Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, June 19, 2024

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Lagging sales tax revenue and rising costs across the board may require the Placerville City Council to tighten the budgetary belt, according to information presented to the council June 18.

Despite strong per capita sales tax revenue for the city — estimated to be around $604 per person in 2023, ranking Placerville 37th out of 539 California agencies — receipts for the quarter that ended in December 2023 dropped 3%, equivalent to around $52,000. The drop reflects a similar trend across the state, where fourth-quarter receipts dropped by an average of 2.5%. With dropping sales tax figures and an estimated 37% drop in construction permit income, the General Fund is expected to see a slim decrease of about $201,000.

Notably, how the city makes its sales tax money has seen a shift over the years, with online tax revenue growing 9% over the past decade.

“It was interesting looking back; in 2014, that was actually 19%,” Placerville Director of Finance Dave

Junior Livestock Auction

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

El Dorado County leaders said they will have to work to “structurally” balance the county’s budget in the coming months.

During last week’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget hearing, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $1.03 billion recommended budget after sta shared how inflation and slowing revenue growth are impacting revenue. Property tax revenue is projected to grow by 3.5%, significantly lower than previous years’

PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE

growth trend, according to Deputy Chief Administrative O cer Sue Hennike. Sales tax and use tax revenue will only increase by 2% this year as calculated by the county consultant Hinderliter de Llamas and Associates, she added. A rise in online sales and inflationary pressures are slowing revenue growth, according to county leaders.

“I think we have a structural issue, looking out into the future, that we are going to need to address by continuing to restrain our use of the General Fund (and) finding e ciencies,” Hennike said. Regarding meeting board budget policies, the recommended budget falls short by about $10.7 million. County departments’ requests for supplemental revenue of $2.1 million has been slashed to $700,000.

“What I am hearing is this is an overall status quo budget this year, and the overarching theme is that the goal of this budget is to conserve General Fund costs

the El Dorado County Fair Saturday attracted many interested buyers and onlookers — all eager to see the exceptional young people and the animals they raised. Union Mine Future Farmers of America member Emma Rogers, above, is all smiles as she holds up one of her Reserve Supreme Champion Chickens. She sold her pen of two chickens to Brooke and Kyle Cary for $500. At right, Union Mine FFA member Emily Ellsworth’s 278-pound Supreme Champion Market Swine was sold to C&H Motors for $15 per pound.

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Photos by Laurie Edwards

Ponderosa FFA member Andrew Hernandez, above left, sold his 89-pound Reserve Supreme Champion Market Goat to Raley’s Supermarket for $12 per pound at the Junior Livestock Auction. At right, Union Mine FFA member Amelia Kovach’s walks in with her Supreme Champion Market Steer, which sold for $14 per pound Saturday. The 1,300-plus-pound steer was purchased by Krissie Vineyards and Bevier Structural Engineering.

ESSENTIALS

Shirley Ellen Addison

May 4, 1936 – May 29, 2024

Shirley Ellen Addison (Cavender), 88, passed away on May 29, 2024, in El Dorado Hills, California with her loving daughter by her side. Born on May 4, 1936, in Jackson, Michigan, Shirley was the cherished daughter of Lawrence and Francis Cavender and younger sister of David Cavender. Her formative years were shaped by the loving care of her Aunt Kathryn and Uncle James Sykes, who provided unwavering support following the early death of her mother. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Frances, her brother David, and her beloved husband Ted Addison.

On February 4, 1961, Shirley embarked on a lifelong journey of love and companionship with Theodore (Ted) Addison, whom she married in Jackson, Michigan. Together, they created a life filled with adventure, love, and a deep commitment to family. Their union blessed them with two children, Dane Lawrence and Michelle “Shellie” Kathryn Cook (Sean). Shirley was immensely proud of her family, especially her cherished grandchildren, Bailey Addison and Dalton James Cook.

A graduate of St. John’s High School in Jackson, Michigan, Shirley’s journey led her from Michigan to Texas, back to Michigan, and finally to Cameron Park, California, where she resided for 45 years. Her professional life was dedicated to the medical field, where she served as an administrative assistant for Dr. DeBruin in Folsom the last 30 years of her career. She formed lasting bonds with patients and colleagues which she cherished greatly.

Shirley was an enthusiastic sports fan, sharing a passion for the University of Michigan football program with Ted for over three decades. The joy of the Wolverines’ National Championship win in 2023 was a highlight of her sports fandom. She also found solace and camaraderie on the golf course with the ladies’ golf club and enjoyed playing softball in an adult league, a passion she passed down to her daughter and granddaughter. Above all, Shirley found her greatest joy in cheering on her grandchildren as they pursued their own athletic passions.

Despite her few words, Shirley’s presence resonated deeply within her community. Her gentle demeanor, paired with a subtle sense of humor, endeared her to all who knew her. Shirley was exceptionally kind and loved to enjoy life. Her life exemplified the values of love, family, and community, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her.

A memorial service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, 3111 Tierra de Dios Dr, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Rest in peace, Shirley. Your legacy of love, kindness, and grace will endure eternally in the hearts of your beloved family and friends.

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.

Shawn “Shawnie” Marie Allen Hicks

Dec. 28, 1953 – June 9, 2024

Shawn “Shawnie” Marie Allen Hicks lost her long battle with cancer on Sunday June 9, 2024. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones, and everyone that knew her.

Shawnie was born to Kennith and Mary Allen in Southern California and graduated from Villa Park High School in 1970. In 1972 Shawnie and Christian Madison III married and had a son, Taz. In 1975 they relocated to Placerville, California.

Spanky’s Pizza was opened in 1978 by George T. Hicks in the local Placerville bowling alley and moved to their current location within a few years. During that time, Shawnie started working with George, and well one thing led to another and in 1985 they married. Spanky’s has been serving up the finest pizza in Placerville ever since. Shawnie was always there, working hard, with a smile and a kind word for everyone.

Shawnie is survived by her son, Taz Madison, stepsons, Je and Stevie Hicks; sister Kathy Wright, brother Patrick Wright; granddaughter Lexi Madison, granddaughters Nikki and Rikki Sizemore and great grandson Kane Washam.

She is preceded in death by her husband George Hicks, Mary Allen (mother), Kennith Allen (father), and her sister, Sharon “Sherry” Mahlum Soulis.

A Celebration of Shawnie’s Life will be held on Sunday July 7, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the American Legion Hall located at 4561 Greenstone Rd., Placerville CA 95667. The event will be Potluck style and a no-host bar will be available. For any questions regarding the Celebration of Life, please contact Linda at 530-417-0946 or Becky at 530919-4071.

