Mountain Democrat, Monday, March 27, 2023

Emerald Bay chills out after three decades

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

Lotus property slips away from Marco’s owners

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

Just o Highway 49 in Lotus are the remnants of a popular community hub. The last time Marco’s Café saw life — a Halloween weekend farewell party last year.

Once a place where friends could meet up for summertime fun of food, spirits and a variety of live music not far from the South Fork of the American River’s whitewater, the fate of Marco’s Café is looking bleak.

Marco’s Café owner and Lotus residents Justin Boyd and his wife Veronica say after the land owner increased rent on the property, located at 7221 Highway 49 in Lotus, and rising tensions between the two parties, they chose not to renew their lease. Subsequently, the owner looked to sell the land Marco’s sat on, which Justin wanted to purchase to continue Marco’s legacy. Neither party could come to an agreement before property owner and president of Bay Area-based

California Canoe & Kayak Keith Miller told the Boyds he had made a sale with another buyer. Miller declined to comment when the Mountain Democrat contacted him.

With summer and rafting season on the horizon, area residents are discouraged by the news that the community will lose a family-friendly hot spot for tourists and locals.

So family-friendly that Julie Boucher, owner of Sierra Nevada

■ See MARCO’s page A6

Tahoe Daily Tribune

“The Lake of the Sky” is grabbing attention this winter for more than one reason.

Emerald Bay froze, including the inlet, for the first time in decades.

David Antonucci, a civil/environmental engineer and writer, who lives in Tahoma told the Tahoe Daily Tribune it’s not extremely rare, since it froze over, or mostly froze, before.

Emerald Bay last froze over to this extent in the winters

of 1993 and 1989, according to what information California State Parks o cials gathered from research.

Antonucci shared some archived newspapers that covered freezes in the past. The Sacramento Daily Union reported March 22, 1880, that the bay had entirely frozen over for the first time since being “settled by the whites.” Another set of newspaper clippings

Oak Ridge graduate now an Olympic hopeful

Jana Rossi

Staff writer

You can almost say Oak Ridge High School track and field athlete Brandon Jetter fell into his current Olympic journey. On the track he set records while competing in the 100-

meter dash and 110meter high hurdles. At University of California, Davis he was a team walk-on and by his second year was o ered a full-ride scholarship.

In 2019 another sport — one he had never considered — entered the picture.

Due to his size and speed, friends

encouraged him to try out for the Bobsleigh Combine in Chula Vista. Living in San Diego, he made a spontaneous decision that changed the trajectory of his life.

The combine consisted of sprints, broad jump and shot toss, where his impressive numbers

■ See JETTER page A6

Brakeman Brandon Jetter and pilot Kris Horn shoot down the track. The duo hopes to make it to the next Winter Olympics, representing Team USA.

Courtesy photo

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.

Caroll S. Tuttle

July 13, 1930 - Jan. 9, 2023

Caroll Tuttle, 92, of Placerville, California, passed peacefully, surrounded by family on January 9, 2023.

A native Californian, Caroll lived in the Bay Area most of his life. He graduated from San Leandro High School and earned degrees from CSU Hayward, Santa Clara University, and Eastman School of Music.

A musician, college teacher, and psychotherapist, Caroll made a lasting impression through the years. Most will remember Caroll best as a musician spreading joy through his music. He began performing at a young age and later toured throughout the country with various shows and bands. He was still arranging and performing music locally into his 92nd year!

Caroll was a life-long learner, with interests which included gourmet cooking, entertaining, and deep conversation.

Caroll is survived by his much-loved blended family.

A celebration of Caroll’s life will be held on April 8, 2023. Please contact the family at TuttleCelebration@gmail.com for information.

Betty Lou Lucy

Aug. 29, 1933 - March 14, 2023

Betty Lou Lucy, 89, died March 14. “Betsy”, daughter of Elsie and Alexander Craig passed away peacefully in her home in the Gold Hill area of Placerville, Calif. She is survived by her partner, Brian Lemley, her two sons, Scott Lucy and Brian Lucy, her daughter, Sharon Lucy, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Betsy Lucy was a homemaker for most of her life. She lived in many places across the country, but after arriving in the Placerville area with her (now deceased) husband, Jim Lucy, in 1983, she created and operated an antique furniture store, “Betsy’s Place”, in Diamond Springs. Betsy loved to reminisce about her childhood which included weekend trips with her parents to visit her grandfather’s (Noble Rhinesmith) farm in upstate New Jersey. She enjoyed restoring old furniture, cooking, reading, gardening, dancing, painting, and traveling. Her travel adventures took her across our country and all over the globe. Everyone who met her admired her spirit, her style, her beauty, her sense of humor, her kindness, and her willingness to experience all that life offered to her. She is already greatly missed by family and many friends near and far.

Gordon H. Smith

Dec. 28, 1940 - Jan. 21, 2023

Gordon was raised in Richmond, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army. A resident of El Dorado County for 47 years where he worked as a truck driver.

Gordon passed away suddenly after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Norma; daughter Christina Bist; son Edward Smith. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his brother Edgar Smith. He was preceded in death by his father Harry Smith, mother Evelyn Smith and is sister Jeanine Munson.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 2, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wilkinson-Hupcey Building, 681 Main Street, Placerville.

David Anthony Sauvé

Sept. 9, 1945 – Jan. 23, 2023

David Anthony Sauvé was born to parents Francis and Irene Sauvé on September 9, 1945 in Bay City, Michigan, and passed away on January 23, 2023 in Placerville, California.

He leaves behind his wife of 36 years Julie, and daughter Lindsay and spouse Peter, son Daniel and spouse Christina, and son Benjamin, as well as his siblings Paul Sauvé, Kathy Smock, Thomas Sauvé, and Jeanne Sharpy, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends, colleagues, and comrades.

Dave is best remembered for the fullness of the life he lived, accruing a vibrant range of interests, experiences, and talents that he loved to share with those important to him in life, of whom there were many. As a child and young man in Detroit, Dave grew a passion for cars (the “Motor City”), a love for music (“Motown” and later Detroit Rock n’ Roll), and a fandom for baseball and ice hockey. Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam, a formative experience from which he took with him a lifelong dedication to duty, service, and compassion for all people. Dave remained active as an enthusiastic and essential life member of VFW Post 10165. He served as a board member of several veteran’s service organizations, and was honored as the 2023 El Dorado County Veteran of the Year.

Following his military service Dave completed his degree in fine arts at Wayne State University, where he developed his passion and talent for photography and journalism, and appreciation for art of all forms. Fed up with the frigid winters of Michigan, Dave struck out west for California, settling in Venice Beach, where he was able to live his dream with an apartment on the beach, sunny days playing volleyball, and trips to his favorite place to be in nature, Death Valley.

