Mountain Democrat, Friday, May 16, 2025 by mcnaughtonmedia

When I grow up

Career Day inspires middle school students

Shelly Thorene

Sta writer

Students at Herbert C. Green Middle School met representatives from a variety of professions at the ﬁrst annual Career Day held May 12 on the Placerville campus.

Principal Carmen Glaister said the event was her idea as she wanted to “expose the children to as many di erent careers as possible and to show that they don’t have to go to college and go into debt to earn a good living.” She reached out to colleagues, parents, the community and family for Career Day presenters.

Her daughter, Shelby Christy, 28, is studying to become a midwife

and traveled from Reno to be at the event and answer questions. Christy brought her 18-month-old son Elijah and shared how she became interested in the profession after giving birth at home. She told the students there are many options for self-study with online courses available.

Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District Capt. Spencer Morgan and EMT/ firefighter Brad Jones stood next to a fire engine in the parking lot of the school and showed equipment and gear used in firefighting to the students. Madi Scott, 11, of Placerville asked if she could try on the nomex jacket.

■ See CAREER DAY, page A5

projects slated for Thompson Way and Sherman Street were unanimously approved. Phase one will begin this summer.

City Engineer Melissa Savage laid out the scope of the projects before the council. The Thompson Way and Sherman Street repaving projects include pavement repair, city sewer drain repair, water system maintenance and storm drain repair and replacement. Underground utility repair will be phase one of the project and be accomplished over summer, 2025. Phase two, pavement rehabilitation

Jo Carrerow

El Dorado County sta asked the Board of Supervisors for direction on the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance, cannabis growers’ setbacks and rezoning of two parcels in El Dorado at Tuesday’s meeting.

Questions arose on these and other topics during a Planning Division report on ﬁscal year 2024-25 and key priorities for the coming ﬁscal year, 202526.

An ordinance e ective Nov. 22, 2024, has been implemented to assist county sta on confronting residents who are o ering their ADUs as shortterm rentals. Last November, the board gave sta direction to enforce the ordinance and provided the funding to do so.

“And boy have we responded,” said Brendan Ferry, deputy director of the county’s Tahoe Planning Division at the May 13 meeting, which was held in South Lake Tahoe.

Ferry said since then there have been random occurrences “where folks have been operating an ADU and using it as a short-term rental that has

Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene

Madi Scott, 11 of Placerville, center, tries on a fire resistant jacket as Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Station 49 personnel

Capt. Spencer Morgan, left, and EMT firefighter Brad Jones, right, look on at Career Day at Herbert C. Green Middle School on May 12. Around 345 students met with a dozen professionals from different occupations along with two students working toward career goals.

Student John Gregorio of Folsom, right, tries out a pair of wire strippers with help from Angel Romero of KSR Electric, left, while Jeremiah Walters, 14, of Cameron Park, center, waits his turn during Career Day.

Ken and Linda Santoro brought their mobile coffee stand and showed kids how they make a coffee with frothed milk during the event. Students also received stickers and coupons.

ESSENTIALS

Douglas Sylvester

Bisbee

April 1, 1936 – March 25, 2025

In loving memory, and with profound sadness, we announce the passing of Douglas S. Bisbee, 88, of Cameron Park, California. He died on March 25, 2025. Doug was born on April 1, 1936, in West Paris, Maine to Norman and Anita Bisbee. A graduate of Staples High School, Westport CT, he attended Brown University and served in the U.S. Army in Alaska.

While attending Staples High School, Doug met his future bride Dottie, fell in love and soon married. After his service in Alaska, Doug worked for many years as a supervisor for Beneficial Finance. They had 3 children in Alaska — eventually moving to Alamo, Ca and then on to Cameron Park, where he lived the last 45 years. Doug spent many years in the field of real estate finance, working as Bisbee & Associates. He was forever the entrepreneur-always making sure that he prioritized taking care of his family.

He was involved with many events in the El Dorado County Community. He was the Chief Financial O cer and President of Cameron Park Country Club in 1986. A leader and participant with the installment of the observation platform, The Community Observatory in Placerville, planned by the Rotarians and was a past President of Cameron Park Rotary. He joined Cameron Park Country Club and loved playing golf with his friends and family.

Doug had a strong passion for restoring vintage cars. At a young age he learned to drive grandfather’s Model A Ford pickup. He valued old cars, including hot rods, a 1951 Hudson convertible, 1946 Ford, 1929 Plymouth convertible along with Rolls Royce’s. He also raced Austin Healey’s (MGs) on the ice in Anchorage. (He was a bit of a daredevil!)

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dottie Bisbee and his children, Karen and Scott; 3 grandkids Justin, Ashley (Christopher) and Michael; and 1 great-grandchild, Charlotte. Doug is also survived by his brother Larry Bisbee. He is preceded in death by his parents and son Greg. Doug’s legacy will live on in our hearts of all who knew him. We have many memories to warm our days. His generosity, work ethic, and unwavering love for his family and friends left an unforgettable mark on those fortunate enough to be part of his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 20, 2025, at 11am at Green Valley Mortuary, 3004 Alexandrite Dr. Rescue, Ca.

Jean Wendy Ambrose

June 26, 1930 – Jan. 27. 2025

Jean Wendy Ambrose (Gill), age 94, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, in Sacramento, CA with her daughter, son, and daughterin-law by her side. Jean was born to Edward and Betsy Gill on June 26, 1930 in Prestwich, near Manchester, England. She lived near London during World War II, and was often evacuated to the countryside during the Blitz. In England she met James F. Ambrose (USAF) in 1950. They were married in Tauton, Mass, on September 6, 1952, and she became a U.S. citizen in December of 1956. They had three children David Ambrose (deceased), Karen Ambrose (now Campbell) and Jonathan Ambrose. She has six grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. Jean traveled extensively and her visits back to England were particularly important to her. She loved days on the beach, fashion, her many cats — in fact all animals aside from snakes, and she had a terriﬁc sense of humor. She volunteered and donated extensively to a variety of social justice, anti-war and animal rights causes. She lived a full and interesting life, including in her occupation as a psychic where she remained very busy until she retired. A celebration of life will be held in July, near Placerville, CA. She is preceded by her husband who passed in 1983, son David in 1999, and signiﬁcant others, Al and George. She will be dearly missed by her family.

Frank Edward Elliott

June 22, 1936 – April 30, 2025

Frank Edward Elliott, age 88, of Surprise, Arizona, formerly of Diamond Springs, California, passed away on April 30, 2025. Born June 22, 1936, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, to William and Ruth Elliott, Frank dedicated his life to service and family. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years as a submariner, retiring as a Petty O cer First Class, and later worked for 21 years at Paciﬁc Gas and Electric. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Byrnece; his daughters, Kelly (Dan Shipp, Megan, Logan) and Kathleen; stepchildren Theresa (Wayne McAdams, Jarrett, Jamie) and James (Tara Morgan, Jonathan). He will be fondly remembered for his storytelling, love of travel with Byrnece, and the strong bonds he maintained with his fellow submarine veterans. Frank’s life was one marked by service, love and a zest for life’s adventures. He will be greatly missed. Interment: 2:00pm, May 20, 2025, National Cemetery of Arizona.

Lawrence Eugene “Larry” Hafvenstein

Dec. 12, 1934 – April 18, 2025

Lawrence Eugene “Larry” Hafvenstein passed away unexpectedly at home on April 18, 2025 in Cameron Park, CA at the age of 90.

Born on December 12, 1934, to Andrew and Eleanor Hafvenstein, Larry graduated from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, married his beloved wife of 70 years, and had his ﬁrst two of four children while proudly serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Carson, Colorado. After his military service Larry joined Continental Insurance Company as a sales associate and quickly rose to a management position. Given the opportunity to open his own insurance agency, Larry moved his family to the sunny San Francisco Bay Area of California and welcomed two more children there. He later started his own pension administration and ﬁnancial services business and built a beautiful home on 5 acres of land in Cameron Park, California where he has lived for the past 47 years.

In addition to being a highly skilled businessman, Larry was a private pilot, a gifted speaker, and someone his children always turned to for practical advice. He will be remembered for his generosity and for his “larger than life” personality. Larry was a private but deeply spiritual man, and an active and dedicated member of the Episcopal church where he served on the vestry and as a lay minister. He loved animals and was especially fond of his donkey Clementine and cat, Beyoncé.

Larry is survived by his wife, Gerrilee Hafvenstein; children, Lauri Ann Hafvenstein, Larry Hafvenstein Jr. (Teri), Kati Pauley (Randy), and Karalee Huntley (Shad); grandchildren Lauren Pauley, Ryder Pauley, Seth Huntley, Kate Huntley and Kari Huntley; siblings, Millie Arneson, Barbara Ruckes, and Philip Hafvenstein (Roberta). Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Hafvenstein and his brothers-in-law Walter Ruckes and Robert Arneson. https://my.gather.app/ remember/lawrence-hafvenstein

Elizabeth Irene Bridges

Oct. 9, 1926 – April 29, 2025

Elizabeth (aka Betty) went home to the Lord peacefully and comfortably from her earthly home on April 29th. Betty was born on October 9, 1926 in Camden, NJ, to Eliza and Gustav Weber. She grew up in Camden. She met Frank Bridges (her future Hubby) at the soda fountain where she worked. Soon after, they fell in love and married on February 14th, 1945. They moved to Sacramento to start their family the same year. In 1959, they moved to Placerville to raise their family in the country. She found joy in the country life.

She was a loving and beautiful mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother (five generations in all). Betty devoted her life to God’s work (she was a member of the legion of Mary and was a volunteer for many groups within the church) and to her family and friends, they meant everything to her. She took such good care of us all and made each one of us feel special. Betty enjoyed all aspects of country homemaking. She loved camping, riding motorcycles, and she especially enjoyed fishing (she always had a fish on). She always would do her work happily, quickly and with the utmost love and care. Her food was delicious and made with so much love.

She will be dearly missed by all of her family, friends and all who have been blessed to have known her. Through Jesus, she brought love and light in all that she did in life.

“I am just a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”

The funeral, a celebration of her life, was held on Wednesday, May 14th at 11:00am (Rosary at 10:30am) at St. Patrick’s Church in Placerville.

In lieu of ﬂowers, donations can be made to St. Patrick’s Church or Mother Teresa’s Maternity Home.

