Mountain Democrat, Friday, April 26, 2024

Plans to build homeless shelter in Placerville revealed

■ City leaders claim there is a ‘lack of communication’

Eric Jaramishian Sta writer

El Dorado County is moving forward with plans to explore the development of a permanent homeless navigation center and shelter near the Placerville jail that would include transitional housing.

These plans were revealed at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, where county leaders discussed how the facilities would operate on a 1-acre lot at 300 Forni Road.

The county wants to move forward with the site and build transitional housing there to better serve the unsheltered population, including families.

“You’re systematically moving your county problems

Originally the county explored the idea of putting the navigation center at 300 Fair Lane at the site of the former sheri ’s headquarters near the Placerville Government Center.

“It’s a big pivot, but I think that talking to all parties that are going to be providing services and the facilities, it makes sense,” said District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin. County sta is in the process of looking into transitional housing designs. A bulk of the funding would come from American Rescue Plan Act monies for construction; ARPA funds have to be used by the end of the year.

with dozens of chickens left on her property, facing legal threats and alleged harassment — and, she discovered, she wasn’t the first.

In early November 2023 Serena and her husband Harry Rodocker came across a post on an El Dorado County homesteading Facebook group asking for help; the poster, Lisa Perdichizzi, needed a place to keep her “therapy birds” — 30 or so Serama chickens — for a short time. The Rodockers got in contact with Perdichizzi

and agreed to let her keep chickens on their property while she sought longer-term housing and buyers for the birds. The couple reasoned they already had chickens, horses,

dogs and other animals; a few more chickens wouldn’t be a problem. “Me and my husband want to help people,” Serena explained to Courtesy photo

However, the Placerville jail is being expanded, work that is expected to be completed by 2026, meaning development of navigation center facilities cannot start yet. In that regard supervisors discussed, but have not o cially planned, setting up temporary transitional housing at 300 Fair Lane, across the street from the current pilot navigation center at 299 Fair Lane.

“Our thought was if we go ahead and purchase (the transitional housing), maybe we could set up some transitional housing sooner rather than later temporarily next door because we can’t start building our new campus by the jail until the jail expansion project is done,” Parlin said. The board was in collective agreement to construct a homeless navigation center, pending conversations with city of Placerville o cials.

“This has been years in the making as to where we are right now,” said Board Chair Wendy Thomas. “I want to express a lot of gratitude for the journey that we’ve all been in for the past, we could say for the past decade even, but it’s been a long time getting here.”

The county set up a temporary navigation center last year to help address homelessness and mitigate fire danger in homeless encampments popping up throughout the

said District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo. The plans were not without opposition. Placerville Mayor Jackie Neau and Vice Mayor John Clerici suggested the proposed project needed better planning. Neau told the board during the meeting the county was putting

Some of Lisa Perdichizzi’s 30-or-so flock of Serama chickens mill about a part of Serena Rodocker’s property. The chickens were finally rehoused in April after months of Serena trying to have them removed.

OBITUARIES

James Rodriguez

Feb. 9, 1989 – April 21, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Rodriguez, who left this world on April 21st, 2024 at the age of 35. James was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A brilliant mind with a gentle soul, James had a passion for good literature, science, and a knack for understanding life’s greatest complexities. A graduate of Royse City High School and Southern Methodist University, James was an extraordinary intellect whose enthusiasm for learning never wavered. He could always be counted on to answer the phone, and would spend hours talking about anime, chemistry or the last great novel he had read. James is survived by his loving mother Tina Walters, father Jim Walters and siblings Natalie, Lisa, Clara, Caitrin and Blaine, who will forever cherish the memories they share together. He will be remembered for his e ortless intellect, quiet thoughtfulness, and steadfast loyalty. A private celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 27th. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the JPS Foundation at https://www.jpshealthnet.org/foundation

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

PLACERVILLE CITY

COUNCIL

City Hall 3101 Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200 Mayor Michael Saragosa msaragosa@cityofplacerville.org

Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org

Feasibility study on fire department merger to LAFCO

Directors from the Diamond Springs-El Dorado and El Dorado County fire protection districts met Thursday to review and approve a feasibility study on combining the two fire departments into one larger agency, according to a news release from fire o cials.

To move forward with the annexation process such a study must be submitted to the El Dorado County Local Agency Formation Commission.

The study conducted by Fitch and Associates consultants identified six key findings:

• Communities would benefit from the annexation.

• No sta ng cuts or station closures are proposed.

CRIME LOG

• An added battalion chief would support the community and firefighters with enhanced operational capacity, training, safety and risk reduction.

• No new facilities are needed. Services will be delivered from existing facilities.

• Su cient revenues exist to support joint annexation.

• Careful consideration should be given to combined unfunded accrued liability and other postemployment benefits costs and to provide su cient reserves for the new entity. The study provided information on the agencies, current service delivery, fleet, proposed service plan, financial analysis, disadvantaged community analysis, future

7:56 p.m. Battery was reported on Twisting Trails Road in Placerville.

8:07 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. She was listed in custody.

9:32 p.m. A prowler was reported on Kensington Drive in El Dorado Hills.

9:58 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

11:42 p.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 50-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Pleasant

April 13

7:45 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Hazelnut Circle in El Dorado Hills.

3:02 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 56-year-old man suspected of multiple drug-related o enses on Highway 49 in Diamond Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $795,000 bail.

3:46 p.m. Battery was reported at the park on Lotus Road in Lotus.

5:52 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Snows Road in Camino.

6:54 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported at a church on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park.

7:11 p.m. Battery was reported on Crown Point Drive in Diamond Springs.

9:50 p.m. A person was allegedly drunk in public was reported at a brewery on Robin Lane in Cameron Park.

10:01 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Marjorie Way in Pollock Pines. He was listed in custody.

April 14

1:45 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of possession of burglary tools on Shingle Springs Drive in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

3:49 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a

growth and joint annexation performance measures. A copy of the study is available at the district administration o ce and on the website eldoradocountyfire.com.

Both fire districts have been operating under a shared services agreement to share sta ng, fire prevention, training, operations and other roles. In March 2023

El Dorado County Fire began sta ng a paramedic ambulance, resuming ambulance services in the community at Diamond Springs Fire Station 49. In September 2023 both agencies further cooperated to provide a second duty chief o cer, assuring two chief o cers are available to respond within both fire districts daily.

42-year-old man suspected of DUI on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

1:39 p.m. A person was allegedly drunk in public was reported at a clinic on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.

1:44 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of multiple probation violations on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was released on $50,000 bail.

2:42 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old woman suspected of a probation violation on Grandview Street in Placerville. She was later released.

3:58 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a store on Fairplay Road in Somerset.

4:22 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of theft, fraud and possession of a controlled substance on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. She was released on $10,000 bail.

5:47 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a store on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

11:42 p.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 (town not speci ed). He was released on $5,000 bail.

April 15

12:31 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old woman suspected of shoplifting on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was released on $50,000 bail.

10:44 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Sweetwater Trail in Cool.

12:11 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 73-year-old man suspected of willfully disobeying a lawful order on Wilson Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $25,000 bail.

3:19 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Gold Ridge Trail in Pollock Pines.

3:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license, vehicle registration fraud and a probation violation on Marshall Road in Garden Valley. He was released on $5,000 bail.

5:18 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 35-year-old man suspected of a parole violation on Forest Road in Pollock Pines. He was listed in custody.

