Mountain Democrat, Monday, January 9, 2023

r ain can’t dampen new sheriff ’s spirit

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The new El Dorado County sheriff’s first days on the job kept him busy.

Torrential rains came hours after Jeff Leikauf and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said goodbye to John D’Agostini, who retired after a 12-year run as sheriff.

“The rain was coming down in sheets and it didn’t stop,” Leikauf recalled.

Suddenly the county saw flooding, particularly in Cameron Park.

Leikauf, a Cameron Park resident himself, had his own home flood while he was helping activate county emergency operations, he told the Mountain Democrat.

“It was kind of a crazy beginning that first day the big storm hit,” Leikauf commented.

“We have a 200-year storm but I have confidence and faith in our Office of Emergency Services.

“We live in a community that is resilient and selfefficient.”

And the extreme weather did not dampen his swearing-in ceremony just days later.

Hundreds of people including friends, family, co-workers and community members poured into Green Valley Community Church off Missouri Flat Road to support Leikauf Jan. 3.

Fitting it was for Leikauf and his wife Jenny, who were married at the church

D’Agostini signs off

In the in

2022

Supes make West Slope shelter happen

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

After years of scrapping ideas on addressing homelessness, El Dorado County leaders are implementing a temporary navigation center/ shelter while also making plans to build a permanent site.

After declaring a homeless crisis in spring 2022, the county pursued a temporary site on county-owned land at Perks Court just outside Placerville proper.

The crisis declaration means regulations consistent with local land use plans and the county General Plan are frozen for a shelter project.

PG&E investigated in Mosquito Fire

Rasco Staff writer

The 76,788-acre Mosquito Fire, which Cal Fire lists as the largest blaze in California last year, burned 78 structures across El Dorado and Placer counties and is among the latest to prompt an investigation of PG&E infrastructure.

U.S. Forest Service investigators tasked with determining the cause of the Mosquito Fire took possession of PG&E equipment as flames marched east in the Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests.

“The USFS has indicated to Pacific Gas and Electric Company … an initial assessment that the fire started in the area of the utility’s power

14-year-old killed by DUI driver

Jaramishian Staff writer

Grief overcame the community when a 14-yearold Camino girl was fatally struck in a Feb. 8 DUI hit-and-run.

The driver responsible for Julianna Abballo’s death, 23-year-old Pollock Pines resident Anthony B. Smith, had been arrested on drinking and driving charges four days before the teen lost her life. Prosecutors said that when Smith turned himself in four hours after hitting Abballo his blood alcohol level was .14%, almost twice the legal limit.

Smith pleaded guilty to charges against him, including vehicular manslaughter while under

work and

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Jeff Leikauf was officially sworn

badge

Sheriff Liekauf delivers a post-pinning speech to Green Valley’s packed auditorium.

John D’Agostini

El Dorado County Sheriff – Coroner – Public Administrator

El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini

The Mountain Democrat looks back on some of the top headlines of the past year. See Wednesday’s edition for more top stories.

Odin

Eric

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 step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be planned for Spring 2023.

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”.

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

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:

Dec. 22

4:17 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Sierra Springs Drive in Pollock Pines.

5:32 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported at the casino on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

11:18 p.m. Burglary was reported on Baywood Court in El Dorado Hills.

Dec. 23

4:16 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 48-year-old man suspected of DUI on North Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released on $5,000 bail.

2:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of aggravated battery on Merchant Circle in Placerville.

7:52 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of DUI on Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills. He was later released on $5,000 bail.

LAKE LEVELS

Stumpy Meadows Reservoir as of Jan. 4

Water storage 21,327 acre-feet

Percent full 101%

Inflow – cfs

Outflow 5.63 cfs

Folsom Reservoir as of Jan. 5

Water storage 537,878 acre-feet

Percent full 55%

Inflow 5,773 cfs

Outflow 21,656 cfs

Union Valley as of Jan. 5

Water storage 187,230 acre-feet

Percent full 70%

Inflow 0 cfs Outflow 0 cfs

Loon Lake as of Jan. 5

Water storage 50,628 acre-feet Percent full 73% Inflow 0 cfs Outflow 0 cfs

8:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

8:52 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Alhambra Drive in Cameron Park.

10:33 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of DUI on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

11:21 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 67-year-old man suspected of evading officers on Highway 50 at Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.

Dec. 24

2:10 a.m. Burglary was reported on Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

10:55 a.m. Burglary was reported at an apartment complex on Olson Lane in El Dorado Hills.

3:24 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Marks Drive in Placerville.

5:34 p.m. Battery was reported on Jennifer Lane in Placerville.

Ice House as of Jan. 5

Water storage 31,335 acre-feet

Percent full 72%

Inflow 90 cfs Outflow 0 cfs

Caples Lake as of Jan. 5

Water storage 15,047 acre-feet

Percent full 67%

Inflow 25.51 cfs Outflow 8.57 cfs

Silver Lake as of Jan. 5 Water storage 4,296 acre-feet Percent full 50%

Inflow 0.00 cfs Outflow 89.90 cfs

Sly Park as of Jan. 5 Water storage 38,327 acre-feet Percent Full 93.4%

Inflow 362.80 cfs Outflow 19.80 cfs

American River as of Jan. 5 Flow 1341.00 cfs

28 years ago, on almost exactly the same day he was pinned as the new sheri .

“This is our church home and (this place) has been a rock and solid ground for Jenny and I for the past 22 years. We have had so many amazing moments here over the years,” the sheri said in a post-pinning speech. “We thought when we tried to select a place to do this, ‘Why not share this moment with all of you?’ and we wanted God to be a part of it because he’s been in our lives the entire time.”

If you ask Sheri Leikauf, faith in God and law and order are characteristics of a strong community.

