Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Boys & Girls Club gets moving on new sports facility

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

There’s a new sports complex coming to an empty field near you and it’ll be a public/private collaborative e ort with a multitude of players that brings it to fruition.

The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County Western Slope has partnered with El Dorado County and the El Dorado Community Foundation to create a 40-acre, state-of-the-art sports and recreation complex complete with soccer fields, baseball/softball diamonds, walking trails, a full gymnasium and a stand alone teen center, just 4 miles south of Placerville in the community of El Dorado. This elaborate facility called The Landing comes with an estimated $30 million price tag from ground breaking to final ribbon cutting.

What at first glance might look like a monumental undertaking, The Landing will be achieved with the community behind it, according to Sean McCartney, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club. Just like the old adage, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” he said he believes success lies in the attempt.

“If we don’t try, we won’t get anywhere,” he said, acknowledging the estimate comes with a certain amount of sticker shock.

“People look at that number of $30 million and they go, ‘Oh my gosh,’” he said. “But, the beauty of this community is, once they get behind a project, the momentum is real.”

31.

A SAFER PATH

Missouri Flat overcrossing officially open

Noel Stack Editor

Bicyclists, pedestrians and a few pooches cheered as the cut ribbon fell to the wayside at the Missouri Flat Road pedestrian overcrossing on the El Dorado Trail in Placerville.

The May 31 celebration marked the end of a multi-year project to build the bridge over the thoroughfare tying Placerville to Diamond Springs/El Dorado, giving trail users a dedicated, safer path. The steel truss bridge spans 180 feet over the roadway.

“It’s so great to have the support of the people,” said Matt Smeltzer, El Dorado County Department of Transportation deputy director of Engineering. “This is a fantastic addition to El Dorado County.”

Smeltzer, all decked out in riding gear, joined dozens of other riders Matt

See BRIDGE, page A2 ■ See THE LANDING, page A8

The upcoming El Dorado County Fair takes place June 12-15 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. This year’s fair theme, Moovin’ and Groovin’, celebrates the sounds of the many steers at the fair and the live music found on any of the four stages while the fair is open.

“We love bringing this event to our community,” shared Kathy Dunkak, Fair CEO. “There is something for everyone. There are many fun and educational opportunities for both young and old.

“A person can watch wool spinners, learn about fire safety, experience the Rubicon, compete in the wheelbarrow races, shop, get up close and personal with livestock, ride a pony or a camel, walk on water, enjoy some crazy fair food, check out vintage logging trucks, win a bubble blowing contest, put on a circus — it just goes on and on” continued Dunkak. “Green Valley Community Church brings their Sunday service to the fair on Sunday, June 15, at 11 a.m. so fair goers have the opportunity to worship and then enjoy the fair.”

Paul Maurer Shows will be bringing 24 rides for the thrill seekers, with some for the

little ones to experience as well. Safety is first and foremost, fairgoers should utilize clear or no bags for faster entry. No weapons, pepper spray or pocket knives will be allowed on the fairgrounds, nor will gang attire be allowed. The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce provides security for the fair. While the deputies enjoy getting out and meeting the community, they uphold the fair’s zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior.

In partnership with El Dorado Transit and the El Dorado County Air Quality

S

FAIR, page A2

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp and Boys & Girls Club

CEO Sean McCartney stand on the 30-acre lot in El Dorado where they hope to build a multi-use facility called The Landing.

Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack

Bicyclists make their way across the newly opened Missouri Flat Road bike/pedestrian overcrossing during the grand opening event Saturday, May

Smeltzer, El Dorado County Department of Transportation deputy director of Engineering, thanks all the community partners who worked together on the Missouri Flat Road bike/pedestrian overcrossing project.

ESSENTIALS

Virginia “Ginger” Eleanor Jaurequi

March 5, 1932 – April 22, 2025

Ginger Mora Jaurequi was born in Pasadena, California, in 1932. In 1951, she married her love, John Daniel Jaurequi. Together, they built a life in Lakewood, California, centered around family, faith, and music. As a devoted mother, Ginger began teaching English to Spanish-speaking youth after her own children had grown. Her passion for supporting young people and her nurturing nature shone brightly in this role. She found happiness in this work and took pride in witnessing her students thrive and succeed. In 1992, Ginger and John moved to Placerville to be closer to their children and grandchildren. There, Ginger became an active member of the community. She dedicated her time to volunteering as well as working during the initial establishment of and on-going service to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home. Building community and support for the young mothers and their newborns in the home brought her immense joy. Ginger was a cherished and selfless mother to four children and four in-laws whom she embraced as her own: Daniel and Claudia Jaurequi, John and Diane Jaurequi Child, Tim and Karen Jaurequi Mingle, David and Michelle Jaurequi. She was a fun-loving and beloved grandma to 12 grandchildren: Ryan Jaurequi, Sara Jaurequi Colvin, Justin Child, Vanessa Child Nordstrom, Emily Child Skinner, Amy Child Pooley, Jared Mingle, Jacob Mingle, Jorden Mingle, Kara Mingle Okumura, Jason Jaurequi, Rose Jaurequi Benshoshan; and, a greatgrandmother, a ectionately known as “GG” to 23 great-grandchildren. Ginger embraced each day with a joyful spirit and lived her life as a strong and proud Catholic woman, exemplifying unconditional love. Services will be held on Saturday, June 7 at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Placerville. Funeral services include a Rosary beginning at 10:30 am, followed by Mass at 11:00 am, and a luncheon reception after. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Chapel of the Pines.

Comments and notes to the family may be shared on their website: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ placerville-ca/virginia-jaurequi-12359621.

In lieu of flowers for the family, donations can be made to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home in memory of Ginger Jaurequi. Additionally, acts of kindness and compassion celebrating Ginger’s legacy of love are warmly welcomed.

Nina Louise Todd

Sept. 19, 1942 – March 29, 2025

Lonnie Ray Todd

Jan. 10, 1938 – April 7, 2025

Nina and Lonnie, two of the most beautiful, unselfish and generous people, peacefully passed nine days apart. Lonnie worked for the Placerville Parks Dept. until his retirement. Nina worked various jobs but her favorite was taking care of her grandkids. They loved to camp, fish and spend time with friends and family. There will be a Celebration of Life on June 14, 2025 at 11:00 am at Diamond Springs Firefighters Memorial Hall, 501 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.

Milan Vukovich

May 11, 1962 – May 18, 2025

Milan Vukovich left us suddenly on May 18, 2025, during a tragic bicycle accident in Folsom, California.

Barbara Ann Raines

Jan. 28, 1942 – April 2, 2025

In Loving Memory of Barbara Raines

Barbara Ann Raines, age 83, of Placerville, California, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, surrounded by the warmth of the community she deeply cherished.

A lifelong advocate for education, civic engagement, and Native American culture, Barbara served as an Assistant Professor at Folsom Lake College, where she inspired generations of students with her wisdom, compassion, and unique teaching style. Her passion for books and knowledge extended beyond the classroom. As a dedicated member of Friends of the Library, she championed literacy and lifelong learning for all ages.

Barbara’s commitment to her community was evident in every aspect of her life. As a Placerville City Planning Commissioner, she approached every challenge with thoughtfulness and integrity, helping to shape a city that reflected her values of sustainability, inclusion, and forward-thinking. Whether attending council meetings, volunteering at local events, or supporting neighborhood initiatives, Barbara led with heart and purpose.

She was a dedicated mother, a trusted friend, and a tireless community supporter. Her kindness touched many, and her unique personality and quiet strength served as a guiding light to all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger Raines, with whom she shared a life of deep love and mutual respect.

Barbara’s legacy is one of service, scholarship, and compassion. She will be remembered not only for the countless contributions she made to her community but for the warmth, wit, and energy she brought into every room.

A Celebration of Life was held in her honor on Saturday, May 31st, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the El Dorado Community Center 6699 Campus Dr, Placerville, CA 95667.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Friends of the Library - El Dorado County or a local educational fund in her memory. Barbara Raines leaves behind a community that is better because she was in it, and those she loved are forever grateful for her kindness and generosity.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

PLACERVILLE CITY

COUNCIL Placerville City Hall 3101 Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200

Mayor John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org

Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org

Ryan Carter rcarter@cityofplacerville.org

Jackie Neau jneau@cityofplacerville.org

David Yarbrough dyarbrough@cityofplacerville.

org ElL DORADO COUNTY SUPERVISORS EDC Government Center 330 Fair Lane, Placerville

District 1 Supervisor

Greg Ferrero (530) 621-5650

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo (530) 621-5651

District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp (530) 621-5652

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin (530) 621-6513

Milan was born in Sacramento on May 11, 1962, and grew up in Shingle Springs. He lived life his own way, full of energy and completely unforgettable. He rarely worried about details and showed up in the way only he could. Milan cared deeply about his family, his friends, and anyone lucky enough to be pulled into his orbit.

Milan loved riding. He rode thousands of miles over the years, with countless stories to prove it. He was usually late, often unfiltered, and always the person everyone wanted around. There was no one like him.

Milan is survived by his wife, Donene; his children, Alexa, Demetria, and Aubrey; and his grandson, Phelan. He is also survived by his siblings, Aimee and Troy; nephews, Roman and Preston; his brothers-in-law, Arturo and Tim; and sister-in-law Carissa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mel and Ayriane, as well as his brother Gregory and sister Claudia.

Milan’s Serbian heritage was important to him, and traditional Orthodox services will be held in his honor at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 724 N Main St, Jackson, CA. A prayer service well be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 5, 2025. The funeral will follow on Friday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m., with a burial at the church cemetery. A celebration of Milan’s life will be held at a later date.

He is deeply loved and missed beyond measure by his wife, children, siblings, many nieces and nephews, and all who knew him. Condolences can be made by visiting www.danerimortuary.com.

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine (530) 621-6577 (Placerville) (530) 573-7918 (South Lake

CONTACT US

Tahoe)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR Gavin Newsom 1021 O St., Suite 9000 Sacramento 95814 (916) 445-2841 U.S. SENATE Adam Schi B40B Dirksen Senate O ce Building Washington D.C., 20510 (202) 224-3841 Alex Padilla 331 Hart Senate O ce Building Washington, D.C., 20510 (202) 224-3553 Sacramento O ce 501 I St., Suite 7-800 Sacramento 95814 (916) 448-2787 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Tom McClintock Constituent Service Center 4359 Town Center Blvd., Suite 210 El Dorado Hills 95762 (916) 786-5560 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Kevin Kiley Constituent Service Center 6538 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 200 Rocklin 95765 (916) 724-2575 STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 5 Joe Patterson

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

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

EDITORIAL STAFF

Noel Stack Editor

530-344-5073 / nstack@mtdemocrat.net

Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor 530-344-5070 / mescabar@mtdemocrat.net Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features Editor 530-344-5058 / andrewv@mtdemocrat.net

Shelly Thorene Staff writer 530-344-5063 / sthorene@mtdemocrat.net

Chris Woodard Staff writer chrisw@mtdemocrat.com

GRAPHICS

Letty Bejarano-Carvajal

Graphics Manager (530) 344-5049 / lettyb@mtdemocrat.net

Click “Staff Directory” at the bottom of

Seats open on CAC

Carla Hass

El Dorado County Chief Administrative O ce

The El Dorado County Community Action Council is seeking to fill two member vacancies with individuals who can represent the interests and concerns of people and families with low incomes living in El Dorado County, with a special focus on housing, nutrition and low-income program needs. The deadline to submit a member application is July 28.

