Secrets Success of 2025 El Dorado Irrigation District: 100 years of service to El Dorado County
Special to the Democrat
Honoring a century of dedicated service and community partnership
As the El Dorado Irrigation District commemorates its 100th anniversary, the agency reflects on a legacy of collaboration, innovation and commitment to those we serve. For a century, the District has worked alongside the people of the community to deliver one of life’s most essential resources: water, supporting the families, farms and businesses that rely on it every day.
Throughout EID’s history, it has built and maintained the infrastructure that supports daily life across El Dorado County. The mission has always been centered
on service, stewardship and partnership, and it continues to guide its work today. That same commitment shaped the District’s formation.
A century ago, 1,000 local residents came together to establish the El Dorado Irrigation District with a shared vision of securing local control over water and their future. However, the story reaches even further back to the Gold Rush, when miners carved channels to move water in pursuit of gold, laying the groundwork for the reliable infrastructure the community depends on. Many of those early water rights remain in use today, now serving the 220 square miles of the District area.
100 YEARS
2890 Mosquito Road, Placerville (530) 622-4513 eid.org
Over the past century, the District has grown from
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1,000 customers to more than 125,000, transforming hand-dug canals into one of California’s most advanced water systems. This infrastructure now includes 1,100 miles of pipe, as well as dozens of tanks and pump stations, forming a complex distribution system that serves communities from Pollock Pines to the Sacramento County line. In addition to safe and reliable drinking water, the District provides wastewater, recycled water, hydropower and recreation services. These achievements reflect not only growth but also endurance. The history is marked by resilience and
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Del no Farms celebrates family and agriculture
Rebecca Murphy Mountain Democrat
For the past 60 years, Edio and Joan Delfino have loved sharing their Apple Hill farm with visitors. Today, the family business, Delfino Farms, now run by their son, Chris and his children is no different.
“My grandfather grew up in St. Helena,” said general manager Christine Noonan, 38. “He went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in agriculture. He initially worked in the agriculture department in Santa Rosa, but then he got a job as agricultural commissioner of El Dorado County in the ’60s.”
Originally purchased in 1962, the 20 acre-farm in Camino was named Kids Incorporated in 1972 by the Delfino’s seven children. A pear decline in 1964 destroyed the main crop in El Dorado County, leading Edio and three colleagues to create the Apple Hill Growers Association.
The Delfinos started their bakery in 1972. In the 2000s, they renamed it Joan’s Apple Bakery with the help of their seven children.
“My grandmother, Joan, is the pastry chef of the family and came up with all our famous bakery items,” Noonan said, adding that the “walkin’ pie” is one of their most popular items.
“The youngest, Edio Jr., coined the small pie as the ‘Walkin’ Pie’ because you could walk around with it and eat it.”
Noonan and her two brothers — Peter, 35; and Derek, 29 — attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for agriculture/wine and
viticulture. “Afterward, we all worked at wineries on the Central Coast,” she said, “myself on the business side, Peter in the winemaking side and Derek on the viticulture side.”
The winery portion of the farm is called Edio Vineyards and is open year-round. The bakery continues to be open seasonally during fall’s apple season.
Other participants in the fourth-generation farm are another brother and
co-owner, Ben Delfino, 33; Tommy Noonan, 37; Alicia Delfino, 32; Brittany Delfino, 27; Hannah Melton, 27, cousin; Dad Chris Delfino, 65, owner and orchard manager; and Mother Robyn Delfino, 63, financial director.
“I would say diversity is a big thing (in the farm’s success) having our bakery and now winery, along with the full-farm experience,” said Noonan. “I also think that people connect with
■ See DELFINO, page 5
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Team members take time out from baking pies to pose for a photo at Del no Farms. Left to right, Tommy Noonan, Christine Noonan, Hannah Melton, and Derek Del no.
