many fees as taxes needing voter approval.

It shapes up as the mother-of-all taxation battles with deep-pocketed interests on both sides – but only if it actually appears on the ballot.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Legislature’s Democratic leaders and local government o cials want the

Letters to the Editor

We need broadband

EDITOR:

In the May 10 issue of the Mountain Democrat was an article titled “County’s ARPA spending plan gets adjustments.” It states $4,500,000 was allocated for broadband projects has now been “put to other uses.”

Living on Newtown Road in rural Placerville, residents really need broadband as all other options for broadband are nonexistent. We have been getting subpar internet service for over 17 years with the hope of getting broadband before we die, but it looks like the supervisors have pulled the rug out from under us.

The American Rescue Plan Act was to help people like us to get broadband service in rural areas and not have the money taken away and put some where else like into the general fund. How much money, if any, is left in the county’s ARPA funding for expanding broadband into the rural area?

When will we ever get broadband service in the rural areas of El Dorado County, like here on Newtown Road in Placerville?

ROD SOUZA Placerville

Scattered messages

EDITOR:

Isee that your unpaid right-wing columnist, George Alger, is up to his usual disinformation tricks. In his response to a letter by Scott Taylor, he grabs our attention by comparing the political appointments of two gay men — one by Trump and one by Biden. Alger’s opinion is that Trump can’t be anti-gay because his appointee, Richard Grenell, was chosen for acting director of National Intelligence on the principle of merit only; sexual orientation and political optics had nothing to do with it. His only evidence and justification for his conclusion was “he was best for the job at that time.”

In his comparison, George tries to imply that Biden’s appointee, Pete Buttigieg, is an incompetent “failed mayor.” His only qualification for Transportation secretary is that he checks

o the diversification box because he is gay.

Apparently, graduating from Harvard, winning a Rhodes Scholarship, serving in the Naval Reserve with a deployment to Afghanistan, completing two terms as mayor of South Bend and running the Department of Transportation for three years aren’t adequate credentials for Mr. Alger to consider that merit was involved in his political appointment.

I was hoping that George would expand on the reasons for his approval of Trump’s appointee (who lasted less than three months) and present real proof of Buttigieg’s absolute unfitness for his job; however, he was o again on another tangent, chasing imaginary conspiracies like the wellfinanced, anti-Semitic campus protests, Chinese cars flowing across the border like a “bloodbath” and Biden letting transgender males take showers with our daughters.

As usual, there was no real useful point to Mr. Alger’s ramblings other than to provide us with yet another sad glimpse into the chaotic world of MAGA Republicans. Perhaps he could just focus on one issue at a time and deliver a thoughtful, substantiated essay that consists of more than just his typical laundry list of right-wing talking points. However, it probably won’t happen. George is a scatter-gun guy, not the incisive political sniper he thinks he is. His writing shotgun is equipped with a wide choke that is only capable of spraying tiny, ine ective pellets of disinformation, not the high caliber wisdom he imagines.

JOHN O’SHEA Pollock Pines

Good ideas

EDITOR:

Iread the letters to the editor every time and the letter from Brian DeBerry on May 3 was very nice. I agree that spending money to preserve the look and feel of “old town” is an excellent idea.

I have lived in Placerville and Camino since the mid-1950s and have seen many changes. I think Mr. DeBerry’s ideas are some of the best.

KAREN CLEVELAND Camino

Fix Social Security with ownership, not more government

The trustees for Social Security have just issued their annual report. And, as we have learned annually over recent years, the system cannot meet its obligations. According to this latest report, the Social Security system will not be able to meet its obligations to retirees by 2035. In 2035 the system will be adequate to meet just 83% of its obligations.

This is supposedly good news because the projected shortfall occurs one year later than reported last year.

But the change simply reflects the fact that the system is so massive — it’s the single largest government program, with annual expenditure of $1.2 trillion — that small changes in assumptions in the planning model produce big changes in the projected results.

Young people today start working and immediately have 6.2% of their paycheck deducted in payroll tax for Social Security, with their employer matching this with another 6.2% — all paid into a system that is bankrupt.

Our political leaders, to the extent they choose to speak about this issue, reiterate their commitment to “save the system.”

But “saving the system” means just taking a bad situation and making it worse. Who wants to “save the system” by raising taxes, raising the retirement age or cutting benefits?

Many still believe that Social Security is some kind of retirement investment program, but it’s not. It is a government tax and spending program.

Individuals are forced to pay the payroll tax. And those payroll taxes are used to pay retirement benefits for those currently retired.

Even if you think this is a good idea, it no longer works. When the system began in the 1930s, there were over 40 working Americans per retiree. Today, because of longer life spans and declining birthrates, there are just a little over three working for each retiree. Worker’s taxes soon won’t be enough.

I have been writing for years that the system should not and cannot

be saved, and I make this same declaration now.

It is quite reasonable for the government to insist that individuals take steps to secure their future in retirement. But it is not reasonable for government to step in and take away an individual freedom on how to take care of themselves.

Individuals should be allowed to take ownership of the payroll tax they are forced to pay and use these funds to invest in their own personal retirement account.

The benefits of giving individuals freedom to take ownership of their own earnings and invest are huge.

For one thing, putting funds into the equity markets over a 45-year working life yields far higher returns than Social Security provides.

In one study, done a number of years ago at the Cato Institute, they looked at a theoretical average-income couple that retired in 2009, one year after a huge crash in the stock market.

and

Despite a 37% market decline in 2008, the cumulative returns they received since they started investing when they were 21 in 1965 yielded savings of $855,175. This is based on the actual market returns over those years, not theory. This is 75% more than what they would have gotten from Social Security, per the study.

