Placerville officials appoint new commissioners
Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
The Placerville City Council held a special meeting on March 5 to interview candidates for vacancies on the Planning and Recreation and Parks commissions. Councilors were looking to fill two seats on each commission. For the Recreation and Parks Commission nine qualified applications were received. William Burke, Lois Hathway, Rick Kile, Zack Kragel, Megan Lattanner, Jared Noceti, André Pichly, Michael Potter and Alyssa Stratton were all interviewed. Pichly and Potter, whose last term expired March 1, were both appointed to seats with terms ending on March 1, 2029. They will join commission Chair Larissa Lujan, Commissioner Lynne Spencer and Commissioner Tony Windle at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The commission generally meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Six qualified applications were received for Planning Commission appointments. The council interviewed Sean Briggs, Larissa Lujan, Michael Potter, Todd Sprague, Alyssa Stratton and Catherine Silvester. Silvester and Stratton were both offered seats with terms also ending on March 1, 2029. They will join commission Chair Kristine Kiehne, Commissioner Amy Lepper and Commissioner Kirk Smith at the next regularly scheduled meeting currently set for March 16 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
It’s all about the
bonspiel
Californians conquer at curling competition
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
Chris Hillman, 54, of El Dorado Hills loves to curl. He’s been participating in the sport for 17 years, beginning in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada in 1998.
When he moved to California he thought he’d have to give up the sport forever but in 2015, he met a man at a Christmas tree lot while wearing a sweatshirt he purchased at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship. The man spotted it and asked him if he knew that he could curl here, too.
Hillman said he went home and Googled “curling in Sacramento” and found the Wine Country Curling Club, a group that curls at the Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville. That search led to Hillman becoming a curling national champion.
CURIOUS ABOUT CURLING?
The Wine Country Curling club’s next Bonspiel, The Barrel 2025, starts March 14 at 8 a.m. and goes through March 16 at Skatetown Ice Arena, 1009 Orlando Ave, Roseville. For more information visit winecountrycurlingclub.com.
At first, Hillman said he didn’t know what to expect as he was used to curling in Canada, where curling clubs had dedicated sheets of ice used only for curling.
“At Skatetown, the Zamboni cuts the ice as flat as possible, then the ice crew quickly prepares the ices and freezes in the hacks (a stable base to push off from when delivering a rock), while the rest of the curlers move the 40-pound rocks to the ice for play,” he said.
The sport of curling is said to have its origins in Medieval Scotland.
Chris Hillman delivers a stone at a bonspiel at
Arena.
Two teams compete to move a granite stone across the ice into a target called a “house.” According to the World Curling Organization, it is an Olympic and
Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent
El Dorado County supervisors had more questions that needed to be answered before they would approve a new fee schedule for the Health and Human Services Senior Day Care program, at the March 4 Board of Supervisors meeting. In addition, they directed questions toward the Public Guardian program before its new fees are implemented. Representatives of the two programs presented a final report of a fee study done by MGT Consulting in June 2024.
The report states the county is currently generating fee-related revenues of nearly $346,000, just a 14% cost recovery level, and it subsidizes the two programs with $2.4 million. Current cost recovery levels for the individual departments range from 8% to 47%, leaving 86% or approximately $2 million funded by the county. Adjusting fees would “maintain the cost recovery percentage at 52%,” the report reads. In the report, two options for the Senior Day Care program, which serves adults who need care and supervision during the day, were identified. The first was to impose new fees all at once and the
Paralympic winter sport with disciplines for women’s, men’s, mixed doubles and mixed wheelchair teams. A competition
second to gradually increase fees over three years.
Lynette Englehart-Stott, deputy director for Community Services explained, “This service provides families with peace of mind and the opportunity to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities or continue their employment.” She said option two was the option Health and Human Services has recommended. It is “sort of phasing in the increase so it wasn’t a one-time increase … but increase
MICHAEL POTTER
ANDRÉ PICHLY
CATHERINE SILVESTER
ALYSSA STRATTON
Courtesy photos
El Dorado Hills resident Chris Hillman is on the curling team that won the national championship in Wausau, Wisc. Left to right
are Brian Feldman Sr., Brian Feldman Jr., Hillman and Camren Spangler.
Skatetown Ice
ESSENTIALS
Jennelle Howard
Sept. 9, 1939 – Feb. 28, 2025
Jack Genter
Oct. 22, 1925 – Feb. 11, 2025
Hazel Jennelle Howard (née Painter), 85, of Rescue, California, died in Sacramento, California on February 28, 2025. She was known to her friends and family as Jennelle. She was born in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 9, 1939. She grew up in Duo, West Virginia, graduating from Rupert High School in 1957. After her younger sister, Janet, graduated from high school in 1959, the family moved from West Virginia to Sacramento, California. There, she met her future husband, Clarence Howard. Clarence and Jennelle married on May 1, 1960. They had two children, Brad and Lisa. The family lived in Carmichael while Clarence worked at Aerojet. They moved to Livermore for several years when Clarence worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. The family later moved back to Sacramento when Clarence took a job in the theater department at Sierra College. Jennelle was an active mom and enjoyed supporting her kids in activities like piano lessons, 4H and sports. In 1979, the family moved to a house they built in Rescue, California. Jennelle worked at a dry-cleaning shop in Cameron Park, where she did alterations and developed loyal clients for her skills as a seamstress. She and Clarence enjoyed theater and regularly attended shows at the Music Circus in Sacramento. Jennelle was an avid reader, seamstress, baker, bird watcher, and gardener. She loved books. After retirement, she stayed active as a volunteer for the Cameron Park Library, helping to organize monthly book sales. Jennelle regularly met with her “gal pals,” getting together for lunch and exchanging big bags of books. She was a good friend to her neighbors in Rescue. Clarence died in 2017. In 2021, she moved to Ponté Palmero in Cameron Park, where she continued to make new friends. Jennelle was considered the “glue” of her extended family. She loved family get-togethers. She and Clarence hosted numerous large family gatherings. She also enjoyed doting on her extended family’s young children, always remembering to send birthday cards. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, and her parents, Thomas Gordon Painter and Eva Merl Painter (née Turpin). She is survived by her sister Janet, daughter Lisa, son Brad, niece Kelly, son-in-law Gavin, and her large extended family and friends. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Jennelle Howard’s life at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, California, 95667.
Elmer “Whitey” Harold
Atchley Jr.
Jan. 13, 1932 – Feb. 26, 2025
Born in Stockton California. He was most comfortable with family and people around him so he could entertain with his stories of boxing, golf and tennis, and the adventures he had with his family on canoe trips and skiing, both water and snow. He worked hard at General Mills, achieving the title of General Manager of Transport while becoming a lawyer with a young family. This a orded him the opportunity when he moved back to California with his wife Helen to open their own law firm. No matter where his job took him or where he lived, at heart he was always a Native Son of the Golden West; a California boy. He is survived by his 4 daughters, 1 son in law, 13 grand children and the blessing of multiple great-grandchildren. May his memory be eternal.
