Mountain Democrat, Friday, March 10, 2023

Single-story

Up to 3 beds & 3 baths

New Homes for Active Adults 55+

Heavy snow load raises roof concerns

Mountain Democrat staff

Roofs are giving in to the snow given all that has recently fallen in El Dorado County.

On the Georgetown Divide several commercial buildings have completely collapsed under the weight of snow, according to Georgetown Fire Chief Glenn Brown. Canopies also collapsed, including one at the fire station in Buckeye and businesses on Main Street in Georgetown had damage to sidewalk overhangs and roof systems.

Locals who store their recreational vehicles at Apple Mill Storage in Camino have told the Mountain Democrat some sort of roof collapse has occurred there, but it is not

Amnesty coming for unpermitted

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

El Dorado County will implement an amnesty program for property owners unaware of work done by former owners that wasn’t permitted. The aim is to strike penalties for current or future property owners who otherwise might have to pay additional fees for unpermitted structural additions.

Following an Oct. 11, 2022, discussion on code enforcement, Building Services staff sought to investigate whether an amnesty program to address certain types of code cases would benefit the county. Building Services already has a “penaltyfree” policy if property owners voluntarily come forward and obtain permits for unpermitted work, in which all usual fees apply but no penalty fees are required. County supervisors on Tuesday discussed

having an amnesty program to protect certain property owners.

“I’m not sure we want to differentiate between the involuntary and voluntary reports,” said Lori Parlin, District 4 Supervisor. “In my mind if you bought something and you thought it was a permitted structure or house, those are the folks we want to assist.”

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo was concerned homeowners with past permits might have to get structures up to speed with current standards, calling the action “costly.” Turnboo noted complaints come through his office about having to pay fines in cases where homeowners bought property with additions not permitted. In one case, an owner accumulated $20,000 in fines.

“I’ve had people trying to sell their house with these additions added onto them and they had no idea and they were still paying taxes

clear if it is due to snow or damage to structural support. Whatever the cause, the damage can be seen from Carson Road. Apple Mill Storage clients may have to wait until the area is deemed safe to retrieve vehicles. The Mountain Democrat called the storage business, which sits on Sierra Pacific Industries' old mill site, but the person who answered the phone did not give comment. A spokesperson with SPI was unavailable as of press time.

In South Lake Tahoe a carport at a closed automotive shop near the "Y" fell victim to Mother Nature Wednesday. The Tahoe Daily Tribune reported the carport became detached

Here we snow again

El Dorado County Fairgrounds

maintenance worker Peter Sheridan, above, shovels snow from the parking lot of the fairgrounds’ office Wednesday morning. Placerville and communities at higher elevations have seen snow in the forecast periodically since Feb. 22. The National Weather Service now calls for rain over the next week with meteorologists warning of heavy precipitation possible even at elevations above 6,000 feet that could lead to flooding. Snow falls on Placerville’s welcome sign the morning of March 8, right.

Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

OBITUARIES

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Howard Perry Tillotson (Jack)

Jan. 14, 1925 – Nov. 18, 2022

Born Jan. 14,1925 to Mary Furlow & Bruce A. Tillotson. Passed peacefully in his home on Nov. 18, 2022.

He lifeguarded as a young man in San Diego until he joined the navy at 18. He served on the USS Tomahawk in the Pacific during WWII.

He met & married June in 1949. Their love endured for 72 years.

A graduate of Cal Poly, he earned a Bachelor & Masters Degree in Health & Education . In 1952, his need to help disadvantaged youth led him to San Diego Boys Ranch as a teacher & vice principal.

The family moved to Sacramento in 1958. He continued his work as principal of Sacramento Juvenile Hall, establishing the academic program.

He was a Board member at Southgate Park & Recreation for over 20 yrs. As an avid cyclist, he helped pave the way for bike pathways in Sacramento, earning him a park being named after him. His teaching career spanned over 50 years. It truly was his passion & greatest gift.

He settled in Cameron Park & established a small vineyard on the property & enjoyed the fruits of their labor.

He is survived by his wife, June, sons Jack (Tracy) & Bruce. Grandkids Nick & Carly. Many nieces & nephews, two half brothers, James Paulson (Pat) & Robert Paulson.

Our love for him will never diminish. He was one of a kind and we were blessed to have been able to call him ‘ours’

Continue to cycle through the beauty of heaven. You’re free …

Patricia Lynn Koszalka

Oct. 15, 1949 - Feb. 19, 2023

Patricia Lynn “Trish” Koszalka, age 73 of Placerville, died peacefully at home of natural causes on February 19, 2023. Her final hours were spent in the company of her loved ones.

Trish was born in Sacramento, California to Emanuel and Violet Koszalka on October 15, 1949. Having grown up first in Carmichael, and then in Pollock Pines, she was a 1967 graduate of El Dorado High School and lived her entire adult life in Placerville. She worked for El Dorado County in the Tax Collector’s o ce and in the Mental Health department before leaving to open and operate a board and care home for seniors for nearly 20 years.

Trish lived by the maxim that when you take care of others, you take care of yourself. After her second retirement from her board and care home, she remained active in the community. Trish was a member of Placerville Kiwanis and participated in their e orts to serve others locally. She was also an active volunteer with Snowline Hospice, the El Dorado County Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels. She saw retirement as her opportunity to give back to the community that had been so important to her throughout her life.

Trish is survived by her husband, Mace Bannon; her son, Paul McHenry of Cupertino; her daughter, Marijane Boyd, of Bend, Oregon; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

At Trish’s request there will be no services. A celebration of life will be held at Henningsen Lotus Park on June 16, 2023. Details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor her legacy to volunteer in the community, contribute to the Kiwanis Family House at UC Davis Medical Center, or to contribute to a charity of their choice.

Ray Carl Snider

July 29, 1920 – Feb. 12, 2023

Ray Carl Snider, born in Glenns Ferry, Idaho July 29, 1920 and died on February 12, 2023 in Placerville, Calif. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marie, and his beloved daughter, Susanne. He is survived by his nieces Jane Machnik of Los Angeles and Ann Jolly and her children of Milton Freewater, Oregon and Southern California. He is also survived by Marie’s surviving family which he became very close to over the years. Following High School in Idaho, Ray worked a few years in California before entering the military in 1942. He served in Europe during WWII. Ray and Marie were married on January 14, 1947 in El Centro, Calif., living there until 1950. They moved to Los Angeles where Ray attended college and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from UCLA. He worked in the Aerospace Industry in the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley areas. The Sniders moved to El Dorado County in 1975. He tried his luck in real estate for a few years until he returned to the engineering field at McClellan Air Force Base in 1982. Following retirement the Sniders purchased an RV and traveled the country both alone and as members of El Dorado Sams, a local travel group. Ray was a member of Saint Patrick Church in Placerville and belonged to three social groups, Chapter 70 of Sirs Inc., El Dorado Sams and the Widowed Persons Group.

A celebration of life for Ray will be held Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines, Placerville, Calif.

Ray will be laid to rest in Saint Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Placerville, Calif.

Glen “Buzz” Helwig

Feb.

13, 1956 – Dec. 24, 2022

We are sad to announce the passing of Glen “Buzz” Helwig on December 24, 2022 at his home in Placerville. He is preceded in death by his brother Leland, his mother Barbara, his father Vern and his grandson Sterling. He is survived by his daughters: Mary Hansen, Barbra Foltz (Nathan), Edith Goldie (Kyle), his sister: Pauline Helwig, grandchildren: Alexis, Cameron, Natalie, Madeline, Savayah, Samantha, Andrew, Layla, Levi, Willa, Jordyn, Chloe, and great-grandchildren: Charlotte and Sebastian. To honor his memory, we are holding a celebration of his life (and his brother Lee’s) at the American Legion Hall at 4561 Greenstone Rd, Placerville, CA 95667 on March 18, from 12 p.m.- 3 p.m. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember his life.

Dr. Vernon Donald “Don” Helms

Dec. 9, 1938 - Feb. 7, 2023

Dr. Vernon Donald “Don” Helms, a retired school superintendent, administrator, and teacher, passed away at home on February 7, 2023, at the age of 84.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Don was born in Concord, California on December 9, 1938. As a child Don’s parents relocated to San Bernardino, California where he grew up playing with friends in the open fields and spaces California had at that time. He especially enjoyed talking about the hours he spent looking through the fence at the old Norton Army Airbase in San Bernardino watching the WWII aircraft takeo and land. The time looking through that fence fostered a deep love of aircraft and especially WWII aircraft.

After graduating from Pacific High School, Don completed his teaching credential and became a teacher. By this time Don also had started a family resulting in a son and daughter, Tim and Jill.

Don continued his education, obtaining his Master’s Degree and Administrative Credential toward the goal of moving into education administration. By 1968, he was recruited for and accepted the position of Superintendent of the American School in Karachi, Pakistan.

Upon leaving Pakistan, Don pursued and completed his doctoral degree at the University of Toledo. From there, Don and the family still desired to see the world, so he accepted the position of Principal of the American School in Athens, Greece.

After two years in Greece, Don next accepted the position of the Principal of Taft High School in Hamilton, Ohio. Don was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in Hamilton during his five years in Ohio.

Don’s next challenge was to accept the Deputy Superintendent of Schools position in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was during this time that Don met the love of his life, Molly McDonough. Molly was also a Ph.D. in Education and has held several Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent positions over the time of her career. They were married and lived in Louisiana until he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Corona, California in the early 1980’s.

It was during his time in Corona that Don was able to pursue his lifelong love of flying. He obtained his pilot’s license in the late 1980’s and was co-founder of the Commemorative Air Force’s Inland Empire Wing in Corona. The CAF Corona Wing was responsible for sponsoring and refurbishing several WWII era aircraft to flying status now on tour with the Commemorative Air Force shows.

Don’s final assignment before retirement was as the Superintendent of the Placerville School District in Placerville, California. Don retired in 2002, although he continued to be engaged in various types of educational consulting until his late 70’s. Don and Molly finally made their last move in 2018 to Prescott, Arizona to be close to family in the final years of their retirement.

Don is survived by his wife Molly of 41 years, his children, Tim & Susan Helms, Jill Anderson-Wold & Nick Wold, and Melanie Newkome. Don is also survived by his grandchildren: Stephen & Holly Helms and great-granddaughter Aubrey; Sydney Helms; Nick & Rachel Brown; Peter & Becky Brown and great-grandsons Bennett and Hayden; Brennan & Emily Jones and great-grandson Osce; Mariel, Molly and Emery Jones.

Don will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

The family will be having a private remembrance gathering.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the ALS Foundation.

Ann Thedosia Rossi

Briarton

June 25, 1925 - Feb. 19, 2023

On Feb 19, 2023 Ann Thedosia Rossi Briarton passed peacefully. Ann was born June 25, 1925 to Will and Geneva Lawyer Rossi.

At 97 years young, Ann was 4th generation in El Dorado Co. Her great-grandparents settled here in the 1850’s.

She graduated El Dorado High School in 1943. She was a Native Daughter of the Golden West. She doted on her nieces and made many identical dresses for them through the years. She married Air Force pilot Dusty Briarton in 1955 and gave birth to their son Rusty in 1959. For 40 years her world was that of an Air Force wife. They loved the AF and retired in Colorado Springs. She was a talented florist and owned Rusty Ann’s Flowers.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her son, her brother Drew Rossi and sister Ronda LaPorte. She’s survived by granddaughter Alex, great-grandson Mason, nieces Linda Parham, Dru Moeding, Kristy Lindstrom, Cindy Magee and Renee LaPorte, nephews Bob and Ron LaPorte and many great nieces and nephews. She also leaves her lifelong friend, Frances Feist. Their mothers gave birth to them 12 days apart, and they have lived down the hall from each other for the past two years in the same care center. They talked daily about their childhood on Myrtle Avenue. Ann was known for her spunk, tenacity and caring for all those she loved. She will be interned in Colorado Springs.

Joyce McCartney Brooks

Dec. 13, 1943 – Jan. 25, 2023

Joyce McCartney Brooks of El Dorado was born Dec. 13, 1943 in Morgan Hill, Calif. and died in Roseville on Jan. 25, 2023. Joyce grew up in Morgan Hill, and graduated from Live Oak High School in 1962 with many of the same children she grew up with. She worked many jobs in Morgan Hill, including J.L. Clark Manufacturing, and spent many years with her mother, Sara, at the Orange Freeze hamburger stand. That is where she met her future husband, Don Brooks. Don and Joyce moved to El Dorado, Calif. in 2000. There she kept busy with a part-time job, her love of animals and her gardening. She volunteered at the Placerville Senior Center, and joined the W.P.A.C. and various other organizations. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Brooks, and her parents, Merle and Sara McCartney. She is survived by her brother, Ken McCartney; her sister, Ann Alumbaugh; her son, Troy Lyman; stepchildren Debra Kuest, Dennis Brooks and Susan Penley; many nieces, nephews and grandchildren; and many good friends.

Nancy Jean Morgan

May 15, 1934 - Dec. 9, 2022

Nancy Jean Morgan of Placerville passed away on December 9, at Western Slope Health Center from complications following a fall, a second broken hip, and a second round of Covid19. Nancy was born in Akron, Ohio, on May 15, 1934, the oldest child and only daughter of Dr. Lawrence Brooks Mehl and Marjorie Yocum Mehl. She was predeceased by the older of her two brothers, Richard Carleton Mehl. She is survived by her younger brother, Carter David Mehl; her sisters-in-law Paula Allred (Richard’s wife) and Anitra Balzer (Carter’s wife); her nieces, Amanda Mehl, Ursula Mehl, and Sophia Mehl; and her grandnephews Solas Mehl Coates and Caulder Mehl Coates. She was cremated at El Dorado Funeral & Cremation Services, which contains a more extensive obituary. Her ashes will be scattered at a private ceremony.

CONTACT US

Of ce Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m 530-622-1255

MISSED DELIVERY

Call 530-344-5000. If you have not received your paper leave us a message, we’ll return your call.

VACATION HOLDS

For temporary delivery hold, call at least one week prior to the rst day to be stopped or visit mtdemocrat.com and click “Vacation Hold Request” at the bottom of the website.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Call 530-344-5000 to subscribe 3 mos. 6 mos. 1 yr. 2 yrs. $39 +tax $70 +tax $120 +tax $220 +tax

Police on lookout for burglary suspect

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

Detectives with the Placerville Police Department are asking for help in identifying a suspect thought to be connected to a burglary.

The burglary took place Feb. 27 at 237 Placerville Drive; a vehicle was stolen from the property but was recovered in Sacramento Tuesday. The business located at that address is Sierra Home Alternatives.

A surveillance camera captured footage of a man who slipped into an area behind the building and attempted to enter through a rear door. The man is described by PPD officials as a white man with a tall, lean build. He is seen in the video wearing a black or dark grey hoodie sweatshirt, a grey shirt, blue jeans and black and red tennis shoes.

Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information that could help in the investigation to call call Sgt. Eric Taylor at (530) 642-5210 ext. 320.

Somerset man missing

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

A Somerset resident has been missing since Feb. 22 and his family, friends and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office are working to locate him.

David Louis Hawkins, 40, was reportedly last seen Feb. 21 at Walmart on Missouri Flat Road. Hawkins was wearing black sweatpants, a black jacket, a black beanie and purple shoes and was carrying a black backpack. He is described as a Black man, 6 foot, 3 inches in height, weighing around 180 pounds, and has his hair in dreadlocks.

Hawkins reportedly does not have a car or phone.

Friends of Hawkins posted to Facebook that a search behind Walmart along the El Dorado Trail is being

DAVID LoUIS HAwkInS

organized for 10 a.m. Saturday. EDSO officials are asking anyone with

information regarding Hawkins’ location to contact dispatch at (530) 621-6600.

Spring forward

It’ll be time to set clocks one hour ahead Sunday, March 12, as daylight saving time begins and we spring forward like these daffodils popping up in the snow in Placerville.

It’s also a good time to check and replace smoke alarm batteries.

lake levels

Weather

Placerville police are asking for help in identifying this man, who may have been involved in a burglary on Placerville Drive. Courtesy photo

OES setting up several sandbag filling locations

Mountain Democrat staff

Residents whose property could be at risk of flooding can fill up sandbags at several sites in El Dorado County, officials announced.

The locations are not staffed and it is advised to bring a shovel to fill the sandbags.

The county Office of Emergency Services is planning to provide sand and bags from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• Station 89 3200 Country Club Drive Cameron Park • Station 85

Camino man found dead in snow had heart failure

Odin Rasco Staff writer

A 62-year-old Camino resident was found dead in the snow March 2.

The body of Ronald Owen was located near his vehicle at the 4000 block of Escondito Court, according

to Sgt. Alexander Sorey with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Escondito Court is in Camino’s Rancho Del Sol neighborhood off Snows Road.

Sheriff’s officials have determined the cause of death was coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Photo by Wendy Maker

California Matters

Bullet train project still lacks needed financing

Managers of California’s bullet train project announced what they termed an “historic milestone” last month: “the creation of more than 10,000 construction jobs since the start of high-speed rail construction.”

That takes a little explaining.

Dan WaLters

Government agencies that build public works projects and their contractors sometimes overstate economic impacts, nowhere more obviously than in claims of job creation.

Each day, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority, more than 1,000 men and women are working on the construction of an initial San Joaquin Valley stage of what is supposed to be eventually become a statewide system of very fast trains.

The HSRA says the 10,000 jobs number “is a comprehensive count of all construction jobs that have been employed by this project. This number takes into account laborers who have worked with one or more subcontractors and have held one or more job(s) on this contract. Most workers spend on average nearly 100 days on the job sites.”

Whether that explanation constitutes 10,000 jobs is open to some debate, although it certainly sounds impressive.

The celebratory press release quoted Amit Bose, who heads the Federal Railroad Administration, as saying, “Ten thousand jobs created is one of many milestones to come on this historic project, and the Federal Railroad Administration remains committed to strengthening state partnerships to advance even more progress and deliver the passenger rail benefits people want and deserve.”

However, it doesn’t mention that, a few days

n See Walters page A5

Guest Column

Letters to the editor

Good intentions

EDITOR:

Recently, I have been involved in public situations in which there were disagreements over decisions that were made. Both sides had legitimate points and deserved to be listened to respectfully.

What has made me sad is when one side has questioned the underlying motivations of the other side, implying bad faith in some way.

The Nature Conservancy has a lovely mantra that I ascribe to. “Always assume good intentions.”

We are fortunate to live in such a wonderful community, with so many hard working members. So let’s give each other permission to disagree when hard choices need to be made. And let’s grant each other the grace of assuming good intentions.

DAVID ZELINSKY Placerville

inferior delivery

EDITOR:

Sunday, Feb. 26, we got an email stating the USPS had delivered a package(s) at our front door. Thought that was strange as my wife and I were both home. I was working in the garage and didn’t see any mail truck come down the driveway. My wife could not find any package(s) at the front door or anywhere in the area.

We thought maybe the package had been delivered at the mailbox center for our neighborhood, so she got in the car and headed down to check. When she stopped at the top of the driveway to turn onto the street, she saw two packages sitting out in the rain. They had been tossed over the fence into the pasture. Our driveway is about 300 feet long with no gates and we don’t have any outside dogs and a large turn around area so there is no reason for them not delivering. This delivery was not even close to the front door.

This USPS driver has given all USPS drivers an extremely bad image and this person has no respect for the public. USPS should terminate this person for not doing the job and for lying on USPS documents.

ROBERT AYREST Placerville

another crazy week

EDITOR:

The far-right has provided us with more crazy. Marjorie Taylor Green has come out saying that the red states should divorce (i.e., secede) themselves from the blue states. Part of her reasoning for the divorce is that conservatives can then openly discriminate against LGTBQ+ people. She also states that any Democrats left behind would be denied the right to vote. So much for Christian compassion and democracy.

It is incredible to think that this is the party of Lincoln, the party that saved the union. How far the mighty have fallen. On the other hand, maybe we should let them go. At least the blue states wouldn’t have to subsidize them any longer.

Alabama Congressman, Barry Moore, is going to introduce a resolution that would designate the AR-15 as the national gun. According to Newsweek, the AR-15 was used to kill at least 36 innocent people in 2022 alone. Is this something we should be proud of? I guess we can soon expect the bald eagle to be holding an AR-15 in its talons.

DeSantis criticized President Biden for going to Ukraine and downplays the threat Russia poses to neighboring countries. He has stated he would end aid to Ukraine if given the opportunity. The reason that Russia is probably no longer a threat to other countries is that it has been prevented from overtaking Ukraine because of the bravery and tenacity of the Ukrainian people and the monetary and military aid from the U.S. and NATO. If Putin would have succeeded, do

n See letters page A5

Appreciating and honoring former President Jimmy Carter

El Dorado County has much appeal and many charms — spectacular natural wonders, a rich and colorful history and many good and decent people. Since moving here from Washington, D.C., seven years ago, my wife Shari and I have had occasion to enjoy all of that and more.

As a longtime Democratic activist and campaign operative, however, the area has proved to be challenging. It is a bright red county with small blue enclaves in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. But it hasn’t always been so.

As my former boss Jimmy Carter is under home hospice care in Plains, Ga., many of us who worked for and with him have been comparing notes and reflecting on those times — his remarkable life, his misunderstood and vastly under-appreciated single term as president and his muchadmired work as an ex-president.

I became an early Carter supporter, meeting him and enrolling in his cause in July 1975. Later, I took vacation time from my job on Capitol Hill to work in the 1976 Pennsylvania primary. That fall I directed field operations for

the Carter/Mondale campaign in California.

While we lost the state narrowly (under 2%), we did very well in Northern California, including — hard as it is to believe today — in the Sierra foothills. In fact, 1976 was the last time the Democratic presidential nominee carried El Dorado County (as well Amador, Lassen, Madera, Placer, Sierra, Yuba and even Shasta counties).

Four years later we lost the state by a large margin and carried only three of California’s 58 counties — Alameda, San Francisco and Yolo. We lost El Dorado by almost 30 points — quite a reversal, and not a welcome one for our side. More recently, in 2016 Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by almost 14 points in El Dorado County; Joe Biden did better in 2020, losing the county by less than nine points.

There are many reasons for this reversal — demographic, economic, cultural and more. But part of the reason is rank politics and it started with vigorous opposition to Jimmy Carter’s policies in places such as rural California.

Carter was a true environmentalist — a preservationist in the mold of

Theodore Roosevelt. He opposed wasteful public works projects and curbed the greed of extraction industries, including timber. He believed in saving rivers, not exploiting them. He thought ranchers should pay grazing fees commensurate with the value provided.

He also was devoted to civil and human rights, including those for

farm workers. He appointed more women and persons of color to the federal judiciary than all previous presidents combined. He negotiated, signed and was able to ratify the Panama Canal Treaties. He pushed for worker safety and consumer protection and for greater adherence to ethics in government.

n See Francis, page A5

summary California’s bullet train project is still lacking enough money to complete its initial segment in the s an Joaquin Valley, much less financing for a statewide system.

Courtesy photo

Les Francis, far left, sits with representative Don edwards, President Jimmy Carter and representative norm Mineta aboard air Force One.

Walters Continued from A4 earlier, the federal government had rejected an application for a $1.2 billion in grants that the project needs if there is any hope of actually completing the San Joaquin Valley section between Merced and Bakersfield.

“There is no doubt that we want federal money, that we need federal money,” Brian Annis, the project’s chief financial officer, told the Fresno Bee.

The San Joaquin segment is being built with funds from a $9.95 billion bond issue approved by voters in 2008, a previous federal grant and some proceeds from the state’s auctions of carbon emission credits, but they are not enough. The 171-mile stretch is currently projected to cost $22 billion, roughly one-fifth of what the entire northsouth system would need.

When the bond issue was being presented to voters 15 years ago, the total cost was pegged at about $40 billion with an assumption that federal funds and/or private investors would complete financing. Since then, the projected costs have risen steadily to more than $100 billion and officials have searched in vain for additional money.

Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown were enthusiastic supporters. But when Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, he was openly skeptical.

“The project, as currently planned, would cost

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

too much and take too long,” Newsom said as he took office. “There’s been too little oversight and not enough transparency. Right now, there simply isn’t a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to L.A. I wish there were.”

His critique was widely interpreted as a desire to cancel the project, but its supporters — particularly construction unions — ramped up pressure and Newsom quickly insisted that he wanted to not only continue construction but expand it on both ends to connect Merced with Bakersfield. He later overcame legislative resistance and appropriated the remainder of the 2008 bond issue to continue work.

Nevertheless, the bullet train’s fundamental problem remains: how to get enough money to complete the San Joaquin segment and find another $80 billion or so to make it a statewide system.

The answer may depend on what happens in national politics since generally Democrats support high-speed rail as a tool to battle climate change while Republicans oppose it as a boondoggle — and one of the more vociferous opponents is House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose hometown is Bakersfield.

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

Announcements

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

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups.

Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

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

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

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

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

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)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

Francis Continued from A4

The sad fact of political life in America, especially since 1980, is that such principles are anathema to modern “conservatives.” They have moved further right — to the point where true moderates are now disparaged as “left wingers.”

Jimmy Carter’s life and career serve as a beacon to those of us who still believe that politics can be noble, that public service is a good thing and that government can make a positive difference in the lives of everyday Americans. Those principles once resonated in El Dorado County, as well as to our neighbors north and south of us. We can only hope that they will do so again —someday.

Les Francis is retired and living in Camino. He once worked as chief of staff to Rep. Norman Y. Mineta (D-San Jose) and as deputy assistant and deputy chief of staff to President Jimmy Carter.

Letters Continued from A4

you honestly think he would have stopped with Ukraine? Did Hitler stop with Sudetenland? He has made it clear that his goal is to re-establish the Soviet Union.

Kevin McCarthy has given Fox News over 44,000 hours of tape from Jan. 6. Why only Fox News, Mr. Speaker? Apparently, he did not notify the Capitol Police. I guess that must have slipped his mind. The Capital Police are now extremely concerned that Fox News will air footage of restricted areas and evacuation protocols, putting all who work in the Capitol in danger. Furthermore, we can now expect a gleeful Fox News to go into full conspiracy and misinformation mode by cherry-picking tape that will fit its biased narrative.

Unfortunately, this is just another week of crazy in six years of crazy weeks. Until the Republican Party realizes that the Faustian deal it has made with the far right is not in its best interest, crazy will continue. Regrettably, there seems to be no hope of that happening anytime soon. If anything, the crazy only seems to be getting worse and its slide into chaos and irrelevancy only gaining momentum.

SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville

Since 1984! New & Refurbished Computers Sales and Service

Pirate Safety Zone!

Now offering a SAFE place for your packages. Have your packages delivered here at NO CHARGE! Solving problems… it’s what we do!

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 except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization 530-626-1399 384 Placerville Dr, Ste. B • Placerville

EID’s Sly Park intertie route shifting course

Michael Raffety

Staff writer

Built in 1978 by then El Dorado Irrigation District Manager Harry Dunlap, the Sly Park Intertie was a drought-funded project to connect Reservoir A to Reservoir 1. The emergency project followed the 1975-77 drought, which saw back-to-back years of 15-inch total seasonal rainfall.

Reservoir A is part of the water treatment plant at the base of Sly Park Dam. Reservoir 1 is part of the water treatment plant in Pollock Pines that draws its water from Forebay Dam via a new pipeline that replaced an open ditch. Together these two plants constitute two-thirds of the water supply, feeding water all the way to El Dorado Hills until the El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Plant is turned on during the summer.

The steel pipeline connecting these two plants was shut down in 2013 due to leaks resulting from corrosion.

A consulting engineer hired by EID has been designing a replacement for the 4-mile-long Sly Park intertie. The contract was awarded a year ago for about $1 million.

Last month the engineering contract was boosted almost $260,000 for rightof-way acquisition.

Then Feb. 13 the EID Board of Directors added another $370,000 to the contract for Water Works Engineers Inc. This was for work designing a pipeline segment from Sportsman’s Hall pump station to Ridgeway Drive, design of the Sly Park Hills waterline, Sly Park intertie backup power and electrical service coordination and design of multiple pressure-reducing stations.

The real key is avoiding the expense of using the current intertie going under Highway 50. The consultant hit upon the advantage of using the Ridge Drive underpass to route the intertie by tapping into the Moose Hall

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff

MacNelly

transmission main and then going along Pony Express Trail. It adds 2,000 feet of additional main that is readily diggable for future maintenance and repairs.

The consultant estimates this segment would cost $2 million to construct.

That route also eliminates inaccessible and substandard pipe and expensive emergency repairs, according to the consulting engineer.

The final 900 feet from Sportsman’s pump station to Reservoir 1 in Pollock Pines would be done later as part of future Reservoir 1 storage improvements.

Connecting the intertie to Reservoir 1 would allow Reservoir A to be shut down for maintenance or improvements. The pump station from Reservoir A into the Sly Park intertie would be set right at the Icehouse vault, where the water from Jenkinson Lake enters Reservoir A. To move the water from Reservoir A to Reservoir 1 requires three 600 horsepower pumps.

The additional $370,000 in engineering design work was unanimously approved by the EID board.

The intertie report was prepared by EID engineer Jon Money and signed off by Engineering Manager Elizabeth Dawson and Engineering Director Brian Mueller.

EID has funding of $750,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (via El Dorado County) and $10 million from the state Department of Water Resources. Total construction cost has been estimated to be more than $21 million.

The project allows for bidirectional flow between Reservoir A and Reservoir 1. Additionally, it is a backup system in case of drought or fire.

EID headquarters on Mosquito Road were named after the late Harry Dunlap.

March Forest Forum topic covers restoring resilience

News release

The Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum’s March meeting will feature Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative coordinator Erin Ernst.

On Wednesday, March 15, Ernst will provide an overview of the initiative that aims to restore the resilience of 2.4 million acres of Sierra Nevada forests and watersheds.

The forum will gather at Round Table Pizza, 12280 Industry Blvd. No.81, Jackson. Social hour is at 6 p.m.,

Unpermitted

dinner 6:30 and the presentation begins at 7:15 p.m.

The Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative is the first pilot project under the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Watershed Improvement Program. It focuses on developing and demonstrating innovative planning, investment and management tools across all lands. This presentation will share the successes of the initiative as well as lessons learned that

Continued from A1

on it,” Turnboo said. “There have been numerous instances where people are buying homes, fifth or sixth owners, and I don’t think that they should have to put solar or sprinkler systems in these homes especially when they should be going off the standards on when the home was built.”

County Assessor Jon DeVille said his office is currently assessing unpermitted structures.

DeVille said an unintended consequence of an amnesty program may be that unpermitted structures would be subject to new assessment and subsequent tax bills.

He informed supervisors the Assessor’s Office will create an escape assessment for unpermitted property discovered, whether or not an appraiser can determine the exact date of the construction’s completion.

In this case, the assessor reassesses the property and issues a notice of enrollment of escape assessment, activating a property escape tax bill that taxes the increased valuation over the regular tax bill. The assessor can go back four years for unpermitted improvements that haven’t been assessed.

“We would go back the current year, plus three, so if (the construction) was discovered in 2023, we would go back to 2020,” DeVille told the board. “If the new construction was completed in 2020, we would do a supplemental then we would do trended base-year values for 2021 and 2022 then get enrolled in 2023 for the total value.”

Regardless, the property owner is made aware of any changes made to

n TUNDRA by Chad

Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh

Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

can be applied across the Sierra Nevada and beyond.

A variety of pizzas will be served for a cost of $15 per person. All beverages and a salad bar are available for purchase at the counter. Attendees are asked to RSVP before 5 p.m. Monday, March 13 by emailing Diane Dealey Neill at dianedealeyneill@ gmail.com or texting/ calling her at (530) 4171960. For more information go to forestforum.org.

property record, according to DeVille.

He also told supervisors that his office deals with the property value, not whether it is permitted and that no process exists currently for the assessor to notify code enforcement regarding unpermitted structures. District 1

Supervisor John Hidahl considered the idea of creating policy that requires code enforcement and the Assessor’s Office to communicate with each other in this regard.

“I think that would allow people to understand that if they are being taxed for things that they have the option to come forward with a program that waives a lot of these fees, which would be the right thing to do if you want to correct the issue instead of ignore it,” Hidahl said.

Hidahl was in favor of such an amnesty program, stating a neighbor of his had to deal with fees relating to unpermitted home additions of the previous property owner, now deceased, had completed that the current homeowner now has responsibility over.

“You are not going to go back and get reparations out of an owner from 40 years ago— it’s not realistic,” Hidahl said. “That’s one category the amnesty program should be very lucrative in in terms of giving the current owner the benefit of the doubt.”

The supervisors unanimously directed staff to bring back an amnesty program within 90 days that encompasses unpermitted residential structure additions from previous owners where penalty fees are waived and to apply building code standards at a structure’s date of construction.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are many ways to make money, and the cost of things is changing all the time. Get excited about what you want without worrying about the price tag. There are deals to be made. Much of life is negotiable. Let yourself dream big.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You can do hard things. It’s part of what makes you awesome. Mistakes are essential. The learning curve is part of the ride. It would be very boring to be good at everything, not to mention annoying to others.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The point isn’t to find a better situation; the point is to be someone better. Any change you make to yourself will also change the situation. Help everyone on your team be a team player. Don’t let anyone hog the ball.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not afraid of your own tears, which are agents of healing. But all things being equal, you’d rather work on creating an environment that supports your happiness. Today’s secret recipe: more joy, fresh air and free time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re surrounded by talented people. Sometimes this comes with self-centeredness. You’ll tolerate a certain amount of it, but in the end, anyone who is only concerned with self-benefit is a liability to your projects. Pay attention to how you feel in someone’s presence and in their absence.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have plenty of talent and you’re always honing your skills. Right now, the thing to work on is belief in yourself and clarity of vision. When you’re sure of what you want, you won’t have to sell it. It

will be apparent to all buyers.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Would you rather manage something you don’t understand or understand something you can’t manage? You’ll have your choice. Either way, you have the gentle patience you need. You’re up for the task.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t worry about filling the dead space. First of all, it’s not really dead. It’s alive with possibility. Leave room for the potential and you’ll be surprised by what eventually strolls in on its own accord.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Rest between events. If you push yourself too hard, you won’t have the perspective you need to be at your best. Don’t think of recovery as laziness; think of it as the body’s turn to work. This is how you give your body a chance to catch up to you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Some people love to be first. It’s better just to let them have that. First is not always the best position. You can be powerful from wherever you happen to be in the line. Trust the timing of life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you have to explain why something is loving, it probably isn’t. Loving acts have a feel to them. It lands like love and it is, or it doesn’t and it’s not. You can trust yourself to know the difference and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). To some extent, you’re

Major league pitchers throw a baseball nearly 100 miles per hour, giving a batter a fraction of a second to swing at the pitch. But pitchers use the science of aerodynamics to make the ball even harder to hit.

We’ve scrambled their names of all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Can you rewrite them correctly? Work with a parent if you get stuck!

Can you hit a home run? It’s easy! Just find the item in each base and on home plate in your newspaper. Complete all four and it’s a home run!

animals.

How many times can you make it around the bases?

The name of a city with a baseball team.

baseball.

Have a friend give it a try. Who scored the most runs?

Gravity is always pulling a baseball downward once it’s thrown. Pitchers grip the ball in different ways to create spin. Air traveling above the ball is forced downward by the spin, and the air below it creates lift

Distance from pitcher’s mound to home plate: 60 feet, 6 inches

During the last 15 feet of the ball’s journey, it begins to curve downward or sometimes to the left or right, depending on the type of pitch. The batter must begin swinging before the ball begins to curve. It’s not easy to be a big league hitter!

Three strikes, you’re out!

Have a friend time you. Can you get to the center of each maze in less than 10 seconds? If you can, score a hit for each one you complete. If not, it’s an out.

Look at the sports pages of the newspaper. Try to take and hold the pose of the people in the photographs.

he perfect to hit tion n of f the bat of the

g the ball l giive

hen you’re batting, the perfect place to hit the baseball is a section of the bat about 6 to 8 inches from the end of the barrel, where vibration is reduced and batted-ball speed is the highest. Hitting the ball with this part of the bat will give your hit maximum power and distance.

Use the code to discover the name given to this part of a baseball bat.

Find an article about a baseball game in the newspaper. What was the score? By how many runs did the winning team win? Find the place where the game was played on a map. How far is that place from your home?

ny e ar

The game was tied at the bottom of the ninth inning. It was my turn at bat and the fans were going crazy… Finish this story.

© 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 36

from its support beams likely due to heavy winds and heavy snow load. Runnels Automotive formerly operated out of the shop.

El Dorado County Fire Protection

District officials warn an approaching storm system is anticipated to bring heavy rains as early as Thursday night with a threat of flooding and increased likelihood of snow collapse.

Fire district officials advise residents and business owners to assess snow conditions on buildings and take necessary measures to prevent collapse and other snowrelated issues such as blocked mechanical equipment, roof leaks due to ice dams and even carbon monoxide poisoning due to blocked vents.

This is especially important for buildings constructed prior to 1982, when the county adopted adesign standard that addressed roof design and snow loads, officials note, adding that if snow accumulation remains on roofs not designed for snow loads, coming rain could rapidly add weight that could trigger failures. Flat roofs, like those on mobile homes, are especially vulnerable.

Overstressed roofs typically display some warning signs, according to the fire district. Wood and steel structures may show noticeable signs of excessive ceiling or roof sagging before failure. The following warning signs are common in wood, metal and steel-constructed buildings:

• Sagging ceiling tiles or boards, ceiling boards falling out of the ceiling grid and/or sagging sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads

• Sprinkler heads deflecting below suspended ceilings

• Popping, cracking and creaking

noises

• Sagging roof members, including metal decking or plywood sheathing

• Bowing truss bottom chords or web members

• Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed

• Cracked or split wood members

• Cracks in walls or masonrySevere roof leaks

• Excessive accumulation of water at non-drainage locations on lowslope roofs Roof vents, chimneys and flues should also be monitored for blockage due to snow buildup. These systems need unobstructed access to outside air to properly ventilate. Blockages can cause carbon monoxide to back up in buildings. The heavy snow may also cause chimneys to shift, causing them to crumble or fall. Another thing to keep an eye on — propane tanks, lines and pipes.

If removing snow from a roof, special care should be taken to not damage the roof, vents, utilities (such as solar systems) or any other components on the roof. If a building appears to be structurally compromised, snow removal work should cease and the building should be evacuated.

The Sheriff's Office is advising property owners with structures partially or fully collapsed due to snow accumulation to contact Building Services at (530) 621-5315. Renters can also contact building services without having to wait for the landlord to take action.

For more information refer to the Federal Emergency Management Administration Snow Load Safety Guidance at bit.ly/FEMAsnowload.

Courtesy photo

The roof of one of Apple Mill Storage’s facilities along Carson Road in Camino appears to have collapsed, but it is not clear if it is due to snow or damage to structural support.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Pence

Snow piled on top of a business in South Lake Tahoe is removed ahead of the arrival of a warmer storm forecast for the region.

Photo courtesy of Mike Peron

A carport at an old automotive repair business in South Lake Tahoe came crashing down Wednesday.

In the KNOW

March 10

Sherwood Demonstration

Garden is open every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on-site to assist with any questions regarding Sherwood Demonstration Garden or your personal garden. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Live music at Red Hawk Resort + Casino continues every weekend in March at the Stage Bar. Bands will perform every Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

March 10: We are the 60s (’60s variety), March 11:

Moonshine Crazy (country), March 17: Kirk Matthew and the Los Vaqueros (country rock), March 18:

Clean Slate (dance/Top 40), March 24: Hill Street Band (Top 40/classic rock), March 25: American Mile (country rock) and March 31: Ariel Jean (country). Visit redhawkcasino.com for more details.

Mike Marshall and Choro

Famoso perform at the University of California, Davis Ann E. Pitzer Center recital hall, 7-8 p.m. For more information visit arts. ucdavis.edu.

March 11

Explore what life would have been like in Coloma during 1850 at Living History Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. 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.

Toogood Estate in Fair

Play hosts Bottle Your Own Wine weekends, March 11 & 12 and March 18 & 19. No reservations required. For more information call (530) 620-1910.

Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts OysterFest, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit crystalbasin.com.

Historic Knight Foundry 81 Eureka St. in Sutter Creek, is open for Second Saturday Tour Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers fire up the antique blacksmithing forge, demonstrate the magnificent and still-intact machinery, and show visitors the ancient art of sand casting. Tour at your own pace, meeting and talking with expert docents throughout the complex.

highlights bluegrass greats and the Sierra Nevada

Rebecca Murphy Mountain Democrat correspondent

WinterWonderGrass 2023 quickly approaches and Palisades Tahoe celebrates the return of several musical artists and this year’s debut of others. The three-day extravaganza will have its seventh year in North Lake Tahoe, March 31 through April 2, following the recent 10th anniversary event held in Colorado.

Organizer Scotty Sloughton said he’s “super excited” about both events, which have become known as the “WinterWonderGrass flagships.” He tried to add a sister festival in Vermont, but said it’s tricky. Being a ski and music festival, WinterWonderGrass in Vermont has no snow in April and in December. “It’s freezing,” he said, adding that even though he loves Vermont, the 2023 event was canceled.

“Colorado and California are both very similar,” said Sloughton, who was rebounding from a “much needed break” in Africa and Turkey at the time of the interview with the Mountain Democrat. “They have a very similar vibe with a different backdrop (Colorado with the Rockies and California with the Sierra Nevada).” Both events also feature whiskey and beer tasting for three hours each day of the festival.

“It’s a totally different environment (following the pandemic),” he continued. “It’s hard for us to hang in there with costs and labor. We want to provide a great value to our guests and I always want

to make it better. Watching the world unravel, come back to life and keeping the WinterWonderGrass alive has been challenging. The greater the challenge, the greater the reward.“

Hitting the WWG stage this year for the first time are a variety of artists, including Marcus King (headlining the festival Saturday), The Lone Bellow, Main Squeeze, Neal Francis, Daniel Denato, Big Richard (an all-girls band) and Trey Wellington (an up and coming African-American banjo artist). “I have good people who book artists for

Fresh Food & Local Eats

Photo by John-Ryan Lockman

Snow, suds and songs — WinterWonderGrass returns to the Sierra Nevada March 31. The festival brings together talented musicians who will keep the crowd dancing and cheering.

Courtesy photos

AJ Lee and Blue Summit, above, hit the WinterWonderGrass stage for the second time. The Brothers Comatose, below, are also festival repeats excited to be back in California. Palisades Tahoe hosts the three-day event.

n See Festival, page B3

n See Know, page B7

Drytown social club welcomes talented musicians

DRYTOWN — As winter lingers the Drytown Social Club continues its music calendar full of great local bands and artists on tour as they pass through the foothills.

Local gypsy jazz band Jazz Gitan will play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11. The trio is made up of violin, guitar and upright bass. The musicians transform the vibe of the room into a French jazz bar in the ’30s.

The winery offers farm to fork wood-fired pizza and occasional prix fixe dinners. This Saturday diners will enjoy a threecourse dinner featuring Upcountry Farms mixed greens with roasted beets, organic chicken Provencal and a chocolate torte by local pastry chef Ingrid Fraser for $42. Price includes the $10 door charge.

Local band The Babybacks takes the stage 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 12. This band is made up of some of

the best musicians in the foothills and the bandmates’ dedication to rehearsal and frequent gigs is apparent in their professionalism and breadth. The band has an eclectic set list encompassing rock, blues, jazz and soul. The Babybacks frequently fill the dance floor and

always deliver.

The Drytown Social Club, 15950 Highway 49 in Drytown, offers local beers, wine and coffee as well as wood-fired pizza, artisan cheese and charcuterie, salads and desserts and an interesting list of nonalcoholic beverages. This roadside chic

bar also houses the Feist Wines tasting room. This small winery owned by sole proprietor Susan Feist celebrated its 11th anniversary producing small lot wines this past November. The wines are decorated with many awards including Best Zinfandel at the Amador

County Fair, Double Gold for the Reserve Barbera at the California State Fair and Best of Class for Viognier two years running at this same competition.

This charming bar,

with an understated modern look coupled with a traditional rustic aesthetic, has lots of outdoor space and a wood stove inside for the cold days that persist.

concert will spark imagination

News release

FOLSOM — The Folsom Lake Symphony hosts its annual family concert and instrument “petting zoo” at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11.

It’s About Time welcomes listeners of all ages to the Harris Center for the Arts for a morning of musical adventure and imagination. An instrument “petting zoo” where kids can play various instruments of the orchestra will take place in the lobby after the concert. This year, symphony musicians will work with the children on string instruments (including

harp) and various percussion instruments.

At this special family concert performance with the Folsom Lake Symphony, Maestro Peter Jaffe explores music’s fascinating use of time and rhythm. This annual educational and entertaining family concert is affordably-priced at $5 for youth and $10 for adults (before Harris Center fees).

Harris Center for the Arts is located at 10 College Parkway on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter. net.

Courtesy photos

All-acoustic ensemble Jazz Gitan will play high-energy hot gypsy jazz at Drytown Social Club this Saturday.

The Babybacks perform rock, blues, jazz and soul music.

the events,” said Sloughton. “Some are previously vetted by other musicians.”

Pixie and the Partygrass Boys returns to the stage for the group’s third Tahoe festival. Having met in Utah, the band consists of Katia “Pixie” Racine (vocals and ukulele), Amanda B. Grapes (fiddle and vocals), Zach Downes (upright bass), Ben Weiss (mandolin and vocals) and Andrew Nelson (guitar and vocals).

Originally from Baltimore, Racine knew the three “boys” in the band before meeting Grapes, who comes from Kentucky. “Ben and I played at a house party and seven years later, we’re still playing together,” said Pixie, who picked up her moniker primarily because of her small size. “Ben and Andrew went to middle school together and Ben and Zach went to high school together. All of them moved and studied music — jazz and contemporary. We acquired Amanda because we felt we needed more female voices.”

All the musicians started at a very young age and have some level of classical training — except Racine. “I grew up on a small farm with horses and chickens,” she said, adding that chickens are the band’s mascot. “I also grew up with a baby grand piano (bless my parents), played the clarinet at 8, had technical vocal training at 10, picked up the guitar at 15 and was in theater performance in college. I started playing the ukulele at 21 when I didn’t have a car. It was easy to carry around.”

The band has its fourth album, “Chicken Coup Sessions Vol. 1,” coming out in late winter/early spring, and has performed a party grass version of “The Nutcracker” (River of Rosewater) with the Municipal Ballet out of Salt Lake City for several years. The band’s other albums are EP “Utah Made,” “Snake

Creek” and “The River Speaks Plainly,” an album about river runners.

Pixie and the Partygrass Boys has been hailed as “the hottest band in the Wasatch,” where the musicians enjoy skiing. Their high energy, soulful sound and enjoyment for funny clothes leads them spreading fun for everyone.

The Brothers Comatose are also set to return to the WWG stage. Ben and Alex Morrison have played music together all their lives. “There was always music in our home,” said Ben, spokesperson for the band.

“Mom was in a folk quartet band. Dad played guitar and was always supportive. It just naturally happened and it was cool to grow up with.

“We had music in our living room and decided to make a

band,” he added. The two brothers are selftaught musicians and have acquired professionals along the way. Together, “since 2008; we’re not all original. Alex plays fiddle and banjo, our bassist has been with us one-and-a-half years (Steve Height). He was in a band with my wife, Erika Tietjen, one of the T Sisters,” said Ben. “She is the non-twin.” Their mandolin and guitarist Greg Fleischute has been with them four years. Although the musicians are all originally from the Bay Area, they are now all spread out. Ben and his family have moved north to Santa Rosa near Petaluma to be closer to his parents. The dad of a 2-year-old girl and another child on the way, Ben said The Brothers

Comatose was the first band to kick off the WWG festival at the very first event in Colorado 2013. The band’s name was coined by Ben, who said his brother has always had a tendency to roll his eyes to the back of his head making him look “comatose. It’s a pretty goofy story really,” he said. “We’re always stoked for WinterWonderGrass.”

The Sweet Lillies have played WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, Colo. three times. This will be the band’s first show at Palisades Tahoe.

“We became friendly with Scotty during RiverGrass 2020,” an event Sloughton created during COVID (adrift. com), said Julie Gussaroff, a classically trained multiinstrumentalist and founder

of the band. Raised in New York City, Gussaroff shared, “I always wanted to leave (the city). People said I was too nice for it. I’ve always loved the mountains and music” — which is what WonderGrass is all about.

For many years Gussaroff played music as an accompaniment side player and wrote songs for others. With her classical training, she said she always wanted to establish a musical group of her own that highlighted the greatest talents of all participants.

In 2014 Gussaroff met Becca Bisque, violinist, who hails from Boulder, Colo. “Becca and I wanted to reflect feminine energy that was comfortable for all of us,” said Gussaroff. The two met guitarist Dustin Rohleder in 2017 in the campground at El Dorado County’s Hangtown Halloween Ball. After 10 “magical hours” of playing music together, Rohleder joined Sweet Lillies full-time in 2018.

The band has released three albums: a self-titled release in 2016; “A Lighter Hue” in 2018, produce by Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon; and in 2021 “Common Ground,” produced by Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth. The band has scheduled to release a fourth album, “Equality,” this spring. It is being produced by Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters.

Most recently, the group added drummer Jones Maynard of Atlanta, Ga. “He was in a band that had a connection with our promoter,” said Gussaroff. “The band didn’t stay together after COVID so we were able to pick him up. He’s a great young man and wants to be on tour.”

AJ Lee and Blue Summit considers the Bay Area as its place of origin and this will

n See Festival page B4

Social status takes over in ‘Heathers The Musical’

News release

FOLSOM — Are you in for “Heathers The Musical” at Sutter Street Theatre?

“Heathers The Musical” (high school edition) is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously handsome new kid J.D.

Brought to you by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy (“Reefer Madness,” “Desperate Housewives”) and Laurence O’Keefe (“Bat Boy,” “Legally Blonde”), “Heathers The Musical”(high school edition) is a hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal new show based on the greatest teen comedy of all time.

“Are you in, or are you out?”

This PG-13 production is directed by Mark Cornfield with musical direction by Christine Irish and choreography by Dian Hoel. The show runs March 11 through April 2 with performances scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Sutter Street Theatre 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit SutterStreetTheatre.com.

be the second time the band has hit the stage at WinterWonderGrass. Band members are AJ Lee on lead vocals and mandolin; Scott Gates, guitar; Sullivan Tuttle, guitar; Chad Bowen, bass; and Jan Puratt, fiddle. The group has produced two EPs and will transition to a new bassist, Forrest Marowitz, at the time of WinterWonderGrass 2023.

The band originally had three members — Lee, Gates and Tuttle — but in 2015 these musicians met their remaining members when attending school at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Raised outside of Tracy, Lee said she has played bluegrass since she was very young. “My mom taught me to play,” she said. “Mom played guitar and fiddle and picked up a little of everything here and there.” Her initials stand for Aissa Joelle, but “AJ is easier to remember,” she explained. The name is Swahili for “grateful,” provided by a friend of her mother’s when she was pregnant.

As a child, Lee was in a band with Molly and Sully Tuttle — The Tuttles with AJ Lee. The Tuttles’ dad, John Tuttle, has been a teacher for many decades and Lee has known the Tuttle family for many years. Molly will play the festival with Golden Highway. Lee also played in OMGG, which stood for “Obviously Minor Guys and a Girl.”

“Bluegrass has been very present in all of

our lives,” said Lee. “Young kids are very impressionable.” She credits the California Bluegrass Association for its kids’ program. “They have a lending library of instruments,” and they promote “kids on bluegrass,” a highly respected program for teaching children the genre.

The band coined its name at the 2016 Kate Wolf Festival. “We were playing bluegrass and we were on a summit,” Lee said. In addition to their two EPs, the artists have recorded with a variety of other bands.

Besides Marcus King on Saturday night, this year’s WinterWonderGrass headliners are Trampled by Turtles and Greensky Bluegrass, both of which have headlined the festival in past years.

Trampled by Turtles hits the main stage Sunday and its member have been together since 2003. The band from Minnesota just released its latest album, “Alpenglow,” last October. Trampled by Turtles has 10 full albums, of which three were No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard bluegrass chart.

Greensky Bluegrass headlines the festival Friday and is another band from the northern states. Formed in Michigan in the mid-2000s, the musicians describe their music as “their own version of bluegrass music, mixing the acoustic stomp of a string band with the rule-breaking spirit of rock & roll.” They have grown from three members to five and travel with a complete light show. The band has collaborated with other musicians, including Phil Lesh, Sam Bush, Billy Strings, Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band.

“We love being out there in California,” said festival organizer, Sloughton, a marketing major with a degree from the University of Rhode Island. “I’m blown away by the vibe in the mountains and work really hard to foster that environment.”

Sloughton’s wife Brittney caters the event for sta and crew. “She’s a great cook,” he said, adding that the organization is a “big roving circus of the wondergrass family.”

Tickets for the event are available online at winterwondergrass.com/tahoe-2023-lineup.

Festival Continued from B3

Photo by Allen Schmeltz

Actors Abby Lofrano, Summer Allen, Hannah Shaban and Summer Smith star in “Heathers The Musical” opening March 11 at Sutter Street Theatre.

Courtesy photo

The Sweet Lillies will perform for the first time at WinterWonderGrass at Palisades Tahoe.

Sac Philharmonic & Opera announces next season

n Scheduled concerts highlight underrepresented composers, guest artists, two operas

News release

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera recently announced its concert schedule for the 2023-24 season. The new season, which begins Oct. 21, includes five philharmonic programs and two operas. Performances will begin at a new time, 7:30p.m., at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center.

Among the highlights of the new season are concerts featuring guest artists Michelle Cann and Zlatomir Fung, as well as three engagements with conductor Ari Pelto. Other guests include conductors Cosette Justo Valdés, Timothy Myers and Ming Luke and director Aria Umezawa.

Musical highlights include Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2”, Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Dvorák’s “Symphony No. 9,” “From

the New World.” Opera will be an integral part of the season, with performances of the wildly popular and beloved “Die Fledermaus” by J. Strauss Jr. and “Don Giovanni” by Mozart.

Next season the SP&O is committed to performing not just the classical favorites audiences have come to anticipate, but also

music by underrepresented composers. Composers Derrick Skye, Florence Price and Carlos Simon will have works featured throughout the season.

“Looking at next season’s programs, it’s impossible not to feel a tremendous sense of anticipation,” said Giuliano Kornberg, SP&O executive director. “The SP&O exists

to provide our community with unparalleled classical music and that is exactly what this new season will offer: dynamic, diverse music produced by exceptional talent.”

In addition to the exciting lineup of artists and programs, there is more good news for audiences. SP&O subscription ticket

prices will not be going up next season — what subscribers paid in 2022-23 is what they will pay for the 2023-24 season.

Subscription packages are on sale now. Single tickets will go on sale in August. For more information or to purchase a subscription visit sacphilopera.org or call (916) 476-5975.

Courtesy photos

Michelle Cann, Ari Pelto and Zlatomir Fung, left to right, plan to join the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera for performances next season.

ALO ‘jam-pop’ comes to The Center’s stage

News release

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts welcome back

ALO to the Marisa Funk Theater with local opener The Moore Brothers on March 12.

ALO stands for Animal Liberation Orchestra — because music liberates the inner animal, of course. As liberated as they come, Zach Gill, Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz and Steve Adams have certainly been at this for a long time. The trio met in junior high in Saratoga, where they got the idea to put together a band for the eighthgrade talent show and they quickly connected through their love of music and sound.

ALO bandmates call their music “jam-pop” and the description is apt. Meticulously crafted, hooky and accessible compositions laced with improvisational departures in which they function as a single organism, at once voice and consciousness. They’re always exploring but never wandering. There is always intention, momentum and a patience and confidence that can only be wrought from a quarter century of collaboration and water under the bridge.

Gill (keyboards/vocals), Lebo (guitar/vocals), Adams (bass, vocals) and “new-guy” — Bay Area drum legend-in-training Ezra Lipp (drums, vocals) — have recorded

their greatest work to date. Quite simply, this is what happens when the band doesn’t break up — the culmination of a lifetime of shared effort and camaraderie. Four master collaborators at the peak of their craft individually and collectively with nothing left to prove — neartelepathic cohesion.

The band’s new full-length album “Silver Saturdays” is a celebration of that crooked path, of having lived through a turbulent phase of human history and of the winding road still to come. The first full-length studio LP in eight years and ninth overall studio release, “Silver Saturdays” isn’t just another album, it is the rock ‘n’

roll dream made reality … best friends since childhood who form a band, buy a van and embark on an adventure out of the lush valleys of the Golden State that’s still flourishing a quarter of a century later.

The first single, “Hot Damn,” is a feel-good track that alternates between moments of lush instrumentation, fluid fret-simmering guitar leads and a hypnotic high register-inflected hook perfect to sing along to with the windows down (and funkified enough to move and groove to!)

Keyboardist and vocalist Zach Gill explained, “‘Hot Damn’ is the eureka moment, the soulful epiphany, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. As we behold our respective treasures, be they love, wisdom, or an actual chest full of gold, we say to ourselves ‘Hot Damn!’”

Following the album’s arrival March 3, the musicians now don their best silver suits and set out on the Tour d’Amour XVI — to support the release and celebrate 25 years together — with good friends The Moore Brothers getting the evening started.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins 7:30 p.m. at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information call (530) 274-8384 or visit thecenterforthearts.org.

Dogs are good listeners if you need to get something off your chest. Adopt some peace of mind. M tan GSD age unk.

This smartly clad silver & black Husky would definitely advise you to adopt her this week. 10 mo.

She is a lovely Russian Blue DSH Garden kitty looking for her own garden. Do you have a place for her? 10 mo.

you have a nice home in a valley for him? 9mo.

SASHA (A151892)

BRISCUIT (A151598)

SAGE (A151577)

Photo by Jay Blakesberg

ALO brings the party to Grass Valley Sunday. Bandmates have played music together since they were schoolmates.

Photography Month calls out for local participants

News release

SACRAMENTO — Led by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, a nonprofit organization located in Midtown Sacramento, and in collaboration with many involved partners including the city of Sacramento and Sacramento365, Photography Month Sacramento is scheduled for April.

First launched in 2018, the month-long event is highlighted by a variety of diverse and eclectic events that include special exhibits, receptions, photo shoot meet-ups, workshops, lectures, photo shoot gatherings and more. Photography

Month Sacramento creates a shared platform for galleries, museums, educational institutions, libraries, retail establishments, photographers and patrons to celebrate and elevate the art of photography. Interested participants are encouraged to create and/or highlight their own activations to help showcase the art of photography.

How to get involved

Involvement in Photography Month

Sacramento for businesses, museums and organizations is free and easy. The regional showcase offers a great way to highlight visually enticing photographic programming already in place (maybe by incorporating a fresh visual element or hosting a special

Know Continued from B1

For more information call (209) 560-6160 or visit knightfoundry.com.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino hosts the Elemental Immersion Experience beginning at 9:30 a.m. Throughout the day, attendees can take part in several wellness classes led by industry experts. Sessions range from a cold-water immersion in Lake Tahoe to breathwork and sound healing classes. The hotel will host an additional Elemental Immersion Experience April 8. For reservations call (775) 886-6745.

See Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Hass, 7 p.m. at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

See Mustache & Cleavage, 8 p.m. upstairs at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

March 12

Element 79 Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts Brunch in the Vines, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chef Brian will create a seasonal menu. For reservations and more information call (530) 497-0750 or visit element79vineyards.com.

The Folsom Concert Association presents The Drifters at 2 & 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Rise Up Theatre Company presents The Golden

activation), introduce a concept in the planning stages or create something unique to engage enthusiasts and connect with new audiences throughout the region.

Photography Month Sacramento is open to everyone — professional and amateur photographers alike — and offers wonderful opportunities to launch and/or exhibit photographic work or to create a grassroots collaborative exhibit with friends interested in the visual arts. Those interested are encouraged to get creative and plan individual activations and/or contact favorite local coffee houses or restaurants to see if they might host an exhibit or reception in April.

Once any photography-related concepts are confirmed by businesses, organizations, museums or individuals, Photography Month Sacramento participants are asked to post information details about any upcoming events online at photomonthsacramento.org/events, a community curated calendar that is connected to and supported by Sacramento365.com.

To explore available sponsorship opportunities or find more information about Photography Month Sacramento 2023 visit photomonthsacramento.org. For participation and outreach questions contact Viewpoint Executive Director Roberta McClellan at executivedirector@viewpoint.org.

Age Radio Show with episodes from “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “Gunsmoke” and “Candy Matson” at 2 p.m. at The MACC, 10191 Mills Station Road in Rancho Cordova.

Mariachi Bonitas hosts an album released concert, 6 p.m. at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The UC Davis Symphony Orchestra and University Chorus will be joined by the Alumni Chorus for a performance of Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 2,” called the Resurrection symphony, 7-9 p.m. at the Mondavi Center. For more information visit arts.ucdavis.edu.

March 14

FamilySearch Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville, presents an overview of The Family History Research Wiki, which provides handbook reference information and educational articles to help genealogists find and interpret records of their ancestors. It is a free-access, free-content, online encyclopedia on a wiki, hosted as part of the FamilySearch site. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

March 15

El Dorado County is hosting Parks and Trails public workshops, 6-7 p.m. with the following events scheduled: March 15 at Pioneer Park and March 22 via Zoom. Registration is not required. For more information email parksupdate@ edcgov.us.

Public Notices 

Photo by David Grenier