Lack of ownership in stocks greatly accounts for the huge di erence in household wealth between Black households and white households. Whereas, per the Federal Reserve, 65.6% of white households own stocks, only 39.2% of Black households do.

As a result, average household wealth in assets among white households is approximately $1.5 million compared to $297,000 among Black households.

Plus, investing gives everyone “skin in the game” to limit government and

DAN WALTERS

Walters Continued from A6

state Supreme Court to declare that the measure is not a constitutional amendment, as its sponsors claim, but rather is so sweeping that it constitutes a constitutional revision that cannot be placed before voters via initiative petition.

Last week lawyers made their arguments to the court’s seven justices, who must decide whether the measure can appear on the ballot by June 27, the deadline for preparing ballots and other material for the November election.

Margaret Prinzing, an Oakland attorney representing Newsom and other opponents, argued that the measure would strip the Legislature of its constitutional power to raise taxes and the governor of authority to enact fees, thus making fundamental changes in California’s system of government that qualify it as a constitutional revision.

Thomas Hiltachk, a Sacramento attorney who specializes in ballot measures with a conservative bent, countered that the Constitution recognizes voters as the ultimate political authority and the proposed measure merely underscores that primacy. He told the court that it could review its constitutionality after the election if it passes, rather than short-circuit the process by knocking it off the ballot.

The justices questioned both attorneys sharply on the dividing line between a constitutional amendment and a revision, but gave little indication of how they are likely to rule. They probably lean against the measure personally, given the court’s dominance by appointees of Democratic

governors, but in past cases have tended to uphold the initiative process.

Allowing the measure to proceed would merely shift the battle to the electoral arena but that has its own complications. The Legislature has also placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would, if it gets more votes than the anti-tax measure, raise the threshold for passage of the latter to two-thirds – the same margin proposed for taxes.

That would probably ignite a post-election clash in the courts, thus extending California’s version of medieval Europe’s Hundred Years War.

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

Continued from A6

keep our American system of capitalism alive and healthy.

No move could do more to restoring economic vitality and individual freedom in our country than transforming our broken Social Security system into a nationwide personal investment program.

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.

OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.

GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. For more information, call (530) 622-1180. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

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

El Dorado County approves Meeks Bay Fire annexation

Laney Griffo Tahoe Daily Tribune

A major hurdle was overcome on Tuesday in the annexation of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District into the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

During the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ May 14 meeting, the supervisors approved a resolution to dissolve the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District and annex it into NTFPD. While this process has been in the works for more than a decade, major progress was made in fall 2022 when the annexation application was filed. In October 2023, a working group — including two Meeks Bay board members, two North Tahoe board members, the fire chiefs for both districts and county administrative staff — began meeting to discuss the property tax allocation and the fire districts’ additional requests.

In January 2024 El Dorado County supervisors approved a plan that would provide a lump sum of Transient Occupancy Tax funding and equalization of the tax increment across the district with the understanding that NTFPD will continue operating a station in Meeks Bay. The Meeks Bay special taxes and special assessments would continue at their current rates.

Both fire district boards approved that package, however, they asked that the special taxes and special assessments be equalized, as well.

“It was really important to the board and one of the reasons they had asked for the equalization of the annual tax increment is because they want to see consistency across the entire district,” said Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Sue Hennike. “So, they weren’t comfortable with the Meeks Bay part of their district paying more annually on their property tax bill than the rest of the district.

“It is their option to voluntarily reduce their

revenue in that way,” she added.

There were several findings El Dorado County supervisors needed to make in order to approve the annexation, including that the county is not losing money, it’s just giving up a portion of future growth (which they calculate would be about $8,000$12,000 annually), the county won’t increase taxes to make up the difference and the county will not be touching the portion of property taxes that goes to schools.

Ed Miller, president of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District Board, has been instrumental in making this annexation process happen and has been holding off on retirement until the process has been completed.

“This is for the good of the people,” said Miller at the meeting.

The board unanimously approved the annexation.

The annexation plan still needs to be approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors.

Celebrate National Safe Boating Week by staying safe

accidents.

SACRAMENTO — California

State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways invites new and experienced boating enthusiasts to celebrate National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24. This week is a time to emphasize the importance of responsible boating practices and water safety awareness as boaters head out to California’s waterways during Memorial Day weekend. As boaters across the country gear up for the summer season of adventure, the U.S. Coast Guard and DBW are sharing the top seven tips for safe and enjoyable boating experiences.

“National Safe Boating Week serves as a reminder of the simple yet critical steps boaters can take to protect themselves, their family and others while enjoying our beautiful waterways,” said DBW’s Deputy Director Ramona

Plan Continued from A1 News release

Administrative Office analyst Jennifer Franich.

Community and stakeholder workshops conducted by county staff curated many ideas on what the updated master plan should focus on. Those ideas were shared with the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors April 30.

Other outreach efforts included an online survey, which collected 1,000 responses, more than half which came from residents from the Highway 50 corridor spanning from El Dorado Hills to Pollock Pines.

Responses from most areas of the county indicate improving and opening trails and acquiring land for open space are top priorities. On the county’s western end residents emphasized a need for baseball/

Tiny

homes Continued from A1 wasted no time casting “yes”votes.

The ordinance, inspired by Butte County’s similar dwelling unit ordinance following its own wildfire disasters, applies emergency contingencies from California’s Title 25 building code of regulations, allowing leniency on how the dwelling units are built.

Fees would be waived for the construction of the dwelling units, which can be built using ownerproduced materials or milled lumber with proper official review. The county will exempt planning checks and inspections of the units under the authority of the Caldor Fire Urgency Ordinance.

