Mountain Democrat, Monday, August 8, 2023

Fentanyl murder case headed to trial

Following a two-day pretrial concerning a second-degree murder charge for the 2022 overdose death of a Shingle Springs woman, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth ruled Wednesday that evidence against alleged fentanyl dealer Kamaal Yusuf was substantial enough to warrant a full trial.

Yusuf stands accused of selling counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, commonly known as blue M30s, to a Shingle Springs couple that resulted in the May 26, 2022, overdose-related

death of 20-year-old Gillian PetersonMurray.

Testifying on the stand Tuesday, Peterson-Murray’s boyfriend Michael Keane told the court about their relationship and the circumstances surrounding her death. Keane and Peterson-Murray had been dating two years and lived in her father’s house on South Shingle Road. After tearing his ACL around a year prior to Peterson-Murray’s death, Keane was prescribed OxyContin for his pain. After the 30-day prescription ran out, Keane said they began to acquire pills

n See Yusuf page A6

Medeiros tackles 100mile tevis Cup ride

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

Placerville resident Colton Medeiros and horse Filouette completed the Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance ride with a 26th-place finish Saturday, July 29, in honor of his father.

Colton’s father Matt Medeiros, who died at the age of 49 in early 2021 due to a stroke,

introduced him to endurance riding.

“When he passed away I decided it was time to try it again,” Colton said. “I grew up watching him do it. He was my hero.

I’ve ridden every ride he rode, so I decided I really wanted to make it to the end this time.”

Colton had attempted the ride twice before, once when he was 12 and again in 2022 at the age of 22 — 2023 was the first time he finished the ride.

“It’s known as the hardest endurance ride in the world,” Colton said. “People spend months and even years training to attempt it. It’s dangerous and not uncommon for a horse to lose its life (on the trail).”

The ride began at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29. Riders and their horses are allotted 24 hours to make it from the starting point in Soda Springs to the finish line at the Gold Country

Kraft-y vandals pester Pinewood neighbors

Fairgrounds in Auburn. Riders can walk, run or ride their horses to the finish line.

The Tevis Ride is an American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned event.

Some 113 riders participated in 2023’s event and eight nations — Israel, South Africa, Italy, The United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Lithuania and Spain — were represented in the field.

The course features eight veterinarian review stops throughout the ride. The horses are checked over and expected to reach heart rate thresholds to prove they are healthy enough to keep up with the intensity of the pace on trail. Horses that can’t clear the veterinarian check are disqualified.

According to Ken Zeier, a Tevis 100 veteran and 2023 volunteer, it is common

n See Tevis, page A3

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Pollock Pines residents have seen some of their neighborhoods fall victim to a spree of crimes, including drugs, theft, vandalism, fires and melted cheese.

Neighbors to Pinewood Elementary School have been perturbed by persistent provocation from local kids — many of whom are preteens — according to locals who have reported constant problems from youths in the area for months on end. Banding together to discuss what options are available to them as the juveniles continue to terrorize the area, the community met at Pinewood’s gym July 20 to discuss the formation of a new neighborhood watch.

“Our people in our neighborhood are afraid to walk their dogs down the street or come near the school because of what has been happening,” one member of the crowd said as the Pine Street Neighborhood Watch meeting began.

Accounts from around the neighborhood allege a gamut of crimes. Some said they have witnessed unattended preteens starting fires near the bleachers at the school field, while others have

had their property vandalized, including a trailer spray painted with a litany of expletives. Some have even fallen victim to an internetinspired trend, finding slices of American cheese slapped onto their cars and parts of their home. Though at first blush the cheesy act of vandalism seems relatively harmless, the hot summer air and quick-melting slices make for a messy situation quickly.

The majority of the malfeasance seems to occur near or on school grounds, an issue partially attributed to the time of year, according to Pollock Pines Elementary School District Superintendent Kim Little.

“Summer time is the hardest for us,” Little explained. “Kids in Pollock Pines don’t have a lot to do in the summer and many hang out at the

n See cheese, page A6

high temperatures have made the internet-inspired prank a sticky situation.

“They stuck cheese on our cars and trucks, in mailboxes and garage doors. They think things like this are funny until someone reacts in a way they don’t like.”

— Krystina Keeney, Pollock Pines resident

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Kamaal Yusuf exits the courtroom Wednesday following Judge Vicki Ashworth’s decision that the case against him would merit a trial. The trial is set to begin Oct. 17.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

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

Michael Wright

June 19, 1942 – July 15, 2023

Born on June 19, 1942 in Sacramento, CA to Ed and Irma Wright (nee Atwood), part of the historical Atwood family, he was raised in Auburn, CA where he lived for 38 years. Mike passed away on July 15, 2023 at his home in Placerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael E. Wright of Sacramento, CA, his sisters Virginia Connolly of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Nancy Hiebert of Pahrump, NV. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Judy Wright, his sons Ken Wright and wife Darla, and Sean Wright and wife Tracy, 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike graduated from Placer High School in 1960 and married Judy Braswell in 1963. He worked for Sutherland Construction, PG&E Gas Dept, then PG&E Civil-Hydro for 28 years. Mike was part of extended PG&E family. His grandfather Earl Atwood, father Ed Wright, and many other family members all worked for PG&E. Mike retired from PG&E in 1992. He then returned to PG&E as a private contractor to rebuild El Dorado Canal, then worked for El Dorado Irrigation District for 10 years before retiring for good.

Mike enjoyed playing baseball as a child and shared his love of the sport with his boys, coaching their teams as they grew up. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time in Sierraville at his family cabin, teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish the numerous creeks and lakes, and how to hunt in the mountians around the Sierra Valley. He looked forward to his out of state archery hunting trips with his good friend Richard Smith and brother-in-law Dale Hiebert. Mike fulfilled his lifelong dream of hunting in the Kaibab National Forest, successfully bagging a huge mule deer buck.

