Mountain Democrat, Friday, March 28, 2025

EDHS student wins statewide POETRY-WRITING COMPETITION

Mountain Democrat sta

Erin Levinson, the 2025 El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud Champion, took first place in California’s Statewide poetry-writing competition, Poetry Ourselves. Levinson read her winning piece, “Metaphors,” during the Statewide Poetry Out Loud competition in Sacramento on March 16.

She told the Mountain Democrat she wrote her poem specifically for the competition, drawing inspiration from personal experiences.

“’Metaphors’ was inspired by my struggle to connect on any meaningful level with my peers,” Levinson explained. “I’m very passionate about global issues such as world poverty and habitat destruction, and very few people I know can relate to these feelings. Most people’s priorities are understandably on a smaller scale. This creates a kind of constant loneliness for me and I wanted to try to communicate that (futile as the e ort may have been) with brutal honesty and an edge of satire.

“I also tried to allude to the communication gap between all of us; each of us lives on our own little island and can never quite understand what it’s like to be another person,” she continued. “I believe that’s the root of every single one of the evils people inflict on each other.”

Levinson said she enjoyed reading her poem live

Honors for ‘Shep’

several

Dealership makes personal, meaningful donation

Shelly Thorene

Sta writer

Shingle Springs Subaru Vice President Bryant McCarver and his family gathered with sta members at the dealership on March 24 to present an $80,000 check to UC Davis Chair of Orthopedic Surgery Lor Randall.

The McCarvers have a special relationship with Dr. Randall as he performed surgery on Kate McCarver, removing a lethal tumor in 2018 when she was 15 years old. Half of the $80,000 donation came from Subaru customers through the Share The Love program and the other half was a match by the dealership.

Back when the Ponderosa sophomore was away at a volleyball camp in Long Beach she developed pain in her arm and “knew something just wasn’t

Bryant McCarver, vice

at the dealership, matched customers’ donations of

to donate a total of $80,00 for the year through the Share the Love

so far to fund cancer research at UC Davis

Bryant

Hunter and O’Connell.

Supervisors opt out of making EDHCSD director appointment

Noel Stack Editor

“What a mess.”

“Absolutely ridiculous.”

El Dorado County supervisors weighed in on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors situation regarding its vacant seat and ultimately decided to take no action at the March 25 meeting.

District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero asked his fellow supervisors to support a motion initiating the appointment process at the county level with the intention of appointing someone to the

open seat by late April. His motion died for lack of a second, effectively kicking the issue back to the EDCHSD, which will now have to hold a special election to fill the position.

Ferrero gave a brief background on the issue, explaining the disagreement over EDHCSD Director Chuck King’s resignation and the remaining four directors’ inability to reach a consensus regarding how to fill the now-declaredopen seat.

“I’ve been watching the meetings,” Ferrero said. “I’ve been very apprehensive about getting involved and I wish this wasn’t in front of us right

now. I don’t think the county should have to get involved. I was very hopeful that the directors would reach an agreement.”

Noting the time frame — an election would be held in November 2025, leaving the EDHCSD with four directors until December 2025 — and anticipated expense of at least $75,000 to hold a special election, Ferrero advocated for the appointment process, which would have a fifth director on the EDHCSD board this spring.

Ferrero said both he and District 2

LABEL

Courtesy photo

Erin Levinson recites a poem at the El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud event held earlier this year. She went on to impress state judges with an original poem.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Firefighters from El Dorado Hills, Georgetown, Rescue and Garden Valley fire departments gather on Ponderosa Road with family friends of late firefighter Lucas Shepard, 43, of Rescue to honor the family as they returned home. Shepard died March 14 while on a family vacation in Hawaii. According to Georgetown Fire Chief Glenn Brown, Cal Fire firefighters were stationed near the family’s home and there were mourners on

overpasses between Shingle Springs and Sacramento.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Kate McCarver, 21, holds a trophy for her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. R. Lor Randall, center, right, along with her family at the Shingle Springs Subaru dealership on Monday. Her father,

president-executive general manager

$40,000

program. The dealership has donated $495,000

Medical Center. Left to right, Max McCarver,

McCarver, Kirsten McCarver, Kate McCarver, Dr. R. Lor Randall, Lolo McCarver,

ESSENTIALS

Frances E. Pierce

April 11, 1930 – Feb. 25, 2025 YOUR CLOTHES — by Judith Kroll. Of course they are empty shells without hope of animation. Of course they are artifacts. Even if my sister[s] and I should wear some or if we give some away. They will always be your clothes without you.

As we will always be your daughters without you. Frances E. Pierce, 94, April 11, 1930 to February 25, 2025, loved beautiful things and shared them generously with her daughters. One thing she didn’t share with them was a middle name, because of the one she was given by her mother, “Ethel”. She was deeply devoted to her mother, Ethel, but not to her name. This was Fran, also known as “Francois” or later as “Franny” to her late husband, Darrel (but plain “Fran” to his kids, Dale, Stuart and Eileen). She knew what she loved and she knew what she liked and she knew how she wanted things to be and did all she could to make it so and make whatever it was the best it could be. This was most evident in the home she created. Anyone who drove by the Baker Road house could plainly see it in the glorious gladiolas and dainty da odils, the Japanese maples, the fountains and feeders to lure hummingbirds and cedar waxwings closer to her kitchen window over the sink, where she could often be found rinsing vegetables or plates or the sharpest German and Japanese knives. Any one of the many guests who entered her home or, better yet, had the privilege of sharing one of her meals at the dining room table, experienced first hand her tastes and love of beautiful and delicious things. What, perhaps, not everyone could experience directly was her intelligence, which she downplayed and which was often overshadowed by the more conventionally educated at her table. Fran Pierce was wise and thoughtful, open-minded and curious, always eager to learn and try new things, like how to pilot a plane (she got a pilot’s license and flew), how to propagate plants (she became a Master Gardener) and amend soil (turkey droppings were best, though stinky), how to stick with intricate projects patiently, like knitting Polly’s wedding dress, top to bottom. Her beautiful hands did and made and soothed and held so many things, living and inanimate. So many of us were held and touched deeply by this woman, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and dear friend. There is no doubt we will remember her whenever we eat anything made with blackberries (tasting of the wild ones she and her cousin Garnet picked on the farm in Washington as kids) or get Wordle in three tries. She passed along her love for these worldly things to us for us to savor and remember her by. She once said that she never thought she could love anything as much as she loved her cat before her first daughter, Nixa, was born. And then she found out how much more love she could feel and give. She loved being a mother and she loved being alive and figuring out how to stay alive in the best possible way, her own. When she finally died, she did it the way she wanted, peacefully in her bedroom in her home with her daughters next to her. She is survived by her daughters, Nixa and Polly, their husbands (Steve and Ernie), and her grandkids, Nick and Carson. A celebration of her life will be held in the months ahead. Anyone who wishes to take part may go to bit.ly/franpierce and submit your contact information.

Arthur “Ray” Baumgardner II

Feb. 24, 1956 – March 9, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Arthur Ray Baumgardner II. Ray was a great guy... funny, caring, generous, always willing to help anyone in need.

Ray was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He grew up in various parts of the United States, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington State, Chicago and California. He started 9th and 10th grades at Del Campo in Sacramento and spent his senior year at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale.

He worked as a mechanic at Mo ett Field in Mountain View, California for 15 years. Then at Toyota of Sunnyvale until 1999. He then began working at Folsom Lake Toyota. Around 2004 he moved on to Goodyear Tire in Placerville for Jim McIntire, later Cathy McIntire, before switching careers to become a real estate appraiser.

Ray married Letty Bejarano in 1994, and they moved to Somerset in 1999. They divorced in 2018, but remained good friends until his passing. Ray loved anything outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing. He loved his dogs, CC, Max, Pepper, Rusty and Diva. May they all greet him at the rainbow bridge!

He was very proud that he had taught Letty how to hunt and shoot Trap. He would often joke about how she outshot him in Trap..... Ray leaves behind, Letty Bejarano-Carvajal, brother, John Baumgardner, sister, Brenda (Gary) Mattson, Cousin Christy Paulsell, nieces Heather Lynn Baumgardner, PJ Paulsell, and many more cousins, nieces and nephews. His dear friends Gordon & Sandra Prow, Sue & Bart Woolsey, and so many more. You will be missed more than you ever know!

Rest easy Ray, you are finally by the lake with a fishing pole in the water! Services to be held at a later date. Contact Letty Bejarano-Carvajal @ lettyb2009@gmail.com.

