Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Team Tahoe urges Congress to extend restoration act

Laney Griffo

Tahoe Daily Tribune

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the expiration of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2016 just around the corner, community leaders from Lake Tahoe traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to urge lawmakers to extend the act.

The LTRA, which expires Sept. 30, is bipartisan legislation that provides funding for projects that support forest health, water for fire infrastructure, watershed restoration, water quality, aquatic invasive species control, Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery and accountability.

Nearly two dozen members of Team Tahoe, a coalition of Nevada and California local elected o cials, tribal leaders and representatives from public and private agencies gathered to meet with representatives regarding extension of the act.

Members of the Team Tahoe coalition, including Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Chair Cindy Gustafson, League to Save Lake Tahoe Chair Steve Spurlock and Washoe Tribe of

Nevada and California Serrell Smokey, spoke in a press conference on the steps of Congress.

“We are here today with a simple message: Protect Lake Tahoe, extend the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act,” said Kiley.

Since the act’s passage in 2016, Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program partners have implemented hundreds of projects, leveraged the federal investment five-to-one with state, local and private funding and supported 1,700 jobs per year.

According to Kiley, since its enactment $104.7 million has been appropriated for the current LTRA as of the 2023 fiscal year. However, that’s only 27% of the total authorization.

“So, while Congress has steadily increased the pace of appropriations under the act since its enactment, the act has a significant amount of spending authority remaining under what was originally a seven-year spending bill,” Kiley said.

Gustafson, who is also a Placer County supervisor, spoke following Kiley’s statement.

Noel Stack Managing editor

El Dorado Hills Community Services District general counsel

Derek Cole reported at the March 14 EDHCSD Board of Directors meeting that the investigation regarding former General Manager Kevin Loewen’s conduct while employed at the district is complete and a report has been submitted.

However, he noted much to some residents’ dismay, “There is nothing we can report at this time,” citing attorney-client privilege.

“I know there is a lot of interest in this report,” Cole said. “I certainly understand why.”

Each board member and sta will have the opportunity to individually read the full report, after which, Cole said, they will hold a

meeting and decide what information to release.

The attorney also shared that he would be providing Brown Act training to EDHCSD board members next month.

Earlier this year the EDHCSD board and sta received a letter from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce confirming an investigation into “some past actions” by the district’s board members and Loewen. The letter notes the investigation uncovered apparent Brown Act violations and recommended proper training.

More change

Also at Thursday’s

meeting, the directors decided to hire di erent representation for the legal battle with El Dorado County AuditorController Joe Harn. Directors unanimously voted not to approve an agreement for continued legal services with Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard, the law firm that employs now former EDHCSD general counsel David Tyra, who was replaced at the end of February. The firm had been assisting the CSD with its lawsuit against Harn and the county, as well as litigation related to Heritage Village and the Austin case, which accuses the district of failure to comply with

day.

The county has seen a rapid expansion of tobacco-selling businesses in recent years — a 36% jump since 2020 — that has led to growing concerns amongst health o cials and government leaders.

Presentations from the El Dorado County Department of Public Health before both the council and board in recent months explained the rising rates of teen tobacco use and the methods employed by tobacco companies to market to underage consumers.

“There’s a little too much about the marketing to the kids. There’s a little too much of this going on out there — it was a shock to the system to see so many (tobacco shops) just pop up out there. They were like mushrooms.”

— John Clerici, Placerville

City councilman

“There’s a little too much about the marketing to the kids. There’s a little too much of this going on out there, it was a shock to the system to see so many (tobacco shops) just pop up out there. They were like mushrooms,” Councilmember John Clerici said.

The board kicked o its response in late January, approving an interim moratorium that halted the acceptance of applications to open new tobaccoretailing businesses in unincorporated areas for 45 days. The temporary halt went into e ect Jan. 30; as the initial halt neared its expiration date, the board met again March 12 and voted to extend the moratorium for an additional 10 months and 15 days as county sta draft a more permanent set of rules to put into e ect.

“It is high time we take action,” District 3

Supervisor Wendy Thomas said, appearing before the City Council. Thomas explained county sta had devised a “creative mix of zoning regulations as well as licensing regulations” that was “not overly onerous, as far as infringing on people’s rights, but strict enough to make sure it will help move the needle as far as protecting our youth from having access to tobacco products.”

She also urged the council approve its own temporary hold on new smoke shop applications as a matter of cohesive policy. If the county has a ban in place but Placerville didn’t follow suit, it might drive more to try to open in the city, “and we already have a proliferation of smoke shops within city limits.”

Councilmember Michael Saragosa expressed his own concerns with a potential scenario where the county had limitations in place but the city did not.

Photo courtesy of Julie Ann Pixler

Chair of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Serrell Smokey, joined by Team Tahoe members, speaks on the steps of Congress in Washington D.C. March 13.

Barbara Sands

Sept. 10, 1932 – March 3, 2024

Barbara Sands passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday March

3rd. Barbara attended El Dorado High School where she met and married her husband of 67 years, William Sands. They resided in the Diamond Springs area where they raised 4 children and then retired. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed various crafting endeavors throughout the years. In her later years, Barbara was active in Topps, Red Hats and Bunko. She is survived by her 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Snowline Hospice in Diamond Springs.

Geo rey Paul Conine Jr.

May 15, 1962 – Feb. 27, 2024

Geo rey Paul Conine, Jr., was born on May 16, 1962, in Kingston, New York, to Geo rey Paul Conine, Sr., and Mildred Gertrude Conine (Rothery). Geo spent the first two years of his life in Wiesbaden, Germany, while his dad served in the U.S. Army. Geo and his family returned to the U.S. and lived in Paskenta until his father was transferred to the Eldorado National Forest. Geo attended schools in Placerville, graduating from El Dorado High School in 1980. Geo participated on the Ski and Track and Field teams. He excelled in the long jump and was inducted into the El Dorado Track and Field Hall of Fame by winning the league championship in his senior year. After graduation, Geo went onto get a B.S. degree in Chemistry at U.C. Davis. While at Davis, Geo joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, living in the house o campus where he made many life-long friends. During his college summer months, Geo worked as a Blackjack dealer at Harrah’s in South Tahoe. After graduation, Geo worked as a chemist for Lockheed, development testing the Space Station carbon filters and age testing Trident D5 solid rocket fuel. After working for Lockheed in Sunnyvale, Geo began a 30-year career with PG&E in Field Metering, which took him to numerous PG&E service areas – San Francisco, Marysville, Woodland, and finally landing back in Placerville for the last several years of his career as Crew Lead in Field Metering. As Crew Lead, Geo enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise with his team and especially training and mentoring new apprentices who transferred into this highly technical position at PG&E.

