SPOTLIGHT Business
Straight Line Roofing & Construction
For more than two decades, Straight Line Roofing and Construction has set the standard for craftsmanship and customer care across the greater Sacramento region. Founded in 1999 by Jack Borba, a third-generation contractor, the company grew from humble beginnings — a truck, a small office and a dream — into one of the area’s largest and most trusted construction firms.
Borba’s passion for the trade began before he was 10 years old, working alongside his father and learning the importance of precision and pride. Over the years, he refined his expertise through an extensive apprenticeship program, balancing college courses at night while advancing from journeyman to superintendent and branch manager at local construction companies. That foundation of experience shaped Straight Line’s mission: delivering top-tier roofing and construction
services grounded in honesty and attention to detail.
“We’re a third-generation family of contractors, and we treat every roof like it’s protecting our own family’s home,” Borba said.
“Our name is a symbol of precision, discipline and doing things right. Straight Line has completed over 16,000 projects and has been voted No. 1 in El Dorado County for over 20 years, which is something no other company can say.”
Today, Straight Line continues to raise the bar with its new full-service showroom in Rancho Cordova, where homeowners can see and feel every shingle, siding and metal color combination before making their selections. Backed by decades of family expertise and a reputation built on trust, Straight Line Roofing and Construction remains a cornerstone of quality in Northern California.
Photo by Chris Woodard
Jack Borba has worked in construction for decades, building his company into one of the most reputable in the region.
To Do
Top activities in the region
Nov. 22
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host a Christmas Craft Faire at 2502 Country Club Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring handmade gifts, holiday cheer and a special visit from Santa and the Elves. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
Nov. 23
The Atrium at EDH Town Center and EDH Arts Association will host All The Leaves Are Gone showcase through Jan. 18, 2026. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
Nov. 27
Pollock Pines/Camino Community Center will host its annual free Thanksgiving Dinner from 4-7 p.m. at 675 Sanders Drive, Pollock Pines. This free home cooked meal is open to all community residents. Dinner includes turkey and all the fixings. For more information call (530) 647-8005.
n See TO DO, page 5
STARS AT SCHOOL
Charter Home Study Academy
The Charter Home Study Academy hosted a meaningful Veterans Day Flag Salute on Thursday, Nov. 13, dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. The morning began warmly with guests enjoying hot coffee and donuts before the official program commenced. CHSA students proudly led the assembly by singing the National Anthem, setting a tone of respect and reverence. The Charles Brown campus cafeteria was transformed for the event with walls covered in colorful posters and students’ handmade decorations. This festive atmosphere served as a heartfelt welcome for the special guests — over a dozen local armed forces veterans and active first responders who generously gave their
Veterans Day Flag Salute
time to attend.
Following the opening, the community came together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and conduct the flag salute. In a touching gesture of appreciation, several CHSA students personally presented the heroes with small gifts. CHSA Principal Steve Bryant offered his gratitude to the guests of honor, not only for their service but also for their continued support of the school and local community. The event was a powerful way for CHSA and the El Dorado County Office of Education to convey their deep thanks to all who have fought, served, and sacrificed. The community looks forward to continuing this tradition of honoring its local heroes.
To Do Continued from 3
Nov. 28
Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Thrice Upon a North Pole Christmas” ... Or ... “Get Lost, Jack Frost!” through Dec. 21. For tickets and more information go to oldecolomatheatre.com.
Nov. 29
Imagination Theatre at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “Into the Woods” through Dec. 21. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.
Dec. 1
The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will host Toys From The Bearcat Community Christmas with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 4495 Business Drive, Shingle Springs. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and make a child’s holiday brighter. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.
CELEBRATE FALL
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.
Second-Chance Animals Make First-Class Pets!
CRICKET (A166229) STONEY (A163902)
Much quieter than your average house elf. House rabbits make great pets. F black short haired rabbit 1 yr.
Solid as a rock and ready for adoption. Meet this M Catahoula mix, grey/white today. 9mo.
