Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Sheriff: No sign of criminal act in Liddicoat death

Isaac Streeter Staff writer

Transplanted market settling into new location

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

After a series of three City Council meetings earlier this year that ultimately resulted in the relocation of the Wednesday night farmers market on Main Street in Placerville, the market is up and

running in its new location and working to set down roots. In response to a series of complaints and raised concerns regarding parking, access and impacts to adjacent business and safety for visitors, the Placerville City Council relocated the El Dorado County Farm Trails-

run market to the Mooney Lot, situated on Main Street between Empress and Hangtown Cantina. Prior to the move the market had operated in the summer months next to the Bell Tower every Wednesday evening.

■ See MARKET page A7

El Dorado County sheri ’s o cials shared in a Facebook post Friday that detectives investigating the death of missing Georgetown woman Sarah Liddicoat have no information that would indicate her death involved a criminal act.

The cause of Liddicoat’s death is still unclear pending autopsy findings.

Liddicoat was found deceased at the bottom of a steep and wooded area June 20, according

SARAH LIDDICOAT

to the update from the Sheri ’s O ce. The location where Liddicoat was found was not visible from her home or the air, o cials note. A Search and Rescue K-9 unit ultimately found her

■ See LIDDICOAT, page A2

Portable biomass facility coming to county

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

A portable biomass facility is slated to come to El Dorado County next year.

The Air Quality Management District permitted Gold Seal Industries, a waste-toenergy company, to construct a portable anhydrous pyrolysis facility that will convert excess biomass into liquid biofuel. The pyrolysis-capable machine is set to go in on Eldorado National Forest property near

Grizzly Flat in the footprint of the Caldor Fire. Construction for the facility is expected to begin next June with operation beginning as soon as August 2024.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture fact sheet, pyrolysis is the heating of an organic material, such asbiomass, in the absence of oxygen. Because no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char. Most of these combustible gases

“The facility can be moved to other counties or different locations within our county like Georgetown or anywhere the need is and where there are agreements to operate it.”

— Dave Johnson, El Dorado County Air Pollution Control officer

can be condensed into a combustible liquid, called pyrolysis oil (bio-oil).

The biofuel Gold Seal will produce is diesel derived from biomass that can be used in vehicles that run on diesel fuel, including equipment that will support the facility.

Gold Seal, based in Las Vegas, Nev., will market the rest of the fuel o site. This is the first portable biomass facility to operate in El Dorado County, according to Air Pollution Control O cer Dave Johnson, who noted the portable

characteristic of the facility allows Gold Seal to move it to other places where it is needed.

“The facility can be moved to other counties or di erent locations within our county like Georgetown or anywhere the need is and where there are agreements to operate it,” Johnson said. “There is currently a Forest Service agreement for the Caldor Fire area for Gold Seal to be there at least a year based on the amount of material in the area.”

■ See FACILITY, page A5

OBITUARIES

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

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 Services were held at St Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish on June 29, 2023. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Richard Liddell

January 12, 1940 – June 21, 2023

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

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Plane crashes in Rubicon Bay; both passengers rescued

Tahoe Daily Tribune

A small plane crashed into Lake Tahoe’s Rubicon Bay Saturday.

Around 10:20 a.m. the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce responded to a call reporting a fixed-wing airplane that crashed into the lake.

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

June 17

8:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old woman suspected of appropriating lost property on Woodridge Court in Placerville. She was released on $10,000 bail.

9 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville. He was later released.

9:36 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man suspected of felony child abuse on Industrial Drive in Placerville. He was released on $200,000 bail.

10:48 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

June 18

12:29 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Placerville Drive in Placerville. She was later released.

1:03 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Highway 193 in Garden Valley.

2:26 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 23-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct on New River Road in Coloma. She was later released.

3:08 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 20-year-old man suspected of obstruction on Placerville Drive in Placerville. He was released on $3,000 bail.

9:35 p.m. Burglary was reported on Sienna Ridge Road in El Dorado Hills.

10:31 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Carlson Court in Shingle Springs.

2:40 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of grand theft, failure to appear and probation violations on Placerville Drive in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $55,000.

“There were two passengers on board, one of whom sustained a serious head injury,” states an EDSO Facebook post. “Fortunately, both individuals have been rescued by citizens operating boats in the area,”

As of noon, EDSO personnel was on scene, providing assistance. The

4:52 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

9:57 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of evading a officer, driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest on Highway 50 (location not specified). He was listed in custody in lieu of $3,000 bail.

11:26 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 43-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown. He was later released.

June 19

4:03 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 45-year-old man suspected of tampering with a vehicle, vandalism, shoplifting, trespassing and possession of a controlled substance on White Rock Road in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $1,500 bail.

5:28 a.m. Grand theft was retried on Sciaroni Road in Grizzly Flat.

9:23 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

9:38 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of vehicle theft, DUI and driving on a suspended license on Zinc Drive in Pollock Pines. He was released on $25,000 bail.

4:08 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Ferrite Street in El Dorado. He was later released.

4:41 p.m. Burglary was reported on Gutierrez Place in El Dorado Hills.

5:04 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.

5:57 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park.

7:29 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Slab Creek Road in Camino.

10:03 p.m. Battery was reported on Justine Court in Diamond Springs.

June 20

Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The aircraft was reportedly a singleengine Piper PA-28. The airplane submerged underwater and has been marked with GPS coordinates for hazardous materials purposes.

6:55 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance for sale, carrying a switchblade and being a felon in possession of a stun gun on Highway 50 at Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $65,050 bail.

11:47 a.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a suspicious circumstances report at a fast food eatery on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

12:02 p.m. Burglary was reported on Service Court in Diamond Springs.

12:14 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

2:09 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Dollhouse Road in Placerville.

3:53 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

9:03 p.m. Battery was reported on Delos Lane in Placerville.

9:35 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of DUI, origin on a suspended license and disorderly conduct on Cherry Acres Drive in Cool. He was released on $10,000 bail.

11:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of vandalism, shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado

Liddicoat

Hills. She was released on $250 bail.

June 21

3:08 a.m. Deputies issued a citation for an alleged noise violation at a park in Kalithea Drive in El Dorado Hills.

5:07 a.m. Burglary was reported on Eaton Road in Georgetown.

9:25 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of possession and creation of a destructive device, possession of flammable material and possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Mira Loma Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $515,000 bail.

