For the third consecutive season, Oak Ridge High School’s varsity so ball team wins the Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship, topping nationally ranked No. 11 Del Oro on May 24 at California State University, Sacramento.
The No. 23 Trojans trailed 1-0 until scoring three runs in the sixth and hanging on to win 3-2.
“It means the world just because of all the hard work we put in,” said senior Carmen Montes de Oca, who has been on all three title teams. “To do it with these girls, like I love each and every one of them and I have been working with some of them for ve to 10 years.”
Montes de Oca, Carly Short, Ellison Schroeder, Emery Glaser and Brooklyn Paratore have been on all three section title teams. Del Oro leapt out to
a 1-0 lead in the fourth a er putting together consecutive hits. Then in the sixth Oak Ridge sophomore Molly
Railey led o the inning with a base knock out of the nine-spot in the batting order. “That was huge to
see Molly produce and get the rally going,” Schroeder said. “It was
Former Guiding Hands School staff
enter guilty pleas
Chris Woodard
Three former sta members of the now-closed Guiding Hands School pleaded guilty May 19, avoiding a trial in the death of a 13-year-old student with autism, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce.
Max Benson died a er he was held in a restrained prone position for about 90 minutes at the El Dorado Hills school that served students with special needs. Witness testimony in preliminary hearings noted Max begged to be stood up before he became unresponsive, according to witness testimony, which also alleged that school sta delayed seeking medical care. Max was transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where he died on Nov. 28, 2018.
An investigation by California Department of Education o cials determined Guiding Hands sta violated state rules regarding student restraint. Teacher Kimberly Wohlwend pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, while site administrator Cindy Keller and Principal Staranne Meyers pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse.
The People v. Guiding Hands School was originally set for jury trial on May 27, but the trial is dismissed as the defendants pleaded guilty. Sentencing is set for June 16 at 1:30 p.m. at El Dorado County Superior Court.
Guiding Hands School was a private, kindergar-
■ See PLEAS page A8
Village Life photo by Shelly Thorene
Photo by Laurie Edwards
Best friends Kate Robinson, left, and Saige Edwards share a congratulatory hug following the May 23 Ponderosa
Photo by Thomas Frey The Oak Ridge softball team poses with the blue banner after defeating Del Oro 3-2 in the Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship.
Now
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “The Reluctant Dragon” through June 8. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
Registration is now open for the 42nd Bob West Drive for Marshall Foundation for Community Health. The event is Friday, June 20, at Cold Springs Golf & Country Club. For more information or to register visit marshallfound.org/ golf-registration/?blm_aid=30898.
Booth reservations are now available for the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Showcase and I LOVE Film Mixer on June 27. For more information or to register your business visit eldoradocounty.org.
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its Leadership El Dorado Class of 2025-26. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.
The Mom Walk Sip and Stroll meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater at the El Dorado Hills Town Center. It’s a great way to get active with other local moms. EDH Cars and Coffee 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.”
Join the El Dorado Hills Community Services District for the Certified Farmers Market every Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Community Park. Enjoy a vibrant selection of locally raised meats, farm-fresh produce, fresh-baked goods and handcrafted items from talented local artisans. UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will be available to answer your gardening questions.
The Town Center Farmers Market is back in action on Sundays in its new location in the amphitheater near Brickyard & South Fork. Stop by 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy local certified produce, fresh flowers, wine, baked goods, micro greens, skin care, handmade goods, baskets, jewelry, face painting, henna art and more. Live
ON DUTY
Shingle Springs native earns Military Excellence Award
GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Seaman Apprentice Zachary Zimmerman, a native of Shingle Springs, graduated as the top sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on May 8.
The Navy Club of the United States MEA is the top award presented to the recruit who best exempli es the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork. The award places him at the pinnacle of today’s newest sailors. Zimmerman is awarded a ag letter of commendation as part of his recognition.
The award, according to Zimmerman, is the best possible rst step to begin his naval career.
■ See ZIMMERMAN, page A8
Shupe.
Camerado Springs,
Swift fans,
Sadi received
crowd. Above, BUSD Superintendent Dr. David Roth, EDH Rotary Youth Services Don Fuller, Principal Doug Shupe, Outstanding Student Sadi Angelo, dad Adam and mom Nawal, left to right, celebrate Sadi’s award.
Teens host diaper drive to support young parents
Being a parent is a tough job at any age but trying to nish your education while supporting a family is especially di cult for teens and young adults. With prices on the rise, necessities like diapers are o en una ordable for many families.
That’s why two local high school students, Aislynne Hartman from Oak Ridge High School and Sophia Alonso from Ponderosa High School, decided to get involved. Founders of their own nonpro t, Norcal Gi From the Heart Foundation, Aislynne and Sophia are always looking for new ways to give back to the community. In April their foundation hosted a Spring Diaper Drive to bene t Chicks In Crisis of Elk Grove.
“When we heard that Chicks In Crisis supports teen parents who commit to nishing their education, we knew we had to get involved,” Aislynne shared. “Our nonpro t has always been about encouraging teen philanthropy while supporting young people in our community. We felt it was important to spread the word that donations aren’t just helping a teen nish school; they are helping support the health and wellness of babies as well.”
Aislynne and Sophia used their social media platforms to raise awareness and solicit donations, while students from their Student Ambassador program directly reached out to members of the community. “Our student ambassadors are volunteers from high schools all over Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties. They were able to help us collect over 6,500
FIREFIGHTERS WELCOME A SURPRISE ARRIVAL
Courtesy photo
Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation co-founder Aislynne Hartman poses with some of the donations collected during the Spring Diaper Drive.
Fire crew members Carmen Stiern, left, and Kyle Nielsen, right, made sure the new family was comfortable.
School district’s hiring process put under a microscope
Village Life sta
Rescue Union School District leaders are reviewing hiring procedures to address concerns expressed by parents who found out earlier this year a now-former school custodian once worked in the adult entertainment industry and currently has many provocative photos posted online — most under a stage name.
The employee was hired in January and terminated on May 19, RUSD Superintendent Jim Shoemake con rmed.
“As with all employees, we address information or allegations as they are presented to us and we take each situation seriously while complying with all applicable laws,” Shoemake shared. “I want to clarify
that this particular probationary employee was not released as a result of any social media posts or personal behavior associated with her or any alias names.”
The district conducted a background check before she was hired, which included speaking to former employers, DOJ and FBI background checks, ngerprint clearance, tuberculosis screening, employment eligibility veri cation and mandated reporter acknowledgment, the superintendent explained, adding that nothing in that initial check indicated the person could not handle the job duties of a custodian.
“While I am unable to provide further speci cs on this particular employee due to state and federal employment privacy laws, I can share that Rescue Union School District follows a comprehensive and
legally mandated process when hiring employees,” Shoemake added.
“We understand the responsibility that comes with employing individuals who work in and around children,” he continued. “Our district adheres to all required Education Code provisions and legal safeguards to ensure that our hiring practices are lawful, equitable and transparent.”
In light of recent discussions, RUSD leaders are consulting with legal counsel “to better understand the extent to which we can lawfully and consistently use publicly available social media content to vet applicants, while ensuring any such practice aligns with state and federal employment law,” the superintendent concluded.
County leaders correct traffic impact fee calculation error
Jo Carrerow Village
A plus sign inadvertently hit instead of a minus when calculating projected El Dorado County growth through the year 2045 resulted in Tra c Impact Fees miscalculations during El Dorado County Department of Transportation’s recent major update of the fee and the capital improvement program
At the May 20 county Board of Supervisors meeting Senior Civil Engineer Zach Oates and other DOT sta presented the facts and a x.
The error occurred in an analysis done in August and September 2023.
“So it was a while ago and that involved updating the county’s assumed growth rates and perhaps more importantly where we projected that that growth is going to occur,” Oates said.
Oates, who discovered the error, explained that in updating the department’s numbers from 2018 to 2023, “We take a look at the prior baseline number, how many available units we have to develop where we can charge a fee, we subtract out the number of units that were constructed using building permit data and then we add back in the number of projects or units or parcels that have been approved via new parcel maps, zoning changes, General Plan amendments, those sorts of things.
“The error occurred where instead of adding those new units back in, they were further subtracted back out,” Oates said. “What resulted was the baseline of available capacity to develop was signi cantly lower particularly in the El Dorado Hills community region than what it should have been.
“So then the next domino to fall was allocating the growth,” he added, explaining that it resulted in the El Dorado Hills community region building out sooner and with fewer units than anticipated, which “resulted in us reallocating some of that over ow growth further up the hill into Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, into Zone B of the TIF program.”
The TIF zones are: Zone C – El Dorado Hills; Zone B – Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Diamond Springs; and Zone A – the remainder of unincorporated county (West Slope only).
“How can anybody make that kind of mistake? Has anybody checked their work?” Chair George Turnboo asked
DOT Director Rafael Martinez said of the thousands of data points inputted, “It just so happens that this was one where the minus should have been a plus.
