Garden Valley burn planned

Mountain Democrat staff

The Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit will conduct a prescribed burn and live fire training burn near Garden Valley today.

The burn is scheduled from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., dependent on any restrictions set forth by the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District and favorable fire weather conditions, states a Cal Fire news release.

The burn is planned in the area of Bacchi Ranch near Garden Valley. Smoke is expected to be visible from the communities of Coloma/Lotus, Cool, Garden Valley, Greenwood and Georgetown.

Cal Fire o cials note the objective is to burn approximately 140 acres of open grasslands to continue the reduction of fuels in the fuel break and increase fire protection. This burn also aims to provide firefighters the opportunity to train and accrue live fire experience while learning safe, e ective fire suppression techniques.

Personnel with the Garden Valley and the El Dorado County fire protection districts will also assist.

Cal Fire prescribed burns are evaluated hourly on the day of the burn, utilizing a checklist that is based on weather, resource availability and incident activity, according to the news release. If burning conditions become unfavorable for a safe, controlled burn, operations will be immediately stopped.

Walters Continued from A4 travel or living expenses forfeited pursuant to this subdivision shall be paid retroactively.”

The legislative pay language was included to persuade voters that lowering the vote requirement was a good thing because it would prevent long stalemates by punishing lawmakers for failure to meet the June 15 deadline.

The language was tested a year later when the Legislature passed a budget, but newly inaugurated Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed it as being unbalanced and state Controller John Chiang suspended legislators’ paychecks, declaring that parts of the budget were “miscalculated, miscounted or unfinished.”

Chiang’s actions incensed lawmakers and they later obtained a judicial ruling that the Legislature itself is the only authority on whether its budget satisfies the June 15 deadline. Thus, the Legislature can merely pass a bill it labels as a budget by that date, regardless of its content, and continue to be paid.

That is what happened last week.

On June 11 two measures, Assembly Bill 101 and Senate Bill 101, were amended to become identical budget bills and legislative leaders declared their intent to pass one or the other and send it to Gov. Gavin Newsom by midnight Thursday, the June 15 deadline.

The timing is dictated by another constitutional requirement that a bill be “in print” at least 72 hours before passage.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Tony Atkins described it in a joint statement as “a two-party agreement on a balanced and responsible budget,” adding, “we are continuing to negotiate and make progress on three-party final budget.”

There were significant di erences between the two houses earlier in the budget cycle that apparently have been reconciled. The legislative leaders didn’t o er any details, but they really don’t matter because passing a bill, any bill, is just a drill to meet the June 15 deadline.

“As in years past,” the two leaders said, “once an agreement is reached between the Legislature and governor, amendments to this budget bill will be introduced to reflect such an agreement.”

That will be the real budget, whenever it occurs.

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

I return to the words in our Constitution’s preamble that say it is about securing “the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

What does this mean?

It is very nice talking about wokeness and the border and debt. But it has been too long since the American people were drawn into a discussion about the nation’s principles and ideals and what these mean for our lives and future.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”

Announcements

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

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

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

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

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., 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

Day Hiker

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 8am-10am 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

Wheelbarrow races Continued from A1

the Men’s Championship, saw a familiar face on the podium.

Zachary Schnetz claimed backto-back victories after winning 2022’s event “It was super fun. I’m kinda glad its over, I was super nervous,” Schnetz said. “I really look forward to this year round.”

Schnetz fell behind Hudson Eymann in the early obstacles before Eymann was involved in the biggest crash of the evening.

Eymann was pushing his wheelbarrow across a log bridge when his wheel got caught in a divot and sent him and his wheelbarrow flying.

“I was feeling very confident. This was my first time participating and I was racing against the guy who gave me all the tips, (Zachary) Schnetz,” Eymann said with a laugh about his race. “I was hoping I could land (the crash) — definitely did not.”

Eymann completed the race and came in fourth but was disqualified due to losing much of his ore in the crash.

Confusion came in the Old Timers’ Race. Reigning division champ Brian Veerkamp, also a record holder in the Men’s Championship, took an aggressive lead on the field, which he held before reaching an obstacle in the middle of the course.

Veerkamp skipped the obstacle, further extending his lead. Steven Costa, in second place, continued on through the obstacle and remaining racers followed Costa’s lead.

Race officials and Veerkamp conferred after the skipped obstacle was brought to their attention. Veerkamp told the Mountain Democrat he understood that the senior race course did not include the obstacle as it had been left out in previous years.

But it seems pre-race instructions may have been as clear as the mud in Deep Creek.

“The pre-race leader had to be questioned on a few occasions and clarity for all was difficult due to four different race group participants walking at same time (and) discussing the layout for the four groups,” Veerkamp explained.

Placerville Kiwanis, which was responsible for putting on the event, issued a statement Monday admitting fault for the confusion of the specific obstacle. It reads, in part, “There was miscommunication to some of the racers. That was an error by one of its members, which Kiwanis regrets.”

“Brian was prepared to disqualify himself even though he followed the designated course,” noted race committee member Paul Zappettini. “(Costa) told us that if he didn’t make weight, it would be unfair to disqualify Brian. (Costa) failed to make weight. So, with that understanding, there was no point to changing the results. That is what actually happened. Placerville Kiwanis apologizes for the issue.”