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VACATION HOLDS
If
Jack Genter passed away peacefully at home on February 11, 2025, at the age of 99. He will be remembered by family and friends for his love of life, often regaling those around him with a joke, a story, or a song. Jack was raised in San Pedro, California, to Arthur and Charlotte Genter. He was last one living of four siblings, most recently preceded in death by his beloved brother, Robert Genter. Growing up near the home port of the Pacific fleet, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving as a Fire Controlman, 3rd Class on several ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II. He proudly shared several medals earned, including for Philippine Liberation, but was quick to note with a gleam in his eye, none were for the “good conduct medal.” After an honorable discharge in 1946, Jack worked as a weatherman, park ranger, and other jobs while attending Long Beach State College, earning a M.A. in Education in 1953. Over a long career, he worked as a teacher and school administrator in the Yorba Linda, CA area and several small communities in northern California. He later settled in the Fresno, CA area, where he finished his career as maintenance man for CA State Parks. Following his retirement, he continued to work odd jobs to support his many travels around the world. Jack moved to the Placerville, CA, area in 2002 to be closer to family and started working for Story Winery, becoming known there as the tasting room poet. Throughout his life, Jack loved being in the outdoors with fishing, gardening, photography and birding some of his favorite pastimes. He was also a world traveler, sharing many adventures with his brother, Bob. Later in life, he selfpublished several books, including documenting his travels in “From the Indies to the Andes in my Undies.” In his final years, he kept his mind busy with crosswords and jigsaw puzzles and his social life full, including weekly sessions with the Lincoln Manor “bingo ladies.” Jack was thrice married and divorced, preceded in death by his three ex-wives, Vivian, Anne, and Nora. He is survived by his daughter Alexis Kleinhans (husband Tom) and grandson Tanner Galbreath; daughter Charis Parker (husband Eric) and granddaughter Elli Parker; nephew Rick Genter (wife Martina) and niece Linda Alsalihi (husband Mohammad, kids Omar, Adam, and Hannah); members of the Kelly family. He lived a long life full of adventures and positivity and will greatly missed. There will not be a formal memorial but those wanting to celebrate his life, please raise a glass of his favorite wine, Pinot Grigio, and toast to one of his favorite sayings - every day is a gift so, “Thank God for the Present!” If you like to share a memory or a message, visit https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/placerville-ca/ jack-genter-12254594
Peter Bye
Dec. 28, 1934 – Feb. 12, 2025
Peter Bye of Placerville, passed away February 12th, 2025 at the age of 90. Peter was born December 28th, 1934 in Pasadena California to Grant W. Bye and Florence Bye. He grew up in Pasadena, attending George Ellery Hale Grammer School, Marshall Junior High, and Pasadena City College. In 1955 he married Valerie Ridings from Pasadena at the Federated Church in Placerville. They moved to Placerville in 1956 to start their family here. His first job in Placerville was at Pino Vista Dairy as a delivery driver, Then at Union Carbide as a truck driver, driving cross country with Liquid Hydrogen (rocket fuel) and then retired after 24 years at Shell Oil Company as a tanker driver. He built their house in Placerville along with a contractor, all the while working full time for Shell. He took great pride in his woodworking, gardening & loved showing people around their beautiful yard. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Grant W. Bye, Jr. (Jay). He is survived by his wife, Valerie Bye of Placerville, and his 4 children, Steven Bye (Connie), Cristie Weese (Marv), Denise Pressler (Kurt) & Scott Bye (Colleen). He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. His smile, laughter and overall enthusiasm will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He will be remembered as a cheerful, kind man who loved all things aviation, fine woodworking, gardening and traveling. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
W. J. “Jim” Estelle, Jr
March 31, 1931 – Feb. 13, 2025
Ward James Estelle, Jr was born March 31, 1931 to Ward James Estelle and Maxine Brenneman Estelle in Henry Co., Indiana. His parents moved Jim and his sister D’Anne to Whittier, CA in 1933. Twin brothers Walter and Wayne were born there. Ward Sr. transferred with CDC to San Quentin Prison where Jim attended a two-room school and graduated eighth grade in a class of three students. The next move was to Represa for his father’s job at Folsom State Prison. Jim graduated from San Juan High School in 1949. He served as student body president and played varsity football, in addition to showing prizewinning Duroc pigs at the State Fair. In 1950, Jim began college at UC Davis and married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Jones. They celebrated their 74th anniversary in September 2024. He finished his degree in 1955 at Sacramento State College. His Correctional career began in 1952 at Folsom State Prison. He transferred to Paroles in 1955 for five years and then returned to uniform at CA Medical Facility, Vacaville. He quickly promoted to Associate Superintendent at Susanville CCC. An opportunity to be Warden at Montana State Prison came in 1970. In 1972, he was recruited to Texas and became Director of the Texas Department of Corrections for twelve years before retiring. For three years he was president of the First National Bank, South in Huntsville, TX before returning to California. There he was manager of the Prison Industry Authority in Folsom until he retired in 1991. TDC named a new prison in Huntsville the W.J. Estelle Unit in 1995. He was honored with the ACA’s CASS award and two fellowships to the Aspen Institute. The Texas Sheriffs Association named Jim an Honorary Sheriff and the Texas Rangers honored him with Ranger status and have him in their Hall of Fame. After retirement, Jim focused on volunteer work including Friends Care, several years of service with the El Dorado County Grand Jury and decades of work with the General Service Office, serving them as Chairman in a four year term. In addition to his successful career, Jim was an avid hunter and hiker. He made it to the top of Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta, and Mt. Whitney. He enjoyed fishing trips and traveling. At the age of 93, he passed peacefully on February 13, 2025. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of El Dorado Hills; his son Ward James III and Ward’s partner Mary Scott who reside in Ashland, OR; his daughter Lorraine Susan who lives in Redlands, CA; his daughter Linda Diane of Sacramento, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the W.J. Estelle, Jr. Scholarship Fund at the Northern California Peace Officers Association, PO Box 1267, Yuba City, CA 95992; or the Texas Prison Museum, 491 Hwy 75 N., Huntsville, TX 77320. Memorial Service will be held March 31, 2025, 11:00 A.M. – 1 P.M. at Green Valley Mortuary, 3004 Alexandrite Drive, Rescue, California.
Richard “Dick” Donald Leytem, Sr.
Aug. 1, 1928 – Feb. 11, 2025
Richard Donald Leytem, SR., 96, passed away peacefully early in the morning of February 11, 2025, at his son and daughter-in-law’s house in Castro Valley. Dick was born on August 1, 1928 to Cyril (Jack) Leytem and Gretchen Morey Leytem in the small town of Cascade, Iowa. He was the second of ten children. Traveling by train and ferry he moved from Cascade, Iowa to the bustling city of San Francisco at the age of fourteen. He attended Polytechnic High School where he met his wife of fifty-two years, Shirley Hampton Leytem. Dick had a variety of jobs before he settled on the career of being a butcher. He and Shirley spent many hours together bowling, square dancing, developing photographs, restoring antiques, camping, the cabin in Russian River, traveling and building their dream home in Shingle Springs. Shirley passed away in 1998. Dick then married his second wife, Stephanie Lavooi Leytem in 2004. Dick was a dedicated, supportive, God loving, hardworking man who always put the needs of others ahead of his own. He had an uncanny sense of humor and taught everyone the importance of family. There were few things he cared for more than the people he loved. He was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley, his second wife, Stephanie, his grandson, Jesse Leytem, two brothers, LeRoy and Donald, and three sisters, June, Betty and Julie. He is survived by his five children, Teresa/Joe Mayers, Cyndi Potter, Greg/Jeanie Leytem, Denise Leytem and Richard Jr./Carol Leytem. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and twenty greatgrandchildren and his brother Ken/Katie Leytem, and sisters, Joyce Haas, Jeanette DeLaney and Annette Kimbrough. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Transfiguration, Castro Valley, CA. Interment will be in Cascade, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations, in honor of Richard Leytem Sr to your local Blood Bank or a check
Thomas Aquinas
Simpson
Sept. 25, 1945 – Feb. 12, 2025
Thomas Aquinas Simpson, 79, of Placerville, California passed away on February 12th 2025. He was born in Missouri on September 25th, 1945. He worked for the phone company for 43 years. During this time he was involved with the Boy Scouts for 30 years where he became a Scout Master and Camp O-Ki-Hi Adult Advisor. Thomas is survived by his wife Loretta. Funeral Service were held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on March 11th, 2025 at 11am.
Robert John Stockel
Aug. 10, 1955 – Feb. 17, 2025
SPORTS
In Loving Memory and with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert John Stockel on February 17, 2025, at home near Somerset, following a battle with a rare form of lung cancer. Some of his ashes will be interred at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, while others will be scattered at his favorite places. Born in Hayward, California, Robert was dedicated to his family, friends, and communities. Robert, an identical twin, born to John and Muriel Stockel, on August 10, 1955, was curious, full of life, and had a quick wit. Robert attended Sunset High School and UC Berkeley, excelling in the sciences, and earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry. After completing his education, Robert pursued a career in forestry at Lassen National Forest, recreation at Lassen Volcanic National Park, and over 27 years regulatory work within the Agricultural Commissioner system in Alameda and San Luis Obispo counties. As a regulator, Robert specialized in pesticide use enforcement involving farmers, the pest control industry, the public, and his peers. He made significant contributions and earned respect from his colleagues and the industry he served. Robert cherished his family. In 2003, he married Heidi Quiggle, creating a home filled with laughter, warmth, music, and outdoor adventures. Robert’s father John passed away before him. He is survived by his mother Muriel, his sister Debra Lusk (James), his twin brother Gary (Peggy), and his brother James (Lisa), and Heidi. As an uncle to Darcy, Jenna, Maggie, Taylor, John, Eric, and Thor and great uncle to Brayden, Brandt, and Danika, he taught values of nature, humor, integrity, and loyalty. He was close to his family, especially his cousins, and is deeply missed. Outside of his professional and family life, Robert was active in various community organizations. His work included serving on the Santa Margarita Area Advisory Council, Santa Margarita Community Area Advisory Group, Cosumnes River Community Service District as Vice President, and Sand Ridge Fire Safe Council. Through these roles, he contributed to the community making a lasting impact. Robert was an avid outdoorsman dedicated to activities such as fishing, snow skiing, hiking, camping, backpacking, birding, and stargazing. These leisure time pursuits brought him boundless joy and fulfillment to his life. His love for Lassen Volcanic National Park was infectious, and he often shared his enthusiasm and many stories with friends and family. Robert’s passion for the outdoors was evident in everything he did, and his spirit of adventure was truly inspiring. As we acknowledge the passing of Robert, we also recognize his kindness, generosity, and strong spirit. Robert is fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all those he has influenced. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the National Park Service or similar organizations in Robert’s honor. Memorial services will take place in El Dorado County and San Luis Obispo County. Dates and locations will be shared for friends and family to commemorate Robert’s life. Although Robert has left this earth, his contributions and memories will remain with those who knew him. Love is eternal.
First-place
El Dorado brings home alpine racing titles
Mountain Democrat staff
El Dorado County high school skiers and snowboarders brought home the hardware from last week’s California Nevada Interscholastic Ski and Snowboard Federation Championships hosted at Sierra-At-Tahoe. The El Dorado High School Cougars men’s snowboard team (709 points) and the men’s ski team (697 points) both took first place in the well-attended competition. The Placerville school’s women’s ski team (661 points) raced to a second-place finish and joined the men’s team
Dr. Little’s Dental News
Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.
WHAT IS ORAL THRUSH, AND DOES IT AFFECT MY DENTAL HEALTH?
Candida is a yeast that can overgrow and cause a fungal infection in the mouth called thrush or oral thrush. Candida normally exists in the mouth at healthy levels, but when it grows out of control it causes white patches, bleeding, and pain. Thrush can spread to the throat and cause discomfort and pain when swallowing. Thrush degrades tooth enamel and increases the risk of cavities and other dental problems. In fact, your dentist may be the person to recognize the first signs of oral thrush during a regular checkup. Thrush is usually treatable with antibiotics or anti-fungal medications; however, if left untreated thrush can spread to the throat and stomach and cause sepsis, a life-threatening
infection.
