The Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, May 24, 2023

ART HEALS

Station 88’s future still in limbo

Noel Stack

Managing editor

“What does the public want?”

Cameron Park Community Services District Director Dawn Wolfson posed this question last Wednesday night to dozens in the audience and others listening online as the board grappled with a difficult decision regarding fire service in the community.

The resounding answer: keep Fire Station 88 open.

After three hours of discussion, debate and more than a few heated words, the CPCSD Board of Directors decided to table adoption of a Cal Fire contract extension and schedule a special meeting to further hash out the issue. A decision on fire service must be made before the current Cal Fire contract expires June 30.

The resolution brought to the board May 17

n See STATION 88, page A7

Food bank named California Nonprofit of the Year

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

A decision on fire service out of Cameron Park Fire Department Station 88 is expected before the Cal Fire contract expires June 30.

Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack Veteran (Army, 2004-09) and artist Jonathan Walker of Vacaville shares his process as he creates a colorful masterpiece on canvas at the Arts HQ event hosted by VETART and Arts and Culture El Dorado at the El Dorado County Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville Saturday.

El Dorado Hills resident Richard Gilmore, left photo, (Navy, 1977-81) works on a pencil drawing of a cobblestone staircase in Meton, France during the Arts HQ event. He recently moved here from the Seattle area. Local veterans and residents gather around America’s Patriot Jet Fighter, right photo, to hear speakers at the VFW 10165’s Veterans Coming Home event at the El Dorado County Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. The event was held May 20 — Armed Forces Day.

Pictured in a California Nonprofit of the Year photo op is the Food Bank of El Dorado County team with Assemblyman Joe Patterson. From left, Kim May, David Morla, Jenna Sproull, Mike Sproull, Joe Patterson, Jammie Hall, Makenzie Gold, Fernando Mier and Anthony Gomez.

Courtesy photo

T“They are more than just a food bank for folks needing help to feed their families but also an emergency resource center that is critical to residents of El Dorado County …”

— Joe Patterson, District

5

assemblymember

n See FOOD BANK page A5

Richard Scott

Richard (“Rick”) Scott passed away in the company of family, at his home in Santa Clara, Calif., on April 12, 2023.

Rick was born in Woodland, Calif., and grew up in Shingle Springs. He was a quiet and inquisitive kid, a talented clarinet player, and a member of the Academic Decathlon team. He graduated valedictorian from Ponderosa High School in 1984. After attending Santa Clara University (’88), he pursued graduate studies in mathematics at MIT. Upon completion of his PhD and two post-doctoral fellowships, Rick returned to his native California to join the faculty at Santa Clara University in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in 1997. An accomplished scholar, Rick achieved the distinction of Professor in 2011, and in 2014, received a prestigious Simons Faculty Collaboration Grant to support his numerous collaborations with colleagues around the world. Rick cared deeply about his students and was widely admired and awarded for his excellent teaching, and his success at engaging undergraduate students in research at a high level.

Rick’s deep love of mathematics and music was shared among family and friends. He enjoyed playing cards, playing the guitar, and camping and fishing. His sharp wit, easy humor, and generosity will be profoundly missed.

Rick is survived by his wife, Norine Hendricks, and two daughters, Audrey and Emily Scott. Predeceased by his sister Linda Scott Laverne, Rick is also survived by his parents, Stan and Carol, siblings Nancy and Terry (Ana Raphael), brother-in-law Christophe Laverne, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Santa Clara Mission Church on Sunday, June 4 at 1:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.

Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rick’s family, care of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Santa Clara University. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the department’s Alexanderson-Pennello Fund in memory of Rick, to support an annual Rick Scott Memorial Scholar award for a student to carry out research in the field of mathematics that Rick loved so much.

John C. Williamson

Feb. 5, 1945 – May 10, 2023

It is with great sorrow that John C. Williamson passed away on May 10, 2023. John was born in Montebello, Calif., to Nelson and Virginia Williamson. He was adopted by Gordon Williamson at a young age. John spent his youth in Southern California and moved to Northern California at age 13 yrs. He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1963. He played football all of his high school years and at Sierra College. He married Karen Williamson in 1966 and they had 4 children together. John joined the National Guard and afterward, started his career as a fire fighter at the Florin Fire Department in Sacramento. He then became a Fire Captain at Incline Village and next, a Battalion Chief at Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe. John then became the Fire Chief for Pleasant Valley (in El Dorado County) at age 28 where he remained until his retirement. He is preceeded in death by his special grandparents William and Stella Brown, parents Gordon and Virginia Williamson, Nelson and Naydeen McMann, and his daughter Kasey Williamson-Konan, and his brother Tom Williamson. He is survived by his wife Karen, his daughter Kristen Williamson-Pott (Jay), his son’s Johnny II (Kimberly), Bill (Sondra), and Kurt (Beth), grandchildren Angela, Jack, Michelle, Alexandra, Landon and Kaiden; sisters Marilyn (Hugh) Douglas, and Susan (Craig) Jacobsen. He will be dearly missed by all his family. Services were held at Westwood Hills Memorial Park on May 22.

TheGold Mine

Philip Allen Wilson Sr. “Rescue Mayor”

Oct. 22, 1947 - April 16, 2023

Phil passed Sunday April 16, 2023 at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. Phil was 75 years old. He was proceeded in death by his parents Jean Darryl “JD” & Lois Jea (Van Galder) Wilson & his brother David Leroy Wilson.

He is survived by his wife Linda Kay Wilson (Pennington) of 56 years. Brother Tommy Leon Wilson. Sons Philip Allen Wilson (Susan) & Jerry Edward Wilson (Heather). Seven Grandchildren

William Joseph “Billy” Wilson (Kendall), Jerry “Dugan” Wilson (Caitlynn), Christen Jane “CJ” Altman (Eric), Kacey Lee Wilson, Kyle James Wilson, Taylor Kay Wilson, & Reagan Frances Wilson. & Six Great grandchildren Gracie, Abby, Evan, Ana, Fallon, & Jack.

Born 1947 in Stockton, CA. In 1966 Phil Married the love of his life, Linda in Lompoc, CA. In the early 1970’s they moved to South Sac took care of apartments before buying homes in South Sac & later Carmichael. Then in 1976 buying property, building their home, & moving their family of 4 to the Sierra Nevada foothills of Rescue, CA.

Phil was a union Carpet installer. Then when he moved to Rescue, CA he went into business with his lifelong friend Bill Vannoy (a ectionately “Uncle Bill”). Later he went into sales for All Cal Floors in Carmichael, CA with his brother Tom. He continued in carpet sales through most of his working career. But always kept busy even after retiring by driving limousines & test driving big rigs in the Southwest. Always helping others, Phil made a 2nd career in volunteer fundraising. He raised money for Easterseals, the Carmichael Rotary Club & others. After moving to Rescue he organized many charity golf tournaments, BBQ’s, etc to help many friends & neighbors in need. Accident victims, cancer victims, & children in need. He even raised funds that saved the Rescue Community Ctr by having a Mayor’s race, that culminated in a Rescue Day celebration & parade. He was honorary Rescue Mayor for many years running.

He’s a lifetime member of the NRA. He was voted in to the Republican Cental Commitee.

Phil loved the winged Sprint car races. Often one of the 1st in line at the Placerville Speedway. He became good friends with CJ Humphreys. The entire family & many friends would travel & camp for the whole week up North in Chico, CA for Silver Cup & Gold Cup. Putting on a big BBQ Saturday nights for friends & racers.

Catering many weddings & family functions. Phil became an Ordained Minister & o ciated weddings for many, many friends & family alike, including his youngest son & two oldest grandsons.

Over the last 13 years Phil religiosity went to the El Dorado Fitness Gym (M-W-F) in Cameron Park. Where he made so many wonderful friends. After working out, he would generally sit on the entryway couch to visit with folks as they came & went. Making people smile with a joke & good conversation.

We will be having a Celebration Memorial for him on Sunday, May 28th, 1-5pm at the Rescue Community Center. This will be a Potluck & Refreshments(co ee, soda, & water) will be provided. Please feel free to contact Susie at (530)363-0746

Phil Wilson: Quite simply, “He helped people & made them laugh.”

Marcella Darlene Thomas

Nov. 7, 1932 – April 4, 2023

In loving memory of Marcella Darlene Thomas. Maracella passed April 4, 2023, of natural causes. Marcella was the second daughter born to Claude and Pearl Shenk from Polk, Nebraska. Born November 7, 1932, moved to Bellflower California as a young girl. Later in life she met and married Frank C. Thomas. They had two sons, moved to Placerville in 1960. She worked with her husband at the family business, while raising her two sons. She was a loving and fun loving woman and left a warm positive feeling with all she came into contact with.

She is survived by her sons Scott M. Thomas,and Craig C. Thomas and daughter-in law Rita Thomas. Four grandchildren Ty Thomas, Scott M. Thomas Jr, Kelly Moreno and Todd Thomas. Six great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.

