Winters Express Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Council extends deadline for tentative affordable housing plan map

By Jacob Hoffman Express staff writer

At Dec. 6 meeting, the its Winters City Councilmembers continued and concluded their discussion held at the Nov. 15 meeting regarding an extension to the Neighborworks Tentative Subdivision Map that plans to subdivide a two-acre parcel at Moody Slough Road and Taylor Street into 24 single-family lots for affordable housing.

Beginning on Nov. 15, the council discussed the Neighborworks Tentative Subdivision Map that was first adopted on Aug. 18, 2020, and which would expire

on Aug. 18 unless a time extension was approved.

Neighborworks requested an extension, asking for an additional 24 months before the deadline, and the City Council then were to decide if they would grant the extension.

Senior City Planner Kirk Skierski presented the proposed extension to the council, saying, “it is staff’s understanding that the improvement plans and final map are close to being completed and will require council approval before the final subdivision map is recorded. A time extension request would allow

See EXTEND, Page 5

Local News Briefs

City Hall closure

In her Dec. 9 update, City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa announced details about the upcoming City Hall holiday closure. The closure begins on Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 2. Trepa encouraged residents to plan accordingly and to coordinate for any building inspections ahead of time by emailing building.division@ cityofwinters.org or calling 530-794-6708.

Community Survey

City staff is gathering input from the community in regard to the Downtown Vision and Policy Plan. The survey asks questions on a variety of topics involving the future of Downtown Winters, including parking, outdoor gathering and dining areas, weekend street closures, and more. The survey is available in both

English and Spanish. Residents can take the survey online until Jan. 9, 2023. More information about the City’s Downtown Vision and Policy Plan is available on the City’s website at cityofwinters.org/ downtown-visioning.

The English survey is at https://tinyurl. com/yw7wjvz3. Take the Spanish survey at https://tinyurl. com/5n6e6h8y.

Upcoming meetings

The Winters Joint Unified School District is hosting its organizational meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.

The Dec. 27 Planning Commission meeting was canceled due to the holiday. A special Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The Planning Commission will host Public Hearings on an East Street Building Replacement Design Review Project and a Main Street Vacation Rental Project.

The new City Council will have its first meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The Jan. 3 meeting is canceled.

Equestrian center project proposal in Quail Canyon ignites neighbors’ concerns

By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media

Plans for a horse boarding and riding project at Double T Ranch on Quail Canyon Road have drawn concerns from neighbors in the area.

At the top of that list is wildfire — neighbors say the canyon is already a dangerous and difficult evacuation situation for residents and animals, as the project could add as many as 48 more

horses.

“We have had several major fires out here,” said Liann Stubblefield, who lives off of Pleasants Valley Road, about a quarter-mile from the canyon entrance, adding horses and other livestock died or were severely injured during the LNU Lightning Complex Fire.

She said the one thing that burned at her place was a manure pile from her three horses. She said

it was located in the middle of a dirt area, so an ember must have hit and it went up. She said this project calls for 48 horses.

“For those who chose to evacuate during the LNU fire, it was a problem,” Stubblefield said, noting how difficult it was to get livestock out, or even know where to go.

Water supply, noise and the extra lights — and their potential impact on neighbors

— are other concerns that also have been raised.

Tina Tomei has a conditional use permit application going through the Solano County planning process.

It calls for two covered riding arenas — the largest being 18,000 square feet — three training pens, three barns to house 48 horses, a ranch shop and storage structures

Winters to provide funding to Yolo Food Bank for waste reduction, recycling state bill

During the Dec. 6 City Council meeting, councilmembers heard a recommendation for providing funding to the Yolo Food Bank in compliance with a California state bill.

Before the discussion began, Councilmember Jesse Loren recused herself and exited the session, as she recently

accepted employment with Yolo Food Bank. Following her departure, City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa briefed the council on the history of and basis for the city’s recommendation.

This resolution would provide $12,351 to Yolo Food Bank, a regional nonprofit that coordinates the recovery, storage, and distribution of food to those in need

in Yolo County. The particular history of this resolution is tied to California Senate Bill 1383, a law passed in 2016 and with final regulations adopted in October 2020.

By Jacob Hoffman Express staff writer See FUNDS,

The staff report provided by Trepa described the bill as, “one of the most significant waste reduction and recycling mandates to be adopted in California in the past 30 years,” with the goal of, “es-

tablish(ing) methane emissions reduction targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in statewide disposal of organic waste from 2014 levels by 2020 and 75 percent reduction by 2025.”

The bill also created “targets to achieve a 20 percent reduction in currently disposed edible food by 2025” as the “decomposition of organic waste

Future subscriber: Phoebe Marion Johnson

Phoebe Marion Johnson was born on Dec. 6, 2022. She is welcomed by her parents Benjamin and Emma Johnson, and her older brother Michael. Phoebe’s mother, a former editor of the Express, appreciated that Phoebe was born on her deadline. At birth, Phoebe weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces. Phoebe is also welcomed by great-grandmother Marion Hamilton of Winters; grandparents Susan Hamilton of Winters, Bill Pfanner of Davis and Michael Johnson of Davis; as well as aunts and uncles Will and Frankie Pfanner of Winters, Lily Starling of Winters, and Sam Johnson of Lincoln, Neb.

The tentative project site is located within the Stones Throw Subdivision (Winters Highlands) south of Moody Slough Road between Taylor Street and Wyatt Lane.

Courtesy graphic

Health officer recommends masking indoors this winter

By Anne Ternus-Bellamy McNaughton Media

Health officials in Yolo County are now recommending that everyone over the age of two wear masks in indoor public places this winter.

The recommendation is based on the increasing spread of several respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

and COVID-19.

According to the Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network, wastewater levels of influenza, RSV, and SARSCoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) are increasing in Yolo County, as are hospitalizations and emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses.

“This winter is the first in several years where we are seeing significant flu and RSV activity, in addition to COVID-19, so we are now making masking recommendations based on all circulating respiratory viruses, not just on COVID,” said Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson.

“Wearing a high-quality mask indoors is a great way to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses like flu, RSV and COVID-19.”

Those viruses, as well as the viruses that cause the common cold, spread through respiratory droplets.

“Contact with respiratory droplets can occur when an in-

fected person coughs or sneezes near you and you get droplets in your eyes, nose, or mouth,” the county Health and Human Services Agency said in press release announcing the recommendation. “Droplets can also spread when someone touches a surface with the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touches their face before washing their hands. COVID-19 can also be transmitted through smaller particles called aerosols that stay in the air for extended periods of time and travel over long distances before

being breathed in.”

By wearing a mask that fits well and filters well, the county said, “you can protect yourself against respiratory viruses even if others around you are not masked.

“High-quality masks like N95, KN95, and KF94s are the most protective, followed by surgical masks. Cloth masks are the least protective. Choose the best mask in terms of fit and filtration that you can consistently wear.

one of the layers of protection against respiratory viruses and they work best when combined with additional protections like COVID-19 boosters, flu shots, frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, and covering any coughs or sneezes, the county noted.

Individuals who have cold- or flulike symptoms and who test negative for COVID-19 should continue to stay home from school, work and other activities until they are feeling better and have been without fever for at least 24 hours, the county said.

Children under 2 are not recommended to wear a mask due to the risk of suffocation.”

But masks are just

The state reported Tuesday that flu activity has reached high levels across California, “which has the potential to add to an already concerning number of hospitalizations of children due to the spread of winter viruses including RSV, flu and COVID-19,” according to the state

Library brings back English learning programs

Seeks volunteers

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

The Winters Community Library had to shelve many of its public programs during the pandemic. With most of the COVID restrictions lifted, the library is bringing back many of its resources and programs that bolster opportunities

for Winters residents.