“That and a community that is willing to serve others. We have those right here in El Dorado County,” he continued. “Both our faith-based organizations and law enforcement have worked very hard for those foundations and I guarantee you — we’re going to continue to work even harder to faster and keep those foundations strong.”

El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth swore in the new sheri , then Jenny pinned his new badge to his uniform.

Lead pastor for Green Valley Church Scott Sinner asked everyone in the church’s auditorium to support and encourage the new sheri , just as Aaron and Hur did when Moses’ arms grew tired in battle in Exodus 17.

“Leaders need encouragement. They need help,” Sinner said. “Find a way to encourage leaders whether they look tough on the outside, look like they’ve got it all together and say they don’t need encouragement, because all leaders need encouragement.”

According to Jenny, her husband is motivated and committed to his family, the community and his job.

“Not only has (he) been invested in our family but also the entire community … coaching all four of our kids in every sport they’ve ever played and he managed to do all this while working overtime,” Jenny told the audience.

Je Leikauf then thanked his family members, friends and peers for supporting him in his 32 years so far in law enforcement.

Leikauf Continued from A1

Odin Rasco Staff writer

In anticipation of hazardous conditions resulting from stormy weather, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office sent an alert to smartphones of people in the county Wednesday afternoon. The only problem? Few were able to read the warning for nearly 20 minutes.

The influx of people jumping to the alert link at once overwhelmed servers, which were down for around

17 minutes after the alert was sent, according to an EDSO Facebook post. The alert was made using a system other than El Dorado County’s primary alert system, Rave, because it was the only system that allowed sheriff’s officials to send the alert to residents not signed up for Rave as well as visitors to the area. Sheriff’s officials claim that Rave does not cause server issues like the ones encountered Wednesday.

the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run resulting in death. His June 14 sentencing handed down 16 years and six months in state prison.

Abballo had been walking with a friend along Carson Road east of Barkley Road that afternoon when at about 4:15 p.m. Smith veered off the roadway with his 2018 Honda CR-V, striking the Camino Elementary School eighthgrader.

“We are going through every parent’s nightmare with this,” Christian Abballo, father of Julianna, told a crowd of mourners at a Feb. 10 candlelight vigil held at Camino School.

Family, friends and classmates of Julianna, along with the Camino community, showed an outpouring of support for the Abballo family. Those who knew her remembered her always having a big smile on her face and that she “lit up the room” anywhere she went.

line on National Forest system lands and that the USFS is performing a criminal investigation into the 2022 Mosquito Fire,” PG&E confirms in a filing to the California Public Utilities Commission. “On Sept. 24, 2022, the USFS removed and took possession of one of the utility’s transmission poles and attached equipment.”

PG&E officials had early made note of “electrical activity” that occurred close in location and time to when the Mosquito Fire first sparked near Oxbow Reservoir in Placer County. At that time, the utility’s representatives noted they did not observe any damage or abnormal conditions to the pole or facilities near Oxbow Reservoir or observe a down conductor in the area or any vegetation issues.

The forest fire started Sept. 6 before jumping the Middle Fork of the American River and searing a path up the canyon into the El Dorado County communities of Volcanoville and Quintette. Thirteen structures were burned in El Dorado County before Mosquito was contained Oct. 22. Impacts continue though flames have died out.

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District saw damage to its water conveyance infrastructure. Operations Manager Adam Brown reported that GDPUD as of Nov. 13 had spent $78,577 to make repairs with an additional $53,047 in encumbrances. The water district’s leaders were considering filing a lawsuit against PG&E for damages. The Placer County Water Agency sued last month.

As part of Pacific Gas and Electric’s Community Recovery Program,

the company began offering direct payments to those whose homes were destroyed in the Mosquito Fire. PG&E officials stated that their goal is to resolve all claims within 75 days from the time a claim is submitted. The program was launched in May 2022 and issued more than $37 million in payments to claimants from the 2021 Dixie Fire, according to a PG&E press release.

A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission shows PG&E executives project a loss of $100 million in connection to the Mosquito Fire. As of Oct. 20, three complaints related to the Mosquito Fire on behalf of at least 34 plaintiffs had been filed, according to PG&E’s SEC filing.

Fire victims also saw community support, including aid from Georgetown’s Unsung Heroes, a group of Divide residents devoted to helping others when times get tough. At a Dec. 10 dinner organized with the help of the Food Bank of El Dorado County, Unsung Heroes presented checks of $1,600 to victims while executive director of the food bank Mike Sproull presented them with $250 gift cards.

As work to clean up in the wake of the conflagration began, El Dorado County started seeking bids from contractors in early December for the removal of ash, debris and compromised concrete foundations, with the cap set at $3 million. In addition to the debris removal contract, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a $2 million contract with engineering and consulting firm Tetra Tech Inc. for monitoring and site assessment.

Shelter Continued from A1

The county kicked the Perks Court idea to the curb then made plans to implement a temporary shelter at the site of the old juvenile hall at 299 Fair Lane in Placerville. County staff said the center could be open as soon as mid-January. At the same time the Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a permanent navigation center at the former sheriff’s headquarters at 300 Fair Lane. Both sites are adjacent to the El Dorado County Government Center.

The decision to supply the county with a navigation center has been met with mixed reception and the topic became political at times. The El Dorado County Republican Central Committee sent out mailers to county residents bashing the idea, making claims the center would provide “housing with no accountability” and lead to more drug use and crime.

Additionally an anonymous California Fair Political Practices Commission complaint against District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas

initially stopped the board from voting to move forward with building a navigation center at Perks Court. The complaint claimed Thomas’s ownership of commercial buildings on Broadway in Placerville created a conflict of interest in her ability to vote due to a homeless encampment located on upper Broadway.

