Mountain Democrat, Friday, January 13, 2023

School leader’s abrupt departure sparks ire

Rasco Staff writer

Parents and teachers alike spoke passionately regarding the swift and unexpected resignation of Camino Union School District’s newest superintendent at a school board meeting Tuesday evening. The meeting took place in the cafeteria to accommodate the larger audience in attendance and a short state presentation given by

the school’s fifth-grade students.

Following an extensive search and hiring process, Patricia Horn

was announced as Camino School’s new superintendent in late June 2022 and began her role July 1. Horn’s tenure as superintendent came to an abrupt close at the end of the fall semester, with parents and staff informed of her resignation, which is stated to be for “personal reasons,” without any prior indications that it was coming.

Many teachers and

parents shared the opinion that Horn had been pressured out of her position rather than resigned of her own volition.

“I am completely disheartened by the removal,” Emily Walker, co-president of the Camino Faculty Association, said during the comment period of the meeting. “I was blindsided by the decision, but I’m not

‘AmbulAnce bAby’ born in stormy situation

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Julian Thrift and Shayla Braly’s newborn child Paisley came into the world on the move — inside an El Dorado County Fire Protection District ambulance on a stormy December morning.

The chain of events that led to the circumstance were unfavorable for Thrift, 36, and Braly, 27, but ultimately resulted in a post-Christmas blessing for the two.

Thrift started experiencing intense contractions the evening of Dec. 26 and headed to Marshall Hospital in hopes that Paisley was ready to be born. She was sent home after medical staff determined it wasn’t quite time so the couple, now engaged to be married, headed back to their Red Robin Road home near the Sly Park Recreation Area around 10 p.m.

At

In the in

The Mountain Democrat looks back on some of the top headlines of the past year.

Deputy Ishmael’s killer sentenced

Rasco Staff writer

Two men prosecuted for the 2019 death of El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputy Brian Ishmael were sentenced May 13, 2022.

Juan Carlos Vazquez-Orozco, who fired the shots that killed Ishmael, was sentenced to 15 years to life plus an additional five years. Christopher Ross, whose misleading 911 call ultimately led to the fatal encounter, was ordered

Thrift

“It was raining so hard, the windshield wipers could not keep up,” Thrift

Odin

Odin

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco Camino Board of Trustees members Bob Van Gilder and Pat Kernan listen to speakers at Tuesday evening’s charged meeting. The pair later walked out of the room during a heated conversation.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Shayla Braly and Julian Thrift welcome baby Paisley into their home on Red Robin Road off Sly Park Road in Placerville after a long evening of circumstances to deliver the “ambulance baby.”

PaTRiCia HoRn

OBITUARIES

Glenn Herbert Herzig

Sept. 15, 1935 – Dec. 13, 2022

Glenn passed away at home in Shingle Springs after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed and was loved by all his family and friends.

Glenn is survived by his daughter, Karin Varozza; his son-in-law, Joseph Varozza; and his grandchildren, Molly Varozza & Parker Varozza. He is also survived by his sister, Marcey Curtis and his companion of many years, Barbara Veerkamp.

Glenn was born in Placerville. He started working at a young age on his parent’s pear ranch o of Bassi Road in Lotus. Glenn graduated from El Dorado High School in 1953, went to UC Davis for a couple years then went into the National Guard. He had miscellaneous jobs but finally ended up at El Dorado County Department of Transportation where he worked for 30 years. He operated heavy equipment and drove their lowbed truck. He and his father also had their own equipment business where they did side jobs for people, which consisted of house pads, ponds and other dirt moving.

A celebration of life will be held at his home in Shingle Springs in the Spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Snowline Hospice of Placerville, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs, CA 95619

William Aldridge

May 2, 1953 – Jan. 3, 2023

Bill Aldridge passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 3, 2023 at the age of 69. Bill was a long time resident of El Dorado County and attended El Dorado High School. After High School, Bill served in the Marine Corps for four years and was honorably discharged.

Bill spent most of his life in the Carpenters Union and worked on many commercial projects in and around El Dorado County. He loved hunting and fishing and being outdoors.

Bill and his wife Lori raised two children, Lisa and Jason. Bill was proceeded in death by his parents Joe and Dee, his wife Lori, his brother Bob and sister Jodee. He is survived by his daughter Lisa, son Jason (Megan); and four grandchildren, Hanna, Haley, Madelyn, Josie, and his brother Mark.

Pollock Pines man dies in solo crash

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

A Pollock Pines resident died after sustaining injuries in a solo vehicle crash on Highway 49 south of El Dorado around 7:35 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Sean Donovan crashed his 2011 Jeep into a tree after veering o the left roadway edge while driving northbound on the highway north of Maisy Lane at a high rate of speed, according to a California Highway Patrol collision report.

Donovan succumbed to his injuries after first responders attempted to perform life-saving measures.

CHP o cials reported it is unknown if Donovan was under the influence at the time of the collision. He was taken to Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue.

Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 49F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. El Dorado Hills Cameron Park 56/48 Diamond Springs 56/47

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 were held Wednesday, January 11 at 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines funeral home in Placerville.

less numerous later in the day. Coloma 60/50

at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Placerville 56/46

Winds Georgetown 53/44 Camino 52/43 Pollock Pines 50/40 Map shows today’s Highs and overnight Lows

El Dorado Transit MLK schedule set

El Dorado Transit News release

El Dorado Transit’s business o ce and dispatch center will be closed and the following services will NOT operate Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

• Local fixed routes

• Commuter routes

• Dial-A-Ride services

HIGH: 56° LOW: 46° HIGH: 49° LOW: 42° HIGH: 44° LOW: 41° HIGH: 44° LOW: 39° HIGH: 48° LOW: 37°

Cloudy. Some light rain is likely. High 44F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Somerset 57/47 Fair Play 56/46

and

of rain

NOTE: The Sacramento/South Lake Tahoe Connecting bus will operate on a normal weekday schedule on Monday, Jan. 16. For more information on the South Lake Tahoe Connector visit eldoradotransit.com.

All services will resume as normal on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

For more information visit El Dorado Transit’s website, follow it on Facebook and Twitter or call (530) 642-5383.

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs: Dec. 22

3:35 p.m. Officers arrested a 34-year-old man who had a warrant on Center Street.

11:02 p.m. Officers cited a 26-year-old man who was allegedly driving without a license and required an interlock device on Pintail Lane.

Dec. 23

3:12 p.m. Officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct on Manor Drive.

8:45 a.m. Officers cited a 43-year-old man reportedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia on Forni Road.

