Photo by Chris Woodard
SPOTLIGHT Business
Franny’s Farm Table
Just outside the farm-to-fork capital is Placerville’s very own farm table.
Franny’s Farm Table, owned by Erica Cookson and her family, has been serving downtown Placerville since February 2023. The Cookson family has been in the restaurant business for more than 14 years.
The name Franny’s Farm Table comes from an old employee, Franny, of the Cooksons’ past restaurant — a jack-of-all-trades who worked at their restaurant on the Delta Marina for 12 years.
Franny’s Farm Table has become a local tourist attraction in historical Placerville, where locals and tourists enjoy the savory prime rib dip. Others may attract their taste palette toward the PB&J burger, which has become a crowd favorite.
“We don’t have our own cows out back, but we try to keep
everything as local as possible,” Aliyah Cookson said.
The menu features fresh and locally sourced ingredients and Franny’s Farm Table boasts a local selection of beer and wine. The Cooksons are proud of becoming a local staple and are a favorite for visitors who desire a break from their drive to Lake Tahoe or Apple Hill.
In addition to owning the restaurant, the Cookson family enjoys hosting spaghetti feed fundraisers and offering catering services to local events, as well as making donations when they can.
The restaurant’s Main Street location serves as part of its charm, said Aliyah. The two-story interior blends with the downtown atmosphere and the customers and servers enjoy the more intimate ambiance.
Courtesy photos
Delicious food awaits at Franny’s Farm Table in downtown Placerville.
To Do
Top activities in the region
Now
Theatre at the Mine at Union Mine High School presents “The Wizard of Oz” through April 5. For tickets and more information visit onthestage.tickets/union-mine-high-school.
Ponderosa High School Theater presents “Beetlejuice Jr. the Musical” through April 5. For tickets and more information visit pondodrama.com.
April 5
Don’t miss out on Placerville’s 38th annual Spring Fishing Derby, 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Lumsden Park, rain or shine. The fishing derby is open to all kids in preschool through eighth grade. All participants should bring their own fishing equipment. Lumsden Park is located at 3144 Wiltse Road, Placerville. For more information call (530) 642-5232.
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host a Community Clean Up Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
April 12
April 7
Placerville Arts Association will host its Spring Membership Show at the El Dorado County Government Building open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show continues through April 11. For more information visit placervillearts.com.
April 13
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host the Eggstreme Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
The Rescue Community Center will host a Spring Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For tickets and more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host the Aqua Egg Hunt from 1-3 p.m. at the Community Pool. Join the Easter Bunny on the pool deck and search for the eggs with gold and silver tickets to exchange for goodies. Pre-registration required. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
The El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For more information visit edcmgs.org.
The El Dorado Hills Town Center will host a Spring Flower Festival and Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the amphitheater. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
The Atrium Gallery at El Dorado Hills Town Center will host El Dorado County Area Artist Showcase, Artist reception from 4-8 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter. com.
April 18
The Shingle Springs Community Center will host The Bunko Dinner Fiesta Meal at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.org.
Harris Center, esk and Silverback Films presents The Making of Our Planet — Frozen Worlds at 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.
April 19
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host a free Easter Egg Hunt at 9 a.m. sharp at Promontory Park. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
The El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents a Historical Home Tour in the Bedford-Clay Street Historic District in Placerville, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit edchs.org.
Second-Chance Animals Make First-Class Pets! To Ask about these pets at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter (530) 621-7631 • 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs
ACROSS------------,
I) Literary miser Mamer 40) In_ (as found)
6) Saintly ring
41) Dealers in homes
10) Mansard overhang 43) Allocates, with "out"
14) Highly skilled 44) Persuading, at the wrestling
15) Partner of anon match?
17) Joking, at the wrestling 48) Summons, as strength match? 53) Like sundial numerals
19) Await action
56) Reason to rent a tux
20) Colorado ski mecca 58) Nobelist Wiesel
21) Snow Queen in Disney's 59) Declare firmly "Frozen" 60) Saying mean things, at the
22) Diver's dread, with "the" wrestling match?
