Mountain Democrat, Friday, January 6, 2023

Salary hikes OK’d with slight change

Stack Managing editor

With a third recruitment effort under way, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a salary boost for the position of county chief administrative officer. Supervisors approved a 10% increase — down from the recommended 15% noted on the meeting’s agenda.

The CAO’s monthly salary ranges from $19,250 at step 1 to $23,400 at step 5, according to the salary schedule effective Dec. 31, 2022, and posted online at edcgov.us. The increase was supported 4-1 with newly sworn-in District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine voting no as she said she didn’t think she had enough information.

“The step level (of the new CAO) will be determined by the board commensurate with the qualifications of the individual,” stressed District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl before the vote. “I didn’t want to make this sound like it’s an automatic jump (to step 5). If we could find somebody that’s Don’s clone, that might be eligible for step 5 but I think that’s going to be difficult.”

CAO Don Ashton announced his intention to retire last year. He’s expected to stay on the job until sometime in March.

Last summer the county began recruiting for a new leader, even hiring a firm to help in the search. “Ultimately that was a five-or six-month process and we weren’t able to locate a candidate that the board wanted to move forward with,” said Human Resources Director Joseph Carruesco.

District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas called the process a real “conundrum” as the county has apparent conflicts — a duty to hire the best and brightest while

Karl weiland ready to cast his line

Noel Stack Managing editor

All his gear is packed; he’s ready to fish.

After more than 30 years in public service and three terms as an elected department head, El Dorado County Assessor Karl Weiland has traded property tax assessments for lures and bait.

“I’ve had nine months to work through the fact that I won’t have a job anymore … and I’ve never

regretted (the decision),” Weiland said. “It keeps sinking in.”

Sitting in the recently remodeled kitchen of the Somerset home he shares with wife Heidi, who also retired this year from her official duties as an El Dorado County Board of Education trustee, Karl pointed out, “The whole point of working is retiring.”

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, 1971-

Drought relief depends on coming months

News release

The Department of Water Resources conducted the first manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station Jan. 3, recording 55.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 17.5 inches, which is 177% of average for the location.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide the snowpack is 174% of average for this date, according to DWR data.

Conditions so far this season have

proven to be strikingly similar to last year when California saw some early rainstorms and strong December snow totals only to have the driest January through March on record.

“The significant Sierra snowpack is good news but unfortunately these same storms are bringing flooding to parts of California,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This is a prime example of the threat of extreme flooding during a prolonged drought as California experiences more swings between wet and dry periods brought on by our changing climate.”

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Who’s ready for fishing? Retired El Dorado County Assessor Karl Weiland and his wife Heidi, who recently stepped down from her role on the El Dorado County Board of Education, are ready to hit the road and enjoy retirement.

Noel

William Hallie Delaney

Aug. 3, 1939 – Dec. 29, 2022

Bill was born in Caldwell, Idaho on Aug. 3, 1939. He grew up in Walla Walla, Washington where he went to grade and high school. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Washington State University and graduated with a degree in Economics and Mathematics.

Shortly thereafter he entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant and was stationed in Germany overseeing the Nike Hercules Missile Station in Quirnheim. While in Germany he met his beloved wife, Irmgard. They were married for 57 glorious years. They have five children—Stella, Rene’, Monika, Nicole and Elisabeth.

Bill went to The Language Institute in Monterey, California to learn Vietnamese and subsequently served as a Captain in the Viet Nam conflict as an advisor. His last year in the service, Bill taught military and diplomatic history at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. He separated from the army after seven years to be with his family, having reached the rank of Major within six years. After separating from the service, he was an executive vice president in the electronics industry for many years until his retirement. Bill and Irma settled in Saratoga, California where they lived for 22 years.

After retiring in 1999 they moved to Camino, California and bought a home on “Apple Hill” where they lived for another 22 years. Due to his oxygen deficiency they had to move to lower elevations establishing a home in Carmel, California.

Bill is survived by his wife, five children, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

~He will be dearly missed by all~ Funeral Services will be held at Mission Mortuary and Memorial Park located at 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey, California, 93940 at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Reception immediately following services in Carmel, California (location to be disclosed at service).

**In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/ WILLAMDELANEY

Donald Bailey Thorne

Donald Bailey Thorne passed away unexpectedly, Dec. 7.

Don was born in Fresno, Calif., and was raised in Merced. He has been a resident of Placerville since 1964.

He served two years in the Marine Corps where he spent his time in Japan. He worked 33 years for SMUD at Fresh Pond. Restoring old cars was his passion as well as working out on his property tending to his fruit trees and garden.

He is survived by his loving wife Mona Thorne of 61 years, sons Je rey (Sherri), Rick (Julian), grandchildren Aaron Thorne, Courtney Larrick (Rob), Brandon Thorne (Ti any), 7 great grandchildren and many friends.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed by many, but our memories of him continue on.

There will be a Celebration of Life Feb. 3, 2023 at 11:00 A.M., at the Federated Church in Price Hall, 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville, Calif.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to El Dorado Boys and Girls Club, Attn: Juan Nunez, 2840 Mallard Lane, Placerville, Calif. 95667, (530) 719-3120 a scholarship fund for a sponsored youth in El Dorado County.

Peggy Helen Couch (Light)

Peggy Helen Couch (Light) passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Dec. 7. She was 85 years old.

Peggy Light was born October 8, 1937, in her grandmother’s house in Newburg, Missouri to Helen (Bramel) and Joseph Light. She was raised in a large hard-working and fun-loving family in Rolla, Missouri. She never knew her birth father as he died in an automobile accident just a month before her birth. Her mother then married Lewis A olter, her beloved step father. The blended family consisted of Peggy, four sisters (Joan Woehr, Barbara Copeland, E e Robles and Lois Carnes) and three brothers (Earl A olter, Allen A olter and Oscar (Keith) A olter.

After graduating from Rolla High, Peggy worked at the Missouri School of Mines library where she met Patrick Shepard Couch. They married in 1957. After living in California, North Carolina, and Missouri to fulfill military service obligations, the couple settled in Northern California, first in Sacramento and finally in the countryside outside Placerville. There, Peggy raised her six children, as she used to say, “through thick and thin”. After her youngest child began school, she went to work for El Dorado County, retiring after 20 years of public service.

Peggy was, as her maiden name aptly suggests, an uplifting and illuminating force for good. She was a great conversationalist and loved music, singing and dancing. She was an accomplished bowler in a local Placerville league for many years and enjoyed gambling on occasion (nickel or quarter slot machines only). While her children were young she was involved with the Gold Oak Elementary School PTA, 4-H and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Family was everything to her and she stayed in close touch with her siblings, as well as her children, throughout her life. She made several trips alone with her young children, by car and by train, to visit family in Missouri after moving to California. Later in life, she traveled with her siblings to Mexico and Italy, her life-long dream trip.