Building permits would be valid for three years, minimum room dimensions would not be required and generators would be allowed as a sole power source during partial occupancy.

There would also be no specified requirements for heating and temperature maintenance. Electrical

Ruling

Continued from A1

with many areas across the state falling under its service obligation.

“Where AT&T is the default telephone service provider means that the company must provide traditional telephone service over copper, fiber, cable, Voice over Internet protocol or wireless to any potential customer in that service territory,” states a CPUC press release.

In El Dorado County AT&T is the COLR for 15 communities and their surrounding areas, including the cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe as well as rural areas like Grizzly Flat, Meyers and Pollock Pines. Alarmed by the prospect of losing their means of communicating with the wider world, many residents provided comments to the CPUC in opposition to AT&T’s attempt to withdraw.

“I live in a rural area and the only way I can use my cell phone while at home is via Wi-Fi,” wrote one South Lake Tahoe resident on the CPUC’s comments page. “When Wi-Fi goes out, or the power goes out, which is more common than you think, I have no cell service at my home, no way to contact others or be contacted except via my landline with AT&T.”

Though AT&T representatives explained the company had no intention of dropping service to any customers, public participation in the CPUC process was significant, with more than 5,000 comments submitted to the record and 5,800 attendees to public forums held across the state.

AT&T claimed other providers of alternatives to landline service such as VoIP or mobile wireless services

Fernandez. “By following these safety tips, boaters can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water for all.”

Here are the essential tips when heading out on the water: Wear a life jacket: Life jackets save lives. Make sure you and all passengers have a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket onboard and always wear it while on the water. Remember, life jackets are the most effective means of preventing drowning in the event of an emergency. Life jackets are required to be worn for those younger than 13 years old while on a moving vessel.

Boat sober: Alcohol and boating do not mix. Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal but also significantly impairs judgment and reaction times. Alcohol is dangerous for passengers too. Intoxication can cause slips, falling overboard and other dangerous

softball fields and in the Tahoe Basin trail connectivity was top on the priority list.

Other data provided indicates residents think expanding trails, improving existing parks and developing new ones are also top priorities.

“What this is showing us is that the public is aware that we need to invest in what we already have,” Franich said.

Open space trails, willingness to volunteer to maintain and improve parks, ADA accessible spaces, providing more access to water for swimming, fishing and other water sports, lack of lighting, parking and access to bathrooms are also topics of interest to the public.

While a majority of the responses

wiring would not be required as well, and the ordinance would allow units 750 square feet or smaller to waive fire sprinkler requirements.

The ordinance is not intended to assist those with adequate insurance, those looking to construct a larger home or those who purchased property after the fire, according to Garner, who previously stated the ordinance would apply to approximately 20 property owners.

However, county staff is looking into applying the ordinance in the service area boundaries of the Pioneer Fire Protection District, Garner told the supervisors.

Staff is also in the process of creating set dwelling unit construction plans so residents can simply pick and make the process easier, per previous suggestion by the board.

Garner said applications for permits to build the units would be accepted prior to June 20, when the ordinance is expected to take effect.

could fill the gap left if it withdrew as COLR, but the CPUC found it failed to meet the requirements for withdrawal.

“Specifically, AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers willing and able to serve as COLR, nor did AT&T prove that alternative providers met the COLR definition,” states a CPUC press release explaining the decision.

In addition to denying AT&T’s application, the CPUC also decided to begin a new rule making process to address COLR service obligations, which will be discussed during the commission’s June 20 voting meeting. The rule changes are intended to “preserve regulatory oversight and address potential service gaps” as the CPUC looks to adapt regulations to “evolving market conditions and technological advancements.”

AT&T claimed less than 7% of Californian households continued to use copper-based landline, with subscribers to landline services falling in the last two decades. Additionally, Centers for Disease Control data indicates more than 70% of adults and 80% of children live in homes that exclusively use wireless phones for voice service.

AT&T representatives claimed the application to withdraw as COLR was in an effort to transition from a copper-based “legacy network” a modern broadband one. The CPUC clarified COLR rules are “technologyneutral” and did not prevent AT&T from retiring copper lines or from investing in fiber or other improvements to its network.

Take a safe boating course and get your California Boater Card: Familiarize yourself with local boating laws, regulations, and navigation rules before heading out. Understanding right-ofway, speed limits, and navigational aids will help prevent accidents and ensure smooth sailing. Boaters 60 years and younger are required to carry a California Boater Card while operating a motorized vessel on California waterways. More information is available at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.

Have the proper safety equipment: Ensure you have all the required equipment onboard and in good working condition for a safe and fun day on the water. Review the ABCs of California Boating for more details. Stay weather aware: Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changing conditions. Sudden storms or rough waters can pose significant

were favorable to the rating of county parks, trails and open recreation areas, about 25% said lack of restrooms and trails not connecting to desired destinations should be addressed.

When asked about funding efforts, more than half suggested they would be in favor of a bond measure and a little less than half of all responses said they would volunteer at a work event to help improve parks and trails.

“This tells me we have a lot of investment from the community, at least that’s how they were feeling when they took the survey,” Franich shared.

Additionally, out of a list of 36 priorities, baseball/softball fields, emphasis on open spaces and natural areas were top priorities with survey respondents.

The master plan will not have a list of specific projects. Franich said a capital improvement plan could be made for project scheduling and funding purposes.

“Not only does that have implications for us from an environmental analysis standpoint, (we would actually have to perform a CEQA analysis) but it also kind of boxes us in,” Franich told the board. “Whereas this is a 10-year plan, so I think this will help us prioritize

dangers. Always have a reliable means of communication onboard to receive weather updates.

