Mountain Democrat, Friday, June 28, 2024

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

Bracing for a slow economic year, the Placerville City Council approved the General Fund, operational and Capital Improvement Project budgets for the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year during its June 18 meeting.

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

Guns drawn, people screaming, threats neutralized — first responders participated in a chilling active shooter training led by the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce at John Adams Academy in El Dorado Hills last week.

The multiagency exercise included o cers from EDSO, Placerville Police Department and the Shingle Springs Rancheria Tribal Police, along with El Dorado

County and Diamond Springs-El Dorado fire protection districts, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park and Folsom fire departments, Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service firefighters.

First responders participated in numerous drills and scenarios, testing their skills in location response, searching out the shooter, threat neutralization, triage and rescue in a simulated yet chaotic environment.

Complete with gunshot boxes, “victims” and replica firearms, first responders got a taste of what could happen, but hopefully never, in an active shooter incident.

“It fosters thinking and problem solving outside of the box norms,” said EDSO Sgt. Kyle Parker. “That’s where we try to push our trainees into more reality-based situations to then foster and facilitate that problemsolving mindset, so when a problem that is similar, but not identical, presents itself, there’s that thinking process they

Fire personnel extract a victim out of the John Adams Academy gymnasium during the final, all comprehensive simulation of an active shooter situation during training held last week.

develop by going, ‘Hey, I’ve done this before.

This is similar to (the training),’ and they can apply these principles and foundations.”

The end goal is to get law enforcement

to respond as fast as possible, according to Parker.

“The expectation is that if there’s something that has warranted this

The result of half a years’ work by city sta , the approved budgets are balanced and “maintains essential program delivery to the greatest extent possible,” according to Placerville Director of Finance Dave Warren. Multiple cuts and adjustments were necessary, however, with basic operational costs seeing price jumps at the same time recent sales tax revenue has seen a decline. Statewide, fourth-quarter receipts dropped by an average of 2.5%, while Placerville saw a 3% drop in the financial quarter that ended in December 2023. Additionally, projections show construction permit income falling by 37% in the 2024-25 fiscal year. “With the cooling local economy, the proposed General Fund was more challenging to balance, as compared to budgets over the past few years,” Warren explained to the council. “Five very important full-time positions had to be frozen in

Eric Jaramishian

Senior sta writer

Garbage pickup bills are going to increase for many El Dorado County West Slope residents after July 1.

Residential customers will see a $2.34 to $2.72 per month increase, and commercial customers will see a hike anywhere from $10 to $64 depending on service type and area (see below.)

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve El Dorado Disposal’s proposed 7.5% base-year rate increase for solid waste collections and a 5.56% material recovery facility rate bump, services the waste company conducts for areas A, B and C, during the June 18 meeting. Area A includes places outside Placerville’s city limits: Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Pollock Pines, Shingle Springs and Rescue. Area B services south county communities: Grizzly Flat, Somerset, Fair Play, Mt. Aukum, Amber Fields and Outingdale. Area C collects trash in north county areas: Coloma, Lotus, Garden Valley, Cool, Georgetown, Pilot Hill and Greenwood.

El Dorado Disposal o cals had requested an 8.2% increase in April to cover a $1.7 million shortfall. Audit and consulting group Crowe

First responders train for the unthinkable PLACE

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

El Dorado County sheriff’s personnel hold a shooting suspect at gunpoint after taking down another suspect inside the John Adams Academy gym in El Dorado Hills. This exercise brought together first responders from several local agencies, who worked together to train in case the worst should happen.

ESSENTIALS

Eva Kimberly Darr-Ritchie

May 9, 1971 – June 12, 2024

Doyle L. Whisenhunt

June 6, 1940 – May 17, 2024

Eva Kimberly Darr-Ritchie passed away peacefully at home after a valiant struggle with cancer. Eva leaves son Travis Rivard, husband Je rey W. Ritchie, brother Edd J. Darr, Jr. (wife Hannah May Darr), step-son Je rey C. Ritchie, stepbrother Perron Simpson and step-sister Theresa Hopkins. Eva joins father Edward J. Darr, Sr. (June 27, 1945-Nov. 26, 2002), mother Laura Loreen Lewis Darr (July 9, 1949-Dec. 7, 1992), son Tyler James Rivard (Sept. 10, 1997 - March 14, 2018), and step-father John P. Simpson (Oct. 1948-Feb. 11, 2015).

Eva was born in Placerville CA, attending both El Dorado and Folsom High Schools, graduating from El Dorado in 1989. Eva worked at various jobs, including Home Builders, El Dorado County, and most recently for Epicor, a business systems corporation, as a well-respected IT Support person. Eva lived most of her life as a resident of Mosquito on the family homestead, and was fifth generation Darr to make improvements to the homestead by putting her stamp on both the inside and outside. Eva so encouraged her sons’ friends that many became her ‘bonus’ children.

Eva was a warm, funny, loving and lovable woman who brought joy to those who were fortunate to know her. Eva will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and neighbors. Love you more, Eva.

A celebration of Eva’s life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 4pm, at Edd and Hannah Darr’s home, 6880 Log Cabin Lane, Placerville, CA. A potluck dish would be appreciated.

Kevin Thomas More Couch

Oct. 22, 1959 – May 1, 2024

Kevin Thomas More Couch passed away unexpectedly from an undiagnosed heart condition on May 1, 2024. He was born on October 22, 1959, at Camp Pendleton, California, to Peggy Helen Light Couch and Patrick Shepard Couch. Growing up, Kevin shared cherished moments with his siblings Kitty (1961), Julie (1962), Sara (1963), Rachel (1968), and Tony (1971) as the family journeyed to Rolla, Missouri returning to Sacramento, California in 1964, eventually settling in Placerville in 1967. Kevin’s academic journey led him to Butte and American River Colleges before he pursued his passion for Civil Engineering at UC Davis, graduating with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 1999. His professional career in structural engineering saw him in positions of increasing responsibility at MACTEC, AMEC, WOOD, and WSP where he enjoyed collaborating with his colleagues.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Kevin embraced an active lifestyle, fueling his love for adventure and athleticism. As a young child growing up in the Sierra foothills he frequently spent time fishing and hunting, steps from their backyard. From his participation as a high school football player at El Dorado High school to becoming a high-level competitive cyclist in his early 20s, Kevin continued to find joy in many outdoor endeavors: backpacking, hiking and mountain biking. Notably, his introduction to Disc Golf in 1993 marked the beginning of his love for a sport, where he found both success and most importantly, a great community of friends.

In 2011, Kevin’s life took a beautiful turn when he met Jennifer (Jenny) at a wedding of one of his disc golf buddies. Although living 60 miles apart they built their lives together, eventually marrying in Glen Ellen at Jack London State Park on May 20, 2018. Kevin loved working on their 115 year-old Glen Ellen property and always enjoyed barbequing by the pool with Jenny and listening to music from one of his many custom playlists any excuse to be outside. His bond with Jenny’s son, Colin, grew strong over their shared love for disc golf and mountain biking, epitomizing Kevin’s devotion to family and outdoor activities.

Kevin’s enthusiasm for exploration was met by opportunities to participate in disc golf tournaments in Finland, Japan, the UK and countless destinations across the U.S. Fortunately, Jenny and Colin were able to join him on several trips including to both Japan and the UK. Together they enjoyed exploring historical sites and vowed to return to Scotland. He also cherished annual family trips to Hawaii and Serene Lakes in the High Sierras.

Kevin will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Jennifer, stepson Colin, sisters Kitty, Julie (Tony), Sara (Keith), Rachel, brother Tony, their children, as well as his uncles, aunts, and cousins and of course the many other family members and dear friends.

In honor of his memory, donations to Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen, California, would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. jacklondonpark.com/ways-to-support-the-park/ Kevin’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the memories he created during his remarkable journey.

A celebration of life will be held on September 7th at 4PM at Jack London State Historic Park, Oak Grove, at the main entrance, in Glen Ellen, CA. RSVP text to Julie Dunn 530-409-8374. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Duggan’s Mission Chapel on May 15, 2024

Doyle was born June 6, 1940 to Albert W. Whisenhunt and Bertha L. Parks. He passed away May 17, 2024 after a lengthy illness and is preceded in death by his parents. Doyle joined the Army in 1959. After a Honorable Discharge, he went to work for Yuba City Fire Dept. In 1967, Doyle joined the California Highway patrol assigned to Los Banos area after completion of the Academy, transferring to the North Sacramento area and finally the Placerville Area where he retired after 28 1/2 years. He then went to work for the El Dorado County Sheri s Depart as a Deputy Sheri in the Courts for another 13 years. He was a Master Mason, Shriner, Elk and a member of the American Legion.

Doyle is survived by his wife, Sheryl of 31 years, daughters Sonia (Joe) Esteves of Dos Palos, Leah (David) Forte of Arkansas, Denyse (Daniel) Shirley of Gustine and two stepchildren, Michael Blagg and Sheri Blagg, brother Ron Whisenhunt (Patti) of Sutter Cree, sister Susie Applegarth of Cheyenne WY. He also leaves several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held June 30, 2024 from 11a to 3p and the American Legion Hall, Placerville. Burial is pending and will be in the Veterans Section of Sutter Cemetery, Sutter CA.

