Mountain Democrat, Friday, June 14, 2024

animal showcases, exciting competitions and more through Father’s Day, June 16. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets online visit eldoradocountyfair. org. Above, the midway is ready for visitors to test their skills at challenging games and their bravery on heart-pounding rides.

At right, Kadence Carroll, a 17-year-old champion in master showmanship from Pleasant Valley, practices her livestock showmanship skills for competition.

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

Residents getting a fresh look at the Village of Marble Valley and Lime Rock specific plans during a June 11 open house shared

their concerns about fire mitigation, tra c and transportation impacts, water usage, General Plan amendments and the magnitude of the developments as they viewed environmental documents and projectspecific information.

The projects’ sites south of Highway 50 cover more than 3,000 acres — land that once thrived as a limestone quarry and mining operations. Together the developments propose more than 4,000 mixed-density housing units along with commercial components and other amenities, which residents had a chance to learn about during the open house hosted by county o cials at the Cameron Park Community Center Tuesday evening. Draft environmental

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

An annual report to the Board of Supervisors has revealed that 258 individuals have entered the El Dorado County homeless navigation center with mixed results in its first year.

Deputy Director of Community Services for the Health and Human Services Agency Timalynn James shared during the presentation that less than 10% of shelter residents (18 people) went into more permanent housing or a long-term care facility. In the same timeframe, more than 70% (150 people) went to “places not meant for habitation” and 11% (22) were jailed, according to the report. Of those who went into more permanent housing, James said the most successful way was by issuing emergency housing vouchers.

“I don’t know if that is consistent with other navigation centers, but I am a little disappointed it is that low, but maybe my expectation is too high in terms of being able to wraparound services, find housing and have a better life,” said District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl. Getting individuals the services they need has taken longer than anticipated, James admitted.

“Understanding what works for people was one thing that has taken some time to understand,” she

impact reports have been released for both projects and are currently available for public and agency review at edc. gov.us/Planning or

the El Dorado County Government Center Building C, 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville. Marble Valley’s comment period ends July 1 and

Lime Rock’s ends July 22. Comments for Marble Valley can be submitted in person or by email at vmvsp@edcgov.us, either included in the body text

of the message or as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment. Comments should be directed to the Development Services Department-Planning Services, specifically to Cameron Welch. Comments for Lime Rock’s draft EIR can be addressed similarly, but through a di erent email at lrvsp@edc.gov.us. At the open house, some residents took issue with amending the El Dorado County General Plan, arguing the parcels’ low-density rural housing zoning should be kept in place. “It is ignoring Measure E, which I do not like, and it is changing the zoning to drastically do a stack and pack, which is not good,” said Jeannette Maynard, a

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian A sizable lake at Marble Valley sits at the site of

Parker Development wants to create

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Patricia Ann Easley

May 22, 1947 – April 9, 2024

Patricia Ann Just Easley: A Life Full of Love and Joy

Remembering Patricia Ann Just Easley — our remarkable wife, mom, grandmother, sister, and beloved friend. She was a lifelong resident of Pollock Pines and later resided in Roseville, California. Patty met her husband Bill at UC Santa Barbara and later graduated from Sacramento State University.

Patty passed away on April 9, 2024. She would not want to be remembered for her illness but for her zest and love of life. She brought joy, laughter, song, sparkles, and color wherever she went.

Patty is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bill; her two sons and their wives, Bill Jr. and Laura, Ryan and Michelle; her six grandkids; her sister Peggy and brother-in-law Doug; her brother Jim and sister-in-law Irina. They have been blessed to have the love and support of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

Patty loved music, gardening, and traveling. For their honeymoon, Bill and Patty traveled through Canada, camping along the way. Later in 1969, they went to Europe where they bought a Volkswagen bus, driving it from Sweden through Greece and everywhere in between. Later in life, she participated in and helped plan many events for the ShakespearE Club Road Trippers. A group she truly loved.

Patty was a long-time member (and director for several years) of the Sacramento chapter of Sweet Adelines and Shakespeare Club Choir and sang in several quartets. Her joy and love for singing would shine through in every performance. Patty made an impression on the groups she sang with, and her spirit will continue to shine on through their music and performances.

Patty’s garden was her passion. She spent hours upon hours caring for every plant. It could be hard work, but it was truly a labor of love for her. Even though Patty was an amazing gardener, that never stopped her from travelling from nursery to nursery asking questions and learning new things to enhance her garden. Patty saw beauty wherever she went. She could take simple clippings from the side of the road and create something new and beautiful. Patty will be remembered for her selflessness, love of life, sparkle, and spirit. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Cheryl “Cheri” Carter

Jan. 26, 1944 – Mar. 26, 2024

Cheryl “Cheri” Carter passed away Tuesday, March 26 at the age of 80. Cheri was born Jan. 26 1944 in Trenton, MO, to George and Marjorie “Marge” Mitchell, both of whom predeceased her. She served in the Women’s Army Corp at Ft. Hood (TX) from 1965-67, where she met and married her husband, Tony. After their discharges from the Army, Cheri and Tony moved to Oakland and then Hayward, California, moving to El Dorado County California in 1972, eventually settling in Camino in 1973. She was known for being generous with her time and was very active in all aspects of her children’s school and extracurricular activities, frequently helping out with fundraising, chaperoning, and acting as Team Mom and classroom aide. Cheri was a fixture at Sierra Ridge and Pinewood schools for many years, in various roles from running the team snack bar to assisting with after-school programs. She worked at Pinewood School in the before and after school program, Polar Bears, where she was known as “Miss Cheri”. When she finally retired, she enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, as well as playing Bunco and Dominoes with her friends and knitting blankets for the benefit of the Linus Project. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Tony; son Tim (Michelle) Carter; daughter Cristy Carter; and granddaughter Megan Thompson. At her request there will be no memorial service.

Allan Paul Sanders

July 31, 1952 – May 10, 2024

Allan Paul Sanders passed away at his home in Pollock Pines on May 10, 2024, with his wife by his side, after a long illness with COPD. He was born in Placerville to Calvin and Nettie Sanders and lived his entire life in Pollock Pines.

Allan was employed in construction since he was 18 years old as a member of the Laborers Local 185 for 47 years. He worked on many jobs throughout the State and El Dorado County including the large slide on Hwy 50 in 1983. He was a devoted fan of football and followed Raiders Football. He loved to take out the snowmobile and would spend hours fishing with his boat on all the local lakes with his wife and children.

Allan was preceded in death by his sisters Margaret Jincks and Betty Derby, and his brothers Albert Sanders and Adron Sanders.

Allan is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol, his daughter Kylee Leonard (Jayzack), his son Robert Sanders (Kerri), his sister Gladys Neeley, and his brother Armond Sanders (Irene). Allan has four grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Travis, and Aveline, whom he adored and several nieces and nephews.

There are no services planned at this time.

Debra Ann “Debbie” Herrmann

May 31, 1956 – May 30, 2024

Debra Ann “Debbie” Herrmann, born on May 31, 1956 in Mountain View, California, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2024 in Folsom, CA in the company of her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Dan, daughters Rachel Herrmann and Danielle Colas, sons-in-law Alan Williams and James Colas, and her beloved grandchildren Nichole and Renee Colas. Debbie is also survived by her siblings Les & Pam Anderson, Lou Ann & Carl Bailey and their families, her mother Betty Anderson, Dan’s siblings and their families, and many dear friends she made along her journey.

Buddy L. Baker

Aug. 15, 1940 – May 4, 2024

Debbie grew up in Mountain View, CA and spent her adult life in Cameron Park, CA. She retired from the California Franchise Tax Board after a 33-year career, during which she formed close friendships with several colleagues. She had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed camping, trips to Lake Almanor and spending time at the casino with Dan playing her favorite Vibrant 7 slot machines. She also adored spending time with her grandchildren, her dog Sammy, and her cat Hazel.

A Celebration of Life will be held in July to remember and commemorate Debbie’s life with her community. For more information, please contact rachel_herrmann@hotmail.com.

Marcia Jo LeVitt

March 23, 1947 – May 9, 2024

Marcia Jo LeVitt passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 9, 2024 in Sacramento, California. Marcia was born and raised in San Diego, California where she lived a care-free life, much to the chagrin of her parents, Samuel and Hope Solomon. Besides the tamer tennis and swimming, she often rode the bus by herself to the beach 8 miles from her home. She was also known to sneak out of worship services to meet up with her friends doing the same at a local soda shop. She and childhood and lifelong friend Donna even hitchhiked to Mazatlán when Marcia was just 19, with no mishaps.

Marcia graduated from Crawford High School in 1964 after skipping a grade a few years earlier. Known by some classmates as “Mushie,” she was a member of the California Scholastic Federation, America Field services, and the drill team. The drill team would often perform at SD Chargers games at the old Balboa Stadium. She went on to nursing school in Los Angeles at 17, but some of the realities of the profession led her to pursue a teaching career. She attended Long Beach State and graduated from Chico State in 1972. Marcia taught briefly at schools in inner-city Los Angeles and later in Foresthill, California. However, she switched gears again and worked for Nevada County and Placer County Human Assistance Departments. She later transferred to the Sacramento HA Department where she worked for 26 years in the Welfare Fraud unit, making additional friends for life. She retired in 2004.

A hippie at heart, she met Ed Zajac during communal living in an old Victorian house in Long Beach. They shared a decade of travel and collegehopping before parting ways. After moving to Sacramento, her next-door neighbor introduced her to yet another set of friends for life, whose passion was exploring old mines and ghost towns in Nevada. She became a staunch believer in “life begins at 40” when she met and married Raymond LeVitt. Having been raised in Nevada and California mining towns, he was a perfect fit in her life and with her friends and she with his. The two moved to the Georgetown Divide after 5 years in their home in Sacramento. Over their 30 years here, the pair transformed 10 acres of thick trees and brush into a park. They travelled many miles in their RV, from Alaska to Maine, averaging about 6 weeks per year with a couple of 3-monthers thrown in.

Marcia and Ray soon began volunteering and gathering more friends for life at several of the monthly community breakfasts on the Divide. Marcia also volunteered her talents at the Marshall Gold Discovery SHP in Coloma. Among her tasks there was sewing canvas tarps for gold rush reenactments and period dresses and vests for volunteers. She especially loved teaching gold panning to visiting 4th graders and other tourists. She even won a second place in the California State Gold Panning Championships! Her sewing talents extended to making a wedding dress for her niece Anne, neckties for Ray to wear to work, plus welltailored shirts, often old car themed to enhance their adventures with the California Chapter of the Buick Club of America, where they made even more friends for life.