9:02 p.m. Officers arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct on Main Street.

Dec. 24

8:14 a.m. Officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication on Placerville Drive.

10:53 p.m. Officers arrested a 28-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop on Broadway.

Dec. 25

3:34 a.m. Officers arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing on Forni Road.

9:47 a.m. Theft was reported on Cold Springs Road.

3:08 p.m. Officers arrested a 48-year-old man on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on Anderson Court.

Dec. 26

3:51 a.m. Theft was reported on Forni Road.

Dec. 27

3:53 a.m. Officers arrested a 35-year-old-man on suspicion of misconduct on Forni Road; he was arrested again at 9:39 a.m. on suspicion of trespassing at a local business on Forni Road.

11:22 p.m. Officers arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication on Schnell School Road.

Dec. 28

7:49 p.m. Officers arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of making threats on Forni Road.

More stormy weather to come

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Mother Nature isn’t done with Northern California.

The weather forecast includes heavy rain and snow beginning as early as Friday afternoon and continuing through Tuesday afternoon with 3-6 feet of snow falling, beginning at the 5,000to 6,000-foot elevations and eventually dropping to as low as 3,500 feet, according to forecast. weather.gov. Wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph. Travel in the Sierra is not advised.

El Dorado County got more rain this Wednesday before catching a break Thursday. Sierraat-Tahoe calculated accumulating 15 inches of snow throughout Wednesday.

The storm Wednesday proved to be less intense than what El Dorado County experienced the weekend of New Year’s Eve and earlier this new year. Those storms brought intense flooding to multiple areas, including Placerville and Cameron Park.

Residents reported homes and other infrastructure under several feet of water that holiday weekend which prompted multiple evacuations alerts from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

All warnings and orders were cleared as of Tuesday afternoon and no new ones have been implemented as of press time.

Residents continue to deal with the effects of the intense wind and rainfall.

Pleasant Valley Road resident Dorothy Funk, who along with her husband John has lived at her home east of Diamond Springs for 33 years, awoke the morning of Jan. 10 to find three trees no less than 100 feet tall each crashed on their front lawn.

Luckily, the trees did not hit the home or their accessory dwelling unit, instead piling onto each other as if ready to be used for a campfire. The fallen trees did cause damage to their eastern fence and destroyed multiple gardening decorations.

“I heard the wind blowing all kinds of stuff, but it eventually stopped so I went back to sleep,” Dorothy said.

“It was fortuitous that we did not have anything major damage,” John said. “This is serious, but not in anyway that is too detrimental to us.”

Others were not so lucky. All around the county and across

Northern California trees toppled over, destroying cars and causing major damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. The state also experienced mudslides and power outages due to the storms.

As of Thursday morning, only 140 El Dorado County residents were out of power as a result of five outages, a major improvement from more than 9,000 affected Tuesday morning.

In response to the past and upcoming storms, the county has continued to implement road closures. Mt. Murphy Road at Carver and Terra View Lane at a dirt section, Mining Brook Road at Maplewood Lane and Sweeney Road at Sweeney Bridge are still closed with no estimated time of reopening.

Highway 50 at Sly Park Road reopened Tuesday after closing due to

heavy snow conditions over the summit.

The Department of Transportation is expected to conduct storm clean-up operations in nonTahoe areas and will conduct snow plowing operations on multiple South Lake Tahoe county roads, which started Wednesday.

Emergency declarations have been implemented for the city of Placerville and El Dorado County to being repairs as a result of severe storm damage.

The county continues to hand out emergency supplies as a response to the storms. Visit edc. gov.us for additional storm information.

PG&E is also handing out emergency kits that include water, battery backs for device charging, a blanket and snacks, which can be picked up at Georgetown Gas and Go, Garden Valley Fire Station 51, Pioneer Fire Station 38 and El Dorado County Fire Station 21.

TheGold Mine

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

John and Dorothy Funk count themselves lucky after three giant trees came crashing down into their Pleasant Valley area yard early Tuesday morning. Miraculously, the only damage was to a fence and some yard decorations.

Don’t miss Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life

COVID: Who was right?

I

At the start of the pandemic, “experts” shouted: “Stay home!” “Close schools!” “Wash your hands!” “Disinfect countertops!”

Clearly, disinfecting countertops and washing hands made no difference. What about closing schools and lockdowns?

The media trashed Gov. Ron DeSantis when he lifted Florida’s lockdown. “Acting irresponsibly!” roared MSNBC’s Dr. Vin Gupta. Reporters praised New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s lockdowns.

On CNN, Andrew’s brother Chris gushed, “I am wowed by what you did!” By contrast, he said, Florida was “in such dire straits.”

But actually, adjusted for population, Florida and New York had about the same number of deaths. Given that Florida has more old people, Florida did better than New York. Much of the media just reports what it wants to believe.

For the most part, there are few dramatic differences between states that opened up and those that didn’t. The two states in the continental U.S. with the fewest deaths: Vermont and Utah — a red state and a blue state.

The leftist media also got a lot wrong covering the rest of the world.

When Swedish health officials let the virus spread to try to reach herd immunity (and allow younger people to live normal lives), the media’s “experts” were horrified.

Time: “A Disaster!” NBC: “Sweden’s failed experiment.”

But it wasn’t a failed experiment. COVID deaths did surge at first, but data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development show that Sweden has done better than most European countries.

The OECD ranks countries by comparing “excess deaths,” deaths above the pre-COVID average. That’s a better way to compare because some countries undercount COVID.

India reported fewer than a million COVID deaths, but the World Health Organization says the real number is probably much higher because there were 5 million excess deaths in India over the past three years.

Maxim Lott’s excellent website, Maximum Truth, covers this “COVID Fudge Factor” in detail.

Former Soviet countries often undercount. Belarus’ dictator bragged, “There are no viruses here!” But Belarus had many more excess deaths.

Two countries that did well during COVID were in sub-Saharan Africa. I found that surprising since Africa has low vaccination rates and sparse medical care. Lott attributes it to Africa’s very young population. COVID rarely harms young people.

What does the data say about countries like Australia that imposed brutal lockdowns? It’s not clear that the brutality helped. But Australia’

Column

t has now been three years since COVID hit.Guest Column Guest

To the Camino school board

EDITOR:

T

Parents weren’t informed about the resignation until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. Such suspicious timing to notify after school is let out for winter break, especially when realizing there was a closed session board meeting that Monday in the middle of the school day. With little to no information provided we are left to our own devices and coming to our own conclusions.