Marjory Emma Hubbell

May 10, 1925 – May 31, 2024

Marjory Emma Hubbell, passed away on May 31, 2024 at the age of 99 in Placerville, California surrounded by family. She was born in Holly, Michigan on May 10, 1925, the only child of Fred and Cora Hyde. She graduated as salutatorian from her high school class, and received two scholarships to attend college, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1946. During her time at UM, she met Robert Hubbell, whom she married in 1952.Robert and Marjory moved to California, spending time in both Northern and Southern California. They moved to Camino, California, living there until 2010 when Robert passed away. After Robert’s death, she moved to independent living apartment at Gold Country Retirement center in Diamond Springs. In November 2023, health problems required she move to assisted living at Gold Country, and then to skilled nursing in February 2024. She is survived by her three sons James (Mary Ann), Gerry (Joseph), and Richard. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, Collen Hubbell, her daughter-inlaw Jean Hubbell, numerous nieces and nephews, and her caregiver Kathleen Gleason. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert James Hubbell and a grandson Michael. A private graveside service will be held at a future time

Warren Paul Looper

April 15, 1953 – June 5, 2024

Warren passed away suddenly in Cameron Park. Warren was born on April 15, 1953 in Berkeley CA, then moved to San Rafael, CA. Warren worked in the State of California in Food Service. On April 13 1996 Warren met his future wife Sharon on a blind date then on May 31, 1997 got married in Placerville, CA. Then they resided in El Dorado Hills til they got a home in Folsom CA.

Warren is survived by his loving wife of 27 years Sharon Looper, brother Kyle Looper ( Carol) his niece Belinda Looper, great niece Valeria & his nephew Paul Looper in San Rafael CA.

Warren is preceded in death with his dad James Paul Looper, his mom Laura Jean ( McClure) Looper, his grandma Winifred ( McClure) Young, his aunts & uncle.

In lieu of a cremation service that donations can be made to GoFundMe page in honor of Warren Looper. It will be under Sharon Looper. gofundme.com/f/help-sharon-honor-her-latehusband

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Kathleen (Kathy) Adele

Kimble

April 26, 1935 – June 9, 2024

Kathleen (Kathy) Adele Kimble, 89, of El Dorado, CA, a resident of El Dorado County for over 70 years, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2024, of natural causes following a multiday vigil by family and friends.

She was born in Auburn, CA, on April 26, 1935, to her parents Margaret Ellen Pool (Fassett) and Irvin L. Pool of nearby Loomis. The family moved to Carmichael, CA, in the late 1940’s, and Kathy graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights.

Following a brief courtship at age 18, Kathy married a handsome “cowboy,” Silas P. “Bud” Kimble of Fair Oaks, CA. They settled in rural El Dorado County where their son, Steven, was born a year after their marriage. Bud and Kathy were married for over 30 years until Bud’s untimely death at age 58.

Kathleen is survived by her beloved son, Steven P. Kimble, of El Dorado; younger brother Michael W. Pool, sister-in-law Celeste and niece Beatrice of Rohnert Park, CA; and two children of her recently deceased older brother Irvin C. Pool, nephew Thomas C. Pool, Citrus Heights, CA, and niece Brenda J. Sherman, Carmichael, CA.

A celebration of life is planned for an outdoor venue in October of 2024.

As the daughter of a U.S. Army cavalryman who guarded the Arizona-New Mexico border in the days of Pancho Villa, Kathy learned to ride horses early in her life. During her high school years, she was a member of the American River Riders for three years, a state championship horseback drill team, competing in events throughout California. With a friend as passenger, at age 16, she famously drove a horse trailer to Palm Springs and back for one competition.

Kathy was a highly capable horse rider into her middle age. She spoke often of winning three equestrian events one year at the Amador County Fair, earning the “Purple Rose”, on her beloved horse, Cinnamon Twist. Kathy also told stories of taking part in a cattle drive on horseback up old Highway 50. She had an immense love and compassion for all animals and kept pet horses, cats, dogs, and parakeets over the years. Kathy kept six hummingbird feeders full of sugar syrup almost all year, once counting over 50 birds feeding at one time.

She cherished flowers, esp. roses, and for decades propagated specific varieties of heirloom plants in her garden and continued to enjoy gardening into her final year of life. Her creative spirit and love of flowers led her to design and enter dozens of flower arrangements as well as potted plants in the Amador and El Dorado County fairs. One year she won Best of Show for her arrangement, “50 Years of Fairs — Jackson Night Life”.

Like all good country women, Kathy was skilled in the homemaking arts and brought her creative hand and eye to needle craft, food preservation, cooking, esp. baked goods made with local fruits, home decoration, and making clothing for her family. She was also a talented amateur painter, favoring flowers and landscapes as her subjects. Always active, she worked “regular jobs” in shoe and fabric stores in Placerville, where she made lifelong friends, and picked pears at her grandparents’ orchard in Camino, cut wine grapes in Amador County, and sold hand-made wreaths. A full life well lived.

Ronald E. Foltz, M.D.

Oct. 30, 1942 – June 17, 2024

Ronald E. Foltz, M.D., born October 30, 1942 in Sterling, Illinois, was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 81 in Shingle Springs, California.

In 1964 Ron graduated from Wheaton College, and went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago in 1968.

Drafted by the United States Navy, he served his country in Bethesda, Maryland and then in Da Nang, Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. While overseas, he exchanged correspondence with a young kindergarten teacher, Marcia Richert. Upon his return they were married on July 3, 1971.

They settled on Placerville, California to establish his private practice. Dr. Foltz served his community as an ophthalmologist for over 40 years.

He was an active member and Elder at Gold Country Baptist Church, and patron of the Sacramento Symphony, among many other medical, charitable, and political organizations. A few of his favorite pastimes were tennis, traveling, and gardening.

He was preceeded in death by his wife of 50 years, Marcia (Richert) Foltz, who passed away in 2021. His older sister, Janet Bruce, also preceeded him in death. He is survived by his two younger sisters, Carol Thorne and Diane McCallister, and by his four children and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 29, 11:00 AM at Gold Country Baptist Church, Shingle Springs.

delivering history

Saddled up and ready to ride, Serena Connelly, left, begins her three mile trip to the Diamond Springs Post Office Thursday morning, photo above, as part of the final day of the 2024 Pony Express Re-Ride, celebrating the 164th anniversary of the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company. Over the course of 10 days and 1966 miles, around 600 Pony Express riders pass along commemorative letters and personal mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Old Sacramento.

Stopping in front of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce on Main Street in Placerville, right photo, a rider who started his leg of the trip at Able’s Acres in Camino helps pass over the mochila — a leather square with four large pockets sewn onto the corners to hold mail — to the next rider’s horse. The mochila is passed from rider to rider in relay fashion as they travel 1 to 5 miles each along the Pony Express National Historic Trail.

El Dorado Trail to close for repairs

Odin Rasco Senior staff writer

A stretch of the El Dorado Trail, a popular spot for walkers and bicyclists in Placerville, is set to be temporarily closed for repairs next week.

A contractor hired by the city of Placerville is set to conduct repairs on a stretch of damaged pavement west

of Centennial Lane July 1-3. Access points to the trail at Mosquito and Jacquier roads will remain open, but once travelers reach the closed work zone, they will have to turn around, according to an El Dorado County Fire Protection District social media post. Broadway is suggested as an alternate route for those who wish to avoid the closure entirely.

A Placerville police officer leads El Dorado County resident Joshua John Bowen to a patrol car. Bowen was arrested for more than 60 charges, including dozens of felonies, following an investigation into allegations of lewd conduct with minors.

Placerville PD arrests alleged multi-decade sexual predator

Rasco

An El Dorado County man previously arrested in a 2022 inappropriate contact with minors sting operation was arrested on suspicion of multiple alleged felony charges by Placerville Police officers June 21, according to a PPD press release.

Joshua John Bowen, 47, was served a felony arrest warrant for charges including possession of child pornography and other sex crimes involving minors at his residence in an unincorporated part of El Dorado County; after speaking with his attorney, he left the residence and was taken into custody without incident, police officials report in the release. A more than a yearlong investigation identified individuals believed to be victims of Bowen’s during their childhood, with investigators discovering Bowen may have been sexually abusing minors for “at least two decades.”

The Placerville Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team began investigating Bowen in December 2022 following a sting operation conducted at a local motel. Bowen allegedly arrived at the motel following communications that had

indicated he would meet juveniles for “sexual activities,” according to police. Bowen was arrested, booked into El Dorado County Jail and later released. Bowen was arrested again this past May after an additional alleged victim came to the PPD CRT claiming Bowen had abused him when he was a minor.

A search warrant was obtained and served at Bowen’s residence, seizing further evidence including electronics. In-depth analysis of the electronics discovered more potential victims, according to the press release. The investigation was conducted in partnership with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Bowen is in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville. Charges filed against him include 32 counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old, 24 counts of rape of a child younger than 14 years old and 18 additional charges. He is being held without bail.

Though Bowen has been arrested, the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the PPD Crime Reduction Team detectives at (530) 642-5210.

The PPD reminds parents and guardians that social media is the most common medium used by sexual predators for such types of activities.

FRIENDS OF SENIORS

would like to thank everyone who made Wine in the Vines 2024 a success.

We are grateful to Shadow Ranch Vineyard for hosting the event, and for all of the Sponsors who helped make the event possible. We appreciate everyone who attended, donated silent auction items and volunteered. Funds raised will help support our Senior Emergency Fund and our Community Grant Program.

