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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

California Highway Patrol News release

SACRAMENTO —

The California Highway Patrol reminds residents of the new public safety laws passed during last year’s legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Unless otherwise noted, the laws referenced below take e ect on Jan. 1.

Combating retail theft: Senate Bill 982 (Wahab) makes the crime of organized retail theft permanent and strengthens measures to address retail crime. The bill eliminates the expiration date for specific provisions targeting organized retail theft, ensuring long-term tools for law enforcement to combat this issue.

Fires: Senate Bill

1242 (Min) amends Penal Code Section 452 regarding the unlawful setting of fires. It updates penalties and legal language to clarify o enses, including circumstances involving organized retail theft.

Sentencing enhancements: Senate Bill 1416 (Newman) focuses on combating organized retail theft by increasing penalties for those involved in the resale of stolen goods, often referred to as “fencing.” The bill, until Jan. 1, 2030, creates sentencing enhancements for individuals who sell, exchange or return stolen property for value, particularly when the property exceeds specific thresholds. Punishment increases from one year to four years based on a property value scale ranging from $50,000 to over $3 million.

Theft: Assembly Bill 1779 (Irwin) addresses the issue of organized retail theft by streamlining the prosecution process. Specifically, it allows district attorneys to consolidate charges for theft o enses committed across multiple counties into a single trial, provided all a ected county district attorneys agree.

Organized theft: Assembly Bill 1802 (Jones-Sawyer) ensures

that the crime of organized retail theft remains permanently defined in state law and extends the CHP’s Property Crimes Task Force indefinitely. This bill eliminates the sunset clause that would have otherwise allowed the statute and the task force to expire.

Regional Property Crimes Task Force:

Assembly Bill 1972 (Alanis) expands the scope of the CHP’s Regional Property Crimes Task Force to include cargo theft as a property crime for consideration and requires the task force to provide logistical and law enforcement support for railroad police.

This bill emphasizes cargo theft as a specific priority and aims to strengthen resources for law enforcement agencies to combat these issues. As an urgency statute, AB 1972 went into e ect immediately upon its passage in August 2024 to address these concerns promptly.

Shoplifting: Assembly Bill 2943 (Zbur), also called the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, strengthens measures to combat organized retail theft by creating a specific crime for serial retail theft, allowing the aggregation of property value for thefts committed within

90 days to qualify as grand theft. It empowers law enforcement to make arrests using video evidence or sworn statements, shields businesses from lawsuits for reporting crimes and promotes rehabilitation through diversion programs for minor o enders. The bill aims to dismantle theft rings while balancing public safety and criminal justice reforms.

Retail theft restraining orders:

Assembly Bill 3209 (Berman) creates a retail crime restraining order.

A court may issue a restraining order when sentencing an individual for specific retail theftrelated crimes, including vandalism of a retail store and assaulting a retail store employee. The restraining order prohibits the individual from entering or being on the grounds of the establishment and may include parking lots adjacent to and used by the establishment.

Electronic toll collection systems information sharing: Assembly Bill 2645 (Lackey) allows transportation agencies operating electronic toll collection systems to share real-time license plate data with law enforcement during active emergency alerts,

Noel Stack Editor

A mountain lion killed 21-year-old Taylen Robert Claude Brooks and seriously injured his brother, 18-year-old Wyatt Jay Charles Brooks, on March 23 in the Georgetown area.

The brothers were antler shed hunting a remote area of Darling Ridge and Skid roads on Eldorado National Forest land when they spotted the mountain lion, which did not retreat when the brothers attempted to scare it o .

The lion charged Wyatt, biting his face and clawing at his midsection while Taylen tried to intervene and get the animal’s attention. It charged at Taylen,

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

Thousands living in the Divide found themselves subject to evacuation orders and warnings in early August when a small vegetation fire believed to be the started by an arsonist in a remote, rural area near Slate Mountain erupted into a wildfire that consumed nearly 2,000 acres before containment was reached.

MAIL LABEL

Courtesy photo The Crozier Fire started near Slate Mountain in northern El Dorado County on Aug. 7.

Photo by Shelly Thorene

Two boaters fish near the shore at Jenkinson Lake at sunrise near Mormon Immigrant Trail on Monday. Today, the sun rises over the snow-capped Sierra and brings with it a new year. The Mountain Democrat wishes everyone a prosperous and safe 2025!

ESSENTIALS

Eric Gregory Jaramishian

Jan. 5, 1996 – Nov. 25, 2024

Mark Charles Ivani

Sept. 4, 1958 – Dec. 13, 2024

Eric Gregory Jaramishian was born on January 5, 1996 in Fresno, CA. He went to be with his Lord & Savior on November 25, 2024. After graduating from Bullard High School, he attended Fresno City College and CSU, Sacramento where he wrote for The Rampage and The State Hornet school newspapers. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and went to work for the Mountain Democrat newspaper in Placerville. He loved his job as Senior Sta Writer. Eric’s many hobbies included hiking, fishing, running, photography, cooking, and going to music concerts. He liked all music from classic rock to country to John Williams. He enjoyed Rams football and Sacramento Kings basketball. He loved being outdoors and partaking in the many activities of his foothill community, including rafting, floating and paddle boarding. He was strong in his Christian faith, attending Arcade Church in Sacramento and Green Valley Community Church in Placerville. He enjoyed participating in Bible Studies and the Young Adult group activities. He will be remembered for his funny, quick wit. He was loving, had a kind heart and a giving spirit. He would be the first to lend a helping hand if you needed anything. His friends describe him as the ring leader who gathered everyone together, a best friend, a big brother, a little brother and an old soul. Above all, Eric loved, and was loved by, his family. His energy would light up the room. He was an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. He was always there for his family. He will be missed beyond words. He is survived by his father Gregory, mother Leslie, sister Adriana, grandmother Pat Aharonian, and many uncles, aunts and cousins. A Memorial/Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 am at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, 3673 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93726

Pat Lorene Kenyon

Jan. 11, 1933 – Nov. 27, 2024

Pat Kenyon, 91, spunky, sassy, sociable soul joined company of Heaven Nov. 27, 2024. Born Pansy Lorene Huddleston, Jan. 11, 1933 in Co eyville, KS to single Mom, Nadine Reed. Nadine moved Pat and older sister Norma often during the depression years, living in KS, KY, MO, OK, LA. The family moved to Tucson, AZ Air Force Base when Pat was 12. Taking ballet and modern dance lessons at school became her favorite outlet. In high school she danced in every ballet production she could. At 17 Pat met and married her husband on base, Air Force Mechanic Floyd (Sonny) Kenyon. After their first child arrived, Sonny was discharged from service, moving his family to CA. They settled in Cupertino for 35 years, welcoming 5 more children and many dogs. When all 6 kids became school age, Pat got her first job at Fairchild Semiconductor. She loved working and was promoted from assembly line to supervisor quickly. She worked for several other companies managing Materials Control Depts after leaving Fairchild. She was intelligent, a quick study and good with people. She loved nothing better than good conversation. Sonny and Pat opened their own motorcycle shop, Sonny Kenyon’s Cycles. The family attended motorcycle races every weekend in support of 2 sons who raced and the SK racing team. The family enjoyed boating, camping, fishing as well. Pat took it in stride her home was a fav hangout for neighborhood kids, relatives, many friends. She loved having her grandkids often and they loved her. In 1985 she and Sonny moved to Placerville with some members following. Sonny passed in 1991 and she was on her own for the first time. Pat soon created a life with many new friends within Placerville community. She was an avid reader. Became a Certified Hypnotherapist. She was self taught in energy healing, people and animals. Developed intuitive abilities, channeling, “ghost busting”, animal communication. She hosted metaphysicalmeditation meetings regularly. Special to her heart was being a Senior Peer Counselor. Pat was kind, friendly, insightful, loved good conversation. At 79 Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Several years later she moved to a “6 pack” ladies care home where she continued to spread love, kindness. In return she was cherished for her spunky and funny personality that improved with age. Pat leaves behind six children: Patrice Hocking, Allen (Mary) Kenyon, Sue Williams, Diane Murrell, Mike Kenyon, Vicki (Francisco) Gomez. 10 Grandkids: Garry Williams Jr, Camden Hocking, Lyndsey Duddles, Jason Murrell, Stephanie Shupe, Christy Coleman, Kristina Ebert, Rhiannon Gomez, AJ Kenyon, Darby Gomez, 18 Great-Grandkids and 2 Great-Great Grandkids.

