Mountain Democrat, Friday, July 26, 2024

Bringing Beauty to Broadway

■ Duo gives back to beloved community

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

Travelers along Broadway in Placerville have likely taken note of a mural project near Save Mart that has been steadily developing before their eyes in recent weeks.

Though the paint on the wall is new, the ideas for the public art piece have been percolating in the minds of Judy Puthu and her daughter, El Dorado County District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas, for around 17 years. After years of wanting to see a public art project brought to one of Placeville’s most bustling areas, the pair resolved to bring their dreams to life and the pieces finally began to fall into place.

“This story starts back in the ‘70s, when my parents built Hangtown Village Square, which has long been the anchor of Broadway,” Thomas recalled. “And as time went on, Broadway never developed past that; it was developed in the ‘50s as a corridor, but it was starting to become outdated. So we looked at what could be done to elevate and improve the Broadway corridor.”

Thomas’ e orts began in 2007 by forming an association focused on considering ways to lift the look and feel of Broadway. With Main Street often the subject of focus in the city, those in the Placerville Drive and Broadway districts often feel like they’re playing second fiddle despite outperforming Main Street in sales

PLACE ADDRESS

tax revenue generated for the city, Thomas explained. Through a series of discussions and polls, the Broadway Village Association determined public art was one of the mostwanted things from the community. The question of where that art would be located was easily answered by Puthu and Thomas.

For decades the PG&E substation located

next to the Save Mart on Broadway has sat relatively unchanged, a long rectangle of corrugated metal — perhaps prettier than an open-air electrical substation, but certainly not a sight destined for postcards. Where others saw a rectangle, though, the mother-daughter duo saw a canvas calling for art.

“We realized that this very large, unadorned

building in the middle of the Broadway corridor was a tremendous asset because it was a blank canvas for something beautiful,” Thomas said.

Though the idea was clear, the time just wasn’t right; funding wasn’t available, PG&E was going back and forth about granting permission to paint the building and things

a move that surprised many

“I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” the president posted from his X (formerly Twitter) account Sunday morning. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to o er my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”

“Harris has been a failure in the state of California and was almost hidden as vice president, and suddenly — and falsely — she’s being characterized as the savior of democracy ...”

— El Dorado County GOP Chairman Todd White

Though not wholly unprecedented — Lyndon Johnson and Harry Truman both dropped out of races while serving terms as president — Biden’s move is a rarity and the first of its kind in the modern approach to presidential elections. With Biden’s decision serving as a major shake-up to the presumed shape of the November election, state and local political groups have weighed in on how things may look going forward.

EDSO tribute to K-9 officers in the works

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce is making plans to install a monument honoring K-9 teams at the public safety facility in Placerville.

Conceptual ideas include erecting a statue in front of the entrance facing the facility’s eagle statue and constructing a monument with plaques listing the K-9 o cers along with the names of their fourlegged partners, according to Sheri Je Leikauf. The concept was brought forth to the Board of Supervisors July 23 during

the regular meeting.

“I originally thought about this a year ago that I would love to commemorate the service that our K-9s have had to our citizens and communities of our county and how much they truly mean to our sheri ’s o ce and our county,” Leikauf told the board.

Visitors to the o ce could soon be able to see the names of K-9 units from the past including German shepherds Moots, Heiko and Derek, a rottweiler named Bear, Harley the Dobermann Pinscher and drug-detection Springer spaniels Stanley and Willy. Four apprehension and two

drug-detection K-9 units, consisting of German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and Belgian malinois, currently serve and patrol the county for the Sheri ’s O ce, according to Leikauf.

“Our canines have saved the lives of countless citizens and deputy sheriffs regularly, putting themselves in harm’s way. They show up everyday to go to work with a positive, can-do attitude and do all of this for a little bit of playtime, a treat every now and then or a patting on the head or the rubbing of their ears,”

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

Half Moon Bay-based artist Julie Engelmann, who goes by @artbyjul_ on Instagram, sprays more paint onto the steadily-developing mural next to Broadway in Placerville. Engelmann has worked through sweltering summer heat as she creates her art piece.

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Leland Gordon

Feb. 24, 1941 – July 9, 2024

On July 9, 2024, Lee passed away in Camino. He is survived by his loving wife Jean of 61 years. Lee was born in San Francisco to Lennon and Frances Gordon. He has 3 daughters Sherie Baker and husband Paul, Laurie Gordon and Julie Gordon. He has 7 grandchildren Douglas and wife Ellie, Katherine and husband Justin, Sarah, Cameron, Nicklaus, Mary Jane, Jonathan and 4 great grandchildren Finn, Tristan, Kira and Leo. Lee grew up in San Carlos, and enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering, he worked for Westinghouse and the Department of Defense for 40 years. He’s lived all over the world in Goose Bay Labrador, Canada, The Philippines and in Germany. Traveling all over the world with his beautiful wife and daughters. He was a devoted 49er’s fan, loved fishing, camping. He was a proud Eagle Scout. He loved telling funny stories and making people laugh. Lee had built two houses with his wife Jean during their wonderful life together. He could fix and build anything. He loved to debate about politics and really any topic he was passionate about. He loved his church and was a member of Placer Heights Baptist Church. Lee has two surviving siblings, brother Roy and sister Phyllis. He was an Uncle to Derek, Cullen, Heather, Rob, Susiy, Pam and Heidi and a cousin to Shirley Vanderford. Lee had a wonderful life with his best friend and loving wife Jean. He is going to be missed by all of his family and friends.

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.

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.

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 was held at the church on July 20th.

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.

Gloria Miser

May 23 1947 – July 10 2024

Gloria Miser, 77 of Placerville passed away on July 10th after a long battle with multiple health issues. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Miser; her mother Connie Torres; her father Daniel Torrez; her sister’s Frances Davis and Sara Torres; her brother’s Daniel Torres Jr., Jesse Torres, Michael Torres and David Torres. She is survived by her son Ronny Miser; sister’s Mary Soto, Kathy Rogers and Virginia Torrez; brother’s Louie Torres, Johnny Torrez, and Carlos Torrez; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gloria was born in Clarksburg, CA. She was a native of Placerville, CA but resided in Ontario and Richmond for a period of time while her husband served in the Navy. She was a longtime employee of 24 years at Florence’s Dress shop in downtown Placerville and 34 years at Flyers gas station on Placerville Dr. Gloria lived life to it’s fullest and in her spare time enjoyed knitting, playing bingo, spoiling and dressing her dogs, watching game shows, traveling, and spending time with family. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed by all. Services will be held at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Rd in Placerville with a viewing on July 29, from 4pm-7pm and funeral service taking place on Wednesday, July 30, at 10:00am

Following funeral services, she will be laid to rest with graveside services taking place at Westwood Hills Memorial Park 2720, Cold Springs Road in Placerville. Following the services, everyone is invited to a celebration of life at 3550 China Garden Rd, Placerville, 95667 in the clubhouse.

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!

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.

35-ton slab ejected from overturned big rig

Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer

A big rig rollover on Highway 50 at Pacific House, west of Ice House Road, led to the extraction of a 70,000pound concrete slab off the freeway on the morning and afternoon of July 23. Both the driver, 34-year-old Peter Ferreyra, and his pet that was also in the vehicle came out OK, and no other injuries were reported. The crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. when Ferreyra’s Peterbilt truck left the southern roadway edge, causing the rig to overturn the vehicle and eject a 70,000 pound pre-

City to hold special event workshop

Odin Rasco Senior staff writer

Looking to address the persistent discourse surrounding Main Street closures and special events in downtown Placerville, the city will host a workshop Tuesday, July 30, to hear local opinions. The workshop will focus on three primary points of concern:

1. The number of events held over the year. 2. How events would be funded.

3. When events could be held. In previous comments made to the Placerville City Council, some Main Street merchants have shared concerns about road closures, claiming frequent

events lead to financial loss. Others have argued the opposite, saying events provide increased foot traffic that makes up for lost parking spaces. Though no direct action will be taken at the workshop, it will serve as a litmus test for what the community wants to see in the city’s event planning.

“This is community outreach; it’ll help our staff with decision-making in the future,” Placerville Director of Community Services Steve Youel told the Mountain Democrat.

The workshop is scheduled to run 6-8 p.m. July 30 at Town Hall, 549 Main St. For more information on the workshop, call Youel at (530) 6425232 or City Manager Cleve Morris at (530) 642-5200.

Suspects face felony charges for high-performance vehicle thefts

California Attorney General’s Office

News release

SACRAMENTO — California

Attorney General Rob Bonta

announced July 23 charges against three people allegedly involved in 13 different vehicle thefts or attempted vehicle thefts throughout California.

Between July 2023 and March 2024, suspects Jesse Venegas, Nathan Olivas and Christopher Anderson allegedly participated in a large-scale conspiracy to steal expensive high-performance vehicles from the counties of El Dorado, Kings, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Tulare. Charges have been filed by DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section, following an investigation and arrests conducted by the Visalia Police Department.

“At the California Department of Justice, we are fighting organized crime in the field and in the courtroom,” said Bonta. “We will not tolerate theft that endangers our communities. I am thankful for strong partnerships with local law enforcement that make California a safer state. When we work together, we get results.”

