SPOTLIGHT
Molly’s Place
If the name Molly’s Place sounds personal, that’s because it is. The bar and restaurant on Placerville’s historical Main Street isn’t just run by Molly DeLallo — she literally lives upstairs.
But DeLallo doesn’t feel trapped at work; Molly’s Place has become a reflection of her life and values.
The business, formerly Diablo’s Bar and Grill, began its quiet transformation in fall 2025. DeLallo, who worked there before the transition, noticed something surprising while reading through online reviews.
“This one couple came in one day, and they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re Molly,’” she said. “They said you should go on Google reviews ... every review names you specifically, and great things are said about you.”
Looking through those comments helped inspire the idea to rebrand the business. By October 2025, the effort was under way — largely through word of mouth rather than formal advertising.
The atmosphere reflects DeLallo’s background in music and community. Before moving to Placerville from Tahoe about four years ago, she spent a decade performing live music and even sang the national anthem at San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres games as a teenager.
“Music really is at the core of everything that I love,” she said.
Instead of traditional open mic nights, Molly’s Place encourages spontaneous performances.
“I call it casual karaoke,” she said. “Anybody who wants to plug in their instruments, or my instruments, and play at any given time of day is welcome.”
Food is another major focus. DeLallo kept Diablo’s popular birria tacos but refined the recipe herself after testing several versions with regular customers. The menu now centers on specialty tacos and creative dishes such as birria ramen. Some menu items come from spur-of-the-moment inspiration.
“Once upon a hangover, I wanted a BLT and we didn’t have bread because we serve Mexican food, so I made a BLT taco,” DeLallo said.
The kitchen stays open until midnight; a welcome difference to most restaurants in the area, making the bar and grill the perfect after-work destination for other restaurant and bar employees on Main Street and the rest of Placerville.
Molly’s Place only serves beer and wine, but that does not mean you cannot order a cocktail. DeLallo has perfected inventive drinks using fermented grape-based spirits instead of hard liquor. Try her citrus-forward experiments that mimic lemon drops, whiskey sours and a popular orange creamsicle-style cocktail.
For DeLallo, the goal is simple: create a welcoming place where people feel comfortable gathering.
“Happiness is a choice, and that’s what I care to deliver and reciprocate,” she said. “I love seeing people happy and here I want people to make that decision.”
Photo by Chris Woodard
Delicious food and creative drinks make Molly’s Place the go-to place in Placerville. The kitchen is open late.
Graduating cohort No. 4 n Marshall School of Medical Assisting
On Feb. 26, students reached an important milestone as community members from Marshall Medical and the El Dorado County Office of Education gathered to celebrate the fourth graduating cohort of the Marshall School of Medical Assisting.
This cohort of 11 graduates worked diligently to build the skills and confidence needed to serve local patients. Graduates are Alexandria Carvin, Jeanne Earnshaw, Madelynn Heape, Autumn Heller, Stasia Inman, Rachel Lewis, Vanesa Maravilla Gonzalez, Kimberly Ortega Aguilar, Haylee Ribolin, Luz Valadez de Diaz and Stephanie Villanueva-Hernandez.
The ceremony opened with a welcome and introductions from Carey Buchanan, EDCOE director of Chater Alternative Programs. Words of encouragement were shared by Kaylah Muncher, practice director; Angie Land, assistant teacher; and Kara Miller-Halbert, teacher.
Graduate Autumn Heller delivered a heartfelt address as the student speaker. Attendees also heard keynote remarks from Siri Nelson, president and CEO of
The program recognized outstanding student achievements with two special awards. Rachel Lewis received the Clinical Excellence Award while Stephanie Villanueva-Hernandez was honored with the Academic Excellence Award.
During the traditional Presentation of Roses, graduates thanked the family members, friends and mentors who supported them throughout the program. The ceremony concluded with the Presentation of Certificates, marking the graduates’ readiness to pursue the California Certified Medical Assistant exam.
The program’s fifth cohort is currently under way. Through its continued partnership with Marshall Medical, EDCOE offers a medical assistant program that equips local students with the knowledge and hands-on training needed to pursue entry-level positions as medical assistants in hospitals, clinics and physician offices.
Marshall Medical, and Michael Gillespie, EDCOE assistant superintendent of Charter Alternative Programs.
