Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, February 22, 2023

hero in the sky

local air force pilot earns distinguished flying Cross

John Poimiroo Mountain Democrat contributor

Tensions arose among more than 450 Afghan refugees aboard Reach 651 (the callsign of a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane) as the 292-ton transport circled above Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Aug. 22, 2021.

With more than 100 of these massive cargo planes evacuating 114,000 refugees from Afghanistan that day, transports were stacked high above Qatar as they awaited clearance to land. Each had its own in-air crisis, but conditions on Reach 651 were particularly critical.

The huge cargo plane had been aloft for hours, had only one small toilet and no air conditioning as it flew through stifling subtropic air … and it was running out of gas. Efforts to explain what was happening to a cabin packed with anxious passengers were complicated by language and cultural barriers.

Commanding the air transport was Maj. Drew Dela Cruz, a 2007 graduate of El Dorado Hills’ Oak Ridge High School and in 2012, the U.S. Air Force Academy. He knew inflight refueling procedures by heart as he’d piloted Air Force KC-135 tankers previously, but now he was on the thirsty end of the hose and he had an emergency on board.

The crew of Reach 651 had been briefed earlier that day that saboteurs planned to attack Hamid Karzai International Airport in

DA drops animal abuse charges

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

Charges of animal cruelty against a Shingle Springs veterinarian have been dropped, according to officials with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.

Dr. Dean Bader, a veterinarian and former Shingle Springs resident, faced three felony charges of animal abuse and one misdemeanor charge of failure to report animal abuse in connection to the largest animal hoarding case in the county’s history.

“After a thorough review of the evidence and the evidence offered by the defense, we could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” stated Savannah Broddrick with the DA’s Office.

The charges stem from a 2019 case where two Shingle Springs residents, Alma and Charel Winston, were hoarding more than 300 animals in inhumane conditions. The Winstons

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County looks to improve disaster response

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

El Dorado County staff has had its hands full in recent years working on emergency preparedness, response and recovery when faced with disasters in addition to regular duties.

The county will hire a consultant to find ways to meet increasing demands for services and communications amid calamities, which the county Board of Supervisors suggested could be improved during its Feb. 14 meeting.

With what seems to be a trend of natural disasters hitting the county year after year, such as the Caldor and Mosquito fires and the series of storms that caused flooding and damage in the early days of 2023, District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin recommended hiring a consultant to evaluate the structure of the county’s Office of Emergency Services and overall response and recovery efforts to disaster.

“We just seem to be in crisis mode every year,” Parlin said. “District 4 specifically has gotten hit pretty hard and I do hear from the public a lot on why we don’t do certain things … I think our constituents think we are in charge of everything

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Courtesy photos

Maj. Drew Dela Cruz, a former El Dorado Hills resident, received the Distinguished Flying Cross late last year for his life-saving decisions during the Afghan evacuation.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Drew Dela Cruz accepts his award during a special ceremony. When he’s not deployed Dela Cruz is stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield.

Dr. DEAn BADEr

Doris Lee (Thomas)

Bado

Aug. 3, 1924 – Nov. 21, 2022

Doris Lee (Thomas) Bado passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 at the age of 98. Doris was born Aug. 3, 1924 to Lee and Minna (Fischer) Thomas in Los Angeles, Calif. She joined her 3 year old sister Ruth Elaine. She grew up in Monterey Park, where in grade school met her lifelong girlfriends, the Ya Hava’s. The 7 of them lived into their 90’s. In 1943 Doris graduated from Mark Kepel High School. After graduating she worked for Laura Scudder’s, which was just down the street. She would go with her work friends to USO dances and through them met the love of her life Navy Machinist mate Robert (Bob) Bado on a blind date. He proposed soon after and was sent to the pacific. They married June 1945. At their 50th anniversary celebration Bob said “marrying her was the smartest thing he ever did!”

They had 3 children, Cherryl, John and Robert while living in Monterey Park, and soon moved to West Covina where they lived for 25 years. Doris loved to cook. She made homemade cookies, great meals and desserts. She loved games. She taught her children to play cards at a young age. She took sewing, cake decorating and yoga classes. They had great family vacations camping and waterskiing.

Bob retired early in 1976 and moved to Placerville. They continued fishing and camping with friends and family. Every year they’d travel to see their children. Doris was there at each of her six grandchildren’s birth even though they were born in five di erent states.

While in Placerville they ran the Mining Brook Ranch. They sold apples, peaches, pears, vegetables and Chenin Blanc grapes. They had a pie shop where Doris would hand make up to 1000 pies from September to December. They were active in the American Legion and the Auxiliary. Doris joined a Bunco group that lasted until COVID 19 in 2020.

In 2007 they moved to a smaller home in Eskaton Village. Bob passed away in 2012. Doris joined the neighborhood Bunco group and continued to be active, living in her own home for an additional 10 years. She loved her independence, watching the songbirds and the squirrels. She was still driving, running errands, keeping house, baking cookies, playing Mexican Train until a few months before her death. She loved her friends and laughing, but most of all her family. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She will be greatly missed.

She is predeceased by her parents, her sister, her husband Bob, her great granddaughter Georgia Durmier and most of her contemporaries. She is survived by her daughter Cherryl Stillwell, son John (Dianne) Bado and son Robert (Molly) Bado. Her grandchildren Gary (Sonja) Drahos, Michelle (Doug) Autin, David B. Stillwell, Stephanie Bedient, John R. Bado (Yvonne) and Chelsea Roberts. Her great grandchildren Ssgt Austin (Kelsey) Smith, Jake Smith, Neveah Carr, Joshia Bedient, Joseph Nadler, Olivia Drahos, James Drahos, Page Bedient, Cherrly Drahos, Jackson Durmier, Connor Roberts and Becky (Sam) Owens. Also, her sister-in-law Aloha (Bado) Engholm and many nieces, nephews and cousins. No services are planned per her wishes. She and Bob will be inurned at Westwood Cemetery at a later date. Our thanks to the many wonderful caring people at Snowline Hospice. Contributions may be made to Snowline Hospice in her memory.

weather

Roger “Michael” (Mooney) Bickel

July 21, 1961 – Jan. 8, 2023

On January 8, 2023, Roger “Michael” (Mooney) Bickel unexpectedly died from an undiagnosed heart condition while he was sleeping. He is survived by his only daughter, Olivia DeGennaro, his parents Suzy Douvres Bickel and John Bickel, sisters Lisa Wyneken and Lupe Medrano, brother Matthew Mooney-Bickel, nephews Mykk Mead, Michael Pielaet-Strayer and Peter Pielaet-Strayer, Juan Medrano, and nieces Sara Wyneken and Isabel Medrano. We will miss his sense of humor, his beautiful smile, and his generosity to his friends and family.

A Celebration of Life will follow later this year.

William Joseph Gyorgy Sr.

March 9, 1940 – Feb. 13, 2023

William passed away at Marshall Hospital on February 13 at the age of 82. Bill (as he was known as) was born in San Francisco, California March 9, 1940 to Joseph and Mae Gyorgy. He was raised and went to school in Millbrae California. He was enlisted in the US Navy for 2 years. In 1964 he married his lifelong partner Shirley Gyorgy.

In 1974 Bill, Shirley and their 4 sons moved to El Dorado County. Bill owned his own business (El Dorado Communications) where he worked on radios including the El Dorado County sheri and fire fighters radios.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors especially Snow skiing. At the age of 80 he still continued to snow ski down advanced slopes. His all time favorite was the San Francisco 49ers and had all the memorabilia to show it. He was a very loyal and dedicated republican and he made sure anyone he knew was aware of it by talking hours on the subject.

He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley Gyorgy and his son Sean Gyorgy. He leaves behind his son’s Greg, Billy, and Joey Gyorgy; grandson Kyle Gyorgy; granddaughter’s Journie, Hannah, Ashleigh, and Kayla; great-granddaughter’s Aleigha and Annabelle; great-grandson Gydyon Gyorgy and daughter-in-law Rebecca Gyorgy.

Funeral services will be held at Saint Patrick Church in Placerville, Monday, February 27 at 11:00 A.M. Interment afterward at Westwood Hills Memorial Park, 2720 Cold Springs Road, Placerville Calif. 95667. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 119, 4561 Greenstone Road, Placerville.

Roberta Hart

June 14, 1935 - Nov. 2, 2022

Roberta Eileene Hart (Bobbie) 87, passed away November 2, 2022 at Spring Gardens in Heber City, Utah. She was born in Sacramento, Calif, June 14, 1935 to Robert and Reola Liddil. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Don Hart, brother Samuel Liddil, stepdaughter Vicky Harriman, and son-in-law Je rey Miller. Bobbie is survived by her sister, Nancy Thomas (Gerald), daughters, Lisa Centers, Sarah Nelson (Gary), Paula Miller, stepson’s Verl Hart and Ray Hart (Pam). Granddaughters, Nicole, Andrea, Norey, and Sonya, and step-grandchildren, Garrett, Stacy, Joy, Gene, and Ki n, and twelve great-grandchildren. When Bobbie’s mother passed away just before she turned 10, she went to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Mason, Ohio on a farm. She moved back to Sacramento in High School and graduated from C.K. McClatchy with novelist Joan Didion. Bobbie attended Sacramento City College and became a Nurse (RN) and passed the CA Real Estate Licensing Exam. Bobbie enjoyed golf, tennis, bridge, walking her dog; she was a fantastic cook, loved art history, creating beautiful ceramics, painting, and designing an amazing, detailed rock garden in her yard that she made into her own magical Eden. She was involved with the Cerebral Palsy Guild when they brought the famous astrologer Jeane Dixon to Sacramento. After retiring, she became a Senior Peer Counselor in El Dorado County. Bobbie was always creative, kind, believed in setting a good example, and leaving everything better than she found it. A Celebration of the Life of Bobbie will be held Wednesday, March 15 at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road in Placerville, Calif. 95667 at 1:00PM, with a reception to follow.

Nancy Virginia Farrell

Dec. 25, 1934 – Jan. 27, 2023

Nancy Virginia Farrell, age 88, of Placerville, passed away due to natural causes on Jan. 27. She leaves behind a loving family and many friends. Nancy was born to Hollie and Ruth Koch in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Christmas

Day in 1934. In 1947, she moved with her parents to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif. in 1952. Nancy then graduated from the Grace Ball Secretarial School in 1953, where she was commended by Grace Ball herself for her “excellent accuracy” in typing and the “attractiveness” of her shorthand.

Putting her secretarial skills to work, Nancy was employed as the secretary to the editor of Sunset Magazine in Menlo Park, Calif. Nancy and her husband at the time, Paul Van Erden, moved to Sutter Creek, Calif. in 1957. After Paul and Nancy moved to Placerville in 1969, she began working part time for Sunset Magazine, indexing all of the articles that were published by the magazine. When her children reached middle school age, Nancy began working as a school secretary, first at Herbert C. Green Middle School (Placerville) and then later at Charles F. Brown Elementary School (Diamond Springs). Her proudest life’s work was raising her three children.