6:48 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 56-year-old woman suspected of robbery on Sunset Lane in Shingle Springs. She was released on $50,000 bail.

April 16

8:14

At the Super Pet Fest booth

Kathi Wilson, volunteer coordinator for Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode, holds Riley, a 10-week-old kitten up for adoption, while Madison Morrow, 8, of Cameron Park engages in playful antics with him using a fishing toy. The booth provided pet photos, products and experts offering advice on training, nutrition and health education, along with information about the pet adoption process.

“Uncle Fuzzy” Rich Mason, left, and Joan Scannell, right, offer gold panning advice to 12-year-old Declan Riley of Shingle Springs during Springtime at the Junction.

Louie Smith III, joined by Wes Yielding on the left, used smudge sticks made of locally grown sage for the land acknowlegement ceremony that honored the historic Nisenan of El Dorado County and blessed Burke Junction businesses.

Placerville resident Elaina Pooley, 12, gently pets a mini rooster from the flock of therapy chickens that calmed Spring at the Junction crowds.

Annie Bari, 12, of Cameron Park shows off her border collie Meg and multipoo Libby dressed in fashionable outfits for the first Springtime at the Junction Festival at Burke Junction Saturday. Meg sported a rodeo queen ensemble while Libby donned her rodeo princess attire. Springtime at the Junction was sponsored by The Stage at Burke Junction, Burke Junction Shopping Center, Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce, Placerville Arts Association and Food and Fun Magazine. The event featured local artists, interactive family friendly educational exhibits, pet adoptions, stage shows and more.

Photos by Laurie Edwards

Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian The crosswalk in front of

to change this spring.

Capitalism and racism go together?

I hear it all the time.

“Racism is intricately linked to capitalism,” says famous Marxist Angela Davis. “It’s a mistake to assume that we can combat racism by leaving capitalism in place.”

“Anti-racist” activist Ibram X. Kendi says, “In order to truly be anti-racist, you also have to truly be anti-capitalist.”

This is just silly.

Swedish historian Johan Norberg explains how free markets discourage racism.

Capitalists make a profit by serving their customers. The more customers they please, the more money they might make. It hurts the bottom line to exclude any groups.

“Look around the world,” says Norberg, “The least racist societies with the fewest expressions of racist attitudes are the most capitalist countries.”

Norberg’s new book, “The Capitalist Manifesto,” highlights a Journal of Institutional Economics study that found a correlation between economic freedom and “tolerance of ethnic groups.”

“Capitalism,” he says, “is the first economic system where you only get rich by opening up opportunities for others. It pays to be colorblind. It pays to be open to willing customers and workers who could enrich your company no matter what religion or race. ... It doesn’t mean that every person will be colorblind. There will always be idiots. But in capitalism, it’s costly to be an idiot.”

Capitalists cared about green — not black or white.

He reminds us that in the Jim Crow South, businesses fought racism because the rules denied them customers.

“It’s often forgotten that owners of buses, railways, streetcars in the American South didn’t really segregate systematically until the late 19th century,” says Norberg. “It was probably not because they were less racist than others in the South, but they were capitalists. They wanted money, they wanted clients and they didn’t want to engage in some sort of costly and brutal policing business in segregating buses.”

Even when segregation was mandated, some streetcar companies refused to comply. For several years after Jim Crow laws passed, Black customers sat wherever they wanted.

Norberg adds, “Those owners of public transport, they fought those discriminatory laws because they imposed a terrible cost. ... They tried to bypass them secretly and fight them in courts. They were often fined. Some were threatened with imprisonment.”

The streetcar company in Mobile, Ala., only obeyed Jim Crow laws after their conductors began to get arrested and fined.

If you follow the news in general, you will know that a certain ex-president is now charging hopefuls nationwide 5% to get his endorsement of their candidacy from his very own self.

So far, it’s not clear to me if that applies to candidates for the sewer board, the Little League commission and the proverbial “dog catcher” job, or just for statewide and higher offices.

The genius part is, while many others may have thought of the idea, nobody else got it over the finish line until now as far as I know.

I mean, does anyone running for dog catcher really need the endorsement of U.S. President 45? And for 5%? Seems quite a stretch for a volunteer at Animal Services. Five percent of the 15-cent mileage reimbursement? Still genius!

Letters to the Editor

A message from the Camino

Community Action Committee

EDITOR:

We would like to thank all those who recently participated at the Camino Clean Up Day held on Saturday April 13. The weather this year was not the best but the community still supported the event as did the volunteers. A special thank you to El Dorado Disposal/Waste Connections, volunteers from the LDS Church in Camino where the event was held, and of course our members from CCAC — Mark, Robin, Dick, Judy, Betty and myself. We may be a small group but we do get things done.

TINA HELM CCAC president

Living in la la land

EDITOR:

Can the United States continue to live beyond its means forever? Joe Biden thinks so. The 2023 federal budget shows deficits between $1.2 trillion and $1.8 trillion for every year through 2032. These deficits are about 4.5% of projected Gross Domestic Product every year and add $14.4 trillion to the national debt. Spending is projected to be $6.1 trillion in 2024, which is about 24% of projected GDP. Federal spending hovered around 20% of GDP until 2008 and again in 2020 when it spiked because of COVID. COVID is over but government spending is not dropping. Interest on the debt was $1 trillion in 2023, more than we spend on defense.

Why is this important?

It’s because government spending destroys wealth. It takes from the productive part of the economy and spends the tax dollars on unproductive activities. Even “investments” in capital projects are inefficient because the money is spent at prevailing wage rates, which means the government is paying the highest prices for everything it purchases. Does anybody know what happened to all the money spent on “shovel ready” projects during the Obama administration? One of the projects was the Tahoe trail in Tahoe City, which came in at about $1 million for a 1-mile trail by the lake.

So what I’m thinking is, why not charge for me to praise or even mention someone in my semi-weekly newspaper column? Why not, indeed? It might look something like the following:

“Were you at Lake Fishman when Larry Fishman reeled in that 18.7-pound Rainbow?

Magnificent? I reached out to Larry.” See below:

“Hey, Larry, magnificent job on ‘that monster Bow.’ At $5.99 a pound, minus skin and bones, your endorsement comes to 63 cents. Thanks again for your repeat business. And go get ‘em, Larry,” I’d say on the bill.

How freakin’ easy would that be?

Realize I’m speculating here about financial exchanges for example.

“Oh man, you need a barber — like right now? Don’t sweat it. Just call my guy, ‘Scissors’ MaGee, and tell

What about the untouchables?

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are considered sacrosanct. Former President Trump just vowed he would not “tamper” with these programs. I’m a beneficiary of both Medicare and Social Security. Neither one is sustainable. I collected all the money I paid into Social Security in about six years. I pay a pittance for Medicare health care compared to working people who aren’t part of a company healthcare plan. Most exams are free and most pharmaceuticals are just about free.

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and other mandated programs are projected to be $3.7 trillion in fiscal 2024. Interest will probably be about $1 trillion at current interest rates for a total fixed expenditure of $4.7 trillion. Revenues are projected to be $4.9 trillion, which leaves about $200 billion to run the government and the military. We will borrow $1.2 trillion to maintain our “quality of life.”

Has anybody you know been able to finance their lifestyle for 10 years by borrowing about 30% more than they earn every year? Yes, the government owns a printing press. You’ve seen what that has done to inflation the past few years. A pound of flour has gone from about $4/pound pre Biden to almost $9/pound today.