For a year and a half, Ashleigh Torres has not only been a librarian in Winters but a key facilitator of the library’s offerings to the community. Although dismayed at the pandemic-caused hiatus of the library’s programs, she’s thrilled the community will be able to benefit from them once again.

“We’re bringing everything back. Storytime is back inside, and we also have our movie program starting back up where we show a movie every month in the community room,” said Torres. “We also have our bigger programs we still did when we were open but not doing in-person programs. We’re doing them in person now, and we’re also sending some supplies home. We just did a Dia De Los Muertos event and are going to be doing a gingerbread house extravaganza too.”

Amongst the variety of programs the library offers, some of the most impactful are English learning programs. Which — in a town like Winters

whose Spanish-speaking community is over 50 percent of the population — can make a world of difference in the lives of those who participate in them.

“Winters has been a big source for English language programs. They started out doing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes a couple years ago at the Esparto branch, and they had so many people going to Esparto from Winters, it was decided these classes needed to be brought to Winters. We tried to do it virtually during the pandemic, but everyone was Zoomed out. So, we have those back in person now with another course being offered closer to the summer,” said Torres. “We’re able to do that through a grant that the library received. We also have a

couple of partner programs

we host at the library. Those were on a little bit of a pause because of the pandemic, but we have Revalee Hempkin, who’s with (Winters) Friends of the Library and she’s been a huge advocate for our English conversation group and citizenship programming.”

Not only does Hempkin spearhead the English conversation group, she works with different patrons in citizenship preparation. Meanwhile, Torres bolsters the citizenship services by keeping the library’s Citizenship Corner up to date with new information and materials as citizenship processes change regularly. The

Adobe/Stock graphic

“RSV and flu, and now COVID-19, are on the rise — leading to the hospitalization of our youngest and most vulnerable Californians who need all of us to help protect them.”

Dr. Tomás Aragón, state Public Health Officer and CDPH Director

like our English Conversation Groups

Rosemary Hemenway/Winters Express

Citizenship Corner itself is teeming with information and resources for anyone who wants to learn how to start the process of getting a green card or citizenship.

“We have our ESL courses, English conversation group and then our citizenship test prep. Those go hand-in-hand and any part of the process someone is in we want to tell them, ‘Hey, here’s this awesome

program you can join in, and here’s all the resources we have to offer you,’” said Torres. “It’s been really cool because we have some people that take the ESL course, get a little more advanced in their English skills and then they join the English conversation group. We’ve had some people that have benefitted so much from the ESL course, they come back to help and volunteer and share their expertise with other students.”

As the library strives to

help the community, the community can help as library staff is currently looking for volunteers to help in the English conversation group before the

program can restart. The only requisite is being patient and available once a week to participate in these conversations so the English learners can hone

their craft.

Those who are interested or need more information can visit the library (708 Railroad Ave.) and talk to Torres in person, call the library at 530-7954955 or visit its website at yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/.

A full listing of current library events and programs is available on a monthly calendar at the library and is posted on the Yolo County Library website’s events tab (by filtering the “category” for Winters).

Department of Public Health.

“RSV and flu, and now COVID-19, are on the rise — leading to the hospitalization of our youngest and most vulnerable Californians who need all of us to help protect them,” said state Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón. “So we’re reminding Californians about the effective mitigation and safety measures they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones, including getting the flu shot,

keeping up to date with their COVID-19 booster, and masking in indoor public places.

Hospitals across the state are working to add pediatric beds as quickly as possible, CDPH reported, but the number of children who need hospitalization is currently outpacing that ability to expand.

Hospitals typically have about 35 percent to 40 percent open pediatric intensive care unit beds, but that number is down to about 20 percent statewide and even lower — less than 12 percent — in some regions of the state,

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YESTERYEAR

Public Safety Report

City of Winters

Fire

The Fire Log will return next week.

Police Arrest Log

Nov. 23: Tidwell, Earnest Lorenzo II (Age 36); Charges: Domestic Violence, Criminal Threats, Felony Assault, Felony Vandalism, Child Endangerment; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail Dec. 1: Camarero, Bernabe Lizarraga (Age 57), Charges: Domestic Violence, False Imprisonment, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail ~Ricketts, Leah Ann (Age 39), Charges: Winters PD Warrant, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear Dec. 3: Luna, Alexis (Age 18); Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance, Under the influence of a controlled substance ~Kays, Christopher Alexander (Age 25), Charges: DUI/DUI .08 per-

cent BAC plus, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail Case Log

Oct. 23: 2:46 p.m., E. Baker Street/E. Main Street, Vehicle Tow Nov. 28: 5:23 p.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Audible Alarm ~6:26 p.m., 10th block of Anderson Avenue, Phone Harassment Nov. 30: 1:12 a.m., 400th block of Main Street, Audible Alarm Dec. 1: 9:36 a.m., 1000th block of Valley Oak Drive, Audible Alarm Dec. 2: 10:45 a.m., 100th block of E. Baker Street, Towed Vehicle ~1:17 p.m., 800th block of W. Main Street, Vehicle Tow ~9:59 p.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Audible Alarm Dec. 3: 6:30 a.m., 800th block of Dutton Street, Possession of Controlled Substance ~1:01 p.m., 400th block of Railroad Avenue, Trespassing

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

120 Years Ago

December 19, 1902

Theodore Schmeiser Thursday completed the purchase of the 500 acre tract of land in the McMahan subdivision on the south side of Putah Creek.

J. W. Ormsby celebrated his 85th birthday one day this week and his son who lives in Michigan sent 85 dollars — a dollar for every year of his life.

Paul Wall and Miss Nellie Smith went to Sacramento and were married. Paul is a jolly good boy but nobody expected him to commit matrimony.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles and Mrs. Rube Cannon attended the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the marriage of Mrs. Ruggles’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Wilgus, in Sacramento last week.

Herbert Laycock has taken employment with the American Nitrate Co. in Death Valley, and is at work with the surveying and development crews.

L. H. Gregory has moved into the house formerly occupied by C. D. Ireland, and the house he vacated, Hutchins, is now occupied by P. H. McGarr.

The Winters Fire Department will give a grand ball on Christmas eve in the opera house.

On account of lack of interest, the Christmas tree was given up.

Edna Dexter is home for the holidays from Salinas where she has been attending school.

The Women’s Improvement Club will

Winters

55 Years Ago

December 14, 1967

have a day “at home” at the Masonic hall, on New Year’s Day, from 2 to 5 o’clock p.m. Refreshments will be served for which the small sum of 15 cents will be charged.

105 Years Ago

December 14, 1917

The W. C. T. U. met last week with Mrs. Lee Marshall.

The H. W. Comstock ranch on the Putah Canyon road is for rent.

Mrs. Alice Rice donated a much needed wood stove for the Red Cross room.

Harry E. Sackett sold his fruit ranch in the Apricot district to Dr. Jenny of Vacaville.

Buel Ish is now working for the Samson Tractor Co. at San Jose.

Alfred Newman writes that he is stationed at Madison Barracks, New York, with the Quartermaster Supply Company.

The local post office has received a supply of the new government thrift stamps.

Miss Anita Englehart of Watsonville spent Thanksgiving week at the Englehart home.

70 Years Ago

December 19, 1952

The city council

Tuesday evening voted to appeal to Governor Earl Warren for immediate state action to save the banks of Putah Creek near the Winters percolation dam.

Mrs. Roy Hoskins will present her pupils at the Olive School in their Yuletide program on Tuesday, December 23, closing day for the school for the Christmas recess.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stowers this week moved into one of the new duplex apartments on First Street, built by O.C. Holmes.