Established in 2010, Friends of Seniors is a fund under the El Dorado Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3)

For more information, please contact us at: 530-334-6090 info@friendsofEDCseniors.org www.friendsofEDCseniors.org

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Courtesy photo

Kids Bike Night on tap at Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas

Placerville Speedway

Placerville Speedway hosts one of its more anticipated events of the season with the annual John Padjen Kids Bike Night presented by the Pizza Factory on June 29.

All kids 11 and younger receive free admission during John Padjen Kids Bike Night on Saturday. As is tradition, children in attendance are invited to race their bikes on the track following heat race competition. Those competing in the races must wear a helmet.

perfect event to remember my dad at.”

In the early 1980s, John came aboard Placerville Speedway to help rescue the community icon that was beginning to struggle in the way of management efforts. Already a successful motorsports promoter in Sacramento, Dixon and Chico, he moved in and helped mold the foothill race facility into the successful, competitive track it is today. John established a consistent Saturday night program to improve safety and visibility for both drivers and fans.

“This is always a tremendous show for the families to come out and enjoy a night of racing at,” said track Promoter Scott Russell. “Kids Bike Night has been one of the long-standing events here and we’re happy to allow those 11 and under into the races for free on Saturday. When it comes to the future of our sport, the younger generation is extremely important, so we hope everyone can bring their kids and maybe even some of their friends this weekend.”

Tackling the high banked quarter mile this Saturday will be the Thompsons Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, the Mountain Democrat Ltd. Late Models, the Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks and Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks. Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Lincoln’s Dan Brown Jr., Oakley’s Nick Baldwin and Placerville’s Mike Miller sit atop the Sprint Car, Late Model, Pure Stock and Mini Truck standings, respectively.

This Saturday is also a way to remember former track promoter John Padjen, who died in December 2021. It was Padjen’s idea that brought about Kids Bike Night, which continues to be a mainstay at both Placerville Speedway and Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway.

“John always had Kids Bike Night at West Capital Raceway, so he decided to bring that over to Placerville and Chico when he started running both venues,” said past Placerville Speedway promoter Alan Padjen. “The bike nights have always been a hit with the families. It’s great that Placerville Speedway continues that tradition and it’s a

Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. To purchase tickets visit eventsprout.com/event/psr-062924 or buy them at the gate on race day. Seating is general admission on Saturday.

Grandstand seating is general admission, except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or on Pit Pay to take advantage of the expanded seating area on the hill.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Another great evening of races takes place at the Placerville Speedway this Saturday and children 11 and younger get in free.

Generations at Green Valley environmental doc ready for review

The Generations at Green Valley project’s draft environmental impact report has been released and is now available for public review and comment.

The El Dorado County Planning and Building Department-Planning Division, as the lead agency, prepared the DEIR in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The DEIR is available for public and agency review for a 45-day period ending Aug. 12.

Age restrictions would apply to 214 of the residential lots. Proposed lot sizes would range from 6,000 square feet to 5.7 acres. Roadway access to the project would be provided through two main connections with Green Valley Road and three emergency access roads connecting to existing roadways along the project’s boundary.

The project site is located on the south side of Green Valley Road approximately 100 feet southeast of the intersection with Malcom Dixon Road in the El Dorado Hills area.

The Generations at Green Valley project proposes an El Dorado County General Plan amendment to amend the property’s land use designations from low-density residential to high-density residential, low-density residential and public facilities. The tentative subdivision map outlines plans to subdivide the approximately 280-acre site into 379 residential lots, a clubhouse lot, a park site lot, 13 landscape lots, nine open space lots and three lots for project roadways.

The purpose of this comment period is to consider the content of the DEIR and potential environmental impacts that may result from project implementation, not the positive or negative attributes of the proposed project itself. Comments pertaining to the environmental impact analysis, criteria and thresholds, mitigation measures and alternatives presented in the DEIR will be considered by the county during preparation of the final EIR. The final EIR will include copies of the comments and the county’s responses to comments pertaining to the environmental review and DEIR.

A subsequent scheduled public hearing will be conducted on the project upon completion of the final EIR when the county

considers action on the project. The county must certify the final EIR prior to project approval. The DEIR and supporting information may be reviewed and/or obtained at the following locations:

• Planning and Building Department, 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C Placerville

• El Dorado County Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville

• El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway

• Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Drive

All written public and agency comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 12 and should be directed to:

El Dorado County Planning and Building DepartmentPlanning Division, Attention: Bianca Dinkler, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA 95667. Include the name of the contact person if commenting

Birdwatchers invited to take a deeper dive

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. —

The Tahoe Big Year, an event held every three years by the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, welcomes birders of all abilities to head outside to find as many different species of birds as they can during the calendar year. While many treat the event as a competition (with some great prizes available), it’s also simply a great way to get started in birding or get more serious birding, and it’s a fun, free, family-friendly activity.

“Starting right now through September is really the best time of the year to get out and do some birding,” said TINS co-founder and Executive Director Will Richardson. “The group has already seen over 200 different species, and you can expect to see all of the migrants and wintering birds to come through Tahoe again throughout

the remainder of the year.”

Participation is free and open to anyone, however TINS members enjoy additional perks such as monthly guided tours, eligibility for end-of-year prizes, monthly challenges, random prize drawings and other special events. There are two categories of official competition: Youth (15 years of age or younger) and Adult, so everyone in the family can participate. Register at tahoebigyear.org/about.cfm.

TINS’ Lake Tahoe Bird Festival is a great way to get an introduction into birding. The event taking place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, includes hourly guided bird walks along the Rainbow Trail, visits with live birds of prey, information and presentations on migratory birds, bird crafts and games, a live falconer and more at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center in Highway 89.

As part of the 2024 Tahoe Big Year, TINS member Lynn

Harriman is hiking around the Tahoe Rim Trail to raise funds for TINS. This is the third time Harriman has taken pledges for TINS based on how many species she finds along the way, raising thousands of dollars.

“I believe in the power of TINS to change our world,” said Harriman. “Their education programs in our local schools, their ongoing research, citizen science and outreach to the communities surrounding Lake Tahoe are making a difference. I want to continue to be a part of that success. Being a TINS member, you will always learn something new, see something amazing and meet nice people.”

For TINS members, Harriman is welcoming folks to join her on July 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. while she hikes the Tahoe Rim Trail from Ward Creek through Page Meadows to Tahoe City. For more info on the fundraiser visit tinsweb.org/tbybirdathon.

on behalf of an agency agency, if applicable. Comments may also be submitted in person or via email to generationsatgreenvalley@ edcgov.us. Comments submitted via email must either be included in the body text of the message or as an attachment in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. El Dorado County will hold a meeting to receive comments regarding the content of the DEIR and answer general questions regarding the environmental process. The meeting will be held in-person with a remote option via Zoom, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department, 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C, Placerville, in the Planning Commission hearing room. Zoom link: us06web.zoom. us/j/83691325117

Former Sac sheriff to speak at Taxpayers’ breakfast News release

Former Sacramento County sheriff and current talk show radio host John McGinness will speak to the El Dorado County Taxpayers Association on July 1 at Denny’s in Placerville. McGinness will address the status of the November ballot initiative to roll back parts of Prop. 47, the 2014 ballot measure that reduced sentences for non-violent crimes. Sheriffs and district attorneys have been calling for changes to Prop. 47 due to the increase in crime in many cities. McGinness spent more than 31 years with the Sacramento Sheriff’s

Department. He hosts his own radio show on Sacramento’s top rated NewsRadio KFBK on AM 1530 and FM 93.1. John lives in Folsom, with his wife Peggy and their two children. The Taxpayers’ Association meetings are open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Meetings begin at 7:30 a.m.

JOHN M c GINNESS

OPINION

California Commentary

The big switch

Proponents of the antiProposition 13 ballot measure Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 are planning to amend the measure and replace it with another threat to taxpayers that only targets property owners.

As currently submitted and approved for the ballot, ACA 1 repeals the twothirds vote protection for both local tax increases and bonds in order to pay for “infrastructure,” a term so expansive that local governments would be able to raise taxes for almost any purpose with a vote of just 55% of the electorate. This would make it far too easy to raise local taxes that are currently subject to the higher threshold.

But the problem for supporters of ACA 1 has been the popularity of Proposition 13. Since it was enacted in 1978, voters have continued to support the important two-thirds vote protection as evidenced by numerous polls over the years.

Various iterations of ACA 1 have been introduced in the Legislature over the last two decades but last year was the first time that legislative leadership — including the bill’s author and chief cheerleader, Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — was able to jam it through both houses with the requisite two-thirds vote of each house.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the ballot. Proponents of ACA 1 learned what taxpayer advocates have been telling them for more than 40 years: that direct attacks on Proposition 13 would result in severe opposition at the ballot box. Their own polling indicated that ACA 1 would fail in a statewide vote.

Making it easier to approve hundreds of dollars a year in tax increases for new bonds won’t make it easier to a ord a home.

“Recent voter surveys have indicated a lack of support for the special taxes portion of the constitutional amendment,” according to agenda documents from a recent meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments Joint Legislation Committee.

They are counting on ACA 1’s lower threshold for bonds to dramatically raise taxes in the Bay Area:

“Based on multiple polls conducted by EMC Research, it seems clear that a 55% vote threshold is critical to securing passage of the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority’s pending ballot measure for a $20 billion regional housing bond.”

Hence, Plan B.