Her one claim to fame was a cameo in an article on Small Town America in the February 1989 issue of National Geographic, appearing in a photograph with her friend, Nancy, walking into Gaddy Drugs in Rolla, Missouri circa 1955. Peggy lived a humble and practical life, selflessly caring for the happiness of others and was an exemplary mother, wife, sister, and friend. She loved and adored her family and was loved and adored in return. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Peggy is survived by her six children and ten grandchildren; Kevin Couch (Jenny Anderson; Colin); Kitty (Katherine) Tulga (Mark; Nicole Alvarez and Ethan Suaste); Julie Dunn (Tony; Chrystal Garrett and Melissa Mutzig); Sara Easterbrook (Keith; Ian Lange and Elizabeth Easterbrook); Rachel Couch (Natalie Hurt); and Tony (Anthony) Couch (Sequoyah Campbell, Kai Lee Campbell and Denali Campbell); 4 stepgrandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be planned for Spring 2023.

NaDee Harrison

Davidson

July 27, 1934 – Dec 23, 2022

NaDee Harrison Davidson, 88, a 26-year resident of Placerville passed away on Friday, Dec. 23. Before retiring to El Dorado County, she and her husband of 64 years, Jack, lived in Hawaii, where she raised six children and managed a travel agency. She personified the spirit of Aloha, always making everyone around her feel valued and appreciated. Up until the day she died, NaDee displayed a supernatural ability to provide perfectly timed, unexpected acts of love and service that aligned exactly with the needs of the recipients.

NaDee will be forever honored by her children and their spouses, Jacque and Trace Kirk, Richard and Jacki Davidson, Eileen and Je Tuttle, DeAnn and Sid Walch, Daniel and BaBette Davidson, and Je rey and Shain Davidson, her twentynine grandchildren, and her fifty-eight greatgrandchildren, as well as numerous friends and relatives throughout the world. NaDee’s life and legacy was commemorated on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Please refer to www.greenvalleymortuary. com for details.

Gerald (Jerry) Braginton

Sept. 13, 1934 – Dec. 28, 2022

Gerald (Jerry) Braginton, a long-time resident of Camino, Calif., and a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy, passed away at the age of 88 on December 28 at the home of his youngest daughter, Lisa Braginton Miller, in Reno, Nev. He is survived by his wife Rosemary; son Bruce and wife, Pamela; daughter Christi and husband, Fred; daughter Lisa and husband, Mark; grandson Tim and wife, Heather; grandson Tyler and wife, Lindsey; and three great grandchildren, Shelly, Elias and William. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity or the American Heart Association are appreciated. Give heaven some hell dad. “Fair winds and following seas”.

Denise Hayes

Aug. 19, 1956 – Dec. 23, 2022

Denise Hayes passed away on December 23rd, 2022, at the age of 66. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Hayes, her daughters Jennifer Dermer and Kelly Dermer, and her three grandchildren, Avery Rose, Adeline Rose, and Ameila Rose.

Denise lived her life in the town of Placerville California where she worked as a dental assistant on Main Street until her retirement.

As a teenager, Denise drove cars in the demolition derbies in her hometown of Red Blu . Denise enjoyed fishing and camping and has visited the Emergency Room to have a fishhook removed from her ear. Her greatest joy was spending time with her Grandchildren. Denise was a bright soul, with a smile and laugh that will never be forgotten

The body of a man suspected of being involved in a Dec. 12 violent incident in Pilot Hill was recovered from the South Fork of the American River Wednesday, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

The decedent has been identified as Bruce Oscar Gordon, 33, a man local authorities have been searching for since the December incident that sent two victims to the hospital

Odin Rasco Staff writer

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies are investigating an alleged assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking reported in Diamond Springs.

Detectives are requesting the assistance of community members who may have information regarding the location of Amanda Scarbrough. She has been identified as a possible suspect, according to a Facebook post from the Sheriff’s Office.

with “significant injuries.” Sheriff’s officials warned that Gordon was considered dangerous and should

not be approached.

Heard over radio traffic, Gordon’s body was initially sighted on the river Monday with search and rescue teams on scene at about 3:40 p.m. A call to dispatchers indicated a person was seen in the river tied to a rope.

Shortly afterward dispatch logs show that responding officers had advised Gordon was likely deceased.

The cause and manner of Gordon’s death are under investigation, according to a Facebook post from EDSO.

Carjacking suspect sought

Authorities are looking for Amanda Scarbrough, a possible suspect in an assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking that took place in Diamond Springs.

Courtesy photos

GDPUD reorganizes board

Gloria Omania Georgetown Divide Public Utility District

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Board of Directors’ Dec. 13 meeting began with re-elected and newly elected officials taking their oaths of office.

During the board reorganization, Director Stovall received a proclamation recognizing his service as a member of the Finance Committee. Due to his election to the board, it was noted he will resign from his committee commitment.

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Outgoing Director Stewart, who could not be present, was honored with a “leadership appreciation” plaque in grateful recognition of his service as an appointed director since early 2021, along with his earlier tenure from 1974-80, where he served as board president two years. Before moving to the selection of officers for 2023, outgoing board President Saunders said, “I have been honored to serve as president the past two years during the challenging time of the COVID pandemic, board and staff turnover and the Mosquito Fire. Rates have remained frozen; all directors are now able to request items be added to the agenda; and the study of the Auburn Lake Trails Community Disposal System was approved, to name a few (accomplishments). Thanks again to the community, the hard work of the district staff, and the service of the Board members. I look forward to working with all of you.”

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El Dorado County Superior Court Commissioner and Judge-elect Gary Slossberg administered the oath of office to Michael Saunders, who was re-elected to a second term; Donna Seaman, an appointed director elected to her first full term after being appointed in February of 2021; and Robert Stovall, a former member of the Finance Committee elected to fill the seat that opened when appointed Director Gerry Stewart chose not to run for office.

AmAnDA ScArbrough

Wanted man found deceased in river

Odin Rasco Staff writer

NBA versus freedom

Teenage basketball star Enes Kanter was shocked when his teammate criticized President Barack Obama on Facebook.

“Dude, what are you doing?” he exclaimed. He feared his teammate would be jailed.

Kanter is from Turkey, where, as Kanter explains in my new video, people who criticize the president do go to jail. His teammates laughed at him. “They were explaining to me about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, expression, freedom of protest.”

That inspired him.

When Turkey’s president shut down news outlets, Kanter decided, “I’m going to say something about it.”

He tweeted, wrote op-eds, gave interviews. Turkey’s authoritarian rulers retaliated. They jailed his father. “They wanted to set an example; this is what happens if you talk against the Turkish government.”

The NBA supported his protest. “(NBA commissioner) Adam Silver texted me twice and said, ‘Whatever you need, we are here for you. Keep doing what you’re doing.’”

But then he criticized China. Slightly. He wrote, “Free Tibet” on his basketball shoes.

“There’s no rule against it,” he says. Other players put “Black Lives Matter” and “I Can’t Breathe” on their shoes. Criticizing America is encouraged by the NBA.

But “Free Tibet” on a shoe was too much. Celtics officials told him to take them off. He refused. “I was like, I’m not taking them off because it’s literally freedom of speech.”

Actually, it’s not. America’s freedom of speech applies to government. The NBA can legally censor an employee who might cost them money. They did exactly that to Kanter. He didn’t get to play.