Mimi Escabar Mountain Democrat
NNello Olivo Winery Wine and beer make a perfect pairing
ello Olivo Winery tasting room and HWY 50 Brewery at 3544 Carson Road in Camino is the perfect destination to taste wines, brews, pub food and take in a vista of the Crystal Range and local landscape.
Convenient to Highway 50 the wine tasting room and brewery welcome the public with an upbeat atmosphere and attentive personnel.
Hopping to it
This joint adventure started with a chance conversation between Nello Olivo and Gary Ritz at a wine event.
“I was picking up a wine order and Nello and I started talking about carbonation,” Ritz said.
Having been a home brewer and then a brewer at an El Dorado
County brewery, Ritz had knowledge about carbonation. Nello was contemplating a new product to add to his wines that would utilize carbonation. Nello Olivo wines was founded in 2005
During the conversation in 2016 Nello shared that he was thinking about opening a brewery. Ritz was intrigued with the idea of using his brewery skills and embarking on a new adventure.
“Nello, being the Grapefather, made me an offer I could not refuse,” Ritz said.
Ideas start to ferment
The Olivos and Ritz started meeting and planning for the opening of HWY 50 Brewery and Nello Olivo Winery tasting room. It took almost two years for the concept to come to fruition.
“We found the building at 3544 Carson Road in
Camino and felt it was a good location,” Nello said.
Nello Olivo Winery has a tasting room in the cellar of Wedgewood Weddings Sequoia Mansion on Bee Street in Placerville but space is limited.
“When thinking about expansion and growing the wine club, I thought it would be a good idea to go to an area with a lot of activity, crowds, events and room for growth,” Nello said. The former Snowline Hospice store location fit the bill.
“On Jan. 1, 2018 we took
Dawsons Floor Fashions – Not changing in changing times
Sherri Bergmann Mountain Democrat
Nelson Harold Dawson opened Dawsons Floor Fashions in Placerville on Main Street in 1950, providing the community’s homes and businesses with high quality flooring and reliable, personal service that has gained returning customers over the years.
In the early ‘70s their son, Phil Dawson ran the business and moved it to the current location on Cold Springs Road. When Phil was ready to retire, he asked Brian Hays, then a long-term floor installer and his wife Kelly, their bookkeeper, if they wanted to buy the business.
Ben Ezpeleta and Jon Goulding, oor installers; Brian and Kelly Hays, owners; Summer Moore, bookkeeper; and Fabian Ruiz, oor installer are ready to help with
“It was an out-of-the blue question,” Brian admitted. A natural fit, the Hays
Photo by Sherri Bergmann
Del
Delfino
our story.
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“It is a dream come true running the farm with my family and creating a generational experience,” Noonan said. “We all are so passionate about what we are doing here at Delfino Farms and hope it continues for many generations to come.”
Visitors can enjoy all
the fruits of the Delfino family’s labors at 3205 North Canyon Road in Camino. For hours and more information call (530) 622-0184.
agreed and continued the Dawsons’ strong work ethics, personal service and trust, employing their own floor installers and helped it to thrive over competitors.
Kelly recalled, “When Home Depot originally opened across the street from the flooring store, Phil Dawson originally thought, “Oh my gosh, this is it, this is going to make us go under — and it hasn’t. It’s actually helped our business because we are different and we have higher quality products. We have better customer service because we’re handling in-house all our own duties — from the sales to the scheduling to the installing — we do it all ourselves. We don’t subcontract out. That has really set us apart.”
In addition to earning the community’s trust in their service and expertise, Kelly stated they value quality over quantity and added, “Our knowledge of the business, our knowledge of the flooring and just the trade itself, has been very valuable to our customers.
Word-of-mouth is also what has kept us in business — we still have customers coming back to us that we did the floors for 40 years ago.”