Marcia is survived by her heartbroken husband Ray, stepson Nathan LeVitt, sister Lynne Ballman (Tony), niece Anne Ballman (Nathan Ramsey), grand-niece Marin Ramsey, niece Jessica Ratcliffe (Dan), cousin Howard Kimmell, childhood and forever friend Donna Glazier and numerous other relatives and friends.

Marcia was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother Gary Solomon.

A celebration of Life will be held on June 29th at 1:00 PM at the Garden Valley Grange Hall, 4940 Marshall Rd, Garden Valley CA.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse Rescue Fund, P O Box 954, Georgetown CA 95634, the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or a charity of your choice.

Bud was born in Oakland, CA on August 15, 1940. He passed on May 4, 2024 in Placerville, CA. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Ned Baker and Ilene Pardi. Bud is survived by two sisters, Donna McPherson (John) of Placerville, CA and Helen “Bit” Cowell (Gregg) of Rexford, MT and four nieces, Kay, Toni, Melissa and Janice. Bud is also survived by our Aunt Dola Albusche, numerous cousins and by his ex wife, Andrea Schatz. Bud graduated from El Dorado High School in 1959 and following high school he served in the U.S. Army as a heavy equipment operator for two years. After his military service, Bud was self employed, Bud Baker Backhoe. He was a volunteer fireman Captain and on the board of the Directors of the Diamond Springs and El Dorado Fire Department for a total of 39 years.

Bud loved to square dance and he traveled the world. He also belonged to the Tall Club, (He was 6’5”). He learned to fly a Cessna 150 with his friend Alice. He loved Mother Nature and Jeeping.

Bud chose his good friend to help him through his journey with dementia. A special THANK YOU to Joan and Ernie Kling, Randy Smith, Ann Barbeiro, our cousin, Beverly Burke and Snowline Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Alzheimers Research, Alzheimers Association, 225 Michigan Ave, 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633. A memorial for Bud will be on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Veterans Hall, 130 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA. Please come and share your stories of Bud.

Erwin Edwin Olson Oct. 22, 1932 – May 22, 2024

Erwin Edwin Olson passed away peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side on May 22, 2024. Erwin or Ole to his friends was born October 22, 1932, in Burlington, CO to Norman and Elma (Hardy) Olson. He grew up in Colorado until, at the age of 12, his family moved to Southern California. When he was 17, Erwin enlisted in the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Juneau during the Korean War. He was stationed in Adak, AK for the last year of his Navy service to his country and went to many USS Juneau reunions in his later years. Erwin married the love of his life, Claudia Darlene Wilkins on March 2, 1952. To this union three children were born: Jodi Elaine, Joni Erlyne, and Erwin “Skip” II. After the Navy and several short-time employments, Erwin went to work at Aerojet and transferred to Sacramento in 1963. The family lived in Shingle Springs, where Erwin was assistant chief for the volunteer fire department and was a volunteer sheriff. In his spare time, Erwin studied and got his contractors license and built several houses. He got his class A driver’s license. He worked for Aerojet for 30 years and retired when he was 55. He always wanted to retire young so he could travel. So, he and Darlene did! They bought a motorhome and traveled the United States extensively, cruised Alaska, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal and traveled to Norway and Ireland to trace their roots and meet distant cousins and relatives.

After Shingle Springs, Erwin and Darlene were residents of Ione in Amador County and then moved back to El Dorado County to reside in Pollock Pines for 35 years, before moving to Folsom to be closer to doctors and out of the snow.

Even in retirement, Erwin kept busy and put his class A license to use, transporting carnival rides in the summer and hauling Christmas trees during November and December.

Erwin loved to camp, hunt and fish. He loved to explore remote areas in Nevada. He and Darlene took the grandkids on many trips. Erwin was a 50-year member of the Masonic fraternity and Past Master of Georgetown Lodge. He was a member of Scottish Rite, the Ben Ali Shrine Club, and the Gold Panners Masonic camping club. He also served as an advisor for the Order of De Molay in Sutter Creek.

Erwin is survived by his wife of 72 years, Darlene; his daughters, Jodi (Bert) Frey, and Joni (Bill) Cain; grandchildren, Chip (Sherryl) Frey, Carina (Scott) Lechner, Jeni (Russell) DeWalt, Bethie (Luke) Whitlock, Nicki (Todd) Hobbick, Stephen (Kerice) Olson, Stephanie Ponce, Spencer (Samantha) Olson and Shelby Olson; 26 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Lois Beane. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Skip and grandson, Billy Cain.

The family requests any donations be made in Erwin’s name to Tunnels to Towers.

A visitation took place on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson, Ca. It was followed by a graveside service on Wednesday, June 5, at 10:30 at the Sunset View Cemetery, Jackson, Calif. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

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OBITUARIES

Marty Berna

Jan. 20, 1939 – April 13, 2024

It is with deep sadness that the Ken Berna family announces the passing of a truly loved person; Marty Berna. She passed away April 13, 2024 after a thankfully short battle with cancer. She was, when she passed, surrounded by her immediate family; husband Ken and daughters, Cindy and Janie.

Marty left us on a rainy Saturday night in April this year. Her death ended 65 years of marriage to Ken which, in a twist of fate, their marriage started on a rainy Saturday night in Modesto, CA February, 1959.

Marty was born in San Francisco on January 20, 1939. Her parents were Calvin Allen and Mary Allen (Neel) who were overjoyed by increasing their family to three. The family size increased to five when two more daughters, Bette and Patty were born six and seven years later. And, yes, you guessed it, Marty learned at a young age how to be responsible and caring which she carried thru her entire life. She, because both her parents worked, became a mother figure early in life.

The family later moved to Modesto, CA when Marty began the sixth grade. She graduated from Thomas Downey High School in 1956 and started her higher education at Modesto Junior College. It was there she met a fellow student in 1958 after a basketball game. His name was Ken. The meeting occurred at a dance held immediately after the game in the same gym, which was common in that era. It was, to both of their amazement, love at first sight, or shall we say, at first dance, because they didn’t dance with anybody else the remainder of the time. That dance was the beginning of a one year long romance that culminated in their marriage which, as stated about, lasted 65 years.

Marty graduated from Modesto Junior College in June, 1958 and she and Ken moved to San Jose, CA in 1959 when Ken enrolled at San Jose State College. Marty in a sense enrolled there also, but as the Secretary of the Dean of the Speech Clinic. That was a very important job for someone only 20 years old but as stated earlier, she was a very responsible person with a strong work ethic. Her incredible work ethic allowed Ken to graduate and then earn a teaching credential in January 1964. Marty and Ken moved their family which. had grown to three with the birth of their daughter Cindy, to Placerville where Ken got a teaching position at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs and finished his teaching career there in 1997.

In the mid 1980s Ken returned the favor of Marty helping Ken to earn a teaching credential by supporting her earning a teaching credential which she used to teach Kindergarten for ten years and retired in 1998. After retiring she and Ken spent several years touring the U.S. spending a few years touring North America and Europe.

Marty was a much loved teacher by all her students and it was not uncommon when, for many years after retirement, Marty encountered her former students and they would rush to her and give her a big hug. This happened many times even when the former students were in their late teens and early adulthood. Marty was loved by ALL who knew her, not just her students. Marty is survived by her husband Ken and two daughters, Cindy and Janie and two sisters, Bette King and Patty Erwin. She was proceeded in death by her only grandchild, Michael in July 2023. Marty was laid to rest April 18th of this year, which was attended by her family and close friends.

Charlotte “Billie” Bedegrew

Feb 8, 1916 – May 30, 2024

Charlotte “Billie” Willetta Bedegrew, born February 8, 1916, in Monterey Park, California, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the remarkable age of 108. She was the beloved daughter of Charles and Elnora Johnson, and shared her life with three sisters: Mary Caroline, Josephine Helen and Elizabeth “Betty” Alice. Billie went on to marry Melvin Raymond Bedegrew and together they had three children: Robert Melvin, Thomas Raymond and Jill Susan. Throughout the years, Billie’s family continued to grow to include her grandchildren: Deborah Kim Bedegrew, Tyron “Ty” Lee (Katherine) Bedegrew, Jason Kenneth Lange, Wendy Kay Lange, Tad Raymond (Paige) Bedegrew and great grandchildren: Texas Wade Bedegrew, Courtney Michelle Bedegrew, Hayley Rose Dombrowski, Jessie Dawn Dombrowski, Braden Jason Judge, Trevor Raymond Bedegrew, and Rowen Marie Bedegrew.

In lieu of flowers, Billie’s family invites you to honor her memory by doing something you truly enjoy and share it with others, just as she did throughout her life. And if you’re moved to share stories of joyful moments spent with Billie, please feel free to do so.

Richard L. Niday

Sept. 19, 1934 – April 23, 2024

Trailer razed in small blaze

Mountain Democrat staff

A travel trailer was destroyed by fire Wednesday evening, according to the El Dorado County Fire Protection District.

Crews responded to a smoke check off Newtown Road in the the Placerville area just before 6 p.m. June 12 and found “a fully involved travel trailer with a small amount of vegetation also on fire,” an EDCFPD social media post notes. “Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire quickly.”

Engine 25 and Engine 319 responded along with Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit Engine 2764 and Engine 2782 and Diamond Springs El Dorado Fire Protection District Division 8102, Engine 349 and Water Tender 49.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported. An occupant was displaced by the fire and is being assisted by Red Cross.

Grant helps outfit rural firefighting team

Mountain Democrat staff

The Pioneer Fire Protection District has finally received some much-needed equipment that was grant-funded, according to a recent social media post.

The fire district was awarded $16,680 from the California Fire Foundation, which provides a competitive grant process to community-based, under-resourced organizations in higher-risk areas including fire departments and fire districts. Funds are intended to be focused in the areas of vegetation management, fuels reduction, planning, outreach, first responder training, relief and recovery. Additionally, the grants can be used for personal protective equipment and specialized firefighting equipment.

This is where Pioneer’s needs were highest. The district was able to complete the purchases of portable radios (initial support came from the Gary Sinise Foundation) and much-needed PPE and specialized firefighting equipment, including hose packs for wildland fire deployment, wildland fire packs to carry fire shelters and fire resistive pants for personnel that can be used in both wildland and

Grand jury report online

News release

The El Dorado County Grand Jury has released its final report for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The 236-page final report includes 10 individual reports released throughout the year, addressing topics such as election procedures, Transient Occupancy Tax policies, sexual harassment policies in schools, the Western Slope Joint Powers Authority for emergency services, hazards at the Georgetown Airport and more.