Not only does this excessive spending cause inflation, what will happen when the Treasury holds a bond auction and buyers say no thanks unless it raises the interest rate? This has happened to Argentina, Greece and many other countries that thought that they could ignore economics and spend like drunken sailors. Our interest payments have climbed from $600 billion to $1 trillion in about three years. This is a serious problem folks.

DARWIN THRONE El Dorado Hills

him I referred you.”

“Yo, Scissors, I’m sure you saw my endorsement of you in the paper Tuesday. That’ll be $1.83. Kidding, it’s really only 42 cents, and spruce ‘em up my friend,” I’d say.

OK, I do that every other week for, let’s say, several dozen “clients.” That could add right up to — call it $36 or so, tops. Twice and occasionally thrice a month could be coffee and doughnut money, easy money. I’m in.

Although I’ve done some math regarding this issue and posed examples in support of my “theory,” something of a mystery remains to me at this point.

The 5% in question is known. It’s all over cable news. But the 5% is ... of what? Like could it be 5% of the campaign war chest of a major senatorial candidate? That could be hundreds of thousands, if not up into

the millions, of dollars for a couple of words in an endorsement. Again, genius.

However, if I were to endorse Maggie Johnson for regional Girl Scout commissioner, would I get the 5% in old cookies? Sure it’s far fetched,

JOHN STOSSEL

certain types of raw or cold smoked fish like trout and salmon

Stossel Continued from A4

Those business owners may have been racist — I can’t know — but they fought segregation.

“We got Jim Crow laws,” says Norberg, “because free markets weren’t willing to discriminate.”

Capitalists cared about green — not black or white. Free markets all over the world coordinate and cooperate. Many don’t know of each other’s existence, and if they did meet, they might not get along. But they work together in search of profit.

It’s odd that socialists now call capitalism racist, when the opposite is more often true.

The Soviet Union invited African students to study science in major cities. But “Soviet citizens often treated the Africans in their midst with disdain and hostility,” New Lines Magazine describes. Russian children’s books portrayed Blacks in animalistic ways. Name-calling was common.

that are infected with a bacteria-like organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which is transmitted by the parasitic flatworm (or “fluke”) Nanophyetes salmincola. Nanophyetes salmin-

cola occurs naturally in waters of Northern California and most of the north state can be considered the native range for the fluke. But dogs throughout the state are susceptible.

Today, China and Cuba claim to have “zero-tolerance” for racism, but during the COVID pandemic, authorities forcibly tested Blacks and ordered strict isolation. Landlords evicted African tenants. Businesses often refused to serve them.

In Cuba, Castro insisted he would eliminate racism. But “Racism persists,” reports France 24, saying it’s “banned by law,” but “alive on the streets. ... In local jargon, a white woman with a black boyfriend is ... ‘holding back the race.’” Cuba’s government is still instituting programs to “combat racism.”

It’s capitalism that makes people less racist.

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.”

Dog owners are advised to be cautious and to keep their dogs away from salmon, steelhead, trout and other freshwater fish carcasses. The parasite cannot survive in cooked fish, is not harmful to humans and does not affect pets other than dogs.

If a dog has eaten or is suspected of eating raw fish, watch for signs of the disease. Symptoms are similar to distemper and may include some or all of the following: a rise in body temperature, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and/or rapid weight loss.

If signs of the disease appear, dog owners should take their dog to a veterinarian. Salmon poisoning disease is treatable if caught in

time. If untreated, death usually occurs within two weeks of eating the infected fish. Without treatment 90% of dogs showing symptoms die.

While all fish caught or originating from streams in California could potentially be infected, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials caution that trout stocked in some waters in CDFW’s North Central Region (which includes El Dorado County) are more likely to be infected with flukes that cause salmon poisoning disease.

Weekly fish stocking information is available at CDFW’s fish planting schedule web page that can be found at bit.ly/ CDFWfishstocking

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.

Saturday’s races to run in honor of Al Hinds

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

After raining out a couple weeks ago, the rescheduled Tribute to Al Hinds is set to open the winged 360 sprint car season with a $2,500-towin feature Saturday at Placerville Speedway.

Fellow divisions ready to tackle the quarter mile at the event include the limited late models, pure stocks and the visiting Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association.

The Tribute to Al Hinds began in 2004 following the passing of early track promoter and mentor Al Hinds, a longtime Placerville resident and true race fan who touched the lives of many.

Hinds was the second promoter of Placerville Speedway. He took operation of the track with business partner Richard Hirst from its founder Bruno Romani in 1968, three years after it first opened when the facility was built around an existing community football field.

The operator of a local machine shop by trade, Hinds loved the community where he lived. In his final years of life he enjoyed sitting with some of his best friends every night in the grandstands at Placerville Speedway and loved watching young talent make a name for themselves in

the sport. Former track announcer and publicist Bill Sullivan said of Hinds, “From the day he set foot on the red clay at Placerville Speedway to the very last race he attended, Al Hinds continued to display his true love for auto racing and the community. Even in his final years he continued to help young drivers, entertain fans and most importantly he spent a great deal of time talking to and mentoring those that helped in speedway operations. When Hinds spoke, anyone who cared remotely about the future of the sport would sit down and listen.”

The inaugural Tribute to Al Hinds was captured by Roger Crockett, while last season saw Andy Forsberg claim his third triumph in the event. It was a special night for the ninetime Placerville Speedway titlist, as it marked his milestone 200th career victory.

Dan Brown Jr. opened the limited late model season in victorious fashion last Saturday, while Nick Baldwin captured the win with the pure stocks.

Tickets and details

Purchase tickets online at eventsprout.com/event/psr-042724 or at the gate on race day. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or via the Pit Pay App to take advantage of the

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland Winged 360 racers will kick off their point season at Placerville Speedway’s Tribute to Al Hinds.

Judge Hana Balfour in El Dorado County Superior Court March 7 during a restraining order hearing. Perdichizzi, tribal liaison for the Wopumnes, Nisenan and Mewuk of El Dorado County California Heritage 501c3 nonprofit, has been actively involved in the county in recent years in an effort to get people involved in the nonprofit’s Sierra Monarch Rescue project by planting milkweed on land within the monarch’s flyway. Perdichizzi told the Mountain Democrat since 2000 she has been breeding and keeping Serama chickens, a tropical breed originally from Malaysia known for producing the smallest chickens on the planet. At many events where Perdichizzi presents information about the Sierra Monarch Rescue project, such as the 2023 Farm Day at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, she will often bring a chicken or two along to display; she explains it’s meant to be an attraction, not unlike a show dog.

In some documentation, Perdichizzi claims the nonprofit owns the chickens; in other cases she has said the chickens were hers.

“I lease the chickens to the nonprofit, but that’s all you need to know,” Perdichizzi told the Mountain Democrat.

However, it did not take long for the Rodockers to begin to question their decision. A little more than a month after the chickens were moved in, Serena discovered Perdichizzi had recently been embroiled in a series of legal disputes.

“Things weren’t adding up. I looked her up and eventually I saw her history in court,” Serena said. “It’s sad. When people really do need help, she’s the kind that ruins it. When she doesn’t get her way, she retaliates and files things in court.”

Serena got in touch with at least four other people who claimed to have had prior dealings with Perdichizzi that had gone sour. The individuals, who have asked to not be identified for fear of further “frivolous lawsuits,” spoke with the Mountain Democrat, armed with piles of documents — photographs, legal paperwork, text conversations and notes written by Perdichizzi. They described and showed photographs of living spaces where Perdichizzi and her chickens had allegedly

lived on their properties that were left in disrepair and disarray, strewn with trash, chicken feathers and bird droppings. One person claimed the legal fees they had incurred in getting Perdichizzi off their property and answering suits filed against them by her had come to more than $20,000.

