German shepherds and Husky breed dogs, 15 adult dogs and 10 puppies, kept in inhumane conditions according to an El Dorado County Animal Services press release.
Tidwell had the animals in her 1,200-squarefoot home, operating what she claimed was a legitimate animal
Eric Jaramishian
Staff writer
Despite overwhelming opposition from the public Tuesday morning, El Dorado County took another step toward disbanding its Human Rights Commission.
In a divisive vote, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to make an amendment to an ordinance that established the commission to state that it has been terminated.
Some board members previously expressed concerns regarding the commission, including allocation of proper resources and unclear direction and they said they felt the group had gotten too “political” in its practices.
Robin Valicenti, who serves on the commission, told supervisors the
commission was not political and provided a forum for marginalized people to be heard, including homeless individuals and victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
“We need to allow for a space for our marginalized communities like LGBT and domestic violence (survivors) to speak to the county, for it to witness,” Valicenti said.
Many who wrote in to the county and spoke during public comment during the board’s March 14 meeting felt a commission dealing with human rights was necessary and urged reconsideration of dissolving the group.
“Human rights does not matter if you are Democrat, Republican, rich, poor or what culture you are from,” said Sheryl Trainor, a pediatric occupational therapist. “I think it is great to have many
n See human rights page A8
rescue called Sierra Nevada German Shepherd Rescue. Tidwell was found to have been conducting the operation illegally and without a license. Following calls to law enforcement from neighbors due to significant odors emanating from the home, a search warrant was executed by El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies and Animal Services officers. The dire conditions the animals lived in were described
n See hoarder
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
Exhilaration Station in Placerville is looking to help support the community by becoming a hub for children to play while parents can focus on their daily activities, including work.
Opening a space for adults in a children’s setting, youngsters can whoop and holler while being provided an educational setting, meanwhile taking a load off workfrom-home parents.
Complete with a work room/parent room, a nursing room, sensory room and
n See Co-working, page A9
Gerald Solt
July 19, 1940 - Feb. 25, 2023
Gerald Solt of Cameron Park passed away February 25 at the age of 82. Gerald (Jerry) was born in 1940 in Seattle, Wash. to Cletus and Alma (Dahl) Solt. Jerry spent his childhood raising hell in the Greenwood area as well as Indiana with his cousins. He owned a small gas station before enlisting early into the US Army. He went on to Civil Service with the US Air Force as Regional Commissary Manager in Colorado, Germany and then California where he later retired.
Jerry’s hobbies are too many to list, however, he loved to travel in his RV, play cards, tennis and pickleball. His friends would describe him as a loyal friend with a love of his Sunbeam Tiger.
He was predeceased by (brother) Richard, (Uncle) Ray, and his parents Alma & Cletus.
He was survived by his wife Doris, his daughters Laura (Wills); Sheree (Doss), and grandchildren Ian (Solt), Donovan & Nicholas (Doss).
Memorial service will be held on April 15, 2023, TBD as to the location. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society. He will be missed by all, especially his dry sense of humor.
We love you.
Feb. 23, 1927 – March 2, 2023
Our dad, Lawrence Joseph Gaschler Sr., passed away on March 2 in Sterling, Colorado. Every year he made it a goal to reach his next birthday. This year wasn’t any di erent. His 96 years far exceeded his expectations. Our dad was a proud Navy Veteran who served in WWII as a Naval Petty O cer. He loved America and was honored to serve his country.
Larry was born on February 23, 1927 in Fort Lupton, Colorado, to Anton and Marie Gaschler. The early years of the depression took its toll on the German family of 12, as it did with so many families during that time, but dad managed to play sports through high school, which gave him his lifetime love of football. When dad was 17, he signed up for the Navy and spent two years in the South Pacific.
When Dad left the Navy, he found his future as a barber and owned several barber shops during his working years. Dad was a hardworking man and not being able to sit still, built and remodeled many houses throughout his life. His passions included gardening, (often giving his vegetables to friends and neighbors), playing harmonica and watching sports on television, particularly during son Randy’s UCLA days.
Larry is survived by his children: Randy & Wendy Gaschler; Starr (Gaschler) & Jim Palumbo; Monica (Gaschler) & Keith Whitworth. Larry left quite a legacy with 21 Grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. He was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Dad is now at peace and reunited with his parents, sisters, brothers, sons; Lawrence Joseph Gaschler Junior and Barry Anton Gaschler, grandchildren; Barry Junior and great grandchildren; Emmanuel and Evalee, as well as many friends who have gone before him.
While we know he is at peace, our selfish side wishes he was here with us to see his grandchildren grow up and to know their accomplishments. He will be missed by all of us.
Funeral arrangements are being made by ChaneyReager Funeral Home and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please support your local Veterans.
Stay up to date with a subscription to the MD website: mtdemocrat.com. Call (530) 622-1255.
March 29, 1938 – Feb. 22, 2023
Longtime Placerville resident Patsy Sue DiGiurco passed away February 22 at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank DiGiurco in 2009 and son Doug DiGiurco in 2022. She was born in 1938 to Elmer and Elsie Wood in a Depression-era Hooverville in Glendale, Arizona as the family migrated to California in search of Work.
Patsy lived the quintessential American dream, having been born in Depression-era poverty but ultimately building a comfortable life in Placerville with her husband Frank. In 1990, the couple completed their custom-built dream home on 10 acres, which was so grand that the design was featured in the pages of the Mountain Democrat. They lived there for nearly three decades, until health issues necessitated purchasing a smaller, easier-to-maintain property.
Patsy worked at the Mountain Democrat for more than 30 years, beginning in 1973. Over the decades, she worked as a typesetter, graphic designer, occasional sta writer and regular columnist for “Animal Acts,” where she documented the eccentricities of the animals she dearly loved. Most often the focus was on her favorite creatures – her pet cats.
She had a passion for “antiquing” with her family and curated an amazing collection of Depression glass, magnificently-carved furniture and other antiques. She was also a voracious reader whose favorite genre was mysteries. She would regularly visit the Placerville branch of the El Dorado County Library and return home with stacks of books as tall as her co ee table.
Not only was Patsy known for her love of reading, she was also known for her witty, vivid stories about her family’s many adventures through the years. Her humor, warmth, passion and unconditional acceptance of her family was a constant influence and beacon of light for everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter Tarra DiGiurco; daughter-in-law Dani Henter; grandchildren Tom DiGiurco, Elsie Lopin, Amy Paone and Ian Jay, and great grandchildren Logan, Jordan and Madison Paone, Michael and Marley Lopin, and Elspeth DiGiurco.
A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. March 17 at Chapel of the Pines in Placerville, Calif.
Dec. 24, 1953 – Feb. 20, 2023
Diane passed away on Feb. 20 at the age of 69. She was born in Santa Maria, Calif. She moved to Sacramento in 1961, and to Placerville in 1971. She worked for Inter County Title and Chicago Title for many years.
Diane is preceded in death by her father, Dennis Alberty; mother,Viola Alberty; sister, Denise Alberty. She is survived by her husband Mike, brother, Dennis Alberty; sister, Darlene Phillis; brother, Robbie Gault and Aunt, Charlene Stone. She is also survived by her two sons David and Bradley Zaun and grandchildren Bentley and Madison Zaun, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be missed by all.
Rayona Clancy
Services for Rayona “Mickey” Clancy will be held on March 21 at St Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville, Calif. Rosary at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., luncheon to follow. Additional information can be found at https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/placerville-ca/ rayona-clancy-11148480
A 2 a.m. tra c stop in Placerville Thursday turned into a chase that spanned from Placerville to Folsom and reached speeds of more than 100 mph as a Sacramento woman attempted to evade police.
Akika Parker, 34, was pulled over when police o cers noticed her vehicle, a Mercedes SUV, was displaying a license plate they believed to be fictitious, according to a press release from the Placerville Police Department. Parker reportedly refused to show o cers her drivers license or registration paperwork; when o cers ordered her to exit the vehicle, Parker fled and entered westbound Highway 50 at high speed. The o cers gave chase, requesting additional assistance from California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County sheri ’s deputies. Despite the successful deployment of spike strips, Parker continued to drive in a reckless manner, prompting CHP and PPD o cers to terminate their pursuit out of concern for the safety of other drivers, states the press release.
Folsom police took over the situation once CHP and PPD ended their pursuit, eventually bringing Parker’s vehicle to a stop at Highway 50 and Bidwell Street. After arresting Parker, Folsom police o cers reported recovering a loaded firearm from her vehicle.
As of press time, Parker remains in custody at the El Dorado County Jail with bail set at $113,000; she faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, evading a peace o cer with wanton disregard for safety and evading arrest.
The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:
March 3
11:50 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Oak Leaf Circle in Placerville.
12:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 55-year-old man suspected of possession of a stolen vehicle on Misty Creek Court in Pilot Hill. He was listed in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail.
2:48 p.m. Battery was reported on French Creek Road in Shingle Springs.
3:43 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.
4:57 p.m. Battery was reported at a pharmacy on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
10:36 p.m. California Highway
Patrol officers booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Greenstone Road in Placerville. He was later released.
11:44 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody.
March 4
1:30 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a gas station on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.
10:19 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a storage facility on Mira Loma Drive in Cameron Park.
11:52 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Mayfair Lane in Somerset.
■ See CRIME LOG, page A9
With winter’s heavy rain and snow taking a toll on the county’s infrastructure, not even the officers that keep the roads safe are in the clear.
California Highway Patrol Officer Alex Whitley was responding to a road hazard call near Sierra Springs and Clear Creek Drive in Pollock Pines around 5 a.m. Tuesday when a sinkhole gave way underneath his vehicle, according to a Placerville CHP social media post.
Whitley was able to escape the sudden hazard unharmed and his vehicle was later safely retrieved. Clear Creek Drive was temporarily closed for repairs but has since reopened, according to county road maintenance officials.
The county has seen multiple culvert failures and sinkhole openings in the past months resulting from atmospheric river storms inundating the state.
Mountain Democrat staff
Somerset resident
David Louis Hawkins has been located in Sacramento.
Hawkins’ mother
Rochelle Shanko was informed by El Dorado County sheriff’s detectives Tuesday that his EBT card was used at a business on Stockton Boulevard where surveillance cameras showed he was safe, Shanko told the Mountain Democrat. Hawkins had last been seen Feb. 21 at Walmart on Missouri Flat Road and his family, friends and local authorities were working to find him.
A search behind
Tahoe Daily Tribune
More than 100 buildings in the South Lake Tahoe area have been inspected for structural integrity over the past week following record snowfall too heavy for some structures to support.
The Cal Fire El Dorado-Amador Unit issued a report Tuesday showing that of the 129 buildings inspected, 86 were labeled as damaged and nine deemed unsafe to occupy.
Walmart along the El Dorado Trail was organized March 11 and missing person flyers were posted in the community. Shanko noted her son suffers from a mental health condition and she still has not heard from him.
No injuries to residents or emergency personnel have been reported.
One of the red-tagged buildings is the Raley’s at the Crescent V center near Heavenly Village at Stateline, Nev. The grocery store was closed Saturday after the roof gave in and it’s sister store on Emerald Bay Road at the “Y” shut its doors Sunday as a precaution while snow removal crews went to work.
A third south Tahoe grocery store was shut down Monday by building inspectors “out of an abundance of caution” but management at the Zephyr Cove, Nev., Safeway was able to reopen Tuesday.
Raley’s near Heavenly Village remained closed Thursday but the “Y” location reopened Thursday morning.
“Our team made great progress in safely removing snow off the
roof and we are prepared to reopen the store,” said Chelsea Minor, Raley’s executive director for community impact and public affairs.
Earlier this year Raley’s officials announced they would be moving out of the Heavenly Village location in June due to an expiring lease. Raley’s executives said they were unable to come to an agreement with the landlord after about a year of negotiations.
Healthy Blood Vessels
Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems.
Healthy Nerve
Diseased Blood Vessels
Nerves Shrivel when Blood Vessels Weak and Disappear
Figure 1
In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be determined.
What is the underlying cause? 1
How much nerve damage has been sustained? 2
How much treatment will your condition require? 3
Our advanced treatment method has 3 main goals
Increase Blow ow 1
Stimulate small ber nerves 2
Decrease brain based pain 3
The
to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow. The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper. The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.
“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.”
Patient
Your flight is delayed?
Blame your government.
OK, it’s not always government’s fault. Sometimes it’s weather or mechanical problems. But often we suffer horrible flight delays because politicians won’t relinquish power.
In January flights were grounded when the government’s “Notice to Air Missions” system broke down. That was just the latest incident. America rightly prides itself on being on the cutting edge of innovation. But it’s the private sector that innovates. Government rarely does.
Asked if America’s air traffic control system is out of date, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg paused a long time before answering, “The system is continuously being upgraded.”
But the government’s been “upgrading” air traffic control for decades, promising to switch to a “NextGen” system that uses satellite navigation. But implementation keeps being postponed. Now the Federal Aviation Administration won’t even say when NextGen might be done.
Air traffic control is still a lot like it was in the 1960s. Controllers use paper strips to track flights. Instead of using computers, they move paper around manually.
“This is your government at work,” says Diana FurchtgottRoth, who worked for the Transportation Department during the Trump administration.
I yell at her. “Air traffic control was in your department. You could have fixed it. You should have fixed it!”
She smiles and explains that although she had control of $1 billion, she wasn’t allowed to move those funds to where they were needed.
Government managers must fund projects pushed by politicians, like “Justice40,” meant to fix “underinvestment in disadvantaged communities.”
“Sounds like they mean well,” I say.
“It sounds a lot better to talk about social justice,” answers Furchtgott-Roth. “Nuts and bolts like computer hardware for air traffic control gets left behind.”
Computer hardware isn’t left behind in Canada. The country got rid of “flight control with paper strips” years ago. That’s because Canada turned air traffic control over to a private company, which switched to an electronic system.
It’s not just Canada that did it. Dozens of countries have privatized or partially privatized. Computer screens have replaced not-alwaysclear windows in many air traffic control centers. Controllers don’t use binoculars anymore because
A veteran thanks you
EDITOR:
Last Wednesday I took my truck in for repairs and, while waiting, I went to Poor Red’s for lunch. I was seated in the dining area and continued wearing my U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran ball cap. After a leisurely lunch by myself, I remained seated until I finished my beer. I finally called the waitress over and asked for my bill. She said there wasn’t any; an undisclosed person paid for my lunch. I was taken back and wished I could have met that person for their appreciative gesture, obviously not just for me, but for all active and veterans of the U.S. military services.
CHUCK HUEBNER Cameron ParkEDITOR:
Iappreciate the Mountain Democrat for the local news and the Letters to the Editor section. I enjoy reading the many different views from both the left and the right. I’ve become friends with quite a few who post. Many have been diametrically opposed to my points of view.
I enjoy reading those on the left’s point of view because it always boils down to their anger and how that’s my fault. During my nearly two decades of posting people have doxxed me, insulted my wife and children even threatened my own life and I’m OK because words will never hurt. But now those on the left has found a loophole in MD’s complaint system. These people complain about every one of my posts thus they get removed. This will be rectified and I’ll continue to illustrate how goodness overcomes hatred and ignorance will always fail eventually.
KEN STEERS Cameron ParkEDITOR:
Happy to see the homeless encampment clean up on upper Broadway was finally done. But I believe an opportunity was missed in the Mountain Democrat article. It’s all about the numbers. Caltrans waited for the El Dorado County navigation center to open so the occupants could utilize its resources, but only if
they were referred to the center.
The nagging question is how many occupants took advantage of the navigation center? The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team, Placerville Police Department and the county Health and Human Services Agency all conducted outreach in the area to refer homeless encampment occupants to the navigation center. So how many homeless took advantage of the referral only offer to relocate to the navigation center? I assume the above agencies had an idea of the population of this homeless encampment, so how many were referred to the navigation center?
PERRY BECKLEY PlacervilleEDITOR:
As some writers have already mentioned, mail service at the Placerville Post Office has gone from bad to abysmal. Every day there are lines clear to the back of the PO Box area of people with a forlorn hope of getting their mail. I have mail coming from Antelope that hasn’t gotten here in almost three weeks.
With the Placerville Post Office not likely to improve in our lifetimes, one needs to consider workarounds so as to minimize your dependence on the U.S. Postal Service and, as much as possible, relegate it to junk mail. This requires extra work but the peace of mind that getting your bills paid gives may be worth it.
Here is a list of paying in-person workarounds that may work for you. For PG&E bills and AT&T bills you can pay at Walmart, if you have a bank credit card from a bank that has branches here you can pay on your credit card at the bank, if your insurance agent has an office here you can pay your premium there, EID bills can be paid at its office on Mosquito Road, property tax can be paid at the Tax Collector’s Office in the El Dorado Government Center in Placerville and certain Medicare Part D drug plans allow premium payment at certain affiliated pharmacies. There are also online payment options for various bills.
As I said, the closer you can get to having the Post Office handling nothing but junk mail and periodicals, the better.
GEORGE ALGER PlacervilleOn the way to University of California, San Francisco medical campus on Parnassus Avenue in the city Monday morning, I noticed a number of billboards I’d never seen before.
They were brightly colored and had various messages over the legend “Jew Belong.” They were clearly advocating “anti” anti-semitism as well as strengthening and broadening Jewish community development.
One sign read, “You don’t need to go to law school to know anti-Zionism is anti-semitism.”
When I got home I thought I’d better look into this matter a little deeper. I learned that the JewBelong. com organization has recently been installing these signs in six major American cities, San Francisco obviously being one of them.
Las Vegas has some new ones: “We’re just 75 years since the gas chambers … so no, a billboard calling
out Jew hate isn’t an overreaction.” Another has a simpler message: “Can a billboard end antisemitism? No. But you’re not a billboard.” Berkeley, which I wouldn’t characterize as a “major American city,” evidently has several variations of these billboards, including some anti-Israel, proPalestine versions. I didn’t see any of them because we didn’t go through Berkeley on the way to or from UCSF.
The school and diagnostics clinic had umpteen signs demanding mask wearing while in the building, advising that if you have a fever or a nasty cough or have been in recent contact with a COVID-19 sufferer, you are not welcome here. They weren’t that aggressive but one clearly got the message.
There were also a few garden variety company notices announcing a baby shower on Friday, a going away party for Dr. FeelGood Tuesday evening plus several posters for seminars and
professional development workshops TBA.
On the lighter side, from a certain perspective, was my favorite of the
day. A yellow sign in the elevator informed riders with: “Attention:
Today,computers
controlling air traffic in other countries keep getting better. in America privatization would reduce delays and make flying even safer.
Laney Griffo Tahoe Daily Tribune
It might not look like it but Lake Tahoe is going through some changes. The lake is flipping for the first time since the winter of 2018-19. What does that mean?
It means it fully mixed vertically from top to bottom.
The full mixing started Feb. 27 or Feb. 28 and while it’s an annual event in shallower lakes, with Tahoe’s 1,640foot depth, it’s a less common occurrence.
How do we know it flipped? UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center researchers are on the lake every
week sampling the water quality, the phytoplankton, and the overall health. Researchers also maintain instruments
in the lake, which take measurements every few minutes. Typically mixing starts in the fall, with the surface layer of the lake
Lake tahoe’s temperature flipped recently for the first time since the winter of 2018-19. flipping brings more clarity to the lake, among other things, and that clarity may last a while due to cold temperatures.
cooling and gradually mixing deeper. Most years, the mixing does not extend beyond 1,000
Stossel Continued from A4 high-definition cameras let them see much more, especially at night.
A Government Accountability Office study found that in countries that privatized, there are fewer delays and costs are lower.
So why doesn’t America privatize?
Because our politicians get money from labor unions, which “advocate for keeping the same people in the same jobs,” says Furchtgott-Roth.
Another opponent is the private plane lobby. Under our current system, Congress makes sure the big airlines, which you fly, subsidize private flights’ air traffic fees.
“If they have private planes,” says Furchtgott-Roth, “they should be able to pay their fair share.” Yes. Today’s pricing amounts to welfare for rich people.
A third obstacle is fear. “For-profit companies will cut corners and make flying less safe!” But this is nonsense. That GAO study found that safety stayed the same or improved in countries that privatized.
Also, “For-profit companies actually run the airlines,” Furchtgott-Roth points out.
The airlines get FAA supervision, but the main reason planes don’t crash is because the private companies don’t want to destroy their business by killing their customers.
There hasn’t been a commercial airline crash in 14 years.
By contrast, government-run airlines do crash. Aeroflot (the Soviet airline) killed thousands of people.
“What ensures high quality is competition,” says Furchtgott-Roth. There wasn’t any competition in the Soviet Union. And there isn’t any at the FAA.
Today, computers controlling air traffic in other countries keep getting better. In America privatization would reduce delays and make flying even safer.
But our arrogant politicians won’t allow it. They insist government run things.
Since governments rarely innovate, you must sit at the airport and wait.
Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”
Daley Continued from A4
Lung Transplant has moved to the 6th Floor! (Take the elevator to the 6th floor and make two left turns!) Thank you.”
My driver, advocate-companion and son Aaron and I started laughing between the first floor and our destination on the fourth. Not that lung transplants are funny at all; just that it’s quite a niche market when you think about it. (Never having seen another sign like it in any other elevator, subway, on a furniture truck or side of a boat). And clearly the elevator would be the preferred mode of transportation up to the sixth floor for lung transplant patients, duh.
I’m laughing again and hope it helps put a little smile on your face too.
Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.
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
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
Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway
Placerville Speedway is amped up to begin another championship season with an eclectic show that is sure to offer something for everyone this Saturday night.
Weather permitting, the El Dorado County Fairgrounds-based quarter mile will present a detailed program of grassroots dirt track racing, including the winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and wingless sprints. For those who can’t make it to the track, CaliDirt.TV will provide live flag-to-flag coverage of each and every Placerville Speedway point race this season. The live-streaming service also includes every event with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. Fans can purchase through a monthly membership or on a per-race basis via calidirt.tv.
Last year saw Andy Forsberg earn an unprecedented ninth winged 360 championship on the red clay. The Auburn veteran, however, is not scheduled to contest a full point season, opening the door for several to have a shot at bringing home their initial title.
Placerville’s own Shane Hopkins showed strength in 2022, earning four podium finishes, en route to a third-place finish in the standings.
Hanford’s Michael Faccinto will be another favorite wheeling the F&F Racing X1 entry, which he drove to his first career winged sprint car victory last July. A host of other teams will be vying for victory on opening night this Saturday, as we kick off the first of 14 point races for the winged warriors.
Diamond Springs competitor Dan Jinkerson locked down his second consecutive limited late model title last season. On the strength of six wins in eight starts, he was able to top Dan Brown Jr. by 34 points at season’s end. The ground pounders are set to contest a total of nine point races this year.
Last season saw Oakley’s Nick Baldwin put together another robust campaign with the pure stocks. The talented driver accumulated five wins and finished among the top five all but once, on way to his fourth career track championship over Kevin Jinkerson. The pure stocks will see 13 total nights of racing in 2023.
Wingless sprint cars will grace the red clay on six occasions this season, the first of which is Saturday’s championship opener. The unsanctioned event will follow Hunt Magnetos Wingless Tour rules. Something new this season — all n See Speedway page A9
Mountain Democrat staff
El Dorado High School for the second year in a row proved it has the fastest combined ski and snowboard team in the state. Oak Ridge is also tops on the slopes, taking second place in the California-Nevada Interscholastic Ski and Snowboard Federation’s State Championship. Ponderosa was not far behind in eighth.
A field of 33 Alpine race teams competed March 6-9 at Northstar California.
After speeding through the course for second place in slalom and a fourth-place finish in giant slalom, El Dorado’s Markus HirsbrunnerReist earned first place among CNISSF All-State skiers. Results show Hirsbrunner-Reist tied for first with Davis High’s Lukas Voss.
Oak Ridge’s Greta Aronowitz came in third in slalom and fourth in giant slalom to take second place.
With second-and thirdplace runs, Oak Ridge snowboarder Ethan Bain also claimed a No. 2 spot.
Two fifth-place finishes for El Dorado skier Henry Soetaert lofted him onto the podium in third place.
Women’s ski
2. Greta Aronowitz (Oak Ridge)
7. Carlie Chandler (El Dorado)
10. Andie Chandler (El Dorado)
Men’s ski
1. Markus HirsbrunnerReist (El Dorado)
3. Henry Soetaert (El Dorado)
4. Charlie Beckerley (Oak Ridge)
8. Hastin Murali (Oak Ridge)
9. Carter Sornborger (El Dorado)
Women’s snowboard
8. Kali Steward (Oak Ridge)
9. Faith Spitzer (El Dorado)
Men’s snowboard
2. Ethan Bain (Oak Ridge)
4. Tate Hall (Oak Ridge)
6. Myles Stowe (El Dorado)
Team results
Women’s ski
2. El Dorado
3. Oak Ridge
Men’s ski
1. El Dorado
2. Oak Ridge
Ski combined
1. El Dorado
3. Oak Ridge
Women’s snowboard
2. El Dorado
Men’s snowboard
1. Oak Ridge
3. El Dorado Snowboard combined
2. El Dorado
Jeanne
feet. On Feb. 1, the lake had only mixed to 500 feet. In less than four weeks, it had mixed a further 1,100 feet. On March 3, the entire lake was essentially the same temperature from top to bottom.
The bottom temperature of the lake is a steady 41.34 degrees. A buoy on the lake surface measured a temperature of about 42.1 Feb. 10. While it wasn’t a straight decline in temperature, the surface of the lake slowly cooled until it reached an equal temperature with the bottom Feb. 28.
In March researchers will retrieve an instrument deployed at the lake’s bottom near Glenbrook and will have a minute-by-minute description of events at the bottom during mixing.
“It’s not as dynamic or turbulent as we might think,” said Dr. Geo rey Schladow, director/professor of civil and environmental engineering for TERC. “It happens very slowly … it’s taking hours for this thing to mix top to bottom, so it’s not like a blender.”
What causes the mixing? Surprisingly, the air temperature is the largest factor, not the intensity of individual storms. This has been a particularly cold winter, causing the lake to mix deeper and weeks earlier compared to most other years. Is deep mixing good or bad? It is extremely good for the lake as it renews the water at the lake bottom with “fresh” oxygen-rich water from the surface. Oxygen is constantly being lost from the lake bottom, so it requires replenishment. Mixing also helps cool the bottom of the lake, which slowly warms due to geothermal heating.
Are there any other impacts? The deepest waters of the lake are also the clearest waters, so when they are mixed with the overlying water there is a short period of high clarity. This year, two days after mixing, the Secchi depth was an astounding 115 feet, almost 33 feet deeper than it had been a week earlier.
However, the length of time that
higher clarity will last is a little unclear.
“It depends how long the whole mixing event lasts. Sometimes, in the past, it’s literally just been mixing for a few days, sometimes it’s been as long as two or three weeks,” Schladow said.
“So the longer it lasts, the longer cooling lasts.”
Schladow went on to say that this year may be an outlier. It started earlier than usual (they usually start at the end of March) and the cold temperatures are forecasted to last a while, so it could be a longer mixing period.
The mixing also redistributes nutrients. Algae and organic material in the lake eventually ends up at the bottom, and through decomposition nutrients are released. These nutrients can build up over many years, so when deep mixing takes place, the bottom nutrients are carried all throughout the lake. In some years this is the largest source of nutrients to the lake surface and can lead to increased algal growth as well as a decline in lake clarity. In the coming months, we expect clarity to decrease as algae grow and fine particles begin entering the lake with the snowmelt.
There are still a lot of unknowns on how this will impact the summer. High inflow from snowmelt in streams usually causes lower clarity. So, Schladow and his team are excited to study this lake this summer and be able to explain how each factor impacted lake conditions.
TERC gave a shout out to the field team who are out in all seasons collecting measurements and deploying instruments in all kinds of weather, and to the data impresario Dr. Shohei Watanabe who waits eagerly for each piece of new data. The temperature data collection was in part funded by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The temperature buoys are operated
with the NASA Jet
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Maybe being lazy is good after all. There’s a way to handle today’s problem that’s more useful to others and less work for you. It’s not difficult to find once you stop assuming that hard work is always the way.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You really try to put yourself in another person’s shoes and see the world from there. This is an act of respect that will smooth your interactions, build your relationships and bless your future.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your self-esteem will waver, but don’t let that knock you off your game. Even though you find yourself among people doing similar things, do not forget that your spiritual essence is unique and beautiful in a way that no one else’s could ever be.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). When you open your eyes to the day, it can come rushing in like a cold wave or it can just as easily roll out before you, resplendent. It’s not your schedule or responsibilities but how you feel about them that makes the difference.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Accept uncertainty and let go of control. Life is unpredictable, and there are times when trying to steer is counterproductive. Let the wheel turn. Don’t fight it. You’ll pick it back up at the conclusion of the spin.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). In this game, if you think you’re winning, you’re winning, mostly because it’s your game. Have a little talk to yourself about the rules. Imagine the most supportive and creative Mary Poppins type was on your side. What would she allow?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). “Are you with me or are you against me?” they will ask. It would be better for you if you didn’t have to draw so stark a line. To blur into the gray areas would be more comfortable and truer. If anyone can do this, you can.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll give generously and then be a little surprised at what they still need from you.
Time to lay a boundary. You’ll diplomatically begin with common ground and positivity and move gently to less comfortable realms.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The rule of gratitude is not to evaluate what you have by comparing it to what others have or what there is to have or what you didn’t get. Gratitude is being thankful you have a thing, as compared to not having it at all.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Is there a problem? There could be, but why build a case for it if there’s not tons of evidence to support the premise? To worry needlessly robs you of precious enjoyment of life.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You appreciate support, but you don’t depend on it. There’s something in the idea of a solo journey that challenges your mind now. You want to know who you are, and what you can do.
You will find out. PISCES (Feb. 19-March
ideas. I do believe that a group of people can work together to have ideas and I think the solution, rather than disbanding a group of people, is to work with them.”
Trainor added she thought the Human Rights Commission would show the county values human rights for all communities and people.
Placerville resident Mora Madison shared testimony of her neighbors and herself being “leaf-letted” with antisemitic and Holocaust-denying literature two days before the 2022 midterm elections. She said she was also contacted by people claiming to have experienced racist acts against them, who Madison directed to the Human Rights Commission only to find it to be on the chopping block.
“I was disturbed that people would no longer have this important avenue of recourse to address such critical issues.” Madison said. “Without a Human Rights Commission in place, where can these folks go to get help and assistance they need? Sure, they can go down the hill 45 miles to the Sacramento National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or the ACLU, but isn’t it more responsible, efficient and healthy to clean up our own house in our own county?”
The Board of Supervisors established the Human Rights Commission in 2018 as a county resource to bring awareness and promote human rights, covering a wide range of topics such as mental illness, homelessness, racial minority groups, religious freedom and more.
Past Human Rights Commission action includes a human rights forum held in 2019 featuring human rights experts, hosting a homelessness awareness forum in 2022 and reporting to the Board of Supervisors on data it has collected on issues regarding human rights.
“We wanted to be a presence and have people know that we listen and have eyes on this aspect on county happenings,” said Susan Simpkin, Human Rights Commission chair. “We wanted to hear what these issues are so when we talk to the board we can let them know these are things going on in the county so they can make policies and decisions dedicated to inclusion and having people feel safe here.”
The county has had its share of recent controversies regarding human rights.
Last year at an Oak Ridge High School girls soccer championship game against Fresno-area Buchanan High, a Trojan student made animal noises while Hispanic and Black players from the visiting team took penalty kicks. Following the incident the Human Rights Commission explored how county schools were addressing bullying and discrimination.
The commission held a meeting featuring guest speakers El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Ed Manansala, El Dorado County Assistant Superintendent of Schools Chris Moore and Oak Ridge Principal Aaron Palm, an action some criticized as being more of an “interrogation.”
“That was not my experience,” Simpkin said. “Our intention was to ask questions beyond things we saw on the news and understand from people in these positions to know and inform the community on what they are doing to address these issues and to even partner with them.”
Additionally, the El Dorado Union High School District is facing a civil rights lawsuit that alleges a student experienced harassment and bullying due to her race and sexual orientation.
“Human rights are not going away,” Simpkin said. “There are issues on
that topic in this county.”
District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl said he believes the commission serves an important purpose and urged the board to extend the conversation of disbanding the commission. “If we were inclined to restructure or reformat it, I think we can make sure the expectations of the board are met but at this point in time I would hope we could find a way to continue in this area,” Hidahl said. “I think it is absolutely necessary in our communities. There has been a long history of things that we need to be able to understand why people feel the way they do and hopefully over time be able to influence and change that.”
District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo referenced Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency civil rights coordinator and its procedures of reporting alleged discrimination as an alternative method of supporting human rights in the county.
“I think this particular human rights commission has gotten way too political,” Turnboo said. “I think there is a problem there … it should have been addressed a long time ago and it wasn’t. I think the best way to solve this is to look at different alternatives and I think Shasta has done the right thing with the civil rights coordinator.”
Simpkin told the Mountain Democrat she was unaware of issues some supervisors brought up, such as alleging a lack of communication between the board and commission, being too “political” and making Brown Act violations.
“I wish they named those concerns to us because we could have convened and corrected our course of action,” Simpkin added, noting the commission only intended to send messages supporting human rights to all residents of the county and not take sides.
Board Chair and District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas said the responsibility to promote human rights dialogue and improve understanding falls solely on the board.
“Life is complex and from time to time community tensions flare up and people behave badly but it is the Board of Supervisors’ responsibility to embody an adopted civility resolution and engage as appropriate to promote mutual respect, tolerance and goodwill among ourselves within our county organization and within the community,” Thomas told fellow supervisors. “I’m grateful for the work the Human Rights commission has done and I thank them for their work but the responsibility for this work lies with us.”
District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine offered to serve on the Human Rights Commission and said disbanding the commission altogether would be unwise.
“Its an overarching concern that when we don’t like an advisory committee’s or commission’s outcome … we try to terminate their existence and I think that is not a good position for the board to be seen publicly as being destructive instead of trying to address and fix the problem,” Laine commented.
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin countered, saying she has worked to reorganize the committee but the committee as it stands does not benefit the county due to lack of understanding of its role.
Parlin, Thomas and Turnboo voted in support of dissolving the Human Rights Commission while Hidahl and Laine cast “no” votes. The amendment went into first reading this week and will go into a second reading March 21 for final passage.
Some animals retrieved from the fake rescue were malnourished, had to fight other dogs for food and lacked access to clean water, according to El Dorado County Animal Services.
Co-working Continued from A1
kitchen, staff at El Dorado County’s only trauma-informed family resource and educational play center for all abilities say they want to provide the services of a co-working space for adults while keeping their children busy, dubbed Harmony and Hive.
Exhilaration Station is also working on becoming a licensed daycare in case parents need to drop off their children for a couple of hours to go shopping and complete other errands.
“We’re providing the childcare for them; parents can come and go as needed,” said Luli Velasco, Executive Director of Exhilaration Station.
Fees apply but Exhilaration Station is also offering trade for co-working membership hours in which people can trade hours of co-working for in-house work.
“We want to support moms and dads, especially those working at home which we have seen an increase since COVID,” said Judy Knapp, who founded Exhilaration Station in 2021. “One of the things we hear is most difficult
about working from home is when you have a toddler running around while trying to focus on work, so that is why we wanted to fill that need.”
El Dorado resident Marina Walker was conducting business in the community room as an insurance broker for Farmers Insurance while her nine-month-old Malina had the opportunity to play with others when the Mountain Democrat came to visit the Exhilaration Station Mar. 3.
“It’s only my second day here so far but my stress levels are less and I am happy my child is getting more interaction from other adults and children other than immediate family,” Walker said.
Harmony and Hive’s work-friendly amenities include a work room, Wi-Fi, free printer use and coffee and tea. While a soft opening for Harmony and Hive has already commenced, Exhilaration Station is throwing a social mixer for its official announcement Mar. 21. Exhilaration Station is located at 1412 Broadway, Placerville.
in court by investigating officer Jessica Rorick.
“The smell was so overpowering that on the day the search warrant was executed, El Dorado County sheriff’s personnel entered Ms. Tidwell’s residence and the odor activated their gag reflex; one detective nearly vomited and he had to retreat from the dwelling,” Rorick read from a prepared statement. “We had to teach them (the dogs) that they were allowed to drink fresh water every day because in Ms. Tidwell’s residence I found more bowls full of urine than water. We had to teach them to use the bathroom outside so they would not have to live in their own feces and urine because in Ms. Tidwell’s home the floor was so saturated in urine we could not hear our own footsteps. We showed them how wonderful it was to play outside in the sunshine because in Ms. Tidwell’s home she had blacked out all of the windows to prevent anyone from seeing the 3 feet of feces that ran up along all the walls of every room.”
Tidwell has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and an additional 60 days of alternative sentencing probation. Following that, Tidwell will face two years of formal probation and have to serve 250 hours of community service. Additionally, Tidwell is
to pay $79,380 in restitution to Animal Services for the care of the animals rescued from her property and an additional $370 in court fines. Another condition of Tidwell’s probation is that she is to not own animals for at least the next 10 years and is barred from involvement in any animal rescue or nonprofit.
The animals rescued from the home were malnourished, loaded with parasites, suffering from dirty, matted fur and overgrown nails and showed signs of injury due to fighting with other dogs in the home for food, according to Animal Services Chief Henry Brzezinski.
“These poor dogs suffered at the hands of this individual,” Brzezinski states in a press release. “Calling herself a rescue was a disgrace. Thankfully, she will no longer have animals in her possession. A special thanks goes to District Attorney Vern Pierson and deputy district Attorney Ryan Whyte for their support and prosecution of this case.”
The dogs have since been cared for and received medical treatment. Once they have been cleared by the Animal Services’ veterinarian and are ready for adoption, pictures and information will be posted to the El Dorado County Animal Services’ website.
Speedway Continued from A6
tickets in the grandstands are reserved to give fans better access to individual seats. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or on Pit Pay to take advantage of the expanded seating area on the hill.
The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m. Happy hour is offered when the gates open until 6 p.m. in the grandstands, featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. For more information on Placerville Speedway log onto placervillespeedway.com.
March 25: Sprint Car Challenge Tour and Bay Cities Racing Association
Lightning Sprints | Spring Fever Frenzy
april 8: Winged 360 sprint cars, pure stocks, mini trucks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars | Easter Eggstravaganza
Crime log Continued from A2
March 5
12:42 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 193 in Georgetown. He was released on $15,000 bail.
3:08 a.m. Battery was reported on Joyce Way in Shingle Springs.
5:38 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Mindoro Court in El Dorado
Hills.
7:28 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of exhibiting a firearm and carrying an unregistered, loaded handgun on Highway 50 near Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was released on $100,000 bail.
11:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected
of DUI on Winding Way in Placerville. He was later released on $25,000 bail.
March 6
1:14 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of multiple probation violations on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.
March 17
Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again 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. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a free St. Patrick’s Day party for seniors, 1-2 p.m. at the Gilmore Senior Center. Sign up at the site. Space is limited.
The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Ken Pimlott from Cal Fire to talk about Creating A Fire Adapted and Resilient El Dorado County, 1-3 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road in Diamond Springs. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings a year for free. For more information visit srsedc. org.
Lady of the Lake and O’Connell Street Band perform at the St. Patty’s Day Party, 5-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Oakstone Winery in the Fair Play area hosts a 2021 Chardonnay release party with wine paired with an Irish charcuterie plate, March 17-19. For more information visit oakstonewinery.com.
Gold Trail Grange in Coloma hosts a St. Patrick’s Day dance with Red Dirt Ruckus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music 7-10 p.m. Red Dirt Ruckus is well known for their lively tunes of foothill jamgrass. Proceeds benefit community programs at Gold Trail Grange. For more information go to goldtrailgrange.com.
Oak Ridge Theatre arts presents “Clue: On Stage” March 17 & 18 and March 23-25 at the ORHS theater in El Dorado Hills. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.
Theatre at the Mine presents “Be More Chill” at Union Mine High School in El Dorado March 17 & 18 and March 24 & 25. For more information visit facebook.com/ TheatreUMHS.
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.
Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
Imagination Theater brings more than 30 local youths and teens to the stage with Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”
Based on the 2018 Broadway musical, “Frozen Jr.” brings the magical world of Arendelle to extraordinary life featuring all the memorable songs from the 2013 film plus five new songs written for the Broadway stage.
The story centers around sisters Anna and Elsa who has an inexplicable magical power that allows her to create and manipulate ice. From a young age her parents, who happen to be the king and queen, have taught her to conceal this power until a pivotal day when she let’s the secret at her coronation to be queen.
What follows is a tale of struggle and bravery, magic and deceit for an unlikely band of companions, including a living snowman and a surly ice salesman. Through it all they learn that the true love of a sister is what it takes to melt a frozen heart.
Directed by Becca Kaldunski and Laura Bonham, Imagination Theater’s production was originally destined for the stage in 2020. After being postponed several times due to the pandemic it was finally canceled. The theater’s leadership decided to remount the production in 2022. Multiple actors from the original cast auditioned once again and several new youth performers filled out the ranks.
New to the cast is sixthgrader Bella Milton who plays young Anna. “I was like second up at auditions and I was very nervous,” she said. “But ever since then, like the second the auditions were over, it was
really fun and everyone was really nice.”
Bella shared she has had a great time and plans on acting more with future auditions in her sights. “Everybody’s having fun. It’s like a big friend group.”
Evie Bennet, 9, is also a newcomer to the cast, playing young Elsa. “I was really happy to get the role that I wanted,” she said, admitting that she was also nervous at auditions.
“The auditions were really scary. And I didn’t know I was going to get a role this good so I was really happy.”
Like Bella, Evie enjoys the theater experience and wants to do more. “I’ve met a lot of
people I really like,” she said. “I’m really happy that I get to do it.”
One returning performer is El Dorado High School senior and stalwart Imagination Theater performer Jayce Kaldunski, revisiting his role of Olaf, the comedic sentient snowman who dreams of the warm embrace of summer.
Jayce plays the snowman via a 3-foot puppet.
“This show is my first time puppeteering,” he said. “That has some unique challenges.”
Kaldunski does not hide himself while puppeteering but is involved completely with the character.
“My favorite part is you get
the physical snowman, Olaf, the iconic look,” he mused. “But you also get the facial expressions and the emotion that an inanimate object can’t give by being able to see my face behind it.”
Jayce told the Mountain Democrat he thinks the show is very strong despite the challenges it has faced.
“I think we’ve come back even better than ever with our second time around,” he said, adding that the recent weather challenges did not hold them back. “We have still been kickin’ booty.”
EDHS junior Aubrey
Lynn Schardt News release
Music on the Divide brings back Andy Hackbarth in concert March 19 at the Georgetown IOOF Hall, 6240 Main St., Georgetown. Hackbarth is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and comedian from Carbondale, Colo. An acclaimed classical guitarist and songwriter, Hackbarth has released six full-length studio albums of various genres. His roots in folk and bluegrass music blend with the classical style of the great Andres Segovia, building the foundation for much of his concert repertoire.
The multi-talented Hackbarth holds a bachelor of music in classical guitar performance from the University of Colorado. He has studied privately and in master class settings with some of the world’s most highly respected musicians, including John Williams, Christopher Parkening, Elliot Fisk, Ricardo Iznaola and The Julliard School’s
Sharon Isbin and Kevin Gallagher. He has won, placed or been a finalist in numerous major national and international competitions, including the International Acoustic Music Awards, the International Songwriting Competition and others. Hackbarth has served on the music faculty at the University of
Colorado at Boulder, where he taught guitar, theory and songwriting for three years at the graduate level. His extensive performance schedule takes him all over the world.
The concert runs 3-5 p.m., with doors to the IOOF Hall opening at 2 p.m. to members and online ticket holders
the group live March 19.
News release
GRASS VALLEY — Frisson is the feeling and experience of physical reactions such as shivers, tingling skin and goosebumps. The frisson experience can be found at the InConcert Sierra Third Sunday Series March 19.
Frisson is the name of an ensemble of emerging classical music stars who are recent award-winning graduates from top music schools like Juilliard, Curtis and Yale. Led by artistic director and virtuoso oboist Thomas Gallant, the musicians were
chosen through auditions in New York City and tour across the United States. Performing rarely performed powerhouse masterworks, Frisson’s 10 members form different combinations of instruments in a variety of chamber works that feature piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and/or French horn.
The program introduces works that audiences don’t hear often but wish they could, such as Martinu’s “Nonet for strings and winds” that is an exhilarating rollercoaster
n See Frisson, page B3
News release
SUTTER CREEK — Enjoy Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” — celebrating its 50th Anniversary — performed in its entirety with “oil plate” light show by Hippie Bob’s Liquid Lights – A Psychedelic Experience. Main Street Collective has performed Dark Side of the Moon since 2021, wowing audiences around the foothills and Saturday, March 18, the geoup comes to Sutter Creek Theatre.
This will be the first indoor light show concert featuring deep instrumentalists like Charlie Baldwin on sax and Aron Faria on guitar.
Vocals are gorgeously supplied by keyboardist Paul Godwin and femme fatales Haley Nicole Woodward and Mae Flores, performing with the pocket rhythm section of Brett Neumann & Joey Beatty. The show is completed by Early Floyd classics like “Echoes” and masterpieces like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Open seating. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. The historical venue is an intimate, 215-seat former silent film theater with superb sound. For tickets and more information visit suttercreektheater.com.
Placerville Arts
Association invites artists at all levels, and art lovers, to join a fun, hands-on event, 2:30-4:30 p.m, Monday, March 20, at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. This is a “recharge your creative energy” time for all those who attend.
Multi-talented artistpresenter at this March meeting will be native Californian Carolyn Cunningham. She has been creating art all her life. She holds a degree in art education, was a public school art teacher for 20 years, taught drawing classes to adults and children and was involved in several community art events in her previous home in Southern California.
Cunningham has been involved in several art associations over the years and is currently on the Placerville Arts Association Board of Directors.
Cunningham works in a variety of media — most recently colored pencil, scratchboard, oil and mixed media
collage. She has won awards locally and has had work in three international exhibitions.
The artist’s March 20 presentation will focus on the principles of design and important guidelines for creating work in any artistic medium. Participants will create a paper sculpture while reviewing and incorporating these principles of design. This hands-on presentation will be a must-see learning session for all artists.
Bring a notebook to take notes and prepare yourself for new revelations into the world of “perfecting” art to look fresh and amazing.
There will be a meet and greet time devoted to new members who joined PAA in 202223 to share about themselves and their art. It will be a one- to twominute introduction. Bring art to share if you like.
Placerville is crawling with creativity oozing from artists’ paint brushes, palette knives, carving tools, gourd files
and sanders, jeweler’s pliers, fine-tuned cameras and more.
Creativity is on the march in PAA, which accepts new members through October.
A refreshment break will give everyone time to meet new members and visitors.
PAA is a nonprofit and its members love nothing more than to share their principles and oozing creativity with the community. For more information visit placervillearts. com. And don’t forget to like PAA on Facebook at facebook. com/PlacervilleArtsAssociation.
and 2:30 p.m. to the public. Tickets are available online at eventbrite.com and at the door for $20/ adults; $5/students and children 5 and younger are admitted free with a parent. There will be refreshments offered at intermission.
For more information about the artist and to sample his music, go to andyhackbarth.com. For information about MOTD, the 2023 season and how to become a member visit musiconthedivide. org.
ride of emotions, followed by August Walter’s stunning “Octet for Wind and Strings” that makes a mere eight people sound deceptively like a symphony orchestra. Other works include Roussel’s “Divertissement for Wind Quintet and Piano” and the masterpiece Schumann’s “Piano Quartet Op. 47.”
“In just a few seasons the Frisson ensemble has skyrocketed to become a leading classical music group, performing at such prestigious venues as the Marlboro and Ravinia Festivals, as well as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City,” said Gallant.
Oboist Gallant is one of the world’s few virtuoso solo performers on this instrument and he has been praised by The New Yorker magazine as “a player who unites technical mastery with intentness, charm and wit.”
There is a 20-minute pre-concert forum that begins at 1:15 p.m.
“After researching the magnificent and rarelyheard works, I’m really excited to interview members of Frisson,” said Ken Hardin, ICS artistic director. “It takes courage and much thought to create a program like this and I know the audience is going to love hearing works that I think would be considered traditional favorites if they could be performed more often and by master musicians such as Frisson. It’s a fantastic program with many nuances and unseen connections.”
InConcert Sierra is a Nevada County nonprofit organization that presents concerts featuring the world’s leading and emerging classical musicians and produces its own Sierra Master Chorale and InConcert Sierra Orchestra concerts, as well as robust educational programs for all ages. Since its inception in 1946, ICS continues to contribute to a vibrant arts and culture scene in the region.
The concert begins at 2 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 12889 Osborne Hill Road in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information call (530) 273-3990 or visit inconcertsierra.org.
News
RANCHO CORDOVA — The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band presents Musical Storytelling, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Koreana Plaza. Under the direction of Tom Seaton, the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band will tell stories old and new through the magic of music. Included in Sunday’s performance will be musical renditions of Aesop’s fables (with narration from Rise Up
Theatre’s Dennis Cain, Walt Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lord of the Rings” and highlights from the movie “Hook.” The band will also shine a spotlight on women composers within the storytelling theme, including Julie Giroux’s “Riften Wed,” Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” Fran Gri en’s “Huntsman In The Car!” and Kimberly K. Archer’s “In The Gathering Dark.” Koreana Plaza, 10971 Olson Drive ■ See BAND, page B7
This energetic boy is hoping he has more than a snowball’s chance of catching you by storm; white, Siberian Husky 3 yr.
This brown tabby DSH is not weird and not a political animal. He is 4 y.o. and looking for his fur-ever home.
Old Sacramento
St. Patrick’s Day is back and better than ever at the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
The Downtown Sacramento Partnership welcomes back two interactive and family-friendly activities — a Leprechaun Hunt (now through March 20) and the return of the region’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade (noon to 5 p.m., March 18).
Find the leprechaun
To start a spirited hunt in search of lucky-yet-elusive Leprechauns, guests can pick up activity pages at the Old Sacramento Visitor’s Center (1000 Second St.) or download in advance to begin the quest for seven leprechauns hidden throughout the historic district. Each lucky leprechaun will have a corresponding secret word that hunt seekers must fill in on the activity pages to move onto the next hidden leprechaun to help discover the secret code at the end. Once complete, participants simply email the secret to info@ oldsacramento.com by March 20 to be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win lucky prizes that include gift baskets filled with local goods from Old Sacramento Waterfront retail stores.
To add to the fun and share
the experience with others, hunt participants and visitors are encouraged to capture images, post them on social media and tag @OldSac.
Parade time
Families, friends, kids and the young-at-heart are invited to join hundreds of colorful marchers dressed in green along with Irish and Highland dancers, pipe and drum bands, historic re-enactors and a variety of cultural organizations at the 25th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade presented by Xfinity stepping o at 1 p.m. from Neasham and Front streets.
Emceed by iHeart Media’s KISS 107.9 DJ Strawberry, the parade includes more than 40 organizations and groups.
Visitors are also encouraged to line the boardwalks of L, Front, J, and 2nd streets for the best views of the spirited spectacle. Plus, shoppers will delight during a special Vendor Village that will be set-up at K and Front streets, noon to 5 p.m., and a beer garden on-site.
For those wanting to get an early head start on the fun, music and entertainment starts at noon with performers dancing throughout the district alongside a lineup of local vendors and shops o ering “lucky” specials.
For more information about the Old Sacramento Waterfront visit OldSacramento.com and for more about the Downtown Sacramento Partnership visit DowntownSac.org.
speakers
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Bonham also returns to the cast but in a new role. The show utilizes three different actors if three different ages to play Anna and Elsa through the years.
“I was a lot younger then so I was actually the middle Anna the last time,” Aubrey explained. “Now I’m the oldest Anna.”
The actress said this musical givers her a chance to explore her fun side.
“I tend to be very serious so it’s been fun to play around with it a bit more.”
Aubrey shared she has found a connection between Anna and her own life.
“(It’s) her relationship with her sister and how they have to work for it,” she said. Aubrey has a sister as well. “She’s older than me so it takes some working out of how our relationship works.”
New to the cast and filling the role of the older Elsa is EDHS senior Nieva Parsons, who said she can relate with Elsa’s journey.
“It’s sometimes hard to work toward my relationship with my brothers and being able to be there for them,” she explained, noting that Elsa’s transformation in the play is also something that she connects with.
“It’s been cool to see how Elsa deals with her problems and I can sort of relate that to my own life.”
Nieva said she has found a real connection to the cast as well.
“I’ve grown to love the kids and the rest of the cast,” she shared. “It’s been a really fun community to be a part of
in Rancho Cordova, has hosted the band numerous times in the last several years. In addition to comfortable indoor seating, Koreana Plaza’s International Food Court has plenty of options for food and drink to enjoy during the concert and shopping at a world class international supermarket.
The band is sponsored by the city of Rancho Cordova and is affiliated with the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association and the Association of Concert Bands. Performing an average 10 concerts a year‚ all performances are free to the public.
As a part of the band’s effort to Love Music, Share Music and Make Music, a donation to further its mission to provide music to audiences, foster musical interest among children and provide performance opportunities for skilled community musicians will gladly be accepted. The RCRCCB also is accepting nonperishable donations for the Rancho Cordova Food Locker, which has provided its truck to move the band’s equipment.
The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is a nonprofit organization made up of approximately 50 volunteer musicians. For more information visit rcconcertband.org or follow the band on Facebook.
and I really just love the production.”
EDHS senior Jon Sampson is a newcomer to theater, playing the role of rough around the edges ice salesman Kristoff.
“I think he’s fun loving but a bit serious,” said Sampson of Kristoff. “I also connect with how he talks to his pet (reindeer Sven) with the funny voice.”
Sampson discovered theater recently, having been a sports buff through most of his school tenure. However, his friends introduced him to theater and he said he is glad he found it when he did.
“The crowd I became friends with also happened to be into the arts,” he said.
“So I kind of just transitioned from sports into theater.”
He said he plans to continue doing theater whenever the opportunity arises. Noah Maitland a recent EDHS graduate plays the bad guy, Prince Hans.
“It’s a ton of fun, first playing the good guy, then the bad guy,” he said.
“The transition is fun, It’s a great time.”
Maitland is another new addition to the cast. “I’ve just been loving the production so far,” he added. “And the whole team — the cast, crew and the directors — are great.”
“Frozen Jr.” plays Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, March 17 through April 2 at Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.
“It’s been a really fun community to be a part of and I really just love the production.”
— Actress Nieva Parsons
AMENDED NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JOHN GEORGE BENAL AKA JOHN BENAL CASE NO. 22PR0256
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of JOHN GEORGE BENAL a.k.a. JOHN BENAL A PETITION for Probate has been filed by DIANA MARIE ROMANO in the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado.
THE PETITION for probate requests that DIANA MARIE ROMANO be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: April 10, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.
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.
See Adrian Bellue Project with special guest Nick Johnson, 7 p.m. at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.
March 18
The Placerville Fire Safe Council and the city of Placerville hosts Get Prepared for Wildfire Season, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 681 Main Street in Placerville. Learn about home hardening, defensible space, pet evacuation and more. For more information visit PlacervilleFSC.org.
UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Back to Basics, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. Are you brand new to gardening, but have a burning desire to learn proper practices? Have you had some gardening experience, but not much success achieving healthy plants? Master Gardener Sheri Burke will cover topics such as soil types, watering techniques, planting methods, sun/shade exposure, mulch, proper tools to use and much more. It will also address what not to do when gardening. This is a terrific class for beginners, novices or anyone who just wants to learn more.
The Swap Meet at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free. Reserve a spot in advance at eldoradocountyfair.org/swap.html.
Try your luck during Third Saturday Art Walk, 4-8 p.m. in downtown Placerville. Restaurants and shops are having specials you won’t want to miss and local galleries are offering featured artists and refreshments. Enjoy live entertainment and more art at The Wine Smith and The Green Room Social Club. Enter the free raffle to win a piece of art work. This month it’s a 14-inch canvas wrap of Mickey and Minnie with a rainbow and pot of gold from Thomas Kinkade gallery.
Gwinllan Estate hosts its blending seminar noon to 4 p.m. Those interested in learning some blending techniques and having a fun-filled day making their own personal blend are invited. To RSVP email info@gwinllanestate.com or call (530) 723-2879.
Findleton Estate and Vineyard in Camino hosts Saturday Shenanigans, noon to 4 p.m., featuring a vertical library tasting of the 2012-2015 Mourvedre and pairing it with Irish flatbread. Find the hidden leprechaun gold and trade it in for a pick from the lucky hat to win prizes and enjoy a complimentary St. Patricks Day cocktail — yes it will be green. For more information and to RSVP call (530) 391-6601.
Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery in the Pleasant Valley area hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Party with free live music, 2-5 p.m. For more information call (530) 622-7221.
Toogood Estate in Fair Play hosts a Bottle Your Own Wine weekend, March 18 & 19. No reservations required. For more information call (530) 620-1910.
Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Fair Play offers wine tasting and calls Irish pizza Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19. To make a reservation visit shadowranch.com/Events.
Achilles Wheel will perform 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
The U.S. Navy Band performs at 7 p.m. at the Cordova High
School gym, 2239 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova. The concert is free and open to the public.
Pops Chorale and Orchestra performs Big Band Pops at 7:30 p.m. March 18 and 2 p.m. March 19 at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.
Sacramento Master Singers present Songs in the Key of Life, 7 p.m. March 18 and 3 p.m. March 19 at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
March 19
Stop by the Wine Mixer at The Wine Smith, 3:30-6 p.m. and learn about Golden History Days coming to Main Street Placerville June 10, the day the Wagon Train comes through town. It will be an all-day event, celebrating the diverse cultures during the Gold Rush era and bringing back the Antique Fair. Meet the event organizers, indulge in delicious free appetizers, enjoy a no host bar and check out fabulous raffle prizes. Tepid Club of Cool will perform 5-7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
The Sacramento Symphonic Winds hosts the John Williams Spectacular at the El Camino High School Center for the Arts. The Sacramento Symphonic Winds is a 60-piece adult symphonic wind ensemble conducted by Music/Artistic Director Dr. Matthew Morse. This concert features the four movements of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Midway March,” “Hymn to the Fallen,” “Olympic Fanfare” and theme, “Superman March,” “The Cowboys” and more! Visit sacwinds.org for tickets and more information.
The Blues & Bourbon weekly series at The Starlet Room above Harlow’s in Sacramento has begun. Check out the following acts: Vanessa Collier (March 19) and Mitch Woods Rocket 88s (March 29). For more information visit harlows.com.
March 21
Master Gardener and California Native Plant Society member Kit Veerkamp will present Turning Dirt into Soil at the Cool Pilot Hill Grange. 9 a.m. to noon.
Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.
Now
The El Dorado Roses are searching for candidates to run for the 2023 El Dorado Rose. Candidates must be at least 60 years old, have lived in the county for 10 years and have many hours of volunteer service to her community. The El Dorado Rose dresses in period clothing from 1849-1910 and becomes the official hostess of El Dorado County for one year. For more information call Carole Burnley at (530) 626-4949.
Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons issues a call to artists to submit works for the 45th annual AWASH with Color juried membership show. All paintings must be entered online at client.smarterentry.com/WASH. Entry deadline is March 24 and the show runs March 28 through April 15 at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center.
The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, presents Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II through March 25. For more information visit rcmacc.org.