“The system has its checks and balances incorporated into it,” he continued. “Now, is it perfect? No.”
Martinez said they caught the error within three months and immediately contacted stakeholders and consultants.
A decrease in the amount of grant funding from state and federal sources had been one reason the mistake was overlooked, he added.
“(It) made sense in terms of … then if we are receiving less funding from the state and from the feds, it would then (result) in a higher TIF,” Martinez said.
Oates con rmed the county received $70 million in grant funding in 2020 and $57 million in 2024.
Chris Gregerson, an engineer from Kimley-Horn and Associates in Sacramento, said future capacities from 2023-45 for single- and multi-family parcels had been in error with El Dorado Hills recorded as having a 3,468 single-family home capacity when the actual number is 5,349.
Gregerson said.
DOT and county sta , along with consultants, have to come up with appropriate fees every ve years with a major update to the TIF, as well as an annual update.
The California Mitigation Fee Act allows for development to pay for its fair share of the cost for improvements associated with alleviating impacts of that development.
The major update of the Tra c Impact Fee Program and the Capital Improvement Program was approved by the board in December 2024.
Supervisor Brooke Laine said she remembered that December meeting.
“The Building Department was here that day and they were saying, something’s wrong,” Laine said. “Something’s wrong with this number. Give us 30 days; let us dig in. We haven’t had time. And we didn’t do that.”
Supervisor Lori Parlin said she remembered that day clearly as well.
“No. 1, I questioned the data all along,” Parlin said. “(I asked) Rafael, if we put this o for 30 days is the data going to change? And you said absolutely not. You’ve gone through and checked it.”
“Since Dec. 3 we’ve had a much more collaborative partnership with the stakeholders in this county, of which many are in this room right now,” Martinez said. “They too have their specialists and their professionals and their consultants.
“These numbers are going to now get triplechecked, quadruple checked,” he added.
The communities of Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Diamond Springs, the unincorporated area around Placerville and the remainder of the unincorporated areas of the west slope had smaller discrepancies in single-family home projection errors. However, some of the multi-family parcel capacities, as well as non-residential development capacities, were in error too.
“Cameron Park sees the largest growth where previously Shingle Springs had the largest growth,”
Jo Carrerow
Village Life correspondent
Parlin asked how many permits were processed with the incorrect data and what is being done to remedy it.
Oates said 49 permits had been issued since the new fees began on Feb. 1.
“We have many, many more that have submitted their applications,” he added. “They just have not paid their fees and pulled the permits to date.”
DOT maps out more gas tax-funded
age, 49%.”
A presentation by the El Dorado County Department of Transportation to the county Board of Supervisors last month on future road maintenance projects was initially not well received by District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine.
Supervisors were presented with a list of State Bill 1 funded projects for scal year 2025-26, eventually adopted by the board, but rst Laine said she thought Tahoe area funding had fallen short when compared to other districts.
The scal year 2025 SB 1 road maintenance projects have an estimated cost of $8.1 million — all funded through the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
El Dorado County Deputy Director of Maintenance and Operations Brian Mullins listed the following maintenance projects planned for next year: Larsen and Barkley Phase 2, North Canyon Phase 1; Sly Park Road Phase 2 (Mormon Emigrant to Pleasant Valley Road), Leisure Lane, Park Creek and Mormon Emigrant Trail; Highland Village and Lakeridge Oaks in El Dorado Hills; and Green Valley Road (Cameron Park Drive to Lotus Road).
“What are the quali cations for the use of SB 1 funds for transportation projects?” Laine asked Mullins.
“I believe the guidelines are anything with a PCI (Pavement Condition Index) of 79 or lower,” Mullins answered.
Laine said she noticed District 5 is “once again” getting about 12% of SB 1 funds, whereas Districts 1, 3 and 4 are getting 20% and District 2 getting 30%, “and, yet, I’ve gone through the PCI numbers over and over again and in the basin we average, on aver-
road work
She said three or four projects have already been cut in District 5 this year due to budget constraints and redirection of Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to the General Fund.
“Do you try to make sure that every district is getting a proportionate amount?” she asked.
“It’s not an exact science when it comes to an exact 20% for each district. We do our best,” Mullins answered, explaining that it varies each year with some districts getting more than others.
“You had the highest rating on your arterioles, your mains, the sawmills, the Pioneer Trail, but where we are lacking and have failed over the years is just to get into these subdivisions and address the issues on the smaller roads,” he admitted.
Mullins said DOT sta will discuss with the advisory committee some new concepts regarding using Measure S funding.
“Yeah, the Measure S funds, I’m very grateful to the community for supporting the increase in Transient Occupancy Tax in order to fund some of this,” Laine said.
But those funds are a separate source and that it shouldn’t take the place of SB 1 funding, she added.
“My job is to make sure that I hold the county’s feet to the re on that particular item, because the promise was that we continue to get our normal allotment of maintenance and that Measure S would not be seen as supplanting the county’s investment,” Laine continued.
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin agreed.
“We made sure that language was very clear,” Parlin said, asking Mullins if it’s possible to show them the district percentages from the past 5-10 years.
A dentistry that aims to be a home away from home
Another advantage of keeping his practice small is that, because he sees that come up. He is also able to really almost always early or on time,” said so they’re usually early or on time for
Dr. Stanec is located at 3955 Cameron Park Drive — in
Dr.
GUEST COLUMN by Ted Gaines
California’s progressive political elite hate fossil fuels so much they are willing to impoverish their residents to punish “Big Oil” and speed up a transition to an even more expensive green energy future.
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants zero gas-powered cars sold in California by 2035, which sends a strong signal to re ners about the long-term value of investment in the Golden State. The state makes permitting for re nery expansion or upgrades extraordinarily di cult and timeconsuming for oil companies. On top of that, California has high labor costs and the highest corporate tax rate in the western states. Our electricity costs are among the highest in the country, making it tough for power-intensive re neries to operate pro tably.
All of these headwinds are created by policy decisions from Sacramento and they make California a rough place to succeed for the oil industry — on purpose. It appears the oil industry is getting the message and California consumers will soon be paying the price. Two major oil re ners recently announced they are ceasing operations in the state. What will this mean for people at the pump?
A recent study by Michael A. Mische at the University of Southern California highlights the looming a ordability crisis, nding that the closure of Phillips 66 and Valero re neries will slash California’s re ning capacity by 21% by 2026, potentially driving prices to $7.35-$8.44 per gallon.
Newsom and the other green energy devotees in the Legislature are always quick to blame the oil industry for price gouging or nancial trickery every time gas prices go up, and every few years they announce another commission to study what the greedy corporations are doing to make our gas so expensive.
But California’s gas prices, the high-
est in the nation at $4.82 per gallon as of April 2025, are a direct result of the state’s own policies, not corporate greed. If oil companies were gouging, why are prices in neighboring western states like Nevada ($3.85) or Arizona ($3.30) signi cantly lower? Are the companies somehow less greedy in other states? Does that make sense to anyone? It’s easy to see why Californians pay so much for gas. California’s unique blend requirements, Cap and Trade fees, and $1.47 per gallon in taxes and regulatory costs — set to rise to $2.83 by 2026 — explain the disparity. No other western state stacks on so many costs.
The state’s own attorney general found no evidence of widespread price gouging, con rming that California’s policies, not corporate pro ts, are the culprit. I’m sure when gas hits $8 per gallon they will convene another task force to overlook the obvious.
High fuel prices are a regressive tax that hit poor and rural Californians the hardest. For the poor, gas already takes up a larger share of low-income budgets. This will make that fact dramatically worse. Rural Californians drive longer distances for work, school or essentials, o en in larger vehicles like trucks needed for agricultural, construction or industrial work.
But even though the harm will be more concentrated on some groups, every working Californian and every industry will feel the pain of the gas price sticker shock. California must reverse course. Without reforming its business climate and drawing re ners back, the state risks not only economic stagnation but making Californians poorer as they bear the cost of Sacramento’s ideological crusade.
Sen. Ted Gaines (ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District for nearly 10 million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern and southern California. For more information visit boe. ca.gov/Gaines.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A change at MORE
EDITOR:
Dear families, sta , stakeholders and, most importantly, the people served by Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises,
On April 3, 2025, I celebrated my 42nd anniversary with this incredible organization, MORE. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve alongside so many dedicated individuals, all united by a shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment and compassion.
A er much re ection, I have decided that the time has come for me to step down as CEO of MORE. While I am retiring from this leadership role, I am not retiring from the mission that has fueled my heart for more than four decades. I look forward to continuing my involvement as a volunteer and consultant, supporting the work that continues to transform lives every day.
On June 1, 2025, the MORE Board of Directors and leadership team will o cially announce the appointment of Kelli Nuttall as the next CEO of MORE. Kelli has been a key leader at MORE for 18 years, including the last 12 in continuous service. She has walked beside me in nearly every facet of this role and brings a depth of experience, heart and vision that MORE is incredibly fortunate to have.