Dick passed away suddenly at the age of 89. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Ellen. He is predeceased by daughter Karen (Glen), and parents Okie and Iva Niday, and sister Jeanette Robinson (Jim). Also survived by daughter Tammy (Dennis), and sons Rick (Irene), Mike, and Frank (Nadia). Also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Dick was born in Modesto and raised in Sacramento where he graduated from McClatchy High School in 1952. Dick then served in the Air Force, worked on B 52 Bombers, and after returning to Sacramento, he raised his family while working for the Sacramento Unified School District for 38 years and retiring as the head of Maintenance and Operations. Dick loved hunting, fishing, riding his Harley, and working on the land he bought in Shingle Springs in the late ‘70s. Dick will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

The Grand Jury represents the public as a watchdog organization over county and special district operations and policies. The 202324 final report is the product of a dedicated panel of El Dorado County residents who volunteer each spring for a one-year term. Each juror shares responsibility for the investigations, deliberations and ultimately, the final report, operating independently of the county under the supervision of a presiding judge from El Dorado County Superior Court.

The Grand Jury Final Report can be found at: eldoradocounty.ca.gov/ files/assets/county/v/2/ documents/publicsafety-amp-justice/ grand-jury/20232024/2023-2024-finalreport.pdf

structure fire environments.

“We cannot begin to express our most sincere thanks to the California Fire Foundation for their help,” the post concludes. “With only two personnel to cover 298 square miles of southern El Dorado County, we need all the help we can get.”

Photo courtesy of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District Flames engulf a trailer near Placerville Wednesday evening. No one was injured but one person was displaced.

Courtesy photo

Pioneer FPD firefighters test out new equipment purchased with grant funds.

noted.

that it would take.”

Additionally, James said, the county approved three positions to focus on assisting those in the shelter and the rest of the homeless population. She also noted 28 people to date have since exited the shelter and into permanent housing.

“That is why I am also talking about more recent data, because I feel like we are getting our groove, determining what is and is not working and we are seeing more success in these past few months, more than we saw in the first year,” James said.

No data exists explaining if those who exited became employed.

“I think that’s another thing to recognize; is there an opportunity there that we haven’t quite achieved yet in terms of providing skill sets which makes it easier for the homeless population to get employment?”

Hidahl questioned. “I know there is a lot of effort going on in that regard, but is there still more to do? Because if you have a job and you have a place to live, then you have purpose.”

To enforce no camping rules and provide shelter for unhoused individuals, the county worked to implement a temporary homeless shelter, juggling through potential spots before settling on the Fair Lane location, which opened in February 2023 and is run by Volunteers of America.

HHSA, Opportunity Knocks

Continuum of Care, law enforcement agencies, the Upper Room and other organizations have collaborated to run

and provide services for navigation center occupants.

While the county is pursuing a permanent navigation center at a site adjacent to the Placerville jail, staff are working to effectively assist more homeless individuals, according to James.

All the individuals who went through the shelter were experiencing homelessness prior to entering the navigation center with men making up 63% of the shelter occupants.

Of all occupants, 43 went back into the shelter after an initial visit and of the clients with two visits, eight exited to go into permanent housing and two went to substance-use disorder treatment facilities, James said 85 individuals exited due to “behavior issues” and 74 exited due to “excessive nights out”; the shelter allows five “nights out” for clients.

“The behavior violations can be

noncompliance with program rules, fighting, caught bringing drugs into the facility, things like that,” James added. “They’re not following the rules of the navigation center so after they’re counseled, work with their case manager and if they can’t get on board they are exited so that someone that does want to receive services will be able to enter.”

Fifty-five either exited to permanent housing, hotels or other client choices, or were transferred to another program.

The shelter has 20 beds in the men’s wing, 20 beds in the women’s wing and 20 beds in a congregate room. Since its opening, it has been at near capacity for beds for most months.

The average age of the shelter occupants was 49. Those ages 45-64 made up 49% of the center’s

BLM officials issue more seasonal fire restrictions

Bureau of Land Management

News release

The Bureau of Land Management issued seasonal fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices effective June 12 due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger.

The BLM-managed public lands affected by these fire restrictions are in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glen, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

“It has become necessary to implement additional fire restrictions as temperatures rise, leading to increasingly dry conditions in the district,” said Central California District Fire Management Officer Dave Brinsfield. “We ask that visitors follow these restrictions and do their part to help us minimize fire potential when visiting public lands.”

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95% of all wildfires in California. Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No campfires, briquette/charcoal barbecues, or stove fires are allowed outside of agency-provided fire rings or barbecues at designated developed recreation sites.

• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or a developed campground with a 3-foot diameter area clear of brush and all flammable materials.

• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

• No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion

Developments

engines off designated roads or trails.

• No target shooting, hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Hunting in the pursuit of game and non-game species is allowed with a state of California hunting license and in accordance with California hunting regulations. The use of any steel-jacked, steel core or incendiary ammunition of any caliber is prohibited. Visit wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations. As always, possessing, discharging or using fireworks or pyrotechnic devices are prohibited across Bureau of Land Management lands. Additionally, a valid California Campfire Permit is required to operate a stove or fire, where allowed, on these public lands.

Help prevent fires

Residents and visitors are reminded to help prevent human-caused fires:

• Make sure all campfires are dead out. Drown it and stir around the fire area with a shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. If it’s not cool, it is not out.

• Be sure to maintain proper tire pressure for all vehicles, ensure adequate tire tread and check brakes for overheating. Do not drive or park on brush or grass. Do not drag chains while towing.

• Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and chainsaws require an approved spark arrestor.

• Remember the use of steel-core ammunition, although legal while hunting, can greatly increase the chance of a wildfire if ricocheted off objects such as rocks.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or face imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

Continued from A1

1998. Tim Costello, a 35-year resident of Shingle Springs, took particular issue with increases in developments on that stretch of the Highway 50 corridor.

“These developments are marching up the hill,” Costello said. “We have Folsom building out like crazy, El Dorado Hills to the south of the 50. These developments are coming up the hill and they are getting close to Shingle Springs.

“Another concern is that this county has a need for workforce housing and this project has nothing to address that,” he added. “Traffic is another major concern of mine.”

Representatives with Parker Development (Marble Valley) and G3 Enterprises (Lime Rock) recently gave Mountain Democrat staff a tour of the property where oaks trees, hillsides littered with limestone, a sizable lake and an old limestone kiln could be seen making up the landscape. The Village of Marble Valley would sit on 2,341 acres. Around the project are Cambridge Oaks to the north, Sun Ridge Ranch and Ryan Ranch to the south and Blackstone, Carson Creek and Marble Ridge to the west.

“It’s a big infill project, but it is an infill project and there is not much developed south of Highway 50 between here (in El Dorado Hills) and past Cameron Park, so this is really the kind of the natural progression of development in this part of the county,” said Tom Howard, vice president of

Report Continued from A4

participants. In 10-year increments, 20 from ages 25-34, 42 from the 35-44 age range and 39 from the 45-54 range and 47 from the 55-64 age group entered the shelter.

“Quite a few from the elderly population have entered the shelter,” James said.

The occupants get in through referrals; those referrals equated to an average 72-day stay. Continuum of Care’s 20 referrals had an average length of stay of 78 days. The shelter reserves six beds for CoC referrals.

In addition to providing case management for the clients provided by Volunteers of America and HHSA, life skills development, crisis strategy and behavior health intervention services are also being provided and expanded as shelter staff determine what is most effective for helping individuals exit homelessness, according to James. Landlord engagement, EHV, incomegenerating services, collaboration with housing programs and CalAim services have also assited individuals.

The shelter has had some success stories. James shared the story of two

COMICS

construction for Parker Development.

The Marble Valley site was originally subject to a 2008 plan that included 398 custom lots inside a gated community with amenities including the now-scrapped Marble Valley Center for the Arts, a school and a park. That plan designated 875 acres for the residential portion and 150 acres for the amenities, leaving 1,300 acres of open space.

The new proposal keeps 875 acres for the residential portion as part of 1,523 acres slated for development. Marble Valley plans include retail and office space, public school sites, a vineyard, roads, public parks, an event facility and other amenities with 818 acres reserved for open space and private parks, including a 466-acre foundation park. Howard stressed that infrastructure will come first.

Around 3,236 total units of mixeddensity housing are planned with an emphasis to provide diverse housing options with complementary architectural themes, replicating the look of Sonoma/Napa Valley and Tuscany wine regions.

“We want to establish a harmonious architectural style throughout the entire project,” Howard said. “The idea is to be looking down the valley to see a harmonious look of colors, the materials and so forth.”

The project would also include two public schools, a fire station and several

veterans who exited the shelter; one has found employment and one has completed substance abuse programs and is actively seeking employment.

Another individual who was previously homeless for five years has also found employment and was housed without vouchers.

The supervisors praised staff for what was accomplished the first year.

“Addressing homelessness in any community is a complex and messy business,” said Board Chair Wendy Thomas. “I don’t think any of us had any hopes that it would be anything but that. It’s a continual, fluid process and I continue to be impressed with the transparency, which your department is bringing to this issue.”

District 4 Lori Parlin concurred, adding that trust is key to helping folks who might be hesitant to utilize the center’s services.

“It is intense what we have to do to build that trust, but it is showing results,” Parlin said. “I’m hoping that others that are still hesitant see the results and that will build trust in the system.”

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your willingness to understand and even traverse the emotional landscape of others will foster trust and give you many advantages in your endeavor to create strong relationships.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You carry yourself with elegance, leaving a lasting impression. This has to do with your personal style, though the most attractive thing you do has nothing to do with the physical; rather it’s the way you offer full attention as you listen.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have a knack for making people feel special and appreciated, but it’s not what you’re trying to do. The fact of the matter is, you are genuinely interested in knowing more about people, and you’ll create connections as you learn.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll spread positivity and warmth, and make the world better. Some days it’s easier than others. Forethought is needed today. Send kind thoughts out before you send yourself out. This will set the tone for good interactions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If what you see looks stark and ugly, don’t believe it. Reality can distort. Some scenes are like the dressing room of a discount store, complete with the bad mirror and fluorescent lighting to ensure an unflattering reflection.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Feelings have a curious way of sneaking up on you or surprising you with their intensity or timbre. When this happens, it’s an opportunity to reflect and go deeper into your thought processes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The road to exhaustion is paved with too many words. You will maintain strong energy levels when you incorporate brevity and use very few, if any, words to relay key information. Actions really will speak louder.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Almost nothing requested of you today will be the literal equivalent of the words used to ask. You may as well think of words as wrapping paper -- something to be stripped away to see what’s really being presented.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It feels

of

(Jan.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

SUDOKU

OPINION

California Commentary

Taxpayers denied the right to vote on pension debt

For years, taxpayer advocates have warned about local governments’ increasing reliance on pension obligation bonds to paper over fiscal mismanagement. Like other bonds, POBs are instruments of indebtedness issued to fund the unfunded portion of pension liabilities by creating new debt. It’s a bit like paying your Visa bill with a Mastercard.