It’s clear what the NBA feared. Just minutes after Kanter tweeted a photo of his shoes, China TV banned coverage of Celtics games. But just temporarily.

The Celtics traded Kanter to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets waived him. He’s received no offers from other teams. “I could’ve played another six years,” he says.

He won’t.

Some sports organizations defend their athletes against China’s oppressive rules. When women’s tennis player Peng Shuai accused a Chinese government official of sexual assault and then disappeared for a few days, the Women’s Tennis Association said they would support her even if they lost money.

The NBA won’t.

They could stand up for the right of one player to speak, to peacefully criticize cruelty. It’s reported that the NBA gets 10% of its income from China. The NBA makes billions. They can’t

Letters to the Editor

That was epic

EDITOR:

Ithought I had become numb to the news media’s sensationalizing the weather. Acid rain, bomb hurricanes, atmospheric rivers, blah blah blah. But, holy cow, that Dec. 31 storm was daunting.

In my community all roads were blocked by overflows. There was roughly 10-12 neighbors driving around with tractors clearing culverts to save our roads and neighbors’ property. This storm was larger than what the media was reporting. I’ve lived here since 1994 and the creek that runs through our property crested 3 feet higher than I had ever witnessed.

What I garnered from this storm is just how many people have a sense of community. I met and worked beside people who I discovered live near me that I would have never met otherwise and no one was in a panic.

While I acknowledge just how bad the storm was and people lost their property, I found a lot of good and comfort and admiration of our fellow man a result of this epic storm.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

CAO salary

EDITOR:

Iread with interest in the Dec. 20 Mountain Democrat that the Board of Supervisors would considering paying a new chief administrative officer $315,840 plus benefits for a year of service. Wow!

I am a lifetime member of this wonderful county and do not believe there are any other positions in the county that pay that well. I do not believe that many of the mom & pop businesses make that much for their investments.

Do we really need to compete with Sacramento and other major urban counties to hire someone with letters after their name or should we be looking for someone to run our county government who is familiar with the county and its people and their needs?

Our county government has become a moneycentric organization that is more interested in collecting money than in providing services needed by the people.

In my business I prepare plans, maps and applications for clients.. For most of those applications, the county collects more money in fees for checking such applications than I do for preparing them.

Maybe it is time to quit competing with other organizations that pay too much for what they get and try to hire people who know and understand our community.

JACK SWEENEY Placerville

Organic waste collection

EDITOR:

I’ve just received a flyer from El Dorado Disposal instructing me on how to comply with Senate Bill 1383 by putting food waste into a yard and food waste cart (which I don’t have, by the way). What I want to know is how ED Disposal plans to make that container bear-proof. Or is part of the recent rate hike to pay for an employee to ride along on the garbage truck and pick up the mess the bears leave behind? Given the ridiculously high rates we’re charged for garbage service, this obvious complication of enforcement needs to be their responsibility.

CHARLANE GROSS Pollock Pines

Endless racism

EDITOR:

Every person without a brick between their ears knows that racism is bad. None of us had any say over what color we were born and we all have the same body parts. But Taylor and his love of CRT do nothing but promote endless racism.

I went to school with Hispanics that I had no idea were any different than me. I didn’t know

Seriously considering a 2023 resolution or two

Here it is, already the first Friday of 2023 and I have to resolve to quit watching the House of Representatives vote for a new speaker. It’s been a riveting several days, ever since Tuesday, in fact, but enough is enough frankly. I now know all the House members by name, alphabetical order both from A to Z and from Z to A — a neat trick but not much of real value to my life. Maybe they’ll get a new speaker today.

Sunday is the end of the first week of 2023 and I have managed to keep most of my resolutions, so far. For most of my adult life I’ve had to resolve to quit smoking, but now that one is only a distant memory. If I make it to mid-March, I’ll have a whole six years under my belt. That should be a piece of cake and/or a walk in the park. Ha ha.

Likewise, for much of my adult life every Jan. 1 I had to resolve to lose 10 or 20 pounds or a bit more.

It took me a long time and a lot of New Year’s Days to realize I had to do more than just resolve it — not unlike smoking in several ways with one significant difference. Two years of the COVID19 pandemic and a chronic kidney disease diagnosis just melted the pounds away. And all I had to do was get up in the morning ... or not.

Don’t we all resolve to exercise more in the New Year — walk or run or bike the trail, hit the gym, swim 50 laps? Well, maybe not all of us, but for sure people like me.

I would like to see the end of the war in Ukraine this year and I have resolved to do just that, but I’m going to need some help; like a couple hundred million other resolutions should do it. Amiright?

I’m tempted to implement a resolution to give up football. After the incident on Monday night that left Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin unconscious and with no immediate heartbeat, I really thought

The Mountain Democrat welcomes letters up to 300 words. Letters may be edited. We reserve the right to edit submissions. Include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

Email: editor@ mtdemocrat.net

“enough is enough.” I wasn’t even watching the game between two teams I have no interest in, but cable news replayed the “hit” for the next couple of hours and on into Tuesday as well.

When you think of what a mushhead Georgia’s recent senate candidate Herschel Walker appears to be, you can’t discount a 20-plusyear history of playing all levels of football, absorbing thousands of hits, getting up and getting back on the field only to get pounded for another quarter or two. I’m reminded of the old CW song, “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.”

“Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be Cowboys or Raiders or Chargers and such.”

I think I’d like to grow up and read more non-fiction for a change this year. More Jack Reacher, Doc Ford, Gabriel Allon and Stephanie

Plum for instance — people who get things done even when wading into a blizzard of bad-guy bullets.

If you’ve never read product labels in the grocery store, you might want to take a peek at things like spaghetti sauce and an avalanche of other go-to viands. They’re practically overflowing with sodium. Bread, tortillas and everyday staples like bacon and ham, and don’t even get me started on old friends such as Campbell’s and Progresso soups. Makes me gag just thinking of the damage those buddies can leave in their wake.

I love those things but, just like football, I need to tear myself away from them for awhile. Not forever, maybe just till Sunday or April or July. What the heck. It’s a new year.

Happy 2023 and many more.

Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

ChriS DALEy

i would like to see the end of the war in Ukraine this year and i have resolved to do just that, but i’m going to need some help; like a couple hundred million other resolutions should do it.

Jaywalking not a crime; wages up in new year

Odin Rasco Staff writer

As Californians begin the first days of 2023, they will again take part in a time-honored tradition: learning about the bevy of new laws that go into effect at the start of the year. In an effort to help our readers know what’s coming for 2023, the Mountain Democrat has compiled this list of some of the more pressing or impactful laws going into effect this year.

• Drivers and pedestrians alike will have a different experience on the road with the enactment of Assembly Bill 2147, which, broadly speaking, decriminalizes jaywalking. While some limitations and specifics will still apply, law enforcement will only be permitted to stop a person for jaywalking if a “reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of collision with a moving vehicle.”

• In the wake of an epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous

people, California passed AB 1314, which will introduce the new Feather Alert system. The Feather Alert will operate similarly to an Amber Alert, quickly informing citizens and law enforcement that an indigenous person has gone missing or is in danger. Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Chairwoman Regina Cuellar is among the proponents of the new law.

