–Midweek Edition –
Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
“We are facing a very tight budget year,” said City Manager Cleve Morris at the top of the city of Placerville’s April 30 budget workshop, explaining expected revenues for the 2025-26 budget don’t look promising. “I know we’ve been through some tough ones in the past but, from my perspective, this may be the toughest that we’ve ever had to deal with.”
With that, Morris handed
the mic to Dave Warren, assistant city manager and director of finance, who went over the budget basics for the City Council.
“We’ll go over what goes into the budget, who develops the budget, the di erence between an operating budget and the CIP budget and the budget development program,” he said.
The city uses fund accounting to manage the various funding sources utilized.
“Most businesses have one
set of financial statements; they have one balance sheet and one income statement,” said Warren. “The city has 50.”
The operating budget covers day-to-day expenses like personnel, services, material, training, insurance and utilities. This budget is funded from the general fund, parking fund, gas tax, grants, measure funds, water and sewer funds and the general liability fund.
The 2024-25 budget is $24.78 million. There are
several components to the budget including the capital improvement program which covers major improvements like streets, sewers, water lines, water facility needs and other facility improvements.
The capital outlay budget covers equipment needs and requests like vehicles, tools and heavy equipment needed by each department.
The alternative services level budget primarily covers personnel, either adding new positions, unfreezing positions still vacant or
The Crossings resort gets board approval
Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent
Signs, hotel design, access and boundary lines were under consideration by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors last week, with supervisors approving several changes to The Crossings – El Dorado RV Resort and Campground project in a 4-1 vote.
The $65 million project, designed by Grado Construction in Placerville, covers 72-acres near the intersection of Missouri Flat and El Dorado
roads in Placerville. “So some of the project considerations particularly of interest to neighboring residents and sta were access, circulation and parking,” El Dorado County Deputy Director of Planning Rob Peters said.
Modifications approved alter the previously planned extension of Headington Road from a two-lane roadway connecting El Dorado Road to Missouri Flat Road to facilitate the 414,000-square-foot commercial portion of the project.
“The initial 450-foot segment of Headington Road, the Headington Road/Missouri Flat intersection and tra c signal and the Missouri Flat widening have been constructed as part of the Phase 1 project as per the conditions of approval of that original development plan,” Peters said.
Removing the conceptual road alignment of Headington Road requires a General Plan amendment.
“There is a condition of approval as part of the frontage
improvements to add a dedicated right-turn lane into the site o El Dorado as well as a dedicated left-turn lane coming the opposite direction to allow the trailers and RVs to move out of through tra c,” said Zach Oates, engineer with El Dorado County Department of Transportation.
The entrance required boundary adjustments, including an entry lot line adjustment.
The main entrance for the project will be o El Dorado Road and will also include perimeter gated access to the north and the east so only those within the campground would have access through, stopping cut-thru tra c from El Dorado Road to Missouri Flat Road, sta explained. Other boundary adjustments were for minor modifications, according to Peters, “to clean up some of the parcels and have new parcel alignments.”
Shoulder and turn lane improvements to El Dorado Road had been recommended in a tra c impact analysis.
Peters said DOT is willing to adjust requirements to
accommodate environmentally sensitive areas along the shoulders. At an El Dorado County Planning Commission meeting there had been public testimony during which residents expressed concerns about large oak trees.
“I think that the idea would be that the shoulders would be built to standard, with some exceptions to make sure that they ensure that they’re not taking out some of those sensitive habitats,” he explained.
Plans also include an already approved U.S. Highway 50, 50-foot high, 22-foot wide monument sign with a 30-foot setback on the north side of the highway, 1,000 feet from the Target sign near the Missouri Flat Road intersection and o ramp.
Although the sign was previously approved, Peters asked the board if a full-color digital electronic message center could be located at the top of the sign that would take up approximately the upper third, at 12 feet by 18 feet.
updating a position that has new responsibilities. It can also include programs, either starting a new program or closing out a program.
Conference training and travel budget covers required training, conferences and other enrichment opportunities.
“Tonight we’re going to review the requests by department,” said Warren. “These are unedited, meaning that we are presenting
Maggie Williams ready for more family time
Shelly
Thorene
Sta writer
After more than three decades of service in El Dorado County, Margaret “Maggie” Williams is ready to hang up the many hats she has worn as the part of the Health and Human Services Agency.
Williams, now 61, joined El Dorado County government in 1993 as a health education specialist in the Alcohol and Drug/Tobacco Use Prevention Program. Subsequent jobs saw Williams supervise sta who provide services as part of the Community Corrections Partnership,
Cameron Park woman dies in head-on wreck
Mountain Democrat sta
An 84-year-old woman died as the result of a head-on collision on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
First responders were dispatched at 7:54 a.m. on May 3, CHP Lt. Rick Hatfield confirmed. CHP reports indicate that a black Dodge Charger traveling eastbound at around 55 mph drifted o the edge of Green Valley Road, hit a raised curb, re-entered the roadway, crossed into the opposing lane and struck a silver Toyota Camry traveling westbound.
Local media reports Joan Allison of Cameron Park, who was driving the Toyota, died as a result. The Dodge’s driver has been identified by media as 34-year-old Cheyenne Wright. She and two children in her vehicle su ered major injuries and were transported by ground ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center. It has been reported that Wright was arrested following the wreck.
CHP o cials confirmed the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Courtesy graphic
The Crossings – El Dorado RV Resort and Campground includes a main building that will house a general store, business center, fitness center, clubhouse, commercial kitchen, arcade, lounge, etc., plus a pool and bocce ball court on the Placerville property’s amenities core.
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene Margaret Williams has been a longtime fixture at the
everything that was received by the team.”
Before moving on to the individual the department requests Morris reiterated to the council, “We are not necessarily recommending these. These are what have been requested.”
Police Chief Joseph Wren opened the CIP section of the workshop with three requests — police range upgrades, men’s locker room upgrades and car port gutters.
“It’s just always been a CIP request so I don’t want to break tradition,” said Wren about the gutters.
City Engineer Melissa Savage opened by making a clarification on the budget requests from the engineering department.
“When we start looking at the budget we look at the Measure L and Measure H funds,” she said, adding that Measure L generates about $2.8 million a year and Measure H comes in at $1.4 million.
“Right now the engineering department has a list of more than 90 projects,” said Savage, adding that some projects are fully funded, some are partially funded and others are older and need to be taken off the books.
“Some have no active status because 1.) we don’t have the funding to move the project forward and 2.) we don’t have staff to perform the work,” she said.
“We’re not proposing any new engineering projects this year,” said Savage. “We’re just adding funds to existing projects.”
The Water Reclamation Facility had several new requests that would replace outdated equipment and address safety issues.
“I think I know what some of these things are,” said Mayor John Clerici.
“And they’re all funded.”
The above CIP projects will go to the Measure H and L committee for review.
Director of Public Works Nick Stone had a few CIP requests, including annual street striping, Center Street garage fence repair, radio water meter equipment, lead water service replacements and thermoplastic crosswalk striping.