“We’re looking for people who are committed to actively participating in the Council meetings and advancing the goals of the council on behalf of lowincome people,” said Rebecca Johnson, program coordinator with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency. “Representatives of community agencies that serve El Dorado County’s low-income residents and individuals representing the low-income community are encouraged to apply.”

The council acts in an advisory capacity to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency about community and human service needs for low-income residents of the county.

The council collaborates with local government, private organizations, and citizens serving the most vulnerable populations. Council member positions are voluntary and unpaid. Meetings take place in Placerville and are held monthly for nine months out of the year.

For more information about the council and to receive a member application contact Johnson at (530) 621-6255 or send an email to rebecca. johnson@edcgov.us.

The following information was taken from PPD reports:

May 11

11:58 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported on Manor Drive.

May 12

9:06 a.m. Burglary was reported on Conrad Court.

11:45 a.m. Burglary was reported on Morrene Drive.

District O ce 6030 West Oaks Blvd., Suite 145, Rocklin 95765 (916) 435-0501 STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1 Heather Hadwick

District O ce 113 Presley Way, Suite 10 Grass Valley 95945 (530) 265-0601

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 4 Marie Alvarado-Gil Capitol O ce 1021 O St., Suite 7240 Sacramento 95814 (916) 651-4004

District O ce 4364 Town Center Blvd., Suite 313 El Dorado Hills 95762 (916) 933-8680 EL DORADO IRRIGATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2890 Mosquito Road, Placerville (530) 622-4513

Division 1: Paul Penn PPenn@EID.org

Division 2: Pat Dwyer, PDwyer@EID.org

Division 3: Chuck Mans eld, CMans eld@EID.org Division 4: Lori Anzini, LAnzini@EID.org

Division 5: Alan Day, ADay@EID.org

TO PLACE AN AD

Retail Advertising (530) 344-5048 / ibalentine@mtdemocrat.net

Classi ed Advertising (530) 622-1255 / classi eds@mtdemocrat.net

Obituaries (Submit @ mtdemocrat.com) (530) 622-1255 / obits@mtdemocrat.net

Public Notices (530) 344-5086 / legals@mtdemocrat.net VACATION HOLDS

If you would

and select “Customer

at mtdemocrat.com,

6:12 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a restaurant on Broadway.

7:49 p.m. Battery was reported at a gas station on Main Street.

May 13

12:15 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Bedford Avenue.

2:48 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a store on Forni Road.

4:06 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a pharmacy on Fair Lane.

May 14

7:26 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a park on Benham Street.

12:08 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a grocery store on Placerville Drive.

3:30 p.m. Petty theft was reported on

12:09 p.m. Trespassing was

May 16

12:53 a.m. Trespassing was reported on

Fair Continued from A1

Management team, the Fair Association provides a free shuttle for fairgoers. Free parking is available in the Ray Lawyer Drive Park and Ride and at the Placerville County Library on Fair Lane. Signage will direct you to the shuttle stops, which drop o directly in front of the Placerville Drive gate. The free shuttle begins 30 minutes before the fair opens and its last pickup is 30 minutes after the fair closes.

The fair opens on Thursday, June 12,, at noon. Thursday is Seniors and Kids’ Day, which means all seniors and children 12 and younger will be admitted for free until 6:30 p.m. On Friday, the fair o ers free admission to teens ages 13-19 until 4 p.m. Fair hours are Thursday and Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight (carnival opens at noon), and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

Visit the fair’s website, eldoradocountyfair.org, for details and pre-sale tickets, or visit the box o ce on Placerville Drive.

Bridge Continued from A1

for the pre-ribbon cutting bike ride from the Ray Lawyer Drive Park and Ride lot to the bridge earlier Saturday morning.

He thanked all the community partners and residents who worked from the initial planning stages on to ensure the project came to fruition.

Dan Bolster, who recently retired from the El Dorado County Transportation Commission, added his praise, noting two significant things about the project.

“It’s about safety. People no longer have to take the risk crossing Missouri Flat Road,” Bolster explained. “And it’s about connection with the community.”

“We have this great connectivity,” said Placerville City Council member Jackie Neau of the El Dorado Trail’s ongoing expansion and improvements. “It’s really exciting.”

The Missouri Flat Road bike/pedestrian overcrossing was funded primarily through Regional Active Transportation Program funding awarded by Sacramento Area Council of Governments in a competitive process. Additional supporting fund sources included Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Transportation Development Act/ Local Transportation funds and Urban Surface Transportation Block Grant funding.

“ “

Candy is my life.

— Seana Hartsell

Farm to fudge business is a sweet success

Mimi Escabar

Special Sections Editor

Fudge Factory Farm is the winner of the 2025 Agricultural Business of the Year. Seana Hartsell, owner, accepted the certificate of appreciation for her support of El Dorado County agriculture at the 27th annual Agriculture Roundtable Dinner. El Dorado County Agriculture Commissioner LeeAnn Mila introduced Hartsell, citing her ability to grow new crops on the Placerville farm to create new candy treats and her planning for the future by purchasing new equipment like a freeze drier to expand her capabilities to use the harvested fruit and make new candy products.

Agricultural businesses need to be thinking of ways to keep attracting customers and the Fudge Factory Farm exemplifies that premise, noted Laurel Brent-Bumb, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO.

To that end Hartsell never stops thinking of ways to improve the products she makes, creating new yummy goodies and o ering the best customer service.

is closed right now and opens in September.

Fudge Factory Farm, a sustainable familyrun organic farm, is known for its handmade candy, candy apples,

bakery goods, ice cream, jams, jellies, sauces and even wine. Most of the ingredients that go into the products sold at

School district’s hiring process put under a microscope

Mountain Democrat sta

Rescue Union School District leaders are reviewing hiring procedures to address concerns expressed by parents who found out earlier this year a nowformer school custodian once worked in the adult entertainment industry and currently has many provocative photos posted online — most under a stage name.

The employee was hired in January and terminated on May 19, RUSD Superintendent Jim Shoemake confirmed.

“As with all employees, we address information or allegations as they are presented to us and we take each situation seriously while complying with all applicable laws,” Shoemake shared. “I want to clarify that this particular probationary employee was not released as a result of any social media posts or personal behavior associated with her or any alias names.”

The district conducted a background check before she was hired, which included speaking to former employers, DOJ and FBI background checks, fingerprint clearance, tuberculosis screening, employment eligibility verification and mandated reporter acknowledgment, the superintendent explained, adding that

nothing in that initial check indicated the person could not handle the job duties of a custodian.

“While I am unable to provide further specifics on this particular employee due to state and federal employment privacy laws, I can share that Rescue Union School District follows a comprehensive and legally mandated process when hiring employees,” Shoemake added.

“We understand the responsibility that comes with employing individuals who work in and around children,” he continued. “Our district

farm store are cultivated on the property at 2860 High Hill Road.

“Our organic, farmfresh apples and

berries are used in our pies, our walnuts in our fudge and we make wine out of our apples, raspberries and blackberries,” Hartsell said.

Hartsell is continuing the dream started by her parents. In the 1980s her dad Marinus “Ren” Reinders bought the property. He was in construction and saw potential in the land. Her mom Jean Reinders thought about what to do with the property

and came up with idea of planting Christmas trees and more.

“They wanted to do something that would complement the other Apple Hill Growers Association members,” Hartsell said. “My mom had always made candy, even going back to her youth. So she thought candy would be a nice addition to area.”

The candy business opened in 1985 along

adheres to all required Education Code provisions and legal safeguards to ensure that our hiring practices are lawful, equitable and transparent.”

In light of recent discussions, RUSD leaders are consulting with legal counsel “to better understand the extent to which we can lawfully and consistently use publicly available social media content to vet applicants, while ensuring any such practice aligns with state and federal employment law,” the superintendent concluded.

brought to you in the interest of better dental health. We believe in preventive dentistry. We know that you wish to receive your general dental care from a highly trained, caring staff; therefore, professionalism is very important to you. Our promise to you is that our office will provide you with dental care of the highest quality available, utilizing the most modern procedures and an extremely qualified staff. Please call us to schedule an appointment. We offer “Tooth Print,” which is an impression of a child’s full mouth. About the size of a small wafer, the impression is given to the parent/guardian for the family album or for ID for a missing child.

future complications.

This informative column has been

PS Low white blood cell counts often render cancer patients receiving treatment vulnerable to infection. The dentists can help both identify and treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections of the mouth.

Mountain Democrat photos by Mimi Escabar

Seana Hartsell and Fudge Factory Farm recently received the 2025 Agricultural Business of the Year award. The farm

Seana Hartsell, owner and chief candy maker at Fudge Factory Farm, gives alpaca Dream Catcher a treat as Tripner waits for a taste. The alpacas have been at the farm for about 10 years and are a big attraction.

PRESENTING : ROVE BOBA

4370 Golden Center Dr., Ste. C, Placerville (530) 306-8609

https://www.roveboba.com/

L to R: Amy Athanacio,

Ally Rybchenko, Olivia Ajeakwa, Max Safonov, Bellestar Home Health; Lise Vernasco, Acupuncture; Clinton Goodrich, El Dorado Hills Neighbors; Leslie Gates, Juice Plus+ Whole Food Nutrition. Front: Alphonso Elena, Jose Wine Cave Winery.

Beck’s Shoes

Beck’s Shoes has been Family-Owned & Operated Since 1919 & is run by the 5th Generation of the Beck Family. 1224 B Broadway, Placerville (530) 499-6073 • www.beckshoes.com

Ingram & Associates Realty

Listing your home doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming! You can count on great service with years of experience through each transaction. 2810 Coloma Street Ste B, Placerville (530) 303-3306 www.ingramassociatesrealty.com

NLB Creative Solutions

Over 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and event planning.

3089 Cambridge Road, Cameron Park (916) 812-7664 https://nlbcreativesolutions.com/

Bellestar Home Health

Skilled Nursing, Home Health Aides, Therapists, Medical Social Worker 1568 Creekside Dr., Ste 203, Folsom (916) 693-6677 www.bellestarhomehealthcare.com

Lise Vernasco, L.Ac, Dipl.O.M. A graduate of the Master’s program at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, Lise is particularly interested in the treatment of pain and sports related injuries and acupuncture for facial rejuvenation.

550 Main St., Ste G4, Placerville (916) 244-9363

https://acupuncture-edh.com/

El Dorado Hills Neighbors

This locally produced magazine brings together residents and highlights local businesses across El Dorado Hills and the surrounding area—celebrating the people, stories, and businesses that make our communities thrive. (530) 306-1881 www.eldoradohillsneighbors.com

Juice Plus+ Whole Food Nutrition

Leslie has been a National Mktg Director with JP+ for 25 years, offering nutritional support products with 48 independently conducted clinical studies that support the health & nutrition benefits it offers. (714) 227-9111

https://lgates.juiceplus.com/us/en-us

Jose Wine Cave Winery

Discover the unique features of Jose Wine Caves, where every detail is crafted to enhance your wine experience. From our stunning wine cellar to our picturesque vineyard views, we invite you to explore the best of California’s wine culture. 6220 Prospectors Rd Garden Valley (707) 695-7843 https://josewinecaves.com/

TROUBLEMAKERS BEER GARDEN SEASON

7221 California Hwy. 49, Lotus (530)

There’s no one alive who doesn’t feel some anxiety about making small talk with other people. The difference is that some confront their fears because they know the incredible benefits that it can mean for their social life, romantic prospects, and careers, while some shy away and miss out on many opportunities.

