Seventh graders from several local middle schools got hands-on introductions to a myriad of careers and other undertakings that interact with the environment April 12 during Natural Connections Day at El Dorado High School’s east campus in Camino. The yearly event brings together middle schoolers, professionals and students in EDHS’s Natural Resources Program to learn about the
“I was expecting that the ruling was going to cost the CSD about $5 million, EDH Fire about $4 million and the county road capacity enhancement plan about $13 million based on a one-year statute of limitations.”
— Joe Harn, El Dorado County auditor-controller■ See FEE CASE, page A9
multifaceted career opportunities available for those who choose to focus on environmental studies. The Camino campus field was full of inquisitive youngsters, with groups of six or so students cycling through more than 30 stations covering topics such as fire ecology, forestry, aquaponics, beekeeping, mycology and medical arts. Though many professionals presented, including representatives from the El Dorado Irrigation District, Trout Unlimited, Cal Fire and
■ See NATURAL CONNECTIONS DAY, page A8
“Phone cameras, security cameras on homes like Ring cameras with 24/7 capturing, they are capturing the wildlife. It is not necessarily that the population is increasing, but we are seeing more images of lions and other wildlife as opposed to 20 years ago when some of this technology didn’t exist.”
— Peter Tira, California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman
lions will stay with their mothers a little over a year after being born. Both Melchor and Harlow live near El Dorado High School.
“I share a fence with El Dorado High School. That is what is a big deal here. We are literally right here in the heart of where
■ See ALERT, page A7
Taylen Robert Claude Brooks
March 3, 2003 – March 23, 2024
Taylen Robert Claude Brooks gave his life defending his brother Wyatt and himself from a mountain lion attack near Georgetown, California, on March 23, 2024.
The natural bond between the two was made stronger by the time they spent together in the great outdoors, hunting deer and turkey in season, casting for bass and trout all summer long. They lived that rarest of things in the modern era, what Teddy Roosevelt called The Strenuous Life. They ate what they bagged, and at times, bagged entirely what they ate. Right down to roasted pigeons and squirrel fricassee.
Their wonder at nature didn’t end there—at the time of the incident that took Taylen’s life, the brothers were on a National Forest Service road searching for fallen deer antlers, another pastime they shared together every spring. Taylen in particular was a master at spotting the truly difficult finds, the nubs and spikes way down deep in the grass and duff. He had an eye for the subtle, for the signs of the creatures that weren’t yet spectacular, but one day would be.
He also had an ear, for music. When he wasn’t immersed in the outdoors, Taylen was immersed in the guitar. Self-taught from a ridiculously young age, he had an intuitive understanding of how to play almost instantly what he’d just heard, no matter how technical it might be to a seasoned pro, or how impossible to the rest of us. He had speed, he had timing, he had dexterity. Like it was nothing. Van Halen and Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Pearl Jam—if he heard it, he learned it, incredibly quickly, and he could play it right back… like it was nothing. If he’d eventually wound up at Madison Square Garden, or the Royal Albert Hall, nobody would have been surprised.
Taylen grew up in the mountain foothills and vineyard country of southern El Dorado County. He attended Pioneer Elementary School and Mountain Creek Middle School in Somerset, California, and graduated from Union Mine High School in El Dorado, California, in 2022. In addition to his guitar chops, he was noted among his classmates for being caring, compassionate, and kind. He worked with his dad, Aaron, painting houses and cutting firewood. He also planned to pursue a license to operate heavy equipment—although he might well have become a bona fide guitar hero first.
Taylen is survived by his mother, Amanda Welsh; his father and stepmother, Aaron and Stacy (Merrill) Brooks; sister Sydney and brothers Wyatt and D.J.; grandparents Curtis and Marie Brooks of Granbury, Texas; Jeff and LaVon Stewart of Sacramento, California; Charlie and Laura Callahan of Savannah, Tennessee; Gordon and June Merrill of Mount Aukum, California; and a passel of aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends who continue to love Taylen, and will always cherish him.
Taylen went to Heaven far too soon, but his immense bravery remains a legacy for eternity. He’s a hero to all who had the pleasure to know him, and he’s a legend to the entire world. A support fund has been established through the El Dorado County Community Foundation— donations can be made at https://bit.ly/ BrooksBrothersSupportFund.
Taylen’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on April 24, 2024, at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville, California.
Linda Ellen (Moule)
Peterson
Jan. 15, 1942 – Dec. 8, 2023
Linda Ellen (Moule) Peterson of Placerville, CA passed on Dec. 8, 2023 at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.
Linda was born in the hills of Luzon, Philippines during WWII and was interned with her parents and siblings until liberated at the age of 3, returning to Grass Valley, CA, where she grew up and graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s Academy in 1960. She married Richard Kline and raised her four children in Springfield, OR.
Linda is survived by her husband of 38 years, Mark Petersen of Placerville, son Bill Kline of Washougal, WA, son Richard Kline of Ocean Springs, MS, daughter Janet (Kline) Blanchfill of Drain, OR, and preceded by her youngest son David Kline. Linda’s surviving siblings are Bill Moule of Red Bluff, Eileen Laca of Parma, ID, Jim Moule and Tim Moule of Grass Valley, Mike Moule of Auburn, Carole Holmes of Boise, ID, John Moule of Elk Grove, and Terrance Moule of El Dorado, CA.
The family will host an open-house celebration of Linda’s life on May 18, 3-5 pm at 2881 Creekview Lane, Hidden Springs Mobile Home Park, Placerville.
Rhonda Lee Wehe
April 13, 1934 – March 27, 2024
Rhonda Lee Wehe, 89 of Placerville passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 27, 2024 with her family at her side. Rhonda had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade. Rhonda was preceded in death by both her parents and 8 of her 9 siblings. she also lost her loving husband Arthur “Jack” Wehe as well as two of their sons. Rhonda and Jack were married for more than 50 years. Together they shared 10 children, 31 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. Rhonda always wanted a big family and because of her easygoing and loving heart she had gained the love of many who called her Ma or Grandma even after one visit. She was immensely proud of that. Rhonda was born in San Jose, CA where she lived until 1941 when her family moved to Placerville. Except for a small amount of time she lived the rest of her life there. She attended Smith Flat School and El Dorado High School. She loved living in El Dorado County and had made many lifelong friends throughout the years. She will be very missed.
Thomas Mercer
July 5, 1957 – Sept. 7, 2023
In loving memory of Tom Mercer, who passed away on September 7th, 2023, at home, surrounded by his family. Tom was a dedicated history and economics teacher, as well as a football, baseball, and track coach at Union Mine High School in Placerville, California, for 18 years. Prior to that, he taught social studies and coached football at Coquille High School for 5 years in Coquille, Oregon, where he met the love of his life, Patti, and became stepfather to Megan and Amy, a role he embraced with open arms and a kind heart, enriching our lives with his love, guidance, and unwavering support.
Tom’s passion for teaching was evident in his interactions with his students, whom he cared for deeply, even if his tough exterior suggested otherwise. Beyond his professional life, Tom was a loving husband to Patti, and a kind, fun, and wonderful brother to Jim and niece and nephew Sophie and Miles. He was a beloved and cherished stepfather to Megan Gonsalves and Amy Rose, and a steadfast and supportive father-in-law to Brett Gonsalves and Milo Rose. He found his greatest joy in being Papa to Jesse, Braidan, and Ryland Gonsalves, with whom he treasured every moment. Tom was known for his loyalty, not only to his family but also to his friends and colleagues throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In memory of Tom Mercer, a man so dear,
Whose presence brought joy, year after year.
A teacher of history, economics with grace,
And a coach who led with passion, in every race.
At Union Mine High, for eighteen years he taught, Guiding students’ minds, with lessons sought.
In Coquille High prior, for five years he led, In football, inspiring, where victories spread. Tom’s love for teaching, a flame brightly burned, In every student’s heart, a lesson learned. He cared deeply, though his manner was tough, His dedication to education, more than enough.
