Mountain Democrat, Friday, July 14, 2023

Placerville concurs with county: No needles needed

Adding their voice to an opinion already stated by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, Placerville City Council members voted to send a letter to the California Department of Public Health urging them to not renew authorization for Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition to operate in the county.

The council voted 3-1 to send a letter concurring with one previously sent by county supervisors. Councilmember Nicole Gotberg was the sole dissenting vote and Councilmember John Clerici was absent from the June 27 meeting.

“I don’t feel I have enough information to feel that I could support them (SHRC) or be in opposition to them,” Gotberg said. “And I don’t feel like we’re providing any additional information to the state that the county has not already provided.”

Councilmember David Yarbrough agreed there was not enough information available, but ultimately voted in favor of sending a letter to the state. Yarbrough added that a representative from SHRC would be welcome to visit the council and state their case.

“I would love to see Sierra Harm Reduction come in and change our minds,” Yarbrough said.

Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition’s stated focus is on the “non-judgmental and non-coercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live to assist them in reducing attendant harm,” according to its website. SHRC provides services such as exchanging dirty/used needles for clean ones, handing out emergency overdose medication such as NARCAN, testing drugs for fentanyl and other

n See Needles page A5

reservoirs.”

Jennifer Theresa Kent

University of Nevada, Reno

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Microplastics, small fragments of fibers from clothing, packaging and other plastic residue, have entered freshwater lakes and watersheds globally. Lake Tahoe had the third-highest concentration of plastic of 38 lakes tested around the world, according to research published July 12 in the scientific journal Nature under the title “Plastic debris in lakes and

Apartments proposed next to Costco project

n See aPartmeNts page A6

Lake Tahoe microplastics were more prevalent than in the surface water at the ocean’s gyres, where the floating islands of debris emblematic of the world’s plastic pollution crisis collect.

“One of the highest priorities at Lake Tahoe is to keep the water quality clear and pristine,” said Sudeep Chandra, professor of limnology and director of the Global Water Center at the University of Nevada, Reno.

“Clarity is the signature

of Lake Tahoe and the mantra Keep Tahoe Blue is not taken lightly. With this study, we now know that plastics exist in high concentrations in Lake Tahoe and could be having an impact on the ecosystem and the animals living in the lake. This shows us that there are always emerging issues that need to be addressed so we can try to preserve the lake into the future.”

Still unknown is how the plastics are entering these freshwater

n See Plastics page A7

Democrat photo by Noel Stack

OBITUARIES

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

George Amo

April 13, 1931 – July 3, 2023

George Amo, former long-time resident of Placerville, Calif., passed away on July 3, 2023 in Sparks, Nev. where he lived the last few years of his life with his daughter and son-in-law.

George was born on April 13, 1931 in Ft. Dodge, IA to George Amo Sr and Etta Mae McBride Amo. He moved with his parents to Lodi, Calif. in 1943. He served in the Air Force for 2-1/2 years.

George was married to Eileen Sears in 1950 in Stockton, Calif. They had three daughters.

He relocated to Placerville in 1971 where he worked as a manager of the local furniture store.

George was voted by the merchants to be the President of the Downtown Merchants Association. He served on the Placerville City Planning Commission and was a member of the El Dorado High School ROP Board of Directors and later appointed to The El Dorado Commission on Aging. George was a proud member of El Dorado County Sheri STAR program for 10 years.

Remarried in 1979 to Joan Re Ashcraft and children. George and Joan bought Hangtown Florist in 1980. Opened a second flower shop, Flowers by Joan, sold the shops in 1999 and was appointed general manager by the Board of Directors for Greenstone Country CSD. For 18 years he enjoyed working with the board and Greenstone residents. He left this job to care for his ill wife.

Preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Warren, Bob, Rose and his wife Joan. Survived by his daughters Linda (Philip) Siders, Pamela Amo and Michele (Don) Barbeau and his stepchildren Kimberly (Robert), David (Diana) and Robert (Debbie) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. You will be greatly missed, We Love You.

Jimmie G. Smith

June 30, 1932 - July 5, 2023

Beloved Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather, Jimmie G. Smith, aged 91, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2023. A resident of Placerville for nearly 60 years, he retired from his CPA firm (Smith Maloney Accountancy Corporation) at the remarkable age of 83 in 2015! He clearly loved taxes and performing audits. Born June 30, 1932, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, he moved with his family to San Diego, California, in 1948. After honorably serving in the Navy during the Korean War, he married the love of his life, LaVonne LeBus and immediately began his college courses at San Diego State University in 1954. Their daughters, Donna Rae, born in 1955, Paula Jo, born in 1956, and Susan Lynn, born in 1958, quickly became his world, even while attending college and working part-time. After graduating with honors in 1958 and followed by five years working in a CPA firm in San Diego, he packed up and moved his family away from the big city in 1964. Placerville and the Sierra Mountains gave Jim the opportunity to enjoy his love of the outdoors through camping, fishing, hiking, and four-wheeling with friends and family. He and LaVonne joined and became active in the Placerville Seventh-day Adventist Church, giving their girls a strong religious foundation, as well as creating a life-long community of friendships, which they cherished. Jim loved family gettogethers, with good food, the Raiders, lots of laughter, and his girls, who blessed him with his precious grandsons, Daniel Ward (Donna and Dan Ward), Kyle Sanderson (Paula and Dave Sanderson), and Doug and Jacob Maxwell (Susan and Mark Maxwell — Susan later married Chris Harris). Sadly, LaVonne passed away far too young, at age 65, which was a devastating loss for the entire family, but especially for Jim. In 2003, Jim married Elsie Sepe, whom he met through a local Widows and Widowers Club. Together, over the years, they adopted three little dogs, which gave Jim a lot of joy. Jim is survived by Elsie, his three daughters and spouses, four grandsons and spouses/significant others, six great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. He is, and will continue to be, missed by all. No service is planned. His family held a special celebration last summer for his 90th birthday and that will su ce as his family’s send-o as he joins his beloved LaVonne and many others in heaven. We love you, Daddy!

Michael James Loken

Nov. 14, 1951 – June 21, 2023

Mike passed away the morning of June 21. His final days were spent surrounded by the family he loved so much. Mike was born on Nov 14, 1951, the first of two boys to Erling and Marina Loken in Inglewood, Calif. He went home to be with the Lord and his wife, Connie, of 48 years. He is survived by his brother, his four sons, two daughters, their spouses, nine grandchildren, his wife, Camela, one stepson, two stepdaughters, their spouses, one step grandson, and everyone who has been touched by his presence. Join us to honor Mike and how he blessed the lives of so many. A Celebration of Life service will be held soon. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to MLokenFamily@gmail. com. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory can be made to The Shepherd’s Church by checking the box “In Memory of Mike Loken” on their webpage - https://theshepherdschurch. givingfuel.com/giving

Charles “Chuck” Connitt

July 7, 1927 - June 18, 2023

Former longtime Sonora resident, Chuck Connitt passed away at his home in Modesto, CA surrounded by family. A Sonora High Class of 1945 Graduate, Chuck enlisted in the Navy attaining Seaman First Class STRIKER and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. Chuck’s career with Pacific Bell Telephone Co. spanned 42 years. While in Sonora, Hunter Safety classes allowed him to teach young people proper gun handling and safety rules. An outdoorsman himself, he enjoyed deer hunting, camping and family jeep rides. Chuck married Dolores Friary (Hall) with whom they had four children who survive him; Patty and husband Richard Williams of Fairfield, CA, Kathleen and husband Darrell of Vacaville, CA, Terry and wife Cindy of West Sacramento and Shirley and husband Gary Fox of Prescott, AZ. Chuck is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joann (Newman), her son Kenny Newman and family, all of Modesto, CA, his sister Rhoda Verkuyl of Myrtle Creek, OR, sisters-in-law Diane Stuller of Occidental, CA and Jan Colombani of Sonora, CA, many cousins, nieces and nephews, 8 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, sister Frances Vassilou and his first wife, Dolores Hall. Interment will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

William Gerard Anderson

July 4, 1955 - June 30, 2023

William “Bill” Gerard Anderson, born on July 4th, 1955 passed away on June 30, 2023 from a brief battle with cancer. He stayed positive and fought hard, despite the pain, but found comfort and was called back to heaven.