Of ce Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (530) 622-1255 / Fax: (530) 622-7894 Toll-Free from El Dorado Hills: (888) 622-1255

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T. Burt McNaughton (530) 344-5055 tbmcnaughton@mtdemocrat.net

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and

Shelly Thorene Staff writer 530-344-5063 / sthorene@mtdemocrat.net Chris Woodard Staff writer chrisw@mtdemocrat.com

GRAPHICS

Letty Bejarano-Carvajal Graphics Manager (530) 344-5049 / lettyb@mtdemocrat.net Click “Staff Directory” at the bottom of mtdemocrat.com for full staff directory

Bonnie Joan Cruickshank

Oct. 20, 1947 – April 27, 2025

Bonnie Joan Cruickshank (Needham) was the ﬁrst of four children born to Harold and Joan Needham in Sacramento, California on October 20, 1947. Bonnie graduated from Highlands High School in North Highlands and Sacramento State where she proudly earned her B.A. in Home Economics and her teaching credential. “Mrs. C.” taught her entire 39-year career at Charles Brown Elementary School in El Dorado, mostly Kindergarten, with a few years in 1st grade in the beginning and 2nd grade at the end. In her own words “I feel like I have made a di erence and that is what I wanted to do.” She touched many young lives in El Dorado County and in her last years, many of her former students or their family members were involved in her care. A true full circle moment for her.

She gracefully fought her battle with Parkinson’s to her ﬁnal “exhale” on April 27, 2025 in Placerville, California at the age of 77 with family by her side. Survived by her loving husband of 54 years, William (Bill) Cruickshank, Jr.; children Amanda (Brian), Tom (Amy), and Katie (Kile); and grandchildren, Creighton, Abigail, Alexander, Natalie, and Matthew. Left to carry on the Needham Legacy, siblings Sherri (John), Patti (Lanny), and Kent (Cindy); along with nieces and nephews, Troy (Camille), Amber (Dave), Jamie (Paul), Sara (Jacob), Kim (Josh), Jenny (Je ), and Emily (Ryan). Also survived by Sasek family members, Liz, Cathy (Bill), Susan, Danny, Ryan, Laura, and Michael. Preceded in death by her beloved family members: parents Joan & Harold Needham, parent-in-laws Anne & William Cruickshank, Sr., and cousin-in-law Joseph Sasek.

Our entire family sends a heartfelt thank you to the sta at Sunshine Manor in Placerville, the team at Suncrest Hospice, and Dr. Samuel Ceridon for their loving care in the last part of her journey. Celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:30 am, East Lawn Memorial Park Chapel, 4300 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819. In lieu of ﬂowers, please donate to your local elementary school or local library in her name.

Claudia Vukovich

June 9, 1958 – March 14, 2025

Claudia Vukovich, aged 66, passed away peacefully at her home in Sacramento after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. A Shingle Springs native, she attended Buckeye School; Ponderosa High School and then continued her education at Sierra College.

After a 40 year career as a Respiratory Therapist, she retired from UC Davis Medical Center. Claudia enjoyed her work at the hospital and developed many cherished friendships with her colleagues. Her interests were many. Over the years, she enjoyed Skydiving, completing over 500 jumps; Classic Movies and she was looking forward to traveling the world with her husband, Arturo. As a lifelong music enthusiast, she even performed as an amateur vocalist in her brief retirement. Claudia’s enthusiasm for life was indomitable and her family always marveled at the wild child and free sprit she was and continued to be until the end.

The second of ﬁve children, Claudia is survived by her husband, Arturo Paredes, sister Aimee Vukovich, brothers Milan and Troy Vukovich, brother in law Tim Burkhart and sister in laws Carissa and Donene Vukovich. Claudia adored her Jackson cousins, and the Serbian Community, who were such a big part of her life. She was also a wonderful aunt to nieces and nephews: Alexa, Demetria, Roman and Preston Vukovich. Claudia was predeceased by parents Mel and Ayriane and her younger brother, Gregory.

Claudia’s absence has left a huge hole in the hearts of her family and friends. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at St. Sava Serbian Church Hall located at 7245 N Main St. Jackson CA 95642 from Noon – 3pm Saturday May 31, 2025. In lieu of ﬂowers, please donate to Snowline Hospice.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

What a blast!

PATRIOT PROFILE

William McWilliams Service: Private SC Militia

Residence: Ninety Sixth District SC Born: c 1755 NC Died: after 1843 ltambwa MS

William McWilliams was born and raised in NC. He purchased land in SC and was living there at the begining of the American Revolution. He enlisted in the militia, and served throughout the Southern Campaign, fighting in the Battle of King’s Mountain under the command of Colonel Anderson

Proud Descendant: Cheryl Anway

The National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution is committed to historic preservation, education and patriotism Your local Daughters of The American Revolution Chapter is excited to be a part of the America250!

America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. You are invited to learn more about your local El Dorado DAR Chapter please contact regent@eldorado.californiadar.org

Music lovers dance the afternoon away at the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce Heart of the Hills Blues Blast on Saturday, May 10, at District Church’s outdoor space above El Dorado Hills Town Center. Three acts rocked the grounds while attendees twirled, tapped their toes and enjoyed the sunshine. Above, The crowd dances to the music of the legendary blues, rock and R&B sounds of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. At right, EDH Chamber Director of Event Operations Mary Carerra thanks the crowd for coming to celebrate her retirement while on stage to introduce event headliner. Other acts were self-taught Massachusetts based-artist Albert Cummings and Blues Foundation Award winner Lori Morvan and her band.

Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene

El Dorado Hills Fire Capt. Ryan Bennett, above, surrenders to being squirted with water by Zachary and Miles while they sit in a stroller next to their father, Isaiah Ford, who was selling water at the Blues Blast to raise money for Younglife Kids Camp.

Angie Worthington of Cameron Park, left, and her friend Jess Jordan of Cobb Mountain dance to the lively music at the Heart of The Hills Blues Blast, left photo. Jordan said Worthington gave her the ticket to the show for Christmas. Above right, Joe Robb, 66, of Shingle Springs cools down with an ice cream cone at the music festival, which he gives an enthusiastic thumbs up. Below, The Fabulous Thunderbirds play one of their many hits.

Local fire safe council celebrated for mitigation efforts

News release

The Wrights and Dark Lake Fire Safe Council earned three national awards at the National Forest Homeowners Conference in Pasadena on May 3.

District Ranger Dionne Uzes received the James Sauser Recreational Advocate of the Year award, the WLDLFSC received the Outstanding Stewardship Award and Doug Kniveton, chair of the WLDLFSC, received the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

According to Don Norton, chair of the NFH Awards Committee, this is the first time such a team has received three separate awards, which recognize the outstanding public/private partnership created between the U.S. Forest Service and the WLDLFSC. Over two-and-ahalf years, this team conceived and developed a 1,700-acre fuel reduction project around Wrights and Dark Lakes and obtained full NEPA environmental approvals. The project is shovel ready and the USFS grants team is seeking the first phase of $5

million in funding.

WLDLFSC officials note the importance of this project as well as factors that should make it a high priority for funding:

• It is fully approved, noncontroversial and shovel ready.

• The heavily used Wrights Lake Recreational Area serves a wide variety of users. It contains three campgrounds, including an equestrian campground, day use areas with hiking, biking, boating, swimming and fishing, and a popular OHV trail for off road users. It also provides western access to the Desolation Wilderness, the most heavily used wilderness area in the U.S. Finally, it contains 75 cabins, some with historic designation, that are between 60 and 100 years old.

• Two thirds of the Eldorado National Forest has been burned by wildfires in the last 10 years (398,000 of 596,724 acres). The Wrights Lake Fuel Reduction project (1,713 acres) is adjacent to the much larger adjacent Reservoir Fuel Reduction Project (20,634 acres) which includes Ice House Reservoir and Union Valley

Reservoir. The combination of these projects will mitigate wildfire risk to some heavily used, high value recreational assets in the Crystal Basin that to date have been largely untouched by wildfire.

• This project will provide economic and environmental protection to water users in Crystal Basin and beyond, since the lakes and streams within its boundaries are part of the headwaters of the South Fork of the American River. These waterways provide clean and pure water that is essential for SMUD’s hydroelectric facilities ($1 billion invested) and for residential, commercial and agricultural customers in El Dorado County and Sacramento.

• This project has become an exemplary model of a public/private partnership. It was designed to be

replicable and can pave the way for fuel reduction work in other cabin tracts and forests. The Association at Silver Lake is pursuing a similar fuel reduction project through the Amador Fire Safe Council.

For more information about the Wrights Lake Forest Health and Hazardous Fuel reduction project visit fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63479. The Wrights and Dark Lake Fire Safe Council is the only fire safe council in the County that is 100% on national forest land. It operates under the umbrella of the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council. The EDCFSC has provided numerous valuable tools including education, training and a free chipping program to help 75 Wrights and Dark Lake cabin owners create defensible space on their lots and fire harden their cabins.

Cal Fire crew, military partners to conduct aerial firefighting training exercises next week

Cal Fire News release

To increase wildfire response capabilities, Cal Fire, in collaboration with military agencies, will conduct helicopter training exercises near Folsom Lake May 19 and Pardee Reservoir May 20-21.

Residents in these areas may notice and hear low-flying helicopters during this time. Exercises will concentrate on two key areas • Training for military helicopter management: This comprehensive, multi-day program, taking place at the Mather Army Aviation Support Facility and in Amador County, ensures interoperability between Cal Fire, the California Military Department and National Guard. Units from Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Utah, Nevada and California will be attending. This training fulfills an interagency agreement by providing required instruction to military personnel on how to conduct fire missions and equips Cal Fire staff to

effectively direct and utilize military helicopters when they are activated for wildfire support.

• Joint practice for firefighting: Crews will participate in exercises involving multiple helicopters practicing water drops.

Why this training is important

This collaborative training effort improves Cal Fire’s ability to utilize military resources during wildfire events. Better coordination between agencies and improved skills for military personnel leads to efficient and safer integration of military helicopters into wildfire operations and in executing aerial firefighting tactics.

Cal Fire appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the community as it conducts this important training to strengthen wildfire preparedness. To learn more about the Cal Fire Aviation Program visit fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/ fireprotection/aviation-program.

Locals named to state positions

Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom News release

Advisory Committee. Nation has been a professor of the Practice in the Public Policy and Human Biology programs at Stanford University since 2007.

John Russell of El Dorado Hills has been appointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Russell has been executive of Operations at Sutter Health since 2025, where he has held multiple positions since 2007, including director of Area Operations, regional administrator, regional director, director and manager. He was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and floor nurse at O’Connor Hospital from 2004 to 2007. Russell earned a doctor of health administration degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg and a master of business administration degree and a bachelor’s degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Russell is a Democrat.

