Village Life, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Space super star

Local NASA Solar System Ambassador teaches ‘hands-on’ astronomy

Aspark was ignited in little Michal Warzecha’s soul when his parents tuned in to a TV broadcast of the Apollo Soyuz test project. As the rst crewed joint mission between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1975, it represented the inception of Russian/ American cooperation and the 6-year-old was enthralled.

“I was totally caught up in it,” reminisced Warzecha. “Wow they’re ying in space! This is what astronauts do.” His interest in astronomy was further stoked upon being given a telescope a few years later. “It was a 50 mm from Kmart, but it worked.”

A Polish immigrant, Warzecha grew up in Michigan playing with Legos, subsequently discovering an a nity for science and math. With dreams of becoming an astronaut, he studied aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan and mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. And although he hasn’t made it on a spaceship yet, he has made a career in aerospace, having worked on the Artemis program, the Boeing 777 and other

■ See WARZECHA, page A5

Jana Rossi

Staff writer

Big Sister Lalani Ratnayake immediately took notice when Little Sister Shalom, though capable of reading, headed straight to the picture books during their trips to the library. Her persistence and determination to help the young girl yielded an answer as to why — Shalom’s eyes hurt a er reading for a while and she chose picture books to avoid the pain.

A trip to the optometrist revealed Shalom had a problem with the muscles around her eyes and needed vision therapy. Now, with this support making Shalom’s future clearer and brighter, Lalani describes her Little as a very special girl who is “smart as a whip, always happy and upbeat.”

Lalani’s tireless e orts to nurture her Little earned the El Dorado Hills resident the title of 2022 Big Sister of the Year, awarded by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra.

Lalani became involved in BBBS while living in Boise, Idaho. Her good friend was a Big Sister with the program there and encouraged Lalani to get involved. She began in the elementary school

■ See BIG SISTER, page A7

Sel Richard Staff writer

2022 Big Sister of the Year Lalani Ratnayake

April 20

Martin Media presents Rob Schneider’s I Have Issues tour, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

April 21

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Book Bans and Other Library Issues by a panel from the local library, 1-3 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission is free for members; public invited to attend two meetings each year free.

The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc.org.

The Shingle Springs Community Center, 4400 South Shingle Road, hosts a Bunko Fundraiser beginning at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, dessert and Bunko. Buy tickets online at shinglespringscommunitycenter.org or call (530) 672-7442.

Live music at Red Hawk Resort + Casino continues with live music at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. See Flat Busted (dance) April 21; Sons of Rock (rock/classic rock) April 22; Mike Furlong Band (classic rock) April 28; and Maxx Cabello (blues/rock) April 29. Visit redhawkcasino.

$50K fOR aLL-abiLities pLay

Senior of the Year nominations sought

News release

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

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

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

Courtesy photo

Holly Reininger recently presented the CSD with a check for $50,000 from the annual Walk with Austin TRYalthlon proceeds as a donation toward an all-abilities playground at the future Bass Lake Regional Park. “Your partnership is a cornerstone and a highlight of what we can do at the CSD. It’s unbelievable what you do for our community,” said CSD board member Noelle Mattock.

Businesses shine at awards dinner

News release

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the annual Installation & Business Awards event with a sold-out audience of 180 attendees. Guests included California State Sen. Maria AlvaradoGil, California State Assemblyman Joe Patterson, El Dorado County District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl, among other notable dignitaries.

The event is a joyous celebration for the business community’s chamber members and their guests and was held once again at the Serrano Country Club.

The dinner, awards ceremony, no host bar and fantastic silent auction was kicked o by So a Badolian, daughter of the Chairman of the Board Craig Badolian, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and performing her beautiful rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” — this followed by Master of Ceremonies Andrey Kazak, former “American Idol” contestant (season 15) and singer, songwriter and comedian.

At the event the El Dorado Hills Chamber installed the 2023-24 Board of Directors, sworn in by El Dorado County Sheri Je Leikauf. The El Dorado Hills Chamber Board members are Craig Badolian (chairman of the board) with BI Design Studio, Kevin Barri (past chairman of the board) with Wells Fargo, Kelly Seymour with Blue Shield of California, DeeDee Riley with Lyon Real Estate, Cathy Cort with AdsUp!, Jenna Hoyt with Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Ross Reaksecker with El Dorado Disposal – a Waste Connections Company, El Dorado

County Superintendent of Schools Ed Manansala, Lynn Repstad with Vision-Net Ventures, Janet Saitman with Realty Pros and David Williamson with Foothills Regional Insurance & Financial Solutions.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber received several well-quali ed nominees in every category for its

annual Business Awards.

The winners are:

• Home-Based Business of the Year: Candace & Tyler Andujar, EDH Appliance Repair

• Start-Up Business of the Year: Rita & Greg Ferrero, Sierra Laundry

• Small Business of the Year: Nancy Rothman, Life Care Medical Supply

• Young Entrepreneur

of the Year: Noah Downing, Noah’s Auto Detailing

• Excellence in Business of the Year: Marshall Medical Center

The chamber recognized the continued support of its 2021-22 Premier Partners: Parker Development Company, El Dorado Hills Town

■ See AWARDS page A5

Photos courtesy of Charm Photography Noah Downing, owner of Noah’s Auto Detailing, above left, proudly holds up his Young Entrepreneur of the Year award with El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Debbie Manning. Below, John Knight, left, accepts Marshall Medical Center’s Excellence in Business of the Year award from El Dorado Community Foundation Executive Director Bill Roby. Knight serves on Marshall’s Board of Directors.

Your neighborhood acupuncture practice now offers group-style acupuncture! It’s no-appointment-needed, non-insurance acupuncture.

Wendy Stedeford Acupuncture

4972 Robert J Mathews Parkway Suite 120 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

530.409.5644

On Facebook at Wendy Stedeford Acupuncture

NOTES by Julie

Samrick

Safety and freedom

Asimple question by my teenage daughter at the dinner table recently got me thinking.

“Why are there so many rules to protect kids,” she asked, “like having to have permission slips or not allowing adults who don’t work at a school to just walk around, when they are free to just about anywhere else?”

It’s a good question, especially by a 17-year-old who is looking forward to college and being able to vote in the 2024 presidential election. She’ll be 18 then, that magical number when most protective rules disappear.

I answered her question at rst along the lines of, “We are supposed to protect the most vulnerable members of society and minors fall in that category” — so it’s strange that there are many laws meant to protect children, but the internet, particularly social media, is like the Wild West. There are minimum age requirements to join, but kids will say they easily bypass those with one click.