Sixty-five overt acts are described in the complaint, including an incident on or about Dec. 1, 2023, during which Venegas sent a message to an

unidentified person advertising a “trackhawk” for $3,500. A day later the three suspects reportedly traveled to El Dorado Hills and stole a maroon Jeep Track Hawk from the Mercedes-Benz dealership. Anderson then allegedly uploaded images of himself with the stolen vehicle and posted video on which he proclaims, “We stole this bitch.” The Jeep was taken to Visalia and then sold for $4,000 to a buyer in Porterville, according to the complaint. The total value of the stolen vehicles to date is more than $600,000. The DOJ’s Special Prosecution Section filed charges in El Dorado County of felony conspiracy, vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicle, vandalism, receipt of stolen property and operating a chop shop.

DOJ’s Special Prosecution Section investigates and prosecutes complex criminal cases occurring in California, primarily related to financial, securities, mortgage and environmental fraud; public corruption, including violations of California’s Political Reform Act; “underground economy” offenses, including tax and revenue fraud and counterfeiting; and human trafficking. Vertical teams of prosecutors, investigators, auditors and paralegals often work with federal and local authorities on cases involving multijurisdictional criminal activity.

At Gold Country Senior Living, we believe in more than just providing a place to reside; we create a vibrant community where every day is an opportunity for a life well-lived.

August 6th | 5–8PM

Join us at Gold Country Senior Living for our National Night Out. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and vendor booths as well as music from the Shril Jam band. Spend time with friends and loved ones or come get to know our community.

Photo courtesy of CHP-Placerville

Crews work to move a long concrete slaboff Highway 50 Tuesday, The solo-vehicle wreck snarled traffic for most of the day.

Photo courtesy of EDC Fire Protection District A first responder poses with the rescued dog who got caught in the cab of the big rig that overturned on Highway 50 Tuesday morning.

See SLAB, page A9

Placerville Speedway caps busy month with Carnett Clash

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Placerville Speedway is set to finish off the month of July with one of its more special nights of the year for the Mountain Democrat Ltd. Late Models and Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks, with the annual Carnett Clash taking place this Saturday.

The 59th season of competition at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds bullring continues its summer run with a loaded card at the event. Along with the Late Models and Pure Stocks, the speedway also welcomes the Thompsons Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks and Vintage Hard Tops.

This Saturday is also the final event to offer free parking thanks to the El Dorado County Fair Association. Live music will be performed from 4-6 p.m. at the entertainment zone featuring the tunes of Tamra Godey.

Bryan Carnett was a true fan of the stock car divisions at Placerville Speedway while racing, owning and sponsoring both pure stocks and late models throughout the decade he spent at the track. Carnett had a knack for storytelling. He could carry on a conversation with anyone and oftentimes had people in tears laughing from his sense of humor. He was known for his generous, caring personality and was always

willing to give of himself to help someone in need. On Oct. 18, 2015, after a short but aggressive battle with brain, bone and lung cancer, Carnett passed away at his home in Placerville surrounded by his family.

Martinez driver Anthony Slaney brings the Mountain Democrat Late Model point lead into Saturday on the strength of three wins in five races. Lincoln’s Dan Brown Jr. isn’t far behind, however, as he sits just seven points back in second.

Five-time track champion Nick Baldwin has earned four wins with the Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks and stands 10 points up on Kevin Jinkerson going into the Carnett. The Mountain Democrat Trucks are all about Mike Miller, who has secured four wins and maintains a 43-point advantage at the top.

The Thompsons Winged Sprint Cars also showcase a close battle with just one point separating Andy Forsberg and Shane Hopkins at the front of the standings. Bubba Decaires ranks third, just five markers back, while recent winner Tony Gomes is only 18 points back in fourth.

Grandstand seating is general admission this Saturday, July 27, except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders. Adult tickets cost $18, while seniors

Get outside!

We’re at the middle of the summer season and our nearby forests are calling. The Eldorardo, Tahoe and Humboldt-Toiyabe are loaded with private, state and U.S. Forest Service campgrounds with nearby lakes, streams and more trails than you can count.

The Crystal Basin Recreation Area, located off Highway 50, is a campground paradise with spots for tents, RVs, trailers and equestrian enthusiasts. A few are run by the Forest Service directly, while most are run by concession permits. That’s true in all the local forests.

Along with all of those, there are private campgrounds in Tahoe and over along the Highway 88 corridor. Ice House in the Crystal Basin,

Plasse’s off the 88, Silver Lake West and more dot the forest landscape. While there are some first come first served sites within the USFS system, the majority are offered by reservation only. The reservations are through recreation.gov.

It’s a very competitive effort and the reservation race starts early, in January, prior to anything actually being open. That’s just the way it is and it’s important to know the actual starting date when this brutal sport begins each year. Buckle up and hope for the best. The Forest Service and State Park day use areas are all on a show up and enjoy the day system. In general it will cost $10 per day for these areas, most of which are operated by

Photo courtesy of Petersen Media

Racing action returns to Palcerville Speedway Saturday with the annual Carnett Clash.

Photo by J. Ferris A kayak trip to Silver Lake provides beautiful scenery and relaxation in nature.

OUTSIDE WITH CHARLIE

Forest Service provides update on trails analysis

USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

News release

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — In response to questions from interested community members and stakeholders, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit provided the following update on the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project.

In September 2023, the USDA Forest Service LTBMU initiated a 30-day public comment period for the draft environmental assessment for the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project. The assessment included an analysis of e-bike use and addressed trail system access and connectivity on National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

In response, the LTBMU received 660 comment letters. Staff members have been working to update the environmental assessment based on those comments. Planning staff have also been working to complete a required formal consultation for this project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The final environmental assessment and a draft decision notice are expected to be released in late August. At that time, those who have previously commented on the

Races Continued from A4

62-plus, military and juniors 12-17 will be $16. Kids 6-11 cost $8 and those 5 and younger get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or via eventsprout.com/event/ psr-072724.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m.. Happy Hour is o ered when the gates open until 6 p.m. in the grandstands featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO Driveline qualifying and racing will follow.

For those who can’t make it to the track, CaliDirt.TV will provide live flag-to-flag coverage of every Placerville Speedway point race this season. The live streaming service

the concession permit system.

The Forest Service and state campgrounds are generally spread out around the lakes. Loon Lake, Union Valley, Ice House, Silver Lake, Woods Lake, Wrights, Kirkwood Lake, Echo, Lake Margaret, Twin Lakes, Burnside, Blue Lakes (run by PG&E), Fallen Leaf, Lake Tahoe and more than can be contained in this column, or that can simply be counted. It’s a big number. The lake and campground combo that is closest to the El Dorado County foothills is Jenkinson/Sly Park, located in Pollock Pines o Sly Park Road. EID runs this one and it, like the ones higher up, is loaded with trails for hiking, day use areas and camping spots for just about any kind of camping, along with plenty of room for boats of all kinds. Along with the developed campgrounds it is possible to enjoy what is known as dispersed camping, which is simply out in the forest. It’s very di erent.

There is no water, no toilet facilities and open fires are prohibited. Check with the Forest Service to find out where and under what terms you are able to do this.

If you do decide to camp, and have a reservation or get lucky with a site that isn’t reserved, check your gear before you put it in the car.

project and have standing to object will have an opportunity to do so during the 45-day administrative review period. A final decision is estimated to be released in November.

The planning process for this large-scale trail connectivity project included analyzing the current road and trail system map, studying potential environmental impacts of the proposal and providing direction on how to better meet the need for e-bike access on National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

If approved, project work could include constructing new routes, upgrading road and trail crossings over streams and wet areas, installing directional and interpretive signs and developing and upgrading trailheads, parking areas and access points.

E-bike use is currently permitted on National Forest roads and trails in the Tahoe Basin that are designated for motor vehicle use in accordance with the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule.

The project documents are available on the Basin Wide Trails Project webpage.

For more information contact Mike Gabor at michael.gabor@usda. gov.

also includes each event with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday Aug. 3: 19th annual Forni-Humphreys Classic with Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars

Saturday Aug. 17: 49er Gold Rush Classic with Kubota High Limit Racing Winged 410 Sprint Cars and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars

Finding out that a squadron of squirrels decided to call your packed away tent the perfect place to spend the winter after you unload it at your campsite is generally not the kind of surprise you need.

Check everything, cram it into the car and enjoy your time in the forest. Remember to take your children with you, along with all that gear.

Always take chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers with you. S’Mores are absolutely required when camping, along with chocolate covered peanut M&Ms. The campgrounds are pretty well laid out. You will have neighbors. Pay attention to the posted rules, especially regarding the abundant wildlife. In general, leave the forest animals alone. Feed only yourselves. The critters don’t need whatever it is you have, no matter how cute they may be.

Our campgrounds

have trails covering wonderful hikes, short, long, easy and pretty challenging. Plan to hike within your ability and your family’s ability. The whole idea is to have a wonderful time out there.

Always take the correct map with you, the paper type, along with a compass. Cell phone coverage may be spotty out there, wherever that is.

As you hike, remember to turn and look back frequently. Out and back o er di erent views of the same landscape. It’s good to know where you’re headed.

