Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, September 28, 2022

District 5 candidates field questions in Pollock Pines

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The El Dorado County League of Women Voters hosted District 5 supervisor candidates Brooke Laine and Kenny Curtzwiler Sept. 22 for a question and answer candidate forum at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines.

Both were given a chance to address some of the district’s biggest issues if elected Nov. 8.

Laine is a longtime El Dorado

County resident and former mayor of South Lake Tahoe. She spent 20 years running her family’s photography business and has experience in banking and business management.

Curtzwiler, another longtime county resident, is the owner of tree service contractor K & K Services and apparel company Lake Tahoe Ski Bum. He has run for supervisor before, losing to current District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel. He is also a 20-year veteran, having joined the

Diamond Springs park impacts considered

Eric Jaramishian

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has approved a preliminary

design for a community park in Diamond Springs. Concerns from residents and county leaders include tra c congestion and noise.

David Campbell, with the Roach + Campbell landscape architecture firm, introduced three concept plans for the park to supervisors last week after conducting various stakeholder and community meetings to gather public input.

Campbell’s sta determined Concept B was residents’ preferred option, which has soccer fields to the north and baseball fields to the

Nevada Army National Guard at age 31.

The following are the questions asked of the candidates and their responses:

Q: How do you balance the push for more housing while protecting the environment and addressing the limited water supply capacity?

Curtzwiler referenced a study done by the South Tahoe Utility District, which he said found the

MOSQUITO FIRE Forest Service seizes PG&E equipment

Noel Stack Managing editor

The U.S. Forest Service investigators tasked with determining the cause of the Mosquito Fire have taken possession of PG&E equipment.

“The USFS has indicated to Pacific Gas and Electric Company ... an initial assessment that the fire started in the area of the utility’s power line on National Forest system lands and that the USFS is performing a criminal investigation into the 2022 Mosquito Fire,” PG&E confirms in a filing to the California Public Utilities Commission.

“On Sept. 24, 2022, the USFS removed and took possession of one of the utility’s transmission poles and attached equipment.”

PG&E o cials had early made note of “electrical activity” that occurred close in location and time to when the Mosquito Fire began Sept. 6 in Placer County. At that time, the utility’s representatives noted they did not observe any damage or abnormal conditions to the pole or facilities near Oxbow Reservoir

or observe a down conductor in the area or any vegetation issues. The U.S. Forest Service placed caution tape around the base of a PG&E transmission pole, the utility shared in its Sept. 8 report.

The Mosquito Fire, as of press time Tuesday, burned 76,775 acres in El Dorado and Placer counties and was 85% contained; 78 structures have been destroyed with another 13 damaged. At one time nearly 12,000 people were displaced though all evacuation orders have been lifted. Some road closures remain in e ect. Visit edcgov.us/wildfire/ Pages/Mosquito-Fire. aspx for the latest information.

More than 1,200 personnel continue to tackle the blaze that continues to burn in steep and challenging terrain.

“... crews (continue) work on fire line construction, mop-up and suppression repair operations. Ground and air resources are utilizing direct engagement when possible along the eastern edge of the fire, including the steep

HEMP PILOT PROGRAM

Ag commission to cultivate zoning changes

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The El Dorado County Agricultural Commission will hold a meeting Thursday regarding an industrial hemp cultivation pilot program and to make changes in the county zoning ordinance to enact the program.

During the meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at 330 Fair Lane in Building A of the government center.

The amended ordinance will be sent to the Planning Commission for consideration Oct. 13.

The program would last two years, consisting of five or less licensed cultivators.

The county Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution of intent Sept. 20 to make amendments to the zoning ordinance to enact industrial hemp cultivation.

Hills

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Kenny Curtzwiler, left, and Brooke Laine participate in an El Dorado County District 5 supervisor candidate forum hosted by the El Dorado County League of Women Voters at Pinewood Elementary School in Pollock Pines Sept. 22.

Courtesy graphic

The 40-acre community park in Diamond Springs would go in along Oak Dell Road and include four ball parks, two soccer fields, two tennis courts, pickleball courts and a basketball court.

Dian Rae Graves

Oct. 18, 1933 – Sept. 4, 2022

Dian Rae Graves was born in Seattle, Wash. on Oct. 18, 1933 to Edwin and Helen Eckern. She was the oldest of two daughters. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1951. She graduated from Washington State College and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

On April 7, 1956, she married Warren Lee Graves in Seattle, Wash. They relocated to Livermore and Los Gatos for a short time until they settled into their home in Los Altos in 1965.

With loving hearts, Warren and Dian adopted their three children. Kirk Eaton Graves, Dara Lee Graves (Bellino) and Teresa Ray Graves (James).

Dian loved being a “stay at home” mother to raise their three children until she decided to go back to work as an o ce manager in the hotel industry in 1976 then worked for a law firm in Palo Alto.

Warren and Dian were active members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Mountain View for many years and were active volunteers servicing for those in need.

Upon retiring in 1991, Warren and Dian relocated to Georgetown, Calif. where they built their dream log home. They soon joined the El Dorado Sams RV group and spent much of their days creating friendships and traveling. They were active members of Faith Episcopal Church along with other social groups within the area.

After Warren passed away in September 2011, Dian continued with her social functions, going to church, senior lunches, and traveling and playing cards with friends.

Dian passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dian is survived by her children Kirk Graves, Dara Bellino and Teresa James (Ken), her grandchildren, Kyle Graves (Nicole), Cameron Graves (Hannah), Luke Heebner, Katie Graves and Kevin Graves, along with six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years Warren Graves and her sister Molly O’Leary.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park on Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. Her ashes will be interred at Chico Cemetery in the Eaton family plot.

If you are moved to make a memorial gift in Dian’s name, the family recommends Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County, or Faith Episcopal Church.

Chester “Chet” Riley Aug. 17, 1927 - Sept. 5, 2022

Chester “Chet” Riley was born Aug. 17, 1927 to James and Velma Riley in She eld, Texas. He passed on Sept. 5. He was 95 years old.

Chester is survived by his son Paul Riley, his daughter-inlaw Renee Riley of Cameron Park, and their children Shanon Riley and Je rey Riley; daughter-in-law Barbara Riley Schiavone of Placerville, and her children Robert Riley and Nicole Lane; and great-grandchildren Layla Riley, Addilyn Riley, Kevin Riley, Ryan Meyer and Makenzie Meyer. Chester was preceded in death by his wife Pauline Riley and son Kevin Riley.

Chester moved to Calif., as a child and as a young man served in the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II. Chester and Pauline were married in 1948 and enjoyed 63 years together. In 1967 they moved the family to Placerville where they had a small ranch on Green Valley Road. Chester worked for the Department of Fish & Game and retired after 31 years as the manager of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. After that Chester and Pauline traveled all over the United States with their motorhome and Baja VW. Chester will always be known for his exemplary character, true to his generation. He was a kind and loving man. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

The family will hold a private memorial at the Westwood Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. Cards can be sent to Chapel of the Pines, Placerville.

Howard Dewain (Dwain) Nebeker

Dec. 16, 1928 – Sept. 12, 2022

Howard Dewain (Dwain) Nebeker of Placerville, Calif. died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sept. 12. He was 93 years old.

He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Sharon Douglass Vogan Nebeker, four children, Joseph Sagun of Calistoga, Calif; Jacque Sells of Placerville, Calif; Carl Nebeker of Boise, Idaho; Carol Kramer (Robert Kramer) of Susanville, Calif.; along with adored grandchildren, many surrogate grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and his sister Venna Peavler. He was preceded in death by his beloved first wife, the mother of his children, Jacquelyn Marie O’Neal Sagun, and his two brothers Kenneth and Darrell Nebeker.

Burial and dedication of the gravesite will be held on Sept. 23, 2 p.m. at Green Valley Cemetery. A memorial service will follow on Oct. 8, noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road, Placerville.

Dwain was born Dec. 16, 1928 in Provo, Utah to Howard Alfonso Nebeker and Etta Lavern Swenson Nebeker. He grew up in the Star Valley area of Wyoming helping with the family’s farm; even at the tender age of 10 he was riding horseback working with his 12-year-old uncle to herd cattle from one feeding range to another. Following high school he attended Utah State University School of Agriculture in Logan, Utah graduating in 1954. While at the university he was part of the wrestling team and the ROTC. He then joined the U.S. Army with a commission as 1st Lt. assigned to the Engineering Corps at Camp Hale, Colo.

Upon discharge from military service Dwain found work with the Idaho State Forest Service and then the Utah State Forest Service. It was in Utah that he met his wife Jacquelyn, a widow with two children; they were married Aug. 23, 1958.

The family moved to California two years later where Dwain began a 30 plus year employment with the USDA Forest Service. He served in several districts within northern California filling many capacities including fire fighting, planting trees, snow surveying, harvesting pine cones either by climbing to the tops of very tall trees or reaching tree tops via helicopter in order to get the best seeds for reforestation. Dwain received many awards and commendations for exceptional work during his career as a forester. He was serving as a silviculturist with the Stanislaus County Division, Groveland Ranger District of the Forest Service when he retired in January, 1988 but continued to work with the department as an educator providing hands-on learning to school children regarding the value of reforestation.

Dwain was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as president of the first branch of the church in Groveland, Calif. where a building was rented in which to hold services. He was instrumental in making it possible to have an LDS chapel built in Groveland during his six-year tenure as branch president, thereby ending the necessity of renting. Over the years Dwain filled many church callings.

While working for the Forest Service in El Dorado County he lived with his family in Georgetown where he served as scoutmaster for his church. Dwain had many an adventure with those boys and loved to tell the stories. He maintained friendships over the years with several of the youth he worked with there.

Dwain was kind, generous, faithful, thoughtful, talented and loved greatly. The lives he touched are the better for having known him. He will be missed.

William (Bill) T. Ozawa, DDS 1942-2022

William (Bill) T. Ozawa, DDS passed away from cancer in August 2022 with his family by his side.