• Another law concerning transit, AB 1909 makes notable changes to rules regarding cyclists. Passing cyclists on the road will now require drivers to change lanes as they would if they were passing another car, e-bikes will be allowed on more bikeways and cyclists will be permitted to make traffic crossings at pedestrian walk signals.

• California aims to fight the “pink tax” with AB 1287. “Pink tax” describes the practice of charging more for products marketed to women than similar products marketed to men.

risk 10%?

The NBA’s games are extremely popular in China. Chinese leaders probably would have resumed TV coverage. It’s not in their interest to ban NBA games forever.

“More people watched NBA games in China last year than the American population,” Kanter points out. “I don’t really think that China’s going to ban every NBA game.

“But no one in the NBA supported him. No one in management. No teammate. “Ten years I talk about Turkey. I did not get one phone call. I talk about China one day, me and my manager was getting phone call every hour.”

“The hypocrisy hurts me the most. When it comes to problems happening in America, (the NBA is) the first

organization saying, ‘This is wrong. This is what should happen, blah, blah, blah.’”

But silence for victims of torture.

Kanter has now changed his name to “Freedom.” Changed it officially. His real name now is Enes Freedom. “I did it was because I believe the freedom is the most important thing that you can have — after air and water and food. ... What kills me is how a Chinese dictatorship can pretty much control a 100% made in American company and fire an American citizen from that company.”

Even though Enes

Freedom lost a lot, he’s glad he spoke out.

“If God gives you a gift, you can give back to people by standing with them,” he says.

“That means so much to people out there who don’t have a voice. If you are not outspoken about some of the issues that are happening, you’re part of the problem.”

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

Letters Continued from A4

what Hispanic was; they were just other kids that I played with. I didn’t know they were any different from me until you so-called anti-racists made me painfully aware of it. Sometimes I wonder if you promote more racism than you stop.

What schools need to do is quit preaching race altogether. Instead they can teach reading, writing, and math — subjects in which the students in this state rank near the bottom in the country. Graduating at grade level in reading and math almost makes you a star in California.

You can’t guarantee equal outcomes, but you can and must strive for equal opportunity. And that means school choice. Let the money follow the student. Let the people of what ever race or socioeconomic status take their kids from ganginfested, poorly performing schools and place them where they have a chance to get a good education and succeed, giving them a hand up instead of a hand out and an opportunity to achieve.

And for those few racist disruptive students who won’t change, put them into a continuation program and remove them from the student body just as you would remove a cancer.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

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) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

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 Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

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 fourpart 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. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

80, Karl earned a business degree from California State University, Sacramento. He began working for El Dorado County in 1991. “From there on out, I refused to leave,” he joked. He took on several roles during his tenure and in 2010 was first elected assessor, a job he has held since.

“One of the things that I’ve found to be most rewarding … in my job is that when you do need to know about property taxes, where it does become important, I’ve been able to answer the questions, provide the guidance, point to the resources and help people navigate California’s property tax law,” Karl shared at the Dec. 13 El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting where he was honored for his years of service.

He told the board and public he most enjoyed “making government work better” and thanked his staff, Heidi, supervisors (past and present) and department heads — “but most of all to the public who elected me to serve in this position and then re-elected me and have allowed me to have a very fulfilling career in public service.”

Karl called his third term the most challenging as the county grappled with the King Fire, Caldor Fire and Mosquito Fire. These tragedies led to many property reassessments.

Karl’s calm under pressure and commitment to residents earned praise.

“He has been a tremendous asset for the taxpayers of this county,” said Andy Nevis with the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, of which Karl is a member. “Whenever I’ve had a question about how something with property taxes works, he’s been right there to answer it. He’s provided really great wisdom.”

“As the assessor he could really create a lot of havoc in the county. He could also generate a lot of revenue for the county if he so chose,” EDC Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton

said. “But with Karl you always knew he was being fair with our taxpayers … and I never, ever doubted that.”

His staff chimed in, thanking Karl for his professionalism, knowledge and leadership, and two of Karl’s children called in to congratulate their dad on his well-earned retirement.

“He’s always been really dedicated to whatever he does — both for work and how he volunteers and being a dad,” noted daughter Grace Weiland. “I think the public and I are very lucky.”

Stepson EJ Hodgkinson added, “One of the best things about Karl is how much he truly cares for the community and all the people.”

County supervisors also expressed their gratitude, praising Karl for taking on the role of community advocate and ensuring the public has accurate information.

District 1 Supervisors John Hidahl said he always appreciated Karl’s Proposition 13 vigilance and commitment to public education. Calling Karl and Heidi the “dynamic duo,” Hidahl thanked them for their contributions that have helped the county prosper.

“People often who rise to leadership in this county are ones (who) continue to give in quiet, humble ways that people will never know,” said District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas.

As for any professional regrets, Karl told the Mountain Democrat he wished he had more time to update job descriptions within his department as roles have grown and changed over the years. “That gives Jon something to do,” he said with a smile, referring to newly elected Assessor Jon DeVille.

The nearly 70-year-old plans to keep busy woodworking, riding his motorcycle, fishing and traveling in the RV with Heidi and their two golden retrievers, Ginger and Mosey. The Weilands plan to visit their four children and two grandchildren often, hitting the road in every and any direction that suits them.

COMiCS

General Manager Nicholas Schneider acknowledged the recently adopted board policy providing for the rotation of officer positions among directors. After this occurred the board chose new officers for the coming year — Mitch MacDonald will be stepping into the role of president, while Seaman will assume the vice president role. Mike Thornbrough will remain treasurer for the district.

Furthermore, Directors Stovall and MacDonald were selected to serve as liaison members of the Finance Committee, and Directors Seaman and Thornbrough as liaison members of the Irrigation Committee.

The board also reaffirmed the following ad-hoc committees and director assignments:

• Grants Committee: Stovall and Saunders

• Policy Committee: Seaman and Saunders

• Audit Committee: Thornbrough and Saunders

• Labor Negotiations: MacDonald and Thornbrough

Board President MacDonald stated, “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve at the gavel. We have developed a great team of motivated and enthusiastic staff, community volunteers and board members who work synergistically well together as a cohesive team. I want to thank Director Saunders for being an outstanding role model in leadership and encouraging me to prepare for the responsibilities of the position.”

In addition to receiving monthly financial, informational and committee reports, the board took the following additional actions:

Appointed Martha Helak to the Finance Committee. The board interviewed Helak, who is employed as a government relations analyst with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Introduced and received the first

reading of Ordinance 2022-03. The ordinance amends and replaces Ordinance 2015-02, involving theft of water and tampering with district facilities. This update came as the state Senate passed Senate Bill 427 that updates the fine amounts available when water meter tampering or water theft occurs.

Approved district membership to the Regional Water Authority, the California Municipal Utilities Association and the Community Water Systems Alliance. These memberships will help the GDPUD stay in front of legislative issues as well as provide a platform for the district to receive regional support when pursuing grant applications.

