Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, April 30, 2025

FBI arrests alleged Tahoe fentanyl distributor

News release

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field O ce announced the arrest of Timothy Austin Pannell, 31, of South Lake Tahoe, on a federal complaint for alleged distribution of fentanyl, a felony. An FBI special agent took Pannell into custody on

Friday, April 25, in South Lake Tahoe. This arrest was made possible with assistance from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Probation and the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce. Pannell is being held in the Sacramento County Jail without bail. On Feb. 12, 2024, South Lake

Supes offer limited support to Forebay Park

Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent Forebay Park in Pollock Pines will receive $1 million in funding for improvements, $2 million less than residents had previously been promised. The budget decision came last week as the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors continued to make cuts in the face of a deficit.

Supervisors unanimously approved the funding for phase one of the park project and directed sta to return with a plan that will use $1 million to build a restroom and dog park, make parking lot improvements and install senior equipment.

Deputy Chief Administrative O cer Jennifer Franich presented three options for Forebay Park on April 22. Option 1 essentially takes the project out of

the budget, saving $2.7 million in the General Fund. But this would create other losses, Franich pointed out, such as an equipment grant obtained by the Community Economic Development Association of Pollock Pines and Proposition 68 funding that must be spent by June 2028.

“So this would result in the potential loss of the senior exercise equipment donation, which came from CEDAPP,” Franich said.

CEDAPP applied for AARP funding for four senior exercise equipment stations and there are several grant requirements, including installing exercise equipment by October 2025, which can still be done if park construction is concluded this season, according to Franich.

“The other downside to this option is that we did spend over $100,000 already from Prop. 68 to do the CEQA document, to do the environmental analysis for this park,” she added, referring to the planned restroom for the park.

“So if we don’t end up building the restroom, which was what we had slated those funds for, we would have to pay back the state for that amount.”

Option 2 is to build a gravel parking lot and restroom at a cost of approximately $1 million. This results in no playground or paved parking and a potential loss of the senior

Tahoe Police Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce and the FBI responded following a 911 call reporting multiple overdoses at a residence in South Lake Tahoe. Three men and one woman were found deceased in the residence. A fifth individual survived. According to court documents, Pannell, aka “Frog,” allegedly sold fentanyl that he represented as cocaine to two of the men in the parking lot of a church in South Lake Tahoe on the night of Feb. 11, 2024. Following the FBI’s announcement, the El Dorado County District

A SATURDAY of service, sneakers and safety

Dylan Souza, 21, right and his girlfriend, Ava Bellis, 19, both of

Mental Health Awareness Walkathon to raise money for the Jenna Sue Souza Furst Memorial Scholarship Fund. Around 80 people participated in the event, with 50 walkers, to raise awareness for mental health with proceeds going to local high school scholarships. The event began at Town Hall with presentations by Yan Bennis with NAMI El Dorado Clubhouse, Barry Harwell with Sierra Child and Family Services, Ruth Carter (Councilman Ryan Carter’s wife), Kody Quigley & Marquita Vincent

Team Able and Christella Garcia, a three-time Paralympian and two-time medalist. Scholarship winners are

Madison Tatum from El Dorado High School and Molly Tillotson from Union Mine High School.

Right, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spruce up George F. Duffy Park on Pleasant Street with a fresh load of bark Saturday as part of a nationwide day of service. Left to right are Chad Tippets of Placerville (in background), Olivia Bachmeier, 14, of El Dorado Hills, David Tharp of Placerville and Nick Bachmeier of El Dorado Hills. Below left, Marshall and local fire departments were on hand to give out information and answer questions from the public, left to right with Smokey, engineer Steve Savoroski, firefighter trainee Gavin Royce and assistant fire engine operator Joshua Boyd. Below right, Norm Allen of Placerville looks over a city of Placerville sphere of influence map at the Wildfire Safety Day event on Saturday. Allen advises homeowners about ways to harden their homes and property against wildfire.

Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene

Appleton, Wisc., lead the April 26 Walking for Jenna’s Joy – a

with

Keili Brewington and

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Earl Edward Kennedy Jr. Oct. 21, 1937 – April 8, 2025

Earl Edward Kennedy Jr. passed on April 8, 2025 at the age of 88 at his home in Sacramento after a short illness. He was born in Sacramento on October 21, 1937 to Earl (Sr.) and Mildred Kennedy. He leaves his daughter Kellye of Folsom, CA and son Michael of Sacramento, grandson Dr. Eric Lee of Sacramento and granddaughter Mikala Kennedy of San Antonio, TX. He also leaves siblings, Janet Flannery and Nancy Kennedy both of Placerville, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, former wife Barbara, and long time companions Karen Schaub and Doris Condos.

Earl graduated from El Dorado High School in Placerville where he excelled in baseball as a lefty pitcher. He attended American River College and Sacramento State studying engineering. He went to work for his father-in-law in the painting and drywall business and stayed in the construction field until his retirement.

Earl was an avid golfer for many years and played with Carmichael Elks Golf Club and other groups. He enjoyed weekly tournaments and golf vacations, but injuries in his later years kept him o the links. He was a fisherman since a boy when his grandparents took him out to various delta and Sacramento River locations. He carried this forward through his life and spent many happy times fishing and camping in the Sierra and foothills, and hooked a trophy sail fish in Mexico, which was mounted and proudly displayed in his home. He was an active member of the Jolly Hookers Fishing Club for many years and member of the Carmichael Elks. For a number of years he was a regular at the Cordova Senior Center senior’s exercise class where he made many friends and also attended Cordova Neighborhood Church. Private interment will be at Westwood Hills Memorial Park

Robert “Eddy”

Garrett

Dec. 28, 1937 – April 4, 2025

Robert “Eddy” Garrett, loving husband for 65 years and 9 months to Barbara Coan Garrett; father of Kevan, Shari and pre-deceased Christopher and grandfather of three, passed away April 4th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Ed graduated from EDHS in 1956. Memorial service will be May 4th at 1pm at the El Dorado Post 119, American Legion Hall, 4561 Greenstone Road, Placerville. In lieu of flowers please donate to Snowline Hospice.

Charles Roger Fallon

July 4, 1948 – Dec. 10, 2024

Family man, adventurer, metrologist, world traveler, avid sailor and gardener, Charles Fallon passed away in December 2024 from complications of cancer.

Charly was born in Philadelphia, but his traveling adventures began at the early age of four, when his family moved to Saudi Arabia where his father took a job as an oil driller with Aramco, the Arabian American Oil Company. Charly grew up climbing on oil rigs and exploring the Arabian desert. He went to Aramco-provided schools in Saudi Arabia and then to Admiral Farragut Academy in Florida, where he learned to sail.

In 10th grade, he went to boarding school in Leysin, Switzerland, where he met his future wife, Carol, and many other lifelong friends. After high school, at the height of the Vietnam war, Charly joined the Air Force and was sent to work on fighter jets in England. After eight years in the Air Force, during which he became a metrologist, married his first wife and started a family including his son, Christopher and daughter, Caroline, he moved back to Saudi Arabia to work for Northrop Grumman and then Aramco. In 1985, he moved to California, where he worked as Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s metrologist, running SMUD’s calibration lab at Rancho Seco for more than twenty years.

In 1997, Charly and Carol reunited at a high school reunion and were married in 1999. They owned a small farm in Apple Hill where they raised fruit, vegetables and nuts, accompanied by a menagerie of numerous dogs, Amelia the cat, several 4-H steers and Sparky the pig. They traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, including barge trips in France and sailing adventures in Tahiti, the Marquesas, Tonga, Thailand, Belize, along the Mexican coast and San Francisco Bay.

After retiring from SMUD, Charly went to work for Agilent Technologies for several years, then retired for the second time. In 2014, Charly and Carol moved to Virginia to be near children and grandchildren and Charly took the final job of his career as the metrologist at Dahlgren Naval Base in King George, Virginia, where the couple enjoyed living on the Potomac River and sailing their 24-foot sailboat, Fairwinds.

Charly is survived by his wife, Carol, his children, Caroline and Christopher, his step-children, Leanna and Laurel, his grandchildren, Eli and Stella, and his sons-in-law, John and Jamie. Donations in his honor can be made to Streetdog Foundation in Memphis, TN.

Audrey Mary Sease

March 21, 1928 – March 26, 2025

Audrey Mary Sease passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 97 on March 26, 2025 at Belhaven Senior Care in Orangevale, CA. Audrey was born on March 21, 1928 to John R and Mildred M Stranko (nee Heinen) in Scranton, PA. She grew up in Scranton and as a teen graduated from Scranton Technical High School, specializing in business arts, which at the time included learning shorthand and typing on a manual typewriter (on which she could type 60-80 words a minute!)

In her young adult years Audrey sacrificed her dream of becoming an airline stewardess by using her secretarial skills to contribute to her family’s living expenses. When she met John Ernest Sease (“Jack”) on a blind date, they both recognized related interests in aviation: she the joy of caring for passengers, and he the thrill of piloting. Audrey married Jack in Scranton on September 2, 1950 and they celebrated 69 years of life together before Jack passed away on December 13, 2019.

After they were married they moved to Philadelphia and its suburb Hatboro-Horsham, and began growing their family through their four daughters:

-Janet Christine, grandchildren Joann and Jeremy, and great-grandchildren Noah H and Asher R Phillips, Jessica K, Jonathan L, and Joshua J Cookson;

-Carol Anne, grandchildren Desi and James, and great-grandchildren Raven R and River M Buchanan;

-Jean Marie, grandchildren Benjamin, James, and Andrew, and great-grandchildren Evelyn M, Abigail J and Isla K Rozak;

-Nancy Elizabeth, grandchildren Amanda and Joseph, and great-grandchildren Emily G and John A Fowell.

Having borne four daughters, she had a particular soft spot in her heart for young men: babies, grandsons, and even for encouraging young adult health aides in her final years.

Through the years Audrey worked part-time as a secretary at Jack’s o ce, Holiday Finance in Mountain View after they moved the family to the California Bay Area in 1964, and eventually she became an administrative assistant at Ames Research, organizing and coordinating aeronautical engineers until retirement. Audrey and Jack enjoyed aviation through Jack’s piloting them all over northern California in their private plane and flying into the Sierra for mini-vacations many weekends.

When Audrey and Jack moved from the Bay Area to Placerville in 1986 she jumped into the community as a volunteer at St. Patrick Catholic Church, as a pink lady in Marshall Hospital’s Ladies’ Auxiliary, and as an active member of the Diamond Dolls chapter of the Red Hats, TOPS, Christian Women’s Club, and Bible Study Fellowship International.

People energized Audrey! Her engaging smile and positive attitude despite hardships lavished love on all who were around her. She was quick to encourage and help family and neighbors in need. How we’ll all miss her! Audrey tenaciously overcame hardships by clinging to her faith, choosing to see the good in life and refusing to feel sorry for herself. She was our “steel magnolia,” beautifully strong.

A funeral mass will be celebrated for her at 1 PM on Saturday, May 17 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville. Her family would be honored for those who knew Audrey to join them at this mass. Instead of flowers, donations can be made in Audrey’s name to Suncrest HospiceSacramento, to reflect her delight in practically helping others. Audrey will be interred in the columbarium at Westwood Hills Memorial Park, Placerville.

William Eugene Massey

Jan. 24, 1935 – April 14, 2025

William Eugene Massey at the age of 90 passed away on April 14, 2025, in Placerville, CA. Born on January 24, 1935 in McLouth, Kansas, he was the son of Raymond and Juanita (Horton) Massey.

In his free time, Bill loved a variety of hobbies. Hunting, camping, the outdoors and old Classic Cars and car shows. He was especially fond of his 1950 Red Ford! Attending Reno’s Hot August Nights for over 15 years was the highlight of summers. An avid bowler and to his accomplishment a 300 Game.