Kelli embodies MORE’s mission and has already demonstrated the leadership, commitment and innovation that will carry this organization into its next exciting chapter. She is supported by one of the strongest leadership teams in our history, and I have every con dence in the continued success and growth of MORE under her guidance.
Beginning July 1, I will o cially step into my new role as consultant and volunteer, assisting with the transition and cheering on the amazing work ahead.
I am deeply grateful to the board and executive committee for their thoughtful leadership and support during this transition. Please stay
connected with us by visiting our newly updated website at morerehab. org starting July 1, where you can learn more about what’s next for MORE.
This journey has been a profound blessing and I look forward to this new season of service with purpose and joy.
SUSIE DAVIES
Soon-to-be MORE consultant & volunteer
Supervisors throw seniors under the bus
EDITOR:
Our El Dorado County supervisors voted recently to close a portion of the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, a portion used to provide respite relief for caregivers of family members with dementia.
Twenty years ago, residents of El Dorado Hills worked with then Supervisor Mikulaco to free up funds from the Gilmore Estate to establish a respite center for caregivers of family members with dementia. This center soon became a huge success, serving a capacity number of seniors with dementia. Music, arts and cra programs and companionships greeted the seniors who participated.
COVID forced the closure of the program and the county, through incompetence and neglect, never worked to restore it.
Caregivers are now informed that they can take their family members to Placerville, a long and costly trip to a facility that is long past its prime. How does this serve our seniors and their caregivers?
Our El Dorado County supervisors have approved huge 55 and older housing developments in El Dorado Hills. However, they have neglected to provide any services for these residents. More than neglect, they have taken away such services like the El Dorado Hills respite center.
We as a community must ght to get this valuable resource back.
JOHN RASLEAR
El Dorado Hills
Grow and thrive, Class of 2025
Thousands of El Dorado County graduates donned their gowns and tossed their caps at commencement ceremonies last week. Village Life wishes every graduate the best of luck in future endeavors.
Photo by Laurie Edwards At left, Payton Valor White, second from the left, gives Gavin Wicks a congratulatory fist bump as the final row of Bruin seniors waits to receive diplomas. Also pictured, left to right: Emerson Laney White, McKinzie Whitney, Yashan Wickramasinghe and Kendra Morgan Wieland.
Village Life photos by Shelly Thorene
Oak Ridge High School graduate Isaiah Benning Witter, above, shares the love after receiving his diploma at the May 23 commencement ceremony in El Dorado Hills. Below, ORHS Class President Andrew Hansen celebrates as he walks back up to the stage to address his fellow Trojan graduates with closing remarks during the ceremony.
Photo by Laurie Edwards
Ponderosa High School ASB President Montana Catherine Bickel poses for a photo with Principal Jeremy Hunt before exiting the stage.
Village Life photo by Shelly Thorene
Parineet Sahota, 18, above left, smiles for a photo with her friend, Drew Wilson, 18, right, both of El Dorado Hills on Blankenship Field after the ORHS commencement ceremony.
Village Life photo by Shelly Thorene Trojan grads place their hands on their hearts during the presentation of colors by the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 85 as the National Anthem is played.
Photo by Laurie Edwards Bruin grad Owen Runkle proudly displays his diploma alongside his cousin, Ty Dennis, following the Pondo graduation ceremony.
A TOUCHING MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
FINANCIAL FOCUS
Questions to ask your nancial advisor
You should always be able to ask as many questions as you’d like when working with your nancial advisor. So, before you have your annual review, think carefully about what you’d like to ask. Here are a few suggestions:
• Are my goals still realistic? When you rst began working with your nancial advisor, you may well have articulated several nancial goals. For example, you might have said that you wanted to pay for most of your children’s college education, or that you’d like to retire at age 55, or that you hope to travel internationally every year during retirement. In fact, you could have many di erent goals for which you’re saving and investing. When you meet with your nancial advisor, you’ll certainly want to ask whether you’re still on track toward meeting these goals. If you are, you can continue with the nancial strategies you’ve been following; but if you aren’t, you may need to adjust them.
June 6
The Rescue Community Center will host Friday Night Out, a fun evening of food, music and drinks at the Rescue Community Center from 5-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.
The Cameron Park Community Services District will host Cannonball Cinemas featuring “The Sandlot” at the Cameron Park CSD Pool from 7-10 p.m. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
June 7
The Shingle Springs Community Center will host a Community Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Shingle Springs Community Center. For more information visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.org. The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will host Thunder in the Park Car & Motorcycle Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cameron Park Lake. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.
Sew4Vets is participating in a Neighborhood Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3166 Collingswood Drive, El Dorado Hills. Gorgeous quilts at discounted prices and other handmade items will be available available.
Join the Assistance League of the Sierra Foothills for the Gardens of the Hills garden tour and fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 & 8. For tickets and more information visit assistanceleague. org/sierra-foothills.
The Hwy. 50 Association’s 76th annual Wagon Train will stop in Placerville around 3 p.m. at the Bell Tower. For more information visit hwy50wagontrain.com.
The Folsom Lake Symphony presents Movies with the Maestro at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit folsomlakesymphony.com.
June 10
Live music, sponsored by Encanto Cocina & Tequila Bar, comes to the Theater Plaza at the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 7-9 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
June 12
The El Dorado County Fair is Moovin’ n’ Groovin’ June 12-15 on the fairgrounds in Placerville. Enjoy carnival rides and games, great food, live
The same is true if your goals have changed. You and your nancial advisor will want to build a strategy to address any new or di erent goals such as emergency cash needs, having adequate insurance protection or estate planning.
• Am I taking on too much — or too little — risk? Put market declines in perspective. The nancial markets always uctuate, and these movements will a ect the value of your investment portfolio. Suppose you watch the markets closely every day and track their impact on your investments. You may nd yourself fretting over their value and wondering whether you’re taking on too much investment risk for your comfort level. Conversely, if during an extended period of market gains your own portfolio appears to be lagging, you might feel that you should be investing more aggressively, which entails greater risk. In any case, it’s important to consult with your nancial advisor to determine your risk tolerance and use it as a guideline for making investment choices.
• How will changes in my life a ect my investment strategy? Your life is not static. Over the years, you
music, animals and much more. For a complete list of events visit eldoradocountyfair.org.
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host a Free Educational AARP Workshop at The Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.
Island of Black and White 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 13
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the HWY 50 Corridor Power Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Buckhorn BBQ & Grill. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.
June 14
The Stage at Burke Junction presents “For the Love of Dog” June 14 through July 6. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com. Celebrate Father’s Day with a free VIP tasting experience in the Atrium Gallery and explore Pinstripes and Pistons Father’s Day Art Exhibit, a stunning collection of art that celebrates the spirit of Father’s Day at the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 4-8 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
El Dorado Musical Theatre presents “High Voltage - Best of Broadway” at 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.
June 15
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. at Saratoga Park. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd. org.
June 17
CJ Washington, sponsored by The Mimosa House, will perform at the Theater Plaza at the El Dorado Hills Town Center from 7-9 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
June 19
may experience any number of major events, such as marriage, remarriage, loss of a spouse, birth of children or grandchildren, changing jobs or illness leading to early retirement. When you meet with your nancial advisor, you will want to discuss these types of changes, because they can a ect your long-term goals and your investment decisions.
• How are external forces a ecting my investment portfolio? Generally speaking, you will want to create an investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. And, as mentioned, you may need to adjust your strategy based on changes in your life. But should you also make changes based on outside forces, such as interest rate movements, political events, in ation, new tax leg-
islation or news a ecting industries in which you have invested substantially?
Try not to make long-term investment decisions based on short-term news. Yet, talk with your nancial advisor to make sure your investment portfolio and spending strategy are not out of alignment with relevant external factors.
By making these and other inquiries, you can help yourself stay informed about your overall investment picture and what moves, if any, you should make to keep advancing toward your goals. A nancial advisor is there to provide you with valuable guidance — so take full advantage of it. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Suzy O’Neal, (530) 676-5402. Edward Jones, member SIPC.
Suzy O’Neal Financial columnist
Photos
Gigante, U.S. Army (ret.).
“Being recognized is an honor and a privilege,” Zimmerman said. “Because I didn’t have a lot of expectations, I was happy when I found out I’d been nominated. To even be considered is something I was really grateful for. To know I’ve made my family proud is something I can carry with me for the rest of my life. This experience has shown me that hard work pays o , and I’m really excited and motivated to continue working toward becoming the best sailor I can be.”
ten through 12th-grade school in the El Dorado Hills Business Park that served more than 100 children. Max, whose family lived in Davis, had recently been placed there. The school worked with many school districts in the greater Sacramento area to serve students whose needs couldn’t be met at their home or public schools.
Following Benson’s death, the California Department of Education suspended the school’s certi cation and the school closed in early 2019 a er 25 years in operation. Charges against the three defendants were led in November 2019.