File a float plan: Let someone know your boating plans before you depart. File a float plan with a friend or family member detailing your itinerary, expected return time and contact information. In the event of an emergency, this information can be crucial for rescuers.

Implement clean and green practices: Get your 2024 California Boater Kit. Always carry oil absorbents on board and in your bilge to prevent oily discharges. To prevent fuel spills, use fuel bibs. Dispose of them as hazardous waste at a county Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Never throw garbage into waterways. Take advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper. Used fishing line can be deposited at fishing-line recycling stations.

and help us to know what kind of grants to go after if we knew this is the type of resource or type of park that we want to work toward but haven’t necessarily determined where the project would be.”

Board Chair Wendy Thomas agreed with the benefits of having both a master plan and a CIP.

“(The master plan) has to stay relevant, but our CIP list can get down to the nitty-gritty details of project specifics that allow us to be more flexible with funding and perhaps changes in board direction as time goes on,” Thomas said.

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl questioned if creating a CIP would be beneficial, citing defined funding as a potential issue.

“If we don’t have additional funding defined, other than just grants, I don’t know that this is ever going to be successful,” Hidahl said. “That would be my emphasis .... How do we find the funding stream to make this work and if it’s not a bond measure, what is it? Because if you are going to use that model you have to have a source of revenue that is going to feed that capital improvement program.”

The master plan is expected to be completed by this winer, according to Franich.

IN THE KNOW

May 17

Ant Bee Band will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park hosts Home Grown Comedy with Lourdes Ayon, Drew Schafer and more at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com/ homegrowncomedy.

American Mile will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

The Golden Road Gathering takes place May 17-19 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit goldenroadgathering. com.

Sutter Creek Theatre presents Rick Estrin & the Nightcats at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

Main Street Theatre Works heats things up at Preston Castle in Ione with the Red Plaid Shirts and Red Hot Talent Spring Fundraiser beginning at 5 p.m. The event will include dinner prepared by the amazing local chefs Jim and Yolanda Bennett plus red hot talent from MSTW company members, as well as local talent performing music, song, scenes and monologues. For tickets and more information visit mstw. org.

May 18

Kick o your summer with a splash and get hooked on shing in the fth annual Youth Fishing Derby. The El Dorado Hills Community Services District, in partnership with the El Dorado County Fish and Game Commission and the Serrano Homeowners Association, invite kids ages 3 to 15 to test their angling skills at Village Green Park, 8-11:45 a.m. Registration is required. Visit edhcsd.org.

The El Dorado Hills Town Center Farmers Market takes place year round, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, weather permitting. Wander behind Nibblers and Trek Bicycle to discover a cornucopia of delights, where local area farms showcase an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Explore stalls brimming with homemade treasures including jams and cheeses, as well many handmade creations.

The Pleasant Valley Grange Plant & Garden Art Sale takes place 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4764 Pleasant Valley Grange Road in Placerville.

Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Grow Your Imagination, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. Learn the basics of dish gardening while creating your own little space. Build a home for a fairy, a dinosaur or make roads to explore in little trucks. . Register at ucanr. edu/grow-imagination24.

Local artists find inspiration at home & abroad

D. Lee Reyes Gold Country Artists Gallery

Gold Country Artists Gallery, an awardwinning artists’ cooperative in Placerville, features the work of Debbie Claussen, Barbara Davies and Claudia Bennett in May. Meet the artists on Main Street’s Third Saturday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m.

Art with essence

Porcelain artist Claussen is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed author, philanthropist, animal advocate and watercolorist who finds inspiration in family, friends, animals and nature. She persistently explores, experiments and challenges herself to master the art of painting on porcelain.

The technique of porcelain painting is similar to watercolor in that the artist works from light to dark, but the paint applied is oil-based formulated specifically for porcelain, Claussen explained. This paint contains a substance called “flux,” which helps the color absorb into the porcelain during the firing process. A piece is fired after each application of the paint. This slow build-up of color creates depth in the design and results in a luminous glaze. She said there may be up to eight firings as part of the process to achieve her high-quality works of art.

Of her subject matter, Claussen described what she does “… is not the ‘traditional’ painting of flowers, but rather a composite of objects, places and animals that I love to paint, with a hint of sparkle thrown in.”

She is inspired by the graceful Pickard-style of porcelain ware, which is described as having lightness with brilliant glazing done in an Art Deco style. Although her work appears delicate, there is a quality of strength evident in her choice of designs and the porcelain objects she chooses to paint. “Peach Tree Water Pitcher” best displays her design with nearly translucent foliage and fruit

nestled at the neck. For the trunk of the tree and roots at the foot of the piece, Claussen used gold paint to outline and highlight the details. The result is a sumptuous rendering of high-quality, practical art à la Pickard.

Exhibiting diversity in the subjects she chooses, she paints onto Limoges porcelain, a hard-paste type porcelain known for its durability and brilliant white hue. Her antique-looking, scallopedged “Hand-Painted Limoges Porcelain Fan” is resplendent with a balance of delicate, nearly translucent violet blossoms set among pale green leaves and bordered by small geometric designs that recall the treasured possessions of fine French ladies, a bit of nostalgia from a more genteel time.

Claussen’s travels have taken her far afield to discover the animals she loves to paint. On a trip to Africa, she photographed a gira e, which she decided would look captivating on a tall vase. Her animal depictions always contain an element of whimsy; is this gira e peering at the

A gourd here. A gourd there. So what’s it to ya?