(A123869) She is looking for a quiet cat perch with a view. Do you have a garden for this DMH? 1 yr. brown tabby & white. BUGSY (A168886)
JACKAROO
CHARMAINE (A166466)
Inspired Holiday Entertaining
The holiday season is a time for creating meals and memories that last a lifetime, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. In the blur of commitments, crowded schedules and endless prep, the tension between a desire to create magical meals and wanting to actually enjoy them is real.
The right cookware can help shift that balance. Inspired by the calming essence of the outdoors, the KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series brings a breath of fresh air into the kitchen, blending expressive design with performance that simplifies the season. From durable stockpots to versatile nonstick pans, these tools elevate both prep and presentation.
In the middle of the holiday bustle, they provide a sense of calm and control, helping you plan ahead, cut stress and truly savor the moments that matter most. Because the best holiday moments aren’t just about what’s on the table –they’re about the joy you feel when you’re a part of them, from the quiet satisfaction of chopping, stirring and creating to the connection that comes when you share the results with those you love.
Including 12 pieces, the Hard-Anodized Ceramic Induction Nonstick Cookware Set brings the emotive power of nature into the kitchen, elevating your cooking with deep forest-green hues and elegant bronze handles. Ideal for stove-to-oven-to-table cooking, the high-performance ceramic nonstick cookware is eight times harder than traditional aluminum and features thick, forged bases for fast, even heating. Shatter-resistant glass lids seal in heat, lock in flavor and allow easy monitoring.
When you’ll be spending many special evenings around the table during the holiday season, these invaluable tools can help streamline the cooking process whether you need a dish that can be made in advance and frozen for easy entertaining like this Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with White Wine and Herb Butter Sauce or one that lets you focus on the fun and celebrations even with guests in town such as Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Bacon.
If those seasonal recipes call for stirring, whipping or mixing, the KitchenAid
Evergreen Design Series Tilt-Head Stand
Mixer is up to the task with 10 speeds, a tilt-head design to easily add ingredients and more than 10 different available attachments. Blurring the line between appliance and art through its unique color, finish and walnut wood bowl, it gives makers unmatched potential for creative expression.
Find more recipes and tools to bring culinary inspiration to life during the holidays at kitchenaid.com.
Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with White Wine and Herb Butter Sauce
FAMILY FEATURES
Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with White Wine and Herb Butter Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Marge Perry and David Bonom Servings: 4
Ravioli:
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus additional for serving (optional)
2 tablespoons plain dried breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground nutmeg
48 round dumpling wrappers water
Sauce:
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, divided 1/3 cup chopped shallots
2/3 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Bacon
8 ounces elbow macaroni
6 slices center-cut bacon
1 onion, chopped
5 cups butternut squash, cubed
3 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided 3/4 cup low-fat milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
1 pinch pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided chopped parsley (optional)
In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 6-Quart Ceramic Stockpot, cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.
In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 5-Quart Ceramic Saute Pan, cook bacon until crisp. Chop and set aside.
In same pan, add chopped onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until pieces are soft and lightly caramelized.
Add butternut squash cubes to onions along with 2 cups chicken broth. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook until squash is soft and most liquid is reduced.
Pour squash and onions into bowl and add milk, remaining chicken broth, dry mustard, nutmeg and pinch of salt and pepper. Using KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series TiltHead Stand Mixer, puree mixture until smooth and creamy. Pour pureed sauce into saute pan. Over low heat, add Parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly. Add noodles and stir well. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Top with chopped bacon, remaining cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.
To make ravioli: Line fine mesh sieve with dampened cheesecloth. Add pumpkin puree and strain 1 hour. Transfer to bowl and stir in egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, sugar, salt and nutmeg.
Arrange six dumpling wrappers on work surface in single layer. Place 1 tablespoon pumpkin mixture in center of each and brush edges with water. Place second wrapper over filling, carefully pushing out any air bubbles then pressing edges to seal. Transfer ravioli to baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Place sheet of plastic wrap over ravioli. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 6-Quart Ceramic Stockpot over medium heat, bring salted water to a gentle simmer
To make sauce: In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 3-Quart Ceramic Saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add wine, bring to boil and cook until mixture resembles wet sand, 8-9 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in remaining butter and heavy cream until melted. Stir in sage, chives and salt; keep warm, stirring occasionally.