Many people who avoid small talk believe those who excel at it are naturally charismatic or have been blessed with the “gift of gab.” However, many great conversationalists honed their skills and have a set of rules, techniques, and strategies they use when speaking to people, just like how people who do improvisational comedy or acting have a set of rules to follow to put everyone on the same page. Confident, sociable people may make engaging with others look effortless, but that’s because they have a strategy.

New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Maxwell Institute, John C. Maxwell, had a rule whenever he started a conversation: “Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, say something encouraging to a person.”

This can work in any social or professional situation, for example:

At work:

“Wendy, I heard you did great on yesterday’s conference call.”

“Frank, I hear the clients really love working with you.”

At a party:

“Marie, I really loved those pictures you posted on Instagram on your trip to Mexico.”

“Jose, are we going to get some of your incredible barbecue today?”

On a date:

“Thanks for choosing such a great restaurant, it has such a nice ambiance.”

“I really like the way your necklace brings out your eyes.”

Whether you are complimenting, relaying positive information about the person, or encouraging them, the key is to pump them up and make them feel good about themselves.

The key to giving the other person encouragement is to do so genuinely. If you aren’t genuine with your compliments or words of encouragement, your words can have the opposite effect and make the other person feel like you are being condescending.

Ultimately, a direct connection exists between being likeable and being genuinely interested in other people. William King said, “A gossip is one who talks to you about other people. A bore is one who talks to you about himself. And a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself.”

Every time you start a new conversation with someone, take the opportunity to share some words of encouragement with the other person, and you’ll be on your way to being seen as a brilliant conversationalist.

Owner, Jonathan Lee, cuts the ribbon for his Rove Boba Tea shop, a vibrant and inclusive space for all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Indulge in their diverse boba drinks and snacks while capturing moments against the captivating floral wall for social media.

Owner Daniella Faieta, cuts the ribbon to kickoff the rafting season and celebrate her new live music venue in Lotus serving, Beer, Wine, & Food. Family and Pet Friendly. Visit their website to see their menu and live music schedule!

Advocacy Update

The EDC Chamber of Commerce recently joined over 200 Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations in sending the following to Members of the United States Congress:

The undersigned organizations support extending the pro-growth tax policies that have raised worker’s wages, led to more well-paying jobs, and supported stronger economic growth.

The individual, business, and estate tax provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) have proven instrumental in achieving those goals and we appreciate the early steps congress has taken to make them permanent.

We are concerned that some are now suggesting a policy that would weaken these pro-growth reforms by capping or otherwise limiting the deduction for state and local business taxes (“B-SALT

deduction”). Doing so would be a mistake. State and local business taxes are not optional; they are ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in carrying on trade or business. As such, limiting the B-SALT deduction would lead to a massive tax increase on businesses of all sizes. And because all states levy business taxes, employers in every state would be negatively impacted.

According to the Tax Foundation:

• Eliminating the deduction for state and local business taxes imposed on pass-through entities, like partnerships and S corporations, would burden them with more than $226 billion in higher taxes over 10 years;

• Disallowing the deduction for state and local

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/

Farmer’s Market

Sundays. EDH Community Center, 1021 Harvard Way (at EDH Blvd.) 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. edhtowncenter.com/upcoming-events/town-center-market/ Back Porch Swing at Smith Flat House Sundays, 5 p.m. 2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville. www.smithflathouse.com/events Live on the Blvd –Summer Concert Series El Dorado Hills Town Center June 12 – Island of Black and White June 19 – Twist on Taylor, Tribute to Taylor Swift June 26 – Mania! Live Beatles Experience Edhtowncenter.com

Line Dancing at the Smith Flat House 1st & 2nd Saturday of each month. $10 cover charge, all ages welcome. 2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville. (530) 6211003, www.smithflathouse.com/events Nature Camp American River Conservancy. https://arconservancy.org/education/#nature-camp

Bingo Night Weekly on Tuesdays. Pollock Pines Community Center, 2675 Sanders Dr. (530) 647-8005. https://pollockpinesca.org/ 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://marcoscafelotus.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-gardeners-el-dorado-county/central-sierra-el-dorado-county-master-gardener-sherwood Placerville Speedway - Located at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center. www.placervillespeedway.com

June 7 Thunder in the Park Car and motorcycle show with a raffle, food trucks, vendor booths, and a DJ. Parking is $5. Cameron Park Lake, 2989 Cambridge Rd. Shingle Springs Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce, 530-677-8000, https://sscpchamber.org

June 7-8 Gardens of the Hills Fundraiser for the Assistance League of the Sierra Foothills. Tour seven gardens in El Dorado County. Working Artists, Mini Garden, Artisan Vendors, Boutique, Music, Raffle, Neck & Shoulder Massages, Food for sale. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Adults $40/Under 12 $10. www.assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills/

June 7 Ducky Derby

11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Join us at Marshall Gold for a day of family run! Buy a duck and test your luck! Watch as rubber ducks race down the miner’s flume. Join in on the fun and festivities! Duck Races Noon & 2 p.m., Local Vendors 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., BBQ 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hat Contest 1 p.m. www.marshallgold. com/duckyderby

June 7 Picnic in the Orchard 4 – 7:30 p.m. As the sun sets on a perfect Spring day, immerse yourself in an evening filled with exquisite food, local wines and

corporate income taxes would increase corporate taxes by $223 billion over 10 years; and

• Applying this limit to corporations’ state and local property taxes would increase their taxes by an additional $209 billion over the same period.

All told, limiting the B-SALT deduction would raise taxes on American businesses of all sizes by more than $600 billion, significantly undermining the pro-growth elements of the TCJA that Congress otherwise seeks to preserve. This would cause lasting harm to the U.S. economy by depriving American businesses of the resources they need to invest, hire, and grow.

We urge Congress to prevent a backdoor tax increase on American businesses by preserving the B-SALT deduction as an essential feature of the federal tax system.

beers, captivating music, and an exclusive preview of the 2025 Banners on Parade entries. Live and silent auctions. Come and support Images of Hope El Dorado’s mission...to provide Healing Arts to support all people on the western slope of El Dorado County affected by cancer and other traumas. $50 per person. https://imagesofhopeeldorado.com/picnic-inthe-orchard

June 7 Food, Wine and Live Music at Sierra Vista Winery Music by Old West Trio. Club members $15, Gen Public $20. www.sierravistawinery.com/ shop/events/oldwest/

June 7 Live Music in the Vineyard Lava Cap Winery, 2221 Fruitridge Rd, Placerville. 5 – 7 p.m. (530) 621-0175 www.lavacap.com/events/

June 11 National Pony Express 2025 Re-ride El Dorado Y, 9:53 p.m., Hangtown Chamber of Commerce, 11:02 p.m. https://nationalponyexpress.org/the-states/california/#2025-california-reride-schedule

June 12 Fishing on the Farm 941 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville. Cost per car: $10/members, $15/non-members, online or on-site. https://arconservancy.org/events/, (530) 621-1224, arc@ARConservancy.org

June 12 – 15 El Dorado County Fair Theme: Moovin’ n’ Groovin’. https://eldoradocountyfair.org/fair.html

June 13 Friday Night Flights at Sierra Vista Winery 4 – 8 p.m. 3 Pairings for $45 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/

June 15 Father’s Day Celebration at Lava Cap Winery

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrate dad with wine, live music from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m., and pizza for purchase by Slice of Sierra. Complimentary admissions, no RSVP. (530) 621-0175, www.lavacap.com/events/

June 20

CASA El Dorado Summer Soiree

An unforgettable evening dedicated to the belief that every child deserves a bright

tomorrow. Please join us for an evening of drinks, passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dancing at the beautiful Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Your ticket includes a delightful dinner, two drink tickets, a powerful CASA impact story, CASA of the Year advocate recognition, and exciting live and silent auctions. Recommended attire is cocktail or better. 6 p.m. $100 per person.

June 20

June 25

20th annual Sunday in Apple Hill Spend an enjoyable afternoon at

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

OPINION

California Matters

Why did the Senate shunt a cost-cutting housing bill?

Last month, RAND, a prominent think tank based in Santa Monica, published an exhaustive study on housing costs that devastatingly proves how California has been undermining its o cial goal of increasing production.

After examining more than 100 multifamily projects in three states, RAND concluded that building them in California is 2.8 times as expensive as in Texas and 1.5 times higher than in Colorado, “with much of the di erence driven by state and local policies that contribute to long permitting and construction timelines and higher local development fees.”

Even more shockingly, RAND found that projects for low-income families cost 1.5 times as much to build as market-rate housing in California and four times the average cost in Texas.

The California Senate recently appeared to double down on making housing development more di cult and costly, shunting a bill aimed at making it easier to build housing for lower-income families by exempting some projects from the California Environmental Quality Act.

Senate Bill 607, carried by state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, was gutted in the Senate Appropriations Committee, apparently because Senate leaders such as President Pro Tem Mike McGuire caved to fierce opposition from environmental groups and labor unions, which celebrated the move. The committee announced that SB 607’s contents were being stripped out and replaced by vague language declaring intentions to negotiate further, leaving the fate of the proposal unclear.

Those who either oppose housing projects on environmental grounds or demand concessions, such as requiring them to use union construction labor, have often used — or misused — CEQA as a tool. Over the last half-decade, the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have nibbled at CEQA’s provisions, but when SB 607 was introduced, environmental and labor groups drew an opposition line in the sand.

After the bill was bowdlerized, the coalition praised McGuire and other Senate leaders “for recognizing that the language of SB 607 would have created significant unintended consequences on communities and new legal uncertainties.”

Just days earlier, Newsom had urged the Legislature to pass SB 607 and a similar measure, Assembly Bill 609, as much-needed reforms to increase housing development.

“It’s time to get serious about this issue, period, ■ See WALTERS, page A7

Guest column

Letters to the Editor

Stop summer shuto s

EDITOR:

Summer is almost here and with it will come deadly heat waves supercharged by the climate crisis. Yet in 27 states, it’s perfectly legal for utility companies to shut o electricity on the hottest days, leaving individuals and families without air conditioning in extreme temperatures and threatening their health and safety.

Shutting o power and preventing access to lifesaving air conditioning in the summer can have life-or-death consequences. We need to shine a spotlight on this critical issue and raise our voices to demand change.

Utility companies and local leaders everywhere must act to end utility shuto s on the hottest days of summer. Save lives — stop the summer shuto s.

PATRICIA

WELSH Cameron Park

Missing medals

EDITOR:

Many teen gold medal winners were not given medals at the track finals at Union Mine High School on Thursday,

May 15. As grandparents who sat for three hours in awe of these teens who worked so hard to reach the finals, it was gut retching to see their disappointment in not receiving their hardearned gold medals to hang from their necks on the day they won them.

