Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Mother Nature continues to pack a potent punch

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

An 80-foot tall tree crashing into a bedroom could be one heck of a wake-up call — except Placerville resident Ron Taylor apparently slept through it all.

Kori Taylor told the Mountain Democrat her husband went to bed at their Anderson Way home while she made a late dinner Jan. 4, but Mother Nature didn’t let him get a restful night’s sleep. The house began to rumble and the lights went out right as Kori heard a huge crash, she shared. The tree barely missed Ron, who was fortunately not injured.

“It looked as if a bomb had gone off inside our bedroom,” Kori described. “I could see the night sky and feel the rain and (saw)

jagged shapes with no color.”

Fearing she lost her husband, Kori said she called out to Ron, who seemed to wake confused. Kori explained to Ron what happened, to which he replied, “I woke up with wet bark

on my face.”

“It seems funny now, but it was the best sound I’ve heard in a long while,” Kori said of her husband’s response.

“I praise God because, looking at the room, we both knew it was due to Him we are both alive.”

The couple and their three pets went to a hotel since their house is too damaged. Kori’s daughter-in-law Mandi Sousa set up a gofundme to help support the Taylors’

In the in

2022

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

Justice for Jane finally served

In mid July 2022 Michael Green pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the 1985 killing of Jane Anker Hylton — a crime once thought committed by another man, Ricky Davis, who undeservedly served 15 years in state prison — and two months later he received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, bringing closure for the nearly four-decade-old homicide.

“Justice has been served but it took too long and some awful mistakes were made in the past to get to this moment,” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who discovered Davis’ wrongful conviction and, along with the California Innocence Project, led the effort to exonerate him. “I have personally apologized to Ricky Davis and also want to say we are sorry to Jane Hylton’s family for the mistakes in handling this case in the

Central EDH Specific Plan denied

The El Dorado County Planning Commission in June 2022 rejected Parker Development’s Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan, which proposes to build hundreds of homes on the old golf course along El Dorado Hills Boulevard.

The long-planned and debated project requires a General Plan amendment to allow zoning of the golf course property to be changed from recreational facilities-high intensity to medium and high density residential. CEDHSP includes the Pedregal and Serrano Westside (golf course property) developments with 237 residential units specified for the Pedregal area, while Serrano Westside would house 763 units. Density ranges between less than one to more than 20 units per acre, with the highest density slated for the golf course parcel. Eleven acres are set aside for civic-limited commercial use and a 15-acre village park would sit alongside Highway 50. The plan also calls for a total 190 acres of open space/parks and 1.5 miles of a Class I bike and pedestrian trail.

“Frankly, we are proud of this project that we

Mountain Democrat staff

Mountain Democrat staff

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

A New Leaf Tree Service crew member works to remove a downed 80-foot-tall tree Friday afternoon that fell on an Anderson Way home in Placerville. No injuries were reported but the house sustained major damage.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

Lights on the downtown Placerville Christmas tree hang off fallen branches downed by powerful winds that came through the area late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Douglas Frank DiGiurco

April 7, 1957 – Dec. 16, 2022

On Friday, December 16, Douglas Frank DiGiurco, a devoted and selfless husband and father, passed away. He was sixty-five. Born to Frank and Patsy DiGiurco, he was raised in La Crescenta, Calif., and moved to Placerville, Calif., where he met and married his high-school sweetheart Dani Henter. He worked in construction and maintenance most of his life, but had a passion for fishing, hiking and building intricate model kits. He was incredibly creative, artistic and mechanically inclined and excelled at anything he attempted — from restoring and rebuilding his classic Triumph motorcycle to creating amazingly detailed drawings and building custom model kits. He was known by friends and family for his kindness and for treating absolutely everyone with respect. Doug was extraordinarily selfless, often helping anyone in need.

Doug is survived by his wife Dani Henter, sons Chris and Tom DiGiurco; granddaughter Elspeth DiGiurco; mother Patsy DiGiurco; sister Tarra DiGiurco; and nieces Elsie Lopin and Amy Phillips. Services will be held Wednesday, January 11 at 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines funeral home in Placerville.

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 logs: Dec. 25

8:40 a.m. Burglary was reported at the post office on Deer Valley Road in Rescue.

10:11 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported at a fast food restaurant on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills.

4 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of DUI and possession of a controlled substance on Crane Way in Cameron Park. She was later released on $7.500 bail.

6:55 p.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Stage Court in Placerville.

8:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 35-year-old woman susp ected of aggravated assault on Park Woods Drive in Pollock Pines.

She was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail at press time.

9:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released on $7.500 bail.

10:16 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 32-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Greenstone Road in Placerville. She was later released.

11:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected of DUI on Starbuck Road in Cameron Park. He was later released on $7,500 bail.

Dec. 26

11:50 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Montgomery Place in El Dorado Hills.

1:47 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old man suspected of multiple counts of child abuse of a sexual nature on Wagon View Trail in Diamond Springs. He was listed in custody with no bail.

3:32 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a grocery store on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

11:22 p.m. District Attorney investigators booked into jail a 43-year-old man suspected of manufacturing for sale leaded cane and possession of narcotics and unlawful drug paraphernalia on Highway 50 at Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $134,000 bail.

Dec. 27

8:39 a.m. Grand theft was

reported on Monitor Court in El Dorado.

8:58 a.m. Burglary was reported at an apartment complex on Olson Lane in El Dorado Hills.

3:06 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected of DUI on Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines. He was listed in custody in lieu of $30,000 bail.

8:22 p.m. Residential burglary was reported on Bothwell Circle in El Dorado Hills.

11:57 p.m. Burglary was reported at a motel on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

Dec. 28

8:54 a.m. Burglary was reported on Garden Court in Garden Valley.

10:13 a.m. Burglary was reported at a grocery store on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills.

11:16 a.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Carson Road in Camino.

11:49 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:38 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Toyan Drive in Diamond Springs.

12:55 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Walker Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

2:47 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Sudbury Road in Cameron Park.

2:48 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an office on Placerville Drive in Placerville.

2:49 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Bayne Road in Garden Valley.

2:50 p.m. Grand theft was reported on North Canyon Road in Camino.

2:50 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown.

2:50 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Piazza Place in El Dorado Hills.

2:51 p.m. Vandalism was reported at the archery range on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

4:32 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Sand Ridge Road in Placerville.

Dec. 29

2:35 a.m. Residential burglary was reported on Sudbury Road in Cameron Park.

9:31 a.m. Battery was reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. 11:17 a.m. Battery was reported on Pescara Place in El Dorado Hills.

CA 95667

Dr. Little’s Dental News

AMALGAM OR COMPOSITE FILLINGS?