Nancy was married three times during her long life. In addition to her first marriage to Paul in 1953, she was the loving wife of Irving “Jim” Farrell from 1982 until his untimely death in 1993. She and Jim lived in Pollock Pines where she made many lifelong friends. After Jim’s passing, Nancy returned to Placerville where she was married to Robert “Bob” Dutton from 1999 until his passing in 2009. With both Jim and Bob, Nancy was very active in the community and enjoyed traveling widely. With her marriages, Nancy embraced numerous step-children, step-grandchildren, and new in-laws.

Throughout her life, Nancy enjoyed sewing, tole painting, playing pinochle and bunco, entertaining, walking, and traveling. Nancy was an active member of the Federated Church, (including the Federated Church Women), the Widowed Persons Association of California, and the Placerville Shakespeare Club. Her giving personality and kind demeanor meant that a circle of caring friends surrounded her. She has said that the thing she is most proud of is that she was always polite and kind to others.

Three children survive Nancy from her first marriage to Paul: son Lynn Van Erden and daughterin-law Melodie Van Erden (Anderson) of Pollock Pines, Calif; daughter Jean Eckles (Van Erden) and son-in-law Vince Eckles of Big Bear, Calif; daughter Kristin Hayes (Van Erden) and son-in-law David Hayes of Colorado Springs, Colo. She is also survived by her loving brother, David Koch, and sister-in-law Sheila Koch of San Mateo, Calif; and her sisterin-law, Nancy Koch (wife of Nancy’s late brother, Richard Koch) of Hillsborough, Calif. Nancy leaves behind six adoring grandsons: Gunner and Erik Van Erden, Bailey and Corbin Eckles, and Travis and Connor Hayes.

A memorial service will be held for Nancy at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 3. It will take place at Federated Church Placerville (1031 Thompson Way), followed by a reception on premises. She will be interred at Westwood Hills Memorial Park in Placerville during a small family gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Nancy’s memory to Snowline Hospice, Placerville.

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obituAries

Lucy Ann Barnes

July 20, 1931 – Feb. 6, 2023

Lucy Ann Barnes died early Monday morning, 6 February 2023 of natural causes. She was born on 20 July 1931 to Frances and Ivan Ryerson.

The family lived in Columbus and Urbana, Ohio until 1943, then moved to Santa Monica, CA where Ivan was employed as a salesman for a plastics company during the war years; selling plastic components used in military aircraft etc. Lucy attended junior high and high school at Santa Monica, then completed her AA at college in Stockton. She met her future husband, Robert Barnes at college, and married him after he graduated from the USAF Officer Candidate school in 1951. Bob served seven years in the military as a B-29 and B-47 pilot, then spent 17 years in test engineering and corporate marketing at Raytheon Missile Systems Division. Bob’s career led the family (3 sons and one daughter) to live in beautiful Malibu CA. and not so beautiful New Carlisle, Ohio.

Once the kids graduated from high school they all abandoned Ohio and returned to California. Bob and Lucy followed their kids back to California in 1980, residing in their home on Mortara Circle until 2017. Lucy was a real estate agent in Placerville, CA for over 30 years. She started with Wentz Realty and eventually she and Bob became partners of American Heritage Real Estate with their dear friends Ron and Jan Murphy. She loved her job and all the friends she made working during her career. Lucy is survived by her four children, five grandchildren, two brothers and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on 24 February at the Federated Church in Placerville, followed by a reception at the Shakespeare Club from 3-5 PM. All her friends are welcome to attend.

Kathleen Garnet

McCoy

Nov. 29, 1943 – Feb. 3, 2023

Kathleen Garnet McCoy (nee Brayer) of Fairfield, Calif., (lately of El Dorado) passed away Feb. 3 at the age of 79. She was born Nov. 29, in Denver, Colo. and grew up there, in England; Evanston, Ill; Phoenix, Ariz; and Riverside, Calif. with her parents and three siblings of whom she was the oldest.

After meeting her husband John while she was at UCLA and he at Caltech, she married and later graduated from Cal State LA in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. Kathy worked initially as a teacher of English and Social Studies before transitioning into IT after a move to Massachusetts. Returning to California in the mid-1980s, she spent nearly 20 years an official QA “breaker” of technology for companies including MCI, Novell, and Blue Martini.

Kathy was known as the Energizer Bunny to her children and grandchildren and as a great mentor and friend to her students and colleagues. She was a master of the domestic arts as well the subjunctive and spreadsheets. She served as a Girl Scout leader and in retirement was an active volunteer with the El Dorado Democrats, AAUW, and the League of Women Voters.

She is preceded in death by her parents Garnet and Herbert Brayer, historians and a very peripatetic couple. She is survived by her husband of 60 years John and children John Jr, and daughter Kristine and Kristine’s children Graeme Thistlewaite and Ainsley Thistlewaite as well as her siblings Penelope Klipfel, Herbert Oliver (Terry) Brayer Jr, and Michael Brayer and their families.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s honor to AAUW Tech Trek summer STEM program for girls at https://www. aauw-ca.org/category/aauw-fund/

Charles “Charlie”

Wagaman

July 1, 1927 – Jan. 3, 2023

Charles “Charlie” Wagaman born July 1, 1927, in Basehor, Kansas, passed away on January 3, 2023, at the age of 95 in Roseville, California. He was a long time resident of Placerville until he moved to the Big Island in 2001 after the passing of his wife, Shirley Wagaman, only returning for health care and to be closer to family. He was predeceased by parents, Randall Parker Wagaman and Vera Mary (Blake) Wagaman; all wives Doris (Anderson) Wagaman, Shirley (Bisiaux) Wagaman and Kimie (Yamazaki) Wagaman; son Steve Wagaman, all his 8 siblings and many, many friends. He is survived by daughter, Sandy (Brian) Green, 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandsons, and many nieces and nephews. He was a U.S. Army veteran, worked many years for Aerojet, Gold Trail and Black Oak Mine Unified School Districts, and the Mountain Democrat.

He was a past member of the Coloma Grange serving as secretary and Grange Master; loved golfing, painting, swimming, photography, baseball, singing, showing visitors around the Big Island, and playing cribbage. He was known as the cribbage king in Hawaii and few could beat him. He was loved by all who met him for his kindness, honesty, integrity and great sense of humor. Memorial services in California and Hawaii to be held in the future. At his wishes, he will once again go to Hilo Bay on the Big Island. His family has a hole in their hearts, but at the age of 95, he was ready to greet those in heaven that had predeceased him.

Edith Caroline Coalson/Berger

Jan. 7, 1929 – o ct. 8, 2022

Long time resident of Placerville died in Fresno with family members in attendance. She was 93.

She was preceded in death by two husbands; Rex Coalson in 2004 and Ed Berger in 2019. She is survived by her three children; Gerald Coalson, Warren Coalson and Alene Ferretta; eleven grandchildren, thirtythree great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren.

During her life she traveled extensively throughout the U.S., visiting all fifty states. She also traveled through Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama.

She was loved by her family and large circle of friends. She will be missed by all of us.

A service will be held Feb. 25 at 2:00 p.m. in Placerville at Our Saviour Episcopal Church, 2979 Coloma St. which she attended for over 40 years.

Those who wish to send flowers please consider a donation to her favorite charity instead; Our Savior Episcopal Church of Placerville.

Jeanne Henes Jones

Nov. 30, 1930 – Jan. 17, 2023

Jeanne Henes Jones born November 30, 1930 passed away peacefully at her home in Placerville on January 17, 2023. She was 92 years old.

Jeanne was fond of recounting her wonderful childhood growing up in the small town of Menominee. She was a proud Yooper-those who hail from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The shores of Green Bay, Lake Michigan along which Menominee was situated brought her many fond memories. Summers were filled with swimming, sailing, and walking along the beach.

Jeanne met her future husband, David L. Jones, while in the sixth grade. She and David often walked along the shores and looked for fossils washed up on the beach. David was intrigued by this evidence of ancient life. Little did Jeanne know how his passion for all things rock would create a driving force in their lives. They were married in her parents’ home in Menominee on June 18, 1953. They were married for 54 years.

Jeanne and David relocated to California where David finished up his graduate work in geology. Jeanne described California of the 1950s as an absolute paradise, and she fell in love with its beauty. Jeanne shared her love of nature and its rejuvenating powers with her four children. To her, it was a personal requirement to spend time outdoors soaking it all in. Routinely, the family spent a day hiking at one of the Bay Area’s local parks. Summers were spent backpacking in the high Sierras. Jeanne spent subsequent years hiking, birdwatching, backpacking, and reveling in the grandeur of California.

In 1981, Jeanne and David purchased a 65-acre pear farm in Placerville with the goal of starting a family vineyard and winery. Over the next 35 years, Jeanne and David, and their sons built what is now Lava Cap Winery. During those early years, David was teaching Geology at UC Berkeley, and Jeanne was instrumental in creating the structure and foundations for a successful business. David passed away in 2007, but Jeanne and her family carried on the development of Lava Cap Winery. It was of great of joy even in her last days to know that Lava Cap was in good hands and continuing to thrive. Jeanne’s steady Midwest sensibilities, strong work ethic, and unwavering devotion combined with a delightful sense of humor were an inspiration to all. She is survived by her four children-Becky, Tom, Charlie, and Sue, sixteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren.

At her request, a memorial service will be at Lava Cap Winery. It will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 1-3 P.M.

Jay MacIntyre

April 7, 1943 – Feb. 6, 2023

Jay Ramsey MacIntyre was born April 7, 1943 in Palo Alto, California, and passed away on February 6, 2023 in Roseville, CA. Jay grew up in Colfax, Auburn and Sacramento and graduated in the first graduating class at Encina High School in 1961. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and upon being Honorably Discharged, began working for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph in 1966. It is there he met and married the love of his life, Michele (Henke) MacIntyre on September 30, 1966 and before Michele’s passing, were married for 52 years. They moved to Placerville in 1974 with their two children, Sean and Tina. He retired from the Telephone Company in 2009. Jay and Michele sold their home in 2009 and moved to Roseville. Jay is survived by his children, Sean (wife Laura, children Eibhen, Iain & Broghan), of Flint, Michigan and Tina (husband DJ, children Isabelle, Elizabeth and Daniel) of Lake Forest, CA, nephew Jon Haney (wife Rachel and children Jack, Jones and Rylie) of Loomis, CA, and brother-in-law Robert Henke (wife Catherine) of Blaine, Washington.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Michele, parents John (Jack) and Rose MacIntyre, and his sister Mary Haney.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home, P.O. Box 991, Placerville, CA 95667

Sylvester Alphonse Ramacher

June 10, 1932 – Jan. 18, 2023

Sylvester Alphonse Ramacher

“Ram”, age 90, passed away at his home in Cameron Park, Calif., on January 18. He was born June 10, 1932, in St Paul, Minnesota, to Alphonse and Genevieve Ramacher.

At age 18, Syl enlisted in the Marines and became a Korean War Veteran serving as an anti-aircraft machine gunner, (1950- 1954). Upon leaving the Marines, he continued serving our Country in the Navy (1956-1960) and Army Reserve (1965-1997).

