Photo
To Do
June 20
The Sierra Renaissance Society presents “Travels to Bhutan, Nepal & India” by Steve and Dickson Schwarzback, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings for free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc.org.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will a Free Concert in the Park with Ariel Jean from 7-9:30 p.m. at Community Park. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
Top activities in the region
June 21
The Tahoe Mountain Bike Festival, a staple of the area, is supported by the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and features bike demos, brews and live music. The event is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 21 & 22. For more information visit tamba.org.
Join El Dorado County Historical Society and Save the Graves for Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills, a curated wine tasting and tour of historical wineries from noon to 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit edchs.org.
Join American River Conservancy for live music with Island of Black and White, beverages and tasty food featuring Wani’s Tacos at historical Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville from 6-9 p.m. This concert series supports ARC’s Resilience Reserve helping to manage, repair and restore its protected properties. For more information visit bit.ly/ARCc4c2025.
June 26
Mania! Live Beatles Experience will perform at the Live on the Boulevard Summer Concert Series at the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 7-9 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
June 27
Join the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and Film Commission for the annual Business Showcase and I LOVE Film Mixer from 4-8 p.m. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.
June
28
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host the annual Summer Spectacular at Cameron Park Lake, 5-10 p.m., featuring vendor booths, food, live music, a kids’ carnival, fireworks over the lake and more. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet presents “Cinderella” at 2 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
July
3
El Dorado Hills Town Center presents Fireworks and Freedom Concert. This family-friendly event promises fun for all ages. Big Crush will perform at the Live on the Boulevard Summer Concert Series in the amphitheater from 7-9 p.m. Followed by the area’s best display of pyrotechnics —a show that will light up the night sky. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
STARS AT SCHOOL
Becky Poulson
Charter Home Study Academy
Becky Poulson, an eighth-grade teacher at Charter Home Study Academy, brings heart, flexibility and vision to her work with students at the Charles Brown campus. Now completing her second year with EDCOE, she continues to be inspired by the organization’s focus on growth and improvement.
Originally from Las Vegas, Becky now lives in Placerville with her husband and three children. She joined EDCOE because she believed in its vision. She quickly became a driving force in bringing that vision to life.
At CHSA, Becky works with a wide range of students, many of whom come from non-traditional educational backgrounds.
“Some had been homeschooled their entire lives and some needed a more flexible schedule due to health concerns,” she shared. “No matter why they came to us, I believe they left feeling they had found a supportive home.”
This year, Becky and her team embraced the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle to drive continuous improvement across their school. That work culminated in a proud moment: presenting their journey and student successes at a conference.
Steve Bryant, principal of Charter Alternative Programs, described Becky as “the heart of the eighth-grade team,” noting her “unwavering commitment to honest, authentic and sincere communication.”
“She creates an atmosphere of trust and openness,” Bryant added. “Her leadership, empathy and service to student success make her an indispensable part of the CHSA community.”
SPOTLIGHT Business
Tyler Martin’s journey in the garage door business began with his family. His dad has owned Doormark Garage Doors for 45-plus years.
“I worked for him when I was in high school. My dad has two brothers who are in the industry. I have probably seven or eight cousins in the industry. It’s just pretty much been my whole life,” Martin said.
In 2013, Martin branched out on his own, initially serving areas from Folsom to Rescue.
“In 2017 I incorporated,” Martin said. “Eventually I expanded to the Bay Area. In 2020 I expanded to Lake Tahoe. In 2024 I expanded to Las Vegas.”
Martin emphasizes trust and transparency with customers.
“Upon booking an appointment, we have automations in place where they’ll get an automatic text message and email confirming their appointment,” he explained. “They’ll get a welcome video, a video of me just thanking them for their business. They also get a picture of the tech so they know
who to expect.”
The work brings Martin genuine fulfillment, who shared that he loves that most homeowners use their garage as their front door.
“I’ve always really enjoyed what I do, especially when I’m out helping people,” he said.
“When it’s raining or they have groceries to bring in, it’s very inconvenient for the garage door not to be working.”
Community connections run deep for Martin, whose wife’s family owns Wally’s Pizza Bar. “I go to a lot of deaf socials,” Martin said, who is hard of hearing and has a degree in deaf studies. He also supports local first responders from Folsom and El Dorado County through charity events.
Looking ahead, Martin is focused on improving service.
“We are constantly going to garage door conventions to find the latest and greatest,” he said. “We try and stay ahead of the curve to be able to offer all the latest and greatest stuff to our customers.”
Photo by Chris Woodard
Tyler Martin and his team at Local Garage Doors prioritizes customer serve and keeping up with the latest garage door options
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 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.
ROOSTERS
Portable alarm clock with a red comb over? Runs on chicken scratch. No winding needed. 2 available
DONNER (A165732)
He would rather ride in your sleigh (car) than help pull a real one. brown Belgian Malinois age unknown.
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
MARY-KATE (A163025)
She would like to retire in a nice home, but might like to design paw-print clothes. brown Anatolian Shepherd age unk.
MAYBEL (A050931)
She wants you to know she is not into housework and requires regular feeding. B&W DLH 16 yr.
• Large selection of handmade artisan chocolates
• Our chocolates paired with wines from El Dorado & Amador Counties
• Gift boxes of all sizes for any occassion
HUTCH (A165633) Sign up at the shelter to be a kitten foster parent today. Very rewarding. Full of purrs & furry cuteness.
Simplify summer with light lunches
Family Features
Summer days can get busy with trips to the pool, walks around the neighborhood and gatherings with friends and loved ones. Take the hassle out of lunch with these Cucumber Sandwiches that can be made in advance for afternoon pickme-ups and visit Culinary.net to find more light, easy meals.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Garlic toast
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayo
2 teaspoons dried dill
2 teaspoons thyme
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 cucumbers
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: Cut crust off bread and set aside.
In bowl, mix softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, thyme, onion powder and garlic powder. Peel cucumbers then coarsely chop and add to cream cheese mixture. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Spread mixture over bread and cut into triangles.
Tip: Recipe can be doubled, if needed.
Cool down this summer with a sweet slushie
Family Features
Each season throughout the year seems to have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on warm evenings.
While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round - including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find, they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting nutrition content.
Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or slow cooked.
Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping - smoothies and cocktails are both crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick back in the sunshine.
To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Sweetpotato Summer Slushie
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
1 cup cooked, mashed North Carolina Sweetpotatoes
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup coconut milk
2-3 tablespoons simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups crushed ice
2 ounces spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional) pineapple slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
Directions: In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and ice until smooth and slushy.
Pour into glasses and serve.
For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered effect.
Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.
How to Tell if a Horse is Too Hot
As summer approaches and temperatures start to rise, you might be wondering if your horse is too hot. If you don’t have much experience in this area, it is di cult to tell if your horse is just tired from being worked, or if they’re actually in danger from being too hot.
How can you tell if a horse is too hot? A horse that is too hot might demonstrate the following symptoms:
• Continuous rapid breathing
• Body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit
• High heart rate
• Unwillingness to move
• Weak or sluggish movements
• Disinterest in the environment
• Skin that does not retake its form quickly a er a pinch test
• Discolored gums
Being able to tell if your horse is too hot is essential if you’re planning on working with them at all throughout the warmer months of the year. Study these warning signs to recognize the symptoms.
CLUES
1 unremarkable (11)
2 Sharpie, for example (6)
3 fill to capacity (5)
4 lives concurrently (8)
5 classic school project (7)
6 edentulous (9)
7 betrothed (8)
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
SILVER (A165750)
BUGSY (A165189)
SUNNY