Darcie Mackay lived on a Placerville property whose owners previously agreed to host Perdichizzi and her chickens; at one time, there were as many as 60, according to Perdichizzi. Mackay claimed Perdichizzi once hid in Mackay’s apartment on the property and surreptitiously recorded her after she entered her house. Perdichizzi eventually filed a restraining order against Mackay and one of the property owners, claiming harassment and that their actions caused the “negligent death of over 28-plus Serama therapy chickens valued at over $10,000.”

While they awaited a decision (the filings were eventually thrown out by the court) Mackay was unable to go into her backyard or garage because that’s where the remaining chickens were kept. Mackay denies the blame placed on her for Perdichizzi’s chickens, mentioning how she kept good care of her own chickens.

“After the property owners were able to remove Lisa, she’d still show up nearby or even at my work; my boss had to ask her to never come back. It’s easier to laugh about it now,” Mackay said about her interactions involving Perdichizzi. “But it’s also more stressful, discovering Serena and all these other victims. She’ll probably try to sue me for saying this, but nothing she says about me is true. I have to say something, because I don’t want this to happen to someone again.”

Wanting to avoid a similar situation, the Rodockers resolved to have the chickens removed rapidly. On Jan. 25 Perdichizzi was given a notice to remove her chickens; by the Feb. 9 deadline the chickens were still on the Rodockers’ property.

The demand that Perdichizzi remove her chickens disrupted her schedule and led her to have to cancel and refund potential sales, she claimed. Perdichizzi declined to show receipts of the cancellation refunds when

asked by the Mountain Democrat.

Perdichizzi described how being ousted from the Rodockers’ property felt like a coordinated personal attack — “conspiratory inflammatory activities,” according to a notice to cease and desist given to Mackay from the Wopumnes 501c3.

Perdichizzi explained a group of property owners and others she had encountered, led by Mackay, “hoodwinked” the Rodockers “into allying with them to bar the sale, care and use” of her chickens, resulting in the loss of several thousands of dollars.

“I wasn’t hoodwinked into anything,” Serena told the Mountain Democrat. “I just want her gone and to be done with this lady. Something needs to be done because she’ll just try to do this again if people don’t say something.”

After the February deadline, a series of back-and-forth legal filings went between Perdichizzi and the Rodockers. Ultimately on March 18 Perdichizzi arrived at the Rodockers’ property to remove chickens. She had been given a one-hour window to retrieve the birds, but arrived late, with just 12 minutes before the window ended, according to timestamps from surveillance footage of the Rodockers’ property. Perdichizzi retrieved five chickens; the rest were left on the Rodocker’s property and were eventually given by Serena to a local bird breeder for a forever home.

When speaking to the Mountain Democrat, Perdichizzi questioned why she had been targeted by a conspiracy to discredit and disadvantage her. She explained how recent posts asking for help on Facebook had been taken down or removed by group administrators and that she believed Mackay was contacting individuals to tell them not to speak to her.

“I don’t know what their motives are. It’s not making any sense to me,” Perdichizzi said. “They have a 20-acre farm there that’s worth a few million dollars. So I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what they’re getting out of this. They’re damaging their own reputations and their own businesses by coming along and messing with people that have actually been helping them all along. What are they doing bothering the butterfly

For questions regarding the construction call DOT’s main line at (530) 621-5900 (select option 3 for engineering).

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). In the wise words of Tom Waits, remember, “The large print giveth, the small print taketh away.” Take your time with the written word, especially instructions and contracts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What is truly yours already feels like it’s yours to the extent that when you get it, it will seem like the most natural fit. But most things exist better without the state of ownership. Enjoy the many ways in which you are unencumbered.

is called for,

(May 21-June 21). The challenges you’ve overcome are not top of mind because the responsibilities of the day take precedence. But it will be helpful to remind yourself of what you’ve handled and what you’re capable of. The confidence will ease your way.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). While there may be more than one reality, you seem to be in this one where the thought exercise of “woulda, coulda, shoulda” is not as helpful as practical action. Clean, clear, manage, leverage and love what is.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Much that attracts your attention is unworthy of it, and yet there’s something there or you wouldn’t have looked. Knowing what that “something” is will give you power and insight today. To fascinate, we must understand the nature of fascination itself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You might feel like your actions are all over the place, but there’s a coherence; this is all driven by you. Embrace the experimental phase you’re in. Take your time. Your vision is coming together.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your dedication is commendable, and you are moving in the right direction. Maintaining momentum does get tricky, but if you can prioritize these goals for three days in a row, you’ll see even greater progress in the near future.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You extend your hand in empathy, yet, the heart of another remains a vast expanse beyond your grasp and comprehension. Maybe that’s what makes the reach such a meaningful gesture; any connection, however incomplete, is worth it.

Mountain chickadees have remarkable memories

using for many years, we teamed up with collaborators to parse out which genes might influence how well a chickadee can learn and remember spatial locations,” Pravosudov said.

Birds with specific genetic variants at these genes made fewer wrong attempts before landing on their designated feeders compared to those without them.

RENO, Nev. — Lost your keys? Misplaced your glasses? Can’t remember where you parked the car? You may wish you had the memory of a mountain chickadee.

In warmer months, these half-ounce birds, with brains slightly larger than a pea, stash tens of thousands of food items like seeds in tree bark, in lichens and crevices on the tree branches across the mountains. When winter arrives, they can recall the exact locations of their caches, a skill that helps them survive the bitter cold and deep snow.

In a new study published April 17 in the journal Current Biology, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno, and University of Colorado, Boulder, identify nearly a hundred genes associated with the birds’ spatial memory, or ability to recall the locations of objects. The paper also suggests a potential trade-off may exist between having a solid long-term memory and being able to quickly ditch old memories to form new ones.

The findings could help biologists better understand the evolution of spatial memory in animals, including humans.

Vladimir Pravosudov is a professor of biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, and has studied the chickadees in the Sierra Nevada for 25 years.

“Using a field system of testing spatial learning in memory in wild birds we’ve been

To evaluate the spatial memory of wild mountain chickadees, Pravosudov’s team designed a clever test. They hung multiple feeder arrays, each with eight bird feeders with seeds in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Each feeder has a gate with a radio frequency reader that can detect a tag researchers put on chickadees. The team then programmed each of the eight gates to only open to certain birds, so that the chickadees had to remember the location of the correct feeders that would open to them.

Pravosudov and his team then measured the birds’ spatial memory by counting how many times each chickadee landed on the wrong feeders before they recalled the right one — birds with better spatial memory have a lower error rate.

Using blood samples, the team at CU Boulder also sequenced the entire genomes of 162 tagged chickadees that have been tested for their spatial learning and memory ability using the smart feeder arrays, creating the largest dataset ever collected for evaluating the genetic basis of chickadee cognitive ability. By comparing the birds’ genomes with their performance on the feeder test, the team identified 97 genes associated with chickadees’ spatial learning and memory.

Shelter Continued from A1

moved them from other parts of the county into the city; they go into the navigation center, then they don’t want to be in the navigation center and now they are camping in the city,” Neau told the board. “You’re systematically moving your county problems into the city without a solution for us.”

