The El Dorado Hills Fire Department kicks o its popular Santa Run – Holiday Heroes Food and Toy Drive Saturday, Dec. 6, spreading the magic of the season while also collecting items for those less fortunate.
“The El Dorado Hills Fire Department is excited to provide our Santa Run food and toy drive once again for our community this December,” EDH Fire Chief Michael Lilienthal said.
“Fire ghters will be bringing the Santa sleigh with the elves through the community starting rst on Dec. 6 at EDH Town Center, then Dec. 9-12 around the community,” he continued. “We are very excited to support Shriners Children’s burn center with toys and the Food Bank of El Dorado County with food. We hope you will join us. This is a wonderful tradition where the department in the community come together in support of such a great cause.”
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their crew of merry elves (keep an eye out for the Grinch!) will collect new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food and Letters to ■ See SANTA RUN
Community mourns William ‘Bill’ Schultz
Noel Stack Editor
Former El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk
William “Bill” Schultz died Nov. 28 at age 92.
“He died very peacefully,” widow Mary Ann Kirk told Village Life Monday morning. They had been married for 30 years. She shared that Schultz su ered a stroke on Nov. 26 and passed mid-morning Friday at a Roseville hospital.
Schultz was a mainstay in El Dorado County government, serving as recorder-clerk, head of the Elections Department and head of Veterans A airs before his
Commission OKs new Shingle Springs gas station with conditions; group plans appeal
Drivers excited about the possibility of a new AM/PM on Durock Road in Shingle Springs will have to idle a while longer. The Shingle Springs Community Alliance has announced it will appeal the El Dorado County Planning Commission’s project approval.
On Nov. 12 commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of granting applicant Strauch and Co. a conditional use permit for the construction and operation of a new ARCO AM/PM that would consist of a 3,349-squarefoot convenience store, a 100-foot-long automatic car wash, a 4,606-squarefoot fuel canopy with six fuel islands and 12 fueling positions and three underground storage tanks — with the condition that the station’s car wash will not operate until speci c Ponderosa Road interchange improvements are complete or Jan. 1, 2030 (which ever comes rst).
CPCSD skates through rumors
Noel Stack Editor
In lieu of a regular Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors meeting, CPCSD interim General Manager Maurice Johnson went into rumor-control mode a er misinformation posted on social media brought more than 60-plus frustrated skatepark users and supporters to the Cameron Park Community Center on Nov. 19.
A lack of quorum canceled the regularly scheduled meeting but practically no one in the audience was there to talk about agendized items. They wanted to know if the district planned to close the community’s popular skatepark at Christa McAuli e Park.
The answer is no.
Johnson started the informal chat with assurances, over some heckling, that the district had no intentions of lling in the skatepark with dirt.
Four days later the SSCA announced its decision to appeal the project’s approval to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors; a hearing will be scheduled as early as January 2026, according to the alliance.
we are all dealing with,” the alliance noted in an email.
“It is SSCA’s position that the ARCO station or any other business on that property should not begin construction until a er the road improvements are completed to relieve the signi cant tra c congestion that
Tra c and circulation were among the top concerns discussed at last month’s commission meeting, which lasted several hours in part due
“The skatepark is a great asset,” Johnson said. What did transpire, the GM explained, was a very preliminary, informal conversation this past summer with Faith Episcopal Church leadership about the possibility of the district purchasing some of the church’s property along Highway 50. The church is Christa McAuli e Park’s neighbor to the west. The CPCSD has been looking for property where it could construct new pickleball courts and a parking lot since it shut down outdoor pickleball at Cameron Park Lake due to noise issues, Johnson told the Mountain Democrat.
“The conversation was purely on purchasing the property,” he said, clarifying that the CSD was later asked if it would consider a land swap, whereby the church would be granted a slice of Christa McAuli e Park in exchange for its parcels along the freeway.
The idea was proposed, Johnson said, but no
Photo courtesy of EDH Fire
Santa Claus and crew, seen here at last year’s event, return to El Dorado Hills this Christmas season for the El Dorado Hills Fire Department’s Santa Run, launching at the EDH Town Center tree lighting on Dec. 6 and then
Village Life photo by Shelly Thorene
Bicyclists enjoy the skatepark at Christa McAuli e Park in Cameron Park on a recent sunny afternoon.
Village Life file photo by Krysten Kellum Bill Schultz retired from county government in 2018 but continued to stay active in the community. The Navy veteran worked tirelessly to support veterans programs.
The proposed AM/PM station on South Shingle Road at Durock Road has received Planning Commission approval but an appeal is planned.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Dec. 5
Ed Wilson will perform at Barrel and Bliss Wine Bar in El Dorado Hills from 6-9 p.m.
Dec. 6
Sierra Symphony presents its 40th anniversary season Christmas Concert at the Cameron Park Community Center, 4-6 p.m. For tickets and more information go to sierrasymphony. org.
The El Dorado Hills Town Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will illuminate the night, bringing families, friends and neighbors together to kick o the holiday season. This cherished annual tradition features festive performances by live musicians setting a joyful atmosphere for the whole community. As excitement builds, Santa himself will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to greet the crowd and spread holiday cheer.
Dec. 7
The 2025 Hangtown Christmas Parade — Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas takes place on Broadway and Main Street in Placerville at 1 p.m. Check-in for participants is 11 a.m. Entry fee is an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots.
Dec. 9
The El Dorado Hills Fire Department presents its Santa Run Holiday Heroes Food and Toy Drive through EDH neighborhoods, Dec. 9-12. For route information and more details visit edh re.com/santarun.
Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw Christmas Tour at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.
Dec. 10
The Sons in Retirement – Gold Country branch meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Cameron Park Country Club. Check out the club and be a guest for a complimentary lunch. Contact Branch 95’s membership chairman at SIRBranch95@gmail.com for more details.
Join the El Dorado Hills, Shingle Springs/Cameron Park and El Dorado County Chambers of Commerce for the Joint Chamber December Holiday Mixer at Patra Corporation in El Dorado Hills, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a no-host bar tended by Kiwanis Club of Placerville. Bring a non-perishable food donation to support the Food Bank of El Dorado County. There will be collection barrels on site. All are encouraged to bring a ra e prize that supports their business.
Join the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West performing at the Harris Center for the Arts for a free concert on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.
Dec. 13
The Rescue Community Center will host its Christmas Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.
Join the Oak Ridge High School Music Department for The ■ See HAPPENINGS, page A7
Have questions about withdrawing funds, converting your account or generating income?
Gain experienced guidance while ensuring your retirement accounts are following your investment strategy. Contact me today, and let’s make sure you’re still on the right track.
Have questions about withdrawing funds, converting your
Joshua Fournier Financial Advisor
3439 Robin Lane #120 Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-9422
Gain experienced guidance while ensuring your retirement accounts are following your investment strategy. Contact me today, and let’s make sure you’re still on the right track.
Courtesy photos
Ruby Peppers’ art inspires big smiles from EDH re ghters.
Isaac Chan holds up his awards with Station 87 crew members.
Kaiden Funk’s art can bee seen on Engine 84 in El Dorado Hills.
The members of Assistance League Sierra Foothills invite everyone to join them 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 & 7 to be inspired and enchanted as they tour ve delightful and beautifully decorated private homes on this year’s Homes for the Holidays tour.
Local homeowners generously open their homes and share their traditions with the attendees. “Our parents and grandparents created truly magical Christmas memories for our family growing up and taught us the true signi cance of the season,” tour participant Sherri Bewsey shared. “In our home, Christmas is, without a doubt, the most wonderful time of the year.” In addition to the ve homes, the tour o ers many other surprises as well as opportunities to shop for holiday gi s. A ra e will be held for several unique gi baskets lled with treasures, the Heartfelt & Handcra ed boutique will showcase an adorable variety of items and guests will also nd uniquely decorated Christmas trees that can be purchased and be delivered to their home a er the tour. As always, visitors are encouraged to search for El e the Elf in each home with the possibility of winning a prize.
Ticket purchases enable the organization to fund six philanthropic programs that directly bene t families in need in El Dorado County. This fall Operation
STUDENT OF THE QUARTER: ETHAN YOUNG
STUDENT OF THE QUARTER: JULIET CHELI
Courtesy photos
Tour gorgeous homes all decked out at this year’s Homes for the Holidays tour,
Courtesy photo
BUSD Superintendent Dr. David Roth, Rotary Area Governor Don Fuller, Rotary President Adam Marshall, Principal Doug Shupe, Ethan Young, Mary Young, Matt Young and Vice Principal Sara Matley.
Buckeye Union School District Superintendent Dr. David Roth, Area 6 Governor Don Fuller, Student Juliet Cheli and family, Principal Doug Shupe and Assistant Principal Sara Matley.