One of our basic philosophies is that our patients must recognize the need to take charge of their oral health and do what is necessary to prevent, arrest, or control their own dental conditions. We’ll work together as a team with you to achieve the long-term benefits that quality dentistry affords. From sound advice about the negative effects of thrush on oral health to routine well visits to major dental reconstructions, we’ve got your dental needs covered. We treat both children and adults.
P.S. Oral thrush can happen to anyone, but it’s more common in older people, people with compromised immune systems, and babies with developing immune systems.
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
finisher in the CNISSF Mens Snowboard Championship Matix Spitzer, El Dorado High School, makes his way to the finish with a total time of 200.24
at Sierra-At-Tahoe on March 5.
Courtesy photo
El Dorado High School alpine snowboard coaches and racers celebrate their state championship win.
n See CHAMPS, page A9
Courtesy photo
Oak Ridge High School’s Greta Aronowitz, left, skis down the slope, taking 5th place in the championships. El Dorado High School Mens Ski Team, right, placed first with 697 points in the CNISSF Championships at Sierra-At-Tahoe March 5. Left to right, Bryce Reed, (captain) Sage Pittman, (captain) Dylan McLeod, Adrian Hirsbruner-Reaist and Skyler Schlavin.
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
EDH Business Park apartment proposal vetted
Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent
A plan is in the works to build out almost 100 additional acres in the El Dorado Hills Business Park, which could add up to 495 apartments.
The Gateway El Dorado Specific Plan project proposal includes residential units, businesses and warehouses.
“The project would have the potential to generate between 140 and 495 dwelling units,” Deputy Director of Planning Rob Peters said last week during the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Peters said the hearing was to provide for early public knowledge and involvement. A pre-application hearing is required when 50 units or more are proposed. California Environmental Quality Act reviews will have to be conducted and additional public hearings held before the project gets off the ground.
“This is prior to a formal submittal to the Planning Department,” Peters clarified.
The project will be constructed on property located in the middle of the business park, at the southerly point of connection for Golden Foothill Parkway and Latrobe Road. It includes El Dorado County General Plan amendments since currently the business park is solely zoned Research and Development, which supports only industrial, office and limited commercial uses.
The pre-application proposes 13.15 acres of commercial property, 30.84 acres for research and development, 5.82 acres of multifamily property, 14.75 acres of multifamily/commercial flex property, 1.45 acres of park land and 22.6 acres of open space.
“The concept for this particular parcel was to create a hub in the business park that had mixed uses,” said Scott Hodson, vice-president of Pac Trust, the Portland-based property development company which owns the acreage.
Hodson said single zoning has become “somewhat antiquated.”
“The way things have progressed here, the business park has not been very successful,” he said. “It still is less than 50% built out in my estimations. It doesn’t really have good connectivity to the rest of the community.”
In regard to the multifamily/ commercial flex property, Hodson said, “The idea is to be able to have some flexibility to be able to respond to what the demand is. The total (currently proposed) build out of apartment units would be about 120, and if every bit of that flexible area were to be built out as apartments about 490 units would be the maximum.”
As part of the project, the developer is producing a roadway and a stoplight at the company’s expense.
“The county and Department of Transportation has reserved the right to take it in as a public road,” he said. “But up to this point it’s still going to be privately constructed and operated.”
Also included is aº trail and sidewalks, which are mostly nonexistent at the business park.
“It’s kind of a tricky place to walk and get around,” Hodson said. “We want to create a destination to walk to.”
A little over one quarter of the land has been devoted to open space, he said, and in 2007, Pac Trust planted about 500 oak trees there.
“The goal was to create greenery and shade,” Hodson said.
Retail food stores, restaurants and limited multi-family housing are all elements included following comments from public outreach, he said.
“We believe that the projects we’re proposing work well together and that they would essentially create an opportunity for this piece of land and hopefully the other pieces that are adjacent to it in the business park to pick up the pace … on absorbing and attracting new businesses,” Hodson said.
Residents who could be affected by the project live immediately adjacent to the business park
in the Blackstone and Heritage communities.
Heritage resident George Steed said he objected to industrial buildings located in the middle of residential areas, but liked the concept of adding housing and retail businesses.
“The neighboring communities could benefit from convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops and reasonably priced housing could allow younger generations to live near area families,” Steed said.
Heritage resident Corde Wagner said his greatest concern is traffic, citing the line up of traffic from Golden Foothill Parkway, down Robert J Mathews Parkway to the John Adams Academy.
Linda Campbell of El Dorado Hills agreed traffic studies are needed, and was concerned about lighting impacts as well as the cost to live in the apartments.
Cameron Park resident Kim Beal said, “We need so much more housing for the very low-, low- and middle class.”
El Dorado County DOT Director Rafael Martinez explained Pac Trust had reached out to the department early on, noting traffic concerns “will get thoroughly vetted and analyzed when the environmental document gets introduced, and we get to look at the traffic analysis that they bring forward.”
Referring to the privately funded road and traffic signal at Carson Crossing and Golden Foothill Parkway, he said it provides “added circulation benefits to what we have right now.”
The project has to pass Level of Service and Vehicle Miles Traveled standards, he added.
DOT staff is currently working separately on existing issues revolving around the John Adams Academy traffic, as well as truck traffic through Heritage on Carson Crossing due to construction, which should end soon, Martinez added.
Supervisor Lori Parlin had questions regarding housing affordability, sales tax, water
allocation and changes to the general plan.
“Pretty soon it could become a hodge podge,” she said.
Planning and Building Director Karen Garner said the environmental review will address those concerns.
District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero asked if there had been an analysis on the jobs to housing balance.
“We are well behind in terms of where we thought we would be with the number of jobs,” Garner said. “You build that walkable community and you are going to attract more businesses that you otherwise might not have been able to.”
Ferrero said he would like to see businesses there, rather than housing, because development surrounding it had caused problems already. But if residential units were added, he said, “It would be nice to have some entry level homes, condos, townhouses, as opposed to apartments.”
El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Manning said the housing would provide places for employees of the business park to live, which could reduce traffic.
“Pac Trust has been listening and having community meetings for the last 15 years,” she said. “It is really time, in our opinion, that we say ‘Go for it!’”
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO Laurel Brent-Bumb agreed.
“We have a budget issue,” she said. “We aren’t going to solve the budget issue unless we grow, and if we’re not growing, we’re dying.”
Chair George Turnboo said Hodson will return with a plan to address concerns of people who live in that area.
“People that work in the business park could live there too, plus housing for our kids,” he said.
“I don’t think this project’s too far off,” District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp said, adding that he thought the apartments would be upscale. “I think we’re going down the right road here.”
List of El Dorado County’s highest compensated employees released
El
Dorado County AuditorController’s Office News release
Auditor-Controller Joe Harn has updated the list of El Dorado County’s highest compensated employees for the calendar year 2024. The list of the top 100 compensated employees based on the cost of total salaries and benefits is available online at edcgov. us/auditor-controller. Click on “Top Paying Positions.”
“Posting the list to the county’s website is part of the ongoing effort to increase transparency in our county government,” Harn said. “The best government transparency involves placing all financial information online in a readily understandable manner. Government transparency allows taxpayers to see how our
The following information was taken from PPD reports: Feb. 10
county is spending tax money, and gives El Dorado County residents the ability to hold us accountable. The internet is a great place to enhance transparency.”
As expected, the top two highest compensated employees were mental health professionals: the county’s mental health director and a psychiatrist II.
The cost of each employee’s CalPERS benefit is included on the list, but the reported retirement cost should be reviewed with some skepticism, according to Harn. CalPERS has intentionally understated the actual cost of its retirement programs statewide, he said. Undoubtedly, higher costs for the county’s retirement program and retirees’ health stipend will need to be paid in the future, Harn predicted.
Funds available for forest-sector business, workforce development
n Projects will boost forestry sector jobs in California, fostering healthy forests
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is soliciting applications for California business and workforce development projects that support healthy, resilient forests and the people and ecosystems that depend on them. Competitive projects will also sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on April 25, via the Wood Products and Bioenergy webpage. A total of $5 million in grant funding is available.
Cal Fire’s Wood Products & Bioenergy Program supports the creation of a robust and diversified wood products industry to facilitate the economic and sustainable management of California’s forests. These grants help make California a more competitive place to conduct forest-sector business and create financial incentives for industries to invest in clean technologies, develop innovative ways to process wood products, and support the growth of a strong forest-sector workforce. Since 2022, the program has provided over $80 million in grant funding for 94 projects.
“No other grant program is as targeted or efficient in using public funds to leverage private investment to manage down wildfire risk by creating new economic outlets for biomass,” said Andy Miller, CEO of Loamist, a 2024 grant recipient.
A virtual pre-recorded workshop link is available to explain the grant process and requirements. Inquiries can be submitted to WoodProducts@fire.ca.gov.
Projects that receive funding from this grant program are designed to complement the California Forest Carbon Plan, California’s Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan, California’s Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan, California’s Strategic Plan for Expanding the Use of Beneficial Fire and AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan.
Business and workforce development grants are part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Attorney general alerts consumers to ongoing scam activity
California Attorney General’s Office
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently issued a consumer alert warning Californians of three popular text-based scams.
These scam texts claim Californians owe past-due charges and provide fraudulent links for consumers to “resolve” the charge and the links are often a vehicle by which scammers can steal consumers’ sensitive payment data. Scammers often use the threat of a “late fee” or use words like “urgent action required” to pressure consumers into clicking the links.