The Winters City Council voted Tuesday night to file a formal protest with the state bureau of water resources regarding the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation’s application for all of the water of Putah Creek.

The engagement of Miss Ramona Ramos to Frank Martin, Jr.,was announced last week by the bride elect’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Carmelo Ramos.

Mrs. Harry Timmons was hostess to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Presbyterian church last week when it met at the home of Mrs. Ted Freeland.

Charles Siranian, who has been convalescing from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on September 20, returned on December 8 to Hamilton Field.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Chiles and Mrs. C. E. Wyatt spent yesterday in San Francisco.

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Heinz will have as their dinner guest on Christmas day the latter’s aunt, Miss Frances Gilliam.

A request by the contractors for construction of the new high school gym for a time extension was turned down by the school board Tuesday evening, and referred to the county counsel. The contractors, Christenson and Foster, said that the electrical sub-contractor had filed for bankruptcy and the sub-contractor for locker installation had not yet received the lockers. In other matters, the board hired Mrs. Alice Delwiche to teach ESL (English as a Second Language).

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Laukkanen, of Winters, are the parents of a daughter, born at the Woodland Memorial Hospital on December 11, 1967.

Donald Nichols, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Nichols, serving with the Infantry in the U. S. Army, left Sunday for a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Mrs. Fred Barker arrived home last evening from Australia where she visited relatives.

Britt Busby, who was six years old on Monday, December 11, was given a birthday party that afternoon at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Busby. Sharing the occasion with the little boy were his brothers Troy and Jeff, John and David Lorenzo, Jimmy Ogando and Scott and Eric Jensen.

Coach Joe Aguiar’s Winters cagers held off a rally by Esparto Spartans Tuesday night in Esparto to win by a score of 63-59.

Richard Chiles was the high point man for the Warriors with 22 points while Danny Godden had 15.

Michael O’Brien has been named assistant sexton at the Winters Cemetery to succeed Dwain Partain.

Picked by Charley Wallace

File photo

The 1992 high point dual meet winners were (from left) front: Je Carbahal, Tyson Lang and Marc Rodriguez; back: Mark Mosier, Megan Curry, Andrea Mayes and Lauren King. For the girls, Megan was rst, Andrea was second, Susie Snyder and Ashley Lindsey (both absent) tied for third, and Lauren came in fourth. For the boys, Je was rst, Marc Rodriguez was second, Tyson was third and Mark Mosier was fourth.

The

Fire Department will give a grand ball on Christmas eve in the opera house.

in landfills is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California and the efforts to reduce these GHGs are essential to addressing impacts of climate change on human health and the environment.”

Regarding Winters’ contribution to this statewide measure, the city, in accordance with a regional study conducted when the law went into effect last year, initially determined that it could provide $34,662 to Yolo Food Bank as the regional coordinator of food waste reduction efforts.

“At the time,” Trepa continued, “(Yolo Food Bank) felt that the amount of funding that was offered through this regional network was inadequate to meet their needs, so they declined to participate.”

Following this, the

CONCERN

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and a caretaker’s home on 47.7 acres at 8325 Quail Canyon Road. No horse shows are planned, Senior Planner Nedziene Ferrario said.

Tomei was not available for comment. A call to the project architect was not returned.

A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday,

EXTEND

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the applicant to secure funding for the development of affordable units completion and council approval of the final subdivision map.”

Mayor Wade Cowan said he wanted to keep “some pressure” on the construction to ensure it is completed, asking if an extension could be granted for a shorter time like 12 months.

Skierski answered that the council has the authority to extend tentative maps up to a 5-year maximum and that any amount of time shorter than that works as well.

“Staff does not necessarily have a concern with approving a reduced amount of time… in that, if things go awry, the applicant could apply for an additional time extension at that time,” Skierski said.

Councilmember Pierre Neu asked Skierski about the impact of an extension on the project, saying, “I know the idea is to have it there so they can go through it, but is this the best thing for us to do, to have a 12-month or 24-month extension, do we lose anything by having 12-month extension?”

“No, I do not think there would be any losses if a 12-month time extension was approved,” Skierski said before clarifying that city staff was going to meet with Neighborworks the day after that meeting to give the city a better understanding of Neighborworks’

city and county reallocated the funds originally designated for Yolo Food Bank to other food banks in the county, including RISE, Inc.

But Trepa then noted that “since that time, there has been a change in execu-

for RISE, who is looking to expand its pantry capacity.

Trepa invited the council to ask questions to her or to Yolo Food Bank Director of Operations Corkey Mapalo, who joined the meeting remotely.  Mayor Pro Tempore

Biasi then asked Trepa if grants could help cover these costs, to which Trepa answered it was unlikely as “the state of California does not consider this to be an unfunded mandate because of the potential revenue source

what this is.”

But Cowan expressed his strong belief in Yolo Food Bank, continuing, “at the same time, if we got to spend some money on this, I think spending it with Yolo Food Bank is a real good place to do it,” and commending the organization for their extant efforts to feed people in Winters, sharing a list of distributions that the food bank does around town, including weekly distributions at Winters High School that help over 600 households in the area.

Bank in the community, including Tina Lowden, who said, “we need to make sure we get this in the budget, because this is a very, very, very, very important program.”

Biasi discussed potentially changing the allocation of the $35,000 in subsequent payments, including allocating more of or all of that annual amount to Yolo Food Bank once RISE has their equipment.

tive leadership at the (Yolo) Food Bank… and with that change in executive leadership, the Food Bank has desired to come back into the regional funding network.”

Thus the recommendation before the City Council proposed providing funding to Yolo Food Bank in two allocations totaling $12,351, leaving what remains of the $34,662 to commit to purchasing more equipment

Dec. 14 at the county Events Center, 601 Texas St., in downtown Fairfield.

The property is zoned Agriculture with a minimum lot size of 160 acres. The proposed project is an allowed use with a conditional use permit, Ferrario said.

The total acreage of the ranch was not immediately available.

The Solano County Planning Commission would have to approve

time tables and funding operations.

Skierski further noted that though there was some doubt at Neighborworks about the finality of this project, he has since spoken with new representatives of the organization who assure him this is a project they want to see through.

Bill Biasi asked Mapalo some logistical questions about pickups and deliveries, before inquiring how much food had been collected per month up to this point. Mapalo answered that “from Jan. 1, 2022, to present from Mariani Nuts it’s 16,083 (pounds), from Dollar General it’s 656 pounds, we don’t keep track of Lorenzos, because RISE contracted separately from Lorenzos.”

the permit. There is no commission date set for consideration of the project, nor has a timeline for environmental review been established.

That section of Quail Canyon Road is a private, two-lane road. Ferrario said access to and from a second private road may also be available for the ranch, but that has not been confirmed.

Stubblefield said Solano County is not

process, which starts with Neighborworks and city staff working out the construction details before sending it to the City Council for approval.

The process for this approval has already begun on the city staff end, with Skierski stating that staff was waiting for some additional technical

to cover all of this expense associated with edible food recovery.  Mayor Wade Cowan and Biasi registered their disquiet with the state’s implementation of this bill, with Biasi stating, “the state may not consider this an unfunded mandate, but I do — this is something they’re making us do,” and Cowan later stating, “I’m never in favor of unfunded mandates, and that’s exactly

prepared for these kinds of events, and if the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is taxed to the point it cannot send resources — which happened during the LNU fire — then the situation only gets worse.

Neighbors also expressed their frustration over what they consider the lack of information that has been released about the project.

spring of 2023, so approximately four to 12 weeks.”

Skierski also spoke about the timeline for the overall project. “What remains is getting Neighborworks’ financing for the project through their grant funding in place,” a process, Skierski says, is underway.