Mark was born and raised in his beloved city of San Francisco, then spent several years in Sonoma county before moving to the mountains west of Lake Tahoe where he passed on December 13th surrounded by his loving wife, Christy, his sons Nick and Matt, and his older sister Lisa. He is also survived by his younger sister, Kristen and his daughter Angela. Mark’s love of motorcycles, music, laughter, and sports allowed him to make new friends everywhere he went. He was a loving husband and father and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life memorial will be held in Pollock Pines in the spring.

Anthony (Tony) Joseph

Couch

Aug. 17, 1971 – Aug. 4, 2024

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than be stifled by dryrot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

—Jack London.

Anthony Joseph Couch, Tony, passed on to the next realm on August 4, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. He was our little brother and we loved him. Tony’s star burned especially bright. He grew up in Pleasant Valley, southeast of Placerville, where creeks and rivers, forest and mountains, grasslands and verdant countryside were his home. This geography fed his adventurous spirit and he embraced it with his whole being. At an early age Tony demonstrated his thrill-seeking inclination when at three years old he was gifted a big wheel to replace his little Winnie-the-Pooh scooter. He immediately took it to the top of the steep driveway and fearlessly zoomed down the hill as fast as he could, hitting the brake just before entering the flowing Clear Creek. The rest is history. He built a BMX race track across the creek and a quarter pipe at the bottom of the driveway (for BMX and skateboard), and in the process became an amazing athlete, whose airborne prowess as a trickster was unmatched among his tribe of ‘80s and ‘90s locals. He loved to snowboard, a natural extension of his mad skill set that allowed him to explore wintertime in the High Sierra, where he was completely in his element. He told many tales of exploring these mighty mountains, including daring feats of entering old gold mine shafts and finding caves under water along the Cosumnes River in nearby Happy Valley and Bucks Bar. Like a real life Huckleberry Finn, he roamed far and wide, whether on foot, by bicycle or motorbike, or in his semi-restored Datsun Roadster. He was freedom incarnate and it suited him just fine. Tony met and married Jennifer Anne Campbell in the early 90s and together they had three beautiful boys. After attending American River College, the couple started a small business, Town & Country Painting. While naturally creative, through owning his own business Tony acquired construction and handyman skills and learned the value and importance of sales, hard work and a job well done. He enjoyed using his hands to build and fix things and o ered these skills to others. Tony was fun and damn funny. He loved puns, jingles, dad jokes, and one-liners. He had a million of them and could recite a handful at a moment’s notice. He could make just about anyone laugh. He could also charm. He knew what to say to break the ice and get the party started. His Martin Short (especially Ed Grimly) and Steve Martin (anything) comedy impressions were priceless. As an adult, Tony loved disc golf. He started out playing with his older brother Kevin, and played all around Northern California, but Goldridge and Somerset were his home courses. Over the years he lived o and on in Placerville, Lake Tahoe, Strawberry, Greater LA and Santa Barbara, where he also played and made friends on the course. Tony made friends easily. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and find something they had in common. This propensity led to many random discoveries of coincidental connection, oftentimes leading to lasting friendships or acquaintances, sometimes resulting in jobs. Wherever he found himself, he never stopped making new friends. Tony was the youngest of six children. He is predeceased by his parents Patrick Shepard Couch and Peggy Helen Light Couch and his brother Kevin Thomas More Couch. He is survived by his three sons, Jered Sequoyah Campbell, Kailee Anthony Campbell, and Denali Oliver Campbell; and his four sisters, Katherine Helen Tulga, Julie Cecile Dunn (Tony), Sara Eileen Easterbrook (Keith), and Rachel Leonora Couch. We are filled with sorrow that Tony’s time here on earth was so brief, but cherish the memories of him living his life to the fullest. His bright light shines on in our hearts and in those who knew and loved him. May peace be with him.

Erik Davenport

Jan. 28, 1950 – Dec. 16, 2024

Erik Davenport was born in San Jose, California and spent most of his younger years in Placerville. He passed away on Dec 16th in Placerville at the age of 74. Erik graduated from El Dorado High in 1968 and joined the United States Navy as a radio operator. Following his service in the Navy, Erik returned to Placerville. He managed numerous pear and apple orchards while embarking on a life-long career of home construction. Following years of building in the Placerville area, he went to Sitka, Alaska to build a home for his sister and her family on an island. He returned to Placerville until summoned to build another home on the same island in 1983. He remained in Sitka building custom homes in Sitka and the surrounding islands for nearly 30 years. He was even featured in the local paper, The Sitka Sentinel, for his unique and sturdy construction on the islands. His methods included use of a World War II era landing craft and helicopters to get supplies to the sites. He was a true craftsman who took great pride in his work. In 2012, he returned to Placerville to build a custom home for his brother and his family. Erik enjoyed this time with family taking in his nephews’ sporting events and family celebrations. Following the completion of his last major build, Erik moved with his wife Marilyn to Eugene, Oregon before becoming nomads with an RV to explore the west coast. Following a summer in Arizona, Erik and Marilyn returned to Placerville with their RV while looking to put down some more permanent roots. Erik is survived by his wife, Marilyn Durocher, stepson Joseph Einri, stepdaughter Sarah Durocher, stepdaughters Amy and Kiya Knight, sister Karen (Charlie) Haley, brother Kurt (Veronica) Raffetto, and three nephews, and a niece. A celebration of life will take place on January 25th, 2025 in Placerville.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

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Unconventional state symbols ring in the New Year

Chris Daley Staff writer

“Jeopardy” fans will love one of the new laws on the books for 2025.

“A crab, a slug and a black abalone

Laws Continued from A1

such as AMBER, Ebony or Feather Alerts. This legislation eliminates the need for a search warrant in such situations, enabling quicker responses to locate suspect vehicles linked to emergencies, such as child abductions.

Speed contests:

Assembly Bill 1978 (Sanchez) permits storing a vehicle when an individual is arrested but not taken into custody for obstructing or placing a barricade a highway or off-street parking facility for purposes of aiding a speed contest or exhibition of speed.

Impoundment:

Assembly Bill 2186 (Wallis) permits the arrest and custody of individuals engaged in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility. It also permits the impounding of the individual’s vehicle for not more than 30 days.

Sideshows and street takeovers: Assembly Bill 2807 (Villapudua) defines a sideshow and a street takeover as the same type of event. Vehicle removal and impoundment: Assembly Bill 3085 (Gipson) provides authority to seize and impound a vehicle with a warrant when the vehicle was used in violation of a speed contest or exhibition of speed (including aiding or abetting). This bill also permits electronic service of the notices of impoundment and storage hearings.

Electric bicycles, powered mobility devices and storage:

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, SB 1271 (Min) focuses on improving the safety standards for electric bicycles (e-bikes), powered mobility devices and related lithium-ion batteries. It requires these devices and their components, such as batteries and charging systems, to be tested by accredited laboratories to meet specific safety standards. The bill also mandates labeling these products to show compliance with safety regulations, ensuring consumers are informed. Furthermore, it prohibits distributing, selling or leasing e-bikes and related equipment unless they meet these standards, aiming to reduce risks like fire hazards and electrical malfunctions. Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, the bill would prohibit a person from renting or offering for rental an electric bicycle, powered mobility device, charging system, or storage battery unless it has been tested to the specified safety standard.

shell have this in common.”

“What are the state’s newest symbols?” is the right answer.

An animal from nearly every category of creature is represented in the registry of the state’s official symbols.

Electric bicycles:

Assembly Bill 1774 (Gipson) prohibits modifying an electric bicycle’s speed capability to an extent it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle. Also, it prohibits selling a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle to an extent it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle.

High-occupancy vehicle lanes: Assembly Bill 2678 (Wallis) permits vehicles with a Clean Air Vehicle decal to drive in High Occupancy Vehicle lanes until Jan. 1, 2027, if federal law permits.