County stakeholders have worked continuously to address homelessness. Last year Sheriff John D’Agostini revealed a plan to place a homeless camp near the county jail. While at first county leaders were onboard with the plan, which received plenty of praise from the public, they decided to try to find another path due to legal and financial risk.

Around the same time the county also scrapped an idea to purchase the Best Western Stagecoach Inn on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines to implement Project Homekey, which would allow the county to convert the hotel into a homeless shelter using state funding.

Mosquito Fire Continued from A1

Abballo

Continued from A1

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian El Dorado County plans to implement a temporary homeless navigation center/shelter at the site of the old juvenile detention facility in Placerville.

n See alert system, page A5

Friends of Julianna Abballo embrace at a vigil at Camino School Feb. 10, above. Those who knew Julianna, pictured at right, said she had a big smile that “lit up the room” anywhere she went.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Courtesy photo

The Placer County Water Agency submitted this photo in the lawsuit claiming the Mosquito Fire was caused by a defect or a malfunction with PG&E’s electrical transmission facilities and equipment.

Courtesy photo

2022: Well, it could have been worse

As the Legislature gavels in for another session of taxpayer abuse, we can look back at the last session and cheerfully report it could have been worse. The Legislature sent Gov. Gavin Newsom 1,166 bills last year. He signed 997 and vetoed 169.

Fortunately, the midterm elections served to concentrate the minds of lawmakers, taming many of the Legislature’s more radical proposals. However, several bills signed by the governor are still cause for concern among taxpayers.

Assembly Bill 257 imposes “sector-wide minimum standards” for wages, hours and working conditions at fast-food chains. While not a direct taxpayer issue, it is a government mandate that will significantly increase costs and we know those costs will be passed onto the consumer like an indirect tax. The franchisees have collected signatures to place a referendum on the ballot to overturn it. If the measure qualifies, voters will decide in 2024 whether the law will take e ect.

Assembly Bill 2582 is one of two new laws that change the process for recall elections at the local level. It removes the choice of a successor from the ballot, allowing voters to vote only on the recall of the elected o cial. A vacancy would be filled later by appointment or a special election. The former removes the right of the people to select a successor and the latter unnecessarily drives up recall election costs.

Assembly Bill 2584, among other things, eliminates the ability to have a stand-alone, local special recall election and would allow special interest groups to litigate the statement of reasons given for the recall and to sue proponents for libel. Recalling elected o cials requires sober consideration but is absolutely a legitimate tool in the arsenal of a functioning democratic republic.

Assembly Bill 2780 authorizes the city of Selma to initiate, participate in, govern or finance an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District. EIFDs do not require voter approval to form and while general obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of a municipality’s general fund, EIFD bonds have

The Balancing Act

Letters to the Editor

Speeding

EDITOR:

Ihave been wondering for years now why it’s posted through our town that the speed limit is 40 mph when almost no one obeys it?

People coming down from Tahoe are the worst. I have to get onto Highway 50 at the Mosquito Road on ramp — not an easy feat to begin with but add those who simply can’t be bothered to slow down to 40 and it’s almost impossible some days. People coming into town from the other way are just as bad. I have actually seen vehicles flip over coming around the corner on Highway 50 by the overpass near In-and-Out Burger.

Where are those who are supposed to be ticketing these blatant speeders? Or is Placerville afraid to ticket those tourists passing by for fear of them not returning? Why on Earth is everyone in such a big hurry?

KORI TAYLOR Placerville

When choosing sides

EDITOR:

We lost power Dec. 14 at 4 a.m. and it came back four hours later. But the land phone and computer did not. Our carrier said is would be Dec. 28 or 29 before they could fix it — something about the Christmas spirit. They said they appreciate our business.

I called back and got a human, Victor. I told him we had a hospice patient in the home. Victor put our situation through as a medical emergency, sent a new modem and gave us instructions to install it. The new modem didn’t work.

I visited the library to read my email regarding recent medical tests. The library computer did not

allow me to use the email address I’ve had since the late 1990s, first in Asheville, N.C., in my native New England and here. If I could be scared, this would have scared me.

I interrupted the librarian checking out celebrity autobiographies and self-help books. The librarian brought a second librarian to the computers to try to help. They could not help.

Is there someone out there who requires me to have a smartphone? A flip phone can access the web but I no longer trust my flip phone to recognize me to be me. Nor would I want it to — not safe.

Dec. 26: Victor calls very upset about the modem. Good man.

Dec. 28: The repairman comes. The trouble is not at the house but in the telephone pole. Lineman will come fix by 4 p.m. Lineman doesn’t come. I waited all day. I won’t tell Victor because it will make him feel bad. Good man.

Dec. 29: I hand-deliver a typed copy of this letter to the editor. No computer, of course.

I have been at a distinct advantage since I got too old to beat up the bully in the schoolyard. What would people say? I can’t throw down the gauntlet or anything. It’s only words and words are all I have to ... well, never mind. Like I said, I’m glad I don’t scare.

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

Word burning ... another hit to the First Amendment

Word burning is nothing more than a short version of book burning — an idea abhorred in America, the country of free speech. As part of the First Amendment of the Constitution, it should be noted it was the first amendment, the most important amendment, as it was placed in the Constitution to protect all speech, especially political speech. It protects speech that might be o ensive to some. It protects opinion speech. It protects expression of likes and dislikes, love, hate and the new term “harmful,” good and bad and everything in between. And by definition, there is no arbiter of free speech.

Stanford University disagrees.