Members of the public also imparted to the council the importance of Yolo Food

The council voted to approve the recommendation, with the three remaining councilmembers approving the proposal. Councilmember Harold Anderson was absent.

Neu concluded that he didn’t want to disrupt construction but still wanted to see it finished as soon as possible.

“This has been going on for a long time, and I want to see this done, but I don’t want to inhibit the process in any way,” Neu said.

Following some points that required more clarification, Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi suggested waiting to vote until after city staff’s meeting with Neighborworks to ensure the city has all the information necessary to vote.

Cowan agreed, while also reiterating his desire to provide a truncated time extension when the council voted on the matter.

Skierski updated the council on the work done by city staff and Neighborworks on the Tentative Subdivision Map. He provided a summary of the approval

information regarding drainage and other components of the plan, which he estimates will be in a few weeks. Once this documentation is received, staff will take a few weeks to look them over before sending them back to Neighborworks for final corrections, and once those corrections have been implemented, the council can approve it.

The entire process, Skierski estimated, should be finished and ready for council approval “come

Skierski concluded by saying it is, “(city) staff’s opinion that the time extension can be supported,” but reiterated that, “the council may consider a reduced time extension,” of less than 24 months.  Cowan restated his position that, in addition to the information provided by Skierski on Neighborwork’s timeline, 12 months is an appropriate time extension, in order to, “keep the pressure on, because we want to see this thing move forward.”

Councilmembers Neu and Biasi agreed, noting that if anything unforeseeable should come up Neighborworks can request another extension to the 12-month one. The council unanimously approved the extension on a 12-month basis.

“The state may not consider this an unfunded mandate, but I do — this is something they’re making us do.”

Bill Biasi, Mayor Pro Tempore

“This has been going on a long time, and I want to see this done, but I don’t want to inhibit the process in any way.”

Pierre Neu, Councilmember

Find great gifts in Winters, support local experiences

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

in the opportunity to gift local experiences and bring people back to Winters to continue supporting businesses.

Consider gifting a homegrown or locally-crafted specialty.

Patio 29 Distillery, Turkovich Family Wines, Berryessa Gap Vineyards, L’Apéro les Trois, Berryessa Brewing, Green River Brewing and Taproom and Hooby’s Brewing host a selection of lo-

Eddy’s Coffee House or Roasting Room. Jamel Wroten has a variety of coffee from light roasts to dark roasts.

If you’re hosting guests, offer a spread

Locally-crafted soaps make great stocking stu ers. Check out these olive oil soaps at the Winters Collective.

of local eats and treats. Berryessa Gap’s Downtown Tasting Room features dried fruits. Pick up cheese from the Winters Cheese Company and find wine-infused chocolates at the Turkovich Tasting Room. Patio 29 and L’Apéro les Trois offer small-batch sets to serve at your gathering. Steady Eddy’s Coffee House, the market at Carboni’s Ristorante, Winters Collective and Upper Crust Bakery have a variety of local honey, olive oils, and more.

Decor and more

It’s not too late to put up festive decor and ornaments around

your home. A variety of festive housewares are available from vendors through the Winters Collective, at the Farmer’s Closet Boutique and Pacific Ace Hardware.

Roxie’s Flower Truck and The Local Floret offer flower and plant arrangements. Check out their digital storefronts online for customized

orders. You may be able to find last-minute flowers and plant displays at the Winters Collective and Lorenzo’s Market.

Gifts galore

Adry’s Fiesta Boutique, Bella Boutique and The Farmer’s Closet Boutique all feature unique clothing, jewelry,

Crystal Apilado/ Winters Express

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express Copies of “Images of America Winters” by Dorothy M. O’Neil are available at Paci c Ace Hardware.

GIFT GUIDE

GIFTS

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accessories and more for personalized style and flair. The Winters Collective hosts multiple shops within its walls to create a onestop shop.

Wellness items like lotions, essential oil blends and crystals are available from PurLuv Apothecary & Spa at the Winters Collective or at ZenTerra Spa. Body-care products range from scrubs, soaking salts, balms and essential oils focusing on specific themes and needs. Kimberly Unger also offers crystals and jewelry at her yoga studio.

If you are shopping for someone who enjoys interior design and home decor look no further than Vintique Marketplace inside the Collective or Pacific Ace Hardware. A variety of paint, supplies and services are available for someone who is crafty and has a creative vision for a room or who enjoys adding color and texture to furniture.

Gift experiences

Consider gifting an experience to help bring family and friends back to support Winters businesses. Many local businesses offer gift

cards and service bundles.

ZenTerra Spa offers packages and services for facial treatments or massage therapy service. Consider a gift certificate to one of the multiple salons and barber shops around town. Kimberly Unger Healing Arts offers class bundles for yoga and sound healing

options. The Studio Collective is also hosting multiple classes and workshops.

Yolo365 Tours is a unique way to show off Winters’ local charm and entertain your guests at the same time. Consider a custom-planned wine tour or tasting flight at a number of Winters businesses that sell spirits, wine and beer. Gift cards to a local eatery give an invitation to friends and family to enjoy and experience Winters’ dining their way at their convenience.

If you’re looking to spend more time together, the Winters

Whisk together the Dijon mustard, vinegar, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice (to taste), salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Pour over the salad ing edients and toss to coat.

4. Top salad with the feta cheese and pecan pieces. Serve immediately

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

LEFT: Steady Eddy’s Co ee Shop o ers olive oil made from olives at the Winters High School Ag Site. ABOVE: Canine enthusiasts can decorate their home or gift a variety of dog breed ornaments found at the Farmer’s Closet Boutique.

Museum is an option to treat guests to local history. The current exhibit features sports in Winters. Another option

is to bring guests to see the Winters History Murals created by youth through the Winters Participation Gallery’s summer

projects. The Studio Collective, Anona Gallery and multiple businesses host local art galleries to browse.

Consider gifting a homegrown or locally-crafted specialty.

By Wally Pearce Winters Elder Day Council

Gina Ogando was born in Crockett. on Sunday, May 17, 1931.

Gina grew up with six brothers, and her parents had come to America from the northern area of Italy.

In 1946, when Gina was 15 years old and in high school, she worked at the local Cindy’s Coffee Shop. She would go to school in the morning, then leave school in enough time to serve afternoon lunch, and then return to school.

Gina went through the routine off and on until she graduated from high school in 1949.

Gina met her husband Joe Ogando because he went to school with her older brother Aldo. Gina is an excellent baker, and she would make cookies and cakes.

Her brothers’ friends, including Joe, would come to her parent’s house to visit and have lunch as Gina was known for her wonderful cookies and cakes.

In 1949, when she was 18 years old, Gina and Joe were married and they later moved to Middletown, Calif. For their honeymoon, Gina and Joe drove to Yosemite and toured scenic areas of northern California. Gina’s parents never owned a car. So, when Gina was around 18 years old her husband taught her how to drive their Pontiac family car.

Gina recalls that in 1959, her first big purchase was when she

and Joe built their home in Lake County. Together, Gina and Joe shoveled and laid cement and did a considerable amount of the required construction.

Gina and her family came to Winters around 1963 when her husband was transferred to work at a military facility a few miles east of Winters on County Road 31.

Today Gina enjoys life with her family and friends and still bakes cookies and cakes. Holidays are her favorite times because she can be with her family. Gina said her proudest part of her life is watching her children grow to become safe, healthy, and successful — and that her most important success is having a close and loving family. She has four children, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

See all 14 2022 Elder Day honorees at https://tinyurl. com/8kx9fc4z.

By Wally Pearce Winters Elder Day Council

Joe Tramontana was born in Buffalo, New York on Monday, Sept. 7, 1931. He grew up with a brother and a sister.

Joe said he recalls his grandmother, Concetta, partially because when Joe came home from school she would give him white bread with sugar on top and he remember it was delicious.

