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Cleve Morris with the key to the city in recognition of his 14 years of service to the city. Morris’ retirement began on Oct. 3.

Thanks, Cleve accolades heaped on retiring city manager

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

After 14 years of service the city of Placerville bid farewell to City Manager Cleve Morris during the Sept. 23 City Council meeting.

“This is a little tough,” said Mayor John Clerici at the top of the meeting. “You know why we’re here,” he said, gesturing to the crowd assembled to wish Morris bon voyage.

“I have the world’s longest resolution here,” he said, showing the city’s resolution to Morris, which lists his many accomplishments over the years. Clerici then, after bestowing many thanks to Morris, presented him with the key to the city.

“The perfect person for the job when we needed him,” Clerici concluded.

Councilmember Jacki Neau said she remembered Morris’ ﬁrst day on the job and telling him he had big shoes to ﬁll.

“You have ﬁlled them; you really have,” she said. “I have appreciated your leadership, your kind and calm, yet ﬁrm, demeanor and always leading by example.”

Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg said she appreciated

pedestrian and bicycle use.

MOSQUITO BRIDGE DECK INCHING ALONG

Noel Stack Editor

The two 230-foot-plus-tall supports rising from the American River canyon and towering over the historical Mosquito Bridge are coming together — slowly, very slowly.

Contractors have begun pouring concrete for the new Mosquito Bridge’s deck between the support pillars and for the deck that will connect to the abutments built on each side of Mosquito Road. When completed the new bridge will span 1,180 feet over the top of the gorge at a height of 400 feet above the river.

“It’s probably some of the most technical work we have done,” noted El Dorado County Department of Transportation Senior Civil Engineer Aradhana Kochar of this phase of the project.

Regular inspections, stress tests and engineering reviews, all necessary to

Chris Woodard

A man arrested after California Highway Patrol o cers reportedly found him in possession of more than 80 pounds of methamphetamine on Highway 50 pleaded not guilty to two felony drug charges during his arraignment on Oct 1. CHP o cers arrested Jorge Carillo-Gomez on

Sept. 26 following a tra c stop on eastbound Highway 50 near Ponderosa Road. Prosecutors with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce charged CarilloGomez with possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation as well as sale or importation of methamphetamine. During last Wednesday’s arraignment, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge

Mark Ralphs conﬁrmed bail at $6 million and granted a 1275 bail hold at the request of prosecutor Matthew Gallagher. A 1275 bail hold requires defendants to prove that bail money comes from legitimate sources before being released from custody. “I ﬁnd it important to mention that in 2024, an estimated 80,000 plus overdose deaths occurred in the country. During the

Vietnam War, we lost 58,220 American soldiers. The defendant shows a clear risk to public safety, with no ties to the community,” Ralphs said as he conﬁrmed the hold.

As of Oct. 7, Carillo-Gomez was still listed in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 2 of the El Dorado County Superior Court.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt Placerville Mayor John Clerici presented City Manager

Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack

Construction crews work on platforms built on the new Mosquito Bridge’s supports. The teams have begun pouring concrete for the bridge deck, evenly working on each side of each support to keep things balanced. The cranes are used to deliver materials to the elevated worksites. Below, the new Mosquito Bridge towers over the historical structure, which will be converted to

DON’T MISS

ESSENTIALS

Hwa Cha Choe Crouch

Oct. 22, 1954 – Sept. 20, 2025

Hwa Cha Choe Crouch, 70 years old, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after nearly a year of battling leukemia.

Choe was born in South Korea, where she met her husband, Richard, while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. Choe has been a resident of Placerville for more than 40 years. Choe was an avid gardener. She enjoyed hosting friends at her home and feeding them the Korean food she loved to cook.

Choe is survived by her two daughters, Monica and Pamela, their husbands, Julius and Kevin, and her granddaughters, Autumn, Camila, and JoJo. In lieu of ﬂowers, the family requests that anyone wishing to honor Choe make a donation to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) or donate blood at your nearest blood bank.

William “Bill” G. Walker

July 27, 1952 – Sept. 4, 2025

William “Bill” G. Walker, 73, of Placerville, California, passed away from natural causes at his home on September 4, 2025. Born on July 27, 1952, in Connecticut, Bill built a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and quiet kindness. He spent his career with the U.S. Forest Service at the Eldorado National Forest, starting in 1974 as an Engineering Tech and retiring in 2012 as the Forest Trails Manager. If you’ve ever paused at a lookout or crossed a well-built section of path, there’s a good chance Bill’s steady hands helped make it possible. Bill believed in showing up when it mattered and building things for the people he cared about. He was the brains of the group—the one sketching plans and rallying friends to turn ideas into reality, from houses to decks to a personal disc golf course and everything in between. He was as comfortable on a trail or by a campfire as he was in his own living room and kitchen, and he was an avid reader who always had a science fiction book nearby. He was the son of Thomas Henry Walker and Jean Marie (Netolicky) Walker, and the sibling to Thomas Henry Walker Jr., Barry James Walker, Donna Jean (Walker) Walsh, Bethany Ann (Walker) Marinone, Gary Paul Walker, Jean Marie (Walker) Wezowicz, David Christopher Walker, and Robert Michael Walker. He also leaves behind many closeknit friends and his step-son Christopher Peterson. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 26, 2025, at the Pleasant Valley Grange Community Hall. Guests are welcome to bring a favorite memory to share and are encouraged to wear a ﬂannel shirt in Bill’s honor.

In Bill’s honor, we invite you to get outside and enjoy the trails he loved. His passion for the forest was immense, and he would want you to walk a path, breathe the pines, and take in the places he helped build. Please feel free to ask his dear friends about trails Bill worked on so you can experience them as he did.

Memories and photos may be shared at bill@ inspired-lifestyle.com.

Wanda Dell Ingram

Jan. 14, 1938 – Aug. 6, 2025

Wanda Dell Ingram, aged 87, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025. She was born on January 14, 1938, and throughout her long life she touched the hearts of many with her kindness, strength, and love for her family. Born in Sacramento to Flynn Myers and Frieda Marie Stoner. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Buck” Ingram, her son Edward Lee Ingram, her siblings Forrest Leon Myers, Hazel Pauline Martin, Donna Mae Harris, and Mary Marlene Myers, and her granddaughter Melissa Ingram. She is survived by her brother Henry Lee Myers, her daughter-inlaw Tammy Danz-Ingram, her grandchildren Kara Vizcarra, Derek Ingram, Austin Ingram, Joshua Danz and Kori Sudduth, 7 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was an outdoor enthusiast in her younger years; ﬁshing, gardening and canning. She was famous for her hash brown casserole. Wanda loved to play Bingo and Mexican Train at the care facility where she resided in the last years of her life, and she thoroughly enjoyed the trips to Red Hawk Casino.

Wanda will be remembered for her crafts including quilting and latch hook rug making. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. She will be laid to rest at Westwood Memorial Cemetery.

Gloyd “Bud” D. Zeller

June 16, 1940 – Aug. 7, 2025

Gloyd “Bud” D. Zeller, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, and distinguished real estate broker icon, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, at the age of 85. Born in Spiceland, Indiana, on June 16, 1940, Bud’s life was defined by integrity, service, and a genuine care for people. Licensed in California real estate since 1965, while pursuing his master’s degree and working for Aerojet in Folsom as an engineer, launching a remarkable journey that would span over six decades. As Broker/Owner of Zeller Realty –Sierra Properties in El Dorado County, Bud was known for his straight laced, no nonsense style of doing business. Part of his successful career included guiding thousands of families in buying and selling homes, commercial properties, earning him a reputation for trustworthiness, deep market knowledge, and unwavering professionalism. In 1991, he formed a lasting business partnership with his son, Douglas Zeller, and together they successfully grew and led both Zeller Construction and Zeller Real Estate for decades, which Doug is still running both with his wife, Nicole Zeller. Bud was a lifelong learner and a passionate teacher. For more than 60 years, he served as a Professor of Real Estate in the Los Rios Community College District, where thousands of students launched their careers under his guidance. He taught courses in real estate principles, practice, law and finance, but his contributions extended beyond the classroom. Bud was a Review Editor for the several editions of textbooks for the Educational Textbook Co., Inc. influencing the education of real estate professionals across the state. His work and expertise were featured in industry publications and local news outlets. His achievements earned him the esteemed REALTOR® Emeritus designation from the National Association of Realtors, recognizing more than 60 years of service. In addition, Bud was a licensed Home Builder, General Engineering Contractor, and Building Contractor, blending his real estate expertise with a deep knowledge of property development and construction, building several hundred homes in El Dorado County. Away from work, Bud’s hands were often in the soil, tending to his garden with the same dedication he brought to his students and clients, which he loved. Bud is survived by his devoted wife, Elia; daughters Treva Lind, Elisa Del Castillo, and Marissa O’Connell; sons Douglas Zeller, Jason Zeller, and Derek Zeller; and many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Anthony (Tony) Lawrence Valdez

Dec. 1, 1962 – Sept. 25, 2025 Anthony “Tony” 62, passed away in Placerville, CA. He will be remembered for his kind, loving heart and fun personality. Tony was born in Placerville CA and was the youngest of 4 children born to parents Joseph Valdez Sr and Ramona Tripp-Verbeck.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother big Joe and nephew Randy, he is survived by his wife Kimberly, his son Anthony Earl, his siblings Chrissy, Annette, Candace, and Joseph, his granddaughters Nevaeh and Tina, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tony had a strong work ethic that began as a teenager in Idaho and continued throughout his career as a SMUD utility worker. He cherished spending time gold panning, watching the stars from his hammock, taking long rides with his son, and playing keno. Tony always delighted the family with scratchers each holiday season, hoping they would win big. He also enjoyed attending swap meets, both buying and selling treasures, and hunting for relics with his metal detector. Tony deeply valued his Native American heritage and took great pleasure in attending Native Gatherings. Tony will be greatly missed by his family and always remembered in their hearts.

The service will be a private ceremony with close family and friends and will be held at the Clarksville Ranch Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to 6322 Page Lane, El Dorado, CA 95623. The family thanks everyone for their continued love and support during this di cult time.

Sarah A. Rutz

Jan. 10, 1936 – Sept. 14, 2025

Sarah was born and raised in Michigan by parents Al and Helen Terhune. She graduated college and became Congressman Gerald R. Ford’s secretary. She met her husband while in Washington DC and they settled in Michigan. They began raising 3 boys before moving to California. She became Principle’s secretary at Oak Ridge High School when it ﬁrst opened in 1980 and continued until her retirement. In retirement she traveled, spent time with friends, and enjoyed baking and knitting.

Sarah was preceded in death by her brother Joe, and her son David. She is survived by her sons Scott, and Tom, Grandchildren Michael, Joey, Jessie, Kristina, and several Great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park, at 11AM October 18th, 2025. In lieu of ﬂowers please make a donation to Faith Episcopal Church for their outreach programs.

Investigation may result in Tahoe mayor’s removal from public office

Eli Ramos Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE

TAHOE — Mayor Tamara Wallace, in a letter to the Tahoe Daily Tribune, admitted to embezzlement from the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, where she also served as the administrator.

Depending on the investigation, Wallace may be legally removed from serving on City Council and other public o ces.

Wallace opened the letter by publicly admitting she took funds from the church over an extended period of time, which directly resulted in her trying to take her own life on Sept. 11.

According to both Wallace and her husband Duane, she spent time in medical care and is now in mental health counseling. She shared she was the one who provided the account numbers and passwords to the church while she was in the hospital.

Wallace also said she “may have found justiﬁcation by using most of those funds to help others, such as my deceased son’s three children.” It is unclear at this time how much money she embezzled.

Melanie Torres, interim assistant to El Dorado District Attorney Vern Pierson, told the Tribune investigators were looking into the matter last week.

The Presbyterian church provided no comment to the Tribune.

California Government Code 1021 states if a public employee is convicted of a felony, such as the embezzlement of public money, they shall be disqualiﬁed for ﬁve years from any public employment, including with the city or county.

■ See WALLACE, page A5

Tahoe mayor pro tem arrested last month

Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune

STATELINE, Nev. —

The Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce arrested city of South Lake Tahoe

Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass on the evening of Sept. 25 at Lake Tahoe AleWorx on charges of assault, trespassing, and harassment.