Authorized the release of a request for qualifications for consulting services to provide federal advocacy services. With the recent fires and infrastructure funding that is available, it was advised by staff to pursue representation that can ensure the district has a seat at the table when funding and grants are being passed out.

Approved development of a request for proposals for consulting services to develop a water transfer policy. With the changing landscape of water in California it was recommended by staff to develop a water transfer policy that will help to ensure the GDPUD and its customers will be informed about how and potentially when any future water transfers could take place.

Approved the sale of surplus equipment. GDPUD recently posted a couple of surplus items on the GovDeals auction site. The district was able to sell its 1991 Case 580 Super K backhoe for $13,000 and a 2006 Chevy Colorado pickup for just over $1,000. Staff has identified additional equipment that has met its useful life span and will be auctioned online at gd-pud.org/auction-items.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The best leaders are often reluctant to take the position as they understand and respect the potentially grave responsibility that comes with leadership and do not enter into agreements lightly.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). No matter how many bad things have already happened, good things can still happen. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Martin Luther King Jr.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There was a time you needed and craved familiarity but now you’re ready for something different. Adventure calls you. You’re willing to pay the ticket price, which will include the discomfort of uncertainty.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are impressionable, but this is no time to let others run your show. What would you do if you didn’t need anyone, if you were completely self-contained and self-sustaining on every level? Act as though this is true.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your vision of the outside world reflects your inside world. The reason you can see beauty is because there is beauty in you. The same goes for talent, intelligence, kindness, humor and any other quality you observe in the world today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can’t connect with perfect people because humans connect through vulnerability and flaws. Luckily, you don’t know any perfect people, so it shouldn’t be a problem unless someone is too uncomfortable to be their self.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This circumstance is a game. Your role may not seem powerful, but you can still make your move and it still matters. An Italian proverb suggests that when the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your progress is slow, and perhaps even hindered by certain obstacles, but this is nothing that can’t be overcome. Take it hurdle by hurdle. Fuel your journey with hopeful dreams of exciting possibilities.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll be presented with options that seem to fit another person’s goals and not your own. Why accept their way as the only way? You will apply your enormous creativity to come up with interesting alternatives.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A person cannot be deceived who does not, on some level, want to believe the deception. It is impossible to fool you today as you fall in love with the truth, embrace its flaws and celebrate its unchanging nature.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will direct your energy well, thinking about happy things, good opportunities and beauty or the potential for it. When tempted to go negative you’ll gently redirect yourself to accomplish what needs doing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Perhaps pure love is without contradictions, but the love that flows through the imperfect relationships of human beings is rife with them. Today brings messy and marvelous outcomes. The chaos is better than no love at all.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

GDPUD Continued from A3

Courtesy photo

Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District Directors Michael Saunders, Donna Seaman and Robert Stovall, from left, take their oath of office, administered by El Dorado County Superior Court Commissioner Gary Slossberg.

Snow survey

Continued from A1

One year ago the Phillips survey showed the seventh highest January measurements on record for that location. However, DWR officials noted those results were followed by three months of extremely dry conditions and by April 1 of last year, the Phillips survey measurements were the third lowest on record.

More telling than a survey at a single location are DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the state. Measurements indicate that statewide, the snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 17.1 inches, or 174% of average for this date.

This January’s results are similar to results in 2013 and 2022 when the Jan. 1 snowpack was at or above average conditions, only for dry weather to set in and lead to drought conditions by the end of the water year (Sept. 30), DWR officials added. In 2013 the first snow survey of the season also provided promising results after a wet December similar to Jan. 3 results. However, the following January and February were exceptionally dry and the water year ended as the driest on record, contributing to a record-breaking drought. In 2022 record-breaking December snowfall

New laws

Continued from A5

The new law will make it punishable by law for businesses to sell identical or substantially similar products for different prices because of the gender of the target market — razors, for example.

• The minimum wage is seeing two changes at once as Senate Bill 3 goes into effect; the minimum wage for employees will be set at $15.50 an hour and there will no longer be a lower minimum wage for employees working at a business with 25 or fewer employees. In 2022 it was $14 an hour.

• In response to the scourge of catalytic converter thefts, two new

was again followed by the driest January through March period on record, DWR data shows.

“Big snow totals are always welcome, but we still have a long way to go before the critical April 1 total,” said DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Sean de Guzman. “It’s always great to be above average this early in the season but we must be resilient and remember what happened last year. If January through March of 2023 turn out to be similar to last year, we would still end the water year in severe drought with only half of an average year’s snowpack.”

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s water needs and is an important factor in determining how DWR manages the state’s water resources. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California’s “frozen reservoir.” A below-average snowpack impacts water users across the state, putting further stress on the environment and critical groundwater supplies.

Due to these increasing swings from dramatically

bills were passed by Californian legislators. SB 1087 allows only automobile dismantlers, repair dealers and or individuals with documentation of ownership to sell converters. In addition, AB 1740 requires catalytic converter recyclers to get the year, make and model of car the converter comes from, as well as a copy of the car’s title.

• California will stop the sale of fur products in 2023. With the passage of AB 44, fur products cannot be sold or manufactured for sale within the state, with exceptions for used fur products or fur products for specific uses. Violators of the law will be

subject to civil penalties.

wet to dry conditions, Governor Newsom’s recently released “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” calls for investing in new projects and technologies that will modernize how the state manages water. In alignment with the Administration’s strategy, the recently adopted 2022 Update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan identifies actions needed to adapt much of California’s flood infrastructure to a rapidly changing climate. Current climate research indicates the state will see bigger swings from extreme heat and dry conditions to larger and more powerful storms that deliver temporary large boosts to the state snowpack as well as flood risk.

DWR encourages Californians to visit SaveOurWater.com for water saving tips and information, and to continue to conserve California’s most precious resource, rain or shine.

DWR conducts five media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. The next survey is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 1.

• California is adding two new state holidays — Juneteenth (June 19) with the passage of AB 1655, and AB 1801 establishes April 24 as Genocide Remembrance Day. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. According to a statement from the governor’s office, Genocide Remembrance Day will be intended to serve as a day to “reflect on past and present genocides, but especially those that have felt the impact of these atrocities and groups that have found refuge in California, including, but not limited to, the Holocaust, Holodomor,

and the Genocides of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek, Cambodian and Rwandan communities.”

• With SB 960 going into effect, persons interested in becoming police officers in California will no longer be required to be citizens or permanent residents; they will only be required to be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Going into effect shortly before the start of the new year, SB 793 requires all retailers across the state to cease the sale of flavored tobacco or flavored enhancers by Dec. 21. Exceptions have been made for hookah tobacco, cigars costing more than $12 and flavored loose-leaf pipe tobacco.

PEBBLES (A151011)

ETHEL (A147492)

Salary hike

staying fiscally responsible.

“This is a really challenging balancing act,” Thomas shared. “Recognizing all of the challenges that we are dealing with at this county level, we need key people that are qualified … that are talented and knowledgeable about local government.”