Clerici said the “lack of communication” was “disrespectful to the city.” Clerici suggested there are possibly better locations in the county and noted neighbors living around the jail area need to be reached out to.

“I think this needs to be cooked a whole lot more,” Clerici said. “You need to engage the city; you need to engage all those people before you. Make a decision. Otherwise it’s just

A large proportion of these genetic variants are associated with neuron formation in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory, according to Sara Padula, a coauthor on the paper and a Ph.D. student in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at CU Boulder.

“Understanding the genetic basis of this trait will allow us to understand how the trait evolves,” Scott Taylor, the director of CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station and associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, said.

According to Taylor, the common ancestor of all North American chickadees cached food. But of the seven species of chickadees now found in North America, two do not cache food.

“They live in a milder environment where food is generally available year-round. Now that we know the gene regions that underlie spatial memory, we can look at what variation looks like in these species that have lost caching,” Taylor said.

“This study substantially advanced our understanding of the genetics of spatial memory in birds and behavioral genetics more broadly,” said Georgy Semenov, the

n See CHICKADEES, page A9

going to look like a theta complete, which is what it is starting to look like.”

Countering some of their points, District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl said fire mitigation was a major driver in the navigation center conversation and that multiple county and city entities were involved previously. “It was a collective discussion and we need to continue those with the city,” he said.

Thomas noted there is a meeting planned at the end of May with the city of Placerville and its relative departments to discuss the logistics of their vision for the homeless navigation center and shelter, adding the topic on Tuesday’s agenda was preliminary.

“At no point was it ever our intention to just move boldly forward without having those critical conversations,” Thomas said. The board directed staff to return

Photo courtesy of Vladimir Pravosudov Food-caching mountain chickadees have some of the best spatial memory abilities in the animal kingdom.

Chickadees

Continued from A8 paper’s co-author and a research associate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

A trade-off

Chickadees that have exceptional spatial memory can live up to eight or nine years, which is a long time for a small bird, Taylor said. But having good long-term memory may come at a price.

After running the initial task for a few days, Pravosudov’s research team assigned new feeders to the birds to test how well birds can learn new locations after they have been consistently rewarded at a di erent feeder, a test usually used to assess cognitive flexibility.

Interestingly, chickadees from harsher higher elevations seemed to always perform worse on this ‘reversal’ test despite having better spatial learning and memory abilities compared to birds from lower and milder elevations. They seemed to have a harder time abandoning their initial memories and creating new ones.

“In a more variable environment, what our collaborators found suggests that chickadees with good long-term memory may have a disadvantage,” Padula said.

A shifting climate

Like many other habitats, mountains experience rapid changes in climate characterized by more rapid shifts between extreme drought and extreme snowfall and it is not clear how birds can adapt to such changes and how such changes may a ect

Speedway

expanded seating

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with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, qualifying and racing will follow.

memory ability. “Because of climate change, we might expect these selective pressures that have been shaping chickadee’s special memory for thousands of years to shift significantly. Understanding the genetic basis of the trait will allow us to track changes in their genomes over time,” Taylor said.

“Tracking genetic changes associated with spatial cognition will allow us to better understand the evolutionary process associated with climate change,” Pravosudov said.

Pravosudov will continue to work with Taylor’s group at CU Boulder. The team has already set up the same experiment in the Rocky Mountains, where another population of mountain chickadees resides that has been evolving independently from the chickadees in the Sierra Nevada for the last million years.

The researchers will also look specifically at genes associated with spatial memory and learning to understand how frequencies of certain versions of a gene, or alleles, related to cognitive abilities change over the years with di ering climates.

“We can test if selection for certain alleles is stronger in snow years and weaker in drought years, and also see changes throughout many years,” Pravosudov said.

Using these methods, the researchers will be able to study climaterelated evolutionary processes by focusing specifically on cognition and genes underlying cognition.

“We have a beautiful model we can use to study evolution of cognition in our mountainous backyards,” Pravosudov said.

For more information about Placerville Speedway log onto placervillespeedway.com

Speedway schedule

May 4: Winged 360 sprint cars, wingless sprints, Bay Cities Racing Association Lightning Sprints and mini trucks | First Responders Night

May 11: Winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and mini trucks | Mother’s Day Madness

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IN THE KNOW

April 26

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Gold Rush 2.0 by Marc Dayton, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission is free for members; public invited to attend two meetings for free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops. For more information visit srsedc.org.

William Brooks Elementary PTA hosts the Bear Business Fair, 3:15-5:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The public, friends, and neighbors are invited to shop studentcreated businesses at this inaugural event. Students in the fourth and fth grades will be selling handmade arts and crafts, 3D printed items, handmade jewelry and toys, o ering activities like face painting, and an array of food treats including sweet and savory options at more than two dozen booths.

Clerical Estate Trio will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Kareeta will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Sacramento Theatre Company presents Make Them Hear You: Uplifting Black Voices, April 26 through May 5 on the Cabaret Stage in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-6722 or visit sactheatre.org.

City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents “Emilia,” April 26 through May 11. For tickets and more details visit CityTheatre.net.

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Arts in Nature Fest

Friends of the Nature Area will host the 18th Arts in Nature Fest in the beautiful Georgetown Nature Area, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28. Enjoy poetry, dance and music at the amphitheater, visit 11 community booths and take a hike around the nature area, all outdoors in the fresh air for free. Each booth will have activities for children and great information for the community. The Kid Zone Team has lots of fun field games and activities for children to enjoy and will be set up on the Georgetown School field. The Kid Zone can be accessed either from the Georgetown School parking lot or the stairs behind the amphitheater in the nature area. Chunks of Heaven will be on site with delicious treats available for purchase.

Amphitheater performances begin with a warm welcome at 10 a.m., followed by the National Anthem performed by Kim Taylor at 10:05 a.m., with music by Mike and Kim Taylor at 10:15 a.m., Johanna Friesen and the Eden Center Dancers at 11 a.m., music by Mignon Gelli at 11:30 a.m., music by David Blonski at noon,

readings by Taylor Graham and the Poet Squad at 12:30 p.m. and a nature-inspired electronic music performance by Laika’s Last Wish at 1 p.m. Children should dress in play clothes and be ready for a fun day. Booths this year include representatives from the Eldorado National Forest with

Smokey

recipients

New Gallery at 48 show takes to the skies

Sarah Trobee Gallery at 48 Natoma

Fine art focusing on textiles and ceramics comes to Gallery at 48 Natoma in this second exhibit of the year. The two artists working with these very di erent mediums are highlighted in Things with Wings.

Linda Waddle will display a variety of unique quilts and Sandy Fong Whetstone will bring her visions to life through ceramics. The exhibit will be open April 26 to June 20.

Waddle is an award-winning textile artist and her work has received awards at the International Quilt Festival Houston, Schwienfurth Art Center and Visions Textile Art Museum. Waddle welcomes the challenge of transforming a piece of plain white fabric into a work of art. Within each piece she works to incorporate a myriad of fabric manipulation and transformation techniques.

These include such techniques as dye painting, stenciling, screen printing, rusting and other methods that help to achieve the unique results she seeks throughout her works of art.

Fong Whetstone is a ceramic sculptor, painter, printmaker, fiber and mixed-media artist with a tagline of “Art that Makes You Smile.” Her work reflects the beauty and humor found in nature and explores humans’ oft fraught relationship with it — the struggle to impose our will on nature contrasted with our e orts to preserve it. Her work can be found locally at the Crocker Art Museum’s museum store in Sacramento, the Pence Gallery in Davis and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art museum store. Her work has also been shown at galleries in Southern California and New Orleans.

