The Gold Mine, Friday, March 15, 2024

To Do Top activities in the region

Now

Oak Ridge High School Drama presents “Murder on the Orient Express” through March 16 at the high school theater in El Dorado Hills. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org/services-7-1.

El Dorado High School’s Studio 81 presents “Alice By Heart” through March 16 at the school theater. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.

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

Youth Art Month takes over Switchboard Gallery in downtown Placerville. Check out El Dorado High School student artists’ works on display through March 31.

March 15

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Medicine in the News, a presentation by Ted Christy, M.D., 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings for free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc.org.

March 16

Folsom Lake Symphony hosts Construction Zone: Musicians at Work!, 11 a.m. at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

March 17

Folsom Concert Association presents Key of G Live! A Tribute to Garth Brooks at Harris Center for the Arts, 10

SPOTLIGHT Business Sierra Home Alternatives

On a cold winter’s night, there’s nothing better than cozying up next to a warm fire. And when it’s time to upgrade or add that flickering heat source to your home, there’s no better place to go than Sierra Home Alternatives in Placerville.

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(530)

Since 1997, the company’s experts have helped customers find the perfect fireplace, pellet stove and/or propane stove. Sierra Home Alternative also helps brighten homes with Solatubes, an innovative natural lighting solution. With expert service and quality installation guaranteed, customers know they are getting the best no matter which products they choose.

sierrahomealternatives.com

“We understand our community, the demographic and their needs,” explained sales manager Austin Parsons.

With spring just around the corner, fireplace and stove owners should start thinking about maintenance or replacement. Sierra Home Alternatives can expertly help with both. Now is

a great time to consider replacement, Parsons noted, as government programs have made it more affordable.

In El Dorado County the Chimney Smoke Reduction Incentive Program offers eligible West Slope residents $500 for removal of an old wood burning device and replacement with a new EPA Phase II certified wood stove, fireplace insert or pellet stove. The Air Quality Management District will also pay for the cost of the associated basic permit (if required). Call (530) 621-7501 to get started.

Once installation is complete the Sierra Home Alternatives is happy to answer follow-up questions and help customers maintain their new stoves/inserts. Their extra efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“Our customers are great,” Parsons shared. “Word-ofmouth (advertising) has been fantastic and we’re really proud of that.”

Photo by Noel Stack

The experts at Sierra Home Alternatives help customers with their home heating and natural lighting needs.

THE EL DORADO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT OFFERS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS OF EL DORADO COUNTY TO IMPROVE LOCAL AIR QUALITY.

The Chimney Smoke RIP offers $599 to $2,000 * to replace a non-EPA certified woodstove with a new efficient, cleaner burning, eligible EPA certified device.

*$2,000 incentive available to low -income residents or residents of designated low -income communities

The expanded Clean Lawn equipment Incentive Pr ogr am (CLIP) offers $100 to $2,000 to replace a piece of gas powered lawn equipment with a zero -emission cordless electric version. Now includes mowers, leaf blowers, weedeaters and more!

The new CHar ge At your Residence and Go Electric (CHARGE) incentive program offers plug -in car owners and lessees a $300 incentive to purchase and install a home EV charger.

The Drive Clean! incentive program offers El Dorado County residents a $599 incentive towards the purchase or lease of an eligible electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle.

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To Do

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College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

March 23

Enjoy a playful day of Easter Bunny visits and photos, music, games, prizes, magic show, balloon artistry, face

painting and more at El Dorado Hills Town Center’s Baskets and Bunnies event, 10 a.m. to noon. Children 12 and younger will receive an Easter basket to visit participating business to gather up to 12 eggs filled with candy, toys and some a special gift. The Easter Bunny will roam around for a short bit and then land in the lobby next to South Fork Grille, where you can meet the him and receive a photo taken by Charm Photography. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts a book signing and story time with Erin Dealey, author of “Just Flowers,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call (916) 941-9401 or visit getyourfaceinabook.com.

March 30

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts the Easter egg hunt, 9 a.m. sharp at Promontory Park. All children ages 0-12 are invited; bring your own baskets. Pictures with the Easter Bunny take place 9-11 a.m. at Promontory Park. Bring your camera.

STARS AT SCHOOL

Deborah Faleschini

Jackson Elementary School

Deborah Faleschini, a dedicated educator at Jackson Elementary in El Dorado Hills, has fostered a legacy of excellence in the annual Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by Placerville Elks Lodge No. 1712. Her students have achieved remarkable success for three consecutive years, consistently securing top positions. Faleschini’s approach to inspiring students’ creativity in their essays revolves around personalization, particularly concerning the influence of the Bill of Rights on their lives. Through immersive learning experiences, including reading, watching educational materials and engaging in interactive discussions, students gain profound insights into the relevance of these constitutional amendments to contemporary society.

A key aspect of Faleschini’s strategy is emphasizing audience awareness, instilling in students the importance of writing with purpose and considering the reader’s perspective.

When questioned about the secret behind her students’ consistent success, Faleschini attributes it to her commitment to experiential learning. She can tailor her guidance effectively by immersing herself in the writing process alongside her students, ensuring they develop the necessary skills and confidence to excel.

This year’s standout performers — Valerie Brown, Fiona Hepler and Layla Lamonica — demonstrate qualities of diligence, creativity and introspection.

Bass Lake Park encompasses 211 acres, including oak groves, wetlands, a freshwater lake, state-controlled dam, and existing athletic field, Sellwood Field. In December 2020 the El Dorado Hills Community Services District opened the park for public use, and individuals can access the lake area for walking along the levy road, bird watching, walking dogs on leash while catch and release fishing is managed and has restricted use periods throughout the year.

Bass Lake Park is located off of Bass Lake Road north of Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills. Bass Lake was formerly known as American Reservoir and was an important part of the Gold Rush era flume/ditch systems in El Dorado County. Water was brought to the American Reservoir (Bass Lake) by a series of flumes/ditches to be used as a water resource for gold mining. From the mid-1850s to the late-1930s American Reservoir was owned by several different water companies that controlled the flumes. In 1938, James Nichol purchased the property to open Bass Lake Resort a local destination for recreation. In 1955, the family of James Nichol sold the property to the Jannke family. In 1962, the first references to Bass Lake Dam

appear in the State of California Department of Water Resources records. El Dorado Irrigation District purchased the property in 1969 and it’s now owned by the EDHCSD.

Future construction plans for the park include three new multiuse athletic fields with bleachers, restrooms and concession stand; lighted parking; one new softball field and one new baseball field; playgrounds — tot lot, adventure play area and inclusive play and sensory garden; 2,500-square-foot nature center and amphitheater and elevated decking with bird observation blinds on the lake; 8,500-square-foot event center with dock ramp and lawn/outdoor group fitness area; miles of trails across the park with shade structures with fitness nodes and interpretive signs; courts: bocce and volleyball; picnic areas with barbecue and tables; and a small and large dog park.

ACROSS------------,

I) Little salamander

5) At an impasse

10) Poker variety

14) Jazz players are found here

15) Asian capital

16) Voicemail signal

17) No_ Traffic

18) Iron_ (rust)

19) Jessica of TV and film

20) Jimmy Buffett classic song

23) Hurricane heading, sometimes

24) Small cyst

25) Born to the purple

27) Columbus' birthplace

29) Third letter of the Greek alphabet

33) Had a bite

34) Tonic's go-with

36) Not to

37) "It's OK after all" in editing

38) Bond's bar order

MIXED DRINKS

DOWN

42) Pitchfork point

43) Ford product

44) Utter

45) Anti-apartheid party, for short

46) Colonist to be shunned

48) Send in, as payment

52) False cover

54) Strange craft

56) Folk-rocker Difranco

57) Classic song by the Eagles

62) Indigenous people of Japan

63) It may be found in runes

64) Dignified "Shucks!"

65) It's fed to computers

66) Prepare to propose

67) Maitre d's offering

68) Hot-sauce quality

69) Poet William Butler

70) Get ready for the operating room

B K le Kell

I) Eggnog spice

2) Natural gas component

3) Beatty of "Reds"

4) Goon squad member

5) Driftwood site

6) Arduous

7) Any police vehicle

8) Ending passage in music

9) Ukrainian capital

10) No longer fresh

11) Tunnel-entrance str ucture

12) Without a single defeat

13) Org. with a crack staff?

21) Lie in store for

22) Rolled-over item

26) Replayed tennis shot

28) Folklore fiend

30) All excited

31) Bride's title

32) Hardness scale

35) Pleasant to be around

37) Scottish terrier

38) Small details

39) Those who lived long ago

40) Toddler's afternoon ritual

41) Golden-calf maker

42) "You're it!"

46) Romanian currency

47) Variety of apple

49) Protective envelope

50) Certifiable

51) Snarls, as traffic

53) Baseball catcher's position

55) Gasoline and kerosene, for two

58) Like a squid's squirt

59) "The_ Ranger"

60) Rug stat

61) Highway exit

62) Wood finishing tool

Easy Easter eats One-pan dishes to make hosting simple

Family Features

Even if Easter hosting duties fell on your plate this year and added one more thing to your holiday to-do list, that doesn’t mean it has to be di cult. After all, Easter is a time meant for fun and fellowship with the food just one part of the celebration.

Building the menu around simple, one-pan dishes can keep the focus where it needs to be: spending time and creating memories with family and friends. These dishes call for short lists of ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, and simple preparation to create a full spread perfect for sharing with loved ones. Plus, using only one pan makes cleanup a breeze, so you can get back to the festivities.

A dish like this Easter Roast lets you check both the main course and side dishes o your list, relying on the oven to do most of the work for you after some quick prep work. Similarly easy to prepare, these Refrigerator Rolls can also be made up to six days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to bake - a perfect complement to the savory roast and veggies.

Refrigerator

Finish o your feast with an adaptable dessert like this Blueberry Crumble. Made using just five ingredients and ready in about an hour, you can swap the blueberry pie filling and yellow cake mix for any combination that suits your guests’ tastes like apple pie filling with spice cake or cherry pie filling with chocolate cake; the sky’s the limit when it comes to satisfying that sweet tooth.

For more Easter recipe inspiration visit Culinary.net.

Easter Roast

Yield: 1 roast

Salt pepper garlic powder

1 roast (3 pounds)

1 bag (1 pound) baby carrots

1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) trio potatoes or potato of choice

3 cups beef broth

1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup

1 tablespoon garlic pepper

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 bundle asparagus

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F.

Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over roast and rub into front, back and sides. Place seasoned roast in middle of large roasting pan.

Place carrots on one side of roasting pan and potatoes on other side.

In large bowl, mix beef broth and cream of mushroom soup with garlic pepper. Pour mixture over roast, potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle brown sugar over carrots and add chopped onion. Cover and cook 2 1/2 hours then remove from oven, add asparagus and cook uncovered 30 minutes.

Serve from pan or place on platter for more formal presentation.

Refrigerator Rolls

Yield: 18 rolls

2 packages yeast

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups lukewarm water

6-7 cups all-purpose flour, divided

2 teaspoons salt 2 eggs

1 stick softened butter oil, divided

Directions: In large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm water. When yeast is foamy, add 3 cups flour. Mix in salt, eggs and butter.

Once mixed well, add remaining flour 1 cup at a time and knead dough into ball in bowl. Remove dough from bowl and place on clean surface.

Wash and dry bowl then grease with drizzle of oil. Place dough in bowl and let rise 1 hour or store in refrigerator if making in advance.

When ready to use, grease muffin pan with oil. Roll dough into hand-size balls and place in each muffin hole; cover 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 F. Bake rolls 30 minutes. Note: Dough can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator up to six days. If making ahead, punch down dough, cover and place in refrigerator. Punch down daily until ready to use.

Find another recipe on page 15.

CHARLIE (A147566)

He does not own a chocolate factory but his love is priceless. Adopt this cute brown M Rottweiler/Airdale. 8 yr.

MAISEY (A157616)

Orange tabby female kitties are uncommon. Grab your opportunity to adopt one this week. DSH 2yr.

TYSON (A156861)

He is very shy & definitely more lover-boy than boxer. DMH 12mo. Check out all the adoptables at www.petharbor.com

LIZZY (A157556)

A quality pooch made of cream colored fur and fluff, not cheap tin. Runs well, no oil or gas required. F, Lab mix,10mo.

BOBO (A157608)

Bourgeois-bohemian? Nope. He is a sweet simple pooch looking for a nice family. Brown, Border Collie/Boston Terrier 11mo.

This ‘Barefoot Contessa’ is a cute petite F Calico DSH, looking, as her name says, for a garden gig. 8mo.

Blueberry Crumble

Yield: 1 cake

1 can blueberry pie filling

1 box yellow cake mix

1 bag (4 ounces) chopped pecans

1 stick butter, melted

1/4 cup oil

whipped cream, for serving (optional)

vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spread pie filling on bottom of 9-by11-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix and pecans on top. Do not mix.

Drizzle melted butter and oil on top of cake mix and pecans. Do not mix. Lift pan and tilt from side to side until cake mix is completely covered in butter.

Bake 1 hour until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Roads clear, sunny skies encourage visitors to head up to Tahoe

Now with sunny skies and clear roads following 6 to 8-feet of snowfall from recent storms at South Lake Tahoe ski resorts, conditions for the balance of the season well into spring are completely off the charts.

“Miracle March,” historically the area’s most prolific snowfall month, delivered again with up to 8-feet of snow at resorts and 2-4 feet at lake level over four days. It all translates to more of a great thing with a longer ski season to enjoy unbelievable conditions and Tahoe’s renowned spring skiing vibe and hospitality.“Powder and sunshine paired with après activities and those iconic lake views make this a special time,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “This storm delivered in a big way opening the door to unparalleled conditions well into April.”

Photo courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe “Miracle March” begins as South Lake Tahoe ski resorts received 6-8 feet of fresh powder over earlier this month.

Get

Booking inquiries have reflected the enthusiasm with a strong upsurge and availability to secure a March/ April ski getaway. For details on current promotions visit visitlaketahoe.com.

The major snowfall also provides long range benefits for the immediate area as it portends an abundant summer of water recreation at beaches, abundant waterfalls, wildflower blooms; and statewide, for California’s water supply and fire suppression. While average snowfall for the season was approximately 80% of normal at the end of February, the California Department of Water Resources anticipate snowpack above 100%.

Consider remote work

With the ability for many to work remotely, winter enthusiasts are encouraged to consider that option, and arrive prior to forecasted storm/work and then play. If snowstorms occur on Sundays when the highest percentage of guests are leaving, consider staying another night for convenience and ease of travel.

Safe driving tips

During snowfall, a fleet of city and state snow removal vehicles work throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin to keep roads clear and safe for travel. Safety and ease of travel are always key with real time road conditions and information available on California roads at Caltrans at dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-ROAD (7623) or (916) 445-7623. For road conditions in Nevada, visit the Nevada Department of Transportation at nvroads.com or (877) 687-6237. For more information visit visitlaketahoe.com/destinationupdate.

For winter recreational safety recommendations that every guest should know, Ski California offers a guide at safety.skicalifornia.org — from what to do before skiing or riding to how to ride lifts, to understanding trail signage and navigating potential hazards and learning about deep snow and avalanche awareness.

Photo by Rachid Dahnoun / Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

ready for spring skiing at Lake Tahoe area resorts.

He

This brown M Pit Bull Terrier mix will warm your heart like hot soup on a cold day.

shelter to

him. 7yr.

37)

CLUES

1 Blunt actress (5)

2 do math with a times sign (8)

3 giving a ballpark figure (10)

4 composure (8)

5 misgiving (5)

6 like the password “123456” (8)

7 they can’t stick with it (8)

38) Small details

39) Those who lived long ago

40) Toddler's afternoon ritual

41) Golden-calf maker

42) "You're it!"

46) Romanian currency

47) Variety of apple

49) Protective envelope

50) Certifiable

51) Snarls, as traffic

53) Baseball catcher's position

55) Gasoline and kerosene, for two

58) Like a squid's squirt

59) "The_ Ranger"

60) Rug stat

61) Highway exit

62) Wood finishing tool

Answers

Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

SOLUTIONS

SPRING HORSE

1. Begin your riding schedule slowly if your horse (and you) have been idle over the winter months.

2. Horses that haven’t shed out their long winter coats will heat up faster and take longer to cool down and dry out on warm spring days.

3. Consider clipping a long winter coat if you are planning to get back into a regular riding routine. A clipped horse or pony may still need to be blanketed if the temperature dips.

4. Spring time is vaccination time, so consult your veterinarian for the recommended vaccinations in your area.

5. Hasten shedding with regular grooming. A shedding blade helps pull out long loose hairs.

6. Be cautious about introducing your horse to lush green pasture if it has been eating hay all winter. A horse that is allowed to nibble grass as it emerges will be introduced slowly and naturally. But putting a horse or pony out on pasture suddenly can lead to things like colic and founder. Make the transition to pasture gradually — especially with ponies, draft breeds, and draft crosses. As little as thirty minutes on fresh grass can cause a pony to founder.

7. Horses accustomed to being blanketed during the cold

weather may still need blankets during temperature dips or rainy weather. Don’t forget to remove the blanket when the weather warms up again!

8. Keep an eye out for signs of thrush or rain scald that can flare up during wet spring weather.

California Outdoors Q&A

Artificial habitats for freshwater fish

Q: Why does CDFW build artificial fish habitat in California lakes?

A: There are several reasons for CDFW to install artificial habitat in reservoirs around the state. Structures can be placed next to spawning areas to provide protective cover for juvenile fish. These constructions also attract larger fish, providing prime fishing opportunities for anglers.

Artificial fish habitat come in all shapes and sizes, whether orange trees, wood structures or other artificial man-made materials. Manzanita shrubs, Juniper trees and even used Christmas trees have been used for habitat purposes. Softwood like avocado trees are avoided because they deteriorate faster in the water.

Biologists might sink as many as 100 structures at different depths in just one reservoir. Crews also place different types of habitat structures along the shoreline when reservoir levels are low, providing a good area for fish habitat once the waters rise. About two dozen reservoirs contain artificial habitats, from Sutherland in San Diego County to Whiskeytown Lake in Shasta County.

One example is the use of large PVC piping in several Southern California lakes. CDFW places circular pipes, 12 inches in diameter and 3 feet long, in water hoping to attract catfish. Catfish are known as cavity-nesters and once the males have prepared the pipe for spawning by clearing out any debris, females follow and lay their eggs. The males then return to guard the nest and use their fins to fan the eggs to oxygenate them. Biologists will return to the spots where they’ve placed habitat structures to determine their effectiveness.

With two strong rainy seasons in California, many of the state’s reservoirs are filled to historic water levels, which lessens the need to install artificial habitat. Heavy rains raise reservoir water levels which in turn inundates natural habitat along the shoreline. Although this is beneficial for now, our biologists are planning future projects to continue to improve fisheries habitat in times of drought to ensure fish populations stay healthy.

Identifying duck species

Q: As a new waterfowl hunter, how do I learn the difference between duck species?

A: This is a common question among beginning waterfowl hunters mostly because they don’t want to run afoul of the

Photos courtesy of CDFW

A largemouth bass swims through an artificial habitat sunk to help native fish species in California.

Learning to identify waterfowl can be a rewarding experience.

law, but some hunters with good identification skills also select preferred duck species to harvest or they may try to harvest primarily males vs. females.

California hosts 39 species or subspecies of waterfowl, so it can be challenging to learn to identify them. Experience is the best teacher and now is a great time in California to learn duck identification by direct observation.

Our recommendation is to visit any of CDFW’s wildlife areas or national wildlife refuges that are managed for waterfowl habitat, or perhaps wherever there is access to hunt waterfowl during the waterfowl season. Visit those places after the close of waterfowl season while the birds are still around. Bring a good pair of binoculars, a waterfowl identification book and maybe a knowledgeable friend who can help. Not only can you help learn to identify the birds from looking at them, but you’ll also begin to learn to distinguish the birds by their flight patterns and sounds they make.

conditions arrive?

A: Researchers throughout North America have reported that black bears can awaken and travel to new locations when disturbed and the same can be said for black bears that inhabit California. Sows with cubs can move the tiny young into an alternate den if the disturbance is at an unacceptable level or if there is some danger — like a flood or landslide.

Hibernation is an adaptation for some mammals and reptiles, which allows them to survive the winter season. In many areas winter can be unforgiving. Food is hidden beneath the snow, water sources are frozen over and frigid temperatures can have deadly consequences. By hibernating, an animal’s body temperature, heart rate, breathing and other metabolic activities slow down significantly to conserve energy.

Fun fact, most waterfowl don’t quack, they whistle or chirp in some form or another.

For more information visit CDFW’s waterfowl program page. It includes links to resources specific to waterfowl identification.

To find more information on CDFW Lands and their operating hours visit the CDFW Lands webpage. Also be sure visit the Emergency Closures page before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property.

Hibernation adjustments

Q: Do bears adjust their hibernation location when heavy weather

In areas with mild winters, such as in Southern California, most bears do not hibernate because they have adequate resources and the ambient temperature is survivable. Biologists have found that only pregnant sows (female bears) den up for the entire winter.

Black bears are thought to hibernate for about four months in other parts of California. They can hibernate for many months because their body temperature reduces to approximately 88 degrees Fahrenheit, which is within 12 degrees Fahrenheit of normal. By contrast, the body temperature of smaller animals such as marmots, chipmunks and ground squirrels may drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Small mammals must awaken every few days and raise their body temperatures to normal levels so they can eat stored food and pass waste. Bears can maintain their suspended state because their warm fur allows them to retain body heat.

American Prospector

This coin captures the spirit of the California Gold Rush of the 1880s

COIN GIVEAWAY!!

TheGold Mine

Public Health officials encourage pre-teen vaccines to ensure a healthy future

In an effort to promote the health and well-being of local preteens, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division is joining with the California Department of Public Health in urging parents and guardians to ensure that their preteens receive recommended vaccines.

El Dorado County Health Officer Dr. Matthew Minson emphasized the importance of vaccinations. “Vaccines help keep our community healthy and protected from disease,” he explained. “For preteens, the Tdap, HPV and meningococcal vaccines are important to prevent serious diseases and we strongly encourage parents to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider to ensure their preteens are current with their scheduled vaccinations.”

The Tdap vaccine helps protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Whooping cough can be particularly severe in adolescents, making it crucial for preteens to receive this booster shot.

The HPV vaccine is essential in preventing certain types of cancer later in life and two doses are recommended for both boys and girls starting at age 9. The HPV vaccine has been shown to be a powerful tool in cancer prevention by protecting against a virus that can lead to cervical, anal and oropharyngeal cancers. By getting children vaccinated, they are protected from some cancers in their future.

The meningococcal vaccine is crucial in preventing potentially deadly meningitis, which can strike preteens and young adults. This vaccine is recommended for 11- to12-year-olds, with a booster dose at age 16.

Incoming seventh graders must provide proof of having received the whooping cough shot and two doses of chickenpox vaccine before starting school.

For more information about preteen vaccines, including clinic locations and resources, visit edcgov.us/Government/ PublicHealth/immunizations or contact the El Dorado County Public Health Division at (530) 621-6100 on the West Slope of the county or (530) 573-3155 in the South Lake Tahoe area.

THIS WEEKS LUCKY WINNER OF!

“The Pony Express”