The charges are based on a verbal and physical altercation with an employee at AleWorx.

The sheri ’s o ce responded just before midnight to the call originally placed by Bass, claiming he had been kicked by a bouncer at AleWorx.

The arresting o cer’s report states that based on statements and observations from surveillance, Bass appeared to be the aggressor in the altercation. The report also reveals this wasn’t Bass’ ﬁrst incident of reporting battery and trespassing at AleWorx after he has been asked not to return.

The morning of the arrest, bail was set at $1,978, bondable. Bass posted bond and was released from the Douglas County Jail on Sept. 26 at approximately 4:35 a.m., within four hours of being arrested.

■ See BASS, page A5

TAMARA WALLACE

CODY BASS

Healing Garden dedication honors legacy of Janet Nachtman

Marshall Medical

On the evening of Sept. 26 Marshall Foundation for Community Health hosted a special celebration to honor the completion of the Janet Nachtman Cancer Healing Garden at the Marshall Cancer Center, a UC Davis Health a liate. What was once a bare dirt ﬁeld has been transformed into a serene and beautiful garden, the result of years of planning, planting and a true community e ort.

The Healing Garden was made possible through countless volunteer hours and the generosity of donors to MFCH, who shared a vision for a place of peace and restoration. At the center of the garden stands a striking steel pergola, designed and created by Marshall’s Chief Ambulatory O cer Jonathan Russell. Glass art pieces, commissioned through a generous gift from Terese Clusiau in honor of her late father, Patrick Clusiau, who received his cancer treatment at Marshall, bring color and meaning to the space. These thoughtful touches reﬂect the spirit of giving and creativity that shaped the project.

Approximately 60 guests attended, enjoying light appetizers and beverages while surrounded by the tranquil setting of the Healing Garden. Entertainment included a moving sound bath experience by certiﬁed sound practitioner Catrina Lessley and harp music by Judy Phillips, creating an atmosphere of calm and reﬂection. Both services are o ered without charge to patients undergoing treatment thanks to generous donors.

The garden honors Janet Nachtman, a longtime El Dorado County resident and wife of former Marshall CEO Frank Nachtman. Janet passed away from cancer in 2003. Her vision and passion to ﬁnd a better pathway for cancer patients laid the foundation for the Cancer Center itself. The Healing Garden continues her legacy by o ering patients undergoing transfusion and chemotherapy a therapeutic space to view and enjoy.

“This garden brings peace and comfort to our patients and their families,” shared Kat Olah, Marshall Infusion Center Charge Nurse. “It symbolizes hope and healing, giving patients a sense of calm during some of the most challenging times of their lives.”

“You can feel the love and care that went into every detail of this garden,” MFCH Executive Director Mindy Danovaro said. “It reﬂects the generosity of our community and honors Janet’s vision while bringing strength and comfort to the patients we serve.”

The Janet Nachtman Cancer Healing Garden is a place where community spirit, volunteer dedication and Janet’s enduring vision come together. It o ers beauty, comfort and hope for patients, families and all who walk through its paths.

Marshall Foundation for Community Health is a catalyst for a healthy community, raising funds to support Marshall and health programs that beneﬁt the people of the western slope of El Dorado County. For questions or to make a donation call (530) 642-9984 or email Kara Sather at ksather@ marshallmedical.org.

Dental News

Noel Stack Editor

“Thank you, Chuck King, wherever you are tonight.”

Gary Kinghorn’s opening statement at the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County candidate forum on Sept. 25 left some people in the audience chuckling at his candid remark. Kinghorn and Wayne Lowery are running for the open seat on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors vacated by King, over some dispute,

earlier this year. The special election will be held along with the statewide special election on Nov. 4. Visit eldoradocounty.ca.gov/ elections for more information.

During the hour-long

forum on Sept. 24, the candidates shared their reasons for running, how they would tackle the CSD’s ongoing issues and their hopes for the future.

Lowery touted his decades of experience

in parks and recreation, as well as his longtime association with the EDHCSD. He previously worked as its general manager, during which time the district built 19 parks, then served two terms on the board and is now on the Design Review Committee.

While Kinghorn noted his experiences leading El Dorado County

In cases where several teeth are missing or the adjacent teeth are not sufficiently strong to serve as abutments (anchors) for a fixed bridge, a removable restoration may be used. A partial denture consists of a framework that fits along the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth; attachments (clasps and rests), which connect the framework to remaining natural teeth; and artificial (prosthetic) teeth that are mounted onto the framework. Unlike fixed bridges, partial dentures are not permanently attached to underlying (prepared) teeth or implants. Instead, they derive some of their support from the gums and jawbones upon which the framework sits. Over time, as the mouth naturally changes, it will likely be necessary to adjust the denture.

Nearly everyone who has one or more missing teeth is a candidate for a dental bridge. The most valuable service we can provide is a thorough and complete examination. Virtually all-dental problems - decay, gum disease, jaw joint difficulties and loose teeth - are easily detected in their early stages and can be treated most economically and comfortably at that time. We are currently accepting new patients. Please call us to schedule an appointment. We offer “Tooth Print,” which is an impression of a child’s full mouth. About the size of a small wafer, the impression is given to the parent/ guardian for the family album or for ID for a missing child. P.S. The metal framework of a removable partial denture never touches the gums, so sore spots are almost never an issue.

Mountain Democrat photo by Mimi Escabar Catrina Cay Lessley, certified vibrational sound practitioner, provided a welcoming and calming sound bath experience for guests to enjoy while visiting the Janet Nachtman Cancer Healing Garden at the Marshall Cancer Center, a UC Davis Health Center affiliate, in Cameron Park.

GARY KINGHORN

WAYNE LOWERY

New presiding judge, assistant presiding judge elected

Shelby Wineinger

El Dorado County Superior Court

The El Dorado County Superior Court announces the election of Hon. Michael J. McLaughlin as presiding judge, and Hon. Jamie L. Pesce as assistant presiding judge. The presiding judge and assistant presiding judge serve a two-year term, to commence on Jan, 1, 2026. Judge McLaughlin is the current assistant presiding judge and has served in that capacity since 2022. He was appointed to the bench by former Gov. Edmund G. Brown in 2018. Currently sitting in Department 3 of the South Lake Tahoe Branch, he presides over criminal matters. Prior to his career as a judicial officer, Judge McLaughlin earned a juris doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He began his legal career working as a civil litigation attorney in the Los Angeles area before relocating to El Dorado County in 1998, where he practiced in the areas of general civil litigation and business transactions until his appointment to the bench in 2018. Judge Pesce was appointed to the

Bridge

Continued from A1 ensure quality, result in the project inching along. The deck consists of 16 segmented pairs on each side of each pillar for a total of 64 segments. Shimmick, the company contracted by El Dorado County to construct the $93 million project, has a dedicated surveyor for the project. “We want to make sure we line up,” Kochar said.

Though it’s not easy to see one day to the next, the massive project that began in September 2022 is progressing. DOT Deputy Director, Engineering, Matt Smeltzer said barring any further delays, the bridge span will come together by March 2026 and then crews tackle the utilities, surface, railing, etc. Drivers should be traveling on the new structure by next summer.

Though taking more time that originally anticipated, he added,

Morris

Continued from A1

bench by former Gov. Edmund G. Brown in 2018. Currently sitting in Department 7 of the Placerville Main Street Branch, she presides over criminal misdemeanor matters.

Prior to her career as a judicial officer, Judge Pesce received her juris doctor degree from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis. She served as a deputy district attorney at the El Dorado County District

Attorney’s Office from 2005 until her appointment to the bench in 2018. Prior to this, she was a sole practitioner and a research attorney at Orion Outdoor Media.

Judge Vicki Ashworth announced she will not be seeking another term as presiding judge. She will conclude her current term on Dec. 31, 2025, after assuming the role on Jan. 1, 2022. Previously, she served as assistant presiding judge from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2021. After

serving in these leadership roles, Judge Ashworth said she believes it is important to allow fresh perspectives and new leadership to guide the court forward.

Court leadership expresses its deep appreciation for Judge Ashworth’s dedicated service, steady leadership and lasting contributions during her tenure as both presiding and assistant presiding judge.

For more information visit eldorado. courts.ca.gov.

Caldor Fire restoration project the topic at forum

Diane Dealey Neill

Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum will host Tyler Schroyer, senior stewardship coordinator for the Great Basin Institute, to present an overview of the Caldor Fire Restoration Project. The meeting will be at the Golden Dragon Restaurant, 1341 Broadway, Placerville.

The Caldor Fire Restoration Project includes the cutting and piling of dead trees in an area between 4,000 and 15,000 acres within the Caldor Fire footprint, mostly focused on the high severity fire area near the town of Grizzly Flat. There will likely

the project remains on budget with very few change orders. The work is funded via the federal Highway Bridge Program.

Smeltzer told the Mountain Democrat commuters who use Mosquito Road and nearby residents have been great allies during the project, which has required multiple Mosquito Road closures, detours and delays, not to mention hundreds of cement trucks — a batch plant is set up nearby — and other construction equipment rumbling down the narrow and winding rural road.

“With quality comes a little more time ... and patience,” he said. “The community has been really supportive.”

For more information about the project visit eldoradocounty.ca.gov/ Land-Use/Transportation, scroll down and select the Mosquito Road Bridge

Morris’ communication skills. “That’s been very important for the public and for the council.”

Councilmember Ryan Carter noted Morris is always creative and kind and said he liked “being able to talk to you about things and not feeling like you were aloof or talking down to me.”

Councilmember David Yarbrough also appreciated Morris’ guidance.

“For somebody who’s first go around in this type of government service, you’ve been kind, patient and offered great guidance,” Yarbrough shared District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp brought a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors for Morris and highlighted a few points.

“He demonstrated foresight and leadership when he elevated, through succession planning, one of the city’s own, Dave Warren. Dave, congratulations,” he said. “From the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, congratulations, Cleve.”

Many residents and former city councilmembers came to the podium to recall memories of working with Morris and offered well wishes.

Most fulfilling

Once the crowd said their goodbyes, Morris took a moment to speak.

“I’ve often said that Placerville, I think, was my most difficult city manager job,” he said. “But it was also the best, the most fulfilling, the most rewarding.”

Morris said he would keep his acknowledgements general “because I’ll miss somebody.”

There was one recognition, however, he chose to single out.

“My wife, she’s the key,” he said, adding his

be multiple contracts awarded for the project and, on average, 3,500 acres will be treated each year, depending on available funding. The Great Basin Institute has a stewardship agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and serves to ensure the project is successfully completed.

Social hour begins at 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will start at 7:15 p.m.

To reserve a space for dinner contact Diane Dealey Neill at dianedealeyneill@gmail.com or (530) 417-1960 by Monday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. A Chinese buffet dinner will be served for $20 per person, tax and tip included.

n See RESTORATION, page A5

Construction Website link.

Road work alert

El Dorado County’s Department of Transportation will perform a monthly inspection and maintenance of the crane boom extension and crane located at Pier 3 of the bridge replacement north of the river on Mosquito Road. These safety efforts will require road closures each month. The next closure for the inspection and maintenance work will be on Saturday, Oct. 11. The crane maintenance will require full closure of Mosquito Road at the gates, from 0.6 miles north to 0.8 miles south of the old Mosquito Road Bridge. The closure will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday and will open by noon that same day. A detour has been established via Rock Creek

gratitude for her support and patience and “making sure that I had what I needed to do this job. I just want to first and foremost thank her for her support.”

Morris said he couldn’t have been as successful as he had been without “great city councils,” adding “A city manager is only as successful as his staff. I’m getting the accolades tonight, but all of these accolades go back to you as staff because I couldn’t do it without you.”

At the conclusion of his remarks, Morris was met with a standing ovation.

The path to Placerville

Morris began his public service career in Sandy, Utah, in the late 1980s. He said he didn’t set out to become a city manager — but the path revealed itself through experience and opportunity.

“I worked there as an intern while getting my graduate degree, and after I finished, Sandy brought me on full-time,” Morris told the Mountain Democrat. “While I was still job searching, I got a phone call from the city manager of Lathrop — a brand-new city that had just incorporated in 1989.”