Doreen Fleurange Thornhill

1935 – Feb 23, 2024

Doreen Fleurange Thornhill, 88, of Placerville, CA, died peacefully on February 23, 2024. She was born in Oakland, CA in 1935 to Wilfred and Florence Styles. She graduated from the University of The Pacific in 1956 and married William John Thornhill the same year in September. William and Doreen spent the next 20 years moving all around the United States and raising their four children because William was an O cer in the United States Air Force. Upon William’s retirement from the USAF, they resided in Papillion, NE and then Shawnee Mission, KS. When they became empty nesters, they followed their dream of running a Bed & Breakfast and found the perfect one in Placerville, CA. They opened The ChichesterMcKee Bed & Breakfast Inn, located on Spring Street, in November 1990. Doreen was best known for her caramel brownies she made for all her guests. Together, they ran the Bed & Breakfast for over 20 years. William and Doreen were honored when the Painter of Light, Thomas Kinkade, chose their home to be painted and the painting is known as the Victorian Christmas III. Doreen was also a member of the Placerville Shakespeare Club and is considered a lifetime member. She loved playing bridge, knitting and spending time with her friends. She also loved spending time at her family cabin at Lily Lake (near Fallen Leaf Lake/Lake Tahoe). Doreen was preceded in death by William John Thornhill (1/20/2023), her husband of 66 years and her son, Kenneth Travis Thornhill. Doreen is survived by her daughters and son, Cheri Lynn Schappaugh of Shawnee Mission, KS, Susan Jean Little of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and James Wright Thornhill of Papillion, NE. Additionally, she is survived by her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Placerville Shakespeare Club located at 2940 Bedford Ave, Placerville, CA.

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.

Karen Stangland

Aug. 18, 1952 – April 9, 2024

After 6-1/2 years of continuous treatment for metastatic breast cancer, Karen Stangland, 71, died in her Reno home with her brother, David, and her niece, Johanna, at her side.

Karen was born in Orange, CA, to Gordon and Harriet Stangland. A few years later, the family, including her older brother, David, moved to Placerville, CA, where her younger sister, Katy, was born, and where Karen graduated from high school in 1970. She received a bachelor’s degree from University of Nevada, Reno, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and made lifetime friendships to add to those she held dear from her life in Placerville.

For many years, Karen was a dealer in various Reno casinos, and added yet more lasting friendships. Some years later, she began a career in the financial sector and obtained a broker’s license. During those years she worked in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Reno.

After her father died of leukemia, Karen generously and lovingly gave up her career, and, in 2012, moved to Tonasket, WA to help care for her aging mother. Their deep love for Katy took them back to Reno to care for her in her last months as she was dying of ovarian cancer. After returning to Tonasket, it was discovered that her mother also had ovarian cancer, and Karen continued caring for her until she died in 2016.

While in Tonasket, Karen worked diligently and persistently to raise money for a community swimming pool, a project dear to her parents’ hearts. She spearheaded a fundraising campaign for the construction of the new pool, raising one million dollars. She sent each donor a handwritten thank you. She also developed friendships in Tonasket that were important to her, and that supported her both in her care-giving and her e orts to build the pool.

Karen loved traveling the world which she often did with her sister Katy, as well as various friends. Many of her trips included scuba diving and her dear friend, Marjorie, “Dive Buddies For Life”. Most recently she was able to travel with other family members to the Åland Islands to see family that still live there, and to the southern part of Africa with a friend where, of course, the wildlife was incredible to see. It was wonderful that she was able to take both trips given that by then her mobility was compromised. She was also an accomplished alpine skier, having raced for her high school team and various casino teams.

Karen believed in working hard and in making a di erence. She was always thinking of others and doing something to help. Most recently, despite little energy due to her cancer, she knitted many, many hats for new babies to be given out in various maternity wards in Reno. She liked staying busy, and during her years in Reno she also started a side business as a professional window washer, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Karen had many wonderful friends throughout the country. In her last years, her Reno friends and neighbors, and her cousins, Marie Petersen and Chris and Julie Petersen, were especially generous in providing support, whether making meals, giving transportation, helping with her computer, or playing a cut-throat game of Bridge. They were also incredibly helpful to David and Johanna in the days following Karen’s death. There are too many to name. She always knew that her friends, wherever they were, were supportive and caring, and she was deeply grateful for their love.

Karen is survived by her brother, David (Catherine) of Tonasket, WA, and her niece, Johanna, of McCall, ID and many cousins for whom she was very grateful. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, all of whom died of cancer. So that others might not su er from the e ects of cancer, Karen donated her body to science through Medcure, an organization that facilitates body donation for research.

Please join family and friends to celebrate Karen’s life on June 29, 2024 from noon to 4 pm at 8075 List Country Rd. in Carson City, NV (Washoe Valley).`

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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.

OBITUARIES

Buddy L. Baker

Aug. 15, 1940 – May 4, 2024

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.

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 friends 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Families share message of appreciation

Special to the Mountain Democrat

Nearly three months after a mountain lion killed one young man and severely injured his brother, the family members of Taylen and Wyatt Brooks continue to express their gratitude for the support, love, prayers and generosity they have received.

“Thank you for surrounding us as we began the journey through this horrific tragedy, unlike anything one could possibly imagine or prepare for. It was made just a little lighter for us because we did not have to go through it alone,” reads a statement recently released by the Brooks and Welsh families.

“Beginning with the Sierra Chaplaincy caring for our needs at both hospitals, the pop-up music shows, the lovefilled music benefit in Camino, the wonderful community spaghetti feed, the heart-hitting baseball fundraiser,

the incredible truck fundraiser and all the visits, meals and cards from friends and family,” the statement continues. The families also expressed their thanks to the El Dorado

a “safe, sound and secure financial vehicle for people to donate through,” as well as

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

WHEN A TOOTH DIES

Underneath the layer of protective enamel, a tooth is a living organism with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If a tooth is damaged and the blood supply is limited or cut off, it can cause the tooth to die. A dead tooth should be treated immediately because it can become infected and affect your gums, jaw, and other teeth. The term “dead tooth” is somewhat of a misnomer because, when treated in time, the tooth’s pulp is still alive, and it can be saved with a root canal and a filling or crown. When a dead tooth has significant damage, it may need to be extracted and can then be replaced with a bridge, denture, or implant. Losing a tooth, especially to poor oral hygiene, is an eye-opening experience, one that often leads to a vow to be better at home care. To help maintain a healthy oral profile for a lifetime, keep in mind that annual checkups keep teeth happy and healthy. For quality, compassionate care from a team of highly trained, professional individuals, we welcome your call. P.S. A painful or discolored tooth may be the sign of a dying tooth. Tooth decay, oral

Courtesy photo

Amanda Welsh, Sydney Smith , Wyatt Brooks, Aaron Brooks and Stacy Brooks, left to right, share their appreciation for all the community support received during a trying time.

EDH pilot takes to the skies in air race

Special to the Mountain Democrat

El Dorado Hills resident Kelly Hansen is flying for the first time in the 47th Air Race Classic, the oldest airplane race of its kind in the United States. She is one of more than 100 women pilots from across the country and around the world flying in this year’s race, which began June 18 in Carbondale, Ill. and ends in Loveland, Colo., on June 21.

This historical contest traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica to Cleveland, Ohio. That competition marked the beginning of women’s air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women’s air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.

Flight Instructor rating next month. After graduation, she plans to instruct students at Skyrise Aviation at Mather Airport, her home airport. She and her race partner, Logan Nissen from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will compete against 48 teams, flying a 2,610-statute mile route. Faster planes may cover the course in only two days; slower teams may not arrive at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport until moments before the arrival deadline of 5 p.m. on June 21.

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The Air Race Classic offers a unique chance to explore unfamiliar territories and push my skills to new heights, whether through navigating mountainous terrain or handling unpredictable weather. Most importantly, it provides an incredible opportunity to connect with and be inspired by other remarkable women pilots.