We do not know how or why this happened. However, common sense would dictate you order a gold medal for every event — not too di cult. It would be great if you could print an apology to the students for this mistake and a special note in the paper acknowledging their hard work in order to win a gold medal.

When young people show good work above bad activity it is a shame not to be honored for being the best in their particular event. We are saying thank you to all who participated and those who won medals. But even more appreciation for the students who had to accept an amazing sorrow of not being able to receive their medal on the day they won it. Hopefully this will not happen next year.

LEE PIERCE Ione

Government is driving gas prices through the roof

California’s progressive political elite hate fossil fuels so much they are willing to impoverish their residents to punish “Big Oil” and speed up a transition to an even more expensive green energy future.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants zero gaspowered cars sold in California by 2035, which sends a strong signal to refiners about the long-term value of investment in the Golden State. The state makes permitting for refinery expansion or upgrades extraordinarily di cult and timeconsuming for oil companies. On top of that, California has high labor costs and the highest corporate tax rate in the western states. Our electricity costs are among the highest in the country, making it tough for power-intensive refineries to operate profitably.

All of these headwinds are created

by policy decisions from Sacramento and they make California a rough place to succeed for the oil industry — on purpose.

It appears the oil industry is getting the message and California consumers will soon be paying the price.

Two major oil refiners recently announced they are ceasing operations in the state. What will this mean for people at the pump?

A recent study by Michael A. Mische at the University of Southern California highlights the looming a ordability crisis, finding that the closure of Phillips 66 and Valero refineries will slash California’s refining capacity by 21% by 2026, potentially driving prices to $7.35$8.44 per gallon.

Newsom and the other green energy devotees in the Legislature are always quick to blame the oil industry for price gouging or

Without reforming its business climate and drawing re ners back, the state risks not only economic stagnation but making Californians poorer …

financial trickery every time gas prices go up, and every few years they announce another commission to study what the greedy corporations are doing to make our gas so expensive.

But California’s gas prices, the highest in the nation at $4.82 per gallon as of April 2025, are a direct result of the state’s own policies, not corporate greed.

If oil companies were gouging, why are prices in neighboring western states like Nevada ($3.85) or Arizona ($3.30) significantly lower? Are the companies somehow less greedy in other states? Does that make sense to anyone?

It’s easy to see why Californians pay so much for gas. California’s unique blend requirements, Cap and Trade fees, and $1.47 per gallon in taxes and regulatory costs — set to rise to $2.83 by 2026 — explain the

disparity. No other western state stacks on so many costs. The state’s own attorney general found no evidence of widespread price gouging, confirming that California’s policies, not corporate profits, are the culprit. I’m sure when gas hits $8 per gallon they will convene another task force to overlook the obvious.

High fuel prices are a regressive tax that hit poor and rural Californians the hardest. For the poor, gas already takes up a larger share of low-income budgets. This will make that fact dramatically worse. Rural Californians drive longer distances for work, school or essentials, often in larger vehicles like trucks needed for agricultural, construction or industrial work.

But even though the harm will be

DAN WALTERS

TED GAINES

full stop,” Newsom said. “If you care about your kids you care about getting this done. This is the biggest opportunity to do something big and bold and the only impediment is us.”

The SB 607 blockage may indicate that Newsom is losing clout with the Legislature as he nears lame duck status. However, he could revive the bill as part of the forthcoming negotiations over the state budget, as a statement by Wiener and McGuire suggested.

The RAND study reveals why the state is falling behind.

“California is significantly more expensive than

Letters Continued from A6

Research and facts are better

EDITOR:

Iwanted to thank George for his usual unfounded rebuttal to my recent letter. As usual, George, you predictably go on with objections, without citing any fact based rebuttals. I have had the unfortunate chance to read your frequent, uniformed views for years and, frankly, they exhaust me. Offer information, offer facts and not just opinions, not just far right rhetoric. Do some research and people might actually start taking you seriously. What is happening to our country is incredibly heartbreaking to many. I agree Biden should have

both Colorado and Texas in every cost category that we examined,” Jason Ward, lead author of the report, said in a statement. “One way to address California’s high housing costs is to look for lessons from states where it is easier and less expensive to build new housing.”

The report urges California to emulate a Texas law giving local governments just 30 days to approve or reject projects to reduce California’s 22-month average processing time, to reduce mandatory fees and to consider modifying California’s strict energy efficiency requirements.

The most poignant finding in the report,

stepped back and should have passed the baton to the next generation but that is spilt milk, and not a conspiracy. Old age caught up with the man and that can happen to anyone, including your hero. Should it have been revealed earlier? Sure. Do you think your hero Donald Trump would have done differently? I can easily answer that question. Unequivocally, no.

Your followers keep chanting “Make America Great Again.” What part of what is taking place is at all a successful part of our history? For all of you who thought Trump would lower your grocery bills, your gas prices and make your stocks go up, how is that working for you?

Individually, we have to fight the difficulties

however, is, “If California had Colorado’s production costs for publicly subsidized affordable apartments the roughly $1.25 billion in recent spending by the state’s four largest funding programs would have produced more than four times as many units.”

That’s what California is giving up as it continues to make housing development more costly than it needs to be.

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

that face our families and the families around us. All these cutbacks, are they trickling down to you or anyone you know? Or are you seeing people increasingly food insecure, losing their housing and losing their jobs? The good news, the current administration will have no catch net funding or federal back up to help you when you hit the ground. Thank God for the kind hearts left in every community to help carry the weight. George, I hope the next time you post a rebuttal you take a minute to be informed about facts before you put fingers to keyboard; you might just learn something factual by doing a little research.

TAMARA JANIES

Gaines Continued from A6

more concentrated on some groups, every working Californian and every industry will feel the pain of the gas price sticker shock. California must reverse course. Without reforming its business climate and drawing refiners back, the state risks not only economic stagnation but making Californians poorer as they bear the cost of Sacramento’s ideological crusade.

Sen. Ted Gaines (ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District for nearly 10 million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern and southern California. For more information visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines.

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SUBMIT YOUR LETTER online at mtdemocrat.com. Select “Forms and Submissions” from the menu. We do not publish anonymous letters so don’t forget to include your first and last name and where in El Dorado County you live.

Announcements

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

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

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

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

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

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

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

PLAY CRIBBAGE Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see

edcdems.org for more information. GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Monica 530-306-7066. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and enjoy a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses.The meetings are held at 11:30 AM on May 19, July 21, September 15 and November 17, 2025 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

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

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

Pollock Pines

It has happened before McCartney is no stranger to community support. In 2016 he accepted the keys to the Jim and Maureen Carter Family Placerville Clubhouse on Mallard Lane. Before that, the club had operated for nearly 20 years out of the armory near the fairgrounds. In 2013 the idea of a new Placerville facility the Boys & Girls Club could call its own started to take shape. By November of that year McCartney and his industrious board of directors began what would be a three-year campaign to fund and build the project.

After the opening ceremony on a sunny November day in 2016 McCartney was quoted saying, “This is just the beginning.”

It is unclear if he knew how right he was at the time. Between the five clubhouses on El Dorado County’s western slope — Placerville, Pollock Pines, Georgetown, Cool and Camino — Boys & Girls Club serves upward of 550 kids ages 5-18 daily. This next step will push the organization to a new zenith of service, offering more programs, opportunities and amenities to many more local kids, teens and adults.

McCartney is noted as quoting the famous line, “If you build it, they will come.” Only in this instance it is turned around. The community will have to come in order to build it.

Breaking up the project into phases will help. Moving dirt, otherwise known as phase one, will be the simplest part; clearing land and doing the underground work has an estimated cost of $2 million to $3 million with a target of completion in 2026. Phase two will be tackled over two years beginning in 2027 — construction of parking, bathrooms and sports fields. This phase is estimated to cost around $8 million. The final phase is the pièce de résistance — the indoor gymnasium, stand alone teen center and full kitchen — to be completed over a three year period beginning in 2029. This will come in at around $20 million.

“Those numbers are kind of moving targets,” said McCartney, explaining construction costs are always changing and what the community might support can change from year to year as well. However, McCartney’s enthusiasm is infectious when he talks about why The Landing is so important to the community.

“Why can’t we have a nice space for our kids?” he asked. “Why can’t we have a nice space for adults to walk or play pickleball? Or, why can’t we have a space for teens? Where they can learn job skills.”

College and trade school prep will be part of the teen center plan as will working in and running the proposed kitchen.

“There’s just so much,” he added. “So much that’s going to come of this.” No matter how in-the-moment and excited McCartney may sound when talking about this, it is not like he woke up one day and said to himself, “I want to build a park.” This conversation has come up for years.

“This was about six or seven years ago,” he said. “Brian Veerkamp came to me and said, ‘Sean, the county’s going to build a park, can the club run it?’ I said, ‘Sure Brian.’”

A generous gift

“District 3 certainly lacked any parks, whatsoever,” District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp told the Mountain Democrat. “We were just shooting the bull, talking about doing good things and he (McCartney) mentioned something about, ‘We need a new project,’ and I said, ‘Maybe we could do one.’” At that time, according to Veerkamp, the 30 acres of land on Oak Dell Road in El Dorado — once slated for housing but later determined to be unsuitable for such — had come on the market.

“I knew that it was fairly inexpensive if somebody wanted to pick it up,” Veerkamp said. “He and I started bouncing it back and forth, maybe we could find an anonymous donor to buy it and go in on a multiagency project.”

“An anonymous donor stepped up and donated the cash to buy the land,” said McCartney.

The plan had always been the county would partner with the Boys & Girls Club, which would take the lead on the project, according to Veerkamp, who said he recognizes the enormity of the project and the limitations of county resources.

“We’re (the county) always strapped for parks and rec and overall maintenance, parks maintenance or even mowing the lawns around the facilities. Now, volunteers and

nonprofits, they can get it done,” he said, adding the economic boost to the community would be considerable.

“It certainly could have a very positive impact, especially with possibilities of a hotel here or a hotel there,” Veerkamp explained. “There’s lots of stuff in that area that would be conducive to this whole thing. Plus, our kids can compete and play locally instead of having to travel so far.”

Veerkamp admitted a multi-year, multi-agency, project with a potential price tag of $30 million-plus is a heavy lift but remained undaunted.

“We’ll pull it off. If we have to build it one field at a time, we’ll pull it off. Trust me,” he said. “We’ve got the people lined up waiting to engage and, like I said, it may just take a while, but we will pull it off.”

“The goal right now is to start moving dirt in spring of ‘26,” McCartney added. “The county still owns the land so it’s under their purview.”

Filling a need

The plans are in what McCartney calls phase zero right now.

Environmental studies and permitting are being handled at the county level.

El Dorado County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Franich told the Mountain Democrat the county sees this as a needed partnership.

“We’re looking at this as a true public/private partnership,” Franich said. “From the county perspective, the genesis of the project was that there is a need for more sports fields within the county.”

School age kids that play competitive sports in El Dorado county currently have to often travel out of the county — sometimes quite far — to participate.