In 1990, Morris joined Lathrop’s staff as one of its first management employees. The experience, he said, offered a crash course in city operations.

“I did everything from animal control to recreation,” he said. “At one point I was even acting finance director. Being in a new city was a great opportunity; I got to write new ordinances and propose them to the city council. It was like starting from scratch.”

From Lathrop, Morris moved to Newman, where he served as city manager from 1998 to 2000, then to Patterson, where he led the city 2003-10.

Challenge and change

“I came to work here in December 2010 and it was a great move — never regretted it for a minute,” he said.

Morris said he was drawn to Placerville’s smalltown charm and mountain setting, which reminded him of his upbringing in McCammon, Idaho, a small community south of Pocatello.

“It’s a mountain community, and I loved the area

Road, for which motorists should expect delays and allow extra time for travel.

The closure is necessary to lay the crane boom down on Mosquito Road at the north project (Pier 3) location to perform crane inspection and maintenance. Mosquito Road will be impassable until the work is complete, and the boom is raised back into position. Mosquito Road will be closed at the gates to ensure motorist and worker safety while the county’s contractor performs the crane work.

In case of an emergency, coordination with emergency services will occur for passage through the work site.

For questions regarding this closure, contact the DOT main line at (530) 621-5900 (select Option 3 for Engineering).

right away,” he shared.

When he started, Morris overlapped for a month with then–City Manager John Driscoll, who he said helped smooth the transition.

“I got a lot of information from him, learned things, and drove around the city a lot to get my bearings,” he said. “It was a well-run city. I wanted to continue that and raise the bar where I could.”

Over the years, Morris led the city through major challenges, including the great recession, the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of social unrest.

“Placerville has been my most difficult city to manage, just because of the issues and the environment we were in,” he said. “But it’s also been my most fun city to manage. I’ve had fantastic support from the City Council and great staff; they’re the ones who make me look good.”

Lasting impact

Among his accomplishments, Morris cited the city’s broadband fiber program, which recently broke ground after years of planning.

“That’s one I’m really proud of,” he said. “It’s something that can really elevate the city as we continue to implement it citywide. It shows how a small rural city can run its own internet service effectively.”

He also pointed to the downtown streetscape remodel and the creation of the Placerville Economic Advisory Committee, which provides input on business and development issues.

“Having a committee like that gives us a sounding board to see where the city is going,” he said. “They recommended that the council do a feasibility study for bringing a hotel into town — and as a result, we started getting calls from developers.”

While the hotel project has yet to break ground, Morris said the groundwork is laid for success.

Morris also highlighted other ongoing projects, including the Clay Street and Mosquito Road bridge replacements and the rehabilitation of the historical City Hall building.

“I’ve pushed for them and supported them and I feel comfortable that the people coming in behind me will continue that work,” he said. “We’ve got good staff and council support.”

Looking ahead

As he prepares to step away from full-time city management, Morris said he’s not planning to entirely slow down.

“There are some things I’m looking at — maybe some volunteer work or an initiative to support certain issues,” he said. “I’ve never been a politician and have no interest in that, but I do love this city.

“I still consider myself a newbie after 14 years,” he added with a laugh.

Morris said his decision to retire comes from a desire to spend more time with family and give back in new ways.

“I’m leaving at a good point in my life,” he said.

“I always had a goal of retiring early enough that I had good health and could do other things — to be involved with family, my community and my church. I’m just looking forward to this next phase.”

Placerville man sentenced to 12 years for child sexual abuse

Chris Woodard Staff writer

A Placerville man will serve 12 years in state prison for the sexual abuse of a child over a two-year period, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office announced Oct. 3.

A jury found 30-year-old Joseph Marquez guilty on Aug. 20 of continuous sexual abuse of a child following a trial overseen by El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth. Jurors also determined the victim was especially vulnerable, that Marquez abused a

Candidates Continued from A3

Grand Jury investigations as its foreman, including investigations into former EDHCSD General Manager Kevin Loewen, and his ability to build consensus as evidenced by his professional career in the tech industry.

Calling himself a “change agent,” Kinghorn said, “There’s so much opportunity here for the CSD to be great and deliver great services for El Dorado Hills and make this a very attractive environment, but, you know, (we) certainly weren’t hitting on all cylinders.”

Lowery, too, acknowledged the CSD’s challenges and said, if elected, he would work with fellow directors to build back public trust. “I see being visible, being out in the community and having opportunities like we have tonight, where people can come and ask questions and understand what’s going on, is absolutely key.”

Questions from the audience covered a variety of topics, including finances, assessment districts, cityhood, parks funding and more. Lowery stressed it’s important to manage the district’s budget to ensure continuing financial viability. Kinghorn echoed that sentiment, also noting that resolving the district’s lawsuits should be a priority. “I absolutely believe we have to do a good job of spending the taxpayers’ money in the most efficient way. I don’t think it’s fair that we’ve been paying off a lot of legal fees …. We should be taking the public’s money and building parks, developing assets, providing resources and programs.”

Lowery noted the board has faced a lot of criticism for its handling of issues and has had to deal with some conspiracy theories that distract directors and staff from their jobs. “They spend a lot of time dealing with those performance issues and not getting problems solved … and spend literally tens of thousands of dollars responding to issues through

position of trust and that he carefully planned and carried out the crime.

Judge Ashworth ordered Marquez taken into custody immediately after the verdict. In addition to his prison sentence, Marquez will be required to register as a lifetime sex offender.

“I want to commend the bravery of the victim for coming forward in this case,” said District Attorney Vern Pierson. “Our office remains committed to seeking justice and supporting survivors. Protecting children from this kind of harm is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a community.”

the Public Records Act,” said. “You’ve got to … focus on what your priorities are.”

Both candidates agreed the district’s priorities should come from the public. Lowery advocated for a stronger use of social media, public meetings and surveys to gauge the community’s interests and desires. Kinghorn shared he’d like to hold regular office hours to open dialogue with residents.

The two men also agreed that recruitment for a new EDHCSD general manager should be a thorough and transparent process. “You’ve got to delve deep. You ask interview questions that are very specific and you do reference checking,” Lowery insisted. “The financial thing is key (as is) the ability to communicate and to work with staff. If they can’t work with staff, I don’t want them here because we’ve got great staff and they’ve been very frustrated because of the situation going on.”

Kinghorn advocated for a new GM who emphasizes “communication, transparency, integrity and project management skills in some combination.”

In closing, Kinghorn said he thinks the board and community would benefit from his fresh perspective.

“I bring a different skill set in terms of drilling down into the issues and wanting to build the relationship with the community again,” he shared.

Lowery said his years of experience is what the EDHCSD Board or Directors needs right now.

“I want to see staff that are productive (and) that they’re serving the community as they should,” he concluded. “The board needs to focus on policy, governance, oversight … and have the financial acumen to make sure that, as Gary said, we’re spending money appropriately and we’re getting things done that need to get done.”

Watch the forum at youtube.com/ watch?v= nOO1zMxLyfU.

Restoration Continued from A4

Drinks can be purchased separately. Raffle tickets to support the Forest Forum may be purchased at the door.

The Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum is a group of forestry professionals, forest educators, and others interested in forestry practices and issues in the two-

Continued from A2

Embezzlement in California is considered a felony when the stolen amount is worth more than $950.

Wallace has served on City Council for years and also serves as vice chair of the California Tahoe Conservancy board, is on the Clean Tahoe board and is chair of the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission, among other positions.

county area. The forum meets once a month in fall, winter and spring months at various locations in the two-county area. The forum also awards scholarships to local college students majoring in forestry. For more information visit forestforum. org.

City attorney Heather Stroud told the Tribune if a council spot was left open due to a crime like this, it would result in an immediate vacancy that could be filled either by special election or an appointment by other councilmembers, depending on time left in the term.

Bass Continued from A2

In a joint statement, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office report that Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass received misdemeanor charges upon his arrest and booking in the Douglas County Jail for assault, trespassing, and harassment.

After further review, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office filed a Criminal Complaint with the Tahoe Justice Court on Oct. 2, formally

Wallace ended her letter by saying, “I love our town and, regardless of the outcome, will dedicate my life to making it a better place to live.”

See the full letter online at mtdemocrat.com.

charging Bass with the misdemeanor offenses of trespassing and harassment. Bass will appear before the Tahoe Justice Court on Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. for an arraignment.

According to South Lake Tahoe City Attorney Heather Stroud, Bass’ misdemeanor charges would not result in his seat becoming vacant. Under state law a council seat becomes vacant if there is a felony conviction or guilty plea.

Wallace

OPINION

California Matters

Businesses bear brunt of CA’s growing unemployment benefit debt

Companies owned by President Donald Trump have declared bankruptcy six times, a reminder that a corporation that defaults on repaying money it has borrowed is often forced into bankruptcy court.

Several California cities, including Stockton and San Bernardino, that unwisely made pension promises to their employees that they could not keep, also wound up before a federal bankruptcy judge.

And then there’s California’s state government.

Five years ago, California borrowed $20 billion from the federal government because its unemployment insurance system didn’t have enough money to pay a strong surge of claims. More than two million Californians had lost their jobs after Gov. Gavin Newsom forced many businesses to shut their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

California was not alone in borrowing to maintain beneﬁts for jobless workers, although no other state approached its huge debt, and all others — most recently New York and Connecticut — have repaid their loans. And California’s debt is still increasing.

This is a gigantic mess born of shortsighted political decision making and cowardice.

Even though the state’s unemployment rate, currently at 5.5% of its workforce, is just a third of what it was in 2020, it’s still the nation’s highest, with more than a million jobless workers. California’s Employment Development Department is paying out $7.4 billion to those covered by unemployment insurance this year while collecting less than $5 billion in payroll taxes.

California’s debt will reach $23.2 billion by year’s end, according to the state’s most recent report, and it’s likely to grow even more in 2026. The state’s also on the hook for more than $600 million a year in interest.

Since California hasn’t repaid its loans and is still borrowing money, federal o cials have hiked payroll taxes on California employers. As the California Business Roundtable recently noted in a report, the state’s employers will soon pay a 5.2% payroll tax — nearly nine times as much as those in other states that are debt-free — plus their state payroll taxes.

This is a gigantic mess born of shortsighted political decision making and cowardice.

A quarter-century ago, California had a comfortable surplus in its Unemployment Insurance Fund but the Legislature and then-Gov. Gray Davis began draining it with a sharp increase in beneﬁts.

Letters to the Editor

Come together as Americans should

EDITOR:

On Sept. 9, I was in Paciﬁc Grove with my boyfriend commemorating International Falsely Accused Day, something you have probably never heard of. We held a twohour Zoom event with some great speakers — all of whose lives have been impacted by false accusations against themselves and/or family members.

On Sept. 10, I heard about the murder of Charlie Kirk. I had never heard of him although my boyfriend sometimes watches his stu . Social media went wild after the news of the shooting broke. Everybody insisted that the shooter must have been someone they disagree with politically.

Having been burnt by a false accusation in my family, my impulse was to caution everyone not to make judgments until more information was available. Predictably, people doubled down on their assumptions because the other side is “evil,” “violent,” “hateful,” etc. This was followed by conservatives providing examples of left-wing violence and liberals providing examples of rightwing violence. This continued into Sept. 11 — a day when we all should have been coming together as Americans in remembrance of the assault on our homeland and the thousands of people who died. The ﬁnger

pointing and vitriol is still going on as I write.

Has the American experiment really come to this? Do we assume people are guilty if the authorities say so? Do we assume people who disagree with us hate us or are hateful? Is assuming guilt a mindset that we should try to replace with a mindset of trust but verify or even distrust but verify?

We have more homeless people than during the Great Depression. Many are elderly, disabled or veterans. Up to 17% of Americans struggle with addiction. We incarcerate more people than any other country yet complain about crime. We have children removed from loving homes and/or alienated from one parent based on false accusations from the other. We have young men falling behind in school and getting sucked into crazy, sometimes violent ideologies.

Our government is becoming increasingly authoritarian due to the actions of both major political parties. Separation of powers is barely a thing anymore. Billionaires have been given the go-ahead to buy themselves positions and/or minions in our government. The Department of Justice has been weaponized by both parties to go after political enemies.