He earned his DDS at University of Southern California in 1965, finished his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in 1970, and later became a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

He moved his family from southern California to Placerville because of his love for the outdoors and established a successful oral surgery practice. Over the years, he cared deeply for his patients and became a treasured member of the community. He retired from oral surgery in 1998.

As an avid fly fisherman, Bill’s favorite part of retirement was being able to regularly say that he’s “gone fishing!”

He will forever be remembered for his commitment to his patients, his wholehearted philanthropy, and his love for family, friends, and fly fishing. He is survived by wife Elaine, daughter Nikki, son Scott, and grandsons Toshiro and Takashi Ozawa.

In lieu of flowers, please help the family honor Bill by donating to either Snowline Hospice or California Fly Fishers Unlimited in his memory.

Clayton Wesley Dawson

Dec. 12, 1933 – Aug. 29, 2022

Clayton Wesley Dawson went to be with the Lord peacefully at the age of 88, on Aug. 29, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He had participated in a three year long clinical trial for a new Alzheimer’s medication and selflessly made the decision to donate his brain for further study in hopes of a cure one day.

Clay was born on Dec. 12, 1933 in Oakland, Calif. to Cli ord and Dorothy Dawson, the first of three boys. He graduated from Fremont High School in 1952 and in 1954 he married the love of his life, Eleanor Doerfler, at the age of 20. He served in the Navy from 1956-59. In the next four years Clay and Ellie had three children: Cherie, Mark and Dan. Clay worked as a machinist before being hired by the city of Alameda Fire Department in 1967. He earned the title of captain before retiring in 1988. Upon retirement he moved to Placerville, Calif., to build his dream home and live out his life where he had such fond childhood memories spending summers with his grandparents. Clay was a devoted Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved to volunteer in his church and community, was very generous, a fixer of all things. Some of his passions included his beloved wife, family, small planes, welding, building homes, dark chocolate and skiing.

Clay is lovingly remembered by his wife Eleanor Dawson; his son Mark Dawson; his daughter Cheryl Zimbrich (John); his daughter-in-law Michele Peters (Sam); his grandchildren Joshua Zimbrich (Jillian), Nicole Zimbrich, Danielle Martin (Cecil) and Scott Dawson (Raelynda); his great grandchildren Maverick Martin and Eleanor Zimbrich; his brother Lowell Dawson (Judith); his sister-in-law Heather Dawson, and many nieces and nephews. Clay is preceded in death by his son Daniel Dawson; his parents Cli ord and Dorothy Dawson; and his brother Dallas Dawson.

Clay will be honored with a Celebration of Life service at First Lutheran Church, located at 1200 Pinecrest Court, Placerville, Calif. The service will be held on Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association or NAMI El Dorado County would be appreciated.

Walter J. Miller

Apr. 17, 1933 – Sept. 14, 2022

Walter J. Miller passed away Sept. 14, in El Dorado Hills, at the age of 89. Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y. to Charles E. and Dorothy A. Miller, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles E. Miller and sister Dorothy M. Olsen.

Having earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University in 1954, he moved to Long Beach, Calif. and worked for Shell Oil briefly before joining the Navy in 1955 and becoming a naval aviator. Following his 4 years in the service, he re-joined Shell Oil as an engineer. An interest in the law diverted his engineering career, and he left to pursue a degree in law from University of California, Los Angeles Law School. After passing the bar exam, he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s O ce in 1968. In 1974 he went into private practice, but preferring to work in prosecution, he accepted the position of Chief Assistant District Attorney of El Dorado County in 1979. Following the death of District Attorney Ron Tepper in 1989, Mr. Miller was appointed District Attorney and was elected to the position in the following term. He served as El Dorado County District Attorney until his retirement in 1994.

A man of many talents and interests, retirement did not slow Walter down. He gave of his time and talents volunteering in the Master Gardener program, the Placerville Library and the Lions Club. He enjoyed tennis and golf with friends, woodworking, gardening, painting and fly-fishing. In 2020 macular degeneration left him legally blind, but his avid love of reading and learning continued to be satisfied by Audible Books. Complications of Parkinson’s Disease ended his life.

Walter will be remembered by his family and many friends for his intelligence, sense of humor, generosity, integrity and the respect with which he treated everyone.

He leaves behind brother Richard J. Miller, 10 much-loved nieces and nephews, and his loving partner of 22 years, Kathryn Hall. At his request there will be no service. He will be interred privately at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery and a celebration of life will be planned for a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the El Dorado County Library, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Eugene R. (Ollie)

Olivier

Sept. 17, 1947 - Sept. 17, 2022

Johanna and Raymond Olivier, of Stickney, S.D., brought Gene into this world on Sept. 17. He grew up in Stickney, working on the family farm and later moved to California when he was 17. Gene was known to many as Geno, Ollie, Pa Gene, Popa and Pops. He is survived by his wife, Madiliene; son, Robert Olivier of Oakdale, Calif.; daughter, Jolene (Jimmy) Trulli of Placerville, Calif.; son, Heath Cantrell of Auburn, Calif.; sister, Nancy (Chuck) Vandever of South Dakota; brothers, Rodney (Marlene ) Olivier, of South Dakota, David (Nancy) Olivier of lowa, Calvin (Jeannie) Olivier of South Dakota; granddaughters, Jordyn and Jaryn Trulli and Sydney Cantrell, and grandsons, Ty and Logan Olivier; along with his nephews, nieces and cousins. Gene is preceded in death by his first wife, Cheree Olivier; daughter, Heather Cantrell Cole; and his parents and many other aunts, uncles and friends.

He was a Navy veteran serving in the Vietnam Crisis 1964-68 on the USS Enterprise; a long-time concrete truck driver (driving for Henningson’s Concrete and then Sierra Ready Mix). Gene was a huge fan of car racing as his son-in-law Jimmy Trulli drives sprint cars. In his younger years he loved the rodeo, riding bareback broncs and bulls. He was an avid bowler and loved to play poker. He was a faithful fan of the 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. One of his favorite pastimes was watching sports on TV.

He also was a huge supporter of his grandchildren in all of their many sports at Union Mine High School. For the last seven years or so he battled with COPD, and other lung/heart disease. He took his last breath at home knowing his family was with him. He will be missed by so many and he loved his family and friends dearly.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to Donations@ COPDFOUNDATION.ORG or call l-866-7312673, ext. 387, or Snowline Hospice, (530) 6217820 snowlineHospice.org. Interment is private at Westwood Cemetery in Placerville. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

CRIME

The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheriff's reports:

Sept. 14

6:38 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Clear Creek Road in Placerville.

11:16 p.m. Deputies arrested a suspect after responding to a suspicious subject report in the area of Clemson Drive and Abbott Road in Cameron Park.

Sept. 15

12:24 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of DUI on Clemson Drive in El Dorado Hills. He was later released on $5,500 bail

3:34 a.m. California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 30-yearold man suspected of DUI on Highway 50. He was later released.

7:07 a.m. A vehicle burglary was retorted on Woodhaven Drive in Grizzly Flat.

12:12 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Green Valley Road in Placerville.

2:38 p.m. Burglary was reported on Constantine Court in El Dorado Hills

3:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 59-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Industrial Drive in Placerville. He was later released.

3:57 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Eight Mile Road in Camino.

5:35 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of resisting arrest and entering a closed disaster area. He was taken into custody on Church Street in Georgetown and later released on $5,000 bail.

7:13 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Investment Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

11:08 p.m. A person was reported drunk in public at a gas station on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

Sept. 16

12:34 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 21-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and being under the influence of a controlled substance on Gold Hill Road in Placerville.

2:44 a.m. The California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 28-yearold woman suspected of DUI on Green Valley Road in El Dorado

Hills.

8:38 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Texas Canyon Road in Placerville.

8:51 a.m. Battery was reported on Monitor Road in El Dorado.

12:44 p.m. Vandalism was reported at Oak Ridge High School on Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills.

3 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Hagen Ranch Road in El Dorado.

4:29 p.m. Burglary was reported on Aspen Grove Court in El Dorado Hills.

5:29 p.m. Battery was reported at a fast food restaurant on Golden Center Drive in Placerville.

5:50 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Old French Town Road in Shingle Springs.

5:58 p.m. Battery was reported at a business on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.

7:50 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct on El Dorado Road in Placerville. She was later released.

9:09 p.m. Burglary was reported on Father Lode Drive in Placerville.

Sept. 17

7:20 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Mt. Aukum Road in Somerset.

7:47 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Mt. Aukum Road in Somerset.

9:15 a.m. Burglary was reported on Aspen Grove Court in El Dorado Hills.

4:10 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

5:29 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at Animal Services’ facility on Capitol Avenue in Diamond Springs.

10:41 p.m. The California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 35-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50. He was later released.

11:30 p.m. The California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 26-yearold woman suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

11:54 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of trespassing and possession of a controlled substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody as of press time.

Sheriff’s PERT Team responds after student sent home

Mountain Democrat staff

A student at John Adams Academy in El Dorado Hills was sent home Thursday after he made “suspicious statements,” El Dorado County sheri ’s o cials said.

The sheri ’s Psychiatric Emergency Response Team investigated, contacting

the student’s parents to determine the student did not have access to firearms.

Sheri ’s o cials noted that when the student is allowed back on campus John Adams Academy sta will inspect their backpack daily.

Sheri ’s o cials said o cers will “continue to monitor any suspicious behavior.”

Park Continued from A1

south.

The 40-acre park, which would be constructed adjacent to Charles F. Brown Elementary, would consist of four ball parks, two soccer fields, two tennis courts, pickleball courts and a basketball court.

Other features include 323 parking stalls, picnic areas, an indoor gym, a concession building and playgrounds for di erent age groups.

Over half the park will be used for active recreation while about 45% of the land will be preserved for more passive recreation uses, including walking trails.

Potential impacts from the project include congestion issues on Pleasant Valley Road through El Dorado and Diamond Springs.

During a meeting with the Diamond Springs and El Dorado Community Advisory Committee and the architecture firm, the committee and the public addressed concerns about the park having only one way in and out, connecting to Pleasant Valley Road.