A loving husband to Patti, his heart’s delight, A brother to Jim, their bond ever bright.
A beloved father figure to Megan and Amy, And a father-in-law, cherished and adored, so calmly.
But his greatest joy, in life’s rich tapestry, Was being Papa to Jesse, Braidan, and Ryland, so free.
A loyal friend and colleague, his presence a gift, In our memories forever, his spirit shall lift.
Though Tom has left us, his legacy lives on, In the lives he touched, in the lessons drawn. For in every student, he leaves a spark,
A reminder of his love, in each heart’s park.
Rest in peace, dear Tom, in heaven’s embrace, Your legacy of love, time cannot erase.
Forever remembered, in stories and in song, In our hearts, you’ll forever belong.
Dale Michael Korzan Jr.
March 14, 1951 – March 17, 2024
Dale Michael Korzan Jr., passed away on March 17, 2024. He is survived by his wife Edith Ford Korzan, his daughter Eva Korzan, and his brothers Patrick Korzan and Theodore Korzan. Despite being partially paralyzed after a stroke 15 years ago, he lived life to the fullest, traveling, enjoying Rock N Roll, and engaging in meaningful discussions about math, philosophy and science.
Dale was a mathematician with a fruitful teaching career at universities in New York City and globally, including the university of the Virgin Islands and Lycee de Wum in Cameroon West Africa. After obtaining his BA in math from the university of Utah (1976), he and Edith volunteered with the US Peace Corps in West Africa. He pursued further studies at the City University of New York (CUNY), earning his MA and completing all but dissertation (ABD) for his PH.D. Dale specialized in Knot Theory, mathematical application to complex structures like DNA and quantum gravity.
Dale also known as Mike, grew up in Placerville, CA where his family operated Sanitex Cleaners on Main Street for over 70 years. He cherished exploring El Dorado County’s rich history and landscape with his brothers & friends. He excelled in mathematics and played football at El Dorado High School.
Dale embraced both his parent’s family heritages. His father, Dale Sr., a WWII veteran, descended from Czech pioneers who settled the plains of South Dakota, farming & ranching still to this day. His mother, Ida, held fast to her Tuscan roots and Italian culture of San Francisco, she taught Italian language classes and held Italian family celebrations. Dale held strong ties with both sides of his family and will be sorely missed by loved ones.
Dale Korzan Jr. had two children, Eva Michelle Korzan and Paul Lars Korzan, raising them both in Brooklyn, NY. He loved spending time with them, sharing travels with them to many natural wonders of the United States, including archaeological sites of the West and Southeast. His last few years he enjoyed his home in Highland, NY in the beautiful natural setting of the Hudson Valley. Dale Michael Korzan Jr., will be dearly missed by friends & family, but continuously loved by them.
All donations in his memory, please send to UNICEF. A family memorial of his life will be held at the Pleasant Valley Community Grange Hall off of Pleasant Valley Rd on May 4th, 2024 from 3pm to 6pm. Friends & family are welcome.
are thrilled to be partnering with CMN and their sponsors, including Costco, Walmart, Panda Express, Sam’s Club, Rite Aid and Marriott Hotels by sharing our story to raise money for UC Davis Children’s Hospital,” Duby said. “Donations will go toward surgeries, trauma, medical equipment, research and the child life program to benefit families like ours when it comes to patient care. We are so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”
Soon the government might shut down your car.
President Joe Biden’s new infrastructure bill gives bureaucrats that power.
You probably didn’t hear about that because when media covered it, few mentioned the requirement that by 2026 every American car must “monitor” the driver, determine if he is impaired and, if so, “limit vehicle operation.”
Rep. Thomas Massie objected, complaining the law makes government “judge, jury and executioner on such a fundamental right!”
Congress approved the law anyway.
A USA Today “fact check” told readers, don’t worry, “There’s no kill switch in Biden’s bill.”
“They didn’t read it, because it’s there!” says automotive engineer and former vintage race car driver Lauren Fix. The clause is buried under Section 24220 of the law.
USA Today’s “fact” check didn’t lie, exactly. It acknowledged that the law requires “new cars to have technology that identifi es if a driver is impaired and prevents operation.” Apparently, they just didn’t like the term “kill switch.”
But it is a kill switch.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants that.
I say to Fix, “It would save lives.”
“Are you willing to give up every bit of control of your life?” she asks. “Once you give that up, you have no more freedom. This computer decides you can’t drive your vehicle. Great. Unless someone’s having a heart attack and trying to get to the hospital.”
For all these new safety devices to work, cars need to spy on drivers. Before I researched this I didn’t realize that they already do.
The kill switch is just one of several ways the government proposes to control how we drive.
California lawmakers want new cars to have a speed governor that prevents you from going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
That would reduce speeding. But not being able to speed is dangerous, too, says Fix. If “something’s coming at you, you have to make an adjustment.”
New cars will have a special button on the dash. If you suddenly need to speed and manage to fi nd the button when trying to drive out of some bad situation, it lets you speed for 15 seconds.
For all these new safety devices to work, cars need to spy on drivers. Before I researched this I didn’t realize that they already do.
The Mozilla Foundation reports that car makers “collect things like your age, gender, ethnicity, driver’s license number, your purchase history and tendencies.” Nissan and Kia “collect information about your sex life.”
How? Cars aim video cameras at passengers. Other devices listen to conversations and intercept text messages.
Then, says Mozilla, 76% of the car companies
■ See STOSSEL, page A5
Yuck
EDITOR: T
he bathrooms at the new bike park on Missouri Flat Road are disgusting and unusable. Whoever is responsible for maintaining the plumbing needs to get out there and do something about it.
CYNTHIA HAYES Shingle Springs
Answer this
EDITOR A
couple of questions for George Alger:
1. Do you believe Donald Trump is a Christian?
2. Do you consider yourself a Christian? Just curious, yawn. Feel free to toss me a party favor.
TODD REID Pollock Pines
EDITOR: I
n a recent response to one of my letters, Mr. Alger wrote that my concerns about Mr. Trump’s authoritarian tendencies are exaggerated because each president has the same degree of power. While that may be theoretically true, that is contingent on Mr. Trump and those around him abiding by the law and the Constitution. After his fi rst presidency and Jan. 6, if you have any illusion that he and his followers have any regard for the law, you are mistaken. By his actions and words, he has made it quite clear what kind of presidency he envisions — and it is not democratic.
Unfortunately, the barriers in place to stop just such a power grab have clearly been inadequate. Here we are three years after Jan. 6 and Mr. Trump still has not been held accountable.
■ See LETTERS, page A5
Lake Tahoe has been a national treasure for over two centuries. For over 50 years presidents, governors, senators and representatives from both parties have worked in a bipartisan manner to protect the natural beauty and wonder of the lake.
KEVIN KILEY Kiley’s Corner
The Congressional Western Caucus is a bipartisan group of more than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are committed to advocating for western and rural America on Capitol Hill. As a Western Caucus member, I’m honored to announce that I will be hosting a conference for Western Caucus members to tour the region and see fi rsthand the beauty and challenges we face. This multi-day seminar will include tours of the lake, briefi ngs by the U.S. Forest Service and fi re o cials and seminars on insurance costs. It’s an important opportunity for
me to bring fi rst-hand knowledge to members of Congress from across the country and to raise awareness of the importance of federal programs like the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act.
Time and again and year after year, we face wildfi res, fl ooding, mudslides, invasive species and so much more. For California’s natural resources and great treasures such as Lake Tahoe, it is critical we preserve this area not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.
Last year, at the bipartisan Lake Tahoe Summit, I announced that I am co-sponsoring the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes $415 million in funding through Sept. 30, 2034, to reduce the threat of wildfi re, combat invasive species, improve water clarity and restore the environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Additionally, the Lake Tahoe
For California’s natural resources and great treasures such as Lake Tahoe, it is critical we preserve this area not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.