“California, these scammers are relentless. While text-based toll charge scams remain widespread, consumers across our state are also receiving texts claiming they owe a parking ticket charge,” said Bonta. “Bad actors are getting more sophisticated and show little signs of slowing. I urge Californians to not click on links in texts appearing to alert consumers to overdue charges, visit only official websites, and talk to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers.”
If you receive a possible scam text:
Do not click on the link.
File a complaint with the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission and the CA Attorney General’s Office.
Be sure to include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed within the text.
Delete any scam texts received.
Check your account using a legitimate website.
Secure your personal information and financial accounts. Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, especially after suspecting a scam. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.
Toll charge scams: These texts claim consumers owe FasTrak express lane or toll charges, link to a website and ask for online payment. This scam is designed to trick drivers into entering banking or credit card information into a website fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies.
FasTrak is the electronic toll collection system used on tolled bridges, lanes, and roads in California. It allows drivers to pay tolls electronically without having to stop at toll booths. FasTrak does not request payment by text with a link to a website. Account holders should verify a valid text notification by logging into their account at thetollroads.com or through The Toll Roads app. For all other toll agencies, use official webpages only:
Bay Area FasTrak: bayareafastrak.org
Metro ExpressLanes: metroexpresslanes.net
91 Express Lanes: 91expresslanes.com
405 Express Lanes: 405expresslanes.com
Riverside Express: riversideexpress.com
SANDAG: sandag.org/fastrak
Parking charge scams: These messages aim to scare consumers into thinking something they’ve dreaded has happened: that they’ve earned a parking ticket and have forgotten to pay it. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, an agency that scammers have imitated, does not request payment by text with a link to a website. For more information on paying a SFMTA parking citation visit SFMTA.com/PayCitation.
If you live or visit another city, please use the official website of that city or transportation agency. Package delivery scams: These text messages often state that there’s an issue with your delivery and include a link to “resolve” the problem. Package delivery scams are more common over the gift giving season but can occur at any time. Delivery companies do not ask for payment to release a package or correct a delivery error — any such request is a scam.
Consider signing up for alerts from trusted carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS. These alerts will notify you of package updates directly from the source.
OPINION
California Matters
State uses gimmicks instead of addressing the budget problem
One of the many gimmicks that California’s governors and legislators employ to paper over budget deficits, thus avoiding real spending cuts or increasing taxes, is to assume some level of savings from making state agencies and programs more e cient.
They will plug arbitrary numbers into the budget from such supposed e ciencies, then, along with other gimmicks, declare that the budget gap has been closed and pat themselves on the back for the feat.
The 2024-25 budget is a prime example of such political expedience. As enacted last June it totaled $297.9 billion, of which $211.5 billion was general fund spending. But the budget assumed the state would receive $207.2 billon in general fund revenues, so it had a gap to bridge.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators turned to a series of gimmicks and indirect loans to close the gap, including $2.9 billion from assumed e ciency savings in state agencies and state universities.
However, when Newsom unveiled a 2025-26 budget proposal in January, the plan acknowledged that while the universities met their relatively tiny savings goal of $200 million, other agencies would reduce spending by just $800 million, or less than a third of their $2.7 billion goal.
Newsom surely hopes to skate through without either deep spending cuts or increasing taxes, while continuing to cover the chronic gaps with gimmicks ...
The new budget also revealed that 202425 general fund spending had ballooned to an estimated $232 billion — $21 billion more than the final version had assumed — and while projected revenues had also increased to $217 billion, the 2024-25 deficit would widen to $15 billion.
■ See WALTERS, page A7
Message from McClintock
Awell-known bureaucratic response to any attempt to reduce government spending is called “The Washington Monument Strategy.” Whenever somebody suggests cutting the budget, just shut down the Washington Monument until enough tourists complain to their congressman.
TOM M c
We saw this strategy implemented with a vengeance during the government shutdown under Obama. All reservations at the national parks were cancelled, vendors ordered to close, perishable deliveries turned back, the National Mall cordoned o , gates to the national parks chained and even highway turnouts with a view of Yosemite Valley barricaded. Compare that to the government shutdown in the first Trump administration. Vendors remained in business, the public lands remained fully accessible to the
Letters to the Editor
How about a county DOGE?
EDITOR:
In 2014 the El Dorado County budget was roughly $480 million. Today, the budget has doubled to $1 billion. Is the county doing anything better today than in 2014? Per all the letters from county employees, they are starving. The letters from the taxpayers say services, roads, building departments and the like have worsened. How can this be?
I know that in 2014 the county’s computer system was from the ‘60s, and its IT Department was forced to hire programmers who knew Cobalt and DOS to keep it rolling. The Fenix system was marketed to the county with claims it would maximize productivity and reduce sta ng costs. It doesn’t appear that happened.
I looked at the Auditor-Controller’s O ce to check and in 2014 Mr. Harn had a sta of 54 people. The number of sta in his department is not available today.
El Dorado County’s budget has never had an
outside audit by an independent CPA or auditing firm. The 2014 Grand Jury found enough evidence of corruption that every member forgoed their pay to fund an audit, roughly $30,000. Sadly, the jury was disbanded before the audit results. El Dorado County employee sta ng has increased by 10% in the past 10 years. The budget has doubled, services have worsened and county employees believe they are underpaid. If there is ever a need for a DOGE, it’s right here in EDC. KEN
Self-insurance is worth exploring
EDITOR:
In the shadow of the smoke from the L.A. fire disaster, it should be very apparent that we are alone in our fight for home insurance. We have had many years of wrong environmental policies put in place. They have done and will
public, no monuments were obstructed, no barricades were erected and the gates to the national parks remained open.
Today, opponents of President Trump’s war on government waste have revived the Washington Monument strategy to maintain a bloated federal workforce that is crushing American taxpayers. Every dollar of discretionary spending, which fully or partially funds every department within the federal government, is now borrowed. Instead of longoverdue streamlining, Democrats are pushing for a tax increase that will amount to about $1,500 on a family earning $75,000.
At Yosemite National Park, disgruntled employees hung a giant American flag upside down on El Capitan the other day, ruining the view for tourists who came to enjoy Yosemite’s famous fire-fall. Remote
The antics of some of Yosemite’s employees dishonor the silent majority at the park who are genuinely devoted to public service.
cameras at the park are now blocked by protest signs. A Yosemite biologist told gullible reporters the sta cuts could doom the Sierra Nevada red fox to extinction. Others warned that layo s would result in visitors stuck in restrooms and fires raging out of control.
“Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria,” as a Ghostbusters character put it.
So, what is the actual number of layo s at Yosemite National Park that will bring this beautiful Valley to rack and ruin? Ten. Ten probationary employees. Ten out of nearly 500 full-time winter employees. Twentyfive if you include early retirements. And no firefighters.
This begs other important questions:
• Is the park so poorly managed that only one employee has keys to restrooms serving the 748,000-acre national park? Apparently.
• How will the Sierra Nevada red fox survive with only eight biologists at Yosemite looking out for it rather than nine? I guess we’ll just have to find out.
• How many of Yosemite’s employees are working from home? We don’t know because the park management won’t tell us. We do know that in 2023, 34% of National Park Service employees across the country were still “working” from home. Need to find the nearest unlocked restroom? Just e-mail them.
Indeed, the employees who provide most of the visitor amenities — the hotels, the shops, the restaurants — don’t even work for the Park Service. They work for the park’s private concessionaire. It’s true that hiring seasonal employees was delayed for a few
STEERS Cameron Park
DAN WALTERS
CLINTOCK
Last month, the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, reported his staff was having difficulty getting accurate information from the administration about the underachieving efficiency decree.
“We have tried to get information from some of the larger departments to better understand what types of operational changes are being implemented to achieve the identified savings,” Petek wrote. “As we discuss in greater detail later, we have received limited information thus far.”
This venture into the weeds of state budgeting generates two observations: One, that gimmickry is an integral part of the current process, and second, that the state faces chronic gaps between income and outgo, a condition dubbed a “structural deficit.”
It is an ongoing mismatch between what the state’s tax system can produce in revenues and what current law says must be spent. The problem
Letters
Continued from A6
continue to do more destruction unless we tell the environmentalists and their cronies in state government to go to the back of the bus. They have pushed codes, ordinances and laws down our throat and Mother Nature’s also. There was an old TV ad that said, “It is not nice to fool Mother Nature.” Mother Nature will do what she wants, and we are only along for the ride. I have a suggestion. It may work and it is not
dates back to 2022 when Newsom declared that the state had a $97.5 billion surplus, based on surging revenues.
He and legislators raised spending sharply on that assumption, but it proved to be an illusion, resulting in the income and outgo gap that will continue at least for the remainder of Newsom’s governorship — unless he and legislators make real spending cuts or increase taxes.
Moreover, the destructive and deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles will impact both the revenue and spending sides of the state’s ledger, more than likely increasing the structural deficit.
Newsom and legislators have already approved a $2.5 billion appropriation for fire-related costs, which would increase the deficit even more unless he can persuade President Donald Trump to send federal aid. Even with a federal bailout, however, Newsom is likely to leave his successor, whomever
perfect yet only a rough idea. However, if enough people get behind it with more knowledge and experience in business than me, I believe it can be accomplished.
My suggestion is self-insuring for homeowners’ insurance. The state and county self-insure, so why can’t we do it? We would have to form a commission to oversee this fund being created. Maybe one person from each district and not
that might be, with a fiscal headache.
Newsom surely hopes to skate through without either deep spending cuts or increasing taxes, while continuing to cover the chronic gaps with gimmicks such as arbitrary efficiency savings, direct and indirect loans and creative bookkeeping.
He has even increased spending in some categories despite the sluggish revenues, most spectacularly — and most irresponsibly — jacking up state subsidies for the Southern California film and video industry.