“Concern was expressed that the development of the park needs to consider the future existence of the ‘Union Mine connector’ that would provide parallel capacity south of Pleasant Valley Road between Fowler Lane in Diamond Springs and Union Mine Road in El Dorado,” states a letter from the committee to the board.

The letter also states a need for driveway connections to the south and east side of the park to allow for future access to the Union Mine connector.

“This committee has always been supportive of parks to serve the needs of our community but in this case we caution the board to make sure that the development of any park on this site e ectively serves the needs of the surrounding community and does not exacerbate already existing serious tra c congestion problems,” the letter concludes.

Campbell said his company is looking into solutions to the tra c issue.

“While we certainly do not have all the solutions, we have committed to continue meeting with that committee to identify solutions to the existing issue to not exasperate those issues,” Campbell said.

An environmental impact review has to be conducted for the site but a number of technical studies have been conducted to determine environmental constraints in which no hazardous materials, including petroleum products, were found during a land assessment, according to Campbell.

Steve Peterson with Dudeck, an environmental planning and engineering company partnering with Roach + Campbell, said his firm determined a sewage odor came from an area where the El Dorado Irrigation District operates a wastewater lift station.

While researching background information on the project Campbell told the board his company found the Diamond Springs area population has grown by 56% since 2012 and the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission masterplan determined a deficiency in the number of parks.

Campbell said the county is 18 ballparks short, along with other recreational facilities.

“Although we cannot fill all of those needs in one park site, we can certainly take a swing at it,” Campbell told the board.

To the northeast of the park is a senior mobile home park, which District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin shared her concerns the park might disturb.

“By 8, it is quiet over there, except when there is an event going on,” Parlin said. “I think since we are introducing something new we should move those impacts as far away as possible down to the east and south.”

Speaking from personal experience, Supervisor District 5 Sue Novasel suggested implementing a curfew to curb noise issues, adding that soccer fields get quiet after curfew.

“If you (set) a time and say ‘lights out,’ I think that might be a good compromise,” Novasel said.

Campbell said the Concept B design impacts Dead Man Creek the least, which runs through the parcels on which the park is proposed. The design also arranges all programming and activities closer to existing infrastructure such as water and sewage and keeps activity as far away as possible from neighboring residences.

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

Also called periodontal scal ing or root planning, a deep oral hygiene cleaning goes beyond the routine dental cleanings we receive every six months. Your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning if you have bleeding gums, receding gums, loose teeth, or significant tartar buildup beneath the gumline. A rou tine cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gumline, while a periodontal scaling addresses these issues below the gumline. The root planing part of the procedure removes the plaque and tartar that can form on the roots of the teeth.

Because the procedure may be uncomfortable, local anes thetic is used for pain during

the treatment, and sore gums may be experienced for a few days following the procedure.

Avoid that moment of panic and regret that comes when you realize you’ve neglected your oral hygiene routine for far too long and now must deal with the consequences. At our full-service dental office, we are adept at deal ing with those consequences, and will do all we can to turn your smile into the one you’ve always dreamed of having. When you’re ready to take that first step, we’re ready for your call.

P.S. Dental deep cleanings usually take place over the course of two to four visits that last 30 to 60 minutes each.

THE DENTAL DEEP CLEAN

Christmas Tree Lane – Adopt a Tree

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce continues the tradition of the Highway 50 Holiday Trees. These brightly decorated trees along Highway 50 give joy to our community and travelers every year.

Applications from those interested in adopting will be drawn through a randomized system on November 1st. Submit your application online beginning October 3rd through Oct 28th at https://eldoradocounty.org/christmas-

tree-lane/. No applications will be accepted in person. One entry per family, organization, or group. You must be an El Dorado County resident to apply. All applicants chosen through the randomized drawing will be noti ed by email.

A list of back-up applicants will be chosen through the same randomized process. Should the original winner of the drawing decline their tree within 5 days, the back-up list will be implemented.

ADOPT-A-TREE Fundraiser

The Christmas Tree Growers Assn. has given us a generous discount on the trees to sponsor this event. In addition, seven trees will be available for guaranteed adoption with a suggested donation of $500.00 per tree. To adopt a tree you may call the chamber of ce at 530-6215885.

Business Showcase and I ♥ Film Mixer

It was hot and a little smoky but we finally pulled it o after cancelling in March 2020 due to COVID and again in August 2021 due to the Caldor Fire! This year the Mosquito Fire Camp took over the Fairgrounds the next day! Thank you to all our exhibitors and the community for supporting this fun networking event.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors: El Dorado County O ce of Education Aborn Powers U.S. Bank Before the Movie Voitelli Cal.net El Dorado Community Foundation Look for all the photos on our FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/ ElDoradoCountyChamber

Marshall Cardiac Rehab

The Marshall Cardiac Rehabilitation team was excited to welcome the community for a tour of their new space and to learn about the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab Program, located at 1000 Fowler Way, Ste 3, Lower Level, Placerville.

“We are proud to o er services that really do change people’s lives,” said Siri Nelson, Marshall’s President and CEO.

Pleasant Valley Play Garden

Adam Anderson, EDC Chamber President, WealthGuard Advisors and Siri Nelson, Marshall Medical.)

Owner Nicole McClintock, supported by Husband Kiel and children Lila, Ellie and Kaulder, cuts the ribbon celebrating the

ing of this new

facility)

Chamber Champions: OCTOBER 2022

Mountain Democrat

WE’VE DONE OUR HOMEWORK – PLEASE DO YOURS GET OUT AND VOTE

El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee’s

Primary 2022 Voting Guide

Supervisor District Five – Brooke Laine

Brooke has been a dedicated elected o cial serving the Tahoe community for many years with a commitment to what is best for the entire community. She is fair and balanced and she has made decisions and voted for what is right, legal and sometimes not the easy choice. We believe Brooke has proven her loyalty to her constituents in the basin and now will to the people of the entire county.

Senate District Four – Marie Alvarado-Gil

“Accountability”, “accessibility”, “sound fiscal management”, and “planning for the future” aren’t just words or slogans to Marie Alvarado-Gil. They are principles to live by. Marie believes in sensible and responsible growth, budget accountability and ensuring our County is prepared for emergencies, including catastrophic wildfire. A vibrant educational system and thriving state are two of the things she will work to achieve.

The PAC is additionally supporting Congressman Tom McClintock and candidate for congress Assembly member Kevin Kiley.

Future endorsements for Placerville City Council and additional measure support will follow.

Propositions

State Proposition 27 – Legalize Online Sports Betting - OPPOSE

Overview: This measure would allow tribes and gaming companies to o er sports betting over the internet. It would require 10 percent of revenue (excluding various expenses) to be submitted to the state. Eighty-five percent of those payments would go towards homeless and gambling addiction programs, with the remaining 15 percent going to tribes that are not involved in online sports betting.

This measure di ers from Proposition 26 in that it would not legalize

in-person sports betting, nor roulette or dice games. It also does not have a private right of action provision (see Proposition 26 discussion).

Recommendation: Oppose – This measure lacks safeguards needed to prevent children and teenagers from gambling. Further, it could create serious social and financial problems given that both children and adults and immediate will have access to gambling through their phones and computers with virtually no limitation.

While proponents promise funding for homelessness and gambling addiction problems, such funding will be limited and will not come close to solving the problem. Additionally, El Dorado County may experience negative fiscal and economic impacts from reduced travel to Red Hawk Casino and travel to casinos in Nevada. If gaming tribes experience significant negative impacts due to the legalization of sports betting, they may seek to amend their state compacts to reduce payments to the state and local governments.

Prop 17; Restores the right to vote to 40,000 formerly incarcerated Californians – NO

Prop 18; Permits 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 by the next general election – NO

Prop 19; The measure sounds good until you learn how it is funded. It is funded by reassessing farmland upon a farmer’s death. This means farms that are generational will be the hardest hit. – NO

Prop 21; Expands the authority of the state government to enact rent control on residential property – NO

Prop 22; Corrects part of AB 5, the independent contractor issue, and will permit delivery drivers, Uber and Lyft drivers to work as independent contractors – YES

Prop 24; Amends consumer privacy laws and creates another state agency –NO

These explanations are abbreviated. We encourage you to review your ballot and GET OUT AND VOTE.

Welcome New Members

on event day. Grandstands open at 3PM. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. www.placervillespeedway.com

Line Dance Lessons at Smith Flat House

Monthly, Every 1st and 3rd Friday of Each Month. 6PM-9PM $10 cover at the door. Food and drink available. Learn more at www.smith athouse.com/events/line-dancing-4

Cider Sunsets at Hidden Star Camino Fridays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Cider Sunset Fridays are a great way to wind down from the week! Grab a cider, something tasty from the bakery and relax into the weekend. No reservations required. We will stay open until after the sun sets. www.hiddenstarcamino.com

Oct 01 Create Your Own Cuvée – Blend Your Own Bottle

Now it’s your turn to play winemaker, with Aaron and Amy demonstrating how to blend and create a cuvée. You will have the opportunity to blend, bottle, and cork your own custom bottle to take home (a $30 value), as well as design your very own label. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. www.eventbrite.com/e/create-your-own-cuveeblend-your-own-bottle-tickets-237670377497

Oct 01 Placerville Oktoberfest and Lion’s Club Hangtown Car Show

El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, noon to 8:00 p.m. The Oktoberfest will feature The Lion’s Club Hangtown Car Show, the Classic Weiner Dog Races, Stick Pony Races, and the Traditional Oktoberfest Beer Stein Hold. The Event will feature two great bands; Plaid City and The Sky Kings. We will be serving exceptional eats; including Brats, Bavarian Pretzels, and German Tacos. What’s an Oktoberfest Celebration without craft local brews? Strad Meadery will be our featured beverage distributor, bringing in the local goods from many of our favorite breweries. https://evermore.productions/oktoberfest (530) 558-9283

Oct 01 North Forty Band at Sierra Vista 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ranch Girl-Friday Food Truck will be here with food for purchase. As always we will have wine by the glass or bottle for purchase. No outside food or alcohol allowed. Club $10 | Gen Public $15. To make Reservations, call our tasting room 530-622-7221 or visit https://www.sierravistawinery.com/shop/ wine-tasting/northforty2/

Oct 02 Sugarloaf Station Foundation Fundraiser

Join the (Tea) Party! at Sierra Vista Winery. Tea and Cakes, prize drawing, Silent and Live Auction, Live Music and More. $50/ Table $500. www.eventbrite.com/o/sugarloaf-station-foundation-51967764633

Oct 06 2nd Annual Forebay Charity Golf Classic Bene ts the construction of the 1850’s, all ages, all abilities playground at Forebay Community Park in Pollock Pines. Apple Mountain Golf Resort, 3455 Carson Road, Camino; begins at 9 a.m., late registration at 8 a.m. Register in advance by Eventbrite or to lauradelh@prodigy.net (707) 349-2171. A new car for a Hole in One! $125 includes a BBQ lunch, raf es up to $300 value. Various additional games.

