C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Volume 169 • Issue 52 | 75¢
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Monday, May 4, 2020
Tahoe travel restriction extended indefinitely
“This place is my livelihood and it’s being taken away from me.” — Cherie Baldridge, owner of Cafe El Dorado
Dylan Svoboda Staff writer El Dorado County extended its order restricting nonessential travel into the unincorporated Lake Tahoe Basin area indefinitely. The order, which was originally set to expire April 30, will be re-evaulated by county public health officials and local health care professionals at least every two weeks, a press release from the county states. While the county is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to ease local COVID-19 safety restrictions, Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said re-opening the basin to outside visitors is too risky for the area’s food and essential item supply, pharmacies and health care system. Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
Cafe El Dorado owner Cherie Baldridge waits on patrons of her Pleasant Valley Road diner Friday morning. With reports of El Dorado County coronavirus cases on the decline, Baldridge decided to open up despite the governor’s orders for California residents to shelter in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Cafe El Dorado opens for dine-in customers
Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Sheriff not enforcing state orders
Noëlle Pollastrini, owner of Theory Hair Studio in Cameron Park, has plenty of sanitizer on hand at her salon which she reopened Saturday, April 25, after being closed for about four weeks. She is taking clients by appointment only.
Dylan Svoboda and Kevin Christensen Staff writers
Newsom March 19. And it doesn’t seem as if anyone’s stopping them any time soon. In defiance of Gov. Gavin Despite resisting state Newsom’s COVID-19 safety mandates, the El Dorado restrictions, Cafe El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said was open for dine-in service they don’t plan on forcing Friday morning. closure or penalizing local Cherie Baldridge, the businesses for breaking the diner’s owner, told the order — for now. Mountain Democrat “(The sheriff’s office) is Thursday she had no choice still focused on working but to return to normal with our business partners,” operations. EDSO spokesman Bob Marable, left, and Dudley Dussau, both from Placerville chat “I will not survive another while waiting to be served breakfast at a busy Cafe El Dorado Friday Anthony Prencipe said month,” she said. “This morning. Both men are regulars and said they wanted to support the in a statement to the place is my livelihood and Mountain Democrat. “We local small eatery amid the COVID-19 saga. it’s being taken away from will continue to educate me.” them to make smart and The owner said she was two months behind rent on her responsible decisions for our community. Our goal is to not building at 5787 Pleasant Valley Road. Facing insolvency, have to enforce the stay-at-home order through citations.” Baldridge and her two employees decided this was their Coronavirus concerns didn’t stop patrons from flocking last resort. to the cafe Friday morning. Minutes before the diner’s 8 The restaurant’s move challenges statewide stay-at-home orders and dine-in restrictions brought down by Gov. n See Cafe, page 10
‘Non-essential’ hair salon taking appointments Thomas Frey Staff writer Theory Hair Studio in Cameron Park reopened Saturday. Before opening Noëlle Pollastrini, who owns the salon, sat in her new home knowing she needed to get back to work. She didn’t receive money from the government and had just put a lot of money into buying a house 12 days before she had to shut down amid COVID-19 concerns. “I’ve applied for both SBA loans, unemployment, disaster n
See Salon, page 10
Bare bricks remain as ivy torn from Cary House wall Pat Lakey Staff writer
Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Mary Dedrick who owns Dedrick’s Cheese, a shop neighboring Fountain Plaza, points out areas of the courtyard where different varieties of ivy grew along the brickwork. The ivy was removed in late April.
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manager, Josh Salmonson, there is every intention of allowing the showy, magnificent vine grow back — albeit If you want to see what it looks never to its most recent glory. like when the heart is ripped out of a Because that voluptuous vine that small town, take a look at the wall of inspired oohs and ahhs from visitors the Cary House hotel at 300 Main St. to the courtyard formed by the hotel in Placerville, and adjacent where ivy that businesses, “It’ll take a lot of time to grow has hugged the back, and it will never be like it including red bricks for Dedrick’s almost 100 years was … we will redirect the new Cheese, Totem has been torn Coffee shop, growth and not allow it to get out. Marilyn But the out of hand.” Abercrombie’s Boston ivy of the — Josh Salmonson, hairstyling salon same type that Cary House hotel general manager and a women’s graces Harvard clothing University had boutique owned to come down — it threatened the by Martha McGuire, apparently was very structure of the Cary House, potentially deadly. according to officials there. After five It was McGuire who alerted the years of soul-searching, the tough Mountain Democrat to what she decision was made. n See Vine, page 6 Plus, according to the hotel’s general
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ESSENTIALS OBITUARIES Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.
Bugged out
Richard Charles Oliver
Nov. 13, 1953-March 23, 2020
Vietnam vet and longtime liver transplant survivor Richard Charles Oliver was suddenly taken away from us, leaving behind 26-year long life-partner Deborah Jones; family Cameron (Sandy) and Meghan; four grandchildren Nate, Ayden, Wyatt and Gunnar; brother Bob and numerous nieces and nephews. Rick was a familiar face in Placerville and never met a stranger. For the last 19 years he could be seen working at Safeway, which he recently retired from three months ago. During his lifetime he was always active in racing including Baja, motorcycle, drag racing and currently helping his grandson Nate rise to the top in outlaw kart racing. Rick will be missed by many. A celebration of life will be held when the coronavirus quarantine has been lifted. Donations are welcome and can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank, under Rick Oliver memorial.
Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Even Anty, the Koby Pest Control mascot who stands watch over Placerville Drive in Placerville, is wearing a face mask to keep himself and others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WEATHER
CRIME LOG Georgetown 71/49 Coloma 78/53 Placerville 73/51
El Dorado Hills Cameron Park 76/50
Diamond Springs 71/51
South Lake Tahoe 62/32
The following is from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:
April 18
Pollock Pines Camino 68/46 71/48
7:05 a.m. A burglary was reported at a commercial property on Garden Valley Road in Garden Valley.
Somerset 74/52 Fair Play 74/52
Map shows today’s Highs and overnight Lows
PLACERVILLE 5-DAY FORECAST
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
HIGH: 73° LOW: 51°
HIGH: 72° LOW: 52°
HIGH: 79° LOW: 60°
HIGH: 86° LOW: 63°
HIGH: 88° LOW: 63°
Sunny skies. High 73F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly sunny skies. High around 75F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunny. High 79F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly sunny skies. High 86F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
A mainly sunny sky. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
8:01 a.m. A vehicle was broken into on Capital Avenue on Diamond Springs. 8:31 a.m. A suspect reportedly trespassed into a tow yard on Merchant Circle in El Dorado. 3:32 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Windsor Point Place in El Dorado Hills. 5:07 p.m. A 27-year-old man was arrested on Windsor Point Place in El Dorado Hills on suspicion of burglary.
April 19 12:03 a.m. A 52-year-old man was arrested on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville on suspicion of driving under the influence. 7:16 a.m. A 30-year-old man was arrested on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park on suspicion of grand theft and multiple illegal drug charges after a probation
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10:53 a.m. A 35-year-old man was arrested on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs after he gave a false name and was found to be on a felony warrant. 2:56 p.m. Grand theft was alleged on Francisco Drive in El Dorado Hills. 5 p.m. A 31-year-old man was arrested on Bonita Court in El Dorado Hills for disorderly conduct to alcohol.
April 20 12:50 a.m. A 49-year-old woman was arrested on Lo Hi Way in Placerville on a felony warrant and reportedly possessing narcotics and illegal drug paraphernalia. 11 a.m. A suspect allegedly trespassed into a fenced business on Merchandise Way in Diamond Springs, broke into multiple trailers and stole items. 7:57 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a report of trespassing on Kanaka Valley Road in Rescue.
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10:25 a.m. A 49-year-old man was arrested on Ellinghouse Drive in Cool on suspicion of burglary.
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April 21 9:36 a.m. A cabin was burglarized on Highway 50 in Kyburz. 10:38 a.m. Theft was reported on Foster Way in El Dorado Hills. 11:46 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. 1:17 p.m. A subject was allegedly threatened at work on Newtown Road in Placerville. 2:32 p.m. Suspects broke into a residence on Dorado Canyon Road in Mount Aukum and stole a tractor and attachments. 8:26 p.m. Two suspects stole a wallet and backpack in El Dorado Hills. 10:50 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Highway 49 in Lotus.