Sylvia Coleman Placerville Arts Association

Joyce Campbell isn’t the only artist who creates elegant works of art out of gourds. But her exceptional talent has caught the attention of the Placerville Arts Association. Did you know gourds are fruits? And did you know that most gourds are inedible? But they are utilized for multiple purposes, including art, so PAA will put them and Campbell in the spotlight at the May 20 meeting. Guests are cordially invited to enjoy the company of other art lovers and artists, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. There is a break at about 3:30 p.m. for refreshments and a meet ‘n’ greet time to mix with others and make new friends.

Master gourd artist Campbell presents From Simple Gourds to

Artistic Wonders: The Journey of Creating Gourd Art at PAA’s meeting. One of the best gourd artists around the world, Campbell began creating gourd art 29 years ago on the East Coast where she won numerous Best of Shows at gourd and art shows. She moved to California several years ago to be with family and has continued her winning ways — earning numerous ribbons in the Masters Categories along with Best of Shows. She will speak about planning an art piece and solving problems as one works toward the finished product. Her specialties are carving, using and inventing embellishments and adding multi-layered colors. Campbell likes to give her students some tools while encouraging them to be creative and move forward with a freedom that often opens new horizons.

Visitors might be inspired to start

Courtesy photo Joyce Campbell turns ordinary gourds into exquisite works of art. Meet the artist at Monday’s Placerville Arts Association meeting.

“Sierra Lake Reflections” by Barbara Davies

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Debbie Claussen made good use of this tall vase by adding a friendly giraffe.

Church closes ‘joyful’ concert season with Broadway hits

News release

The final Make a Joyful Noise! concert of the season will be a showstopper May 17. Let Us Entertain You, a Night of Broadway music with Imagination Theater, takes the stage at 7 p.m. Friday at El Dorado County Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way in Placerville. Enjoy an evening of Broadway favorites from “Les Misérables” to “Mary Poppins” and more. The performance is directed by Rebecca Monroe with Mike Waters on piano and features performers from Imagination Theater. Make a Joyful Noise! is a concert series dedicated to providing access to quality, live music performances in El Dorado County. Admission is free and seating is first come, first served. The concert series will return in the fall.

El Dorado County Federated Church is a Presbyterian USA and United Methodist congregation practicing the love, compassion and radical hospitality of Jesus Christ. All are welcome, all the time. For more information call (530) 622-0273 or visit eldoradofederatedchurch.org,

Laureates lining up to share stories

News release

SSponsored 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

tory Telling Sunday is a seasonal spoken word event that is co-hosted and produced by performance poet Rina Wakefield held at The Green Room Social Club.

The Laureate Line-up special on May 19 will feature performances by Reno Poet Laureate Jesse James Ziegler, Antioch Poet Laureate Jose Cordon, El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows and Sacramento Poet Laureate Andru Defeye. The musical guests will be the talented Adie Beatty of Panic and Swoon and Charlie Dale featuring his creative project, Cloudspotter. An open mic will follow the performances. This event will be live streamed and recorded.

The event runs 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. For more information and reservations visit clubgreenroom.com.

Storytelling Sundays was founded by Mae Flores. who partnered with Wakefield to co-host and co-produce. These unique events have blossomed into a lively gathering of poets, artists, storytellers, and musicians. The Green Room Social club offers an inclusive and welcoming space for all styles of creatives.

Wakefield has produced and co-hosted events that have highlighted the work of diverse voices from across California, nationally recognized authors and Grammynominated performance poets. This unique platform welcomes the local community to participate and perform their original work on

an open mic following the featured performers. The special laureate showcase will be co-hosted by Wakefield and Alisyn Gularte.

Featured performers

Whether sharing stages with legendary beat poets or your favorite Hip Hop emcees, Defeye’s unorthodox writing and performance style has made him a fixture behind microphones around the country.

2020 saw the release of his critically acclaimed “Frequency” album followed shortly after by his crowning as the youngest poet laureate in California capital history.

Meadows a Californian poet with roots in both the Ohlone and the pioneer soil of his home state. He has published poems in anthologies and collections nationwide.

He was appointed poet laureate through Arts and Culture El Dorado.

Jose Cordon, also known as Cordon

Concepts, is the inaugural poet laureate of Antioch. He is the founder of an organization called Grassroots Poetry, whose mission is to build community through poetry. Cordon has been featured in billboard campaigns and an award-winning short film “La Vida Loca” and has worked with the Latino Community Foundation, among others.

Ziegler is currently serving as poet laureate for the city of Reno. He is the creator and manager of Monday Night Poetry and vice president for Spoken Views Collective. He is a member of the Sierra Literary Cooperative and the spoken word/ poetry contributor to Reno Arts News.

Ziegler has served as both a host and a judge for the Nevada chapter of the national Poetry Out Loud organization and continues to be the curator and host of a monthly poetry book club called Collective Breath.

IT looking for some shining stars

News release

auditions will start at 9 a.m. and likely finish by noon. Callbacks will come May 19 if required.

Auditioners are asked to wear comfortable, sensible clothing and closed-toed shoes. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Imagination Theater will hold auditions for its Holiday production of “Miracle on 34th Street” on May 18. Bring the family to audition together. “Miracle on 34th Street” is a holiday classic, adapted from the Twentieth Century Fox film of 1947. Directed by Peter Wolfe, co-founder of Imagination Theater, the production will boast 13 performances scheduled for Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. Actors will also be invited to participate with IT! in the Placerville Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 8. Due to an event on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, auditions will be held at the Boys and Girls Club on Mallard Lane in Placerville. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. to begin and

Imagination Theater is looking to cast eight men, one woman, 10 other adults, eight teens and seven children (ages 8-10). There are three lead roles for men, one woman lead and one child lead.

