Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 by mcnaughtonmedia

ROCK THE VOTE Grand jury indicts

SPOOKY, KOOKY & FUN

Connectivity Project is progressing, according to City Engineer Melissa Savage.

“Based on the number of contract working days, the project is about 40% complete and should be ﬁnished in January,” Savage said. “I would say the biggest challenge has been uncertainties in the weather. Assuming we keep getting enough sunshine to dry out between the rainy days, the project will remain on track.”

The new curb, gutter and sidewalk on the west side of Placerville Drive from Highway 50 to the gas station is nearing completion. Tra c lanes will shift Thursday morning from

KEVIN LOEWEN

Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

ESSENTIALS

Margaret “Marge” (Wing) Kraintz

Sept. 21, 1932 – Oct. 26, 2025

Margaret (Wing) Kraintz, (Marge) was born to Halley and Bernice Wing on September 21, 1932. Marge was born soon after her older sister, Lois, then came four brothers, LeRoy, Vernon, George and Gene. The family lived where Folsom Lake now stands. She always had such fond memories of growing up at Mormon Island before the lake was created. Her family then moved to Rescue, California in the early 1950s where they built a home. Marge married Richard Davies when she was very young. They had four children, Michael Davies, Janice Hays, Ellen Roush and Debra Dawon. At this time, she became a long-time member of the Live Oakers, a sewing group that made and donated to many community needs. Marge and Richard divorced in the early 1960s. Marge married John Kraintz in 1967. John had ﬁve children, Linda Kraintz, Debbie Brocchini, Vicky Kraintz, John Kraintz and Joe Kraintz. Marge and John enjoyed hard top races, camping and traveling in their motor home. After being a stay-at-home Mom for several years she entered the workforce as a school bus driver for Folsom/ Cordova school district. She ended her working career packing and mailing out packages for a small company. She enjoyed that job because she loved the owners and they became lifelong friends. She enjoyed volunteering whenever she could be of help. In 1986, when her father was killed, she moved to Rescue to be with her mother. Her husband John passed in 1992. Marge loved Rescue and the ranch her parents had built there. She became involved in the community joining the Boards of the JaHawk Cemetery and the Community Center. For two consecutive years she won the honorary mayor title by collecting the most donations for the community center. Marge stayed active on those boards into her eighties. She loved how the activities in Rescue got her out to socialize with people in the community. Her daughter Janice, grandson Eric Jackson and dear friend Rachel Miranda provided the loving care Marge needed in her ﬁnal months. There are angels among us. She remained happy through all her health struggles. Marge will be missed by her daughters, stepchildren, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her son, Michael and sister and brothers all preceded her in death. Services will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Jayhawk Cemetery and Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 4:30 pm at the Rescue Community Center.

Robert Michael “Mike” Ernest Popejoy

June 2, 1951 – Oct. 18, 2025

Mike Popejoy, born June 2, 1951 (Redding, California) passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18th, and was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Mack “Jigs” “Tex” and Jeanne Elizabeth Popejoy, and older siblings: Edward “Mack” Popejoy, William “Bill” Popejoy, Anita “Marline” Villa and Richard “Rich” Popejoy

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherry, Daughters: Angela, Trisha, Carolyn (husband: Adam), April (husband: Alex), and Charisse, and beloved pup Toby. Grandchildren: Cassie, Chad, Taylor, Gabriela, Isabelle, Jacob, Lexi, Joseph, Jordan, and Julia, and 10 great-grandchildren. His younger brother Patrick “Kelly”, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mike graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, in 1969, where he played Baseball, Wrestling, and Football. Following graduation, he started his career in construction working for Jack Dymond Associates, helping to carve out commercial real estate in Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain View.

Mike relocated from the SF Bay Area to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the mid-1980s, with his wife Sherry and young daughter Charisse. After retiring from the construction industry in the late 1980’s Mike worked as a private investigator, and later spent some time as a mortgage broker before his retirement. As a lifelong, avid sports fan, he was a loyal follower of the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers.

Family and friends will gather for a private burial on Thursday, November 13th 2025, at Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery in Rescue, CA, followed by a Celebration of Life at Green Valley Church in Placerville, CA.

Marlene Ott McDougall

Oct. 18, 1936 – Sept. 22, 2025

Marlene (Marti) Ott was born in Sacramento, Ca. to Philip and Lillian Ott on October 18, 1936. Her sisters were Phyllis and Judy and her brother Mervin.

Marti attended Sac. High, Sac. Jr. College and Sacramento State University where she graduated with a teaching credential. She later took graduate level courses toward a masters degree. Marti taught at Bret Harte and Mariemont elementary and others. She loved teaching young children particularly in helping them develop their minds to think. But most of her career was devoted to raising her three children.

She met her future husband Robert (Bob) on a snow trip when she was 13 and he 15 years old. That followed by a bike ride and then a date to a movie on the bus. From that time on, they were together and never parted. They married in 1958 and have been happily married for 67 years.

Marti just liked to work and had many summer and part time jobs while going to school. She started early as a teen working at a snow cone stand at the State Fair. Then Weinstock’s Dept. Store, her dad’s brick contracting company and many others. She worked at a photo shop where she met Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian explorer, and did much of the photo ﬁnishing work for his books and lectures. The fun job Marti really loved was working at the Music Circus.

Marti and Bob planed to move to San Jose so Bob could ﬁnish his last two years of college at San Jose State University. They married at their Lutheran Church and after the reception, left for a wonderful two day honeymoon in Carmel before starting school Monday morning. They made up for the rush later on with a second honeymoon to Carmel at the same place. Marti took on several temporary jobs during this period including being a Personal Secretary for executives at FMC Corp. and the City of San Jose. After Bob graduated, they returned to Sacramento- it was then Marti’s turn.

She went back to the University to complete her degree and student teaching. They settled in Arden Park in Sacramento where they raised their children and after retirement moved to Placerville, Ca. in 2008.

Marti was active in school a airs and sang in several di erent choirs. She also played the piano quite well and loved classical music. She did modeling work at Department Stores, but turned down agency o ers for a modeling career with a possible TV future as it was not the right path for her life. Marti also resisted pressure from fraternities and college clubs to run for Campus Queen and Sacramento’s Camilla Queen for similar reasons. Marti was a member of the college ski club, played softball but really loved snow and water skiing and tennis. Later on, Marti held o ce in the PTA, helped the kids with scouting and was a pink lady at Mercy Hospital delivering books and ﬂowers to patients with a great smile and a word of encouragement.

Marti and Bob spent much time with family and relatives at Lake Tahoe at the cabin her father built where they did much skiing, ﬁshing, hiking and playing a lot of pinochle. A couple of the standout trips they took was a train trip to the east coast and back to see the fall colors and touring England, Wales and Scotland. Marti didn’t really want to take the train trip- probably too long and dull, but when it ended, she loved it and didn’t want to get o the train.

Marti was a member of the Lutheran Church early on and maintained her deep faith in God her whole life. She is now in the presence of the Lord. She was beautiful to the end and her personality, kindness and humor shined throughout her life. She was popular and well liked and loved by family and always by her husband Bob. The children love and appreciate her as a mother and how they were brought up. Her friends and school mates called her the All American Girl and that is what she was.

Her immediate family consists of husband Robert, sons Sean (Engie) and Eric (Jill) and daughter Sara Gross (Deryk). Marti passed away on September 22, 2025. A private gravesite gathering was held in her honor. She devoted her life to her family and was so much a part of us and we greatly appreciate her, miss her and will love her continually.

Naomi Louise (Bassi) Kyburz

Jan. 16, 1940 – May 28, 2025

William (Billy V) F. Vandegrift

Nov. 9, 1951 – June 30, 2025

It is with profound sadness, that we announce the passing of our brother and uncle William F. Vandegrift on June 30th, 2025 in Cameron Park CA.. Known to family and friends as “Billy V.”, he was 73 at the time of his passing. Born on Nov. 9, 1951 in San Pedro, CA and raised in Palos Verdes Estates, CA. A member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills, CA he had been instrumental in acquiring the land for his Parish church. For over 48 years, as a local realtor and developer, Bill was known for his community service through his membership in Knights of Columbus and Rotary. As a resident, he served on the CSD Board for El Dorado Hills and as Chamber of Commerce President. He thrived on the many park projects he supported throughout the area.

He is survived by his sister MaryAnna Goode (Stephen) of Atascadero, CA, nieces Michelle Robinson, Shari de Parcq and Jennifer Collins, and their children Chris, Brian, Heather, Reece, Jason, Josh, Paisley and Naomi.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Nov. 7th, at 11:30am with reception following at the Parish for his friends & family.

Roberta Antoinette Bartley

Oct. 13, 1946 – Oct. 17, 2025

Roberta Antoinette Bartley, of Metter, Georgia, passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, October 17, 2025. Born in Oakland, California, Mrs. Bartley was the daughter of the late Robert Kennedy Meader and Margaret Thomas Meader. In 1964 she married her beloved husband, Robert Louis Bartley, in Placerville, California where they raised their two children. Roberta was an amazing person and made many lifelong friends during her employment at Intel, California Department of Corrections and Parole and the California Conservation Corp. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, her son Bobby and her grandson Trevor. Mrs. Bartley is survived by her daughter Lisa Macdonald and her husband Mac Macdonald; her son, Jason Wayne Bartley and his wife, Cynthia; grandchildren- Darrell Rinde, wife Michelle; Phillip Rinde, wife Leah; Jacob Bartley, Jordyn Hackney, husband Phillip; Jared Bartley, wife Lillian. Great grandchildren – Kevin Rinde and Phillip and Parker Hackney. Sisters - Dianne Wyatt and Sharon Norris.