After many years he retired from Southern Pacific Railroad and told many railroad stories. He loved train trips to Nevada in the winter, the beautiful pristine snow, and during the trip checking out back yards for old abandoned classic cars.

He left a large void in our lives that can’t be filled. He will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, love for family, kindness, and readiness to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his loving wife Shirley; children, David (Lori), Dana Pekala (Todd), Donald (Shalene), Douglas (Christine). Brother Brook and Uncle Daniel Yost as well as cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His services were held on April 24 at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, CA at 11:00 a.m. and visitation was at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon that followed. Interment was held on April 25, 2025 at Rolling Hills Cemetery, 4100 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA at 12:00 p.m.

Stanley Valentine Drayus

April 30, 1933 – March 26, 2025

Stanley Valentine Drayus was born in Chicago, Illinois to Lillian and Stanislaw Drayus on April 30, 1933. At age six his father died and Lillian sent him to live on a farm where he attended a one room school house and worked to earn his keep. He often reflected in his later years on this time period of milking cows, baling hay and driving a tractor as being some of his favourite times.

Later he moved back to live with his mom in Chicago to start high school. He figured there’d be a lot more girls there than the one room school house he’d been going to. His favourite classes were woodshop, metal shop and auto shop. Also he got a job working for a Jewish catering company. He’d rigged up his Schwinn bicycle with a Whizzer motor and used that to make deliveries all around Chicago.

Shortly after high school he was drafted into the Army. Stationed in Germany not long after the Korean War ended, his experience in woodshop landed him the position of Company Carpenter. He would spend his free time in the nearby town of Heidelberg, where he enjoyed ice skating and dancing with the local Frauleins.

After the army he went to college to study electronics, and upon graduating he and two buddies decided to head out to California to look for work. The three of them had one suit between them for interviews and they all got jobs.

Stan’s first job was with AMPEX in the Bay Area. It was here where a pretty red-head named Diane first caught his eye. Turns out she was attracted to him as well and in a few months they were engaged. Stan and Diane were married in October 1959.

He began working for Hewlett-Packard in the early 60s doing sales, recruiting, and maintaining computer equipment that took up the entire basement of a building. He used to joke that he’d seen the basements of the best European capitals, and remained nostalgic for the days of catching a plane at the last minute and flying first class on the company card with a martini in his hand.

In 1978 Stan left the Bay Area and moved his family to Placerville. He and Diane started Drayus and Associates and worked together quite happily for the next 25 years. As well Stan joined Kiwanis where he enjoyed being an active member for 40 years. One thing he loved in his free time was sailing his Hobie Cat up at Clearlake. He and Diane had a lakeside cabin up there that was the site of many happy gatherings of family and friends. He also loved playing pool and listening to Frank Sinatra music, especially the song, “Chicago”! In his later years he’d sing along any time that song came on. It would be di cult to say here what a terrific guy he was. Stan loved life and loved people and was a true and genuine source of joy and humour for most anyone around him. He passed peacefully away on March 26, 2025, and leaves behind a loving wife, son, daughter, grandson, and many friends, cousins, nephews and nieces who will miss him dearly.

Patricia Jean (Tricia) Vogt

Sept. 15, 1951 – April 11, 2025

Patricia Jean (Tricia) Vogt, aged 73, passed away peacefully at home in Camino, CA on April 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Upland, CA to Adelle and Bill Menzie, she later resided in San Diego and Hawaii before settling in Camino. Tricia raised four beautiful children in San Diego where she met her husband George Vogt in 1991. He came with his own son and they o cially blended families together in 1993. Her highest priority was family. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Tricia touched many lives with her love, compassion, and kindness. Tricia was an accomplished professional photographer who truly enjoyed her work while remaining highly respected in her field. An avid lover of the outdoors, she was always up for an adventure. She especially loved the beach, birds, and going for walks with family and friends. Tricia is survived by her devoted, loving husband George, her sister Linda MacFarlane, her children Neil, Ryan, Katie, Elliot, Sean, her grandchildren Camila, Liam, Zane, Demi, Hank, Juniper and Delilah. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Sharon Frances Petersen

March 3, 1937 – April 7, 2025

Sharon Frances Christo Petersen, born March 3, 1937 in Los Angeles to Cli ord and Christine Christo . Taught Elementary School in Buckeye School District and Shingle Springs 1969-1996. After retiring as a schoolteacher, Sharon enjoyed working as a massage therapist at Time Out Day Spa in Camino. Married to Attorney Michael E. Petersen of Placerville 1982-2022. Enjoyed animals, the outdoors, music, her friends, meeting quirky people and exploring new places. Sharon was survived by sister and brother-in-law Kathleen (Petersen) and Wayne Trumbly, brothersin-law Thomas Petersen and Marcus Wall, three step-children, four grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren, and many life-long girlfriends.

Pondo interchange makeover finally gets a start date

Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent

The long-awaited redesign of the interchange at Highway 50 and Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs is in the works.

The project, with phase 1 & 2 construction anticipated to begin in fall 2027 and conclude in 2029, includes road widening, two roundabouts, removing one park-and-ride lot and enlarging another park-and-ride lot.

Earlier this year, El Dorado County Department of Transportation staff and supervisors reviewed the project’s latest changes.

DOT Deputy Director of Engineering Matt Smeltzer explained the revisions include realignment of both North Shingle and Durock roads where roundabouts will be constructed at the intersections with Highway 50 on both sides of the highway. The roundabouts were deemed more safe and an air quality analysis determined they would create less air pollution than previously approved signalized intersections, according to the project’s addendum.

Smeltzer showed a slide outlining federal collision statistics such as 37% reduction in all collisions, 75% reduction in injury collisions, 90% in fatal or incapacitating collisions and 40% reduction in pedestrian collisions when roundabouts are constructed.

“On the frontage roads it improves the traffic performance significantly and the safety,” Smeltzer added.

The remaining project revision eliminates one of the three park-andride facilities in the project area. Currently there are lots located northwest, northeast and southwest of the interchange. The

northwest lot, with 18 spaces, will be eliminated, but 18 spaces will be added to the southwest lot, the project addendum states. The intersection was built in the 1960s, according to Smeltzer. Signals were added in 2000 with the intention of keeping them for 10 years before a redesign would have been necessary. They’ve been there for 25 years.

“It’s not good to have closely spaced signals and frontage roads at interchange ramps that are that close,” Smeltzer said. “It causes a lot of operational problems for the traffic and safety risks that people will take.”

The environmental technical studies were started in 2008, updated in 2015 and CEQA approved in 2020. A project study report was signed off by Caltrans in 2022 and technical studies were approved by Caltrans in January of this year.

Studies examined community impact, hazardous waste, natural environment, historical property and archaeological

issues with ongoing consultation with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. They also included biological, air quality, noise and visual impact assessments.

Caltrans will need another CEQA study since it has been five years since the last one.

“We did update all the traffic studies for Caltrans and for our benefit also,” Smeltzer shared, adding that Caltrans requires an intersection control evaluation for all the intersections involved.

A National Environmental Policy Act study is currently under way with anticipated approval in July. This is a good thing, he said, because NEPA looks at how the project improves air quality and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“That’s where we’re at today with this new addendum and the next steps will be to get NEPA ... which will open the door to us getting federal funding,” Smeltzer said.

This fall the right-ofway process will begin with frontage road

11:05

public was reported on Moulton Drive/ Canal Street.

April 24

8:30 a.m. Officers booked into jail a person suspected of possessing a controlled substance with two or more priors and violating probation on Forni Road. They were listed in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail.

on Marshall Way.

2:27 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Fair Lane.

8:23 p.m. Burglary was reported on Lewis Street.

April 23

4:16 a.m. Trespassing was reported on Main Street.

8:59 a.m. Burglary

Do you have an interesting story to share?

The Mountain Democrat is looking for interesting and/or unusual people, places or things in the community. Go to our website @www. mtdemocrat.net and fill out one of our submission forms.

The same foods that support whole-body health are the best choices for your oral health too: leafy greens,

fish, whole grains, fruits and veggies, and nuts and seeds. But there are certain “dental superfoods” that directly benefit oral health, and you’re probably already eating some of them. The cocoa bean husk (CBH) compound found in dark chocolate strengthens tooth enamel and has antibacterial properties. The allicin compound in garlic also keeps harmful bacteria in check. Almonds are full of protein and calcium that support healthy teeth and gums while removing plaque from your teeth as you eat them. In fact, many nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables

priors and violating probation on Main Street. They were listed in custody in lieu of $30,000 bail.

11:45 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Naomi Way.

3:09 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a grocery store on Placerville Drive.

act as a natural toothbrush in addition to killing oral bacteria. We believe a healthy diet is as important in a strong defense against tooth decay as diligent oral home care and regular professional cleanings. We also believe our skilled and dedicated dental team is one of our greatest assets, and our high standards of quality and integrity sincerely motivate us to achieve the best results for our family of patients. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, why not call for an appointment today?

P.S. Green and black tea naturally contain fluoride, and strawberries have malic acid, which acts as a natural tooth whitener.

accesses changed in the construction area.

“There are a lot of accesses that are affected by this, I will admit, because this road is widening and we’re realigning intersections,” Smeltzer said.

They are still in the conceptual design phase, he added, so staff will work with property owners “to minimize the impacts in the final design.”

A public meeting was held on March 19 with about 60 people in attendance.

“The message we heard was that these improvements are overdue. And they are,” Smeltzer said.

He said the interchange is reaching gridlock and backing up on the ramps.

“That is a very

undesirable situation to have traffic backing up on a high speed freeway, and also trying to get through the signals, it usually takes a couple cycles,” he said. “These ramps alone see, I think, 30,000 to 40,000 cars a day and the other outside intersections are over 20,000 cars a day.”

If the project had not been scheduled, Smeltzer said studies show morning travel time delays would have increased 160% by 2029. When the project is done, morning travel time delays are expected to decrease 56%. Evening travel time would have seen a 44% increase by 2029. With the project done, evening travel time should see a 55% decrease in the same amount of years.

The first and second phases — the two roundabouts — are already funded and will be done at the same time. They include pedestrian features that will tie in with another project slated for this summer — new sidewalks from the Health and Human Services building on Ponderosa Road down to Ponderosa High School, connecting the high school all the way down to Durock Road, according to Smeltzer.

“This will tie into that and make this a very walkable and bikeable community,” he said.

Phase three is the widening the over-crossing and completing other ramp improvements such as adding a bicycle and pedestrian lane so there is one on each side of the bridge over Highway 50 and also widening both traffic lanes and raising handrails on both sides. This phase is not yet funded. It could be out about 20 years, but could happen sooner, Smeltzer said.

“But these improvements will buy us a lot of time,” he added.

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin commended Smeltzer for holding the public workshop in March, which had featured a simulator to show how the roundabouts will work.

“I don’t mind roundabouts as long as they’re well designed,” she said. “It looks like it’s going to work really

South Lake Tahoe appoints new Police Chief

Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE

TAHOE — South Lake Tahoe City Manager Joe Irvin announced the appointment of Jeff Roberson as the new police chief beginning on June 7. Roberson most recently has been serving as a lieutenant in the Police Support/Detectives Division.

The new chief brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Police Chief role. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s degree in criminal justice and homeland security from Liberty University. He brings 29 years of law enforcement experience

to the police chief position and has been an integral part of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department since 2003. Roberson joined the South Lake Tahoe Police Department as a patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks, contributing significantly to department initiatives and projects along the way. His leadership and commitment to public safety have been evident through his work in criminal investigation, SWAT operations, weapons management and training and parking management. Most recently, Roberson has been

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Plans are in the works to improve traffic flow on the Ponderosa Road bridge over Highway 50 as well as freeway onramps and offramps.