He is survived by his son, Matthew (37), and his daughter, Katie (35), and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Bill always lived his life on his terms, and has found camaraderie within the communities that he had resided in.

We hope to keep his cherished memory in our hearts at a celebration of life in the Placerville area on August 12th, 2023. There will be details to follow.

https://everloved.com/life-of/bill-anderson/ Matthew Anderson - (530) 230-7007

CRIME LOG

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

July 2

7:47 p.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a report of someone drunk in public on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

July 3

12:43 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 22-year-old man suspected of evading officers with wanton disregard for safety, obstruction, hit and run causing property damage, DUI, disorderly conduct and a felony probation violation on Highway 50 (town not specified). He was listed in custody inline of $283,000 bail.

8:36 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Courtside Drive in Diamond Springs.

9:56 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Highway 50 at Twin Bridges.

5:08 p.m. Battery was reported at a hardware store on Cameo Drive in Cameron Park.

7:38 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-year-old woman suspected of driving in a suspended license, possession of a controlled substance and bringing drugs to the county jail on Highway 50 near Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $61,500.

8:18 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a market on Crystal Road in El Dorado.

9:46 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of possession of an illegal substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

9:51 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of giving false identification to officers on Fallen Leaf Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

July 4

12:10 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 60-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Post Court in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

10:49 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

12:43 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 55-year-old woman suspected of making false statements regarding benefits, making a false insurance claim, grand theft and conspiracy to defraud on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. She was released on $35,000 bail.

10:22 p.m. Deputies booked

into jail a 31-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Green Valley Road in Shingle Springs. She was later released.

11:49 p.m. California Highway Patrol Officers booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of DUI on Marshall Way. He was later released.

11:52 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Wimbledon Drive in Diamond Springs.

July 5

2:13 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner and making criminal threats on Stope Court in Placerville. He was released on $60,000 bail.

8 a.m. Battery was reported at a school on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.

6:44 p.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Highway 49 in Pilot Hill.

6:49 p.m. Burglary was reported on Patterson Drive in Diamond Springs.

6:58 p.m. California Highway Patrol Officers booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 (town not specified). He was later released.

7:53 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.

10:37 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old woman suspected of DUI, battery on a police officer causing injury, driving without a license, shoplifting and grand theft on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was released on $297,000 bail.

July 6

7:01 a.m. Grand theft was reported at an apartment complex on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park.

10:48 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 45-year-old woman suspected of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm), making criminal threats and a felony probation violation on Shangri La Court in Pleasant Valley. She was released on $105,000 bail.

11:02 a. m. Deputies booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of indecent exposure and public nuisance on Main Street in Georgetown. He was released on $5,000 bail.

12:21 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a school on Pine Street in Pollock Pines.

Firefighters jump on two county blazes

Department, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the incident.

The largest was a

estimated

acres in

held to

area

Brandon Road and Shadow Hawk Drive in the south Shingle Springs Shadow Hawk gated community. That fire was reported shortly before 4 p.m., growing at a moderate rate of speed. Fire crews had the fire 50% contained by 7 p.m. and had stopped its forward progress, according to Cameron Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Kalan Richards. Firefighters remained at the scene into the night.

No injuries or damage to structures were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Crews from the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, Cameron Park Fire Department, El Dorado Hills Fire

FINALLY, Medicare & Most Insurance Companies Pay for Treatment

CALL

NEUROPATHY IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION!

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems.

This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.

As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.

Less than two hours earlier a vegetation fire broke out on the 3700 block of Courageous Road in Greenwood, burning about 1 acre in grass and trees. The blaze reportedly made a run uphill, threatening a structure.

Firefighters from Cal Fire AEU, U.S. Forest Service, the Georgetown and Garden Valley fire protection districts and El Dorado County Fire were dispatched to the fire around 2 p.m. The fire was put out within an hour, according to Cal Fire Public Information Officer Wendy Oaks. No injuries or damage to property was reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Nearly 7-acre wildfire doused near Somerset

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

Fire crews stopped a 6.7-acre fire that sparked Tuesday afternoon near the 5300 block of Butte Creek Road in the Somerset area.

Dubbed the Flat Fire, Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit Public Information Officer Wendy Oaks said the cause of the fire is under investigation. Oaks noted no injuries

were reported. Cal Fire responded to the call for the fire around 1:35 p.m. and was assisted by El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Pioneer Fire Protection District, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, Rescue Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service fire crews.

No structures were damaged or destroyed by the Flat Fire.

California bracing for heat wave this weekend

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

Temperatures across the state are forecast to reach potentially recordbreaking daily highs this weekend, and event organizers and California agencies are all preparing for the scorching heat.

“Heat waves like this are not unexpected and we expect to see them grow more frequent and severe,” Brian Ferguson, a representative from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said at a virtual press conference Wednesday.

High temperatures that have already seared Southwestern states for the better part of a week are spreading to the majority of the Golden State starting Friday, with the valley, foothills and mountains all anticipated to see 100-plus degrees on the thermometer. The anticipated highs have led outdoor events, including the races at Placerville Speedway set for this weekend to be canceled.

“With the weather being so hot we want to do what is best for everyone that supports us,” states promoter Scott Russell. “The safety of our fans, racers and staff is always paramount and running in this extreme weather just doesn’t make sense for us.”

Though a summertime heat wave is in itself an expected phenomenon, Courtney Carpenter, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warns the heat will be particularly dangerous as the evenings will offer little respite, expected to only cool down to the high 70s or mid-80s in some parts of the valley.

“Extreme heat is a killer more than any other disaster in the state — more than earthquakes, fires or flooding,”

Ferguson said. Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency Wade Crowfoot agreed with Ferguson’s point, emphasizing the need for the state to step up as summers are anticipated to get hotter for longer as a result of climate change.

“Climate change is supercharging heat waves across the west,” Crowfoot explained. “And extreme heat is an issue because it is literally an invisible problem,

cooling centers

Officials from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services have identified all library branches in the county as cooling centers during high-temperature events. As of press time, county officials did not indicate that the libraries would be open Sunday, which is projected to be the hottest day of the weekend.

Placerville, CA – Currently the most common method most doctor’s recommend to treat neuropathy is with the use of prescription drugs. Although these drugs may temporarily reduce your symptoms they may cause a feeling of discomfort and in some cases lead to a variety of terrible unwanted side effects. We have a different method!

The treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.

The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper. The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient

Guest Column

Confronting college racism

The left is angry because the Supreme Court ruled race-based a rmative action unconstitutional.

President Joe Biden says he “strongly disagrees.”

But Chief Justice John Roberts was right to say, “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.”

It’s a victory for Students for Fair Admissions, the group that sued, thereby forcing Harvard to admit that Asians had to score 22 points higher on the SAT than whites, 63 points higher than Blacks.

How did Harvard justify that? They said Americans of Asian descent score lower in personal attributes, like “likability.”

“Asian Americans are boring little grade grubbers,” complains the Asian American Legal Foundation’s Lee Cheng when discussing racebased admissions with me. “That’s bulls--t,” he adds.

Economist Harry Holzer, who defended Harvard, says the school did the right thing.

“Asians are not interesting?” I ask. “They don’t have interesting qualities?”

“Personal ratings reflect a wide range of characteristics,” Holzer responds. “It’s possible that some of that is anti-Asian bias, but you certainly can’t prove that. ... When you have a long history of discrimination based on race, you have to take race into account.”

“There are many, many, di erent ways to achieve diversity without discriminating against Asian Americans,” Cheng responds. “Race-focused a rmative action helps rich people; 70% of the students of every ethnic group at Harvard come from the top 20% of family income.”

But Asians already do well in America, earning more money, on average, than other ethnic groups. Blacks have faced more discrimination. “Isn’t it Harvard’s job to try to make up for some of that?” I ask Cheng.

“The right path out of the history of discrimination based on race is not more discrimination,” he replies.

Cheng is right. A rmative action is racist and therefore wrong.

I once tried to make that point by holding a racist bake sale. I called it an “a rmative action bake sale.” I sold cupcakes at a mall.

My sign read:

Asians — $1.50

Whites — $1

Blacks/Latinos — 50 cents

People stared. Some got angry. One yelled, “What is funny to you about people who are less privileged?” A Black woman called my sign “very o ensive, very demeaning!” “You got to be out of your gosh darn mind, boy!” said another. One man accused me of poisoning the cupcakes.

But after the initial anger, when people let me explain the reasoning behind my racist sign, many expressed second thoughts about

Guest Column

Letters to the Editor

Traffic hazard on Latrobe Road

EDITOR:

On the morning of June 28, around 9 a.m., I was stopped at a red light at Clubview Drive, with family members, waiting to cross Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills. The tra c light turned green and about a second later, a car ran the light from left to right, northbound on Latrobe Road. About 3-4 seconds later and well into my green light, another car sped through the red light. Had I not been paying attention and accelerated when I clearly had the right of way, we could have been involved in a major collision.

While I place blame on driver negligence, I wondered if there were other factors. After a brief assessment I concluded the following:

Factor 1: The speed limit is 55 mph. I don’t think this will change.

Factor 2: Trees near the roadway obstruct the view of the tra c light until you’ve reached about 200 feet (it’s probably more; I’m not a good judge of street distance). I think this is the most significant factor.

Factor 3: There are no warning lights that the tra c light ahead may be yellow or red. There is only a standard “tra c-light-ahead” caution sign.

I think there are two ways to fix this problem or both:

Solution 1: Have a warning light well before the tra c light.

Solution 2: Remove the trees that obstruct the view. I have constructed this video to show this tra c hazard: youtube.com/watch?v=m2xOK6CrtUc.

JEFF LENDAHL El Dorado Hills

They are your kids ... not the state’s EDITOR:

The Biden administration continues to tout that your children are “our children” while strongly advocating for gender a rming surgeries, plus puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. The same for the progressive Democrat one-party rule in California.

But Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature took it further, passing a bill to make California a sanctuary for minors to be put in gender-a rming care — doing so at the same time the FDA issued a warning that children were experiencing side e ects from puberty blockers, to include loss of vision and swelling of the brain.

And now the authoritarian elitists huddled under the state dome have taken a deep dive o the cli , by advancing Assembly Bill 957 that would let

children as young as 12 years old check into group homes, without parental consent, which critics say would enable the “state-sanctioned kidnapping” of children.

The State’s Assembly Judiciary Committee has already approved the bill, which would allow mental health professionals to commit children to residential facilities upon the child’s request, even if the child had not claimed abuse or neglect.

The bill’s authors say LGBTQ+ youth, the rejection of parents, harassment in school, and the overall LGBTQ negativity present in society can lead to depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use and other negative outcomes.

At a hearing, a clinical social worker told lawmakers the law would empower school counselors to send children straight to a group home if the children say their parents don’t approve of their transgender identities, again this without parental consent or knowledge.

Just recently, the FDA had received 10,000 adverse event reports from individuals who reported thinning and brittle bones, degenerative spinal disks, painful joints, fibromyalgia and cognitive issues. Additionally, the FDA warned in 2016 that the drug Lupron might develop new or intensified psychiatric problems. Transgender children are at least three times as the general population to have mental health issues, according to new research.

Not only have Newsom and the Biden administration ignored the FDA warnings, but also the findings of other countries. Both Finland and Sweden, , between 2020 and 2022, have curtailed or banned gender a rming care for minors due to concerns about side e ects. And just recently Britain’s National Health Service shuttered the country’s largest youth gender clinic after 35 clinicians resigned over three years, complaining they were pressured to over diagnose gay, mentally ill and autistic teens and prescribed medications making things worse.

This leftist ideology has hurt the gay and lesbian community to the extent that Gays Against Groomers continue to join Moms for Liberty at schools to stop sexualization of children and pornographic materials in their children’s classrooms. Both have also boycotted many “woke” companies.

The medical complex and big pharma are making millions o these procedures and drugs, and also lobby and support our elected o cials.

We can no longer be silent. Please contact Sen. Maria Alvarado-Gil to say no to AB 957.

TERRY GHERARDI Cameron Park

Don’t be surprised by alligators, sharks & hot weather

We recently heard the tragic news of a senior lady who was killed by an alligator in South Carolina. There have been a couple of golf courses I would have enjoyed playing in southern South Carolina, but alligator warning signs were posted everywhere.

I can’t figure out the fun of playing golf in an area where I have to worry about alligators. This goes for walking the dog or doing anything. Alligators are dangerous and will kill you. Being attacked by an alligator in areas where they live should not be surprising. If you get close to one you are risking losing a leg or your life. Be warned. Alligators are dangerous and if you are in an area where they

fill up the lakes and ponds then be very, very cautious.

Once again we are hearing that sharks live in the ocean. There has been a lot of buzz this summer about shark sightings. They’ve been seen o the New Jersey shore and a large number of sharks were recently near the pier at Pensacola Beach, Fla.

I’ve been on that beach numerous times in 3 or 4 feet of water. I know what you are thinking, “Sharks can be in shallow water too.” I understand and I don’t get in the gulf water that much. However, it only takes one bite to hurt or kill you.

We have to keep in mind that sharks live in the ocean. They are not far away from you regardless of which beach you are enjoying. Yet, we

all are alarmed by the news whenever sharks are sighted ... in the ocean.

Tragically, people have died this summer from triple-digit heat. We keep hearing news about it being hot. It’s July. July never misses a chance to be hot, really hot. We had tripledigit heat every summer when I was a kid. We really noticed it too because we didn’t have air conditioning. We still have hot weather in the Midwest but we have air conditioning. So, it’s not that big of a deal.