Geo loved everything about the outdoors and especially the mountains. Geo made many backpacking trips in the Desolation Wilderness. He enjoyed the mountains and would take his GSP dog, Britta, to run the logging roads o Iron Mountain Road. Geo also enjoyed playing golf near his home in Camino at Apple Mountain. Geo traveled to Waterville, Ireland, with his family to enjoy 18 holes at his cousin’s golf course. He loved to camp and fish, trolling for hours in his Tracker fishing boat with his family up at Caples Lake. He also enjoyed traveling with his family and visited Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Alaska, and Florida and took a family cruise to Norway just months before he passed. Geo was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Pirates from his childhood and, later in life, a San Jose Sharks fan enjoying many games with his brother and dad.

Geo can rest proudly knowing he was deeply loved by his family and friends. Geo is survived by his brother and best friend, Derek, (Aihong), his sister, Deirdre, his two nieces, Sydney and Jessica, his uncles, aunts and many cousins throughout the country.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents and stepmother, Jacqueline Conine (Emge, Edmonson), and his infant sister, Lynnette Ann.

Although Geo had no children, he was very close to his nieces and always “showed up” to support them at their school, sports, and other activities. Geo will be laid to rest at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery in Placerville. The family asks that any donations in Geo ’s memory be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral Services will be held at a future date still to be determined.

Chapel of the Pines link: https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/placerville-ca/ geo rey-conine-11695141

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Robert Ybright

Nov. 23, 1946 – Mar. 11, 2024

Robert passed peacefully early Monday morning. He will be missed by his wife Georgia Ybright, son Lane Ybright & wife Leanne, daughter Evone Ybright Manzella & spouse Joe Manzella, Deborah Ybright Alanis & Marcos Alanis, Rhonda Ybright Speier & Rick Speier, and Randy Ybright & Maria & Anthony Ybright.

Gail Bruton Furtwangler

Barker

June 26, 1947 – Jan. 16, 2024

Our beloved Gail passed away from cancer on January 16, 2024 in Clio, CA. Gail devoted her career to being a loving and compassionate nurse working at places including Marshall Hospital, Snowline Hospice as its Co-founder, and Placerville Union and Robla School Districts.

She is survived by her husband Bob, son Jase Brenden, daughter and son-in-law Sara and Derrick Wilkins, grandchildren Dylan and Cienna, stepdaughter, Brooke Barker, brother and sister-inlaw John and Amy Bruton.

As a high schooler, Gail spent a year in Norway as an exchange student and remained close to her Norwegian family and friends over the years.

In her retirement Gail enjoyed traveling with Bob, nesting in her house in the pines, and reading a good book, preferably with her cat or dog, and spending time with friends.

No one who ever met Gail can forget her wonderful laugh, giving heart and sense of humor. She will be dearly missed by all.

John Lloyd Beaver

Aug. 3, 1959 – Dec. 28, 2023

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we are sharing the passing of our beloved father, Papa and friend John Beaver on December 28, 2023.

Born on August 3, 1959 at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, California to James “Red” and Esther Beaver. He spent his entire life living in and serving El Dorado County.

John started as an Explorer Scout as a teenager and graduated from Ponderosa High School class of 1977. He started his 34-year Firefighting career in 1977 at the age of 18 with Diamond Springs Fire Department where he promoted to Captain in 1985. His transfer to El Dorado County Fire Department in 1993 is where he retired in 2011 as a Captain Firefighter/Paramedic. During his service, John also worked as an Arson Investigator, Private Investigator, WMD Specialist and a Hazard Material Specialist.

John continued his education, obtaining his AA and BA while working full time and raising his kids as a single father. He was also an avid bicyclist, often making rides across the country on solo and group trips while raising money for di erent charities.

In retirement, John dedicated most of his time to his grandchildren that truly were the light of his life. He was extremely dedicated to his family and cared for his father, James, through his death in 2021. John also continued to pursue his love of art and wood working, making memorial benches as gifts. John joined El Dorado County Sheri s Department as a S.T.A.R. volunteer where he immediately made an impact by helping rescue a fellow volunteer during a car accident.

John was a lifelong baseball fan and enjoyed seeing our local Rivercats team in Sacramento, but more often than not could be found on a soccer field cheering for his granddaughters. He made sure he was at every event, even volunteering at his grandchildren’s schools.

John was passionate about his faith and love. Love of his community, love of servicing and especially love of his family and friends. He was loyal, reliable, and dedicated every day. John was spunky, funny and stubborn. His absence will be forever felt in our community and in our hearts.

John leaves behind his daughter Angella, son Alex and grandchildren Alizsabeth, Aliviea, Ausztyn, Zoey and Wyatt.

A Celebration of life will be held on Thursday April 4th at 1pm at Green Valley Church in Placerville, CA.

Any donations can be made to some of the many Charities John supported; The Firefighters Burn Institute, The National MS Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dale Edwin Cundall

Oct. 24, 1929 – Mar. 14, 2024

Dale Edwin Cundall, age 94, passed away peacefully at home in Placerville, Ca. on March 14, 2024. He was born October 24, 1929, the second child of Dean D. and Mildred M. Cundall. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Marion, who passed away in 2021. All three of his brothers also preceded him in death; Dean William (Bill), Ronald Rich and Earl Elbert.

In June of 1947, Dale graduated from Lincoln High School, then entered the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (B.I.O.L.A.) in September, graduating with a B.A. in 1951. While there he met Marion L. Smith, whom he married on June 20, 1953.