9:45 a.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

12:39 p.m. A possible prowler was reported on Granada Court in Cameron Park.

1:01 p.m. Battery was reported on Knollwood Drive in Cameron Park.

1:45 p.m. Forgery was reported at the Pleasant Valley Grand in Placerville.

1:54 p.m. Residential burglary was reported on Foxmore Lane in Rescue.

2:45 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Oriental Street in El Dorado.

7:32 p.m. Battery was reported on Kruk Trail in Placerville.

8:09 p.m. Burglary was reported on Starkes Grade Road in Pollock Pines.

Continued from A1 and a specialized ropes team was required to recover the body. Dozens of Sheri ’s O ce personnel worked more than 232 hours during the search for Liddicoat, according to EDSO. “These resources included Sheri ’s O ce patrol deputies, detectives, Search and

Rescue volunteers, canines, drones, EDSO motorcycles and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.” The investigation is being handled by EDSO Det. Nick Jones. Anyone with information regarding Liddicoat’s death is asked to call Jones at (530) 642-4715.

Brush fire doused along Bike Trail

Senator pushes for local needs in state budget

News release

SACRAMENTO

– State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, representing Senate District 4, has announced the passage of a threeparty agreement on state budget bills. The budget allocates almost $50 million to Senate District 4, supporting vital initiatives and infrastructure projects in the region, including in El Dorado County.

“This budget provides critical funding for various projects that will positively impact our community without increasing taxes,” states Alvarado-Gil in a news release. “We must stand united as a district and ensure we receive our fair share of resources and investments.”

Highlights of the budget allocations

include:

• Funding to sustain the Grizzly Flat Community Services Districtthrough three years of operations and maintenance budget shortfalls for the water district following the Caldor Fire.

•$1 million to the El Dorado County Fire Protection Districtfor initial project funding to bring the Placerville combined fire and police public safety building to fruition.

•$40 million for the Food Production Investment Program at the California Energy Commission. This investment aims to bolster food production initiatives and promote sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector across the district.

n See BUDGET page A6

Sheriff gets cut of marijuana tax

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office received a portion of a $19 million grant from the California Highway Patrol to combat impaired driving, CHP officials announced June 26.

The grant is funded as a result of the passing of Proposition 64, which put a tax on the sale of recreational marijuana when it

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

June 22

5:51 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Canal Street.

8:22 a.m. Officers cited a 55-year-old woman suspected of trespassing on Placerville Drive.

8:38 a.m. Officers cited a 65-year-old man suspected of trespassing on Placerville Drive.

10:31 a.m. Officers arrested a 41-year-old woman on suspicion of battery on a peace officer and obstruction on Coloma Street.

7:04 p.m. Officers arrested a 28-year-old man who had warrant on Main Street.

June 23

12:47 a.m. Officers cited a

was signed into law Nov. 9, 2016.

“The money will be used to help enhance traffic safety by educating the public on the dangers of impaired driving, removing impaired drivers from the roadway through enforcement operations and advancing research on the issue,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee states.

EDSO was one of 71 agencies throughout California to receive

48-year-old man suspected trespassing on Placerville Drive.

6:09 p.m. Officers arrested a 66-year-old man who reportedly failed to register as a sex offender on Main Street.

7:29 p.m. Officers arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of shoplifting on Broadway.

a portion of this grant and one of 54 receiving the money specifically for education of deputies on drug-impaired driver detection. The grant will also help fund public education campaigns such as community events and educational presentations.

The money will become available to EDCSO for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which began July 1.

10:40 a.m. Officers cited a 27-year-old man suspected on possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Ray Lawyer Drive.

5:35 a.m. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Broadway.

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

CRACKED OR FRACTURED TEETH

A cracked or fractured tooth can be caused by mouth trauma or biting down on something very hard. It can also occur due to tooth grinding, root canals, aging or larger fillings. Many tooth fractures have no symptoms, but pain or sensitivity around the cracked tooth may occur, particularly while chewing or drinking hot or cold beverages. Treatments include bonding or filling the crack, cosmetic contouring to smooth out the crack, and putting a veneer or crown on the tooth. If the damage extends into the tooth’s root or pulp, a root canal or extraction may be necessary. In some cases, such as a painfree hairline crack, monitoring the tooth may be a better choice

than treating it. Whether it involves repairing a traumatized tooth, cosmetic work, wisdom teeth, implants or simple fillings, any program we suggest for your dental health will be thoroughly discussed with you before we begin. When you are looking for state-of-theart, personalized dentistry from people who really care, welcome to our office. Our dental team works smoothly and efficiently together, devoted to making your dental experience comfortable as well as enhancing. P.S. The treatment for a fractured tooth depends on the severity of the crack and which layers of the tooth are affected (enamel, dentin, and pulp).

10:33 p.m.

Officers arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of a post-release violation on Placerville Drive.

June 24

2:40 a.m. Officers arrested a 39-year-old man who was reportedly found sleeping in a doorway and in possession of narcotics and illegal drug paraphernalia on Main Street

June 25

11:30 p.m. Officers cited a 49-year-old woman suspected of driving on a suspended license on Highway 50.

June 27

4:56

Fraud against an elderly person was reported

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Firefighters quickly extinguished a small fire that burned brush and trees alongside the El Dorado Trail in Placerville Friday. Shortly before 3 p.m. El Dorado County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire firefighters responded to the reported fire, located part way along the trail heading toward Main Street from the intersection of Ray Lawyer Drive and Forni Road. Jeff Michel, a firefighter with Cal Fire, said the preliminary investigation indicates the fire was likely transient-related.

Courtesy photo

Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil and El Dorado County District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo talk with residents of Grizzly Flat on property where their home once stood.

California budget being misused to provide goodies

Last week was when Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders were supposed to agree on a more or less final state budget for the 202324 fiscal year that began July 1.

The negotiations were conducted in secret with the main hang-up being the authority Newsom seeks to streamline environmental clearance for some big public works projects, particularly a long-proposed tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to enhance water deliveries to the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.

Letters to the Editor

Unfair fee

EDITOR:

Republicans to look at the big picture and select someone who not only wins the general election, but helps down-ticket candidates to win also.

While I believe Trump has been mistreated by the media and his political rivals, he’s also committed quite a few unnecessary self-inflicted wounds. And he is the type of person you either love or hate. And today more people in the country hate him.