JEFF ROBERSON

PPD

Board gets economic impact update on defunded programs

Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent

Annual reports for the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce’s Film Commission and Visitor’s Authority, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Welcome Center, the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Tahoe Prosperity Center were received and filed by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors earlier this month.

However, the supervisors were met with a mostly empty podium when it came time for presentations that typically come with the reports. Last month supervisors made the decision to cut county funding for these programs, effectively shutting several down at the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, which also lost county funding, was the sole presenter for the April 22 agenda item.

County residents offered their own input during public comment, mostly

in support of the board’s decisions. No action was taken nor were there any questions asked by the supervisors on this non-action item.

Annual reports from FY 2023-24 included the following financial data: El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office, county funded $150,750, returns were nearly $2 million with 1,423% on return; El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Authority, total investment $279,398 (county funded $558,796 according to agreement), returns were more than $42.5 million with 15,120% on return; El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, county funded $110,320, total expenses $111,400, with a return on the investment of $613,401; a Tahoe Chamber El Dorado County Scope of Grant Program for 2023-24 was submitted, with a county funding received in the amount of $59,213; and for GSEC, “$63,149 for services to be provided by Greater Sacramento pursuant to the agreement during the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025,” according to an economic development agreement between

the Greater Sacramento Economic Council and the El Dorado County.

Broome, a former CEO in Michigan, started his presentation to the board with, “I know you’re up against a wall. ... I’m looking at your financial numbers and they’re pretty severe.”

He emphasized that bringing in industry brings in income, noting a data center is interested in making El Dorado County its base.

“We’re the only California site for a direct $17 billion data center investment and it’s in PG&E territory. Which historically, we wouldn’t have been able to do,” Broome shared. “But this data center is going to require power at levels that they can’t find anywhere. And the PG&E power capacity can meet their needs.”

A data center “literally triples (a community’s) tax base,” he added. “Now we have ... the presidency of PG&E in this conversation because it’s so pivotal. It’s a monstrous tax impact on the county that would be receiving it.”

Members of El Dorado County leadership on the GSEC 2024-25 Board of Directors are El Dorado County Supervisor Brian Veerkamp; Kyle Zimbelman, FY 2024-25 chair of the GSEC Economic Development Director’s Taskforce, serving alongside 50 CEOs and regional leaders; Regina Cuellar, chairwoman, Shingle Springs Rancheria; Siri Nelson, president and CEO, Marshall Medical; Kevin Nagle, CEO, Sacramento Soccer & Entertainment Holdings; and Jeff Butler, president, AMPAC Fine Chemicals.

Supervisors had no questions or comments, but members of the public did.

Kim Stoll, director of marketing and communications for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said, “On behalf of the Tribal Council and Chairwoman Cuellar, we encourage you to continue the relationship with GSEC.”

Tracy Doyle, member of the political action committee Patriots of El Dorado County, supported the idea to not remain a part of GSEC and to not fund the chambers of commerce.

“It looks like you guys have given the (GSEC) council about $60,000 to $63,000 a year of our TOT money,” Doyle noted, “and while the presentation was impressive, I think it’s time that we exit and stop spending money on things like this.”

Linda Campbell of El Dorado Hills expressed concerns about GSEC’s proposed data center.

“This presentation is always a great marketing spiel, but I’m still not convinced that it fits a benefit to our county,” Campbell said.

“Although they talked about PG&E, I want to highlight what was missed,” she continued. “Data centers like that, particularly with AI and stuff, require a large amount of water. That was excluded. I know this personally because I work with data centers all the time.”

She said in Phoenix, Ariz., planning was done to build data centers, “But then they had to halt that growth because they didn’t account for correct planning with water.” County resident Kris Payne said he didn’t hear any specific benefits to El Dorado County in Broome’s presentation.

“We understand that we are essentially a bedroom community to the Sacramento area,” he said. “And with that, we have some large developments that are very, what I call important in regards to people with a large amount of income, but essentially there’s a much broader perspective of what we used to say is … jobs, jobs, jobs.”

The meeting was attended by all five supervisors: Veerkamp, District 3; George Turnboo, chair, District 2; Brooke Laine, first vice-chair, District 5; Lori Parlin, second vice-chair, District 4; and Greg Ferrero, District 1.

serving as the support lieutenant and second in command, responsible for the department budget, facility improvements, Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management System upgrades, evidence, records and grants.

“I am thrilled to have Jeff Roberson step into the role of police chief,” said Irvin. “His extensive experience and deep understanding of our community make him the ideal candidate to lead our police department. I am confident that under his leadership, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department will continue to excel in providing exceptional service to our residents and visitors.”

Roberson’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the city continues to focus on enhancing public safety and community engagement especially with the upcoming retirement of current Police Chief David Stevenson after five years in the position.

Chief Stevenson shared his support

exercise equipment donation, but allows the use of the Prop. 68 funds and also saves more than $2.1 million in the General Fund.

Option 3 is to complete the parking lot, restroom, exercise equipment installation and build a basic allinclusive playground at a cost of about $2.7 million.

“It wouldn’t be … the Taj Mahal of playgrounds, but the community would be able to get something and we could save half a million dollars,” Franich said.

Board Chair George Turnboo suggested exploring an Air Quality Management District grant for $250,000.

Franich said they’re looking into it but found it wouldn’t cover the full cost of paving the parking lot; that funding is definitely something they would pursue if the board decided to go with option 3, she added.

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine said she reached out to many residents of Pollock Pines, which is part of her district.

“They’re very disappointed that they really felt like … we finally allocated some funds to this project to the tune of about $3 million and nothing has really happened as far as they can see,” Laine shared, adding she heard many concerns about the park’s Little League field, which is the only fenced area and people use it for their dogs, forcing Snowline Little League members to pick up the waste. Laine suggested incorporating a dog park

for the appointment. “I have worked alongside Lt. Roberson for over 21 years and have complete confidence in him. Jeff is a great leader who understands the complexities of modern police work. He is passionate about serving this community and will do a great job as chief.”

Roberson said he is dedicated to caring for and mentoring his colleagues in the police department and emphasized the need for continuous learning and improvement. His vision and strategic approach will be instrumental in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“I am honored to serve as the police chief of South Lake Tahoe,” said Roberson. “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated team of officers and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Together, we will continue to build strong relationships with our residents and uphold the highest standards of public service.”

into the project. Laine made the motion ultimately approved by the board.

“Come on, let us at least get started,” she said. “It doesn’t even finish the park. It doesn’t even come close, but it gets us somewhere.”

CEDAPP member and Pollock Pines resident Karen Duncan urged the supervisors to do as much as they could. “I do remember the dog park being prominent during most of this time,” Duncan said. “The park and playground are important to the people of Pollock Pines. I encourage option 3.”

Ginger Swigart, a Pollock Pines resident for over 30 years, said, “The heart and soul of our county is in some of the rural areas. Everyone was all excited when we were going to get $3 million. I’m in favor of option 3. Of course there’s going to be some money things. But we can phase things in.”

Laine apologized to the residents of Pollock Pines for being promised more than they got, but added, “I think we got something out of it.” She said she learned through politics years ago, “Getting something is better than getting nothing.”

Ashley Hazlett, president of Snowline Little League, thanked the board for coming back three times to discuss the future of Forebay Park.

“We’re talking generations, 60-plus years this park has been servicing the community of Pollock Pines and the Little League there,” Hazlett said.

Park Continued from A1

Chief Continued from A3

CDFW announces release of Bighorn Sheep Conservation and Management Plan

News release

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently released the Conservation and Management Plan for Bighorn Sheep in California.

The plan identifies actions based on the latest science to conserve and manage a species that occupies some of the most extreme landscapes in California — from the highest and snowiest peaks in the Sierra Nevada mountains to the arid and hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts. It updates A Plan for Bighorn Sheep in California published in 1983.

“Bighorn sheep are an inspiring and enduring

symbol of California’s rugged wilderness and independent spirit,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These resilient and resourceful animals have played an important ecological, cultural and historical role in California, yet their populations have faced significant challenges due to disease, habitat fragmentation, loss of connectivity, extreme weather events and other environmental stressors. This updated plan offers a strong foundation to manage and support this iconic species into the future.”

California is home to an estimated population of 5,400

Attorney Vern Pierson released a statement thanking federal partners “for their swift collaboration, which led to federal charges being filed against Timothy Austin Pannell for the distribution of fentanyl resulting in four tragic overdose deaths.”

“We deeply appreciate the tireless work and dedication of our federal partners in bringing this case forward,” said Pierson continued. “Their resources and expertise have been invaluable in securing charges to hold Mr. Pannell accountable for the devastating loss our community has experienced.”

According to information provided by the DA’s Office, Pannell mistakenly supplied fentanyl instead of cocaine to Adam Joy and another individual during the Feb. 11 transaction.

“Believing the substance was cocaine, Mr. Joy shared it with friends during a Super Bowl party at his residence. Tragically, four attendees overdosed and died,” the DA’s statement notes.

“Upon realizing his error, Mr. Pannell made multiple frantic attempts to warn the victims — placing at least 17 unanswered phone calls — and later drove through the victim’s neighborhood in an unsuccessful effort to prevent harm,” the statement continues. “A probation search of Mr. Pannell’s residence following the incident uncovered evidence of ongoing drug trafficking, including fentanyl residue, a digital scale and cash concealed in deceptive containers.”

The DA’s release also notes that

Interchange

well for quite some time into the future.”

During public comment, Scott Chad said he came to work for the county in 1986. “We started talking about this interchange as soon as I arrived,” he said, expressing concern about the county’s lack of road maintenance funding.

“That’s going to become a real serious project in the future for you.”

Tim Costello, who said he lives close to the interchange, attended the March 19 meeting and said the roundabouts were a surprise.

“It’s good that you got it out now to give people a chance to digest it,” he said.

Costello expressed concerns about Happy Kids Preschool and Child Care Center because of its proximity next to where traffic will be rerouted.

“And so we have added vehicle emissions,” he said. “You have the kids out there in the playground outside.”

He suggested confirmation on the project meeting air quality standards “to reduced the concerns of the parents.”

Krista Grassi said she is concerned with the size and width of the roundabouts.

“I pull a horse trailer through there almost weekly. I go through the one in Plymouth and I

California’s bighorn sheep live in the Sierra and the desert. Efforts to protect the species have expanded over the years.

bighorn sheep. These include some 400 Sierra Nevada bighorn, 750 Peninsular bighorn and 4,250 desert bighorn in Southern California

federal charges were pursued because under current California law, “charging Mr. Pannell with seconddegree implied malice murder was not viable.”

“The federal criminal complaint charges Pannell with distribution of fentanyl … reflecting the severity of the offense and allowing for appropriate accountability.”

Pierson also notes state prosecutors would have had more tools to pursue harsher charges and penalties had Proposition 36 been in effect at the time of the crime. The voter-approved initiative “mandates that courts provide explicit warnings to drug distributors about potential murder charges in cases of overdose deaths, significantly altering prosecution strategies in drug-induced fatality cases.”

Pannell’s criminal record includes felony drug convictions and firearm enhancements. Last year he was sentenced to three years in state prison for drug-related offenses but served about a third of that time before being released — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation action that concerns Pierson.

“Allowing Mr. Pannell back into our community prematurely (after 14 months of a 36 months sentence) underscores a significant flaw in current state policies,” Pierson concluded in his statement. “Despite a state constitution requiring ‘truth in sentencing,’ this early release demonstrates our sentencing is anything but truthful and jeopardizes public safety.”

Continued from A3

literally have to stop and wait until all (vehicles) go through first,” she said.

Regarding infrastructure, DOT Director Rafael Martinez said grants for maintenance are few and far between and that’s why they incorporated the SB1 gas tax back in 2017.

He said they utilize those funds for routine maintenance and apply for grants when available.

