City to drop needle exchange ban
Odin Rasco Senior sta writer
As part of a lawsuit settlement with the California Department of Public Health, the Placerville City Council is set to rescind an urgency ordinance banning the operation of needle exchange programs in the city limits which was passed earlier this year. Marking the close of a prolonged push against needle exchange programs in the city, the council introduced the rescission of the ban
Tuesday, July 9, during its regular meeting. State law requires the announcement to be made prior to a vote, meaning the ban lifting will have to be approved during the council’s next meeting.
The Placerville City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have been involved in a now year-long campaign to limit or halt the activities of Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition in the area. In summer 2023, both government groups resolved to send letters to the CDPH asking the
state not to renew SHRC’s license to operate in the area, maintaining the group reduced less harm than it caused.
Law enforcement o cials, including El Dorado County Sheri Je Leikauf and Placerville Police Chief Joseph Wren, have shared their concerns regarding the coalition with the city and county, claiming the organization operated in opposition to the county’s preferred approach to homelessness and drug use. Information provided by Leikauf claimed SHRC distributed
CHP rescues stranded kayaker
Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer
California Highway Patrol Valley Division’s Air Operations assisted Cal Fire in rescuing a stranded kayaker on the South Fork of the American River near Camino on July 9. CHP Helicopter H-24 located the unidentified kayaker on the edge of the river adjacent to the kayak, which was found near an eddy in the middle of the river. The kayaker was separated from his kayak and could not hike back to his car due to being on a rocky cli edge, according to CHP flight o cer/ paramedic Brandon Hallam who helped conduct the rescue. Another individual
traveling with the kayaker was able to go back to his car and call for help.
The CHP pilot, along with a rescue technician from the El Dorado
new, clean needles but was less than proactive in collecting used ones, leading to a high number of discarded needles in public spaces.
A presentation by EDSO to the board also claimed paraphernalia distributed by SHRC was present at the scene of two overdoes deaths in recent years.
Despite the letters sent by local leaders, CDPH renewed SHRC’s license to operate, prompting the
County Fire Protection District, conducted a hoist rescue to extract the kayaker due to the swift water and the steep vertical terrain.
The kayaker was transferred to ground medics after being rescued. The kayak was not able to be recovered.
Pay Fire declared 100% contained
Odin Rasco
Firefighters battling the Pay Fire in Placerville achieved 100% containment of the 77-acre blaze the
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
morning of Wednesday, July 10, according to Cal Fire.
Fire crews worked against the wildfire for five days, arriving at the scene of the hillside blaze near Lions Park shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6.
The fire’s steady rate of growth and close proximity to Placerville homes prompted the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce to enact evacuation orders in multiple neighborhoods over the weekend. Those evacuation orders
were downgraded Monday morning after firefighters had reached more than 30% containment. Forward progress of the fire was stopped Saturday, though
Big rig overturns on Rattlesnake Bar Road
Eric
Senior sta writer
It was “all hands on deck” as first responders worked to free a driver from the wreckage of his big rig after it rolled down an embankment on Rattlesnake Bar Road on July 10.
The El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, Georgetown Fire and California Highway Patrol all worked together for about 40 minutes to extricate the man after responding to the 8:30 a.m. accident. Once freed, the driver was taken to a waiting Calstar helicopter, which flew him to a Sacramento trauma center, according to an EDCFPC social media post.
“The driver did su er several injuries but was alert and talking to his rescuers throughout the extrication process,” the post notes.
The big rig, which had a 30,000-pound load of fencing material, had not been extracted as of the morning of July 11, California Highway Patrol o cials report.
CHP was directing tra c in the area while Mid-Sierra Towing & Repair attempted to get the big rig out after the Wednesday accident, but more equipment was needed to retrieve the
Courtesy photo
A big rig can be seen overturned off road on narrow Rattlesnake Bar Road Wednesday afternoon. Towing crews have yet to extract the vehicle as of Thursday morning, according to CHP officials.
Jaramishian
Video still courtesy of CHP
A stranded kayaker is hoisted to safety after being stranded on a remote riverbank on the South Fork of the American River.
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
ESSENTIALS
Thiesmann Acuavera
Lim June 9, 1972 – June 1, 2024
Thiesmann Acuavera Lim, a dedicated servant to both his country and the world of technology, passed away on June 1, 2024. Son of the late Rolando and Aquilina Lim, he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 9, 1972. He lived a life marked by service, education, and a commitment to his pursuit of excellence in his career.
Thiesmann proudly served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, where his commitment to duty and honor shone brightly. Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of the Pacific. He later obtained master’s degrees from both St. Mary’s College and Boston University.
Professionally, Thiesmann excelled as a Solutions Architect for Blue Shield of California, where his expertise and ingenuity made a lasting impact. Thiesmann’s passion extended beyond his professional pursuits as he served as a mentor and guide to aspiring engineers, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of technological innovators.
Thiesmann enthusiastically engaged in tabletop gaming, harbored a lifelong devotion to Star Trek and a fervent appreciation for science fiction in its entirety. Throughout his life, he exhibited a profound fascination with advancements in space technology. Additionally, he supported the San Francisco 49ers and the Giants.
Above all, Thiesmann will be remembered as a devoted son, brother, godfather, and friend. He leaves behind a legacy of service, intellect, and love that will continue to inspire and resonate for generations to come. He is survived by a host of loving friends and relatives.
Doris Beers Beemer
May 25, 1926 – May 24, 2024
In loving memory of Doris Beers Beemer who passed away on 5/24/24
Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, James G. Beemer in 2005. She lived a most wonderful life surrounded by her devoted family. She leaves children Patsy Stoneking (Sam), Jean Beemer, Rebecca Beemer (Kent Fickett) and David Beemer (Patti). Grandchildren Penny Castillero Smart (Steve), Diana Castillero Kantola (Kelly), Gina Stoneking Gray, Kimberly Stoneking Hewel (Chris), Ellena Fickett Chen (Nick), Aaron Beemer, Kevin Beemer, and Daniel Fickett. Fourteen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.
Doris’s greatest love, pride and joy was being the matriarch of five generations. Both she and Jim loved nothing more than to point out that they “started all this.” It gave her great joy to attend every and all of her children’s and grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s school and sports events.
Doris grew up on a ranch in Wabuska, NV, and in Fair Oaks, CA. She married the love of her life, James, at 18 in the middle of WWII. They were stationed in Georgia for a while, then back to CA where they spent most of their life together. Of all her myriad interests and talents, Doris loved most the family homes she and Jim lived in so comfortably. There she could create award winning quilts, sew, bake every cookie known, but mostly chocolate chip, and throw together incredible family meals for everyone. Only their curiosity to see the world could get them out. And see it they did: Europe, South America, Africa, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, and almost all 50 states.
Because of her love of history Doris also thoroughly enjoyed being a volunteer docent in the El Dorado County Historical Museum. Rest in peace mom/grammie. You are missed. Per her request there will be no services. Please honor her memory by loving your family with all your heart, just as she did.
Susan Aurelia (Sullivan) Dornner
March 2, 1950 – June 28, 2024
Su Dornner, 74 of Cameron Park, was a loving mother of four, a proud grandmother of twelve and a great-grandmother of two.
Su traveled the world with her parents, attended Gunn Highschool in Palo Alto, modeled and worked as a photo color corrector for Eastman Kodak transferring to Los Angeles County where she later worked as a school bus driver in Castaic, CA. Su enjoyed being a bus driver and was adored by her kids and their parents. Su was an enthusiastic BMX mom and grandmother who spent a lot of time cheering on her son Colby and grandsons Christopher and Reef at the Roseville BMX track. She was also a cheer G-ma cheering for her granddaughter’s Rae & Coral as they cheered at football games and cheer competitions. She retired on the Oregon coast in Lincoln City. Su was an annual member of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, where she enjoyed time & many days with family, but especially her granddaughter’s Mya, Olivia & Cecilia. She also enjoyed the beach, watching fireworks and the kite festival, crafting and folding money into incredible gifts like rings, roses, frogs and many other wonderful treasures and selling her crafts at the local farmer’s market. Eventually, Su came back to California to live with her daughter’s and spend time with her great-grandchildren.
Su was preceded in death by her parents, Col. Robert D. Sullivan and Aurelia (Keller) Sullivan, and her daughter volunteer firefighter & EMT Christina Reann Dornner.
Su is survived by her sister Penelope A. Sullivan, her daughters, Patti-Rae Blackmon and Amy S. (Blackmon) (Louis) Goletto, her son Colby R. (Jamie) Dornner, her grandchildren, Rae D. Runge, Christopher H. Runge, Reef L. (Kelsey) Willard, Coral P. (Willard) (Tyler) Doyle, Mya B. Gordillo, Caden R. Main, Olivia H. Gordillo, Cecila B. Gordillo, Sebastian J. Valesey, Landon C. Dornner, Jennifer M. Valesey, Payton C. Dornner, and her great-grandchildren, Brylee L. Meckler and Owen P. Doyle and many nieces and nephews. Su is so loved and will be deeply missed. Memorial service will be private.
Jean Bollman Rulison
March 13, 1925 – June 30, 2024
Jean Bollman Rulison Born March 13, 1925 in Rochester, Minnesota; died June 30, 2024 in Cameron Park, California. Predeceased by her husband, Ted Rulison and survived by her children, Sally, John and Lisa. Jean graduated from University of Minnesota. She was a bridge Life Master. She travelled extensively with her husband. Jean was noted for her generosity and wit.