One of the formerly great learning institutions of America, Stanford University (which could now be considered an indoctrination institution) has decided not only to ban certain speakers, books (there are many leftist professors who have banned book lists) and ideas, it now has decided to ban individual words and phrases which university leaders have decided are o ensive, hateful and/or harmful. Stanford is e ectively banning human emotion. What is most surprising is the name “Stanford” hasn’t been banned. Founder Leland Stanford was

considered a “robber baron” as he was the founder and president of the Central Pacific Railroad, which used a significant amount of Chinese labor to build and finish the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Stanford also created the university on about 8,000 acres of land that was once allegedly a significant part of the traditional territory of the Mewukma Indian tribe. Maybe Stanford sta /students should immediately abandon their campus and return it to the rightful owners. I wonder if the Mewukma had a written (recorded) deed with a “metes and bounds” description and identified property markers?

Stanford is banning words it determines can be o ensive, harmful or hateful. Maybe those three words — “o ensive, harmful and hate” — should be banned and then the problem would go away. But they can’t because words are a verbalization of thought. But if they can ban certain words, then what “thought” comes next?”

Let’s look at the ban word list. First is “American,” then “brave” and “addicted.” I reckon addicted might be o ensive and make drug addicts feel bad. How do the Atlanta Braves still exist? The Cleveland Indians are gone as are the Washington Redskins. The Atlanta Braves have

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

What is most surprising is the name “Stanford” hasn’t been banned. Founder Leland Stanford was considered a “robber baron” as he was the founder and president of the Central Pacific Railroad, which used a significant amount of Chinese labor to build and finish the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

no intention of changing their name, which has existed for 110 years. No one felt bad when the Boston Red Stockings became the Boston Braves in 1912. Maybe the word “Indian” should be banned as well.

Continuing with the banned words, “survivor,” “victim” and “abort” make the list. I guess the formerly No. 1 rated TV show “Survivor” will have to change its name and brand to “experienced” or some such nonsense.

And there will be no longer any victims in this country, just “people of impact.” A rape victim will no longer be a victim but a person impacted by a human acting as an animal. Oh, wait, animal is another banned word, especially when used referencing another human. Maybe animal will be replaced by deranged or psychotic. Probably “mentally disturbed” will not be allowed. What’s going to happen to the Detroit Lions or Jacksonville Jaguars or even our own El Dorado High School Cougars? What will happen to the “House of the Rising Sun” (performed by the Animals)?

Abort will be replaced by words like cancel, end or terminate. Abort

is a term often used in aviation and as such it is an international word used to terminate a procedure like landing and a takeo . English has become the international language of aviation because of its brevity and radio time is precious and lives depend on quick and complete understanding of communications.

The word “immigrant” is out, as is “illegal.” You are supposed to say a “person who has immigrated” — typical of egg heads who like to sound like something they are not, an intellectual. One of the beauties of English is how concise and precise the language is. If you look at any airport sign in four languages, the English is always shorter in length and syllables than any of the other languages. Here the egg heads are using four words when one will do nicely. Is egg head still OK or are we o ending those who lay eggs?

As to words being o ensive, we need to remember a childhood saying “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” How quickly we forget our freedom and word burning is

LARRY WEITZMAN

Continued from A4

no such assurances. This creates a much greater risk for the bondholders and taxpayers, resulting in higher interest rates and thus less money for projects. This bill sets a bad precedent for other cities.

HJTA opposed Senate Bills 54 because as consumers are already feeling pinched by inflation, the Legislature is placing an unnecessary fee on the production of single-use packaging and plastic, single-use food service ware that are part of many Californians’ daily lives. This law will only exacerbate skyrocketing costs in this difficult economic climate.

Senate Bill 679 establishes the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency and would authorize the agency to, among other things, raise and allocate taxes, incur and issue bonds and other indebtedness and place tax measures on the ballot in Los Angeles County. While HJTA opposes the bill for all our usual reasons, it’s also completely unnecessary, except to provide political cover for elected officials. As the Assembly’s own Committee on Appropriations staff report notes, “Such powers and capacities already exist within the county government.”

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association supported a few good bills signed into law.

Assembly Bill 1249 clarifies that victims of the Butte Fire, North Bay Fires and the Camp Fire are exempt from state gross income tax for amounts received from PG&E’s Fire Victims Trust.

CROSSWORD

HJTA supported Senate Bill 1246 because, like AB 1249, it provides a tax exemption from state gross income tax settlement awards from Southern California Edison for victims of the Woolsey and Thomas fires.

Senate Bill 1271 amends the public contract code to require no-bid contracts of $25 million or more to be subject to an oversight hearing of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee prior to a renewal or extension of the contract.

But it’s a new year and that means hundreds of new laws will be proposed. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association will be watching the Legislature closely to protect your interests. To stay informed, sign up for email updates at HJTA. org.

Happy new year!

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Scott Kaufman is HJTA’s legislative director.

Weitzman

Continued from A4

just another attack on that freedom. It’s another example of the Orwellian “1984” society emerging right down to the “historical negationism” and the development of the Ministry of Truth. It took just 40 years longer than Orwell thought. Thank goodness for my mortality.

Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.

Alert system

Continued from A3

County residents and visitors looking for up-todate information on the storms can visit edcgov. us/flooding/2022-2023-storm, a website created by the county for that express purpose. The site provides information on animal services, road closures, evacuation orders, power outage reporting and tracking, emergency alert messages and more. Individuals interested in receiving county alerts can also sign up for Rave by following the instructions at ready.edso.org.

The text of the alert that was sent reads as follows:

This is an important storm message from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. If you live or are traveling through any of the El Dorado County burn scars created by the Caldor or Mosquito fires, be aware and prepared for mudslides and debris flows in those areas. The Mosquito Burn Scar area includes the properties north of Volcanoville Road into the Middle Fork of the American River Canyon, which borders Placer County. The Caldor Burn Scar includes the town of Grizzly Flat, Mormon Emigrant Trail, the Highway 50 corridor and Christmas Valley in the South Lake Tahoe Basin. Due to the forecasted seriousness of the incoming weather, if you live in an area prone to flooding, be aware and prepared for new and recurring flooding in your area. Please follow the El Dorado County and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Facebook pages for important information and emergency alerts.