Sending more money to Hollywood while telling state universities to tighten their belts, potentially impacting enrollment, would seem to be the height of misplaced priorities.
Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
appointed by their supervisor to be on this commission. Then approach the Board of Supervisors to set an election date for approval of this idea. If approved by a majority of the voters, then we ask the county to collect the fire insurance payment on the property tax statement every year.
This money would be collected from all property owners because in a wildfire we all can lose, even vacant landowners. There would also be insurance conditions that you keep your property fire safe annually, helping to reduce the threat of fires. This money would be set up in an account far from the reaching hands of the Board of Supervisors. Land ownership should include federal, state and county property. They have just as much to lose in a wildfire like the Caldor Fire.
Here is a rough idea of money that could be generated for insurance. Any yearly amount in surplus would be added to next year’s account.
The county assessor says there are 135,000 taxable parcels in El Dorado County. With a premium of $2,000 per parcel — 135,000 x $2,000 = $270,000,000 — or $135,000 x $3,000 = $405,000,000 These are just examples. The financial figures used would have to be approved by the commission with a majority of landowners’ approval.
As a land and homeowner, I would rather pay these lesser amounts than $5,000 and above. Please give this some thought and then let us form a group to research and put it into action. If everyone thinks it will work, let us get the ball rolling as fast as possible.
BRIAN DeBERRY Diamond Springs
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
Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Monica 530-306-7066. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information. SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.
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
Convicted Garden Valley murderer denied parole
Chris Woodard Staff writer
Jaime Ramos, who murdered Garden Valley resident Ron Presba in 2008, was denied parole at a Feb. 27 parole hearing, according to El Dorado County District Attorney’s office. Ramos was sentenced to 25 years to life in 2010.
Ramos worked at the California Conservation Corps in Greenwood
Curling
Continued from A1
where he met Presba’s wife Patricia. She became a mother figure for him before the relationship shifted into an affair. Ramos was 21 at the time, and younger than Patty’s youngest child.
Patty plotted to kill Ron with Ramos’ help. Ramos stayed at the Presba residence and while Patricia was out of town, Ramos murdered Ron by beating him to death with a hammer. Ramos then loaded Ron’s body into the victim’s vehicle, drove
is called a “bonspiel.” Some of the stones or rocks are made from quartz-free granite from the island of Aisla Craig in Scotland and others are made from Tefor, a type of granite found in the Trefor quarry in Wales.
The curling club is a nonprofit and originally began in Vacaville before moving to its present location. The club boasts around 100 members and is run by volunteers. It supports the sport of curling in Placer, El Dorado, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and neighboring counties. It meets every Sunday morning at the Skatetown Ice Arena.
Hillman said, “I curled in a few leagues at WCCC before being approached to see if I would be interested in joining one of the competitive teams to compete at the Arena Nationals Championship being held in Salt Lake City, Utah. We had a successful tournament and ended up winning a bronze medal. I was impressed with the level of curling and just how good a curling club from California was. Over the next few years our teams had some lineup changes as players came and left but we were never able to duplicate the success we had in Salt Lake City until this year.
“In order to get a berth in the 2024 Arena Nationals Championship being held in Wausau, Wisc., we had to win the Mountain Pacific Curling Association regional play down being held in Stateline, Nev.,” he continued. “This was a 10-team event with participants from California and Utah competing to represent MOPAC at the
Fees Continued from A1
by 33% each year so it’s not a big jump,” she said.
The new fees would allow the program to recoup 87% of its cost, she added. For example, current enrollment application fees are $50, and the proposed increase would be $333. Current day fees are $58, and the proposed new fee is $100, and extended hours fees would increase from $10 to $91 per half hour. Option two would split this up over three years.
District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp asked if the report took inflation into account.
“The cost of things gets away from us,” he said.
“No,” Englehart-Stott answered.
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin was concerned people couldn’t afford the new fees.
“Is nobody going to be able to use it? she asked. “That’s what I feel I don’t know from this information.”
After some confusion regarding Parlin’s question, Yvette Wencke, program manager of El Dorado County Older Adult Services, explained the various ways people can obtain assistance with funding.
“We might work with Del Oro or Alzheimer’s associations,” she said. “We have received funding from veterans associations to help fund some of the costs and Snowline Hospice; we have an agreement with them so they can help fund some respite services. Our own family caregiver support program can fund services, so there are other funding
it into a canyon and lit the vehicle on fire.
Patty was sentenced to 42-yearsto-life in prison while Ramos was sentenced to 25-years-to-life.
At the parole hearing on Feb. 27, members of Ron’s family made statements to the parole board and were joined by members of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office who originally investigated the crime and Deputy District Attorney Alex
national event. We lost in the final game to our club mates and then had to wait as there was a possibility that MOPAC would be able to send two teams, the winner and the runner up. A few weeks later it was confirmed and we booked our tickets to Wausau.”
Twelve arena curling teams, representing their respective regions, participated in the national championship in Wausau. “We went 4-1 in pool play with our only loss coming against the defending champions from the Dallas/Fort Worth Curling Club,” Hllman shared. “However, due to tiebreakers, we ranked first in our pool and received a bye to the semi finals. In the quarter finals, our club mates defeated Dallas/Fort Worth Curling Club, knocking them out of the play down and opening the door for a new champion.
“The win was surreal,” he added. “We finally achieved what we, as a team, have been working toward for the last few years but left us wondering, ‘What’s next?’ As defending champions, we get an automatic berth in the 2025 Arena Nationals Championship so our nearterm goal is to repeat last year’s success but we are also wondering what else can we achieve. Some of us might get into coaching or developing other players and strengthening the level of competition in our club,” Hillman continued. “I’m going to be competing at the MOPAC Senior Bonspiel at the end of March and also try mixed doubles, a new take on the traditional curling game, with only two players and six rocks, versus eight, in play.”
streams coming in that help subsidize our members that we serve.”
Those subsidies are short-term solutions for the most part, she added.
The day care provides services to clients with dementia, Alzheimer’s or have physical illnesses related to aging, she said. Currently the program is located in two facilities — in Placerville and El Dorado Hills — and enrollment has decreased substantially from pre-COVID numbers. The facilities have capacities of 30 in El Dorado Hills and 60 in Placerville. The total amount of participants is now 15, with 7.5 enrolled in each facility.
“Why have two facilities?” Parlin asked. “It seems like with the number of participants we could consolidate.”
“Would it be feasible to alternate locations each week, and also explore a half-day rate?” District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero asked.
“Part of what this population needs is stability,” Wencke answered. “As far as pricing out, I really don’t have enough data.”
She said with new marketing, four potential clients had toured their facilities in the past couple of months. She cited staffing problems as one reason for lower enrollment, but the program is hiring new people and is almost at good staffing levels.
District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine insisted, “There are other ways of solving this besides a $2 million subsidy from the general fund.”
Regarding Public Guardian, an agency appointed by the court to
Rattlesnake
Grotewohl, according to a news release shared by the DA’s Office. The Parole Board issued a threeyear denial of Ramos’ parole. He can receive another chance at release after serving 19 of his 25-year sentence. “In three years, we will be here again, making sure that Ramos is held accountable for this heinous crime and that justice continues to serve the needs of our community,” states the DA’s press release.
act as a conservator for El Dorado County residents who have a mental illness or cognitive impairment, fee increases and additions would result in a 97% overall cost recovery of more than $564,000 within a three-year period, with a projected revenue increase of nearly $304,000. The agency, which is mandated by the court to provide food, clothing and shelter, plus facilitate medical care as well as managing the finances of their clients, has to go to court one to two years after services are provided to collect its funding, said Nathaniel Houston, program manager for Adults Protective Services.
“So ultimately the court gives final approval of whether or not we can collect those fees, regardless of what we set them at,” Houston said.
The agency charged flat fees prior to 2016, when a judge ordered them to charge hourly. But according to the MGT Consulting study, it would be more profitable to go back to flat fees. The study also found that Public Guardian should be charging for additional services which in the past were free. A one-time case enrollment fee of $807 is proposed to cover initial investigations, which determine eligibility. Also proposed is a $648 fee for estate trust management. A yearly $1,500 fee is proposed as opposed to a current hourly fee of $110 and a fee of $149 an hour is a proposed “extraordinary compensation fee” for complicated financial cases.
Houston said he would like to collaborate with the court and Public Defender’s Office regarding those fees and asked for the board’s approval to obtain the court’s feedback and return at a future meeting to ask for the board’s approval.
weeks when the administration put a temporary hold on new hires but that hold was soon lifted and these positions will actually increase by about 50.
More than a decade ago, when I first met with park management, I noticed a placard in the conference room. It read: “Is it good for the park?” I suggested that was the wrong question. The right question is, “Is it good for the park’s visitors?” It’s a matter of attitude.
The Yosemite Valley Grant Act of 1864 was the first time land was set aside for the “use, resort and recreation” of the American people. It says nothing about the park’s employees. They work for the people, who in turn have selected Donald Trump to exercise the executive powers of the government and charged him to “take care that the
Veerkamp again requested to include adjustments for inflation.
“So we should request that and see if the court will work with us, with the rising costs,” Parlin agreed. With no one present from the public to make comments, a motion was made by Veerkamp, seconded by Parlin to receive and file the MGT Consulting fee study report and provide direction to staff on the fees recommended by MGT and how to proceed with the fee updates for both Senior Day Care and Public Guardian, with the options and fee changes/ increase recommendations.