In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held at this time. Arrangements are entrusted to Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

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Naomi Louise (Bassi) Kyburz passed away on May 28, 2025 at the age of 85 from natural causes. She was born, raised and lived in Placerville, California her entire life. Naomi was the ﬁrst of three children born to Joshua and Mary Bassi. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Naomi and her late husband (Samuel Kyburz) owned and operated Kyburz Sports Center & Ski Hut for 27 years. Naomi loved being around her family, she was a fabulous chef (especially her desserts), she had the perfect table setting for every holiday and her passion for gardening was one of her true loves. Her roses and vegetable garden were always gorgeous and abundant. Naomi is survived by her children (Kevin Kyburz and Candace Kyburz Beaver), her siblings (Terry Bassi and Patricia Sea), her grandchildren and great grand child (Casey Kyburz, Colt Lemieux, Lauren Beaver, Rachel Beaver and Paisley Lemieux) and her sisters-inlaw (Kay Kyburz Johnson and Ginny Bassi). Our entire family sends a warm and heartfelt thank you to the sta at Cogir of Folsom Memory Care for their loving care in the last part of Naomi’s journey. A private family service was previously held. The family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. https://alzfdn. org

El Dorado County embraces spooky spirit

millions of Americans.

Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. To schedule an appointment, please call us. Rely on us to answer all your questions about dental treatments and procedures.

dentist.

Fluoridation has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of

Common sense tells us that regular dental care is more rewarding and less costly than correcting problems if they are left to linger. We provide complete, high quality dental care, using the most modern procedures. We offer “Tooth Print,” which is an impression of a child’s full mouth. About the size of a small wafer, the impression is given to the parent/guardian for the family album or for ID for a missing child.

P.S. Fluoride helps remineralize damaged enamel.

Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride are aglow with love on this pumpkin in Coloma.

General Manager Stephanie McGann Jantzen told the Mountain Democrat the district “will cooperate with law enforcement if they need anything from us.” Loewen resigned from his leadership position in December 2023. His announcement came several months after El Dorado Hills residents raised concerns about possible ethics and contract violations related to Loewen’s professional activities outside the district and his relationship with a CSD consultant. He served as general

manager January 2017 through December 2023, and had been employed with the district since February 2014.

Scandal began swirling around the former GM in July 2023 when an El Dorado Hills resident at an EDCHSD Board of Directors meeting

questioned the legality of a consulting business owned by Loewen.

Loewen filed reports with the El Dorado County Elections Department in 2021 and 2022 indicating his personal business, Placerville-based Synergy Behavioral Systems, generates between $10,000 and $100,000 of income annually. The board was asked to confirm outside consulting was allowed by Loewen’s employment contract and approved by the board.

Another EDH resident added a second layer to the probe when he said his search into Loewen’s professional activities outside the CSD indicated the thengeneral manager at one time worked for DTA while it had a contract with the district. That contract was not renewed a few months later.

An El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury investigation into the EDHCSD was launched, starting with Loewen’s outside working relationship with DTA and expanding into a broader investigation.

The 2023-24 grand jury concluded Loewen’s contract work for DTA, which at the same time had an agreement with the district to determine park fee assessments,

the east side to the west side so the contractor can begin building the curb, gutter and

“represented a potential serious conflict of interest as well as potential statutory and ethics violations.”

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office confirmed collaboration with the grand jury on that investigation due to potential criminal violations.

In July 2024, an independent investigation into Loewen confirmed a clear conflict of interest. Staff with law firm Van Dermyden Makus noted in their report, “Loewen’s agreement with DTA created a situation where his personal, financial interests could conflict with the district’s interests.” DTA assisted the CSD with its landscaping and lighting districts’ assessments, among other tasks, for several years.

The report also accused Loewen of withholding information and misleading investigators, releasing the following findings:

During the same time Loewen was acting as the district’s general manager, from 2016 to Dec. 13, 2023, he engaged in outside business activity by working for DTA as a part-time business development consultant/ senior manager.

EDHCSD board

members did not have sufficient information to meaningfully consent to Loewen’s work for DTA. Instead, the evidence demonstrates that since at least January 2022 through July 2023, Loewen deliberately withheld material information from the board that would have been relevant to their consideration in consenting to his outside consulting work for DTA.

One of Loewen’s business decisions for the district was improperly influenced by Loewen’s conflict of interest.

Loewen conducted outside business activity for DTA during the district’s ordinary business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Loewen violated the district’s Conflict of Interest Policy (Policy 3010) and the district’s Authorization for Outside Employment Policy (Policy 2380.60). Loewen, via his attorney, threatened to sue if the EDHCSD released the independent report but later backtracked on that threat. In a June 28, 2024, statement the former general manager apologized “for any missteps on his part in pursuing expanded employment and experience.”

sidewalk on the east side from the fairgrounds to Armory Drive. Traffic control will help guide vehicles and pedestrians through the area, but drivers should expect delays. Final paving is expected in early December. All work is weather dependent.

“I drive through this project every day, including weekends, and it’s wonderful to already see pedestrians using the new sidewalk. Safety improvements like this really make a big difference in the community,” Savage said. Weekly project updates are available at cityofplacerville.org/ placerville-drive-pedconnectivity.

Loewen Continued from A1

Far left, the Heeler family enjoys Halloween fun in downtown Placerville. Krisjon and Sophie Lyssand, dressed as Bandit and Chili Heeler, are all smiles with Brenlee, 3, dressed as Bluey and Birgit, 7 months, as Bingo. Center, Kasey Dean of Placerville came to the Spooktacular as painter Bob Ross — a fitting costume since Dean is also an artist, creating beautiful works at Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises. Left, firefighter Stetson D. Is escorted on his El Dorado Hills Town Center candy run by his traffic-coned parents, Luke and Jennifer.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Main Street in Placerville saw families getting into the spirit by creating group costumes that were sure to turn heads like the entire Bob’s Burger’s family , above left, created by a family who identified only as The Belchers. Above right, the whole family gets together to promote 17-month-old Remy Hensill’s fascination with garbage trucks. Left to right, mom Christa Dominick, dad Gardner Hensill, Remy, grandmother Diane Dominick and grandpa Chris Dominick all of El Dorado Hills.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Cougars win thriller over D-backs, get Gold Nugget trophy

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

Three years have passed since El Dorado High School varsity football head coach Kevin Placek and the program have held the Gold Nugget trophy on campus.

At the Union Mine High varsity football team’s field in El Dorado last Thursday, the Cougars’ drought came to an end. But not without a battle from the Diamondbacks.

In their Sierra Valley Conference finale and yearly battle for the trophy on Thursday, the teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half and then played solid defense in the second. Once the dust settled down, El Dorado (2-5 in the SVC, 3-7 overall) came away with a 17-16 win over Union Mine (2-5 in the SVC, 2-8).

“Defense, when we needed it the most, stood tall and made plays when we needed to make plays,” Placek said. “Our challenge this week was for them to be the most excited and most physical team on the field. I think, overall, on both sides of the ball, we were, by far, the most physical team on the field tonight.”

Union Mine head coach Brandon Pacheco added, “I am proud of the way our team competed after trailing by two possessions. Kids on both of these teams play a high volume of snaps and lay it on the line each week. It says a lot about their character and toughness.”

El Dorado won the 2022 game by a 45-13 score. Union Mine

recorded victories in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

In addition, El Dorado and Union Mine, under the SacJoaquin Section’s new post-season format, have earned bids to play in bowl games that will take place this Friday. The D-backs scored the first touchdown of Thursday’s game at the 2:56 mark in the first quarter. That was when running back Aiden Hausam took the football from quarterback Nathan Gregson and plowed his way through his own offensive line on a counter play on a 2-yard run. For an encore, Hausam scored again on the 2-point conversion, giving the D-backs an 8-0 lead. But the Cougars came roaring back in the quarter. A six-

play, 51-yard drive ended when El Dorado quarterback Hunter Rupley found an open receiver in Jesse Parker, who stretched to catch the ball in the middle of the end zone for the touchdown. Gerad Lemus booted the extra point, trimming the D-backs’ lead to an 8-7 advantage.

Moving into the second quarter, El Dorado had a lengthy offensive drive that was met with being whistled for penalties of an ineligible receiver and facemask, stalling the drive at the 50. But on fourth down and 9 yards to go, the Cougars called for a fake punt as Lemus threw an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Heath Morris for the first down at the Union Mine 39-yard line. Nine players later,

Oak Ridge silences Thunder, earns high playoff seed

Oak Ridge High School varsity football head coach Casey Taylor wanted his team to jump out to an early start against Rocklin High’s squad.

Three Trojan players adhered to their coach’s message immediately.

The lightning struck in the first quarter for Oak Ridge, which silenced the Thunder with a 34-14 Sierra Foothill League win on the Trojans’ field on Friday.

“We wanted to get off to a good start,” Taylor said. On top of the win, Oak Ridge (4-2 in the SFL, 7-3 overall) earned the No. 2 seed in the newly structured format for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs — Division I. The new playoff

format, which the section’s Board of Managers passed with a 55-2 vote in October, is now an eight-school format in Divisions I through VII, plus D-VIII that is eight-man football. In D-I, the Trojans will host No. 7 Central Catholic (4-2 in the Valley Oak League, 5-5) of Modesto in the playoff opener on Friday, Nov. 14.