“With conventional paint, we get a shorter lifespan,” said Stone. “It takes a lot of our resources to have guys … standing there watching paint dry.”
The thermoplastic will last five-10 years, according to Stone.
All told, the CIP budget came in at $4,634,142.
Warren went through the various funding sources that would cover CIP projects, including gas tax, Measures H and L, the water enterprises fund and downtown parking district funds. A little more than $37,225 would need to come from the general fund.
cart to enhance accessibility for guests at Gold Bug Park, an outdoor sound system and portable stage.
“The following three pieces of equipment … are all replacement of existing equipment that needs to be addressed,” said Nishihara.
These included five picnic tables, eight park benches and eight bleachers.
Four automatic electronic defibrillators and a swamp cooler for the stamp mill were the final requests from Community Services.
Clerici asked, “If we don’t get a swamp cooler, doesn’t that just recreate how it was in 1850?”
“We have a little more liability than they did back then,” quipped Nishihara.
Meridian barricades were a capital outlay request from Public Works.
The total capital outlay request came to $310,398 with $96,870 coming out of the general fund sprinkling the rest among water, sewer, gas tax, grant and community benefit funds.
Alternative service level requests included positions frozen due to prior budgetary shortfalls.
The police department requested that an unfunded police officer position be refunded, a community services/abandoned vehicle abatement officer, an additional dispatcher and an addition of a traffic officer.
“This is the accessory to the motorcycle,” said Wren.
Development Services staff asked that an administrative assistant position previously frozen be refunded while Engineering staff requested a 5% increase to the proposed salary for the water reclamation facility chief plant operator position that has been vacant since June of last year, according to Savage.
Morris interjected that this increase would be coming before the council at its next meeting to help get the position filled as soon as possible.
A senior operator position and maintenance mechanic position were also on the wish list.
“These position changes at the water facility are being proposed in the rate study that will be coming back to you,” said Morris.
Community Services staff asked to add a maintenance worker position and to refund an office support position.
The Public Works team made a bid for a deputy public works director, a utility services technician and a maintenance worker advancement program.
The ASL requests came in at a grand total of $1,210,621 with the lion’s share coming from the general fund.
“I’m assuming that everything but the general fund projects are funded through those measures, right?” asked Clerici.
Warren clarified that based on current forecasts some funds may need to be trimmed one way or another depending on what the council chooses to approve.
Next on the docket came capital outlay requests.
The police department requests included a police motorcycle, contingent on a traffic officer being approved, six digital night vision rifle sights and a secure evidence cabinet.
Engineering requested a spectrophotometer needed at the waste water facility.
Director of Community Services
Denis Nishihara requested a frontmount remote-operated blower, a golf
Williams Continued from A1
a collaborative program within the County’s Probation Department, and support Senior Legal Services, the Public Housing Authority, Ombudsman Program, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Kids in Safe Seats.
Under the heading of conferences, training and travel the city is looking at a net cost of $108,000.
Morris asked to clarify some costs.
“One thing that’s frustrating to me, if you look at the reimbursements for the training,” he said.
“It’s like nothing,” interjected Clerici.
“We used to get 75%-90% of those covered,” said Morris. “And now I’m looking at training, that’s ... $625 and they’ll pay $40 toward it.”
“They’re going to process some numbers,” said Clerici, looking forward to the next step in the budget process. “It’s going to be pretty grim I‘m going to assume. We may have to make some bold decisions.”
“Your next budget workshop is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday the 20th,” added Warren. And with that, Clerici called the meeting adjourned.
to have amazing mentors over the years, one of the most important being Gayle Erbe-Hamlin, former chief administrative officer and longtime EDC Public Health director.
She ended her career managing programs related to Veteran Services, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance programs, Community Services Block Grant and the Community Action Council.
“Great things happen in teams,” Williams said. “For whatever I’ve accomplished over the years, I’ve always given credit to the whole team because every person on the team fulfills such an important role and provides their own contributions. As a manager of multiple programs, a big focus of my work has been on program goals and monitoring, taking care of budgets and contracts and other tasks but my most important role has been supporting my teams so that they have the resources they need in order to serve our community members.” Williams mentioned she was blessed
“Gayle was a magnificent leader who showed me the importance of collaborating with others, including other departments and community groups and organizations,” Williams shared. “She was instrumental in getting a grant to bring the El Dorado Community Health Center to our community.” Williams also served as HHSA’s public information officer for the last 20 years.
“This was probably the most fun part of my job because I got to learn about all of our agency programs at a deeper level (over 50 programs) and I got to share information about our services, community events, new programs and resources with community members,” Williams admitted. “I also coordinated with other PIOs from other county agencies and community organizations
“(It is) an allowance that is in the existing sign code that U.S. 50 oriented signs can have digital sign copy but because this project has a sign program approval it is being modified and considered by your board as part of that package of actions,” Peters said.
A rock wall monument sign was approved for the El Dorado Road entrance.
In addition to the 75,000 square foot hotel with four floors and approximately 140 rooms and an event center with space for 300400 people, the project features a 10,000-squarefoot main building that will house a general store, business center, fitness center, clubhouse, commercial kitchen, arcade, lounge and more. The second floor includes a 1,400-square-foot manager’s unit.
The campground has a total of 301 sites designated for RVs, dispersed tent camping, group tents, cabins/ camping cabins and yurts. There will be access to water and electrical outlets at each site. No generators will be allowed.
Other facilities include a bathhouse/restroom/ showers facility, a 2,000 square foot maintenance facility, a pavilion and playgrounds, dog parks, barbecues and picnic tables, horseshoe pits, fire pits and vineyards along the western boundary and the El Dorado entrance. Pedestrian walkways planned throughout the site include crosswalks and some trails in the open space areas.
“The design shall include features to reduce the visual appearance of the height and be in conformance with the Missouri Flat design guidelines and applicable county design standards and guidelines,” Peters said.
The project will include 231 parking stalls near the hotel
Williams
and event center and another 81 parking stalls throughout, with a total of 312 parking stalls.
Operation hours are 9 a.m. to midnight
The Crossing commercial project was originally largely a retail project.
In April 1998, the Board of Supervisors certified the Missouri Flat Master Circulation and Funding Plan. An environmental impact report was approved for the Sundance Plaza and the El Dorado Village Center.
The Sundance Plaza project was renamed The Crossings. It initially included approximately 535,000 square feet of commercial uses on approximately 72 acres.
In 2011 an addendum to the EIR was approved and reduced the overall allowances from 535,000 to 414,000 square feet to avoid impacts to wetlands on the site.
An analysis has shown the project is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and development standards, according to Peters. County divisions and departments, state agencies such as Caltrans, and tribal governments coordinated on the project. The project was presented to the Diamond Springs El Dorado Community Advisory Committee twice, in August 2023 and December 2024, he said. The project had the support of the CAC with a caveat that DOT worked with the applicant to address traffic circulation and other concerns.