Dale and Marion had four children: Janet Ramler (Paul Ramler), Joyce Owen (Dave Owen, deceased), Judy Miller (Wayne Miller) and Philip Cundall (Tami Warden). He has 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Dale felt God’s calling on his life to become a minister of the Gospel and was ordained as a Pastor on September 11, 1953.

He loved Jesus and people, and in his lifetime served in 5 di erent churches: Agnew Baptist Church in San Jose, Ca. 1954-1957, Redwood Valley Community Church in Redwood Valley, Ca. 19571967, Pine Grove Community Church in Roseburg, Or. 1967-1972, Calvary Bible Church in Placerville, Ca. 1973-1979, and Gold Country Baptist Church in Shingle Springs, Ca. 1979-2006. The latter was a Church Planting Project of which he was the founding pastor. He and Marion retired to Redding, Ca. in 2009 and then moved back to Placerville in 2018. He remained Pastor Emeritus of Gold Country Baptist Church until his death.

Dale learned carpentry from his father and became a skilled carpenter himself. He used those carpentry skills on many building projects at the churches he pastored. He also drove school buses, was a volunteer fireman, and a High School Spanish teacher. He had short-term missionary experiences in Cuba with Practical Missionary training, in Trinidad as a men’s Bible Camp Speaker, in Brazil working on the construction of a parsonage, in Belgium with Biblical Literature Fellowship and in Guam building cabinets for Pacific Islands Bible College.

Dale cared deeply for people and even more for Jesus. He was a Pastor, role model, mentor, and faithful servant who brought honor to the Lord he loved. He was loved by so many people, and the love he had for others in return came naturally to him. He had a true shepherd’s heart as he loved and guided all whom God brought into his life.

Dale has entered into a fuller life than any of us on this side of eternity have ever known. His joy is complete, he is in the presence of glory, he is where he longed to be, though earth is poorer without him.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm. Gold Country Baptist Church 3800 North Shingle Rd. Shingle Springs, Ca. 95682

Joseph Louis Caulboy

Nov. 4, 1954 – Mar. 11, 2024

Joseph Louis Caulboy passed away in the early hours of March 11th, 2024, at his home in Cameron Park, CA with his loving family by his side after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Trina. Joe is survived by his caring wife and best friend, Theresa, his children Angela (Clinton), Bryan (Becky), Tara (Jose) & Steven (Lori) Caulboy; his grandchildren, Dylan, Jordan, Brenden, Isabella, Andrea, Damian, Cristiano, Dorian, Ruben, Aeris & Russell; sisters Linda and Marcie; brothers Paul (Claudette) and Peter (Cheri) and a host of nieces, nephews, dear friends and family members. The family will sorely miss his laid-back manner, his jokes, and the love he had for everyone he knew.

Born in Oakland, California on November 4th, 1954, to Louis and Mary Caulboy, he was the fourth child of six siblings. Joe graduated from St. Elizabeth High School, Cal State – East Bay and received his Master’s in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling from Phoenix University. He retired after 33 years of service to UPS. After retirement, he worked helping others in the mental health and social work field. He was also extremely proud of his faith and for the last twelve years was a Knight of Columbus (fourth degree).

For more information about Joe’s life and his funeral services, go to https://www.cfcssacramento.org/ obituaries_cfcss/joseph-louis-caulboy/.

Richard Wallace Hill

Sept. 3, 1934 – Dec. 25, 2023

Richard Wallace Hill passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at his home, with his children by his side. He was 89 years old.

Richard was born in Salem, Illinois on September 3, 1934 to Raymond and Ginevra Hill. Richard had four older brothers, Eugene, Morris, Charles and Raymond Jr. and an older sister, Patricia. He attended elementary, junior high and high school in Illinois. Richard worked on the loading docks for the railroad during his high school years. He graduated high school in 1952 and moved from Chicago, Illinois to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lived with his sister and her husband, while attending the University of New Mexico. For a while he worked in construction as a framer/carpenter. At one point he helped his sister and brother-in-law build their home in the Sandia Mountains. He also worked at a Chevron gas station where he learned how to work on cars. He became a lifelong Chevrolet, Volkswagen and Chevron customer.

In 1954 Richard entered into a machinist apprentice program at Sandia National Labs, where he graduated a journeyman machinist. Richard met his wife, Linda, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They were married in February 1956. In November 1960, for a 5 cent an hour raise, the couple moved their young family from Albuquerque, NM to Livermore, CA. Richard worked for a short period at Sandia National Labs in Livermore before getting a job at Lawrence Livermore Labs, where he worked for 30 years. During his years at LLNL, Richard held many positions, from machinist to Superintendent of Manufacturing.

Richard had a passion for cars and the outdoors. He loved taking his family on boating, camping, and off road dune buggy trips. He joined the East Bay Hi-Tailers Dune Buggy Club in the late 60’s. He was president at least 2 times during his 10-15 years as a member. He built his own off road dune buggies and enjoyed annual trips through the Rubicon. In the late 70’s he built his own sand rail buggy and enjoyed trips to Pismo Beach and Sand Mountain.

In 1991 Richard and Linda moved to the Placerville/Somerset area, where they lived on 5 acres. During their retirement, they enjoyed trips in their motor home to Arizona, New Mexico, New Orleans, Canada and Washington, DC. Richard had many special projects that kept him busy during his retirement. He rebuilt Volkswagen motors; made a water cooled, flat bed truck out of a Volkswagen bug; and redesigned his 1972 Chevy motor home into a flatbed truck. He was constantly working to take care of his home and 5 acres, right up until the last 16 months of his life.

Richard was preceded in death by: his wife of 67 years, Linda Hill; parents, Raymond and Ginevra Hill; brothers, Morris Hill, Eugene Hill, Charles Hill and Ray Hill Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Robert O’Connell; granddaughter, Melissa Wood; daughter-in-law, Leslie Hill; grandsons, Ryan Wood and Jason Bingham.

He is survived by: his children, Cathy (Richard) Wood, Michael Hill, Steven (Margie) Hill; sisterin-law, Terri Tafreshi; seven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great greatgrandchild.

