Mountain Democrat: Friday, July 3, 2026

Catalytic converter sparks multiple fires in Somerset

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

A vehicle’s catalytic converter set o 20 separate fires on the east side of Mt. Aukum Road near Somerset around 1:44 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit Public Information

O cer Wendy Oaks. Firefighters quickly responded and extinguished most of the fires with three of the fires growing to a combined total of 8 acres. Forward progress was stopped at approximately 3:40 p.m. with both crews on the

■ See FIRES, page A5

to keep an eye on the

near his home and to determine if he needed to load up cows,

the Happy Fire on June 30.

and other

County exploring how to parcel out potential Costco revenue

Noel Stack

Editor

Stressing the “if,” not “when,” the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors recently discussed how to best disburse tax revenue should Costco come to El Dorado Hills. “El Dorado County has never seen a project like Costco before,” District 1 Supervisor

Greg Ferrero said at the June 23 meeting. “This project, if approved, will likely help the county’s budget for years to

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

have.

PLACE

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to e ect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to su er, while evils are su erable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw o such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient su erance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations ■ See DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, page A6

Photo by Mandy Gough

Emma Gough, 13, embodies the American Spirit as she presents Old Glory at opening ceremonies of a recent Gold Rush Gymkhana barrel racing competition at a Shingle Springs stable. As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, let’s all appreciate the freedoms we

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene Trevor Rudolph parked his vehicle on Oak Leaf Circle

firefighting efforts

goats

livestock during

ESSENTIALS

Elsie Ann Sydnor

Sept. 11, 1936 – May 16, 2026

Elsie Jacobson was born to Ervin and Marie Jacobson in Julesburg, Colorado where her family were sharecroppers. They moved to Washington when she was eight years old and grew up there with her younger siblings Elmer and Connie.

She was an excellent student and her high school teachers encouraged her to continue her education, even visiting her home to persuade her parents to let her pursue college. She enrolled at Western Washington and became the first in her family to graduate from college. In a scholarship application, she wrote in 1954 of her desire to become a teacher. She also wanted to be a woman who is “a good wife and mother and still be able to continue with her career.”

Elsie met Al Sydnor while they were both students at Western Washington, and married in 1957. After Al was discharged from a 9-year career in the Army, they settled in Cupertino, California, where they raised their four lovely children: Brenda Hansen (Henrik), Sandra Prow (Gordon), Alex Sydnor (Janet), and Eric Escobedo-Sydnor (Miguel). Elsie was most proud that each child knew how to cook for themselves and do their own laundry before they left home.

Elsie spent nearly 30 years sharing her joy of learning with grade school children in the San Jose Unified School District. Her warmth, loving support, and encouragement impacted thousands of young children throughout her career; some who kept in touch with her over the years. She was very passionate about books and reading and opened libraries at Reed and Hester Elementary schools in San Jose. She finished her career at Hester as the Librarian and the Computer Resource Teacher.

Elsie and Al were avid gardeners. They cultivated an extensive garden with over 300 plantings of fuchsias and many other plants they collected as they toured regional nurseries. Elsie served on the board of the American Fuchsia Society for many years, and published their international bulletin. She and Al made many friends with like-minded fuchsia lovers in the U.S. and Europe who they visited during their extensive travels. She and Al loved a road trip, and put thousands of cross country miles on their camping trailer, in addition to visiting family and friends in Europe.

They remained in Cupertino for 50 years until downsizing to a cottage at Eskaton in 2016 in Placerville where they could be close to family. They were married for 61 years before Al passed away in 2018. Elsie is blessed with her four children and their spouses, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

She was always kind and warm, with a twinkle in her eye and an easy smile. Our beloved Mom, friend, and mentor will be truly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 18th at El Dorado County Federated Church in Placerville at 3:00pm with a reception to follow at the church.

Kristine Carter

May 7, 1957 – June 8, 2026

With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of Kristine Carter, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dear friend. Though she left this world far too soon, the impact she made on the lives of those around her will be felt for years to come.

Kristine was born and raised in the Bay Area, where she developed the kindness, strength, and compassion that became the foundation of her life. In 1985 she moved to Placerville, a community she proudly called home for the next four decades. There, she raised her children, built lifelong friendships, and became a familiar and respected presence throughout the community.

For more than 30 years, Kris worked as an insurance agent, helping countless individuals and families. Through her dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for others, she earned the trust and admiration of clients, colleagues, and friends alike.

Kristine loved her family and friends above all else. Known as the “hostess with the mostess,” she had a special gift for bringing people together, filling her home with laughter, love, and lasting memories.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Carter; her children, Nick Petrocelli, Angela Benoit, Joseph Carter and Bobby Carter; her cherished grandchildren; her siblings; and countless friends and extended family members.

While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace. Our Krissy, aka Lucy, will live in our hearts forever and will never be forgotten. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

A celebration of life is scheduled for August 29, 2026. Please contact Angela at (530) 391-3031 for additional details.

Gary and Carol Kenworthy

Gary Eugene Kenworthy

Dec. 21, 1935 – Jan. 28, 2026

Gary was born on December 21, 1935, to Eugene and Ara Kenworthy of Spokane, Washington. Gary passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on January 28, 2026.

Carol Jean Kenworthy

Feb. 26, 1936 – June 6, 2026

Carol Jean was born February 26, 1936, to Lawerence Paul (Curly) and Esther Hanson of Spokane, Washington before moving to Placerville, California.

Carol passed peacefully on June 6, 2026, in a local Memory Care Facility.

Gary and Carol were married June 15, 1956, in Spokane, Washington. They were looking forward to celebrating their 70th Wedding Anniversary this June. They met while in high school attending rival high schools. Gary was a quarterback for John Rogers. Carol was a cheerleader for North Central, both in Spokane.

They are survived by their children Karie (John), Kevin, Kathy (Marc), 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their son Kyle.

Gary excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track while attending John Rogers. He received a full ride football scholarship and graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science and Physical Education. He was the Vandals quarterback from 1955-57. He coached the Freshman Football Team at UOI while getting his Master’s Degree in Education. In September 1959 Gary began teaching at El Dorado High School in Placerville until he retired in June 1996. He taught general science and physical education, developing one of California’s first co-ed PE classes. He returned to Moscow for one year as UIO’s o ensive coordinator and quarterback coach before returning to Placerville. Throughout his career he coached football, wrestling, skiing and swimming and was a drivers education instructor. In 1967, he started coaching the Dry Diggins Dolphins Swim Team, which he enjoyed for 30 years. In 1981 he was the Head Coach of the professional Sacramento Bu alos Football Team. Gary was instrumental in organizing and help construct Bennett Parks baseball and softball facilities along with improving the football stadium retaining walls and additions to the press box. It is di cult to address all his changing roles and accomplishments through the community over his lifetime. He was truly loved and was dedicated to all his students and community, referring to many as “one of my kids”. He had so much love to give and that didn’t stop with his own family and friends. In 2001 he received the National Award for Outstanding Community Service given to him by the U of I.

Carol attended Washington State University until moving to Idaho to become Gary’s wife. She stayed busy with all her children’s activities, helping with PTA, Girl and Boy Scouts, Little League, Dry Diggins Dolphins swim team, Rainbow Girls and DeMolay. As the kids grew older, she went back to college receiving her degree in Home Economics. She loved teaching sewing and cooking and taught at just about all the high schools in El Dorado County before settling into El Dorado High School. While at El Dorado she was the CSMO Advisor for the cheerleaders. In 1988 they won the State Championship and competed at Nationals in Orlando, FL. She also chaperoned students to Washington, DC and Hawaii. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for 60 years. Also, a member of AAUW. She was a past president of both. She was also a member of the Shakespeare Club. She still had energy to be active in the Hangtown Women’s Tennis Club.

They were laid to rest in a private ceremony at Westwood Hills Memorial Park in Placerville. A Joint Celebration of Life with be held on August 6, 2026, at Green Valley Church at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers we encourage you to spend time with your family, which was so important to them. They loved outdoor activities, especially spending time with their family and friends on their boat on Lake Tahoe.

Donations may be given to the Dry Diggins Dolphins Swim Team Gary Kenworthy Loyalty Scholarship Fund or Bristol Hospice Foundation of California.

Dixie Lee Foote

Oct. 2, 1946 – June 21, 2026

Dixie was born to Gus and Connie Pipkin on Oct 2, 1946 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The daughter of an Air Force pilot, Dixie moved all over the U.S. as a child, before graduating from Highlands High School in 1964. At the young age of 18, she married Bob Foote, sharing a love that endured 60 years till death they did part.

With two young children, Dixie briefly found employment with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department before establishing a long career with the County Board of Supervisors, eventually becoming Clerk of the Board.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her love was family, sewing, quilting, baking and a loyal patron of the arts. Dixie’s sudden diagnosis of cancer resulted in her passing away peacefully on June 21, 2026, in Cumming, Georgia with her two children at her side.

She leaves behind son Robert Tracy Foote (Wife Cecilyn), daughter Teri Putnam (Husband Aaron), and grandchildren Madison Foote, Marley Foote, Ella Putnam and Ethan Putnam.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Green Valley Cemetery in Rescue, California, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Sheryl “Sue” Leeson

July 2nd, 1953 – March 19th, 2026

Sheryl Sue Scott was born in Burbank, California in 1953 to Don Scott and Judy Gully and passed away on March 19, 2026 at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, CA. She graduated from El Dorado High School, class of 1971. She was a loving mother, grandmother and a wonderful woman. She is survived by her partner, Chris and her family, Jessi, Missi, her grandchildren, Hunter and Hannah and sister, Ann.

Sue lived a beautiful life and shared joy and humor everywhere she went. She was a master gardener and enjoyed the sun, gardening and propagating plants as well as friendships. Her garden was a marvel of beautiful plants she collected and cared for, all thriving and beautiful, all with a unique story. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining her friends for holidays and gatherings. Her favorite was Christmas and she took so much joy picking out gifts and watching the reactions of her kids and grandchildren. It was more about the experience and love she created.

Sue was a believer in Jesus and knew all things were possible through him. In her younger years she loved playing cards and Karaoke. We will remember all the fun and love she created. She will be missed dearly, however we have faith knowing she’s in a better place and ever so grateful for the years we had with her.

The Memorial Service was private and was held on June 27, 2026 in Rescue, CA.

Ex-fugitive Cacconie gets maximum 18-year sentence

Lance Armstrong Staff writer

Carl W. Cacconie, a convicted child predator who fled from justice for 10 months after failing to appear for his sentencing in El Dorado County last summer, was sentenced this week to 18 years in state prison.

The prison term imposed by El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Michael J. McLaughlin on June 29, is the maximum sentence permitted under the law.

“While no sentence can undo the harm suffered

by the victim, we hope this sentence brings some finality to a long and overdue process,” El Dorado County

District Attorney Vern Pierson commented on Cacconie’s sentencing.