Barbara Lea of El Dorado, a customer for over 35 years testified, “They have great service, helpful and always thorough. Really pleasant to deal with, they’re workable, and always have everything I need.” While business often
change to try to be competitive, the Hays agree sticking to the triedand-true that has made Dawson’s Floor Fashions successful for over 75 years is the secret. Kelly pointed out, “When people buy online, they can’t look at things in person. We’re still at brick and mortar. We’re still here to help people. We’re giving that support that’s becoming harder and harder to find. We’re staying the same because the world is changing and I think what makes us unique is that we’re not changing.”
To see all the flooring options stop by 2958 Cold Springs Road in Placerville or call (530) 622-3798 for more information.
Johnson, Ladner, Claire, Tish, and
wonderful
Amy, RVT; Emily, CVA; Tylene, Doreen, Jamie, Helen, Jessica V., Austin, RVT; Evelynn, CSR; Nicole, Amanda, Joanna, RVT; Jamie, RVT; Sierra.
Photo by Shelly Thorene
no bakers create treats for the public.
Arnolds turns 55, earning its own award
Chris Woodard Mountain Democrat
Arnolds for Awards marked a major milestone this year, celebrating 55 years as a family-run engraving and recognition business in Shingle Springs.
3971 Durock Road, Shingle Springs (530) 677-0623 arnoldsawards.com
The business also received a nod from the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, which named it Small Business of the Year in June — a recognition Arnold calls an unexpected bonus.
“It actually, for me, was really surprising, because we’re always giving awards. So for us to get something it’s fulfilling, believe it or not,” he said. “There are a lot of great companies in this county. And so for them to recognize us, that meant a lot.”
Arnolds for Awards began in 1970 when
Mike Arnold purchased Davidson Trophies and rebranded the shop. Mike, then a barber and youth baseball coach, brought his children into the business as it grew. Kevin joined after high school in 1983, followed by his sister four years later. The company operated in Placerville and Diamond Springs before moving to its current location at 3991 Durock Road Shingle Springs in 1987. Kevin, who is gradually purchasing the business from his parents, said the work remains varied and meaningful. While many still associate the shop with trophies, they now account for only about 6% of its business.
“There’s always something going on,
Over the last forty years, Ellerman | Strand has earned a reputation for thoughtfully guiding clients through important decisions with care and respect. Attorneys Jana Ellerman and Kimberly Strand offer guidance in estate planning, probate, trust administration, mediation, and conservatorship matters. The firm represents a variety of clients, from families who have recently lost a loved one, to parents whose disabled child cannot manage their finances or personal needs, to individuals who want to plan for their future. The firm also represents private fiduciaries and public administrators in probates, trust administrations, and conservatorship matters. Proudly serving the El Dorado County community and clients throughout the greater Sacramento region.
Photo by Chris Woodard
Kevin Arnold displays his award from the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce recognizing Arnolds for Awards as the Small Business of the year.
Mira ores nds success by
Odin Rasco Mountain Democrat
When Victor Alvarez first came through the region in the late ‘90s, it was little more than a detour on the way from Yuma, Ariz. to a medical conference in Reno. But as he drove through the foothills, he was struck by the beauty of the area and knew he had to find a plot to call his own. After finding a 220-acre spot near Pleasant Valley, he consulted with others in the area and decided to plant vineyards on the property. Those vines — at first just sirah, petite sirah and zinfandel — thrived, and led to the first vintage in Miraflores Winery’s now 20 years of success.
Alvarez’s passion for Miraflores was a labor of love, transforming the empty area into hillsides covered with a wide range of grapes and building the beautiful tasting room, which first opened its doors in 2011.
“It looks like it’s been around a long time because everything that it’s built with has history,” explained Ashlee Cueno. “What he picked and chose and brought in, he wanted it to have that feel of coming in, sitting down, being comfortable and really enjoying your wine.”
The atmosphere at Miraflores is immaculately curated, with the tasting room including intimate lighting, gorgeous exposed beams originally from the Oakland Ferry Building
and a fireplace from Crete that dates back to the 15th century. Though the always-popular zinfandel and barbera wines (not to mention the other red, white, rosé, specialty and sweet wines on offer) are more than enough to draw visitors back time and time again, Suze Pierce explained another draw is the events that most other wineries just can’t match.