Restoration Reauthorization Act provides funding for projects that support forest health, water for fi re infrastructure, watershed restoration, water quality, aquatic invasive species control, Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery and accountability. Since the act’s passage in 2016, Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program partners have implemented hundreds of projects, leveraged the federal investment 5-to-1 with state, local and private funding and supported 1,700 jobs per year.
Since the previous reauthorization 20 years ago, funds have gone to more than 700 projects in the Tahoe Basin and Lake Tahoe’s waters are the clearest they’ve been since the ’80s. But we can do more to preserve our region.
Over the course of two days, the Western Caucus will travel around
the basin to see the impacts of wildfi res up close and show how a categorical exclusion saved South Lake Tahoe from the Caldor Fire. We will meet with local stakeholders who will impress upon members of Congress from across the country the importance of maintaining Lake Tahoe’s clean water for the surrounding environment and community.
I’ve visited Lake Tahoe many times since I was a child and representing this area in Congress is one of the great honors of my life. I remain committed to continuing the long history of bipartisan leadership that has preserved and protected this special place. It’s up to all of us to ensure that we protect this treasure for future generations.
Congressman Kevin Kiley represents California’s 3rd District in the House of Representatives.
Stossel Continued from A4
“sell your data.”
“I just bought a new car,” I say to Fix. “Nobody told me about this.”
“Oh, it’s there,” she replies. “Buy a new car, you get that really long document. ... The small print says, ‘We’re collecting your data. We know everything you’re doing in your car and we own (the data). There’s nothing you can do about it.’”
Finally, Biden’s infrastructure bill also includes a pilot program to tax us based on how far we drive.
“A mileage charge seems fair,” I say to Fix. “You pay for your damage to the road.”
There are enough people in the legislative and judicial branches who are sympathetic to Trump and the vision of the far right who have made accountability di cult. While the indictments against Mr. Trump are still grinding through the courts, the delay tactics of his lawyers and conservative judges have been quite successful.
Will these barriers hold up any better if there is a Trump second term? We’ll see.
Furthermore, anyone who does
“Correct,” she replies. “But when you start allowing them to do this, they could say, ‘We don’t want you to buy a fi rearm.’ ... ‘We don’t want you to go to that destination. So we’re not going to let you start your car.’ It’s about control.” I push back. “They’re not controlling me.”
“They can,” she replies. “Wait until you get a bill for your carbon footprint. ‘You’re at your maximum for carbon credits. We’re not going to let you drive today! Take the train. Take the electric bus.’”
“This is paranoia,” I suggest.
not believe that the far right is not a threat to our democracy should read the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. It is a detailed and elaborate plan to concentrate power in the executive branch within 90 days of Trump or any conservative person becoming president. The project even lists people who should be appointed to facilitate that power grab. If elected, he will only appoint people who will do his bidding. The goal is to obtain and keep power at all
costs.
Who would have imagined 10 years ago that our democracy would be in such danger? But here we are with the real possibility that Mr. Trump will win the election and continue his vision of turning our country into an authoritarian state. Do we really want to be another Turkey or Hungary or, even worse, Russia? Again, the choice is ours to make.
SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville“Maybe,” says Fix. “But so far, everything that I’ve said about these things, each step keeps coming through.”
Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”
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
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.
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.
p.m., according to information from FLYC.
Boat classes competing in the regatta vary in length from 13-25 feet, including: Banshees, Lasers, Lido 14s, Thistles, Day Sailers, Santana 20s, Catalina 22s, Capri 22s and 25s, Cal 22s and 250s, Wavelength 24s and various types of multihull boats.
The Camellia Cup marks the official start of boating season and is said to be one of the region’s premiere sailboat races.
It’s also a spectacle on Folsom Lake.
Last year Idaho sailer Wayne Cassingham finished first in the six-boat Banshee Class to win the Open Centerboard perpetual trophy and take home his first Camellia Cup as the regatta’s overall champion.
Winning the Open Keel perpetual trophy and the Non-Spinnaker Class was Michael Rayfuse of the Folsom Lake Yacht Club on his Catalina 22. Atop the Spinnaker Class on a Santana 20 was Mark Werder of FLYC. The winning Open Centerboard Class boat was a Daysailer, skippered by Steve Lowry of the Fresno Yacht Club.
Exactly how much is California spending to combat homelessness — and is it working?
It turns out, no one knows. That’s the result of a much-anticipated statewide audit released April 9, which calls into question the state’s ability to track and analyze its spending on homelessness services.
The state doesn’t have current information on the ongoing costs and results of its homelessness programs because the agency tasked with gathering that data — the California Interagency Council on Homelessness — has analyzed no spending past 2021, according to the report by State Auditor Grant Parks. Three of the five state programs the audit
analyzed — including the state’s main homelessness funding source — didn’t even produce enough data for Parks to determine whether they were effective or not.
The audit also analyzed homelessness services in San Jose and San Diego, finding both cities failed to thoroughly account for their spending or measure the success of many of their programs.
“The lack of transparency in our current approach to homelessness is pretty frightening,” said Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a Republican from Folsom who co-authored the request for the audit. That means state policymakers have little data to go on when they make funding decisions related to what has become one of California’s most dire challenges.
“The State Auditor’s findings highlight the significant progress made in recent years to address homelessness at the state level, including the completion of a statewide assessment of homelessness programs,” the Interagency Council on Homelessness wrote in an emailed statement. “But it also underscores a need to continue to hold local governments accountable, who are primarily responsible for implementing these programs and collecting data on outcomes that the state can use to evaluate program effectiveness.”
Tens of billions of dollars, nine agencies and more than 30 programs
As the homelessness crisis has intensified, California under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership allocated an unprecedented $24 billion to address homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Nine state agencies administered more than 30 programs aimed at preventing or reducing homelessness. Some of those programs did such a poor job tracking their outcomes that it’s impossible to tell if they’ve been successful, according to the audit, which marks the first such large-scale accounting of the state’s homelessness spending.
The report evaluated five state homelessness programs and found two “likely” are cost-effective. Newsom’s signature Homekey program helps cities and counties turn hotels and other buildings into homeless housing at an average cost of $144,000 per unit (in the program’s first round), compared to the $380,000-$570,000 it would cost for new construction. The CalWORKS Housing Support Program, which gives financial help to families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, also saves the state money because it’s much cheaper to help someone stay housed than it is to help them find housing once they become homeless.
The auditor found the CalWORKS program spent an average of $12,000$22,000 per household, while a single chronically homeless person can cost taxpayers as much as $50,000 per year.
But for three other programs, the state hasn’t collected enough data for the auditor to make an assessment: the State Rental Assistance Program (which helped people pay rent and other expenses during the COVID19 pandemic), the Encampment Resolution Fund (a program Newsom launched to help cities clean up specific encampments) and the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (the state’s main source of general homeless funding, also known as HHAP).
“Fundamentally, the audit depicts a bit of a data desert,” Sen. Dave Cortese, a Democrat from Santa Clara County who joined Hoover in asking for the audit, said during a media call. For example, nearly one-third of people who left placements funded by the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program left for “unknown” destinations, according
to the auditor’s analysis of roundone funding in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties. That ambiguous data makes it impossible to tell if the program has been successful, the auditor wrote. Even so, the state authorized billions of dollars for four additional rounds of funding.
The auditor laid some of the blame on the Interagency Council on Homelessness. Legislators instructed the council in 2021 to collect funding data on all state homelessness programs. The council did so once, reviewing data from 2018 through 2021, but has taken no action since, according to the report.
In a written response to the audit, the council said it doesn’t have the funds to continue collecting that data.
There also were a number of errors in the statewide system that collects data on homeless individuals and shelter capacity in each county. More than 100 records had clients with names such as Mickey Mouse, Super Woman or even Test Participant. One shelter reported nearly 1,100 people enrolled in a facility with fewer than 300 beds.
Should California pause its spending on homelessness?
Hoover hopes he and his colleagues in the Legislature will draft several bills this year aimed at improving transparency in state homelessness spending.
“We should freeze any new investments and additional investments until we can figure that out,” he said.