Oct 06 Honor our Troops Spaghetti Feed American Legion Hall, 4561 Greenstone Road. 4 – 8 p.m. Adults $15/children $7. Full Bar. “Drive-Thru” spaghetti dinners available or stay for live entertainment and raf e drawings. Proceeds provide care packages sent to our El Dorado County soldiers in war zones. http://www.honorourtroops.us

Oct 08 Octoberfest on Main Street

Celebrate Oktoberfest with family and friends at this free event for all ages. Local and regional breweries, Weingarten by El Dorado Wines, Brats, pretzels, kids zone, crafters, beer halls, live music from the Green Room Social Club, German band and more! https://www.facebook.com/events/942148137182693/?active_ tab=discussion

Oct 13 Jovive Urgent Care Open House & Ribbon Cutting Meet our providers and take a tour of our improved clinic. 4062 Flying C Road, Cameron Park. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Oct 15–16 ROCK & GEM SHOW

El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society. 10:00a.m. –5:00p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. World class dealers offering a variety of Gems, Minerals, Fossils, Meteorites, Crystals, Beads, Jewelry and more. Activities include Rock & Gem Identi cation, Demonstrations, Educational Displays, Silent Auction, Fluorescent Tent, Geode Cutting, Free Kids Activities and more. Something for Everyone and every age. Cost: Adults: $7.00 – Seniors or Military: $6.00 – Kids 12 and Under Free with Paid Adult. Fairgrounds Parking Extra. www. ElDoradoCountyMineralandGemSociety.org

Oct 15 Save the Graves

Honoring History’s Main Street Merchants. Placerville Union Cemetary, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by Imagination Theater and Buried History. www.buriedhistory.org/2021-save-the-graves

Oct 15 Live a Fruitful Life Event by Shari Fitzpatrick Ladies! Please come to my “Live a Fruitful Life” Experience! A lovely afternoon lled with fancy nger foods, gourmet chocolate desserts and a unique jewelry auction! I’ll be your keynote speaker so you’re sure to leave inspired and “Grapeful” that you came!!! Proceeds will go to a Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Non-pro t helping children living in extreme poverty. Learn more at boysandberries. org 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. $20. Pioneer Bible Church, 6851 Mt Aukum Rd, Somerset. Tickets: https://pioneerbiblechurch.breezechms.com/form/ e73d380

Oct 15 Third Saturday Art Walk

During the Placerville Art Walk the Galleries and merchants stay open late and often have special events like live music, guest artists, food and beverage specials, and artists’ demonstrations. 4 – 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/PlacervilleArtWalk

Oct 21 Dine in the Vines

There is something absolutely magical about the vineyard as the day comes to a close. The evening breeze makes the vines dance, as if they are joyful for the cooling, which helps produce the beautiful wines we enjoy. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. www.element79vineyards. com/Events/Dine-in-the-Vines

Oct 28 Latin Dance Lessons at Smith Flat House Join us for Latin dance lessons! Bring a partner. 6 – 9 p.m. $10 entrance fee. www.smith athouse.com/events/latin-dance-lessons.

Oct 31 Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat, a free Halloween Extravaganza! Pinewood Elementary School, 6181 Pine Street, Pollock Pines. 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Lots of games, available snacks, prizes, etc. Jeanne Harper (530) 613-1332

For more information on these and other events, visit www.visiteldorado.com Event date, time, cost or locations are subject to change. Prior to attending an event please con rm the information.

Haylee Brown & Jennifer Peters, Tumble Time Gymnastics; Angela Honoro , Mary Kay Cosmetics and Plexus Health and Wellness; Christina Cayo, V3 Electric; Emily Idleman, Bold Communications; Sara Pagano, Around Here Magazine; Jackie Sapio, Jovive-Urgent Care; and Jake Wrobel, Oola Life Coaching.

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Cruz Fregoso of Bears by Your Side to

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Film Mixer.

Bears by Your Side

California Matters

COVID-19 school closures undermined learning

WhetherCalifor-

nia’s schools should remain open or be closed was a hot issue when the COVID-19 pandemic was raging in 2020 and 2021.

Although medical authorities quickly concluded that children had a much smaller risk of being infected or experiencing severe e ects if infected, California schools were mostly closed, in large measure because teachers and their powerful unions insisted on it.

With schools closed, local administrators scrambled to provide online classes, what became known as “zoom school,” but they were poor substitutes for the real thing — especially for English-learner students and those from poor families.

Those children — roughly 60% of the state’s nearly 6 million public school students — were already trailing their more privileged contemporaries academically when the pandemic hit. The closures made it worse, for obvious reasons.

They tended to lack internet access and proper equipment for online classes. Their parents were often compelled to work outside the home to make ends meet, so kids were often left to fend for themselves. Absenteeism from online classes was widespread.

SUMMARY

Letters to the Editor

A glass half full or broken?

EDITOR:

Irecently attended the National Association of Forest Service retirees convention in Stateline, Nev. The opening remarks from the Washington, D.C., and California regional o ces were the same old, tired rhetoric. I challenged their business as usual “glass half full” optimism stating, half of all the glasses are broken. I pointed out that Earth scientists, foresters and wildland firefighters have been warning for decades that we were on an exponential path to an environmental catastrophe, as occurred with the Caldor Fire.

We have set the forest ecosystem back to the pioneer stage that will take 50 years just to have enough trees and volume of product to make active management feasible. It will take 200 years to have a vibrant and diverse forest ecosystem, which we could have had if the USFS decision makers and the politicians above them had listened and started thinning and managing the forests as proposed on the Eldorado and other USFS forests 30 years ago.

A uent parents, particularly those who could easily work from home during the pandemic, made certain that their kids attended online classes, helped them with their school work, formed informal collaboration groups and/or hired tutors. Thus, the ill e ects of closures were mitigated. And, of course, private schools, such as the one Gov. Gavin Newsom’s kids attend, either remained open or minimized closures.

For months, politicians from Newsom downward quarreled over how the schools should function and angry parents formed the core of a movement to recall him from o ce. Newsom survived the recall, but the educations of millions of kids did not, as

Are

“Attack is the problem, not the answer.”

This advice, needed today more than ever, proves the ongoing relevance of the late Hugh Prather, one of my all-time favorite authors.

Prather also wrote, “Practice being slow — slow to react, slow to anger, slow to judge, slow to have an opinion.”

We have destroyed and or killed most of the “old growth habitat” and the very “threatened and endangered species” the “environmental” groups were trying to save. We can no longer e ectively fight wildfire with today’s fuel loads and dry conditions without incorporating state-of-the-art technology. See youtu.be/MKU36kxwYeg. The real damage is yet to come. I and others have written reports showing that when a forest landscape is severely burned, as half of the Caldor Fire area was, a thousand years of soil formation is lost, thus reducing site productivity and the ability of the forest to heal itself. See wetheforest.com/pages/ forest-under-stress.

Future high intensity and rain-on-snow storms will produce peak runo two to three times greater on these denuded landscapes than under their previously forested conditions. If this concerns you please consider adding your signature of support

to the A Call to Action document at http://chng. it/bGsyZvSb. If you want the complete A Call to Action” document contact mtrains7@verizon.net.

MIKE KUEHN Camino

Corrupt politicians

EDITOR:

Everywhere I look I see evil plotted against We the People. And this evil comes from corrupt politicians.

When we go to the polls Nov. 8, we will try to choose the least evil candidate from those on the ballot. But We the People never succeed because candidates are not really elected; they are preselected based on their corruptibility. Rarely does an honest candidate achieve public o ce.

If an honest person does attain public o ce, that person will be o ered bribes. If bribes are not accepted, threats will come next. Even justices on the Supreme Court have been threatened.

What can We the People do? This corruption takes place all over the world. Citizens are demonstrating in almost every nation against corruption by their political leaders.

Here in California, We the People tried to recall Gov. Newsom. He won that recall by a large margin. I suspect the election was rigged.

To overcome this pandemic of public corruption I propose We the People place an amendment to the California Constitution on the ballot to give us quick political power. This power will flow to us via our cell phones.

One cell phone will be registered to be used by each legal voter exclusively. When any law is voted against via our cell phones within 48 hours of its passage, that law will be nullified.

Likewise, when any proposal coming from We the People achieves positive plurality via our cell phones

feeling angry? Consider vitamins for the soul

to Live in the World and Still Be Happy.”

All of his books bore into the root source of our lives’ greatest joys and thorniest challenges — that is, our relationships with fellow human beings and the di cult emotions they can trigger. His insights illuminate the way to “live and let live” — and feel good about it.

marriage ended in divorce; with his second wife, to whom he was married for 45 years, he collaborated on several books, including volumes on marriage and parenting.

He was all about honoring the inherent dignity of every human being, in every encounter, an ideal often lost in the overheated rhetoric of today.

“Do I suspect that what I am about to say will make this person unhappy?” he wondered for all of us. “Then the urge to say it is from my ego.”

Prather, who died in 2010 at 72, was a prolific writer whose first book, “Notes to Myself,” sold more than five million copies and is still in print. The depths of the philosophical insights in that slender volume, whose subtitle was “My Struggle to Become a Person,” prompted the New York Times to call Prather “an American Kahlil Gibran.”