The events at Guiding Hands School inspired Senate Bill 483, also known as Max Benson’s Law, which bans the use of prone (face-down) restraint in all California schools. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in January 2024.
diapers and wipes for young families in need.” Aislynne shared.
In addition to receiving donations directly from their Amazon Wish List, the teens received in-person donations at their corporate o ces in Gold River. Together the girls agreed that a simple act of collecting diapers was worth it if it helped take the pressure o a teen mom who really wants to nish her education.
“If we help teen parents graduate from high school or go to college, they will be able to get a job and take care of their family on their own someday,” Sophia shared.
This is not the only drive that the teens host through their nonpro t. In February the teens collected toys and handmade Valentines for Shriners Hospital and they partnered with AARP to deliver over 400 roses to area seniors.
For more information, or to get involved, visit Norcalgi fromtheheart.org or nd the nonpro t on Facebook and Instagram, @Norcalgi fromtheheart.
Of the 49 permits, 46 are residential and three commercial. Refunds will be given for the di erence between what people paid and what the new fees will be a er the revised major update of the Tra c Impact Fee Program is approved at the June 10 board meeting, Oates said. A list of paid permits that have been issued will be included on the agenda.
The new fees will go into e ect Aug. 9. Folks who applied for permits but have not paid yet and those who apply before the new fees take e ect will
Mullins said he would look into it.
Time to groove at the county fair
The upcoming El Dorado County Fair takes place June 12-15 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. This year’s fair theme, Moovin’ and Groovin’, celebrates the sounds of the many steers at the fair and the live music found on any of the four stages.
“We love bringing this event to our community,” shared Kathy Dunkak, Fair CEO. “There is something for everyone. There are many fun and educational opportunities for both young and old.
“A person can watch wool spinners, learn about re safety, experience the Rubicon, compete in the wheelbarrow races, shop, get up close and personal with livestock, ride a pony or a camel, walk on water, enjoy some crazy fair food, check out vintage logging trucks, win a bubble blowing contest, put on a circus — it just goes on and on” continued Dunkak. “Green Valley Community Church brings their Sunday service to the fair on Sunday, June 15, at 11 a.m. so fair goers have the opportunity to worship and then enjoy the fair.”
Paul Maurer Shows will be bringing 24 rides for the thrill seekers, with some for the little ones to experience as well.
Safety is rst and foremost, fairgoers should utilize clear or no bags for faster entry. No weapons,
pepper spray or pocket knives will be allowed on the fairgrounds, nor will gang attire be allowed.
The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce provides security for the fair. While the deputies enjoy getting out and meeting the community, they uphold the fair’s zero-tolerance policy for bad behavior.
In partnership with El Dorado Transit and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management team, the Fair Association provides a free shuttle for fairgoers. Free parking is available in the Ray Lawyer Drive Park and Ride and at the Placerville County Library on Fair Lane. Signage will direct you to the shuttle stops, which drop o directly in front of the Placerville Drive gate. The free shuttle begins 30 minutes before the fair opens and its last pickup is 30 minutes a er the fair closes.
The fair opens on Thursday, June 12,, at noon. Thursday is Seniors and Kids’ Day, which means all seniors and children 12 and younger will be admitted for free until 6:30 p.m. On Friday, the fair o ers free admission to teens ages 13-19 until 4 p.m. Fair hours are Thursday and Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight (carnival opens at noon), and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Visit the fair’s website, eldoradocountyfair.org, for details and pre-sale tickets, or visit the box o ce on Placerville Drive.
Golfers drive home the importance of BBBS
Dina Gentry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra proudly celebrated the resounding success of its 13th annual Golf for Kids’ Sake tournament held on Monday, May 19, at the Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills. This sold-out signature fundraiser united community leaders, businesses and generous individuals in support of one powerful mission: igniting the power and promise of youth through mentorship.
Golfers enjoyed a day packed with excitement — from a Bloody Mary bar at registration to lunch, a shotgun start at noon and lively contests throughout the course. Activities included a tequila party hole, a card dart challenge, a marshmallow drive
have to pay the current fees and will be refunded the di erence, Oates said.
To o set the costs, DOT sta came up with three scenarios of which Scenario 2 was recommended.
“The result of Scenario 2 is that fees are signi cantly lower than where they are today,” Oates said. “They are more in line with where they were before the current fee schedule went into e ect.”
Vance Jarrard, legislative advocate with the North State Building Industry Association, said he had been following the issue since it came up last year and
DOT Director Rafael Martinez said Mullins had been asked for that data at Measure S Committee meetings.
“We’ve had that data prepared,” he said. “The number of lane miles that we have up in the basin is 153, that we have in the west slope is 930. We have 9 miles per road sta in the basin, as opposed to 22 miles per sta here on the west slope.
“So we do have a more dedicated sta to that area for that speci c reason, to make sure that we are staying on top of any failures that occur on the road,” Martinez added.
A total of 25% of road funds go to the basin with the other 75% spent on the west slope, he told the board.
District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp maintained they were over-analyzing and “splitting hairs” because there were so many factors to consider, such as gas tax. In the Tahoe Basin, many people buy their gas in Nevada where it’s cheaper so it doesn’t bene t El
Champs
awesome and it means a ton. I think once we were able to do that, I think we knew that we had it.”
Railey was bunted over to second by Short. Paratore and Montes De Oca
and a festive awards dinner and auction reception to close the day.
“This tournament is about more than a great day of golf — it’s about investing in the lives of young people across our region,” said Brenda Frachiseur, CEO of BBBSNS. “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, volunteers and players for showing up with generosity and heart. A special thank you to organizations that supplied multiple volunteers, including the U.S. Marine Corps recruiter of Placerville, Placerville In & Out Burger, and RE:visions Home Decor & Gi s where all funds raised bene t BBBSNS of Northern Sierra. Your support makes it possible for us to create and sustain the mentorships that help kids thrive.”
For more infromation about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra visit bbbsns.org.
noted Martinez had been meeting with him and other stakeholders.
“Obviously this makes a signicant di erence in the ability to build homes in El Dorado County,” Jarrard said, adding he had provided county sta with an updated analysis with six issues to work out, “particularly around capital improvements and allocation of funds.”
The board unanimously approved DOT’s proposed revisions; received the adjusted El Dorado Countywide 2045 Housing and Employment Projections
Dorado County.
“There’s a whole lot of factors going into this and I think you guys are doing a great job,” Veerkamp said. County resident Ruth Michelson said, a er growing up in Michigan, she knows what snow does to roads. “It tears up the roads,” she explained. “So, yeah, Pollock Pines and Tahoe deserve to have more money because of the wear and tear on their roads.”
Mullins’ slide presentation listed recent completed projects, including: Governors Subdivision Phase 1; E-16 Phase 1 (four corners to county line); El Dorado Road; Snows Road; Salmon Falls Phase 1; Sly Park Road Phase 1 (Pony Express Trail to Mormon Emigrant Trail); Pioneer Trail; and South Upper Truckee.
Projects currently in progress are: Governors subdivision Phase 2; E-16 Phase 2 (Pleasant Valley Road to four corners); Larsen and Barkley Phase 1; Salmon Falls Phase 2 (Gallagher Road to Green Valley Road); and Christmas Valley Area Phase 1 (residential roads o South Upper Truckee).
then got on and the bases were loaded for Glaser.
The Nevada commit li ed the ball deep and over the le elder’s glove as the ball got to the wall.
Memorandum, dated April 17; received information on revisions to the list of roadway de ciency projects resulting from approved growth rates, adjusted growth allocations and corresponding revisions to the Travel Demand Model; directed sta to adjust the residential and non-residential o set percentages to the proposed TIF using the proposed Scenario 2; and directed sta to return on June 10 with the appropriate resolution for adoption of the revised TIF update and to incorporate the changes to the CIP.
Criteria used when prioritizing include funding sources and how much money is available; identifying projects in all ve districts; the PCI; average daily trafc on roadways; and estimated life/return time (tra c loading, initial design, water drainage, pavement condition and environmental factors).
“Ideally, we’re looking at 80% going through our roads that are in fair condition, with approximately 20% going to either a failed section of roadway or a smaller road that’s going to cost quite a bit of money to reconstruct,” Mullins said.
Mullins said the county’s PCI went from 64 in 2018 to 69 in 2024.
“We’re shooting for 70 or above,” Mullins said. “Obviously we’ve got just a little bit more to go.” Supervisor Parlin motioned to receive and le the road maintenance project presentation and adopt the list of projects for all districts within El Dorado County funded in scal year 2025-26 by Senate Bill 1. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Greg Ferrero, District 1, and approved 5-0.
“Mikayla Finn is a strong pitcher and I knew she was going to come for a strike and she was going to try to pitch it in the zone,” Glaser said. “I was ready for that pitch and swung the bat, and when you swing the bat, good things happen.”
Railey and Paratore both scored while Montes De Oca reached third base on the double by Glaser.
“Emery is just so clutch on the eld and with her bat,” Schroeder said. ”She comes through in big moments and she is always able to produce.”
