Mountain Democrat, Friday, July 19, 2024

Creativity blossoms in a FAIRY GARDEN

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

Imagination is the only limitation for the residents and sta of Western Slope Health Center, who have taken it upon themselves to create a fantasy garden to spark and expand on their creative storytelling minds.

The Placerville nursing facility isn’t just a place for wellness, healing and safety. It is also home of a small developed “fairy garden,” a small multiplant garden which serves as a fictional land where mystical creatures including fairies, gnomes, a dinosaur and other creatures “exist” for Western

Slope’s occupants to create their own stories.

In other words, the garden creates the setting, the residents create the stories around it.

The garden is the brainchild of employee Coleen Davidson, whose imagination runs far and wild, having written down dozens of pages of notes on the story of the fairy garden. The garden has been years in the making and has grown since then, all for the nursing facilities residents, according to Davidson.

“The reason I got it going was because I saw that their imaginations were so incredible and

Despite the large mound of dirt in front of the administrative office, parents taking

their kids to Oak Ridge High School when the first bell rings Aug. 8 likely won’t need a car wash after drop off.

“We’re not expecting to be completely done by the first day of school … (but) we will get to a point where we can get kids in and out of school,” assured Daniel Augino, El Dorado Union High School District director of Maintenance and Operations/Facilities.

The parking lot redesign on the El Dorado Hills campus will help move people and vehicles through faster and safer. Project components include an improved traffic flow pattern from Harvard Way into

the campus and a new exit from the campus onto Silva Valley Parkway. Additionally, a four-way traffic light will be installed at Harvard Way and Claremont Road. The buses will now drop off and pick up students in the lower lot on Harvard Way.

“This is going to be great for the students and the staff,” said ORHS Vice Principal Rob Slinger, who added for the first week of school staff would be in the lot guiding people in the right directions so they get used to the new traffic flow.

One of the biggest

Dorado Hills Community Council. With the new fiscal year beginning July 1, local governments, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders across California and the nation gained access to the first wave of payments arranged to be paid by “entities responsible for aiding the opioid epidemic,” according to the California Department of Health Care Services. The total settlements at this time add up to more than $26 billion to be paid through 2038, with California set to see around $2.05 billion, according to EDC Probation Chief Fiscal O cer Nikki Moeszinger.

Probation is set to receive $192,811 from the first round of settlement payments, and leadership has opted to pursue an ambitious strategy which will bring department employees out of the o ce and directly to individuals who may need its services.

“We want to truly meet people where they’re at,” Moeszinger explained to the council. “This di ers

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Coleen Davidson, Danny Gray, Najib Sayami, Brooke Schaible and Wanda Ingram add details to the story of the fairy garden at Western Slope Health Center.

ESSENTIALS

Patsy JoAnne Elledge (Ferguson)

May 29, 1937 – July 8, 2024

Patsy JoAnne Elledge (Ferguson) Melbourne, Florida (formerly of Pollock Pines, Ca.)

Patsy was born in Ventura, California to Stona “Stoney” W. Gipson and Elisabeth “Bessie” Jones Gipson. She had 1 brother and 4 sisters who proceeded her in death along with her parents. Her younger Sister Donna Hart lives in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Patsy owned and ran PJ Trucking with her late Husband Gerald R. Elledge until his passing January 02, 1989 in Pollock Pines. She also worked for a few local Resturants and Bars over the years from Server to Bartender. She was involved with local Organizations as a volunteer for many years. Patsy found joy as an In Home Care Provider in later years.

Patsy leaves behind 2 daughters Joan Mc Daniel, Kellie Elledge-Bott, Son-in-Law Joshua Bott, Grandchildren A.J. and Lacie Alderman, Great Grandchildren Hadley, Franky, Paxton, Addison, Nash, Cole, Loretta, Zachary and Kevyan. She was also the proud Grandma to Stacy Elledge-Greene, Steven Elledge, Angela Perron, Kate Mc Queen, Paula Jordan-Lawson, David and Dale Van Bebber and numerous Neices & Nephews. Even though she battled Tongue Cancer in 2016, she never lost her spark for life. Patsy was a strong woman that loved with all her being. Patsy lived in Pollock Pines for almost 50 years. Due to health reasons she had to leave her beloved “Cabin in the Woods” in 2016 and move to Galt, Ca. with her daughter Kellie and Son-inLaw Joshua. In 2021 She, Kellie & Joshua moved all the way to Melbourne, Florida for Joshua’s job at the Brevard Zoo. She wasn’t too keen on the move, but came to enjoy the closeness of the beach and watching the rocket launches from their front yard (especially the night launches). She also made some good friends there. Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 27th at 10:30 a.m. at the Brevard Worship Center in Palm Bay, Florida.

Rita Bessie Sutherland (Baker)

Nov. 15, 1932 – June 25, 2024

Rita Bessie Sutherland (Baker), aged 91, passed away on June 25, 2024, in El Dorado Hills, California. Born on November 15, 1932, in Hilo, Hawaii. Rita was a cherished member of the community and a beacon of kindness and resilience.

Rita graduated from Hilo High School before furthering her education at Sacramento State University. She dedicated 25 years of her life as a public servant with the State of California Department of Health Services, where she retired, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment. Beyond her professional life, Rita was passionate about sewing and gardening, hobbies that reflected her creativity and love for nature. These activities brought her immense joy and allowed her to connect with friends and family in meaningful ways. Rita is survived by her one daughter, Donna Sutherland; four sons, James (Cheryl), Michael (Kelli), Gary (Tracy), and David (Karen) Sutherland; six grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Her beloved aunt ?Snookie? Nina Adams, her brother Donald Sutherland, and Sister Marilyn Lafavor. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Baker Sr. and Rita M. Baker, and her brother, Clarence Baker Jr. Burial arrangements are being handled by Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, CA. Rita’s life will be celebrated and remembered for the warmth and love she shared with everyone she knew. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her family and the many lives she touched.

Frances Cowles

Dec 10, 1950 – June 27, 2024

Mrs. Frances Cowles entered peacefully into the presence of her Savior in heaven while in the arms of her husband of 53 years. She was the loving wife of Pastor Mark Cowles and mother of Timothy Cowles, Benjamin Cowles and Melissa (Cowles) Rubio. Frances also dearly loved each of her 13 grandchildren. Mark and Frances met while in Bible College in Salem, OR, were married the day after graduation and relocated to Grand Rapids, MI where Mark attended and graduated from Seminary. Frances served as a pastor’s wife for 50 years. She excelled in hospitality, filling the home with family, friends and some who simply needed a friend. Frances was also very gifted at the piano and had a beautiful voice which blessed many. Being a pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother required a great amount of labor, patience and love. Frances has left a testimony of serving well. The Bible describes the faithful wife and mother with the words, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (Proverbs 31:28) Frances Cowles was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and much, much more. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Highway Bible Church Saturday, July 20 at 11am

Sally Lawson

Dec. 24, 1931 – June 20, 2024

Sally Lawson, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother passed away peacefully in her home at Eskaton Roseville with her daughter by her side.

Sally was born on the family farm in Edmond County , South Dakota to George and Lena Weishaar. She loved growing up on the farm with her sister Maxine. She especially enjoyed helping and dad and playing with the animals. In 1944 she moved to California with her family and granduated from Lodi High School.

In 1969 Sally married her loving husband Bob Lawson in Napa. They retired and moved to Pollock Pines to build their dream home in 1984. They lived there until 2011. Sally was a member of The Placerville Emblem, The Shakespeare Club, Pollock Pines Community Church, and later Pleasant Oak Baptist Church. Sally loved people and helping out whenever needed. She loved doing ceramics and was a talented cook.

Sally is survived by her 2 daughters Linda Laporte, and Constance Lyons, stepson William Lawson, 4 granddaughters, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caring staff of Sutter Hospice and Eskaton Roseville. They would also like to say Thank-you to her wonderful friends at Pleasant Oak Baptist Church. A Memorial will be held at the Church July 20th at 11am.

Norman Gayle Schuster

June 27, 1935 – July 12, 2024

Norman Gayle Schuster, Marin County Deputy Sheriff, dies at 89. On July 12, 2024, Norman Schuster watched his last Gunsmoke western and no doubt sang his way up to the pearly gates where he was called home. “Norm” born on June 27, 1935 in Dodge City, KS, lived most of his life in California where he served and protected his community in law Enforcement as a Marin County Deputy Sheriff for 36 years. He still called Helga, his beloved wife of 42 years, his bride. She has been his greatest supporter. Helga and Norm retired in Placerville to be closer to the beautiful California mountains and lakes they adored, always enjoying knowing that a Kaiser hospital was just a stone’s throw away. In 2021 they relocated to Indiana, so the pair could be closer to family. Norm’s biggest joys were singing in his church choir, his dogs, feeding wild birds, watching vintage westerns and spending time with family. Norm is survived by his wife Helga, Daughters Marcia and Sonja, grandchildren,Jack, Paige, Gavin, Ryan, Caitlin, Joann and Steven, Son in Laws Andrew and Carl, and great grandchildren, Hope and Jack. Norm will be reuniting with his son, Steven, who passed away in 2010. The family will be following Norm’s wishes with a private family memorial. Please consider a donation in Norm’s name to our local animal rescue, Oinking Acres Farm Rescue and Sanctuary at Oinkingacres.org.