We are all sorry to hear about people who have lost their lives due to the heat. All we had was a fan when I was a kid. In the summer I would typically go to bed very warm and sometimes even sweating. It wasn’t much fun but we didn’t have a

choice back then. We had some shade trees and a creek that us kids would get in to play. That’s all we had. We had plenty of triple-digit days too. Please don’t leave your kids or animals in the car. Elderly people need to be out before the hottest part of the day. This means early in the morning.

High school football coaches should not be practicing in tripledigit weather. Every summer a high school kid dies practicing in this hot weather.

Alligators, sharks and hot weather should not be surprising. Being careful about each of the three would be wise for us all.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a national columnist and the author of 13 books.

We keep hearing news about it being hot. It’s July. July never misses a chance to be hot, really hot.

GLENN MOLLETTE

If activists want to help young people, they should start before college. Promote school choice.

forms of direct outreach to clientele.

Every year organizations such as SHRC have to be re-approved by the CDPH to operate in counties across the state; the county board voted June 20 to send a letter asking the department not renew approval when the time comes in September. The letter signed by Board Chair Wendy Thomas and El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf laid out a list of concerns that explained why the county desired the coalition end operations in the area.

Though statistics on HIV infection rates in the county show no significant growth, Gotberg pointed out hepatitis C infections have gone down in the years since SHRC began operating in 2019. Placerville Police Department Chief of Police Joe Wren emphasized his stance that the positive benefits SHRC may provide do not outweigh the costs.

“The problem we’re facing now is more significant than the risk of Hepatitis,” Wren said. “None of their numbers can state which cases were transmitted by syringes so we’re just taking a guess. But what I can tell you is of people dying in parking lots and parks from shooting up fentanyl. I’ve never had anybody die in a parking lot from hepatitis. So we’ve traded one problem for a more significant one.”

Despite data shared by the sheriff to the Board of Supervisors and later reviewed by the City Council, showing a gradual decrease in reported property and drug crimes over the past five years, which Leikauf attributed to EDSO enforcement, it

CROSSWORD

was still claimed SHRC’s operations enabled and perpetuated crime. Leikauf noted SHRC products were present at two overdose deaths — 1.1% of all overdoses in the county since 2019 — and that drug dealers have used SHRC-provided needles to load and sell illicit substances.

City Council members Jackie Neau and Yarbrough both shared concerns regarding an increased number of needles out on the streets and the potential harm it could cause children who may accidentally encounter them.

“I was a certified EMT for over a dozen years; a needle stick is nothing to take lightly,” Yarbrough said. “It exposes our public to dangers and the less needles on the street we’re better off. Not that Sierra Harm Reduction isn’t doing a good job and I’m sure they’re doing their best.”

Placerville Mayor Michael Saragosa shared his thoughts on the matter prior to voting, saying SHRC’s approach to outreach was less effective as a touchstone for recovery than other options.

“I feel strongly that this is not a way to get people healthier or safer,” Saragosa explained. “There are options in the county for people that really want to do that. And I think it’s a really big step for people who really want to try and get better, and if going into a county facility or to the hospital is that step, then I think thats going to be a much more meaningful way to get something done.”

Representatives from SHRC were contacted but declined to comment; the CDPH was also contacted but did not respond by press time.

1-800-972-3550

Announcements

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

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

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

**Beginner instruction available

**Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

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

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

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

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

mArsHALL HOsPitAL

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

mONDAy cLUB BriDGe seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. For more information, call (530) 622-1180.

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

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

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

Stossel Continued from A4 affirmative action. “I guess it is unfair,” said one Black student.

I modeled my bake sale on what a student group at Bucknell University did to call attention to the racism of affirmative action. Bucknell officials shut down the students’ experiment. Schools that practice affirmative action don’t like to be confronted with the reality of affirmative action. Now that affirmative action is illegal, universities will still discriminate by race. They’ll just hide it better. One tactic is to become “test-optional.” Over 1,800 schools, including Harvard, no longer require students to submit SAT scores.

Already, schools practice legacy admissions, meaning that they favor the children of alumni. That’s clearly unfair. It helps mostly rich people, who are mostly white people.

The problem with both “test-optional” schools and affirmative action is that, ultimately, it harms Black students. Those admitted with lower standards often struggle or drop out. Had they attended other schools, they might have done well.

And of course some people look at even the smartest Black students and wonder: is she really smart? Or did she just get in because of her race?

If activists want to help young people, they should start before college. Promote school choice. It allows all kids to escape bad public schools. That will help more kids than rigging college admissions.

John Stossel is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

PUZZLE BY ROBYN WEINTRAUB

Romo favored to win celebrity golf tourney

News release

Defending champion Tony Romo is once again the betting favorite to win the American Century Championship this weekend, according to Caesars Sportsbook. Steph Curry, Annika Sorenstam and John Smoltz are also among the contenders as the 34th annual celebrity golf competition returns to Lake Tahoe July 14-16.

Caesars Sportsbook has pegged reigning champ Romo, the CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, as a 5-2 favorite to win the three-day, 54-hole tournament featuring nearly 90 sports/ entertainment stars competing for $600,000 in prize money at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Zephyr Cove, Nev.

Mardy Fish, the former top-ranked American tennis player, is next at 11-4, followed by three-time champion and former MLB All-Star pitcher Mark Mulder at 5-1.

The top active pro athlete on the board is Dallas Stars’ right winger Joe Pavelski, who is listed at 8-1 alongside Hall of Fame pitcher and Fox MLB analyst Smoltz. orenstam, the most accomplished player in the history of women’s golf, is also 8-1. Curry, the Golden State Warriors superstar who has two fourth-place finishes in recent years, is the next active pro athlete on the board at 12-1.

TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley,

Apartments

arguably the most popular player in the tournament every year, is a super long shot at 7,500-1. Caesars Sportsbook has a range of annual proposition bets for the tournament, including Barkley to finish 70th or better currently at +350 (YES) or -470 (No).

Tickets are still available for celebrity golf spectators. While Saturday tickets and grounds passes are sold out, tickets were still available for all other days as of press time.

GOLF Channel airs the tournament in primetime on Friday, July 14, from 9:30-11:30 p.m. EST (tape delay). Live coverage of the second and final round airs on NBC Saturday and Sunday from 2:30-6 p.m. EST both days.

The tournament has raised more than $7 million for charity over the years.

Other prominent players and their odds include Super Bowl Champion and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (200-1), New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (451), Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (350-1), New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (500-1), Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (250-1), Super Bowl Champion and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (1000-1), Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (250-1), Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel (1,000-1) and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson (200-1).

Continued from A1

and associated amenities,” notes the application.

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl briefly mentioned the revised project at Monday evening’s El Dorado Hills Community Council meeting. He later told the Mountain Democrat he had not yet fully reviewed the most-recent application.

“I know of the general changes being made (removal of storage units and large retail center with fueling islands to multi-family apartment units and a small commercial center), but not of the details,” he wrote in an email. “I’m hesitant to comment until I can review the details.”

Fielding questions about the entire EDH 52 project Monday, Hidahl said the developer has spent the last several months working on its latest proposal and the next step, now that a revised application has been submitted, will be the issuance of a notice of preparation for the new environmental documents required.