Hansen is a commercial multiengine pilot and a senior at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2021, where she earned her private pilot’s certificate at just 17. In addition to her aviation pursuits, Hansen was a dedicated student-athlete, earning a full ride for volleyball. She is on track to graduate summa cum laude this fall with a degree in aeronautical science.

With nearly 400 flight hours, Hansen is set to obtain her Certified

Because each plane receives a unique handicap, teams are racing against their own best time, not against one another. This creates a level playing field so slower planes can compete against faster aircraft on an equal basis. Teams strategize to play the elements, holding out for better weather or seeking more favorable winds, to beat their handicap by the greatest margin. Official standings aren’t determined until after the last team has crossed the finish line — the last arrival at the airport may, in fact, be the winner.

The ARC draws competitors of all ages, from teenagers to veteran pilots in their 90s, and from all walks of life, from college students to professional airline pilots to military veterans to teachers, writers, doctors and businesswomen. For some teams, the ARC is a family affair, with multiple generations competing together every year. For others, the ARC presents a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to experience parts of the country far from home. For all, it is a chance to engage in fierce competition while sharing their love of flying — especially with young people — expanding their knowledge and skill as pilots, and encouraging the next generation of brave, fearless women to take to the air.

walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient

Sly Park Intertie to be renovated

Dawn Hodson Mountain Democrat correspondent

Making another big commitment to improving the district’s infrastructure, the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors recently approved spending $55 million on an extensive renovation of the Sly Park Intertie.

Originally built in 1978 following the 1976-77 drought, the Pollock Pines facility was decommissioned in 2013 after leaks and extensive corrosion were discovered.

Speaking before the board at the June 10 meeting, EID Project Manager/Engineer Liz Carrington emphasized the project’s importance because the Sly Park Intertie is a critical part of reliably transmitting water from Jenkinson Lake and the South Fork of the American River to areas throughout the district.

Spanning only 6 miles, the intertie links the district’s Reservoir 1 and Reservoir A water treatment plants, which together provide 70% of the total water supply to customers in Pollock Pines, Camino, Placerville, Pleasant Valley, Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Lotus, Shingle Springs, Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills.

Carrington noted that renovating the intertie will not only allow EID to convey drinking water between the two water treatment plants but also provide backup during periods of drought as well as when other plants are being upgraded or undergoing seasonal maintenance or when there is an emergency.

The renovation project includes replacing the pump station at Reservoir A and the existing pipeline that traverses terrain that varies considerably in elevation, going from a low of approximately 3,100 feet to a high of 3,650 feet.

Divided into four parts, the first phase of the project consists of laying approximately .6 miles of new pipeline from Reservoir 1 along Pony Express Trail and under the Highway 50 underpass to Ridgeway Drive.

Phase 2 consists of laying 4.9 miles of new pipeline from Ridgeway

Drive to Reservoir A.

Phase 3 includes laying .2 miles of new pipe within the Reservoir A water treatment plant along with constructing a 1,600-squarefoot, two-story pump station. The new pump station will house three 700-horse-power vertical turbine pumps along with electrical and control equipment, a surge tank, three 500-kW diesel generators, an emergency backup diesel fuel tank, flow meters and motor-actuated valves.

Phase 4 consists of .4 miles of new pipe over cross-country terrain from Reservoir A to the Sly Park Hills tank. This includes piping modifications and pump replacement in the Reservoir A filter building and installing a new pipe inside the original Sly Park Intertie pipeline from Reservoir A to the Sly Park Hills tank.

To carry out the project, EID directors approved contracts with a long list of vendors, including one with Mozingo Construction Inc. for nearly $45.7 million for construction, one with Water Works Engineers Inc. for $1.34 million for construction engineering services, another with ICM Group Inc. for almost $2.5 million for construction management and inspection services, and a contract for about $98,000 with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for biological and water quality monitoring. In addition the board authorized $50,000 for environmental compensatory mitigation, $50,000 for Caltrans and El Dorado County Department of Transportation fees, $50,000 for storm water pollution prevention plan monitoring, $600,000 for capitalized labor and $5 million in contingencies for a total funding request of approximately $55.4 million.

The district expects to receive a $10 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources to put toward the project. The remainder of the funding will come from bonds.

Work on the project will start in July and is expected to be substantially completed by January 2027, according to Carrington.

Courtesy photo Kelly Hansen from Oak Ridge High School in 2021, where she earned her private

Four acres burned in Garden Valley area

Odin Rasco

Senior sta writer

Residents of Mount Murphy Road in Garden Valley were under temporary evacuation orders Sunday when a wildfire spotted at 2:46 p.m. threatened nearby structures.

Early reports noted the fire was spreading at a moderate rate, burning through a patch of grass and oak woodland. Firefighters from the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, Garden Valley and El Dorado County Fire Protection districts and Georgetown Fire worked together in the e ort to contain the blaze, stopping forward progress of the fire at 4 acres, according to Wendy Oaks, a Cal Fire representative.

All nearby structures were successfully protected from the fire and no injuries were reported. The evacuation orders were lifted in the early evening.

The cause of the fire has not been released.

Fire strikes on Father’s Day

Fire crews contained and doused a 16-acre fire that started around 11:30 a.m. on Quartz Drive in El Dorado on Sunday. Highway 49 was closed in the area for a couple hours and then limited to one lane of tra c while firefighters battled the blaze that scorched dry grass. Forward progress was quickly stopped with fire crews from the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Rescue Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service working together. El Dorado County sheri ’s o cials also assisted. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

PG&E Foundation funds more restaurant grants

Paul Moreno

PG&E

OAKLAND — For the fourth consecutive year, The PG&E Corporation Foundation is providing grants to support independent restaurant owners and their staffs through the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. And for the first time, commercial caterers are now eligible to apply for the grants.

The PG&E Foundation is contributing $900,000 this year to help build more resilient hometown businesses for the long term. The contribution will fund $5,000 grants to 154 restaurants and commercial caterers in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s service area. In total, CRF’s

Restaurants Care Resilience Fund will provide grants across California of nearly $1.4 million to 278 independent restaurants this year. The $5,000 grants can be used to support

vital business needs, including technology and equipment upgrades, employee training and retention, and unforeseen hardships. The grants

Photo courtesy of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District Fire crews move into position to battle flames on Quartz Drive in El Dorado Sunday afternoon.

Photos courtesy of Cal Fire

Smoke from the Murphy Fire billows into the sky, as seen by a firefighting aircraft.

OPINION

California Matters

Restaurants want hidden fee exemption

In “1984,” George Orwell’s novel about a dystopian future, he describes “newspeak,” a propagandistic language of euphemisms and inversions used by o cialdom to mask the reality of their meaning.

We recently got a dose of California-style newspeak when state Sen. Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 1524. It would exempt restaurants from his previous legislation, SB 478, which requires businesses to fully include extra fees in their prices, rather than tacking them on after services or goods have been delivered.

Letters to the Editor

Here to help

EDITOR:

Dodd declared his proposed new legislation would “enhance consumer protection” for restaurant patrons by “clarifying state law” on how fees and other service charges should be disclosed.

“Restaurant customers shouldn’t be surprised when they get their checks by a slew of extra charges they were not expecting,” Dodd said. “Many restaurants are up-front with their business practices but too many aren’t, necessitating action.”