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

You use a blue crayon. A friend uses a green one. Race to the nish of this maze!

DANVILLE, Calif. – Have you ever wondered what happens to the crayons you get in restaurants to color while you are waiting for your food?

One day when Bryan Ware was at a restaurant with his children, he picked up one of their crayons and asked, “I wonder what happens to these crayons after we leave, if we don’t take them home?”

Bryan asked his server and was shocked and saddened to find out that the crayons were thrown away.

He took the crayons home that night. He thought the life of a crayon should not end after just one meal. Bryan thought about the thousands of kids that would enjoy these barely used crayons. That’s when he came up with the idea of recycling unwanted crayons for children.

Bryan started a non-profit called The Crayon Initiative. His organization collects unwanted or broken crayons and melts them down to make new crayons which are donated to children in hospitals.

More than 500,000 pounds of crayons end up in landfills every year. To date, The Crayon Initiative has donated over 15,000 packs of crayons to children’s hospitals.

The crayons are made in Bryan’s kitchen. His wife, kids and a lot of friends help sort crayons into color groups in their backyard. And volunteers from around the community as well as big corporations help sort crayons, too!

Whoops! Use your crayons to unscramble the words on each crayon label to figure out which color to make each crayon.

This week’s word:

INITIATIVE

The noun initiative means the first step in taking action.

Kevin showed initiative by calling his sister when he accidentally broke her reading glasses.

Try to use the word initiative in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family.

Resources That Help You Learn

What resources do you use to get your schoolwork done each day?

In

the

KNOW

Stellar student

Congratulations to Jessica Pham of El Dorado Hills, who made the fall 2022 University of WisconsinMadison Dean’s List.

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) 2584825 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. 12

The Placerville Area Chess Club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Cameron Park, 3446 Coach Lane. For more information call Neville Arroues at (530) 642-9043.

Otto Lee, director of UC Davis Jazz Bands, will lead his quartet in a wideranging concert. The group consists of Lee (tenor saxophone), Chris Janzen (guitar), Richard Giddens Jr. (bass) and Antonio Montanez (drums) at 12:05 p.m. in the Ann E. Pitzer Center recital hall in Davis. For more information visit arts.ucdavis.edu.

The Wild Sheep Foundation hosts its 46th annual Convention and Sporting Expo, The Sheep Show, Jan. 12-14 at the

DAR members generously give back

uring the holiday season the El Dorado Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution stayed busy with a number of activities, several with a focus on local veterans and children.

The Women’s Issues Committee chaired by Sandra Hand presented Hearts Landing founder/President Donna Eckwortzel with a check for $1,500 to be used in the organization’s work to support veterans and families of veterans suffering from PTSD.

In addition to committee members Hand, Chris Forté, Sharon Melberg, Ann Chambers and Janice Pringle, the presentation was also attended by DAR California State Regent Susan Broderick and DAR District II Director Carol Ann Nolan.

The chapter also participated in leading the flag procession at the Veterans Day Celebration, distributed cards, treats and continued to make regular food donations for the veterans. In addition, while recently in Hawaii, Chapter Regent Sally Johns arranged to have a wreath laid at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in the name of the chapter.

Regent Johns informally designated chapter member Jo-Jo Salton as the group’s “holiday cheer coordinator.” On top of her commitment to supporting numerous chapter projects, Salton coordinated members in decorating a tree awarded by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. Standing alongside Highway 50, the DAR Christmas tree was resplendent with its patriotic lights and decorations.

Salton, along with her team of Beki Parks, Suzanne O’Rourke, Sarah Johns, Sally Johns and Brian Salton, decorated a truck with a DAR theme for the Hangtown Christmas Parade in

Mosquito Fire podcasts Students take listeners behind the scenes

Georgetown School of Innovation sixth-graders started last September thinking they would complete a photojournalism project but evacuations due to the Mosquito inspired a change of plans.

Instead, students created StoryCorp-type podcasts about different agencies that helped during the Mosquito Fire. The class came up with 10 different agencies to interview, from the Georgetown Fire Department (“Hometown Heroes,” episode 1), to the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District (“Unsung Heroes,” episode 5), to El Dorado County Animal Services (“Animals on the Loose,” episode 9), to pilots (“Wings of Fire,” episode 3) and everything in between.

Students broke into 10 groups and immediately started creating interview questions tailored to each agency. They recorded their interviews with the help of Cody Diamond of the Boys and Girls Club in the newly created sound booth at the Georgetown Club House.

“The best part was doing the interviews and getting together to create a story that others can enjoy,” said sixth-grader Haven Bailey.

Many interviews ended up being 30-40 minutes long. The students were then tasked with taking these interviews and editing them down into a five-minute story. For many this was the hardest part of the project. They chose titles for their episodes, interesting quotes to pull out, created another script and then headed back into the sound booth to record a second time.

When everything was done each group had an amazing StoryCorp highlighting their agency, complete with music and an introduction. The podcasts can be streamed at gtcubs.bomusd.org

Carol Bly Special to the Mountain Democrat

Courtesy photo

El Dorado DAR Chapter Regent Sally Johns, left, and Hearts Landing founder/President Donna Eckwortzel enjoy spending time with Midnight, the 2,400-pound, 18-hands-tall Percheron.

Black Oak Mine Unified School District News release

by clicking on the “Behind the Scenes of the Mosquito Fire” link near the top right side of the page.

The community, families and interviewees were all invited to listen in person to episodes as well as presentations in November. It was a great turnout and made everything come full circle for the students involved.