April 22 7:05 a.m. Theft was reported on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. 10:07 a.m. A 31-year-old man was arrested on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and alcohol and not able to care for himself. 12:21 p.m. Deputies responded to a report of vandalism on Forni Road in Placerville.
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MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT (ISSN 0745-7677) – Published Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for $104.00 per year (plus tax) by carrier, or by mail (includes applicable tax) in El Dorado County (other rates available upon request) by Mountain Democrat, Inc., 2889 Ray Lawyer Drive, Placerville, CA 95667. Periodical Postage Paid at Placerville, CA. Post Master: Send address changes to the Mountain Democrat, P. O. Box 1088, Placerville, CA 95667
Stumpy Meadows, as of April 29 Water elevation 4,262.11 feet Storage level 20,000 acre-feet Percent full 100% Inflow 65.30 cfs Outflow 4.01 cfs Lake Aloha, as of April 30 Water elevation 12.44 feet Storage level 1,373 acre-feet Percent full 27% Inflow 122.44 cfs Outflow 8 cfs Echo Lake, as of April 30 Water elevation 4.08 feet Storage level 1,302 acre-feet Percent full 67% Inflow 110.21 cfs Outflow 11.90 cfs Caples Lake, as of April 30
2:45 p.m. Theft was reported on Warren Lane in El Dorado Hills. 3:59 p.m. Two female suspects stole items from a business on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. 8:32 p.m. A car was burglarized on Los Santos Drive in Cameron Park.
April 23 12:52 a.m. A 33-year-old man was arrested on Front Street in Georgetown for loitering and disrupting business while refusing to leave. 7:08 a.m. A 38-year-old man was arrested on Main Street in Georgetown for reportedly removing his parole ankle monitor and being under the influence of a controlled substance. 7:14 a.m. Multiple vehicles were reportedly tampered with on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park. 10:12 a.m. A known shoplifting suspect was arrested on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines on suspicion of theft. 1:48 p.m. Construction equipment was stolen on Gold Ridge Trail in Pollock Pines.
Water elevation 46.18 feet Storage level 13,335 acre-feet Percent full 60% Inflow 217.48 cfs Outflow 13.30 cfs Silver Lake, as of April 30 Water elevation 16.92 feet Storage level 5,863 acre-feet Percent full 68% Inflow 315.93 cfs Outflow 18.40 cfs Sly Park, as of April 30 Water elevation 121.17 feet Storage level 41,136 acre-feet Percent full 100.3% Inflow 68.5 cfs Outflow 41.6 cfs American River, as of April 30 Flow 1,277 cfs
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2:36 p.m. A suspect entered a business on Industrial Drive in Diamond Springs and stole a wallet.
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Attention VETERANS Premier Healthcare & Sports Clinic Photo by Kelly M. Grow / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources Public Affairs Office staff documents the final snow survey of the 2020 season, without media present due to COVID-19, at Phillips Station Thursday.
No big surprise, it’s been a dry year Dawn Hodson Staff writer Staff from the California Department of Water Resources conducted its final manual snow survey April 30 at Phillips Station and to no one’s surprise concluded we’ve had a drier than average water year. The survey recorded 1.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 0.5 inches, which is 3% of the May average for this location. The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, providing a more accurate forecast of spring runoff than snow depth alone. Measurements from the 130 electronic snow sensors scattered throughout the state indicate that statewide the snowpack’s water equivalent is 8.4 inches or 37% of the May average. Today’s readings will help hydrologists forecast spring and summer snowmelt runoff into rivers and reservoirs. “March and April storms brought needed snow to the Sierras with the snowpack reaching its peak April 9. Those gains were not nearly enough to offset a very dry January and February,” said Sean de Guzman, chief
of DWR’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecast Section. “The last two weeks have seen increased temperatures leading to a rapid reduction of the snowpack. Snowmelt runoff into the reservoirs is forecasted to be below average.” California’s weather variability was on full display this water year. Dry conditions in October and November were followed by precipitation in December that measured 120% of average. Very dry conditions returned to much of the state in January and February with March and April storms leading to the snowpack peaking at just 66% of average April 9. In normal years the snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer. The greater the snow water equivalent the greater the likelihood California’s reservoirs will receive ample runoff to meet the state’s water demand in the summer and fall. The state’s six largest reservoirs currently hold between 83% at San Luis and 126% at Melones of their historical averages for this date. Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, is at 94% of its historical average and sits at 81% of capacity.
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Christine Leigh-Taylor, a Military Family Support Group volunteer and co-chair of El Dorado Veteran Resources, bags up a bundle of food for local veterans and their families inside the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville Wednesday.
Military Family Support Group puts on food giveaway for vets Dylan Svoboda Staff writer Local veterans and their families have a new grocery option amid the coronavirus pandemic. Former military members are invited to a drive-thru food giveaway from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 and May 13 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. Individuals will need to show their military identification cards to participate. This event is a joint effort between the Military Family Support Group of El Dorado County and the Placer County Food Bank, which is providing food for the affair. Military Family Support Group spokeswoman Julie Leconte said she hopes to provide a little boost in a time of need. “Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while and there is no shame in it — our veterans have earned it,” Leconte said. “The price they have already paid is very high.” The group is also offering visitors hand sanitizer, masks and other
handy items as the group strives to keep local veterans healthy and safe from COVID-19. This Wednesday will mark week three of the drive-thru food giveaway program. Though the food giveaway is set to run through May 13, staff is considering extending the program should statewide stay-at-home orders continue further into the month and beyond. But the organization’s efforts don’t stop at the food giveaway. While the COVID-19 outbreak closed down the organization’s El Dorado Veteran Resources office, the Military Family Support Group is still finding other ways to support veterans outside of the food giveaway. The group is still offering veterans free firewood delivery, emergency shelter, automotive financial assistance, and transportation to and from Mather VA Medical Center. The group’s board chairman Herve Leconte has made more than 400 masks for first responders in the community, including El Dorado County Department of Veteran Affairs staff.
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4 Monday, May 4, 2020 Mountain Democrat mtdemocrat.com
OPINION
Richard B. Esposito Publisher/Editor
Noel Stack Opinion Page Editor
Krysten Kellum Associate Editor
Guest Column
No scientific evidence that mass lockdowns actually work
T
wo Bakersfield physicians, Dan Erickson and Arten Massihi, recently reported, “We’ve seen 1,227 deaths in the state of California. That means you have a 0.03 percent chance of dying from COVID-19 in the state of California,” and Harold Pease for the state of New York,” the highest in the land, “19,410 out of 19 million people, which is a 0.1% chance of dying from COVID ….” This is, of course, of those infected. But this remains less than the seasonal flu of 2017-18 when “about 62,000 deaths, or 0.13 chance of death from flu in the United States. So the lethality of COVID19 is much less” — even in New York City. The seasonal flu even had a vaccine to limit contagion; COVID-19 did not. The doctors explained how the immune system works and how it naturally adapts to the environment. “When you’re a little child crawling on the ground, putting stuff in your mouth, viruses and bacteria come in (and) you form an antigen antibody complex; you form IgG, IgM. This is how your immune system is built.” Dr. Dan Erickson continued, “When you take human beings and you say go into your house, clean all your counters, wipe all of them down, you’re going to kill 99% of viruses and bacteria. Wear a mask, don’t go outside. What does that do to our immune system? Our immune system is used to touching. We share bacteria, staphylococcus, streptococcal bacteria, viruses; we develop an immune response, dealing to this stuff.” So why is sheltering in place not always good? “When you take that away from me,” Erickson continues, “my immune system drops as I shelter in place …. You keep me there for months; it drops more. Sheltering in place decreases your immune system and then as we all come out of shelter in place with a lower immune system, and start trading viruses, bacteria, what do you think’s going to happen? Disease is going to spike. And then you’ve got disease spike amongst the hospital system .…” His answer. “(We) should lift this ban because the data is showing us it’s time to lift.” (Physician video at youtu.be/xfLVxx_lBLU). YouTube just removed the physician’s video with the message “This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.” This is not the view that the Democratic news outlets are likely to allow their people to see. YouTube only censors political content it considers to be on the right side of the political spectrum. However, a fiveminute portion of the physician’s video can be found at banned.video/watch?id=5ea5cbfb028f5600167 acf89 under the title “We Are Being Set Up For The Biggest October Surprise In American History” but it too may vanish soon by YouTube censors. Nor will we know from the doctors that the epidemic is descending at a very rapid pace. The doctors reported, “The hospitals, their ICUs are n
See Pease, page 5
Letters to the Editor Thank you for your PPE donations
Falling on swords
EDITOR:
EDITOR:
W