“Some of the events that we offer, like the food and wine pairing lunches, are events that you’re not able to find anywhere else, even in Napa and Sonoma,” Pierce said. “It’s really hard to find those styles of events, especially at our price point. Something that not a lot of other wineries do is our offering
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2120 Four Springs Trail, Placerville (530) 647-8505 mira oreswinery.com
complimentary barrel tasting year round. I think one secret to our popularity is just trying to find things that are a little bit unique and draw people in with something that’s kind of out of the norm.”
Miraflores Winery is located at 2120 Four Springs Trail in Placerville. For more information or reservations call (530) 647-8505.
Photo by Odin Rasco
Suze Pierce and Ashlee Cueno greet guests at Mira ores Winery in Pleasant Valley.
Cameron Park Physical Therapy Over 25 years of helping everyone feel better
Sherri Bergmann Mountain Democrat
Steven Harrity, owner of Cameron Park Physical Therapy (CPPT) and a physical therapist (PT), fueled by his desire to help people, recognized a need for quality and advanced physical therapy and rehabilitation in El Dorado County in the early ‘90s.
Harrity admitted, “With my learning and expertise over the years, I was passionate about what I have done and wanted to bring some services to the county that I thought were needed.”
He selected Cameron Park in 1990 to establish his business — which currently resides in a high-end 5,000 square-foot facility that offers complete physical
1060 Camerado Drive, Cameron Park (530) 676-7184 cameronparkpt.com
therapy services. According to Shanea Tucker, office manager, “(Harrity) has built a stellar reputation among patients and doctors for providing exceptional care and is now one of the top PTs in El Dorado County. He truly values the local community and enjoys offering a place where patients can heal.”
Since the business’ inception, what has made
Photo by Sherri Bergmann
The Cameron Park Physical Therapy sta is, left to right, Lily Redling, PT aide; Keri Walker, front o ce; Katie Thorne, PT; Connor Williamson, DPT; Steven Harrity, PT/owner president and CEO; Justine Stevens, DPT; Lydia Martin, PT assistant; Stacy Hurley, massage therapist; Connor Bizjack, PT aide; and Shanea Tucker, o ce manager.
American Kitchen Cabinets
Listening to the client leads to success
Odin Rasco Mountain Democrat
It’s hard not to feel like the consumer experience has become too impersonal these days; online shopping has replaced many trips to the store, fast-food restaurants have turned to touchscreens or AI to take orders, and even many contractors give a too-wide range of estimates instead of focusing on what the specific job will call for.
For Mark Vojtech and his team at American Kitchen Cabinets, their focus on the customer is what sets them apart. By staying communicative, being attentive to what their customers want and need and endeavoring to find the best options at a reasonable price point for the past 20 years, they have become a go-to business for residents in and around El Dorado County looking to refresh a kitchen’s form and function.
“I think one of the things that we do that is unique is instead of just throwing out numbers on
20 YEARS
386 Placerville Drive, Placerville (530) 622-8477
americankitchencabinets.co
the projects, we go to the house, we measure the space, we talk with the client, we figure out what’s important to them and then we tailor our design to them and give them an exact price point instead of just a big ballparkgeneralization number,”
Vojtech explained. “I think that really helps people realize, ‘okay, hey, they came out and invested time with us; they’ve done these 3D designs for free, they’ve shown us the price points.’ They know they can feel comfortable with us.”
One way the American Kitchen Cabinets keeps customers comfortable is by making sure they find the options that will work best for their checkbooks.
“A really important piece
is making sure that your price points are at a spot where people can afford to do what you’re proposing,”
Vojtech said. “By working with five different lines of cabinets that hit different price points, we can do
that, too.”
