Mountain Democrat, Friday, May 5, 2023

Supes table CSAC plan

Noel Stack

Managing editor

El Dorado County leaders have decided to take a “wait and see” approach regarding a newly proposed plan to solve the state’s homeless crisis drafted by the California State Association of Counties.

District 1 Supervisor

John Hidahl, who sits on the CSAC Board of Directors as El Dorado County’s representative, brought CSAC’s AT HOME plan to his fellow supervisors Tuesday for discussion and possible adoption of a resolution in support of the proposal.

“It’s the first time there has been a comprehensive approach to address homelessness at the statewide level with all applicable agencies. That’s the state, the counties, the cities and, to a certain extent, the federal government —

but to a less extent the federal government,” Hidahl explained. “This is really an ‘all-up’ effort to try to make sure that we have a successful program.”

The six pillars of the AT HOME plan are:

• Accountability: Clear responsibilities aligned to authority, resources and flexibility for all levels of government

• Transparency: Integrate and expand data to improve program effectiveness

• Housing: Increase and maintain housing units across the spectrum

• Outreach: Develop sustainable outreach systems and increase workforce to support these systems

• Mitigation: Strengthen safety net programs

• Economic opportunity: Create employment and education pathways, as

Vigil held for Signor

fatally

The vigil lasted for hours, candles set out along the bridge flickering in the darkening evening.

“He wasn’t a bad guy at all. He was a great guy, great with kids. He just got wrapped up with some rough roommates,” said a friend and former roommate of Signor’s who asked not to be identified. Nearby, a picture of

Shelver to director

Bryce Lovell new head of Library Services

As a teenager Bryce Lovell worked as a shelver for El Dorado County libraries before attending California State University, Humboldt, to receive a bachelor’s degree in religious studies.

Two decades later the Pollock Pines native fulfilled his dream of becoming the county’s director of Library Services.

“I grew up in these libraries,” Lovell said. “As a kid growing up in Pollock Pines, my entire childhood was pretty much spent outside but every two weeks or so my mom would take me to the Pollock Pines Library and I could check out

whatever I wanted. Being able to explore what items were in there, choose what to read on my own … that aspect of discoverability and sense of wonder was very empowering and continues to be fun.”

His journey did not take him straight back home. While attending college he worked as a library assistant for the Humboldt County Library, eventually becoming Napa County Library’s library associate in 2010. Lovell taught computer classes along with organizing different support activities for the library.

Lovell then got his master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State

photo by Eric Jaramishian

Life lost in fiery wreck

Barbara L. Jackson

June 11, 1930 – april 18, 2023

Barbara passed away at Marshall Hospital in comfort care on April 18, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cliff Jackson (2012). Barbara has three children, Debra Massaro (Loren), Lynne Elhardt (Bryan) and Doug Jackson (Amber), and was blessed with 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Barbara’s career in finance included employment at Mother Lode Bank, Security Pacific Bank and finally retirement from River City Bank. After retiring she was a wonderful (Gigi) to her many grandchildren. She will be missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held at Cold Springs Golf and Country Club on June 11, 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Douglas Patrick

Rued

march 17, 1955 – april 14, 2023

It is with sorrow that we announce that on April 14, Doug passed away at the age of 68.

Doug was born in Evanston, Illinois and was the youngest son of Jack and Dolores Rued. Doug is survived by his wife Rebecca, five children, Ryan, Jenine, Melissa, Mandy, and Abby, nine adoring grandchildren and sister, Debra.

Doug will be remembered for his kindness, his sharp wit, and his fierce love for his family. His unwavering commitment to telling a complicated and increasingly detailed joke was one of unique form. He basked in his enjoyment when he could build upon a fabulous joke year after year until it became a “trilogy”, with a backstory for each character and a clear, albeit meandering, plot line. Doug was also a history buff and an avid reader, writer and entrepreneur.

Over the last several years Doug has battled heart related complications leading to a heart transplant in 2020. He approached this battle with unwavering optimism, tenacity and humor, the way he approached much of his life.

While this news has broken our hearts, we find peace picturing him in the midst of his two older brothers Bruce and Jack, his parents, his beloved nephew Michael and friends who will be with him in this next chapter.

Service information to follow

PLACERVILLE 5-DAY FORECAST

Odin Rasco Staff writer

A single-vehicle collision that engulfed the car in flames killed one person Wednesday night in Placerville.

A Honda Civic traveling eastbound on Highway 50 at an unknown speed near the pedestrian overcrossing east of city limits drifted off the south edge of the road and collided with a tree, according to a California Highway Patrol report. Firefighters responding to the call arrived at the scene just off the highway across from Mountain View Mobile Manor on Newtown Road shortly before midnight.

El Dorado County Fire Protection District crews found the Civic wreathed in fire; as they fought to extinguish the flames, it was discovered that a person of unknown age and gender had died in the vehicle.

CHP Placerville officers are investigating the collision while the El Dorado County sheriff’s coroner is working to determine the victim’s identity.

Repeat robbery suspect arrested

Odin Rasco Staff writer

A suspect in a string of robberies in the greater Sacramento area was arrested by Roseville police detectives at his El Dorado Hills home April 27.

Andrew Lucas, 33, was identified as a suspect in an April 25 bank robbery on

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

April 20

10:47 a.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Fair Lane. The suspect was also cited for alleged possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia.

April 21

1:12 a.m. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Broadway.

8:31 a.m. Officers arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a switchblade on Fair Lane. The suspect was also cited for alleged possession of illegal drug paraphernalia.

8:31 a.m. Officers arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of a probation violation on Fair Lane.

2:50 p.m. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Broadway.

10:27 a.m. Officers arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of indecent exposure on Fair Lane.

April 22

2 a.m. Officers arrested a 38-year-old man and a 52-yearold woman on suspicion of burglary on Debbie Lane.

11:54 p.m. Officers arrested a man on suspicion of public intoxication on Green Valley Road.

April 23

11:51 a.m. Officers arrested a 38-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Broadway.

5:49 p.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Missouri Flat Road.

5:49 p.m. Officers arrested a 56-year-old man who had

Galleria Boulevard in Roseville, according to Roseville Police Department officials. A lone man entered a bank and handed over a note to a teller demanding they hand him cash.

After receiving the money, the suspect allegedly exited the bank calmly and fled the scene in a vehicle.

Detectives determined the

an outstanding warrant on Missouri Flat Road.

11:47 p.m. Officers reportedly found illegal drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop on Placerville Drive. A 37-year-old man was arrested.

April 24

5:24 p.m. Officers arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of indecent exposure on Main Street.

9:24 p.m. Officers cited two men, ages 24 and 21, allegedly found in possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia on Broadway.

April 26

4:14 p.m. Drugs found on David Circle were booked for destruction.

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office logs:

April 27 10:51 a.m. Burglary was reported on Richard Avenue in Placerville.

1:36 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Cold Springs Road in Placerville.

4:22 p.m. Forgery was reported at a business on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs.

11:20 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Cameron Park Drive. He was later released.

April 28

5:36 a.m. Burglary was reported on Greenwood Road in Greenwood.

8:11 a.m. Forgery was reported at a business on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs.

8:37 a.m. Battery was reported on Magpie Court in Placerville.

9:01 a.m. Battery was reported on Marshall Road in Garden Valley.