Donna Lea Schwartz

O’Halloran

Nov. 16, 1928 – June 27, 2024

Donna Lea Schwartz O’Halloran passed away June 27, 2024, at the age of 95 years.

She was born Nov. 16, 1928, to Eugene Peter Schwartz and Grace Viola Calvin Schwartz. She grew up on an apple farm in the Yakima Valley of WA with her siblings Eula Mae, Phillip Peter, and Jean Marie. She walked to the Orchardvale Country School 1 ½ miles and later drove her red Willy’s Jeep to Zillah High school, graduating in 1946. Donna graduated from Washington State University in 1950 where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and received her teaching credential. She married Patrick Gerald O’Halloran on December 26, 1954. Donna and Pat moved to California in 1956 and started a family. In 1968, Pat and Donna moved their family of five children to Camino, California, where they established O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch. Throughout her life, Donna served the El Dorado County community in many ways. She was a member of St. Patrick Church, where she taught faith formation, a leader in the Camino Go-Getters 4-H Club, a substitute teacher and a devoted parent volunteer at all school functions. For over 50 years, she was an active member of the Apple Hill Growers Association. She enjoyed participating in the activities of the Placerville Shakespeare’s Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. While busy with community activities and caring for her family, she oversaw the running of O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch. Donna made life-long friends here and was loved for her contributions, kind heart, and friendly smile. Donna will be missed greatly by her daughter, Kelly, and her four sons and daughter-in-laws: Mike (Kunthea), Dave (Wendy), Dan (Stacie), and Tim (Laurel). In addition, she is survived by her twelve grandchildren: Timmy, Corey, Zach, Jake, Lindsey, Patrick, Alyssa, Annalea, Jerry, Peter, Sophie and Rosemary O’Halloran and three greatgrandchildren: Sawyer, Hadley, and Raz O’Halloran.

Donna’s life will be celebrated at a funeral mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville on Monday, Aug 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. There will be a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend.

Kathleen Gay Scarry

July 9, 1946 - July 11, 2024

Kathleen Gay Scarry was welcomed home to Jesus, surrounded by her seven children on July 11th, 2024 in Folsom, California.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jerry Scarry, and is survived by her children, Michael, Philip, Joseph, Anne, Andrew, Jennifer and Thomas, and her 17 grandchildren. Memorial services for Kathleen will be held on Aug 1st, 2024 at St. Stephen the First Martyr Catholic Church, 5461 44th St., Sacramento. A viewing will begin at 9am, with a recitation of the Rosary at 9:30am, followed by a funeral mass at 10am. The burial will be held that afternoon at 1:15pm at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon. A reception will follow immediately back at St. Stephen’s Church.

Flowers may be sent to East Lawn Memorial Park, 4300 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819 NLT 5pm on July 31st to be displayed during Kathleen’s memorial services the next day.

Dolores B. McClintock

Dec. 3, 1929 – July 13, 2024

Dodie McClintock was born in Bismark, North Dakota. She was the only child of Berenice and Leonard “Andy” Anderson. The family moved to California in 1938 and lived in Oakland and Sacramento before settling in San Francisco. Dodie’s fondest memories were riding the cable car to Market Street, where she worked at the Emporium selling men’s ties. She was a graduate of Lincoln Highschool and earned her B.A. at San Jose State in Home Economics. Her college roommate introduced her to Harold McClintock Jr. a former Marine who was kind hearted and lived life to the fullest. The two spent many dates on the Peninsula at Clarke’s Charcoal Broiler and cruising El Camino Real. They married in 1952 at St. Aloysius Church and lived in Palo Alto. They were a hard working couple; Harold at the phone company and Dodie was employed at Hewlett Packard, but they had a dream of opening their own company. By 1961, with two young children in tow, they moved to Placerville and opened Placer Finance Company on 76 Main Street. They were 30 years old. Old Hangtown in the 1960s was very eye opening to the “city” folk. When Dodie shopped the local butcher, her children were offered a free hot dog. The banks closed at 3pm on Fridays and closed on the weekends. The pet store down town had gold fish in a bath tub. The Cash-Mercantile informed Dodie they would never carry a canvas shoe for kids called “Keds”. Once a month, the family would enjoy a meal at Chan’s Chinese, where Dodie’s father, Andy Anderson would be meeting and singing with the Rotary Club in the backroom. They also loved the Blue Bell, where the kids could dig through the treasure chest. But the real treat was going to Sam’s Town or driving out to Coloma, to the Sierra Nevada House, where they were always greeted by two giant St. Bernard dogs asleep at the front door. As Placerville grew, their business thrived. Placer Finance was known for its friendly, honest service and for Harold’s and Dodie’s commitment to the community. They were living their dream until 1972 when tragedy shadowed the family with the unexpected death of their 19yr old son, Hal. By 1981, they had sold their beloved business due to Harold’s poor health and Dodie found herself a widow at age 50. Dodie was a strong, determined and opinionated woman. She rallied from her devastating losses with her faith and began to build a new life. In her home, she created the most amazing Christmas tree display each year, with a tree from Veerkamps lot. One of her favorite traditions was to pick her daughter up from school and go to Hangtown Pharmacy for a piece of coconut cream pie. She started traveling and enjoyed trips to China, Panama Canal and Alaska to name a few. During the summer, she absolutely loved working at Oakland Feather River family camp in Quincy, as an assistant manager. She also worked at Apple Hill for a few years at Bodane’s Orchards. In 2021, at age 91, Dodie was up for a new adventure and moved with her family to Sequim, WA, where she enjoyed playing Bingo at the Senior Center, playing the slot machines and taking the ferries to Whidbey Island and Victoria. As she began slowing down, her main passion was playing (and winning) at double solitaire, Kings in the corner, as well as rereading her beloved Nancy Drew books. She continued her fierce support of the SF Giants and 49ers, never missing a game or rooting, “Hooray!!” When she fell asleep during the late games, she would always demand to know what the final score was the next morning. The greatest legacy Dodie left behind was her ability to make friends. She continued through out her life, to meet with her high school friends, colleges friends, camp friends, Placerville friends, and Four Seasons friends. She was very dedicated to the places she lived and the friends she celebrated with. She cherished each and every one. On July 13, Dodie passed peacefully after months of struggling with heart failure. She was 94 years old. She will be returning home to the family plot in the Placerville Union Cemetery , reuniting with her husband, son and parents. Dodie leaves behind a daughter and son-in-law, Tracey and Folke Lilyquist and four grandchildren: Katie and Kylle Rose (Vacaville, CA), Henry Lilyquist (Sequim, WA), Tim and Emily Lilyquist (Port Angeles, WA) and Andy Lilyquist (Idaho Springs, CO). Our dearest “Gammie” will be eternally missed and forever remembered. You can help celebrate Dodie by having a piece of Sees Candy and living your best life ever!

Mary Maceiko

June 5, 1931 – July 9, 2024

Mary Maceiko, 93, of Shippenburg, formerly of Carlisle PA passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Celebration Villa of Shippensburg, PA. She was born on June 5, 1931, in Burbank, CA. and was the daughter of the late Ralph and Edna (Mueller) Champlain. Mary was the widow of William Maceiko who passed away on June 9, 2018. Mary graduated in 1949 from John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California. She was a devoted homemaker and loved animals. She is survived by one son Vern (wife Deborah) Maceiko of Pollock Pines, CA and one daughter Sharon (husband Bryan) McLaughlin of Shippensburg. PA.

A private burial will be in North Middleton Church of God Cemetery, Carlisle. www.Ewing Brothers.com

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.

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.

El Dorado County Taxpayers host Pacific Legal Foundation

News release

A guest speaker from the the Pacific Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm that defends Americans’ liberties when threatened by government overreach and abuse, will speak at the July 22 Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County meeting. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Placerville.

Over the last 50 years, PLF has brought 20 cases to the U.S. Supreme Court and won

18 victories, including landmark cases in property rights and administrative law. A recent victory was the Sheetz decision

against El Dorado County regarding traffic mitigation fees.

Charles Yates, an attorney in Pacific Legal Foundation, will speak on defending private property rights against government over-reach and the structural protections guaranteed by the Constitution’s separation of powers.

Yates obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of Western Australia and moved to the U.S., where he earned his

magna cum

from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

During law school he served as president of his school’s chapter of The Federalist Society and was an editor of the University of Baltimore Law Review. Yates lives in Sacramento with his wife Maxine. In his spare time he enjoys reading and playing the bass guitar. Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County meetings are held each Monday morning and are open to the public.