Judy Diane Eilders

April 23, 1958 – Nov. 29, 2024

In loving memory, and with profound sadness, we announce the passing of Judy Diane Eilders, 66, of South Lake Tahoe, California. We rejoice that she is with Jesus, and we will see her again in paradise! She died in Sacramento, California, on November 29, 2024, after a brief illness. Judy was born on April 23, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa, to John and Darlene Eilders. Her family moved to California in 1960 when her father accepted a position with Aerojet. Judy grew up in Cameron Park and graduated from Ponderosa High School a year early in 1974. She attended college on and o while dabbling in many career pursuits such as British Airways, dental hygienist, nursing and a ski instructor at Sierra At Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe had her heart, and she lived there for over 30 years while working as a renowned blackjack dealer. Judy had a magnetic personality and a beautiful smile. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends at her place in Tahoe, as well as golfing, hiking, biking, sewing, macramé, cooking and was an avid skier, even traveling to Europe for vacation and skiing in Switzerland. Judy was a loving mother to her son, Gavin, whom she adored. He was the light of her life. They loved to travel, skiing in di erent states, golfing at Edgewood, biking around Lake Tahoe and going to di erent beaches along the coast of California. Judy loved being pampered, getting manicures and pedicures was one of her favorite relaxations. She cherished her family and friends, enjoying family gatherings, and always remembering to send birthday cards and notes to everyone. She was always full of life, with Jesus Christ as her savior, sharing her faith with those she met in her path. Judy is dearly missed by all of us. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, passing away just five weeks after her mom, and is survived by her beloved son, Gavin, her siblings Nancy, Johnny (Penny), Susan (Chris) and Sandra (Brian), and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held on April 6th, at 2:00 p.m. at Judy’s home church, Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Road, Cameron Park, California, with a meal to follow.

Dorothy Wheatley (Schrader) Hu stutler

Feb 15, 1920 – March 18, 2025

Dorothy Hu stutler passed away March 18, 2025, at the age of 105, with her daughter by her side. She was born before women could vote, lived as a young child without running water, survived the Depression, and was one of <4% of women in the U.S. who earned a college degree in 1942. Born on a farm in Oriole, Indiana to George and Elizabeth (Wheatley) Schrader, she had two older siblings, Helen and George. She grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, graduated from Park College, and began teaching in Paris, Missouri where she met her husband, Edgar Hu stutler. After marrying on D-Day in 1944, they lived in various towns in North Texas where Ed was a Methodist minister. She was always involved in the community, the church, and her children’s activities, and finished her Masters degree at North Texas State University. In Dallas, Dottie excelled as a high school speech, debate, and English teacher, coaching debaters and orators who won national tournaments. She retired in 1986 to help care for her mother in California. She and Ed moved to Palo Alto upon his retirement in 1990. During the 25 years she lived in the Bay Area, she volunteered at a peace center, taught English to an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen, taught Sunday School, traveled to foreign countries, cultivated beautiful flowers, cared for her older sister, and provided her family with love, guidance, and laughter. After the deaths of her husband in 2013 and her sister in 2014, she moved to Ponte Palmero in Cameron Park to be close to her daughter. Dorothy was smart, hard-working, creative, and always helping others. She had strong ideas of right and wrong, and cared deeply about the issues of peace as well as gender and racial equality. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, sister Helen, brother George and his son George, and is survived by her son Steve (Colette), grandson Jonathan (Amelie), and great-grandson Eric all of France, and by her daughter Sue (Mike) of El Dorado and niece Ann (Zaki) of Ventura. Donations can be made to organizations that promote peace or racial/ gender equality.

Wayne Paul Silva Sr. Oct. 28, 1936 – March 8, 2025

EDSO CRIME LOG

The following information was taken from EDSO reports:

Feb. 27

8:51 a.m. Grand theft reported on Piper Court in Cameron Park.

12:14 p.m. Burglary to a vehicle reported at a restaurant on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

2:53 p.m. Trespassing reported on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

4:12 p.m. Petty theft reported on Starkes Grade Road in Pollock Pines.

6:16 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old woman suspected of causing injury to an elderly adult and violating probation on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. She was listed in custody.

8:41 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old male suspected of animal cruelty and violating probation on Wilson Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody.

11:03 p.m. Trespassing reported at a shop on Larsen Drive in Camino.

Feb. 27

2:01 a.m. Deputies booked into jail

a 64-year-old woman suspected of violating probation on Forni Road in Placerville. She was later released.

7:43 a.m. Vandalism reported at a medical center on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park.

8:42 a.m. Trespassing reported at an apartment complex on Pearl Place in Diamond Springs.

10:58 a.m. Grand theft reported on Johntown Creek Court in Garden Valley.

10:37 p.m. Grand theft reported at a casino on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

Feb. 28

6:26 a.m. Vandalism reported at a co ee shop on Highway 49 in Diamond Springs.

8:33 a.m. Grand theft reported at Leoni Road in Grizzly Flat.

10:30 a.m. Burglary reported on String Canyon Road in Somerset.

12:09 p.m. Battery reported at a casino on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

8:26 p.m. Battery reported at a convenience store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

March 1

1:36 a.m. Battery reported at La Canada Drive/Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

12:49 p.m. Burglary reported on Winchester Drive in Rescue.

12:13 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old male suspected of possessing and transporting controlled substances on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

12:58 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old woman suspected of possessing and transporting controlled substances on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was listed in custody.

1:27 p.m. Trespassing reported on Oriole Drive in Kyburz.

5:02 p.m. Trespassing reported at a restaurant on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

6 p.m. Grand theft reported on Kimberly Lane in Pollock Pines.

7:18 p.m. Trespassing reported at an apartment complex on Pearl Place in Diamond Springs.

7:23 p.m. Battery reported on Bayne Road in Placerville.

8:57 p.m. Battery reported on Boeing Road in Cameron Park.

10:22 p.m. Trespassing reported at a housing development on Blackstone Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

March 2

9:09 a.m. Trespassing reported on

Wayne Paul Silva Sr., a beloved father, grandfather, and dedicated union ironworker, passed away peacefully in Carmichael, California, on March 8, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Oakland, California, Wayne graduated from Castlemont High School and spent over six decades as a proud member of the Union Ironworkers Local 378 in Oakland. His passion for his craft began after watching the construction of the San Rafael Bridge, which inspired him to pursue a career as an ironworker. Over the years, Wayne’s skilled hands helped build many structures, including homes for his family and countless others. Wayne lived in Somerset, California, for more than 40 years. He found joy in the simple moments, often relaxing on his balcony with a beer in hand, overlooking the serene canyon below. He is survived by daughters Lori Miller, Terry Schley, and Brenda Knight and his son, Wayne Silva Jr., and daughter-in-law Olga Silva. He was also the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and great-grandfather to many. Wayne’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His generosity, work ethic, and unwavering love for his family left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to be part of of his life. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Latrobe Road/Wetsel Oviatt Road in El Dorado Hills.

11:29 a.m. Grand theft reported on D’Oro Court in Rescue.

1:27 p.m. Petty theft reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

5:59 p.m. Battery reported on Mace Road in Camino.

10:09 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old male suspected of preventing or dissuading a witness on Cold Springs Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

10:42

A SAUREEL EXPERIENCE painting near the vines

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

Spring has sprung and flowers and artists are popping up everywhere. The Placerville Arts Association hosted a plein air event at Saureel Vineyards on March 22 and a small group of artists set up easels all around the picturesque property on Cold Springs Road. The 148-acre ranch venue features a French country estate, 9-acre lake, vineyards and horses with a barn and indoor riding arena.

Shirley Smith, 74, of Citrus Heights is not a member of PAA and heard about the event through other art groups she belongs to. She is a watercolorist and remarked that the “beautiful location had too many things to paint.” She chose a spot near the lake and near her friend, Karen Camara, 68, of Roseville.

Camara, formerly a watercolorist, was working on a small oil painting of a massive oak tree and the pond. She said she wasn’t just a “fair weather” painter and loves all weather conditions. As for choosing the location, she said, “I go with the first scene that grabs me.

“This is my o ce for the day,” she added. “I enjoy painting with others and the critique afterwards.” Camara belongs to several art groups and has work at several art galleries, including two in Maui.

Oil painter Michael Fritschi, 53, of Placerville chose Graham’s pear shed and the distant farmhouse as his subject matter, setting up his easel along Cold Springs Road near the entrance to the vineyard. Fritschi is an engineer on Sabbatical and has recently taken painting. He said he paints weekly with his mother, Kathy, at the senior center and enjoys the monthly plein aire outings. His work can be found in the Placerville Art Gallery.

Other artists present included, Vesla Hooper of Camino, Stephen Walters of Roseville, Liz Damelio of Fair Oaks, Kathy Leveson of Rescue and Phyllis Brady of Citrus Heights. Brady’s medium was charcoal and instead of sketching the landscape, she created two character studies of people working on the property.

The Placerville Arts Association is hosting its First Annual Plein Air Art Competition on April 26 at Greenstone Country Barn in Placerville. The competition is open to all artists in the region and membership in PAA is not required. It is limited to 25 artists and there are still a few openings with registration ending on April 18. The judge for the show will be Patris Miller, owner of Patris Studio and Art Gallery in Sacramento. For more information contact Show Chair Gerry Litwin at gerrylitwin@yahoo.com There is an application on the PAA website.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Oil painter Michael Fritschi captures the Graham pear shed on canvas with a group of artists at Saureel Vineyards on Cold Springs Road Saturday. The plein air event was organized by the Placerville Arts Association.