Cortese disagrees.
“I don’t think it’s a time to stop,” he said during the media briefing. “I would be disappointed personally, professionally as a state senator, if the governor or Legislature negotiated away this year’s investment in homelessness.”
In the midst of a major deficit, Newsom’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year didn’t cut funding already allocated to the homelessness crisis, but it didn’t propose any new funds, either. For three years in a row, Newsom had granted $1 billion for local homelessness programs — but now the future of that funding remains up in the air. A group of supporters gathered at the state capitol earlier this month to urge the governor and legislators to authorize ongoing funding. Activists have been pushing for years for a permanent source of funding to fight homelessness, but so far Newsom’s administration has resisted, instead parceling out onetime grants each year.
The estimated number of unhoused Californians has increased from about 151,000 in 2019 to more than 181,000 last year. More than two-thirds of those people are living on the street or in places unfit for human habitation — not in shelters.
Cortese began pushing for the audit after visiting a massive homeless encampment on vacant land near San Jose’s airport, where hundreds of people lived among rodents, massive piles of trash and broken-down cars and RVs. When he started asking whether state funding was going to that encampment, he couldn’t get a
Alert Continued from A1
even into the night,” Harlow said.
Like Harlow, residents of Placerville and other El Dorado County communities are posting videos to social media to alert neighbors of the presence of mountain lions. Attention to the big cats has reached a high point where even the Placerville Police Department issued mountain lion safety tips to remind people on what to do if they see one.
Harlow has lived in El Dorado County more than 40 years and, having resided mostly in rural areas, is used to mountain lions roaming around.
But mountain lion sightings in more populated and developed areas are concerning residents.
“When you live in a heavily populated residential area and have schools all around, you let your guard down because you just don’t think about it,” Harlow said. “This was just a reminder they’re right here and are more comfortable being around people, so I think that is what is changing.”
Placerville resident Casey King shared on April 7 a video of a mountain lion cruising by a gate on his property along Highway 49, also near EDHS, to alert neighbors and remind them to be aware of their surroundings.
These reported sightings come weeks after 21-year-old Taylen Brooks tragically died in a mountain lion attack in the Georgetown area; the mountain lion also injured his 18-year-old brother Wyatt. That incident was the first fatal attack in El Dorado County in 30 years and 20 years in California.
“As timing would have it, we are all on heightened alert due to the tragic events a couple weeks ago, (which was) absolutely horrible what happened,” King said. “It catches you off guard when you see a mountain lion in our area, but we also know that we live in the area where mountain lions, bears, deer and all kinds of wildlife also live. The video was just a reminder to be aware of our surroundings, let our neighbors know as best we can and live our lives like we normally would but knowing to not be naive about what may potentially be in our yards.”
A CFDW official answered questions on the rise in reported mountain lion sightings.
CDFW spokesman Peter Tira said changes in technology are playing a significant role in the number of mountain lions spotted.
“Phone cameras, security cameras on homes like Ring cameras with 24/7 capturing, they are capturing the wildlife,” Tira explained. “It is not necessarily that the population is increasing, but we are seeing more images of lions and other wildlife as opposed to 20 years ago when some of this technology didn’t exist. Maybe your dogs barked and three minutes later the animals were gone in the past, but really the sightings can be alluded to the explosion in technology throughout the state.”
Tira said in 2023 CDFW received 86 depredation permit inquiries, 83 reports of mountain lion nuisance, 10 calls to report human and mountain lion conflicts and nine sightings in the county.
Still, residents are calling for the removal of mountain lions, either by relocation or dispatching them.
“I don’t consider overpopulation an arbitrary number,” Harlow said. “When they are leaving their territories to enter neighborhoods, there’s an overpopulation problem.”
CDFW scientists are conducting a mountain lion survey to determine the size of the population, led by large
carnivore research coordinator Dr. Jason Lombardi. Though the study will give the agency a better sense of the population, getting an exact count would be “near impossible.”
“It’s a difficult process due to the mountain lion’s reclusiveness and it has taken us several years to conduct this survey,” Tira said.
In fact, the research started eight years ago.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, finished their California Mountain Lion Project this year, which estimates there are 4,500 mountain lions statewide, less than the 6,000 Fish and Wildlife previously thought. There are even theories mountain lions could disappear from certain areas of the state, such as the Santa Ana Mountains, due to climate change and human population pressures. Mountain lions are a specially protected mammal under passage of Proposition 117, the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990, which prohibits the CDFW from enacting hunting seasons for the cats. Exceptions to that rule are to preserve public safety, protect federally-listed bighorn sheep populations and if a depredation permit is issued to eliminate a mountain lion that has killed livestock or pets.
According to CDFW’s website, the agency “seeks to avoid, where possible, mountain lion mortality resulting from the issuance of depredation permits,” but does recognize each depredation case is unique and is “responsive to reported depredation.”
Residents have suggested that wildfires, including the 2021 Caldor Fire that burned more than 220,000 acres, mostly in El Dorado County, have displaced wildlife and forced critters to hunt nearer to populated areas.
But Tira explained wildfire would impact location of mountain lions minimally as they have an average home range of 200 square miles. Long periods of drought, however, can displace wildlife, forcing animals to travel to places they normally would not, Tira said. He added where there is a food source, mainly deer, the apex predators are bound to be close by.
He cautioned that feeding deer will keep them around and attract mountain lions. The act is also illegal.
“You may not see the consequences, but your neighbors three doors down will. Either way, you’re bringing mountain lions into the area,” Tira said.
None of this is meant to scare people from enjoying outdoor recreation, especially in the foothills of California, Tira added.
“All people need is to just be aware of your surroundings and have a plan if you encounter one, but don’t be afraid to go outside and enjoy the outdoors,” Tira said.
In that regard, he advised ways to deter mountain lions and other predators include improving fencing, utilizing air horns, automating lighting and removing dead carcasses.
He also suggested making an enclosure for farm animals and pets.
Mountain lions are most active in the early morning or late at night. Hiking on trails alone is discouraged and keeping pets on leashes and children close to you is recommended. If a mountain lion is spotted, experts say do not approach or run from it and to not crouch down or bend over. If it gets aggressive, it is advised to make yourself appear bigger, to speak loudly at it and even throw objects to defend yourself. Reporting mountain lion sightings to CDFW is encouraged. To report such a sighting go to apps. wildlife.ca.gov/wir.
n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
n RUBES by Leigh Rubin
n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You may explore unnamed emotions, though they won’t go nameless for long. As soon as you give them a word, they become contained by it, wearing it like a container you can grab hold of and examine from different angles.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re gifted with the guts to test drive ideas. Some things are worth the risk, even if the odds are dicey. Focus solely on what you want. Dwelling on what you don’t want just weakens your power.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Watching others relish something can spark desire. Maybe it’s a form of envy, but it’s as natural as nature itself and humans aren’t the only ones who want what the others are having. You’ll leverage the principle today.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Somehow experience seems heightened, like what happens matters more than usual. Your thoughts wander poetic lanes; everything dons a metaphorical guise. The essence doesn’t have to be deep or somber to give life a lyrical quality.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Self-mastery isn’t a straightforward affair. Sometimes you feel like doing as your inner boss directs, and then there are days like today when compliance is akin to corralling a troop of cats into formation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s no such thing as a fresh start without a challenge. If you encounter such an offer, take heed and back away slowly. An element of work, risk and trepidation will be part of any good deal.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When your defenses spring to life, it’s actually a gift. It teaches you what you care about and shows you how much. Defensiveness points the way to new strategies for protection, strength or letting go, as the case may be.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What matters to you about your work will be different than what matters to someone else. There are aspects of the project you are willing to put yourself on the line for and that passion points to the value you find meaningful.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Learning thrives in diversity. Body, voice, ear, pen -- all instruments in the symphony of understanding. Restricting to one mode stunts your growth, which will be radiant.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). They say those who refuse to learn are lost causes, but it’s not entirely true. Some are befuddled and just need a different approach or some more careful explaining. Others are dozing off and will wake when startled.
