Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, February 28, 2024

LEric Jaramishian Sta writer

eap year birthdays are rare and require an extra amount of attention for celebration.

A few El Dorado County residents spoke to the Mountain Democrat on how they leap for joy every four years when their birthdays come around Feb. 29.

Vickie Lampedecchio called it. She was told four years ago her daughter had an expected birth date of Feb. 20, 2020. Doctors, friends and family were not convinced Lampedecchio would be nine days overdue, but it seems fate had other plans for the mother and daughter.

“Everybody said you are not going to be nine days overdue and I just said, ‘Nope, I’m having a leap year baby,’” the El Dorado Hills resident recalled. “From the very beginning, I just knew.”

It almost didn’t happen. Labor was induced for Lampedecchio on the 27th but what should have been a day-long process turned into 48 hours. She ended up needing a caesarean delivery to bring 8-pound baby Marissa Lampdecchio into the world on the 29th.

“I was in labor for 48 hours and pushed for three,” Vickie said. “Everyone thought she would come on the 28th, but I called it.”

Born at the height of COVID-19-related shutdowns, family and friends were discouraged from visiting the newborn in person. But this year

Marissa and Vickie are going all out to celebrate Marissa’s “first” birthday. They will be at Disneyland this week and possibly on future leap year birthdays as well; Vickie wants a trip to the happiest place on Earth to be a birthday tradition.

Marissa is already in the birthday spirit. Vickie had a shirt made for the preschooler that reads, “peace, love, leap year,” complete with peace sign, heart and frog (think leap) graphics on the front to show o .

“I love (her birthday being on leap year),”

Vickie said. “It is my forever fun fact.”

For other El Dorado County residents born on Leap Day, unique birthday celebrations are also in the works.

Kim Gustafson of Grizzly Flat, who also happens to be the Grizzly Flat Community Services District general manager, was born 1976 and is celebrating her 12th birthday. Gustafson said she plans to let out some steam at a rage room in the Sacramento area, followed by lunch. Rage rooms provide a venue for people to relieve stress by smashing items and old

junk.

“I try to make sure and do something I wouldn’t normally do,” Gustafson said. “Often times plans fall through because it snows around this time of year, but it is a strange year with not a lot of snow so I’m not worried about driving up and down the hill.”

Amused, Gustafson noted next year she will share the same “birthday years” as her son Christopher Randall.

“Not sure what we will do (when he turns 12

David Rogers

March 17, 1943 – Feb. 19, 2024

David was born on March 17, 1943 in Auburn, California to Mr. and Mrs. Carrol E.

Rogers. His older brother is Carrol Rogers Jr. He attended St. Mary’s Academy in Grass Valley until the family moved to Placerville in 1955. He attended El Dorado High School and graduated in 1961.

David attended the University of Nevada graduating with a B.S. in Geological Engineering in 1967. This same year David married JoAnne Latimer, his only love.

They had two boys: Matthew (1981-2001) and Michael (1983 - ∞) .

In 1967 David received orders from the army to be on active duty, eventually being sent to Korea. As a lieutenant in the chemical corp he was assigned to defoliation of the Korean DMZ with Agent Orange and Agent Blue.

In 1970 David and JoAnne moved from Korea to Reno, Nevada, where David attended UNR and received a M.S. in Geological Engineering. He then joined a firm in the Bay Area working on dams, tunnels, and ocean outfalls. He eventually started his own firm, The Mark Group, which grew to 200 employees.

In 2003 the Mark Group was sold, David retired. However, he was recruited by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission as a Regional Manager rebuilding the Hetch Hetchy Water System. Again retired in 2008 and they moved to Pollock Pines.

David devoted a great deal of his retirement to writing expert opinion letters for veterans who were denied benefits and generates more than a million dollars in benefits for those individuals annually.

The religious service will be at St. Patricks Church in Placerville, Friday, March 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. David will be laid to rest at Oakmont Memorial Park in Pleasant Hill, CA, next to his beloved son Matthew.

Instead of flowers please donate to the Mother Theresa Home care of St. Patrick Catholic Curch Placerville, CA

June Cary “JC” Buckley

June 11, 1935 - Jan. 25, 2024

JC passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. He was born in Belflower, CA to Alva and Emma Buckley. He is survived by his wife Rose Buckley, sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a lover of the outdoors. His passions were hunting, fishing, camping, playing sports and water-skiing. He was brought to tears when his last grandchild learned to water ski. He will be missed. A celebration of life will be held at the Hagen Ranch in El Dorado on April 20th at 2pm. Potluck to follow for friends and family. In lieu of flowers please give to your favorite charity.

Casey Ryan Conlee

Sept. 19, 1979 – Feb. 11, 2024

Casey Ryan Conlee. Born 9-1979 passed away 2-11-24, due to congestive heart failure and blood clots in his lungs. He had a great personality and was a fun loving guy. He had a heart of gold to help people. Even at a young age of 4 he was helping strangers. He is survived by his mother Vicki Conlee of Diamond Springs, Brother Chris Conlee and his wife Julie of Las Vegas, NV; 2 daughters, O’ryann of Placerville and Willow Conlee of Sacramento.

Kathi Petersen

Aug. 31,1948 – Feb. 14, 2024

Kathi Petersen, aged 75, of Placerville California, passed away on February 14, 2024. She was born on August 31, 1948 in Salinas, California. Kathi is survived by her husband, Ray Petersen, her sons Morgan and Jacob Petersen, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Kathi was known for her love of crafts, particularly creating scarecrows which she enjoyed selling in Apple Hill. Her creativity and passion for crafting brought joy to many. In addition to her crafting talents, Kathi found solace in swimming in rivers, caring for animals, tending to her garden, and indulging in a good book. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, finding immense happiness in their presence.

Kathi Petersen’s warm spirit, dedication to her family, and artistic flair will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

SPECIAL HONOR

Representatives from the California Special Districts Association came from across the state to gather at the El Dorado Irrigation District headquarters in Placerville to recognize 4th District State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Feb. 15.

Alvarado-Gil’s freshman year in the Senate was met with high praise for her work securing funding for special districts, earning her recognition as CSDA’s Senator of the Year for 2023. “This achievement is not my own, but a result of the efforts of many of the people in this room,” Alvarado-Gil said.

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheri ’s reports:

Feb. 14

3:56 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Morning Song Court in El Dorado Hills.

4:30 p.m. Battery was reported at a gas station on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

4:51 p.m. Battery was reported on Platt Circle in El Dorado Hills.

10:39 p.m. Burglary was reported at a church on

booked

11:40 p.m.

a 30-year-old

suspected

Feb. 15 9:22 a.m. Vandalism was reported on

10:11 a.m.

12:59 p.m.

was

1:03 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a restaurant on

1:39 p.m. Battery was reported on Holly Drive in Shingle Springs.

2:12 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 47-year-old man suspected of DUI, a probation violation and driving on a suspended license on Wild Chaparral Road in Shingle Springs. He was

2:50

Feb. 16

10:30

He was listed in custody.

11:53 a.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park.

1:27 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Cold Spring Road in Placerville.

Feb. 17 3:36 a.m. Deputies booked into jail

CSDA Board President Elaine Magner hands Alvarado-Gil a glass trophy in recognition of her efforts in the California Senate. “Since she took office, she has engaged in efforts with impacts across her district, securing critical new funding,” Magner said.

a 31-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

1:51 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Hampton Lane in Cameron Park.

3:03 p.m. Deputies booked into jail

3:38

5:35

7:28

POST OFFICE PARTY

Median to be installed on Missouri Flat Road

El Dorado County Department of Transportation

News release

El Dorado County Department of Transportation crews will perform road construction at the intersection of China Garden and Missouri Flat roads beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3, and continuing until 6 a.m. Friday, March 8.

This work will involve installing a concrete median at the intersection and will temporarily restrict left turns between Missouri Flat

and China Garden roads in both directions. Once completed, only left turns from Missouri Flat onto China Garden will be permitted. Right turns in and out of China Garden Road will remain unrestricted during and after construction. Motorists are advised to plan accordingly and adjust their routes for this new intersection configuration.

For questions regarding this construction contact the county’s transportation main line at (530) 621- 5900 (select Option 3 for Engineering).

Georgetown Divide Public Utility District News

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, in collaboration with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Education, and participating jurisdictions the city of Placerville and Cameron Park Community Services District, is updating the 2019 local hazard mitigation plan.

Residents, organizations, interested stakeholders and businesses are encouraged to contribute to the planning process by taking a survey online at rb.gy/66632h.

This planning process involves an update of the county’s risk assessment and development of hazard mitigation strategies designed to reduce risks and vulnerabilities posed by natural, manmade and human health hazards. The plan must be updated and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency every five years to keep it current and to maintain eligibility for

was recently

the

and

serving the community again Jan. 31. Hand on Bible and

service,

Public input sought in OHV grant program

Kristi Schroeder

Eldorado National Forest

Eldorado National Forest officials are requesting public input for the California 2024 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle.

The grants program is an annual program that provides for off-highway vehicle recreation in the state by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate,

federal and state mitigation grant assistance.

GDPUD management actively works to build resiliency within its infrastructure to ensure water service. Focused efforts encompass considerations that assist with the reduction and elimination of long-term risks caused by hazards such as drought, floods and wildfires.

The district annually adopts a capital improvement plan that establishes utilization of resources to ensure these goals are achieved. Mitigation is an investment in a community’s future safety, sustainability and durability. Recent cost-benefit studies have proven mitigation to be cost effective for communities, with mitigation projects returning $6 for every $1 spent.

Project benefits include the ability for local governments to build stronger infrastructure. Plan adoption ensures continued eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation funds.

To learn more about the hazard mitigation plan update go to bit.ly/EDCHazardPlan.

expand, support or contribute to well-managed, high-quality OHV recreation areas, roads and trails. Also as important, the grants program seeks to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils and habitat of project areas in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV recreation.

Eldorado National Forest officialw will host a virtual open house Thursday, Feb. 29, from 4-6 p.m. using Microsoft Teams. The public may join the meeting

to making your dental experience comfortable as well as enhancing.

P.S. If an impacted tooth is toward the front of the mouth, braces can sometimes be used to move the tooth into proper position.

Grand opening attendees, left photo, applaud as Congressman Kevin Kiley finishes his speech on the reopening of the Grizzly Flat Post Office. Kiley and Supervisor George Turnboo, right photo, cut the ribbon as Postal Service District Manager Jagdeep Grewal watches, signaling that the Grizzly Flat Post Office is back in business.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian Grizzly Flat resident Coleen Davidson, left photo, sings the national anthem at the grand opening ceremony of the Grizzly Flat Post Office Feb. 23. Grizzly Flat residents, public safety officials and local elected representatives all witnessed the ribbon cutting and Postmaster Alicia Leech being officially sworn in to her position. Destroyed in

2021 Caldor Fire, the post office

reconstructed

began

heart in

Leech, left, photo above, is congratulated by Postal Service District Manager Jagdeep Grewal, right, after being sworn is as the Grizzly Flat Post Office’s new postmaster. Supporting Leech is her mother Elizabeth Witchel and son Nicholas Leech who held the Bible.

OHV GRANTS, page A8

On Dec 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the rst controlled sustained ight of an engine powered heavier than air aircraft. The ight took place at Kill Devil Hills four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Greatness happens to people who are willing to take risks, who step out and speak up to make their lives, communities, and the world a better place to work, live and play. Whether it’s through jumping off a peak with the rst gas powered aircraft or it’s the Chamber’s Political Action Committee, we need leaders in our community that are willing to speak up and speak out. I work in 12 counties for Sierra Paci c Industries and serve on ve different boards and I can say that our chamber is one of those leaders speaking up on behalf our members and our community.

2024 is an election year and whether national or local races, they will once again test our resolve. I would like to share an example of a newspaper headline with you.

“The presidential election was an angry, dirty, crisis-ridden contest that seemed to threaten the nation’s survival. “

“The unfolding of this crisis tested the new nation’s durability.”

Ironically these headlines were related to a bitter partisan battle between Federalist John Adams and Republican Thomas Jefferson, in 1800. Sound Familiar!? America and our county have endured many challenges, and we will persevere once again. As we embark on 2024, our team mission is clear. Make El Dorado County a better place to live, work and play and to enjoy the moments and the road getting there.

Member Spotlight Mountain Roo ng

Donnie O’Neal has served the community of El Dorado County with quality roo ng since 2004. Donnie’s roo ng history can go all the way back to when he was 14 years old; working hard with his father trying to uphold the family business. Being in the roo ng industry at a young age, he brings a lot of knowledge to the table. With his wife Sharon doing the nancials, his brother Sean estimating and project managing, his sister-in-law Melissa running the production schedule, and several other family members as part of our eld crew, this family business takes care of their customers from start to nish.

At Mountain Roo ng Systems we strive to have the best, most knowledgeable eld crew in the county and offer training opportunities whenever possible including in-house installation training, manufacture training, extensive safety training and biannual rst aid and CPR certi cation. We also do our best to provide our employees with good wages, healthcare, and 401K plans. Our roo ng crews have made a name for themselves, consistently receiving excellent reviews from satis ed customers in the industry. For over 20 years, Mountain Roo ng has provided the knowledge needed in order to build con dence with our customers. Mountain Roo ng provides commercial and residential roo ng services, including metal, composition shingle, and low-slope roo ng products, and 5” seamless gutter installation. In addition to full replacements, our crews are also highly skilled at skylight and solar tube installation; we even offer emergency repair services. All products used by Mountain Roo ng are of the highest quality and are 100% re rated.

Here at Mountain Roo ng, we do not believe in “high pressure sales”; we listen to what the customer needs and then we tell them what we have to offer. If customers need nancing, we can provide options for that as well! Everyone here at Mountain Roo ng Systems takes pride in their work and our community donating time, resources, and money whenever possible. We are an honest company putting out quality work!

“They are rock stars and I’m so happy that we chose their product and crews to complete the work on the house!”

— Thomas, Pollock Pines CA

The El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle

Planning an event? Inviting out of town guests? Looking for lodging? The El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle program was designed with you in mind!

The El Dorado County Visitors Authority created this program to encourage group transportation, overnight stays in El Dorado County, reduce motor vehicle emissions and introduce new visitors to the area. If this sounds like a tall order, than you are correct. In fact it can only be achieved with a variety of exciting partnerships.

Recognizing the loss of important hotel/motel tax dollars to our neighboring city of Folsom, representatives from the EDC Visitors Authority, lodging and event venues came together to address the concern.

The result was the development of a cost share program with elements of public education with regard to emissions, public behaviors and the bene ts of public and group transportation to the community as well as ride share options. Since 2016, this program has generated 3,775 room nights in El Dorado County lodging. This, in turn, generates important hotel/motel tax (TOT) dollars for our county. Grant funding provided by El Dorado County Air Quality Management District Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Projects (AB2766) has allowed

the El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle to expand in the past eight years. This is great news for organizers of weddings, company retreats, class reunions, large events and more! Bringing back those visitors after the pandemic was vital to El Dorado County businesses.

Here’s how it works — The El Dorado Stay & Play Shuttle program provides funding for transportation from one or more El Dorado County lodgings to regional wedding and event venues. The level of funding is based upon the number of rooms nights booked.

20 room nights  =    $500.00 contribution to shuttle cost 30 room nights  =    $750.00 contribution to shuttle cost 40 room nights  =    $1000.00 max contribution to shuttle cost

Welcome kits provided in guests’ rooms include EDC Visitors & Farm Trails Guide, discounts and incentives for El Dorado County businesses, materials highlighting the El Dorado Wine Country, Apple Hill Growers, things to do in the communities of Coloma, Fair Play and the Divide, information on ride share options, emissions, and other small gifts. To nd out more about the El Dorado County Stay & Play Shuttle go to VisitElDorado.com/stay-playshuttle or email stayandplay@ eldoradocounty.org.

GOVERNANCE

Mountain Democrat

UCAN Policy Platform

The business community and government must work together to ensure our local economies can compete and grow within the state economy. UCAN supports a balanced government that focuses partnerships with local constituents.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

UCAN will support policies that incentivizes business and relieves burdens on employers so they can hire local employees and continue to grow local economies.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Education and workforce development policies are essential for businesses as they contribute to a skilled, adaptable, and innovative workforce, foster economic growth, and enhance the overall business environment.

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare policy is crucial

for UCAN as it not only supports the well-being of employees, but has a direct impact on productivity, talent management, and the overall economic health of the community. Healthcare is directly connected to employee well-being, recruiting and retention, community health, and legal compliance. UCAN’s focus will be on employer mandates and the ability to keep healthcare costs down, especially as it applies to small businesses in the region.

HOUSING

crucial for UCAN as it directly affects the ef ciency, competitiveness, and overall business environment in our region.

Chambers play a key role in advocating for infrastructure investments that bene t businesses and contribute to the economic well-being of our communities. UCAN will engage on infrastructure policy impacting business ef ciency, supply chain reliability, job creation, innovation, disaster resilience, and long-term economic growth.

EMPLOYMENT & LABOR

UCAN will promote policies that facilitate the building of full range housing to accommodate a growing region.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure policy is

Employment and labor policies are vital for local businesses as they provide a legal and ethical framework for employment relationships, contribute to a stable and productive workforce, and enhance the overall reputation and competitiveness of local

businesses.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety is paramount to creating a comfortable living environment for our residents. UCAN will promote policies aimed at keeping our local businesses and communities safe and well informed.

PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

Privacy and cybersecurity policies are of growing importance for our local businesses as they must protect customer data, comply with ever changing regulations, maintain trust and ensure the overall security and resilience of their operations in an increasingly digital and interconnected business environment.

JOB KILLERS

UCAN will oppose any bills that the California Chamber of Commerce labels as a Job Killers, unless one of the UCAN Chambers object to a speci c “Job Killer” bill.

What Do Small Business Owners Need to Know About AI?

• What is AI? AI is the ability for software to understand the world around it and interpret it into data, so it can act.

• Generative AI, means you’re asking an AI model a question to do something and it gives you a response back. ChatGPT is an example.

• Large language models (LLMs), are databases with information that are tagged and structured in a way that you can ask it questions and train it to start giving you predicted outcomes. OpenAI is an example of this.

Miners on Main Scavenger Hunt

• Having an AI policy is important for your business. As AI becomes widely used, you’ll need to come up with how it can be used in your business. You’ll need to specify which employees can and cannot use AI in their work. You’ll want to clarify which types of work AI can be applied to.

• Talking to your software vendor is also important. Ask them what new features are coming that are incorporating AI and how you can use them.

Try AI. Go to ChatGPT, the free version, and ask it to write

an AI policy for your company. It will do that for you, and then that will give you a head start as to what should be included. You can take that policy and then

edit it and conform it to your speci c needs.

Excerpt from The Hartford, Gene Marks podcast

M ARCH C ALENDAR OF E VENTS

There are ten “Miners” hidden throughout Main Street Placerville from Sacramento Street to Clay Street. These Miners all had an impact on Placerville and El Dorado County during the Gold Rush period. Each miner has a QR code on the medallion that will take you to a webpage about the miners when scanned with your phone camera. So grab your phone and begin your hunt. visit-eldorado.com/miners-on-main/

Third Saturday Artwalk

Placerville’s Historic Main Street galleries and merchants are open late for shopping, dining, live music and more! Meet local artists, shop at local stores, enjoy local wine and food, and listen to live music from local bands! Elena Tucker, thirdsaturdayartwalk@gmail.com. https://www.instagram.com/3rdsatartwalk/ Imagination Theater Presents – Rapunzel Matinee & Evening showings. Imagination Theater, 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville. A delightful dramatization of the original Grimm fairytale, our story features a comedic witch who demonstrates how to properly raise a daughter. https://imagination.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/16405.

Placerville Elks Lodge Burgers and Karaoke

First Fridays, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Elks Club, 3821 Quest CourtShingle Springs. (530) 672-9120. A fun lled event with several kinds of great burgers and singing to the delight of the Elks audience. secretary1712@gmail.com

Friends of the Library Book Sale

First Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 345 Fair Ln, Placerville. Fill up and take away a bag of books for only $7. There is a wide variety of ction, non- ction, vintage and children’s books. Puzzles, DVDs, sheet music, and more! Paula Freeman, FOLPLV@ icloud.com

Mimosa Sundays

Every Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Come out and enjoy a picnic on our patio. Guests can also contact Ranch Girls Dream to order personal charcuterie platters that will be delivered to the vineyard to enjoy with their mimosas. https://cielosullaterra.com/ Cielosullatera Winery, 8061 Perry Creek Rd., Fair Play. info@cielosullaterra.com (530)620-7474

Placerville Elks Lodge Bingo

1 - 4 p.m. First Sundays. A great day of Bingo and friends supporting charities of the Elks. Barbara Dockter, secretary1712@ gmail.com.

March 2 C3 Cars, Coffee, Community Event

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 3300 Coach Ln, Cameron Park. Our car events are open to all car types and models, so whether you’re into cars that roar like a lion or that purr like a kitten, C3 Events has something for everyone. Come meet and greet fellow car enthusiasts, network with vendors and sponsors, and participate in exciting activities that will keep you entertained. Jessica Clancy, jessica.foodandfunmedia@gmail.com. https://www.goc3.org/ registration.

March 2 Blue & White Gala

5 – 9 p.m. Cold Springs Country Club, 6500 Clubhouse Drive, Placerville. Join us for the inaugural Blue & White Gala. Presented by the El Dorado High School Foundation. Tickets $55/ person, $100/couple or, $500/ Reserved table for 8. Tina Helm, leentina@ comcast.net, https://tinyurl.com/blueandwhitegala2024

March 2 Dinner, Wine & Piano at Sierra Vista

6 – 8 p.m. 4560 Cabernet Way, Placerville. We will have Acclaimed Pianist Jennifer Reason LIVE in the event room on our Baby Grand Piano. She will be performing classic hits like Don’t Stop Believing, Hey Jude, Desperado, Sweet Caroline and more! SEATING IS LIMITED!! RESERVATIONS ARE RECCOMMENED!! Tracy 530-622-7221 info@sierravistawinery.com 530-622-7221. https://www.sierravistawinery.com/event/pianonight2/

March 6 Snowshoe Thompson Expedition

6:30 - 7:00 a.m. Passing through Downtown Placerville. A team of seasoned athletes will retrace the 100-mile route John “Snowshoe” Thompson took on his rst winter mail delivery in 1856. Following clues from historical records and Thompson’s known navigation style, they’ll trek and ski the rugged Sierra Nevada terrain between Placerville, CA and Genoa, NV. https:// www.historyexp.org

March 8 -16 Oak Ridge High School Theatre presents Murder on the Orient Express 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. shows. 1120 Harvard Way El Dorado Hills. Directed by Kate Rolls, all student cast and crew. An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, by Ken Ludwig. Christie Wilson, ortaboost@gmail.com https://www. ortab.org/

March 9 Living History Day

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 310 Back St, Coloma. Come explore what life would have been like in Coloma during 1850. Docents will have demonstrations set up to show the park visitors different hands-on demonstrations and crafts that people did during the California Gold Rush. https://www.marshallgold.com/living-history

March 10 Element 79 Vineyards - Brunch in the Vines

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 7350 Fairplay Road, Somerset. A Saint Paddy’s Day Brunch in the Vines, Featured Wines, 2022 Color Sparkling Mimosa | 2022 Inside Out, 2020 Rare Earth | 2019 Amber. Martin Nygaard, Admin@element79vineyards.com. https://www.element79vineyards.com/product/Brunch-in-the-Vines-3/10/24

March 10 Authors’ Day

1 – 3 p.m. 2940 Bedford Ave, Placerville. “Authors’ Day” featuring author presentations, question & answer period, book sales, book signings, door prizes and light refreshments. All event proceeds will fund scholarships for local students. Dolores, 916802-0186. https://placerville-shakespeare.com

March 13 “Let’s Make A Deal”

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 2940 Bedford. Ave, Placerville. The Shakespeare Club Annual Bridge Party will be a day of Brilliant

Bridge - Fabulous Food - Delightful Door Prizes. $50 a pair includes a morning snack, lunch, cash prizes as well as door prizes. Partners will play together the entire day. Reservations are required. Ruthie. 530-919-6392. https://placerville-shakespeare.com

March 15 Element 79 Vineyards - Dine in the Vines 6:30 – 9 p.m. 7350 Fairplay Road, Somerset. Dine in the VinesA Study of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, When you arrive, you are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine and an Amuse Bouche to enjoy while you relax and get acquainted with the other guests. Once seated you will enjoy a pre x four-course wine centric dinner, each course expertly paired with one of our estate wines. These dinners are limited to 18 people. Martin Nygaard, Admin@ element79vineyards.com. https://www.element79vineyards.com/ product/Dine-in-the-Vines---3/15/2024

March 16 Placerville Speedway 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Test and Tune. Pit gate opens at noon. Grandstands closed. 530-344-7592. https://www.placervillespeedway.com/

March 23 Placerville Speedway

Championship Opener. 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and BRCA Lightning Sprints. 530-344-7592. https://www.placervillespeedway.com/

March 30 Placerville Speedway Spring Fever Frenzy. 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Sprint Car Challenge Tour and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars. 530-344-7592. https:// www.placervillespeedway.com/

March 30 19th Annual Honor Our Troops All American Breakfast Fundraiser

7 – 11 a.m. Placerville Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 130 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Raf e Prizes and a complete meal. All net

California Matters

Gavin Newsom’s new budget is already leaking a lot of red ink

While Gov. Gavin Newsom gallivants around the country as a campaign surrogate for President Joe Biden — and to burnish his own national image — the state budget he proposed just seven weeks ago is falling apart at the seams.

Two weeks ago his Department of Finance indirectly acknowledged the budget’s problems, reporting that through January revenues were running $5.9 billion behind the new budget’s assumption for the current fiscal year.

The Legislative Analyst’s O ce, which advises the Legislature, recently increased its estimate of the budget’s deficit, which Newsom had originally pegged at $38 billion, to an eye-popping $73 billion after toting up Newsom’s proposals and decreasing its revenue estimate.

If the downward revenue trend continues, the 2023-24 budget could wind up in a deep hole and there will be much less money available for the 2024-25 fiscal year that begins July 1.

The shortfall was particularly acute in January, a key month on the fiscal calendar because quarterly payments for personal income taxes were due. The month’s income tax payments were $5 billion below the $20.4 billion the administration expected to collect.

SUMMARY

Seven weeks ago Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a budget that would close a $38 billion de cit, but his elaborate nancial maneuvers might not be enough.

When he unveiled his 2024-25 budget in January, Newsom proposed a series of fiscal maneuvers to close the gap, very few of which were actual spending reductions.

He tapped the state’s emergency reserve and dug deeply into the bag of tools the state has historically used to paper over deficits, including spending deferrals, loans from special funds and accounting tricks, such as a maneuver involving school aid.

The Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, had originally estimated the deficit at $68 billion, largely due to revenue projections about $15 billion lower than the governor’s over the three-year “budget window,” from 2022-23 through 2024-25. He later declared that Newsom’s action could o set

Letters to the Editor

Random act of kindness

EDITOR:

Valentine’s Day has always been a special day. It’s a day to remember how much we appreciate and love those around us. Recently, it seems the world has become aggressive and angry in so many places. However, the event of this Valentine’s Day disproves those negative perceptions and reminds us of the wonderful, kind community in which we live.

On our annual Valentine’s Day dinner date we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Gold Vine Bistro in Somerset. Not only did we enjoy a special dinner, but also chatting with nice people seated nearby. When it came time for us to leave, the waitress informed us that our bill had been “taken care of.” What a thoughtful, kind surprise!

We won’t forget that random act of kindness any day soon. In fact, we plan on passing that kindness forward in the near future. That feeling of caring and community is a precious gift we should not hold alone.

Thank you to whomever created this random act of kindness. You made this Valentine’s Day even more special.

TY & HELEN HADLEY Pleasant Valley

Campbell for District 1

EDITOR:

The El Dorado County League of Women Voters conducted a community Meet the Candidates event Feb. 15 at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District pavilion. A special “bravo” must go out to the moderator, Ms. Elizabeth Leslie-Gassaway, who did a superlative job of running the two-plus-hour event flawlessly, never leaving her feet. Well done!

The candidates were the three individuals running for the District 1 seat on the EDC Board of Supervisors — Linda Campbell, Greg Ferrero and Margaret Fortune.

Margaret Fortune showed up with an extensive organizational and education background, with membership in numerous organizations, apparently including a board seat on Al Sharpton’s

National Action Network. Making notable mention of the fact, “We are at a real turning point,” I think many of us are curious as to exactly what that “turning point” is and what her vision is, in terms of solution.

I had listened to Greg Ferrero on the air with John McGinness the prior week on McGinness’ talk radio show (KFBK) and was interested in learning more about him and his agenda. Intrigued by his prior career as a captain with the California Highway Patrol, this meeting provided an opportunity to learn more. At the meeting, Greg was eminently personable and approachable, explaining his passion for crime prevention and solving the homelessness conundrum.

Linda Campbell had an extensive background in technical analysis, which has evidently served her quite well.

All were quite personable and enthusiastic. While two of these candidates appear to enjoy extensive sponsorship/support from various large organizations, one does not.

Issues raised included rising crime, increased homelessness in surrounding communities and how they could a ect our county. Other key issues discussed were protection of our cherished open space, our roads (and their condition), increased tra c from all the new construction and fire mitigation.

While all three seemed well-prepared and knowledgeable, there was one candidate, in particular, who impressed me the most — Linda Campbell. While ostensibly soft-spoken and representing a “grassroots” e ort, without an extensive financial support network, she demonstrated a remarkable familiarity with and understanding of many of our central issues.

As all three candidates were queried regarding top-priority issues and agendas (and one bristled at being asked how many community meetings they attended), it became quite clear that Ms. Campbell had already attended a wide range of those meetings, analyzed the issues raised and demonstrated a thorough knowledge as she explained those issues for the rest of us. It became clear to me that Ms. Campbell is deeply

Attracted to the (artificial) light — it’s a bug’s dilemma

Don’t you love it when scientists learn something new and interesting? I do, and now research on bugs has, in a roundabout way, reinforced a key truth for me. I’ll explain.

I have a desk lamp and whenever I’m at my computer in the early morning, while it’s still dark, that lamp draws at least one tiny gnat that flaps madly around it. The wacky flying is distracting enough (plus makes the gnat impossible to swat), but that’s not the worst part.

JENNIFER FORSBERG MEYER

The real headache is when the gnat, suddenly and for no apparent reason, plunges straight downward, often right into my co ee mug.

I’ve noticed this bugs-to-lights phenomenon all my life, as I’m sure you have as well. Scientists were never quite sure why it happened, suggesting variously that flying insects might be attracted to the heat of the light or the light itself (phototaxis), or that they mistake the light for the moon, a navigation aid.

But recent research refutes all

that, pointing to a fascinatingly di erent reason instead. Using high-speed stereomotion capture, scientists learned what causes the bizarre bug-zooming around lights. Seems the insects continually turn their backs to the light, which causes them to keep banking and circling, much like an airplane making a sharp turn.

This behavior, called dorsal light response, is explained in an article by EarthSky.com.

“In nature, assuming that more light comes down from the sky than up from the ground, this response helps keep insects in the proper orientation to fly.”

So, as the insects keep orienting their backs to what they think is the sky, the resulting banking keeps them looping around the light, circling but rarely colliding.

The article went on to explain why the bugs sometimes nosedive into my co ee. When insects fly under a light — as they do with my downwardfacing desk lamp — they arch their backs upward toward it. After they

So there’s the key truth …. The more we can postpone judgment until we understand the underlying dynamics, the more discerning we can be.

pass under the light, they tip upward to keep their back to the brightness, eventually flying straight up until they stall out and crash to the ground. (Or just my desktop, if I’m lucky enough to have moved my co ee mug out of the way.)

Insects need this method of orienting themselves because they can’t do what we and many other animals can: sense where the ground is from gravitational pull. Evolution provided bugs with an alternate method of orienting themselves and it works perfectly — except when artificial lights confuse the issue.

I forwarded the EarthSky article to a friend who shares my a nity for animals of all types. She sent back a link to an 11-second clip from the 1998 movie, “A Bug’s Life,” featuring two mosquitos approaching a bug zapper on a front porch at night. The first bug, seeing the other drifting toward the zapper, cries out, “No! Harry! No! Don’t look at the light!”

Harry responds in a spellbound monotone: “I can’t help it … it’s so

beautiful.”

Only now we know it’s not the light’s “beauty” but rather the bug’s mistaken notion of what the light represents that causes the attraction.

As I pondered all this, I felt a subtle shift in how I think about bugs’ ridiculous flapping around light sources. I had always found it supremely irritating — particularly when I’m trying to concentrate at my computer or reading in bed at night. Much of my irritation stemmed from how stupid the activity seemed … even for bugs. The e ort was so obviously pointless, or worse — leading to the little critters’ crashing or sheer exhaustion.

What were bugs even thinking? It was easy to scorn them.

Now I view it much di erently. The bugs aren’t being stupid at all. They’re being smart according to the genes nature gave them. For eons before modern times, the sky was always brighter than anything else, day or

DAN

Walters Continued from A6

a $58 billion shortfall. Recently, however, Petek’s staff added $15 billion to the estimated deficit, bringing it to $73 billion.

The new revenue numbers and projections imply that Petek’s scenario is much closer to reality than Newsom’s. They also imply that, if Newsom is trying to skate through the final three years of his governorship without making some basic fiscal adjustments, he’ll leave a big mess for his successor.

The deficit, whatever its true dimensions, appears to be detached from California’s underlying economy, and is rather what fiscal mavens call a “structural deficit” — one in which baseline revenues and baseline spending are fundamentally imbalanced. And in fact both Newsom’s budget and Petek’s analysis agree that the state faces deficits of roughly $30 billion a year at least for the remainder of his governorship.

The state’s economy may not be booming, but it is generally positive, with low unemployment. Nevertheless, Newsom wants to tap the “rainy day” reserves that are meant to offset a serious economic downturn.

Using reserves now and employing other shortterm actions would merely postpone the day of reckoning and worsen its impact.

That danger is illustrated by the aforementioned school aid maneuver, which would, Petek’s office

says, “allow schools to keep $8 billion in cash disbursement above the minimum requirement without recognizing the budgetary impact of those payments.”

“This proposed maneuver is bad fiscal policy,” the analysis continues, stating it “creates a binding obligation that will worsen out-year deficits and require more difficult decisions in the future.”

If revenues continue to fall behind the Newsom budget’s relatively rosy projections, avoiding hard decisions to cut spending and/or raise taxes would require even more elaborate budgetary tricks like the school finance sleight-of-hand that would make future budgets even more imbalanced.

Petek wants his bosses in the Legislature to get real with true cuts in spending, particularly money for items that had been budgeted but not yet spent. But doing so means they would have to reduce spending that their allies, such as public employee unions and advocates for educational, health care or social services, want to preserve, or raise taxes that are already among the nation’s highest.

That’s why they will be tempted to adopt a bag of tricks, regardless of future impact.

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

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018

For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550

For Release Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0124

Crime log Continued from A2

9:10 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 in Pollock Pines. He was released on $15,000 bail.

Feb.

12:09

1:34

Feb. 19

9:06

on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

4:43 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of assault with a deadly weapon on Muir Woods Drive in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $50,000 bail.

10:22 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of a parole violation and battery against an officer on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $7,500 bail.

Feb. 20

4:15 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of multiple drug-related offenses on Durock Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $420,000 bail.

4:25 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old woman suspected of multiple drug-related offenses on Durock Road in Shingle Springs. She was listed in custody in lieu of $130,000 bail.

7:54 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Silverleaf Drive in Rescue.

Letters Continued from A6

invested in the welfare of our community, is fiercely dedicated to its preservation and would be an outstanding addition to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.

MICHAEL MIRO

El Dorado Hills

Crossword

Online

nytimes.com/crosswords

Thursday, February

2024

Forsberg Meyer Continued from A6

night, providing “a fairly reliable cue for a small active flier hoping to keep a steady orientation,” notes EarthSky.

But now, in a relatively new development, our artificial lights are sabotaging this method and the bugs haven’t yet evolved in a way to compensate for it.

My change of perspective, I realized, stemmed from learning the particulars of the bugs’ behavior and understanding what caused it. That enabled me to view it in a much less judgmental light.

So there’s the key truth. Not a new one, perhaps, but one that applies as much to humans as it does to bugs. The more we can postpone judgment until we understand the underlying dynamics, the more discerning we can be.

And that’s definitely worth remembering, especially nowadays.

In this particular case, it wasn’t quite enough to keep me from wanting to swat the gnat that was flapping around my desk lamp as I typed this. But it did keep me from thinking he’s just plain stupid.

And that’s a start.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of Friends With Four Legs. Leave a comment for her online or, for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@gmail.com.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

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) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119

welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

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 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

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 four-part 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. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. For more information, call (530) 622-1180.

Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728

our free counseling can help you.

Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

using the information listed below. Current application proposals need to reflect current needs and will be informed by prior year monitoring and accomplishments, upcoming projects being planned and disaster relief efforts following the Caldor and Mosquito fires. Members of the public are encouraged to come with suggestions to assist the ENF’s project development for the upcoming grant application cycle as your ideas and input are important for developing our proposals.

The ENF has been successful in being awarded grants from the OHMVR Division in previous grant cycles. The grants have helped address trail repair and clearing of downed trees on over 300 miles of OHV routes and law enforcement patrol on an additional 900 miles of native surface roads on the Forest, provided for the printing of free Motor Vehicle Use Maps, OHV campground and trailhead maintenance, as well as other planning,

a conditional voter registration form through Election Day.

The form can be

obtained

Complete

n TODAY

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The best thing to do for another person is to get comfortable and enjoy yourself. There are some tricky logistics to figure out. You’ll need help. Take your time in deciding the right way to ask. Design your approach by focusing on the needs of the other person. You can’t go wrong.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don’t have to do trust exercises to know whom to trust. You’ve an immediate sense of it. Real life has taught you well. Someone will be as faithful to you as the tide is faithful to the moon.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Rushed relationships produce misunderstandings. Instead, go slow, which is a pace that will allow for things like short-term commitments that make everyone feel comfortable, as well as trust and responsibility doled out in small increments.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Just because people speak the same verbal language doesn’t mean they understand one another. The actual words that fly between people hold the least of the information. Exchanges convey the most information with movement, visual information and tone.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Sometimes you’re the caretaker, sometimes you’re the one who gets cared for -- at least that’s the way it should be. In one-sided relationships, that other person never quite gets around to caring for you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The walls that were meant to protect you may be making you feel isolated and alone instead. Consider allowing a few more people inside. The time you spend anticipating and preparing for the demands of the day won’t be wasted.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To some degree, worry serves you well, helping you anticipate and avoid future problems. Feel it, then let it go. Move on to the more helpful states that will allow you to confront, gather resources and solve.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s said you can catch more flies with honey, although no one has figured out why you’d want to. As for today’s situation, you’ll be better off taking the tone that comes naturally than forcing a sweetness you don’t really feel.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your solo strength is remarkable, but what you do with others will be easier to repeat. For instance, exercising with friends gives you both the endorphin boost and the accountability factor that makes it easier to establish the habit.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s an upbeat day with the occasional dips. It is not possible to avoid all negative feelings, and why would you want to? You can relate to the other humans because you know what it’s like to experience the full rainbow of emotion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Because life is better when you don’t feel cranky, you’ll get the rest, food, light, company and workload that contributes to peaceful, easy feelings. The kindness you give yourself is a kindness you give the world.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Among the many things you love about animals -- they are almost never on their phones. When they’re giving you attention, it’s usually their full attention, even if they happen to be a cat pretending to ignore you while observing your every move.

El Dorado County Registrar of Voters Bill O’Neill said conditional voting provides another opportunity to ensure as many citizens as possible can exercise their right to vote.

11-day vote centers

to

n See BEARS, page A9

development and restoration activities.

Once completed preliminary grant applications will be available on the OHMVR website March 5 through May 6 for review and comment. To review grant applications submitted go to olga.ohv.parks.ca.gov/egrams_ ohmvr/user/home.aspx.

The public may provide electronic comments to the Eldorado National Forest (applicant) by e-mailing both Kristi Schroeder at kristi.schroeder@ usda.gov and carbon copying the OHMVR Division at OHV.Grants@ parks.ca.gov.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join the meeting at bit.ly/

OHMVRgrants

Meeting ID: 222 229 075 11

Passcode: QYKTG9

Or call in (audio only)

+1 323-886-7051,,449117192# United States, Los Angeles Phone Conference ID: 449 117 192#

by debunking some of those claims and educating the public about the real issues and dangers this misinformation poses.

Tahoe bears may at times seem like a unique bear species due to their general lack of fear and boldness around humans, but these black bears follow the usual biological patterns of black bears across California and Nevada. Whether living in or visiting bear country in the Lake Tahoe Basin or beyond, this information should clarify what is really needed to help wild bears survive and thrive.

The claim: Bears need human help denning during hibernation

Many have seen photos and videos perpetuating the myth that property owners and residents should allow bears to den under homes and in crawl spaces. Some may have even seen people encourage this unwanted behavior by laying out hay and other materials for the bears. But most homeowners don’t even know a bear is under or around their home until it has already established a makeshift den. Bears will tear out wood and insulation, exposing pipes to freezing temperatures or damaging them in the process. And once a bear gets nice and cozy, it can be difficult to get

Echo Lake Continued from A1

the subsurface shoreline in lower Echo Lake, where the highest level of human activity occurs. These high activity sites often correlate with greater litter accumulation and nonmotorized vessel launching. Divers looked for submerged litter and signs of aquatic invasive species across various sample sites covering a total 1.27 miles, or just under half, of lower Echo Lake’s shoreline.

“Visitors to Echo Lake appear to be fairly responsible as a whole and our results would suggest that current (aquatic invasive species) programs appear to be yielding positive return for the health of Echo Lake,” said Clean Up The Lake founder and CEO Colin West. “The work for Echo Lake is far from over. These lakes will need continued monitoring and our team will shift focus now toward preventative efforts like additional signage, aquatic invasive species education and outreach and further advocacy efforts.”

In .45 miles of dive sites focused on litter surveys, volunteer dive teams removed 36 pounds of lightweight litter from a stretch along the most heavily populated section of the lake’s shore. This compares to the average of 175.5 pounds of litter per half mile found in Lake Tahoe during Clean Up the Lake’s 72-mile cleanup effort.

Divers also GPS-located four heavy lift items, including an oil drum and a fire hose, that will require additional

Leap Day Continued from A1

next year) but we will probably plan some kind of a special vacation so we can celebrate together,” Gustafson said.

Gustafson added she will have a birthday party March 1 for her family and friends at a rented AirBnB, since her home was destroyed in the Caldor Fire.

A familiar face, Joy Henderson will hit her 13th birthday Thursday. As an employee of the County Counsel’s Office, she has worked for El Dorado County longer than actual birthdays celebrated. Last year Henderson received a plaque recognizing her 20 years of service to the county even though she is technically a teenager.

Jokes aside, Henderson is excited to be celebrating her birthday with her family at Olive Garden this year. “Our family is small but we do things all of the time,” Henderson said. “Spending time with my family is the best present I can receive.”

Her past celebrations have included renting out an entire bowling alley, going to Disneyland and even a trip to Las Vegas. She

it out. This increases the chances of human-bear conflict and habituated behavior. Bears have evolved to comfortably survive winter without human help so it is very important to board up all crawl spaces around homes to discourage bears from setting up camp and damaging property. For more information about securing crawl spaces watch a video at bit.ly/SecureCrawlSpace.

The claim: Bears are starving and people need to feed them

Black bears are some of the most resilient and adaptive animals and they can tailor their diet to what is available around them. It is true that bears need a lot of calories, especially in preparation for winter but giving them handouts will not set them up to thrive. Giving a bear food will teach it to keep coming back and possibly investigate further by breaking into homes, vehicles and garbage bins. This behavior will also condition cubs to do the same and continue a cycle of human-dependent bears. Human food and garbage are not good for bears and can make them sick and damage their teeth, leaving painful abscesses that can lead to death. And importantly, feeding bears is illegal in the states of California and Nevada. Bears instinctively forage on a

equipment to remove.

To improve efficiency during this effort the Clean Up The Lake team utilized diver propulsion vehicles on the last .82 miles of shoreline. The diver propulsion vehicles can be likened to underwater scooters that enable divers to cover more ground.

With the recent discovery of New Zealand mudsnails in Lake Tahoe, all water bodies in the region are at risk of being invaded by this invasive species that negatively impacts aquatic ecosystems. New Zealand mudsnails and other aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe can be easily transported between lakes by motorized boats, rafts and personal watercraft. Non-motorized equipment including fishing gear, kayaks, paddle boards and other non-motorized vessels that are not properly cleaned, drained and dried before moving between lakes are a big threat as well.

As a result of the Echo Lake dives, there is now a baseline assessment of the lake’s health that can be added to data sets and research from other agencies that monitor Echo Lake’s environmental health.

Drink Coffee Do Stuff and the Meyers Community Foundation helped fund Clean Up The Lakes’ Echo Lake research.

To learn more about Clean Up The Lake visit cleanupthelake.org.

has had celebration themes such as Hello Kitty, San Francisco Giants and 49ers and Shopkins — things she loves.

While some with a Leap Day birthday will celebrate Feb. 28 or March 1 in nonleap years, Henderson prefers to wait to

variety of natural foods including insects, plant material and dead animals and have a vital biological role to play in the health of forests, from spreading seeds and fertilizing through their scat to curbing disease and keeping insect populations in check. If people teach bears to search for food in neighborhoods or other developed areas, that biological role is lost. Even after an incident like the 2021 Caldor Fire, where a huge swath of vegetation was burned, wildlife biologists saw bears find natural ways to survive like the resilient omnivores that they are.

The claim: Bears belong in neighborhoods

It can be exciting to see a big, beautiful animal like a black bear in a neighborhood, but that is not where bears belong. Neighborhoods have roads with cars, which bears must cross in order to get to the unhealthy human food and garbage in developed areas. By allowing bears to comfortably live in or pass through neighborhoods, the chances that they will get struck and killed by vehicles increases immensely. If a bear is in a neighborhood, encourage it to move on by scaring it away so that it can lead a safe, natural life in the forest. For more information on bear-vehicle

collisions check out a video at bit.ly/ BearCollisions.

The claim: Don’t call the experts

TIBT is dedicated to creating the best environment for bears to thrive and remain wild in an ever-growing, ever-changing environment like the Lake Tahoe Basin. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Nevada Department of Wildlife should be the first point of contact for any bear-related incidents or questions. CDFW and NDOW have dedicated and committed black bear experts who will help navigate any human-bear conflicts.

Learn more about keeping Tahoe bears wild at TahoeBears.org and BearWise.org.

To report bear incidents or conflict, use the following:

In California, contact CDFW at (916) 358-2917 or report online using the wildlife incident reporting system at apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir. Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to its public dispatch at (916) 358-1300.

In Nevada contact NDOW at (775) 688-BEAR (2327).

If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.

celebrate on her actual birthday date. “I’m grateful and gracious for people who acknowledge it normally, but I was born on the 29th,” Henderson explained. “It doesn’t feel right to celebrate on a date that doesn’t exist for most years.”

Bears Continued from A7

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian Joy Henderson sports her Hello Kitty birthday getup and a smile, ready to celebrate her 13th birthday on Leap Day Feb. 29.

Photo courtesy of Clean Up The Lake During Clean Up The Lake’s October survey of Echo Lake a diver pulls litter up from underwater.

governor for Rotary Year 2026-27.

Raffetto joined

Stand Up For MORE Comedy Night

Stand Up For MORE Comedy Night

Friday April 26, 2024

Iraqi Freedom and Deep Freeze. Kurt and his father manage commercial property in Placerville and have a small walnut orchard in the Apple Hill area. Kurt’s wife, Veronica (Polly), recently retired as a colonel from a 31-year career in both the active duty and the Air Force Reserve. They have two sons, one a studentathlete (cross-country and track) at Cal Poly Humboldt and the other also a student-athlete (football and track) in high school.

Friday April 1, 2022

chair and was a critical part of the district disaster response committee. The disaster response committee was formed following the devastating fires of 2021; 15 wildfires impacted district 5190 including the Caldor Fire. The committee was responsible for donations to the West Slope Foundation and for tree planting in the burn area. As president, Raffetto led his club and the community to raise $100,000 for the Rotary Club of Paradise following the devastating Camp Fire. The club was recognized by the district with the Community Service Project of the Year Award for 2018-19.

El Dorado County Fair & Event Center

100 Placerville Dr., Placerville

El Dorado County Fair & 5:00 – 9:00 pm

The 8th Annual Stand Up For MORE Comedy Night will be in partnership with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce to o er wonderful entertainment along with a delicious meal catered by John Sanders. Shake o the stress of the week with this hilarious, fundraising showcase.

Our Headliner, the hilarious Dennis Blair, who has been described as a Renaissance man. He is an accomplished screenwriter, award-winning songwriter, and comedic actor.

Yet he is probably best known for the caustic observations and musical satires of his live comedy performances. Also featured is the amazingly talented Derrick Leonard, whose laser-sharp humor will have you in stitches!

Admission: $60 per person; $100 per couple

Tickets available at: MORE, 399 Placerville Drive

Online at: www.morerehab.org

the Rotary Club of Placerville in 2014, sponsored by his father, Danno Raffetto. He served as president from 2018-21 and is currently the area governor for Area 6, which encompasses the Rotary Clubs of Georgetown Divide, Pollock PinesCamino, Cameron Park and Placerville. In his upcoming role as district governor, Raffetto will oversee the 61 clubs of District 5190. The district is one of the geographically largest in the United States, covering northeastern California and all of northern Nevada. Raffetto is only the second Placerville Rotarian to serve as district governor, the first being Clyde Curtis during the 1956-57 Rotary year. At that time, the district included most of Northern California and all of Nevada except the Las Vegas area. At the end of Curtis’ term, there were 51 clubs in the district. The official name of Placerville’s Rotary Park is Clyde F. Curtis Rotary Park after the former district governor.

In addition to his role as area governor, Raffetto has served as the district service

Raffetto is a fifthgeneration resident of El Dorado County and was born and raised in Placerville. He returned to Placerville after his 23-year career in the U.S. Air Force where he flew KC-135R and C-130E/H aircraft as co-pilot, aircraft commander and instructor pilot in both airframes. Raffetto participated in a number of operations around the globe including Desert Shield/ Storm/Calm, Restore Hope, Provide Promise,

STRAIGHT TO CHARITY

In addition to Rotary, Kurt’s involvement in the community includes being the publicity chair for Placerville Ducks Unlimited, flight captain of the Sierra Flight 27 Order of Daedalians, former board member and vice president of the Marshall Foundation for Community Health, and former commissioner for the El Dorado Veterans Affairs Commission, District 3. He has coached youth basketball for the city and junior varsity baseball for El Dorado High School. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

For

day in and day out for our neighbors in need throughout communities of El Dorado County.”

Photos Continued from B1

she can often be found wearing an owl necklace. “Their eyes, they are just full of personality and I really enjoy photographing them.”

The winning image was selected by California Department of Fish & Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham.

“The opportunity to choose the wildlife photo of the year is one of the perks of my job, even though it’s never easy,” Bonham said. “The eyes of the burrowing owl family in Paulette Donnellon’s photo are captivating; it was difficult to peel my own eyes away. The concrete in the shot is also a reminder that nature is all around us and we need to learn to live with wildlife to preserve California’s unmatched biodiversity.”

On Feb. 12 Donnellon joined Sen. Brian Jones (D-California, Senate 38th District) and Central Subregion Representative Chris Dallas, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, in a presentation where she received a proclamation honoring her photograph. She also received a pair of Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 binoculars donated by Out of this World Optics,

a two-night stay at Abbey House Inn and a gift certificate from Chirp Nature Center. Leading up to the announcement, the top winning images from the 2023 contest were part of a week-long social media presentation. The year’s top finishers included two winning entries selected by representatives from Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Out of This World Optics.

2023 Sierra Nevada Conservancy

Winner: “Barking Gray Fox,” Susanville, Lassen County, taken by Randy Robbins.

2023 California Watchable Wildlife

Winner: “Great Blue Heron & Iris,” Effie Yeaw Nature Center, taken by Michele Dodge

The Wildlife Photo of the Year will also be featured on the CDFW website, Instagram and Facebook pages. The yearlong contest is presented by California Watchable Wildlife and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Out of this World Optics Abbey House Inn and Chirp Nature Center.

Courtesy photo

Dorado

Tin the world of mustard seeds today there’s a problem. Currently there’s a global shortage of good mustard seeds and by good, I mean seeds that will absorb liquids allowing them to be mashed and turned into the soft creamy mustard we all know and love.

Whole mustard seeds should contain mucilage called myrosinase, a white powder on the surface of the seeds. When wet, the seeds should start developing a gelatinous layer (similar to chia seeds) within 5-10 minutes of soaking. If this doesn’t happen, that seed is not going to absorb any liquid and will certainly not produce the mustard you are looking to create.

There are questions as to whether the seeds being sold are old and have lost the mucilage or if the seeds are from growers of the more pungent

oriental mustard seeds, which are used as ground mustard, in places like India or Pakistan. Note: most mustard seed containers show only the country that packages them, not the country of origin.

So, what can you do if you have purchased mustard seeds with plans to make up a batch of your favorite recipe? Test the seeds before making any plans. To test the seeds, place about a tablespoon of seeds in a small dish and cover with water. Wait 5-10 minutes and see if the seeds start to develop a gelatinous layer. It should be clearly visible to you. If this does not happen then there is no way to make mustard from the seeds.

If you find that the seeds you have purchased cannot be used for making mustard, do not despair as there are other ways to use them. Make a batch of your favorite relish or pickles which use mustard seeds as part of the pickling spice mix.

Here’s a recipe:

Homemade Pickling Spice

1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces

5 bay leaves, crushed

2 tablespoon mustard seeds

1 tablespoon whole allspice

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

■ See MUSTARD, page B7

ats have been pets for people for thousands of years. They were taken in to help keep mice and snakes out of homes, farms and businesses. Cats also appear in all kinds of stories, from fairy tales to legends to comic strips.

Egyptians considered cats to be sacred, which is why they mummified and buried them in tombs. They would honor a god by portraying it with a cat’s head.

The Egyptian goddess Bast was shown with the head of a cat. Bast is the Egyptian goddess of sunrise and the protector of cats, women and children.

Find the two identical cats.

The number of years ago that we believe cats were first domesticated.

MILLION

The approximate number of dollars spent each year in the U.S. for kitty litter.

Guess which number at left goes with each fact. Then use the code to check your guess.

The number of muscles in each ear of a cat.

The approximate number of kittens born in the U.S. each day.

How many toy mice can you find on this page?

Just like fingerprints, this part of a cat’s body has a pattern of ridges that is unique to that cat.

Unscramble the word to find the answer.

Animals in the News

How much do you know about cats? Try this True-or-False quiz to find out.

1. A falling cat will always land on its feet.

2. Cats need regular baths.

3. A stray or abandoned cat lives only a week or two.

4. A cat’s whiskers help it to “see” in the dark.

5. A ball of yarn makes a good toy for a cat.

5. FALSE. Kittens like to play with yarn, but they can get tangled and strangled to death. If a kitten swallows some yarn, it can get very sick.

4. TRUE. A cat’s whiskers are very sensitive and act as “feelers” to let a cat know it is close to something.

3. TRUE. Homeless cats live in danger. Most are killed by cars, dogs, poison, thirst or starvation.

2. FALSE. Cats can usually keep themselves clean by licking their fur.

1. FALSE. Cats can sometimes twist around in midair. But they are often hurt or even killed in falls.

TOTAL:

TOTAL: 149)

TOTAL: 195)

Home for a Pet

This week’s word:

The adjective sacred means deserving to be respected and honored.

Ancient Egyptians considered cats to be sacred

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

Dream Interview

If you could interview anyone in the world, who would it be? What would you ask?

Free Museum Weekend allows visitors to explore

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — Nearly 25 Sacramento Area Museums are collaborating to present a Free Museum Weekend March 2-3.

This is the 26th consecutive year the local museum community has presented a free museum experience. Similar to the past couple of years, the popular community event is free but requires advance registration and capacity will be limited for each museum. Ticket availability may fluctuate by museum and/or by day.

To reserve free entry on either day, interested community members should visit sacmuseums.org/freemuseum-weekend. Should more free event tickets become available at a museum noted as all reserved, announcements will be made on SAM social channels (Facebook & Instagram) @SacMuseums.

Participating museums

• Aerospace Museum of California

• California Agriculture Museum

• California Automobile Museum

• California Museum

• California State Capitol Museum

• California State Indian Museum

• California State Library

• California State Railroad Museum

• Crocker Art Museum

• Don & June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum

• Fairytale Town

• Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park

• Locke Boarding House Museum

• Maidu Museum & Historic Site

• Museum of Medical History

• Sacramento Children’s Museum

• Sacramento Historic City Cemetery

• Sacramento History Museum

• Sacramento Regional Fire

Museum

• SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity

• Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum

• Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park

• Verge Center for the Arts

All participating museums will be open at 10 a.m. both days and the last entry is one hour prior to museum closing time (which could differ slightly by museum). Free tickets are available only for regular admission March 2-3.

And, to make visiting local museums accessible to everyone on Free Museum Weekend, SacRT is offering free rides those two days (March 2 & 3) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Riders can visit sacrt.com/ freerideflyer to print or screenshot a flyer to present the day of their ride.

The two-day special event also coincides with the launch of Museum Membership Month that takes place annually during March and is designed to raise awareness of the importance of supporting the museum community while encouraging yearlong membership. During Museum Membership Month, many of the local museums offer special incentives and discounts for enthusiasts who choose to become members and support their favorite museums and destinations. The benefits of museum membership often extend well beyond a financial savings and include exclusive experiences only available to members.

For more information about the 2024 Free Museum Weekend, Museum Membership Month and other upcoming activities offered by Sacramento Area Museums, “like” them on Facebook at Facebook. com/SacMuseums, follow them on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) @SacMuseums or visit SacMuseums. org.

Credit union gives back to communities

Robyn Eifertsen

News release

Eight Greater Sacramento region nonprofits received a total of $120,000 in funding from SAFE Credit Union’s annual community grant program dedicated to uplifting the communities it serves in 2023.

The grant recipients – Child Advocates of El Dorado (CASA), Foster Youth Education Fund, Junior Achievement of Sacramento, Rebuilding Together Sacramento, Sierra College Foundation, Soil Born Farms, Volunteers of America, Northern California/Nevada and the Yolo Crisis Nursery – provide services supporting career development, financial education, higher education, the health and well-being of infants and toddlers, housing, and veterans.

CASA El Dorado’s share is $10,000. The grant will go toward the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to provide support, empower and be a voice for abused, neglected and at-risk youth in the community. In 2021-22, CASA

served 205 children.

A not-for-profit financial institution, SAFE’s community grant program stems from the credit union’s cooperative principle of sharing profits within communities especially to programs that promote people helping people initiatives.

“We take our mission to help our members and communities build financial freedom to heart,” said SAFE Credit Union Vice President of Community Relations and Financial Education Rebecca Delmundo.

“These grants help individuals in often underserved communities receive the support, respect and the resources they need to build better lives.”

In addition, the credit union provides scholarships for college and trade school-bound students, direct giving, sponsorships and volunteerism.

For more information about SAFE Credit Union’s grants program visit safecu.org/community/communityimpact/funding.

...to our

...And to our generous subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

HFW Enterprises, LLC

49’er Bail Bond

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust

Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Artistic Beads & Studio

Burke Junction

CAPTRUST

Carbon Copy

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 Greenhouse Café

Triangle Well Drilling

Western Sign Co., Inc. WSD, Inc.

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.

Please show these sponsors your support for the program by patronizing their businesses.

Courtesy photo Sacramento Children’s Museum is one of many museums participating in Free Museum Weekend March 2-3.

“We are thrilled to bring world-class pastries to our guests and local community here in North Lake Tahoe,” said Pascal Dupuis, general manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “We are transforming our Tahoe Provisions into a gourmet bakery with an incredible menu of sweet delicacies carefully crafted by talented Executive Pastry Chef Sahid Khan. With his extensive experience creating mouthwatering desserts around the world, we are excited to bring his incredible pastry skills to our resort.”

The new dessert menu features banofee pie, featuring the traditional mixture of bananas and toffee; a pumpkin whoopie with two soft cake-like cookies sandwiched together with a creamy filling; a sable Breton tart topped with seasonal fruits and berries; a Paris-Brest featuring choux pastry baked and filled with a praline-flavored cream and sprinkled with edible gold flakes; and other selections.

Khan joined Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in December 2023. With 16 years of experience, Khan has served in head pastry chef roles at luxury

, page B7

Courtesy photos

Chocolate Rocher Cake

Macaron

SAFE scholarships open to high school, community college students

News release

FOLSOM — SAFE Credit Union is doubling its individual scholarship awards to $4,000 each and expanding the eligibility beyond graduating high school seniors to include students currently attending community college.

“SAFE is committed to helping students achieve their dreams and build a solid foundation for a successful future,” said SAFE Credit Union Vice President Community Relations and Financial Education Rebecca Delmundo. “This year we are excited to make each scholarship

Know Continued from B1

Papa Day Blues Band will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Lantz Lazwell will perform at the Placerville Public House in downtown Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For more information visit placervillepublichouse.com.

Sacramento Theatre Company presents Music in the Mirror, Celebrating Broadway’s Best Dance, March 1-10. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-6722 or visit sactheatre.org.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “Cotton Patch Gospel,” March 1-30. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Sacramento City College’s City Theatre presents “Sweat,” March 1-17. For tickets and more information visit CityTheatre.net.

March 2

The Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 South Shingle Road, hosts a pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m.

Placerville Friends of the Library hosts a book sale, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. behind the library, 345 Fairlane Court.

Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Starting Plants from Seeds, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center. Participants are invited to a presentation on the selection and germination of seeds, starting media, containers, growing out, hardening o and transplanting seedlings. Following the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to plant seeds to take home. Seeds and containers are provided; bring clean gloves to participate. Register at surveys. ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=41927.

Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Kids Class – Grow & Show Your Plant, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. After learning some basics about parts and needs of plants, children will plant a succulent cutting in a small pot. They can also plant a bean seed in another pot and take the plant home, care for it and watch it grow. Then in June they can enter their plant in the El Dorado County Fair. Register at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=41931.

Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts Oysterfest, 11 a.m. until the last oyster is gone. For tickets and more information visit crystalbasin.com.

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce and The Vintage Collection Co.,

Mustard

1

1

1

2

Continued from B3

provide a bigger boost to each recipient while also extending the program to community college students with 60 or fewer units to help them advance in their education.”

SAFE will award four scholarships of $4,000 each in a competitive scholarship program. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, March 31, and can be accessed at safecu.org/scholarships.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a member of SAFE with a savings or checking account in good standing;

• Be a graduating high school senior

4056 Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs, host a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m.

Gwinllan Estate in the Fair Play area hosts blending seminars for budding winemakers noon to 4 p.m. March 2, 16 & 23. RSVP for this event by emailing events@gwinllanestate.com or call the winery at (530) 723-2879.

Mellow Souls Trio will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

El Dorado Friends of the NRA hosts a dinner, games, auctions and fun beginning at 4 p.m. in the Mark D. Forni Building on the El Dorado County Fairgrouns in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit friendsofnra.org/events/eventdetails?eventId=60407.

The El Dorado High School Foundation presents the Blue & White Gala, 5 p.m. at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit tinyurl.com/ blueandwhitegala2024.

Soroptimist International of Folsom and El Dorado Hills presents A Night to Remember, a 5:30 p.m. fundraiser featuring an auction, ra e, music, food and wine tasting and more at the Folsom Community Center. For tickets and more information visit sifedh.com.

Brass Quintet Curvd Aire with special guest Courtney Daniels will perform at 7 p.m. at the Gold Trail Grange Ballroom in Coloma. Tickets are available at goldtrailgrange.com and at the door.

Spunj and Ryder Thieves Trio will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Sutter Creek Theatre presents Coco Montoya at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

The Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra presents a performance of European masterworks at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit sacramentochoral.org.

The annual Business of Art Symposium, a professional development event for artists, is set 8 a.m to 5:30 p.m. at the Sierra College Nevada County campus in Grass Valley. For more information visit nevadacountyarts.org.

A Compás Flamenco will perform at The So a in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

or a community college student with 60 or fewer units;

• Currently attend a school in the 13 counties SAFE serves: Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, Alameda, Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, Nevada, San Joaquin, Solano or El Dorado;

• Have a GPA of 3.0 or above;

• Plan to attend community college, college, university, or a trade school in the coming school year. “Post-secondary education is so important for people to gain the knowledge for jobs that provide for good incomes and career satisfaction,” Delmundo said. “No matter where students obtain that education, be it

at a community college, university, or a trade school, SAFE is here to help them get a jump on their careers.”

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, employees with bachelor’s degrees earn $81,000 on average each year, 62% more than high school graduates who do not earn a degree. “While the long-term benefits of attending higher education are clear, paying tuition can be challenging for so many families,” Delmundo said. “That’s why SAFE has increased its scholarship award amount this year to help promising students cover more of their educational costs.”

cloves

In a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir well. Label, date and store in an airtight container for up to one year.

If you are fortunate enough to have in your hands viable mustard seeds, try the Ginger Garlic Mustard from the “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving,” 2020. Oh, and keep a couple jars set aside and enter them in the El Dorado County Fair.

Pastries

Continued from B6

properties around the world including Park Hyatt Doha, the Palazzo Versace Dubai and Four Seasons Seychelles. He is dedicated to quality and creativity, using locally sourced ingredients to showcase flavors of the region.

The new pastry menu at Tahoe Provisions is available daily, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests receive validated parking when they buy food or beverage.

For more details visit Hyattregencylaketahoe. com or call (775) 8321234.

You might win the Gloria Herbert Mustard Award, which is $25. If you use the mustard seeds in a pickle or a relish, there’s a $25 award for that product as well. The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to food safety and preserving questions. Leave a message at (530) 621-5506 or email edmfp@ucanr.edu. For more information about the program, events and recipes visit ucanr. edu/edmfp. Sign up to receive an eNewsletter at ucanr.org/mfpcsenews. Find the group on Facebook, too (UCCE Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County).