e live in a wonderful county. We are thankful for the many generous individuals and businesses in El Dorado County that have rallied in support of the needs for Personal Protection Equipment at Marshall Hospital. The EDC Medical Supply Drive learned midMarch that Marshall Hospital was in desperate need of Personal Protection Equipment. We began contacting businesses, asking for donations. The response has been fantastic. Businesses contacted were eager to donate Personal Protection Equipment for Marshall Hospital whenever they were able. That whirring sound you hear? It is probably someone at a sewing machine making cloth facial masks. Marshall Foundation is requesting the masks as a back up to the N95 masks in short supply. Individuals in the county have pitched in, supplying the masks for Marshall, Cal Fire, veterans, fire departments, grocery story clerks, friends and neighbors. But we are not done. More Personal Protection Equipment is needed. As we learn more about how COVID-19 behaves we understand how masks and gloves can protect us all. Opening up our economy can’t happen unless we are safe. Masks can help. Check out EDC Medical Supply Drive on Facebook or at edcmedicalsupplydrive.org to see what the newest needs are. Being prepared may mean the difference between life and death. Thank you again for your generosity, El Dorado County MARY ELLIOTT-KLEMM EDC Medical Supply Drive volunteer
Bring graduation ceremonies back EDITOR: heck the data folks, those people 18 and younger are the least affected by the Chinese Wuhan Virus in the world (go check the numbers). Have ceremonies at the football stadiums and let Mom and Dad sit together on the field 6 feet from another mom and dad. The grads can sit in the stands. Grandma and Grandpa will likely stay at home and see the pictures that EDUHSD streams over the internet and onto the screens at the stadium. STEPHEN FERRY El Dorado Hills
C
M
r. Lanner writes in response to Glenn Beck’s suggestion to open the economy as soon as possible — even though as an older individual it might put him at more risk — that the GOP should fall on their swords, basically saying the more conservatives that can be killed off the better. As usual Mr. Lanner just bloviates an opinion — no points, just opinion. The argument that Mr. Lanner is ham-handedly trying to discuss is when we should reopen the economy. Mr. Lanner says it’s heartless to older people like him to open the economy in order to alleviate the suffering of millions who live paycheck to paycheck thereby subjecting seniors to increased risk. Full disclosure, I am also a retired senior. So what is your solution Mr. Lanner? Leave the country locked down until the last case is cured or a vaccine is universally available? Are seniors so precious that you would condemn whole generations to a level of poverty and possible societal breakdown that would make the Great Depression look like a picnic? I’m not that valuable, maybe you are. Another factor that Mr. Lanner seems oblivious to is that retired seniors are, for the most part, in the best situation of all when it comes to the ability to financially survive this lockdown. Just because the economy restarts doesn’t mean you have to do anything you are not doing now. Just because a business opens, Mr. Lanner, doesn’t mean you have to go there. You seem to think that Glenn Beck’s willingness to face some increased risk in order to help avoid a generational economic catastrophe for today’s middle-aged and younger people is stupid and naive. Fortunately many younger people don’t share your looking out for No. 1 philosophy or there wouldn’t be anybody in the U.S. military. Following Mr. Lanner’s diatribe we have Jennie Thomas mentioning no specifics but criticizing Trump and praising Newsom. First, if Trump laid down criteria for the whole country he’d be called a dictator by the left ,which already calls him that at every opportunity. Second, Trump knows as well as anyone with common sense that governors are best able to look at when to restart their states. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the same rules for New York as for n
See letters, page 5
The Balancing Act
What kind of a day was it? A day of cheap gas, no freedom
Y
In El Dorado County, ou turn on the an area of almost TV. It’s 24/7 2,000 square miles and of coronavirus approaching 200,000 monotony. people, just 44 cases Ditto for the radio. have been confirmed That is all anyone (as of April 30) and and everyone is talking no deaths. The flu is about. When I go out more prevalent and for essentials, most dangerous. If you stay everyone is wearing a away from crowded mask and most of the places it is unlikely to mask-wearers have LArry Weitzman create a problem. Other gloves on, like the ones parts of the United physicians wear. I use States similar to El Dorado County neither and I am not worried about also have low incidences of infection. it even though I am allegedly in a Washington County in Utah, a county higher-risk category. I feel great, as I am sure most of you do to. And if of similar size and population to El you don’t feel good it’s probably from Dorado County, reports 48 cases. The something other than the coronavirus. whole state of Alaska, with an area Practicing common sense is a good one-fourth the size of the contiguous way to avoid COVID-19. Keep your 48 states and approaching 800,000, people has recorded just 329 hands clean, don’t touch too many cases. Except for a few areas, social door knobs and don’t touch your face. distancing there is a way of life. Many physicians say touching your While government offices and own face spreads the disease, as does restaurants are closed except for living in crowded spaces like Wuhan, drive-thrus, the Walmarts and Home China or New York City. Because 52 percent of the COVID-19 fatalities are Depots seem quite busy. One of the benefits of this economic in metro New York City, the rest of the country is forced to shut down. It’s slowdown is cheap gasoline. West Texas Crude dropped below $12 a like if we suffer, you suffer too.
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barrel and actually went negative (producers paying the customer to take the oil). At that price a gallon of gas should cost about a dollar with taxes. But it won’t stay there long enough for that crude price to reach the pumps; although I see gasoline below $2 at one local station. In Brownsville, Texas, gasoline has already reached $1 a gallon. But more frightening than the coronavirus itself is how people willingly succumb to Ben Franklin’s maxim, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety (security) deserve neither liberty or safety.” Another version of the quote states, “Any society that will give up a little liberty to gain a little security deserve neither and will lose both.” Edicts and orders have flowed from the mouths of governors like the outflow tubes at Hoover Dam at high water during a hundred-year rain. While the current orders limiting your freedom of movement and the right to freely conduct business clearly violate our Constitution and the clear rule of law, it doesn’t stop these many governors (mostly Democrats, but some Republicans as well) from
their onslaught of martial law orders without a martial law declaration. It is setting a terrible example of the usurpation of power for the future of America. Gov. Gavin Nuisance is a prime example with his “six abilities” statement: “There are six indicators that have to be met in California before the stay-at-home orders are modified: 1. The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating and supporting those who are positive or exposed; 2. The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19; 3. The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges; 4. The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand; 5. The ability for businesses, schools and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and 6. The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.” If you read these “abilities” none are clearly achievable. Most of them are
Snail Mail: Letters to the Editor P. O. Box 1088, Placerville 95667
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See weitzman, page 5
Main Office: 2889 Ray Lawyer Drive Placerville 95667
mtdemocrat.com Mountain Democrat Monday, May 4, 2020
Weitzman
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impossibilities. Example, “The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19.” The only way to do that is solitary confinement. Maybe Gov. Nuisance has developed “suspended animation.” Commander Buzz Corey used that in the 1950s on TV in “Space Patrol.” Or “The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand.” Other than hydroxychloroquine or its
Pease
offshoots (sometimes combined with azithromycin, which is continually “poo-pooed” by the media), there are no cures in sight for months. What this nuisance to our freedom is saying is he has all the power and you have no freedom. “Nuisance, the little dictator.” This is another way to amass power and many of us are submitting. What is going to happens when we have a bad flu season?
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Idaho would make no sense. Ms. Thomas talks of a crisis in leadership with no mention of what she would do differently and ends with support for a Democrat nominee. You talk of a crisis in leadership. Biden would need a map to find the Oval Office. In his last interview he couldn’t complete a sentence. He has “remembered” things when he was vice president that actually happened in previous administrations. In a recent interview he said he would reference three things to make his point and minutes later could only remember two of them. You talk of a crisis in leadership, Ms. Thomas, at the rate your candidate is losing his marbles the bag may be empty by November. GEORGE ALGER Placerville
City’s response to COVID-19 EDITOR: was disappointed to read that the Placerville City Council authorized the city manager to send a letter to Gov. Newsom and state legislators to request that Placerville be allowed to reopen sooner than later. The Office of the City Manager reports, “The letter could serve to provide a path to reopening our city,” and describes, “options to open and save the city through a fact-based transitional approach.” However, “fact-based” does not accurately describe the meaning of “pandemic.” The facts are that the virus is highly contagious and there is no vaccine or testing. As a 73-year-old woman with a respiratory condition and a household member in the same age group, who has a business on Main Street in Placerville, I am concerned. A large segment of El Dorado County are seniors with underlying medical conditions. Many own or have businesses in the county. Is the city of Placerville really wanting to make such a decision that would risk many lives in the community? An under-reaction to this virus can be more dangerous than an overreaction. As a community invested in protecting its citizens, all efforts should be applied to an overreaction. LARA GULARTE Diamond Springs
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Time to reopen the state? EDITOR:
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Coronavirus will pass. It will have killed tens of thousands of people in America. So does the flu, heart disease, cancer, automobiles, alcohol, cigarettes and many of the aforementioned cause 10 times the amount of deaths. Yet we still knowingly drive cars, drink alcohol, smoke, eat tons of sugar, fats and I could go on, yet life goes on without hearing anything about these deaths
from political dictator wannabee’s like Govs. Newsom and Cuomo and there’s no 24/7 CNN propaganda-type coverage with a running scorecard of infected and deaths. And let’s see what the mainstream media propagandists do when it is finally determined this all was caused by the negligence of China. Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.