The ParentSquare message families received gives very little information and when I reached out to various individuals in involved groups, no one had any disparaging comments about Mrs. Horn or previous knowledge of issues with her at Camino School. In fact, these people only had wonderful compliments of Mrs. Horn. After talking with parents that have attended board, parent teacher organization and site council meetings they reported teachers’ comments regarding their appreciation of Mrs. Horn.

This school year started out with so much energy and enthusiasm. Students and teachers were supportive and welcoming with all the new, fun and engaging activities brought to our school. Having heard from my child and talking to the teachers, Mrs. Horn was happy at Camino. Which leaves me to believe she was forced by the school board to “resign” … maybe to protect her career?

If families, teachers and students don’t get to keep the person they want as their superintendent, perhaps we shouldn’t keep our board members who aren’t allowing us to get what we need. The voices of all community members are important and should be heard and taken seriously, just as they were when we searched for a new superintendent. These voices were not heard, appreciated or communicated with and that’s what angers me the most. Are you not elected officials? Are you not elected to represent all of us and not just your own interests?

Did you, our school board, forget Camino School is a very tight-knit community? Did you forget that we work together to make our community a better place to live, work and enjoy? Have you forgotten that when teachers are happy, students are happy and our homes are happier places to be?

his letter is to bring information to the community about the recent “resignation” of Superintendent Patricia Horn from Camino Union School District.So, Judy Morris, Bob Van Gilder, Pat Kernan, Maggie Bush and Bill Snodgrass — what are you hiding from us? Was Mrs. Horn forced out? Do all Camino community members not have a voice in our school’s future? How will you gain our trust back after such an atrocious mishandling and disrespect to not only Mrs. Horn but our students, teachers and community?

KYLA ROBERTS Camino

Are you better off?

EDITOR:

T

he big question is: Are we better off today than we were four years ago?If that question is specific to economics, the answer is no. Today 70% of American families are living paycheck to paycheck.

If the question is specific to our health, the answer is no. Today American life expectancy has decreased to 76 years — a 50-year low.

If the question is are we better off emotionally, the answer from 70% of Americans is no.

Too many of us look to government to solve our lives’ issues. The government is composed of people like us, suffering the same problems. We as grownups need to take care of ourselves.

Ronald Reagan once said, “The scariest words ever spoken was, ‘I’m with the government and I’m here to help.’” And for those who want an even more intrusive government in our lives, that’s crazy.

Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.”

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Break from reality

EDITOR:

C

By many measures, that title now belongs to China.

The authoritarian powerhouse issued more patents than the United States for the first time in 2019 and it has left us in the dust since.

merica is the world’s most innovative country. Or at least it was.kAppos n See StoSSel, page A5

dAvid

In recent years China has also outpaced the United States in the number of scientific publications published in peer-reviewed journals, the number of scientists and engineers graduating with advanced degrees and other similar metrics.

The trends all point in the same direction: China aims to out-innovate the United States in the most critical technologies of the future.

Worryingly, those innovations will very likely determine control of the 21st-century global economy. In the past decade China accounted for nearly three-quarters of all patents related to artificial intelligence. In

biotechnology Chinese firms now account for about 18% of cancer drugs in the early stages of development worldwide, triple their share in 2015.

Our economic and national security depend on retaking the lead — and keeping it. Unfortunately, instead of promoting policies that support and protect American innovators many in Washington fail to acknowledge the inextricable link between innovation and intellectual property protections.

IP rules protect inventors — and their investors — from others stealing their work. Without copyrights, few authors or artists would pour their sweat and tears into creating

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

masterpieces, since others could undercut them with impunity.

The same dynamic holds true across every IP-intensive industry. Broad fields of invention are highly risky, expensive and failure-prone, yet easy to copy once the investment is made and the failures overcome. Without the temporary exclusivity afforded by intellectual property rights, America’s best and brightest would have no incentive to create new breakthroughs.

Historically, American workers and consumers have reaped rich rewards from America’s strong IP system. Our IP-intensive industries accounted for $7.8 trillion of GDP in 2019. And over the next decade job creation in IP-intensive industries is expected to outpace other industries.

But this forecast is hardly guaranteed. Americans’ intellectual property is under attack from abroad

and here at home.

This past summer the Biden administration helped push through an initiative at the World Trade Organization to waive IP protections for the mRNA vaccines that saved millions of lives around the world.

In Congress, meanwhile, lawmakers have called on President Biden to effectively nullify the intellectual property of our nation’s top research universities — a move guaranteed to chill research benefiting many industries including climate, energy and pharmaceuticals.

Weakening IP protections, or even stoking doubts about America’s commitment to strong IP rights, will hurt innovators raising venture funding, whether that innovator is an individual developing new cybersecurity tools or a clean energy

Main Office: 2889 Ray Lawyer

Drive Placerville 95667

AndrEi

Stossel

rules did save lives, mostly because for two years the island sealed its borders. That dramatically limited COVID’s spread.

But once almost every Australian was vaccinated and the government lifted its lockdown, COVID cases soared, like they have in China now.

Adjusted for population, Australia has now had more COVID cases than the United States.

But fewer Australians died, partly because the less-deadly omicron variant was circulating when the country lifted its lockdown.

Was Australia’s strict lockdown worth it? The average Australian lived two weeks longer. To me, it’s not worth it. Being locked in my apartment or shot with rubber bullets if I went out to protest just isn’t worth two extra weeks of life.

Even people in China, where protesting is illegal, recently protested enough that China lifted its most severe rules.

Lockdowns also hurt us financially. New York lost 400,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic. Florida gained 400,000.

In New York, where schools were kept closed, child obesity increased by 5%. In Florida, obesity fell.

Kids’ education suffered. Last year brought America’s lowest math and reading scores in decades. In Sweden, which never closed its primary schools, kids suffered no learning loss.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

I understand that three years ago frightened politicians wanted to do something. A highly contagious virus does require some public health restrictions.

But I wish they’d be a little humble. All of us have different values about safety versus freedom. Life is better when we get to make our own decisions.

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

Letters

Continued from A4

in sky high inflation, stratospheric fuel prices and a looming recession.

But in Mr. Daley’s defense, his misguided writing is probably a result of his being uninformed. As more and more internal emails of Twitter exposing Democrat and FBI supported censorship are revealed by Elon Musk, more and more people are beginning to realize that they went to the polls about as uninformed and lied to as the average voter in Moscow.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

Millions available for wildfire prevention

Cal Fire News release

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has announced the availability of up to $240 million for Wildfire Prevention and Forest Health grant projects.