Syl loved to learn and in 1963 he found his passion when he began studying Martial Arts with Bruce Tegner. He achieved 3rd degree Brown Belt in Jukado. He began studying Kenpo Karate with Steve Fox and would receive his 1st Black Belt in 1974. Ram received his 2nd Black Belt in 1984 and 3rd in 1986, both studying under Ed Parker. 4th Black Belt was achieved in 2004 and 5th in 2007, under Jeff Speakman. Inducted into the Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame in 1970. He also became proficient in Martial Art Stick Fighting (Escrima) and practiced the art until he was 90 years of age. He received the Presidential Sports Award from President Gerald Ford in 1975. He founded several Karate schools in Northern California. Ram last participated in a Karate tournament in 2003, at age 71.

Also in 1963, he and then wife, Katie would pack up their three kids and move to Folsom, from the Los Angeles area. Ram became a Corrections Officer for Folsom State Prison, (which, at the time, was a maximum-security prison), because it was more interesting to him than being a mail carrier. He worked at New and Old Folsom for most of his 32 years, but would complete his career at Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City.

He was always a student, an avid reader, writer, and sketch artist. He won several county awards for his pen and ink drawings and for his poetry.

He loved watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings with his family. He immensely enjoyed watching boxing with his clan and he was at his complete pleasure perusing Barnes & Nobles with them. It filled his heart to watch his great-grandchildren play at the park. He is a very loved and missed father, grandfather, great-grandfather...

He is survived by his two sisters, Eileen Zentis (husband Roger) and Katie Wick (Leon); two daughters, Maria Nelson (Jerry) and Veronica Higgins (Brad). Nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren. 1st wife, Catalina (Katie) Ramacher and many loved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Syl is predeceased by his son, Pino Ramacher and 2nd wife, Phyllis Daniels-Ramacher. Memorial service will be held at Sacramento Valley Veterans Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, Calif., at 1:00, on Monday, February 27.

legislAtors’ Addresses

PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL

City Hall 3101 Center St. Placerville 95667

530-642-5200

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

DETECTING ORAL CANCER

Oral cancer screenings are routinely performed as part of a dental checkup. During an exam, the dentist will look for abnormal red or white patches and sores. They will do a visual exam but may also use a cancer screening light or dye. If abnormal cells are detected, the dentist will do additional tests to learn more. Oral cancer screenings are particularly important for those who are at higher risk. These include people with a history of heavy alcohol use and those who use any type of tobacco product. Others at risk are people with HPV (human papillomavirus), people with a history of oral cancer, and those with a history of heavy sun exposure, due to increased risk of lip cancer.

We are concerned about all aspects of your health. If oral cancer or any other medical condition comes to our attention during a dental exam, you can be sure we will discuss the issues with you as well as any other healthcare provider if you choose. We bring you our dental column as a way to inform our friends and neighbors here in Placerville of the many benefits of professional dentistry. For gentle dental care for the family, please call us for an appointment.

P.S. Mouth sores are common and are usually noncancerous, but if one is detected, your dentist may recommend further testing through a biopsy.

OBITUARIES

James Salomon

Mar. 17, 1935 – Jan. 12, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of my father, Jim Salomon, who passed away peacefully at age 87. My dad enjoyed woodworking, garage-tinkering, and caring for the people he loved. He leaves behind his wife Judith, daughter Leslie, son David, and grandchildren, Christina and Ryan.

Elino Delacruz Jacaban

Aug. 16 1947 – Jan. 24, 2023

Elino Delacruz Jacaban age 75 passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 24, 2023 in Placerville, Calif., after a courageous battle with COPD.

Elino was born on August 16, 1947 in Russell City, Calif. to Paulino and Betty Jacaban. He graduated from James Logan High School in 1965. He went on to attend Chabot College majoring in Chemistry. He chose to pursue a career in the Restaurant industry where he worked for several upscale restaurants in the Bay Area. In the the early ‘80s, he relocated to Pollock Pines, Calif. and began working at the 50 Grand Restaurant as a cook where he enjoyed a 30 plus year career. He very much enjoyed the unique community of Pollock Pines and surrounding Placerville area.

Elino loved the Sierra Nevada’s and was an avid outdoorsmen. He enjoyed fishing – especially the art of Fly Fishing. He enjoyed studying the history of the Great West and collecting guns and rifles of the era. He took great pride in sharing this love with his Granddaughter Stephani.

Elino and his wife Wilma Jacaban were long time parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville, Calif. They both enjoyed devoting time to the parish and actively volunteering to support their community.

Elino was preceded in death by his wife of 19 years, Wilma Jacaban (née Brewer) and is survived by his daughters Malynda Plaisance of Camino, Calif., Stacey and Ed Fernandes of Cameron Park, Calif., grandchildren Stephani and Ian Hilder, and great grandchildren Mads, Gri n and Sophie of Folsom, Calif.

Family and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Thursday February 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. located at 3109 Sacramento St., Placerville Calif. 95667

To express condolences visit: https://my.gather. app/fh/green-valley-mortuary-crematory/family/ elino-jacaban

Dorothy (Dot) Elizabeth Nelson

Aug. 31, 1927 – Feb. 2, 2023

Mom was born to hard working Swedish immigrants Abela & Karl Peterson in Palo Alto, CA on Aug. 31, 1927, and was welcomed by sister Barbara. Times were hard in the Great Depression, so her father found work stacking green lumber in the mills at China Flat (near Kyburz) and in the heat of Tuolumne, which lead to his early death when Mom was 9. A wonderful step-father, Arthur Benson, stepped in to love and support the family. She graduated Palo Alto HS, class of ‘45, as WWII was coming to an end. A few years earlier, her Japanese girlfriends had to leave without saying good bye. She had some great times with friends at Santa Cruz Beach and worked hard helping bring needed income for the family through domestic work and scooping ice cream, before going to work at Hofman’s Jewelry Store in Palo Alto. Soon, she fell in love with a handsome, tan Merchant Marine, Albert Nelson, who was also born of Swedish immigrants. Dad, being shy, was introduced to Mom by his sister, Alvera. Fun days were spent shore fishing, eating abalone, and enjoying the outdoors. They married in April 1948 at the First Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, with Dorothy joining the large, happy, and very loving Nelson family. Four years later Kristine was born. With the help of family members, they built a house in Los Altos Hills, with Mom on the roof nailing split redwood shingles until it was almost time to give birth to Paula. Mom laid brick with her little toddler Kris at her side. She was a tough and talented woman.

In 1960 they pulled up stakes and moved to the Sierra foothills near Placerville, where they could raise their girls with chickens, pigeons, a huge garden and room to roam any direction on the horses. Mom worked many years at Hangtown Hardware before moving to Placerville Hardware. She did this while maintaining a home, an excellent garden and fixing delicious dinners served on-time and hot, whether for 4 or 24 people. She was on a bowling team and could out-fish most everyone in the Sierra streams and lakes. Camping, fishing, and horseback riding were constants with Al and her girls. With their great group of friends and the Nelson family, there were always parties, dances, and card games. She was an avid knitter and a founding member of the Hangtown Tennis group of ladies. She enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe with friends and a special trip to NZ with Paula, and to Sweden with family members, to meet her dear aunts & cousins.

In 1992 Al passed away after a 15-year hard road with dementia. Mom cared for him through most of it. She decided it was time to sell the Placerville house and move to Darby, MT where daughter, Kris, was raising cattle and riding horses with husband Jake Reddin. She packed up, even moving some of her favorite garden plants. There were new mountain vistas, fishing streams, horseback riding, and a new fun tennis group. Winters were spent in Mesa, AZ playing tennis with yet another wonderful group and joining in on other fun activities. Mom was a favorite doubles partner because of her mean serve. She lived alone and cared for her Darby home and garden until finally moving in with Paula in 2020, continuing to cook fabulous meals and bake her great Christmas cookies until she came down with RSV and pneumonia at the end of the year, and passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 2, 2023.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her dear husband Albert, parents Abela and Karl Peterson, step-father Arthur Benson, and sister Barbara (Syd) Bowling. She is survived by daughter Kris and son-in-law Jake Reddin, daughter Paula, all of Darby, as well as numerous nephews and a niece, and grandnieces & nephews, too in CA, MI, AZ, CO and Sweden.

Cremation was handled by Daly-Leach Chapel and no services are planned. Remembrances would be appreciated by St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Bitterroot Health Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Mom was a talented, loving, fun, hardworking, caring, courageous person and the best mother ever. She was an inspiration to all who knew her well and we encourage you to face the world as she did; with resolve, care, & kindness.

Rayona (Mickey) Clancy

Oct. 28, 1928 – Feb. 8, 2023

Rayona (Mickey) Clancy, resident of Placerville, Ca., passed away on Feb. 8, 2023.

Services to be announced at a later date. Chapel of the Pines is in charge of arrangements.

Earl R. (Trey) Washburn M.D.

June 18, 1947 – Dec. 20, 2022

Earl “Trey” Robert Washburn passed away on December 20, in his home in Placerville, California. He and his brother Steven were raised in Stockton, California, by his parents Earl and JaNette Washburn. He is survived by wife Marian Washburn, sons Daniel (Kristina), Alex (Joanna), brother Steven (Kathy), grandchildren Addison, Jack, Lucy and Samuel, honorary daughter Soledad Martinez Montequin (Mikel) and many dearly loved cousins.

He lived a life of humor, music, learning, family, and service to his community.

Trey graduated from the University of the Pacific, where he met Marian. He attained his MD in Pediatrics from the University of California at Davis and San Francisco. He and his family moved to Placerville in 1976. There, Trey founded El Dorado Pediatric Medical Group and was soon joined by Dr. Je rey Rabinovitz.

Trey spent his entire professional career as a Pediatrician in Placerville, while also serving as Chief of Sta at Marshall Hospital, Placerville; Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UC Davis Medical School; Advisor to P.R.I.D.E. and Joy; member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County; and Commissioner of First Five California, El Dorado County.

As well as his local a liations, Trey served with great pride in leadership roles with Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society, Sierra Health Foundation Board of Directors, California Medical Association House of Delegates and the American Medical Association House of Delegates

As a youngster and an adult, Trey loved hiking and camping. He participated in Outward Bound and organized group camps with his friends and their families. On these occasions, he would pull out the guitar for fireside sing-alongs. He enjoyed sailing as well as hiking with his peers in a group known as the “Old Goats.”

Trey was an avid national and international traveler, coordinating many trips with friends and family over the years to destinations near and far.

Carrying a lifelong love of science and Science Fiction, he was especially fond of aerospace and weather gadgetry. In retirement, he began the pursuit of creative writing and was happiest when writing stories for his four grandchildren. He belonged to multiple writing groups which led him to new and rewarding friendships.

Despite his own lifelong di cult health challenges, Trey devoted his career to the wellbeing of young people with deep caring for those with special needs.

Donations supporting Trey’s values may be made to Snowline Hospice, El Dorado Community Foundation, or Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprise (M.O.R.E.).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 23rd, 3:00 p.m. at the Federated Church.