Vojtech and his team know how to be creative and stay flexible, knowing that kitchen styles come in and out of popularity like clockwork. Between his past experience working
as a sales representative for major kitchen cabinet manufacturers and his 20 years at American Kitchen Cabinets, Vojtech brings a level of familiarity and expertise that is hard to match, which is reflected
by the often-refreshed and always-gorgeous showroom displays at the office at 386 Placerville Drive in Placerville.
To learn about a new kitchen or bath call (530) 622-8477.
Photo by Odin Rasco
The sta at American Kitchen Cabinets — Custom Kitchen and Bath Cabinets in Placerville — will work to make your remodel smoothly.
Happy 30th to the California Native Plant Society El Dorado Chapter
Shelly Thorene Mountain Democrat
The California Native Plant Society formed in 1965 and has included such notable members as Ansel Adams, Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling and U.S. Supreme Court
Justice Earl Warren. It is a nonprofit organization working to save and celebrate
California’s native plants and places through plant science, advocacy, education and horticulture. CNPS has nearly 10,000 members in 35 chapters throughout California and Baja.
The El Dorado Chapter of CNPS was first active in 1993 and was chartered by the California Native Plant Society in 1995. The group
covers most of El Dorado County although there are other chapters including Tahoe, Sierra Foothills and Redbud. According to Sue Britting, 66 of Coloma who is an original member, the group has about 150 members and attributes its success due to the group being “volunteer
■ See CNPS, page 13
eldoradocnps.org
Photo courtesy Virginia Meyer
Chapter members Tal and Bill Blackburn and Al Ludke removing stinkwort, an invasive plant (weed), at the Pine Hil Preserve unit near Cameron Park.
Photo courtesy Steve Perry Chapter members pulling/digging ox-eye daisy, an invasive plant (weed), among a creek that feeds into Leek Spring Meadow.
Rebecca Murphy Mountain Democrat
Graphix
Ink in Placerville opened in 2007 with its owner Robin DeBruler, whose past experience had been in marketing.
“I believe the owner of a business should know every
facet of the business, so if anyone were to leave, the owner could handle the challenge, which is why I started by going to graphic design school,” she said. With an enthusiastic goal of being a one-stop shop for printing, custom apparel, graphic design, car wraps, storefront windows, signs, promotional
products and window tinting, DeBruler said she presented herself with great challenges holding so many umbrellas, but has learned to manage the chaos that goes with such a wide variety of services.
“My number one rule is customer service,” she said. “I don’t care how bad the day may be going, I have a
strong belief if a customer is so kind as to choose us, then they fully deserve our full attention when they walk through our doors with a kind upbeat attitude.”
DeBruler said her second secret to “staying alive” is to accommodate the need most people have to get things done in a hurry.
“Even when someone tells us ‘no hurry,’ we do all we can to get it out the door as soon as possible,” she said. However, since nobody wants a fast turnaround with poor quality, “we invest in the top quality products.”
DeBruler added that a most important factor to a businesses success is its staff and team.
“I quickly learned it takes a strong dedicated staff to absorb such pressure and a fast-paced environment,” she said. “I have been very fortunate to have attracted premium quality people to move Graphix Ink forward. Without our staff we could never be where we are today; and I give much credit to the people who have supported the business throughout the years.”
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191 Placerville Drive, Placerville (530) 303-3217 graphixink.com
Prior to her experience in marketing, for which she worked seven years as director of marketing for the three Thompsons dealerships in Placerville, DeBruler said she had a newspaper in Redding, cutting her teeth on deadlines, details and quality. Her one child continues to live up north in McKinleyville. Visit Graphic Ink at 191 Placerville Drive for your graphic needs.
Courtesy photo
The sta at Graphix Ink is ready to help customers with their printing needs.
EDC Community Concert Association
The music has been playing for 75 years
Shelly Thorene Mountain Democrat
The El Dorado County Community Concert Association is a volunteerrun nonprofit organization and has been providing outstanding music concerts at a very affordable price for 75 years. The concert series features six performances a year held at the Union Mine High School Theater, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado.