The stations reflected the broad span of topics high schoolers involved in the program are exposed to and have the chance to focus on. While some students showed seventh graders a brood of chicks and other farm animals, another group was showing how honey was harvested at the east campus. Presentations were more than just a lecture as every station made sure to give the middle school students the chance to be directly involved in the activity, be it practice casting fly fishing rods or pouring water on a model town
Continued from A1
to better understand how water flow was impacted by man-made structures. Students who found themselves bit by the natural sciences bug after Natural Connections Day have the opportunity to pursue that interest by applying to join El Dorado High School’s Natural Resources Program. The alternate education path will run freshman year through graduation, providing the opportunity to focus on field work and personal interest projects rather than staying stuck behind a desk. “We choose what we want to learn,” natural resources student Tyler Buszkiewicz explained while dressed head to toe in a beekeeping suit.
“It’s an amazing program. We have teachers, but we do a lot of the work. We come in on Saturdays; we weed the gardens; we monitor burn piles; we do what needs to get done. And a lot of the time, we’re doing it on our own time because we care.”
The program is designed to give students a strong background in natural science they can build o after high school, either by entering the workforce or continuing their education in college, according to program coordinator Krista Potter.
“Students apply while in eighth grade and from freshman year they take biology, then chemistry, field science and finally work on a capstone senior project,”
Potter described. “We focus on environmental education and career exploration; when kids leave here, they’re ready to be wildlife biologists, or heavy machinery operators for a logging operation or more. They’re ready for going out into the world.”
Will Smith, an EDHS senior, attributes his acceptance into Cal Poly’s environmental engineering program in part to his time spent in the Natural Resources Program.
“This program gives you a chance to go out and do things you’d never be able to do in high school otherwise,” Smith said. His recently-completed capstone project culminated in construction an operational aquaponics system.
And despite the Newsom administration pouring billions into the homelessness crisis and launching several new programs aimed at moving people indoors, encampments still are rampant up and down California. The perceived lack of progress led lawmakers to ask: Where is all that money going?
The state’s legislative audit committee unanimously approved the audit request in March 2023, and it initially was expected to be finished by October. San Jose and San Diego fail to track homelessness spending San Jose and San Diego each have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on homelessness in recent years. But neither could provide an exact accounting of how much was spent and where it went, according to the audit.
And both cities failed to consistently evaluate whether the homeless services nonprofits they contract with are effectively spending city funds.
In San Diego, for example, a $1.6 million shelter contract didn’t specify how many people should be served, making it impossible to tell if that program has been successful. Even when the cities required performance metrics from their contractors, they sometimes failed to collect them.
Other times, the cities failed to act upon the data collected. A shelter provider San Diego contracted with had a goal of getting 26% of the people who left the shelter into permanent housing. Instead, about 6% went into permanent housing. Even though the provider fell far short of its goal, the auditor found no evidence the city took steps to analyze the contract’s effectiveness.
In San Jose, the city extended an $8 million homelessness prevention contract based on vastly inflated performance data, according to the audit.
“I completely agree with the notion in the audit that we need to set goals, measure performance and improve transparency and accountability,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said in an interview. He recently helped launch a public dashboard that tracks his city’s homelessness spending and outcomes.
But the state needs to help, he said. The city gets funding from several different state programs, and it’s often not clear across each program what types of performance metrics they should be using, Mahan said.
San Jose and San Diego have similar estimated homeless populations — 6,340 and 6,500 respectively. But San Diego has 4,000 emergency shelter and temporary housing beds, while San Jose has just 2,500, according to the report.
Continued from A1 clear answer.
violated the California Mitigation Fee Act and shouldn’t have collected certain permit fees paid by home builders in the county. The act requires agencies to provide updated nexus studies every five years that justify fees collected and outline how money will be spent to benefit the public and offset impacts resulting from new development; however, the agencies named in the lawsuit had failed to submit their nexus studies as required at the time the Austins and many others paid fees.
In his April 15 ruling, Presiding Judge Gary Slossberg notes, “Defendants have failed to substantially comply with the fiveyear findings requirement.” The ruling also states that not only were studies not completed within the MFA’s timeframe, “The most glaring omission from the record is any finding that ‘demonstrate(s) a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged,’ as required by government code …”
“As such … a refund is mandated, the amount to be determined in the next phase of trial,” the ruling’s disposition reads.
El Dorado County AuditorController Joe Harn informed the Board of Supervisors in writing in 2013, 2014 and 2015 of violations of the MFA in the levying of these permit fees but the county continued to collect on behalf of itself and the other agencies. All studies were eventually updated and approved by the Board of Supervisors with procedures put into place to ensure a lapse wouldn’t happen again but the financial implications of that lapse could hit all the agencies hard.
“I was expecting that the ruling was going to cost the CSD about $5 million, EDH Fire about $4 million and the county road capacity enhancement plan about $13 million based on a one-year statute of
And both cities lack enough permanent housing for their homeless residents — as well as any comprehensive plan to fund and build the housing they need. San Jose hasn’t even calculated how many new homes it needs, according to the audit.
In San Jose and San Diego, more than 85% of the placements made for homeless residents are into temporary — not permanent — housing. As a result, around 40% of the people who leave those placements return to the street.
Both cities are taking steps to reduce the health and safety risks associated with homeless encampments by providing trash pickup, toilets, showers, medicine and other services.
In San Jose, the budget for those services increased from $12.7 million in the 2020-21 fiscal year to $19 million last year. In San Diego, it grew from $32 million to $43 million. But neither city is doing a good job of evaluating the outcomes of those efforts, according to the audit.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria defended his city’s approach to homelessness in an emailed statement. The city served more than 11,400 people last year, he said.
“All of us can use this audit as a tool to understand how much more needs to be done in order to continue meaningfully addressing homelessness,” he said, “and we hope to impress on state leaders the need for adequate and ongoing funding for California’s biggest crisis.”
The auditor recommended San Jose and San Diego should, by September, report all of their homelessnessrelated spending in one central location and improve the way they evaluate the effectiveness of their homelessness programs.
In a written response to the audit, San Jose said it already is taking steps to better document its homeless services budget and more thoroughly assess the effectiveness of its programs. San Diego said it recently hired new staff dedicated to performance monitoring.
Todd Langton does outreach in homeless encampments throughout Silicon Valley in his role as founder of the Coalition for the Unhoused of Silicon Valley and executive director of homeless services nonprofit Agape Silicon Valley. Based on what he’s seen on the ground, he’s “not surprised at all” by the results of the audit.
Langton said he often finds small nonprofits are more successful at getting people housed than the larger nonprofits that eat up state and city funding.
“As advocates,” he said, “we just shake our heads and say, ‘They’re spending so much money on this. What’s going on?’”
limitations,” Harn told the Mountain Democrat after he said he took a quick look at the accounts.
“Judge Gary Slossberg’s ruling, which I agree with, states that the unexpended fees, regardless of when they were collected, are subject to refund,” the auditor continued. “Based on his ruling, the numbers could go much higher.”
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Communications Director Carla Hass didn’t put a number in her response to the Mountain Democrat’s request for comment. “The matter is still pending and the amount of fees subject to refund will not be determined until the third phase of trial, which has not yet been scheduled,” her email states.
Harn said it’s unfortunate past county leaders chose to listen to “unqualified, unethical carpetbaggers that the Board of Supervisors appointed to a number of key positions.”
“On the bright side, maybe the CSD, EDH Fire and the county will now stop spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on out-of-town lawyers who are fighting to prevent El Dorado County residents from getting refunds that are required by state law,” he added. “Maybe now these property owners will get the refunds they were due over 10 years ago.”
The county has spent nearly $700,000 on attorneys defending the Austin case, Harn shared, and that figure doesn’t include staff time.
EDHCSD General Manager Mark Hornstra said CSD staff is reviewing Slossberg’s decision “to determine the potential impact and next steps.”