Our dad, husband, and grandpa, was an amazing, intelligent, man who worked hard his whole adult life. He was a planner, determined, and meticulous in everything he did. We knew we could always count on him if we needed help, had a question, or a problem to solve. He had a great sense of humor. We will miss him very much.

There will be a celebration of his life with family and friends. The date has yet to be determined.

Do you have an interesting story to share?

The Mountain Democrat is looking for interesting and/or unusual people, places or things in the community. Send your ideas to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net

Hillhouse relishes Fire Board role

Noel Stack Managing editor

When Mike Hillhouse applied to serve on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board, he said he went into the interview “completely not expecting my name to be said” when the board made its selection among seven candidates.

It was.

Now, after several months on the job, the El Dorado Hills resident who wears a Central County Fire Department uniform during his day job, said he’s already considering extending his one-year term appointment into four more years, should voters choose to elect him this coming November.

Hillhouse is finishing the term started by longtime board member Jim Hartley, who died in August 2023.

The new director praised Hartley as well as current and former board members. “I’m stepping into such a great thing,” he said, explaining that past boards’ decisions, plus the work done with the unions, have put the El Dorado Hills Fire Department in a great position. “The problems that a lot of other departments have, we don’t have those

CRIME LOG

The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheriff’s reports:

March 9

12:28 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was released on $25,000 bail.

2:13 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition and multiple probation violations on Gold Leaf Lane in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $45,000 bail.

3:50 a.m. Battery was reported on La Paz Road in Placerville.

8:52 a.m. Battery was reported on La Paz Road in Placerville.

9:22 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Capetanios Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:55 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 56-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Country Road in Georgetown. He was listed in custody.

1:27 p.m. Battery was reported at a bar on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

3 p.m. Battery was reported on Pilot View Drive in Pilot Hill.

5:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 45-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation on Placerville Drive. She was released on $25,000 bail.

5:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 49-year-old man suspected of theft on Forni Road in Placerville. He was released on $40,000 bail.

5:49 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old woman suspected of shoplifting on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was later released.

7:54 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of passing a fictitious check and obstruction on Justine Avenue in Diamond Springs. He was released on $23,000 bail.

8:11 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

March 10

12:12 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 66-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 (town not specified). He was later

Loewen Continued from A1

the California Mitigation Fee Act. Board members gave direction to interim counsel Cole and interim General Manager Mark Hornstra to seek out new legal representation.

The EDHCSD filed a lawsuit against Harn in October 2022 after the auditor purposely left many of the district’s Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District fees off residents’ property tax bills. At that time, the auditor said he took action after noticing discrepancies in the assessments; numbers didn’t match between what CSD consultants tasked with determining appropriate fees had submitted and what the EDHCSD board approved and submitted to the county.

The consultant — David Taussig & Associates — is where former EDHCSD General Manager Kevin Loewen reportedly worked while on the district’s payroll at the same time. The district ended its relationship with DTA last fall, a couple months before Loewen resigned.

In 2022 Harn asked CSD officials for a letter “indicating that the CSD board was responsible for the accuracy and lawfulness of the assessments,” as it had done the prior year. No letter was received. The same request came in 2023 and, once again, Harn left off assessments when CSD leaders refused to sign the indemnification letter.

Earlier this year the auditor said he was served a 215-page lawsuit amendment and expressed his frustration that the district would rather sue than sign a simple letter, and continues to stonewall the public.

“The CSD board is quick to file lawsuits, but very slow to answer questions,” Harn told the Mountain Democrat.

The case goes to trial July 28 in Placer County.

problems.”

He complimented EDH Fire leaders for keeping the district’s financial health a top priority while also ensuring crews have good stations and equipment — admitting to a bit of professional envy when he’s on the clock in the Bay Area Hillhouse said he sees his roles as “a steward of the fire service,” listing his top goals as leaving things better than how he found them and ensuring EDH fire crews have everything they need to protect the community now and into the future.

He spent the first few months in his position listening and learning, with advice and information coming from staff, fellow board members and others. He said his decision-making approach looks at immediate and future impact.

“What we’re doing now ... that has an impact 10-15 years down the road,” he explained. “You have to have those long-term plans.”

His attention to detail has not gone unnoticed.

“Since being selected to serve on the EDH Fire Board of Directors, Mike Hillhouse has provided valuable insight on the issues that come before

n See HILLHOUSE, page A7

released.

4:20 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of assault with a deadly weapon on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was released on $50,000 bail.

12:58 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of vandalism on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was released on $10,000 bail. 2:35 p.m. Battery was reported on Beach Court in Lotus.

3:22 p.m. Burglary was reported at a storage facility on Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills.

3:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail an 18-year-old man suspected of battery on Salmon Falls Road (town not specified). He was released on $5,000 bail.

6:59 p.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a petty theft report at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

11 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 51-year-old woman suspected

WHEN A TOOTH MIGRATES

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or

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

The El Dorado Hills Fire Board’s newest member, Mike Hillhouse, said his goal is to keep the district moving in a positive direction.

FDA ruling will buoy counterfeit drug trade

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead in January for Florida to import prescription drugs in bulk from Canada.

If all goes according to plan, the state government will be able to dispense certain Canadian-sourced drugs to people who receive care through the state Department of Corrections, the state Department of Children and Families and the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Florida is the first to get the green light from federal regulators to import prescription drugs. “After years of federal bureaucrats dragging their feet,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “Florida will now be able to import low-cost, life-saving prescription drugs.”

But there’s good reason for all that bureaucratic foot-dragging. For whatever short-term savings drug importation might provide, it creates very real dangers for patient health — and erects immense new barriers to medical innovation.

Proponents of drug importation see it as an expedient way to reduce prescription drug costs. After all, brand-name medicines tend to cost less in Canada and other countries. But the quality and safety of drugs shipped in from abroad is often both questionable and difficult to verify.

The question isn’t whether Canadian drugs are as good as those sold in the United States. It’s whether they’re genuine at all. According to the World Health Organization, the global counterfeit drug trade represents a $431 billion industry — making it one of the largest illegal knock-off economies on the planet.