Now
Studio 81 at El Dorado High School presents “Little Shop of Horrors” through March 21. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.
Oak Ridge High School Theater presents “Chicago: Teen
Edition” continuing through March 21. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.
El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents East of the Golden Gate at the Fountain & Tallman Museum through May 8. For more information visit edchs.org.
March 21
Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Placerville will host Hither & Yon live in concert at 4 p.m. For more information n See TO DO, page 10
ACROSS------------,
1) Footnote abbr.
6) Meet activity
10)Type of solo performance
14)Go no further
15)Button on a deli scale
16)Archaeology projects
17)You can do this when you're 13
20)Cheap way to travel
21)Throw forcefully
22)Play for a sap
23)Mangy mutt
25)" Miz"
26)Tight spot
30)"The Elder" of Rome
3 I) Screwdriver or gimlet
32)Kitchen wrap brand
33)Lobbying org.
36)You can do this when you're 17
COMING OF AGE
40) Small, in Dundee
41) Autobahn autos
42)Nash's "one-1" fellow
43)Fingerboard ridge
44)Colorer's need
46)Riled, with "up"
49)"Go on "
50)_ Carangi (Jolie title role)
51)Affair of the heart
53) Disney movie with dancing hippos
58) You can do this when you're 18
61) Buckwheat's affirmative
62) Stadium shape
63) Formal decree
64)Cartoon collectibles
65) Circus safety gear
66)Indian metropolis
B Fred Pisco DOWN
1) Phil who sang "Draft Dodger Rag"
2) Bog growth
3) Spelunker's hangout
4) Words of understanding
5) Rip to shreds
6) Old West transport
7) Suffix with "soft" or "hard"
8) Vaccine spot
9) Louvre Pyramid architect
10)Wood-dressing tool
11)Match in ability
12)Brushoff to a solicitor
13)Volcanic spew
18)High-pH substance
19)Restroom seat, slangily
23) Golfers' transports
24)Zion National Park state
26) Slow-cooked fare
27) Gelato holder
28) Casting director's offer
29)"Aladdin" prince
30) "Shut up!"
32)Aligned oneself (with)
33)Make an appeal
34)Shells, but not ziti
35) Printer's blue hue
37)Serengeti outing
38) Go sour
39) Cotton State (Abbr.)
44) Pres.'s military title
45)Sang to the cops
46)Mass destruction
47)Overplay one's part
48)Wreck completely
50) Iona College athletes
52)180-degree turns, slangily
53)Tuned too low
54) Errand runner
55)Flower pot filler
56)Ruler marking
57)Sparkling wine town
59) _ sequitur
60)Genesis outcast
See page 15 for answers.
STAVI (A170890)
He can see quite well and just knows you want to adopt his cuteness for your home.
DMH orange tiger 28 mo..
CHUBS (A167365)
CHUBS (A167365) He is a Belgian Malinois who is lean and ready for action. 22 mo. brown & black.
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
ROCKY (A170632)
He should be a contender to win your heart. Siberian Husky mix black, silver & white age UNK..
O-PURR-TUNITY KNOCKS
Kitten season is approaching. Sign up to be a kitten foster in 2026.
BILLY (A170801)
He is just a kid at 7mo of age. He has many years of love to give his adoptive family.
DSH brown tabby.
SNOWY (A164046)
Are you currently dog-less? This big girl, a Great Pyrenees who loves humans & car rides, awaits. 3 yr.
Have a ‘Hoppy’ Easter with a holiday ham
Feature Impact
When your kitchen is full of colorful eggs, candy baskets, tempting sweets and all that comes with Easter, sometimes a holiday classic is just the answer for simplifying the season. Perfect for pairing with deviled eggs, potato salad and a traditional Sunday feast, this Maple-Glazed Easter Ham provides a hands-off approach to the main dish. With an easily prepared glaze and your oven doing most of the work, you can keep your attention on time spent with loved ones. Visit Culinary.net to find more seasonal favorites, both classic and contemporary.
Maple-Glazed Easter Ham
Recipe adapted from Southern Living
Total time: 3 hours
Servings: 10
1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-9 pounds)
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (4 ounces) bourbon
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon orange slices and wedges, for garnish fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F.
Place ham in large roasting pan and fill with 1/2 inch of water. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake about 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with juices from pan, until meat registers 120 F at thickest portion.