Oak Ridge quarterback Nick Johnson, on the first play after his team received the game’s opening kickoff in which the ball was spotted at their own 35-yard line, threw a 50-yard strike to wide receiver Jack Granrud. The speedy Granrud looked like he was going to break the

El Dorado took the lead at 14-8 with 1:27 left in the quarter when running back Tyler Villa went up the middle of his own offensive line and the D-backs’ defensive line on a 5-yard run.

Ethen Duncan booted the extra-point kick through the uprights.

“We had a tough second quarter,” said Pacheco of his D-backs’ defense. “The kids rallied to give us a chance.”

El Dorado scored what would be its final touchdown of the game with 5 seconds remaining in the quarter. After the defense forced Union Mine to run four plays and a punt, the Cougars got the ball back on their own 43. Thanks to Rudley completing passes to Parker and

wide receiver Logan Kruse, the chains were moved to the Union Mine 17. That allowed Lemus to boot a 34-yard field goal for a 17-8 score.

Union Mine would also eat up time on the clock toward the end of the third quarter to score what would be its final touchdown of the game.

“El Dorado did a great job attacking our defensive front in the second quarter,” Pacheco said.

Hausam was the center spotlight again for the D-backs, taking the pitch from Gregson and crossed the plane on a 5-yard run. He also ran in the 2-point conversion for the 17-16 score. The D-backs also used trickery in the game, going for the

onside kick after the touchdown in which they recovered. The ball spotted at the El Dorado 48, Union Mine marched down the field to the Cougar 20. But on fourth and 3, the D-backs turned the ball over on downs.

El Dorado begun its final offensive drive at its own 20 and moved to the Union Mine 14 with two minutes left in the game. Then Placek decided to milk time off the clock by having his players wait on offense to move the ball for two plays. The Cougars ended the game lining up in victory formation for the win.

Rupley completed eight of 15 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown for the Cougars, who had 369 total offensive yards. Villa led the Cougars’ rushing game with 18 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Bowl games

In October, the section’s Board of Managers passed with a 55-2 vote for a new playoff format that allows only eight schools in Divisions I-VII and D-VIII that is eight-man football.

The new format also includes bowl games for teams that would have qualified for the playoffs in their respective divisions if ranked Nos. 9-16.

El Dorado will have one more game at Cougar Stadium in Placerville this Friday, hosting Golden Sierra (5-2 in the Sierra Delta League, 7-3). The two schools scrimmaged against each other a

n See TROJANS, page A8 n

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

Photo by Mike Bush

Oak Ridge middle linebacker Troy Taber (33) chases down the Rocklin quarterback in Friday’s Sierra Foothill League game in El Dorado Hills.

Photo by Mike Bush

El Dorado running back Tyler Villa (20) looks for room to run after taking the handoff from quarterback Hunter Rupley (7) while offensive lineman Eli White (58) blocks in Thursday’s Gold Nugget Game and SVC finale at Union Mine.

See COUGARS, page A8

Oak Ridge offensive tackle Troy Fleming (75) keeps the running lanes open for the ground game in Friday’s SFL contest.

OPINION

California Matters

Even California’s iconic industries are cutting back in this sluggish economy

As Gov. Gavin Newsom

ramps up what appears to be a 2028 White House bid, a mainstay of his pitch during television interviews and social media appearances is California’s economy.

As Newsom tells it, the state’s $4-trillionplus annual economic output is not only the fourth largest in the world, were it a nation, but it’s a model of entrepreneurial vigor and programs advancing equity. Were it only true.

A year ago, the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, indirectly blew the whistle on Newsom’s braggadocio.

“California’s economy has been in an extended slowdown for the better part of two years, characterized by a soft labor market and weak consumer spending,” Petek wrote while outlining the state’s deﬁcit-ridden budget dilemma.

“While this slowdown has been gradual and the severity milder than a recession, a look at recent economic data paints a picture of a sluggish economy. Outside of government and health care, the state has added no jobs in a year and a half.”

Nothing has changed since then.

Employment has been stuck at virtually the same level for a couple of years. At 5.5%, California’s unemployment rate is the highest of any state, with more than a million workers lacking jobs.

Silicon Valley has been shedding jobs for the past several years as it shifts emphasis to arti cial intelligence.

Meanwhile, the state has been overspending its revenues, creating what budget experts call a “structural deﬁcit,” meaning spending programs locked into law are greater than the reliable income to fund them.

California really can’t a ord those compassionate services Newsom boasts about creating. He and the Legislature, amid great fanfare, extended state-paid medical care to undocumented immigrants, only to be forced to roll it back after costs turned out to be double their estimate.

It should be noted that what Petek saw a year ago, and remains fundamentally true today, pre-dates Donald Trump’s becoming president, so blaming him, which Newsom attempted earlier this year, is groundless.

One of the most troubling aspects of California’s wheel-spinning economy is the turmoil in two revered sectors, high technology in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California’s movie and television production industry.

Silicon Valley has been shedding jobs for the past several years as it shifts emphasis to

■ See WALTERS, page A9

Letters to the Editor

AI power crisis

EDITOR:

The cartoon in the Oct. 31 Opinion section showing AI Energy usage as a vampire on an innocent maiden with the American ﬂag is both timely and insightful — but not because it is Halloween. This unreported story of this year is the explosive growth of massive data centers, primarily built in California, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and parts of the East that are consuming massive amounts of electricity and potable water. Make no mistake, your solar panels and “battery walls” will not compensate for growing energy costs and potential electrical “brown outs” due to data center commercial, priority demand 24 hours a day. Yes, commercial data centers have contracted, priority access to electricity that puts you the consumer behind them in terms of need. Your only protection is a complete “o grid” solution and that isn’t likely sustainable for most Californians. Why? The simple math shows the problem clearly. If you conﬁgure eight computing servers, built for AI processing, in a single rack, the power demand is approximately 35,712–47,616 kWh/ month. A single data center may have up to 100

(or more) of these racks conﬁgured. That’s a total of almost 36,000,000 kWh per month.

In one month, El Dorado County’s residential consumption nears 46,000,000 kWh. Put simply, a single AI data center consumes almost as much as all the residential electricity from El Dorado County for one month. If that doesn’t cause you concern, consider that big tech companies all over the country are racing to build out many of these electrical vampires. Over 10 have already broken ground in the Western states.

But wait, there’s more. Each of these massive data centers require about 4,000-acre feet of water a year to operate using evaporative cooling — where the water is converted to vapor and cannot be recovered or recycled. So, 10 data centers would drain Sly Park reservoir each year since it holds about 41000-acre feet of water. Next time you get a “shame letter” or email from PGE about your power use or hear about another rate hike or change to your solar system compensation, consider how much AI will impact your quality of life and cost of living.

Guest column

Rural seniors in California are facing a healthcare crisis

As a professional advisor with over a decade of experience specializing in the ﬁnancial security of California’s elderly, especially in rural communities, I feel compelled to sound the alarm on an imminent crisis that threatens the very foundation of long-term care in our state. Unless Congress acts swiftly, thousands of Californians could lose access to vital pharmaceutical services and long-term care.

This crisis stems from impending changes to Medicare Part D drug pricing, set to take e ect on Jan. 1, 2026. While I support the worthy intentions of reforms to reduce

prescription drug costs, these same reforms unintentionally put long-term-care pharmacies at risk. As many as 60% of LTC pharmacies could be forced to close at least one of their locations due to the new pricing model.

This could have catastrophic consequences, especially for rural seniors — especially those in El Dorado County.

LTC pharmacies do far more than ﬁll prescriptions. They provide a full suite of services that no retail pharmacy can match: 24/7/365 medication management, patientspeciﬁc packaging, and medication delivery. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities depend on

Without action, we risk triggering a healthcare collapse in California’s rural communities. We risk leaving our most vulnerable neighbors without access to medications, care or the dignity they deserve …

these pharmacies to comply with federal requirements for safe, timely pharmaceutical care.

Nowhere is this interdependence more critical than in California’s rural regions. One LTC pharmacy may serve dozens of facilities spread across vast areas. If that pharmacy were to shut its doors, the ripple e ects would be devastating. Nursing homes may be forced to close because they can no longer meet their legal obligations to residents. The result? In California, this means that the nearly 10,000 seniors in rural areas with LTC needs are unable to access the services they

currently depend on.

More than ﬁve million Medicare beneﬁciaries rely on long-term care, and one in four reside in a facility that utilizes LTC pharmacies. These patients are among the most medically vulnerable — individuals living with multiple chronic conditions, cognitive impairments or mobility limitations. They cannot simply switch to a local retail pharmacy. In many cases, there isn’t one within driving distance, and even if there were, retail pharmacies aren’t

MATT SILVEIRA

Placerville

DAN WALTERS

RONNIE JANSON

equipped to provide the high-level services these patients require and only LTC pharmacies can fulfill. Fortunately, there is a solution — and time is of the essence.

HR 5031, a bipartisan bill currently before Congress, would create a modest $30 flat fee for each Medicare Part D drug dispensed by an LTC pharmacy. This fee would offset the revenue shortfalls created by the new drug pricing system, ensuring that LTC pharmacies can continue providing essential services. Importantly, this solution preserves drug cost savings for seniors

while stabilizing the infrastructure required to deliver them. Without action, we risk triggering a healthcare collapse in California’s rural communities. We risk leaving our most vulnerable neighbors without access to medications, care or the dignity they deserve in their later years.