Roughly 1 million people die each year from counterfeit medicines, the WHO estimates.

In the United States there is evidence of counterfeit drug use in nearly 5% of unintentional overdose deaths. In recent years, fake versions of everything from Ozempic to HIV medications have made their way onto the American market.

Our chief bulwark against the threat of fake drugs is what the FDA refers to as America’s “closed” prescription drug distribution system. For this system to work, federal regulators must maintain strict control over all the prescription drugs sold in the United States.

By opening the door to foreign drugs — the origin of which may be unknown — Florida’s importation

Letter to the Editor

State of the Union, lies and half truths

EDITOR:

President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union speech March 7. It was the worst speech of lies and half truths in modern times. Democratic Sen. Patrick Moynihan famously said, “You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.”

The speech was a laundry list of progressive giveaways.

1. “Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today.”

False — Freedom and democracy are under assault by the Democrats. The Department of Justice has labeled parents terrorists for protesting at school board meetings and instructed the FBI to investigate. The president has ignored the Supreme Court ruling that he can’t forgive student loans by executive order but Biden has done it anyway. The divides we face in this country are severe but nothing like 1861 when Democrats were trying to take over Cuba to make it another slave state with 400,000 slaves.

2. “Today, we’ve made NATO stronger than ever.”

False — NATO is at its weakest since it was formed in 1949. One major European country met its commitment of 2% of GDP funding in 2023.

The U.S. provided 3.49% of GDP. The German newspaper, Deutsche World, wrote, “A top general of the German Army, Alfons Mais, sent shock waves through social media on Thursday when he posted an unusually frank appraisal on his LinkedIn page: ‘... There is war in Europe. … And the Bundeswehr, the army that I have the duty to lead, is more or less bare.’”

3. “Insurrectionists stormed this very Capitol and placed a dagger at the throat of American democracy.”

False — There was a protest on Jan. 6, 2021, when protestors trespassed on government property. However, no protestor was armed and the Capitol police escorted protestors taking pictures. Yet hundreds of protestors were jailed under the Patriot Act and are still in jail today. The protestors in Minneapolis in 2020 caused $1 billion to $2 billion in damage. Vice President

n See LETTER, page A5

This is not the Soviet Union, Mr. Biden. Remember

In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed.

It marked the end of an experiment that lasted almost a century testing the premise that godless secularization, turning control of people’s lives over to other people to rule them, who decide what others need and how they should live and conduct their lives, is the answer for mankind.

In the free world, the collapse of the Soviet Union was cause for celebration. In the USA it was widely viewed as a victory of the American way of life — a free nation under God.

But let’s not get confused between things and the names we give them.

Our own country — despite the words in our founding documents about freedom and God — has been on a path adopting the same premises about human reality that lead to the collapse of the communist world.

This was evident in President Joe Biden’s message to the nation in his

State of the Union address.

Biden, in so many words, delivered a message that the path for a better, wealthier, fairer America is more government.

Despite the reality that the country is being crushed with staggering debt, the result of runaway government, Biden and his party celebrate this and want even more.

The words find their way into numbers in the budget for the next 10 years that the president has just submitted to Congress. Federal spending in this budget will stand in fiscal year 2025 at $7.3 trillion. One-quarter of our national economy consumed by the federal government.

This amounts to a 14% increase from where federal spending stood in the last quarter of 2023 — $6.4 trillion.

Per the president’s spokesperson in the White House, this budget “invests in all of America to make sure

Freedom means unleashing productivity and creativity. Absence of freedom means punishing both and therefore getting less of both.

everyone has a fair shot, we leave no one behind.”

Translation: government will accumulate more power and decide what is fair and achieve its aims with more government paid for with other people’s money.

The beautiful language of leaving “no one behind” means government expansion into every area of our lives, including subsidized child care for families earning $200,000 and below.

The bill for the massive new spending, per the president’s budget, will be paid for with a total of $4.9 trillion in tax increases on the wealthy and on corporations.

I’ll say “supposedly paid for” because expansion of government under the premises of raising taxes on the most successful sectors of our economy never works.

Renown economist Arthur Laffer and Heritage Foundation economist Stephen Moore just published data showing that when President Donald

Trump cut the highest individual tax rate and cut the corporate tax rate in 2017, the percentage of overall taxes paid by the wealthiest 1% of the population increased.

Before the Trump tax cuts, the top 1 % paid “a little more than 40% of the income taxes collected,” per Laffer and Moore. After the tax cuts, that percentage increased to almost 46%.

This was not something new. Laffer and Moore show data going back to 1980 showing general correlation of lower top tax rates with a larger percentage of overall taxes paid by the top 1%.

Freedom means unleashing productivity and creativity. Absence of freedom means punishing both and therefore getting less of both.

It’s why the Soviet Union collapsed. Godless secularism doesn’t work.

The latest edition of CURE’s “The State of Black Progress” shows the

n See PARKER, page A5

SALLY PIPES

STAR PARKER

Pipes Continued from A4

program would breach this closed system and leave all Americans far more vulnerable.

Using importation as a price-lowering strategy would also complicate the economics of drug innovation. The only reason many foreign countries pay less for medicines is that they enforce strict price controls. One result of these policies is that drug companies charge Americans more to compensate for the losses they sustain abroad — widening the price gap yet further.

The most sensible response to this disparity would be to demand foreign countries like Canada pay their fair share for prescription drugs — many of which are invented here in the United States.

Letters Continued from A4

Harris said, “Everyone beware. They’re not gonna stop before election day in November, and they’re not gonna stop after election day ... They’re not gonna let up, and they should not.”

4. “If anyone here tries to cut Social Security or Medicare or raise the retirement age I will stop them!”

Probably true — Unfortunately, federal revenues are $4.6 trillion for 2023 and expenses $5.8 trillion, creating a $1.2 trillion deficit. Social Security and Medicare consume 100% of the revenue so the government borrows $1.2 trillion. Deficits of $6.4 trillion are forecast for fiscal years 2023-27. This is

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

Crossword

By contrast, importing cut-rate drugs from abroad simply ratifies these inequitable pricing practices while choking off funding for research into lifesaving new medicines. As the revenues available for research and development recede, the world will see fewer medical breakthroughs. Present and future patients will suffer.