I was a fan of the book when it came out in 1970 and have found even more practical wisdom in his later works. These include “Notes on Love and Courage,” “The Quiet Answer,” “The Little Book of Letting Go” and “How

“When I’m flexible and forgiving, I’m happy. When I’m rigid and righteous, I’m unhappy. It’s that simple.”

Perhaps it was the circumstances of his own life that schooled the future author in human relations. His father was a successful Dallas real estate developer and his mother a former debutante. Each married multiple times and among Hugh’s seven “parents” were, according to the New York Times, “a drug addict, two alcoholics, an institutionalized mentally ill patient, a convicted murderer and a convicted embezzler. (The murderer was one of his father’s wives, the embezzler one of his mother’s husbands).”

Prather went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and do graduate work in psychology. Later he became a lay minister and counselor in addition to writing multiple books. His first

The Mountain Democrat welcomes letters up to 500 words. Letters may be edited. We reserve the right to edit submissions. Include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

Email: editor@ mtdemocrat.net

“An argument is always about what has been made more important than the relationship,” he wrote. Also, “Don’t become a ‘connoisseur’ of relationships. Be easily pleased, the way a critic is not.” And, “Ninety percent of my relationship problems would be solved instantly if I would just learn to shut up.”

How would Prather view the rancorous name-calling and ad hominem attacks characterizing the political discussions of today? He wouldn’t object to the expression of a contrary view, but he likely would point out that there are other ways.

“There’s a great di erence between ‘being right’ in opposition to others and maintaining a quiet inner sense of right-mindedness, which includes others.”

It’s a subtle point, but one worth remembering when CNN and Fox News and Facebook and online comment sections prompt us to be furious with one another.

Ultimately, Prather would remind

Snail Mail: Letters to the Editor P. O. Box 1088, Placerville 95667

us what he learned in his own life: “My disdain, dismissal, hatred or dislike of another does not punish that individual. It punishes me.”

That theme of forgiveness is a thread running through all Prather’s works. He believed in it not only because of the biblical injunction, but also because it clears the way for deeper, more meaningful, more productive relationships.

“Forgiveness doesn’t excuse behavior,” he wrote. “It looks past it to a greater truth. It’s not that there’s never a mistake or an evil motivation, just that there’s something else as well. Forgiveness is the door to experiencing that something else.”

Perceiving that “something else” — a common humanity? an honest desire to do what’s believed to be right? — enables us to sidestep the arms war of invective. Then we can explore a conversation that might lead to understanding, compromise and, heck, maybe even collaboration toward a shared goal.

I said at the top that Prather’s advice is needed now more than ever and a new book reinforces that notion.

95667

JENNIFER FORSBERG MEYER

DAN WALTERS

The closure of California’s public schools during the COVID19 pandemic had a hugely negative impact on children’s educations that will reverberate for decades.

“Don’t become a ‘connoisseur’ of relationships. Be easily pleased, the way a critic is not.”

— Hugh Prather

Richard B. Esposito

Krysten Kellum Editor

Noel Stack Managing Editor

Forsberg Meyer Continued from A6

“Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America & How to Fight Back” is by former Fox political editor and media insider Chris Stirewalt. We already know how corrosive social media can be to common civility. This book lays bare how the leading news organizations — right- and left-leaning, cable outlets and broadcast networks alike — have bought into a model that similarly fosters outrage. Why? Because it’s good for business.

“Balanced, thoroughly reported news is hard to do, expensive and often boring,” Stirewalt writes.

“Tribal outrage is easy, cheap and entertaining.”

To counteract harmful media content, the author urges us to get out of our news bubbles and consume

Letters Continued from A6

within 30 days of its presentation, that proposal will become law.

Furthermore, politicians will face recall within 30 days of their passing unpopular laws against We the People. All these votes must use blockchain technology to ensure integrity.

A legal framework preventing us from voting for self-destructive measures must be written into this Constitutional amendment to prevent

information from a variety of sources. The goal? Seeing from the other guy’s perspective.

“We are soul sick and unhappy and angry at each other because we are so far apart in our understanding of each other,” he said in a podcast about his book.

Hugh Prather would agree. In fact, I think of his own relevant advice as vitamins for the soul. In our current moment, I’m finding I need a boatload of them a day.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of “Friends With Four Legs.” Leave a comment for her online or, for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@gmail.com.

Molester faces 26 years

Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A man was found guilty last week of child molestation and faces 26 years to life in prison.

Robert Allen Oakes, 58, was convicted by an El Dorado County jury Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Department 3 of the South Lake Tahoe courthouse.

Oakes was convicted of three counts of felony child molestation and one additional felony count of meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, states a news release from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.

Oakes in 2009-10 was the babysitter for the 5-year-old granddaughter of his thengirlfriend for a period of several months. During this time, Oakes

took advantage of this position of trust and repeatedly molested the young girl, according to the DA’s Office. Approximately 10 years later the young girl came forward and disclosed the horrific acts that Oakes had committed against her.

Following the girl’s disclosure, South Lake Tahoe Police Department detectives apprehended Oakes at South Tahoe High School on Aug. 28, 2019, as he attempted to meet with this girl again.

The investigation was led by South Lake Tahoe Police Department Det. Allen Molesworth and the case was prosecuted by deputy district attorney Ryan Whyte.

Judge Michael McLaughlin presided over the trial.

The news release states Oakes is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 17.

us

from becoming as greedy as those corrupt politicians who currently hold office.

When the people fear government, tyranny reigns. When the government fears the people, freedom reigns. Instant initiative. Instant referendum. Instant recall. Let freedom reign.

CECIL RINGGENBERG Placerville

Walters Continued from A6

new data confirm.

While the state Department of Education has not released 2022 academic test data that would allow comparisons with pre-pandemic results, individual school

Edited by Will Shortz

the clues for 17-, 23- and 48-Across 60 Like the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars 61 In the slightest 62 ___ engr. 63 Indian tea region 64 Hawks 65 Gold stds.

DOWN 1 Sounds of relief 2 Place for cultural studies?

3 Fair market price, say 4 Not flexible 5 Top of the ladder, in brief 6 1997 horror film with the tagline “When you can’t breathe, you can’t scream”

Moves into position, as troops 8 A step up, perhaps 9 Comforting gesture

Creator of Christopher Robin

Take ten

PUZZLE BY COLIN ERNST

12 Usual beginning?

Noisy

districts are doing so and the numbers from the state’s largest school district, Los Angeles Unified, are stunning.

About 72% of the district’s students are not meeting state standards in math and 58% are behind in English, essentially wiping out five years of progress that it had recorded prior to the pandemic.

“The pandemic deeply impacted the performance of our students,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

“Particularly kids who were at risk, in a fragile condition, prior to the pandemic, as we expected, were the ones who have lost the most ground.”

While the district released gross data, it did not break down the test results by ethnic or economic subgroups.

The Los Angeles Times, however, gleaned the detail from a school board document marked “not for public release.”

Why the secrecy?

Apparently it was to mask the particularly disturbing data about Black and Latino kids.

“About 81% of 11th-graders did not meet grade-level standards in math.

About 83% of Black students, 78% of Latino students and

77% of economically disadvantaged students did not meet the math standards,” the Times reported.

We won’t know how the state as a whole fared until — and unless — the Department of Education finally releases 2022 complete “Smarter Balance” test results. But there’s no reason to believe that what happened — or, more accurately, what didn’t happen — in Los Angeles isn’t also true of other systems, particularly those with large numbers of at-risk students.

The educational deprivation that California inflicted on its kids is not only shameful, but will reverberate for decades.

Children who fail to master the basics of education in lower grades will be illprepared for high school and post-high school training and education. If they are not prepared to take their place in the work force, the state’s economy will suffer.

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

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

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 Thursday afternoon 1:00 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 $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

terrain of the Rubicon drainage and along the North Fork and Middle Fork of the American River,” a Tuesday morning incident report states. “Patrol and mop-up operations in support of the incident’s full suppression strategy continue throughout the affected areas of the fire.”

The Mosquito Fire is California’s largest wildfire of the season.

Days prior to the U.S. Forest Service’s collection of potential evidence, a lawsuit was filed against PG&E in San Francisco Superior Court, alleging PG&E equipment failure had ignited the Mosquito Fire.

The lawsuit, filed by law firm Singleton Schreiber, claims “PG&E is responsible for the destruction and/or damage of the plaintiffs’ personal property, cherished possessions, major out-of-pocket expenses, mental anguish, medical bills, loss of business income incurred as result of the fire and much more,” states a new release provided by the firm.

“The complaint was filed on behalf of a multitude of individuals who owned property and/or lived in the impacted areas near counties of El Dorado and Placer in California. Their homes, businesses and, in most cases, lives were literally and figuratively burned to the ground by the Mosquito Fire,” the release continues.

“The damage done to several counties by PG&E was entirely avoidable with their knowledge and expertise as electrical service providers” states Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber. “PG&E continues to act negligently and has been responsible for more than 1,500 fires across the state leading to deaths, property destruction, financial burdens and ruined lives because of their poorly maintained utility equipment. The utility company continues to put profit over safety in the countless fires they have caused or been associated with.”

PG&E spokeswoman Megan McFarland shared a statement with the Mountain Democrat expressing gratitude for all first responders fighting the Mosquito Fire and reiterating PG&E’s commitment to safety. The statement also notes that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

“PG&E is cooperating with the USFS investigation,” the statement adds. “While PG&E is conducting our own investigation into the events that led to the fire, we do not have access to the physical evidence that was collected as part of the USFS investigation over the weekend. As the threat of extreme weather continues to impact our state and the West, we remain focused on preventing major wildfires and safely delivering energy to our customers and hometowns.”

from A1

Tahoe Basin would not run out of water for 33 years.

He said housing is nearly built out in Tahoe’s rural areas.

“Pollock Pines is very similar to the rural area of South Lake Tahoe and the Meyers area, because we are limited in the areas that we can build,” Curtzwiler said. “We will not be able to build any large developments other than two to three homes. Other than that, the housing issue is something that will need to be addressed as it comes up.”