“Specifically, the need that we heard about was that there’s a need for a sports complex where teams can come and play tournaments in El Dorado County,” she said. “We were trying to figure out how we could fund the creation of a sports complex.”

Team work makes the dream work

That anonymous donor McCartney mentioned purchased the land and donated it directly to the county.

“The property originally was donated to the county with the caveat that we would have to do the environmental documents first,” said Franich.

“Which we already did, there’s an EIR (environmental impact report) that was adopted in December 2023.”

Since the county does not operate

like a community services district or a city that offers recreation services the idea at that time was that the county would own the land, build the park and find someone else to run the complex.

“Originally the thought was that we still own it but get like a concessionaire to run it or maybe it would be a nonprofit,” said Franich. “We could share the profit so we could still continue to maintain the park.”

At some point the Boys & Girls Club’s intentions were made clear and county laeadership made the decision to turn the property over to the nonprofit while maintaining a partnership.

“There’s still a really substantial public benefit there,” said Franich, adding the county intends to continue working on the project as much as it can. “We’re doing environmental work in order to get some permits through Army Corp of Engineers and California Fish and Wildlife because we do have some sensitive areas out on the site.”

The property could be turned over now. “But it’s just as easy to transfer those permits,” Franich explained. “We were able to get Board of Supervisors support to start the process so ideally we will have those permits or at least have a substantial amount of the work done to get the permit before we transfer the property over but we do intend to continue to work on this as a team.”

A great foundation

The potential partnerships go deeper. The Mother Lode Union School District owns 9 acres next to the original 30-acre lot, according to McCartney.

“And we’re gonna do an MOU with Mother Lode Union School District for the 9,” he said. “Then, once the county gives us the land, we’re going to give that to the foundation and the foundation is going to be the landlord.”

The El Dorado Community Foundation currently owns the land the Placerville Clubhouse stands on.

“It was a donation of the land; the donor donated it to the foundation and then we built the building on top,” McCartney explained. “So it will be the same type of deal.”

“The foundation comes alongside in partnership,” said foundation Executive Director Amy Pooley. “So any donors that are interested in giving to youth organizations and investing in the community and wanting to see their names on

buildings that we come forward to offer those opportunities.”

The foundation will act as the fiscal agent for The Landing, meaning any donations for the project are held at the foundation and it will manage those funds.

“So they’re not intermingling with operational dollars for Boys & Girls Club,” she said. “Just to keep very clean records.”

Once the park begins operation the foundation will continue as a partner.

“We’ll also hold an endowment that’ll generate operational income every year for the park,” said Pooley.

“So a longer term operations goal is that the foundation would hold that here too.”

Pooley told the Mountain Democrat she believes in the project and what it means to the county and the local youth.

“It’s an investment in the ongoing economic opportunities and buy in for our own kids,” she said. “So, I think The Landing is a really good investment and a really strong step forward to say, ‘Yes, we are viable.’”

Pooley said the benefits of having a facility where people come up the hill to play in El Dorado County are obvious.

“This is fantastic for everyone,” she said. “We all benefit — the restaurants, the hotels, the families — and then we’re creating opportunities for our kids who live here.”

Beyond economic drivers and community benefit, Pooley said she trusts McCartney’s ambition to put it over the finish line.

“Sean’s very passionate about it,” she said. “I think his passion is contagious and the foundation’s happy to support it.”

“I just look at it as an opportunity to really create a life-changing experience in this county,” said McCartney.

The campaign has been launched, the pieces are in play and the momentum seems to already be moving, and McCartney sees positive results on the horizon.

“It’s going to take a lot of folks believing in what we’re doing,” he said, adding that success will require big gifts, but that small gifts add up too. “And, you know, I think at the end of the day, people want to support kids and they want to support projects that make a difference,” he concluded. “And I think that’s what this does.”

To learn more about The Landing and the campaign to build it visit bgce.org/s/thelanding or call (530) 295-8019.

Courtesy graphic

The Landing concept includes a teen center, sports field and more.

Andy Forsberg claims Davy Thomas Memorial

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Andy Forsberg led all 35 laps to claim his sixth career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour victory on Friday evening during the inaugural running of the Davy Thomas Memorial – Prelude to the Bradway. Forsberg’s win aboard the familiar Pacific Highway Rentals No. 92 topped a stout 45 car field and marked his 75th career winged sprint car triumph at Placerville Speedway. He took home more than $5,000 in cash and prizes for his e orts.

“It feels great to get a win in memory of Davy Thomas here tonight,” Forsberg said in victory lane. “We started the night by going out last in qualifying and luckily were able to still hit a good lap. This was a great field of cars so it’s awesome to be standing up here tonight with SCCT.”

Forsberg took the lead at the waving of the green flag in the Shop Kyle Larson feature and never looked back, despite some challenges at times from di erent competitors. Youngster Austin Wood took over the runner-up spot around lap 15 and attempted to do something with the veteran.

Sunday winner in Marysville, Justin Sanders then climbed forward as he often does and got into third with 10 laps remaining. After moving into

side the Christmas trees.

second on lap 30, Sanders and Wood closed quickly in tra c on the leader, only to have caution bring things to a halt.

Following that, Forsberg cut some clean and smooth laps to pull away and take the Ed Entz checkered flag for the big win. Sanders crossed the stripe in second ahead of Fremont’s Shane Golobic who rounded out the podium. Oakley’s Dylan Bloomfield put on a solid charge from 16th to 4th while Wood completed the podium.

The remainder of the top 10 was filled out 19th starting Shane Hopkins, Chance Grasty, Pit Stop USA Hard Charger Tanner Holmes, Braden Chiaramonte and Seth Standley. Holmes took home more than $2,000 for winning the Hard Charger Award in memory of Gene Freeman.

Wood began the night by claiming $2,000 as the Donna Gomez Fast Time Award winner, besting the 45-car field.

Fairfield driver Mike Grenert snagged victory in the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association portion of the event on Friday. He was followed by Dylan Shrum, Shawn Whitney, Brenden Shrum and Mike Reeder.

The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour returns to action on Saturday, June 14, at Petaluma Speedway.

Continued from A3

Hartsell, being a young entrepreneur o ered pony rides, handed out candy samples and greeted visitors to the shop, which was a former tractor barn. Her dad used his contracting skills to create a candy heaven. Eventually the family planted more crops — apples, berries and walnuts — all to go into the candy and baked goods. Always contemplating new recipes, Hartsell has planted figs and pawpaws. She hopes the sweet pawpaw fruit with a custardlike texture will be great for new confections.

“I like to experiment with di erent combinations using berries, honey, walnuts, whatever we have growing. I think the figs and pawpaws will be an exciting addition to our candy lineup,” Hartsell said.

Another factor always influencing the candy and other products is the amount of fruit harvested. Weather is a big issue when it comes to production and the amount of fruit available.

Hartsell initially had other career plans. She went to San Francisco State University studying broadcasting, looking to enter the television production end of the business. After school she worked for Industrial Light and Magic and when her division was moving operations to Singapore she and her husband Marc Hartsell decided they did not want to make that move.

“It was time to refocus and plan the next step. We decided to move to El Dorado County,” she said. “I started working with my mom in the candy shop and my dad on the farm.”

She learned a variety of skills from both parents from fine tuning recipes to planting crops and even winemaking.

In 2019 the energetic entrepreneur took over the farming end of the business after her dad passed away, while still keeping busy in the candy

COMICS

■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

kitchen.

“I can fix all the candy machines and I am still learning to fix the farm equipment. Everyone up here so helpful,” she said.

She continues to experiment with new recipes for the shop, trying interesting flavor combinations in the candy and sauces. The new freeze drier is expanding the possibilities of using the fruit.

“You never know what we are making,” she said. “I try to put everything we grow into the candy, expanding on the farm to fudge idea.”

Her focus is also on the customer.

“We will cut caramel apples to make them easier to eat. We make vegan candy, sugar-free candy and nut-free candy so everyone can enjoy our products,” she said.

Some of the recipes took a long time to develop but Seana said the e ort is totally worth it when she sees the smiles on her customers’ faces. “Success does not happen without hard work and innovation,” she shared. “I have all these ideas. I don’t want to do it unless it is good.”

Her mom still can be found in the candy kitchen and daughter Josie is part of the next generation keeping the tradition going strong.

Beside the goodies in the Fudge Factory store, the other big attraction at the farm are the three alpacas — Dream Maker, Tripner and Cry Baby. The addition of the trio is very popular with visitors and is just another reason Fudge Factory Farm keeps people coming back.

Fudge Factory Farm is a seasonal business open Labor Day through mid-December or when the products are sold out. Hours from September to November are seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. December hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (530) 6443492.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you doubt yourself, it gives an opening for others to join in. Don’t leave room for this sort of thing today. Instead, believe in your ability to gure out whatever issue comes up and you’ll attract allies.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don’t just intellectually understand emotions — you know them through experience. You’ve held the pain, joy and longing in your body and therefore don’t need to work at empathy. You instantly recognize emotional undercurrents and o er help.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). So much of communication is transactional or combative -- people listening just long enough to respond, convince or defend. Real connection and progress happen when someone is willing to set aside ego and truly hear another person’s experience.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re loyal. That’s clear in how you still ow goodwill and love to people who have hurt you. Know that you can do this from a distance and it will still count as loyalty. It may be wise and compassionate to hold a boundary now.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Life won’t always be like this. You’ll feel the shift, and it’ll be slow at rst, subtle, but it’ll build. There’s a day ahead where you won’t be waiting for a certain phase to be over. You’ll just be in a better place. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The person you want to be is not waiting on the other side of some big transformation. This person is already inside you. You’re becoming them with every brave moment you don’t turn away from your own truth.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You hold onto certain fears, not because they serve you but because they’ve become familiar. Don’t mistake these things for core parts of your identity. Without the worry, you’ll still be yourself, only freer.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Someone in your midst is a one-man show that you don’t need to buy tickets to this season. When you try to engage, you’ll get lectured, side-eyed and spiritually pickpocketed. Wish them well from a distance.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re beset by a vague appetite. You’re looking for something, but what exactly? You’ll know it when you see it, then you’ll be swept into the escapade! You won’t give up until it’s entirely yours. Success is assured.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll gain entry into a space -- social, professional, creative or otherwise -- that was previously closed to you. It may not be something you earned in the traditional sense, but it comes via association and timing. Take it!

by Holiday Mathis

SUDOKU

Fudge Factory

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Andy Forsberg, holding award, celebrates his May 30 victory — his 75th career winged sprint car triumph at Placerville Speedway.

Comfortable and Compassionate Care

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Our 64-acre campus features beautifully landscaped, walkable and pet-friendly paths, along with inviting outdoor spaces for you to enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.

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Experience maintenance-free living with the convenience of restaurant style dining, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour staff on-site and no yard work to worry about.

Our dedicated staff provides attentive, individualized care with around-the-clock staff, transportation and assistance with daily activities.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Chase Mueller, of Shingle Springs, and Andrew Soares of El Dorado Hills, who were recently named to the Abilene Christian University Dean’s Honor Roll.

Congratulations to Mason Glenn Feldman, of El Dorado Hills, who was recently awarded a National Merit Scholarship.