Pass H.R. 5031 and protect long-term care for the seniors.

Ronnie Janson is a Golden Years Policy Council board member. He’s based in El Dorado County and is a financial advisor specializing in retirement planning and insurance.

Letters Continued from A6

Selective outrage

EDITOR:

I’m writing in response to Congressman McClintock’s recent column in the Mountain Democrat. I appreciate that he voted to defend free speech — that’s something every American should stand behind. But freedom loses its meaning when it’s used to excuse selective outrage. His focus on “leftist violence,” as if unrest and extremism exist only on one side, ignores reality and only serves to sow division in our community when we most need to come together. While violence has surfaced at times across the spectrum, the data tell a clearer story: far more incidents in recent years have come from rightwing extremists, according to law-enforcement data and independent research. The point isn’t to keep score; it’s that violence from any direction is wrong. Congressman McClintock’s repeated return to this theme distorts the truth and turns fear into a political tool — a path no democracy should travel. Even more troubling is his silence on real violence that undermines our Constitution. We’ve seen unidentified, costumed agents attacking, detaining, and kidnapping people — citizens and non-citizens alike — based solely on appearance. When officers refuse to identify themselves, how can anyone trust they’re acting under lawful authority? Such actions violate the principles of habeas corpus and due process — the cornerstones of American freedom. Staying silent in the face of that isn’t protecting liberty; it’s abandoning it.

Our community — and our country — deserve leaders who bring people together, not tear at the fabric that binds us. I urge Congressman McClintock to reject the politics of selective outrage and lead with unity, integrity and respect for all Americans.

JAMIE LOW

Placerville

Sucker punch retribution

EDITOR:

George Lloyd’s letter comically titled “restoring justice” reminds me of that kid in the schoolyard that would sucker punch you and then complain to the teacher when they’re hit back. Hillary physically destroyed subpoenaed evidence and got no more than an off-the-record chat with Comey. The New York attorney general runs for office on a platform of “get Trump” and then looks for a way to do it. The FBI lies to the FISA court to enable the Democrats to use the entire intelligence apparatus of the federal government to spy on the Trump campaign (Watergate on steroids). The FBI also sits on Hunter’s laptop they knew was genuine until after the election in order to support Biden. So now we have the George Lloyds of the world running and crying to the teacher that the guy they just sucker punched hit them back. Typical.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

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

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

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

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

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

PLAY CRIBBAGE

Join the Gold Country CribbersWe

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

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see

Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

Trojan runners tackle league championship course

Special to the Mountain Democrat

Oak Ridge High School cross country athletes competed well at the Sierra Foothill Cross Country Championships at William Jessup University on Nov. 1. “It was a perfect morning for racing with mild temperatures and blue skies,” noted coach Rob Fairley. “The competition was highly competitive. The SFL is a very strong league in cross country.”

ORHS varsity boys placed 3rd with 71 points. The varsity girls placed 3rd with 61 points. The JV boys placed 3rd with 82 points. The JV girls had no team score because they only had four runners (five required

for team score). The JV runners competed on a 2-mile course with hills while the varsity runners competed on a 3-mile course with hills.

Fairley noted the varsity boys’ team was missing Thomas Capelli, a consistent top finisher, because he was ill. The varsity girls’ team was not at 100% because Lauren Tiedeman competed and was not fully recovered from her illness, the coach added.

Top 7 varsity boys

Roman Zanora, 6th, 15:14.0 (1st Team AllLeague)

Wesley Ewing, 14th, 15:53.8 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Dax Whann, 16th, 16:02.4 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Oscar Carrillo, 17th,

16:02.6 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Bailey Van Leemput, 18th, 16:02.7 (2nd Team All-League)

Ben Gutierrez, 22nd, 16:13.2

Austin Mackovic, 23rd, 16:17.6

Top 7 varsity girls

Adriana Ingargiola, 5th, 17:53.1 (1st Team All-League)

Giuliana Martino, 8th, 18:05.3 (1st Team AllLeague)

Maya Day, 14th, 18:19.5 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Emi Madsen, 15th, 18:20.6 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Addie Yip, 19th, 18:36.4 (2nd Team AllLeague)

Sutton Paulsen, 22nd, 18:40.9

Lauren Tiedeman,

Belt Championships. The group of 29 brought home 10 1st-place trophies and gold medals, and several athletes were runner-ups in the events that included forms, sparring and weapons.

plane but was tackled at the Thunder 15.

“We felt we had a couple of good match ups outside,” Taylor said. “Then on first down, we took advantage … kind of go after it and got a big play.”

Four plays later, Trojan running back Jasen Womack, who started the season at wide receiver, took a snap out of the team’s Wildcat formation and bulldozed his way through his

offensive line for a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:58 left on the clock in the first quarter. Kyle Boeker booted the extra point for Oak Ridge, which led 7-0.

“Our running game has been picking up over the last couple of weeks since we moved Jasen back there and kind of have some more different sets,” said Taylor of Womack at running back. “I thought it was really key to get

up on them (early).”

Rocklin (1-5 in the SFL, 5-5) went through three plays and punted the ball after its first offensive drive. Then the Trojans, receiving the punt return, extended their lead with 4:09 remaining in the same quarter.

An eight-play, 44-yard drive ended when Boeker came back on the field, this time booting a 29-yard field goal. That led to the Trojans’ 10-0 advantage.

The Trojans’ defense got the ball back on offense when outside linebacker Ben Rivas recovered a Rocklin fumble at the Thunder 42.

“That was great (to) set the tone,” said Taylor of the Trojans’ defense.

31st, 19:15.1

JV girls top 20

Serapha O’Sullivan, 9th, 12:25.2 (received a medal for placing in the top 10)

Emily Capelli, 12th, 12:46.8

Sade Yimer, 16th, 13:05.7

JV boys top 20

Filip Kruckenberg,

2nd, 10:22.4 (received a medal for placing in the top 10)

Braden Laxamana, 3rd, 10:22.9 (received a medal for placing in the top 10)

Jack Clarke, 16th, 10:56.4

The next meet for the Oak Ridge cross country teams will be the subsections at Calaveras

County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp on Nov. 8. Athletes will compete on the 2-mile course for frosh/soph athletes and a 3-mile course for varsity athletes. Teams from all over the Sac-Joaquin Section will compete. It is a qualifier for the section meet on Nov. 15 at the Willow Hills course in Folsom.

Grand Slam of Curling takes over Tahoe

STATELINE, NEV. — The Curling Group announced the official tournament schedule and confirmed matchups for the first-ever U.S. stop on the Grand Slam of Curling circuit, the KIOTI GSOC Tahoe. Through Nov. 9, the Tahoe Blue Event Center transforms into a world-class curling arena, hosting 32 elite teams from seven nations, including Olympic medalists, world champions and national titleholders from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Scotland, Switzerland, Japan and other curling powerhouses.

“We are bringing the best athletes in the world to one of the most beautiful places in the country, and we are going to throw a party around it,” said Nic Sulsky, co-founder and CEO of The Curling Group. “Fans who have never seen a rock thrown are going to fall in love with the sport and diehards are going to get something they have never experienced. This will be one of the most exciting weeks of our calendar and one fans won’t want to miss.”

Tournament details

The round-robin tournament kicked off Nov. 4 to determine which eight teams advance to the playoffs. The drama will build toward the weekend, with semifinals set for Saturday, Nov. 8, before champions are crowned on Sunday, Nov. 9. Teams have been divided into four pools based on their international rankings, ensuring a

remaining in the quarter. Boeker’s kick was good.

Rocklin and Oak Ridge scored a touchdown each in the second quarter.

The visiting Thunder found themselves on the scoreboard at 5:55 when quarterback Reeve Slone tossed the ball to wide receiver Greyson Smith, who was in the back of the end zone when he pulled in an 11-yard TD reception. Grant McGarry’s kick was good for a 17-7 score.

The Trojans added their final touchdown before halftime at 1:05 when Womack scored again, also out of the Wildcat formation, on a 9-yard run. The extrapoint kick sailed through the uprights for a 24-7 score.

balanced and competitive field. Each team will play three games within its pool plus one crossover matchup, with playoff positions determined by standings at the conclusion of roundrobin play.

Known as the sport’s premier series, the Grand Slam is often compared to major tournaments in golf or tennis, where the best in the world compete for championships that define careers. This year’s event will be headlined by NFL Hall of Famer Jared Allen and his AllStar team featuring two-time Olympic gold medalist John Morris, and Jason Smith, U.S. Men’s Champion (2009), U.S. Mixed Doubles Champion (2016) and Olympian (2010). The full tournament schedule is online, giving fans a first look at all matchups and draw times. Follow along with every match and highlights throughout the week on thegrandslamofcurling.com or rockchannel.com.

Off-ice activities

Beyond the competition, GSOC Tahoe will offer a variety of off-ice experiences for fans throughout the week, including tailgate events, live music, themed nightlife and special promotions at partner venues around Lake Tahoe. Highlights include evening gatherings at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, the Golden Nugget and Bally’s Lake Tahoe, giving fans multiple ways to celebrate and connect with athletes off the ice. A full schedule and fan info is available on the Fans Information Page.

Defense led to the Trojans’ final score in the fourth quarter for a 34-7 score. Womack, who is a free safety on defense, stepped in front of a Slone pass and raced 18 yards to the end zone. The extra-point kick was good.

Rocklin’s final touchdown came at 6:02 left in the game when Slone threw his second TD pass, also to Smith, of 18 yards. The kick was good for the final score.