Remembrance donations to: American River Conservancy
Craig Michael Stender
April 28, 1956 – June 22, 2024
Craig Michael Stender passed away June 22, 2024 surrounded by his immediate family. He was born in Southern California to Bruce and Jill Stender. A few years later the family moved to Lake Tahoe’s North Shore then to El Dorado County in 1968, ending up in Diamond Springs, where he graduated from Ponderosa high School in 1975.
He was a member of El Dorado Gem and Mineral Society working every year at the El Dorado County Fair setting up their exhibits. He spent several years in Montana working and digging for Sapphires at a Sapphire Mine near Helena. He loved his gem work and hanging out with his friends.
Moving to the town of El Dorado you would see Craig riding his bike everywhere, with a smile and a wave. His funny character will be missed by all who knew him.
He volunteered his time at the El Dorado Western Railroad when it first opened.
He loved anything that had to do with dirt track racing and NASCAR and once had his own pure stock car at Hangtown Speedway.
Craig is survived by his mother Jill Baker, his brother Jeff Stender and Jeff’s children Nathan Stender & Laura Esperson, his sister, Sandy Stender and her daughter Vallean Marshall, plus great niece Peyton Humphreys, as well as other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews in Southern California, Georgia and Florida.
Connie Gallegos
March 25, 1926 – June 8, 2024
Mother, Grandmother, Godmother and Aunt, Connie Gallegos passed away at the age of 98 on June 8, 2024 in Placerville, California with her daughter, son-in-law and grand-children at her side.
Born on March 25, 1926 to Angela and Silverio Vallez, Connie grew up in Los Angeles with her three brothers: Hank, David and Ray.
Connie’s favorite job (from which she retired) was as a cook for the Los Angeles City School District. Her menus became so popular with the faculty and staff that she brought the cafeteria budget out of the red and into the green! She was also bilingual and was happy to translate for friends and family at school and at home.
Connie met her husband Al in Los Angeles where he owned a barber shop for many years and finally In 1992 they moved to Placerville to be with her daughter and son-in-law.
Connie liked to shop, cook for her family and friends, and read biographies and novels. Both Connie and Al’s faith was important to them and they were active members for many years in the Knights of Columbus in Gardena, California – Al as a Fourth Degree Knight and Connie as member and president of the Knight’s Wives. After moving to Placerville in 1992 they became active members of St. Patrick Catholic Church until Connie’s death. When Al had a stroke, Connie was his caregiver for over 20 years until his death in 2019. Her final reunion with family and friends was in Long Beach, California to celebrate her 98th birthday!
Besides her husband, Connie was preceded in death by her son Bobby, her three brothers and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Paula Grady, son-in-law Joseph and her grandchildren: Andrea (Jeff), Valerie and Robert. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held at St. Patrick Church in Placerville, California on Monday July 15 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the church hall. Connie will be laid to rest with her husband Al and their son Bobby at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES
Mayor Michael Saragosa msaragosa@cityofplacerville.org
Vice Mayor Jackie Neau jneau@cityofplacerville.org John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org
621-5651
District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas (530) 621-5652
District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin (530) 621-6513
District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine (530) 621-6577 (Placerville) (530) 621-6577 (South Lake Tahoe)
We would love you to join us for a Celebration of Life at Green Valley Church in their little Chapel on September 26th at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Please bring your stories of Craig to share.
4th
of July left beaches cleaner than prior year
Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune
ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. — The scene from Zephyr Shoals last fourth of July left an imprint in many minds after volunteers plucked 6,318 pounds of trash from that location alone, making up almost three-quarters of the 8,598 pounds found lake-wide.
The haunting images triggered efforts almost immediately with one goal: don’t let this happen again.
Not long after, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced the addition of Zephyr Shoals to the concessionaire there, Aramark Destination. This allowed for more management there, as well as fencing, extra restrooms, more trash receptacles, signs, maps and increased security.
Tahoe partners continued to collaborate through the Destination Stewardship plan and Litter Summit over the year.
Some actions included organizations like the League to Save Lake Tahoe, ECO-CLEAN Solutions and others presenting a message out ahead of the holiday to create a stewardship narrative of “This is how you Tahoe.”
The narrative received its longed for happy ending, well happier. Although the amount of trash collected was still slightly above the average collected during all past July 5 cleanups, the 1,866 pounds of trash found lake-wide paled compared to
the numbers last year.
And Zephyr Shoals, the focus of last year’s mess, looked nothing like it had the year before. In addition to the improvements there, the prohibition of outside alcohol was implemented on the 4th of July and extra staff added.
“It was an incredible sight this morning,” Katy Jo Caringer with ECO-CLEAN
litter from even reaching the beach.
“It was an incredible sight this morning. We were genuinely blown away by the minimal litter — just a few items here and there.”
Other initiatives, like the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Blue Beaches program, a new program that provides customized approach to address each individual beach’s challenges during busy seasons, also helped. It was a part of the changes at the Shoals.
— Katy Jo Caringer with ECO-CLEAN Solutions
Solutions said on July 5, after the annual 11th annual Keep Tahoe Red, White, and Blue clean up. “We were genuinely blown away by the minimal litter — just a few items here and there.”
The group’s beach cleaning robot, BEBOT, had cleaned Zephyr Cove on July 1 & 2, then again on July 5. The trash picked up by the robot the day after the holiday was only about a quarter of the litter it picked up just days prior. The machine rolling on the beach always sparks stewardship conversations and inspires both residents and visitors when it is in action, ECO-CLEAN representatives shared.
In addition to Aramark’s efforts at the Shoals, ECO-CLEAN officials think South Lake Tahoe’s ban on single-use plastics that went into effect in April and the p ior styrofoam ban helped by preventing
League members said based on the small amount of trash at that location this year, they believe the program was successful.
The reduced trash wasn’t the only cause for celebration. At this year’s 11th annual July 5 clean up, there were a record number of volunteers spanning the clean up sites. The 774 volunteers broke the last record by more than 200.
“Today we saw clear evidence that people went out of their way to protect Tahoe,” said Marilee Movius, senior community engagement manager for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, pointing to the collaboration of land managers, volunteers, partners and the tens of thousands of people who spent their holiday on the beach.
“The narrative, ‘This is how you Tahoe,’” Caringer said, “is catching on, encouraging visitors to treat Tahoe like their own home and keep it beautiful year-round.”
Hit and run driver to pay $10,000 for insurance fraud
Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
A recent El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office insurance fraud investigation uncovered a falsely reported vehicle theft connected to an El Dorado Hills hit and run, according to a press release from the DA’s office.
Investigators with the California Department of Insurance and the DA’s Office discovered Matthew Ashley was driving erratically on Latrobe Road near Town Center in El Dorado Hills before losing control of his vehicle and colliding into another car earlier this year. Ashley drove away from the
scene and his vehicle was later located by law enforcement abandoned about 2 miles away from the collision; when they arrived at his home, he reported his vehicle had been stolen. He filed a stolen vehicle report with law enforcement and also informed his insurance company.
Ashley’s claims were contested by information gathered by a California Highway Patrol investigation into the hit and run. A passerby recorded Ashley exiting his vehicle after the collision to inspect the damage — the victim’s car was totaled and his own vehicle severely damaged — before getting back into his vehicle and fleeing the scene, according to the DA’s press release.
County’s first dog park officially opening
Carla Hass
El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office
El Dorado County will officially open its first dog park at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 14, at the Historical Railroad Park, 4650 Oriental St. in El Dorado.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the long-envisioned opening of this beautiful facility for our dogloving residents and their pets,” said District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas, whose district includes the new park.
The park, which includes a children’s playground, access to El Dorado Trail and the El Dorado Western Railroad, which operates an excursion railroad program on certain Sundays at
El Dorado Station (no rides scheduled July 14). The dog park provides separate areas for small dogs weighing less than 30 pounds and large dogs, a shaded bench area, a doggie waste bag station, and will soon have a water fountain with dog bowl.
The grand opening event will feature a ribbon cutting and remarks by officials and community members, county informational booths, pet adoption event (depending on Animal Services staffing availability), community group booths such as Friends of El Dorado Trail and more.
The project was funded by Proposition 68 State of California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018.
Unruly visitors close down cooling center
Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
A disturbance at the El Dorado County Library in Placerville led to the unexpected temporary closure of a cooling center operated by the county on July 7. With triple-digit temperatures continuing to sear the state, El Dorado County government officials have been utilizing libraries as a place to provide water, snacks and a reprieve from the heat. Some residents expressed confusion and concern when an announcement from county officials posted on Facebook announced the Placerville Library was closed as a cooling center last Sunday at 2 p.m. “due to safety concerns.”
A passerby in the area of the library noted the
presence of law enforcement at the library, escorting away more than a dozen individuals. Information obtained by the Mountain Democrat indicates around 20 “transients” were removed from the premises; reportedly, none of the individuals were nearby Pay Fire evacuees or local residents.
When asked for more information on the incident, El Dorado County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Carla Hass explained, “The cooling center was closed due to extenuating circumstances which have been addressed.”
The Placerville Library is scheduled to serve as a cooling center through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mountain Democrat also reached out to the Placerville Police Department regarding the incident, but did not hear back as of press time.
A consolidated criminal complaint against Ashley was filed in late February 2024; he recently entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanor charges in April. Ashley was sentenced to 30 days in custody and placed in probation for one year.