June 4

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the Business Connections Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Fire Department Station 85. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

Join Shingle Springs/ Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce and Homes for Heroes El Dorado County for the Networking After Hours Mixer from 5:307p.m. on the patio at Wally’s Pizza Bar in Cameron Park. For more information visit sscpchamber.org.

The Valhalla Tahoe boathouse theatre and outdoor lawn presents Nether Hour at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

June 5

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host its annual Benefit honoring Christa Campbell, Wendy Thomas, Terrie Bennett And Krista Potter at 5:30 p.m. at Rainbow Orchards. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

June 6

The Hwy. 50 Association’s 76th annual Wagon Train will stop in Pollock Pines for the Pollock Pines Community Center Celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information visit pollockpinesca.org.

The Rescue Community Center will host Friday Night Out, a fun evening of food, music and drinks at the Rescue Community Center from 5-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.

Ed Wilson will play at the Smith Flat House from 6-9p.m.

The Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Liars, Lawyers & Laughingstocks” ... or ... “Putting Coloma Back on the Map” at 7 p.m. and running through July 6. For tickets and more information, go to oldecolomatheatre.com.

The Cameron Park Community Services District will host Cannonball Cinemas featuring “The Sandlot” at the Cameron Park CSD Pool from 7-10 p.m. For more information visit cameronpark.org.

Lynsey’s Prime Country will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8-10 p.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Showroom entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe presents Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit tinyurl.com/9c3db54t.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “The Grown Ups” at 7 p.m. and running through June 28. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

June 7

The DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay tests athletes as teams of seven people

50 years a librarian

Celebrating a golden anniversary

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

On May 27

Bonnie Battaglia celebrated her incredible 50 year career as a librarian with the El Dorado County Library.

On the morning of May 27, 1975 Battaglia drove her 1967 Dodge Dart to the Georgetown Library to begin her career with the county’s library system. It would be three years until she transferred to the Placerville branch where she would spend the better part of a half decade shelving books, organizing and updating files and generally living the dream of a librarian.

In ‘78 the construction of the current building was being finished when she transferred.

“I have basically been in this building since it was constructed in 78 and opened in the latter part of August,” said Battaglia.

Battaglia was born in Pomona and moved to Citrus Heights when she was in the first grade where she attended public school through seventh grade. By eighth grade her family moved to El Dorado County and she finished up middle school at Gold Oak School and graduated from Ponderosa High School in 1969.

Battaglia admits that she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after graduation.

“I had no idea, but I did do a year at the library,” she said, admitting that the library business was in her blood, adding that she had always been an avid reader.

“I read a lot,” she recalled. “Mother read to us every morning and during summer vacations and yeah, reading was always a thing.”

Battaglia attended the Placerville center of the Los Rios Community College district operated by the American River College at the Armory by the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

“I went there for two years and got my AA degree there,” said Battaglia. “Then I went off to Texas and got my library degrees.”

Battaglia earned her bachelors degree in ‘73 and her masters in ‘74. She may or may not have had a plan in place before graduation.

“Basically, my mother

was on the library planning commission at the time they were building the building,” she said. “And I knew the head librarian already, I had known her for quite a few years actually.”

Battaglia said that looking back on her years of service that she made the right call in taking that job out of college.

“It was kind of assumed that as soon as I got out, I would start working at the library,” she said. “I’m glad I did.”

Battaglia hasn’t only owrked in the library business. She admits to a short stint in the hospitality industry.

“I did a couple weeks at a Foster’s Freeze with my cousins in Illinois,” she said.

Changes

Over the years, some things have changed at the library, according to Battaglia, but essentially a library is a library.

“We’ve increased our shelving and moved things around a lot,” she said, adding that she sometimes has to remember. “Right, we used to have it over here, now it’s over there.”

But the main change has been in cataloging and the addition of the computerized cataloging system.

“I think it was around 1990,” she recalled.

“We were one of the first ones in our area of California to computerize circulation

and our cataloging system.”

Although the system continues to be a work in progress Battaglia said that it makes some things easier and has changed the way one makes specific searches.

She admits that she

enjoys helping patrons search for what they are specifically looking for.

“I can do keyword searches,” she said. “I know how it works, and it can be tricky sometimes.”

Being a librarian for 50 years does not

mean you have read everything there is to read.

“I’m always reading, I think I have three books going right now at home,” she said. “One is a novel on Richard the Third, one is a history

Photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Since Bonnie Battaglia drove her 1967 Dodge Dart to work at the Georgetown library 50-years-ago she has remained at home surrounded by books and helping El Dorado County Public Library patrons find answers

Area teens host diaper drive to support youth education

Being a parent is a tough job at any age but trying to finish your education while supporting a family is especially difficult for teens and young adults. With prices on the rise, necessities like diapers are often unaffordable for many families.

That’s why two local high school students, Aislynne Hartman from Oak Ridge High School and Sophia Alonso from Ponderosa High School, decided to get involved. Founders of their own nonprofit, Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation, Aislynne and Sophia are always looking for new ways to give back to the community. In April their foundation hosted a Spring Diaper Drive to benefit Chicks In Crisis of Elk Grove.

“When we heard that Chicks In Crisis supports teen parents who commit to finishing their education, we knew we had to get involved,” Aislynne shared. “Our nonprofit has always been about encouraging teen philanthropy while supporting young people in our community. We felt it was important to spread the word that donations aren’t just helping a teen finish school; they are helping support the health and wellness of babies as well.”

Aislynne and Sophia used their social media platforms to raise

The California Museum invites the public to explore the legacy of the Black Panther Party during By the People, For the People: A Black Panther Party Celebration, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. The special community event marks the opening of the new exhibition Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories and offers an engaging afternoon of education, culture, and activism rooted in Northern California history.

The event will feature presentations from Emory Douglas, social justice artist and former minister of culture for the Black Panther Party, and Susanna Lamaina, photographer and creator of Revolutionary Grain. Attendees will also have the rare

awareness and solicit donations, while students from their Student Ambassador program directly reached out to members of the community.

“Our student ambassadors are volunteers from high schools all over Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties. They were able to help us collect over 6,500 diapers and wipes for young families in need.” Aislynne shared.

In addition to receiving donations directly from their Amazon Wish List, the teens received in-person donations at their corporate offices in Gold River. Together the girls agreed that a simple act of collecting diapers was worth it if it helped take the pressure off a teen mom who really wants to finish her education.

“If we help teen parents graduate from high school or go to college, they will be able to get a job and take care of their family on their own someday,” Sophia shared.

This is not the only drive that the teens host through their nonprofit. In February the teens collected toys and handmade Valentines for Shriners Hospital and they partnered with AARP to deliver over 400 roses to area seniors.

For more information, or to get involved, visit Norcalgiftfromtheheart. org or find the nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram, @ Norcalgiftfromtheheart.

Edwards and Gayle “Asali” Dixon.

“This celebration is more than an event; it’s a space for reflection, recognition and renewal of the values of community service the Black Panther Party stood for,” said Amanda Meeker, executive director of the California Museum. “We look forward to welcoming artists, activists and community members on June 14 as they come together to examine the movement’s legacy and elevate its message through dialogue.”

The celebration will mark the grand opening of the museum’s newest temporary exhibit, Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories. In the exhibit, photographer Lamaina’s contemporary portraits of former Black Panthers give a glimpse into its later roles as In addition to the exhibit opening, younger

Panther Party. This and many other portraits are included in Revolutionary

Portraits and Stories on view June 14 through Nov. 2.

Robert Greer, right, was a member of the WinstonSalem Chapter of the Black Panther Party. This and many other portraits are included in Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories on view June 14 through Nov. 2.

for free. Admission includes access to the event and all museum exhibits, including Revolutionary Grain. For more information or to purchase tickets visit BlackPanthers. Eventbrite.com

PHS grad earns scholarship

News release

Cameron Park resident and Ponderosa High School Sam Holley is making waves both in beach volleyball and financial literacy education.

Holley was recently selected as one of four recipients nationwide for the prestigious Tardus Beach Volleyball Scholarship, receiving $5,000 to support her education at the University of the Pacific, where she’ll play beach volleyball.

“I plan to use my grit and determination earned through my recruiting process (and while competing as a D1 athlete) to propel myself into medical school as

a Naval Officer,” Holley shared.

Tardus Wealth Strategies is proud to award a total of $20,000 in scholarships to four incredible young women — leaders on the court, in the classroom and in their communities. Each recipient has shown not only athletic excellence, but also a commitment to personal growth and financial literacy.

Courtesy photo

Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation co-founder Aislynne Hartman poses with some of the donations collected during the Spring Diaper Drive.

Photos by Susanna Lucia Lamaina.

Barbara Easley Cox was a member of the Philadelphia, Oakland, San Francisco and the Algiers International chapters of the Black

Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in

Sam Holley

Ancient Greece comes to Pleasant Valley Middle School

Jessica Trumble-Pitel News release

Sixth grade students at Pleasant Valley Middle School participated in the Groovy Greek Day in May. Students immersed themselves in Ancient Greek culture by crafting traditional headdress crowns, painting Greco-style tattoos and competing in Olympicstyle events such as running races and wrestling.

The festivities concluded with an epic Greek-themed play that showcased Greek history. All set to the catchy tunes of the movie Grease, performed for friends and family.

“When students get to immerse themselves in Ancient Greek culture, even just for a day, they connect with history in a powerful, unforgettable way,” said Lisa Mahoney, sixth grade English and history teacher, highlighting the event’s importance for both students and families. “Events like Groovy Greek Day don’t just teach facts; they create memories. Watching our students light up as they performed, competed and created was a beautiful reminder of how hands-on learning brings the past to life and makes it meaningful for families, too.”

Ancient Greece has contributed significantly to modern democracy, art, architecture, mathematics and science. While these influences are often seen in everyday life, they can go unnoticed. Through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experiences like acting and singing, Pleasant Valley sixth graders gained a deeper understanding of Ancient Greek culture. Preparing students for future learning and offering valuable perspective on both historical and contemporary life.

Pleasant Valley continues its commitment to experiential learning, where education is brought to life through active participation. To learn more about Pleasant Valley Middle School visit gousd. k12.ca.us/District/Department/10Pleasant-Valley-Middle-School.

book on 1421 in China, and the other is a history book on the colonization of the Americas, and trade from 1415 to 1715, based on European centric philosophy.”

She added that there’s never a shortage of books on history but she also enjoys the occasional fiction.

“I tend to read mysteries, lots of historical mysteries,” Battaglia shared. “I like science fiction, and I, like those that are not, shoot them up, so to speak.”

She always keeps on the look out for something that catches her eye, she said. However, she does have her limits.

“I do not read romances,” she admitted. “And I’m not really into vampire books and that sort of thing.”

All in all her favorite thing about working in the library, besides the books of course, is the people.

“I like helping people,” she said. “”I’m partially the reference librarian so I’m pretty good at what I do and I enjoy helping people find answers to their questions.

Battaglia has been told by her co-workers that she is not allowed to quit her job and that is fine by her. Retirement is not in her immediate plans.

“If I retire, then I have to do work around the house, which I don’t want to do.”

For now, Battaglia is happy continuing her work at the library, reading books, cataloging titles and subjects, reshelving books and helping patrons find answers to their burning questions.