Time not on Trojans’ side in title game against Folsom
Mike Bush Village Life correspondent
Five minutes and seven seconds in the fourth quarter can be a long time in football at any level.
That was how much time the Oak Ridge High School varsity football team had to return to the end zone against Folsom High School’s squad at Hughes Stadium on the Sacramento City College campus — the site of the CIF SacJoaquin Section Playo s Division I championship game on Nov. 28.
No. 2 seed Oak Ridge looked like it could bene t from miscues going against top-seed Folsom. But the Bulldogs found a way to keep the ball moving in the nal minutes, preserving a 21-14 win to capture another blue banner and ending the Trojans’ season. All section winners in Divisions I-VII earned a California Interscholastic Federation State Regional playo game, which will be played this Friday and Saturday.
“I wish we could have got them o the eld (Oak Ridge’s defense) in the fourth quarter,” said Trojans head coach Casey Taylor. “Our guys got back in the game, made it a one-score game, gave ourselves a chance.”
This was the second time this season Folsom has beaten Oak Ridge. The rst came in a Sierra Foothill League game at Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 3, where the home squad produced a 28-9 win.
Trojan quarterback Luke Taber threw the team’s second touchdown at the 5:07 mark in the fourth quarter of Friday’s section title game. Scrambling out of the pocket while looking for an open receiver, Taber, a 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore, found wide receiver Jack Granrud in the north
end zone of the stadium for the touchdown. Kyle Boeker booted the extra point for the 21-14 score.
The Trojans’ defense set up what would be the nal touchdown of the game and season, creating a Folsom turnover on loss of downs in a drive that stalled at the Oak Ridge 12 toward the end of the third quarter. The defense also hounded Bulldog quarterback
Ryder Lyons, who is headed to BYU on a scholarship, in the backeld most of the night that led to sacks, hurried up passes and forced him to run out of the pocket.
“Our defense played outstanding,” Taylor said. “We were getting a er him (Lyons).”
Oak Ridge (9-4) was hoping to get the ball back on o ense with the amount of time available.
That seemed very possible a er Folsom (12-1) received the ensuing kicko that was spotted at its own 20-yard line on a touchback. The Bulldogs, in their own territory, shot themselves in the foot with three penalties on delay of game, false start and illegal man down eld.
But Lyons kept the drive alive when he found teammate Isaiah
Williams on an 18-yard strike. Followed by an 8-yard run by running back Bronson Bambino, who is only a sophomore, the Bulldogs picked up a rst down at their own 43. But by then, time was under three minutes.
Oak Ridge called a timeout at 2:32 in hopes of killing any type of momentum Folsom had on o ense. But Lyons ran the ball the next four plays, picking up two rst downs in the process and moving the ball to the Oak Ridge 26. Then the Bulldogs lined up in victory formation for the win and another section crown.
Folsom scored its third touchdown of the game
with 6:52 in the third quarter when Lyons almost walked into the end zone on a 1-yard run. Sudhit Ganguly booted the extra-point kick for a 21-7 score. The Bulldogs held a 14-7 hal ime lead. They scored the goahead touchdown with 11:36 le in the second quarter when Lyons was in the end zone for his rst score on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The extra-point kick was good.
Folsom and Oak Ridge scored a touchdown each in the rst quarter. The Trojans knotted the game at 7-7 at 2:02 remaining in the quarter when running back Tyler Andujar, who was back for his second playo game a er missing recent games due to an injury, took the hando from Taber and went into the end zone on a 1-yard run. Boeker booted the extra point.
Folsom scored on its opening possession that ended when Lyons let his arm speak, throwing a 25-yard strike at Williams, who ran a post pattern, with 7:40 remaining in the opening quarter. The extra-point kick made it 7-0.
“We made some plays; they made some plays,” said Taylor of the Trojans and Bulldogs making plays in the early part of the game.
Oak Ridge nished the game and season with a combined 188 total o ensive yards; 104 on the ground and 84 in the air.
As Folsom celebrated this year’s section title at the south end of Hughes Stadium, Taylor and his assistant coaches gathered their players for their post-game discussion. A erward, players and coaches shook hands and hugged each other.
“Our guys played hard,” Taylor said. “Le it all on the eld, and we’re proud of them.”
Trojan cross country teams place in top 10 at state meet
The Oak Ridge High School cross country teams ran their hardest at the 38th CIF State Cross Country Championships in Fresno on Nov. 29. The Trojans’ varsity boys team placed 10th and the varsity girls team placed 8th. Three boys broke the school record of 15:43 on the challenging 5K Woodward Park course. The new school record was set by senior Wesley Ewing in 15:31.5. The boys’ team ran the fastest team time at
Oak Ridge with a time of 1:18.53. Last year they ran the second fastest team time with a time of 1:20.37.
“The team has improved tremendously during the last year,” coach Rob Fairley said. “In 2024, the boys team placed 15th at the state meet.”
The ORHS girls team time was 1:33.09 — just six seconds o of the 2024 team time at the state meet.
Several Trojan runners obtained personal records on the Woodward Park course at the state meet, according to the coach.
“Our coaches are very proud of the terri c e orts
of our teams. Having two teams place in the top 10 in the state meet is an outstanding accomplishment,” Fairley shared. “It was another fun and successful season for the Oak Ridge cross country teams.”
ORHS results
Varsity girls — 8th out of 24 teams with 250 points
Adriana Ingargiola, 41st, 18:18.5
Giuliana Martino, 47th, 18:21.7 (PR)
Maya Day, 68th, 18:41.6
Sutton Paulsen,77th, 18:48.5 (PR)
Addie Yip, 89th, 18:58 (PR)
Emi Madsen, 92nd, 19:02.5
Lauren Tiedeman, 148th, 19:54.9
Varsity boys — 10th out of 24 teams with 251 points
Wesley Ewing, 36th, 15:31.5 (PR, School Record on Woodward Park course)
Roman Zamora, 38th, 15:33.0 (PR)
Thomas Capelli, 53, 15:42.3 (PR)
Bailey Van Leemput, 89th, 16:02.4
Oscar Carrillo, 93rd, 16:03.6 (PR)
Dax Whann, 100th, 16:07.1 (PR)
Ben Gutierrez, 155th, 16:57.9
Photos by Mike Bush Oak Ridge quarterback Luke Taber, above, scrambles to nd a receiver in Friday’s D-1 section title game at Hughes Stadium on the Sacramento City College campus. At left, Trojan wide receiver Jack Granrud tries to
Courtesy photos
The Oak Ridge varsity girls and boys teams had a great season, capping it o with excellent nishes at the CIF State Cross Country Championships in Fresno.
retirement on Dec. 31, 2018. He had been elected six times to the recorder’s position and filled other county roles prior.
“He was devoted to the county,” Kirk said.
County Registrar of Voters Linda Webster worked with Schultz from his first term as recorder to his last. “He was a wonderful person to work for,” Webster said. “Everybody loved Bill. He will be missed.”
Webster noted Schultz had the ability to see potential in his staff and did everything he could to elevate them. “He was a true champion for my professional development,” she recalled.
Schultz was also instrumental in bringing both the Recorder-Clerk’s Office and the Elections Department into the tech age, Webster added. He embraced technology and championed the transitions statewide.
Webster said she had the fortune of speaking with Schultz last week, during which they shared news about their lives. “He sounded really good.”
District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp said, “Bill was an honorable, kind gentleman with a big heart that spoke softly. He served our country and our county with dignity and grace.”
El Dorado County AuditorController Joe Harn also recalled Schultz’ exceptional spirit. “He was a kind, hard-working man ... and just a very good citizen,” Harn said, adding Schultz’ office attire — a well-fitting suit and tie almost every day — was second to none. “He was the best dressed county department head.”
Bill Schultz was elected county recorder-clerk in 1994 and retired at the end of 2018.
Born in Montebello on June 9, 1933, Schultz’ childhood involved travel due to his father serving in the Navy. He graduated high school in Grass Valley in 1952 and just days later joined the Navy himself. He trained as an aviation machinist’s mate in San Diego and later worked as a flight engineer for three years. He then shifted to an air traffic controller position. In 1966 he was transferred to the USS Enterprise, which was stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. After a four year tour of duty in Vietnam, he headed to the Naval Air Station New
to technical difficulties. Many opined that during peak traffic times, especially when school is in session at Ponderosa High School, an additional gas station would only exacerbate an already congested roadway. The intersection of South Shingle Road where it meets Mother Lode Drive and Durock Road already has two gas stations, both on the east side of the main artery.
“Impatient drivers may choose to pull a u-turn on South Shingle or use a small engine repair business’ driveway instead,” Shingle Springs resident Jeanette Maynard told commissioners of those using the ARCO gas station slated for the west side of South Shingle. “This will exacerbate traffic congestion and be dangerous.