In July 2025, an El Dorado County jury convicted Cacconie, 51, on six counts of committing lewd acts upon a child younger than 14 following a trial in South Lake Tahoe.

After that conviction, an El Dorado County deputy district attorney requested Cacconie be held in custody while he awaited his scheduled Aug. 25, 2025 sentencing. That request was denied, and Caccoine was instead kept out of custody on bail, set at $1 million. As part of his bail arrangement,

Caccoine was fitted with a monitoring device and surrendered his passport. Eight days before Caccoine was to appear in court for his sentencing, transmission from his monitoring device suddenly stopped and he later failed to appear. His family contacted the court to report that he was missing, sharing Caccoine had left behind a suicide note, his cellphone and wallet. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

After nearly 10 months of fleeing justice as a fugitive, Cacconie was captured in Arizona on June 12 through the coordinated efforts

of the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Sacramento field office, and other law enforcement partners. He was subsequently returned to El Dorado County to face sentencing.

During Cacconie’s sentencing hearing the victim read an impact statement, and was later commended for her extraordinary courage, resilience and strength throughout this process.

“Because of her perseverance, justice was ultimately served,” a statement from the DA’s Office notes.

All fireworks are illegal in El Dorado County

El Dorado County

As Independence Day approaches, the El Dorado County Fire Protection District reminds residents and visitors that all fireworks are illegal in El Dorado County. This includes fireworks labeled “safe and sane,” as well as the use, storage, possession, transportation, sale or discharge of fireworks. Fireworks are

prohibited throughout El Dorado County and within the city of Placerville. Placerville Municipal Code section 3-6-1 prohibits the sale or discharge of fireworks, including firecrackers, sparklers, roman candles and similar explosive articles, except for authorized public displays. El Dorado County has also reminded the public that all fireworks are restricted under El Dorado County Ordinance Code section 8.08.050.

“Fireworks may seem like a holiday tradition, but in El Dorado County they create a serious risk to lives, homes, pets, neighborhoods, and wildland areas,” said Division ChiefFire Marshal Jacob Poganski. “Even a small firework can ignite dry vegetation and quickly become a dangerous fire. The safest choice is to leave fireworks to permitted professional displays.”

Each year, fireworks cause serious injuries and fires across the country. According

MESSAGE FROM THE DA’S OFFICE

Celebrate freedom — safely

News release

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office reminds the public to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday responsibly by planning ahead: designate a sober driver, use public transportation or call a rideshare or cab. During the 4th of July holiday period, through Sunday, July 5, the California Highway Patrol will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugss.

In 2024, 579 people were killed in crashes throughout the U.S. during the 4th of July holiday period. Of those deadly crashes, 38% involved alcohol. During last year’s Independence Day holiday period, 35 people were killed in crashes on California roads and California Highway Patrol officers made more than 1,300 arrests for driving under the influence.

“No holiday is worth risking a life,” said Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney. “The 4th of July is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and we want everyone to enjoy the holiday and make it home safely. Before you head out, make a plan for how you’ll get home. A simple decision to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare can save a life. We all share the responsibility of keeping our roads safe.”

Impaired driving is not caused by alcohol alone; prescription drugs, overthe-counter medications, cannabis products and other substances may also lead to impairment. If you plan to drink or take any medication with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive.

Here are tips for a safe and sober 4th of July:

• Designate a sober driver: Choose someone ahead of time who will stay sober and make sure everyone gets home safely.

• Use ridesharing services or public transportation: If you plan to drink, use public transit, a rideshare service or call a cab.

• Host responsibly: If you’re hosting, offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options and make sure your guests have safe, sober rides home.

• Look out for others: Don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Take their keys and help arrange a safe ride or offer to have them stay the night.

• Stay alert: Watch for impaired drivers on the road and report them to local law enforcement by calling 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in an estimated 13,000 injuries in 2025, including approximately 1,300 emergency room-treated injuries involving sparklers. CPSC also reported 15 fireworks-related deaths in 2025.

Sparklers are often viewed as harmless, but they can burn at approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to cause severe burns and ignite clothing or dry

vegetation. Children should never handle fireworks, including sparklers.

District officials encourage everyone to celebrate safely and legally by attending a permitted public fireworks display or choosing non-firework alternatives. Residents are also asked to use 911 only for emergencies or potentially lifethreatening situations. This helps ensure firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical

personnel remain available for critical incidents.

To report dangerous or illegal firework activity contact: • El Dorado County Sheriff Dispatch: (530) 621-6600

• Placerville Police Dispatch, within the city of Placerville: (530) 642-5298

• For emergencies, call 911.

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District thanks the community for helping prevent fires and keeping El Dorado County safe this holiday.

CARL W. CACCONIE

OPINION

California Commentary

How HJTA got Sacramento to surrender on tax hike loophole

Earlier this year, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association turned in 1.3 million signatures and successfully qualified the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13 for the November ballot.

The LTPA will make it harder to raise local taxes in California. It’s desperately needed at a time when a ordability is a top concern of state residents. Proposition 13, now part of the state constitution, limited annual increases in property taxes while a property is under the same ownership, and it cut the tax rate from a statewide average of 2.67% to 1%. In addition, Prop. 13 made it harder to raise other taxes. It required a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to pass state tax increases, and it required new or higher local taxes to go on the ballot for voter approval — with “special taxes” requiring a twothirds vote.

That’s still in the state constitution, but the California courts have reinterpreted the plain language to allow some “special taxes” to pass with less than a two-thirds vote.

The new Local Taxpayer Protection Act is exclusively focused on restoring the twothirds vote requirement in Proposition 13, after courts have eroded its protections.

As a result, Californians are paying billions of dollars in new taxes that they should not have been required to pay. This began in 2017 with ambiguous language in the state Supreme Court’s decision in California Cannabis Coalition v. City of Upland. It suggested that if citizens put a measure on the ballot to raise taxes, the two-thirds vote requirement didn’t apply.

The “Upland” loophole now allows special interests to write their own tax increase, direct the money to themselves, collect signatures to place it on the ballot, and evade the two-thirds vote requirement to pass special taxes.

That stops after November.

The LTPA requires a two-thirds vote for special taxes, all of them, without the made-up “exception” for special interests that write their own tax increase on a petition.

In recent weeks, we were heavily pressured by special interest groups and elected o cials, including the governor’s o ce, to pull the LTPA from the November ballot. Moreover, many of our supporters ■ See COUPAL, page A5

The Not So Weekly Daley

Letters to the Editor

Us vs. them

EDITOR:

We’re all Americans, regardless of political party a liation, religion or personal identities.

Despite our di erences, we’re still neighbors and fellow community members. In fact, that’s our strength. When our communities face hardships, we don’t withhold assistance based on our di erences — we support one another. Why? Because we care about each other. In those moments of crisis, we are all human. We’re all in the same situation together.

As Americans, we are currently facing a collective crisis. Increases in (or the elimination of) the following basic needs and essential rights that a ect us all:

• Food

Gas

Fire insurance

• Protection of our food, land, and water

• Social Security

• Veterans’ benefits

• Voting by mail

• Voting rights

It doesn’t matter if you are experiencing these issues right now or after the midterms (when the “Big Beautiful Bill” cuts take e ect). There is no escaping our collective reality. Finger-pointing and blame will not resolve our situation.

It’s time to let go of our individual di erences — the us vs. them mentality. Let’s stand up together against the corruption in our government. We hold the power in our democracy. We need to use it.

LINDA RETHWISCH Somerset

Another day tapping into the Iran War/peace talks

As happens occasionally, I just got a “package” from my best confidential source in Washington, D.C. It was in that familiar plain brown envelope (familiar to me only), and it was bulging with a full ream of papers, writing on both sides. I have edited them for clarity and brevity. They are allegedly transcripts of several sessions featuring Jared Kushner and Steve Witko for our team negotiating with Iran’s Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (aka Qalibaf). Iran has other negotiators, but evidently nobody knows their names. The transcripts simply note them as “Iran’s other guys.” I will use the first initial of each speaker’s surname, thus K for

Kushner, W for Witko and Gh for Ghalibaf.

Other participants may be identified likewise, such as V for Vice President JD Vance.

Unless otherwise noted, consider all these recorded dialogues in quotation marks.

Gh: Good morning lackies of the Great Satan, I trust you slept well. And what shall we talk about on this fine day? Tea, co ee?

K or W: Morning, Mo. Thought you dogs ran out of tea last week or was it the clean water (smirking emoji)?

W: But co ee, clean water, if you have it. Oh hey, seen your Supposed Leader-baf (sic) lately?

K - Good one, Steve.

Gh: It’s our Supreme Leader, you puny infidels, and how about topic one, OUR Strait of Hormuz?

W: Yeah, I’m still thinking

beachfront resorts right there, 18 holes, co-ed spa, no face or head rags for the ladies, swim-up bars, Cuban cigars, the works.

Gh: We are thinking many hundred billions plus interest, up front. And close all U.S. bases on your Arab minions’ lands.

K: Want in on a billion dollar tungsten mine, sweet deal in Kazakhstan, Mo? Get in on the ground floor. I can make it happen — between you ‘n’ me, OK?

Gh: For Iran, not for me. Will get back to you. Finders fee, yes?

K: Damn Strait, get it? Haha.

W: Ever think about a villa in NYC, Mo? I have a couple left, family rate for you and your Heathen buddies. But they won’t last. So, LMK asap.

Gh: Thanks, Steve. I would need at least 12 rooms, three bathrooms, prayer room, real, green grass in the yards, pool and hot tub, of course. BTW, can’t you do something about Israel and Hezbolla? Gotta get that under control.

W: You know, our Supreme Leader, DJT, has said Israel does what he tells them to do so, no worries there.

V: Hey all, s’up?

K & W: Yo, Dick (sic) aarrh aarrh. Whatcha doin’ here?

V: Boss wants an update asap. Sorry, gotta run, keep in touch, Ciao.

Gh: What does he actually do?

K: He runs errands. “Always liked Nixon.” Another Dick. (low chuckles). Gh: Ok, Sulphureous imps from Hades, good discussion/negotiation today. Same time tmrw. And guys, please, keep your bombs away from my house. You have the address.

K or W: Later Dog dude dude! We’ll bring the co ee water … (snarky giggles)

This pretty much ends the first tranche of transcripts. My source says there’s a lot more to come. I will keep you apprised as plain brown envelopes become available to me only. Ciao for now …

Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

JON COUPAL

CHRIS DALEY

The cause of the Happy Fire was determined to be from a vehicle’s catalytic converter. Below right, a helicopter delivers water to an area near Oak Leaf Circle and Mt. Aukum Road around 3:30 p.m. on June 30.

Fires Continued from A1

ground and in the air.

A roadblock was set up at the intersection of Mt. Aukum and Pleasant Valley Roads, near Holiday Market and evacuation warnings and orders were issued by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office for the area around Oak Leaf Circle and along Mt. Aukum

Road between Somerset Loop and Happy Valley Cutoff Road.