Those foot-dragging bureaucrats at the FDA might want to reconsider their decision.

Sally C. Pipes is president, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy at the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is “False Premise, False Promise: The Disastrous Reality of Medicare for All” (Encounter 2020).

fiscal insanity.

Other lies: I cut the deficit by $1 trillion.

The Trump tax cut overwhelmingly favors the wealthy. That’s because the top 1% pay 46% of the taxes.

I’m cutting carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Sharpest decrease in murder rate in history in 2023.

Containing the Iran threat (while Biden gave Iran $100 billion).

There are many more lies but I’m out of space.

DARWIN THRONE

El Dorado Hills

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0214

The

Crossword

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0215

Restoration Act Continued from A1

“When we talk about Lake Tahoe, we talk about the second deepest alpine lake in the nation. We’re talking about some of the purest water in the nation,” Gustafson said. “80% of the land surrounding the basin is owned by the federal government and we have a responsibility to be here in Washington to work with our federal partners to raise the funds necessary to continue the work we’re doing to protect the lake.”

While there have been great successes in terms of water clarity and other LTRA-funded projects, the threat of wildfire and negative impacts on the water quality still looms overhead, she added

“(Lake Tahoe) sees 15 million visits a year. Those pressures combined with the fact the federal government owns 80% of the land in the basin and absent the protections of a national park, the basin really needs federal support to confront some of the challenges facing the basin today,” said Spurlock. Spurlock emphasized they aren’t asking for additional funding, rather an extension of the time allotted to use the already allocated funding. He noted that if the act expires, projects already in the works will halt and be difficult to restart.

“Lake Tahoe and the lands surrounding Lake Tahoe are not only the center of Washoe peoples’ existence but it’s the heart of our livelihood,” Smokey said. “Our people have been stewards of this land for thousands of years and we continue to be stewards of the land today.”

In March 2023 a bill to extend the authorization was reintroduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in the Senate and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) in the House, and is supported by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and John Duarte (R-CA).

Team Tahoe coalition officials in D.C. last week included elected and community leaders from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, city of South Lake Tahoe, Washoe County, Placer County, U.S. Forest Service, North Tahoe Public Utility District, South Tahoe Public Utility District, League to Save Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Fund, Lake Tahoe Community College, University of Nevada, Reno, and the Tahoe Transportation District.

Parker Continued from A4

uniform failure of expansion of government into health care, education, housing and retirement, all in the name of “fairness” and no one being “left behind.”

The truth really is it’s more than this. It’s about politicians who love power buying it with gifts given with other people’s money. Harsh to say, but this is reality.

Only 19% of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country, per Gallup.

Most Americans feel something is wrong. We need leadership to take us back to freedom and God.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now.

Announcements

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

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

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

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado 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 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

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

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

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

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

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS

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

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

Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728

our free counseling can help you.

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

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING

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

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that 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. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

Ban

Continued from A1

“I don’t wan’t to be the donut hole in the donut, where we become a kind of magnet,” Saragosa explained. “I’m a freemarket guy, but we don’t really want to be the Mecca of smoke shops in El Dorado County.”

With Councilmember David Yarbrough not present at the meeting, the urgency ordinance required a unanimous vote of those in attendance to pass.

Though some concerns with the action were shared, the council ultimately did pass a 45-day ban.

“I am a bit conflicted on this item and I’d like to explain why I am conflicted,” Councilmember Nicole Gotberg said prior to voting for the ordinance.

“I very much understand the research studies and the impacts of having more tobacco retailers on smoking, and having 21 tobacco retailers in Placerville is quite a lot.

And I do have concerns about if the county passes something and the city doesn’t. But on an ideological standpoint, the sale of tobacco to minors is already illegal.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

And people should have the freedom to make their own health decisions, even if those decisions are poor. Those may not be everybody’s views but they are mine.”

Gotberg also questioned if, with the city facing a large number of storefront vacancies, putting more restrictions in place was the proper call.

“I think that’s a very reasonable stance and I also fall into the category of people that believe that you should be able to make bad decisions,” Clerici responded. “I am in favor of this because of all the things I’ve smoked in my life, this is not one of them, so I don’t really

Hillhouse Continued from A3

the board,” shared board President Tim White. “His experience as a captain/firefighter in the Bay Area, together with his knowledge of the El Dorado Hills community, makes Mike extremely qualified to serve as a director.”

Hillhouse moved to El Dorado Hills 24 years ago. He and his wife Jeni raised twin daughters, now 19, and a son, 15, in the community and his role as a volunteer began when the kids were in elementary school. He helped build above-ground garden beds on the Lake Forest Elementary School campus. He has been a soccer,

have that problem. I want to know more about what we can do to sort of blunt the progress of this.”

Clerici described the limitations the council had put on businesses that sold marijuana in the city and suggested they should look into placing similar limitations on advertising for smoke shops.

With the city and county in agreement on the matter, staff from both groups will work collaboratively to devise new long-term ordinances regarding tobacco-selling businesses while the temporary holds are in place.

baseball and volleyball coach for youth programs. However, he joked, he couldn’t pitch in as a teacher when the girls took tap and ballet.

“A community takes a community,” Hillhouse explained of his desire to get involved. “You shouldn’t sit back and say, ‘Well, I pay my taxes and you should just take care of things for me.’”

That thought of service came to mind last fall when EDH Fire advertised the open board seat. “I always say, ‘If not you, who?” I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll step up and put my name in.”