Camino roundabout getting an upgrade

News release

On Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. students from the El Dorado High East Campus Natural Resources Program are installing the landscaping for the Camino Beautification Project Sculpture at the Camino roundabout.

“You’re welcome to join us or slowly drive by with a supportive honk,” said teacher Krista Potter. “The students started weeding and there was so much enthusiasm from passersby.”

The landscaping was designed and will be maintained by Natural Resource Program students under the leadership of Potter.

DON’T MISS

at the competition. “I felt like I really connected with everyone there.”

The El Dorado High School sophomore has been writing since fourth grade, taking on not only poetry but also fantasy and science fiction. “Since joining Poetry Out Loud, however, I’ve gone deeper into the world of poetry and have really enjoyed it,” Levinson shared. “Poetry is the highest and purest level of self-expression, and I’m looking forward to continuing to explore it.”

Poetry Ourselves is a competition for original work by Poetry Out Loud county champions. Students are invited to submit an original written poem of no more than 50 lines, to be judged anonymously by a guest poet.

The winner receives $100 and an opportunity to recite his or her poem during the state finals. A runner-up is also recognized at the event and both poems are published on the California Poetry Out Loud website.

The Poetry Ourselves creative writing competition has been o ered to California county champions since 2019.

“Metaphors”

by Erin Levinson

I am a mosaic, my façade color-rich yet artificial

I am a gill-less tadpole, drowning with my first few breaths of home

I am a half-empty cup, full in your eyes but draining fast when seen through mine.

Express yourself, they preach in grade-school English.

Use metaphors; make yourself something you aren’t

People will understand that way.

You grow to love your language; when your fingertips dance over the keyboard you become

A maestro of melodrama, a princeps of personification, an adept of alliteration

Still, even language has limits.

Still, you silently scream what makes you you into the darkness every night, and no one hears.

Articulate as a clacking hen

Communicative as a text message

What makes you di erent? You wonder. What makes us all di erent?

Why can’t we understand each other? You throw yourself into your writing

Maybe people will understand that way.

I am a river, you write, ever-changing and feeling more of myself slip away with every second.

No. I am an island in a never-ending archipelago, reaching reaching reaching

Over the unforgiving sea that separates —

No. I’m a vast ocean —

No. I’m a stagnant puddle —

I’m a single tear —

Your throat is raw, although you haven’t made a sound.

What will it take for us to truly see each other? Where does cruelty come from?

As night creeps into morning, you can finally whisper the truth

Without dressing it up in figurative flowers.

I’m a lost child.

TheGold Mine

bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life

At the 2025 El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud Finals, held at Imagination Theater on Feb. 6 Levinson took the top spot and advanced to the Statewide competition in Sacramento. Levinson is the second El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud champion to take first place in the Poetry Ourselves poetry-writing competition in the six years since it began, joining Oak Ridge High School’s Emily Lieber, who took first place in 2021. “I hope my poem touches other readers and inspires them to try to better understand others’ viewpoints and su ering, both on a local and global scale,” Levinson told the Mountain Democrat. “This is how we make a lasting di erence.”

I’m alone in the darkness.

I’m empty. We all are.

Alone together in the inky-black, moon-bright world.

And if not in any other way, can’t we relate in that?

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack El Dorado High East Campus Natural Resources Program will add landscaping around the apple sculture at the center of the Camino roundabout with work planned this Saturday.

right.” She called her parents and they made an appointment for her to see a radiologist for an MRI at Mercy Hospital in Folsom. The radiologist told her he would report in 72 hours.

“I knew something was wrong when he called back in 6 (hours),” Bryant shared.

The doctor noticed a mass down in the corner of the MRI and ordered another one, which confirmed the mass. McCarver said that prompted a search for a surgeon. The McCarvers were referred to UC Davis, Stanford and UC San Francisco. They chose UC Davis and a biopsy was performed where the result was negative. Mom Kirsten recalled, “We all kind of celebrated, but they still recommended that the tumor be removed.”

The McCarvers chose Dr. R. Lor Randall, in internationally recognized sarcoma surgeon, educator researcher and chair of the department of Orthopedic Surgery at UC Davis.

It was Dr. Randall’s first day in the clinic when he met Kate. “He made jokes about it being his first day on the job but he transferred here from Utah,” Kate told the Mountain Democrat. “What I liked about him, everything he said was personal. He’d say, “If you were my daughter, this is what I would do, — like a family, wellrounded approach.

“So I went to surgery in Sacramento. I was in the hospital for a day,” she continued. “The surgery went longer because the tumor was larger than they expected. At the followup appointment it was revealed it was a rare, slow growing cancer called Chondrosarcoma.”

This type of cancer affects about 1 in 200,000 people in the U.S. “The recovery took me 11 months because they cut out the bottom part of my scapula,” Kate shared. “It’s a type of bone cancer that attaches to cartilage. Rehab took a long time because I was rehabbing to play again.” Kate has since shifted away from playing volleyball. “In my first practice back I tore my other shoulder and

needed surgery,” she explained. “I rehabbed and then COVID hit in my junior year. It was a wake-up call. I thought if I don’t have volleyball what am I? In my 16-year-old mind, my world had just ended.

“I never went back. I love staying active; I walk or run. I do Barre. I lost my love for volleyball after two surgeries,” Kate continued.

The now college student is studying psychology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and hopes to apply it to business in some way. Her boyfriend, Hunter O’Connell is also a student at Point Loma. The couple started dating while they were in high school, one month after Kate’s surgery. “I had a really bad back injury when we started dating so we were known as the crippled couple,” O’Connell joked.

“The first round of fundraising was in 2019 and tied into Subaru’s Share the Love fundraising campaign,” Bryant explained. “Every customer who buys a car at a Subaru dealership between Nov. 15 through end of December can choose a charity for the donation. You buy a car and Subaru will donate $250 bucks in your name to one of many charities or one the customer chooses.

“Our customers have been great. Almost all of this years’ donations went to UC Davis. We match the donation here; $40,000 came from our customers this year and to date we have raised $495,000,” he added. “We’ve committed to donating a million dollars. We’re going to keep doing it until we get there.”

Dr. Randall said, “The family made the most of a scary situation and demonstrated a lot of courage. Their dedication and care of others is much appreciated and I couldn’t be more grateful to them and to Subaru.Their efforts to support our research and education are remarkable.”

Max McCarver, Kate’s brother, also works at Shingle Springs Subaru and said, “Customers love that the money is going local. They have a choice where the money goes. It’s such a cool program.”

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be

I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the

is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.”

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

UC Davis Orthopedic Surgeon R. Lor Randall, left, chats with former patient Kate McCarver at the Shingle Springs Subaru dealership. Dr. Randall performed surgery on Kate when she was 15 to remove a tumor on her right scapula which later was found to be a rare form of cancer.

OPINION

California Commentary

Mission creep inevitably bites taxpayers

Mission creep is generally understood to mean the gradual or incremental expansion of a project or mission beyond its original scope. In military parlance, it describes when an operation becomes wider in scope than its initial objectives, which can lead to unintended, and even disastrous, consequences.

Mission creep is especially prevalent in government bureaucracies. How often do we see an agency gradually expand its defined mission statement to include new issue areas or programs? At the federal level, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is the champion of mission creep. According to an EconoStats case study, the original mission of the CDC was to research, understand and combat communicable diseases that pose a health risk to society. In 1992 the purview of the CDC began to encompass both communicable diseases and noncommunicable diseases, creeping into oversight of such areas as dieting and alcohol consumption. Later, it was expanded even further to include occupational safety, global health, birth defects and developmental disabilities, chronic diseases, non-occupational injury prevention and crime (by defining “gun violence” as a public health issue).

The problem with bureaucratic mission creep is not only losing focus away from a primary responsibility, but without clear lines of demarcation, agencies start intruding on the “turf” of other agencies. In the case of CDC, its mission creep currently duplicates the work of more than 19 other government agencies.

In California, there are several state and local agencies that deal with housing issues. At the state level, the California Department of Housing and Community Development develops housing policy, administers housing finance, economic development and community development programs. It also reviews the housing elements of regional governments drafted by each region’s council of governments through the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, which must be adopted by the jurisdiction, which is then responsible for ensuring there are enough sites and proper zoning to accommodate its RHNA allocation.

Given the myriad of existing government agencies dealing with housing, it is surprising that school districts have now expanded their portfolio into housing. What is not surprising is that they are not very good at it.