Last year the department was able to do 42 “centerline” miles of pavement resurfacing, he added.

He also said staff will work with every one of the impacted residents to make sure the project has minimal impact.

“Various options for circulation were looked at, and this is the one that came out to be the most efficient, effective, with the least impacts to the community,” he said.

Addressing concerns about a horse trailer going through the roundabouts, he stated the roundabouts will be similar to the one at Highways 50 and 89.

“It is clearly going to be able to accommodate tractor-trailers, fire trucks,” Martinez said. “Nobody wants any of those mini ones. We want the nice big ones that can accommodate any potential traffic.”

Although this won’t be a truck route, he added.

outside of the peninsular ranges.

Peninsular and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are listed as endangered under

the federal Endangered Species Act and have separate recovery plans developed in 2000 and 2007, respectively, in collaboration with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. Other non-endangered desert bighorn sheep populations allow for sustainable and coveted hunting opportunities.

“This plan brings together traditional, ecological and historical knowledge of bighorn sheep across California, but focuses specifically on the conservation and management goals for the non-endangered desert bighorn populations,” said Paige Prentice, CDFW’s Statewide bighorn sheep coordinator.

Speeds up to 5 Gigs

Most reliable service

No data caps

Simple & clear pricing

“But on the occasion that we do have a truck go through there, this will accommodate it. Not a problem,” he clarified.

The addendum was approved by all five supervisors. Find project information online at eldoradocounty. ca.gov/Land-Use/ Transportation under Road Projects.

• The objectives of SMUD’s WMP are to:

PUBLIC NOTICE

SMUD Wildfire Mitigation Plan update available for public review

SMUD recognizes the devastating impacts of wildfires and we’re always working to make the safety of our employees, customers and community our top priority. We have prepared a Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) that identifies the many programs and protocols SMUD has in place to prevent, mitigate and respond to potential wildfire risks related to our electric facilities. This WMP is reviewed annually.

• The public is invited to review SMUD’s Public Review Draft of its 2025 Update to the WMP and provide comments. In 2023, SMUD adopted its 2023-2025 WMP. The plan was approved by the Board of Directors after a thorough process including extensive public outreach and input, coordination with state and local agencies as well as critical service providers in and outside of our service territory where we own and operate electrical infrastructure and rights of way. The WMP builds on our commitment to providing safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and economic power. The plan is reviewed annually with a comprehensive review performed at least every three years, and updated as needed.

1. Minimize the probability that SMUD’s transmission and distribution (T&D) system may be the origin or contributing source for the ignition of a wildfire;

2. Implement a WMP that embraces safety, prevention, mitigation and recovery as a central priority for SMUD; and

3. Create a WMP that is consistent with state law and objectives.

• The public can view the Public Review Draft of SMUD’s 2025 update to the 2023–2025 WMP at smud.org/WildfireSafety

The 2025 WMP Public Review Draft is available for comment through June 6, 2025. Comments may be submitted to wmp@smud.org

In addition, an opportunity for public comments will be available when the WMP update is presented to SMUD’s Board of Directors later this spring. To join the list to receive notice of this Board action please sign up at smud.org/BoardNotifications

If you have questions or would like to provide comments, please email wmp@smud.org

Photo courtesy of CDFW

Lava Dog Gun Vault

Offers firearms, ammo, accessories, gunsmithing, and training with top-notch customer service. We’re committed to safety, quality, and building lasting client relationships. 9454 Main St., Plymouth • (209) 697-5282 www.lavadogfireandpolicesupply.com

Around Here Magazine

Foothills focused since 1994, featuring all aspects of El Dorado County, connecting community to all the events, outdoors/nature, local history, and grassroots organizations, seasonally. (530) 303-8980 https://aroundheremagazine.com

The Prospector

We offer an all-ages Arcade downstairs & (21 & older) Saloon & Music Hall with Darts upstairs.

594 Main St., Placerville • (530) 903-3006 www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559273825704

Myka Estates

We produce award-winning and crowd-pleasing wines, served at our tasting room in Apple Hill with a sharable food menu.

3405 Carson Court, Placerville • (530) 644-3474 • www.mykaestates.com

Sierra Home Transitions

Is a full service

estate team with SRES, Trust, and Probate certifications to help you downsize and transition to your next home or senior living community.

4359 Town Center Blvd., Ste. 217, El Dorado Hills • (530) 391-6001 https://www.sierrahometransitions.com/

Snowline HealthChoosing Compassion Over Profit: The

Hospice Care El Dorado County Deserves

Hospice care in El Dorado County is evolving, with more for-profit hospice providers entering the area, many expanding from larger urban markets. While competition can drive innovation, it is essential for families to understand the differences between nonprofit and for-profit hospice models. For-profit providers often operate with a business-driven approach, while nonprofit hospices, like Snowline, focus solely on patient-centered care and community support. Recognizing these differences can help families make informed decisions about end-of-life care.

For over 45 years, Snowline has been a trusted nonprofit hospice, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Unlike for-profit organizations, which may prioritize financial returns, every dollar Snowline receives is reinvested into programs that serve the community. This includes grief support, veteran services, volunteer support and educational resources that extend beyond patient care, offering lasting benefits to families navigating serious

illness and loss.

When choosing hospice, it is important to recognize that not all providers are the same. While many hospices offer quality care, their underlying mission matters. Some organizations must balance patient needs with shareholder expectations, whereas Snowline remains solely focused on comfort, dignity, and individualized care. Hospice should never be about profit, it should be about people, their families, and the support they receive during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Families facing a hospice decision should feel empowered to ask questions, compare services, and select a provider that aligns with their values. Understanding the differences between for-profit and nonprofit hospices ensures that patients receive care that is rooted in compassion, ethics, and community commitment. Snowline has been a part of El Dorado County for decades, and we will continue to be here for those who need us, providing care that truly puts families first. And remember, you can choose your hospice.

www.snowlinehealth.org

Chamber Champions:

Cristy Eastman, Coldwell Banker Realty

With over 40 years of local experience, Cristy and her team have an intimate understanding of Northern California’s neighborhoods, schools, and communities. For the past 20 years, we’ve guided buyers and sellers through market fluctuations, providing expert advice to ensure every transaction is smooth, safe, and successful. Cristy is also a proud recipient of awards like the Platinum Team Club and EDCAR Top Achievers Lifetime Member. 4370 Town Center Blvd Ste 270 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 (916) 995-4644 https://eastman-realtors.com/

Balloon Art Celebrations creates stunning, high-quality custom balloon designs for all events, adding a touch of fun, elegance, and creativity. Balloons are the perfect way to add joy, color, and excitement to any special occasion, milestone, or announcement. With endless design possibilities, we’re here to bring your vision to life. Let’s create a custom balloon art display that will make your celebration unforgettable! 530-620-8457 • https://balloonartcelebrations.com/

Miners on Main Scavenger Hunt

There are ten “Miners” hidden throughout Main Street Placerville from Sacramento Street to Clay Street. These Miners all had an impact on Placerville and El Dorado County during the Gold Rush period. Each miner has a QR code on the medallion that will take you to a webpage about the miners when scanned with your phone camera. So grab your phone and begin your hunt. visit-eldorado.com/ miners-on-main/

Friday Night Flights at Sierra Vista Winery

4 – 8 p.m. 3 Pairings for $40 per person/$35 Wine Club. Each Guest must purchase their own ticket for the flight. Wine by the glass or bottle for purchase. Limited Seating. Reservations required. 530-622-7221 or www.sierravistawinery.com/shop/events/fnfapril4/

Dart Tournament Weekly on Wednesdays

The Prospector in Placerville. 594 Main Street. $15 entry fee. 6:30 – 7.00 p.m. New Business in town offering an all ages Arcade downstairs & (21 & older) Saloon & Music Hall with Darts upstairs. Open Mic at Marco’s Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. A local community favorite event happening weekly at Marcos Cafe in Lotus, at 986 Lotus Road. Open Mic is open to all ages and is a family friendly event for all skill levels and music lovers. Bring your own instrument or grab one of our guitars and play some tunes. Enjoy wood fired pizzas and food specials along with a great selection of local drinks. (530) 863-6870 https://marco scafelotus.com/

Pollock Pines Community Center Bingo Night Weekly on Tuesdays, 6:15 p.m.  - 9:00 p.m. 2675 Sanders Dr, Pollock Pines. https://polloc kpinesca.org/

Back Porch Swing at Smith Flat House Sundays, 5 p.m. 2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville. www.smithflathouse.com/events

Placerville Speedway

Located at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center. www.placervillespeedway.com

Open Garden Days

Weather permitting, the Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open Fridays and Saturdays from March to November. Come and take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and dogs are prohibited. Parking $2/vehicle. 6699 Campus Drive Placerville. https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardenersel-dorado-county/central-sierra-el-doradocounty-master-gardener-sherwood

May 1 Fishing on the Farm

Join volunteer and fishing enthusiast Fred Campbell-Craven. Try your hand at casting techniques, catch a few bass, and enjoy the serenity of the 8-acre lake at Wakamatsu Farm. No live bait; catch and release only. All ages and skill levels welcome, especially kids, families with young children, and first-timers. Basic instruction, equipment, and assistance available for kids and first-timers. Minors

must be supervised by an adult. Participants 16+ with a line in the water at any time must have a valid CA fishing license. Steady rain or lightning storm cancels. 941 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville. Cost per car: $10/members, $15/non-members, online or on-site. (530) 621-1224, arc@ ARConservancy.org

May 2 – 3

Shakespeare Club Annual Giant Spring Rummage Sale

This year’s sale will feature a large selection of jewelry, lots of clothing, housewares, linens, decorative items, a wide variety of garage items, dolls, toys, and many other treasures. New items will be put out each day. In addition, there will be a wide variety of yard art. Shakespeare Clubhouse at 2940 Bedford Ave., Placerville. Saturday only – A Spring Plant Sale will be held outside in the front yard of the clubhouse. There will be a large selection of perennials, vegetable plants and tomatoes galore. www.placerville-shakespeare.com/

May 2 – 4

Placerville Home, ADU, and Garden Show

This event will have local seminars, commercial vendors, crafters, food, wine, beer garden, and more. There is also a new gift and garden building, along with ADU & Tiny House displays! Senior day is Friday, so all those 65+ will receive free admission. Military, first responders and children under 12 are free all three days of the event. Fri – Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 10 am – 4 pm. General Admission $7, Seniors 65+ $5 (free on friday). El Dorado County Fair & Event Center, 100 Placerville Dr, Placerville.

May 3 – 25

Imagination Theater Presents: The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Earnest Worthing does not exist, but two charming young ladies believe that he does. Best friends Jack and Algy each pretend to be Earnest, with hilarious results. Set in Victorian England, Oscar Wilde unfurls this story of love, identity, hypocrisy, and morality through the comedy of chaos. www.itplacerville.org/2025-season/

May 3

Masquerade; Taking Off Our Masks for Mental Health A benefit concert and dinner supporting ClubHouse El Dorado, a program of NAMI ElDorado. Featuring a performance by singer, songwriter, and entertainer Sage Waters.  Located at the Placerville Gathering Place. 2820 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville.  For tickets visit: namieldoradocoumty.org/masquerade/ or call (530)205-3693.