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empty, essentially, and they’re shutting down floors. They’re furloughing patients; they’re furloughing doctors because we just don’t have the volume. We are busy with paperwork for COVID.” They spoke of the pressure upon them to list COVID as the cause of death when other factors could have been the cause. None of this fits the panic narrative the left wish us to continue. Recent studies on both coasts confirm that even under the most restrictive measures possible in New York and California, the virus slipped through. In Los Angeles, where Mayor Eric Garcetti bragged about controlling 99.9% of the population through drones, license plate readings and cellphones and that he would “hunt down that last .1%,” presumably for punishment, it got through. “A new study by researcher’s at the University of Southern California tested large groups of people in Los Angeles County for coronavirus antibodies. They found that as of early April, up to 5.6% of the entire county had contracted the illness. That means up to 320,000 adults in Los Angeles apparently had already had it. At the time the official number of infected people was about 8,000 …. The virus had spread throughout a huge population right
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hen the governor ordered all seniors to stay home and threatened martial law, I said, “in a pig’s eye!” I can judge better than he what my relative risk level is. When he extended that to cover everyone, I thought it was overkill. I thought that a more nuanced approach would be better, with less adverse economic impact. But that assumed people would use some common sense. It became clear real fast that common sense isn’t very common. People were still out in groups like business as usual, ignoring all the guidelines. So maybe he made the right call. He just might have saved a bunch of lives. I just wish he wouldn’t preempt the news everyday unless he has something new to tell us. That boy does love the sound of his voice, doesn’t he? He sure can babble on and on. Now people are out in crowds, waving the flag, demanding he reopen the state, demonstrating that they have learned nothing. I think it is time to start reopening the state, but in the same nuanced manner that, I think, with admittedly some 20-20 hindsight, he should have shut it down. There are some businesses and other activities that don’t entail close contact between people. Those could be opened first, perhaps with some cautions. Other businesses could apply for permission to reopen by presenting a plan to mitigate risk. Let them open and stay open as long as they follow their own plan. Other businesses and activities where common sense is required, and social distancing is unlikely to happen, need to stay closed until there is solid evidence that it is safe. COLTON MEYER Somerset
in the middle of the most restricted quarantine in only 1 person (The Ingram Angle, April 23). American history.” (Tucker Carlson Tonight, April Coronavirus deaths are serious, of course, even 23). more so if you or someone you love was one of the The lockdown did not and could not stop it. fatalities. But science has not shown that shutdowns Nor had herculean close-down measures slowed or stay-in-place measures worked and no areas the virus in hardest-hit New York. It came right forced lockdown measures more than New York City through. Gov. Andrew Cuomo cited a study showing and Los Angeles. It may be the worst thing we did. antibodies to be 13.9% of New Yorkers. He said, We should lift the ban immediately lest we spike “That means 2.7 million people [were] infected other worse diseases as the doctors warned. statewide. That means with approximately 15,500 Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and total fatalities, the death is approximately 0.5% of an expert on the United States Constitution. He has people infected.” dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Again, it came right through. The immune systems Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge of most everyone handled it fine, pretty much as it to current events. He taught history and political does the common flu — only 81 out of a 100,000 science from this perspective for over 30 years at New York Times Syndication Sales To Corporation died. By comparison, Florida’sThe death per 100,000 Taft College. read more of his weekly articles visit 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 was 4. And South Dakota’s death per 100,000 was LibertyUnderFire.org. For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Monday, May 4, 2020
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD Crossword ACROSS
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Crossword ACROSS 1 Group consisting of Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Anni-Frid 5 Four-year degs. 8 Muddle through 14 Dreary 15 Home of the statue Christ the Redeemer, familiarly 16 Left 17 Frisbee sport 19 Earned in the end 20 Swing wildly back and forth 21 Sounds in a dentist’s office 23 Tune also known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby” 24 Card game akin to crazy eights 26 Word after head, heart or belly 28 Name of a celebrated 1970s concert tour with Bob Dylan 35 Foretell
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Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.
6 Monday, May 4, 2020 Mountain Democrat mtdemocrat.com
Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Cary House General Manager Josh Salmonson said the weight of the vine could have caused a collapse of the hotel’s brick wall that towers over the courtyard often crowded with coffee drinkers and attendees of live music events.
Photo by Paul Cockrell Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Traces of vine remain, clinging to the brickwork at the Cary House.
Vine
Shown in its glory days, this photo taken one November shows why locals and tourists alike were stunned with pleasure as they gazed on the Boston ivy’s brilliance. Almost all the vine was removed from the wall of the Cary House recently — but a patch of promise was left behind, with hotel staff saying the intent is to have the ivy grow back — under tighter control this time.
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termed a tragedy, the removal of the ivy, saying in a letter to the editor that local residents who have been locked out of the popular courtyard since the coronavirus hit town will be “shocked” to see what has happened there. “It is most unfortunate, and really crummy timing, that the owner of the Cary House chose to completely remove the ancient, glorious vine from the entire wall of the courtyard,” said McGuire in her letter. “I may well have tied myself to that ancient vine, in an effort to at least save a portion … but it has been an unannounced, quiet
atrocity.” McGuire, who appeared trying not to shed tears herself as she sadly pointed out the weeping vine stump where one of several cuts were made, said it hurts her every time she dares to look at the now barren brick-andmortar wall. Local shoppers and tourists who once marveled at the wondrous vine, particularly when it brazenly burst forth in its autumn finery of reds and golds, now will see only what appears to be “part of a tenement,” according to one observer. “I have seen hundreds of people
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from all over the world stop, and in a state of awe and wonder, snap pictures,” McGuire wrote. “It was a magical place.” The boutique shop owner met with the newspaper to allow access to the courtyard area so that photos of the aftermath could be taken, and it was noticed that she rarely glanced at the wall. Mary Dedrick, owner of nearby Dedrick’s Cheese, also had trouble keeping her gaze steady on the bricks as she joined the gathering, much like someone trying not to stare at a train wreck. “God, I hate looking at it,” said Dedrick, shaking her head and adding that she, too, would have gladly tied herself to the vine if it would have stopped the work to bring it down. That work took three days to accomplish, according to hotel General Manager Salmonson, who said not only did the ivy compromise the integrity of the bricks and mortar, but an outside sewer system line that had been hidden from sight by the vine was impacted as well. Told that laymen’s observations of the denuded bricks showed no obvious damage to the historical building, Salmonson said nonetheless, bricks have had to be replaced during the five years he has been with the Cary House. But of more concern, he said, regarding the structure itself — the sheer weight of the vine could have caused a collapse of the wall — and that such disaster could have occurred when the courtyard was crowded with coffee drinkers and shoppers taking a break to enjoy the incredible ambience. “We’ve had to replace bricks — and each year we would clean out the ivy around the guest room windows — I know, because I’ve done it myself,” said Salmonson, who added that he and other Cary House staff hated having to decide to take out the Boston ivy. “The vine actually would get into the air ducts,” he said. “But the biggest worry was that the vine had gotten so out of control that it would bring that wall down, when there were people in the courtyard.” One of those people easily could have been former Placerville mayor, John Clerici, who along with several other “regulars” is known to take a break in the courtyard. Clerici hadn’t heard about the ivy being removed, but called it a “bummer” upon learning of its demise. “The ivy made the courtyard feel very cozy, and besides the aesthetics … it helped keep the courtyard cooler on warm days,” said Clerici. “It’s a sad day for those of us who enjoyed the courtyard in all its former glory.” Hotel spokesman Salmonson said rumors that management decided to rip out the old ivy because it was too costly to have it only cleaned up and trimmed back — including one recounting that it would run $17,000 to do so — are false. “We could have that done for 20 bucks an hour — but that wouldn’t