EDCCCA was originally part of a national concert association based in New York and after the association dissolved, the EDCCCA board decided to continue presenting concerts. In 2015, the group obtained a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status allowing donations to be tax deductible.
Current president Kathy Keleshian, of Shingle Springs has been a member for around 15 years. She said in the beginning, the
concert series presented only classical music. Today, there is more variety.
“We’re really validated by having a bigger variety,” Keleshian said. “It’s what the community wants, based on their responses. We’re hitting the spot.”
After each performance, concert-goers have tear sheets in the back of their programs with three choices, “Loved it, Liked it, Disliked it” which provide feedback to to music selection committee.
Keleshian said she has loved music since she was a child. She grew up in Solvang and said the L.A. Philharmonic used to give the high school 10 tickets for the students. As a junior and senior she managed the tickets and at one point her music teacher had told the students not to go back stage at one of the performances. Temptation proved to be too much and she disobeyed but got to shake the hand of American pianist, Van
P.O. Box 1621, Placerville (530) 409-8945
Cliburn. As a teenage girl, she said she had a huge crush on western classical music conductor Zubin Mehta.
The concert association’s K-12 student outreach program is an important component of the organization, allowing artists to conduct live, interactive music assemblies free of charge at local schools.
“It broadens the world for the students,” Keleshian said. “Not all children have an opportunity to hear music like this.”
The selection committee often chooses performers based on whether they are willing to visit a local school in addition to their evening
performance.
The EDCCCA is looking for more volunteers, business sponsors and donors to help support the mission to “support our community and provide a variety of outstanding live musical entertainment at affordable prices. Our vision is to keep quality music alive for future generations in El Dorado County, accomplished
through a variety of community and student outreach programs.”
To get more information about the association go to eldoradocommunity concerts.com.
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado County Community Concert Association President of Shingle Springs and the board of directors
driven with longstanding members.”
Britting, who has a doctorate degree in biology said she was working with the U.S. Forest Service and became interested in the group. She said more and more people are becoming interested in planting native plants on their property as they are “lower maintenance, have reduced fire risk, use less water and attract pollinators. Interest has been growing over the years in California, about conserving water and especially now with issues of defensible space and fire safety. There are suites of plants that are more appropriate for planting near to your home. Our living spaces uses up places that used to be for pollinators. There are native plants that fill those needs nicely.”
The group’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of native plants. Bi-monthly meetings include presentations by local experts and from around the country. The meetings are free and open to the public. The chapter’s Clark Youth Fund, named after founding member,
George Clark, supports interest in school gardens and encourages the study of native plants by giving money to local schools and youth organizations. The chapter maintains several Facebook pages that talk about plants in the wild and in the yard.
According to Kathleen Barco, EDC CNPS Communications Chair, the chapter joined forces with the American River Conservancy in 2025 and was named ARC’s 2025 Partner of the Year for its work in the Ripe Area: The Art of Native Plants Festival at Wakamatsu Farm. In 2024, volunteers worked with the El Dorado Hills Community Services District to plant a pollinator garden as part of the Powerline Bike Park in El Dorado Hills.
EDC chapter volunteers also designed, planted and maintain the Nature Nook, a native plant demonstration garden at the Placerville branch of the El Dorado County Library. They also have an “adopt-a-spot” through Placerville Community Pride in their efforts to restore Hangtown Creek.
Experts in the chapter work with the National Forest Service and other public agencies to protect public lands through activities such as understory removal, and replanting trees and seeking out rare plants that emerge after wildfires. Barco said, “We work extensively to support Pine Hill Preserves, a group of protected lands located on a unique soil that is home to five federally listed rare plant species.”