After much deliberation, Veerkamp was named the winner and awarded the $200 prize. When Veerkamp raced in the Men’s Championship race later in the evening he completed the obstacle. One of the closest finishes occurred in the second biggest field, Teen Boys. Nathan Schnetz flew out of the gate and held a comfortable lead through the first few obstacles, opting to carry his wheelbarrow over obstacles. Despite this, John Hoel slowly made up ground before overtaking Schnetz in Deep Creek. Brock Buak also managed to catch up with Schnetz with a diving effort across the finish line.

The smallest field of the night — Teen Girls — saw a pair of Rothmans take home the two cash prizes. Sisters Bethany and Hannah won the $100 first-placeand $50 second-place prizes, respectively.

Violet Forma took home the $100 prize for the Youth Girls division for a second straight year and Sawyer Anderson claimed the prize in the Youth Boys division

2024 will see the 80th anniversary of the wheelbarrow races as champions Veerkamp, Schnetz and Thornton all look to defend their titles.

Mountain

Pleasant Valley Grange No. 675 can claim bragging rights for the next year, as Emily Ellsworth’s pig was named Supreme Champion Market Swine.

Camden Scott sold his Champion Grange Pen of 2 Chickens for $1,500.

Jr. Livestock

Continued from A1 pound; at a weight of 265 pounds, the total ticket rose to more than $13,000.

“We would love to thank everyone that has helped him,” Trisha Gordon, Jace’s mother, stated.

Gordon’s hog was not the only one that raised money for medical bills; Dylan Brewster had previously announced his intent to donate all the money from the sale of his pig to the families of the young students struck while crossing the street in Pollock Pines in late May.

“My family gives back to the community a lot and I haven’t had a chance to do that,” Brewster said before the sale. “When I heard what had happened to those kids it was devastating. I knew that this was a way that I could help.”

The community responded to Brewster’s generous intentions with generosity of their own; by the time bidding came to a close his hog was one of the highest sellers of the morning, reaching a total of more than $58,800, according to Dylan’s mother Loni Veerkamp Brewster. One of the victims of the crosswalk crash was there in the crowd to witness the community’s show of love and support for him and his classmates, according to Loni.

Other exhibitors made their final appearances at the auction, as they will soon be college bound. Bryan Bloxsom showed for the last time with Union Mine FFA before he heads off to Montana State University to study ranching; his steer took the title of Reserve Supreme Champion and sold for $12 per pound; with the beefy bovine weighing in at 1242 lbs., Bloxsom raked in just over $14,900 — not a bad way to pay for some college supplies.

Union Mine FFA member Bryan Bloxsom made his final Junior Livestock Auction appearance Saturday, selling his Reserve Supreme Champion Market Steer for $12 a pound. Bloxsom will be going to Montana State University to study ranching.

Even potential buyers who found themselves outbid left the fair knowing they’d done their part.

“I didn’t win this year, but it’s OK,” one buyer said as he left the auction. “Getting some meat is only one small part of this. What the auction is really about is rewarding these kids for working so hard and hopefully helping the community too.”

2023 SUPREME CHAMPiONS

Shane Heywood, Union Mine FFA —

Supreme Champion Market Steer

Payton Steitz, Union Mine FFA —

Supreme Champion Market Lamb

Emily Ellsworth, Pleasant Valley Grange No. 675 —

Supreme Champion Market Swine

Olivia Rowlett, Ponderosa FFA —

Supreme Champion Market Goat

Gabriel Johnson, Ponderosa FFA —

Supreme Champion Market Turkey

Melanie Hellam, Latrobe Outlanders 4-H —

Supreme Champion Pen of 3 Rabbits

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You may not feel motivated to conform to an expectation, but it doesn’t mean you lack motivation in general. Your own projects are taking priority, and that’s how it should be right now. It only feels strange because it’s new.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Like a kid in a candy shop, you’ll be riveted by life’s enticements and overwhelmed by the sweet excitement. Like an adult in a candy shop, you’ve a full awareness that none of this is going to actually feed you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Gossip will make you uncomfortable. You’ve no desire to bond over a shared frustration and judgment of another person. You are loyal and will speak of those not present the same way you would if they were in the room. Make a mild excuse and leave.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The reason you’re mastering a skill so quickly is because you are genuinely interested in it. It’s more than a task; it’s a mission. People pay tuitions to learn this. You’re self-educated and you picked the right school.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Chitchat can make people feel comfortable, or have the opposite effect. It can signal confidence or insecurity. If you’re not sure how much to say, today it will be better to err on the side of mystery.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You know you’re loved, not just because of the hard evidence of people showing up for you, listening to you or celebrating you. You know from the feeling. You will succeed in giving this sense of security and belonging to others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some say taboos about money-talk are perpetuated by the wealthy who don’t want to share their secrets. Luckily, today you’ll find plenty of resources for open communication and getting your financial needs and questions addressed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t know how you’ll make it happen, but you won’t rest until you’ve tackled your to-do list. It’s all about the order. Whether building an empire or grocery shopping, the research and planning phase sets the stage for success.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You treat others well and are the kind of person they can rely on. You leave them looking forward to the next time your paths cross. For this reason, when your name comes up, the glowing reviews kick off.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Doing it yourself saves you money, gives you knowledge and puts you in a position of self-reliance. Your self-confidence runs true and deep because it’s not based on an outside rating but on what you can do and have done.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Even as you strive to improve, your best connections are the ones who celebrate you as you are. You’re more than your accomplishments and the mark you make on the world. You’re the artist, not the painting.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book: You smile when you’re not happy and happiness starts to happen. This is because a smile is a signal, not just for the rest of the world but for the wearer.