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Most

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your every move is one of gratitude. In a sense, even your ambition will be an acknowledgement, as you are building on what you already have. The appreciation you feel will compound and attract more of the good stuff.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve told your story many times and in different ways, too, because you’re learning to cater to your audience. The ability to read a room and give them what you think they need and want will make you money.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When you were younger, you imagined your adult self doing what you now do daily. And though it’s now commonplace, the childhood wonder is still in there somewhere. Let that child be impressed by you. You’re impressive.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Love changes things. The love for one person makes you more loving to all. Every bit of love flowing from your heart improves relationships and ripples out to the population at large.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Cultural exploration leads to spiritual connection. Whether celebrating traditions from distant lands or convening in a serene gathering at a sacred place, you’ll be drawn to the exotic and unfamiliar.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). What’s the least you could do? It’s not a question for the lazy today, rather it’s for the wise souls who realize that trying too hard often has an effect opposite of what’s intended. Do enough to be effective and no more.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You don’t know someone until you see how they are under different circumstances. In the spirit of inclusion, you extend your trust anyway and, over time, learn what you can expect from a person.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may disagree, but you don’t disrespect. You’re open to hearing other points of view, even ones you’ll probably never agree with, because compassion doesn’t require agreement; it requires empathy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your mind is working on all cylinders to solve a complex problem. While the thought process is layered, ultimately, the solution will be simple, elegant, inexpensive and effective.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You know yourself from the inside out, but you know other people from the outside in. This is just one more reason not to make comparisons. Unless you’re comparing reversible jackets, the logic falls apart.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Responsibility gives structure to your time. It seems like this would limit your freedom, but it actually works in the opposite way, helping you feel a sense of urgency to prioritize the things that make you feel most vital.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Follow the instructions and you’ll get the expected result. Add a twist or break a rule and you’ll get a unique result, and the immense satisfaction of knowing it’s all yours.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco The Smoke Shop of Placerville is one of many tobacco-selling businesses that have opened in El Dorado County since 2020, leading to a 36% jump in such stores in the past four years. Following the lead of the county Board of Supervisors, the Placerville City Council approved a temporary halt on the opening of any new tobacco-selling businesses.

Volution Gallery puts a special twist on the local art scene

Zack Pangborn, local artist and proprietor of Volution Gallery on Placerville’s Main Street, has always pursued his own vision.

“I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was probably 5 years old. I somehow didn’t believe people when they said it would be hard,” he said with a laugh.

Zack was born and raised in Placerville, but soon after high school he moved to Seattle for art school, then to Santa Barbara to work in a print and framing shop. He began selling prints of his own work on the sidewalk outside Macy’s; before long he was making enough money as an artist to quit his day job.

As he forged a career for himself in the arts, Zack stayed true to his own vision.

“My brain is very noncommercial,” he explained. “For a long time, I wouldn’t draw for other people or take commissions.”

Sometimes, he acknowledged wryly, he was independent to a fault. In art school he initially dismissed some

of the guidelines he was learning, such as balancing a composition into thirds. “But I still use that to this day,” he confessed. “I guess there’s something to it …. Of course, you can still break those rules.”

Zack’s work flows from a unique way of seeing the world, blending elements

DAY HIKER

Ydon’t keep revisiting these places, maybe taking in the tour at the museum or meeting a friend for co ee at the many picnic tables or just walking the dog occasionally, we will lose this place and it will be taken over again by needles and garbage. So please, walk Wolf Creek Trail.

The trail, managed by the Bear Yuba Land Trust, is just over a mile long with a few entry points in Grass Valley. I mentioned the North Star Mine Museum. You can also start at the other end o River Otter Road and Freeman Lane. Wolf Creek T’s into Little Wolf Creek making a nice walk along these local creeks any time of year.

many loads of debris out.

So, when I ask you to hike these short suburban trails, it isn’t because they are the greatest of hikes. In fact, from the museum Wolf Creek Trail runs right up to the city’s water treatment plant and, being usually downwind, it smells bad. But if we

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

from the natural world with otherworldly imagery. “I find inspiration in nature and all the patterns that you can see at various scales — macro, micro and just ‘cro’. Then I infuse it with my love of science fiction and fantasy, giving it a new personality.”

In 2009 Zack opened the first incarnation of Volution Gallery

in Sacramento. “Volution” is a word that refers to a single turn of a spiral. The concept is reflected in the gallery’s logo, a truncated spiral.

The ethos also resonates in Zack’s life.

“I like going in a circle, but not ending up in the same spot. That’s what life is — doing the same thing that people have been doing for thousands of years, but slightly di erent.”

When Zack moved back home to Placerville with his family, he himself did the same thing but slightly di erent, opening the second and third iterations of Volution Gallery on Main Street. The current space is much larger than the one in Sacramento, allowing for events like shows, workshops and figure drawing, which Zack hopes to do more of in the future.

Volution Gallery sells work from many local artists, including Zack’s wife, Rebecca Roehr, whose burgeoning artistic practice was an impetus behind the move to a larger gallery space.

“Rebecca started doing art, and her art actually sold,” he said. “With both of us doing art, the other location was just too small. And I always wanted to show other people’s art; the idea was to have prints in a record table, so you can flip through them like vinyl.”

At Volution Gallery, the record tables hold a sort of compilation album of regional work, showcasing artists from Placerville to Pollock Pines to Auburn.

Zack isn’t much di erent as a

■ See VOLUTION, page B4

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Photo by Mary West Wolf Creek runs right behind the North Star Mine Museum in Grass Valley.

JORDAN HYATT-MILLER Program coordinator, Arts and Culture El Dorado

Photo by Loren Christo erson

Zack Pangborn wants his downtown Placerville gallery to be a launching point for new and young artists.

Inspiring women take center stage at Lake Forest

In a remarkable celebration of International Women’s Day, Lake Forest Elementary School proudly hosted an informational and inspirational event at the Lake Forest Gym on March 8.

The event was organized by Lake Forest Librarian Debbie Shedd, retired Librarian Cindy Carpenter and Principal Dr. Renee Mallot, aimed to empower and inspire young students, particularly those in fourth and fifth grades, by introducing them to the diverse and impactful careers of women in various professional fields.

lineup of presenters who are respected in their respective areas of expertise — attorneys, doctors, business owners, authors, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, nurses and law enforcement officers to name a few. These accomplished women shared their career journeys, challenges, triumphs and the impact of their work on society, providing students with a rare opportunity to learn and get inspired.