A celebration of Love will be held in June. Rest in peace mother, we all love you!

Carol Adeline Rogers

Jan. 16, 1937 – March 25, 2023

Born on January 16, 1937, to Theodore Becker and Emma Suelzle Becker in Alberta, Canada CA, Carol was raised with her siblings Joanne Becker Lang, Judy Becker Makin, and Kenneth Becker.

Carol’s parents operated the Gold Chain and Ivy House Restaurants on Main Street, Placerville, Calif., where Carol worked as a child and learned the restaurant business. This was the beginning of her career and love of cooking.

She attended the Seventh Day Adventist Academy in Placerville and graduated from Lodi Academy. Life-long bonds were established, and Carol’s voice and love for singing bloomed. Soon after High School, she married Charles Rouland and they had two children, Robert Rouland, Chester, Calif., and Debi Rouland Hunt, Cameron Park, Calif.

Henry L. Mo ett Jr. was her second husband, and together they owned Mo ett’s Old Fashioned Chicken Pies Restaurant in Bellflower and City of Industry, Calif. When Henry passed away in 1988, Carol successfully continued operating the restaurants and catering services, an extremely favored family eatery for the region.

In 1989, Carol and Carrol E. Rogers, Jr., a former family friend from Placerville, were reacquainted in Southern California. Soon after, they were married, and Carrol became the maintenance and operations manager of Mo ett’s restaurants providing Carol the opportunity to focus on her fine cooking and service to the Bellflower community. She was very active in Bellflower’s community a airs, Chamber of Commerce, and catered for service clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Soroptimist.

Carol and Carrol were happily married for 34 years until her unfortunate passing on March 25th with Carrol faithfully by her side.

Carrol and Carol frequently visited friends and relatives in El Dorado and Plumas, Counties while driving up Highways 99, 395, or Interstate 5 with a van filled with her favorite foods and stopping along the way to purchase Portuguese and German favorite cheeses, deli specialties, and could not pass up fresh vegetable or fruit stands. Her family was always her top priority and Thanksgiving and Christmas baking was her specialty.

Carol is survived by her loving and devoted husband, her 3 siblings, 2 adult children, 7 stepchildren, 20 grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren, her 2 brothers-in-law, and their wives. She had an enormous following of friends in Bellflower, Placerville, and Chester, Calif. All will miss Carol’s kindness, generosity, and loving spirit.

Instead of flowers, Carol would enjoy you “Paying it Forward” with your choice in her remembrance.

Memorial Services will be held at Forest Lawn in Cypress, Calif., at 11:30 AM on June 07, 2023, at Patriots Chapel followed by a private service in Cameron Park, Calif., on July 22, 2023, with an Internment at Westwood Hills Memorial Park, Placerville, Calif.

weather

Pair of suspects in Target theft thrown in jail

Eric Jaramishian Staff witer

A pair of Stockton residents suspected of stealing approximately $2,200 worth of merchandise from the Placerville Target were booked into El Dorado County Jail Sunday afternoon.

Desiree Martinez, 28, and Sonia Englent, 31, are accused of leaving the store around 5 p.m. with two shopping carts full of stolen items, including a vacuum, detergent, vehicle floor mats, pet supplies, children’s toys and more, according to El Dorado County sheriff’s Sgt. Alexander Sorey.

They fled the scene in a silver-colored 2013 Kia but were stopped about 20 minutes later on Highway 50 near Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills with the assistance of California Highway Patrol officers, Sorey states in an email to the Mountain Democrat. It is unknown if either Martinez or Englent owned the vehicle. Both were arrested on organized retail and grand theft charges and all stolen items were returned to Target.

According to jail records, Englent’s bail was set at $35,000 and Martinez’s $25,000. Both have been released.

Turnboo to try for term No. 2

Eric Jaramishian

Staff witer

District 2 Supervisor

George Turnboo has announced his re-election campaign to keep his seat in 2024. His district consists of Cameron Park and much of the southern portion of the county, including the Grizzly Flat, Somerset, Mt. Aukum and Pleasant Valley areas.

Turnboo hopes by retaining his position he can focus on projects like bringing another lumber mill to El Dorado County and incorporating biomass. He also wants to address drainage issues in Cameron Park after heavy rain caused major flooding of property and homes in the community just before the start of 2023.

“It has been an issue for over 50 years,” Turnboo said. “We are working on that with the El Dorado Water Agency to try to address

crime log

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

May 11

11:31 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Placerville Drive.

12:43 p.m. Officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing on Broadway.

11:30 p.m. Officers arrested a man on suspicion of public intoxication on Placerville Drive.

May 12

1 a.m. A residential burglary was reported on Francis Avenue.

8 a.m. Officers arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing on Placerville Drive. It was later discovered he attempted to bring a controlled substance into the jail.

May 13

12:38 a.m. Officers cited a 32-yearold woman reportedly found in possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Placerville Drive.

8:53 p.m. Officers arrested a 45-year-old woman allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance and throwing objects at moving vehicles on Placerville Drive.

May 14

1:39 a.m. Officers arrested a 31-year-old man who had a felony warrant on Broadway.

1:55 a.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man who had an active warrant on Main Street.

9:48 a.m. Officers arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and a probation violation on Placerville Drive.

12:33 p.m. Officers arrested a 61-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Schnell School Road.

that problem and fix it for the residents of Cameron Park.”

Turnboo is part of an ad hoc committee focused on bringing a biomass facility to the county. A biomass generator and on-site mill are sought for installation at Golden Sierra High School in Garden Valley. Turnboo wants to see a biomass plant in the Grizzly Flat community hooked up to a community center and school when they get built.

While in office

Turnboo has pushed to get Federal Emergency Management Agency individual assistance for Grizzly Flat residents affected by the Caldor Fire that raged through the small community in 2021. FEMA denied the assistance but Turnboo said he has not given up on helping Grizzly Flat residents in the recovery process.

Turnboo is a co-sponsor of the emergency resource

6:40 p.m. Officers arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication on Fair Lane.

May 15

2:17 p.m. Officers arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct on Placerville Drive.

10:10 p.m. Officers arrested a 29-year-old woman on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Pacific Street.

May 16

5:13 p.m. Officers arrested a 40-year-old woman on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Main Street.

9:34 p.m. Officers arrested an 18-year-old man who reportedly tried to flee on his motorcycle during a traffic stop on Pacific Street.

May 17

2:24 a.m. Property damage was reported on Broadway.

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

May 15

1:56 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a felony postrelease violation on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

3:46 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 66-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia, possession of a concealed knife and transporting a controlled substance (location not specified). He was listed in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.

GEorGE Turnboo

center being built by the Food Bank of El Dorado County, which will house essential resources to help residents and first responders in future countywide crises.

In his last campaign Turnboo stated he desired to keep the county’s rural, country atmosphere he grew up with. As an eighth-generation El Dorado County resident, Turnboo said those values are still important to him, as is listening to his constituents when making important decisions.

10:02 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Sweet Birch Lane in Camino.

2:11 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Seanshelly Lane in Rescue.

2:50 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at a storage facility on Golden Foothill Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

2:56 p.m. Battery was reported on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

3:40 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Sweet Birch Lane in Camino.

May 16

12:36 a.m. A Prowler was reported on Many Oaks Lane in Shingle Springs.

9:25 a.m. Burglary was reported at Panorama Drive in Placerville.

1:12 p.m. Burglary was reported on Robin Lane in Cameron Park.

1:53 p.m. Burglary was reported at Panorama Drive in Placerville.

2 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Sly Hollow Drive in Shingle Springs.

2:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 57-year-old man suspected of DUI, driving on a suspended license and a probation violation on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. He was released on $50,000 bail.

7:45 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 54-year-old man suspected of elder abuse on King Henry Way in El Dorado Hills. He also had a bench warrant. The suspect was released on $50,500 bail.

9:51 p.m. Burglary was reported at a mobile home park on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

May 17

2:08 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition on Coach Lane in Cameron Park. He was released on $50,000 bail.

“You do the best you can,” Turnboo said. “I fight for the people and I listen to what they want, since they voted me in.”

After running for supervisor four times but falling short, Turnboo was voted into office in 2020, eking out a win over former Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott by less than 1% of the total vote.

The Somerset resident, 70 in June, was previously the owner of George’s Pit Shop auto repair in El Dorado and is the pastor of El Dorado Community Church. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School.

