Around 181 acres burned in a wildland fire that broke out around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17.
The Bonanza Fire ignited in the 5200 block of Bonanza Auto Road across from Hollandview Drive, three miles east of Shingle Springs. Flames moved east toward Highway 49 and the community of El Dorado.
Cal Fire Public Information O cer Wendy Oaks told the Mountain Democrat two structures and one outbuilding were destroyed, one utility structure had more than 50% damage and 20 vehicles at the Bonanza Auto Dismantlers went up in flames. As of Cal Fire’s latest report released prior to press time, the fire was 45% contained. Fire Chief Dustin Martin with the Cameron Park Fire Department gave an update at the June 18 Cameron Park Community Services District
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Bonanza Fire scorches 181 acres
Board of Directors meeting, sharing that the area had no fire history since the 1950s, which was very concerning to those coordinating the firefight.
“Had it gone a little farther it would have been a major disaster,” Martin noted.
Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit coordinated firefighting e orts with the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce, Eldorado National Forest’s firefighting crew, El Dorado Hills Fire Department, Cameron Park Fire Department, Tribal Fire, Garden Valley Fire Protection District, Mosquito Fire Department and BLM Fire as well as Growlersburg and Pine Grove inmate hand crews. Heavy air support included air tankers flying in and out of Cal Fire’s McClellan Airtanker Base, spotters and several
Stay cool in the pool
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Features editor
A tight budget won’t pull the plug on summer fun at the Placerville Aquatics Center. The pool will remain open every day through Aug. 3, according to city Community Services Director Denis Nishihara. “We’re gonna try to keep all of the essential services,” Nishihara told the Mountain Democrat. “Then take a look at our operations, looking at only keeping the pool open for the public swim on Saturdays and Sundays and limiting the public swim for like three hours a day Monday through Friday.”
Nishihara said with the many priorities his department juggles he strived to retain as many
Placerville prepares to tighten its belt
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Features editor
The Placerville City Council considered a nearly $25 million budget proposed by sta at its regular meeting on June 10 after two budget workshops that addressed budget needs, shortfalls, wants and possible cuts.
Revenue
Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Dave Warren went over the forecasted revenue for the 2025-26 city’s General Fund. Sales tax revenue — estimated at $6,249,799 — accounts for roughly 56% of cash in the General Fund. Last year, in the quarter ending in December,
Shelly Thorene Sta writer
Protestors gathered on overpasses from Camino to Folsom on June 14, taking part in a nationwide protest dubbed No King.
About 1,000 protestors on the East Bidwell Street overpass and along the roadway into the city participated with Indivisible El Dorado’s estimated 1,422 protestors who turned out for the event held on Flag Day, which also happened to be President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
“We got 500 more than we expected,” said Gina Abrams with Indivisible El Dorado. “Some people traveling eastbound on Highway 50 saw what we were doing and stopped to join in.”
She called the protest “peaceful and joyful,” for the most part, noting that while she was in a parking lot with a group getting ready a man told her, “Go home and bake a cake.”
“We are committed to non-violence and our training is on how to protest peacefully,” she shared.
Twenty-six captains with Indivisible El Dorado received training beforehand on safety, de-escalation and a segment “know your rights.” Scouts were sent out days ahead of time to make sure each overpass selected had parking nearby and was safe for a gathering.
Abrams said at least
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
About 220 protestors gathered on the Bedford Avenue pedestrian overcrossing for the No King protest June 14. Rallies were organized by Indivisible El Dorado for 11 Highway 50 overcrossings from Camino to East Bidwell in Folsom.
Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt
Aquatics Coordinator D.J. Kraus, left, General Manager Evelyn Harm, center, and General Manager Graham Brewer are looking forward to a lively summer season at the Placerville Aquatics Center.
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Cal Fire’s 18,000 horsepower, four engine C-130 air tanker drops a load of retardant on the Bonanza fire as seen from China Hill Road near Highway 49 on Tuesday. The tanker is capable of carrying 4,000 gallons of retardant and reaches fires faster
Mailboxes on Bumper Road were hit with fire retardant from an air tanker flyover protecting homes in the area.
ESSENTIALS
Cecil H. Stephens
July 13, 1938 – May 21, 2025
Cecil H. Stephens passed away May 21, 2025 after living through Alzheimer’s. His age was 86 years. He was born in Greenfield, California to Emery and Gladys Stephens. He attended Shasta Junior College and then Humboldt State University. He loved football and was considered one of the best running backs ever to attend those colleges. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame individually at each college and later both college teams were inducted. He received his fifth Hall of Fame for the Northern California Sports Association. He married his first wife, Zoe and had two children, Traci and Randy. He became a carpenter by trade and he built an A-Frame home in Placerville, California with his second wife Serene, who had two children, Debbie and Todd. Many good times were had at that home. The annual Pig Party was the event of the year, celebrated by many family and friends. He retired and relocated to Bonners Ferry, Idaho in 1992. Serene worked at Road and Bridge and through that job developed a great relationship with many community members. She passed in 2015. Cec was fortunate enough to be embraced by the community, and considered family by many. Pam Baker became his companion in 2016 and took him on many road trips which he so enjoyed. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, building things and traveling. He enjoyed life. He has one surviving brother, Gordon Stephens (Isabelle) and four children, Traci LaFevers (Rick) and grandchildren, Carly, Annie, John and Jake, Debbie Freeman (Mike), Randy Stephens and grandchild Randall, and Todd Freeman (Stephanie) and grandchildren Mikell, Cade, Jake and Zack, great grandchildren, Cash, Nixon, Luke and Scarlett. Services will be held at the Porthill Cemetery on August 2, 2025. He will be missed so much by many. We love you Cec! A special thanks to the Eden Hospice Team and Sunset Home for the amazing care they provided Cec.
Michael Francis Slowey
Oct. 8, 1943 – June 7, 2025
Michael Francis Slowey passed away on June 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after losing his battle with cancer. He lived a full, beautiful life of 81 years. He resided in El Dorado County for over 60 years.
He was a great storyteller. His favorite thing to talk about was his family and growing up with 9 siblings. He had endless stories of growing up, all entertaining. His Mom and Dad had their hands full, a home full of fun, crazy events, God and love.
He loved golf, crossword puzzles, SF Giants, SF Forty Niners, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of Cold Springs Country Club for many years and played with the Spanky’s Golf Club. In his earlier years he played softball at Lions Park in Placerville and was also an empire for youth baseball in the area.
He got a kick out of telling us the fishing and bear stories, of his mens camping trips to Hell Hole, which was a yearly tradition.
He worked in telecommunications with Pacific Bell for 50+ years, started as a lineman, then supervisor and eventually became an inspector. His crew at Pac Bell were not only co-workers but truly became best friends and family.
He met the love of his life, Norma Jo, at Sam’s Town, they fell in love and the rest is history. Married for 50 years, together they raised four daughters. He was the only man in a house full of girls, he was truly a saint. He always took care of his girls and was our “go to guy” in the worst and best of times.
Michael grew up in Klamath Falls, OR, and attended Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic parochial school. He was a Catholic and never wavered from his devotion and faith. In high school he was involved in sports, he was captain of the basketball team, played baseball, and football. His senior year, he was the student body vice president. He was also the editor of the school paper and yearbook. While editor of the paper he got the opportunity to interview John F. Kennedy as JFK was campaigning for the presidency of the U.S. He loved telling that story.
Michael was born in Prosser, Washington on October 8, 1943, to his father, Francis Eugene Slowey of Irene, SD and his mother, Marguerite Elizabeth Morrison of New Orleans, LA.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Patrick Slowey, Seattle WA, and his sister Phyllis Minten of Tracy, CA.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Norma Jo Slowey, his daughters, Georgiann Chambers (Ted), Melinda Frank (Steve), Beth Ann Slowey and Stacy Aylsworth, his siblings, Shirley Matchett, Janet Roberts, Virginia Smith, Donna Keylor, Glenn Slowey and Joseph Slowey, 9 grandchildren, 6.5 great grandchildren and his little dog Sofia.
A rosary for Michael will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 3109 Sacramento Street, Placerville, CA, followed by Mass at 11:00, with reception at church hall to follow. Rosary at 1030 and Mass at 1100.
Jerry Wallace Fowler
April 18, 1942 – May 18, 2025
Jerry Wallace Fowler, our beloved husband, Dad, brother, son, detective, veteran, friend, and amateur cartoonist, passed away in his El Dorado Hills home on the morning of May 18th, surrounded by the love of his wife Betty and their daughters, Christine Fowler and Renee Sloane.
Jerry was born in Ada, Oklahoma in 1942. He grew up in Oakland and later in Northern California. He met his wife Betty at Shasta College in 1964. They married in 1966, and Jerry graduated from CSU Sacramento. Shortly after, he was drafted to Vietnam.
He always wanted to be a policeman and began his career as a young o cer for the UC Davis Police Department, and later as deputy for the Sonoma County Sheri Department until 1975. He moved his young family to El Dorado County in 1976, where he continued to build a life of service to others. He retired from his work as a Criminal Investigator from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s O ce in 1998, and later from the Folsom Police Department in 2009, where he served as a background investigator for the new recruits.
He loved to read and study; he was witty, kind, playful, loyal, and compassionate. Over the decades he became a familiar sight around town in his blue Chevrolet pickup truck, cutting and hauling wood on the weekends, teaching Sunday school at Church of the Foothills in Cameron Park, and spending as much time as possible with his grandsons, Gabriel and Jacob Sloane.
A private memorial will be hosted in June to honor and celebrate Jerry’s life.