In fact, Dodd’s original legislation, passed last year and due to take e ect on July 1, was aimed at eliminating “a slew of extra charges” on restaurant bills and other consumer transactions. But SB 1524 would reduce consumer protection by allowing restaurants to avoid full disclosure of their prices by burying the notices of extra fees within their menus, where customers are least likely to notice them.

There is absolutely nothing in the current law that prevents restaurants from raising their prices as much as they desire to increase their workers’ pay and bene ts. That’s simply business as usual throughout the economy.

The deceptive descriptions of Dodd’s new legislation accompany assertions by bill sponsors in the restaurant industry and their unions that if surcharges are included in food prices, they would somehow lead to pay reductions.

“Cutting the pay of banquet servers and ballpark workers was never the intention of SB 478, as the bill’s authors have made clear,” said Mario Yedidia, western political director for UNITE HERE, a union that represents some food service workers.

“This will enable restaurants to continue to support increased pay equity and to make contributions to worker health care and other employee benefits,” added Matthew Sutton, senior vice president of the California Restaurant Association.

There is absolutely nothing in the current law that prevents restaurants from raising their prices as much as they desire to increase their workers’ pay and benefits. That’s simply business as usual throughout the economy.

First, we thank you for sharing the news about Episcopal Church of Our Saviour’s participation in Project (Re)Start designed to help families who have experienced a housing disaster. Your headline writers are the best. What we did not include was information on how anyone who has been displaced, is establishing a household in a rebuilt residence or has experienced forced relocation can request assistance. The bins of everyday goods are designed to help persons adapt to temporary housing while homes and lives are being rebuilt. The number to call to request assistance is O ce of the Bishop at (916) 442-6918.

LEE WEIKERT Diamond Springs

Destroying our DMV

EDITOR:

Anyone who has ever needed to transact a service at a California DMV o ce more than once quickly picks up on those o ces that provide great service and those o ces to avoid.

No matter the transaction’s complexity, the Placerville DMV o ce is one of the DMV sites that provides great service. So, of course, in the typical non-sensical managerial style of state of California leadership, the o ce is targeted to eliminate sta ed services.

Of course, we are welcome to take our transactions to the worst o ces for service that remain open, including the original sin example of the “worst” — the Broadway, Sacramento O ce. Instead, of competent sta in the Placerville o ce, we will be forced to use clunky, buggy, kiosks that are notorious for being broken or refusing to accept your payment card. Or we can use the DMV website — a college textbook example of a bad website — replete with hard to navigate pages, downloadable PDF files that are impossible to complete and references back to DMV o ces for completing the transaction.

But this isn’t the real reason why Newsom and the Legislature have forced the DMV to move to this model. The real reason is more insidious; it is part of Newsom’s agenda to promote electric vehicles with electronic license plates and eVIN systems that do not need DMV traditional services. By closing DMV services the message is clear: Your gasoline powered vehicle will soon not be licensable or capable of being registered and

The average stock market return has been about 10% every year for nearly the last century, as measured by the S&P 500 index. In some years, the market returns more than that, and in other years it returns less. Talk to a stock broker or someone who works with Individual Retirement Accounts or do internet research before investing. You want to invest safely and wisely. You don’t want to lose your money and there is no reason to do so. Locate a couple of stock funds that have paid at least 10% over the last 15 years and you should be okay to move forward with investing. It’s not easy to save money if you don’t make much money. People on

minimum wage incomes can barely buy groceries and pay rent. What if you could put $100 a month into a S&P Index Fund? Let’s say you are 25 years old and struggling to scrape by but you are going to set a goal of investing $100 a month into stock. This may mean some sacrifice but anything good always requires some sacrifice. If you are 25 years old and commit to at least setting aside $100 a month into stock, then at an assumed return rate of 10% you will have $585,422.17 when you are 65 years old. There are a lot of 65-year-old people who don’t have that much money. You can have that much if you will start now while you are young. If you can start younger than age 25 then you’ll have even more. By the

therefore illegal to drive. It’s more “rear guard” action from a legislature and administration trying to force their policies on Californians.

Better with Trump

EDITOR:

Iwatched every day on TV the trial of Donald Trump. All his rights were taken away. This judge is no fan of any Republican. This judge is in a group called Stop Republicans. The judge put a gag order on Trump, who was not allowed to talk at all. A big gag order on Trump here is something interesting. Even a murderer on trial is allowed to talk.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts. The funny thing is, each day in court they would say there is no crime here.

After the verdict was read, guilty of 34 counts, Trump went up six points in the polls.

Trump can sure bring in the crowds at his rallies. His New Jersey rally had about 107,000 people there. That is something. No one brings in the crowds like Trump.

My vote goes to Donald Trump. Everything was better four years ago.

CONNIE ROSEN Pollock Pines

Lousy legal system

EDITOR:

Isee Rob Purdie spewing out the expected convicted felon tag on Trump. If we still had a justice system he would have a point. But we don’t.

They create new laws to get Trump and yet Hillary destroys subpoenaed evidence and just gets a friendly o the record chat with FBI Director Comey. Biden brings Top Secret docs home from clear back when he was a senator and is even on tape sharing the information with a ghostwriter and is let o because the prosecutor thinks he’s too dementia-addled to stand trial. That is, a jury would just see Biden as a kindly forgetful old man unable to e ectively aid his defense.

That’s right folks, our president is too lame to participate in a criminal trial as a defendant. Give us a justice system that actually is one and I’ll listen to you, Mr. Purdie. Until then you can put those convictions in a landfill.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

We can’t take money with us when we die. We leave it all behind, but it helps pay the bills and buy ice cream while in this world.

time you are 30 or 40 you can maybe start putting an extra $100 or $200 more into your fund and it will grow all the more.

Let’s say your hard work pays o and on average you end up saving $300 a month for 40 years. Your amount of savings at the historical average rate of return will be $1,593,333.20. We aren’t talking about saving massive amounts of money but simply sticking with a monthly and yearly commitment to investing. Possibly you are 50 years old and just finally able to save a little. Fifty is a late age to start. However, if most of your bills are paid and you commit to saving $500 a month in your stock fund till age 67 you can still end up with $243,268.22. There are many

people who do don’t have this much money. You can, if you commit to making a smart monthly investment. We can’t take money with us when we die. We leave it all behind, but it helps pay the bills and buy ice cream while in this world. If you do save a big bunch of money and don’t live to enjoy it then your spouse, kids, church or favorite charity will enjoy it in your honor.

The Bible says, “Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.” Proverbs 13:11

Want some money? Work hard and save a little every month. Eventually you’ll have plenty. Glenn Mollette is an author and national columnist. Learn more at GlennMollette.com.

Richard B. Esposito Publisher

MATT SILVEIRA Placerville

GLENN MOLLETTE

DAN WALTERS

Walters Continued from A6

Nor is requiring restaurants and other businesses to list their full prices before consumers decide whether to make transactions such a novel idea. Take, for instance, gasoline prices.

If you pay $5 for a gallon of gas, it includes about $1.50 in state and federal taxes and other surcharges. The full prices are displayed on signs and on the gas pumps themselves. Gas stations cannot advertise fuel for $3.50 and then tack on the extra fees and taxes after you’ve already filled your tank.