Directions given to staff for Senior Day Care fee-related services:
• Explore availability or services for veterans
• Explore fee study with one site instead of two
• Explore services that are available privately and if the county is required to provide these services
• Explore if there are services available in Folsom and Sacramento County
• Pursue methods for reducing fees
• Obtain information relevant to a person’s ability to pay the fee
• Contact or conduct a survey with prior participants to find out what has changed with participation
• Explore how needs of residents outside geographic areas are being met
• Explore adopting annual Consumer Price Index process
Directions given to staff for Public Guardian fee-related services:
• Explore adopting annual Consumer Price Index process
• Explore if required to provide without state funding
• Explore asking for full recovery of extraordinary compensation
laws be faithfully executed.” He can’t do that if he can’t open the books, look where the money is spent, determine whether it is being spent efficiently and in accordance with the law and stop it when it isn’t.
The antics of some of Yosemite’s employees dishonor the silent majority at the park who are genuinely devoted to public service. As Hamilton said, “Here, sir, the people govern.” All 2.4 million employees in the federal workforce exercise powers delegated by the president through our Constitution by virtue of his election. Any federal employee who doesn’t respect the authority of the people — and the president they elected — has no business working for them.
Congressman Tom McClintock represents California’s 5th Congressional District.
McClintock
Courtesy photo
Chris Hillman watches from behind as teammates Eric Putnam, left, and Chris Skidmore, right, sweep the ice to keep the stone moving at Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville.
Trojans jumpstart the track and field season
Special to the Mountain Democrat
The Oak Ridge track and field athletes competed very well at the highly competitive Sac State HS Classic meet on March 8. Fortyeight teams competed at the California State University, Sacramento, track and field facility on a gorgeous day.
“Many Oak Ridge athletes obtained significant personal records which is terrific considering it is early in the competitive season,” noted coach Rob Fairley.
The top three finishers in each event received medals and the winner of each event also received a meet T-shirt.
Below are the Oak Ridge athletes who placed in the top three:
Adriana Ingargiola, 1st in the varsity girls 1,600 meters, 5:10.86 (4 second PR), winning by 8 seconds.
Adriana Ingargiola, 3rd in the varsity girls 3,200 meters, 11:21.27.
Allie Anastacio, 2nd in the varsity girls triple jump, 36 feet, 3 inches (3-inch PR).
Lauren Tiedeman, 2nd in the varsity girls 800 meters, 2:23.54 (3 second PR).
Maya Day, 3rd in the varsity girls 1,600 meters 5:18.84.
Chase Fontana, 2nd in the varsity boys long jump, 20 feet, 11 inches (1.75-inch PR). Chase also obtained PRs in the 100 meters, 200 meters and ran a great second leg in the varsity boys 4x100 relay team.
Cole Esten, tied for 3rd in the varsity boys pole vault, 11 feet, 6 inches. Cole also obtained a PR in the 100 meters and ran a strong anchor leg for the 4x100 relay team.
Below are athletes who just missed obtaining a medal by placing fourth: Thomas Capelli, 4th in the varsity boys 3,200 meters (10.5 second PR).
Varsity boys 4x400 relay team, 4th (Cruz Hudgens, Benjamin Clinchard, Ben Gutierrez, Jackson Campbell) 3:35 46, the fastest time by 11 seconds for the 4x400 relay team this season. Cruz, Benjamin and Ben are freshmen. Jackson is a senior. Cruz was the first leg, Benjamin was the second leg, Ben was the third leg and Jackson was the anchor leg. The
first three athletes did their job by keeping their team up front with another team. Jackson was about 5 meters behind when he received the baton. He passed a competitor in front of him with about 50 meters to the finish to win the race.
Jackson’s anchor leg was a 52.1 split time. which is his fastest of the season. The team’s time of 3:35.46 was just .26 seconds slower than Atwater, which placed 3rd in the first heat. For the complete results of the Sac State HS Classic meet visit athletic. net/TrackAndField/ meet/571770/results.
COMICS
in securing the combined secondplace trophy. The combined men’s and women’s ski and snowboard secondplace championship award also went to El Dorado. The Ponderosa High School men’s ski team (663 points) nabbed a second place finish. Oak Ridge High School took third in combined ski and snowboard competition.
Individual results
El Dorado Cougars who earned a spot on the All State men’s snowboard team top 10 are No. 1 ranked Matix
Spitzer, No. 2 ranked Mason Beverly, No. 4 ranked Casey Hayman and No. 8 ranked Blake Stowe.
Local skiers who made the top 10 cut on the All State men’s ski team are No. 5 ranked Dylan McLeod (EDHS), No. 6 ranked Caden Scroggins (PHS), No. 7 ranked Skyler Schlavin (EDHS), No. 8 ranked Jakob Dahlgren (PHS), No. 9 ranked Sage Pittman (EDHS) and No. 10 ranked Ashton Miller (ORHS). Named to the All State women’s ski team top 10 are No. 5 ranked Greta Arononwitz (ORHS), No. 7 ranked Andie Chandler (EDHS) and No. 9 ranked Carlie Chandler (EDHS).
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Priorities have a way of aligning themselves in a secret order unbeknownst to your conscious mind. That’s why it’s interesting to note what you end up doing that was not part of the plan. Your choices will spill the secret. Greater self-knowledge is the prize today.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There will be something to settle, and a face-to-face exchange is the best option, as it gives you the chance to read the unspoken and feel the weight of the words. A real conversation can resolve more than assumptions ever will.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Personal growth isn’t always obvious from the outside, but when you look back, you’ll notice you’re of a di erent mind from where you were last year. What once felt certain seems irrelevant; what you dismissed holds new meaning.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You may have harsh judgments about yourself, but they do not represent the truth of who you are. You are dynamic, smart, loving, funny and incredibly perceptive. That shines through no matter what.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re the one who hangs out with you the most, and therefore if you have to make compromises to please someone, you’re the one you should be bending over backward to please. And certainly don’t try to be likeable to all. Be likeable to you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Seize your moments whether or not you feel ready. Your talents and instincts get sharper when you use them often and deliberately. Growth happens in motion, not in waiting; trust yourself, take the leap and let
experience re ne your skills along the way.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re putting out energy, care and empathy. Though you don’t do it for the return, it would be better if the people closest to you were giving back in the ways you need. Don’t be a lighthouse for people who can’t see your light.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It takes just as much time to bake a cake in the avor you don’t like as it does to bake your favorite. This is why you should think long and hard before you compromise your vision.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). People witnessing the same scene will have interesting and varied interpretations. How they recount the story reveals more about themselves than about the actual event.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Responsibilities have been distributed, you taking on more than the others, sometimes by choice but more often because they dropped the ball and it fell to you. On the bright side, you’re an amazingly capable juggler, and you’ll get your due.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Creativity is alive in you. Don’t worry whether you’re applying what you’ve learned; you can’t help but do so.
■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin
■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
SUDOKU
Courtesy photo
Oak Ridge High School took third in combined ski and snowboard competition on the slopes at Sierra-At-Tahoe.
Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge Trojan Athletics
Trojan Chase Fontana achieved a personal record of 20 feet, 11 inches in the varsity boys long jump and took 2nd place at the Sac State HS Classic.
“I’ve noticed some changes, and care about your well-being...”
Tips for Talking With Your Loved Ones About Assisted Living.
We all want the best for our aging parents. When we start to notice changes in their daily routines, like di culty with household tasks, missing meals, or isolation, it may be time to start talking about Assisted Living. By approaching the topic with compassion and openness, you can help ease the transition and make it a collaborate, positive experience for everyone.
The following tips can guide conversations with family members to help determine whether Assisted Living might offer the supportive environment needed for a safer, more comfortable lifestyle.
Choose the Right Moment: Find a calm, quiet time when everyone is relaxed and free from distractions.
Express at You Care: Start by a rming your love and concern. Emphasize that your goal is to ensure their comfort, safety, and happiness.
Be Honest and Empathetic: Share your observations gently, focusing on the bene ts of additional support rather than on any limitation.
Listen Actively: Encourage them to share their feelings and concerns. Validate emotions and be patient with their responses.
Provide Information: Share details about the community, such as the quality of care, activities available, and testimonials from others, if available. O er to tour a facility together to see rsthand what’s available.
Reassure eir Independence: Let them know that Assisted Living is designed to support their independence rather than take it away.
Take it Step-by-Step: Frame the conversation as the beginning of an ongoing discussion, rather than a nal decision. is allows time for adjustment and further exploration together.
Ponté Palmero is here to help your family through the process.
NEWS, IN THE KNOW
March 12
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host a Business Connections mixer and ribbon cutting at Gregg’s Pool Works in El Dorado Hills from 5-7 p.m. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.
Matt Rainey will perform, 6-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
March 13
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host a grand opening/ ribbon cutting at the Extraordinary Camino Hotel from 6-10 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.
Oak Ridge High School Theater presents “Noises O ” by Michael Frayn, with performances March 13-22. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents Solas at 7 p.m. at The So a in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
March 14
Enjoy a day of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the Gilmore Senior Center in El Dorado Hills at 1 p.m. Sign-up in person at the Gilmore Senior Center or call (916) 614-3200 to register. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
Moxie Barker + Matt Shapi Birthday Party! will happen, 7-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Audioboxx will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday and 10 p.m. to midnight Saturday. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.
Sticky Stones – Rolling Stones Tribute with opener Guilty As Charged will perform at 8 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.
American River Conservancy News release
American River Conservancy invites the community to celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of the region at two Open Farm Day events on Saturday, March 15 and Saturday May 17, at historical Wakamatsu Farm. This free, family-friendly event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., o ering an opportunity to explore the farm's unique history and the ongoing conservation e orts supported by ARC.