With runners on second and third and two outs, Schroeder wound up and threw her pitch, the ball was grounded to sophomore Gemma Almont at second base. Almost elded the ball cleanly and red to Paratore at rst for the nal out.
“I was con dent,” said head coach Sam Toy. “They’ve got experience and you can see that they were composed. They’ve been there before and they know how to play with that pressure on them. So proud of how they got out of that.”
Montes de Oca then scored on a passed ball to give the Trojans a 3-1 lead.
Trojans threw their gloves high in the air and celebrated in between the circle and rst base.
Schroeder was dominant in the circle, especially through the rst ve innings, allowing just two hits. Del Oro got bats going in the sixth by scoring a run and loading the bases with no outs.
Then Schroeder worked her magic as the next two batters grounded out. On both of those outs, the in elder threw home to cut down the lead runner. Then with two outs, Schroeder got the last batter to y out, stranding three runners on base.
“Believe it or not, Ellison likes the bases loaded,” Montes de Oca said. “She says it calms her down. So they got the bases loaded and I was like, oh, she’s got this; no more runs are scoring here.”
The Torjans led 3-2 heading into the nal frame. Again, the Golden Eagles got runners on base a er a walk and a single with one out. Del Oro got another hit to le eld, but Oak Ridge was able to throw out the lead runner at the plate for the second out.
“Ellison was incredible,” Montes de Oca said. “She has been dominant this whole year. Going into this she knew she could get Del Oro’s hitters. Obviously, they’re a threat, but she knew she could beat them so we worked to her strengths and their weaknesses and she just rolled through them.”
In three career section championship games, Schroeder pitched 18 innings while allowing just four earned runs and striking out 10.
“It means everything,” Schroeder said on the three-peat. “Carmen and Carly are my best friends and I think being able to play with them these four years and kind of leave our legacy behind and just to be able to build up this program together has been really, really special.”
Oak Ridge will play in the Northern California regional playo s this week. Last year the Trojans reached the NorCal nal.
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!
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.
789 Del Coronado Court, El Dorado Hills
4,954 square feet
5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
0.59-acre property
Listed at $3,399,000 MLS #225048341
Custom home a stunning retreat
Every detail has been thoughtfully considered in this exceptional, brand-new home in a charming cul-desac in the premier Serrano Country Club community of El Dorado Hills.
This stunning, custom residence, designed with timeless transitional architecture, is perfectly positioned to maximize privacy and serenity. Thoughtfully situated on more than half an acre, the home is shielded from neighboring properties and with no lot directly behind it, residents and guests will enjoy uninterrupted open space views.
This 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath luxury retreat o ers style, function and exibility with three ensuite bedrooms on the main level and two ensuite bedrooms and a game room upstairs.
Step through the striking pivot front door and into a grand great room, featuring vaulted beamed ceilings, designer lighting and a dramatic sliding glass wall that opens seamlessly to the backyard for the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living. When the weather cools, enjoy the warmth of a crackling replace. The living room also features built-in cabinetry and shelving.
The chef’s dream kitchen boasts a top of the line Thermador appliance package, a center island with a farm sink, storage, bar seating and a dishwasher. Hiring a caterer to spend more time with guests? The home also has a separate
back kitchen with a second refrigerator and huge walk-in pantry. Serve meals in style in the adjacent dining space where it’s easy to select the right wine for your meal from the built-in wine refrigerator integrated into the custom cabinetry along one wall. Diners will enjoy a backyard view with their delicious cuisine.
The dreamy primary suite includes a gorgeous Carrara marble replace and a delicate chandelier as well as direct access to the backyard. Relax in the spa inspired bathroom and enjoy the spacious walk in closet, where there’s room for an extensive wardrobe.
A covered patio ensures year-round enjoyment of the resort-style backyard that boasts a sparkling pool with a builtin spa, an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue and ice maker, a small lawn and serene views.
Other property features include an owned solar power system and a four-car garage with epoxy oors.
Serrano is one of El Dorado Hills’ most prestigious luxury neighborhoods with an award-winning golf course, country club and immaculate landscaping. The gated community is close to shopping, restaurants, great schools and Highway 50. Interested in this beautiful Del Coronado Court property in El Dorado Hills? Contact Lisa Paragary at (916) 247-1303 or lisa@paragarymillerteam.com.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, SYMPHONY
A cinematic season nale with Folsom Lake Symphony
“Music is the shorthand of emotion.” — Leo Tolstoy
If you’ve ever found yourself tearing up during a lm with-
out knowing quite why, chances are the music was doing some heavy li ing. Film scores don’t just accompany our favorite movie moments, they shape them, de ne them and o en live on in our hearts long a er the credits roll.
to the textures of several selections; his instrument’s silvery tone is a perfect t for retro lm scores. And soprano Bianca Orsi will lend her powerful voice to the program, o ering a vocal brilliance that reminds us just how expressive lm music can be.
That’s exactly the kind of magic the Folsom Lake Symphony will conjure in its 2024–25 season nale, Movies with the Maestro.
Season nale
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom will come alive with the soundtracks of Hollywood history. Maestro Peter Ja e and the Folsom Lake Symphony will guide audiences through a thrilling selection of iconic lm scores. Think “Star Wars,” “La La Land,” “Rocky,” “Gone with the Wind” and “The Incredibles” — all performed live by a full symphony orchestra. Whether you’re a lifelong classical music fan or someone who just loves a good movie night, this concert speaks directly to
the heart. You’ll hear the jazzy swagger of “Catch Me If You Can,” the sweeping grandeur of “Lawrence of Arabia,” the haunting beauty of “Howl’s Moving Castle” and more. It’s a symphonic journey through the stories that shaped us.
Guest artists
Joining the orchestra for this cinematic celebration are three acclaimed artists.
Saxophonist Jonathan Hulting-Cohen brings virtuosity to the cool-jazz score of “Catch Me If You Can,” composed by John Williams (b. 1932). Michael Downing, on vibraphone, adds sparkle
Film scores matter
Unlike pop music, which o en stands apart from the story, lm scores are woven directly into the emotional arc. They guide the viewer — sometimes subtly and sometimes boldly — through moments of tension, romance, triumph or loss.
Composer Jerry Goldsmith (1929–2004), who scored “Planet of the Apes” and “Star Trek,” once said, “The best lm music is music that works on its own, but elevates the image beyond what you thought it could be.” That’s the beauty of hearing these works in a live setting. You experience them not as background — but as the very soul of the story.
■ See LAIRD, page B7
Susan Laird The Arts
MICHAEL DOWNING
BIANCA ORSI
295 St. Regis Court
5 beds | 5 baths | 5,071 sf | .59 acres
$3,298,000
Just completed! Stunning modern masterpiece with breathtaking Folsom Lake and mountain views from every room; desirable cul-desac location in the Serrano Country Club neighborhood.
4587 Echo Springs Circle
3-4 beds | 3 baths | 2,752 sf | .42 acres
$1,785,000
With a prime Serrano location just a short golf cart ride to the Country Club, this luxurious custom single-story home has been fully remodeled with elegance, warmth, and timeless style.
575 Dali Court
4 beds | 5 baths | 4,045 sf | .21 acres
$1,800,000 (Pending Sale)
Beautiful Serrano Country Club residence showcasing elevated design and luxury upgrades throughout; culde-sac setting with gorgeous Sierra views.
Exceptional Kalithea estate with sweeping Sierra and foothill
Tucked behind the gates of Kalithea, this stunning home offers front-row seats to unforgettable sunsets over Folsom Lake, downtown Sacramento, and the Sacramento Valley.
Nestled within the serene, gated neighborhood of Cameron Estates, this singlestory home on 5 acres offers the perfect blend of privacy and
Jordan Hyatt-Miller Arts and Culture El Dorado
Four outstanding high school seniors received the 2025 Young Artist Awards at a reception at Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Switchboard Gallery at 525 Main Street in Placerville.
The event held earlier this spring also honored the memory of four bright lights in the El Dorado County community who greatly supported the arts. Their lives represent the talent, thoughtfulness, generosity, and commitment to the community that makes El Dorado County a special place to live. The Young Artist Awards were presented in four categories: the Richard H. Bush Award for Music; the Joey Cattone Award for Visual Art; the Lanny Langston Award for Theater; and the Jane Van Camp Award for NatureInspired Art. Awardees received a $500 honorarium.
“The Young Artist Awards reception is one our favorite events of the year,” said Terry LeMoncheck, executive director of Arts and Culture El Dorado.
“Bringing the talented students together to recognize their outstanding achievements in the company of their families, the educators who nominated them, and the families for whom the awards are named, is truly special. These exceptional young people are some of the best and
brightest in El Dorado County, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Oak Ridge senior Sydney Zak, selected by Paul, Maggie and Leslie Bush, received the 2025 Richard H. Bush Award for Music. Sydney, nominated by Nathan Tilley, was until her graduation a member of Oak Ridge High School’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Percussion, and Marching Band. Sydney
plans to pursue a career in music education.