Laine stated the county is about 4,000 units short of affordable housing demands, which she said needs to be addressed, adding that the county needs to do a better job capturing rainfall and creating different water supply.

“I do think a study should be obtained to determine what that water shortfall might be and what kinds of things we can do perhaps to address those shortfalls,” Laine said.

Q: How well do you think the vacation rental ordinance is working in District 5?

Both candidates said enforcement of the ordinance is an issue.

Laine shared her opinion of redressing the ordinance completely.

“The ordinance basically says right now if there is a noise after 10, you as a citizen are supposed to leave your home, go next door to the home in violation, find out who the local representative is, go back to your house, call your local representative and they are supposed to fix the problem within 30 minutes and self-report to the county within 24 hours,” Laine said. “That is not a good ordinance.”

Laine suggested taking the resident out of that equation and having law enforcement deal with the situation.

Curtzwiler shared his plan to implement a brickand-mortar company, open 24 hours a day, that could address vacation home rental problems within 25 minutes.

He added that county’s Code Enforcement Unit is suffering from lack of funds.

“Enforcement is key,” he said. “We need to have the money from the Transient Occupancy Tax in South Lake Tahoe and Pollock Pines where the vacation home rentals are located to enforce the rules and we need a code enforcement officer there also.”

Q: Please provide your short-and long-term solutions for the homeless situation.

Curtzwiler responded that homeless people need to be near facilities and services to get them closer to assistance, stating Pollock Pines does have a homeless issue.

Where there’s smoke …

Mountain Democrat staff

Firefighters were called to the Bonetti Road area south of Mormon Emigrant Trail in Pollock Pines Saturday where flames took to downed timber and brush inside the Caldor Fire burn scar.

El Dorado County Fire Protection District officials said about three-quarters of an acre

“The city of South Lake Tahoe does have somewhat of a homeless problem but they put (the homeless shelter) where the services are,” Curtzwiler explained. He made the case Pollock Pines is not the best place for a homeless shelter. “Where are the facilities to help these people? Are they located up in Pollock Pines? No, they are not. Is there a transportation system to get them from Pollock Pines down to the facilities in the Placerville area? No, there is not.”

Laine touted the successes of South Lake Tahoe’s three navigation centers, previously hotels.

“We had 120 homeless people who were counted in February and of those 120, we were able to house 100% of the veterans and we got another 80% of that 120 housed,” Laine said.

While she recognized some may not want services or help, Laine commented that 400 homeless people on the West Slope have no services.

Laine said the county needs a permanent, longterm shelter on the West Slope.

Q: How do you make sure the concerns of South Lake Tahoe and Pollock Pines are given fair representation?

Laine’s idea is to start an advisory council with representatives from each of the 11 communities that make up the district, a group that would meet up regularly, she said.

“I think it’ll bring us together as a district in a way in which we have never done before,” Laine said.

Curtzwiler said showing up to community meetings and events is key and he plans to utilize an assistant working in the Pollock Pines area to make sure fair representation occurs.

Q: The Board of Supervisors deals with many complex and contentious issues. Please give an example of a group you’ve worked with when various member views are in conflict and the role you play in reaching consensus with that group.

Curtzwiler said as an equal opportunity officer in the military he had to deal with thousands of soldiers experiencing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and his employees stay with his company for 18 years on average.

“The reason they stay is because we take care of each other and I can’t do what I do without them,” he told the crowd. “The same thing works with the community of Pollock Pines and Meyers. I can’t do my job without you guys; you’re the ones that we need to depend on.”

Laine shared her experience dealing with cell phone tower proposals while serving on the South Lake Tahoe City Council, which she called a “contentious” topic.

“We felt very stuck in the middle as a council. I read lots of reports. I spoke with people and met with residents who had this equipment nearby their homes and we were upset about it,” Laine said. “We agreed as a council that we had a right to govern our community and to put some rules down so that cell phone companies couldn’t come in and put their equipment anywhere they want.”

Laine said the issue was eventually solved amicably.

Q: Top three priorities?

Curtzwiler said his top three priorities are the vacation rental issues in South Lake Tahoe, GPS and app navigation systems sending traffic into Tahoe neighborhoods and obtaining funds to solve those issues.

Laine stated her top issues in the county included housing, transportation and fire preparedness.

Q: Should the county chamber of commerce get a county building for $3 a year rent?

“It sounds affordable but do they belong in a county facility?” Laine questioned. “I can definitely see some conflicts there. I haven’t thought about it much but it sounds like it could be a problem.”

“Absolutely not,” Curtzwiler said. “They should have their own building, paid for by chamber members.”

Q: What are you going to do about the (Placerville)

burned and the cause of the fire is under investigation. An Overland Way resident saw the smoke and reported it to authorities.

A firefighting air tactical OV-10 Bronco happened to be nearby and assisted fire crews in locating the fire burning in “extremely steep terrain.” Firefighters on the ground also got a little help from water drops by a Cal Fire Fire Hawk helicopter out of Columbia.

courthouse?

Both candidates said they have not followed this topic closely.

Curtzwiler said he needs more information on this topic before he can make decisions.

“That would be something that I would have to come down, study and listen to the other supervisors and talk to other people in the district about, because I am not too familiar with what is going to happen with the courthouse down in Placerville,” Curtzwiler said.

Laine also said she has no “skin in the game” on this topic, but recognized the courts have been cutting back on personnel.

“We’re concerned when they start dividing services in that kind of fashion where our people in Tahoe who have to travel through the snow and be separated from families in order to have a case heard,” Laine said.

Q: What makes you stand out as a candidate?

Laine told the audience her experience in the public arena for 10 years makes her qualified as a supervisor candidate.

“This is a budget of $318 million general fund dollars and there’s a lot of pressure on how a budget gets divided up, so the more experience you have in that regard, hitting the ground running, the better you’re going to be,” Laine said.

Curtzwiler said his experience in business dealings in the county, longevity as a resident, military experience and the fact he is not affiliated with any county groups will make him effective at solving issues and dealing with the public.

“I have the experience to be out there, to interact with everybody and will never turn anybody down without listening to all sides,” Curtzwiler said.

Q: Our schools and youth are very important to us and our families. How can you assist the community with safe and healthy activities?

Curtzwiler said because the supervisor’s position is out of the scope of responsibility with school system dealings, it is crucial to be involved with the school board’s decision-making.

Laine answered that she will work with organizations and school districts to come up with ideas the public wants to see through.

Q: How will you work effectively with law enforcement and firefighters?

Laine said she will meet with all fire chiefs regularly to discuss issues and commented that having a good relationship with the Sheriff’s Office is important as problems develop.

Curtzwiler said he has experience working with firefighters in his tree service business and has met with the sheriff-elect, adding they are “on the same sheet of music as far as working together.”

“They do not work for us and it is made clear that we need to work with them and not against them,” Curtzwiler said.

Q: Since supervisors cannot vote for land use in Tahoe, why should the supervisors from District 5 vote on land use in other districts?

Curtzwiler stated a supervisor casts votes for the entire county. As supervisor, Curtzwiler said he would be present at meetings throughout other districts to hear the voices of residents and county groups.

“It’s important for us to get out of our shell and drill down into other districts to learn what is going on,” Curtzwiler said.

Laine answered similarly, stating the structure of the Board of Supervisors calls for making decisions outside of their respective districts.

“It would be incumbent on me to make sure I understand what the needs are in other districts as it will be incumbent on the other supervisors to understand our needs in District 5,” Laine said.

The full candidate forum can be viewed on YouTube at bit.ly/D5forum.

Photo courtesy of El Dorado County Fire Protection District

Firefighters work to suppress a fire that broke out on the Caldor Fire burn scar south of Mormon Emigrant Trail Saturday.

In the KNOW

Canceled

The Placerville Downtown Association has canceled its planned Oktoberfest at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville.

The Placerville Lions Club car show scheduled to take place at the same location and date has also been canceled. New dates will be announced when they are set.

Sept. 28

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon with featured speaker André Pichly, Cameron Park Community Service District general manager, 11:30 a.m. at Los Pinos Mexican restaurant. To register and for more information visit sscpchamber.org.

Pride Night featuring DJ Zephyr comes to The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 7-10 p.m. This once-a-month celebration in partnership with Pure Life and Sacred Roots collectives features a rotating variety of themes, performers and performances in honor of the history of pride and the unique experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. For more visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

The Valhalla Tahoe historic boathouse theatre and outdoor lawn offer an only-in-Tahoe venue that will host Matt Donnelly –The Mind Noodler.

Sept. 29

League of Women Voters hosts a live Zoom candidate forum featuring the El Dorado Hills Community Services Board of Directors candidates, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Norm Rowett Pavilion in El Dorado Hills.

The Placerville Area Chess Club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Cameron Park, 3446 Coach Lane. For more information call Neville Arroues at (530) 642-9043.

Sept. 30

El Dorado Veteran Resources powered by the Military Family Support Group rolls out the red carpet for eligible veterans and their families at the El Dorado Veteran Stand Down, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Drive in Placerville.

The event will provide a one-stop shop for veterans to access their benefits, services, and other medical support.

For more information, volunteer opportunities and registration visit eldoradoveteransstand.org or call (530) 621-5146.

RevolutionBeat – Tribute to the Beatles will perform at the Placerville Elks Lodge No. 1712, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of FABulous Beatles music at the lodge, 3821 Quest Court in Shingle Springs.

Creamery Station comes to The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

The California Capital Airshow comes to Mather Airport in Rancho Cordova, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. For tickets and more information visit californiacapitalairshow. com.

Oct. 1

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts

Animal Health ROP gives students something to crow aboutq q

Odin Rasco Mountain Democrat correspondent

As Julie Gilroy begins her lecture at Ponderosa High School, she is frequently interrupted by noise coming from the back of the class. At some points, she even has to repeat herself to get over the cacophony. The disruption is not from rowdy students, but from a group of hens (and one vocal rooster) in a cage behind the students. The students and teacher were impressively focused despite the distraction, showing the difference between an animal health regional occupational program classroom and a typical high school class.