“Cars trying to return to the freeway via Durock will have to navigate traffic that is already often severely backed up,” she continued. “The stoplight does not allow sufficient time for vehicles to turn left. Cars backed up on Durock will be expected to allow cars leaving ARCO to cut in front of them — that will not go well.”
Commissioners analyzed at length the project’s circulation plan, which will significantly shift when Durock Road is realigned as part of the county’s 2025
Skatepark
agreement was made and it’s so preliminary no one knows if it’s even financially viable. The general manager assured the crowd if the district considered this option there would be numerous public meetings to work out the details and get public input, and he stressed he would never support a plan that would require elimination of a skatepark in Cameron Park.
“Nothing happens in secret,” Johnson said. “Nothing happens behind closed doors.”
Skatepark club
What Johnson did say he would support is more public involvement in the upkeep and operation of the skatepark, which opened in 2001.
“We need your help,” he told the crowd.
With a tight budget and only 14 on staff, Johnson encouraged those in the local skating community to step up. Several in the crowd interjected that they often cleaned up graffiti and trash — activities also done by CSD staff when they can — and criticized the district for not doing more.
“We’re not saying it’s a pristine skatepark,” Johnson admitted. However, he stressed, staff does maintain the park.
The general manager also noted vandalism at the park continues to be a problem. The water fountain, which many complained hasn’t worked in several years, frequently gets filled with dirt and staff recently had to tear down a shed near the facility due to excessive break-ins.
CPCSD Director Tim Israel said he saw a video posted online of skaters jumping over an old sofa
Orleans to be the radar chief. A year later he was transferred to Point Mugu to be in charge of radar operations. It was there that he retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer in 1972. After a brief stint in banking, Schultz came to El Dorado County where he held numerous positions in county government — micrographics & service unit supervisor, purchasing agent, facilities director, sheriff’s administrative assistant, airport manager for the South Lake Tahoe, Placerville and Georgetown airports, interim welfare director and communications director
Capital Improvement Program U.S. 50 / Ponderosa Road Interchange Phase 1B project. This project includes realignment of approximately a quarter-mile of Durock Road to South Shingle Road/Sunset Lane and potential widening of the eastbound off ramp as part of a larger interchange project.
Zach Oates, senior civil engineer with the county Department of Transportation, said construction of the Durock realignment is scheduled sometime in the 2027-28 fiscal year, with 2028 being more likely. The work is expected to take about 18 months, putting the road opening sometime in 2030.
District 4 Commissioner Tim Costello, whose dis trict includes the project site, had several reservations, with traffic as it is chief among them. “It will make traffic worse, even if there is one more car,” he said of the project.
He and District 2 Commissioner Bob Williams voted against accepting the environmental analysis and granting the CUP.
District 1 Commissioner David Spaur, District 3 Commissioner Jeff Hansen and District 5 Commissioner Patrick Frega supported staff’s recom mendations, with the car wash condition added: 1. Adopt the mitigated negative declaration based on
someone dumped in the skatepark.
Several in the crowd said they would participate in a skatepark club, with the CSD’s leadership, that would promote the park and possibly plan activities that could attract more people similar to food truck events that used to be held there. Johnson loved the idea.
“We want their help,” he told the Mountain Democrat. “We want their involvement.” The GM met with a small group after to talk details.
Pickleball woes
Some pickleball players also attended on Nov. 19, supporting the idea of the CSD building new courts. The district previously converted tennis courts at Cameron Park Lake into eight pickleball courts in 2017 but those were closed a couple years ago due to excessive noise complaints.
The district currently offers indoor pickleball 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Cameron Park Community Center gym and is in preliminary discussion with the Buckeye Union School District that could result in a joint-use agreement in which pickleball players could use school courts during nonschool hours.
“If I can find additional court space in the commu nity and not build a $2 million facility that we can’t afford ... that’s what I’m going to do,” Johnson said.
The district does have funds set aside for land acquisition where new pickleball courts, along with other amenities, could be built, he added, should the CPCSD Board of Directors decide to go that route — hence the discussion with church leaders.
A dentistry that aims to
Jessica Cyphers Staff writer
For patients of Dale Stanec, Jr., DDS, going to the dentist feels a little like going home.
“We know all of our patients. They’re our friends,” said Dr. Stanec, who works alongside his wife and office manager, Elena, in his Cameron Park office. “The experience in our office is very personal. We’re very small and greet each patient by name when they walk in. It’s a comfortable, homey place to have dental work done, and we like it that way.”
Dr. Stanec has been in dentistry in the Cameron Park area since 2002. As a kid, he was “always into science and math” and loved the idea of owning his own business. “I ran a lawn-mowing business as a kid — always had some kind of business going — so becoming a dentist and owning my own practice just made sense,” said Dr. Stanec. Dr. Stanec did his undergraduate work at Cal Poly,
(helping to establish the county’s first 911 center). In 1980 he joined Xenex Computer Co. as operations manager, working there for a decade before coming back to the county in a records management role. Four years later he ran for recorder-clerk and didn’t look back. Reflecting on his career at the county, Schultz told the Mountain Democrat shortly before his retirement, “It’s been great as far as I’ve been concerned. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve enjoyed all the people I’ve worked with. I’ve been very fortunate to have some of the very best people to work with. I can’t say enough about them.
“I was blessed with staff in every office that have just been outstanding. And that’s what makes the job worthwhile. I couldn’t have asked for any better … their help and comradeship, it’s been a great ride.”
In retirement, Schultz continued his hobbies — he played tennis for years and had only recently given away his racquets, Kirk said — and was often seen at veterans activities and community events, most recently the 2025 Veterans Day ceremony at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument in Placerville, a project he championed during its development.
Kirk said at the Nov. 11 event this year, they chatted with fellow veteran and friend Sal Gigante, who recently turned 100. “I know he lived a good, long life, but we decided (Bill) was going to live to 100,” Kirk recalled. “But it wasn’t meant to be.”
be a home away from
San Luis Obispo and then attended dental school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern in 2001 and says that, although he was born and raised in San Jose, it was a natural draw to open his practice in the foothills. “Elena and I love this area. We had a lot of family and friends here and thought it would be a great place to raise our kids.”
In his office, Dr. Stanec offers a full scope of general and cosmetic dentistry with expertise ranging from porcelain veneers and dental implants to crowns and bridges and more. Unlike many other dentists, Dr. Stanec doesn’t employ dental hygienists or other technicians but does all of his dental work himself.
“I spend a lot of one-on-one time with my patients. It’s fun for me to do the work myself because I get to spend more time with my patients and hang out with them and really get to know them. It makes it fun to do what I do,” said Dr. Stanec.
Dr. Stanec is located at 3955 Cam eron Park Drive — in Cameron Park. His office is right near the Goldorado Shopping Center, directly across from the new Walgreens on Palmer Drive, and is very conveniently located for all of his patients. The move is just one more way Dr. Stanec shows his commitment to providing the best possible care for his patients.
“I look forward
home
Village Life file photo
Managing risk at di erent stages of life
As an investor, you will always need to deal with risk of some kind. How can you manage the risk that accompanies the volatility of the nancial markets? The answer depends somewhat on where you are in life.
Suzy O’Neal Financial columnist
When you’re starting out … If you’re early in your career, with perhaps four or ve decades until you retire, you can likely a ord to invest primarily for growth, which also means you’ll be taking on a higher level of risk – because risk and reward are positively correlated. But, given your age, you will have time to overcome the market downturns that are both inevitable and a normal part of investing. Still, even at this stage, being over-aggressive can be costly. When you’re in the “middle stages” … At this time
of your life, you’re possibly well along in your career and working on at least a couple of nancial goals, such as saving for retirement and your children’s college education. You’ll want to begin adjusting the balance in your portfolio between assets with higher growth and those with lower growth since there will be progressively less time to rebuild losses. You’ll need to decide on the balance between risk and growth that’s right for you.
When you’re a few years from retirement … You may have already achieved some key goals – perhaps your children have nished college and you’ve paid o your mortgage. As a result, you may have more money available to put away for retirement. Growth still matters because your retirement could be 25 or 30 years long, and you’ll need investments that can keep up with in ation. But you’ll also need investments designed to help provide for your income needs in retirement and provide more stability. Also consider reducing your exposure to higher-risk investments and instead consider investing more in stable dividend-paying stocks, government and investmentgrade bonds, and cash.
When you’re retired … Once you’re retired, you might think you should take no risks at all with sub-
stantial assets held in cash. However, you could spend two or three decades in retirement, so you may need some growth potential in your portfolio to stay ahead of in ation. A more balanced mix between equities and xed income is generally appropriate. Establishing a withdrawal rate that’s appropriate for your lifestyle and projected longevity can help reduce the risk of outliving your money. Of course, if there’s an extended market downturn during any time of your retirement, you may want to temporarily lower your withdrawal rate.