We were told growing up, “Class doesn’t matter in America.” Ten years ago, I predicted we were

Supervisors must reconsider automatic salary increases

The Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County would remind the Board of Supervisors of its unanimous vote on agenda item 23-1724, in which supervisors directed sta to identify an outside agency to conduct an analysis of Charter Section 504 comparator agencies. Since 1996, El Dorado County has compensated its deputy sheri s according to the mandate of Charter 504, which speciﬁes a distinct and abbreviated comparator group comprised of the city of South Lake Tahoe, Amador County and the California Highway Patrol.

The Charter Review Committee’s recommendation was clear: review the three comparator agencies and determine if they remain appropriate

under Section 504. This board agreed, authorizing an independent review in the 202425 budget cycle. That work has now been done. The Charter 504 Compensation Study Final Report conﬁrms that while El Dorado County deputy sheri s ranked in the 18th percentile of base salary, they actually ranked in the 57th percentile when total compensation was considered. In plain language: when you look only at the paycheck, they appear underpaid; but when you add beneﬁts, overtime, retirement and insurance, they are in fact above the market average. This proves that relying only on base salary — as Section 504 requires — paints a false picture and drives unnecessary cost increases.

Section 504 locks the county into an arti cially narrow comparator pool, produces salary outcomes disconnected from true market medians and elevates total compensation for a select group of employees beyond sustainable levels.

The study also found that the threeagency 504 peer group is statistically unstable, with outcomes overly dependent on a single city — South Lake Tahoe. And while this alone is concerning, the problem has grown far larger than deputies’ salaries. Over the years, this board has added 25 nondeputy employees into Section 504 — employees who were never part of the voter-approved measure. These include the chief administrative o cer, county counsel, district attorney, public defender, DA investigators and others. None of these are patrol deputies. Some are sworn, most are not. Yet all of them

now receive automatic raises tied to the sheri ’s comparators. This creates two serious problems:

1. Inﬂated Administrative Salaries — These top-level management positions now ride the coattails of deputy pay adjustments, even though there are no equivalent positions in the comparator agencies. Their salaries are artiﬁcially elevated, completely disconnected from any real market analysis for administrative or legal roles.

2. Distortion of voter intent — Section 504 was passed in 1996 to stabilize pay for deputies, not

DAN WALTERS

LEE TANNENBAUM

When the Great Recession struck the state a half-decade later, the fund was quickly exhausted and California borrowed about $10 billion to keep benefits flowing, eventually to be repaid through an increase in federal payroll taxes.

However the fund never regained substantial reserves because even after the recession ended, benefits continued to take everything the state was collecting via payroll taxes.

Meanwhile there was a political stalemate, pitting employers against unions over what should be done about the income/outgo conundrum that continues

to this day.

There’s a widespread belief, even among officials who should know better, that California unemployment insurance debt stems from billions of dollars in fraudulent claims that also occurred during the pandemic-caused recession.

In fact, the fraud, while real, involved a separate program of extended benefits financed completely with federal recovery funds. California’s huge debt involves only the state’s unemployment insurance system.

It’s questionable whether employers should even

be on the hook to repay the loans, because the underlying surge in unemployment was caused entirely by the state-ordered business shutdowns, not a natural recession or employer-ordered layoffs. It’s a cost that should have been born by the state budget, like other impacts of pandemic.

Financing unemployment insurance benefits with federal loans and imposing taxes on employers to service the debt cannot continue indefinitely. It also leaves the system vulnerable to any future economic downturn.

The crisis is another reminder of California’s chronic lack of accountability for wrong-headed governance.

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

a different

When anybody can be jailed on a false accusation, when a disabled person can be evicted, when a court can take guardianship away from a parent based only on another person’s word, something has gone seriously awry.

These are problems that cannot be fixed if we don’t come together. I urge people to leave their echo chambers and talk to people with different beliefs. We can’t fix things if we don’t. We can do it. We are Americans.

DAWN E. WOLFSON

Change the way kids eat

EDITOR:

The USDA’s new Farm to School grants are more than just funding; they’re a chance to transform how children eat and how they think about food. Imagine school cafeterias filled with fresh, local fruits and vegetables, offering meals that are vibrant, delicious and entirely plant based.

This is about more than nutrition. It’s about teaching kids that what’s on their lunch tray can protect their health, safeguard our planet and show compassion for animals — all at once. What better legacy could we give the next generation than the knowledge that food can be both kind and powerful?

Farm to School programs don’t just connect classrooms to local farms; they can set the standard for what compassionate, sustainable eating looks like. If schools seize this moment, students will carry forward the lesson that every meal is a chance to make the world better. That’s a change worth fighting for.

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 CribbersWe

Play - We Teach - We Have Fun Wednesdays 4:00 PM Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452

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

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado

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.

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

Cameron Park

ERNESTO

SPORTS Trojans can’t hold lead on Bulldogs

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

Oak Ridge High School varsity football head coach Casey Taylor was proud of how his team started Friday’s Sierra Foothill League game against Folsom High’s squad.

The visiting Trojans scored on their opening offensive drive. The defense swarmed any Bulldog player who had the ball running or caught a pass. At halftime, Oak Ridge held a two-point lead. But it was the Bulldogs who made some noise entering the third quarter. That led to posting a 28-9 win over the Trojans at Prairie City Stadium on Friday. The last time Oak Ridge (2-1 in the SFL, 4-2 overall) beat Folsom — be it league, non-league or a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title game in recent years — was on Sept. 15, 2006, 47-28 in a non-league game.

“I thought we did a great job in the first half,” Taylor said. “We knew we had to control the ball. That was our plan coming in, take care of the football, try to control it as much as we can.”

Oak Ridge received the opening kickoff and marched down the field and took plenty of time off the clock to take a 6-0 lead.

The 16-play, 73-yard

drive had Trojan running back Tyler Andujar, fullback Blake Meggers, along with quarterback Nick Johnson, tight end Troy Taber and receivers Jasen Womack and Braxton Martinez, moving the chains from the north to south ends of the field. Andujar went up the middle of his offensive line on a 1-yard run with 57 seconds left in the

quarter. The snap on the extra-point kick was low and didn’t allow the Trojans to boot or try a 2-point conversion to leave it at 6-0.

“That was a text-book drive,” said Taylor of the Trojans’ TD. “It was a great drive for us. We knew that was the type of game we had (to have) — take the ball away from them.”

Folsom (2-0 in the SFL, 5-1) responded

entering the second quarter. Bulldog wide receiver Jayden Padgett took the ball from quarterback Ryder Lyons and found the end zone on a 15-yard run with 7:11 left on the clock. Sudhit Ganguly booted the ball through the uprights to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.

That was one of two times in the first half Folsom was able to move the ball into Oak

Ridge territory, three total in the half. Both Bulldogs’ drives, thanks to the Trojans’ defense, led to turnovers on loss of downs.

“I thought our defense really played well,” Taylor said. Oak Ridge retook the lead at 1:49 left in the quarter. That is when Kyle Boeker trotted onto the field to boot a 31-yard field goal, now favoring the Trojans 9-7.

The Bulldogs had the ball to start the third quarter. But the Trojans’ defense kept the home team on its side of the field and forced a punt. Both teams traded offensive possessions until the end of the quarter. That was when Lyons found an open receiver in Isaiah Williams, who caught the ball and raced past

Precision Volleyball brings the beach to the foothills

Mike Leflar

Special to the Mountain Democrat

When Mike Yates first fell in love with volleyball, he found himself having to make the long drive to Santa Cruz or Los Angeles just to get in a few games on the sand. But after more than 100 trips, a realization struck him: Why isn’t there a place like this closer to home?

That question led to a bold answer. Yates, longtime volleyball coach at Ponderosa High School and owner of Precision Volleyball, recently opened a brand-new, six-court sand volleyball facility in El Dorado County, a move he hopes will not only elevate the local game but also build a thriving community hub.

“There’s no better cross-training than sand volleyball,” Yates explained. “You’re forced to learn every part of the game —

tenacity, confidence and self-control — because it’s just two players out there doing everything.”

That philosophy, combined with a lack of local sand courts, planted the seed for Precision Volleyball’s expansion. The sport is booming. NCAA reports label beach volleyball as the fastest-growing sport in NCAA history, so Yates said he knew it was time to scale up from his original two-court location on Durock Road in Shingle Springs.

“We needed more space to accommodate the growing number of players. The new six-court facility allows us to host larger events and bring new opportunities to this community,” he explained.

Creating a destination

While his new courts in Cameron Park offer top-tier training for local players, Yates envisions something even bigger.

“With six courts, we can host nationallevel events,” he said.

“That brings in players, families and energy. It creates a buzz around our little town and that’s exactly what we want.”

The new Precision Sand facility isn’t just about volleyball, it’s about people.

“My footprint is all over this place,” Yates said proudly. “I’ve been to hundreds of beaches and facilities across the country, and I pulled the best ideas together to build something that’s perfect for both training and events.”

That includes working with local parks departments, schools and recreation groups to make sure the courts are accessible for everyone. From

spikeball tournaments to sand soccer matches, the facility is already expanding its horizons beyond volleyball.

“Kids are the main reason for this,” Yates said. “I want this to be a home base for anyone who wants to play, learn and grow in the sport, or just be part of the community.”

Eyes on the future

So, what’s next? Yates is thinking big but staying grounded.

“Of course, there’s a possibility we could outgrow even the six-court facility,” he admitted. “But for now, our focus is on using what we’ve built to serve the community the best we can.”

That includes dreams of someday hosting a national championship right here in El Dorado County.

“We’re holding qualifiers already. But to host the big one, that would be incredible for this area.”

Despite the challenges of launching and maintaining a large facility, “Going from two courts to six feels like ten times the work,” Yates joked, his goals remain centered on experience.

“I want every visitor to feel comfortable.

Not crowded, not overwhelmed, just a great environment for players, coaches and families.”

Interested in playing or learning more? Visit Precision Volleyball’s website at precisionsandvolleyball. com or the company pages on Insta, X and Facebook to sign up for programs, events or open play nights.

Photo courtesy of RPM Productions

Players get ready for some sand volleyball action on the Cameron Park courts.

Photo by Mike Bush

Oak Ridge running back Tyler Andujar (26) gets behind fellow back Brayden Molloy (5) offensive tackle Keith Erickson (55) in Friday's SFL game at Folsom.

Walkin’ along

Football Continued from A8

Oak Ridge players down the Bulldogs’ sidelines 43 yards for the touchdown at 3:06. The extra-point kick made it 14-9.

A Bulldog interception set up their next touchdown at 1:40 in the quarter. Lyons threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to wide receiver Rob Larson on a 38-yard score. The kick sailed through the uprights for a 21-9 score.

The Trojans had the ball toward the end of the third quarter, entering the final quarter in hopes of trying to post a late come-from-behind win. But the Bulldogs’ defense forced the Trojans to punt. “We needed to put some more points on the board,” Taylor said.

Then Folsom put the finishing touches of the game at 7:02 when Lyons threw his third TD pass, this one an 84-yard strike to wide receiver Jason Hill. The kick was good.

Oak Ridge only had the ball one last time in the quarter and did reach the Folsom 45-yard line. But two running plays that resulted in the loss of a combined 8 yards and an incomplete pass led to the Trojans punting the ball. Folsom ran four plays, one of which included getting a first down, and lined up in victory formation for the win.

“We played hard,” Taylor said. “We gave ourselves a chance tonight.”

Johnson completed 12 of 20 passes for 99 yards for the Trojans, who had 156 total offensive yards in the game.

Lyons completed 19 of 28 passes for 304 yards for the Bulldogs, who had 334 total offensive yards.

Oak Ridge continues league action this Friday, this time making the trek to Carmichael to play at Jesuit (1-1 in the SFL, 4-2).

Scoreboard

El Dorado — In a Sierra Valley Conference game at Cougar Stadium on Friday, El Dorado (1-2 in the SVC, 2-4) scored four touchdowns in the second quarter, which secured a 41-0 Homecoming win over Galt (0-3 in the SVC, 1-5).

El Dorado quarterback Hunter Rupley successfully threw seven of 10 passes for 126 yards, plus three touchdowns.