Oak Ridge had 331 total offensive yards in the game. Johnson was a perfect 4 for 4 for 123 yards and a touchdown.

The Trojans’ other quarterback in Luke Taber was 5 of 6 for 81 yards.

Womack had 22 carries for 80 yards on the ground. Rivas, a sophomore, had 4 receptions for 71 yards.

Scoreboard

The first play after the fumble, Oak Ridge found the end zone again through the air for a 17-0 lead. Johnson threw a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Evan Hensley with 2:01

Oak Ridge had the only touchdown in the third quarter, extending its lead to 27-7 at 6:28 when Boeker booted his second field goal of the game of 31 yards.

Ponderosa – In a Capital Valley Conference game in Sacramento also on Friday, Ponderosa (3-3 in the CVC, 6-4) fell to

conference champion Inderkum (6-0 in the CVC, 9-1) by a 37-13 score. Inderkum held a 16-7 halftime lead. But the Tigers roared in the second half, scoring two touchdowns. Although the Bruins scored a TD in the quarter, Inderkum increased its lead to 30-13. The Tigers scored for the final time in the fourth quarter. Bruin quarterback Colton Ridgley completed 13 of 27 passes for 163 yards. Running back Marshall Alvernaz had 16 carries for 67 yards and scored both Bruins’ touchdowns on the ground. On defense, Mason Schade had 12 tackles for Ponderosa, while teammate Tucker Soriano had eight. Ponderosa has also earned a playoff berth in D-III. The No. 7 seed, Ponderosa will make the trek to Stanislaus County to take on No. 2 Oakdale (5-1 in the Valley Oak League, 8-2). This playoff game will be on Nov. 14.

Courtesy photo

Congratulations to the Foothill and Cameron Park Taekwondo athletes who recently competed in the Pacific-5-Star Black

Courtesy photos

Oak Ridge High School cross country runners join athletes from other schools to celebrate another successful Sierra Foothill Cross Country Championship event.

EDHCSD getting new master plan

Noel Stack Editor

With big ideas and a lot of open space ready for recreation, the El Dorado Hills Community Services District has awarded a contract for a comprehensive update to the EDHCSD Park and Facility Master Plan.

Directors unanimously approved a $268,980 contract with RJM Design Group at the Oct. 9 meeting.

The master plan is “a strategic, longterm planning document that provides the framework for the development and maintenance of parks, recreation facilities and services within the district,” states a staff report included in the agenda packet.

The master plan establishes a vision and goals framework driven by community engagement for a fiscally responsible future of district projects and programming.

Addressing:

• The need for new parks and recreational facilities (e.g., neighborhood parks, sports complexes, trails, community centers);

• Upgrades or expansion of existing parks and facilities;

• Long-term maintenance and operational requirements;

• Community needs assessments based on population growth projections, recreational trends and feedback from residents.

This is the second time staff has recommended a contract with RJM; concerns about costs derailed the first request for proposal process earlier this year.

EDHCSD Interim General Manager Stephanie McGann Jantzen told directors, “I think they’re best suited for what we need. Their portfolio

of clients they’ve worked for are very aligned with special districts, cities, etc.”

While in support of a master plan, El Dorado Hills resident Chris Nicholson cautioned the board not to go overboard.

“We’ve got so many ideas and we can put $100 million, $500 million, a billion dollars of great ideas on there, but my request would be that a deliverable for the master plan is an annotation or a segmentation between projects that are reasonably achievable with the district’s existing financial resources,” he said. “Like, these are things we can do without having to go out to the public and get people to agree to pitch in by raising their taxes.

“Have a separate section of aspirational things, where, with appropriate funding, if the community gets behind it, we can dream this dream,” he continued. “But separate them, because I’d hate to have all the energy go towards things that we can’t do.”

EDHCSD Parks and Recreation

Commissioner Wayne Lowery noted RJM’s proposal does just that and supported staff’s recommendation to move forward with the firm. It was also noted that RJM’s bid had not changed from the first RFP go-round.

“It looks like a thorough, comprehensive firm and looks like they’ll do a great job,” Director Mike Martinelli noted before the vote. “It’s obviously very much needed. We kind of need to know where we are and where we’re going, and so forth.”

Martinelli seconded Director Heidi Hannaman’s motion to approve the contract with Director Noelle Mattock and board President Stephen Ferry also voting in favor.

TRPA honors local stewards with 2025 Lake Spirit Awards

Jeff Cowen

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

LAKE TAHOE — On Oct. 22 the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency recognized five individuals for their outstanding dedication to protecting and restoring Lake Tahoe as this year’s Lake Spirit Award recipients.

Established in 2011, the Lake Spirit Awards shine a light on individuals who go above and beyond to safeguard Lake Tahoe’s unique environment. Nominated by their peers, these community leaders embody stewardship through leadership, volunteerism, and everyday actions that make a lasting difference in the region.

Citizens Tim Kosier — A decade-long volunteer with UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships and Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, Kosier has dedicated countless hours educating others about the science and stewardship of Lake Tahoe.

Sydney Morrow — As Glenbrook Homeowners Association director and FireWise coordinator, Morrow has shown exceptional leadership in protecting her community and Lake Tahoe from wildfire risk through proactive planning and collaboration.

Agency representatives

Tom Berndt — Lead roving inspector with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program, Berndt has been instrumental in protecting the lake from invasive species through community education and in-person outreach at popular beaches and paddle

Walters Continued from A6

artificial intelligence. Last week’s announcement that Amazon is cutting 14,000 jobs — and may eventually double that number as it focuses on AI — was a jolt.

Not all of those cuts are in California, of course, but the online seller has been heavily involved in California, operating multiple warehouses.

“We expect to continue hiring in key strategic areas while also finding additional places we can remove layers, increase ownership, and realize efficiency gains,” Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience, said in a memo to employees.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

spots.

Kirstin Guinn — Marketing director for North Tahoe Community Alliance, Guinn is an innovative communicator leading collaborative education and outreach in the regional shift to destination stewardship and helping create a tourism economy that gives back.

Lifetime achievement

Jim Baetge — Baetge’s leadership has left an enduring mark on Lake Tahoe. Having served as executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency from 1994-2002, his lifelong dedication is deeply woven into the health of the lake. It was under Baetge’s leadership that TRPA spearheaded the ban on carbureted two-stroke boat engines, cutting polluting gasoline compounds in the water by 90% — a landmark achievement for water quality. He was also the visionary of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, laying the foundation for decades of collaborative restoration surpassing $3 billion in investments to date. The EIP is now heralded as one of the most successful landscape-scale, publicprivate conservation initiatives in the United States. His vision, integrity and unwavering dedication will continue to shape the Tahoe Basin far into the future.

“The Lake Spirit Awards celebrate the often-unsung champions of Tahoe,” said TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan. “Their efforts show us that caring for Lake Tahoe is something we do together, and that steady, thoughtful action can make an exceptional impact for the health of the lake.”

For more details visit trpa.gov/awards.

Meanwhile, the Paramount production conglomerate, a mainstay of the Southern California entertainment industry for decades, also announced payroll cuts as new owners took over. Paramount recently began cutting about 1,000 employees, the initial cohort of what could be much deeper cuts. David Ellison, Paramount’s new boss, said the reduction is aimed at “building a strong foundation for the future.”

The layoffs hit not only Paramount’s movie production, but also staff at its CBS television subsidiary, MTV and Comedy Central. The Los Angeles Times reported that another 1,000 jobs are expected to be cut later, bringing the total reduction to about 10% of Paramount’s workforce.

Movie and TV production in Southern California has been declining for years as companies have coped with high costs and been lured to other states or nations with lower costs and subsidies. Another iconic movie company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is currently for sale.

Despite California’s budget woes, Newsom and the Legislature increased state tax credits — in effect, cash subsidies — for in-state TV and movie productions to $750 million this year. But the hemorrhage has continued.

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

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Real connection isn’t built from good manners or social maneuvers; it’s built from attention. You’re genuinely curious, and others feel it. Let silence do some of the work. People will reveal themselves when you don’t rush to fill space.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). For now, relationships feel unusually clear and predictable. Actions directly lead to the expected reactions. There’s no emotional fog. There’s also no nuance. If you’re kind, you get kindness back; if you withdraw, people pull away. The simplicity is refreshing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Give up on trying to make everything perfect. You’re good at the task, and you get even better as you go, because you keep making the efforts. But if you constantly criticize and judge yourself, you won’t have the energy to continue and improve.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The fickle forces of external motivation can be helpful sometimes, but they’re unreliable. Instead of chasing bursts of inspiration, build structures that will make it easier to do the things you know will help you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t be afraid to goof off. Silliness is what puts you at your attractive best. Others are drawn to your carefree spirit. Someone you pull into your orbit will be delighted to stay there.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s something you’re trying to express, heal or understand. It’s quieter than the demands of the day, but don’t let the world distract you from this true purpose, which is so worthy of your focus. Remember your personal “why.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Strength will show up in your life as integrity. It won’t look like someone lifting improbable weight; it will look like consistent, grounded, predictable effort. Dominance and force are kinds of strength, but they’re not the kind you’re interested in.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your instincts are golden. You’ll simply act as though moved by providence, and the successful outcome will say it all. The outcome may not come immediately, though. In time a bright logic will emerge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Feelings are like clouds, constantly changing shape. Even as you identify with a feeling deeply, it’s not who you are. The moment of discomfort isn’t you. The moment of elation isn’t either. Today, you’ll ride these feelings to your next destination. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The power of reciprocal energy will be a theme. You’ll take part in that which replenishes you instead of depleting you. For instance, exercise takes energy, but the return is an even greater vitality than you had before.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Everything you’ve

by Holiday Mathis

SUDOKU

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Nov. 5

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District presents Shaping EDH with the GM, a public meeting with interim General Manager Stephanie McGann Jantzen, 5:30 p.m. at the EDHCSD pavilion. The meeting will feature guest speakers with El Dorado Disposal and Cal Recycle.