In his 32 year career with the U.S. Postal Service, he formed lifelong friendships with co-workers from Michigan to Venice to Shingle Springs where he retired in 2004. Dave was so skilled at so many of the tasks he put his mind to that he forayed into a variety of “side gigs,” including work as a handyman in Santa Rosa, California, where he met his wife Julie in 1982. Dave and Julie moved with daughter Lindsay to El Dorado County in 1985 where he found a community that he was proud to call home and raise a family in. He loved the open road, taking the family on weeks long car camping trips throughout the American west, and eventually visiting all 50 U.S. States; he loved sunsets over the fields and oaks of the gold country, and sunrises soaking in his hot tub. He was sharp and intellectual until the end, a dedicated Jeopardy fan and voracious reader, routinely consuming three newspapers per day. He was kind, caring, thoughtful and generous, always remembering “those less fortunate than us” at every family meal.

As Dave would say for all the service men and women, friends, and family that went before him, he is “gone but not forgotten.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shingle Springs Community Center on May 13, 2023 at 11 a.m.. Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.

Christine G. Ferris

July 27, 1952 - Dec. 13, 2022

Christine G. Ferris from Placerville, California passed away December 13, 2022.

Chris was born July 27, 1952 in Fresno, California to Dewey and Myrtle Poe. She was raised and educated in Rescue, California and graduated from Ponderosa High School.

Chris had a variety of interests. She was an Oakland Athletics fan and listened to many of the games on the radio. Other interests included Ballroom Dancing-Reading-the ocean and meditation-working with plants and traveling. She traveled to various places. Her last trip was to Vietnam. She spent many enjoyable hours pursuing family history and the study of genealogy. Her results were amazing!

Chris was always interested in healthcare and helping people. She volunteered as a candy striper after high school, assisted many to medical appointments, and eventually became a live-in caretaker for the elderly.

Chris is survived by her Son: Jason (Sue) Ferris of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Grandchildren: Sofi, Madison, and Ethan; Sisters: Linda (Bob) Keller of El Mirage, Arizona, Kathy (Alan) Elliott of Minot, North Dakota, and Charlene Muniz of Placerville, California.

She was preceded in death by her Parents and Brother-in-law Joe Muniz.

Chris will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in San Francisco, a place that she enjoyed.

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:

March 17 12:49 p.m. Battery was reported on Lime Kiln Road in Placerville.

1:50 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 75-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at 8 Mile Road in Camino. He was released on $5,000 bail.

7:45 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Fall Trail Road. He was later released.

7:54 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Olson Lane in El Dorado Hills.

March 18

12:16 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of vehicle theft and evading officers on Highway 49 (location not specified). He was listed in custody in lieu of $140,000 bail.

8:29 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old man suspected of possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft and possession of a controlled substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $115,000 bail.

9:53 a.m. Battery was reported at a restaurant on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

11:03 a.m. Shots were reportedly heard at a residence on Sudbury Road in Cameron Park.

11:09 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on 42 Mile Stone Road in Twin Bridges.

11:4 a.m. Burglary was reported on Rolph Way in El Dorado Hills.

12:05 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 57-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 east of Carson Road in Camino. He was later

released on $5,000 bail.

12:12 p.m. Burglary was reported on Autumn Way in Shingle Springs.

1:25 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of DUI in Cameron Park (location not specified). He was later released.

4:44 p.m. Burglary was reported at an apartment complex on Olson Lane in El Dorado Hills.

8:20 p.m. Shots were reportedly heard at a residence on Gold Country Drive in El Dorado.

March 19

1:05 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance, giving false identification to officers and probations violations on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $500 bail.

2:29 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 35-year-old man suspected of impersonation on Highway 50 in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

7:39 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

10:57 a.m. Burglary was reported on Meadow Court in Rescue.

1:17 p.m. Battery was reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

5:28 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

11:20 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance an unlawful drug paraphernalia, possession of burglary tools and reckless driving on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was released on $5,000 bail.

Jury convicts El Dorado Hills couple of tax fraud

News release

SACRAMENTO — After an eightday trial, a federal jury found El Dorado Hills couple Brian Beland, 39, and Denae Beland, 40, guilty in an effort to circumvent paying federal income taxes, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

“When the IRS began a civil audit of Brian and Danae Beland’s taxes, the defendants tried to hide their crimes through false expenses, telling falsehoods to the civil examiner, and obstructing the IRS audit,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “This trial is an example of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to investigate and prosecute those who fail to comply with their federal tax obligations.”

“Falsifying documents and filing fraudulent tax returns is a crime,” said Darren Lian, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s Oakland Field Office. “We should not forget that the ultimate victims in tax fraud cases are the people of the United States — those honest taxpayers who diligently and truthfully file tax returns each year. IRS-CI will continue to focus our investigative efforts on individuals and businesses who cheat on their taxes and do not comply with the law. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the dedication of our agents that resulted in Mr. and Mrs. Beland’s guilty verdict by the jury.”

For filing false tax returns that illegally claimed both personal expenses and fabricated expenses as tax deductions, Brian Beland has been found guilty of three counts of a filing false tax return for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Brian Beland and Denae Beland were both found guilty of corruptly impeding their tax audit.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Brian Beland was a mortgage broker for Wells Fargo and then Bank of America, 2011-13. He claimed business expenses in excess of $800,000 for all three years, effectively paying only a 2% tax on the more than $1.1 million he earned. Denae Beland is an attorney licensed by the California State Bar. When the

Mary Susan (Sue) Craig

April 18, 1938 – Feb. 17, 2023

IRS began a civil audit of their taxes, Brian and Denae Beland tried to hide their crimes by falsely claiming that personal expenses were business expenses, telling falsehoods to the civil examiner and obstructing the IRS audit by not providing requested documents.

For the IRS audit, the Belands, claiming their business records had been shredded or lost, recreated spreadsheets of their business expenses that listed various items as business expenses that were actually personal expenses, including travel to Europe, the Eiffel Tower, Hawaii and Cancun; wine racks and a personalized wine bottle in their wine cellar; a California king bed; patio furniture; automated tiki torches; birthday party and baby shower expenses; home gym exercise flooring; and other items.

In June 2016 the IRS executed a search warrant at their house in El Dorado Hills. In addition to finding many pieces of furniture and household goods that had been claimed as business expenses, agents also found tax records and receipts, despite the Belands’ claims that all records and receipts had been destroyed.

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Veronica M.A. Alegría and Lee S. Bickley are prosecuting the case. Brian and Danae Beland are scheduled to be sentenced June 20 by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb. Brian Beland faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count of filing a false tax return. Brian and Denae Beland each face a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 for corruptly endeavoring to impede the tax audit.

The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal sentencing guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

NEUROPATHY IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION!

DRUG FREE TREATMENT AVAILABLE. ACT NOW

We are one of 280 clinics nationwide that specialize in the treatment of neuropathy

What Causes It?

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems.

This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.

Healthy Nerve

Healthy Blood Vessels

Diseased Blood Vessels Nerves Shrivel when Blood Vessels Weak and Disappear Figure 1

As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be determined.

What is the underlying cause? 1

How much nerve damage has been sustained? 2

Drug Free Treatment Method

How much treatment will your condition require? 3

Placerville, CA – Currently the most common method most doctor’s recommend to treat neuropathy is with the use of prescription drugs. Although these drugs may temporarily reduce your symptoms they may cause a feeling of discomfort and in some cases lead to a variety of terrible unwanted side effects. We have a different method!