Tyler Villa and Logan Kruse scored two touchdowns each for the Cougars. Gerad Lemus scored the other.

The Cougars hit the road to Galt, this time to play at Liberty Ranch (3-0 in the SVC, 6-0).

Union Mine — After picking up its first win of the season over Argonaut on Sept. 26, Union Mine was looking for another win in Friday’s SVC game at Rosemont. But the host Wolverines were too much for the Diamondbacks, posting a 49-22 win.

Rosemont led Union Mine (1-2 in the SVC, 1-5) by a 19-14 score at halftime. But the Wolverines scored 23 points in the third quarter to secure the win.

Running back Aiden Hausam had 23 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns for the D-backs.

Union Mine is home this Friday, hosting Bradshaw Christian High (3-0 in the SVC, 5-1) at 7:30 p.m.

Ponderosa — The Bruins had the bye week in the seven-school Capital Valley Conference on Friday. This Friday, Ponderosa (1-1 in the CVC, 4-2) travels to Sacramento to play CVC foe Christian Brothers (0-3 in the CVC, 0-7) at 7 p.m.

Continued from A6

to give automatic raises to the CAO, DA, county counsel, or other administrators. The expansion of 504 beyond deputies has turned it into a backdoor pay-raise mechanism for high-level managers, something the voters never approved.

The recommendations of the independent study are unambiguous:

• Compensation studies should be based on total compensation, not base salary alone.

• A broader comparator group is needed for accuracy and fiscal responsibility.

• A ballot initiative should be considered to tighten 504 language so compensation aligns with the true market median and applies only to the employees originally intended.

Given these findings, the Taxpayers Association demands that the results of this study — which taxpayers funded — be made public in full, without delay and without redaction.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

by Chad Carpenter

by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Section 504 is one of the most consequential fiscal issues facing our county and transparency here is not optional.

This board made the commitment in 2023. It is now time to honor it; release the study in full and let both the board and the residents evaluate whether Charter 504 remains appropriate.

Based on the independent analysis, the answer is no: Section 504 locks the county into an artificially narrow comparator pool, produces salary outcomes disconnected from true market medians and elevates total compensation for a select group of employees beyond sustainable levels. In short, 504 is not fiscally appropriate for El Dorado County today and the voters deserve the opportunity to reconsider it.

Lee Tannenbaum is president of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Today you’ll experience the phenomenon of dancing, though metaphorically. People will be bound together by a beat, though it’s not coming from the DJ, but from the pulse of work -- a common ground, a shared, uniting effort.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Overwhelm feels real, and maybe it is, but it’s also just an idea. Focus only on what’s essential -- first for the day, then just for this hour. By narrowing your focus, you’ll feel powerful inside the part you can control.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The emotionally immature tend to make assumptions and form superficial impressions. Higher emotional intelligence means more noticing, more care, more accurate guesswork about what others might be experiencing. Nuanced observation is the heart of empathy.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s so much that inspires you, and yet it’s about time for another muse. With each influence you gain something that brings you closer to what you will express when it’s your turn, which it will be very soon.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You won’t know how you really feel until you get face to face with the work, the people, the big task. Emotional hot spots can be unpredictable. You never know where they are until you’re there in person with full attention on the issue at hand.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You might be tempted to reject recognition or opportunities you don’t think you’ve deserved, but don’t. These things are arriving because they belong to you, whether through past effort or future

responsibility. Instead of deflecting, practice gracious acceptance.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Relationships teach you because you’re open to learning. In today’s case, it will be fun to know people’s impressions of you, what they think of you and just how highly they regard you. Flattering! SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Something about today might feel like a lot -- because it is a lot -- but you’ve already done harder things than this, and you’ll do this, too. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Rest is necessary and good. Even better when it’s away from the eyes of the world. You’re brilliant like a comet. Comets go away for a while and when they come back, everyone says, “Wow, look at that!” CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Why do you get nervous before you perform? It’s important to you

TUNDRA

RUBES

SUDOKU

Tannenbaum

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack Sierra Elementary School students, led by kindergarten teacher Kim Kozycz, participate in the iWalk on Oct. 1 in Placerville. The international walk to school global initiative promotes safer, healthier communities through walking. Sierra and Schnell students, along with parents and educators, gathered last Wednesday morning at the Mosquito Road bus station, where they hung out with local law enforcement before taking their paths (just a bit soggy) to school.

Saturday

Matt Jaffe @ 1pm Mare Island Brewing Co. – First Street Taphouse, 440 1st St, Beni‐cia

Phantom of the Opera House @ 2pm / $21.05-$23.18 A spoof melodrama at the historic Winters Opera House! Part com‐edy, part history, and all fun, this playful tale imagines Winters’ past through the eyes of Main Street’s oldest building. Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters

1635 Pacheco Boule‐vard, Martinez. kevinmurraycan@ gmail.com Clay Handcraft Workshop with Sue Xu @ 1pm / $70 Sign up now to learn how to make nature-inspired art from air-dry clay in this workshop! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pence socialmedia@gmail.com, 530-7583370 DJ M3 @ 1pm The Great Northern, 119 Utah St, San Francisco

Saturday at the Patio @ 4pm Join Cloud Forest Cafe on the patio this fall on Saturdays for live music! Cloud Forest Cafe, 222 D Street, Davis

Misner & Smith at Delta of Venus (Purple Tree Hootenanny) @ 6pm Free inclusive live music event featuring local per‐formers Misner & Smith, hosted by Purple Tree Cafe (www.Purple‐TreeCafe.org) Delta of Venus, 122 B Street, Davis. manager@purple treecafe.org

Phantom of the Opera House @ 7:30pm / $21.05-$23.18 A spoof melodrama at the historic Winters Opera House! Part com‐edy, part history, and all fun, this playful tale imagines Winters’ past through the eyes of Main Street’s oldest building. Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters clubdrugs @ 7:30pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento Softie @ 8:45pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco

Inner Sunset Flea MarketPeter Lindman Duo with Felix Bannon @ 10am Inner Sunset Flea Market 2nd Sun‐days (Seasonally April-Nov 2019), ON Irving St between 9th, San Francisco

Kiwanis Club of Winters

Fundraiser Cornhole Tournament @ 12pm / $50-$60 Grab your bags and join the fun! The Kiwanis Club of Winters is teaming up with Hooby’s Brewing to host a Cornhole Tourna‐ment Fundraiser. Pro‐ceeds directly support youth programs and scholarships. Hooby's Brewing, 9 East Main Street, Winters. kiwanis clubofwinters@gmail.com Hocus Pocus - Film @ 12pm Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

STEAKHOUSE @ 6pm Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco

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

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

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

Chris Baron Music: Chris‐BaronMusic @ HC Stage @ 5pm California Burger Company, 1001 Heavenly Village Way #2b, South Lake Tahoe

Silent Planet //invent Animate -the Bloom In Heaven Tour Part Ii @ 5:30pm Ace of Spades, Sacramento

Tiny Stills @ 6:30pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento

Izaak Opatz @ 7pm Sklar Bikes, San Francisco

Reelin In the Years - Steely

Dan Tribute @ 7pm Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

Reelin In the YearsCelebrating the Music of Steely Dan @ 7pm Crest Theater, Sacramento

Peter Calo: The Crest Theater presents “Reelin In The Years: Celebrating the music of Steely Dan” @ 7pm The Crest Theater, 1013 K St, Sacramento

Covet @ 7:30pm Harlow's Night Club - Main Room, 2708 J Street, Sacramento

Jay Prince @ 8pm The Independent, 628 Divisadero St, San Francisco

Dine & Donate @Black

Bear Diner Suisun. Sponsored by NARFE to support Solano's Alzheimer's Walk @ 11am

Dine and Donate all day with the �yer. Come at lunch at 11am to or‐der and stay for the meeting to hear the speaker and enter the drawing for a $50 diner gift card. Black Bear Diner Suisun City, 111 Sunset Av‐enue, Suisun City. jasga9@aol.com

Dine & Donate on Tuesday, October 14 @Black Bear Diner Suisun for Solano's Alzheimer's Walk @ 11am

Dine & Donate event @ Black Bear Diner in Suisun to Support the Alzheimer's Walk. A drawing for a gift card &. a speaker on Medicare will be @ lunch. Sponsor-Fair�eldSuisun NARFE. Black Bear Diner Suisun City, 111 Sunset Avenue, Suisun City. jasga9@aol.com

James Spaite & Natalie Hagwood - Sacra‐mento House Show @ 7pm Sacramento House Show, Sacramento Book, Coffee, Chit Chat, etc. (Tuesday Edition) @ 7pm Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Av‐enue, San Francisco

Chris Baron Music: ChrisBaronMusic @Noel’s‐

Sophia Galaté: San Francisco

@ 8pm The Independent, 628 Divisadero St, San Francisco

Alejandro Escovedo @ 8pm The Chapel, San Francisco

Alejandro Escovedo

@ 8pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco

Mitch

Chris

RudyWade

Still Counting @ 7pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento

Anxious Arms @ 7pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento

Ribbon Skirt: Rickshaw Stop @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco

Wolf

the Marrakech, 419 O'Farrell Street, San Fran‐cisco. mar@jayalexander.com, 415-305-6893

FINDING REAL HAPPINESS October, 2025, San Francisco, CA @ 7pm / $45-$55 Finding Real Happiness. How Meditation Changes Everything. San Francisco, CA - October 2025 ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, San Francisco. epc@kadampasf.org

Keon Polee - Live Comedy @ 7pm / $29 Oct 17th - Oct 18th Keon Polee is the missing link to comedy, acting, and writing. Keon Polee is from the Bay area. In‐2023,Keon broke out with a Na‐tional Comedy Club Tour and was a featured comedic act Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacra‐mento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128

Phantom of the Opera House @ 7:30pm / $21.05-$23.18

A spoof melodrama at the historic Winters Opera House! Part com‐edy, part history, and all fun, this playful tale imagines Winters’ past through the eyes of Main Street’s oldest building. Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters

Fallout Kings @ 8pm The Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 4th St, San Francisco

Zola @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco

Keon Polee - Live Comedy @ 9:30pm / $29 Keon Polee is the missing link to comedy, acting, and writing. Keon Polee is from the Bay area. In‐2023,Keon broke out with a Na‐tional Comedy Club Tour and was a featured comedic act for Cousin Tiera Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlim ited@gmail.com, 916-446-8128

Sem Jacobs @ 10pm Halcyon SF, 314 11th

Artist

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Oct. 8

Join the Master Gardener Volunteers for a New Master Gardener Orientation from 10-11:30 a.m. Potential Master Gardeners will be trained by the University of California in sciencebased horticulture and then volunteer to teach others about sustainable gardening practices. Interested parties should attend an orientation and learn more. Orientation meetings provide details about the UC Master Gardener program, community involvement, participation requirements and training expectations. Parking permits are required, purchase a $2 permit at any parking lot kiosk. Learn more about becoming a Master Gardener at tinyurl.com/ yc8yk2fe. Pre-register for the orientation at tinyurl. com/53echfxw.

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting at Blown Away Salon and Boutique in Placerville at 5 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.

Oct. 9

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents the ArtMix: Spells and Spirits, an evening of tarot cards, lunar lore and spellbinding magic at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents a Live Operatic Performance and refreshments at David Yurman at the Roseville Galleria from 5-8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

Oct. 10

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park will host Gold Rush Live! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit marshallgold.com.

Bumgarner Winery’s tasting room in Camino will host live music with Jillian Secor, 5:30-7 p.m. For more information visit bumgarnerwinery.com.

Zen Den yoga in Shingle Springs will celebrate its one year anniversary with an Open House at 5:30 p.m. To learn more visit thezendenyoga.com.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents Junior Marvin & The Legendary Wailers at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Oct. 11

Join Master Gardener and the Master Food Preserver volunteers for Citrus: From Tree to Table from 9 .m. to noon at Cameron Park Community Center. This is a wonderful presentation on how to grow and preserve citrus. Learn how to grow citrus successfully in our community. Phyllis Lee will inform the novice and experienced citrus grower about what makes for successful growth in this county, what pests to watch for, how to protect during cold nights and harvest. The Master Food Preservers will share recipes for delightful treats using citrus, including marmalades, citrus peels and salts. To register visit tinyurl. com/mryb5cye.