The is a part of the California public school system’s Regional Occupation Program that provides qualified students, typically in their junior and senior years, the opportunity to learn in an environment focused on a specific occupation. The programs provide students hands-on training and education that can open many doors for them in the future while also helping them decide if a particular career path is right for them. The El Dorado Union High School District provides a range of programs, including animal health, culinary arts and law enforcement.

Gilroy, a registered veterinary technician, teaches and directs the Animal Health ROP. She uses her decades of experience in veterinary medicine to prepare her students for a career in animal health, covering topics such as animal behavior, veterinary assisting, small animal procedures and more.

By the time a student has completed the ROP course, they will have spent 250 hours studying in the classroom and an additional 250 hours

working hands-on in veterinary clinics or other businesses that serve animals. This hands-on experience is part of why Gilroy thinks ROP is such a vital opportunity for students.

“The best thing about it [ROP] is that it prepares students for real life in a particular field,” Gilroy said. “They go out and work with businesses, learning in the field and building skills in real life

situations.”

Students echoed Gilroy’s sentiments, explaining they appreciated how ROP gives them the opportunity to gain work experience before graduating high school.

“Being able to learn these things now, it gives a real advantage for getting into med school,” said Sarah Tonderski, one of the students in Animal Health ROP.

The program is

free to all EDUHSD students, even providing the liability insurance necessary for students to work outside the classroom. In so doing, the course allows students the opportunity to explore a career in animal health without encountering financial barriers that often can be a deterrent. For students interested in becoming a certified veterinarian medical assistant, they are able to enroll in an

additional semester of Animal Health ROP to pursue that goal. The chance to learn without cost gives students the chance to see if a career in animal health is right for them, instead of doing so in college and spending a pretty penny only to discover that it isn’t.

For some students, ROP gives them the chance to pursue their dreams.

Budding florists blossom at Ponderosa High school

Jana Rossi Staff writer

Britta Fletcher has taught floral design and arranging at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs for more that 22 years and nothing pleases her more than watching students blossom.

“I love to see the change,” she told the Mountain Democrat. “A lot of students taking this class think they have no creative abilities and then they find out they can be creative.”

Senior Cole Bartuska is an employee at Cameron Park Florist, thanks in part to the Ponderosa Future Farmers of America Floral program.

“It’s a creative outlet,” Bartuska explained. “I found out that I am naturally good at it and we have a great teacher.”

Junior Alexis Thompson said she likes the hands-on aspect of the class while sophomore Franchesca Copple said she enjoys creating her own designs.

Through the floral program students learn more than just how to arrange flowers; this class is also run as a business. In order to keep the program running, students sell their flowery creations and all proceeds go back into purchasing supplies and covering other expenses.

Students supply wreaths to local organizations such as the Veterans Alliance in Placerville for its Memorial and Veterans Day celebrations, have created floral designs for special occasions and take orders from the community through the Flower of the Month and Plant of the Month memberships.

Photos by Odin Rasco Animal Health ROP students Baylor Hargon, Jairo Solozrano, Sarah Tonderski and Brooke Williams, above left to right, gain hands-on experience with a chicken brought to class. At left, Kelsey Amemiya cradles a rooster during class. He was rather vocal during the lesson but seemed content with some human company.

Mountain Democrat photo by Jana Rossi

PHS senior Cole Bartuska holds a gorgeous bouquet he put together in Britta Fletcher’s floral arranging class.

prospecting

thunder in

Join the Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce for the annual Thunder in the Park Car Show featuring classic cars and trucks, live music, raffle prizes, food trucks, vendor booths and more at Cameron Park Lake.

Pre-registration for those with pre-1974 classic cars who want to enter a vehicle closes Sept. 29; however, last-minute entries will be accepted the day of the event at a higher rate. Winning vehicles will receive trophies. For more information visit scpchamber.org and click on the “Thunder in the Park” header.

This is a family friendly event with a $5 parking/ entrance fee for the public runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the lake, 2989 Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. Registered vehicles will not pay this fee. Thunder in the Park is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce and its members.

park roaring into

Mountain Democrat file photo by Thomas Frey

Cars glisten under the sun at a previous Thunder in the Park event. This year’s show takes place Saturday, Oct. 1.

Mountain Democrat staff

GROW FOR IT!

football games.

Nothing says “It’s Fall!” like a big, fat pot of chrysanthemums, or mums, on your front porch. Available in a mind-boggling array of forms and colors, mums have been a beloved flower around the world for ages. Chrysanthemums belong to the Asteraceae, daisy family.

This popular flower was first cultivated as a culinary herb in China in the fifth century, B.C. Its daisy like petals and tender shoots were served as a salad. The flowers and leaves were brewed into a fragrant tea. The roots of the plant were also used as a headache remedy.

The Japanese celebrate National Chrysanthemum Day Sept. 9, during their Festival of Happiness. This holiday was established in 910 A.D. In their culture, the chrysanthemum flower represents longevity, rejuvenation and nobility.

During the 17th century, the mum was introduced to the western world and received its name from the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who developed the system of classifying plants by family and genus. Its name was determined by combining the Greek words “chrysos,” meaning gold, with “anthemon,” which means flowers. Early renderings portray them as simple, yellow, daisy-like flowers. Historically, mums were, and still are, the flower of choice at funerals and memorials in some European countries. This is understandable, since cut or potted mums are a long-lasting flower.

Although they still resemble daisies, ancient growers would not recognize the many petals and colors of our modern, showy hybrid mums.

The U.S. National Chrysanthemum Society indicates that there are 13 di erent bloom forms. The blooms are composed of many individual flowers, or florets, with each one capable of producing a seed.

Mums reached the United States during colonial times, quickly became popular and are known as the “Queen of the Fall Flowers.” Blooming from August to November, they are easily cultivated and grown. They come in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes. Colors include shades of pink, purple, lavender, red, yellow, bronze, orange, cream and white. Some of the most popular shapes include the fanciful spider shape, spoon, anemone and pompoms, which are famous at Texas

Mums are divided into two di erent categories: garden hardy and exhibition. Garden mums are considered an easy-care perennial, coming back year after year in El Dorado County. After blooming has finished in winter, cut back garden mums to the ground. The exhibition mums need additional care, staking and covering for cold, rainy weather protection or they may not survive the winter. Mums love the sun and prefer a sunny location. Keep them well watered whether they are in pots or in the ground. Mulching is always a good idea. In spring, tippinch back new growth until June to force mums to bloom in the fall.

In the Victorian language of flowers, mums represent friendship, cheerfulness, compassion, loyalty and devotion. In America, chrysanthemums symbolize respect and honor. So, as you stroll through your favorite nursery this year, don’t hesitate to pick up a few colorful pots of our delightful fall favorite, chrysanthemums!

Join Master Gardeners Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden for the free Fall into Gardening event, 9 a.m. to noon. Presentations on a variety of topics will be given throughout the day. All 16 individual gardens will be sta ed by Master Gardeners who will answer gardening questions. The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is located at 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville, behind the Folsom Lake College/El Dorado Center.

Master Gardener classes are o ered 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.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, through November. The garden does close when the temperature is above 95 degrees. Check our website for details 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 mgeldorado.ucanr.edu or leave a message on the o ce 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.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You have range. Choosing the right mode can be challenging. You can be professional and cordial or irreverent and funny. To be appropriate in every situation means being inappropriate in the ones that call for it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Everyone knows there’s more than meets the eye, but some need to poke through the paper scenery to peer to the other side, and others don’t. Your curiosity will get the best of you, and you’ll cut yourself a small window.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Perfectionism is a form of fear. If you never take the product out into the world, you never have to face the music of the market. Be bold. Take your chances. The worst that can happen is that you’ll learn what to work on next.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Honesty moves you, even if it’s fiction. Emotional truth and factual truth are different kinds of honesty that don’t always show up together. Keep in mind that emotions can be manipulated by skilled actors, liars and storytellers.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People will talk, but the words aren’t what they are really saying. If you listen to just the words, you’ll miss the meaning. Mentally distance yourself to see the bigger dance and the motivations that drive it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sure, you don’t want to cause anyone a hassle. But don’t be too concerned with making everything easy either. When people have to work for something, they value it more and derive greater pleasure from the experience.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Who comes through for you every day? Take nothing for granted. These loyalties are hardy and may remain whether you nurture them or not. But you’d rather be known as someone who nurtured the very best in others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The work you’ve done will be useful one day, meaningful the next and then obsolete -- and much later, historic. So you may as well commit as though it’s everything. In many ways, it is.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Stay open to your muses, if not for yourself for those you’re sure to inspire. You’ll surround yourself with things that reflect who you are. Your values, taste and sensibility shine through as you share from the heart.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You love people in different ways and for different reasons. Relationships shift with time, and you’ll roll with the changes, whether they be toward depth, friendliness or familiarity. It’s nothing to fear.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There is a benefit in everything you experience, even if you may not understand it at the time. Therefore, today’s cosmic gift of immediate comprehension is no small boon. You’ll base your next move on this valuable learning.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It would be senseless to pine after unpossessed talents when you own so many, though everyone does this from time to time. Avoid the tendency! Winning move: Key into your strengths and ignore everything else for now.

Mum’s the word — the colorful history of chrysanthemums

Photo by Pauline Atkins

Chrysanthemums come in many varieties and are a long-lasting flower when cut or potted.

Pauline Atkins

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Historically, mums were, and still are, the flower of choice at funerals and memorials in some European countries. This is understandable, since cut or potted mums are a long-lasting flower.

■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

■ TODAY HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

Complete

Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.

EDUCATION sponsors

Billy Hodges

Kiwanis installs officers

Dina Gentry News release

The Placerville Kiwanis Club is enthusiastic to serve El Dorado County schools and community. On Sept. 14 club members installed new officers during a dinner at the Cold Springs Country Club.