May 7

Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s Fawn Fundraiser @ The Villa Agave

Celebrating 30 years of service to our local fawns and community. Funds raised will help to continue this challenging but rewarding work, and to support the increasing number of fawns in need. There will be a tequila tasting presented by The Villa Agave, complimentary wine and snacks, and fawn facts! Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s Fawn Team will tell you all about the great work being done in our community. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 1831 Red Fox Rd, Placerville.

ay C alendar of e vents

https://sierrawildliferescue.org/ https://www.thevillaagave.com/

May 9

New Beginnings Fashion Show

A charity gala supporting a new beginning for people in crisis seeking a better way of life. Food, Auction, Shopping, Prizes & Fun. 6 p.m. El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Tickets $40 are available at www. newbeginningsgoldcountry.org

May 10 Mother’s Day Brunch By The River 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Enjoy a fully catered brunch, scenic views, and a chance to learn about the impact of women during the Gold Rush era. Tickets are $42 / per person and include a fully catered brunch, waived parking fee, non- alcoholic beverages, and entertainment. Mimosas, local craft beer, and local wine will be available for purchase. https:// www.marshallgold.com/mothersdaybrunch

May 10 Heart of the Hills Blues Blast Blues music festival featuring award-winning, National touring acts that will blow your socks off: Laurie Morvan Band, Albert Cummings, & The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Tickets: G.A. $45 in advance; $55 at gate. VIP $60 in advance – $70 at gate. Gates open at Noon – the festival runs 1 – 6 p.m. www.heartofthehillsmusicfest.org

May 10 Pizza, Wine and LIVE Music at Sierra Vista Music by Patrick Walsh from 4:30 – 7 p.m. We will have Specialty Pizzas from our Big Lora Pizza Oven for purchase. $5 WC | $10 GP. Wine by the glass or bottle for purchase. No outside food or alcohol allowed. Reservations: 530-622-7221 or www.sierravistawinery.com/ shop/events/pwalsh/

May 10 A Night to ASPIRE

More than just a fundraiser—it’s a chance to change lives. Enjoy great food, wine, a silent auction, and our exciting Fund-a-Need auction, all in support of ASPIREKids and the STRIVE Scholarship Program. Plus, take part in our Community Mosaic Project, a collaborative artwork symbolizing the power of coming together for local youth. www.aspirekidseldorado.org , https://onecau. se/anighttoaspire

May 10 Line Dancing with Sara 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., 2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville. $10 cover fee. Ages 12-14 FREE! Food and drink available for purchase on site. Sara Schindler (530) 621-1003

May 11

Sierra Vista Mother’s Day Brunch

Treat the incredible women in your life to a memorable Mother’s Day brunch surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra foothills. Enjoy a sparkling mimosa, a side of fresh spring berries, our signature house-made hash browns, and your choice of a chef-crafted Benedict, each served on a toasted English muffin with perfectly poached eggs and silky hollandaise. Reservations: 530-622-7221 or www.sierravistawinery.com/shop/events/ brunch/ May 16 – 18 Golden Road Gathering A multi-day, live music event in the breath-

taking Sierra Nevada foothills! Join us for a weekend filled with incredible performances, community vibes, and non-stop music, featuring 30 bands across multiple stages, plus unforgettable late-night shows to keep the energy alive until the early hours! El Dorado County Fair and Event Center. www.goldenroadgathering.com/

May 16 Home Grown Comedy at The Stage at Burke Junction Third Fridays, 8 – 10 p.m. Join The Stage for Stand Up Comedy every month! Every month, new comedians, endless laughs! Tickets only $25. $5 Beer and Wine Menu all night. The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Ln, Suite E-1, Cameron Park. www.stageatburke.com/homegrowncomedy

May 19 Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf for Kids Sake Held at Serrano Country Club, the event offers a full day of activities along with unlimited food and beverage throughout the duration of the tournament. There will be course contests, a putting contest, raffle, and silent auction. 530-457-7597 https://bbbsns.bbbssecure.org/ page/164413/event/1

May 24 Food, Wine and Live Music at Sierra Vista

Noon – 7 p.m. Shauna Lea & The Hired Guns will be playing from 4 – 7 p.m. We will have specialty pizzas available for purchase all day. Early Bird Reservations until Wed. 21st. WC$10 | Non-Member $15. Tickets after Wed. 21st & at the Door WC-$15 | Non-Member $20. Wine by the glass or bottle for purchase. No outside food or alcohol allowed. 530622-7221. www.sierravistawinery.com/shop/ events/memorial/

May 24 Bluegrass and Gospel

The Pleasant Valley Boys from Dixon, CA return to Church of Our Saviour, 29 79 Coloma Street, Placerville, for another rousing concert of bluegrass and gospel music. $20 for adults with all proceeds going to the maintenance and preservation of the historic church. Reservations: 530-391-4588. May 27 Trivia at Hwy 50 Brewery Trivia nights on the last Tuesday of each month. Hosted by Jenny B. Prizes for 1st place. Teams of 6 or less. 6 – 8 p.m. 3544 Carson Rd, Camino. 530-556-5060

May 31 Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club Cornhole Tournament 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club Scholarship fund. Kids & beginners tournament begins at 10 am and Adults (21+) begins at 12:30 pm. This event will host a wheel barrow wine raffle, silent auction, and a free hot dog lunch with your registration. Two player team entry fee is $60 and single players will be matched up with someone else so don’t hesitate to enter. Register online at www.pollockpinescaminorotary.org

Formoreinformationonthese andotherevents,visitwww. visiteldorado.com Eventdate, time,costorlocationsaresubjectto change.Priortoattendinganevent pleaseconfirmtheinformation.

L to R: Cathy Zuber, EDC Chamber Membership Services; Cristy Eastman, Coldwell Banker Realty; Linda Duran, Balloon Art Celebrations.

The Venue he

OPINION

California Matters

School data project fulfills promise made by Newsom

Gavin Newsom can — and should — be faulted for making campaign promises six years ago that he must have known were impossible to achieve, such as his vows to create singlepayer health care and build 3.5 million new housing units.

When reminded of them after becoming governor, he dismissed them as “aspirational,” a caveat he neglected to attach to his original pledges. Nevertheless, credit is due when one of his promises becomes reality, as it did last week when the state launched the beginnings of a long-needed system of tracking how the state’s public school students fare in classrooms and later in life.

The Cradle-to-Career project released its first batch of numbers, along with video tutorials on how to access the data.

“With the C2C Student Pathways Dashboard now live, Californians can visualize their futures by seeing disconnected data from across sectors and previously unavailable insights, all in one place,” Newsom notes in a statement. “The Golden State is once again leading the way in innovation, connecting our education system to the workforce to ensure everyone has the freedom to succeed.”

However, not everyone in the rarified ranks of education researchers and reformers echoed Newsom’s boasts.

Alex Barrios, president of the Educational Results Partnership, a business-backed education policy coalition, complained, “The dashboard fails to do what it promised. It doesn’t represent the journeys of all students and how they navigate to and through careers.

“By following the career trajectories of only college graduates, it assumes the only path to success for students is through a four-year college degree,” Barrio alleged.

The new data system should include all of the factors that Barrio’s organization lists, but its criticism may be premature, since o cials say they intend to expand the project’s scope as rapidly as it can obtain data.

Assuming that the project does widen its reach, C2C, as it’s dubbed, not only will be a lasting accomplishment for Newsom, but it will fill a void that’s existed far too long. Without reliable data on outcomes, the nation’s largest school system operates in an accountability vacuum, which the education establishment seems to prefer.

The state Department of Education has a “dashboard” that purports to give parents, taxpayers and voters a picture of how well schools are doing their job. However, the current system is a mishmash of educational jargon that is di cult

■ See WALTERS, page A9

The Balancing Act

Perhaps the entire Democrat Party can be summed up by trying to protect one individual — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal alien. President Donald Trump made a promise to deport illegal aliens, especially those with criminal backgrounds. We have already had dozens of Americans killed or otherwise injured as a result of the onslaught of illegals welcomed by former President Joe Biden: 22-year-old Laken Riley, a promising nursing student, brutally raped and murdered; Joycelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl, gang raped and murdered; Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five brutally raped and murdered. Morin’s perp was an illegal alien who was convicted by a jury in just 46 minutes. It’s not just these three heinous acts but dozens, if not hundreds, of crimes documented. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s background — reported as part of a designated

Letters to the Editor

Open those closed doors

EDITOR:

Maybe the sheri of Nottingham V2.0 or even the police chief of Placerville could take a photo op at the Belltower on Main Street in “Hangtown” aka Placerville to show support for the legal citizens of this county. There I go again, dreaming about something that may or will not ever happen.

As usual, the “Three Desperadoes, Madam Minn” and the “Outriders of Dry Gulch” showed their lack of concern for the taxpayers of El Dorado County by sitting on their hands over a done deal behind closed doors, safe from the prying eyes of the residents of this county.

They wanted to include more county employees to be put on the Sheri Salary Limitation Section 504 of the county charter even with concerned citizens present at that meeting and those on Zoom asking to remove that item from the Consent Calendar and be put on an upcoming BOS agenda for more public comment. This move has a very far-reaching financial impact on the “Penal Colony” such as future retirements and other employees

being ignored — not to be very soon forgotten the looming budget deficit.

This is an excellent example why we need to have the infamous Consent Calendar removed. Maybe the Zoom meetings should also be taken away. Transparency, there I go dreaming again, is lacking beyond belief. Deals are made. Decisions are voted on and even the possibility of Brown Act violations may be taking place in the back rooms and closets of “Mt. El Dorado.”

If supervisors could see themselves as we see them from the audience at a meeting, looking bored, staring down at the desk, receiving text messages or thinking maybe “when will this be over?” and possibly listen to people even if the deal has already been made in private, then maybe there would not be a potential looming deficit. Now, because of their e orts, the deficit could or will get bigger with time. I am really surprised they have not hitched their wagons on Section 504. After all, they only have a five-figure salary.

So again, I ask, “Who runs El Dorado County? If

foreign terrorist organization — made him immediately deportable. Garcia, among other things, was adjudicated as part of the MS-13 El Salvadorian gang, which is known for brutal rapes and murders right here in the United States. Evidence notes Garcia held the rank in MS-13 of Chequeo and his street name was Chele. Garcia was once stopped in Tennessee by authorities who referred him to the Justice Department as an alleged human tra cker. The Biden administration refused to do anything. There have been several police reports outlining Garcia’s domestic violence crimes after beating his wife. How does the mainstream media portray Garcia? He is referred to as a “Maryland man” or “Maryland father,” leaving out any reference to his adjudicated MS-13 gang ties or his being an illegal alien from El Salvador or a wife beater and a career criminal.

Democrats can’t handle reality. Instead of supporting the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse so apparent in the federal government, they claim the current administration is going to cut or take away your Social Security and Medicare.

So what does Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen do? He ignores the conviction of Rachel Morin’s murderer, ignores Rachel Morin’s mother and instead spends your and her taxpayer money to go to El Salvador to “attain” the release of Garcia. This action came after the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, publicly said in the Oval O ce in response to a reporter’s question “Would he release Garcia back to the United States? “What a preposterous question.” And then said “no.”

Van Hollen made several videos of his trip, but he was denied any access to the maximum security CECOT prison where the worst Salvadorian criminals and gang members are held. Van Hollen’s video shows a picture of him meeting with Garcia with a third person present. The senator actually

called Garcia “an innocent man.” Van Hollen may have committed political suicide. But he isn’t up for election until 2028.

Political consultant James Carville said, “I think this is worthy of being at the top of the agenda of things that we’re going to fight over — is to get this guy back home.” This guy is in his home (country), El Salvador. He is not an American; he is a foreign terrorist and was an illegal alien. Garcia has become the poster child of Democrats who clearly hate America.

Democrats can’t handle reality. Instead of supporting the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse so apparent in the federal government, they claim the current administration is going to cut or take away your Social Security

LARRY WEITZMAN

DAN WALTERS

to decipher. It also skews the ratings in ways that minimize actual academic achievement, such as in reading, writing and mathematics, and elevates peripheral factors it calls “multiple measures.”

Thus, it downplays the fact that California’s students fare very poorly vis-a-vis those in other states and the “achievement gap” still broadly separates low-income and English-learner students from those with more privileged circumstances. Education reformers have long pushed for obtaining and publishing more objective and complete data, especially after former Gov. Jerry

Letters Continued from A6

you say taxpayers, then it is time for a jail break.

