Grow for it!

What’s the buzz?

Mosquitoes!

Imagine this: It’s a beautiful clear evening in the foothills as you relax in your backyard with a beverage of your choice. All of a sudden you hear the irritating sound of a mosquito buzzing by your ear and then something settles on your arm. Ouch ... slap! You have just experienced a dreaded blood sucking mosquito bite. Only female mosquitoes require blood from vertebrates. They need this extra nutrition to nourish the large number of eggs they will lay in standing water. Obviously, humans are prime targets, but pets, livestock and wildlife are also fair game. Not just an itchy irritant, this bite could also transmit a number of diseases, including encephalitis, malaria and West Nile virus to humans and heartworm to our dogs and cats. Due to an excessive amount of rain this spring, we are in an extraordinary predicament. Lots of rain means lots of these buzzing pests this summer and fall. Standing water is the main culprit, but mosquito eggs are also resistant to drying and can remain dormant for months, or longer, until they are rejuvenated by more water. What can we do to minimize our current mosquito situation? There are a few basic steps that can certainly help. n See mosquito, page B5

Mosquitoes are a real ‘buzz’ kill when people try to enjoy the great outdoors. Plants such as citronella, basil, catnip, lavender, marigolds and peppermint act as natural deterrents.

First, be vigilant about eliminating standing water. Something as tiny as a bottle cap can be prime real estate for a female to lay her eggs. Tree holes and old tires filled with rainwater can also be a breeding ground. In your garden, make sure you constantly rinse and refresh bird baths. If you have a fountain, running the bubbler will help prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. Cover rain barrels and avoid a cluttered backyard, which may provide multiple water breeding sources. In water gardens and ponds consider adding fish to feed on mosquitoes. There are also biological control products called Mosquito Dunks that kill mosquito larvae, but are safe for people, pets and wildlife.

El Dorado County has an Environmental Management Department Vector Control Program. Its website gives some good tips to avoid mosquito bites, which include: draining standing water, avoiding going out at dusk and dawn, dressing appropriately with long sleeves and long pants, inspecting window screens for any holes and wearing a good insect repellent outside.

Know Continued from B1 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 gardening questions. Check the website before visiting at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a free concert featuring Grooveline, 7 p.m. at Community Park in El Dorado Hills. For more information visit edhcsd.org.

Myka Estates and 1850 Wine Cellars present a summer concert series — Wine • Dine • Vibe — in Apple Hill featuring great food and the following acts: Brisco County (July 14), TNTiki (Aug. 11), L84DNR (Sept. 22) and FBI Band (Oct. 13). For reservations visit 1850winecellars.com/pages/events.

The Ragged Jubilee will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

American Mile performs at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar in Placerville, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Daniel Champagne will perform at 7 p.m. The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Flatstick Pub and Tahoe Art League host the Battle of the Brushes fundraiser, 3-8 p.m. at Flatstick Pub, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 101, South Lake Tahoe. Competing artists will showcase their artistic talents and skills to battle it out for best design. There will be live music and various DJs throughout the event, as well as indoor golf, duffle board, fabulous food, $5 beers, refreshing drinks and more. For more information visit talart.org.

A schedule of superstar headliners will perform at the Harveys Outdoor Arena during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series

Acts featured: Sammy Hagar & The Circle (July 14), Dierks Bentley (Aug. 4), Foo Fighters (Aug. 10), Sam Hunt (Aug. 13), Darius Rucker (Aug. 19) and Kane Brown (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1). For tickets and more information visit visitlaketahoe.com.

July 15

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.

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee, every Saturday, 7-9 a.m.

Marquez Continued from B1 of money, sometimes, and people don’t have the means for it. Having a space where instruction and supplies and equipment are free during the class — that opens doors for people.”

Marquez plans to retiring from his county positions, but will continue to serve as director of the Center Street Gallery. Retirement will give him more time to focus on his own art and to expand the scope of the gallery’s service to the Native community. It will also give him more time to be with that community.

“I just love seeing people,” he said. “The elders come here and work on stuff and just talk and laugh for hours. It’s hard to have a bad time when they’re around.”

Mosquito Continued from B4 at Lions Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts.

Finally, if you are a gardener you should know there are a variety of plants and animals that can act as a mosquito repellents. Consider planting scented Pelargonium ‘citrosum’ or citronella plant, basil, catnip, lavender, marigolds and peppermint. These plants will not eliminate mosquitoes, but if you rub the leaves on your hands, mosquitoes may be deterred. Also, be sure to encourage birds and bats to your garden by providing a welcome habitat. You will be rewarded because they love to feast on those pesky, irritating adult mosquitoes. For more information check out the UCIPM link: ipm.ucanr. edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html. Enjoy a mosquito-free summer.