TheGold Mine

Cross Continued

Kabul, possibly in the form of suicide bombers. So, they’d taken extra precautions to search every evacuee prior to boarding.

In the air as the aircraft awaited its turn to land, a 16-year-old Afghan mother began convulsing then fell unconscious. To better care for the stricken woman in an area away from the crowded cargo hold Dela Cruz authorized that she be brought up to the flight deck.

As the crew did so, two Afghan men forced their way to the front in an attempt to gain entry to the cockpit. A security staff sergeant, called a Raven, physically restrained one of them while an Air Force loadmaster pulled the other away, both using nonlethal force to defuse the attack and discourage panic within the crowded cabin.

A female senior airman saved the life of the convulsing woman, while a lieutenant barricaded the cockpit door as Dela Cruz declared a medical emergency and landed the aircraft.

On the tarmac at Al Udeid, the crisis intensified as there were so many aircraft jammed across the airfield that unsafe taxi instructions put Reach 651 in danger. Another pilot helped Dela Cruz plot a safe route through parked planes to awaiting medics, but even after the sickened woman was taken off the aircraft remaining passengers had to stay on board until the plane could get to a safe location.

Temperatures soared above 100 degrees, as did the suffering of the passengers who screamed for relief so loudly that ground security forces grew alarmed.

Dela Cruz’ parents Jill and Rick, who live in El Dorado Hills, first

thought there was little to worry about since their son was assigned to fly a cargo ship; then they realized how hazardous flying into Kabul to extract refugees might be and prayed for his safety. Rick said, “We knew the Kabul airfield was surrounded by mountains, but learned later that it had no air traffic control system that would guide how to land or where to go after landing.”

Rick described his son as cool under pressure. “In high school he played varsity golf at Oak Ridge. In golf you learn how to stay calm and he’s been that way since; the academy also did something to motivate him to be the way that he is.

“We had every confidence in him that he’d do the job, and he did. He’s a great pilot,” his father continued.

“I was amazed at how they got those people out of there. It was incredible what they did.”

Drew’s poise, sound decisions and command authority aboard Reach 651 led to his being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a single act of heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. Seven other members of the crew of Reach 651 also received the DFC for their valor that day.

The last flight Drew took out of Kabul was, his father said, his proudest moment. “It was Marines that he took out and he said the proudest thing he did over there was to get those Marines out and back to safety.”

Maj. Drew Dela Cruz is stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, where he lives with his wife Janessa. He has two brothers: Cory lives in San Diego and Robert lives in Livermore.

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department records:

Feb. 9

7:16 a.m. Burglary was reported on Broadway.

2:54 p.m. A bicycle was reported stolen on Willow Street.

5:32 p.m. Officers received a report that someone brandished a knife on Broadway.

6:42 p.m. Officers cited a 65-yearold man accused of trespassing on Broadway.

8:47 p.m. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

8:57 p.m. A vehicle was reported stolen on Ray Lawyer Drive.

Feb. 10

7:58 a.m. Officers arrested a 62-year-old man who allegedly failed to register as a sex offender on Broadway.

12:56 p.m. Officers arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of

public intoxication on Main Street.

4:40 p.m. Battery and vandalism were reported on Benham Street.

10:11 p.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Fair Lane.

Feb. 11

11:25 p.m. Officers cited a 65-yearold man who allegedly stole a shopping cart on Broadway.

3:47 p.m. Officers arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication on Fair Lane.

Feb. 12

7:05 p.m. Officers cited a 41-yearold man reportedly driving on a suspended license on Main Street.

Feb. 13

1:22 p.m. A generator was reported stolen from the back of a truck parked on Coloma Street.

4:47 p.m. Officers arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of a probation violation on Broadway Court.

5:25 p.m. Officers arrested a 65-year-old man on suspicion of shoplifting and public intoxication on Broadway.

Feb. 14

7:44 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a Main Street business.

7:21 p.m. Officers arrested a 38-year-old woman who had a felony warrant on Forni Road.

7:25 p.m. Officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Schnell School Road.

Feb. 15

8:32 a.m. Officers arrested a 62-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication on Mosquito Road.

1:55 p.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of trespassing on Placerville Drive.

5:01 p.m. Officers arrested a 39-year-old woman on suspicion of public intoxication on Marshall Way.

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Peace officers converge

ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS: JOIN THE CREATIVE CORPS CAPITAL REGION information Session

Thursday, February 23, at 6:00 pM Center street Gallery 3182 Center street, placerville or

Tuesday, February 28, at 6:00 pM Georgetown Library 6680 Orleans street, Georgetown

Calling all nonprofit organizations, artist collectives, and individual artists with a project or interest in bringing awareness to issues facing our community today!

Join us to learn about the Creative Corps Capital Region grant program and help us to:

Create space for new connections between local and/or tribal government, service agencies, arts organizations and artists

•

Create opportunities to explore the intersection of arts & social sector work

•

Make space for intentional learning about how issues impact local communities

Bringing together artists and agencies to create public messaging on the region’s most critical issues:

•

Public health

•

Water and Energy conservation, climate mitigation; emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery Civic engagement, including election participation

Social justice and community engagement

More information: ArtsAndCultureeldorAdo org

Disaster response

but we don’t have a magic wand to fix everything.”

Continued from A1

the Chief Administrative Office and Sheriff’s Office, within six months’ time.

Supervisors commented that a consultant would benefit the public in understanding each responding entity’s roles and responsibilities during disasters.

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl said it is time to reassess how the county responds and collaborates in emergencies.

“I’ve personally received inputs from (the California Office of Emergency Services) on things they believe El Dorado County could do better in terms of collaboration and discussion, so I would hope they would be included in whatever review we do in terms of viewing our interaction and response … and see if they have any recommendations on how that can become a better collaboration,” he noted.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct staff to hire a consultant, in collaboration with

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine pointed out that most county resources in charge of emergency response aren’t headquartered in the Tahoe Basin and suggested scenarios be considered if disasters were to happen there.

“Oftentimes we get so focused on the West Slope that we forget that there could be situations in our jurisdiction, but not where we are physically located,” Laine said.

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo added that while areas of response could be improved, including predeployment of resources during fire events, he also noted the Food Bank of El Dorado County’s efforts in opening an emergency resource center as moving in the right direction.

“That is going to be a big asset to our county, and other surrounding counties as well, when we have to tap into those resources,” Turnboo said.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Sheriff Leikauf thanks local resident and Realtor Patti Babish after presenting her with an award from the Thrive with 10-35 organization for putting on a fundraiser for San Joaquin County deputy Josh Tasabia, who was injured in 2019 while riding with sheriff’s deputy Brian Ishmael the morning he was killed.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

President of the Northern California Peace Officers Association Tom Guichard introduces El Dorado County law enforcement leaders present for the organization’s monthly gathering, held last week at the American Legion Post 119 meeting hall in Placerville. Among those in attendance were Placerville Police Chief Joseph Wren, El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, South Lake Tahoe Police Chief David Stevenson and California Highway Patrol commanders from the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe CHP offices, Lt. Rick Hatfield and Lt. Brian Cocagne.

Valerian Kobza is recognized for 14 years of service as chief executive officer of the Northern California Peace Officers Association, as well as being a 43-year member. Kobza is a retired Sacramento County sheriff’s chief deputy.

Photo courtesy of John Albano

Fire districts inching closer to unification

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

The Diamond Springs-El Dorado and El Dorado County Fire protection districts have taken the first official step toward unification.

Following a decision in January by the EDCFPD Board of Directors to establish an ad-hoc committee to explore possible annexation or consolidation, decision-makers for the two districts unanimously approved resolutions of intent to proceed with unification discussions. Both resolutions were approved at regular meetings of the respective agencies this month.

The next step will be the preapplication process with the El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission.

Tahoe ToT Tax

Both agencies will work together over the coming months to determine the shape and operational structure of a potential joint agency, according to an EDCFPD press release.

To better understand the state of affairs across the board, a feasibility study and service plan will be developed and sphere of influence impacts will be identified. Mickey Kaiserman, El Dorado County Fire board director for the city of Placerville, previously estimated the process could take between eight months to a year-and-a-half.

Once this process is complete both boards will have to pass a resolution of application to initiate reorganization and formally submit the application for review by LAFCO.

Supes appoint Measure S Committee members

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed five members to the newly-formed Measure S Committee that will oversee revenue and expenditure generated by a hike in the Transient Occupancy Tax at Lake Tahoe that voters approved in November. Based on the recommendations of District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine and Director of Transportation Rafael Martinez, the five members include Edward Miller, Ami Chilton, Thomas Celio, Janet McDougall and Russell Crawford.

Miller, a Tahoma resident, has been the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District board president for the past 40 years, has owned a consulting business for about 45 years and has served on

numerous nonprofit boards, according to his application for the committee. Celio, who lives in Meyers, worked with the county’s transportation department for more than 30 years before retiring and spent the last 16 years as deputy director of maintenance and operations.

Chilton, of South Lake Tahoe, is the director of capital finance and grants accounting for the last eight years at Lake Tahoe Community College and is also a board member for the South Shore Transportation Management Association.

Crawford, of South Lake Tahoe, is a retired engineer who has extensive knowledge of asphalt after working for the city’s public works department and more than two decades as general manager of Tahoe Asphalt.

n See Measure s, page A9

Bill Rozak Tahoe Daily Tribune

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

sports

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

Odin Rasco Staff writer

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

The Sonora High Wildcats saw their season come to a close Friday when they stepped into the snake pit.

The Union Mine boys basketball team added another win to a season that has them ahead of the pack in Division 4 of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, sending the Wildcats home with a final score of 76-53.

The Diamondbacks secured an early lead they refused to give up, keeping

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Complete

Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.

n TODAy

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Like a diligent squirrel, you will store up what you will later need. It’s wise to know what that will be. It’s a trick question of sorts, too, as your basic needs will stay the same but what fulfills them will change through time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People running around saying there’s a problem doesn’t necessarily make a problem. Check it out for yourself. Avoid wasting your time with issues that aren’t.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may feel like you are reeling forward in a kind of controlled fall. Call it momentum! You can trust yourself. On a subconscious level you know exactly what you are doing, and you’ll catch yourself at just the right moment.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Attraction keeps the planets turning around the sun, the ocean reaching to the moon and someone’s heart returning to you again and again. There’s nothing to actively do here. Give in to the natural gravitational pull.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Turbulence doesn’t know about airplanes. The hot and cold air dramatically intermingle regardless of who might fly through.

For similar reasons, you don’t take the moods of others personally, even as you steer around them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You prize kindness and you look for it at work in the world, aligning yourself with gentle souls and, when the opportunity arises, finding ways to counteract the harshness of the world.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You can try to square the circles, but they will still be circles, doing what circles do, which is mostly roll along. There’s nothing to fight, fix or overcome. Your peace comes from a radical acceptance of what is.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Rather than trying to change the problem, you change yourself and the issue resolves as though by magic. This is the sort of trick you can pull off time and again.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Though you’re as adventurous as they come, the familiarity of a situation will suit you well today. It gives you confidence and helps you settle into a sense of control over what you’re thinking and doing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll be taking on work that’s difficult to assess, but that’s OK. You really don’t need to. It doesn’t matter how much, how well or how timely this is. What matters is that you are doing it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ve been waiting on permission and now you’ll get the go-ahead to do what you’ve been wanting to do. In the days ahead, you will proceed with a steady consistency and begin to see the ripple effect of your actions.