Mind Games Trivia Night hosted by Amber “Lucky” Stann will take place, 7-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents Opera on the Go with Goldie B. Locks & the Three Singing Bears, The beloved children’s story brought to life like never before. The free, all ages event will take place at 37750 Sacramento St., Yolo. For tickets and more information call (916) 4765975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Dog Mom” through Nov. 30 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Nov. 6

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting at Beck’s Shoes in Hangtown Square, Placerville for its one year anniversary from 4-6 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the Granite City Workspaces Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 5-7 p.m. at 705 Gold Lake Drive, Folsom. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.

org.

Placerville Arts Association will host the 59th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition through Nov. 22 at the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova. For more information visit placervillearts.com.

Studio 81 at El Dorado High School presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 7 p.m. and continuing through Nov. 15. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.

Ponderosa High School Theater presents “Peter and the Starcatcher” at 7 p.m. and continuing through Nov 15. For tickets and more information visit pondodrama.com.

Oak Ridge High School Theater presents “12 Angry Jurors” at 7 p.m. and continuing through Nov. 15. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.

Theatre at the Mine at Union Mine High School presents “The Play that Goes Wrong” at 7 p.m. and continuing through Nov 15. For tickets and more information visit onthestage. tickets/union-mine-highschool.

Masons Children (19661973 Grateful Dead experience) will perform, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” through Nov. 9. For tickets and more information

Lights, camera, Shakespeare Studio 81 takes “Midsummer” to Hollywood

Lights, camera, Shakespeare

Odin Rasco Mountain Democrat correspondent

El Dorado High School’s Studio 81 Theatre program is set to kick off its 2025-26 season Thursday, Nov. 6, with a freshly-imagined adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. Merging the magic of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the vintage glitz of 1920s Hollywood, the adaptation is the work of local language arts and theatre educator (known to Sugarloaf participants as “Drama Mama”) and children’s book author Erin Dealey.

“We had wanted to do a story involving a 1920s Hollywood sort of thing, and the way it worked with “Midsummer” was actually really smooth; it’s come together really great,” Studio 81 director and longtime EDHS drama teacher Paul Tomei explained. “Of course, that’s thanks to Drama Mama.”

For the Bard averse or the otherwise uninitiated, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of Shakespeare’s comedies and one of his mostloved and mostperformed plays. The plot involves a variety of crossed paths and overlapping storylines, including a troupe of bumbling performers, four lovers, a pending marriage and mischief made by fairies in the forest one summer night. Lovers are deceived, pranks are

pulled and one actor, Bottom (Mason Crosby), is made an ass of — literally.

Some of the adaptation’s choices feel perfectly suited for the material — iconic star of the silver screen Charlie Chaplin (Stanford Salvi) fills the role of the playful prankster Puck, while Peter Quince (Kyla Nielsen), head of the travelling troupe known as the Mechanicals, is a film director.

“I like it a lot, with

how it’s reimagined,” Nielsen said. “I feel like it brings a little bit more of modernness to it, having a lot more fun with but still respecting the work of Shakespeare.”

The reimagining has proved a hit with the cast, with multiple students speaking to how it helped them connect to the source material in a new and interesting way.

“I like how Erin Dealey adapted this

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

The cast at El Doroado High School’s Studio 81 take on Erin Dealey’s fresh adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opening Nov. 6.

After a trick by Puck transforms a wandering performer, Bottom (Mason Crosby) into a donkey, the fairies, led by Titania ( Nevaeh Andrews) cast a spell to change him back.

Plant now for a thriving garden and a brighter future

Amina Sharma California Native Plant Society

SACRAMENTO — As autumn colors blanket California’s landscapes, fall planting season begins. The California Native Plant Society is urging gardeners to adopt native plants for the variety of benefits they bring. This year, the organization is highlighting the benefits of native plants for wildlife with new online tools and resources.

“Fall rains are here, and it’s time to get our plants in the ground,” said CNPS Horticulture Program Manager Ann-Marie Benz. “Planting in the fall or early winter helps set your garden up for success, and there’s never been a more important time to bring native plants into the places where we live, work and play.”

California has over 6,500 types of native plants — more than any other state — and 40% of North America’s native bees. Yet, California is also the state with the highest number of species at risk of extinction.

“We are facing the real-time impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change,” said CNPS Senior Director of Public Affairs Liv O’Keeffe.

Conservation efforts like the global movement to protect 30% of lands and coastal waters, including California’s 30x30 initiative, aim to reduce or slow the trajectory of these crises.

“But we all have a role to play," O’Keeffe continued. "One way we can make a difference in our own communities is through complementary actions like gardening with native plants. With 94% of Californians living in urban areas, native plant gardening can help restore our own connections to the natural world, as we support the wildlife around us.”

Calscape.org, CNPS’s California native plant gardening website, includes features that help gardeners determine which plants are beneficial to local wildlife. “Think of it as a dating site for plants and wildlife,” said Benz. “Wildlife need plants for food, shelter, and shade, and plants need wildlife to pollinate flowers, disperse seeds, improve the health of the soil, or remove invasive pests.”

Calscape users can filter the website’s plant search by plants that support birds, bees, bats, butterflies and caterpillars. The Butterfly Finder on Calscape will match butterflies with the native plants that serve as host plants.

CNPS also invites visitors to try out Calscape’s pollinator companion tool (now in beta). This new resource uses plant-pollinator data to suggest native plants that support the greatest diversity of pollinators in an ecoregion.

Pick up a previously enjoyed treasure

he Placerville Shakespeare Club will host a special winter rummage sale on Saturday, Nov. 22, beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 4 p.m. at its clubhouse, located at 2940 Bedford Ave. in Placerville.

Organizers say the one-day sale will feature warm winter clothing — coats, jackets and sweaters — as well as festive holiday decorations and a wide array of gift items under the tree: jewelry, toys, puzzles and games. Shoppers are encouraged to come early for the best bargains. About the club

Founded on May 2, 1897, by 20 women in Placerville, the Placerville Shakespeare Club originally brought together members to read and discuss literature. In 1901 the club joined the California Federation of Women’s Clubs and shifted toward community-service efforts, initiating projects such as a free kindergarten and environmental advocacy.

For more information visit placervilleshakespeare.com.

Gardeners who are growing fruits and vegetables can also use the tool to get recommendations of plants that attract shared pollinators and help boost yield. Learn more about the pollinator companion tool, which arose from doctoral research at University of California, Riverside, in the latest issue of CNPS’s magazine, Flora.

Once gardeners have identified the wildlife-friendly plants for their gardens, they can use Calscape to build custom plant lists and then find nearby native plant nurseries who carry those plants. In addition, CNPS chapters are hosting fall plant sales and events across California. Connecting with a local chapter not only provides access to native plants but also in-depth resources and support for building a thriving native garden.

Visit cnps.org/fallplanting to learn about upcoming CNPS chapter events.

‘River of Light” shines bright

Mimi Escabar

Special Sections editor

“River of Light,” authored by Wendy Schultz, takes readers on a young girl’s journey through her formative years to young adulthood. Those younger years for Fresno Bakersfield Ingersoll are full of turmoil thanks to her family life. Her mother is constantly moving Fresno and her younger brother from town to town. Her father is not in the picture. She dislikes her unique name and to top it off she can hear unborn children’s thoughts. This gift is suppressed by her family who definitely don’t want it cultivated or even talked about.

She solves the name problem by becoming Clare and finds a stable home life when she goes to live with her grandmother. The grandmother lives in El Dorado County and many of the locales in the book take place in familiar places for El Dorado County readers.

After several years her life starts to get complicated again with the return of her father, shared family secrets and the pregnancy of her college roommate.

Schultz, a retired Mountain Democrat reporter and columnist, enjoys creating interesting characters and she accomplished this in “River of Light.”

“What I enjoy most about writing books is creating characters. Giving them things to do and feel, and then watching their interactions with each other and their environment,” Schultz said.

When she worked at the Mountain Democrat she had to stick to the facts and not embellish the story. When it comes to writing a book it all changes.

“In writing an article for the newspaper, I am constrained by the facts. To me, it’s super important to present things clearly and accurately for readers to make up their own minds without my spin. In column writing, there is the freedom to express an opinion based on the facts and to write about anything that interests me. … Fiction writing is just plain lying, so it’s very fun. I don’t lie any other place in my life, if I can help it. But, in books, anyone I create can do anything I wish — I just have to make it work,” she said.

Other than getting to fabricate story lines, Schultz also likes what comes after getting the words on the page.

“My favorite part about writing a book is actually after I’ve completed the first draft. I love editing the book — polishing the gem, so to speak. It gives me a chance to step back and look at the book as a whole, tweak parts that don’t seem to move well and to

clarify what I want the book to say. That’s also the part of the process that I enjoy most after creating the characters,” she said.

The urge to write comes from her curiosity and seeking new information.