But supervisors generally agreed the county’s salary and benefits package — at a time when roughly a dozen other counties are also looking to fill the CAO/CEO role, according to Carruesco — falls short. In a letter to the board, Auditor-Controller Joe Harn notes the county’s CalPERS retirement program of 2% at 60, while it saves the county tens of millions in the long run, is a disadvantage as many other municipalities offer 2% at 55. The county also doesn’t offer retiree health benefits.

“It puts us at a tremendous disadvantage when we are trying to recruit a … really qualified individual that can lead our county,” Thomas agreed.

Still, a 15% salary increase didn’t get much enthusiasm from supervisors or the public.

“With the increase of 15%, it seems like to me that’s a big increase and that big increase … that could be hiring another employee for our county,” District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo said. “(It’s) way, way too much.”

Camino resident Sue Taylor called county leaders’ salaries “astronomical” when compared to the county’s median income.

“We’re a conservative county. We talk about keeping up with the Joneses, these other counties, but I don’t want to be like those other counties,” Taylor said. “I don’t know that you need to do this.”

Placerville resident Mandi Rodriguez joked that she should have gotten into county government rather than the private sector for a better paycheck.

“What the heck was I thinking?” Rodriguez she said during public comment. “You guys are ballin’. What do you even do with all that money?”

Taylor, Rodriguez and other speakers told the supervisors they should find a candidate who wants to work in El Dorado County and cares about the community. “Money doesn’t equal the best employee,” Rodriguez said.

Speakers and supervisors also had concerns about the way the CAO’s salary and those of county counsel and the sheriff would be linked if the board accepted staff’s proposal, which it did.

The board has committed to keeping the CAO the highest-paid executive in the county, now followed by county counsel, who, after the board’s vote Tuesday, receives a salary of 1% more than what the county sheriff earns.

The sheriff’s salary is set by El Dorado County Charter Section 504 — a nonnegotiable rate determined at the end of each year by using comparator agencies (Amador County, city of South Lake Tahoe and California Highway Patrol). The only way that formula is changed is via a charter amendment that must be supported by a majority of county voters.

“We may be fine this year … but you can’t let the system function for many more years because of all the compounding that’s going to occur,” said Diamond Springs resident Kris Payne, speaking on behalf of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County.

Carol Louis, president of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, submitted a letter to the board that asks for a no vote on the item that will set “a costly precedent for taxpayers of this county.”

“… the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County is aware of the constant maneuvering of county management and some elected officials to boost salaries and pensions to the detriment of the county taxpayers,” the letter states. “We the taxpayers believe in fair compensation but we believe you are damaging our trust in your ability to protect the taxpayer from governmental abuse.”

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin agreed that at some point the county will have to untangle Section 504, which was originally designed to recruit and keep law enforcement staff but has since evolved to include a variety of additional positions funded through the EDC General Fund.

“I hear you guys. You know me; I’m frugal but at the same time that argument about coming to El Dorado County, working here for less than you can make somewhere else — I don’t think it works anymore,” Parlin said.

“The workforce is different.”

Parlin paused before making her yes vote on the motion made by Thomas and seconded by Hidahl that supported new Section 504 salaries and classifications, the 10% pay increase for the CAO and county counsel’s salary increase. Edcgov.us lists county counsel’s salary range at $16,135 per month at step 1 to $19,612 at step 5.

El Dorado County’s newly elected and re-elected officials took their oaths of office Jan. 3 inside the Board of Supervisors chambers. Brooke Laine, above, is sworn in as the new District 5 supervisor, officiated by El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth. District 5 stretches from Pollock Pines east to Tahoe Basin communities such as Tahoma and Meyers. Jon DeVille, left, the county’s new assessor, raises his hand and recites his oath. The swearing-in ceremony marks the beginning of county leaders’ four-year terms. Pictured below from left are Treasurer-Tax Collector Karen Coleman, Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, Assessor DeVille, District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin, Judge Ashworth, Surveyor Brian Frazier, District 5 Supervisor Laine and RecorderClerk Janelle Horne. Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

Photo by David Grenier

In the KNOW

Stellar student Congratulations to Laura Cahill, a senior English major from Cameron Park, who was named to the Bob Jones University Fall 2022 President’s List.

Now

The Stormy Weather exhibit at Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom runs through Jan. 12 in the main gallery with the Folsom focus Photography Contest in the community gallery through Jan. 10. For more information call (916) 4616601.

Placerville Friends of Tibet hosts the Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour through Jan. 14. The Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour helps support Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India. For more information visit sacredartsoftibettour. org.

Broadway Sacramento presents “Frozen” through Jan. 15 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit broadwaysacramento.com.

Andis Wines in Plymouth offers a Cozy Month of Soups through Jan. 31. All proceeds from soup sales go to Junior Achievement of Sacramento. For more information visit AndisWines.com/Events.

Jan. 6

The Neon Moon Band performs 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom. com.

The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents John McCutcheon at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Jan. 7

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a one day only Christmas tree recycling event, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at EDH Community Park’s north parking lot. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County Western Slope hosts Heroes Night at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Enjoy dinner and dessert, silent and live auctions and more. For tickets and more information visit bgce.org/ heroes.

Jan. 8

Painting & Vino classes are now at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 1-4

Art on the Divide welcomes colorful artist

Join Art on the Divide Cooperative Gallery in welcoming Mary Adorno as a resident artist.

This month Adorno will be featured and a reception is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 8, where the public is invited to share in the excitement of a new artist to the gallery. Adorno will be on hand to discuss her art techniques as she presents a collection of her favorite pieces. Her show will focus on “colorful transition.”

Adorno has been an artist from a very young age and recently moved to Georgetown from Sacramento, where she had been a resident artist for five years at the Kennedy Gallery in Sacramento. She is multi-talented and experimented first in water colors then later transitioned to chalk, oil pastel and finally moved to oil painting.

The artist prefers painting large landscapes that are more contemporary than realistic. Her style is unique, bold, expressive and exciting. For those unable to attend the reception on Jan. 8, Adorno’s exhibit will be featured on the main display wall at AODC throughout the month of January and afterward within the gallery as a permanent resident artist.

Adorno took formal art classes in both high school and college where she obtained a degree in psychology with a minor in art. “I plan on doing art my whole life as long as I am able to move my hands,” she shared.

Her inspiration is Georgia O’Keefe and her focus is on high contrast with color and texture.

Feeling blue? Head to Gold Country Artists Gallery

Gold Country Artists Gallery, an award-winning artists cooperative in Placerville, hosts a Blue Tag Sale during January. Meet some of the amazing artists during Main Street’s Third Saturday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m. Jan. 21.

Members of Gold Country Artists Gallery are constantly pushing their creative envelopes, evolving their techniques and expanding their collections. As a result, their artwork inventory is bursting at the seams. The gallery is already a great source of fine art at reasonable prices, but during the entire month of January,

to reduce inventory and to make room for more creativity and artwork during the coming year, many gallery artists are offering artwork at a lower cost, giving customers a terrific opportunity to buy quality art at after-Christmas bargain prices.

Gold Country Artists Gallery, 379 Main St. in Placerville, features the work of many award-winning regional artists working in fields as diverse as fine jewelry, photography, fused glass, wood turning, pastels, colored pencil, scratch board and watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. The gallery is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. For more information call (530) 642-2944 or visit goldcountryartistsgallery.com.