Joseph “Joe” Nation of South Lake Tahoe has been appointed to the Independent Emissions Market

He was the principal at Joe Nation Consulting from 1992 to 2024. Nation was the senior advisor to the president at the RAND Corporation from 1991 to 2024. He was an Assemblymember for District 6 in the California State Assembly 2000-06. He was an associate professor of economics at the University of San Francisco from 1992 to 2000. Nation is a member of the Economic Advisory Board, Bay Area Council and Climate Cabinet Action.

He earned a doctor of philosophy degree in public policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School, a master’s degree in diplomacy and security from Georgetown University and bachelor’s degrees in economics, German and French from University of Colorado, Boulder. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Nation is a Democrat.

Courtesy photos

Above left, National Forest Homeowners Director Don Norton, left, and Robin Wham, past president of Wrights Lake Summer Home Association, right, present the James Sauser Recreational Advocate of the Year award to USFS Pacific District Ranger Dionne Uzes. Norton also presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Doug Kniveton, center photo, and the Outstanding Stewardship award to John Lambert, co-chair of Wrights and Dark Lake Fire Safe Council, right photo.

Volunteers take Tahoe’s ‘snapshot’ in citizen science event

Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune

LAKE TAHOE — Samples are collected and off to the labs following Keep Tahoe Blue’s annual Snapshot Day that occurred on Saturday, May 10, marking the 25th year the event invited anyone to become a scientist for a day. The milestone makes it one of the longest running citizen science events in the nation. Year after year, volunteers help sample water during the month of May from creeks, streams, smaller lakes and Lake Tahoe itself to take a “snapshot” of water quality at a single moment in time. Participants sample and test the water for factors of dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients as well as others. While the data affirms that the Truckee-Tahoe watershed has consistently excellent water quality, Keep Tahoe

Afterward, when asked if she could see herself in that profession she said, “No. I want to be a teacher because I am good with kids.”

James Riley, 11, of Diamond Springs had several questions for the firefighters but when asked if he was interested in becoming one he said he wants to be a writer and is working on his first novel, which he hopes to complete during summer vacation.

John Lee, owner of Rove Boba in Placerville, said he is a first-time small business owner and he likes to build engagement with the community by hiring high school seniors and community college students. He told the Mountain Democrat his Missouri Flat Road business is a “safe, inclusive family friendly gathering place with free Wifi and games for kids.”

Ken and Linda Santoro with Caffé Santoro staffed their mobile coffee stand and showed the children how they make a coffee with frothed milk and a positive attitude and handed out stickers and coupons. No coffee for the kids, though!

One of the most popular stations on the tour was a computer game display. Keith Thomas, a computer software and hardware engineer, set up an external monitor connected to a laptop and an oscilloscope to demonstrate how computers “talk to each other in binary.” He let students use the Microsoft program MakeCode Arcade, which allows users to design their own video games. Thomas said he works for a pharmaceutical company programming circuit boards used in clinical trials.

Marty Parker, an FBI agent with the bureau for 26 years, said she has had an amazing career and told the students they needed a college degree to work there. She hoped interest in the FBI would inspire some to go to college and she brought a flack jacket for kids to try on.

Iraqi Freedom Marine Corps veteran and reservist and Herbert C. Green geography teacher Miguel Garibay brought in items related to his service, including photos from his overseas tours, paper currency with the image of Saddam Hussein, MREs and a map of Fallujah.

Retired Rincon Valley Fire District Capt. (Sonoma County) Andrew MacLean, who is also on the Camino School Board, shared photos of various aspects of firefighting and emphasized to students that the job is all about “helping people.” He said most of the calls are “medical and car

crashes.” He added, “Women are some of the best firefighters as kids are less nervous around women.”

El Dorado County Sheriffs Department representatives were on hand to talk about the different types of jobs available to students when they turn 18, including dispatcher, records department positions and jobs at the jail. EDSO Resource Officer Kyle Emmitt said the agency conducts in-house hiring two times a year and that once a student is hired they can apply to another job and EDSO will send them to the academy. Emmitt said he tells students that they should get an education and come back during the summer to do an internship with department.

“It makes them more marketable even if they don’t end up coming to work for us,” he explained.

As far as his own area of expertise, Emmitt shared, “When we talk to youth they are more inclined to reach out when they need us. We want them to know it’s safe for them to reach out to us.”

KSR Electric owner Kevin Rohr and staff member Angel Romero showed students working examples of electrical switches and various tools of the trade and allowed the kids to try out wire strippers.

Central Sierra ROP student Celine Alberto of Placerville showed photos of hairstyles and answered questions regarding the cosmetology program. She said, “The 1,000-hour program is free to attend for juniors or seniors as long as the student is still in high school” and explained the term usually takes two or three semesters to complete. The student needs to pass a state board exam and then they can apply for work in a hair or nail salon.

Veterinary Tech Linnea Salveson spoke to students about her work at Avian Health Services in Diamond Springs and her display showed images of birds being cared for.

Valerie Baker, president of the Mother Lode Union School District and attorney at law, was on hand to answer students’ questions. She chuckled over a student who asked if she “cracked a big case” but added that she works in probate law. Baker said she tells students, “Once you are a lawyer, there are so many forms of law to practice. If you get tired of one area you can try another.” She said she was impressed with the career event and was happy to see “kids were so inspired,” adding she hopes more professionals particiapte next year.

motivated and very stoked community of volunteers and citizen scientists (residents and visitors) who want to protect the Lake,” he shared. This year, 76 volunteers put on scientist hats and sampled 32 separate sites between Zephyr Cove and Meeks Bay. Many of these volunteers are repeat participators. That includes Larry Green, a mathematics professor at Lake Tahoe Community College, who has participated in 24 of the 25 years of Snapshot Day. The only event he missed was in 2020 when the public did not participate due to the pandemic.

The dedicated citizen scientists come from many backgrounds and ages. Everett Patterson, the 10-year-old son of Keep Tahoe Blue Chief Strategy Officer Jesse Patterson, has taken part in every

photos by Shelly Thorene

Keith Thomas, a computer software and hardware engineer, left photo, set up an

At right, El Dorado County Sheriffs Department staff members speak to students about employment with the

Blue Communications Director Chris Joseph said that isn’t the only lesson. “My main takeaway from this event is that Tahoe enjoys a highly engaged, highly

Snapshot

Photo courtesy of Keep Tahoe Blue

Volunteers sample water during Keep Tahoe Blue’s annual Snapshot Day on Saturday, May 10.

OPINION

California Commentary

Did the state Legislature forget the pension crisis?

Years ago, when my family went to a popular Mexican restaurant, my young son started reaching for a raw habanero pepper.

I told him not to put it in his mouth but, in a typical act of o spring deﬁance, he started chewing on it. Su ce it to say, he never did that again.

If an 8-year-old can learn from his mistakes, why can’t legislators? Two bills relating to public employee pension beneﬁts illustrate the point.

In the 1990s, on the heels of winning the Cold War and so-called “peace dividend,” the economy was roaring. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System was fully funded (in fact, they had more money than they needed) as the stock market, fueled by what we now know was the dot. com bubble, hit new all-time highs.

As a result, elected o cials, with the backing of public sector labor organizations, believed they could increase beneﬁts with few negative consequences. The ever-rising stock market would cover the di erence. Then the bubble burst. First in 2001. Then the bottom fell out in 2008.

CalPERS, no longer ﬂoating in cash, suddenly found itself only able to cover about 70% of its obligations. The state, cities, counties and special districts who had made absurd deals with their employees now faced declining tax revenue and increasing unfunded pension liabilities.

This exposed the inherent problem with deﬁned beneﬁt pension plans. The deals that the state made with public-sector labor unions were irreversible even though the promise was made under the assumption that the market’s upward trajectory would go on forever.

When reality kicked in, services were cut and tax increases were placed on the ballot. A few cities went bankrupt, others considered disincorporating altogether. Then came the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. It capped beneﬁts, raised retirement ages, prohibited retroactive increases and tried to put an end to other shenanigans like “pension spiking” that allowed employees to game the system to pad their retirement pay.

The reforms were extremely modest and necessary to stave o insolvency. But, even then, our state and local pension systems remain underfunded. “In 2004, the gap between what California’s retirement systems owed workers and how much money they actually had was $51 billion. In 2013, when PEPRA passed, it was $198.3 billion,” according to a recent report in the Orange County Register. “In 2023, it had ballooned to $351.7 billion” even with PEPRA. And the beneﬁts remain excellent.

“Many public safety employees under PEPRA are eligible to retire at age 57 with 2.7% of their pay for each year worked. That means a ﬁreﬁghter earning $150,000 a year could retire after 30 years of

■ See COUPAL, page A7

Letters to the Editor

Where is our congressman?

EDITOR:

Constituents of Congressman McClintock in El Dorado County are worried. “Where is Tom?” The last reported sighting of him at a live town hall meeting was in 2017. Since then, he has failed to respond to multiple requests for in-person meetings with voters whom he is supposed to represent in Congress. The sta at his EDH o ce does not answer the phone or reply to messages on voicemail. Drop-in visits are discouraged. Occasionally Tom o ers a pop-up phone meeting with constituents who happen to be available at the spur of the moment.

Local constituents wishing to share their concerns invited Tom McClintock to a town hall meeting during the House recess in April when representatives are expected to be in their home districts. This request received no response. On April 9, Representative John Garamendi from District 8 did conduct a town hall on Zoom with about 300 attendees from McClintock’s District 5, who assembled in person at Cameron Park CSD. On April 16, 18 members of Indivisible went to

McClintock’s EDH o ce with an Easter basket and cards with questions and comments for our Congressman. Greg Holt, the constituent services director, refused to open the door and directed us over the intercom to make an appointment. When asked “How?” Holt was dead silent.

In a follow-up letter to Congressman McClintock, Gina Abrams noted, “Scheduling an appointment seems to be impossible. The sta is not picking up the phone ... not returning phone calls and requests submitted through your website do not receive a reply.”

After that, the o ce director Matt Reed met with eight of us. Matt listened politely, took notes and answered some questions while deﬂecting others. When asked if Tom McClintock might engage in a Zoom town hall meeting or at least provide advance notiﬁcation of his telephone meetings, Matt replied. “We like the way it’s working now.”

We said, “It’s not working for us.” Matt shrugged. McClintock is good at hiring people to run interference between the congressman and voters

Guest column

An education about a useless government department

Ihave a conﬂict. I don’t much like Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s new education secretary. I sued her once.

She and her sleazy husband, Vince, owned a circus called World Wrestling Entertainment.