During a restitution hearing held in June, Ashley was ordered by an El Dorado County Superior Court judge to pay $10,196 to the owner of a vehicle totaled in a vehicle collision and their insurance company. He also had to pay his own insurance company for costs associated with investigating the false report of his vehicle being stolen.
Photo courtesy of Katy Jo Caringer / ECO-CLEAN Solutions
Volunteers picked up over three tons less trash than last year on the annual July 5 clean up around Lake Tahoe, left photo. ECO-CLEAN used its beach-cleaning robot days prior to the July 5 clean up, right photo.
PARK & RIDE
New lot ready for commuters
El Dorado County Transit Authority sta , local leaders and community members celebrated the grand opening of the Bass Lake Road Parkand-Ride on July 8.
Laurel Brent-Bumb, presented El Dorado Transit Executive Director Brian James with a Certificate of Recognition for opening the new public transportation facility at Monday’s event.
The new park-and-ride, located near the intersection of Bass Lake Road and Country Club Drive, features 100 parking spaces, bike storage pods, modern lighting, a bus shelter and more. The facility o cially opens for use July 15 as a stop for all Sacramento commuter routes.
El Dorado County Supervisors George Turnboo and John Hidahl, along with El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO
CRIME LOG
The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheri ’s reports:
June 12
5:11 p.m. California Highway Patrol
o cers booked into jail a 44-year-old man on suspicion of DUI and driving with a suspended license on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was released on $8,000 bail.
6:21 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park.
8:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man on suspicion of possession and use of a controlled substance on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was released on $35,000 bail.
11:04 p.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 28-yearold woman on suspicion of DUI on Highway 50. She was later released.
June 13
12:33 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 60-year-old man on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon and threatening crime with intent to terrorize on China Garden Court in Placerville. He was released on $150,000 bail.
11:48 a.m. Grand was theft reported on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.
11:52 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Racquet Way in Diamond Springs.
12:00 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ponte Marino Drive in Cameron Park.
12:08 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.
12:09 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Rodeo Road in Cameron Park.
12:38 p.m. Battery was reported on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs.
2:33 p.m. Burglary was reported on Fruitridge Road in Camino.
Springs.
The park-and-ride was built for El Dorado Transit by Toll Brothers and Doug Veerkamp General Engineering as part of the Bass Lake Hills Specific Plan. The facility is designed to provide a safe and convenient public transportation point for carpool and vanpool and will provide quick and easy freeway access for El Dorado Transit’s Sacramento commuter service.
For more information call El Dorado Transit at (530) 642-5383 or visit eldoradotransit.com.
County fairgrounds. He was later released.
8:24 p.m. Burglary to a vehicle was reported on Lotus Road in Lotus.
June 14
3:30 a.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked 59-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly conduct on Highway 50. He was later released.
12:46 p.m. Battery was reported on Placerville Drive.
1:53 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Valley View Parkway in El Dorado Hills.
5:37 p.m. Battery was reported on Cimarron Road in Cameron Park
5:56 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Lotus Road at Highway 49 in Lotus.
7:47 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Chrome Ridge Court in Placerville.
11:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old woman on suspicion of motor vehicle theft on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was released on $25,000 bail.
11:31 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly conduct at the fairgrounds. He was later released.
11:35 p.m. California Highway Patrol
o cers booked into jail a 32-year-old man on suspicion of DUI and carrying a loaded rearm on Highway 50. He was later released.
June 15
7:11 a.m. Deputies booked into jail an 18-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance on Forni Road in El Dorado. He was later released.
4:08 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly conduct at the fairgrounds in Placerville. He was later released.
5:30 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Juno Lane in Placerville.
9:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail
June 16
1:42 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man on suspicion of threatening crime with intent to terrorize, battery and possession of unlawful paraphernalia along with several other charges on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $532,500 bail.
9:22 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man on suspicion of embezzlement, DUI and obstruction on Cold Springs Road in Placerville. He was released on $5,000 bail. 2:44
a 41-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing at Placerville Drive. He was later released.
2:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 67-year-old man on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon on Mother Lode Drive in El Dorado. He was released on $50,000 bail.
11:13 p.m. California Highway Patrol
3:20 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Cappella Drive in Diamond Springs.
3:39 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Torero Way in El Dorado Hills.
4:03 p.m. Battery was reported on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond
o cers booked into jail 60-year-old man on suspicion of DUI on Durock Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.
11:41 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 27-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly conduct at the El Dorado
SPORTS
Kings Meats Burger Night on deck at speedway
Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway
Action returns to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds based quarter mile this Saturday, as Placerville Speedway showcases a loaded program on Burger Night presented by Kings Meats.
This Saturday, July 13, all burgers will be half price at the Speedway Café. It also continues free parking in July thanks to the El Dorado County Fair Association.
Russell Motorsports Inc. presents a fourdivision Thunder in the Foothills championship program that will include the Thompson’s Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints, Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks and the Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks.
An ultra close fight for the Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged Sprint Car title is developing, with the top-three drivers separated by just 12 points.
Elk Grove’s Bubba Decaires leads the way, as he looks to join his father as a Placerville Speedway champion. His dad Greg Decaires IV captured the track title four times in his
illustrious career, while “G5” sits 11 markers up on June 29th winner Shane Hopkins going into Kings Meats Burger Night.
Nine-time Placerville champ Andy Forsberg is fresh o his third win of the season and heads into Saturday 12 digits back of Decaires. Modesto’s Tony Gomes and rookie Austin Wood of Sacramento round out the top five in the standings. The Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks also have a tremendous championship race taking place with Oakley’s Nick Baldwin leading Diamond Springs’ Kevin
Jinkerson by five slim points. Both drivers have tallied three wins, along with top five e orts each night.
Jinkerson has finished second to Baldwin in the standings four years in a row and will be looking to change that as the season winds down. Placerville’s Tyler Lightfoot, Orangevale’s Tommy Sturgeon and Cameron Park’s Jason Ramos complete the top five in points.
Multi-time Mountain Democrat Mini Truck champion Mike Miller of Placerville leads the way into Saturday. Miller has captured three of the four events held and goes into the
Tahoe Knight Monsters start filling the roster
News release
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters announced the team’s first players signing in club history by agreeing to terms with veteran forward Anthony Collins and defenseman Brennan Kapcheck for the 2024-25 season.
Collins, 34, joins the Knight Monsters after registering 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 59 games with the Savannah Ghost Pirates last season. The 6-foot, 4-inch 216-pound winger also led the Ghost Pirates in penalty minutes last season with 140. The July 9 announcement reunites Collins with Knight Monsters Head Coach Alex Loh, who coached Collins in Savannah this past year.
“We are thrilled to have Anthony join us in Tahoe,” said Loh. “He exemplifies everything we want our players to be both on and o the ice. Anthony is a great leader, which will help bring the team together for a successful inaugural season. Anthony has been a fan favorite everywhere he has played, and we fully expect the Tahoe fans to embrace him this season and beyond.”
in 2022 & 2023. The 5-foot, 9-inch 179-pound blueliner also made 10 appearances last season overseas with HKM Zvolen in Slovakia logging an assist.
Kapcheck has also made eight American Hockey League appearances with the Toronto Marlies in 2022. Prior to his beginning his professional career, Kapcheck played four collegiate seasons at American International College where he totaled 94 points (14 goals, 80 assists) and racked up numerous accolades including being named an NCAA East All-American in 2021 and was a Hobey Baker Award Nominee (NCAA Top Collegiate Player Award) in 2018.
Collins has established himself as a tough and veteran leader during his 11 seasons of professional hockey, totaling 88 points (33 goals, 55 assists) with 1,042 penalty minutes in 538 career ECHL games split in stints with Savannah, Atlanta, Kalamazoo, Norfolk, Rapid City, Quad City, Indy, Kansas City and South Carolina. Kapcheck, 27, joins the Knight Monsters after playing the past three seasons with the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) where he registered 59 points (7 goals, 52 assists) in 115 regular season games from 20222024. He also added an additional 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in 31 playo appearances with the Growlers
The Mount Prospect, Ill., resident served as captain at AIC during his senior year. Coach Loh came on board in late May. He joins the Knight Monsters after spending the past two seasons with the Savannah Ghost Pirates (ECHL). Loh served as an assistant coach for the Ghost Pirates from 2022-24 before stepping in as Savannah’s interim head coach this past February. In that role, Loh helped guide the Ghost Pirates to a winning record in their final 31 games this past season recording 16 wins and earning points in 19 of those 31 contests.
Prior to his time in Savannah, Loh was the head coach of the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) for three seasons from 2018-22. Prior to becoming head coach for the Thunder, Loh served three additional seasons as an assistant/associate coach for the team beginning in 2015. Loh has totaled 102 wins during this head coaching career. The Knight Monsters will host their inaugural home opening weekend on Oct. 24 & 25 against the Jacksonville Icemen at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Ticket packages for the 2024-25 season are now available. For more information visit knightmonstershockey.com.
night 24 markers up on Howard Miller of Minden, Nev.
The Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Cars are always an exciting addition to the program and make their only Placerville Speedway stop of the season on Saturday.
Oakley’s Jacob Tuttle sits atop the standings over Shawn Arriaga, Josh Young, DJ Johnson and Jimmy Christian. Young captured victory with the High Sierra Wingless Sprints at the track last month.
Grandstand seating is general admission July 13, except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders. Online tickets can be purchased at eventsprout.com/event/ psr-071324.