On Tuesday, May 27, Battaglia drove that very same 1967 Dodge Dart to put in her 50th anniversary day of work. According to Battaglia it won’t be the last.

Courtesy photos

The students at Pleasant Valley Middle School learned about Ancient Greece through experiential learning where active participation brings history to life.

Librarian Continued from B1

Photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Bonnie Battaglia drove her 1967 Dodge Dart to work at the Georgetown library 50-years-ago and has remained at the job and kept the car since.

Railroad Museum invites high-schoolers to innovate

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — Back by popular demand, the California State Railroad Museum launches the second annual Rail Innovation in Action, a free online, interactive program designed for high school students interested in real-world problem solving and learning about the future of railroads.

Supported by the California State Railroad Museum Foundation and working in partnership with Lemelson-MIT, a national leader in advancing invention education, this year’s virtual program will center on community impact.

“For our pilot effort last year, I was very impressed with the level of sophistication of thought and incredible potential of the

participating high school students,” said Dr. Ty Smith, museum director of the California State Railroad Museum. “About half of the students were railroad or train enthusiasts and the other half were motivated to learn more about STEM and STEAM applications. All were focused on the collective problem-solving process and the future of innovation and possibility. I am energized to continue this educational program that provides a unique opportunity to foster minds that could one day change transportation — and the world — in ways we have not yet even imagined.”

Students will have the opportunity to engage with guest experts in the modern rail industry, work on activities and group exercises, and participate in career talks. Prior railroading experience is not

required to participate, simply a sense of curiosity and desire to gain knowledge, acquire new skills and learn how to work collaboratively to problem solve.

“Thanks to the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, we will be offering Rail Innovation in Action again in fall 2025,” said Stephanie Couch, executive director of the Lemelson-MIT Center. “High school students are already contacting us to see if they can participate. America has some catching up to do when we compare ourselves to other countries. The young inventors we serve are the next generation of creative problem solvers and they are eager to take us forward.”

The Rail Innovation in Action program will be open to students who will be in grades ninth through 12th during the 2025-26 school year.

The course will take place over eight consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 18 to Dec. 13, (except for Thanksgiving weekend). Applications are open now through June 15 for priority consideration with a final deadline of Sept. 22. The free and accessible online program is open to high school students of all backgrounds and interests who are based locally, regionally, or nationwide. At the conclusion of the interactive course, participants will receive a certificate of completion plus develop research and invention skills that are transferable to college and future career endeavors. To apply or find out more information about the new “Rail Innovation in Action” program visit californiarailroad.museum. For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or foundation visit california-railroad.museum.

3Strands celebrates 15 years of impact in fight against human traffiking

Strands Global Foundation, a local nonprofit that has made a global impact in the fight to end human trafficking, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special event to honor the organization’s key visionaries and contributors.

Tickets for the Prevention Is Key Gala on Saturday, June 7, are still available through the organization’s event website 3Strands Global Foundation – Help Create a World Free From Human Trafficking. As part of the ceremony, the event will recognize corporate partners, community and government leaders, and individuals who have been foundational to the success of the organization and its mission.

The 3Strands Global movement started in 2008 with a group of 11 moms gathered around a kitchen table in El Dorado Hills following a devastating act of human trafficking.

The courageous group was determined to take action to ensure their community would never face the same tragedy again.

What started as a grassroots effort to raise awareness and restore hope for survivors quickly grew into a recognized force for advocacy and prevention. By 2010, that momentum led to the founding of what would eventually become 3Strands Global Foundation and the launch of the first 5k/10k Break Free Run.

Today, 3Strands Global Foundation is leading prevention and reintegration efforts worldwide — advocating for survivor-centered legislation, empowering over a million individuals through prevention education and walking alongside survivors on their journey to healing.

Over the last 15 years, 3Strands Global has worked with survivors, educators, parents and changemakers to achieve measurable outcomes in ending human trafficking through:

Prevention education — Since 2014, 829,748 students have been educated through age-appropriate curriculum to recognize, prevent, and respond to exploitation. And 136,406 adult educators, caregivers and professionals have been trained to identify risks, understand vulnerabilities and take action to create safer schools and communities.

Survivor services — 3Strand’s programs have helped more than 1,000 survivors find healing and stability through job training, mental health care and survivor-led advocacy.

The Table, which opened in 2024 in downtown Sacramento, is a resource hub for survivors and individuals at-risk, providing food and clothing, job training, mental health care and survivor-led advocacy among other services.

Policy & advocacy — 3Strands leaders work alongside lawmakers, survivor leaders and nonprofit partners to push for laws that protect

survivors, prevent exploitation and hold traffickers accountable. In 2024 alone, 3Strands advocated for 18 federal bills, including the Take It Down Act, recently signed by President Trump, and helped get eight new laws passed in California. More details on successes in each of these areas can be found in the organization’s latest impact report. Visit 3sgf.org for more details.

According to the International Labour Organization, every year 50 million people are trafficked worldwide — more than the population of Spain. One out of every four are children — often at the hands of family members. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that California leads the nation in reported trafficking cases. In Sacramento County alone, more than 13,000 people were trafficked in just five years. To learn more about sStrands Global Foundation visit 3sgf.org.

Annual Art On the Divide Garden Party blooms on June 8

Art On the Divide Cooperative Gallery proudly opened its doors in June 2010, and each year AODC celebrates the anniversary with a Garden Party. This is a very special occasion for the gallery as AODC celebrates 15 years on the Divide and the gallery could not have done it without the support of the community. The party will be held 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, and the community is invited.

The heritage rose garden should be in full bloom and visitors are invited to meander the garden and browse the art. Artists will have a selection of art available in the garden under the shade of pop-ups. In addition to the art, there will be live music and light refreshment provided.

AODC Gallery and Divide Friends of the Arts and Historical Society offers art scholarships to local high school seniors. This scholarship has been lovingly named The Terry Green Memorial Art Scholarship. There are a few remaining stained glass pieces of Terry’s and they will be offered at special pricing. All proceeds from the sales of these pieces benefit the scholarship fund.

Many people refer to the gallery as the “Gem on the Divide.” The resident artists like to think so, and the annual party is a celebration of the community and a “thank you” to the supporters.

AODC Gallery is located at 6295 Main St., Georgetown. Gallery hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information visit artonthedivide.com.

Symphony season offers peerless talent

Folsom Lake Symphony

News release

Folsom Lake Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season. Maestro Peter Jaffe has programmed another season of outstanding music for all to experience — from major works of Beethoven, Brahms, Musorgsky/Ravel, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky to festive holiday music and a celebration of American composers to honor the nation’s 250th birthday.

As a season subscriber of the fiveconcert series, music lovers have the opportunity to lock in seats before the general public and enjoy up to a 20% price discount. New season subscriptions go on sale starting Thursday, June 5, at noon.

A season subscription can be secured by calling the Harris Center at (916) 608-6888 or by visiting the ticket office in person. Ticket office hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and two hours before any Harris Center performance. Season subscriptions cannot be purchased online.

The season

Oct. 11 — The Big Picture: Pianist Terrence Wilson joins FLS for a performace of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Musorgsky/ Ravel’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Dec. 13 & 14: Deck the Hall: Soprano Carrie Hennessey and the

Northern California Youth Choir perform with the symphony during the holiday celebration featuring “Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night,” a Christmas carol singalong, “SymphHanukkah,” music from “The Nutcracker” and “The Polar Express” and many more goodies.

Feb. 14, 2026 — A Night For Romance: Hear soprano Tiffany Townsend and bass-baritone Cedric Berry perform with FLC. Features songs are Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from “Prince Igor”; Gershwin’s “Summertime, “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” and “Bess, You is My Woman Now” from “Porgy and Bess”; Mendelssohn’s wedding march from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; and Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” overture-fantasy.

March 28, 2026 — Passion and Power: Violinist Ava Pakiam and the symphony bring Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 to life.

June 6 & 7, 2026 — American Salute: Build the excitement leading up to our nation’s 250th birthday, narrator and baritone Omari Tau joins the symphony for Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture,” Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and musical favorites from stage and screen. For more information about Folsom Lake Symphony or to purchase tickets or a subscription visit folsomlakesymphony.com.

School bands hit all the right notes

Rescue Union School District

The Rescue Union School District proudly celebrates the remarkable success of its band programs at Marina Village Middle School and Pleasant Grove Middle School. These programs continue to set a high standard for musical excellence, a reflection of the district’s significant investment in arts education and the exceptional leadership of their directors.

Central to this success is the collaborative spirit shared by three dedicated educators: Ben Cain, conductor at Marina Village Middle School; Shaun Manley, band director at Pleasant Grove Middle School; and Mila Olson, the elementary band director whose foundational teaching helps shape the district’s youngest musicians. Together, these educators are creating a vibrant music community that prepares students to excel both on stage and in life.

Marina Village Middle School

Under the leadership of Cain, the Marina Village Middle School Band recently delivered an impressive performance at their festival, earning a wide range of top honors:

First place awards

Beginning Bands – Superior Rating

7th/8th Grade Bands – Superior Rating

Jazz Ensemble – Superior Rating

World Music Ensemble – Excellent

Rating

Second Place (to Themselves in the Same Category)

Jazz Combo (Luke Warm Bell Peppers) – Superior Rating

Individual honors

Soloist Award – Jeremy Gu, Alto Sax

Overall awards

Overall Jazz Band Award

Overall Concert Band Award

Esprit de Corps Award – The highest honor at the festival, recognizing not only musical excellence but also outstanding spirit, teamwork, and leadership both on

Barton Health nurse recognized

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Savannah Purvance, registered nurse with Barton’s medical/ surgical - orthopedics unit, has been honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This national recognition celebrates the clinical expertise and compassionate care nurses provide to deliver an exceptional patient experience. Purvance received three nominations from a mix of patients and family members.

“Savannah was my brother’s RN the first day that we visited after he sustained [injuries] while skiing,” said a family member of a patient. “Savannah provided excellent care, kept him comfortable, provided exactly the right information to help him make his own decisions about care and medicine and was extremely efficient as well.”

Medical/surgical nurses are responsible for providing specialized care to patients admitted to the hospital. They perform a wide array of duties including patient assessments, administering medications, wound care, postoperative monitoring, and providing education to support patients and their families.

Purvance began her nursing

and off the stage. This award is a testament to the supportive, familylike culture that Cain has cultivated within the Marina Village music program.

Pleasant Grove Middle School

Band Director Manley has guided the Pleasant Grove Middle School Band to a similarly impressive showing at the Six Flags Music in the Parks Festival, where his students captured the following top awards:

First place awards

Concert Band - Superior Rating

Symphonic Band - Superior Rating

Percussion Ensemble - Excellent

Rating

Jazz Ensemble - Superior Rating

Second Place (to Themselves in the Same Category)

Jazz Combo – Excellent Rating

Third Place (to Themselves in the Same Category)

Jazz Foundations – Excellent Rating

Top jazz awards

Jazz Bands – First, second, and third Place in Division

Jazz Ensemble – Best Overall Middle School Jazz Band across all divisions, regardless of school size.

Individual honors

Best Overall Middle School Jazz Soloist – Gannon Clark

Together, Cain, Manley and Olson have created a music program that is as much about community as it is about musicianship. Their collective dedication to their students’ growth, combined with a deep respect for one another’s teaching, has established a culture of excellence that extends across the district’s music programs.