There are several different types of materials used to fill cavities, but the two most often used are amalgam and composite. Amalgam (silver) was primarily used for many years, but composite fillings (plastic) are now more widely used due to their look and durability. Composite fillings appear more natural because they can be tinted to match tooth color. They are made from a mix of plastic resin and powdered glass. In addition to fillings, composites can be used for veneers, inlays, crowns, and chipped teeth. However, amalgam fillings are also very durable, have an easier installation process, and cost less. They also last longer: a composite filling may last around ten years,

while an amalgam filling can last for fifteen.

If you would like to learn about the kinds of materials we use for repairing cavities, we’ll be happy to discuss your questions. We bring you our dental column in order to keep you up-to-date on the latest materials, research, innovations, and procedures available in dentistry today and to inform our readers how the many benefits of modern oral care can enhance their lives via a stunning smile. New patients are always welcome. Please call for an appointment.

P.S. Although amalgam fillings contain mercury, the American Dental Association says they are a “viable and safe” option.

Murdered DJ’s stolen items recovered in EDH

Rasco Staff writer

Following an investigation into a burglary in the El Dorado Hills area last week, El Dorado County sheri ’s detectives announced they recovered items belonging to a popular Sacramento DJ who was murdered last spring.

Giovanni Isidro Razo Pizano, better known as DJ Gio, was a popular fi xture in Sacramento’s music scene until his April 10, 2022, death when he was shot during an armed robbery. Anita Razo, Gio’s mother, said she moved his belongings and

DJ equipment into a unit at SmartStop Self Storage on Pell Circle in Sacramento. While visiting the storage facility on Jan. 3, Razo discovered the door to her unit had been opened, with some items strewn about and up to $250,000 worth of valuables stolen, a Sacramento Bee article reports.

Detectives from the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce located a large amount of stolen property, including DJ equipment and designer clothing, Saturday while investigating a burglary that occurred in the El Dorado Hills area last week, according to an EDSO Facebook post.

Detectives say they were able to determine that the items had belonged to Gio and coordinated with the Sacramento Police Department to contact Razo and return the stolen items to her.

Razo has said she hopes to use the DJ equipment to host events to help raise money for the DJ Gio Nonprofi t Foundation she started in her son’s honor in November.

Representatives from the sheri ’s o ces declined to state if there were any suspects identifi ed in connection to the burglary or the estimated dollar value of the items that had been recovered.

Judge Slossberg takes oath

El Dorado County Superior Court News release

The El Dorado County Superior Court recently held a swearing in ceremony for newly elected Superior Court Judge Gary S. Slossberg.

On June 7, 2022, El Dorado County voters elected Gary S. Slossberg to fill the empty seat left by the retirement of the Honorable Kenneth J. Melikian on Sept. 3, 2022. Judge Melikian was appointed to the El Dorado Superior Court in March 2009 and most recently presided over criminal trials in Department 2. Court o cials thank Melikian for his service to El Dorado County and wish him the best in retirement, he will be truly missed.

Slossberg was elected after having served as the court commissioner since November 2020. During this assignment he heard a variety of cases including family law, probate, tra c, juvenile delinquency and dependency and civil/small claims.

Previously, Slossberg was employed as an attorney with the Judicial Council of California in support of the AB 1058 Child Support Program, where, among other tasks, he coordinated the program’s statewide child support training conference, including leading its transition to an entirely virtual conference due to the health crisis. Prior to this employment, Slossberg served the El Dorado Superior Court as the family law facilitator and self-help attorney and also served as a temporary judge handling tra c and small claims matters. He previously worked as a legal services attorney providing free legal representation to lowincome clients primarily in family law matters, first at the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice and later at Live Violence Free in South Lake Tahoe.

Slossberg has been very active in the community, presenting to legal professionals on working

with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, on tax law as applied to child support calculations, and on updates to child support case law. He also was a volunteer law instructor at People’s College of Law, teaching courses on corporations, professional responsibility, community property and philosophy of the law.

He previously served as a board member on the Hollywood United and East Hollywood Neighborhood Councils, the Legal Aid Association of California, and the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, where he led the drafting of the organization’s founding charter. He was the committee chair of his son’s Cub Scout pack and interviews applicants to Harvard College as part of the Harvard Club of Sacramento’s Alumni Interviewing Panel. During law school, Slossberg coordinated spring break trips to Haiti, Guatemala and Cuba to provide

assistance to legal services organizations there. In 2015 he was honored with an award of merit from the California Commission on Access to Justice and the Legal Aid Association of California.

Slossberg received his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School, where he received the Gary Bellow Public Service Award. He went on to receive a master’s in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University. He also has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in political science from the University of Florida, where he was a valedictorian for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and honored as the Most Outstanding Male Leader of the 1998 Graduating Class Slossberg has been assigned to Department 9 by Presiding Judge Vicki Ashworth where he will hear civil and probate matters. For more information visit eldorado.courts.ca.gov.

Horse Arena & Arena Open Ride

Photo courtesy of El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office

Anita Razo stands near some of the items recovered by El Dorado County sheriff’s detectives Saturday.

Courtesy photo

Superior Court Judge Gary S. Slossberg takes his oath of office administered by Presiding Judge Vicki Ashworth.

Odin

California Matters

What California can learn from wave of storms

C

Despite some damage and at least one death from local flooding and tree-toppling high winds, the storm and the predictions of more to come are welcome relief from what had appeared to be a prolonged drought.

There are lessons to be learned from this watery wave, if Californians and the politicians they have elected pay attention, to wit:

• Despite great advances in technology and data collection, weather forecasting is still an imperfect science. Until the storm hit, meteorologists had expected that a phenomenon known as La Niña would continue to block Pacific fronts from reaching the state and thus continue the drought.

That said, there’s no guarantee that the 2022-23 season will be a wet one. A year ago we had a similar spurt of precipitation, but it did not continue into the spring.

The series of rain and snow storms buffeting California this month contains lessons for politicians, if they pay attention.

• Erratic precipitation makes it very difficult for reservoir managers to decide how much water to release and how much to retain for future use. For example, Folsom Lake near Sacramento was scarcely a third full when the storm hit, but the Bureau of Reclamation tripled releases to 24,000 cubic feet a second, worried about the reservoir’s ability to absorb runo in the American River’s Sierra watershed.

• Folsom’s increased releases are another indication that California lacks enough water storage to cope with precipitation cycles that are becoming less predictable due to climate change. If we had built the additional storage that water managers had long proposed — Auburn Dam upstream from Folsom, for example — it would have meant less guesswork when opportunities arose to capture water from heavy storms.

Preliminary construction had begun on

Guest column

In his various appearances and interviews to explain himself, the lack of shame he seems to feel is almost as uncanny as the lies themselves.

Sadly, Santos is a child and product of the troubling and, yes, dangerous state of a airs in our nation today.