Earlier this month, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Mountain View Whisman School District, a Silicon Valley school district with a history of controversial spending and mismanagement, drew the anger of parents and taxpayers over its handling of “a lavish, over-budget teacher housing project, including the recent purchase of a $2,500 swivel chair and other pricey furnishings.”

The fact that school districts are even in the housing business is odd, but the history is

The Not So Weekly Daley

Letters to the Editor

We must support Visit El Dorado

EDITOR:

Generations of families visiting our Apple Hill farms. People from around the world discovering our incredible wineries and indulging in our farm-to-fork restaurants. Adventurers rafting our rivers, skiing our mountains, hiking our trails. History bu s getting the Gold Rush treatment at our museums and parks.

Money spent by tourists helps help fund our roads, health care and emergency services, benefitting visitors and residents alike. Tourism businesses create jobs for thousands of our neighbors — including agriculture.

The Board of Supervisors’ recent decision to do away with Visit El Dorado, the county entity that’s sole mission is to bring visitors — and their wallets — to our area is shortsighted. In essence, they’ve decided to eliminate a reliable revenue source of income for the county.

According to Visit California, visitors to the county in 2024 spent $1.1B — that’s billion in El Dorado County. They generate more than $110.7 million in local tax revenue and support careers for more than 14,400 of our residents. Without those

visitors, billions of dollars and thousands of jobs will disappear.

Visit El Dorado is the firepower in this economic engine by attracting investment, events, meetings and the people who create jobs and boost revenue for the local economy. It may seem like a quick fix for their budget problems but the investment in tourism is an investment in our future prosperity.

My father, Edio Delfino, served as the county agriculture commissioner for more than 30 years in addition to being one of the founders of Apple Hill. He believed in constantly engaging with the community and our visitors and never being satisfied because he believed that is the first step to going backward.

When marketing e orts stop, it can take years to recover from lost visitor numbers, business closures and reputation damage. Small businesses, which our county is made up of, rely on these e orts to drive visitor tra c our way. Without a DMO’s marketing and networking e orts, these businesses will lose valuable exposure and struggle to survive. Those tourist dollars will just go somewhere else.

I encourage local leaders and residents to

Madness, taxes and sunshine — seasonal things

Ihave to confess that I don’t share March Madness Mania. Never have and don’t quite get the enormous amount of attention and passion it attracts. Maybe if I’d gone to a big-time basketball college I would appreciate it more. My brother the conservative once said, “The only thing more boring than college basketball is women’s college basketball.” Whoa, that was kind of rough. However, he was a huge college football fan, especially Stanford (as was my dad). Guess that could beg a little forgiveness. We grew up going to Stanford games at the “Farm.”

In fact, our ’56 Ford station wagon was stolen from the stadium parking lot one Saturday. We got it back a

week or so later. Well, that was fall instead of spring but still in the March Madness topic zone, I think.

Major League Baseball starts this week. I tried to watch a Giants preseason game the other day, but Comcast said I need a “subscription” for NBC Sports Bay Area. I’ve had that on my Comcast account for 15 years or more. Tried to contact Comcast but the sign-in process screwed up my regular email address. Now it says “incorrect address” when I try to email my editor or anyone else. Vernal solar flares? Could be. Spring, of course, also “harbingers” the particular curse of Tax Season. Checking one of the instruction forms the other day, I discovered that you can’t send the IRS a personal check or

Obviously, there are folks who can write a $100,000,000 check. Couple times a week, no doubt. I’m pretty sure I’ve never known any of them.

even a Cashiers Check in the amount of $100,000,000 or more. I misread it at first glance as $100,000 and thought, “What, who?” A check for $100,000 is at least imaginable but barely. Two or more checks for smaller sums is OK. Sure, naturally. Obviously, there are folks who can write a $100,000,000 check. Couple times a week, no doubt. I’m pretty sure I’ve never known any of them. I suppose a few of you have. IRS once dinged me for the $310 million I made the prior tax year. True story. Not long after that, they got me for not reporting the $89,000 I earned at the Mountain Democrat the year before (actual figure was in the neighborhood of $400). I still

choke laughing about those tax season adventures. It all got cleared up shortly thereafter, but I had to pay the $100,000,000 I owed in two checks. That cost me about 22 cents extra (highway robbery, I thought).

Daylight Savings is here and I’m loving it — one of, if not the best, joys of spring. Cold and dreary is gone for a good seven months, I can only hope. The other day I read online that spring turkey season opens this week. I never knew there was a spring turkey season. Who eats turkey for Easter or May Day or Memorial Day or even 4th of July? Guess that’s why they invented freezers. It is spring. Enjoy!

Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

CHRIS DALEY

JON COUPAL

illuminating. In 2000, Proposition 39 lowered the vote threshold for local school bonds from two-thirds to 55%, creating the first exception to a taxpayer protection that has been a part of the constitution for almost 150 years. (Last November’s Prop. 5, which sought to lower the vote threshold needed to approve debt for a range of projects and programs was soundly rejected by voters.)

Prop. 39 was sold to the voters as providing critical infrastructure for school facilities. There is nothing in the language of the measure, the ballot

CHRIS DELFINO Delfino Farms

Thoughts on the county budget

EDITOR:

El Dorado County is facing a $20 million budget deficit and taxpayers will bear the burden. The county must either increase taxes and fees or cut services, neither of which is ideal. Residents deserve to understand the financial realities and demand accountability from county

material or the implementing legislation suggesting that anything other than school facilities would be financed with local bonds. But because school bonds are the only local general obligation bonds that can take advantage of the lower threshold, it isn’t surprising that special interests would try to shoehorn all sorts of non-education-related infrastructure to take advantage of the 55% vote.

Last year, the legislature considered Assembly Bill 2571, which would have broadened the specified purposes for which school bonds could be issued.

officials.

When faced with deficits, counties often turn to increasing revenue rather than controlling spending. Taxpayers should be prepared for:

• New or higher fees — Expect increases in permit fees, service charges and utility rates, making everything from building a home to conducting business more expensive.

• Sales tax hikes — Local governments often propose tax increases, claiming they are necessary to maintain essential services.

• Parcel taxes or bond measures — Voters may see new taxes disguised as infrastructure or public safety funding. These costs will be passed directly onto residents and businesses, further straining those already struggling with California’s high cost of living.

But not only was the proposal inconsistent with the plain language of Prop. 39, it never passed. This calls into question the legality of any Prop. 39 bond that envisions the construction of “workforce housing.”

Here’s an idea. Schools should focus on education and eschew expanding their bureaucratic turf into housing. And all bureaucracies should take care to “stay in their lane.”

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

If the county opts to cut spending, certain services will likely be affected:

• Public safety — The Sheriff’s Office may face staffing cuts, leading to longer response times and reduced patrols. Fire departments and emergency services may also suffer.

• Road and infrastructure maintenance — Delays in road repairs and bridge maintenance will create deteriorating conditions and higher future costs.

• Parks, libraries and community services — Reduced funding may lead to shorter library hours, neglected parks and fewer public programs.

• Public health and social services — Budget cuts often impact the most vulnerable populations, reducing access to mental health programs, housing assistance and food aid.

Beyond the county’s deficit, reductions in federal and state funding could make things worse. Public safety grants, infrastructure funding and health and social services programs may shift financial responsibility onto the county.

Overspending, salary increases and pension obligations are major contributors to the deficit. One significant issue is the expansion of Section 504 of the County Charter, which was originally intended to ensure fair pay for sworn sheriff’s deputies. Over time, non-EDSO employees have attached themselves to these provisions, inflating county payroll costs beyond what taxpayers ever agreed to.

The El Dorado County Taxpayers Association urges residents to:

• Demand transparency — County officials must provide a full breakdown of the budget deficit and spending plans.

• Resist unnecessary tax increases — Any attempt to raise taxes should come after meaningful costcutting measures.

• Hold elected officials accountable — Strong fiscal leadership is needed to make responsible decisions without passing the burden onto taxpayers.

A $20 million deficit is not just a financial issue; it’s a taxpayer issue. We must ensure that our money is spent responsibly and that budget solutions prioritize efficiency, accountability and fairness.

LEE TANNENBAUM President, El Dorado County Taxpayers Association

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 County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the

month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information. GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing 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 and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Monica 530-306-7066.

MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

Thrill on the Hill launches SCCT season at Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

The Sierra foothills situated Placerville Speedway will be the destination for the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour this Saturday, March 29, as the traveling Winged 360 series opens another season.

The Thrill on the Hill kicksoff a 16-race campaign for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour in 2025. It marks the first of three appearances at the popular El Dorado County Fairgrounds venue, which is located just a short drive from the capital city of Sacramento.

“We look forward to getting the SCCT season under way this Saturday at Placerville Speedway,” commented Promoter Scott Russell. “We have a nice mix of California races this year, along with our Northwest Swing in July. Hopefully it’s a good show to open everything up.”