Join artist David Yapp for an open-air exhibition, In a Forest Glade, on Oct. 11–12 from 11 a.m. to 6

Take an open air

gallery stroll

News release

Nestled among the pines and winding roads of Audubon Hills, Camino artist David Yapp is inviting the public to experience art in nature during his open-air exhibition, In a Forest Glade, on Oct. 11–12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The weekend show will feature a collection of Yapp’s landscape paintings, including richly textured oils on canvas, delicate pen-and-ink pieces on paper, and a selection of ﬁne art prints — all displayed outdoors amid the foothills that inspire much of his work.

Created with both brush and palette knife, Yapp’s oil paintings evoke the atmospheric light and texture of French Impressionist landscapes. His pen-and-ink works, by contrast, use ﬁne lines and vibrant washes to bring a sense of immediacy and intimacy to the California scenery he often depicts.

Yapp grew up in southern England and studied wildlife illustration in Wales. Later, his pen-and-watercolor studies of the towns and landscapes of England, France and Germany culminated in many solo shows in the U.K., including several shows at Oxford University. He moved to the Bay Area in

the early 2000s and now lives in the Sierra foothills. He is inspired by California’s ongoing plein air tradition and the state’s mediterranean light. Visitors to the exhibition can stroll through the open-

air gallery throughout the weekend and meet the artist.

An artist’s reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at 5 p.m., featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres and live jazz from guitarist Jim Murry, who has opened for performers including John Scoﬁeld and avant-garde legend Tom Fahey. The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit davidyapp. com/show.

Downtown space flourishes as Art on Center

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

The downtown Placerville storefront once known as Center Street Gallery is getting a new life as Art on Center, a vibrant Native and Latino arts hub made possible in part through a T-Mobile Hometown Grant.

The program, which invests $25 million over ﬁve years in small towns across the country, provides up to $50,000 per project to help revitalize community spaces. For Art on Center, the grant means more than just paint and lighting — it’s a chance to reimagine the role of art in local cultural life.

“It’s called Art Center, and it’s a gallery and an art center for Native and Latino communities,” said director James Marquez, who has been leading the project for several months. “We don’t have signage or anything up yet — not o cially open yet — but we’re getting close.”

Marquez took over the lease after the previous gallery closed, transforming the space into a creative hub.

“When Center Street closed, I took over the lease and it became Art on Center,” he said. “We’re operating that now, and we’ve got a lot of things planned.”

Those plans include a mix of visual arts, performance, and hands-on workshops designed to celebrate cultural traditions while inviting community participation.

“It’s going to be a gallery, so we’ll have rotating shows coming in and out,” Marquez said. “It will feature Native American artists from throughout California, Nevada and Oregon. We have a lot of people that are interested in participating in our shows.”

Before the ﬁrst exhibition opens, though, the space is getting a complete refresh — with help from the T-Mobile grant.

“The T-Mobile grant is going to help,” Marquez said. “We want to just start with a fresh coat of paint that has to go up before we can do the gallery lighting, because we’re painting the ceiling also.”

Instead of hiring professionals, the community wanted to pitch in.

“We’re planning to have a painting party with the community here at the gallery,” Marquez said. “I actually have some money to hire professionals who could just come in and get it done, but the community really wanted to help, and just about everybody knows how to work a roller.”

Classes and culture

Once open, Art on Center will o er a broad slate of art classes — from traditional pottery to metalwork — that reﬂect both Native and Latino cultural practices.

“We’re going to have a whole series of art classes that we will hold here,” Marquez said. “A lot of them will be Native-based, and the rest will be Latino culturally based, but some of them will be just real traditional kinds of art classes. We do everything from pottery — we have a kiln and we’re purchasing potters wheels with the T-Mobile grant — to metalwork, beadwork, woodwork and jewelry making.”

Marquez said the team is working on scheduling classes months in advance so people can plan ahead.

“We’re coming up with the schedule now and getting that in place so people can see a few months in advance what’s going to be coming up,” he said.

A community space

Beyond art instruction, Art on Center is also becoming a much-needed gathering space.

“We have been making it available, even though we’re not fully open yet, to community groups who are looking for a place to have meetings,” Marquez said. “A lot of the groups don’t have a formal place to meet, so they can meet wherever they can.”

One such group, Common Roots El Dorado — a coalition supported by Marshall Hospital and focused on behavioral health — has been using the space regularly.

“They have been meeting here for a number of months,” Marquez said. “It’s just one day a month, but we have several other groups using the space. As soon as we’re open, there’ll be other groups that are going to want to use it.”

While Marquez said he’s trying hard not to charge community users, the reality of keeping the gallery open is expensive.

“I am actually self-funding at this point, which is costing me about $3,000 a month,” he said. “We’re looking for grants that will allow us to use some of the funding to pay for overhead — utilities and rent — so we can o er the classes for free.”

Plans are also underway for a small membership and sponsorship program to help sustain operations.

“We’ll o er sponsorship opportunities to people who do have the means to help," said Marquez. "We’re hoping to raise enough to keep us going for a while until we have grants that can give us a constant funding stream.”

A stage for stories

Evenings at Art on Center will come alive with music, storytelling and performance — often with a cultural focus.

“We’re going to purchase with the T-Mobile grant a small collapsible stage that we can put in here,” Marquez said. “The space isn’t real big, but we have a PA system so musicians can perform. It can be everything from folk kinds of music to Latino music, and we’re going to have storytellers come in that tell stories from the culture.”

Some events will be family-oriented, with children invited to gather around an “artiﬁcial campﬁre” for Native storytelling nights.

“We’ll turn the lights o , have the campﬁre going and tell stories that way,” he said. “It’ll be kind of dramatic — all Native stories from di erent tribes around the country.”

Marquez said Art on Center is also hosting this year’s Sugar Skull Art Walk, in partnership with Arts and Culture El Dorado and the Switchboard Gallery, using the event as an opportunity to bring people together.

Community partnership

For Terry LeMoncheck, executive director of Arts and Culture El Dorado, Art on Center is one of 17 “incubator projects” the organization supports countywide — each unique, and each rooted in community need.

“We are very proud of all 17 of our incubator projects,” LeMoncheck said. “One of the things I love most about the program is how di erent all the projects are, how much variety there is. As far as Art on Center and our other culturally speciﬁc projects, it is really an honor and a privilege to support them in El Dorado County.”

Arts and Culture El Dorado serves as the nonproﬁt of record for Art on Center, providing its infrastructure for fundraising

"The Crystal Range from a Forest Glade" by David Yapp

Gold Rush Live! celebrates statehood anniversary

Jerrie Beard

Marshall Gold Discovery

elebrate 175 years of California statehood by stepping back in time during Coloma Gold Rush Live! at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The public is invited to experience California’s Gold Rush history on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During this three-day event, park staff and volunteers transform the park into a gold rush tent town where visitors can experience what life may have been like in 1850, the year California was admitted to the Union. Visitors can join an Admittance Day parade, listen to speeches, watch cannon firing, see live demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy a puppet show, watch a mummy unwrapping, and take part in activities for kids.

Visitors will step back in time to Coloma in 1850, where newcomers from other states or points beyond could find everything needed to prepare for life in the mines.

Their first stop might be the bath house and tonsorial to wash off the dust from the road and get a shave, then on to the laundress to clean dusty clothes.

Guests can visit one of several general stores to stock up on provisions, then head to the general delivery to post a letter to family and friends back east announcing their safe arrival in Coloma.

After checking out the prospects at the mining camp on the river, visitors can stop by the carpenter shop to order a rocker box or the blacksmith to have tools repaired. The claims office can help register a claim, and the assayer can determine the worth of a strike.

Those seeking some comforts of home can visit town hotels for a hot meal and clean accommodations or stop by the saloon for a drink, though wallets should stay close as wily gamblers have been known to frequent the saloon.

There are plenty of hands-on activities to keep children and adults entertained, including gold panning, tin punching, coopering, and other games. Those who work up an

Stefany Samaniego

El Dorado High School Athletic Boosters Club

Placerville residents are invited to mark their calendars for Saturday, Oct. 11, when the El Dorado High School Athletic Boosters Club hosts its annual Cougarfest at The Placerville Gathering Place, 2820 Cold Spring Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner, catered by Annie’s Mimosa, will be served at 6:30 p.m. Cougarfest isn’t just another fundraiser — it’s a homegrown tradition with roots that stretch back more than two decades. Mayor John

appetite can stop by the Gold Rush BBQ.

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is made possible through a partnership with the Gold Discovery Park Association, the cooperating association at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Proceeds from the event help fund future educational programs at the park.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is the site of Sutter’s Mill, where in 1848 James W. Marshall found flecks of gold in the tailrace of the sawmill. The discovery sparked the California Gold Rush. The influx of people from around the world helped California achieve statehood within two years of the discovery and the U.S. taking possession of the area.

Admission to the event is $15 per vehicle. For more information, call (530) 6223470 or visit parks.ca.gov/ marshallgold. The event is dog-free except for service dogs.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn, about an hour from Sacramento.

Clerici remembers being part of the early conversations in the early 2000s, when he, Jim Fyfe, Dean Duncan, Jeff Culver and others from the Hangtown Little League circle were brainstorming ways to raise money for a much-needed weight room.

“We were just a group of parents trying to give the kids a better space to train,” Clerici recalled. “Someone floated the idea of a big community party, and it stuck.”

He laughed that he couldn’t recall if the very first event even carried the Cougarfest name, but he vividly remembered those first few gatherings

being held at “the old dump site,” a far cry from today’s venue.

Clerici added that many other dedicated community members also helped shape those early events, though time has blurred some memories. “I know there were more people who deserve credit,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without a whole team of volunteers.”

Today, proceeds from Cougarfest benefit all 25 El Dorado High School athletic teams, helping pay for uniforms, equipment, transportation and training needs for hundreds of student-athletes.

This year’s Cougarfest highlights include silent and live auctions featuring locally donated items, from handcrafted goods to unique services, including an original handcrafted soapstone sculpture by a local artist. A dessert raffle will showcase 20 decadent desserts donated by local bakeries. Interactive games include a

putt-putt challenge, a mini free-throw contest and poker darts. Music and dancing will be provided by DJ Chris Tillisch.

“Cougarfest isn’t just a fun night out — it’s an investment in our athletes,” said Stefany Samaniego, president of the El Dorado High School Athletic Boosters Club. “Every ticket and every auction bid helps provide equipment, safe facilities, and opportunities that keep our student-athletes thriving. It’s the kind of community spirit that makes Placerville special.”

From a small gathering in a makeshift venue to a lively evening of auctions, games and community pride, Cougarfest continues to unite Placerville in support of its Cougars. Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl. com/mry7jfx6. Donations are also welcome through the same link. For more information, contact the boosters at boostersedhs@gmail.com.

Courtesy photos

Growing

citrus in California’s Gold Country

California’s foothills offer a unique environment for home citrus growers. While the region’s elevation, occasional winter frost and variable microclimates can pose challenges, the foothills are also home to rich soil, sunny slopes, good drainage and sheltered microclimates that support growing citrus trees with the right care. Whether in El Dorado, Amador or Placer counties, gardeners who select the proper varieties and take a few precautions can enjoy year-round greenery and a bounty of fruit in late fall, winter and spring.

Citrus requires well-drained soil to avoid root rot. If your foothill soil is heavy clay, consider planting trees in raised beds to improve drainage.

Citrus prefers consistent moisture but doesn’t tolerate soggy roots. Dig down to check whether water is 18 inches below the surface with your current method. Water deeply during hot summer days every third day rather than using shallow, frequent watering.

Citrus trees are heavy feeders, but foothill soils

treatment. Northern California also has other exotic pests to watch for. For details, visit the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources website at ipm.ucanr.edu/pmg/ garden/fruit/citrus.html.

already contain many of the nutrients they need. Test your soil to see if it’s lacking trace elements such as magnesium or potassium. If your citrus is in a raised bed or pot, use a balanced citrus fertilizer rich in nitrogen, magnesium and iron as directed on the label. If the leaf veins are green, the tree needs iron; if they’re yellow, it needs nitrogen. Curling, yellowing or dropping leaves indicate overwatering.