SUMMARY

There’s no logical reason for California Environmental Quality Act changes Newsom wants to be part of the budget process, but it continues the Capitol’s bad habit of using the budget for contentious policy changes because it bypasses the scrutiny that most legislation must endure.

Over the last weekend in June a flock of budgetrelated measures were introduced, thus minimizing a voterapproved law that requires measures to be in print for 72 hours before final votes. Bills placed in their final form on Saturday can be taken up as early as Tuesday, and while most do pertain to the budget, nuggets of special interest items are buried in their hundreds of thousands of words.

One example is a few dozen words dropped into the main budget bill relating to one of the Capitol’s most contentious issues: state regulation of wages and working conditions of fast food employees.

Last year, at the behest of unions, the Legislature and Newsom created a state commission to impose such regulation, but the industry responded with a petition drive to place the issue before voters in 2024. When the referendum qualified the new law was suspended.

Guest Column

Irepresent the Ponte Palmero Residents Association. As president of the association I respectfully request that county leaders consider interceding on our behalf in a very serious and consequential issue for which our senior citizens have been unable to resolve.

Our residents have been charged a fee by the Cameron Park Fire Department on numerous occasions. The description of the fee is First Responder Fee, $214 per occasion.

I though the fire department was a community service and funded by our taxes. Imagine my surprise when I found out Ponte Palmero also pays for this specific service for our residents in a special tax every year. Why are these fees being charged? There doesn’t seem to be any reason for this.

On behalf of the residents at Ponte Palmero I am genuinely appalled at this disservice by our respected and beloved fire department. I ask for your help in getting this practice stopped and I further ask your assistance in getting a refund of the fees that have been charged to these trusting seniors.

MAGGIE MATOUS Cameron Park

Not a hill to die on EDITOR:

The last two election cycles have taught us two important things. 1. Trump, having a formidable base with very loyal voters, will get most all the candidates he endorses elected in the Republican primary. 2. Neither the candidates Trump endorses or Trump himself win swing states. Georgia (Walker), Pennsylvania (Oz), Arizona, (Lake), Nevada, (Laxalt), Michigan (Dixon) and Wisconsin (Michels), to name a few, lost to very vulnerable opponents.

While it is true Trump’s base in the Republican Party is solid, it is also true that whatever candidate wins these swing states for president during the general election will win overall. And I don’t believe Trump will win these states so I want my fellow

For the life of me I can’t see why anyone wanted Joe Biden to be president. But I’m shocked that people in Pennsylvania elected Fetterman. I also see that Biden loses to everyone else running for POTUS from the Republican Party other than Trump, who is currently losing by four points.

While I’m forever grateful for Trump’s three Supreme Court justices, he, himself, as my representative is not a hill worth dying on.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Statehood

EDITOR:

The thought of El Dorado statehood is appealing as it would separate us from the PRK (People’s Republic of Kalifornia), but not realistic or economically viable.

However, the state of Je erson, of which El Dorado would be a part, is possible. Now, I know what you’re thinking: With Congress having to agree, the chances of a well-run, commonsense conservative state like Je erson getting congressional approval are slim to none. But there is a microscopic chance.

If the Democrats are really interested in fairness and not crass political advantage in their promotion of D.C. as a state, perhaps a deal could be struck — Je erson for D.C. Granted the chance for this scenario to play out is microscopic, but it is a chance.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

The public is looking for clarity from Republicans

With one year since the Dobbs decision, in which the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, how should we be thinking, as a nation, about this crucial issue?

Commentary in the press is conveying that Dobbs was an unpopular decision and that it has strengthened sentiment in the country for legal abortion.

Per Gallup, 61% say overturning Roe v. Wade was a “bad thing,” and 38% say it was a “good thing.”

In the latest abortion polling from Gallup, percentages saying abortion should be legal has climbed to high points for each trimester — 69% in the first three months, 37% in the second three months and 22% in the last three months.

Conventional wisdom reported after the last congressional elections is that the anticipated strong gains for Republicans did not materialize because of Dobbs.

And that Democrats certainly plan to build on this sentiment and focus

on abortion in the 2024 elections.

Republican candidates are jockeying to define themselves regarding protection of life.

Greatest clarity has come from Mike Pence, who has challenged Republicans to support a federal ban on abortion at 15 weeks.

Former President Donald Trump, speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition, finally noted that the federal government has a role in protecting life, but did not spell out details regarding how.

My advice to Republican candidates is to look to the wisdom of the very first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln.

“In this age, in this country,” observed Lincoln, “public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever moulds public sentiment, goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces judicial decisions.”

Certainly, there is no issue more relevant for applying Lincoln’s

wisdom than abortion.

Well known, for instance, is how responses in polls can vary depending on how questions are asked.

Despite what appears to be polling showing strong sentiment for legal abortion, there is plenty other polling showing that Americans are not at all happy with the moral and social state of a airs in the country.

According to recent Gallup polling, 54% say the state of “moral values” in the country is “poor.” This is 20 points higher than where this stood 20 years ago. Only 11% say the state of moral values is “excellent/good.” This is half where this stood 20 years ago. We expect businesses to have great expertise regarding public sentiment in markets where they sell. But we just saw the marketing disasters of Bud Light and Target in assessing incorrectly openness of the public to accept LGBTQ values as mainstream.

In Gallup’s recent annual poll asking about “moral acceptability” regarding a list of morally sensitive issues, 11 of

the 19 show a lower percentage now saying they are morally acceptable compared to last year. The biggest drop was in “gay and lesbian relations,” with a seven-point drop in 2023 saying this is morally acceptable compared to 2022.

The percentage of Americans now self-identifying as socially conservative, per Gallup, is at 38%, up from 30% two years ago, and highest in 10 years. This compared to 29% who self-identify as socially liberal.

Let’s also note the new report from the Census Bureau about the aging of the country. The median age now, the oldest ever, is 38.9. In 2000 it was 35. In 1980 it was 30.

The breakdown in values in which marriage, family and children flourish does not bode well for our future.

Republican candidates need to provide clarity to primary voters on where they stand on the full range of social issues — not just specifics on

As a final California state budget is being negotiated, special interest goodies are being written into it and the dozens of related “trailer bills” that follow.

… there is plenty other polling showing that Americans are not at all happy with the moral and social state of affairs in the country.