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies book two suspects on organized retail and grand theft charges after they reportedly left the Placerville Target with shopping carts loaded with merchandise Sunday afternoon. Courtesy photos

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

REMOVING LODGED POPCORN HULLS

We’ve all been there: the hull of a popcorn kernel gets stuck in our teeth or gums while munching this popular snack. It can often be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss, but what if it seems lodged in there for good? A popcorn hull that’s stuck in your gums is annoying and can lead to irritation, inflammation, and potentially a painful gum abscess. Unfortunately, saliva will not break down and flush out a popcorn kernel the way it can with other foods. Sometimes attempting to remove a lodged hull can push it further into your gums. Your dental hygienist can come to the rescue by safely removing the hull using a stream

of water or dental cleaning tool. We are all about the details. When you visit our office, we know that your dental health depends on our thorough attention to the many aspects of keeping your smile a healthy one. We know that dental patients put a great deal of trust in their providers and expect compassion, integrity, and excellence in the care they receive. You’re sure to find that and more here at our offices. Hours by appointment.

P.S. Keep travel-sized dental floss in your wallet or purse for those times away from home when you get food stubbornly lodged in your teeth or gums.

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

Some of the stolen items recovered out of the suspects’ vehicle included toys, pet food and beauty and cleaning supplies.

Our budget process has become a quagmire

Drafting state budgets in California was once a fairly straightforward exercise in fiscal politics.

The governor’s budget gnomes could fairly accurately predict how much tax revenue would be generated over the forthcoming fiscal year, particularly since most of it would come from taxes on retail sales, a stable base. An initial budget was issued in January and it would be revised in May after the April 15 deadline for personal income taxes provided more specificity. Legislative leaders of both parties huddled, sometimes with the governor, and a final budget emerged.

Letters to the Editor

Climate change column

EDITOR:

Scott Taylor claims in his letter that the Mountain Democrat was spreading misinformation by publishing our article on climate change that is based on peer reviewed research. He states that thousands of scientists have published volumes of research that climate change is real.

co-signers and seemed destined for quick passage. “Not so fast,” said Senate GOP Leader Bill Frist. Mitch McConnell, Frist’s eventual successor, had convinced Frist that immigration reform was good national policy, but bad politics.

Immigrants and their families are generally compassionate and empathetic to the plight of the helpless and the dispossessed — a core Democratic constituency. Why should Republicans help Democrats solve an issue that will, eventually, produce Democratic voters?

SUMMARY

Yes, there were some conflicts. Budgets took two-thirds votes of both legislative houses so the final product needed bipartisan support. Republicans, usually in the minority, would sometimes withhold votes until their demands were met. Over time, however, the budget process became a political quagmire, in part because the ideological divisions in the Capitol became more pronounced.

As Democrats drifted to the left and Republicans to the right, what once was collegial sparring became holy war. But that was not the only factor.

As California’s array of services expanded so did the number of budget stakeholders seeking larger pieces of the pie or protecting what they had. The field of play became immensely larger after voters passed Proposition 13, the iconic property tax limit, in 1978 and the state became the basic financier of schools and a big factor in local government budgets.

The pie itself changed. The importance of sales taxes in the revenue stream gave way to dominance by personal income taxes, which are inherently less predictable, particularly since most are paid by relatively few taxpayers in upper income tiers.

As Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget proposal notes, “California’s progressive tax system, where

■ See WALTERS page A5

Guest Column

We don’t dispute that climate change is real — but it’s not controlled by greenhouse gases. Atmospheric pressure and solar radiation control the climate and we have the data to prove that, as stated in the article. The IPCC has no proof that greenhouse gases are changing the climate. In fact, Steve Koonin’s states in his book, “Unsettled”, the IPCC climate models are worse now than they were in 1960 and that there is no proof that CO2 is significantly impacting our climate.

Would Mr. Taylor like to produce a formula that actually calculates the temperature of the Earth based on a CO2 warming model? Probably not, because it doesn’t exist. Who are the scientists that have reviewed Dr. Nikolov’s work? The same ones who are funded by the U.S. government to prove that CO2 causes warming?

Mr. Taylor claims validity because thousands of scientists have published greenhouse gas-based articles on climate change. Note that this model is based on basic gas law physics and the Stefan Bolzman law that have been known for over 150 years.

Most scientists didn’t believe in quantum mechanics in the early 20th century because Newton’s laws were violated. They didn’t believe Galileo when he wrote that the earth revolved around the sun not vice versa. The greenhouse gas theory of warming is the biggest hoax in human history, according to MIT Professor Richard Lindzen.

DARWIN THRONE El Dorado Hills

The gift that keeps on giving EDITOR:

In 2005 Sens. Ted Kennedy (D) and John McCain (R) introduced The Orderly Immigration Act. It had several GOP

During the Trump administration, while it also controlled both Houses of Congress, the GOP was forced to “do something.” It chose building a $45 billion wall and acting tough by separating parents from their children and housing them in immigrant “Guantanamos.” Today, there are still more than 1,000 children who have not yet been reunited with their parents.

The Kennedy-McCain bill died from Republican “poison pill” amendments that made it unacceptable to everyone. Republicans have yet to o er a permanent solution to our immigration problems and they never will because it’s a political gift that keeps on giving.

JOHN GARON Placerville

Looking for help (and politeness)

EDITOR:

Ihave sent three or four letters to El Dorado County Health and Human Services this spring to assure county sta that my situation has not changed and that I am still helping my husband care for his mother, who has dementia and has been receiving hospice care since September 2021, I believe. Neither of us is earning.

I have received three threatening texts regarding my medical coverage about the consequences if I don’t fill out and return the contents of a certain packet, which is promised but which I have not received. I spent a lot of time on a recent morning trying to speak with a person who works with HHSA without success. I was told by a machine that my case was now in Shingle Springs without any information about that o ce’s whereabouts.

■ See LETTERS page A5

Congressman Kevin Kiley is fighting for seniors

The past several years have been tough for California seniors and those on fixed income. Out-ofcontrol inflation, an ever-increasing cost of living and gas and grocery prices that always seem to be rising have left many struggling to make ends meet.

The reckless spending and higher taxes championed by politicians in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., are directly responsible for crushing Californians under the weight of inflation. Even worse, decades of federal spending binges have put critical programs our nation’s seniors rely upon — Social Security and Medicare — at risk of insolvency.

Our country is at a crossroads — continue down the same failed path and descend further into crisis or embark on a necessary course correction with sustainable fiscal policies — and many political leaders are asleep at the wheel. After advocating for seniors and working to

protect Social Security and Medicare for more than 30 years at the American Association for Senior Citizens, I was heartened to watch Rep. Kevin Kiley emerge as a key leader fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare in Washington and advocate for fiscally responsible policies that will finally get our debt under control.

Unlike many Washington politicians, Kiley recognizes that Congress must uphold its commitment to our nation’s seniors. He understands that Social Security and Medicare benefits are directly drawn from the contributions that seniors have made to those programs throughout their working lives. Rep. Kiley will vote against any cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits and is working tirelessly to ensure seniors receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Kiley’s o ce has been instrumental in helping seniors across the eastern Sierra and Sacramento region receive

For his leadership in fighting for seniors, I was proud to present Kiley with the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award on behalf of the American Association of Senior Citizens.

their Social Security and Medicare benefits, from navigating the government website to even helping seniors who have had their identity stolen. He is encouraging any seniors having issues with obtaining Social Security or Medicare benefits to call his o ce at (916) 724-2575 and his sta is standing by, ready to assist.

For his leadership in fighting for seniors, I was proud to present Kiley with the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award on behalf of the American Association of Senior Citizens. Leaders like Kiley are protecting critical programs like Social Security and Medicare from their biggest threat: out-of-control borrowing and spending that will drive them into insolvency and threaten the benefits of millions of seniors across America.

In fact, Kiley collaborated with his colleagues to pass the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 to set our nation back on a sustainable fiscal path. The act saves taxpayers $4.8

trillion over 10 years by restraining Washington’s spending habits and spurring economic growth, thereby reducing the threat to Social Security and Medicare.

This legislation is only Kiley’s latest step in fighting for seniors. He has been focused like a laser since day one on reducing inflation to ease the burden on those with fixed income.

Among other steps, in March he voted to pass landmark legislation, H.R. 1, that would lower gas and grocery prices, reduce utility bills and make everyday goods more a ordable.

California seniors deserve to live through their retirement with economic security. At a time when many politicians are putting that at risk, seniors have a leader delivering real results to improve their daily lives and a true champion in Rep. Kevin Kiley.

Saul Anuzis serves as the president of the American Association of Senior Citizens.

SAUL ANUZIS

The process of writing budgets for California’s state government has become a political quagmire.

DAN WALTERS

Walters Continued from A4 nearly half of all personal income tax in the state is paid by the top 1% of earners, has contributed to extreme budget volatility over the years.”

That volatility is the chief reason for the budget’s projection of a $31.5 billion deficit just 12 months after Newsom declared that the state had a $97 billion surplus and bragged, “No other state in American history has ever experienced a surplus as large as this.”

Not only have revenues become structurally less predictable, but they also have become subject to changes in national and global economies.

The revised budget’s deficit is projected even without a recession, but were there an even modest downturn — which many economists expect due to the Federal Reserve’s sharp hikes in interest rates to battle inflation — the state would take a big hit.