The use of POBs rests on the assumption that the bond proceeds, when invested with pension assets in higher-yielding asset classes, will be able to achieve a rate of return that is greater than the interest rate owed over the term of the bonds. However, POBs involve considerable investment risk, making this goal highly speculative. Failing to achieve the targeted rate of return burdens the issuer with both the debt service requirements of the taxable bonds and the unfunded pension liabilities that remain unmet.

It’s not just conservative taxpayer groups that have warned against the dangers of POBs. The Government Finance O cers Association, made up of public sector finance o cials, staunchly opposes the issuance of POBs for a number of reasons including fluctuations in interest rates, exhausting the capacity of traditional bonds and negative perception of POBs by rating agencies.

For California taxpayers, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that the state constitution gives the voters the final say on new debt. Since our constitution’s adoption in 1879, voters have had the right to vote on state and local bonds. Subject to a carve-out for school bonds, Article XVI provides that no local government “shall incur any indebtedness or liability in any manner or for any purpose exceeding in any year the income and revenue provided for such year, without the assent of two-thirds of the voters.” Naturally, one would think that a $3.5 billion bond, which obviously can’t be repaid within one

■ See COUPAL, page A7

Letters to the Editor

Constitutional rights

EDITOR:

Ihear many people ask why anyone would need a semi-automatic weapon. The 2nd Amendment was written when the assault weapon was a flintlock rifle; that’s a serious question if one doesn’t understand the history and the founding of this nation. The people of our nation revolted against the most significant, most modern and devastating military in the world due to taxation without representation.

The King of England ordered that all rifles be confiscated and that John Adams and John Hancock be arrested for speaking ill of the king. That is why, in our Constitution, the 1st Amendment is freedom of speech. The Second Amendment is the right to bear arms. Simply put we as a people have the right to speak out against tyranny and the ability to defend that right against a tyrannical government.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

D-Day and our ght now

EDITOR:

June 6, 2024, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day. As we reflect on the fight and the high cost of lives it took to save the world from the Axis powers, it now seems inconceivable that the biggest threat to our Constitution and democracy is not from a foreign dictator but, from Mr. Trump and the Republican Party.

Since Mr. Trump’s election to the presidency, he, and the right wing of the Republican Party, have sought to undermine faith in our elections, our rule of law and our judiciary. Across the red states, Republicans have passed draconian laws suppressing the rights of minorities, women and the LGBTQ community. They have banned books and the study of African American history. They have used rhetoric to promote violence, hate and discrimination. Mr. Trump, his MAGA followers and the right-wing media have lied, misinformed and spread crazy conspiracy theories.

They see truth as a hindrance. They have shown through word and deed that our democracy and Constitution mean nothing to them.

Mr. Trump has made it clear that, if elected, he will no longer fund Ukraine’s war against Russia so that his friend, Mr. Putin, will win the war. That he will use any means at his disposal, including the federal government and the DOJ, to go after and jail any political opponents. That he will suppress the press and freedom of speech. That he and his MAGA followers will turn the U.S. into an autocratic state.

If that is not frightening enough, it is now evident that there are conservative judges, including Supreme Court judges, who are intent on slowwalking or even trying to dismiss the indictments against Mr. Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6 plot to prevent a peaceful transfer of power. It is hard to imagine that there are judges in this country who would not want to see someone go to trial who is alleged to have attempted to end our democracy but, clearly, there are.

The men and women of the greatest generation had to risk their lives to save Europe and Asia from fascism. Fortunately, we still have access to the most powerful tool of all, the ballot box, to say no to Mr. Trump and his MAGA followers, to say no to autocracy. As I have written many times, the choice is ours to make.

SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville

Doing more for our heroes

EDITOR:

After just remembering the D-Day invasion 80 years ago and Memorial Day, I began to reflect. We celebrate a day for very important people or heroes.

Starting the year with Martin Luther King Jr. then George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Christians celebrate Easter and then comes Mother’s Day and later this month Father’s Day, and other very important days are celebrated throughout the year. ■

Guest column

Byron Donalds tells the truth and the left hates it

Several weeks ago, Wall Street Journal columnist and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan wrote a column with the headline “We Are Starting to Enjoy Hatred.”

Her point was, in our divided and polarized country, each side is no longer trying to “win over” those with whom they disagree. Sides are now just entrenched in hatred for each other.

It is impossible to not wake up and read the news, or simply walk out into the street into a demonstration, which is becoming business as usual in Washington, D.C., where I work, and not appreciate the truth of Noonan’s observation.

As a Christian Black conservative, as I happen to be, dealing with personal attacks is something I accept as part of my business.

Now Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, also a Black conservative, and someone whose name has been floated on Donald Trump’s “short list” of possible VP running mates, is getting a taste of this unpleasantness.

At a recent Republican gathering in Philadelphia, Donalds observed,

“During Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — because Black people have always been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively. And then ... Lyndon Johnson — you go down that road, and now we are where we are.”

Any person endowed with the brain he or she has received from God, a willingness to use that brain and a modicum of good will to use reason in the pursuit of truth would grasp the point that Donalds was making that day.

Yet, Al Sharpton accused Donalds of saying Jim Crow was a “good” or “better” time for Blacks. Liberal MSNBC commentator Joy Reid said Donalds suggested Jim Crow was a “golden era” for Blacks. Soon the Biden campaign and Democratic leadership picked up with similar shameful distortions of Donalds’ remarks.

Donalds, of course, was not praising Jim Crow. He was lauding the strength and resilience of Black Americans to live their lives as

productively as possible during those horrible times.

And he suggested that big government ushered in by Lyndon Johnson after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 hurt rather than helped Blacks.

Regarding Blacks voting more conservatively during the Jim Crow years, the data is clear. From 1965, the first presidential election after the Civil Rights Act, to 2020, the average percent of Blacks voting Republican was 10.2%. But from 1936 to 1960, the average percent of Blacks voting Republican was 30%. In 1956, Republican Eisenhower received 39% of the Black vote.

Donalds’ observation that Blacks voted more conservatively during the Jim Crow era is clear and correct.

Regarding the state of the Black family, Donalds’ point that the Black family was healthier during the Jim Crow era is also crystal-clear. Per data compiled by Pew Research from Census and American Community Survey data, in 1960, four years before the passage of the Civil Rights Act, 61% of Blacks age 18 and above were married. By 2021, this was down to 31%.

In June 1965, after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Johnson spoke at prestigious Howard University to say that despite the new national civil rights law nullifying Jim Crow, and making racial discrimination unlawful, this, per Johnson, was not enough. Blacks were not ready, per Johnson, to be free.

In Johnson’s words then, “But freedom is not enough. You do not wipe away the scars of centuries by saying: Now you are free to go where you want and do as you desire and choose the leaders you please.”

Donalds tells the truth that things went in the wrong direction after the Civil Rights Act — more rather than less government.

Those on the left are free to challenge his arguments. But that is done through rational and logical discussion.

But they choose not this path, because they will lose.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now.

Richard B. Esposito Publisher

PARKER

Donalds tells the truth that things went in the wrong direction after the Civil Rights Act — more rather than less government.

Coupal Continued from A6

year, should be subject to voter approval. Sadly, one would be wrong.

The bad news is that courts have now refused to extend this constitutional protection to POBs. On April 29, the 6th District Court of Appeal in San Jose decided the first of three pending cases on the issue of citizens’ right to vote on POBs. Attorneys with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association contend they do have that right under the letter and spirit of the California Constitution. Unfortunately, this Court of Appeal found that voters in the city of San Jose do not have that right.

Counsel on both sides had argued over whether San Jose’s unfunded pension liability — always fluctuating dramatically, but presently estimated at $3.5 billion — is somehow an “obligation imposed by law” that is now due payable and must be fronted today. The retirement boards — constitutionally charged with the duty of actuarial soundness and competency of assets — are not demanding any such payment. The issuance of POBs would be a discretionary act of the City Council.

Again, this decision validates the “paying Visa with a Mastercard” theory of finance notwithstanding the fact that POBs, by any definition, constitute new debt.

… one would think that a $3.5 billion bond, which obviously can’t be repaid within one year, should be subject to voter approval. Sadly, one would be wrong.

The Court of Appeal reasoned that the 1879 voter approval requirement is inapplicable, concluding, “The actions that incurred the city’s existing liability – enacting the pensions plans and employing the individuals covered by them – have already occurred.”

One of the biggest problems in this case is the fact that unfunded liability is always fluctuating depending on the performance of the pension fund investments, including the stock market. But there are other risk factors over which voters have no control. Under other court rulings, voters are prohibited from voting on increases in pensions. Big increases can easily balloon unfunded liability. If this prohibition were lifted by statute that would be one thing because voters could start rejecting unaffordable increases as they occur. But today, by deciding that voters can’t vote on a POB, they are effectively locked out of the process entirely.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association will petition the California Supreme Court this month. Soon, HJTA will also be arguing the same type of case in the Fourth and Second District Courts of Appeal. Before Californians are saddled with debt by their government, they should have the right to vote on it.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

With these important people in history, in many cases they gave up their lives to give us the freedoms and country we love. In other cases they gave us birth and raised us to become responsible citizens of this great country.

What really bothers me is we can dedicate one day a year to them but we are asked to dedicate a month to people who wish to celebrate what their sex preference is. It is appalling. Why not just a day?

BRUCE BILA Placerville

by Joel Fagliano

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

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 916-7684452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.

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

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530

Litigation likely in effort to keep Loewen report private

Noel Stack Editor

The El Dorado Hills Community Services Board of Directors expects a lawsuit from former general manager Kevin Loewen sometime this month — a legal maneuver to prevent the report detailing an investigation into Loewen’s activities while employed at the CSD from being released to the public.

EDHCSD attorney Derek Cole was informed of the impending lawsuit by Loewen’s attorney Michael Biggs in a letter dated May 30. The letter was recently shared with the Mountain Democrat.

date against (the) EDHCSD seeking a court order to exempt the confidential investigation report from public disclosure via California Public Records Act as well as any other channels,” the letter continues.

“Mr. Loewen will seek a protective order asking the court for an order that seals the litigation and keeps the EDHCSD confidential investigation report out of the public domain and out of reach of the California Public Records Act disclosure to third parties.”

of income annually. EDH resident Robert Williams asked the board July 13, 2023, to confirm outside consulting was allowed by Loewen’s employment contract and approved by the board.

LLAD Advisory Committee member Steve Gutierrez added another layer to the probe following his resignation from the committee, during which he said his search into Loewen’s professional activities outside the CSD indicated the general manager at one time worked for consulting firm DTA while it had a contract with the district.