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Set to enter year eight under the Russell Motorsports Inc. banner, Placerville Speedway has released its schedule of events for the upcoming 58th season of competition.

The season starts off with a Test and Tune March 11 followed by the opening point race Saturday, March 18. That night will launch the first of 15 championship point races presented by long-time speedway partner Hoosier Racing Tires. Pointspaying divisions will be comprised of winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and mini trucks.

The annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial featuring the Northern Auto Racing Club 410 sprint cars and the Sprint Car Challenge Tour will hit the Placerville bullring for the third straight season. This time around however, it has transformed into a colossal double-header weekend. The SCCT 360s get things started Friday, June 2, while the NARC Sprinters finish things off with the 32nd running of the Bradway June 3.

The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Abreu Vineyards will also open its sixth season of action during Spring Fever Frenzy at Placerville Speedway

Saturday, March 25.

The annual Nor*Cal Posse Shootout is back on Labor Day weekend, taking place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 and 3. Winged 360 sprint cars will headline the two-night card with more details to follow as the event gets closer. The always-exciting Wingless Sprints will also be in action each night at the shootout.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make its grand return to Placerville Speedway

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

a buffer of at least 10 points for the majority of the game. One of Union Mine’s star players, senior point guard Mason Mottashed reminded the crowd he can sink a 3-pointer or two, but team coordination truly carried the day as the D’backs stayed alert.

Union Mine (25-5) will host the semifinal showdown against the Calaveras Redhawks (24-5) Wednesday at 7 p.m. Union Mine has an average of 77.6 points per game

n See D’BACkS page A9

Saturday, Sept. 16. The 49er Gold Rush Classic marks the 10th-ever appearance by the Greatest Show on Dirt and will also feature the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association.

One of the more anticipated events each season returns with the fourth running of the Hangtown 100 set to commence in November. The USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets will tackle the speedway for three exciting nights of competition Nov. 16, 17 and 18. The Bay Cities Racing Association Wingless Lightning Sprints round out the bill each evening.

Other special events include the 20th Tribute to Al Hinds April 15th, the Tilford Tribute April 22, John Padjen Kids Bike Night presented by the Pizza Factory May 20, Thompson’s Fan Appreciation Night June 24, the annual Freedom Fireworks showcase Tuesday, July 4, the 18th Mark Forni Classic July 29 and the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour Sept. 22 and 23.

The Legends Night event this year on Saturday, Aug. 26 will also double as the Western Sprint Tour Northwest Speedweek finale, guaranteeing a star-studded field of winged 360 sprint cars. Not only will a Speedweek champion be crowned but so will the Placerville Speedway winged sprint car, limited late model and pure stock titlists.

The quarter-mile clay oval is operated by Russell Motorsports. For sponsorship opportunities contact Kami Arnold or Scott Russell at the track business office at (530) 3447592.

D’back guard Carson Murphy looks to make a pass up court in the Union Mine-Sonora basketball quarterfinal Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland Placerville Speedway will kick off its season March 11 with a test and tune and winged 360 racing the following Saturday.

D’backs and Bruins heading to semis Speedway ready to roll

Tahoe Fund gets $187K from Vail Resorts guests

News release

Guests of Northstar California and Heavenly and Kirkwood mountain resorts are positively impacting the environment through Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise Guest Donation Program.

By donating a dollar when purchasing online lift tickets, season passes, lodging and rounds of golf over the past 12 months, guests at these Vail Resorts locations have raised more than $187,000 for the Tahoe Fund to support environmental improvement projects.

“We are thrilled to see how much our guests care about giving back to Tahoe,” said Tom Fortune, VP and COO of Heavenly Mountain Resort and the Tahoe Region. “Through these dollar donations

n See fund, page A11

crime log

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

Feb. 12

1:54 a.m. The California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 34-yearold man suspected of DUI on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. He was later released.

3:56 a.m. The California Highway Patrol booked into jail a 61-yearold man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 near Shingle Springs. He was later released.

9:24 a.m. Burglary was reported in Upper Black Road Road in Cool.

10:20 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Sevier Road in Cool.

11:45 a.m. Burglary was reported on Rhodes Avenue in Placerville.

12:29 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of trespassing and a probation violation on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

5:26 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Cosumnes Mine Road in Somerset.

6:51 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a market on Ellinghouse Drive

D’backs

Continued from A8

this season; Calaveras’ average is 60.3.

Ponderosa in the hunt

In the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Division 2, Ponderosa’s boys basketball team has also made it to the semifinals, winning over visiting Rodriguez High out of Fairfield by a score 76-65 Friday night.

Bruin senior Ethan Boness was on target with 17 points and junior Keenan Patterson

15. Ponderosa (22-8) hosts the Whitney Wildcats (1910) Wednesday at 7 p.m. to decide who moves forward to the section championship. Ponderosa has an average of 76 points per game this season; Whitney’s average is 65.

in Cool.

7:43 p.m. Battery was reported on Oak Lane Court in Placerville.

9:55 p.m. Battery was reported on Crazy Horse Road in Single Springs.

10:28 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a felony probation violation on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody.

11:50 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of aggravated battery on Hillcrest Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Feb. 13

11:58 a.m. Deputies cited a suspect accused of petty theft at a grocery store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

2:14 p.m. Battery was reported on White Oak Ridge Road in Placerville.

3:07 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 69-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He

Measure S Continued from A7

Janet McDougall, also of South Lake Tahoe, is a 60-year resident in the county and retired from municipal law and management after serving for more than two decades primarily with the city of South lake Tahoe.

“I think it’s a well-balanced committee we put together,” Laine said before the board approved the consent agenda, which includes items not specifically discussed. “I look forward to watching their hard work.”

The committee members’ terms will last four years, through Feb. 21, 2027, but they may be removed at any time by a majority vote from the board.

Measure S was approved by more than 80% of voters in the November 2022 election. The measure raised the TOT by 4%, to 14%, with the extra hike expected to generate $2.5 million that is supposed to be solely for snow removal and road maintenance in the Tahoe area. Measure R, a TOT tax increase for the county’s West Slope, was rejected by voters.

TOT is a fee on visitors to the area who stay in vacation home rentals, hotels or other lodging for 30 days or less. The tax does not apply to those who stay at a campsite or a space at a privately owned or state park campground or recreational vehicle park. The committee will serve without compensation, will meet on an annual basis prior to budget approval by the board and before funds are spent and will prepare a written report to the supervisors relating to the revenue and expenditure of the tax funds.

Bader

Continued from A1

reportedly had 12 birds, 27 cats, 153 dogs, 70 pigeons, five chickens, 14 ducks, one goose, five goats, nine exotic animals (lizards and fish), 20 horses and two alpacas on their property.

In practice for more than 50 years, Bader had been the veterinarian of record for the animals owned by the Winstons since at least 2013, according to Animal Services.

In response to a request for comment on the DA’s decision to dismiss charges, Bader shared the following statement in an email to the Mountain Democrat:

“While waiting for Animal Control to act to shut down the illegal kennel operation, and despite his concerns with the owners, he continued to provide veterinary care to some of the animals, most often at his own cost and expense.”

Court records show the Winstons had accumulated charges totaling more than $81,000 for services from the clinic.

“Pleased” that the charges against him have been dismissed, Bader now lives on his ranch in Tennessee but said he still owns the Shingle Springs Veterinary Clinic and that his “life-long love for the care of animals remains his primary purpose.”

Both Alma and Charel pleaded guilty to five felony counts of animal cruelty. Both were sentenced to time served in county jail and five years probation. The terms of probation prohibit them from owning, possessing, maintaining, having custody of, caring for, monitoring or in any way dealing with animals for 10 years.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco Union Mine senior Kendrick Burks guards a Sonora Wildcat.

California Commentary

There’s election fraud and then there’s really election fraud

The risk of election fraud has been a national topic of conversation, but while some people have been focused on mail-in ballots and voting technology, a different type of corruption has been flying under the radar: the use of public funds to campaign for tax increases.

The Free Speech clauses of the federal and state Constitutions prohibit the use of governmentally compelled monetary contributions (including taxes) to support or oppose political campaigns. In 1976 the California Supreme Court ruled, “The use of the public treasury to mount an election campaign which attempts to influence the resolution of issues which our Constitution leaves to the ‘free election’ of the people (see Const., art. II, § 2) … presents a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.” Stanson v. Mott (1976) 17 Cal.3d 206, 218.

Both the state and local governments sometimes stretch the law to its breaking point by claiming that their advocacy is simply “education.” They don’t always get away with it.

From January to March 2017, Los Angeles County spent almost $1 million in public funds on a multimedia campaign urging voters to support Measure H, a one-quarter percent sales tax increase to pay for homelessness services.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission as well as a lawsuit seeking to enforce the law that bars the public treasury from taking sides in an election.

As a result, the county of Los Angeles was fined $1.35 million, the largest fine ever imposed against any agency in California.

HJTA will be watching to make sure local governments don’t use public funds to campaign against a November 2024 ballot measure, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which includes important provisions to ensure that any tax increases are fully disclosed to voters and approved exactly as the state constitution requires, without loopholes or tricks.

California taxpayers are all too familiar with deceptive practices in initiative campaigns, either statewide or local proposals. A measure that claims to “protect taxpayers” or guarantees “strict accountability” is often a tax increase or a bond measure that saddles voters with 30 years of debt payments. The campaign committees behind these anti-taxpayer measures frequently include the word “taxpayer” in their names like “Taxpayers for Common Sense” or “Taxpayers for Traffic Relief.”

Many California voters are irritated by the

n See COupal page A11

The Balancing Act

Letters to the Editor

Correction to letter

EDITOR:

Last Wednesday the Mountain Democrat printed my letter describing the use of the juvenile hall as a temporary homeless shelter. Some 10 years ago, when it was closed as a youth detention center, I was told that its kitchen was a commercial kitchen as I reported in my letter to the editor. Unknown to me, however, since I first toured the facility many of the kitchen appliances have been removed or inactivated such that it can no longer be considered a commercial kitchen. So I made a mistake in my letter, for which I sincerely apologize.

ART EDWARDS

Past president, Hangtown Haven Inc.

Regarding the Human Rights Commission

EDITOR:

This is in reply to Les Francis’ letter of Feb 10, “Commission Confusion,” which begins by comparing Placerville to Moscow in a false and confusing analogy.

The objections to the Human Rights Commission as it is presently constituted is not an assault on human and civil rights, nor the idea of having such a commission. The objection is that the members are not ideologically diverse and politicize social justice issues in the service of a left-wing agenda.

