The Mountain Democrat, Friday, July 21, 2023

World’s tallest white fir

found in Caldor Fire burn scar

n Tree hunters worry discovery may be cut down by loggers

Tressa Gibbard

Sugar Pine Foundation

Four days before the Caldor Fire erupted in Grizzly Flat in August 2021 tall tree

hunter Michael Taylor emailed the Sugar Pine Foundation that he had located “a special grove of towering white fir” as he was scanning light detection and ranging (LiDAR) imagery for the Eldorado National Forest in the vicinity of Pollock Pines. Excited by the prospect of surveying the previously unknown and tall white firs, he wrote, “We should go there ASAP.”

As Taylor was mobilizing to measure and document the trees, the Caldor Fire ignited less than 10 miles away from the grove. Taylor made headlines in 2006 when he discovered the world’s tallest tree — a 380-foot-tall coast redwood in the Redwood National Forest.

With flames racing toward his trees of interest, Taylor switched gears and instead monitored the fire’s movements and behavior to predict if the tall, old trees would survive. After the Caldor Fire was out, when roads were still closed for safety reasons, he scrutinized post-fire satellite imagery of the destruction zone to find evidence the trees were alive.

Earlier this month, he was able to visit the site with fellow big tree hunter, photographer and birder Joshua French. The pair said they were astonished at what they found.

In a deep, steep-sided drainage, a white fir towered above Douglasfir, ponderosa pine and even sugar pines. White fir typically “grow fast and die young” and are not known to reach great age or impressive heights. This particular white fir grows in a unique position where it can tap into a creek and has been forced to invest in vertical growth to catch enough sunlight to grow competitively amidst neighboring species that are usually taller.

Taylor and French measured and photographed the tree, which they

2 homes burned in Pollock Pines

Odin Rasco Staff writer

El Dorado County Fire Protection District firefighters quelled a fire that burnt away the majority of two Pollock Pines homes last night. The fire initially began just before 6 p.m. as a single-structure fire at a home on the 6000 block of Center View Drive, according to Capt. Jacob Poganski with the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. The fire started at one home and then consumed several attached buildings, including sheds, garages and an RV, before ultimately spreading to a neighboring home.

Christian heritage proclamation draws controversy

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

El Dorado County leaders’ latest approved proclamation, which declares that El Dorado County recognizes July as American Christian Heritage Month, was met with controversy during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

Brought forth by District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl, the proclamation affirms how the history of the United States is incorporated with the values of the Christian faith and states the impact of the religious belief should be recognized in America’s history.

Public Health responds to syringe exchange claims

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

In recent weeks both the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and Placerville City Council have voted in favor of sending letters urging the California Department of Public Health to not permit the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition to continue operations in the county, claiming the group causes more harm than good. SHRC’s website states that the organization is

Photo courtesy of Joshua French The world’s tallest white fir was measured earlier this month by in the Caldor Fire burn scar at 265.87-feet tall and appropriately dubbed Firetop.

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

Ralph William Haslam

Sept. 30, 1946 – July 6, 2023

His family is sad to announce the passing of Ralph William Haslam of Pollock Pines, CA. Ralph died at the age of 76 surrounded by his loved ones on July 6th, 2023. Ralph was born in Napa, CA on September 30, 1946. Soon, his family moved to Garberville, CA, where he attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1964. Ralph earned his BA from Chico State in 1968 and his teaching credential in 1969, and later earned an MA and administrator’s credential from Sacramento State. Ralph met his wife Donna while they attended college. They were married on August 30, 1969, and celebrated nearly 53 happy years together. Ralph was a teacher and vice principal for 10 years in Vacaville, CA. In 1980, Ralph and Donna moved to Pollock Pines so he could become principal in the Pollock Pines school district, a role he worked in at different schools for the next 31 years. Ralph loved science and getting kids interested in the field and visited K-4th grade classrooms as “the Principal of Science” to perform interactive experiments with them (Ralph also loved a pun). Ralph retired in 2011. In Ralph’s recent years, in his spare time he enjoyed reading, tinkering at his workbench, volunteering at the Snowline Hospice Thrift Shop, and being a collection counter for St. Patricks in Placerville. All the way into his 70s, Ralph enjoyed camping, fishing, and family gatherings. He held a special reverence for the outdoors, fostered by time in the Humboldt redwoods where he worked as a park ranger in his youth. Ralph is predeceased by his parents Frank and Eunice Haslam and his in-laws John and Betty Soletti. He leaves behind his wife Donna, his son Alan (fiancée Brionna), his son Matthew (wife Laura), and his step-granddaughters Hannah and Makenna. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law John Soletti (wife Irene) and sister-in-law Patsy Hough (husband Tom). Ralph will always be in their hearts. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 10th at 11am at St. Patrick Catholic Church with a luncheon reception to follow. A private family burial will be held at the Mt. Shasta Memorial Chapel.

Lori Kay Kielty

Aug. 28, 1960 – June 20, 2023

Lori Kay Kielty, 62 years old, passed away on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 of breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, Kenny Kielty, her kids and their spouses, Jarrett & Jenny Scheurer, Brianna & Ian Mack, Katelyn & Randy Mercado and Brendon & Alyssa Kielty; her grandchildren, Colton, Allorrah, Emily, Natalie, Jocelyn and Theia June. Brothers Phil and Steve Morris and sister Karen Armstrong along with many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles are also deeply sadden by the loss of our sister (our parents Jim & Gayle Morris and our brother Kirk Morris all preceded Lori’s death). Lori will be remembered for her GREAT sense of humor, her positivity, her wonderful talent at making beautiful quilts and handmade jewelry but most of all for her strong faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. We all love you Lori and we know that we will see you again someday. As our Mom used to say ... bye for now.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 1:00pm at Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, Calif.

Mountain Democrat

/ mescabar@mtdemocrat.net Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

/ eric@mtdemocrat.com

Jack Richmond Winkler

Sept. 8, 1927 – June 5, 2023

Jack Richmond Winkler passed away in Placerville on the afternoon of June 5, 2023 at the age of 95 years.

Jack was born September 8, 1927, in Ukiah, CA, to parents Elizabeth Ann (Kingwell) and George Richmond Winkler. After two years of Naval Service (1945-1947, USS Terror), he attended Santa Rosa Junior College, graduating with an Associate Degree with high honors in 1949. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco and received a Juris Doctor degree in 1952.

Jack served as District Attorney of El Dorado County for 12 years (1954-1966) then moved to the office of the California State Attorney General where he worked for 24 years. During his time with the Attorney General, he served as Chief Assistant of the Criminal Law Division (1975-1980) and Chief of the Opinion Unit (1980-1990).

Jack was an active member of the Placerville Lions Club, twice serving as president (1958-1959, 1994-1995), and was named Lion of the Year in 1991.

Jack was always deeply interested in the history of Placerville and El Dorado County. After years of careful research, he wrote and self-published a book on the subject: Old Hangtown – A History of Placerville, California from 1848 through 1856.

Jack married Juanita (Nita) Mae Cortez on March 7, 1953, and the couple lived in Placerville for over 65 years where they raised their three children.

Jack was predeceased by Nita in 2021 and his eldest daughter Reva in 2016. He is survived by his son Jay and daughter Lisa (Hale), Jay’s two sons Gates and Haynes, and their two daughters Maia and Sylvia.

Margrete Victoria Spencer (Hughes)

Feb. 14, 1948 – July 6, 2023

Margrete passed at home in Kelsey on her 54th anniversary after a lengthly illness. Margrete graduated from El Dorado High as part of the notorious class of 1966. If you remember we were part of the funeral march through Placerville to the “OLD” El Dorado High where we had a funeral and buried a brick with a sermon from the youth minister from the Episcopal Church. The class of 1966 was in bad graces by all our elders. That is just one of the reasons the class of 1966 will always be remembered. Next Margrete attended American River College in Placerville better known as UBR, University behind Raleys. Next Margrete attended Sacramento City College. Margrete was always a busy person all her married life. She was part of the start up group of the now closed First Christian Church of Placerville. The church was a small group that met on the fairgrounds in the Veterans Building. To get new members there was a PIE & CAKE feast after the sermon. The church grew quickly to the point that we could build the church on the hill over Cold Springs Road. After moving to John’s old family homestead in Kelsey, Margrete got into breeding old breed sheep. Next Margrete worked with the Black Sheep Association and got a certified Black Sheep Show started at the county fair. It was getting bigger each year until there was a change in the fair board and it was decided to remove their support. Margrete had a large rabbit barn built and started raising and selling meat rabbits for a few years.