TheGold Mine

“Mr. Loewen objects (to) any form of release of the confidential investigation report materials into the public domain,” the letter states.

“We can engage in discussion at this time to resolve this matter outside of court. However, Mr. Loewen intends to file a legal action within 30 days from today’s

Last fall the EDHCSd board initiated an internal investigation into Loewen’s activities after members of the public expressed concerns related to a consulting business owned by the now-former GM.

Loewen filed reports with the El Dorado County Elections Department in 2021 and 2022 indicating his personal business, Placerville-based Synergy Behavioral Systems, generates between $10,000 and $100,000

At the Nov. 9, 2023, board meeting Director Noelle Mattock confirmed the district had shifted from an internal investigation to hiring “an outside law firm separate from the one which the district legal counsel is a member of to conduct an independent investigation into the general manager’s conduct.”

Loewen resigned without explanation the following month. The investigation report has been submitted to EDHCSD o cials, Cole confirmed at the March 14, 2024, meeting but thus far not released to the public.

2740 Cable Road, Camino, CA

KEVIN LOEWEN

DON’T MISS

Developments

not just

Continued from A5

in Marble Valley and Lime Rock.

Open house visitors expressed concerns about the needs of all the new residents.

“This is going to (service) thousands of people, so would one fire station really be enough? And where is the water coming from?” asked Dava Sheehan, a three-year Cameron Estates resident. “We got lucky the last two years with good winters to get the water level up, but in typical California fashion, we’re not trying to save it for future droughts.

“Everything is already a two-lane road, even the highway,” she added. “Are we going to expand the roads or are we going to wait until we’re all in L.A. traffic, then expand the roads? That will affect everybody on the road and you’re stuck in worse traffic as they try to expand it.”

Marble Valley Parkway will connect to Bass Lake Road and also tie into another roadway leading to the Lime Rock development, where G3 Enterprises plans to build approximately 800 mixed-density housing units (80% of it low density) on 740 total acres. The Lime Rock plan features an 8-acre village park and 335 acres of public and private open space with a multi-use trail system, part of which connects to the El Dorado Trail. Currently, the El Dorado Hills Fire

Department services about two-thirds of the Marble Valley area, with the other third being served by the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, according to Parker Development Director of Government Relations Kirk Bone. Additionally, Marble Valley is served entirely by the El Dorado Hills Community Services District and Lime Rock is not currently within the boundaries of a community services district.

“One of the things that we’ve always believed is that there is some kind of relationship that needs to happen between the EDHCSD and the Cameron Park CSD,” Bone said.

“It seems kind of silly to us that we would view this just narrowly as an EDHCSD project when frankly it’s closer to Cameron Park, so we’re going to work with the county and hopefully both CSDs to figure out what that relationship looks like going forward.”

CPCSD Director Tim Israel attended Tuesday’s open house.

“I am concerned about the impact on the residents of the neighboring communities and, very specifically for me, I worry about traffic, fire protection and recreation and the impacts on this,” he told the Mountain Democrat. “It will add more kids, which isn’t such a bad thing to our recreation programs. We’re always looking for more people to use our facility, but who pays for the facility? The residents.”

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Remains of a limestone kiln sit at the lower portion of the proposed Marble Valley Specific Plan. Parker Development plans to restore this infrastructure to preserve and highlight the county’s history of its limestone mining operations.

“Preserving Legacies: The Heart & Soul Behind Our Clients’ Homes”

Our clients are individuals whose hearts and souls are woven into every thread of their home’s fabric. Their connection isn’t just to bricks and beams, but to the symphony of laughter, quiet moments, and milestones that have lled every corner. Their home is more than a structure; it’s a living testament to their dreams, efforts, and countless memories created within its embrace. Often built from the ground up, these homes exude the pride of ownership that only comes from the dedication poured into their creation. Each designer nish and thoughtfully chosen detail re ects the client’s discerning taste and commitment to excellence.

When our clients seek representation for their home, it’s not merely a transaction. It’s about preserving the legacy they’ve nurtured. They envision marketing that captures the heart and soul of their home, showcasing its uniqueness in a sea of similarities. This home deserves to stand apart, to shine as the star it truly is. The most profound wish of our clients is to nd a new guardian for their home. Someone who will honor its history, create new memories, and nurture its essence with the same love and care. To them, this isn’t just a transaction; it’s the handing over of a cherished legacy. In every sense, our clients’ homes are re ections of their journeys, aspirations, and hearts.

We’re honored to be part of this chapter, helping them nd not just a buyer, but a kindred spirit who will continue the story with as much love and passion. Our client is... YOU.

PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

Now

El Dorado County Certi ed Farmers’ Markets o er fresh fruit and vegetables and much more: Burke Junction in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Placerville Cinema; 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays; and El Dorado Hills Town Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. For more information visit eldoradofarmersmarket.com.

The El Dorado County Fair runs through June 16 on the fairgrounds in Placerville. Enjoy carnival rides and games, great food, live music, animals and much more. For a complete list of events visit eldoradocountyfair.org.

Broadway At Music Circus presents “42nd Street” through June 16 at the UC David Health pavilion in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma presents Things with Wings, artwork with birds, bugs and butter ies, through June 20. For more information call (916) 461-6601 or visit folsom.ca.us.

The sixth annual Rancho Cordova Arts member show takes place through June 22 at the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” through June 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents: Joyce J. Scott: Messages through June 23; Denying Gravity – Woods Davy and the Assembly of Stones through Aug 11; Penetrating Expressions –Kifwebe Masks of the Songye and Luba People through Aug. 11; and The Proland Vase – Mania and Muse through Sept. 8. For tickets and more information visit crockerart. org.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Much Ado About Nothing” through June 29. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

Arts & Culture El Dorado presents A Picture’s Worth: NEA Big Read at the Switchboard Gallery in Placerville. This exhibition of illustrator Gavin SellersNorman’s original work features illustrations inspired by community-sourced oral histories and original audio recordings by personal historian Mariah Padilla. The exhibit runs through June 30. The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “The Goat or Who is Sylvia?” through June 30. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

The Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael presents California Landscapes, featuring the state’s long coastlines, majestic mountains, deep valleys, and vast deserts through July 11. For more information visit sac nearts. org.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “The Newlywed Game” through July 14. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.

California Museum in Sacramento presents America

Rebecca Murphy Mountain Democrat correspondent

Fback to the basin

ollowing February’s Winter Reggae Fest, held at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, produced and promoted by GoodVibez Productions, Dan Sheehan and Palisades Tahoe gear up for yet another musical extravaganza Aug. 3-4.

The Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival features Shaggy, Collie Buddz, Jesse Royal, Tribal Seeds, Mike Love, Cypress Hill and Rebelution. Tickets and a complete schedule for the event can be found at laketahoereggaefest.com.

In 2005, Sheehan worked his first festival — DreadStock in Vallejo. “It opened my eyes to what I really wanted to do,” he said. “It’s a big job promoting.”

Sheehan has nine full-time employees who oversee security, marketing, production and operations, while he “spearheads” the many events GoodVibez produces.

Although the summer reggae festival celebrates its seventh year, this will be its second year at Palisades Tahoe. Lockers are ready for reservations, where attendees can “store stu ” as well as charge their cells phones if necessary. Prior to last year, the event was held in the Hard Rock parking lot in South Lake Tahoe.

Featured this year is the singer, deejay rapper, and songwriter Orville Richard Burrell, better known as Shaggy on Saturday, Aug. 3. Nominated for seven Grammy Awards, Shaggy has won twice for Best Reggae Album in 1996 with “Bombastic” and in 2019 for “44/876” with Sting. He also has won the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist (2002).

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to New York City with his mother when he was 18. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Persian Gulf War and was discharged in 1992 after four years. He is said to have “perfected his signature ‘toasting’ voice while in the Marine Corps.”

Shaggy was awarded the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 2007 with the rank of commander and, in 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree from Brown University. He has toured extensively and released 16 studio albums. Shaggy is a philanthropist, starting with Shaggy and Friends’ donation of more than $1 million to the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Jamaica.

Also performing on Saturday is Colin Patrick Harper, known for his stage name Collie Buddz. He will be on the same stage as Shaggy, with whom he performed in 2007’s studio album “Intoxication” on the track “Mad Mad World.”

Collie Buddz was born in New Orleans to a Bermudian mother, and was raised in Bermuda. He studied audio engineering in Winter Park, Fla., and as his stage name is slang for cannabis, he has been photographed with devices used for its consumption.

Buddz performed at the 10th annual Cali Roots, where he brought on stage a man he dubbed “Big Jerry” to sing the third verse of his 2007 hit “Blind to You.” His self-titled debut album was released in 2007 on Columbia and Sony BMG, and was followed by the launching of his own record label, Harper Digital Entertainment.

The Good Vibes Tour in 2013 featured him along with Rebelution, Matisyahu, and Zion Thompson of The Green. He also has performed at a variety of festivals.

A compilation album “Cali Roots Riddim 2020” was released in May 2020, on which he worked with Stick Figure guitarist and reggae artist/producer Johnny Cosmic. The album features a variety of bands including The Elovaters, The Expendables, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Arise Roots and Yellowman, to name a few.

Reggae singer and songwriter Oje Ken Ollivierre, known as Protoje, will join Buddz and Shaggy on Saturday’s stage. He is the son of Jamaican singer Lorna Bennert, best know for her 1972 rendition of “Breakfast in Bed,” and his father is former calypso singer Mike Ollivierre from the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Protoje, born in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica in 1981, first gained notoriety in 2005 with mostly hip hop-influenced songs on his mixtape “Lyrical Overdose Volume 1.” In 2010, however, he began working with his cousin’s record label Don Corleon Records. His primary genres are Dub and reggae.

On Sunday, Aug. 4, the festival will feature California reggae rock band Rebelution, a group of players all of whom attended and completed school at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Interestingly, their subjects of study had little to

■ See FESTIVAL, page B4

CYPRESS HILL

COLLIE BUDDZ

SHAGGY

SAVOR FRESH FLAVORS

SUMMER BRUNCH

Sunday, June 23 | 10:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Bring a guest and join us for Sunday brunch. With summer’s best fare, it’s a beautiful time of year to indulge in our chef’s delectable dishes that capture the essence of the season. You can experience firsthand the many benefits of our community and see our numerous amenities and gathering spaces.

SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH: 916-831-7890 55+ ONLY

To be more precise, a “Wacky Doodle Quilter” is coming — otherwise known as Kim Brownell. She says of herself, “... due to my easy-going whimsical style, I don’t always follow the rules and tend to ignore the ‘quilting police’!”