Cafeteria Assistant

If you enjoy the beautiful outdoors and working with children, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Cafeteria Assistant at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rate: $17.23

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1746010

Maintenance Custodian

If you have experience performing custodial and general maintenance services and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Maintenance Custodian at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rate: $20.47

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1745652

For more information, contact Sacramento County Office of Education Personnel Dept. 916-228-2332

Expertise That Is Never Equaled!

Pete r Vlautin

has over 45 years of Litigation

Experience and a Masters (LL.M.)

Degree in Taxation.

Member of California, Nevada, and U. S. Supreme Court Bar Associations

• Estates

• Trusts

• Probate

• Conservatorships

• Financial Elder Abuse

Peter P. Vlautin, III, J.D. LL.M.

1020 Suncast Lane #101, El Dorado Hills (916) 365-9734 • petervlautin.com

California State Bar #54733

Nevada State Bar #1475

assumed parents held the keys to the kingdom, but with time and as kids get older, resistance and oversight wanes. A smartphone in the hand of a small child in a grocery cart is a ubiquitous sight today. As great a tool technology can be, its power can be extremely destructive. It is changing the way teens interact, replacing in-person communications, which is causing increased rates of isolation, anxiety and a lack of resilience among young people tethered to their phones. Attention spans among young people are also down because kids are reading less. They may be reading quick captions on screens, but they are not practicing the focus exed by reading full-length books. Executive functioning skills like planning, organizing and task completion such as doing homework distraction-free are also su ering in society with each year kids have had access to smartphones.

Utah is the rst state in the country to pass legislation that would limit minors’ social media use.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed two bills into e ect last month, collectively known as the Social Media Regulation Act, that would prevent children from using social media from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. and require social platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook give parents access to their teens’ accounts. It is set to take e ect March 1, 2024.

... today a seemingly benevolent online search can pull up hundreds of graphic images that would make even the worldliest adult blush.

But the bills, SB152 and HB311, face backlash from opponents over concerns they violate teens’ privacy and freedom of speech. As much as I am a proponent of freedom over government overreach, and less rules instead of more, kids aren’t adults. First, their brains are still developing. Most kids and teenagers don’t understand the weight their actions today could mean later. It’s not their fault. Those things can only come with experience. When smartphones became available 15 years ago it was

The new area that causes me perhaps the greatest worry of all is the easy access kids now have to porn. Where it used to be a Playboy magazine cover would be enough to cause whispers and gasps amongst children, today a seemingly benevolent online search can pull up hundreds of graphic images that would make even the worldliest adult blush. Exposure to porn may have not been sought out, but its e ects can be di cult to reverse. The problems we see in society range from stunted male and female relationships from a warped perception of reality to increased depression and an increased demand for sex tra cking.

If Utah’s new laws really would allow parents to see their kids’ online activities, I say, can we spread it to more states and do we really need to wait until 2024?

Julie Samrick is an El Dorado Hills mother, teacher and writer. She is the author of “Murphy’s Miracle: One Dog’s Wild Journey” and “How People Get Their Politics.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Field fees

EDITOR:

The El Dorado Hills Soccer Club wants taxpayer money to subsidize their shortfall in raising revenue for their purposes. EDHSC should raise money through corporate sponsors, fundraising or raise fees to participate.

All the costs to maintain these soccer elds has raised astronomically. Step up and do the right thing instead of trying to coerce the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors with threats of recall.

JOEL MILLER El Dorado Hills

Project Frontier

EDITOR:

There is a good watch about some of what is really happening with Project Frontier on YouTube. This project, one of Amazon’s largest ful llment center in the world, is nearly three Disneylands large and being pushed through the county on a conditional use permit, which is essentially a checkbox approval.

The only checkbox that did not get this approved without any public hearings, Planning Commission evaluation and environmental impact study is the height. It is 110 feet tall and 4.8 million square feet. The tra c study was done during the height of COVD, May 2020. So far the height is the only piece that is stopping this checkbox approval.

The height will be reviewed by ministerial process, one person, Karen Garner the zoning administrator who built an Amazon warehouse in Gilroy along with several other warehouses. She is new to El Dorado County as of January of last year. This land is not zoned for heavy industrial use; it is zoned research and development. Even by El Dorado Hills zoning, this is not allowed even by conditional use permit. Seem strange to you? It’s strange to us.

KATHY WILLIAMS El Dorado Hills

Champions

EDITOR:

Champions don’t feel like champions because they win. They feel like champions because they held their ground during the storms, the humility, the struggle and the disappointment. They didn’t let life push them around. They held out. With constant pressure, they held rm. When the odds looked grim, they began to push even harder.

True empowerment is walking through the struggles, pain and adversity with a smile on your face. It’s knowing that no matter what life throws at you, you will keep walking forward. You will stay in the storm with both feet planted. That no matter how much it hurts, you will keep your feet planted. It’s about being an unshakable warrior.

Just remember, winning comes from continuing to ght the losing battle. Sometimes you have to show the world what you are made of. The best feeling in the whole wide world is knowing that you are unshakable. Walk into every room knowing that no one can damage you. Now, show me how you live your life.

RILEY SMITH El Dorado Hills

Cluster mailbox woes

EDITOR:

Why can’t the U.S. Postal Service admit that cluster mailboxes are a complete failure.

I have asked and given written notice to install my own lock mailbox at the end of my driveway. My request has been denied by the postmaster of the Shingle Springs Post O ce.

Why? I have a solution to having our cluster mailbox broken into repeatedly over the years and the USPS can only sit on its hands and publicly state that the only solution is “reporting.” That is a load of B.S.

DAVIS Shingle Springs

CRIB

District hosts the Community Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center. Find an application at cameronpark.org.

The 38th annual Kids’ Expo takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Whether it be to sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, spin prize wheels or get their face painted, families and children participate in a wide variety of creative activities while learning about community services, educational programs, businesses and extra-curricular activities. The event is free.

Passport to the Great Out There is a great way to experience El Dorado County’s family-owned wineries and enjoy food and wine tastings, reserve wines, and other surprises at participating wineries from Apple Hill to Fair Play. To be a part of the wine adventure purchase a one- or two-day passport at cellarpass.com/events/2023-passport-to-thegreat-out-there-9489.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts April Pool’s Day, 1-3 p.m. Join Aquatics staff at the Community Pool for a free day of swimming to start the season. Folsom Lake Symphony presents The Rite of Spring concert with Alon Goldstein, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

April 23

The Hands4Hope Youth Wellness Expo celebrates wellness with activities vendors and more for the entire family, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Serrano Village Green in El Dorado Hills. Folsom Concert Association presents The New York Tenors, 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit

Warzecha

commercial rocket vehicles.