We saw an ad that the probation department needed a foster home. After the ad kept being printed for weeks we checked it out and became foster parents for up to six kids at a time. In short we had well over 125 kid through our home. After giving up our license we adopted two of the kids after they aged out out of the probation system. Margrete was a yarn spinner and loved to challenge herself with different types of wool or even cat and dog hair. Margrete was preceded in death by her parents attorney Geoffrey A. Hughes and Bertha M. Hughes; brother Geoffrey A. Hughes II, and uncle Robert (Bob) Hughes. Also, adopted son Steven Lee Cron, Margrete is survived by her husband of 54 years John Robert Spencer, sister Bert Jackson, nephew Jason Jackson, grandson Steven A. Cron and great grandson Huxley Spencer Cron. Our other adopted son Chris Pinckard.

With that said in the early 1980’s Margrete was in for a big surprise. A private detective approached her with “your birth sister has hired me to locate you”. This lead to a big brother, big sister just to mention two out of a giant family. She was still making friends when she lost her new big brother, big sister and many aunts and uncles. There will be no services. No flowers PLEASE, I can’t keep up the watering of her indoor & outdoor plants. Her wish is for you to check out websites “Hands for an African Child” and “Saving Mono Lake”. Another choice would be Snowline Hospice.

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

July 9

6:52 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of using a stone bank card and receiving stolen property on La Canada Drive in Cameron Park. She was released on $10,000 bail.

10:11 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Fairway Drive in Cameron Park.

10:52 a.m. Battery was reported on Randolph Canyon Road in Pollock Pines.

4:53 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of DUI on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

8:27 p.m. Burglary was reported on Gresham Drive in El Dorado Hills.

9:37 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license and possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on El Dorado Hills Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $1,000 bail.

10:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old woman suspected of disobeying a court order on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. She was released on $2,000 bail.

11:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Senegal Court in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

July 10

10:40 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 51-year-old woman suspected of attempting to receive/sell know stolen property on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. She was later released.

11:46 a.m. Burglary was reported on Fawn Drive in Pollock Pines.

6:12 p.m. Battery was reported at an apartment complex on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

7:22 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Sliger Mien Road in Greenwood.

9:30 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of battery against a peace officer, resisting arrest, impersonation and driving on a suspended license on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $156,000 bail.

July 11

12:12 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of receiving known stolen

property on Greenwood Road in Garden Valley. He was later released.

1:10 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 19-year-old woman suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Forni Road in Placerville. She was later released.

9:38 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Oak Dell Road in Diamond Springs.

9:39 a.m. Vehicle burglary was reported on Peavine Ridge Road in Pollock Pines.

12:31 p.m. Grand theft was reported at the lake on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park.

3:30 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old man suspected of shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

5:39 p.m. Burglary was reported on Starkes Grade Road in Pollock Pines.

6:36 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Sky Court in Placerville.

8:18 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Clay Street in Placerville. He was released on $100,000 bail.

9:49 p.m. Battery was reported at a gas station on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

10:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 77-year-old man suspected of making criminal threats on Old French Town Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $300,000 bail.

July 12

1:53 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of assault on peace officer on Main Street in Georgetown. He was later released.

2:18 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs. She was released on $40,500 bail.

10:59 a.m. Deputies cited a person allegedly trespassing on Jacquier Road in Placerville.

3:44 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of making criminal threats and a probation violation on Turner Street in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

8:12 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of elder abuse on Sky Court in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail.

9:37 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation on Fowler Lane in Diamond Springs. He was

Man suspected of DUI in El Dorado Hills crash

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

California Highway Patrol officers arrested an El Dorado Hills resident suspected of DUI resulting in a vehicle crash the evening of July 12.

Josh McGee, 40, was traveling eastbound in his Ford Expedition on Green Valley Road turning north onto Lexi Way while another driver, 19-year-old Cameron Park resident Andrew Carrion, was driving westbound on Green Valley Road when the two became involved in a broadside collision around 10:30 p.m., according to CHP Officer Hugh Council.

Carrion’s Mitsubishi Galant

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

sustained damage on the front end of his vehicle while McGee’s Expedition sustained right rear damage. Carrion has minor injuries to his hip while a juvenile passenger suffered abrasions and lacerations, said Council. Neither were hospitalized.

CHP officers arrested McGee on Green Valley Road and booked him into the El Dorado County Jail at 2:13 a.m. July 13. McGee faces charges including DUI causing bodily harm and hit and run resulting in injury. His bail was set at $150,000 and he was released from jail custody July 13. CHP officials did not release information on the hit-and-run charge. The crash is still under investigation, according to Officer Andrew Brown.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

18th Tahoe Bike Month draws record participants

Kira Smith

Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition

Stateline, Nev. — With a record number of participants this year, the 18th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge got more people than ever out of their cars to help improve Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, which again teamed up to organize the basin-wide celebration through the month of June.

A record 450 Tahoe residents and visitors signed up online and even more participated in bike-friendly events throughout the month. Tahoe Bike Month participants made a combined 7,109 bike trips, racking up 52,789 miles and 3,749,683 vertical feet of elevation.

South Lake Tahoe kicked off Bike Month with the annual bike path cleanup organized by the League to Save Lake Tahoe and Clean Tahoe.

Participants logged their trips and miles at tahoebikemonth.org during the month-long event and were entered in weekly raffles for prizes donated by local businesses around the lake. Participants also competed for prizes and glory by recording the most rides, miles, elevation gain, biggest ride and for riding every day in June, according to Bike Month

organizers. Leaderboards can be viewed at tahoebike.org/bike-monthleaderboard.

TRPA and the Bike Coalition are also recognizing a handful of individuals who encouraged others by leading the pack:

Number of rides – Tojo Moco (150 rides)

Elevation gain – Jake Mann (73,648 vertical feet)

Distance – Jake Mann (1,221 miles)

Biggest ride – Jess Latta (120 miles + 10,367 vertical feet)

Consecutive days (all 30 days of June) – Tojo Moco, Miles Schulman, Daniel Bergman, Nick Speal, Jessica Wackenhut Lomeli, Rebecca Cremeen, John Hitchcock, Rose Hoffmann, Topher Lauria, Cormic Brennan, Natasha Buffo, Blair Davidson, Jason Ishii, Reeve Dunne, Druin Roberts, Michelle Glickert, Mason Bindl, Jeremy Benson, Harvey Mushman, Andrew Yeh, Katy Waldie and Bye Tahoe.

Team Category – The Wheelie Wheelie Ridiculously Good Looking team won the challenge by earning 146 points over the course of the month.

“Bike month is such a fun and fulfilling way to start the summer and it inspired our team to bike instead of drive almost every day,” said Rose

n See BikE MONTH page A5

El Dorado Water Agency launches redesigned website

El Dorado Water Agency

News release

The El Dorado Water Agency has announced the launch of its newly revamped website designed to help stakeholders and community members understand the role EDWA plays in planning for the county’s longterm water resources.

The enhanced website incorporates comprehensive content and an intuitive design to help users navigate the website, access resource materials and learn about EDWA’s numerous water programs and projects.

The refreshed content aims to help improve readability and ensure

readers can find and understand the most relevant and up-todate information on EDWA’s activities. The new website can be found at the same URL: edwateragency.org.

“Our primary goal during the redesign process was to create a more user-friendly site that makes it easier to access information about the work we are doing to address changing water resources needs, regulatory requirements, and climate variability,” said Rebecca Guo, EDWA interim general manager. “We are excited that our digital footprint now reflects the important work we are doing to help secure El Dorado County’s water

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

future.”