Before you buy a house and take on a mortgage, state law requires you to be informed of transaction fees before signing the final papers. Same applies for buying a new car.

When SB 478 was going through the Legislature last year, somehow those in the restaurant business assumed that it would not compel them to list

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

full prices in their menus, even though there was nothing in the bill itself to support that assumption.

Uncertainty about SB 478’s effect on restaurants led Attorney General Rob Bonta to declare recently that they would be subject to the new law, generating a strong backlash from those in the industry and pressure on Dodd and other legislators to grant an exemption.

We shouldn’t be fooled by the newspeak descriptions of SB 1524. It does not “enhance consumer protection.” It would purposely undermine consumer protection by allowing restaurants to resume their bait-and-switch tactics — giving patrons menu prices that don’t fully reflect what their final bills will be.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

by Joel Fagliano No. 0515

reflect a commitment to strengthen restaurants so that they can continue contributing to local economies and communities.

CRF officials said this year’s decision to open the grants to commercial caterers was based on appeals for support with catering companies noting that they too are a part of the local food scene.

Since 2021, PG&E and the PG&E Foundation have contributed $3.2 million in funding to the CRF’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund providing grants ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

Last year, the PG&E Foundation funded $5,000 grants to 154 hometown restaurants in Northern and Central California.

“We all have favorite gathering spots in our communities where we come to relax or celebrate a special occasion over a great meal; our local restaurants are where we connect with one another and where memories are made. We are proud to continue our partnership with the California Restaurant Foundation to help boost our local eating establishments and our local economies,” said Carla Peterman, executive vice president, Corporate Affairs, PG&E Corporation, and chair of the board, PG&E Corporation Foundation.

CRF began the Resilience Fund in 2021 to support restaurants recovering from economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to many restaurants closing their doors temporarily or permanently. PG&E and the PG&E Corporation Foundation have supported the program since its inception.

“We are tremendously grateful to The PG&E Corporation Foundation for funding another cycle of grants. The Resilience Fund has helped more than 1,300 restaurant owners since 2021, with hundreds more to be added in this newest cycle,” said Alycia Harshfield, executive director of the California Restaurant Foundation. “We are thrilled to offer another round of grants to deserving independent restaurant owners, helping to fortify small businesses at the center of our communities.”

Apply now

Resilience Fund applications will be open through June 30 and can be found at restaurantscare.org/resilience. Grants are open to all California-based restaurant owners and commercial caterers in PG&E’s service area that have fewer than five locations and less than $3 million in annual revenue. Priority will be given to restaurants that have not previously received a grant; however, former recipients can also apply.

To date, the CRF has awarded 1,325 grants to independent restaurant owners across the state. Of the past recipient businesses, 66% are womenowned and 77% minority-owned.

The PG&E Foundation’s funding for this charitable donation comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.

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 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees

COMICS

Feathers & fur

Seeing double

ARIES (March 21-April 19). That tinge of heightened awareness that pings in you like a tiny bell is telling you that you have a hot one on the line -- an idea worth exploring, a person who would be good to get to know, a topic of intrigue or a life-changing skill to add to your arsenal.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s no underestimating the power of an inviting environment where everything has a place. The attention you give to decluttering your home and workspace will reduce stress and increase your efficiency.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Curiosity will be your guide at first, then fate steps in to sweep you deep into the knowledge. It may even be more than you wanted to know, but think of it as a freebie course. Life is giving you an intensive study as a bonus.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). No need to be overly accommodating. This is your time to fully embody your own style. Doing what works for you will help others understand your boundaries and strengths. It will make relationships better, more comfortable and more real.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Some battles are never really won, but if you stop thinking of them as battles, winning or losing becomes a moot point. What can be put in place to assure everyone a sense of respect and safety? Good answers require a deep understanding of all involved.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes, good enough really is good enough, but today, good enough is a barely passing grade. Excellence brings a good result, and to get better than that, you can refine excellence until it’s stunning.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re careful not to attribute special qualities to people just because you find them attractive. That would be a rookie mistake at this point. You expect it from the newbies, but you hold yourself to a higher standard.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Hot topics abound. Words seem in a hurry to leave your brain through your lips. One deep breath will slow everything down so you can consider more careful responses. Thoughtful communication will be rewarded.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

talk that helps you process the world can also get in the way of processing the world. Exercise, meditation and calming techniques will keep your cognition calm and constructive. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Desire orders your thoughts. If

Once again, the El Dorado County Fair held a family lookalike contest, with moms, dads, sons and daughters competing to see if they could snag a ribbon for looking like the best familial facsimiles. This year, Lanky the Clown, right photo, awarded El Dorado Hills father and son duo Jacob and Graham Anderson the top prize. Sporting matching pairs of heart-shaped sunglasses, Katie Kaufman and her daughter HarleyQuinn, bottom photo, from El Dorado hills, took home the second-place ribbon in the family lookalike competition.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Photos by Laurie Edwards

Union Mine Future Farmers of America member Chloe Bunch, above, sold her Supreme Champion

Pen of Three Rabbits to Les Schwab for $600 at the Junior Livestock Auction held at the El Dorado County Fair last weekend.

Gold Hill Toppers 4-H member Jayden Johnson, above left, sold his Reserve Supreme Champion Market Turkey to Popas Pods for $800. Finley Properties bought Southside Topnotch 4-H member Charlie Lemos’s 145-pound Supreme Champion Market Lamb for $25 a pound, above right.

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Unbalanced Continued from A1

wherever possible without impacting services so the board can prioritize competitive compensation for our workforce (since) we recognize that we need to take care of our employees so we can retain a competent and dedicated staff so they can take care of our citizens,” Board Chair Wendy Thomas said. “I appreciate all our departments and staff tightening their belts to make that possible. It will be a lot of work in the next couple of months as we move into the adopted budget.

“We realize a lot of the belt tightening that went on this year is not sustainable and we are realistic about that, and we really appreciate everyone doing what they need to do to help meet as many of our policies as possible while hopefully helping us to meet our compensation goals as possible,” she added.

Other notable items in the budget include capital projects designations spent down to $2.2 million with no new revenue added and a state reduction of $200 million in funding for public health programs. An implementation of a retiree health “rate holiday” for departments to save $2.7 million for the fiscal year caught the attention of Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, who said the action is not sustainable to balance the budget.

“It would be like if you lost your job and your mortgage company said you don’t have to pay your mortgage for 18 months but we’re going to continue

City budget

Continued from A1

Warren noted. “I other words, there’s more of your sales tax that’s being generated, significantly, by online sales tax.”

The General Fund budget is the only “true” source of discretionary funds for the city, and covers most major city services such as street maintenance, public safety and parks. Though the 2024-25 budget aims to maintain programs at a similar level, jumps in everyday costs have necessitated a hiring freezing for five vacant positions. The frozen positions, including one police officer, are set to save the city $552,978, with $516,042 of the savings going toward the General Fund.

“We assumed existing program delivery to the greatest extent possible, but this was a more challenging budget year,” Warren explained to the council.