HarrisCenter.net.

April 26

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking luncheon with El Dorado County Surveyor Brian Frazier speaking, 11:30 a.m. at Los Pinos, 3420 Palmer Drive in Cameron Park. No RSVP required.

April 27

Ponderosa Stage Productions presents “The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered” at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, April 27-29 and May 4-6. For more information visit pondodrama.com.

April 28

The seventh annual Stand Up for MORE will be held at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. Headlining will be the hilarious Eddie Brill with comedian Steve Bruner also performing. For tickets and more information visit morerehab.org/eventdetails/stand-up-for-more-2023.

Starbright Entertainment presents Fleetwood Mask – A Fleetwood Mac experience, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

April 29

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts its ornamental plant sale, 8 a.m. to noon both days at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. check the inventory preview at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu a week to 10 days before the sale.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center

“The wonderful part of that dream is that if you don’t become an astronaut, your plan B is a good thing,” Warzecha said. “I have no complaints. My plan B worked out really well.”

He has also met more than his fair share of astronauts, including Jim McDivitt, George “Pinky” Nelson, Anthony England and Jack Lousma as well as Apollo 13 ight director Gene Kranz.

Warzecha has channeled his passion for outer space through not only his career but teaching as well, doing outreach work in elementary schools even as a college student. Earlier this year Warzecha became El Dorado Hills’ rst NASA Solar System Ambassador.

The program, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary last fall, communicates information on real missions and updates from the leading edge of NASA’s solar system exploration. Funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, it is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and now has more than 1,100 volunteers.

“They want people from all walks of life,” said Warzecha. “Not just engineers or astronomers like me, but artists, school teachers — they even had a Catholic nun at one point and there was a composer in my training program.”

Warzecha’s rst gig as an ambassador was at the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society where he spoke on the life of Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope. It happens to be a subject he presented several years ago at Holy Trinity School, where he is now a children’s minister. He hopes to con-

Awards

Center, Dignity Health Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Wells Fargo, Shingle Springs band of Miwok Indians, Red Hawk Casino, Group One Consulting, Inc., Village Life Newspapers, El Dorado Disposal, A.G. Spanos Companies, Blue Shield of California, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Winn Communities, Marshall Medical Center, Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills and El Dorado Hills Community Services District.

Chamber o cials are appreciative of all the donors and bidders for the silent auction and happy to announce that scholarships for local graduates will be funded as a result. Closing the evening was Chairman Badolian thanking all the guests and sharing the commitment of the chamber to continue its advocacy e orts and to remain diligent in growing businesses.

We

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Events Fees going up in EDH

hosts festivities for Independent Bookstore Day. Enjoy a scavenger hunt for kids and grown ups, treats, discounts and more.

April 30

The Placerville Shakespeare Club presents Authors Day, featuring presentations, question-and-answer period, book signings, door prizes and light refreshments. Doors open at noon with the program at 1 p.m. at the clubhouse, 2940 Bedford Ave., Placerville. For tickets and more information call (916) 8020186 or (602) 826-7317 or visit placervilleshakespeare.com.

RiverBells Sacramento, an exciting sixoctave handbell ensemble, presents the Bells Ain’t Just for Christmas concert, 3 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit HarrisCenter.net. Musician Ed Wilson will perform 5-7 p.m. at Mraz Brewing in El Dorado Hills.

May 4

Women’s Fund El Dorado hosts its Grants Gala, 5-8 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center. Celebrate the success of 2022 grant recipients and learn about the 2023 grant and scholarship recipients. For tickets and more information visit womensfundeldorado.org.

May 13

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Art, Beer & Wine Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13 & 14, featuring more than 80 artists and 25-plus wineries and craft breweries pouring for paid tastings both days. Admission is free and tasting kits can be purchased at eldoradohillsartfestival.org.

nect with more local schools to bring what he dubs “hands-on astronomy,” helping people look through a telescope and showing them stars or nebulas and why they are important.

“Just watching kids get wowed by seeing something that you would only see in photographs, seeing the actual object with your eyes,” he said, his enthusiasm palpable. “My favorite part is seeing the kids get really excited about science, about nature. And having them ask me these awesome questions. I love it when they actually stump me.”

One subject Warzecha is keen to discuss is the leveraging of aerospace technology. “We have a lot of technology that we take for granted that came from the space program,” he said, explaining that hydrogen fuel cells have powered American spacecra from Gemini and Apollo to the space shuttle. He is currently developing hydrogen fuel cell powered semi-trucks.

“If you have a spaceship, you have to have computing power. NASA worked with MIT to gure out a way of miniaturizing computers. That technology wound up being leveraged into the Silicon Valley boom of the 1970s and ’80s,” he said, going on to list other spin o technology such as mirrors developed for the James Webb Space Telescope now being used for eye surgery, solar cells developed to power space cra and satellites and composite materials used for rocket tanks now used for hydrogen-powered vehicle storage tanks.

Warzecha is looking forward to his next presentation on the Apollo moon landing program that will be held April 29 at the Community Observatory in

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will raise its development impact mitigation fees by 4.9%, e ective 60 days a er El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ approval. Supervisors OK’d the adjustment at their April 11 meeting. The adjustment takes into account increases in the California Construction Cost Index, and brings the CSD fee totals to $13,496 for each single-family residential unit, $8,907 per unit for multi-family residential and a ordable housing units, $7,886 for age-restricted units, $7,215 for Serrano single-family residential units, $4,761 for Serrano multifamily residential and $4,186 for Serrano age-restricted residential. Mobile homes and accessory dwelling units are exempt from these impact fees.

The California Mitigation Fee Act provides guidelines and rules for special districts and municipalities to establish fees on new development for the purpose of mitigating impacts of new development on existing public infrastructure.

Development impact fees are paid by developers to fund improvements needed to serve the additional population without impact to current residents. The Board of Supervisors adopts the fees based on nexus studies provided by the special districts and only makes adjustments by request from those districts.

Placerville. He plans to look at the moon a erward to show where they landed. A summer presentation on the evolution of stars is also in the works. Until then, Warzecha will be putting in miles on

Start-Up Business of the Year winners Rita and Greg Ferrero, owners of Sierra Laundry, received their chamber award from last year’s winner, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonades owner Adrienn Chang, far left.

Local Eagle Scouts make lasting garden improvements

Jana Rossi

Staff writer

Looking to improve Lake Forest Elementary School’s garden space, in 2021 Gina Johnston, the school’s garden coordinator, applied for two grants through the El Dorado Community Foundation. The grants would help her purchase more expensive items such as greenhouses and hydroponic units.