3:58 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a gas station on

Roseville robbery was likely connected to similar cases in Folsom, Citrus Heights and Auburn. Information and assistance from other law enforcement agencies led investigators to identify Lucas as a suspect.

Lucas has been booked into the South Placer County Jail without bail.

Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills.

8:14 p.m. California Highway

Patrol officers booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 (location not specified). He was later released.

10:33 p.m. California Highway

Patrol officers booked into jail a 25-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Circle Drive in Diamond Springs. She was released on $5,000 bail.

April 29

12:06 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines.

2:51 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of DUI on Valley View Parkway in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

3:49 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 19-year-old man suspected of unauthorized entry of an occupied dwelling and loitering on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.

9:43 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a business on Durock Road in Cameron Park.

10:20 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of probation violation on Pony Express Trail in Camino. He was listed in custody.

11:12 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old woman suspected of obstruction on Cedar Drive in Camino. She was released on $3,000 bail.

11:24 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 55-year-old man suspected of evading a peace officer on Highway 50 at Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $75,000 bail.

12:40 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Sweetwater Trail in Cool.

12:50 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Richard Court in El Dorado Hills.

4:54 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and grand theft on Highway 50 at Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $101,000 bail.

6:39 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Sunset Lane in Shingle Springs.

April 30

2:16 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of DUI and possession of a controlled substance on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,500 bail.

11:08 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 52-year-old man suspected of possession a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Post Street in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

11:57 a.m. Vandalism was reported at the post office on Highway 49 in Pilot Hill.

12:13 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a pharmacy on Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills.

12:30 p.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Highway 49 in Lotus.

2:31 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Royce Drive in Rescue.

5:44 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of possession of a tear gas weapon, possession of metal knuckles and a felony probation violation on Highway 50 at Red Hawk parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

5:59 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

7:30 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and obstruction on Mormon Island Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Courtesy photo

El Dorado County Fire Protection District firefighters work to extinguish the flames of a fatal single-vehicle crash on Highway 50 in Placerville Wednesday night.

Fire prepared

Vigil Continued from A1

Thomas sat propped against the side of the bridge, surrounded by prayer candles brought by loved ones.

A cousin of Signor’s, Jasmine, helped to put the vigil together. Jasmine, who did not provide her last name, later spoke with the Mountain Democrat about her younger cousin.

“He was just really sweet. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think about Tom,” she said. “He was incredibly kind to everyone he met and just was a really good kid; I always called him a kid, even though he is — was — an adult, because I’m his older cousin.”

Jasmine talked about Signor’s love of the outdoors, how he would often go camping in the

woods that surrounded the Placerville and Pollock Pines areas he grew up in. Thomas had been homeschooled and she recalled his drive to educate himself on issues and “not just taking things at face value” before highlighting a moment she felt showed what sort of man her cousin was.

“A woman had fallen, hard, off a bridge. Tom didn’t even know who she was but he stayed there by her side until the ambulance arrived,” Jasmine shared. “That’s just who he was — he saw someone needed help and he helped them.”

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies were serving a narcoticsrelated search warrant at a Baco Drive residence when, they previously reported, Signor came

to the front door carrying what appeared to be a firearm.

Signor was unemployed, which had thrown off his regular sleep schedule, according to the former roommate. Signor reportedly had been waking up around noon, meaning that he may have only recently woken up when EDSO deputies arrived at his home.

Friends at the vigil claimed the warrant in question was not for Signor but for Jason Ziesman, his Baco Drive roommate. The Mountain Democrat reached out to EDSO to confirm this information but had received no response as of press time. Arrest records do show that Ziesman was booked into El Dorado County Jail on narcotics charges hours after the fatal shooting.

Candles line the Blairs Lane bridge above Hangtown Creek during the vigil for Thomas Signor.

Courtesy photo

Photo by Cecilia Clark

Diamond Springs Fire Safe Council members Ryan and Shannon Edwards share fire-safe strategies and recruit Diamond Springs-area residents to become active in efforts to ready the community for the threat of fire.

El Dorado Irrigation District Water Construction Supervisor Noel Russell talks about vegetation management within the rights-of-way of the water agency’s infrastructure.

Photo by Jesse Saich California Conservation Corps workers are tasked with brush removal and fuel reduction. Some of the 14-member Greenwood Crew are pictured, the only CCC fire mitigation team.

Photo by Cecilia Clark

Photo by Cecilia Clark

Firefighter Christian Balderston with the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District answers questions posed by 3-year old Henry Meigs of Placerville at the Diamond Springs Fire Safe Council’s Fire Safe Fair held Saturday at the Mother Lode Lions Club Hall. The event educated the community on wildfire preparedness and fire safety with fire-focused organizations sharing their expertise. Event planners estimate almost 200 people stopped by to get information about fuel reduction around homes and how to keep neighborhoods safer.

Moochers and looters

There’s a socialist wave in Latin America.

Mexico, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil recently elected leftists. These politicians at least distance themselves from thugs like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, but all propose socialismlike policies giving government more control over more people.

Why don’t people in Latin America learn from the mistakes of the past? Gloria Alvarez, a social media star from Guatemala, is running for president of her country to try to educate people about the damage socialism does.

People do need educating.

“It’s like Stockholm syndrome,” says Alvarez. “When you ask people, ‘Who should take care of health, education, football, arts, whatever?’ They always answer, ‘government.’ How are you going to not have corruption if you leave everything in the hands of the government?”

Alvarez’ campaign is based on social media. Her TikTok video announcing her campaign garnered 1.5 million views.

I’d like to think I taught her how to do that. Alvarez was once a Stossel TV Fellow. I’m hiring another now.

We helped Alvarez make a video about socialism that got a remarkable 15 million views.

But she knew about socialism well before that. She went to a libertarian university, Francisco Marroquin. “One thing that they do is teach socialism and communism. They make you read Marx and Engels ... This is lacking in most national universities. People push for socialism because they don’t study it.”

One survey found that most millennials support socialism. But “when they were asked to define or describe socialism, none of them could,” says Alvarez. “They don’t know socialism’s massive failures.”

How can they not? The collapse of the Soviet Union and misery in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba aren’t visible enough?

Apparently not. Socialists still win elections.

“We’re all part of that same mentality that the government has this magical power to control the economy, tell you how to live your life and definitely not let you be free because you’re too dumb or too poor to be responsible for your own life,” says Alverez.

“We have two di erent Latin Americas, the ‘moochers and looters’ that Ayn Rand defined in ‘Atlas Shrugged,’ (and then) the 60 million Latin Americans who voted with their feet and live in the United States. They work and send money back home. In some countries, like Guatemala, these remittances are the No. 1 source of income. This proves that we don’t need governments to take care of our poor. If there is freedom, private property, rule of law, then Latin Americans thrive!”

But people keep failing to learn.

Chile once prospered by embracing capitalism. Their leader, Augusto Pinochet, met with Milton

Guest Column

Letters to the Editor

Horse rescues

EDITOR:

Horses are being slaughtered, neglected, abandoned, starved and having trauma. Horses are one of four common animals abused in the United States. Some problems that cause this situation are the owner or the horse have an illness, injury to a horse, old age and improperly trained horses posing a threat to others or becoming a burden.

Owners are part of the problem. Abandonment, neglect, being starved or having trauma is harming horses in the United States. Some people might think it’s alright to abandoned, starve, neglect or traumatize horses. Others might feel that we should try to end this or do something about it. Some of the ways we can help out is by putting those horses into a rescue or looking for another good loving caring home for them.