A friend sent me a short cartoon version of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

The weavers convince the vain emperor that there really are clothes when in fact there is nothing. They convince him that only fools and those unqualified in their work can’t see the fabric.

The only thing on anyone’s mind is what others think of them. There is no truth, only appearances.

Until one naïve and unindoctrinated child steps forward and tells the truth that the emperor is naked.

It’s what happens when people

Letters to the Editor

More comments to Wendy Thomas

EDITOR:

S

Does it not bother you that there are county employees making as much as six times times your monthly salary? That some get “golden handshakes” for retiring or leaving, maybe even an expensive gift? For an example, the gentleman who recently left county employment with a going away present of $255,000 — which Chief Administrative O cer Don Ashton called a mistake. Was the mistake ever corrected?

Next, I want to address Supervisor Wendy Thomas’ accusation that my calling card is “calling names.”

First, my names are selected for my website, letters to the editor in the Mountain Democrat and my locally distributed newsletter. The names are satire in nature to promote maybe a smile from readers. I do not use a person’s proper name more than once. It is not right.

My characters are created from watching human nature in people. I choose to use cartoon and fantasy characters for my characters who live and work in “The Penal Colony” that just happens to be a satire on life in El Dorado County — in the same way “Gulliver’s Travels” was a satire on life at that time in England.

I have other characters coming or are in the comedy now such as “The White Rabbit,” “The King of Hearts,” “The Cheshire Cat,” “The Mad

Hatter,” “Lord Vader,” “Sir Lancelot” and the ever present “Sheri of Nottingham.” More are and will be arriving to play their role in the months ahead.

ome county leaders have high unwarranted salaries and benefit packages that cause the public unnecessary expenses. CalPERS, in my opinion, is a legal ponzi scheme. High-salaried retirees receive more than they ever put into the system while working. Their retirements are funded by currently working people and interest on investments by CalPERS.Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my letter with your opinions.

I’ll again mention my challenge to “The Queen of Hearts” and the rest of the gang to spend two hours sitting in front of Deb’s Frosty between 3:30 and 5:30p.m. on a weeknight, except holidays, to see the mess of what poor planning in the past has created in Diamond Springs. It will also give your constituents a chance to talk to you informally.

The problems this county is facing are not new. They have been around for years. In 2004 there was a group called Save Our County. They fought the same issues. Eighteen years later, because of poor planning, a lack of responsibility to the public and wrong priorities, nothing has changed or corrected any of the problems. They have only gotten worse.

BRIAN DeBERRY Placerville

The shot?

EDITOR:

S

Has anyone mentioned “The shot”? Maybe it’s our “truthful media” keeping this hushed?

At any rate it is a question I would love answered.

omeone please tell me, did Damar Hamlin have the COVID-19 shot? Hamlin is the 24-year-old football player for the Bu alo Bills football team. He su ered a cardiac arrest during a Monday night football game after making a tackle against one of the Cincinnati Bengals players.TERRI ELDERD Placerville

WANT TO SEE YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THE MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT? Visit our website at mtdemocrat.com, click on “Submissions” and then click on “Letter to the Editor” to submit your letter.

George

Santos, a child of woke America

become unmoored and lose a sense that there is something called reality, something bigger than themselves, of which they are a part.

y now, just about everyone has heard about the massive campaign of lies that Republican George Santos fabricated that just got him elected to a congressional seat from New York.A vital part of a child’s development is learning they are not the center of the world. That there are others and they must be aware of the line where they end and others and the world outside begin.

In traditional cultures, there are rites of passage where children formally become adults and assume the responsibilities of adults.

But today, in our nation, where a sense of objective right and wrong has widely disappeared, there are no rites of passage and many remain perpetually children. They insist the world is the way they want it to be rather than appreciating that there is a greater reality to which all must submit.

We see it culturally, economically and fiscally.

I write all the time about the mindboggling debt being accumulated on the backs of American citizens. Fiscal responsibility is realism. It means the numbers must add up and debts are not incurred without clear ways to

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.

pay for them.

One analyst from the Institute for Policy Innovation calculates our national debt amounts to almost $600,000 per every American man, woman and child. This includes not just federal obligations on the order of some $30 trillion, but also debts built into Social Security and Medicare from an insu cient tax base to meet the obligations that must be met in upcoming years.

Yet what did this Congress do before ending its term? Pass another $1.7 trillion in spending.

The piper will be paid and this is called reality.

On the cultural front, the U.S. Supreme Court, and now the U.S. Congress, has, based on politics and whim, redefined the eternal institution called marriage.

Is it any surprise, shortly after deciding you don’t need a man and a woman to constitute marriage, that now even who is a man and who is a woman is matter of personal whim?

So, George Santos is the man of our time. Why should he feel the need

to submit to any “reality” more than what is happening in our culture at large?

What did Santos fabricate any more than the “1619 Project” fabricated about what American history is about?

Santos shows little shame because shame comes with appreciation that there are truths — right and wrong.

There is no shame in a culture where we make everything up.

Fortunately, there are many Americans who have not become detached from reality and see what is happening. Still, many are afraid to say the emperor is naked.

But how long can widespread detachment from reality continue?

Meanwhile, an unrepentant liar, George Santos, a child of woke America, has been sworn into the sacred duty as a member of the U.S. Congress.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”

Snail Mail: Letters to the Editor P. O. Box 1088, Placerville 95667

2889

■ See WALTERS page A5

SUMMARY

But today, in our nation, where a sense of objective right and wrong has widely disappeared, there are no rites of passage and many remain perpetually children. They insist the world is the way they want it to be …

CHP warns of private party sales of stolen vehicles

California Highway Patrol

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

SACRAMENTO

— The California Highway Patrol reminds the public to always remain alert and take caution when conducting private-party vehicle sale transactions. The CHP’s Auto Theft Taskforce has seen an ongoing issue of residents being victimized as innocent purchasers of stolen vehicles.

With these crimes, the fraudulent vehicle advertisements on web-based platforms often resemble legitimate sales, with altered vehicle identification numbers and forged vehicle titles at the time of purchase. However, when the buyer attempts to register the vehicle with the fraudulent paperwork, law enforcement is alerted and the stolen vehicle is returned to the legal owner. This results in a financial loss for the victim.

Suspects appear to be targeting the Spanishspeaking Hispanic community and many sellers have been from Texas. They have been found with a fraudulent California driver’s license to match the name on the stolen vehicle title. Due to the complexity of the suspects’ actions, it can be difficult to identify and locate them after the transaction.

While the CHP is diligently focused on identifying

and investigating fraudulent sale ads online, the public is reminded to be cautious buying vehicles from private parties. It is suggested they contact their local vehicle theft task force investigators about deals that seem too good to be true. Over the past month, the CHP Valley Division arrested seven individuals and recovered five VIN switched vehicles in Manteca and Tracy alone. To locate the nearest auto theft taskforce, contact your local CHP area office by visiting chp.ca.gov/find-anoffice.