Conditions of approval and mitigation measures for Phase 1 are in place and have taken into account future policy changes, according to Peters, who said specifically they’re watching the applicability of Transient Occupancy Tax for RV parks. Currently TOT does not apply.
“But should the
Continued from A4 and we learned about each other’s programs and how we could best work together, including in an emergency situation.”
Veterans Services was extremely short of staff when Williams began her work there a year and a half ago. “My first goal was to focus on getting the program fully staffed and I’m happy to say that now the program has all of its staff and can serve more military veterans and their families,” she said. “For me choosing the right staff has always been important. I have often conducted more than one round of interviews so that we found the right person for the job because these jobs can be challenging at times.”
When asked about changes in her field over the years, Williams said the biggest was in the area of technology. “When I first started in the mid-’90s, I shared a small office with two other people and we each only had a desk, a phone, a Rolodex with handwritten phone numbers, a pad of paper and a pen,” she recalled. “None of us had computers on our desks and the internet didn’t exist. The county didn’t even have a voicemail system. There was only one computer in the common area that we took turns sharing.”
Williams said the county has come a long way from using a sign-up sheet to use the communal computer.
“I remember when the county got its first website and when there were no cell phones. All of the managers had pagers. I don’t miss those pagers,” she noted with a laugh.
Williams has also seen her fair share of county department restructuring and reorganization over the years. The most recent being Public Health and Mental Health merging with the Social Services and Community Services to become what is now the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.
“The goal in bringing all of the departments together to create one agency was to more efficiently serve residents and leverage funding,” Williams explained. “I think in many
county move forward in a way that TOT then is addressed to the RV park, there’s a condition of approval that says we can apply that administratively to this project, and the project applicant is in support of that,” Peters said. Currently there is a 30-day limit to stay at the park, but that could change with administrative approval as well.
Other conditions were mitigated. Rezoning was requested from Planned Development Combining Zone to Special Purpose Zone Recreational Facilities With High Intensity with a Planned Development Combining Zone to allow for the proposed campground as a conditional use permit and the hotel as a conditional use permit and to make conforming changes to the PD overlay based on boundary line adjustments. Also requested was a revision to alter the use of the site from what it was previously approved for, to reduce building setbacks. Plus, Peters asked for a conditional use permit for amenities within the recreational facility zone including: the resort and campground facility, the allowance of the height of the hotel to exceed 35 feet, to allow swimming pool and pickleball courts to operate outside of daytime hours and an administrative permit to allow an apartment for the on-site manager, the pickleball courts, the swimming pool and the perimeter gates.
In addition, concerns over pickleball noise by nearby residents led to an earlier end time for pickleball players, and the matter of air quality was addressed with fire pits reduced from one per site (301) down to 30.
A 2024 KOA Camping and Hospitality Report showed RV resorts like the one proposed bring positive economic impacts, with RVers
regards we’ve accomplished that but, as with any change, there are adjustments you have to make to processes and bringing folks together. I think the key is continuing to stay focused on our goal of serving residents, regardless of any change.”
Williams said her biggest challenge has always been working with limited resources and funding. “Many health and human service programs have small pots of funding and despite this we do our best to spend those dollars as efficiently and carefully as possible show that we can serve our communities countywide to meet needs and to benefit the greatest number of residents,” she said.
Williams credits dedicated volunteers for many programs’ successes.
“There are volunteers who deliver meals to homebound seniors through our Home Delivered Meals Program or volunteers who walk the dogs at the County’s animal shelters and many others who volunteer in our county in so many ways,” she noted. “These volunteers are greatly so appreciated. I hope they know that!”
Williams told the Mountain Democrat she’s excited about her retirement, which officially began May 3. One of the most important reasons for choosing to retire at this point, she said, is that her parents, who live in Southern California, need support.
“I’m planning to visit them often, help them with little projects around their home, work on lots of puzzles together, make them some meals and just be there for them,” Williams shared. “I’d also love more time with other family members, including my daughters who live in other states.
“My other retirement plans involve being able to take a nap whenever I want, gardening, hiking with local hiking groups, getting back to my art (painting and writing) and volunteering in the community,” she added. “I’m greatly looking forward to all of it. The only downside ... is that now I won’t have an excuse for not going to the gym.”
spending between $140160 per person per day, so a thousand people would spend $140,000 to $160,000 a day.
“For this reason, our Economic Development Division supports these types of proposed uses and the proposed revision to the Crossings project,” Peters said.
Project developer Grado said he worked tirelessly for many years “to try to develop a project that would fit our community best.”
A 40-year resident of Placerville, he has developed several projects in the area.
Grado said he looked at two options regarding retail before making the decision to build the RV resort.
“One, the primary uses that are going to retail typically today are big box retail,” he said, citing examples like Costco, WinCo Foods and Lowe’s.
Of smaller retailers, he said, “They’re running into a lot of headwind … with the amount of online retailing.”
Grado told the board he talked to retailers in downtown Placerville, where some businesses have closed, and they asked how to attract more visitors to the area. He ultimately decided he wanted “to do something that we felt would actually bring dollars that would stay local primarily and not just divide the pie on what’s already here.”
Feasibility studies were conducted in 2020 and 2023 to analyze the need for an RV resort and El Dorado County got five stars in all 10 categories, Grado said.
“But we just really feel at the end of the day that this was a project that would support the community and really
support local businesses,” he shared.
El Dorado County Chamber Of Commerce
CEO Laurel BrentBumb said she had seen “thoughtful consideration” going into the project, which she called a “golden opportunity.” She noted the resort would attract a “pretty passive visitor.”
“There’s a whole community of people who do that and travel that way,” she said. “So we as the chamber of commerce would encourage you to support the Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval.”
Doug Veerkamp, local contractor, said, “We haven’t had a new hotel here in 40 years and we need some new rooms.”
He said it will bring people to Apple Hill, wine tasting, rafting, etc. “The opportunities are endless,” Veerkamp commented. “I think this will help revitalize the city of Placerville downtown.”
But not everyone was on board.
London Litza, who lives off El Dorado Road, said she and her neighbors were never notified about this meeting.
“El Dorado Road is a super narrow two-lane road. As a resident there I’m just concerned about the impact this is going to have with all the cars coming through,” Litza said, adding residents have concerns about smoke from the fire pits, the hotel height, signage, reduced setbacks and the potential for crime.
“It’s like you’re just kind of dropping a big city bomb in the middle of a quiet town,” she maintained.
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin asked Grado
if he could “ditch” the digital sign while District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine suggested approving the project excluding that sign. Grado invited the board to see the sign first. “The technology has gotten so much better than what it started out at with respect to how light affects it,” he said.
“I think if you get the opportunity to look at it and give serious consideration to it … (and then) you guys say you know what, we really don’t like it. OK, then we won’t have it.”
Parlin questioned the noise from pickleball.
“We don’t intend to light the courts,” Grado responded. “When evening comes around, there’s no pickleball there because I don’t want other campers having to listen to pickleball noise.”