Managing investment risk is a lifelong process that evolves with your goals, responsibilities and time horizon. While you’ll look for balance among your investments based on your life stage, having a balanced and diversi ed portfolio doesn’t fully protect against a loss. Still, aligning your strategy with your stage of life can help navigate market volatility and stay on track toward long-term success while avoiding emotional investment decisions. The key is staying informed and making intelligent choices that re ect your current income needs and future aspirations.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Suzy O’Neal, (530) 6765402. Edward Jones, member SIPC.
Department of Transportation prepping to launch new complaint app
Noel Stack Editor
Drivers traveling along the 1,083 miles of El Dorado County maintained roads who encounter a hazard will soon be able to report the problem with the help of an app.
EDC Department of Transportation sta is testing a GovPilot complaint tracking system that could go live as early as this month.
“We have been fully aware that our complaint tracking system is not ecient and not super user-friendly,” DOT senior administrative analyst Ashley Johnson admitted at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ Nov. 18 meeting.
GovPilot o ers an app residents can
download as well as a link on the DOT website.
“While they’re out there, for better or worse, they will be able to take pictures of everything and send it to us,” Johnson explained. “It is a cloud-based reporting system so we will be able to instantly get that from them. It’s not something where we have to go in and check an email. It comes automatically in the system with an app.”
DOT and IT sta have tailored the program so the right person within the department gets the complaint. The app will also communicate with the complainant, informing them when the issue has been put into pending status, when crews are working on the problem and when it has been completed, Johnson noted.
Santa at the neighborhood stops, during which there will be much merriment for the young and young at heart — candy canes included. Visit EDHFire. com/SantaRun for route information as well as wishlists for Shriners and the food bank. Donations may also be dropped o at any of the ve El Dorado Hills re stations. Locations can be found on the department website.
During the award presentation, Principal Doug Shupe praised Ethan for his leadership, athletic accomplishments, strong ethics, kindness toward others, respect for adults, academic excellence and role-model qualities — all of which contributed to his selection.
School Bell invited 1,430 children to shop for new clothing, the Scholarship Program granted scholarships totaling $25,000, Sports Locker provided disadvantaged youth athletes registration costs and sports equipment, and Bags for Belongings saw that children being moved into temporary housing and women escaping domestic violence had a means to carry their belongings with
dedication, noting that even the school’s lunch lady nominated her — a meaningful re ection of how she treats everyone on campus.
Principal Doug Shupe shared that Juliet is the kind of student who stands out for all the right reasons. She works hard, engages fully, collaborates naturally and leads quietly but con dently. Her teachers describe her as responsible, thoughtful and ready to learn.
Juliet maintains a 4.0 GPA and perfect attendance, yet her humility and
Jingle Drive, a drive-thru music event in support of the ORHS Music Boosters, at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District pavilion parking lot, 5-8 p.m.
Dec. 14
Cantare Chorale presents Christmas Concert Family Matinee at the Foothills United Methodist Church in Rescue, 3-4:30 p.m. For more information visit cantarechorale.com.
Dec. 18
Experience Hanukkah at El Dorado Hills Town Center with Rabbi Yosef, 6-8 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater. Enjoy the enchanting melodies of Hanukkah songs, savor delicious traditional foods and warm your spirits with a variety of hot beverages. Everyone is welcome to partake in this joyous festival, coming together to celebrate the Festival of Lights and the enduring spirit of togetherness.
Dec. 19
Get ready for twinkling lights, sirens of cheer and a sleigh full of holiday magic as the Cameron Park Fire Department proudly presents the 2025 annual Santa Parade. Santa rolls out from Station 89 at 5 p.m. sharp, making his merry way through Cameron Park neighborhoods Dec. 19-21.
“Ethan exempli es the values we celebrate through this award,” added Rotary Club President Adam Marshall. “We are proud to honor him as Student of the Quarter.” In recognition of his achievements, Ethan received a certi cate of achievement and a Barnes & Noble gi card.
dignity. These, plus three other programs, are the ways Assistance League Sierra Foothills generously gives back to the community. Tickets can be purchased at the California Welcome Center or Barrel and Bliss Wine Bar in El Dorado Hills Town Center, from Assistance League members and also online at assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills.
positivity shine even brighter than her academics. Outside of school, she cares for her horses each morning, tends the family garden and enjoys reading.
Juliet exempli es the very best of today’s youth: kindness, curiosity, responsibility, leadership and heart. She makes her school and community better simply by being who she is. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Juliet received a Certi cate of Achievement and a Barnes & Noble gi card.
Now
The El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts its Elf on the Boulevard scavenger hunt through Dec. 24. Children nd the hidden elves in participating businesses get their holiday map stamped. The rst 200 children to return their completed map will receive a special gift and all names of participants will be entered to win one grand prize. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
The Gallery at 48 Natoma presents Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer, an exhibition of prints/posters by renowned printshop and community space Taller Arte de Nuevo Amanecer in Woodland, on view through Jan. 8, 2026. For more information call (916) 461-6601.
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.
EDH Cars and Co ee invites car people to meet up and hang out Saturdays, 7-9:30 a.m., rain or shine, in the right-side parking lot of the Regal movie theater in El Dorado Hills Town Center. The motto is “If it rolls, it goes.”
The El Dorado Hills Town Center Farmers Market takes place on Sundays in the amphitheater.
Stop by 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy local certi ed produce, fresh owers, wine,
and more.
Shingle Springs Cameron Park
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SHINGLE SPRINGS~CAMERON PARK
Chamber of Commerce
President’s Corner
Colette Thiel
AShingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce
s we begin the final month of 2025, our Chamber is filled with gratitude for all the support we've received throughout the year. Together, we've celebrated growth, strengthened connections, and made a meaningful impact in our community.
This year has been full of activity and collaboration! We’ve had the pleasure of hosting numerous Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for both new members and long-standing businesses celebrating milestones. Our Business After Dark Networking Mixers and Monthly Luncheons have brought together professionals from every corner of our community, featuring incredible guest speakers who inspired and informed.
A special thank you goes out to everyone who participated in our 3rd Annual Toys from the Bearcat event. It was a huge success! In partnership with the Food Bank of El Dorado County, we helped support the El Dorado County Sheriff’s toy drive, bringing holiday joy to local families. This year, we were excited to add a morning drive-through toy drop-off, making it even easier to give back.
December Events:
Friday, December 6th
We’re closing the year strong with two Ribbon Cutting Celebrations in the morning, and later that evening, we’re thrilled to be part of the Tree Lighting Event at New Hope—a beautiful way to celebrate the season with our community.
Tuesday, December 10th
We’re co-hosting the Tri-Chamber Holiday Mixer—a festive evening of networking and cheer with our fellow regional Chambers. It’s a great way to build connections as we head into the new year.
As 2025 winds down, we thank you for being part of our Chamber family. Whether you’re a new member or have been with us for years, your support keeps our mission strong. Here's to a joyful holiday season and a successful 2026!
Colette Thiel, President Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce
The SS/CP Chamber Needs Volunteers!
The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers to spend a few hours a month helping the chamber with its events and management. The payback is helping your local business advocates support the community in which
DECEMBER Events
Celebrating
December (Fridays to Sundays) –CP Rotary Club Observatory
From 8:30pm to 10:30 pm, weather permitting, the observatory is open to the public on weekend evenings. Trained docents show the many celestial wonders of the universe through two 14-inch telescopes. Folsom Lake College, El Dorado Center, Campus Drive (continue through the back parking lots to the left of the observatory gate). For info and closure updates, call (530) 642-5621, Ext. 9.
December – Support Small Businesses and Keep It Local Shop locally by visiting the various shops and restaurants in El Dorado County!
December 6 – Shingle Springs Community Center Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting
The Shingle Springs Community Center & The SSCP Chamber of Commerce invite you to our Grand Reopening Ribbon-Cutting Saturday, December 6 at 9:00am. Come and help us celebrate the SSCC Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting!
they live and serve, while striving to make Shingle Springs and Cameron Park wonderful places in which to live! We have several key positions opening right now. Get involved today! Please contact Colette Thiel@ ThielHomes.com for more information.
So. Shingle Rd., Shingle Springs, CA. shinglespringscommunitycenter.org
Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 So. Shingle Rd., Shingle Springs, CA.
December 6 – Pancake Breakfast & Santa's Secret Workshop
Pancake Breakfast 8am-11am. Santa's Secret Workshop 9am-12pm. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440
TDecember 6 – El Dorado Hills
Christmas Tree Lighting
It’s a magical night for the whole family. Kicking off the evening festivities, the first 200 kids can play the ‘stuff your stocking’ game. But get there early, as the line starts at 3 pm! Check out the Merchant Open House from 4 pm-8 pm, enjoy the live band from 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, winners of the caroling contest will perform at 6 pm, and then Santa arrives and the tree lighting takes place at 6:30 pm, signaling the official start of the magical holiday season!