In 1951, Joe joined the Navy for a fouryear tour. Joe was involved with electronics during that time there working in fire control. When Joe left the navy in 1955, one of his jobs was as a crane oiler working 75 yards off the ground while carrying heavy cans of lubricating oil. It was very dangerous work. The pay was good, but the work was extremely hazardous.

Joe moved to California and started work with General Dynamics in the California desert. Then in 1973, Joe secured a job with Xerox in Palo Alto. Joe recalls how Xerox would always celebrate an employee’s birthday with a big event in the cafeteria. That’s how he met Geri Molnar. Joe and Geri were both born on Sept. 7. They became friends, and later got together.

Joe said that after their first kiss on their first date, he was overwhelmed

by Geri.

For 32 years, Joe has maintained a residence at Lake Berryessa and has ridden his bike thru Winters over the decades. Loving what they saw, in 1994 he and Geri purchased their home on Main Street. And, in 1995 they officially made Winters their home.

Geri joined Joe riding her bike alongside him as they rode together through Winters.

For years, Joe has been an avid bike rider. While working in San Jose he religiously rode his bike to and from work each day. Joe used to ride the Davis Double Century for several years.

In 1990, at 58 years

old, Joe and a friend (age 59) accomplished a remarkable feat by going on a cross-country bicycle ride from Califor-

nia to the east coast. It took 30 days to complete. Joe said as much as he enjoyed the experience, he decided to take an airplane flight home to California.

Joe said the most important aspect of life today is taking care of his beautiful partner Geri. He loves her dearly.

He said his proudest life experience is his children. He has two children and one grandson.

Joe said his father was the most influential person in his life because, like his father, Joe tries to see the best in people.

See all 14 2022 Elder Day honorees at https://tinyurl. com/8kx9fc4z.

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Elder Day honoree Joe Tramontana

Wednesday, December 14

Winters Senior Commission on Aging Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters .org/winters-senior-commission-on-aging

Wednesdays

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue.

Thursday, December 15

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office/Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/ WintersJUSDBoardAgendaCommunitySite

Winters Planning Commission Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 200 Baker St. – Rooms 4 & 5, 530-668-0690

Friday, December 16

Healthy Aging Food Truck Program, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Blue Mountain Terrace Apartments (147 E. Baker St.), RSVP to 530-210-2961, http://yolohealthyaging.org

Community Holiday Singalong, 5 p.m., Rotary Park Gazebo

Monday, December 19

Winters Natural Resources Commission Meeting, 6 p.m., Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters. org/natural-resources-commission/

Upcoming

Friday, December 23 – Monday, January 2

City Hall Closed to Public Services

Tuesday, January 10

Winters City Council Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/city-council-meetings_/

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 13:30 p.m., Winters Community Library Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m.

Tech Thursdays, Second Thursday, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-666-8005 to schedule an appointment Afterschool Adventure (ages 6-12), Third Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Winters Community Library Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Winters Senior Foundation Game Days, Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Ongoing

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Meeting details: https://wfol.org/ Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn

Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St.

Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5 p.m.), 13 Main St.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Yolo Federal Credit Union Community Room

Democracy Winters meeting, first/third Saturdays, 10 a.m.-Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@democracywinters.org

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m.

» Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

The Coffee Machine offers a cuppa

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

The community has found a new local source for that nectar of life known as caffeine in The Coffee Machine. Although it’s only been open for a year, this local business on four wheels has quickly become another perk of living in Winters.

During the pandemic, many opted to pick up a hobby. For longtime local Kirt Weatherwax, his pandemic hobby was learning the ins and outs of coffee. That hobby quickly brewed into a passion and Weatherwax poured that — and himself — into his new business, The Coffee Machine.

“In 2019, I was working in maintenance for the city of Sacramento and started working for city maintenance for the apartment complexes here in town. As COVID hit and we had to stay at home, I thought about what I’m passionate and said to myself, ‘there’s nothing like starting your day with a cup of coffee. Without it, you’re not whole,’” Weatherwax said explaining the start of his business. “I’ve always loved coffee and was home for about a year reading about coffee, the different flavors and the steaming of it. I went from there, purchased a truck, got it all put together and went out and got my business license.”

Alongside his love of coffee is Weatherwax’s desire to serve the town and bring more

business to it. The ensuring smiles that follow a sip of his locally sourced coffee are both a perk of the job and what he loves most about it.

“I love comforting people and listening to the people I live with. I’m the guy that will serve you an honest cup of coffee,” said Weatherwax. “I like doing dark roasts because it doesn’t give you the jitters. I make pretty much any type of flavor you want. I’ll steam it to a perfect foam without burning it, I’ll make you an iced coffee, lattes, americanos and anything you want. I’ve been studying it for about three years now just playing with it, mixing things up and seeing what’s good. I found the dark roast with different flavors like your sweet cream, vanilla and mocha goes good with a little peppermint, too.”

When it comes to sweet extras like adding chocolate, whipped cream or caramel, Weatherwax is happy to

provide it without nickel and diming his customers. If one isn’t happy with what they’re sipping on, Weatherwax insists they toss it in the trash while he happily makes another.

When it comes to social media and a website, The Coffee Machine is rather old school in the sense that it doesn’t have either. No advertising or social media, however, can beat good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth.

One can find the tan Coffee Machine truck near the wooden playground at the Winters City Park on the weekends. Although Weatherwax doesn’t have definitive hours, he’s typically there from 9 a.m. to noon serving up smiles.

“When I go to work and sit there, it’s not work. You get to see people at their happiest when they’re not stressed at work and on the run,” said Weatherwax. “You see them when they’re really humble and taking that good energy to just relax.”

Normal rainfall is welcome news Express Yourself

With a couple of nice storms, I’m looking forward to a normal rainy season. We have a relatively new weatherman, Joe Bristow, who took over reading the rain gauge from my father, about 10 years ago. I’m not sure how long my father reported the high and low temperatures, along with measuring the rainfall, every day at 9 a.m. And, I mean every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for over 55 years. Joe has a ways to go to break the local record for longevity.

When Pop left town, he did have backup help reading the weather from Carmen Rubio or one of his kids, but it wasn’t often. When Joe the Weatherman takes a day off, he usually asked Sherri and me to fill in, or his sonin-law, Josh. It takes real commitment to be a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-

ministration (NOAA) weatherman. We used to mail in monthly reports, but now it is all done on the Internet.

When they moved the weather station from behind the Express to Joe’s house, the Weather Service gave him a new rain gauge. I took the original brass rain gauge with me to the museum. When it started raining last year, I took it home and put it in my backyard. Joe’s house is about 1,000 yards from mine, so we compare rainfall from time to time. Usually, he gets a little more than me, but lately, I’ve been getting more, depending on which cloud opens up first.

Our annual rainfall is from July 1 through

June 30 of each year. I usually start the Express rainfall contest before Thanksgiving, but sometimes time gets away from me. The new rainfall contest starts this week, the entry form is in this week’s paper (See Page A8). If you can’t find it, just write your name, address and guess on a piece of paper and mail it to Charley Wallace, 13 Russell Street, Winters, CA 95694, before the end of December.

Taylor will write a check for $100 to the closest guess, even adding an extra $25 if you are a subscriber. You can even make it a family affair, like the Barths, but only one entry per person. I’m working on getting other gifts for

runners-up, but the real prize is bragging rights. My guess this year is 19.22 inches, which I’m hoping is a little low. I might add that I’ve never been close to winning, and Joe’s family can’t enter/win, either.

If you want to know what our recent rain has meant in ending the drought, just look to the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Last month they had 16 percent of normal, but after this latest storm, there is about 160 percent of normal for this time of the year. It will take a lot of rain, over several years to end our drought, but it could happen. Watch the Express for weekly and annual totals.