The Rescue Union School District is deeply proud of its students and staff, whose combined efforts have built one of the region’s most respected music programs. These achievements are a reflection of the lasting impact of comprehensive music education, from the first note in elementary school to award-winning performances in middle school.

To learn more about the district’s music programs visit RescueUSD.org.

career at Barton Health through its New Graduate Nurse Residency Program — an immersive, year-long initiative that helps recent graduates transition into professional practice. The program pairs new nurses with experienced preceptors to build clinical decision-making and communication skills through hands-on experience, preparing them to deliver high-quality, safe care.

A South Lake Tahoe native, Purvance was born at Barton and studied nursing at Western Nevada College in Carson City. Her passion for helping others and connecting with people led her to pursue a career in nursing. She said the best part of her job is working with her team.

“My coworkers make even the hardest days so much easier.” Outside of work, Purvance enjoys wake surfing on Lake Tahoe and riding horses. The DAISY Award recipient is chosen anonymously by a committee of Barton Health staff members. Nurses can be nominated by patients, family members, fellow nurses, physicians or staff. Honorees receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch,” created by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Courtesy photo

The back patio will be filled with art and flowers at the upcoming Art On the Divide Gallery Garden party happening June 8. Artists will have art available for purchase in the garden under the shade of pop-ups. There will also be live music and light refreshment provided.

Explore the Crystal Clear Waters and Trails of the North Fork

The area around Yankee Jims Bridge in Colfax, along the North Fork of the American River, is a true destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I find myself returning often, rock hopping and exploring the trails whenever I get the chance. When the water is low, you can cross Shirttail Creek and hike approximately 2 miles along the trail that takes you back to Indian Creek. Along the way, you’ll discover swimming holes filled with crystal-clear water and small white sand beaches — perfect spots for a summer escape. Have you visited Indian Creek Trail? Share your photos using #DayHikerCA!

A perfect spot for swimming and picnicking

At Indian Creek, you’ll find shady areas and large rocks — ideal for lounging between swims or while enjoying a picnic. During blackberry season, you’ll be treated to an added snack as the vines burst with ripe fruit. The views of the North Fork, deep in the canyon surrounded by forest-covered hills, are as picturesque as it gets. The trail continues on to Windy Point for those up for more of a challenge, but on my most recent visit, I kept it to a two-mile hike in, making for a four-mile round trip.

Trail conditions and what to expect

This trail is not consistently maintained, so be prepared for blackberry vines, downed trees, overhanging limbs and tall grass (home to ticks). Watch out for loose rock, which can be an added hazard, and poison oak for those sensitive to it. Sturdy shoes, walking sticks, and appropriate trail gear are a must.

Parking and access information

Parking can be challenging, especially on weekends. Note that this area is within the Auburn State Recreation Area, and a $10 state park day-use fee applies.

Directions to Yankee Jim’s Bridge

• Take Interstate 80

East to the Colfax exit.

• Exit onto Canyon Way, and turn right.

• Less than a mile down the road, you’ll see Yankee Jim’s on the left.

• Follow Yankee Jim’s Road down to the bridge; note that the pavement ends, and the road follows the mountainside.

• Park near the bridge.

Tips for a safe and enjoyable hike

• Time Your Visit: start early, as much of the trail is exposed to direct sun and can get hot. Bringing plenty of water and a hiking buddy is always a good idea.

• Trail gear: hats, sunblock, sturdy shoes and walking sticks are recommended to help navigate the trail’s rocky terrain and provide sun protection.

Have you explored Indian Creek Trail or swam in its clear waters? What’s your favorite spot along the way? Tag @ MaryWestHikes on social media and share your stories!

A side trip to Devil’s Falls

If you’re up for a little side adventure, about half a mile beyond the bridge on the Foresthill side is Devil’s Falls. There’s something revitalizing about standing under a waterfall — letting the rush of water wash away your worries, even if just for a moment. Devil’s Falls is conveniently located right off the roadside, making it an easy detour that’s well worth the stop.

Mary West is the author of the book series, Day Hiker - Gold Country Trail Guide (I, II, III, and now IV). The books compile her Day Hiker columns, sharing her long-time love for the outdoors and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West received the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Column, as well as the 2020 CRAFT Award for her second book in the series from the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on social media.

Stay up to date with news, columns, photos, videos, and more with a subscription to the Mountain Democrat website: mtdemocrat.com. Call (530) 622-1255.

each run approximately 8-12 miles counterclockwise around Lake Tahoe, starting/finishing from Lakeview Commons, two miles from the state line. There are options for running solo or as a pair in a 72-mile ultra marathon. The event begins at 7 a.m. For more information visit laketahoerelay.com.

The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will host Thunder in the Park Car & Motorcycle Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cameron Park Lake. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber. org.

org. Sew4Vets is participating in a Neighborhood Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3166 Collingswood Drive, El Dorado Hills. Gorgeous quilts at discounted prices and other handmade items will be available available.

The Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 512, will host its Famous Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Placerville Airport, 3501 Airport Road. Come enjoy breakfast, airplanes on display and old friends. Proceeds go to the Sunny Atkin Scholarship Fund for students of aeronautical related studies.

Demonstration Garden at 9 a.m. After the tour guests can wander around the 16 individual gardens at their own pace and ask docents for help or more information. May be closed for inclement weather, high temperatures, or poor air quality – check before visiting: tinyurl. com/4ern2jmk.

The Shingle Springs Community Center will host a Community Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Shingle Springs Community Center. For more information visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will host a free public tour of the Sherwood

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will host the Integrated Pest Management class with Pat Trimble from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron PArk Community Center. Pre register at tinyurl.com/mt5hj4bx. Join the Assistance League of the Sierra Foothills for the Gardens of the Hills garden tour and fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 & 8. For tickets and more information

Know Continued from B1 n See KNOW, page B7

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Photos by Mary West

Yankee Jim’s provides ample opportunity to enjoy breathtaking sights, great swimming spots and picturesque picnic locations all making for a great day hike.

visit assistanceleague.org/sierrafoothills.

Country Western Line & Swing Dance with Jake Eno sponsored by Merchants on Main will perform, noon to 3 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Hwy 50 Association’s 76th annual Wagon Train will stop in Placerville around 3 p.m. at the Bell Tower. For more information visit hwy50wagontrain.com.

The Placerville Speedway at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds presents Points Race 7: 360, Pure Stocks, Ltd. Late Models, Mini Trucks | Big Trophy Night at 5 p.m. For more information visit placervillespeedway.com.

Join Images of Hope El Dorado for its annual Picnic in the

Orchard at 4 p.m. at the scenic Rainbow Orchards. Enjoy an idyllic Spring evening with great food, local wines, live music with The Audities+, live and silent auctions, door prizes and a sneak peek at the 2025 Banners on Parade. For tickets and more information visit imagesofhopeeldorado.com.

Geoffrey Miller Band Wagon Train Celebration will perform at 3:30 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Join the El Dorado County Republican Party at 6 p.m. for the Summer Under the Stars Party at Mohanna Family Ranch. For more information call (530) 417-0807.

Showroom entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe presents

Donnell Rawlings at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit tinyurl.com/9c3db54t.

Architera + DJ Zephyr will perform, 8-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Patton Leatha will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more

information visit redhawkcasino. com.

The Folsom Lake Symphony presents Movies with the Maestro at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at

Railroad Museum to display beautifully restored No. 9 steam locomotive

Traci Rockefeller Cusack

In partnership with Friends of No. 9, the California State Railroad Museum will display the beautifully restored No. 9 steam locomotive beginning in July. No. 9 is the only surviving locomotive of the Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, a tourist railroad in the late 19th and 20th centuries that enabled tourists to leave the city and enjoy the scenic beauty of Mount Tamalpais and, later, Muir Woods.

The Heisler locomotive dates back to 1921 when it was purchased by the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway of Mill Valley. The locomotive operated on the rails of the “Crookedest Railroad in the World,” a scenic tourist railway known for its steep and winding route between Mill Valley and the east peak of Mount Tamalpais. In 1924, the locomotive was sold and spent the next two and a half decades working for lumber companies in Siskiyou and Humboldt counties. Then in 1953, the Pacific Lumber Company bought the locomotive for display next to its new museum in Scotia. The

locomotive was later put up for auction in 2018 when a group of dedicated rail fans joined together to raise funds to secure No. 9 and begin restoration. The dedicated group was steadfast in their focus to return No. 9 to its Mt. Tamalpais roots and viewed it as the “last piece of a lost era.”

Carefully researched, the meticulous restoration work began in 2019 and will be completed in 2025. The historical locomotive remains an important piece of logging, tourist and rail history.

“The restoration of the No. 9 represents the very best impulses of the preservation community,” said Director of the California State Railroad Museum Ty Smith.

“Although the locomotive won’t steam passengers up Mt. Tamalpais, it serves as a window into a remarkable episode in California History. We’re grateful to be able to share in telling this important story.”

The prized No. 9 steam locomotive will be on display in the Museum’s Roundhouse until January 2026. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation visit californiarailroad.museum.

Public Notices

JULY 11, 2025, 8:30 A.M. DEPT. 9 AT SUPERIOR

CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF EL DORADO, 2927 Meder Road, Cameron Park, CA 95682. 3. A copy of the ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Mountain Democrat. This order has been filed on MAY 13, 2025. /s/ Gary Slossberg GARY SLOSSBERG, Judge of the Superior Court 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11 14602

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2025-0448 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 120 IMAGERY, located at 6430 Via Grava Rd, El Dorado, CA 95623/Mailing Address: PO Box 1266, El Dorado, CA 95623 Registrant’s Name & Mailing Address: Bradley Wheelwright, PO Box 1266, El Dorado, CA 95623 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Signature of Registrant: /s/ Bradley Wheelwright BRADLEY WHEELWRIGHT, OWNER I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with

A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11 14605 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the hour of 6pm at 7061 Mt Aukum Rd, Somerset, California, for the purpose of establishing, by resolution, the appropriation limits for the 202526 fiscal year for the Pioneer Fire Protection District as described in article XIII B of the State Constitution. The proposed appropriation limits are $ 1,392,813.40. At said hearing the Pioneer Fire Protection District will consider all comments by interested persons. Date: 5/13/2025 Scott de Bie, Secretary Board of Directors of Pioneer Fire Protection District 5/28, 5/30, 6/4 14607

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MARY V. MENSING CASE NO. 25PR0126

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MARY V. MENSING A PETITION for Probate has been filed by JANET S. BARNARD in the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado. THE PETITION for probate requests that JANET S. BARNARD be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons

6/11, 6/18 14624 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2025-0473

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HILLS CAPITAL located at 2570 King Richard Drive, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 Registrant’s Name & Mailing Address: Isaiah Vaba, 2570 King Richard Drive, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 05/22/2025 Signature of Registrant: /s/ Isaiah Vaba ISAIAH VABA, OWNER I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 05/22/2025 NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920,

WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

Photo by Fred Runner

The dedicated group was steadfast in their focus to return No. 9 to its Mt. Tamalpais roots and viewed it as the “last piece of a lost era.”