Officers are: President Bob Verzello, PresidentElect Sophie Cabrera, Vice President Brenda Frachiseur, Secretary Tom Hinshaw, Treasurer Kathleen Switzer. Paul Zappettini will serve as advisor to the president. Serving on the Kiwanis Board of Directors are: Past President Brian Veerkamp, John Prock, Charlie Wiglesworth, Jerry Galloway, Paul

Zappettini, Raelene Herzig, Gale Pirtle, Trish Koszalka, Dee Ann Kraus and Dan Clark.

“The Kiwanis Club of Placerville is blessed to have a dedicated and thriving membership along with generous sponsors in our community,” Verzello said after his installation.

“We are ready to do big things this year — including a new initiative focused on curbing child trafficking that we hope will inspire our fellow Kiwanis clubs throughout Northern California to join in our efforts.”

Over the last couple years Placerville Kiwanis members have volunteered hundreds of hours to distribute food

to food-insecure families, participate in clean up days, raise money for the club’s signature event — the Studebaker Wheelbarrow Races, empower students through their Key Clubs and Builders Clubs at multiple schools, facilitate Aktion Club for Mother Lode Rehabilitation Inc. clients, provide bar service at events, collect donations for the Kiwanis Family House and more.

Club meetings are held at Cold Springs Country Club. Guests are welcome to attend. For more information visit placervillekiwanis.org or the club’s Facebook Page.

LLC

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Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Artistic Beads & Studio

Best Western Stage Coach Inn Burke Junction

CAPTRUST Carbon Copy, Inc. Carnahan Electric Ltd. Conforti Plumbing Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado Irrigation District EN2 Resources, Inc.

Farmers Insurance – Sean Smith Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community Mountain Roofing Systems The Green House Café Triangle Well Drilling Western Sign Co., Inc. WSD

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper. NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation. Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools. Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

You may meet the first woman to help put a person on Mars

Misty diVittorio News release

The American Association of University Women invites the public to come and meet this year’s AAUW Foothills of El Dorado County Tech Trek campers and listen to their University of California, Davis science camp experience. The luncheon will be held 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Park Community Church, 3901 Chaparral Drive in Shingle Springs. Lunch will be prepared by Chef Eileen Burke-Trent. Reservations for lunch are $25 per person and go toward scholarships to send eight middle school girls from El Dorado County to another AAUW Tech Trek summer camp.

What is Tech Trek?

AAUW Tech Trek is a STEM camp for seventh-grade girls going into eighth grade — the age when girls’ participation in the different fields of science statistically drops. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The goal of Tech Trek is to introduce more girls

to the possibility of a career in the STEM fields and to build their confidence in their abilities to excel in these areas.

This year eight middle school girls were selected from El Dorado County, along with 120 girls from other Northern California AAUW branches.

Seven of these girls attended a week-long camp on the UC Davis campus. The eighth student participated in

a week-long robotics virtual camp. Some past campers come back as junior counselors and basically help to run the show.

At camp the girls live on campus in the dorm, eating in the cafeteria and attending morning hands-on classes in genetics, anatomy, engineering, nutrition and mediacomputer science. In the afternoon there are more fun hands-on workshops, including tours of the UC Davis Veterinarian School and the Chemistry and Entomology Departments. If that does not tire the girls out, in the evenings there are more special events such as a professional women’s night. The girls interview and listen to women talk about their careers in criminology, forensics, police canine work, veterinary medicine, structural engineering, food science and more.

our

to our generous subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

these sponsors your support for the program by

their businesses.

Courtesy photo Placerville Kiwanis Club Past-President Brian Veerkamp, Treasurer Kathleen Switzer, Secretary Tom Hinshaw, Vice President Brenda Frachiseur, President-Elect Sophie Cabrera and President Bob Verzello, left to right, are ready to serve.

Courtesy photo Tech Trek student Erin works on one of the many hands-on activities offered during camp at UC Davis.

“My family’s dog has seizures and seeing those traumatic things, wanting to help, is why I got interested in animal health,” said student Baylor Hargon. “The great thing about ROP is that it gives me the opportunity to learn about other animals I haven’t really encountered before.”

Students involved in the program are also given instruction by the national Future Farmers of America organization and can apply some of that learning by participating in competitions known as career development events. Gilroy leads the veterinary science CDE team for the Shingle Springs FFA chapter, which took third place in the 2022 California State Finals. The students on the vet science team study hard for competition, facing examinations that test their knowledge on parasites, animal breeds and general and practical veterinary skills. Students who compete on the team often feel well-prepared for the challenges they later face in their studies in veterinary school.

Gilroy is clearly proud of the things her ROP students achieve, commenting on her joy in hearing from previous students about how the program has shaped their futures.

“To me, that’s one of the best parts of the job,” Gilroy said. “It’s great to have students tell me about the jobs they’ve gotten thanks to being part of ROP.”

Tech Trek Continued from B2

The virtual camp had similar workshops and opportunities to meet professional women in the STEM fields. Tech Trek helps to spark the campers’ curiosity in the sciences and creates opportunities to meet with women role models in the STEM fields.

Every year the local Tech Trek Committee contacts middle school science teachers in the county to nominate seventh-grade girls that show a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM — girls who have the potential to excel if given the opportunity. This year 20 local girls applied and AAUW members noted the hardest part was that only eight could be accepted when every one of them deserved to go.

For more information, luncheon reservations or to make a donation contact Norma at (530) 295-9056 or Laurel (530) 417-7737. Those who want to donate to the program may also do so by sending checks to: Norma, AAUW Treasurer, 3078 Edythe Court, Placerville, CA 95667.

Know Continued from B1

Fall into Gardening with the Master Gardeners, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville. Presentations will be given throughout the day. There will also be activities for kids, community booths and UCCE program information. Admission is free.

The second annual Walk With Austin TRY-athlon is scheduled 8-11 a.m. at El Dorado Hills Community Park and the EHD pool. Kids with special needs up to age 18 are invited to participate in this adaptive swim, bike, run event. For more information visit walkwithaustin.org/events.

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce presents the Thunder in the Park Car Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cameron Park Lake. Enjoy raffles, food trucks, a live DJ, vendor booths and more and this family friendly event.

Lotus Hocus Pocus hosts Hip Nosis, a high energy nine-piece band, featuring a horn section and outstanding vocals. This House Concert will be held in a beautiful garden setting in Lotus, 7-10 p.m. All net proceeds go the the musicians. There will be an opportunity to meet the musicians and share drinks and desserts at the intermission. Those interested must request an invitation to attend this concert. Email houseconcerts@lotushocuspocus. com or call (530) 622-4914 to receive an invitation.

Oct. 2

The local chapter of Pony Express will host the national convention next year. To help raise funds, chapter members will hold a rummage sale and tack sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Dorado Savings parking lot on POny Express Trail. Those who would like to rent a boot are asked to contact Cindy at (530) 3917652 or cindyshields1016@gmail.com.

El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St. Trains leave on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. with the last train departing the station at 1 p.m., weather permitting. For more information call (530) 663-3581.

Flowers

Plant of the Month members receive a new plant every month on certain dates and Flower of the Month members will receive a floral arrangement based on the seasons.

Pick up is on campus but delivery can be arranged on larger orders. Membership prices are $180 and $240.

To order an arrangement from Fletcher’s class or find out more about the monthly memberships, email bfletcher@eduhsd.net.

The Public Square

A local marketplace to find what you are looking for…To post your message, call us at 530-622-1255, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Employment

NOW HIRING ASSEMBLY WORKERS $200 SIGN ON BONUS for FULL TIME WORKERS AFTER 90 DAYS.

Apply IN PERSON at Applied Control Electronics, 5480 Merchant Circle, Placerville, CA 95667. Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

NEW TODAY Dental office in Placerville looking for DA/RDA to work 3 to 4 days a week. Please email resume to sn4jonesdds.@gmail.com

NEW TODAY El Dorado Truss Co., Inc seeks Design Manager in Placerville, CA. Req’d: 3 yrs. experience as Design Manager. Knowledge of drafting, architectural/wall panel design or CAD applications, Ability to read and understand blueprints and architectural drawings. Proficiency in MiTek software is required.

Mail resume: El Dorado Truss Co, Inc. 300 Industrial Dr. Placerville, CA 95667

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For Sale

SALE

Garage Sale Wanted

see Sat., Oct

Please call (916) 933-4447

For Rent Free

FREE

HOME

female,

Cell phone,

only (530) 391-5200

PLACERVILLE-$1.00 a square foot, includes utilities, 200sf –720sf each, office, storage, light industrial? 4600 Missouri Flat Rd, (530) 622-2640

wanna sell? 622-1255

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Senior Civil Engineer

Senior Civil Engineer: $9,855.78-$11,979.76 per month

Date Opened: July 15, 2022- Amended 9/9/2022

Filing Deadline: Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Civil Engineer in the Engineering Department.

For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667

Fax: (530) 622-1134

wanna sell? 622-1255

Garden Apartments

Signature of Registrant: /s/ Reid

McNulty

REID MCNULTY, VICE PRESIDENT I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).)

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 08/15/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28 10831

FICTITIOUS

The following person(s)

as: HIGH SIERRA HOUSE AND CARPET ClEANING SERVICES, located at 5802 Traverse Creek Rd, Garden Valley, CA 95633/ Mailing Address: PO Box 541, Garden Valley, CA 95633

Registered owner(s):

1. Marie Christine Breland, 5802 Traverse Creek Rd, Garden Valley, CA 95633, 2. Richard Breland, 5802 Traverse Creek Rd, Garden Valley, CA 95633

This business is conducted by a General Partnership

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Signature of Registrant: /s/ Marie Breland MARIE BRELAND, GENERAL PARTNER

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the

Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).)

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 08/29/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Temporary Utility Worker — Recreation (90-day Assignment)

Salary: $23.90 per hour

Date Opened: September 13, 2022

Filing Deadline: Open until filled.

First review of applications on September 21, 2022.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for several Temporary Utility Worker positions within the Recreation Division of Operations.

These are temporary positions and employees are employed for a period not-to-exceed three months from date of appointment.

For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667

Fax: (530) 622-1134

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

legal

from B1

Courtesy photo Students Kaitlyn Harnden and Shannon Holmes work on their arrangements during class.

Continued from B1