“Based on a moderate recession scenario in fiscal year 2023-24, revenues could decrease by $40 billion in 2023-24 alone, largely driven by losses in personal income tax,” the budget declares. “Revenue declines relative to the May Revision forecast could reach an additional $100 billion through 2026-27.”

Revenue declines of those magnitudes would quickly consume the state’s seemingly hefty “rainy day” reserves.

Budgets no longer require two-thirds legislative votes and Democrats have overwhelming legislative majorities but that, ironically, is another

complicating factor.

Periodic revenue surges, such as last year’s $97 billion paper surplus, whet appetites of Democrats’ allies, such as unions and social welfare and medical care advocates, for additional spending and generate resistance when times get tough.

Newsom’s budget would put the brakes on spending, including clawing back some appropriations from last year. Advocacy groups are leaning on friendly legislators to do whatever is necessary to keep the money flowing, including tax increases and/or tapping into the reserves.

One-party control of the Capitol may change the specifics of fiscal politics, but doesn’t make them any simpler.

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

Letters Continued from A4

I am 81 years old and do not text nor plan to. I can read them, however, and staff is to be congratulated on their unpleasant tone. Surely there must be someone in this outfit who communicates well. How do I find them?

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

Veterans, military can explore state parks for free

California State Parks

News release

California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans and active and reserve military members by offering free admission to 130 participating state park units on Memorial Day – Monday, May 29. The list of participating park units can be found at parks.ca.gov/MemorialDay2023.

Local parks include Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the Auburn and Folsom Lake state recreation areas, California State Railroad Museum and Emerald Bay State Park.

“State Parks invites these brave people and their families to enjoy the beauty, peace and rich history of their public lands,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Thank you for n See State parkS, page A7

Food bank Continued from A1

honor the food bank for its 23 years of service to the community.

“What the Food Bank of El Dorado County does for our community is simply amazing,” Patterson states. “They are more than just a food bank for folks needing help to feed their families but also an emergency resource center that is critical to residents of El Dorado County when facing a hardship that goes beyond food.”

The food bank team works to provide the region emergency food assistance for residents struggling to make ends meet. The food bank collaborates with 30 partner agencies to provide a safety net for friends and neighbors who may find themselves in times of need. The collaboration efforts result in thousands of pounds of food for thousands of local seniors, children and families, according to a Food Bank of El Dorado press release.

The food bank also came to the aid of those impacted by the Caldor and Mosquito fires and aided others during the inclement weather earlier this year.

Executive director of the Food Bank of El Dorado County Mike Sproull and everyone else at the food bank shared their sincere gratitude for being recognized with a nonprofit of the year award. Sproull insists the award belongs to the county as a whole, thanking the thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters who pitch in to make the food bank what it is today — El Dorado County’s largest collaborative charity.

People interested in collaborative community service are encouraged to reach out to the food bank for more information at info@foodbankedc.org.

PUZZLE

JOE DEENEY

51 Incinerates (“To a Mouse”)

52 Dubrovnik

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

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country

Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at

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 fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of

eL DOrADO cOUNty

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

race car in Tulsa, Okla.’s Chili Bowl in January, driver Ashton Togerson has returned to racing with wins in the micro ranks and his first winged 360 sprint car checkered flag Saturday night at Placerville Speedway.

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Ashton Torgerson speeds to first sprint car win

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Glendale, Ariz., driver Ashton

Torgerson showed his mettle Saturday night at Placerville Speedway, making a move by Tanner Carrick with less than 10 laps remaining to secure his first career winged 360 sprint car triumph.

Sharing victory lane with the 16-yearold were Placerville’s Shane Hopkins with the wingless tour, Lincoln’s Dan Brown Jr. with the late models and Auburn veteran Thomas Arbogast with the pure stocks.

Torgerson has returned from the Chili Bowl incident to snag multiple wins in the micro ranks but Saturday’s score was his very first aboard a sprint car, which came in his 13th career start. The first couple circuits in the 25-lap winged 360 finale saw Luke Hayes and Stephen Ingraham battle it out before contact brought out a caution.

Lincoln’s Carrick inherited the lead and most people likely thought it would be game over in the feature however, when the green flag waved again Torgerson hounded the rear tail tank of Carrick’s machine, as the pair put on an entertaining show for fans.

Torgerson got the run he wanted up high off turn two with 17-laps complete. Torgerson went on to accept Ron Stahl’s checkered flag for victory at the helm of his No. 02 machine. Carrick came home second, followed by 15th-starting Shane Hopkins. Elk Grove’s Bubba Decaires and 13th-starter Michael Faccinto of Hanford rounded out the top five.

In the wingless sprint cars Petaluma’s Nick Robfogel occupied the pole in the 25-lap contest and led the first couple circuits before Mark Hanson was able to slip by on lap three and hold command until lap eight, when Placerville’s Hopkins jumped to the lead.

Early on the bottom side was the place to be but Hopkins and Stockton’s DJ Johnson moved up top and found immense speed. Johnson methodically picked off cars running the ragged edge of the bullring, slicing his way into second with 14 down. He then went to work on Hopkins and nipped him at the line to lead lap 15, only to have the No. 21 get back by shortly after.

The following lap saw Johnson’s thrilling run come to an end when he caught the turn four cushion just hard enough to send him around and bring out a caution. The final laps saw Oakley’s Jacob Tuttle hound the leader but Hopkins hit his marks and crossed the stripe for the big triumph. Tuttle, Hanson, Robfogel and 16th-starting Jarrett Soares rounded out the top five.

In the late models Lincoln’s Dan Brown Jr. picked up the victory.

Current point leader Ray Trimble held command on the opening lap until Brown took the lead on lap two.

Jinkerson moved into second at the halfway point and looked to find a way by the No. 15. Brown would not be denied on this night however, as he crossed under the checkered for his n See speedway, page A7

Speedway Continued from A6

14th career late model win at Placerville Speedway. Jinkerson, Trimble, Matt Micheli and Rod Oliver rounded out the top five.

After taking 10 years off behind the wheel of a race car Auburn’s Thomas Arbogast has returned to show some definite speed. On Saturday it all came together as he took the lead on lap 11 and never looked back. Camino racer Kenny Bernstein started from the pole and looked impressive early on, holding the rest of the field at bay.

Arbogast made the move by just after the halfway point and once up front pulled away to a sizeable lead at times

State Parks

and crossed under the checkered for the win over Kevin Jinkerson, Ryan Peter, point leader Nick Baldwin and Bernstein. Placerville Speedway goes dark for Memorial Day weekend but comes back with a double header June 2-3.

The 32nd Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial kicks off with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour headlining Friday and concludes with the Northern Auto Racing Club 410 Sprint Cars on Saturday. Both nights showcase the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association. Seating is reserved each night with tickets available at placervillespeedway.com

Continued from A5

sacrificing so much for your nation, for your families and for our freedom.”

Veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct to receive free admission.

Assembly Bill 150 (Olsen), signed by Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in 2013, authorized California State Parks to offer veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel from the U.S. Armed Forces and the National Guard of any state a reduced or free day use at participating state parks.

State Parks is reminding the public

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

that there are other free passes available including the California State Park Adventure Pass for California fourth-graders and their families. Since the three-year pilot program began in 2021, almost 37,000 fourth-graders have signed up for their free Adventure Pass that allows them and their families free access to 19 select state parks. There is still time to sign up. This year’s fourth-graders have until Aug. 31 to enjoy their Adventure Pass. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass and about other free passes available at parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.

Station 88 Continued from A1

includes a five-year service extension agreement with Cal Fire — July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2028 — during which time Cal Fire would operate out of Station 89 on Country Club Drive using a nineperson staffing model (one three-person engine company with a staffing factor of three — three crew members per seat working three-day/72 hour shifts) and keep ambulance service in the district. The board did vote 4-0 to approve the contract for ambulance service as a separate matter. Director Monique Scobey was absent.

The agreement also calls for the browning out of Station 88 on Alhambra Drive, though it’s noted in CPCSD General Manager André Pichly’s report that grant funding could temporarily reopen the station if applications in process are successful.

The three-person per engine staffing model has become the industry standard and ideal to adequately respond to emergencies, fire officials at the meeting agreed. Director Eric Aiston noted that each firefighter cost approximately $250,000 per year, covering salary, benefits, etc. The district doesn’t have enough money to add additional staff beyond what’s in the proposed contract as, even with the cost savings included by utilizing the nine-person staffing model, the CPCSD faces an anticipated budget gap of more than $275,000 between the fire services’ projected revenues and expenditures in fiscal year 2023-24. That deficit grows wider through the life of the five-year contract extension.

But residents demanded and pleaded — find the money.

“I want safety over recreation,” Tina Shaw said, sharing that she had a house fire a few years ago and was grateful for the three engines that showed up to douse the flames.