Just one example is members using the unfortunate incident of one student calling out something rude and inappropriate at an Oak Ridge soccer match last year as an occasion to unjustly call out the entire student body and its “culture of racism” and then advocate for the inclusion of antiracism and DEI bureaucracies into the El Dorado County Office of Education as the appropriate solution. I was present at that Zoom meeting and felt the analysis and recommendations of the commission on that occasion were without nuance, without debate, without sufficient evidence and went beyond the mission it was charged with.

Certainly the members of the commission are decent people whose ideas reflect their sincere beliefs and they are welcome to join any political club that advocates for these beliefs, as are we all. But the left, nor the right either for that matter, does not have a monopoly on defining social

justice or what constitutes effective ways of helping disadvantaged people and an unelected government commission in an ideologically diverse community is not the appropriate arena for activism on contentious issues.

As Supervisor Wendy Thomas pointed out, and I think most of us agree with, “The objectives of supporting mutual respect and tolerance and fostering peaceful relationship in our community” — and hope an appropriate structure for this mission can be worked out.

CAROLE BRAVERMAN El Dorado Hills

Plea from a baby in the birth canal

EDITOR:

Dear citizen with the power to help me, I am an innocent baby in the birth canal. I am vulnerable. I am helpless.

They are going to kill me. They are barbaric.

And they are going to kill many other babies just like me who are in the birth canal. Infanticide.

Anyone seeing one of us babies being killed in the birth canal by having surgical instruments thrust down thru the soft spot on the top of our heads causing terrible pain and then having the surgical instruments stirred around in the tissues of our brains would be aghast and know that this is barbaric.

Citizen, I believe you have the power to help us.

Those who condone killing babies in the birth canal either have no conscience or they are demonic. And those killing babies in the womb who are 5 pounds or more are virtually committing infanticide. This too is barbaric.

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” — Alexander Pope

Their monster is the new California abortion law which allows babies to be killed in the birth canal. Infanticide. Barbaric. Satanic.

Mahatma Gandhi said if you find an injustice and bring it into public light and keep it there, it will be corrected. It took Mahatma Gandhi 33 years of tireless effort to lead India to freedom from Britain. We must shout from our rooftops, “Barbaric!” And we must keep shouting until this atrocity is

n See letters page A11

County loses in court but keeps paying those lawyers

Readers have asked for an update on the case of Austin v. El Dorado County, El Dorado Hills Community Services District and El Dorado Hills Fire District, in which the agencies were sued for their failure to follow the Mitigation Fee Act requirements regarding fees collected from builders and individual homeowners for mitigating the impact of their development on the already existing homes. These funds pay for specific new roads, expanding roads, parks, schools, public safety and so on.

When California’s Proposition 13 went into effect it reduced government revenue. In the 1980s a new law was passed called the Mitigation Fee Act to collect money from development to make up for the lost revenue. In order to protect the people from the government, the MFA provides that every five years the local agencies collecting

the money must re-justify the money it still had on hand but did not expand with a new demonstration of continuing need.

As the controlling California case (Walker v. City of San Clemente) on the MFA statute states, every five years there had to be a new re-examination of the need to keep (and collect) the funds. And if that continuing need wasn’t demonstrated, collection of new funds would be effectively barred and any and all monies held in that particular MFA fund would be returned to the current owner of the parcel on which they were originally assessed.

It’s not a particularly difficult task. Each agency must prepare a nexus study that combines the current and projected demographics with traffic studies, park studies and so on to show the needs are still required and the new development will adversely impact the already developed

El

a

community without the fees. There is no question the agencies above did not comply with the five-year findings and nexus study requirement.

In August 2015, the first landmark case (Walker) on the MFA from the 4th District of the California Court of Appeals was rendered (it is the current law in California) ,which states in its first paragraph “when establishing a development fee, a local agency (in this case the county of El Dorado) must identify both how it will use the fee and the relationship between its use and the developments on which the fee is imposed. Moreover, the local agency must make new findings every five years to justify its continued retention of any fees it has collected but failed to use. If the agency does not make these five-year findings, the Act (MFA) requires the agency to refund the unused fees …” It can’t be any clearer.

So, you think the county would follow the law and refund the money to the property owners? It didn’t and won’t. El Dorado County thinks it’s above the law. After a lawsuit was filed for the return of the unused funds (which amounted to $25 millions to $40 million), county leaders were told by their own county counsel they were not in violation and to fight the lawsuit, which the county and the other defendants have over the last seven years to a taxpayers’ cost around $1 million.

That’s right. El Dorado County has spent a mountain of your tax money to retain funds which, by law, should have been returned to the payers of those funds. How would you feel if the IRS wouldn’t give you your $10,000 refund?

After seven years, the case is coming to a head. The case got

n See Weitzman, page A11

LARRy WEiTzmAn

Dorado County has spent

mountain of your tax money to retain funds which, by law, should have been returned to the payers of those funds.

Fund Continued from A9

and our EpicPromise program, our guests make it easy for us to support the Tahoe Fund’s work to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.”

The Tahoe Fund supports environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, expand sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Since its inception in 2010, the organization has funded more than 80 environmental improvement projects.

Over the past decade, Kirkwood, Heavenly and Vail Resorts EpicPromise have contributed about $927,000 to the Tahoe Fund. Dollar donations from Vail Resorts guests have supported projects like the Lily Lake Trail,

a 2.1-mile multi-use trail on Angora Ridge; the 72-mile scuba cleanup of Lake Tahoe’s entire shoreline; and the restoration of the 206acre Johnson Meadow in South Lake Tahoe. In the coming months, Kirkwood, Heavenly and the Tahoe Fund team will determine which upcoming projects this round of funding will support.

“We are beyond grateful for the guests at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood resorts,” said Cory Ritchie, chair of the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors. “Their generosity and the continued support of Vail Resorts makes it possible for us to preserve this mountain treasure for future generations.”

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund attahoefund. org.

Coupal Continued from A10 frequently deceptive “ballot title and summary” for measures that appear on their ballots. At the state level, these are prepared by the California Attorney General’s Office.

One of the worst examples of ballot label deception occurred in 2017, after the California Legislature passed a massive tax hike on gasoline, diesel fuel and vehicle registration. The backlash from voters was so intense that an initiative to repeal the tax hikes qualified for the 2018 ballot as Proposition 6.

Polling indicated that the gas tax increase was hated and passage of Prop. 6 seemed almost certain. But the ballot label written by Attorney General Xavier Becerra was a gift to defenders of the tax. It ominously stated that Proposition 6 would “eliminate certain transportation funding.”

This was blatantly deceptive for two reasons. First, it did not specify what funding was at issue — voters could easily conclude that all road funds would disappear — and second, there was no mention at all that the measure would repeal the previous year’s tax hikes.

Deceptive ballot labels may be challenged in court, but ordinary citizens rarely have the money to bring such lawsuits and, even when they do, the level of deference shown to the attorney general by the courts is very high. In other words, it virtually takes outright lies to compel a court to intervene. Misleading omissions have not been enough.

This has been a problem for many years and has gotten so bad that transparency advocates

introduced a constitutional amendment (ACA 7) in 2019 that would remove the attorney general from the process. Instead, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office would assume the responsibility of writing the official ballot label, title and summary for all measures put before voters on initiative petitions and on the ballot.

Predictably, ACA 7 failed to make it out of the Legislature, where it was deemed to be a threat to entrenched political interests.

That’s a problem. Elections controlled by entrenched political interests are inherently corrupt, even before the votes are counted.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Letters

eliminated.

Continued from A10

If we can not right now stop Gov. Newsom’s demonic abortion law, we can at least expose what he is doing to babies in the birth canal to the public.

CURT WEIDMER, MD, MPH

Former El Dorado County Health Officer

Weitzman Continued from

A10

divided into two parts: 1) Did the plaintiffs have standing? That is, the right to sue as they had only paid into four of the 11 fees upon which they claim a refund. Because the plaintiffs are suing on behalf of all homeowners who paid in fees, the trial court ruled, yes, effectively any resident of El Dorado County can sue and is a proper plaintiff. Someone has to enforce the law when their own government refuses to do so. The court ruled on Feb. 10 that EDC, EDHCSD and EDH Fire lost and Austin (the plaintiffs) won on the standing issue.

Now: 2) The funds which the plaintiffs allege are being held illegally by El Dorado County, et al, will be addressed at a trial scheduled this coming October. It is done by a day of argument after the respective parties brief their case over the next several months. The county has tried several technicalities to avoid giving back the money upon which the law is so clear — and it has lost every time. The only parties getting rich here are the county’s outside defense lawyers as they get paid win or lose. And these agencies don’t care because it’s not their money they are spending; it’s your money. Sounds like our county government and its leaders aren’t much different than President Biden. Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.

Announcements

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

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country

Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues

and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/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

In the KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to the following local students who were named to the fall 2022 George Fox University Dean’s List: Emma Webb of El Dorado Hills, Mary Fleming of Placerville and Rain Streeter of Shingle Springs.

Congratulations to Ryan Miller of Shingle Springs, who was named to the fall 2022 Illinois Wesleyan University Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Isabella Veffredo of Placerville, who was named to the fall 2022 Dakota Wesleyan University Dean’s List.

Matthew Meisel, a native of El Dorado Hills, is now serving as the president of the Arizona State University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society.

Now

The El Dorado Roses are searching for candidates to run for the 2023 El Dorado Rose. Candidates must be at least 60 years old, have lived in the county for 10 years and have many hours of volunteer service to her community. The El Dorado Rose dresses in period clothing from 18491910 and then becomes the official hostess of El Dorado County for one year. For more information call Carole Burnley at (530) 626-4949.

Capital Stage presents

“The Chinese Lady” through Feb. 26 at the theater, 2215 J St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents

“The Last Wide Open” through Feb. 28. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents “The Flying Machine: The Story of the Wright Brothers” through March 4. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “Becky’s New Car” through March 5. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Feb. 22

El Dorado Adventist School in Placerville hosts Visitors Day, 8 a.m. to noon, welcoming parents and students to tour the school, meet the teacher and participate in classroom activities. Reserve a spot by calling (530) 622-3560.

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon with featured speaker Assemblyman Joe Patterson, 11:30 a.m. at Los Pines Mexican Restaurant in Cameron Park. To register visit sscpchamber. org/mixers-luncheons.

El Dorado County is hosting Parks and Trails public workshops, 6-7 p.m. with the following events scheduled: Feb. 22 at the Pollock Pines Community Center, March 1 at Buckeye Elementary School, March 15 at Pioneer Park and March 22 via zoom. Registration is not required. For more information email parksupdate@edcgov.us.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at 36 Handles in El Dorado Hills, 6-9 p.m.

DeDicateD leaDer Placerville Kiwanis Club celebrates UMHS student

Dina Gentry Placerville Kiwanis

Lisette Pardo, a Union Mine High School senior, received the Kiwanis Club of Placerville’s Student Service Leader of the Month Award for February because of her contributions to the student Key Club.

“I am so grateful to the Key Club and our faculty advisor Chris Del Rio for pushing me beyond my boundaries and helping me grow,” she said during a tearful and moving acceptance speech.