Claudia Jean Kitts Burger
Nov. 26, 1943 – May 29, 2025
In Loving Memory of Claudia Jean Kitts Burger, 81, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, in Placerville, California. Born on November 26, 1943, in Folsom, California to Barbara (Van Winkle) and Edward Kitts. Claudia’s life was defined by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to her loved ones.
Claudia was raised in Folsom and prided herself on her knowledge of “Old Folsom.” She pursued her passion for caring for others by following a career in Nursing. Her journey took her to Elko, Nevada, where she worked at Elko General Hospital and later generously volunteered her time at Highland Manor. Claudia’s warmth and kindness touched countless lives, both in her professional work, the church and her community service. It was while working at Elko General Hospital that she met the love of her life, Kenneth “Pops” Burger. They spent 42 wonderful years together raising their collective children and families. They moved from Elk, NV to Placerville, CA to enjoy retirement.
Claudia enjoyed camping trips with family, curling up with a good book, and the joy of a friendly board game. She also loved to dress up for any occasion and was never seen without her signature red lipstick. Her greatest happiness came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren whom she cherished deeply. She also held a deep and abiding love for dogs, always welcoming them into her heart and home. Her boisterous personality and booming laugh lit up every room she was in.
Claudia is survived by her devoted husband, Kenneth Burger; her siblings Shirley (Joe) Victor and Mike (Cathy) Kitts; her children Scherrie Whitfield, Kenny Whitfield, and Kimberly Keuseman and stepchildren Charlyn (Mark) Van Slyke and Laura (Kevin) Paulini; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry forward her legacy of love and strength.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Barbara Jean Van Winkle Salvi and Edward Kitts, and her cherished daughter, Billie Dawn Norman. In accordance with her wishes, Claudia’s ashes will be spread in Lamoille Canyon, Nevada, a place close to her heart. A private family service will be held at a later date to honor her memory.
To the strongest woman we know: You’ve weathered storms with grace, protected your family with unwavering faith, and given of yourself in ways that words could never fully express. You’ve been the backbone, the heart, and the light of our lives. We love you endlessly.
Yolanda Klemyk
April 26, 1954 – Nov. 2, 2024
Yolanda Klemyk, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on November 2nd, 2024 at the age of 70. Born on April 26th, 1954, in the picturesque mountain city of Baguio, Philippines. She brought warmth, resilience and a zest for life to everyone she met. Her journey from the cool highlands of her homeland to a life filled with love and adventure in America was marked by her unwavering spirit and devotion to those she cherished.
Yolanda leaves behind a legacy of love, survived by her husband Walter, her two children, Yvonne and William and her seven grandchildren.
Matthew Doyle
Oct. 19, 1966 – June 3, 2025
Matthew Doyle, born in 1966, was raised in Northern Virginia before moving with his family to Northern California. He entered the Navy after high school, serving five years including a tour in the Persian Gulf during the Gulf War. After his naval service ended, Matthew lived in New York, Maryland, and eventually returned to Northern California. While in Northern California, Matthew earned contracts with several government and private agencies securing grants and designing their IT infrastructure. Almost two decades into the new millennium, he moved back to the east coast, near his parents and several of his siblings. Matthew died of natural causes, passing peacefully seated in his favorite chair, on June 3, 2025. He is deeply missed and will forever be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Preceded in death by his mother, Matthew is survived by his father, Stephen Doyle of Texas; his brother Michael of California; sisters Glenda Heidsick (Matthias) and Kathleen Edwards (Robert) of North Carolina, and Amanda Carmen (Mark) of Texas; and his closest and dearest friend Carrie Calligan of California.
Charlene Foster Makis
Aug. 30, 1935 – May 29, 2025
Charlene was a long time resident of Diamond Springs. Charlene was the daughter of Herbert and Isabel Green born in Placerville on August 30, 1935. Charlene was a bail bonds writer for Placerville bail bonds for many years in Placerville. Then Charlene was a realtor with Coldwell Banker in Placerville. Charlene’s most favorite thing to do was sing karaoke with her friends she loved it. Charlene was proceeded in death by her husbands Charles Foster and Steve Makis and by her oldest son Steven Foster and by her three brothers Larry, Alan and Erwin Green. She is survived by her son Brian and wife Erika Foster and by her daughter Cindy Weldy and her daughter Tammie and her husband Gordon Anderson and her cat Bluebell. Charlene had many grandchildren and friends. She will be missed by many. There will be a small grave side service on July 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Westwood Hills Memorial Park, 2720 Cold Springs Road, Placerville. All family and friends are welcome.
LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES
PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL Placerville City Hall 3101 Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200
Mayor John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org
Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org
Ryan Carter rcarter@cityofplacerville.org Jackie Neau jneau@cityofplacerville.org David Yarbrough dyarbrough@cityofplacerville. org ElL DORADO COUNTY SUPERVISORS EDC Government Center 330 Fair Lane, Placerville
District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero (530) 621-5650
District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo (530) 621-5651 District
GRAPHICS
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Yolanda’s light may have dimmed, but it will never fade from the lives she shaped so beautifully. Rest peacefully my Love.
Photos by Odin Rasco
Josephine Rothman, above left, took an early lead in the women’s championship race that no competitors were able to close, taking first place before Hannah Rothman and Bethany Rothman joined her at the podium in second and third place, respectively. Above right, shortly after
Kathleen Hale Sorensen Nov. 2, 1942 – June 24, 2024
Kathleen Hale Sorensen (AKA Kathleen Ryugin Sorensen Sensei) was born on 2 November 1942 in San Francisco CA to Viola and Glenn Hale as the first of 3 other children: Glenda, Barbara, and Douglas. The family moved to Mill Valley (Alto) CA in the early 1950s, where she graduated from Tamalpais High School. She attended the College of Marin, getting a AS degree in Biology, and where she met and was married to David Rentz from 1963 to 1972. She served as a summer intern at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC in 1963. In 1970, she was a volunteer museum assistant at the Philadelphia Academy of Science as well as the Membership Secretary for The American Entomological Society hosted there. Kathi worked as a Museum sta member at both the California Academy of Science (3 yrs), and the University of California, Berkeley (20 yrs) where she curated collections, did field work, and served as research support for faculty members and researchers in their research, particularly on bees, beetles, katydids, aphids and pollination. She is gratefully acknowledged in numerous scientific research papers in various scientific journals, and has published herself in them, as well as having new insect species named after her.
and the El Dorado Hills library on their campus, and thus left a mark on the community.
In the early 1990s, when the family began martial arts training, John and Kirk started Gosoku Ryu Karate in EDH, while Kathi enrolled at the Placerville campus of Los Rios Community College to take classes in their athletic department’s Kodenkan Jujitsu program. She obtained the highest intermediate (pre-brown belt) level in Kodenkan before she ran out of eligibility. She then started Karate in Roseville in a Funakosi Shotokan Karate Association a liate with the Roseville Parks and Recreation District. Her husband later transferred to that style and dojo so they could train together there. Kathi retired from karate at 69, after obtaining the first level preshodan rank (post-12 Kyu brown belt) in Shotokan, because her physical endurance was waning.
Inspired by their years of martial arts training and associated meditation in the dojo, Kathi and her husband, began studying to be Zen Buddhist priests in the Order of Clear Mind Zen, headquartered in Las Cruces, NM. They became Unsui (novice Zen priests) under Daiho Hilbert Roshi, of the Matsuoka lineage of Soto Zen.
Both Kathi and her husband ultimately became transmitted Zen Priests under Daiho Roshi.
Kathi met her second husband, John Sorensen, a Ph.D. Student, in 1974 at UC Berkeley, and they were married in 1975. The couple had a son, Kirk, in 1984, and moved to El Dorado county in 1987, after John finished and was earlier hired as a Diagnostician for the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Plant Pest Diagnostic Center in Sacramento, where Kathi frequently helped in the collections as a volunteer while being a devoted mother.
When their son started school, Kathi started work for the Buckeye School District as a school playground monitor, initially at Brooks School for 2 years and later at Silva Valley school for many years, where she supervised the students at recess and lunch. She worked for Buckeye District from the late 1980s until she retired in 2013, and was acknowledged in preventing several serious injuries and getting medical paramedics to the site on multiple occasions. Kathi often was asked by the teachers to give talks to the students on insects and pollination biology, which she loved to do. She claimed to know the kids often better than the teachers because each teacher spent only a single grade with the students, while Kathi followed them through their entire school experience.
Kathi was also very active in the Boy Scouts, and served as a Den Leader for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos for EDH Pack 454.
When her son bridged to Boy Scouts, Kathi served as Advancement Chair for EDH BSA Troop 645 for 10 years, often serving as liaison for the Troop to the Rio Del Oro BSA District. As Advancement Chair she oversaw and encouraged the development of 27 Eagle Scouts (including Kirk) for which that troop made her an Honorary Eagle Scout for her service. She also completed the BSA Wood Badge, an adult training program, and attended most scouting camping sessions.
In the mid 1990s, Kathi served on the El Dorado Hills Area Plan Advisory Committee’s Serrano Development Subcommittee, during that development’s inception. She was instrumental in suggesting the Green & Green Arts and Crafts motif and architectural style to Parker Development that was chosen for the look of Serrano’s corporate buildings
They were tasked with starting and leading the Golden FootHills Zen Sangha in EDH, as Clear Mind Zen West, (www.cleannindzenwest.com) and the Gyoa-ji Zen temple, where they provided Zen priest training to 11 other Zen practitioners from across the U.S. and in Mexico.