But Picasso says it’s OK! Placerville Arts Association members will get together 2:304:30 p.m. Monday, June 17. Artists and art lovers who would love to see a “maverick wacky doodle quilter” share her presentation, Fabric of

Creativity: Shaping Ideas into Fiber Art, are cordially invited to this fun event. The meeting will be at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. There is a break at about 3:30 p.m. for refreshments and a meet ‘n’ greet time to mix with other rule-breaking artists.

Brownell has been quilting since 1993 and has received many awards in shows and the California State Fair. She was chosen as the featured artist at the River City Quilters Guild 2018 show Window of Imagination — a great honor.

n See PAA, page

“Rock of Ages.”

New Sutter Street show rocks

Allen Schmeltz

Sutter Street Theatre

Head back to the 1980s when “Rock of Ages” (teen edition) rocks onto the Sutter Street Theatre stage, opening June 15. It is 1987 and the fabled West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room is the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue has seen better days, but as run by chilled-out former rock impresario Dennis Dupree, and tended to by Dennis’s mischievous assistant Lonny, it is the essence of rock ‘n’ roll.

When bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, she bumps into Drew, a Bourbon Room busboy with dreams of rock ‘n’ roll stardom. Lovestruck Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie and the stage seems set for their romance. But when the Mayor of West Hollywood, persuaded by a couple of scheming German real estate developers, announces his intention to demolish the Bourbon Room and the entire gritty Sunset Strip, the stakes are raised.

n See ROCK, page B10

“AMAZON” BY KIM BROWNELL

Sylvia Coleman Placerville Arts Association

Photo by Allen Schmeltz

Bella Spears, Will Hurtt, Carter Espinosa, Natalee Burvant, Brissa Magallanes and Ryan Chapin bring back the wild ‘80s in

BUTTERED AND SALTY

‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’

HH TV-14, 30-minute epispodes Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure Now streaming on Disney+

It would be a gross understatement to declare The Walt Disney Company’s stewardship of George Lucas’ brainchild Star Wars saga inconsistent since it purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion. The first motion picture release under the Mousehouse umbrella came in 2015 with “The Force Awakens,” an entertaining if not safe retelling of the 1977 original film. Subsequent films have either gained newfound respect since then (“Rogue One”) or completely alienated the fanbase (“The Last Jedi”). In between we had 2018’s “Solo,” a film no one asked for but is better than most give it credit for. As much as I enjoyed it on subsequent viewings I will tell you this much; it was successful in canceling future spin-off films and partly responsible for Lucasfilm rethinking its production and release strategy. 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” (* * ½) would close the gap of responsibility by being such a muddy mess that the swamp waters of Dagobah were clearer.

“The Madalorian” premiered on Disney’s new streaming service Disney+ around this time and it couldn’t have picked a better moment, as the fanbase was as frozen as the surface of the ice planet Hoth. Mando’s adventures with Baby Yoda were well scripted, full of adventure and heart and very well executed on screen. It’s one of the few Disney+ “Star Wars” shows — other than last years exceptional “Andor” (* * * ½) — you can say this about.

This brings us to “The Acolyte,” set about 100 years before the prequel films during the “High Republic” era. There are no Skywalker family members as Darth Vader was only a twinkle in his greatgrandmother’s eye.

The new show is created and show-run by Leslye Headland, who came to prominence co-creating and running the excellent show “Russian Doll” with Natasha Lyonne, so she certainly has the chops. “Star Wars” is a different beast though. It’s the epitome of big business and has become, along with Marvel Studios, Disney’s moneymaker. That means a lot of cooks in the kitchen which has the possibility of affecting quality. Say what you will about the prequel films (and there’s a lot you can say), George Lucas made the films he wanted to make and no one on this green Earth was going to tell him differently. He may have cornered the market on toy sales based on his films, but they were always a product of his story creations, not vice-versa. Disney has shareholders who want to know what products or theme park attractions can be made from a series well before a single frame of film is

Democrat correspondent

shot.

This is the only reasonable explanation I have for the inconsistent (and often subpar) shows Lucasfilm has put out the last five years. Besides the first two seasons of “The Mandalorian” and the aforementioned “Andor” (highly recommended) their output has been, let’s just say, spotty. When it comes to the first few episodes of “The Acolyte,” I see some warning signs popping up. While I was initially intrigued by the murder mystery plot that Amandla Stenberg’s character(s) seem to be the center of, I don’t find her villainous Mae particularly menacing or intriguing and the “murder mystery” plot isn’t really one since we know who’s killing people in the first few minutes of episode one. Maybe future episodes will flesh out her character more but now we run into another issue that has hampered several Star Wars Disney+ shows: three episodes in (out of eight) and we aren’t that interested in the main characters and we haven’t been introduced to the “big bad” yet (just a reminder that we were originally introduced to the Empire in the opening seconds of the original “Star Wars” and Darth Vader himself literally four minutes in). The primary Jedi protagonist, played by the wonderful Korean actor Lee Jung-jae (“Squid Games”) does his best to elevate that material but he is a product of an ensemble cast and lives and dies by our interest in those other characters. That interest just isn’t there. A common complaint has been how Disney has been producing 30-minute episodes of a six- to eight-episodes seasons. They seem completely allergic to the normal one-hour episodes for a show like this. 2022’s “ObiWan Kenobi” had a similar problem and that show was only six episodes. Halfway through the season we all knew that they had too much ground to cover and not enough time to fully focus on characterization. It’s

shocking to me that with this feature filmlike budget (reportedly $180 million!) they can’t just make a twoand-a-half hour motion picture and place it on Disney+ (or, wild idea here, put it in theaters).

Comparatively, the final season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” had six episodes as well but all were at least an hour with the final three episodes all clocking in at almost an hour and a half. That budget was less than this season of “The Acolyte.” You just can’t successfully (or consistently) have a beginning, middle and end of a story in 30 minutes.

Dear Californians,

& EL DORADO COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Dear Californians,

If you’ve been reading about real estate lately, you’ve no doubt heard about antitrust lawsuits settlements by real estate brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS®. You’ve heard about the settlements resulting in certain changes in how agents will be compensated their work. Recent coverage by media entities, industry insiders and anyone with an opinion a smartphone have offered up a mix of fact and fiction. All this noise has caused confusion, and, in some instances, panic about the process of buying and selling a home.

Another difference between the two is that “Thrones” always felt extremely large in scale to me. “The Acolyte” does not, even with the location shooting they’ve done and the visual effects at their disposal. It feels small. The town exterior and interiors still feel like sound stages and even the exterior on-location shooting doesn’t feel large due to the tendency to not shoot very many wide angles. There has been a lot of chatter from online “fanboys” about aspects of this show and its creators in regards to the representation this show and its showrunners are bringing to “Star Wars.” In a galaxy far, far away you will never get pushback from me in that area. In my opinion all types of creatures, humans, orientations and lifestyles are on the table. Our limited understanding of the universe here on Earth shouldn’t hamper the unlimited possibilities for the creation of story, characters or who and what they are.

If you’ve been reading about real estate lately, you’ve no doubt heard about antitrust lawsuits and settlements by real estate brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS®. You’ve also heard about the settlements resulting in certain changes in how agents will be compensated for their work. Recent coverage by media entities, industry insiders and anyone with an opinion and a smartphone have o ered up a mix of fact and ction. All this noise has caused confusion, fear and, in some instances, panic about the process of buying and selling a home.

We thought it time to speak directly to you. We’re California REALTORS®, and we know or two about real estate. In fact, it’s precisely because of our knowledge about the complexities of what is arguably the most important purchase people make in their lives that we want this first: It’ll be okay. Yes, some real estate practices will change as a result of these settlements, but California REALTORS® know how to adapt to changing market realities. We always And, while we understand that uncertainty can be deeply unsettling, especially when there few answers and many opinions, we know we’ll figure it out together, as an industry and our clients.

We thought it time to speak directly to you. We’re California REALTORS®, and we know a thing or two about real estate. In fact, it’s precisely because of our knowledge about the complexities of what is arguably the most important purchase people make in their lives that we want to say this rst: It’ll be okay. Yes, some real estate practices will change as a result of these settlements, but California REALTORS® know how to adapt to changing market realities. We always have. And, while we understand that uncertainty can be deeply unsettling, especially when there are few answers and many opinions, we know we’ll gure it out together, as an industry and with our clients.

Here’s the bottom line: The two major changes resulting from this litigation are 1. Properties listed in databases known as the multiple listing service (MLS) will no longer be allowed include an offer of compensation to buyer’s agents and 2. Homebuyers who want to work an agent will need to sign a written agreement with that agent prior to touring a home. This means before you start your home search, you’ll need to discuss and agree with your agent the agent will do on your behalf, and you’ll need to decide how much and how to pay that

Here’s the bottom line: e two major changes resulting from this litigation are 1. Properties listed in databases known as the multiple listing service (MLS) will no longer be allowed to include an o er of compensation to buyer’s agents and 2. Homebuyers who want to work with an agent will need to sign a written agreement with that agent prior to touring a home. is means before you start your home search, you’ll need to discuss and agree with your agent what the agent will do on your behalf, and you’ll need to decide how much and how to pay that agent.

Of course, it’s not that simple. How consumers work with agents in this new environment need to work itself out, and there will be differing approaches between agents and their Many in the industry, and we at the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), are currently working on sorting through and articulating those new practices as quickly possible. Moreover, in California, we have supported transparency with respect to how agents get compensated for more than two decades, since C.A.R. introduced its first buyer representation agreement in 1999. So, while the implementation of practice changes resulting from this settlement may be new, the spirit behind them is not at least not in California. We’re all for transparency because we believe it’s in our clients’ best interests and we know value we bring to the transaction.

When all is said and done, however, the issues with “The Acolyte” are not what most are arguing or gnashing their teeth over. The issue with “The Acolyte” is about the narrative and execution. Mainly, the plot is boring and oddly paced and the scripts aren’t well written. No amount of budget, lofty ideas or well-thoughtout design can cover that up.

Joshua B. Porter is an award-winning writer/ director/producer. He would like to remind everyone to use an egg when making meatballs, as it acts as the “glue” that holds the ball and its ingredients together. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@ mtdemocrat.net.

Dear Californians,

If you’ve been reading about real estate lately, you’ve no doubt heard about antitrust lawsuits and settlements by real estate brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS . You’ve also heard about the settlements resulting in certain changes in how agents will be compensated for their work. Recent coverage by media entities, industry insiders and anyone with an opinion and a smartphone have offered up a mix of fact and fiction. All this noise has caused confusion, fear and, in some instances, panic about the process of buying and selling a home.