Grasshoppers devastate Latrobe property; problem growing in state

Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer

The problem started in early June.

A swarm of Melanoplus devastator arrived on Janet Haynes’ Settlers Trail property in Latrobe — living up to their name. The grasshoppers destroyed the garden and plants, snuck through screen doors and covered any surface that suited them.

More than a month later, the devastating insects still call Haynes’ 20-acre lot home while others have moved on to slightly greener pastures on South Shingle Road.

“They used to be on the back end of the street by my house where it ends; now they’re all the way down my street,” Haynes commented on the rate of their spread.

Haynes has lived at her Settlers Trail home for 20 years and had a thriving garden. The grasshoppers moved in and helped themselves to pomegranate, persimmon and lemon trees, rose bushes and aloe vera plants. Thousands were observed by the Mountain Democrat during a recent visit. They could be seen on the porch and inside the garage, and eating what is left of the plants. In the yard, dozens would hop away with each step taken.

“I loved my yard; it was my favorite thing about the whole house. (These grasshoppers) ruined my favorite thing about my home,” Haynes said. “I had so much fruit that I didn’t have to go grocery shopping for fruit.”

Haynes’ eradication efforts have had little effect, she said. She has filled entire trash bags with dead grasshoppers she managed to eliminate but the infestation continues to wreak its havoc. “Everytime I sweep them up in the trash bags, more just come and nothing will kill them,” Haynes lamented. “I’ve used sprays you would use to kill other bugs, diatomaceous earth, even a lean oil which is supposed to work; they don’t seem to die.”

The problem has gotten so bad the insects have gotten into her tap water, Haynes shared, explaining they somehow got into her

for well

which is sealed.

Haynes has called

had

a handful of pest control companies to exterminate the grasshopper swarm but

J.D.

laude

CHARLES YATES

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Janet Haynes and her pet walk through her property, observing the destruction caused to her garden by an invasive grasshopper species. Thousands of grasshoppers could be seen when Village Life visited Haynes’ 20-acre property.

SCCT Speedweek finishes at Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

The weeklong run to decide the SCCT Western Sprint Speedweek champion all comes down to Placerville Speedway this Saturday night July 20.

Everything kicked o at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore. this past Monday.

Tuesday then brought the Sprint Car Challenge Tour to Coos Bay Speedway, followed by the Douglas County Dirt Track in Roseburg, Ore. on Wednesday. Speedweek continued south after that, heading back into California for a night of racing at Marysville Raceway on Thursday.

A certain highlight of Speedweek takes place on Friday when SCCT invades Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the 11th annual Tyler Wolf Memorial.

SCCT Western Sprint Speedweek all comes to a climax at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds based Placerville Speedway on Saturday.

The overall SCCT Speedweek champion will take home $3,000 as part of a $6,000 total point fund. The runner up nets $2,000, while third place will claim $1,000.

With the $500 Shop Kyle Larson Bonus Award automatically added in during Speedweek, each main event will pay a minimum of $3,000-to-win. The 24-car feature also dishes out a minimum of $400-to-start every night.

Many of the top Winged 360 Sprint Car drivers in California will take on the red clay with the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour Saturday. The companion class will be the Nor Cal Dwarf Car Association.

Tickets and details

Grandstand seating is reserved this Saturday. Adult tickets cost $25, while seniors 62+, military and juniors 12-17 will be $22. Kids 6-11 cost $10 and those 5 and under are free. Online tickets can be purchased at placervillespeedway.com.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m. Happy hour is o ered when the gates

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/.

The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Take Highway 50 to Forni Road/ Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto placervillespeedway.com

The quarter-mile clay oval is operated by Russell Motorsports Incorporated, which can be reached at the track business o ce at (530) 344-7592. Contact Kami Arnold or Scott Russell directly for sponsorship opportunities at the o ce. Join over 19,000 followers of Placerville Speedway on Facebook, where you can keep abreast of updates for the 2024 season. You can also find Placerville Speedway on X/Twitter by following us twitter. com/pvillespeedway. In addition, Placerville Speedway is also on Instagram. Please follow us @ PvilleSpeedway.

Oak Ridge alum Tyler Burns reaching great heights

Sel Richard Mountain Democrat correspondent

Oak Ridge High School alum Tyler

Burns recently completed his first Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. Pole vaulting an impressive 18 feet, 4½ inches, Burns placed 15th, a decent showing for his first trial.

“I think I could’ve jumped one or two bars higher if I had had a little better day, but I can’t complain too much,” Burns shared. “I’m happy, just not satisfied.”

Having qualified for the trials earlier in the spring with an 18-foot, 6¾-inch vault, Burns was excited to finally participate in a meet that he had been striving for all year. “It was super fun,” he said, lighting up when he mentioned meeting Olympians Sam Kendricks, KC Lightfoot and Chris Nilson. “They were so welcoming and they knew who I was before I got there so that was really cool.”

Prior to the trials, Burns represented the U.S. at his first international meet in Busan, South Korea. “I was excited to get to travel to another country for the first time,” he said, admitting he was only selected due to first pick Zach McWhorter sustaining an injury. “I’m OK with being second pick to him; he’s good. He was one of the athletes who took me under his wing. He (has) jumped 19 feet, 4 inches. He’s ranked very high in the world.”

Despite battling yearly injuries, Burns has improved steadily throughout his three years of pole vaulting for University of California, Berkeley. “I like training,” he said. “But I’ve had some major strains. During the time the team spends getting stronger and faster, I’m usually watching from the sidelines doing core exercises. It’s definitely frustrating and nerve-wracking.” Burns was out for four months during his sophomore year with a strained hamstring and then this past year, a strained quad had him cooling his jets for another six weeks. As a relative rookie, Burns only began pole vaulting during his

sophomore year at Oak Ridge. “I still feel like a novice,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that my technical ability is that good. I’ve gotten better since being at Cal although there’s lots of

headway still to get through.”

Having redshirted his junior year, he plans to graduate in 2025 as a leadership and business management major, but is still eligible to compete

with Cal for two more years.

“I don’t spend too much time on campus or around the city; most of the time I’m hanging out at the track. I’ve met good friends there and the coaching sta is fantastic,” Burns said, crediting retired coach Ed Miller as well as current coach Dan Lefever with much of his progress.

“Dan has been so influential in my development. The one thing that I think is di cult to find in a coach is someone who is willing to coach an athlete that’s not necessarily conventional. I have a unique jump. People find the way I pole to be strange.” Burns went on to explain that most vaulters have a di erent foot placement and jump style.

“People have said, ‘that’s terrible; please never do that.’ But I do it and it works for me.”

However, Burns has a special competition with one particular coach, his dad Brent, the current Cal record holder for the pole vault. “I’m a few centimeters below him right now and I’m definitely gunning for that. He jumped 18 feet, 8¼ inches. I’m getting close,” Burns said with a grin.

“My dad has coached me in pretty much every sport I’ve played in my whole life. We definitely have our ti s from time to time but I wouldn’t want anyone else to have so much influence over my athlete career as him.” Since redshirting this season, Burns traveled frequently between El Dorado Hills and Berkeley training with his dad. “He helps me get into di erent meets, organizes my schedule and does a lot of the background footwork.”

With an eye toward a postcollegiate pole vaulting career possibly overseas, Burns is targeting a World Championship along with future Olympics. Having hit 18 feet just last season, Burns said he thinks he can make significant gains in the coming years. In between meets, Burns enjoys playing basketball, beach volleyball, golf, hanging out with his girlfriend and family and plans to conquer Half Dome in Yosemite later this summer.

Help the Foothill Flyers Girls Softball team take wing

Special to the Mountain Democrat

The Foothill Flyers 12U, a Foothill Girls Softball League team, qualified for the USA Softball Western Nationals in Salem, Ore. — a competition of 30 teams from Washington, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Idaho.

The players earned their spot by finishing second at the Sacramento Region Association tournament played in Lincoln, June 22 and 23.

The Flyers have played well this year, winning multiple local tournaments and finishing second or third in many others. The team is very excited to be able to represent this area in Oregon when the tournament begins July 28.

The Flyers are working hard to raise money for the trip. Anyone interested supporting the team in there fundraising effort is asked to reach out to president@fgsl.org.

Courtesy photo

ORHS alum Tyler Burns competed in his first U.S. Olympic Trials this summer. The pole vaulter won’t be in Paris this year but has no plans to give up.

The Foothill Flyers 12U will compete in the USA Softball Western Nationals July 28 through Aug. 4. Courtesy photo

Glamorous Gunslingers learn important lessons

Malachi Parker Staff writer

Jenna Lute, a firearms instructor at Hangtown Range in Placerville has formed a women’s only shooting group called the Glamorous Gunslingers to teach firearm use and safety.