The pit gate will open at noon, with the
front gate opening at 3 p.m. Happy Hour is o ered when the gates open until 6 p.m. in the grandstands featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO Driveline qualifying and racing will follow.
For those who can’t make it to the track, CaliDirt.TV will provide live flag-to-flag coverage of every Placerville Speedway point race this season. The live streaming service also includes each event with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. Fans can purchase through a cost savings monthly membership or on a per race basis via calidirt.tv.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, July 20: SCCT-Western Sprint Speedweek Finale with Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars
Saturday, July 27: Carnett Clash with Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Mini Trucks
Russell Motorsports Inc. presents a four-division Thunder in the Foothills championship program this Saturday at Placerville Speedway.
OPINION
Destructive ideas that hurt America
Joe Biden and Donald Trump fight about everything.
But they agree about one thing: tariffs.
Trump imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, washing machines, solar panels and other products from China.
Then Biden took office and slapped a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles.
Now Trump says, if elected, he’ll impose the tariff on all Chinese cars.
This is a destructive competition.
The idea of a tariff sounds good. Protect American businesses from foreigners! Protect American workers from cheap foreign labor!
That’s the seen benefit for Americans.
The unseen harm is worse.
First, tariffs are a hidden tax. They make everything cost more. Yet few consumers see that inflation is increased by tariffs.
American steelmakers love Trump’s tax on Chinese steel, but every American who uses steel has to pay more.
The U.S. International Trade Commission says Trump’s tariffs helped increase domestic production of steel, but production in other, dependent industries dropped by a greater amount.
A second unseen harm: protected companies get lazy. Instead of devoting their energy to customer satisfaction and innovation, it’s easier and often more profitable to lobby politicians, pushing for more tariff protections.
When I was young, Ford and GM improved their cars because they found they had to compete with Toyota, BMW, Honda, etc.
It’s true that trade sometimes crushes American companies and takes jobs from some Americans. But that opens up new opportunities.
We should all be glad that no 100% tariffs existed then.
Trump’s big tariffs on steel didn’t even help U.S. Steel. It’s now trying to sell itself to a Japanese steel company.
By contrast, trade benefits most everyone.
Flying today is cheaper than ever.
Fifty years ago, a flight from Los Angeles to Boston cost about $1,000.
Today, you can book the same trip for just over $100.
Trade makes that possible. Manufacturers buy airplane parts from all over the world.
Boeing’s newest plane depends on Italian manufacturers for its engine. Its wings come from Germany and France. Floor beams are sourced from the United Arab Emirates and the plane’s doors come from Vietnam.
A tariff on any of these parts would make flying more expensive for all of us.
(Boeing’s recent safety problems weren’t caused by trade. That was all American.)
Of course, not everyone flies. But everyone enjoys the fruits of trade.
Do you eat fresh produce in winter?
Richard B. Esposito Publisher Noel Stack Editor
Letters to the Editor
Violence tax
EDITOR:
Attorney General Rob Bonta said recently that we must “get violent guns off the street.”
Thinking of the guns I have owned in my life, I cannot think of one that has been violent, and not for the lack of opportunity. I have left them with ammunition and even loaded.
But something occurred to me. Is it possible that people, not guns, are violent?
I recognize this is unlikely, but some of the worst mass murders involved not guns but dynamite, gasoline, diesel fuel and fertilizer, and box cutters and airplanes. However, they all involve violent people.
Fortunately, gasoline, diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer are on the list to be banned, but it is only a matter of time before someone figures out how to make a bomb with a bank of lithium-ion batteries.
California now has an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition. Would it not be more to the point to have an excise tax on people? Assuming $230,000 to raise a child to adulthood, an 11% excise tax would be only $25,300, payable on delivery, and with 500,000 births a year in California, it would raise $12.65 billion a year to fight people violence.
Migrants, legal and illegal, should not be exempt (sorry, no rebate for leaving). Applying the same
factor and 200,000 migrants a year, that would be another $5.06 billion a year. Combined this would raise nearly $18 billion a year for mental health programs and other ways to help violent people stop being violent.
Given California’s history of getting the maximum benefit for every dollar spent, soon there would no more violent people in California.
Too late
EDITOR:
One day after the presidential debate, Robert Bernstein of Watergate fame announced that over 20 President Joe Biden staffers had told him over the years that Biden has dementia. That’s not news considering Biden said the Border Security Association endorsed him, no military personnel died under his command and we need Roe v. Wade because sisters are raping each other. What I found strange was why Bernstein divulged that information after the debate. He remained silent as the entire Democrat Party gaslit the rest of the world. Bernstein’s loyalty to the progressives outweighs any credibility he might have still had. Too little too late, Robert. KEN
An excellent Supreme Court decision on homelessness
Homelessness, unfortunately, has become a persistent and growing problem in the United States.
The Supreme Court, in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, just dealt with one big issue associated with this problem — the ability of cities to prohibit camping on public property.
Per the city of Grants Pass, Ore., the answer has been that the municipality can prohibit such activity. Violators are subject to fines and jail time. This prohibition was challenged by homeless advocates, arguing that, per a 2018 decision of the Ninth Circuit
Appeals Court, such prohibitions violate the Eighth Amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
The court, in an ideological breakout of the six conservatives against the three liberals, ruled in favor of the right of the city to prohibit such activity, whether done by a homeless person or anyone else.
The reasoning on both sides highlights the very different way conservatives and liberals see the world and understand our constitution.
The majority opinion, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, argues that the Eighth Amendment is not relevant here because the issue is
about prohibition of, and penalties on, a given activity and not about the appropriateness of a given punishment following a criminal conviction. That is, the issue is camping on public property. It doesn’t matter who is doing it or why.
Writing for the dissenting minority, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argues that the decision criminalizes homelessness and penalizes someone for essential activity for which they have no choice, and hence the Eighth Amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment is relevant.
Per Sotomayor, “Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime. For some people, sleeping outside is their only option. ... For people with no access to shelter, that punishes them for being homeless. That is unconscionable and unconstitutional. Punishing people for
their status is ‘cruel and unusual’ under the Eighth Amendment.”
Sotomayor continues that the majority “focuses almost exclusively on the needs of local governments and leaves the most vulnerable in our society with an impossible choice: either stay awake or be arrested.”
I work in Washington, D.C. Per a recent compilation by U.S. News and World Report, Washington, D.C., is 15th among cities in the nation in incidence of homelessness.
I leave my building in the morning and return in the evening. I have to encounter the unpleasantness of homeless individuals who with some frequency attempt to engage me.
When Sotomayor says that the court “focuses almost exclusively
n See PARKER, page A7
COLTON MEYER Somerset
STEERS Cameron Park
Stossel Continued from A6
Our avocados come from Mexico. Grapes from Peru and Chile. Bananas from Guatemala and Ecuador.
Attempts to meddle in these voluntary exchanges disrupt our lives and lower our standard of living.
Biden and Trump don’t get that.
Goldman Sachs’ chief economist predicts Trump’s plan to “put a ring around the country” would raise our inflation rate another 1.1%.
Biden once pretended to understand trade.
“Trump doesn’t get the basics,” he said in 2019. “He thinks his tariffs are being paid by China. Any freshman econ student could tell you that the American people are paying his tariffs.”
Biden promised to remove Trump’s tariffs. But once in office, he caved to special interests and increased them.
The Tax Foundation says tariffs imposed by the last two presidents equal a $625 tax on every U.S. household.
Of course, the justification for tariffs is protecting American industry and American jobs.
Trump said his tariffs were a part of his “duty to protect the interests of working men and women, farmers, ranchers, businesses and our country itself.”
Biden now says his tariff proposals are “strategic and targeted actions that are going to
protect American workers.”
It’s true that trade sometimes crushes American companies and takes jobs from some Americans. But that opens up new opportunities.
When NAFTA took effect, 100,000 automotive workers in Michigan lost jobs.
But soon, total sales of cars and car parts went up. Most former auto workers applied their skills in more productive ways elsewhere ... mostly in specialties where Americans produce most efficiently: high-end machinery, energy, movies, music, medicine, internet startups. Not only do Americans make more money producing those things, but the jobs are safer and less physically demanding.
Despite “America first” fear-mongering about growing international trade, it hasn’t reduced total wages or the total number of American jobs.
Unemployment remains near an all-time low. Yes, cheap imports hurt some American companies. Politically connected industries will always try to persuade ignorant politicians to “protect” them.
But tariffs hurt many more Americans than they help.
Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom.
by Joel Fagliano
on the needs of local government,” she speaks as if local government is an entity unto itself, independent of the local citizens it represents.
Perhaps Sotomayor needs to reread our Declaration of Independence that, after noting the rights with which individuals are endowed, notes, “to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their Just powers from the Consent of the Governed.”
Local governments represent local citizenry. The public space they create and protect are for local citizens, not for government. When the city of Grants Pass, or any other city, prohibits unseemly camping on public property, they are protecting local citizens from visual, and sometimes physical violations of their life and rights.
What we do know is homelessness keeps growing. California, which has almost 30% of the nation’s homeless, has spent $20 billion on the problem over the last five years yet still saw an increase of 6% in 2023, and the incidence is 53% above where it stood in 2013.
Per HUD, homelessness nationally stood at 650,000 at year end 2023, up 12% from 2022.
Hopefully this important decision will help move homelessness away from the failed one-size-fits-all government answers and return the problem to private charities, who are equipped to deal with the complexity of this issue and the unique problems of different individuals.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now.