Pickleball courts have also been positioned behind other structures which act as a sound screen to El Dorado Road, he added. A motion was made by District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp and seconded by District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero to adopt the addendum to the project’s EIR, adopt the revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, grant associated permits and authorize and approve the General Plan amendment and rezone. The motion passed 4-1, with District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo, Laine, Ferrero and Veerkamp voting yes. Supervisor Lori Parlin voted no, explaining she likes the project but not the digital sign. Information on the project is available through the El Dorado County eTrakit site.
OPINION
California Matters
When politicians ignore policy risks, failure and scandal often result
California’s governors and legislators have a very bad habit of enacting major programs and projects without fully exploring their downside risks.
The most spectacular example occurred in 1996, when a Republican governor, Pete Wilson, and a Democrat-controlled Legislature decided to overhaul California’s electric power industry.
The legislation was hammered out in lengthy and secret negotiations that participants dubbed the “Steve Peace death march” for the state senator who ramrodded the e ort. It was enacted with only cursory public input.
As a 2003 autopsy of the ensuing disaster chronicled, “The act was hailed as a historic reform that would reward consumers with lower prices, reinvigorate California’s then-flagging economy, and provide a model for other states. Six years later, the reforms lay in ruins, overwhelmed by electricity shortages and skyrocketing prices for wholesale power. The utilities were pushed to the brink of insolvency and are only slowly regaining their financial footing. The state became the buyer of last resort, draining the general fund and committing itself to spending $42 billion more on long-term power deals that stretch over the next ten years.”
Other examples of the bad habit abound, such as beginning construction of a bullet train linking the two halves of the state with only rudimentary assumptions of its costs, ridership and other important factors — a project that limps along nearly two decades later.
Two others are the immensely costly expansion of pension benefits for public employees a couple of decades ago, which has hammered local government budgets, and big increases in unemployment insurance benefits without increasing revenues, which resulted in a $20 billion debt to the federal government that is still growing.
That brings us to Senate Bill 769, which appears superficially to be a positive e ort to expand infrastructure financing but could be another example of unanticipated consequences. The measure, introduced by Sen. Anna Caballero, a Merced Democrat, would create the Golden State Infrastructure Corporation, a state-owned nonprofit company that could borrow money or issue bonds and provide financing for public or private infrastructure projects.
State Treasurer Fiona Ma is the bill’s sponsor and would appoint the corporation’s top executive, who would answer to a five-member board of elected
Message from EID
Investing
ALetters to the Editor
Message from the Camino Community Action Committee
EDITOR:
We would like to thank all those that recently participated at the Camino Clean Up Day held on Saturday, April 26. Once again, the weather did not cooperate but the community still supported the event as did the volunteers. A special thank you to El Dorado Disposal/Waste Connections, volunteers from the LDS Church in Camino where the event was held, Camino Fire Safe Council and, of course, our members from CCAC — Mark, Robin, Christa, Gordon, Betty and myself. We may be a small group but we do get things done.
TINA HELM CCAC president
Debt
piling up
EDITOR:
The U.S. budget deficit has grown to more than $1.3 trillion in the first half of the 2025 fiscal year — the second highest six-
month deficit on record, according to Treasury Department data recently released. Are we great yet?
Blatant hypocrisy
EDITOR:
Recently, The Mountain Democrat published another opinion piece by Larry Weitzman full of his typical disjointed and disingenuous arguments. His main point was criticizing Tim Walz for celebrating Tesla’s cratering stock price. Weitzman argues that Walz is “against the working class” because his “glee of Tesla stock falling in price is hurting millions of working Americans as the value of their pension funds and 401Ks decline.” Not long ago Weitzman championed the same thing. In May 2023, after being triggered by a marketing campaign, Weitzman celebrated Budweiser’s sales decline, gave instructions for
in people, progress — EID’s future is rooted in both
s we pass the halfway mark of our centennial year, it’s natural to reflect not just on where we’ve been, but where we’re going. At El Dorado Irrigation District, we’ve spent 100 years developing infrastructure and delivering reliable services to our community — but the work of building trust and improving systems never stops.
For May, our centennial celebration focuses on community engagement and education. These aren’t buzzwords to us; they’re core to how we operate. In June, we turn the spotlight to technological advancements, a timely companion theme. Why? Because at EID, we believe our strongest future lies where people and progress meet.
That’s easy to see on our public tours. Over the last year, nearly 100 community members joined us on guided tours through our water and
wastewater treatment facilities. They asked excellent questions, had the opportunity to view the complexity of our systems up close, and, perhaps most importantly, left with a deeper understanding of what it takes to keep taps flowing and toilets flushing across 220 square miles of service area.
These tours, which we will o er again in September, remind us that infrastructure isn’t just pipes and pumps — it’s people. And when our community members have the chance to walk through these investments up close and see everything involved in treating water and wastewater, they also gain a sense of ownership. They become informed stewards, better equipped to use water wisely, report concerns and understand the policies, regulations and projects that shape our service. Our outreach doesn’t stop at adults, either. We participate in events like Natural Connections Day and Farm
Day. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. When a student learns how water samples are tested in a lab or sees how water is filtered through giant specialized media banks, something clicks. These may be the future engineers, operators and scientists who will one day carry our utility through the core of its second century.
But engagement alone isn’t enough. We must also give our team the tools to meet today’s challenges — and tomorrow’s. That’s where technology comes in.
Over the past several years, EID has made major strides in modernizing our systems. We’ve upgraded key water meters to newer models that deliver more accurate readings and allow for faster leak detection. We’ve improved our asset management and GIS systems to better track maintenance needs across our thousands of pieces of infrastructure at our treatment plants, as well as thousands of pumps, valves, meters, hydrants and lines within our distribution and collection systems. And we’re continuing to invest in energy e ciency at our facilities
— optimizing systems, lighting and controls to reduce power and maintenance costs and environmental impact.
This modernization isn’t just about convenience. It’s about reliability, sustainability and resilience. It’s about making sure that when you turn on your faucet during a power outage or after a wildfire, the water is still safe and the system still works. It’s about staying ahead of droughts, supply chain disruptions and climate shifts through smart infrastructure planning and data-driven decisions.
Technology also helps us be more responsive. If you’ve called in a service request lately, you’ve probably spoken with a member of our customer service team who’s using upgraded software to track your request from start to finish. Internally, our teams are sharing digital work orders and coordinating field responses more seamlessly than ever before. That means fewer delays, more accountability and better service for you. Still, we know that no technology
JOHN REAY El Dorado
■ See WALTERS, page A7
DAN WALTERS
JIM ABERCROMBIE
officials and governors’ appointees.
“By partnering public and private capital, SB 769 enables critical investments in climate resilience, water systems, energy infrastructure, housing and transportation, creating jobs and future-proofing California for generations to come,” Caballero’s office contends.