December 7 –
Hangtown Christmas Parade
A local favorite for 40+ years, this big parade is full of small-town fun. The Hangtown Christmas Parade winds its way down Broadway then onto Main Street beginning at 1 pm. Spectators can enjoy everything from fine equines decked out in their best tack to high school bands in bright uniforms and the always stunning and eagerly awaited special floats that grace the Hangtown Christmas Parade. 1-3 pm.
This year’s theme is “Old-Fashioned Cowboy Christmas.” hangtownchristmasparade. com
December 10 –
Tri-Chamber Holiday Mixer
Join us for a Holiday Mixer to celebrate the Christmas Season! There will be food
Patra Corporation - 4207 Town Center Blvd, El Dorado Hills.
December 12-21 –Christmas Carriage Rides
The El Dorado Hills Town Center is a magical place during the holiday season. There’s no better way to enjoy its charm than with a horse-drawn carriage ride!
Enjoy carriage rides on select evenings from 4-8 pm.
collection barrels at the event for donations of non-perishable items, benefiting the El Dorado County Food Bank. We encourage everyone to bring somethig contribute. This event is FREE to attend but requires an RSVP. There will be lite-bites by Diane Wilkinson, along with no-host bar by Kiwanis club of Placerville. See you there!
Dates: December 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21. 4370 Town Center Blvd Suite 300, El Dorado Hills, CA.
December 13 – Christmas in Coloma Historic Holiday Houses
On December 13-14, 20204, Marshall Gold Discovery Park invites you to tour many of its historic houses, rarely open to the public during Christmas in Coloma. Hear the history told by costumed docents. Games and holiday crafts and a visit with Santa will keep young and old entertained.
Join the Chamber
Enjoy live music, wagon rides, and refreshments. Parking: $10 Historic House Tours: $5 per person. For more information, call the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park museum at (530) 622-3470. December 20 – Placerville Third Saturday Art Walk Free! Enjoy the Art Walk on Placerville’s Main Street between 4-8pm. Artist demos, music at the Bell Tower, wine and drink
specials, and more!December 25 – Christmas Day
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
January 1 – New Years Day 2025!!!
MORE THINGS TO EXPLORE: Saturdays - Placerville Speedway. Placervillespeedway.com. (530) 344-7592
he Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce, originally formed as the Shingle Springs Business and Professional Association, Inc. in December 1967. It works to promote the area, encouraging business and industrial investment to provide the foundation for a solid community.
The Chamber’s mission statement reflects this premise: “To advocate, promote and preserve the quality of life in our Chamber Community, by means of a strong, healthy and diverse business community.”
Apple Hill – Pies, pumpkins, wine, shopping.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Shingle Springs Cameron Park
Cameron Park CSD hosts jolly holiday events
Village Life staff
The Cameron Park Community Services District recently hosted two special events to get residents in the holiday spirit.
The Friendsgiving Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Nov. 8 brought approximately 125 attendees to the Cameron Park Community Center in support of the Cameron Park Community Foundation. Its success was made possible through the generous support and donations of many community partners and contributors, noted CPCSD interim General Manager Maurice Johnson.
On Nov. 22 local artists, crafters and other vendors filled several rooms at the CSD campus with everything from 3D-printed dragons to holiday wreaths for the 2025 Christmas Craft Faire. Shoppers found great, unique gifts for those special people on their lists and supported small businesses throughout the region.
Up next is the Cameron Park Fire Department’s 2025 Santa Parade, Dec. 19-21. Santa rolls out from Station 89 at 5 p.m. sharp each night, making his merry way through Cameron Park neighborhoods.
Village Life photos by Noel Stack
Parents Dustin and Chelsey, left, enjoy the Friendsgiving Pancake Breakfast with their kids Calvin, 6, and Stephanie, 2. At right, Christmas Craft Faire shoppers browse the array of custom and handmade
creations offered inside the Cameron Park Community Center on Nov. 22.
Lori Holloway, left, with Holloway and Daughters Custom Creations adjusts the 3D printed dragons at her family’s booth at the 2025 Christmas Craft Faire held at the CPCSD campus. At right, big smiles from the Cal Fire crew who served fresh-made pancakes, eggs and other goodies at the Friendsgiving Pancake Breakfast.
Nestled in the heart of Cameron Park, our private villas and cottages o er more than just comfort — they o er peace of mind. With personalized care that not only meets your loved one where they are today but thoughtfully anticipates their future needs, we graciously treat every resident like family.
Whether you’re seeking the independence of a vibrant lifestyle or the reassurance that comes with additional levels of support, Ponté Palmero is here to help your loved one not just live — but thrive — as part of our caring and connected community.
Spacious oor plans | Beautiful landscaped grounds Caring, local sta | Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations | Transportation services Restaurant-style dining | Multiple levels of care on one campus
V illage H omes
Lisa Paragary CalBRE #01196924 (916) 247-1303 lisa@paragarymillerteam.com.
erched high above with the most incredible views in all of El Dorado Hills overlooking Folsom Lake, this one-of-a-kind estate offers more than 5,000 square-feet of total living and entertaining space across 8-plus acres of private property.
The 4,179-square-foot, two-story main home features a newly updated chef’s kitchen with a 48-inch Wolf range and professional grade appliances, ample counter and cabinet space plus a center island with a built-in microwave, small sink, storage and seating. The formal dining room with a modern light fixture is just steps away.
The house also features a cozy living room with a fireplace and backyard access, a library and a luxurious primary suite with breathtaking lake and valley views from the balcony and a spa-inspired bathroom boasting a steam shower, soaking tub and dual sinks.
Step outside to a 524-square-foot, covered outdoor kitchen with full fridge/freezer, dishwasher and everything needed to entertain family and friends. Enjoy the pristine
waters of the infinity-edge pool and adjoining spa while taking in panoramic views that stretch almost 360 degrees across the lake and valleys.
A 730-square-foot ADU/pool house includes its own full kitchen, bedroom, bath and laundry. For additional recreation, grab a racquet or paddle and head down to the professional-grade Cushion Extreme tennis court that doubles as two pickleball courts with a private bar onsite while viewing the vistas below. An oversized three-car garage, space to build a shop or barn for horses and the ultimate in seclusion make this property unmatched. A true showpiece of El Dorado Hills, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a private luxury retreat unlike anything else on the market, while still being conveniently located near it all.
Interested in this beautiful Salmon Valley Lane property in El Dorado Hills? Contact Lisa Paragary at (916) 2471303 or lisa@paragarymillerteam.com or Tiegen Boberg at (916) 747-0773 or tiegen@tiegenboberg.com.
Imagination Theater actors stroll ‘Into the Woods’
Odin Rasco Village Life corespondent
Fairytales are usually self-contained and happen in a sort of narrative vacuum; Hansel and Gretel don’t have an uneventful walk in the woods because the big bad wolf snacked on a stray witch on his way to devour Red Riding Hood’s grandmother, for instance. But in Imagination Theater’s newest show, a staging of James Lapine (book) and Stephen Sondheim’s (music and lyrics) classic “Into the Woods,” the fables interact and overlap, their different plots weaving together like the vines of a giant beanstalk.
The plot is an entertaining mashup of wellknown tales like “Rapunzel,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Cinderella” and more, but be warned — some of the story beats can get pretty Grimm, with death and madness seeming to lurk behind every tree and branch in the titular woods. But there’s a ray of hope that descends from the canopy, and a combination of moving themes that have made “Into the Woods” such a well-loved play since it first hit the stage in 1986 when it earned 10 Tony nominations with three wins along with multiple other accolades.
“I think it’s just one of the most beautiful stories in musical theater,” Ari Galindo, who plays Cinderella, attested. “I think it sheds light on the importance of chosen family — what you wish for in a family, and what you get because your family is not just who you n See INTO THE WOODS page B7
Soprano, chorus help symphony ‘deck the hall’
OLSOM — The Folsom Lake Symphony invites audiences to celebrate the season at its annual holiday concert, Deck the Hall, a sparkling program of festive favorites and timeless classics. Joining the symphony are acclaimed soprano Carrie Hennessey and the Northern California Youth Chorus, bringing an extra touch of warmth and wonder to this holiday tradition. The program includes beloved selections such as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn’s “The Christmas Waltz,” Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Snowflakes” from “The Nutcracker,” Victor Herbert’s “March of the Toys from Babes
in Toyland” and the perennial favorite “O Holy Night.” Audiences will also enjoy “All I
Photo by Odin Rasco The
Want for Christmas Is You,” Peter Jaffe’s “Symph-Hanukkah” and a festive Christmas sing-
along arranged by John Finnegan.