Even with the savings, the proposed budget is set to cut spending in nearly every category, with only slight increases for city administration (2.95%) and finance (3.43%) as compared to this fiscal year. The largest shifts in General Fund expenditures include a $596,796 drop in non-departmental spending (-32.41%), $427,473 less going toward the police department (-10.63%) and a $49,143 cut in engineering spending (-14.58%). In total, the proposed budget is set to shrink spending by $1.3

million.

to accrue interest,” Harn told the board. “I support the CAO’s budget recommendation, but this isn’t a healthy sign having to not fund retirees’ health obligation.”

Harn was also concerned about what he thinks is a permanent shift in retail/sales that could affect sales and use tax growth in the future, unless drastic changes were made.

“I believe we’ll be lucky if (sales tax growth percentage) will be flat this year because … the bigger portion of the economic activity is online and I think we are going to find that we are going to be collecting less and less of it,” Harn noted.

Though the budget is legally balanced, the county leaders further affirmed the budget needs to be more “structurally” balanced to counter shortfall concerns, which they hope to achieve when the final 2024-25 budget is discussed and then approved in the fall.

“I would have trouble naming any agency where I could say they have a completely structurally balanced budget into the future. Everybody has these challenges going forward; where I think our biggest challenges and weaknesses are with the capital program,” Hennike told the board.

Thomas in particular was supportive of using additional revenues to further fund the county’s capital designation projects.

“We have a lot of needs and we are only down to $2.2 million in our capital designation projects, so

“I want to applaud your staff, who rolled up their sleeves and looked for any way to save money, raise revenue. We were able to cut (costs) and raise revenue by about $1,087,000,” Warren said.

The million-dollar difference between the proposed 2024-25 budget and the revised 2023-24 budget stems from the choice to run up an intentional deficit in the current fiscal year. The city had accrued more than $3.6 million in surplus funds since 2020 and opted to put $1 million of those funds toward one-time expenditures. The city paid $500,000 toward unfunded pension liability, described by Warren as something like the city’s “credit card balance.” By paying a lump sum early, the city is set to save $500,000 over time and free up $42,000 in revenue yearly. The city will not be able to do the same this year, Warren added.

Assumptions made in the proposed budget account for a few double-digit percentage jumps in the city’s regular costs. Electricity costs are expected to increase by 17% over the next year, while liability and property insurance rates are projected to jump 14.81% and 20%, respectively. The El Dorado Irrigation District recently approved a 13% rate increase for customers in

I support the ideas that we look into the adopted budget of prioritizing that with any additional revenues,” Thomas said.

Despite the budget concerns, there is good news; the budget still fully funds $7.85 million in General Fund contingency, $13 million in general reserves for significant emergency situations and exceeds the board’s $5 million in discretionary revenues for road maintenance by $2 million for a total of $7 million.

“While considered a status quo budget, we are mindful of shifting economic realities and will continue to work closely with departments to identify long-term solutions, including structural changes, revisions to discretionary programs and options to increase revenue for the board’s consideration for final adoption,” states CAO Tiffany Schmid in a press release.

Additionally, the budget will allocate $66 million to the county’s accumulative capital overlay workplan for facility improvements (with $40 million going to the Placerville Jail expansion), $30 million in federal expenditures for the construction of the new Mosquito Bridge and almost $24 million in state and federal funding to address and counter homelessness.

The final budget will be adopted Sept. 17. The recommended budget can be found on the county’s website at eldoradocounty.ca.gov.

2024, to be followed by additional 12% increases yearly through 2028; EID has proposed increasing wholesale water costs for the city will increase by the same percentages.

On the capital improvement projects side of things, Placerville had a busy year in 2023-24, completing around 16 project phases, including improvements to Placerville Station on Mosquito Road. The big-ticket items for the 2024-25 CIP budget include developing a permanent Trip to Green solution ($1 million) and storm drain replacement and installation, as well as repaving, along Smith Flat Road ($2.1 million).

Phases 1 (Combellack Road to Cougar

Brooks Continued from A3

Marshall Hospital and UC Davis Medical Center, Green Valley Church, Dignity Medical Aesthetics, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and Medic 61 first responders. “Words can-not adequately express our appreciation for the genuine love, care and professionalism you all extended to us,” the families message reads, concluding, “We are eternally and profoundly grateful to this community and everyone who loved us through this indescribably difficult time.”

Lane) and 2 (Cougar Lane to Highway 50) of Canal Street improvements are also on the list of planned expenditures, with federal funds coming in to match local expenditures (a total of about $982,000).

New projects were also introduced and factored into the CIP budget. The projects include a tot-lot replacement at Orchard Hill Park and re-roofing and stone replacement at the Bell Tower on Main Street. The draft CIP budget for the year is roughly $6,731,453.

The council is expected to approve the preliminary 2024-25 budget during its June 25 meeting.

Taylen, 21, and Wyatt, 18, were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23 while looking for deer sheds on Eldorado National Forest land near Georgetown. Taylen died in the incident and Wyatt suffered multiple injuries and has since recovered. California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens and trappers with the county Department of Agriculture located and dispatched the mountain lion within a few hours of the attack.

A crowning achievement IN THE KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations

Congratulations

June

Eric Jaramishian

Senior sta writer

ongratulations to El Dorado County’s newest royalty. Fifteen competed at the Miss El Dorado County Scholarship Pageant Thursday at the El Dorado County Fair for the titles of Junior, Teen and Miss El Dorado. Each contestant answered questions on stage and showed o causal wear and evening gowns while vying for the crown. In addition to winning their titles and respective scholarships, the ladies will represent the county in many community events throughout the year.

2024 Miss El Dorado Elizabeth Wylie

2024 Miss Teen El Dorado

Eleanor Davis

2024 Jr Miss El Dorado

Morgan Williamson

2024 1st Runner-up Miss El Dorado Cassidy Lowder

2024 1st Runner-up Miss Teen El Dorado Madison

Tatum

2024 1st Runner-up Jr. Miss El Dorado Allora Schlag

2024 Top interview award –

Eleanor Davis

2024 Miss Congeniality (voted on by all the contestants) – Kylie Gillbreaith

2024 Directors Choice (person who demonstrates leadership, always willing to help everyone, always shows up) – Kylie Gillbreaith

2024 People’s Choice (online votes): 2024 Miss El Dorado People’s Choice Joey Gold; 2024 Teen People’s Choice Eleanor Davis; and 2024 Jr Miss People’s Choice Morgan Williamson.

The new Miss Teen El Dorado County Eleanor Davis, 17, is crowned at the El Dorado County Fair by outgoing Miss Teen Evangeline Newman.

The 2024 Miss El Dorado County, 20-year-old Elizabeth Wylie, is crowned by the 2023 Miss El Dorado County Madison Stillman.

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

Pageant contestant and winner Morgan Williamson, 14, gets emotional as she as crowned Miss Junior El Dorado County

Jack

Lava Cap Winery: Enjoy a glass of wine in their lavender covered garden. Live music on

Camino Ridge:

for

pick on both weekends. Rucksack Cellars: Mention Lavender Days and get a two-for-one

Green Valley Elementary student performance marks school year’s end

Jessica Trumble-Pitel News release

Let the chimes sound and young voices abound as another year of dedication and accomplishments is celebrated at Rescue Union School District’s Green Valley Elementary School. On May 16, students, staff and families came together to support students in a joint band and choir performance, highlighting their work over the past school year.