JOHN STOSSEL

When I did a silly ABC news video on how the matches are staged, one of their 280-pound actors beat me up. A wrestler said Vince told him to do it.

But now, I like what Linda’s doing!

As education secretary, she’s telling students to pay back their loans, saying, “There’s no such thing as loan forgiveness. It just gets transferred to someone else. That’s just not fair!”

It’s not. Yet students got used to not paying. Today, most don’t pay their

loans back.

The Biden administration encouraged that. Even after the Supreme Court struck down his student loan forgiveness program, Biden tweeted, “They didn’t stop me,” and kept cancelling student debt. But why should college students, who are, on average, richer than other Americans, get free money? Truck drivers don’t get loan forgiveness for buying their trucks.

Government-backed student loans are welfare for the better o . Colleges abused the handouts by raising tuition about three times faster than the rate of inﬂation. Students and parents rarely complained, or even asked, “Why is tuition (at some schools) $60,000!?”

Despite more than $3 trillion spent by the Education Department, test scores are stagnant. Reading scores fell. Still, unions hold demonstrations, claiming that America needs the department.

They didn’t push back because taxpayers pay so much of the bill.

Colleges chase that taxpayer money by o ering kids ridiculous perks like the “jungle retreat” and “in-house day spa” at the University of Missouri.

A university o cial even bragged to my producer, “It used to be reading, writing and arithmetic. We’re now the fourth ‘R’ — recreation.”

Other schools chase taxpayer money by o ering courses like surﬁng (UC Santa Barbara), Lady Gaga (University of South Carolina), zombies (Columbia College Chicago), taco literacy (University of Kentucky) and How to Watch TV (Montclair State University). Fun!

But why should taxpayers pay for

that!?

It raises a more basic question: Why is there a federal Education Department?

There shouldn’t be. It’s largely useless. More people realize that today.

During Trump’s last term, I asked his ﬁrst education secretary, Betsy DeVos, if she would abolish the department.

“No,” she replied. “There are important roles to play to ensure students are not discriminated against.”

How times have changed.

In The Free Press, she writes, “Shut down the department ... (It) no longer

JON COUPAL

Continued from A6

service with a retirement check equal to about 80% of his pay,” the Register notes. “That’s about $120,000 a year, for the rest of his life.”

That’s what makes Assembly Bills 569 and 1383 so perplexing. AB 569 would allow cities to offer “supplemental” retirement plans. AB 1383 would lower the retirement age to 55 and increase the percentage of pay to 3%, or 90% of their final average salary. It would be reckless to undo PEPRA’s positive, albeit modest, reforms but both bills somehow made it out of the Assembly’s Public Employment and Retirement committee with unanimous support (including by the two Republican members).

Does no one in the Legislature remember what it was like before

PEPRA? At least the cities, counties and special districts remember. They are all opposing AB 1383. They noted in their opposition that CalPERS recently lost $15 billion because of market volatility and that local agencies will have to pay the difference if they miss their investment targets. “[This bill] would compound costs for local governments and do nothing to offset the costs,” they wrote. Local governments, in no uncertain terms, are advising that the Legislature pass on taking a second bite. The question is whether they will listen. If they don’t, it’s taxpayers who’ll be left with a bad taste in their mouths. Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

needs to exist.”

Trump says he wants to shut it, but Congress probably won’t give him the votes and teachers unions fight to keep the federal money flowing, shouting that closing the department “will destroy families, communities and students!”

Gullible media agree. A CBS news anchor claims, “The department helps 26 million kids in poverty and 7.5 million kids with disabilities.”

“It’s not doing any of those things,” said education policy researcher Corey DeAngelis. “The department was created with the express purpose to close achievement gaps and improve student outcomes. ... It hasn’t done either!”

In fact, outcomes got worse.

Despite more than $3 trillion spent by the Education Department, test scores are stagnant.

Reading scores fell.

Still, unions hold demonstrations, claiming that America needs the department.

“Our students, our babies, are depending on us,” shouts teachers union President Becky Pringle.

“They’re not your kids, Becky!” responded DeAngelis. “They’re the parents’ children. Becky is just worried about her gravy train coming to an end.”

Pringle does make almost half a million dollars a year. The head of the other big teachers union, Randi Weingarten, makes even more.

As I write this, Trump has fired 1,000 Education Department workers.

“They had to be doing something,” I suggested to DeAngelis.

“No!” he replied. “They weren’t! They were

pushing paper, taking six-figure salaries. That’s why things haven’t really changed much since half the department’s gone.”

Maybe those laid-off Education Department workers will find something more useful to do. Students and parents won’t miss them. Funds will be freed to give kids more choices.

“It’s time to set the children free,” said DeAngelis. “We should all be free from the clutches of the teachers unions.”

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom.

Letters

Continued from A6

so he does not have to answer for himself. Recently I discovered a way to see Tom McClintock in person. You can pay to attend his fundraising dinner. For $75, you might be able to ask him a question and get a direct answer.

Tariff fairness

EDITOR:

r. Purdie wrote a long letter decrying tariffs. Countries have been charging us massive tariffs for years. Canada’s 250% tariff on some of our farm products is a good example. It seems that he has no problem with tariffs as long as he doesn’t notice them or they don’t upset his apple cart. OF course trying to restore fairness is going to be met with massive opposition by those who have been profiting from the status quo. An analogy for us would be: do you want to use radiation on your cancer which causes pain and discomfort or not treat the cancer because it hasn’t caused you pain yet?

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

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 enjoy a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses.The meetings are held at 11:30 AM on May 19, July 21, September 15 and November 17, 2025 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.

DONNA SKELTON Cameron Park

Stossel Continued from A6

Snapshot Continued from A5

Day since he was born. A group of spirited volunteers who sample the same site each year has dubbed themselves the “Trout Creekers,” complete with custom shirts for their team. Trout Creeker Tara Dobyns exempliﬁed their dedication when she rescheduled a

Planning Continued from A1

not been allowed per our ordinance.”

“Now with the ramp up in enforcement, we are discovering these occurrences,” Ferry said. “We’re catching these handful of folks.”

He said they have to tell people to remove their kitchen and then they can rent it short term — not something they always want to hear.

“We try to give them a path forward,” Ferry said.

“Some of these folks, they’re golden people in our community,” Supervisor Brian Veerkamp said. “They’ve got obligations. It makes it really di cult. We’ve got to determine how we’re going to do this.” Ferry said they’ll be sharing information on data, impacts, their customer service approach and Transient Occupancy Taxes at a board meeting in South Lake Tahoe on Sept. 30.

He suggested the supervisors look back into the Vacation Home Rental Ordinance and how it may have a ected the TOT.

Supervisor George Turnboo asked what the usual timeline is for obtaining an ADU permit.

“We’ve tried to initiate a streamlined review at the very beginning so that we can provide comments back to the applicant to give them one opportunity to secure that application but we do have to respond by the 60th day an approval or denial,” Rob Peters, deputy director of Planning said.

But, he added, applicants have an opportunity to extend timelines.

“In the Tahoe Basin our ADU approval process does involve the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and because of some of the additional permitting requirements in the basin things like obtaining a unit of use and looking at coverage standards, so ADU’s approval in the basin do take a little more than 60 days,” Ferry clariﬁed.

trip overseas so she could take part in this year’s event. Eight students from Jesse Patterson’s water resource class at LTCC led the sampling teams. Past students from this course have progressed to careers in the environmental ﬁeld, some in Tahoe.

Turnboo asked if hardship cases, such as those still displaced by the 2021 Caldor Fire, are given priority in obtaining permits.

“So for Title 25 we do have sta dedicated to review of anything that comes through Grizzly Flat that are Caldor Fire related so we have two (sta members) in particular that will immediately take those in and they get top priority,” Planning and Building Director Karen Garner said.

They are pre-reviewed plans that should only take a week or less to review because all sta needs to check out is a site plan, she added.

Cannabis concerns

Also discussed were the setbacks required on commercial cannabis use permits, speciﬁcally a clause in the permit allowing exemptions to the requirement for at least an 800-foot setback.

“I’ve been watching the cannabis projects as they come before the Planning Commission and no matter what the Planning Commission does, it always gets appealed to the board,”

Supervisor Lori Parlin said. “There’s been very few that haven’t been appealed and the heart of most of it tends to be the exemption in there to reduce the setbacks.”

It’s causing a lack of clarity for all parties, with residents counting on the 800-foot setbacks, she said.

Peters clariﬁed there are three setback requirements — 300 feet for riparian areas, 800 feet to the property line and 1,500 feet from schools, school bus stops and churches. In addition, exemptions currently apply to not only outdoor cultivation, but also indoor and retailers.

Parlin asked if they can di erentiate between the categories before the board makes decisions regarding the exemption for setbacks.

The event is significant for both Lake Tahoe and the community. The lake benefits from the monitoring, which tracks changes in the health of Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River watershed, o ering insight into drought and wildfire impacts. For the community, Snapshot Day o ers a

Rezone request

The meeting also included a request by property owner Curt Dickson for a General Plan amendment and rezone from multi-unit to single family home for two parcels within the town of El Dorado.

“This is a unique situation — downtown El Dorado Historic District, right behind Poor Red’s, 8-foot wide roadways with no room for curb, gutters or sidewalks,” Veerkamp said.

El Dorado County Director of Transportation Rafael Martinez had looked at it and the infrastructure for multi-unit facilities would be “very di cult,” Veerkamp added.

In addition, he said, there is high tra c in the area during peak hours, the area is subject to extreme ﬂooding, Caltrans has identiﬁed pinch points on evacuation routes including Pleasant Valley Road-Highway 49 and the state is planning three other multi-unit projects there, of which two are already being built.

“This property owner has no ability to do anything with the property. If we re-analyzed it, rezoned it to R1-A, which is consistent with what’s around it, we would have a possibility for a couple single family homes in there and generate some revenue,” Veerkamp said.

Turnboo reiterated the streets there are narrow, like in the “horse and buggy days.”

Parlin, who was once part of a community group that opposed the zoning to begin with, said, “To ﬁx two parcels when it’s a bigger issue is a problem for me.”

Veerkamp agreed mistakes had been made by the past board, but added, “I think we’ve got ﬁve reasons here, major reasons, that we should rezone … and have the ability for single family residences … rather than just leave it vacant.”

Parlin asked if other parcels in that location are also not developed. They are the only two undeveloped, Garner answered.