BRIAN DeBERRY Diamond Springs

Landlord misery

EDITOR:

Why is it so difficult and expensive for a landlord to evict people from their property? I have been in the legal process of trying to get two people evicted from my brother’s house for a year and a half.

They were invited as guests and when requested to leave, refused. They claimed to be tenants but had never paid a penny of rent, never paid a service bill, did not have a key to the residence and never received mail there. This started the legal process in

Brown and the Legislature overhauled school finance a decade ago to provide more funds to schools with substantial numbers of what were called “at-risk” students.

Better numbers would, the reformers said, provide a clearer understanding of whether Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula was working.

Brown, however, backed the education establishment’s preference for getting the money without strict accountability for how it was spent and whether it was having a positive effect. He said he trusted that local school officials would spend

which I hired an attorney (my expense).

The occupants were served a 60-day notice to vacate, which was ignored. They were then served with an Unlawful Detainer, which they also ignored forcing us to go to trial. On the trial date a settlement agreement was reached, which they both signed but two days prior to the evict date they filed a challenge to the settlement, which the judge, thankfully, denied.

California is not a landlord friendly state. The premise being that a property owner has the advantage over a renter which could result in more unhoused persons. I understand that we have a serious homeless problem in El Dorado County, in fact in all of California, but when does the law come down on the side of the property owner?

the extra money wisely, calling it “subsidiarity,” a secular version of an obscure religious principle. After Newsom succeeded Brown he quickly reversed that position and called for a comprehensive data system to track how students were faring during and after their journeys through the school system. The Legislature responded by authorizing the C2C system.

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

These people filed a TRO against my brother whose primary residence is this house, essentially rendering him homeless. How is this fair or just? Clearly, they are people who know how to manipulate the law to their advantage.

The effect of the difficulty for landlords to evict squatters may result in landlords refusing to rent to anyone because of the potential problems.

I’ve been very frustrated with the legal process but happy with the outcome. Property owners beware.

CYNTHIA HAYES Shingle Springs

Focus on facts

EDITOR:

Icouldn’t help but be intrigued by the recent letter lamenting Susan Norman’s concern over U.S. Forest Service cuts. It’s not every day you see budget slashing justified with a slippery slope from national debt to nuclear apocalypse.

Yes, I’m aware economics is part of a general education. But apparently empathy, environmental science and basic public policy weren’t required in that curriculum 50 something years ago. The Forest Service does more than manage trees; it supports firefighting efforts, maintains public lands and plays a key role in conservation. But sure, let’s cut it now because the country could go bankrupt in 30 years.

And invoking Napoleon and Hitler? That’s a creative leap. I’m not sure how that connects to current U.S. forestry policy, but I’m guessing it made sense somewhere between Econ 101 and Historical Comparisons for Maximum Alarm.

As for blaming DEI efforts for everything wrong with a federal agency? That’s a tired talking point. Hiring people from a range of backgrounds doesn’t destroy an organization. If anything, it tends to make it more capable of serving the whole country — not just the parts that fit a narrow mold.

Let’s focus less on hypotheticals and more on practical, present-day solutions. Like properly funding the agencies that protect our natural resources — before we need a history lesson in wildfire devastation.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

CLUB meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

PLAY CRIBBAGE

Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the

month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information. GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance,

9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Monica 530-306-7066. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a

MARI MORRIS Placerville

Local athletes compete in Meet of Champions

El Dorado County high school athletes gave their all at the 42nd annual Sacramento Meet of Champions at American River College on April 26. Athletes throughout Northern California and some from Nevada competed at the meet and many set personal and school records.

Men’s results

Ponderosa High School’s Grady Morris set a new school record in the 800 meters varsity finals with a time of 1:58.95, taking 11th place. In the 3200 meters varsity finals Oak Ridge High School’s Thomas Capelli set a personal record of 9:30.39 for 5th place and Roman Zamora ran the race in 9:56.84 for 25th place.

Taking on the hurdles, El Dorado High School’s Jerry Martinez took 4th place in both the 110 meter varsity final (39-inch hurdles) and the 300 meter varsity final (36-inch hurdles) with times of 15.20 (personal record) and 40.59, respectively. PHS Bruin Maxwell Jenkins placed 16th in the 100 meter race with a time of 15.86 and 7th in the 300 meter race with a time of 40.88.

ORHS Trojans and the Bruins also found success in the varsity relay finals. Oak Ridge runners Suhnny Bernardi, Chase Fontana, Demarco Patterson and Cole Esten took 11th in the 4x100 relay with a time of 43.67. PHS runners Jack Hinsz, Kaden Nelson, Braden Himley and Grady Morris celebrated a 1st place finish in the 4x800 final. Trojans Williams Clinchard, Ben Gutierrez, Matthew Buu and Oscar Carrillo Fregoso had an 8th place finish in the race with a time of 8:22.21.

In the discus (1.6 kilograms), Trojan

Ian Spero took 16th in the varsity finals with 125-10. Trojan Cole Esten notched a 13-03.00 pole vault for 6th place in that varsity final. EDHS Cougar Jack Tilman came in 3rd in the long jump open final at 21-10.25 while Trojan Chase Fontana finished 11th with a 20-07.00 jump.

Women’s results

Trojan Hannah Heinlein took 3rd in the 100 meters varsity final with a time of 12:53 and set a personal record in the 200 meters race at 25.55.

In the 400 meters competition Bruin Isabelle Enright set a personal record of 59.44 in the varsity finals for an 18th place finish. Trojan Lauren Tiedeman set a personal record in the 800 meters varsity finals at 2:19.70 for a 4th place finish.

In the 1600 meters varsity finals competition Trojan Giuliana Martino ran a personal best of 5:06.54 for 3rd place and Bruin Emmy Angelo took 10th with a time of 5:14.42. Trojan Adriana Ingargiola notched a 7th place victory in the 1600 meters open finals, setting her personal record of 4:58.91.

Emmy Angelo was back on the track for the 3200 meters open finals, taking 4th at 10:52.55. Trojan Nola Boucher finished that race in 11:36.86 for 17th place.

PHS hurdler Elise Maxwell set a personal record of 15.98 for 7th place in the 100 meters hurdles (33-inches) varsity finals. In the 300 meters hurdles (30-inches) finals Union Mine High School’s Eliza Hodnett earned 16th place with her personal record of 49.05 while Bruin Maile Clemons came in 23rd with a time of 50.95. Ponderosa’s 4x400 relay team of n See CHAMPIONS, page A11

COMICS

✓

✓

ARIES (March 21-April 19). With all you’re balancing, intentional breaks could be the key to sustaining your momentum. Even short ones, like a quiet walk, a day to recharge or a moment of solitude, could make a huge difference.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Even the hard-boiled pragmatist you know will soften and bend to your whimsical charms — because, bottom line, you’re fun. Life’s just more interesting when you let that carefree part of yourself take the lead.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No matter how well you think you know someone, there’s always more to discover. New people entering the scene will act as catalysts, revealing different sides of those you thought you knew well.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not ready to tackle the problem just yet — at least, not in action. But in thought, you’re making major strides. This is a crucial stage! Your strategic brainstorming and inspired notions will be nothing short of brilliant.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll find yourself in a position to give intuitive service — a spontaneous, unplanned act of attention that makes a difference. Caring about a person’s preferences and how they need things done suggests deep presence, empathy and a rare kind of generosity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not avoiding on purpose — your mind’s just trying to keep you safe. Distraction is fear in disguise, a clever excuse fear uses to stop you from committing to what you really want. Breathe. You can begin from here.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Problems don’t have to drain you. It’s the approach that makes all the difference. Curiosity gives you energy, but the trick is to be just interested enough to keep things light so you don’t get overwhelmed. Drama is optional — who needs it?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You look at the same view as everyone, but what it means to you is entirely different. And that difference? Gold. If you stay silent, an essential voice goes missing. Speak up. Let them shift to meet the truth only you can offer.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You find life exciting without needing any adrenaline-fueled add-ons. Your curious mind naturally gravitates toward subjects of deep fascination — and what you discover might just leave you awe-struck.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your knowledge of cause and effect includes the understanding that not every result is immediate, visible, typical or even logical. By articulating a need, you will also come to know its cost a bit better. This may lead to you changing what you ask for. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s a day to avoid micromanagement. Many assessments aren’t necessary for things to proceed well. Relax and observe, resisting the need to judge every detail, which would be an

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Courtesy photo

Oak Ridge’s Giuliana Martino, Sutton Paulsen, Emi Madsen and Lauren Tiedeman, from left, enjoy a break at the Tournament of Champions. The four Trojans took second place in the 4x800 relay.

Mountain Democrat staff

7th

Continued from A10

Makayla Murray, Isabelle Enright, Makena Mears and Maile Clemons came in 5th in the varsity finals with a time of 4:09.41.

Oak Ridge’s 4x800 relay team of Sutton Paulsen, Giuliana Martino, Emi Madsen and Lauren Tiedeman took second in the varsity finals, finishing in 9:39.99.

UMHS Diamondback Ruby Diaz earned 8th place for her 33-05.00 shot put (4 kilograms) in that competition’s varsity final. Trojan Shelby Johnston took first place and achieved a personal record of 125-04 in the discus (1 kilogram) finals.

High jumper Maya Musgrove

Weitzman

Continued from A8

and Medicare. President Donald Trump has said on numerous recent occasions that Social Security and Medicare and even Medicaid benefits will not be touched. In fact, DOGE staff — by eliminating the fraud (like people over 120 years old being on the rolls), waste and abuse — could extend and enhance those programs with the savings found.

the

brought 2nd place home for EDHS with a 5-00.00 jump while UMHS athlete Eliza Hodnett tied for 9th with a 4-10.00 jump. In the long jump varsity finals

Bruin Makayla Murray took 8th with a 16-08.00 jump and Diamondback Carson Bavier came in 14th with a 16-00.50 jump.

Elise Maxwell earned 5th for the Bruins in the triple jump varsity finals, jumping 33-11.00. Union Mine’s Eliza Hodnett came in 13th at 32.02.50. In the triple jump open finals Trojan Allison Anastacio notched a 7th place finish, jumping 34-05.00.

Democrats cheer activist leftist judges who attempt to restrict the deportation of illegal aliens. They are on the wrong side of most issues as the party is being driven further to the left by university ideologues AOC and Bernie Sanders. Where will the bad decisions end?

Larry Weitzman is a former El Dorado County resident.

PATRIOT PROFILE

Abraham Knowlton

Service: He was a Private in Captain omas Baker’s Company and Colonel Nathaniel Tyler’s Regiment during the Rhode Island Alarm Residence: Shrewsbury Worcester County MA Born: 25 Nov 1750 in Shrewsbury Worcester County MA Died: 12 Sep 1807 Shrewsbury MA

Abraham Knowlton fought in the Rhode Island Alarm, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill in August, 1778. is battle marked the rst cooperation between Continental and French troops. It is also notable for the participation of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, made up of African American, Native American, and white settlers. e 1st Rhode Island was one of the few regiments to ght through the entire war.

Abraham Knowlton married Lydia Batcheldor on the 12th of May, 1772

Proud Descendants: Sally Long Johns, Sarah Johns & Suzanne O’Rourke

Your local Daughters of e American Revolution Chapter is excited to be a part of the America250! America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to re ect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation.

You are invited to learn more about your local El Dorado DAR Chapter please contact regent@eldorado.californiadar.org

Courtesy photo

Trojan Adriana Ingargiola notched a

place victory in

1600 meters open finals, setting a personal record of 4:58.91 at the Tournament of Champions. Champions

“I’ve noticed some changes, and care about your well-being...”