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE
Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-212-2465 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday, 12 noon at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762
Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.
RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575
HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at
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. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.
TRPA board approves plan to achieve environmental goals
Jeff Cowen Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
LAKE TAHOE — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board recently made a range of approvals that help address Lake Tahoe’s housing, climate, transportation and forest health challenges and reflect the board’s top priorities.
“We are committed to innovating and strengthening the
to protect the lake and our communities,” said TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan. “We are grateful to the governing board for its direction and support for regional programs, policies and projects that advance
our mission and uphold the commitment to the Bi-State Compact.”
Climate smart policies
• Solar energy system projects can apply for special land coverage allowances, and rooftop solar projects that meet scenic standards are exempt from TRPA permit processes.
• 20% of parking spaces for new or improved parking lots of 20 spaces or more must be capable of electric vehicle charging.
• Dark sky protection standards for exterior lighting require cutoff shields and limit lumens and light color temperature, among other
design and lighting use improvements.
• Large events must include transportation strategies such as bike valet, shuttle services, rideshare drop off locations and communication with attendees about alternative transportation.
Forest resilience
• Approval of a 252-acre forest fuel reduction project at Homewood Mountain Resort to continue reducing wildfire risk and protecting communities on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. The resort is the largest private parcel of land in the Tahoe Basin. West side forests in the watershed have a heavy fuel load due to
topography and microclimate and are a high priority for treatment for Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team partners.
Tahoe living and community revitalization policies
• 10% of all residential units in new condominium projects must be a mix of affordableand moderate-income housing, located on or off site of the project.
• Mixed-use (commercial/ residential/tourist accommodation) projects will follow best practices for pedestrian-oriented design and the amount and location of commercial space included
in the project.
• Technical clarifications to existing policies reserve 50 percent of TRPA affordable and workforce housing bonus units for affordable housing projects. Of the remaining half, 25% are reserved for affordable- or moderateincome housing and 25% can be applied to deed-restricted affordable-income, moderateincome or achievable housing.
Keeping Tahoe moving and sustainable recreation
• Approval of the final phase of Nevada State Parks Spooner
COMICS
n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
crews were challenged by spot fires popping up around the main blaze. No injuries were sustained by residents or firefighters as a result of the fire, though some structures were impacted. Seven hangars at the Placerville Airport and three nearby homes were damaged by the fire, though much of that damage was relatively minimal, according to Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado representative Wendy Oaks. Only one structure, a small outbuilding shed at the airport, was completely destroyed by the fire, Oaks added.
“Of course, it would be better if nothing had been destroyed, but I’m very happy to report that it really was only just the one shed and no homes or hangars,” Oaks said.
The airport runway also escaped damage from the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Agencies that worked together to protect the public and extinguish the blaze included Cal Fire – Amador El Dorado Unit, U.S. Forest Service –
cab and trailer, according to CHP Officer Hugh Council. The company was expected to be back out on the road and better equipped Thursday, when CHP will redirect traffic again while crews work to raise the vehicle.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on July 10 between Blarney Way and Goose Flat Road, half a mile west of Russell Hollow Road in the Pilot Hill area. The unidentified driver was traveling westbound on
county to pass in December 2023 an ordinance banning the operation of needle exchange services, other than the ones offered by the El Dorado County Public Health Department and Marshall. The bans echoed a similar one passed in 2023 by neighboring Placer County.
Soon after the county ban went into effect, CDPH altered SHRC’s license, limiting its operations solely to within Placerville’s city limits. Voicing frustration that the state had arbitrarily singled Placerville out, the City Council approved its own ban on needle exchanges during its Feb. 27 meeting. The city later extended the term of its ban by more than a year in April, with Councilmember Nicole Gotberg as the lone dissenting vote.
The state responded to the bans shortly afterward with CDPH filing a lawsuit against the city and county in March. The suit claimed the two government bodies had overstepped their authority. In June El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Gary Slossberg ruled the county could not enforce its ban while the litigation with CDPH was ongoing; Placerville was not included in this decision, as the city had opted to pursue a settlement agreement with the state.
“We reviewed all our options on this,” City Manager Cleve Morris
Lake Front Country Improvement
Project to add a non-motorized watercraft launch and wildlife viewing pier to the lake. Earlier phases added water quality best management practices for the entire project area, a visitor center, educational amphitheater, restrooms, pathway signage and parking improvements.
• Data and analysis report on regional transportation and sustainable communities strategies. The agency is in the process of engaging the public and
Eldorado National Forest, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, El Dorado Hills Fire Department, Rescue Fire Department, California Highway Patrol – Placerville, Georgetown Fire Department, Garden Valley Fire Protection District, Pioneer Fire Protection District, Cal Fire –Nevada, Yuba, Placer Unit, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and California State Parks.
“Crews will be transitioning to patrol status, regularly monitoring the fire area to ensure it remains fully extinguished,” notes a Cal Fire AEU social media post. “A huge thank you to all the fire personnel and cooperating agencies who worked tirelessly in the heat, day after day, to get this fire under control. Thank you also for the kind words of encouragement on social media, your friendly greetings in town and the thoughtful homemade signs.”
Rattlesnake Bar Road when a rear tire of the trailer went off road on a sharp corner, causing the entire vehicle to twist and roll down the embankment, Council said. The road is about 15-20 feet wide in that area, he added.
The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment, Council added. DUI is not suspected in this case.
recounted to the council during its Tuesday meeting. “The council has looked at this lawsuit working with our city attorney on different options and looking at what we thought we could accomplish through what absolutely would have been a very expensive lawsuit. So over the last several weeks, working with the city attorney, we went ahead and settled the lawsuit.
“The settlement agreement does allow a syringe exchange program to continue to operate in the city of Placerville,” Morris explained. “However, under what we consider some very strict conditions on where they can do that.”
Needle exchanges will be limited to two locations and can only operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the settlement agreement.
Though the recession was approved by the council, Placerville Mayor Jackie Neau voiced her disappointment at how things between the city and state had played out, with CDPH filing a lawsuit rather than starting with discussing the situation with the council or city staff.
“There was no consideration to try to save the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars first by having a conversation,” Neau said.
transportation partners to update the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.
The board also approved the agency’s overall workplan and budget for the coming year and received reports on forest health projects and priorities.
TRPA’s strategic priorities will accelerate environmental and transportation improvements to bolster the region’s climate and help create complete communities that provide housing for all, according to the agency’s workplan.
n
by Chad Carpenter
n RUBES by Leigh Rubin
n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your reputation is an asset.
You don’t think about it as being this because it was long ago established and now it only needs to be preserved. Still, anything that lifts your reputation is worth the attention, effort and money that goes into the process.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll appreciate boundaries and respect matters of intimacy. People are different in private than they are in public. The discrepancy is one to consider, ponder, respect and, in some cases, remedy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Live for yourself; otherwise you don’t have a self to give to someone else. But that is not all. You have a natural tendency to push the boundaries and rules of partnership. Call out the infractions. Don’t stop being you.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Any influence you have will come from dealing in what is. There are things we wish were true, things we are trying to make true, and there is just truth — some call it reality. The more you love what is, the more you love yourself.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your inspiration is often in small things, but today it’s big and obvious instead. You’ll be witness to a talking-to like the locker room speech before the big game or the backstage huddle before show time.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s plenty of greed in the world. You’re hoping to keep yourself out of the category.
Wanted items will be displayed with obvious price tags, some of which are above your current spending limit. Peruse. Think about it. Shopping isn’t always buying. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Accomplished people will inspire
your own accomplishment. Once you establish a bond of communication, the rest will come easily. Shared enthusiasms will include, but not be limited to, the aesthetic, epicurean or athletic.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Wind chimes tell you when the action is moving and how. They indicate a force that can’t be seen. People will be like chimes, sounding out and moving according to influences unseen to you, but you respect that those influences are real, and that makes the difference.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Warmth radiates through your friendship sector. Old friends figure into the mix. Even if you’ve known someone for years, there are still new things to
another earth sign (Taurus or Virgo).
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). “Who cares?” sounds like a dismissive question, but it can actually be an earnest way to get to the heart of what you’re doing, especially if what you’re
TUNDRA
SUDOKU
Pay Fire Continued from A1
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
A firefighter hoses down wildland burned in the Pay Fire in Placerville. Crews had to work in scorching temperatures while fighting the blaze.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is collecting backpacks and essential school supplies to help local students in need start the upcoming school year off on the right foot. The community can contribute by dropping off supply donations at locations throughout the region, coming by the Stuff the Bus event happening on July 17 in the El Dorado Hills Town Center Target parking lot, shopping the Hands4Hope Amazon wish list or contributing financially. A complete list of items needed and drop off locations can be found at hands4hopeyouth.org/ schoolsupplydrive.
Courtesy photo
In Loving Memory
Karen L. DeBerry (Cameron) 75, of Diamond Springs, passed peacefully on January 9th, 2024, surrounded by her family. Karen was born in Artesia, CA in October of 1948, and preceded in death by her parents Hugh R. and Anna L. Cameron, her brother Robert Pell. Karen was a resident of El Dorado County for over 65 years, a graduate of El Dorado High School, Class of 66. She had worked as a Beautician for many years. Later in life, she owned Diamond Springs video in Diamond Springs. Karen was a strong individual, who had dealt with several bouts of cancer throughout her years. She remained strong no matter what the circumstances. Survived by her loving husband
Karen DeBerry
Oct. 22, 1948 – Jan. 9, 2024
of 47 years, Brian, their sons Randy (Cerita) and Tim (Joel), and her loyal dog Elmo. Karen was very active and a proud member of the local Rebekah’s Lodge and served as a state officer representing Northern California. With this, she traveled throughout the state. Karen was also a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Parlor 12. She will be remembered with love, smiles, and laughter. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to UC Davis Cancer Center at give.ucdavis. edu. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 10:30am at New Hope Fellowship Church, 3838 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs.