The couple also provided 6 years of Zen training in meditation and mindfulness to the black belts of their former FSKA karate dojo in Roseville. CMZW, through CMZ, is a liated with the Zen Peacemakers organization. CMZW’s priests include hospital chaplains, academicians, and therapists, and several are now teachers in White Plum Zen lineage a liates.
Kathi also graduated from a Chaplaincy training program at the SATI Center for Buddhist Studies, Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. She served as a volunteer Zen Prison Chaplain providing Zen Dharma services and coordinating and facilitating Buddhist services at the Folsom Prison complex locally in the Folsom Prison’s Women’s Facility, as well as providing Dhanna services occasionally at Sacramento State Prison’s (“new Folsom”) B and C yards, and at San Quentin Prison in San Rafael.
Kathi was a member of the Sacramento Ikebana Society and the American Sewing Guild. And she enjoyed cooking, and meditating in the couple’s Japanese Garden at their home, Hanashobu-an.
Kathi died on 24 June 2024 after battling Lewy Body Dementia, a variant of Parkinson’s Disease, for about 7 years. She is survived by her husband John (76) of 48 years, her son Kirk (40) and his wife Lindsey, her sister Glenda [Nordmeyer] (Bermuda Dunes, CA) and brother Douglas (Sequim, WA), as well as several nieces and a nephew (in CA, WA, IA, and TN), and several grand nieces and nephews. Her sister Barbara [Spicer] (South English, IA) preceded her in death.
Kathi had a full and meaningful life, and one of community service at several levels. She inspired leadership and devotion to those she worked with, and she touched the lives of many people, helping and teaching wherever she could. She’s missed and appreciated by many.
A half-mile-long section of Lotus Road in the Coloma-Lotus Valley noted for its “terrifying” lack of shoulders will feature a new, safer trail by 2027 — if necessary funds are obtained.
The planned bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting Henningsen Lotus Park with Coloma at Highway 49 is one step closer to completion following the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ approval of environmental reports on Tuesday, June 17.
The trail will travel along a beautiful section of Lotus Road with views of nature, oak and pine trees and the south fork of the American River.
“It goes without saying, it’s a special area, it’s a special project and there’s a lot of unique users within the area of Coloma that really paint the picture of this project,” said Jon Balzer, project manager and county Department of Transportation senior civil engineer.
Besides benefiting cyclists and pedestrians, Balzer, who grew up in the area where he ran cross country and rafted, said the trail will tie into recreational facilities within the Lotus area. The trail will intersect with existing nature trails, parking areas and Caltrans improvements, including existing bike lanes and sidewalks on Highway 49. It improves safety with two parking lots with pull-out areas, preserves existing trail connections at parking areas, will potentially include crosswalk improvements near Highway 49 and won’t preclude future nature trails.
To avoid flooding that has occurred in the past at Henningsen Lotus Park, Balzer said the trail will be constructed above the flood plain.
Almost half of the trail will be boardwalk systems “so we could minimize the ground disturbance and minimize the need for doing work down within those waterways,” he said. “It also provides a wonderful viewing opportunity.”
Because of the sensitive habitat, Balzer said keeping with a low-impact design was important. Total project cost is estimated between $2 million and $3 million, according to earlier staff reports.
Mitigation measures were taken with consideration to oak trees, migratory birds, tree trimming, wildlife entrapment, cultural resources, geology and soils, fossils, hazardous waste, vegetation removal and noise during construction (working hours, staging, equipment and vehicles).
“A lot of these are avoidance measures to minimize and not touch or not impact habitat more than necessary,” Balzer said.
The project also includes an emergency plan and wildfire prevention and protection.
Regarding cultural resources, Balzer said they’ve had discussions with California State Parks and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to make sure there are no negative impacts.
Matt Smeltzer, deputy director of engineering for the DOT, said the idea for the project was initially mentioned to him by retired parks manager Vicki Sanders and Senior Planner Dan Bolster.
The Henningsen Lotus Conceptual Master Plan was created in 2014 and was further refined through a clinical mobility study and then again in an active transportation report.
A Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant was obtained in 2022, after which five public meetings were held. CMAQ funds the planning, environmental and design stage and no rightof-way funding is needed because of the limited impact design. Also because of the design, the project is running a year ahead of schedule and at less cost, Smeltzer said.
“And these factors can score us more points on a competitive grant for the construction, hopefully in the near future,” he added.
After environmental clearances and right of way certification through Caltrans, construction will take place in 2026-27.
Following completion, Balzer said the project could be extended to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and Bassi Road.
“The project has a lot of support and a lot of momentum behind it,” Balzer said. “This is another step forward for the community, but by no means the last.”
“Is it realistic that you’re going to be able to get this funding to start the project in 2026-27?”
District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine asked. Balzer said they’ve had success with State Park funds as well as opportunities for funding due to working with Caltrans.
“There’s also a number of active transportation funds and we have continued to pursue those,” he said “The project has had discussion outside of just our agency … so that has opened up a lot more doors,” Blazer added, “and I think it’s a very realistic goal to keep those 2026-27 dates out there.”
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin said she tried walking along Lotus Road recently and was terrified because there was no shoulder and she had to dodge cars.
“So this is much needed. I think the community’s very appreciative,” she said. “I want to thank the DOT and the Transportation Commission for working with the private property owners in the area to address concerns about accessibility to their property.”
Coloma-Lotus resident Veronica Boyd agreed it can be terrifying to walk along Lotus Road. She said many children live in the vicinity and she commutes a few times a week for work in El Dorado Hills and travels the road frequently for community activities, recreational cycling and walking.
“I am so in support of this project,” Boyd told the board.
Crystal Center, a Coloma-Lotus resident for a decade, shared a personal anecdote of when she was a new resident and didn’t realize the perils of bicycling with her young son in tow to Lotus Park.
“When I got to Lotus Road in the area where they’re putting this trail, I was terrified and I had to walk the bike,” Center said. “It’s going to be absolutely invaluable to the community.”
Parlin moved to approve and District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp seconded the motion to adopt the CEQA initial study-mitigated negative declaration; approve the project as described in the study; and adopt the mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures.
services as possible while looking at the long-term return on investment.
The aquatics center costs the city roughly $674,000 annually to operate.
During the budget review at the June 10 regular City Council meeting Nishihara recommended cutting back on the public swim hours at the pool while continuing to maintain popular services — lap swim, swimming lessons and water aerobics.
Then at the June 16 Recreation and Parks Commission meeting Nishihara outlined an updated plan for the aquatics center and highlighted savings uncovered by sta , including savings on the propane bill at the aquatics center.
“We were paying $6.50 a gallon
Bonanza Fire
Pool Continued from A1 helicopters, which drew up water from a pond on private property on China Hill Road.
in propane since 2019,” Nishihara told the commission. “(Recreation Superintendent Matt Lishman had) contacted our current provider and was able to negotiate half that price.”
This move will save the city approximately $11,000 and saves recreational swimming time.
“I am going to adjust the recommendation,” Nishihara told commissioners on June 16. “We’re going to go ahead and open up public swim so we will have the same level of service that we’ve had for the last few years right up until Aug. 3 because of those savings.”
While holding steady this summer, next season could see some changes to the aquatics center’s fee structures. Up to 77% of the guests utilizing public
Continued from A1
prepositioned in other areas should another fire strike.
swim hours are county residents living outside of Placerville city limits, according to Nishihara.
The city in prior years received funding from the county to help operate the pool but the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors cut that contribution for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
“I’m going to make it a No. 1 priority for us to take a look at what the actual cost is per person and start to look at o ering a city resident discount,” he said. “That’s going to help us keep the pool open.”
Final 2025-26 budget adoption is scheduled during the regular City Council meeting on June 24.
“Our ultimate goal is to get it wrapped up as soon as possible,” Martin said, adding that red flag warnings issued for this weekend in the surrounding region means more personnel would have to be
Protest Continued from A1
two captains were stationed at each overpass and a talk was given to attendees at each location to ensure a peaceful and successful rally.
“There was one incident on the Missouri Flat overpass where the driver of a vehicle veered over toward the protestors in an aggressive way and it was reported to the California Highway Patrol,” Abrams said, adding protestors endured some “coal rolling,” which is when a diesel truck spews black smoke.
“We were so inspired by the turnout and the support of passersby,” she added. “There was a lot of honking. I am grateful for the amount of volunteers. We wanted a demonstration that would be seen by the people and to add to the fight for Democracy, standing against the breakthrough of authoritarianism.”
People carried signs with a wide variety of messages and notably many were in opposition to the recent ICE raids. Corinn Biglin of Placerville said even though some issues didn’t a ect her directly, she believes in being compassionate. “We need more humanity,” the 23-year-old shared.
Mariana Lopez, 20, of Placerville stood with a group of 220 people on the Bedford Avenue pedestrian overcrossing. She said she joined the protest because her parents came to this country illegally but afterward gained their citizenship.
Protestors Vanessa Rodriguez, 23, of Camino and Yesenia Garcia, 25,
EDSO o cials issued evacuations orders and warnings Tuesday afternoon with some residents spending one night away from their homes. All orders have been lifted.
The cause of the Bonanza Fire is still under investigation.
of Placerville stood together holding signs. Garcia said she joined the protest “to stand up for human rights.” Rodriguez said she was there to make a di erence and to encourage others to come out.
Ricki Walters, 92, of Placerville attended the protest with her daughter Charlene Gamache. “I am so happy to be here with people from my church,” Walters told the Mountain Democrat. “We have a vote and we are sticking by it. We have a strong voice. I feel worried about the future for the children. It breaks my heart. I want to voice what’s going on in this world.”
Michael Kranzke, 87, of Placerville stood near Highway 50 and held a sign that read “Trump Out Of Our Lives.” He said, “I want to do what I can.”