Driver monitoring defeat devices: Senate Bill 1313 (Ashby) prohibits using, possessing or selling devices designed to interfere with driver monitoring systems in vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems or autonomous technology. These systems monitor driver alertness and help ensure safety when automated features are used. Violating this law is classified as an infraction.

Exceptions are provided for manufacturers testing new technology, vehicle repairs, and updates compliant with safety standards or modifications for disability accommodations. This law aims to enhance road safety by preventing tampering with critical monitoring systems.

Autonomous vehicles interactions with first responders and traffic violation notices: Upon the Department of Motor Vehicles adoption of necessary regulations, AB 1777 (Ting) creates

new authority for a law enforcement officer to issue a “notice of autonomous vehicle noncompliance” to an AV manufacturer for an alleged traffic violation committed by one of their vehicles. Beginning July 1, 2026, AB 1777 establishes additional requirements for how AVs that operate without a human operator in the vehicle interact with first responders, including a requirement for manufacturers to provide a two-way device in the vehicles to communicate with first responders.

Transit buses sign: Assembly Bill 1904 (Ward) authorizes a transit agency to equip a transit bus with a “yield” right-of-way sign on the left rear of the bus. The sign may be a static decal or a flashing lightemitting diode (LED).

License plates obstruction or alteration: Assembly Bill 2111 (Wallis) prohibits any alteration of a license plate’s reflective coating to avoid detection from any entity, not just law enforcement.

Theft from a vehicle: Senate Bill 905 (Wiener) creates the crime of unlawful entry of a vehicle, which addresses unlawfully entering a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or any felony. It also adds the crime of automotive property theft for resale, which addresses possessing stolen property obtained from a vehicle with the intent to sell or exchange the property for value. The property’s value must be over $950 and not for personal use. The value of property can be combined within two years of separate acts.

improperly placed implant.

For example, the world of insects features the dogface butterfly, native only to California, which is almost a prerequisite for consideration to be a state animal symbol. While this butterfly is a speedy aerialist and quite often difficult to see, its image has been featured on the California driver’s license and on a U.S. stamp.

Likewise, the state’s official amphibian, as if you didn’t already know, (drum roll please), is the redlegged frog.

Compliments of the California State Museum and the California State Capitol Museum, most of this information is available on their websites.

It’s fairly common knowledge that a bear is the state animal; however, not so commonly known is the fact that ours is the “only state in the union to feature the image of an extinct animal on its state flag and seal.”

That ubiquitous bear is the California grizzly bear, formerly the fiercest beast in the Golden State.

The last known physical specimen of a California grizzly was shot in Fresno County in 1922. The last of its species “was seen in Sequoia National Park in 1924 and was already officially extinct by then.” It became the state animal in 1953.

The new year’s Assembly Bill 1797 gives us the Dungeness crab as the state crustacean. This delicacy is an economic powerhouse and a multi-million dollar contributor to California’s economy, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“It’s an iconic symbol of the seafood history that California has,” Baldo Marinovic, professor of ecology and zoology at UC Santa Cruz, told Sacramento’s ABC television Network in October.

Anyone who has walked in and around the coastal forests and wetlands is probably familiar with the Pacific banana slug. There are several types of banana slug, but the Pacific is most common in California.

Thanks to Assembly Bill 1859, that guy/gal is now the official state slug. Marinovic explained that he/she/they are hermaphrodites who sport both male and female reproductive organs.

This slimy hero is a member of the “decomposer class, known as detritivores (who) consume decaying plants and fungi in forests throughout California,” Marinovic said. “They are the recyclers of the community.”

As the new state seashell, (AB 2504) the black abalone is unique with “its mother-of-pearl appearance on the inside of its shell.” The shell has been found in “middens” created by human settlements dating back 7,400 years.

“I know a lot of indigenous people in California … would use the abalones for rituals,” Marinovic said.

Disease and overfishing have led to the mollusk’s status as an endangered species. An outbreak of withering foot disease almost wiped out the black abalone in the 1980s; since then, conservation efforts saved the new 2025 state seashell. Thus, fortunately, it hasn’t gone the way of the California grizzly bear.

home. Plan to eat a diet of soft foods for one to two weeks to limit pain and speed healing. Depending on the implant locations, you may experience pain in the jaw, chin, cheeks, or underneath the eyes. Pain should be manageable with over-the-counter medications; any pain beyond this level may indicate an infection or an

Following the healing process, implants allow people to enjoy a varied and healthy diet without the restrictions some denture wearers face, and they often bring a renewed sense of self-confidence by eliminating the day-to-day frustrations and discomfort of ill-fitting dentures. People with implants often say they feel better, look better, and live better. If you think implants may be for you, call us for a consultation. A visit to our office may be just what you need to enhance your quality of life.

P.S. Most patients report that the extractions they have before receiving implants are more uncomfortable than getting the implants themselves.

Getty Images

The Pacific banana slug, left, is officially California’s state slug — slime and all. Assembly Bill 1797 gives us the Dungeness crab, right, as the state crustacean.

Winter Trek begins Jan. 28 at Heavenly Mountain Resort

Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has announced sign ups for the 2025 Winter Trek Conservation Education Program at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Reservations are required and now open.

Winter Trek is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 28, and will continue through the end of March, conditions and weather permitting. Field trips are approximately three hours long and will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding holidays.

Led by Forest Service rangers and community volunteers, the Winter Trek program offers fifth-graders an outdoor winter ecology learning experience that takes place at 9,100 feet via the

Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola.

The program includes a physical education snowshoeing adventure, while learning about water conservation, land stewardship and fire and forest ecology of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Winter Trek is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Great Basin Institute, and the Lake Tahoe Visitor Authority’s Explore Tahoe Visitor Center.

Reservations may be made online by visiting the 2025 Winter Trek Program Reservation Form webpage. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis and may fill up quickly.

For questions, contact Adilene De La Torre at adilene.delatorre@usda.gov.

For more information and to download forms and materials visit the Winter Trek Fifth-Grade Conservation Education Program webpage.

biting his throat and taking him to the ground and eventually dragging off the young man.

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene after Wyatt called for help. They searched the area and found the mountain lion near Taylen, who was pronounced dead — the first fatal attack confirmed in El Dorado County in 30 years and 20 years in California.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens and trappers with the county Department of Agriculture located and dispatched the mountain lion within a few hours of the attack. The male mountain lion weighed approximately 90 pounds and appeared to be in healthy condition, officials noted.

The community rallied around the brothers’ family, holding fundraisers and supporting them at Taylen’s memorial service the following month.

Mountain lion sightings and policies became frequent topics of discussion at public meetings and on social media.

Peter Tira said in 2023 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife received 86 depredation permit inquiries, 83 reports of mountain lion nuisance, 10 calls to report human and mountain lion conflicts and nine sightings in El Dorado County.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, finished their California Mountain Lion Project in early 2024, which estimates there are 4,500 mountain lions statewide. Mountain lions are a specially protected mammal under passage of Proposition 117, the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990, which prohibits the CDFW from enacting hunting seasons for the cats. Exceptions to the no-kill rule are to preserve public safety, protect federally-listed bighorn sheep populations and if a depredation permit is issued to eliminate a mountain lion that has killed livestock or

The Crozier Fire was first spotted at around 1:20 a.m. Aug. 7; within hours, the fire spread to nearly 200 acres in size in a remote area littered with heavy timber and fire fuels that was largely inaccessible by normal means. Hot, dry conditions also aided the fire’s spread, necessitating air support from six air-tankers by 4:15 p.m. The fire grew more than seven times in size over the next night, hitting 1,500 acres by Aug. 8.

“The fire is burning in a remote part of the forest within heavy timber, thick brush and difficult access,” an incident update posted by Cal Fire Aug. 8 states. “Crews are actively engaged in a full suppression strategy, including air tankers, helicopters and ground resources. The hot daytime temperatures, gusty winds and low humidities are causing elevated fire activity.”