Knowing When it’s Time to Discuss Assisted Living

e goal is always maintaining independence and a quality lifestyle. The following are signs it could be time to consider Assisted Living.

❏ Di culty with Daily Tasks: Struggling with cooking, cleaning, shopping, or managing household chores.

❏ Safety Concerns: Experiencing frequent falls, accidents, or feeling unsafe at home.

❏ Health & Medication Management: Having trouble keeping track of medications or scheduling doctor appointments.

❏ Declining Physical Abilities: Noticeable decreases in strength, mobility, or endurance that make everyday activities challenging.

❏ Cognitive Changes: Increased forgetfulness, confusion, or di culty making decisions.

❏ Social Isolation: Feeling lonely, isolated, or experiencing a decline in social interactions and engagement.

❏ Family Concerns: Loved ones expressing worry about safety, health, or overall well-being.

❏ Maintenance Challenges: Struggling to keep up with home maintenance, nances, or daily self-care routines.

If you have questions or it’s time to take the next step, Ponté Palmero is here to help.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

The Big Day of Giving is Thursday, May 1. Share the love with your favorite nonprofit in El Dorado County. Visit bigdayofgiving.org to search for participating local nonprofits.

April 30

The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville will host Main Street Menagerie from 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

May 1

Folsom Lake College dance department presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream — a New Musical Adaptation” at 6 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.

May 2

The Placerville Shakespeare Club will host its Giant Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the clubhouse on 2940 Bedford Ave. New items will be put out daily. For more information visit placervilleshakespeare.com.

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds will host the Placerville Home & Garden Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 2-4. For more information visit placervillehomeshow.com.

The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville will host an All Ages Queer Community Social from 4-7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host a Business Connections Mixer and Anniversary Party from 5-8 p.m. at Alchemy in El Dorado Hills. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

The Rescue Community Center will host Friday Night Out from 5-9 p.m. at the Rescue Community Center. For tickets and more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.

The El Dorado High School Medical Arts Program is putting on a Senior Citizen Prom for seniors in the community from 5-7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room at El Dorado High School. The event is free to anyone over 60 years old. The theme is “Hollywood.” Guests can dress up according to the theme, however, any appropriate attire is fine. Food and drink will be provided, there will also be a DJ, dancing, a photo booth and awards for attendees. Contact teacher, Kevin Potter kmpotter@ eduhsd.k12.ca.us for more information.

The City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents “She Kills Monsters” at 7:30 p.m. The show continues through May 18. For more information visit citytheatre.net.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “The Sunshine Boys” at 7:30 p.m. and running through June 1. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered starring Michelle Berting Brett at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.

Local yoga center

offers a thoughtful oasis

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

Ahidden gem lies tucked away in the rolling hills of greater Placerville, overlooking Gold Hill. The Yoga Meditation Center, Shri Janardan Ajapa Yogashram is an unassuming oasis. Aron Werblow, Annette Werblow and Dollie Wolfe have spent the better part of the last four decades maintaining the Placerville center and attending group meditations called Pujas three times daily.

The Placerville center — one of four worldwide: Placerville, Bangladesh, India and Poland — has remained a veritable secret since its founding in 1977. Unlike other centers, practices or religions, Ajapa Yoga does not often proselytize or actively recruit new members. However, in recent years, the yoga teacher Guru Prasad Paramhans decided that the world could use Ajapa Yoga so he embarked on the nine city lecture tour in Oct. of last year.

The trek was dubbed The Song of Breath and traveled from Placerville to Folsom, then to six stops in the Bay Area including San Francisco and finally to two stops in Los Angeles.

Prasad was raised in the Ajapa ashram by his predecessor, Swami Janardan Paramhans, who trained him and appointed him his successor at the young age of 14.

Prasad presided over the tour while Shri Neeraj Goswami, an Ajapa Master and internationally known artist, gave free lectures unveiling the secrets and science behind Ajapa Yoga. At the end of the lecture those who were interested could choose to sign up for a training and initiation into Ajapa Yoga.

Aron Werblow, the secretary of the Placerville Yoga Center, accompanied Prasad on the 2024 tour.

“Guru Prasad was realizing how low vibrations of the world were at this time,” said Werblow. “And he felt like, you know, like the United States was ready to do this.”

The technique or practice is a meditation focused on one’s breathing, Werblow said.

“This is science-based yoga,” said Aron. “It is based on the natural sounds of the breath,” There are two main forces in the world, Aron said, attraction and repulsion. These coincide with inhalation and exhalation — you attract when you inhale and repulse when you exhale.

“Certain sounds occur during inhalation and exhalation and we lose a lot of pranic energy, particularly during the process of exhalation,” he said.

Pranic

“prana” meaning “vital life force” which is an ancient science and art of healing that utilizes prana or ki energy to heal the whole physical body.

“Basically it’s a breathing and meditation technique, we sit quietly and we meditate,” said Annette. She said that one’s consciousness or true self is inside observing the world around us.

“But we’re not in touch with that, you know, we’re caught up in the world of thinking and words and senses,” Annette added. “And that pulls us away from our true self.”

According to the Werblows the meditation technique brings a person back to that center.

“Eventually you get to a state where you feel a lot of joy and a lot of peace and a lot of happiness and a lot of love,” said Annette. “Thats’s what the purpose of this mediation is, to get to that point, to realize our true self.”

Aron has been practicing Ajapa since he first discovered it in the early 1970s. He was in Baltimore working as an attorney at the time, taking yoga classes at Johns Hopkins University.

“There was this poster,” he said. “It was on the bulletin board and to me there was nothing else on that board.”

The poster was for a tour that Guru Janarden had embarked on in North America. Aron went to that lecture and

as luck would have it he was invited to the house where Janarden was staying.

“I went there and took initiation,” he said. “you know, I was taught the method.”

Aron went on practicing the method but was fairly inactive for a couple more years. He was in a bad accident that landed him in the hospital.

“I remember being in the hospital just doing the mantra,” he said, adding that the doctors were deciding whether he would have to have surgery. “Well, fortunately, he didn’t have to operate. So I’m attributing maybe some of that to the mantra.”

“I wasn’t conscious of it at that time,” he said. “But now looking back, it’s kind of like an

evolving process over a period of many years, with the help of this process, with the help of this meditation.”

After that Aron began going to once weekly meditations and visited a center in upstate New York where he first met Annette who lived in Brooklyn.

“I was living a

Mountain Democrat photos by Andrew Vonderschmitt

The Ajapa Yoga meditation center is a welcoming and serene location with a tranquil back garden complete with beautiful paths leading out from a central pond.

Aron Werblow, left, Dollie Wolfe, center, and Annette Werblow, right, have spent the better part of the past four decades caring for and maintaining the Placerville center.

Green Valley Elementary integrates foothill history through field trip

Jessica Trumble-Pitel News release

Green Valley Elementary School, part of the Rescue Union School District, recently took its third-grade class on an enriching field trip to the Maidu Historic Site in Roseville on April 3. Students, teachers and parents came together to explore, learn and connect with the land and history of the Sierra Foothills dating back hundreds of years.

Guided by highly trained docents, groups of third graders toured the Maidu Historic Site and Museum, navigating through exhibits of artifacts, nature trails, creeks and encounters with local wildlife.

As they entered the trail, students observed petroglyphs carved into large granite boulders offering a powerful, firsthand look into the ancient artistry of the Maidu people. From there, the experience deepened into lessons

about life in Maidu territory — how respect guided their relationship with plants, animals and each other, how they coexisted with the California grizzly bear, and how pine trees were used for both baby food and wound care.

“This field trip allowed our students the opportunity to interact with the Maidu culture and learn about its history, all while having so much fun,” said third-grade teacher Mrs. Wood. “My students loved being able to walk amongst the sacred rocks, peer over the petroglyphs and play the stick game. As we continue our classroom lessons on California tribes, we will refer back to our experience at Maidu over and over again.”

This experience reflects Green Valley’s continued dedication to expanding educational boundaries by blending real-world experiences with in-class instruction. Following the trip, Green Valley third graders brought

their learning back into the classroom, connecting their experiences to California History through literacy lessons, experimenting with static electricity by rubbing quartz on sandstone and even

designing math-based probability games inspired by traditional Maidu games using popsicle sticks.

El Dorado County and the surrounding Foothills Region offer so much for young learners

to discover. Green Valley and RUSD remain committed to serving as a bridge between past and present, empowering students to build a future grounded in knowledge and connection.

For more information about Green Valley Elementary School visit mygreenvalleyschool. com. For more information about Rescue Union School District visit rescueusd.org.

Amador festival is a fiery celebration of food, wine and community

Mimi Escabar

Special sections editor

LYMOUTH —

PWhere open-fire cooking meets world-class winemaking, the Amador Four Fires Festival returns on Saturday, May 3 for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the legendary wine regions of France’s Rhône Valley, Italy, Spain and Heritage California. Set against the historical Gold Rush-era backdrop of the Amador County Fair and Events Center in Plymouth, the festival invites guests to immerse themselves in Amador County’s rich viticulture and culinary traditions in one extraordinary setting. Taking place from noon to 4 p.m. with

Premier Access beginning at 11 a.m.

Four Fires offers an immersive indooroutdoor experience that blends the rustic elegance of Amador wine country with the excitement of openflame cooking by top local chefs from American River College Culinary, Crossover Kitchen, Hotel Sutter, Off the Vine Catering and Motherlode Catering. There will be hands-on experiences and exclusive tastings.

VIP, general admission and designated driver tickets are available at AmadorFourFires.com.

Guests will savor reserve and limitedproduction wines, gold medal winners and hidden gems expertly paired with

bold open-fire cuisine from top local chefs.

Premier ticket holders enjoy early entry and exclusive tastings before the main gates open.

In addition to wine, the festival features locally brewed beer from Amador Brewing Company, wines by the glass, a silent auction, artisan vendors, live demonstrations and interactive sessions with winemakers and chefs.

Four Fires is more than a wine festival, it’s a journey through the bold flavors and pioneering spirit of Amador County, California’s first organized wine trail.

Nestled in the Sierra foothills, Amador is defined by its rugged terroir and a diverse mix of clay and granitic soils

that give rise to wines of character and depth.

Known for heritage grapes like zinfandel, barbera and mission, as well as emerging varieties that push the envelope, Amador’s

winemakers continue to inspire a new generation of wine lovers and critics alike.

The Amador Four Fires Festival is sponsored by Amador Wine Country, city of Plymouth, BONNEY, Rail Explorers USA, Renewal by Andersen, Hotel Sutter, Domenico Winery, Helwig Winery and Rancho Victoria Vineyard.

Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, reserve and limited-production tastings, live music in every region, barrel toasting demonstrations, artisanal vendors and food pairings, special experiences, a silent auction and unique artisanal goods to handcrafted treasures.

For more information follow Four Fires on

Instagram at @amadorwine.

Participating wineries Amador Cellars, Andis Wines and Painted Fields, Avio Vineyards and Winery, Bella Grace Vineyards, Casino Mine Ranch, Cooper Vineyards, D’Agostini Wines, Deaver Vineyards, Di Arie Vineyard and Winery, Dobra Zemlja Winery, Domenico Winery, Drytown Cellars, Helwig Winery, Ill Gioiello Winery, Jeff Runquist Wines, La Mesa Vineyards, Lusso Della Terra, Pleinair Vineyards, Portalupi, Rancho Victoria Vineyard, Rombauer Vineyards, Scott Harvey Wines, Terra d’Oro, Turley Wine Cellars and Vino Noceto.

Courtesy photo

Students playing a duplicate of the same math probability game of the Maidu People.

Democrat file photo by Mimi Escabar

A giant pan of paella is prepared for guests attending previous Amador Four Fires Festivals. The event on May 3 will feature wine and open-fire cooking.