Cal Fire is soliciting applications for projects that prevent catastrophic wildfires, protect communities and restore forests to healthy, functioning ecosystems while also sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cal Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program seeks to award up to $120 million for local projects in and near fire-threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures and communities. Qualified activities include hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning and wildfire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cal Fire’s Forest Health Grant Program will award up to $120 million to landscape-scale forest restoration projects that restore forest resilience to catastrophic disturbance. Eligible activities include forest fuels reduction, fire reintroduction, reforestation and utilization of forest biomass.

An additional $50 million is available for post-fire reforestation and restoration and finally $19 million is available for Tribal Wildfire Resilience planning and implementation projects.

These programs are designed to complement the 2018 Strategic Fire Plan for California, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Action Plan and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, which proposes to protect lives, property and resources of California and increase the ability of our natural and working lands to survive and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Official call for applications:

• The call for Wildfire Prevention Grants Program applications are due by 3 p.m. March 15.

• The call for Forest Health Grants Program applications are due by 3 p.m. Feb. 28.

Public workshops will be held both in-person and virtually. Check the wildfire prevention grants web pages for dates, times and locations.

Patents

Continued from A4

startup working to fight climate change. We come from opposite political parties — but we’ve both dedicated our adult lives to promoting and protecting intellectual property. It’s the lifeblood of our economy. Any lawmaker who wants to increase innovation in the United States must understand the need for strong IP rights. They are inextricably linked.

Andrei Iancu and David Kappos are former under secretaries of Commerce for Intellectual Property and former directors of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Both serve as board co-chairs of the Council for Innovation Promotion.

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

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Top stories of 2022

Apple Bistro evicted

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

After spending more than a year refusing to enforce COVID-19-related safety rules during the pandemic, Apple Bistro was ultimately forced to vacate; however, the closure had no connection to the pandemic. The restaurant, located just off Highway 50 east of Placerville, had to permanently close due to issues relating to a water-well permit.

The restaurant, owned by Jennette Waldow, became famed for its defiance of state and local COVID-19 mandates throughout the pandemic. The restaurant’s health permit was revoked in July 2020 for failing/refusing to comply with COVID-19 related restrictions, which included wearing masks.

Apple Bistro’s continued operation without the required health permit led to El Dorado County filing a

lawsuit against the eatery Nov. 8, 2021. A banner visible from Highway 50 strung by the restaurant read “No mask allowed for everyone’s health and safety.”

Restaurant management maintained that the fines accumulated for remaining open, more than $1.3 million, were unlawful and unconstitutional.

“We stay open because we care and because of our right,” Waldow told the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors at its Nov. 16, 2021, meeting. “It’s not a law; it’s not a mandate. We did not vote on it; you did not vote on it and yet you are voting us out … you are trying to be bigger than we are. You’re not.”

Although Waldow secured counsel from California’s 30th congressional district candidate and attorney Rhonda Kennedy and applied for a new health permit, it was too late for her wellknown restaurant and Apple Bistro permanently closed.

Building a better Mosquito Bridge

Odin Rasco Staff writer

After 30-plus years of planning and numerous studies, officials finally broke ground on the new Mosquito Bridge construction project in September.

The new bridge will be an historical undertaking. El Dorado County Director of Transportation Rafael Martinez said this is the biggest capital project ever to be constructed in county history with a price tag of $93 million that will be fully reimbursed to the county, courtesy of the federal Highway Bridge Program.

The new Mosquito Bridge will span 1,180 feet between the tops of two ridges above the South Fork of the American River, rising 400 feet above the river channel. The bridge will include two 12-foot-wide lanes with 5-foot shoulders and a 54-inch-high barrier. The barriers will be timber textured while other parts of the bridge will have stone texturing.

Construction will proceed in phases,

Ishmael

Continued from A1

to serve 11 years and 8 months.

El Dorado County prosecutors say Vazquez-Orozco’s sentence was the lowest possible under the law. An official statement from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office described visiting Sacramento Superior Court Judge Sharon Lueras’ decision as “shocking.” Prosecutors had asked the court to impose a sentence of 40 years to life with an additional six years for assault on Josh Tasabia, a San Joaquin County sheriff’s deputy who was on a ridealong with Ishmael, and two other officers who were present after the shooting.

Lueras explained her reasons for the lenient sentence, stating that Vazquez-Orozco did not pose a danger to the public, that the shooting was situational, that the crimes were merely the result of misinformation and mostly the fault of the property owner Ross. She noted the defendant was 20 years old at the time of the crime, a fact already considered for purposes of early parole, and that he had no known prior criminal history.

Lueras was far less forgiving of Ross, whom she directly addressed after passing down his sentencing.

“You put this whole nightmare into place,” Lueras said as the filled courtroom listened. “Your lies and greed resulted in the death of one

according to a project timeline from the Department of Transportation.

The first step realigns Mosquito Road on the north side of the canyon so that a new bridge abutment can be constructed there. The second part of the construction process will see the construction of the piers, columns and superstructure of the bridge itself. Project completion is projected between July a nd December 2025.

The current Mosquito Bridge has been in operation since its construction in 1867, when it was known as the “Swinging Bridge,” according to a fact sheet from the county. The bridge was reconstructed in 1939 using the original foundations and has required extensive maintenance over the years. A structural integrity inspection of the bridge gave it a 12.5 out of 100 sufficiency rating, which the fact sheet states places Mosquito Bridge as one of the lowest raking bridges in the entire state.

After the new bridge opens for use, the original bridge will used as a pedestrian crossing over the river.

officer and changed the lives of everyone involved forever.”

Court records show Ross owned property at 4740 Sand Ridge Road where an illegal marijuana growing operation was conducted. Ross had entered into an agreement allowing other people to grow marijuana on his property in exchange for money and a used Jeep.

Vazquez-Orozco lived in a tent on the property with no bathroom or running water. His job was to tend about 100 marijuana plants as part of the illegal grow operation. Each plant was on target to yield about 3 pounds of marijuana. Deputy district attorney Joe Alexander estimated the plants were worth a combined $249,600 based off the testimony of Det. Michael Roberts, who said the going rate per pound was $800-$1,200 in 2019.

It was determined in court that Ross had falsely reported theft of some of that marijuana, leading to sheriff’s deputies visiting the location Oct. 23, 2019.

Vazquez-Orozco told his attorney Lori London he was given instructions that if robbers came on the property, “that I should scare them” and that he was “told to shoot.”

Vazquez-Orozco maintained on the stand that he did not know the people he fired at were law enforcement and that he believed he was shooting in self-defense.