“Sydney is highly proficient, responsible, kind, talented, and motivated,” said Tilley. “She is a musician with fierce determination and drive and I am so excited to see what she will accomplish.”
Ponderosa senior Gabriella Bencomo, selected by Dan Cattone, received the 2025 Joey Cattone Award for Visual
Art. Gabriella, nominated by Jennifer Schrock, is a talented artist in a variety of mediums, including pencil drawing, colored pencil, graphite, collage and gouache. Applying herself with “outstanding dedication” to her craft, Gabriella “uses her art as a powerful tool for storytelling, evoking thought and emotion in her audience,” said Schrock.
El Dorado High School
El Dorado High School junior Sofia Rodriguez received the 2025 Jane Van Camp Award for Nature-inspired Art. Sofia, nominated by Krista Potter, is a gifted visual artist and a standout student in the Natural Resources Program.
“Sofia is incredibly generous with her artistic ability and our school is more beautiful and informed due to her contributions,” said Potter. “Sofia’s art and her actions bring light to our community.”
An annual program, the Young Artist Awards will continue to celebrate the great promise of younger generations and honor the lives and legacies of those bright lights who came before them.
Arts and Culture El Dorado is a catalyst for good works throughout the region, serving as the state-local partner to the California Arts Council and providing targeted programs and services. It also curates a vibrant gallery exhibition series and focuses on initiatives that support and sustain the region’s cultural life. Founded in 1984 as El Dorado Arts Council, the organization offers programs for veterans and students, families and young people, artists and arts organizations, and residents and visitors. For more details visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.
senior Carlie Rumsey received the 2025 Lanny Langston Award for Theater. Carlie, nominated by Paul Tomei, is a leader at her school, at Imagination Theater, at the Crocker House, and in the El Dorado County community. Carlie, who plans to pursue a career in theater, “never ceases to impress with her amazing singing voice and ability to make detailed and well-thought-out character choices,” said Paul Tomei. “She is insightful, has amazing instincts, and is just a powerhouse on the stage.”
Catch a Broadway hit next season at the Harris Center
News release
Harris Center for the Arts presents its 2025-26
Broadway series. It will include six showstopping productions — including a ninetime Tony award-winning sensation, the ultimate whodunit thrill ride and a razzle-dazzling musical you won’t stop talking about. Don’t miss a moment of the magic; it’s going to be a season to remember.
Series lineup
Nov. 6-9 — Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” comes to life on stage.
Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story.”
Nov. 18-23 — “Chicago” is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. In the whirl-
wind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses — vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart — become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy. Jan. 15-18, 2026 — An uplifting comeback story like no other, “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical” is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. “Tina − The Tina Turner Musical” is recommended for ages 14 and older. The production
Symphony’s upcoming season brings exceptional talent to the stage
News release
F
olsom Lake Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season.
Maestro Peter Jaffe has programmed another season of outstanding music for all to experience — from major works of Beethoven, Brahms, Musorgsky/Ravel, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky to festive holiday music and a celebration of American composers to honor the nation’s 250th birthday. As a season subscriber of the fiveconcert series, music lovers have the opportunity to lock in seats before the general public and enjoy up to a 20% price discount. New season subscriptions go on sale starting Thursday, June 5, at noon. A season subscription can be secured
by calling the Harris Center at (916) 608-6888 or by visiting the ticket office in person. Ticket office hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and two hours before any Harris Center performance. Season subscriptions cannot be purchased online.
The season
Oct. 11 — The Big Picture: Pianist Terrence Wilson joins FLS for a performace of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Musorgsky/Ravel’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
Dec. 13 & 14: Deck the Hall: Soprano Carrie Hennessey and the Northern California Youth Choir perform with the symphony during the holiday celebration featuring”Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night,” a Christmas carol singalong, “Symph-Hanukkah,” music from “The Nutcracker” and
“The Polar Express” and many more goodies.
Feb. 14, 2026 — A Night For Romance: Hear soprano Tiffany Townsend and bass-baritone Cedric Berry perform with FLC. Features songs are Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from “Prince Igor”; Gershwin’s “Summertime, “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” and “Bess, You is My Woman Now” from “Porgy and Bess”; Mendelssohn’s wedding march from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; and Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” overture-fantasy.
News release
The El Dorado County Community Concert Association has finalized its 2025-26 season lineup. All concerts take place at Union Mine High School’s theater at 6530 Koki Lane, El Dorado. All concerts start at 7 p.m.
The January and February concerts are scheduled on weekends with a 3 p.m. start time.
Lineup
• Tuesday, Oct. 7 — Neave Trio
• Thursday, Nov. 20 — WindSync
• Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 — Rhythm
March 28, 2026 — Passion and Power: Violinist Ava Pakiam and the symphony bring Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 to life. June 6 & 7, 2026 — American Salute: Build the excitement leading up to our nation’s 250th birthday, narrator and baritone Omari Tau joins the symphony for Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture,” Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and musical favorites from stage and screen.
Concert association announces shows
Future Quartet
• Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 — PIANOMANIA!
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026 — House of Hamill
• Thursday, April 2, 2026 — Johnny Cash Tribute
Established in 1950, the El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s mission is to support the community and provide a variety of outstanding live musical entertainment at affordable prices. For more information or to become a member call (530) 409-8945. n
Courtesy photo
Young artists Sydney Zak, Sofia Rodriguez, Gabriella Bencomo and Carlie Rumsey, left to right, received praise and funds at a special event help in Placerville.
Young musicians hit all the right notes, bring home awards
Rescue Union School District News
The Rescue Union School District proudly celebrates the remarkable success of its band programs at Marina Village Middle School and Pleasant Grove Middle School. These programs continue to set a high standard for musical excellence, a re ection of the district’s signi cant investment in arts education and the exceptional leadership of their directors.
Central to this success is the collaborative spirit shared by three dedicated educators: Ben Cain, conductor at Marina Village Middle School; Shaun Manley, band director at Pleasant Grove Middle School; and Mila Olson, the elementary band director whose foundational teaching helps shape the district’s youngest musicians. Together, these educators are creating a vibrant music community that prepares students to excel both on stage and in life.
Marina Village Middle School
Under the leadership of Cain, the Marina Village Middle School Band recently delivered an impressive performance at their festival, earning
a wide range of top honors:
First place awards
Beginning Bands – Superior
Rating
7th/8th
Grade Bands –Superior
Rating
Jazz Ensemble – Superior
Rating World Music Ensemble –
Excellent Rating
Second Place (to Themselves in the Same Category)
Jazz Combo (Luke Warm Bell Peppers) – Superior
Rating
Individual honors
Soloist Award – Jeremy Gu, Alto Sax
Overall awards
Overall Jazz Band Award
Overall Concert Band Award
Esprit de Corps Award – The highest honor at the festival, recognizing not only musical excellence but also outstanding spirit, teamwork, and leadership both on and o the stage. This award is a testament to the supportive, family–like culture that Cain has cultivated within the Marina Village music program.
Pleasant Grove Middle School
Band Director Manley has
El Dorado Hills Chamber hands out scholarship funds to grads
Linneah Flahive
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce is proud to award four scholarships of $1,000 each to local high school graduates who will continue their education at a university, college or technical school. This year the chamber received 23 impressive applications from highly quali ed students. One of the scholarships was generously funded by Paci c Interstate Insurance Brokers, with the remaining three made possible by proceeds from the silent auction held at the chamber’s annual Installation and Business Awards Dinner. The chamber is committed to growing this impactful sponsorship program in the years to come. Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of four local community leaders. Each application was evalu-
ated using a points-based system: 50% for community service, 15% for work experience, 15% for extracurricular activities, 10% for GPA and 10% for nancial need.
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce congratulates the following 2025 scholarship recipients, all from Oak Ridge High School: Andrew Hansen, Andrew Ni, Ian Spero and Sophia Voudouris.
“We are honored to support our graduating seniors,” said Debbie Manning, president & CEO of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce.
“Our hope is that a er completing their education, they will return to El Dorado Hills to live and work in our vibrant community.”
Donations to the El Dorado Hills Chamber Scholarship Fund for the Class of 2026 are welcomed and appreciated. Contact chamber@eldoradohillschamber.org to contribute.
Railroad Museum invites high schoolers to innovative program
■ Deadline to apply is June 15
Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release
SACRAMENTO
— Back by popular demand, the California State Railroad Museum launches the second annual Rail Innovation in Action, a free online, interactive program designed for high school students interested in real-world problem solving and learning about the future of railroads. Supported by the California State Railroad Museum Foundation and working in partnership with Lemelson-MIT, a national leader in advancing invention education, this year’s virtual program will center on community impact.
“For our pilot e ort last year, I was very impressed with the level of sophistication of thought and incredible potential of the participating high school students,” said Dr. Ty Smith, museum director of the California State Railroad Museum.
“About half of the students were railroad or train enthusiasts and the other half were motivated to learn more about STEM and STEAM applications. All were focused on the collective problem-solving process and the future of innovation and possibility. I am energized to continue this educational program that provides a unique opportunity to foster minds that could one day change transportation —
and the world — in ways we have not yet even imagined.”
Students will have the opportunity to engage with guest experts in the modern rail industry, work on activities and group exercises, and participate in career talks.
Prior railroading experience is not required to participate, simply a sense of curiosity and desire to gain knowledge, acquire new skills and learn how to work collaboratively to problem solve.
“Thanks to the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, we will be o ering Rail Innovation in Action again in fall 2025,” said Stephanie Couch, executive director of the Lemelson-MIT Center.
“High school students are already contacting us to see if they can participate. America has some catching up to do when we compare ourselves to other countries. The young inventors we serve are the next generation of creative problem solvers and they are eager to take us forward.”
The Rail Innovation in Action program will be open to students who be in grades ninth through 12th during the 2025-26 school year. The course will take over eight consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 18 to Dec. 13, (except for Thanksgiving weekend). Applications are open now through June 15 for priority consideration with a nal deadline of Sept. 22. The free and accessible online program is open to high school students of all backgrounds and interests
who are based locally, regionally, or nationwide.
At the conclusion of the interactive course, participants will receive a certi cate of completion plus develop research and invention skills that are transferable to college and future career endeavors.
To apply or nd our more information about the new “Rail Innovation in Action” program visit californiarailroad. museum/education/railinnovation-in-action.
For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or foundation visit californiarailroad.museum.
guided the Pleasant Grove Middle School Band to a similarly impressive showing at the Six Flags Music in the Parks Festival, where his students captured the following top awards:
First place awards
Concert Band – Superior
Rating
Symphonic Band – Superior
Rating
Percussion Ensemble –Excellent Rating
Jazz Ensemble – Superior
Rating
Second Place (to Themselves in the Same Category) Jazz Combo – Excellent
Rating Third Place (to Themselves in the Same Category)
Jazz Foundations – Excellent
Rating
Top jazz awards
Jazz Bands – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in Division
Jazz Ensemble – Best Overall
Middle School Jazz Band across all divisions, regardless of school size.
Individual honors
Best Overall Middle School
Jazz Soloist – Gannon Clark Cain, Manley and Olson have created a music program that is as much about community as it is about musicianship. Their collective dedication to their students’ growth, combined with a deep respect for one another’s teaching, has established a culture of excellence that extends across the district’s music programs.
RUSD is deeply proud of its students and sta , whose combined e orts have built one of the region’s most respected music programs. These achievements are a re ection of the lasting impact of comprehensive music education, from the rst note in elementary school to award–winning performances in middle school. For more details visit RescueUSD.org.
PHS grad earns national scholarship
Cameron Park resident and Ponderosa High School Sam Holley is making waves both in beach volleyball and nancial literacy education. Holley was recently selected as one of four recipients nationwide for the prestigious Tardus Beach Volleyball Scholarship, receiving $5,000 to support her education at the University of the Paci c, where she’ll play beach volleyball.
“I plan to use my grit and determination earned through my recruiting process (and while competing as a D1 athlete) to propel myself into medical school as a Naval O cer,” Holley shared.
Tardus Wealth Strategies is proud to award a total of $20,000 in scholarships to four incredible young women — leaders on the court, in the class-
room and in their communities. Each recipient has shown not only athletic excellence, but also a commitment to personal growth and nancial literacy.
Pete r Vlautin has over 45 years of Litigation Experience and a Masters (LL.M.) Degree in Taxation.
Member of California, Nevada, and U. S. Supreme Court Bar Associations
Peter P. Vlautin, III, J.D. LL.M. 1020 Suncast Lane #101, El Dorado Hills (916) 365-9734 • petervlautin.com
California State Bar #54733
Nevada State Bar #1475
Courtesy photo
Marina Village Middle School band students pose with the awards these talented musicians recently received.
SAM HOLLEY
El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce
Carrot
Laurie Lewis
Mistakes in judgement happen while at big box food stores, pushing an oversized cart down towering isles of food. An 8-pound bag of carrots appears to be do-able at the time. Afterall, carrots are such a versatile root vegetable, able to be in sweet treats, snacks, salads, soups and roasts. Taking up a rather large portion of a fridge, this bag may be partially used up through the normal rotation of recipes, but you may find the carrots mocking you each time you open the fridge. It’s time to open the canning books. In “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving,” 2024, you will find a most amazing salsa recipe. This salsa has been known to be a great chip dip, a replacement for marinara on pasta or used as a topping for burgers and hot dogs.
Carrot Pepper Salsa
Makes about five 8-ounce jars 6 cups coarsely chopped, cored, peeled tomatoes 3 cups coarsely grated peeled carrots
saucepan, combine tomatoes, carrots, vinegar,
brown sugar, onion, jalapeño peppers, salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about one hour. Stir in cilantro and cook for five minutes. Meanwhile, prepare boiling-water canner or atmospheric steam canner. Heat cleaned jars in canner until ready to use, do not boil (simmering water at 180 degrees F). Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands. Ladle hot salsa into a hot jar, leaving ½-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary. Clean jar rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Place jar in canner. Repeat until all jars are filled. Water must cover jars by at least one inch in boiling water canner or come to the base of the rack in a steam canner. Adjust heat to medium-high, cover canner, and bring water to a rolling boil in a boiling-water canner or until there’s a steady stream of steam coming from the steam canner. Start timing and process half-pint jars: 15 minutes at 0–1,000 feet elevation, 20 minutes at 1,001–3,000 feet, 25 minutes at 3,001–
Pixabay image
With just a few ingredients you can make a versatile carrot pepper salsa.
n See SALSA page B7
GROW FOR IT!
Precious water, precious plants
We all know what’s coming: hotter days, higher water bills and less water to go around. What can a gardener do? Well, quite a lot — and this is the perfect time to start. There are three main elements to any landscape: hardscape, plants and irrigation. The hardscape includes your house, garage, driveway, pathways, pool, patio, dry stream beds — anything permanent that has nothing planted on it. Hardscape is o en overlooked when considering a landscape plan, but it’s important. On the plus side, hardscape elements reduce your planted area and subsequent irrigation water use. But they also re ect heat, increase temperatures and can cause runo and erosion during the rainy season. There are many good ways to handle the cons. Impermeable surfaces can be graded and slotted to drain water and to slow and direct runo ; walkways can be constructed from decomposed granite, steppingstones or bark, so that more water is absorbed into our soil for use by plants. During the rainy season, the water that falls onto the roof of your house and garage can be directed from downspouts into a collection barrel or a drain that spreads it across your property or into planted areas. Make sure that the plants located there can handle some extra water; it takes only three days of sitting in water for roots to rot. Determine your soil type — clay, sand, silt, loam or a combination — so you know how quickly water moves through that soil and what nutrients it might
Laure Rady
UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County
need. If necessary, amend your soil with good compost so your plants will ourish. Reduce the amount of turf on your property and replace it with smart, sustainable choices.
Select your plants carefully, based on our climate zone and intended use, such as privacy, shelter, decoration, bird or butter y habitats, food and owers. Find your climate zone by ZIP code at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Observe the sun exposure within di erent areas of your property. Is it full sun, (6-8 hours of sun daily), shade, ltered shade under a tree canopy or a combination?
Does the plant tag indicate the water needs? Even plants listed as drought tolerant need irrigation for their rst few years before they can survive on low water. Place plants with similar needs in the same area. Plants at the bottom of a slope get more water, and those at the top get less. Mulch keeps plants cool and conserves water. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of plants and trees, and make sure it is between three and four inches deep, so weeds are discouraged but water can penetrate.
Make sure your irrigation system is set up correctly and checked periodically. Test to make sure every plant is getting the correct amount of water. Get a good system in place; you’ll be glad you did!
For more information about our 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.
Museum hosts powerful exhibit commemorating the Black Panther Party
The California Museum invites the public to explore the legacy of the Black Panther Party during By the People, For the People: A Black Panther Party Celebration, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. The special community event marks the opening of the new exhibition Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories and o ers an engaging a ernoon of education, culture, and activism rooted in Northern California history.
The event will feature presentations from Emory Douglas, social justice artist and former minister of culture for the Black Panther Party, and Susanna
Laird
‘Star Wars’ story
Lamaina, photographer and creator of Revolutionary Grain. Attendees will also have the rare opportunity to hear directly from former party members during a dynamic panel discussion exploring the Black Panther Party’s survival programs and its relevance today. Panelists include former Black Panthers Billy X Jennings, Ericka Huggins, Malik Edwards and Gayle “Asali” Dixon.