National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheck offers a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim and has not been recovered or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a lookup, a vehicle identification number is required. This service can be found at nicb.org/vincheck.

The CHP is well-suited to work with allied law enforcement agencies statewide to help lead and support criminal investigations, identify suspects and follow leads to combat theft. The CHP’s mission is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.

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

Walters Continued from A4

Auburn Dam when, during the 1970s, it was abruptly halted. Other storage projects have been on the drawing board for decades, such as Sites Reservoir on the west side of the Sacramento Valley. Were Sites a reality today, it would be absorbing excess flow from the Sacramento River, banking water for when it would be needed in the future.

• The “atmospheric river” now watering California underscores the state’s vulnerability to catastrophic flooding.

Last year a massive study was released suggesting that climate change creates an everincreasing risk of megafloods that would cause untold death and destruction.

It is the latest update to studies that originated from the historic flooding that struck California during the winter of 1861-62, when California had been a state for scarcely a decade.

As the study noted: “This event, which was characterized by weeks-long sequences of winter storms, produced widespread catastrophic flooding across virtually all of California’s lowlands — transforming the interior Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys into a temporary but vast inland sea nearly 300 miles in length and inundating much of the now densely populated coastal plain in present-day Los Angeles and Orange counties.”

If such a prolonged deluge occurred again, researchers Xingying Huang and Daniel Swain, wrote, it “would likely produce widespread, catastrophic flooding and subsequently lead to the displacement of millions of people, the long-term closure of critical transportation corridors and ultimately to nearly $1 trillion in overall economic losses.”

Again, the American River’s situation illustrates the threat. Officials say that Folsom Lake’s capacity, nearly one million acre-feet, is too small to protect Sacramento from such a disaster. One rationale for Auburn Dam had been to provide another layer of flood protection.

Will politicians heed the lessons from the current period of prolonged precipitation or continue disengaged business as usual?

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

2023

Holiday Inn Express, El Dorado Hills

Industry experts share up to date info about El Dorado County tourism. You will walk away with new tools and insights to better target your customer.

Topics Covered: • Social Media strategies • Crisis communication • Stats from Visit California • EDC Visitor Insights and Spending Habits Registration includes refreshments throughout the day, a catered lunch, and El Dorado County Wine Reception.

Tibetan monks perform community blessing at MORE

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Agroup of Tibetan monks visited the Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises facility in Placerville Tuesday morning to perform a community blessing.

The blessing ritual was performed by five Geshes, monks who have studied for more than 25 years, according to Lobsang Wangchuk, coordinator for the monks’ tour.

Before the ritual began, Geshe Tenzin Lekshey explained it involves purifying the people of a community of anti-virtuous acts and negative thoughts while making offering to local divine forces and protectors to bless and protect them.

The ritual lasted for close to 50 minutes as the monks intoned chants accompanied by occasional ringing of bells and cymbals and the playing of a gyaling, an instrument similar to an oboe. Lekshey said the chants led by Geshe Jampa Chodak call upon the divine energy of Ya.

In the later part of the

ritual, monks traveled from room to room at MORE, blessing the entire building as well as its exterior. Susie Davies, CEO of MORE, expressed her gratitude for the visit.

“We have been so blessed to have this group come to perform this community blessing,” Davies said to the crowd of over 20 people who had come to the event. After the event, the monks presented Davies a certificate of appreciation, while members of MORE staff gave fresh pears as gifts to the monks.

This visit to Placerville marks the 20th

anniversary of Tibetan monks making trips to the region, Wang-Chuk said. The monks’ visits typically last around two weeks before they depart to visit other parts of the country.

The monks come from a monastery devoted to the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. When China took control of the Tibetan region in the late 1950s, many monks relocated to regions in India, including the Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery, which was re-established in Southern India in 1961, according to information available on the monastery’s website.

County conducting internet speed tests for FCC challenge

Odin Rasco Staff writer

El Dorado County residents are encouraged by county officials to participate in an internet speed test which runs through Friday, Jan. 13.

As part of an effort to gain a clearer picture of actual broadband internet speeds county residents experience while they surf the web, county officials have launched an internet speed test to gather data. The speed test can

be found at edcgov.us/ Government/planning/ internet-speed-test, where users will only need to follow directions and the speed data will be logged by the county. People who live in an area without broadband service available can also submit their address to the site. Users concerned with data privacy are assured by county officials that all data gathered is kept private and that none will be shared with a third party.

Kyle Zimbelman,

economic and business relations manager with the county, explained the data could help improve internet services in two ways.

“By the end of the week the data collection for the FCC challenge will end, and give us a real pulse of speed in the county,” Zimbelman said. “That can help us to pursue broadband grants to improve our internet infrastructure and possibly refute the speeds that internet providers claim they are providing.”

The information obtained from the test will aid the county in challenging the information on the National Broadband Map that was first introduced Nov. 18, 2022, by the FCC. Such challenges can open the county up for broadband funding and impel internet service providers to provide the speeds that they have claimed.

Zimbelman said the information obtained could lead to the county installing more fiberoptic internet cable and other internet infrastructure in the future.

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery walk through the art gallery at MORE as they perform a community blessing Jan. 3.

Two monks present MORE’s CEO Susie Davies a certificate of appreciation to MORE signed by Geshe Jampa Chodak.

Top stories of 2022

Trip to Green launched

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

After years of struggling to find solutions to congestion issues during high-traffic periods along Highway 50 in Placerville, the Trip to Green program was initiated in fall 2022.

For at least three decades residents, law enforcement officials and city and county leaders have been concerned with the bottleneck conditions wrought by Highway 50’s traffic lights through Placerville and compounded by seasonal impacts.

To address this predicament the El Dorado County Transportation Commission, in partnership with the Placerville Police Department, the city of Placerville, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, announced in 2021 a concept pilot program would launch that fall but it was later postponed. In the wake of the Caldor Fire — during which all lights were switched to green when residents were evacuated — transportation officials determined it was doubtful that traffic levels would be sufficient to properly test the program.

During the first weekend of August 2022, the long-awaited concept was implemented. Highway 50 traffic lights through downtown Placerville were set to green from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. North and southbound travel across the highway at Canal Street, Spring Street and Bedford Avenue was closed, diverting local traffic to Mosquito Road or Placerville Drive. Right-hand turns onto and off Highway 50 remained available at Spring and Bedford. Detour and closure signs placed around town directed drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

According to EDCTC authorities, launching the program on the lowtraffic weekend in early August gave the team a chance to learn about the traffic patterns during the project and bring those lessons to the two

Rezone

consecutive program weekends. The first weekend of September, Labor Day, presented a heavier traffic flow. The final weekend of the project in early October brought the heaviest traffic at the height of Apple Hill season.