In the United States they passed the SAFE Act that keeps horses safe from being slaughtered.

“A true horseman does not look at the horse with his eyes, he looks at his horse with his heart.” This quote is explaining that horsemanship isn’t just looking through the eyes through the horse and yourself but believing and doing whats right in your heart.

“Tell your secrets to your horse; they always keep them.” This quote is saying that talking to your pets or horses shows it helps both of you to communicate of how both of you feel. It also shows talking to your horses can be a good way to have an emotional connection that is comfortable and trustworthy.

OLIVIA ELISSAGARY STOKES Placerville

Totally missing the point EDITOR:

In reading the comments online that followed my recent letter to the editor — “Major Disappointment” — regarding the proposed Frontier Project (Amazon), the only person who really got where I was coming from was someone who uses the pseudonym “Recovering Democrat.”

I thank you for your calm rationale.

At the same time, other commenters were so wrapped up in their own egos and rhetoric, they failed to even come close to understanding my issue. And to clarify, to all who commented, I never said I supported or opposed this project.

I stated that over time, due to the growth of our county, it has become more diverse, o ering a mixture of “rural, suburbs/urban,” along with forest lands and wildlands, under federal ownership, as well as the state.

My target and complaint is with the county Board of Supervisors in its continued failure to yet put this project on the agenda, holding a regular board meeting or special hearing so residents/ business owners are allowed to ask questions, address their concerns and o er input.

By doing so, board members might be able to take some heat o themselves because, as of right now, many of constituents think they are hiding something or, even worse, are afraid to confront the people they serve. County Department of Transportation and Planning sta should also be in attendance.

At the same time, I continue to find it concerning that so many who have made the major investment of moving to El Dorado County don’t even know who their supervisor is, much less the public forum process available to them just about every week.

Perhaps we are where we are in this country, and feel taken advantage of, because too many don’t pay attention until something directly target them or their family — in this case right in their backyard.

I do understand that many do work and have an active family life. And, yes, politics and meetings can be boring and even heated.

Years ago, once a year each board member would host a regular board meeting in their district, giving residents the opportunity to meet the five supervisors. At the same time, this o ered those supervisors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with that area of the county, while also learning about the needs and wants of the residents in that particular district.

The current BOS might want to give that some consideration as it really made a di erence that brought forth better understanding, a sense of community and respect to all.

Finally, it was my hope the five supervisors would read my letter and indeed hear the voices of the people by extending an invitation to constituents to open the lines of communication. It would be great if the board could hold the meeting in the area of District 1 or District 2.

GHERARDI

California’s teacher pension fund betrays its mission

If you think that CalSTRS, the behemoth pension system that supports California’s retired teachers, is focused on pensions, you are wrong. The largest teacher-focused pension system in the country is abandoning its core fiduciary role to chase left-wing political goals. Its mission creep will hurt teachers, taxpayers and students alike.

In April, CalSTRS issued an extraordinary press release stating its priorities for the companies it invests in, including corporate greenhouse gas disclosures. CalSTRS is interested in achieving a “net zero” emissions portfolio. Of course, CalSTRS is also interested in corporate diversity and o cials state, “CalSTRS will vote against an entire board of directors that does not include at least one woman and against a board’s nominating and governance committee if at least 30% of its

board members are not women. Furthermore, CalSTRS will vote against the nominating and governance committees of Russell 3000 companies that do not disclose their board members’ diversity characteristics.”

CalSTRS’ board has morphed into Alexandria OcasioCortez with a $300-billion billy club to swing at businesses that aren’t su ciently progressive.

If you were scouring the news for a few words about supporting corporate boards trying to grow profits, entering or creating new markets, utilizing innovation, expanding geographically, then CalSTRS is not the investment entity for you.

Who has time for the actual business of business when you can lead a social revolution?

CalSTRS might want to check out the work of Bjorn Lomborg, who shows that the climate catastrophists

claims about global warming deaths, costs, hurricanes, polar bears, forest fires, etc. are routinely contorted to further the policy agenda of the antifossil fuel crowd.

Its leaders might want to ask teachers if they themselves are willing to pay out of their own pockets for these political goals. They might want to ask parents if they are willing to take dollars out of their children’s classrooms to diversify corporate boards.

Because the problem with CalSTRS lifting its leftist political banner above all others is that the organization has an actual role, which is fiduciary. Its job isn’t to be in the political vanguard but to caretake and grow its investments to meet its payout obligations. CalSTRS pension payments are funded by payments from the state, from teachers and school districts.

If investment gains fall short, contributions need to increase.

The system was already facing a serious insolvency threat in 2040, which is a blink of an eye for a pension system. In 2014 the legislature crafted a plan to stave o the problem and mandated increased contributions from all parties.

California has seen an explosion of education spending in the past decade. Parents hope and assume their taxpayer dollars go toward classroom enrichment, student activities, training that increases student performance and so on. Some of it surely has.

But when investments fall short, school spending will go to backfilling pension obligations. That has also been the case. What good is that increased school spending if it doesn’t

■ See GAINES page A5

TERRY

Cameron Park

TED GAINES

■ See STOSSEL, page A5

JOHN STOSSEL

CalSTRS’ board has morphed into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a $300-billion billy club to swing at businesses that aren’t sufficiently progressive.

Stossel Continued from A4

Friedman and other free market economists. They persuaded him to cut tariffs and taxes and to privatize state industries and Social Security. When Pinochet took over, Chile was poorer than the rest of Latin America. Adopting free markets soon made Chile the richest country.

Unfortunately, Pinochet was also a vicious dictator who murdered opponents. His cruelty has allowed leftists to smear economic freedom since.

“You cannot enforce free markets through a dictatorship,” says Alvarez.

Recently Chile elected a leftist president, Gabriel Boric. He wants to abolish the private pension funds that helped make Chile richer. He wants free public transport, universal health care, higher taxes on the rich and to end student debt. A national vote to adopt a progressive constitution was defeated, but he’ll return with similar plans.

Gaines Continued from A4

benefit students?

Women and minorities should, of course, be welcome on every corporate board without a discriminatory roadblock. But their presence should indicate merit, not government fiat or race-andgender box-checking. Diversity itself should not be the goal for corporate governance.

Every single California government activity

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

“If you don’t keep educating new generations in the philosophical aspect of why individual freedoms are sacred,” says Alvarez, “eventually you will have a generation with material wealth that forgets the importance of these values and then they go out and say, ‘Let’s have socialism!’”

That’s why she keeps making videos.

Her presidential campaign is really just an education campaign, since at 38 she is two years too young to legally become president in Guatemala.

But I’m glad she’s spreading the word.

“Freedom implies ... that nobody else makes decisions for you,” says Alvarez. “People don’t like freedom. They like their populist messiah promising them bull---.”

John Stossel is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

should not be progressive activism. CalSTRS should honor the teachers, parents, taxpayers and students who are all affected by its decisions and stick to its fiduciary job.

Sen. Ted Gaines (Ret.) represents the Board of Equalization’s First District, serving nearly 10 million constituents in 34 California counties. For more information visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups.

Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments.

Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at

6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL

AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

Lovell Continued from A1

University while working in the information technology field before checking in to the Sacramento Public Library. There he was put in charge of experimental programming for people in their 20s and 30s to boost library attendance numbers for that demographic.