DAN WALTERS

Richard B. Esposito Publisher

Krysten Kellum Editor Noel Stack Managing Editor

Walters Continued from A4

However, the pending budget bill essentially revives the suspended bill by appropriating $3 million to re-establish the state Industrial Welfare Commission and empower it to create “industryspecific wage boards” to regulate wages and working conditions — not only for fast food but any other sector it wishes to regulate.

In a statement, Matt Haller, president of the International Franchise Association, labeled it — accurately — as an “undemocratic and a shameful attempt to silence California voters.”

Another budget-related bill would remove a current requirement that when the so-called Peace O cers Standard and Training Commission decertifies a bad police o cer, its must make a public disclosure. Instead, the information would be given to the o cer’s employer, which could then, if it wished, make a disclosure.

The change is being touted as a money-saving gesture, but is an obvious gift to law enforcement unions and has drawn sharp criticism from newspapers and open government advocates. Meanwhile, another bill would extend the $330 million annual tax credit given to TV and film shows for in-state production and make it easier to claim by making it refundable.

The Capitol’s message is that fattening the wallets of Hollywood filmmakers is more important than letting the public know about bad cops.

Still another measure would give the state Department of Water Resources vast new power to buy energy for the state’s electrical utilities — authority needed, the administration says, to streamline the state’s shift to renewable resources.

Such major change in energy procurement should get a full airing in the Legislature, rather than being hustled into law via the state budget. That’s particularly true because DWR would be granted an exemption from the transparency laws governing state contracts.

Last year a budget trailer bill, via a tangle of obtuse verbiage, authorized utilities to start charging for electrical service based on customers’ incomes. That only recently became known to the ratepaying public.

Now a state agency will be executing secret power contracts that will also a ect the utility bills of millions of California families. What could possibly go wrong?

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

Parker Continued from A4

abortion. All these issues together comprise the culture of life.

The upcoming Republican debates, to be hosted by Fox, should be used as a platform to get clarity from candidates on all these issues and all candidates, including Trump, should participate.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”

Facility Continued from A1

There are 80,000-100,000 tons of biomass located near existing burn piles at the proposed processing site. It is estimated up to 130 tons of biomass will be processed daily, which equates to 5,000 gallons of B100 pure biodiesel fuel.

Gold Seal’s equipment will thermally decompose the biomass through electromagnetic induction. Heat and steam are recovered from the process to be used in microturbines and heat exchangers to produce the power needed to maintain processing temperatures of 1,2002,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thermal decomposition in an oxygen-free environment will reduce particle matter emissions by 3,129 tons per acre compared to emissions created from wildfire, while also significantly reducing emission of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and others.

Testing will confirm if the portable biomass facility will report zero emissions. When asked if the portable biomass facility could pave the way for a permanent facility, a prospect the county has been looking into, Johnson touted the benefits of having a portable process.

“This facility employs a process where (Gold Seal) does not have to be connected to the grid and will have electricity generation on-site to run the equipment making the liquid biofuel, all while being portable, which are huge advantages,” Johnson explained.

“It comes down to economic viability,” he added. “It costs more to produce electricity with biomass than it does to produce electricity with natural gas, primary reasons why there are not more in California.”

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

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

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

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/

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.

DA’s child advocacy center earns national accreditation

El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Fausel House Child Advocacy Center has been awarded accreditation by the National Children’s

1-855-916-4853

Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and

membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of n See ACCREDITATION, page A8

Beach-cleaning robot back in action at Lake Tahoe

The League to Save Lake Tahoe and ECO-CLEAN solutions are kicking off the 2023 summer season by expanding their robot-powered, beach-cleaning initiative to cover entire beaches in Lake Tahoe.

The BEBOT — an all-electric, solar and battery-powered, sand-sifting robot — completed its first-ever full cleanup of a private beach in Lake Tahoe, combing through Tahoe Beach Club’s shoreline at Stateline, Nev.

More full beach cleanings at sites around the lake are on tap for the coming months and a second machine will be added to the robot fleet.

“Last year’s pilot project showed that

Budget Continued from A3

• $2 million for the Child Welfare Disaster Response Account. This funding will provide support for foster youth during disasters.

• Providing millions of dollars in savings to local governmentsthrough the reinstatement of Streets and Highways Code Sections 114.5, which will cap indirect costs for highway work.

“These comprehensive initiatives cover a broad spectrum of areas, including the support for fire-ravaged communities like Grizzly Flat, the advancement of food production and the protection of foster youth during emergencies,” states AlvaradoGil. “The funding allocated to the El Dorado County Fire Protection District is of utmost importance, as it will undoubtedly bolster emergency response capabilities while supporting the courageous individuals who safeguard our community.”

El Dorado County District 2

the BEBOT can act as the last line of defense against beach litter, especially plastics, before they pollute Lake Tahoe,” said chief strategy officer for the League to Save Lake Tahoe Jesse Patterson. “Innovative technologies combined with people power can help protect the lake until we solve the litter problem all together.”

During the 2022 pilot project the BEBOT cleaned 72,000 square feet across 11 private and public beaches, collecting 4,500 pieces of litter, the vast majority of it plastic.

Cleanup efforts with stewardshipfocused partners like The Beach Club are a testament to the commitment

n See BEBOT page A7

Supervisor George Turnboo joined Alvarado-Gil in visiting fire victims in the Grizzly Flat community.

“This funding for the Grizzly Flat CSD supports important infrastructure needed to rebuild the community,” notes Turnboo. “This is only the beginning and we are so fortunate to have Senator AlvaradoGil’s partnership and persistence in advocating for our county.”

El Dorado County Fire Protection District Chief Tim Cordero also shared his appreciation for the funding and Alvarado-Gil’s efforts at the Capitol.

“We are extremely grateful and humbled by Sen. Alvarado-Gil’s unwavering advocacy for our firefighters and police officers,” he said. “The senator and her team took the time to visit both our fire station and police station, witnessing firsthand the urgent requirement to replace these facilities for the brave men and women protecting our community.”

Photo courtesy of EDC District Attorneys Office

The team at the Fausel House Child Advocacy Center shows its National Childrens Alliance accredited member plaque.