Through June 6, in the adjacent Community

tour.

Gallery at 48 Natoma, the membership of the El Dorado Hills Arts Association will display a variety of work promoting the 2024 Spring Art Studio Tour with 45 artists from 18 studios that are participating in this year’s event. This is a great way to preview all the artists in the art tour, get a free studio map and plan your route for the

The Gallery at 48 Natoma will be open for the tour weekend Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission is free and all ages are welcome. For more information about the studio tour visit eldoradohillsarts. com/2024-spring-studio-tour.html.

May

An opening reception for both exhibits is planned 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 26. Entrance is free and open to the public with complimentary refreshments and live music.

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Water bird quilt by Linda Waddle.

Ceramic bird by Sandy Fong Whetstone

Former resident on the run in

H“Art of Deception,” directed, written by and starring former El Dorado County resident Richard Ryan, is now available to stream on Amazon Prime and TubiTV in the U.S. and Canada. “Art of Deception” has also premiered internationally.

The film revolves around the harrowing story of Joseph Markham, a CIA scientist played by Ryan, who uncovers a sinister plan involving a nano chip capable of controlling the human mind. Faced with the dilemma of choosing between saving his wife or the entire human population, Markham embarks on a thrilling journey filled with danger, suspense and a profound exploration of technological ethics.

“When I started writing ‘Art of Deception,’ the concept of neural nano chips was more science fiction than reality. They are rapidly becoming a reality with companies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink and Blackrock’s Synchron. These incredible technological advancements make the narrative of ‘Art of Deception’ even more compelling and timely for today’s audience. I am very appreciative and grateful to those with whom I have been able to share the creation of ‘Art of Deception,’ and I am inspired and excited for what is yet to come,” shared Ryan. “Art of Deception” is a thrilling exploration of the ethical dilemmas posed by advanced technology. The film resonates in an era where AI and brain-

“Art

computer interfaces are pivotal in scientific discussions. The film captivates viewers with intense action sequences and dramatic plot twists, providing a deep, thought-provoking experience. The film also stars award-winning actress Jackie Nova (“American Crime Story: Impeachment,” “Everybody Hates Chris”) and features the multiaward-winning cinematography of Vishal Solanki (“Ca einated, ”Leaving the Factory).

Ox Films, a dynamic production company established by Ryan, is dedicated to creating

compelling cinematic experiences. Ryan is a pioneer independent filmmaker paving the way for many as he was making minimal budget films as well as wearing all the hats about fresh out of high school before it became a trend. Ox Films has proved to be a notable player in the independent film industry, focusing on storytelling that resonates with contemporary audiences. “Art of Deception” is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality filmmaking and innovative narratives. For more visit oxfilms.us.

Tahoe locals aim to ignite social change through ‘Momentum’

Mixed martial arts fighter Chris “Coco” Cocores and his coach/mentor Ryan Wallace are on a mission to inspire and leave a lasting impact with their stories of overcoming adversity, featured in the upcoming “Momentum” documentary. Produced by Small Pumpkin Productions filmmaker

Michelle Aguilar Ficara, the film delves into Cocores and Wallace’s personal trials, highlighting their resilience and determination to not just survive but thrive.

Reflecting on his challenges, Cocores shared, “The cards have always been stacked against me,” referencing a devastating accident that nearly claimed his life. Ficara adeptly captured his journey of recovery and transformation, showcasing not only physical strength but also mental fortitude.

Wallace became a mentor to Cocores in the summer of 2016 shortly before Coco entered the wildest fight of his life — the fight for his life.

In December 2017, after a traumatic vehicle collision, Cocores lost everything including his girlfriend, his dog, and for two weeks after the accident, the ability to see. The fighter went from fighting opponents in the ring to fighting for his life in a hospital bed. “I don’t know

what giving up feels like,” Cocores said. He persevered through his recovery from injuries despite grappling with addiction.

The two Tahoe athletes use self-love, and humor to inspire each other. The adage “iron sharpens iron” rings as true for these two as the bell in the final round.

Wallace, whose own experiences shaped his coaching philosophy, expressed, “Because of things

I’ve overcome and what

I’ve seen people overcome, I really connect with this sport on a deeper level.” His dedication to coaching wrestling extends beyond technique; he aims to impart life lessons that have empowered him.

“I saw myself in Chris when he was trying to find himself instead of making himself,” Wallace said.

The film’s journey to fruition wasn’t without

“Because of things I’ve overcome and what I’ve seen people overcome, I really connect with this sport on a deeper level.”

hurdles, but support from organizations like the Marcella Foundation and PBS has amplified its reach. “If not for the Marcella Foundation it would just be sitting on a hard drive and not getting out into the world,” Ficara said. Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director of the Marcella Foundation, emphasized the importance of sharing such impactful stories beyond Tahoe’s borders. “It’s a film worth seeing and shouldn’t be left in just Tahoe alone. It deserves broad viewership,” Uppendahl said. Scheduled for its PBS debut in May 2024, coinciding with Trauma Awareness Month, “Momentum” promises to inspire viewers across public television a liates until 2027. While the filmmaker said it feels like an achievement in itself to produce an independent film, Ficara is most excited about the impact the film could have on future generations. Ficara’s commitment to societal change extends further with the Momentum Mentors Program, engaging local schools in mentorship initiatives inspired by the film’s themes. In fact, nine mentors have been trained to work

— Ryan Wallace

with students, and Wallace plans to take the film on the road to expand the mentorship program to other local schools. For those interested in being a part of Momentum Mentors, visit marcellafoundation.org.

For Wallace, the film’s narrative hits close to home, showcasing his journey through adversity, including battling cancer. “The Momentum film impacted me profoundly, it validated my life choices in many aspects. The real story of being in a position to help Coco through something I was uniquely equipped to help with is a ‘great story’ but when you are in the thick of it and busy grinding away at your goals, it is nearly impossible to zoom out and appreciate it,” Wallace said. The extended PBS version of the documentary features scenes of Wallace before his battle with cancer. It also showcases his journey postrecovery, which led to what he a ectionately refers to as “Champutee” status.

As the film’s legacy unfolds, Ficara shifts her focus to the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival, slated for Oct. 4-6, aiming to continue fostering dialogue and action around impactful storytelling and social change.

Film still

of Deception,” directed, written by and starring former El Dorado County resident Richard Ryan, was partially filmed in the area.

RICHARD RYAN

Music and ‘giant’ exhibit celebrate RR workers

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO —

The California State Railroad Museum & Foundation present two special activations happening inside and outside the museum on Saturday, April 27, in celebration of the contributions of the workers who built the Transcontinental Railroad.

The first is a Unity Through Music multisensory concert event inside the Museum in partnership with the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation that is made possible by Arts in California Parks. The second is a free, one-day only must-see opportunity and activation outdoors on the 1849 Scene that will include a giant golden spike on display in partnership with the Golden Spike Foundation.

Youth Orchestra Experience, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For a unique, multisensory experience, railroad museum visitors will enjoy special live performances of music from the cultures of railroad workers who built the Transcontinental Railroad. Talented student musicians of the Great Wall Youth Orchestra will perform songs from parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America performed on Chinese instruments with a visual backdrop surrounded by historic locomotives, railcars

and railroad stories that have lasted through the ages. The Unity Through Museum concert event will take place inside the museum’s roundhouse and is included with the price of museum admission. For more information visit californiarailroad. museum/purplesilk.