Mike loved his family and was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to many. He will be missed by all.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall in West Point, CA.

Jane Hamilton

Sept. 9, 1933 - July 27, 2023

Jane Hamilton, resident of Placerville for over 60 years, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023.

Born Araminta Jane Cooper in Marshall, Arkansas on Sept. 9, 1933, she was known at various times by her friends and loved ones as Bugsy, Janey, Mrs. H, Arameta, A.J., Auntie Jane, Mrs. Hamilton, and Janey Bear, along with Mom and Gramma.

A child of the Depression and World War II, she grew up in Tulsa and then moved to Los Angeles in the early ‘50s to pursue a career in fashion modeling. There she met L.A. cop and law school student Lloyd “Bud” Hamilton, whom she married in 1955. Following law school, the couple moved to Placerville.

In addition to modeling, she dabbled in various careers and pastimes — Las Vegas showgirl, dental assistant, book keeper, real estate agent, o ce manager, etc. — but she only had two true passions: politics and her family. She worked tirelessly on campaigns for various candidates and causes throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s while participating in an array of clubs and organizations. She was an active and enthusiastic collaborator in her husband’s long career as a public servant, attorney, and judge. At the same time she shepherded their three children through school and on to successful careers and lives. Her happiest times were when she was surrounded by her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband in 2007, after 52 years of marriage. She is survived by her three children — Bret Hamilton and his wife Rebeca, Heather Hamilton, and Holly Salvestrin and her husband Paul, along with five grandchildren: Michael Hamilton, Ryan and Beau Hamilton, and Anna and Grace Salvestrin.

Ultimately, her life experience far exceeded her expectations growing up in Oklahoma. She traveled the world from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and throughout the United States and Canada. She crossed seas by air and by ocean liner. She had homes in Hawaii and Oregon in addition to California. She had a life filled with intrigue and adventure and was surrounded by great friends and an adoring family. She was loved. And she will be missed.

Per her request, no memorial service is planned.

Rene Louise Girardin

June 2, 1966 – July 7, 2023

Rene Louise Girardin (Curtis), 57, of Somerset, CA, passed away on July 7, 2023. She was born on June 2, 1966, in Sacramento, CA, to Karen Scott Curtis and adopted by Robert Curtis.

Rene, known to many as Auntie Ne Ne, was a loving mother, sister, and friend. She had a heart of gold and always went out of her way to make others feel appreciated and loved. Rene had a special gift for noticing the outsiders and welcoming them into the fold, putting them in the middle of the party. She had a remarkable ability to see a need and bless someone, whether it was by helping with cleaning, providing food, or o ering a kind gesture to those less fortunate. Rene’s compassion touched the lives of many.

In addition to her caring nature, Rene had a passion for karaoke. She loved working with Jim entertaining at many venues. To honor Rene’s love for music, a memorial will be held on September 23, 2023, from 2pm to 4pm at Bones Roadhouse. Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Rene’s life and are welcome to sing a song in her memory.

Rene is survived by the love of her life, James Damgaard, her children Frank Girardin, Charles Girardin, Ricky Girardin, and Scott Damgaard, as well as her three sisters, three brothers, father, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Curtis Scott, and brother, Michael McKinney.

Rene Girardin will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her kindness, generosity, and warm spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.

William Louis Mack

July 30, 1949 - July 24, 2023

William “Bill” Louis Mack was an amazing husband, father, son, grandfather, brother and friend. He left this world on July 24, 2023 at age 73 due to complications from surgery.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Norbert and Betty Mack on July 30, 1949 and grew up in a tight knit family of 5 kids who kept in touch often and are close to this day, swapping family and grandchildren stories.

Bill served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war and had some of his photography published in military journals. He married the love of his life, Nancy, and they moved to Somerset where they built a house and had two daughters, Jenny and Kim. Bill really enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids as well as on creative hobbies such as writing short stories and designing board games.

Pioneer Bible Church became a big part of his life, where he got to know God and also made some good friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Betty Mack, and his sister, Cathy.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy, his daughter, Jenny (Matt) and grandkids Zach and Whitney, his daughter, Kim (Seth) and grandkids Rachel and Logan, his brother, Jim (Diane), his sister Penny (Rob), his sister Margie (John), and many beloved nieces and nephews and their kids.

A memorial service was held at 3 pm on August 6, 2023 at Pioneer Bible Church, 6851 Mt. Aukum Road, Somerset, CA 95684

Thomas Neil Cooper

Sept. 15, 1946 - July 16, 2023

Tom passed away peacefully from complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease. He spent his last nine months at The Courte at Citrus Heights where he received loving care.

Tom was raised in Davis, CA, the eldest child of Tom and Elaine Cooper. He graduated from UCD (1968) and UCD Law School (1973). Tom married Holly Bowen in 1969. They raised their two children in Davis while Tom practiced law, Construction Litigation, at Downey Brand in Sacramento. In 1998, they moved to Sacramento to begin establishing their vineyard and winery in Placerville. In 2001, Tom and Holly, along with their daughter Carrie and son-in-law Josh opened Holly’s Hill Vineyards.

Tom enjoyed fishing, hiking, skiing and boating. He loved his trips to Lake Tahoe and to his cabin in Strawberry.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Holly, son Scott Cooper (Vickie), daughter Carrie Bendick (Josh), grandchildren Marin, Isabel, Esme and Darwin, his sisters Sue Me ord (Steve) and Cindy Evans (Scott), brother Stan Cooper (Valerie) and many nieces and nephews. Tom will be missed by all.