While many members are trained botanists, you don’t have to have a degree to become a member of the chapter. Britting said, “We welcome everyone. There is a nice mix of scientists, landscape architects, horticulturalists and people just getting to know about California native plants.”
possession of the building and cleared everything out,” Nello said. “We could not start the remodel until May but when we got the go ahead we started bringing the plan to life.”
Hard work pays o
After many hours of construction and inspections the brewery and wine tasting room opened on Oct. 27, 2018.
Gary and Diane wee thrilled with the reception the new brewery and wine tasting room are receiving.
“The crowd has been fantastic,” said the brew maker wearing his signature kilt. “We have locals during the week and a mix of visitors and locals on the weekends.”
Gary handles the brewing end of the business and Diane takes care of the management of the restaurant, personnel and day-to-day operations. Her background in hospitality and business management is a valuable asset to the success of the new endeavor.
Diane said she didn’t have a brewing background but met Gary and fell in love with him and his beer.
“I love working with my husband, meeting people and just being here,” she said. “The beautiful view from the patio and the excitement of making something for people to enjoy is wonderful. I am very blessed and humbled by this whole experience.”
True love
The couple loves craft beers and when there is a
little free time they take trips to other areas to check out breweries and to look for ideas to incorporate into the Camino operation.
Gary is happy to take his love of beer making to this level and share his brews with a beer thirsty public.
An El Dorado County native, he worked on his family’s orchard, Honey Bear Ranch in Camino.
He liked working with mechanical things, taking things apart and putting them back together. He also found a fascination with artistic things and said brewing brings these penchants together.
“There is the artistic aspect of the recipes with combining the ingredients and then the science of the temperature and blending and working with the mechanical controls of the 1991 brewhouse,” the creative brewmaster said.
He focuses on an English flair in his brews using quality ingredients sourced from reliable vendors. He also listens to customer feedback on what may be available in future batches.
The retired state employee doesn’t see a retirement picture of sitting on a porch and enjoying a cool one but rather creating beautiful craft brews for customers to enjoy in the taproom or on the large patio in front of the brewery.
“I love doing this and being with my wife everyday is just wonderful. I could not do this without her,” said Gary.
The brewery is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with an expansive taproom that has
windows into the brewhouse and double roll-up doors to the outside seating area. Beside the great brews there is a menu of brick oven pizza and other pub food prepared and served by a friendly staff. Live music can also be heard on Sundays at 3 p.m.
“We hope to provide a fun local, community brewery with something for everyone in a nice environment,” Gary said, “A place to gather, to meet and have fun.”
For more information call (530) 556-5060.
More to experience
More fun and an extraordinary wine experience can be found next door at the Nello Olivo Winery tasting room.
“There are happy people here,” Nello, dressed as the Grapefather, said. “People have been great and really like the new setting.”
Nello Olivo Winery now has 10 different grapes growing in its Cameron Park vineyard producing a lineup of rosés, whites and reds that can be found at the Camino tasting room and the cellar tasting room at Wedgewood Weddings Sequoia Mansion on Bee Street in Placerville.
Having a vineyard, tasting room or even a wine label was not an early ambition for Nello.
“I didn’t know anything about wine in 1982,” the future winery owner said. “I knew there were reds and whites. I came from drinking sodas and milkshakes.”
Fortuitous gift
A gift of 200 pounds of cabernet grapes from his wife Danica changed that but not immediately. Danica directed him to a home winemaking shop by their house in Southern California.
“I went there and the guy showed me how to make wine. He also mentioned sulfides are a help,” the wine novice said. “He did say a small amount is good. Well I thought more would be better but in this case more was not better and the wine tasted terrible.”
Nello put the thought of being a home winemaker aside until a dinner years later at the Olivo home in Cameron Park. The Olivo family had moved to Tahoe and then to Cameron Park, toting the wine with each move. The wine had not been stored properly and the bottles had been packed as an after thought.
In 1994 Nello and Danica were having a dinner for friends and needed some
wine to cook with.