The shopkylelarson. com A-main will hand out $3,000-to-win/$400-tostart on Saturday. Thanks to the generous support from Elk Grove Ford, Hoosier Tires and RMI, the SCCT champion once again pockets $10,000 cash out of an over $50,000 point fund this season.

SPORTS OUTSIDE WITH CHARLIE

Live music will be performed from 4-6 p.m. to coincide with Coors Light/ Coors Banquet Happy Hour. Seating is general admission, except for the reserved seats allocated to season ticket holders that are marked. Last year saw Auburn’s Andy Forsberg claim his second career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour championship. The now 10-time Placerville Speedway titleist also scooped up the Western Sprint Tour Speedweek crown last July aboard the Pacific Highway

Rentals No. 92 mount.

El Cajon’s Braden Chiaramonte finished second in the points while earning the Garth Moore Insurance Rookie of the Year Award. The youngster snagged an exciting victory at Antioch Speedway after starting from the trunk that night.

Oakley’s Dylan Bloomfield, Placerville’s Shane Hopkins and Livermore’s Travis Labat roun ded out the top five in the SCCT standings.

Aromas driver Justin Sanders won last season’s Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car

Challenge Tour opener. It helped catapult him to a record five wins in the first five events of the SCCT slate.

Adult tickets for the Thrill on the Hill this Saturday, March 29, cost $25 while juniors 12-17, seniors 62-plus and military with ID cost $22. Kids ages 6-11 are $10 with those 5 and younger getting in free.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at eventsprout.com/event/ psr032925.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate

New snow challenges, spring excursions

Winter turned over seasonal duties to spring on March 19, the vernal equinox. Day and night were roughly equal. The days will now slowly get longer, the

MEET

nights shorter. March did finally grant us a bit more snow, muchneeded snow. Hopefully there is still more on the way. Spring in the mountains brings with

Dr. Randy Davey, D.D.S.

it some challenges that the backcountry crowd has to be aware of. Keep in mind that you are on your own out there in our snowy forests.

Keeping a large tub full of common sense with you and using it is a bit of a necessity. Actually, don’t leave home without it.

Snow is dynamic. Once it floats out of the clouds changes begin. The snowpack, accumulated over each snowstorm, is piled up in different layers, from thin to pretty thick. It takes some time for the snowpack to consolidate, meaning it starts to stick together.

The layers are still there. They are not monolithic. Within those multiple layers of snow are weak, unconsolidated layers, thin layers and thick layers that are glued together quite well. All of that has to do with avalanches, pinwheels, rollerballs, sluffs, slabs

opening at 4 p.m. Hirst Home Team Happy Hour is offered until 6 p.m in the grandstands. The pit meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, Sierra Foothills Wine Services qualifying and racing will follow.

The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville For more information on the Placerville Speedway visit placervillespeedway.com. For those who can’t make it to the track CaliDirt.TV provides live coverage of every Sprint Car Challenge Tour event. The service also covers every championship point race at Placerville Speedway. Fans can purchase through a cost savings monthly membership or on a per race basis via calidirt.tv.

Additional Elk Grove Ford SCCT events

Saturday, April 19: Merced Speedway (Clash on the High Banks)

Sunday, May 25: Marysville Raceway (25th annual Mel and Marlyn Hall Memorial) Friday, May 30: Placerville Speedway (Davy Thomas Memorial — prelude to the Bradway)

and steepness, among other things.

North facing slopes hold snow longer than south facing slopes, which get more sun.

Tree covered areas keep snow longer than meadows and open

areas. Those are all things you can see. Lots to keep track of. What you don’t see is equally as important. The snowpack is slowly melting, even as it gets added layers. You may see runnels on top of the snow if it has been rained on. Underneath all that snow is snowmelt. Yep, melting snow works its way to the bottom, gravity at work.

The water runs under the snow and slowly weakens the top layers. At this time of year if you are out on the snow with snowshoes or simply hiking over what looks like a pretty solid snow field, you might be on a very weak snowbridge.

What you can’t know is what that snowbridge is covering. It’s best to use your poles to poke at the snow before continuing, especially if you are crossing any kind of slight depression in the snow or hear running water.

Breaking through a snowbridge into the running water below may be just a slight, cold, wet, boot splash, a quick giggle, yikes and quick jump out. You could also end up in deeper water, which isn’t much fun. Experience

Image courtesy of Tim Holland

Sprint cars will race on the Placerville Speedway dirt track on Saturday for the first time this season.

Photo by C. Ferris

A sturdy set of poles and a lot of common sense will help snow adventurers have a safe trip in the Sierra.

Warmer weather and uncrowded roads this time of year make it the perfect time to pull out the fat-tire bike and go for a ride.

is how I know this — more than once actually.

Again, always check the conditions before heading out (sierraavalanchecenter.org). Gear up with chocolate covered peanut M&Ms, food, and all the normal stuff you haul with you out there. New addition to your spring gear bag: 5 gallon bucket of sunscreen.

With the recent snows there is more XC/Snowshoe territory to explore. Explore the Crystal Basin, Luther Pass, Hope Valley, Blue Lakes Road, Woods Lake, Silver Lake. Grab a good guide to backcountry XC travel and get out there while the snow is still there. It is a wonderful time of year to put some miles on your bike, road or mountain. Great weather, not as many people on some of the roads or trails.

Cycling in Apple Hill is about as good as it gets at this time of year. The roads around Apple Hill are somewhat of a rat’s nest and first-timers need a map to get around.

Appointment

The roads are old country roads. There are no adequate shoulders. Make sure you can be seen and stay away from the side of roads, otherwise known as ditches.

Good rides there include starting at Boa Vista, riding North Canyon, making your way back to Boa Vista and donuts, via several routes. If you’re looking for a climbing challenge, Mace Road is one that may just about break you.

Ride Iron Mt./Mormon Emigrant Trail from Jenkinson Lake till you run into snow or ice. Not a lot of traffic out there just now.

The El Dorado Trail, any part of it, is always a decent choice, year round (eldoradotrail.org). Starting and returning to Placerville comes with the possibility of some pretty good food or crumpets when you’re done. Take advantage of the spring weather. Remember, that means constant change in conditions. Gear up. Leave no trace. Get outside!

Continued from A1

Supervisor George Turnboo have heard from several constituents, asking them to appoint a new EDHCSD director. “Not one person has reached out to me recommending that we go to an election,” Ferrero added, saying he has already heard from some people who would like to apply for the position.

“We’re kind of put in a quandary but … there’s so much dissent on their board right now; they really need a fifth person — someone that’s impartial, competent and has the best interest of El Dorado Hills in mind,” Ferrero told his colleagues.

Speakers at Tuesday’s meeting backed up Ferrero’s request.

EDH resident Kelley Nalewaja asked supervisors to step up and make the appointment, advocating for Steve Gutierrez, the third-place finisher in the November 2024 election.

John Davey, a 30-year EDH resident, said a fifth person is necessary to move forward with very important decisions that must be made in the coming months— the golf course purchase and other large parks projects, lawsuits and staffing.

“I have no doubt we’ll have quality candidates that are willing to step in because this is a horrible situation we’re in as a community,” Davey said. “The most responsible action is to make the appointment.”

“We have to have a tie-breaker vote in place,” added EDH resident Linda Campbell.

But other supervisors expressed uncertainty about getting involved.

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin recommended taking no action, advocating for EDH residents to step up and hold their CSD directors accountable “for their inability to perform their duties.” She even suggested a recall of current directors; some EDH residents have already

launched that effort.

“If they were really worried about money, they should be on that board down there and tell them to settle this lawsuit,” Parlin said, referring to the ongoing legal dispute between the EDHCSD and El Dorado County regarding LLAD assessments. “And, honestly, I may not want to get mixed up in the politics of the El Dorado Hills CSD. I think we need to stay out of it.”

Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, who is part of that lawsuit, noted at Tuesday’s meeting, “What these two government agencies — the county and the CSD — are spending on this litigation, before we’re done we could have built a real nice baseball field. The only people profiting from this litigation are outof-county attorneys.”

Turnboo supported putting Gutierrez in the open seat but said the EDHCSD board should have made the decision. “It’s a political nightmare … and we should not be involved in it,” he said, shaking his head.

“We should not get in the middle of this mess,” reiterated Parlin.

Agreeing the appointment or a special election should have been handled at the district level, Ferrero urged his fellow board members to move forward with the appointment process, stressing that he’s not putting forward a motion for the CSD, but rather the constituents who deserve full representation.

“I think we can make progress down the road if we get the fifth person in. Someone that’s impartial,” he said. “They’re going to be having issues until December if we don’t do anything.”