have solved the problem, long-term,” said Salmonson, adding that the vine’s growth, with huge stalks and heavy foliage, had to be dealt with, and the solution had to be severe. The vine had become thickened to the point where one stump left when the ivy was cut looks more like a small tree had gotten the ax. That stump lies near the southernmost portion of the brick wall, where … Boston ivy still grows. A sizable patch of the community-beloved vine remains embracing the wall, as if refusing to surrender to the slaughter. That’s on purpose, said Salmonson, explaining that the ivy will be allowed to grow back on the exposed wall — but only to a point. “It’ll take a lot of time to grow back,” he conceded, “and it will never be like it was, where it threatened the building. It’s extremely strong and it goes pretty much where it wants — we had to make repairs to the rooftop just recently, due to the ivy. “We will redirect the new growth and not allow it to get out of hand. “It might appear to someone just looking that everything was safe and secure — but the bigger branches were wrapping around and choking other parts of the vine — and once the bigger ones were cut, the ivy above would die. So we took it all out to eliminate any safety hazard.” The general manager stressed that the action saddened hotel staff, too. “We really loved that ivy,” he said. “Hotel visitors have told us they loved it — many told us they were enchanted by the vine. We’ve tried for years to think of something else. But it was what, for safety, we had to do.” Nancy Dunk, co-owner of nearby The Bookery on Main Street — and who for seven years was co-owner of the Cary House in a cooperative that existed in the late ’90s and up to 2004 — said she herself would trim the vine around the hotel windows but doubted that, with proper maintenance, it would have to be completely taken out. Boston ivy is not nearly as invasive as English ivy, according to experts, and is responsible for the term “ivy league” when referring to universities such as Harvard with their vinegraced buildings. But, the same experts say in several online postings, the less invasive Boston ivy still requires regular maintenance and has a tendency to grow over windows, walls, roofs — basically anywhere. Dunk said she heard that the patriarch of the Raffetto family that owned the Cary House for decades actually traveled to Harvard nearly a century ago, to secure Boston vine cuttings to bring back to Placerville. That auspicious journey would lead to the vine’s beginning in 1925 at the historical hotel, where it would weave and wrap its tendrils for almost a hundred years. Hope remains, however, in the vine left behind … which already appears headed toward the blank wall, ready once again to extend its embrace.
mtdemocrat.com Mountain Democrat Monday, May 4, 2020
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prospecting
Community captains Toys for Tots: Providing presents under the tree
Thomas Frey Staff writer
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hen a person is willing to put their heart and soul into something, great things happen. Stacie Walls, the El Dorado County Toys for Tots program coordinator, puts every last ounce of energy into the Marine Corps run charity and last year it added up to 1,592 kids receiving more than 10,000 toys. “Her passion for Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps is just over the top,” said Placerville California Highway Patrol officer Andrew Brown. Brown works directly with Walls as part of the CHiPs for Kids program and said he enjoys seeing toys go to kids who might not receive any otherwise. “This isn’t a supplement to what the family has for Christmas,” Brown said. “This could be it — all they get — and, wow, it’s a lot.” Each kid who signed up received a minimum of four toys for Christmas from Toys for Tots. Along with that, each family, regardless of how many kids they have, received a book, a sports ball, coloring book and crayons, a puzzle and a stuffed animal. Walls starts planning for the next Christmas as soon as she is done with the previous year, setting up toy drives where people can donate new toys or money. Walls will take any donation, large or small, and said she loves when people donate coins because she will wrap up that change and effectively use every penny. “I look for the best deals and make our penny stretch,” Walls said. “We need to keep the money in our community.” Walls’ tenacity makes it so that every kid 17 or younger in the county can be a part of the program. Some counties can only provide items for kids 12 and younger. That just doesn’t sit right with Walls. She said she doesn’t want a kid older than 12 to watch their younger sibling open presents and wonder why they don’t have any. That’s why Walls plans. Last year she had 293 businesses set up boxes for donations and even more others that had a change container. Walls goes into those same businesses and buys toys to keep the money local, buying toys, books and anything else that can be given to
Courtesy photos
Sgt. Bryan Payne, Det. Kyle Parker, Deputy Todd Crawford and DA Investigator Rich Horn, left to right, prepare toys they will give to kids who need them. Toys for Tots served 1,592 kids in 2019.
Chef John Sanders, center, and his staff at Old Town Grill wear aprons with the Toys for Tots logo on them. Each year Sanders feeds the Toys for Tots volunteers multiple times. children. Business owners respond positively to this partnership, Walls said. As an example: Jeff Meader, owner of Placerville News Co., gives anyone a 25 percent discount if they are buying items for Toys for Tots. Each year Toys for Tots has a fundraising event at the Bell Tower in downtown Placerville and every year John Sanders from Old Town Grill provides the food. “He asks for no recognition. He feeds us during our distribution weekend and when we are at the Bell Tower
and he has been doing that for years,” Walls said. “We got him a chef ’s coat with a Toys for Tots logo on it. We made sure his employees also had aprons with the Toys for Tots logo on it.” Walls recognizes and rewards help. She gave thank-you plaques to 10 local businesses that went above and beyond and her drivers helped her pick them out. She said it was very hard to narrow it down to just 10 businesses. “We are extremely fortunate that our community supports
us and that we are able to take care of the children we do and the children have a good Christmas,” Walls said. The year preparation leads up to Christmastime, when Walls and her team of volunteers sort through and separate everything that comes in — all in borrowed space. The organization has never had a building to call home. In 2019 Toys for Tots was able to use the old juvenile hall building on Fair Lane for everything after working in donated storage space at odd hours.
“It went so smooth; it was wonderful,” Walls said. In the 7,000-square-foot space Toys for Tots helped 200-plus more kids in 2019 than they did in 2018. That building will not be available for the program in 2020 and Toys for Tots is again on the hunt for space. Eventually, Walls said, the goal is to have a year-round warehouse they can call their own. Last year, Walls and her volunteers got families in and out in about 30 minutes. Not only did parents leave with a load of items, they had items that fit their kids’ age groups and things the kids want. “My volunteers, you see them looking at the toys; they are not just grabbing the first thing they see. They are looking and they do their best,” Walls said. “Especially when the little 5-year-old boy wants a Transformer. They are in there looking for it. We do the best we can to give the children the toys they ask for.” To sign up for Toys for Tots, parents must bring three things with them when they register during a face-to-face sit-down — identification, proof of address (i.e. a bill with their address on it) and proof of their kids (a Social Security card, a report card, a school ID card or a medical card). Not all families that need Toys for Tots sign up. That is where Walls relies on Officer Brown and other men and women in uniform. In 2019 Toys for Tots received 53 law enforcement referrals. Walls and her staff put together items for those kids and officers delivered them. “It allows the officer to be put in a position of absolute joy for the kid,” Brown said. “It can build trust in the community. Toys for Tots allows them to get a trunk load of toys and take them to those families that need it. It’s just amazing. It’s a perfect partnership in my opinion.” With less than eight months until Christmas, Walls has already scheduled several fundraising events that span through December to help local children have a full stocking. “One mother said, ‘Without you guys there would have been nothing under the tree for my kids this year,’” Walls shared. “That right there makes it worth all the work. One kid, one child that you make sure has Christmas — that makes all the work, all the stress ... worthwhile.”
“One mother said that without you guys there would have been nothing under the tree for my kids this year. That right there makes it worth all the work. One kid. One child that you make sure has Christmas, that makes all the work, all the stress, it makes it worthwhile.” — Stacie Walls, Toys for Tots coordinator
Courtesy photos
Sgt. Corey Englebrektson, Sgt. Simon Brown, Officer Andrew Brown and Officer Tadlock, above left, left to right, participate in a Walmart fundraising event the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Above right, Explorer advisior Bill Turnbull poses with pre-bagged items at the old juvenile hall building where Toys for Tots was headquartered in 2019.
8 Monday, May 4, 2020 Mountain Democrat mtdemocrat.com
comics n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
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El Dorado Hills Community Services District staff and volunteers have created a beneficial partnership that has made countless improvements to the community over the years.
