Community Action Council looking for more volunteers

News release

The El Dorado County Community Action Council has several member vacancies, including those within the Low-Income and Community Sector Membership categories. The Community Action Council is seeking to fill the member vacancies with individuals who can represent the interests and concerns of people and families with low incomes living in El Dorado County, with a special focus on housing, nutrition and low-income program needs. Priority will be given to individuals or representatives of community organizations who demonstrate a commitment to advancing the purposes and activities of the council. The deadline to submit a member application for the Community Action Council is July 14.

The Community Action Council acts in an advisory capacity to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency about the needs of the community relating to human services for low-income residents of the county. The council provides for the collaboration of local government, private organizations and residents serving the most vulnerable populations.

Representatives of community agencies that serve El Dorado County’s low-income residents are encouraged to apply. These are volunteer, unpaid positions. Meetings are held in Placerville.

To receive a member application for the Community Action Council contact Star Walker at (530) 621-6255 or send an email to star.walker@ edcgov.us.

Day hiker

Stevens Trail South (Iowa Hill side)

Stevens Trail from Iowa Hill is a history lesson and an adventure.

Like the more popular Stevens Trail North out of Colfax, both share a rugged trail along the canyon wall with views of the North Fork of the American River. Both host waterfalls and both end at the river. Unlike the Colfax side, the Iowa Hill side takes you to the historical mining town of Iowa Hill.

The Iowa Hill “store” offers a trail guide dog, whether you want one or not. The historical monument tells the story of the toll bridge run by Stevens that was the center of the 10,000 residents, mostly miners, who lived there during the Gold Rush.

The trail is 4.5 miles, no matter what the sign says. It features the shady side of the canyon, making for comfortable summer hiking; the trailhead is on the side of the “store.” Head out on the path and once off the goals.

From car shows to parades, Shriners look for ways to engage the community, both to increase awareness of the specialty health care that Shriners Children’s provides and to raise money to support that care.

Shriners often participate in local parades, like the Historic Folsom Downtown Parade or El Dorado Hills Santa Parade hosted by the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. They’ll tell you they love watching families smile as they drive their go karts, ride in historical fire trucks or dress up as keystone cops or clowns.

More than hats

“When we tell people we’re Shriners, they’ll often say, ‘Oh, you mean those guys with the red hats?’” said Don Kilmer, potentate, similar to position of president, of Ben Ali Shriners. “And we say, ‘Yes, that’s us!’”

The red hat with the black tassel is one of the fraternity’s most distinctive symbols. Derived from the city of Fez, Morocco, the hat was chosen as the official headgear of the fraternity to complement the organization’s pomp and pageantry, theme, ceremonies and events.

Each fez is personalized for the wearer. Information on the fez includes the chapter he belongs to and any positions he holds, and memberships of clubs or units. It is worn at all official Shriners events.

“When you wear a fez, it’s a reminder of the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. We wear these with pride,” said Kilmer.

Acting on principles private property you are on public land. One section is maintained by BLM. The rest of this trail is overgrown with brush. Downed trees litter the trail. I found soft spots on the path in spring where I expected the trail to fall into the canyon at any time. Parts of this narrow and overgrown trail have fallen into the canyon making a hiker climb the canyon wall to pick up the trail on the other side. Slick mud and slippery rocks are also hazardous and there’s plenty of poison oak. This trail is moderate to difficult depending on your skill level. It isn’t the elevation change (2,297 feet); the poor maintenance and areas

Shriners was a new fraternal order when, in the late 1910s, a polio epidemic swept across the United States and it was apparent that many children were going without appropriate care. The Shriners committed themselves to making care more accessible to all kids.

On May 12, 1922, thousands gathered to witness the placing of the cornerstone of the first Shriners Children’s hospital in Shreveport, La.

Over the past century Shriners Hospitals for Children, commonly referred to as Shriners Children’s, has become one of the largest pediatric sub-specialty healthcare systems in the world with locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The health system includes hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations.

The Ben Ali Shriners dedicate their time and financial support to the Shriners Children’s Northern California hospital.

“We are very proud of the medical team at Shriners Children’s Northern California,” said Kubel. “The team of physicians and surgeons are recognized worldwide as leaders in their field and the medical teams are renowned for providing patient-centered care.”

Shriners Children’s Northern California’s Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute is one of the world’s most advanced burn research and treatment centers.

In addition to the advanced burn care provided to patients, the institute participates in groundbreaking research ranging from molecular and requiring rock hopping and free climbing make it challenging. Hike at your own risk.

If you are still reading, let me tell you about the two waterfalls at the half way point.

Tucked into a shady corner, the moss, fern and wildflowers are a paradise. Frankly, you could stop here, enjoy a picnic lunch, listen to the water flow, take a hundred pictures of the cell biology to clinical research and prevention identification. It also offers expansive educational opportunities for medical students, residents and fellows. Medical professionals at the Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute advocate for continued advancements in burn care, ongoing support for burn survivors and improved burn prevention legislation.

In addition to burn care, Shriners Children’s Northern California is recognized for making industry advances in orthopedics, rehabilitation and plastic surgery. Its medical professionals are well known for their care for kids with hand and limb differences, colorectal and gastrointestinal conditions, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Making a difference

While Shriners are committed to one another as fraternal brothers, they also are committed to the mission of improving health for all kids.

“It’s important to be part of something larger than yourself,” said Kubel. “We’re here to make a difference in this world and there are thousands of families in this region that count on us.” flora and fauna and call it your half way point.

For details visit shrinersinternational. org/en or shrinerschildrens.org/sacramento.

If you continue, on a nice early spring morning, another taller waterfall greets you not far beyond the first. Still further along is a bench overlooking the river far below. Wildflowers in spring and succulents growing on the rock face are consistent companions along the way. The final stretch is finding a way down to the water’s edge.

Granite boulders are much more treacherous than the sand beach on the other side. But the view of the river is just as amazing. I would never take new hikers or children on this trail.

Only those who have to say they have been there need to hike Stevens Trail South.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on

The new Rose expressed her thanks to her family, friends and the pageant committee after receiving the title. She will be joined by new court members Coco DeCarlo and Carole Perusse.

Prior to the naming of the 2023 Rose, the crowd inside Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County

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

Fairgrounds was treated to musical numbers performed by Perusse, who got several in the audience out of their seats and dancing along, and the Gold Rush Chorus. 2022 El Dorado Rose Sherry Phillipsen shared highlights from her year as El Dorado County’s ambassador and other past Roses were noted and applauded.

Family Law Facilitator/Research Attorney (.5FTE/.5 FTE Full Time Equivalency) or emailed to the General Manager at ajenkins@gdrd.org NOW HIRING ASSEMBLY WORKERS $200 SIGN ON BONUS AFTER 90 DAYS Apply at5480 Merchant Circle, Placerville, CA 95667

Calaveras County Superior Court Salary Range $103,860.43 - $126,239.32 annually

Job details and application instructions are available at https://www.calaveras.courts.ca.gov Under General Info, Career Opportunities.

Please submit required documents to hr@calaveras.courts.ca.gov

Final filing deadline date: June 28, 2023