Evacuation orders issued by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office initially covered neighborhoods in Swansboro north and northeast of Mosquito Airport, the residences which were nearest to the fire line at the time. Those orders and warnings were expanded to include warnings in Quintette to Volcanoville, parts of Georgetown, Garden Valley and Kelsey by Aug. 8. At the height of the evacuation orders, more than 3,000 people were evacuated from their homes with more than 5,000 under warning; around 200 animals were also moved to

pets. In the summer, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office requested the public report simple sightings of mountain lions on the El Dorado County Mountain

Lion Sightings Facebook page due to a “significant volume of mountain lion sightings” in the area after the Georgetown attack.

However, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials insisted that while advances in technology are capturing more sightings, the population and danger of mountain lions is not necessarily higher.

“Phone cameras, security cameras on homes like Ring cameras with 24/7 capturing, they are capturing the wildlife,” CDFW information officer Tira told the Mountain Democrat in April. “It is not necessarily that the population is increasing, but we are seeing more images of lions and other wildlife as opposed to 20 years ago when some of this technology didn’t exist. Maybe your dogs barked and three minutes later the animals were gone in the past, but really the sightings can be alluded to the explosion in technology throughout the state.”

In October the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, at the urging of many concerned residents, approved sending a letter to CDFW, asking the agency to improve its depredation permitting process. County Agricultural Commissioner LeeAnne Mila shared during the Oct. 8 meeting that around 100 animals were reported to have been killed by mountain lions in 2023 — a figure on track to double in 2024.

“This CDFW management policy for mountain lions has put El Dorado County into crisis mode,” a draft of the letter states from Board Chair Wendy Thomas. “Unprecedented numbers of livestock and domestic animals have been killed since the policy direction was given. Increasing human interactions with mountain lions that include stalking, school sightings and, the most tragic, a human death have occurred. We cannot continue on this trajectory.”

temporary shelter, according to EDSO Lt. Troy Morton. Michael Lilienthal, deputy fire chief with the El Dorado Hills Fire Department, acted as the incident’s liaison with the El Dorado County Office of Emergency Services and noted that the county was uniquely prepared for the fire.

Through a stroke of luck, EDSO, Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, along with other agencies, had recently held a town hall to discuss fire danger and evacuations on July 25. Many of the attendees to the town hall were mentally prepped when it came their time to flee the oncoming flames.

“We had started working on a plan about what we would

do if there was a large fire in Mosquito due to the remote nature of it and one of its biggest challenges, being the limited access,” Lilienthal told the Mountain Democrat. “You have the Mosquito Bridge, which is a very small, unstable bridge, in terms of heavy apparatus going across it, and the issues with access on Rock Creek Road. If you have fire engines going up and you have people trying to evacuate at the same time, (Rock Creek Road) becomes very problematic because the road is not big enough for that to occur.”

Mutual aid from nearby first responding agencies, including those in Folsom, Placer and Sacramento counties and the Shingle Springs Rancheria Tribal Police, in addition

to EDSO personnel and the community being prepared to evacuate led to successful evacuations, Morton added.

Containment reached 100% two weeks after the fire was first started, according to incident information from Cal Fire. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped the firefighting efforts, which pulled in more than 1,300 personnel from across the state. Though the fire consumed 1,960 acres before it was contained, no structures were destroyed and no injuries were reported. Close to a month after the fire was contained, Cal Fire issued a warrant for the arrest for 48-year-old Jason Robinette. Investigation into the Crozier Fire

determined the fire was intentionally started, according to a Cal Fire press release. Robinette was arrested near the In-N-Out on Forni Road in Placerville on Sept. 16 and booked into the nearby El Dorado County Jail.

Robinette entered not guilty pleas to the arson charges filed against him; he is next expected to appear in El Dorado County Superior Court Jan. 3 for a readiness conference. Robinette’s jury trial is currently scheduled to begin Jan. 21 in Department 1.

The investigation was conducted collaboratively by Cal Fire, EDSO, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Office. Cal Fire encourages the public to be vigilant and to alert authorities about suspicious fire activity, which can be reported at Cal Fire’s secure arson hotline at 1-800-468-4408.

“Cal Fire law enforcement officers work diligently to investigate all fires and apprehend those suspected of starting fires,” a Cal Fire press release states. “From Jan. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2024, Cal Fire law enforcement Officers have made 91 arrests related to arson.”

Crozier

Courtesy photo

Taylen Brooks died protecting his brother during the mountain lion attack. He was described by family and friends as a talented guitar player and a gentle soul.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

A Cal Fire firefighter eliminates a spot fire near the Crozier Fire off Sand Mountain Boulevard near Georgetown Aug. 9.

Courtesy photo

Winter Trek program offers fifth graders an outdoor winter ecology learning experience in the Sierra.

Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. teainsworth@gmail.com

Private Swim w/Isela

JANUARY

@ 12pm Jan 6th - Jan 31st UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, 2130 FULTON STREET, Koret Health and Recreation Center, San Francisco. 415-422-6811

Personal Training w/ Todd

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1150 Kentucky Street, Fair�eld. rcdeguz man@solanocounty.com, 707-319-2756 Imaginarium 360 @ Cal Expo @ 5pm / Free Welcome to the Imaginarium 360! @ Cal Expo, Sacramento! TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ON OUR WEBSITE. This is not a free event. Join us for a mind-blowing experi‐ence for the whole family! Sacra‐mento County Fair, 1600 Exposi‐tion Blvd, Sacramento

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7pm / $48.25 Harveys Cabaret at Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline

Crowd Control @ 7pm Gold�eld Trading Post Sacra‐mento, 1630 J St, Sacramento

DJ Ricky Sixx: Lookout, San Francisco @ 9pm Lookout, 3600 16th St, San Fran‐cisco

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Lakeside Laughs @ 9:30pm / $27.06 Harveys Cabaret at Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline

DJ Peeti-V @ 10pm Peek Nightclub, Stateline

FOOLIE @ MONROE SF [SUNRISE SETS] @ 6am Monroe, 473 Broadway, San Fran‐cisco

Kazha @ 12pm SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, 1400 J St, Sacramento

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Shen Yun @ 2pm War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco

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3rd-6th grade - B @ 2:25pm / $180 Jan 6th - Mar 31st Phoebe Hearst, 1410 60th Street, Sac. 916-293-9192

Personal Training w/ Deirdre - JANUARY

@ 3pm Jan 6th - Jan 29th

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Some

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Rock and Country Wednesdays @ Music

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Tom Arnold @ 7:30pm Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Colum‐bus Ave, San Francisco

Jimmy Shin

OPINION

California Commentary

Santa Jarvis’ naughty and nice list

Oh, by gosh and by golly; it’s time for mistletoe and holly. It’s also time for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association naughty and nice list. We made a list. We checked it twice. Time to find out who’s naughty and nice to California taxpayers this year. First, let’s start with the nice list. Well, it’s you! The voters of California. You defeated Proposition 5 by 10 points! That’s a huge win for taxpayers because Prop. 5 would have made it easier to raise property taxes by making it easier for local governments to take on new debt, by issuing bonds. Local bonds are repaid by placing extra charges on property tax bills. Prop. 5 would have lowered the vote threshold to approve nearly all local bonds from the current two-thirds requirement down to 55%.

Letters to the Editor

Christmas miracle

EDITOR:

My old lady got attacked by two other dogs the day before Christmas. I took her to the vet in Shingle Springs and got a quote on what it would cost to save her life. I couldn’t a ord to save her.

Donate to his cause so there can be many more doggie lives saved and rescued. He has a reason and donations help him with his rescue more than realized.

Prop. 5 was put on the ballot by the Legislature, where it was titled ACA 1. The original version would have lowered the threshold for bonds and special taxes, a direct attack on Proposition 13. But when their own polling showed that ACA 1 would fail in a statewide vote (it did anyway), proponents desperately passed a new measure, ACA 10, attempting to make the attack more palatable to voters by making it apply only to bonds.

I was broken crying and just all over falling apart. The guy in the next room was talking to me, calming me down, and then said you are not losing your dog on Christmas; I’ll pay for it.

And nally, a big bah humbug to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate pro tempore Mike McGuire and the California Supreme Court for removing the Taxpayer Protection Act from the ballot.

That puts the legislators who voted against this monstrosity no on the nice list. They were Brian Dahle, Shannon Grove, Brian Jones, Janet Nguyen, Roger Niello, Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Kelly Seyarto, Scott Wilk, Megan Dahle, Diane Dixon, Bill Essayli, James Gallagher, Tom Lackey, Joe Patterson, Kate Sanchez and Tri Ta.