23) One-named guitarist in 62) Desert "monster" infomercials
63) Gluck of opera
25) _ capita 64) Oater "necktie"
26) Being bossy with, at the 65) Whirling water wrestling match? 66) Like thick vines
32) Clobbers with junk email 67) Key in
36) Beatie who played sitar
37) Capitol Hill gofer
38) Floorboard support
AT THE WRESTLING MATCH
I) Soothing stuff
2) Suggestion box input
3) On the level
4) Turnover fruit
5) Poker champ Ungar
16) Mar vel Comics superheroes 47) Go astray
6) "Forget it!"
7) Hertz rival
8) Dunham of "Girls"
9) Alternative to .com or .net
10) Know-how
11) Grace conclusion
12) Sell by machine
13) Some linemen
18) Shakespearean king
22) Yogi or Boo-Boo
24) Toy rifle ammo
25) Sassy
B Fred Pisco DOWN
27) Trick-taking card game
28) _-relief
29) "_ soup yet?"
30) Jot down
3 l) Bearded antelopes
32) FDR's mother
33) Place to dock
34) Garden of Eden evictee
35) Disappears, like snow in spring
38) Link up
39) Surgery sites, for short
42) Castor, to Pollux
43) Classic British sports cars
45) Post-accident reassurance
46) Inject with Novocain
49) Grand_ National Park
50) George who created 1-Across
51) Dentist's order
52) "Like a Rock" singer Bob
53) Go ballistic
54) "The Art of Love" poet
55) Jell-O shaper
56) _ Alto, Calif.
57) Mountie's group
60) Happy hour locale
61) Suffix with serpent
National Reading Month
El Dorado County school districts
El Dorado County schools brought reading to life this March with creative events, guest readers and spirited competitions that inspired students to dive into books.
At Indian Creek Elementary, students enjoyed a Read-A-Thon, family reading night and visits from special guests, including Universal Miss California 2025, Allison Cooper — an Indian Creek alum who had the chance to read to her former teachers. Meanwhile, Gold Trail Union School District launched a dynamic reading contest, logging an impressive 64,995 minutes and raising over $13,000 with enthusiastic participation from 476 students. The excitement continued across the county. Lake Tahoe Unified students dressed as their favorite book characters, while Indian Diggings students welcomed Superintendent Grant Coffin for a festive St. Patrick’s Day storytime. In Buckeye Union School District, students read nominees for the California Young Reader Medal, competed in a Battle of the Books, participated in a March Madness-style book tournament and hosted a read-aloud led by Buckeye Union School District Superintendent Dr. David Roth. Charter Home Study Academy’s Read-A-Thon encouraged students to read 16 hours in a month, with book prizes and ice cream sundaes awaiting those who met their goals.
From themed events to friendly competitions, El Dorado County’s schools made reading both engaging and fun, proving that a love for books can last a lifetime.
Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems.
This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.
As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.
have a different method!
treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.
The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.
The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. “My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient In
Creative Easter Cakes
Celebrate the holiday with tasty desserts and time with family
FAMILY FEATURES
Sweet, delicious treats make Easter celebrations magical, putting the final touch on brunch, lunch or dinner gatherings. Whether your crowd enjoys the sweet-tart combination of fruit-infused cakes, mini bundts with personalized decorations or rich, creamy cheesecake, the dessert table is sure to be popular.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake and Carrot Cheesecake from “Cookin’ Savvy” are
perfect desserts for sharing with loved ones, made with little effort and a lot of love. You can even let little ones help in the kitchen with Fun Mini Easter Bundts by allowing their creativity to run wild – just hand over the icing and chocolate toppers then watch the artistry unfold.
To ensure your feast goes off without a hitch, create these tempting cakes the day before for a no-hassle Easter.
Find more ways to elevate Easter celebrations with food by visiting Culinary.net.
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake
1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 box lemon cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk
Glaze:
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease bundt pan and place rinsed blueberries in bottom. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk; pour on top of blueberries. Bake 35 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make glaze: Mix butter, sugar and milk then pour over cake.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake
Carrot Cheesecake
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake
Cake:
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup coconut
4 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
Cheesecake:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Topping:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 F.
To make cake: Mix cake mix with carrot and coconut. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs, butter and yogurt. Pour mixture into greased springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Let completely cool in pan.