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, a co-sponsor of the No King protests, an estimated five million people gathered in 2,100 towns and cities across the nation to protest the Trump administration’s actions. Organizers included the ACLU, the American Federation of Teachers, Communications Workers of America, MoveOn and the 50501 Movement.
The protest was scheduled to align with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the parade held in Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C, on June 14, which also happened to be President Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day.
OPINION
Recognizing the woke right
In 2018, some activists, appalled by woke nonsense being published by academic journals, submitted nonsensical research.
One paper claimed researchers “closely and respectfully examined the genitals of ... ten thousand dogs” to learn about “rape culture and queer performativity at urban dog parks.”
Some journals published it!
One of the hoaxers, James Lindsay, claims this “woke virus” now has spread to the right: “There is a radical segment embedded within MAGA ... that acts the same way, uses the same tactics, acts like the woke left.”
I was skeptical. But to make his point, Lindsay pulled off a new hoax.
He rewrote parts of “The Communist Manifesto” and, using the pseudonym Marcus Carlson (a play on Karl Marx), submitted it to the conservative magazine American Reformer.
His article criticized classical liberal ideas like free markets, global trade and individual freedom, like Marx did.
Yet the conservative magazine published it.
Even after a reader pointed out that it was “The Communist Manifesto,” the magazine kept its article up, writing, “It’s still a reasonable aggregate of some New Right ideas.”
The New Right, says Lindsay, acts like the woke left.
“There’s the victimhood mentality, the cancel culture, struggle sessions. They bully people online with swarms; they rewrite history.”
The New York Times’ 1619 Project rewrote history, claiming America was founded to protect slavery.
Letters to the Editor
‘Compaction’ is just another word for ego in county government
EDITOR:
In recent El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meetings, the term “compaction” came up again while discussing salaries under county Charter Section 504. Some officials claim compaction is a problem when lowerlevel employees start earning close to what their managers or department heads make. Let’s be honest: compaction isn’t about fairness or good government. It’s about ego.
County leaders use the word “compaction” to argue that if a regular worker earns nearly as much as their boss, it causes problems with respect, morale or motivation. But that assumes paychecks are the only way to show someone is important.
conditions or public value.
Section 504 was written to make sure sheriff’s deputies were paid fairly. Over time, many other employees who are not deputies have been attached to it — especially managers and highlevel staff. This has led to automatic raises that were never part of the original plan.
Some county staff recently said if the board wants to change 504 or remove these attachments, they’ll have to negotiate with the unions. That’s fair. But instead of hiding behind the union contracts, let’s start that conversation and fix the problem.
“Woke right, like the woke left, is this litany of bad ideas.”
Today’s woke right say: Hitler “was trying to encourage community ... family values,” (social media influencer Dan Bilzerian).
“I want total Aryan victory ... the only way we are going to make America great again is if we make this country Christian again,” says white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Fuentes’ videos have received more than 30 million views. On his show, he says, “Jews better start being nice to people like us because what comes out of this is going to be a lot uglier and a lot worse for them.”
Influencer Andrew Tate won 10 million followers largely by attacking feminism: “I am absolutely sexist.”
“’Men should be in charge, knock the women down,’” sighs Lindsay. “The woke right literally becomes all the caricatures that the woke left said conservatives are: ‘racist, sexist, homophobes.’”
“They’re fringe,” I say to Lindsay. “No real threat.”
“That’s what everybody said about woke kids on campuses,” he replies.
That shut me up. I admit I thought brainwashed college progressives would drop “safe spaces,” trigger warnings, speech codes and other silly ideas once they had to earn a living.
But I was wrong. Most didn’t. Those kids brought about lots of change. Their preferences got many
n See STOSSEL, page A7
The Not So Weekly Daley
As I have mentioned a number of times over the years, one of my best “news” sources is based in Washington, D.C. “They” recently sent me a heavily sealed document that purports to be an early draft of President Trump’s Rename List. It includes his recommendations for new names of active and historical military forts, installations, airbases, weapons, famous geographic sites, highways and buildings.
The list notes that several forts are to reclaim their original titles honoring Confederate generals of the Civil War. While a couple of current forts were renamed earlier this year, the rest reverted effective June 11 by Executive Order. Probably best
The truth is many line staff and deputy-level wages are set through fair union negotiations and often reflect years of trying to catch up to a living wage. When those workers finally earn decent pay, some in upper management act threatened. Instead of asking if their own salaries are fair, they demand raises just to stay “above” their staff — regardless of actual performance, budget
When high-paid employees demand even more money just because someone below them got a raise, that’s not about fairness. That’s about pride. And during a budget crisis, it’s dangerous. El Dorado County is already dealing with pension debt, spending cuts and reserve shortfalls. Giving raises just to keep people feeling superior is a waste of taxpayer money.
If department heads or managers think they deserve more pay, they should prove it with real reasons: like how hard the job is, how many people are leaving the position or what other
known are Fort Robert E. Lee (1917) renamed Fort Gregg-Adams (2023). Robert E. Lee (2025).
Fort John B. Gordon (who?) (1917) renamed Fort Dwight D. Eisenhower (2023).
John B. Gordon (2025).
Fort George Pickett (1942) renamed Fort Van T. Barfoot (2023). George Pickett (2025).
The document’s margins contain some not surprising recommendations:
The Ivanka - Don Jr. - Eric - Tiffany - Barron Trump Pentagon. Pentagon is German for five. Not many people know that.
Mount Melania (2025) was Mt. Whitney, raining (sic) supreme over all of California.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio/Proud Boys Bay (2025), formerly San Francisco
Bay (1769).
U.S. Space ‘Case’ Force Base (heh, heh) Stephen K. Bannon (2025).
Stephen Miller “Aliens Rock” (2025), formerly U.S. Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island. Beautiful Fort Donald J. Trump Gold Vault (2025), formerly Fort Knox (1933).
Stewart Rhodes Oathkeepers Road (2025), formerly Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles.
Laura Loomer Lunar Lander (2026-28), formerly The Eagle (1969).
Ashli Babbitt National Cemetery (2025), formerly Arlington National Cemetery.
My source noted it’s not yet clear if or when Flag Day becomes D.J. Trump National-Memorial Birthday.
Judging by the national turnout for No Kings Day Saturday, I’d say the last entry above may be very far in the future and more likely relegated to the D.J. Trump Memorial Vault of
Really Bad Ideas.
•
•
•
On a more serious note, if I had voted for candidate Trump last November (and I’m not saying I didn’t), I would have been voting for cheaper eggs, cheaper gas and some semblance of a rational immigration policy.
I would not have voted for mass deportation of employed farm workers, cooks and hotel cleaners among many other categories of legal or undocumented folks. Known and convicted criminals, of course, (if anybody else would even take them, which I doubt).
The five million No Kings protesters on June 14 is a whole lot of people who also oppose the current deportation process and other policies, and they clearly represent a whole lot more than just themselves. I would not have voted for Bunker
CHRIS DALEY
companies to mandate DEI training and led many employees to fear speaking honestly at work.
But today, says Lindsay, the energy is on the right.
“It’s great that we’re having a conservative revival ... but there’s also called ‘falling off the cliff.’”
Elected officials now say things like, “We should be Christian nationalists!” (Rep. Marjorie Taylor
Letters Continued from A6 counties are paying for similar work — not just because someone they supervise got a bump in pay.
To protect our budget and restore public trust, the county should:
1. Review who’s attached to Section 504 and remove anyone who doesn’t belong.
2. Do a proper study to see what top positions should be paid based on facts, not feelings.
3. Pause raises for senior staff during a budget deficit unless there’s a clear and honest reason.
4. Start talks with unions now to update Section 504 to match today’s needs and our county’s financial reality.
At the end of the day, compaction is just another way of saying, “I want to feel more important.” But in public service, it’s not about ego; it’s about stewardship. El Dorado County residents deserve leaders who manage our money wisely and focus on service, not status.
Greene) and, “I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk,” (Rep. Lauren Boebert).
“Your ability to believe as you will,” says Lindsay “worship as you will without state interference, is a bedrock idea of the American experiment. Woke right, like the woke left, is this litany of bad ideas.”
He fears that next election, the woke right will
A failed plan
EDITOR:
Former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis exposes a very likely scenario for what may have been the Democrat’s plan. First, a president as obviously impaired as Biden not getting tested for everything under the sun is ludicrous. So what then was the plan? The most likely was for Biden to beat Trump in the general election and then step down with dignity and give the office to Kamala, who could never have won it on her own.
elect the woke left.
“The left is going to say, Hillary Clinton was right to call (people on the right) ‘deplorable.’ Then the left will sweep back in and dominate.”
Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom.
You see the only reason Kamala was picked for the ticket in the first place was that she checked all the boxes. A woman of color and one so inept that she would not show up Biden’s ineptitude and basement campaign. This is where it all came down on their heads. They were stuck with a candidate that was only selected for her incompetence. If they tried to run anyone else Kamala would accuse them or racism, sexism, or both which is Kryptonite to the left.
Now with all these books coming out of Biden’s increasing dementia and the cover up of it, last month was as good a time as any to release the diagnosis.
Fairytale?
EDITOR:
LEE TANNENBAUM President of
This plan seemed to be running smoothly until the debate. That exposed the secret of Biden’s failing mind that the Democrats had been hiding for years with the cooperation of the media. Biden, who has a large ego, was delusional enough to still think he could win and things go according to plan. But the power elite of the Democratic Party knew better. But they were in a tight spot.
the EDC Taxpayers Association
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD
GEORGE ALGER Placerville
When you hear California Gov. Gavin Newsom talk about the state budget and/ or the federal government you should immediately think of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In that example the emperor is fooled into believing he has a suit of clothes that is visible to only those in his inner circle.