“When I first met Lisette in my computer class, she was very quiet and shy. Over the course of the semester I got to know her a little better because she would come early and hang out until class started. It was then I invited her to a Key Club meeting, and thankfully she accepted,” Del Rio recalled.

“She’s been in Key Club for two years, the first year getting her feet wet as a representative, and then jumping into the fire this year as president.”

The advisor noted the entire club has come a long way under Lisette’s leadership.

“She is dedicated and follows through with every task, including meeting agendas, texting information to members, sending out reminder messages for upcoming events and remaining available to attend off-campus events like this evening,” Del Rio explained.

“Over the past year she has worked hard to overcome her discomfort of speaking in public. She is more comfortable running club meetings, speaking with parents at 8th-Grade Night and talking to students at our Club Fair,” she continued. “I am so incredibly proud of her and Key Club will miss her greatly next year. I know she is headed off into the

world to accomplish greater things after high school. I have no doubt that she will be successful at whatever she sets her mind to.”

Del Rio also commended Tom Hinshaw, Kiwanis Club secretary and UMHS Key Club advisor. “Tom is an absolute rock and helps our club in many ways,” she shared. “He is the reason our club is strong and I appreciate all he does.”

El Dorado Union High School District Superintendent

Dr. Ron Carruth thanked Placerville Kiwanis “for administering these clubs where students are empowered to make meaningful impact at our schools and in our communities. Lisette in an extraordinary individual who will go far. Thank you to Chris for your tireless efforts that help to build this club for

students.”

Bob Verzello, Placerville Kiwanis President, concluded the presentation by noting, “Our service clubs provide so much to our communities in various ways. We are thankful for our students’ commitment to service. Congratulations, Lisette!”

For more information regarding Placerville Kiwanis visit placervillekiwanis.org.

El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep encourages students’ creativity, giving them several options for self-expression.

ccP employs creativity to reach its students

Jessica Trumble-Pitel EDCOE community outreach coordinator

El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep is a community school that serves more than 100 students. At CCP, school and staff are truly committed to reaching all students to excel in their high school endeavors and beyond. Innovation, awareness and creativity are essential in understanding students on an individual and group basis to help form tailored teaching methods and techniques.

CCP teacher, Rob Zumbrun, discussed the importance of creativity in teaching at CCP. “Creativity is an expression of self, of what we like, our loves, passions and interests,” he explained. “Students who can work with and exercise their creativity have a sense of ownership of their learning. Encourage creativity; the results will be wonderful.” Students have a wide range of

communication styles, personalities and introvert versus extrovert traits.

CCP uses class offerings such as 3D printing, mixed media, mythology and interview videography to ensure all students are reached through education. Providing quality education requires building systems that deliver learning for today and the future. CCP is committed to continuing and expanding the ability for education to make a difference in student’s lives through care, connection and originality. For more information about CCP visit ccp.edcoe.org.

Courtesy photo

Key Club Faculty Advisor Chris Del Rio, UMHS Key Club President Lisette Pardo, EDUHSD Superintendent Dr. Ron Carruth and Kiwanis President Bob Verzello, left to right, celebrate Lisette’s Student Service Leader of the Month Award.

Courtesy art

Tahoe students learn winter science slope side

Cowen

SOUTH LAKE

TAHOE — The South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition opened the minds of local middle school students to the wonders of winter science at the top of Heavenly Mountain Resort earlier this month to engage them in placebased environmental education.

Thanks to Vail’s EpicPromise grant for lift passes and a Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club grant for transportation, hundreds of eighthgraders from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District were whisked to the top of the Heavenly tram where they donned snowshoes and rotated between four interactive stations. STEEC partners taught students about winter animal adaptations, the science of snowmaking, how climate change is impacting the snowpack and native tree species and about avalanche safety and rescues.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to learn about our environment outdoors instead of in our classrooms,” said Brodie Behrendt, an eighth-grader at South Tahoe Middle School.

“My favorite part was learning about the native Tahoe trees and how to measure their height. It was the most interactive station and the presenters were fantabulous.”

The field trip was coordinated and executed by staff from Tahoe Regional Planning Agency,

Lake Tahoe Unified School District Career Technical Education Team, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, Sierra Avalanche Center, Sugar Pine Foundation, U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Sierra Nevada Alliance, South Tahoe Public Utility District and Lake Tahoe Community College.

This marked the ninth year these organizations have offered the field trip, although in previous years the program was geared toward fifth grade.

“STEEC is dedicated to bringing high quality environmental education programs to Lake Tahoe youth,” said Alissa Zertuche, career technical education specialist for Lake Tahoe Unified School District. “We realized that we had two similar fifth-grade snowshoe programs and no field trips for our eighth grade, so we adjusted the curriculum to meet their science standards and get these students outside.”

To learn more about the edcational programs offered through STEEC visit the webite at laketahoeinfo.org.

people who are buried by avalanches inbound.

Jeff

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

Sierra Avalanche Center teaches students how to discern the shapes of the snow crystals and the protocol used in the backcountry to test the snowpack.

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science teaches students about winter animal adaptations during an outdoor class at Heavenly Mountain Resort earlier this month.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to learn about our environment outdoors instead of in our classrooms.”

— Student Brodie Behrendt

Grow for it!

Bandits on our bird feeder

Are squirrels raiding your bird feeders? There are ways to deter our little neighbors.

The method I use is the 5-7-9 Rule.

Generally speaking, a squirrel cannot jump higher than 5 feet, cannot leap more than 7 feet from side-to-side and will not drop more than 9 feet below. If you add another 6 inches to those dimensions, then you will be able to stop squirrel bandits in their tracks.

Summer brasuel

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

You may be wondering how to fill the feeder if it is out of reach. Well, mine is on a pulley mounted between two big Ponderosa pine trees. These trees are perfect for this application because their limbs are well above the 15 feet (5 feet, 6 inches up and 9 feet, 6 inches down) needed to meet the limits of the rule. In El Dorado County many of us have suitable trees on our property such as Ponderosa pines, Douglas fir, incense cedar or oak trees.

For 10 years or so my pulley system used a 1/8-inch-thick, or a little less, nylon cord. This diameter makes it difficult for a squirrel to use it as a tightrope to get access to the bird feeder. After so many years, one of them finally figured out he could chew through the cord and bring down the feeder. I replaced the nylon cord once, but the secret was out. I then replaced it with the same size metal cable. Problem solved.

Regardless of the kind of trees used, be mindful of protecting the trees. If you strap your pulley system to a tree, be sure to leave slack in the line to give the tree room to grow. Otherwise you will girdle the bark and kill the tree. Also, leave a long tail on the end of the cable you have around the tree

so when it outgrows its loop you can easily adjust the cable without replacing it. I leave enough slack such that I only need to adjust cable every two or three years. I keep my eye on it whenever I use it to fill the feeder. If you do not have trees available, you can use two poles instead. Place them according to the 5-7-9 rule. Some smarter, more agile squirrels have been known to use a cable as a tightrope. If this happens you can string water bottles on the cable. The theory is the water bottles are light and will spin if a squirrel tries to walk across the line.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is closed in February due to storm damage. Beginning in March, Master Gardeners will offer tours, answer questions or guests can just enjoy the garden during weekly open garden days on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information about the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_

Classes/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Public_Education/Classes.

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the office 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.

Foundation ready to help in fire recovery efforts

News release

The El Dorado Community Foundation is asking for letters of inquiries for funding from El Dorado County nonprofits in good standing with federal and state nonprofit requirements that are working on Caldor Fire or Mosquito Fire recovery efforts or are planning fire preparedness projects. Projects must be executed within El Dorado County. In a one-page LOI, provide information about the nonprofit, its mission and details about the program/project that is being planned

or executed regarding fire recovery or preparedness within El Dorado County. Include the Tax ID number, overview of program budget and other sources of income for the said project/ program. Contact information must also be provided. This LOI request is for nonprofit organizations only. Letters from individuals and for-profit businesses will not be considered and will not receive a response.

LOIs are due Feb. 28 and should be emailed to Kathy Haven, EDCF program manager, at kathy@ eldoradocf.org.

Courtesy photos

Sneaky squirrels are a determined bunch when it comes to raiding bird feeders but there are tricks gardeners use to keep them out such as the suspended bird feeder seen below.

Support young poets at Poetry Out Loud finals

News release

After two years of virtual competitions, Arts and Culture El Dorado has announced the El Dorado County’s Poetry Out Loud finals will return to a live, in-person format.

...to our NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION sponsors

...And

to our generous

subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students. In El Dorado County, the competition is administered by Arts and Culture El Dorado in partnership with the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. A vehicle for inspiration and instruction, Poetry Out Loud provides students with a variety of resources to help them memorize, interpret and recite poetry, instilling in students not just an appreciation of poetry, but also a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their public speaking abilities.

Students from five high schools in El Dorado County — Ponderosa, El Dorado, Union Mine, Oak Ridge, and Charter University Prep — will

compete at Imagination Theater on the county fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville, at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, for the chance to represent their school and the county at the California state finals. In addition to advancing to the next level of competition, the victor will earn $100; the second-place winner will rake in $75; and the third-place winner will take home $50. The winner of the state finals, which will be conducted in a virtual format, will get the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals.

Admission to the county finals is free and open to the public.

Supporters of the arts, lovers of poetry and performance and finalists’ friends and family are all invited to attend this special evening of competitive poetry recitation by some of the county’s brightest young minds.

For more information about the national Poetry Out Loud competition visit poetryoutloud.org.

Blowout brings impressive musicians to the stage

News release

GRASS VALLEY — Mark Hummel’s Blues

Harmonica Blowout celebrates 30 years in 2023 with a stop at The Center for the Arts Thursday, Feb. 23.

49’er Bail Bond

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust

Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Artistic Beads & Studio

Best Western Stage Coach Inn

Burke Junction

CAPTRUST

Carbon Copy, Inc.

Conforti Plumbing

Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado County Fair

El Dorado Irrigation District

EN2 Resources, Inc.

Farmers Insurance – Sean Smith

Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

Gordon Mott Roofing Co., Inc.

Kamps Propane Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community Mountain Roofing Systems

The Green House Café

Triangle Well Drilling Western Sign Co., Inc.

WSD

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper. NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation.

Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools. Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

The blowout started on a Sunday night in 1991 at Ashkenaz in Berkeley with four harmonica players — Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel, Dave Earl and Doug Jay. Throughout the years the traveling blues show has featured many of the top harp blowers, including Huey Lewis, John Mayall, James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond, Magic Dick and Lee Oskar. The guitar chair is equally stunning with Elvin Bishop, Duke Robillard, Anson Funderburgh and Jr. Watson. Blowout tours have covered thousands of miles to every part of the U.S. and Canada, including a few European tours. This year’s blowout features Magic Dick (J. Geils Band), John Nemeth, Sugar Ray Norcia, Aki Kumar, Duke Robillard – guitar (Roomful of Blues, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bob Dylan), Anson Funderburgh – guitar, Wes Starr – drums and Randy Bermudes –bass.