“This celebration is more than an event; it’s a space for re ection, recognition and renewal of the values of community service the Black Panther Party stood for,” said Amanda Meeker, executive director of the California Museum. “We look forward to welcoming artists, activists, and commu-
When “Star Wars” premiered in 1977, few knew the lm would change cinema. But Williams delivered a main title so stirring, even the London Symphony Orchestra applauded a er its rst readthrough. And the musicians hadn’t even seen the movie! His composition draws on composers Gustav Holst and Erich Korngold to give George Lucas’ futuristic world a mythic, almost classical foundation.
Romance of ‘La La Land’
Composer Justin Hurwitz (b. 1985) was college roommates with “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle. Their long collaboration resulted in a score that feels fully integrated into the lm’s story. The music was composed before the movie was shot — unusual for Hollywood — and that’s part of why songs like “City of Stars” resonate so deeply. The entire movie dances to its melodies.
A Hollywood classic
“Gone with the Wind,” composed by Max Steiner (1888–1971), is a milestone in lm history. Steiner worked for weeks on end — sometimes 20 hours a
includes scenes depicting domestic violence, racist language, loud music, strobe lighting, haze and gun shots.
Feb. 17-22, 2026 — The New York Times calls “The Book of Mormon” “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s “The Book of Mormon,” the nine-time Tony award
Continued from B6
6,000 feet, 30 minutes at 6,001–8,000 feet. Turn o heat. For boiling water canner, remove lid and let jars stand ve minutes. For atmospheric steam canner, let canner sit undisturbed for three to ve minutes, then remove lid. Remove jars and cool on a toweled surface 12-24 hours. Check lids for seal (they should not ex when center is pressed). Label, date and store in a cool dark place.
The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to your 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.
Maggie’s House Cleaning
Available for weekly,
& one time
nity members on June 14 as they come together to examine the movement’s legacy and elevate its message through dialogue.”
The celebration will mark the grand opening of the museum’s newest temporary exhibit, Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories. In the exhibit, photographer Lamaina’s contemporary portraits of former Black Panthers give a glimpse into its later roles as lawyers, social workers, teachers and political activists. Revolutionary Grain is a compelling look at the enduring legacies of rank-and- le members who changed history and dedicated their lives to community service. The exhibit will be on view at the California
day — to complete the massive score in time for the 1939 premiere. His “Tara’s Theme” is instantly recognizable and set a standard for sweeping, emotional music in epic lms. Steiner also composed scores for “Casablanca” and “King Kong,” shaping the golden age of Hollywood music.
Spy swagger & superheroes
Michael Giacchino (b. 1967) broke onto the lm scene with Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” Inspired by 1960s spy thrillers like “Mission: Impossible,” Giacchino insisted on using analog recording equipment for a vintage, punchy sound. His bold brass and rhythmic drive give the lm its superhero air — and in concert, that energy is o the charts.
Ghibli beauty
Few composers capture magic and melancholy like Joe Hisaishi (b. 1950). His scores for Studio Ghibli lms, including “Howl’s Moving Castle,” are beloved around the world. Hisaishi’s music blends European impressionism with Japanese lyricism — delicate, dreamy, and deeply emotional. He’s sometimes called the “Japanese John Williams” and his live concerts draw stadium-sized crowds.
winning Best Musical. This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the good word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, “The Book of Mormon” has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. March 5-8, 2026 — Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget in “Clue: Live On Stage!” Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the nal twist.
Museum through Nov. 2.
In addition to the exhibit opening, attendees will enjoy live music by Bob Jones and the Chosen Few and DJ Abs1er, line dancing with Tina B. and the Sacramento Soul Line Dancers, family-friendly games and cra s, and food and beverages for purchase from Soul Ona Roll and Urban Roots Brewery. Tickets are on sale now for $8 and advance registration is recommended. Museum members and children 12 and younger may attend for free. Admission includes access to the event and all museum exhibits, including Revolutionary Grain. For more information or to purchase tickets visit BlackPanthers.Eventbrite.com.
Music builds bridges
Concerts like Movies with the Maestro serve as a reminder of how orchestral music continues to evolve. For many younger listeners, a lm score is their rst encounter with symphonic sound. And for seasoned music lovers, it’s a chance to appreciate the cra smanship behind scores that sometimes don’t get their due. It also speaks to the incredible range of the Folsom Lake Symphony, whose artists bring both technical brilliance and emotional warmth to each performance. Maestro Ja e’s programming blends entertainment and education — a balance that resonates with audiences of all ages. Movies with the Maestro closes the symphony’s 2024–25 season with heart and cinematic air. It’s a celebration of storytelling through sound, performed live by an ensemble that continues to raise the bar for local arts.
Come ready to laugh, re ect and relive your favorite movie moments — this time, with the full force of a live orchestra.
Tickets are available at the Harris Center box o ce and at folsomlakesymphony.com. Early reservations are recommended, as performances o en sell out. Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@handywriting.com.
May 22-24, 2026 — “Mrs. Doubt re” is a special add-on performance, not included in the regular subscription, but it’s too good to miss. A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together. Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. A er losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubt re in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubt re teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubt re is the musical comedy we need right now — one that proves we’re better together. For more information visit harriscenter.net/broadway-series.
PRINCIPAL WILLIAMSON ROCKS!
3Strands celebrates 15 years of impact in fight against human traffiking
News release
3Strands Global Foundation, a local nonprofit that has made a global impact in the fight to end human trafficking, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special event to honor the organization’s key visionaries and contributors.
Tickets for the Prevention Is Key Gala on Saturday, June 7, are still available through the organization’s event website 3Strands Global Foundation – Help Create a World Free From Human Trafficking. As part of the ceremony, the event will recognize corporate partners, community and government leaders, and individuals who have been foundational to the success of the organization and its mission.
The 3Strands Global movement started in 2008 with a group of 11 moms gathered around a kitchen table in El Dorado Hills following a devastating act of human trafficking. The courageous group was determined to take action to ensure their community would never face the same tragedy again.
What started as a grassroots effort to raise awareness and restore hope for survivors quickly grew into a recognized force for advocacy and prevention. By 2010, that momentum led to the founding of what would eventually become 3Strands Global Foundation and the launch of the first 5k/10k Break Free Run.
Today, 3Strands Global Foundation is leading prevention and reintegration efforts worldwide — advocating for survivor-centered legislation, empowering over a million individuals through prevention education and walking alongside survivors on their journey to healing.
Over the last 15 years, 3Strands Global has worked with survivors, educators, parents and changemakers to
achieve measurable outcomes in ending human trafficking through: Prevention education — Since 2014, 829,748 students have been educated through age-appropriate curriculum to recognize, prevent, and respond to exploitation. And 136,406 adult educators, caregivers and professionals have been trained to identify risks, understand vulnerabilities and take action to create safer schools and communities.
Survivor services — 3Strand’s programs have helped more than 1,000 survivors find healing and stability through job training, mental health care and survivor-led advocacy. The Table, which opened in 2024 in downtown Sacramento, is a resource hub for survivors and individuals at-risk, providing food and clothing, job training, mental health care and survivor-led advocacy among other services.
Policy & advocacy — 3Strands leaders work alongside lawmakers, survivor leaders and nonprofit partners to push for laws that protect survivors, prevent exploitation and hold traffickers accountable. In 2024 alone, 3Strands advocated for 18 federal bills, including the Take It Down Act, recently signed by President Trump, and helped get 8 new laws passed in California. More details on successes in each of these areas can be found in the organization’s latest impact report. Visit 3sgf. org for more details.
According to the International Labour Organization, every year 50 million people are trafficked worldwide — more than the population of Spain. One out of every four are children — often at the hands of family members. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that California leads the nation in reported trafficking cases. In Sacramento County alone, more than 13,000 people were trafficked in just five years.
Seats available on local council
Carla Hass
El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office
The El Dorado County Community Action Council is seeking to fill two member vacancies with individuals who can represent the interests and concerns of people and families with low incomes living in El Dorado County, with a special focus on housing, nutrition and low-income program needs. The deadline to submit a member application is July 28.
Dorado County’s low-income residents and individuals representing the lowincome community are encouraged to apply.”
The council acts in an advisory capacity to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency about community and human service needs for low-income residents of the county. The council collaborates with local government, private organizations, and citizens serving the most vulnerable populations. Council positions are voluntary and unpaid. Meetings take place in Placerville and are held monthly for nine months during the year.
“We’re looking for people who are committed to actively participating in the Council meetings and advancing the goals of the council on behalf of low-income people,” said Rebecca Johnson, program coordinator with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency. “Representatives of community agencies that serve El
For more information about the council and to receive a member application contact Johnson at (530) 6216255 or send an email to rebecca.johnson@edcgov.us.
After the
presentations, all attendees will have
and
Food and drinks will be available for purchase with some light snacks provided by El Dorado Community Foundation. This event is open to anyone in the community for free. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the nonprofits of the community and the critical impacts they provide.
Courtesy photo
Jackson Elementary School parent Leona O’Meara painted one of the rocks along El Dorado Hills Boulevard in celebration of Jackson Principal Michele Williamson’s retirement. Williamson served as Jackson’s principal for 24 years.