Citrus doesn’t need heavy pruning, but occasional thinning in early fall improves airflow, prevents pest infestations and allows more light to reach maturing fruit. That’s also the time to reduce tree height so you won’t need a ladder to harvest your crop. Aphids, scale and citrus leaf miners are common in the foothills. A blast of water or horticultural oil works well as a natural

Not all citrus varieties handle cold the same way. The key is choosing types that tolerate lower temperatures. Kumquats and mandarin oranges are the most coldtolerant varieties. Washington navel oranges can do well with frost protection, as can Meyer or Eureka lemons and Bearss limes. The success of citrus in the foothills depends largely on location: Southfacing slopes and areas near buildings, stone walls or patios that retain heat are ideal. Because cold air settles in low areas, plant on slopes or mounds where air can drain away, and use windbreaks to shield young citrus from drying or freezing winds.

Even in favorable microclimates, hard freezes can occasionally damage citrus trees. To protect them, canopy frost cloths over trees during frost warnings— never use plastic. Non-LED string lights wrapped around the tree can also generate gentle heat beneath the cloth. For smaller varieties, consider growing trees

Opening the season with brass

InConcert

Sierra News release

RASS VALLEY — InConcert

GSierra’s season opening concert will feature the American Brass Quintet on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m.

The American Brass Quintet, widely recognized around the world as the premier and most venerable professional American brass ensemble, has performed on five continents, made nearly 60 recordings and premiered more than 150 contemporary works since its founding in 1960. ABQ has been the ensemble-in-residence at The Juilliard School since 1987 and at the Aspen Music Festival since 1970.

The quintet is considered unusual because it uses a bass trombone instead of the more traditional tuba for its lowest voice. That decision is a conscious artistic choice and has significantly influenced other brass quintets. While the tuba is still generally the standard low brass instrument, ABQ’s legacy has cemented the use of the bass trombone as a respected alternative. Sunday’s program will not include famed classical composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms because the modern brass quintet only became standard in the mid20th century. The repertoire for the American Brass Quintet therefore consists mostly of unfamiliar composers. Yet according to ABQ bass trombonist John Rojak, these composers have brought audiences into “a sonic world of color, surprising

subtleties and variety.”

Rojak said the program includes “Jennifer Higdon’s ‘Ramp Up’ that can elicit gasps, as the quintet is left as breathless as the listeners.

‘Samsara’ by Anthony Barfield begins with lyricism, then morphs into a joyous celebration of the cycle of life. Composer Philip Lasser has challenged the quintet to recite poetry interspersed among the movements.”

“‘Dance Movements’ by David Snow is an homage to the noted composer Stravinsky and is suitable to choreography, if anyone feels inclined; and David Biedenbender’s ‘Sacred Geometry’ is a new masterpiece which has elements of serenity, lush sonority, whimsy and funk,” he added.

“Perhaps hearing these pieces will inspire further exploration of these composers and of brass chamber music,” Rojak said.

In August, ABQ members Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; Eric Reed, horn; Hillary Simms, trombone; and Rojak welcomed Brazilian trumpeter Tiago Linck — the first Latin American member of the quintet — to its lineup. Linck takes the place of longtime trumpeter Kevin Cobb, who joined the group in 1998.

“It is a tremendous honor to join the American Brass Quintet, an ensemble whose legacy has profoundly shaped the landscape of brass chamber music,” Linck said. “As someone who was deeply inspired by ABQ’s recordings throughout my formative years, becoming part of this remarkable group is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

Learn more at inconcertsierra.org.

Hunting tags available to nonprofits

Peter Tira

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife invites nonprofit organizations to assist with conservation efforts by auctioning special big game tags for the 2026-27 hunting season. Proceeds from the sale of these tags are returned to CDFW to fund projects for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope. Last year’s auctions raised more than $1 million for the conservation and management of big game species. Past projects funded by the sale of these and other hunting tags have included crucial habitat conservation, post-wildfire forest restoration, wildlife population studies and installation of artificial watering devices to support wildlife during drought conditions. Up to 18 tags will be reserved for

in pots and moving them indoors or to a protected patio during winter.

Join the UC Master Gardeners and UC Master Food Preservers for the free “Citrus: Tree to Table” combo class on Oct. 11 at the Cameron Park Community Center. The class runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information about UC Master Gardener classes, events and garden resources visit mgeldorado.ucanr. edu.

For garden hours and activity information for the Sherwood Demonstration Garden visit ucanr. edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Have a gardening question? Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website or

leave a message at (530) 621-5512.

For more information about UC Master Food Preserver classes, events

sierra.

nonprofit organizations to sell or auction. Nonprofit organizations compete through an application process for a chance to auction these special tags, which can only be purchased by members of the public through these auctions. The application process is designed to ensure maximum proceeds are received from the tags to benefit wildlife.

Offering the tags through fundraising banquets and other in-person and online auctions can attract greater participation and overall turnout for the conservation groups awarded the tags, amplifying their own conservation efforts and benefits to California’s big game species.

The required application form is available at tinyurl.com/bdpc8mnt. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. Oct. 20.

Mission to honor veterans at upcoming event

n Oct. 17 100 select El Dorado County veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces will take a simulated flight and tour of Washington, D.C., as part of Mission to Honor Veterans.

The program allows veterans to experience national war memorials without ever having to board a plane. Friends and family members can nominate veterans to be on the virtual flight at missiontohonorveterans.com.

Veterans selected to participate are treated like actual travelers on a trip to the nation’s capital. They board a virtual flight, then sit in an auditorium through a presentation that tours the memorials.

There is no cost to veterans thanks to contributions from sponsors; however, due to venue accommodations, attendance is limited to 100 veterans selected

Movie night coming to Grange

News release

On Friday, Oct. 17, the Gold Trail Grange will welcome the public to a special Movie Night showcasing five short films by Dawn Kish, an acclaimed filmmaker and photographer whose work has earned the trust of clients such as Patagonia, The Nature Conservancy and National Geographic.

Kish’s films explore rivers, canyon landscapes, rock climbing and the vibrant ecology of wild places. Among the selections is “Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed,” which made its world premiere at both the

Banff Film Festival and the Telluride Mountain Festival.

The evening promises sweeping vistas, dory boat journeys, rugged rock faces and immersive river scenes — all through Kish’s lens, which blends artistry with conservationminded storytelling.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Gold Trail Grange. Tickets are available in advance online at goldtrailgrange.com.

For more on Dawn Kish’s photography and film work — from adventure and conservation projects to portraiture — visit her website at dawnkish.com.

through an application process. Priority is given to local, advanced-age veterans who would not otherwise be able to participate in a flight to Washington, D.C.

"Our mission statement, ‘Honoring and Serving Our Veterans’ says it all," said Gail Lohmann, the program's founder. "I think I can speak for all of our volunteers when I say it is truly our blessing to be able to participate in such a special day for our veterans."

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Foothills Church in Cameron Park. Participating veterans will receive a light breakfast and snacks during the presentation, followed by lunch. Attendees will leave with a Mission to Honor Veterans polo shirt, Mail Call letters, souvenirs and a commemorative photograph of all participating veterans.

Donations to Mission to Honor Veterans may be made locally through the Military Family Support Group, a nonprofit organization, at mfsgonline.org.

Local creative writers honored

News release

Placerville resident Kiera Garcia and El Dorado Hills resident Della Clavere have been selected as finalists in the 2025 Nonfiction Short Story Contest sponsored by Gold Country Writers.

The authors were among 10 finalists honored on Oct. 4 at Auburn City Hall. First, second and third place stories were read and the writers received cash prizes in gold coins.

The contest ended Sept. 17 with 54 entries. The 1,500-word maximum contest attracted writers from five surrounding counties.

Gold Country Writers president Nicolle Goldman said, “We’re proud to

Blues crew to perform in Sac

News release

Award-winning blues legends Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, three-time winners of the Blues Music Award for Band of the Year, will perform at The Sofia on Friday, Oct. 10. The group will showcase songs from, “The Hits Keep Coming,” an energetic and dynamic collection praised for its mix of humor, storytelling, and raw musical power.

Produced by multi-instrumentalist Christoffer “Kid” Andersen at his Greaseland USA studio in San Jose, “The Hits Keep Coming” delivers twelve groove-heavy, hard-hitting songs, including ten originals by Estrin and two covers — one by

Muddy Waters and one by Leonard Cohen. From the foot-stomping opener, “Somewhere Else,” to the title track, “The Hits Keep Coming,” with backing vocals from The Sons of the Soul Revivers, and the musically infectious, lyrically intense “The Circus Is Still In Town (The Monkey Song),” the album highlights the band’s chemistry, creativity and streetwise storytelling.

“This band is killer. I’m enjoying this all more than ever,” he said. “It’s a blessing — there’s so much energy, so much collaboration. The band is just so good right now. And the live show is off the charts.”

The show will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at The Sofia. Learn more at bstreettheatre.org.

Easily

Fits

Shock-absorbing

offer the opportunity to so many writers to celebrate their creativity for our community.”

Keynote speaker Joan Griffin, an author and teacher, presented “Unleash Your Inner Storyteller: Turning True Events to Stories.” The author of the best-selling book “Force of Nature” emphasized her points by reading selections from the book.

The Gold Country Writers Nonfiction Short Story Contest and award ceremony was sponsored in part by the Arts Council of Placer County, the Auburn Arts Commission, Gold Country Media Newspapers and Auburn Community Television. The ceremony was recorded by ACTV and is available at goldcountrywriter.com.

Let’s do the Time Warp Again

NEVADA CITY — The Nevada Theatre will celebrate the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” this month with a live shadow-cast performance of the cult classic.

Presented by Paul Emery, Untamed Productions and the Onyx Theatre, the immersive event runs Oct. 17–19 and blends film, live performance and audience participation.

Since its 1975 release, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has grown from a small independent film into one of cinema’s most enduring cultural phenomena. Directed by Jim Sharman and based on Richard O’Brien’s stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show,” the film introduced audiences to Tim Curry’s groundbreaking role as Dr. Frank-NFurter, alongside Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and O’Brien as Riff Raff.

Initially dismissed by critics, Rocky Horror found new life in midnight screenings, where fans shouted back at the screen, dressed as characters and created “shadow casts” to perform the story live. Fifty years later, it remains the longest-running theatrical release in film history and was recognized in 2005 by the Library

p.m. The event is free and open to the public. An Artists Reception will take place Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m. with wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music by jazz guitarist Jim Murry. For more information visit davidyapp.com/show.Toogood Estate Winery will host Bottle Your Own Wine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Sunday. For more information visit toogoodwinery.com.

Sacramento Adventure Playground will host Dignity Health Dirty Kid Obstacle Race, 10-11 a.m. and again on Sunday, same time. For more information visit sacadventureplay.org.

The Mod Squad — a tribute to 70s Rock! 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 Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera will open its season with Jeremy Denk Plays Beethoven at 7:30 p.m. at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents Long Form Improv with Maximum Occupancy at 8 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Oct. 12

of Congress as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Nevada City has its own connection to that history. The Nevada Theatre Film Series, launched in 1979, opened with a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” beginning a local tradition that continues today.

For the anniversary event, director Cosmo Merryweather will lead an all-star shadow cast, including Nick Katzman as Frank-N-Furter, Robert Rushing as Rocky and Marni Marshall as Janet. The cast also features Jeremy AcMoody as Brad, Merryweather as Riff Raff, Michele Nesbit as Magenta, Heidi Grass as Columbia, Robbie Merchant as Eddie, Ryan Wink as Dr. Scott and Danny DeLuca as the Criminologist.

“This production captures the essence of Rocky Horror,” Merryweather said. “It’s not just about watching a film — it’s about being part of an experience that has brought people together for half a century. The energy of the audience, the interaction with the performers and the iconic traditions make every show unique.” Audience members are encouraged to join the fun with costumes, shoutouts and the Time Warp dance. For safety reasons, rice, glitter, confetti and poppers are not permitted. For tickets and more information visit paulemerymusic.com.

through Oct. 26 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Shadow Ranch in Somerset will host live music with Jesse Hendricks. For more information visit shadowranch.com.