COMiCS

ARIES (March 21-April 19). On a planet hurling through a universe where anything can happen, security is, at best, a feeling based on an opinion about the odds. Nevertheless, feeling safe is an essential human need. You’ll be someone’s security today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The heart wants what it wants. You may crave and work for the love of someone who’s nature is to interact with you in ways you do not prefer. “Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.”

Lynda Barry GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In a sense, your work is an act of gratitude. You’re happy such an endeavor even exists in the world. You’ll enjoy the way your mind and bod meet the challenge and you’ll fall into an enviable state of flow.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Don’t pursue happiness today because it’s inside you; all you have to do is protect it. Keep moving. If you hang out in one place too long, others will steal the focus that ideally should flow to what’s going well and what you want.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve chased the wrong person or job before and now you know what qualities to avoid. You’re still learning exactly what fits best. You feel most vital when you keep showing up to new scenarios with hopeful intent.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You see many reasons to be proud of friends, loved ones, colleagues -- and of yourself. Expressing this is tricky because wherever there’s pride, status dynamics come into play. You’ll find the tone that conveys care and support.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll have interesting and productive conversations. You like getting information and strategizing in this way, but what you like even more is when the goal isn’t to learn everything you can, but rather to play.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t feel like you’re thriving unless others are too. You’ll make sure people are OK because you know just what to look out for. The quiet, stoically suffering types often go untended, but you’re too intuitive to let it happen.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Learning to deal with exceptionally intelligent if somewhat volatile types can be worthwhile. The high stakes are exciting. You’ll crack the code on their moods. Mostly, the flavor you get depends on how you treat them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your good fortune is pursuing you. It’s safe to stop checking in on it and let it unfold in peace. Shift the focus on other goals having to do with getting ready for your moment to shine.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You know selfless love when you see it and you’re also savvy to the ways people use one another. You sometimes choose to ignore things that are hard to see, but not today. Today you’re dealing head-on with how things are.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). More than any physical or intellectual traits, you appreciate the one who hustles alongside you. The clear thinkers who put muscle and money behind their ideas will be your valued crew.

Guest Speaker Karen Russell, Way nder Family

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Top stories of 2022

Justice for Roman Lopez

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Lindsay Piper, the stepmother to Roman Anthony Lopez, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder May 16, 2022 — more than two years after the child’s death. Piper was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Jordan Piper, Roman’s father, faces charges of failure to provide for a child, torture and child abuse “under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily injury or death,” along with a recent criminal complaint of sexual exploitation of a child.

On Jan. 11, 2020, Roman was reported missing from his Coloma Street home in Placerville, prompting a neighborhood search that lasted through the wee hours of the following morning. The search ended on Sunday when the 11-year-old’s body was discovered in a storage bin in the basement of the rented home he shared with his father, stepmother and seven other children ranging from 1 to 17 years of age.

Placerville Police Department and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office labeled the death as suspicious. Autopsy reports found no obvious trauma to Roman; however, subsequent findings reported the child had been severely malnourished and dehydrated.

Placerville Police Department kept details of the investigation close to their vest for over a year while combing through forensic evidence and data on seized electronic devices and working with medical professionals and experts in the child abuse field.

In February 2021 the Pipers were taken into custody in Calaveras County and charged with torture and child abuse, with an additional charge of

Tensions

poisoning for Lindsay and failure to provide for a child for Jordan. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In November 2021 El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office filed an amended criminal complaint adding a murder charge against each of the Pipers, to which both pleaded not guilty.

In May 2022 Lindsay Piper plead no contest to a second-degree murder charge. As part of the plea deal the other charges of child abuse, torture and poisoning were dropped.

El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth detailed many atrocities dealt to Roman that had come to light from interviews with the surviving children. These included being zip-tied to a bed by his fingers; zip-tied in a closet with one arm extended above his head and one arm extending in the opposite direction below his waist; being forced to sleep in a closet; and not being provided with sufficient nutrition and hydration.

“You didn’t deserve to be his stepmother, quite frankly,” Ashworth said to Lindsay. “The court can think of no more evil person.”

Several family members spoke during the proceedings, including two of the seven children who lived with the Pipers. Carson and Brock Garvin — Lindsay’s biological sons recalled multiple disturbing incidents involving Roman as well as the rest of the children.

“It wasn’t just Roman,” Brock said to his mother. “It was seven of us. Seven kids that you abused, neglected, brainwashed.”

Roman’s grandmother Jackie Farah

Continued from A1

blind to the fact that she would not have resigned without being forced out.”

Dusty Botting, the other co-president of the CFA, shared a similar view.

The board meeting had already seen tensions flare prior to the public comment portion, with a disagreement over whether a California Teachers Association representative would be allowed to speak. The heated debate led to board members Pat Kernan and Bob Van Gilder leaving midsession and bringing the meeting to an unplanned halt for close to 10 minutes.

The common thread in many of the opinions shared by staff and parents who attended the meeting was that Horn’s dedicated work made the school better for faculty and students. Staff members shared with the Mountain Democrat the estimated half or more of Camino’s total staff had attended the meeting.

“I’m here, hearing that the person I thought was making this school safer and was making herself accessible to parents, is gone,” Amanda Carrillo-N. said from the back of the audience, holding her daughter against her chest. “Teachers across the country are ready to resign because school boards — like you — don’t listen.”

“We had an option when deciding where our daughter was going to go to school,” said Jamie Reyes, new president of the Parent-Teacher Organization. “I heard Patty Horn was here and I knew people who had worked with her and had heard great things. I was excited for my kids to have 10-12 years of that. Leaning on her to resign and making her sign a no-talk agreement is underhanded.”

It was reported to the Mountain Democrat that Horn signed a nondisclosure agreement when she resigned though that has not been confirmed by the board of trustees.

Cora Dillard, a third-grade teacher

at Camino, was moved to tears as she spoke about Horn’s departure. “This year was supposed to be our normal year. Not to be cliche, but as an Air Force veteran, Horn was the kind of leader I would follow into battle.”

“We were involved in the hiring process; why weren’t we even consulted about if there were concerns about how she was doing?” Camino teacher Dione Stinnett asked. “It’s hard to find an administrator like Patty. If we do again, will they be scared away by how this played out?”

Marcia Kernan, wife of board member Pat Kernan, requested to speak last during the public comment portion of the meeting. She walked up in front of the board and turned around to address the crowd.

“Most of you oldies should know their (the board) integrity,” Marcia said. “Something happened. Something happened. Most of us don’t know, but they have their reasons.”

Board member Bill Snodgrass asked if he could speak to the comments that had been made, but board President Judy Morris advised that the Brown Act limited what they could say as the comments were not related to an agenda item.