Our advanced treatment method has 3 main goals

Increase Blow ow 1

Stimulate small ber nerves 2

Decrease brain based pain 3

The treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.

The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient

Thirty-two years to the day after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, Mary Susan (Sue) Craig, was born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California - April 18, 1938. She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Virginia Olson, previously of Santa Barbara and Happy Camp, CA. Sue was surrounded by a loving family who saw to it that she was as spoiled (in a good way!) as she was loved.

Sue’s independent streak first glowed when her grandmother, whom she referred to as Mom, would chastise her for some misdeed and threaten to go after her. Sue, about 3 years old at the time, would run for her bedroom and throw herself under her bed where Mom knew she was hiding but couldn’t get her out. That rebellious nature never fully deserted her. She scored many firsts for getting into trouble at a young age… for example, riding horses far and wide across the hills of Castro Valley, testing the boundaries of her familiar territories and of Mom’s patience.

One summer in the 50’s she spent a couple of weeks on horseback working a cattle drive to move a herd from near Folsom (a small town at the time) to summer pastures in the High Sierra. She was in her element!

For years, she attended a Girl Scout Camp up in the glorious Redwoods. From age 8 on into her late teens, Sue went the entire summer. They had tents but they could also make a sleeping nest in the trunks and roots of the huge trees. She was about as natural as they come!

She was not only California born and bred but also lived and died within her beloved state. It suited her, especially her love of nature, everything flora and fauna, and also her love of history: places, artifacts and tools that spoke of an earlier time.

There was a part of Sue that could easily have been born 100 years ago and she would have thrived: she was a cowgirl, loved everything about black-smithing, never owned a power tool and preferred to split wood with a maul and wedges well into her 80’s. She had vehicles but if someone else would drive, all the better.

She never met an animal she didn’t like, except for rattlesnakes. Wherever she went, she ended up with something in her arms or on her lap, petting, stroking, smiling, and snuggling: dogs, cats, someone’s pet snake, interesting insects, deer, goats, raccoons, newts, salamanders, chickens, llamas, donkeys, or horses….All of these critters were pets at one time or another.

She graduated high school and went to San Jose State and LaVerne University for her BA. Her first career employment was California Youth Authority and in a few years she was the youngest Head Supervisor on the force. After several years, she returned to Cal Lutheran for her Masters program In psychology while working at Camarillo State Hospital as a teacher and a researcher within the Autism Program.

Under Ivar Lovass and his Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at UCLA, she participated in some of the earliest educational research on behalf of children with autism. The method of ABA and Intervention remains a standard model for working with early autism to this day. It was also embedded in Sue’s teaching methods when she spent another 20 years teaching children with special needs including autism, and especially ones with reading difficulties at Gold Oak Union School District and with the El Dorado County Office of Education.

In 1978, Sue and a cohort of friends, moved onto 70+ acres outside Placerville, CA. They built a large geodesic dome, another country elegant home and a big barn that was completely Women Built. There was a large organic garden, running and hiking trails on the property, and through the years it was filled with hundreds of animals. From dogs and cats, to horses, a donkey, and a magnificent stud llama along with milking goats and their babies, several dozen laying hens, and a couple of attack geese.

Sue was an avid cheese and tofu-maker. Most people don’t know it, but warm tofu just out of the press is about as tantalizing as freshly baked bread!

She was an active volunteer in El Dorado County. She used her many years as a horsewoman and years of teaching to assist Kris Van Winkle with the Ride N Shine program that used horse-back riding to provide therapy to handicapped and severely handicapped children.

During the 80s and early 90s, she was instrumental in the revitalization of the El Dorado County Humane Society. Sue was active in many areas of the Society from donations and sales, to the Feral Cat Spay, Neuter, and Feeding program, and to finding homes for hundreds of homeless animals.

Sue was also a Docent at Coloma’s Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in the Blacksmithing Shop. She had a deep love of hand wrought and used tools. Although she came to blacksmithing as a mature adult, she loved every aspect of it and spent many an hour at shows, forge-in gatherings, and buying and selling tools of the trade. Sue helped many new blacksmiths outfit new shops. Educationally, California History is a mandated class for all 4th graders and for most of the school year, they came by the busloads a couple of days each week. Her teaching and blacksmithing skills blended nicely!

Sue was always active in sports, starting as a competitive gymkhana rider, then a catcher in softball, and she was a fearless volleyballer who dove head-first for the dig. She also enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and both summer and winter camping, She and a group of friends would go tent camping in Yosemite Valley in the dead of winter. She loved long car trips throughout Canada and the USA, and enjoyed international travel to Latin America, South America, Europe and the Middle East.

One of Sue’s greatest gifts was her artistic eye that found beauty and meaning in obscure articles of nature and humanity. She could visit an antique store, or yard sale, or walk through someone’s barn or backyard and find something incredible, and walking through her home was like visiting an interestingly curated museum. Numerous talented artists and artisans loved Sue, and unsolicited, they would ‘make her something’ — they really appreciated her ‘eye.’ Sue’s business card read ‘Rust-N-Dust’ which was a tongue in cheek homage to her love of many things old.

In the mid-90’s, Sue was introduced to Buddhism by a good friend.

The calm, quiet, meditative, and self-inquiry required within Buddhism worked for Sue. Always a person to step up and help, she had no trouble with the concept of loving-kindness for all living beings. She practiced both with the Davis Shambhala Center and a small group of Buddhist friends until her death.

Sue was a breast cancer survivor of nearly 20 years. Her later years included facing Parkinson’s and Lewy Body with concomitant dementia. She was a trouper and didn’t let her situation keep her from living life. What she could no longer do alone, she did with friends or friends did for her. She took off her boots for the final time about a week before she passed.

During a profoundly quiet moment in the middle of the night with her long-time partner present, Sue slipped away into the Cosmos. She left us with a gentle smile.

Sue was both a force of nature, and a quiet hero, well-remembered and beloved by her Chosen Family and numerous friends. As she did with everything she touched, Sue did Life, Her Way.

A Celebration of Life, outdoors of course, will be held when the weather is warmer — Sue was an outdoors woman as we all know! Keep watching this site and as soon as we can secure a proper venue, we will post the Date, Time, and Place. It will be towards late April when the weather warms up a bit. Bring any Sue Snaps or Sue Stories to share!

OPINION

Important, costly lessons for California taxpayers from the COVID pandemic

As it did with citizens throughout America, the pandemic caused massive disruption to the lives of virtually every Californian.

Tens of thousands lost their lives, many now have long-term health problems and countless others lost their jobs or businesses. Moreover, the disastrous handling of the pandemic for schoolaged children will likely leave a scar on an entire generation that may never heal.

More unique to California, however, is the extent of government waste associated with the pandemic. Outright fraud, mismanagement, opportunistic consultants, ineffective media campaigns and simple incompetence put California way ahead of all other states in felony-level stupidity with the spending of taxpayer dollars.

Because this is a column, not a book, we can only review a few of the most egregious examples.

Of course, the big Kahuna is the jawdropping amount of fraud in the Employment Development Department.