“I’m a huge reader and a trivia collector. I pick up little tidbits of information from reading and just being alive. My curiosity pushes me to find out more — or to create a character or story from something I’ve wondered about,” she said. “For example, I heard about the Orphan Train on a CBS news segment and immediately wanted to know all about the movement. I created two orphaned characters who make a brief appearance in my first book and then have their own book, later. Haven’t finished that one.”

Schultz now lives in Oceanside with her husband and a rambunctious terrier. More books are in the future and maybe a visit to do book signings in El Dorado County.

To learn more visit WendyKSchultz.net.

No Kings Alliance urges support

News release A

s millions of Americans face the loss of federal food assistance, the No Kings Alliance is urging people to support mutual aid funds and local food banks in their communities. The call to action comes in response to the Trump administration’s decision to halt food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which serves more than 42 million people, including about 16 million children

and 8 million seniors.

The organization outlined three ways to help. Individuals can donate money to local food banks or mutual aid networks to directly support families affected by the shutdown. They can also collect and distribute essential supplies such as food, clothing and menstrual products to community shelters. In addition, the alliance encourages residents to host give-back drives in their neighborhoods, with resources and information available at NoKings.org. Visit NoKings.org/alliance to learn more.

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

Photo by Tony Tubbs

A hummingbird enjoys some hummingbird sage.

“River of Light” is currently available on Amazon.

Student opportunities expand through partnership

Jessica Trumble News release

Gold Oak Union School District is excited to see new growth blooming at Pleasant Valley Middle School through its partnership with Project Green, a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing school gardening programs to El Dorado County schools.

PVMS and Project Green have been working diligently to create a vibrant garden on campus — a space where students can enjoy gardening together during lunch, harvest fruits and vegetables to share as a community, and connect the beauty of the garden not only to wellness but also to the rich history of farming and agriculture in the Pleasant Valley area.

“Project Green is thrilled to announce its new partnership with GOUSD.” said Gina Johnston, founder and executive director of Project Green. “Collaborating with the students of PVMS and Jessica Trumble to design and build the school’s new garden from the ground up has been an inspiring and rewarding experience. We look forward to nurturing this space and watching it flourish for many years to come.”

Dedicated parent, PTO secretary and volunteer Tasha Lockhart has recently taken the role of garden coordinator for PVMS. She will help lead the continued development of the garden while providing students with weekly opportunities to explore gardening during lunchtime and “Fun Fridays.” Her goal is to foster connection, learning and camaraderie as students experience the joy of growing new life from the ground up.

For more information about GOUSD, visit gousd.org.

For more information about Project Green, visit projectgreencommunity.org.

DAY HIKER

Magnolia Ranch Trailhead

A versatile trail network for all seasons

Highway 49 offers several access points to the South Fork of the American River in El Dorado County, each with its own character and appeal. One standout is the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead, located between the towns of Pilot Hill and Coloma.

This popular spot has become a hub for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers alike, offering trails that cater to various levels and interests. Have you explored Magnolia Ranch Trailhead? Share your experiences using #DayHikerCA!

Trail

options

From the parking lot, you have two primary trail options: Gerle Loop

This easy 2.5-mile trail runs along a midslope and is popular with trail runners. It offers access to Hastings Creek and Cronan

A fruit form the bogs!

From the bogs and swamps of the northeastern part of the country comes a fruit widely used for those family gatherings this time of year. Yes, you guessed correctly: it’s the cranberry. Sure, in a pinch, you could purchase one of those iconic cans of cranberry sauce from the grocery store, but why not can and preserve your own?

It’s the perfect sauce to add to that traditional turkey dinner. It also pairs nicely with chicken, as a sandwich spread, over cheesecake or as an ice cream topping. Take a spoonful or more of your homepreserved cranberry sauce, add vinegar and some oil, perhaps some chopped fresh herbs or spices, and shake well. Now you have a unique

Ranch, providing opportunities to extend your hike if you’re looking for a longer adventure. Gerle Loop tends to be less trafficked, making it a peaceful option for those seeking a quieter trail experience. South Fork American River Trail

Slightly longer at 2.6 miles, this trail is the more popular of the two. It offers several spots where you can access the river, some with sandy beaches perfect for a break or a picnic. The South Fork American River Trail can also be taken as a loop from the Magnolia Trailhead. Head south from the parking lot and you’ll reach the Greenwood Creek put-in beach. From there, the

salad dressing for the evening. This recipe comes from Bernardin.

Whole

Cranberry Sauce

Makes 10 to 12 halfpints

8 cups fresh cranberries 4 cups water 4 cups granulated

sugar

Prepare a boilingwater canner or atmospheric steam canner. Heat cleaned jars in canner until ready to use. Do

trail follows the river, eventually climbing back uphill to reconnect with Gerle Loop, leading you back to the parking area.

Trail highlights

Whether you’re watching kayakers and rafters drift by, skipping rocks on the shore or simply enjoying the sunset behind the trees, the trails at Magnolia Ranch offer a fantastic outdoor experience in every season. The mix of open spaces and riverfront access points creates a perfect environment for hiking, relaxing and connecting with nature.

Getting there

Magnolia Ranch Trailhead is located about five miles north of Coloma on Highway 49 or 14 miles south of Auburn. The parking lot is easy to find, making it a convenient access point for those looking to explore the South Fork American River region.

Tips for your hike

• Trail Options: Choose Gerle Loop

not boil; keep at a simmering 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands. Rinse and sort cranberries, discarding ones that are shriveled, soft, wrinkled or have surface blemishes. Combine sugar and water in a large stainless steel saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes. Add cranberries. Return mixture to a boil; continue cooking without stirring until skins burst.

Ladle hot sauce into a hot jar, leaving a 1/2inch headspace. Remove air bubbles if needed; adjust headspace. Wipe jar rims well, removing any food residue. Center lid on clean jar rim. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Return filled jar to rack in canner. Repeat

for a quieter, easier hike or the South Fork American River Trail for river access and more varied terrain.

• Multi-use trails: These trails are shared with equestrians and mountain bikers, so stay aware of others on the path.

• Seasonal visits: This trail network is enjoyable year-round, but spring and fall offer mild temperatures and lush landscapes for the best experience.

• Have you experienced a sunset

for remaining sauce. Water must cover jars by at least 1 inch in a boiling-water canner or come to the base of the rack in a steam canner. Adjust heat to mediumhigh, cover canner and bring water to a rolling boil in a boilingwater canner, or until there’s a steady stream of steam coming from the steam canner for 1 minute before starting to count processing time. At altitudes 0 to 1,000 feet process 10 minutes; 1,001 to 3,000 feet process 15 minutes; 3,001 to 6,000 feet process 20 minutes; 6,001 to 8,000 feet process 25 minutes; over 8,000 feet process 30 minutes. Turn off heat. For a boiling-water canner, remove lid and let jars stand 5 minutes. For an atmospheric steam canner, let canner sit undisturbed for 5

along the river or watched the kayakers pass by? Share your moments and tag @ MaryWestHikes!

Directions recap From Highway 49, drive either five miles north of Coloma or 14 miles south of Auburn to reach the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead parking area. Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III

(second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

minutes, then remove lid. Remove jars (keeping upright) and cool on a protected, towel-lined work surface for 12 to 24 hours. Do not retighten screw bands. After cooling, check lids for a seal; they should not flex when the center is pressed. Remove screw bands, wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately

or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label, date and store in a cool, dark place. For best quality, use homecanned foods within one year. For more information about UC Master Food Preserver classes, events and food preserving resources visit ucanr. edu/site/ucce-masterfood-preservers-centralsierra.

Courtesy photos

Students enjoy microgreens that they grew, above. Gina Johnston of Project Green speaks with students, below left, and students install planters on campus, below right.

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Photos by Mary West

The view of kayakers on the river is always exhilarating.

Laurie Lewis UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County

Pixabay photo

Cranberry’s are the fruit most widely used during the holidays.

Carol S. Heape Mountain Democrat contributor

never truly understood what a brain injury meant—until I had a stroke. It came as a complete shock: unexpected, untimely, and incredibly disruptive. I had no idea just how deeply it would affect my brain and daily life.

It’s been over a year now. I’ve made progress, but there’s still a long road ahead. I’m sharing my story in hopes it might help others who are recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or any other type of brain injury.

To start, I continue to learn more every day. An article I read in Constant Therapy magazine has helped me to understand that the challenges I’m facing are common after a brain injury. Memory problems, difficulty focusing, and planning—these are all part of the recovery journey. I used to be able to multitask without thinking twice. Now, remembering something can take hours or days. I’ve had to adjust how I approach every part of my life.

To assist with this, I will write everything down. I even keep a list of birthdays for each month. Since I no longer have use of my right hand, I ask someone to write them down for me. If you’re able, crossing items off a list can bring a sense of accomplishment.

Next, I plan my day ahead of time, even if it’s just mentally. I set small, achievable goals. For example, one of my tasks is unloading the silverware from the dishwasher. It may seem minor, but to me, it’s a victory.

It is important to remember that if you’re recovering from a brain injury, be realistic about what you can do in a day. It’s okay to start a task and not finish it right away. Maintaining a routine also helps. For example, I start each day making dinner plans in the morning with my caregiver. We make grocery lists together, take food out of the freezer, and plan our meals.

Next, if you’re comfortable with technology, use

Ryour phone or tablet to set reminders and timers. Keeping track of time can be tricky, and sometimes entire days feel like they disappear. I’ve had to relearn how to stay aware of the clock.