EDCTC Executive Director Woodrow Deloria said he felt like the rollout was a success.

“We are so pleased with how smoothly this first Trip to Green weekend went,” he said. “We are so grateful for the cooperation of local residents, as well as Caltrans and law enforcement.”

According to Placerville Police Chief, Joseph Wren the rollout presented no significant issues with locals and visitors alike.

Wren reported no collisions or speed enforcement issues. Some residents did, however, try to supersede roadblocks.

“Some people didn’t obey the cones but other than taking an education position, we really didn’t do a whole lot of enforcement,” Wren noted.

The Mountain Democrat reported in August that some Placerville residents who shared their Trip to Green experience on social media said downtown foot traffic was business as usual with locals and tourists alike patronizing downtown businesses. Others felt the program hindered access to downtown shops, cutting into locals’ livelihoods and consequently city tax dollars.

Trip to Green is a proof-of-concept pilot project conceived to test costly solutions for traffic mitigation and seeks to determine if lower cost and less intrusive methods might accomplish the goal of keeping traffic flowing and preventing overflow onto local roads. The data gathered during the project, along with resident and business owner feedback, will help to inform the EDCTC, Caltrans and the city of Placerville whether any permanent bypass solutions would be worth exploring.

Continued from A1

chose,” Parker Development Director of Government Relations Kirk Bone told commissioners at the summer meeting. “We get the fact that there is significant community opposition to it and we went into that with our eyes open.

“Everywhere in California some deliberative body somewhere will be asked the same question if they want to add to their housing inventory,” he continued. “We understand that when you propose changes people don’t like it, but we are in the position of representing the people who aren’t here.”

The Planning Commission ultimately found the project to be inconsistent with the General Plan and subsequently made two motions — 1.) to deny the project, a unanimous vote; and 2.) to deny the certification of the CEDHSP Revised Final Environmental Impact Report, which went 4-1.

Many El Dorado Hills residents have openly opposed the project more than a decade in the making; a 2015

Justice

past.”’

Continued from A1

The primary evidence against Davis was the false confession of a co-defendant (Davis’ former girlfriend) obtained through the use of aggressive interrogation techniques now known to be more likely to produce false confessions, according to the DA. Pierson now spearheads a nationwide campaign to change the way investigators interview suspects and witnesses.

Davis always maintained his innocence and in February 2020, after a motion was filed by the the Northern California Innocence Project out of Santa Clara University, he walked out of an El Dorado County Superior courtroom a free man.

Green’s no-contest plea came 37 years after Hylton’s death and two years after DNA evidence led authorities to his 2020 arrest in Roseville. Green’s DNA was harvested from Hylton’s nightgown, where she was bitten by him the night she was murdered.

Green, 54, is said to be one of three young men who hung out with Hylton’s then 13-year-old daughter Autumn the night of the murder. He was 17 at the time.

Hylton and Autumn were staying at the El Dorado Hills home of Ricky Davis’ mother after Hylton sought a safe haven from her husband, who had a solid alibi, according to investigators.

On the night of July 6, 1985, Davis

advisory vote against the property’s rezone was overwhelmingly supported and the El Dorado Hills Community Services District has attempted negotiations with Parker Development to purchase the golf course property to no avail.

Parker Development continues to move forward with plans for its property. In November 2022 the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved retroactively amending a contract with the consultant performing environmental work for the CEDHSP. The 3-2 vote authorizes the county to pay ICF Jones and Stokes Inc. more than $63,000 for work already completed but over the original $152,637 contract amount and designates an additional $46,060 for future work; 100% of the funding comes from the project applicant.

It is unclear at this time when the project will come back to county officials for additional review and possible approval/denial and what if any modifications to the proposal will be made.

and girlfriend Connie Dahl went to a party and when they returned to the home they found Hylton brutally murdered. A knife was used to stab the victim nearly 30 times.

The mid-’80s murder investigation went cold until 1999, when cold case detectives with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office picked up the trail, starting with an interview with Dahl as she sat in an Oregon jail on drug charges. Charges were then filed against Davis. An initial jury declared impasse and the panel was dismissed. The DA’s Office refiled charges and after a second trial, as well as a near impasse with the second jury, Davis was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Dahl died in 2014.

Davis filed a claim in the Eastern District Federal Court seeking $18 million in damages. The claim states “various officers and members of the county, Sheriff’s Office” caused wrongful conviction and imprisonment. The lawsuit names the county and three former detectives as defendants — Richard Strasser, Rick Fitzgerald, Bill Wilson and Larry Hennick, as well as pathologist Robert Anthony. No resolution has been reached.

Davis remains in El Dorado County and was arrested Dec. 26 in Cameron Park on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) and a probation violation. He has since been released.

SUDOkU

ARIES

TAURUS

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s like you’re on a road trip together. It’s not healthy for one person to drive the entire time. Take turns. The passenger shares responsibility to keep things interesting, safe and lively enough for everyone to stay awake.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll enjoy the community of like minds and you even welcome the challenge of differing opinions, which comes with the territory. The extra energy of others will perk up your mind and work.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Some people find optimism necessary; others find it depressing. You’ll encourage and lift people, keeping in mind the effectiveness of customization. A hack does the same thing for everyone. A pro uses the right tool for the job.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It seems like we live forward and understand life by looking backward, but that’s not quite true. You’re doing, processing and comprehending quite a lot in this moment. Trust yourself and stay in the “now” as much as possible.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your mind is merciful. It blocks out of necessity and correlates what’s useful. Still, your mind is not infallible in its determination of what fits the category. Banish unhelpful thoughts with new and bright subjects of focus.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The luckiest move will also be the one that seems like a no-brainer. So if you’re tortured over the decision, leave it alone. Do nothing. And if someone is pressuring you, it’s a sign you could do better elsewhere.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Sweet things get gobbled up and bitter things get rejected after one bite. It’s the wondrous blending of these two tastes that make for today’s successful and irresistible creations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You live in reality as much as the next person, but your augmented powers of imagination allow for escape routes, diversions and spectacular secret worlds to which your passport for entry never expires.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re in a position to set expectations for others, and you’ll do so mindfully. You’d rather earn attention than grab it. You’d rather be liked for who you are than be loved on first sight. You’d rather underpromise and overdeliver.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

by Leigh Rubin

by Dave Coverly

orn January 30, 1866, Gelett Burgess is remembered as a nonsense expert. In fact, he may be one of your favorite authors, even though you have probably never heard of him. He invented such great words as and Goop comes from the many tales he told of the boneless, ill-mannered and sort-of-human characters he named “goops.”