“We need to look at different ways to keep this fire station open,” District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo told the board. “If that means tightening your belt, tighten your belt. Public safety is your No. 1 priority.”

“Losing an engine company will cost lives,” stressed Paul Gilchrest, who serves on the El Dorado County Fire Protection District Board of Directors and launched in 2016 the Greater Cameron Park Area Fire Safe Council.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

Speakers also noted the impacts Station 88’s closure would have on other fire districts.

EDC Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, a Cameron Park resident, admonished the board for not reaching out sooner to neighboring departments, saying, “They need time to plan.”

“Removing one engine will impact the entire fire system on the West Slope,” El Dorado Hills Fire Chief Maurice Johnson said. He stressed the departments will “step up” when called upon but it will be a challenge for everyone.

“We do not care about the boundaries; we’re there for our people,” El Dorado County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Tim Cordero said, adding the advice that the Cameron Park board needs to listen to its residents.

In a letter shared with the Mountain Democrat, president of the Rescue Professional Firefighters Association Brett Jones noted the Western Slope Cooperative Fire Services Mutual Aid Agreement was created to ensure a closest resource dispatching model for fire, rescue or medical calls but is “not a giveaway program.”

“By fire districts continuing to close stations and relying on smaller agencies like Rescue to handle emergencies for which they are not compensated, the larger agencies are in violation of the mutual aid agreement,” he wrote.

Rescue Fire Department board member Matt Koht, who spoke at the May 17 meeting, echoed those sentiments and added that Station 88’s closure “will break the rest of the departments around you.”

Several speakers also pointed out that browning out Station 88 would negatively impact residents’ ability to get and/or afford fire insurance on Cameron Park’s north side.

CPCSD directors and Cal Fire staff stressed browning out the fire station is not an action anyone wants to take but members of the public urged them to take a close look at the numbers and CSD budget before making a final decision. Pichly is expected to bring back hard numbers related to other CSD expenditures and revenue during the as-of-yet unscheduled special meeting.

Rattlesnake

Avoidance For Dogs

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

June 24–25, 2023

You’ll be at the clinic site approximately 40 minutes

Cost $90 Per Dog

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

n TODAy

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Marketers impose pressures, deadlines and unnecessary signals of alarm to get people to “act fast and buy now while supplies last.” Don’t worry, the opportunity at hand is more available than they’d have you believe.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There are a variety of reasons people insist on making simple things more complicated: boredom, procrastination, a need for attention and more. Try to address people’s underlying needs and surface problems will magically dissolve.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll employ many mystical senses to pick up on what’s going on in a relationship. You’ll use your sixth sense, third eye and a listening and feeling ability that picks up not only sound but soul resonance.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Remember that fear is a response happening inside you, not a dictate or definition of how things really are. Fear is only what you think, not what is. Write or talk your fear out and you’ll diffuse it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Relationships get better because you make efforts to make them better. Forget about life’s pesky details and focus on creating a bubble of “together time” that shuts out the rest of the world.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your best idea will be off the cuff, a side note or a joke. As you let playfulness and creativity run rampant in your mind, you’ll bring joy and levity to many.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your work is an extension

of you. It can serve as a mirror to help you see parts of yourself that would be invisible were they to stay tucked inside your psyche without a means of expression. What you make will help you grow.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Frustration, untended, could turn to anger. One way to defuse it is to take away the time frame. Without the limitations and urgency that time imposes, a sense of relief and ease will settle in.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Be the first person to arrive on the scene if you can because there will be many advantages for the early birds. Your options will be better and you’ll wind up in a position of leadership too. If you don’t know what your advantage over the competition is yet, now is a good time to figure it out.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Even though you don’t think you know more than anyone else about what it means to be human, there are those who seek your council and will follow every bit of advice you offer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When you feel yourself taking things in too serious a direction, you can lighten up the whole mental screen with music, entertainment, a treat, a walk or a stretch. Being good to yourself isn’t always fun, but some of the time it should be!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The way you approach the day’s tasks will defy conventional wisdom. You have no problem capturing and holding people’s attention. Success depends on knowing what to do with it after that.

The names of the four countries where these postcards came from are hidden in the letters that form the border at left and right. To find out the names, circle every third letter–starting with the starred one in each row of letters.

Look through the newspaper for names of 10 different cities. Arrange these words in alphabetical order.

Standards Link:

Spelling: Arrange letters in alphabetical order.

Activities on today’s page were adapted from the National Geographic Society’s educational materials.

The Olympics encourage people around the world to be friends. And there is always something special about getting a postcard from a friend who lives in another place.

Kid Scoop just got some postcards, but the senders forgot to say which country they were writing from. Can you use the geography clues to find out which country each card is from?

Follow the maze to find out how to say hello in each country.

“Marhaba” (

hat do dogs “say”? In English we imitate them by saying, “Bow wow!” People in other countries have their own ways to copy the sound a dog makes. Can you find each of the dog sounds in the word puzzle?

is spelled around a corner.

Sports Stars of the World

Would you like a pen pal from another part of the world? Visit kidscoop.com/ this-week-in-kidscoop/friendsaround-the-world/ to discover links to web sites that set up international penpal friendships for kids!

This week’s word:

INTERNATIONAL

The adjective international means relating to two or more nations.

An international group of students came on an exchange program during the summer.

Try to use the word international in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Postcards from Home

Look closely. Only two of these suns are exactly alike. How quickly can you find them? Have a friend try. Write an imaginary postcard telling about the town where you live. Or write a real postcard and send it to a friend or family member.

© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 30

They’ve got game

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

GAME ON — El Dorado County Probation Department staff go up against the Gold Country Golden Eagles in a basketball game at Lord’s Gym in Diamond Springs May 17. The Golden Eagles are a team of El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep students who want to learn how to play basketball, or for those who couldn’t play in high school, to give them a platform to build confidence and equal competition amongst themselves. Tracy Bunch, who manages the at-promise basketball nonprofit organization, collaborated with probation staff for a community-building competition to help break stigmas around probation officers and their assistants. The Golden Eagles players, ranging in age from early to late teens, outhooped the probation all-stars team this year in the fourth-annual game and were awarded an honorary trophy at the end of the game. Family, friends and community supporters came to cheer on both teams.

$900K in PG&E grants to support ‘Nature Positive’

News release

OAKLAND — The PG&E Corporation Foundation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company are now accepting applications for their Better Together Nature Positive Innovation and Resilience Hubs grant programs totaling $900,000 this year for projects and initiatives dedicated to environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

For 2023 the PG&E Foundation’s Better Together Nature Positive Innovation grant program will award up to $500,000 total — in five $100,000 regional grants — to fund projects that address the focus areas of land stewardship, air quality and water stewardship, according to a news release.

One grant will be awarded for each of the five regions of PG&E’s service area: North Valley and Sierra, North Coast, Bay Area, South Bay and Central Coast and Central Valley. This is year two of a three-year commitment to fund up to $1.5 million in projects supporting environmental stewardship.

Resilience Hubs Grants

The PG&E Resilience Hubs grant program is designed to help communities create a physical space or set of resources that supports community resilience — such as access to power, shelter and information — to climate-driven disruptions, including wildfires and public safety power shuto events. Once developed, these “resilience hubs” can also be accessed year-round as a community resource.

For 2023 the PG&E Resilience Hubs

grant program will award $400,000 total in grants at both the $25,000 and $100,000 level. These grants will be funded by PG&E Corporation shareholders as part of PG&E’s investments in statewide wildfire resiliency and response, in accordance with a mandate from the California Public Utilities Commission.

“These two focused grant programs are designed to help the hometowns we serve meet the challenge of climate change and be stewards to our environment by developing unique, sustainable and equitable strategies that communities across our state can learn from and replicate,” said Carla Peterman, executive vice president of Corporate A airs and chief sustainability o cer for PG&E Corporation and chair of the board of PG&E Corporation Foundation.

Priority for both grant programs will be given to projects that address the needs of disadvantaged and/or vulnerable communities.

Better Together Nature Positive Innovation proposals may cover any stage of an environmental stewardship project, including but not limited to planning, construction, design, education and coordination.

To be eligible, applicants to either program must be a governmental organization (including tribal governments), educational institution or nonprofit organization. The deadline to apply for both grant programs is June 30. Learn more about the Better Together Nature Positive Innovation grant program at bit.ly/PGEbettertogether. Learn more about the Resilience Hubs grant program at bit.ly/PGEresiliencehub.

The Golden Eagles players celebrate their win.

The El Dorado County Probation Department team and the Golden Eagles pose for a photo after the match.

In the KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Laura Cahill, an English major from Cameron Park, who was named to the Bob Jones University Spring President’s List and recently graduated magna cum laude.

Congratulations to Mason Welch of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Belmont University Spring Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Stephanie Barreto and Hamza Malik, both of El Dorado Hills, who were named to the Southern New Hampshire University Winter Dean’s List, and Chloe Mead and Cassandra Carvin, both of El Dorado Hills, who were named to the SNHU Winter President’s List.