“A lot of people may be unhappy with what their property is zoned, but there’s got to be some unique, special circumstance to give us that reason to look at making changes,” Garner said.

unique opportunity to connect with the environment through hands-on and scientiﬁc ﬁeldwork. A sponsorship from Lime made a lunch and ra e possible for participants. The South Tahoe Public Utility District and the Lahontan Water Board donated lab analysis.

communication; developing a process manual for planning review of building and grading permits; creating an alert system for ADUs to ensure applications are reviewed; and employing full-time sta at the Tahoe Permit Center which has caught up with a backlog of permit applications. In long-range planning: both interim community and objective design standards for commercial, multi-family and mixed use projects were ﬁnalized and adopted; and 2024 Housing Element and General Plan annual progress reports were completed.

Moving forward with long-range planning will include a Tahoe El Dorado area plan.

“Most of the work will be focused on drafting the land use and a ordable housing strategy,” Peters said.

In general, going into this ﬁscal year and the following year, Peters said long range planning will continue to bring projects to delivery and look at the General Plan with a focus on transportation and housing.

“This has previously been and is expected to be an all hands on deck e ort within the planning division,” Peters said.

As far as key priorities for ﬁscal year 2025-26, Peters shared, “An overarching goal is to continue to enhance and improve our customer service delivery with the goal of providing excellent customer service to applicants a ected agencies and members of the public who are all our customers, and to provide for the public throughout our planning processes and we are working diligently to do so.”

A motion was made by Parlin, seconded by Veerkamp, to receive and file a presentation on both divisions’ accomplishments in fiscal year 202425 and key priorities for fiscal year 2025-26.

The board provided the following direction to sta :

• Return to the board to review the county’s ADU Ordinance for use of ADUs as short-term rentals on the west slope;

The board also discussed walking and bike trails at Pine Hill Preserve, and supervisors agreed they need an update.

Planning overview

Peters’ Planning Division update included information on the work the division does such as: developing, implementing and maintaining the county’s General Plan and zoning and subdivision ordinances; processing applications and permits; environmental compliance; building and grading plan reviews; general land use reviews; and responding to public inquiries.

Planning and Building consists of the planning divisions on the west slope and in Tahoe. The West Slope Planning Division is broken up into four units: the current planning and permit center; current and discretionary planning; commercial cannabis; and long range planning.

“There are a total of 21 full-time sta and two ‘extra help’ sta that conduct planning related work on the west slope and a total of three fulltime sta that conduct work within the Tahoe basin,” Peters said.

• Return to the board with a resolution of intention to review removal of options for setback exemptions in the cannabis ordinance;

• Return to the board with a resolution of intention to review parcels in El Dorado for rezone; and

• Provide an update on Pine Hill Preserve properties and ancillary items.

All supervisors voted yes, including Turnboo, Veerkamp, Parlin, Brooke Laine and Greg Ferrero.

In public comment, county resident Lee Tannenbaum objected to the county replacing the “historic” longrange planning matrix, an item that in the past has enabled “focus discussion by the board and full participation from the public.”

“Let me be clear, this is not a procedural mistake, this is an intentional e ort to avoid public scrutiny,” Tannenbaum said.

Resident Sue Taylor objected to how the board keeps making changes to the General Plan.

“My frustration is they focus more on complying with the state than our General Plan,” Taylor said.

Garner said the Planning Division has monthly and quarterly reports that they put online. Also, the agenda had been formatted a little di erently, which may have made it more di cult to ﬁnd speciﬁc items.

The west slope and Tahoe basin each have one position currently vacant and frozen for this ﬁscal year, for senior development technology and senior planner positions, respectively. Additionally, one senior planner and one associate planner positions are vacant on the west slope.

Major accomplishments for ﬁscal year 2024-25 include, among others: implementing a peer review process for sta reports and other planning documents; developing a standard naming of tasks to assist customer

Peters said in addition to an annual report, the Planning Division is striving for more updates on projects throughout the year.

“That’s a key priority for us, as identiﬁed in the slides,” Peters said.

The full Planning Division update presentation can be viewed at eldoradocounty.legistar.com.

CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK …

Motorcycle event comes to Goldnote OHV Area

News release

May 17 & 18, the Goldnote

O Highway Vehicle Site on the Eldorado National Forest will experience unusually high vehicle and visitor congestion due to a motorcycle riding event.

Each day, up to 250 motorcycle riders will be participating in the Polka Dots Motorcycle club’s annual 49er Family and Championship. Beginning in 1960, this event is one of the longest continuously running amateur motorcycle events in the nation.

During the event, camping at the west end main staging area will be near capacity through the weekend. Anyone planning OHV recreation that weekend is encourages to consider alternatives like Rock Creek OHV area in Georgetown, Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova and Mammoth Bar OHV Area in Auburn.

Those who do use the Goldnote

trails that weekend are asked to ride in the direction of the course markings to avoid encountering a large number of riders coming from the other direction. Use caution on Forest Road 8N55 as the trails cross this road in several places. Please keep in mind that Forest Road 8N55, which runs through the major portion of the OHV area, is designated for street legal vehicles only. Side by side and UTV use on this road is prohibited at all times and is especially dangerous this weekend due to the numerous OHV crossings.

For more information contact the Polka Dots Motorcycle club at (916) 538-1550 and on Facebook or the Amador District Ranger Station (209) 259-3774. To stay updated on forest related information visitors should follow the Eldorado National Forest on X at twitter.com/ eldoradonf and “Like” on Facebook at facebook.com/EldoradoNF.

Sales tax report available online

El Dorado County AuditorController’s Oﬃce News release

El Dorado County AuditorController Joe Harn posted the El Dorado County Sales Tax update to the county’s website last week. The report covers the quarter ending December 2024 and indicates that the county’s cash basis sales tax revenues decreased by 4.1% compared to the comparable time period in 2023.

“The county lost approximately 9% of its sales tax revenue because of signiﬁcant retroactive adjustments that have again hurt us,” Harn said. “For the three last quarters our sales tax revenue has decreased because rural counties continue to be hammered by retroactive changes in the apportionment method for online shopping.”

Revenues from online sales continued to drop steadily because one of the world’s leading online

Road work Continued from A1

will occur in the summer of 2026.

The previously approved 2022-23 ﬁscal year Sheridan Street repaving project will be included in the phase two repaving next year.

These capital improvement projects are funded through a mix of Measures H and L funds. The city received three bids for phase one of the project.

“Sta is recommending approval of a construction contract with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, C.E. Cox general engineering,” Savage said. “I’d like to add that the bid was under the engineer’s estimate, which is always our goal.”

The request was for budget appropriations of $700,000 for the

COMICS

■ SHOE by Jeﬀ MacNelly

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

retailers began changing the method it uses to apportion tax revenues to California local governments, according to the auditor. Prior to Oct. 1, 2020, the retailer apportioned tax revenues to the county that goods were delivered to. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, this online seller changed its method for apportioning sales tax collections, shifting the tax revenue to the jurisdiction where the shipping warehouse is located.

“The long-term adverse trend in sales tax revenue is creating a major problem for the Board of Supervisors as they work towards adopting a balanced budget,” Harn said.

“Supervisors will be forced to make several tough choices that will not be popular with the public or the county sta .”

The report can be found at eldoradocounty.ca.gov/CountyGovernment/County-Departments/ Auditor-Controller/Sales-TaxQuarterly-Reports.

Thompson Way project and $275,000 for the Sherman Street project.

“All of which come with the recommendation and support of the Measures H and L Sales Tax Committee,” Savage added. “If these items are approved we plan to hit the ground running this summer.”

“There are sections where you wonder: ‘is this a street or a four wheel drive?’” Placerville resident and Measure H and L committee member Sue Rodman commented.

“It’s supposed to be a street, so let’s get it in shape.”

The council approved the projects 4-0 with Councilmember David Yarbrough absent.

ARIES

TAURUS (April

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Gossip isn’t always

in nastiness. Often it’s an attempt to bond with others over a

frustration. Still, there are better ways to

than in

judgment. Lean into your loyalty and you’ll

others. And if the conversation is

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You misjudged a situation, or someone’s feedback shook you. Now you want to take your time and really learn the situation. You’ve matured emotionally and intellectually, and you’re in a phase where discernment matters more than reaction.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Glamorous

Photo courtesy of CHP – South Lake Tahoe

PROSPECTING

Section B n mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

May 16

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents “How to Get More Out of Art and Life!” by Deborah PondHindle, 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. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc. org. The Stage at Burke Junction presents Friday Night Comedy with Dejan Tyler, Cookie Williams, and Dorian Foster at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

May 17

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host the Youth Fishing Derby; Derby 1: 8-9:30 a.m.; Derby 2: 10:1511:45 a.m. Registration is required for this free event. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

Placerville Arts Association will host the Used Arts Supply Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5500 Silver Lode Drive, Placerville. For more information visit placervillearts.com.

Pleasant Valley Grange will host a Craft and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4765 Pleasant Valley Grange Road, Placerville. Vendors wanted, call (530) 644-1602 for information.

American River Conservancy invites the community to visit Wakamatsu Farm for its free and family-friendly Open Farm Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join All About Equine Animal

See a scratch blend into harmonious art

News release

Master scratchboard artist Linda Heath Clark will demonstrate her unique full color scratchboard technique at Placerville Art Gallery during the Third Saturday Art Walk on May 17.

To create her art, Heath Clark uses a unique full color variation on the subtractive black and white scratchboard techniques she learned working as a scientific illustrator for 16 years. Her work as an illustrator included detailed animal, insect and plant illustrations printed in environmental and agricultural publications, scientific journals and the Smithsonian Magazine. She began perfecting her full color scratchboard technique as a wildlife artist in the 1990s.

Using a white clay board surface, her process begins with laying down colors to approximate those of the subject using high flow acrylics which are formulated to an ink-like consistency. She then begins the selective removal of the dried acrylic by scratching through to the white clay below using knives, scalpels, tattoo needles, fiberglass brushes and steel wool. She achieves the final three-dimensional effect by alternating painting layers of acrylic washes with scratching. Scratching creates highlights, textures and details; washes of acrylic tint the scratches suggesting contours and shadows. Scratches are fully visible when viewed up close, yet from a distance the art blends into a harmonious whole.

Her color scratchboard work has appeared in numerous special editions of Artists Magazine, including the

Artist shares lessons

Sylvia Coleman Placerville Arts Association

The Placerville Arts Association May 19 meeting at the Placerville Senior Center will feature a presentation from artist Matt Harline. The meeting will be from 2:30-4:30 p.m. with the presentation at around 3:30 p.m. Following the presentation there will be a short time to meet and greet other artists and partake of yummies. This will be followed by a time for new members to introduce themselves and share their art with the group. It’s always exciting to welcome new members as they always bring fresh energy to the group.