Six to eight teens/adults will be cast as Macy’s Santa Elves — comedic singing and dancing roles. No children younger than age 8 will be cast. For more information contact Wolfe at pwolfe615@gmail.com.

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Hear songs from “Les Misérables” and much more during a special performance at Federated Church.

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El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows will join other poets at the upcoming Story Telling Sunday event in Placerville.

dogs’ speed, intelligence, accuracy and leaping ability. See the performance Saturday afternoon.

Audiences will

Leila Srouji The Center for the Arts

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts presents Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience in the Marisa Funk Theater on May 18.

What’s not to love about amazing, high-energy dogs doing incredible feats of gravity for entertainment?

For more than 20 years Perondi has been taking his stunt dogs around the world to pawtastically perform for captivated audiences, producing 15,000-plus shows. These aren’t your average dogs, not only are they positively trained with his unique methods, but they are all rescued from shelters, giving them a second chance at life and further promoting pet adoptions. The stunt dogs have been seen on Oprah, The Ellen Show, David Letterman, and the Tonight Show with fun challenges that test their speed, intelligence, accuracy, and leaping ability — mixing performing arts with performing dogs, as audiences have never seen before. They have names like Flashy Ferrari, Crazy Confetti, Blazing Bentley and Spitfire Spinelli, to name a few, and they have been known to flip, jump rope, paw-stand, high-jump, skateboard and free-style disc catch amongst black lights.

Stunt Dog Productions is a familyowned business, led by Chris and his wife Suhey Perondi, and can lay claim to the largest touring dog act in the world, with up to four touring units serving the United States and Canada. Their full-time traveling teams produce professionally hosted shows that are extremely visual, scripted, choreographed to music with audience participation encouraged and feature the most talented stunt dogs, trick dogs and frisbee dogs in the world. Stunt Dog Productions teams up with only the most humane and talented dog trainers and performers and has brought dozens of trainers into the stunt dog family over the years, coaching numerous trainers in getting their start in the industry. All the dogs each have unique talents and signature moves that the Perondi’s work to showcase, highlighting each dog’s individual ability, athleticism and intelligence. The dogs truly enjoy performing because they are doing what they love with each show more energetically enthusiastic than the last.

Each canine star is rescued from pounds or shelters, and what’s most important to the Perondi’s is their mission to promote pet adoption and responsible pet ownership and educate others on the importance

■ See STUNT DOGS, page B7

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Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience showcases fun challenges that test

Chorale wraps up its season with two uplifting shows

GRASS VALLEY

— InConcert

Sierra presents the Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Alison Skinner, with two uplifting and inspiring concerts on May 19 & 21.

“I’m excited to share an enchanting program celebrating the profound words penned by great poets and writers, and then set to music,” said Skinner.

“The program includes captivating renditions of Shakespearean classics, the soul-stirring poetry of Robert Frost and many other uplifting compositions to create a rich tapestry of emotion and inspiration,” she continued. “It’s the kind of experience that will transport everyone to different realms of emotion and thought, leaving us with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of music and literature.”

This is the last concert of the 2023-24 Third Sunday season. The program opens with the joyous “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Gwenyth Walker. Also

featured are beloved selections like “Frostiana” by Randall Thompson, a medley of Broadway hits including “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Sabbath Prayer” from “Fiddler on the Roof” and a combination of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” with “Climb Every Mountain” from “The Sound of Music.” Emotions soar with John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth” and Craig Courtney’s

exquisite “From Earth to Heaven,” leading into the finale of Leonard Bernstein’s showstopper from Candide, “Make Our Garden Grow.”

“The variety in the program ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of musical theater, choral music or classical repertoire,” said Skinner. “Themes of hope, beauty and resilience resonate deeply with us all. The choir’s

beautiful sound, combined with the orchestra, promises a profoundly moving experience that will deeply touch both performers and audience members alike.”

The SMC is an auditioned, high-level community choir founded in 2008. The 54-member choir rehearses for 13 weeks prior to the performances and then has two final rehearsals with the 24-piece orchestra comprised

of local and regional professional musicians from the InConcert Sierra Orchestra.

Both concerts are free for youth 18 and under. The Sunday, May 19, performance begins at 2 p.m. and the Tuesday, May 21, show at 7:30 p.m. at 12889 Osborne Hill Road, Grass Valley (Seventhday Adventist Church). For tickets and more information visit inconcertsierra.org.

Photo courtesy of Valle Visions Photography

The Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra concludes its Sunday concerts next week.

Know Continued from B1

Stan Johnston will perform from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Love Birds Coffee & Tea Co. in Diamond Springs. For more information call (530) 300-9891 or lovebirdscoffeeco@gmail.com.

Join local producer, researcher and historical trails expert Dee Owens on a tour of the reconstructed El Dorado Train Depot, 10-11:30 a.m., as she provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich history behind the oldest railroad line west of the Mississippi. Finish the morning with a specially curated ride in vintage train cars on the El Dorado Western Railroad. For more information call (530) 626-0773.

Third Saturday Art Walk, 4-8 p.m., focuses on family fun. Visit the new Illuminate Gallery at 451 Main St. in Placerville. Owner Shannon Moore’s artistry is pyrography and she will be demonstrating. A Creekside Studio Ellas Peterzell will demonstrate print making. Music outside these galleries in the courtyard will be provided by Mountain Man Jack, a guitarist. The Wine Smith will have Jazz Gitan playing live. Thirteen locations will be showing art and 13 other locations will offer food discounts and retail specials, many with a family theme. The free raffle prize this month is a $100 gift certificate to be used at any of the participating merchants.

Late for Dinner will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area hosts Dinner & Piano Night with Kevin Whalen, 5-8:30 p.m. RSVP by May 15 at sierravistawinery.com or call (530) 622-7221.

Simms Band will perform at 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Night Owl will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento hosts author Terri Dorow, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

Sutter Creek Theatre presents Sons of Champlin at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre. com.

The California State Railroad Museum and Foundation welcome guests aboard the historical Sacramento Southern Railroad. Enjoy a 50-minute scenic train ride along the Sacramento River and experience railroading as it was in the early part of the last century. Rides are offered Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and more information visit californiarailroad.museum.

May 19

El Dorado Western Railroad offers excursion rides with trains running on the hour, 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., weather permitting, at the El Dorado Station. For more information visit facebook.com/ ElDoradoWesternRailroad.

1850 Wine Cellars in Placerville hosts a Winemaker Brunch with Brian Darwazeh at 10:30 a.m. your week with a relaxing and educational four-course brunch with the winemaker Brian, prepared by chef Lisa Scott. This month Brian will discuss oak impact in wines. To make a reservation visit 1850winecellars.com/pages/events.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts two events: Read to a Dog, 1-2 p.m. Therapy-trained friend Emma the Corgi will be on-hand for a free, fun, one-on-one reading session with kids. Writers’ Coffeehouse, 1-2:30 p.m., allows writers to chat about the latest trends in the industry, about the craft of writing, about marketing, pitching and selling as well as the frustrations and positives of the writing experience. For more information call (916) 941-9401 or visit getyourfaceinabook.com.

Sharing Our Grandparents’ Herbal Remedies will cover the uses of dandelion, rue, and the preparation of tinctures and home remedies, 2-4 p.m. at Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in Placerville. The gathering can accommodate up to 20 participants. All materials provided. Call Melinda Velasco at (530) 204-7223 to reserve a spot.

Tenor Nick Palance will perform at the Music on the Divide concert, 3 p.m. at the IOFF Hall in Georgetown. For tickets and more information visit musiconthedivide.org.

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

May 21

The El Dorado County Fair & Events Center hosts How to Enter the Fair in the fair boardroom, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. Session will be held noon to 1 p.m. For more information call (530) 621-5860.

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

May 22

Snowline Health hosts Living Well with Dementia: Routines, Purpose & Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, 1:30-3 p.m. For people with cognitive impairment/early dementia and their care partners/ caregivers. This training discusses the importance of creating a healthy weekly routine and finding purpose and resilience. It also addresses sleep disturbances and their impact on those with dementia and their caregivers. For more information call (530) 621-7820.

The Strawberry Music Festival, a multi-day, family-friendly music and campout featuring activities and entertainment for all ages on the Nevada County fairgrounds takes place May 22-27. For more information and a complete lineup of acts visit strawberrymusic.com.

May 23

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking luncheon with speaker Elaine Starling of The Abundance Journey at 11:45 a.m. at Red Hawk Casino’s Koto Buffet. For more information call (530) 677-8000.

Now Arts & Culture El Dorado celebrates the symbiosis of art and agriculture with Arts Vinifera, an exhibition that showcases original artworks that grace the labels of El Dorado County’s world-class wines at Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in downtown Placerville, through May 19.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Sleeping Beauty” through May 19. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

The Sacramento Theatre Company presents Disney’s “Camp Rock: The Musical” through May 19. For tickets and more information call (916)

443-6722 or visit sactheatre.org.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “TempOdyssey” through May 20. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

The MACC in Rancho Cordova presents Pure Imagination, an exhibit featuring repurposed items in a creative way, through May 25. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

B Street Theatre presents “Wipeout” through May 26 at The Sofia in

Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Black Point Theatre presents “The Height of the Storm” through May 26 in West Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit blackpointtheatre.org.

Olde Coloma Theatre presents “She’s in His Line of Fire” or “The Biggest Shot in Coloma” through June 9. For tickets and more information visit oldecolomatheatre.com.

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COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES

• Restaurant-style dining

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• Gated electronic entrance

Theater workshop scholarships open to young actors

News release

Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance, a nonprofit, is now accepting applications for the Youth Education Scholarships program for the summer and fall sessions.

Following a successful Big Day of Giving campaign, SARTA will once again be offering YES scholarships to youth ages 5-19. Parents will need to fill out the online application and include at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or instructor. Visit sarta.com/programs for more information and to apply.

In 2023 SARTA awarded $1,800 to eight students who needed financial assistance to attend multiweek theater workshops offered by several theaters in the greater Sacramento area. Awards ranged from $100 to $300 depending on workshop fee and financial need.

SARTA relies on the generosity of donors, individuals and theaters to help fund this much needed program. Make a donation at sarta.com and click on the donate button. SARTA is an inclusive group of community theaters, individual artists, technicians and patrons formed to encourage collaboration, diversity and creativity.

TRIO KICKSTARTS CONCERT SERIES

their own “artistic gourd” wonder. Leave time to shop for a few gourds on the way home. What’s it to PAA? The group’s meeting demonstrations and presentations are inspirational and cause artists to think outside their creativity boxes — to find beauty in

Stunt dogs

Continued from B3

of spay and neutering. During every show they take time to share their mission and encourage everyone to spend more time with their pets. This cast of performers and dogs will delight audiences of all ages, with highenergy excitement from beginning to end. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the show begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

art and artists with the community and welcomes new members. For more information about the group visit placervillearts.com or visit the PAA Facebook page.