Lovell worked his way up to library supervisor at Sacramento County’s Arden-Arcade location and oversaw the “library things collection,” a program where people would check out things from the library that were not media related such as musical instruments, printing kits, sewing machines and even tools like a pressure washer.

He would eventually be promoted to regional supervisor, overseeing the downtown Sacramento Public Library along with three other locations in the Sacramento area.

One project the new director and his staff are currently bookmarking is boosting their eBooks collection to provide more reading offerings digitally.

“The team and directors before me have done a really great job with the services that we offer,” Lovell said. “I think there’s a lot of continued opportunity for us to expand and maximize those services. There is going to be opportunities to try new things that the public will want to check out in the not-too-distant future.”

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve of his appointment April 18, at an approximate yearly salary of $137,134. Lovell replaces former library services director Carolyn Brooks.

“He brings a new perspective having worked in different environments and I am looking forward for some additional things to happen in this county,” commented District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl. “We have done a great job in the past but there is always room to add additional things, which is the benefit of new leadership.”

“I think we have confidence that he can build on the incredible foundation that Carolyn built in a creative and inspired way,” said Board Chair Wendy Thomas.

Lovell currently resides in Camino, is raising two children and is set to be married.

As a true bibliophile, Lovell could not pick out a specific genre of reading as his favorite when asked.

“It really depends where I am at in life,” Lovell said.

Winged 360 sprint car driver Tony Gomes celebrates his Placerville Speedway win Saturday night with owner Cody Geaney and sponsor Scott Creason.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Gomes, Jinkerson, Baldwin and Murphy claim Speedway wins

Gary Thomas

Staff writer

Modesto’s Tony Gomes led all 25-laps en route to his third career winged 360 sprint car triumph Saturday night at Placerville Speedway.

Joining Gomes in victory lane were Diamond Springs’ Dan Jinkerson with the limited late models, Oakley’s Nick Baldwin with the pure stocks and Michael Murphy with the mini trucks.

The 25-lap winged sprint car finale saw Gomes charge into the lead with a very fast Drake Standley of Yuba City in toe. Gomes ran smooth laps out front as Standley attempted to find a way by for the top spot in impressive fashion.

Wilton’s Ashlyn Rodriguez showed immense speed for the second straight week and climbed into the runner-up spot on lap six. She was able to keep Gomes within sight at times but as the race wore on it was all about the driver of the No. 7c mount.

In the end Gomes pulled away to record his second Placerville Speedway victory of the season over Rodriguez, who tallied her career-best sprint car finish at the track. Hanford’s Michael Faccinto hounded Rodriguez at times and came home in third, with Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick in fourth and Sacramento’s Michael Sellers in fifth. It was also an impressive outing for Sellers, who put together his personal best night at the track.

Rounding out the top 10 in the feature were Standley, Brinton Marvel, 14th-starting Shane Hopkins, 16th-starter Jake Morgan and Justin Johnson. Ashlyn Rodriguez began the night by earning her second consecutive Fast Time Award with a lap of 11.010 around the quarter-mile.

The race of the night arguably belonged to the limited late models Saturday. Reigning Xtreme Late Model Series champion Dan Brown Jr. of Lincoln shared the front row with defending Placerville Speedway late model champ Dan Jinkerson for the 20-lap contest. At the waving of the green flag it was Brown who blasted out front as he found the high side to his liking right off the bat.

Jinkerson ran patient laps down on the bottom as he hounded Brown lap after lap. The duo put on a thrilling display of late model racing for the fans on hand, racing within inches of each other. Jinkerson tried everything he could to get by and finally made the pass stick with just four laps remaining in the feature.

The Diamond Springs dynamite drove off to accept the checkered flag for yet another triumph on the red clay aboard the No. 23 mount. Brown finished second, followed by Rod Oliver, Ray Trimble and Matt Davis.

Whenever Nick Baldwin is in the front row, race fans are more than likely going to get the result they saw Saturday. The Oakley racer started from second position and ultimately led all 20 laps for his 23rd career pure stock victory at Placerville Speedway. It marked Baldwin’s fourth win in five starts this season with the division.

Kevin Jinkerson, Kenny Bernstein, Chris D’angelo and Tyler Lightfoot completed the top five.

The 20-lap mini truck finale looked to be a win coming for Wyatt Lakin, only to have mechanical issues slow him near the end. Lakin pulled away from the pack and led a majority of the contest, until slowing with just a few laps left. That handed the lead to Mike Miller who looked to bring home

another win before he also encountered issues.

The wild ending to the main event saw youngster Michael Murphy take over the top spot on lap 19 and lead the final circuit to capture a big triumph. Paige Miller put together a fantastic night with the heat race victory and runner up finish in the feature. Brycen Bragg made a solid return after a scary crash the previous week to run third, followed by Howard Miller and Logan Lakin.

Placerville Speedway returns to action Saturday, May 6, during First Responders Night. In competition will be the winged 360 sprint cars, the U.S. Auto Club Western States Midgets, Wingless Bay Cities Racing Association Lightning Sprints and mini trucks.

Remembering CJ Humphreys

Placerville Speedway will honor fallen friend CJ Humphreys Saturday night with a memorial lap and more during opening ceremonies. The entire racing community was saddened by the passing of Humphreys in February. The long-time Rescue resident ranks fifth in all-time winged 360 sprint car victories at Placerville Speedway, having netted 25 career triumphs.

“It’s going to be an emotional night, but also a special evening to remember CJ this Saturday,” commented Placerville Speedway Promoter Scott Russell. “He was an awesome person and an important part of our community in this area.”

Thanks to Thompson’s Family of Dealerships, Absolute Auto Glass and Motherlode Rock N Ready Mix, the winner of the sprint car main event will walk away with a stout $3,850. The runner up in the feature will go home with $1,500, followed by the standard weekly payout down the line.

Sierra Foothills Wine Services has also upped the ante for the fast time award by adding an extra $550 to the pot. With $100 already from ADCO Driveline and $200 from Workforce Fitness Solutions, the overall fast qualifier will claim $850 cash. Workforce Fitness Solutions has also donated $85 to each Winged Sprint Car heat race winner on Saturday. All the extra money is in memory of CJ Humphreys and his iconic No. 85 sprint car.

Drivers expected to take part in the fifth point race of the season for the winged warriors include locals Shane Hopkins of Placerville and Justin Johnson out of Shingle Springs.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m. The pit meeting will be held at 4:30 with cars on track at 5:15.

Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information log onto placervillespeedway.com.