To make cheesecake: Using hand mixer, whip whipping cream and sugar to form whipped cream and set aside.
Using hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add in whipped cream and mix. Pour onto completely cooled
carrot cake in springform pan. Let set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before unspringing pan.
For topping: Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on cake before serving.
Tip: For extra festive appearance, add desired Easter candy on top.
Fun Mini Easter Bundts
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 24 mini bundts
1 box confetti cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk
Chocolate Toppers:
1 cup each color melting chips of desired colors
silicone Easter candy molds of desired shapes
1 pouch ready-made green icing
Heat oven to 350 F.
Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Pour into greased mini bundt pan and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make chocolate toppers: In bowl for each color, melt melting chips in 1-minute intervals in microwave until thoroughly melted. Pour into baggies and snip corner. Pipe melted chips into molds and freeze 15-20 minutes. Pipe green icing onto mini bundt cakes for “grass” then place chocolate mold pieces on top.
Substitution: Save time on toppers by replacing with store-bought chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses or marshmallow bunnies. Subscribe
to Culinary.net’s free weekly newsletter.
OREO (A164110)
It is vigorously advised that you do not twist and lick this lovely black & white DLH. 14 years
LOTTIE (AA164162)
She is a large size tan Chihuahua who might be the reincarnation of the silent film star from England. 6yr.
Precious Pawprints
Adopt Today! Second-Chance Animals Make First-Class Pets!
To Ask about these pets at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter (530) 621-7631 • 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs
TANNER (A163854)
Tennis anyone? No? Well how about a fun M Blue Tick Hound to keep you company? 6 yr. Tri-colored
He is a cute black DSH and he is ready to play some games. 9mo.
(A163826)
A big long-haired kitty awaits you at the shelter. M, Maine Coon, Brown Tabby 11yr.
Full Service Firearms Dealer (FFL)
We BUY and SELL firearms and ammo. Bring in your UNLOADED firearms and ammo (must be in factory boxing unopened) for a CA$H offer.
FFL and AMMO Transfer Services for Firearms and Ammo
Super-cute and only 2 years old; he is a GSD mix with wiry brown fur. 2yr. (530) 387-0110
If it's California compliant, you can use our FFL transfer services.
Firearms Training
Our Certified Instructors provide the best in firearm training and CCW qualifying. Click on our website to register..
LEOPOLD
DOMINO (A163713) ROWDY (A164056)
Traverse Creek Botanical Special Interest Area was designated in 1988. The purpose of the designation was to protect its unique assemblage of plants as well as geologic and archaeological features.
The 220-acre SIA consists of a shallow valley surrounded by moderately steep serpentine hills. Serpentine soils predominate in the western and southern portions of the SIA. These soils generally have high levels of magnesium, nickel, and chromium. Only plant species tolerant of or adapted to these conditions are capable of growing here, thereby, giving rise to the unique plant assemblages. Soils derived from metamorphosed sedimentary rocks predominate in the canyon bottoms in the eastern and northern portions, where they overlay the serpentine bedrock. This diversity of soils contributes to the overall diversity of plant communities within the SIA.
Info: usda.gov/wildflowers/regions/Pacific_Southwest/TraverseCreek/index.shtml
Seasonal road and trail closure extended
Eldorado National Forest News release
Based on recent and predicted rain and snow, the seasonal closure of dirt roads and motorized trails is being extended through April 30 on the Eldorado National Forest.
Using motor vehicles on dirt roads and trails when soil moisture is high can cause damage to roadbeds from rutting, and impaired water quality from excess erosion.
A minimum three-month closure period from Jan. 1 through March 31 was designated for the core part of the wet season in the Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Plan. This plan also allows the seasonal closure to start earlier or be extended based on actual conditions.
The roads and trails that are subject to the seasonal closure are marked with a “Seasonal Designation” on the current Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the forest. The MVUMs are available from any forest office or can be downloaded from the forest website at: fs.usda.gov/detail/ eldorado/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd637014.
The seasonal closure does not affect roads and trails in the Rock Creek Area near Georgetown, which has its own wet weather closure process.