CSD volunteers deserve the spotlight Sel Richard Staff writer
n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
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n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9
Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.
horoscope by Holiday Mathis n today ARIES (March 21-April 19). When playing a game, acting in a play or engaging in any manner of role-play, putting on the character you are assigned can be an enlightening, liberating or, at the very least, “interesting” experience. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You were going to the experts before, and it was costing you. This day will be an exercise in asking yourself better questions and coming up with answers that surprise you. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Hiding isn’t always weakness. Rather, it’s a very effective evolutionary adaptation used by those at the top and bottom of the food chain alike. It’s better to be strategic instead of reactive with this, though. CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s a day to leave more room for the other person, to take pauses so others can fill in, to ask questions that encourage participation and to invite others to dance by opening your arms. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Right now your capacity to handle important things is expanding. Being strong is something you can’t always appreciate in the moment, but you’ll look back in amazement at some of the things you’re doing right now. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). This is no time to abandon what you believe in favor of easier, more convenient options. The movement will only work to create change if enough people participate.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s possible for more than one person to talk at the same time, but it is not possible to simultaneously listen to more than one message. Because you need, want and deserve to be heard, you’ll choose your moments carefully. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Emily Dickinson defined hope as the “thing with feathers that perches in the soul/ And sings the tune without words/ And never stops at all.” You are filled with its song today. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can fly anywhere in your mind, so why not use this ability to your own wonder and delight? If you leave it up to the cues around you, this will not happen. Set boundaries around your attention. It is a precious commodity. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There are those who have a cause and those who have a plight. You’ve known categories before, though not at the same time, which would be impossible. Plights must be overcome before causes can be taken on. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Love is the constant. Things happen in relationships to create noise in the mind, but the heart beats on with the rhythm that has always been yours: uncomplicated, consistent, enduring. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Living space has always been important to your well-being though even more so now. You’ll be inspired to get into neglected closets and boxes to organize and account for your belongings.
espite current shelter-inplace orders the El Dorado Hills Community Services District is determined to celebrate the many volunteers who contribute to the community. EDHCSD Communications Specialist April West launched a social media campaign to virtually recognize these special people, sharing photos and quotes and giving lots of thanks on the district’s Facebook and our Instagram accounts all month long. “It’s about celebrating who’s making our community exceptional,” West said. One of those exceptional people is Wayne Lowery, a 30-year El Dorado Hills resident. “Lowery’s continued dedication to EDHCSD is quite remarkable,” said West of Lowery’s active involvement with young volunteers through Oak Ridge High School’s Interact Club and Boy Scouts. “The Interact Club helps with so many of our events, and it’s exciting for us to work with our future leaders,” she said. Lowery has local roots, having grown up in Rancho Cordova and raising cows when it was still an agricultural community. During his college years he worked as a camp counselor for the Fair Oaks Recreation and Parks District. “That was a life transition,” Lowery said of those years, which led directly to his 50-year career in parks and recreation. Currently an El Dorado Hills Promise Foundation member and the El Dorado County Parks and Recreation commissioner for District 1, Lowery’s work in recreation has taken him across the country as far as Michigan and Washington, D.C. He has served as both general manager and a board member at the EDHCSD and his volunteering spans a list of organizations that boggles the mind. Rotary clubs, multiple parks and recreation associations, chambers of commerce and various task forces and committees in both Sacramento and El Dorado County, to name a few. But one project that holds a special place for Lowery is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening, a oneweek camp to develop leadership skills for high school seniors. The Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills sends four campers each year. “To hear these young leaders’ depth of passion for the experience they receive is almost unnerving,” Lowery said of his young charges. “One even admitted she had suicidal depression before attending camp and found an inner
Courtesy photos
Wayne Lowery, above left, gives countless hours volunteering in the community, particularly with youth. Here he’s seen with EDHCSD Parks Supervisor Ryan Kukkola. Below, ORHS teacher/coach Casey Rhyan, right, works on interpretive trail signs — an important project to the volunteer.
strength she never guessed existed.” Lowery works weekly with the ORHS Interact Club, the junior branch of the Rotary Club, which helps organize the EDHCSD Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Concerts and other holiday events. “A passion for volunteering develops when one learns that serving others feeds an internal need not always obvious. There is far greater satisfaction in seeing the growth and joy of others than one could ever imagine,” Lowery explained. “If literally everyone volunteered an hour or two every week, what a world we would have.” ORHS science teacher Casey Rhyan is another standout, working tirelessly to champion outdoor educational opportunities. Having taught for 25 years, the New York Creek Trail Interpretive Signs project was the culmination of an idea that all started while watching his own two children go through a school system in which science was increasingly marginalized. “All of us are born scientists,” he said. “Getting back to that inquisitive mind we all have when we’re little — I can’t imagine a better way to teach kids.” The interpretive trail signs began as a class project; students wrote and designed boards to teach about
wildlife, habitats and the environment. Rhyan’s current class is designing a website to enhance the information offered on the signs. And the teacher/coach is now realizing his long-time vision of an outdoor education facility that would be used by teachers from local schools, elementary through high school. The facility, slated to be housed at the new Bass Lake Regional Park, will be a place where teachers can use the outdoors to collect data and then transition inside to use lab equipment to finish a hands-on, inquiry based curriculum. “There will be a trail around the lake where five different miniecosystems already exist naturally,” Rhyan pointed out enthusiastically. “And it’s in the middle of our community, which makes it convenient for all the schools here.” Rhyan is quick to credit CSD board Director Allan Priest, CSD General Manager Kevin Loewen and ORHS Principal Aaron Palm for helping get the project off the ground. In addition, Oak Meadow Elementary teacher Linda Ghilarducci has worked with Rhyan from the beginning through funding difficulties and other bureaucratic obstacles. Of involving his students with these n
See EDHCSD, page 11
mtdemocrat.com Mountain Democrat
2020 is New Morning Youth & Family Services 50th year anniversary. Throughout the year there will be 50 years’ worth of stories about the New Morning Shelter. Readers will see stories from staff and board of directors as well as stories about the children who the agency has served through the eyes of the staff and some stories directly from the clients.We hope you enjoy reading the 50 Stories for 50 Years series.
Story 17
S
usie first used our shelter services in 2007, just after her 12th birthday. She comes from a family that lacks both stability and the ability to provide her with the support she needed to be successful in life. Susie’s mom and “step-dad” (mom’s boyfriend) have struggled with
their sobriety over the years. In addition to their continued drug use, Susie’s mother has frequently left her boyfriend as a result of domestic violence against herself and a few situations where he physically assaulted Susie, yet she has always gone back to him. Susie has witnessed and experienced first-hand the abuse of an adult who was supposed to help “take care” of her. She has watched her younger brother make bad choices that have landed him in Juvenile Hall, while her older sister has struggled with her own drug addiction. As a result of her unstable home life, Susie struggled with feeling safe, getting to and from school, as well as falling behind in school and becoming credit deficient. Susie has been involved in therapeutic services from our agency in addition to her frequent use of our shelter services. It wasn’t long after entering high school that Susie recognized her family’s
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Monday, May 4, 2020
lack of support and inability to supply her with her basic needs. She acquired a part time job to help pay for things like shampoo, deodorant, food, reliable transportation, and a cell phone. She also used our drop-in shelter services to attain various personal hygiene products, food and temporary shelter services. Susie understood the limitations and barriers to success that her chaotic and unsafe home environment created, so she began to couch surf. She was temporarily staying with a friend’s mom who helped her sign up for Medi-Cal so that she could access affordable healthcare, but soon that relationship became damaged and filled with mistrust after the parent started taking the social security money she was receiving for her father’s death. Susie then moved in with her boyfriend’s sister. The family allowed her to live with them rent free while she finished high school as long as she attended school regularly, kept her grades up and fulfilled all of the household chores. The family that took her in had their own financial limitations, but opened their home to help her anyways. Just before her 18th birthday, Susie asked for help ■
See NEW MORNING, page 11
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Cafe
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a.m. opening, a handful of guests were inside waiting for the chef to fire up the grill. By 9 a.m., more than two dozen customers had the restaurant’s 11-table dining room at nearcapacity. Robert Rademacher of Cameron Park visited Cafe El Dorado for breakfast Friday morning with his 13-year-old son Eric. El Dorado County’s relatively low coronavirus case count — 44 confirmed as of Thursday evening — has left him unfazed by the virus circulating across the world. “Every county is different and the situation should be treated differently for each,” Rademacher said. “If there was a higher rate I might feel differently in this county. If we don’t open up there might be a massive depression
Salon
Customers enter Cafe El Dorado Friday morning as the popular eatery opened for business.
Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
and bankruptcy. I don’t want that for the state or country.” Linda Forni of El Dorado isn’t worried either. Inside the diner Friday, she told the Mountain Democrat that coming to the restaurant is a sort of pastime for her, and loneliness is starting to settle in for her and fellow seniors. “My husband (Dennis) passed away in November. He and I came here often,” Forni said. “It’s good for my mental health to be around people and
socialize. A lot of regulars are older men who are retired and can’t or don’t cook at home and don’t go out anyway to socialize. They come here and go home mainly and there is a low rate in the county so I don’t have concerns here.” There was little mask-wearing and social distancing was at a minimum inside the small diner Friday morning. The cafe’s tight confines don’t lend itself to 6-feet social distancing standards, Baldridge said Thursday, but the
El Dorado Cafe bustles as breakfast is served inside the restaurant amid the COVID-19 health crisis. restaurant is providing hand sanitizer on-site. Other than that, it’s “business as usual,” she said. Though she’s pushing aside COVID-19 precautions, Baldridge is set for a financial boost she hasn’t seen in more than a month. The restaurant has been open for take-out
since the county and state stay-at-home orders came down March 19, but that hasn’t been nearly enough to cover expenses, she said. “Take-out isn’t going to do it,” Baldridge said. “My regular customers don’t like take-out. They like to sit down, relax and eat the food here. So that’s what I’m going to let
them do.” The county’s stayat-home order, which includes restrictions on dine-in service, expires Friday. But the state’s equivalent order remains in place indefinitely. Gov. Newsom said last week that California restaurants could reopen for limited dine-in service in “weeks, not months.”
Continued from 1
unemployment, a few grants, and because I made over the threshold for the income I didn’t receive a stimulus,” Pollastrini said. “So literally zero income and I still have bills. Deemed “non-essential” by public health officials, hair stylists all over the nation were forced to close their doors despite already having some of the most strict regulations regarding sanitization and cleanliness. “Our hands are kind of tied, we kind of have to do what we have to do literally to survive. In the governor’s phases of things, we are Phase 3. That could be no income for months. I’m doing it because I have to do it.” Inside Theory, Pollastrini is the only person cutting or working on hair. She is allowing just
one client inside the studio at a time and wears a mask and provides hand sanitizer to everyone entering. After each customer Pollastrini cleans all the chairs, all her tools and she uses Barbicide disinfectant. “It’s a hospital grade disinfectant which actually kills viruses,” Pollastrini said. “It can’t get any more clean than being in here.” Pollastrini has worked in this industry for a decade and founded Theory Hair Studio in September 2018. She named the studio in honor of her theory teacher in cosmetology school who passed away. She has about 600 clients and said that since she reopened her phone has been going off non-
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EDHCSD
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Continued from 8
projects, “I just enjoy kids,” Rhyan said. “I think it’s so important for us to understand the natural world and to be scientifically and environmentally literate — and to learn that at a young age. I think a lot of the issues we face in the world and as a country are because of the lack of that understanding, from climate change to pollution to even this virus.” “Through volunteerism, Mr. Rhyan is planting the seed today for a better tomorrow,” West said of Rhyan’s efforts, adding she hopes many more will offer services to help make Rhyan’s educational facility a reality. Other EDHCSD volunteer projects residents are welcome to get involved with (as soon as the all-clear is given to resume activities) include the Gilmore Senior Center, youth coaches, Oak Knoll Clubhouse activity leaders, recycle ambassadors and many more. To sign up visit edhcsd.volunteerhub.com.
New Morning
Continued from 9
to be put into foster care, as her family had essentially abandoned her, abused her, and failed to adequately provide her with her basic needs. Susie has dreams of being successful and earning a college degree. Understanding her family dynamics she also realized that they would be no help to her in pursuing these goals. After many filed CPS reports by school, teachers, shelter staff, her New Morning therapist and three letters advocating for her to child welfare services written by our shelter manager, her New Morning therapist and a CPS social worker, Susie became a ward of the court. She has since turned 18, and has made effective use of her AB12 rights. She also has
a steady job, is enrolled in college and is working hard for a bright future. For 50 years New Morning has provided a safety net of services to youth and their families in El Dorado County. These services include the only 24-hour emergency youth shelter in the county for homeless, runaway and in-crisis youth. We provide professional counseling services to children age birth to 18. New Morning supports children and youth who are victims of abuse, struggling with alcohol and drug issues, experiencing trauma and facing school failure. We provide parent education; assist youth who are aging out of foster care; and provide Latino Outreach services.
Courtesy photo
Barton Memorial hospital serves the Lake Tahoe basin.
Barton gets ‘A’ for patient safety Jenna Palacio Barton Health SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Barton Memorial Hospital received news of another ‘A’ grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. Assessment data from 28 quality measurements demonstrated better patient outcomes at the Lake Tahoe hospital; the result of collaborative, team-driven systems in place at Barton Health that protect patients from harm. “This industry recognition is proof of our teams’ hard work and commitment to caring for our patients – the same dedication that can be seen in Barton Health’s response and preparedness to address the challenges of COVID-19,” said Dr. Clint Purvance, Barton Health President & CEO. This is the seventh ‘A’ grade Barton has received from the Leapfrog Group since 2016, a hard-earned track record that is the result of system-wide participation focusing on programs and pathways that exceed
Public Notices FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FIlE NO. 2020A0000376 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CAlIFORNIA GASTROENTEROlOGY, located at 5312 Amber Fields Dr., Shingle Springs, CA 95682 Registered owner(s): Russell F. Jacoby, 5312 Amber Fields Dr., Shingle Springs, CA 95682 This business is conducted by an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: January 1, 2020. Signature of Registrant: /s/ Russell F. Jacoby RUSSELL F. JACOBY I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on April 13, 2020. NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS
OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11 7688
PUBlIC NOTICE Placerville Union School District Governing Board Vacancy The Placerville Union School District will appoint a Board Member to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Sean Frame. The term of the appointment will begin on June 3, 2020 and end December 4, 2020. The Board will accept applications from interested persons who are registered voters and who reside in the Placerville Union School District. To apply for the appointment to the Board, please reach out to Kim Aros, Administrative Assistant at karos@pusdk8.us or 530-622-7216 ext. 2236 to receive an application packet. The application packet is due back no later than Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. 4/22, 4/24, 4/27, 4/29, 5/1, 5/4, 5/6 7692 PUBlIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBlIC HEARING AND OF PROPOSAl FOR IMPlEMENTING SCHOOl FACIlITIES FEES AS AUTHORIZED BY EDUCATION CODE SECTION S 17620 AND GOVERNMENT CODES 65995 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that immediately following a public hearing on the matter, a proposed resolution(s) will be considered by the Governing Board of Gold Trail Union School District at its regular meeting on May 14, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., which if adopted by the Board will implement development fees established by the District against residential construction and reconstruction at $2.49 per square foot and against new commercial or industrial construction at $0.40 a square foot. Education Code Section 17620 and
established standards of care. Hundreds of physicians, healthcare workers and hospital staff are constantly and collaboratively working to proactively prevent medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections in patient care. The Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a national distinction from the independent healthcare watchdog organization, which assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ safety grade to more than 2,600 acutecare hospitals across the United States. The Leapfrog Group’s safety grades are based on 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data, peer-reviewed by a national panel of medical experts that issues grades twice per year. More information about Barton Health’s quality and patient safety recognition is available at bartonhealth.org/quality. The latest information on Barton’s COVID-19 response, as well as federal, state and local guidelines is available at bartonhealth.org/ coronavirus.