One book of goop tales has verses about 52 children, two for each letter of the alphabet. Each child’s name describes a fault.

Draw a line from each goop name to that childʼs fault. Asleepnogo

Teeza would not sharethings

Nevashair

Inkafinga

The most quoted poem of the 1890s was a little ditty by Gelett Burgess called “The Purple Cow.”

Draw big, simple shapes for your cow’s body with a pencil Draw very lightly A cow’s body is a rectangle. Cows have short legs and a long tail. Draw ovals for the head and feet.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

Here are some limericks written by Kid Scoop readers. Use the words in the Word List to make each limerick rhyme.

There once was a clever young lad But sometimes he gets really _____ He found a big clover It ipped him right ________ In the end he was very glad. – by Sam G.

Still drawing with a pencil, start adding details like eyes, hooves, udders, and horns. Remember to draw lightly with the pencil because you’ll be erasing the pencil lines.

Find an ad in the newspaper. Rewrite the ad so that it says just the opposite of the original.

didn’t want to go to bed

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple directions.

What faults are described by these names?

Askalotte Xcitabelle Badinskool Fibius

Standards Link: Vocabulary: Understand word meaning from context clues.

Make up names for children with these faults:

She would not brush her teeth. He liked to sing too loud. He pinched his baby sister She ate with her fingers.

Hey, it’s free pizza day All the towns people cheered, “Horray” But the fools didn’t ‘Cause they went with the ow That I was going to yell April Fools Day! – by John D.

I was sitting in my comfy Eating like a big grizzly bear I just couldn’t ___________

I thought I would pop! Now I’m fat, but I really don’t _____! – by Cece D.

I love playing in the bright Oh my it is so much good fun To play in a ___________ But always stay ____________ It is so sad when the day is done. – by Audra P.

Well, this is udder nonsense!

Draw over the pencil lines in ink. Make sure the ink is dry, then erase all the pencil lines Color your cow and add spots, stripes, or wild & wacky patterns.

Standards Link: Vocabulary: Create words from context clues. Select one page of the newspaper and find all of the letters that spell the word NONSENSE. Circle each letter. Draw a line from the ‘N to the ‘O’ and so forth until you have connected all the letters. What kind of picture can you make from the design created by these dots and lines?

had dirty hands onpickedothers Complete the grid by using all the letters in the word RHYME in each vertical and horizontal row. Each letter should only be used once in each row. Some spaces have been filled in for you.

Standards Link: ReadingComprehension: Follow multiple-step directions

Standards Link: Vocabulary: Identify words that rhyme.

This week’s word:

NONSENSE

The noun nonsense means words or actions that have no meaning, are silly or that don’t make sense.

A limerick is a silly poem that sometimes is nonsense

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

Why read?

Why is it important to know how to read? Tell other students the reason reading is important and entertaining.

ANSWER: Wrong.

Gelett Burgess wrote a series of goop books to teach children manners.

home recovery. The fund can be found at bit.ly/3Czhyfs.

The Taylors’ tree was one of many that came crashing down throughout the county since a series of strong storms began to pummel California on New Year’s Eve.

PG&E meteorologist Ted Schlaepfer shared in a storm update Monday afternoon that more storms will continue to impact Northern and Central California with gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall and snow in the mountains. Northern California got a break from the storms Monday evening but action in the sky resumed early Tuesday morning with thunderstorms that lit up the night. Rain and winds were expected to continue in Northern California Wednesday.

Another storm will hit this coming weekend; though, Schlaepfer said, it’s not expected to be as strong as the previous storms. Yet another storm comes to the region next week.

Falling trees weakened by drought, mudslides and flooding have a ected residents statewide with many losing power in their homes and businesses.

This created a double-whammy for PG&E, according to company o cials. A loss of power from downed poles and wires and restricted access has made proper assessments and repairs di cult, according to Operations Vice President and Chief Operating O cer Adam Wright during the briefing.

“(The storms) just keep coming and coming and it is highly unusual to have this kind of intense storm activity in such quick succession,” Wright said.

Wright said the storms have caused power outages in 42 counties a ecting 87,000 customers. Of that, El Dorado County experienced 79 outages leaving more than 9,123 without power as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Governor’s O ce of Emergency Services power outage map.

O cials say they expect more power outages as storms move through this week and next.

“We are drawing on 30 years of historical data and our operations team expertise to provide restoration estimates no later than 24 hours after the outage starts, even if we haven’t been able to access the outage to assess it,” Wright said.

The company has plans to do daily, county-level updates, which can be

viewed at pgecurrents.com.

On a positive note, PG&E has since restored power to 1.6 million customers statewide. Around 5,800 PG&E personnel are responding to incidents, according to Wright.

The full press conference can be viewed on Facebook on the Pacific Gas and Electric Company page.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday the availability of federal disaster assistance to California in response to the severe winter storms. The disaster relief includes assisting El Dorado, Sacramento and Napa counties, among other areas, to help alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

Newly sworn-in Congressman Kevin Kiley applauded FEMA’s action, stating in an email, “This important step will allow the Department of Homeland Security to begin providing assistance to safeguard lives, public health, and property. I continue to remain in contact with FEMA, am monitoring the situation closely and my o ce will continue to assist impacted residents. If our o ce can assist in any way, please do not hesitate to call (202) 225-2523.”

At the local level, agencies have lent a hand wherever and whenever needed. O cials launched a winter storm public dashboard available on edcgov. us.

El Dorado County has implemented road closures at a dirt section of Mt. Murphy Road at Carver and Terra View Lane, Mining Brook Road at Maplewood Lane and Sweeney Road at Sweeney Bridge. There are no estimated times of reopening as of press time.

The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce has lifted evacuation warnings at Highway 50 and White Hall and Highway 49 and Union Mine Road to the Amador/El Dorado county line due to possible flooding. That warning was put in place Sunday.

The Sierra Avalanche Center is currently forecasting a high avalanche warning in the Central Sierra Nevada mountains between Yuba Pass to the north and Ebbetts Pass to the south, which includes the Lake Tahoe area. Sierra Avalanche states large avalanches could occur in a variety of areas. Its forecast predicted 1.5 to 2.5 feet of snowfall above 7,000 feet in the area by Wednesday morning, when the warning is expected to expire.

The Placerville City Council extended

the

approved

The

city’s state of emergency to Jan. 24 due to extreme storms and flooding in the area. This declaration allows the city to receive state and federal funding to cover costs associated with storm repair.

Tuesday the Board of Supervisors

at its meeting a Department of Transportation request to begin emergency repair projects.

county continued to provide sandbags to residents for flood preparation. Visit edcgov.us/sandbaglocations.

Photo by Ken James / California Department of Water Resources Water flows down the Folsom Dam Auxiliary Spillway and from the Folsom Dam outlet last week in preparation for this week’s rain storms.