Don’t worry, we will be using Joe’s rain gauge for the contest. That way, if we disagree on the total rainfall, we will know whom to blame.

Take a walk in the rain, and have a good week.

One can nd the tan Co ee Machine truck near the wooden playground at the Winters City Park on the weekends, typically there from 9 a.m. to noon.

Aaron Geerts/ Winters Express

Online sites are just the beginning of your search for a new home.

There’s nothing like the experience of being inside a property when trying to determine if it’s right for you.

It’s not as simple as showing up at a house with a for sale sign out front. There’s even a protocol for attending an advertised open house without your agent.

Information gathering

Professionally shot photos and virtual tours give us an initial sense of what a home looks like, but not how the rooms flow, whether the space works proportionally for you, and whether the layout works. You also don’t get a sense of the intangibles, like how close the neighbor’s house is or whether nearby traffic noise will be an issue.

Test drive unique features of the home, while inspecting for

evidence of needed maintenance. This may be as minor as a broken doorknob or as potentially expensive as worn roofing. Ask the listing agent about unseen issues, like the age of the furnace or recent renovations.

Are there elements that would need immediate updating?

Don’t be afraid to take notes along the way, in particular if you’re touring more than one home during the course of the day.

Follow the rules

There are some unwritten rules of etiquette when attending an open house. No need to knock or ring the doorbell if no one is out front. The listing

agent is likely inside with visitors who arrived earlier. Simply let yourself in, then sign in if there is a guest book. Introduce yourself to the agent when you encounter

CARRION PROPERTIES

BEAUTIFUL RANCH STYLE HOME on .4 of an acre. Completely remodeled on the inside, Blank slate on the outside. Plenty of room for an RV and all the other toys. 4 beds 2 baths .Walking distance to Walnut Park and Downtown Winters. Offered at $735,000

GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY! Located right across the street from the Winters Hotel. Currently being used as a smog/mechanic shop. 9600 square foot lot! $995,000.

SUPER NICE HOME located on a very quiet cul-desac. Huge backyard with an amazing covered patio for entertaining. 3 beds and 2.5 baths. Remodeled kitchen and Master Bedroom. Appointment only. Offered at $659,000.

GREAT CURB APPEAL! 4 beds, 3 full baths. Just over 2100 square feet. Centrally located close to all schools. Offered at $599,000.

3 BED, 2 BATH ON A CORNER LOT. Established neighborhood. Offered at $445,000. Call 530-383-1185.

WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN. 3 bed, 2 bath with good size backyard. Great court location. New roof. Offered at $499,000.

ONE-OF-A-KIND PROPERTY! This is the one you’ve been waiting for. 4 beds, 2 baths completely remodeled. Absolutely stunning. All on a 16,000 square foot lot. Plenty of room for all the toys. Offered at $699,000.

them, but wait to enter a room until others have left as a courtesy. Do not use the seller’s bathroom, or open any drawers. Keep children under close supervision.

Contacting an agent

If you’ve already contracted with a buyer’s agent, you should generally plan your open house visits with them. But what if you unexpectedly run across one? It’s fine to stop by on a whim

There’s nothing like the experience of being inside a property when trying to determine if it’s right for you.

without your agent, as long as you notify the listing agent that you’re otherwise represented. You should also write your agent’s name on any provided sign-in sheets. Let your agent know about these visits too, in case they receive a follow-up call. If you’re not being represented, these open houses could serve as a form of audition. You might find someone you’d like to hire.

Homewise

Special to the Express

Adobe/Stock photo

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

Another week of Winters High School basketball tipped off last Tuesday, Dec. 6 against the visiting Rio Vista High School Rams. Due to Rio Vista’s scoreboard not working, both squads squared off in the WHS Young Gymnasium.

Women’s basketball

The Warriors held true to their winning ways, outplaying the Rams on both sides of the

Wrestling heads to exhibition

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

unofficial, the Winters High School wrestling squad participated in some exhibition matches last Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Williams.

Alongside the Warriors, attending teams were Biggs, East Nicolaus, Pierce, Williams and Willows high schools. While this was the first time some of the Warriors wrestled since the pandemic, for others, it was the first time wrestling ever. While two of the Warriors would take away wins, others would take away lessons from hard-fought matches.

“We’re young, but we learned a lot and are just trying to gain

WRESTLING, Page 6

ball and winning 37–22.

Two days later, the varsity women’s squad entered the Woodland Christian tournament and would square off against a familiar foe in Sutter.

The Huskies bit the Warriors in the first quarter going up 16–2. However, the Warriors revved up their defense holding the Huskies to under eight points the following three quarters. Although they clawed their

See RECAP, Page 6

AYSO 14u soccer places fourth

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Soccer athletes on the Winters AYSO 14u girls’ soccer team battled through rainstorms and wind while competing in the 2022 Section Two Tournament at Sea Cloud Park in Foster City last weekend.

The 14u girls’ team accepted the invitation to compete

after finishing first place in the Area 2D tournament in Davis on Nov. 19. They were also undefeated during the fall core season.

Winters represented one of eight regions in the 14u girls’ tournament bracket. Athletes went up against teams from Millbrae, Hillsborough, Mountain View, South Lake Tahoe, Burlingame, Mountain View and the Pleasant Hill –

Martinez Soccer Association.

Relentless winds snapped umbrellas and sheets of rain poured down, but the athletes played on during day one on Saturday, Dec 10. Winters found itself keeping up with teams from the bigger cities and the athletes held their own.

In the first match-up,

See SOCCER, Page 6

The Winters AYSO 14u girls’ soccer team is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. This weekend they battled through rainy and windy conditions and took fourth place in the AYSO Section Two Tournament. Coach Ana Garcia called the team’s efforts amazing since they competed against seven teams from cities that are “way bigger” than Winters.

Courtesy photo

MISCELLANEOUS

PET SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

SHOPPING AND RETAIL

Dispensary

Service

Food/Organic

HOUSING

Experience art and olive oil tasting

Six talented, local Plein air artists have put up over 70 paintings to create a beautiful art gallery in downtown Winters. We hope you can visit the studio and support the arts with us. Two of the artists themselves will be holding the gallery open, so come meet the artists and experience the beauty and talent in person. During the open gallery this weekend, local olive grower Olio De Nardi will be doing an olive oil tasting, as well as having bottles to purchase.

Come by the Studio Collective (305 First St.) on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17 from Noon to 4 p.m. to experience the Art Gallery Pop-up.

MEIKA OGANDO

Family Festival brings community together

I wanted to thank the Winters Friends of the Library for putting on the Family Holiday Festival once more. The work this organization does to promote literacy and the financial support for the library is invaluable. However, the WFoL Family Festival does much more. It brings in the sense of community that binds us all together regardless of religion, race, culture, or economics. It nurtures what keeps Winters, Winters. It showcases our children, it brings together old friends who come to cheer them on and it allows that contact and understanding that we are all here because we applaud and want to connect, cooperate and maintain what we have here in this precious town. I love the fact that people who have lived here but moved away, come back with their grandchildren to experience the Festival. I love meeting old friends and making new ones. I love that it celebrates all that my husband and I moved to this town for.

Thank you WFoL for making this event happen again. It supplies the social glue that binds us and is a vital part of the heritage of Winters.

VALERIE WHITWORTH

Don’t miss the final

performances

Come join us for the final three performances of Winters Theatre Company’s Holiday 10 Minute Play Festival. We are performing at the beautiful Grand Prince Odeum on 201 Main St. You will laugh and enjoy this funfilled evening. for the entire family. Guaranteed! It’s the perfect way to welcome in the holiday season.