A er submitting a video outlining why Lake Forest would be a good candidate to receive the grants, the foundation asked if she would entertain a partnership and roll out her garden program throughout the Rescue Union School District. Project Green Community was born.

The work Project Green Community does is two-fold. In addition to teaching kids basic gardening and horticulture skills, the garden area itself has become a special place where kids spend their time. It has given many students a sanctuary of sorts, where everyone belongs. Last year local Eagle Scout prospectives from Troop 645 approached Johnston, who now serves as Project Green’s executive board chairperson, to see where they could o er their skills to make marked improvements at several schools within

the district, where the Scouts themselves had once attended — making the project even more personal. Scout Elliot Porter decided to focus on good hygiene at Lake Forest. “My Eagle Scout projects goal was to pro-

vide a hand-washing station for the kids a er they nished their garden time,” he shared. “It felt great to know that I could provide a useful tool for the school, as well as reuse the recycled water to water the ground plants. Gina Johnston and Lake Forest Elementary were extremely gracious of the time and e ort I put into reworking the

garden area and making a convenient place for the kids to sanitize their hands before returning to class.”

Other Lake Forest improvements made by Scouts Owen Porter, Reed Datwyler and Austin Norris include repaired garden beds, the addition of an arbor and pathway to the garden and new fencing and gates.

“It’s a win-win as these projects make lasting and signi cant improvements to our gardens, saving us thousands of dollars and bringing value to our schools and communities — all while ful lling their Eagle Scout requirements,” Lauren Shoda Oneto, communications chairperson on Project Green’s executive board told Village Life.

Marina Village Middle School also bene ted when Eagle Scouts Nicholas Gygax and Shyam Das pitched in. Nicholas added deer-proof fencing, water trough garden beds and made pathway repairs while Shyam repaired ground mosaics. Matthew Drahmann added split rail fencing, improved landscaping and expanded the parking area. At Green Valley Elementary School Scouts Nick Wolf and Evan Ikemoto installed deer fencing and added plants, a shade structure and gravel containment.

Jackson Elementary School is next to receive some garden love.

Carnival comes to EDH Library

News release

The El Dorado Hills Library hosts a carnival this Earth Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Entry is free and open to all ages.

The event will feature two live music performances from Laura Benitez at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., perfect for ages 0-12. Between shows, visitors can make nature-themed cra s, get their faces painted and play classic carnival games to earn prizes. For the carnival’s littlest guests, there will be a special outdoor play area full of sensory bins and other fun toys geared for ages 0-5.

In the spirit of Earth Day, visitors will learn about the community’s awareness e orts at information booths dedicated to forest maintenance, energy conservation, preserving the local ecosystem and more hosted by the U.S. Forest Service, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Oak

Ridge’s One Green Step Club and the El Dorado Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. They can also lend a hand to the community’s animal friends by visiting the pet adoption booth hosted by Fat Kitty City. Local author Rachel Medel Cabalse (“This Mommy Needs Some Co ee”) will also have a booth.

Food options will be available for purchase from California Gold Kettle Corn and Joe’s Hot Dogs.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library. For more information about the nonpro t organization that supports library programs and hosts events throughout the year visit friendso heedhlibrary. org.

Parking will be limited; visitors who live nearby are encouraged to walk to the event. The library is located at 7455 Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

Courtesy photo

Mathew Drahmann, Evan Ikemoto and Nicholas Gygax stand in front of Marina Village Middle School after adding some necessary and beautifying garden improvements.

Big Sister

program, which meant that after a Little would graduate, she would be assigned a new one. In 2016, after her mom passed away, Lalani, who had moved to California by that time, decided to enter the regular mentor program and she was assigned Shalom, who was in second grade. The two have been together for six-and-a-half years.

Lalani has watched her Little Sister grow up and said she loves to be a stable piece in the now 13-year-old’s life. As a mom of two sons, Lalani said Shalom fills the space of a daughter. She said she loves to take her to the library, go out for pizza and ice cream, walk around museums, go ice skating and sometimes they will stay home and bake.

Shalom loves drama and music and Lalani takes her to high school productions of musicals; they recently saw “Beauty and the Beast.” She also tries to meet her for lunch at her school, although now that Lalani has two grandchildren who she babysits, she doesn’t have the same amount of free time as she once did.

Lalani encourages others to volunteer for this special and amazing program. “It is so rewarding,” Lalani told Village Life. “It is a privilege to be able to

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change someone’s future and support them to become a better person.”

BBBSNS named Jeff Ashburn the 2022 Big Brother of the Year. He has volunteered with the mentor program since 2019. Due to the sensitive nature of his Little’s case, Ashburn was unable to be interviewed.

In a press release, BBBSNS officials note, “True committed friendship are words that would describe the nature of his relationship with Little Brother Jayce, who entered BBBSNS’ program needing the support and encouragement of other adults around him. Jeff’s honest, witty and accepting personality has helped Jayce feel comfortable from the start of their first meeting. Jeff has continually invested in Jayce by taking him to youth group activities and introducing him to healthy peer environments. He has also insistently advocated for Jayce on numerous occasions, which has helped Jayce start to rebuild his trust in other adult relationships.”

BBBSNS serves the youth of El Dorado, Placer and Nevada counties. Currently there is a waitlist of 45 kids who need a mentor match. Those interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister should visit bbbs.org or contact Heather at (530) 626-1222.

Camellia Cup races onto Folsom Lake this weekend

News release

The Folsom Lake Yacht Club will host the 56th annual Camellia Cup Regatta, April 22 & 23, on Folsom Lake.

Participating will be sailboats from 8 to 25 feet in length, including Banshees, Lasers, Lido 14s, Thistles, Daysailers, Santana 20s, Catalina 22s, Capri 22s and 25s, Cal 22s and 250s, Wavelength 24s and various types of sport and mul-

tihull boats. Model sailboats, as big as 6-feet-long from the Sacramento Model Yacht Club will sail separately at Hobie Cove.

More than 50 sailboats are expected to compete in the Sacramento area’s oldest and largest sailboat competition. Camellia Cup is the first major regatta of the year and indicates the start of the boating season in the Sacramento Valley. With record snowfall in the Sierra Nevada, boaters anticipate a long boating season with high water levels throughout 2023.

Catch the race action at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Brown’s Ravine, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. For more information about the event and FLYC visit flyc.org.

Photo courtesy of John Poimiroo Charles Witcher of Sacramento, left, navigates his Banshee through the 2022 Camellia Cup course. The race hits the water once again April 22 & 23.