SPEEDwAy SCHEDULE

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Solutions

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If communication is a dance, it’s easy to fall out of step today. You could take it as a sign that you’re not always meant to be in the chorus, kicking the same height as everyone else. You’ll have more fun freestyling it solo.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Even though you’re around familiars, don’t get too comfortable. There are those who will start drama because they need the entertainment. Also, don’t let your guard down around anyone who has reason to be envious of you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Being in normal mode feels neutral but returning to normal feels like a blessing. People don’t realize they have inner peace until it gets disturbed. So, the upside of disturbance is that it helps you appreciate life as usual.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Love is not the only untamed force you’ll be dealing with. Emotions, creativity and time itself will pose a challenge to your authority. Acknowledge the power of these entities and ingratiate yourself instead of fighting against them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). As a person who “puts yourself out there” on a regular basis, you have great respect and affection for fellow risk-takers. There’s little you dread more than having to say no to someone, but if anyone can soften the blow, it’s you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Children don’t have much of a choice who enters their life, but now you have the power over the doors of both your life and your heart. You’ll exercise your role as gatekeeper to your own experiences.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). While much about the future is uncertain, when it comes to predicting how your loved one will behave, your guesses will be spot-on. You’ll benefit from this knowledge. This is your reward for learning a person so well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Desire can be a fleeting feeling fueled by attraction and chemistry. It can come and go based on superficial qualities like physical traits or status. Someone wants you, but you’ll be more focused on who deserves you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can feel when someone has your best interest at heart. Cherish those with good intent even when they get the move wrong. It’s better than trusting those making all the right moves but with selfserving motives.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Winning doesn’t make a person a winner, and losing doesn’t make a person a loser. Suspect anyone who condemns another person’s character in such a way, as the need to disparage or idealize is a sign of insecurity and small-mindedness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are committed to the growth and well-being of your crew, and you strive to have a positive impact on their lives. It doesn’t always occur through help, kindness and encouragement. Today, the best thing you can offer is competition.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Often wishes start out as a slight and indistinct hunger that grows into a more specific kind of craving. You may not know what you’re hoping for until you see someone else get it. Envy says, “that is also for me.”

May 20: Winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and the Hunt Magnetos

Wingless Tour | John Padjen Kids Bike Night presented by Pizza Factory

well as supports for basic needs

“We know that the taxpayers are upset because a lot of money has been spent on various endeavors to try to solve the homeless problem,” Hidahl continued. “They have been miserable accomplishments at best but, yes, there have been successes. I don’t want to deny that but it has not been a comprehensive approach.

“The heart of the AT HOME program is the ‘A,’ accountability — who’s responsible for what and that includes multi-year funding … not just, ‘Here’s some grant money this year but we’re not going to commit anything next year,’” he added.

While acknowledging a comprehensive plan to address homelessness is needed, none of the other supervisors shared Hidahl’s enthusiasm.

“How well has this been vetted by everyone?” District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin asked.

“Some of the things that are in here kind of take away some local control, maybe apply better to urban areas,” she added.

Parlin noted the plan has not yet been discussed by the Rural County Representatives of California, which has a meeting scheduled next week. Parlin serves on the RCRC board and said she would like to hear other

RCRC board members’ thoughts and ideas before a county resolution is adopted.

“I think this is not going to fit a lot of rural counties … but I don’t know that yet,” Parlin said. She also had concerns about language in AT HOME fact sheets provided that outline strict rules for participants.

“I think that as a county we’ve done really good trying to address this issue without ‘streamlining everything away’ and I don’t like this approach at all,” Parlin explained.

“Every other day it feels like the state is doing a new bill, taking away our local control. Why would we sign on to more of that?”

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo had similar concerns. “I want more clarity and, like Lori said, we’ve gotta have local control,” he maintained.

“At some point, when do you stop going back and forth with these things because we do have 58 counties involved?” Hidahl asked. The District 1 supervisor noted CSAC has representation from smaller, rural counties who have had a chance to review the AT HOME plan and found the language satisfactory to move forward. The California League of Cities has also

endorsed the plan.

District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas, while applauding AT HOME’s “intent,” also remained unconvinced. She and other supervisors were especially concerned about guidelines they interpreted as meaning both counties and the cities within must have separate shelters and supportive housing to serve their respective homeless populations.

“I agree that if each city and county took care of their own within their jurisdictions, we could maybe … make progress on homelessness. So I applaud the intent of that,” Thomas said. “That said, the city of Placerville is 6 square miles. They don’t have a health and human services department. I don’t know how in the world they would be able to do their own … shelter, permanent supportive housing for their population.”

Language in the document is setting up turf wars, pitting cities and counties against each other, Thomas maintained. “It would be really easy to push people across city/county lines to reduce their numbers.”

Thomas also had concerns about what she called a lack of “accountability for the individual in

this. It’s making cities and counties accountable for people’s free will and I think that is another challenge.”

Noting EDC Health and Human Services sta is “just slammed right now. They don’t have time to look at anything else, to consider anything else,” Thomas suggested the “wait and see” approach and encouraged each supervisor to talk to stakeholders and do their own research.

“So we do nothing?” Hidahl asked.

He noted CSAC hoped to get as many cities and counties on board early, sending a message to Gov. Gavin Newsom that local leaders are committed and serious about finding a solution to homelessness and need multi-year funding to make it happen.

“I think the biggest threat is the defi cit budget we have in the state of California. Everybody’s concerned with the governor … starting to pull back on certain types of funding,” Hidahl said. “This is not the time to pull back on funding to solve the unsheltered homeless problem. This has got to be a longer-term commitment.”

But this sense of urgency was not shared by other supervisors and Hidahl made a motion to continue the item o calendar, which was unanimously approved.

IN THE KNOW

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

The annual Folsom Lake College Student Art Show is on display at the Harris Center for the Arts in the Bank of America Gallery through May 7. A diverse mix of media from drawing and painting to printmaking, ceramic, sculpture, photography and digital arts is exhibited.

“Pretty Woman: The Musical” comes to the SAFE Credit Union Performing Art Center in Sacramento through May 7. For tickets and more information visit broadwaysacramento.com.

May 5

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

Cantare Chorale of the Sierra Foothills presents Invisible Stars, 6 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in El Dorado Hills (May 5) and 6 p.m. at Foothills United Methodist Church in Rescue (May 13). For tickets and more information call (530) 957-4600 or visit cantarechorale.com.

Bryson Musiq & Caribbean Soul perform a free show at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. For more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Red Hawk Casino + Resort hosts live music at the Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hear Kirk Matthews (country/ rock) May 5; Brodie Stewart (country) May 6; American Mile (country/rock) May

12; Cougar Adams (classic rock) May 13; Powerplay (Top 40/dance) May 19; Get Down Tonight (‘80s dance) May 20; and Audioboxx (rock) May 26 & 27.

May 6

Cars and Coffee invites car people to meet up and hang out the first and second Saturday mornings of each month, 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.”

El Dorado County

Certified Farmers Markets begin soon: May 6 –

El Dorado Hi l ls is a

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Amovie filmed in El Dorado Hills is now available to audiences virtually anywhere.

“Not Your Year” is a romantic comedy centering on Ben, a man who got rich quick and lost it all just as quickly and whose life is lifted up by two strong women he meets in a local music scene. Claire, a music lover, and Melissa, an oddball artist, pursue very di erent goals but their lives intersect with each other and with Ben in surprising and a ecting ways.

Filmed in 2017, “Not Your Year” waited some time for its own year to come; distribution agreements have finally been secured and the movie can be found now on Amazon, with Google Play, Tubi and Apple availability to come this summer.

“It’s very exciting that this is finally coming out this way,” director and screenwriter James Meyers said. “It’s nice to know more people will be able to finally see the film. We aimed high when we made it and it’s a fun movie. I think everybody has been through a lot lately and people are in the mood for something light, so it’s actually a really good time for this to come out.”

The road to filming was a long one as well; producer Paul Nicknig first met Meyers in 2008. Meyers and Nicknig both shared an interest in telling positive, feel-good stories as an alternative to what they saw as a more pervasive trend for media to be morose or negative.

“I was very interested in working with him,” Nicknig recalled. “There’s enough negativity in the world; we

wanted to make things that made people feel good.”

Meyers had a background in the film industry, reading scripts for a major production company in Los Angeles, and production experience from working in television journalism. Nicknig had studied film in college and worked in the industry as well before moving back to his hometown of Sacramento. Both saw their skill sets complemented the other’s and a partnership formed.