Also, many in the capital media community also made it on the nice list. For years, it felt like the powers-that-be could do no wrong in the eyes of a compliant Sacramento media, but Ashley Zavala, Eytan Wallace, Alexei Kose , Ryan Sabalow, Sameea Kamal, Katie Grimes, Emily Hoeven and Dan Walters, among others, are doing a fantastic job asking tough questions and making the comfortable uncomfortable. We may not always agree, but they aren’t pulling punches.

That brings us to the naughty list.

If legislators who voted no on ACA 10 get sugar plums in their stockings, then the legislators who voted to make it easier to raise your taxes get a big lump of coal.

They are Ben Allen, Bob Archuleta, Angelique Ashby, Toni Atkins, Josh Becker, Catherine

See COUPAL, page A7

When I say good things happen to good people I never truly believed it until that day. Nothing compares to the gratitude I have for that man.

Come to find out, he runs a rescue — Baja Street Dogs. His name is Mark Newton. This man saved my dog and saved my kids’ Christmas because he couldn’t just sit back while I couldn’t a ord to save her.

The vet did not want to put her down. But also did not want her to su er. And this random man just saved my dog.

I am so beyond thankful for both the vet and the man who saved my dog at 9 p.m. that night. This county has amazing people in it. I will be paying this forward when I am able to.

Dog’s update shared Dec. 29: She got her tubing removed yesterday and is now walking and she pulled me on my skateboard yesterday .... She is doing good. She’s 14. I’m very surprised with the progress she (has) made.

Ride along

EDITOR:

In response to the letter to the editor “Law enforcement standards” from Tom Paine: Maybe you should sign up for a ride along or two with a deputy.

Guest Column

It is proof of the power of our faith that the spirit of Christmas prevails over all the reasons for cynicism.

I’m thinking now of Psalm 40:4 where we read: “Fortunate is the man who has puts his trust in God and has not turned to the arrogant and to those who stray after falsehood.” Regarding “the arrogant and those who stray after falsehood,” take the case of the International Criminal Court, established in 2002 and located in the Hague, Netherlands. Its mission sounds so essential and lofty — “Trying individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.”

But I am proud of our country that chose to not be part of it. The clear-thinking American leaders who

International Criminal Court pretends to be about justice

kept our country out of this arrangement understood it would violate our sacred national sovereignty and American citizens could be called to so-called justice by international bureaucrats. Consider the current scourge in our country known as “lawfare.” Lawfare is politicization of the law, use of the law by those with power to go after political enemies. Presidentelect Donald Trump can testify to the personal and financial costs that being on the wrong side of this can extract.

But if this can happen in our own country, where we have a Constitution and Bill of Rights, just think of an unencumbered international entity with charge to pursue global so-called justice.

Another country that had the common sense to stay out of this

On June 7, 1979, the rst Polish Pope, John Paul II, visited Auschwitz. He called it a “place built on hatred and on contempt for man in the name of a crazed ideology. A place built on cruelty.”

charade was our friend and ally Israel.

But choosing not to be part of the game doesn’t seem to provide insulation from “the arrogant and ... those who stray after falsehood.”

Late last year, ICC bureaucrats issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister for alleged crimes associated with the war in Gaza.

This is a war Israel pursued in national defense after the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Hamas terrorists who murdered, mutilated and sexually violated some 1,200 Israeli civilians and took hundreds hostage. Hamas, a terrorist organization, has elimination of the State of Israel as its defined mission.

Now more outrage.

Jan. 27 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Poland, where some 1 million Jews were murdered.

However, Netanyahu cannot attend the ceremonies at Auschwitz because Polish deputy foreign minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski indicates he will be arrested in accordance with Poland’s commitment to the ICC. Per Israel’s national Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, “On the eve of the German occupation of Poland in 1939, 3.3 million Jews lived there. At the end of the war, approximately 380,000 Polish Jews remained alive, the rest having been murdered, mostly in the ghettos and the six death camps: Chelmo, Belzec, Sobibor,

SHANELLE TODD Cameron Park

MARK GREGORY Placerville

JON COUPAL

STAR PARKER

Coupal

Continued from A6

Blakespear, Steven Bradford, Anna Caballero, Dave Cortese, Bill Dodd, Maria Elena Durazo, Susan Eggman, Steve Glazer, Lena Gonzalez, Melissa Hurtado, John Laird, Monique Limon, Mike McGuire, Caroline Menjivar, Dave Min, Josh Newman, Steve Padilla, Anthony Portantino, Richard Roth, Susan Rubio, Nancy Skinner, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Henry Stern, Tom Umberg, Aisha Wahab, Scott Wiener, Dawn Addis, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, David Alvarez, Joaquin Arambula, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Steve Bennett, Marc Berman, Tasha Boerner, Mia Bonta, Isaac Bryan, Lisa Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Sabrina Cervantes, Damon Connolly, Mike Fong, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Eduardo Garcia, Tim Grayson, Matt Haney, Gregg Hart, Chris Holden, Jacqui Irwin, Corey Jackson, Ash

Parker

Continued from A6 Treblinka, Majdanek and Auschwitz-Birkenau.”

On June 7, 1979, the first Polish Pope, John Paul II, visited Auschwitz. He called it a “place built on hatred and on contempt for man in the name of a crazed ideology. A place built on cruelty.”

The Pope noted a plaque inscribed in Hebrew which “awakens the memory of the People whose sons and daughters were intended for

Kalra, Alex Lee, Evan Low, Josh Lowenthal, Kevin McCarty, Tina McKinnor, Al Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Liz Ortega, Blanca Pacheco, Diane Papan, Gail Pellerin, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Anthony Rendon, Eloise Reyes, Luz Rivas, Freddie Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Miguel Santiago, Phil Ting, Carlos Villapudua, Chris Ward, Akilah Weber, Bu y Wicks, Lori Wilson, Jim Wood, Rick Zbur and Robert Rivas.

And finally, a big bah humbug to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate pro tempore Mike McGuire and the California Supreme Court for removing the Taxpayer Protection Act from the ballot. It would have closed loopholes that courts have carved in Prop. 13, required truthful ballot labels, curbed the

total extermination. This People draws its origin from Abraham ... as was expressed by Paul of Tarsus. The very people that received from God the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill,’ itself experienced in a special measure what is meant by killing.”

The state of Israel, the world’s only Jewish state, was born out of this horror. The UN voted in 1947

power of bureaucracies including CARB to impose fees that are really taxes and given voters the right to vote on state tax increases.

TPA had broad support among hundreds of business associations, chambers of commerce and virtually every taxpayer association in California all concerned with the preservation of Propositions 13 and 218. But the Supreme Court, in doing the bidding of Gov. Newsom and the state’s supermajority legislative leaders, ignored the rights of more than 1.4 million California voters who signed petitions to put the initiative on the ballot. For that, they all deserve not just a lump of coal, but an entire sack of it. (Or a sack of something else we cannot mention).

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

to create a Jewish state and an Arab state. The Jews said yes, the Arabs said no and have never given Israel a day of peace.

Now, politicized international bureaucrats want to arrest Israel’s prime minister for defending his country. The good news is the spirit of Christmas, of John Paul II, persists, as we now hear the sound of “joy to the world” in Christian countries worldwide. Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the rst Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

CLUB meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheri ’s o ce, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

PLAY CRIBBAGE Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the

month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.

GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet rst and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that a ect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.

Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry

You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.

INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES

• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters

• Private patio

• Attached garage

• In-home washer and dryer

• High ceilings

• Housekeeping, laundry, and trash service

• Basic cable and utilities included — stay warm this winter!

• Pets welcome

COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES

• Restaurant-style dining

• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills

• Clubhouse and tness center

• Library and full-service beauty salon

• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations

• Transportation services

• 24-hour emergency maintenance

• Gated electronic entrance

We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Now

The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley presents Tahiti Pehrson’s solo exhibition

Carrying the Fire in The Granucci Gallery through Jan. 4. Tahiti will transform the gallery space with captivating hand-cut and painted paper, woodblock prints and carvings, and graphite drawings. For more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

Broadway At Music Circus presents “Kimberly Akimbo” at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento through Jan. 5. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

Swithboard Gallery hosts Scattered Water Droplets: Yatapk’oyihнm Mom an exhibit demonstrating the intimate relationship between native artists and their tribal waters, through Jan. 12. Switchboard Gallery is located at 525 Main St. in Placerville. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/ scattered-water-droplets.