Cal Fire AEU had jurisdiction over the response and was supported by air attack and firefighters from Georgetown, Rescue, Pioneer, El Dorado County and Tribal fire departments as well as U.S.

Forest Service-Eldorado National Forest and Bureau of Land Management crews.

A temporary evacuation point was established for evacuees of the Happy Fire at the Placerville Library at 345 Fair Lane. The evacuation order was lifted around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CRIME LOG

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

April 3

8:23 p.m. Battery was reported on White Rock Road in El Dorado Hills.

9:03 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Rim Street in Pollock Pines.

9:52 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on La Crescenta Drive in Cameron Park.

10:28 p.m. Someone was

April 4

11:27 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a person suspected of probation violation, possessing unlawful paraphernalia, possessing a controlled substance and disorderly conduct on Sunlight Drive in Diamond Springs. They were listed in custody in lieu of $32,000 bail.

2:39 p.m. Trespassing was reported

Continued from A4

in the business community received even more intense pressure, with demands that they stop helping HJTA’s campaign to pass the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association refused to pull the LTPA initiative off the ballot unless something of even greater benefit to taxpayers was offered.

Then, with just hours to go before the deadline to finalize the ballot, we won a tremendous victory for taxpayers.

The governor’s office and the Legislature reversed their previous stance and offered us their full support for the twothirds vote requirement to pass special taxes. They offered to pass a legislative constitutional amendment, ACA 22, that would close the “Upland” loophole once and for all.

But that wasn’t enough. We also insisted that the Legislature reverse its vote from 2023 that put a “poison pill” constitutional amendment, ACA 13, on the November ballot. ACA 13 would have required the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to meet an unusually high vote threshold to pass, potentially making it far more difficult to enact taxpayer protections through the initiative process, permanently.

to make it harder to raise taxes and also erased a barrier to passing new taxpayer protection measures.

With the Legislature’s strong endorsement of the two-thirds vote requirement to pass all special taxes, and the removal of “poison pill” ACA 13 from the November ballot, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers

at a mobile home park on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

6:15 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Reservoir Road in Georgetown.

8:06 p.m. Battery was reported at Jenkinson Lake on Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines.

April 5

7:38 a.m. Trespassing was reported on Cameron Park Lake on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

7:14 p.m. Battery was reported on

Highway 49 in Lotus.

8:33 p.m. Battery was reported on Miners Trail Road in Somerset.

April 6

2:27 p.m. Someone was reportedly drunk in public at a school on Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills.

2:50 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Faith Lane in Diamond Springs.

3:27 p.m. Someone was reportedly n See CRIME LOG, page A6

Do you have an announcement that you would like to include here? Contact Elizabeth Hansen (530) 344-5028 or ehansen@mtdemocrat.net Coupal

Association has agreed to withdraw its original initiative from the ballot. Instead, voters will have the opportunity to pass the Local Taxpayer Protection Act as ACA 22, soon to have a proposition number for November.

The new Local Taxpayer Protection Act is exclusively focused on restoring the two-

thirds vote requirement in Proposition 13, after courts have eroded its protections. A large coalition of supporters is growing by the hour.

We look forward to an energetic and successful campaign to

The governor’s office and the Legislature agreed to our terms. On Thursday afternoon, ACA 21 was passed to remove the “poison pill” from the November ballot and clear the way for the LTPA to be approved by a majority of voters. It was a remarkable turnaround. Just two years ago, the California Legislature sought to make it easier to raise taxes with Proposition 5, which the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association defeated at the ballot. On Thursday an overwhelming majority of the Legislature voted

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.com PLAY CRIBBAGE – Begins June 17, 2026, Join the Gold Country Cribbers, We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun, Wednesdays 11:30 AM –Summer Play, Steve’s Pizza – 3941 Park Dr #100, El Dorado Hills, CA, 916-212-2465 or 916-202-1762

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB: Come play tennis for fitness, fun & friendship. Meet at El Dorado HS tennis courts on Acacia St., Placerville, Wednesdays 9-11 except June -August, hours 9-11. Social activities & monthly tennis clinics. Some tennis ability required. Call Trisha 530-651-8121.

Grief support: Green Valley Community Church provides caring support through: • Grief share classes • Suicide loss support group • Memorials year round, Visit our website: www.greenvalley.church/outreach or call 530-622-3231.

Come and enjoy a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA), for the CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30 AM on March 16, May 18, July 20, September 21, and November 16, 2026. The location is at the Denny’s Restaurant, 3446 Coach Lane in Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for information and programs.

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) 503-7400 or see edcdems.org for more information.

pass the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13, now ACA 22. We invite all Californians to become members of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a membersupported nonprofit organization, by joining online at hjta.org. We are proud to have achieved this victory and we will never stop fighting for taxpayers. Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway patrol set up a road block, above left, on Mt. Aukum Road and Pleasant Valley Road during firefighting operations on the Happy Fire Tuesday afternoon. Cal Fire officials, above right, examine the shoulder of Mt. Aukum Road near Holiday Market.

COMICS

Ready to go with El Dorado Transit?

Erik Bergren El Dorado Transit

Starting July 6, El Dorado Transit will have a new Microtransit service called EDT GO! to serve the El Dorado County public. Microtransit allows transit agencies to offer riders an on-demand flexible option that fits between fixed route and dial-a-ride services.

Initial EDT GO! service will be weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During this initial phase, service will be available in two zones: El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park/Shingle Springs, with two vehicles assigned

Crime log Continued from A5

drunk in public at a park on Fairplay Road in Somerset.

4:50 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Gold Strike Drive in Placerville.

7:01 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Wagon View Trail in Diamond Springs.

7:03 p.m. Trespassing was reported at an auto shop on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

8:08 p.m. Vandalism was reported at the county jail on Forni Road in Placerville.

8:10 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Greenstone Cutoff in Placerville.

hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

ARIES (March 21-April 19). A problem can seem small to everyone else and still feel enormous to the person living it. Because problems don’t obey laws of scale. Small things can have tremendous emotional significance. If it’s a big deal to you, it’s a big deal, period.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s an ideal moment to update your surroundings and relationships to match who you are now. Your closet, like your contact list, contains artifacts from previous chapters. Release what no longer reflects your current life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Each individual who interacts with others is both a person, and an idea of a person. We never interact with people completely objectively. We interact with them and our ideas about them at the same time. Today, some of those ideas will need updating.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). What you want is in fine alignment with the interests of those around you. This makes manifestation much easier. You won’t have to convince anyone. No hard sell — no soft sell either — just building on the enthusiasm that already exists.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll work without proof that you’re doing it right. But you know that even if this idea doesn’t work, you’ll have another one. Your confidence

yet know that you know. Writing has a way of revealing them.

Once thoughts leave the swirl of the mind and take shape on a page, patterns emerge, priorities become obvious and hidden assumptions introduce themselves.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Smart people sometimes hide behind being smart. You’ll be around the dynamic today — people trying to have interesting conversations instead of real ones. Things gets better when nobody is trying to prove anything. So how can you put them at ease?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Where does your responsibility end and theirs begin? Today you can clean up some of the blurred lines between “my job” and “your job.” Remember that what you establish in the early stages of a relationship is likely to become the norm.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What if the universe wants to give you what you ask for, but it doesn’t understand the request? In some small way, give the very thing you want. This will serve as an example — a template for the universe to follow and scale up.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Animal trainers know that training a relaxed animal is

to each zone. The fare will be $3 per trip, and the service will provide curb-to-curb transportation. Riders will be able to schedule on-demand trips using the mobile app Rides on Demand, available on iPhone and Android platforms, or by calling the El Dorado Transit office.

El Dorado Transit will utilize new Ford Transit 350 vans with seven passenger seating, and other vehicles depending on demand, for EDT GO! and all are handicap accessible. For more information call El Dorado Transit at (530) 642-5383 or visit the website at eldoradotransit. com.

8:30 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Reservoir Road in Georgetown.

8:39 p.m. Brandishing was reported at a restaurant on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

10:34 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

April 7

12:52 a.m. Battery was reported on Gresham Drive in El Dorado Hills. An arrest was made.

11:09 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Cessna Drive in Cameron Park.

marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Signatures:

Georgia — Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

North Carolina — William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina — Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton Maryland Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia — George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton Pennsylvania — Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross Delaware — Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean New York — William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris New Jersey — Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark New Hampshire — Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton Massachusetts John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island — Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut — Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

by Holiday Mathis

come and provide an added retail convenience for our residents. However, there are significant impacts that will be experienced, and some are unmitigatable.”

Those impacts, Ferrero stressed, will be felt primarily by El Dorado Hills residents — traffic congestion and other consequences of having a big-box retailer in the community. Knowing that, he and District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo brought the matter before the board asking that a portion of the tax revenue coming from Costco stay in El Dorado Hills to improve the area’s infrastructure.

The county needs to get ahead of the potential impacts of this development, Turnboo told his fellow supervisors. “We’ve been playing catch up for all these years,” he said of the county’s road projects and road maintenance programs.

“I’m very neutral on this,” the District 2 supervisor said of the Costco project. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing for our county or not a good thing, but I think it’s good that we get ahead of this and make sure … this sales tax that’s generated … goes into the road improvement.”

The proposed project includes an approximately 165,000-square-foot Costco warehouse retail center with a tire center and customer parking (above and below ground) on the south side of Silva Valley Parkway on 17.63 acres. The

Costco gas station with 32 fueling positions and employee parking would be constructed on the north side of Silva Valley Parkway on 3.29 acres.

A traffic light will be installed on Silva Valley Parkway at the main entrance to both the store and gas station.

The application is currently in the final environmental review process and is expected to be heard by the El Dorado County Planning Commission sometime this coming fall or winter.

Fellow supervisors were hesitant to guarantee El Dorado Hills a cut of the incoming revenue, noting that road improvements are needed throughout the county. But all agreed the idea is worth exploring. The unanimous vote asked staff to identify methods to assure that if the proposed Costco is approved and begins operation in El Dorado Hills, a portion of the revenue be dedicated to road improvements and maintenance in El Dorado Hills, 95762 (Districts 1, 2 and 4). The funding will be in addition to any other available funds for general road maintenance, and not supplant what EDH already receives.

The idea did get some public support.

El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Debbie Manning told the board the chamber liked the idea of a special revenue account dedicated to the community; however,

she questioned the limitation of only using the funds for roads.

“We believe the scope should be broader than road improvements and maintenance alone — beyond Costco’s responsibility for traffic mitigation,” Manning said. “Although road improvements and maintenance are critically important to our community, this dedicated funding could also help address other community needs such as increased law enforcement support, reopening the senior nutrition program or restoring other projects and programs that have recently been reduced or cut by you, the Board of Supervisors.”