We should demand more accountability from Gavin Newsom.
ELLEN
Daley Continued from A6
Busting Iran’s potential nuclear weapons bunkers except as a response to a really, direct and horrific attack on our people. And that seems pretty unlikely at this point. Recent U.S. Intelligence reports determine Iran’s nuclear bomb is two to three years away. (Assuming there are still a few veteran Intelligence staffers at the wheel there, that assessment ought to be considered at least).
America and its allies demanded “unconditional surrender” from Germany and Japan to end World War II. Under what comparable circumstances and authority does President Trump demand the same from Iran, a nation with which we are not currently at war? I wouldn’t have voted for that either.
Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.
Announcements
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org
CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS
CLUB meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
PLAY CRIBBAGE Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado
at
of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information. GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575
HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun
DAY El Dorado
Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway
Throughout the years Placerville Speedway has been known for having some of the most loyal fans in Northern California. As a special thank you to all the dedicated patrons, grandstand tickets will be just $5 during the annual Thompsons’ Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday, June 21. Divisions ready to thrill the crowd on Fan Appreciation Night include the Thompsons Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, the Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models, the Red Hawk Resort + Casino Pure Stocks
and Wingless BCRA Lightning Sprints.
“Thompsons’ Fan Appreciation Night is always an event we look forward to each season,” said track promoter Scott Russell. “With grandstand tickets just $5 we encourage everyone to bring a friend and, if they can, please introduce someone new to the races on Saturday as well. The Thompsons Family of Dealerships have been long-time partners with not only the track, but it even goes back to 2001 when I first started running sprint cars. We can’t thank them enough for their continued support.”
The familiar red clay was silent from the roar of race cars around the oval last week due to the annual break for the El Dorado County Fair. This Saturday, however, launches five consecutive weeks of racing as things begin to heat up at Placerville Speedway. Battles in the Berco Redwood/Hoosier Tire/Coors Light championship chase stand close entering the busiest stretch of the campaign. Just 19 points separate Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Suisun City’s Chance Grasty and Sacramento’s Austin Wood at the top of the Thompsons Winged Sprint Car standings. Forsberg has two wins, while Grasty and Wood have shown solid consistency thus far, with both knocking on the door of victory lane. Tony Gomes of Modesto dominated the last point race and sits fourth in points followed by Placerville’s own Shane Hopkins. Fan Appreciation
Photo courtesy of Tim Holland
Racing returns to Placerville Speedway this Saturday with four exciting events ready to roll on the dirt track.
receipts were down by 2.7% without adjustments from the prior period. Warren pointed out that the county was down 3.2% and the state was down 1.1% in the same quarter.
Looking at the forecasted numbers Warren said Placerville did well during the pandemic but things flattened out in the following years.
“When you look at it on a 10-year field it’s actually at the 2015-16 level even though we’ve had a little bit of growth,” he said. “So, a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow.”
If the budget were adopted as presented, program delivery will be affected in certain areas, Warren added.
Warren went over some anticipated increases in the expense side of the budget with medical insurance up 10%, worker’s compensation up 11.9%, general liability insurance up 8.21%, property insurance up 15% and pension employer contributions up 8.4%.
“So these big numbers you see when you look at revenue growth being flat or a very minor increase in revenue compared to these large increase (in) expenditures really creates a difficult situation,” Warren said.
Some adjustments to the tune of $1,056,530 were included in this iteration of the budget to help balance revenue and expenses. One adjustment would be to transfer $321,410 from the Road Maintenance Revitalization Account/ SB 1 to be used for regular road maintenance through the Public Works Department. Another adjustment, assumed increase of $168,941 to the master fee schedule, will come before the council separately to be approved.
A minor reorganization to the Placerville Police Department was laid out by City Manager Cleve Morris. Anticipating planned retirements in the department and minor organizational changes would realize some savings during the upcoming fiscal year, he said.
“These changes are not anticipated until mid-year,” said Morris, adding the anticipated savings amount to $77,694.
Reorganization this fiscal year includes moving the code enforcement officer position from Development Services to the PPD and adding vehicle abatement to the code enforcement officer’s duties.
“Funding is available for vehicle abatement that is not currently being used,” said Morris. “This action will provide additional revenue to help fund the position.”
Races Continued from A3
(Clarksville HS)
An associate planner position is frozen in the current budget proposal, saving the city $160,227. Morris said this was a necessity to balance the 2025-26 budget and comes with the possibility of additional contract services required to meet the city’s needs. He recommended re-evaluating the decision mid-year.
Morris also said a reorganization of Community Services could realize savings to the tune of $71,381.
“A proposed reorganization is being finalized that we anticipate will provide the desired efficiencies,” Morris explained, adding details will be provided at the budget adoption meeting.
Warren briefly reminded the council of the city’s debt service expenses which come in at just under $2.9 million.
The proposed budget calls for transferring $659,317 from the Gas Tax Fund and $91,941 from the general Capital Improvement Plan Fund to the General Fund.
“That (CIP transfer) is a reimbursement to the General Fund for your senior management analyst for the broadband project,” Warren explained.
The General Fund budget before adjustments showed $10.9 million in revenue and total expenditures at $12 million, leaving a deficit of just over $1 million. After adjustments, the budget has a $26,823 deficit. Warren said and Morris will “to try to bring that to zero if we can.”
General Fund revenues are anticipated to be down by 1.32% while expenditures are expected to climb 5.66%.
The total operating budget for 2025-26 sees revenue at $28,530,768 with expenditures at $24,960,998, leaving a surplus of $3,569,770 before capital improvement projects and reserve adjustments.
CIP projects came in at $4,363,751. All are funded by Measures H and L, the downtown parking fund and the water enterprise fund.
Mayor John Clerici thanked staff for the work that went into developing the budget during a tight year and addressed possible concerns over the reorganization proposals.
“Any fears about what we may or may not be doing are justified,” he said. “On the other hand, I expect that we will be keeping a very close eye on how some of these changes move forward and whether or not they’re working the way we anticipate.”
The council voted 5-0 directing staff to bring the proposed budget back on June 24 for adoption.
2nd – Hannah Rothman
2nd – Maxim Esteve & Levi Morrison (Union Mine HS)
3rd – Liam Trifiro & Ben Trifiro (Ponderosa HS)
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
1st – Josephine Rothman
1st – David Jones & Eric Eymann
Speedway Continued from A8
Night marks round four of the Kings Meats Ltd. Late Model season. Yuba City’s Rod Oliver captured the last event and holds a slim two-point advantage over Live Oak’s Matt Micheli. Placerville’s Tyler Lightfoot has one win on the campaign and is only four markers back in third.
The Red Hawk Resort + Casino Pure Stocks have put on some thrilling races this season and more of the same is expected Saturday. Sixtime track champion Nick Baldwin of Oakley won last time out and leads Diamond Springs’ Kevin Jinkerson by 17 points.
Three-time victor this season Ryan Peter of Rio Linda ranks P3 in the standings but is just 20 back of Baldwin. Tyler Lightfoot and Sacramento’s Jason Palmer round out the top five in points.
The BCRA Lightning Sprints will also shed the wings for the first time this season at Placerville Speedway, as they get tuned up for the November running of the Hangtown 100.
Tickets and details
Grandstand seating during Thompson’s Fan Appreciation Night will be general admission on Saturday, June 21, except for the reserved seats allocated to season ticket holders that are marked. Grandstand tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the gate or online via eventsprout.com/event/ psr062125.
COMICS
3rd – Bethany Rothman
MEN’S
CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
1st – Zachary Schnetz
2nd – Eric Schnetz
3rd – William Drinkard
Most Inspirational – Knox Smith
The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 4 p.m. Hirst Home Team Happy Hour is offered until 6pm in the grandstands featuring live music with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO Driveline qualifying and racing will follow.
The Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information visit placervillespeedway.com.
SUDOKU
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Instead of exhausting yourself trying to create something brand-new from scratch, do what’s already known to work. Use models, systems and proven strategies, and then give it your twist.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When people fulfill a need for you, it’s nice, but you wouldn’t call that love. That’s usefulness. You’re determined to find out who a person really is — not their story, but the real person inside. To learn someone is to love them.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Unselfconscious charisma and intuition are yours. You’re magnetic because you’re not trying to be. There’s wordless wisdom in you. It doesn’t need to be spelled out. Today you move from instinct and draw them in.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Do you believe in the supportive magic of invisible forces? The forces are indifferent to your belief and will render aid as needed. You don’t have to explain it. Just notice that not all help arrives with fanfare.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s not a bad idea to adjust your expectations. Lower is better. It will help you release your attachment to things going a particular way. Letting go of control will make space for wonder.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Stay aware so you’ll notice when you’re in the presence of what you seek. Life’s gifts often come in unexpected packaging. Someone’s smile will be the zephyr that makes clouds disappear, which you’ll find out after you make them smile! LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You meet someone, maybe unex-
pectedly, and they bring ease like a breeze through a heavy day. You feel lighter in their presence — not because they solve your problems, but because they spark joy and you let it in.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t have to stick to a single version of yourself to be honest. You can be thoughtful and goofy. Wise and messy. Deep one moment, absurd the next. When you stop labeling one as your “true self” and rejecting the other as a mask, you gain wholeness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Solitude will be a source of power and insight. Time alone lets your intuition guide you, leading to decisions that surprise even you. It doesn’t
n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
n RUBES by Leigh Rubin
n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
EL DORADO DISPOSAL
TRASH TALK:
RECYCLING REALITY
CHECK
– Everyone is Confused!