Congratulation to Alexandra Nichols of Cameron Park, who was named to the Trine University Spring President’s List.

May 24

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking luncheon beginning at 11:30 at Los Pinos in Cameron Park. Guest speaker will be El Dorado County Fair CEO Kathy Dunkak. To register visit sscpchamber.org/ mixers-luncheons.

Shane Q performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 6-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

El Dorado Musical Theatre performs “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” May 24-28 at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Strawberry Music Festival, a multi-day, family-friendly campout set on the Nevada County Fairgrounds, takes place May 24-29. For tickets and more information visit strawberrymusic.com.

May 25

Arts and Culture

El Dorado hosts a conversation with artists Marisa Sayago and Sigrid Benson, now showing at Antepasados: Those Unseen, 6 p.m. at Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in Placerville.

Jesse Jennings JJS performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

May 26

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

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Jack Russell Farm Brewery in Camino, 6-8 p.m.

Red Hawk Casino + Resort hosts live music at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Audioboxx (rock) May 26 & 27.

Pacific Crest Academy prepares students for bright futures

Noel Stack Managing Editor

Spending hours in the fast-paced environment of an emergency room, hearing cries of the injured and watching the steady hands of nurses and doctors helping them — all this solidified one thing for Pacific Crest Academy junior Sofia Frost. She wants to be a nurse.

Since the start of the spring semester the 17-year-old has spent five or six hours a week shadowing Marshall Hospital emergency room staff as part of PCA’s internship program, which sends students into the real world to get on-the-job learning experience.

“This gives students the ability to try something before they commit to it,” explained Leslie Redkey, PCA’s director of education options and innovations.

PCA’s goal is to have each student participate in at least one mentorship/internship experience during high school, Redkey added.

“Every student who does an internship is so glad.”

Sophia raved about the opportunity, telling the Mountain Democrat she really enjoyed observing the ER staff, getting to know patients and asking a lot of questions. “It really solidified the idea of going into nursing,” she shared — though her area of focus has shifted. She had

originally envisioned a career as a pediatric nurse but after spending a few months in the ER, now wants to make that her focus.

Now it’s time to look at colleges — Sophia has her sights set on Southern California.

And while Sophia basks in the sunny glow of her future, fellow junior Ethan Bain continues to explore options after his internship at the El

Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, where he helped staff with research and sorting old case files.

“It definitely gave me some interest, not specifically in law, but in public service,” the 17-year-old shared.

He said the experience was both valuable in terms of planning a future career and building relationships. The DA’s internship landed him

an interview for the opportunity to intern at Sen. Marie AlvaradoGil’s office. Will voters one day see “Vote for Bain” campaign signs?

“I’ll see how that goes,” Ethan said with a public service smile. “It could be possible in the future.”

PCA has about 100 students on its campus next to Union Mine High School in El Dorado. In addition to the internship

program, the school hosts a spring career day that brings together students and professionals who teach them about their jobs and opportunities within their organizations. This year representatives from the USDA Forest Service, Sweet Pairings Bakery, Marshall Medical Center, SAFE Credit Union, El

n See AcAdemy, page B5

School administrators get top marks

Dina Gentry EDC Office of Education

The Jack Russell Farm Brewery buzzed with excitement as Association of California School Administrators – El Dorado County Charter members gathered May 2 to recognize outstanding educators for distinguished service to their students, schools and communities.

The awards ceremony began with a welcome by Chuck Palmer, the charter’s president, who highlighted the dedication and commitment

of all the educators across the county. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of teachers, administrators and team members who go above and beyond to ensure their students receive the best possible education.

“El Dorado County is blessed to have so many committed professionals who have dedicated their lives to serving the students and families of our community,” Palmer shared. “ACSA is proud to be able to recognize these fine individuals and is thankful for all our administrators, teachers, and staff who pour

their hearts and minds into their work.”

Award winners

Mark Koontz, Black Oak Mine Unified (Classified Management)

Kellee Sellwood, Buckeye Union (Confidential)

Spencer Moen, Camino Union (Classified Management)

Nancy Lawrence, El Dorado County Office of Education (Administration)

Christopher Moore, El Dorado Union High School District (Administration)

Shannon Daniel, Gold Oak Union (Classified Management)

Robin Smay, Gold Trail Union (Administration)

John Simons, Lake Tahoe Unified (Administration)

Tracy Pearson, Latrobe School District (Confidential)

Tina Kayne, Mother Lode Union (Confidential)

Lyndsie Nestor, Pioneer Union (Confidential)

Mary Ann Meyers, Placerville Union (Administration)

Pat Atkins, Pollock Pines (Administration)

Levi Cambridge, Rescue Union (Administration)

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Elizabeth Vetica with Marshall Medical Center talks to students about careers at the nonprofit healthcare organization during Pacific Crest Academy’s Career Day.

Courtesy photos

Mary Ann Meyers, director of Special Programs at the Placerville Union School District, above left photo, holds her award during photo op with PUSD Superintendent Eric Bonniksen. At right, Marina Village Middle School Principal Levi Cambridge, left, poses with Rescue Union School District Superintendent Jim Shoemake after receiving his award.

Women’s Fund gives to nonprofits, students

News release

Eight nonprofit organizations received a combined total of $100,000 from Women’s Fund El Dorado at its annual Grants Gala held at the Cameron Park Community Services District May 4. This annual event was attended by about 175 people who gathered to hear about how their donated funds were used in 2022 and to learn which nonprofits had been selected by the members for their 2023 grants. WFED is a collective giving organization that combines donations from its almost 400 members. These are leveraged in the form of grants that support community philanthropy to enhance the quality of life on the Western Slope.

In her opening remarks, WFED Chair Ann Curtis introduced the Inspiration Grant recipients for 2022 and was also excited to announce that WFED has a new committee devoted to working out the logistics for a pilot program for multi-year grants.

The two Inspiration Grant representatives spoke about how their projects are progressing.

Lori Scoville of Snowline Hospice reported the support from Women’s

Fund El Dorado for its in-home palliative care for advanced dementia patients program provided the springboard needed to qualify for a national grant in which Snowline will partner with other healthcare professionals in the county.

Jennifer LaForce from Only Kindness spoke to the changes made in the lives of women and children experiencing homelessness by working with those at risk of homelessness, those needing prevention assistance and those in need of temporary emergency shelter.

The 2023 Inspiration Grants were awarded to two organizations. Housing El Dorado received a $25,908 grant to jumpstart its cottage/accessory dwelling unit project. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra received $26,000 to support Bigs in Blue, a program that partners local youth with first responders.

Impact Grants of $8,000 each were awarded to three nonprofits on the Western Slope. CASA El Dorado received this grant for supporting young victims of child abuse and neglect in the community, as well

n See Grants, page B7

GE locomotive rolls into Shingle Springs depot

News release

The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation of Santa Clara County has transferred ownership of a GE 65-ton center cab diesel locomotive to the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation of El Dorado County.

The locomotive, which arrived at EDWRR’s Shingle Springs Depot May 18 after a long journey from the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, features the center cab full-view design, two Cummins Diesel six-cylinder engines power electrical generators and traction motors geared to all four of the wheel axles. This powerful set up is designed for slow-speed pulling and movement of heavy rail cars. The locomotive is equipped with its own air brake system, a mechanical hand brake system and automatic train air

brake system.

Built by General Electric in 1941, this locomotive was sold and delivered to Kaiser Cement at its Permanente Ridge aggregate mine near Cupertino to assist in developing concrete materials for Kaiser Steel and Shipbuilding infrastructure sites. The locomotive worked at the Permanente Ridge plant between 1942 and 1997, was stored in a secured location and then moved in 2015 to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

El Dorado Western crews will clean, inspect, service and prepare the locomotive for operation in passenger excursion operation, historical rail operations interpretation and fire fuel management safety along the rail corridor. The El Dorado Western Railroad is a program of the El Dorado County Historical Museum.

Courtesy photo

The GE 65-ton center cab diesel locomotive safely arrives at the Shingle Springs Depot last week. The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation of Santa Clara County donated the lomotive to the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation of El Dorado County.

Grow for it!

California native plants

Do the bright green leaves of buckeye bring stirrings of spring?

Do lupine blossoms remind you of hiking your favorite trails?

Did you get to see your favorite wildflower during this year’s super bloom? What a unique experience it is to live in California — the state with more plant species than any other state. California is considered a biodiversity hotspot, which means that many of the animal and plant species found here are not found anywhere else on Earth (conservation.org/priorities/ biodiversity-hotspots). California’s native plants offer many benefits to the home gardener.

Benefit No. 1: Native plants provide a sense of place.

Whether it’s the sound and surprise of California poppy seeds bursting from the pod, the smell of California sagebrush or the memory of sitting under your favorite blue oak — native plants often provide a sense of place. This sense of place, according to Tim Cresswell, human geographer and poet, “may provide feelings of

meaning, purpose, connection and stewardship.” The home gardener can creatively and deliberately use California native plants to establish their own unique sense of place.