PROSPECTING
IN THE KNOW
Now
El Dorado Musical Theatre
presets “The Addams Family” through July 14 at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.
Sutter Street Theatre presents “Rock of Ages: High School Edition” through July 14. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
Valhalla Tahoe presents its summer musical “Enter the Guardsman” through July 14. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.
Broadway At Music Circus presents “Fiddler on the Roof” at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento through July 14. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “The Newlywed Game” through July 14. For more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Now Circa Then” through July 21. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.
Olde Coloma Theatre presents “The Whirling Dervish of Coloma” or “Ladies, Gentlemen and
ART SHOWCASING 101
■ Learn to show like the pros
Sylvia Coleman Placerville Arts Association
You’ve created your art masterpiece(s). You want to share them with the world. So now what?
Get your questions answered by Lynell Phillips as she presents how to showcase your art online. The July 15 presentation hosted by the Placerville Arts Association will discuss options for both showing and selling art online by creating a personal website or by using the Fine Art America platform.
Following Phillips’ presentation, new members have been invited to introduce themselves and share one of their own artworks.
The PAA meeting will be held 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. There will be a break at about 3:30 for refreshments and a meet-and-greet time to meet and inquire further about ways to share your art passion. Phillips is an artist living in El Dorado County, currently serving as PAA president and bringing fresh ideas and energy to the group. She has been creating art for more than 20 years as a
photographer, abstract artist and AI creator. In her previous life, she spent 25-plus years in the tech world, o ering her data consulting services using computer investigations involving litigation issues. Now, settled into
her earthly realm of creativity, Phillips exhibits her work twice a year in PAA’s member shows at the El Dorado County Government Center. She has also had entries accepted in the group’s recent juried show at the Bank
of America Gallery at Harris Center in Folsom and the 2023 National Mother Lode Art Exhibition at The MACC in Rancho Cordova. Phillips showcases her art on her website, artbarn.gallery, where visitors will see more of her artwork, including photography, abstract painting and AI created with Midjourney. Her Art Barn is open by appointment only. To learn about PAA visit placervillearts.com or its Facebook page.
The following roads will be closed Saturday, July 13, 2024
“Big Buck at Sunset” by Lynell Phillips
Crocker House celebrates 25 magical, musical summers
Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Asmall local arts education program in El Dorado County hit a milestone in June as it completed its 25th annual summer camp program.
Scores of kids from kindergarten through eighth grade have gathered at the Crocker House Creative Art Center in El Dorado every summer for decades to learn multiple facets of stagecraft and performance over the course of two weeks. The camp culminates in a live musical theater performance put on by the kids; this year, the theme was around magical creatures, from pixies and elves to dragons and giants. This year, around 60 students brought their enthusiasm and creativity to the fore as they closed the curtain on another successful summer at the Crocker House.
When she first moved to El Dorado County, Crocker House founder Jolinda Waite Crocker was taking a break from the spotlight; she had just retired from a career as an opera singer and musical theater professional in Southern California. She soon took up teaching, having seen a series of statewide cuts to creative arts programs.
“I thought I was retiring when I moved up here, but a girl named Krista came up to me, asking me to teach her how to sing. She brought along another friend, Shelby, and it became a cascade of students who wanted to sing, be songwriters, write musicals and more,” Crocker recalled.
Crocker went back to school for a master’s degree after stepping away from her onstage career in order to study how the arts impact intelligence.
“The arts do impact intelligence, but the greater impact is creativity,” Crocker explained.
Crocker’s studies led her to establish the core pillars of the Crocker House ethos, which guide how students are taught and encouraged. The summer camp focuses on musical theater as it provides an avenue to teach the many sides of productions, from acting and singing to costuming and makeup. Though the curriculum is focused on the performing arts, the biggest takeaways for the kids have more to do with how they act and feel offstage.
“One of the things I hadn’t anticipated was the sense of selfesteem and community that we saw in the early days of the camp. Those weren’t our original end goals, but they were a profound result. It’s amazing how we’ve kind of boiled down my master’s work, made it approachable for high schoolers and made them hungry for more selfgrowth,” Crocker said.
Through the years, the camp has become an enduring tradition, with some students now the children of previous participants. The Crocker House is a magical getaway, nestled between retail stores and restaurants along the main strip of Pleasant Valley Road that passes through El Dorado. Passing through the front gate and across a small lawn bustling with excited performers, the program is intentionally curated as a small oasis of creativity where the staff works to cultivate creativity.
“The reason we come back every year is because we see how much the
Nevada City Film Festival
Afew notes about a wonderful local film festival I had the pleasure of attending a couple weeks back: the 24th annual Nevada City Film Festival. It’s a festival I had heard good things about but never attended or looked into much previously, which is strange considering my history in the region. Two days before opening night something in the universe told me to go up there and check it out and I am sure glad I did!
kids get out of it; after being with us just two weeks, they are standing taller and have a bigger self-esteem,” Crocker House director Caitlyn Miller said. “We’re building a sense of community. We all help each other out and work together as a group, and let the kids be creative. We’re not administrating them, we’re fostering creativity.”
The Crocker House approach has resonated with past summer camp participants, some of whom come back while they are in high school (or later) to help teach classes. The class leaders gain their own skills and education that can be hard to find anywhere else, giving them a leg up for the future.
“The staff we hire, they get so much out of this,” Miller explained. “They put in a ton of work, and it’s so rewarding to see campers get onstage and feel so proud of the work they’ve put into it.”
Crocker House alumni have found success in a wide range of pursuits, with many saying they owe some of their achievements to the skills they learned at the camp. Former counselors have gone on to become involved in acclaimed repertory theaters, nationally recognized musical theatre writers and television actors, while others have gone on to pursue Ph.D. programs in physics or to study medicine.
“It’s kind of funny how many people gain skills here, from our trainings emphasizing emotional intelligence and leadership, and apply it to everyday life,” Miller said. “So many come back and say the staff training really helped them become leaders and high achievers; they don’t teach emotional intelligence in school, and it turns out it’s a really important thing.”
The Crocker House also offers yearround classes that cover a range of creative arts, including singing and some instruments. From the earliest years of the camp, when it was still housed at elementary and high school
the charming façades of one of the most well preserved Gold Rush towns in the west, it’s a perfect venue for a festival.
The first night started off with a festival kick off and happy hour at the National Exchange Hotel Balcony and Grand Lounge. The hotel lounge is a beautiful atmosphere and the opportunity to rub elbows with filmmakers and discuss their films was a welcome one. Being spoiled with good food and drinks in such an intimate setting was a more impressive experience than some of the events I have attended at Sundance.
campuses, to the most recent batch of staff and campers, Crocker explained how happy she was to have been able to make an impact in so many lives.
“I have one grandkid, but hundreds of grand-campers,” she shared.
film programs and this is where I had some of the most fun. There’s nothing like a crowd full of cast and crew there to cheer on and support all of their accomplished hard work. Budget be damned; creativity and collaboration are the name of the game here.
A few festival team members and jurors who put together this festival help put together the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, which will be Feb. 13-23, 2025.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” HHH R, 1 hour, 58 minutes, Action, Comedy Now streaming on Netflix
“Here we are, in this little mountain community, and so many of the kids who are looking for the arts have come to us. Giving them the tools they need and watching them blossom, it’s been an amazing honor.”
still brought plenty of the funny and the sequel also made a killing at the box office.
The less said about John Landis’ lethargic and unfunny “Beverly Hills Cop III” (1994) the better.
For the last 30 years there has been talk of making a “Cop IV.” Dozens of drafts were commissioned and then tossed. There was even a pilot for a “Beverly Hills Cop” TV show shot in 2013 that was never aired on CBS. I won’t tell you where to find it but it’s out there in the back corners of internet history and it’s not very good.
This small but mighty film festival has been dubbed “The Sundance of the Sierra” (Sacramento News & Review) and voted one of the best film festivals in the United States by USA Today. After spending time up there I can see why and I can’t recommend it enough. From the charm of Nevada City itself — which I never knew had such a wonderful selection of restaurants and spirits on Broad Street and the surrounding area — to
The weekend started with a screening of the documentary “Bring Them Home” by filmmakers Daniel Glick, Ivan MacDonald and Ivy MacDonald. It was a fascinating look at the Blackfoot people and their mission to establish the first wild buffalo herd on their ancestral territory since the species’ nearextinction a century ago. After that I attended some short
You can’t be a child of the 1980s and ’90s without being able to hum the “Axel F” theme from the “Beverly Hills Cop” films. It’s ingrained in us as much as Aqua Net and having to actually memorize phone numbers.
The original film from 1984 was a monster hit that showcased Eddie Murphy’s solo box office star power. Its 1987 sequel, appropriately titled “Beverly Hills Cop II,” upped the action quota when director Tony Scott (“Top Gun”) was brought on board. It
What seemed to turn the tide of this film finally being greenlit was uberproducer Jerry Bruckheimer (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Armageddon,” “Top Gun”) coming back to the franchise after sitting out part three. Bruckheimer seems to know how to resurrect dormant characters and IPs as he worked his magic with Tom Cruise on “Top Gun: Maverick” a couple years back. Paramount and Netflix were certainly hoping for some of that movie magic pixie dust (and financial return) with Axel Foley’s return.