“Moon Trees” by Mary Adorno

MARY ADORNO

“Surfside BTS” by Randy Honerlah

“Mama Knows Best” by Lori Anderson

D. Lee Reyes Special to the Mountain Democrat

stage Bar acts ready to rock

ed

10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

January entertainment

Friday, Jan. 6: Kirk Matthew & Los Vaqueros (country/rock)

Saturday, Jan. 7: Inverness95 (alt. rock) Friday, Jan. 13: rockify (Top 40/classic rock)

Saturday, Jan. 14: MoonShine Crazy (country)

Friday, Jan. 20: Sons of Rock (classic rock)

Saturday, Jan. 21: Hill Street (Top 40/classic rock) Friday, Jan. 27: Ariel Jean Band (country)

Saturday, Jan. 28: Thunder Cover (classic hits/ Top 40)

Red Hawk Resort + Casino is located on Highway 50 at Red Hawk Parkway near Placerville and offers guests more than 2,100 exciting slots, all the most popular table games and six award-winning restaurants. For more information call (888) 5733495, visit redhawkcasino.com or download the myRedHawk mobile app.

“The Whale” has been out in limited release in theaters for a couple of weeks now and even though I try really hard not to look at other critics’ opinions before writing my own on a film, sometimes a few slip through the cracks and are impossible to ignore.

Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s new motion picture has had a wide berth of opinions ranging from “extraordinary performance!” to the film being dubbed “a total mess.” Personally, I think both of those descriptions are accurate. Mr. Aronofsky’s film is certainly a mixed bag of one great performance wrapped in an average script tied off with some of Aronofsky’s most head-scratching direction yet. While Brendan Fraser gives an emotional performance that is easily the best of his career, the film itself is sub-par, suffering from contrived, overly-dramatic performances (sans one which I will get into below) and writing that feels more suited for the stage (and honestly could have used a couple months of a stage run to work out kinks) than it does on screen.

I’ve always liked Aronofsy. I’ll never forget seeing “Pi” during the summer of 1998. With that manic, intellectual art-house film, the Brooklyn, New York, native put the world on notice. After “Pi” he helmed “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), “The Fountain” (2006), “The Wrestler” (2008) and “Black Swan” (2010) — a pretty darned good run for a filmmaker’s first five films, if I do say so myself. All were good to great films with stellar performances. His material is raw and dark, diving deep into the gritty poetry of humanity. You may not like some of his subject matter, but you’ll be damned if you don’t find Oscar-worthy performances in most of

On the lead actor front, “The Whale” excels. Aronofsky is at his best when spotlighting broken human beings and Brendan Fraser delivers an empathetic and honest performance with the material he is given. The problem is that material isn’t as kind to some of his fellow actors, who are forced to perform heavy-handed and contrived dialog meant to elicit empathy in the audience for Fraser’s “Charlie” character but instead deviate into tiresome diatribes of anger and insults toward the man. This was disappointing considering the crux of the story centers on Fraser trying to use his limited

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his films. Several of his actors have been nominated for Academy Awards for his films with one (Natalie Portman) taking home the little gold man for “Black Swan” in 2011.

Democrat correspondent

Since 1948, the Keyes Family Vision lives on at Naturwood, where you’ll always find the very best choices, quality, value, and service. Still family owned and operated, we’ve had the privilege of serving thousands with home furnishings that lasts for generations.

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Locally produced audio show Crowdfunds season

News release

It’s not often in the entertainment industry that you see a complex, effects-heavy science fiction series promising a 12-episode season for $50. Even in the relatively-economical world of audio drama it raises some eyebrows. “253 Mathilde” didn’t base this modest Kickstarter goal on naïve optimism, but rather on having completed a first season with zero budget. All 18 actors involved in the first season donated their time because they felt the project was worthwhile and 90% of the season two crowdfund goes to rewarding them with a little pay. The project has already raised more than the minimum $50, but seeks as possible to offer more appropriate pay to the approximately 30 actors who’ll make appearances in the second season.

Voice

apartment. “You

Guest Speaker Karen Russell, Way nder Family (formerly Liliput)

actors record remotely around the world and then series creator Paul Knierim mixes the sounds in his Diamond Springs

don’t need a pristine studio environment for

Courtesy graphic “253 Mathilde” series creator Paul Knierim of Diamond Springs is already producing the second season of his audio drama.

UTTER CREEK — When you take Celtic, Spanish and Italian

it

get the true nature of The Black Irish Band. For 22 years this band has created an original sound that no other band has. Hear the musicians live at Sutter Creek Theatre Saturday, Jan. 7.

Performing both traditional and original music, the band is very focused on presenting acoustic music in a very exciting up-beat way that appeals to all ages. The band has written and recorded 96 original songs that appear on many of is 21 CD recordings. Many of the original works written by the band are based on Celtic history.

Hailing from the historic Gold Rush country of America, the fourmember Black Irish Band of 20 years has a musical style as timeless as the rugged landscape of the West — a tribute to the people whose lives were spent building the world now taken for granted. The band has a large complement of traditional maritime and railroad music, as well as ethnic tunes in its repertoire. The

musicians excel at Irish and Scottish, Italian and American folk music with an assortment of original songs and traditional western ballads. The bands musical style captures the spirit of the immigrants of this land, the men and women who tamed the Wild West.

The band has sold 120,000 albums independently to date and its music has been featured on college radio stations, National Public Radio and on satellite radio programming. The Black Irish Band’s recent original song, “Grizzly of Old California,” which features the vocals of Michael Martin Murphey, has been broadcasted on stations throughout the world. Another noted original work by the band, “Ballad of John Muir,” has been celebrated on the official John Muir National website. The band also boasts 85 music videos on You Tube at trainfire28.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the award-winning historical Sutter Creek Theatre, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek, an intimate, 215-seat former silent film theater with superb sound. The show begins at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 4250077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Carrot Top still having fun, returning to Tahoe

Laney Griffo Tahoe Daily Tribune

Everyone knows the comedy stylings of Scott Thompson. Well, maybe they don’t know the name Scott Thompson, but most people know him by his stage name — Carrot Top.

Thompson has been an active comedian for more than three decades and has spent the last 17 years entertaining fans in Las Vegas with his residency at Luxor Hotel and Casino. Fans will have the opportunity to experience his signature prop comedy at Bally’s Lake Tahoe on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Thompson got his start as a student at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton during his freshman year, when he went to a club and saw live standup comedy for the first time. A few months later his roommate convinced him to sign up at an open mic night and after a handful of nerve-wracking performances, he caught the comedy bug.

Thompson recently sat down with the Tribune to talk about his love of Lake Tahoe and his life outside of comedy. While he’s performed in Tahoe many times, he said he also likes to come

even when he’s not performing, just to take a snowboarding vacation. His go-to spot is Heavenly Mountain Resort.

“It’s so pretty there, you know. You get in that lift and you get to the top and you’re looking at the lake; it’s just so pretty,” Thompson said. “The runs are fun; it’s a good time.”