In a world where convenience and urgency reign supreme, consumption continues to rise. Unfortunately, so does the amount of waste produced. For most people, how and where they dispose of their trash is not a top priority. People are confused about what is recyclable, whether California’s new SB-1383 applies to them, and essentially, “What goes in which cart?” The end result is a contaminated waste stream.
At El Dorado Disposal, our Sustainability Team is here to guide customers through the confusion. With a focus on outreach and education, our goal is to help reshape old habits in an effort to clean up the waste stream. If your school, civic organization, multifamily complex, or other group would like to learn more, our team is available to teach a refresher course. Additionally, we work together with our frontline employees through our “Oops Tag” program. Our drivers are not only able to inform customers of materials placed in the wrong carts, but are also able to show them the solution. It is our priority to continue educating the public as we unravel the confusion and adapt to California’s ever changing eco-friendly initiatives.
BUT IT’S PAPER
As El Dorado County residential customers adjust to organics recycling, we’ve noticed a worrisome trend: Clean, recyclable paper is ending up in the greenlidded organics containers.
The only paper that should be mixed with food scraps and yard waste is “food-soiled,” which includes fast food bags, paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates, coffee filters, greasy pizza boxes, and waxed cartons from milk, juice, ice cream. Clean paper, such as magazines, printer paper, and cardboard, should be placed into your blue lid recycling cart/bin (freely and loosely, not in plastic bags).
Instead of using clean paper to avoid the ‘ick’ in the organics cart/bin, use paper bags or BPI-certified compostable bags.
BEST PRACTICES
BATTERIES ARE PROBLEMATIC
Did you know that batteries can start fires inside your carts and our trucks? Did you know that they leach harmful chemicals into the local environment and our waterways if not disposed of properly?
For the health and safety of our community, make sure to recycle your batteries properly instead of putting them in your curbside carts. We offer several options for recycling batteries safely:
• Residential customers can request a battery bag delivery. Once it’s full, contact us for collection before your next service day. To schedule a delivery or a pick-up, contact Customer Service at (530) 626-4141 or schedule through our APP. (Limitations may apply.)
• The Material Recovery Facility, located at 4100 Throwita Way, accepts batteries. Open Friday to Sunday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
• Our Recycling Centers in El Dorado Hills at 4421 Latrobe Road and Cameron Park at 3500 Palmer Drive accept batteries. Open Tuesday –Saturday from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
PACKAGING CAUSES PROBLEMS
El Dorado County residents are great at recycling, but we still see a great deal of packaging contaminants in curbside recycling.
Common packaging contaminants include:
• Plastic Amazon bags
• Plastic film packaging
• Packing peanuts
• Packaging insulation
• Styrofoam
• Deflated plastic packing pillows
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic bags
• Plastic films
All of these items must be put in your trash cart.
To dispose of packaging materials properly, first remove any plastic or Styrofoam packaging materials and put them in the trash, then break down and flatten the cardboard box and place it in the recycling.
If you are not sure what goes in your recycling cart or bin, visit eldoradodisposal.com, download our APP and use our Waste Wizard - Sorting Tool, or call us at (530) 626-4141 to speak with one of our recycling experts.
WHAT’S NEW?
Come Get Some Compost
If you weren’t already aware, El Dorado Disposal provides free compost for selfpick up at 580 Truck Street in Placerville. EDD has contracted yearly procurement goals for our compost pile, meaning, we want the public to take it! EDD utilizes all the organic material that is collected from residential and commercial customers, and circles it back by providing the compost cultivated from the organics obtained.
Organic Bear Carts
Struggling with pesky bears? We recently launched our Bear-Resistant Organics Carts for El Dorado County residents. Please contact customer service at 530-626-4141 for more information. (Area restrictions apply.)
Download our App!
PROSPECTING
Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com
IN THE KNOW
Stellar students
Congratulations to Madison Grandlund of Cameron Park, who was named to South Dakota State University’s Dean’s List.
Congratulations to Chase Mueller of Shingle Springs and Andrew Soares of El Dorado Hills, who were named to Abilene Christian University’s Dean’s Honor Roll.
Congratulations to William Crookham, of El Dorado Hills who graduated from California State University, Stanislaus.
June 20
Join the Marshall Foundation for Community Health for the 40th annual Bob West Drive for Marshall.
Tee o “fore” health at 11
a.m. at Cold Springs Golf & Country Club in Placerville. For more information visit marshallfound.org/golf-fora-cause.
The Sierra Renaissance Society presents “Travels to Bhutan, Nepal & India” by Steve and Dickson Schwarzback, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings for free. For more information visit srsedc.org.
The Fabulous Liars Band will play at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino from 5-8 p.m. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.
Smith Flat House will host a Sip and Paint event at 6
Jennifer Sweeney News release
The Lavender Blue Harvest Days will take place on Apple Hill on June 21, 22, 28 and 29. These sunny summer weekends are the perfect time to visit Apple Hill farms for u-pick experiences, lavender and blueberry treats, crafts, artisan products and more.
The colors and scents are undeniable — the farms of the Apple Hill Growers Association will soon transform into fields of lavender and blueberries for this year’s Lavender Blue Harvest Days. The celebration of fresh lavender and blueberries is a reminder that more than just apples grow at these Sierra Foothill farms.
The lavender harvest will be on full display at Bluestone Meadow Farm. Guests will be able to cut and make their own lavender bouquets, wreaths, wands or critters. An array of locally made products, including essential oils, soaps and lotions, will be available for sale. Families can enjoy a wander through the Lavender Labyrinth
and Kid Zone and dance along to live music.
The ‘Lavender Answer Guy’ will be on hand to answer questions about growing and using this wonderful crop.
Bluestone Meadows will be o ering “Simply Lavender Days” outside of the festival on June 25, 26 and 27 and July 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can gather their own bouquets and stock up on their favorite products.
Participating farms
• 24Carrot Farm will feature lavender plants, organic blueberries and blueberry plants as well as fresh baked goods. For more information visit 24carrotfarms.com.
• Delfino Farms & Edio Vineyards will have Joan’s bakery selling strawberry rhubarb, strawberry, cherry and blueberry desserts for Lavender Blue Days. For more information visit delfinofarms.com.
• Fenton Herriott Vineyards will feature live music from local favorites including Doug Crossing, Tamara, Brandon–RIVV and Uncommon Ground.
High Sierra blends music and community
Karin Conn News release
QUINCY — The High Sierra Music Festival kicks off at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy on July 3 and continues through the weekend.
A beloved tradition for music lovers and festivalgoers alike, High Sierra Music Festival is the quintessential four-day camping and glamping music experience that will once again transform the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds into a vibrant celebration of music, community and discovery.
Reinvigorated under the visionary leadership of longtime music industry veteran and co-producer Dave Margulies, High Sierra blends iconic festival traditions with a renewed emphasis on emerging talent and artistic collaboration. With an intimate setting that draws fewer than 10,000 attendees, it remains a uniquely immersive experience in a world dominated by massive festivals.
Set against the backdrop of the scenic Feather River Canyon and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, High Sierra is a playground for music lovers, families and creative spirits. Festival-goers return year after year for the genre-spanning music and a sense of community that feels more like a family reunion than a public event.
Beloved traditions continue with one-of-a-kind artist tributes and collaborations, acoustic troubadour in-the-
Sydney Joyce News release
NEVADA CITY
— InConcert
Sierra and the Sierra Master Chorale present the fourth annual Sip ‘n Song event at Pioneer Park on Saturday, June 28.
Sip ‘n Song is an outdoor, family-friendly fun-filled evening of music, dancing, and activities, all to support
round sessions, inspired patron-created theme camps, yoga, late night/early morning kickball, a community swimming pool, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Foam Tub Experience, late-night jam sessions, wine and beer tastings and vendor villages offering handmade goods, festival wear, art, and treasures only found at High Sierra. Plus, the many popular food vendors serve delicious, nourishing food bound to please the most finicky of palettes.
High Sierra is ideal for kids of all ages — with daily whimsical parades, a vibrant Family Village, professional childcare from Rockin’
and raise funds for the Sierra Master Chorale’s acclaimed programs. The two bands performing live at Sip ‘n Song are the Sons of Boogie and Then Again, both featuring members of the Sierra Master Chorale.
Sons of Boogie offers a great variety of rocking blues and favorite nostalgic hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s. With smooth vocal harmonies
and high-energy stage antics, they’re all about getting everyone up and dancing. Original members of Sons of Boogie, lead guitarist Dave McLellan and bass player Doug Morgan, are both former SMC singers and they have been playing together since the late ‘70s. In the early ‘90s they were joined by powerhouse drummer Kevin Woolard. In 1997, they
Online registration is available & required to attend at http://www.hangtownkc.org pick your date and time
June 29, 2025
welcomed the addition of lead vocalist and harp player Steve Mendoza, SMC tenor, and guitarist John Liron.
“what better way to spend a Saturday evening than being at Pioneer Park, sipping your favorite beverage and listening to some great music,” said Mendoza. “We’ll close the show playing classic rock, blues and rockabilly that will have you up and dancing.”
Then Again plays songs from the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, the Beach Boys and more from the late ‘50s to the early ‘80s. The band includes SMC members Kathy Chastain (vocals, keyboard) and Steve Nicholson (vocals, bass guitar), along with James May (vocals, guitar) and Ben Schley-May (drums).
With three-part vocal harmonies and great classic songs, they bring an infectious
spirit of fun to their audiences: Dancing and singing-along is highly encouraged.