“Women come in all the time with someone on their arm (usually husband or spouse),” Lute said. “I want these ladies to be able to do this for themselves to make them independent and provide themselves with protection.”

When Lute had the initial idea, she reached out to a lot of the women who were already members or regular customers, and received a lot of positive feedback. The women have also incorporated theme nights such as Guns and Gowns, where they hold their session in dresses and they practice their firing as if they were having a night out.

“I’ve done training with men,” gunslinger Corrie Bell said. “I was excited to work with a woman because

she brings a different perspective that I can relate to more.”

“I have firearms, and I wanted to be more comfortable with them,” gunslinger Rosalie Tucker said. “With a knowledgable female trainer, she makes it

fun. It’s awesome to be around women who participate and train you with no judgement.”

Samantha Sanchez, a Range Safety Officer and Lute’s daughter, is the right hand to her mom. Sanchez was around firearms and

the gun range as a kid, and spent a lot of time observing, now she is hands on with the Gunslingers.

“I was living in San Diego and I came up for a Christmas visit and we went to the range,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez then moved back home and slowly began spending more and more time around the range, and now she is behind the counter as an employee and enjoys being back in the range.

If interested in joining the Glamorous

Gunslingers, you can go to the Hangtown Range located at 1540 Broadway in Placerville or contact them. The range is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m to 6 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

Settlement reached in Lake Tahoe workforce housing litigation

Jeff Cowen Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

LAKE TAHOE — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Mountain Area Preservation reached a settlement agreement this week over a lawsuit brought by MAP against affordable housing policies approved by the TRPA Governing Board in December 2023. The litigation sought to block new land use policies in the highly protected Lake Tahoe region that combined incentives for water quality, transportation and workforce housing improvements, according to TRPA.

“We look forward to engaging Mountain Area Preservation in a more productive dialogue along with the full range of stakeholders,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “We must keep the Tahoe Basin moving forward to address an affordable housing crisis that is impacting Lake Tahoe’s environment and marginalizing members of our community who deserve to live and work here. Resort communities everywhere are facing similar challenges, but we have proven over the years that environmental protection and community revitalization can go hand-in-hand.”

“We are satisfied that the settlement supports the Governing Board’s decision and shows that TRPA’s high environmental standards can be maintained while advancing more affordable and workforce housing

from traditional probation services because we will be out there, where they are: at the court, the library ... We have grand ideas and now we have the means to do it.”

The outreach efforts will be bolstered by a state of the art trailer the department is set to receive some time in July. The large trailer will provide a mobile office with the capability to meet more at-risk individuals, including those who may no longer be welcome at their old homes after release from jail or prison, Moeszinger noted. The trailer will be equipped with a restroom and shower, with ample room for group services or on-site drug testing.

A potential location schedule for the trailer is still being developed, with an emphasis on flexibility. Probation is looking to establish a memorandum of understanding with the Placerville Library which would allow them to bring the trailer to the parking lot in order to reach clients who may be near the library or the temporary El Dorado Navigation Center location. The trailer would bounce from location to location across the county, including South Lake Tahoe, in order to reach a wider population that may otherwise have transportation issues.

“One of the biggest security issues is getting people to where they can get

projects,” said TRPA General Counsel John Marshall. “Across the nation, we are seeing important environmental laws being leveraged to block equitable housing policies. Fortunately, the MAP litigation was short-lived and the agency is able to apply its time and resources to the important work of modernizing land-use policies.”

TRPA has kicked off a new phase of housing policy work and seeks additional perspectives on the working group. According to the settlement agreement, MAP will be invited to join other organizations on the Tahoe Living Working Group that TRPA formed in 2020 to advise on housing policies.

“We are pleased to have reached a settlement that paves the way for more inclusive and equitable housing policies in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” TRPA Board Chair and Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson said. “Moving these critical policy updates forward will help us support our region’s local workforce. The agreement underscores our commitment to addressing the housing needs of our community while preserving the natural beauty and environmental integrity of Lake Tahoe.”

Under the direction of the TRPA Governing Board, in 2020 the agency set out three phases of affordable and workforce housing policy work. The first phase approved in July 2021 encouraged more accessory

dwelling units for local workers and made it easier to convert small motels to residential uses. The Phase 2 amendments approved last December made it possible for property owners building deed-restricted affordable and workforce housing to apply for building incentives that result in appropriately designed multi-family or mixed-use buildings in certain areas, as long as they improve walkability and include

water quality improvements. With the signing of the settlement agreement, those policies can move forward as originally proposed with no cloud of legal challenge, according to TRPA.

The TRPA Governing Board approved technical clarifications to the December policy updates and new policies requiring affordable housing as part of mixed-use projects at its late-June meeting.

their services,” Moeszinger said.

The trailer could also be utilized in collaboration with other agencies in the county, such as going along with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team. The probation department is also exploring partnerships with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency and local hospitals Marshall and Barton to distribute materials such as informative pamphlets.

“It takes a lot of coordination; it’s not just our probation clients that are being served,” Moeszinger said, explaining the focus on collaboration and outreach reflects Probation’s stated goal of public safety through collaborative partnerships.

The opioid settlement funds for the department will go toward costs both big and small, from hiring a health education coordinator to buying bus passes for clients. Staff will also receive opioid recovery training and a couple rugged-use tablet computers to bolster the support they can offer at the outreach trailer.

“These funds are to target and hopefully lead to a lessening impact of opioids,” Moeszinger said. “Maybe it’s not even through us, but someone can get our pamphlets and get in touch with one of our partners and get help before opioid use runs its course.”

The Glamorous Gunslingers pose in the Hangtown Range lobby. The group continues to grow and is taking new members.

Mountain Democrat photo by Malachi Parker

OPINION

A close look at Donald Trump’s promises

his week

TDonald Trump will officially become the Republican nominee.

Soon he is likely to again be president, according to the most accurate predictions, which come from people who put their money where their mouths are — people who bet. They currently give Trump a 67% chance of winning.

President Joe Biden’s chances have fallen below 20%.

This is good news to those of us who fear America is gradually being strangled by ever-increasing regulations.

Trump promises to get rid of bad rules.

“Remove the anchor dragging us down,” he said. “We’re going to cancel every needless job-killing regulation.”

Trump was a developer, so he knew about the thicket of rules that often make it nearly impossible to get things done.

But Republicans routinely talk about deregulation and then add rules. The media called George W. Bush the “anti-regulator.” But once Bush was president, he appointed thousands of new regulators.

Trump was different.

Once in office, he hired regulation skeptics. He told government agencies: Get rid of two regulations for every new one you add.

But they didn’t. Growth of regulation slowed under Trump, but it still increased.

Still, I think Trump’s anti-regulation attitude was why stock prices rose and unemployment dropped. He sent a message to businesses: Government will no longer crush you. Businesses then started hiring more people.

Of course, the media weren’t happy. Reporters love regulation. The New York Times ran the headline, “Donald Trump is Trying to Kill You.”

Regulation advocates don’t understand that regulations’ unintended side effects often outweigh the good the regulation was supposed to do.

Cars built smaller (to comply with Democrats’ rules that require increased gas mileage) kill people. That’s because smaller cars provide less protection.

“Should the government tell you what kind of car to buy?” Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform complained.

Norquist says Trump largely kept his deregulation promise, and that was great for America.

For example, Trump repealed the Obama-era plan to classify franchise businesses like McDonald’s as one single business. Why was that good?

“Trial lawyers want to be able to sue all McDonald’s, not just the local McDonald’s, if they spill coffee on themselves,” says Norquist. “Labor unions want to unionize all McDonald’s, not just one store. That would have been a disaster.”

n See STOSSEL, page A7

The Not So Weekly Daley

Who’s to blame for the wounding of the 45th president and the killing of former Fire Chief Corey Comperatore? And who’s really responsible for the shots that critically wounded two other victims at Donald Trump’s Saturday rally in western Pennsylvania?

CHRIS DALEY

We all know the reported shooter’s name, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old, now also dead.

As of Monday night, authorities seemingly knew very little else about the event or at least have not released more information to the public.

Over the last day and a half I’ve looked at numerous pages of data, statistics, color-coded graphs, descriptions of weapons, timelines, age and gender of “mass shooters” for the past few decades.

The amount of information online is fairly staggering but hopefully provides us regular folk a clearer picture and understanding of school shootings, random shootings in

Letters to the Editor

Getting MORE

EDITOR:

You always get more with MORE. Congratulations to Susie Davies, staff and most of all the wonderful clients. As a former employee and 30-year Special Olympics coach in El Dorado County, I just wanted to say, “Way to go, all of you at MORE, and way to go El Dorado County Special Olympics athletes. I am with you until I die and beyond. But wait, there’s more.

And a big shoutout to all caregivers, group homes, parents, coaches and especially Shirley Surber, area director, not to mention Coach B. I would not do this without you. And to the athletes who are no longer with us: Thank you.