Opening in Detroit (as all the
Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco
Crocker House Creative Art Center founder Jolinda Crocker regales a group of summer camp students with a scary story. The two-week theater camp just completed its 25th year, with Crocker expressing her joy at being able to have had an impact on so many lived.
Camp staff member Benjamin Rorden, left, leads students through a singing class in preparation for the summer camp’s capstone performance.
A camp participant practices applying stage makeup in the mirror, preparing to look like a magical creature for the summer camp’s weekend musical performance. Though theater skills are the focus of classes, one of the bigger takeaways for campers is an improved self-esteem.
Democrat correspondent
New friendship blossoms on the Sutter Street stage
Allen Schmeltz
Sutter Street Theatre
FOLSOM — “Visiting Mr. Green” visits Sutter Street Theatre, produced in partnership with Kauffmans’ Give Us A Hand Productions.
The show opens on July 12.
Mr. Green, an elderly, retired dry cleaner wanders into New York traffic and is almost hit by a car driven by Ross Gardiner, a 21-year-old corporate executive. The young man is sentenced to community service in which he must help the recent widower once a week for six months.
What starts as a comedy about two men who do not want to be in the same room together becomes a gripping and moving drama as they get to know each other, come to care about each other and open old wounds they’ve been hiding and nursing for years. Translated into 24 languages, with more than 600 productions in large and small venues, “Visiting Mr. Green” by Jeff Baron has won numerous awards throughout the world.
This production is directed by Janelle Kauffman and rated PG-13 for adult themes and language pertaining to sexual situations.
The show runs July 12 through Aug. 4 at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom with performances scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays an a special 7:30 p.m. show Saturday, July 13.
For reservations visit SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.
Special show celebrates blues legends’ latest No. 1 recording
Award-winning, modern blues legends Rick Estrin & The Nightcats — two-time winners of the prestigious Blues Music Award for Band of the Year — will celebrate the release of their long-awaited new Alligator Records album, “The Hits Keep Coming,” with a live performance at the Powerhouse Pub in Folsom on July 14.
“The Hits Keep Coming,” the band’s first release in almost five years and sixth overall, packs a powerful punch with phenomenal musicianship and streetwise lyrics — both serious and humorous.
Vocalist, harmonica master and songwriter Estrin, along with multiinstrumentalist/musical mastermind/producer Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, keyboardist/ organ wizard/bass
player Lorenzo Farrell and endlessly creative drummer Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, have created what Estrin calls, “the best music we’ve ever made together.”
“This band is killer. I’m enjoying this all more than ever,” said the man who’s been performing and recording professionally since the early 1970s.
“It’s a blessing. There’s so much energy, so much collaboration.
The band is just so good right now. And the live show is off the charts.”
Upon its May 10 release, “The Hits Keep Coming” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
Produced by Andersen at his legendary Greaseland USA studio in San Jose, the album captures the band’s chemistry and magic in what is certainly among their strongest and most urgent releases so far.
“The Hits Keep Coming” is modern blues at its most potent, intense and fun in all the right places, as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats deliver 12 groove-heavy, hardhitting songs, including 10 written or co-written by Estrin and two surprising covers (one obscurity from Muddy Waters, one from Leonard Cohen that Estrin would have liked to have written).
From the footstomping opener “Somewhere Else” to
the harsh reality of the title track (with backing vocals by The Sons Of The Soul Revivers) to the musically infectious, lyrically harrowing song about addiction, “The Circus Is Still In Town (The Monkey Song),” “The Hits Keep Coming” is a lyrical and musical tour-de-force.
In addition to Estrin’s celebrated songwriting and peerless blues harmonica playing, he and the band are among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around. Estrin’s signature streetwise vocals and hipster-cool look, Andersen’s eyepopping, off-the-cuff guitar pyrotechnics, Farrell’s mighty organ, piano and bass work and D’Mar’s dynamic, acrobatic drumming make every one of their live performances a must-see event.
“People don’t go out to see people who look like themselves,” said Estrin. “They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that’s what you get when you come to see us perform. We know how to put on a show. I feel sorry for anyone who has to follow us.” Rick Estrin & The Nightcats take the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Powerhouse Pub. 614 Sutter St. in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 355-8586 or visit powerhousepub.com.
Photo by Allen Schmeltz
Mr. Green (Stephen Kauffman) and Ross Gardiner (Josh Davis) don’t always see eye to eye but develop a strong bond during the course of the play.
Photo by Steve Jennings
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Chris O’Leary belts out gritty blues, soulful ballads
News release
SACRAMENTO — Devastatingly soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica master and superlative songwriter Chris O’Leary will celebrate the release of his Alligator Records debut album, “The Hard Line,” with a live performance as part of the Blues & Bourbon series at Harlow’s in Sacramento on July 17.
The Marine veteran and ex-federal police officer and former lead singer of Levon Helm’s Barn Burners has walked a hard line from his upstate New York home to stages all over the world. His keenly written songs come directly from his colorful and sometimes harrowing life experiences.
No Depression magazine writes, “O’Leary’s voice contains startling emotion … reaching an intensity and emotional rawness [that’s] primal. The performances practically vibrate with an authenticity that stays with you.”
Upon release, “The Hard Line” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
The performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Harlow’s – The Starlet Room, 2708 J St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 441-4693 or visit harlows.com.
O’Leary’s original songs are sung with pure, unadulterated soul fueled by his driving harmonica playing. A disciple and friend of both The Band’s legendary drummer/vocalist/songwriter Levon Helm and iconic blues harmonica giant James Cotton, O’Leary has been playing professionally since the 1990s, with five previous solo albums to his credit. He is beyond thrilled to be with Alligator. On “The Hard Line” (the sixth album of his career) he set his sights high and created what he said is
Know Continued from B4
Native Plants, 9 a.m. to noon at the Pilot Hill Grange. Registration is requested at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=42882.
Hot Summer Wheels takes place at Burke Junction in Cameron Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. See classics, sports cars and more.
The Apple Hill Growers Job Fair takes place at Grandpa’s Cellar, 2360 Cable Road in Camino. Regional farm representatives will meet with applicants for a variety of positions, 9 a.m. to noon. No appointments necessary. For more information call (909) 917-2138.
Hidden Star Orchards in Camino presents the Summer Cider Festival, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy 24 hard ciders on tap, baked goods, live music and children’s activities. For more details visit hiddenstarorchards.com.
The Placerville Police Department hosts Pops with Cops. Enjoy a free swim and popsicles courtesy of PPD, 3:15-5:15 p.m. at the Placerville Aquatic Center, 3071 Benham St. First come, first serve. The maximum capacity is 250.
Stone Planet will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.
Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in the Pleasant Valley area, serves its acclaimed Pairings Lunches on the Vineyard Terrace on Saturday and Sunday with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery.com to make a reservation.
Join 1850 Wine Cellars and Myka Estates for the monthly concert featuring live music and a pre fixe dinner menu by Chef Lisa Scott: July 13 — shrimp boil with the band Allegedlies. For tickets and more information visit 1850winecellars.com/pages/events.
Gun Owners of California – Gold Country hosts a dinner fundraiser to support youth programs that focus on firearms education, safe gun handling and shooting sports. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit gunownersca.com/shop or call (916) 984-1400.
Gotcha Covered will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com. Take an 11 a.m. guided tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Gold River. Tours are first-come, first-served, ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information call (916) 358-2884 or email molly. shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
California Stage presents Bob Stanley’s Extra Innings Band as part of its Second Saturday Bandstand. For more details visit calstage.org.
July 14
Yoga in the Park will be held at Blackstone Park in El Dorado Hills from 9-9:30 a.m. Join this 30-minute family-friendly introduction to yoga postures and flows.
Competition K9 hosts a free kid’s camp, ages 6-17 welcome, at the indoor climate-controlled facility, 7533 Green Valley Road in Placerville. The camp is held 2-4 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 4. Registration is open at CompK9.net/Events. For more information call (530) 620-3000.
Ed Wilson will perform at BarmHaus Brewing Co. in Garden Valley, 1-4 p.m.
The Tepid Club of Cool will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.
The Crocker Art Museum hosts Classical Concert: DUO Stephanie and Saar. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.
July 15
Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Living Well with Dementia Addressing Challenging Symptoms: Personal Care Complications, 1-3 p.m. at the Gilmore Center in El Dorado Hills. .
July 16
El Dorado FamilySearch Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville, hosts Game Day, 1-2 p.m. Enjoy scavenger hunts (computer style), Guess this Relative, even Wheel of Family Fortune and more. For more information call (530) 621-1378.
Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center welcomes Kelsey James, author of the new novel “Secrets of Rose Briar Hall,” 5:30-7 p.m. For more information call (916) 941-9401.
Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. For more information call (530) 626-1091.
Guitarist Clive Carroll will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
“the best work I’ve ever done.”
“The Hard Line,” produced by O’Leary and featuring 12 striking originals, has many stories to tell, ranging from the intense slow-burners “Ain’t That A Crime” and “Lay These Burdens Down” to the rollicking “Love’s For Sale” and “Need For Speed” to the hard Chicago blues “Could’ve Been My Fault” to the pleading “Who Robs A Musician?”.