Photo courtesy of the League to Save Lake Tahoe BEBOT is pictured on a Lake Tahoe beach after a cleanup.

been a vendor at

Market

Continued from A1

Though the new location is 1,430.5 feet — about a quarter of a mile — up the road from its previous stomping grounds, merchants say the move has taken a toll on sales.

“It’s too early to tell how things will go longterm but we haven’t seen a lot of our old, regular customers and we have seen about a 20-ish percent drop in sales,” said Greg Rockney, owner of Rockney Farms. Rockney has been farming in Camino for eight years; other than his farm stand at 2338 Barkley Road, the Wednesday night market is the only place he sells the produce he grows.

Greg Henry, part of Placerville’s Full Moon Farm, has been selling at the market for a decade and agrees the move has impacted vendors’ bottom line.

“This spot has turned out to be really nice but moving a market, you’re going to see a drop,” Henry explained. “We’re down 20%, which is what I expected. The worst part about all of it was just how the City Council handled everything; there could have been a more pleasant way to roll out this move.”

The new location comes with its own challenges, from promotion to planning and beyond, according to Seana Hartsell, who has been manager of the market since its inception. In an effort to smooth over the transition, the city has agreed to put up signage at the Bell Tower on Wednesday afternoons and evenings informing visitors the market has moved, but it appears to have limited success; Hartsell’s estimate

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

shows foot traffic has declined by about 30% compared to last year. She also shared that some vendors pulled out of the market, telling her they felt the forced move indicated the city did not make them feel welcome.

Despite the challenges, Hartsell and vendors are trying their best to focus on the positives. Though the ample greenery that lines the Mooney Lot obscures a view of the market from the road, the trees and shrubs paired with the stone hillside create an ambiance a market-goer described as “like a secret garden.”

“It’s disappointing we weren’t back down at the Bell Tower but we can make the market grow here,” Dave Evans of Goldenwood Farms said.

“There’s less noise, it’s safer for the kids to walk around and it’s more intimate, which I really like,” added Lynette Evans, Dave’s wife.

The first week of the new season did see a large show of support from the community, vendors noted, with many making certain to come out. Since then,

BEBOT Continued from A6 of nonprofits and local businesses to preserve the lake’s health and beauty. More than 200 pieces of small litter and organic debris were unearthed during the first full clean up at Tahoe Beach Club, the majority being small plastic pieces, styrofoam debris, bottle caps and cigarette butts.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

though, the crowd has changed from what they had seen in the past.

“This is a much later crowd, you see people start to roll in a few hours later and it’s almost entirely a different group of people than in the past,” Rockney explained.

“That’s not bad or worse but it’s just a difference with this new version of the market as we try to adapt.”

Adapting to a change in circumstances is the name of the game and Hartsell said she is doing what she can to keep the market going. She’s pre-planned a layout that can accommodate more vendors as they sign on and has been devising ways to spread the word about the new location for the weekly event. When planning ahead, Hartsell’s primary concern is if the city considers a second relocation in the future.

“If they try to move us again, that’s it,” she said. “They mentioned maybe moving us to the parking lot on Mosquito Road that they’re building and if they did, that would kill the market for good.”

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

The data collected from the BEBOT’s cleanups will be used to estimate the amount of trash lurking beneath the sand across the basin and to support the League to Save Lake Tahoe's advocacy for litter prevention policies, such as the city of South Lake Tahoe’s

on plastic water bottles.

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Complete

Solutions

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

n TODAy

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The warrior energy doesn’t always have to do with war. Sometimes, it’s about knowing what’s worth fighting for and appreciating when you don’t have to. You’ll be enriched by food, fresh air and friendship.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s a gag for the television audience, but hypnotists don’t always use fob watches to put subjects in a trance. Similarly, you don’t need a prop to command attention today because you have the power of your voice and intention.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A little plan might fall through, but the big picture is still intact. In some way, the pressure is off you now, so celebrate this. Do you see the opportunity to make a new deal? All is moving in the right direction.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You show up and do the work. Whatever temptation, distraction, discomfort, drama, inconvenience or interference you encounter along the way, you finish what you started. Rewards are coming to you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re constantly learning and growing and sometimes you just want to stop and take stock of where you are. Love helps you do this. Someone to talk to and share special moments with will help you to realize your many blessings.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Certain endeavors seem pointless to you, but they matter to someone on your team, and so you prioritize them anyway. You’ll persist out of a sense of duty, loyalty and the correct belief that relationships have their own mysterious logic.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Conversations will be complex and layered, and it will take a sophisticated mind and emotional intelligence to know just how deep things go. Try not to spend too much time in the depths, though. Bounce back to the surface for air.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Avoid becoming overwhelmed and thus paralyzed. The correct move will also be easy. So just take it slow, step by step, breath by breath. It may also help to keep the brainstorming process separate from the planning process.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even though wishing can’t make it so, much that is so began with a wish. It’s a day for wishing and dreaming without a worry or care as to the practicalities. Why limit the scope of a wide-open wish?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What a wonderful feeling to be the smartest person in the room. If only it meant something good -- but it usually indicates you’re in the wrong room. Go where you can learn from the others and you’ll be better for the challenge.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will have a physical reaction to reminders of what happened back there -evidence that you may still be processing an emotional charge from long ago. With conscious effort, and only when you’re ready, you can and will let this go.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Just remember, you’re a person who, like all people, will make mistakes. And though this can create a problem, you yourself are not the problem. You are working things out as you go, just like all the others.

ban

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Greg Rockney exclusively sells his locally grown produce at his farm stand in Camino and at the Wednesday night market. “We haven’t seen a lot of our regular customers, but we are seeing new customers, which is nice,” Rockney said.

Greg Henry of Full Moon Farm has

the Main Street Farmers Market for a decade. Henry says the move has led to a drop in traffic and sales by about 20%.

Seana Hartsell has been managing the El Dorado Farm Trails market since it began in 2008.

membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision, according to a news release from the DA’s Office.

The Fausel House Child Advocacy Center program, under the direction and organization of the DA’s Office, was founded in 2018 for the purpose of attaining NCA accreditation and providing an evidence-supported model of interventions and resources for victims of child abuse and neglect and their families. Since then the primary CAC location in Placerville and its satellite location in South Lake Tahoe have served more than 570 children and family members, notes the news release.

“I am proud that the hard work and dedication of our staff at the Fausel House Child Advocacy Center are being recognized with a national accreditation,” states El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson. “The work they do is challenging but rewarding, as they are helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The National Children’s Alliance awards accredited membership based on a CAC’s compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims.