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10 is the new proposal that removes the provision in ACA 1 lowering the two-thirds vote for special taxes but retains the provision lowering the two-thirds vote

■ See COUPAL, page A7

The Balancing Act

Richard B. Esposito Publisher

Letters to the Editor

Postal heroes

EDITOR:

Iplaced an envelope with $65 inside with the intention of handing it to a friend later in the day. Unfortunately, I accidentally put it in the outgoing mail. However, it had no return address or stamp.

Fortunately, my postal worker hero kept it at the Placerville Post O ce. When I spoke with the postmaster, Ashley, she made sure it was safe. Later she called me to announce that she had it. Before I knew it, Bob was at my door and handing the very same envelope with the money safely inside.

Bob and Ashley are my postal heroes and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I will never take postal workers for granted ever again.

JOAN DARLING Placerville

Supermajority super fails

EDITOR:

Ioften wonder what the El Dorado County Democrat Party’s mission is exactly, considering the majority of El Dorado County voters have not voted for a Democrat governor or president for the 40 some odd years I’ve lived here in California. Dahle took 61.05% in 2022 over Newsom 38.95%.

in the bluest of blue states what are they conveying to the people of our county?

California Democrats hold a super majority in both houses and a Republican hasn’t held a major statewide o ce since Steve Poizner was elected insurance commissioner in 2010. There is nothing Republicans can do to stop the Democrats from instituting any program they want and spend any amount of money they see fit.

My question is: Do you like how California and Washington, D.C., are managed? Are you a fan of unchecked government power? Are you happy with the policies the Democrats have mandated? Why on Earth would you want our county to

be managed like ‘Frisco or New York City? To be managed like the rest of California would mean the end of our way of life. Our conservative lifestyle in our county is the main reason why I chose to live here. Why does the EDC Democrat party want to destroy our way of life when Sacramento is so close?

I see bumper stickers on Democrats’ cars that read, “Build Back Better.” To build back would mean something was destroyed in the first place. I say no thank you, Democrats.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

End tyranny

EDITOR:

Incredibly, the six-member majority of the Supreme Court has proven themselves to respect neither the law, the Constitution, nor basic human morality. Legalizing bump-stocks and ghost guns makes those members personally into mass murderers. When, not if, sports events, concerts and, yes, schools are targeted, they will hold basic responsibility. Equally, any who voted Republican holds a shared responsibility for having put those people on the Court.

We as Americans must put a Democratic majority in the Senate in order to impeach the most corrupt pair in Supreme Court history and put an end to the tyranny of the minority. By huge margins, Americans want reasonable gun laws, access to abortion and an end to gerrymandering by the minorities in many states. The Court refuses to respect this.

Your vote for Republicans at the local level can only perpetuate this minority rule. Your vote for Donald Trump is a vote for what we thought was defeated on VE Day. Look hard in the mirror. Do you really want a (dictator) in the White House representing what America is supposed to be? I have more faith in our citizens.

MEL CHAPMAN Placerville

July 4, 1776 — the date that inspired inventions

July 4, 1776, should be recognized as the beginning of the greatest experiment in the four-billion-year-old history of the Earth. It spawned the greatest experiment in freedom of all mankind. From it came the world’s greatest inventions, all created by the freedom of the Constitution. Freedom of speech, thought, ideas, patents, copyrights (Article I, Section 8), religion, press and the right to bear arms are part of this wonderful document. The United States and its Constitution could be called the “mothers of invention” (sorry, Frank Zappa).

LARRY WEITZMAN

Starting from its fragile beginnings, invention thrived because of the freedom of America. There were only two significant inventions prior to America, the practical steam engine invented by James Watt in 1764 and the Gutenberg printing press with movable type in about 1440. After the creation of the United States, things started happening fast when Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in 1794 and Fulton and his steamboat in 1807, both having

huge impacts on the U.S. economy and world logistics. Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper farming machine in 1831.

Morse presented the telegraph in 1844 and in 1846 Elias Howe invented the first practical home sewing machine. Ottomar Merganthaler improved on the Gutenberg press in about 1886 with the linotype machine, which was used in printing up through the 1980s.

While the train locomotive was not necessarily an American invention, what made them go fast was. That was the (George) Westinghouse air brake in about 1869, which allowed trains to stop much quicker. Westinghouse invented many other machines and systems, including the AC electrical grid.

Two of the greatest inventors, Bell and Edison, revolutionized America with the telephone and electric light and so much more (motion pictures and the phonograph).

And perhaps the greatest invention of all time, powered flight, came from two bicycle mechanics from Ohio, Orville and Wilbur Wright, who had a

America is great because freedom and free enterprise produce amazing inventions, productivity and wealth. History demonstrates those principles. But that could be coming to an end.

10th-grade and 12ht-grade education. They did it with a $1,000 budget, besting the U.S. government, which spent $250,000 on UVA professor of aeronautics Samuel P. Langley and his extremely expensive, failed Aerodrome design. The Wright brothers had unknowingly invented the wind tunnel and understood propeller design to be nothing more than a rotary wing in a vertical plane, which converted horsepower to thrust. Also, tantamount to controlled flight, the Wright brothers invented the three-axis flight control system. Langley thought of the propeller as an air screw as in a ship propeller (invented by John Ericsson). It did not convert the 40 hp of his gas engine into su cient thrust and therefore could not fly. Interestingly the Wrights had calculated they needed just 8 hp to create the thrust necessary to achieve powered flight. Their four-cylinder engine designed and built by another ingenious American, Charlie Taylor, made 12 hp.

Television was invented by Philo Farnsworth, who wrote a high school

paper about television. In 1927, at the age of 21, he made the first ever television broadcast. Farnsworth was bright, receiving the second highest score on the Naval Academy recruiting exams.

I could go on with Henry Ford’s moving assembly line and Rockefeller’s investment in oil (energy). America is great because freedom and free enterprise produce amazing inventions, productivity and wealth. History demonstrates those principles.

But that could be coming to an end.

The new, most important date confronting this nation is Nov. 5, 2024. On that date will freedom and free enterprise end or will it thrive again? Former President Donald J. Trump’s freedom expansion produced the greatest economy in history especially compared to the next four years of rampant inflation (20%), falling real wages and the greatest restrictions on freedom and free enterprise.

Stack Editor

Coupal Continued from A6

for local general obligation bonds.

This revised version of ACA 1 is the polar opposite of “new and improved.” In many respects, it is much, much worse.

Many people may not know that the two-thirds vote requirement did not originate in 1978 with Proposition 13. It has been in the California Constitution since 1879. For more than a century, local property owners have been protected against excessive bond debt by the requirement that local bonds — repaid only by property owners — need a two-thirds vote of the local electorate to pass.

But whether it is the two-thirds vote for special taxes or for local bonds, voters have continued to support the higher threshold. That support was reaffirmed with the passage of pro-taxpayer initiatives in 1986, 1996 and 2010.

The most important thing to remember about local bonds is that, while everybody pays sales taxes and other broad based taxes, only property owners are responsible for the debt incurred by local bonds. In fact, local bonds create a lien on property which, if unpaid, can result in foreclosure.

Making it easier to approve hundreds of dollars a year in tax increases for new bonds won’t make it easier to afford a home. Nor will it make it easier for renters to save, a third of whom spend half their take-home pay on rent payments.

Even if ACA 1 is amended to remove the provision related to special taxes, it remains an unacceptable threat to all property owners. Here’s how: All those special interests who were counting on the passage of ACA 1 so they could more easily impose special taxes aren’t simply going to go away. Rather, they will quickly begin to recast their tax hike proposals as local bonds, attempting to saddle local residents with 30 years of debt for their spending desires.

While anything can happen in the current chaotic political environment, taxpayers can rest assured that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is following this very carefully and will keep our members and other supporters informed.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Weitzman Continued from A6

In the last three years President Joe Biden’s throttling regulations have stopped continuing energy production, inhibited industrial production and stymied advancement of the best and brightest into a new world order of mediocrity, cronyism, skin color, identity politics and spreading misery. In a world of “spread the misery,” unhappiness and malaise, created by Biden’s left-wing socialism and big government bureaucracy, the American experiment will be destroyed. It has been calculated that Biden’s regulations have e ectively placed a tax on Americans of an additional $1.4 trillion. Under Trump, the regulatory burden was calculated at a negative $180 billion. Even during eight years of Obama, the regulatory burden was calculated at “just” $303 billion.

Meritocracy, hard work, invention, creativity, excellence, pride and workmanship will no longer exist, being replaced by a world of special rights, hate, victimhood, listlessness, depression, mediocrity and tribalism — all the antitheses of the American freedom experiment. Under leftists, all power and wealth come from the government, not from the individual, hard work and meritocracy. Everything you have is not because of you, it is because of them. The feeble excuse of leftists is that the government will save us from global warming just like it saved us from COVID with lockdowns, closing schools and businesses, masks and unproven inoculations. Yeah, sure.

Edited by Joel Fagliano No. 0524

Larry Weitzman is a former El Dorado County resident.

Speedway Continued from A4

Happy Hour is offered when the gates open until 6 p.m. in the grandstands featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, July 4: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models and Pure Stocks — Freedom Fireworks Saturday, July 6: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, USAC Western States Midgets, Pure Stocks and BCRA Wingless Lightning Sprints — Red Hawk Casino Night

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 rst 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 Sheri ’s o ce, 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 916-212-2465 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday, 12 noon at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

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 rst and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

events.