Giant Golden Spike, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As part of a special Jupiter Tour, a giant Golden Spike Monument that is over 43 feet long and weighing 8,000 pounds will be on special display all day outside the California State Railroad Museum on the 1849 Scene at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Plus, free and family-friendly programming will be provided by the Golden Spike Foundation from noon to 3 p.m. that will include interpretive panels and spot talks. Old Sacramento is one of the Driving of the Spike “whistle stops” for the public art piece — created by sculptor Douwe Blumberg in 2021 — that will travel from Utah to Sacramento and back with a mission to recognize the contributions of railroad workers of the Central Pacific Railroad. The monument was designed to celebrate the power and diversity of those whose labor and sacrifices contributed to building the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad.

The community is encouraged to see the spike in-person at an

Old Sac Festival fun for everyone

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

With spring in full bloom, the Sacramento History Museum invites the community to celebrate the season during a fun, free and family-friendly Old Sacramento Spring Festival on Sunday, April 28. The fun-filled festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the sycamoreshaded lawn just across from the Sacramento History Museum and California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront.

A collaboration of the Sacramento History Museum, Sacramento Living History, and the Sacramento Country Dance Society, the third annual Old Sacramento Spring Festival is highlighted by hourly dances around a 15-foot maypole — complete with a crown and ribbons — as well as traditional country dances to live music. Over time and throughout centuries, similar spring celebrations and traditions cross various cultures. In Sacramento, City of Festivals spring celebrations date back to 1885 when the Grand Festival of Flowers honored philanthropist and art museum founder Margaret Crocker. The upcoming Old Sacramento Spring Festival draws from that tradition, as well as Camellia Festivals that celebrated Sacramento’s now 160-year association with its official flower.

interesting horizontal angle (on a flatbed) before it is installed upright in Brigham City, Box Elder County, Utah. For more background on the Jupiter Tour, please visit spike150. org/driving.

The community is also encouraged to take a weekend excursion train ride and tour the world-class museum. In particular, visitors may want to explore the Chinese Workers’ Experience exhibit in the firstfloor Transcontinental Gallery that showcases and shares stories of the of Chinese railroad workers who were essential in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. In addition, the museum is home to the priceless “lost” Gold Spike and precious artifacts cast at the same time as the gold spike used at the Promontory Summit ceremony, plus the famous “Last Spike” painting by Thomas Hill that illustrates the scene of the famous joining of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads. For more information about excursion train rides and the California State Railroad Museum or Foundation in general visit californiarailroad. museum.

Courtesy photo

Great Wall Youth Orchestra musicians will perform music tied to the cultures of railroad workers.

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento History Museum Enjoy gold panning and many more activities at Sunday’s Old Sacramento Spring Festival.

Co-founder of The Byrds to perform at The Center

GThe Center for the Arts presents Roger McGuinn in the Marisa Funk Theater on May 1. McGuinn is a legendary musician and singer-songwriter, known for his work as the founder and frontman of the iconic band, The Byrds. Born and raised in Chicago, McGuinn started his career as a guitarist and banjo player, touring and performing with popular bands such as the Limeliters and the Chad Mitchell Trio. He also worked as a songwriter at the Brill Building in New York City, where he co-wrote the song “Beach Ball” with Frank Gari and performed it with Bobby Darin as the City Surfers. McGuinn’s innovative musical style led him to move to Los Angeles, where he co-founded The Byrds with Gene Clark and David Crosby. The band became one of the most influential groups of the ‘60s, releasing hit songs such as “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

During his time with The Byrds, McGuinn developed two innovative

and

— generating ringing

was influential in the folk-rock genre. The second style was a merging of saxophonist John Coltrane’s freejazz atonalities, which hinted at the droning of the sitar — a style of playing, first heard on The Byrds’ 1966 single “Eight Miles High,” which was influential in psychedelic rock. McGuinn disbanded The Byrds in 1973 and went on to release five solo albums on Columbia Records.

Throughout his career, McGuinn has also been dedicated to preserving traditional folk songs, founding The Folk Den Project in 1995, where he records and uploads a traditional folk song to his website each month for free download. He has released numerous albums over the years, including “Back From Rio,” “Treasures From The Folk Den” and “Limited Edition,” and has collaborated with artists from Tom Petty and Bob Dylan to Elvis Costello.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

CITY — Classic rock fans know the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers never gets old. Petty Theft, one of the best tribute bands from the Bay Area, will play live on April 26 at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City as part of A Higher Place Tour 2024. Doors and bar open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

“It’s been awhile since we’ve played up in that area. We’re looking forward to it,” said Monroe Grisman (guitar, vocals). Grisman brings a high energy edge to Petty Theft with his electrifying solos and fun stage presence. His favorite Tom Petty album is “Wildflowers” (1994).

“Tom Petty was a very dynamic songwriter and an amazing lyricist. He wrote really poignant songs and had a song for everyone,” he added. Grisman joins band members Dan Durkin (lead singer and guitarist), Django Bayless (bass and vocals), Michael Papenburg (guitar), Adam Berkowitz (drums) and Steven Seydler (keyboards) in their celebration of the Tom Petty songbook.

Since 2003, the band has been touring the western U.S. performing Tom Petty’s songs true to the originals and in the spirit of the Heartbreakers’ live shows. Many fans come to see the band 10 times a year or more. The band and their audiences have developed a camaraderie over the years through the music, and it’s not uncommon for the crowd to sing along with the band during a lot of the show.

“This music has a longevity to it, and the songs really connect people,” said Grisman. “It’s a fairly organic thing, and it’s a lot of fun. We’re having a really good time that’s why we’ve been doing it for so long.”

Pacific Sun and The Bohemian readers have voted Petty Theft Best of Marin, Best of North Bay and Best Local Band for many years running now. “It’s all about celebrating Tom Petty. We play a good part of his catalog and always throw in some nuggets and gems amongst the many hits in our sets for the diehards. There’s a lot for us to sink our teeth into,” Grisman explained.

For more than 20 years, this talented group of musicians has toured with the Petty songbook to adoring fans who can’t get enough — both original devotees who have rocked out to these tunes for decades and newbies who are just getting started.

“There’s stu that’s really rocking but also some moments that are more stripped down, acoustic and soft. We can rock out or we can bring things down to a mellower space, which makes for a dynamic performance,” Grisman shared.

Petty Theft performs 60 shows each year and has opened up for rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tesla. And the band does such a good job with the material, it attracted Steve Ferrone, drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to sit in with them. He has performed with Petty Theft on three occasions.

“We try to put ourselves into the music, and I think people really appreciate that,” said Grisman.

Tom Petty (Oct. 20, 1950 – Oct. 2, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Besides being the leader of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch, he was a member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. He drew from influences of Americana, blues, country, soul and rock.

Over the course of his career, Petty sold more than 80 million albums with hit singles like “American Girl” (1976), “Don’t Do Me Like That” (1979), “Refugee” (1980), “The Waiting” (1981), “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985) and “Learning to Fly” (1991). Petty’s solo hits include “I Won’t Back Down” (1989), “Free Fallin’” (1989) and “You Don’t Know How It Feels” (1994). Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Petty died of an accidental drug overdose in 2017 at the age of 66, one week after the end of the Heartbreakers’ 40th Anniversary Tour.