“Our goal was to celebrate International Women’s Day by showcasing the incredible contributions of women in different professions,” Shedd Courtesy photo

The event featured a distinguished

A TOAST TO CARLOS!

Courtesy photo

El Dorado Gold Toastmasters Club selected Carlos Catro Conde to advance to the area speech contest set for March 22. Conde, left, receiving recognition from club President Frank Mosbacher, shared an award-winning speech titled “The Power of Thought.” The club contest is the first step in the annual Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Conde, a Placerville resident and project manager, has been a member of El Dorado Gold Toastmasters for more than a year.

n See WOMEN, page B4

Nominate a senior for special honor

Margaret Williams

El Dorado County Health & Human Services Agency

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s El Dorado County Senior of the Year award presented by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on May 21.

“If 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 this annual award,” said Yvette Wencke, program manager of El Dorado County Older Adult Services.

The Senior of the Year Award is an opportunity n See AWARD, page B4

Starting vegetables from seeds

Growing vegetables from seed is an easy and economical way to grow your own fresh vegetables. And it’s not at all difficult. Just plant good quality seeds and give them sufficient light, warmth, good soil and water.

You can get enough warmth and light by planting next to a warm and sunny window, south facing is best, but you’ll have to turn the plants each day after they germinate so that they grow straight up instead of bending towards the sunlight. Or you can use grow lights and heating pads and not have to bother with turning the seedlings. Just turn off the heating pads after the seeds have sprouted. Using an outdoor hot box or cold frame is another option.

Using the right kind of soil mix is essential. Regular garden soil is too heavy and may contain pathogens or weeds. Instead, buy mixes specifically formulated for growing seeds or make your own seedling soil mix using one part perlite to one part peat moss. Both items are available at garden centers.

There’s a wide variety of containers to use for your seedling mix. You can buy or recycle small pots or six-packs or even reuse household objects like paper cups that you already have around the house. Containers should be at least 2 inches deep and have drainage holes. If you are reusing pots, first sterilize them by soaking in a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Rinse well and give them time to air dry before adding the seeding soil mix to them. Then plant the seeds to the recommended depth listed on the seed packet.

So what should you plant? Plant what you want to eat. Some vegetables grow best in warmer weather.

These vegetables are usually grown for their fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers and melons, for example. So start those seeds in the spring.

Other vegetables need cooler weather. Lettuce, spinach and peas are examples of cool season

Susan Wallace UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

crops. While most vegetables transplant well there are a few, like carrots, that don’t. These veggies tend to have long roots so need to be directly planted in the garden.

Whatever you decide to plant, make sure to buy the seeds from a reputable source and follow the planting directions which should give you basic information such as planting depth. Then give them warmth, light and water.

Finally, when exactly should you plant your seeds? This varies depending on the vegetable and your location. Seed packets will tell you how long it typically takes from planting to moving out into the garden. For example, if a vegetable takes 10 weeks from seed to transplanting you should plant those seeds 70 days before

your last frost date.

Buy the Foothill Vegetable Planting Guide developed by UCCE Master Gardeners which lists planting times for vegetables for different altitudes in El Dorado County. It’s available for $7 at surveys.ucanr.edu/ survey.cfm?surveynumber=31947.

Save the date for edible sale on April 13 where Master Gardeners will have spring and summer vegetables, fruit and herbs for sale. All other plants, including succulents, shrubs, trees, ornamental and native plants, will be for sale on April 27.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is be open 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master_ gardener_e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

El

The 8th Annual Stand Up For MORE Comedy Night will be in partnership with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce to o er wonderful entertainment along with a delicious meal catered by John Sanders. Shake o the stress of the week with this hilarious, fundraising showcase.

Our Headliner, the hilarious Dennis Blair, who has been described as a Renaissance man. He is an accomplished screenwriter, award-winning songwriter, and comedic actor. Yet he is probably best known for the caustic observations and musical satires of his live comedy performances. Also featured is the amazingly talented Derrick Leonard, whose laser-sharp humor will have you in stitches!

Admission: $60 per person; $100 per couple Tickets

Pixabay image

Growing vegetables from seed can be a rewarding and delicious experience.

The

curator than he is as an artist: he selects artists for the gallery on the basis of his own affinity for their work, not their ability to sell prints.

Still, Zack recognizes the importance of an audience. In Placerville the audience benefits from access to a gallery of Volution’s caliber and the innovative work that it champions, while Volution’s artists benefit from exposure to an audience of local art lovers.

Zack knows that questions of audience and community are intertwined. While he has long connected artists to the community, he wants to do more to connect the community to the arts. To that end, he plans to open a “community section” in the gallery, which will have a special emphasis on the young artists who are learning,

as Zack once did, to pursue their own vision.

“I’m excited to get more people in here,” he said. “Maybe it can give

Women Continued from B2

that their dreams and aspirations have no bounds.”

The event not only highlighted the

Award Continued from B2

for public recognition of older adults who have given their time and effort to serve their community. The award 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

someone their start.” Visit Volution Gallery at 452 Main St. in Placerville. Learn more at VolutionGallery.com.

professional achievements of these women but also allowed students to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the role of women in shaping the community and world.

years. Nomination forms, including submission requirements, are available at the Placerville Senior Center located at 937 Spring St. in Placerville or online at edcgov.us/ HumanServices.

Nominations must be submitted no later than April 19. For more information call (530) 621-6255 or email to rebecca.johnson@edcgov.us.

Know

Continued from B1

beautiful landscape plants and many of their flowers are edible. Join Master Gardeners Jan Keahey and Ada Brehmer to explore the herbs that grow well in our area, how to propagate and grow, when to harvest and how to preserve.

Enjoy a playful day of Easter Bunny visits and photos, music, games, prizes, magic show, balloon artistry, face painting and more at El Dorado Hills Town Center’s Baskets and Bunnies event, 10 a.m. to noon. Children 12 and younger will receive an Easter basket to visit participating business to gather up to 12 eggs filled with treats and prizes. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

Photo by Loren Christofferson

Zack Pangborn ‘s art is inspired by nature as well as his love for science fiction and fantasy.

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