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.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that a ect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

COMICS

Training Continued from A1 type of response, it used to be that we set a perimeter and waited for people to come and help out,” he explained. “But now we train to get in there, start solving the problem and take care of the threat.”

While law enforcement practiced tactical formations and techniques and how to gain access to locked rooms, fire personnel learned breaching methods and trained on advanced medical tactics, including how to extract injured people from the chaotic environment.

“In today’s scenario, firefighters aren’t going to be the ones forcing the doors open …. That’s going to be more of a law enforcement task because the building has not been secured yet when they’re making their initial entrance,”

EDH Fire Deputy Chief Dustin Hall explained. “When fire departments make their initial entrance, our primary focus is collecting the victims that are inside the building and getting them into a safe area until we can start doing treatment and transport.”

The training days culminated in a final exercise involving everyone; volunteers were in place, a mock call was put in to report the “active shooter” and the first responders put it all together.

“Your head is all jumbled. Everyone is running around,” EDSO Deputy Parker Hohman noted after the exercise. “It was a little hectic at first when we got in because we came from the gym and no one was there. Then we got to the first stairwell and there (were) two different teams converging toward us and you’re kind of wondering what is going on, but we were able to get it under control.”

All part of the training, Parker noted.

“This is where law enforcement and fire come together, with the law enforcement aspect providing security

Rates Continued from A1

brought that percentage down to 7.5% after conducting a financial analysis.

Inflationary pressures continue to raise costs, Crowe’s Managing Director Erik Nylund told the board Tuesday. This year’s rate bumps are driven by a 5% increase in wages for drivers per year, as well as truck and equipment upgrade costs, building and property repairs and a 7.75% fuel cost increase. Additionally, thirdparty charge increases in disposal and organic processing costs are also escalating, and the garbage and trash consumer price index over the past year was at 5.56%, which was higher than previous years, according to Nylund.

“There’s a lot of factors driving this increase,” Nylund told the Board. “Some of it is caused by Senate Bill 1383’s (California’s organic waste law) program requirements increasing the organic volumes and collectionprocessing costs associated with organic materials.”

The company is also looking to increase staff by three full-time equivalents to better serve customers.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Complexity is a human condition.

The people you meet will not be easy to interpret, but they will be worth the effort it takes to get to know them. Mystery invites problem solving skills to emerge from the depths.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today runs more like a list than a script. You’ll hit the main points and leave room for any strange threads that show up to wind themselves around the day. You’ll be enticed to detour, and delightfully so.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There will be a bit of deja vu involved. And though you’re pretty sure you’ve played this game before, it’s definitely a new version with different stakes, slightly changed rules and a prize you’re not expecting.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Peace finds harmony, and harmony makes peace. When you don’t know what to do, just wait and be. Today you are a hollow chime. The resonance will strike you in one way or another.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Shakespearean works taught us to be careful with secrets, as their charge can lean in the direction of fun or harm, depending on the comic or tragic elements in place. Today it’s best to forgo the temptation of hiding anything at all, information included.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Butterflies visit your stomach because something in you called out to the universe, “I care about doing a good job!” They fan those wings to give you energy, which sounds better than it feels, but in the end you’ll have a result you can be proud of. The good life goes to the brave. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There are things that are totally impossible to know, for instance, how well you’ll enjoy an

experience or how likely you are to click with someone. Let this drive you all the way to the doing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your highly developed sense of responsibility will put a spin on things like fun that’s supposed to be carefree, food that’s supposed to be calorie-free and relationships that are supposed to be without ties. Of course, there is no such thing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To categorize a move as “bad” or “good” might be silly, given the complexity of the situation. It’s more helpful to think in terms of what works or what doesn’t work. Consider our aim and then think about what moves you toward it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Even though you know better than to tie your self-worth to precarious external factors, you’re still vulnerable to all the feelings that come with being accepted or rejected, included or not. Social influence is among the strongest influence there is.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your focus on well-being will pay you back today, tomorrow and always. Getting the

for the fire element to move in and extricate victims out of the scene so that we can get them to advanced medical care as fast as possible,” he said.

The training, one of the most important cooperative efforts between the local first responder agencies, is conducted every two years.

“It’s super good that they throw us into these really high chaotic and intense situations because, God forbid it ever happens, if it does ever happen in real life we will be ready,” Hohman said. “There is stuff we all can work on, but all in all it was definitely a good training day.”

Hall also noted the training was well received by his firefighters.

“Everybody, from fire crews and law enforcement, incident commanders and bosses, we all learn something new and when you have that opportunity like that, success and the general population getting safer is the end goal,” Hall shared. “Everybody thinks highly of it and they really appreciate the opportunity.”

For some, it was their first active shooter training week. First-timer deputy Noah Keener noted the training teaches not only how to respond to active shooter incidents, but how his peers handle such situations.

“Even going to a call service, you never know what you’re going to get into when you get there and every scenario is going to be different, but having a baseline of what to do, what needs to be done and how to get there is crucial,” Keener said. “The biggest thing is working as a team, not trying to step on each other’s toes, having thick skin and finding something to do. It’s all about saving as many lives as you can.”

“We haven’t found any deficiencies (in the analysis), therefore we feel it is consistent with the (county’s waste) rate-setting manual to move forward with approval of the rates,” EDC Environmental Director Jeff Warren told the supervisors.

Garbage collection rate increases have averaged 3.5% every year since 2012, with larger increases implemented since 2018, according to the analysis.

The rate increases do not affect customers in the city of Placerville or within El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park community services districts. Those municipalities have separate franchise agreements with EDD.

Budget

Continued from A1

order to balance the budget. Staff takes these cuts very seriously and will continue to look for ways to gain cost efficiencies and raise revenues.”

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. All five of the frozen positions are vacant. Even after such costcutting efforts, nearly every category of spending has seen a decrease in the new budget. Overall, the budget shrinks spending by about $1.3 million, or 2.6%, compared to the 2023-24 budget.

Revenue and cost adjustments for the city are already in the works, with changes to the master fee schedule and water and wastewater cost of service studies expected in the coming months. The approved budget sets the operating budget at $24,682,058 and the General Fund at $11,302,762. Though the General Fund is 10.67% smaller than the previous year’s budget, a large portion of that difference was $1.1 million in planned deficit spending last year, which was used for one-time expenditures.

The city’s CIP 2024-25 budget weighs in at $2,620,141, which includes replacing the tot-lot at Orchard Hill Park and early stages in establishing permanent Trip to

Green infrastructure. Some projects listed in previous drafts of the CIP, including planned improvements to Canal Street and re-roofing of the Bell Tower, were cut from the approved budget to save money.

Vice Mayor John Clerici spoke about the required belt-tightening to make the year’s budget work, describing a perceived imbalance in county and city spending.

“We run the pool and other recreational services that, by and large, benefit people that don’t live in the city,” Clerici said, referring to data indicating a large proportion of guests to the city pool and parks coming from outside of the city proper. “We asked for $111,000, give or take, from the county to help with our pool. They graciously gave us $37,500. They have a budget of just north of $1 billion. If it wasn’t for us and the two community service districts, nobody would be getting recreation, and they shorted us $75,000. It’s not the only reason, but we’re short [in the budget] because of things like that.

“They nickel and dime us, and then they get us when they want to charge something,” he continued. “So, if you live outside the city and you want to do something inside the city, I suggest you go talk to your Board of Supervisors and get them to help us out.”

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Hawaiian Day! Make a colorful lei and dance the hula. Enjoy refreshing pineapple and other island treats.

Create your very own mini-golf course. Use buckets, cups, planks and more to make a challenging, fun course.

Make breakfast for your family. Plan the menu the night before and set the table, too.

Gently capture an insect and observe its behavior for a little while. Then, set it free!

Draw a self-portrait in chalk on your sidewalk. Then draw your whole family. Take a photo of it before it washes away!

Lazy Day! Stay in your pajamas all day. Curl up in a corner with a good book.

Give your bike a tune-up. Clean it with a rag, oil the chain, and add air to your tires.

Invite some friends over tonight to make s’mores and watch movies.

Make a recording of you and a friend singing your favorite song. Then, crank it up and dance to it!

Try watermelonspittingseeds into a cup. Who can hit the target from the distance?greatest

Make some jewelry. Color some pasta and thread it on a string.

Find a really great hiding place for “treasure.” Write out clues for your friends to try and find it.

Armchair Arnie travels the world without leaving home. He reads books about people and places in different parts of the world, in the past and even in the future! Do each math problem to see where Arnie’s book will take him.

Here are some fun games to play while camping or anytime you have a group of friends together.

Have a group of friends stand in a close circle. Have each person place one hand in the center. Then have everyone grab someone else’s hand at random.

Everyone should work together to slowly untangle and try to create one big circle.

On little pieces of paper, write things like TREE, MOUNTAIN, ROCK and other things that could be found on a camping trip.

Create your own recipe for an ice cream sundae. Be sure to include lots of fruit.

Be a weather forecaster.

Make a lemonade stand. Work out how much it will cost to purchase lemonade and cups and price your drinks accordingly.

Write down your weather predictions for the week ahead. Were you correct?

Making Headlines

Tape one of these on each person’s back without letting them see the word. Then they can ask others YES or NO questions to try and figure out what they are.

ca qu Bl th the leav th

Blindfold a player and take them to a nearby tree. Let them touch the tree, feel the leaves or pine needles, for as long as they wish. Then bring them back to the starting point and remove the blindfold. Can they find their tree again?

Opposite Headlines

Have a group of friends sit in a circle. The more friends the better for this game!

Have everyone start passing a small ball around as fast as they can without throwing it. It must be handed from player to player.

Then add a larger ball and have that passed from player to player in the same direction.

The player that winds up with the large and small ball at the same time is OUT!

© 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 25

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PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

Stellar students

Congratulations to Gursimranjit Singh of Cameron Park, who recently graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in architectural and civil drafting technology.

Congratulations to Noah Manoucheri of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Rochester Institute of Technology Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Reese Ferriman of El Dorado Hills, who recently graduated from the College of William & Mary with a bachelor’s degree.

June 28

Celebrate

(916) 933-6624.

Check

Banners dress up Main Street

Lisa Crummett Images of Hope El Dorado / Banners on Parade

Boeger Winery in Placerville hosts Enchanted Evenings, featuring live music with Val Star & The Blues Rocket and great wine. Reservations not required. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Clint Warner Band will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50

rtists were invited in February to participate in the 20th annual Banners on Parade outdoor art exhibit, which is a major event for the sponsoring organization, Images of Hope El Dorado. The suggested theme for 2024 was “Seasonal Splendor,” which inspired artists to submit drawings that featured their own interpretations of what the theme means to them.

Thirty artists were chosen and the public is invited each year to view their banners on Main Street light poles in Placerville. The organization has been fortunate to continue this project for so many years, with the support of sponsors, a dedicated committee, volunteers and, most importantly, the artists.

This exhibit includes nine new artists who have not painted a banner before, and more than 20 returning artists who have

created banners many times in the last 20 years. Artists enjoy this art project for many di erent reasons. Most participants say they love to paint something beautiful and share it with their family, friends and community. Others create banners in memory of a loved one.

Banners on Parade Committee Chairperson Bill Robinson dedicated his banner to his daughter Kelly, who loved trips to the beach, but died earlier this year. Shona Campbell, co-owner of Rocker Oysterfellers restaurant, dedicated her banner to her stepmother Leah, who also recently died.

Don Juvet painted his first banner this year. Juvet began his involvement with the project in 2005 and 2006, when he owned The Gingerbread Man and constructed the paintable wheelbarrows and the stands for the wine barrels for the exhibit’s

■ See BANNERS, page B5

“Bee-Utiful Spring” by Don Juvet First place

“Summer Garden” by Jane Harris & Tara Storamski Second place

“Falling Through the Seasons” by Carli Darwazeh-Fox Third place

Olde Coloma Theatre raising funds for renovations

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

The Olde Coloma Theatre, a nonprofit local playhouse located at the heart of gold country, is in the process of undertaking some much-needed renovations and is asking the community for help as the theater group works to begin phases 2 and 3 of the “repair and replace” e ort.

The theater runs a long season of shows with few breaks between, opening in early May and filling seats until just days before Christmas every year. Because of the theater’s tight schedule, repairs have typically been undertaken in the spring, but between COVID-19 and recent record-setting rainfall, more involved projects have been pushed back for years now, according to the Olde Coloma Theatre Board of Directors President Jason Boyer. The theater recently acquired a boon of support in the form of a grant from a private donor that helped fund Phase 1 renovations, which included work rebuilding and repainting the front exterior of the building including the kitchen, box o ce, lobby and restrooms. Improved air conditioning was also installed for the costuming department

and green room.

Between volunteer labor and work done by Straight Line Roofing & Construction, Phase 1 was completed in early June.

The grant is not the end of things, though; the donor o ered to

match donation funds for the remaining phases of renovations, which would include replacing insulation and siding, painting and “de-critter-ing” e orts for the rear left and right sides of the building. Progress on

the project is tied to fundraising, with the nonprofit hoping to raise around $30,000 this year so all repairs can be undertaken before the weather turns in the winter.

The estimated price tag doesn’t account

for possible overruns and figures in a lot of volunteer labor, Boyer explained.

“We’re 100% volunteer-based and we have a relatively limited overhead. All we do is through the support of our community,” Boyer said. The landmark theater venue has been providing a home for old-school melodrama plays in El Dorado county for more than 50 years now, first opening its doors in 1972. The building itself has a storied career, with the log cabin that serves as the heart of the now-built-out structure originally erected on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay as part of the 1939 International Exposition. The logs still bear proof of their history, each one marked with numbers and letters to aid in reconstruction — “like a giant jigsaw puzzle,” Boyer explained — after the building was moved to Mount Danaher in Camino in 1941 to serve as a barracks for forest rangers. When the cabin was slated to be burnt

Enjoy wine, art and fun on Omo this sunny weekend

Mimi Escabar

Special Sections Editor

The wineries out Omo Ranch way are coordinating a fun two days of wine, art, fabulous food and hospitality. The Art & Wine Festival on Omo is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 29 & 30, noon to 5 p.m. each day. This free event presented by Open on Omo features the stunning grounds of three Omo Ranch area wineries — Golden Leaves Vineyard and Winery, Mellowood Vineyard and Mirador Winery. Sip worldclass wines and view art created by Northern California artists. Some

of these special pieces showcasing everything from vibrant acrylics, stunning oils, cool ink drawings and more will be available for purchase. All wineries will have complimentary wine tasting, wine specials and discounts on food and wine purchases.

Participating wineries

Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery, 3625 Omo Ranch Road — Enjoy

music and outstanding summer wines inside the large tasting room. Food will be available for purchase. The artists are Corina del Carmel’s Inner Landscapes, oils and mixed media; Don Juvet, watercolors; Terri Crisp, drawings and photography; Tracey Sirbello, scratch art and etched glass (Saturday only); and Samantha Piña, watercolors, acrylics and sculpture.

Mellowood Vineyard, 2979

Mellowood Drive — See works by amazing artists in the serene setting under the beautiful shade trees, jam out to live music by Tom Power on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and feast on some seriously tasty Kenyan barbecue with rice piao and kachumbari and dessert. The lunch is free for club members and $20 for non-members. The artists are 3 Fish Studios, acrylics; Carolyn Cunningham, oils and colored pencil; Matt Harline, ink, watercolors and acryics; Fab Sowa, photography; Karii Coleman, abstract paintings; and Annie Galvin, acrylics.

■ See FESTIVAL, page B7

Call to artists for ‘Captured Moments’

News release

Art On the Divide Cooperative Gallery invites artists to submit their work for AODC’s 11th Invitational Art Show, Captured Moments, to be held Oct. 3-31. The application deadline is Sept. 13 with a specially priced early bird entry deadline of Sept. 2. Captured Moments explores the beauty and significance of moments frozen in time. AODC is looking for artwork that captures the essence of a single moment. Perhaps it’s a

fleeting glance, a serene landscape, an intense emotion, something observed or made up … it is the artist’s choice. All mediums are welcome: paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodcraft and more.

A public artists’ reception is scheduled Oct. 6, where artists can invite their family and friends.

The complete brochure and entry form is available in the gallery, 6295 Main St. in Georgetown, or online at artonthedivide.com. Questions can be sent to aodcgallery@gmail.com.

rays. along with her perceptions of time.

Her passion does not know to divide days in routines, in fragments of time to be senselessly lled. It is a uid intense fervor nourished now by her insights.

Tending the elds of the mind, she will bring new visions to sprout. She knows that state of the mind, when that rebel becomes an accomplice, she knows those new visions will grow in her, as perennials. She knows.

Instagram reveals Lake Tahoe as the most picuresque lake

News release

A recent study has revealed the most picturesque Lakes in North America. The study by vacation rental platform Lake.com analyzed Instagram posts containing hashtags relating to each lake for every major lake in North America to determine which are the most picturesque.

In first place is Lake Tahoe. Straddling the border between California and Nevada, this freshwater lake has accumulated 3,053,173 posts featuring the #LakeTahoe hashtag on Instagram. Lake Tahoe was found to have the most posts of any lake contained solely within America, as well as any lake throughout North America.

In second place is Lake Michigan. Spread across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, this great lake is the third largest of the great lakes, behind Lake Superior and Lake Huron. In total, Lake Michigan has 2,831,512 posts featuring the #LakeMichigan hashtag on Instagram.

Lake Superior takes the third spot on the list, with 1,187,896 Instagram posts featuring the #LakeSuperior hashtag. Straddling the U.S.-Canada border and touching the coasts of Ontario, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, Lake Superior is also notably the largest freshwater lake not only in North America but in the entire world by surface area.

In fourth place is Lake Ontario, the smallest of the great lakes in terms of area and spans the U.S.-Canada

border with Ontario to the North and New York to the south. Lake Ontario was found to have 1,025,574 posts containing the #LakeOntario hashtag on Instagram.

Fifth place goes to Lake Erie. Situated on the border between

Canada and America, Lake Erie was found to have 1,011,490 posts on Instagram containing the #LakeErie hashtag.

The remainder of the top 10 features Lake Norman in sixth place with 678,983 posts and Lake George in

Kickin’ music series coming to NorCal

Leila Srouji

The Center for the Arts

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts presents the Penntucky Country Music Series at Penn Valley Rodeo Grounds this summer featuring Lonestar on July 20 and the Sawyer Brown 40th Anniversary Tour on Sept. 8.

Enjoy country music under an open sky with great food and beer. Get your cowboy boots ready, because it’s sure to be a rootin’ tootin’ time.

On July 20 country hit music group Lonestar will take the stage.

Lonestar just celebrated 30 years together in 2022. This streak started in 1996 with the band’s second single, the rock-edged “No News,” and the following year’s tender “Come Cryin’ to Me” and “Everything’s Changed.” The band’s quadrupleplatinum 1999 album “Lonely Grill” spawned four No. 1 hits (including the beloved global smash “Amazed”) and established

Lonestar as music’s preeminent pop-country band — a status maintained through the 2000s and beyond thanks to songs full

seventh with 626,647 posts.

Eighth place goes to Lake Geneva with 590,672 posts, while Lake Havasu ranks in at ninth with 587,434 posts.

Rounding out the list in 10th place is Lake Huron with 574,347 posts.

Courtesy photo

Sawyer Brown brings decades of country hits to the upcoming Penntucky Country Music Series.

Courtesy photo

Lonestar kicks off the Penntucky Country Music Series on July 20.

n See PENNTUCKY, page B7

Lake Tahoe is an Instagram star thanks to its extraordinary beauty.

A WACKY, HEARWARMING UNDERSEA ADVENTURE

SpongeBob SquarePants (Wesley Slade) and Sandy Cheeks (Nyla Sostre) perform in the Broadway At Music Circus production of

“The SpongeBob Musical” at the UC Davis Health Pavilion, playing through June 30. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and featuring songs by iconic music artists including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, David Bowie, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, They Might Be Giants and Yolanda Adams, “The SpongeBob Musical” is not just for adults — kids are welcome, too. For tickets visitbroadwaysacramento.com or call (916) 557-1999

by Joel Fagliano

Know Continued from B1 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/ live-music.

Power Play will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

HipNosis will perform at 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Images Theatre presents A Motown Celebration with Chester Gregory at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

June 29

Rootsafari 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 Red Dirt Ruckus, 5-8 p.m. For more information visit lavacap.com/ events.

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

Edio Vineyards in Camino hosts Folk on the Farm, 6-10 p.m, featuring live music and beautiful sunsets. For more information visit delfinofarms.com/folkonthefarm.

Matt Rainey at Dippin Sauce will perform at 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

High Fidelity will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Music in the Mountains presents Melodies of Youth: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, The Chevalier’s Symphony No. 2, and Mozart ‘s Concerto No. 3 featuring violin soloist Amaryn Olmeda at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

June 30

Shadow Ranch Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts live music and wood-fired pizza on the patio, 1-4 p.m., featuring Grey Finch. Reservations highly recommended. Visit shadowranch.com/Events.

Steve Franklin Band will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Red Dirt Ruckus will perform on the Valhalla Tahoe Grand Hall lawn at 4:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

July 1

Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Living Well with Dementia Addressing Challenging Symptoms: Ideal Approach for Supporting Challenging Behaviors, 1-3 p.m. at the Gilmore Center, 990 Lassen Lane in El Dorado Hills. This group equips caregivers with strategies to address difficult issues in dementia care. Supporting someone with dementia can be an enriching experience, but it often comes with a unique set of challenges, particularly when faced with unexpected behaviors. This workshop empowers caregivers with the knowledge and tools to navigate these complexities with empathy and understanding.

Music in the Mountains presents “Carmina Burana” at the Don Baggett Theater. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

July 2

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The bloodmobile will be parked near the movie theater on the north side at 2101 Vine St. Donors will receive one in-hand Fandango movie voucher. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first 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.

July 3

The annual Fireworks & Freedom Concert at El Dorado Hills Town Center will celebrate the nation’s birthday from 6-11 p.m. Island of Black and White will perform at Town Center Amphitheater from 8-11 p.m. and fireworks by Pyro Spectaculars will light up the night sky starting at 9:30 p.m. A Kids Zone and music by Funk Shui will also add to the night of fun for the family.

Music in the Mountains presents “Happy Birthday USA,” featuring the MIM Orchestra and Chorus. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

July 4

The El Dorado Hills Community Pool will host a 4th of July celebration from 1-4 p.m. Music, decorations, games and a snack bar will be available.

The El Dorado County 4th of July Family Blast returns to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 3 p.m., with Locked-NLoaded playing music from 5-9:45 p.m. The fireworks will happen after dark, when the races at the nearby Placerville Speedway come to a close, at around 9:30-10 p.m. Admission to the Family Blast is $5 per person, kids 6 and under get in free.

Terra D’oro in Plymouth hosts the 14th annual Cru-Zin in the Vineyard car show, which includes music, food trucks and wine tasting, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call (209) 245-6942.

July 5

Olde Coloma Theatre presents “The Whirling Dervish of Coloma” or “Ladies, Gentlemen and Others?” through Aug. 11. For tickets and more information visit oldecolomatheatre.com.

The Cynthia Renee Duo and the Steven Denmark Band will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Papa Day Blues Band will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Lynsey’s Prime Country will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents its summer musical “Enter the Guardsman” through July 14. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe. com.

Photo by Kevin Graft

first

Images of Hope Luau in the Orchard.

Cunningham holds a degree in art education, was a public-school art teacher for 20

and taught drawing classes to adults and children. She is a member of Placerville Arts Association, Sacramento Fine Arts, Rancho Cordova Arts, Colored Pencil Society of America and International Society of Scratchboard Artists. She currently shows her artwork at Art Studio 360 in Placerville.

Smith is a retired nurse from Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. She lives in El Dorado Hills, pursuing her passion for art. Inspired by nature’s vibrant colors, she focuses on western scenes, landscapes and portraits of people and animals in a classical style. Smith is vice president of the El Dorado Hills Art Association and a member of the Placerville Art Association. She actively participates in community charity events throughout Sacramento and El Dorado County.

The judges chose winners for first place, second place, third place and three Honorable Mentions. Winners for this year were:

• First place: “Bee-Utiful Spring” by Don Juvet

• Second place: “Summer Garden” by Jane Harris and Tara Storamski

• Third place: “Falling Through the Seasons” by Carli Darwazeh-Fox

• Honorable mention: “Nature’s Gifts” by Judy Arrigotti

• Honorable mention: “Twilight in Spring” by Sydney Chavan

• Honorable mention: “Aspen Splendor” by Diana Erickson

The 2024 Banners on Parade were installed June 4 on Main Street light poles where they will be on display through October and auctioned during an online auction that month. There will be keepsakes available featuring the artists’ banner images: posters, postcards, coffee mugs, water bottles and bookmarks, which is part of Banners on Parade’s fundraising efforts, along with the auction.

Helping the organization were this year’s sponsors: Images of Hope El Dorado, El Dorado

County Chamber of Commerce, Cuppa Coffee & More, High Sierra Quilters and donors for the Geoff Boyd Memorial Artist Award and Marianne Kalem Legacy Award. Visitors can pick up one of the walking tour brochures at businesses on Main Street or at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. The committee suggests starting the tour at the southwest corner of Main Street and Sacramento Street, then walk east on Main Street, crossing to the other side near the Ivy parking lot to make the loop back, ending at the last banners up on Sacramento Street across from the post office. Don’t forget to check out the backs of each banner.

For more information visit imagesofhopeeldorado. com/banners-on-parade.

This community art project is one of the longestrunning exhibitions in California with 583 pieces of art displayed. In the first year of the exhibit (2005), artist-painted wheelbarrows were displayed; in the second year of the exhibit (2006), artist-painted wine barrels were displayed. From 2007 through 2024, artist-painted canvas banners have been displayed — a total of 529 banners on Main Street.

RANCHO CORDOVVA — The Rancho

Cordova River City Concert Band presents Jazz At The RCPAC on Sunday, June 30, at The Cordova Performing Arts Center, Rancho Cordova, with special guests John Wasson, as well as The Swing Collective. The concert begins at 3 p.m.

Under the direction of Tom Seaton, the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band will get into the swing of summer with Wasson’s Big Band Tribute, a medley of Benny Goodman’s classic songs. In addition, The Swing Collective will play an assortment of big band jazz classics.

The band is very excited to have world renowned trombonist and arranger Wasson as its special guest. From his arrangement of “Caravan” heard in the final scene of the Academy Award-winning motion picture “Whiplash” to his published compositions and arrangements numbering in the hundreds, Wasson’s music has been heard and performed around the world. He has produced several recordings for the Dallas Brass, including the Dallas Brass debut, “Windborne,” and Nutcracker albums.

Wasson has performed with such groups as The Stan Kenton and Woody Herman orchestras, the Michael Waldrop Big Band, the Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra, the Charles Lazarus Brass Ensemble, The Dallas Brass and the Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, and has backed up such notable artists as Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, Reba McIntyre, Bob Hope, Nelson Riddle, Frank

Sinatra Jr., and Mel Torme. Currently, he is the leader of his own big band — The Strata Big Band. The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is sponsored by the Rancho Cordova Community Council and is enthusiastically affiliated with the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association and the Association of Concert Bands. Performing an average 10 concerts a year, Rancho Cordova RCCB remains true to the American Community Band tradition — all concerts and performances throughout its yearlong season are free to the public. Any monetary donations received will go to the Dennis Gray Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is a nonprofit organization made up of approximately 50 volunteer musicians who donate their time and musical talents to present concerts with a broad audience appeal.

The band’s motto — Love Music. Share Music. Make Music — says it all. The members’ love of music is what brings them together, and it is the band’s desire to share music before audiences of diverse backgrounds, foster musical interest among children and provide performance opportunities for skilled community musicians.

The band strives to provide a rich social environment to those seeking enrichment through making music with other adult musicians and the community.

Follow the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band on Facebook and visit rcconcertband.org. Videos of live and virtual performances can be viewed on the band’s YouTube channel.

The Cordova Performing Arts Center is located at 2239 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova.

Courtesy photo

Musician John Wasson joins the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band for a performance this Sunday. Admission is free.

Sacramento Shakespeare Festival taketh over area stage

News release

SACRAMENTO — Sacramento Shakespeare

Festival presents “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, July 5-28.

All performances will be held in the Art Court Theatre in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sacramento City College at 3835 Freeport Blvd. Tickets may be purchased online or in person one hour before the performance begins. Details are available at sacramentoshakespeare.net.

Julius Caesar

“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.”

Jealous conspirators convince Caesar’s friend Brutus to join their assassination plot against Caesar. To stop Caesar from gaining too much

Know Continued from B4

Now

El Dorado County Certified Farmers’ Markets offer 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.

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

Penntucky

Continued from B3

of energy and creative lyrics (“What About Now”) and (“Mr. Mom”), along with heartfelt messages and soaring melodies (“I’m Already There”).

Not every musician has the opportunity to revisit and even potentially improve upon their biggest hits. But on the band’s most recent record, “TEN to 1,” the award-winning musicians — Dean Sams (keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitarist, background vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Drew Womack (lead vocals, guitar) — took a fresh look at all 10 of their chart-topping country songs.

Perhaps the biggest example of this contemporary updating is “Come Cryin’ to Me,” which the band members agree is the biggest sonic departure. A particular concert by indie-folk act The Lumineers inspired a completely new direction for the song;

Theater Continued from B2

down as part of a firefighting exercise, the future founder of the Olde Coloma Theatre, June Scott, lobbied the state and purchased the cabin for $1 and moved it to its current home.

The theater exclusively puts on original works written by the Olde Coloma Theatre community. The next production, “The Whirling Dervish of

Festival Continued from B2

Mirador Winery, 2501 Omo Ranch Road — Enjoy discovering the wines of this area in a relaxing setting. Share conversations with the winemakers, admire the local art works and sample awardwinning wines. Italian sandwiches will be available for purchase.

The artists are Claudia Bennett, acrylics; Diana Erickson, watercolors; Darlene Balsama, oils and acrylics; Lynell Phillips, images created with AI (artificial intelligence); Deborah Kelly, assemblage (shown by Lynell Phillips); and Petra Hoette,

power, Brutus and the conspirators kill Caesar on the Ides of March. Mark Antony drives Brutus and the conspirators out of Rome, and there is war.

Still Shakespeare’s original text, this production is set in 1922 Italy, as the rise of fascism propelled Italy toward World War II.

“Julius Caesar” is directed by Lori Ann DeLappeGrondin and Christine Nicholson. The artistic team includes Shawn Weinsheink (scenic design), Nicole Sivell (costume design) and Isaiah Leeper (lighting design).

The playwright

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he moved to London, where his plays were produced as early as 1592. His early plays were primarily

Arts & Culture El Dorado presents A Picture’s Worth: NEA Big Read at the Switchboard Gallery in Placerville. This exhibition of illustrator Gavin Sellers-Norman’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.

Lonestar’s updated version has gang vocals, fouron-the-floor beats and percussion that adds a galloping vibe.

Needless to say, long-time fans and new Lonestar lovers alike are in for a treat when they see the band live this summer.

On Sept. 8 trailblazing Sawyer Brown will perform at Penn Valley Rodeo Grounds as part of the 40th Anniversary Tour.

In March, the band shared new music for the first time in nearly two decades with the roadwarrior anthem “Under This Ole Hat.” Blake Shelton produced the upcoming album, “Desperado Troubadours” and “Under This Ole Hat” is the kickoff of Sawyer Brown’s 40th anniversary celebration.

The group released the highly anticipated “Get

Coloma” or “Ladies, Gentlemen & Others?” was penned by Boyer and is set to open July 5. Tax-deductible donations to the Olde Coloma Theatre can be made at gofund.me/31a369b0; more information about the theater, upcoming shows and fundraising efforts can be found on the Facebook page or at oldecolomatheatre.com.

acrylics, oil pastels and watercolors.

Tickets to this event are complimentary in exchange for your name and email address and your consent to join the email lists of the participating wineries. You can sign up for up to two free tickets per order. There are no reservations required, just bring your ticket to your starting winery and enjoy the art and wine at your leisure.

For tickets and the current list of artists go to cellarpass.com/events/art-wine-on-omo-10973. For more information call (916) 261-7512.

comedies and histories, and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres; and his “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” “King Lear” and “Macbeth” are considered to be among the finest works in the English language.

About the festival

The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, which is produced by City Theatre at Sacramento City College, strives to provide top quality Shakespeare performances and training to the community, utilizing the resources, teachers and students of the Theatre Department, and including the most experienced and professional artists in the area. Participants produce full-length plays on campus, and shorter versions of Shakespeare’s plays that travel to local classes and community centers.

Broadway At Music Circus presents “The SpongeBob Musical” through June 30 at the UC David Health pavilion in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.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 sacfinearts.org.

Me To The Stage On Time” documentary on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Nashville Film Festival. The film features executive producer Shelton and other artists, including Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley and more.

After winning the first-ever televised singing competition Star Search in 1983, the band became a genre staple thanks to hits including “Some Girls Do” (1992), “Thank God for You” (1993), “Step That Step” (1985) and more. Sawyer Brown’s storied career includes awards such as the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award, the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year, multiple CMT Video Group of the Year Awards and beyond. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

Like writing? Have journalism experience? Enjoy photography? Email resume and writing samples to Noel Stack at nstack@mtdemocrat.net.

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Special to the Mountain Democrat

Tilden Daken, the once-celebrated California impressionist painter who at one time mined and painted in El Dorado County, comes to vivid life in a new book by the artist’s granddaughter, Bonnie Portnoy.

“Besides the remarkable adventures and his art, you will enjoy his Georgetown history,” she shared with the Mountain Democrat.

“As a child he mined in the Georgetown region with his father and in his late teens returned to the mines as a mine mucker in the 1890s during a recession,” Portnoy explained. “During the Great Depression, when he was unable to sell art, he returned to the mines. First in Bootjack for nine months and then he moved to Georgetown in 1932.”

Daken died in 1935 and is buried in the Georgetown Pioneer Cemetery.

“His tombstone is a bronze artist palette,” Portnoy said. “Folks in Georgetown are engaged in his story through social media and they often seek to visit his gravesite.”

Daken was an impressionist painter who brought California to the world. Famous in his time for his landscapes, the artist, who was born in 1876, painted in every California state park and every national park in the West. He captured everything from the majestic redwood forests to the otherworldly high Sierra.

After the 1906 earthquake claimed Daken’s San Francisco studio, he relocated to Sonoma County. It was there — in what is called the “Valley of the Moon” — where he honed his signature style. In 1915 Daken exhibited at the landmark PanamaPacific International Exhibition and earned praise from critics and visitors alike. Throughout his life, the media avidly covered Daken, fascinated by not only his art, but his swashbuckling persona, tumultuous personal life and the adventures that took him far outside of California. Today, Daken’s paintings hang in museums and are sought by collectors.

In “The Man Beneath the Paint: California Impressionist Tilden Daken” by Portnoy (April 2024, Hardcover, Jack

Bacon & Company), the artist’s granddaughter recounts the outsized life and extraordinary work of the figure who loomed large in her childhood. The book features sumptuous photos of Daken’s paintings, old newspaper clippings and family photos.

Daken died at 58, but he lived a life that seemed made for headlines. Ever the self-promoter and thrill seeker, he custom-built a diving bell so he could paint under the Pacific Ocean. He enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Jack London, whom he met riding the rails. In 1913, as the Mexican Revolution raged, Daken left his wife and two daughters and crossed the border, only to be caught in the crossfire and land a short stint in jail.

In his 40s, he traveled to New Guinea to “paint headhunters,” as the San Francisco Chronicle put it. In an extended stay in Hawaii, Dakin painted seascapes in a 19th century maritime style. In Hollywood he hobnobbed with celebrities and developed a new technique — one that was informed by his synesthesia — that he called “painting in the

key of red.” When Daken and his long-suffering wife, May, finally divorced, the court heard of a string of infidelities on his part, including an alleged affair with vaudeville star Sophie Tucker. Portnoy lives a few miles north of the enchanting Arts and Crafts house Daken built in Mill Valley in the 1920s — unbeknownst to her until she launched the Tilden Daken Legacy Project to unearth the mysteries about the grandfather she never knew. Through the project, she made invaluable connections with art historians, museum curators, gallery owners and avid collectors who helped her flesh out Daken’s long-lost story. In addition to family lore, she mined hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, exhibit catalogs, personal letters, autobiographical short stories penned by the artist and more. For more information visit TildenDaken.com. The El Dorado Historical Society will host the author at 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Art on the Divide Cooperative Gallery, 6295 Main St. in Georgetown.

“High Sierra – Mountain Near Tahoe” by Tilden Daken

Courtesy photo

Artist Tilden Daken lived on the Divide as a child and returned to the community in his final years. He is buried in the Georgetown Pioneer Cemetery.