RICHARD NIEMIEC (aka Coach R) Placerville

Thank you, firefighters

EDITOR:

I’d like to say thanks to Cal Fire personnel and all the other supporting agencies, including the Placerville Airport operations supervisor, for their quick and very effective response to the Pay Fire as it threatened Placerville Airport Saturday afternoon, July 6. It was also good to see the recently acquired El Dorado County sheriff’s helicopter doing its part as one of many helicopters making water drops on the fire along the southern perimeter of the airport.

An airport is a valuable asset to a community, connecting the community to the outside world by air and bringing revenue into the area. I think we came close to losing some or all of this valuable community asset Saturday, if it weren’t for the firefighters on the ground and in the air along with airport management who responded so quickly and effectively. Thank you, all.

BILL BOGGESS Placerville

DMV woes

EDITOR:

With all due respect to the good employees of the California DMV, I am compelled to bring to light the disorder and downright dictatorship of our government.

public spaces, methods, motives and timing. There’s also plenty of research into familyspecific or other personal-related cases. I left those for another time, more likely another lifetime. Males represent nearly 96% of all mass shooters with an average age of just over 33. Workplaces and schools account for slightly more than half of these tragedies. About 60% of school shooters are younger than 21 and likely have some past connection to the school.

Sandy Hook, Parkland’s High School, Uvalde and Columbine are probably the best known examples.

The 2007 Virginia Tech and the 1966 University of Texas, Austin slaughters were committed by a 23 year-old student (Virgionia) and a 25-yearold shooter (Texas). Maybe not surprisingly, Texas is home to at least half of the 10 worst mass shootings in recent memory, according to the data.

Now back to “who’s to blame.”

For the younger than 21 crowd and mid to late teens, I’d suggest

Waiting in line at the DMV has been a mainstay of the DMV experience for my entire adult life but always expected. The move by the DMV to shutter certain services that are simple to process away from the office and push people to online or kiosks located randomly around the state leaves those of us who are elderly or otherwise too poor to afford the technology that supports this move between a rock and a hard place.

The very fact that the state hired a thirdparty contractor to have access to our personal information while having staff and tech onsite at every location to do these transactions is just another fleecing of our tax dollars by special interest lobbyists. A simple change of address or a copy of my driving record was flatly refused by the DMV by a perfectly able person with a database at their fingertips and who directed me to drive 125 miles round trip to a kiosk.

In the move to make things easier the state has succeeded in making life more difficult for some of the people who just want what we ought to expect from anything we pay for. It was like walking into a butcher shop and seeing a nice prime rib roast in the display case and being told by the butcher that I had to go online to order and pay even as he stands right before me.

I realize that the younger generation has embraced this technology and uses it without thinking how much it costs them each month to maintain the devices, but to force it on those of us who see the continual data breaches, ID thefts and scammers who prey on the elderly I encourage everyone to stop and think. Is America a land where we accept dictatorships and forced compliance just to do simple transactions or are we a land of the free?

I simply do not want to be forced into a corner with no way out. This is, in my opinion, the first public step into the intended goal to force us all online, and for us who have no access to it or do not want it, there will be no choice. This is my humble observation of what I see and I hope my duly elected representative will protect my freedom to be internet free if I choose and to still be able to do commerce and public transactions.

MATHEW SNEERINGER Placerville

I don’t like and more particularly don’t respect Donald Trump, but I would never wish this tragedy on him …

the parents, official guardians or other caretaker adults. The father of Thomas Matthew Crooks reported purchasing the AR- type rifle for his son six months before his rampage. The kid reportedly paid for it.

Well there’s a red flag. Law enforcement describe him as a bit of a loner who had been continually bullied in school and mostly ate lunch alone. A couple more flags probably flew high up the flag pole as well. Not a stretch to reckon he had some psychological difficulties, although that’s not official as of Monday.

I understand and appreciate parents of sick or troubled children wanting to do everything they can to help the child, even against their better judgement. Besieged by whines, begging, cajoling, threatening to harm themselves and especially promising to “be better, do better, get a job, take their meds, get along with siblings” and just be normal becomes strongly compelling. Our family lived it for more than 30 years.

Fortunately, we were never asked

to buy or give approval for a gun (regardless of the “acceptable rationale”), and I hope we would have refused any and all similar requests.

The over-21 shooters can probably blame their parents or other enablers to some extent, inadequate mental health systems, dysfunctional gun laws, personal responsibility at some level and a host of other factors known or unknown.

America’s traditional and relatively easy access to deadly weapons is obviously part of the problem, but that’s also for another time.

For the record, I don’t like and more particularly don’t respect Donald Trump, but I would never wish this tragedy on him or his family or on our country.

David Dutch and James Copenhaver are the two men who were seriously wounded in the assault but are now reported to be in stable condition. Our best wishes to them and their families.

Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

JOHN STOSSEL

n See LETTERS, page A7

Stossel Continued from A6

Trump’s FCC repealed Obama’s “net neutrality” rules, which slowed the growth of internet options by limiting providers’ freedom to charge different prices. Democrats screamed. Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted that repeal would mean “the end of the internet as we know it.”

Instead, none of the terrible things predicted (they’ll cut you off!) happened.

Innovation continued. The internet just got better. Yet now the Biden administration wants netneutrality reinstated.

They also want to ban election betting, the useful mechanism that gives us better predictions about the future and the election odds I quote above.

Regulators give their repression nice names to make their rules sound valuable: today they propose a Data Privacy Protection Act, a Cybersecurity Resilience Act, Fair Lending For All Act, etc.

“The names for these regulations are written by regulators,” laughs Norquist. “They’re advertisements for themselves.”

He jokes that regulators should, like drug companies, list side effects of their rules: “May cause unemployment, reduce wages, raise the cost of energy ... “

Trump’s deregulation record would be better if he hadn’t added new regulations, like tariffs, at the same time.

“Trump is a protectionist in many ways,” says Norquist, sadly. “Tariffs are taxes, and regulations on the border are regulations on consumers.”

When Trump took office, he announced, “We have cut 22 regulations for every one new regulation!”

But it’s not true. America’s Deep State is hard to fight. Many of the 22 million Americans who work for government think they’re not doing their job if they don’t regulate more.

Despite Trump’s promises, he left America with more regulations than we had when he took office. I hope a future President Trump will cut his tariffs and agricultural subsidies, and kill the ExportImport Bank, drug prohibition and thousands of other rules that do more harm than good.

Every repealed regulation is a step toward freedom.

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

by Joel Fagliano No. 0614

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the 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.

now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the

COMICS

■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Construction Continued from A1

shifts will be that drivers can no longer access the stadium lot via what was previously the lot’s entrance on Harvard Way that’s closest to Silva Valley Parkway. That is now an exit only.

Oak Ridge is expecting around 2,300 students this coming school year and, Slinger noted, the drop off area and parking lot simply wasn’t designed to handle that volume of traffic. On busy days, he shared, it would take up to 25 minutes just to get from the staff parking area on campus to the street. A roundabout connecting the small front lot to the stadium lot and the new Silva Valley Parkway exit should significantly trim wait time, Slinger said.

The earth-moving project began after the last bell rang on the 202324 school year, Augino said, but construction crews hit snags with the utilities. There have been a lot of utilities moved, which required PG&E staff to be on site, he

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Fully aware that the people around you will rub o on you in some way or another, you’re very careful about your company, seeking the audience of those you admire. You’ll be welcomed.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Life is nuance, and people are complex. You’ll watch loved ones closely, and their unpredictable behavior will intrigue you. You’ll see uncommon beauty in common things, and this is your superpower and a daily practice.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You seek and nd the truth today. Your objective eye will help those you share it with, as long as they are people who have asked for it. Of course, there are many who don’t want the truth, but they might want it later, so log your thoughts.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). We are not born knowing how to see. At rst everything blurs together, then there are delineations, and later names for separate objects. You continue to nd new ways of viewing the world, evidenced by today’s insights.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The truth can be delivered and taken in di erent concentrations and some of them are laughterinducing. There are certain instances when seriousness is the only appropriate tone, but they are few and far between.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Legacy is tricky in a sense.

Someone learning about a legacy often gets the whole picture at once, so it’s condensed and impressive. But someone building a legacy does this through small daily actions and interactions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To ght the ow of life is to struggle against something much bigger than any individual. Even so, there’s no reason to agree to everything life o ers. Today you’ll dodge in and out of the currents to nd the one that’s moving in your preferred direction.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are many things that can restore you when you need it -- a serene walk, a heartfortifying phone call, or just a nap. Taking time to recharge will make all the di erence in your energy, attitude and mood.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s one of those days when your mind seems to have a mind of its own. Don’t blame it for wandering o from the task at hand. It’s simply trying to nd greener pastures, and maybe you should follow it to them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You feel like you already know enough to execute the task, and you’re right. Even though you don’t want or need anyone to tell you what to do next, it will still be wise to collaborate, if only because it will be more fun.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your senses will be left wanting, and that’s a good thing. It gets you in touch with your

or

explained, and sometimes they had to cancel appointments. “So we are a little bit behind.”