“We took some of the old, awful stuff out and opened it,” Nello recalled. “We decided to taste it before pouring it on the chicken and it tasted good. We then decided to serve it with dinner.” The wine had improved with time aging gracefully in the bottle.
The guest was a wine fancier and had brought a nice bottle of wine as a gift but the Olivos thought it would be fun to pour a glass of Olivo’s wine and not mention the wine’s history.
Aha moment
“He tasted it and thought it was a fine Château Lafite. That’s when I thought I could make wine,” the neophyte winemaker said. “At first taste I thought I would never make wine again and years later I am now a winemaker.”
Affectionately dubbed the Grapefather, he credits Danica with putting him on this career path. Buying the property in Cameron Park
with acreage to grow grapes and help from others sealed the deal.
“I didn’t really think about all that goes into growing grapes and making wine — the crop, weather, pests, deer, birds, vineyard management, bottling and more when I decided to do this on a meaningful scale,” Nello reflected.
Now there is the vineyard growing 10 different grapes, the Nello Olivo Winery label, a tasting room in Placerville and the tasting room in Camino, wine club and an award-winning array of fine wines.
Helping to make it all happen Nello acknowledges Danica and his family; Lance Johnson, vineyard manager; and Marco Cappelli, winemaker, and his loyal consumers.
The Camino tasting room is open seven days a week and the Placerville tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday.
For more information call (530) 303-3617 or (530) 409-5603.
CPPT stand out is providing specialty services to different clientele — from athletes to the elder population and in caring for pediatrics.
Harrity explained, “We help children as young as 2 weeks old and have worked with patients over 100 years old. Our facility is completely equipped with top-ofthe-line equipment of everything you need. We also offer independent gym programs, senior fitness and balance, fall prevention programs, as well as sports specific and sports enhancement training programs, Post Rehabilitative Fitness Programs and Personal Training.”
Plus more. They work with lymphedema patients, those who have had surgery such as breast cancer surgery, specialize in massage therapy and Parkinson’s programs, and … more.
Harrity credits his staff for making CPPT
Arnolds
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but it’s always positive,” Kevin said. “It’s always somebody getting rewarded for either a record or some kind of milestone.”
Over the years, the shop has completed projects for Intel, HP, Marshall Hospital and numerous community organizations. Arnold said the company’s longevity comes from staying active locally: “You still got to do the legwork. And I think that was one of the things we did. We were and are, constantly involved.”
To see all the beautiful ideas visit Arnolds at 3991 Durock Road in Shingle Springs.
successful, “I just really appreciate my staff and the people that have been with us for a long time. It’s a very fun environment working together as a team and having the support of one another that makes us a really well-oiled machine.”
Tucker agrees the staff are the backbone of the business’ success and who help to produce the results their clients experience.
“CPPT has been an amazing place to be part of for the past 25 years, thanks to the dedicated therapists and supportive staff who put their heart and soul into making this clinic stand out,” Tucker said. “The employees are deeply connected to the community and actively participate in activities outside the clinic, which truly makes it exceptional!”
The clinic is located at 1060 Camerado Drive, Cameron Park. To find out more call (530) 676-7184.
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progress, from securing critical water rights and facilities such as Project 184 and Sly Park to rebuilding infrastructure after fires and floods. Each milestone reflects the community’s shared commitment to local control and resource stewardship.
As EID celebrates this milestone, the District honors not only a century of achievements but the people who made
them possible, including staff, board members, partners and, most importantly, the community, whose support has helped shape a sustainable future for generations to come.
Together, EID looks ahead to the next century with the same dedication to service and stewardship that has defined the last 100 years.
The Hazel boardwalk is a peaceful place.
The island in the Sly Park Recreation Area attracts many boaters.
A beautiful rainbow enhances the scenic Sly Park Recreation Area.
Courtesy photos
The early days of construction at Forebay
A worker oats down the ume in a 1922 photo.