Another familiar figure helped in production as well; the Mountain Democrat’s own film critic Joshua Porter showed he is just as willing to create movies as analyze them, serving as a producer on “Not Your Year.”

The film was a locally produced product through and through, with almost all the producers, actors, crew and the director/screenwriter coming

from the Sacramento area.

“We cast the film locally intentionally,” Nicknig said. “The goal was to have the cast and crew film in this area so that all the money spent was put right back into the local economy while showcasing the greater Sacramento region

and build up the filmmaking community.”

The lead characters in the film were all portrayed by experienced actors, most of whom had honed their skills for years at Sacramento’s

Cheers! It’s wine time at El Dorado County Fair

News release

The El Dorado County Commercial Wine Competition is quickly approaching and the fair sta is excitedly sorting through the entries.

On May 19 judges convene at the fairgrounds. The wines are judged by a diverse group of wine experts, who sit in panels of three to taste and consider each wine. The judging is all blind, with judges only knowing the grape variety and class. Each panel consists of an expert in winemaking, wine media and wine retail. The wines are evaluated on their color, clarity, taste, aroma, finish and overall quality. The judges will award a gold, silver or bronze award.

The gold award is defined as an “outstanding and memorable wine within its category,” the silver award as a “high-quality wine of excitement and personality within its category” and the bronze a “well made and

satisfying wine within its category.” A Double Gold medal is awarded when panel members unanimously award the wine a gold rating. Best of Class is awarded to the Best Wine in each category. Double Gold medal winners and Best of Class go on to the

sweepstakes round for the Best of Show awards.

At the El Dorado County Fair’s competition, the last round of judging is one of the wineries’ favorite — the Back Room Judging. The “backroom sta ,” consisting of volunteers who pour and serve the judges

all day, choose several bottles throughout the day for blind judging. Zinfandel, red and white are the three categories for the Back Room Gold. The wineries appreciate this award; they know these are the people buying their wines.

Wineries enter the competition for many reasons, such as to promote their brands. The winners are displayed during the four-day El Dorado County Fair so the thousands of people attending can determine which wines they want to purchase. The fair also shares the winners on its website for the year, as well as on social media, so the winners get great exposure.

The deadline to enter this year’s competition is quickly approaching. Entry forms and wine must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 10. For more information, an entry form or to enter online visit eldoradocountyfair. org or call the o ce at (530) 621-5860.

Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene

Judges will taste the region’s best offerings during the El Dorado County Commercial Wine Competition. Judging takes place May 19 and the winners will be showcased at the county fair in June.

Photos by Charlene Lane/Charm Photography Ben (Jason Kuykendall) and Melissa (Dana Brooke) have a push-pull relationship as they traverse the local music scene in the film “Not Your Year.” The movie was shot primarily in El Dorado Hills Town Center.

Musicians Miranda Dawn and Chris Hawkes play themselves in the film, they’re seen here entertaining the crowd at the Steven Young Amphitheatre.

■ See FILM, page B4

■ See KNOW page B5

switchboard gallery connects the community with great art

News release

Arts and Culture El Dorado will unveil its new gallery space, the Switchboard Gallery, with its latest exhibition opening May 5.

Antepasados: Those Unseen features the original works of Sigrid Benson and Marisa Sayago, two local artists. The show examines the complexity of human relationships, kinship and the invisible presence of those who were here before we were.

The new Switchboard Gallery at 525 Main St. was once the home of the old phone company. As Program Manager Marya Osucha noted, “It was fitting to recognize the building’s history in the new gallery name. Switchboard is a playful tribute to the phone company that was once here.” Benson serves as director of Exhibits and Collections for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Her series

of original prints explores the continual relationships with those who have come before.

“This series reflects on the gifts of time and wisdom that our Elders and Antepasados have to share with us,” Benson shared.

“The monotype process lends itself to playful experimentation and delightful surprises as the participant follows the story’s lead and latent concepts are brought into time. Ultimately, the images are reminders that there is energy all around us.” Sayago, the department chair of the Visual Arts Department of Folsom Lake College, is a celebrated sculptor and painter. Her works intertwine with Benson’s in examining what personhood means and how our relationship to others bears echoes throughout our lives.

“I’m not interested in recreating the

“Las Fuerzas Se Unen” by Sigrid Benson, 2022, monotype

“Hija Mia” by Marisa Sayago, 2008, ceramic

n See Gallery, page B4

buttered and salty ‘Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3’

HHH

PG-13, 2 hours, 30 minutes — Action, Adenvture, Comedy Opens today in theaters

One of the smartest things writer/director James Gunn (“Slither,” “Peacemaker”) does in the most recent and presumably final (at least where Gunn and a lot of the cast is concerned) “Guardians of the Galaxy” film is to not allow the film to be tethered to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU has been the bee’s knees in Hollywood since “Iron Man” dropped 15 years ago this week, connecting the dots by interweaving villains, subplots and larger story arcs in every one of the 32 (!) releases in the last decade and a half. It’s been a fun ride, but the train feels like it’s pulling into the station a bit. The last few films have had an inconsistent degree of success and quality. Some have speculated that after such a peak with the one-two punch of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” there was little the franchise could do to shock and surprise an audience at this point. Gunn had the solution: don’t connect to the greater universe and focus solely on his characters.

Of course there’s action. After an opening sequence that sees Adam Warlock (comic

Democrat correspondent

book puritans may not like this version of the character but I enjoyed it) wreaking havoc on the Guardians’ headquarters “Knowhere,” one of the Guardians is seriously injured and the team has to find a way to save their friend before it’s too late. After a massive exposition dump early in the first act usually reserved for the midpoint of a flick, the film really begins to entertain and take shape on the backs of

characters we have grown to love over the last decade.

Some have commented that there’s nothing particularly new in this chapter that we haven’t seen before. I would argue that not only is the deep dive into the background of Rocket Raccoon a fresh take but it’s also the heartbeat of the entire picture. It’s not everyday a CGI mammal makes you get teary-eyed, but it happened.

One criticism I will certainly levy at the film is that the High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji, is not a very interesting villain. This cut-and-paste antagonist screams every bad guy trope one could think of. If you are only as good as your villain this area of the

n See buttered page B4

Mental Health Awareness Month Events

May 6th - NAMI Walk & Celebration in Sacramento

Join us to celebrate NAMI’s role in achieving mental health FOR ALL 8am – noon - William Land Park

May 12th – Film Event – “Orchestrating Change”

The story of the only orchestra created by and for people living with mental illness. LIMITED SEATING

6:30pm – 8:30pm – The Episcopal Church of our Saviour – Placerville

MAY 19TH – Film Event “Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops”

Follows two police of cers who divert people from jail and into mental health treatment one 911 call at a time. LIMITED SEATING 6:00pm – 8:00pm

For more information and to reserve your seat go to namieldoradocounty.org or scan QR code

Murer House Foundation to host Italy on Wheels

“I never planned on getting into the automobile-industry, but I knew a better car could be built.” — Ferruccio Lamborghini

Italy is known for many things, including pizza, high fashion and beautifully engineered vehicles. There is just something about Italian design.

Susan Laird The Arts

It’s elegant. It’s powerful. And it is produced with respect for the user.

Small wonder that Italian vehicles are so popular at international auto shows and concours d’elegance. Lines form around vehicle designs that often become iconic.