Photo by Charm Photography
Holiday music will once again fill Harris Center for the Arts as the Folsom Lake Symphony presents its annual concerts, Dec. 13 & 14.
—
Twe share time, music, laughter and faith with the people we love.
This December, our community is offering so many beautiful ways to give that kind of gift. Not just presents, but presence.
A symphony shared
Imagine sitting in the soft glow of the Harris Center, the hush before the downbeat of the orchestra, and the first notes of a familiar carol lifting into the air. The Folsom Lake Symphony performs its holiday concert, Deck the Hall, on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. And what a gift it is.
Enjoy
old timey Christmas in Coloma
Beard California State Parks
California State Parks will welcome the holidays with Christmas in Coloma at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 300 Back St. in Coloma, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 & 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Community members, families and visitors are invited to enjoy traditional family-oriented holiday activities and explore the park’s historical buildings. Carriage rides, warming fires and live festive music will set the mood for holiday shopping with more than 40 local vendors. Kids and adults will be entertained by Victorian era games and holiday crafts. Fresh greens, ribbons and bows will be available for wreath making with a donation to the Gold Discovery Park Association. Santa will be on hand both days from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to hear holiday wishes
and take photos. Guests can also tour 14 historical buildings that are not normally open to the public. Each will be decorated for the holidays, and docents in period attire will share the history of the structures and their former inhabitants. The holiday house tour is included in the $15-per-vehicle event fee. Hot food and drinks will be available for purchase both days through the Gold Discovery Park Association, the cooperating association for the state park. All proceeds support educational programs in the park. Christmas in Coloma runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14. Carriage rides are $3 per person. Dogs on 6-foot leashes are welcome except in historical buildings. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is north of Placerville on Highway 49. For more information or ADAaccessible needs call (530) 622-3470 or visit parks.ca.gov/MarshallGold.
Courtesy photo
Susan Laird The Arts
Jerrie
Courtesy photo
Stagecoach rides and educational yet festive opportunities await at Christmas in Coloma on Dec. 13 & 14 at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
GROW FOR IT!
Wreaths
Wreaths are a creative arrangement of expression using fresh, dried or faux greenery, flowers and herbs. They are usually constructed in a circular form. Most wreaths are decorated with ribbons and other festive items that convey the theme of the wreath.
Anne Bettencourt UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County
Wreaths have a long history. In ancient Greece, bay laurel wreaths were made to celebrate excellence and honor athletes at the first Olympic games. Victorious Roman generals wore wreaths of laurels to signify authority and power, and wreaths made of olive branches could be found at festive gatherings where they signified joy. Throughout the ages, Europeans displayed evergreen wreaths in winter to symbolize the never-ending cycle of nature’s death and rebirth. During the 16th century, German Christians used evergreen Advent Wreaths to symbolize faith and hope in preparation for Christmas. During the 18th and 19th centuries, flower wreaths could be found at joyous occasions such as weddings and festivals, as well as funerals where they represented mourning and remembrance. Today, wreaths are a year-round home decoration and evergreen wreaths remain a holiday staple. During the holiday season, premade
PRESERVE IT!
Holiday prep made easy
Summer Brasuel
UCCE Master Food Preserver
The holidays are upon us. Gift yourself a break. With some planning and preparations, the holidays will not be such a rush. Preserving may sound daunting, but it isn’t really. Freezing is preserving! Refrigerator pickles are a form of preservation, too! We all know those are easy. Consider making some refrigerator pickles ahead of time for a pickle platter or appetizer board.
Refrigerator pickles may be stored for about 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator if using these simple rules:
• Pack your pint jars tightly with your choice of vegetables.
• When making brine, use at least
evergreen wreaths and artificial wreaths in every color of the rainbow are available at most retail stores.
Creating your own holiday wreath can be a fun family project. Materials needed for the project include a metal wreath ring from the craft aisle, 22-gauge wire, wire cutters and scissors. Adding colorful ribbons and other holiday trinkets make your wreath a one-of-a-kind creation. Use plant materials from your garden or purchase greens where you buy cut flowers. A combination of evergreens, broadleaf greens, pinecones and berries are traditional materials for holiday wreaths. To keep the wreath from becoming too bushy, cut greens to a length of 4- to 6-inch sprigs. Prepare greens before construction. Wire the stem of the sprig to the frame with the tip end loose and facing outward. Working backward, bind the next stem to the frame. To add texture and color to the wreath, mix different varieties of greens. Continue until the entire circle is filled with greens, then fill in any gaps. Now it is time to personalize your creation by adding a bow and other festive trinkets to make it one of a kind.
Wreaths can add a festive touch both outside and inside the home. Holiday wreaths will stay fresh longer if displayed in a cool shady location. Direct
50% vinegar and 50% water. More vinegar will preserve the pickles longer. Also, make sure the vinegar you use has an acidity of 5-7%. It will be on the label of the vinegar container.
• Up to 2 tablespoons of seasonings, fresh or dry, may be added to each jar.
• Add about ½ teaspoon salt per jar (optional).
• Add sugar to taste for a sweeter brine.
• Heat your brine and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Carefully ladle brine into jars, leaving ½-inch headspace.
• Place lids on jars, label, date and refrigerate.
• Let flavors meld for at least three days before eating. Treat all refrigerator pickles like any other open jar of food. Do not eat if the brine becomes cloudy, if mold develops, or off-smells are emitted. Refrigerator pickles must be kept
sun and heat tend to quicken the drying process of greens. A light spray of water every few days will help to keep your creation fresh. Remember dry greens can be a fire hazard and fresh wreaths should be kept away from direct flames. Remove ribbons and festive ornaments from the wreath prior to disposal. Also, save the metal frame for use next year. Put discarded greens into the organic waste collection bin. If there was boxwood in the wreath it should be placed in the trash bin due to the
refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth.
Maybe you are a gardener and have fruit in your freezer. No-cook freezer jams are a great way to use those frozen fruits and get ahead of the holiday preparations. Fresh fruit may also be used.
Mrs. Wages brand freezer pectin is currently the only non-cook freezer pectin available. In just 30 minutes or less you can have six or more jars or freezer containers of jam in your freezer. Great for toast, muffins and pancakes. Did you know that some pies freeze very well? Unbaked pies have a fresher flavor than pies baked before freezing. For best results, freeze the crust and filling separately to prevent the fruit juices or filling from making the dough soggy. Fill an appropriately sized
potential contamination of a diseasecausing pathogen. Let your creative side loose this holiday season and enjoy. For more information about UC Master Gardener classes, events and garden resources visit mgeldorado.ucanr.edu. Also available on the website are the hours and activity information for the Sherwood Demonstration Garden: ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden. Have a Gardening question? Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website or call (530) 621-5512.
freezer bag with pie filling, remove as much air as possible, label, date, and seal. Place in a pie plate and flatten it to the shape of the pie plate. Freeze for 24 hours. Then remove the pie filling from the pan, and place in the filling in the freezer for later use. Here is a great publication with more details: extension.psu.edu/freezing-pies-and-piefillings. Planning ahead for the holidays always pays off. The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to food safety and preserving questions. Email edmfp@ucanr.edu. For more information about programs, events and recipes visit ucanr.edu/sites/mfp_of_cs. Find the group on Facebook, too (UCCE Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County).
Auction parody comes to Burke
News release
Local comedian and producer Brittany Birrer is bringing a new variety comedy experience to El Dorado County with “Going Going Goine!,” a live comedy and auction show set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Stage at Burke Junction. Billed as a parody of QVC-style shopping networks, the show will be performed before a live “studio” audience and streamed online. Birrer, who grew up in El Dorado County, said she is excited to debut the project in her hometown after years of training and performing across the country.
Birrer studied comedy at The Second City in Chicago and has performed stand-up in Nashville, Tenn., includ-
ing at Third Man Records, the recording studio founded by musician Jack White. Her recent credits also include sets at The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles and The Mothership in Austin.
“Going Going Goine!” will feature a lineup of regional comedians, blending character work, live auction segments and variety-style comedy. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Birrer said the show is designed to spotlight local talent while offering audiences something “a little different” from a traditional stand-up night.
The event will take place at The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.
Choral society ushers in the season
News release
he Sacramento
TChoral Society & Orchestra will bring holiday cheer to the community on Saturday, Dec. 13, when its large choral ensemble and professional orchestra present an afternoon of seasonal favorites under the direction of Donald Kendrick.
The concert, set for 3 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium,1515 J St. in Sacramento, features guest tenor Sam Faustine, an award-winning singer and actor known for his range across baroque opera and modern musical theater. Faustine has performed on national and international stages, earning acclaim for roles that include the first national tour of Broadway’s “A Christmas Carol” and Tony in “West Side Story.” Organizers promise a warm, family-friendly celebration of the season. The performance opens with a candlelight procession by the 140-member chorus and continues with a mix of new and familiar holiday classics such as “Silent Night,” “Sleigh Ride” and “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Audience members will also be invited to join a sing-along.