Oak Ridge tennis player ‘love-ing’ second chances

Jana Rossi Staff writer

Oak Ridge High School freshman and tennis player Rianna Dhillon has been playing the sport since she was 6 years old, picking up a racket when her father taught her the game. Her passion for tennis led her to volunteering at an organization called Second Serve, a youth-run nonpro t committed to bringing the sport of tennis to everyone interested in playing, no matter their economic status.

The vision of Second Serve, according to its website, “is to foster greater access, inclusion and diversity within the sport of tennis by giving everyone a chance to play.”

Those volunteering with the organization are able to accomplish this by collecting and distributing new and gently used tennis equipment such as rackets, clothing and shoes, to the underserved communities around the

world. Rianna is Second Serve’s regional president for El Dorado Hills and has been on a mission to collect equipment for more than a year, holding local drives and talking to various tennis stores in order to raise awareness. Her goal is to get the word out about this amazing organization that she pours herself into daily.

“It feels really great to be able to help people who I have the same thing in common with,” Rianna shared.

A donation box has been set up at the Broadstone Sports Club in Folsom and will happily take new or gently used rackets, shoes, bags and clothing that will then be sent to schools and groups around the country and across the globe.

For more information about the organization visit the website at

ondserve.org. For inquiries on making donations email secondserveedh@ gmail.com.

AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY

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Village Life photos by Sel Richard Families in the Buckeye Union School District enjoyed a trip around the world at the annual Buckeye Heritage Festival held late last month at Oak Meadow Elementary School. Above Man Hou, Maggie Meng and Henry Chen with Colin Li, 8 (second-grader at Oak Meadow) are ready to share information at the China booth. Below, Angelo, Constantine (fifth-grader at Oak Meadow), Georgio (junior at Oak Ridge High School) and Maria Vandarakis pose at the Greece booth with visitor Malanya Bajja 11, (fifth-grader at Oak Meadow) from the India booth.

Harrison Watkinson-Brown, 8, (second-grader at Blue Oak Elementary) blocks goals with dad Matt Brown, above, at the Canada booth. Below, Rupsi and Mrygendra Singhai impart facts about India to Hazel Tran, 10 (fourth-grader at Oak Meadow).

V illage H OMES

This elegant El Dorado Hills home is a real stunner

Patricia Seide

CalDRE #00892540

(916) 712-1617

Patricia.Seide@ cbnorcal.com

1094 Souza Drive, El Dorado Hills

3,527square feet

4 bedrooms, 3 baths

0.27-acre property

Price available upon request

MLS #223024776

This gorgeous El Dorado Hills home with a welcoming, gated courtyard and sparkling pool is located in the prestigious Serrano gated community.

Enter into the sunlit living room with bountiful windows, cathedral ceiling and striking gas replace.

The home’s great room encompasses the family room, featuring a stacked stone replace and outdoor access, as well as a remodeled kitchen professionally designed and installed by JIL Design. The custom cabinetry features multiple pullouts, designer hardware and under-cabinet lighting, High-end appliances include a SubZero refrigerator/freezer, Wolf six-burner gas cooktop, Wolf microwave/speed oven, Wolf electric oven and a Miele dishwasher. Italian quartz countertops and backsplash perfectly complement the space, which also includes a dining nook with backyard view and a new garden window over the sink.

Through an arched doorway from the kitchen is the formal dining room showcasing a tray ceiling with a charming chandelier at its center.

A remote, main oor ensuite bedroom has a walk-in closet and outdoor access.

A wrought iron and wood banister takes residents and guests upstairs.

The spacious primary suite boasts a tray ceiling, bright

sitting area and an adjoining room that could be used as an o ce, exercise room, nursery, etc. The suite’s spacious bathroom has an architectural glass shower, soaking tub and dual sinks.

Also upstairs are two additional bedrooms that share a jack-and-jill bathroom.

The home has plenty of storage, fresh paint, new baseboards, porcelain tile ooring, luxury carpet, new interior door hardware and upgraded light xtures. Use WiFi to access the Ring doorbell, burglary and re alarms, thermostats, garage door opener and entry locks. An attached, three-car garage ensures plenty of space for parking and also features a workbench and storage cabinetry.

The private backyard features multiple areas to enjoy with family and friends — open air patios, a side lawn and a raised patio with a covered gazebo. The backyard’s centerpiece is the sparkling pool with multiple water features, new equipment and a WiFi accessible controller. A beautiful greenbelt behind the home makes the property feel like it’s out in the country and o ers added privacy.

The front yard has a lush, green lawn bordered by shrubs near the courtyard.

Interested in a private tour of this lovely Souza Drive property in El Dorado Hills? Contact Realtor Pat Seide at (916) 712-1617 or patricia.seide@cbnorcal.com.

Poetic high school students to received awards

Three El Dorado County high school students received honors at this year’s Poetry Out Loud competition. They will receive their awards during the nal Laureate Trail stop at the Placerville Public Library, 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29. It will be an opportunity to recognize the students’ accomplishments and the hard and selfless work of their teachers.

The 2023 El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud Finals were scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24, at Imagination Theater. Due to extreme weather conditions the competition was moved to a virtual format. Everyone involved — from teachers to students to judges — adapted quickly to ensure the competition succeeded.

“This was an excellent year for Poetry Out Loud,” noted Jordan Hyatt-Miller, program manager. “Our lead teachers worked hard to generate excitement and engagement at the school level, resulting in a solid group of competitors from each school. Their powerful recitations jumped o the screen for our judges. We were honored to have such gi ed young students participate in the competition, and to have our county’s champion, Alison Lee, represent our community at the California State Finals.”

In the 2023 competition Oak Ridge

High School’s Lee took rst place and represented El Dorado County at the statewide Poetry Out Loud competition, which concluded March 19.

Charter University Prep’s Summer Smith took second place and was the runner-up for the statewide competition. Union Mine’s Gabrielle Garlick rounded out the winners in third place. Sacramento County resident Alex Yue won the 2023 California Poetry Out Loud Finals at the state competition. She will represent the state at the national nals in May in Washington, D.C.

Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school

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students. In El Dorado County the competition is administered by Arts and Culture El Dorado in partnership with the California Arts Council. A vehicle for inspiration and instruction, Poetry Out Loud provides students with various resources to help them memorize, interpret and recite poetry, instilling in students an appreciation of poetry and a sense of accomplishment and con dence in their public speaking abilities.

“To me, Poetry Out Loud means bringing stories to life by weaving one’s own experiences into the words of the poem,” Lee said. “What I love most about poetry is that individu-

als connect with poems uniquely and Poetry Out Loud allows students to express themselves through their interpretation of each poem.”

