Mountain Democrat, Monday, March 11, 2024

established setback requirements and substantial inaccuracies and omissions in the project document,” among other grounds.

Appellants argue there are “discrepancies” in the size and scope of the first phase of Harde’s Perry Creek Road project and “lack of information” in

Proponents of the vacancy tax say the

But just how will it do it? What exactly is a vacancy tax? Who will it impact? And how will it be enforced? What

photo by Mike Peron

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Mountain Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Folsom police on March 5 recovered from two mail theft suspects more than 500 pieces of mail addressed to Folsom and El Dorado Hills residents.

Rubin Carrillo, 42, and Mariah Marshall, 28, both Stockton residents, were booked into the Sacramento County Jail and face charges related to possession of stolen property.

O cers with Folsom’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit were patrolling the Palladio shopping center in Folsom when one of them noticed Marshall acting suspiciously as she entered Nordstrom Rack, according to information from the Folsom Police Department. As the o cer approached the parking lot aisle they had seen her come from, they noticed Carillo in a nearby vehicle also acting suspiciously. The o cer contacted other nearby o cers to make contact with Marshall in the store while they approached Carillo.

Carillo reportedly provided police a false name and stated he was from the Stockton area. O cers say they noticed a package in plain view inside the vehicle that did not appear to belong to Carillo as it looked like it was postmarked and had a Folsom delivery address. Suspecting the package may be stolen, an o cer detained Carrillo.

Inside Nordstrom Rack o cers were alerted by employees that Marshall reportedly had been seen stealing clothing. O cers located and detained Marshall.

Due to Marshall’s parole status, a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted and a large garbage bag filled with mail was located in the trunk of the vehicle. Folsom police have referred the mail theft to U.S. Postal Service Inspectors who will complete the investigation. Authorities remind residents the best defense

custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

1:20 a.m. California Highway Patrol

against mail theft is to pick up mail daily. If planning to leave town for several days, residents should consider stopping mail delivery with the U.S. Postal Service or asking a trusted neighbor or friend to collect the mail. Anyone who sees suspicious activity near a mailbox should call local law enforcement.

Feb. 26

7:17 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Miracle Mountain Drive in Placerville.

10:54 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Quarry Court in

1:09 p.m. Deputies

Feb. 24

4:05 a.m. California

11:39

4:41

6:52

9:31 p.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado.

9:56 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and a probation violation on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail.

10:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property and manufacturing/selling leaded cane on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

Feb. 25

12:38 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 51-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in

o cers booked into jail a 43-year-old man suspected of DUI on Latrobe Road (town not speci ed). He was later released.

1:23 a.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 21-year-old man suspected of DUI and hit and run causing property damage on Zeller Court in Diamond Springs. He was later released.

2 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation and illegal entry on Highway 50 at Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. She was released on $25,000 bail.

4:17 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of making criminal threats on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

8:03 a.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 61-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. She was released on $60,000 bail.

4:16 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia and obstruction on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

4:20 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

6:46 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

10:58 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of shoplifting, possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

7:19 p.m. Burglary was reported on Pleasant Valley Grange Road in Placerville.

9:38 a.m. Battery was reported at a school on Pine Street in Pollock Pines.

1:36 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

1:14 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of loitering, possession of illegal drug paraphernalia, obstruction and a probation violation on Shingle Lime Mine Road in Cameron Park. She was released on $2,000 bail.

2:17 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 47-year-old man suspected of assault with a deadly weapon on Industrial Drive in Placerville. He was later released.

5:34 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Salmond Fall Road in Pilot Hill.

7:57 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park.

8:37 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

8:50 p.m. Robbery was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

Feb. 27

1:05 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Hawks Flight Court in El Dorado Hills.

1:40 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old

into jail a 36-year-old woman suspected of

on

in Shingle

She was later released.

4:18 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Cameo Drive in Cameron Park.

6:08 p.m. Burglary was reported on Marjorie Way in Pollock Pines.

Feb. 29

2:03 a.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 68-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 (location not speci ed). He was later released.

2:40 a.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of DUI and possession of a controlled substance on Highway 50 near Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was released on $17,000 bail.

8:41 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a co ee shop on Highway 193 in Georgetown.

8:41 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs. He was released on $15,000 bail.

11:54 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 22-year-old man suspected of lewd and lascivious acts with a child on Foxmore Lane in Rescue. He was listed in custody.

12:16 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation (location unclear). He was listed in custody.

7:06 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of child abuse, possession of a controlled substance for sale, illegal possession of a rearm and destroying evidence on Woodridge Court in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $600,000 bail.

Feb.

7:58 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Greenleaf Drive in Placerville. He was later released.

11:53 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old woman suspected of trespassing on La Canada Drive in Cameron Park. She was later released.

EPA grants $653K to tribal recycling efforts

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians hosted an event Tuesday announcing they have been awarded a $653,120 grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the expansion of recycling infrastructure, support for well-paying jobs and increasing circular waste management in and around tribal lands.

The grant comes as part of a broader series of EPA investments called the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. The funds will allow the tribe to improve their recycling infrastructure by updating the recycling center on the reservation and improving storage options to allow for greater recycling selfreliance. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians are only one of seven groups in California selected to receive such a grant.

“When I started here 13 years ago, the tribe had one 40-yard dumpster where the whole tribe put their waste,” Environmental Manager Samantha

Sproull said. “The challenge has always been that we produce smaller amounts of waste than a city, so we aren’t hitting the quotas to make arrangements with vendors or the ones set by the county. With these funds we can collect more recyclable items that we couldn’t before by providing safe storage for them.”

With the improvements to waste diversion infrastructure, the tribe’s Environmental Department plans to recycle all applicable materials produced on and off the reservation, including waste from administrative buildings, tribal membership housing, economic development properties and the clinic, according to an EPA press release.

“With our growth, the need for a comprehensive recycling program is clear,” said Environmental Director Darin Koupal. “We’re focused on preserving this land for our children by keeping the air and land clean. With this grant, we hope to increase our waste diversion by 20%.”

The EPA grant is part of the BidenHarris Administration’s efforts to direct funds toward programs focused on environmental justice and

Appeal Continued from A1

supplies, chemicals and impact to wildlife and the environment.

Distance from a bus stop to the farm, and the presence of children, also became cause for concern. One resident, Whitney, who asked that her last name not be published, said she has four children who frequent the route for school and is especially concerned about odor; she told the board during public comment she lived in Southern California, 6 miles away from a cannabis grow and could smell it during summertime.

“I moved away from it to come here and now I am facing it again,” she said.

Harde claimed the distance between his farm and the bus stop is more than 1,500 feet. Per the county’s cannabis ordinance, a commercial grow needs to be 1,500 feet from any school, school bus stop or other public facilities. County staff noted there was no identified bus stop at that location prior to Harde’s application.

One issue that seemed to stand out most was the use of water; residents said if the cannabis grow is allowed, it will impact nearby neighbors. Todd Moore said when commercial grapes went into his area, his well water production dropped from 10 gallons per minute to 4 gallons.

“When walnuts were king, they were dry-farmed walnuts,” Moore told the board. “The responsible grape growers are growing dry-farmed grapes because we don’t have the water to support it.

“The county should be studying the overall impacts of drawing water and not just whether it will provide enough water, but what will the impact be on the rest of the citizens,” he continued.

Randy Rossi, owner of Saluti Cellars vineyard and winery, said cannabis will utilize 10 times more water than grapes, which has grape growers in the area concerned.

“We are for the most part very concerned about water because we dry farm,” Rossi said. “The idea of putting this right in the middle of an American Viticulture Area is unconscionable.”

Harde disputed these concerns. For the 6-and-a-half acres of grapes he grows on his 54-acre farm, he said he uses drip irrigation, cover crops, minimum tillage and row covers to minimize water usage for the plants on his farm. In addition, he said he has a 32-million-gallon pond filled by rain water, which he would use for his cannabis farm.

Addressing comments made that

preparing for climate crises, the press release explains. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the SWIfR funds granted to tribes are intended to benefit underserved communities.

“EPA is proud to award this grant, which will support Shingle Springs in their efforts to increase recycling rates, make significant strides in waste removal from Tribal land and create good-paying jobs for the

Environmental Manager Samantha Sproull spoke on the importance of a recently-awarded $653,000 grant from the EPA intended to help the tribe improve self-sufficient recycling efforts. “When I started 13 years ago, the tribe had one 40-yard dumpster the whole tribe put their waste into. Now we can collect recyclable items that we couldn’t before,” Sproull said. Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

Tribal community,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Together we are making progress toward a circular economy that will better protect the environment and conserve resources.”

More information about the SWIfR for tribes and intertribal consortia funding can be found at the EPA’s recipients and selectees webpage epa. gov/infrastructure/recycling-grantselectees-and-recipients.

estimated water usage of 1.2 million gallons would significantly impact the surrounding community, Lesley Owning of HELIX Environmental Planning, the county’s consultant used for determining the sustainability of cannabis grows, said the El Dorado Irrigation District reported in 2022 that a single-family residence requires .56 acre-feet of water per year, equivalent to 182,477 gallons of water per year.

California Environmental Quality Act rules state a project has “less than substantial impact” if it “demands an amount of water equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of water required by a 500-dwelling-unit project.”

In this case, a project would need to use more than 90 million gallons of water to be considered a “substantial impact.”

“We feel very confident that the 1.2 million gallons of water estimated is an accurate demand for this project,” Owning said.

The board deliberated for nearly an hour after the public hearing and public comment on the item, eventually coming to a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Lori Parlin and George Turnboo casting “no” votes, mainly due to concerns about the use of fans for odor mitigation and lack of information if they will work and not cause a nuisance.

“We don’t know this system. We are guessing it is going to work and that is my concern,” Parlin said. “We are making an exception to setbacks based on a system that we aren’t familiar with … to me it is a little risky what we are thinking of doing here at the expense of the neighbors.”

The project’s cultivation area is 125 feet from the eastern property line, 320 feet from the southern property line and 298 feet from the northern property line, according to project documents.

Per ordinance, a minimum of setback of 800 feet from the property line or public right-of-way is required, but can be lowered if mitigation efforts are set in place and negotiated.

The board’s 3-2 vote was enough to deny the appeal, allowing Harde to grow cannabis on his farm.

“This is not a project that’s just coming down the pike. There has been a very thoughtful, deliberate process all along the way, and Mr. Harde throughout that time has been upfront about what his intention is with this,” said Board Chair Wendy Thomas.

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

Somerset farmer David Harde, left photo, responds to concerns made by the community regarding his proposed commercial cannabis grow in a hearing to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday afternoon. Carolyn Clary, right photo, explains her arguments against a commercial cannabis permit granted to a local farmer her and her mom live next to during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians

California Commentary

Don’t blame Prop. 13 for state’s mental health crisis

The tax-andspend lobby loves to blame Proposition 13 for all of California’s woes. This has become so routine that we at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have compiled a “Top 10” list of things for which Proposition 13 is alleged to be responsible.

Keep in mind that these are more than just general complaints that “Prop. 13 prevents unlimited taxes on property.” We gladly accept the blame for that one. But most of the attacks lack foundation and many are just flat out laughable.

One of our favorites is the column penned for a small paper by a physical education teacher who cited Proposition 13 as the reason the shot putters on his track team kept losing the heavy iron balls. It seems that the young athletes were unable to recover the shots in the high grass, and it was due to Prop. 13 that there was no money to keep the grass trimmed.

Then there was the columnist who blamed Proposition 13 for the not guilty verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

According to the author’s logic, Proposition 13 prevented Los Angeles from paying enough to hire the best investigators.

Of course, no criticism of Prop. 13 would be complete without bringing up the obligatory trope about how it “starved” education. This myth is harder to kill than a vampire ...

Of course, no criticism of Prop. 13 would be complete without bringing up the obligatory trope about how it “starved” education. This myth is harder to kill than a vampire despite incontrovertible data showing that per pupil spending, adjusted for inflation, is at least 30% higher now than the years leading up to Prop. 13’s passage in 1978.

Other societal ills for which Proposition 13 is alleged to be at fault: The increase in rates of obesity and the reduction in the number of choral singers. Seriously. We’re not making this stuff up.

Because mental health and the associated homelessness is now the “crisis de jour” in California, it only stands to reason that Prop. 13 would be blamed for that as well.

In an otherwise objective CalMatters piece by Jocelyn Wiener, she contends that the “California tax revolt [led] to austerity,” and that Prop 13 “reduced the amount of money available to counties for a variety of services, including

The first Wednesday in March is O cers of the Year awards night at American Legion Post 119 at our hall on Greenstone Road in Placerville.

The hall is usually packed with Legion members turning out to support law enforcement along with award recipients’ friends, family and associates. The meal is always corned beef and cabbage as the main course.

The four o cers each year are selected from the Placerville Police Department, El Dorado County Sheri ’s Department, California Highway Patrol and District

Letters to the Editor

Supporting the Mountain Democrat

EDITOR:

Iwas inspired to write after reading the Feb. 9 letter titled “Good Fight” by Dottie IngramWilliams. Although not in agreement with many of her positions, I found her statement — “The small town newspaper has always been the backbone of American democracy ...” — to be intrinsically and universally true.

In the spectrum of political writers from William F. Buckley to Rachel Maddow, the local printed press has been considered essential to the maintenance and preservation of our constitutional government. When the primary source of news and opinion for many Americans becomes filtered through national print journals and online, the views of small town papers become eclipsed, along with the lives of the people who live in them.

As I began to think about those “backbones of American democracy,” I realized that I had subconsciously omitted the Mountain Democrat from that category. I had rationalized that since the publication’s editorial philosophy skewed more politically right than mine, it wasn’t supporting my idea of democracy and therefore wasn’t worthy of my support.

Upon more reflection, I have concluded that I was allowing personal bias to impede a fair assessment of the paper’s function. Although editorially it unabashedly caters to the more vocal right-wing element of the local population, the Mountain Democrat certainly fulfills its chief duty to inform its readers and provide them a forum for exercising their First Amendment right.

My change of heart, as it turns out, came with a cost — the price of a subscription. I was curious about the original article that prompted Dottie’s letter, but when I attempted to access the Mountain Democrat’s archives I found that entry was only granted to subscribers. To get past the gatekeepers of the information I sought, I finally settled on the trial o er for full digital access.

As a former newspaper carrier in my youth, I have always relished the feel of a physical paper in my grasp, but my living circumstances don’t allow for home delivery. However, I will still occasionally spend a buck at Safeway to get the local news that can be folded.

JOHN PATRICK O’SHEA Pollock Pines

Border issues

EDITOR:

The so-called border security bill that the Republicans voted down … thank goodness. It wasn’t because of President Trump; it

Attorney’s O ce.

My ambition is to add the Tribal Police next year. Our service o cer, Dave Zelinski, suggested including the Probation Department.

Sgt. Adam Croxton substituted for CHP O cer of the Year Trevor Gossett, who was home ill. O cer of the Year for the Sheri ’s Department is Det. Mark Hangebrauck.

Sheri Je Leikauf said Det. Hangebrauck “has a strong work ethic (and) unwavering dedication to his role as a detective, prioritizing comprehensive care for the victims in his assigned cases.

“His impressive track record of

was the voters letting the Republicans know it was a bad bill. It was going to let 5,000 illegals a day in without background checks and just give them a court date that’s five years out.

The border should be closed, shut down. We need to go back to legal immigration where they learn about America and become citizens.

Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Trump, states that we have an immigration crisis — worst sex tra cking, human tra cking, fentanyl tra cking (thousands of Americans dying) and a terror threat our nation has not faced since 9/11. You can visit Border911. com for more information.

President Trump’s administration had brought apprehensions down to between 800 to 1,500 illegals a day in his final year, the lowest number in 45 years. Four months into President Biden administration apprehensions spiked to about 6,000 per day; this is open borders under President Biden.

No thanks. I’ll vote for a president who has secured our border before and that’s President Trump.

Did you know that the promises he made during his campaign he kept. Here are a few: the tax cuts signed into law within 12 months of taking o ce added more than 2.6 million new jobs in the year following their passage; multinational American companies had earned hundreds of billions of dollars in untaxed profits over the years from overseas business, he vowed to put a stop to it — and did. He created the lowest Black and minority unemployment in history before COVID-19; for every new regulation, nearly eight old ones were cut, saving Americans $377 billion per year or $3,100 per household. He benefited 40 million families with a child tax credit and created 9,000 opportunity zones in distressed cities (Sen. Tim Scott’s bill). Many more promises were kept.

I’ll ask: do we really want open borders?

Founding Father John Jay stated America belongs to “We the people.” It does not belong to Congress. It doesn’t belong to special interest groups. It does not belong to the courts. It belongs to “We the People.”

Make your vote count for saving America.

DAWN IRISH

El Dorado Hills

Sheri Je Leikauf said Det. Hangebrauck “has a strong work ethic (and) unwavering dedication to his role as a detective …

successfully pursuing predators, coupled with his close collaboration with the District Attorney’s O ce, has resulted in significant sentences for these o enders,” the sheri continued. “His relentless pursuit of justice and unwavering commitment to the victims of sexual assault serve as an enduring source of inspiration for all.”

Police O cer of the Year is 6-foot7-inch Eric Tutuwan. Police Chief Joseph Wren said Tutuwan was an amazing reserve in 2020. Now he has two stripes on his sleeve. “We had an opening and I wanted Eric to have it,” Wren shared. “He is absolutely a role model of professionalism.”

Tutuwan said he wasn’t expecting

it and it was an honor to be named O cer of the Year.

Gary Malmquist is DA Investigator of the Year. “We expect them to be perfect all the time,” DA Vern Pierson said. “We expect a high level of performance and attention to detail.”

Malmquist is that kind of investigator, Pierson concluded. Malmquist thanked the American Legion. He also thanked the DA for the environment in the o ce.

Congratulations to all the award recipients. Thank you for serving El Dorado County.

Michael Ra ety is a retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a Placerville area resident.

MICHAEL RAFFETY

Belltower

JON COUPAL

TRPA proposes code changes to meet its climate goals

Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune

Tahoe residents may be seeing more electric charging stations, additions to solar code and tra c plans for large events.

These, as well as new outdoor lighting standards and mixed-used standards, are proposals made by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to help meet its climate goals.

At TRPA’s Advisory Planning Commission meeting Feb. 14, sta outlined multiple proposed code amendments. If approved, the changes would require temporary events with more than 500 attendees to have a transportation plan that includes a map of fixed-route public transit stops, pedestrian and bike access, parking and other details mitigating tra c impacts and encouraging alternative transportation to vehicles.

The proposed amendments would also require

10% of parking spaces have electric charging stations in parking lots with 40 or more spaces. The amendments would update the code with electric vehicle related definitions and primary uses previously not addressed.

Sta also addressed amendments for solar energy, providing definitions and allowing rooftop solar within the scenic travel corridor only if constructed with non-reflective material that does not exceed 3% reflectivity and other requirements.

According to the TRPA, solar panels currently are allowed in scenic areas with a project-level scenic assessment. The proposed amendments would create qualified exemptions with the reflectivity standards and are intended to maintain scenic protections while lending more clarity to applicants.

The proposed amendments will be discussed further at the TRPA Planning Commission’s next meeting before potentially being approved by the governing board June 26.

For Release Monday, March 11, 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

Crossword

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0205

For Information Call:

For

Crossword

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Edited

by Will Shortz No. 0206

Coupal Continued from A4

mental health.”

But any reduction in mental health services was far more a result of lack of prioritizing important programs. Moreover, the state itself — possessing an “obscene surplus” according to Jesse Unruh — immediately backfilled local government coffers. Finally, any alleged “austerity” disappeared quickly because, in the wake of Prop. 13’s passage, explosive economic growth created billions in new tax revenue.

Because journalists today like to talk about “context,” let’s put the implication that Prop. 13 of 1978 has anything to do with the mental health crisis of 2024, into perspective. First, today we rank 18th out of 50 states in per capita property tax collections, hardly revealing California as a low property tax state. Add to that some of the most burdensome tax rates in the nation — highest income tax rate, highest state sales tax rate and highest gas tax.

It is obvious that, not only is lack of revenue not the cause of the mental health crisis, but, as with homelessness, the more money we spend, the worse the problem gets. Perhaps the real problem is the counterproductive ways California’s political leadership tries to “solve” these two related calamities.

In the meantime, we’re certain that the taxand-spend lobby and the think tank collectivists will continue to blame Prop. 13 for all existing problems in the state and, in fact, will blame Prop. 13 for things they simply haven’t thought of yet. Given enough time, they will blame Prop. 13 for the extinction of dinosaurs. There’s probably a connection there somewhere.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Announcements

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

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the rst Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheri ’s o ce, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–

Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.

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

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS

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

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

Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728

our free counseling can help you.

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

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING

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

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

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

TheGold Mine

A vacancy tax is broadly defined as a tax on empty or vacant properties or units. It can apply to both residential and commercial property.

Certain cities in the U.S. and beyond have implemented such a tax for varying reasons with a range of parameters.

Washington D.C. structured a tax on vacant commercial and residential properties in 2011 to bring vacant buildings back to productive uses. Vacant properties there are taxed at a rate of $5 for every $100 assessed value.

In 2019 the city of Oakland implemented a parcel tax on vacant properties in use less than 50 days a calendar year. These properties are taxed $3,000$6,000 each year to discourage vacancy and raise funds for homeless services, as well as address illegal dumping.

Berkeley implemented a tax on

residential units that sit empty more than 182 days a year.

Those that do, get hit with a $3,000-$6,000 tax the first year and $6,000-$12,000 consecutive years. This tax was meant to address concerning residential vacancies, open up the supply of housing units and avoid blight.

Organizers behind South Lake Tahoe’s proposed vacancy tax modeled theirs after Berkeley’s, according to Amelia Richmond with Locals for Affordable Housing, the committee sponsoring the initiative.

South Lake Tahoe’s proposed vacancy tax

If implemented, the proposed vacancy tax circulating South Lake Tahoe would tax property owners for each residential unit that sits empty for more than 182 days in a calendar year.

Property owners with residential

units deemed vacant would incur a $3,000 tax their first year and a $6,000 tax consecutive years.

Owners can avoid the tax by renting to a tenant if they themselves cannot occupy it just over six months out of the year. This includes short-term rentals in the tourist core area.

Occupancy does not have to run consecutively.

There are exemptions for those whose jobs or other circumstances take them away from their home for much of the year.

The initiative includes exemptions for:

• Hospitalization

• Firefighters

• Emergency service workers

• Military

• Natural disasters

• Renovation/construction

• Death

• Declared emergency

If passed on the November 2024 ballot, the tax implementation

period would begin in 2026 with the fees listed above, but are subject to adjustments annually.

The tax does not apply to hotel rooms, accessory dwelling units or units not usable in the winter season.

While ADUs do take from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s capped development pool, they would not get hit with the tax but a primary residence on the same property would.

How will the vacancy tax create more housing?

Proponents claim the vacancy tax will create more housing for locals by incentivizing second homeowners to rent their homes.

If those owners choose not to, they’d pay the tax in-lieu, which creates funds for housing, transit and road repairs.

Richmond said it “shifts the incentive to leverage the housing we already have.”

They claim if 20% of second homeowners shift to renting their property six months or more, that adds 1,460 housing units while generating more than $34 million each year.

Why not a percentage?

“I wish that it could be a percentage of the property value,” said Richmond, explaining that California’s Proposition 13 prevents a percentage tax.

“It certainly would be more fair if you’re keeping a 10,000-squarefoot home vacant, that it be taxed higher than keeping a 1,000-square-foot home vacant, but because of the way that Prop. 13 is written, that is not legal,” she explained.

Vancouver, Canada, and Rhode Island both have vacancy taxes based on percentages.

Enforcement

If passed, property owners will claim occupancy on declaration forms indicating their property’s occupancy for the year.

Specifics would be up to the city manager to determine, but questions validating occupancy could inquire whether anyone living there was enrolled in a local school district or locally employed.

Enforcement will occur through spot audits, utility usage and

penalties for fraud declarations.

Where will the taxes go?

Revenue from the tax will go into a special fund called the Residential Vacancy Tax Fund for the exclusive purposes of housing, roadwork and transit projects. It will not go into the city’s General Fund.

The initiative’s text outlines housing purposes the city can use the funds for, including housing incentives, assistance programs and support services.

The funds could also reimburse the city for administrative costs in establishing and maintaining the tax, including legal defense.

The initiative has been met with contention from the community. One coalition group called Keep Community First formed in opposition of the vacancy tax and other initiatives.

Petition Continued from A1 owners for leaving their house vacant the majority of the year.

Both newer and more seasoned generations have offered their views as well as full-time residents and part-time, too. It’s caused vacancy tax supporters to brave one of the season’s heaviest winter storms on cross country skis to dispense petitions, an effort put together by Amelia Richmond and others with the Locals for Affordable Housing Committee.

Some 651 signatures had been gathered heading into March. The effort will need 1,159 signatures from South Lake Tahoe registered voters by April 10 to get the vacancy tax placed on November’s ballot.

Opponent Steve Imhoff said if the tax passes, he’d contribute substantial resources to a mega legal fund to challenge what he described as an “unconstitutional piece of garbage.”

A generational divide?

At the Feb. 27 City Council meeting many young community members provided comment in support of the vacancy tax while many older residents provided comment opposed.

“There seems to be a generational divide between those in support and of those against the vacancy tax and other measures meant to bolster affordable housing,” said one attendee who identified himself by first name only, Lucas, and as a fulltime resident.

The public comment portion of the meeting spanned almost two hours on a subject Mayor Cody Bass reminded everyone was a citizeninitiated ballot measure.

Sierra Riker, who moved to South Tahoe in 2021, said the vacancy tax is needed “to allow those of us who weren’t born before 1980 to just afford to live.”

Younger residents making comment claimed housing has outpaced wages, leaving them with less buying power.

“This situation has left us feeling desperate and doubtful about our futures,” added Lucas.

Older residents offered examples of what they went through to live in the ski town. Kenny Curtzwiler said he worked two jobs until he was around 50 years old, adding that, “I still managed to get 100 days of skiing. It can be done, if you put your mind to it.”

Another began working when they were a teenager.

“It hits us, just the secondary homeowners who worked our lives to get our secondary home,” Bob Walker said, mentioning his three degrees, multiple certifications and saving a lot of money to afford this dream.

Younger individuals pointed to their masters degrees, certifications and skilled jobs as well, claiming they can still barely make ends meet.

Kelly Bessen testified of moving nine times since coming back to Tahoe in 2019 and said, “If people have to move twice a year and are constantly living in fear of losing their housing and not being able to find something else, I’m wondering if that’s supposed to reflect a thriving community.”

Commenting only with his first name, midtown resident Jack said, “I have always been taught that hard work pays off but when I look around our community some of hardest working people are really struggling to get their basic needs met, like housing. The status quo simply is not working.”

Some voiced that they want to live in a diverse Tahoe, but if it continues to hollow out, Tahoe will not have a young population.

“If South Lake Tahoe can run like that and if people are comfortable with that, carry on, but otherwise something has to change,” said 23-year-old Roderick Martin.

Carrie Goldsworthy spoke over Zoom, responding to those talking about working hard as if the young community isn’t, “Times have changed. It is not as simple. It is not affordable anymore.”

Others like Natalie Yanish said the matter of affordability is not about age as South Lake Tahoe has always been a resort community. “It comes with a price,” she noted.

Over 3,000 units short?

Vacancy tax petition organizers say around 44% of all housing units in the city of South Lake Tahoe sit vacant for most of the year. They reference 2022 census data that amounts to 7,150 empty homes. And from the 2019 South Shore Housing Needs Report, they cite 3,290 housing units are needed for the workforce.

Proponents of the tax calculate

that if 20% of second homeowners opened their houses as a result of the tax, that will supply 1,460 housing units and generate $34 million each year.

However, Councilmember Tamara Wallace takes issue with how the numbers are represented. Wallace, who helped put the South Shore Housing Needs Report together, pointed out the 3,290 units not only includes the city of South Lake Tahoe, but Douglas County and unincorporated areas of El Dorado County as well, including Tahoma.

“The city should not be responsible for providing housing for all the other jurisdictions,” Wallace said.

Taxation without representation

“What about all these secondary homeowners who haven’t even heard about this?” asked Bob Walker. He explained the only way he heard about it was through the Nextdoor app.

Wallace, as well as many community members, argue the vacancy tax measure proposes taxation without representation, leaving second homeowners without a vote on the matter if it does get on November’s ballot.

John Messina with the Lake Tahoe Taxpayers Association said, “I guess you’ve all forgotten about no taxation without representation and what the Boston Tea Party and what the American Revolution was about, but you’re all sitting here talking about what I’d call communism. “

Councilmember Scott Robbins doesn’t feel the same. “It is the height of unbelievable privilege to say that second homeowners should get extra votes based on how many houses they own,” he told the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Robbins said that in America citizens don’t get extra votes for having extra money. “Those ideas went out with the revolution,” he commented. “It’s one man, one vote. Not one vote for every house you own.”

‘Build ourselves out’

The circulating vacancy tax petition has many scratching their heads, thinking about affordable housing alternatives.

Ideas thrown around at the City Council meeting were task forces, tapping into abandoned and underused properties, grants and loans, 203(k) programs, accessory dwelling units and earmarking funds for homeowner down payment assistance, among other ideas.

Second homeowner Holly Rickett was hopeful to try alternatives before the tax. “I would be more than happy; I would be thrilled to be a part of a task force to explore solutions in-lieu of a tax,” she said.

When discussing Sugar Pine Village, the current affordable housing development under construction, Robbins said, “We need housing units by the thousands, not by the dozens.” The project will supply 248 units when completed.

Richmond noted vacant homes outpacing new construction and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s development caps, “We can’t build ourselves out of this.”

Councilmember Wallace conceded that while South Lake Tahoe can’t build itself out of a housing crisis, “The inherent unfairness of making someone do something with their property or paying a huge fine for it, when it is their property, is against everything I believe in and a lot of people believe in.”

“The idea that this as a free market can fix it has this assumption that Tahoe is this closed free market, but you have people earning much higher salaries in places like San Francisco, in the Bay Area, that come and pay higher prices here and then elect to keep those places vacant,” responded Richmond. For this reason, she argues vacancies need to be addressed as part of a housing crisis.

Wallace noted she sees economics at work in the community such as the rental market changing from individuals renting site unseen and units only being on the market for a day —sometimes hours — to prices coming down and units sitting for months. “That tells me that the basic principles of economics are working. You have the laws of supply and demand,” she said.

Community member Jerry Bindel reported on the current rental market. He told City Council he discovered that in speaking with local long-term rental agent Julie Lucksinger rental vacancies are up this winter when they are typically low, referencing two-bedroom units for less than $2,000. Lucksinger is also expecting a large turnover in spring.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s been said that a loan to a friend has the potential to lose both. Instead of loaning, consider gifting. Only give what you can afford to lose. Only hand over what you can immediately forget about and will never want back.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Over the course of a day of excellence, you’ll turn out work that’s stellar and not so. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll make adjustments. You’ll start over. Excellence is about tenacity, not perfection.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There is no universal concept of ownership. You will wonder what belongs to you, and you’ll get a very real sense that this is a subjective construct. What’s worth fighting for and what can be let go of is a personal decision.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s some impatience with the work at hand, but as long as you’re learning, you’re golden. It’s OK to think differently than others seem to want you to. It will be interesting to note how your thought process converges and diverges with the norms.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t worry about whether you have enough. It will often appear to you like you don’t. But once you’re doing the work, you’ll find that you can get all you need by making use of the resources you have.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your exceptional powers of observation will help you navigate a tricky and competitive atmosphere. Ultimately, what you notice can be applied later. For now, keep track of it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll ask for and learn from the opinions of others. A moment of empathy will broaden you. It’s your heart that benefits the most, though you’ll also use what you absorb to conduct relevant business.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your interest goes in so many different directions today. You needn’t give into the pressure to choose. Explore and enjoy. You’ll know when the time is right to narrow your focus.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A memory isn’t a story until you turn it into one. Taking the time to do this will give you insight into yourself and help others know you, too. Storytelling will be one of the best ways to help people understand and align with you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Unwilling to gamble with other people’s expectations of you, you’ll underpromise and overdeliver. Encourage a realistic view of what you can do for others and discourage them from placing you on a pedestal.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). At first, today’s problem seems more complicated than it really is. A little research is all it takes to free you. Ask around. Do an internet search. Read articles. You’ll soon get enough of a feel for things to make an informed decision.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The best way to learn is to put yourself out there and get some feedback. You’re ready for it. What you gather will point you straight to your next good move.

Guard, military retirees and veterans receive one complimentary ticket and one complimentary guest ticket for either Wednesday or Thursday.

the spotlight, South Tahoe rolls out its own starstudded carpet that is decidedly green.

Each summer South Tahoe highlights the verdant greens and fairways of Edgewood Tahoe Resort as it plays host to the biggest show in celebrity golf — the American Century Championship.

The world-renowned Edgewood hosts the 2024 tournament July 10-14, featuring more than 80 of the brightest stars in sports and entertainment. Past participants include Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry (2023 winner), NFL stars Josh Allen, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, actors Ray Romano and Don Cheadle and many more. This year American Century organizers are hoping for a Taylor Swift sighting.

Now entering its 35th year, the American Century Championship is a made-for-TV event owned and broadcast by NBC Sports. The premier celebrity golf tournament also raises funds for Tahoe and national charities.

Tickets for the 2024 event will go on sale beginning April 1 at americancenturychampionship.com.

The Pro-Am rounds Wednesday and Thursday cost $40 each, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets set at $50. Active duty, reservists, National

Since 1990 the tournament has donated 100% of its net proceeds to worthy causes. Previous beneficiaries include the Wounded Warrior Project, Equal Justice Initiative, Center for Disaster Philanthropy COVID-19 Response Fund, Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund, Uniform Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund, Fallen Patriot Fund, Lake Tahoe Fire Relief Fund (Angora fire), Autism Speaks, American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, United Negro College Fund, Boys & Girls Club and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.

The event also gives back to the local community through grants.

Following the tournament, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority submit grant applications for area nonprofits to benefit from donations.

Tahoe for golfers

Once the snow clears South Tahoe courses teem with golfers who love the high elevation, which adds roughly 10% distance to each drive off the tee.

South Tahoe golf courses include Edgewood Tahoe, Bijou Municipal Golf Course, Tahoe Paradise Golf Course and Lake Tahoe Golf Course.

Each course is set against the backdrop of the Tahoe Basin with a variety of terrain to challenge visiting golfers.

Find value at Bijou’s 9-hole course with an $18 green fee or Tahoe Paradise’s $40 twilight rate.

March

young Spencer Bruttig prepares to air a news segment for Diamondback TV at Union Mine High School. He works alongside his peers, operating film equipment before eventually standing in front of the camera himself to report the news around campus.

Bruttig does this every morning of the semester and while this creates added pressure for him, the pressure itself only drives him to work harder.

“That was a wonderful experience because you really have to practice those skills and the younger that you can be exposed to creating things, the easier it becomes,” Bruttig said.

March

The

Storyboarding a career

As an adult, Bruttig has worked for Google and TEGNA, where he won a Capitol Emmy in 2021. The 33-year-old is now based in Washington, D.C., where he works for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Defense.

DARPA is composed of scientists, academics and support sta who pitch technological ideas for which they want to receive funding,

Bruttig explained. He produces short documentaries and podcasts for the agency that explain what technology is being worked on by who and why the work is important.

Although Bruttig is no longer based in El Dorado County, he said he looks back fondly on the high school experience that set him on a successful career trajectory.

His father Burke Bruttig said he showed his son classic films such as “Casablanca” and the “Star Wars” franchise when he was a child, which are now Spencer’s favorites.

Spencer would eventually create his own version of “Star Wars” battles that he had with his sisters after his parents bought a camcorder. He recalled recording their skits and manually editing the work by rewinding the tape in the camera.

“We would build little models and I would set them on fire and fly them around the camera,” Spencer shared. “That was all just for fun. I think I started thinking about ... what I wanted to do and life and work early high school and eighth grade.”

Spencer said his passion for film only solidified when he worked on Diamondback TV, a student-led news broadcast. He said filming digital shorts, reporting things happening on campus and being an anchorman on camera was great exposure for production work.

“I think it also helped me wrap my head around how di cult it is using industry standard equipment and seeing the repetition that it takes,” Spencer said. “The time and e ort is something you can’t understand until you do it.”

Courtesy photo

Spencer Bruttig said his time working for Diamondback TV launched his career behind the camera.

Local teen shines

News release

Shelby Mason, 18, of Cameron Park, was crowned Miss California HeartShine at the state pageant held Feb. 16-18 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. Mason competed in interview, personal introduction, formal wear and onstage question in order to capture the coveted title.

The three-day event included a dinner and dance party for the contestants along with the opportunity to compete in optional competitions. Mason earned the Talent Award for her dance performance and the Academic Achievement Award in the senior division for ages 18 and older. She

also won the State Cover Model title, her picture having been chosen from all the contestant photos to grace the cover of this year’s program book.

Currently a student at Folsom Lake College, she plans to major in dance and minor in business. Her platform is “DEAL, Dance Encourages an Active Lifestyle.” Mason, a dance teacher and tumbling coach, enjoys sharing her love of dance and teaching others about the physical, mental and emotional benefits of dance and staying active.

As Miss California HeartShine, she will spend the next year representing her title at various events and performing community service throughout the region. For more information visit heartshine.net.

Senior Nutrition Program volunteers urgently needed

Margaret Williams

EDC Health and Human Services Agency

The El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program is in great need of volunteers to help in the Senior Nutrition kitchen, provide o ce support or drive meals to homebound seniors enrolled in the county’s Home Delivered Meals Program.

“We’re thankful that the Senior Nutrition Program helps so many senior residents throughout our county,” said Yvette Wencke, program manager with El Dorado County Senior Services. “However, our current sta and volunteers are stretched very thin. We’re looking for additional community members who can help.”

much,” added Wencke. “They often tell us how rewarding their experience is, including the bonds and connections they’ve made with other volunteers and the clients they serve.”

“We appreciate our volunteers very much. They often tell us how rewarding their experience is, including the bonds and connections they’ve made with other volunteers and the clients they serve.”

— Yvette Wencke, Senior Services program manager

The Senior Nutrition Program prepares and serves nutritious meals for seniors five days per week at seven community dining sites in the county and prepares hundreds of meals each day for homebound residents. According to Wencke, the Senior Nutrition Program traditionally needs 200 volunteers per month and currently only has 160. Volunteers are needed both on the West Slope of the county and in the South Lake Tahoe area.

“Unfortunately, we lost many volunteers during the pandemic and several longtime volunteers left due to advanced age or moving out of the area,” explained Wencke. “We hope to find additional people who’d love to volunteer with us and enjoy serving local seniors.

“We appreciate our volunteers very

Individuals interested in volunteering with the Senior Nutrition Program are encouraged to contact program sta at (530) 6216160. The Senior Nutrition Program also holds a monthly one-hour volunteer orientation where potential new volunteers can learn about the opportunities and can ask questions. The next Volunteer Orientation is 1-2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. Additional Volunteer Orientation sessions are scheduled 1-2 p.m. on April 4 and May 2, at the Placerville Senior Center. Those interested in volunteering in the South Lake Tahoe area may call (530) 621-6160 with questions or to schedule an in-person orientation to be held at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

The El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program is one of many national senior nutrition programs funded under the Older Americans Act of 1965 serving older adults through home-delivered meal service and community dining centers. The program is a service of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency. For more information about the Senior Nutrition Program and other senior services visit edcgov.us/ SeniorService.aspx.

Annual gathering brings Bruins and PHS supporters together

News release

2024 marks the 20th year that Ponderosa High School Foundation has been working diligently to “enrich the education of every Bruin” by supporting the school through twicea-year mini-grants, twice-a-year Teacher Amazon Wishlists, senior scholarships and collaboration on larger scale projects such as the recent gym mural.

Ponderosa community and this includes the annual Green and Gray Gathering fundraiser. This year’s event will be held in the heart of the district at the beautiful Cameron Park Country Club, 5:30-9 p.m.

The first semester of the 2023-24 school year the grant recipients are: Special Education (Chase Baginski), Science (John McClellan), Modern Languages (Damian Fragano), Family and Consumer Science (Britta Fletcher), CTE-FACS (Amanda Speake), Science (Lisa Bertram), VAPA (Jennifer Schrock/Juliana Yorba), ICT (Cameron Bennett) and Agriculture and Special Education (Britta Fletcher). In addition the foundation facilitated the Holiday Amazon Wishlist, which had participation from 27 teachers who received 82 gifts with a total value of more than $1,500.

These e orts are only made possible through the generosity of the greater

Saturday, April 6. It includes a bu et dinner, live music performed by Ponderosa Jazz Band programs, ra e baskets, silent auction for student-produced creations from Art, Floral and Ag Mechanics, as well as other amazing items. The Dessert Dash is supplied by Bruin bakers from Advanced Culinary Arts, and don’t forget photo ops with the beloved Ponderosa Bruin

Early bird priced tickets are available until March 17 at pondofoundation.com and sales end on March 31. Sponsorships are available. Email pondofoundation@ gmail.com.

“We believe communities are strengthened by the schools within them,” said Avis Jolly, PHSF board president. “And we hope you, our community, will consider joining us for this wonderful evening to support our mission.”

2024 by Miss California HeartShine 2023

Aakriti Dua.

Explore beautiful wine country roads ‘Behind the Cellar Door’

One of the glories of springtime in this region is the opportunity to drive the backroads of El Dorado and Amador counties.

California poppies start to dot the landscape as the road twists and turns. Blooms of gold fields, lupine and Indian paintbrush peek at you. The sky above the ranch lands is vast and the skyscapes are memorable. You may see azure skies with puffy clouds or a spring storm in all its glory.

Susan Laird The Arts

similarities in terroir and grape varieties from Old World stock. Some varietals are grown from “estate grapes” whose vines date back more than 150 years to the Gold Rush era. This event offers a wealth of immersive activities during the two-day experience. Depending on availability, guests can reserve experiences at up to five different wineries each day, choosing from 45 wineries.

All you need is a destination.

This month, the Amador Vintners Association has that objective for you. Set your GPS for Plymouth and the annual Behind the Cellar Door wine tour on the weekend of March 23–24. Tickets are selling quickly, and no wonder.

The art of winemaking

The Behind the Cellar Door weekend is ideal for wine lovers and novices. I would even argue it is even delightful for the designated driver. The winery settings are cozy and picturesque.

The wines are world class, presented by winery owners, blenders and chefs. This is wine education at its funnest … er, finest. Expect to encounter barrel samples, hard-to-find vintages and some delicious food pairings. Recipes are often included.

The wine education will be a tastebuds-on experience. Guests will be able to taste and see why the Sierra foothill region — and Amador County in particular — is one of the top wine regions in California. Many of the wines are rated at 100 points by Wine Spectator.

Those familiar with Northern Italy’s wine country may note many

Good to know

Tickets are available to purchase online at amadorwine.com. Prices are (per person): $89 – full weekend, $69 – Saturday (limited availability), $59 – Sunday and $20 each day for designated drivers.

Enjoy tasting flights, behind-thescenes vineyard and winery tours and an educational experience delivered by these expert winemakers and winery teams.

And as you do so, enjoy those delightful backroads. Discover your own favorite spots, spectacular views and unique gems. The Hubster and I are regulars at The Pokerville Market. The deli reminds me of the old Draeger’s deli in the Bay Area. It is a fun place to grab a picnic lunch and then go winery touring any day of the week.

You will quickly discover that every weekend in Amador County wine country is a good weekend. There are so many little places to discover.

Who knows? Depending on your destination, you may discover every day is a good day, too. Cheers!

Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@ handywriting.com.

Learn to become a naturalist

News release

Calling all nature lovers! American River Conservancy is offering the California Naturalist program again this spring — in-person or via Zoom.

ARC will have presenters from the U.S. Forest Service who will teach students how to assess the health of the trees and an entomologist from University of California, Berkeley, who is going to help students hunt for critters with UV lights. The class will take some amazing field trips around the Placerville area with experts in soil science, botany, nature journaling and more, This is a great opportunity for river guides, local educators or anyone interested in learning more about California’s unique ecosystems to

Know Continued from B1

Now

Marshall Hospital Auxiliary is looking for volunteers. Help people and make new friends. Interviews are held monthly. For more information call Norma at (530) 676-1844 or email grizzyq98@ gmail.com.

Aspiring El Dorado Rose applications are available. Candidate qualifications: is 60 years or older; has been a resident of El Dorado County for a minimum of 10 years; and has contributed volunteer services throughout her life. A candidate must be sponsored by a business, club, organization or an individual. The sponsor submits the application and pays an entry fee. Both are due April 20 and need to be submitted to El Dorado Rose c/o El Dorado Rose Corporation, P.O. Box 282, Placerville, CA 95667. The entry fee covers admission to the Rose Ball for the candidate. For

receive a great certification and connect with other like-minded folks.

The class begins on March 13 and meets every Wednesday from 4-6:30 p.m. (in-person at Wakamatsu Farm or Coloma, or via Zoom) plus three in-person field trips in the local area.

Visit app.donorview.com/NZxJK for more details and to register. Registration includes the required California Naturalist Handbook and a year membership with ARC. Those who are already an ARC member can take $20 off the fees with the code Member24. Email nic@arconservancy.org for more information. Partial scholarships are available for those who qualify, as well as some full scholarships for current full-time community college students.

more information call Diane Lehr at (530) 845-2513.

Registration is now open for the 41st annual Bob West Drive for Marshall golf tournament scheduled for June 21 and hosted once again at Cold Springs Golf & Country Club in Placerville. To register visit marshallfound.org/golf-registration/?blm_ aid=30898.

Women’s Fund El Dorado’s Wickline Scholarship applications are now available. Candidates must reside on the Western Slope of El Dorado County, be female age 22 or older and must be accepted by and plan to attend an accredited educational or vocational institution between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025. Applications are due before 5 p.m. March 11. For additional information visit womensfundeldorado.org/wickline.

n See KNOW, page

Join the largest service force in nation

California Service Corps

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday announced March 8 California is seeking 10,000 people to join the California Service Corps. Members gain meaningful work experience while helping their communities and earning money.

Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be more than 10,000 strong and members will serve nearly five million hours. Service members help communities by taking climate action, tutoring and mentoring students to help them succeed, supporting communities impacted by disasters, working to end hunger and connecting vulnerable people to vital resources and services.

“As Californians, the spirit of service and giving back is in our DNA. It’s why we have the largest service corps in the nation, bigger than the Peace Corps and a model for other states,” said Newsom.

The California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service

programs: Californians For All College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, Californians For All Youth Jobs Corps and AmeriCorps California. Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and will be mobilized at a time when California is addressing the climate crisis, post-pandemic academic recovery and how to shape the future of the state’s workforce.

“These are California’s future leaders, and we need their passion, energy and enthusiasm to address our greatest challenges,” said Fryday. “These programs pave pathways for prosperity, propel progress on our most pressing issues and promote unity to help unravel the crisis of social isolation and division.” California Service Corps members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference. Additionally, service experiences foster a positive sense of connection and belonging, an answer to the loneliness crisis — as declared by the U.S. Surgeon General.

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more about the benefits and impact of service at a virtual workshop on March 13 at 1 p.m. Learn more at CAServiceCorps.com.

Know Continued from B3

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 in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit studio81arts.com.

Sacramento City College’s City Theatre is producing Lynn Nottage’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Sweat” through March 17. For tickets and more information visit CityTheatre.net.

Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons is now accepting entries for the 46th annual member exhibits. Deadline is 5 p.m. March 20. The show takes place April 2-20. All entries must be submitted online. Visit smarterentry.com/callsforentry/wash.

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents Fire, Fury and Resilience, socially conscience work of Betty LaDuke, through March 23. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

The California Museum in Sacramento presents Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press through March 24. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents ABC — 123, Fletcher Benton’s sculptural alphabet through March 24; AI Am I?, artificial intelligence art created by Alexander Reben, through April 28; Drawn to Beauty, a collection of European drawings, through April 28; and Joyce J. Scott: Messages June 23. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

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 through March 31.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Twelfth Night” through April 1. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Lightning Thief” through April 7. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

B Street Theatre presents “Cosmo St. Charles is Dead and Someone in This Room Killed Him” through April 7 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

All in

Chris Schnaidt, Spencer’s math teacher and tennis coach at Union Mine, said Spencer was very instinctive in front of the camera and reacted quickly if there was a technical difficulty.

Aside from tennis, Spencer also played for the UHMS soccer and basketball teams. He was also student council vice president during his senior year and participated in the drama program.

Keri Schnaidt, a Union Mine alum and Spencer’s classmate, called Spencer enthusiastic and an outgoing student who always went all in with everything he did.

“I’m remembering most vividly being in drama [class] together,” Schnaidt shared. “(Spencer) was directing something and he was so excited about his idea. He always took it seriously but still had fun at the same time.”

Richard Kientz, Spencer’s junior varsity basketball coach, said his student’s involvement in other activities made him well-rounded.

“He is just a tremendous person,” Kientz said. “The kind of success that he’s had out of school would be pretty evident based on the kind of energy he brought to the basketball court.”

Schnaidt said the way Spencer was engaged in different areas is a blueprint for how students can make the most out of high school.

“When you’re kind of thinking about becoming a teacher and why you want to do it, you do it for being there for the kids,” Schnaidt said. “You envision a particular kind of student and Spencer’s the kind of student that I went into education for.”

Learning by filming

Spencer said he found it overwhelming as a child to figure out what he wanted to do with his life but thought he could learn about other people through film work.

“I thought that through media and through filmmaking, that could be an opportunity to expose myself to a lot of different people and a lot of different professions,” he explained. “That was really the kind of big moment in high school where I decided I think I want to try for a career in this.”

After graduating Union Mine in 2009, Spencer attended University of

California, Santa Barbara, where he double majored in film production and history. There, he participated in Blue Horizons, a summer program where he worked with other students to produce a short film that would be featured in film festivals.

His group’s film was called “No Otter Zone,” which focused on the law of the same name which was eventually struck down in 2012, stating otters could not be in certain regions of California in order to protect fishing interests.

Spencer said when he looks back on the film, he thinks about what he could have done better. Still, he noted, the experience changed his life. “That really is the moment where it just hooked me. It was so fun, so intense, and the end feeling is just unmatched when you actually make a film you’re proud of with a group of people that you hopefully call friends.”

Right after graduating, Spencer was hired by the university’s Office of Public Affairs to travel with different professors and communicate why their research was important. Later, he would do commercial production for Google and eventually work with TEGNA. Spencer was the director of photography on “Anacostia,” a digital show that received the regional Emmy. The project fueled his passion to go out and make more films.

“Awards and accolades are cool to win but I’m more interested in making impactful work and working with fantastic people to make something that will hopefully educate others, inform others, inspire others to be better themselves,” Spencer explained, adding his eventual goal is to become the director of photography or cinematographer on scripted sets because he enjoys working on scripted features.

Outside DARPA, Spencer said he’s shooting his own work as much as possible; he recently directed a film he wrote which he’s hoping to take on the film festival circuit.

Spencer also teaches an introductory filmmaking course to high school students and said he advises the next generation to surround themselves with mentors, both older and peers.

“You’ve got to find those throughout your entire career,” Spencer said. “If you don’t, it’s almost impossible to become a professional doing that … because you’ve got to be constantly learning and growing.”

Public Notices 

FOOD

A Sweet St. Patrick’s Day

CULINARY.NET

How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year.

These Mint Brownies have three delicious layers. First, a supreme brownie on bottom. Then a fluffy, green mint layer that’s full of flavor and color. Last, but definitely not least, a chocolate layer on top made with chocolate chips, butter and a little whipping cream.

All of these layers create a smooth, sweet, minty, bite-sized dessert perfect for any occasion but especially St. Patrick’s Day. The green mint color really pops off the plate, giving it some extra flare and an appetizing glow.

To start, create the soft, chocolate filled brownie. Combine brownie mix, vegetable oil, one egg, water and the chocolate syrup pouch. Bake and cool completely.

Then it’s time for some colorful, festive fun. Make the filling with powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, softened cream cheese, a splash of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring. Beat and pour over the cooled brownie pan.

The last layer is simple. In a saucepan, melt whipping cream, chocolate chips and butter until smooth. When it’s cooled to lukewarm, pour it over the filling for the final layer.

Refrigerate the Mint Brownies for two hours before serving. Cut them into bite-size pieces for small chunks that will melt in your mouth.

Find more seasonal dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Even if you’re not Irish, a green treat like this Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie can get you and your guests into the festive spirit. With enough seasonal flavor to go around, this recipe makes two pies, so be sure to cut every leprechaun a generous portion.

Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie

1

To

To make

2 hours, or until set.

Before serving, let brownies set 10 minutes at room

Tips: Cut brownies with wet knife for cleaner cuts. Store covered in refrigerator.