Longtime EDH resident Wayne Lowery wrote in a letter: “This project will be an asset to our community, bringing new jobs as well as property and sales tax revenues to support county services. The site they selected (Village P) was zoned for just this kind of business in the 1988 El Dorado Hills Specific Plan and with its proximity to U.S Highway 50 is best located to serve the residents of El Dorado County. However, the project will obviously impact El Dorado Hills residents, especially those living in close proximity to the site. Assuring that future revenues are committed to address those impacts is reasonable and fair.” Still, others continued to oppose the project in its entirety.

Lenny Patane, a 25-year EDH resident, said studies note the traffic impacts from this large project can not be mitigated.

“When asked: ‘Is there going to be 20,000 cars a day? We don’t know, 30,000 cars a day? We don’t know. 40,000 cars a day? We don’t know,’” Patane said. “Why would you want to approve a project (when) you don’t even know how many vehicles are going to be there?”

EDH resident Linda Campbell urged supervisors to delay a decision, noting an economic or financial impact analysis was requested for the project at delivery of the final EIR and that would be a key piece of information for staff to analyze.

“Since we do not know when or if the applicant will release that, could staff even begin anything without it to determine if there will really be a benefit?” Campbell asked. “Another consideration for the supervisors to evaluate is the level of effort and amount of time required by staff to produce a proposal for this. Knowing that the project is not yet approved and, if approved, will still take some time to build, what would be the priority for this to be done versus other work in progress?”

During the supervisors’ discussion, the consensus was they would like the information before the application comes before the Planning Commission.

“I have absolutely no problem with analyzing it,” District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine said. “I think we need to know what our options are and what the possibilities are.”

“As we move forward with Costco — and, you know, it’s probably going to come before us — we need to darn well make sure that the impacts that are caused by the store are taken care of before the door opens,” Ferrero said.

“I don’t want us to get pigeonholed into something; however, I do like the idea … of staff exploring this and looking at what our reality is,” added District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin. “What are things that make sense for the county as a whole? I don’t think that there’s any harm in exploring it.”

Parlin made the motion to give County Counsel and Chief Administrative Office staff the green light to research revenue disbursement options. It was seconded by Ferrero.

Sheriff’s detective praised for unwavering dedication

Noel Stack Editor

Law enforcement presence at the June 24 Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills meeting was celebratory as El Dorado County sheriff’s Det. Russ Adams was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

“I’ve known Russ for decades and I’m very proud to stand up here today because he’s most deserving of this award,” Sheriff Jeff Leikauf shared. “He’s an outstanding individual, outstanding investigator, and even a better husband and father.” Adams has served with EDSO’s Investigations Unit since January 2020 and is currently assigned to the major crimes section, where he investigates serious and violent crimes, as well as the Cold Case Task Force and Crisis Negotiation Team.

“(Adams) has built a

reputation as an exceptional investigator, respected leader and dedicated public servant,” Leikauf added.

“Throughout his career as a detective, Russ has

investigated a wide range of complex criminal cases, while consistently demonstrating professionalism, integrity and a steadfast commitment to serving the citizens and

communities of El Dorado County.”

Recently, Adams took the lead on the shooting in Camino, where a PG&E contractor and two deputies were shot during the incident.

Working alongside investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, Placerville Police Department and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Russ coordinated a comprehensive investigation involving numerous witnesses, victims, law enforcement personnel and an extensive crime scene,” Leikauf explained.

“Responsibility placed upon Det. Adams was immense. He oversaw the collection of preservation of critical evidence, coordinated interviews, managed countless investigative details and helped ensure the facts surrounding the incident were thoroughly and objectively documented.

“Beyond this single

incident, Det. Adams has dedicated his career to protecting the community, supporting victims and pursuing justice on behalf of the citizens and communities of El Dorado County,” the sheriff continued. “This service reflects the very qualities this award seeks to recognize — leadership, integrity, dedication and an unwavering commitment to making our communities safer.” Adams thanked the sheriff and EDH Rotary for the honor, but said he couldn’t take all the credit.

“Team effort … every single person, all my coworkers, all my fellow detectives, anytime I ask something, they’re on it yet,” the detective shared. “It was amazing how everybody came together; everybody shouldered a lot of weight.”

Adams also thanked his wife and children for their support, allowing him to put in the long hours needed as a detective.

Thousands of native Lahontan cutthroat trout released into Lake Tahoe in historic partnership

Petra Molina Tahoe Daily Tribune

MEEKS BAY — Thousands of Lahontan cutthroat trout were released into Lake Tahoe at Meeks Bay on June 30 in a milestone effort to restore the lake’s only native trout species, marking the first time the Washoe Tribe’s Environmental Protection Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have partnered on a cutthroat trout release in the Tahoe Basin.

Lahontan cutthroat trout are the only trout species native to Lake Tahoe. Once abundant throughout the basin, their populations collapsed following European settlement due to overfishing, habitat loss and the introduction of non-native fish. Today, cutthroat trout are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

“Before contact with European settlers, Lake Tahoe was the main home for Lahontan cutthroat trout,” said Kristina Burnette, environmental manager for the Washoe Tribe. “It is the only native trout species in Lake Tahoe, and when they were largely wiped out after contact, it had a significant impact. Recovery of Lahontan cutthroat trout is important because they

were a stable food source when our people came to the basin during the summer months.”

For the Washoe Tribe, the restoration represents the return of a traditional food source that sustained tribal members for generations before European contact.

“They are culturally significant to our people, so we want to restore them back into the Tahoe Basin.” said Cale Pete, environmental director of the Washoe Environmental Protection Department.

The release also complements the tribe’s ongoing restoration work in the Meeks Creek watershed.

Across the highway from Tuesday’s release site, the Washoe Tribe is leading the 283-acre Meeks Meadow restoration project on U.S. Forest Service land. The project aims to restore meadow habitat, improve stream function and increase the abundance of culturally significant native plants.

“The project is under the Washoe Tribe, and it’s unique because it’s not tribal land — it’s Forest Service land,” Pete said. “The Washoe Tribe is spearheading the project to increase the density and frequency of culturally significant plants. We’ve had great collaboration with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, our tribal elders, tribal youth, tribal administration and the California Tahoe Conservancy.” For tribal leaders, Tuesday’s release represented both an ecological milestone and a cultural homecoming. “This is a monumental event toward recovery and reconnection for the tribe,” Burnette said.

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Undersheriff Eric Palmberg. EDH Rotary President Robina Bennion, Officer of the Year Det. Russ Adams and Sheriff Jeff Leikauf pose for a photo after Adams received his award.

Photo by Petra Molina

Members of the public at the Washoe Tribe released 25 Lahontan cutthroat trout into Lake Tahoe using buckets. More than 1,000 additional fish went into the water from a stocking truck.

PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

Stellar Students

Congratulations to Christopher Rock of El Dorado Hills who was recently named to at Bismarck State College.

Congratulations to Sharon Cha and Chandreyi Chakraborty of El Dorado Hills who recently graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Congratulations to John Hackman of El Dorado Hills who was recently named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wyoming.

July 3

Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville, is open 9 a.m. to noon, for Open Garden Day Friday and Saturday. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on-site to assist you with any questions regarding the Sherwood Demonstration Garden or your personal gardens. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality, check before visiting at tinyurl.com/pszsfdhf.

Save the Graves will host the Green Valley Road Cemetery Tour at Jayhawk Cemetery, 4551 Deer Valley Road in Rescue from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information visit savethegraveseldorado.org.

Sentivo Vineyards tasting room in Shingle Springs will host a Summer Concert Series with Cynthia Renee from 6-8:30 p.m. Learn more at sentivovineyards.com.

Straight Shooters — Bad Company tribute will perform, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

El Dorado Hills Town Center will host its annual Fireworks & Freedom celebration from 6-11 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

The Sacramento Zoo will host Community Days with discount tickets Friday and Saturday. For more information visit saczoo.org.

July 4

The Pollock Pines/Camino Community Center at 2675 Sanders Drive in Pollock Pines will host a Fouth of July Pancake Breakfast fundraiser, 8-10 a.m. For more information visit pollockpinesca.org.

Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp needs volunteers to help set up the camp from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 5600 Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines. Volunteers will transport and set up art supplies and shade structures. Lunch will be provided. To sign up email marya.osucha@gmail.com.

Pleasant Valley Day will take place with its annual Independence Day Parade beginning at 11 a.m. and celebration at Pleasant Valley Fire Station. Learn more at pleasantvalleycommunityhall. com.

Georgetown Divide Recreation District will host its Fourth of July Parade and Celebration beginning at 10 a.m. at Garden Valley Park. Learn more at gdrd.org.

The Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club will host its annual Independence Day Parade beginning at noon. The route ends at the Community Center.

■ See KNOW, page B9

Wild Woman

Wild Woman

takes over Art On the Divide Cooperative Gallery

Art On the Divide Cooperative Gallery News release

As a guest artist to Art On the Divide Cooperative Gallery, Raena Cole’s artwork will be on display July 3-26. A meet the artist reception will be held 2-4 p.m. on July 11, when visitors can view the art and enjoy refreshments and music.

Cole is a Golden Sierra High School alumna and a 2021 recipient of the Terry Green Memorial Arts Scholarship. She continued her education at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M., where she studied the history of math and science and philosophy. For the past year, she has been volunteering, spending time with family, creating art and saving for her goal to return to school for a master’s degree in music therapy. Cole has been an artist since she was very young, but truly began to take the subject more seriously when she entered GSHS. Exploring a variety of media in Erica Phillip’s art class, Cole discovered a love of all types of art, including graphite drawings, acrylics and musical compositions using piano and guitar. During her college years, Cole was awarded a scholarship to study art at the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing in Aix-enProvence, France. There she was trained in graphite drawings and oil painting in the

impressionistic style. Upon returning, Cole continued to discover other art styles by engaging in live figure drawing sessions, portraits and pottery. Cole has always been inspired by the human form. Not only is the body aesthetically beautiful; it is a medium to express emotion and personal history. Lines, calluses, scars and shadows are all part of a beautiful human form. Beyond the body, Cole is deeply inspired by the outdoors. Whether it is on a cli side, sitting at a café abroad or taking in the view from a train, she has always been awestruck by the beauty around her. This art show is dedicated to the two artists who have influenced Cole, Jason Cole and Jeanne Brusick. Jason introduced Raena to the wild beauty of nature and supported her in all of her artistic endeavors. Brusick, a friend who recently passed, found beauty in all forms of life. Brusick worked as a delivery nurse for many years and used art as a refuge and special expression of her life experiences. As a way of “paying it forward” Raena has committed 5% of the sales from her art during this show to go toward funding the Terry Green Memorial Arts Scholarship. For more information on this fund visit artonthedivide.com.

AODC is located at 6295 Main St., Georgetown. Gallery hours are Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Courtesy art

Artist Raena Cole has studied art on the Divide, at university and in France. See her work this month in Georgetown.

Raena Cole developed a deeper interest in art while attending Golden Sierra High School.

Raena Cole finds inspiration in her natural surroundings, above, while the human figure is often a subject she takes on, below.