Originally thought to be “only” $11 billion in “improper” payments, we now know that the fraud exceeded $31 billion. To put that in perspective, that is 10% of the entire budget for the state of California. More insulting is where the money went. Transnational organized criminal groups from China and Africa have made off with billions of dollars, with who knows how much of it used for child trafficking, drugs and terrorism.

A close second, the waste and incompetence of California’s public education establishment probably engendered more anger, especially among parents, than even the EDD debacle. Taxpayers were obligated to continue paying their full taxes as though our public schools were fully open with students attending in person. The public employee unions were running the show during the pandemic and that was bad news for both taxpayers and students.

According to a report last July, California school districts had spent $40 billion in COVID-related funds, but very little went to addressing learning loss. That may be due in part to the failure of the federal government to specify with more

n See Coupal, page A5

Belltower

Ijust finished reading the 731-page Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton was an amazing guy. He established the Coast Guard and the Light House Service. The Coast Guard helped him collect import duties.

He also established the first Bank of the United States, paid off debts from the American Revolution and the debts of the states that had financed the revolution through the Continental Congress. He also added an excise tax on whiskey, which produced the whiskey rebellion that was tamped down by an army headed by Gen. Hamilton with George Washington as its titular head. Hamilton wrote Washington’s speeches, with some judicious

Richard B. Esposito Publisher Krysten Kellum Editor Noel Stack Managing Editor

letters to the editor lessons from new Zealand

EDITOR:

Irecently returned from a wonderful hiking vacation in New Zealand. During our rides from one trailhead to the next, our Kiwi guide Zac would entertain our group with stories of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people. Zac has detailed knowledge of Maori customs, language, history and mythology and his passion is to pass this knowledge onto New Zealand’s visitors. He is encouraged by how the schools are teaching Maori culture and language to all school children. The Maori language is included on signs in all parks and visitor stops along with the English descriptions. You will find both languages for the birds and native plants, as well as for historical events and notable people. Today in New Zealand, the Kiwi and the Maori work hand in hand to preserve nature, restore native bush and birds and together keep the country clean and beautiful.

In California we too have a rich history about our Native American indigenous people; however, I see little education about the various tribes that once populated our state. We seem to be trying to forget the culture rather than embracing it. For example, last year the name “Squaw Valley” was replaced with “Palisades,” which has nothing to do with native culture. The tribe present in the Tahoe Basin was the Washoe, so a better replacement name might have been “Washoe Valley.”

California could do a lot more to teach about our native tribes, including the travesties bestowed on them by the early settlers to our state, instead of trying to erase them.

DEBBI PRESTON Rescue

are the rich overtaxed?

EDITOR:

This responds to Larry Weitzman’s Balancing Act article in the March 6 edition of the Mountain Democrat relating to who pays their “fair: share in taxes. He posits that the rich pay way too much compared to the middle class.

The numbers that he quotes, such as the fact that the top 1% of income earners pay 42% of all the income tax paid to the U.S. Treasury, certainly make it appear that this is the case. However, he does not place this in the context that this group earns an enormous amount of money compared to lower-income groups, so it is not surprising that the total amount would be so high.

The more important point, however, is that

editing by Washington. Hamilton also wrote Washington’s farewell speech. During the revolution Hamilton had been Washington’s principal adjutant. At the Battle of Yorktown Hamilton led a group that seized a key British battlement.

Both Washington and Hamilton wanted to establish a military academy. Jefferson opposed that since he was opposed to having a standing army. Nevertheless, when Jefferson became president he signed legislation March 16, 1802, establishing a military academy at West Point.

Two years later, July 12, 1804, Hamilton died from a gunshot wound from Aaron Burr inflicted during a duel instigated by Burr. Jefferson eliminated the whisky excise tax, but so many import duties were being collected that the

federal income taxes, which are progressive, represent only one of several taxes paid by Americans. What he is leaving out are: sales taxes, which are regressive; payroll (FICA) taxes, which are paid by anyone who has a job and are capped at about $160,00 for Social Security and $200,000 for Medicare; and state income taxes, which are not graduated in many states (California is an exception).

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy has studied this issue at length and has determined that, in most states, “The vast majority of state and local tax systems are inequitable and upside-down.” After crunching the data they have determined that the American tax system is slightly progressive. For example, the poorest 20% earn 2.8% of total income and pay 2% of total taxes; the middle 20% earn 10.9% of total income and pay 9.4% of total taxes; and the top 1% earn 20.9% of total income and pay 24.1% of total taxes. I believe that these data do not support the supposition that the wealthy pay too much.

JOHN L HERRMAN Placerville

EDITOR:

I’ve grown numb to the people who call Republicans the party of racism and hatred. I’m told by those on the left that sometime in the 1930s the Republicans and Democrats switched parties and now Republicans are the racist party.

Here’s what I know, Joe Biden is a Democrat born in 1942. That makes him old enough to vote for Democrats while they were filibustering the Voter’s Rights and the Civil Rights Acts. He was 28 and voting Democrat while Jim Crow laws still existed. He brags that he worked with his Democratic friends who were segregationists. He was able to vote 12 times to have Robert Byrd, a member of the KKK, as the Senate leader. He spoke at Byrd’s funeral. He boasts that he instituted the criminal law that incarcerated hundreds of thousands of Black people.

It’s painfully clear that Joe Biden has voted for racist laws throughout his entire adult life. And it’s also painfully clear that Democrats voted to make him president of the United States. I just wanted to clarify who supports racism in their party. Don’t put your stink on me because you own it.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

of the USA

the u.S. Supreme Court has quoted hamilton in some of its decisions. So much of hamilton’s writings, ideas and actions were prescient and looked far in the future.

debt was paid off and a surplus was generated. That enabled Jefferson to take advantage of the Louisiana Purchase from France for $15 million.

Jefferson had objected to the Bank of the United States but kept it anyway. There were two other notable accomplishments by Hamilton. One was starting the New York Post, at the time called the Evening New York Post. He did that in association with some wealthy merchants among his fellow Federalists. The New York Post is the longest continuously published newspaper in America.

Whenever we’re in New York I always try to get a copy of the Post. When I first read it in the breakfast room of the hotel where we were staying it carried news about sexual

harassment by the general manager of the New York Knicks. No other newspaper was covering it. The Post has the best and funniest tabloid headlines, but you can always count on it being a fact-based paper.

Hamilton had a thriving law practice and particularly liked to take constitutional issues and cases in which he would argue issues before the state supreme court. One issue he argued was that truth was a defense against libel. He lost that case based on New York libel law, but the New York Legislature shortly passed a law making truth a defense against libel.

Hamilton almost single-handedly wrote the Federalist Papers. He had contributions from James Madison and one contribution from John Jay,

Hamilton is one of the most amazing founders

the public employee unions were running the show during the pandemic and that was bad news for both taxpayers and students.

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particularity how the money should be spent. According to EdSource, “Most districts appear to have listed most of the money they spent in [an] allbut-the-kitchen-sink category, which could include raises and bonuses to retain staff.” Finally, there remain billions more in unspent funds at the same time public school enrollment has plummeted in the state. Not all the waste was the result of fraud or negligence but rather a

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simple miscalculation of the severity of the pandemic.