But the dais was silent when the time to second Ferrero’s motion came.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the EDHCSD Board of Directors is April 10.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). No one else has walked your exact path, seen the world through your eyes or felt the precise combination of emotions that make up your inner landscape. This individuality is a kind of magic —an energy that only you can bring to the world.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Taking things too seriously adds weight to your mind, your mood and even your body. That heaviness creates resistance, making everything feel harder and slower than it needs to be. The best remedy? Humor.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The energy you give off can be felt by others. Surrounding yourself with positivity creates a ripple effect that impacts everyone around you. Protecting your energy doesn’t mean isolation; it means intentionality. The right people and influences can help you amplify your own potential.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are already enough, and besides, worth isn’t something you should feel you have to earn. Give more love to wonderful you today —just as you are, without needing to change a thing.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s a time to go full speed ahead and a time to hang back and wait. You’re in the latter. Charging heedlessly ahead will cause unpredictable effects. The fates will favor your caution and your cool. When it’s the right time to move, you’ll feel it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve built a lot from very little, and the future looks bright for you as you continue to focus on what you want and deserve. Once you get the time, space and support you need, you’ll be unstoppable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have that X-factor radiating today, which explains why you’re pulling so much attention. It’s not what you look like and say; rather, it’s a curiosity and drive that burn in you causing you to unselfconsciously involve yourself in the fascinating world around you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You know what you want —relationships that will expand you, give you new perspective, different insights and a wider array of options. This means keeping an eye out for the situations that are likely to trap you so you can avoid them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even when you don’t feel extraordinary, the fact remains: No one else can replicate the way you connect, create and interpret the world. Someone new is appreciating your presence, perspective and way of solving problems.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Wanting to be great at something doesn’t automatically mean you can be, but it is an indicator nonetheless. You wouldn’t be attracted if there weren’t something there or something adjacent that was meant for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Someone has been attached to you in their way, but do they show up for you emotionally?

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

SUDOKU

Charlie Continued from A8

Photo by J. Ferris

OPEN LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS OF EL DORADO COUNTY

We, the undersigned, support our local, dedicated federal workers.  These hard-working individuals at the United States Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Land Management; and the United States Department of Agriculture deserve our full support, as well as all of our hard-working postal workers and National Park employees.  These exceptional people, who proudly wear the uniforms of our agencies, are our friends, our neighbors, and our professional colleagues.  We also support our local UC Ag and Natural Resources (UCANR), Master Gardeners and RCD staffs, as well as our Cal Fire first responders, all whom are partially funded by the federal government.

Thank you for your service!

Our local federal employees serve all of us whether as residents, ranchers, vintners, and/or business owners.   We risk losing dedicated and talented people who may choose to walk away during these challenging times. We need them to remain in their roles, providing critical services, including:

• Fighting wildfires valiantly, saving lives, homes, and properties.

• Providing essential technical support to our vineyards, farms, and cattle ranches.

• Assisting property owners in creating defensible space around our homes and barns.

• Guiding local Fire Safe Councils to help neighborhoods prepare for wildfire and evacuation.

• Stewarding thousands of acres of public lands, ensuring they remain healthy, accessible, and well-managed for future generations.

From Lake Tahoe to Georgetown to Placerville to South County, these professionals work tirelessly in our forests and research centers.  They serve at the Forest Service offices in all of these places-in Placerville at the NRCS / USDA / RCD offices; at the forest nursery on Apple Hill; at the Institute of Forest Genetics on Carson Road; and on our BLM lands.  Their efforts benefit all of us, regardless of political affiliation.   Since only the United States Congress has the power to increase or decrease the budgets and programs of the United States government, it is appropriate to take time now to write a letter or make a phone call to Congressman Kiley or Congressman McClintock and express your concerns.

Preserve, Protect & Defend the Constitution of the United States! (Article II, Section 1, Clause 8)

To add your name in support please contact residentsofeldoradocounty@gmail.com

Steve Conover

John Abel Tamara Abel

David Abrams

Gina Abrams

Shaun Akin

Diana Alegria

Terry Allen

John Amidon

Amanda Anderson

Jane Andrew

Barbara Arenz

Walt & Celia Arnett

Linda Babin

Gennelle Bailey

Joshua Barney

Susan Becher

Chris Belmer

Eve & Don Benson

Kim Berg

Greg Bergantz

Jamie Beutler

Barbara Bills

Laurie Blazich

Susan Boeger

Patty Borelli

David Brannam

Martha Brook

Norah Brown

Pam Browning

Leslie Bush

Maggie Bush

Paul Bush

Sheila C. Bush

Heather Campbell

Stewart Campbell

Fred Campbell-Craven

Kate Campbell-Craven

Garry & Jean Cantzler

Patricia Caramagno

Sherrie Carhart

Diane Carlson

Patrick Carter

Julie Castro

Ann Chambers

Angela Chance

Sandra Chance

Brian Chapman

Steve & Marsha Chavez

Ted Christy

Cathy Clarke-Amos

Della Clavere

Ced & Jan Clute

Cheyenne Cobb

Marlin Cobb

Skyler Cobb

Patrick Condran

Joyce Conray

Mike Conray

Lesley Coovelis

Mark Coovelis

Suzanne Covington

Denise Dailey

Bill Danz

Dawn David

Leslie Davis

Bill Deitchman

Dianne Deitchman

Wanda Demarest

Dan Desmond

Dee Desmond

Lisa Di Ricco

Maureen Dion-Perry

Bonnie Edwards-Sides

Virginia Ekroth

Joel Ellinwood

Mary Elliott-Klemm

Jeff Ellis

Dave Ely

Paul England

Caitlin Erickson

Chris Erickson

Staci Evans

Glen & Patti Farrington

Mary Fatooh

Bethany FieldhouseElliott

Les Francis

Shari L. Francis

Michael Freer

Linda Fuller

Mike Fuller

Beckie Galloway

Sam Garamendi

Manuel Garcia

Pam Garcia

Trina Geraldo-Macone

Ann Giovacchini

Lori G. Anzini-Cacace

Frances Goode

Colleen Goodrich

C. Goolshy

Glenn & Lorrie Graber

Judith Graham

Patricia Gray

Todd Gray

Juliana Greenhalgh

Kathleen Griffin, D.V.M.

Laurel Gromer

Lara Gularte

Eden Halbert

Lisa Halop

Lloyd D. Haney

Devin Harris

Carol Hartke

Kate Hauck

Diane Haslam

Chris Hayashi

Janet Hayes

M. Henry

Gale Hesselgesser

Laurie Hockenson

Cindy Holmes

Gail C. Holloway

Liz Honeycutt

Barbara Houghton

Robert Howe

Patrick Hudak

Sue Huffstutler

Susan Hunn

Alexandra IvanovskyStobaugh

Karen Jackett

David F. Jackson

Mark Jaeger

Mike & Gayle Janssen

Robin L. Jeffries

Dennis Johnson

Laurie Johnston

Jackie Jolly

Christy Jones

Jim & Margie

Marcia Keeney

Joyce

Janet Kenneweg

Betsy Kerr

Trudy Kilian

Dawn King

Lorraine King

Louis Kitchen

Roger Klemm

Terri Kline

Marti Knight

Barbara Knoop

Ruthanne Kohutek

Pat Lahey

Aldrene Lamb

Margo Landrum

Shirlene Lansdon

Melissa Larson

Victor Larson

Theresa LaVoie

Jeff Leddy

Debra H. Lee

Jacob Leveroni

Andrea Lewis

Lourdes Lewis

Don Linhardt

Irene Lipshin

Kathi Lishman

Steve Lishman

George Lloyd

Sarah Longmire-Cook

Emily Zelinsky Low

Jamie Low

Eve Lowry

Cheryl Lyons

Lynn McCall

Debra Garamendi

McCartney

Pat McConihe

Virginia McCormick

Mary McDonald

Carolyn McLaughlin

Corrie McNamara

Jan Mannion

Mike Mannion

Barbara Martin

Gary Martin

Jan Mathews

Ed Mattson

Heidi Mayerhofer

Jeannette Maynard

Revelle Mead

Jill Medici

Chris Mee

Christina Mee

Cheryl L. Mello

Kristine Melton

Anette Melvin

Darryl C. Meyers

Virgina Meyer

Robert W. Meyer

Regina Miller

Kathleen Mintert

Kay Mohr

Adele Montgomery

Larry Moore

Lynne Schindler Moore

Sharon Moorhead

Marsi Mora

Frank Mosbacher

Faye & Harlan Muntz

Dan & Ces Murphy

Kristen Nale

Anton Z. Nemeth

Jesse & Kirstin Oehler

Maya Oehler

Maureen Olson

Meg Oneill

Zoya Orlova

Renee Pecota

Katy Peek

Kem Pence

John Peregrin

S. Kimberly Peregrin

Susan Perlot-Haney

Ed Perry

Anne Peterson

Karen Phillips

Anne Polacheck

Rich Pontius

Katie Pope

Charly Price

Kelly Rains

Adelaide Ramirez

Teresa Ramirez

Rebecca Rawlinson

Victor Rea

Margie Lopez Read

Jack & Debbie Rice

Mary Rich

Lisa Richmond Pam Roberts

Sehline RodriguezIvanhoe

Pete Roffers

Bill Rosenberry

Tomi Ryan

Isabella Ryder

Jamie Sammet

Jody Sammet

Michele & James

Santangelo

John E. Savage

Chuck Schnell

Ethan Schoen

Scott Schroeder

Ron Schultz

Susan Schultz

Sheri Scott

Wende Allwine Seely

Michael Semer

Llana Shaver

Benjamin Sher

Barbara Simpson

Leslie Sinclair

Tracey Sirbello

Pier Sircello

Donna Skelton

Christopher Slean

Courtney Slean

Jennifer Sliney

Barbara Smith Jennifer Smith Kirk Smith

Lilah Smith Paul Sobelman Viteliy Solomaktea

Laura St. Denis Robin St. Denis

Mike Stinson Jim Stobaugh

Stoppani

Craig Styles

Swigart

Tiley

Vanderkar

Velasco

PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

March 28

The Oak Ridge High School’s Trojan Pride Sports Marketing Club hosts a sta versus student basketball game at 6 p.m. that is aimed to not only provide a fun event for all those attending ORHS, but to also fundraise for Aspire Kids, a nonpro t organization. For more information visit facebook. com/trojanpride80.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host a Game Show Night for Teens at the TEENZ Center. $5 per teen. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