“His catalog is so deep. Seriously, we could play two hours straight with just the hit songs. He’s truly one of the great American songwriters of all time,” said Grisman.

Miners Foundry is located at

very influential styles of electric guitar playing. The first was “jinglejangle”

arpeggios based on banjo fingerpicking styles he learned while at the Old Town School of Folk — which

Photo by John Chiasson Folk musician Roger McGuinn brings his songbook to The Center for the Arts.

Courtesy photo

Petty Theft keeps Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ music alive for longtime and new fans.

Know Continued from B1

April 27

Cars and Coffee invites car people to meet up and hang out Saturdays, 7-9:30 a.m., rain or shine, in the right-side parking lot of the Regal movie theater in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Everyone and every type of vehicle is welcome. The motto is “If it rolls, it goes.”

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee every Saturday, 7-9 a.m. at Lions Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts the ornamental plant sale 8 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. Find succulents, shrubs, trees, ornamental, native plants and more. Check the inventory preview at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu.

An entire battalion of military headstones at Placerville Union Cemetery, many dating back to the Civil War, are lichen-encrusted to the point of illegibility, leaning precariously, or both. Join the Headstone Party and learn how to clean these historical headstones, 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up in advance by emailing info@savethegraveseldorado. org.

Don’t miss out on Placervilles 37th annual Spring Fishing Derby, 9-11 a.m. at Lumsden Park, rain or shine. Fishing Derby is open to all kids in preschool through eighth grade. This event is sponsored by the city of Placerville Community Services Department, the El Dorado County Fish & Game Commission, the Placerville Kiwanis Club and the Placerville Lions Club. All participants should bring their own fishing equipment. For more information call (530) 6425232.

The El Dorado Hills Town Center Farmers Market takes place year round, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, weather permitting. Wander behind

Join the Rise & Shine Community Day of Service, 8 a.m. to noon. Join other fun-loving volunteers as they clean up, fix up and spruce up parks and community spaces. Choose your work site and meet there at 8 a.m. We work in the sunshine for a few hours and then gather for a picnic at Lions Park. For more information visit placervilleriseandshine-2020.eventbrite.com.

Nibblers and Trek Bicycle to discover a cornucopia of delights, where local area farms showcase an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Explore stalls brimming with homemade treasures including jams and cheeses, as well many handmade creations.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

El Dorado Hills Community Services District invites baseball and softball players of all skills and abilities to participate in the fourth annual Pitch, Hit, and Run competition at Promontory Park. The official skills competition of Major League Baseball will put young ball player’s fundamental skills to the test. This free event is open for anyone ages 7-14 to compete. For more information call (916) 933-6624 ext. 0.

The Coloma Community Market takes place 1-4 p.m., drizzle or shine, the second and fourth Saturdays at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Find great local products while enjoying live

music, food, beverages and more. Parking is free during the market hours.

Findleton Estate and Vineyard in Camino hosts a wine a gummy bears pairing in recognition of National Gummy Bear Day. For more inflation call (530) 644-4018.

Placerville Emblem Club No. 287 and Placerville Elks Club No. 1712 host a spaghetti feed fundraiser for the family of Taylen and Wyatt Brooks, 5-8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court in Shingle Springs. All dinner and gift basket proceeds will go the family to help cover unexpected costs. Get tickets at the door; additional donations accepted. For more information contact Lolita Maloney at (341) 800-1044 or Lolita. maloney@icloud.com.

The Active 20-30 Club of Gold Rush No. 1034, hosts the Denim & Lace fundraiser, 5-9 p.m. at the Placerville Shakespeare Club. For tickets and more information visit goldrush1034.org/gala-dinner.

n See KNOW, page B7

Ia lucky 13th year of the California Wildlife Photo Contest. Organizers never imagined the longevity of the project, enjoying so many spectacular images and the number of talented photographers they would meet along the way.

Winners for JanuaryFebruary:

Kevin Lohman, Santa Cruz near Lighthouse Field State Beach

Anna’s Hummingbird returns to her nest to feed her two chicks. She pokes her long bill into the mouths of the birds to feed them. The nest is mostly built out of cobwebs and lichen. The cobwebs allow the nest to expand as the baby birds grow.

Jean Zuo, Taylor

Creek State Park Kokanee salmon were anthropogenically (i.e. introduced by human) added to Lake Tahoe in the 1940s. Sixteen years ago there was a drought in the Tahoe high country and the bears started coming down into the basin in search of food, and they found the Kokanee salmon.

Lisa M. Daniels, Anza-Borrego Desert

Park

Local Peninsular Desert Bighorn Sheep displaying breeding lip, also known as the Flehmen Response, curling back the upper lip and inhaling deeply with their head held high.

State

Desert

Gallery Continued from B1

The Gallery at 48 Natoma is located at 48 Natoma St. in Folsom and open to the public 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with evening hours of 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The gallery is managed by the Folsom Parks and Recreation Department and displays art by regional and national

Know Continued from B5

Darth Mozart will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Ed Wilson will perform 6-8 p.m. at Boring Rose Brewing Co. in El Dorado Hills.

Royal Wood will perform at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more details call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Folsom Garden Club’s 22nd annual garden tour will be held April 27 & April 28, featuring seven unique gardens plus two bonus gardens. For tickets and more information visit folsomgarden.org.

April 28

El Dorado Western Railroad’s excursion rides continue, with train rides on the hour, 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., weather permitting, at the Shingle Springs Station. For more information visit facebook.com/ ElDoradoWesternRailroad.

Oakstone Winery in the Fair Play area hosts Paint & Sip, noon to 2:30 p.m. Amie Nowell with The Healing Palette will guide guests through an Ocean Sunset painting. Purchase tickets at thehealingpalette.org/eventdetails/oakstone-winery-paintsip.

The Truckaderos will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento presents Superhero Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet your favorite superiors and make a craft. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

professional artists, area museum collections and traveling exhibitions — offering high quality, original art exhibits to the community that otherwise may not be experienced in this area. More information is available at folsom.ca.us/ galleryat48natoma or call (916) 4616601.

Sacramento Guitar Society presents flamenco guitarist Mercedes Luján with a special performance featuring dancer Karime Amaya, 4 p.m. at the Cal Cap Blackbox Theatre in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit calcapblackbox. com.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “TempOdyssey,” April 28 through May 20. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

Now

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents the fifth annual Rancho Cordova Student Art Show through April 27. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents: AI Am I?, artificial intelligence art created

by Alexander Reben, through April 28; Drawn to Beauty, a collection of European drawings, through April 28; Black Artists in America through May 19; and Joyce J. Scott: Messages through June 23; Denying Gravity –Woods Davy and the Assembly of Stones through Aug 11; and Penetrating Expressions –Kifwebe Masks of the Songye and Luba People through Aug. 11. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

B Street Theatre presents “Robin Hood” through May 4 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more details call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Imagination Theater presents “Winnie the Pooh” through May 12 at the theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org/ winnie-the-pooh.

Freelance Reporters Wanted

FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Like writing?

Have journalism experience?

Enjoy photography?

Email resume and writing samples to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net.

Festival Continued from B3

In addition to dancing, festival attendees can also enjoy historical living history demonstrations, live fencing, hands-on arts-and-crafts stations, balloon animals, gold panning, lawn games such as cornhole and giant Jenga and more. For more information about the Old Sacramento Spring Festival, the Sacramento History Museum or Sacramento Living History visit sachistorymuseum.org.

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