When asked why AKT was set on the Highway 50-adjacent parcel for Costco, Hidahl pointed to the intersection’s favorable traffic flow.

“They looked at a number of locations … (representatives of) the Missouri Flat Road area tried to recruit Costco to come up. Costco looked at that intersection and the traffic circulation around there and said no thank you,” the supervisor explained.

“The reason that they like Silva Valley Parkway and that site is because it’s a level of service area A intersection. It won’t be when they’re done but right now it is,” he explained. “It’s the most free-flowing intersection of anywhere in El Dorado County.”

A resident at the meeting predicted the development would “create havoc” in the area if built. In addition

to being adjacent to the Serrano development, the north site shares a border with Oak Meadow Elementary School.

Hidahl said the public will have several opportunities to comment as EDH 52 moves forward.

The revised plan will require the north site parcel be rezoned from commercial residential-planned development to residential medium density-planned development.

The developer’s goal, as written in the application, is to “develop a high-quality planned mixeduse development on vacant and underutilized land adjacent to Highway 50 adequately served by public services and utilities that has been zoned for development by El Dorado County for more than 30 years.”

The application notes architectural and landscaping design elements will “soften the scale and mass of the buildings, create a pleasant and attractive appearance and complement the surrounding area.” Due to the topography, structures will be located 8-10 feet above Silva Valley Parkway.

Other north site project features included in the application are off-street parking for customers, employees and residents (65 stalls for the retail portion and 565 stalls for the apartment project); new traffic signals at Silva Valley Parkway and the project’s main entrance and at Silva Valley Parkway and former Clarksville Road; and a retaining wall built from rock excavated at the site during construction.

A 6.57-acre area of the north site will be set aside for the future extension of Country Club Drive, which currently ends at Bass Lake Road.

Finest

Mountain Democrat file photo by Gray Baker

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo fist bumps a fan before teeing off at a past American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe.

Heat wave Continued from A3

compared to a wildfire or a drought. Last September we had the hottest and longest heat wave in California’s history.”

As a result of the hotter days, firefighting agencies are seeing an increase in wildfires, and fire officials anticipate the heat wave will exacerbate issues as greenery continues to dry out.

In response to the continuing trend of hotter days, the state launched the 2022 California Extreme Heat Action Plan, which provides the shape and priorities for agency efforts. The action plan is built on four pillars, according to Crowfoot: building public awareness, strengthening community services and response, increasing resilience of the built environment and utilization of nature-based solutions. Described by Crowfoot as an unprecedented investment from a state

Plastics Continued from A1

ecosystems, particularly in the Tahoe Basin. Even lakes mostly undisturbed by humans saw some level of microplastics.

“The results are remarkable because they show the extent of plastic concentrations in freshwater systems even in remote and highly protected areas,” added Chandra, who is also University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, affiliated research faculty.

The global research was led by visiting postdoctoral scholar at the University of Nevada, Reno, from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy, Veronica Nava. Under the supervision of Milano-Bicocca Professor Barbara Leoni, Nava worked with researchers from around the world, including Chandra.

“The mechanism of transport of these plastics is not clear, especially when we talk about very small fragments or textile fibers,” Nava said. “We are wearing a lot of synthetic clothes, the majority of which are made of polyester, and they end up in aquatic systems. Even from far away, there can be atmospheric circulation and patterns that can carry these plastics a long way.”

Another culprit is single-use plastics. These once-used and discarded items break down and are believed to enter the watershed in a number of ways.

“It’s not that plastics are not useful,” Nava said. “There are many applications where using plastics is necessary and other materials may be much more damaging to an ecosystem. There are some types of plastics, however, especially the singleuse plastics, that can be avoided, eliminating it as a problem.”

Lake Tahoe has a record of science-driven conservation policies and programs to address human impacts. Not only has wastewater been transported out of the basin for decades, $660 million in water quality improvements have been invested through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program. The new Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan is tackling environmental issues facing the Lake Tahoe Basin, prioritizing litter enforcement and environmental sustainability and stewardship.

Julie Regan, executive director of the bi-state Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, added additional perspective about the findings.

“We’re absolutely concerned about the implications for human health as well as the lake’s vulnerabilities to microplastics. Lake Tahoe has been solving tough problems through science-driven policy for years,” Regan said. “If any area can work to understand microplastics and reduce the impacts, it’s our region. This area of research is relatively young and emerging questions are coming from each new study. Expanding our understanding of microplastics in the environment, how they travel, their sources and their impacts is a critical next step to make sure Tahoe doesn’t fall victim to a global problem.”

Global comparison

Lead researcher Nava and Chandra collected samples from 38 lakes located in 23 different countries, spread across six continents and representing a range of environmental conditions. The team compared these to similarly sampled water in the subtropical ocean gyres considered some of the greatest plastic accumulation zones in the world.

Filtering for plastic larger than 250 microns (about the width of three strands of hair), researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in all 38 lakes — plastic debris from textiles and clothing such as polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene.

Three of the lakes — Lakes Lugano and Maggiore at the Swiss-Italian border and Lake Tahoe — showed concentrations of microplastics higher than observed in the ocean gyres.

“If you consider the variables in our

into heat wave response, California is putting $404 million into preparation for and protection against heat wave events. Efforts include retrofitting buildings that do not currently have air conditioning options, painting roofs white to reflect rather than capture heat, “cool sidewalks” (similar in concept to the painted roofs), public outreach campaigns and “greening” schoolyards by trading in asphalt play areas for lawns.

The state’s newly launched public education program, Heat Ready CA, is set to provide information and outreach across demographics; with a focus on at-risk communities, the program is being rolled out in 30 languages in coordination with more than 120 community-based organizations. More information can be found at HeatReadyCA.com or in Spanish at CuidateDelCalorCA.com.

study that seemed to be connected to the presence of plastics, Lake Tahoe was different — we didn’t have any of these consistent variables,” Nava said.

Two types of lakes were shown to be particularly vulnerable — lakes in densely populated areas and large lakes with more ways for plastics to be deposited such as having a large watershed, greater water inflows, large shoreline length and greater shoreline development. Lakes Lugano and Maggiore, both densely populated and with wastewater inlets, saw the greatest concentrations of microplastics. Lake Tahoe, which had the third highest plastic levels, is an anomaly in the study. The area surrounding Lake Tahoe is not densely populated, wastewater has been exported for the past 50 years and policies are in place to limit excess runoff into the lake.

“We still believe the concentration of plastics is linked to the human presence, whether from leaving trash on the beach or other small ways where plastic can end up in the water,” Nava continued.

Large lakes like Lake Tahoe hold water for longer than smaller, shallower systems, which can impact the accumulation of plastic debris. For Lake Tahoe that timeline is 650 years. Additionally, the region sees large seasonal influxes of recreators using the lake.

“What this study underscores is that everyone has a role to play,” Regan said. “It’s our collective responsibility to take care of Lake Tahoe — to pick up our trash, leave no trace, leave only footprints on the Tahoe shoreline and to be aware that our modern-day convenient lifestyle does come at a cost.”

The city of South Lake Tahoe recently banned the use of plastic bags as well as single-use plastic water bottles, which will go into effect in 2024.

The nonprofit League to Save Lake Tahoe has piloted the use of robots programmed to clean up trash on the lake shore and coordinates community beach clean-ups. The Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan outlines additional priorities to combat plastic from entering the lake.