Raena Cole

Logging Days tradition returns to Pollock Pines

News release

The Pollock PinesCamino Community Center Association will celebrate the community’s rich logging heritage with its annual Logging Days celebration and competition on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center, 2675 Sanders Drive.

The family-friendly event highlights the region’s historical ties to the timber industry through traditional logging competitions, food and community activities while raising funds to support programs at the community center.

Professional and amateur competitors will test their skills using stock and modified chainsaws, traditional peg and raker crosscut saws and axes. Additional events include boxing on a log and tug of war. A minimum of three competitors is required for each competition.

‘Laughing

TParticipants may register in person beginning at 8 a.m. the morning of the event at the community center.

The top three overall competitors will receive cash prizes based on cumulative point totals earned throughout the day’s events.

The celebration opens to the public at 10 a.m. and includes competitions, craft vendors and a raffle featuring more than 25 prizes. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. and will include barbecue hamburgers, hot dogs with all the fixings, salad and chips served outdoors.

The community center’s saloon will offer beer, wine, margaritas and soft drinks until 4 p.m.

Logging Days has long been a signature summer tradition in Pollock Pines, celebrating the area’s deep roots in California’s timber industry.

For generations, logging shaped the economy and identity of the community, with nearby forests supplying lumber that helped build communities throughout

Northern California. The annual celebration grew from those traditions, bringing together loggers, families and spectators to showcase the strength, skill and craftsmanship required in the woods through friendly competition and

demonstrations. Today, the event continues to honor that legacy while introducing new generations to the area’s history and supporting local community programs.

Proceeds from the barbecue, vendor booths and raffle will benefit the Pollock Pines-

Camino Community Center Association and its programs serving the local community.

For more information, call the Pollock Pines-

Camino Community Center Association at (530) 6478005.

Stock’ opens this week at Valhalla Tahoe’s Boathouse Theatre

he curtain rises this Thursday as Valhalla Tahoe opens its 2026 summer theater production, “Laughing Stock” by Charles Morey. Filled with backstage mishaps, quick costume changes, colorful personalities, and nonstop laughs, this fast-paced comedy is a heartfelt tribute to the joy — and occasional chaos — of live theater.

Directed by David Hamilton, “Laughing Stock” takes audiences behind the scenes of a determined New England summer stock theater company taking on the ambitious task of producing three vastly different plays in a rotating repertory. As actors scramble between productions, costumes fly, props disappear and personalities collide, the result is an evening of hilarious theatrical mayhem that celebrates the passion

and perseverance behind every performance.

“Every theater person has a story about a missed entrance, a costume malfunction, or a prop that didn’t cooperate,” said Director David Hamilton. “‘Laughing Stock’ celebrates all of those wonderfully chaotic moments, but also the heart and dedication of the people who put it together. You don’t have to know anything about theatre to enjoy it— you just have to be ready to laugh.”

Presented as part of the 2026 Valhalla Festival of Arts, “Laughing Stock” continues Valhalla Tahoe’s tradition of bringing exceptional live theatre to South Lake Tahoe. Performances take place in the historical Boathouse Theatre, one of the region’s most unique performance venues, where audiences can enjoy professional-quality theater in an intimate setting just steps from the

shores of Lake Tahoe.

The production runs through Sunday, July 12, with evening performances on July 3, 5, 9, 10, and 11. There is no performance on Saturday, July 4. The only matinée performance will be held on Sunday, July 12. Seating is limited, and advance ticket purchases are encouraged.

Whether you’re a lifelong theater lover or simply looking for an evening of laughter, “Laughing Stock” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the beautifully imperfect world of live theater, where the show always goes on. Tickets and the complete performance schedule are available at ValhallaTahoe.com.

Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene

Claudia Box, 76, of North Fork, right, competes in the Women’s 4.0 - 5.0ci Stock Saw event as event coordinator Aaron Rasmussen of Tuolumne, left, keeps score at Logging Days in Pollock Pines last year.

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Courtesy photo

The cast of Laughing Stock” prepares for opening weekend at the Boathouse Theatre.

Folsom Lake Symphony announces inspiring 2026-27 season

Folsom Lake Symphony News release

FOLSOM — The Folsom Lake Symphony is pleased to announce its 2026–27 concert season, an exciting lineup of celebrated masterworks, distinguished guest artists and festive holiday programming under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Peter Jaffe.

The symphony’s 23rd season will showcase some of classical music’s most beloved compositions, including works by Berlioz, Bruch, Rodrigo, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. The season culminates with a grand performance of Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, featuring vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra.

“We are thrilled to present a season that combines artistic excellence, audience favorites, and extraordinary guest performers,” said Maestro Jaffe.

“From intimate musical expression to large-scale symphonic power, this season offers something for everyone.”

Highlights of the 2026–27 season

• Internationally acclaimed violinist Joshua Brown performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto, renowned for its lyrical beauty and virtuosic brilliance.

• Acclaimed bassbaritone Jesús Vicente Murillo headlining the symphony’s popular holiday concerts.

• Grammy Awardwinning guitarist Jason Vieaux performing Rodrigo’s beloved “Concierto de Aranjuez,” one of the most celebrated works in the guitar repertoire.

• Internationally recognized pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine performing

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, a landmark work known for its emotional depth and extraordinary technical demands.

• A season-ending performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 featuring soprano Bianca Orsi, mezzo-soprano Monica Danilov, tenor Ashley Faatoalia, bass-baritone Cedric Berry, the Sacramento Master Singers and the Stockton Chorale.

Season subscriptions are now available.

Subscribers to the symphony’s five-concert series receive exclusive early access to seating before tickets are released to the general public, along with savings of up to 20%.

To purchase a season subscription, contact the Harris Center Ticket Office at (916) 6086888 or visit in person. Ticket office hours are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and two hours prior to any Harris Center performance. For additional information and season subscriptions visit folsomlakesymphony. com.

Ashley Faatoalia Joshua Brown Jesús Vicente Murillo Jason Vieaux

Alexandre Moutouzkine

Bianca Orsi

Monica Danilov Cedric Berry

InConcert Sierra celebrates young musician Ari Cook

said. “He has a strong and natural sense of the musical language and is skilled in several different genres. His compositions are remarkably sophisticated as well. I am pleased and proud to know he will pursue his life as a musician.”

pursue a music major at a college or university. Cook exceeds the criteria for the award.

Cook’s goal is to study composition and/or music technology and applied composition. He has been accepted into two prestigious music conservatory programs, Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. However, he made the pragmatic decision to begin his post-high school education at Sierra College before transferring.

“I knew Ari was committed to learning piano when he played his keyboard independently every day for a year,” Crystal Cook, Ari’s mother said. “After the oneyear mark, I knew I had to find him an excellent piano teacher. I saw a video of a friend’s child playing piano beautifully, and when I found out that his teacher was Lynn Schugren, I knew that I wanted Ari to study with her.”

Since August 2018, Ari has studied classical piano under the guidance of Schugren. Ari shared that, as a fifth grader, he wasn’t always consistent with practicing. By seventh grade, however, he had discovered a deeper connection to music, spending time at the piano improvising and expressing his emotions. That helped him realize music was his passion.

For Schugren, having Ari as a student has been remarkable.

“It has been my pleasure to watch Ari grow from a very shy youngster to a poised and polished musician,” she

In September 2020, Ari also became a composition student of local composer Mark Vance. In the Young Composers program, Ari’s musicality and creativity became obvious to all who heard his original works performed.

After Ari’s Instagram page showcasing his original compositions went viral, he began receiving composition commissions from clients in Chicago, New York, the United Kingdom and Malawi.

“It’s been truly inspiring to see him find his passion in composing, arranging and performing,” Vance said.

Ari attended the Stanford Jazz Workshop in July 2021 and again in July 2025, receiving private and ensemble instruction in jazz piano, as well as master classes from accomplished musicians. At the completion of the 2025 session, he was one of 13 of approximately 250 participants to receive the Shape of Jazz to Come award.

For Ari, jazz has become a genre of music he describes as joyful and offering freedom. When asked what music he enjoys listening to, he said, “Music of the SFJAZZ Collective or Nardis Jazz.”

In the summer of 2024, Ari was accepted into the highly competitive California State Summer School for the Arts, a rigorous monthlong program that prepares California students for careers in the arts. The program has an acceptance rate of one in three applicants based on audition. During the program, he received private classical piano instruction and

participated in group classes in theory, composition, music history and appreciation, African drum and dance and Indonesian gamelan.

In addition to private study, Ari has been enrolled in every class and ensemble offered in the Nevada Union High School band program, including Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Winter Percussion Ensemble. He plays concert percussion, drum set, piano, bass guitar and upright bass. He was also a member of the advanced chamber choir. In addition, he served as a section leader for the concert and symphonic bands, rhythm section leader for the jazz band, and pit captain and front ensemble captain, teaching technique and leading rehearsals.

Ari is also a member of a young jazz quartet that has performed at donor events for organizations including InConcert Sierra and the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation. It has been an honor for the InConcert Sierra board

and staff to watch Ari grow, both as a musician and as a gracious young man, from the time he performed in the organization’s early Sierra Student Showcases and during the years InConcert

Sierra was privileged to oversee the Young Composers Project. He cultivated creativity, confidence and dedication to his music. We wish him every success in his future endeavors.

Courtesy photo

Ari Cook, at keyboard, performing with his jazz band at InConcert Sierra’s 2025 Donor Thank You party.

Ari Cook

Glue a photograph or drawing of yourself in this star.

This week’s Kid Scoop page stars YOU! Complete this page and then hang it in your room so that you can remind yourself every day of how wonderful you are!

Wishes made upon stars may or may not always come true. But when you look at what you do every day, you will find that you are a star who can be depended upon. Fill in the weekly calendar to show your responsibilities. The idea stars can help.

For many decades, famous movie stars have put their handprints and footprints in wet cement in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. After the cement dries, the prints are left for visitors to see.

Wait! Who got into the wet cement? Match the prints to each of these silly star wannabes.

Look through the newspaper for adjectives that describe you. Glue them under your name on the sign.

Trace one of your hands on a piece of paper. Cut it out and ask your friends and loved ones to write something on the hand that tells what is special about YOU! Then glue your hand print to this page.

Look through the newspaper for words that start with each letter in your name. Use the words to write a poem about YOU! Start each line of the poem with a letter in your name.

With your learning buddy, look through the newspaper and find a picture to study. On the lines below, list every detail you can observe about the picture. Next to each detail, write the letter F if it is a FACT and the letter O for an OPINION

Score Yourself 0-5 details – Wide-Eyed Wonder 5-10 details – Super Sleuth 10-15 details – Detail Dynamo 15 + details – Observer Extraordinaire!

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Distinguish between fact and opinion.

Look through the newspaper for three dates. Cut them out and glue them in the stars in order. How many days are there between dates?