Oct. 14

Senior Helpers, Cameron Park will host a free Caregiver Support and Activity Enrichment Group from 1-2:30 p.m. at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park. To register, call (916) 461-4123.

The Gold Trail Union School District PTO will host a Shoe Drive Fundraiser through Dec. 13 at Sutter’s Mill School, 4801 Luneman Road., Placerville. Gently worn, used and new shoes will be accepted. Oct. 15

Senior Helpers, Cameron Park will host a free Caregiver Support and Activity Enrichment Group from 1:30-3 p.m. at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park. To register, call (916) 461-4123.

The Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum will meet at Golden Dragon in Placerville to discuss the Caldor Fire Restoration Project. Social Hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation at 7:15 p.m. RSVP by emailing dianedealeyneill@ gmail.com or call (530) 417-1960.

InConcert Sierra presents American Brass Quintet at 2 p.m. For more information visit inconcertsierra. org.

Women’s Fund El Dorado hosts a Sip and Savor event, 2-4 p.m. at Saureeel Vineyards in Placerville. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Women’s Fund and the local nonprofits it has supported. For further information contact Cathy Harris at coordinator@womensfundeldorado.org. Purchase tickets at womensfundeldorado.org/ current-events.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue will host a new Halloweenthemed fundraiser — Feathers, Fur and Frights! from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shingle Springs Community Center. For more information visit bit.ly/feathers-fur-frights-25.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Never Fear Shakespeare” at 1 p.m. and continuing

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents the Sacramento premiere of “Eureka Day” through Nov. 16. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.

Now

The 2025 Toys for Tots El Dorado County/ Placerville campaign is underway and the iconic n See KNOW, page B5

News release

Toys for Tots campaign donation containers will start arriving at businesses throughout the county. The first in-person registration will take place Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Drive. For further Registration information and documentation requirements visit placerville-ca.toysfortots.org.

Pleasant Grove Middle School PTO is looking for vendors for its Holiday Makers Market happening on Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to apply visit tinyurl.com/mv7xy29s.

Applications are open to join the Placerville Public Art Committee The new committee will include seven members representing the community, arts, design and local history. To learn more visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/public-art-committee-application.

Registration is open for Theater Classes for Littles (ages 4-6) at The Stage at Burke Junction. Classes led by Callista Angelli on Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m., Oct. 20 through Jan. 19. For questions or to register email callista_angelli@yahoo.com.

Registration is now open for The Center for Violence-Free Relationships’ annual Drive Fore Change Golf Tourney at X Golf in the EDH Town Center on Nov. 1. For tickets and more information visit thecenternow. org.

Registration is now open for CASA El Dorado’s annual Shine Bright Gala on Nov. 15 at the Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills. The event includes a three-course meal with drinks, a CASA impact story, CASA El Dorado Champion for Children awards and live and silent auctions. For tickets and more information visit casaeldorado.org. Free tickets are available for the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West performing at the Harris Center for the Arts on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Tickets are on sale for The Robert Cray Band at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Sacramento History Museum presents RCAF in Mictlán: 50th Anniversary of Dia de los Muertos on display through April 5, 2026. For more information visit sachistorymuseum.org.

The de Young in San Francisco presents the Art of Manga through Jan. 2026. To learn more visit famsf.org/exhibitions/art-of-manga.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Arts, Letters, and Power, Van Dyck and the Portrait Print through Oct. 12; Cara and Diego Romero, Tales of Futures Past through Oct. 12; Black & Gold – Traditional and Contemporary Japanese and Chinese Ceramics through Dec. 31, 2025; Black Artists in America: From the Bicentennial to Sept. 11 through Jan. 11, 2026; Pueblo Pottery – Native American Pottery and Sculpture through Dec. 31, 2030; A Taste of Beauty, Spoons of Africa from the collection of Richard Ulevitch through Jan. 11, 2026. For more information visit crockerart.org.

California Railroad Museum presents the Restored No. 9 Steam Locomotive and companion Exhibit on display inside the historical roundhouse through January 2026. For tickets and more information visit californiarailroad.museum.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento hosts Art Rx, Docent led discussions for those with chronic pain and their friends, family and caregivers, second and fourth Saturdays at 11 a.m.; Meet Me at the Museum: tours designed for visitors with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, using art observation and conversation to foster engagement and social interaction, second Fridays at 11 a.m.; and Highly Descriptive Tours, 50-minute tours with detailed verbal descriptions and guided discussion for blind or low-vision individuals and their guests, fourth Fridays at 1 p.m. For more information visit crockerart.org.

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

The Master Gardener public office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat, bring a cutting or insect in a baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 621-5512 and leave a voicemail or email mgeldorado@ucanr. edu.

The Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova hosts Live Model Drawing classes every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

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

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

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open Fridays and Saturdays from March to November for Open Garden Days 9 a.m. to noon. Come take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on-site to assist with any questions regarding the Sherwood

Demonstration Garden or your personal gardens. May be closed for inclement weather, high temperatures, or poor air quality – check before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/EDC Master Gardeners/Demonstration Garden. Parking permits are required, purchase a $2 permit at any kiosk.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host a free public tour on the first Saturday of each month, starting at 9 a.m. After the approximately one-hour tour, wander around the 16 individual gardens at your own pace or ask docents for help and more information. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality; check before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden/. Parking permits are required, purchase a $2 permit at any kiosk. At the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville.

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

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

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

The Pollock Pines Community Center will host a Yoga Class every Monday at 10:30 a.m, Bingo

Dr. Russell Jones is looking for DA/RDA for three days a week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:00am to 5:00pm with 1 hour lunch. We are a private owned dental office located in Placerville. Our primary focus is on quality patient care while offering a fun, loving work environment. Please fax your resume to (530) 622-9575.

Placerville Kiwanis welcomes new leadership

Dina Gentry Placerville Kiwanis

he Kiwanis Club of Placerville

Tcelebrated the installation of its 2025–26 officers and board during an evening of fellowship and community service. The new leadership team, led by President John Prock, plans to strengthen youth programs, expand local partnerships, and create more hands-on volunteer opportunities across El Dorado County.

“Kiwanis is where neighbors come together to turn goodwill into action,” Prock said. “I’m honored to lead this team of dedicated volunteers. In the year ahead, we’ll double down on projects that help children thrive, support local schools and nonprofits, and welcome new members who want to make a real difference.”

Sophie Cabrera, lieutenant governor and club member, praised the club’s momentum. “The Kiwanis Club of Placerville has a long tradition of rolling up our sleeves for kids and families. With President Prock at the helm, the club is poised for a year of

leadership, growth and community impact — exactly what our region needs.”

The 2025–26 officers include John Prock as president, Dina Gentry as president-elect, Carrie Thomas as vice president, Kate Switzer as treasurer and Tom Hinshaw as secretary. Board members are Vicki Turner, Carl Hagan, Charlie Wiglesworth, Julie Clark, Dan Clark, Amanda Rhodewalt, Linda Soto and Dee Ann Kraus.

The club holds meetings at Smith Flat House in Placerville. Midday membership meetings take place the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon, board meetings the second Wednesday at noon, and evening membership meetings the fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. Guests are welcome. For more information or to join, contact President-Elect Gentry at (530) 457-7597 or visit placervillekiwanis.org.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Placerville chapter

Audubon Society names Twain Harte Bird Town

Barbara L. Steinberg

Special to the Mountain Democrat

TWAIN HARTE — The mountain town of Twain Harte has earned a fun new title. It is officially an Audubon Bird Town, a designation and beautification project created by the Central Sierra Audubon Society to highlight the town’s diverse and thriving bird population.

More than 40 individual bird illustrations, each hand-painted by local artists, are now posted around town in parks, outside businesses and along walkways. Each Bird Town sign depicts a local bird in its actual size, ranging from a five-inch mountain chickadee to a four-foot wild turkey. Bird spotters are invited to download the Find the Birds online guide or pick up a printed version at Twain Harte’s new Meadows Park, marking them off as they discover both the signs and the actual birds around town.

“We think this is a great way to create awareness of birds and their names, engage kids and adults alike in a nature hunt and promote Twain Harte with something that’s fun for all ages,” said CSAS President and longtime Twain Harte resident Gail Witzlsteiner. “It’s been a great collaborative effort and so much fun. We’re getting such enthusiastic feedback.”

The Central Sierra Audubon Society enlisted cooperation from the

Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce, Community Services District and Mother Lode Art Association. The project opened in time for Twain Harte’s summer season.

Witzlsteiner came up with the idea when she started her year as CSAS president and was looking for a club project that would be fun, educational and community-centered. The club loved the concept and agreed to provide $5,000 to cover initial costs. Witzlsteiner and her husband and fellow birder, David Tozier, got to work. Witzlsteiner mapped out the project, gathered materials and recruited partners, while Tozier designed and built the information sign for the park and prepped and hung bird signs as they were finished.

Audubon members helped select the birds to feature and have Bird Town information on their web pages. More than 20 local artists volunteered to paint the metal signs, dozens of businesses agreed to have the signs installed at their places of business and the Twain Harte Community Services District approved the main display at its new downtown park.

Meadows Park, which opened in fall 2024, was a key ingredient for Audubon’s education goals. The park already includes several educational displays about Sierra landscapes and water conservation, and the district has started inviting school groups to come for field trips.

“It’s a wonderful addition,” said

CSD staff member Lauren Gerber, the district’s Bird Town liaison. “It’s encouraging more learning and helping people tune into the natural world. It makes people more aware and want to take care of what we have.”

Good for all ages, a couple of fourthgrade school groups participated in field trips and were excited to add the “Find a Bird” nature hunt to their activities.

“It was so fun to see the kids using their checklists and really tuning into all the different birds,” Witzlsteiner said. Teachers used smartphone apps that pick up and identify bird calls, which added to the fun as kids found dozens of species including ravens, mourning doves, quail, grosbeaks and black phoebes. “That’s what Audubon is all about,” Witzlsteiner said. “This is a catalyst to have people become more aware of their environment.”

Teaming up with local artists was one of the best parts of the project, Witzlsteiner said. “None of this would have been possible without them. I really appreciated their enthusiasm and participation.” Project supporters hope the Audubon Bird Town idea will catch on in other towns and can become something people look for when they travel.

“Twain Harte will serve as a perfect location to test the idea,” said Lisa Mayo, president and CEO of Visit Tuolumne County. “It’s a walking town with a lot of visitors, a lot of

and compliance.

LeMoncheck said the project was a natural fit for T-Mobile’s program.

“We have worked closely with T-Mobile — they are one of our biggest and most consistent funders,” she said. “So I know what their priorities are and the kinds of work they’re looking to support. Art on Center was just a perfect fit for the Hometown Grant.”

T-Mobile awards 25 grants per quarter across the nation to fund community revitalization and development projects in towns under 50,000 people.

bird variety and locals who are here because they love the natural beauty of the Sierra forests and meadows.” “Birding and nature tourism are a large segment of the outdoor travel market,” Mayo said. “This is a great match for people who travel for hiking, fishing and nature. The Bird Town designation is an exciting new asset that we will be proud to include in our promotions with outdoor travel writer groups. We see all kinds of possibilities.”

Learn more at centralsierraaudubon. org.

“For them to select Placerville — it’s really to T-Mobile’s credit that they are looking for organizations like this to support,” Le Moncheck said.

Over the past few years, Arts and Culture has received $10,000 annually in direct support from T-Mobile, LeMoncheck added, making the company “a consistent and valued partner.”

For Marquez, that partnership has already made an impact. “This is going to continue to grow,” he said. “We’re hoping to pull in lots of people from the community who want to participate and share their gifts.”

Art Continued from B1

Courtesy photo

Twain Harte has been named an Audubon Bird Town.

partners with local schools, nonprofits and community leaders to support youth development, literacy and

family well-being through service projects, fundraising and hands-on volunteerism.

Courtesy photo

John Prock, president; Dina Gentry, president-elect; Dee Ann Kraus, board member; Charlie Wiglesworth, board member; Tom Hinshaw, secretary; Carl Hagan, board member; Julie Clark, board member; Vicki Turner, board member; and Linda Soto, board member, from left, invite the community to get involved.