The project is actually two in one with the Silva Valley Parkway work costing about $2 million and the parking lot reconfiguration and traffic signal installation coming in around $4 million. Western Engineering was the successful bidder for both. The EDUHSD partnered with the El Dorado County Department of Transportation to cover the bill. The project is primarily funded by El Dorado Schools Financing Authority Mello-Roos Community Facilities District No. 1 tax revenue, which is earmarked for projects at ORHS to address growth. The county will reimburse the district for the street work, roughly $1 million, Augino said. In addition to the roadwork, ORHS is also getting new cell towers and lighting at the outdoor stadium.

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Daniel Augino, El Dorado Union High School District director of Maintenance and Operations/ Facilities, left, walks with ORHS Vice Principal Rob Slinger on the access road connecting the stadium lot to Silva Valley Parkway.

like they couldn’t take my money for the work because all that would happen is they would come back 20 minutes later,” Haynes said.

Others companies Haynes called said her property was too big of a lot for them to service. Haynes said she was told the grasshoppers will not leave her property until they are ready to go, putting a major hurdle in her plans to sell the house.

“Maybe it is a sign to keep the house because I’m not going to take less money for this,” Haynes said.

Cases like this are growing in number this year. There have been documented reports of grasshopper infestations across Northern California. Placer County communities of Roseville and Lincoln reported increases in grasshopper activity, according to a press release.

“In most years, these grasshoppers go unnoticed, but when conditions are favorable such as warm, moist springs when abundant food is produced, populations may increase,” states the press release.

According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources officials, grasshoppers are among the most difficult insects to manage.

“During years when huge numbers of grasshoppers are migrating, there is almost nothing you can do to protect plants once the invasion has reached the garden,” states a grasshopper fact page. “The best strategy in agricultural

and rangeland areas during major migrations is to treat the grasshoppers with an insecticide early in the season when they are still young nymphs living in uncultivated areas.”

The insects are determined to be a C-rated pest, meaning they are widespread throughout the state, according to El Dorado County Agriculture Commissioner LeeAnne Mila.

“Population sizes vary from year to year and severe outbreaks occur every eight to 10 years, with some lasting two to three years if conditions are favorable such as (when) moist, warm springs, which produce a lot of food in the foothills and uncultivated areas, persist for several years,” she explained.

Though she has gotten calls from other homeowners about the grasshoppers, Mila said she’s reluctant to permit widespread use of carbaryl — an insecticide that can be effective in eradication — due to its adverse effects on other beneficial insects and animals.

To that end, properly covering your most desired plants may keep the grasshoppers at bay, she advised.

“I think it is impossible to fully prevent them from coming onto your property,” Mila said. “If you know that they are around, you’re going to have to take sheets (or metal screens) and put them around desired plans or use thin netting small enough that the insects cannot get into.”

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

Grasshoppers cover the screen door of Janet Haynes’ home on Settlers Lane in Latrobe. Grasshoppers Continued from A3

Grasshoppers eat an aloe vera plant on Janet Haynes’ property in Latrobe.

no one gives them credit,” Davidson said. “These people are filled with imagination and everyday we would be writing a book together and it would grow and grow.

“They came up with these stories, but we also did it together because we are a family here,” she added.

Ideas bloom

The garden itself has been decorated with tree and mushroom homes, a pool made of stone, swings, mountains, gnomes and other creatures, a fairy factory and glitter to emulate fairy dust, along with other props to make the garden somewhat of a reality.

Of course, it is complete with ambient, relaxing music to help sell the setting.

“Stuff like this is why I like living here, it’s a great place to be upbeat,” said 73-year-old home occupant Danny Gray.

Though the residents are given booklets to write their own personalized stories centered around the garden, some of the story is set in stone. Many fairies live in the garden, including Felix, Florence, Felicity, Finn, Franklin and Freya, all who have jobs and pick flowers, swim, dance, search for falling stars and collect other shiny things. A dinosaur egg was incubated by the creatures of the garden, which eventually hatched and grew up to be a T-Rex by the name of Fredrick, the head of transportation for the gnomes, which mine glitter rocks. The glitter rocks are taken to a fairy factory to be turned into fairy dust, which the fairies need.

The garden has gotten so creative, there is talk about getting a book published around the story of the fairy garden, according to Western Slope staff.

“It’s really beneficial for their emotional health, just being out and seeing all the greenery and getting creative,” said Brooke Schaible, director of activities. “They get to use their minds, and just being able to feel the soil for those that (are blind), but just being able to listen to the sounds and feel everything; it’s all very sensory.”

The stories the occupants create individually can be shared with loved ones including family who come to visit. One 75-year-old resident, Najib Sayami, got to experience the garden for the first time during the Mountain Democrat’s visit May 17. He is considering writing a story of his own.

“It’s a very creative and beautiful garden, I love every inch of it; the plants, the decor, all wonderful,” Sayami said.

Growing a family

The garden has helped facilitate a sense of community building at Western Slope, according to Davidson.

“This (nursing home) is not a place like any other place,” Davidson said. “We are a family here. Some (occupants) and Certified Nursing Assistants don’t have families, but that is what we are to each other.”

Those wanting to “visit” the fairy garden have to “dip” into a fairy fountain and shrink down to size. Or visitors can simply ask a loved one to show them the garden.

Fairy garden Continued from A1

A mushroom building hidden in the fairy garden helps to bring the story, or many stories, to life.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

PROSPECTING

Camino Classical Ballet, founded in 2019, has already seen several of its students go on to attend prestigious ballet schools and join professional dance companies in cities like San Francisco, Kansas City and New York.

Nestled in the woods of Pollock Pines, the ballet school provides professional instruction to adults and children as young as 4.

Sitting for an interview in the school’s studio, Director Gina Domenichelli-Illingworth exudes warmth, humor and an infectious enthusiasm for ballet. Gina’s career as a professional ballerina took her to cities all over the world, from Oslo, Norway, to Erie, Penn., as a performer, director, and teacher. She has founded ballet companies, received degrees in ballet and organizational leadership and worked with legendary figures in the world of ballet. To her students in the studio, though, she’s just Ms. Gina. Gina was born and raised in Healdsburg, a small, rural town in Sonoma County. Her dad loved to work the family farm; her five brothers played sports.

“My sister wanted to find something for us girls to do,” Gina recalled. “Back then there was really nothing in Healdsburg, but a woman from the Philippines, Ms. Kane, had moved there and started a ballet studio.”

Gina loved ballet from the beginning.

“I was always a ham,” she confessed. “I liked performing. I liked moving around. I liked music. It all just meshed for me.”

At age 10, she auditioned for the San Francisco Ballet and received a scholarship to attend its summer program; her parents drove her from

Photo by Loren Christo erson

Camino Classical Ballet Director Gina Domenichelli-Illingworth works with students in her studio.

She teaches both children and adults.

Jordan Hyatt-Miller Arts and Culture El Dorado

■ See BALLET, page B6

■ See KNOW, page B5

Taj Mahal Quintet comes to The Center

NEVADA CITY —

Get ready heshers and headbangers.

Blistered Earth, the ultimate tribute to Metallica, is coming to Nevada City on July 20.

Formed in 2009, Blistered Earth is the definitive tribute to Metallica. Hailing from Spokane, Wash., the band has built a hardcore and dedicated following headlining venues across the Western U.S. and Canada. In 2016 the band even caught the eye of James Hetfield of Metallica when its equipment trailer with all their gear was stolen.

When Hetfield and the rest of the band members from Metallica heard the news, they reached out to help by o ering Blistered Earth gear from their previous tour.

The relationship was formed and Blistered Earth became a welcomed special guest to shows. When Metallica shared photos of the band on social

News release

SLeila Srouji

The Center for the Arts

style, incorporating Caribbean, African and Pacifi c infl uences.

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts presents Taj Mahal Quintet on July 21. Quantifying Taj Mahal’s musical signifi cance is impossible, but people try anyway. Composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, multi-Grammy award-winner, multiBlues Music Award winner, Blues Hall of Fame member and Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement award recipient, Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent and infl uential fi gures in late 20th century blues and roots music.

Growing up in a musical family, he was exposed to a diverse array of sounds and instruments, which shaped his distinctive approach to the blues. Taj Mahal’s career took o in the late 1960s. Now, he has a career spanning over fi ve decades and has earned multiple Grammy Awards and widespread recognition for his contributions to music. His work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying his legacy as a pioneering fi gure in the music industry.