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

There is an opportunity to see some of Italy’s motor vehicles on Saturday, May 6, when Folsom’s Murer House Foundation hosts its 10th annual Italy on Wheels festival.

The Murer House is one of Folsom’s little-known gems. Built by Giuseppe Murer in the early 20th century, it is preserved by the foundation as a place to preserve our region’s Italian heritage (yes, Italians farmed the area), as well as to promote Italian language, cuisine and culture.

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

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

Owners will be available to explain

Gallery Continued from B2

physical world,” Sayago said. “Instead, I deliberately provoke the viewer to reconcile the physical and inner worlds. Through my work, I hope to remind the viewer that we are all bound by the same fears, loves and experiences.”

Antepasados: Those Unseen will open on May 5 with a complimentary

Buttered Continued from B3

film was a bit undercooked.

Gunn has now given us three and a half (counting the Christmas special on Disney+ from last year) “Guardians of the Galaxy ‘’ films and, for my money, it’s the most consistent trilogy of character films in the MCU. It may not be perfect, but they are consistent in their action, humor, likable characters and, in the case of this latest film, emotions.

With this movie Gunn has completed his work with Marvel and is now co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios. The first film as a creative

B Street Theatre. They had met the producers in the past and had talked about collaborating; when the filming finally came together, they described the process as a chance to have fun.

“I really just got to hang out with my

W orship D irectory

the features of their respective vehicles and answer any questions.

In addition to the wheeled vehicles, the Murer House and Gardens will be open for touring. The garden is enjoying a spectacular bloom this spring and it is lovingly curated by volunteers. You can also learn about opportunities to take Italian cooking classes and more. There is a bocce court accessible for play. There are local bocce leagues. Who knew? The court is also available to rent. One friend tells me he and a group of friends rent the court for an hour one day a week to play. The Murer House Foundation offers instruction on how to play bocce several times a year.

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

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

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

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

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

opening reception from 6-8 p.m. that the public is invited to attend. The exhibition will run through Sunday, June 4. Learn more at artsandcultureeldorado.org/ antepasados.

Gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Thursday through Sunday.

for the studio he is now in charge of will be “Superman: Legacy,” the granddaddy of comic book heroes who can travel throughout the galaxy but never was shown doing so in the feature films made about the Man of Steel. I can’t wait to see him give Superman flight again.

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/ producer. He is a producer on the romantic comedy “Not Your Year,” currently available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@ mtdemocrat.net.

wife and friends while making a movie for a few weeks,” said Jason Kuykendall, who plays Ben in the film and helped in the film editing process.

Kuykendall has acted his entire adult life and has been involved with B Street Theatre for around 20 years.

Dana Brooke acts professionally from coast to coast, living in New York but often coming to California to act, primarily in theater. It was at one such play that Meyers first met her, saying he knew he had to work with her when he first saw her onstage. Meyers’ hopes came true, as Brooke plays the quirky songstress Melissa in “Not Your Year,” one of three movies Meyers has written and directed.

“I met Jim when he was still developing the movie and we talked about it but I never

knew what would come of it,” Brooke said. “It was really fun to work with friends on the film and I’m so happy for everyone that it’s getting to a wider audience. It was a labor of love and people worked really hard on it.”

The focus on keeping the production local didn’t stop at the people involved; 90% of the film was shot at El Dorado Hills Town Center. The support from local merchants helped the production move smoothly. They welcomed everyone involved, according to Nicknig.

“Most of the film, except for a couple scenes, was shot at Town Center,” Meyers explained. “It’s just 10 minutes from my house and I love the visual quality of the area. It’s almost like a little city and it looks great in the film.”

Film Continued from B1

Know Continued from B1

Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; May 10 – Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; May 21 – Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; June 6 –Tuesdays at American Legion South Lake Tahoe on South Lake Tahoe Boulevard, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Grow Your Own Imagination, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. Learn the basics of dish gardening while creating your own little space. Build a home for a fairy, a dinosaur or make roads to explore in your own little trucks. Your imagination is your only limit. Register at ucanr. edu/grow-imagination.

Honerlah Fine Arts Studio hosts its fourth annual Spring Art Show, featuring the works of Randy Honerlah, Caren Halvorsen, Theresa Bielawski, Linda and Dean Bullert, Kirk Neiberger, Jack Nissen and Michael Maloney, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6 & 7. The studio is located in Greenstone Country, 5620 Prairie Loop in Placerville. For more information (and the gate code) call Randy at (530) 903-1961.

Author Erin Dealey comes to Face in a Book 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with her new picture book, “The Half Birthday Book.” Event includes storytime, crafts and half of a birthday cake. For further information call (916) 941-9401.

The Shingle-Springs Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce, Peak Nutrition and Concerned Citizens of Cameron Park host a Safety & Wellness Fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3392 Coach Lane, Cameron Park.

The West Slope Foundation, volunteers in the California Governor’s Office, Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters Association, Pioneer Fire Protection District, Fair Play

Community Hall Association and other resources host a free event, noon to 4 p.m., for the communities of Mount Aukum and Omo Ranch in the parking lot of Station 38 located at 7061 Mt. Aukum Road. The event will introduce the Neighbor to Neighbor program, which will include educational workshops, training and field exercises on disaster preparedness, home hardening, go-bag workshops, fire-safe landscaping and other important information.

Boots on the Ground Cali hosts its fifth annual barbecue fundraiser beginning at noon at Marshall Gold Discover State Historic Park in Coloma. Enjoy a great barbecue lunch, DJ music and kids’ activities. For more information call Aaron at (530) 417-2821.

El Dorado High School Band program presents A Taste On Main Street, 1-4 p.m. in downtown Placerville. Sample food and drinks from 10 restaurants and enjoy live music at the Bell Tower by EDHS Cougar musicians and Red Dirt Ruckus. For tickets and more information visit edhscougarmusic.org.

The El Dorado Hills Community

Services District hosts Pitch Hit Run, 2-5 p.m. at Promontory Park. baseball and softball players of all skills and abilities are invited to this official skills competition of Major League Baseball. This free event is open for ages 7-14. For more information call (916) 614-3227. Registration is required. Visit edhcsd.org.

Enjoy a Taco Fiesta Dinner, 4-7 p.m. to support the Union Mine High School Drama Program. Dinner will feature tacos, nachos and beverages, plus performances by UMHS students, at the Mother Lode Lions Hall in Diamond Springs. Get tickets at the door.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “Short Cuts,” May 6-21 with performances on Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and more information call (916) 947-1010 or visit stageatburke.com.

Galactica presents Revolver, Rage Against the Machine tribute, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Toogood Estate in the Fair Play area hosts Tacos & Tempranillo

RepoRteR wanted

The Mountain Democrat and Village Life seek a general assignment reporter. Assignments will range from news coverage to features. Must have interviewing skills and photography experience and be able to meet deadlines. Knowledge of AP Style and Adobe Photoshop is a plus. Some evening and weekend work is required. Email résumé, writing and photography samples to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net.

May 6 & 7. For more information call (530) 620-1910 or visit ToogoodWinery.com.

Vino Noceto in Plymouth hosts Food, Music and Cake. Visitors will enjoy a slice of cake while wine tasting and sway to music performed by Dylan Vroom, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dinner Station will be onsite with its food truck.

Andis Wines in Plymouth hosts an Art Experience, noon to 2 p.m., with Marjorie Darrow is an abstract artist. For reservations and more information email: info@

andiswines.com or call (209) 245-6177.