The deeply personal “I Cry At Night” is the emotional centerpiece of the album, drawn from the singer’s own personal experiences as a Marine. It’s a wrenching performance, and one that O’Leary said he hopes will resonate with both soldiers and civilians. “I write and sing what I know,” said the seven-year U.S. Marine combat veteran. “And as long as I have a platform, I’m always going to use it to shed light and raise awareness about the realities our veterans face.”
With “The Hard Line,” O’Leary is at the peak of his creative powers, delivering memorable, thoughtprovoking original songs informed by the complex road he’s traveled. “I’ve lived a life,” he said. “Going to war, playing with Levon, getting to know Cotton.” And now, at long last, O’Leary is set to take his place among the blues world’s most passionate and exciting blues and roots artists. His astonishingly honest material, fierce harmonica work and torrid vocals stun his listeners to attention and bring his live audiences to their feet, all while making a lasting, personal connection.
Photo by Paul Natkin
Former Marine Chris O’Leary has written music from the soul for his new album. He’ll perform in Sacramento on July 17.
previous films do), the first 10 minutes of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” has more style and entertainment than the entirety of the third movie. Murphy is older, more mature but certainly back in the groove as Det. Foley (something he never quite found in Part III) and seems happy to be there.
Joining Murphy again is the calm but armed-to-the-hilt Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood, who’s making his fourth appearance in as many movies, Paul Reiser as Detroit Police Department chum Jeffrey Friedman and John Ashton as Chief John Taggart. The latter
two haven’t been part of this franchise since Part II and they are both welcome additions. Bronson Pinchot returns as everyone’s favorite art and fashion expert, Serge. As much as I was happy to see several characters return for the first time in decades, with them comes my main criticism of the film; the tendency of the filmmakers to nudge us in the ribs with dozens of “See, remember this?” references. This is all over the film. What makes most of it work is that characters usually end the nostalgic scene with a fresher joke to move us along to the next sequence.
Maggie’s House Cleaning
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It’s not perfect but it’s certainly better than a lot of other sequels’ use of old, tired material. At least we didn’t get another version of the banana in the tailpipe gag (apparently Murphy wisely vetoed recycling that joke in this film).
The characters that are the freshest are the ones that aren’t hampered with previous material or performances; the new character in the franchise. This time we get the always effective Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Det. Bobby Abbott, a younger cop (at least compared to Foley) who probably has the most screen time with Murphy. They play well off of each other and the comedy and action seem to work best when they are on screen together.
Rounding out the cast is Kevin Bacon as shady Capt. Cade Grant and Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders but you could just as well call her Jane Foley. The father/ daughter dynamic takes a while to take hold but it finally lands and both
actors play the dynamic well.
One other Achilles heel of this film is that the movie feels a tad safe. It never covers any real new ground (other than Foley’s relationship with his estranged daughter) and relies a bit too much on songs and moments we already know from previous entries. Still, the energy and tone were there and it’s a massive improvement over “Beverly Hills Cop III.” It will never match the brilliance of a 22-yearold Eddie Murphy in the original film but it places just below the second movie (which I always loved) for me. Stick to those three films, forget Part III and you are in for a summer treat.
Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/producer. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@ mtdemocrat. net and implores you to search out nevadacityfilmfestival. com and wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.
Miles Davis tribute comes to The Green Room
the Bay Area and beyond. The first performance will be a celebration of the music of trumpet great Miles Davis, and the lineup will include Andre Fylling, piano; Arlyn Anderson, guitar; Thomas Molina, trumpet; Michael Curtis Jr., drums; and Jonathan Stoyanoff, upright bass.
Dinner will be available courtesy of Corazon Tacos. All ages welcome. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Photo by Jason Sinn
Jonathan Stoyanoff joins other Jazz musicians at this Sunday’s Green Room concert in Placerville.
Queens of Jazz unite for a spectacular performance
Leila Srouji
The Center for the Arts
GRASS VALLEY
— The Center for the Arts
present Queens of Jazz featuring Lorraine Gervais and Michelle Amador, who will perform in memory of Larry Dulmage, in the Marisa Funk Theater on July 14.
Gervais and Amador are teaming up for a special evening to take audience members on a journey inspired by the women pioneers of melody, lyrics and rhythm — vocal jazz at its best. Singing some their favorites from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and many more, Gervais and Amador regularly sing together as part of the vocal crew in the Lolo’s Lounge Cabaret Series at the Center for the Arts (now in its third year).
“I am absolutely thrilled to join the stage with a vocalist as extraordinarily talented as Lorraine Gervais and for us to follow in the footsteps of so many great jazz divas before us,” said Amador.
“Singing jazz duet is its own unique art form filled with fun, laughter and love. I can’t wait until we fill the room with joy.”
Both singers invite everyone to a night of unforgettable music, laughter and great jazz along with featured
players and good friends — Bob Villwock on piano, Chris Golden on bass, Matt Langley on sax, Ray Sayre on guitar and drummer Tim Bulkley.
As a lifelong singer and songwriter, Amador has received regular acclaim as “a
new breed of musician” (Mercury News) from storied musicians like jazz bassist Buster Williams to legendary electronic producers like Osunlade. Most recently recording and releasing singles created with producer Eli Crews (Kathleen
Hanna, Yoko Ono, tUnE-yArDs), Amador delivers “silkenvoiced” (SF Chronicle) original music, drawing inspiration from artists such as Solange Knowles, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Björk and many more. Amador also
contributes to the health and well-being of arts and community as director of development for the Mark Morris Dance Group, a California Arts Council established artist fellow, board member for Nevada County Arts Council and the Nevada County Community Foundation, an organizing member of the NYC Cultural Solidarity Fund, co-founder for Hatfly Productions and member of the Western States Center Musicians’ Inclusive Democracy Cohort. For more information about the artist visit michelleamadormusic. com. This show is in honor of Larry Dulmage, one of the biggest supporters of live performances here in Nevada County. He absolutely loved all music, especially jazz. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.
Epic hip hop acts lined up to perform at Miners Foundry
News release
NEVADA CITY — The Miners Foundry Cultural Center presents hip hop legends Talib Kweli with Skyzoo and Landon Wordswell on July 18.
After nearly 20 years of releasing mesmerizing music, Kweli stands out as one of the world’s most talented and most accomplished hip hop artists. Whether working with Mos Def as one-half of Black Star, partnering with producer Hi-Tek for Reflection Eternal, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, or Madlib, Kweli commands attention by delivering top-tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing the ability to rhyme over virtually any type of instrumental.
“Talib and Mos Def were really pivotal in keeping the original hip hop culture alive and well, especially at a time when it was going through a lot of changes. They were enlightening people with their songwriting and they were living life to a certain excellence,” said DJ StepDaddy, who will be spinning during the opening set, 7-8 p.m., and in between acts all night long.
Bar opens at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 18 at Miners Foundry, 325 Spring St. in Nevada City. For tickets and more information visit minersfoundry.org or stop by the Miners Foundry box o ce.
The musicians
Brooklyn-based MC Kweli earned his stripes as one of the most lyricallygifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years.
“I’m a touring artist. I’m an artist that’s internationally known. I’m not
just a local artist at this point in my career. I’m cognizant of the fact that what I do is beyond where it started,” he said. “I’m trying to reach the apex of where I am now, but without turning my back on or dismissing what I’ve done before.”
In 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, which is self-defined as “a platform for independent thinkers and doers.” Kweli has set out to make Javotti Media (which released his 2011 album, Gutter Rainbows, and is named after his paternal grandmother) into a media powerhouse that releases music, films and books.
Brooklyn-born Gregory Skyler Taylor, known professionally as Skyzoo, is an American actor and rapper. He has released a number of notable solo and collaborative albums, including “Cloud 9: The 3 Day High” with 9th Wonder in 2006, “The Salvation” in 2009, “A Dream Deferred” in 2012 and his most recent solo album, “Music For My Friends,” which peaked at No. 15 on the U.S. Top Heatseekers chart in 2015.
Throughout his career, Skyzoo has also released a plethora of free online mixtapes such as “Corner Store Classic” and “The Great Debater” and has worked with artists such as Jill Scott, Wale, Lloyd Banks, Tyrese, Dr. Dre, Raheem Devaughn, Black Thought, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Spike Lee, John Legend and others. Skyzoo has headlined or co-headlined oftenyearly tours throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa, Australia,
and Asia, and he owns and operates the independent record label, First Generation Rich.
Wordswell is a Tampa-based, St. Louis area-raised touring artist who has taken his talents just about everywhere. Wordswell has been fortunate enough to sharpen his blade among some of the best emcees alive doing shows and touring both nationally and internationally alongside greats such as Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Bun B, The Game, Raekwon (Wu Tang), Elzhi, Skyzoo, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) and more.
Wordswell’s live show e ortlessly engages the audience with his unique and natural personal touches and a heavy dose of introspective lyricism behind each precise delivery. His most personal album, “Remember To Breathe,” was released on Skyzoo’s label, First Generation Rich. DJ Stepdaddy has been entertaining folks with records and turntables since 1991 when he was a senior in high school creating mock radio shows with a cheap Radio Shack mixer for his neighborhood. That morphed into a 30 year gig playing with some of those most influential names in hip hop: Gift of Gab, Blackalicious, A-Plus of Souls of Mischief and many others.
Photo by Kim Sayre Photography
Lorraine Gervais and Michelle Amador team up for a great night of music and fun in Grass Valley.
Photo by Stephanie Aquino