The National Children’s Alliance updated these standards in 2017 to reflect the most recent evidencebased practices in the field of child abuse intervention and prevention. According to these standards, accredited members must utilize a functioning and effective multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution and treatment.

The National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention and child-focused setting.

“The Fausel House CAC and team of professionals in El Dorado County who respond to child abuse allegations recognizes the importance of accreditation from National Children’s Alliance and supporting the multidisciplinary team approach,” states Rhiannon Grotke, CAC coordinator. “Accreditation not only validates our organization’s proven effective approach to responding to allegations of child abuse but also provides consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole.”

“The Fausel House Child Advocacy Center is to be commended for its excellent work serving victims of child abuse. As the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers across thecountry, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration,” states Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children’s Alliance.

The Fausel House Child Advocacy Center is committed to reducing trauma to children, increasing child safety, aiding in the successful prosecution of offenders and providing continued quality care for the children and families of El Dorado County.

For more information visit nationalchildrensalliance.org.

THE KNOW

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.

July 6

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a grand opening and ribbon cutting at DNA Golf Academy, 5:30 p.m. at 4100 Cameron Park Drive, Suite 108, Cameron Park.

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

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.

Hip Nosis performs a free concert at the Cold Springs Golf and Country Club in Placerville, 6-9 p.m.

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.

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/saureelsummer-nights.

Women of the Moose host a spaghetti feed fundraiser helping the

biggest summer fairs are back

Summer means sunshine, hot weather and time outdoors for family. Ergo, it’s time to go to a fair!

Northern California boasts many fine fairs at this time of year. You could plan part of your summer just traveling to all of the county fairs.

The biggest and best of all of these are the Stanislaus County Fair and the California State Fair & Food Festival. Both are worth attending.

This year the Stan Co Fair (as it refers to itself) runs July 7-16. The State Fair (as I will refer to it here) runs July 14-30.

That’s nearly an entire month of rides, exhibits and concerts. More than you can shake food-on-a-stick at. Let’s take a closer look.

Life happens at the Stan Co Fair

This fair is over an hour from El Dorado County, but I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a large, old-fashioned fair with an emphasis on fun and agriculture. Every day is Animal Day at this fair. Last year’s attendance was 270,447. That’s a lot of funnel cakes, turkey legs and frosty beverages.

The Stan Co Fair has cooling stations and abundant shade beneath heritage trees. The campus, while clearly older, is walkable. You can get to everything fairly quickly.

The concert schedule includes: Parmalee, Ginuwine, El Dasa, Plain White T’s, Revisiting Creedence, Lit, The All-American Rejects, Blue Öyster Cult, Ashley McBryde and Los Nuevos Rebeldes. Check online for performance dates.

In addition to the fair exhibits and free concerts, this year’s event schedule includes tractor pulls, bloodless bullfighting, destruction derbies, monster trucks, PRCA Rodeo, jaripeo (a form of Mexican bullriding), and AMP Motorsports-Motocross. These events require an additional admission purchase, which can be done online for convenience. Check online for dates.

I highly recommend the Bloodless Bullfighting, which is done in the Portuguese tradition. The bull lives! That Sunday, July 9, event will sell out.

Good to know: This is an evening fair on weekdays. Gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on weekends. Buildings close at 11 p.m. and the carnival is open until midnight.

Gang colors are not permitted within the Stan Co Fair, and there is a quiet — but firm — law enforcement presence so everyone can enjoy the fair in safety.

Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for kids (ages 7 to 12) and seniors (65 and better). Kids younger than 6 are free. Unlimited ride wristbands for the carnival are $35 weekdays/$40 weekends. Smart cards for rides can be purchased at kiosks on site. Parking is $10.

The Stan Co Fair is located at 900 North Broadway Ave. in Turlock. Visit stancofair. com for more information and promotions (free stu ).

California State Fair

The State Fair is geared toward food, agriculture and fun. It has an expansive hardscape campus. Comfortable walking shoes, water and sunscreen are highly recommended.

This year’s State Fair o ers an expanded

o ering of events and tastes. The focus is on the progress of agriculture throughout the state. The county exhibits are always interesting. Hopefully, more counties will participate this year.

Concerts are “free” at the State Fair … BUT … If you want a better seat, reserved seating is $25/ticket. This year’s schedule includes Fitz and the Tantrums, Confunkshun, Ashley McBryde, Boyz II Men, Ginuwine, LeAnn Rimes, Scotty McCreery, Revisiting Creedence, The Isley Brothers, Third Eye Blind, SantanaWays, 38 Special, Ashanti, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Gin Blossoms, Kool & The Gang and Trace Adkins. Check online for performance dates.

Some fairgoers will not be happy with what I am about to share. In order to keep everyone safe at the State Fair, there are two new policies.

First: Minors younger than 18 cannot enter the fairgrounds without an adult. Any person entering may be asked to show a valid California Driver License or Identification Card or other Government issued ID. Each adult can only chaperone five minors at a time. Groups larger than five minors require an additional chaperone for every five minors. The chaperone (parent/adult) is required to

■ See FAIRS, page B5

LIVE CONCERTS ARE MUSIC TO FAIRGOERS’ EARS

Performing

July 27: George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Friday, July 28: Gin Blossoms

Saturday, July 29: Kool & the Gang

Sunday, July 30: Trace Adkins

Courtesy photos

Summer memories with friends and family are priceless. Make some of those memories at the California State Fair or a country fair this summer.

Susan Laird The Arts

This year, the California State Fair & Food Festival has new rules: No youth under the age of 18 admitted without a chaperone and there is now a clear bag policy.

Burton Creek State Park

Imagine 6 miles of trail in alpine forest to wander, almost to yourself. I found all this and more at Burton Creek State Park just outside Tahoe City.

No big State Park sign will help you find this park so have directions before you go. In Placer County near Truckee, I took Interstate 80 east to exit 185 Highway 89 south in Truckee. Go through Tahoe City to Highway 28 (N. Lake Boulevard). Stay on 28. Past Rocky Ridge Road and directly across the street from Star Harbor make the left turn into the park. The dirt road leads to ample parking. Head up a gentle hill and around the gate and enjoy.

