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IN THE KNOW

April 17 Support New Beginnings at a pick-up-and-go fundraiser. Head to Old Town Grill, 444 Main St. in Placerville, 6-8 p.m. and a portion of the purchase will support the nonprofit. Curbside pick-up is available. Each meal purchased will include a surprise goodie bag.

Virtual wine events Learn, taste and laugh with local winemakers from the comfort of your own home with virtual adventures. For more information visit eldoradowines.org.

Saturday, April 18: Skinner Vineyards — Deconstructing GSM with winemaker Adam Smith

Thursday, April 23: Crystal Basin Cellars— Triumphant virtual blending with owner Mike Owen

Friday, April 24: Bumgarner Winery — Bordeaux varietals with winemaker Brain Bumgarner

Sunday, April 26: Via Romano Vineyard — Flagship favorites with owners Leanne Davis and John Chewning.

And on Mondays at 7 p.m. Russ Reyes from Kilt & Cork hosts special events on Facebook.

April 20: Exploring Pleasant Valley with special guest winemakers Josh and Carrie Bendick from Holly’s Hill and other guests to be announced.

April 27: Exploring Camino with special guest Paul Bush from Madroña Vineyards and other guests to be announced.

May 4: Exploring greater El Dorado with special guests winemaker Marco Capelli from Hart 2 Hart Vineyards and winemaker Jordon Mingle from David Girard Vineyards.

Cancelations All UCCE Central Sierra El Dorado County and Amador County Master Gardener public events and classes are canceled through May 31. Master Gardeners are working hard remotely and can still answer questions. Leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512 or use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website: mgeldorado.ucanr.edu. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Clarksville Day scheduled for May 2 in the historical Gold Rush community in present-day El Dorado Hills has been canceled. The next Clarksville Day celebration will take place May 1, 2021.

Rescheduled The date of the Placerville Shakespeare Club’s 2020 annual Giant Rummage Sale has been changed to Friday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 4p.m. at 2940 Bedford Ave. in Placerville. In addition, a Saturday only garden sale will begin at 8 a.m. For more information visit placervilleshakespeare.com.

Save the date Save the date for the eighth annual Golf for Kids Sake at the Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills, May 18. This event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra. For more information call (530) 626-1222 or visit bbbsns.org.

Poor Red’s chef tests kitchen skills on Food Network

Kevin Christensen Staff writer A passion for the kitchen recently landed local executive chef Dean Hiatt on the national scene. The Poor Red’s food guru competed on the Food Network’s “Supermarket Stakeout.”

Season two of the popular cooking show comes to an end on the Food Network next week (check local listing for replay dates and times).

Hosted by chef Alex Guarnaschelli, “Supermarket Stakeout” showcases four chefs each episode squaring off in a competitive pop-up kitchen outside Smith’s Grocery store in Las Vegas. A frequent “Chopped” judge and an Iron Chef, Guarnaschelli is the executive chef at Butter in New York City.

“Chef Alex was phenomenal,” said Hiatt. “She greeted us and talked to us like we would speak to our staff in our own kitchens.”

In the show the competing four chefs, working with a pre-determined theme, evaluate customers exiting the Las Vegas grocery store and attempt to negotiate for their grocery bags.

“Over three rounds of themed culinary challenges and with a budget of only $500, the chefs are limited to using the items they can wrangle out of the customers’ carts using their charm, persuasiveness and a little cash,” states the Food Network website. “A rotating panel of judges determines which challengers had the most successful dishes using the acquired ingredients, with the last chef standing in each episode walking away with enough cash for a year’s worth of groceries.”

The El Dorado County chef lost in Episode 2 (already aired on the Food Network March 24) but appreciated the opportunity to participate.

Hiatt said he had no plans to compete on the show and it was a surprise when he was contacted.

“I got an email from a talent scout in LA,” explained Hiatt. “It came completely out of the blue. While I lost in round 2, I have no regrets because that’s how it goes.”

Hiatt told the Mountain Democrat he thinks local recognition in the cooking world helped propel him to the national spotlight — giving him the once-in-alifetime chance.

“I had just competed in Lake Tahoe’s Courtesy photo Poor Red’s executive chef Dean Hiatt competed on the Food Network show “Supermarket Stakeout.” n See CHEF DEAN, page B6

DAY HIKER

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Windy Point Trail I t is time for wildflower hikes.

Teacher, author, lover of the outdoors Eric Peach first took me to Windy Point Trail in Colfax years ago. The poppies on the hillside are epic with the American River below and a view of the canyons to hold your gaze. It is a celebration of spring and renewal.

Walking the mountain side trail take in the amazing view of this deep canyon with the azure blue of the North Fork of the American River far below. The wildflowers make me smile the length of the hike. Not just poppies, but the green grass, new foliage on the bushes and trees, the scent of tempting nectar from so many spring flowers in a variety of colors is invigorating.

To get there, get on I-80 East, take the Colfax Grass Valley

Gorgeous color and scenery await on Windy Point Trail.

Photo by Mary West

174 Exit. Take a right over the freeway to Canyon Way, another right then left on Iowa Hill road. Enjoy the windy road lined with tall pines as you make your way down to the river. After you cross the river heading back uphill, look to your right. You will find several boulders with a small parking area. If you look close there is a small wooden sign with Windy Point written on it in faded red letters.

The trail wanders down to the left bees buzzing, birds chirping. Follow the narrow trail and it will take you out to the edge where the wind blows through the canyon. Take a break at the bench and just thrill at the hillside covered in gold. Contemplate how grateful we are to live here.

At 1.5-miles this could be enough for you, or carry on down the narrow trail as it leads to the coolest waterfall. Just before the water crossing is a rope, informally tied off to trees, I gladly use it to traverse the steep grade. The water just spills over large boulders, around thick vines and tree roots. The boulders are large enough for you to find a seat to sit and listen to the sounds of the water and simply breathe.

From here it can get a bit sketchy, but for those who are up for the challenge, continue down to the river’s edge. With the higher water levels, you may find access difficult. This portion of the river is narrow and runs fast so I wouldn’t suggest swimming but just watching from a safe distance, and don’t be surprised if a kayaker swiftly passes by.

This is an out-andback trail. At least it has always been the case for me. As usual the return trip is a completely different hike with the changed We Are Open To Help YOU! We have been here for over 100 years and we will continue to be here to serve our community! Call or email for an appointment so we can all stay safe! Day Hiker The Gold Country Trail Guide n See DAY HIKER, page B5

Day Hiker The Gold Country Trail Guide A collection of Day Hiker columns first published in the Auburn Journal between 2016 and 2018

A collection of Day Hiker columns first published in the Auburn Journal between 2016 and 2018 A collection of Day Hiker columns can be seen the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the Mountain Democrat