The El Dorado Junior cougars football and cheer are back and ready for a new and improved program. We have been working hard at rebuilding and have made lots of changes to better the future of this program. Our main goal while providing knowledge to the youth of our community is keeping them safe along with learning life skills and having fun. All of our head coaches will be attending coaches clinics to improve their knowledge that is needed to provide the best Quality of coaching for our players and cheerleaders all while keeping them safe. Registration is now open for a 2023 season. Go to EDJC.club to sign up now.

cheerleaders

(EDJC) program is to develop the expectation of success through respect, character, work ethics,

attitude; In turn, creating a confident individual who will carry these lessons into all aspects of life.

To achieve the goal of developing this type of individual and organization, we choose to be a league based on age divisions without weight limits because we believe that age is a much more important factor than weight at this point in a young athlete’s life. EDJC uses the “Heads Up” certified football coaches. “Heads Up Football” is USA Football’s comprehensive approach for a better, safer game with an emphasis on player safety, and requires all of its organization’s coaches to be certified as well. Heads Up Football was created by USA Football with support from the NFL. The youth

football program focuses on: Concussion awareness Proper equipment fitting Coaching education Heads up tackling — which aims to take the head out of the line of contact

All of this combined to make your young athlete a more confident and efficient tackler while helping to improve safety.

The youth cheer program coaches are all ASEP Certified coaches. This is the same program used by schools nationwide. We also follow all USASF safety rules and guidelines set for stunting safety. The USASF sets the safety standards to be followed for youth,

school, and competitive cheerleading across the nation. We focus on teaching the basics of cheer motions, voice projection, jumps, and stunts. Our goal is to provide a fun learning experience that will help build character and confidence. We aim to prepare those young athletes that want to continue to cheer beyond youth level with a strong knowledge of the basic skills, attitude, enthusiasm, and confidence needed for more advanced cheerleading.

In

the

KNOW

Cancelation

The Community Awareness SubstanceUse Education session scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 11, has been canceled. The speaker is unable to participate. The next CASE session is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8

Stellar student Congratulations to Clayton J. Byer of Palcerville, who made the Mount Marty University fall 2022 Dean’s List.

Now

The Stormy Weather exhibit at Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom runs through Jan. 12 in the main gallery. 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. 11

The Feed El Dorado Free Farmers Market food distribution event is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pollock PinesCamino Community Center. 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 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.

MORE kicks off ‘epic’ year with

popular art & wine fundraiser

Staff writer

Dress in your best flapper attire (costumes optional) and join friends and supporters for a jazzy good time at Art & Wine with Something MORE Saturday, Jan. 14.

With one-of-a-kind art on display, 20 local restaurants and caterers, as many local wineries, breweries and distilleries, a costume contest and live and silent auctions the event benefitting Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises promises to be one to remember.

MORE Executive Director Susie Davies said she is thrilled to be back in the company of the community again and shares an optimistic outlook for the future.

“We know 2023 will be an ‘epic’ year for MORE,” she said. “We are thrilled about this in-person art and wine event after two years of virtual events that had the community stepping up and coming together for MORE.”

On the horizon

“We are in a state of transition as money raised from this event will be used to provide new exciting service options for our clients,” Davies shared. “With a dedicated and competent staff and board MORE will continue to be a major contributor to making this community better for all.”

A live auction will top off the evening with local luminary Brian Veerkamp acting as auctioneer.

“I am blessed to be an important part of this great annual event,” he said. “I look forward to getting the MORE family of supporters back together for the benefit of such an important aspect of our community.”

Big changes

Despite a global health crisis, major wildfires and an uncertain political climate MORE managed to complete a $5.5 million renovation to its Placerville Drive facility in Placerville, install a garden plaza and complete a 52-foot-long mural.

The renovation, enabling MORE to double its capacity, opened in the thick of the COVID-19 lockdowns. In fact, roughly one year after signing final construction documents in August of 2019 the facility was complete and ready to welcome clients, the Mountain Democrat reported in August 2020.

Continued pandemic lockdowns postponed a grand opening event for another year. In August 2021 Davies, the MORE Board of Directors and staff

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Courtesy images

Beautiful, unique art like the pieces above and to the left await at the Art & Wine with Something MORE event scheduled Saturday evening.

MORE artist Randy R. prepares his work for the annual fundraiser. Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises is a private nonprofit serving El Dorado County, celebrating 50 years of making dreams come true for adults with disabilities.

Blessing of Animals raises the spirits of everyone

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco Placerville Friends of Tibet volunteer Michele Lopresti holds onto her dog Porter, who received a friendly ear scratch and a blessing from Geshe Tenzin Lekshey. The monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery are visiting Placerville through Jan. 15. For a schedule of events visitplacervillefriendsoftibet.org. Below, parakeets Humphrey and Bogart are blessed by Geshe Sonam Tsering at last Saturday’s event.

Kathy Ulm, above far left, Pam Kitani and their dogs Patrice and Ducky, who seem quite interested in the tools used during a blessing, spend time with with Geshe Lharampa Jampa Chodak. He also made friends with Lucky, who stopped by at Federated Church in Placerville for a visit with Holly Foster, an original Placerville Friend of Tibet.

Great dane Grace, next to owner Cindy Medici, seems to bow her head for Geshe Sonam Tsering.

Sequoia Rose: Salesforce Park

@ 12pm Salesforce Park, 425 Mission St, San Francisco

Flamenco-in-the-Afternoon

presented by Carolina Lugo with Tachiria Flamenco

@ 5:31pm / $12.50

Peña Pachamama, 1630 Powell St, San Francisco

"As You Like It"

@ 7pm / $20-$40

San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7pm / $45.87

Harveys Cabaret at Harveys Lake Tahoe, 18 Hwy 50, Stateline

Chris Botti

@ 7:30pm Miner Auditorium, 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco

Comedian Shapel Lacey @ 8pm / $10-$12.50

Punch Line Sacramento, 2100 Ar‐den Way, Suite 225, Sacramento

Steel Panther @ 8pm / $30 The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Boule‐vard, San Francisco

The Helltones @ 8:30pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

Lo� Legs @ 8:30pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

gloomy june @ 8:30pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

Ali G @ 9pm Monarch, 101 6th St, San Fran‐cisco

Tiny Show @ 11:30am Jan 6thFeb 26th

The Tiny Show re‐turns to

The

Crowd Control - in the Callback Bar

@ 7:30pm / $15

Punch Line Comedy Club - Sacra‐mento, 2100 Arden Way, Sacra‐mento

Winter Season 2023 @ 12am / $1825

Jan 9th - Mar 3rd

Alonzo King LINES Dance Center, 26 7th St., 5th Floor, San Fran‐cisco. 415-863-3040