I wanted an area that gave me the social distance I needed to relax in nature. This park offered plenty of room to roam. I did see other hikers and mountain bikers, but the numbers were minimal compared to other more popular parks in our region. Finding open space is getting more challenging to find as people are looking to get

outside.

The trails are wide and cover 6 miles of the south facing slopes of the north shore of the Tahoe Basin. I enjoyed the smell of pine and, when a storm passed through, the smell of rain on the forest floor was pure perfume.

As heat, wind and lack of precipitation dry out lower elevation trails, the flowers still bloom in higher elevations around Tahoe. In fall the cottonwoods change color and the sound of the wind through the yellow leaves is music to my ears.

It was nice to wander among the towering trees with no destination in mind other than to be out on the trails. Burton Creek was dry when I went through and so were the many tributaries I crossed, but I didn’t mind. I cannot offer a river, a waterfall or a view from the top, but for me I was there for peace and quiet among the trees and Burton Creek State Park delivered.

Mary West is author of the book series “Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III” (available on Amazon), a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West is the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book “Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide” series by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

Union Mine grad nets a SAFE scholarship

News release

SAFE Credit Union is awarding a $2,000 scholarship to Union Mine High School graduate and Placerville resident Rosalinda Sanchez-Gonzalez.

Sanchez-Gonzalez is one of 12 students from Amador, El Dorado, Placer and Sacramento counties students to each receive one of the credit union’s annual scholarship awards. This year SAFE shared its commitment to improving the lives of its members through education by awarding $24,000 in scholarships. Doubling its annual award from previous years, SAFE gave each recipient a $2,000 scholarship.

“Congratulations to this year’s remarkable group of scholarship award winners,” said SAFE Credit Union President and CEO Faye Nabhani. “We are proud to support you in your educational journey toward rewarding and fulfilling careers.”

SAFE offers 10 high school scholarships to its members and to two SAFE employee family members each year. Both scholarships were awarded based on grade point average, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Member scholarships were also awarded based on financial need.

Sanchez-Gonzalez is set to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall

and plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician so she can “provide medical services as a pediatrician to children, newborns to young adults,” she writes in her personal statement.

“It is my rewarding passion to ensure that children receive the proper medical services that I can bring through my own practice one day,” Sanchez-Gonzalez added.

Since first offering the scholarships more than 20 years ago, SAFE has awarded more than $200,000 to students living in the 13 Northern California counties the credit union serves.

To be eligible, high school applicants must attend schools in Alameda, Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. Scholarships not awarded to employeerelated high schoolers must themselves, parents or guardians be members of SAFE. SAFE annually gives the awards as part of its commitment to the credit union principle to share its success with communities within its three pillars of philanthropy: education, health and veterans.

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Burton Creek State Park is home to lovely wildflowers that should still be in bloom this time of year due to the higher elevation.

Photos by Mary West

Tall trees and open space make Burton Creek State Park in Placer County a great place to get away from it all.

Courtesy photo

Union Mine High School graduate and SAFE Credit Union scholarship recipient Rosalinda Sanchez-Gonzalez plans to study medicine and become a pediatrician.

Farm families came to sell their goods and proudly display their best produce, stitchery, canned goods and animals.

Fairs were also a place to hear speakers and music and get up and dance. People took turns at the midway games to show off their strength.

Spas for Sale

Covered Wagons

Baking Competitions

Canned Goods

Corn Dogs

With a parent or other adult at home, look through the newspaper for the following:

Motion Simulators

Produce

Ice Cream Famous Singers

Pictured above are items found at fairs over the years. In the circle on the left, write the names of items that could only be found at fairs 100 years ago. In the circle on the right, list things you could only find at a fair today.

Where the two ovals overlap, write the names of items you could find at fairs today AND in the past. Can you think of things to add to each group?

Standards Link: History: Understand families and communities now and in the past.

Midway Games

Members of 4-H clubs show the animals they have raised and compete for recognition. Popular animal competitions include sheep, pigs, calves and chickens as well as llamas. People play modern midway games and line up to go on roller coasters, Ferris wheels and other rides.

Farm Animals

Five things that have been invented since your adult partner turned 20 Five things that are part of both your life today and your partner’s childhood life

Five things you think will look different or function differently in 20 years

With your partner, complete the VENN diagram below to compare your childhoods.

Photography Displays

Ask 10 or more people to pick their favorite part of the fair from among the following choices. Color in a box on the graph to show each person’s preference.

Use this graph to gather data about what’s in your newspaper. Comb the newspaper for pictures of or references to the items on the list. Color in a box for every picture or reference you find.

Complete the grid by using all the letters in the word MIDWAY in each vertical and horizontal row. Each letter should only be used once in each row. Some spaces have been filled in for you.

Katie and Nathan played the Balloon Pop game on the fair’s midway. Katie popped odd-numbered balloons and Nathan popped the ones with even numbers. Add up each. Who got the highest score?

Young people bring their finest livestock to fairs. Unscramble the word below each kid to find out which animal he or she brought.

Make up questions about your completed graph. Then show the graph to a family member and ask your questions.

Standards Link: Data: Organizes, displays, reads and interprets data.

Standards Link: Data: Organizes, displays, reads and interprets data.

This week’s word:

MIDWAY

The noun midway means a part of a fair filled with game booths.

Billy won a lot of prizes playing games on the midway at the fair.

Standards Link: Spelling: Spell grade-level approriate words correctly

Look through the newspaper to find five events that might be held at a fair. Write a short story that includes all five events. Bring your story to a climatic ending on a triumphant note.

Try to use the word midway in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Human Power

What can you do for entertainment that does not use electricity?

© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 35

Oh, that red, heart-shaped fruit: the strawberry

Afavorite year-to-year seasonal fruit, the strawberry, summons thoughts of dipped chocolate, fresh fruit salads and lazy summer picnics. The season for strawberries depends on weather, as well as the cultivar. It’s tempting to stop at a fruit stand with the intent of purchasing just three small baskets, but as you step up to the makeshift shed the siren call lulls you into thinking an entire box of strawberries, with all those plump, red berries piled so high they are barely contained within the box, would be a better purchase. Don’t let buyer’s remorse take hold when you get home. Eat your fill that evening, then set about to preserve the rest as the sugars in berries convert to starch soon after they are picked.