Courtesy photo
Tenor Samuel Faustine joins the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra for a holiday show this month.
ANCHO
CORDOVA
— The community is invited to join the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band in celebrating the season with A Fresh Aire Holiday – Celebrating the Music of Mannheim Steamroller.
The festive program will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at Koreana Plaza, 10971 Olson Drive, and again on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Cordova Performing Arts Center, 2239 Chase Drive, in Rancho Cordova.
Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to support the Rancho Cordova Food Locker, assisting local families during the holiday season.
This year’s program highlights the groundbreaking sound of
Mannheim Steamroller, the American music group founded by composer and producer Chip Davis. Davis founded the ensemble in 1974 and described its style as “eighteenth-century clas-
sical rock.” Known for blending classical traditions with modern rock and electronic elements, Mannheim Steamroller has re-imagined holiday music for more than four decades and has sold mil-
lions of records worldwide.
The concert will feature Mannheim Steamroller favorites including “A Fresh Aire Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” “Pat-A-
Pan,” “Celebration,” “Greensleeves,” and selections from The Polar Express, plus more festive surprises designed to fill the audience with holiday spirit.
At the Dec. 14 perfor-
mance the band will be joined by the Cordova High School Concert Choir, adding a rich choral dimension to the joyful celebration.
Families, friends and music lovers of all ages are welcome to attend this free, family-friendly event. It offers a perfect way to enjoy the magic of live music, celebrate community spirit and share in the warmth of the season.
Under the direction of Tom Seaton, the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is a volunteer-driven community ensemble dedicated to bringing quality concertband music to the greater Sacramento area. The band provides opportunities for local musicians to perform and fosters a love of music through free public concerts and engagement with the community. For more information visit rcrccb.org or follow the band on social media.
Festival of Lights promotes message of respect, freedom
Chabad Jewish Community Center
FOLSOM — Sacramento embraces the true spirit of freedom and the holiday season with the 19th annual Chanukah Wonderland Festival. Everyone is welcome to celebrate community and freedom at the Folsom Community Center.
The festival will include games, music, shows, delicious hot latkes, an authentic Israeli food court, Chanukah gift shop and lots of Chanukah themed crafts. And back by popular demand, light up your creativity with the Builda-Menorah and candle making workshops.
Chanukah Wonderland is an interactive and fun way to teach children and adults the important values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, cultural history, and the right for all people to worship freely, openly and with pride.
“Every extra point of light dispels a little more darkness and helps make this world a better place,” said Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum, executive director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center.
“Our hope is that participants will be inspired to light the Menorah in their own home for all eight nights of the holiday.”
Note: Chanukah Wonderland kicks-
Sacramento Ballet’s beloved ‘Nutcracker’
News release
SACRAMENTO — Sacramento’s favorite holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker,” returns Dec. 12–21, at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center.
Presented by California Walnuts, this timeless classic, accompanied by the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, promises to delight audiences of all ages with sparkling choreography, lavish sets and costumes, and over 200 local youth performers sharing the stage with Sacramento Ballet’s professional company. Under the direction of Elise Elliott and Stefan Calka, Sacramento Ballet’s 2025 “Nutcracker” showcases the heart of the Capital City’s dance community, featuring original choreography by former and current company artists Colby Damon, Julia Feldman and Nicole Haskins. With a cast of more than 200 local children, a full live orchestra and the beloved story that has charmed generations, “The Nutcracker” remains the region’s most cherished holiday
production.
“‘Nutcracker’ is such a beautiful reminder of why we dance. It brings our community together in joy, music, and movement,” said Elliott, rehearsal director of Sacramento Ballet. “Every year, we’re inspired by the young dancers who join us on stage for the first time and by the families who make this tradition part of their holiday season year after year.”
“We can’t wait to share the wonder of live performance again this December,” added Calka. “Our dancers bring such heart to this story, and we’re grateful to California Walnuts for helping us share that spirit beyond the theater and into the community.”
Since its founding in 1954, Sacramento Ballet has been a beacon of artistic excellence in the California Capital Region, delivering worldclass dance performances, education and community outreach programs.
As the only dance company in the region with a roster of professional artists, Sacramento Ballet’s mission is to enhance the human condition through
Capital Stage hosts a Sacramento premiere
SACRAMENTO — Capital Stage will present a special limited run and the Sacramento premiere of “I and You,” a celebrated drama by Bay Area native and nationally recognized playwright Lauren Gunderson. Named “the most produced playwright” by American Theatre Magazine for several consecutive years, Gunderson has built a devoted following for stories that center on women, balance humor and heart, and pose thoughtful questions to audiences. Capital Stage patrons may remember Gunderson’s co-authorship of the popular “Christmas at Pemberley” series, a holiday staple for the company in recent years. With “I and You,” she shifts the focus to high school students Caroline and Anthony, strangers who are abruptly paired when Anthony arrives in Caroline’s bedroom to work on an English project she didn’t realize was due the next day. Washington Speaks called the play “unforgettable. The end will leave you gasping.”
The Capital Stage production will be directed by Imani Mitchell, known to local audiences for “Predictor.” The cast features McKenna Sennet, a past participant in Playwrights’ Revolution making her mainstage debut, and the return of Braeden Harris, who appeared in “Georgiana & Kitty.” “I and You” runs Dec. 3–28 at Capital Stage in Midtown Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit capstage.org.
off the Chanukah festivities for the Sacramento region. Watch for the annual Menorah Lighting at the State Capitol and many locations around the greater Sacramento region. The festival runs 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St., Folsom. Complete details of the event can be found on chanukahwonderland.info or on facebook.com/chanukahwonderland. Shows, some games and photos with Judah Macabee are free. All-inclusive game and craft passes available for $15 if purchased before Dec. 4 on the website ($30 at the door).
Chanukah Wonderland, sponsored by Chabad Jewish Community Center, located in Folsom, commemorates the first battle won for religious freedom. As part of the Chanukah outreach campaign, the Chabad Jewish Community Center joins thousands of Chabad Centers across the globe that stage similar public displays of the Menorah and its symbolic lights. From Australia to Africa, Columbia to Hong Kong, New York City’s Ground Zero to the White House Lawn, hundreds of thousands will experience the joy of Chanukah.
spreads holiday magic
dance, making this transformative art form accessible to all. The company’s innovative programming and collaborations with internationally renowned artists position it as a vital contributor to the thriving cultural landscape of California.
Courtesy photo
Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is celebrating the season with a tribute to Mannheim Steamroller.
Courtesy photo
The Chanukah Wonderland Festival in Dec. 7 includes a Build-a-Menorah workshop and lots of Chanukah fun.
The Gift of Kids, Inc.
Jennifer Tommasini
5130 Golden Foothill Parkway
El Dorado Hills
916-521-1835 • www.thegiftofkids.net 2nd Location
5041 Robert J. Mathews Pkwy., Suite 200 El Dorado Hills
I would like to thank everyone entrusting us with your precious children since 1999. I love being part of this community and helping children learn and grow. With 4 children of my own (now 27, 24, 15 and 14), my own journey began in the daycare preschool eld because I was unhappy with the care and education I was receiving.
I have been blessed to have a large facility in El Dorado Hills where I employ 50 loving teachers and care for 300 children. We offer education and care for babies, Preschoolers, Pre-K, and private Kindergarten, before and after school. Don’t be fooled by our large size, our teachers make each classroom homey and warm. The kids have lots of outdoor space
to play, we are on over an acre and have 4 large playgrounds, a soccer eld, and an organic garden.
The Gift of Kids outdoor area gives the kids space to explore, garden, and play on age appropriate playgrounds.
The teachers at The Gift of Kids Daycare and Preschool include talent that brings us music, yoga, and even Spanish on a daily basis. We have been working with soccer shots for over 7 years and have a very structured and advanced curriculum! Teachers here are all educated in child development, CPR and First Aid certi ed, and make it a priority to continue their education. The Gift of Kids Inc. is celebrating 26 years in
business, with 16 years in our same location, Business Park 1. We could not have done it without the many wonderful families here in the community that I have called home for over 20 years! Again...Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me live out my dream in a business that I love and families that continue to bless us with their children. We have newly renovated the inside of our school, so come by to check it out and say hello anytime!
I can picture a family dressing up just a bit, sipping cocoa on the way and bringing grandma along because she loves the strings. Maybe it’s a teen hearing live music for the first time. These are the quiet, shining moments that stay with us.
The music speaks when words fall short, and it reminds us that joy is something to be shared. Visit folsomlakesymphony.com for ticket information.
Laughter and meaning on stage
Maybe this year, the gift is a story. The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento is offering two of them: one sacred, one silly.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” is a miracle in one act. I’ve always loved how its message reaches across generations. A child, a mother and three mysterious kings. It feels just right for a season that honors both faith and wonder.