Pops Chorale and Orchestra present Broadway Pops, Legends of Broadway May 6 & 7 at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.

May 7

El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St., beginning at 10 a.m. the first and third Sundays of each month. Trains leave on

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the hour 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Call ahead to ensure trains are running at (530) 663-3581.

Nevada City Spring Craft Fair takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Miners Foundry in Nevada City. For more information visit minersfoundry.org or call (530) 265-5040.

The Sacramento Symphonic Winds presents Wind Band Favorites! – A Tribute to Dr. Lester Lehr, 2:30 p.m. at the El Camino High School Center for the Arts. For tickets and more information visit sacwinds.org.

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Celtic band puts its own twist on rock, folk tunes

News release

SUTTER CREEK —

The Young Dubliners’ style of music fuses traditional Irish instruments and music with modern rock and the band’s repertoire consists mostly of original rock compositions and Irish folk songs but with a rock twist. See the group live at Sutter Creek Theatre Saturday, May 6.

“The sound was always intended to be a hybrid because we all come from different backgrounds,” explained founding member Keith Roberts. “Even though two of us are from Ireland, a lot of the music we listened to growing up wasn’t Irish at all, but when we got here we got homesick and developed a new appreciation for Irish music.”

The band has appeared on television on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and had songs featured in TV shows like “Sons Of Anarchy” and “Human Target,” in addition to Hollywood films. For three decades, the group

has toured both in the United States and in Europe, opening for artists like Jethro

Tull, Chris Isaak, Jonny

Lang, John Hiatt, Collective Soul and Los Lobos.

After 30 years as one of the

world’s leading Celtic rock bands, the Young Dubliners bandmates have begun work on their 10th studio album while still maintaining their busy tour schedule. Having survived the crushing impact

Courtesy photo

of the lockdown on their industry they have returned stronger than ever and determined to bring their fusion of Celtic and rock music to as many people as they can.

Although the Young Dubliners’ sound is most commonly called Celtic rock, that label can often be misleading. The Irish influence is certainly there, but it’s not the only influence that bursts through on albums or live shows. After all, several of the band members have no Irish roots of any kind.

“That was always the idea,” Roberts said. “The sound was intended to be a hybrid because we all come from different backgrounds. In truth the Celtic riffs can just as easily come from the American band members. Everyone writes now so you never know what you’ll end up with.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Sutter Creek Theatre is located at 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Open seating, beer and wine are available at the former silent film theater. For concert tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit the website at suttercreektheater. com.

The Force is strong in Old Sacramento

Traci Rockefeller Cusack

News release

OLD SACRAMENTO — Located in the heart of the historical district at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Stage Nine Entertainment invites the community to welcome two Thomas Kinkade Studios Artists — Monte Moore and Brian Rood — for a special Star Wars Weekend May 6 & 7.

Stage Nine will also unveil a new spiral staircase that takes guests from The Vault to a completely remodeled The Underground event space just below the popular retail store and art gallery. Artist meetand-greet opportunities with Moore and Rood are available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in The Underground, that will be filled with Star Wars memorabilia from Stage Nine’s impressive collection. Both guest artists will be creating sketches for customers with purchase of any limited-edition canvas, signing purchased art pieces and sharing stories about the inspiration behind each work of art.

A talented and versatile artist, Moore creates and paints “The Mandalorian” Star Wars Series

n See Star WarS, page B9

The Young Dubliners perform at Sutter Creek Theatre Saturday evening.

Gem Faire dazzles in Sac

News release

SACRAMENTO — Gem Faire, America’s premier jewelry and bead show, is set for May 5-7 at Scottish Rite Center. The venue is located at 6151 H St., in Sacramento. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (no admittance after 4 p.m. Sunday). Admission is $7 and valid for the entire weekend.

Explore the largest selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, Earth’s treasures and

much more. From loose gemstones, raw minerals and millions of bead strands, to finished jewelry, fashion accessories, supplies and tools, find them all under one roof. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service is available. Visitors will also enjoy displays and demonstrations by Sacramento Mineral Society. For more information visit gemfaire. com or call (503) 252-8300.

Courtesy photo

Find gems, jewelry and much more at Gem Faire in Sacramento. Parking is free.

Star Wars Continued from B6

paintings for Thomas Kinkade Studios, which are always fan favorites. Stage Nine offers a variety of “The Mandalorian” and “Boba Fett” canvas reproductions that will be available for viewing and purchase during this special weekend event.

Moore has an impressive 30-year background as a professional illustrator focused on creating memorable and eye-catching pop culture related designs. He has created artwork for a wide variety of formats including for book covers, video games, movie posters, card games and comic books. In addition, he has had eight books published that feature his commercial artwork in the pop culture industries. The artist has won the World Fantasy Art Show twice for Best Black and White Work and has been a guest of honor artist at conventions and art shows around the world including Italy, Scotland, Belgium and Germany and 2001 guest of honor at the San Diego Comic-Con International.

Rood is a professional illustrator

in the entertainment industry, most known for his photo-realistic watercolor and mixed media paintings from the Star Wars saga. He has spent the better part of the last two decades working primarily in a galaxy far, far away. His work for the Star Wars franchise can be found on everything from fine art reproductions to illustrated storybooks for Lucasfilm and Disney publishing.

He has spent the last seven years creating more than 1,000 new illustrations for the most extensive storybook retelling of the Star Wars trilogies to date. His Lucasfilm and Disney publishing projects can be found in bookstores worldwide, and his work has also been used in a special Star Wars anniversary edition of Time Magazine. Rood’s artwork has been commissioned and used by nearly every major licensor of Star Wars merchandise. He also assists in creating new artwork for Lucasfilm’s style guides. Rood’s fine art reproductions for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm have been a staple at

Disney Parks for the past decade. During Star Wars Weekend at Stage Nine, guests are encouraged to come dressed in Star Wars attire and participate in a scavenger hunt taking place throughout the five Stage Nine retail stores. Visitors also have the opportunity to spin the Stage Nine Prize Wheel to receive special in-store discounts and prizes valid all weekend

long. As another fun highlight, each artist will provide a custom sketch for two grand prize winners. Located at Front and K streets (102 K St.) at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Stage Nine Entertainment is well known as the area’s premier entertainment retail destination. For more information call (916) 447-3623 or visit stagenine.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Boz Scaggs –Summer 23 Tour

TWO

It’s appropriate that Boz Scaggs’ new album is Out of the Blues, since the blues is what first sparked his five-decade musical career. His impressive catalog of hits includes “It’s Over,” “Lido Shuffle,” and the Grammywinning “Lowdown.”

David Doubilet & Jennifer Hayes

Coral Kingdoms and Empires of Ice

THURSDAY, May 11

Discover the reality of life behind the camera— from parasites to harp seal bites—as the underwater photographic team share their adventures working in three unique marine environments for National Geographic.

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

The Boxmasters is an Americana R&R band featuring actor-musician Billy Bob Thornton and award-winning engineer J.D. Andrew. Their craving for ‘60s beats has produced an impressive catalogue touching on a wide array of musical influences.

Asleep at the Wheel

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

Founded in 1970, Asleep at the Wheel has been part of the American roots music landscape for more than 50 years. The band became a cornerstone of the Austin, Texas, scene upon its arrival in 1973. Inspired by Western swing and honky-tonk country, the band has accrued 10 Grammy Awards.

Photo by David Grenier