Courtesy photo

Peter Wilson, Paul Emery and Eli Rush will be joined by the crackerjack rhythm section of Ty Smith (drums) and Brett Cole (bass) on the patio at the Wild Eye Pub in Grass Valley on Sunday, May 19. This is the kick-off event for the Wild Eye Pub’s “Creekside Sunday” concert series. For tickets and more information visit wildeyepub.com/tickets-1.

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Joyce Campbell has spent nearly 30 years perfecting her gourd art.

UPCOMING EVENTS

One Night of Queen

JULY 19, 2024

For over 20 years Gary Mullen and The Works have been performing their worldrenowned One Night of Queen live concert.

You’ll be dancing in the aisles during their show, while the band pays tribute to the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Queen.

Gary Mullen & The Works have performed to sold-out audiences around the world, playing more than 2,500 live shows to audiences in over 20 countries – performing in many of the same venues where Queen has played.

viewer with curiosity?

“My desire to capture the essence of a subject is my challenge,” she shared. “And although the structure is important, the essence is mandatory.”

Light and color

Davies won an art contest in third grade, fueling a lifelong passion for drawing, painting and sculpting. An art scholarship led her to art school and, inspired by the old masters and the contemporary artists, she wanted to be a full-time artist. Her artistic mindset gave her particular insight into the technical realm. She attended college in the evenings and studied computer science at Northeastern University. A knack for explaining complex technical information to others led to her career as a technical instructor and product manager for a large corporation. This job also gave her the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, but she always returned to California, of which she is quite fond. Eventually, her overwhelming passion for art and her need to create it gave Davies the courage to leave the financial security of the corporate world and enroll as a full-time student at the College of Art in Oakland. She earned degrees in illustration and painting and ultimately her teaching credentials. She taught art in school for eight years before opening her own gallery and studio in Danville, where she sold her work and taught painting classes for children and adults.

reverence. Davies’ work is exhibited in several galleries and part of many private collections.

Growing her art

Bennett recalls the family paintingtime of her childhood sparking her desire to become a proficient painter and artisan. She took classes in drawing, watercolor and oil painting throughout her school years, continuing into her career as a high school home economics instructor. After 23 years of educating children in the public school system, she retired to pursue other interests including photography, travel and tending her garden where she grows the flowers she loves to paint.

Of the many flowers she fashions within her paintings, irises take center stage as her favorites. She created several eye-catching images of the blossoms she clearly loves. Her simple study of a “Pink Iris” glows with an inner light with lovely highlighting on the soft looking petals. Another flower that receives Bennett’s attention is “Purple Iris.” The blossom stands out from the bright golden background in saturated purple with bright green bladed leaves, simple yet dramatic.

countries, topping the charts in the United States, and charting number one in Canada.

Frequent road trips around California during the pandemic sparked her interest in painting landscapes of the Sierra, her most recent passion. “I see potential paintings everywhere,” Davies said, “and I am often drawn to a subject that is filled with light and color.”

One day while off-roading she came upon a lake. The stillness of the water reflecting the blazing autumn colors of the trees on the far shore prompted her to create a quick pleinair sketch of “Sierra Lake Reflections” in watercolor. Back in her studio, she duplicated the scene, this time in oil, using a vibrant palette of cadmium oranges and lemon yellows blazing with intensity, the morning mists rising from the lake softening the backdrop of mountains and pines in the distance. “Painting outdoors has challenges; paint tends to dry more quickly, it may be windy and the light can change. So I welcome the greater control I have over my paintings in my studio,” she said.

On an afternoon hike near Lake Tahoe, she climbed to Eagle Falls for a breathtaking view of the water tumbling over the huge boulders on its way down to the lake. Producing another quick sketch in watercolor, she later recreated a larger painting of the scene in her studio. To give the flowing water translucence, depth, and energy she used the “old world” glazing techniques of building up multiple layers of paint. This painting, aptly titled “Eagle Falls Lake Tahoe,” demonstrates her mastery of this technique. On another day in the Tahoe National Forest, this time on horseback, she rode into a glade of aspens. The backlighting by the sun made the trees glow, creating amazing shadows and an impression of cathedral-like ambiance and

Wanting to grow more artistically confident, she chose to learn new and interesting acrylic painting techniques by taking classes from the artistic community that nurtures her creativity. She happily applies what she learned to her current artwork, creating many award-winning paintings. One of these is the painting titled “South Fork.” Rolling hills dot the painting with lush trees and brush reflecting on the river rippling gently through the foreground. The scene feels calm and serene, as though captured by her brushes and paints in a special moment of time.

Bennett loves to hike, especially near her home in El Dorado County, as well as the Lake Tahoe area, where she finds many of the landscapes she depicts. Her process includes taking photographs to paint later in her studio. She likes scenes with water, enjoying the challenge of capturing reflections. In her painting “Dutch Creek Waterfall” her brush describes the cascades and ripples of the tumbling water over the rocks and boulders, framed by green hills and flowering trees.

An artist with many creative endeavors, Bennett taught sewing, publishing a book about sewing with easy projects targeted for a young generation of seamstresses titled “Sew What? Sew Anything!” She enjoys participating in local craft fairs, entering her work in art shows, participating in art organizations and especially meeting and talking with people who express an interest in the painted artwork she creates.

Gold Country Artists Gallery, 379 Main St. in Placerville, features the work of many award-winning regional artists working in fields as diverse as fine jewelry, photography, fused glass, wood turning, pastels, colored pencil, scratch board, and watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. The gallery is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. For more information call (530) 642-2944 or visit goldcountryartistsgallery.com.

Gallery Continued from B1

“Pink Iris #2” by Claudia Bennett