Board members, excluding Maggie Bush, who was not present at the meeting due to a prior obligation, were asked for comment.

Morris responded with a statement which reads: “Patricia Horn, Camino Union School District’s former superintendent/principal resigned for personal reasons. The board will begin the process of identifying a new superintendent. The board and Ms. Horn believe that this transition was in their respective best interests as well as the best interest of our educational community.”

The other board members declined to comment.

“At this point, she was really hurting. She looked at me and said, ‘This baby is coming now,’” he continued. “I’m freaking out thinking I’m going to have to deliver the baby on the side of Sly Park Road in the rain.”

The couple decided to go to El Dorado County Fire Protection District Station 17 on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. When they got there around 2:30 a.m. Thrift said he walked up to the building to find the lights o . He started to panic, pounding on the door, yelling for help and getting drenched in the rain.

“I go over to the garage door and I start pounding on it while she is having contractions in the car,” Thrift said.

After a few minutes, to the couple’s relief, a paramedic answered just as they were about to leave. “I must have woken them up because I see them running around in their underwear in the garage, putting pants on and everything,” Thrift explained.

Firefighter/paramedics Connor Callahan confirmed everyone at the station was asleep at the time.

“It took us a minute to get up and process what was going on,” Callahan told the Mountain Democrat. “Once we figured out what was going on, it was almost a step-by-step process for what we are supposed to do, which helps a lot. It’s not just like shooting in the dark with something like this.”

After assessing the situation the paramedics pulled out the gurney, put Braly on it and headed to Marshall Hospital.

Thrift remembers the paramedics having to calm the overly anxious, soon-to-be father.

“One of the paramedics had to grab me and he goes, ‘Sir, we’re qualified for childbirth. We are able to deliver this baby’ and that was very reassuring to me, ” he said.

It was clear Shayla was in

good hands with the firefighter/ paramedics of Medic 17, which consisted of engineer Mike Wilson and firefighters Kyle Matthews and Davis Dakota, along with Callahan, who took lead of the situation. Callahan noted this was his first baby delivery in three years of being a paramedic, seven of those months spent with the El Dorado County Fire Protection District.

“You just go back to your training,” Callahan said. “My biggest thing was making sure I had enough people in the back with me to assist with anything I needed while getting down to Marshall in a quick but safe manner so we didn’t have another problem.”

Thrift, who followed the ambulance on Highway 50, encountered a car accident.

“There are people in the middle of the fast lane waving at me to slow down but I couldn’t stop.

I had to drive past them to try and follow the ambulance which I cannot see at this point,” Thrift told the Mountain Democrat, adding that he did call 9-1-1 to report the accident.

Then he encountered another obstacle — a flat tire as he arrived in the Camino area.

“I just kept thinking … there is no way this is happening,” Thrift said, adding that he couldn’t get ahold of any family members at the time. “This is stu you see in a movie or an educational video at school.”

Meanwhile, the paramedics delivered Paisley inside the ambulance somewhere between Pollock Pines and Camino.

“It was super scary. I kept trying to stay calm and tell them I’m sorry because I was yelling from the pain,” Braly said. “When I would have a contraction, it was like an out-of-body experience. It was like I was so present that I wasn’t there.

“I was really happy that the baby was out and the pain pretty much went away,” she continued.

“It just seems so surreal.”

Braly arrived at Marshall Hospital with her newborn and Thrift, who finally reached one of Braly’s cousins and got a ride, made it just in time to cut his daughter’s umbilical cord. Nurses dubbed the newborn the “ambulance baby.”

The couple are nothing short of appreciative of the actions of the paramedics that early, rainy morning.

“They were really good to me,” Braly said. “They handled our situation very well. As far as all the emotions and it being in the middle of the night, we were scared and didn’t know what to expect and I’m sure they didn’t either.”

The “ambulance baby” is perfectly healthy, according to her parents. Thrift and Braly now have a good Christmas story to tell their daughter when she gets older.

When deciding how to thank their heroes, Thrift thought of a delicious treat for the crew of Station 17 — prime rib.

“Those guys are my heroes … especially with how cool and calm they were to deal with me who is freaking out and not the easiest to deal with. But they were super professional and how they got me to calm down,” Thrift said. “If we didn’t go to the fire station, she would have had the baby in the car.”

They’re h eroes to Thrift and Braly but it’s all part of the training, Callahan commented.

“It’s definitely appreciated, but I don’t think anyone on my crew would view ourselves as such,” he told the Mountain Democrat. “We have training in a field that we love and we were just required to use some of that training.”

Thrift and Braly laugh about the entire incident now. Perhaps Thrift’s son Waylon and Braly’s daughter Dakota will refer to their newborn sister as “ambulance baby.”

spoke about the kind, funny, goofy kid who loved to dance and how he became distant and withdrawn after moving in with Lindsay.

“She fooled us all; she made us believe that she cared for Roman,” Farah said. “I didn’t know I was handing him over to the devil and I swear I did not know how evil she was.”

Jordan Piper has maintained his notguilty plea to all charges. In June 2022 the U.S. District Court for Eastern California filed a criminal complaint against Jordan for the sexual exploitation of a young girl.

During the course of investigating Roman’s murder, Placerville Police uncovered a digital

camera and other devices that contained “surreptitious recordings of (the minor),” according to the complaint.

Jordan’s cell phone contained screen captures of the minor in “various states of undress and usually nude.” 433 nude images of the minor were found on the phone with many focused on the genitals or pubic area, the complaint read.

Investigators also found an explicit text thread from December 2019 involving Jordan and the minor victim.

A child pornography conviction for Jordan could result in a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison or a maximum of up to 30 years and/or a fine up to $250,000.

In the KNOW

Announcement

The New Year is bringing catastrophic flooding to California, pommeled by successive atmospheric rivers. FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of more than 60 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. HENTF is asking for help gathering reports of damage, identify any unmet needs, and share the following resources:

• Cultural institutions and arts organizations affected by the flooding can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068

• Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@ culturalheritage.org

• HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at fema.gov/ assistance/save-familytreasures

Now

The Wild Sheep Foundation hosts its 46th annual Convention and Sporting Expo, The Sheep Show through Jan. 14 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino. A complete schedule of events, preregistration and other details are available at wildsheepfoundation.org.

Placerville Friends of Tibet hosts the Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour through Jan. 15. 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.

The history-based scavenger hunt Miners on Main has begun.

The game features 10 prominent historical figures of the El Dorado County Gold Rush for participants to discover

Abraham Gallery at 48 Natoma

FOLSOM — There is more to contemporary quilting than your grandmother knew. Many fiber artists use a myriad of techniques to convey thought provoking messages.