Discover the Lost Coast

Barbara L. Steinberg

Special to the Mountain Democrat

The Lost Coast is aptly named for a reason. If you’ve never traveled to this hidden corner of Humboldt County, you can’t begin to appreciate just how lost it is. The region is so remote, that it’s hard to imagine how early settlers found their way to places like Shelter Cove and Whitethorn.

Any trip to Shelter Cove requires determination. No matter your starting point, remote highways will test your GPS and patience to take it slow. Leaving Highway 101 at Redway, you traverse many miles of narrow two-lane roads — twisting and turning. You’ll climb through forests of the King Range National Conservation Area and mountain peaks where snow falls above 3,281 feet a couple of times per year. Perseverance will bring you, at long last, to the Pacific Ocean views.

The Lost Coast is one of California’s largest wilderness areas, with 67,500 acres of undeveloped land. It also contains the longest undeveloped Pacific coastline (The Lost Coast) in the continental United States. Hikers and backpackers seek solitude and magnitude. Many miles of the Lost Coast Trail (more than 24 miles from north to south) requires a Backcountry Permit for overnight camping.

Happy memories of Shelter Cover remained the same. There have been some wonderful changes in the 18 years since my last visit, including new restaurant offerings and local brews. Considering Shelter Cove’s remote location, dining selections are excellent. However, it’s best to call ahead for times and days of operation. Visiting in mid October, we found many locations closed during

the week — sometimes only open ThursdaySunday. We enjoyed local cuisine including a divine breakfast at the Surf Point Coffee & Bistro. Featuring housemade baked goods and local coffee, the bistro is open for breakfast and lunch. The eggs benedict was superb. Gyppo Ale Mill was our dining option for two nights of our Shelter Cove stay. Cold beers on tap - great selections brewed in-house. The first night we shared fish tacos local, incredibly fresh Rockfish. They were so yummy; more than enough for the two of us. A Venezuelan restaurant, Mi Mochima, serves authentic and delectable cuisine. We enjoyed sangria, fresh fish, yucca fries and empanadas. Plan ahead; they are very popular. The journey to scenic beauty and astonishing adventures is endless. Take Beach Road to Black Sands Beach just north of Shelter Cove. Enjoy hiking and aweinspiring ocean views. Commercial fishing is a historical part of Shelter Cove’s past and present. Both local and visiting anglers come to cast their lines at this coastal location. The drive to explore the Redwoods Monastery was another long and winding road. The website said we could buy honey and other gift items from their shop. That was enough to entice us to drive the 15 miles (taking longer than imagined)

from our Shelter Cove Inn. Founded in 1962 from the Cistercian Monastery of Nazareth in Belgium, Redwoods Monastery is a small community of Roman Catholic women monastics. The story of how they made their way to this remote corner of Humboldt County is more than remarkable. This was an accidental adventure we’ll never forget. The wide meadow provides an unobstructed view of all the Monastery buildings. The construction is almost entirely coastal redwoods with some concrete accents. At first look, we noticed the minimalism, but the most amazing part was the chapel. Once inside, we were overwhelmed by its elegant simplicity. Large windows streamed light into the room. The silence was ringing in our ears. Out of respect, we took no photos. It was an emotional moment. From there, we went to the gift shop and purchased jars of Monastery creamed honey, lavender soap, and beautiful cards featuring native flowers. Private and silent retreats, allow visitors to spend days/nights at the Monastery, must be booked well in advance. There are several lodging options including hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. Be sure to book ahead. Shelter Cove is most definitely a bucket list destination.

...And

HFW Enterprises, LLC

49’er Bail Bond

Aborn Powers Property Management

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust

Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado Irrigation District

EN2 Resources, Inc.

Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community

Mountain Roofing Systems

Triangle Well Drilling

Western Sign Co., Inc.

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper.

NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation. Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools.

Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Please show these sponsors your support for the program by patronizing their businesses.

Photos by Barbara L. Steinberg

Shelter Cove provides awe inspiring views.

The Redwoods Monastery is a striking, minimalist building set in a wide open meadow.

May 3

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 512 will host its famous pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Placerville Airport, 3501 Airport Road. Proceeds go to the Sunny Atkin

Scholarship Fund for students of aeronautical related studies.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host the Community Clean Up Day, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to EDH residents, $20 a load to non-

residents. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club will host a Spring Plant Sale, 8:30-11 a.m. in front of the clubhouse at 2940 Bedford Ave. For more information visit placerville-shakespeare.com.

The Cameron Park Community Services District will host Kickin’ It With Mom. Celebrate all the amazing moms out there with fun and laughter from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Christa McAuliffe Park, Cameron Park. Advance registration required. For more information visit cameronpark. org.

The El Dorado Hills Arts

Association Studio Tour takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 & 4. For more information visit eldoradohillsarts.com.

Join the American Legion Auxiliary for its Spring Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4561 Greenstone Road, Placerville. Proceeds support local veterans, active-duty service members, their families and the children and youth in the community.

El Dorado High School’s Cougar Band Aides will host the Taste on Main event and fundraiser, noon to 4 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Placerville. For tickets or more details visit

edhscougarmusic.org.

The Merchants on Main present a live auction with auctioneer Greg Rezak to benefit Main Street events and the shop local campaign supporting family-run businesses. For more information visit placervillemerchants.org.

To register for the event visit clubgreenroom.com.

Clubhouse El Dorado presents Masquerade for Mental Health, a benefit concert and dinner in support of Clubhouse El Dorado, a program of NAMI El Dorado County from 5-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit namieldoradocounty.org.

Join the West Slope Foundation for the Wildfire Protection Summit with Tenessa Audette, Tamara Wallace, Scot Telfer and Nick Busse at 5 p.m. at 3181 Cameron Park Drive, Suite 104, Cameron Park.

The El Dorado

Culinary herbs: from garden to gourmet

“Nothing at table is quite as evocative of summer as fresh basil its pungent leaves wafting up off vine ripe tomatoes layered with mozzarella, the pungent anise-garlic scent of pesto on fresh pasta, its licorice-like flavor punching up an herb salad dressed with local olive oil and wine vinegar, or in a marriage of strong smells along with chives, coriander, parsley and mint in a fresh salsa verde on a thick steak grilled over vine cuttings.”

If you are a foodie, the previous quote by Sonoma County Master Gardener Steven Hightower has you heading to the nursery to buy some basil plants or seeds.

There are many other delicious and nutritious herbs that grow well

and easily in El Dorado County. Herbs are a healthy way to add nutritious flavoring to your cooking. And like the flexibility of basil, herbs are very flexible about where they are grown. Yes, you can have a beautiful in-ground herb garden, but herbs are also happy in raised beds and in a variety of containers. Herbs are beautiful plants that can be interplanted with ornamentals. Plus, growing your own herbs gives you many more varieties to choose from. Try using lemon basil for pesto.

Herbs fall into the easyto-grow category. Most need four to six hours of sun. If you have morning sun and afternoon shade, that’s perfect, but they’ll take more sun. You will want well-drained soil with some organic matter added and topped with mulch. They prefer deep, infrequent watering and light fertilization – think

completely different lifestyle,” she said. “I was hanging out with some good friends and they said, ‘Hey, there’s this Indian Guru in Manhattan, wanna go see him?’”

So, she and some friends went to the Manhattan stop of the same tour that Aron had attended in Baltimore.

“I was enthralled by the whole thing. It was something completely new,” she said. “I wasn’t even looking for anything.”

She learned the technique and went back home to Brooklyn.

“I did do it (the technique) on and off a little bit, but it was not my lifestyle, really at the time,” she said. “I was young, you know?”

Soon after Annette was contacted by other members who were opening a center in New York who invited her to join them.

“I went and I never went home,” she revealed. “I never even went back to my apartment, they had something, they had something about them that I wanted.”

Within a month Annette went from, “being very shy and very unhappy to feeling completely confident and happy just from doing this meditation.”

Three years later the Placerville center opened. Wolfe had also found Ajapa during Janarden’s tour. She attended a lecture and immediately learned the technique.

“I stayed around Janardan for a while and went

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District invites applications for the position of:

ADMIN AIDE I: $23.26 to $28.27 per hour plus benefits, depending on qualifications.

ADMIN AIDE II: $25.62 to $31.14 per hour plus benefits, depending on qualifications. OPENING DATE: April 14, 2025 FINAL FILING DATE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. First review date for applications will be held on May 12, 2025.

An application can be printed from the District website at www.gd-pud.org or request an application by emailing Stephanie Beck at slbeck@gd-pud.org. Return a completed application to the District office by mail, or email to: slbeck@gd-pud.org. Georgetown Divide Public Utility District P.O. Box 4240, Georgetown, CA. 95634 For further information call (530) 333-4356 or visit our website at www.gd-pud.org

Jan Keahey

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

half-strength. A balanced fertilizer in the spring is usually sufficient except for annual herbs which may require more frequent fertilization. Once you start growing your own herbs, you’ll be impressed by the quality compared to fresh herbs purchased at the grocery store as well as how much less you spend. You will also have herbs available to dry for later use. You might develop your own herb blend such as Italian seasoning. Or maybe a Tuscan

herb salt or homemade Herbes de Provence. There are many possibilities. And most herb flowers are edible. Try sprinkling some orange calendula petals and blue borage flowers on top of a salad. You just went from garden to gourmet. For more information on growing and using herbs, you can attend a free class on May 3, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park. UC Master Gardeners and Master Food Preservers will team up for “Culinary Herbs: From Garden to Gourmet.” First, Master Gardeners Jan Keahey and Ada Brehmer will explore the herbs that grow well in our area, how to propagate, grow and when to harvest. Then Master Food Preserver Debbie Hillel will present fun and creative ideas for

back to my worldly life,” she said. When Janarden returned to Montreal she knew she had to see him again and this time it led to Calcutta.

“Then one day I looked down at the newspaper and I saw he’s holding a lecture at one of the universities in Montreal,” she said. “So I went there, and the next morning he said, ‘come to India with me.’”

“So I went with Guruji by plane alone,” she said. Guruji is an endearing term some of the members use when referring to Janarden, the literal translation means “Mr. Guru.”

“I didn’t know Hindi,” she said. “I just stayed with Guruji by his side and we ended up in Calcutta.”

She stayed in India for one year and three months. When she was encouraged to return home to Montreal soon after she too found the newly opened center in Placerville.

Newly married Annette and Aron Werblow traveled to Placerville. Wolfe came to Placerville shortly after returning to Montreal.

using herbs in preserving projects. Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find a schedule at mgeldorado.ucanr. edu/Calendar. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the Ask a Master Gardener option on mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Ask_a_ Master_Gardener or leave a message at (530) 621-5512. For more

information on the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County visit mgeldorado.ucanr. edu. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to your food safety and preserving questions. Email edmfp@ ucanr.edu. For more information about programs, events and recipes visit ucanr.edu/ sites/mfp_of_cs/.

Recently, Prasad has made it his mission to share Ajapa. The tour was one way to share the news.

“His mission is to spread Ajapa, because of the kind of sad state of the world,” Aron said. “To try to elevate, if more people do Ajapa and find the joy and the balance and stability that it provides, you know what they say, a high tide raises all ships.”

Contact the members of the Placerville center to learn more about the Ajapa technique of meditation. For more information on Ajapa Yoga visit usa.ajapayog.org. To learn more about the Placerville center or the technique call Aron at (530) 363-8455 or email ajapayog@gmail.com.

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

Mail resumes to: Danielle Lassiter, Office Mgr, 3043 Gold Canal, Ste. 200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Pixabay image

Herbs are a healthy war to add nutritious flavoring to cooking.

Yoga Continued from B1

The Horse Resource

Experience maintenance-free living with the convenience of restaurant style dining, weekly housekeeping and

staff on-site. MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING Our dedicated staff provides attentive, individualized care with around-the-clock staff, transportation and assistance with daily activities.