“As that review by our legal team is completed, we may have more information to share with the public,” Hornstra continued.
EDH Fire Chief Maurice Johnson told the Mountain Democrat since the case is still open he has no comment at this time.
TED Continued from A3 to advance housing and economic development.
The county has created an interactive website, TEDAreaPlan.com that features a survey and mapping tool to gather feedback on community attributes and opportunities.
The county will also be holding a series of workshops on the TED Area Plan. There is a Planning Commission workshop scheduled for Thursday, April 25, and a Board of Supervisors workshop Tuesday, May 14. Additionally, the county is hosting four in-person community workshops.
In-person workshop times and locations
Tahoma
June 3, 6-7:30 p.m.
Marie Sluchak Community Park
Pine Street and Wilson Avenue
Meeks Bay
June 4, 6-7:30 p.m.
Meeks Bay Fire Station 67 8041 Highway 89
Meyers
June 5, 6-7:30 p.m.
Meyers Elementary School 1095 E San Bernardino Avenue
Fallen Leaf Lake
June 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
Fallen Leaf Lake Community Center
Price Lane
“We want this effort to provide an opportunity for individual communities to share their vision for future development and needs,” said Brendan Ferry, deputy director of the county’s Tahoe Planning and Stormwater Division. “Both the website and community workshops have been planned to maximize public engagement in this process.”
This is the first of a three-phased approach that will continue through the end of 2024. Adoption the TED Area Plan by the county and TRPA is anticipated to come by the end of 2026.
For additional information visit TEDAreaPlan.com.
Dr., Placerville
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 available at: MORE, 399 Placerville Drive Online at: www.morerehab.org
April 19
Creekside Studio at 451 Main St. in Placerville hosts a CASA El Dorado art supply drive, April 19-21. Drop off supplies to be donated to the local nonprofit.
Theatre at The Mine at Union Mine High School presents “Peter Pan” April 19 & 20. For tickets and more information visit onthestage. tickets/union-mine-highschool.
Ponderosa Stage Productions at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs presents “Shrek: The Musical,” April 19 & 20. For tickets and more information visit pondodrama.com/shrek.
Born & Raised will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and merchants at Creekside Plaza in Placerville host a ribbon cutting, 5:30-7 p.m. at 451 Main St.
The Shingle Springs Community Center hosts its quarterly Bunko Fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will feature a delicious taco bar and dessert. Margaritas, beer and wine available for purchase. Purchase tickets in advance at shinglespringscommunitycenter.org.
Myka Estates, 3405 Carson Court, Placerville, hosts a Spring in Bordeaux Cocktail Party at 6 p.m. Enjoy six Bordeaux-inspired wines paired with six different appetizers by Chef Lisa Scott. Call (530) 644-3474 or go to mykaestates.com/product/ Spring-in-Bordeaux-CocktailParty for more information and reservations.
Sam Chase & The Untraditional plus Jessica Malone will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Imagination Theater presents “Winnie the Pooh,” April 19 through May 12 at the theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org/winnie-thepooh.
The East Wind Band will perform at the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova. For more information visit rcmacc.org.
A Motown Celebration with Chester Gregory takes place at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
April 20
The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts a community cleanup day, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Camerado Springs Middle School. Visit cameronpark.org for a list of acceptable items.
Ponderosa High School hosts the ninth annual Gold Country Jazz Festival, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the campus, 3661 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. Purchase tickets in advance at ticketstripe.com/GoldCountry-Jazz-Festival-2024.
The El Dorado
Gold Country Artists Gallery, an awardwinning artists’ cooperative in Placerville, features the work of Thelma White, Anca Statescu and Theresa Bielawski in April. Meet the artists during Main Street’s Third Saturday Artwalk, 5-8 p.m. April 20.
Weaving a story
White has been involved in creating art in one form or another from grade school to earning college degrees in film and creative writing. White writes stories for children and has a deep appreciation for mythology and fantasy, which plays into the somewhat unconventional artwork she creates.
Entranced by the beauty and amazing craftsmanship of antique carousels and carousel animals, she sought instruction from a master wood carver to learn the art of carving carousel animals. For many years she studied and photographed working carousels and learned to carve her own carousel horses. She evolved a brilliant way to showcase her passion in her three-dimensional, collagestyle works of wall art in which she constructs scenes by weaving together a wide variety of media with her love of storytelling, paper art and carousel creations.
White creates her mixedmedia assemblages by pasting multiple copies of her photographs onto heavy paper and cutting out sections that she then applies in layers onto a painted background, gradually building the layers with cardboard “stanchions” until she reaches the desired three-dimensional effect. She paints them, adds polymer clay
Sylvia Coleman Placerville Arts Association
Many visitors to the Placerville Arts Association’s 2024 annual Spring Member Show, April 8-12, expressed awe and wonder as they strolled through the beautiful art show held in the picturesque surroundings of the El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville. These shows are the kinds of events PAA artists eagerly wait for to show off their creative talents. The artworks for this show were grouped by media. Entries included oil, watercolor and pastel art as well as 3D, mixed media, novice and AI creations. Awards were given out at a lovely reception on April 12. A video of the presentation can be viewed on PAA’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ placervilleartsassociation5334. The collective reaction of the many people who walked through the show was one of inspiration. “There is an amazing variety of artists,” said Stephanie LaForge after walking the show. “My favorites were a few that were chock full of personality such as ‘faces in wood’ (‘The Faces of Euclid
sculpturing, artificial flowers, fabric, ribbon and lace, and embellishes the final creations with various “findings” — small trinkets, charms, rhinestones, beads and buttons, before sealing them into a shadowboxtype frame. Among her collection of carousel creatures for her shadowboxes is “Cicero Seahorse,” created out of her love for mermaids, seahorses and everything fantastical associated with ocean lore. She imagines that if she were a mermaid and could ride the ocean waves on a seahorse, Cicero is what he would look like — glistening scales, his horse-fish body adorned with beautiful seashells and starfish and “a joyful smile to have me on his back.”
She also loves the Harry Potter books and films. A while back, her brother-inlaw joined a small group on a premier tour of the studio in London where the Harry
Avenue’ by Carolyn Cunningham) and a delightful sculpture of a treehouse that I would love to live in (‘Life’s Adventure’ by Cathy Keil). Also, pieces that made you feel air on your face or think of the movement of fish in water.”
All artworks can be viewed on PAA’s Facebook page.
This year’s judge was Cherie Hacker. She’s not a stranger to the Sierra foothills, spending 20 years participating in the art scene. Hacker has enjoyed a long career of teaching art to all ages and in many situations. Currently,
Potter films were made. He snapped photos of the huge model of Hogwarts Castle and, White explained, “His photo enabled me to create ‘Where the Magic Begins,’ my own multi-dimensional Hogwarts in a shadowbox frame. I couldn’t resist adding Hedwig, Harry’s
white owl, and the mermaid at the bottom of the completed artwork!”
This form of artwork is tedious and time intensive, but rewarding when a project is satisfactorily completed. White
n See GALLERY, page B6
The award-winning author of “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter,’” a book examining the impact of beavers on North American ecosystems, Ben Goldfarb will give a reading and engage in a guided conversation at The Bookery Monday, 5-7 p.m. His visit to The Bookery is the result of a bit of luck and “synchronicity,” according to bookstore co-owner Darin Coelho Spring. “A friend of Goldfarb’s would actually sometimes put his books up on our shelves without selling the book to us,” Spring joked. “It’s great to have a genuine expert at this event that really knows what he’s talking about. I mean, if you look at his résumé, it’s
questions, sign books and read from his recent book, “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.”
pretty insane.” Covering wildlife conservation, marine science
and public land management, Goldfarb’s work has been featured in Science, Mother Jones, The Guardian, High Country News, VICE, Audubon Magazine, Scientific American and other publications; in 2018 he was a journalist fellow for the 2018 North American Congress for Conservation Biology. ‘Eager’ was the winner of the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Goldfarb will be reading from his new book, “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet,” which explores the social, societal and environmental implications of road-centric society across the globe. “Crossings” has gained considerable attention since publication last year, being named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times. During his visit to the Bookery, Goldfarb will also sign copies of his books and answer questions. The event is free, open to the public and no tickets are
required; admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Earth Day event is co-presented by Myrtle Tree Arts and American River Conservancy. Prior to the reading, ARC Executive Director Elena DeLacy will lead a 1.5 mile natural history walk in downtown Placerville. The group will meet at The Bookery, 326 Main St., and the walk will begin at 3:15 p.m. Throughout the day, live music will also be hosted by The Bookery, including performances by local artist Jacob Mingle and the band Hither and Yon. Later in the week, Goldfarb will be a guest on the Placertopia Live Podcast, a talk show centered on local arts and culture hosted by Paul Godwin. The podcast will be recorded live 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. The podcast
be attended live or found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Ed Sengstack Harris Center for the Arts
FOLSOM — Harris Center for the Arts presents five-time Grammy Award winning tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and TISRA on April 24.