Commentaries in Cloth, featuring quilts by the Pixeladies and sculpture by Susan Else, will be on exhibit at the Gallery at 48 Natoma Jan. 27 through April 6.

Small art quilts from Quartz, a mini-group from the Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild, will be on display in the Community Gallery Jan. 19 through April 3. The group shares and discusses art quilt techniques, books, historical quilts and challenges. Currently members are working on challenge quilts determined by a random drawing of “prompts” provided by the group.

The Pixeladies, Deb Cashatt and Kris Sazaki, have been collaborating since 2003.

“We love language and word forms. Combining that love with a strong sense of social justice drives us to make art out of headlines,” the two artists say about their work.

After cutting and pasting words and phrases from a wide array of publications, they collage them to form everyday objects or people. They then scan the collages into the computer and have the final version printed onto fabric. The resulting whole-cloth quilt is densely quilted by machine or by hand.

“Collaboration is fun but also challenging. How we settle on a topic is often the result of hours-long, if not days-long, negotiation,” the artists explained. “But it’s that give and take that helps us create artwork we can both be proud of. Don’t be fooled, though. We’ve sat on projects for years because we can’t yet come to an agreement on how to execute a certain idea.”

Their studio is located in Cameron Park, where they have dedicated studio days for the construction of their artwork. They also spend a lot of time in front of the computer, collaborating online and preparing their designs for printing. Their work has been

widely published and exhibited nationally and internationally, including Canada, Japan and South Africa.

Susan Else describes her work as “stealth art” — the comfortable ambiance of sewn cloth draws viewers in, where they are confronted with the uncomfortable paradoxes of contemporary life. Her work is part of the art quilt movement, but she is one of the few artists making figurative sculpture — often incorporating sound, light, and movement — from this medium.

“I use vibrant cloth to create an alternate universe, and the resulting work is whimsical, edgy, mundane, surreal and engaging, all at once,” Else explained.

The power and beauty of the collaged and quilted surface play off the form and narrative content of the work, resulting in a dynamic seesaw of meanings and possibilities.

“My sculpture often incorporates cloth-covered bones, a powerful symbol evoking both human mortality and human history,” she added. “I am interested in daily life and its instant mutability and my

showcased in Folsom

Cynthia

best work conflates conflicting human impulses into a single image.”

An opening reception for both exhibits is planned at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Entrance

is free and open to the public with live music

“Language of Color 9” by Pixeladies

Gallery

“Crossing Points,” fiber sculpture by Susan Else

Quartet to perform Dvořák tribute

InConcert Sierra Foothills News release

GRASS VALLEY —

The acclaimed Brentano String Quartet comes to InConcert Sierra at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, with a program that celebrates the music of composer Antonín Dvořák and his impact on American classical music.

When the Bohemian composer Dvořák was invited to New York to direct the National Conservatory of Music of America in 1892, he was charged with the unusual task of helping to establish an American musical identity.

Dvořák “turned the musical establishment upside down,” noted Brentano violist Serena Canin, when he proclaimed, “In the Negro melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music … There is nothing in the whole range of composition that cannot be supplied with themes from this source.”

Dvořák proceeded to infuse his own

compositions with these themes, yielding magnificent results; the pieces Dvořák wrote in America are among his most beloved.

Paying tribute

to Dvořák and his American legacy, the quartet — Misha Amory, viola; Serena Canin, violin; Nina Lee, cello; and Mark Steinberg,violin — will

feature his “Quartet in Ab, Op. 105,” written largely in New York but completed and published upon his return to Europe in 1895.

In the spirit of an

early 20th century recital, the quartet will perform “encore” pieces for the second half to reflect Dvořák’s simple wisdom: that the foundation of an American musical identity would be discovered in our own backyard. Included are some of the spirituals he found so moving, works by William Grant Still and George Walker that may never

have been written had Dvořák not been an early champion of Black music, plus music by Charles Ives that quotes American popular songs and one blues arrangement by Steven Mackey. If the program has an emblem, it is the soulful and evocative slow movement from Dvořák’s “American” Quartet.”

“If you’re ready to start the 2023 year with an experience that is full of life and high-energy, performed by one of the top chamber ensembles in the country, this is your concert,” said ICS Executive Director Julie Hardin.

“When an abundance of critics note that the Brentano is ‘something special’ and ‘seize your attention’, it’s undoubtedly true and even possibly understated. I’m ready!” Hardin said.

There is a 20-minute pre-concert forum that begins at 1:15 p.m. The forum and concert will be held at Seventhday Adventist Church, 12889 Osborne Hill Road, Grass Valley.

InConcert Sierra is a Nevada County nonprofit organization that presents highcaliber classical music performances and robust music education offerings for all ages. For tickets and more information, call 530273-3990 or visit inconcertsierra.org.

Photo by Jüregen Frank

The Brentano String Quartet pays tribune to composer Antonín Dvořák during its upcoming concert in Grass Valley.

SUTTER CREEK — Hold on to your seat and get ready for a rollicking evening of outrageous humor and song when Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong return to Sutter Creek Theatre Jan. 14.

A marvel of musical ingenuity, yodeling cowboy songster Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Armstrong joyously rekindle the country blues, vintage jazz, cowboy classics and string band repertoire of pre-World War II America. Whether capturing the haunting refrain of a Jimmie Rodgers blue yodel or swinging out a hot novelty number, everyone gets caught up in the fun these two cut-ups have on stage.

It’s a fast-paced performance of music and comedy that showcases this duo’s seasoned gift for connecting with their audiences — all dished up with a hearty dose of vaudevillian stagecraft making for a delightfully entertaining experience.

Longtime fans will remember

them as founding members of two of California’s favorite acoustic combos, 8th Avenue String Band and R. Crumb’s Cheap Suit Serenaders. Between them they share a provocative array of period instruments including flat-top guitar, national steel, baritone and soprano ukulele, musical saw, accordion, sixstring banjo and harmonica. Welltraveled veterans of stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center to The National Cowboy Gathering, Strawberry Music Festival and Prairie Home Companion, these modern day vaudevillians capture a sound and moment in time that consistently delights fun-loving music fans everywhere they perform. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at the awardwinning, historical Sutter Creek Theatre, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. The event offers open seating; beer and wine are available for purchase. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Photo by Kevin Martini-Fuller Modern day vaudevillians Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong will delight the audience Saturday night at Sutter Creek Theatre.