To cook ravioli, add half to simmering water and cook, stirring gently once or twice, 3 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and divide between two plates. Add remaining ravioli to pot and repeat dividing between remaining plates. Spoon sauce over ravioli and serve with additional grated cheese, if desired.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Bacon
All Things Equine
Four Reasons To Be Thankful For Horses This Thanksgiving
It’s pretty tough to pare down the list! Is there anything about horses that we aren’t thankful for? Here are four things to know about why you can be thankful for horses this Thanksgiving.
The Voices
The Seniors
Is there any sound in the animal kingdom more joyful than that of horses nickering when you come into the barn or out to the pasture? Or the happy, delighted cheers that erupt when you rustle a grain bucket? Those whinnies and nickers are sure to make you smile!
With every passing year, gratitude goes to the senior horses; those steady, dependable, gray-faced equines. They keep their pasture buddies in line, can be trusted with even the youngest riders, and can find invisible scary things to get excited about even though they’ve seen everything. On Thanksgiving Day, give an extra thanks for the senior horses in your barn. They deserve it.
The Health Benefits
Horses are extremely beneficial to our health and physical condition. Think of all the miles you’ve walked leading horses to their fields or paddocks and back, plus all the weight-lifting you’ve done carrying buckets, hay bales, and saddles. Beyond the physical advantages, the company of horses has been proven to improve your mental and emotional state as well.
The Friendships
If you’re a horse lover, you likely have friends who are also horse lovers. It’s kind of a “birds of a feather” thing. When it comes time to give thanks, be sure to acknowledge the friendships you’ve made along the way. Remember your canine pals, too, because that’s the other unwritten law: horse people love dogs!
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.
CLUES SOLUTIONS
1 caring for the grounds (11)
2 chatter like a brook (6)
3 feline (5)
4 unusually large specimen (7)
5 burrowing spider family (8)
6 low-luminoisity star (5)
7 camera’s one leg to stand on (7)
Make nutrition the focus of school day meals
Family Features
When planning for school days, “quick and easy meals” may be the first goals on your list, but as any busy parent knows, nutrition is also a top priority. The best meal choices for back-toschool season balance convenience with wholesome ingredients to help kids stay fueled and focused all day long.
If you’re looking for a nutritious, quick recipe to help your family make it through the morning this Pumpkin Pie Kefir Smoothie will be your go-to this fall. Made with Maple Hill’s Vanilla Kefir, it’s a wholesome and tasty way to serve up 100% grass-fed, organic dairy that’s free from GMOs, hormones and antibiotics.
At dinner time, turn to practical and satisfying solutions like grilled chicken paired with Greek yogurt and pesto, which lets you savor those delicious flavors of grilled fare with a better-for-you marinade that takes chicken to the next level. For a well-rounded meal, serve with whole-wheat pasta and sun-dried tomatoes.
To find more information about 100% grass-fed organic dairy and recipes fit for family nutrition throughout the school year visit MapleHill.com.
Pumpkin Pie Kefir Smoothie
1/2 frozen banana
3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1 cup Maple Hill Creamery Vanilla Kefir, plus additional for serving 20 grams unflavored collagen peptides
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup ice
ground cinnamon, to taste
Directions: In high-speed blender, blend banana, pumpkin puree, 1 cup vanilla kefir, collagen peptides, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and ice until smooth. In glass, add drizzle of additional vanilla kefir then layer smoothie on top. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, to taste.
ZENDAYA (A165897)
She is looking for a nice home and owner. Not really into the circus thing. brown GSD mix age unk.
HANK (A169094)
You could ‘exchange’ glances with this super senior kitty every day! Adopt! M 11 yr Siamese/DSH lynx point.
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
KITTENS ARE PURRfect
Get ready, get set, ADOPT. Check for new arrivals often; they go fast.
ODYSSEUS (A168405)
Are you ready for an adventure? He might be your best companion. Dobie Black/red 19mo.
BLENDER (A168892)
Be it Margarita or Daiquiri, this Queensland Heeler X will be right there for you. merle, 8mo.
OZZY (A166596)
Quiet, soft and furry with a wiggly nose, this black short-haired rabbit is waiting for you to adopt him. age unk.