Doris Anne Jurgens

Aug. 24, 1930 – July 22, 2023

Doris Anne Jurgens Born Aug. 24, 1930 – July 22, 2023. Doris died in her home with family at her side. She was 92 years old. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she moved to Citrus Heights, CA. This is where she met Robert Jurgens her husband of 68 years until his passing in 2019. They were residents of El Dorado County for 60 years. 20 years in South Lake Tahoe and 40 years o Jurgens Road in Rescue, CA. She is survived by her two daughters Lori Nista, Julie Jurgens, son Je Jurgens, four grandchildren, great grandchildren and her dog Willie. Doris stayed busy as a housewife and mother not missing a single school activity or kids sporting event. In her retirement years they enjoyed trips in their motorhome, boating, fishing and Giants baseball games.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Charles Rose

Sept. 6, 1944 – June 18, 2023

Charlie was a disabled Vietnam veteran with three Purple Hearts. He died on June 18th from Agent Orange. There will be a memorial service held at 1 p.m. on August 13th at the Veterans Building on Placerville Drive.

TO

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CalPERS walks the tightrope on shaky ESG principles

Over the years, the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) has had its share of problems, including a few episodes of corruption. In 2016 its former CEO was sentenced to 54 months in prison for corruption and fraud charges stemming from a conspiracy to trade official acts for cash and benefits. In 2020 CalPERS’ chief investment officer resigned over what was perceived to be an excessively “cozy” relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.

Speaking of the Chinese Communist Party, CalPERS took a massive $69 billion hit in market losses when COVID caused a worldwide recession. Fortunately, those losses have since recovered and CalPERS earned a respectable 5.8% rate of return for the fiscal year ending June 30.

California taxpayers are ultimately responsible for guaranteeing that the retirement benefit promises made to public employees are kept. Any policy change that potentially reduces the investment returns of state pension funds or the value of their holdings puts taxpayers at risk of even higher taxes. In short, all Californians have “skin in the game” in the financial health of CalPERS and the other major fund, the State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).

Something to watch is the extent to which California’s retirement funds place the “principles” of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) above their responsibility to safely earn investment returns adequate to meet pension obligations.

ESG has no fixed or accepted definition. “ESG investing” is a term often used interchangeably with “sustainable investing,” “socially responsible investing” or “mission-related investing.”

According to Investopedia, “Environmental, social and governance ... investing refers to a

Letters to the Editor

El Dorado state?

EDITOR:

Why not? I am one of the many who are ready to leave California; however, there might be another way. This is my home and has been all my life. My family goes back to the Gold Rush around here, as I’m sure many others do as well. Yet it has almost become like a foreign land, more and more over the last few years. If there was a way to leave California but stay home doing so, would you be interested in learning how? It is possible and it can be done, peacefully and legally.

If anyone is interested in learning more about this go to eldoradostate.substack.com.

The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution for the United States of America and the Bill of Rights are still the foundations of this land that can set us free from tyrannical, destructive government — if we have the courage of our forefathers to use them in the pursuit of our happiness, safety and liberty. We have the right and we have the duty.

El Dorado state, think about it …

Melting pot

EDITOR:

JIM ALLEN Placerville

I’m amused by how many people are benefitting by perpetuating the lie that America is systemically racist. In fact it’s our government that continually divides people by race; humans are all one race. ‘

While I agree that there are people who judge people by the color of their skin out there, the numbers don’t lie; our society is not racist. The

median household income based on race, released by our government, show Asians keep expanding their lead with an income of $101,418.00, whites are at $79,999, Hispanics are $57,981 and Blacks are at $48,297.

I believe that the reason why Asians are thriving, I live in an Asian family, is that they stay married at a much higher rate and tend to live as a family unit together more. Grandpa is valued as a resource and an important part of the family unit.

Instead of people saying life isn’t fair and you can’t be successful. We should learn from the Asians and promote a strong family unit.

Looking at my family, I can’t help but notice that I’m the only white guy. We have Asians, Persians, Blacks and Hispanics in my immediate family.

I wonder how our government is going to try to divide and label my beautiful grandchildren because they don’t fit on a single one of the government’s “racist” categories. The reality is our society is the great melting pot and I believe our government will have to find a different way to divide us because it’s getting really hard to find a single-race family these days.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Thanks for saying it

EDITOR:

As a heterosexual, married, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and U.S. Army veteran, I must publicly agree with the critique of the letter in regard to the library display. Thanks to the author.

JIM HARD Pilot Hill

The Balancing Act Report: It’s been a dangerous year for women

That’s the title of a recent editorial in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper. The editorial headline continued with the phrase “since Roe v. Wade was overturned.” One of the more ridiculous arguments in the editorial was that firearms have more constitutional rights than women. That argument falls apart like the rest of the editorial when you can’t find the right of abortion in the Constitution, even a semblance thereof, yet there is a specific Constitutional amendment (the Second) defining the right to “keep and bear arms.”

Enough with the constitutional arguments; they were clearly discussed in a column about a year ago. Roe v. Wade was a SCOTUS decision which allowed legalized abortions for about the last 50 years. While the claim is that the past year has been dangerous for women there is no data provided. Are women dying in back alleys from the poor implementation of a wire coat hanger so often depicted in propaganda

paraphernalia? I don’t think so, as there is no data supporting any new dangers to women.

But what about the other side of the coin — babies, infants, babies in the last trimester of pregnancy and so on. We have lots of data on that and who gets to pay for it. The first recorded number of abortions after Roe v. Wade was 744,000 during 1973-74. That number grew to a peak of 1.6 million (1990) and has been sliding since to the last annual number of abortions being about 930,000, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The Centers for Disease Control, which has limited credibility since COVID, reports in 1990, the peak year for abortions, they totaled 1.4 million. That means with an annual abortion rate averaging more that a million a year, 50 million-plus pregnancies have been terminated since Roe.

I would say it’s been a much more dangerous 50 years for babies still in the womb and, according to many confirmed stories, for the thousands of babies euthanized at birth. Their

politicians are always about saving “women and children.” But what about an 8-month-old fetus?

crime, being born.

It has been almost an unprotected sex party for the last 50 years. Who needs protection? Just have a quick and easy abortion that someone else will pay for. If you are on MediCal and/or Medicaid or some other government medical welfare program, taxpayers foot a large part of the bill. RU-486 (the after-sex pill) hopefully has reduced some of that cost.