Producer Hummel, a Grammy nominee

and Blues Award winner who started playing harmonica in 1970, has become one of the premier blues harmonica players of his generation. Hummel has been featured on more than 30 recordings since 1985, including the Grammy-nominated 2013 Blind Pig release “Remembering Little Walter,” a live recording from a previous Mark Hummel Blues Harmonica Blowout that pays tribute to Little Walter. Hummel has released more than 20 solo albums and another 20-plus collaborations and compilations, with his latest album, “Mark Hummel Proudly Presents East Bay Blues Vaults 1976-1988.”

Hummel opens the vaults to the Golden Age of the East Bay-

San Francisco blues scene and the legendary artists that both inspired and welcomed him in the 1970s and ’80s.

“Mark Hummel came of age in the early ’70s at the height of rock and roll, like many of his peers went and bought a harmonica and hasn’t stopped playing since. A specialist in West Coast Blues, he is a seasoned showman who knows more than a thing or two about how to please an audience.”

— The New Yorker Mark Hummel’s 30th annual Blues Harmonica Blowout takes place at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

Contest offers scholarship opportunity to high schoolers

News release

SACRAMENTO — The National Special Districts Coalition is promoting a scholarship contest for high school students across the country designed to encourage young people to engage with local government to enhance their civics education. The scholarships are designed as awards for a student video contest operated through the coalition’s public awareness campaign — Districts Make The Difference. High school students, grades nine through 12, are asked to submit a short video (60 seconds or less) that provides a glimpse into the essential services provided by special districts in the United States. There are more than 30,000 special districts in the U.S. and they include a wide variety of services specific to their community’s needs. Examples include fire districts, water districts, mosquito abatement districts, recreation and park districts,

cemetery districts and more.

The top three vote-winners will receive scholarship money of up to $2,000 based on their placement, as well as an additional $500 for their chosen teacher.

“This scholarship fosters an awareness of local government at a young age to encourage students to gain an understanding of the essential services special districts provide in their communities,” said NSDC board member Neil McCormick.

Students can visit the Districts Make the Difference website to watch past years’ video submissions and learn more about the guidelines for this year’s contest. Districts Make The Difference also provides promotional materials for high schools to encourage participation in their student body. The video submission window runs through March 31 with winners announced before June 1. Visit districtsmakethedifference.org/ video-contest for more information.

Billy Hodges

HFW Enterprises, LLC

Courtesy photo Blues masters take the stage for Mark Hummel’s 30th annual Blues Harmonica Blowout at The Center for the Arts.

Know Continued from B1

The Blues & Bourbon weekly series at The Starlet Room above Harlow’s in Sacramento has begun. Check out the following acts: QuiQue Gomez & Friends (Feb. 22), Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar DUI (March 1), Red’s Blues with Robert Sidewell & Sid Morris (March 8), Chrissie O’Dell & The Real Deal (March 15), Vanessa Collier (March 19) and Mitch Woods Rocket 88s (March 29). For more information visit harlows.com.

Feb. 23

The Creative Corps Capital Region hosts information sessions at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Center Street Gallery, 3182 Center St. in Placerville, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Georgetown Library, 6680 Orleans St. in Georgetown. Learn more about the Creative Corps Capital Region program where artists and creative practitioners partner with local governments, tribes and nonprofits to engage their local communities. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

Singer, flutist and composer Magela Herrera brings her quartet to the UC Davis college campus for a concert of her music and a concert of new pieces by doctoral music composition students. Performances take place Feb. 23 & 24.

Feb. 24

The Widowed Persons Club hosts general meeting lunches 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. To reserve a seat call Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

El Dorado Musical Theatre presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Feb. 24 through March 5, at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Smith Flat House in Placerville hosts Latin dance lessons, 6-9 p.m. the last Friday of the month. For more information call (530) 621-1003 or visit smithflathouse.com.

Shaky Feelin’ will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Placerville Public House in downtown Placerville hosts live music Friday & Saturday nights, 8-11 p.m. Visit the pub’s Facebook or Instagram page for more details.

Live music at Red Hawk Resort + Casino continues every weekend in February at the Stage Bar. Bands will perform every Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the following acts scheduled: Cynthia Renee & Co. (country), Feb; 24; and Gotcha Covered (Top 40/dance), Feb. 25. Visit redhawkcasino.com for more details.

The annual Templeton Colloquium in Art History will look to the art of the Pacific and how the people and places of the

Pacific have been depicted by Western artists. The Pacific Encounters colloquium on the UC Davis college campus, focused on Hawaii and New Zealand, brings together scholars who will present research on how Pacific islands were represented in the graphic and printed material that grew out of exploration and colonization by European powers and the multifaceted history of art and material culture of the Mäori of New Zealand.

Feb. 25

A swap meet at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free. Reserve a spot in advance online at eldoradocountyfair.orgl.

Placerville Family History Center at 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville hosts an open house for the public, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility includes computer stations, scanners, large printers, and a library of books and resources. Consultants will be on site to demonstrate and help visitors. For more information call (530) 621-1378.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Crab Feed takes place 6-10 p.m. in the Mark D. Forni Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information visit bbbsns.org.

Main Street Collective presents The Beatles at 5 and 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets n See Know page B7

Inside your body are warrior cells that find and attack harmful germs. Some people have warrior cells that get confused. They attack things that are not normally harmful to people, such as pollen, cat dander or mold.

When this happens, the place where the warrior cells are fighting swells up, turns red and gets itchy. This is called an allergic reaction

These confused warrior cells are looking for things to attack. Can you find:

strawberry

peanut egg pollen grass

cat dog milk wheat

Jacob, Amanda and Sasha have allergies. Yet their allergies are all different.

If Jacob pets his friend’s cat, he starts to sneeze.

If Sasha eats strawberries, she breaks out in an itchy rash.

The best way NOT to suffer from allergies is to stay away from what causes them. This is easy if you know you can’t eat strawberries or peanut butter. But if you are allergic to pollens and other things in the air around us, you may need to see a doctor for help.

Standards Link: Math: Recognize and extend patterns.

Amanda’s first taste of a peanut butter sandwich made her vomit, wheeze and struggle to breathe. Amanda cannot eat things with nuts. Do YOU have any allergies? Does a member of your family suffer from allergies?

Standards Link: Health: Students understand the causes and symptoms of diseases in the human body.

Look at each row of things that can cause allergies. Draw what comes next in each pattern.

Look through the newspaper to find words or pictures of things that belong in one of the following groups:

• Things we breathe.

• Things we eat.

• Things we touch.

Put a star next to things you know can cause allergies.

Are you an eagle-eyed reader?

Read the paragraph below and circle the seven errors you find. Then rewrite the story correctly.

Breathe Safe

If the air near your home is polluted, their are ways for you to lower you’re risk of health problems caused by pollution. You can played outdoors at the times of day when hair pollution levels are lower. In the summer, this is often in the morning or in the evening. Another good way to lower your risk is by taking it easier if me do play outdoors when air pollution levels is high. Also, if your chest ever feel strange or it is hard to breathe, stop playing outside, and tell your parents or teachers.

... eating right and getting lots of exercise.

n 1996, swimmer Amy Van Dyken became the first woman to ever win four gold _____ in a single Olympics. Amy has severe _________. When she was a little girl, her allergies caused asthma attacks that often sent her to the ________ room at the hospital. She was so _____ from her asthma that she could not swim the length of a pool until she was 12 years old.

ince that time, new treatments have made it possible for people with allergies and asthma to live more _______ lives. In Amy’s case, it helped her go for the _______!

ALLERGIES NORMAL GOLD MEDALS WEAK EMERGENCY

Aaa-CHOO! A big sneeze blew some words out of this story. Can you find where each word belongs?

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Use context clues to understand the meaning of sentences.

Healthy Feels Good

Everyone feels better, even people with allergies, when they eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest. Look through the newspaper for things that are good for your body. Choose three or more things.

to perfume?

This week’s word:

ASTHMA

The noun asthma means an ailment in which the symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.

The smoky environment brought on Devon’s asthma attack.

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

What if I were allergic to …

Pick something silly to be allergic to. How would this change your life?

© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 22

ENGAGEMENT

Melanie Dawn Rose and Phillip Charles Pope

Melanie Dawn Rose of Sacramento and Phillip Charles Pope of Sacramento are engaged to be married.

The bride is the daughter of Lorri and Jim Cahill of Placerville, and Dave and Deborah Rose of Walnut Creek. She is a research laboratory manager

The groom is the son of Charles and Camille Pope of Santa Rosa. He is an IT systems administrator.

The wedding is planned for May 4, 2023, in Niemuth Manor, Angels Camp.

mtdemocrat.com mtdemocrat.com need we say more? need we say more? and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Know Continued from B5

Sacramento Baroque Soloists present The Concerto Resplendent, Feb. 25 & 26, at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera presents Italian composer and librettist Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” at 8 p.m. and the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit sacphilopera.org.

Kevin Burke will perform at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Feb. 26

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.

Feb. 27

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ se/fhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.

If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifomia.org) the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. !AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin eschuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que Ie entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una lIamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que Ie quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida

al secretario de la corte que Ie de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte Ie podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que lIame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede lIamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las coutas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un case de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pudea desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado 3321 Cameron Park Drive Cameron Park, California 95682

NUMBER: 21CV0238 (Numero del Caso):

name, address, and telephone

of plaintiffs attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is:JOHN CHRISTOPHER MAPLES (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

Sanfilippo, Jonathan James Sanfilippo, and Does 1 to 25

d. The defendants who entrusted the motor vehicle are (names): Diana Margarita Sanfilippo, Jonathan James Sanfilippo, and Does to 25

e. The defendants who were the agents and employees of the other defendants and acted within the scope of the agency were (names):

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to approve Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM), slashing payments for excess solar production sent to the grid by 75%.

CPUC voted to cut the average export rate in California from $0.30 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh, making the cuts effective on April 15, 2023. Customers who have new systems installed and approved for grid interconnection before the effective date in April will be grandfathered in to NEM 2.0 rates. During the vote, the Commission said the balancing of costs and bene ts continue to be “quite generous” under the decision. Currently, average net metering rates range from $0.23 per kWh to $0.35 per kWh, and the new proposed decision cuts those rates to an average of $0.05 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh. This is set to be the largest cut of export rates in U.S. history, in a market that represents roughly 50% of the nation’s residential solar market.

Key takeaways

• The California Public Utility Commission made their nal decision on the new NEM 3.0 policy in December 2022.

• The changes to California’s net metering policy will cut the value of solar energy credits by about 75 percent for PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers.

• This is a big one: existing solar customers – and people who go solar before NEM 3.0 goes into effect (through April 14) –will be grandfathered into their original net metering policy.

• Solar shoppers who submit interconnection applications after April 14, 2023 will be under NEM 3.0 and could miss out on 60 percent of solar savings, unless you add battery storage to your solar installation.

• Californians considering solar should go solar as soon as possible (and de nitely by April 14) to lock in more favorable net metering credits.