Poetry Out Loud profoundly impacts the students who choose to participate. Beyond their exposure to a rich literary heritage, collected in the Poetry Out Loud anthology from which they select their poems, the students also get the opportunity to engage with poetry outside of the classroom, which situates the poems in a new, vibrant context.

Learn more about the program at artsandcultureeldorado.org/2023-eldorado-county-poetry-out-loud.

Young, local pianist to play famous works

News release

Sierra Symphony presents its annual Young Artist Concert on April 23 at Foothills United Methodist Church in Rescue.

The program features Henry De Rienzo, the winner of the 2023 Young Artist Competition. He is the son of Ben and Alicia De Rienzo of Shingle Springs.

The 13-year-old pianist has been studying piano for four years and especially enjoys playing the works of Chopin, Mozart and Rachmanino . Henry has many musical interests, including playing the bass guitar, drums and creating original compositions. He currently plays the piano for his church worship team and likes to listen to and play a variety of genres. He also plays basketball and enjoys skiing, doing mathematical computations, speedcubing and coding.

Among other selections included in the program are “Overture to Egmont” by Beethoven, “Academic Festival Overture” by Johannes Brahms, overture to “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, Aaron Copeland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody,” a whimsical version of “Country Gardens” arranged by Percy Granger and much more.

Food and beverages will be available for cash purchase.

The church is located at 3301 Green Valley Road, Rescue. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, cash or checks accepted. Children and students will be admitted free. For more information go to sierrasymphony. org or visit the organization on Facebook.

Singing sensations team up at Harris Center

Ed Sengstack

Harris Center for the Arts

FOLSOM — Harris Center for the Arts presents two exceptional music performances in one evening. Taylor Dayne and Sheena Easton take the stage at 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. Between them, these two pop icons have garnered nine Grammy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music awards, one American Music Award, six platinum albums, ve gold albums, 39 Billboard Top 20 singles, and 11 No. 1 Billboard singles.

With a career spanning three decades, Dayne’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with 17 Top 20 singles over the course of her three-decade career, including No.1s “Love Will Lead You Back,” “Prove Your Love” and “I’ll Always Love You.” Dayne has sold more than 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Granny nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards and she received New York Music Hall of Fame honors and ranked as the No. 18 Female Dance Artist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. She is one of the very few artists in musical history to successfully crossover into almost every musical genre and chart with hit singles in pop, dance, R&B, adult contemporary and rock.

Equally recognized for her songwriting talent, Dayne wrote many of her own hits as well as Tina Turner’s “Whatever You Want.” With a truly distinctive vocal style and powerful range, she created a unique vocal sound

all her own that de ned an era by her music. As the late ’80s moved into the ’90s, her chart-topping songs came with her. Her cover of Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love” and “Send Me A Lover” brought a strength and power to a female voice seldom heard in history. Dayne’s international radio and record success along with her stage presence and world tours took her musical message of love and passion straight to the heart of her fans and audiences worldwide.

By the late ’90s Dayne’s career grew further as an actress. She appeared in lm, TV and stage, from Broadway favorites like Elton John’s award-winning production of “Aida” to working with legendary composer Jules Styne to reprise the role of Fanny Brice on Broadway. Dayne also appeared in movies, including “Love A air” with Warren Beatty and Annette Benning and co-starred in Denis Leary’s TV drama “Rescue Me.” She also starred in the HBO lm “STAG” and co-starred on

Showtime’s original series “Rude Awakening” while continuing to record, write and produce her last two studio albums, “Naked Without You” and “Satis ed,” which yielded her No. 1 hit “Beautiful” and Top 10 chart hit “Unstoppable.”

Easton, whose career has spanned four decades, was born in Bellshill, Scotland, the youngest of six children. Her recording career has included gold and platinum albums in the United States, Europe and Asia.

With chart-topping hits like “Morning Train: 9 to 5,” “Sugar Walls,” “Modern Girl,” “We’ve Got Tonight” (featuring Kenny Rogers), “U Got the Look” (featuring Prince) and “For Your Eyes Only” (from James Bond), Easton has sold more than 20 million records worldwide. She has received two Grammys, and was the rst — and still only — artist to have a Top 5 record on each of Billboard’s primary singles charts.

El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud champion Allison Lee, Oak Ridge High School.

Second-place finisher Summer Smith, Charter University Prep

Third-place finisher Gabrielle Garlick, Union Mine High School.

Courtesy photo

Henry De Rienzo, 13, is the winner of the 2023 Young Artist Competition. Hear him perform April 23 in Rescue.

SHEENA EASTON TAYLOR DAYNE

Murer House Foundation to host Italy on Wheels

“I never planned on getting into the automobileindustry, but I knew a better car could be built.”

— Ferruccio Lamborghini

Italy is known for many things, including pizza, high fashion and beautifully engineered vehicles. There is just something about Italian design. It’s elegant. It’s powerful. And it is produced with respect for the user. Small wonder that Italian vehicles are so popular at international auto shows and concours d’elegance. Lines form around vehicle designs that o en become iconic.

And if you are lucky enough to be allowed to sit in one of these Italian masterpieces, it is a memory you won’t soon forget. The silk seating surfaces of a new Maserati are just as impressive as the performance of the engine on the road. And vintage vehicles are equally fascinating.

There is an opportunity to see some

of Italy’s motor vehicles on Saturday, May 6, when Folsom’s Murer House Foundation hosts its 10th annual Italy on Wheels festival. The Murer House is one of Folsom’s littleknown gems. Built by Giuseppe Murer in the early 20th century, it is preserved by the foundation as a place to preserve our region’s Italian heritage (yes, Italians farmed the area), as well as to promote Italian language, cuisine and culture.

A variety of new as well as classic and vintage Italian cars, motorcycles, scooters and even bicycles will be on exhibit.

At Italy on Wheels visitors will have the opportunity to see up close a Lamborghini sports car, a Ducati motorcycle and other distinctive and exotic Italian models. Awards will be presented for the top displays.

Owners will be available to explain the features of their respective vehicles and answer any questions.

In addition to the wheeled vehicles, the Murer House and Gardens will be

■ See LAIRD, page B5

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The historical Murer House in Folsom will host its 10th annual Italy on Wheels festival on Saturday, May 6. Italian cars, motorcycles and bicycles will be on display. Admission is free. The house and gardens will be open for tours and the bocce court will be open for play.

Susan Laird The Arts

Gold Country Jazz Festival ready to hit the right notes

News release

Ponderosa High School is excited to host the eighth annual Gold Country Jazz Festival Saturday, April 22.