Benefit No. 2: Native plants are already adapted.

California native plants are adapted to our soils and to the hot dry summers. As we continue to face wildfires, drought conditions and climate change, California native plants are more likely to have deeper, more substantial root systems that can regenerate; require less water; help with erosion control and do well without the use of fertilizers. You can learn more about this at the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners website (ucanr.edu/sites/ MontereyBayMasterGardeners/ files/306816.pdf).

Benefit No. 3: Native plants support native wildlife.

Since California native plants coevolved with native wildlife species, local plants provide nesting materials, shelter, pollen, nectar and other food sources for wildlife. As the

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Heidi broadbent

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Photo by Summer Brasuel

California native plants have many benefits and some flowers, like the poppies and lunges, add stunning color to any garden.

behavioral Health welcomes the

an important time to promote mental wellness for all.

during a special community open house, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 31, at 1900 Lake Tahoe Blvd. The event will include special guest speakers, informational tables and resources and light refreshments.

“Everyone is invited to the open house,” said Chris Kernes, deputy director of El Dorado County Behavioral Health. “We’re inviting the general community, agency partners, community nonprofits and others who have an interest in mental health and wellness. This will be a great opportunity to meet someone new, learn about local resources and raise general awareness about behavioral health in our community.”

— Chris Kernes, deputy director of El Dorado County Behavioral Health

“Studies show that nearly one in five people experiences mental illness and reports needing mental health support at some point in their lives, but many don’t seek help because of perceived stigma or fear,” Kernes explained. “One of our goals is to encourage people to learn more about mental health and substance use disorders, to reduce the social stigma by normalizing the conversation around seeking help. Seeking help when you need it is actually one of the most loving and healthiest things you can do for yourself.”

For more information about the event or general information about Behavioral Health services in South Lake Tahoe call (530) 573-7970. To reach Behavioral Health staff on the West Slope of El Dorado County call (530) 621-6290. For crisis services call (530) 544-2219 in South Lake Tahoe or (530) 622-3345 on the West Slope. Additional information about the services of Behavioral Health can also be found online at edcgov.us/ mentalhealth.

Mental Health Awareness Month is

“Seeking help when you need it is actually one of the most loving and healthiest things you can do for yourself.”

Two paws up for Ash the Fire Dog and his mission

News release

The Rescue Fire Department recently announced Fire Capt. Brett Jones and Aja Marquis have been recognized for their exceptional work with Ash, the department’s peer support therapy dog in training, at the 2023 Hearts 4 Heroes Gala.

The annual Hearts 4 Heroes Gala, held May 12, celebrates the outstanding work of first responders in the community. This year’s gala focused on recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the mental health and wellbeing of local first responders.

Jones and Marquis have played a vital role in supporting the mental health of Rescue Fire Department personnel through their work with Ash the Fire Dog. Ash is a therapy dog in training, providing emotional support to firefighters and other first responders who

may be struggling with the emotional toll of their work.

Since 2022 Jones and Marquis have worked tirelessly to ensure Ash is available to provide support whenever needed. Their dedication and hard work have helped to create a supportive and

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Dorado County Office of Education, Purvis Welding and several county government departments participated. Redkey said the school is always looking to diversify and add to its internship and career day programs.

“The more options we have the more students can get involved and try something new,” she stressed. For more information about how to get involved visit pacificcrest. eduhsd.k12.ca.us or contact Carol Pesce at cpesce@eduhsd.net.

caring environment within the Rescue Fire Department, ensuring all personnel feel valued and supported. For more information about the Rescue Fire Department and its work with Ash the Fire Dog visit rescuefiredepartment. org/ash-the-fire-dog.

bargain book sale benefits the Pollock Pines Library

News release

Avid readers and bargain hunters alert — the Pollock Pines

Friends of the Library book sale takes place 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, May 26, in the Safeway breezeway at 6498 Pony Express Trail.

For $5 shoppers can fill a bag with their favorite genres and look forward to months of fabulous reading. Selections run the gamut from romance to non-fiction and everything in between.

“Our team has been careful to select a wide variety of books from hard cover to paperback,” FOL Board President Karen Duncan said.

“Mystery, romance, children’s books and plenty of nonfiction ... we’ve truly got something affordable and interesting for every

taste.”

Duncan and other library volunteers hope people will flock to the event with Safewaysize bags in hand or, to further support the library, purchase a larger Pollock Pines Library reusable book bag for $5.

Major book sales are usually held twice a year. The book sales are critical to supporting

biodiversity in California continues to decline, providing both native plants and resources for native wildlife help stabilize and improve local ecosystems.

Benefit No. 4: Native plants support native bees and other pollinators.

An important subset of California’s native wildlife species are the native bees and other pollinators. We rely on bees to pollinate crops for our food supply. A UC Cooperative Extension article from 2011 states, “Researchers have found that in addition to the economic benefits of pollination, animal pollinators provide up to 40 percent of some essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary lipids provided by fruits and vegetables.” The home gardener can be deliberate about planting natives that will attract native bees and other pollinators to their garden.

There are several sources for learning more about California native plants including Calscape (calscape. org), which sorts plants into various categories; Calflora (calflora.org), which helps you discover and learn more about native plants; and the UC Davis Arboretum All-Star Plant Database (arboretum.ucdavis.edu/ plant-database), which aims to

the historical library on Pony Express Trail. Proceeds are used in a variety of ways — purchasing needed equipment, library improvements, buying new books, etc. Money raised from the annual book sales is the library’s only fundraising source to purchase new books, Duncan stressed.

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conserve water and benefit native species.

May you enjoy the benefits of California native plants.

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Master Gardeners will offer tours, answer questions or guests can just enjoy the garden during weekly open garden days on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information about the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

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

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

BUSINESS FOR SALE Turn-key established coffee roasting facility with espresso café and retail store in Cameron Park. Includes coffee roasting, packing equipment, espresso café equipment, retail coffee merchandise, and book of business of loyal customers. Sale price is $59K CASH. I will only speak and divulge records with people that are serious and show proof that they have

Help WAnted

Administrative Specialist

The Mountain Democrat is seeking a candidate for the position of administrative specialist. The right person needs to be proficient in accounts receivable and accounts payable. Additional responsibilities include processing payroll, account invoices, banking needs, collecting expense data and other general office tasks. Must be comfortable working in a deadline oriented environment and provide friendly customer service to both internal and external customers. Excel and Word experience a plus. The Mountain Democrat — 2889 Ray Lawyer Drive Full time position — Monday thru Friday 8-5 p.m. Hourly position with paid time off and holidays. Medical benefits available. Pay based on experience.

Please email your qualifications and cover letter to: Rpietrowski@mtdemocrat.net

(No telephone calls or walk-ins accepted.)

The City of Placerville is currently accepting applications for the position of full-time Assistant Finance Director. Annual salary range: $96,312. – $117,060. Please visit the City’s website at: www.cityofplacerville.org for a detailed job description and to apply online. Applications may also be picked up at City Hall, 3101 Center Street, Placerville, CA 95667. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled.

Starting

Click

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

Starting Hourly Rate: $20.47

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1762538

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

■ SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

Gardener Continued from B3

Courtesy photo

Fire Capt. Brett Jones, Aja Marquis and Ash the Fire Dog received a special award for their dedication to the well-being of Rescue Fire Department personnel.

Courtesy photo

Friends of the Library are ready to help avid readers fill their book bags at the May 26 sale in Pollock Pines.

Ponté Palmero is a full-service resort-style retirement community that allows you to invest your retirement in making new memories with new friends while being free from home maintenance, routine chores, and meal preparation. Our community offers a number of apartment home options to choose from. Some options include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments with private baths and individual climate control. Many units include spacious patios and balconies.

Residents can expect features such as anytime dining, as well as signature dishes with wellrounded food choices. After a satisfying meal, step on over to our movie theater or join in one of our daily activities or tness programs - there’s no shortage of things to do!

Weekly housekeeping and linen service relieves you of the burden of household chores, and our care professionals are available to assist with activities of daily living or administer medications. Make the most of your vitality and independence!

• Spacious oor plans

• Full kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances

• Washer and dryer in your unit

• A robust activity calendar and transportation program

• Attached garages for every apartment and house

• Pet-friendly retirement community with NO pet fees! Dog walker available for additional fee.

PET FRIENDLY

HipNosis mesmerizes The Green Room once again

Stacey Vreeken

Special to the Mountain Democrat

HipNosis – fronted by a tight, powerful horn section and soaring, soulful vocals – is showcasing some new songs by Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt and others at its Friday show at The Green Room Social Club. The concert begins at 7 p.m. May 26 at 251 Main St., Placerville.