Biotech Showcase™ 2023 @ 8am / $2495-$6645

Jan 9th - Jan 19th

THE INVESTOR CONFERENCE FOR INNOVATORS | The people, the platform, the opportunities Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco. EBDcustomerservice@ ebdgroup.com

North Beach Food Tour @ 11:30am / $65

North Beach - Sidewalk Tours, 601 Vallejo Street, San Francisco

Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm

See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. peterlg.rotary@email.com, 530219-8825

Sacra‐mento

Kings vs. Orlando Magic @ 7pm / $14-$530

Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacra‐mento

Orlando Magic at Sacramento Kings @ 7pm Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento

Private Swim w/Courtney (JanuaryMon/Tues/Thur/Fri/Sun) @ 8:30pm Jan 9th - Jan 31st

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, 2130 FULTON STREET, Koret Health and Recreation Center, San Francisco. 415-422-6811

BIT @ 9:30pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Private Swim w/Kathleen (JanuaryMon/Tues/Fri/Sat) @ 11pm Jan 9th - Jan 31st UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, 2130 FULTON STREET, Koret Health and Recreation Center, San Francisco. 415-422-6811

Fierce JPM Week @ 7:30am / $399-$599

This annual event runs in tandem with the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference which showcases news, insights, and an overview of the 2023 outlook from the indus‐try’s top companies and execu‐tives. Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street, San Francisco. life scienceevents@questex.com

Beautiful Figurative Watercolor with Misuk Goltz (Continuation) @ 11am / $190

Sign up now for this 6-session wa‐tercolor workshop with artist Misuk Goltz! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@ gmail.com, 530-758-3370

Educator Workshop: Air Is Everywhere @ 3:30pm

Are you a K–12 educator? Register for this free online workshop fo‐cused on developing students’ air quality awareness. San Francisco. visit@exploratorium.edu, 415-5284444

"As You Like It" @ 7pm / $20-$40

San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7pm / $45.87

Harveys Cabaret at Harveys Lake Tahoe, 18 Hwy 50, Stateline

Golden State Warriors

Parking: Warriors v Suns @ 7:01pm / $50

Chase Center, 300 16th Street, San Francisco

"Ennio"

@ 7:30pm / $20-$49

Club Fugazi, 678 Green St., San Francisco

Richard Marx @ 7:30pm

Crest Theatre - Sacramento, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

Disney's Frozen (Touring) @ 7:30pm / $29-$149

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St., Sacramento

Disney's "Frozen" @ 7:30pm / $39-$89

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L Street, Sacramento

Saturday Jan 14th

Tchaikovsky's Star-Crossed Lovers

@ 7:30pm / $29

Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo. joannwray@empresstheatre.org, 707-552-2400

The Vallejo Center for the Arts will present a unique musical offering, "Tchaikovsky’s Star-Crossed Lovers," at the historic Empress Theatre in Vallejo. Grammy award-winning Maestro Thomas Conlin will conduct the Vallejo Festival Orchestra for this singular

The

Sex, Camp, Rock N' RollA Musical Cabaret Fantasy @ 7pm / $12.50 Oasis, 298 11th Street, San Fran‐cisco

"Ennio" @ 7:30pm / $20-$49 Club Fugazi, 678 Green St., San Francisco

Artimus Prime @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Aaron G @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Speakeasy Ray @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

JustinC @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

DJ Sep @ 9pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Blastoyz @ 9pm Public Works, 161 Erie St, San Francisco

The Inciters @ 9pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

The Capsouls @ 9pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

Art Padilla: Acoustic Loops at the Kimpton Sawyer @ 10am Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, 500 J St, Sacramento

Marcus Norris: SFCMP Premieres "Three Lil Pretties" for Harp @ 3pm The Lab, 2948 16th St, San Fran‐cisco

T. Carriér, Rob Woods, Kev Choice @ 3pm / $10

Pine needles as mulch

“W

ater, water everywhere, but nary a drop to drink” is a good analogy and sums up my thoughts when I look at all the pine needles on the ground but have been discouraged from using them as mulch because they lower the pH of the soil to acidic levels.

Well, guess what? It’s a myth!

Green pine needles are acidic, but once they have fallen and are dead and dry, the soil and microbes neutralize them. Go right ahead and use those pine needles as mulch. They are everywhere and they are free.

We all know mulching is important. It prevents weeds, keeps soil moist and aerated and can protect plants from disease. It also keeps plants cooler during the hot summer months, helps prevent soil compaction and much more. Use pine needles like other mulch. However, ponder these considerations before you get started:

• Pine needles decompose slowly so they do not have to be re-applied as often as other mulches. They also allow water to seep through easily.

• Pine needle mulch is excellent

in perennial beds such as strawberries and blueberries, around shrubs and trees or wherever you have permanent plantings.

• Mulching vegetable beds harvested daily may not be very practical because pine needles are prickly. You might prefer lawn clippings or leaves for these kinds of beds.

Cutting pine needles into small pieces with your lawn mower or other shredder may make them easier to use in a vegetable bed.

• If you want to add pine needles to your compost pile, they will take years, not months, to decompose. A good rule of thumb is not to add more than 10% pine needles to your compost pile.

• Pine needles are slippery. Use them as a weed barrier in areas not well traveled, like between deer fencing and planted beds. Using them on walkways or slopes could be dangerous (hikers know about this).

Pine needles can be flammable and are not recommended within 30 feet of the house. If you live in a forested area, then pine needles are all around. Like me, you probably rake them up and take them away from the house and outbuildings, which is the firesafe thing to do. Good news is, now you know you can add them as mulch

to garden beds in other areas without risking acidic soil.

Here are some resources to learn more about mulching:

• Mulch — clemson.edu/extension/ hgic/plants/other/compost_mulch/ hgic1604.html

• The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches — ucanr.edu/sites/fire/ files/294538.pdf

Free public education classes will

be held Jan. 21 (fruit tree pruning demonstration) and Jan. 28 (a course on growing and preserving cole crops). Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_ Classes/?calendar=yes&g=56698, and recorded classes on many gardening topics atmgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Public_Education/Classes.

Summer brasuel UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Photo by Summer Brasuel Pine needle mulch is excellent in perennial beds such as strawberries and blueberries as well as around shrubs and trees.

Have

Jan. 13

Jan. 14

The

(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 at516 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 els 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.

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.

questions.

“Ask a Master Gardener” option on mgeldorado. ucanr.edu or leave a message on the o ce telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master gardener e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Calling all photographers!

Do you love capturing the lifestyle, beauty, and culture of El Dorado County? Your photo could grace the cover of the new El Dorado Farm Trails and Visitors Guide –plus earn you a cash prize! All you have to do is enter our photo contest.

https://visit-eldorado.com/photo-contest/

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.

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