“California can’t afford to wait for Washington, or for outdated financing systems to catch up with 21st-century needs,” she said in a statement. “SB 769 is about building a resilient, modern California by creating a smarter, more flexible way to fund infrastructure that protects our communities,
Continued from A6
boycotting Budweiser’s sister brands and gleefully wondered if this foretold “the collapse of InBev.” If rooting for a company’s stock decline is “hateful” and ”against the working class,” then what’s it called to advocate for the same?
Beyond this blatant hypocrisy, Weitzman, a senior citizen, gets his argument all jumbled up; he focuses on the vandalism. While it’s true that criminals are vandalizing Teslas, that has minimal impact on the stock. Weitzman hypothesizes — with no basis — that the vandalism totals $50 million, which means approximately 1,500 Teslas have been totalled; actual numbers are nowhere near that. And Weitzman is correct. Much of those losses will be paid for by insurance, which would impact the
creates good jobs and prepares us for the challenges ahead.”
There are aspects to the proposal that should be triggering alarm bells.
There is no limit on how much debt the corporation could incur. The state would also not be liable if its financial structure collapsed. The decisions on financing private projects could be made secretly because the corporation would be exempt from some open meeting and open records laws.
The danger here is that with a potentially unlimited amount of money to be handed out
stock even less (though, confusingly, he believes that the losses are Musk’s and that insurance will pay him).
Ironically, he called the Tesla vandals “domestic terrorists” but those who stormed the Capitol on Jan 6, brought weapons, led to multiple deaths and cost taxpayers $2.7 billion were “wrongfully convicted” who simply “walked the halls of Congress” after being “invited.”
In any case, Tesla lost over $800 billion of value, 16,000 times more than Mr. Weitzman’s imaginary number. He can’t seem to acknowledge that much of Tesla’s decline is due to Musk’s farright, anti-American behavior and association with DOGE. Amazingly, it appears that supporting an
with no public input, the political figures on the corporate board could be swayed to play favorites for reasons disconnected from infrastructure improvement.
We’ve seen scandals of that sort elsewhere in state government, such as in the Coastal Commission’s land use decisions and the California Public Employment Retirement System’s investments. Without better safeguards and more sunshine, this is another scandal waiting to happen.
Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
autocratic president, fabricating claims of fraud, Nazi-style salutes and haphazardly dismantling the government leading to children’s deaths doesn’t play well with half of Americans and much of the rest of the world. Musk’s swerve to the far-right has poisoned the brand and that’s why Tesla’s profits are down 71% and the stock price is down.
In fact, this is just the latest example of “go antiwoke, go broke.” Target is another recent one. Lastly, Weitzman sheds crocodile tears that “Tesla stock falling in price is hurting millions of working Americans as the value of their pension funds and 401Ks decline” and the associated “misery,” but he intentionally ignores the big picture. While Tesla has lost $800 billion in value, the U.S. stock market has lost $11 trillion, solely because someone thinks that “tariffs is the most beautiful word” and is upset that penguins don’t buy their fair share of U.S. goods. I can only assume that Mr. Weitzman’s next rambling piece will be about the misery which Trump has intentionally inflicted upon Americans.
Continued from A6
can replace the value of a real conversation or the power of a strong relationship with our customers. So, we’re continuing to show up in person where we can because we believe service and accountability are personal. And public trust, once earned, must be nurtured over time.
As we look to the next 100 years, we remain grounded in this dual commitment: people and progress. We will keep engaging, educating and listening to our community because that’s the heart of public service. And we will keep embracing innovation because the challenges of tomorrow demand nothing less.
Thank you for your partnership during this centennial year. It’s a powerful reminder that while pipes carry water, people carry the mission.
Jim Abercrombie is general manager of the El Dorado Irrigation District.
Announcements
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org
CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS
CLUB meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
PLAY CRIBBAGE Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the
month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.
GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575
HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship.
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
DORADO
JUSTIN EVANS Cameron Park
Abercrombie
Gaucho at Brenda's @ 5pm Brenda's French Soul Food, 652 Polk St, San Francisco
Almost, Maine @ 7:30pm / $20 John Cariani's Almost, Maine, a delightful midwinters night com‐edy presented by the Winters The‐atre Company Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters. winterstheatre@gmail.com, 530795-4014
Benjamin Jaffe @ 8pm Scarlet's Saloon, 614 Sutter St, Folsom
Myles Weber -
3pm / $18 Myles Weber’s viral success online is taking him on tour! He's racked up over 60 million views across all platforms, was featured on MTV’s Greatest Party Story Ever Told Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128
ELeNAH Reggae: Whole Earth Fes‐tival 2025 @ 6pm UC Davis Activities and Recreation Center, 232 One Shields Avenue, Davis
Almost, Maine @ 7:30pm / $20 John Cariani's Almost, Maine, a delightful midwinters night com‐edy presented by the Winters The‐atre Company Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters. winterstheatre@gmail.com, 530795-4014
Eryen Korath y Neblinas del Pac��co (Colombia / USA) Mangroves and Marimba (2025, World Premiere)
@ 8:30pm / $20
Eryen Korath Ortiz Garcés (Bue‐naventura, Colombia) and Nebli‐nas del Pac��co (La Mission, San Francisco) present a sound fabric of marimba de chonta music from the Afro-Colombian Paci�c. Com‐munity Music Center, 544 Capp Street, San Francisco. info@ s�af.org, 415-399-9554
Luch @ 9pm Madarae, 46 Minna St, San Fran‐cisco
Recognize @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco
Corrine
@ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco
Mother's Day Artisan Fair (14th annual)
530-758-3370
Kyle Ledson: BCB @ Sac‐Yard Community Taphouse @ 6pm SacYard Community Tap House, 1725 33rd St, Sacramento Dauood Naimyar - Live Comedy @ 7pm / $29 May 9th - May 10th Dauood Naimyar
The Tulips @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco
Perfect Timing @ 8pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street, San Francisco
Dance Fitness Classes at Woodland Senior Center @ 10:15am Low-impact aerobic exercise choreographed to contemporary music. Super fun! Woodland Com‐munity & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com
Balloon Museum | Emotion Air - Art you can feel @ 12pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel @ 12:30pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco Children's Kung Fu Classes at the Davis Arts Center @ 3pm Tina Fitness is now offering chil‐dren's Kung Fu classes at the Davis Arts Center! Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. duanke jie68@gmail.com
Lucy Clearwater @ 6pm Jane's Place, San Francisco
Starving Wolves @ 8pm Cafe Colo‐nial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento Victor and the Callers
@ 10am
*60+ talented artist and ar‐tisan booths, facepainting, and specialty foods! *Mi‐mosas in a commemora‐tive Mother’s Day! *LIVE MUSIC! KYLE TURNER (10am to 12:30pm) ZAK FENNIE (1:30pm to 4pm) Suisun Waterfront, Suisun City. Brenda@Bren daMossaEvents.com, 707235-5452
Anne Sajdera, solo piano @ 10:30am Sip Tea Room, 721 Lincoln Way, San Francisco
Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose (USA) Unbound (shared bill with InSyncKathak) @ 2pm / $20 Rasika Kumar’s solo Bharatanatyam production takes you on an intimate journey, reveal‐ing how we, as women navigating our lives, endure a thousand subtle cuts that diminish us. Dance Mis‐sion Theater, 3316 24th Street, San Francisco. info@s�af.org, 415399-9554