© 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 47

News release

Shingle Springs actor Gavin

Alton-James Bailey recently appeared in a lead film role in the independent psychological thriller “Read The Room,” directed by Destiny Miller. The film was selected as a headlining presentation at the J-Street Film Festival in Sacramento, where it premiered on May 20, at the historical Crest Theatre before festival audiences.

Bailey portrays Micah, the film’s male lead. The film follows a telepathic bartender who uses her gift to help patrons feel seen until she uncovers evidence of a murder plot she cannot ignore. As the mystery unfolds, audiences gradually discover that Micah is connected to the events

festival

at the center of the story.

Marking a significant milestone in his acting career, the appearance follows previous coverage by local newspapers of Bailey’s screen debut and reflects his continued growth within Northern California’s independent film community.

A SAG-eligible actor based in El Dorado County, Bailey has continued to pursue film opportunities throughout the region while building his professional acting career. His lead performance in “Read The Room” represents his most prominent screen role to date and highlights his ongoing involvement in independent filmmaking.

For more information about the film visit imdb.com/title/tt40197339.

Celebrate at Midtown Farmers Market

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — The Midtown Farmers Market offers plenty of spirited ways to celebrate in July with special activations, a variety of upbeat live and DJ music, a free World Cup jersey giveaway and more. With an incredible and edible bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables and foods available from local growers and producers, plus a diverse variety of artisan crafted goods, July is a wonderful time to get out and about to connect with the community at the Midtown Farmers Market.

Saturday, July 4

8 a.m. to noon — Festive, fun and free children’s craft activity

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park will provide hands-on activities

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Live music performed by singer/guitarist Chad Copher

Saturday, July 11

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Music by A King's Dream performing jazzy classics

Saturday, July 18

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Enter for a chance to win a free World Cup jersey at the Buenos Aires Grill food truck

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Music performed by singer/songwriter John Alan Connerley

Saturday, July 25

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Live music performed by the acoustic duo Flynn Martin Learn more at midtownfarmersmarketsac.com.

Know Continued from B1

Learn more at pollockpinescaminorotary.org.

Shadow Ranch in Somerset will

host a Fourth of July Party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring “Sam”gria, rosé wine slushies, watermelon salad and roasted corn salad for a special treat and Megan Michelle performing a mix of pop and rock hits from 1-4 p.m. For more information visit shadowranch.com.

Boeger Winery in Placerville will host a Fourth of July Hang Out at noon with live music from Vices to Virtues. For more information visit boegerwinery. com.

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds will host its annual Fourth of July Family Blast beginning at 3 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocountyfair.org.

The city of South Lake Tahoe will host its annual Fourth of July Celebration, culminating in the Lights on the Lake fireworks and sundown. Learn more at visitlaketahoe.com.

The Nipper Brothers — Grateful Dead tribute will perform, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Vino Noceto in Plymouth will host Summer Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with good vinyl, great food and plenty of wine to go around. Learn more at noceto.com.

July 5 Shadow Ranch in Somerset will host Live Music and WoodFired Pizzas with Adam Beasley at 1 p.m. For more information visit shadowranch. com.

July 7

Placerville Friends of Tibet will host Tushita Sangha Buddhist study and meditation gatherings from 5:30-6:45 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at the El Dorado County Library main

branch, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville. For more information, email tushitasangha@gmail.com.

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and a guest artist for Taco Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

Marshall Gold Discovery Park Association will host its Coloma Community Market from 5-8 p.m. at the North Beach at Marshall Gold. A celebration of local food, art and community in historical Coloma, featuring more than 25 vendors selling fresh produce and handmade goods. Attendees can enjoy food trucks, local beer and wine, and free live music, parking and park admission. For more information visit golddiscoveryparkassociation. org.

July 8

SIR Gold Country Branch is holding its monthly luncheon meeting with a guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. at the Cameron Park Country Club. Lunch is complimentary for guests. Contact the branch’s membership chairman at SIRBranch95@gmail. com for more details. SIR is an organization which offers social activities for men over 50. To learn more visit wearesir.com.

Vitalant will hold a Blood Drive at the Elks Lodge No. 1712, 3821 Quest Court, Shingle Springs from 1:30-3:45 p.m. To make an appointment use the code SMFM551 and call (877) 258-4825 or visit donors. vitalant.org.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents ‘80s Throwback Summer Movie Series with “Dirty Dancing” at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

July 9

Senior Helpers Cameron Park will host Dementia Prevention: Nutrition and Movement

from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville. For questions contact Jillien Erdman at jerdman@seniorhelpers.com.

Vitalant will hold a Blood Drive at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Park, 1021 Harvard Way, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make an appointment use the code SMFM019 and call (877) 2584825 or visit donors.vitalant.org.

El Dorado Hills Town Center will host Live on the Boulevard with Viva Santana at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more information or to register on the online waitlist visit edhtowncenter.com.

Now

Tickets are now available for Apple Hill Growers’ Farm to Fork Dinner to take place July 25, 6 p.m. at Delfino Farms in Camino. For tickets and more information visit applehill.com.

Tickets are now available for Images of Hope’s annual Picnic in the Orchard which takes place on Aug. 15, 4-8 p.m. at Rainbow Orchards, 2569 Larsen Drive in Camino. For tickets and more information visit imagesofhopeeldorado.com.

34th annual High Sierra Music Festival will take place through Sunday at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Learn more at highsierramusic.com.

Registration is open for Competition K9’s free Kid’z Kamp that meets Sundays from 2-4 p.m. July 12 through Aug. 2. For more information call (530) 620-3000 or visit CompK9.net/ Events.

The El Dorado Hills Arts Association will host a display of Fine Art at the Teaspoon Gallery in El Dorado Hills Town Center through July 15. For more information visit eldoradohillsarts.com.

The Atrium Gallery at El Dorado Hills Town Center will host

Botanical Brushstrokes through July 19. For more information visit edhtowncenter. com.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host Rubicon Rising through Aug. 16. at the Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in Placerville. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

Cantiga Wineworks, 5980 Meyers Land in Somerset, is having Happy Hour with Fritz on Fridays from 3-6 p.m. Come for the wine, stay for the games, conversation and community. For more information call (530) 621-1696.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Working for Crumbs” through July 12 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “The Two Kids That Blow Sh*t Up” through July 26. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

Folsom History Museum presents Ride ‘Em Cowboy – the Folsom Rodeo Exhibition through Jan. 4, 2027. Learn more at folsomhistory.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Suzanne Adan — I’m No Spring Chicken through Oct. 11; and Pueblo Pottery – Native American Pottery and Sculpture through Dec. 31, 2030; For more information visit crockerart.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento hosts Art Rx, Docent led discussions for those with chronic pain and their friends, family and caregivers, second and fourth Saturdays at 11 a.m.; Meet Me at the Museum: tours designed for visitors with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, using art observation and conversation to foster engagement and social interaction, second Fridays at 11 a.m.; and Highly Descriptive Tours, 50-minute tours with

detailed verbal descriptions and guided discussion for blind or low-vision individuals and their guests, fourth Fridays at 1 p.m. For more information visit crockerart.org.

California Railroad Museum will present All Aboard for Story Time every Monday at 11 a.m. This program is included with Museum admission. For more information visit californiarailroad.museum.

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee every Saturday, 7-9 a.m. at Lions Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts.

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

Marshal Gold Discovery Park will host Living History Days every second Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit marshallgold.com.

The Pollock Pines Community Center will host a Yoga Class every Monday at 10:30 a.m, Bingo Night every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and a Beginners Line Dancing Throwdown from 6:30-9 p.m. For more information visit pollockpinesca.org.

The Georgetown Library will host the Thursdays at Two Poetry Group every first and third Thursday of the month.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open daily, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

El Dorado Hills Town Center Farmers Market takes place Saturdays in the amphitheater near Brickyard & South Fork from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy local certified produce, fresh flowers, wine, baked goods, micro greens, skin care products, handmade goods, baskets, jewelry, face painting, henna art and more.

El Dorado Hills Arts Association hosts a featured local artist booth

each week.

The Master Gardener public office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat, bring a cutting or insect in a baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 6215512 and leave a voicemail or email mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

The Mom Walk, Sip and Stroll meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at El Dorado Hills Town Center amphitheater. It’s a great way to get active with other local moms.

Marco’s Café in Lotus hosts a family friendly Open Mic Night Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information visit marcoscafelotus.com.

Marshall Hospital Auxiliary is looking for volunteers. Help people and make new friends. Interviews are held monthly. For more information call Norma at (530) 676-1844 or email grizzyq98@gmail.com.

National Alliance on Mental Illness El Dorado County offers Free, In-person Family Support Groups from 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in Placerville. For more information visit namieldoradocounty.org. Monday Bridge Club seeks players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10 a.m. For more information call (530) 622-1180. Join Sew4Vets, a fun group that meets the first Tuesday and second Thursday) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. Don’t have a sewing machine you can bring to the meetings? There are a few to share. Learn more at Sew4vets.org.

Romantic landscapes take center stage at Gallery 10

News release

SUTTER CREEK —

Artist Michael Fritschi

will showcase a collection of expressive landscape paintings during a reception celebrating his latest exhibition, Romantic Landscape Impressions, from 2-4 p.m. July 11 at Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek.

The exhibition will remain on display throughout July and features Fritschi’s signature impressionistic landscapes, emphasizing bold brushwork, vibrant color and dramatic contrasts between light and shadow.

A Placerville native, Fritschi has become known for his energetic painting style, often completing a work in a single session to preserve the emotion and spontaneity of the moment. He strives to keep each painting “loose” and authentic, making additional changes only when they add meaningful value to the finished piece.

Raised behind Placerville’s historical Main Street, Fritschi grew up in a creative household where both of

his parents painted and encouraged his artistic interests from an early age. His work today reflects the landscapes and natural beauty of the Sierra foothills that surrounded his childhood.

Fritschi’s paintings are regularly exhibited at the Placerville Art Gallery and Gallery 10. During the past two years, he has sold more than 60 original works while earning several honors, including Best of Show for

“San Francisco Morning” at the 2024 Rancho Cordova Fall City Art Show, second place at the 59th Annual Mother Lode Art Exhibition in 2025 and an honorable mention in the 2025 International Bold Expressions Exhibit. The July 11 reception offers visitors an opportunity to meet the artist, view his newest paintings and learn more about his creative process. More information about Fritschi and his work is available at paintthick. com.

Gallery 10 is an artistowned cooperative in the heart of historical Sutter Creek featuring original fine art created by regional artists. The gallery showcases a rotating selection of paintings, ceramics, jewelry, glass, photography, sculpture, woodwork and mixed-media pieces, while hosting monthly exhibitions and artist receptions that highlight the talents of its member artists. Gallery 10 is located at 15 Eureka St. in Sutter Creek. Learn more at gallery10.org.

“Pilot Hill” by Michael Fritschi

SPORTS Racing, fireworks blast into Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

The annual Freedom Fireworks event on Independence Day is one of the largest all season at Placerville Speedway and this Saturday that tradition continues, with championship racing presented by Berco Building Materials invading the quarter mile.