In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, ginger and cinnamon; bring to boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
Remove ham from oven and discard foil. Increase oven temperature to 400 F. Using pastry brush, glaze ham with 1/3 cup maple-bourbon mixture.
Bake ham about 30 minutes until top is lightly caramelized and meat registers 145 F at thickest portion, brushing with remaining glaze every 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and transfer ham to serving platter. Let rest 15 minutes and garnish with orange slices, orange wedges and rosemary sprigs.
Make a creamy shake everyone will love
Feature Impact
Celebrate spring with this delicious coconut concoction.
For more recipes, visit culinary.net
Coconut Cream Pie Milkshake
3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup cream of coconut
2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut
1 whole graham cracker whipped cream, for garnish graham cracker crumbs, for garnish
Directions: In blender mix ice cream, cream of coconut, flaked coconut and graham cracker on high until smooth. Pour into glass. Top with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.
Recipe adapted from MilkMeansMore.org.
To Do Continued from 5 visit oursaviourplacerville.org.
March 22
Music on the Divide presents Dave Stamey live from 3-5 p.m. at IOOF Hall in Georgetown. For tickets and more information visit musiconthedivide.org.
March
23
The Atrium Gallery at El Dorado Hills Town Center will host Spring Studio Artists Exhibition through May 17. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
March
28
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host the Eggstreme Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rassmussen Park, Cameron Park. For more information visit
cameronpark.org.
Ron Mansfield Memorial Scholarship Bowling Tournament will take place at Knotty Pine Lanes in Pollock Pines at 10 a.m. Fore more information email edwgga@gmail.com.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host its Aqua Egg Hunt at the Community Pool from 1-3 p.m. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
April
4
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host its Easter Egg Hunt & Pictures with the Easter Bunny event at Promontory Park at 9 a.m. sharp. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
Marshal Gold Discovery Park will host its Community Easter Egg Hunt in front of the Saw Mill at 11 am. For more information visit golddiscoveryparkassociation.org
Late night sips and nibs, tasty tunes, and unmatched energy are worth the stop!
SPRING HORSE CARE TIPS
1. Begin your riding schedule slowly if your horse (and you) have been idle over the winter months.
2. Horses that haven’t shed out their long winter coats will heat up faster and take longer to cool down and dry out on warm spring days.
3. Consider clipping a long winter coat if you are planning to get back into a regular riding routine. A clipped horse or pony may still need to be blanketed if the temperature dips.
4. Spring time is vaccination time, so consult your veterinarian for the recommended vaccinations in your area.
5. Hasten shedding with regular grooming. A shedding blade helps pull out long loose hairs.
6. Be cautious about introducing your horse to lush green pasture if it has been eating hay all winter. A horse that is allowed to nibble grass as it emerges will be introduced slowly and naturally. But putting a horse or pony out on pasture suddenly can lead to things like colic and founder. Make the transition to pasture gradually — especially with ponies, draft breeds, and draft crosses. As little as thirty minutes on fresh grass can cause a pony to founder.
7. Horses accustomed to being blanketed during the cold
weather may still need blankets during temperature dips or rainy weather. Don’t forget to remove the blanket when the weather warms up again!
8. Keep an eye out for signs of thrush or rain scald that can flare up during wet spring weather.
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 wood or gas device.
*$2,000 incentive available to low-income residents or residents of designated low-income communities
The expanded Clean Lawn equipment Incentive Pr ogr am (CLIP) offers $100 to $2,000 to replace a piece of gas powered lawn equipment with a cordless electric version. Now includes push and riding mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers/weedeaters, chainsaws, and more!
The Drive Clean! incentive program offers El Dorado County residents a $599 incentive towards the purchase or lease of an eligible new electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle.
The new CHar ge At your Resid ence and Go Electric (CHARGE) incentive program offers plug -in car owners and lessees a $300 incentive to purchase and install a home EV charger.
The Driving Clean Assist ance Pr ogr am (DCAP) offers lowerincome residents up to a $10,000 incentive towards the purchase of an eligible new or used clean air vehicle in addition to a $2,000 incentive to help cover the cost of charging. DCAP also provides financial advice and counseling and their select group of financial partners offer financing at a rate of 8% or less.