The new navigation on the website allows visitors to get both a high-level overview of EDWA’s five programs as well as a deeper dive into the specific projects EDWA is working on. The updated content on the website highlights current partnerships, ongoing projects and progress made in each of the five program areas. There are also dedicated pages with resources on drought planning, West Slope stormwater resources planning and the Upper American River Watershed Program.

EDWA is a public agency created under the 1959 El Dorado County Water Agency Act.

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Solutions

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You much prefer to demonstrate who you are than talk about it. Even when you’re asked about yourself, you’ll let action say everything, and then you’ll savor how impressed people are when they see what you can do.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Is there really “enough to go around”? It depends on how you look at it, but there are clear benefits to an abundance mentality. For instance, it’s easier to like people when you’re not paranoid that they’re trying to take what’s yours.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As the professor Roger Corless said, “Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.” You’ll satisfy a souldeep craving with something immaterial.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). No matter how well you know your task, you can’t practice the unpredictable. Luckily your experience has made you quick, flexible and improvisational. The plot twists; then you do, too.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Because your needs are so specific now, you want to interact with certain people and may feel bothered by others. Try to be open-minded, because it’s a day when the best help can come from unexpected places.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). To share is to compromise. The gains and losses you experience as a result of bonding with someone will alter your path and ultimately change who you are. You’ll adjust with grace.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Can you really discharge emotions from the past by revisiting memories and processing what happened? Today the answer is a resounding yes. You will release a bothersome feeling that’s been holding you back.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What’s done out of love at first may change to a habit, duty or obligation. To get back to your original intent, consider dropping the task for a while. Interrupting a pattern will awaken new awareness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Different concepts of reality fit different days. Try this rule now: If you ignore it and it doesn’t go away, it’s reality. Also it should be noted that real problems are much more easily dealt with than imaginary ones.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There are many who want your time, money and attention. Of course, your attention and time are the more valuable commodities; you are right to protect them accordingly, maybe by refusing to engage with nonsense.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Little changes along the way are normal in even the healthiest of relationships. Growing doesn’t have to mean growing apart. A spurt could be what makes new points of connection finally possible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It will be tempting to obsessively review things until you’ve talked yourself out of making a move. But you’re too daring for that today. Instead of “thinking differently,” you’ll make a difference with action.

Photo courtesy of TRPA

Bike Challenge riders volunteer in the annual bike path cleanup on Lake Tahoe’s south shore to kick off the month-long event.

Smears for money

The Southern Poverty Law Center just released a report claiming there are 1,225 hate and antigovernment groups in America. These groups cause “fear and pain (in) Black, brown and LGBTQ communities.”

The SPLC lists such groups on its “hate map.”

I once believed the center. Well-meaning people still do. Apple once gave it $1 million.

But what donors don’t know is that today, the SPLC smears good people, not just “haters.”

Ayaan Hirsi Ali grew up Muslim in Somalia, but now she criticizes radical Islam and sometimes (maybe this is what really bothers the SPLC) fraternizes with American conservatives. The center put Hirsi Ali on its list.

The center also smears the Family Research Council. I sometimes disagree with the council. But it doesn’t belong on a “hate map.”

“When they don’t agree with you politically, they’re going to list you as a ‘hater,’” says council Executive Vice President Jerry Boykin.

“You are a hater!” I tell him. “You hate gays.”

“No, I don’t hate gay people!” he responds. “I know gay people and I’ve worked with gay people.”

The council merely opposed gay marriage, an opinion they shared with Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton ...

One man became so enraged by what the SPLC wrote, he went to the council’s headquarters to kill people. He shot a security guard.

Fortunately, that wounded guard stopped him before he could shoot anyone else.

“He told the judge that he was there to kill as many of us as possible because we were a ‘hate group,’” says Boykin.

The center also smears the Ruth Institute, a Christian group that believes adoption agencies should first try to place children with straight couples.

I told Ruth Institute President Jennifer Morse that she must be “a hater.”

“I like gay people,” she laughs. “I have no problem with gay people! That’s not the issue. ... There could be cases where the best person for a particular child would be their Uncle Harry and his boyfriend. ... But we owe it to the children to give them the best we can, which generally is a married mother and father.”

When the SPLC put the institute on its hate map, its bank cut them o .

“You’re an organization that promotes hate, violence ...,” wrote the bank. “Therefore we’re not doing business with you.”

The Ruth Institute and Family Research Council are still on the hate list.

“There’s no appeal. I sure don’t know how you get o ,” Morse complains.

I suspect the center keeps its hate list long to bring in lots of money.

The center pays some of its people more than

Guest Column

Letters to the Editor

Boost EDSO funding

EDITOR:

Please, let us advocate for increased funding for the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce Our local sheri ’s deputies are asked to wear multiple hats and are asked to work very long hour shifts in a row. They deserve increased funding for new hires, training, increased salary and equipment.

There’s a precedent for this. Sacramento County’s Sheri ’s Department received increased funding.

I’m not complaining or criticizing. I’m merely making the case that El Dorado County, though a rural area, is actually a vast area and our local sheri ’s law enforcement o cers deserve appropriate support and compensation for all the work that they do.

We have big city problems but a small budget for our local sheri ’s department.

Many of our local sheri ’s deputies and first responders can’t a ord a home in El Dorado County on their salary and they work, on average, 12-hour shifts.

Let us as a community advocate for increased funding for EDSO. Thank you. The better we treat our local law enforcement, the better they are able to serve us.

I would be so very grateful to all of you joining me in this worthwhile endeavor.

FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ Placerville

Thank you long overdue

EDITOR:

We all have been taught that during our Revolutionary War, the battle of Yorktown was the deciding blow for our victory against Great Britain. What we were not taught is that Great Britain was in a world war against France and Spain at the same time.

In Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Patriot,” France has only one person while the Americans made up the entire military. In fact, during that battle France had four times more troops than the U.S. and sustained four times as many losses.

This reality was explained to me by a French bartender in Paris when I was 19, (I hate Paris) after I told him that we saved the French during World War II.

I know now that the U.S. would have never defeated the British without the support of the Netherlands, Spain and France. And I want to tell them thank you.

Strangely enough, Joe Biden, and others have stated many times that our 2nd Amendment is

worthless because to win a revolution against the federal government one would need F-16s. Coincidentally the Netherlands, Spain and France all have F-16s.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Cameron Park Library display

EDITOR:

Iwas recently at the Cameron Park Library where I saw a new display in the library’s teen space titled “Let’s Celebrate Pride Month.” The display located at the entrance of this library’s teen section aimed to celebrate the origins and heroes of the LGBTQ movement.

This area is filled with children ages 11-17 but as the library is situated next to the local middle school most children are in the 11-13 age group. All children coming to the library teen space see this display. By the way, adults are not allowed in the library teen space. I understand themed displays are a method used by library sta to help patrons discover new books on varied topics and are a form of marketing in the world of library science. Is this not marketing the LGBTQ movement to children ages 11-17 by placing it in front of the teen only area?

There are many reasons why people oppose the promotion of the LGBTQ movement in public agencies. I will narrow my objection down to only one letter of the acronym — T.

The T within the LGBTQ acronym stands for transgender. It is my understanding transgender people, although born a certain biological sex, think, feel and believe they are in fact a di erent gender. To me this is simply not reality.

For example, if a person is 60 years old but thinks and feels they are a teenager it doesn’t make it so. They can change their appearance and mannerisms to resemble a teen, but it still doesn’t make it true. Therefore, in my opinion, celebrating a movement that encourages children to pretend to be something other than what they are is very dangerous.

This all reminds me of a once popular children’s story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” in which all the townspeople had to tell the king that he had on beautiful clothes even though he was in fact naked. It was a wonderful children’s classic. I wonder if the Cameron Park Library still has it on the shelf and, if so, I hope it is still in the children’s fiction section.

Please contact the Cameron Park Library to voice your own opinion.

JANA DEVEREUX Rescue

The danger and stupidity of the SMART Prices Act

America’s largest pharmaceutical companies continue to sound the alarm about last year’s Inflation Reduction Act.

But rather than heeding these warnings, the IRA’s strongest proponents are doubling down.