Courtesy photo

Sixth-grade students Jaxon Kozicki and Bryce Reynolds interview El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy George Madaryan for their podcast.

Baby santiago safely arrives new Year’s Day

Thea Hardy Barton Health

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – Barton Health welcomed the first baby of the New Year at 1:33 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 1.

Santiago Alejandro Rios, male, weighing 4 pounds, 3.7 ounces and measuring 17 inches long was born to Amelia Rios Loya and Francisco Lopez of San Jose. Dr. Elisabeth Nigrini, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, oversaw the delivery at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Center.

“I came up to Tahoe to visit family for the holidays and when I started having contractions on Thursday, I was worried about my labor because I don’t live here and don’t know the area very well,” Rios Loya said. “Everyone was great! All the staff have

been very friendly and kind and I’m so happy I delivered here.”

Santiago is her fourth child and her first born at Barton; her other three children were born in San Jose and Sacramento. Rios Loya reflected on past birthing experiences. “When I had my other babies, I waited a very long time at the hospital. Here at Barton, I was seen immediately and it meant a lot to me.”

The family was presented with a wagon filled with gift items donated by local businesses and organizations valued at over $2,800. This ongoing tradition unites the community in celebrating the first baby of the New Year.

In 2022, 287 babies were delivered at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Center. Learn more about the center at BartonHealth.org/ FamilyBirthingCenter.

Substance abuse education offered online at no charge

News release

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention & Education, formerly known as the El Dorado County Opioid Coalition, has relaunched of its Community Awareness Substance-use Education series with an educational 2023 line up.

COPE will host six free virtual educational sessions that will focus on making the CASE toward breaking through the barriers of stigma and the complexities of substance use. Each 30-minute, virtual CASE session will feature a guest speaker/presenter and time for group Q&A and discussion. The sessions will be bi-monthly, 12:30-1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, Jan. 11 through Nov. 8. January’s CASE event, Fighting Stigma: Promoting Recovery through Service, will feature Mr. Coleman, a concerned community

member with lived experience.

El Dorado COPE is a communitywide collaborative of public and private partners working collectively to open dialogue on the harmful effects of stigma, the complexities of substance use and the availability of medicated-assisted treatment programs and harm reduction resources available within El Dorado County. There will be several local presenters from Marshall Medical, Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition, the El Dorado Community Health Center and other health- and wellnessfocused community organizations.

To register for January’s event visit CASEJanuary2023.eventbrite.com.

For more information regarding COPE’s CASE series visit ElDoradoCOPE.org/CASE. To stay updated on speaker/presenter announcements and COPE’s CASE series follow @ElDoradoCOPE on Facebook and Instagram.

Courtesy photo

Rayanne Marshall, RN, left, and Unit Coordinator Valeria Perez, right, pose with Amelia and baby Santiago at Barton’s Family Birthing Center.

Women’s Fund El Dorado grants period now open

News release

El Dorado County nonprofit agencies serving the Western Slope of the county are now invited to apply for grant funding from Women’s Fund El Dorado. In an e ort to remain an e ective 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.

In 2023, $100,000 is expected to be awarded. Request for proposals must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 26. An applicant workshop for prospective grant applicants is set for Jan. 11. Details are provided on the Women’s Fund El Dorado website, womensfundeldorado.org.

WFED’s Inspiration Grant will award a total of $52,000 this year. 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 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 o ering 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.

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. 26 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 event scheduled for March 30 and closes April 14. Grant recipients will be notified April 19 and formally recognized at the Women’s Fund Grants Gala May 4.

To qualify for funding, organizations must have nonprofit status and an established o ce 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 Teri Whiting 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 $1,014,898.

WFED Wickline scholarship ready to help local women

News release

Applications for Wickline Scholarships awarded via Women’s Fund El Dorado are now available.

To be eligible, students must meet all of the following criteria:

• Reside on the Western Slope of El Dorado County

• Be a female 22 years of age or older

• Be accepted by and plan to attend an accredited educational or vocational institution for any period between June 1 and May 31

• Demonstrate financial need

• Be available for a possible interview by the Wickline Scholarship Committee

In 2023 scholarships of up to $2,000 each will be granted.

Applications are due before 5 p.m. March 11. Visit womensfundeldorado. org/wickline for more details and required documentation. Those with questions are asked to email the WFED Education Committee chair at education@womensfundeldorado.org.

Applicants will be notified in early April. Recipients will be invited to the Women’s Fund El Dorado annual Grants Gala to be introduced to the membership.

A legacy gift from Marian Wickline in 2009 as well as a generous gift from US Bank provides the opportunity to o er this scholarship.

PG&E offers money for college

News release

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

More than 150 awards totaling more than $200,000 are being made available through scholarships created by PG&E’s 11 employee resource groups and two engineering network groups. These groups support and advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within PG&E and the hometowns it serves.

These scholarships are awarded annually to help o set the cost of higher education. ERG and ENG scholarship winners will receive awards ranging from $500 to $6,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership.

PG&E ERG and ENG scholarship information, including criteria and applications, is available on PG&E’s website, pge.com. To be considered for a scholarship, all applications must be submitted by Feb. 24.

“Many recipients of our ERG and ENG scholarships are the first in

their families to attend college. These awards help develop our future leaders and breakthrough thinkers and are part of how we’re living our purpose at PG&E — delivering for our hometowns, serving our planet and leading with love,” said Marie Waugh, PG&E vice president/chief talent, culture and inclusion o cer.

“I do not have enough words to express my gratitude for the award, especially as a first-generation college student. I’m excited to see where my future education and experiences will take me. I couldn’t be more thankful for your kindness in supporting my future,” said Alexis Renihan, a 2022 Women’s Network ERG scholarship recipient, who’s majoring in dietetics at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Since 1989, PG&E’s ERGs and ENGs have awarded more than $5 million in scholarships to thousands of recipients. The funds are raised totally through employee donations, employee fundraising events and Campaign for the Community, the company’s employee giving program.