One example of COVID spending “overkill” was the conversion of Sacramento’s professional basketball facility, then called Sleep Train Arena, into a COVID hospital in April 2020. According to the L.A. Times, the conversion cost millions of dollars and yet only nine patients were treated there.

Far less justifiable than an arguably

but the bulk of it was by Hamilton, who was a prodigious writer and hard worker.

The U.S. Supreme Court has quoted Hamilton in some of its decisions. So much of Hamilton’s writings, ideas and actions were prescient and looked far in the future. He wanted to spur economic development. Already New York City was a thriving metropolis of merchants and tradesmen. Hamilton helped start the Bank of New York, a key point of finance helping New York to thrive.

Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, with some revisions by a couple of others.

Jefferson did not participate in the Revolutionary War. In fact, he rode off into the woods to avoid the British.

Jefferson got a whole memorial in Washington,

good-faith response by sending a massive hospital ship to L.A. “just in case,” was Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to spend almost $1 billion in taxpayer funds to purchase masks from a sketchy Chinese company known for building electric cars. Two years after the fact, there remain many unanswered questions.

Finally, California had a golden opportunity to use some of the billions in federal COVID relief to pay down

D.C., Alexander Hamilton got statues on the south porch of the Treasury building and in front of the Library of Congress. Hamilton was a voracious reader with an extensive personal library. He started reading books in French and English about government finance while serving as Gen. Washington’s adjutant. The wide-ranging reading gave him the ideas on financing government.

Hamilton’s real monument is setting up the books for the Treasury Department, his writings on the independence of the Supreme Court and the importance of an active presidency and government doctrines in the Federalist Papers and other writings of Hamilton.

The government consisted of the president, the War Department, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, who was expected to have

debt to the federal Unemployment Insurance Fund. That is precisely what virtually all other states did. But California’s failure means much higher costs to the state’s business community.

Taxpayers would like to hope that government agencies learned much from the pandemic. So far, there’s no indication of it.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

a private practice on the side and the Treasury secretary. By Jefferson’s second term he had a secretary of the Navy.

Now there are 12 other departments and cabinet secretaries. I’ll list them and let the reader decide how many cabinet level secretaries are really needed: Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Environmental Protection.

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

Announcements

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

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

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

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

**Beginner instruction available

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

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

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

22 Government grp. employing ecologists

25 “Doonesbury” or “Blondie”

26 Big name in canned meat

30 Court divider

33 “Dr.” of hip-hop

34 Pastry served with afternoon tea

36 Rink org.

37 Childish rebuttal

38 Actor La Salle

39 Cocktail made with whiskey, honey and lemon

42 Dogs with standard, medium and

**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

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

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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

2.625 2.90

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Emerald Bay Continued from A1 provided by Antonucci from the Truckee Republican reported two more times the bay froze in the 1930s.

Even the Santa Cruz Sentinel picked up the phenomena, detailing the experience of a family of five, during which time they were secluded from the rest of the Tahoe Basin by snowfall and freezing temperatures.

The Sentinel reported the bay froze in 1952 for an unspecified duration Jan. 1 and Feb. 5 and needed supplies were delivered by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, “who had to break ice with long poles and shovels for almost a mile before they could dock.”

The Coast Guard members then reportedly transported 500 pounds of foodstu s by toboggan to Vikingsholm for the family.

“I seem to recall it may have frozen over in 1983,” said Antonucci. “It probably wasn’t widely reported because a severe avalanche closed the road for three months that winter,”

Photographer and part owner of Twilight & Rust Gallery Jonathan Thompson also captured a spectacular sunrise over a partially frozen Emerald Bay in 2017.

“I arrived and was rewarded for the e ort with a lovely Sierra sunrise to accompany the spectacular phenomena,” Thompson recalled in a post on Facebook.” Walking back to the truck in daylight, I realized we had snowshoed through a couple fresh avalanche rips on the way in.”

Lake Tahoe Facts, a book prepared in cooperation by Antonucci and the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, discusses many facts of the lake, including the depth and thermodynamics detailing why Lake Tahoe in its entirety doesn’t freeze.

Emerald Bay at its deepest point is approximately 220 feet. With Lake Tahoe’s maximum depth of 1,645 feet it is the second deepest in the U.S.

and 11th deepest internationally.

Kaytlen Jackson, interpreter for California State Parks, told the Tribune a layer of ice, she guessed, about an inch thick was on display this year the day images were captured that have since gone viral.

“The winds that pushed down the canyon that day were super strong and blew the sheet of ice,” Jackson said, noting the photo she saw on Reddit showed Emerald Bay completely frozen over but it didn’t stay frozen for long.

Size is one reason Lake Tahoe doesn’t freeze over.

“Weight per cubic foot equals density and water is at its most dense at 39 degrees. As the temperature of the water approaches 32 degrees the density decreases, causing it to float as ice,” Antonucci explained.

“Before a water body can freeze over, the entire water column needs to reach 39 degrees,” said Senior Environmental Scientist with California State Parks’ Sierra District Courtney Rowe. “Then, the water can freeze. As water gets cold, it sinks and warmer water replaces it at surface (mixing). This process repeats until the whole column is cooled (or conditions change). In large bodies of water, the whole column will not get cold enough to allow for freezing.”

Antonucci also said when Lake Tahoe recently flipped, mixing for the first time since 2018-19, the lake could have lent a helping hand to this year’s freeze of the Emerald Bay.

In addition, water freezes from the perimeter of a lake to the center because the water is shallower at the lake’s edge so it cools o faster, Rowe noted, adding that the shape (long shorelines, narrow/shallow constriction) along with the relatively shallower depth of Emerald Bay allows for some degree of freezing whereas most of Tahoe is too large and too deep to freeze.

Photos in Coloma, said her child learned to walk there.

“It’s a huge, devastating loss,” Boucher said. “It’s where you see everybody and you always leave there smiling. Losing that is like losing a main hub for our town. It was a place where families could hangout, we felt safe bringing our kids because everyone was watching them and a lot of our teenagers worked at Marco’s.”

The café became well-known for attracting bands to play the cozy venue, which consisted of a kitchen, drink bar and outdoor seating. Marco’s served a variety of pizzas, salads, brews, wine and other foods while local acts like the Coyote Hill Band, Island of Black and White, Red Dirt Ruckus, Tepid Club of Cool and more jammed out on a grassy area.

In particular, when popular group Island of Black and White would perform, parking would become scarce, according to longtime resident Monte Osborn. He added that the community is losing one of its biggest summer entertainment venues.

“When you see 50-60 people dancing in front of the band with everybody else sitting on the deck all circling around, and you can have a variety of food and wine for dinner, that’s an ideal spot,” Osborn said. “You just don’t get the type of atmosphere, the type of turnout and the funnel of people that all know each other like this.”

Other eateries in the area include the River Shack Deli & Pub and the Coloma Club, which also hosts live music.

“There’s no other place to see live music like (Marco’s) and Justin really built that place up,” said Gennelle Bailey, a Lotus resident. “Back in the day, they had live music but it wasn’t what it is now. He has reached out to so many bands and made connections with many musicians, and they’re all willing to come all the way up here to play for us because of how amazing our community is.”

“It’s basically the heart and soul of our entire community,” Bailey added. “The heart and soul is being ripped out and it’s awful.”