Although these musicians are newly arranged as HipNosis, they have experience in bands that area residents have danced to for decades. This set of all-stars has shared the stage with some of the greats in modern music history.

At this latest show, HipNosis premieres “Love Letter” by Bonnie Raitt, “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” by Randy Newman and Joe Cocker and “My Old School” by Steely Dan. A special arrangement of “What You Won’t Do for Love” will celebrate the life of Bobby Caldwell, who died in March 2023.

HipNosis is the vision of multiinstrumentalist Bob Hansen, who has played with numerous local bands, including Aftershock, Late for Dinner, The Pickups and the Deb Smith Band. For Hansen, the band is a culmination of 45 years of music, realizing his dream of pulling together the best artists and using his artistic vision to guide and provide unique arrangements of classic danceable songs.

“I’ve played in an uncountable number of different groups over the years,” said Hansen, who remembers performing at the El Dorado County Fair, Wagon Train, and countless events with the Deb Smith Band back in 1980s and ’90s. Smith is a vocalist with HipNosis as well as continuing her own solo work.

“We owned the gig and loved the

Grants Continued from B2 as addressing the root causes of this abuse. A second Impact Grant was awarded to Hands4Hope for its project that empowers youth to make positive change during challenging times. The third was awarded to El Dorado County Fire Safe Council for its program to develop defensible space around seniors’, veterans’ and low-income families’ homes.

Additionally, three Acorn Grants of $8,000 each were awarded to nonprofits that have never been issued a grant by Women’s Fund El Dorado. These were issued to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home for improving infrastructure and meeting rising costs at the county’s only perinatal extended residential program. Hands and Hoofs received $8,000 for its work in providing opportunities for youth to connect with horses, nature, discover Miwok culture and be creative through hands-on art projects. The third Acorn grant was awarded to the El Dorado Chapter – National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for its program that offers equine-assisted psychotherapy for women living with

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“In addition to this very important investment in books, FOL has used funds we raise from our sales for additions like a new modular reception desk, plus materials for the popular STEAM Program for children and much more,” she added.

Established in 1951, the Pollock Pines Library is small but very active branch of the El Dorado County Library system. Librarian Kris Spiegelberg recruits special guests

Talented musicians have come together to form HipNosis, now celebrating its first anniversary.

music,” said Hansen.

“I know how well Deb sings,” he continued. “I knew she would add a new, special sound to this group. Having a female vocalist in the Hipnosis really expands our musical possibilities. She’s always ready to go and works really hard.”

When Smith moved to Washington for a time, Hansen found, “Aftershock was really a dream for me. It got me back into playing sax. And the jazz fusion pulled me back to my roots. It was a home-grown El Dorado County band, not dissimilar from HipNosis.”

Aftershock was where Hansen got his taste for arranging classic tunes and new music, producing a CD for the band. It also gave him a taste for working with excellent players and planted the seed for HipNosis.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a time to hone horn skills and plan the next moves.

This band is based on “these interesting arrangements. People will recognize the songs. At the

PTSD and related mental health diagnosis.

The evening also provided WFED’s Education Committee with the opportunity to recognize recipients of its Wickline Scholarships, which help women overcome challenges and return to college. Nikki Kimbrough received $2,000 to complete her educational specialists credential program through the Sacramento County Office of Education. Katrina Fontaine received $2,000 to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications science and disorders from California State University, Sacramento. Batya Copley received her second Wickline Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to continue her education at Chamberlain College of Nursing to become a registered nurse. Machaela Melrose will use her grant of $2,000 to obtain her real estate license and real estate appraiser license through McKissock Learning. Maria Lutri received a $1,000 award to continue her education at Folsom Lake Community College.

For more information or to join WFED visit womensfundeldorado.org.

and develops activities for local patrons. The summer is particularly rich in offerings for school-age children and presentations by local authors and topic experts to interest adults. See the libraries website at pollockpineslibrary.org for this summer’s events and to learn more about the Pollock Pines library or to become a member. For more information email pollockpinesFOL@ gmail.com.

Public Notices 

same time, they will be surprised and excited about how different they sound. All played by the absolute best performers I can find,” explained Hansen.

“We’re not just covering great horn tunes but going beyond. I spend a lot of time researching material and put charts together for the whole band. We leave standard arrangements behind and play in a unique brandnew way,” he said. “These excellent allstars have really gone for it.”

The vibe is more concert-like, less bar band.

Arrangements highlight sections of the band, solo passages and feature different members of the band on different songs.

“It’s unique material and a different approach that is very rare in Northern California. We’re hoping it gains traction,” Hansen added.

Gerald Jonutz, a saxophone pal from Aftershock, brings a long history of performance in the region. “He’s always excited, always positive, always

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Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Cabaret,” May 26 through June 25. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Living History: Snowshoe Thompson at 7:30 p.m. in the Boathouse Theatre. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

May 27

The Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce presents Cardboard Boat Racing at the community pool. Bring your boat at 1 p.m. and races start at 2 p.m. For rules and more information visit cameronpark.org/cardboardboat-racing.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “The Voice of the Prairie,” May 27 through June 25. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

KNUF performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Hangtown – Sierra Cluster is a series of three dog shows hosted by the Hangtown Kennel Club of Placerville, May 27-28, and the Kennel Club of the California Sierra, May 29, at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Find full event details at hangtownkc.org.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Intro to Linoleum Cut Printmaking at 10 a.m. in the Grand Hall. To sign up and for more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Living History: Donner Party Survivor James Reed at 3:30 p.m. in the Boathouse Theatre. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

May 28

The El Dorado High School Jazz Band performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 2-4 p.m. For tickets and

pushing forward,” said Hansen.

Jonutz has backed Lydia Pense and toured with some of the greats in modern music history.

Another Aftershock alum, guitarist Bill Vallaire, “is an amazing musician, comfortable with anything you want to throw at him,” Hansen shared. Vallaire, who has his own recording studio in Cameron Park, brings his experience performing in the San Francisco Bay Area with the late Sista Monica and Blues at Eleven.

Vocalist and keyboardist Aaron Gayden “has got a huge amount of experience. He just soars with these vocalizations and scats like a crazy man,” the band leader said, explaining he thinks they share the same mindset with the new arrangements of classic tunes.

And it’s all held together by drummer Rob Ringger and bass player Peter Mancini. Ringger, a multi-instrumentalist, contributes to arrangements and runs Ringgerstudios with his wife Brooke, a vocalist.

Mancini brings the funk to the band “and comes on super strong,” said Hansen, who points out how talented Mancini is in multiple genres. “He’s a really wonderful anchor.”

Horn players Paul Simmons on brass and vocalist Martin Beal round out the band.

HipNosis is a collection of pros, many of them band leaders, all contributing to the music, making it a collaboration of excellence.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Hansen shared. “We come out of rehearsal and I just sit back and think, ‘I can’t believe what’s happening.’ That joy and excitement in the band really connects with the audience and is what makes the whole experience truly special.”

For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

more information visit clubgreenroom.com. Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Red Rooster Burgers & Brew in Garden Valley, 5-8 p.m.

June 1

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

New Beginnings Gold Country hosts the fourth annual Fashion Show Charity Gala, 6 p.m. at Serene Ranch in Placerville. Dress in Western wear for an evening of food, fashion and fun. For tickets and more information visit newbeginningsgoldcountry.org.

The Just Exactly Perfect Music Festival takes place June 1-4 at the South Fork of the American River. For tickets and more information visit jepfest.com.

Now

Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Not Worth Their Weight in Sterling” or “Are You Worthy?” through June 11. For tickets and more information visit oldecolomatheatre.com.

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Live on the Boulevard free concerts every Thursday (no show June 30). Set up begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

El Dorado County Certified Farmers Markets have begun Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; and Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

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The Horse Resource

The Sanctuary: HartSong Ranch provides a platform to observe firsthand the way farm animals behave when they are not expected to be used for milk, meat or labor. We allow the animals living within our gates to simply be and, as a result, connect to one another and humans with an awe-inspiring sense of calm and trust.” Come to meet these remarkable beings! Schedule a fieldtrip/tour by calling us today.

We pull senior dogs (15+ years) scheduled for euthanasia from high kill shelters. They are immediately placed into loving, warm “fospice” homes (foster + hospice) until they take their last breath. Our mission is to make the last days/years of a senior pup’s life the best they have ever known. HartSong covers all expenses. Please consider becoming a fospice care provider.

HartSong pulls from high-kill shelters –those that are never allowed on adoption room floors due to failed temperament evaluations. They are immediately placed into loving foster homes, allowed time to decompress and then once ready, placed up for adoption.

Donate: HartSong Ranch is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. 100% of donations go to the best possible care of the sanctuary animals, the pups of the UnderDOG Railroad and the senior dogs of Ethel’s Mission, and future rescue efforts. This is made possible only through the generous support and financial donations of our caring donors. Please consider donating today to help HartSong continue its mission.

Blind Ciara and little blind Deli

Ziggy

Charlie