Understanding the impact

Chandra hopes to help Tahoe land managers address the plastic issue by establishing where the plastic is coming from and how to keep it from accumulating in the lake, but also to understand the impacts of microplastics in the lake. These include the potential transfer of plastic debris through the watershed into other systems, changes in the water’s nutrients or oxygen levels and the infiltration of drinking water.

Although not explored in the current study, Chandra plans to pursue these answers in future research.

“At the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, we are poised to address this challenge,” Chandra said. “My hope is to conduct an experiment with Dr. Nava, as well as our colleagues from the Desert Research Institute, that evaluates the impact of plastics on Lake Tahoe. We are starting to design experiments now and hope to make a comparison with other lakes and Northern California and Oregon as well as Italy.”

As research progresses, partnerships between scientists and organizations like TRPA, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Fund and other groups influential in planning and implementing conservation efforts will continue to prove essential.

“Protecting Lake Tahoe’s incredible water quality is at the center of everything we do and our conservation programs to control local pollutant sources have become a model for other areas,” Regan said. “Microplastics and other emerging issues have been on our radar for several years and we’re fortunate to have some of the world’s greatest scientists studying our lake and helping protect it.”

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Some dreams realize as if by magic, but even those come together when you’re already headed in their direction. You’ll adopt a “nowaiting” policy and start the process of moving your life toward a vision.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your mind is a timetraveling machine, though such excursions are not always in your best interest. Turn this function off for now and handle the day. If you’re stretched into the past or the future, you’ll miss the opportunity at hand.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re willing to feel uneasy and unsure. You’re willing to be awkward. You can do this because you know that the prize on the other side is a more exciting life. Discomfort is the herald of opportunity for growth and improvement.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Desire and rejection slide along the same scale. When you want something very intensely, it’s a major victory to win it, and a pain source to be denied it. You’ll gauge desire and manage risk well today.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be a spontaneous volcano of good ideas and love. Some will still jump back, surprised at first, but when they see all the good you can do, they’ll gather near.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Some meetings only accomplish half of what they set out to do and others accomplish nothing. Make a list of what you can accomplish on your own, then tackle that before you meet with others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You won’t get much recognition for your work today, a fact you’ll later be so glad about. It gives you a chance to figure things out and do things the way you like without worrying about pleasing anyone else.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Friendship is an adventure, a discovery and an art. You prepare for your interactions, both logistically and mentally, because they matter. People feel important around you because they are, in fact, important to you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Maybe you’ll take a back seat to the main action, and this will be an ideal position, especially if there are others who share it. Playing second fiddle is mighty fine, but the orchestra sounds better with third and fourth fiddles too.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Friendship and love exist in the same relationship. It’s a time for putting the friendship first, without a worry about love. Love is soft and malleable and will always find its own shape.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There are things you can do that no one around you can, and even those at a distance who are similarly abled still can’t do it like you. Therefore, the helping hand you need is at the end of your own arm.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive,” said author Sir Walter Scott. Telling the truth at a late stage might untangle things, though the best way to keep it simple is honesty from the start.

In the KNOW

July 14

Bring new school supplies to Hands4Hope’s Stuff the Bus event, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the El Dorado Hills Town Center parking lot near Target. A list of desired supplies can be found at hands4hopeyouth. org/schoolsupplydrive.

Sherwood Demonstration

Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on site to assist with any gardening questions.

Check the website before visiting at ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services

District hosts a free concert featuring Grooveline, 7 p.m. at Community Park in El Dorado Hills. For more information visit edhcsd. org.

Myka Estates and 1850 Wine Cellars present a summer concert series —

Wine • Dine • Vibe — in Apple Hill featuring great food and Brisco County. For reservations visit 1850winecellars.com/ pages/events.

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

American Mile performs at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar in Placerville, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

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

Aries Spears brings his distinctive and poignant comedy to the Punchline in Sacramento, with evening shows July 14 & 15. For tickets and more information visit tinyurl. com/AriesSacramento2023 or call (916) 925-8500.

Flatstick Pub and Tahoe Art League host the Battle of the Brushes fundraiser, 3-8 p.m. at Flatstick Pub, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 101, South Lake Tahoe. For more information visit talart.org.

A schedule of superstar headliners will perform at the Harveys Outdoor Arena during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. This week’s act is Sammy Hagar & The Circle. For tickets and more information visit visitlaketahoe.com.

July 15

Carson Road Wineries hosts its Summer BBQ

THE AI FuTurE Is N o w

n Explore the possibilities

Sylvia Coleman PAA publicity co-chair

Placerville Arts Association continues to explore new vistas in art possibilities.

In June PAA’s presenter

Nikki Thompson opened up the potential of zine (zeen) making — an art form that has been in the shadows since the 1930s but is becoming more and more popular. At the upcoming July 17 meeting, PAA will continue this art exploration looking to a relatively new/futuristic”— but now — art form arising from artificial intelligence.

Art patrons, newbie artists and experienced artists are invited to hear and participate in all PAA meetings. Join

2:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St.

This month’s presenter/artist is PAA President (and resident techie) Lynell Phillips, who creates art with AI via Midjourney and is excited to share her experience with the group. Her presentation will include a discussion of ethics, the right to use the artwork and copyright issues. She will show examples where AI has excelled as well as fiasco output and current limitations with AI. Being a “techie at heart,” Phillips said she is especially intrigued by the “possibilities” of AI art.

Phillips will also introduce an AI artwork to be used for the August Challenge.

Members are encouraged to create their own artistic version of her AI artwork.

Phillips’ art merges the “real” and “creative” worlds. For many years now she has run ESI Consulting & Expert Services business involving data collection, computer investigations and comparative analysis — real world legal issues. That “techie” part of her is a great

place to break away into the world of AI possibilities. She recently won awards at several shows, including the Fine Arts/Photography exhibits at

the 2023 El Dorado County Fair.

After the presentation, there

n See PAA page B5

Camino artist hosts show, afternoon tea

News release

British artist and Camino resident David Yapp will exhibit a selection of original oil and watercolor paintings, along with prints of his paintings, at his home in Camino.

The exhibition, which includes many views from the Sierra foothills and mountains, runs July 15-16. Alongside his paintings and prints, will be some of the fascinating stories behind the paintings. Discover local history and a few of the interesting characters Yapp has encountered on his painting excursions.

Yapp is an avid landscape painter who enjoys exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills. He has lived in California for the last 20 years, working in a range of media from watercolors, pen and ink to oils. He has exhibited in

n See YAPP page B5

“Cosmic Cat,” AI generated art by Lynell Phillips

“Cronan Ranch” by David Yapp

“Beach Ball,” AI generated art by Lynell Phillips

The Green Room welcomes wood-working artist

News release

The Green Room Social Club hosts artist Neil Fruzza. His show will exhibit through Aug. 15 with an artist’s reception scheduled 4-6 p.m. Saturday, July 15.

Born and raised in Grass Valley, Fruzza has been creating art his entire life. At the age of 33, his portfolio consists of drawing and painting, music and singing, photography, digital design, co ee and now woodworking.

He moved to Placerville with his wife in 2016 and worked at many Main Street shops as well as Totem Co ee.