Taking a chance during an economic downturn, Justin took over Marco’s in 2007. For 15 years he ran the business as one of the area’s go-to spots and the closure of Marco’s Café and the sale of the land couldn’t have come at a worse time — Veronica and Justin are raising an 18-month-old toddler.

“It’s really hard to pick up and start over when we had something that was working and valuable to the community,” Justin said. “It’s been rough and we’ve had anxiety now that we got the news (of the sale). Now that we know, we have to move forward and figure out what is next.”

At this time, Justin is helping organize the Golden Road Gathering music festival that will be held at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds May 12-14 and Veronica is working as an acupuncturist in El Dorado Hills.

It is unclear at this time who will take over the property Marco’s sits on or what will replace the popular establishment.

won him an invitation to train and to possibly win a spot on the USA bobsleigh team. The timing though, for Jetter, was not right, due to work obligations and then COVID-19. In 2022 he decided to give it a try, traveling to Lake Placid, N.Y. to learn the basics, go through rookie camp and then participate in his first competition held in Whistler, Canada. It was there he learned firsthand what a truly violent sport bobsleighing can be when he and his crew had a scary crash. Jetter described it as “a minute long car

accident.”

But the crash didn’t deter his determination to make Team USA.

Since then, his time has been spent between Park City, Utah and Lake Placid — competing and training. His position is the brakeman for Olympian Kris Horn, who was the previous brakeman in the 2022 Olympics and is currently transitioning into the pilot seat on the two-man bobsled. The job of brakeman consists of controlling and steering the sled around the course, which can take on speeds upward of 84 mph.

Services

Dad Rick Jetter told the Mountain Democrat, “I’m extremely proud of his accomplishments both in athletics and in life. I’ve always told Brandon to chase his dreams. Anything is possible with hard work and desire.”

Brandon said he is enjoying the experience and is honored to represent the United States. His journey to the Olympics is still three years away and the athlete said he still has a lot of competitions and training to get through.

“Wherever it ends up, I feel very blessed,” he shared.

Jetter Continued from A1

Marco’s Continued from A1

Courtesy photo

Emerald Bay is pictured frozen over after a series of winter storms in early March.

Photo by Viesturs Lacis/IBSF

The Olympics are three years away and Brandon Jetter has a lot of competitions and training ahead of him.

In the KNOW

March 27

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive, noon to 4:30 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the EDH Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Donors will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $10,000 pre-paid gift cards from Vitalant, which can be redeemed by email. Make an appointment at donors. vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call Vitalant at (877) 2584825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

March 28

Placerville FamilySearch Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville, hosts Saving Photos and Documents in FamilySearch at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Learn to add pictures and documents to keep it for generations to come. Using your phone or computer scans, it is just a few clicks to get it done. For more information call (530) 6211378.

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.

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.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts a Dog Man Party, 3:30-4:30 p.m. to celebrate the release of “Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea.” Enjoy treats, games and more. For more information call (916) 941-9401.

March 29

“Let’s Make A Deal” — the Placerville Shakespeare Club annual Bridge Party will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the clubhouse, 2940 Bedford Ave. Play begins promptly at 10 a.m. The community is invited to a day of brilliant bridge, fabulous food and delightful door prizes. Men and women bridge players are welcome; $50 a pair includes a morning snack, lunch, cash prizes as well as door prizes. Partners will play together the entire day. Call Ruthie (530) 9196392 for reservations and/ or more information.

March 30

LunaFest, a program of short films all by, for and about women, will be held both virtually and in person. Virtually it will be available for 48 hours beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, through Saturday, April 1, and in-person March 30 at the Cameron Park Community Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. Complimentary desserts are an event signature. Funds support education as well as local agencies working to stop human trafficking. For more information go to lunafest. org/screenings and for ticket information go to: lunafest.orgscreenings/ hybrid-soroptimistcameron-park-el-doradohills-033023.

El Dorado Community Health Centers’ expansion a benefit to everyone in need of care

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

After nearly a year of construction and half a decade of planning

El Dorado Community Health Centers has settled into its new, allinclusive, $20 million facility on Missouri Flat Road. With primary care providers, dental, behavioral health, eye care, podiatry, telemedicine, patient advocacy, substance abuse treatment, a pharmacy and a brand new mobile clinic all at one facility, EDCHC aims to serve more of the community in a more efficient, inclusive way.

As far back as 2017 the El Dorado Community Health Centers board members imagined a facility to centralize services and expand capacity.

Within five years of opening the facility on Golden Center Drive, just off Missouri Flat Road it, was clear that the organization needed more space to serve its clients, according to Communications Director Diana Kantola. A satellite facility was opened further down Missouri Flat Road — and it was still not enough.

“It just became increasingly difficult for us to service everybody. So we opened up Cameron Park as well,” Kantola explained. “We realized that we really need a big building where we can have all of these services together and really make that impact for our patients.”

The EDCHC directors committed to that idea when they purchased land on Missouri Flat Road just north of Forni Road.

“It was probably five years ago, maybe, that the conversation started,” newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Caleb Sandford recalled. “Then this land was purchased maybe four years ago.”

Sandford comes to El Dorado County with significant experience in the healthcare management field. He worked with an integrated hospital system in Iowa and community healthcare centers in Kern and Alameda counties prior to making the move to the foothills.

He had consulted for EDCHC for several years on multiple projects, including strategic planning, before he took the CEO position four months ago.

“It gave me a great opportunity to get to know the leadership team and work with the board of directors,” he said, “which led to me being here full time, in this job.”

There was a clear need for centralized services.

“As this organization has grown, as the needs of the community have grown, we realized as an organization we need to do more than just primary care,” Sandford shared, citing a growing demand for dental, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment and other services.

“And so making this decision to buy this property and build our own thing really gave us the freedom to do what we needed to do to serve the community.”

Seeing it through

The Mountain Democrat reported on the groundbreaking in April 2021. Then CEO Terri Stratton noted the mission of the nonprofit was to provide exceptional health care and the new facility would offer expanded services in one integrated location. When the board of directors announced Stratton’s pending retirement it was noted that she would stay on to oversee the

completion of the new facility.

“It has been an honor to serve my community as we expand these needed services,” Stratton noted in a statement. “I want to thank our board and leadership team and I look forward to watching EDCHC continue to grow and serve our community’s health needs.”

Stratton passed the baton to Sandford late last year.

“Caleb brings years of executive-level experience in the FQHC world and is wellsuited to take over my role and continue to steer EDCHC toward continued success,” Stratton said.

Sandford said the transition to the new facility went well with a positive community reception. “And the response from our patients, from the community has just been amazing,” he added.

“It really is the nicest medical clinic anywhere right now,” Sandford continued.

“Being able to provide that for the community is amazing and I think everybody who has come has appreciated being treated to, you know, a first-class experience.”

The road to the new facility was not a simple feat for this nonprofit.

The first consideration was funding and EDCHC Chief Financial Officer Judy Stein went to work, according to Kantola. “Judy Stein really worked the numbers to make it happen,” she said. “She figured out the loans that we really could apply for and she moved us forward.”