In April Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, which now has dozens of Democratic co-sponsors. The legislation would give Medicare o cials the power to set prices for more drugs and do so even sooner after they hit the market. It would also lower the ceiling for prices for the drugs subject to “negotiation.”

The SMART Prices Act is deeply stupid, in that it would make both the delivery of health care — and the cost of improved outcomes — more expensive.

Time and again, economists have demonstrated that as a general matter, increased spending on new drug innovations reduces overall healthcare spending by replacing the need for more costly care. As just some examples, statins replace heart surgeries, hepatitis C drugs replace kidney transplants and antidepressants replace in-person psychology visits.

Thus, e orts that kill o drug innovation prevent such cost reductions from taking place.

Already, the IRA’s drug pricing

provisions have undermined e orts to combat numerous debilitating conditions, from cancer to Alzheimer’s. The SMART Prices Act, if enacted, would sound a death knell for investment in one of the most innovative sectors of the U.S. economy. By capping the potential returns on drug development, price controls discourage companies from investing in research. An analysis colleagues and I conducted suggested that these price controls could prevent the creation of 135 new medicines by 2039. And based on recent company announcements, our estimate may have been too optimistic. Many major

firms have already announced plans to scale back drug development. Drugmakers’ reasoning isn’t di cult to understand. Drug development is an expensive undertaking, with the cost of each newly approved medication averaging more than $2 billion after taking failed research lines into account. Price controls impede pharmaceutical firms from earning outsized returns on their few successful projects — and, as a result, they diminish the incentive to pursue breakthrough drugs in the first place.

Remarkably, Sen. Klobuchar and her colleagues seem unperturbed by this outcome. Their proposed new

Time and again, economists have demonstrated that as a general matter, increased spending on new drug innovations reduces overall healthcare spending …

TOMAS PHILIPSON

The center puts Moms for America on its “hate map,” but not Antifa, the hate group that beats up people on the right.

Stossel Continued from A4 $400,000 a year.

“More than my entire annual budget,” Morse says. “So yeah, whatever they’re doing — it pays.”

It sure does. Harper’s Magazine once reported that the center was the richest civil rights group in America, one that spends most of its time and energy trying to raise more money.

Center staff promised they’d stop fundraising once their endowment reached $55 million. But when they reached $55 million, they raised their goal to $100 million, saying $100 million would allow them to “cease costly fundraising.”

But when they reached $100 million — they didn’t cease. They collected $200 million. Then $400 million. Now they have $730 million.

Yet they still raise money.

“Much of which is in offshore accounts in the

Philipson Continued from A4

legislation takes some of the most destructive features of the IRA’s drug pricing policy and makes them far worse.

Consider that the original law exempted new medicines from price controls for either 9 or 13 years following Food and Drug Administration approval, depending on the category of drug. The SMART Act would make all medicines eligible for price controls just five years after FDA approval.

The SMART Act also doubles the number of medicines eligible for government price controls — an indication of the intent of the authors to allow

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

Caymans,” says Boykin.

It’s true. You can see it on their tax forms.

Today the SPLC even smears groups like Moms for Liberty and Moms for America, calling them anti-government extremists because they oppose sexually explicit content in schools and seek school board seats to try to “stop ... school districts (from) disregarding the opinions of parents.”

Give me a break. The center puts Moms for America on its “hate map,” but not Antifa, the hate group that beats up people on the right.

Today the Southern Poverty Law Center is a hate group itself.

It’s a left-wing, money-grabbing smear machine.

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

the government to set prices on all drugs.

Instead of acknowledging the distress signals from industry and seeking to correct the disastrous effects of the IRA, the SMART Prices Act doubles down. Patients, not pharmaceutical executives or investors, are the ones who will ultimately pay the price for Congress’ obstinance by more costly care and worse health.

Tomas Philipson is an economist at the University of Chicago who served on the White House Council of Economic Advisers as a member and acting chairman, 2017-20.

Bike Month Continued from A3

Hoffman, a Wheelie Wheelie Ridiculously Good Looking team member. “The Tahoe bike paths are beautiful but we experienced firsthand the need for safer bike infrastructure when one of our team members was the victim of a hit and run on Pioneer. We’re grateful to TRPA and the Tahoe Bike Coalition for sponsoring such an awesome event and hope it brings awareness and action for more bike-friendly development throughout the basin.”

Visitors gathered for more than 20 bike-friendly events throughout June:

• Tahoe residents stopped by “bike kitchen” popups to learn how to fix and tune their bikes. The Bike Coalition and El Dorado County Library hosted the popups around the basin every Friday in June.

• The Truckee community encouraged volunteers to bike for the 19th annual Truckee Day Cleanup event.

• The 30th America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride around the lake returned.

• More than 70 commuters stopped by Bicycle Coalition booths for donuts on their way to work.

• Lake Tahoe Pride hosted the second annual Pride Bike Ride.

• Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association again hosted the annual Mountain Bike Festival in Meyers.

• The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition closed the month-long challenge with its Bike Month Celebration Ride.

Bike Month organizers said they hope to see people continue to bike, walk and ride transit this summer. TRPA and its partners maintain a website dedicated to information about getting around Tahoe without driving at LinkingTahoe.com. An interactive bike map can be found at map.tahoebike.org and paper maps are available at bike shops and visitor centers throughout Tahoe and Truckee.

The Tahoe Bike Challenge will return in June 2024.

Fire Continued from A1

EDCFPD firefighters were assisted by crews from the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service in their hour-long effort to bring the blaze under control. Crews were able to contain the fire before it was able to spread to nearby vegetation.

A man occupying the first home was transported to a local hospital with minor burn injuries by an EDCFPD medic. Both homes were reported to have suffered more than 50% damage from the fire, according to Poganski.

An investigator has visited the site but a cause for the fire has not yet been determined.

Announcements

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

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

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

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

Ready for real change?

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

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

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

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

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

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

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

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

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

LOOK WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING AT PONT É PALMERO!

Ponté Palmero is a full-service resort-style retirement community that allows you to invest your retirement in making new memories with new friends while being free from home maintenance, routine chores, and meal preparation. Our community offers a number of apartment home options to choose from. Some options include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments with private baths and individual climate control. Many units include spacious patios and balconies.

Tahoe Fund to match donations for trail work in wilderness

News release

Nineteen miles of trail that travel through Desolation Wilderness in the area of Echo Lakes and Lake Aloha are in need of extensive restoration work due to high use, erosion and extreme weather events. To address this critical need, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund is partnering with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to launch a $50,000 matching campaign.

“In the last year alone the section of trail that travels from Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha had over 2,000 trail users per week between June and September,” states Tahoe Rim Trail Association Executive Director Morgan Steel in a news release. “With the support of Tahoe Fund donors, we will be able to undertake major restoration work to repair and fortify this popular section of the Tahoe Rim Trail system co-aligned with the Pacific Crest Trail.”

The news release notes work to be completed over the next two years will include re-establishing the trail tread, completing extensive rock work to make the trail surface safer for hikers and equestrians and adding drainages to decrease erosion. These trail restoration activities aim to protect water quality, prevent habitat and landscape fragmentation and protect sensitive biological resources.

“This beloved section of trail takes you to gorgeous alpine lakes and through pristine wilderness,” said Deb Howard, Tahoe Fund board member. “We’re calling on our community to help fund this restoration work to give all trail users a safer, more enjoyable experience, while also reducing the impact on Tahoe’s sensitive alpine environment.”

n See trail work page A8

“I think it is important to reflect that the Fourth of July is celebrated annually,” Hidahl said. “It is the birth of our nation where we established our constitution and its subsequent amendments almost 250 years ago, so we have a strong history and heritage in this country, which I think needs to be recognized.”

In the spirit of Independence Day and inspired after watching a documentary on George Washington, Hidahl said he gained more insight on how Christianity played into American history.

That is when Hidahl came across a proclamation adopted by the Constitution Party of Pennsylvania in 2021, which he used excerpts from to construct the proclamation, he told the Mountain Democrat.

“I didn’t do a lot of research on the group itself, my main focus was to find excerpts on the relevance of what our history has been based on the religion to help inform and educate where we have been as a country,” Hidahl said.

Some in the community took issue with Hidahl citing the Constitution Party, formerly known as the U.S. Taxpayers Party, which has been described as a conservative political group with Christian ideological views of the U.S. Constitution.

The proclamation found itself on the consent calendar of the board’s agenda, a part of the meeting designed for quick approval and little to no discussion.

“Using the Constitution Party’s proclamation for El Dorado County shows that the county supports the platform and principles of the Constitution Party, including its extreme anti-gay stance,” Melinda Velasco told the Board of Supervisors.

“It is interesting that Hidhal would recommend a proclamation drafted by an anti-gay political group for July right after gay pride month in June.”

Others who spoke during public comment expressed to the board that the proclamation is dismissive of other religious groups.

“I feel the language in this document does not represent the diverse religions, cultures, ethnicities and even indigenous folks that were here before us,”

said Joanne Abraham, 44-year El Dorado County resident. “I feel we need to take a look at that and discuss it rather than leaving it on the consent calendar.”

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin took issue with leaving out a part of the Constitution Party’s proclamation, which states, “A principle reason for many who colonized the land that has become the United States was for religious freedom and this still exists as immigrants continue to come here to leave religious persecution and to be able to worship as they desire.”

“It almost negates (that) founding part of (the proclamation) and at the end, it talks about doing this each year and that concerns me because it ties the hands of future boards,” Parlin commented. “I think we need to be a little more thoughtful when we do proclamations.”

Chief Administrative Officer Tiffany Schmid confirmed to the board the county has no policy on presenting and adopting proclamations.

“I think we need to look into that because there have been concerns in the past,” Parlin added.

Robin Gunning, a Placerville resident who said her son has a disability, expressed her disappointment that the board didn’t bring forward a proclamation that recognizes Disability Pride Month, which initially started as a day of celebration in 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law.

Disability Pride Month is celebrated each year in July in the U.S.

“We have Christianity in our community all the time,” Gunning said. “It is everywhere. We don’t need one month to celebrate somebody’s religion but we need one month to celebrate the diversity of the community and July needs to be focused on Disability Month. It doesn’t make Placerville look like a very welcoming place if you’re only highlighting only one religion when there are a multitude of religions in this community.”

During the adoption of the consent calendar, the board voted 4-1 in favor of the proclamation, with Parlin casting a ‘no’ vote.

(A151806)

black.

EMMIE (A147978)

GARRETT (A152649)

He is definitely not a lawman, but perhaps a bartender. orange tabby DSH 4 yr. Ready for a pat on the head.

He is not an evil genius programmer, just a big tan and white Anatolian Shepherd mix. “Come bond with him.” 1 yr.

BORIS (A151468)

focused on “nonjudgmental and noncoercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live to assist them in reducing attendant harm.” The group provides direct outreach services including exchanging used needles for new ones, supplying emergency overdose medication such as NARCAN and testing drugs for fentanyl to both homeless and housed county residents. The board-submitted letter, signed by Board Chair Wendy Thomas and El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, lines out multiple concerns the local government and law enforcement agency have with the needle exchange’s operation in the county. A presentation given to the board and later revisited by the City Council laid out the concerns in further detail, including arguments the coalition’s efforts did little more than enable drug use, did not notably mitigate spread of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C in the

area and was cited as a factor in increased crime.

Harm reduction organizations in California must have their authorization to operate in a county renewed yearly; SHRC’s next potential renewal date is Sept. 1. Though an official decision is not expected to come until that time, a representative from the CDPH who did not give their name has responded to the Mountain Democrat with information that challenges claims made in the county and city letters.

Needles on the streets

A concern voiced at both county and city meetings regarding SHRC’s operations was that the organization’s needle exchange led to an increase in the number of used needles discarded in public streets and parks.

“It exposes our public to dangers and the less needles on the street we’re better off,”

Councilmember David Yarbrough said at the June 27 meeting. Though no specific numbers were given, councilmembers Yarbrough and Jackie Neau both stated they

had seen a uptick in the number of discarded and presumably used needles while on walks.

An article published by the Centers for Disease Control, “Summary of Information on The Safety and Effectiveness of Syringe Services Programs,” provides an alternate perspective.

Recognizing the risk of accidental jabs — CDC data shows as many as one in three law enforcement officers will experience such a situation in the line of duty — multiple studies have looked how syringe exchanges may factor into potential risks.

Study findings cited in the CDC article appear to make a definitive argument that exchange programs do more to keep needles off the streets rather than adding to them: “A study compared the prevalence of improperly disposed of syringes and self-reported disposal practices in a city with SSPs (San Francisco) to a city without SSPs (Miami) and found eight times as many improperly disposed of syringes in Miami, the

city without SSPs. People who inject drugs in San Francisco also reported higher rates of safe disposal practices than those in Miami. Data from CDC’s National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system in 2015 showed that the more syringes distributed at SSPs per people who inject drugs in a geographic region, the more likely people who inject drugs in that region were to report safe disposal of used syringes.”

Crime

When presenting property and drug crime statistics to the board in June, Leikauf indicated the downward trend in crime was attributable to EDSO’s “total enforcement” approach. Leikauf also noted the decline may stem from changes in laws that came with Propositions 47 and 57 that decriminalize drug offenses and reduce severity of property crimes; additionally, corporate retail policies have begun to not enforce or report thefts such as shoplifting.

Leikauf’s argument highlighted that, although crimes may be reported less, they are still happening and can be attributed to the population SHRC serves. County officials claim in the board-signed letter that the coalition’s services in the county are undermining efforts to reduce the homeless population that commits some of those nowunreported crimes.

“With our Sheriff’s Office we are constantly chasing these people and trying to keep our community safe,” Leikauf said. Communication from the CDPH disputes the county’s rationale, attributing causes of crime to other factors.

“Studies have demonstrated there is no correlation between the presence of a syringe program in an area and crime rates; rather,

systemic factors such as poverty, trauma and a lack of educational and employment opportunities persist in driving most crime,” a CDPH representative states in an email.

The representative added that other efforts in the county could provide long-term improvements in terms of crime reduction.

“Efforts in El Dorado County to open a navigation center as well as other social services are examples of a public health approach to social inequities that may have lasting positive effects in the community.”

Disease transmission

One pervasive point in the conversation about SHRC was the limited spread of disease in the community presently, calling into question the necessity of an exchange program in the area.

CDPH reports show eight people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021 and six diagnosed in 2020; there were 181 reported cases of hepatitis C in 2019, with the number dropping to 145 by 2021, according to El Dorado County Communications Director Carla Hass.

Though the case numbers are low, the CDPH representative states the risk of spread was still worth considering.

“15% of people living with HIV in El Dorado County reported injection drug use as a risk for transmission.

The average statewide is 12%,” the CDPH email states. “When public health prevention

programs work as they should, its effects are invisible. It is only when something goes wrong that people become aware of the silent role these interventions. While rural counties such as El Dorado may currently have relatively few residents with diagnosed cases of HIV and hepatitis C virus, the presence of a syringe program can make all the difference in preventing an outbreak like the one in Scott County, Indiana in 2015, where 215 people in a small, rural community were infected with HIV before public health officials were able to bring transmission under control.”

Addiction

Though studies have found harm reduction program users were five times as likely to enter a treatment program and nearly three times as likely to stop using drugs, EDSO has not seen SHRC as a reliable road to recovery. Leikauf shared with the board that a confidential informant had reached out to the organization for help ending their addiction but was told no rehab resources were available and were instead given drug use supplies, fentanyl test kits, alcohol swabs, condoms and lip balm.

“We already have the tools and resources available here if they want help to overcome (drug addiction),” Leikauf said. “We remain an agency that is committed to total enforcement on crime and criminals and total care for our victims, witnesses and community.”

All donations to the Echo Lakes Trail Restoration project will be doubled until the $50,000 fundraising goal is reached. Contributions will also be matched with funding from the Latrobe Fund and in-kind contributions from California Conservation Corps, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about the project and donate at tahoefund.org/desolation.

Trail work Continued from A7

White fir Continued from A1

dubbed Firetop, and found it to be 265.87-feet tall. Most sugar pines — the tallest pine species — rarely ever reach heights above 250 feet.

The tree is more than 16 feet around and just wider than 5 feet in diameter. Though slightly scorched by the fire at its base, Firetop is alive and well. The tree, as French put it, “completely shattered” the previous record — a 257.5-foot white fir discovered in 2020 by Duncan Kennedy.

Within Firetop’s wet gully, the Caldor Fire burned at low intensity but the surrounding area experienced moderate-to high-severity fire. On a hillside less than 300 feet away, salvage logging is taking place to clean up dead trees left by Caldor’s carnage. Although Firetop lies on Eldorado National Forest land, it is bordered by Sierra Pacific Industries land that is being logged.

Taylor and French said they worry the tall, old white fir and neighboring survivors — other white fir, ponderosa, Douglas-fir and sugar pine that also withstood the inferno

– could be harvested by the logging operations. They want to bring this world record white fir to the attention of the Eldorado National Forest and the public to ensure it is managed responsibly. Taylor added he thinks establishing a buffer zone to protect the big tree is a good idea. French noted he wants SPI to know that “the tree is being watched” and that harvest would be noticed and not tolerated.

One of the ecological benefits of big, old trees is they are more fire resistant — largely because they have thicker bark, for one. What is more, as survivors of fire, their seeds are dispersed across the burnt landscape to regrow a healthy forest. French and Taylor report natural regeneration of Douglas-fir, white fir, sugar pine and ponderosa is already evident in the vicinity of Firetop.

Taylor and French said they hope by sharing the news of their discovery, Firetop will continue to survive, thrive, and be part of a healthy, new forest in the wake of the Caldor Fire.

Photo courtesy of Joshua French

Burned trees are cleared on Sierra Pacific Industries land in the 2021 Caldor Fire burn scar, near where tree hunter Michael Hunter discovered a very tall white fir.

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In the KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Hasan Ghori of El Dorado Hills, who recently graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Congratulations to Ryan Wells of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Emerson College Dena’s List.

Congratulations to Nitya Haswani of El Dorado Hills, who received faculty honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Congratulations to Zachary Hiliiker of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the University of Tampa Dean’s List

Congratulations to Amelia Wojcik of Cameron Park and Hunter Slatten of El Dorado Hills, who were named to the Pacific University Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Dylan Souza of Placerville, who earned semester honors at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Congratulations to Madison Arno and Bryson Summers, who were named to the Coastal Carolina University Dean’s List.

July 21

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on site to assist with any gardening questions. Check the website before visiting at ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

The Sierra Renaissance Society invites members and the public to a free Ice Cream Social, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Club, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Board members will serve at least two flavors of ice cream with toppings for sundaes and answer questions about the organization and members’ commitment to lifelong learning. Music will also be provided.

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery hosts a dinner and cocktails night with pianist Sherman Applegate performing, 6-8 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Visit sierravistawinery.com/ shop/event/piano.

Red Dirt Ruckus and Wolf Jett will perform at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville, 7:4511:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Fresh performs at Red Hawk Casino’s Stage Bar in Placerville, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information

D. Lee Reyes Special to the Mountain Democrat

Gold Country Artists Gallery, an awardwinning artists’ cooperative in Placerville, is now showing work by its newest artists, painter Jan Welda, glass artist Eric Stanley and fluid artist Dawn Johnson.

Luminous work

Welda was born in Los Angeles. After living in Wisconsin, Arizona, New York and Florida, she became a world traveler, landed in the Hawaiian Islands for a time and eventually made her way back to the Golden State. All the places she has lived in influence her art, but Hawaii in particular greatly impacted her; the artist’s work honors her love for that environment and culture. Drawing and painting since she was very young, she continues to experiment with many different media, but tends to return to oils, pen and ink and etching as her favorites.

Welda’s process is as organic as her subject choices. She begins her creations by drawing loops in layers, all free hand, occasionally with photo references, to build her images.

“My style synergizes Old World realism with contemporary sensibilities,” she explained, citing painters like Vermeer and Durer, Peter Poskas and Kawase Hasui as her inspirations. “I use the classic old masters’ glazing technique of applying thin, transparent — easily seven or more — layers of paint to prepared canvas or wood as a way to coax light to travel through and reflect from the deeper layers.”

This labor-intensive technique creates luminosity in the jewel-like colors that are a hallmark of her work.

When discussing her painting “Water Lilies,” Welda speaks of her friend who owned a small gallery with an adjacent lily pond. She caught this scene a few moments after the rain when the air was still steamy and humid. Loving how the water beaded on the leaves and the intensity of color in

the blossoms, it moved her to memorialize this “moment in time.”

“We Belong Together” is Welda’s gorgeously painted representation of rocks on a pebbly beach in Maui. The waves had just receded, leaving the stones wet and glistening in the sun. The viewer can almost perceive a smell of ocean water rising from the stones. Welda also showcases her incredible skill in depicting water rippling over rocks in “Crystal Clear.” She said she centers her choice of subjects on “calming, peaceful and healing images that empower an attending presence and increase the mindfulness of the viewer.”

Contentment in a moment of tranquility and deep awe is conveyed to a viewer when gazing at her paintings.

Welda won her first prize for an oil painting at the age of 17. Since then her award-winning

work has been presented in numerous galleries, honored with acceptance into juried art shows and is in many private collections worldwide. She creates her paintings in her atelier, Clear Light Studio. The artist said she hopes that her images of stunning, and exquisitely calming natural scenes will bring peace, light and clarity to many people.

Lost in the process

The beauty in nature has always inspired glass artist Stanley. At Michigan State University he studied studio art and landscape architecture, which offered a solid career path. But after 20 years of creating outdoor spaces through landscape design, like parks, campuses and commercial properties, his true passion is creating fine artwork in a more abstract form.

Working as a landscape architect gave him opportunities to observe the complexities of construction sites. The materials like concrete, rebar, wire, concrete, steel and rusted iron fascinated him.

“I am intrigued by the underlying structures that can’t be seen,” he said.

As an artist with a passion to create, Stanley began making sculptures using glass as a bridge between his love for art and his experience with building materials.

“I get a great deal of satisfaction when I’m lost in the process of creating art,” Stanley shared. “My sculptures play with light and shadow that changes as the context in which they are viewed changes.”

His use of delicate kilnformed glass juxtaposed

“Water Lilies,” haiku style, by Jan Welda

“Something Fishy” by Eric Stanley

“Treasure Cay” by Dawn Johnson

n See Gallery, page B9

n See Know page B4

Queen tribute band will rock Saureel Vineyards

Last year The Kings of Queen — the nation’s top Queen tribute — wowed the Saureel Summer Nights audience to the point they begged event organizer Kilt & Cork to bring them back. Wish granted; the band once again takes the stage Saturday, July 22.

The Kings of Queen was formed by frontman and lead singer Emo Alaeddin after taking on a project to record the main vocals for a Queen project. After delivering more than 20 Queen songs with explicit instructions to sound as close to Freddie Mercury as possible, Alaeddin knew what path lay before him. Consequently, it was time to cut his long curly locks, grow a mustache and embody one of the greatest rockstars to ever walk the earth.

His vision was to deliver the sound of Queen as fans remember it: just

like the record. He realized the best way to honor the legacy of Mercury is to find not only the best musicians in the industry, but the best vocalists too. Indeed, the four core members of the band sing their own distinctive parts of their two-hour repertoire as recorded by Queen.

What makes The Kings of Queen truly unique is that its members are purists in that they do not sing to tracks. All the music and vocals that audiences hear are 100% live by the members of The Kings of Queen. The band members who complete The Kings of Queen are guitarist/vocalist Gregg Thompson, bassist/vocalist Mikey LP and dummer/vocalist Ted Morton. Moreover, Alaeddin visually brings Mercury to life with his mannerisms, movements, costume changes and looks.

Opening for The Kings of Queen is a hot new San Diego indie-rock band n See tribute, page B9

Courtesy photo

The Kings of Queen deliver the sound of Queen as fans remember it. Hear the band at Saureel Vineyards in Placerville this Saturday.

Mountain Democrat

Know Continued from B1 visit redhawkcasino.com.

Indigenous performs at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

July 22

Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in the Pleasant Valley area, is serving its acclaimed Pairings Lunches on the Vineyard Terrace on Saturdays and Sundays with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Pairings 2023

combines a chef’s creativity with the beautifully crafted Miraflores wines. Diners will be able to talk to the chef du jour about the wine and food experience. On July 22 & 23 chef UnChu Littlefield is preparing a Korean-style meal. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery.com to make a reservation.

World Famous Barber Jon partners with El Dorado Saloon in El Dorado Hills for an arm wrestling competition at the saloon. Weigh-in starts at noon and the tournament

begins at 2 p.m. The tournament will raise funds to help homeless veterans.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse presents a BBQ fundraiser, 4-10 p.m. at Serene Ranch in Placerville. Enjoy a tri-tip and chicken dinner, dancing and a live auction. For tickets and more information visit eventbrite.com/e/ el-dorado-county-sheriffs-bbqtickets-646772894137.

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area presents Darth Mozart, 5-8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (530) 622-7221 or visit sierravistawinery.com.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform 5-8 p.m. at Fenton-Herriott Vineyards in Placerville.

Enjoy live music and good food for a great cause benefitting American River Conservancy’s Resilience

Reserve. In partnership with Marco’s Cafe, ARC hosts a series of outdoor concerts featuring local bands at the quaint farmhouse of Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville. The gate opens at 5:30 for each show. The schedule: Little Hurricane (July 22), Red Dirt Ruckus (Aug. 12), Ryder Thieves (Aug. 26) and Nipper Brothers (Sept. 9). Find more information and purchase tickets at bit.ly/ Concerts4CauseARC.

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

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Blood of the Lamb,” 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Black Irish Band will perform at 7 p.m. at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

in Jamestown. For tickets and more information visit railtown1897.org/events.

Amador City hosts a Dancin’ in the Streets party, 6-9 p.m, with The Blowbacks. For more information visit the website, VisitAmadorCity.com.

July 23

Holly’s Hill Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music at 1 p.m. See Gypsy Standard Time (July 23), Jordan Wells (July 29), Hill Country Jam Sessions (July 30 and Aug. 27), According to Bazooka (Aug. 13) and Retro Duo (Aug. 20). For more information visit hollyshill. com/events.

She Calls Him Wilson will perform at 1 p.m. at Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Fair Play.

Vino Noceto in Plymouth hosts Summer of Sangiovese with several events: live music by Ed Wilson (July 23) and

Namaste and Sangiovese (Aug. 12). For more information visit noceto.com.

July 24

Vitalant will host an El Dorado Hills community blood drive noon to 4 p.m. The Bloodmobile in the parking lot near the baseball fields at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, 1021 Harvard Way. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM019 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walkins will be accommodated if space allows.

July 25

Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento presents “The Addams Family,” July 25-30. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento. com.

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

Now

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

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Seussical Kids” through July 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Exciting Opportunity Finance Assistant I

I: $23.65 -$28.74/hr

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Construction & Maintenance Worker I/II/Senior- Drinking Water

or request an application by emailing Stephanie Beck at slbeck@gd-pud.org. Return a completed application to the District office by mail, or email to: slbeck@gd-pud.org. Georgetown Divide Public Utility District P.O. Box 4240 Georgetown, CA. 95634

For further information call (530) 333-4356 or visit our website at www.gd-pud.org

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:

CITY’S RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION SEEKS MEMBERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

I: $28.29 -$34.39/hr

II: $31.26 -$37.99/hr

Senior: $34.51 -$41.95/hr

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Substitute Cafeteria Assistant, Cook, and Maintenance Custodian Positions at Sly Park

Set your own schedule and enjoy the flexibility of a substitute at the beautiful Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rates: Cafeteria Assistant -$16.40 hr., Cook- $19.01 hr., Maintenance Custodian - $19.49 hr. Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1807592

For more information, contact Sacramento County Office of Education Personnel Dept. 916-228-2332

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Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

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

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

Straight From DeHart Productions presents “New Truck for Paulie” through July 30 at California Stage in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit straightfromdehartproductions.ticketspice.com/newtruck-for-paulie.

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

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

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

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “For the Love of Dog” through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 5242540 or visit stageatburke. com.

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

B Street Theatre at The Sofia in Sacramento presents “Insertion” through Aug. 13. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.

Christopher Nolan is a serious man. He gravitates to telling stories about serious people through the medium of film.

Democrat correspondent

Theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer recruited and led hundreds of the most brilliant men and women with the task of creating the most Earthchanging weapon in the history of man to combat the most serious of threats during World War II. It’s perfect material for a filmmaker of both the talent and gravitas of Nolan and it’s the best movie of 2023 so far.

With all the heady discussion to be had on the birth of weapons of mass destruction, this is first and foremost a three hour drama. The performances are what will allow the film to connect and elevate. One that level the film truly excels. Cillian Murphy (“Peaky Blinders,” “28 Days Later”) plays the titular character in this story of the American scientist and his role in developing the atomic bomb. If there is a better leading performance this year I will be surprised. Murphy embodies the conundrum of Oppenheimer perfectly: quiet but engaging. Strategic but reckless. Charming but curt. This is a man who led the creation of a weapon of immense death and destruction but lobbied for governments to not use it. He is a man of great complexities and Murphy conveys those even in moments where he is barely moving or speaking.

Another secret weapon (no pun intended) of this film is Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Sherlock Holmes”) as U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Lewis Strauss. In the years of Marvel movies and the over-the-top caricature of Tony Stark/Iron Man Mr. Downey has been tasked to play since 2008 one could forget the man is an exceptional actor. As the film moves into its third act it’s apparent Strauss is an antagonist of Oppenheimer and it’s refreshing to see one of our best American performers has some great material to chew on after years of immense visual effects-laden movies.

Speaking of visual effects, apparently no CGI was used in the making of the film. On one hand I applaud the effort of Nolan to go completely analog on the creation of this massive film. On the other hand, I feel like you can use the technology sparingly

to enhance the story and cinematic experience. One of the complaints I have centers around the biggest spectacle and show-stopping moment of the film: the nuclear test in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Code name: The Trinity Test.

For all of the pre-release buzz this sequence had, I was ready for an absolute assault on the eyes and ears for several minutes after the bomb was detonated. While the scene itself is mostly effective and impressive, it’s a bit of a let down. Nolan and sound designer Randy Torres (who does amazing work on this film) get clever with the sound of individuals watching the test and the blast itself has a few moments of intensity, but even without CGI there are a dozens ways to actually go inside the blast, show the brilliance of its size and sound and emulate that on the big screen. I had the pleasure of watching this on one of the few 70mm IMAX screens in North America. I fully expected the floor to shake and the crowd to be blinded for a few moments during the test. That didn’t really happen. My other complaint — and one that stops this otherwise excellent film from getting four stars — is what happens after the successful Trinity Test

at the two-hour mark. From that point the story goes from a breakneck pace of a ticking clock to complete the bomb to congressional hearings and political backstabbing. If the film is called “Oppenheimer” then one must discuss what the man dealt with during McCarthyism and losing his security clearance after years of dedicating his life to the protection of the United States. I liked a lot of the material here and this section is successful because it’s where Robert Downey Jr. gets the most screen time to shine, but I won’t be surprised if many moviegoers think Nolan outstayed his welcome here (which is a criticism of some of his other films too). It’s where a few around me in the crowd started to get restless (and a couple behind me started whispering sweet nothings to each other, which this film does not seem like the best material for).

The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic weapon is extremely heavy material. This was not lost on the crowd I watched it with. The entire first two hours of the film you felt the foreboding sense of dread that this was the birth

Outlaw country rolls into Sutter Creek

News release

SUTTER CREEK — Gethen Jenkins appears with his full band at Sutter Creek Theatre July 22.

Born to a military family in West Virginia and raised in a rural Native American village in Alaska, Jenkins enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably for eight years, including a 2003 deployment to Iraq. When he finally left the service, he stayed around Twentynine Palms and began pursuing his dream of playing country music.

Jenkins

Jenkins grew up around country. Since he was a kid, he’s been playing the guitar and writing his own music. Becoming a professional musician was the natural next step. And so he set to be like the great outlaw country stars of the past.

Jenkins and the Freightshakers have played more than 1,000 gigs and have earned many accolades, including the 2015 Ameripolitan Music Award for Best Outlaw Group, the 2017 California Country Awards for Best Male Vocalist and Best Album

and LA Weekly named Jenkins 2018’s Best Outlaw Country Artist. Sony/RED MUSIC and Five Music Inc. released his EP, “Where The Honkytonk Belongs” in July 2017; it had revolving play on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country and was one of the topselling outlaw country albums on iTunes.

Jenkins recorded his full-length album, “Western Gold in Nashville,” with awardwinning producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson). “Bottle In My Hand,” “Restless Ways” and “Me My Bottle and Nothing But Time” were featured on Paramount Network’s popular Western series “Yellowstone.” Gethen has shared the stage with prominent acts such as The Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joe Shaver, Wanda Jackson, David Allan Coe, and many more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Open seating, beer and wine are available at the former silent film theater. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Public Notices 

Courtesy photo

Gethen

and the Freightshakers perform outlaw country hits this Saturday in Sutter Creek.

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against rough structural elements mimics both the beauty and strength in natural and urban settings, he explained. His materials require extreme heat and chemical reactions to transform them into works of art.

“The intersection of physics, chemistry, light, and corrosion all combine in my process of creation,”

Stanley said. “I constantly explore new reactions and different combinations in form and expression to unite metal and glass in free standing dimensional and wall sculpture.”

Evoking the idea of a fish hiding amid sea grass, but with a somewhat “industrial” feeling, Stanley’s freestanding rectangle of translucent, iridescent blue glass with wire “grass” implies “Something Fishy.” For some of his hanging sculptures, like “Blue Wire,” he gathers tufts of tie wire to intersperse among glass rectangles of various colors and geometric formations. Many of his other pieces involve combinations of glass with steel and rebar he salvaged from construction sites and buildings, compositions that can feel organic and fabricated at the same time.

Stanley describes glass as something more than just a reflective material. “Glass changes and reflects light at different times of the day and year mimicking the changing color and texture of a planted environment,” he shared. “Light projects through the glass creating colorful shadows against walls, pavement, and snow. The glass and steel sculptures are designed as colorful elements that change throughout the year.”

Stanley is also an artist in recovery. His desire “to contrast the underlying structure that can’t be seen” is reflected in his absolute conviction that he would not have the freedom to create with the burden of active addiction. “The opportunity for growth in recovery parallels the creative aspects of my life,” he said. “Both are constantly changing and evolving, both bring joy and pain, both provide an opportunity to know myself better and strive toward the person I want to become. And in the end, both require action on my part to see the process continue.”

Gravity assist

Johnson’s career path earned her a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal defense. She also practices another kind of defense through advocacy on behalf of animals, particularly felines. In fact, her art studio shares a space inside a casita on her property, Second Hand Ranch, where she and her friends have fostered

more than 50 cats since its inception in 2018.

The pandemic impacted people in various ways, the lockdowns and limited access to regular activities leading to a universal and nearly intolerable state of boredom. Rather than just be bored, however, Johnson found a creative way to put this newly found downtime to good — and transformative — use. She decided to learn how to paint using a palette knife, but because of the COVID restrictions, she was unable to find a suitable instructor.

“It was just by chance while watching YouTube videos about palette knife painting that I came across fluid artistry and immediately fell in love with the painting technique,” she said. “I also discovered that this method of painting is a very relaxing experience.”

The online videos became her teacher and now she produces beautiful fluid art with acrylics, alcohol ink and resin paintings on canvas, tiles and wood.

Fluid art consists of several ways to create a painting including a technique called the “Dutch pour.” She preps her canvas with a base color to “carry” the other colors and colorants she mixes with water and a paint conditioner called Floetrol to control the consistency and viscosity of the paint. Then she gradually releases the paint onto the canvas from small cups and uses gravity to create interesting patterns and shapes. Denser fluids tend to move downward through thinner layers, and the varying densities produce lacy ribbons and cells of color. Tilting, shaking or tapping the canvas causes the paint to flow in different directions, and her manipulation of the paint with tools, heat, and other media, like resin, all add to the fantastic effects and abstract qualities of her fluid artistry.

Some artists describe this technique as “accidental painting,” but this description is misleading, as Johnson described her very complex and deliberate process as requiring a deep knowledge of how her favored media works and the forethought that goes into her creative process to achieve the outcome she envisions. Her process is also very time consuming; after several weeks of drying in a “clean room,” a coating of varnish or resin seals the paint, makes the colors more vibrant and prevents them from fading.

For her work titled “Treasure Cay,” she added sand, tiny seashells and glitter to make a stunning scene suggesting breakers on a shoreline. For another painting titled “Blue Lava,” she mixed glitter

Tribute Continued from B3

called Thredwood. Bringing solid guitar rock and very personal songwriting to his music, Jarod Reyes and Thredwood will win hearts over. Catch this band on its rise to the top while it still plays smaller venues and celebrates the release of a new EP, “A Thousand Songs.”

Saureel Vineyards is located at 1140 Cold Springs Road, Placerville. The show runs 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 22. In addition to great music, attendees will enjoy food trucks, a full bar, shaved ice, kettle corn and many other vendors. Bring lawn chairs and be ready to dance. Tickets are $25. First responders and veterans use promo code FIRST10 to get a discount. Admission is free for children 11 and younger. For tickets and more information visit kiltandcork.com/saureel-summer-nights.

into the paint and the frame to create an ethereal abstract.

Johnson explained what was once just a hobby, something to do during the pandemic, has evolved into creating serious artwork she is passionate about. Her work is now shown in galleries, in private collections and she fully intends to keep on investigating new techniques.

Gold Country Artists Gallery features the work of many awardwinning regional artists. The gallery at 379 Main St. in Placerville is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 8 p.m. the third Saturday of each month. For more information call (530) 642-2944 or visit goldcountryartistsgallery.com.

of the trajectory th at will ultimately be our undoing as a society and of the human race. We’ve opened Pandora’s Box.

The question of if humans should be able to harness the destructive power of God is posed many times in this film. If they actually showed the effects of what it did in Hiroshima and Nagasaki then perhaps the film would have answered its own questions; however, for whatever reason, Nolan chose not to go there. On a smaller level I know some of the lead scientists were sick and depressed for years after the destruction of those two cities. A further viewing recommendation would be for readers to search out the 1981 documentary “The Day After Trinity” (currently streaming on the Criterion Channel app) which includes interviews with several of the men and women who worked on the weapon and directly with Oppenheimer.

“Taxi Driver” writer and “The Card Counter” director Paul Schrader hailed “Oppenheimer” as “the best, most important film of this century.” I don’t agree with it being the “best.” It’s not even the best American film of the last

23 years. That distinction still belongs to Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” in my humble opinion, but as far as the “most important” Mr. Schrader might be onto something. There are a lot of lessons and warnings in this film and it is truly exceptional filmmaking.

One final note about viewing this picture; this is a movie you should absolutely see on the big screen with the best possible presentation. I mentioned that I had the chance to screen this in 70mm IMAX. There are several IMAX screens in every region and there many 70mm projectors out there, but for Sacramento-area readers the Esquire IMAX downtown is one of only seven (!) 70mm IMAX screens in North America (and only 30 worldwide) that brings these two formats together. If you are able to see it there, that’s my strongest possible recommendation.

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

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Lonestar

SUNDAY, JULY 30

Multiple-award-winning Lonestar’s chart-topping country hits started with the rock-edged “No News,” followed by “Come Cryin’ to Me” and “Everything’s Changed.” The band’s quadruple-platinum album Lonely Grill spawned four No. 1 hits, including the beloved global smash “Amazed.”

Photo by David Grenier