Organizing an art exhibit is not an easy task, even for a committee. So what does it take to put on an art exhibit when you are the artist? Harline will share his recent experience with creating a solo show at the Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova — a mix of circumstances that have created purpose in his life.

Harline will go through what it took to create his two photo-books as well, sharing highlights, challenges and some do’s and don’ts in organizing and curating an art exhibit and in self-publishing his books.

Back to the circumstances that created purpose in Harline’s life. He has always been an artist, but when he was considering studying art in college, he was urged to study something he could use to make a living. He was told, “You can always create art as a hobby.” So, Harline took a 41-year detour as an electrical engineer and worked on computer design for a major computer company.

During this time, he made every effort to draw and paint when he could and took classes from various places, but who has time for hobbies with a family, a job and other life activities? Doodling during boring meetings doesn’t count as art, does it? In 2016, Hairline’s engineering career ended when he collided with a pickup truck while riding a bicycle. A brain injury made it impossible to continue being an engineer, so he turned to his first love of creating art.

Since then, Harline has been drawing and painting. After losing his Butte County

five latest annual editions of AcrylicWorks: The Best of Acrylic, which includes the upcoming Fall 2025 issue. In 2023, she was one of 10 winners of Artists Magazine’s Over 60 competition, March/ April 2023 issue. She was also one of 30 international artists selected for a billboard display in The Billboard Creative’s We the People 2023 Show. Her billboard, “Night Lights,” was on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood.

The event will take place at Placerville Art Gallery, 352 Main St. on Saturday, May 17 from 5-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Heath Clark was awarded Master Scratchboard Artist status by the International Society of Scratchboard

Artists in 2016 and became a signature member of American Women Artists in 2023. She has won multiple awards at local, regional, national and

international shows. Her originals and prints can be regularly seen at the Placerville Art Gallery and on her website lindaheathclark.com.

“Autumn Eve” by Linda Heath Clark

“Still Water” by Linda Heath Clark

Four young artists celebrated, four bright lights honored

Jordan Hyatt-Miller

Arts and Culture El Dorado

Four outstanding high school seniors received the 2025 Young Artist Awards at a reception at Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Switchboard Gallery at 525 Main St. in Placerville.

The event, held on Thursday, April 24, also honored the memory of four bright lights in the El Dorado County community who greatly supported the arts. Their lives represent the talent, thoughtfulness, generosity and commitment to the community that makes El Dorado County a special place to live. The Young Artist Awards were presented in four categories: the Richard H. Bush Award for Music; the Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art; the Lanny Langston Award for Theater; and the Jane Van Camp Award for NatureInspired Art. Awardees received a $500 honorarium.

“The Young Artist Awards reception is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Terry LeMoncheck, executive director of Arts and Culture El Dorado. “Bringing the talented students together to recognize their outstanding achievements in the company of their families, the educators who nominated them and the families for whom the awards are named, is truly special. These exceptional young people are some of the best and brightest in El Dorado County, and we

couldn’t be more proud of them.”

MEET

received the 2025 Richard H. Bush Award for Music. Zak, nominated by

Dr. Randy Davey, D.D.S.

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Nathan Tilley, is a member of Oak Ridge High School’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Percussion and Marching Band. Zak plans to pursue a career in music education.

“Sydney is highly proficient, responsible, kind, talented and motivated,” said Tilley. “She is a musician with fierce determination and drive, and I am so excited to see what she will accomplish.”

Ponderosa High School senior Gabriella Bencomo, selected by Dan Cattone, received the 2025 Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art. Bencomo, nominated by Jennifer Schrock, is a talented artist in a variety of mediums, including pencil drawing, colored pencil, graphite, collage and gouache. Applying herself with “outstanding dedication” to her craft, Bencomo “uses her art as a powerful tool for storytelling, evoking thought and emotion in her audience,” said Schrock.

El Dorado High School senior Carlie Rumsey received the 2025 Lanny Langston Award for Theater. Rumsey, nominated by Paul Tomei, is a leader at her school, at Imagination Theater, at the Crocker House and in the El Dorado County

community. Rumsey, who plans to pursue a career in theater, “never ceases to impress with her amazing singing voice and ability to make detailed and wellthought-out character choices,” said Tomei. “She is insightful, has amazing instincts and is just a powerhouse on the stage.”

El Dorado High School junior Sofia Rodriguez received the 2025 Jane Van Camp Award for Natureinspired Art. Rodriguez, nominated by Krista Potter, is a gifted visual artist and a standout

he El Dorado Hills Library announces Austen-tatious, a new book club for teens 16 and older and adults to celebrate the works of Jane Austen. The first meeting will take place 3:30-4:50 p.m. on Monday, May 19, in the EDH Library Community Room. Meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month from this May through April 2026. Austen-tatious will begin with “Sense & Sensibility,” Austen’s first published novel. Discussions will

student in the Natural Resources Program.

“Sofia is incredibly generous with her artistic ability and our school is more beautiful and informed due to her contributions,” said Potter. “Sofia’s art and her actions bring light to our community.”

An annual program, the Young Artist Awards will continue to celebrate the great promise of younger generations and honor the lives and legacies of those bright lights who came before them. For more visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

alternate between analyzing a novel one month, followed by a film or TV adaptation the next month. Spoiler Alert: Mr. Darcy does not appear in a wet shirt in Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice.” Local resident and Janeite, Claire Purtich, will facilitate the discussions. Join the group for a fun and engaging discussion of these amazing novels and their film adaptations. Registration is open. Walk-ins are also welcome. To view the full schedule and register visit tinyurl. com/Austentatious.

Oak Ridge High School senior Sydney Zak, selected by Paul,

Maggie and Leslie Bush,

Courtesy photos

Above, Sydney Zak, Sofia Rodriguez, Gabriella Bencomo and Carlie Rumsey, left to right, were honored by Arts and Culture El Dorado at its annual Young Artists Awards. Krista Potter, below, presented the Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-inspired Art. Paul Tomei, presented the Lanny Langston Award for Theater.

Joy blooms at the Gardens of the Hills event

The Assistance League Sierra Foothills Gardens of the Hills tour is set for the first weekend in June and while the gardens are the stars, there is so much more to this event.

Each ticket will grant entry to six private gardens plus a special garden this year — the Brooks Bears School Garden. Visit them all on one day or spread visits over both Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8.

At the Brooks Bears Garden, elementary school students have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of what it takes to grow and maintain a vegetable garden. Including this garden aligns with Assistance League Sierra

in the Camp Fire in 2018, he found the perfect place to paint — Placerville. He has dabbled in a lot of areas, mostly watercolor paintings and ink drawings or a mix of the two. He created a series of paintings of children with rare disorders. He has also created a significant body of work sharing his experience with a brain injury. More recently, he has been focusing on creating portraits of trees.

Harline has been a member of PAA since 2021 and has participated in a number of PAA shows, as well as the annual artists’ studio tour. He teaches a once a month Journaling with Pen and Watercolor class for Images of Hope. He had his first solo art show as a spotlight artist at the MACC in March of 2025. He has authored two books, one on his experience with radiation treatments following the removal of a benign brain tumor in 2022, and the other a collection of art, poetry and short stories that were included in his artist spotlight exhibit, “Brain Reconnected,” from March 13-22 at the MACC.

The public is invited to this presentation. To learn more about Harline visit huesoftheworld.com.

For more information about Placerville Arts Association visit placervillearts.com.

Foothills’ vision to enhance the lives of youth through community programs. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet some of the young gardeners and will be impressed with their new-found passion for gardening and sharing the bounty of their garden with the community. Those who visit this garden will be given two free tickets for the Gardens of the Hills raffle and enjoy lemonade enhanced with garden herbs grown by the students.

Stop in the gardens and listen to music, listen to a mini-seminar, talk with a UC Davis master gardener and watch local artists paint. Additionally, purchase lunch, shave ice, homemade toffee or frozen yogurt. Find Nutmeg the squirrel in each garden and be entered in a drawing for a special prize.

There are two new additions to the tour this year. Enjoy a 15-minute neck and shoulder massage in a quiet casita in one of the gardens. And select a free, previously-loved book from the Second Blooms Library.

Purchase tickets online at assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills, from ALSF members or at the El Dorado Hills California Welcome Center.

Gardens of the Hills is a fundraiser for ALSF, which sponsors several philanthropic programs that benefit El Dorado County residents. Two signature programs, Operation School Bell and Sports Locker, help homeless and disadvantaged children with new school clothes and the opportunity to play organized youth sports. Other

programs aid youth with reading skills, seniors with social interactions, young adults with college tuition scholarships and children relocated because of abuse or neglect with duffel bags to carry their belongings.

Artist Continued from B1

“Peering Skyward” by Matt Harline

“Brain Reconnected” by Matt Harline

Courtesy photo

Matt Harline’s solo show came with a lot of lessons. News release

Courtesy photo

Beautiful gardens are once again on display at the Gardens of the Hills Tour, June 7 & 8.

Essay Contest winners honored

The Democratic Party of El Dorado County honored winners of the 19th annual Fred Winn Essay Contest at a luncheon at the El Dorado County Office of Education in April. Before lunch was served each of them read excerpts of their winning essays to an expectant crowd.

The question posed to the essay writers was about mental health and the role that social media plays:

“‘The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor.’ Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States.

In addition to your own experience and personal observations, cite and discuss evidence to support or negate his contention that social media is an important contributor to the mental health crisis.”

Three winners and an honorable mention were recognized. First place went to Oak Ridge High School senior Alexandria Remily who was awarded $1,500. Junior Parker Berry from Ponderosa High School took the second place slot and a check for $750. For the third place position Lauren Spiess a senior at Ponderosa High School took the honor and a check for $500. Madison Hall of Union Mine High School secured an honorable mention for her essay including a check for $100. Read on for the honorable mention essay.

Social media dilemma: a rising

crisis

Honorable mention

Madison Hall

Senior, Union Mine High School

If only social media could rot our teeth out. In our modern society, social media has become a powerful addiction. Other addictions such as drugs and alcohol have side effects you can see, such as rotting teeth, black lungs, fatty liver, psychosis; things no one wants to be cursed with. Things that health teachers will use to scare teenagers into staying away from these harmful substances. These horrifying side effects are a major reason why many students avoid partaking in these substances. Being addicted to social media isn’t something you can touch, however. Social media is not tangible, therefore it is a seemingly imaginary danger. No teenager recognizes that social media is dangerous, even though the side effects are arguably just as detrimental to your health.