“We’re excited to be playing our fourth year at Sip ’n Song,” said Nicholson. “It’s always a great time.”
The audience is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic dinner; however, no outside alcohol is permitted. Beer on tap from Grass Valley Brewing Co., kombucha from Gold Vibe Kombuchary,
wines from the Alta Sierra Wine Shop and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, along with treats from CoCo’s Lazy Dog Confectioners. The whole family is welcome to attend, other than the pups — they’ll need to stay at home. To add more whimsical fun to the evening, there will be a photo booth with amusing props to commemorate the evening. Because this event is a fundraiser for the Chorale, there will be enticing and memorable raffle prizes and other ways to playfully and easily support the SMC.
The Sierra Master Chorale is a high-caliber community choir of auditioned singers who perform choral music of such a wide variety and high quality that gives the listening audience as well as the performers great enjoyment. The SMC traditionally performs with the InConcert Sierra Orchestra. The Chorale was founded in 2008 and is a program of the local nonprofit classical music organization, InConcert Sierra, which was founded in 1946. The event will take place Saturday, June 28 from 5-8:30 p.m.
Courtesy photo
The Sons of Boogie will bring it to the crowd at the Sip ‘n Song at Pioneer Park on June 28.
Photo by Susan J Weiand
Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, artist-at-large and Steve Poltz will round out the lineup at the 2025 High Sierra Music Festival July 3-6.
Photo by Gabriel David Barkin
The parade is always a favorite among festival goers.
The tasting room will feature a brand-new Bellini-style wine cocktail and offering tastes of newly released wines. For more information visit fentonherriott.com.
• Grandpas Cellar will have lavender/blueberry inspired lemonade flights featuring four types of lavender and blueberry infused lemonades. Also on hand will be coffee flights with a lavender latte, mocha lavender latte, blueberry latte and ube lavender latte which can be paired with a blackberry lavender sweet roll or lavender brownie and exclusive blueberry lavender honey ice cream. For more information visit grandpascellar.com.
• Harris Family Farm will feature lavender mini doughnuts, lavender lemonade, slushies and other lavender and blueberry pastries along with live music. For more information visit harrisfamilyfarm.com.
• Hidden Star Camino will have both hard and fresh sparkling blueberry/lavender cider, blueberrylavender cider donuts and blueberrylavender cobbler. For more information visit hiddenstarorchards. com.
• Jack Russell Farm Brewery will be serving a blueberry pancake brunch, blueberry and hot honey dessert pizza, blueberry ale and lavender lemonade hard seltzer slushies. For more information visit jackrussellbrewery.com.
• Lava Cap Winery will serve a glass of wine in its lavender covered garden. For more information visit lavacap.com.
• Pine-o-Mine Ranch will have live music and face painting and cotton
candy for the kids. Mouthwatering bites, signature shakes, handcrafted blueberry lavender cocktails and mocktails will be on hand. For more information visit pineomine.com.
• Ponderosa Ridge Bed & Breakfast is offering an online reservation promo, use code code: LAVENDER. Two night minimum stay from June 20-23 and June 27-29. For more information visit ponderosaridgebnb.com.
• Rainbow Orchards, Camino Ridge will be open for you-pick blueberries on Saturdays and Sundays, 7 a.m. to noon June 21, 22, 28, 29. For reservations email rainboworch@ gmail.com. For more information visit rainboworchards.net.
• Rucksack Cellars will be open from noon to 5 p.m. With two for one tasting flights when you mention Lavender Days. For more information visit rucksackcellars.com.
• Smokey Ridge Farmstand & Winery will provide its signature lavender sangria and flower bouquets for purchase. For more information visit smokeyridgeranch.com.
• Starfield Vineyard offers selfguided wine flight boards, designed to delight every palate. Learn more at starfieldvineyards.com.
• Wofford Acres Vineyards offers a flight or glass of wine while gazing at the fabulous view of the South Fork of the American River canyon. For more information visit wavwines.com.
Harvest Days at Bluestone Meadows will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21, 22, 28 and 29. For reservations visit bluestonemeadow.com.
For more information and a map of the area visit applehill.com.
Courtesy photo
Plenty fresh blueberries will be available for the taking.
p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse.com.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a free Concert in the Park with Ariel Jean from 7-9:30 p.m. at Community Park. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
RxEMEDY will perform, 8-11p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Sterotype will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8-10 p.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.
Broadway At Music Circus presents “Hello Dolly” at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento at 7:30 p.m. and continuing through June 26. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
June 21
The Rock Tahoe Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile course which starts at the top of Spooner Summit, elevation 7,146-feet and drops more than 1,000 feet as runners wind down U.S. Highway 50 to the finish line at the Golden Nugget Hotel &
Edited by Will Shortz No. 0519
Casino Lake Tahoe where it’s time for a pool party for racers and their guests. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. For more information visit rocktahoehalfmarathon. com.
The Tahoe Mountain Bike Festival, a staple of the area, is supported by the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and features bike demos, brews and live music. The event is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on June 22. For more information visit tamba.org.
UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will host the All About Lavender class from 9 a.m. to noon at the Placerville Veterans Memorial Hall. Discuss botany, how to plant, care for, harvest and use. Learn how to propagate lavender to take home with you. Pre register at: 6.21.25 All About Lavender.
Celebrate the summer solstice at Findleton Estate in Camino from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit finzinwines.com.
Join the El Dorado County Historical Society and Save the Graves for Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills, a curated wine tasting and tour of historical wineries from noon to 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit edchs.org.
Nello Olivo Winery will host a Roast Pig Party from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nello Olivo Tasting Room & HWY 50 Brewery with live music by Bobby Dickson and The Born and Raised Band. For more information visit nelloolivo. com.
Ed Wilson will play at the Placerville Speedway from 4-6 p.m.
Join American River Conservancy for live music with Island of Black and White, beverages and tasty food featuring Wani’s Tacos at historic Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville from 6-9 p.m. This concert series supports ARC’s Resilience Reserve helping to manage, repair and restore its protected properties. For more information visit bit.ly/ ARCc4c2025.
Gwinllan Estate Vineyard and Winery presents Paella on the Patio at 6 p.m. for more information visit gwinllanestate. com.
Ryder Thieves + Cosmic Hogtie will perform, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Smith Flat House will host a Comedy Night with Wyatt Cole at 8 p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse. com.
Power Play will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.
The Truckee Reggae Fest will take place from 3-10 p.m. at the Truckee River Amphitheater. For more information visit truckeereggaefest.org.
The Double Ds will perform at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.
June 22
UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will be available to answer your gardening questions at the El Dorado Hills Farmers Market, El Dorado Hills Community Services District from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join American River Conservancy for Capturing Wakamatsu a poetry walk/workshop with Taylor Graham and Katy Brown from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register visit arconservancy.org/event.
Smith Flat House will host live music with Back Porch Swing at 5 p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse.com.
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats will perform at the Powerhouse Pub in Folsom at 3 p.m. for tickets and more information visit powerhousepub.com.
June 24
Smith Flat House will host live music with the Second Switchback Band at 6 p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse.com.
June 25
Smith Flat House will host Bingo Night at 5:30 p.m. First round at 7:15 p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse.com.
Main Street Menagerie PRIDE Celebration will take place from 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.
June 26
The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will host the Monthly Networking Luncheon with guest speaker El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Koto Buffet in Red Hawk Casino. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.
Smith Flat House will host
June
June
UCCE
Join American River Conservancy for a Plein air workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to register visit arconservancy.org/event.
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host the annual Summer Spectacular at Cameron Park Lake, 5-10 p.m., featuring vendor booths, food, live music, a kids’ carnival, fireworks over the lake and more. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
Smith Flat House will host a Winemaker’s Dinner with Lewis Grace at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit smithflathouse. com.
The Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series presents Earth Wind & Fire from 8-11 p.m.
stageatburke.com.
Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Marvin Lipofsky Blows Glass through Aug. 17; Black & Gold – Traditional and Contemporary Japanese and Chinese Ceramics through Dec. 31, 2025; and Pueblo Pottery – Native American Pottery and Sculpture through Dec. 31, 2030. For more information visit crockerart.org.
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its Leadership El Dorado Class of 2025-26. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.
The Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series presents live music on the main stage every Friday and Saturday (plus additional weekdays) evenings from 5:45-9:15 p.m. through Labor Day. For more information visit tinyurl.com/3h88rmpb.
Check out “Our Beautiful Valley” by Betty Sederquist at Marco’s Café in Lotus through the end of summer. For more information visit marcoscafelotus.com.
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.”
National Alliance on Mental Illness El Dorado County offers free, in-person family support groups 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in Placerville. For more information visit namieldoradocounty. org.
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.
Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.The Mom Walk Sip and Stroll meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater at the El Dorado
Pete Kronowitt: Whale's Tail Garden gig @ 12pm Whale’s Tail Garden, John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco
Patrick Garr: Hello, Dolly! @ 1:30pm Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento
Better By the End @ 2pm / $25 A community workshop to create a safe shared space and grow to‐gether 1738 Pomona Dr, 1738 Pomona Drive, Davis. wildish.hap penings@gmail.com, 415-2253075
Friday June 20th 8pm at The Stage at Burke Junction with head‐liner, Wyatt Cote, Cameron Park CA. The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. stageat burke@gmail.com
Woodland Pride Parade and Party @ 10am Parade and Party to celebrate Woodland Pride. Free to attend. All are welcome. Woodland, Main and Elm Streets, Downtown Woodland
Scout Gillett @ 1pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
JJKØ: Golden Hour Rooftop presents Summertime @ 3pm TBA - SECRET ROOFTOP SF, San Francisco
An Evening of Dance @ 5pm / $20 Join us for an Evening of Dance with the stu‐dents of Appelgate Dance Studio as we perform a variety of classical and contemporary ballet se‐lections, including selec‐tions from Hansel and Gretel ballet. Richard Brunelle Performance Hall, 315 West 14th Street, Davis. adc@apple gatedance.com, 530-7673777
A G E N T @ 6pm O'Reilly’s Pub, 1840 Haight St, San Francisco
Grooblen: Make Music Day - Golden Gate Park
Bandshell @ 6pm Golden Gate Park Bandshell, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Fran‐cisco
Slake: Let’s Get Marriedalbum release show and afterparty @ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Arcade 9: Queer Emo Nite @ 9pm El Rio, 3158 Mission St, San Fran‐cisco
Tsunami.wav: 1TakeJay with Tsunami @ Origin SF (18+) @ 10pm Origin, 1538 Fillmore St, San Fran‐cisco
Drew Harrison: The Sun Kings / Acoustic Duo @ WISEGIRL @ 11am WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails, 1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
The Sun Kings / Acoustic Duo: @ WISEGIRL @ 11am WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails, 1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Eric Ripper @ 12pm Emerald Bay Bar & Grill, 888 Emer‐ald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe
CHANNEL TRES: Stern Grove Festival 2025 @ 12pm Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove, San Francisco
Monday Jun 23rd
Karrie O'Neill: The Main Grape @ 6pm The Main Grape Vacaville, 444 Main
and jam in�uences.
Taylor Hunnicutt: The Mid‐night Bar @ 5:30pm Kitchen428 Restaurant & Mojo’s Lounge, 428 1st St, Wood‐land dont fear the end @ 7pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco
RexKwondo @ 7pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco
Tai Chi Classes for Beginners @ 8:50am Beginning tai chi classes offered at eh Woodland Community & Senior Center Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com
Dance Fitness Classes at Woodland Senior Center @ 10:15am Low-impact aerobic exercise choreographed to contemporary music. Super fun! Woodland Com‐munity & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com
The Saloon - Peter Lindman Duo with Roger Rocha (4 Non Blondes)
@ 4pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco
MARÉ @ 6pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
The Asteroid No.4 @ 8pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento
Cryogeyser @ 8pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco
Donovan Woods @ 8pm The Chapel, San Francisco
Emily James @ 8pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco
The Red Pears @ 8:30pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco
Bobby McFerrin & MOTION: Circle Central @ 9:30am St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco
Beginning + Intermediate
Tai Chi @ 10am Tai chi classes for beginning and intermediate practitioners at the Davis Arts Center Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com
Paul Steward @ 6:30pm Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco
Dave Ricketts Music: Dave Ricketts & Friends at The Sea Star @ 7pm The Sea Star, 2289 3rd St, San Francisco
PhearNone: Wu-Tang For‐ever: The Final Chamber
@ 8pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco
Lara Louise Quintet at the Dawn Club @ 8pm Dawn Club, 10 Annie St, San Fran‐cisco
Zopa @ 8pm The Chapel, San Francisco
Karaoke Tuesday @ 9pm Neck of the Woods, San Francisco
Patrick Garr: Hello, Dolly! @ 7:30pm Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento
Wed 6/25
Body Balance Class @ 8:45am New �tness class for adults at the Davis Senior Center: Body Balance Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street, Davis. tina�tness68@gmail.com
Bobby McFerrin & MOTION: Circle Central @ 9:30am St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco
Advanced
gmail.com
Petty Rocks rocks the St Helena Summer Concert Series
Surplus 1980 @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Bobby McFerrin: Circle Central (by MOTION)
@ 9:30am St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco
Bobby McFerrin & MOTION: Circle Central @ 9:30am St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco
Brett Dennen @ 3:30pm Archer Hotel Napa, 1230 1st St, Napa VINES, VIEWS & VIBES: Bene�t for V Foundation @ 4pm / $170 Join us on the rooftop at Archer Hotel Napa for a beautiful evening with Michelin-starred cuisine, cap‐tivating live music, and award win‐ning wineries, supporting the V Foundation for Cancer Research! Archer Hotel Napa, 1230 1st Street, Napa. DANNY.COOPER@ 88VINES.COM, 310-663-5146
Ingrata @ 7:30pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento Balloon Museum | Emotion Air - Art you can feel @ 7:30pm Palace of Fine Arts,
Circlesong @ 10am St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco The Nickel Slots Live at The HIVE @ 5pm Live at The HIVE presents The Nickel Slots during an outdoor concert on Friday, June 27. The HIVE Tasting Room + Kitchen, 1221 Harter Avenue, Woodland. thehive@zspecialty food.com, 530-668-0660
Anthony Arya at Belle Cora, SF @ 6pm Belle Cora, 565 Green St, San Francisco
The Happys @ 7:30pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco
informal.: HOUSE ARREST @ 8pm The Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stock‐ton Blvd, Sacramento
GamperDrums Live @ Local Edition @ 8:30pm Local Edition, 691 Market St, San Francisco
Cumbiaton (18+ Event) @ 9pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Pete Jr. - Live Comedy @ 9:30pm / $29 Jun 27th - Jun 28th Pete Jr. earned a coveted spot among the lineup of the esteemed Skankfest comedy festival, sharing the stage with stand up heavy‐
On Sunday June 29 the Mother Lode Friends of Music will present its free Midsummer Concert at Sutter Creak Theatre. The evening will feature beautiful classical music and rousing show tunes featuring soprano Christine Cosbey and pianist Jason Je rey. Cosbey will perform Baroque selections including “Se tu m’ami se sospiri,” Pergolesi, “Ave Maria,” Bach/ Gunod, and Broadway selections “Til There Was You” from the musical, “Music Man,” and “Think of Me,” from “The Phantom of the Opera.” Cosbey teaches music at St. Michael Catholic School, Livermore, and is a soloist at her Catholic Church in Moraga for mass, weddings and funerals. Earlier this year, she played the role of Mother in
“Amahl and the Night Visitors,” with the Golden Gate Boys Choir. She also sings for the homebound so they can hear their favorite songs. Je rey is a soloist who performs throughout the Mother Lode region. He is a returning performer for the Mother Lode Friends of Music and an accomplished accompanist, working with church and community choirs including the Pinecone Performers in Groveland. He teaches at the Reeder Music Academy in Danville and he revived the Cathedral Concert Series in 2017 at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton, a series dedicated to showcasing local professional musicians and the beauty of music by o ering a variety of genres ranging from classical, to jazz, to Mexican art songs and contemporary works.
The show will take place at Sutter Creak
traveling out of town?
stay informed while you’re away with the mountain democrat’s website! www.mtdemocrat.com
Pianist Jason Jeffrey will join soloist Christine Cosbey for the Midsummer Concert at Sutter Creak Theatre on June 29.
Theatre on June 29 at 3 p.m. For more information about Mother Lode Friends of Music visit mlfm.org.
For more information about the show visit suttercreektheater.com.
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) 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20 14656 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2025-0482 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CREATIVESOL located at 5170 Golden Foothill
NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2025-0499
The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CERES FORESTRY located at 4080 Plaza Goldorado Circle, Cameron Park, CA 95682 Registrant’s Name & Mailing Address: CTL Forest Management, Inc., 4080 Plaza Goldorado Circle, Cameron Park, CA 95682 This business is conducted by a Corporation, State of Incorporation: California The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 7/15/2020 (5/27/2025)
Courtesy photo
Music Continued from B2 Nannies and easy
to the rivers, trails and breathtaking
of the Feather River Canyon.
This year’s lineup is a testament to High Sierra’s mission of discovery, featuring artists like Molly Tuttle, Lyrics Born, ALO, Dogs in a Pile, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and rising star Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge. Other highlights include John Craigie, Mikaela Davis, The Slip, Steve Poltz and a special performance by Amy Helm and the Helm Midnight Family Ramble, marking the first time this project will appear outside of the barn that her father Levon Helm, drummer for The Band made famous in Woodstock.
At least four members of the Trey Anastasio Band will appear in various projects, including LaMP (Russ Lawton, Ray Paczkowski and Scott Metzger), Jennifer Hartswick as artist-at-large, and Natalie Cressman performing Brazilian jazz with Ian Faquini.
This year’s lineup is nearly complete, with just two slots remaining: the Sunday night closer is still to be announced and the winner of this year’s High Sierra Band Contest.
“Our goal has always been to turn people on to new music and create space for magic to happen — not just on the big stages, but in the small, serendipitous moments,” noted Margulies. “From legacy acts
to newcomers, the lineup is built to surprise and delight.”
Some exciting upgrades this year
· The Lagniappe Lounge, a new indoor venue with a full music lineup, lounge seating, cocktails and shade.
· Later daily start times and expanded shade at the Grandstand Stage.
· The debut of The Happy Glamper, a premium climatecontrolled glamping option.
“High Sierra is a musical playground,” said Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, artist-at-large. “From intimate troubadour sessions to playshops and full-stage sets, it’s a convergence point where once-in-alifetime collaborations happen — and lifelong friendships begin.”
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” said Poltz. “People sparkling, singing, dancing, with hugs and parades and spontaneity. Just walking the grounds is an adventure; it feeds my soul.”
“We’re not chasing big name headliners,” remarked Margulies.
“We’re building community. Anyone on the lineup could be your next favorite artist, that’s the High Sierra way.”
The High Sierra Music Festival will take place daily from July 3-6 at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy. For more information visit highsierramusic.com.
Photo by Ryan Salm
The crowd participates on many levels at the High Sierra Music Festival.