Of course, it’s not that simple. How consumers work with agents in this new environment will need to work itself out, and there will be di ering approaches between agents and their clients. Many in the industry, and we at the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), are currently working on sorting through and articulating those new practices as quickly as possible. Moreover, in California, we have supported transparency with respect to how buyer’s agents get compensated for more than two decades, since C.A.R. introduced its rst buyer representation agreement in 1999. So, while the implementation of practice changes resulting from this settlement may be new, the spirit behind them is not — at least not in California.We’re all for transparency because we believe it’s in our clients’ best interests and we know the value we bring to the transaction.

We thought it time to speak directly to you. We’re California REALTORS®, and we know a thing or two about real estate. In fact, it’s precisely because of our knowledge about the complexities of what is arguably the most important purchase people make in their lives that we want to say this first: It’ll be okay. Yes, some real estate practices will change as a result of these settlements, but California REALTORS know how to adapt to changing market realities. We always have. And, while we understand that uncertainty can be deeply unsettling, especially when there are few answers and many opinions, we know we’ll figure it out together, as an industry and with our clients.

We’re in this business because we believe in putting people not just in houses, but in homes. You may regard us as the organization that fights to protect homeowners’ rights. That’s true. But more likely, you know us because we’re your neighbors. We live in the same communities as you. We volunteer alongside you at our kids’ schools, we show up to serve at local civic and charitable organizations, and we sit on city councils to make our communities better. while we’re known as the neighborhood experts, we’re also trained in all facets of a real transaction, meaning we know what it takes to successfully conduct a home purchase or Our jobs are far more involved and far less glamorous than what you see on real estate “reality” shows. The truth is that real estate transactions are complicated. That’s why we to be well-versed in myriad financial and legal requirements in order to guide you through a complex process. We negotiate on our buyers’ behalf to get them the right home at the price, and we help sellers determine the best listing price based on market and neighborhood fundamentals. We guide our clients through the nitty-gritty of home inspections and innumerable other details, and we support our clients through what can be a stressful time. We come job because we love putting people in homes. We stay in this job because we love working our clients, who become our friends and neighbors.

Here’s the bottom line: The two major changes resulting from this litigation are 1. Properties listed in databases known as the multiple listing service (MLS) will no longer be allowed to include an offer of compensation to buyer’s agents and 2. Homebuyers who want to work with an agent will need to sign a written agreement with that agent prior to touring a home. This means before you start your home search, you’ll need to discuss and agree with your agent what the agent will do on your behalf, and you’ll need to decide how much and how to pay that agent. Of course, it’s not that simple. How consumers work with agents in this new environment will need to work itself out, and there will be differing approaches between agents and their clients. Many in the industry, and we at the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), are currently working on sorting through and articulating those new practices as quickly as possible. Moreover, in California, we have supported transparency with respect to how buyer’s agents get compensated for more than two decades, since C.A.R. introduced its first buyer representation agreement in 1999. So, while the implementation of practice changes resulting from this settlement may be new, the spirit behind them is not at least not in California. We’re all for transparency because we believe it’s in our clients’ best interests and we know the value we bring to the transaction.

We’re in this business because we believe in putting people not just in houses, but in homes. You may regard us as the organization that fights to protect homeowners’ rights. That’s true. But more likely, you know us because we’re your neighbors. We live in the same communities as you. We volunteer alongside you at our kids’ schools, we show up to serve at local civic and charitable organizations, and we sit on city councils to make our communities better. And while we’re known as the neighborhood experts, we’re also trained in all facets of a real estate transaction,

We’re in this business because we believe in putting people not just in houses, but in homes.You may regard us as the organization that ghts to protect homeowners’ rights. at’s true. But more likely, you know us because we’re your neighbors. We live in the same communities as you. We volunteer alongside you at our kids’ schools, we show up to serve at local civic and charitable organizations, and we sit on city councils to make our communities better. And while we’re known as the neighborhood experts, we’re also trained in all facets of a real estate transaction, meaning we know what it takes to successfully conduct a home purchase or sale. Our jobs are far more involved — and far less glamorous — than what you see on real estate “reality” shows. e truth is that real estate transactions are complicated. at’s why we have to be well-versed in myriad nancial and legal requirements in order to guide you through such a complex process. We negotiate on our buyers’ behalf to get them the right home at the right price, and we help sellers determine the best listing price based on market and neighborhood fundamentals. We guide our clients through the nitty-gritty of home inspections and innumerable other details, and we support our clients through what can be a stressful time. We come to this job because we love putting people in homes. We stay in this job because we love working with our clients, who become our friends and neighbors.

As we’ve done for decades, through up markets and down markets, through periods of industry change, we will stand by our clients, serve our communities, and continue to do what we work to create a future that enables homeownership for all who want it.

Melanie Barker 2024 President California Association of REALTORS®

As we’ve done for decades, through up markets and down markets, through periods of industry change, we will stand by our clients, serve our communities, and continue to do what we do best — work to create a future that enables homeownership for all who want it.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Brian Frazier 2024 President El Dorado County Association of REALTORS

at the Crossroads through Sept. 1. Discover the evolution of the guitar as the United States’ most popular instrument and its relationship to historical events and cultural moments over the centuries. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

June 14

Enjoy a Hawaiian Luau & Father’s Day Celebration for seniors at the Gilmore Senior Center in El Dorado Hills, 1-2 p.m. The event is free and preregistration is required. For more information call (916) 9336624.

The Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center hosts a Taco Night Fiesta, 4:30-7 p.m. For more information call (530) 647-8005. Boeger Winery in Placerville hosts Enchanted Evenings, featuring live music and great wine. Reservations not required. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Lineup: Jordan Lucero (June 14), Jax Hammer (June 21) and Val

0513

Star & The Blues Rocket (June 28).

Brisco County will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills hosts “Summer Fridays” author Suzanne Rindell, 5:30-7 p.m. This novel is a “You’ve Got Mail” story for a new generation. For more information call (916) 941-9401.

Patrick Walsh will perform at Bumgarner Winery in Camino, 5:308:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, wood-fired pizza, wine and hard cider. For reservations visit bumgarnerwinery.com.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District has announced its free concert events at Community Park, 7-9:30 p.m. featuring Department of Rock (June 14), Joy and madness (July 19) and Garratt Wilkin & The Parrotheads – a celebration of Jimmy Buffet (Aug. 23). For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

Audioboxx will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight June 14 and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. June 15. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

June 15

Mike Roberts from Save the Graves will lead the North County Cemetery Crawl Redux, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Guests will meet in Greenwood. To register visit arconservancy.org/events.

Learn Bridge in a Day? will be held at Foothill Duplicate Bridge Center in Shingle Springs, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including lunch. Call Jane at (916) 996-2470 for more information and to register.

Nello Olivo Winery and HWY 50 Brewery present the Cali Mojo Roast Pig Party, noon to 4 p.m. in Camino. For tickets and more information visit nelloolivo.com.

The Stage at Burke Junction hosts a stage reading of Charlotte Higgins’ “Speak Ill of the Dead” at 1 p.m., 3300 Coach Lane in Cameron Park. Tickets will be sold at the door.

There will be a special author presentation and book signing at 1 p.m. at the Georgetown Library. Jessica Carew Kraft will present her book, “Why We Need To Be Wild – One Woman’s Quest for Ancient Human Answers to 21st Century Problems.” Pre-registration is required by calling the Georgetown Library at (530) 333-4724. Holly’s Hill Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music, 1-4 p.m., with MANNA (June 15) and Retro Addicts (June 22). For more information visit hollyshill.com/events.

Third Saturday Art Walk celebrates Summer Dreaming, 4-8 p.m.,

Festival Continued from B1

nothing to do with music. Current band members Eric Rachmany has a degree in religious studies; Wesley Finley in anthropology; Marley D. Williams, film studies; and Rory Carey, business economics. The band formed in Isla Vista in 2004 with additional band mate at the time, Matt Velasquez. Between 2004 and 2005, Rebelution built momentum through consistently playing local shows and by releasing an EP. They released their first full-length album “Courage to Grow” in 2007, which went on to receive iTunes Editor’s Choice for Best Reggae Album in 2007. The album also peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart. Velasquez, one of two vocalists, left the band after “Courage to Grow” was released, leaving Rebelution a four-member ensemble. In 2014 the band headlined that year’s Cali Roots Festival. The fourth album released in 2014 was a partnership with Easy Star Records and featured contributions from Don Carlos and Collie Buddz. “Count Me In” reached No. 1 as a Billboard Reggae album. The band has played with supporting acts like Iration, The Green and Stick Figure. Along with being featured at Cali Roots, the band has performed as a headliner at other festivals.

Rebelution had two other No. 1 Billboard Top Reggae albums with “Free Rein” and “Vinyl Box Set.” The band received its first Grammy nomination in 2017 with the fifth studio album, “Falling Into Place,” nominated for the Best Reggae Album. Rebelution was nominated for the fanschoice 2021 Album of the Year award by Surf Roots TV & Radio for “In The Moment.” Votes were submitted by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users.

The band also has worked on beer and cannabis projects, donating a portion of all proceeds from their partnership with FlavRx to cannabis related medical research and legalization organizations. Also on stage Sunday is Tribal Seeds, an American/Mexican reggae band based in San Diego. Tribal Seeds formed in 2005 by Jacobo brothers Steven Rene and Tony-Ray. The band has six members, both Jacobo brothers, Victor Navarro, Ryan Gonzo, Luis Castillo and Jamey “Zeb” Dekofsky. They released their first album, “Youth Rebellion,” in 2005, the first of many on their own label.

Tribal Seeds’ second album, self-titled, was released in 2008, garnering the “Best Of” album in the reggae genre from iTunes, and their first album helped them receive the Best World Music title in 2008 at the San Diego Music Awards. Their third album, “The Harvest,” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums Chart, and earned an iTunes “Best of” category once again. The band’s first EP, “Soundwaves,” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.

In 2014 Tribal Seeds debuted a fourth album, “Representing,” making it to No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae chart. The album features renown reggae artists such as Don Carlos amd Mykal Rose. in 2017 the band won Artist of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards. They have opened for artists Gregory Isaacs, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Rebelution, Matisyahu and Dave Matthews Band. Coming off of February’s Winter Reggae Festival and May’s California Roots Music and Arts Festival, Sheehan is excited to present the seventh annual Summer Reggae Festival. “We have a great love for music,” he said. “Now on to the next project. This is how we roll.”

Although no camping options are available for the event, information on nearby camping is provided online.

Know Continued from B4

with 10 locations on historical Main Street in Placerville showcasing beautiful local art. The monthly ra e prize will be $100 that the winner can spend at any of the participating merchants, shown on the monthly “bingo” style ier. (See more details on Third Saturday Art Walk Facebook page.) Many merchants will have summerinspired discounts and specials o ered for the night.