An historical landmark Wakamatsu Farm is not just a beautiful landscape; it is a site of profound historical and cultural significance. The site is the ancestral homeland of the Nisenan and Miwok people, the region’s indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years. In 1869, Wakamatsu Farm became the first Japanese settlement in the United States.
Following the Gold Rush, many Japanese immigrants settled in California, seeking new opportunities and contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural development. The Farm was then stewarded for 140 years by the pioneering Veerkamp family until ARC purchased the 272-acre property from them
to preserve the site’s natural and cultural resources.
Revitalization efforts
Today, American River Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Wakamatsu Farm through natural resource stewardship, sustainable agriculture and education. By restoring the land and enhancing its ecological health, ARC aims to honor people’s diverse connections to the land while providing a space for all members of the community to engage with their natural and cultural heritage.
Highlights
• Tour the historical farmhouse — ARC volunteer docents will be on hand to tell you about the history of the 1850’s farmhouse and the people who have made it their home.
• Wander the native plant garden — Explore the beauty of the native plant garden and chat with some of the volunteers that tend and steward it all year long. And don’t miss the recently added Monarch way station.
• Visit Okei-San’s grave — Okei was just a teenager when she left Japan for America. Unfortunately, due to an illness, she passed away in 1871, and her body was laid to rest on her favorite hill near the huge blue oak.
• Hike the lake trail — Enjoy the 1.2 mile trail that circles the farm pond. Wander the
trail and look for signs of the wildlife that calls Wakamatsu home. Don’t forget your binoculars. "We are excited to invite the community to Wakamatsu Farm for open farm days," said ARC Executive Director, Elena DeLacy. "These events provide an opportunity to celebrate our region’s rich agricultural roots, connect with the outdoors and learn
about the importance of conservation."
Wakamatsu Farm is located at 941 Cold Springs Road in Placerville. The suggested parking donation of $10 contributes to the ongoing maintenance of the farm. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Founded in 1989, American River
Conservancy is a nonprofit organization preserving rivers and land for life. American River Conservancy serves the communities by ensuring healthy ecosystems in the Upper American River and Upper Cosumnes River watersheds through land conservation, stewardship and education. For more information visit arconservancy.org.
Photos courtesy of American River Conservancy
At Open Farm Days guests can tour the historical farmhouse, above, visit Okei-San’s grave, below,
wamder the grounds to see
the cherry trees are in bloom, bottom.
A fire-resilient garden may save your life and home
For most gardeners, the design of a garden usually starts with a vision, then working to realize that vision within all kinds of constraints. If we want our gardens to thrive, not just barely survive, we must prioritize function and then get creative with making it look good while being careful to consider both wildfire risk and conserving water.
The State Board of Forestry (bof.fire.ca.gov) has been directed to implement a new zone, Zone 0, to require an ember-resistant zone within five feet of structures located in the highest fire severity zones to mitigate the risk of conflagrations, particularly in wildland urban interface and intermix areas. The elimination of combustible materials within 5 feet of homes and outbuildings reduces the risk of a structure igniting as embers are wind-driven
miles ahead of a fire front. Wind-driven wildfires cause about 90% of home losses.
Cal Fire Defensible Space standards and the El Dorado County Hazardous Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Ordinance spell out standards for an area of a minimum 100-foot perimeter around your home and other structures to increase the chance of your home surviving wildfire. Meeting these requirements and removing hazardous vegetation helps reduce the potential and ferocity of fire, helping promote the safety and welfare of communities.
In addition to removing all vegetation within Zone 0, aim
March 15
UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Gardening in the Foothills Environment
9 a.m. to noon at the BethellDelfino Agriculture Building, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. This class is intended for people who are new to the foothills or people who have lived in the foothills for a while but are new to gardening. Topics include climates in the foothills including USDA, Sunset and American Horticultural Society climate classification zones; the effects of light and temperature on plant growth; terrain effects including cold air drainage and up and down slope winds; micro-climates; frosts including causes and kinds of frosts, effects of soil, mulch and snow, how to protect from frosts and planting times; finally a section on Now-Forecasting or how to make your own short
to thin vegetation to have approximately 50% coverage within Zone 1 (30 feet from structures). This means spacing plants so that half the area is open and half is vegetated. Remove dead or dying plants. Prune trees up and shrubs down and so there is space between vegetation and weed out the annual grasses and non-native flowering plants that act as tinder. Keep tree canopies at least 10 feet from structures and remove or prune shrubs under trees to knee height. In Zone 1, lightly water vegetation at least every three to four weeks to help keep plants hydrated sufficiently, allowing them to resist fire.
In Zone 2 (from 30-100 feet), prune trees up to remove ladder fuels and separate the tree canopies in this area from those closer to the home by at least 10 feet to prevent a fire from moving through the canopy to your home. Clearing down to the dirt, or “moonscaping,” is not recommended as it creates erosion and worsens weed problems.
range weather forecast.
UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Becoming More Fire Resilient: Home Hardening & Defensible Space, 9 a.m. to noon at the Placerville Veterans Memorial Hall, 130 Placerville Drive in Placerville. Learn how to make your home more fire-resilient to wildfire and meet state and county laws and regulations. You will learn the key concepts
Seek plants that are both as drought tolerant and fire resilient as possible. This is where native plants shine. They use less water, are generally more fire-resistant and support a wider variety of pollinators and beneficial insects that help control plant pests. To obtain a free evaluation of your property for fire resiliency contact the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council at (530) 647-1700 to request an appointment. For more detailed information about defensible space and home hardening, Master Gardeners will host a
for hardening your home and other structures and how to create defensible space around them. Learn about the priorities, materials & strategies for improving the vulnerability of your home, including siding, roofing & rain gutters, eaves and soffits, vents, windows, decks, patio covers and fences. You will also learn how to create defensible space that is fireresilient and water-wise with a focus on Defensible Space Zones, what they are, why they are important and how they apply to your property, provide suggestions about creating defensible space that is aesthetically pleasing and helps protect your home, and how to select plants that are more fireresistant.
American River Conservancy invites the community to visit Wakamatsu Farm for its free and family-friendly Open Farm
Firewise Landscaping presentation from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the Veterans Building on Placerville Drive in Placerville.
Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. You can find a schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Calendar/ and recorded classes on many gardening topics here: mgeldorado.ucanr. edu/Public_Education/ Classes.
The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open, weather permitting, on the first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to noon. First Saturday tour starts promptly at 9 a.m.
For more information visit placervillespeedway.com.
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host a grand opening/ribbon cutting at Hannah Beauty and Spa from 1-4 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.
Chad Owens will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the El Dorado Hills Rotary Community Foundation host the Surf n Turf Benefit, 6-10 p.m. at the EDH Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. The Nautical Nights-themed event will feature a delicious meal catered by West Coast Events, silent and live auctions and more. Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com; search EDH Rotary.
Please check the website for further information about activities at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the Ask a Master Gardener option on mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Ask_a_ Master_Gardener or leave a message at (530) 621-5512. For more information on the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County visit mgeldorado.ucanr. edu.
Join the California State Railroad Museum Foundation as it transforms the parlor/ observation car, El Dorado, into a Rolling Irish Pub. Passengers will receive two drink tickets, good for beverages alcoholic and otherwise; snacks; and a custom can cooler. Departing at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1 and 2:30 p.m. for more information visit californiarailroad.museum/ events/leprechaun-lounge. The Pops Chorale presents The Road to Big Band at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom at 7 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888. B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents Stella Heath Sextet: From Billie Holiday to Edith
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
community.
America 250 Book Grant awarded to El Dorado County Library
Karen
The El Dorado Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, proudly donated $500 to the El Dorado County Library. The grant certificate recognizes Bryce Lovell for his dedication to literacy and education and is designated for the purchase of patriotic books. The $500 gift was made possible
by the National DAR Celebration Grant and honors our nation’s 250th anniversary and the patriots who secured our independence. The El Dorado Chapter, along with other California chapters, participated in literacy events as part of the grant application.
Chapter Regent Rebecca Parks presented a certificate to Lovell at a ceremony on Feb.26 at the Placerville branch library.
Spring plant sale is coming
Kathleen Barco
EDC CNPS
The El Dorado County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will be hosting its 2025 spring plant sale.
The sale will take place online over a three-day period from Friday, March 14 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, March 16 at 6 p.m. Potential planters will procure purchased plants the following weekend. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, plant society volunteers will be on hand in front of government building C at 2850 Fairlane Court to dole out the spoken for flora. All plants must be picked up before 1:30 p.m., no holds or refunds will be offered.
Volunteers are needed for plant pick up day. Two shifts are available and volunteers will receive a gift plant for their efforts. Visit eldoradocnps.org/pickup-day for more information or to sign up.
Plant sales are the primary source of funds for the work of EDCCNPS. For details and to window shop plants that will likely be available for purchase visit shop.eldoradocnps. org.
The California Native Plant Society is a nonprofit organization working to save and celebrate California’s native plants and places via plant science, advocacy, education, and horticulture. CNPS has nearly 10,000 members in 35 chapters throughout California and Baja.
and
Oregon artist wins 2024 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest
California Department of Fish and Wildlife News release
Apainting of whitewinged doves has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2024-25 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The painting was created by Kathy Holeman of The Dalles, Ore. Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. Designs were
judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.
Judges were immediately struck by the color in the painting, noting the contrast between the vibrant blue sky and the pink flowers of the beavertail prickly pear cactus. The whitewinged doves sitting atop the cactus also popped against the background, the sky mirrored in the blue rings around their eyes, creating a sense of cohesion throughout the scene. Judges appreciated the use of
multiple doves and the opportunity to showcase different body positions, as well as accuracy in posture and the depth, texture and shading of the foreground against the sky. All in all, judges praised the painting as a unique, eye-pleasing composition that drew focus to the doves.