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Government Code Section 65995 authorize the proposed fees. Data pertaining to the cost of school facilities is available for inspection during regular business hours at the District’s administrative offices. The fee, if approved by the Governing Board, will become effective on July 13, 2020, which is 60 days after the proposed adoption of the resolution levying such fee by the Governing Board. 4/27, 5/4 7701 ADVERTISEMENT REqUESTING BIDS 2890 Mosquito Rd Placerville CA 95667 Title of Solicitation: 3,500 Tons Caltrans 3/4” Class II AB Rock Solicitation #: RFB20-004CST NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking bids pertaining to the following: Provide, deliver, and “tailgate” 3,500 Tons of Caltrans 3/4” Class II AB rock over approximately 2.8 miles of roadway. Bids must be received by 3:00 p.m., PST, on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 via mail or electronic mail. Work consists of providing and delivering 3,500 tons Caltrans 3/4” Class II AB Rock as required by the District and as defined in the RFB specifications. The Contract Documents contain the full description. Mailed in bids must be in a sealed envelope and mailed to the EID Headquarters Building located at the address listed above. If delivered by mail the bidder must allow sufficient time for delivery by the deadline. Emailed copies will be accepted but must include all required documents in PDF format and must be submitted by the deadline date and time. Emailed bids must be sent to: Cstlawrence@eid.org. Mailed in envelope(s) must be clearly marked: “Attn: Christine St. lawrence RFB20-004CST
3,500 Tons Caltrans 3/4” Class II AB Rock Do Not Open.” Interested Vendors may obtain the Contract Documents on the District’s Customer Service website by visiting: https://www.eid.org/doing-business-witheid/procurement-and-contracts. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder, but the District specifically reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all Bids, or re-Bids, or to waive inconsequential deviations from Bid requirements not involving time, price, or quality of the Work Dated this 23nd day of April, 2020 EL DORADO IRRIGATION DISTRICT Christine St. Lawrence, Buyer II (530) 642-4125, Cstlawrence@eid.org 4/27, 5/4 7704 PUBlIC NOTICE Shareholders of Placerville Gold Mining Co. are hereby notified of the annual shareholders meeting scheduled the week of May 20th, 2020. Call (425) 672-4719 for details. 4/29, 5/1, 5/4, 5/6, 5/8, 5/11 7707 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Calaveras County Purchasing Agent will receive bids for: Tree Removal Services – Administrative Office/ Office of Emergency Services BID No. 19-1000-63-968 Tree Mortality Program Project #30 Bids must be obtained from Public Purchase at: https://www.publicpurchase. com/gems/calaverasco,ca/buyer/public/ home Project Area #30 Non-Mandatory PreBidders Conference Location: Dorrington Inn Parking Lot 3450 Highway 4 Dorrington, California
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. Sealed bids must be clearly marked on the outside of the package with: “BID #19-1000-63-968 - DO NOT OPEN” and in the possession of the Purchasing Agent no later than: 3:00 P.M. on May 14, 2020 at which time they will be publicly opened. Faxed bids are not acceptable; bids received beyond the deadline date and time will not be considered. 5/1, 5/4 7712 El DORADO IRRIGATION DISTRICT REqUEST FOR PRE-qUAlIFICATION OF BIDDERS FOR PUBlIC WORKS PROJECT El DORADO HIllS WATER TREATMENT PlANT (EDHWTP) SCADA IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NUMBER 18065.01 RFq20-06 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed APPLICATIONS will be received no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2020, through mail service only at the El Dorado Irrigation District, 2890 Mosquito Rd., Placerville, CA 95667 for the El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Plant (EDHWTP) SCADA Improvement project, Project No. 18065.01 (“Project”). Only pre-qualified firms will be eligible to bid on the Project. A California Classification C-10 contractor’s license is required. The anticipated work of the Project generally consists of installing networking equipment and cabling, modifying existing PLC’s, installing new PLC’s, PLC programming, and SCADA programming at the EDHWTP. The project is located in El Dorado Hills, California. The estimated construction cost is $1,900,000. The estimated date of construction is fall of 2020 through February, 2021. PUBLIC WORKS LAWS. The project is a public works project subject to
compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). To be qualified for this project, a contractor must be registered with the DIR. In addition, pursuant to prevailing wage laws, copies of the prevailing wage rates are on file at the District’s principal office and are available on request. Interested firms may obtain a copy of the Request for Pre-Qualification (RFQ) from the District’s website at www.eid. org. Note that the reference procedure requires the reference information be sent directly by the reference to EID no later than 3:00 PM on June 3, 2020. Questions regarding this project should be directed to the Project Manager by emailing Mr. Patrick Wilson at pwilson@eid. org. or by calling 530-642-4079. Dated this 4th day of May, 2020 EL DORADO IRRIGATION DISTRICT /s/ Elizabeth Dawson Elizabeth Dawson, P.E., Engineering Manager 5/4, 5/11, 5/18 7714 PUBlIC NOTICE Request for quote (RFq) Golden Sierra Job Training Agency (GSJTA) & Workforce Development Board (GSWDB) is requesting quotes from qualified parties to serve as One-Stop Operator under contract for the area of Alpine, El Dorado & Placer Counties. Full RFQ information and accessible document can be obtained at rfp. goldensierra.com. If unable to access website please email magnussen@goldensierra.com for assistance. The RFQ will be available May 4, 2020, with response due by 5:00 PM May 22, 2020. 5/4 7715
12 Monday, May 4, 2020 Mountain Democrat mtdemocrat.com
© 2015 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 31, No. 18
Each of these kids need some advice from YOU. Read each story and write ce down your advice. Talk about your advice with a parent. Do they agree with you?
David is trying to save money to buy a new LEGO set that costs $29.00. Each Friday, he gets an allowance of $5.00 from his mom and dad.
Last Sunday, he spent $8.50, which ate into his LEGO savings. Now he only has about $4.00 saved up for the LEGO set.
David tries to save at least $3.00 every week. He spends about $2.00 when he visits the video arcade on Sunday afternoons. But sometimes he’ll spend more than he planned to trying to top his best score.
CAUSE:
Evan earns $3.00 a week pulling weeds in his neighbor’s yard yard, so he spends half of his money each week on stick stickers and saves the rest in his piggy bank.
EFFECT:
Th The grocery store just replaced the old sticker machine with a nnew one. The stickers are bigger, but they cost $1.00 each. If he h buys three, he’ll spend all his money every week.
CAUSE:
Maria walks and feeds her Aunt Meridith’s dog, Zinger, every day after school. Maria gets $2.00 per day for taking such good care of Zinger.
Look through the newspaper for prices. Can you find five or more prices, that when added together equal $100? Now try to find prices in the newspaper that add up to $1,000. What’s the largest amount you can reach?
Maria wants a new bike that costs $75. If she saved all her money each week, she could buy the bike in about two months. But Maria downloads music from her favorite bands at $1.30 per song a couple times a week. She also buys a smoothie for $3.95 on Saturdays with her friend Katie. Sometimes they go to a movie, which costs $7.00 per ticket.
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Use the skills and strategies of the reading process to follow written directions. Math: Compute written amounts.
TOTAL RAISED:
CAUSE:
EFFECT:
Evan collects stickers from the grocery store vending machine. Each costs 50¢. He buys one each time his family shops, which is usually three times a week.
ario and Maya are selling their toys at a yard sale to raise money for their local fire department. Oops! Someone dripped lemonade on the sales slips. Can you fill in the missing numbers?
Understanding cause and effect helps improve problem-solving skills. Read the stories about Evan, David and Maria. Find a cause and an effect in each story. We have done one for you.
Standards Link: Math: Compute sums up to 1,000.
ALLOWANCE Find the words in the puzzle. Then look for each word in this week’s GROCERY Kid Scoop stories and activities. PROBLEM E M O G N P E E E T FASTER C Y M R R R R K S A COUPLE N C T E T O I O E M ARCADE MUSIC A N I T C B C R S O EARNS W S I S O L O E N N EQUAL O N S A U E U G R E MONEY L A V F P M P O A Y SCORE L A U Q E I L A E N COST PAIN A R C A D E E L G S GOAL Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns. BIKE
EFFECT:
Now Try This …
Find an article in today’s newspaper. Identify the cause and effect. Have your parents read the article and see if they agree with the cause and effect you found. Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.
REPLACE
The verb replace means to put something new in place of something else. The mechanic was able to replace our cracked windshield with a new one. Try to use the word replace in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.
My Savings Story
New and Used
Find five items for sale in the newspaper. Chart the items and their prices. Can you find the same items for sale used? What is the difference in price? What are the advantages/ disadvantages of buying new vs. used?
ANSWER: When there is change in the weather.
Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate
Write about something you’d like to buy. Why do you want it? Then write about your plan to save money to buy it.
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• You get the same instructors and Mathnasium Method™ that you would in our center, with real-time, face-to-face, online math instruction. • Learning can happen anywhere there’s an internet connection. • It’s safe and secure, and there are no additional costs. • Home school vouchers are accepted. • You can smoothly transition your child to in-center learning as soon as Mathnasium Learning Centers reopen to the public.
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