The California Museum presents Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues through Jan. 19. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

Marshall Hospital Auxiliary is looking for volunteers. Help people and make new friends. Interviews are held monthly. For more information call Norma at (530) 676-1844 or email grizzyq98@gmail.com.

The Murer House Foundation continues its Italian language classes at the Murer House Learning Center in old Folsom. Students can learn Italian in small and supportive classes designed to maximize contact with the teacher. For more information and to enroll visit murerhousefoundation.org/ language-classes.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

Jan. 3

Ariel Jean will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Jan. 4

West Coast Performing Arts Presenters present Motown Mania! at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.

Power Play will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Jan. 5

VITA Academy presents Rising Stars of Chamber Music at 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.

Jan. 7

Do you love to sew (or not sew) and support veterans?

Sew4Vets is a fun group that meets twice a month ( rst Tuesday and second Thursday) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. Members sew walker bags, wheelchair bags, pillows and quilts for a number of California veterans hospitals,

Tibetan monks

Tibetan monks bringing messages of goodwill to the region

Wendy Wood Placerville Friends of Tibet

The Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery will return to Placerville and Folsom, Jan. 2-18. The tour begins in Placerville with Wheel of Life Mandala, Jan. 2-12 at the historical Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way in Placerville.

The tour moves to Folsom with Medicine Buddha Mandala, supported by Mercy Folsom and Dignity Health, Jan. 14-18 at 1580 Creekside Drive, Community Education Room 1, Folsom.

Since 2003, Placerville Friends of Tibet has hosted this tour. The Tibetan monks, located (in exile) in Southern India, know and love the Sierra foothills and surrounding communities. The tour participants are deeply grateful to the founders, organizers, community, and partners that have made this possible over the years.

During the tour, the monks will share their arts and culture as well as Tibetan perspectives on the Buddha’s teachings and o er empowerments, astrology readings, healings and blessings for individuals, families, businesses, pets and the community at large.

Check out the full schedule of events at placervillefriendsoftibet. org. This event helps support Gaden Shartse Monastic College,

DAY HIKER

Cronan Ranch – a springtime retreat

Ireturn to Cronan Ranch in Pilot Hill each spring, captivated by the panoramic views of lush, green hillsides. While this trail system is enjoyable year-round, there’s something special about the vibrant renewal of spring. Have you hiked Cronan Ranch during this season?

A glimpse into history

One of the unique aspects of Cronan Ranch is its connection to Hollywood. Each year, I check in on what remains of the “Love Comes Softly” movie set, where Katherine Heigl starred. On my last visit,

Mary West Outdoor columnist

the rough-cut ladder that once leaned against a tree was gone and the barn had collapsed. The homestead still stands, but for how much longer? These remnants add a touch of nostalgia and history that make every hike feel like stepping into the past. Cronan Ranch o ers so much more than its cinematic history. With access to the American

which is situated in the remote countryside of southern India. It was founded in 1969 as an e ort to re-establish one of the great monastic traditions of Tibet — the Gelug tradition followed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. A small group of elder monks and 15 young boys, all of whom had managed to escape the destruction in Tibet, settled on land given to them by the Indian government in Mundgod, Karnataka.

Today the college is at the forefront of the revival of Tibetan Monastic education, with more than 1,600 resident students, teachers, scholars and spiritual practitioners. More than 70% of the members are between the ages of 10 and 25 and 80% of these were born in Tibet.

To this day, young monks arrive at the monastery weekly from Tibet, seeking shelter and education. Due to the success of the academic program and the quality of the teachers at the monastery, Gaden Shartse has established a reputation as being the leader in the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies.

Placerville Friends of Tibet is a group of dedicated volunteers who, since 2003, have committed their time, energy and resources to sharing the culture of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism with the communities of El Dorado County, the Sierra Nevada foothills and the greater Sacramento region. This group is an incubator partnership with Arts & Culture El Dorado.

River and wide-open green spaces, it’s an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I especially enjoy watching hang gliders soar from the hilltops near the trailhead — a thrilling sight that adds a dynamic element to

the peaceful scenery. Under the majestic live oaks, wildflowers bloom, creating a vibrant contrast against the lush grasses. Be mindful of rattlesnakes, though; they’re often spotted in the area. Cronan Ranch is

open to equestrians, with ample parking available for all visitors. As a bonus, there are no parking fees, making it an accessible option for a quick escape into nature.

Mountain Democrat le photos

The 2024 opening ceremonies of the Gaden Shartse Healing Arts of Tibet Tour’s visit to Placerville included the monks performing a consecration ritual to bless the people of El Dorado County. They return to the county Jan. 2.

Photo by Mary West

The American River rushes by hikers enjoying the beauty of Cronan Ranch.

Women’s fund giving scholarships, grants

Cathy Harris

Women’s Fund El Dorado Applications are now available for Women’s Fund El Dorado’s Wickline Scholarship. Since 2012, WFED has awarded $73,500 Wickline Scholarship dollars, making a difference in the lives of 46 women.

The Wickline Scholarship was established to assist women 22 years of age and older who reside on the western slope of El Dorado County and are furthering their careers by pursuing a postsecondary education. The Wickline Scholarship is an award of up to $2,000 distributed annually to one or more recipients. Funds are awarded directly to the school. Applications are scored by financial need, personal history and completeness of application.

Grants, six additional grants totaling $48,000 will be awarded: a total of three Acorn grants of up to $8,000 each will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that have not previously received a grant from the WFED; a total of three Impact Grants of up to $8,000 each will be awarded to nonprofit organizations offering direct impacts on the western slope of El Dorado County. This includes but is not limited to human services, such as those pertaining to mental or physical health, education, youth development, services to children, families, seniors, arts, community beautification, animal welfare or community development.

A legacy gift from Marian Wickline in 2009 as well as a generous gift from U.S. Bank and Kevin Nagle with El Dorado Town Center provides the opportunity to offer this scholarship. For more information visit womensfundeldor-ado.org/wicklineand-lighthouse-funds.

Women’s Fund El Dorado grant applications will be available Jan. 2. El Dorado County nonprofit agencies serving the county’s western slope are invited to apply. In an effort to remain an effective grant making organization, WFED continues to expand its grant opportunities to cover a broad range of needs including basic human needs, children and youth development and arts and culture.

A total of $100,000 is expected to be awarded in grants in 2025. Request for proposals must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 30. An Applicant Workshop for prospective grant applicants is set for Jan. 16. Details will be provided on the Women’s Fund El Dorado website, womensfundeldoado.org.

For 2025, WFED’s Inspiration Grant will award a total of $52,000. By design, the grant does not have a specific focus, thereby inspiring nonprofits to identify and address the community’s most pressing needs. Applicants may apply for up to $26,000.

In addition to the Inspiration

An organization must choose to apply for either an Inspiration grant, an Acorn Grant or an Impact Grant; it cannot apply for more than one. Following the Jan. 30 due date, all proposals are reviewed and scored by the WFED Grants Committee. The top scoring proposals in each category move forward to the entire WFED membership, which then votes on the agencies to receive funding. Member voting opens immediately after the WFED Ballot Showcase scheduled for March 27 and closes on April 24. Grant recipients are notified May 9.

To qualify for funding, organizations must have nonprofit status and an established office on the western slope of El Dorado County (El Dorado Hills to Silver Fork).

Request for proposals and additional details are available online at womensfundeldorado. org. For more information contact WFED Grant Chair at grants@ womensfundeldorado.org.

Women’s Fund El Dorado, a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, is a collective giving organization that is open to all for a donation of $200 a year or more. Funds collected are pooled and leveraged in the form of grants and voted on by members who support community philanthropy to enhance the quality of life on the western slope of El Dorado County. Since it was founded 15 years ago, membership has grown and the organization has awarded more than $1,230,806 to 114 community projects.

Join Scholarship Giving Circle

Chris Ringnes

El Dorado Community Foundation

The El Dorado Community Foundation announces a giving circle where anyone can contribute, and all funds collected will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors who are pursuing higher education at each of the following high schools (and donors can choose which high school scholarship their funds are designated for): El Dorado High School, Golden Sierra High School, Ponderosa High School, Oak Ridge High School, South Tahoe High School and Union Mine High School. Become a member of this new giving circle for $40 or more and 100% of donations will go toward

a new scholarship at the EDC high school of the donor’s choosing. Visit eldoradocf.org/edcf-scholarshipgiving-circle to join this giving circle any time until Feb. 1.

Membership will allow donors to vote on how the funds are allocated for the scholarships (minimum scholarship amount will be $1,000). The foundation will collect memberships through Feb. 1, and then allocate all the dollars back to scholarships for the designated schools; it’s a great way to be part of a scholarship to help students pursue their educational dreams.

For more information email Kathy Haven, EDCF director of Grants, Programs, and Community Impact. at kathy@eldoradocf.org.

PG&E offers college scholarships

Paul Moreno

PG&E

OAKLAND — Pacific Gas and Electric Company recently announced today that scholarship applications are now being accepted for collegebound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students with a primary residence in Northern and Central California.

More than $250,000 is available through scholarships created and funded by PG&E’s 11 employee resource groups and two engineering network groups . These groups help advance a culture at PG&E where all coworkers are valued, included and supported. The funds are raised entirely through coworker donations, coworker fundraising events and the company’s coworker giving program.

These scholarships are awarded annually to help offset the cost of higher education. ERG and ENG scholarship winners will each receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership.

PG&E ERG and ENG scholarship information, including criteria and applications, is available on pge. com; search “scholarships.”. To be considered for a scholarship, all applications must be submitted by March 22.

“Our ERG and ENG scholarships open doors to develop future leaders and breakthrough thinkers. These awards support the ambitions and dreams of young people in our communities. This assistance is n See SCHOLARSHIPS, page

Courtesy photo

WFED honors Marian Wickline’s tenacity and strong spirit through her scholarship fund.

GROW FOR IT!

Garden myths that won’t go away

The primary mission of University of California

Sue McDavid UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners is to extend researchbased knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices to the home gardener. In our many interactions with home gardeners, we frequently hear about so-called gardening remedies and practices that are clearly old wives’ tales or, more often, information obtained from unreliable internet sources. Below are some gardening practices that need to be abolished.

Myth: Use gravel for container drainage. No, no and more no. Why? Water in the upper portion of a container does not move easily through a layer of finer-textured material (the potting soil on top) into a layer of coarser-textured material such as gravel, rocks, broken pieces of pottery, etc. at the bottom of the pot. The result is that water will stay in the potting soil where most of a plant’s roots are located far longer than necessary before draining through the non-absorbent material at the bottom and out through the hole. What you end up with is a plant which frequently starts dying because of root rot. Conclusion? Nothing but potting soil should be placed in a plant container.

Myth: Organic fertilizers are better than synthetic

ones. The truth is that plants do not know the di erence between the two. Organic fertilizers

All aboard El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle

Jody Franklin

El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce

El Dorado County Visitors Authority has unveiled an innovative way to elevate your next wedding or event experience while supporting sustainability and local tourism.

The El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle, a program designed to enhance group transportation to regional wedding and event venues, is making waves in the tourism industry.

Here’s how it works:

are derived from natural sources rather than from petroleum products which are contained in synthetic fertilizers but are slower acting and usually more expensive. Both have the primary nutrients of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in varying percentages, and both need to be used according to directions on labels. It really is a personal choice as to which fertilizer is used. A word of caution, more is not better whichever type of fertilizer is used. In addition, it’s prudent to have your soil tested before any fertilizer is used to verify that it is needed.

Myth: Treat just-pruned trees with a sealant to prevent disease. This can actually do harm because trees naturally heal wounds themselves by forming what is called a callus over a pruning cut. Just leave the pruned area alone and it will take care of itself.

Myth: Succulents, cacti, and other droughttolerant plants do not need water. This is definitely a myth because all plants need water at some point. Although drought-tolerant plants can go far longer between irrigation than other plants, they still need a drink occasionally.

Myth: Add sand to clay soil to improve it. No! Not only will you not achieve good soil, but you will also end up with concrete-like soil. Instead, work in lots of organic matter such as compost to improve the soil over time.

These are just some garden myths that just won’t go away. Do your research using reliable resources like The California Garden Web at ucanr.edu/sites/ gardenweb or attending one of the free Master Gardener public education classes held throughout most of the year; go to mgeldorado.ucanr.edu for

Day Hiker

Seasonal tips

Continued from B1

In spring, the trail is a perfect balance of mild temperatures and abundant wildlife. However, if you prefer a quieter experience, fall also o ers stunning scenery, with golden grasses and crisp air. Local hikers often recommend visiting in these shoulder seasons to avoid the summer crowds and the heat. Have you noticed a di erence in the atmosphere when visiting during di erent times of the year?

A hidden gem

Friends often tell me not to write about this trail to keep it a hidden gem. With the Auburn State Recreation Area and Hidden Falls Regional Park growing increasingly popular, Cronan Ranch remains a low-stress destination for local hikers seeking

solitude and serenity. To reach Cronan Ranch take Highway 49 to Pedro Hill Road, which leads to the parking area. Bring plenty of water and a camera to capture the beauty of the live oaks, hang gliders, and river views. Don’t forget to post your adventure on social media, tagging @

The program o ers financial contributions toward shuttle costs based on the number of room nights booked at El Dorado County lodging properties. The tiered incentives are as follows: • 20

The shuttle service ensures guests can travel comfortably and sustainably between their lodging and event venues, easing logistical headaches while reducing carbon footprints.

Warm welcome

Each participating guest receives a thoughtfully curated welcome kit that includes: • El Dorado County Visitors & Farm Trails Guide ■ See SHUTTLE, page B4

MaryWestHikes to share your experience.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes

in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo by Mary West

A movie prop homestead gives Cronan Ranch visitors a glimpse of the past.

Pixabay image

Scholarships Continued from B2

part of how we’re living our purpose at PG&E — delivering for our hometowns, serving our planet and leading with love,” said Deb Sinta, PG&E senior vice president, Talent, Culture and People.

“I am grateful for this award, as the financial burden of out-of-state tuition is daunting. This scholarship will significantly decrease my college tuition and lessen the need for student loans,” said 2024 ERG scholarship recipient Donovan Jones, who will be majoring in pre-law and computer science at the University of Oregon.

“I am incredibly interested in using history to inform the future. I hope to be able to affect change in the world around me by studying what came before me,” said 2024 ERG scholarship recipient Katherine Lopes, a history major at the University of California at San Diego.

A history of giving

Since 1989, PG&E’s ERGs and ENGs have awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to thousands of recipients. More than 6,500 of PG&E’s 28,000 coworkers belong to ERGs and ENGs. Each group helps further the company’s commitment to serving its hometowns and growing

•

Growers and activities in Coloma, Fair Play and Divide

• Rideshare and emissionsreduction information

• A small gift as a token of appreciation

These welcome kits are more than just a gesture; they’re an invitation to explore the region’s vibrant offerings, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Powered by sustainability

The Stay & Play Shuttle is funded by the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, in partnership with the El Dorado County Visitors Authority. By promoting group transportation, the program aims to:

• Encourage extended overnight stays

coworker engagement.

PG&E’s ERG and ENG scholarships are available through these 13 groups: Access Network (individuals with disabilities)

• AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islander)

• Black • Latino

• Legacy (tenured coworkers)

• MEENA (Middle East, Europe, and North Africa)

• National Society of Black Engineers (STEM career coworkers)

• NuEnergy (newer coworkers)

• PrideNetwork (LGBTQ+ coworkers)

• Samahan (Filipino)

• Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (STEM career coworkers)

• Veterans • Women’s Network

Other scholarship opportunities

The Pacific Service Employees Association, a nonprofit mutual benefit organization serving PG&E coworkers and retirees, provides scholarships for dependents of company coworkers. In addition, PG&E Corp. provides STEM scholarships through its Better Together STEM scholarships program.