A bulk of the cost was covered by a USDA loan that Stein identified. The $18.5 million loan had a good interest rate and a long term, which works in the organization’s favor, according to Sandford.

Mountain Democrat photos by Andrew Vonderschmitt

El Dorado Community Health Centers opened its all-in-one clinic last year after years of planning and renting spaces around the county.

With department names like Rocky Bar and Gold Bug the new Community Health Center’s mountain modern motif aims at honoring El Dorado County’s history and culture. Below, EDCHC Chief Executive Officer Caleb Sandford checks in on one of the new facility’s state-of-the-art examination rooms.

ComiCs

horosCoPe by holiday mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Minor irritants and annoyances can be chalked up to life as usual. But persistent pain of any kind, including emotional, warrants investigation. What’s it trying to tell you? Heed the message, which will lead you down a path of healing.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To move forward in life, you’ll need to break the current pattern. Patterns break the same way everything else does -- with a jarring interruption of the status quo. Try bending them the opposite way until they snap.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You expect nothing in return for your kindness, though actually, the return is inherent to the act. Kindness to others stops you from being overly focused on yourself and anything bothering you. To alleviate another person’s suffering will automatically lessen your own.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Unfinished business is the enemy of a beautiful day. It creates drama, clutter and distraction. What’s undone is always at the back of your mind -- a detriment to focus and momentum. Stop and handle the hard stuff, then proceed to a truly wonderful day.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your frustration is not a sign of inadequacy, rather it’s a sign of knowing you’re capable of great things. Take a breath and try this mantra: “I have plenty of time to figure this out.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s a day to test the recipe, apply the theory and follow the assembly instructions. You’ll need to build the thing to know whether these abstract ideas will pan out in practice.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Many take stability for granted, but having been in unstable environments, you prize predictable comforts. You also value people who, like you, do what they say they are going to do.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s not hard to nurture connections. Mostly, it’s a matter of attendance. Whether it’s a conversation, event or task, if you know that it means something to your loved one, you’ll be sure to show up. Your presence will be requested.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll be much more productive than the others, which leads you to wonder if you’re doing it right. Should you be pacing yourself, or are they slacking? Should you be in a more challenging position? Not everything will get answered today, but some of it will.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Don’t waste a minute thinking you should be feeling differently. Your emotions flow in their own way without regard to your preferences. Whatever comes up, accept it and steer the action from there.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Examine your motives. If you’re unsure of what they are, your best clues will come from looking at what’s happening around you. Your circumstances will reflect your intentions. You can change your purpose at any moment of your choosing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Today, you’ll be receiving good fortune, not creating it. Doing too much gets in the way of what the universe is trying to do for you. Relax a bit. In a sense, doing too much is undoing.

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Marshall Medical Center has accumulated multiple recognitions from public health agencies, watchdog groups and other organizations that gather patient safety data.

Marshall’s mission is “to improve the health of our community and offer health services of superior value and quality, centered on the goals and needs of our patients. We strive to deliver service that exceeds our patients’ expectations.”

One way the organization achieves that mission is by focusing on patient safety and quality of care.

“We’re one of the top hospitals in the nation for patient safety,” said Director of Marketing, Community Relations and Volunteer Services Lourdes Edralin, “which is quite a feat for a small community hospital.”

Recently the facility can boast recognitions from U.S. News and World Report, Money and The Leapfrog Group, Lown Institute

Hospitals Index, Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog Top Hospital, American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, Beta Healthcare Group, American College of Emergency Physicians, Cal Hospital Compare, American Diabetes Association, Commission on Cancer Accreditation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, The Joint Commission and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Listed as one of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals for 2022-23 Marshall was ranked as High Performing for COPD, pneumonia, stroke and hip fracture care.

Marshall has received a four-star rating from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems HCAHPS survey, the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care.

The Leapfrog Group has given Marshall an “A” for Safety, and n See marshall, page B4

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“You know, the actual cost to be here is not that much more than what we were paying in rental fees,” he added.

Marshall Foundation for Community Health helped with a bridge loan to get the project started. A bridge loan usually refers to a short-term loan meant to bridge a gap between selling a home and buying a new one. In this instance, the loan bridged the gap between starting the project and major funding being made available.

Clinic for all

Most private insurances, Medi-Cal, Medicare and Covered CA are accepted at the center. The underinsured and those without insurance can be seen and those who qualify may be charged according to a sliding scale based on income. Those who don’t already have a primary care physician should call the center and consider seeing a doctor, Kantola stressed.

“Well visits are incredibly needed in everyday life,” she said. “Going to visit your provider when you are well will help you and your provider figure out what to do when you’re not well.”

“And that’s really the message that we want the community to hear,” said Sandford. “That if you wait to come to the doctor until you need a doctor, it’s too late,” he said noting that there is a lot that can be done in terms of preventative care.

“We would really encourage everybody who does not have a primary care provider to engage with us and let us be their primary care home,” he said. “And to have access to all of our other amazing services.”

Expanded reach

If you can’t make it to the new facility, maybe a new facility can make it to you. EDCHC just took delivery of a 30-foot Ford 550 truck outfitted with a complete mobile clinic to reach even the most

remote county residents.

“Yeah, I think our vision is anybody that comes up to this van is going to get service,” said Development Director Patrick Klein, “whether they’re established patients, new patients, homeless, just people that have a problem getting into Placerville out in the rural areas of our county.”

The nearly $250,000 itinerant clinic will, in the long run, be a more cost-effective way to serve the population.

The rig is fully self-contained with a generator, self-leveling hydraulics, solar-powered heating and cooling and will have everything a modern brick and mortar clinic would be expected to have.

“The idea is, we have this great big fancy health center and it’s our central hub and then with this van we’ll be able to reach the outlying areas,” said Sandford.

Klein said he hopes to institute consistent routes in some of the more remote or difficult-to-access areas in the county.

“If there are patients in areas like Mt. Aukum they could expect to see the mobile clinic on the third Wednesday of the month, for instance,” he said noting that partnerships with the community will help to develop how the program is rolled out and maintained.

“We’ve already got some partnerships with the Public Health Department and health and human services,” said Klein. “We have relationships to build upon.”

Another goal of the El Dorado Community Health Center is to be a great experience for patients as well as employees.

“We’re not just here to provide a great healthcare experience for people seeking health care,” said Sandford. “We also want to provide a great healthcare experience for people who need jobs. If they’re looking for a great healthcare experience for their careers, they should give us a call.”

For more information visit edcchc.org or call (530) 621-7700.

Know Continued from B1

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hosts the 2023 Installation & Business Awards Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the Serrano Country Club. RSVP online at eldoradohillschamber.org or call (916) 933-1335.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents National Geographic Live! The Secret of the Whales with Brian Skerry at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrated National Geographic Explorer and photographer Skerry has spent nearly four decades exploring and documenting the world’s oceans. For his latest project, he turns his lens to one of the world’s most beloved animals to illuminate groundbreaking new insights into their lives and culture. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

March 31

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Citizen Vine in Folsom, 6-8 p.m.

Geoffrey Miller Band will perform 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St.

Marshall Continued from B2

recognized Marshall as a Top Hosptial in 2021 and Money and the Leapfrog Group named Marshall Top in patient safety and quality care. The Leapfrog Group is

The Public Square

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Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Live music at Red Hawk Resort + Casino continues every weekend in March at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with Ariel Jean (country). Visit redhawkcasino.com for more details.

Sacramento Guitar Society presents a concert at the Sacramento Regional Fire Museum, 3650 Industrial Blvd. in West Sacramento featuring the talented Scott Perry with an opening act by mystical father-son team Duo7. For more information call (916) 545-5491 or visit SacGuitarSociety.org.

Now

The Master Gardener 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) 621-5512 or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

a nonprofit watchdog group whose mission is “To trigger giant leaps forward in the safety, quality and affordability of U.S. health care by using transparency to support informed health care decisions and promote high-value care.”

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have recognized Marshal with a Stroke Gold Plus rating in 2022 with an Honor Roll rating for stroke and Type 2 diabetes.

The Lown Institute Hospital Index is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that ranks healthcare facilities based on three primary metrics: outcomes, value and equity. Marshall was bestowed high grades from Lown for social responsibility, patient outcomes, value of care, clinical outcomes, patient safety and cost efficiency.

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

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.

or call 530-642-4074.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Beta Healthcare Group, a liability insurer of hospitals on the West Coast, awarded Marshall the Excellence in Obstetrics Teir 2, 2019-2022.

Marshall has garnered several E-QUAL Network Honor Roll accolades from the American College of Emergency Physicians. Both in the top performer and most improved categories in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Notably a top performer slot for treatment of stroke victims in 2020, Marshall swept top performer and most improved in the Arrival

to CT Times – Ischemic Stroke categories.

Cal Hosptial Compare, a multi-stakeholder collaborative that utilizes publicly available data to assess and compare the performance of all California hospitals, has listed Marshall on its Honor Roll for maternity care in 2022; opioid care, 2020, 2021, 2022; and patient safety, 2019, 2020, 2022.

Since 2009, Marshall’s Diabetes and Nutrition Education program has been recognized for diabetes selfmanagement education and support by the American Diabetes Association.

Since 2015 Marshall has been Baby Friendly Certified by the World Health Organization and UNICEF for its breastfeeding advocacy.

The Chartis Center for Rural Health has listed Marshall as one of 2023’s Top 100 Rural Community Hospitals. Hospitals are compared to similarly sized facilities across the nation and the Top 100 designees represent the top 4% of rural and community hospitals in the United States.

“Among all hospitals rural and urban, Marshall truly shines,” said President and CEO Siri Nelson. “Our staff, providers and leaders relentlessly pursue excellence in all that we do, because we understand how important it is for our community to have high-quality care close to home, especially in a rural area.”

may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights

appearance

Prioritize Heart Health with a Balanced Eating Plan

Family Features

No matter your motivations, it’s never too late or too early to start focusing on your heart health, and taking steps now can make a big difference. Small changes, like following a healthier eating plan, can help you start down a path toward improved heart health.

One step you can take is following the DASH eating plan, which is a flexible and balanced way of eating that stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and was developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Requiring no special foods, DASH provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Being more physically active, managing stress, getting quality sleep and not smoking combined with DASH can put you on a path toward a healthy heart for life.

Encouraging others to join you on your heart-health journey can also be rewarding. Research shows social support and personal networks make it more likely you’ll stick to healthy habits like eating healthy.

Sharing heart-healthy recipes with family and friends is an added bonus, and these DASH-friendly meals can help you take the guesswork out of putting nutritious dinners on the table. Greek-Style Flank Steaks with Tangy Yogurt Sauce offer the bold flavors of the Mediterranean while Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is as easy to make as it is colorful. For a complementary combination of pork and sweet fruit flavor, these Baked Pork Chops with Apple Cranberry Sauce are perfect to serve alongside brown rice or steamed broccoli.

Learn more about heart health and find DASH-friendly recipes at nhlbi.nih. gov/DASH.

Teriyaki-Glazed

Salmon with Stir-Fried

Vegetables

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Salmon:

2 tablespoons light teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup mirin or sweet rice wine

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons scallions, rinsed and minced

1 1/2 tablespoons ginger, minced

12 ounces salmon fillets, cut into four portions (3 ounces each)

Vegetables:

1 bag (12 ounces) frozen vegetables stir-fry

1/2 tablespoon peanut oil or vegetable oil

1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 1 clove)

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

1 tablespoon scallions, rinsed and minced

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

Preheat oven to 350 F.

To prepare salmon: Mix teriyaki sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, scallions and ginger well. Pour over salmon and marinate 10-15 minutes. Remove salmon from marinade.

Greek-Style Flank Steak with Tangy Yogurt Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Marinade:

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons fresh oregano, rinsed, dried and chopped

1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves)

1 beef flank steak (12 ounces)

Yogurt Sauce:

1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 cup nonfat plain yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh dill, rinsed, dried and chopped

1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves)

1/2 teaspoon salt

To make marinade:

In large bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic. Lay steak in flat container with sides and pour marinade over steak. Marinate at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours, turning several times.

To make yogurt sauce: Combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic and salt. Set yogurt sauce aside at least 15 minutes to blend flavors. Sauce can be prepared up to 1 hour in advance and refrigerated. Preheat broiler to high with rack 3 inches from heat source. Broil steak about 10 minutes on each side to minimum internal temperature of 145 F. Let cool 5 minutes before carving. Slice thinly across grain into 12 slices. Serve three slices with 1/2 cup yogurt sauce.

Tip: Serve in sandwich with pita bread, lettuce and tomato.

Place salmon on baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork in thickest part and reaches minimum internal temperature of 145 F.

To prepare vegetables: Thaw frozen vegetables in microwave or place bag in bowl of hot water about 10 minutes. In large wok or saute pan, heat oil. Add garlic, ginger and scallions; cook gently, but do not brown, 30-60 seconds. Add vegetables and continue stir-frying 2–3 minutes, or until heated through. Add soy sauce. Serve one piece of salmon with 1 cup vegetables.

Baked Pork Chops with Apple

Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Pork Chops:

4 boneless pork chops (about 3 ounces each)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 medium orange, rinsed and zested

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce:

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 medium apple, peeled and grated (about 1 cup)

1/2 cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup 100% orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 F.

To prepare pork chops: Season pork chops with pepper and orange zest.

In large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add pork chops and cook until browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn and brown 2 minutes. Remove pork chops from pan, place on nonstick baking sheet and bake 10 minutes to minimum internal temperature of 160 F.

To make sauce: Add chicken broth to saute pan and stir to loosen brown bits from pork chops. Set aside.

In small saucepan over medium heat, cook grated apples, cinnamon stick and bay leaf until apples begin to soften.

Add cranberries, orange juice and reserved broth. Bring to boil then lower heat to gentle simmer. Simmer 10 minutes, or until cranberries are plump and apples are tender. Remove cinnamon stick.

Peel orange and cut into eight sections.

Serve one pork chop with 1/4 cup sauce and two orange segments.

Greek-Style Flank Steak with Tangy Yogurt Sauce

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables

Photos courtesy of Getty Images