60s Summer of Love will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Ed Wilson will play at The Vine from 6-8 p.m.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Guys and Dolls” at 7:30 p.m. The show runs through April 27. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

The Ray Charles Project will perform at 8 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 7 p.m. and continuing Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

March 29

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Container Magic, 9 a.m. to noon at the Blackstone Community Center in El Dorado Hills. Dive into the world of container gardening with Master Gardeners Mary Wool and Donna Marshall.

Madroña Vineyards will host a GSM blending event at 11 a.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. at Rucksack Cellars in Placerville. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre will be blended making for a very di erent kind of wine. To register visit tinyurl.com/28tk389z.

Manna will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/ live-music.

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area hosts

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

To take Alice at her word, she has lived a pretty ordinary life. However, the word from loved ones around her is nothing could be further from the truth.

Alice was born on March 19, 1925 and last week she celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends.

She is a very modest woman, uninterested in boasting about her own life. When asked if there is anything people might like to know about her the answer comes in the form of a chuckle and a simple, “No, no.”

Readers might want to know, however, her secret to a long and healthy life. The answer to that has become something of a family motto, according to Alice.

“The secret that everyone laughs at when I get asked that question, is, just keep breathing,” she said with another snigger.

Alice was born a farm girl in Oklahoma. Putting two and two together readers might guess what brought her and her family out west.

“My family migrated to California during the Dust Bowl era,” she recalled calmly. “I was just 7 years old.”

Thomas and Margaret Potts, loaded up a truck complete with sideboards with everything the family owned including Alice and her siblings. They left their ruined farm behind in hopes of a better life out west.

Through the eyes of a 7-year-old girl, the trek was more of an adventure than fans of “The Grapes of Wrath” might picture.

“It was fun for the kids,” she said. “Travel during the day, and then at night, we had campfires.”

According to Alice the kids would rummage around these makeshift campsites to see, “what was going on and if there was anything

interesting to get into.”

The family eventually landed in Shafter, just north of Bakersfield and immediately found work.

“We did piece work in the fields,” she remembered. “All of us went with them and worked, doing grapes, cotton, potatoes, whatever needed to be picked.”

At 7-years-old Alice was on the crew, helping support the family.

“Well, I don’t know how productive I was, but I was there,” she admitted with a reminiscent smile.

The family lived in a tent during those first few months of working the fields.

“My father and older brothers bought some boxcars,” Alice said. “They pulled them apart and built houses.”

The family, Thomas and Margaret, Alice and her siblings;

Norman, Victor, Pauline, Elmo, Aline, LeRoy, Delores and James remained in Shafter until after Alice graduated from high school.

Shortly after graduation, Alice was part of another iconic moment in time. She went to work in an aircraft factory much like the roughly 6.5 million women who

joined the workforce during the second World War, inspiring the cultural icon of Rosie the Riveter.

Soon Alice met Louis Plemmons and the couple married and moved to Texas where Plemmons was stationed in the Army. When she became pregnant she moved back to Shafter to live with her folks while

Plemmons served his tour of duty. Her oldest daughter, Sharon was born before Plemmons came home from his service.

For the next several years the couple split their time between California and Missouri, where Plemmons had family.

“It was like five times that we went back and

Martha,

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt Alice at home in Placerville.

Courtesy photo

Alice fresh out of high school, circa 1940s.

Green and Gray Gathering to help students prosper

Ponderosa High School

The Green and Gray Gathering in support of the Ponderosa High School Foundation is coming on April 5. This foundation has continued to work diligently to “Enrich the education of every Bruin,” by supporting the school through twicea-year mini grants, twice-a-year teacher Amazon wish lists, senior scholarships and collaboration for larger scale projects at the Shingle

Springs high school campus.

“As there is no PTO/PTA at the high school level, the foundation fills this role. And in this role we work collaboratively with Bruin faculty and sta to improve education, which is one of the cornerstones of our community,” said PHSF President Valerie Engelmann.

During 2024, the foundation provided 22 grants and included the following programs/departments: science, special education, agriculture, social studies, visual and performing arts, mathematics, associated student body, culinary, English, world language and more. In addition

the foundation facilitated the May teacher appreciation and December holiday Amazon wish list where the community supported classrooms with 152 purchases worth over $3,000. Visitors are also now greeted entering Bruin Stadium by a new lit sign designed and fabricated by Ponderosa alum and local artisan Evan Chavez of Chavez Designs, a collaborative project led by the foundation. These e orts are only possible through the generosity of the community. The annual Green and Gray Gathering fundraiser being a critical component.

This year’s event will return to the beautiful Cameron Park Country Club from 5:30-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. The event includes a bu et dinner, performances by the Ponderosa Jazz music and speech and debate programs, ra e baskets, a silent auction for student-produced creations from art, floral and Ag mechanics, as well as other amazing items, the Dessert Dash supplied by Bruin bakers from advanced culinary arts, and photo ops with the beloved Ponderosa Bruin.

For tickets or more information visit pondofoundation.com.

Wine, Women, Wellness event to promote wellbeing

El Dorado Hills Newcomers Club News release

he El Dorado Hills Newcomers

TClub invites local women to Wine, Women, Wellness — a gathering aimed at encouraging women to rethink and celebrate their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Open to Newcomers Club members and non-members alike, this special event will be held at the Serrano Country Club, 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9.

The highlight of the event is the panel led by Sutter Roseville Chief Medical O cer Dr. Vanessa Walker, who will moderate a panel of local health experts sharing tips and resources on women’s wellness on topics including nutrition, exercise, advocating for health care, alternative tools and more. After the panel discussion, the speakers will be available to meet one on one and discuss resources and specific needs. Event organizer and Newcomer Board Member Ellen Pensky McGraw

said she is delighted that so many local women’s health experts will be sharing their knowledge and resources because she knows that wellness is on the mind of many of their members and women in general.

The cost of the event is $55 per person and includes small bites and wine or healthy beverages. Registration and payment for the event is required by April 2. To attend the event, email to EDHWellness25@ gmail.com for registration and payment details. For other questions

contact Ellen Pensky McGraw at epensky@comcast.net.

About EDH Newcomers

The El Dorado Hills Newcomers Club is a women’s organization with 325 members founded in 1968 with a mission of gathering residents who have a common interest in socializing and pursuing activities while exploring and supporting El Dorado Hills and the surrounding communities. To learn more go to edhnewcomers.com.

Poem of the Month

She nods. “If he never knows there’s a baby, he’ll never look for us.”

“But how can I be a dad? I’m not a boy.” Snot drips onto my lip. I wipe it with my forearm — smearing slime across my freckles. “And I’m only ten.”

‘BRIGHT EYESA MEMOIR’ (EXCERPT CHAPTER ONE)

Mom laughs. “I know you’re ten, Bright Eyes, but we can do this!” She stands. “You ready?”

I stare at her, wishing I believed she wouldn’t tell him, wishing I believed he wouldn’t come back. But she always lets him back. She can’t be alone, and I don’t count. I’m also not allowed to say no — ever — so I answer.

“Yes.”

FOOD

Bridey ThelenHeidel is a teacher, TEDx speaker and author of “Bright Eyes-A Memoir” — winner of the Zibby Award for “Best Story of Overcoming.” A erce LGBT+ youth advocate, ThelenHeidel has been voted Best of Tahoe Teacher and celebrated by the California Teachers’ Association. She performed in Listen To Your Mother NYC and is often invited to speak about resilience, optimism and bravery.

Bring the Family Together with Baked Breakfast Pizzas

FAMILY FEATURES

If you feel like it’s a struggle to get the entire family together for a meal, it might be time to put fun back on the menu. A little creativity and a few favorite ingredients are all it takes to bring back family mealtime and spend precious moments at the table.