I am not here to discuss the morals, but laws are an attempt to categorize the mores of a society, so aptly put by William Faulkner as related to me by a law school professor. The concept of when a baby becomes viable is said by most physicians at about six months into a pregnancy. But to use the argument that without medical care such a baby couldn’t survive on its own, neither can a 6-month-old or probably 2-year-old child.

Outside of rape and incest, sex is a voluntary act. Ninety-nine percent of participants know the risk of pregnancy and they do it anyway. Why is that? Since before Roe v. Wade

there have been birth control pills and so many other forms of prophylactics, even the aspirin. Still, there are a million abortions anyway.

But abortion isn’t a federal issue, it’s a behavioral issue and a state issue and only 14 states have made abortion illegal and some of those state laws are on hold because of litigation and injunctions. The 10th Amendment states powers not delegated to the Feds by the Constitution are reserved to the states.

So, what is the answer? American values that values life above all else.

Politicians are always about saving “women and children.” But what about an 8-month-old fetus? We spend billions on saving the lives of premature babies.

Maybe there is a diminution of the value of human life and as the same time a heightening of the values of animal lives (cage free chickens, etc.). Even trees sometimes appear to have more value.

Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.

LArry WEiTzMAn

set of standards for a company’s behavior used by socially conscious investors to screen potential investments.” These standards may include a judgment of how a company’s policies address climate change, for example. Social criteria may refer to a company’s hiring and promotion policies, its relationships with certain suppliers and customers and its interactions with communities

where it operates. Governance standards are used to screen investments based on a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls and shareholder rights. Some of this may sound innocuous at worst or even beneficial.

But “ESG investing” can be a mask for leftleaning political agendas. It enables activists to use political leverage over government pension

fund decisions to pressure companies to seek out or sever business relationships based on factors such as support for green energy projects or bias against gun ownership. But if investment decisions so influenced result in big losses, taxpayers are at risk of higher taxes to make up the difference. So taxpayers have reason to want public pension funds managed with a focus on earning good returns at low risk.

On its website, CalPERS represents that it supports ESG disclosures in order to understand how a company’s practices could impact future financial performance: “CalPERS uses an ESG framework to assess potential risks to our investments.” But it also acknowledges that maximizing returns is the primary goal: “ESG is all about the bottom line. As a prudent investor, we need to know all the risks companies face.”

Perhaps CalPERS uses “an ESG framework” in self-defense to avoid investing in companies that may be targeted by activists for lawsuits or boycotts. It appears that CalPERS hasn’t signed off on some of the more radical elements of ESG. For example, Senate Bill 252, by state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, would prohibit the boards of CalPERS and CalSTRS “from making new investments or renewing existing investments of public employee retirement funds in a fossil fuel company” by July 1, 2030. By a vote of 7-1, the CalPERS board agreed with a staff recommendation to oppose the bill.

Unfortunately, SB 252 cleared the Senate and is currently pending in the Assembly. But even if approved by the Assembly, that may not be the end of the story.

Three pension funds in New York City have been sued over an identical issue in SB 252. The suit, by public employees, alleges the funds breached their fiduciary duty by selling $4 billion of fossilfuel assets, claiming the retirement plans’ decision is “a misguided and ineffectual gesture to address climate change.” The legal attack turned out to be prophetic given that, the year after the divestment, oil and gas stocks exploded following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the MSCI World Energy Index rising more than 40%.

If SB 252 becomes law, the political establishment which supported it — including Gov. Gavin Newsom if he signs it — will have created new financial risks for CalPERS, current and future retirees and taxpayers. The legislation ultimately could be struck down by a court, but no court order will reimburse us for bad investment decisions.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Announcements

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

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

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

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

Ready for real change?

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

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

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

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643. mONDAy cLUB BriDGe seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. For more information, call (530) 622-1180.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

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

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

Yusuf Continued from A1

through a dealer and he and his girlfriend would do the drug occasionally — every other week or monthly, by his estimate. The two would also drink on the weekends, according to Keane.

Looking for a resupply in May 2022, the couple used the app Snapchat to find a potential plug — a slang term for drug dealer. A friend on the app was promoting another account going by the moniker “Mr. Sneeze” — their username on the app was “Sia Mosley” — who was advertising pills for sale. Keane recalled using Snapchat messages to arrange a meeting and met with “Mosley” at the Taco Bell on Iron Point Road in Folsom. Keane’s recollection of the events contained some inconsistencies between initial interviews and his testimony regarding the date of the meeting but license plate recognition and GPS data collected by El Dorado County sheriff’s detectives determined the meeting took place Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Keane and PetersonMurray went home after the deal and both took half a pill by crushing them and snorting the powder. Keane said “Mosley” advised him to take less than a whole pill when selling them, saying they were “stronger than regular Oxy.” Counterfeit pills — known as “pressed” or “fake” pills — that contain fentanyl are more likely to have inconsistent dosages; a

Drug Enforcement Agency study found that more than 60% of such pills tested contained more than a lethal dose.

“They were a lot stronger than what we were used to,” Keane said.

The following week on a Wednesday night, Keane said he and Peterson-Murray “used a little more, a pill each,” and had also shared some drinks, including a bottle of champagne. Both passed out and when Keane woke he saw his girlfriend was not breathing. He woke up her father, who attempted to perform CPR, and called 911. Firefighters took Peterson-Murray to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Toxicological analysis done on blood taken from Peterson-Murray indicated nicotine, alcohol, norfentanyl, fentanyl, caffeine, alcohol, cotinine and sertraline were present in her system. PetersonMurray had a blood alcohol content of .123, while fentanyl was present in her system at 8.9 nanograms per 100 ml — more than twice a lethal dose.

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Roberts testified a medical examination determined Peterson-Murray’s cause of death was attributed to the combined effects of alcohol and fentanyl. When questioned on the stand, Roberts indicated that the fentanyl alone was the lethal

Cheese Continued from A1

school.”

Little shared at the meeting that the janitorial staff has been kept busy clearing trash, including alcohol bottles and discarded condoms, according to other voices in the crowd, as well as constantly having to move the outdoor tables back to their places. It has been determined from witness accounts

factor and the exacerbating interaction between the drug and alcohol was minimal. Yusuf’s attorney Patrick Hanly questioned why the coroner’s report attributed the cause of death to the interaction of the two substances if fentanyl alone was claimed to be the cause; Roberts responded he did not know.

Keane testified that the deal with “Mosley” was short — no longer than a minute or two — and stated he recognized the dealer as Yusuf, who was present in the courtroom. In prior photographic lineups, including one that took place during the pretrial with Yusuf sitting nearby, Keane did not positively identify the photo of Yusuf.

A point of contention in the pretrial was Yusuf’s arm tattoo; interview recordings played during cross examination by Hanly indicate Keane recalled “Mosley” as having a large tattoo on the inside forearm or hand of his right arm. Yusuf does not have such a tattoo but does have one on his upper right arm between his elbow and shoulder.

The investigation that opened following PetersonMurray’s death used the Snapchat lead to set up an undercover buy from “Mosley.” EDSO narcotics detective Evan Richardson went undercover and performed the hand-tohand deal in Folsom; the original meeting place was

that some of the youths have been using the tables as a means to hop onto the roofs of the school.

Neighborhood resident Krystina Keeney agreed that the trouble started almost as soon as school let out for the season but noted it had recently gotten worse.

“The problems started right when school ended for these kids. They

set for El Dorado Hills but had to be moved due to the short notice officers had.

Communication between “Mosely” and Richardson indicated his girlfriend, driving a white Mercedes SUV, would conduct the transaction — 25 blue M30s for $250.

After the transaction, detectives tailed the vehicle to a home in the 4000 block on Dover Street in West Sacramento. An additional vehicle was located at the home, a black Lexus SUV that matched the description given by Keane. Detectives tailed the Lexus, at one time witnessing the driver pull over to the wrong side of a street to conduct a drug deal, according to Richardson. Richardson stated he had an unobstructed view of the Lexus’ driver multiple times and identified Yusuf as the driver.

When officers later attempted to stop the Lexus at a Safeway, Richardson claims Yusuf quickly pulled away and drove at high speed out of the parking lot; officers did not continue the chase in the interest of public safety. Richardson estimates the vehicle passed through one street intersection at a speed between 60-70 miles per hour.

Using a search warrant, detectives searched Yusuf’s Dover Street home and discovered two safes containing tens of thousands

harass my family and neighbors when walking our dogs by the school but things didn’t start getting worse until a few weeks ago when they started messing with our property,” Keeney said. “They stuck cheese on our cars and trucks, in mailboxes and garage doors. They think things like this are funny until someone reacts in a way they don’t like.”

A sticking point in the meeting’s discussion focused on how community members felt as though the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has neglected to act.

“I have called the cops on multiple issues and most of you don’t show up ever,” one audience member said to the two EDSO school resource officers, deputies Bryce Probert and Kyle Emmitt.

Probert encouraged residents, many who had said they “didn’t bother calling” EDSO due to a lack of response, to continue to call in incidents when they saw them.

“A lot of people don’t call,” Probert said. “If we don’t know about it, we can’t fix the problem.”

Probert explained that EDSO is stretched a bit thinner late at night, when many of the reported issues take place. Probert estimated there are around 12 patrolling deputies covering El Dorado Hills to Pollock Pines at 2 a.m.; if more calls were to come from the Pinewood neighborhood regularly, he said patrol would know to stay closer to

West Nile Continued from A3 (e.g. picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535) on exposed skin when outdoors.

• Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors among mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.

• Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens, kept in good condition.

• Report dead birds and tree squirrels to the state West Nile virus hotline at (877) WNV-BIRD (877-

of dollars, more than 5,000 pills containing fentanyl, cocaine and Yusuf’s social security card. Multiple cell phones were recovered from the home, as well as marijuana processed for sale bearing branding made to look like the Trix cereal rabbit mascot with droopy features and bloodshot eyes. Similar packaging was provided to EDSO by an El Dorado Hills 15-yearold who claimed to have also bought drugs from “Mr. Sneeze.” The minor, identified by detectives as S.H., did not single out Yusuf’s picture in a photo lineup, but did list it as one of two possibilities.

Yusuf was arrested at his parent’s home in Elk Grove’s Lakeside community Jan. 23. Roberts testified that, unbidden by him, Yusuf shared a personal experience where he had been slipped fentanyl and “almost died” while being transported to the El Dorado County Jail. While in jail, phone recordings show Yusuf repeatedly attempted to direct his brother to delete information remotely from his phones. Yusuf’s trial for charges including second-degree murder and selling marijuana to a minor is estimated to last 9 days, and is set to begin Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of El Dorado County Superior Court. Prior to the trial, a readiness and settlement hearing is set for Sept. 15.

the area.

“The more you guys call, the more we’ll be out here,” Probert said. “We are taking this seriously.”

Probert also described the challenge in enforcement at a school location, where many of the children present may be there innocuous reasons. Surveillance cameras often cannot provide clear identification of children and with 15-20 kids on campus at times, it is easier for deputies to make them all leave than try to gather all their information.

“It takes a lot of time to go one by one and get names and it’s made harder because some of these kids are allowed to be here,” Probert explained.

With many of the troublemakers 12 years old or younger, law enforcement officers also have their hands tied in regards to doling out consequences. Meeting participants expressed frustration at what they perceived as a lack of power to respond to the threat posed by the kids. Probert explained that at their young age, juvenile hall would likely not take them in if apprehended.

According to Little, there is a glimmer of hope; she reports that the school has seen a “dramatic decrease in activity” since the neighborhood watch meeting took place.

“I think everyone coming together to discuss and exchange information was great for us,” Little said.

968-2473) or online at westnile.ca.gov. Wear gloves and place the dead bird or squirrel in a double plastic bag if disposing of it yourself.

Mosquito problems and neglected swimming pools should be reported to the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department at (530) 621-5300 on the West Slope or (530) 573-3450 in South Lake Tahoe.

Additional West Nile virus information can be found at westnile. ca.gov or edcgov.us/emd.

IN THE KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Lorena Bergstrom of El Dorado Hills, who recently graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biophysics at Amherst College.

Congratulations to Peri Ceasri of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Geneva College Dean’s List.

Congratulations to Laura Marie Roberts of Shingle Springs, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music theater from Western Connecticut State University.

Aug. 7

The Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County meets at 7:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville with the following schedule of speakers:

Justine Kilcrease, El Dorado County Adult Protective Services (Aug. 7); District 2

Supervisor George Turnboo (Aug. 14); El Dorado County Assessor Jon DeVille (Aug. 21), El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne.

Aug. 8

Tahoe Improv Comedy Players will perform at Valhalla Tahoe’s Boathouse Theatre at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.showare. com.

Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento presents “Ragtime,” Aug. 8-13. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

Aug. 9

UCCE Master Gardeners of

Let’s read!

Arts and Culture El Dorado launching 2024 reading program

News release

Arts and Culture El Dorado recently received a 2023-24 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read grant, one of only 62 organizations selected nationwide. It was also one of only six selected from California.

The grant will support a community reading program focusing on Roz Chast’s “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant,” January to July 2024. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read’s goals are to broaden understanding of the world, communities and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.

“The El Dorado County Library is excited to participate in the Big Read and o er opportunities for the community to come together through stories, art, and the humor of Roz Chast,” noted Sandra Kelsey, senior library assistant at the El Dorado County Library in Placerville. “It’s an honor to be one of the communities selected to participate in the Big Read and we’re grateful to Arts and Culture El Dorado and the NEA.”

The NEA Big Read o ers a range of titles that reflect many di erent voices and perspectives, aiming to inspire meaningful conversations, artistic responses and discoveries and connections in each community.

El Dorado County’s Big Read will begin with a kick-o event at the Placerville branch library in January 2024 and continue

with programs and events throughout the region until July 2024, including book talks, an exhibition, an original graphic anthology drawn from local oral histories, portraitdrawing workshops and more. Readers can learn more at artsandcultureeldorado.org/thebig-read.

About Arts and Culture

El Dorado

including organization o ers programs

Arts and Culture El Dorado is a catalyst for good works throughout the region, serving as the state-local partner to the California Arts Council and providing targeted programs and services. It also curates a vibrant gallery exhibition series and focuses on initiatives that support and sustain the region’s cultural life. Founded in 1984 as El Dorado Arts Council, the organization o ers programs for veterans and students, families and young people, artists and arts organizations, and residents and visitors to the region. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

About NEA

Gold discovery park recruiting more volunteers

Volunteer training is coming up for those who enjoy sharing the history of the Gold Rush and the people of Coloma with Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park visitors. People of all ages are encouraged to join the volunteer program.

Marshall Gold Discovery SHP is the site of Sutter’s Mill and the gold discovery, a moment that shaped the future of California. Annually, thousands of schoolchildren from all over the state and people from all over the world visit the park to learn about the discovery of gold and the California Gold Rush, and try their hand at panning for gold.

Volunteers are asked to make a commitment of volunteering a minimum of eight hours per month. For those who like to wear mid-19th century clothing, lead groups of school children or fix things, there is something for everyone at the park. Some places where volunteers are especially needed include:

• Leading educational programs for school groups Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene Park volunteers dress in period clothes and share stories and facts about life during the Gold Rush, among other duties. ■ See VOLUNTEER page B4

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

BETwEEN THE COvERS

n TUNDRA by Chad

Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh

Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Negative examples and suboptimal circumstances help you see and appreciate your resources. Don’t be afraid of a shadow -- everything substantial casts one. Shadows provide the contrast that enables one to see the vision.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Think ahead to avoid social traps and obligations. You’re at your best when you feel free to come and go as you please. As the adage goes, it’s easier to love your neighbor when you can choose where you live.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you’re accused of being distant, it’s only because you’re working something out in the world of your mind. You’ll do your best thinking while executing a task that’s very easy and repetitive, like walking or a long drive.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Relationships that were complicated become quite simple. The laws of cause and effect are so straightforward at the moment, it’s like you’re dealing in science instead of art. The best relationships have elements of both.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Oscar Wilde said, “Morality is simply the attitude we adopt toward people we personally dislike.” All the more reason to focus your attention on people you enjoy and admire, freeing yourself from the tiresome responsibilities of judgment.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Feeling comfortable is the first step to gaining the confidence you need to handle a situation. For now, get to know the lay of the land. As you learn more, you’ll ease into a state of self-assurance.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Someone is trying to get to know you. Since you hate to be put on the spot, think about what you might be asked ahead of time and craft your response. This is more about hitting the right tone than delivering information.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Friendships give you a peek into different kinds of lives and you’ll adopt some behaviors as your own. It hits home the importance of surrounding yourself with people who possess the qualities you admire.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To move forward, keep stepping, no hesitation. Don’t stop to worry whether you are picking the exact right position, answer, direction or offering. Whatever you try, it will help you develop your potential.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone from your past figures in. It will stir up feelings — events representing the passage of time have a way of doing that. You’ll notice how you think of yourself differently these days.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Just because you make the first call or more calls than the other person, it doesn’t mean you’re less loved. Some find it difficult to initiate social interaction, which is indicative of a personality type more than a level of interest.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll get more attention than you

Book:

“Bill the Greek”

Author: Bill Kanellis

Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.

Available: Bookstores everywhere, or online at Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble.

Roberta Long Mountain Democrat correspondent

Millions of children are orphaned around the world during wars, disasters and civil conflicts. Those who survive often find it too painful to remember what happened to them, much less talk about it. Their descendants and family are unaware of the legacy they share.

Bill Kanellis has lived in El Dorado Hills for many years, but the memories of his early childhood in Greece are crystal clear and the feelings are still there. Born Vasilios (William) Katsakos in a town outside of Athens in 1940, Kanellis was orphaned at the age of 2. He was able to tell his story as a tribute to the couple in America who worked tirelessly for four years, and sent thousands of dollars to Greece, to bring the young boy to America and join their family.

Kanellis begins his story in 1942 or 1943. Greece had been under German occupation for more than a year. One evening two men came to their home and removed Vasilios and his brother, Pericles, two years older, to the home of their grandparents. The next day the boys were boarded on a fishing boat and sailed to Athens. They were placed in the care of

a policeman, a friend of their father’s, and his family. Vasilios and Pericles never saw their parents again.

Greece had been neutral during World War II, but that did not protect its citizens from Hitler’s reach. The German Army invaded Greece on April 27, 1941. The boys’ father had been a newspaper editor in Athens. Their mother was a teacher. They had joined an underground group that printed anti-German leaflets.

The policeman was not able to keep the boys and placed them in an orphanage. It took seven years, an act of the U.S. Congress and presidential approval before Vasilios arrived in Billings, Mont., on Christmas Eve 1949, wearing shorts and a light shirt to be greeted by his new family and become Bill.

He survived life in

FEED THE FAwNS

the orphanages, illclothed and ill-fed. He observed everything and was curious and clever, but not troublesome. The end of the war was followed immediately by a civil revolt between the Greek Communists and the Greek Royalists. Vasilios remained in the orphanage until his life took a surprise turn in spring 1945. The years of trying to get him to his adoptive parents in America began.

Kanellis’ story has an almost fairytale ending. In a brief 42 pages, he brings to life the chronicle of a Greek boy during a time of peril and uncertainty who learns to live on his own until he finds love and safety with his Aunt Helen and Uncle Nick Canelis.

Bill considers this book as part one of three parts. He wants to see it made into a movie. Reading his story, you can imagine the film.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue file photo Sierra Wildlife Rescue is seeking volunteer help to care for fawns during this busy fawn season. Volunteers must be 18 or older. The organization is looking to fill the time slots from 7-10 a.m. at its Garden Valley location to help prep formula, cut leaves and brush to feed the orphaned fawns every morning. Sierra Wildlife currently has more than 20 fawns that need feeding three times a day. Those interested in volunteering should contact Marty at (530) 363-8550.

EDHS alumni award funds

News release

The El Dorado High School Alumni Association recently handed out the following scholarships:

• Macy Little — Emerald Luther Memorial Scholarship, $2,500 per year for four years

• Calen Romig — Dola Albusche Scholarship, $2,000

• Taylor Bacchi — Bill Davey Memorial Scholarship, $2,000

• Gabriella Calderon — Roy and Clara Scheiber Memorial

Scholarship, $2,000

• Jonathan Bird — Arlene Howe Barooshian Memorial Scholarship, $1,500

• Ethan Hassemeier — Margaret Scherrer Memorial Scholarship, $1,500

• Nolan Maciel — Frank Sorocco Memorial Scholarship, $1,500

• Winter Radekin — Carlan Meyer Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

• William Meuser — George Visman Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

Know Continued from B1

6:30-8 p.m. For more information call (916) 941-9401 or visit getyourfaceinabook.com.

The Dementia Support Group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. at 2020 Town Center West in El Dorado Hills. For more information and to RSVP call (916) 4678330.

Jessica Malone will perform at Valhalla Tahoe’s Boathouse Theatre at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.showare.com.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia in Sacramento presents “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Aug. 9 through Sept. 10. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Aug. 10

The FamilySearch Center in Placerville hosts a class teaching students how to scan their photos, slides and negatives and then add them to an online family tree at 2 p.m. Bring a flash drive and pictures. For more information call (530) 621-1378.

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Live on the Boulevard free concerts every Thursday. The schedule features Kalimba (Aug. 10), Petty Theft (Aug. 17) Stevie Ray Visited (Aug. 24), Folsom Lake Symphony (Aug. 31) and Uptown Funk (Sept. 7). Set up begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter. com.

A schedule of superstar headliners will perform at the Harveys Outdoor Arena during the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series

Acts featured: Foo Fighters (Aug. 10), Sam Hunt (Aug. 13), Darius Rucker (Aug. 19) and Kane Brown (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1). For tickets and more information visit visitlaketahoe.com.

Aug. 11

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

The Rescue Community Center hosts a Friday Night Out dance party featuring a hot dog bar and music by Shakedown. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information visit rescuecommunitycenter.com/events.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a free summer concert featuring Island of Black and White, 7 p.m. at Community Park.

Myka Estates and 1850 Wine Cellars present a summer concert series — Wine • Dine • Vibe — in Apple Hill featuring TNTiki (Aug. 11), L84DNR (Sept. 22) and FBI Band (Oct. 13). For reservations visit 1850winecellars.com/pages/events.

California Stage in Sacramento presents “Chef,” Aug. 11-27 at the Three Penny theater. For tickets and more information visit calstage.org.

n See Know page B4

The Public Square

Volunteer Continued from B1

• Leading tours, talks and gold panning

• Living history demonstrations

• Working in the mercantile inside the museum

• Greeting visitors at the visitor center and museum

• Performing park maintenance/ landscaping

• Promoting the park and its events

Know Continued from B3

Now

General Manager for Cameron Park Community Services District

Salary: $130,000.00 - $160,000.00 Annually

Description: Are you an innovative, forward-thinking professional in the field of finance and administration? Are you a self-starter with exceptional communication skills who excels at working with members of the community and public officials in helping provide a community excellent service? Do you enjoy the feel of a small town with access to regional amenities? If so, Cameron Park Community Services District (District) welcomes your application for General Manager.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: August 28, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST. Apply at: https://bit.ly/CPCSDGMApply

the flexibility of a substitute at the beautiful Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

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

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

n sudoku solutions

Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

Public Notices 

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is now recruiting for the Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees volunteers. The potential opportunities include but are not limited to patrol, clerical office work, community outreach, special events and more. They support various functions of law enforcement and the community. The next STAR Academy will be held Oct. 9-19. Requirements to be a STAR are to have no criminal history and a clean driving record. For more information contact the STAR office at (530) 621-7545 or email EDSOStars@edso.org.

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 a.m. For more information call (530) 6221180.

El Dorado County Certified Farmers Markets have begun Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; and Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Interpreting historic buildings

• Performing research in the library

• Aiding in the preservation of the library collections

• Aiding with clerical and administrative tasks

The next volunteer training classes begin Aug. 8. For more information visit marshallgold.com and click the volunteer tab.

The Placerville Main Street Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to dusk, in the Mooney Lot on Main Street. This market specializes in local fruits and vegetables, sustainable agriculture and community.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2680 in El Dorado County invites veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War as well as those seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries during the war on terror plus those serving peace-keeping missions throughout the globe to become VFW members. Member benefits are plenty and there is no fee for the first year. For more information call (530) 499-2950.

The Master Gardener public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 621-5512 and leave a voicemail or email mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a

new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Feed El Dorado and the Placer Food Bank host food distribution events throughout the year in Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, Placerville and Georgetown. For a complete schedule visit placerfoodbank. org/pantrytogo.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee, every Saturday, 7-9 a.m. at Lions Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts. El Dorado Hills Cars and Coffee invites car people to meet up and hang out the first and second Saturday mornings of each month, 7-9:30 a.m., rain or shine, in the right-side parking lot of the Regal movie theater in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Everyone and every type of vehicle is welcome. The motto is “If it rolls, it goes.”

The Murer House Foundation continues its Italian language classes at the Murer House Learning Center in old Folsom. For more information and to enroll visit murerhousefoundation.org/ language-classes.

• E-mail your public notice to legals@mtdemocrat.net

• Be sure to include your name and phone number

Family Features

Between morning routines, days spent in the classroom, extracurriculars and homework, it may seem like there’s never enough time in the day during the school year. However, making time for tasty meals and snacks doesn’t have to be another burden on jam-packed schedules. These quick recipes for a flavorful twist on a breakfast favorite, easy-to-make sliders featuring kid-friendly flavors and delightful treats to enjoy at the end of the day can help keep little learners (and older family members, too) fueled up and ready to tackle all the school year throws their way. Find more recipes to get you through busy back-toschool season at Culinary.net.

Simple, Kid-Friendly Sliders

For those busy school nights when time is at a premium and you need to get a meal on the table quickly, these simple yet savory Pepperoni Pizza Sliders can be a perfect solution. A modified take on a kid favorite – pizza – they’re easy to make after work and extracurricular activities to steal a few moments of family time enjoying the cheesy pepperoni goodness before completing homework and beginning preparations for a new day.

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Recipe adapted from MilkMeansMore.org

A Fresh-Baked After-School Sweet

1 package slider rolls

1/2 cup pizza sauce

1/2 cup mini pepperoni

1 1/2 cups shredded, low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese nonstick cooking spray

Heat oven to 350 F.

Keeping rolls connected, cut sheet of rolls horizontally, separating tops from bottoms. Place bottom halves of rolls in baking dish.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over bottom halves. Sprinkle pepperoni over sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella over pepperoni and cover with top halves of rolls.

Mix melted butter with parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder and shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon evenly over sliders.

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to keep cheese from sticking.

Bake 20 minutes.

Remove foil and bake additional 5-10 minutes, or until Parmesan is melted and golden brown.

Cut sliders and serve immediately.

After a long day of learning or a tough homework assignment, many kids love a warm, chocolatey homemade cookie. Once your kiddos pack away the calculators and put their pencils down, serve up an ooey-gooey delight as a reward for all that hard work. These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are ready in just 30 minutes and made with high-quality ingredients you can count on like C&H Dark Brown Sugar for that familiar homemade flavor. Find more sweet after-school desserts at chsugar.com.

Brown Butter Chocolate

Chip Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: 18 cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups C&H Dark Brown Sugar

2 large eggs, at room

temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and cook until foaming and golden brown. Remove from heat and transfer to heatproof bowl. Place in refrigerator until solidified, about 45 minutes.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Once butter has solidified, remove from refrigerator. In bowl of electric stand mixer, using paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium speed 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed, add flour mixture and beat to combine. Add pecans and chocolate chips; mix at low speed until combined. Place dough in refrigerator and rest 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Using 2-ounce ice cream scoop, portion out dough on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 3 inches apart. Gently flatten dough balls using palm.

Bake 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets 10 minutes then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm.

A Traditional Breakfast with a Twist

The same bowl of cereal can get boring after eating it for breakfast day in and day out. You may find yourself looking for something new and exciting to start school day mornings on the right foot.

Kids can be picky when it comes to breakfast foods, but this recipe for Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups is a quick and easy way to fill their bellies with a taste of several flavors they may already love. A sizzling sausage link wrapped with French toast, it combines a favorite breakfast protein and traditional deliciousness in one roll.

Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups

Servings: 12

12 sausage links

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

3 teaspoons almond extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 bread slices, crust removed, cut in half

3 tablespoons butter syrup

In skillet, cook sausage links according to package directions. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, almond extract and cinnamon. Dip bread slice in egg mixture. Wrap bread slice around cooked sausage link, pressing seam to keep from unrolling. Repeat with remaining bread slices and sausage links.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Place roll-ups in skillet, seam-sides down, and cook until all sides are browned, approximately 10 minutes. Drizzle with syrup.