The Chimney Smoke RIP offers $599 to $2,000* to replace a non-EPA certified woodstove with a new efficient, cleaner burning, eligible EPA certified device. *$2,000 incentive available to low -income residents or residents of designated low -income communities
The expanded Clean Lawn equipment Incentive Pr r ogr am (CLIP) offers $100 to $2,000 to replace a piece of gas powered lawn equipment with a zero-emission cordless electric version. Now includes push and riding mowers, leaf blowers, weedeaters, and more!
The new CHar ge At your Residence and Go Electric (CHARGE) incentive program offers plugin car owners and lessees a $300 incentive to purchase and install a home EV charger.
The Drive Clean! incentive program offers El Dorado County residents a $599 incentive towards the purchase or lease of an eligible electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle.
30) Jot down
CLUES
1 Poorly behaved (7) 2 take out the bad stuff (6)
3 get it (10)
4 bounce back (8) 5 like a rough draft (8) 6 computing pioneer Grace (6) 7 where you are “dis-tressed” (5)
3 l) Bearded antelopes
32) FDR's mother
33) Place to dock
34) Garden of Eden evictee
35) Disappears, like snow in spring
38) Link up
39) Surgery sites, for short
42) Castor, to Pollux
43) Classic British sports cars
45) Post-accident reassurance
46) Inject with Novocain
49) Grand_ National Park
50) George who created 1-Across
51) Dentist's order
52) "Like a Rock" singer Bob
53) Go ballistic
54) "The Art of Love" poet
55) Jell-O shaper
56) _ Alto, Calif.
57) Mountie's group
60) Happy hour locale
61) Suffix with serpent
ANSWERS
Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.
SOLUTIONS
©2018 Blue Ox Family Games, Inc., Dist. by Andrews McMeel
CDFW seeks artists to enter Duck Stamp Art Contest
California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife News release
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 202526 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 5 through June 13.
teal ducks, seen here at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, are the subject for the 2025-26 stamp.
Since 1971, CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California. The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which is the cinnamon teal for the 2025-26 hunting season. These small, dabbling ducks are found in the Western U.S. and can be seen in wetlands foraging for aquatic plants and invertebrates. The aptly named cinnamon teal breeding males have rust-colored plumage with bright red eyes, a baby blue shoulder and green secondary
CDFW photo by Travis VanZant Cinnamon
feathers. Both males and females are identified by their relatively long black bills.
Winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2025-26 California Duck Stamp. Top submissions are traditionally showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show, which is scheduled to take place in July.
The contest is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older. Entrants need not reside in California. Current and former CDFW employees are ineligible. All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online at wildlife.ca.gov/duck-stamp/contest.
The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination of mediums) of the artist’s choosing, except that no photographic process, digital art, metallic paints or fluorescent paints may be used in the finished design. Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush method excepted) are not eligible for entry and will be disqualified. The design must be the contestant’s original, hand-drawn creation. The entry design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs, or from images in any format published on the internet.
Entries will be judged in June. The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation
CELEBRATE SPRING
and art and printing, will choose first-, second- and thirdplace winners, as well as honorable mention.
In past years, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license. Now California has moved to an automated licensing system and hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamp in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license). However, CDFW still produces the stamp, which can be requested by interested individuals at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.
OR CRISPY.
Pork, Chicken, Shrimp, Kimchi, and Vegetable. Or, take out a traditional dish like Sesame Chicken, Mongolian Beef, or Sweet ’n Sour Pork! Family dinners also available.
Last year’s winning artwork of mallards was created by Cynthie Fisher.
TNR-REX (A164122) GINGIE (A164111)
He is shy but not petrified. Consider this brown tabby DSH for your garden or barn. 1yr.
This F white Bull Terrier is waiting for an adopter to teach her a little sign language. She is deaf but eager to learn. 2yr.
Does he like cherry pie and coffee? Maybe, but he would like to be adopted. Brown, Belgian Malinois-X, 3 yr.
MR. COOPER (A163252)
Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems.
This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.
As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.
In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors
Placerville, CA – Currently the most common method most doctor’s recommend to treat neuropathy is with the use of prescription drugs. Although these drugs may temporarily reduce your symptoms they may cause a feeling of discomfort and in some cases lead to a variety of terrible unwanted side effects. We have a different method!
The treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.
The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.
The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.
“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient
