Mountain Democrat, Monday, March 20, 2023

Residents fight EDH warehouse behemoth

More than 200 residents made clear their alarm regarding the recently filed conditional use permit application for two warehouses that would rival some of the largest in the nation.

The project, located just south of the El Dorado Hills Business Park on the west side of Latrobe Road and southeast of the Investment Boulevard intersection, proposes two buildings with a total footprint of roughly 1.7 million square feet, accommodating approximately 2,000 employees. Building 1 is a 3,410,399-square-foot, five-story warehouse with 57 loading docks. Plans for parking include 417 stalls for trailers and 1,750 stalls for cars. Building 2 is a 1,366,046-square-foot, single-story with 98 loading docks. Outside parking would accommodate 475 trailers and 1,160 cars. Guard houses, pump enclosures and other accessory structures bring the combined square footage total to just under 4.8 million.

Plans for the 208-acre property, owned by Winn Ridge Investments LLC of Winn Communities, were presented at last week’s El Dorado Hills Area Planning Advisory Committee meeting. Referred to as Project Frontier, the tenant has signed NDAs requiring that their anonymity remain intact for the time being, though residents speculate an Amazon facility is planned for the site.

County General Plan codes allow “wholesale storage and distribution” use within the parcel’s Research and Development Industrial zoning but puts a 50-foot cap on building heights. At 110 feet, Building 1 exceeds this limit and is the main subject of the project’s application.

George Condon of Dermody Properties indicated that the excess height is mitigated by existing topography, significant setbacks, sound walls and landscaping that includes more than 1,500 trees. “We’ve tried to position the buildings so that the trucks’ courts are shielded from the school nearby and from the residents as well,” he said, describing setbacks of more than 500 feet, despite zoning ordinances of only 20 feet. The topography of the site slopes down from Latrobe Road, putting the

Betting big on Broadway

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

There’s an old — think 700s A.D. — farming technique that leaves a field unplanted, or fallow, for a season or two to increase crop output in the future. If the same holds true for business, the Carriage Trade Shopping Center on Broadway in Placerville is soon to exit its fallow era, with big changes poised to take root.

The shopping center, currently home to Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree, has played

Winter storms create promising conditions for salmon survival

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Anticipating good conditions for the survival of hatchery-produced Chinook salmon throughout the Sacramento River and tributaries, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will release both spring and fall-run Chinook during the historic rain and snowfall the state is experiencing.

Several releases have already happened and others are planned over the next few weeks to utilize good in-river habitat conditions for these young salmon.

On Feb. 23, with a series of latewinter storms building, CDFW staff released approximately 1.1 million fall-run Chinook salmon fry into the American River at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery below Folsom Lake. These Chinook

salmon are part of a pilot study testing new genetic-based tagging techniques that if successful, will allow more flexibility in fish release strategies to take advantage of natural high-flow events in the future.

It was the first release of fall-run Chinook into the American River in more than three years. Since

n See RenovationS, page A6 n See

n See Salmon, page A6

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

The Carriage Trade Shopping Center on Broadway will soon get $11 million in improvements and a new name.

Developer Leonard Grado is aiming to bring more business to upper Broadway. Renovations are expected to be completed by spring 2024.

An elevation plan depicts a new look for the shopping center. Harbor Feight is expected to arrive in September.

“If it had been disclosed to us that a megadistribution center was going to be built, we would have had serious reservations on buying our retirement home there.”

— Roger Bailey, Heritage Village resident

behemoth, page A3

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

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

Janet Joanne Valladao

Swart

May 1, 1944 – Feb. 23, 2023

Janet is survived by husband Ralph Swart; daughters

Kimberly Swart Embree (Gary); and Melissa Swart Weikel (Mark); grandchildren Andrew Swart (Heather), Jordan Embree, Mariah Embree Hildebrandt (Eric), Logan Embree & Bethany Embree; brother David Blalock; & sister Roxine Johnson. Read full obituary & leave remembrances @ greenvalleymortuary.com

Diane Marie Zaun

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.

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.

FUNERAL NOTICE

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

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Lawrence Joseph Gaschler, Sr.

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.

4:36

on Mt. Aukum Road in Somerset. He was listed in custody.

7:01 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Delos Lane in Placerville.

8:08 p.m. Battery was reported at a convenience store on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. March 7 12:01 p.m. Burglary was reported on Merchant Circle in Placerville.

12:05 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:06 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an EID facility on Francisco Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:39 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a storage facility on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

4:37 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Foxmore Lane in Rescue.

5:17 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Aberdeen Lane in El Dorado Hills.

6:45 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Volcanoville Road in Georgetown.

March 8

4:50 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Ranken Place.

11:22 a.m. Battery was reported on Montero Road in Cameron Park.

12:18 p.m. Battery was reported on Highway 49 in El Dorado.

12:49 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Jackrabbit Drive in Placerville.

5:13 p.m. Battery was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

7:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of grand theft, burglary and postrelease violations on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

7:43 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of possession of narcotics and unlawful drug paraphernalia and felony probation violations on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

9:19 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 54-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

10:51 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

March 9

7:48 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 20-year-old woman suspected of battery on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park. She was released on $5,000 bail.

10:44 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 60-year-old man suspected of felony probation violations on South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody.

11:34 a.m. Deputies booked into

LAKE LEVELS

jail a 46-year-old man suspected of grand theft, vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle on Highway 193 (location not specified). He was released on $25,000 bail.

12:01 p.m. Battery was reported on St. Garth Way in Shingle Springs.

1:22 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Howard Circle in Diamond Springs.

2:07 p.m. Robbery was reported at a motel on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

6:21 p.m. Grand theft was reported at an apartment complex on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park.

7:45 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 69-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 49 at the quarry. He was later released.

10:15 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of DUI on Latrobe Road in Latrobe. He was later released.

10:49 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was released on $7,500 bail.

March 10

12:11 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was later released.

2:52 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Montridge Way in El Dorado Hills.

8:17 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of burglary and driving on a suspended license on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. She was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

9:28 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Saddlehill Road in Placerville. He was later released.

March 11

3:10 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) on Highway 50 at Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,500 bail.

3:38 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Greenstone Road in Placerville.

9:31 a.m. Burglary was reported at an apartment complex on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

12:23 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Trailside Drive in El Dorado Hills.

4:30 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 23-year-old man suspected of DUI on Lotus Road in Placerville. He was later released.

10:46 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance and a felony parole violation on Arch Lane in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

base of the taller building at 33 feet below Latrobe Road.

Condon noted benefits the project would offer such as employment and sales and property tax revenue for El Dorado Hills and the surrounding community, forecasting 1,500-2,000 local jobs.

Residents, however, were less sanguine. Noise and light pollution, public health, environmental impacts of diesel exhaust, falling property values, wildlife safety, preservation of Native American artifacts and traffic were all concerns voiced by those primarily from the neighboring communities of Blackstone and Heritage Village.

As to traffic, Condon maintains that the project would not only incur 80% fewer total daily trips than the General Plan models, but create less morning and evening traffic due to off-peak start times. The General Plan predicts 23,540 daily automobile and truck trips for this site whereas Condon claims their traffic study shows the warehouses generate a mere 5,058 daily trips, or 1,250 truck trips, and 3,808 employee trips. A widening of Latrobe Road, signalization of Latrobe Road at Royal Oaks Drive, as well as restriping and extra lanes on Highway 50 is also planned.

He was unable to specify hours of operation but pointed out that no zoning restriction exists, allowing for 24/7 operations. “

They schedule the bulk of their deliveries outside of peak traffic hours,” Condon explained. “Rather than clogging up the roadways when everybody is trying to get kids to school, the user’s peak is scheduled off the community’s peak hours.”

In a letter addressing a lengthy list of questions from the APAC subcommittee, Dermody representatives stated acoustical analyses concluded that worst-case sound emissions would comply with county standards.

“The addition of traffic from the project is not expected to have a negative impact on the area given the existing noise levels from traffic along Latrobe Road and Highway 50,” reads the letter.

Speaking on environmental issues, resident Marty Abell urged more oversight.

“I find it preposterous that this project move forward without an EIR,” he said, calling for official certification ensuring the adequacy of prior reports. An environmental consultant is currently preparing a California Environmental Quality Act consistency analysis as per CEQA guidelines, which will be reviewed by county staff and made available to the public.

Condon noted lights from the project’s parking lot areas should measure no greater than 1 foot-candle

nor spread beyond the property line more than about 10 feet.

“There are no light fixtures that are shining light outward or upward,” he said. “It’s all down at the fringes of the property for safety only.”

Blackstone resident Richard Perrin remained skeptical.

“We live in a very dimly lit community and we love it for that,” he commented. “When you start talking about bringing in a five-story building, you’ll block our views; you’re adding light pollution.”

Others warned of truck headlights shining into their homes.

“When the cars leave our site, we can’t speak to that,” responded Condon.

Responding to worries of diesel fumes, Condon asserted that although California law limits idling to 5 minutes, a number of his projects have reduced the limit to 3 minutes.

Blackstone resident Matt Taliaferro echoed many in his unease with the magnitude of the structures, “To put this mass in perspective, the Amazon facility constructed adjacent to the Sacramento International Airport is only 855,000 square feet, not footprint but total.”

Condon noted there are several significantly larger centers in development, citing a 14 million square foot warehouse in Arizona and one in Southern California that totals 30 million square feet.

“The Sacramento metropolitan area was the focus of the client’s search,” he said. “This was the only site that fit the parameters of their building requirements. It’s the zoning of the property, the size of the property and the surrounding labor pool.” No other sites were considered.

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl has long been aware of and sought to change the proximity of industrial and residential land parcels in zoning.

“The 2004 county General Plan and subsequent incremental annual updates have failed to address a major land use deficiency related to buffering,” said Hidahl. “This is the root cause of some of the issues we face across the entire county, including the incompatibility of primarily residential use property being adjacent to agricultural lands.”

Meanwhile, Roger Bailey is one Heritage Village resident who is now second-guessing his decision to relocate.

“If it had been disclosed to us that a mega-distribution center was going to be built, we would have had serious reservations on buying our retirement home there,” he admitted.

The project’s CUP application is anticipated to be completed in spring/ summer 2023. No construction start date has been determined. If the CUP is approved by county zoning administrators, opponents may file an appeal to the Board of Supervisors for re-evaluation.

Dollar General delivery drivers advised of route

District 4 Supervisor’s Office

News release

In a letter dated March 8 from Dollar General attorney Colbie K. Taylor to El Dorado County’s Director of Planning and Building Karen L. Garner, Dollar General management detailed the plan it has to resolve the problems of over-length Dollar General trucks driving from Interstate 80 via Highway 49 to Cool.

The letter states drivers will be given strict instructions communicating the permitted route (Highway 49 from Highway 50), as well as notice to avoid the non-permitted route (via Highway 49 from Interstate 80). These instructions will advise drivers

crime log

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

March 1

1:22 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at a business on Broadway.

March 2

3:33 a.m. A burglary was reported at a business on Placerville Drive.

7:31 a.m. Officers arrested a 51-yearold man on suspicion of drugrelated offenses and a probation violation on Forni Road.

7:15 p.m. Officers arrested a

that if they go the unpermitted route, they will get stuck.

Last year Garner reached out to Dollar General warehouse management to urge compliance with county conditions of approval for deliveries.

Dollar General will be restricting truck sizes from a 53-foot trailer to a 28-foot trailer, continues the letter, in an attempt to prevent a truck from getting stuck in the event the driver travels the unpermitted route. Dollar General will be requiring confirmation from carriers that they understand the restrictions regarding deliveries to this location. Dollar General will be periodically monitoring drivers’ routes to ensure drivers comply.

38-year-old woman who allegedly refused to follow commands while they were trying to arrest a man on Forni Road.

10:04 p.m. Officers arrested a 36-year-old man who had a felony warrant on Forni Road.

March 3

12:37 p.m. Officers arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Broadway.

March 4

3:21 p.m. Officers arrested a

29-year-old man who allegedly threatened to kill a person in a vehicle on Meridian Court. The suspect also had a warrant out for his arrest.

March 5

3:21 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Crescent Street.

March 6

7:46 a.m. Officers arrested a 48-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence on a controlled substance on Broadway.

Graphic courtesy of Lucy & Company

At 110 feet, one of the proposed buildings exceeds the zoning cap of 50 feet but the topography of the site slopes down from Latrobe Road, putting the base of the taller building at 33 feet below Latrobe Road.

California Commentary

By all means, let’s talk about those ‘junk fees’

In last month’s State of the Union address, President Joe Biden chose to spend an inordinate amount of time on matters that most Americans don’t care about. Not much was said about the important issues of border security, inflation, crime or China’s surveillance balloon that traversed over the entire U.S. before — belatedly — our Commander in Chief decided that it should be shot down.

One of the more trivial topics that Biden focused on is so-called “junk fees.” He urged Congress to pass a new “Junk Fee Prevention Act” which would curtail extra fees on the sale of online entertainment tickets; certain airline fees; early termination fees for TV, phone and internet service; and resort and destination fees.

To be sure, these add-on charges can be annoying, but there is a huge difference between whether such fees should be disclosed in advance (they should) or whether banning such fees is government overreach at its worst. As noted by the Wall Street Journal in a Feb. 13 editorial (The Junk Economics of “Junk Fee” Politics), prohibitions of additional services at higher costs actually reduces consumer choice. Even worse, it “will result in higher prices or fewer services for lower income Americans.”

Not to be outdone, California’s progressive politicians quickly jumped on the Biden “junk fee” bandwagon, introducing several bills targeting what they claim are either deceptive or excessive charges imposed by private businesses. For example, SB 611 (Senator Caroline Menjivar, D–Panorama City/San Fernando Valley) would require landlords to clearly state to potential renters what their up-front and monthly payments will be, including all required fees, to rent the apartment. But, under current law, this information is already required to be disclosed by the landlord.

Another, AB 1222 (Tina McKinnor, D–Inglewood) purports to provide greater transparency by ensuring that rental car companies quote rental rates that contain the entire amount, including all applicable taxes and additional fees or charges, necessary to rent the vehicle. But, like SB 611, this bill is more posturing than substantive. As anyone who has booked a rental car knows the amount of the charge is clearly disclosed prior to the rental.

More insidious is SB 680 (Senator Nancy Skinner, D–Berkeley) which would prohibit auto dealers from charging above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for electric vehicles. All this bill would accomplish would be to ensure that highly popular vehicles in limited supply would be shipped to other states where a market-based sales price could be negotiated. If the goal is to put more

The

Balancing Act

Letters to the Editor

Green waste

EDITOR:

To the Placerville City Council, I appreciate your environmentally friendly efforts such as the implementation of organic waste collection. However, in some circumstances, this is creating an undue burden. Specifically, for my elderly father who is 91. He lives in a senior living community in a single-family dwelling. However, they do not have yards, rather landscaped areas in between houses. They do not have a green waste container because the landscaped areas are maintained by a landscape company. Because there is not a backyard for their garbage cans, they are required to keep their trash receptacles in their garages.

The organic waste is only picked up every other week. My father diligently saves food scrapes into the biodegradable bags (that he now must purchase on his fixed income). In addition to the smell, we are concerned about maggots and rats getting into the organic waste receptacle in the garage, especially in the heat of summer. To mitigate this problem, my father is placing the biodegradable bags in his freezer to hold them until the night before the garbage is picked up. This not only takes up room in his freezer but may be unsanitary as well.

I hope that you can appreciate the level of inconvenience and safety concern this is placing on this elderly population and that you will strive to accommodate their special circumstances. I understand there are exceptions for rural communities; perhaps an exception should be granted for communities such as this.

GAIL PRUDHOE Rocklin

Too much focus on race EDITOR:

Why is it that someone who is half Black is called a “Black” person? Some notable examples are Tiger Woods, Patrick Mahomes and Barack Obama. Tiger was touted as the first great Black golfer, although his mother is Japanese. Why wasn’t he referred to as a Japanese golfer?

Patrick Mahomes’ mother is white, but he made a big deal about the latest Super Bowl as the first one to feature two Black starting quarterbacks. Barack Obama was touted as the first Black president even

though his mother is caucasian.

Didn’t Martin Luther King dream that people would be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character?

Tiger Woods is a great golfer and Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback currently playing in the NFL. Barack Obama is one of the most intelligent presidents in history (true whether you agree with his politics or not). Many features of their DNA led to the success experienced by all three of these men. The fact that they had fathers who were of African descent certainly contributed, but should that be the overriding characteristic describing them?

When we citizens can talk about an individual in terms of their abilities, achievements, character or contributions to society without regard to their ethnic heritage, we will be a much better country.

JACK JORDAN Somerset

Were voters duped on Prop. 1?

EDITOR:

Apoll by the Associated Press, which was reported June 25, 2021, showed that 80% of Americans said abortion should be illegal in the third trimester of pregnancy.

California’s Proposition 1 (2022) made it legal to perform abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy. That means that you can kill a baby in the birth canal. Prop. 1 also means you can kill bigger babies (5 pounds and more) in the womb, even six weeks before the delivery date.

How was Prop. 1 phrased? It was phrased as the constitutional right to a woman’s reproductive freedom. Who would want to oppose a woman’s constitutional right? Who would want to oppose a woman’s freedom? Who would want to oppose a woman’s health care?

Then-Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, a Rocklin Republican, asked if the amendment would overrule a California law that generally prohibits abortions after fetal viability and instead allows them “up until the moment of birth.”

Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, a Corona Democrat, answered, “This bill just ensures that all Californians enjoy reproductive freedoms and that they have the ability to make these decisions themselves.” Cervantes did not answer Kiley’s question. She

n See letters, page A5

Biden’s inflation caused this round of bank failures

Inflation is the rate of price increases reported on a percentage basis. The most common cause of inflation is an increase in the money supply, which can happen in a number of ways. The most common way is deficit spending by the federal government which has been going on in spades over the last two years, to the tune of about $5 trillion — money the federal government doesn’t have. The feds do it by borrowing, issuing Treasury Bills. This is a direct increase in the money supply.

Now you have more money chasing the same amount of goods. When demand goes up without an increase in the supply of goods and services, prices go up.

There are other ways to increase the money supply such as reducing bank reserve requirements for making loans. That is not the case here. Bank reserve requirements, if anything,

have gone up. Interest rates aren’t the result of inflation but an indication of inflation. Interest rates are the direct cost of money. In this case, $5 trillion in government borrowing has significantly increased the demand for money and the cost for borrowing that money goes up — as reflected by higher interest rates.

So how did rising interest rates cause Silicon Valley Bank to go insolvent? We’ll discuss two factors.

SVB made loans to, among others, venture capitalist firms that funded new, high-tech business ventures entrepreneurs who were going to solve global warming. Many of these risky loans went bad. But the main cause of the default was rapidly increasing interest rates. Banks are required to have very secure investments as part of their reserves. So banks, including SVB, invest in long term T-Bills. SVB bought mostly 10-year T-bills a couple

SVB made loans to, among others, venture capitalist firms that funded new, high-tech business ventures entrepreneurs who were going to solve global warming. many of these risky loans went bad.

of years ago when they were paying as little as 1% in interest. Two years later T-Bills are paying 4%. When T-Bill interest rates go up the T-Bills that paid you low rates go down in value as their mark to market value has depreciated. Now those two-yearold, 10-year T-Bills may be worth only 60-80 cents on the face value. And that’s the problem SVB faces; its reserve assets aren’t worth near their book value, its loan portfolio also had losses and so its liabilities (customer deposits) exceed assets.

Capital reserve requirements have strengthened since the 2008-09 market “crash” and those stronger reserve requirements have sunk SVB as its reserves have shrunk in value so much that the value of reserves are insufficient to meet current banking requirements. The FDIC has taken

over the SVB.

For depositors, under FDIC insurance, each account is insured up to $250,000. The balance of those accounts is uninsured and at risk.

According to reports, approximately 90% of depositors’ money is uninsured. Some SVB non-business depositors had accounts in excess of $10 million and some SVB business clients such as ROKU had accounts and investments nearing $500 million. This bank collapse could wipe out some large businesses, a ripple if not a wave effect.

FDIC officials said it has the assets that should allow a full payoff of all deposits and have not restricted any account funds of depositors as SVB is open for business under FDIC

n See Weitzman page A5

LArry WEiTzmAn

n See COupal, page A5

Coupal Continued from A4 EVs on the road in California, this bill could easily have the opposite effect.

Even a cursory review of the half dozen or so bills targeting “junk fees” exposes that most are simply posing as solutions without any real impact or substance. Those that are substantive are more likely to produce unintended consequences at best or, at worse, outcomes that are the exact opposite of what they claim.

But, if the California Legislature is serious about “junk fees,” we have an idea. Let’s go after all the extraneous fees, charges and assessments imposed by government that frequently do no good nor provide any benefit to taxpayers or ratepayers. The list is endless.

Fees imposed by the state include lumber “fees” imposed on all retail sales of most wood products, Electronic Waste Recycling Fee, Energy Resources Surcharges, California Tire Fee, Natural Gas Surcharges (because the price of natural gas apparently isn’t high enough), Marine Invasive Species Fee, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee (imposed on businesses that don’t produce products containing lead) and literally hundreds of additional fees.

Local governments are notorious for imposing a myriad of miscellaneous fees usually disconnected from any benefits conferred on taxpayers. For example, some local governments are imposing “vacant lot” fees based on the theory that vacant properties need to be “inspected” periodically. These fees are imposed whether any inspections ever occur.

The same is true of other “inspection fees” such as rental housing fees and fire inspection fees.

California homeowners are all too familiar with “junk fees” every year when they receive their property tax bills. On top of the regular property tax, limited to 1% thanks to Proposition 13, homeowners see a list of “below the line” items that include flood control assessments, lighting and landscaping assessments, Mello-Roos taxes (in many neighborhoods) and a litany of other miscellaneous fees, charges, taxes and assessments.

California taxpayers hope that, as the Legislature pursues what it labels as “junk fees,” it gives at least as much attention to government imposed excessive fees. Such fees are a much bigger threat to the economic well-being of citizens than those imposed by airlines or Ticketmaster.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Letters Continued from A4

Weitzman Continued from A4 management — for now. FDIC said no taxpayer money will be involved in SVB’s losses. That remains to be seen. FDIC insurance rates will go up and sound banks will pay for the action of this bank, which means consumers will be left holding the bag.

Another large, regional bank failed in the last couple of days, Signature Bank (same cause as SVB) and several banks, while strong in reserves, have had their stock go in the basement by 75%. First Republic Bank is facing a run on its deposits, even though the FDIC says it is secure in its reserves. Western Alliance Bancorp is in the same boat as First Republic. Maybe by the time you read this column, we will know much more.

The bottom line — these bank failures are the result of massive amounts of deficit spending by the federal government, which has been the direct cause of inflation and the sudden, massive increase in interest rates. And Biden’s new budget proposal has another $2.9 trillion in deficit spending. Things are going to get a lot worse.

Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville. danced around it. She obfuscated it. She made the proposition sound as American as apple pie. This is likely how voters were deceived by politicians (including Gov. Newsom) in their promotion of this proposition. I believe the politicians and other proponents knew that if they told the voters the truth, voters would not have voted to approve this proposition.

CURT WEIDMER, MD, MPH

Former EDC Health Officer (1974-1993)

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/

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

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

Rooftop snow load costly

Ashleigh Goodwin

Tahoe Daily Tribune

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office is warning against price gouging for snow removal, which is illegal under the governor’s emergency declaration that came March 9 following weeks of severe weather.

Meyers resident Li Terrell told the Tahoe Daily Tribune she got sticker shock after receiving a price quote to remove snow from her roof.

“The quotes for snow removal are phenomenally over the top, $5,200 for a one story

1,100-square-foot home, and I only needed half removed,” she said.

“Price gouging for snow removal and other goods and services is illegal and we will hold you accountable,” reads a statement from the DA’s Office. “Penal Code 396(b) says, in part, ‘for a period of 30 days following that proclamation or declaration, it is unlawful for a person, contractor, business or other entity to sell or offer to sell any consumer food items, goods or services … for a price of more than 10% greater than the price charged by that person for those goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency, or prior to a date set in the proclamation or declaration.’”

Just how much 1 square foot of snow weighs is a question snow removal employees say is often an oversight when considering the cost of removal. The risk is another.

With the storm train leaving foot on foot of snow, system after system, soaking rains in March brought a downpour and created solid, heavy Sierra cement.

One snow removal worker told the Tribune, “We are now pushing blocks that can weigh anywhere between 100 and 250 pounds. And now with these ginormous blocks, we also have to worry about getting it/keeping it away

from your windows or your sliding glass door on your porch, it’s not just simple snow removal anymore,” said Raymond Weston McElwain, who declined to give his employer’s name.

Snow removal crews advise residents to have snow removed after each storm system rather than waiting to remove snow from several storms all at once because of its weight.

Local business owner and longtime resident Kenny Curtzwiler, of K&K Services, said not all the snow has to be removed from roofs, just enough to remove excess weight that may stress the structure.

“We charge $425 an hour for six or seven guys,” Curtzwiler said.

Even those who have kept their roof maintained through the past few months are finding ice dams causing leaks that lead to a whole host of secondary issues.

To make matters more murky, some say the total damage won’t be revealed until the snow melts completely.

Natalie Johnson, who has lived in Meyers for more than two decades, is worried about being dropped by her insurance for escalating repair costs.

“We have had three ice dams, two of which leaked water all the way down to the first floor of the house,” Johnson said. She added that while she’s grateful insurance has been responsive she’s fearful repairs will run into the thousands of dollars, causing issues with maintaining her coverage.

the spring of 2020, drought conditions have forced trucking of Nimbus Fish Hatchery juvenile salmon to points within the San Francisco and San Pablo bays. These 1.1 million fish are in addition to the normal 4 million smolts released annually from Nimbus Hatchery for mitigation and are also in addition to the 500,000 in increased production scheduled for 2023 to help offset losses to in-river production caused by drought.

CDFW expects survival rates for these Chinook salmon to be very high given the increased flows and to see the benefits of these early releases three years from now when the adults return to complete their lifecycle.

This week, CDFW will release 250,000 fall-run Chinook salmon from the Feather River Hatchery. These fish are part of the 3.1 million fish that were raised above and beyond the hatchery mitigation requirement. They will be taken to the Sutter Bypass for release, where they can directly enter rearing habitat resulting from rainfall the region experienced in early March.

The expectation is these fish will be able to utilize this habitat to grow to smolt size before entering the

Delta and heading toward the ocean. An additional 900,000 of these 3.1 million fish will be released in the Feather River in early April as presmolts when favorable conditions are expected to continue based on current snowpack and reservoir conditions.

The remaining 2.9 million additional fish as well as the 6 million mitigation fall-run Chinook, will be trucked to the San Pablo and San Francisco Bays as smolts for release.

This week will also be the start of the annual spring-run Chinook salmon releases in the Feather River from the hatchery. Over the course of the next few weeks approximately two million spring-run Chinook salmon will be released at several release locations along the Feather River. The favorable conditions in the Feather River and bypasses should provide good rearing habitat allowing these fish to grow and increase survival rates.

“By putting these fish out into the river now, they are going to experience the natural environment of our rivers as natural-origin fish would and will be able to take advantage of the high flows we’re getting with these storms,” said Jay Rowan, who oversees CDFW’s Fisheries Branch.

The developer is in talks with business owners to fill the remaining 10 or so shop spaces that will be available. Local artist Warren Dayton will design a triptych of murals that will adorn the exterior wall of Grocery Outlet.

Courtesy graphic

Continued from A1

resident of El Dorado County, has chosen to take on the center as his next project with the hopes of breathing life back into the east end of town.

Properties and a longtime

“It’s not necessarily the best project

for me, from an economic standpoint, but I think it’s well worth the investment to make that end of the community nicer,” Grado said. “I’ve lived here since ’85 — been here for 37 years — and I live at that end of town. I just don’t want to see that end of Placerville diminished.”

Grado’s Apple Farm Place LLC is investing around $11.5 million into the shopping center’s potential renaissance. The project will be a nearcomprehensive revitalization effort, with exterior and interior renovation, new signage, a new layout and a new name — Apple Farm Place. The design for the remodel was drafted with the assistance of local consultants Brian Wickert, as architect and Bobbie Lebeck covering civil engineering.

Grado noted nearby Schnell School Road is the first exit motorists can take to get to Apple Hill. “We’re going to be calling it Apple Farm Place to really connect to the Apple Hill community.”

Apple Farm Place’s connection to El Dorado County as a whole will be writ large with the help of local artist Warren Dayton, who will design a triptych of murals depicting the county from east to west. The murals will adorn the exterior wall of Grocery Outlet.

Dollar Tree and Grocery Outlet ownership have both established their intent to remain at the center,

according to Grado, and they will soon have a new neighbor. A Harbor Freight Tool will be coming to Broadway, with Grado expecting to have the space ready for them by the end of September.

Between those three stores as a draw and an advantageous location near on and off ramps from Highway 50, Grado is already in talks with national and local business owners to fill the remaining 10 or so shop spaces that will be available. Brokerage for the spaces is being handled by Jon Schultz of CBRE Sacramento.

More food options may soon be ready to order as well — Apple Farm Place plans include construction of a restaurant pad in the parking lot near Dollar Tree. The location of the nowclosed Jed’s Mexican American Grill may be converted into a commercial or “ghost” kitchen that could be utilized by caterers or food trucks to prepare food.

The parking lot of the center has long served as a staging area for many of Placerville’s parades, and Grado intends to not break with that tradition. A provision in the contract with Harbor Freight stipulates that the parking lot will be made available for parade preparation use.

Plans for the project are expected to be delivered to the planning commission mid-April. By Grado’s estimation, the project should be fully complete by spring 2024.

Salmon Continued from A1 Renovations

CDFW staff released approximately 1.1 million fallrun Chinook salmon

Photo courtesy of Raymond Weston McElwain Nate Breeze and Ethan Devore clear a roof in South Lake Tahoe.

In the KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to the following students from El Dorado Hills who were named to the fall 2022 Baylor University Dean’s List: Madelynn Carey, Desiray Daniels and Katy Underwood.

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.

March 22

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with guest speaker

Auditor-Controller Joe Harn at Los Pinos, 3420 Palmer Drive in Cameron Park. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.

March 23

Oak Ridge Theatre arts presents “Clue: On Stage” March 23-25 at the ORHS theater in El Dorado Hills. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.

Dust in My Coffee will perform 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Swell Productions and the Sacramento Blues Society present the second annual Little Charlie Baty Celebration Concert featuring Rick Estrin & The Nightcats with special guests Anson Funderburgh and Rusty Zinn. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at Harlow’s in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit harlows. com.

March 24

The 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 regarding Sherwood Demonstration Garden or your personal garden. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

Theatre at the Mine presents “Be More Chill” at Union Mine High School in El Dorado March 24 & 25. For more information visit facebook.com/ TheatreUMHS.

Oak Ridge High School hosts TrojanJam, 5-7 p.m. in the ORHS large gym. Staff (old school) with face off against students (new legacy) in a basketball game and 50% of proceeds will go to MJ’s Project, which supports local, at-risk teens. Admission is $5.

The Neon Moon Band will perform 5-8 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery, 3544 Carson Road in Camino.

Live music at Red Hawk

Courtesy photo

Sierra Wildlife Rescue helps rehabilitate and releases injured wildlife. In the spring baby animals, like these kits, above, and baby birds, below, are especially at risk and require a lot of attention and supplies.

shower sierra wildlife Rescue with much-needed donations

News release

Animal lovers are invited to bring gifts to Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s annual Wildlife Baby Showers. The drive-thru events will accept cash, checks or items the center desperately needs to care for injured wildlife, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26, and 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, April 2, at the rescue’s facility, 777 Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.

How to help

1. Drop off wish list items during the drive-thru event. Volunteers will meet donors at their vehicles and collect the items. Items on the Sierra Wildlife Rescue Wish List include indoor/outdoor carpets of any size, multi-purpose printable copy paper, hammock beds, cuddle beds, Kaytee Exact formula for baby birds, LaFeber’s Avi-Era bird vitamins, Wellness CORE regular kitten formula, dry food in 5-pound bags, jars of baby food but (none with fruit, beef or ham) — chicken, turkey, orange and green veggies are ideal. And there is so much more to list. Visit sierrawildliferescue.org/ways-to-help.

2. Send in a much-appreciated monetary donation by check or go online and donate through PayPal. Sierra Wildlife Rescue volunteers rehab and release foxes, coyotes, bobcats, water fowl, opossums, squirrels, owls and other raptors, song birds, doves, pigeons and more.

Last year the nonprofit helped more than 1,500 local wildlife. Tax deductible donations are necessary to keep the organization in action. For more details information call (530) 621-2650.

Local administrators receive awards

Dina Gentry

EDC Office of Education

The Association of California School Administrators

Region 2 hosted a March 10 gala at the Catta Verdera Country Club in Lincoln, celebrating Region 2 Administrators of the Year.

ACSA Region 2 represents educational leaders from the Northern California counties of Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter and Yuba. Several administrators from the local El Dorado Chapter were recognized.

“The educational leaders recognized here tonight represent professionalism and dedication to students and families of El Dorado County and beyond,” said El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala. “I’m honored to work alongside them and thank them for their steadfast focus on

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

Alias Brass ensemble to perform in placerville

News release

El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s fifth concert of its 70th season will feature the Alias Brass Company Tuesday, March 21.

Described as “the only name for music innovation” by Martin Hackleman, formerly of the Empire and Canadian Brass, the Alias Brass Company founded in 2013 is a collaboration of five uniquely talented artists and educators from across the nation.

The Alias Brass Company’s performances are comprised of standards and original compositions, along with concepts that blend virtuosic musicianship with a high level of entertainment.

From baroque and classical, to jazz and pop, the Alias Brass Company’s shows are a sure-fire hit; chamber music of the future with something for everyone. All El Dorado County Community Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be performed at the Placerville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6831

Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. Non-members may attend for $25 at the door ($10 per student). Seating is limited and El Dorado County Community Concert Association members are seated first. Only cash and checks are accepted at the door (no credit/debit cards).

To learn more about the association and how to become a member call (530) 556-9498 and/or visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com.

Visitors to the site can also click on the artist’s website for a sampling of the group’s music.

The El Dorado County Community Concert Association is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. Dedicated members donate many hours of their time and talents to keep administrative costs low. The association’s vision is to keep quality music alive for future generations in El Dorado County, accomplished through a variety of community and student outreach programs. Donations, in excess of season memberships, are gratefully accepted and are tax-deductible.

the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 SUDOkU Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.

n TODAy

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a roadblock ahead. Take note, but don’t agonize about it. What’s inside you is bigger than what’s ahead of you. Assess the situation so you can settle into strategizing. That’s the fun part.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Worry is like salt. You only need a little to improve the dish of your day. A dash will move you to action. Create a list of possible solutions. You’ll be glad you were smart enough to let a little worry in.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s time to question your assumptions again. This is a bit of a mind game, and it will help to get the opinion of an outside observer or, even better, advice from several diverse sources.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You can be on your own side and still want to change. To wish for your own growth isn’t an act of self-rejection unless you spin it that way. You’ll evolve faster when you accept yourself and build on what you already love.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your success secret is objectivity. Refrain from judgment. If you can listen objectively to everything, including your own thoughts, you’ll find answers. You’ll refine a technique or improve the available tools.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your intellect will get a

CCP connects through Nugget scrip program

Jessica Trumble-Pitel EDC Office of Education

vigorous and joyous workout today as a strong desire to learn and explore new ideas meets your willingness to ask questions. New insights and discoveries abound.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll push yourself. Because you work harder to improve, you will. You may go backward before you go forward again, but by this time next month you’ll have made a notable difference.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). People will love to hear the thinking behind your plans, especially when you put it into a short, punchy story. Speed up the exposition, leave out the boring details and expand on the fun bits.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have that elusive quality called grit. You don’t see it because it’s so much a part of you; you assume it comes with your human DNA. Not necessarily. Your powers of perseverance are remarkable.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Do what you love for long enough to be in a good mood over it. Joy is contagious and touches every part of your life as well as the lives of others. When you’re having fun being you, relationships improve.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It’s not enough just to survive. What about excitement, connection and fun? What about glamour, art, sportsmanship, intellectual prowess? What about adventure? Pick the category that most appeals and focus your whole being there for a few hours.

El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep announces the formation of a new community scrip program related to connecting food, school and community within greater Sacramento and Northern California. Nugget Market was initially formed in Woodland in 1926 and has continued to expand within the Sacramento, foothills and Bay Area regions. Nugget Market has a passion for connecting local food with residents to promote health and togetherness. Priding itself on sourcing food within a 100-mile radius of each of its stores.

Nugget Market mission states, “We are a family of dedicated people with a love of food and a passion for excellent service.” Such ideals strongly resonate with CCP and the aspirations for students, families and community.

Courtesy photo A Nugget Market employee distributes scrip cards.

staff and community members to utilize a registered community scrip card before purchasing groceries. A portion of the purchases

of groceries bought monthly through the community scrip program will

Courtesy photo

Alias Brass brings together talented musicians from across the country who perform great music together. See the group live in Placerville March 21.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

COMiCS

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Yesterday needn’t take up too much of today. You handle things when they happen, as completely as possible. This is how you keep your days fresh and clean. Every morning is a fresh start.

Grant offered for tech

News release

The El Dorado Community Foundation announces the Hearts & Minds Education Technology Fund grant for student technology programs. The fund’s mission is: “To provide students in El Dorado County with technology and tools necessary for success in the 21st century with an emphasis on vocational education and hands-on experiences for youth on the Western Slope.”

Since its inception, this fund has provided grant awards totaling more than $140,000 to more than 85 programs. The variety of those awards

have included such items as: wood shop tools, technological equipment, electric kilns, electronic balances, high density document cameras and iPads.

Grant proposals of up to $2,500 from schools and nonprofits that provide “student-used” technology education are now being accepted through an online application at app. smarterselect.com/programs/87194El-Dorado-Community-Foundation.

The deadline for submission is midnight on April 3. More detailed information is available on the website or contact Foundation Program O cer Kathy Haven at kathy@eldoradocf.org.

Nominate a great senior

News release

Do you know an outstanding older adult or a married couple aged 60 years or older who has performed exemplary work in El Dorado County as a volunteer? Consider nominating them for the Senior of the Year. The annual award will be presented by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors May 16 at the board chambers, 330 Fair Lane in Placerville, and is hosted by the El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging and the Commission on Aging.

Nominees for the Senior of the Year award must be El Dorado County residents with active community volunteer service within the last two years. The award is given each year to either an individual senior or a married senior couple who have performed exemplary volunteer work. Nomination forms are available at the Placerville Senior Center or online at edcgov.us/HumanServices.

Nominee submissions must be received by April 21. For more information call (530) 621-6255 or email star.walker@edcgov.us.

Awards Continued from B1

assistant, Human Resources, El Dorado County Office of Education

Category: Continuation/Educational Options

Administrator: Michael Gillespie, executive director, Charter Alternative Programs, El Dorado County Office of Education

Category: Middle Grades Principal: Mary Beal, principal, Herbert Green Middle School, Mother Lode Union School District

Category: Sam LaCara Administrator: Ron Carruth, superintendent, El Dorado Union High School District

ACSA is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving more than 17,000 California educators. ACSA’s top priority is advocating for public school students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adult learners. Its mission is to be the driving force for an equitable, world-class education system, and the development and support of inspired educational leaders who meet the diverse needs of all California students. For more information about ACSA, Region 2, visit regions.acsa.org/2.

Know Continued from B1 Resort + Casino continues every weekend in March at the Stage Bar. Bands will perform every Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. March 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.

Harris Center For the Arts presents Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel, performing American pianistic treasures, at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

March 25

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a free Nature Walk at Bass Lake, 9-11 a.m. Meet in the Sellwood Field parking lot. All ages welcome; wear comfortable shoes.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County and Master Food Preservers host Tomatoes: from Seed to Table, 9 a.m. to noon at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Teen Center, 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. Master Gardeners will show you how to choose the right varieties, deal with insects and diseases, care for and harvest your tomatoes. Master Food Preservers will talk about what you can do with your tomato harvest: canning, dehydrating and freezing.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts All About Roses, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden,

The Public Square

6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. Join Master Gardeners who will cover the basics of what you need to know about these flowering favorites — from selection and planting to pests, care and pruning. Many gardeners are intimidated by the beautiful rose plant and think they are harder to grow than they really are. But the truth is, with just a little care and knowhow, you can grow gorgeous rose bushes that will produce perfect blooms for you to enjoy and others to marvel at season after season.

Element 79 Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts the Divining experience, a unique food and wine event at 11:30 a.m. For reservations and more information call (530) 497-0750 or visit element79vineyards.com.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera presents two performances in Rancho Cordova — 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sacramento Children’s Museum, 2701 Prospect Park Drive, and 2-5 p.m. at KP International Market, 10971 Olson Drive. All performances are free.

Island of Black and White and Red Dirt Ruckus will perform 8 p.m. to midnight at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Harris Center presents Voctave, an a cappella group, at 8 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net. See folks group The Trials of Cato, 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 26

Oakstone Winery in Somerset hosts Paint & Sip, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jamie Nowell with The Healing Palette will guide guests through a beautiful scenic nature painting. For tickets and more information visit thehealingpalette.org/event-details/oakstonewinery-paint-sip-in-fair-play.

The Neon Moon Band will perform 4-7 p.m. at The Torch Club, 904 15th St. in Sacramento.

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 then 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.

Seasonal Pool Operator

Auburn Lake Trails is accepting employment applications for a part time/seasonal Pool Operator, April through September, morning shifts up to 24 hours per week. Will train when hired. The job description and application are available online at auburnlaketrails.org or at 1400 American River Trail, Cool, CA 95614

BE WARY OF OUT OF AREA COMPANIES. CHECK WITH THE LOCAL

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. B Street Theatre presents “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson” through April 16 at The Sofia, 2700 Capital Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

“Heroes of the Fourth Turning” runs through April 16 at Capital Stage Theatre, 2215 J St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

British artist and Camino resident David Yapp will exhibit a selection of his fine art prints, reproduced from his original oil paintings, at Gold Country Retirement Community in Placerville through May 5. To discover more about the artist and to see a selection of his paintings go to davidyapp.com.

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Limited Term Information Technology Technician I

This is a limited term position; incumbent is employed for a period not-expected-to-exceed twelve months from date of appointment.

For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Limited Term Utility Worker- Drinking Water

Salary: $25.10 per hour

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on March 27, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Limited Term Utility Worker for an eligibility list to fill current and future positions in the Drinking Water Division of Operations.

These are limited term positions; incumbents are temporary employees and are employed for a period not-to-exceed eighteen months from date of appointment.

For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667 Fax: (530) 622-1134

All Types: Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles & Shotguns. 130 Lots of Firearms & 250 Lots of Ammo & Accessories. Sale includes mostly "NEW GUNS" with some HIGHLY COLLECTABLE FIREARMS as well. All bids start at $5.00 and will be sold regardless of the price. online Bidding starts 03/21/23 @ 10am. CA Background checks preformed at Licensed dealer in Auburn, Ca. (or shipping Avail to your Licensed Dealer)

www.westauction.com

The history-based scavenger hunt Miners on Main continues. The game features 10 prominent historical figures of the El Dorado County Gold Rush for participants to discover as they walk a loop along Main Street, Placerville. There are 10 medallions “hidden” between Sacramento and Clay streets. Each medallion will include a unique QR code that participants can scan with their phones to learn about the individual who had some historical significance during the California Gold Rush. A clue will be provided to find the next Miner on Main. Clue sheets for those who want to play without using a smart device will be available at some shops and the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce office, 542 Main St., Placerville. For more information call (530) 621-5885.

Feed El Dorado and the Placer Food Bank host food distribution events throughout the year in Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, Placerville and Georgetown. For a complete schedule visit placerfoodbank.org/pantrytogo.

The Master Gardeners of El Dorado County public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 6215512 and leave a voicemail or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Time for a

The sleepy lull of the winter solstice has nally come to an end. Whisk away the cobwebs, pack away the parka and haul out the patio furniture--spring is underway and not a moment too soon!

Everywhere you turn, the earth is teeming with life. It is an unabashed season of rebirth; an awakening of the dormant spirit that calls for celebration.

Now is the perfect time to welcome the outside world back into your home. Plan an afternoon tea with friends and neighbors who’ve been in hibernation these past few months. An afternoon tea gives you the perfect excuse to 1) get your spring cleaning done 2) use your seldom seen china and silver and 3) pretend you’re a British royal and wear a fashionable hat.

Of course, Americans have favored coffee over tea since 1773, so you’ll want to have both available. Additionally, offer guests nger sandwiches and sweets. The following recipe tops a shortbreadtype base with the sweet goodness of strawberry preserves, popcorn for an added whole grain bonus and drizzled chocolate for an elegant touch.

Popcorn Strawberry Bars

Yield: 24 bars

4 cups popped popcorn

2 cups our

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces

1 egg white

1 (10 oz.) jar strawberry preserves

1 cup chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan; set aside.

• Process flour and confectioners’ sugar in food processor several seconds. Add butter and process until dough comes together.

• Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Lightly brush egg white on top of the mixture. Bake 25 minutes, or until golden.

• Immediately spread preserves evenly over warm crust. Press popcorn into preserves; let cool.

• Melt chocolate chips in small zip lock freezer bag. Heat in microwave 30 seconds, or until melted.

• Snip corner of bag and drizzle chocolate over cooled popcorn.

• Cool and cut into bars.

Spring Fling

Tea Party Popcorn

Yield: 2 1/2 quarts

2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn

1/4 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons instant lemon- avored iced tea mix

1 tablespoon sugar

• Put freshly popped popcorn in a large bowl.

• Drizzle butter over it and toss.

• Combine tea and sugar.

• Add to buttered popcorn and toss again.