The utmost danger social media presents is the danger of conformity. Almost every teenager wants to fit in, and yet simultaneously, every teenager wants to be a trend setter. These juxtaposing ideas share a similar goal, every teen wants to be accepted and socially acknowledged. Social media is the catalyst that allows for teenagers to spread their ideas to the world; whether good or bad. Teenagers

use trends to romanticize styles, personalities and actions as desirable using the internet. Unfortunately, I fell victim to the mental illness romanticism trend.

Living as the first generation to grow up using social media has illuminated unique challenges for teens. Specifically for me, I fell victim to envying something deadly. The combined stress of the COVID pandemic, emotional neglect from my parents, their separation, struggles with low self-esteem and the pressure of not fitting in all culminated in me taking drastic actions in an attempt to feel that sense of belonging. I listened to trending songs about suicide, attempted self harm and felt a disgusting sense of pride for fitting in, and most drastic of all, swallowing 74 pills one night. I was quite literally dying to fit in. Seeing other teenagers my age talking about their struggles made me feel left out. I wasn’t suffering enough according to social media; I had no concrete, postable proof that I related to them. Almost everyone my age on social media survived some sort of traumatic event in their life that connected them together; seemingly everyone except me. And so, I engineered opportunities to suffer so that I too could connect.

Blinded by the desire of conformity I was weak in my judgement. Luckily, the gravity of swallowing 74 pills hit me instantly. After a moment of shock, I gathered the strength to call out for my mom who contacted emergency services. I blinked away stomach pain waiting for them to arrive and began confessing to my mother the motivations and full extent of my actions. Seemingly a million questions later, I was admitted to the the suicide wing of the emergency room. I overheard nurses whispering about how young I was, how I was wasting a perfectly good life, and complaining about having to count how many pills I took. Fidgeting with my nails, I quickly answered a psychiatrist’s questions; she mistook my fear and inattentiveness for risk and declared that I must be a danger to myself and others. The very next morning, I was en route to Santa Rosa Behavioral Health Hospital for a 72 hour psychiatric stay.

The first thing I noticed when arriving was the pain in my feet from being strapped to a stretcher for six hours. The second thing I noticed was my teenage roommate being pinned and sedated. During my mandated 3 day stay, I listened to others discuss how they developed their self-harming plans after being inspired by YouTube or Instagram. The hashtag #NoPainNoGain and #ProAna (short for anorexia) were frequently and casually brought up in conversation, as if these terms gave us permission, even encouragement, to harm our bodies for “likes” and “follows.” The addiction of subconsciously obeying social media trends led me to the scariest and most impactful experience of my life.

Lying awake in the mental hospital, I knew subconsciously that I did not belong here; I did

not truly want to end my life. I just wanted to feel included, and I silently wondered how many other patients felt this way. How many of them had also been brainwashed to idealize self-harm as a presentation of their relatable hardships? And to relate with whom? We didn’t actually know those people we followed — they were strangers. How could I have swallowed 74 pills on the advice of numerous strangers who didn’t care about me at all. It feels disgusting to admit, but allowing myself to attempt suicide instilled a sense of achievement of everything I had observed online.

Social media had a powerful hold on me and ultimately led me to disregard my own life. I was so caught up in the mental illness presentation online that I didn’t take a moment to think critically about my attention-seeking actions. The subtle pressure to follow social media blinded me to the reality of the situation, and I failed to consider the consequences. Now, I understand how deeply social media can influence our decisions, and I regret letting it cloud my judgment. As Vivek Murthy states, “The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor.” Experiencing the social media crisis first hand opened my eyes to how unaware I was of its impact. I was just a pre-teen trying to be accepted.

I genuinely hope that young people, now, begin to understand the serious consequences of social media, so we’re less likely to fall victim to its addictive nature. Speaking from my thirteen-yearold self, I honestly wish social media would rot our teeth, just so we could see how it gradually eats away at us: our self-esteem, our perception of reality, our behaviors. Using my experience as a call to action, I hope others recognize the addictive nature of social media before it’s too late.

Conscious reggae vibes come to Lake Tahoe

News release

Late-Nite Productions & One Vision Entertainment present the cool conscious reggae vibes of Matisyahu live in concert Saturday May 24 at 8 p.m. at Bally’s Lake Tahoe Showroom. Electric Kif from Florida will open the show.

Creativity is like a fire in a fireplace — you have to tend it or it will go out. For nearly two decades, Matisyahu has kept his creative spirit aflame by evolving his sound, melding genres and testing the limits of the musical traditions that have inspired him. His latest release, “Hold The Fire,” and its leadoff single “Fireproof” takes inspiration from a fire dream inspired by Matisyahu’s Old Testament religion, which has meant so much to his spiritual and creative life since his recording career began in 2004 and his breakout track “King Without a Crown” blasted into the Billboard

charts in 2005. In a roundabout way, those same Old Testament roots springboarded Matisyahu’s music career. Growing up outside New York City, the young Matthew Miller followed jam bands like Phish and the Grateful Dead. Then, in Bob Marley and reggae, he found that the messaging of Rastafarianism was sourced in part from that same Old Testament. The sound that emerged on his first albums — including his first two studio releases as well as 2005’s gold-certified “Live at Stubb’s” — embraced both the spirit of reggae and his spirituality and roots in Judaism. Buoyed by hits like “King Without a Crown,” albums like the Grammy-nominated and Billboard No. 1-ranked “Youth” in 2006, and the Goldcertified 2009 antiwar hit “One Day” (streamed over 150 million times on Spotify alone), he toured extensively through the second

half of the aughts with a high-energy stage show that has since grown to include more improvisation. All the while his music expanded into a

shapeshifting collision of reggae, hip-hop, alt rock and boldly inventive pop. Today, he continues to be inspired by evolving musical trends, finding linkages and loops between eras and genres.

Matisyahu’s spirituality has evolved in parallel with his music, though his Jewish heritage remains a central theme throughout his life and music. The new EP, “Hold The Fire” also finds him reflecting on celebrity and artistic success. For Matisyahu, “the unbelievable and miraculous feeling of being connected to our people” is what keeps the creative fire alight. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt Madison Hall a senior from Union Mine High School earned an honorable mention in the Fred Winn Essay Contest.

Courtesy photo

Matisyahu will bring his unique blend of reggae, hip-hop, alt rock and pop to Tahoe May 24.

Rescue for its 12th annual Boots and Bling at 4 p.m. including barbecue dinner, live, silent and virtual auctions, entertainment and a no-host bar. Boots and Bling raises funds to support AAE’s horses and operations. For more information visit allaboutequine.org/events.

Join the El Dorado Roses for the El Dorado Rose Ball with Master of Ceremonies Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil at the American Legion Post 119 in Placerville at 5:30 p.m. For more information call (530) 409-2094.

A collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense, the Blue Star Museums program provides free admission to all active-duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and up to 5 family members beginning Saturday, May 17, Armed Forces Day, through Sunday, Sept. 1 at the California Museum. Learn more or purchase tickets at californiamuseum.org/bluestarmuseums.

Join Team Able for the Insightful Vision Event from 12:30-4 p.m. at El Dorado Community Church, 4701 Church St. in El Dorado. Voices of California presents Singin’ and Swingin’ at 3 p.m. at Rosemont High School in Sacramento. Visit voicesofcalifornia.org for more information.

Symphony d’Oro in Rancho Cordova presents Beethoven’s Best at 4 p.m. For tickets or more information visit symphonydoro.org.

Lydia Pence and Cold Blood 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.

The Grass Valley Center for the Arts presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts. org.

Enjoy an Italian Family-Style Dinner at the beautiful Murer House gardens from 5-7 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Bambini Dancers will be performing. Call (916) 413-9231 or email infomurerhouse@ gmail.com for reservations.

May 18

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. at Oak Knoll Park in El Dorado Hills. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

Shadow Ranch Vineyards in Fairplay presents Michael Rock from 1-4 p.m. For more information visit shadowranch.com.

Folsom Concert Association presents So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience Starring Robert Neary at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

The Sacramento Guitar Society presents the Spring Orchestra Concert at 3 p.m. at the Clara Auditorium in Sacramento. For more information visit sacguitarsociety.org.

May 21

In celebration of Older Americans Month attend a screening of the documentary “What’s Next?” at the Cameron Park Community Center at 1 p.m. Admission and refreshments are free.

The Camino Fire Safe Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Cal Fire Mt. Danaher station conference room, 2840 Mt. Danaher Road in Camino. Learn what a fire safe council does and residents can pick up a copy of the area’s FireWise certificate.

May 22

The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will host a Business Luncheon with guest speaker,El Dorado County Assessor Jon De Ville at Koto Buffet at Rad Hawk Casino. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host a Chamber Mixer at Camp Nauvoo with appetizers, s’mores around the campfire, no host bar and raffles from 5:30-7;30 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.

May 24

Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Placerville will host The Pleasant Valley Boys live in concert at 4 p.m. For reservations call (530) 3914588. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The California Museum will host its 18th annual California Hall of Fame Exhibition. Explore the lives and legacies of the 18th class of California Hall of Fame in an all-new artifact exhibit featuring photos and memorabilia on loan from inductees’ personal collections. Inductees include Julia Child, Vicki Manalo Draves, Ina Donna Coolbrith, Tina Turner, Mitsuye Endo, Dian Fossey, Alice Piper and more. For more information, visit californiamuseum.org/california-hall-of-fame/18thclass/.

Mason Entertainment presents, “You Should Be Dancing: A Tribute to the Bee Gees” at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “A Tribute to the Music of Patsy Cline” starring Joni Morris at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Join Save the Graves in placing flags on veterans’ graves in Placerville Union Cemetery on Bee Street from 9 a.m. to noon.

May 25

Join Placerville’s Episcopal Church of Our Saviour for a Rogation Day service at the Emmanuel Church in Coloma at 10 a.m. Rev. Deborah Sabino will employ the historical prayer book and liturgy that Rev. Caleb Peirce followed in the 19th century. All are welcome. Shadow Ranch Vineyards in Fairplay presents The TriTones from 1-4 p.m. For more information visit shadowranch.com.

The Grass Valley Center for the Arts presents Ronstadt Revolution at 3 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

Rhythm Section Entertainment presents Big Mike Hart Modern Classic Tour at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

May 29

Paramount Entertainment presents the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

May 30

Broadway At Music Circus presents “Million Dollar Quartet” at 7:30 p.m. and running through June 5 at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

Entertainment Events presents “Girls Night! The Musical” at 8

p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

May 31

Join Save the Graves for headstone cleaning at Placerville Union Cemetery on Bee Street from 9 a.m. to noon. Training provided. The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents Celebrating a Decade: Mahler’s “Titan” at 7:30 pm at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

Join the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association for the Carmichael Park Community Band Festival starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. For more information visit svsba.net. Join the American Indian Education program and Marysville Joint Unified School District for the 43rd annual Yuba-Sutter Pow Wow at Yuba College, Marysville campus. The event is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information email pbennett@mjusd.k12.ca.us or call (530) 749-6196.