Almost, Maine @ 2pm / $20 John Cariani's Almost, Maine, a delightful midwinters night com‐edy presented by the Winters The‐atre Company Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Company, 13 Main Street, Winters. winterstheatre@gmail.com, 530795-4014
St, Placerville Kente Scott - Live Comedy @ 7pm / $29 May 16th - May 17th Kenté Scott, born and raised in Oakland, California, started doing stand-up at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood. Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128
Wiliam Welch Wines Comedy Night starring Phil Grif�ths @ 7:30pm William Welch Wines, 837 Main St, Martinez
Furnace Woods @ 8pm The Press Club, 2030 P St, Sacra‐mento
Toastmasters District 57 Conference-Speech Contest, Educational Sessions & more in Vallejo @ 7:30am / $75 Conference, educational sessions, speech and evaluation contests, keynote speaker and District 57's Communication and Leadership award presentation to Judge Jose‐lyn Jones California State Univer‐sity Maritime Academy Athletic Facility, 117 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo
Friends of Indonesia 4th Annual Bazaar @ 10am / $20-$25 Join us to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at the Friends of Indonesia 4th Annual Bazaar for a day of In‐donesian culture, food, and shop‐ping. The Melody of San Francisco, 906 Broadway, San Francisco. friendso�ndonesiasf@gmail.com
Yoga at The HIVE with Kaia Fit @ 10am / $25 Yoga at The HIVE with Kaia Fit The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, 1221 Harter Avenue, Woodland. thehive@zspecialtyfood.com, 530668-0660
Yountville Art, Sip and Stroll 2025 @ 11am / $45 Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street, Yountville
All About Equine's
NEWS, IN THE KNOW
May 7
Vitalant will hold a Shingle Springs community blood drive, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court (o Durock Road). Make an appointment at donors. vitalant.org and enter blood drive code SMFM551 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host a Park Party at Overlook Park in El Dorado Hills from 5-7p.m.
This is a free event. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Unseen” at 7p.m. and running through June 8. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.
May 8
Join the Shingle Springs/ Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce for a Ribbon Cutting at the Nifty Nook on Cameron Park Drive at 5:30 p.m. For more information call (530) 6778000 or visit sscpchamber. org. Studio 81 at El Dorado High School presents Hadestown” May 8-17. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.
The Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents “Collective Concerns: Collage and Assemblage” from 2-7 p.m. and on view through May 24. For more information visit rcmacc.org.
May 9
El Dorado Musical Theatre Presents “Legally Blonde” at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom, May 9-17. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
May 10
Save the Graves will host the Women of Placerville Union Cemetery walking tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free but registration is required. For more information or to register visit savethegraveseldorado.org.
The Camino Fire Safe Council will host a Community Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Camino Community Church, 4205 Carson Road. Camino. Proceeds will support the Camino Fire Safe Council. Email caminofsc@gmail.com for any questions.
The Stage at Burke Junction presents “Waiting for Godot” through June 1. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host Heart of the Hills Blues Blast at 1-6 p.m. at Overland District Church in El Dorado
Make your way down to HADES TOWN
Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
Studio 81 at El Dorado High School takes on the Tony award winning “Hadestown” by Anaïs Mitchell opening May 8 in the Carl Borelli amphitheater.
“Hadestown,” is a captivating musical, weaving together themes of love, loss and greed with striking intensity. The show contains a complex history, resonant political undertones and a timeless narrative drawn from Greek mythology.
Street smart Eurydice, seeking escape from poverty, is lured to the industrial underworld of Hadestown by Hades himself. Her devoted lover, Orpheus, embarks on a perilous quest to bring her back. He believes his unfinished song possesses the power to liberate the inhabitants of Hadestown and soften Hades’ hardened heart.
Meanwhile, Persephone, Hades’ wife, longs for her annual sixmonth sojourn to the living world, where her presence brings spring and summer. Hades’ increasingly possessive nature strains their once passionate marriage, disrupting the natural cycle mirroring a global climate crisis.
When Orpheus finally reaches Hadestown to reclaim Eurydice, it becomes apparent that his song might hold the key not only to her freedom but also to the salvation of Hadestown’s denizens and the rekindling of love between Hades and Persephone. However, Orpheus grapples with self-doubt, questioning his ability to fulfill this monumental task.
“Hadestown” began its life as a concept album placing wordsmith Mitchell among the
ranks of notables such as Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pete Townsend, Roger Waters and Woody Guthrie. The album was performed live several times when Mitchell met up with director Rachel Chavkin. The two reworked the piece adding dialogue and new songs. That production opened o Broadway in 2016 finding success there and elsewhere the show moved to Broadway in 2019 receiving critical acclaim and 14 Tony award nominations with eight wins, including best musical, best original score for Mitchell and best direction for Chavkin. Since its Broadway debut the play has been performed around the world and received multiple nominations and awards including the Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics and Laurence Olivier awards.
Although this is one of the hardest musicals Giuseppe Sticca, senior
who dons the roles of narrator, Hermes, has done, he was inspired to audition from listening to the soundtrack.
“It was kind of a challenge to test if I could really do it,” he said, admitting that the character he was cast in is similar to his own personality. “We’re a
little similar, you know, he’s very confident, but very kind of chillax.”
Sticca plans to continue doing theater after graduation and auditioning for more local roles.
Drama runs in Ellie Campbell’s blood. She plays a Worker in the show and is a legacy drama student at Studio 81.
“So my dad is actually an alumni of Studio 81 with Tomei,” she said. “So were my brothers.” She enjoys doing theater at El Dorado because of the environment it creates.
Mountain Democrat photos by Andrew Vonderschmitt
Top left, workers in Hadestown reach for a glimmer of hope. Top right, Orpheus (Ethan Karlstad) is never too far from the Fates (Charlotte Loeprich). Above, Hades (Ian Loeprich) is greeted by the workers of Hadestown.
Essay Contest winners honored
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Features editor
The Democratic Party of El Dorado County honored winners of the 19th annual Fred Winn Essay Contest at a luncheon in April. Each honoree read excerpts of their winning essays to an expectant crowd.
DPEDC member and chair of the essay contest Mel Chapman introduced each student.
The question posed to the essay writers was about mental health and the role that social media plays:
“‘The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor.’ -Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States.
In addition to your own experience and personal observations, cite and discuss evidence to support or negate his contention that social media is an important contributor to the mental health crisis.”
Three winners and an honorable mention were recognized. First place went to Oak Ridge High School senior Alexandria Remily who was awarded $1,500. Junior Parker Berry from Ponderosa High School took the second place slot and a check for $750. For the third place position, Lauren Spiess, a senior at Ponderosa High School took the honor and a check for $500. Madison Hall of Union Mine High School secured an honorable mention for her essay including a check for $100. Read on for the complete first place essay. Look for more essays in print in the following weeks.