“The beginning of 2020 is when everything changed. I was laid o from my o ce job and was o ered to create and produce

Neil Fruzza has created beautiful pieces out of wood that now hang at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville.

wooden boxes for a local company,” Fruzza shared. “From there my

woodworking took o . I now design anything from cutting boards to

tables and shelves … and if it can be made out of wood, I will make it.”

The Stage at Burke Junction has really gone

News release

How do you really know if your dog likes you? Do you have any idea what they think or feel about you?

Those questions and more are the subject of the world premiere of “For the Love of Dog,” a new comedy show penned by Bill Glasser opening July 15 at The Stage at Burke Junction.

This “people-powered, dog-loving story show” is inspired by a real dog (who will be present at select performances) and is directed by Elisabeth Nunziato of B Street Theatre fame.

The show will delight audiences of all ages as they accompany Bags, a 169pound therapy masti , played by the hilarious Nestor Campos, through his journey with three di erent owners in California.

The lecturer and host for the evening is Scientist Joe, who will share his groundbreaking

BUTTERED AND SALTY

‘Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning,’ part one

★★★

PG-13

2 hours, 43 minutes

Action, Adventure, Thriller

Now playing in theaters Democrat correspondent

Has there ever been an action franchise where the later entries were better than the early ones? If there is, I can’t think of one. Certainly not one with the same lead actor over the course of almost 30 years. Maybe the James Bond franchise, but even that started to wane a bit by the seventh entry (“Diamonds are Forever”) when 007 actor Sean Connery was clearly getting bored after “only” nine years.

Tom Cruise has been playing Ethan Hunt since the Clinton administration. What started as a quiet, Brian De Palma directed action thriller with one or two fun action set pieces to go with a dash of De Palma elegance has turned into a massive and exciting franchise. Fast forward to 2023 and audiences are genuinely fascinated by the work Cruise puts into stunts that would make Evel Knievel blush. Cruise’s joie de vivre, if you will, is getting the audience to genuinely wonder if he

to the dogs

research on the real thoughts and opinions dogs have shared with him.

Along the way the audience will also meet Eva, Bags’ best friend, a German shorthaired pointer, played by the incomparable Fatemeh Mehraban, who dreams of life and freedom beyond her backyard fence.

Ralphy, a pug mix, played by Braeden Harris, is Bags’ nemesis and arthritic roommate who teaches Bags how to avoid trouble by sleeping and eating. And no therapy dog could go without their own therapist, Dr. Lov, a Rottweiler mix, whose excellent counseling and prescriptions are a godsend for San Diego’s hardest working therapy dogs.

It’s dancing, music, a day at the dog park, mealtime and endless drool. “For the Love of Dog” runs July 15 through Aug. 13 at The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Suite E1, Cameron Park. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke. com or call (916) 947-1010.

is going to die on screen. The good news for all involved is that Mr. Cruise has a heck of a lot more money and safety protocols in place than Knievel could ever dream about.

If you are wondering about this seventh entry’s story, well, this time Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. That’s pretty much the plot of all of the films in this franchise, isn’t it? A fair criticism of “Mission: Impossible” movies is, while wildly entertaining, the plot for all of these flicks is usually lost in the chaos. I tend to agree with that assessment for the most part. I’ve seen the last film, 2018’s “Mission: Impossible –Fallout” a couple of times, including recently, and I don’t remember the main plot, other than I think they were stopping a nuclear weapon. I definitely remember the big helicopter chase at the climax of the film where Cruise piloted the aircraft himself.

I will wager most might remember the plot of this one, since AI is the central antagonist. Timely even if the film was shot three years ago. Somehow a nameless, faceless villain is more terrifying than the antagonists I can’t recall from previous entries.

Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, who helmed the previous three installments of the M:I franchise as well as writing last years megablockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” along with penning the insanely underrated Tom Cruise film

■ See BUTTERED, page B3

Courtesy photos

Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band blows into town

News release

SUTTER CREEK — Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band – blues with horns comes to Sutter Creek Theatre, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Most people in Northern California and beyond probably know Mick Martin as the host/producer of “The Blues Party”

Buttered Continued from B2

“Edge of Tomorrow” (2014), has settled into the role as Cruise’s “goto” guy for this franchise. They are brothers-in-arms in the death-defying, action extravaganza that has been the heartbeat of this brand for years now. What I keep thinking as I sit in packed theaters is what keeps bringing audiences back to these movies? The quality of the film in front of them and the action set-pieces are important to keeping a moviegoer entertained, but to have this much consistency you have to have two things: quality control and trust. Director McQuarrie knows how to write a fun and thrilling screenplay and then execute it, which is why Cruise keeps going back to him. Quality control: check.

The trust part is almost fully in the hands of Cruise, who if you talk to cast or crew describe him as being intimately involved in every aspect of these pictures. Whether you like the guy or not the audience trusts Cruise is really doing these insane

on Cap Radio for 32 years and as the leader of Mick Martin & the Blues Rockers for more than 40 years.

This award-winning harmonica player and singer-songwriter has assembled a group of accomplished musicians with pedigrees as impressive as his own: Danny Sandoval (saxophone), Andrew Clayton Little

stunts and putting life and limb on the line. Moviegoers know he will always deliver which is why they keep coming back. The massive success of “Top Gun: Maverick” last summer is a great example of this. While not the most original or surprising plot, “Mission: Impossible –Dead Reckoning,” part one continues to entertain and thrill. It may be a bit long in the tooth at 2 hours and 43 minutes (especially for a two-parter) but Cruise and his band of rebels and misfits continue to deliver. Just like our brain knows when something is a visual effect versus a tangible item on screen, the audience knows Cruise will thrill them with his real death-defying stunts as Ethan Hunt. AI certainly didn’t craft this mission!

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/ producer. He is currently finishing the long journey of post-production on his film “No Evidence of Man” and can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.

(guitar), Mike Caselli (organ/piano), Aj Joyce (bass), David D. Johnson (trumpet/trombone) and Jim Caselli (drums). All of these men have played and recorded with a list of worldfamous artists who can be considered the Who’s Who of the music business.

“This is my dream band; a group of gifted musicians I have long admired and never thought I would be able to assemble into a band,” Martin said.

“And, man, do we have a great time when we play.”

And so does the audience.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Open seating, beer and wine are available at the former silent film theater. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater. com.

Hey, Horse Lovers!

Call

(A149413) FLUFFY BUNNY (A153912)

tribble

all. F gray Lionhead 5mo.

This large kitty with short hair would like to join

band of merry men and women. M white & grey age 1 yr.

TINY (A153785)

Experience a rare night with singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb

News release

SACRAMENTO — Jimmy Webb, an American songwriter, composer and singer known worldwide as a master of his trade, comes to The Sofia July 16. Webb’s timeless hits continue to be performed and recorded by the industry’s biggest names, and his new compositions span the musical spectrum from classical to pop. This past year saw his “Wichita Lineman” on the set list in three major artist tours — Guns N’ Roses, Little Big Town and Toby Keith — and used prominently in an episode of the Netflix series “Ozark.”

Not many artists can say they premiered a classical nocturne and had a rap hit with Kanye West (“Do What You Gotta Do” a central hook in “Famous”) in the same year, but Webb’s career is full of surprises. Since his first platinum record, 1967’s “The Worst That Could Happen” (The Fifth Dimension), he has had numerous hits, including “Up, Up and Away,” “All I Know, ” “MacArthur Park” and “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.”