• Introduce new visitors to El Dorado County’s attractions

• Reduce vehicle emissions, contributing to cleaner air

For those interested in learning more about sustainability and electric vehicle infrastructure, resources are available through the El Dorado Air Quality Management District.

Get started

Participating is easy. To learn more, potential users and commercial transportation providers can visit eldoradocounty.org to access program guidelines and applications.

Whether you’re a bride, groom, or event planner, the El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle simplifies transportation logistics while enhancing your guests’ experiences. It’s a win-win for visitors, local businesses and the environment. For additional information email stayandplay@eldoradocounty.org or call (530) 621-5885.

ARIES (March 21-April

(June 22-July 22). Like any superhero, you can be at top strength or depleted of your gifts at any point of the day. However powerless you feel in a given scene, you will still make your move, knowing it matters.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When your heart is light, so will be your work. Let your affection stretch long and your conversation clip brief. Simple solutions rule the day: Not enough love is a problem. More love solves it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re magnetic because you’re honest, unfiltered and unapologetic. Just watch how it draws the right energy to you. Exciting love prospects align with the truth of who you are, proving that honesty is your most attractive quality.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To strive for a goal unsuccessfully for too long is disheartening. There’s a point in which it’s time to stop changing tactics and instead change the goal itself. When it’s the right goal, your life will naturally organize around it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When someone says you’re lucky, you may smile and agree even though you know that luck isn’t the reason. It’s the sensible decisions you’ve made and the opportunities you’ve seized while doing the work that paved your way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Miscommunication breeds distance, while transparency brings people closer. The more you open up and express yourself, the more you nurture a bond that is resilient and alive. Today features a clear, honest dialogue. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Film editors get to say what goes in and what stays out of the movie. Your brain also has editors. Today they are in an experimental mood, unconcerned with the genre and willing to entertain offbeat takes. Your limits of awareness will expand.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll be thinking about all you want to do with the new year. Of course, if you tackle everything, you’ll end up doing nothing of

(Feb.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Holiday Mathis

Hyatt supports Tahoe education, family programs

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Hyatt

Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and

of Lake Tahoe, raised $10,000 for the Incline Education Fund’s Step up for STEM program. The money was raised through the resort’s haunted carnival fundraising event that took place on Halloween.

“We are honored to be able to support such an amazing organization as the Incline Education Fund,” said Pascal Dupuis, general manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. “At Hyatt, our purpose is to care for people so they can be their best, and that extends to caring for our local community. We are thrilled that the Haunted Carnival was such a success and provided a fun family-friendly event while raising money to help local children receive top-notch education opportunities.”

Through community support and awarded grants, the IEF has resulted in several educational

Know Continued from B1

as well as veterans in local assisted-living homes. Nonsewers help with other “hands on” projects. All supplies furnished. Don’t have a sewing machine? There are a few to share. Check us out at Sew4vets.org.

National Alliance on Mental Illness El Dorado County offers free, in-person family support groups monthly: 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in Placerville. For more information visit namieldoradocounty.org.

Jan. 10

El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s third concert of its 2024-25 season will feature Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi at 7 p.m. at Union Mine High School in El Dorado. For tickets and more information visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com.

n See KNOW, page B6

entrepreneurship program at Incline High School. For more information on the Step up for STEM program visit inclineeducationfund.org.

In addition to the donation to IEF, the resort also raised more than $2,500 for Tahoe Family Solutions, a nonprofit organization that offers an array of community-based services including education, mental health services and youth development programs. The money was raised through the resort’s summer wellbeing events including the popular Lakeside Yoga series and the Community Unity wellness day.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and its team are dedicated to supporting its local community. It takes part in several giving back initiatives each year including community beautification projects, beach clean-up days, meal delivery services to local food banks, and donations of used linens for homeless animals at Pet Network Humane Society. For more information visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or call (775) 832-1234.

State Fair scholarships now available

News release

Grow your college fund by applying to the Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program. Applications are accepted from now until Monday, March 3.

Last year, Friends of the California State Fair awarded 21 students $42,500 in scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. These students represent 14 California counties.

Categories

• Agriculture students (current college students and high school seniors)

• Art major

• Business major

• California State Fair exhibitors or volunteers (in

honor of Rex Hime)

• Culinary, hospitality or event planning major

• International agriculture students (sponsored by Blue Diamond)

• Sacramento region top achiever

• Teacher credential program

• Top 10% of class

• Trade school program

• Wine making/grape growing

The program is a collaborative effort between the Friends of the California State Fair, the California Exposition & State Fair, the California State Fair Agricultural Advisory Council, the Ironstone Concours Foundation and Blue Diamond Growers. This program seeks to motivate well-rounded, high academic achievers. For more information and an online application visit calexpostatefair.com/participate/friends-of-the-ca-statefair.

Courtesy photo

Tahoe Family Solutions and Hyatt Regency representatives celebrate Hyatt’s donation to the nonprofit.

Final wildlife photo of the year candidates selected

News release

California Wildlife

Photo of the Year

finalists have been announced for the period of September through October.

“Now, it’s a hurry up and wait to announce the winning photo of the year,” said California Watchable Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Barbara Steinberg. That announcement will come this month.

September & October winners

Jason Brooks, black phoebe, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area — Unsuspecting flying bugs are no match for the black phoebe, a notoriously adept flycatching bird. They’ll often be seen sitting on a favorite perch, either watching for bugs or holding onto one they’ve already caught. Though it appears the dragonfly was smiling and having the time of its life, most assuredly, it was not.

Know

Jan. 17

This particular phoebe held onto its prey for quite awhile, as they often will, allowing the time to capture several images.

Jean Zuo, pelicans, Sandy Wool Lake in Milpitas — Pelicans are skillful food thieves. They steal from other pelicans trying to swallow large fish. They also try to steal prey from double-crested cormorants that are bringing fish to the

Continued from B5

The Shingle Springs Community Center presents a Bunko Dinner fundraiser with hearty soups at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.org.

surface. On this winter morning, the cormorant swallowed its catch fast enough to frustrate the fish thief.

Mark Zimmerman, tern, Elkhorn Slough — Elegant terns mainly breed on a single island in the Gulf of California, although a couple of breeding colonies have been identified in far Southern California. They range widely in search of their main prey, the northern

Jan. 18

anchovy, and gather in large flocks in Elkhorn Slough in the fall for the rich fishery. They dive from high up, head first to capture anchovy while completely submerged, and the young evidently find this a challenging skill to learn, having flown hundreds of miles from the nest but still coaxing food from adults.

Michele Dodge, quail, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area — I

Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises presents Art & Wine with Something MORE at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Indulge in tastings from local wineries, breweries, distilleries,

was out hiking on the lake just before sunrise. I heard the California quail calling back and forth before I saw them. Quail are very talkative and I slowed down so I wouldn’t scare any of these shy birds. First

I spotted the lookout and as I turned around I spotted the entire family, posed for just a split moment on this snag, with the sun rising behind them. I snapped two quick images and then they were gone.

restaurants, bakeries and caterers, all while enjoying an evening filled with unique activities and entertainment plus exceptional MORE client art that will be available for sale. Visit morerehab.org for tickets and more information.

Continued from B3

more information. If using other internet sites, educational sites that end in .edu are best.

Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. You can find a schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Calendar/ and recorded classes on many gardening topics here: mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_ Education/Classes. The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open, weather permitting, on the first Saturday of the month, from November through February 9 a.m. to noon. First Saturday tour starts promptly at 9 a.m.

Please check the website for further information about activities at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Demonstration_Garden.. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the Ask a Master Gardener option on mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Ask_a_Master_Gardener or leave a message at (530) 621-5512. For more information on the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County visit mgeldorado.ucanr. edu. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

include your name and phone number

Gardener

Photo by Mark Zimmerman

Terns fight over a fish at Elkhorn Sough.

Photo by Michele Dodge

A California quail family seems to stop and enjoy a sunrise.

Photo by Jason Brooks

A black phoebe holds on to its dragonfly snack.

Photo by QQ Zuo Photography

A pelican tries to steak a double-crested cormorant’s fish without success.