More than 10,000 PG&E coworkers belong to ERGs and ENGs. Each group helps further the company’s commitment to serving its hometowns and growing coworker engagement.

COMICS

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don’t always follow logic. You’re as wild as the wilderness itself -- an organism of instinct and thought with the ability to switch modes. Trust in the reasons beyond what logic can provide.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Clarity is a precursor to success. You’ll assess the relevant factors and speculate as to what influences could come to bear on the situation. There is no blame to assign, only facts to be dealt with.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Change is scary. What will happen if you try to change? Whether you try or not, you’ll still change. You’d rather steer things in your desired direction. It’s very much worth the work.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). As the sign of old souls, you love other things that are old, too, like friends and artifacts. Treat them with tenderness. With age comes fragility of form, substantiality of content.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You never know what is going on in another person’s head, heart or life. So when relationships improve or just shift, it may have little to do with your influence. Center yourself on your own wants.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll let people know you accept them as they are. It’s not something you say. You just feel it and they can tell. Maybe it’s why they are open and amenable to your suggestions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It will be your pleasure to

spend time with someone dreamy and energizing. Finding good company is like frolicking in a field of saffron — the exotic spice made from flowers that the ancients called “sunshine for the soul.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Nerves are a natural response to this high-stakes game you’re playing. You do your best to keep jittery energy from seeping into your interactions, but if it seeps in anyway it will only endear you to the people around you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You want to know how to help your colleagues and clients find their true potential. You are able to tap into the hidden talents of others. You help people find their voice and make sense of their life story.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While you are confident, assertive and decisive, one of those decisions has to do with making less of them. Being the one who follows directions instead of giving them can come as a big relief.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No one cares what happens in situations where they already believe they are powerless. You want to be where your actions and opinions make a difference and will move on to the environments where you can create an impact.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). What would happen if you stopped fighting and just gave into it? Maybe it’s not the right choice for you, but the mental exercise of imagining your surrender could strengthen your resolve or help you think of new tactics to try.

■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino. A complete schedule of events, pre-registration and other details are available at wildsheepfoundation.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.

Jan. 14

The Sierra Ridge Interact Club Community Breakfast will be held 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the community center, 2675 Sanders Drive in Pollock Pines. Enjoy sausage, pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, coffee, hot chocolate and juice for $3.50 (seniors), $4.50 (general) and $10 (families).

Bring your dreams, meet new people and get clear on your intentions for 2023 with a fun Vision Board Workshop, 1-4 p.m., hosted by Stephanie Shrum of Intero Real Estate at 516 Main St., Placerville. Event is complimentary, but registration required by Jan. 11 by calling (530) 777-7325 or emailing home@ StephanieShrum.com.

El Dorado County People to People International and sister city Warabi, Japan, host a Zoom meeting at 4 p.m. at El Dorado Hills Fire Station 85, 1050 Wilson Blvd. in El Dorado Hills. Members, youth exchange participants, hosts and anyone else who has played a role in the sister city program is invited to celebrate the 45th anniversary of this international relationship. For more information visit edcpeopletopeople.org.

Art & Wine with Something MORE takes place 6-9 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Shop one-of-a-kind art while enjoying bites from local restaurants and tastes from local wineries and breweries. For tickets and more information call (530) 622-4848 or visit morerehab.org.

Historical Knight Foundry, 81 Eureka St. in Sutter Creek, is open to the public on the second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’re firing up the antique blacksmithing forge, pouring and crafting hot metal and demonstrating the magnificent and still-intact machinery. For more information email info@ knightfoundry.com or call (209) 560-6160.

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) 461-6601.

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 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.

The Master Gardener public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 621-5512 and leave a voicemail or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool or email mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

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.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $16 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Gtown students immersed in projects galore

Black Oak Mine Unified School District News release

At Georgetown School of Innovation several classes have completed community service projects as part of the school’s project-based learning model. Many of these projects came about after the Mosquito Fire.

Mrs. Barbour’s class with the help of parent volunteer TK Chiang, wrote a song and created a music video about the Mosquito Fire. The video talked about the fears students felt during the fire but it focused mostly on the people who protected them. Channel 13 came to school to do a story about the video and aired the video on the news. The video is also available on Youtube.

Mrs. Marshall’s first-grade class created a fire safety video. The students all worked on memorizing their phone number and address. They also learned how to call 911 in an emergency and what to do in case of a fire. The students were also able to visit the fire station and Smokey Bear.

Mr. Appleby’s third-grade class created projects inspired by Dr. Seuss. Appleby’s third-graders dove deep into Seuss’ positive messages and themes. With the goal of making the world a better place, students then created their own characters, stories and poetry that literally “came to life” through iMovie-captured performances in their very own SEUSSLAND classroom.

The fifth-grade class, led by Mr. Royal, was busy with two projects. Since the start of the year they have been working on an environmental project. They have been learning about how long it takes for items to decompose. As part of the project they did trash pick-up in the nature area and around campus. Their goal was to collect 20 pounds of garbage from the nature area and they exceeded that goal. The other project was creating a handprint American flag as a gift to the local fire department thanking firefighters for their work on the Mosquito Fire.

Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Todd’s classes went to the VFW and interviewed local veterans about their lives and experiences. They took this information and wrote biographies of the person they interviewed. They all did a piece of artwork for the project. All the biographies and artwork were compiled into two books that were presented to the VFW on Founders’ Day.