First place
Social Media: the impact on teenagers
Alexandria Remily
Senior, Oak Ridge High School
Beep. Beep. Beep. As I reach to turn off my alarm, I grab my phone and check the notifications. In the morning, the first thing I do is look at social media to see if there are any new posts, snaps or videos. Before
PRESERVE IT!
Let’s Talk Canning Jars
We are well into spring, heading toward summer. Seed catalogs were dog-eared months ago, seed packets are in a basket (or perhaps already opened and sown). There are high hopes of a great harvest this year, an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruit from the garden. Soon it will be canning season. Do you have enough canning jars and lids? Scouring the garage and estate sales for more? Let us help you with safe food preservation. Here are some myths and misconceptions about canning jars and lids.
Myth: Brand new canning jars fresh out of the box are sterile and
school starts, I sit in my car and respond to Snapchat. Later, when I am bored in class, I open my phone to Instagram. At home, I watch YouTube before doing my homework. I go over all my notifications and respond to everything before I sleep, just to hear the “beep, beep, beep” the next morning and do it all over again. My life has become dictated by likes, comments, videos, pictures and posts. Social media defines more aspects of my life than I care to admit, but this is not just limited to me. The first thing 69% of people do in the morning is check their phone. Social media has an overall negative impact on the young minds of teenagers. Social media has changed the way that teens create connections and relationships along with contributing to issues in mental health and self-image.
Human connection is one of the most crucial parts of life; however, receiving this connection or relying on it through a screen has actually created a complex disconnect. Using emojis, gifs and pictures to express emotion results in anxiety and an inability to read social cues in real life. Fundamental life skills of communication are being stripped away by the overuse of social media. Communicating through a screen will create ingenuine relationships instead of filling the human necessity of face-to-face connection. In the article, “How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers,” Rachel Ehmke describes the negative consequences of social media on the development of youth. Ehkme cites clinical psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair EdD, stating, “‘As a species we are very highly attuned to reading social cues … There’s no question kids are missing out on very critical social skills. In a way, texting and online communicating … puts everybody in a nonverbal disabled context, where body language, facial expression and even the smallest kinds of vocal reactions are rendered invisible.’” The nonverbal aspects of communication and social cues are one of the most important parts of forming connections with others. Social media attempts to substitute this with emojis and videos. However, this takes
Laurie Lewis UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County
don’t need to be washed. Truth: New jars are not sterile. Before use they should be checked for breakage or manufacturing defects and then washed. In fact, jars should always be checked and washed right before use (even if they were previously stored away clean).
Myth: Canning jars must always be sterilized before canning in them.
Truth: Jars need to be sterilized only when the processing time is under 10 minutes.
Myth: The flat part of two-piece metal jar lid systems should be boiled before canning.
Truth: The sealant used on most metal canning lids changed from rubber latex to plastisol decades ago, at which time the need to boil lids ceased. Boiling can damage the plastisol, resulting in seal failures. While it is safe to simmer lids (~180 degrees F) before use, it’s unnecessary and thus a waste of energy. All this said, do check the instructions from the manufacturer for your particular brand of lid for specific handling requirements.
Myth: Mayonnaise,
away the ability to learn and process these non-verbal cues. In addition to nonverbal aspects of communication, social media has changed the way that teenagers interact with others. In a scientific report on face-to-face communication in comparison to digital communication, professor of psychology and psychodynamics, Stefan Stieger, states, “the degree of nonverbal cues (especially the immediacy) is the most important prerequisite whether or not people build relationships through technology … the social presence of the communication partner is vital for building interpersonal relationships.”
Face-to-face human interaction is unable to be substituted by online connections. Social media places a barrier between people. With more and more relationships sparking on Snapchat, it is hard to establish a genuine connection. Instead of going on dates and getting to know each other in person, hours are spent texting over an app using abbreviated conversations. Without the social skills to handle communication in person, teenagers are faced with unsatisfying relationships and a void that only true understanding from face-to-face connection could fill. Teenagers are young; they are still
sauce, and other similar commercial product glass jars can be reused for canning.
Truth: These types of jars are not designed to be repurposed for home canning and are not recommended. They may not have the correct tempering to withstand high temperatures or long processing times, so jars may break. Some jar rim sizes vary slightly, leading to seal failures. Even those pasta sauce jars that say “Atlas” on them are not actually home canning jars, and the manufacturer specifically states on their website that they should not be used for home canning. The Hazel-Atlas Company made home canning jars long ago, but the
Music heats up EDH Town Center
Get ready for a summer full of fun sponsored by El Dorado Hills Town Center businesses, Sky River Casino, Marshall Medical Center and the El Dorado Hills Arts & Entertainment Foundation.
Live on the Boulevard is EDH Town Center’s signature summer concert series where the community comes together for free live music Thursday evenings. From high-energy tribute bands to local favorites, the series offers a dynamic lineup in a beautiful outdoor setting. Grab a bite, bring a chair and enjoy the vibe.
To register and for more information about each concert visit edhtowncenter.com/upcoming-events.
Upcoming concerts
• May 11 — Mother’s Day Charity Concert with The Spazmatics
• June 12 — Island of Black & White
• June 19 — Twist on Taylor - Taylor Swift Tribute
• June 26 — Mania – The Live Beatles Experience
• July 3 — Fireworks & Freedom Festival • July 10 — One of These Nights – Songs of the Eagles
July 17 — SuperBad
July 24 — Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars Tribute
• July 31 — The Cheeseballs
creating their perceptions about the world and social media has created unrealistic expectations that often damage self-image. For example, Elia Abi-Jaoude, from the Canadian Medical Association, describes the relationship between social media and mental health in the article “Smartphones, Social Media Use, and Youth Mental Health” stating, “A systematic review of 20 studies found that use of social media was associated with body image concerns and disordered eating. In a randomized study, female participants reported a more negative mood after just 10 minutes of browsing their Facebook account compared with those who browsed an appearance-neutral control website.” Everything posted on social media has been filtered, edited, and altered in some way. Social media is not a correct portrayal of life, but teenagers build unrealistic perceptions and expectations of how life is supposed to be. Additionally, the article, “The Social Dilemma: Social Media and Your Mental Health” from McLean Hospital, explains how social media contributes to a larger awareness of social events and in turn a larger awareness of being excluded,
company no longer exists. The “Atlas Mason” stamped on the sides of jars of sauce is just a marketing device. Just as with other commercial product jars, breakage and seal failures are a big risk if they are reused for canning. Because of the
the
• Aug. 7 — Nathan Owen’s Motown & Soul
• Aug. 14 — Rock Monsterz – 80s Rock Tribute • Aug. 21 — Summer Night City – The ABBA Tribute • Aug.