Green Valley Elementary School is dedicated to wholechild education and strongly supports the integration of arts, enrichment and academics for all students served. It prides itself on being one of the few public elementary schools on the western slope that offers a choir program to children starting in second grade. Studies support that students who participate in choir singing can experience improved health, happiness and higher academics.

“Choir is a fun, educational experience for all young kids. We start them in second grade

through fifth grade,” shared Kecia Thompson, Green Valley Elementary teacher and choir director.

“I love teaching choir because of the benefits for kids,” Thompson continued. “They develop socially together as well as cognitively. They also develop language and vocabulary skills. There is no downside to learning and singing together! Just a lot of fun to be had.”

RUSD seamlessly intertwines the realms of arts, science, academics and social-emotional development. This integration is vividly exemplified by the Green Valley Elementary Choir Program.

For more information about Green Valley Elementary School visit mygreenvalleyschool.com. For more information about Rescue School District visit rescueusd.org.

Film in American Sign Language making history

Sherri Bergmann

Mountain Democrat correspondent

This is not another Jesus movie. This is the first time a film that is produced for deaf by deaf — with an all-deaf cast using only American Sign Language — has been released in public theaters.

“Jesus” producer and director Joseph Josselyn revealed what he thinks will surprise viewers the most. “I think people will be surprised by how we handle Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross and his ability to communicate while his hands were nailed to the cross. Also, the hearing audience, not knowing sign language, will be surprised how well they will emotionally connect with the film without relying on voiceovers.”

ASL users will be excited and appreciative to see a top-notch film in their language through hands, gestural features, linguistics, etc. ASL is a visual language and for the deaf, portraying emotions is integral when communicating.

The movie will provide those who can hear with a unique experience to see the deaf world’s perspective as the story of Jesus will be displayed with a moving passion that is not commonly seen

Courtesy photo

Guests are invited to cut and make their own lavender bouquets, wreaths, wands or critters at Bluestone Meadow during Harvest Days.

Courtesy photo

Kecia Thompson directs the young singers at Green Valley Elementary School.

DAY HIKER

Clark’s Hole

Ihave written about the Clementine Trail that leads back to the dam on the North Fork of the American River previously. It is an easy trail that takes you under the Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California at 730 feet. I am still surprised that people don’t realize that the very popular swimming hole named Clark’s Hole is a drop off the main trail.

Clark’s Hole is a wide spot in the river with an eddy that slows the current of the river, making for a fun spot to swim once the winter runoff has slowed. A large rock next to the shore on the Stagecoach Trail side of the river is a great place to sunbathe and

enjoy the water. Auburn State Recreation Area rangers caution anyone not to jump from the rock into the river. The heavy flows off the dam bring limbs and logs that catch under the surface and become pinned under rocks. The pressure of the current holds debris in place, creating ever changing hazards under the surface. Much of the area is shallow in late summer so one can stand waist deep several

GROW FOR IT!

Ouch! Getting hurt by our love for gardening

Raise your hand if you love gardening. Raise your hand if you hurt after gardening. OK, now put your hand down because keeping your arm extended is an awkward posture. Certain activities that we love to do, such as gardening, and those activities that we must do, such as keying on a computer keyboard, need to be looked at ergonomically. Ergonomics is the study of body mechanics in the process of working and originates from the Greek word ergon, meaning work, and nomos, meaning natural law. Bodies at work or other activities need to be

evaluated for risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, tendinitis and other ailments.

Risk factors for these musculoskeletal disorders include awkward postures, repetitive motion injuries, prolonged static postures causing joint discomfort and contact stress when you force a body part into an awkward position for extended time periods.

In gardening, there are a lot of uncomfortable postures, such as overreaching to prune that dead branch that is just out of reach rather than stopping to get the ladder or the long-handled pruners. It is better to take your time and do it right than to suffer later. Ideally, the upper arm

feet offshore. This is a short hike from the confluence of the Auburn State

Recreation Area down the Clementine Trail off Old Foresthill Road near the curved bridge.

State Parks Day Use Fees are enforced. Your state Poppy Pass is accepted here. Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

and forearm should be at a 90-degree angle and elbows should be close to the trunk of the body with thumbs up. Think of your body in only one plane and keep your shoulders and hips aligned. Remember geometry? No twisting and turning the torso when cutting or pruning.

The definition of repetition is obvious, doing the same thing repeatedly. But once a person gets going with a chore that is rewarding, it is hard to stop. Weeding is therapeutic for some people and

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Photo by Mary West

American River currents are less intense at Clark’s Hole, making it a great spot for wading into the water when the summer heat arrives.

Diane Lehr UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Pixabay

ASK A CARE MANAGER

What happens when there is a suicide?

t happened years ago but I’ll never forget. The call came in on a weekend just before Christmas from my supervisor. I never got calls from work on a weekend.

when these situations occur that a person becomes anxious or depressed. Although it can become a diagnosable mental illness, most of the time these times of depression or anxiety are not considered mental illness.

What can we do both for others and ourselves? How can we move forward or be there for another person who now is alone or at this point in their lives cannot see a reason to continue on?

• It’s nice to have time alone but not all the time. Go outside and take a five-minute walk. Say hi to the horses next door or the neighbor who is sweeping her porch.

My supervisor, never one to mince words, said our boss had committed suicide. I do not remember the rest of the conversation but hung up the phone in shock. In the following days at work we talked about how none of us were aware of what caused this sudden death. He seemed “fine” at our last day of work before the holiday weekend. He was a good boss and I wondered what I could have done to help prevent this tragic death. Suicide is sudden to those who are left to deal with the unexpected death. It can be accomplished in many ways but gun deaths are the most common particularly among men. According to an article funded by the SCAN Foundation, people 75 and older have the highest suicide rate among all age groups. This is largely driven by older men. Men experience death by suicide nearly 17 times more than women of the same age. Although suicide occurs among Black and Hispanic males, white males age 85 and older are 5.6 times more likely to commit suicide than any other.

Carol S. Heape MSW, CMC

Statistics o er strong evidence that individuals who live alone and are isolated have a diminished sense of well-being. If these individuals are also having di culty completing everyday living tasks to help them remain independent, research shows they are four times more likely to become depressed. Interestingly, the statistics increase even more if the individual meets the criteria for “low income.” These people can be six times more likely to have depressive symptoms. By the time an individual qualifies for Medicare at 65 or earlier for qualifying disabilities, everyone has interacted with the healthcare system.

Unfortunately, assessing as a suicide risk seldom occurs. In a National Institutes of Health study 45% of those committing suicide saw a physician within the prior 30 days and 36% of the same group had an ER visit — all missed opportunities in those situations to access treatment and save deaths by suicide. Furthermore, current behavioral health programs often neglect behavioral health issues of older adults.

• Send a card; write a note to someone you know. Write a few lines of what’s happening in your life. Cut an article from a magazine or newspaper you think they like.

• Text, call or e mail someone you know. If they’re alone, make a point of contacting them once/twice a month. Even those tiny messages can help you and them stay connected.

• Find a way to stay connected to your community whether it’s in your neighborhood, your church or your family. Put forward a regular comment or conversation to feed that connection.