Dehydrated strawberries make great after-school snacks or can be part of a bag of trail mix for hiking, camping or hunting. Select firm, ripe berries with good solid color. Wash berries under running water, pat dry, remove caps and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Lay in a single layer in the dehydrator tray. Dry at 130-140°F. Use your oven if you are able to set the temperature low enough. Drying time depends on the size of the berry pieces, exposure to air, temperature, air circulation and drying method, about seven to 15 hours for slices. Dried strawberries should be pliable and leathery with no bits of moisture when pressed between your fingers. If desired, dry the slices until almost crisp. Turning berry slices over halfway through drying helps prevent sticking. After drying, cool the fruit for 30 minutes.

Condition dried fruit by packing it loosely in an air-tight glass or plastic container for several days, shaking the container a couple times a day to distribute the remaining moisture evenly. If condensation forms in the jar, dry the berries longer. Store in an air-tight or vacuum-sealed container to avoid humidity. For longer storage, freeze.

By far, the most popular way to preserve those fresh-picked strawberries is to make a batch of jam.

If this is your first time canning, it is recommended that you read “Principles of Home Canning” via the National Center for Home Food Preservation (online). This Strawberry-Vanilla Jam recipe from Ball makes about nine or 10 8-ounce jars.

Ingredients

8 cups granulated sugar

5 1/2 cups crushed strawberries (about 3 quart boxes of strawberries)

6 tablespoons powdered pectin (or one 1.75 oz. package/box)

1 vanilla bean, split down the length of the bean (optional)

½ teaspoon butter (optional, to reduce buildup of foam)

Procedure: Clean jars, lids, and bands. Heat jars in canner. (At lower than 1,000 feet, boil the jars for 10 minutes to sterilize.)

In a large, deep stainless-steel pot, add strawberries and pectin (and vanilla bean if using). Stir to dissolve pectin.

Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Add sugar all at once and, stirring constantly, return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Remove from heat; skim foam. Remove vanilla bean if using.

Fill hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rim with a clean wet paper towel. Apply lids and rings.

Process in either a boiling water or steam canner for 5 minutes up to 1,000 feet, 10 minutes at altitudes of 1,001 feet to 6,000 feet and 15 minutes above 6,000 feet.

n See StrawberrieS, page B5

Laurie Lewis

UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County

Photo by Robin Martin

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are a great summer snack to share (or not).

Visitors make a splash

Know Continued from B1 families of the Pine Top Montessori School students injured, 5:30-7 p.m. at 4310 Right 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 host an outdoor concerts featuring Matt Rainey & The Dippin Sauce Allstars at the quaint farmhouse of Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville. The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. 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.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” July 8 through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 3531001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Now

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) 6265282 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-theexhibition.

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.

The Placerville Main Street Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to dusk in the Mooney Lot on Main Street. This market specializes in local fruits and vegetables, sustainable agriculture and community.

Courtesy photo

Author Bill George and Olympians Jeff Float and Debbie Meyer, left to right, stopped by Face In a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center last month to promote George’s book, “Victory in the Pool: How a Maverick Coach Upended Society and Led a Group of Young Swimmers to Olympic Glory.” Nearly three dozen people stopped by the El Dorado Hills shop to learn about the inspiring story of Sherm Chavoor and his dedicated athletes who rose from obscurity to win 20 Olympic gold medals during the 1960s and ’70s.

Strawberries

Continued from B4

Interested in getting more food ideas to use for treats and gifts? Sign up for Christmas in July, a fun class to hear about preserved foods you can make all year to use (or give) during the holidays. The class is on July 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Register at ucanr. edu/jul152023_mfpclass.

The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource

Fairs

Continued from B1

remain on the property while the minors are on the property.

The youth must provide a telephone number of the attending parent/adult to a California Exposition & State Fair Grounds representative upon request. Grab a Sharpie pen before you leave home, folks.

Any and all misbehaving minors will be held and released to their chaperone (parent/adult). Any minors younger than 18 not accompanied by an adult will not be admitted.

Organized and ticketed group outings, such as school, church, corporate, summer camp, sports and other pre-scheduled group visits are exempt from the policy as these groups have established chaperone policies and practices already in place.

Second: No one is allowed onto the fairgrounds with a purse or fanny pack that is made of anything other than clear vinyl. Bags must be see-

for answers to your food safety and preserving questions. Leave a message at (530) 621-5506 or email edmfp@ ucanr.edu. For more information about the program, events and recipes visit ucanr.edu/edmfp. Sign up to receive the eNewsletter at ucanr.org/ mfpcsenews. The group is on Facebook, too (UCCE Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County).

through and cannot be larger than 12 inches high by 12 inches wide by 2 inches thick. You are welcome to purchase a bag or purse inside the fair to carry your items if you wish.

I’m not a fan of all this, but that’s the world we live in.

Good to know: Check online at calexpostatefair.com/ info/hours for hours, as these vary depending on the day of the week.

Admission to the State Fair is $16 for adults, $12 for seniors (ages 62 and better), $10 for kids (ages 5 to 12) and seniors (65 and better). Kids younger than 4 are free. Unlimited ride wristbands for the midway range from $37

to $42. Parking is $15.

The State Fair is located at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento. Visit calexpostatefair.com for premiums, discounts and additional info.

For all the hassle I’ve gone through attending these fairs (money, sunscreen, wrangling the kids, etc.) for the last four decades, I’ve never regretting attending either one with my family. Those memories are priceless. And so worth it. Make it a joyful summer with the ones you love!

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

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Public Notices 

will cover operations one half of each month. Duties include:

• Remotely monitoring the projects

• Periodic in-person visits

• Minor equipment maintenance including greasing bearings, 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. The 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. Contact Mark Henwood (916) 955-6031 markhenwood@ henwoodassociates.com

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District invites applications for the position of: FULL-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER I SALARY RANGE: $21.80 to $26.49 per hour plus bene ts, depending on quali cations. OPENING DATE: July 3, 2023 FINAL FILING DATE: Applications will be accepted until the position is lled. First review date for applications will be held on' July 24, 2023. An application can be printed from the District website at www.gd-pud.org or request an application by emailing Stephanie Beck at slbeck@gd-pud.org. Return a completed application to the District of ce by mail, or email to: slbeck@gd-pud.org. Georgetown Divide Public Utility District P.O. Box 4240 Georgetown, CA. 95634 For further information call (530) 333-4356 or visit our website at www.gd-pud.org

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2