During these hot days, heading to the lakes, day use or campground is worth the e ort to get there. We have enough lakes for just about any kind of boat, SUP and all kinds splashing about in that cool water. Remember, whether camping, hiking, boating or wandering aimlessly, leave no trace. Take out what you take in. By all means, with your family, get outside!

OPINION

Consideration for President Chase Oliver?

Now it’s Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris.

But there will be another choice on your ballot: Chase Oliver.

Both Trump and former Democratturned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the Libertarian Party convention, asking for their nomination, but Oliver won their votes.

He’s a 38-year-old political activist and businessman. Rolling Stone called him “the most influential libertarian” because he forced a runo in the last Georgia Senate race.

Oliver has interesting ideas that we don’t hear from the major-party candidates. He also explains them better than they usually do.

As I moderated RFK Jr.’s alternative debate a few weeks ago, I kept wishing that Trump, Biden and Kennedy spoke as clearly. And intelligently.

Oliver says, “Your body is your body, your business your business, your property your property.”

That lays out libertarian philosophy pretty well.

Oliver supports gun rights.

“As a gay man,” he says, “I can better protect myself from being bashed if I’m armed ... I have great appreciation for our right to defend ourselves.”

Oliver also wants to privatize government programs. “Why take tax money out of somebody’s pocket to fund a program through government? Just about every program could be better done through the private marketplace.”

Right. The U.S. Post O ce couldn’t deliver mail overnight. UPS and FedEx made it happen. Private companies try harder because they have to compete.

Oliver believes even welfare would be better o in private hands.

“Take money out of the government co ers, put it back in our pockets and we can better allocate helping our neighbors and our communities ourselves without government programs.”

By contrast, government poverty programs perpetuate poverty. They encourage people to be dependent.

The poverty bureaucrats want to help people. But they also want to keep their jobs in the poverty bureaucracy.

So government just grows.

Oliver pledges, “I’ll be challenging Congress to get to a neutral budget so we’re not adding to the debt and deficit.”

I push back. “They’ll say, ‘Sure, we’ll balance it. We’ll raise taxes.’”

“That won’t happen under me,” replies Oliver, saying he’d veto any tax increase.

“Cutting spending is what’s important,” he says “We’re not going to tax our way out of this problem. We could tax everybody to 100% — all the millionaires and billionaires that are ‘not paying their fair share’ — and that would fund the

■ See STOSSEL, page A7

Letters to the Editor

A true newspaper man

EDITOR:

Back in 2000 Michael Ra ety took a chance and hired a former television writer who, as I told him, “I’ve never written for a newspaper, but I read them.” Thus began my time as a journalist and it was a fascinating experience, to say the least.

Mike was a cagey individual who kept his eye on the town. I covered IVGD and there were a few occasions where he’d ask me to go to Lyons and see if I could catch a quorum of board members lunching. He seemed to know everyone in town and vice versa.

He was always thinking about stories and there were several times, after a tough day of getting four stories in by deadline, he’d call and I’d hear that voice, “So, what do you have for tomorrow?” “But I just gave you four stories!” I’d croak. “That’s fine for today, but we have another paper tomorrow.” And then he or Pat would come up with some weird idea like, me going on a cattle gather at 4 a.m. or a calf branding and castration or, my personal favorite, performing as a clown in a touring circus.

Probably the most life-changing event that happened while at the Democrat was meeting Jo. I was in editorial and she was in production. I recall getting allowed to do a Halloween feature on Lon Chaney (he owned property on the lake). It was while we were working on that feature that we became friends. Mike & Pat eventually allowed her to become a reporter and the rest is history, a history that has lasted 23 years. (Of course, we only got married a year ago.)

A few months ago we returned to the scene where we met, only this time, it was in the power tool section of Tractor Supply. We posed at the spot where we thought our desks were and an employee for the store took a picture of us. Even with all the animal feed, power tools and augers, the memories of Mike, Pat, Adam, Liz, Bill, Bob, Mimi, Megan, Jonathan, Dave, Heather and all the rest came back as we headed home.

Thanks to all and especially Mike, the guy who still makes me laugh when I recall him referring to Grocery Outlet as “the food museum.” Thanks for the memories, Mike. You were one hell of a newspaper man

JACK CARREROW Fallon, Nev.

Biden’s departure

EDITOR:

Come on, people, you actually say that you didn’t think Joe Biden was going to drop out of the election? Everybody has seen the debate and even after the debate he stuttered in regular speech. He said, “I’m not going anywhere.” So obviously he lied over and over and America still thinks that Trump is the liar.

Biden’s whole term was all about how Trump made mistakes and Trump did this and Trump did that. Well America can praise Joe Biden all they want. As far as me, all I see is a man who has been in o ce for almost four years who didn’t help America one bit. In fact, he let people take employment that were not even Americans and opened the borders for anybody and everybody to come in and steal this great nation from us.

Since nobody else will say it allow me: Hasn’t Harris rode on enough coattails as it is?

Come on, people, we need economic change? Trump is a business man who knows how to generate money. Isn’t that what we need?

Yeah, he says some stu that makes me cringe too, but we need a strong presence in politics right now and Trump is a lot of things; weak is not one of them.

BRIAN REYNOLDS Placerville

On topic

EDITOR:

Never fails. No matter what the story is, Daley spins it to gun control. He supposedly writes about the sniper attempt on President Trump. But does he address the insu cient Secret Service presence? The grade school stupidity of an unguarded roof less than 150 yards from the president when a qualified marksman could make the shot from half a mile?

No, he throws in a bunch of irrelevant statistics and moves his column to his favorite topic of gun control. The kid could have been a foot and a half away from the president and the Secret Service could have handed him the gun, and Daley still would have made his article about gun control. If you want to stay relevant, Mr. Daley, try staying on topic.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

Guest Column

It is time for the

Capital Region to lead California again

Our region is the beating heart of California. From the natural beauty that runs from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains down to the fertile soil nourishing America’s farm-to-fork Capital, our region has been a source of economic prosperity since our state’s founding. Today, as the epicenter of the fifth largest economy in the world and of some of the country’s most innovative policymaking, our region is poised to spark a new era — one that is resilient and inclusive for all.

EVAN SCHMIDT

This is the Capital Region, composed of Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. A microcosm of California — with a mix of urban and agricultural landscapes, industries and communities — our region has continually shown an incredible capacity for growth. The Brookings Institution 2024 Metro

Monitor Report rated the Greater Sacramento Region second in the nation for the largest decrease in relative poverty rate and fourth for economic inclusion. However, we are at an inflection point. Changing climate, technological advancements and shifting demographics threaten to permanently alter our economic landscape, forcing us to rethink what it means to build a sustainable economy that meets the needs of today and tomorrow. Like the rest of California, age, race, gender and other characteristics all impact an individual’s odds of achieving economic stability and mobility in the region. Even in moments in our region’s history that redefined California’s economy — including the Gold Rush and rise of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad — economic growth has failed to benefit communities in our region equally. Our history of

Transforming the state’s economy into one where everyone can prosper begins here in the Capital region, where so much of California’s economic foundation began.

exclusion and oppression is not something to be proud of, but it is also not something that we can ignore.

In the past, work to build a “strong” economy has often failed to consider the importance of building an inclusive one. But this is shortsighted. California is one of the most diverse states in this country — and an economy that doesn’t allow every one of us to prosper is neither strong nor resilient.

With 38% of residents belonging to families whose income does not meet basic needs, we still have work to do in closing the gaps in our region. To fully embrace our position as a leader of inclusive economic development, we must uplift communities that have been historically left out. That’s why, with the support of the state’s California Jobs First Program, we created We Prosper Together. We Prosper Together is a community-led

initiative and long-term commitment to fostering a resilient regional economy in which all our diverse communities have the opportunity to thrive financially, socially and culturally.

Now, as we look to collaborate to create living-wage jobs and investments in the region, we can reduce inequity, improve the quality of life for all and build the future we want for our region. Growth in manufacturing, food innovation, clean energy and more are creating new jobs, and e orts by educational institutions and community-based organizations are creating training and access opportunities for those who are often left out. But existing e orts are not enough; we still need 335,000 high-quality jobs to meet the needs of our struggling families.

That’s why our community members

■ See SCHMIDT, page A7

JOHN STOSSEL

Stossel Continued from A6 government for just a few weeks. The problem is spending, not taxing.”

True. Trump promised to cut government and “drain the swamp.” He didn’t. He hired more people and spent more money.

Oliver says: “I would like to drain the swamp by actually removing the size and the scope of the federal workforce by finding programs and departments that are inefficient and redundant ... Remove departments wholeheartedly.”

Like the Department of Education.

“I would eliminate it,” he says. “Education should be at the most local level possible. It should be up to parents to determine the school their kids go to.” He’d also “get government out of the business of higher education.”

Schmidt Continued from A6 and regional leadership need to come together with a shared agenda for inclusive growth. Over the upcoming months, We Prosper Together will host gatherings that will allow community members to hear from local leaders and provide meaningful input into the development of the regional economic plan, illustrating how collaboration across our counties can drive progress for all.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

If students borrowed from private lenders, banks would assign tuition loans “on the basis of how valuable that degree is. They’ll be much more apt to loan an engineer than someone who’s getting a degree that won’t make as much money. This will encourage colleges to actually lower the cost of these programs in accordance with what the marketplace is, as opposed to getting all this government free money.”

Free government money wrecks a lot of things. I wish Republicans and Democrats were as sensible as the Libertarian candidate.

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.”

Transforming the state’s economy into one where everyone can prosper begins here in the Capital region, where so much of California’s economic foundation began.

Evan Schmidt is the CEO of Valley Vision, a nonprofit organization bringing communities together to tackle the region’s biggest challenges and ensure a more livable future.

Expect delays on Mother Lode Drive

News release

Mother Lode Road will be the site of major construction work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.

Teichert Construction will be making the final sewer line tie-in for the El Dorado Irrigation District’s Motherlode Force Main Phase 3 project.

Locations

1. Hard closure between Sunset Lane and Carol Lane

2. Soft closure west of Holiday Lake Drive (access for residents and first responders as needed) For more information visit eid.org/about-us/ project-updates. For questions related to this project, contact L. Carrington at (530) 642-4077 or via email at lcarrington@eid.org.

Statewide Voter Info Guide released for review

News release

SACRAMENTO — Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber recently made the Nov. 5 California General Election Official Voter Information Guide available for public review. The guide, which will be mailed to every voting household in California and includes information about the general election and candidate statements as well as other important election information such as the Voter Bill of Rights and how to find polling locations. California’s Official Voter Information Guide is available in 10 languages — English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.

The guide will be available for public examination from through Aug. 12 at sos.ca.gov/elections/publicdisplay and at the Secretary of State’s offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. During this public display period, anyone may challenge any portion of the Official Voter Information Guide in Sacramento Superior Court.

Following the conclusion of the public examination period, the Secretary of State’s Office will begin printing and mailing the statewide guide to all households that have at least one registered voter. Audio versions and large print versions will also be available. Additional hard copies of guides in each of the 10 languages can be requested from the Secretary of State’s Elections Division by calling (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or by email at vigfeedback@sos.ca.gov. Registered California voters can opt-out of

n See GUIDE, page A9

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.

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

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. 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. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

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)621-6304 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. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

Speed and Endurance

The gold medal for long-distance running would have to go to the pronghorn antelope. It can maintain a steady speed of 35 mph (56 km/hr) for a distance of 3 miles (5 km). No other animal can run so far so fast.

Find the two identical pronghorn antelope.

Who would win the medals if Mother Nature held Olympic Games for the other animals on this planet?

The fastest animal can reach 200+ miles per hour in a dive to catch its prey.

Complete the maze to find out which animal wins each competition!

Fastest marine mammal swimming at more than 35 miles per hour!

Fastest land animal racing at 70 mph! Fastest fish reaches 68 mph!

Fastest insect zooms in at 36 mph!

Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump. They can smell water three miles away, though!

High Jump

The puma, a member of the cat family, holds the record for the highest-jumping mammal. It can leap up to18 feet (6 meters) in the air from a standing start.

The strongest animal, relative to body size, is the Rhinoceros beetle. It can support 850 times its own body weight on its back.

The common flea can cover 220 times the length of its body in one leap! If humans could do that, we would be able to complete the 800 meter race in just two leaps!

Traveling as fast as it can, without taking a rest, it would take a garden snail more than eight days to finish a 10,000 meter race!

Race through the newspaper and find and cut out letters that spell the names of each of the following Olympic events:

Equestrain • Javelin

Steeplechase

Swim

Quiz a friend or family member about the Olympics.

1. What do the five rings of the Olympics mean?

� Five Cities

� Five Countries

� Five Continents

2. What does the Olympic Motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” mean?

� Harder, Stronger, Faster

� Faster, Higher, Stronger

� Better, Bigger, Bolder

3. According to the Olympic Creed, the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but …

� to play fair.

� to win big.

� to take part.

4. Where is the Olympic torch first lit?

� Athens � Greece � Olympia

5. Women were first allowed to compete in the Olympics in what year?

� 1800 � 1900 � 2000

… congratulates a winning opponent.

The verb compete means to try and win a game, contest or sporting event that others are also trying to win.

Athletes around the world will compete in the Olympics in Brazil.

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

© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 26

Winner by a Nose

Long Jump

Forest thinning projects under way at Lake Tahoe

News release

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./ Nev. – Tahoe Fire & Fuels

Team forest thinning projects are underway in the Lake Tahoe Basin. These projects are expected to continue for the next several weeks with some projects continuing through the fall conditions and weather permitting. For project details, including the lead agency, start date and expected duration, view the Forest Thinning Projects Map at Tahoe Living With Fire which highlights current and upcoming projects.

After decades of fire suppression, Tahoe Basin’s forests are overstocked and highly vulnerable to insects, disease and catastrophic wildfire. Forest thinning projects are a vital forest management tool used by land managers to help protect communities by removing excess vegetation (fuels) on public lands that can feed unwanted wildfires. These projects complement defensible space and home hardening efforts on private property in neighborhoods and communities. Forest thinning also contributes to improved forest health, wildlife habitat and watershed and forest resilience in the face of climate change.

These projects improve forest health by thinning trees in dense areas, which reduces competition for water, sunlight and nutrients and allows remaining trees to thrive. Thinning also decreases the potential for spreading tree diseases and insect infestations such as white pine blister rust, dwarf mistletoe and bark beetles.

Forest health is a top priority of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), a landscapescale collaboration and partnership between nearly 80 public and private organizations to

achieve the environmental goals of the region. To date, partners have treated nearly 95,000 acres in Lake Tahoe Basin forests to reduce hazardous fuels.

Land managers use different methods during forest thinning treatments that include mechanical and hand thinning. Mechanical thinning utilizes heavy equipment to remove trees and most of the excess vegetation while hand thinning is accomplished by hand crews using chainsaws to remove trees and pile excess material for burning after the piles dry which may take two to three years.

Mechanical thinning sometimes requires the closure of an area during operations due to the hazards posed by heavy equipment and falling trees. Hand thinning generally does not require project area closures. Mechanical thinning is used wherever slope and road access allow and hand thinning is typically used in urban areas, where only smaller trees and brush need to be removed or where equipment access is restricted, often on steep rocky slopes.

Short-term effects of forest thinning projects include temporary impacts to recreational areas and changes to the appearance of Lake

Tahoe Basin forests.

Treated areas may look disturbed immediately after treatment, when fresh stumps, equipment tracks, freshly chipped or masticated vegetation or burned areas are more visually obvious. These areas recover quickly and improve ecologically as new vegetation growth occurs within a few years. Similar short term visual impacts can occur after prescribed fire treatments, but these areas also recover quickly.

Thinning operations typically take place in the summer and continue into fall as conditions and weather allow. However, some operations may be implemented over the snow when conditions permit. In addition, some small, isolated thinning projects may be conducted on short notice and may not appear on the map due to the small window of opportunity to implement these projects.

For completed forest thinning projects, view the Forest Vegetation Interactive Map that highlights forest thinning treatment accomplishments of the TFFT and the EIP.

Learn more about living in fire-adapted ecosystems, forest thinning and prescribed fire at Tahoe Living With Fire and get prepared, get informed and get involved.

Tahoe shooting victim dies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — On the morning of July 16 South Lake Tahoe Police Department officers responded to the 2000 block of Eloise Avenue for a report of a shooting. A male was located with gunshot wounds and a suspect was detained.

SLTPD announced July 22 the victim of the shooting, Dennis Crowe, 41, is now deceased. Crowe has ties to the area and was a former resident of South Lake Tahoe.

Guide Continued from A7

receiving a paper Voter Information Guide by mail and instead receive a link to the electronic version via email.

Voters who are registering for the first time or updating their voter registration information can opt-out while registering online at

Slab Continued from A3

cast concrete slab from the flatbed trailer. All lanes were blocked, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Brown. Later, one lane of traffic was opened to let travelers through while crews worked. Personnel from CHP, Cal Fire, El Dorado County Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the incident to find Ferreyra already freed from the wreckage, but his dog had to be

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

The suspect in this case, Christopher Guzman, is still in custody at the El Dorado County Jail. He is being charged with homicide and other crimes and is currently awaiting arraignment.

SLTPD detectives have been working closely with witnesses and the family of Crowe. Detectives are still conducting investigation into this case and have various leads to follow.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to email cybertips@ cityofslt.us.

registertovote.ca.gov.

Voters who are already registered can opt-out at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Every registered voter in a household must opt-out of receiving the paper guide to ensure it is not mailed to their address.

rescued from the truck’s cab.

AC Towing and Transport from Diamond Springs helped move the heavy slab initially until Caltrans brought in heavy equipment to remove the concrete off the road, according to Brown. The long, multiagency cleanup process lasted until 3 p.m. when both the 70,000-pounder and truck were clear off the highway.

CHP is currently investigating the cause of the crash, said Brown.

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Everything alive must rest at some point. Even germs go to sleep -- not the same way creatures with central nervous systems do, but they have their cycles of activity and inactivity. Optimum health will involve obeying the natural cycle.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sensations are not, in and of themselves, contentedness, but they are a pathway to contentedness. To be warmed from the inside. Movement is key. To stretch and invigorate physically, emotionally or spiritually will make you feel most alive.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll give the kind of attention that validates and empowers. Because people feel seen and heard around you, they’ll open up. You’ll figure out how to align individual talents and motivate excellent groupwork.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). As you strive for improvement and self-awareness, keep in mind that this is completely your choice. You are free to do as you wish. Your worth is intrinsic and does not depend on external factors such as wins or losses, hits or misses.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Whatever you want to know about the world will teach you about yourself. This is why your curiosity is always appropriate, though it may not be appropriate to pursue it, depending on the boundaries in play.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Disagreement, disapproval and discomfort can be a gift. Even disgust can be a gift. Instead of shying away, consider leaning in. What can you embrace? What, if absorbed, would make you stronger?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll experience time according to the company you keep. Some make moments seem longer, others make them fly, and then there are those who turn minutes into something flexible that stretches and snaps to the rhythms of the heart.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Progress isn’t always immediate or apparent, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Today’s progress will be intangible but profound and require time to take seed, but do not doubt that one idea could make all the difference.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. Humor will lighten the emotional load and offer a different, more playful perspective.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You will finally get a better analysis of a problem that’s been difficult to solve. Perception has been part of the issue. Understanding the origins of the trouble and the other pressures in play will change the way you see and handle things.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Are

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

Courtesy map

Thinning projects are happening allaround Lake Tahoe.

Mural Continued from A1

“just weren’t falling into place,” according to Thomas.

Time went on, with the Puthuffs eventually jumping at the chance to purchase the Save Mart plot of land and Thomas working in local government for over a decade.

Things slowly came together, with PG&E finally granting permission for the project.

“Wendy worked really tirelessly through those years with PG&E, to help them see the vision, to share in it and finally grant us permission to use the building,” Puthuff said.

“They painted the building about a year ago for us and there it was: the canvas was ready, the permission was ready, but we didn’t have an artist.”

Puthuff and Thomas describe how they discovered artist Julie

Engelmann, who goes by @ artbyjul_ on Instagram, as a perfect stroke of luck. Puthuff was driving through Half Moon Bay and was struck by the beauty of a mural that Engelmann had done; shortly after, she reached out to the artist to see if she would be interested in making Placerville the next home for one of her projects.

Engelmann’s design is inspired by the theme picked by Puthuff and Thomas, “El Dorado County Gold ... Yesterday and Today,” and blends familiar iconography that spans the county’s history. Apple blossoms surround a modern woman in farmer’s garb to the left of a stretch of the American River, while the timeless gold panner motif on the right side

Election Continued from A1

Some Democrats, including El Dorado County Democrats Chair Margaret Fortune, have applauded Biden’s decision to drop out, potentially making space for a younger candidate to step into the race.

“Joe Biden is a great patriot who put the country before himself, so we applaud him for his presidency and passing the torch to Kamala Harris as the next generation,” Fortune told the Mountain Democrat. Fortune highlighted Harris’s earned experience in foreign affairs while serving as Vice President, and compared her history in law with former President Donald Trump’s recent court case. “It’s kind of funny, but you’ve got a prosecutor with Kamala and a convicted felon with Trump.”

Biden’s selection of Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket has been met with positivity from Californian Democrats excited to support a candidate with strong ties to the state. Shortly after Biden’s announcement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta shared a press release declaring his endorsement of Harris, an Oakland native who had served as the state’s AG from 2010-17.

“In light of President Biden stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, I proudly endorse Vice President

of the river tells a subtle story about the county’s evolution over time. As the gold spills from his pan, Englemann’s spray-painted mural will show the gold turn to pears — the county’s one-time top crop — that then change to the apples for which Camino is now famed.

The mural project is being funded by Thomas and Puthuff, and serves as a thank you and goodbye postcard.

“This is a gift from my mother and me,” Thomas said, looking at the progress Englemann had made in her first week painting. “I’ll be done on the Board of Supervisors at the end of the year and will be ending 14 years of public service. I think it’s a kind of poignant and fitting tribute to those

Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president,” Bonta states.

“As our former AG, Kamala knows firsthand the importance of protecting our fundamental rights as the People’s Attorney and keeping our communities safe as our Chief Law Enforcement Officer. She will no doubt do the same as president.”

California Republicans responded to the weekend’s news as proof the Dems’ strategy for the election was on shaky ground while also asking if Biden’s choice to withdraw from the race ought to raise alarms about his ability to continue to serve as President.

“It’s hard to believe it’s possible for Democrats to fall further into disarray, but here we are,” states California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson in a press release posted Sunday. “Going forward, Democrats will have to grapple with two questions: if Joe Biden is unfit to serve four more years, is he fit to serve the remainder of his term? And is disastrous California Democrat Kamala Harris, who enabled a clearly declining Biden during his time as president, really the best backup option? President Biden tasked her with solving the border crisis, and in turn, she made our country less safe,

initial efforts I started all those years ago to end my public service life with a gift to the community.” Though the road to fruition for the project has been a long one, Thomas said she thinks

allowing millions more to flood into our country illegally.”

Local Republicans also weighed in on the electoral shakeup, with El Dorado County GOP Chairman Todd White saying Biden’s endorsement of Harris may serve as a boon for Trump’s reelection bid.

“I think this puts Trump in an even better position to get elected; the Democrats are actively disenfranchising the millions that voted for Biden in the primaries,” White told the Mountain Democrat. “To presume she’s the nominee more than a month before their

Monument Continued from A1

Leikauf said.

The K-9 unit program started in 1981 with 12 dogs. Historically, 50 K-9 units have served the sheriff’s office, Leikauf said.

The project would be funded through public donations and local contributors, according to Leikauf.

An “adopt a brick or paver,” where donors can get their own names and pets’ names on the brick, is also being considered.

“People that want to drive through the parking lot can come and look at

the timing couldn’t have been more perfect than now.

“It’s good that the mural took as long as it did to come together; we had to wait for our artist to grow up first,” Puthuff joked.

own convention reflects how they work. They’re a party of elites. Harris has been a failure in the state of California and was almost hidden as vice president, and suddenly — and falsely — she’s being characterized as the savior of democracy when her own party’s actions in selecting her don’t reflect that.”

Though the months remaining before voters cast their ballots in November hold the potential for further surprises on the campaign trail, recent polls show Trump and Harris in a tighter race than Trump versus Biden.

the monument, and we could even have a bench for people to sit and look at the names that will be on there,” Leikauf said.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously supported EDSO and facilities staff working together on designs for an appropriate monument.

“I think it’s a great thing to work with them to place a monument there, honoring our K-9 officers that serve and protect our community from the past and present,” Supervisor George Turnboo said.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

Judy Puthuff, left, stands with her daughter Wendy Thomas in front of the mural project they had dreamt of for 17 years. Their gift to the community, the mural designed by Julie Engelmann, right, is meant to reflect the evolving legacy of El Dorado County.

PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Claire Frankos of El Dorado Hills, who recently graduated from the University of Tampa with a bachelor’s degree in allied health.

Congratulations to Eric Troy

Chally-Butterworth of El Dorado Hills, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nance from University of Maryland Global Campus.

Congratulations to David Mahrt of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Lin eld University Dean’s List.

July 26

Formula4Rock will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.

Ed Wilson will perform at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cynthia Renee will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

The Harris Center for the Arts hosts C.S. Lewis On stage: Further Up & Further In on Friday, July 26, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 27, at 4 p.m. Award-winning actor Max McLean’s tour de force performance captures C.S. Lewis’ magnetic personality, astonishing eloquence and laugh-out-loud wit to create an onstage experience venturing deep into the soul of one of the most in uential thinkers of the past century. The performance is followed by a post-show discussion with Max McLean. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Qmajur, Bryson Musiq and the Caribbean Soul and Eazy Dub will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

July 27

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Pruning and Care of Fruit Trees at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn the bene ts of summer fruit tree pruning: what to prune in the summer vs. winter, the reasoning, creating fruitful trees and more. Registration is requested at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=42879.

Shadow Ranch Vineyard in the Fair Play area hosts Yoga in the Vines at 10 a.m. Start your weekend right with a relaxing yoga ow followed by wine tasting. For reservations and more information visit shadowranch.com/Events.

Mira ores 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 2024 combines a chef’s creativity with the beautifully crafted Mira ores wines. Diners will be able to talk to the chef du jour about the wine and food experience. On July 27 & 28 chef Unchu Little eld is preparing a Korean Kitchen menu. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mira oreswinery. com to make a reservation.

Darth Mozart will perform

Sense of belonging

Contemporary Bay Area artists showcased at de Young

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco News release

AN FRANCISCO — About Place:

SBay Area Artists from the Svane Gift presents contemporary works by Bay Area artists from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s collection. The exhibit will be on display at de Young Museum, Aug. 10 through Sept. 28.

The Bay Area artists featured in About Place — Guillermo Galindo, Postcommodity, Chris Johanson, Clare Rojas, Chelsea Ryoko Wong, Miguel Arzabe, Saif Azzuz, Katy Grannan, Wesaam Al-Badry and Rupy C. Tut — explore themes related to their physical and imagined environments, as well as their heritage and sense of belonging.

The exhibition opens with Going to Water (2021), a multi-channel video and sound installation by the Indigenous artist collective Postcommodity in the de Young museum’s central atrium Wilsey Court and continues in the contemporary art galleries, where visitors will experience more than a dozen additional works, including a diverse collection of paintings, photographs and a sonic sculpture.

Works from the Svane gift are also featured in an upcoming collaboration with SFJAZZ Collective’s Oct. 24-27 SFJAZZ Center residency as part of the 2024-25 season. The collective’s sevenperson musical group will compose new material and arrange familiar songs inspired by select works from the acquisition, and then perform the compositions at the center’s Miner Auditorium later this year. Each composition fully utilizes the auditorium’s immersive media system and video of the artworks will be displayed as accompanying visuals.

In 2022 the Fine Arts Museums acquired 42 artworks by 30 emerging and mid-career Bay Area artists as part of the Svane initiative. Funded with the generous support of the Svane Family Foundation, the initiative champions artists whose works encapsulate concerns and approaches at the forefront of artistic

practice throughout the region over the past decade. The second in a series of exhibitions drawn from the initiative, About Place touches on the illusion of real and imagined boundaries of place, and how we relate to where we are and where we come from. This mutually informed identity combines the practice of self-care and ecological stewardship and highlights the importance of belonging.

“About Place illustrates how contemporary, local artists are addressing some of the most complex issues of our time with careful consideration,” said Thomas P. Campbell, director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

“As a city museum, it is central to our mission to uplift and provide a platform to our local art community. The Bay Area arts community is known for its bold expression and creative output and we

are deeply grateful to the Svane Family Foundation for investing in the community through their generous gift.”

The pressing issue of climate change, the local and global impact of ecological disasters and the erosion of the environment are recurrent themes throughout the exhibition. In their works, both Saif Azzuz and Postcommodity insist upon a future in which we draw upon Indigenous traditions to inform ecological stewardship. Reframing man-made disasters, such as the 2021 California wildfires and the 1926 evaporation of Owens Lake, Postcommodity and Azzuz each challenge the notion that nature can be molded to suit our needs as humans, pointing to the fragility of nature and reminding us of how dependent we are on

Artwork photos by Randy Dodson

“New Normal” by Rupy C. Tut, 2022. Natural pigments on handmade hemp paper.

“Gail and Dale, Pacifica” (II), 2007, by Katy Grannan, Inkjet print.

“Lo’op’ (It burns),” 2021 by Saif Azzuz (American, b. 1987), acrylic and enamel on canvas.

“Mint Tea in the Sauna During Sunset,” 2022, by Chelsea Ryoko Wong, acrylic on canvas.

BUTTERED AND SALTY

R, 2 hours, 7 minutes

Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Opens today

t’s no secret Marvel Studios has hit a few speed bumps the last few years. After the brilliantly executed first 11 trips around the sun of its cinematic universe that embodied 23 feature films culminating in 2019’s “Avengers: Engame,” the franchise started su ering from years of oversaturation and inconsistent releases. For my part I have enjoyed a couple of the more recent films (“Guardians of the Galaxy 3” and the live action and animated Spider-Man films) but have grown tired with a majority of the other films as well as most of the Disney+ Marvel television content.

Democrat correspondent

With “Deadpool & Wolverine” the studio knows what the audience wants and delivers it with comedic and violent gusto. It’s the most fun I have had with a Marvel film in over half a decade.

Directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” “Free Guy”) “Deadpool & Wolverine” finds a listless Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) toiling away in civilian life — and as a terrible used car salesman — with his days as the

morally flexible mercenary Deadpool behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even

more reluctant Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Reynolds and Jackman have been friends for a long time and their chemistry on screen is palatable. For all intents and purposes this is a comic-book buddy cop movie, after all, so the two leads need to work well together and have that comedic spark and shorthand. These two certainly do. Reynolds’ “Merc with the mouth” certainly doesn’t su er from a shortage of dialog, which essentially makes Jackman’s Logan the straight man to Reynolds’ Deadpool in this comedy duo.

Jackman has played the character of Logan/ Wolverine for almost a quarter of a century now after first appearing in the original “X-Men” in 2000. He retired from the character after James Mangold’s excellent “Logan” in 2017 and didn’t think he’d ever return to the role until, after years of pitches from his friend Reynolds, he finally decided it was time to don the Adamantium claws again, this time sporting the classic yellow and blue costume showcased in the comics for decades.

Mr. Jackman has stated how in 2017 he felt he was getting too old for the character. While I can understand the sentiment, especially from the physical toll of getting jacked-up every time for the role, the character seems to work better the older Jackman gets. Logan is a grizzled and angry character, after all. The combination of experience and age has become the sweet spot for Jackman playing this character and he could probably do it a few more times if he wished. In one of the dozens

Poet Laureate begins literary tour of El Dorado County

Arts & Culture El Dorado

The Laureate Trail returns to El Dorado County. A collaboration between Arts & Culture El Dorado and the El Dorado County Library, the Laureate Trail sees 2023-25 El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows visit all six county libraries in for free poetry readings, Q&As and open mics. Meadows will be joined on the trail by former Poets Laureate, special guests from El Dorado County and beyond, and Poetry Out Loud champions.

“I am proud to be embarking on the Laureate Trail,” noted Meadows. “It will bring to the fore not only an appreciation for poetry, but a realization of just how important and necessary poetry can be in this complex world we live in.”

Meadows is a Californian poet with roots in the Ohlone and the pioneer soil of his home state. As a descendant of native peoples who built the Carmel Mission, Gold Rush families who settled in the gold country of the foothills and a farm family in Carmel Valley, his poems are steeped in the indelible aura of California. Meadows has published poems in anthologies and collections nationwide and his poem “For the Living” can be found on a bronze plaque along the Embarcadero on San Francisco’s waterfront along with other famous poets.

The Laureate Trail begins at the Georgetown Library on Wednesday, July 31. The final stop on the Trail will be at the Placerville library on Saturday, June 7, 2025, where Meadows will be joined by special guests, including the 2025 Poetry Out Loud champion and the next Poet Laureate.

2023-25

Laureate Trail events

Wednesday, July 31, 5:3-8 p.m. — Georgetown Library, 6680 Orleans St.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4-6:30 p.m. — Pollock Pines Library, 6210 Pony Express Trail

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 5:30-8 p.m. — Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Drive

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m. — El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m. — South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1-4 p.m. — Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane

The post of El Dorado County Poet Laureate is bestowed on a noted local poet to honor his or her body of work and to celebrate poetry as an art form. Consideration is given to the caliber of his/ her work, engagement with poets and writers in the community and the critical acclaim the work has garnered. The post entails a two-year term.

“The Laureate Trail allows the El Dorado County Poet Laureate to be a true ambassador for the literary arts,” explained Arts & Culture El Dorado Program Manager Jordan Hyatt-Miller. “These free events make poetry accessible to everyone in our community. Arts and Culture El Dorado is proud to support Stephen and so many other local poets on the Laureate Trail.”

For more information about the Laureate Trail visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/laureate-trail.

Poem of the Month

176 YEARS AFTER GOLD WAS DISCOVERED IN CALIFORNIA

I look for a 49’er near Coloma.

I walk where he might have walked, hope to see how he saw it, nd only a marker in Pioneer Cemetery.

The miner turns in his grave, tries to tell me his tale, stories want to y out of his mouth.

I run from this hard luck ghost, his shadow chasing me down the hill.

The sun holds it all together, as my world dissolves into another time.

I hear miners curse sludge, that clogs rockers and sluice boxes.

I hear picks and shovels, smell kerosene and horses, see ghosts of men in a crouch, some on their knees in mud.

On the American River, someone yells “Eureka!”, sh jump away from the water, rocks tremble.

Lara Gularte is Poet Laureate Emeritus of El Dorado County, 2021-23. Her most recent book of poetry, “Fourth World Woman,” was published by Finishing Line Press and her book “Kissing the Bee,” about her California Portuguese pioneer ancestors was published by The Bitter Oleander Press in 2018. She is affiliated with the Cigarros Colloquium: Azoreans Diaspora Writers at the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute, California State University, Fresno. Gularte is a teaching artist of creative writing at Mule Creek State Prison and co-leads a poet and writers’ workshop with author Beverly Parayno at the Cameron Park Library. She is known for conducting Ekphrastic poetry/ writing workshops at local art galleries and hosts this popular monthly reading series, Poetry of the Sierra Foothills at Chateau Davell Winery.

Courtesy photo

El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows will share his works at all six county libraries throughout the next year.

Birds of different feathers soar in photo contest

Barbara L. Steinberg

California Watchable Wildlife

California Wildlife Photo of the Year Contest’s latest winners take flight, with stunning photos of feathered friends. Three very different settings. Very different body designs and species. Long legs. Floaters. Round heads. Funny nicknames like B-52, Dabchick and Bouncing Ball. California Watchable Wildlife and California Department of Fish & Wildlife launched the contest 13 years ago to acknowledge photographs that illustrate the state’s diverse wildlife and the viewing experience found throughout its natural and wild lands. Judges critique each photograph based on creativity, technical excellence, overall impact and artistic merit.

Unlike other statesponsored photo contests, this runs throughout the year with winners announced bi-monthly and featured on social media platforms and the CAWW website. The photo of the year is then selected in December by CDFW Director Chuck Bonham from the 15-20 images selected during the year.

Winners for May & June

Joan Robins, sandhill cranes at Llano Seco Unit, Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area

Sandhill cranes are magical to me. I greet them every fall as they flock to flooded rice fields at Llano Seco, a wildlife area near Chico. As fields start to fill, they often fly out at dawn, so I go before sunrise, set up my tripod and wait for the strangely majestic forms to become visible.

On this day, the clouds turned from pink to orange to yellow as the morning progressed. I held my breath and shot the collection of cranes in front of me.

I worried that my ISO was through the roof, but when I reviewed my photos, I knew this was the one. And I, at 86, alone out here in the dawn light, had experienced a moment to remember the rest of my life.

I took up photography late in life, when film went away. I liked not having to pay to develop bad photos. It quickly went from being a hobby to being a passion; when I retired at 80, I devoted myself to wildlife photography full time. In my former life, I was a wife and mother, an English professor and then a software documentation director, but I now know I would have been happier as a naturalist and photographer in the field. Oh well, I still have a few years left. Brian Caldwell,

Western grebe & grebettes, Lake Hodges, San Diego County For the last 18 months I’ve been guiding the team from Days Edge Productions who are doing a documentary for PBS. We were experimenting with gimbal heads hanging from the boat at water level. This is one of the stills I took when figuring it out. Some of the Grebes at the Lake are year-round residents and others are migratory. The sedentary birds are far more habituated to boats and people so are easier to photograph, even with chicks on board. I believe this family group is one from the year-round population.

I’ve been pushing the city of San Diego for nesting platforms for our grebes in anticipation of water fluctuations when the new dam is built and the pump station goes back into operation

Photo by Joan Robins

“The rosy dawn begins,” sandhill cranes at Llano Seco Unit.

Photo by Brian Caldwell

“Western grebe & grebettes,” Lake Hodges.

Photo by Kevin Lohman

“Western screech owl waking up,” San Ramon. n See WILDLIFE, page B8

two

Indigenous artists from North America, Aotearoa, and Aus‐tralia. Gorman Museum of Native American Art, 181 Old Davis Road, Davis. 530-752-6567

Juniper @ 2pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San

Alvie @ 2pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Presidio Theatre and (((Folkyeah!))) Present Second Annual Bliss Festival August 3 And 4 @ 6pm / $15 Outdoor Festival features Ritmos Tropicosmos, ¿Quiensave?, Orchestra Gold, Hectorine, Yea-Ming & The Rumours, Salami Rose Joe Louis, HandsOn DIY Crafts with the Mexican Museum, Food & Drink Presidio Theatre, 99 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco. info@presidio theatre.org

THEMBA @ 7pm Warehouse, San Francisco

Salt+ @ 8pm Gestalt, 3159 16th St, San Fran‐cisco

Sadye: Sophie Powers Glitch Tour @ 8pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St, San Francisco

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra @ 9pm The Chapel, San Francisco

Niveles @ 9pm Bottom Of the Hill, 1233 17th St, San Francisco

Jimmy Carpenter on Sax @ 9pm Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco

Mark Hummel @ 9:30pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco

Terry Hunter @ 2pm San Francisco Gallery, 888 Marin Street San Francisco, San Fran‐cisco

David Harness: Mighty Real & After After Hours Presents Terry Hunter @ 2pm 888, 888 Marin Street, San Fran‐cisco

Jenny Don't And The Spurs @ 7pm The Starlet Room, 2708 J St, Sacramento

The Spurs @ 8pm The Starlet Room, 2708 J St, Sacramento

Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. teainsworth@gmail.com

Abby Govindan: How to Embar‐rass Your Immigrant Parents @ 7pm / $25 Punch Line Comedy Club - Sacramento, Sacramento

Jhené Aiko: The Magic Hour Tour @ 7pm / $59.50-$407.50 Chase Center, San Francisco

Jhené Aiko @ 7pm Chase Center, 500 Terry A Francois Boulevard, San Francisco

Tink @ 7pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco

Umi @ 7pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco

Tirzah @ 8pm August Hall, San Francisco

Tirzah @ 8pm August Hall, 420 Mason St, San Francisco

Lo Moon @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, San Francisco

BIT @ 9:30pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

SUNQ @ 5pm Music City San Francisco, 1355 Bush St, San Francisco Drew Zingg

6pm Boom Boom Room, 1601 Fillmore St, San Francisco

Anna Laura Quinn: The Page @ 3pm The Page, 298 Divisadero St, San Francisco

Seb Wildblood @ 3pm The Flamingo House Social Club, 2315 K St, Sacramento

Melinda Kausek: TWANG! @ 4pm Thee Parkside, 1600 17th St, San Francisco

Sweet Undertow: Eddy Solo in Golden Gate Park! @ 4pm Golden Gate Park Bandshell, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Fran‐cisco The Seagulls @ 6pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

10th Annual Desi Comedy Fest @ 7pm Desi Comedy Fest is the Biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America. Our missions is to show‐case the funniest South Asian co‐medians from around the world! Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Colum‐bus Avenue, San Francisco. info@ DesiComedyFest.com, 415-6761371

Lord Buffalo @ 8pm The Starlet Room, 2708 J St, Sacramento

Pop

learning space, and mental health space! Garden was started in March 2019. Armijo High School, 824 Washington Street, Fair�eld. sylviah@fsusd.org, 707-853-9388

The BIG Night LIVE and Online Auction @ 9am / $350 Aug 9th - Aug 17th Join us for The BIG Night, a Wine Country Charity Auction bene�ting the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. He‐lena and Calistoga. Support edu‐cation, health, art, and recreation programs for Napa Valley youth. Trinchero Napa Valley, 3070 St He‐lena Hwy, St. Helena. steve@bgc shc.org, 707-909-0627

Re�ecting Lenses: Twenty Years of Photography at the Gorman Museum @ 11am This exhibition presents photo‐graphic artworks by more than two dozen Indigenous artists from North America, Aotearoa, and Aus‐tralia. Gorman Museum of Native American Art, 181 Old Davis Road, Davis. 530-752-6567

Muusic at Noon Free Concert 8/9 at the Davis UU Church - Cellist Alexandra Roedder @ 12pm Cellist Alexandra Roedder per‐forms Bach Suites 1 and 3 on her Five String 1743 Baroque Cello at the Unitarian Universalist Church's Muusic at Noon second Friday free concert series Friday, August 9! 27074 Patwin Rd, 27074 Patwin Road, Davis. luannhiggs@ gmail.com, 916-600-8872

2nd Friday ArtAbout at the Pence Gallery @ 6pm The community is invited to visit the Pence for our free, monthly art recep‐tion! Pence Gallery, 212 D

Fauxes:

Know Continued from B1

at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Via Romano Vineyards in Camino welcomes No Reason to Cry, an Eric Clapton cover band. Music starts at 5:30. Bring your own chairs as seating is limited.

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery hosts Live in the Vines with music by Jax Hammer, 5:30-8:30 p.m. For more information visit sierravistawinery.com/upcoming-events.

Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts Music in the Vines this summer with The Listen Hear Band. RSVP by calling (530) 2408386 or email info@medivineyards.com.

The Zach Waters Band will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Mike Furlong Band will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com. Historic Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek welcomes the public at its monthly fourth Saturday Self-Guided Walking Tour, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will discover an innovative, interactive video, text and in-person experience as they explore at their own pace. Expert docents are on hand to run the magnificent antique machinery and talk with visitors throughout the foundry complex. For more information call (209) 560-6160.

July 28

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.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Megumi Lorna Inouye, who will share the secrets of the Japanese art of giftwrapping, as described in her book “The Soul of Gift Wrapping: Creative Techniques for Expressing Gratitude,” 1-3 p.m. Materials will be provided for the first 20 people to sign up for this event, though all are welcome to sit in. For more information call (916) 941-9401. Cold River Press presents Voices, featuring many poets reading their works, 2-4 p.m. at Chateau Davell in Camino. For more information call (530) 644-2016.

Experience the Beatles at the Harris Center for the Arts with Come Together: Beatles Concert Experience. In this live musical performance, Come Together recreates the look, sound and history of the Beatles, taking you back into time to witness the Beatles phenomenal rise to pop stardom. The show begins at 3 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Randy Sykes will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

The Friends and Fans for Deb benefit concert for Deb Smith will take place at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Boot Juice. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

July 29

District Church, 7000 Rossmore Lane in El Dorado Hills, will host a community blood drive noon to 4 p.m. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFR481 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

July 31

Vitalant will host a Shingle Springs community blood drive 1:30-4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM551 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

of fourth-wall breaks Deadpool even jokes in the movie that Disney is going to make Jackman play the character until he’s 90.

Joining Deadpool and Wolvie are a heck of a lot of cameos and surprises. I won’t spoil them here but a few left me flabbergasted. Fans of the ’90s Marvel comics will have a lot of fun with these.

The big questions when Disney purchased 20th Century Fox in 2019 were not only what would the studio do with the Fox Marvel universe (which X-Men was part of) but in more recent cinema release terms what would they do with the successful “Deadpool” franchise? Mr. Pool, as he’s sometimes affectionately called, is proudly an “R” rated franchise. It’s obscene, violent, selfdeprecating and absolutely brutal toward its own creators and studios. Would the House of Mouse allow a character to lay into them and their IPs on screen?

Credit to Disney, they let Deadpool be Deadpool. There are jokes about the parent company, Marvel’s recent disappointing output (specifically the recent multiverse movies) and just about every other joke you could think of. Deadpool was a character created by Robert Liefeld in 1991 to break the fourth wall and some of his funniest jokes involve the Merc speaking directly to the audience and referencing not only the Marvel films themselves but pop culture in general. I had my biggest laughs during these moments.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is 100% Grade A Marvel porn for fans of these franchises. They know exactly what you want and deliver it with the proper gusto and vigor you’d expect out of the character x 1,000. Some call this a cynical corporate cash grab. Maybe, but I laughed my patootie off for two straight hours and had a heck of a lot of fun. That’s really the point, no?

Also, once the Huey Lewis and the News song “The Power of Love” started playing during one of the action scenes I was sold. “Deadpool & Wolverine” also acts as an epilogue toward the now defunct 20th Century Fox Marvel output and to that end it’s successful. It’s the most fun I have had with these films since “Avengers: Endgame.” If you are a fan and know what to expect from a Deadpool comic or movie then you will probably find a lot to enjoy here.

Joshua B. Porter is a

Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Living Well with Dementia – Dementia Self Care: Strategies to Address Communication Challenges, 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. The class will identify ways for individuals, couples and families to strengthen their dementia-related communication skills and create a strong foundation from which to address the stresses

and symptoms of dementia. Challenges people with dementia have with communication will be addressed along with using verbal and nonverbal communication methods to reduce stress and frustration.

The Paul Thorn Band will perform at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheatre.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents the Loud as Folk Songwriters Showcase For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

or

Popular Gem Faire to dazzle in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO — Gem Faire, America’s Premier Jewelry & Bead Show, returns to Sacramento Aug. 2-4, at Scottish Rite Center.

Explore the largest selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, earth’s treasures and much more. Take advantage of buying directly from the importers and wholesalers. From loose gemstones, raw minerals and millions of bead strands, to finished jewelry, fashion accessories, jewelry supplies and tools, find them all under one roof. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service are available while visitors shop. Enjoy displays and demonstrations by Sacramento Mineral Society all weekend long. Scottish Rite Center is located at 6151 H St. in Sacramento. Show hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (no admittance after 4 p.m. Sunday). Admission is $7, valid for the entire weekend. Parking is free. For more information visit gemfaire.com or contact Gem Faire Inc. at (503) 252-8300 or info@gemfaire.com.

Heart By Heart will perform unforgettable, classic hits

Leila Srouji The Center for

RASS

for the Arts presents Heart By Heart in the Marisa Funk Theater on July 27. The original rhythm section for Heart — one of classic rock’s most successful and revered bands — is still locked in and delivering those iconic songs as

faithfully as possible, said bassist and co-founding member Steve Fossen (a member of Heart, 196982) of his band Heart By Heart.

Along with former Heart drummer Michael Derosier (1975-82), vocalist Somar Macek, Lizzy Daymont on guitar, keyboards and vocals, and guitarist Chad Quist, Fossen said Heart By Heart is committed to playing the music with as much reverence and respect as possible.

“Our mission is to perform the classic Heart music as faithfully as we can,” Fossen explained. Heart By Heart began organically as a duo when Fossen met vocalist Somar Macek in 2008.

“We started out playing dinner parties, bistros and jam nights around town,” Fossen said of the musical pairing. By 2009, Fossen and Macek were a couple and have since married.

“We were so in love, we decided to call the project Heart by Heart,” he shared. When booking agents began requesting a full band, Fossen welcomed the opportunity to once again play professionally with Derosier while sharing the stage with his new love.

Heart By Heart presents a powerful, dynamic show that includes all the favorite Heart hits such as “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” “Crazy On You” and “Magic Man,” as well as deep album cuts that Heart fans will love. “We take the music very seriously,” said Fossen. “Ann and Nancy Wilson are rock’s premiere sisters, and with Heart By Heart, we respect and honor that music we made together.”

Aside from regular repeat appearances around their Pacific Northwest home base, Heart By Heart

Photo by Dan Wallisch

Heart By Heart faithfully performs Heart’s greatest hits. See the band live at The Center for the Arts.

Harris Center Presents UPCOMING EVENTS

THE SPINNERS

AUGUST 15, 2024

The Spinners are one of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history. The group created and came to define the smooth sound of Philadelphia Soul with smash singles like, “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Then Came You,” “The Rubberband Man,” “Working My Way Back To You,” and many more –earning six Grammy nominations, 18 Platinum and Gold Albums, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and selling millions of records worldwide in the process.

TOGETHER AGAIN KARLA BONOFF & JD SOUTHER

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

Karla Bonoff and JD Souther promise an evening of musical magic, where the beauty of storytelling through song takes center stage. Souther is a luminary of the L.A. music scene of the ‘70s collaborating with the Eagles & Linda Ronstadt and Bonoff’s timeless songwriting has touched everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Linda Ronstadt to Wynonna.

NICK CARTER

WHO I AM WORLD TOUR 2024

OCTOBER 19, 2024

Nick Carter quickly became an international pop superstar as the youngest member of the iconic boy band, Backstreet Boys. Since taking the world by storm in 1995, the band has sold over 130 million records. In 2002, Carter ventured into a solo career with his debut album, Now or Never, marking the beginning of a successful solo journey. Since then, Carter has released two additional solo albums I’m Taking Off in 2012, followed by All American in 2016.

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

BECAUSE OF YOU: MY TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNETT FEATURING THE CARNEGIE HALL ENSEMBLE

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Award winning and Grammy nominated recording artist Michael Feinstein has partnered with Carnegie Hall to entertain and educate through his latest live touring show, paying tribute to American Songbook master Tony Bennett and created specifically for this musical partnership. Feinstein’s close friendship with Tony Bennett will add a profound layer to this tribute.

AN EVENING WITH HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Here is your chance to see two legendary performers: Music icon Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall, Grammy-winning vocalist and former lead singer of Brazil 66 with Sergio Mendes, perform an eclectic mix of American standards, Brazilian jazz, some Beatles, some classic Tijuana Brass and Brazil ‘66 songs, as well as many surprises.

esk and Silverback Films present OUR PLANET LIVE LIFE ON OUR PLANET

w/Dan Tapster A Netflix Original Documentary Series

OCTOBER 20, 2024

4 billion years. Millions of species. Five mass extinction events. It’s the story of Life on Our Planet, a stunning new series chronicling the ongoing rise and fall of lives on Earth, from the cataclysmic events that reshape our ecosystems to the creatures that survived (or didn’t) along the way. Video and imagery will be used throughout the presentation.

the health of our land.

The color palette Azzuz uses for painting “Lo’op’” (It burns) (2021) is inspired by maps of the 2021 droughts and fires. Similarly in Rupy C. Tut’s painting “New Normal” (2022), natural elements are integrated into symbols that both praise and lament the state of our planet.

Other works in the exhibition confront the tangible aspects of place by incorporating found materials in their work. Chris Johanson and Miguel Arzabe use discarded materials as the foundation of their compositions — Johanson through discarded drop clothes and Arzabe in weaving patterns inspired by Andean textiles from discarded everyday items and strips of painted canvas. The reuse of found or discarded materials not only speaks to larger concerns of ecology but also adds additional layers of meaning to the works, such as in Guillermo Galindo’s “Ready to Go: (2015), which reuses a broken bicycle and chair that he found along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“About Place interrogates the ways in which our environment and our identities are mutually and reciprocally informed,” shared

Heart By Heart

Janna Keegan, associate curator of Contemporary Art and Programming. “Artists within this group explore their own histories to demonstrate the plurality of approaches in nurturing our relationships to the land we walk on.”

Finally, a group of works experiment with the relationship between figure and ground as they relate to place.

In “Unknow Know with What Is 12” (2021), Chris Johanson combines swirling shapes with floating heads and bodies, ants, rats and other animals into energetic yet muted compositions that evoke feelings of impermanence and fluidity. Likewise, Claire Rojas’s painting “Walking in Rainbow Rain” (2021), which flattens the figure against the background, alludes to unconsciously becoming a reflection of or disappearing into one’s environment. The rain’s rainbow palette brightens the initially drab urban environment, relating the figure to San Francisco and the city’s history of LGBTQ+ liberation and social justice.

de Young Museum is located at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. For more information call (888) 901-6645 or visit famsf.org.

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has been touring the U.S. since 2014, taking the show on the road to performing arts centers, indoor and outdoor theaters, casinos, fairs and festivals.

Fossen said that one of the most rewarding aspects of Heart By Heart is meeting with fans, who are encouraged to bring Heart memorabilia to shows for the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers to sign afterward. “We have people coming up to us after shows with tears in their eyes,” he shared. “They thank us for bringing

back memories of those days. Somar and I started singing these songs out a pure love for the material, and now that we’ve branched out and are touring around the country, it’s really rewarding to talk to fans and hear their stories and memories.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 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.

“Te Quiero Inti,” 2021, by Miguel Arzabe (American, b. 1975), woven acrylic on canvas. Belonging