In a 2009 interview with Lisa Torem for Penny Black Music, Webb talked about the influence of Robert Heinlein and the song’s title: “Robert Heinlein, was a kind of early mentor of mine. I

started reading his books when I was 8 years old.

... I guess I was really getting more of my education out of science-fiction than out of public school,” he recalled. “I was reading Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov and learning a great deal about the patois of

the language itself and how these words were being used to create emotions. I was learning this from writers without even knowing it.

“‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress’ was one of the best titles I’ve ever heard in my life,” Webb continued. “I really am guilty of appropriating something from another writer. In this case I had contact with Robert A. Heinlein’s attorneys. I said, ‘I want to write a song with the title ‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.’ Can you ask Mr. Heinlein if it’s OK with him?’ They called me back and he said he had no objection to it.”

Webb is the only artist ever to have received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. His numerous accolades include the prestigious Ivor Novella International Award (2012) and the Academy of Country Music’s Poet Award (2016). In 2016 Rolling Stone magazine listed Webb as one of the top 50 songwriters of all time. Webb was the youngest member ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and served as its chairman.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org/music/jimmy-webb.

Courtesy photo

Jimmy Webb’s timeless hits are performed and recorded by the industry’s biggest names. See the singer-songwriter live in Sacramento.

Mumbo Gumbo brings spunky energy to Fairytale Town

News release

SACRAMENTO — Fairytale Town hosts a Mumbo Gumbo concert, 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15.

Mumbo Gumbo has been delighting audiences for more than three decades with its unique fusion of rock, soul, funk and Afro-Caribbean beats. The group’s original music and dynamic

Series with grilled bites and great wines at Crystal Basin Cellars, Nello Olivo Winery, Findleton Estate and Myka Cellars.

Local author Sandra K. Sullivan promotes her upcoming book, “Tales From The Golden State of Mind,” noon to 4 p.m. at Placerville Newsstand on Main Street in downtown Placerville.

Gwinllan Estate in Fair Play hosts a South American Barbecue inspired by trips to Argentina, 3-5 p.m. RSVP by Friday, July 14. Call (530) 723-2879 or email info@ gwinllanestate.com.

Holly’s Hill Vineyards hosts a Summer Barbecue. Josh will be cooking smoked brisket sandwiches with house-made macaroni salad. For tickets and more information call (530) 344-0227 or email winery@ hollyshill.com.

Come to historical downtown

Placerville for Third Saturday

Art Walk’s Dog Days of Summer event, 4-8 p.m. The free raffle prize this month is a dog print by artist Steve Ellenburg. All kinds of dog items are on sale at many of the retailers staying open late. Seven galleries are having special events/discounts. Live music will be playing at The Wine Smith. Face painting will be in front of Placerville Art Gallery. See more details at the Third Saturday Art Walk Facebook page.

The Cameron Park Community Center presents a Dive-In

performances have captivated fans of all ages. With spunky energy and remarkable musicianship, this live concert is set to be a highlight of the summer.

In addition to the live music, attendees can grab food from the Dish & Spoon Cafe and PFD Prime food truck on site. Get ready to have a picnic on the Mother Goose lawn and

Movie. Bring your floaties to the CPCSD pool and watch “Grown Ups” at 8:45 p.m. Entry fee is $6 and free to annual pass holders.

Loving’s Dead will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 9 p.m. to midnight. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Kirk Matthews Band performs at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar in Placerville, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Vino Noceto in Plymouth hosts Summer of Sangiovese with a Sip, Shop, Slush event. For more information visit noceto.com.

July 16 El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St. Due to the expected heat, trains will run only at 10 and 11 a.m. Call ahead to ensure the schedule has not changed at (530) 663-3581.

Jazz Gitan will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 4-7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Shingle Springs Community Center hosts Ranch Days, 4-8 p.m., featuring a T-bone steak dinner, live country music by Colton Mountain, a raffle and more. For tickets and more information

Yapp Continued from B1

both Europe and the U.S. Drop by and meet the artist at his artist’s reception, which will be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 3948 Valley Vista Drive in Camino. While viewing his paintings, enjoy English afternoon tea and music on the Celtic harp performed by Kaitlin Lubetkin.

For more information visit davidyapp.com/show.

visit shinglespringscommunitycenter.org.

July 18

The Roots and Gold Dust Genealogical Society hosts Pamela Dallas, presenting Siblings, Friends & Enemies: Collateral Research, 1-3 p.m. in the primary room of the LDS Church, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville. Guests are always welcome.

bask in the warm summer night with the whole family. Advance tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Advance tickets prices end at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 14. Day-of tickets for members and non-members are $30. Children 12 and younger can attend for free. For further information about the Mumbo Gumbo concert, including

is a refreshment break that will give attendees an opportunity to meet the presenter and others at the meeting —a casual meet ‘n’ greet. This promises to be a very art-provoking meeting.

Placerville Arts Association welcomes new members all year long. Members participate with other members at two yearly member shows at the El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville,

event updates, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento, has delighted millions of guests, inspiring imagination, creativity, and literacy since it opened in 1959. It remains one of the only literacy-based parks that continues to serve children in the Sacramento region.

take part in the Studio Art Tour and enter the September Mother Lode Art Exhibition.

Visit PAA’s website for more information about events and opportunities at placervillearts. com. The nonprofit is also on Facebook at facebook.com/ PlacervilleArtsAssociation and YouTube youtube.com/@ placervilleartsassociation5334/ videos.

6:00 am to 3:30 pm. Pay $30.00 to start. Bene ts included.

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District invites applications for the position of: FULL-TIME MAINTENANCE WORKER I SALARY RANGE: $21.80 to $26.49 per hour plus bene ts, depending on quali cations. OPENING DATE: July 3, 2023

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications will be accepted until the position is lled. First review date for applications will be held on' July 24, 2023. An application can be printed from the District website at www.gd-pud.org or request an application by emailing Stephanie Beck at slbeck@gd-pud.org. Return a completed application to the District of ce by mail, or email to: slbeck@gd-pud.org. Georgetown Divide Public Utility District P.O. Box 4240 Georgetown, CA. 95634 For further information call (530) 333-4356 or visit our website at www.gd-pud.org

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:

CITY’S RECREATION & PARKS

COMMISSION SEEKS MEMBERS

The Placerville City Council invites all persons interested in sharing their positive energy and creative talents to apply for appointment to the Recreation & Parks Commission to fill two seats with unexpired terms of office ending March 1, 2025. An interview process with all candidates and the City Council is tentatively scheduled for early to mid-August.

The Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the Director of Community Services in all matters pertaining to parks and public recreation and cooperates with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of sound park and recreation planning and programming.

Interested applicants must be residents of the City of Placerville or residents of El Dorado County, and either own real property in the City or manage/operate a business in the City paying a business license tax to the City.

(Ordinance No. 1605, 10-11-05)

The Recreation and Parks Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Recreation and Parks Commissioners do not receive compensation or benefits.

A Commission application is available at City Hall or on the City’s website at www.cityofplacerville.org and must be returned to the City Clerk at City Hall, 3101 Center Street, by the deadline of August 1, 2023. For further information, please contact the City Clerk at 530-642-5531.

SOLUTIONS

Solution to Puzzle 1 Solution to Puzzle 2

Know Continued from B1

PAA Continued from B1

Photo by David Grenier