These Individual Sweet potato Breakfast Pizzas are a perfect way to start a weekend morning, offering a delicious invitation to loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Equal parts sweet, savory and nutritious, you can enjoy seeing smiles on their faces while feeling good about what you’re serving them.

Providing just the right touch of sweetness are North Carolina Sweet potatoes, one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department. They’re easy to add to a variety of recipes – even breakfast pizza – to enhance flavor and nutrition. Try them on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or air-fried for quick and easy options that are a breeze in the kitchen.

Spelled as one word to avoid confusion with the white potato (a distinctly different species), sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. In fact, they’re even considered a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association. As a natural sweetener, they give recipes that sweet flavor you crave without the added sugar.

Whether they become your favorite oftused ingredient or you stock up on the abundant veggie, sweet potatoes also boast a long shelf-life – up to 4 weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – meaning you can buy in bulk without worrying about waste.

Find more ways to cook with sweet potatoes by visiting ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas

Servings: 4

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

4 medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes (about 2 pounds), divided 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, olive oil, divided 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper kosher salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste all-purpose flour, for rolling out dough

1 pound whole-wheat pizza dough at room temperature, divided into four equal portions (4 ounces each)

1 cup freshly shredded Gouda cheese

4 large eggs

1/4 cup diced chives

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place 1 pound sweetpotatoes directly on rack and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. Peel and puree flesh until smooth; reserve 1 cup.

Increase oven heat to 450 F. Peel remaining sweetpotatoes and dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss 2 cups diced sweetpotatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper, to taste; place in even layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened but not crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven. Lightly flour clean, flat work surface. Roll each ball of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness (about 7 inches diameter).

With remaining oil, lightly coat rimless baking sheet. Transfer rolled out dough to baking sheet. Spread pureed sweetpotato over surface of each dough round, about 1/4 cup each, leaving about 1/2inch border. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded Gouda. Add 1/2 cup roasted sweetpotato cubes, leaving open space in center of pizzas.

Carefully crack one egg into center of each pizza; bake 15 minutes until crusts are golden brown on bottom, cheese is melted and egg whites are fully set. Carefully remove pizzas from oven.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top each pizza with 1 tablespoon diced chives.

Guitar maestro Muriel Anderson to entertain assemblage

CARMICHAEL — The Sacramento Guitar Society presents an evening with guitar virtuoso, Muriel Anderson at Tim’s Music. Anderson is considered a virtuoso of the 20-string harp-guitar, yet it is her uplifting songs and melodies that leave her audience smiling. Her facility across multiple genres, combined with a gentle sense of humor, is revered by audiences worldwide. Called a “good friend and a great guitarist,” by Chet Atkins, Andreson is the first woman to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. Guitar

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

Player Magazine lists her as one of the top 50 guitarists of all time and she has recently been listed among the top 10 female guitarists.

The event will take place at Tim’s Music in Carmichael on April 5 from 3-5 p.m. For tickets and more information visit sacguitarsociety.org.

100 Continued from B1

forth,” she said.

By the mid ’50s the couple landed in Chico where they raised five children: Sharon, Ralph, Steven, Claudia and Rachel.

Alice remained in Chico until the early ‘70s working for Blue Diamond Almonds.

“Most of my work was in the fields,” she recalled. However, later she went to work in the plant where she became a foreman. An unusual feat for a woman in the ‘70s

“At the end of the 20 years, I got a divorce and moved to the Bay Area,” she said. “I went to work for an electronics firm there.”

She worked for Varian, a firm that, at that time, built night vision goggles. She remained in the Bay Area until ‘83 when she met Gene “Gino” Cirimele and moved to Folsom. In the late ‘80s the couple retired to Oregon where they had friends and for, “the beautiful country, I loved it.”

The couple remained in Oregon for the next 10 years.

“We moved back to Chico because it became too strenuous for us to make that drive two and three times a year to see family here,” she admitted. “So we sold and moved back to Chico around 1998.”

“I did a lot of moving,” she exclaimed.

In 2016, around eight years after Cirimele’s death, Alice and her daughter, Sharon relocated to Placerville to be closer to family.

Darcie is Alice’s first grandchild. Stacie, Thea, Claudia, Angie, Emily and Amy followed with two great grandsons Jarret and Clyde.

It seems that Alice left an indelible mark on Darcie as a grandmother.

“She still thinks that I should shorten her pants every time she buys a pair,” said Alice admitting that she may be to blame for her granddaughter’s expectations. When Darcie was a baby Alice had made her a new outfit each week of her first year.

Alice is known to her family as a resolute person, to say the least. Ask anyone around her and they will say the same thing, “whatever she makes up her mind to do, she does.”

Alice’s passion for sewing and quilting was evident in the beautiful quilts and crocheted items she crafted for loved ones. Her creativity extended beyond needle and thread. She was also a talented cook and gardener, her green thumb yielding flowers, vegetables and fruit that fed her family.

“I planted seeds everywhere I lived,” she said. Her kitchen was always a haven of warmth and delicious aromas, including her world famous “Grandma’s biscuits and gravy.” Retirement offered Alice the opportunity to embrace painting, the fruits of which are still admired in the homes of family and friends, ensuring her creative and artistic legacy lives on.

To Alice all of this was simply day-to-day life.

“I just did what needed to be done.”

But to others, Alice has lived anything but an ordinary life.

Courtesy photo

Muriel Anderson uplifts audiences with guitar and humor.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt Alice, seated, granddaughter Darcie Swedelson, left, and daughter Sharon Wagner, right. make plans for the big 100 celebration.

Artist finds beauty and meaning in the simplest moments

FOLSOM — The Gallery at 48 Natoma announces Moments of Connection: People, Places, and Presence, a solo exhibition by Yen-Ching Chang, on view April 4 through May 15. Born in 1980 in Taiwan, YenChing Chang has developed an inimitable artistic vocabulary comprising painting and drawing. Chang came to the U.S. to earn her master of fine arts at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she honed her signature style. In the tradition of iconic painters like Thomas Eakins and John Singer Sargent, Chang

Dinner, Wine & Piano Night, 4-7 p.m. with pianist Sherman Applegate. Reservations required. Visit sierravistawinery.com/ upcoming-events.

PCS Health will host its 2025 Wonderfully Made Banquet

fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Placerville at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of client and center stories, raffles, dessert dash, great food and wonderful fellowship. For tickets or more information visit pcshealth.org.

Ed Wilson will play at Fenton Herriott Vineyards from 1-4 p.m.

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

Fast Times will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.

engages with both the landscape and the human form in unexpected ways. This exhibition is a midcareer survey that encompasses the breadth of the artist’s work in portraiture, landscape and still life. Chang describes her process as one of quiet observation, explaining, “I find beauty and meaning in the simplest moments, whether it’s the interplay of light on a landscape, the emotions and expressions of people around me, the vibrant colors of a still life, or the quiet poetry of everyday objects.”

In 2024 she was awarded the Jane Van Meter Award of Excellence by the Oil Painters of America. Chang is also a juried member of the

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents Windborne at 7 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

March 30

The Gold Rush Gymkhana Club Spring Buckle Series begins at 9 a.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For more information visit eldoradocountyfair.org.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts two baseball writers, Vince Wetzel and Zak Ford, noon to 1:30 p.m. For more information call (916) 941-9401.

Michael Rock will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville will host an all ages Queer Community

California Arts Club.

The public is invited to celebrate Moments of Connection: People, Places, and Presence with the artist at a free opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 4, with refreshments and live music.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma is managed by the Folsom Parks and Recreation Department. It is located at 48 Natoma St., next to Folsom City Hall. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional hours Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. For more information contact Curator William J. Simmons at wsimmons@folsom.ca.us.

Social from 3-6 p.m. and U.B.U. Rave and Club Night from 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Now

The Stage at Burke Junction presents “Lobby Hero” through March 30. Visit stageatburke. com.

Imagination Theatre presents “Storytellers and Scripts: 2 Across” through March 30. Visit itplacerville.org.

Ponderosa High School Theater presents “Beetlejuice Jr. the Musical” through April 5. Visit pondodrama.com.

Theatre at the Mine at Union Mine High School presents “The Wizard of Oz” through April 5. Visit onthestage.tickets

Registration is now open for the 42nd Bob West Drive for Marshall. The event is Friday, June 20. To register visit tinyurl. com/yw7y35jtaid=30898.

“A Busy Day” by Yen-Ching Chang Know Continued from B1

RASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts and Lyric Rose Theater company are pleased to present “Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in the Marisa Funk Theater on March 28, 29 and 30. This cutting-edge, hilarious and intriguing production will take audiences on an adventure that they will never forget. As four young lovers are faced with the prospect of an unhappy marriage, or worse, they flee the court of Athens and