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.

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. Check the website for further information about the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

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.

Cars and Coffee EDH invites car people to meet up and hang out the first and second Saturday mornings of each month, 7-9:30 a.m., rain or shine, in the right-side parking lot of the Regal movie theater in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Everyone and every type of vehicle is welcome. The motto is “If it rolls, it goes.”

Carson Road Wineries hosts the Summer BBQ Series with grilled bites and great wines at Crystal Basin Cellars, Nello Olivo Winery, Findleton Estate and Myka Cellars July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16.

Local author Sandra K. Sullivan promotes her upcoming book, “Tales From The Golden State of Mind,” noon to 4 p.m. at Placerville Newsstand on Main Street in downtown Placerville.

Camino resident and British artist David Yapp will be exhibiting a selection of original oil and watercolor paintings, along with prints of his paintings at his home in Camino, July 15 & 16. Enjoy an artist’s reception with English afternoon tea and a Celtic Harp performance by Kaitlin Lubetkin. For more information visit davidyapp.com/show.

Gwinllan Estate in Fair Play hosts a South American Barbecue inspired by trips to Argentina, 3-5 p.m. RSVP by Friday, July 14. Call (530) 723-2879 or email info@gwinllanestate.com.

Come to historical downtown Placerville for Third Saturday Art Walk’s Dog Days of Summer event, 4-8 p.m. The free raffle prize this month is a dog print by artist Steve Ellenburg. All kinds of dog items are on sale at many of the retailers staying open late. Seven galleries are having one of the following: special discounts, anniversary celebrations, unique exhibitions, or demonstrations. Live music will be playing at The Wine Smith and at Green Room Social Club. Face painting will be in front of Placerville Art Gallery. See more details at the Third Saturday Art Walk Facebook page.

The Cameron Park Community Center presents a Dive-In Movie Bring your floaties to the CPCSD pool and watch “Grown Ups” at 8:45 p.m. Entry fee is $6 and free to annual pass holders.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “For the Love of Dog,” July 15 through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 524-2540 or visit stageatburke.com.

Loving’s Dead will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 9 p.m. to midnight. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Kirk Matthews Band performs at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar in Placerville, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Amador City hosts Dancin’ in the Streets parties, 6-9 p.m, with the following acts scheduled: On Air (July 15) and The Blowbacks (July 22). For more information visit the website, VisitAmadorCity.com.

Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band performs at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Fairytale Town hosts Mumbo Gumbo, 7-9:30 p.m. at Fairytale Town, at 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento. In addition to the live music, attendees can grab food from the Dish & Spoon Cafe and PFD Prime food truck on-site. For tickets and more information visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

July 16

El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St., beginning at 10 a.m. the first and third Sundays of each month. Trains leave on the hour 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Call ahead to ensure trains are running at (530) 663-3581.

Jazz Gitan will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 4-7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Shingle Springs Community Center hosts Ranch Days, 4-8 p.m., featuring a T-bone steak dinner, live country music by Colton Mountain, a raffle and more. For tickets and more information visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.org.

Now include:

Main Street Theatre Works presents “The Quest for Don Quixote” by Mark Brown and directed by Allen Pontes through July 15, at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre in Jackson. For tickets and more information visit mstw.org.

El Dorado Musical Theatre presents Disney’s “The Descendants: The Musical” through July 16 at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento presents “The Music Man” through July 16. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Seussical Kids” through July 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 3531001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Predictor” through July 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

The Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Pirates Too: The Captain’s Triangle” or “No Time for Lowtide” through Aug. 6 at the Coloma theater. For tickets and more information call (530) 6265282 or visit oldecolomatheatre.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.

The Placerville Main Street Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to dusk, in the Mooney Lot on Main Street. This market specializes in local fruits and vegetables, sustainable agriculture and community.

• Remotely monitoring the projects

• Periodic in-person visits

• Minor equipment maintenance including greasing bearings, clearing debris from screens and valves, and other similar activities.

• Logging plant data and communicating with our engineers. This position is suitable for retired individuals. No experience required (we will train) but the person must be reliable, have good transportation, and physically able to lift 40 pounds. The operator will be compensated on an hourly basis and have all costs reimbursed. The company pays for mileage at the maximum rate allowed by the IRS.

Contact Mark Henwood (916) 955-6031 markhenwood@

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2