In addition to El Dorado County’s own Camerado Springs and Pleasant Grove middle schools, El Dorado High School, Union Mine High School, Ponderosa High School and Oak Ridge High School, there are an additional eight schools from the Sacramento region participating. The schools will yield 20 ensembles for the community’s listening pleasure.

The purpose of the festival is to encourage the growth of jazz education in area music programs. The festival’s participating groups receive written and recorded feedback from top jazz educators, as well as clinics with feedback creating an incredible learning environment. The participating schools are ranked and individual medals are awarded by the adjudicators at the

clinic.

“I thoroughly believe that everyone has the capacity to participate in musicmaking and I hope the events at this festival inspire you to keep making music for the rest of your life,” said Kevin Bowlson, Ponderosa High School director of bands. “If you’ve never had the opportunity to get involved ... see what joys await you.”

Doors open to the public at 8:30 a.m. and goes until the last note is played at 6 p.m. at Ponderosa High School, 3661 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. Entry can be purchased in advance at goldcountryjazzfest.org or day of at the door.

Enjoy a day lled with live music as the community celebrates and showcases the student performers and their directors from across the greater Sacramento area. Between enjoying the sounds of the visiting jazz bands and combos enjoy snacks, breakfast and/or lunch from a fully stocked snack bar and vendor booths.

Singers

Continued from B2

She also has a list of notable acting credits including a ve-episode appearance on “Miami Vice,” a co-starring role opposite Stacy Keach in a John Carpenter-directed trilogy for Showtime titled “Body Bags,” as a guest star in the syndicated cult series “The Highlander” and a starring role in UPN’s “Ghost Stories.” Other appearances have included guest roles on “Brisco County” and “Tech Wars” as well as a starring role in Showtime’s “Outer Limits.”

On Broadway Easton starred as Aldonza/Dulcinea in “Man of La Mancha” opposite the late Raul Julia’s Don Quixote. Throughout its yearlong run, the play remained one of the top ve grossing hits at the box o ce. She also starred on Broadway as Rizzo in the hit musical “Grease” and as Dorothy Brock in “42nd Street” at the Theatre Royal in London’s West End.

Easton has been busy with frequent appearances in Las Vegas, where she has been a major attraction for the last two decades, and she was recently inducted into the Las Vegas Hall of Fame.

Seen in venues not only nationally but internationally, Easton continues to perform her hits and fan favorites. She is most at home working with her band, but has expanded her love of the concert stage as a guest vocalist in various programs with symphonies across the nation. This allows her to blend her romance with various styles of music — American standards, pop and Broadway.

Harris Center for the Arts is located at 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

Continued from B3 Laird

open for touring. The garden is enjoying a spectacular bloom this spring and it is lovingly curated by volunteers. You can also learn about opportunities to take Italian cooking classes and more.

There is a bocce court accessible for play. There are local bocce leagues. Who knew? The court is also available to rent. One friend tells me he and a group of friends rent the court for an hour one day a week to play. The Murer House Foundation o ers instruction on how to play bocce several times a year.

Finally, what would an Italian festa be without food? Pizza, cra beer, Italian sodas and more will be available for sale.

If you love Italy, or plan to travel there in the future, put the Murer House on your list of local places to check out before you step on the plane. It’s a little bit of the old country right here in our own backyard.

Admission to this event is free. The 10th annual Italy on Wheels festival is Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1125 Joe Murer Court in historical Folsom. The Murer House may be a well-kept secret, but more folks are learning about it. Over the years attendance for Italy on Wheels has averaged more than 300 spectators and participants. Plan to arrive early for best parking in the neighborhood.

You can also visit murerhousefoundation to learn about additional tours of the Murer House, courses in Italian cooking and language and more.

Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@handywriting.com.

Freelance Reporters Wanted

The Mountain Democrat, California’s oldest newspaper, and Village Life newspapers are looking for community-minded reporters to take freelance assignments.

Assignments will range from news coverage to features. Freelance reporters must have interviewing skills and photography experience and be able to meet deadlines. Journalism experience preferred. Interested candidates should email a résumé, writing and photography samples and a brief cover letter to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net.

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Development Services Technician I/II

Salary: I: $30.02–$36.49; II: $33.17–$40.32

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on April 6, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of a Development Services Technician I/II for an eligibility list to fill current and future positions in Engineering.

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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

Limited Term Information Technology Technician I

Salary: $32.22 per hour

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on March 20, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Limited Term Information Technology Technician I. This is a limited term position; incumbent is employed for a period not-expected-to-exceed twelve months from date of appointment.

our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Senior Information Technology Analyst

Salary: I: $8,736.92-$10,619.78 per month

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on April 24, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of a Senior Information Tenchnology Analyst.

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

EMPLOYER

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

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Limited Term

Utility Worker- Drinking Water

Salary: $25.10 per hour

FFD: Open until filled.

First review of applications on March 27, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Limited Term Utility Worker for an eligibility list to fill current and future positions in the Drinking Water Division of Operations. These are limited term positions; incumbents are temporary employees and are employed for a period not-to-exceed eighteen months from date of appointment.

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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

El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:

Construction & Maintenance Worker I/IIDrinking Water (Vegetation Management)

Salary: I: $28.29-$34.39/hr.; II: $31.26-$37.99/hr.

FFD: Open until filled. First review of applications on April 6, 2023.

The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Construction & Maintenance Worker I/II in the Right-of-Way Reinforcement Program to fill one open position in the Drinking Water Division of Operations. This position will work with a team in increasing vegetation management efforts within District rights-of-way and District-owned properties throughout the District’s 220 square mile service area. Construction & Maintenance Workers conduct physical control and removal of vegetation through the use of mechanized equipment and hand tools on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will possess one or more years of similar experience in the use of chippers, masticators, and/or chainsaws on vegetation similar to western El Dorado County (oak woodland, chaparral, and mixed pine coniferous forest).

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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

Celebrating Your Winners!

Best Mail & Shipping Services: The UPS Store

Best SandwichBest Painting Contractor: E. Durst Painting

35-plus years of experience to customers.

Ernie said he feels blessed to serve the wonderful residents of El Dorado County and hires locally in hopes of becoming a desired employer organization. What he likes most are residential repaints and the relationships he builds with homeowners.

“As an organization, we have committed from the start to providing the best possible coatings, quality of workmanship and service at a competitive price,” he said. “We keep our overhead costs low and pass those savings onto the customer. Thank you for your choice in our company as the best of El Dorado Hills. We are so honored and look forward to continuing to serve you.”