I also use a digital calendar, something my speech therapist helped me set up early on. It’s on my computer and syncs with my phone. It’s become a valuable daily tool. I’m even learning how to use voice-activated software, both at home and at work. Setting a daily schedule has also been essential for me. There are days when my thoughts jumble, when I can’t find the right words, or when I forget what I was doing halfway through. It’s frustrating. But I keep going. It has been helpful to shape my day around my previous routine, even though it looks different now. I even make small events meaningful, something to look forward to. For example, my big adventure these days is a trip to the grocery store every couple of weeks but, honestly- I look forward to it.

It is also important, and something I have learned, to never turn down help, especially therapy. If your insurance covers physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), or speech therapy, take full advantage of it. Ask your doctor for referrals. The progress may be slow, but every bit helps. Yes, I’ve felt discouraged. Yes, I’ve wanted to give up. But I haven’t. My team has kept me accountable and on track.

It is also important to be patient with yourself because some days, it just takes a lot of energy to simply get through the day. Sometimes, I fall asleep in my wheelchair after doing what seems like very little. I’m usually in bed by 9:30. I have had to learn that rest is not failure.

I have also learned that it is important to celebrate the little wins and let others notice them too. Your progress matters, even if it’s hard to see it yourself.

After my stroke, it felt easier to isolate. But it is important to surround yourself with a support

OCKLIN — A local food distribution nonprofit is among three community organizations receiving support through a unique partnership between Pioneer Community Energy and Calpine Community Energy.

Pioneer and Calpine will present a check to Feeding the Foothills, one of the 2025 recipients of the Community Benefits Grant Program, which supports projects that strengthen communities across Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties.

“Pioneer Community Energy extends its gratitude to Calpine for its partnership in making this grant program available to some of the very worthy nonprofit organizations in our service area,” said Pioneer Board Chair and Auburn City Councilmember Alice Dowdin Calvillo. “These grants allow local nonprofits to bring additional and vitally needed resources to the communities we collectively serve.”

said Carol

system. Remember who you were before and be kind to that person. Invite friends and family to visit. It’s easy to isolate, but it’s better to stay involved in your community. Go to local events, even if it’s just for a short time. Also, try to spend time outside if you can. I have a deck off the living room, but I often forget to use it. As the weather cools down, I’ll have to remind myself to bundle up and go out.

Recovery from a brain injury is slow—slower than I’d like—but I’m getting better. I’m learning to be patient with myself, and to trust that healing takes time.

If you’re going through something similar: you’re not alone. Keep showing up for yourself. Take small steps. Accept help. And don’t give up.

You’ll get there, just like I will.

Carol S. Heape is the founder and co-owner of Elder Options, Inc. Carol suffered a stroke in 2024, blindsiding this active, fiercely independent woman. Even today, she uses her story to help others navigate through the post stroke journey and feel “not so alone”.

The Community Benefits Grant Program is designed to uplift organizations working in key areas such as wildfire mitigation, economic support, and workforce development. This year, the program awarded $60,000 in total grants to three local nonprofits, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000.

Feeding the Foothills provides emergency food response and distribution to those in need throughout El Dorado, Nevada, and Placer counties. Silver Wishes supports seniors in Placer County by granting wishes and helping them overcome personal challenges. KVMR Public Radio promotes wildfire preparedness through community education and strategic partnerships.

“We are honored to award these remarkable organizations with grants to support their efforts,” said Josh Brock, vice president of commercial operations for Calpine Community Energy. “The Community Benefits Grant Program provides an opportunity to develop long-term partnerships with groups working to better serve their communities.”

The innovative grant program reinvests a percentage of Calpine’s contract value with Pioneer—Calpine provides Pioneer’s customer support and billing services—back into local programs and organizations. This year’s application period ran from June 1 to July 15, drawing 15 applications from across the region.

With support from both organizations, the 2025 recipients aim to continue building resilience and equity across foothill communities.

Know

Repairs. No Fuss.

“Selling my home with Liz Buys Houses was a game-changer! Their expertise and support throughout the process were unparalleled. I couldn't have asked for a smoother sell. KUDOS to this amazing team!” -Michael Beck

Continued from B1

call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Grieves and Witney Peyton will perform at The Alpine in Reno at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit lateniteproductions.com.

Nov. 7

Soroptimist Cameron Park-El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park Country Club will host the 21st annual Fashion Show: Passport to the World of Fashion, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit cameronparkcc.com.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents 1 Degree of Separation, A Funny Look at Depression and Suicide at 5 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke. com.

Poor Man’s Whiskey will perform, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

60s Summer of Love will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight.

For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Placer Artists Tour will take place Nov. 7-9. The self guided tour throughout beautiful Placer County offers locations with hands-on activities, live music and more. See the artist directory, guide maps and more at placerartiststour.org.

Falcon’s Eye Theatre presents “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” through Nov. 23 at Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma presents Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer, an exhibition of prints/posters by renowned printshop and community space Taller Arte de Nuevo Amanecer in Woodland. On view through Jan. 8, 2026. For more information call (916) 461-6601 or visit folsom.ca.us/government/parksrecreation/facilities/gallery-at48-natoma.

Grieves and Witney Peyton will perform at Auburn Oddfellows Hall at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit lateniteproductions.com.

Nov. 8

Join Master Gardener Steve Savage for the workshop Controlling Starthistle from 9 a.m. to noon at Bethell-Delfino Agriculture Building, 311 Fair Lane. Learn how to control this invasive weed that has taken over large portions of California’s range land and urban landscape. Learn about its origins, how it moves, why it is so difficult to control, how to overcome these difficulties, control methods and how to design an effective control program. To register visit tinyurl.com/mpbaj6yc.

The Cameron Park Community Services District will host the Friendsgiving Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, 8 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center. For more information visit cameronpark. org.

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds will host its Crab and Chowder Gala with live music featuring Dream and the Dreamer, 5:30-10 p.m., to benefit the El Dorado County Fairground’s nonprofit. For more information visit eldoradocountyfair.org.

n See KNOW, page B5

Courtesy photo

“It is important to surround yourself with a support system,”

Heape..

Know Continued from B4

Sierra Vista Winery will host Paint and Sip with Cathie from 3-6 p.m. For more information visit sierravistawinery.com.

Miraflores Winery will host Aperitivo, an afternoon of wine, music and magic. For more information visit mirafloreswinery.com.

Adam Poe will perform, 4-6 p.m. and Smokey the Groove will perform, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

American Mile will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.

The Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents Artist Trading Cards with Jennifer Coulter at 11 a.m. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

Grieves and Witney Peyton will perform at Whiskey Dicks Saloon in South Lake Tahoe at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit lateniteproductions.com.

Dream Continued from B1

version of Shakespeare,” senior Bailey Bowers, who plays Tom Snout, explained. “It’s not my first time doing a show with her where she’s adapted some sort of Shakespeare, but I think this one’s really fun because It adds a more comical twist to ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ and it’s fun to play around with the time change.”

Students have also responded well to the opportunity to tackle the challenge of bringing a script penned more than 400 years ago to life.

“This is only my second show here, so, you know, having a bigger part than I did before is definitely fun,” junior Xylan Hansen, who plays Oberon, said. “It’s my first time doing Shakespeare, too, so it’s another challenge that I’ve taken on, but it’s been fun so far and I’ve worked through any struggles

Toogood Winery will host a Private Reserve Wine Tasting at 11:30 a.m. and again on Sunday, same time. For more information visit toogoodwinery. com.

Sexton Highway 49. For more information visit andiswines. com.

California Museum in Sacramento presents “Freedom’s Allies: Mary Brown & Mary Ellen Pleasant” from noon to 1:30 p.m., a special program honoring the legacies two extraordinary women whose lives were deeply connected to the fight for freedom and equality. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

Andis Wines in Plymouth will host an Art Class crafting a wall hanging vase and Music on the Patio with Darin

that I’ve come across.”

Chris Cain, blues guitar master, will perform at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

Now

El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents Sacred Rest: Victorian Mourning in El Dorado County through Nov. 8. For more information visit edchs. org.

Senior Nevaeh Andrews, who plays Oberon’s wife Titania, agreed that playing a lead role presented a fresh challenge.

“This is my sixth show with Studio 81, and it’s my first time doing Shakespeare,” Andrews said. “It’s been an experience; Shakespeare is a little bit difficult to memorize as a Dyslexic person, but I’m working through it. And, I love the costumes, I love the set, and our castmates are wonderful, so, it’s just a joy to be involved.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens Nov. 6 and runs through Nov. 15 with showings at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. There will also be 1 p.m. matinée showings on both Saturdays. Tickets are available at studio81.ludus.com.

Elder Options is accepting donations for its Carrie’s Corner Holiday Giving campaign through Dec. 15. Collecting blankets and socks, activity sets and games, baking kits, puzzles, personal care items, hats, gloves, gardening supplies and herb gardens. Donations can be dropped off at 630 Main St. in Placerville, or visit elderoptionsca.com for details.

Cantiga Wineworks, 5980 Meyers Land in Somerset, is having Happy Hour with Fritz on Fridays from 3-6 p.m. Come for the wine, stay for the games, conversation and community. For more information call (530) 621-1696.

Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in Placerville, is having Sparkling Sundays, the one day of the week where two fabulous sparklers are poured. Try a complimentary tasting of Blanc de Noirs and Brut. Both are crafted with organically grown grapes from Sonoma County and created in the traditional Methode Champenoise style. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@ mirafloreswinery.com for more information.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host “Sugar Skull Art Walk, honoring Our Ancestors” at the Switchboard Gallery through Nov. 9. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.