Trisk of breakage (and thus loss of food) and seal failures, reusing commercial product jars is not recommended. Should you decide to try it anyway, use them only for boiling water/steam canning. Do not use for pressure canning. Commercial product jars can be safely reused for storage of dry foods. Good luck with your garden and have fun preserving those vegetables. The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to your food safety and preserving questions. Email edmfp@ ucanr.edu. For more information about programs, events and recipes visit ucanr.edu/ sites/mfp_of_cs/.
he rain didn’t stop plant enthusiasts from showing up to the Placerville Garden Club’s annual fundraising event last Sunday, at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Club organizers were thrilled that this year’s sales exceeded last year’s event. Trees, succulents, bulbs, edible plants, as well as baked goods were donated by the club’s members.
“I’m so proud,” said Debra Nattrass, Placerville Garden Club co-president. “Everyone really came through in helping to prepare plants for sale and getting things set up.”
Several garden club members were available at the event giving gardening tips and answering questions from the public.
Proceeds from the event will be divided between multiple community organizations and projects including the garden program at the Boys and Girls Club campus in Placerville, El Dorado County Veterans and decorative gardens at the Veterans Memorial Hall and the El Dorado County Fairgrounds and flower bouquets for the Upper Room Dining Hall.
The garden club holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Placerville.
Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt
The Fred Winn Essay contest winners, left to right, Ponderosa High School senior, Lauren Spiess, third place; Oak Ridge High School senior Alexandria Remily, first place; Ponderosa High School junior Parker Berry, second place; and Union Mine High School senior Madison Hall, honorable mention, were honored at a luncheon in April sponsored by the Democratic Party of El Dorado County members with EDCOE dignitaries and family and friends in attendance.
Pixabay photo
Jars should be checked and washed before each use.
Courtesy photo
Island of Black and White comes to EDH Town Center in June as part of
summer concert series.
Brockway Summit Trail – a journey along the Tahoe Rim Trail
My first hike of the fall season took me to the northernmost segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail. This 165-mile trail circles the breathtaking Lake Tahoe, and it’s divided into 14 day hikes, all outlined on the Tahoe Rim Trail website, tahoerimtrail. org. I started my hike at the Brockway Summit trailhead, where the TRT extends for 20.2 miles, leading to the Mt. Rose Trailhead to the east and south. Whether you’re planning to hike a portion or the entire distance, this trail o ers unparalleled views and opportunities for adventure. Have you hiked any segments of the TRT? Share your experience using #DayHikerCA!
A shorter, scenic option: Picnic Rock
If 20 miles sounds like more than you’re up for, consider a shorter option: a pleasant 1.5mile trek up to Picnic Rock. This three-mile round trip starts at the
parking area across Highway 267 near Kings Beach. The trail is moderately challenging as it winds up to the peak, o ering a steady climb through a series of switchbacks. At the summit, lava rock formations provide flat seating, perfect for a picnic lunch while you soak in the stunning views of Lake Tahoe. It’s an ideal spot for relaxing with friends, family, or your furry companions. The trail is wellmarked, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. Being a multi-use trail, you’ll likely encounter other hikers, bicycles, and equestrians, as Tahoe remains a popular destination worldwide. Have you experienced the views from Picnic Rock? Tag your photos and stories with @
Hades Continued from B1
“I just love drama and Studio 81 is such a safe place,” she said. “It’s just so much fun to do this with all my friends.”
Ethan Karlstad, senior, who plays Orpheus was “discovered” by Paul Tomei who recognized his vocal ability immediately.
“Mr. Tomei found me singing ‘Africa’ by Toto,” he said, adding that it was the right time.
“I had a stressful life before this,” he confided. “And so I was looking for a getaway, honestly.”
This is Karlstad’s second show having been in “Alice by Heart” last year.
MaryWestHikes!
Peek-a-boo views and Alpine Vistas
The descent is easy with gravity on your side, allowing you to enjoy the “peek-a-boo” views of Lake Tahoe through the towering pines. Though the trailhead area shows signs of recent timber clearing, which can look a bit cluttered, it quickly opens up to the alpine trail experience you’d expect at this elevation (7,009 feet). The crisp air and refreshing scent of pine create a perfect atmosphere for a fall hike.
Additional hikes from Brockway Summit
• Brockway to Martis Peak: A 4.3-mile hike that o ers additional views and quiet solitude.
• Brockway to Mt. Rose Wilderness: A 7.6-mile journey into the wilderness area for those seeking a more extended trek.
Directions to Brockway Summit Trailhead
• From Auburn, head east on Interstate 80
and take Highway 267 toward Tahoe.
• The parking area is on the roadside just south of Brockway Summit, between Truckee and Kings Beach.
Tips for a safe and enjoyable hike
Weather
Considerations: Fall temperatures at this elevation are generally cooler. Pack an extra layer to stay warm, as weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
Trail etiquette: The care and devotion put into maintaining this trail are evident. On my hike, I was
Senior, Carlie Rumsey who plays Eurydice has been busy in the theatrical sense.
“This is my seventh show here,” she said. One thing about theater that draws her in is the ability to take on di erent characters.
“I love being able to personify and become someone other than myself, she said. “And part of why I love it is because it makes me a more empathetic person to be able to understand other people as well.”
Ian Loeprich, the senior actor who plays Hades said he does not connect with the character on a
delighted to find no trash—something I usually pack out. The signage, particularly the blue arrows marking the TRT, was clear and abundant, providing reassurance that you’re on the right path.
Plan your visit
Have you hiked the Brockway Summit Trail? What did you enjoy most about the hike?
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Seasonal advice: Fall is also a fantastic time to visit for cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage.
Early mornings o er peaceful solitude, while
midday hikes provide the best lighting for photography.
Mary West is the author of the book series, Day Hiker - Gold Country Trail Guide (I, II, III, and now IV). The books compile her Day Hiker columns, sharing her long-time love for the outdoors and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West received the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Column, as well as the 2020 CRAFT Award for her second book in the series from the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
personal level but accepts the challenge.
“He’s kind of a sleaze bag, and he’s, he’s very seductive and slimy and manipulative,” he said. “So those have been like the hardest things to kind of capture for him.”
He said that being in the environment helps him to embody the character.
“I think being in the costume and in the moment and putting myself in the character is what helps most to kind of become Hades.”
Hadestown” opens May 8 at 8 p.m. and runs through May 17. For tickets visit studio81arts.com.
El Dorado Irrigation District
EID has published its annual Water Quality/Consumer Confidence Report.
The report provides customers with detailed information about how EID’s water quality meets or exceeds established state and federal drinking water standards.
EID maintains and operates three water systems, covering 220-square-miles—two small systems in the unincorporated communities of Strawberry (approximately 40 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50) and Outingdale (about 15 miles southeast of Placerville), and the Main system that provides services to the rest of the service area.
We encourage you to review the reports to learn more about the source and quality of the drinking water delivered to your communities.
For a paper copy, contact
Mary West Outdoor columnist
Photo by Mary West
The trail offers