And then there’s “The Four Lost Santas,” a lighthearted comedy filled with holiday confusion and cheer. I imagine a group of friends bundling up for a night at the theater, laughing all the way home and quoting lines well into the New Year.
What better gift than a shared story that stays with you?
Performances are Dec. 5-7. Visit lightoperasac.org for showtimes.
Wandering and wonder
There’s a special kind of magic in a winter market.
were born with. It has a lot of underlying themes to it and you don’t really see it until it all comes together in the end. I hope there’s some people where this is their first show and they take something from it.”
The go-to for community-produced theater for more than 25 years, Imagination Theater (located in the El Dorado Fairgrounds next to the Forni Building) is looking to set a high bar with this production. The cast, crew and creative team have been giving their all to make “Into the Woods” one of the most memorable shows IT has
“This concert is pure joy from beginning to end,” said Anson Wong, president and violinist of the Folsom Lake Symphony. “It’s about sharing the warmth, beauty, and fun of the season — with music that makes everyone smile, sing and celebrate together.”
From the playful sparkle of “The Polar Express” to the serene beauty of “O Holy Night,” Deck the Hall promises an unforgettable evening of holiday spirit for the entire family.
Concerts are scheduled Dec. 13 & 14 at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For more information visit folsomsymphony.com.
About FLS
Founded in 2004, the Folsom Lake Symphony is dedicated to enriching the community through inspiring live performances, musical excellence, and educational outreach. Under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor Peter Jaffe, the symphony
At the Christkindlmarkt at the historical Sacramento Turn Verein Building, you’ll find old-world charm and modern-day memory-making.
Held Dec. 6-7, this beloved event features roasted nuts, handmade ornaments, warm Glühwein, and carolers singing in German. Picture holding a mug of cider in gloved hands, walking side by side with someone dear and picking out a small gift with care. Or having a lunch of German sausage together upstairs.
Sometimes, that kind of simple outing becomes the thing you talk about every December after. Check it all out at sacramentoturnverein.com/ events.
Homes full of heart
The Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour and Boutique returns Dec. 6-8, offering a glimpse into beautifully decorated homes in East Sacramento’s Fab Forties neighborhood.
It’s not just about garlands and wreaths. The tour supports Sacred Heart Parish School and helps shape young lives through faith-based education. I imagine a mother and daughter walking arm-in-arm past twinkling porches, then stopping for something sweet at the bake sale.
Tickets are available now for this much-loved tradition, which also features a holiday boutique filled with unique gifts and handmade items. Information about the tour and how to purchase tour tickets are available at sacredhearthometour.com. Admission to the boutique is free.
ever done. It’s been a lot of hard work — rehearsals have been going on for months, including weeks upon weeks of focused vocal training to help the cast nail Sondheim’s difficult music.
“It is a monstrous undertaking,” director Marc Bonham said. “The show itself is incredibly difficult in the way that the story is told, how the blocking is done and the music itself is very challenging. This cast has worked incredibly hard to pull it off.”
Bonham and the rest of the creative team, including assistant director Kate Barba, have been working behind
A holy hush
The Live Nativity, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Folsom-Rancho Cordova border, offers something rare this time of year: stillness. Lit by lanterns and starlight, with gentle animals and actors in costume, the Nativity brings the sacred story of Christ’s birth to life. Families gather to walk through biblical scenes with quiet awe as the story unfolds outdoors under the winter sky.
This live Nativity is the church’s gift to the community, and all are welcome. Admission is free. Reservations are strongly encouraged, but not required.
For directions, performance times, optional reservations and additional details visit livenativity.org.
The gift that lasts
These are gifts we don’t wrap. And yet, they stay with us. A joyful concert with someone we love. Laughter shared over a play. A market stroll with a warm drink in hand. A child’s eyes lit by candlelight. These experiences don’t just fill a calendar. They fill our hearts. They remind us of who we are and why we gather.
This Christmas, may we find time to be together, to support the arts, to step into tradition, and to reflect on the deeper meaning behind it all.
Peace on Earth, good will to all. God bless! Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@handywriting.com.
the scenes for months before the first rehearsal even began.
“I’ve been working on the show for a little over a year,” Bonham explained. “We started blocking the show in June, and we had our first round of meetings about set construction and music directors shortly thereafter. It’s been great. I love working with Kate, my assistant director; she’s fantastic. Without Kate, this show wouldn’t happen. Period.”
The effort put into the production is apparent from the moment the audience sees the stage, with a beautifully designed and handpainted backdrop made by Trish Abbott. The performances are also poised to blow the audience away, with some fantastic singers and actors returning to the stage after years away for the chance to do the beloved Broadway hit.
“The last show I was in was almost nine or 10 years ago,” recounted For Music’s Sake’s Caitlyn Miller, a local vocal coach and music instructor who plays the Baker’s Wife. “‘Into the Woods’ is one of my favorites, for
sure, and Baker’s Wife was a bucket list character for me. I am kind of a sucker for Sondheim in general, so I was very excited about the show.”
Casey Ellis, performing arts teacher at the Crocker House, returns to the stage for only the second time in a decade to play Prince Charming. Other than Ellis’s performance in last year’s locally-written and produced “Closer to Home,” he hasn’t been in a play for over a decade.
“‘Into the Woods’ was the first Broadway soundtrack I listened to from start to finish; for a long time it was my favorite musical,” Ellis explained. “I’ve had every song from the show memorized, except for the ones that I have to sing now; Caitlyn has actually taught me most of the songs from this show in the past.”
“Into the Woods” at Imagination Theater runs through Dec. 21 with shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and the theater in Placerville. Tickets and more details are available at itplacerville.org.
Into the Woods
has become one of the Sacramento region’s most respected and beloved cultural treasures.
Continued from B2 Symphony
Courtesy photo
Acclaimed soprano Carrie Hennessey will perform with the Folsom Lake Symphony later this month.
DINING
JUST FOR ME
Brewery
Music
Sports
Tap
Wine
Swimming
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Assisted
Charitable
Financial
In-Home
AUTOMOTIVE
Body
New
Smog
Boarding
Doggie
Pet
Pet Groomer
Pet
Pet
Veterinary Practice
RETAIL
STORES
Book
Cannabis Dispensary
Consignment/Clothing & Other
Gift
Grocery Store
Health
Jewelry Store
Preschool
Private
Real
Real
Real
Title Company
Travel
Tutoring Service
Pools/Spa
El Dorado County author wins award for new novel
Local children’s book author Rae Rankin has earned her sixth Winnie Award at the annual Equus Film and Arts Festival, held Nov. 13–16, in Maryland. The festival honors storytellers who celebrate the rich history and cultural significance of horses through equestrian-themed books and films.
Rankin’s newest title, “Trail Ride Rescue,” was awarded Best Young Adult Western. The recognition marks the latest in a growing list of honors for Rankin, whose five previously illustrated children’s books have also received accolades from the festival.
“This is my first novel for kids,” Rankin said. “It is an honor to have it recognized by the Equus Film and Arts Festival organizers.”
Set in the foothills east of Folsom
Lake, “Trail Ride Rescue” follows a youth equestrian team embarking on their first summer fun-day trail ride, and the unexpected challenges they face along the way. Rankin is the author of nine books all available for purchase at RaeRankin. com.
About the festival
The Equus Film and Arts Festival is the leading showcase for domestic and international equestrian content including feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos, commercials, training, educational materials, art and literature. The festival is held in various locations around the country. For more information on the Equus Film and Arts Festival visit equusfilmfestival.net.
REFRESH & REFURBISH PROGRAM
YOUR CENTURY 21 SELECT REALTOR ® WILL
• SECURE up to $30,000 to make your home show ready
• CONTACT their network of trusted professionals
• COORDINATE the Refresh & Refurbish process
• COMPLETE the staging and final decorating touches UPDATES AND RENOVATIONS increase your home’s market value and your NET proceeds. MONEY for improvements before you sell your home on the market. Interest free.
FORECLOSURE RESCUE PROGRAM
YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR EQUITY?
By participating in the Foreclosure Rescue Program, you can bring your loan up to date and halt the foreclosure process. As a result, we will have sufficient time to sell your home as a regular sale instead of a distressed one. —AND—
Save your hard-earned money and equity instead of giving it to the bank.
MARKET VALUE LOCK FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Add confidence and peace of mind
PROTECTING:
• 10% of your new home value
• For the first 3-years of ownership
• Against a market value drop when resold EXAMPLE:
• Home purchased for $500K.
• HVL covers first $50k of loss for the first 3-years
• Home sold 2 years and market down 3%
AT NO COST TO YOU:
• We provide this valuable coverage as a standard when you purchase a home with a mortgage
• Subject to the qualifying criteria of the insurer