This is exactly what Holeman intended. “This painting was made even more fun by including
Jeff Cowen
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
LAKE TAHOE —
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is accepting applications for a new scholarship program that empowers Lake Tahoe community members to engage in the planning process as part of the Tahoe Living initiative to update
cacti, and surrounding the composition with blue sky helped to make the scene pop more,” she said.
Holeman enjoyed focusing on the subtle color shifts in their plumage, the bright blue eye rings and their brilliant orange eyes. “It is always a challenge to paint birds and capture them in a way that interprets their natural beauty and
affordable and workforce housing policies, the agency announced.
Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin is a multi-year project to modernize land use policies and the regional growth management system to make housing more accessible while maintaining and improving
spirit,” she added. “This painting was no less a challenge and yet I felt like I knew the species better and had a greater appreciation for them after I finished.”
Jeffrey Klinefelter of
environmental protections. A core focus of the program is to establish long-term, two-way engagement between communities and agencies, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups, according to TRPA.
“We want to ensure that many voices help shape solutions to affordable housing that improve safety and continue to protect Lake Tahoe,” TRPA
Executive Director Julie Regan said. “These scholarships and new training opportunities can help community members most affected by housing challenges gain the knowledge and skills needed to engage in decision-making.”
Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin scholarships will award up to $25,000 to help individual community members participate in training courses that provide background knowledge on subjects like planning, environmental regulations, growth
management, public safety and zoning. Most awards will be up to up to $1,600, with one $3,000 scholarship to assist an individual in attending a conference. The scholarships are a companion to TRPA’s Community Academy webinar series and allow for education, discussion and hands-on learning experiences, according to the agency. The Community Academy webinar series is open to the public and recordings can be viewed at tahoeliving. org. Anyone who is a fulltime resident of the Tahoe Basin, a seasonal resident or works in the basin is welcome to apply. Scholarship recipients should represent a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, interests and communities. Applications and more information on eligibility are available at tahoeliving.org/ engagement-approach. Funding for the scholarships is provided through a grant from the State of California.
Etna Green, Ind., placed second in this year’s competition. Xochitl Acosta Brent of Redwood City received third. Ryan Kniss of Johnstown, Penn., received an honorable mention.
Courtesy photo
DAR members Sally Long Johns, Rebecca Parks, Bonnie Battaglia and Bobbi Bennett, left to right, present a certificate to El Dorado County Library Services Director Bryce Lovell, center.
The El Dorado Chapter of CNPS is active in educating about as well as identifying
protecting the many endemic plants of the area. To learn more visit cnps.org.
Photos courtesy of Steven Perry Epilobium canum ssp. latifolium, California Fuchsia.
Fremontodendron decumbens, Pine Hill Flannelbush.
Courtesy photos
Judges of the contest appreciated the variety of doves. Above is the first-place winner
Second, above, and third-place, below, finishers also have impressive art skills
Stand up and fall down laughing at upcoming MORE event
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Features editor
The ninth annual Stand Up for MORE fundraiser benefiting the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises, the locally esteemed day program for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, is returning Friday, April 25 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
The event promises to be an unforgettable evening of great comedy, delicious food and community.
MORE’s Director of Finance and Fund Development, Kelli Nuttall told the Mountain Democrat, “Laughter has the power to bring people together, and at Stand Up for MORE, it’s also helping to build brighter futures.”
Returning for his ninth shot at the mic as producer and master of ceremonies is the inimitable Scott Edwards, who not only books the show but throws in his own barbs between acts. Edwards is best known for his Sacramento comedy club, Laughs Unlimited, bringing stand-up to Sac throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Today Edwards hosts the creative podcast, “Standup Comedy ‘Your Host and MC.’”
Edwards has engaged national headliner, Dan St. Paul. St. Paul has been seen on numerous broadcast TV stations and has opened for notable entertainers like Ringo Starr, Hall and Oates, Vince Gill, Chicago and the San Francisco Symphony. “I knew them when they were just a garage band,” quipped St. Paul. A favorite on Princess and Holland America
March 17
The El Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts hosts the annual Local Work Group meeting to allow private landowners in El Dorado County to provide specific requests on local program needs to the Natural Resources Conservation Service concerning implementation of conservation programs including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. The meeting is scheduled 1-3 p.m. at 100 Forni Road, Suite A, Placerville.
St Patty’s Day Party with O’Connell Street Band will happen, 6-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center is celebrating the new Hunger Games book with a party from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy show movies, play trivia and maybe even dress up a little in celebration of “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Because it’s midnight in New York when it is 9 p.m. here, the publisher is allowing the shop to sell copies of this book after 9 p.m. so attendees can be among the first to purchase their copies.
Now
Broadway Sacramento presents “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Show runs through March 8 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
The Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael presents Awash with
The event draws capacity crowds, advance tickets are recommended.
Cruise lines, he also tours theaters and large retirement colonies with his one-man show, “What’s Funny After 60?”
St. Paul told the Mountain Democrat, “As a former special ed teacher, I am always happy to help out.”
Next, Edwards roped in San Francisco native, Ian Williams. Williams has been bringing laughter to audiences since 1984. His comedy career includes
Color, featuring the members of Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons, through March 8. For more information visit sacfinearts.org.
appearances on MTV, Star Search, and Showtime. Williams has spent over two decades performing at top Bay Area comedy clubs including Cobb’s Comedy Club and The Punchline.
“As a comedian and special education teacher who has worked with disabled adults, I am excited about performing at such a wonderful event,” Williams said.
Finally, Edwards booked comedian, magician and actor, Roman Spinale. For over a decade Spinale has used his talents for entertaining audiences on stage and television throughout the U.S. and Europe. Regardless of the medium, his sincere hope is to help in creating positive human interactions that are both fun and memorable for all.
“I feel very fortunate and grateful to be part of such a special event,” Spinale said. “I’ve always seen comedy as a therapeutic art form that can help people feel a reprieve from the usual stresses of life, and knowing that my comedy is now being utilized to help such an important cause gives me a great feeling of joy and fulfillment.”
The evening will include raffles and a live auction with many exciting prizes, the lucky liquor game and a mouth watering, John Sanders catered dinner, from Old Town Grill.
“Proceeds from this event will directly benefit our Culinary Training Program and our new client-led gardening initiative: Together We Grow MORE — two programs designed to empower individuals with essential skills for employment and selfsufficiency,” said Nuttall. “It’s a night of fun with a purpose.”
For tickets visit morerehab.org.
Courtesy photo
Avery’s Pond
Discover the Serenity of Avery’s Pond and Its Surrounding
Trails
The heavy rains this spring have transformed Avery’s Pond in the Folsom State Recreation Area into a deep, serene pool. I love the tranquility here; the only sounds are bird calls, the buzzing of bees, and the occasional splash of turtles diving into the water. When the winds are calm, the pond mirrors the clouds perfectly, creating a peaceful and picturesque setting. Have you visited Avery’s Pond recently?
Share your photos and tag #DayHikerCA!
A quiet spot for a picnic and nature watching
Picnic tables are available on two sides of the pond, providing perfect spots for a quiet lunch while you enjoy the view. The pond’s waterline is now hidden by tall grass, thick brush, and fallen trees, making the banks steep on three sides. A trail loops around the pond, eventually reconnecting with the main trail.
How to get to Avery’s Pond
• From Auburn, take Highway 49 south to Lincoln Way.
• Turn left onto Auburn Folsom Road, then left again onto Shirland Tract Rd.
• Follow Shirland Tract Rd. to Rattlesnake Road and take it all the way into the Folsom State
Recreation Area.
• There is a $12 day-use fee.
• Park at the Rattlesnake boat ramp on the left side. The trailhead is marked only by a temporary sign stating that the area is closed to motorized vehicles.
Trail conditions and tips
On my last visit, the trail was rutted and overgrown, so be prepared for a bit of rough terrain. Keep an eye out for poison oak, rattlesnakes and ticks, as they are common in this area. The hike from the parking lot to the pond is about 1.2 miles, with much of the trail shaded. However, valley temperatures can rise significantly in late spring and summer, so bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed.
Trail Note: The path starts with a straight uphill climb to a T-junction. Turn right at the T, and you’ll be on your way to Avery’s Pond. If you prefer a longer hike, you can start from Auburn and take the Pioneer Express Trail. The Folsom area also offers various other trails that wind through
wildflowers and provide beautiful views of the lake.
Seasonal advice and engagement
• Best times to visit: Early spring is ideal for visiting Avery’s Pond when the temperatures are mild and the rain has filled the pond. Summer visits are possible, but be sure to go early in the morning to avoid the heat.
• Wildlife watching: This area is perfect for bird watching, and you may spot turtles basking on logs. If you’ve captured any wildlife photos here, I’d love to see them—tag @ MaryWestHikes!
What’s your favorite trail in the Folsom State Recreation Area? Let me know, and share your hiking stories on social media.
Explore more trails
If you’re up for a challenge, the trails around Folsom Lake offer beautiful views, wildflower fields and opportunities for longer hikes. Have you explored these trails? If so, which one’s your favorite?
Mary West is the
author of the book series, Day Hiker - Gold Country Trail Guide (I, II, and III). 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
section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12 14239
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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 Facebook and Instagram.
Mary West Outdoor columnist
Photos courtesy of Mary West
Comfortable and Compassionate Care
PARK-LIKE GROUNDS
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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Our dedicated staff provides attentive, individualized care with around-the-clock staff, transportation and assistance with daily activities.