The shows are this Thursday, Dec. 15; Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Go to www.winterstheatre.org for tickets or call 530-795-4014 for more information. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the door.

LINDA GLICK

Thank you for supporting our library

A warm Winters Friends of the Library thank you to the children and families of Winters for your enthusiastic support for the WFoL 2022

Family Holiday Festival! Thank you! for coming out to support our library and the young people in our community!

After a two-year break for COVID, WFoL volunteers organized and decorated Winters Community Center for our Family Holiday Festival this past Dec. 3. There was a Holiday Book Sale, delicious food at Mrs. Claus’ Cafe, tables of crafts for children to complete, Santa’s Corner and — best of all — musical performances by each grade of Winters schools.

Thank you to Kathleen Trepa and the City of Winters for supporting our event by including WFoL in the Tractor Parade Weekend.

Special thanks to music teachers Michael Williams and Matthew Loya for bringing beautiful music to the Community Center, as they led each of their classes in 15-minute performances. The stage was packed with singers as each grade from TK through fifth grade, as well as the Middle School and High School Choirs took their turn to perform.  More special thanks to the parents and friends of each class who good-naturedly squeezed themselves in to watch their children sing.

Thanks to the cooks! As the choirs sang there were delicious sandwiches donated by Randy Oates of Oates Country Store, there was the famous Carol Scianna Minestrone Soup, as well as holiday treats from the many WFoL bakers for sale at Mrs. Claus’ Cafe.

Thanks to the decorators. Winters Community Center walls were hung with twinkle lights and handmade quilts loaned by Winters’ families. The beautiful WFoL Book Cart, (with umbrella!), was surrounded by equally beautiful tables of gift-quality used books. Book Sale proceeds from the Family Holiday Festival, and used book sales from our WFoL book sale room in the lobby of Winters Library, support library programs.

Thanks to the crafters. Community volunteers including WFoL members and Winters High School student volunteers helped children make felt ornaments, roll beeswax candles, create holiday cards, decorate oranges with fragrant cloves, and wrap their creations for holiday giving. We also really appreciated the WHS woodshop students who made our trivet blocks.

Thanks to the worker bees. All of the volunteers who set up, organized, and cleaned up from one end of the day to the other. Thank you!

Finally, Winters Friends of the Library thanks the Winters community for your warm, enthusiastic support for the children of Winters and the return of the WFoL Family Holiday Festival!

We hope to see you again next year!

CAROL SCIANNA and MARY LOU LINVILL WFoL Co-Presidents

way back into the game, Sutter would hold on to win 36–30.

The next day in the tournament, the Warriors would unleash their frustration from losing on River Valley, beating the Falcons 52–40.

To cap off their tournament the next day, Winters would square off against Wheatland. The Warriors would go on to kick the peg leg out from under the Pirates and win the game 35–28.

“We had quite a few players out with sickness and injuries, but it was a great opportunity for other kids to learn how to play a different position. That’s tough since the season’s early, but the girls are doing the best they can, working hard and learning how to find a way to contribute to the team,” said head coach Jeff Christian. “We went 2–1 and Emily Dodic ended up getting All-Tournament. Overall I’m very pleased with everything and how the girls are always coming together as a team, and how they can bring value in their role and us taking steps forward as a team.”

Men’s basketball

The men’s varsity team tipped off its week of basketball by hosting the Rio Vista Rams in a thrilling showdown. The Rams only enjoyed shortlived leads as the Warriors battled the entire way taking the lead themselves a few times. Unfortunately, the Rams forced turnovers and made shots in crunch time to win the game 56–49.

The squad would be back in action the next day hosting Vacaville Christian. Wielding a red-hot offense, the Falcons burned the Warriors with a 67–29 loss.

Leaving the loss behind, the Warriors laced up again and headed to Esparto on Friday, Dec. 9. The Spartans proved as formidable as always, but the Warriors kept their foot on the gas pedal and held on to win 49–44.

“We played three games last week and learned a lot of good lessons to grow as a team. It was a fantastic home environment when we faced Rio Vista, and despite a slow start, we had some hot shooting from senior Marcus Lopez and great defense from junior Colton Brown. It was a two-possession game (for) most of the

second half, but some turnovers late meant we didn’t win. I loved the atmosphere in the gym and felt like our team really responded to an excited crowd,” said head coach Brendan McShea. “We faced a senior-laden Vacaville Christian and took a pretty tough loss. But they taught us some valuable lessons about executing down the stretch. Those lessons came in handy when we faced Esparto and came out on fire on both ends. Esparto didn’t go down without a fight, though, and came out firing in the second half. We took what we learned earlier in the week and held Esparto to only two buckets in the last two minutes. Senior Logan Crabtree knocked down a three and two clutch free throws to seal the win.”

WRESTLING

Continued from Page 3

some experience,” said head coach Cody Linton. “All of our Winters wrestlers haven’t wrestled in three years. And over half of them, it’s their first time ever. I think it was eye-opening for them. They wrestle live at practice, but then they go out there and saw what it’s really like.”

from Page 3

Winters played against the Hillsborough Blue Blazers and the score remained 0–0 until the very end when Hillsborough clutched a win making the only goal of the game. In the second match-up, Winters and Mountain View’s The Bubbles ended with a 0–0 draw. Since the tournament standings were based on a point system, they did not continue to play.

On Sunday, Winters athletes took advantage of the sunlight and shut down the Millbrae Glaciers in a 3–1 win. Joy Jacobson made Winters’ first goal of the game with an assist from Alexys Penunuri. Following, Jasmin Gonzalez and Penunuri each soared the ball into the goal from over 20 yards away.

Keepers Ciara Brown and Jackelyn Cooper teamed up again in the goal. Be-

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20220923 12/08/2022

Business is located in YOLO County

Fictitious Business Name: Yolo Barre Physical Address: 1214 Villanova Dr Davis CA 95616 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s): 1) Yolo Barre LLC 1214 Villanova Dr Davis CA 95616

Business Classification: Limited Liability Company Starting Date of Business: 05/01/2019 s/ Brianna Brandow Official Title: President Corporation Name: Yolo Barre LLC

tween the two, other teams were only able to get one goal past each of them in total during the first three match-up games.

Winters went headto-head with the Mountain View Sour Pickles to compete for the third place standing. Which is when the clouds rolled back in and rained down on athletes again. Penunuri scored Winters’ one goal from over 20 yards away, again. However, Mountain View was able to slide one in to tie up the score.

Neither team was able to successfully score another goal for the remainder of the game and the teams picked their five players to attempt a victory in a penalty shootout during the rainfall.

Cooper took command in the goal for Winters, only allowing one by. However, Winters was unable to get any goals past the Mountain View keeper.

In the end, Winters took fourth place in the tournament of the eight 14u regional

FILED

teams.

Coach Ana Garcia commended her team’s talents and efforts for each having a part in getting them to the section tournament and a fourthplace standing. Garcia said it was “amazing, especially coming from a small town competing against teams that are way bigger” than Winters.

“This team is very talented. They have all worked together as a team to remain undefeated in their season. They have bonded over the last 15 weeks and it definitely showed on the field,” Garcia said.

This year’s Winters AYSO 14u team’s roster includes Isabella Banuelos, Lola Barsotti, Ciara Brown, Stephanie Campos, Lilyana Ceja, Jackelyn Cooper, Andrea Diaz, Jasmin Gonzalez, Eden Graham, YaQuelin Gutierrez, Joy Jacobson, Jayde Mathias, KaleAnn Myers, Alexys Penunuri, Ana Salgado and Joanna Vazquez.

Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20220900 11/28/2022 Business is located in YOLO County

Fictitious Business Name: SIERRA NEVADA PRESS Physical Address: 811 PEREGRINE AVE DAVIS CA 95616 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s): 1) ETHAN BRADFORD GALLOGLY 811 PEREGRINE AVE DAVIS, CA 95616

Business Classification: Individual Starting Date of Business: 03/09/2021

s/ ETHAN B GALLOGLY

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE

Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20220908 11/29/2022

Business is located in YOLO County

Fictitious Business Name: McNary s Chapel Physical Address: 458 College St Woodland CA 95695 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s): 1) Paul R Wiggins 2306 Arizona Way Yuba City CA 95991

Business Classification: Individual Starting Date of Business: 11/29/2022 s/ Paul R Wiggins Official Title: Corporation Name:

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal

Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California, County of Yolo Published December 7 14 21 28 2022 #262

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California County of Yolo Published Dec 14, 21, 28, 2022; January 4, 2023 #269

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE

Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20220912 12/01/2022

Business is located in YOLO County

Fictitious Business Name: Ezaza Physical Address: 3150 GABRI CT WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95691 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s): 1) Ezara Inc 3150 GABRI CT WEST SACRAMENTO CA 95691

Business Classification: Corporation Starting Date of Business: 11/28/2022

s/ Simran Vaidya Official Title: President Corporation Name: Ezara Inc

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California County of Yolo Published December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022 #265

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE

Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20220879 11/16/2022

Business is located in YOLO County

Fictitious Business Name: TEA DOG

Physical Address: 1031 KENNEDY DR WINTERS CA 95694 Mailing Address: PO BOX 404 WINTERS CA 95694 Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s): 1) JAMISON LEVIN 1031 KENNEDY DR WINTERS CA 95694

Business Classification: Individual Starting Date of Business: 10/10/2022

s/ JAMISON LEVIN Official Title: Corporation Name:

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal

Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California County of Yolo Published November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2022 #258

signed a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale

a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell The undersigned

Election to Sell to

Notice of Default

Official Title: OWNER Corporation Name:

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California County of Yolo Published December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022 #264

HERNANDEZ

Official Title: Corporation Name: I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California County of Yolo Published December 7 14 21 28 2022 #266

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE

red seal

Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California, County of Yolo Published Dec 14 21 28 2022; January 4 2023 #268

The Winters AYSO 14u girls' soccer team placed fourth in the Section Two Tournament this weekend. Winters went up against teams from bigger cities in the Bay Area and South Lake Tahoe.

Courtesy photo

SOCCER

Continued

Favorites reimagined

Some fan favorites are delicious as is, and any added flair can take away from that simple bite of flavors. Fettucini alfredo for instance.

My favorite recipes include garlic, heavy cream, butter, Pecorino-Romano cheese, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese with salt and pepper seasoned in. Some folks may add an egg yolk into the mix.

However, some chefs are daring and add on toppings one would not think to try, and the result is delicious. My taste buds were officially converted to the changes made to two of my favorite meals on the Putah Creek Cafe menu. The Harvest Beet Salad and the Pastrami Sandwich are now on my list of must-consider meals.

Somewhere between being a child who only preferred the broccoli stems, and the intentionally eating vegetables adult I am today, I discovered the roast beet salad with goat cheese. I cannot remember the first time I tasted it, but if it’s on the menu I am ordering it.

Putah Creek’s Harvest Beet Salad is next level. A combination of greens and arugula serve as a bed for a flavor pairing of earthy deep red beets and sweet golden beets. The beets are roasted and marinated and drizzled with a lemon tarragon dressing. Pomegranate seeds and candied pecans are sprinkled in with nuggets of goat cheese. Sweet apples are sliced thin and placed on the top of the salad to finish off the presentation.

That may sound like a lot. But this salad is a symphony of flavors and textures that were meant to be.

I’ll be honest, at first I didn’t think I was going to like it. But with an open mind and a willingness to try most anything, I loaded a forkful with a little bit of everything, topped with a deep red beet and took a bite. The goat cheese and lemon tarragon dressing bring a delightful tangy flavor that compliments the beet and arugula’s flavors. Another biteful with the golden beet was just as delicious.

The pomegranate seeds add an unexpected crunch that somehow seems to compliment the

sweetness of the apple. The candied pecans are just the silver lining, but I’m not discounting how the nutty flavor seems to tie it all together.

It’s a big salad, and I ended up saving the other half of it to eat with my dinner later that evening.

I ordered the Pastrami Sandwich for my husband so he would have a warm lunch when he got home from work. I’m not against pastrami, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the meal for me. It seemed to have a lot of extra toppings.

Putah Creek gives you a choice of rye bread or a French roll (I highly encourage you to select the rye). It’s layered with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, pepperoncini, thick-cut pickles and a spread of dijon. The sandwich gets grilled and the outside gets a crispy outshell, while the swiss cheese melts to bind all the filling together.

I do enjoy sauerkraut on sandwiches, and after he seemed to enjoy eating the first half I asked if I could have a taste. He ended up taking another massive bite and handed me the remaining fourth of the half to finish. I almost regretted that I had not ordered my own. But there was no way I would have been able to eat a full-sized salad and a sandwich.

I can honestly say, I was wrong. It was not a lot of extra toppings. It was the perfect lineup of toppings that combined with the meaty taste of the pastrami and the nutty, earthy rye bread. The grilled outer shell offers up a golden crunch that makes you want to go back in for another bite.

I ended up asking for one more bite of the other half of his sandwich before forcing myself to walk away back to my work desk. Next time, I’m ordering myself one to go.

Wood-fired pizza for a cause

Recently, I got a text from my man, Jeff Christian, who’s the head coach of the Winters High School women’s varsity basketball team. He said — not in these words — Aaron, the team and I are having a pizza fundraiser for the basketball program down here at the gym. Come on down and get ya some Never one to pass up on a free dinner, I went down there and got me some of their handmade pizza and knew immediately I was tasting this week’s FLAVOR FAVE!

As soon as I got to the gym, I spied a line of cars snaking its way up and down the parking lot toward Christian’s mobile, wood-fired pizza oven he uses for fundraisers. I moseyed over to it and saw his team hard at work tossing the dough, smacking it on the countertop sending poofs of flour in the cold, winter air, before covering it with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni.

After that, Christian would put the pizza in the blazing oven and take one out that was fully cooked. Then his girls would sprinkle some parmesean on that bad boy, slice it, cover it in foil and send it out to get devoured.

Luckily, Christian gave me a “botched” pizza, and rather than wait, I stuffed that molten cheese-covered morsel in my gullet. The pepperoni was spicy, the cheese was gooey and flavorful, and the crust was flakey and light and left a little floury residue on your fingers to lick off.

Usually, I like to drown every bite of pizza I eat in ranch,

but this pizza was pure delight that didn’t need an assist from any condiment.

I also shared a slice with WHS Athletic Director Daniel Ward because he told me he was a Dallas Cowboys fan and I felt bad for him.

Overall, if the wom-

en’s varsity basketball team opted to open their own pizza shop in Winters, it’d be an overnight success. Delicious hardly describes the taste and I can’t wait for the next fundraiser to re-taste this slam dunk of a FLAVOR FAVE!

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Putah Creek Cafe’s Pastrami Sandwich is layered with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, pepperoncini, thick-cut pickles and a spread of dijon.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Putah Creek Cafe’s Harvest Beet Salad’s combination of greens and arugula serve as a bed for a avor pairing of earthy deep red beets and sweet golden beets.

Aaron Geerts/Winters Express

The pepperoni was spicy, the cheese was gooey and avorful, and the crust was akey and light and left a little oury residue on your ngers to lick o .

Aaron Geerts/Winters Express Winters High School women’s varsity basketball coach Je Christian removes a pepperoni pizza from his mobile, wood- red pizza oven.