• Ask, ask, ask for help and support from your primary care physician or the nurse practitioner particularly if you’ve lost someone close to you

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This group of older adults dying by suicide is growing by almost five times the rate of the overall population. Why? There are a unique set of circumstances that happen as a person ages. These can include a decline in physical health, reduced mental acuity, losing people in your social network, inability to participate and the loss of a spouse, other loved ones and friends. It is not uncommon

The Centers for Disease Control in a November 2023 report states the suicide rate is at its highest in 80 years. More than half of the deaths were by firearms. Since the pandemic and the country’s lockdown deaths by suicide have been sharply increased. Regardless of age risk factors include prior suicide attempts, history of depression, mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse, physical illness and feelings of isolation.

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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.

The El Dorado State planning meeting takes place at The Breakroom in Shingle Springs, 4131 South Shingle Road, with dinner at 5 p.m. and program beginning at 6 p.m. Special guest is Jordan Brace, a local resident who could be the new state’s first governor. El Dorado Hills Town Center will be rockin’ with a free concert, 7-9 p.m., featuring Twist on Taylor. 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 Sheriff Joseph Staples. Tickets are available online at EDCHS.org or in person at The Fountain & Tallman Museum 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. For more information visit srsedc.org. Boeger Winery in Placerville hosts Enchanted Evenings, featuring live music and great wine. Reservations not required. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Lineup: Jax Hammer (June 21) and Val Star & The Blues Rocket (June 28).

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 filled with laughter, friendly competition, fine 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

in the hearing world. There are closed captions.

“Jesus” premiered at an AMC venue in April. Josselyn said the response, from the deaf and the hearing alike, was very positive. “Some had a moment of tears. Some said they learned more than they knew. The hearing audience was responsive; the music score was emotional.”

Some of the deaf who viewed the film had expressed there were no sore eyes from watching the film and that the signs were clear, he added.

Cameron Park resident Monika Nielsen, who is not deaf, told the Mountain Democrat she looks forward to watching the film. “I (think) seeing the movie would educate me more on people with hearing loss and help me appreciate life more, and help

clubgreenroom.com.

“Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus” comes to Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus presents Let’s Hear it for the Boys! — a choral tribute to boy bands at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

June 22

An entire battalion of military headstones at Placerville Union Cemetery, many dating back to the Civil War, are lichen-encrusted to the point of illegibility, leaning precariously, or both. Join Save the Graves volunteers for a Headstone Party to clean the historical headstones, 9 a.m. to noon. To register visit SaveTheGravesElDorado.org/events.

Looking to advance your Duplicate Bridge skills? Join this eight-week course at Foothill Bridge Center in Shingle Springs, every Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m. To register or for more information call Kathryn at (916) 417-2449.

Join artist David Yapp for a Plein Air Workshop at Mediterranean Vineyards in Fair Play. For more information visit davidyapp.com/blossomworkshop.

Holly’s Hill Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music, 1-4 p.m., with Retro Addicts. For more information visit hollyshill.com/events.

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts its Summer Spectacular at Cameron Park Lake. Gates open at 3 p.m. The event includes a choreographed flyover, kids’ activities, food trucks, live music and fireworks over the lake. For more information visit cameronpark.org.

The community is invited to watch actor/comedian Jack Gallagher’s recorded one man show, “A Different Kind of Cool,” at 4 p.m. at Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St., Placerville. A delicious salad supper follows immediately. This event is free, but seating is limited. Make your reservations at (530) 391-4588.

Pville Plug will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Lava Cap Winery in Camino hosts a summer concert in the vineyard with Late4Dinner, 5-8 p.m. For more information visit lavacap.com/events.

Island of Black and White will perform at the ARC Concert for a Cause, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville. For more information visit bit.ly/ ARCc4c2024.

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area presents Old West Trio, 5:30-8 p.m. For more information visit sierravistawinery.com/event/ oldwest.

strengthen my faith.”

As for more movies to enjoy in the future by Deaf Missions, Josselyn said, “We are certainly open to making new feature films. Meanwhile, we hope to see more deaf

filmmakers bring more films to theaters.”

“Jesus” will play on June 20 & 23 at the Palladio Cinema Luxe in Folsom. To view the trailer and purchase tickets visit jesusdeaffilm.com.

tasting flight.

Smokey Ridge Farmstand & Winery: The tasting room will provide its signature lavender sangria and flower bouquets for purchase.

Starfield Vineyard: The tasting room will be open by reservation only.

Wofford Acres Vineyards: The tasting room is offering a 15% discount on all wine purchases with the

or know you’re depressed. Don’t be afraid to ask for a referral to a therapist to talk with. There are some therapists who accept Medicare reimbursement.

• Talk to your family about your concerns, needing help completing daily tasks, driving, etc. Be open to accepting a bit of help to help with your continued independence.

• Look for activities that are geared toward your age and interests. Most communities offer programs that are available for a nominal fee.

Suicidal thoughts can occur with anyone particularly when faced with

discomfort may not be evident immediately. Later we may experience pain or numbness. Take a break, hydrate and switch up tasks. Change to another gardening chore that uses different muscles, posture and tension.

Contact stress occurs when you maintain pressure for extended periods of time such as when pruning a thick branch. A trick to eliminating this contact stress would be to ensure that all garden tools are clean, sharpened and well-oiled so that the pruning activity is completed with less force. Wear good gloves with padding on the palm. Another contact stress is kneeling too long, even if it is against the reliable kneeling pad. Using a kneeling pad is great, but bring one knee up occasionally, if possible, then switch knees.

In gardening, it is hard to stop if you are really getting into what you are accomplishing, but it would be wise to set an alarm or check your watch to change positions. If you have been sitting pulling weeds, then move to a standing position to prune branches.

There are other great steps you can take before you begin gardening, such

of Lavender Blue Days. Reservations are recommended. Reservations for Bluestone Meadow are recommended and can be made online. Admission is $5 per car. Harvest days will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and a map of the area visit applehill.com and follow @applehillofficial on Facebook and Instagram.

life challenges. However, it can be a wake-up call when suicidal thoughts come up to know it’s time to talk to someone. It may be a spouse, a good friend, an adult child or a sibling. Bring it up with your physician at the next visit or call the Mental Health Hotline such as WellSpace, a suicide prevention hotline that runs hotlines in 32 counties in Northern California. Carol S. Heape, MSW, CMC is the founder of Elder Options Inc., a care managed home care organization supporting client/families since 1988 throughout the Sacramento region, elderoptionsca.com.

as warm-up exercises and stretching. Remember throughout your gardening session take small breaks, change positions and tasks and drink plenty of water. Now get out there and do what you love without hurting afterward. The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information at ucanr. edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_Classe s/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Public_Education/Classes. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr. edu/master_gardener_e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Discover the Most Spacious Senior Apartments in El Dorado County

e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle, with access to all the community services and amenities we o er to make your retirement easier and more enjoyable.

Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry

You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.

INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES

• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters

• Private patio

• Attached garage

• In-home washer and dryer

• High ceilings

• Housekeeping, laundry, and trash service

• Utilities and basic cable included

• Air conditioning

• Pets welcome!

COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES

• Restaurant-style dining

• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills

• Clubhouse and tness center

• Library and full-service beauty salon

• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations

• Transportation services

• 24-hour emergency maintenance

• Gated electronic entrance

We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.