Using traditional country blues as a starting base, Taj Mahal perfumes the pot by mixing a spicy concoction of Afro-centric roots music, a blues gumbo kissed by reggae, Latin, R‘n’B, Cajun, Caribbean rhythms, gospel, West African folk, jazz, calypso and Hawaiian slack key. A duo album, “Get On Board,” with Ry Cooder won the 2023 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Taj Mahal, born Henry St. Claire Fredericks on May 17, 1942, in Harlem, New York, is an iconic American blues musician. Known for his skillful blend of blues with elements of world music, Taj Mahal has signifi cantly infl uenced contemporary music with his eclectic

The quintet is made up of internationally renowned bassist Bill Rich and steel drummer Robert Greenidge (Jimmy Bu et’s Coral Reefer Band), revered percussionist Tony Durham and Hawaiian-based guitarist and lap steel master Bobby Ingano. The fi ve match musical virtuosity with down-home grit unlike anyone else: a blend of sophistication and humble familiarity that is equally at home on a shotgun-shack porch or a Carnegie Hall stage.

The collaboration extends far beyond the Taj Mahal Quintet. “Music is like theater to a lot of people; they’re watching it,” Taj Mahal said. “Well, you can watch it, but you’re supposed to participate. The audience is just as much a part of the music as the musicians are.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21 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.

METALLICA TRIBUTE to rock Miners Foundry stage

media, Blistered Earth was introduced to millions of Metallica fans around the world.

Blistered Earth continues to pay its respects to one of the greatest heavy metal bands of

all time with covers of favorite classic songs like 1983 “Kill Em’ All” and 1991 self-titled “Metallica.” Blistered Earth guarantees die hard Metallica fans the same devotion to raw energy, showmanship and

song selections at every show. The band is Jared Kiess (aka James Hetfield), Shawn Murphy (aka Lars Ulrich), Cody Davis (aka Cli Burton) and Jesse Jensen (aka Kirk Hammett).

The doors and bar open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Miners Foundry, 325 Spring St. in Nevada City. For tickets and more information visit minersfoundry.org.

E-40 brings hip hop greatness to Tahoe

TATELINE, Nev. — Late-Nite Productions & One Vision Entertainment present Lake Tahoe Summer Jam 2024, featuring E-40, one of the biggest and most influential names in Bay Area hip hop. LaRussell will perform to warm up the show.

The Summer Jam place on Saturday, July 27, at Bally’s Lake Tahoe Showroom. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com or by visiting/calling the Bally’s box office.

With millions of records sold, nationwide sold out shows, loved in the streets, boardrooms, and respected amongst his peers, without question E-40 continues to reign supreme. Empowering a

familiar cliché that states, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” E-40 boasts an impressive catalog of hits like “Snap Yo Fingaz” featuring Lil Jon, “Tell Me When To Go” featuring Keak Da Sneak, “Sprinkle Me” featuring Suga T, “Choices,” “I Don’t F With You”(collaboration with Big Sean) and “U And Dat” featuring Kandi Burruss and T-Pain. E-40 continues to be a testament of longevity, relevance and hustle.

From nationwide tours with G-Eazy, Tech N9ne, Mount Westmore (Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Too Short and E-40) and more, 40 Water has solidified an impressive touring résumé that complements his robust catalog of 25-plus studio albums. Hailing from the California Bay Area city of Vallejo, E-40’s portfolio houses categories of music, film, food, books and his notable venture

530-344-5028

into the adult beverage world with Earl Stevens Selections which includes his lines of wine, vodka, tequila, cognac and champagne.

With no signs of slowing down, E-40 looks to continue making more legendary contributions to Urban culture and hip hop fans can expect more music, more innovative partnerships and continued growth of this tycoon’s already impressive body of work.

Courtesy photo

E-40 boasts an impressive catalog of hip hop hits and will perform many at the upcoming Lake Tahoe Summer Jam.

Courtesy photo

Blues legend Taj Mahal has made music for decades, incorporating sounds and styles from many genres to create a style of his own. He will perform in Grass Valley on July 21.

Blistered Earth members with Metallica — a perfect match. See the tribute band live on July 20 in Nevada City

Courtesy photo

Neptune: The Windy Planet

Extremely windy and icy cold, Neptune is a planet that is beautiful to look at but not welcoming to Earthlings.

Replace the missing words.

Would you like to visit Neptune? You’d need a super space suit to ____________ the planet’s _______ conditions!

Scientists think there might be a super hot ocean under Neptune’s cold _______. It does not ______________ because of the incredible pressure. This _________ makes it impossible for a spacecraft –or person, to _______ on the planet.

eptune

Are you a careful reader? Read the article below and see if you can circle all eight errors. Then, rewrite the article correctly on a sheet of paper.

Neptune has 13 moon that we know of. The largest of these moons is Triton. Triton is one of the largest moons in the solar’s system as well. At 1,700 miles across, it is neerly the same size as Earth’s moon.

Triton is the only nown moon in our solar system to have a surface maid mainly of nitrogen ice.

Onto Your Hat!

Neptune was discovered in 1846. But it took until the year 2011 for the planet to complete its rst orbit around the sun since being discovered.

About how many Earth years did it take for Neptune to orbit the sun?

How many rings does Neptune have? Color the even-numbered squares blue and the odd-numbered squares black.

Wile it is icy today, scientists think Triton was once a hot, volcanic plaice. Today it still has geysers that spew frozen nitrogen miles into the sky! These are called ice geysers.

Triton is one of the coolest objects in our solar system. It is so cold that most of Triton’s nitrogen is condensed as frost, giving its surface an icy sheen that reflects 70 percents of the sunlight that hits it.

through the newspaper to find five adjectives that describe Neptune.

week’s word:

noun pressure means a continuous force or action of pressing or bearing down.

The pressure on the wound stopped the bleeding.

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

Neptune is super windy. NASA says it might be the windiest planet in the solar

© 2017 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 33, No. 35

Montana artist wins California Duck Stamp Art Contest

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Apainting by Cynthie Fisher of Hamilton, Mont. has been chosen as the winner of the 2024 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. The painting, which depicts mallard ducks, will be the o cial design for the 2024-25 stamp.

The judges first noticed the position and orientation of the mallards in the painting, commenting on the movement of the ducks in flight and describing it as very much an action shot. The amount of detail and anatomical accuracy in addition to the movement of the birds almost made the image photorealistic,

but not so much as to take away the qualities of a painting. The judges also appreciated that Fisher included a group of mallards instead of only one or two, with a male and female in front, prominent against the background. This background impressed the judges as well; they quickly identified it as the Sutter Buttes, a small mountain range in Northern California, but noted it was subtle enough that it didn’t detract from the mallards in the foreground. It was a scene California mallard hunters dream of and that is something Fisher knows well.

“I learned to love waterfowl during my years in college at Cal Poly Humboldt,” said

Fisher. “I spent all my time studying ducks and other birds, doing taxidermy, and went on the first of many duck hunts after that.”

She won her first duck stamp contest in 1988 and has painted 17 other state waterfowl stamps since then, focusing on states that have meaning for her. She visited the Central Valley several times, studying waterfowl, and decided to showcase the Sutter Buttes in her entry. She chose to depict the mallards in flight to show o all their colors.

“The Sutter Buttes are a well-known landmark for duck enthusiasts and mallards are ubiquitous in the valley, always a favorite,” she said.

Artists from around the country submitted

entries for the contest, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Celebrate local talent at Tahoe studio tour

News release

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of local art at the 17th annual Artist Studio Tour hosted by the Tahoe Art League. This year the self-guided tour promises to be an extraordinary experience, held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day over two weekends: July 26-28 and Aug. 2-4.

The Artist Studio Tour is a rare opportunity to meet and connect with South Lake Tahoe’s most talented artists. This year 21 artists will open their doors across nine studios, showcasing an eclectic mix of photography, woodworking, jewelry, painting, printmaking and ceramics. Visitors can explore each artist’s workspace, learn about their creative processes and purchase stunning, one-of-akind pieces directly from the makers.

“The Studio Tour is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our local artistic community,” said Rebecca Bryson, president of the Tahoe Art League. “It’s an incredible way for residents and visitors alike to experience the diversity and talent that South Lake Tahoe has to o er.”

The tour kicks o at the Tahoe Art League Gallery, 3062 Lake Tahoe Blvd. This venue will serve as the starting point for guests’ artistic journey, where they can pick up maps and get a sneak peek at this year’s lineup of participating artists. There will also be an opportunity to win free art.

As a nonprofit organization, the Tahoe Art League is dedicated to promoting visual artists and the visual arts in the Lake Tahoe community. By participating in the Studio Tour, you’re not only supporting local artists but also contributing to the cultural richness of the area.

Whether an art collector, a curious visitor or a local resident, the Artist Studio Tour o ers something for everyone. From intricate handmade jewelry to breathtaking landscape paintings, the range of art on display is sure to inspire and captivate. For more information and to view the full list of participating artists visit talart.org.

Paying one lump sum for the subscription not in your

10 50 /MONTH

Je rey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., placed second; Broderick Crawford of Tiger, Ga.,

placed third; and Ray Easton of Webster, N.Y., received honorable mention.

Courtesy image

Duck Stamp winning artwork of mallards by Cynthie Fisher.

Courtesy art

Tahoe area artists will showcase their best during the 17th annual Artist Studio Tour.

8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.

com. The Golden Cadillacs and Ashley Jaguar will perform at The Green Room Social Club in

downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

July 20

Save the Graves hosts the South County Cemetery Crawl. Mike Roberts, president of Save the Graves and ardent taphophile will lead the tour. The event is open to all ages. Advance registration is required. Register online at savethegraveseldorado. org/events.

Third Saturday Art Walk hosts its first Authors Night, celebrating the books of 13 authors and one illustrator, each located at a different shop on historical Main Street in Placerville, 4-8 p.m. For full information go to

the Placerville Art Walk – 3rd Saturday Facebook page. There will be a fascinating selection of fiction and non-fiction books, and these local authors will discuss their books and sign and sell them to interested buyers. In a similar vein, The Wine Smith will feature a free Songwriter Showcase with live original music by Drew Butts, Jazze and Dylan Punturo, 7-9 p.m.

The Jamokes will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery hosts Line in the Vines with music by Great Wide Open, a Tom Petty & the

Heartbreakers tribute, 5:30-8 p.m. For more information visit sierravistawinery.com/ upcoming-events.

Bumgarner Winery & Vineyards hosts Trivia Night at the Camino tasting room, beginning at 5:30 p.m.For more information email camino@ bumgarnerwinery.com or call (530) 303-3418.

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

The Rita Hosking Trio will perform at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-

0077 or visit suttercreektheatre. com.

July 21

El Dorado Western Railroad offers excursion rides with trains running on the hour, 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., weather permitting, at the Shingle Springs Station. For more information visit facebook.com/ ElDoradoWesternRailroad.

The Bagmen will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

The Elk Grove Arts Commission presents Blues in the Grove at the District 56 civic center. For tickets and more information visit elkgrovecity. org/all-events.

n See KNOW, page B7

Direct from Las Vegas, Elvis Tribute artist extraordinaire Greg Miller stars in “The Wonder of Elvis” at 3 p.m. at the Harris Center for the Arts. This one man show highlights Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise to fame in the late 1950s to his groundbreaking Aloha and Las Vegas 1970s concerts. Greg Miller is recognized as one of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists, accomplished in his recreation of the look, sound and moves of The King. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Healdsburg to San Francisco every day.

Gina, who had once written in her journal that she wanted to be a pastry chef or a performer on Saturday Night Live, was on her way to becoming a professional ballerina.

In 2013 Gina and her husband returned to California to care for her aging parents. They purchased a property in Apple Hill, where Gina built a small dance studio and began giving private lessons. As if in a pirouette, her career had come full circle. Her parents’ support had given her the opportunity to leave Healdsburg and live in cities all over the world;

now, to support her parents, she had moved from the city to a rural community much like the Healdsburg of her childhood.

Another symmetry formed when she founded Camino Classical Ballet, giving the children of the rural community she now calls home the same lifechanging opportunity that Ms. Kane had once given her.

“I want to give my students the same experiences that I had,” Gina explained. “I just love that small community feeling that you can find here. I can offer the really intense training you would get in a city, but more

community-oriented and friendly. Ballet is technical and rigorous, but I try to make it fun.”

As an instructor, Gina upholds a standard of excellence. “I know what it takes,” she said. “If kids around here see something like ‘The Nutcracker’ on TV and they want to do it, then I want to show them how to do it correctly.”

Her approach has made El Dorado County a hotbed of ballet talent: Ameliah Wanta,

13, started at Camino Classical Ballet at 8 and was accepted into the San Francisco Ballet’s summer program at 11, then the American Ballet Theater School in Los Angeles at 12. This summer she will attend the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City.

Gina noted Camino Classical Ballet isn’t just for those who want to pursue a career in ballet. “Ballet is almost as much a sport as an art; there

is so much physicality and athleticism in it,” she shared. “Then, as a performance art form, it draws in acting and music. Ballet is the great base for all other dance forms.”

Even if students don’t continue in dance, they will receive something valuable from their experience: “The discipline, dedication and focus that they learn here carries over into the rest of their life.”

For Gina, the greatest

reward is giving her students the same gift that she received. “I have so many wonderful memories. It’s so fun seeing their progression and all the friendships they make. I love to watch them grow as artists and as people.” Camino Classical Ballet will be offering classes

Weebly.com.

Courtesy photo

July 23

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive noon to 3:15 p.m. The Bloodmobile bus will be parked near the baseball elds at the EDH Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Make an appointment at donors. vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Broadway At Music Circus presents “Sunset Boulevard” at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento July 23-28. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

July 24

Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Living Well with Dementia Knowledge and Disease Progression, 5:30-7 p.m. at 1100 Marshall Way, Upstairs Room D, Placerville. This training is for people experiencing cognitive impairments or early stages of dementia and welcomes these individuals along with any caregivers or people providing support for them. In this training, attendees will learn the basics about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. In this, the bene ts of early diagnosis, and the treatments used to slow the disease and its symptoms will be addressed. We will learn about brain health, risk factors and challenges of caring for a person with dementia. We will also learn strategies to

reduce the stigma associated with dementia by taking steps toward living well with cognitive impairments.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Remembering James — a Tribute to James Brown. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Now

El Dorado County Certi ed Farmers Markets o er fresh fruit and vegetables and much more: Burke Junction in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays; Placerville Cinema, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays; and El Dorado Hills Town Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

For more information visit eldoradofarmersmarket.com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Now Circa Then” through July 21. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center presents Length x Width x Depth: A Multidimensional Exhibit through July 27. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

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

REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19 13395 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 24CV1309 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: Anthony Allen Jones filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: ANTHONY ALLEN JONES Proposed name: ANTHONY ALLEN MAGNES 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two

Tahoe area restrooms are works of art

TAHOE CITY — Visitors to four popular recreation sites managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will be greeted with a surprise when they step into the restroom facilities.

Instead of blank walls inside the vault toilets, people will find beautiful murals painted by local artists through a project led by the LTBMU and the Tahoe Fund.

“We are so lucky to have such talented artists in our local community and great partners at the Forest Service to be able to do something like this,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “Our hope is that when people

see these stunningly beautiful murals they’ll be inspired to do their part to leave Tahoe better than they found it.”

Earlier this year, the LTBMU and the Tahoe Fund put out a public call for artists in the California and Nevada area to “beautify” the blank interiors of these restrooms. Five local artists were selected based on the creativity of their submissions and tasked with painting murals that establish a sense of place in four different National Forest restroom facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Stateline Lookout, Crystal Bay, Nev. — Created by North Lake Tahoe resident and fulltime artist Ian Scott, the artwork in each of the

two Stateline Lookout restrooms was created to depict a “room with a view.” The scenery within each restroom reflects the scenery that can be seen outside, however they differ in design by time

of day and season they represent.

— Charlotte Castillo, a fine artist and art teacher at Tahoe Valley Elementary School, was selected to paint murals in the two restrooms at Sawmill Pond. Her designs depict humanity’s relationship with nature, showcasing the experience and visual wonder of the region.

“Based on the response we received from interested local artists and the incredible quality of their work, we hope to continue this project in the future by expanding it to other sites,” said Daniel Cressy, public services staff officer, LTBMU.

mural takes viewers inside the habitats of local Tahoe wildlife that appear larger than life. The concept of being surrounded by their environments is intended to give viewers a deeper sense of connection with nature and invoke a desire to protect it.

“In the meantime, we’re excited to see how people respond to the new murals and hope that transforming these spaces will motivate our visitors and residents alike to become better stewards of the environment.”

Logan Shoals Vista Point, East Shore, Nev. — South Lake Tahoe resident and classically trained artist Talia Koval’s design “Nature Sings,” was selected for the Logan Shoals Vista Point restroom as it illustrates the breathtaking landscape of Lake Tahoe as seen from the east shore. At the forefront of the mural are vibrant pine trees, with the focal point of the mural its majestic sunset, with warm hues casting a radiant glow over the mountains in the distance. Koval painted the mural alongside her partner Michael Passaretti.

Big Meadow Trailhead, South Lake Tahoe — Two artists were selected to paint two restroom stalls at the Big Meadow Trailhead. Cyan Samone’s

Alyssa Cumpton’s mural was designed to inspire and educate visitors about some of the native animals in the Tahoe region, including Steller’s jays, American black bears and the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox.

Sawmill Pond, Meyers

Paint for the murals was generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting. Visit tahoefund. org to learn more about this project or to contribute to projects that support the Tahoe environment.

“Crystal Bay” mural Ian Scott.

“Big Meadow” mural by Alyssa Compton.

“Sawmill Pond” mural by Charlotte Castillo.

Photos courtesy of Tahoe Fund

“Logan Shoals” mural by Talia Koval