It’s been a few years since he’s visited the basin but he recalls the last time he was here.

“I had my dog at the time and I remember she was jumping in the lake. It was awesome,” Thompson said. Thompson has more than 200 props and he brings them all each time he tours but he specializes each set to the place he’s performing.

When he’s in Lake Tahoe, he said, “Of course I’ll do ski jokes, things I wouldn’t normally talk about in my Vegas show. I have a whole routine about snowboarding and looking like Shaun White and the whole nine yards. So there will be jokes that I won’t do anywhere else except for Tahoe.”

While Thompson wouldn’t say where he thought the funniest crowds were, he did say Tahoe had some of the rowdiest crowds.

“I used to have this thing where people would

bring me up shots of Jagermeister — good lord — but I remember this one time [in Tahoe], it was like, ‘No I can’t do it anymore.’ I did it one time when I was there and the next time there were like 10, then the next there was 20 … but Tahoe has always had a good energy.”

Thompson is known for his bright red, curly hair — hence the name “Carrot Top” — and he’s so recognizable. When asked if he tries to disguise himself in public, he said no.

“I just go out ...,” he said. “But it’s not like, ‘Oh that guy looks like Carrot Top,’ it’s, ‘That’s Carrot Top.’ It’s fun. This was funny though, just happened on Halloween … this older lady was walking to her car and she said, ‘Oh my goodness, that is a great costume.’”

If a biopic was made about his life, Thompson said he’d like Jason Bateman to play him.

“He’s always so funny. He doesn’t look like me but everything he’s in, I like him,” Thompson said.

When asked if people can still take him seriously outside of his comedy, he said yes but shared one story. He was scheduled to do a show the day his dad died and decided to go through with the performance.

“At the end of my show I do a thing where I do a little toast to the crowd. I find someone in the crowd to come up and do a shot with me. So I said, ‘This is to my father. It’s been a hard day. My dad passed away today’ and everybody laughed. So that was an awkward one time.”

Finally, when asked what he wants fan to know, he said, “I want them to know that I’m having fun still.

“It’s great to come back to Tahoe; it’s been a few years since I’ve performed there so it’s going to be great to come back. Fans can see how the show has evolved over the years,” Thompson added.

To learn more visit the entertainment tab on Bally’s website at casinos.ballys.com/lake-tahoe.

AODC is a nonprofit gallery that represents the artwork of the very best artists and artisans of the local community and the Georgetown Divide. AODC Gallery is located at 6295 Main St., Georgetown. Follow AODC’s webpage for exciting news and events at artonthedivide.com or email aodcgallery@gmail.com.

Adorno Continued from B1

“Two Roses” by Mary Adorno

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Carrot Top brings riotous comedy to Bally’s Lake Tahoe Jan. 14.

p.m., featuring succulents (Jan. 8) and birch trees (Jan. 22). For more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

The VITA Academy presents Great Composers Chamber Music Series featuring Rising Stars of Chamber Music at 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Jan. 9

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive noon to 4:30 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills. Donors will be entered into a drawing for a trip for two to the Big Game which includes airfare, hotel, game tickets and other perks. Go to vitalant.org/BigGame for details. Must be 21 years old to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced Jan. 23. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant. org and use blood drive code SMFM019

or call Vitalant at (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Jan. 11

The Sons in Retirement – Gold Country branch meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Cameron Park Country Club. Check out the club and be a guest for a complimentary lunch. Contact Branch 95’s membership chairman at SIRBranch95@gmail.com for more details.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Blender, 5:30-7 p.m. at Mexico Lindo, 3375 Bass Lake Road, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

Jan. 13

Green Valley Church in Placerville hosts Burl Cain, who will speak about transforming prison culture through the gospel of Jesus Christ at 6 p.m. Admissions free.

Buttered Continued from B2 time left on this Earth to connect with his estranged daughter Ellie (played by “Stranger Things” Sadie Sink). What we get instead is sudden, bombastic entrances into his apartment as characters start yelling at Charlie and go from zero to 100 almost immediately like an unsubtle high school drama. When you have a young actor with the quiet power of Ms. Sink you give her great material, not have her spend 90% of the film teetering between sullen and angry. There can be nuance, even for an angry teen.

Besides Fraser the other bright spot was Hong Chau, who plays Charlie’s friend and off-the-clock nurse, Liz. Despite some of the writing Chau is terrific in every scene she is in and, honestly, I would have preferred it to be just these three characters on

audio drama,” he explained. “Once the background sound layers are added, nobody can tell the difference between a $10 microphone and a $1,000 microphone.”

Knierim has been writing and producing audio dramas for five years, not as a job but as a labor of love.

How has the series achieved professional sound quality without money? It owes a lot to resources built up over the decades by the audio community. Sound effects archives like freesound.org offer searchable access to tens of thousands of effects which cover almost every occasion and Knierim said he improvises a few sounds to fill in the rest. The music comes from websites where composers have generously donated digitally-rendered music to fit any scene or mood. The series creator then spends many hours painstakingly editing each episode, mixing up to a dozen layers of background sounds to make everything come out just right.

What makes “253 Mathilde” worth donating so much time to? It’s the story of humanity’s first interstellar mission,

screen. Instead we have a couple of other characters coming and going throughout the story, including Ty Simpkins as “Thomas,” who is convinced he can save Charlie’s soul before his demise. Mr. Simpkins delivers a good performance, but frankly I couldn’t have cared less about this character showing up every 15 minutes attempting to push his dogma on the other characters. Same goes for Samantha Morton (“Minority Report”) as Ellie’s mom and Charlie’s ex-wife. Her late arrival is not only unnecessary, it takes away precious character time between the father/daughter dynamic that is working toward its conclusion.

In an era where only the biggest, largest budgeted spectacles are blockbusting their way through a

a generational endeavor that takes the series namesake asteroid to Tau Ceti over the course of 114 years. It’s a series that really puts the science into science fiction, painstakingly researching the issues involved, from relativistic effects to gravitational reversals.

“It’s not as complicated as planning the actual mission would be,” related Knierim, “but sometimes it feels like it.”

Despite the outer space setting and the science, the series is fundamentally about the people of a small town: a world with a population of 200 people who’ve spent their lives together through good times and bad. Neither utopian nor dystopian, it offers a nuanced vision of the future filled with complicated people and dilemmas that have no easy answers.

As the crowdfund enters the home stretch, Knierim isn’t waiting around. He’s already completed scripts for 10 of the 12 episodes and is deep into production of the first of them. To learn more or get involved, see the project’s Kickstarter page at kickstarter.com/projects/gavagai/253mathilde-audio-drama-season-2.

majority of theater rooms across the country and there is sparse room for independent or smaller dramas, it pains me to give a review like this to such an extraordinary director, especially when the lead actor (Fraser) and supporting actress (Chau) are worthy of a viewing. On that front it’s worth a look. As a complete work though, the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts.

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/producer. His most recent project, the feature film “No Evidence OF Man,” won Best Original Screenplay of a Feature Film at the 2022 Madrid International Film Festival but the award is lost in the mail due to the UK Royal Mail strike. He can be reached at @ joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.

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