Placerville. The crowd especially enjoyed seeing the colonial-costumed chapter members riding in the truck bed, accompanied by an oversized, inflated Benjamin Franklin. The El Dorado DAR group also participated in the annual decorating of the Christmas tree at the American Legion Post hall for veterans, their families and guests to enjoy throughout the season.

Responding to the educational and personal needs of school-aged children has always been a priority of the El Dorado DAR Chapter and partnerships with other organizations has been a wonderful way to leverage a broader outreach.

At the national level, El Dorado DAR received a letter of appreciation from the Bureau of Indian Education for its generosity of clothing and personal necessities for the high school students who attend the Chemewa Indian High School in Salem, Ore.

Through her connections in the county, Ginger DeGregory made it possible for several chapter members, including Parks, Juliet Voigtlander, Peggy Nungesser, Johns and others, to meet at the local Walmart to join an early morning shopping spree for El Dorado County foster children and sponsored by the BPOE Elks Lodge 1712 of Placerville. In addition, Margi Klein, chair of the Community Classroom Committee, with the assistance of members Ann Chambers and Carol Bly, continued her work to help homeless children in the county through coordination with sta from the county and the children’s schools of attendance. An ongoing e ort throughout the year, the chapter has been able to make several donations of school supplies and clothing for local schools to distribute.

At the grassroots level, the work of DAR volunteers is intended to exemplify the national organization’s objectives of historical preservation, education and patriotism. The members of El Dorado Chapter of DAR take pleasure and pride in working together in alignment with these objectives and in harmony with the local community and look forward to participating in many more activities in 2023.

To learn more about the work of today’s DAR visit DAR.org and for more information about the El Dorado Chapter or if you wish to learn about your Revolutionary War ancestors email ElDoradoCountyRegent@yahoo.com.

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Placerville author Terol McCullar’s (T-Mac) new book “SICQ” is gripping tale about the breakdown and rebuilding of political lines in the face of aliens.

The president and vice president are elected from di erent parties but are old friends with a long history. Their relationship is tested when the possibility of actual alien contact is discovered, throwing many people into the complicated web that is their relationship.

Published by Newman Springs Publishing, McCullar’s thrilling tale forces the end of the political schism as contact with the aliens is progressively confirmed and its e ects on humanity are brought to the forefront, forcing those involved to accept truth and the dissension, distrust and ultimate choices and purpose of life.

Readers who wish to experience this exciting work can purchase “SICQ” at bookstores everywhere or online at the Apple iBooks Store, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

McCullar also wrote “HOGGS: Prison Journals,” which immerses readers into the mind’s eye of various individuals and their interactions with sta and inmates at various California State Prisons. The reality of long, tedious, and mundane daily tasks often unexpectedly erupt into sometimes dangerous and deadly situations. Attention is paid to technical details of locations and procedures. The journals are based on actual events.

Master the Art of Italian Comfort Cuisine

Family Features

Cool, crisp days call for comfort foods, like the classic flavors of traditional Italian cooking. Whether you’re Italian by heritage or simply by heart, learning the art of Italian cuisine may be easier than you may think.

Perfect your pasta game. Limp, mushy, overcooked pasta can ruin an otherwise delicious Italian dish.

Aim for al dente pasta, which is soft but still firm. It’s important to note variables like the type of pasta, size of your pot and amount of water can all affect cooking time.

Treat the package instructions as a guide and start taste testing 1-2 minutes before you expect it to be done.

Be choosy about your ingredients. Many of the best Italian dishes are incredibly simple, so it’s important to select quality ingredients that allow the flavors to really stand out.

Made in Italy, Bertolli d’Italia sauces are available in premium red and white varieties to elevate the at-home culinary experience and bring the authentic and delicious flavors of Italy to your table.

Every jar reflects more than 150 years of authentic Italian culinary tradition using high-quality ingredients like tomatoes vine-ripened under the Italian sun, finely aged Italian cheeses, fresh cream and Mediterranean olive oil.

Give seasonings time to simmer. Great things come to those who wait. That’s why the best Italian chefs sample their sauces along the way, adding and adjusting until the taste is just right. Then, they allow the ingredients to simmer together to create a perfectly balanced harmony of flavors.

Experiment with proteins and veggies. For many Italian recipes, you can create an entirely new dish by adding or swapping the protein and adding fresh produce. Try introducing juicy strips of grilled chicken and fresh, steamed broccoli to an alfredo pasta like this Cavatelli with Cacio e Pepe Sauce.

Or, if you’re a seafood lover, reimagine this Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Chicken by swapping in a mild white fish like halibut, cod or snapper.

Get cozy in your kitchen this winter with more comforting recipes at Bertolli.com.

Cavatelli with Cacio e Pepe Sauce

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4

Salt, to taste

1 box dry Cavatelli pasta

1 jar (16.9 ounces) Bertolli d’Italia Cacio e Pepe Sauce

1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, or to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Bring large pot of cold water to boil. Salt water heavily.

Cook dry pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Strain pasta, reserving pasta water.

In large saucepan over low heat, warm pasta sauce 3-5 minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoons pasta water.

Transfer cooked pasta to saucepan. Stir and toss pasta approximately 30 seconds over medium heat to integrate it with sauce. Add pasta water as needed for creamier texture. Plate pasta and top with finely grated Pecorino Romano and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Chicken

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 28 minutes

Servings: 6

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil, plus additional, for garnish

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon

Preheat

tablespoons oil mixture over medium heat. Add onions; cook 3-4 minutes,

until crisp-tender. Stir in marinara sauce. Pour mixture into lightly greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Arrange chicken breasts in dish, overlapping if necessary. Top with grape tomatoes and cherry tomato stems. Spoon remaining oil mixture

Bake, covered, 25 minutes, or until chicken is done (165 F) and tomatoes start to burst. Sprinkle with Parmesan, drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.