Welcome home, Alvin! Goose home after great adventure

Kathy Hart HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary

In October 2024 HartSong Ranch agreed to take in a homeless goose named Alvin from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn. Released in the front yard, Alvin spent the morning nibbling grass, enjoying his swimming pool and exploring his new home. By the 4 p.m. feeding time Alvin had disappeared.

Two months passed without any sighting of Alvin. Subsequently, a local real estate agent, while inspecting a listing for a substantial plot of land approximately two miles from HartSong’s property, observed what she believed to be a solitary white goose on a recently cleared section of the listing. Fortunately, she took the initiative to post a picture of this lone goose, although she did not disclose the specific location of the sighting. The only information available was that the goose was

spotted on a property off Syd Road, which borders the sanctuary property.

Thus, the search for Alvin resumed. At that time, five parcels of land were listed for sale in the vicinity. Thorough inspections were conducted on each parcel, yet no sign of Alvin was found.

Approximately a week later, HartSong’s team was tasked with delivering a flatbed full of compost to a neighbor residing at the end of Syd Road, about two miles from HartSong’s property as the crow flies. While passing by the large parcel of land, the driver noticed what appeared to be a’white object alone in a recently cleared part of the parcel. However, as he approached, the object quickly retreated into the foliage. Could it be possible, after all these months, that this distant white blur was Alvin?

Reinforcements were called. This mission required a coordinated effort, so Hartsong enlisted the assistance of Angela Pesola from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue to aid in the search. A few days later, Jim Hart, Kathy Hart and Angela traveled to the parcel. Despite extensive searching in the cleared area, no goose was found. Jim, however, recalled that this property featured a large artificial hole that occasionally fills with water during the rainy season. They stopped and Jim ventured

through the massive blackberry bramble to investigate further. Indeed, he spotted a small white object in the distance, approximately 20 feet up the hill from the water’s edge. It was Alvin.

Reaching him proved challenging due to the steep terrain and surrounding blackberry bushes near the water-filled hole. As Angela and Jim approached, the concern was that Alvin might flee, but he remained stationary. It is likely that his prolonged isolation in the wilderness had weakened him to the point of resignation and acceptance of his fate.

Today, Alvin is happily enjoying his life as a sanctuary member of HartSong’s feathered family. Happily, he has made friends with the other four rescued geese that share his space. His days are

Courtesy photo

Angela Pesola cradles Alvin after his rescue with Jim Hart following behind.

Sierra Master Chorale takes a journey of light and hope

Sydney Joyce News release

GRASS VALLEY — The Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra, under the baton of musical director and conductor Alison Skinner, presents two powerfully moving performances on Sunday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Through “A Musical Journey of Light and Hope,” Skinner brings together themes of resilience, transcendence and connection, celebrating the human spirit through an emotionally rich collection of choral works.

The concert program features music by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Rutter, Lauridsen, Hagenberg, Hasse and Ola Gjeilo, along with a moving choral arrangement of “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked” and “Over the Rainbow” from the “Wizard of Oz.”

“This will be one of those concerts where you sit back, close your eyes or gaze out at the trees swaying in the breeze, and allow yourself to be swept away by the lush and sweeping melodies from 60 voices singing as one,” said InConcert Sierra

Know Continued from B5

Starbright Entertainment presents Creedence Revelation Featuring Randy Linder Songs of Creedence Clearwater Revival at 8 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Now

Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons welcome all watermedia artists over age 18 to enter its annual open exhibition “Go With the Flow 2025.” Submissions accepted through June 21 at 5 p.m. For more information visit sacramentowatercolor.org.

Studio 81 at El Dorado High School presents “Hadestown” through May 17. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.

El Dorado Musical Theatre Presents “Legally Blonde” at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom through May 17. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

The City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents “She Kills Monsters” through May 18. For more information visit citytheatre.net.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Nosotros la Gente (We the People)” at The Sofia in Sacramento through May 18. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents Collective Concerns: Collage and Assemblage” on view through May 24. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

Imagination Theatre at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “The Importance of Being Earnest” through May 25. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “The First Adventures of the Hardy Boys” through May 25 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Stage at Burke Junction presents “Waiting for Godot” through June 1. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Goose Continued from B6

now spent splashing around in the community swimming pool, eating the fresh spring grasses and patrolling the front yard. Every night Alvin, along with the other geese, are secured in their sheds with a delicious offering of cut up fruit, meal worms, goose crumble and canned corn.

Was it worth the effort to find him? You betcha’ because every life matters.

Welcome home, Alvin!

HartSong Ranch is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization located in Greenwood. One-hundred percent of donations to the ranch go the care of the sanctuary animals, the pups of the UnderDOG Railroad and future rescue efforts. To learn more about HartSong or to donate visit hartsong.org.

Artistic Director Ken Hardin.

Among the program’s highlights is “Splendor” from “Illuminare” by Elaine Hagenberg, inspired by the image of eagles soaring and the luminous text of Saint Ambrose. Mozart’s “Te Deum,” composed when Mozart was only 13 years old, sparkles with youthful clarity. Morten Lauridsen’s “Sure on This Shining Night,” beloved for its lush harmonies, is described by singers as “hopeful” and “kind.”

The program also includes three powerful choruses from Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah,” including “Lift Thine Eyes” and “Be Not Afraid,” and Ola Gjeilo’s cinematic and soul-stirring “Luminous Night of the Soul.”

While preparing for these concerts, the chorale engaged in a full-day workshop that included not only intensive musical rehearsal but also thoughtful exploration of the texts and their emotional impact. Reflections from singers are shared in the program, offering the audience a window into the meaningful journey behind each piece.

“The variety and depth of this spring’s program is beautiful and challenging,” said tenor Mark Grove. “The music stirs my artistic side,”

The Sierra Master Chorale comprises auditioned

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “The Reluctant Dragon” through June 8. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Unseen” through June 8. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

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.

Registration is now open for the 42nd Bob West Drive for Marshall For more information or to register visit marshallfound.org/golf-

AIRPARK OLDIES

Historical Aircraft Display

May 17 & 18

June 21 & 22 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Cameron Airpark Hangars

singers, drawn from across the local and regional community. The ensemble is known for its high musical standards, expressive performances and commitment to artistic excellence.

The choir performs with an orchestra of professional instrumentalists, many of whom also perform in leading orchestras throughout California. They bring depth and nuance to each performance, enabling the chorale to present complex and richly textured repertoire.

The event will take place on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit inconcertsierra. org.

Since its founding in 1946, InConcert Sierra has brought world-class classical music to the Sierra Nevada Region. The Sierra Master Chorale began in 2008 as part of InConcert Sierra’s rich programming. ICS offers outreach programs, educational opportunities, and collaborations to inspire a passion for classical music. ICS is currently constructing the Crown Point Venues, which will include a new acoustic concert hall, conference center, and black box theater.

NOW HIRING ASSEMBLY WORKERS $200 SIGN ON BONUS AFTER 90 DAYS Apply at5480 Merchant Circle, Placerville, CA

WESTERN STATES DISTRIBUTING, INC.

SENIOR IT SYSTEMS ANALYST

(Rancho Cordova, CA) — Maintain, oversee and configure essential IT and cloud infrastructure. Analyze, research and recommend new hardware and software to increase efficiency of computer systems. Manage and perform network administration for core and LAN systems. Provide hardware/ software technical and help desk support. Develop, administer, customize, maintain and program software using SALESFORCE and SAP Business One. Environment: C#, SAP Business One, Salesforce, SQL. Salary: 132,475 to 150,000 per year. Bach. Deg. in Comp. Sytms or related degree (or equiv.) and 5 yrs exp. Mail resumes to: Danielle Lassiter, Office Mgr, 3043 Gold Canal, Ste. 200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

El Dorado County Transportation Commission seeks a qualified professional for transportation planning and project development. Apply by 4:00 PM, June 16, 2025 Details and application: www.edctc.org/employmentopportunities

EDCTC is an equal opportunity employer.

Photo by Valle Visions Photography

While preparing for these concerts, the chorale engaged in a full-day workshop that included intensive musical rehearsal and thoughtful exploration of the texts and their emotional impact.

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Vision Event is the first event where the team will listen and learn from individuals ranging from low vision to being completely blind. The panel of five will answer questions about themselves and their guide dogs. After the panel discussion there will be food and drinks, an art competition, games with the panelists, raffles and blind karaoke.

The event is Saturday, May 17 from 12:30-4 p.m. at El Dorado Community Church, 4701 Church St. in El Dorado. If you cannot make this event, but are interested in Team Able, come say hi to the team at its booth at the El Dorado County Fair. The group also welcomes the public to join it in August for the Addiction Event and in October for the Autism Event. Team Able meets every third Saturday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Community Church. For more information go to teamableinc.com. “Empowering Individuals and Merging Communities.” Learn what it’s like to live without sight

Physician wins accolades

News release

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE –Barton Health is proud to announce Kimberly Evans, Medical Director of Trauma at Barton Health has been named Physician of the Year. Selected through peer nominations, this prestigious award honors Dr. Evans’ dedication to patient care, surgical excellence, and leadership in advancing healthcare services at Barton Health.

“Dr. Evans embodies the highest standards of compassionate, quality care,” said Dr. David Young, Barton Health’s Chief Medical Officer.

“Her leadership, particularly in trauma care, has elevated patient outcomes and strengthened our commitment to the well-being of the Tahoe

community.” A board-certified general surgeon and Trauma Program Medical Director at Barton Health, Dr. Evans has been instrumental in establishing and developing Barton’s Trauma Program. Under her leadership, Barton earned its Level III Trauma Center designation from the American College of Surgeons, ensuring the community has access to life-saving care close to home. Dr. Evans recently celebrated 11 years as Barton’s Trauma Program Medical Director, having grown the program from the ground up.

For more information on Barton Health’s quality and safety accolades, including Barton’s Level III Trauma designation and trauma services, visit BartonHealth.org.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Team Able board member Marquita Vinson, right, presents information about her experience as a blind person and how her guide dog, Wilda, center, changed her life at a Team Able event as board member, Madeleine Jensen, left, looks on. Vinson will be one of the presenters at the Insightful Vision Event Saturday, May 17.