Cash Prophets will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts Music in the Vines this summer: The Jamokes (June 15), Late for Dinner (July 6), The Listen Hear Band (July 27), Jacob Benning Trio (Aug. 10), The Band Unleashed (Aug. 24) and RxEmedy (Sept. 7). RSVP by calling (530) 240-8386 or email info@medivineyards.com.

Join 1850 Wine Cellars and Myka Estates for the monthly concert series featuring live music and a pre xe dinner menu by Chef Lisa Scott: June 15 — Luau dinner with the band TNTiki; July 13 — shrimp boil with the band Allegedlies; Aug. 17 — jailhouse blues themed dinner with the band Cash Prophets; Sept. 14 — Motown meal with FBI Band; Oct. 13 — Rock of ages theme with the band Character Assassins. For tickets and more information visit 1850winecellars.com/ pages/events.

Del no Farms presents Folk on the Farm with music performed by The Wilder Blue with Steven Denmark, 6-10 p.m. at the Camino ranch. For more information visit del nofarms. com/folkonthefarm.

El Dorado Musical Theatre presents High Voltage – The Best of Broadway at 7 p.m.

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

Doug Not Josh & Red Dirt Ruckus will perform 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “Rock of Ages” High School Edition, June 15 through July 14. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento presents “Hansel and Gretel,” a puppet show at 10:30 a.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

June 16

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

Shadow Ranch Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts live music and wood- res pizza on the patio, 1-4 p.m., featuring Nagual (June 16) and Ken Koenig and the Spare Parts Band (June 23). Reservations highly recommended. Visit shadowranch.com/Events.

ShirlJAM will perform at 1:30 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

June 17

Monday Club Bridge seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday

of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10 a.m. For more information call (530) 622-1180.

June 18

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and nd a new direction in their lives. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive, noon to 3:45 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near the baseball elds at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant. org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

El Dorado FamilySearch Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville, hosts Vacation with your Ancestors, 1-2 p.m. Are you planning a trip this summer that will include visiting family ancestor towns or countries? Get ideas on how to be more successful. For more information call (530) 621-1378.

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St. in Placerville, presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the rst and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

June 19

The Snowline Living Well with Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at Snowline’s administrative o ces or other community locations. This group supports caregivers and family members who are caring for or have a loved one with dementia. Alongside the support group, an Activity Enrichment Group for persons with dementia is o ered at the same time and location. For more information call (530) 621-7820.

Nervous about the upcoming re season? Have questions about home hardening and creating defensible space? Do you know what to do if wild re is headed your way? Join the Camino Fire Safe Council meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Cal Fire Amador/El Dorado Unit headquarters, 2840 Mt. Danaher Road in Camino.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Now Circa Then,” June 19 through July 21. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

June 20

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce hosts a business luncheon with speaker Matt Huckabay, executive director of The Center. Doors open at 11 a.m. at Smith Flat House in Placerville. For more information and to register visit eldoradocounty. org.

El Dorado Hills Town Center will be rockin’ with a free concert, 7-9 p.m., featuring Twist on Taylor (June 20), Boys of Summer (June 27), Never a DullMoment (July 11), 60s Summer of Love (July 18), Rock Monsterz (July 25), Maroon Vibes (Aug. 1), The 3 Queens of Motown (Aug. 8), Peace Frog (Aug. 22), Folsom Lake Symphony (Aug. 29) and Summer Night City (Sept. 5). Visit EDHTownCenter.com for all the details.

June 21

Join local author and historian Jill Kearney for an afternoon lunch at the historical Sportsman’s Hall in Pollock Pines, noon to 1:30 p.m., as she gives a riveting account of the legendary Bullion Bend stagecoach robbery, which occurred in 1864 and later resulted in a shootout and death of El Dorado County Deputy Sheri Joseph Staples. Tickets are available online at EDCHS. org or in person at The Fountain & Tallman Museum, 524 Main St. in Placerville.

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

R3 will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Bumgarner Winery & Vineyards in Camino hosts Trivia Nights, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Gather your friends and family for evenings lled with laughter, friendly competition, ne wine and hard cider. To register visit bumgarnerwinery.com/calendar.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park hosts HomeGrown Comedy with Dejan Tyler, Cookie Williams and host Lola Camacho at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

60s Summer of Love will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Suika T and DJ La Rua will perform at 9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

“Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus” comes to Harris

Public Notices

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Local museums offer plenty of summertime experiences

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — The greater Sacramento region is rich with museums and popular destinations that offer plenty of must-see and must-do experiences to explore during the long and lazy days of summertime.

Must-see and must-do experiences and special activations offered by local museums this summer include:

• Aerospace Museum of California — Due to popular demand, the museum’s Math Alive! exhibit has been extended to Labor Day (Sept. 2) with games, music, fashion, robotics, movie making and more. Museum visitors have the opportunity to ride in a live-action snowboard race, control a Mars rover, record a weather telecast, design a video game or try out systems engineering for a city. For details visit aerospaceca.org.

• California Museum — The community is invited to join the California Museum noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, for a celebration of California guitar history and culture in honor of its newest exhibit, “America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation.” Visitors are encouraged to bring dads, grads or music lovers and relax into Father’s Day weekend with live music, beer, guitar-themed crafts, docentled tours of the exhibit and a guitarmaking demonstration by Santa Cruz Guitar Company. In celebration of Father’s Day, the museum is offering $5 reduced admission for guests 13 and older and free admission for California Museum members and kids 12 and younger. Details and tickets are available at MeetingoftheMusic. eventbrite.com.

• California State Railroad Museum & Foundation — Always a summertime favorite experience, the California State Railroad Museum

& Foundation are proud to offer the only train ride experience behind an authentic, historical locomotive in the Sacramento region. Weekend excursion train ride guests delight in the sights, smells and sounds of an authentic, historical locomotive as it rolls along the levees of the Sacramento River for a 6-mile, 45-minute roundtrip excursion. Appealing to all ages, the experience offers guests the chance to enjoy train travel from an earlier era. For more details and/or to book a train ride visit californiarailroad.museum.

• Crocker Art Museum — The community is invited to celebrate local hometown heroine Greta Gerwig with Movies Off the Wall, the Crocker’s summer film series screened in the outdoor courtyard against the Teel Family Pavilion’s iconic architecture. Guests are encouraged to arrive early

to grab a seat and a bite to eat from Majka at the Crocker while grooving to film-inspired DJ sets. Then, attendees can sit back and relax under the stars for iconic films screened at larger-than-life scale. Films start at sundown and include “Barbie” on Thursday, June 20, “Frances Ha” on Thursday, July 18, and “Lady Bird” on Thursday, Aug. 15. For more details visit CrockerArt.org/events.

• Fairytale Town — Shakespeare’s popular fairy-themed comedic play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” comes to life at Fairytale Town, along with allyou-can-eat Crystal ice cream on June 22. The community is encouraged to come dressed in renaissance or fairy-themed costumes in preparation for a magical midsummer’s eve featuring multiple ice cream tasting stations, live entertainment, hands-on activities, an enchanted marketplace

and more. For details and tickets visit fairytaletown.org/calendar/ midsummer-crystal-ice-cream.

• Museum of Medical History — Filled with medical artifacts and curiosities (such as a working iron lung) that demonstrate the evolution of the healthcare industry and how quickly advances in medicine have taken place, the Museum of Medical History will be open on Second Saturdays in July and August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free for all visitors, more information is available at museumofmedicalhistory.org.

• Sacramento History Museum — Debuting Aug. 9, the museum is proud to present a limited-time exhibition titled America’s Monsters, Superheroes and Villains: Our Culture at Play from SuperMonster City. The engaging exhibition will be filled with 400-plus vintage and original toys, comic books, games, posters, packaging, TV commercials, movie trailers and more. For details visit SacHistoryMuseum.org.

• SMUD Museum of Science & Curiosity (MOSAC) — Just in time for the start of summer, the museum presents a new exhibition, Health Connections presented by UC Davis Health. Health Connections showcases a variety of hands-on interactive activities that engage guests of all ages in many aspects of health, from the wonders of the latest medical discoveries happening in our community to topics ranging from muscles to mindfulness. Health Connections is the first exhibition at the museum to be featured in English and Spanish. For more details visit visitmosac.org.

For more information about activities offered by Sacramento area museums, “like” them on Facebook at Facebook.com/SacMuseums, follow them on Instagram and Twitter @ SacMuseums or visit SacMuseums. org.

The Floyd soulfully recreates Pink Floyd’s greatest hits.

Brownell’s work gravitates toward animals, nature scenes and bright colors. Her techniques include and blend-fabric collage, freeform art quilts, raw-edge appliqué, as well as others. Her passion is to enter quilt challenges; they spark her imagination and inspire her. Come and enjoy Brownell’s presentation. She has learned from Pablo Picasso — who famously said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you

Rock Continued from B2

Rock of Ages is a big, brash, energetic tribute to classic rock, to over-the-top ballads and fierce guitar, to the gritty glamor and rough energy of the Sunset Strip. This jukebox musical features ’80s hits such as “We Built this City”, “I Wanna Rock”, and “Don’t Stop Believin.’” With the book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, this production is

The Floyd

Continued from B9

performing their unique and everevolving productions in Northern Nevada and California for over a decade to loyal enthusiastic sellout crowds, most recently in Reno, Lake Tahoe and Auburn. The group is comprised of Vince Gates (bass, guitar, vocals), Rob Lawrence (keys, vocals), Curtis Mitchell (guitar, vocals), Lisa McCuiston (guitar, bass, percussion, vocals), Jeff Laakso (Keys, sax, guitar, vocals) and Patrick McQuain (drums, percussion). They set themselves apart from other tributes because each show is individually crafted and played by musicians — and never computerautomated like many national-level Pink Floyd tributes performing today.

can break them like an artist.” There is a lot about quilting and fiber art that guests can learn from Brownell. To see more of her work visit thewackydoodlequilter.com.

Placerville Arts Association is a nonprofit and loves nothing more than to share fine art and artists with the community. PAA welcomes new members all year. To learn more visit placervillearts.com and visit PAA on Facebook.

directed by Kate Rolls with music direction by Christine Irish and choreography by Keira LePage and Devin LePage. The show is rated PG. “Rock of Ages” runs June 15 through July 14 with performances at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For reservations go to SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.

In short, this band has soul. The band and in-house production crew take great pride in re-creating each subtle detail that makes Pink Floyd so special. Like the original, their shows feature a massive array of concert lighting. Audiences can expect to hear songs from the albums of Pink Floyd’s most popular and classic rock era: “Meddle,” “Dark Side of The Moon,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Animals” and “The Wall.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

“Look Through My Eyes” by Kim Brownell

“Charlie” by Kim Brownell