Movie on homelessness wins big; filming starts soon

SACRAMENTO —

Robert Craig Films recently announced that its full-length feature film screenplay “No Address,” a story about those experiencing homelessness, has been o cially accepted in more than 100 film festivals all over the world with huge wins. The company is currently casting the lead roles and plans to film the script into a movie in February.

Hollywood veteran and award-winning filmmaker Julia Verdin said she felt compelled to write the script from her experiences with the homeless in her community.

“I wrote the script as a homage to those who have ended up on the streets,” she explained. “I have talked to people who had good lives and jobs and came from good families who through di erent misfortunes ended up on the streets. They never thought it would happen to them.”

The narrative feature film “No Address,” co-written by James J Papa and to be directed by Verdin, shares the story of a group of

individuals experiencing homelessness. Their touching storylines were pulled from the countless hours spent by producers visiting shelters, missions and organizations that are on the front lines of providing services and

solutions to this national crisis.

“No Address” strives to e ectively motivate viewers to engage deeper with compassion in the community around them and incite personal participation

by those watching the film when it hits theaters in winter 2023.

For more information on the film and how you can get involved, contact Robert@ RobertCraig.com or visit NoAddressMovie.com.

Robert Craig Films has just wrapped principal photography on a documentary titled “Americans With No Address,” which vividly portrays America’s leading crisis and the millions of people that su er as a result. The documentary is directed by Stephen Wollwerth and Verdin and produced by Robert Craig, Robert Marbut, Rebekah Rivkaent, and Angela Lujan.

The production team toured 17 cities by bus to visit rescue missions and encampments and talked with individuals living there about their experiences, challenges, hopes and dreams.

Robert Craig Films

Robert Craig Films is a film company located in Placer County with a mission to bring high-quality, entertaining movies with life-redemptive content to the screen. Robert Craig movies entertain, inspire, educate and uplift spiritually — with the ultimate goal of helping bring unity and peace to our world. Visit RobertCraigFilms.com for more information.

Courtesy photo

The “No Address” production team is seen here taking a break from filming a documentary in Los Angeles. Next month work begins on the feature film.

Holocaust survivor to share her inspirational story

News release

Chabad Jewish Community Center presents an evening with Holocaust survivor Esther Basch – The Honey Girl of Auschwitz Jan. 19 at the Folsom Community Center.

Basch, a 94-year-old resident of Prescott, Ariz., survived the Auschwitz Death Camps after being sent there in a cattle car on her 16th birthday. In April 1945, toward the end of the war, she was led on a “death march” along with other women to the Salzwedel Concentration Camp where she was liberated by American soldiers only three days later.

In 2007 Basch finally met Max, one of the U.S. soldiers who liberated

Gallery

The Gallery at 48 Natoma is located at 48 Natoma St. in Folsom and displays art by regional and national professional artists, area museum collections and traveling exhibitions. For more information visit folsom.ca.us, the Gallery at 48 Natoma.

The Folsom Art Center and Gallery at 48 Natoma are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and evening hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; call (916) 461-6601 to reserve a free tour appointment time. For more

her camp and has since been motivated to tell her story of forgiveness. Since that time, she has given talks nationwide, which led to the production of “The Honey Girl” documentary enabling her to tell her story globally. Basch’s genetic and universal love of humankind not only

helped her survive but also enables her to share her story in a poignant way that moves and motivates others.

The event hosted by Cristina Mendonsa of News 93.1 KFBK begins at 7 p.m. at the center, 52 Natoma St. in Folsom. For tickets an more information visit jewishfolsom.org.

information contact Gallery Director Cindy Abraham cabraham@ folsom.ca.us.

Continued from B1

“Embrace,” quilt by Frances Dack

Courtesy photo

Hear a story of hope from Esther Basch, a Holocaust survivor who will speak at the Folsom Community Center.

as they walk a loop along Main Street, Placerville. There are 10 medallions “hidden” between Sacramento and Clay streets. Each medallion will include a unique QR code that participants can scan with their phones to learn about the individual who had some historical significance during the California Gold Rush. A clue will be provided to find the next Miner on Main. Clue sheets for those who want to play without using a smart device will be available at some shops and the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce office, 542 Main St., Placerville. For more information call (530) 621-5885.

Feed El Dorado and the Placer Food Bank host food distribution events throughout the year in Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, Placerville and Georgetown. For a complete schedule visit placerfoodbank.org/pantrytogo.

The UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County 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) 6215512 and leave a voicemail or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

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 $18 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.

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).

Findleton Estate Wine Tasting in Camino hosts library tasting and food pairing events, noon to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14-16. Enjoy an exclusive tasting of several library vintages of the Estate Pinot Noir paired with gnocchi topped with a truffle cream sauce. To RSVP text Angela at (530) 391-6601.

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.

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.

Jan. 15

Miraflores Winery in Placerville hosts Soup Sundays. Stop by for wine tasting, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and enjoy a complimentary cup of soup prepared by Chef Tara Martinez every Sunday through March 26.

Jan. 16

The

Radio show

Continued from B5

air date: Jan. 12, 1949) • Fibber McGee & Molly – “McGee and His Magic” (Original air date: Jan. 6, 1948)

Cost is $10 at the door. Sutter Street Theatre is located at 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit SutterStreetTheatre.com.

celebration, 5-7:30 p.m. at Placerville Town Hall, 549 Main St., featuring speakers, a candlelight march, deserts, dancing and more.

Jan. 17

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday, 4-7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

Jan. 18

Poet Jennifer Elise Foerster is author of three collections, including 2022’s “The Maybe-Bird,” “Bright Raft in the Afterweather” and “Leaving Tulsa,” and will read from her recent works at 4:30 p.m. in Shields Library Room 205 on the UC Davis campus.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents “The Last Wide Open,” Jan. 18 through Feb. 28. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Jan. 19

Violinist

WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 12/23, 12/30/22, 1/6, 1/13/23 11229

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven, and Zigeunerweisen by 19th-century violin virtuoso, composer and conductor Pablo de Sarasate) at 12:05 p.m. in the Ann E. Pitzer Center recital hall in Davis. For more information visit arts.ucdavis.edu.

See “The Simon & Garfunkel Story” at 8 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway at Folsom Lake College. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

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.

Jan. 20

The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Suite E1, Cameron Park, presents Homegrown Comedy with Paul Conyers, Chadd Beals and Colby Lawson. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Get tickets online at stageatburkejunction.com.

Keyboard Conversations wit Jeffrey Siegel, featuring loveinspired music, takes the stage at 8 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

El Dorado Peace & Justice League and El Dorado Progressives host a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday

Kineko Barbini and pianist I-Hui Chen, a UC Davis lecturer in music, will perform Twelve Variations in C Major by