Tabla virtuoso Hussain is proud to present TISRA (three) with two of India’s finest young musicians, Sabir Khan and Debopriya Chatterjee. This unique trio is comprised of tabla, sarangi and bansuri (bamboo flute), a combination not often heard on the classical stage. Sarangi and bansuri each have roots in ancient India and its mythology; both are also folk instruments.
TISRA showcases the rich folk and classical traditions of the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. It is widely accepted that the musical influence of Rajasthani gypsies has been heard far beyond the borders of India, and that Uttar Pradesh incorporated the folk music forms of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet into its music. This colorful mix combined with Indian classical music and the rich rhythm repertoire of Punjab makes for a compelling offering that TISRA now brings to audiences in the United States. Moreover, the trio
intends to initiate a conversation between the sarangi, with its close resemblance to the human voice, and the bansuri, a breath instrument.
Hussain is a pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso and is appreciated as one of the world’s most esteemed and influential musicians, one whose mastery of his percussion instrument has taken it to a new level transcending cultures and national borders. Along with his legendary father and teacher, Ustad Allarakha, he has elevated the status of the tabla both in India and around the world. The past year has been a banner year of recognition for the iconic musician/composer/cultural ambassador Hussain. The list of awards and accolades has been remarkable, including three 2024 Grammy wins (adding to the two he already has): Best Global Music Album for “This Moment” (Shakti); and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Best Global Performance for
he
himself into
frog. And
evil Thornberry, who puts the curse on Princess Elaine (the ’sleeping beauty’) and the brave Prince Dauntless, who battles the fire-breathing dragon to break the magic spell.
Rich with music underscoring, themes and five tuneful songs, “The Sleeping Beauty,” with book and lyrics by R. Eugene Jackson and music by Patsy Pollard, is a delight for audiences of all ages. This production is directed by Allen Schmeltz with music direction by Hannah Hurst.
Showtimes are 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, April 20 through May 19 at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For reservations go to SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.
HHH1/2
R, 1 hour, 49 minutes
Drama, Action, Thriller
Now playing in theaters
IDemocrat correspondent
t may be listed as an action, drama, thriller, but Director Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is a horror film set during a zombie apocalypse, except the zombie’s are American citizens and the horror is a potential second Civil War. A journey across a dystopian future America, the film follows a team of militaryembedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington, D.C., before rebel factions descend upon the White House. To say the possibilities of this film hit close to home would be an understatement.
Garland has always been keen to include a healthy dose of thinking with his genre pictures. His first feature was “Ex Machina,” for crying out loud, a picture that did a deep dive into the moral and ethical implications of synthetic intelligence and AI a whole decade before it became chic. It was also one of the best films of 2014, which I had the honor of watching in a theater on the Paramount Pictures backlot and hearing the filmmakers discuss the film and what they saw in our technological future as a society. They seem to have been eerily accurate.
The main character of the movie is photojournalist Lee, played by Kirsten Dunst, in what has to be her most intense and weary role. Lee has clearly experienced intense trauma with what she’s captured through the lens of her camera during this
war. The numbness of Lee is a tangible mental exhaustion that you feel through the screen. Dunst, who became a household name as young Claudia in 1994’s “Interview With a Vampire,” is now entering a time where she should (I emphasize should) be offered some more mature dramatic and exciting roles. If this performance is anything to go by we are in for some wonderful new material from Ms. Dunst.
The co-lead, if you will, is Jessie, played by Cailee Spaeny, who had a notable turn as Priscilla Presley in “Priscilla” last year. She plays a young wideeyed photographer who attaches herself to Dunst’s character in the hopes of being her would-be protégé. Spaeny is the audience’s eyes in this movie. Just as I believe some hardliner and extremist Americans might lobby for a more fractured union based on their ideology, Jessie isn’t quite prepared for the absolute horrors such a dive into hell a domestic war would incite.
In “Civil War,” we don’t know why the country is fractured or what the president’s ideology is. We are invited to bring our own assumptions to the proceedings. All things considered it isn’t really relevant. We are thrown into a violent and war-torn United States of America where politically different California and Texas have joined forces to overthrow a fascist, unconstitutional president (played by Nick Offerman in limited but effective screen time) who
is killing American citizens.
The premise of America circling the drain of civil war isn’t too unbelievable these days (after all, America has already had one in our history), but I’m skeptical if those two states would have each other’s backs based on our current predicament(s). I certainly hope they would. A fascist executive branch should certainly mean all bets are off and even politically different individual states should fight for the common good in the name of the Constitution.
The issue arises that citizens tend to read the Constitution radically differently, which the film doesn’t really do a deep dive on but always hangs over the proceedings. There’s no better example of this than when our main characters tell a soldier that they’re American. His response? “ok. What kind of American are you?”
Chilling.
Regardless of what side of the American policy you fall on, it feels like we are on the razor’s edge of political insanity in this country. The message of the movie is clear: war is hell and we want no part of it with our fellow countrymen and women.
As I walked out of the theater I kept ruminating on if this motion picture is a warning of what’s possible or what’s to come. Too many aspects of this film might hit much too close to home for some. It’s an uncomfortable watch at times. For me it’s a film written and directed by a masterful filmmaker that uses the power of story, sound design, and photography to make a very strong, non-political point.
“If there is a worse place than Hell, I am in it.” — Abraham Lincoln on Civil War Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/producer. He thinks all citizens should re-read the Constitution and discuss. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.
artist/judge is best known for her abstract paintings full of lively organic and geometric shapes composed in a symphony of colorful textured layers made with oils, ink, latex and papers. To learn more about Hacker visit her Facebook page.
Although all awards are treasured, there are two awards hoped for — Best of Show and People’s Choice. The award winners of the 2024 PAA Spring Member Show are:
Best of Show: Richard Nederlof, “Koi on Blue,” acrylic
People’s Choice: Carolyn Cunningham, “Pacific Grove, CA,” oil Oil
1st, Roma Turoff, “By the Lake”
2nd, Rebecca Lamoly, “Camaraderie”
3rd, Pam Blank, “Cheese and Chefs”
HM, Michael Fritschi, “Early Morning SF”
HM, Rebecca Lamoly, “Connection”
HM, Vesla Hooper, “Bridge to Everywhere”
HM, Michael Fritschi, “Mt. Shasta”
Water media
1st, Frances Zurek Morgan, “Transformation”
2nd, Gloria Vernon, “Equinox”
3rd, Kathy Fritschi, “Canyon de Chelly #2”
HM, David Danz, “Escaping at Caples”
Photography
1st, Leonard James, “Reddish Egret
Fleeing Wave”
2nd, Leonard James, “Cormorant
Stealing Fisherman’s Catch”
3rd, Mehdi Ghadiani, “The Cat
Shadow”
HM, Kenneth Mahar, “Follow Your Heart”
HM, Kris Reich, “Mr D’s DinerKingman, AZ”
HM, Conni Hardie, “Lava Cap
Afternoon”
Mixed media
1st, Sherry Lynn Morris, “Koi Paper
Lantern Stream”
2nd, Carolyn Cunningham, “Under Cloudy Skies” 3rd, Matt Harline, “Wandering
Among Redwoods”
HM, Pam Blank, “Emerald Bay”
HM, Carrie Repking, “Guardian”
Acrylic
1st, Kari Uhlman, “Texas Panhandle Bison”
2nd, Richard Nederlof, “Flight Dream”
3rd, Randy Honerlah, “Hillside
Blooms”
HM, Deborah Walker, “Halcyon”
Sculpture
1st, Patty Sisneros, “‘Jack the Hare!,”
clay 2nd, Sherry Lynn Morris, “Gnome Tea Party,” sculpture 3rd, Cathy Keil, “Life’s Adventure,” clay
HM, Christina Arizmendi Hutcheson, “Transitions,” raku
Pastel & drawing
1st, Shirley Isola, “Jullyen,” scratchboard
2nd, Carolyn Cunningham, “Family Outing,” scratchboard 3rd, Susan Wickersham, “Angus,” oil pastel
HM, Marie Gonzales, “Roaring Camp Train, Santa Cruz,” pastel
HM, Cynthia Hayes, “Decisions, Decisions,” pastel
HM, Cynthia Hayes, “Untitled,” pastel
Miscellaneous
1st, Richard Nielsen, “Two Dimensional Diorama,” wood 2nd, Lynell Phillips, “Peaceful Earth,” AI via Midjourney 3rd, Lori Heuser, “Confetti,” wood Novice
2nd, Marti Winkler, “Reflection #1,” acrylic
HM, Ky Drennan, “In the Bucket,” oil
As the longest existing arts nonprofit organization in El Dorado County, PAA’s primary objective is to support the unique talents of local artists by sponsoring various events that will inspire the El Dorado community and, hopefully, develop more art-awareness and produce new artists. To learn more about PAA and its upcoming events visit placervillearts.com.
Gallery Continued from B1
found her true passion in creating unique objet d’art that enables her to share with others her own rich inner life of imagination, creativity and joy.
As a child, Romanian born artist Statescu found delight in the art books her father collected. The cave paintings, impressionism, modern and folk art she found in their pages captivated her, and her work reflects those early influences.
She went on to university to earn degrees and careers in civil engineering and art, fields that Statescu interconnects in her creations. She worked in multiple art mediums, but several years ago she discovered ceramics. She explains that she found a whole new world in the malleability of clay, the wide variety of glazes, and an infinite way to express her artistic passion in a threedimensional form.
Her great love for her favorite medium glows through when she describes her process, which begins with a lump of clay rolled into slabs. “Then my imagination takes hold,” she said. “Sometimes the clay ‘tells’ me what it wants to be, and from there, unique pieces are born. But it is a long journey …”
The clay is shaped and then allowed to dry slowly to a hardened form. The work is put in the kiln for the first, or “bisque,” firing. She may embellish some of her pieces with iron oxide — a fancy name for liquid rust. Glazing is next, followed by a final firing in the kiln. The process is long, with the firing phase lasting up to 11 hours, and the cooling down another day and a half.
“However,” she confided, “the work, the wait, anticipation and the joy make it all worthwhile. In the end, in that final glorious moment when I open my kiln, it feels like unwrapping Christmas presents all over again.” Statescu is inspired by the patterns and colors she finds in her natural surroundings. She even creates texture by impressing sticks, twigs and leaves into the clay before the first firing of a piece. Her “Fall Colors Plate” is formed by interlocking oak leaves glazed with the rustic colors of harvest season, with surprising glimpses of bright Castille blue glaze peeking out between the warm browns and muted gold leaves. For her “Vine Leaves Plate,” she pressed real wine grape leaves into the clay to make the designs, giving it an organic appeal. One of her favorites is “Trees in Fall,” a large, decorative piece to display on a stand or hang on a wall like a painting. She loves its unusual wavy design that gives the row of dusky trees dressed with golden leaves its unique appearance. Statescu shares her art at many shows and galleries, as well as in collections locally and internationally. She is involved with many art organizations including the annual KVIE art auction benefit that she coordinates for the gallery. But mostly, she loves the idea that her work makes people feel happy, adding with a smile, “When I read about thousand-year-old ceramics discovered in archeological digs, I cannot help but think that maybe this is my claim to eternity!”
TISRA Continued from B2
“As We Speak” (with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia).
Hussain is the first musician from India to win three Grammys at one awards ceremony.
When she was young, photographer Bielawski had all the great outdoors of Montana to play in, an ideal world for one who is passionate about animals and nature. At the age of 10 she acquired her first point-andshoot camera, setting her on the path to becoming a nature and wildlife photographer.
As a child she saw a movie about a man ordered to shoot a bear that had killed livestock. The man’s appreciation for the animal grew as he tracked it and, in the end, he could not harm it when given the chance.
That movie, “King of the Grizzlies,” resonated within her, leading to a lifelong admiration and respect that is reflected in her bear portraits. Some of her more popular images include the expressive face of “Bear Cub,” its eyes focused directly at the viewer.
Another image is “King of the Mountain,” a huge bear with a powerful body and a substantial coat of dark fur, standing majestically atop a collection of huge boulders. His look conveys that he means business and most bears clear a path when he shows up. “In Pursuit” captures a momma and two cubs charging spiritedly through a body of water directly toward the photographer.
“But they were actually just going after some fish,” Bielawski said, “and I was safe on the shore.”
Stepping into the digital photography age set her firmly onto the “digital” nature trail, and she now has the tools to memorialize the extraordinary scenes she discovers and finds difficult to verbally describe. The special feeling she gets when she is able to capture the behavior of a wild animal or witness an incredible landscape “... is all about going to the right places and finding the photos I want to take,” she said. She went to Pacific Grove, where thousands of monarch butterflies stop to sip the lantana blossom nectar on their migration to warmer southern climes. Her understanding of light and timing enabled her to capture “Monarch Menagerie” with such beautiful detail; their nearly transparent wings infused with the warm light of the sun illuminating them from behind.
In addition to photography, Bielawski has worked with wildlife rehabilitation for more than 20 years. She rehabs small mammals and assists with raptors as well as with larger mammals. She is also the president of a nonprofit rehabilitation group and for the past 20 years their primary fundraiser. Her love and care for animals is reflected in her photography. Through her photographic lens, she actively advocates the education and appreciation for nature and wildlife.
Gold Country Artists Gallery features the work of many awardwinning regional artists working in fields as diverse as fine jewelry, photography, fused glass, wood turning, pastels, colored pencil, scratch board and watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. The gallery at 379 Main St. in Placerville is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on the third Saturday of each month until 8 p.m. For more information visit goldcountryartistsgallery.com or call call (530) 642-2944.
Khan is one of India’s most talented and sought-after musicians of the present day. His instrument is the sarangi, a bowed instrument said to possess the sound closest to the human voice. He is the son of the great sarangi player/vocalist Padma Bhushan Ustad Sultan Khan; their family belonging to the Sikar gharana (school) of music, which has given several stalwarts to Indian classical music, including his greatgrandfather Ustad Azim Khansahib, a court musician at Sikar in Rajasthan. Chatterjee started her initial flute training under the guidance of the late Pandit Bholanath Prasanna Ji of Allahabad. Her quest to express the depth and richness of Hindustani classical music, and of her chosen instrument, the bansuri (bamboo flute), brought her to the feet of her guru, the great exponent of the Maihar Senia Gharana Padmavibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit at HarrisCenter.net.
TISRA: Zakir Hussain, Sabir Khan, and Debopriya Chatterjee
Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture – breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story. THE CHER SHOW is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony Awardwinning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles! Nick Carter quickly became an international pop superstar as the youngest member of the
followed by All American in 2016. His 2023 single “Hurts to Love You” became his most successful track, charting in seven different countries, topping the charts in the United States, and charting number one in Canada. Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain is proud to present
Tickets available online or call the box office:
