Mountain Democrat, Monday, July 3, 2023

Dirty Windows? Dirty Carpets? We Can Help!

County fair attendance grows to 83,402

Eric Jaramishian

It is fair to say the El Dorado County Fair was a hit this year, which experienced recordbreaking attendance again.

Last year 73,675 people packed the fairgrounds in Placerville for summertime entertainment with carnival rides, livestock auctions, food and more. This year the four-day event added nearly 11,000 more for a total of 83,402 attendees.

Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

— Such has been the patient sufferance of

n See Declaration of inDepenDence page A7

“I know the weather played a big part, and this is very encouraging in this economy,” said Kathy Dunkak, El Dorado County Fair CEO. “This community loves the fair.”

Every day was a record day.

Thursday saw 16,762 people go to the fair, Friday brought in 22,508 to the fair, then Saturday experienced extraordinary numbers of 25,747 people and Sunday closed out the weekend with 18,384 people. Before COVID-19-related

Mighty Bassi

shutdowns occurred in 2020, the fair had record numbers in 2019 with 67,000 people in attendance. Dunkak attributes growing numbers to the county’s increasing population and more out-of-town people visiting the fair.

“This is a family-friendly fair and I think the word has gotten out about that,” she added. “We’ve cracked down on youth gangs causing trouble and doing crazy

all in as Bassi Falls cascades down cliffs and boulders in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area

18.

100-footplus falls are a sight to see in this high-water year. Find the falls off Ice House Road via the road to Millionaire Campground, where the trail to the falls begins. Due to the destination’s popularity, weekends and holidays see particularly congested parking along the road in and at the trailhead.

Placerville

Odin Rasco Staff writer

dips into reserves

The Placerville City Council approved a 202324 budget Tuesday that will make use of a surplus accrued in recent years to spend more than $1 million on one-time expenditures and investments.

Following multiple public presentations in the

past month that laid out the budget piece by piece, the council agreed 4-0 to approve both the 202324 operating and capital improvement program budgets; councilmember John Clerici was absent. The city’s overall finances appear in good order, with Placerville ranked 37 out of all 539 California cities in terms of 2022 revenue. Sales tax trends

n See BuDget, page A6

Mountain Democrat file photo by Isaac Streeter

The 2023 El Dorado County Fair saw close to 10,000 more tickets sold than last year.

Mountain Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum Hikers take it

June

The

OBITUARIES

Dee Miller

April 29, 1958 - May 11, 2023

Dee peacefully passed away at her home in Prescott Valley, AZ with her husband by her side on the early morning of May 11, 2023, after battling an illness for less than a year.

She was born Dee Ann Encinas in 1958, of Oxnard, CA, the youngest of two brothers and one sister. The family moved to Sonoma County shortly afterwards, where they settled down in Sebastopol. Dee loved to ride her horse Queenie, on the back country roads with her dog Jeremy at her side. She was a high school graduate of El Molina High School in 1976 and the family relocated to Santa Rosa.

Dee went to work at Sonoma State Hospital after graduation where she worked as a hospital worker and a school bus driver. It is here that she met and started dating her future husband Terry. In 1987 Terry and Dee relocated to Garden Valley in the foothills of El Dorado County where they bought their first home. On a cold Saturday morning in January of 1989, they were joined together in marriage at the tiny St. John’s Church in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma.

Dee enjoyed working with her husband on enlarging their home and was not afraid to climb a ladder and paint a ceiling or split and stack a cord of wood. She loved being outdoors working in her garden and her flower beds or putting around on her riding mower. During the winter months she would bake cinnamon rolls, make a quiche from scratch or spend time in her sewing room mending clothes or creating a new holiday decoration. Dee successfully home schooled their two children Jessica and David and at some point, decided to take on a part time job for the Kmart in Placerville, where she worked as a department manager in the children’s department. After leaving Kmart, she decided to take up horse back riding again and could be seen riding the trails of Pilot Hill or the back roads in Garden Valley, with her daughter or husband tagging along.

Dee and Terry sold their home at the end of 2020 and moved to Prescott Valley, AZ where they spent time traveling and making plans to live out their retirement years but tragically her life was cut short.

Dee is survived by her husband Terry Miller of Prescott Valley, Arizona; daughter Jessica WallerMiller of El Dorado; son David and his family also of El Dorado; her brother James and his family of Ogden, Utah; her brother Michael and his family of Abilene, Texas; her two grandchildren Hollie and Jameson Miller of El Dorado; her niece Rachael Thomas and family of Boise, Idaho; her nephew Jim and niece Andrea of Ogden, Utah and several relations in the Oxnard and surrounding areas of southern California. Dee was preceded in death by her sister Donna Beckman of Nampa, Idaho. There are no plans for a memorial service at this time. Anyone who wishes to make a donation in her name, may do so to either The Arizona Oncology and Hematology Associates or the Arizona Kidney Disease, LLC both of Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.

Eugene Phillip Mummy

Eugene Phillip Mummy of Placerville, CA, passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Gene was born on April 24, 1933, to parents Catherine (McLaughlan) and Arlie Mummy in Laguna Beach, California, the 3rd of 4 children. In 1937, the family moved to Elsinore, CA, where he met his future wife and soulmate, Frances Ambriola, in the 8th grade. They married soon after Frances graduated from high school in 1953 and began their 63-year marriage together in Anchorage, Alaska, where Gene was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He served during the Korean War as a Radio Operator, Foreign Code Communications Reviewer, and Morse Code Operator. After his Air Force service, he worked for 35 years for Pacific Telephone in microwave toll transmission, ending his career in Placerville. Gene and Frances raised six children, as well as a nephew. In 1977, Gene and Frances and the youngest three children moved from Banning, CA to Pine Grove, where Gene built the home that he and Frances lived in for 40 years until her death in 2017. In 2021, Gene moved to Placerville to be closer to family. Gene is survived by his brother Arlie G. Jr. (Gordy), his children Greg, Mark (Beverly), Marie (Vaughn), Chris (Tami), Kathleen (John), Patrick (Lee Anne), 12 grandchildren, and 15 greatgrandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances, his brother Raymond and his sister Ann, his nephew Joe, and his daughtersin-law Pam (Greg) and Lauren (Patrick). Gene was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. For many years, Gene and Frances volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He was deeply devoted to Frances and was profoundly a ected by her passing. Gene was an outstanding four-sport high school athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. After high school, he was an excellent fast-pitch softball pitcher with a wicked rising fastball and multiple no-hitters over his softball career. Gene was an avid baseball fan and had a deep understanding of the game. He coached at the Pony League, Colt League, and American Legion levels, as well as volunteered at the high school level. Gene and Frances loved the outdoors and had a special fondness for the Virginia Lakes area, where the family camped for many summers. He loved birds and birdwatching and was thrilled when bluebirds nested in one of the many birdhouses on the Pine Grove property. Gene loved to garden, was an excellent mechanic, and could fix almost anything. He was most comfortable in bib overalls! He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and had a great love for his family. He leaves an empty place in our hearts, but we are comforted by good memories and the knowledge that he and Frances are together again. Services were held at St Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish on June 29, 2023. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www. danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL City Hall 3101 Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200

Mayor Michael Saragosa msaragosa@

Stuart Allen Samson

Aug. 6, 1929 - May 12, 2023

Stuart Allen (Al) Samson, 93, of Placerville CA. left for heaven May 12, 2023 after having had Parkinson’s disease for 20 years.

Al was born August 6, 1929 to Stuart and Gladys Samson in Hermosa Beach, California. In 1940, Stuart moved his family to McArthur, CA. In McArthur, Al attended grade school through high school. He graduated as Salutatorian of his class of 20 from Fall River High School in 1948. He went on to study Business as University of California Berkeley. While attending CAL, he joined the CAL rowing team. His varsity 8 man team went all the way to the Olympic trails in 1952 where they were beaten by the Navy team by only 18 inches.

In 1952 Al enlisted in the Army where he was a Corporal E-4. He was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960. He received an Army Occupation of Germany medal.

In 1956 Al met Suzanne (Sue) on a fixed up blind date in Berkeley. They were married in 1957. In 1966 they purchases their first home in Pinole, CA. where they lived for 20 years. Al and Sue have 4 children, Kimberly, Karen, Gregory, and Je rey.

In 1965, with a degree in Business, Al became a financial planner and eventually started his own business, Financial Planning Associates, being in the industry for more than 40 years.

Al enjoyed camping with his family. His goal was to drive to and visit as many national parks as they could. They visited a lot in their VW van. Al and Sue were also blessed to be able to have adventures traveling around the world. After retirement, Al and Sue enjoyed taking their 7 grandchildren (Jessica, Je rey, Melanie, Andrew, Sarah, Ryan, and Christopher) to CAL Camp Oski, a summer family camp. Al always enjoyed being active in service clubs such as the Kiwanis Club and the Placerville Rotary Club.

In 1998, Al and Sue purchased property in Placerville where they had their dream retirement home built. It checked o everything on their list. As a bonus, there’s always something happening in the Wild Kingdom that surrounds their house.

Al was predeceased by his parents Stuart and Gladys, and siblings Mary and David. He is survived by his wife Sue, children Kimberly,, Karen, Gregory and Je rey and grandchildren Jessica, Je rey, Melanie, Andres, Sarah, Ryam and Christopher.

A memorial service celebrating Al’s life will be held at Green Valley Community Church 3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville on Thursday July 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.. There will be a military ceremony with a flag and bugle. He will be interred in Dixons Veterans Cemetery. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Richard Liddell

Jan. 12, 1940 - June 21, 2023

Richard Liddell passed away June 21. He was born and raised in Placerville before moving to Orangevale. He leaves behind Jean Liddell and 5 sons, numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 320 Montrose Dr., Folsom, CA.

CONTACT

Richard

Help needed on restoration of 1937 ranger cabin

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

The Eldorado National Forest is looking for volunteers to help restore the Alder Ridge Lookout Cabin to serve as a recreational rental for public use.

Funding for the project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act, according to a June 28 Forest Service news release. The restoration will be overseen by HistoriCorps, a nonprofit specializing in historical preservation and career development in preservation as well as construction-related

trades.

The Alder Ridge Lookout Cabin was constructed in 1937 by the Forest Service along with the Civilian Conservation Corps as a fire lookout for park rangers. The cabin is located in the Alder Ridge Basin of the Eldorado National Forest between Morrison and Silver Fork Ranch. It became eligible for the National Register of Historical Places in 1990 after a nationwide study of similar lookout stations was performed.

“We hope you’ll join us as we rehabilitate and restore the aging

ranger cabin that has seen better years and has been an unfortunate victim of vandalism,” HistoriCorps officials state about the project on their website.

As well as vandalism, the cabin has gone through multiple updates such as changing the front porch and installing linoleum floors as well as general wear and tear from years of use. HistoriCorps workers and volunteers will undo these changes and return the cabin to its original condition using 1934 schematics.

The first two rounds of volunteer work took

The cabin’s original hard wood floors were uncovered after removing linoleum flooring put over the top of it.

Fireworks banned in EDC

Mountain Democrat staff

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District is reminding residents all fireworks, even those called “safe-and-sane,” are illegal in the county.

The smallest of sparks could set off the next big wildfire and firefighters are urging folks to attend a local professional show instead of breaking out the sparklers.

Two shows in El Dorado County will light up the night, the first

crime log

The following was taken from El Dorado County

Sheriff’s Office logs:

June 14

3:29 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a gas station on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

3:30 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Knollwood Court in Cameron Park.

3:31 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Badger Hill Road in Pollock

Pines.

4:38 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Idlewood Place in El Dorado Hills.

7:11 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 56-year-old man suspected of a felony parole violation on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

June 15

3:37 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of carrying a concealed dagger on Cameron Park Drive in Camron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu $10,000 bail.

2:20 p.m. Burglary was reported on Idle Creek Drive in Shingle Springs.

2:41 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Bucks Bar Road in Placerville.

7:07 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ramsey Place in El Dorado.

7:51 p.m. Battery was reported at a park on Lotus Road in Lotus.

July 3 at El Dorado Hills Town Center as part of the Fireworks and Freedom Concert, and the second July 4 during the Family Blast finale to Placerville Speedway’s Freedom Fireworks races.

Even possession of fireworks is a criminal act in the county.

Anyone who observes fireworks activity is asked to call dispatchers with either the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 621-6600 or the Placerville Police Department at (530) 642-5298.

8:36 p.m. Illegal entry was reported on Sundown Court in Placerville.

June 16

12:11 p.m. Battery was reported at a mobile home park on Salmon

Patrol officers booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of DUI on Forni Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $35,000 bail.

2:46 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old woman suspected of vehicle theft on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was later released.

3:55 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia and Vehicle Code violations on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody.

10:13 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of elder abuse on Baker Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $255,000 bail.

11:10 a.m. Burglary was reported at a winery on Larsen Drive in Camino.

11:42 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

4:22 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of burglary on Dollhouse Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

7:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license with a previous DUI on Broadway. He was released on $7,500 bail.

place June 18-23 and June 25-30. There are two more opportunities for participation in the

restoration — Sunday, July 30 through Friday, Aug. 4, as well as Sunday, Aug. 6 through Friday, Aug. 11. Visit

HistoriCorps.org/ alder-ridge-lookoutcabin-ca-2023 for more information and to register as a volunteer.

photos by Jordan Serin

Graffiti takes over the walls of the Alder Ridge Lookout Cabin, left photo, seen here in a 2020 photo. Alder Ridge Lookout Cabin, right photo, is being restored with a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and nonprofit HistoriCorps. The restored cabin will be offered for recreational rental. Changes being made to the front porch are in line with the original 1934 schematics.

SNAP out of it — Fraud hits food stamp program

And you thought California’s $32 billion in Employment

Development

Department fraud was bad. A small group of criminals in Detroit has managed to pilfer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits of nearly 8,000 impoverished California families who were shocked when they discovered their EBT cards had been drained. The criminals stealing access to EBT cards run the gamut from low-level organized criminal gangs in Michigan to criminal syndicates as far-flung as Romania journeying to California, specifically to exploit the gaping security flaws in the SNAP program.

So how is it that they managed to siphon o EBT card numbers and pins with alarming ease? First, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which implements the SNAP program, has no incentive to prevent fraud. Like the EDD debacle, these bureaucrats seem completely content to just shovel money out the door with no regard for consequences.

Even worse, in recent federal litigation it was revealed that retailers who accept SNAP/EBT benefits are not obligated to employ advanced point-of-sale systems, the type that generates transaction records in standard grocery stores. In fact, a fraudster could become an EBT retailer by purchasing a pointof-sale terminal on the dark web that’s linked to an “approved” retailer. This system has so few guardrails and fraud-detection tools in place that thousands of EBT cards from California were used in a single Michigan city with no “red flags” alerting anyone as to what was happening.

Consider the magnitude of these losses. SNAP boasts an annual budget of a staggering $127 billion. If estimates suggesting that 20% of this amount is lost to fraud are anywhere close to being accurate, it means $33.4 billion vanishes into thin air every year. Rather than deploying those billions toward helping America’s most needy families, SNAP is in fact one of the largest funders of

■ See COUPAL page A5

Belltower

Letter to the Editor

Supreme Court reform

EDITOR:

The Supreme Court is running amok and it’s past time we got it under control.

In the year since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, abortion has been e ectively banned (with extremely limited exceptions) in 14 states. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have lost access to abortion care.

On top of that, the ethical crises keep piling up. We’ve seen Republican mega donors footing the bill for Clarence Thomas’ vacations, mortgage payments and family tuition; Samuel Alito taking dinners with conservative anti-abortion activists, accepting a lavish vacation from someone with business before the court and allegedly leaking reproductive health decisions; and Neil Gorsuch

selling property to an executive that has business before the court just days after his lifetime appointment was finalized.

We can’t let this continue. Congress must stop the out-of-control, right-wing majority on the Supreme Court. The only way to do that is to restore ideological balance to the court by adding four more seats.

I’m urging our legislators to stand up as a governmental body and rein in this illegitimate court by passing the Judiciary Act.

SUSAN CONFORTI El Dorado Hills

The calling of Matthew and conversion on the road

My wife, Cherie, is the longest serving person to hold the elected o ce of treasurer and tax collector of El Dorado County. Previously she was twice elected to the Los Rios Board of Trustees while maintaining her CPA practice. She served out her last term as treasurer and tax collector to the end since the voters elected her for a full four-year term.

She has an accounting degree and a master of business degree. In our Episcopal Church she has taught Sunday School and currently serves on the Vestry.

I only mention this because whenever one of the Gospel readings mention tax collectors, she gets teased.

The latest Gospel reading was from June 11: “As Jesus was walking along, he saw Matthew sitting at a tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

“And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his

disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

And then he later raises from the dead the daughter of the leader of the Synagogue.

But the story of Jesus calling to Matthew the tax collector and his conversion into St. Matthew was depicted in a famous painting by Caravaggio made in 1600. In a darkened room a light shines on Matthew who is sitting with others as Jesus stands pointing at him. Caravaggio always has a di erent viewpoint of Gospel stories.

Another of Caravaggio’s famous paintings was the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Though Michelangelo took the formal view of Saul out on the road, Caravaggio took a more intimate view of Saul

Cherie was cautious with treasury funds and gentle with taxpayers. She’s not St. Matthew, but she shouldn’t be teased. It’s not funny.

being blinded in a stable. Either way, Saul was blinded by the sight of the resurrected Jesus and a blinding light asking Saul why he persecuted him and his followers. Five days later Ananias of Damascus had a revelation to go and lay hands on Saul, who then could see and was baptized and changed his name to Paul.

I just mention this because I’m always intrigued by the story of conversion on the road to Damascus.

Cherie was cautious with treasury funds and gentle with taxpayers. She’s not St. Matthew, but she shouldn’t be teased. It’s not funny.

Tax collectors today have no relation to tax collectors of Biblical times.

From a handout sheet that must have circulated among members of the Treasurers and Tax Collectors Association of California comes this information about tax collectors in Roman times: “... only wealthy people were chosen to be tax collectors. This is because if people couldn’t pay their taxes, the tax collector had to make

up the citizens’ share. Taxes were not always collected as money in the Middle East. They were collected as livestock or grain.”

Tax collectors in Roman times were paid a percentage of what they collected. Today they receive a straight salary.

A final note from the flyer reads, “Today all citizens have an opportunity to vote either directly or indirectly on how their taxes are spent. All citizens have right to gather together and petition their government to start doing this or stop doing that. Here in El Dorado County, for example, there used to be toll bridges (and toll roads); today there are none. This is one instance of how things can change if citizens desire it to be so.”

One little known fact, though, is that El Dorado County maintains a Toll Tunnel Authority in case sometime in the future it should tunnel through Echo Summit to create an all-weather shortcut to

■ See

If estimates suggesting that 20% of this amount is lost to fraud are anywhere close to being accurate, it means $33.4 billion vanishes into thin air every year.

Work to shut down North-South Road

Mountain Democrat staff

An approximately 3-mile-long segment of NorthSouth Road on the Eldorado National Forest will be temporarily closed to all tra c beginning July 5 to allow for removal of hazard trees left by the Caldor Fire. Forest o cials anticipate this closure will last until the end of July.

The closure will be a hard closure to the extent equipment being used to extract felled timber from adjacent slopes must be positioned on the travel way of North-South Road. For safety reasons logging equipment must be guy-wired to adjacent slopes and is quite large and not readily mobile, thus tra c will not be able to pass thru the closed area either day or night during the temporary closure period, states a news release from the Eldorado National Forest.

The North-South Road closure will begin at the Capps Crossing and North-South Road intersection and extend along North-South Road to the intersection with Plummer Ridge Road (9N16). Informational signs will be placed at major intersections advising of the road closure.

Barricades will be placed across the full road width at the Capps Crossing and North-South Road intersection and at the Plumber Ridge and NorthSouth intersection. At the location of the barricades, there is plenty of room for large vehicles, including vehicles with large trailers to turn around. Detour signs will also be placed.

Closures will not a ect access to the Capps Campground area or the PiPi Campground area. Additional areas along Leoni Road, North-South

Road and Capps Crossing Road will have future short-term closures or delays to allow for additional hazard trees to be cut and removed. Forest o cials expect these additional closures or delays will be of short duration and a ect only short segments of a ected roads. These additional closures or delays will be announced and appropriately signed when they go into e ect but none are expected until late July, notes the press release. For more information regarding projects occurring in the Eldorado National Forest go to bit.ly/ENFprojects.

LAKE LEVELS

Coupal Continued from A4 organized criminal groups in the world.

The lack of fraud detection and prevention technology within the USDA’s SNAP program places an enormous burden on law enforcement as well — as they need to divert significant resources at the federal, state and local level to investigate and hold these groups accountable.

To restore integrity to our public assistance programs taxpayers should demand the immediate implementation of front-end identity verification, advanced point-of-sale systems that generate transaction records, mandating the collection of transaction-specific geolocation information and enforcing rigorous security standards for EBT transactions. To make this happen we must upgrade the technology of EBT cards to include chips, similar to that on credit cards. This will make it much harder for criminals to skim data. Secondly, merchants should be required to collect data during transactions. The lack of a paper trail makes it nearly impossible to trace fraudulent activity. Thirdly, we must institute identity verification and eligibility determination requirements. SNAP must be easy to access for those who need it, but impossible to access by criminals.

This issue is more than just a financial matter; it’s a moral one. It’s time to demand that our political leaders and agency heads not only take notice but take decisive action. They must initiate and enforce measures to secure the SNAP program and to ensure that public funds fulfill their intended purpose: to assist those who need them most.

Jon Coupal is president of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Raffety Continued from A4

Tahoe.

Another tidbit along that same vein is that the state maintained a right-of way to make a fourlane road on the hills on the south side above the current Highway 50 in the canyon. That probably would have included a tunnel through Echo Summit.

Michael Ra ety is a retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a resident of the Placerville area.

Announcements

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

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

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

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

Hangtown Women’s TENNIS Club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

MARSHALL HOSPITAL

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

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. For more information, call (530) 622-1180.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING

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

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

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

TIMES CROSSWORD

Fair Continued from A1

things. Our carnival is clean and has professional and friendly staff. I think those things had a lot to do with it.”

People bid a total of nearly $880,000 at the Junior Livestock Auction, which was down 7% from last year’s record-breaking number of $925,000 but was still a very involved year, Dunkak said.

Fair organizers had extra expenses this year, such as hiring a security team which made lines go by smoother and faster.

“Last year the line to get through security was always longer than the line to get tickets, but this year it kept the lines smooth with thorough searches,” the CEO noted.

The fair also had 3,688 entries for competitions, which includes anyone who entered something to compete in the fair such as an animal, photography, pie, floriculture and more. Those numbers are higher from last year, but not as high as they have historically been due to the effects of COVID, according to Dunkak.

“We were surprised at how low the entries were last year,” she said. “We did a lot more promotions this year, encouraging people to enter and printed our entry guide which we haven’t printed since 2006 due to the huge expense, but it put the book in everyone’s hands rather than having people just look it up online.”

The popular carnival ride Freak Out, returned to the fair this year, which helped set a record for overall carnival revenue.

Staffing became challenging last year for the fair, which had less than 100 employees working but came back to speed this year with 130 on duty. In 2022 the payroll for the pay period that covers the fair was nearly $99,000. This year it was $109,390.

With good attendance and sales for rides, alcohol and food, also came the fair’s fair share of issues, mainly parking. While nearly 4,000 people

Budget Continued from A1 show strong per capita sales tax, with the primary growth factor attributed to sales tax on cannabis, though receipts are down locally by 2.4% compared to a 4.6% rise statewide. Placerville’s Director of Finance Dave Warren says this reflects how some cities are beginning to finally catch up after the pandemic, which Placerville was ahead of the curve on.

“Things are flattening out over the last three years,” Warren said. “We did pretty well through the pandemic but things are cooling down” Projections are hopeful for the coming fiscal year, with $6.6 million in collections coming due and an expected 9 months of sales tax revenue from the incoming Harbor Freight.

The operating budget balances in at $25,410,593; the General Fund makes up close to half that, totaling $12,598,404, which includes an intentional deficit of $1,105,791. Over the last three years, the city has accrued more than $3.6 million in surplus funds, which Warren recommended they dip into with the intentional budget deficit. The general fund, which is the primary source of money for most city services, including safety, streets, parks and public service, is still built from a status-quo approach with the additional expenditures on top, according to Warren.

The lion’s share of the General Fund — around 58% of the whole, almost even with the city’s sales tax revenue — goes to community services and the police department. Placerville will direct about 32 cents of every dollar in the General Fund toward the Placerville Police Department, adding up to $371.88 per resident; data analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California in 2020 shows a majority of Californian cities spend between $150 and $450 per capita on police services.

Nearly half of deficit spending will go toward a one-time contribution to the city’s unfunded pension liability, which currently weighs in at $17 million. The city will put $500,000 into the unfunded pensions, which Warren described as akin to the city’s credit card balance. Over the next 20 years, that investment saves a net $500,000, meaning the payment will pay for itself and free up close to $42,000 in net revenue every year.

Other one-time expenditures include the establishment of a cornhole tournament program in the city and the purchase of hundreds of tons of compost that will be made available to residents for free to meet Senate Bill 1383 mandate requirements for green waste procurement. The General Fund budget will make

paid for parking, others took the free shuttle or resorted to parking at nearby businesses, according to Dunkak.

“It’s a challenge,” she shared. “We have vendors, volunteers, different departments and their heads and staff that park in addition to everyone else.It’s been a problem forever and I’d love to find a way to solve it.”

Around 12,800 people took advantage of the free shuttle service offered by the El Dorado Transit Authority this year. That service is funded by a grant from the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.

With the record number of people this year, trash became a unique problem. According to Dunkak, fair staff went through a dozen 20-yard dumpsters of trash.

“There were so many people, the maintenance staff could not get through to empty the garbage, which became one of the biggest challenges for us this year,” Dunkak added.

The CEO said expanding the fairgrounds has been a topic of discussion. Her solution is to move the El Dorado County Historical Museum on Placerville Drive to the parcel where the Armory currently sits on Armory Drive, and retain the county-owned land where the museum currently sits. The parcel where the Armory sits is state-owned and construction of a three-story apartment complex is proposed for that land.

Despite its struggles, the fair was very fluid, Dunkak commented.

“Even though I was looking at people standing in line, they were smiling and really happy,” she added. “It makes it a little more communityoriented when we have that going on at the fair and it makes me love it even more.”

Fair organizers will know if they made more money than last year by the end of July.

room for six new positions, including an additional school resource officer. The city will also follow through on the implementation of an artificial intelligence system to monitor and inspect sewer lines, which Development Services Director Pierre Rivas says will streamline a typically labor-intensive project.

The $6,735,810 CIP budget will go toward 19 new projects to improve or replace vital parts of the city’s infrastructure such as streets and storm drains.

Canal Street is set to be repaved, with extra funds set aside to install additional sidewalks, gutters and a bike lane. With both El Dorado High School and Edwin Markham Middle School connected to Canal, City Engineer Rebecca Neves emphasized the need for creating a sidewalk that connects Canal Street from Cougar Lane to Combellack Street.

“It’s a critical piece of sidewalk that would connect those two neighborhoods,” Neves explained. “Right now, kids are walking in a drainage ditch or on the shoulder and it’s really not great.”

The police station will see an $8,500 remodel and upgrade of its kitchen, which has not seen any changes since construction and still uses some equipment from the 1960s. The public restroom on Main Street will be remodeled and improved with the help of money raised by the city’s Cannabis Community Benefit Tax, and city employees will work to bring improvements to the parking structure near the Bell Tower.

The city will also put more than $450,000 toward inspection and improvements to storm drains.

“This last winter showed us where we had leaks in our boat and we could find some solutions for improvement,” Neves explained.

Other capital improvements include thermoplastic re-striping of many of the city’s roads, installation of a new water line on Sacramento Street and continuing work checking for and replacing lead water pipes in the city. One project to install new sidewalks on Broadway was put out to bid out of typical bidding season, and may have to be put out for re-bidding later in the fall.

Placerville Mayor Michael Saragosa expressed his thanks to city staff for the work they had put into creating the new budget and his appreciation for how expediently the council had approved it.

“I know we could take longer on this but I’m glad we’re in a spot where we can get this done early,” Saragosa said. “And if things arise, as they always do, we can revisit those things.”

these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting

large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions

We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Signatures:

Georgia — Button Gwinnett, Lyman

Hall, George Walton North Carolina — William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn South Carolina — Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton Maryland — Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia — George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware — Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

New York — William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

New Hampshire — Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts — John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island — Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery Connecticut Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can’t tell by looking at the seed what the plant will be like. The same goes for the project you’re germinating. These are early days, filled with potentials unknown and miraculous. Seek fertile ground and a little faith.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Not all boundaries are separators. Some actually bring people closer together. Once everyone feels protected in their own territory, they will be more inclined to connect in their preferred ways.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Many dogs don’t like the process of being bathed and yet have abundant energy to zoom in circles shortly afterward. You’ll react similarly to something you’re dreading. Once it’s done, you’ll find your energy cannot be contained!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Creative expressions have wings. Give small doses away for free. People will love your contribution enough to pay for a larger dose. You will be even more sensitive than usual to the subtleties of interaction. All you must do is pay attention.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In a moment of stillness, you sense the clear and present danger of becoming tame. For this reason, you refuse to let yourself get bored, or worse, boring. Quick, counteract the risk; claim or create excitement.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Take advantage of this time you have to yourself, without all the eyes of the world on you. Work while you still have the privacy and peace you need to hone your act. Very soon, the spotlight will swing around to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Because overreacting is seldom a successful tactic and underreacting has its own dangers, you’ll take on the Goldilocks challenge of doing what’s just right. Pause, breathe and sense what scale to play in, what tools best suit the situation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The feeling you have about an experience starts way before the experience does. Your takeaway will be colored by expectations. Try to have as few as possible. When you go into it fresh, you’ll be delighted by what happens next.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You see so much need around you and want to help as much as possible wherever you can. Though it won’t be natural for you, try and think of yourself and your own needs first. Otherwise, you won’t have anything to give.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Narrow your focus to one specific problem you can fix in a few hours. Tonight, you have strong intuition, and it will be fun to test it out. Write down a prediction you can later check for accuracy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People are drawn to you and will ask you to participate in their offbeat plans. This is an opportunity. It’s better to have a new and different experience than to do the thing you’ll never remember.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Welcome all, even things you do not prefer. When you do so, you are acknowledging the opportunities of reality instead of fighting them. If you’re focused on resisting what is, you won’t be able to see it properly. Acceptance is a balm.

Tiffany L. Andrews is a military mom and an award-winning family law attorney with over 15 years experience.

• Super Lawyers ‘Rising Star’ 2013–2018

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• Reader's Choice, 2021 in Folsom & El Dorado Hills

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• 2020 Business Woman of the Year

The Only dual specialist practicing exclusively in the areas of family law and juvenile dependency law (Child Protective Services) in Northern California.

Services Available:

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Family Law Options: Mediation, Self-Represented Assistance, Collaborative Law, Litigation

Versatile artist earns special scholarship

News release

The El Dorado Hills Arts Association has awarded its annual scholarship to Ylse Gonzalez, a recent graduate of Union Mine High School in El Dorado.

“I have a very mixed style of art mediums,” Ylse explained. “It varies from graphite to watercolor and I’ve experimented with print making, oils and pastels.”

Ylse’ work impressed the members of the El Dorado Arts Association who reviewed the scholarship submissions.

“Her work demonstrated talent and maturity,” commented Rita Giannini, scholarship chairperson. “Our panel reviewed the student applications, their submitted artwork, their college and career aspirations and conducted in person interviews. She was the obvious choice.”

Ylse got interested in art when she was “around 10” and started watching

YouTube videos to learn and practice

drawing. When her dad came home with a huge pallet of art supplies, her passion for art really began.

Now she enjoys drawing and painting pictures of people that “represent internal happiness.”

“I have no certain style because I love to create pieces that make me feel a certain way,” Ylse shared.

She said she wants the viewer of her work to “feel like their eyes have been painted with color. Even though I have a mixed art style, from my art works you can feel a variety of emotions from sad to happy.”

“The annual scholarship we award is given to artistically talented high school seniors pursuing a college education in the arts,” explained Judy Arrigotti, association president. “We’ve proudly award 17 scholarships to art students from local high

Family FeaTureS

Gatherings in the summer sun are all about easy, convenient recipes combined with the joy warm weather brings. Spend those special occasions with those you love most and make this summer one to remember with flatbreads, sliders and sweet treats for all to share.

Keeping cooking simple means more time on the patio or in the backyard engaging with guests, and these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads, Chicken Shawarma Sliders and lemon Cheesecake with Fruit let home chefs skip complicated kitchen duties without skimping on flavor. Visit Culinary.net to find more simple summer recipes to share with loved ones.

Summery Flatbreads for Family and Friends

When dining outdoors with family, friends and neighbors, there are few things better than a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy like these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads.

Perfect for al fresco entertaining when served alongside a fresh salad, they’re simple to make and allow guests to personalize with preferred toppings before popping in the oven. As a colorful and fresh dish, it’s an ideal meal for get-togethers on the patio.

For more summer recipe ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads

Recipe adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered salt, to taste pepper, to taste

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted. In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

Shareable Sliders for a Nutritious Summer Meal

Fresh, mouthwatering foods hot off the grill are a sure sign of summer fun. Hosting sunny get-togethers this year can be made easy when you show off your grilling skills with a simple, nutritious and flavorful recipe.

These Chicken Shawarma Sliders are a delicious example of how to grill healthy summer meals without forgoing favorite flavors. They’re part of a curated 12-recipe collection of healthy, balanced dishes from the snacking experts at family-owned Fresh Cravings, known for its chilled salsas, hummus and other dips, which teamed up with eMeals, America’s leading provider of meal plans.

“These sliders are a fantastic – and healthy – option for your next gathering,” said emeals Senior Nutrition Writer and editor rachel West, rD. “The marinade uses a mix of pantry-friendly dried herbs and fresh garlic to give the lean grilled chicken breast some oomph. The lettuce and red onion add cool crispness and crunch to the sandwiches while Fresh Cravings’ creamy, flavorpacked hummus gets some nutritional bonus points by providing a dose of protein and fiber.”

Find the entire recipe collection by visiting emeals.com/campaign/Fresh-Cravings-HealthyEats.

Recipe courtesy of eMeals Registered Dietitian

Rachel West

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 package (12) slider buns

1 container (17 ounces) Fresh Cravings

Honey Jalapeno Hummus

1 package (8 ounces) shredded lettuce

1/2 small red onion, sliced

In zip-top plastic bag, use meat mallet or heel of hand to pound chicken to even thickness. Cut into 2-inch pieces and place in large bowl. add oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt and cayenne; toss.

Cover chicken and chill 8 hours, or up to 2 days.

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side, or until done.

Serve chicken on buns with hummus, lettuce and onion.

Unforgettable Fruity Flavor

Summertime often brings cravings for fresh fruits that add a hint of sweetness to warm-weather gatherings. Serving up a delicious dessert for family and guests starts with favorite produce in this Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit.

The touch of tangy tartness is enough to bring loved ones to the dessert table even after a filling meal as fresh lemon juice in the cheesecake base is complemented perfectly when topped with orange slices and raspberries. Garnished with mint leaves, this brightly colored treat is even sweeter when shared with loved ones. Find more sweet summer desserts at Culinary.net.

Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit

Servings: 6-8

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 orange, peeled and separated

8 raspberries

3 mint leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 9-inch springform pan. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

Pour into pan. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly pressed. Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled. Arrange orange slices around border of cake and place raspberries in middle. Top with mint leaves.

Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads

Chicken Shawarma Sliders

Chicken Shawarma Sliders

Know Continued from B1 and Samantha E. Willitts; Placerville — Alysa T. Bornstein, Joel Gilger and Lindsay E. Scales; Erin B. Whelihan of Rescue; and Alexis C. Haven of South Lake Tahoe.

July 3

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts its Fireworks & Freedom Concert, 6- 11 p.m. Visitors will enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ entertainment and, of course, a stunning fireworks display. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

The Rancho Cordova Fourth of July celebration takes place July 3 & 4 at Hagan Park with concerts, a drone show, fireworks, a parade and more. For more information visit ranchocordovajuly4th.com.

July 4

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a 4th of July party at the community pool in El Dorado Hills, 1-4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon filled with games, music, snacks and swimming (regular pool admission).

Head to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville for the

4th of July Family Blast, 4-10:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit eldoradocountyfair.org/blast.html.

July 5

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, 12:30-4:30 p.m. The Bloodmobile will be parked near the movie theater on the north side on Vine Street. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention blood drive code SMFM486. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Celebrate Hump Day with Matt Rainey at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 6-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia in Sacramento presents “Insertion,” July 5 through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

July 6

Ten Foot Tiger will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

July 7

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Docents are on site to assist with any gardening questions. Check the website before visiting at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

Rescue Community Center presents Friday Night Out BBQ, 5-9 p.m. with live music, BBQ hamburger dinner, drinks and a raffle. Everyone is welcome. For tickets and more information call (530) 677-9345 or visit rescuecommunitycenter.com.

The Pops Chorale chamber series presents The Instrumental Voice, a concert of flute music, July 7 & 9 at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter. net.

Blu Egyptian will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival presents “Macbeth,” July 7-23 at the Art Court Theatre in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sacramento City College. For tickets and more information visit sacramentoshakespeare.net.

Bally’s Lake Tahoe presents Clay Walker. For tickets and more information visit ballys.com.

July 8

Sierra Vista Winery hosts its first art show featuring many local

artists, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8 & 9. For more information call (530) 622-7221 or visit sierravistawinery.com.

Sam Chase will perform, 4:20-7 p.m., followed by Ryder Thieves, 9 p.m. to midnight, at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 4:20-7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

L.A.vation – World’s Best Tribute to U2 will perform at Saureel Summer Nights hosted by Kilt and Cork at Saureel Vineyards in Placerville, 5-9:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit kiltandcork.com/saureel-summer-nights.

Women of the Moose host a spaghetti feed fundraiser helping the families of the Pine Top Montessori School students injured, 5:30-7 p.m. at 4310 Eight Mile Road in Camino. For more information call (530) 644-6596.

Enjoy live music and good food for a great cause benefitting American River Conservancy’s Resilience Reserve. In partnership with Marco’s Cafe, ARC hosts a series of outdoor concerts featuring local bands at the quaint farmhouse of Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville. The gate opens at 5:30 for each show. The schedule: Matt Rainey & the Dippin Sauce Allstars (July 8), Little Hurricane (July 22), Red Dirt Ruckus (Aug. 12), Ryder Thieves (Aug. 26) and Nipper Brothers (Sept. 9). Find more information and purchase tickets at bit.ly/Concerts4CauseARC.

El Dorado Musical Theatre presents Disney’s “The Descendants: The Musical,” July 8-16 at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Musician Ed Wilson and percussionist Kevin Mooney will perform 6-9 p.m. at Back Bistro in Folsom.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” July 8 through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Main Street Collective presents a Talking Heads tribute, 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Amador City hosts Dancin’ in the Streets parties, 6-9 p.m, with the following acts scheduled: Double Take (July 8), On Air (July 15) and The Blowbacks (July 22). For more information visit the website, VisitAmacorCity.com.

Albert Lee will perform at 7 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

July 9

Tiffani Shiro and Tom Gunterman will perform 3-5 p.m. followed by The Ramble Ensemble 7-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit

BETWEEN THE COVERS

“Fifty Classic Adventures in California”

Author/publisher: Ney Grant

Available: REI and online at fiftyclassics.com. For autographed copy contact ney@fiftyclassics.com.

In his book, “Fifty Classic Adventures in California,” Ney Grant, based in Placerville, introduces readers to the wonderful world of adventuring in California’s outdoors. He encourages them to enjoy the challenges in California’s best adventure places with family and friends.

Roberta Long Democrat correspondent

Grant is not a professional outdoorsman. He describes his love of outdoor adventures as a lifestyle. He speaks to the reader like a friend with a lifetime of adventure experiences in the outdoors — and is delighted to share them. He and his wife, Betsy, introduced their son and daughter to outdoor adventures at young ages. The family dog also accompanies them on some trips.

The book covers six national parks — Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Yosemite and Redwood. As an extra treat, Grant includes Lake Tahoe and Mammoth/ Eastern Sierra. There are 70 adventures in all. And what choices there are!

From the lowest elevation in the United States, at 282 feet below sea level in Death Valley, to the highest in the continental United States, Mount Whitney at 14,494 feet in the Eastern Sierra, Grant o ers a risk and e ort rating for each activity, from easy to moderate to challenging to di cult.

Easy adventures require less e ort and time. All seven areas contain at least one easy hike. For an awesome easy hike, Grant suggests a visit to the General Sherman, a giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park estimated to be 2,200-2,700 years. In Death Valley an easy mountain bike ride includes an interpretive trail to the Harmony Borax Works.

Moderate adventures involve a fair amount of e ort and/or allow other participants to be more active.

Know Continued from B4

clubgreenroom.com.

Entertainment Events presents

“Late Nite Catechism,” 3 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Now

The Master Gardeners of El Dorado County public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 621-5512 and leave a voicemail or email mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required.

Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2680 in El Dorado County invites veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War as well as those seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries during the war on terror plus those serving peace-keeping missions throughout the globe to become VFW members. Member benefits are plenty and there is no fee for the first

Examples are top rope climbing Pothole Dome at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite, mule drop camping in the John Muir Wilderness at Mammoth Lakes, or in Sequoia or Kings Canyon, and sea kayaking on the Klamath River in the Redwood National Park and at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe.

Challenging adventures entail some risk. They call for higher-level skills and endurance with appropriate equipment. Challenging peak scrambles are at Dante’s View or Mt. Perry in Death Valley. Grant said scrambling is “traveling o -trail on steep and rocky terrain often requiring the use of your hands.” Another challenge is the long hike from the Redwoods to the Pacific Ocean.

Strenuous multi-day activities define di cult adventures. Risk levels are higher and they are done in groups — sometimes with guides. In the Eastern Sierra the 22-mile hike with 6,000-foot elevation gain and peak scrambling, both on Mt. Whitney, are identified as di cult. To climb Mount Whitney requires a permit by lottery. As an alternative, Grant recommends Cloud’s Rest in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park. “The views are among the best in the world,” he shared.

This book is unlike any other outdoor adventure book. In order to create what he wanted to share, Grant wrote, designed, produced and published his book — all in beautiful color. He used high-quality paper, cover and binding in a 10-inch by 7-inch format.

Grant is also a photographer and a pilot. Photographs and maps enhance every page, bringing the reader in view of vistas and activities. He brought a friend and professional aerial photographer on flights to capture panoramas that are spread across two pages.

It’s hard to look through this book without dreaming about becoming an outdoor adventurer. Grant inspires you to not only dream, but try it.

year. For more information call (530) 499-2950.

El Dorado County Certified

Farmers Markets have begun Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; and Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Charles B. Mitchell

Vineyards in Fair Play hosts a Bottle Your Own event through July 4. For more information call (530) 620-3467.

Main Street Theatre Works presents “The Quest for Don Quixote” by Mark Brown and directed by Allen Pontes through July 15, at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre in Jackson. For tickets and more information visit mstw.org.

Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons issues a call to artists for the 45th annual WASH open exhibit, Go with the Flow. Deadline is July 21. To enter visit smartentry. com/CallsForEntry.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Seussical Kids” through July 23. For

tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Predictor” through July 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.

The Salvation Army hosts its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive through July 30. For information on how to donate to the campaign visit deloro.salvationarmy.org.

The Olde Coloma Theatre presents”Pirates Too: The Captain’s Triangle” or “No Time for Lowtide” through Aug. 6 at the Coloma theater. For tickets and more information call (530) 626-5282 or visit oldecolomatheatre.com.

Arts and Culture El Dorado’s newest show, FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition, runs through Aug. 6. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/ fire-land-the-exhibition.

Feed El Dorado and the Placer Food Bank host food distribution events throughout the year. For a complete schedule visit placerfoodbank. org/pantrytogo.

Freelance Reporters Wanted

clearing debris from screens and valves, and other similar activities. • Logging plant data and communicating with our engineers. This position is suitable for retired individuals. No experience required (we will train) but the person must be reliable, have good transportation, and physically able to lift 40 pounds.

operator will be compensated on an hourly basis and have all costs reimbursed. The company pays for mileage at the maximum rate allowed by the IRS.

Mark Henwood (916) 955-6031 markhenwood@ henwoodassociates.com

or emailed to the General Manager at ajenkins@gdrd.org 2

FREE 1979 Champion motor home, was running when owner passed in 2004, has been parked since. Needs repairs, 440 engine 71 k miles also 1982

travel trailer for xer upper or parts. I also have a lot of scrap metal I need to get rid of. (916) 826-6847