Best SandwichBest Private School: Golden Hills School

Big Apple Bagels

1060 Suncast Lane El Dorado Hills (916) 933-0100 goldenhillsschool.net

the best version of themselves children require the broadest possible set of opportunities delivered by fully accredited teaching professionals in small-group settings. Students participate in academic endeavors, athletics and the arts. Daily physical education, art, music, computer science and Spanish language instruction are integrated into the curriculum. GHS is the only International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Candidate Private School in the area. Ultimately, the team believes their eighth-graders graduate with a set of competencies that far exceed their typically excellent performance in standardized tests.

Best Asian Food: Thai Paradise

Coming from a long line of chefs trained at international hotels in Bangkok, Chef Jarunee Fleming brings a special touch to her authentic Thai recipes. With locally sourced produce and fresh meat and seafood brought in daily, Jarunee prepares her farm-to-fork dishes with rice bran oil, making them healthy and flavorful. “I like to make people happy with my food,” said Jarunee, and happiness abounds at the family-run eatery.

4361 Town Center Blvd., Suite 110, El Dorado Hills (916) 939-0389 thaiparadiseedh.com

The El Dorado Hills location opened in 2019 and locals already swear by favorites such as the traditional Pad Thai, spicy Drunken Noodles and curries. Round out a meal with some Thai fried rice and iced tea and your taste buds will know they’re in paradise.

Best SandwichBest Assisted Living Facility: EDH Senior Care

Sandwich lovers know they’re getting the best at Big Apple Bagels, a restaurant known for fresh bagels made from scratch daily. Whether ordering sensational, hot breakfast bagel sandwiches (Southern Tradition is a local favorite) or biting into a delicious choice from the lunch sandwich menu (try the turkey and havarti), customers delight in the satisfying taste of quality — all the time, every time.

“All our ingredients are fresh,” said owner Scott Walters, who opened Big Apple Bagels in June 2015.

In addition to great sandwiches, the eatery offers delicious pastries, coffee and more.

Best Sandwich Best Mexican Food: La Cascada

dining in or taking out. Offering everything from seafood — try their delicious grilled Fish Tacos or Mariscos Mojo de Ajo with sautéed shrimp or scallops — to vegetarian bites (like the Vegi Macho Burrito), this restaurant is sure to fill you up. The Tacos Alambre, with three grilled corn tortillas, choice of meat plus bacon, cheese, onion and jalapeños, are a local favorite if you’re craving more traditional Mexican cuisine.

La Cascada is open seven days a week for dinner and for lunch on weekdays with breakfast items available on weekends. Catering is also offered as well as playing host for special events.

Best Sandwich

2920 Tam O’Shanter Drive El Dorado Hills (916) 939-0962 eldoradoseniorcare.com

staple in El Dorado Hills since 1996. Offering 24-hour care for the elderly in a quaint, homelike environment, the facility has six beautiful, comfortable homes that have been designed and built specifically for care of the elderly in need of assistance. Each home houses up to six residents and private backyards connect each home to another.

A nursing support program is offered in the care facility’s list of services that also include everything from daily exercise to hospice care. Staff also keeps residents busy with activities suited for their needs, including bingo, arts and crafts, dog therapy and outings.

customers coming back year after year. With so many COVID restrictions let the experts at El Dorado Hills Travel help with all your travel needs. Some requirements of COVID-19 testing might be needed before you go and on return. El Dorado Hills Travel is a premier, full-service agency, specializing in cruises and leisure travel for families, corporations, groups and more. When you’re ready for a getaway or a family cruise, take a short trip to El Dorado Hills Travel and let Genny Arietta and her team help you plan your dream vacation.

Best Sandwich Best Pet Groomer: Dog’s Delight

As you pass the Purple Place on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills, you have likely noticed a small building at the edge of the road — home of Dog’s Delight owned by Jamie McNally.

She adds a touch of whimsy to her establishment with the display of several types of life-sized stuffed dog breeds that are decorated for the seasons.

McNally and her staff offer one-stop grooming services for dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes. Her shop is very easily accessed with ample parking to drop off and pick up your pet. So, stop by and see why Dog’s Delight is voted No. 1. Get your furry friend’s nails trimmed or treat them to a beautiful makeover. Walk-ins are always welcomed.

Best SandwichGift of Kids Daycare and Preschool

359 Green Valley Road El Dorado Hills (916) 939-3647

We offer education and care for babies, Preschoolers, Pre-K, private Kindergarten, homework tutor club and transportation for school agers. The teachers at The Gift of Kids Daycare and Preschool include talent that brings us music, yoga, and even Spanish on a daily basis. Teachers here are all educated in child development, CPR and First Aid certified, and make it a priority to continue their education.

5130 Golden Foothill Parkway El Dorado Hills (916) 521-1835 thegiftofkids.net

Best Bakery & Cakes: Yellow Button Bakery

(530) 676-1598

you take care of yourself. Ask about their Total Body Stretch and Advanced Skin Care services while scheduling your next appointment.

Best Flooring: Sacramento Area Wood Specialists

Sacramento Area Wood Specialists specializes in the installation of pre-finished hardwood, laminate, carpet and vinyl flooring in both the residential and commercial environment.

4510 Post St., Suite 340, El Dorado Hills (916) 941-6850 massageenvy.com

Best Sandwich Best Roofing: Nail It Roofing

2714 Mercantile Drive, Rancho Cordova (916) 879-1798 sawsflooring.com

Installing flooring since 1993 has given the company’s staff many years of experience in both remodels and new construction. Sacramento Area Wood Specialists has built many great relationships over the years and continues to work with many of the area’s investors, Realtors, property managers, retail shops, large area production builders as well as countless homeowners and numerous custom builders — no job is too big or too small.

2021 2020 Address: 981 Governor Drive, Suite 101, El Dorado Hills Phone: (916) 933-2117 Website: sharimerle.com

6188 Enterprise Drive, Suit A Diamond Springs (530) 677-5032 nail-it-roofing.com

Brothers Aaron and Christopher Meyer entered the roofing trade by working in all capacities — from laborer to superintendent, project manager and estimator. This gives Nail It Roofing customer the advantage of accurate bids and expert management over all aspects of their projects. Nail It Roofing is committed to providing the best possible service with seasoned professionals using the highest-quality products to ensure customers are satisfied with the quality of service. Considering much of their business is obtained through word of mouth, that says a lot.

Best Sandwich Best Financial Planner: Shari Merle, LPL Financial

builds relationships that span generations. “I still work with some of my original clients and now I’m working with their kids,” she said, a testament to her ethics, honesty and integrity.