The 4th of July spectacular features three divisions in competition including the Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models and the Red Hawk Resort + Casino Pure Stocks.

The evening will be capped off in style with a massive fireworks display to commemorate the holiday. As always, patriotic music will be pumped out all night long via the PA system, during one of the most popular shows of the season.

Grandstand seating on Saturday, July 4, is reserved. All kids 11 and younger will be admitted free in the stands. Online tickets can be purchased at eventsprout.com/event/ psr-070426.

“Mr. Consistency”

Justyn Cox leads the Thompson’s Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars into Fourth of July. The 2023 SCCT champion has finished among the top five in all but one show, including a solid runner up effort last weekend.

Jake Morgan, Andy Forsberg, Seth Standley and Michael Sellers complete the top five

in points. Young Cole Croft is coming off his first career triumph last Saturday and will look to back that up on Saturday.

Yuba City’s Rod Oliver has also been a consistent machine with the Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models in 2026. Last year’s champion has claimed top five finishes in each race and sits out front by

16-markers going into Independence Day.

Auburn’s Ray Trimble is fresh off his third Ltd. Late Model victory of the season last week. Trimble is now six triumphs away from tying Ryan McDaniel at the top of the win list.

Seven-time Red Hawk Casino Pure Stock champion Nick Baldwin scooped up his 44th career victory at the

track this past Saturday. Baldwin looks for season win number six on Independence Day.

Details:

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 4 p.m. Cars hit the track at 5:15 p.m. with hot laps, ADCO Driveline Qualifying and racing to follow.

Hirst Home Team presents Coors Light/

Cars, Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks and BCRA Lightning Sprints Saturday, July 18: Gold Pan Rampage featuring Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars, presented by Marshall - WST Speedweek Night Two ($4,000-to-win)

Coors Banquet Happy Hour and Live Music prior to the races until 6 p.m. A magician and face painter will be on hand to greet fans before the action kicks off. Make sure to arrive with your appetite and enjoy some of the highest rated racetrack cuisine at the Speedway Café, including the “Recession Special” $6 Kings Meats cheeseburgers. The Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, 100 Placerville Drive. For more information log onto placervillespeedway. com.

Melton proud of run with Trojans’ baseball program

Todd Melton had a goal when he became the Oak Ridge High School varsity baseball head coach in 2008: put the Trojans’ program on the map as one of the most competitive and respected diamond programs in the Sacramento area. Melton did just that in the last 19 seasons. He steps away from the program finishing with an overall record of 346 wins and 213 losses.

During his three-decade run, Oak Ridge, which went 13-16 overall this season and earned a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Baseball - Division I playoff berth, won many league titles and had deep runs in the section playoffs. Melton and all the other coaches who were part of the program during his tenure enjoyed shaping the skills of players on the n See MELTON, page C4

CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY with one

Krysten Kellum & Taylor Williams

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife invites you to go fishing without a sport fishing license by taking advantage of the first of two 2026 California Free Fishing Days on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. One of the oldest pastimes enjoyed by Americans, fishing gets you outside to experience, explore and appreciate the great outdoors. While no sport fishing license is required, all fishing regulations — including bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures — still apply. CDFW encourages potential anglers to check rules and regulations for each water they plan to fish. The second of the two California Free Fishing Days for 2026 lands on Sept. 5. For more information, visit CDFW’s Free Fishing Days web page. For those new to fishing, this is a chance to experience a rewarding and exciting new hobby. For licensed anglers, this is a chance to introduce or reintroduce someone else to the joys of becoming an angler. Free fishing days are also a perfect time for former anglers to return and reconnect to the sport. Children 15 and younger can fish

of the nation’s oldest pastimes

— fishing

for free every day of the year in California, but Free Fishing Days offer a time when families and friends can experience the hobby together.

Those interested in fishing California’s lakes, streams and rivers can find information about inland fishing locations and species on the

CDFW website. Information is also available about year-round free fishing opportunities found on specific piers, jetties and breakwaters along the coast. Other helpful tools for anglers include the fish planting schedule, fishing guide and Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Program resources.

A variety of offerings are also available throughout the year from CDFW’s Fishing in the City program, which focuses on teaching Californians how and where to fish in metropolitan areas. General information about the Fishing in the City program can be found on the CDFW website.

Dozens of bodies of water across the Golden State await anglers with catchable-size trout recently stocked by CDFW hatcheries staff. Some of those waters include the Santa Ana River in San Bernardino County, June Lake in Mono County, the Kings River in Fresno County, Pinecrest Lake in Tuolumne County, Kangaroo Lake in Siskiyou County and the Sacramento River in Shasta County. CDFW’s online Fish Planting Schedule shows dates and locations of fish plants. New anglers interested in continuing to pursue the hobby can purchase an annual sport fishing license online. Revenue generated from license sales helps conserve fish populations and habitats while supporting California’s longstanding angling opportunities for future generations. Annual sport fishing licenses are now valid for a full 365-days from purchase. More information on licenses, validations and fees can be found on CDFW’s sport fishing licenses web page.

Photo by Positive Times Photography

Winged 360 Sprint Cars take to the track before the 4th of July fireworks at Placerville Speedway on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

Courtesy photo

Oak Ridge High School varsity baseball head coach Todd Melton, right, has passed the bat to Jordan Whitmore, right. Melton said he will be in the stands when the Trojans hit the field next season.

Photo courtesy of CDFW

Celebrate America the beautiful by spending part of your July 4 fishing on a local waterway. No license is required on this day.

Safely salute America’s birthday in California State Parks

News release

SACRAMENTO — Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this 4th of July holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to have fun in the sun at one of California’s 280 (and growing) state parks.

Whether you’re interested in swimming, hiking, boating, recreating in an off-highway vehicle or watching fireworks over San Francisco Bay, the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system has something for everyone. Following simple safety precautions, such as wearing a properly-fitted life jacket in the water, wearing sunscreen and avoiding alcohol, can help you and your party have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend outdoors.

Here are some helpful tips to have a safe visit to California’s state parks during the holiday weekend:

Plan ahead and pack appropriately

• Schedule activities based on temperatures throughout the day.

• Dress in appropriate clothing for your planned activities.

• Shield yourself from the sun by bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

• Bring plenty of water and avoiding dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and caffeine.

Water safety

Practice fire safety

• Fireworks are prohibited in California’s state parks.

• Never leave campfires unattended. Fully extinguish fires before leaving and keep water and a shovel nearby.

• Do not build fires larger than necessary.

Leave no trace

• Leave the park better than you found it by packing out all trash and putting food waste, napkins, singleuse food wrappers, and other waste in trash bags until it can be properly disposed of. For human waste, the use of waste alleviation gel bags or other portable toilet options is recommended.

• Leaving items on a beach or park, even if they are “near” a trash can, may be considered illegal dumping.

• If you encounter an ocean rip current, stay calm and do not fight it. Swim or float parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore.

• Seek help from a lifeguard or call 911 during emergencies.

• Wear a properly-fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket around the water. Water-related incidents can happen suddenly, and wearing a life jacket is the best way to increase chances of survival. View locations where public agencies and private organizations loan life jackets to the public.

• Never dive headfirst into the water or use rope swings.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

• Operating any vehicle, including a boat or an off-highway vehicle, while impaired is against the law. Impaired drivers and boaters can be arrested and their car or boat can be towed.

• Some parks have alcohol bans. Check each specific park website to determine if there are local ordinances concerning alcohol.

• Do not disturb wildlife or plants. You can find additional safety tips and information on backpacking, biking, camping, horseback trails and laws at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips. To find a state park near you, visit parks. ca.gov/Find-a-Park.

Free Historian Passport: California’s state parks offer a variety of experiences, including more than 30 state historic parks that immerse visitors in California’s complex history. In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the special edition of State Parks’ Historian Passport is free to download through the 4th of July weekend. Download the pass at parks.ca.gov.

Boat sober this holiday weekend for maximum fun on the water

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is urging boaters to boat sober, wear a properly fitted life jacket and make safety the priority ahead of the 4th of July weekend. Operation Dry Water, a national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign, will take place July 3-5. The campaign focuses on reducing alcohol and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities through education, outreach and heightened enforcement. During the holiday weekend, boaters can expect increased patrols,

boating safety checks and outreach efforts on waterways throughout California.

About Operation Dry Water

Launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, Operation Dry Water is one of the nation’s leading initiatives focused on preventing boating under the influence. Alcohol and drugs can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Sun, wind, noise,

vibration and motion — common conditions in the boating environment — can intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications. Impairment is also dangerous for passengers, who may be at greater risk of slips, falls overboard and other serious incidents.

In California, it is against the law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more. Officers may also arrest boaters with a blood alcohol concentration below 0.08% if conditions are deemed unsafe. BUI convictions can n See SOBER, page C4

Courtesy photos

California State Parks offer opportunities for swimming, hiking, boating and much more. Pack up the family and explore.

annual Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue Cleanup. Participants can choose from six locations ringing the Basin, from Commons Beach in Tahoe City to Nevada Beach. Register for your location of choice at keeptahoeblue.org.

Beyond the July 5 event, everyone is encouraged to do their part to protect Tahoe this holiday weekend and all summer:

• Clean, Drain and Dry every piece of gear you plan to put in the water to stop harmful aquatic invasive species, like golden mussels, from spreading.

• Leave Tahoe better than you found it. Dispose of all trash — even if it’s not yours — in a trash can or dumpster, including pet

waste. If the bins are full, take it with you.

• Bring your reusables. Pack your Tahoe beach bag with a reusable bottle, utensils and a trash bag for waste, and avoid buying single-use plastics, which are one of the most common

types of litter found in Tahoe.

• Respect wildlife. Give animals plenty of space and remember that food scraps are dangerous for wildlife. Make sure it all goes in the trash.

• Travel Car-Free

Sober

and Care-Free. Take advantage of lakefriendly transportation options, from free buses and microtransit shuttles to e-scooters, bike paths, park and ride lots, and shuttle service to Emerald Bay. Skip the tra c

Continued from C2

result in fines, jail time and other penalties, and an impaired operator may have the voyage terminated and the vessel impounded.

Keep your loved ones safe

• Boat sober: Never operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol, drugs or medications.

• Wear a life jacket: Life jackets save lives. Make sure every person on board has a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and wears it while on the water.

• Take a safe boating course and get your California Boater Card: All operators of motorized vessels on California waterways, regardless of age, are required by law to possess a California Boater Card. More information is available at

diamond in El Dorado Hills.

“It’s a really good place,” Melton said. “Good high school — a lot of talent there, a lot of support. That is kind of how we changed everything. We kind of put (the program) on the map.”

Oak Ridge’s success unfolded after Melton’s arrival.

In 2008, the Trojans were members of the Sierra Valley Conference, which was D-II; today that conference is D-V. In 2010, the school joined the Delta River League, which was D-I. The league was disbanded in 2014 and Oak Ridge joined the Sierra Foothill League, which was promoted to D-I after many years playing in D-II.

‘Kids have been great’

“All my teams at Oak Ridge, the kids have been great,” Melton said. “The parents have really been supportive there. It’s been a really good place to coach.”

From 2011 to 2015, Oak Ridge baseball produced top teams that achieved success in DRL action and deep runs in the section’s D-I playo s after enjoying successful runs in the SVC in the 2000s.

“It’s been a really good ride,” Melton said. “Got a chance to meet a lot of good people. There’s going to be a lot of young men that are going to be

and parking hassle; let someone else do the driving.

• Know before you go. Be aware of fire restrictions, road construction (nvroads. com and quickmap.dot. ca.gov), and alcohol restrictions, including

CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.

on the Truckee River, at Zephyr Cove and Shoals, Nevada Beach, Meeks Bay, and Chambers Landing. Check with your destination before you head out and always have a backup plan in case your first choice is full.

• Embrace the pace. Slow down and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the world. Please be patient and respectful to others. In addition, Keep Tahoe Blue is working with beach managers, concessionaires and businesses through its Tahoe Blue Beach program to “raise the bar for beach management.” Members and participating beaches — Zephyr Cove Resort, Tahoe Beach Club, Kings Beach, Meeks Bay Resort and Camp Richardson Resort — are taking steps to make responsible, Lakefriendly recreation the easy and obvious choice for everyone who comes to the shore. This 4th of July weekend, expect to see bold, consistent signage with helpful tips on how to protect Tahoe while you play.

• Have proper safety equipment: Ensure the vessel has all required equipment on board and that it is in good working condition before launching. Review the ABCs of California Boating for more details.

• Know before you go: Check weather, wind, heat and river conditions before heading out, and remain alert to changing conditions on the water.

• File a float plan: Tell a trusted person where you are going, who is with you and when you plan to return.

• Practice clean and green boating: Properly dispose of trash, prevent fuel and oil spills, and help protect waterways from aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining and drying watercraft and equipment. Used fishing line can be deposited at fishing-line recycling stations.

successful. There was a five-year window where we had it going pretty good.”

Robert Gasser is one of them. Playing for Melton from 2015 to 2017, the left-handed pitcher is now on the Milwaukee Brewers’ roster.

Oak Ridge Athletic Director Eric Cavaliere spoke highly of Melton. Cavaliere was the Trojans varsity football head coach during most of Melton’s years on the diamond. He became the school’s AD when Steve White retired from teaching and running the Oak Ridge girls basketball program in 2025. Cavaliere is also the school’s flag football head coach.

“Todd was an asset to our athletic department and community,” Cavaliere said. “I really enjoyed working with him. He always had the best decisions for the program and players at the forefront of our conversations.”

Melton is a physical education teacher at Matsuyama Elementary School in Sacramento, which is part of the Sacramento City Unified School District. He plans to retire as an educator at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

“It’s been a great school,” said Melton, 64. “It’s been my only teaching job. I’ve been really fortunate.”

Before Melton became the Trojans baseball head coach, he was the assistant coach for the Sheldon High School baseball program in Sacramento for two years. Sheldon is part of the Elk Grove Unified School District.

Prior, he was the junior varsity and then assistant coach and co-head coach at Laguna Creek High School varsity baseball team in Elk Grove for seven years.

New head coach

Jordan Whitmore was recently named the new head coach of the program. He had served as an assistant coach for Melton this past season. Before, Whitmore was the Del Oro High School baseball head coach in which he produced winning seasons during his tenure with the Golden Eagles. Melton didn’t leave the cupboard empty for Whitmore when the 2027 season begins. The Oak Ridge junior varsity and freshmen diamond teams produced winning records this past season.

Spectator life

One thing Melton and his wife, who recently retired from teaching, plan to do is watch a Major League Baseball spring training game in Arizona in February and March, before the start of the regular season. They cheer for both the San Francisco Giants and Athletics.

Melton also plans to catch some Oak Ridge baseball games in the coming years. “Now I can go watch a game — not worry about all the

that comes with it,” he said.

Photo by Katy Jo Caringer

Help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches pristine by making sure trash stays off the beach and is properly disposed of during and after 4th of July celebrations.

Friday Jul 3rd

410 L St, Sacra‐mento

Dreamscape @ 10pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Vices To Virtues LIVE at Boeger Winery @ 12pm Boeger Winery, 1709 Carson Rd, Placerville

June Cavlan @ Fillmore Jazz Festival 2026 @ 12:30pm Fillmore Street Stairs, 2799-2701 Fillmore St, San Francisco

Kids Markets at City of Davis Fourth of July Celebration @ 5pm A crafts market with kids as the vendors where children ages 5-17 learn and grow self-con�dence, responsibility, and money man‐agement skills while earning and keeping 100% of their profits. Community Park, 203 East 14th Street, Davis

Danni Nicholls @ 5:30pm The Blue Rose, 504 Walnut St, Woodland Lakeside Laughs Comedy Club @ 8pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

Sindustry Sundays: 4th of July Edition - NILE, Jeff Straw @ 9pm Butter, 354 11th St, San Francisco

Mon 7/06

Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. donna.prebys@gmail.com

Coach Olivia G - Learn to ride 4pm @ 4pm / $125 Panhandle Playground, Ashbury and Fell, (Ashbury and fell in the open area near the panhandle playground), San Francisco. 925440-7983

Silverset, Znora,

Mare Island's Spirit Ship Celebra‐tion @ 5:30pm / $10 Two anniversaries. One unforgettable night. Join us July 4th on Mare Island for the Spirit Ship Cele‐bration! Live Music. Magic Show. Drone Show. Food. Drink and Family Fun! Coal Sheds, 860 Nimitz Avenue, Vallejo. re becca.kotch@mareis landco.com, 323-8065900

Danni Nicholls @ 6pm House Show, 1786 Nicoleno Ct, South Lake Tahoe

Danni Nicholls @ 6pm House Show, South Lake Tahoe

Los Cochinos: City of American Canyon 4th of July Celebration! @ 6pm Community Park 2, Donaldson Way, American Canyon

Matt Mitchell: 4th of JulyMargaritaville - S. Lake Tahoe (DWC) @ 7pm Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe

Wonder Bread 5: 4th of July with WB5 at Oxbow Commons @ 7pm Oxbow Commons, 1268 McKinstry St., Napa

Computer Kill | San Francisco

@ 7:30pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco

Arcade 9 @ Jam Cellars Napa (FREE SHOW) @ 9pm JaM Cellars, 1460 First St., Napa

JustJovani: PAN POT @ HALCYON @ 10pm Halcyon SF, 314 11th St, San Fran‐cisco

Dracula @ 1pm Orpheum Theatre-San Francisco, San Francisco

Miranda Love Solo @ Paddle House Brews @ 2pm Paddle House Brews, 3135 Harri‐son Ave, South Lake Tahoe

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 3pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Pedroz @ 6pm Halcyon SF, 314 11th St, San Fran‐cisco

Poems(US): Poems @ Kilowatt Bar @ 7:30pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

CALIFOR‐NIA CLASSIC - DAY 3 @ 5pm

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento

Coach Olivia G - Learn to ride 5pm @ 5pm / $125 Panhandle Playground, Ashbury and Fell, (Ashbury and fell in the open area near the panhandle playground), San Francisco. 925440-7983

Elevation Rhythm (Rescheduled from 1/29/26)

@ 6:30pm

Ace of Spades, 1417 R Street, Sacramento

Elevation Rhythm - The Goodbye Yesterday Tour

@ 6:30pm Ace of Spades, Sacramento ELEVATION RHYTHM

@ 6:30pm Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St, Sacra‐mento

Strings and Heart @ 6:30pm Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St, Sacra‐mento

Danni Nicholls @ 7:30pm Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Blvd #1, Davis

Danni Nicholls Live @ The Melon Bal @ 7:30pm / $20 Live Americana music at The Melon Ball Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Boulevard, Davis. receiving@water melonmusic.com, 530-758-4010

Lakeside Laughs Comedy Club

@ 8pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

kali rae: POV World Tour

@ 9pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco

The Spiral Electric + Znora + Silverset @ 6pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Znora @ 6pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Intro to Watercolor @ 6pm / $120 Learn the relaxing and magical world of watercolor in this weekly Watercolor Series. Discovery Cam‐pus, 503 3rd Street, Napa. pro grams@nvef.org, 707-200-1224

The Console Collective @ 6:15pm Adult Video Game Club Fair�eld Civic Center Library, 1150 Ken‐tucky Street, Fair�eld. anwinter@ solanolibrary.gov

Dracula @ 7pm Orpheum Theatre-San Francisco, San Francisco

Dylan LeBlanc @ 7pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco

Goldpine Live @ The Melon Ball @ 7:30pm / $20 Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Boulevard, Davis. receiving@watermelonmusic.com, 530-7584010 Bold, gold harmonies straight from Nashville! Americana duo Goldpine brings its acclaimed blend of heartfelt songwriting and dynamic live performance to The Melon Ball.

The Okmoniks @ 7pm Knockout, 3223 Mission St, San Francisco

Iluka @ 8pm Brick and Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco

Donovan Plant: The Angry Outlaws at Mabuhay Gardens @ 8pm Mabuhay

ILUKA

BIIANCO @

1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom Street, San Francisco

BIIANCO @ 9pm 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco

Slice: A Juried Exhibit of Regional Art @ 11:30am Jul 10th - Aug 16th View a diverse selection of art by California artists in our annual Slice exhibit! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@ gmail.com, 530-758-3370

Mirabel Wigon: Earth Stars @ 11:30am Jul 10th - Aug 16th View a new exhibit by Mirabel Wigon at the Pence! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocial media@gmail.com, 530-758-3370

LIVE@DCC 2nd Friday Free Noon Concert July 10 at the Davis Community Church - Yolo Hot Club! @ 12pm Come cool your heels to the sooth‐ing sounds of "Yolo Hot Club", at Live@DCC's 2nd Friday free noon concert series, July 10, noon1pm, at the Davis Community Church, 4th and "C" Streets, Davis. Davis Community Church, Davis. lu annhiggs@gmail.com, 916-6008872

2nd Friday ArtAbout at the Pence Gallery @ 6pm Browse all of our new exhibits dur‐ing July's opening reception! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370

Davis AquaStarz Annual Water Show @ 7pm / $10-$15

Davis AquaStarz Synchro‐nized Swimming Team An‐nual Water Show: Totally 80's! Community Pool, 201 E. 14th Street, Davis. aquastarzweb@gmail.com

jousting @ 7pm The Natural LLC, 358 Brannan St, San Francisco

Katie Knipp Live @ The Melon Ball @ 7:30pm / $20 Powerhouse Blues and Americana artist from Northern California. Wa‐termelon Music, 1970 Lake Boule‐vard, Davis.

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 06/08/2026 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

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 06/09/2026 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) 6/12, 6/19, 6/26, 7/3 16300 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO.