Eric Jaramishian and Odin Rasco Senior sta writers
Nearly 1,200 acres have burned in northern El Dorado County. The Crozier Fire began after midnight on Aug. 7 northwest of Slate Mountain and prompted evacuations in the communities of Mosquito and Swansboro. By Wednesday evening evacuation orders and warnings expanded to include Volcanoville, Quintet and parts of Georgetown, Garden Valley and Kelsey. Visit perimetermap. com to view the mandatory evacuation zones and evacuation warning zones. The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce also posts this information on its Facebook page.
“The fire is burning in a remote part of the forest within heavy timber, thick brush and di cult access,”
Rescue Union School District facing lawsuit for alleged sexual assault
Odin Rasco Senior sta writer
A lawsuit filed against the Rescue Union School District and key sta at Green Valley Elementary School has recently gained increased attention among parents and community members after information about the suit was posted on social media.
Initially filed in March 2023, the suit alleges a first grade girl, identified as “S.O.”, who received special education services at Green Valley school in the 2021-22 school year was repeatedly bullied, harassed and sexually assaulted by at least one fellow student, identified as “E.” E. reportedly led S.O. to an unsupervised area of campus and sexually assaulted her, saying they were doing so because S.O. was a new student. Because S.O.’s disabilities impact her ability to communicate verbally, the suit states the extent of harassment su ered by her is unknown.
A di erent student, K.O., reported being
bullied and harassed by a larger group of students for “his disabilities and his perceived sexual orientation,” the suit states. The suit claims some students threatened to bring a gun to school to shoot K.O., and that one student, J., had choked him, grabbed his genitals and left sexually harassing notes on his desk.
The suit claims Green Valley Principal Michelle Winberg, along with sta including Special Education and Student Support Services Director Laura Hendrix, were negligently failing to monitor and protect students. Additionally, the suit alleges Winberg, Hendrix and others failed to properly document, investigate and address reports of
An aerial view shows just how close the Silver Fire got to some structures.
Silver Fire holding at 41 acres
Mountain Democrat sta El Dorado County fire crews jumped on a blaze that started at 2:17 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. The Silver Fire was reported at the 2300 Block of Green Valley Road near Silverleaf Drive in the Green Springs Ranch area between Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills. Incident command reported the fire was just 1-2 acres in size but spreading at a moderate speed through grassy oak woodland.
Crews battled the flames from the air and on the ground. Over the course of an hour the fire spread to 35 acres and evacuation orders were given for resident in the area. As of press time Thursday, the fire had burned 41 acres and was 50% contained. Evacuees were sent to the Cameron Park Community Center until orders were lifted Wednesday evening. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
Smoke from the Crozier Fire is reflected in the water on the morning of Aug. 7.
Courtesy photo
■ See CROZIER, page A5
MAIL LABEL
ESSENTIALS
Je rey William Buck
Nov. 25, 1965 – July 26,2024
Je was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1965 in Newport Beach, California. He is survived by his mother, Dona Buck of Pollock Pines. He is preceded in death by his father, Bill Buck in 2017. Je is also survived by his son Dylan Buck & Alexa and grandson Coen Buck and Tristan and Evan of Junction City, Oregon. Other surviving are his sister and brother in law, Diana & Jamie Garrido and their sons Matt Garrido & Family, Bryan Garrido & Family and Scotty Garrido & Family all of El Dorado County. Je is remembered for his love of family, friends and animals.
Je ’s ashes will be spread in the Oregon Sand Dunes along with his beloved dog Moto. No services are planned
Leslie James McIntyre
Oct. 3, 1925 – July 22, 2024
The world has one less true gentleman in it at the passing of Leslie James McIntyre on July 22, 2024. Les was born in Los Angeles on October 3rd. 1925. He was the 3rd. of 4 boys. He moved with his family to northern California during the depression where the family eventually developed a successful turkey farm located o Hazel Ave. in Roseville. Leslie enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WWII and served nearly two years flying 17 missions over Europe as a lower turret gunner in a B17. After an honorable discharge Leslie went home to marry his high school sweetheart, Norma Nelson, and start a dairy business in Ophir, California. Les & Norma had 3 children during this time. Leslie decided the dairy business had developed as far as he wanted to go so, he returned to school & was accepted to UCSF Dental School. After graduating in 1969 he set up a dental practice in Fair Oaks, California. He practiced dentistry for nearly 20 years, retired and served 2 18-month missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One in the Fiji Islands then Zimbabwe So. Africa with his wife Norma. He continued to the end of his life serving family & church faithfully. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Timothy James McIntyre & his wife Norma McIntyre. He is survived by his oldest son Peter L. McIntyre, daughter Priscilla N. Gibson; grandchildren: Leslie McIntyre Lungren, Joel McIntyre, Rory McIntyre, Scott McIntyre, Meghan McIntyre, Natalie Gibson Oakes, April Gi bson Ogren, Turner J. Gibson; great grandchildren: Daniel Lungren, Wyatt Lungren, Alena Lungren, Hayden Lungren, Mikayla McIntyre, Declan McIntyre, Hudson Oakes, Reese Oakes, Paige Oakes, Julia McIntyre, Brock McIntyre, Luke McIntyre, Ellie Rose McIntyre, Gabriel McIntyre, Rylie McIntyre & Jack T. Gibson. Leslie’s funeral service is on August 9th 10:00 a.m. at 3431 Hacienda Dr. Cameron Park, Ca. He will be interned in the Jayhawk Cemetery in Rescue, Ca.
Richard (Dick)
DeHaven White
Oct. 12. 1948 – July 10, 2024
Richard (Dick) DeHaven White, 75, of El Dorado Hills, California, passed away on July 10, 2024. Born on October 12, 1948, in Orange, New Jersey, Dick is the son of Richard DeHaven White and Margaret Mary Williams. He is survived by his partner of 34 years, Michele and sister, Suzanne Mabe (Pete). Dick was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn White.
Dick received a Naval Reserve O cer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree and Ensign rank in the U.S. Navy. He was deployed on the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy CV-67, achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and transferred from active duty to the Naval Reserve in late 1974.
Dick pursued a successful career in manufacturing employing his IT expertise to facilitate the production operations of companies including Mercedes Benz and the toy company Wham-O in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1989, he was recruited as Director, Information Technology for Power Wheels in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1994 he moved to California and began working as an independent IT consultant for manufacturing companies in the U.S., Europe, Scandinavia and Asia.
An avid sports fan, Dick has always been a diehard supporter of the New England Patriots and loving Dad to four wonderful Golden Retrievers. In retirement, he renewed his college interest in the game of Bridge and played several times per week. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Dick will be laid to rest at 11:30 am on August 15, 2024 in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to the El Dorado County, CA food bank or the American Cancer Society.
Darlene Ann (Tooch) Wrzesinski
Nov. 8, 1948 – July 6, 2024
Darlene Ann (Tooch) Wrzesinski, born Nov. 8, 1948 in Torrance CA, passed away July 6, 2024. Darlene graduated from Ponderosa High School, married Wesley Wade in 1966, 57 years together, they raised 5 children in Helena, Montana but CA was her special place. Darlene was proceeded in death by James and Mary Tooch, brother James Tooch Jr. and sister Beverly Dollar. She is survived by Wesley Sr., her children, Lisa, Wesley Jr., Clint, Helen, Mary Kate, brothers David and Richard, fourteen grandchildren & one great grandchild.
In honor of Darlene, please remember Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Darlene is in Heaven watching over me and you.
John Thomas Taylor
May 31, 1970 – May 11, 2024
John Thomas Taylor, 53, of Placerville, CA, passed away on Saturday, May 11th 2024, due to complications of Type 1 diabetes. John was born on May 31st, 1970 in Santa Ana, CA to Thomas and Rosemarie Taylor.
John is survived by his wife Cindy Taylor. His parents Thomas and Rosemarie Taylor of Diamond Springs. Brother, Daniel Taylor of Placerville, CA. Sister, Karen Peel and Brother in Law Nicholas Peel of Menifee, CA. Nephews: Liam, Alec, and Danny. Nieces: Zoey, Faith and Hope.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Thursday, August 8th, at 1 p.m., at Green Valley Community Church. 3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville, CA 95667
Dale Eugene Jackson
Jan. 12,1958 – March 31, 2024
Passed away March 31, 2024 at home after a heroic battle with cancer. He was born January 12, 1958, in Merced, California, the son of Ronald Jackson and Dorothy Shell. Dale proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1979. For the past 29 years, Dale worked for El Dorado Water and Showers, where he managed emergency fire support equipment for multiple agencies during natural disasters and national emergencies. Dale is survived by his wife, Lesa Jackson; daughters, Cacey, Jami, and Julia; Grandsons, Aiden, and Vyvyan; brother, Rod Jackson; and sister, Beth Sargent. A celebration of life to honor Dale will be held at Green Valley Community Church on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 1 PM. (3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville, Ca 95667
Sue Megee
Sue Megee passed into the land of eternal light on July 15, 2024.
We imagine that she was greeted with open arms by her two sons, Steven Bryan Megee and Darren Henry Megee. May the rose garden where they reminisce about the lives they shared be full of love, laughter and anticipation of reuniting with their beloved father and devoted husband, George Megee.
Sue was born in Chandler, AZ and raised in Waterford, CA. George and Sue moved to Placerville, CA in 1960, calling this small, friendly community home for sixty years.
Sue was an avid reader with a passion for learning and a love for teaching. She spent many years as an elementary school teacher, touching the lives of many children. She especially had a gift of connecting with children that felt like misfits and creating space where they would feel like they belong.
The yard where she spent her evenings with her husband watching deer, turkeys, ducks and geese was filled with luscious trees and beautiful flowers, especially a variety roses. Her home was filled with tokens, trinkets and crystals that brought her joy, comfort and peace.
She will be missed by her family and friends — and the hummingbirds that flit about her gardens as she makes her journey onward.
Richard B. Esposito Publisher (530) 344-5055 / resposito@mtdemocrat.net Noel Stack Editor 530-344-5073 / nstack@villagelife.net
Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor 530-344-5070 / mescabar@mtdemocrat.net Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer 530-344-5063 / eric@mtdemocrat.com
The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheri ’s reports:
July 7
10:19 a.m. Trespassing reported on Hillsdale Circle in El Dorado Hills.
12:37 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 37-year-old man on suspicion of shoplifting, use of controlled substance, battery on a peace o cer, vandalism and assault with a deadly weapon on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $111,750 bail.
12:52 p.m. Battery reported on Forni Road in Placerville.
2:34 p.m. Vandalism reported on Highway 50 in Placerville.
6:55 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 59-year-old woman on suspicion of burglary on Elm Street in Pollock Pines. She was released on $50,000 bail.
8:02 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 47-year-old man on suspicion of indecent exposure and annoying/ molesting victim younger that 18 years of age on Lotus Road in Lotus. He was later on $15,000 bail.
8:37 p.m. Battery reported on Forni Road in Placerville.
9:25 p.m. California Highway Patrol o cers booked into jail a 39-year-old man on suspicion of DUI on Durock Road in Cameron Park. He was released on $5,000 bail.
11:47 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing and refusing to leave property on Green leaf Drive in Placerville. He was later released.
July 8
1:19 a.m. Trespass reported on Creekberry Way in El Dorado Hills.
2:47 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old man on suspicion of violation of post release community supervision on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody.
9:41 a.m. Verbal disturbance on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park led to arrest.
10:13 a.m. Battery reported on Suncrest Drive in Placerville.
10:24 a.m. Burglary reported on Spring Valley Road in Pollock Pines.
11:34 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man on suspicion of two counts of possession of controlled substance on Main Street in Placerville. He was listed in custody.
12:55 p.m. Grand theft reported on Olympus Drive in Garden Valley.
July 9
7:36 a.m. Grand theft reported at Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills.
9:04 a.m. Vandalism reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
9:33 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old man on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and DUI at (location unknown). He was released on $25,000 bail.
11:26 a.m. Vandalism reported at Bass Lake Road in Rescue.
8:09 p.m. Battery reported on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park.
9:24 p.m. Petty theft reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.
July 10
8:59 a.m. Battery reported on Shoemaker Road in Georgetown.
9:02 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man on suspicion of two counts of probation violation on Wentworth Springs in Georgetown. He was listed in custody in lieu of $7,500 bail.
10:06 a.m. Battery reported on Magpie
Court in Placerville.
10:13 a.m. Burglary reported on Garnett Road in Pollock Pines.
10:17 a.m. Grand theft reported on Springer Road in Placerville. 10:20 a.m. Vandalism reported on Tierra De Dios Drive in El Dorado Hills. 11:10
VACATION
WHAT A NIGHT OUT
Mountain Democrat photo by Malachi Parker
Madison Kurth stands with his sons Grayson, 7, and Colder Kurth, 5, as they pose with Smokey Bear at the Pollock Pines National Night
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
Mountain Democrat photo by Malachi Parker Finnley Yandell, 7, sits in one of the cars on display at Pollock Pines NNO festivities at Pinewood Elementary School.
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
Placerville staff, police, local merchants and representatives from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office met with community members at the Hangtown Village Square National Night Out party. Paco’s Mexican Cuisine pop-up
This vehicle was abandoned on a rural road in El Dorado County, hazardous waste and other items have been dumped near this location in the past. If you have any information about this vehicle or know about dumping in the Camino area, contact Deputy French at 530-663-3241, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Dept., your info will be kept private.
Mosquito Wildfire Resilience Project
U.S Forest Service
The Eldorado National Forest has published the Mosquito Wildfire Resilience Project Proposed Action, beginning a 30-day scoping period. The project intends to reduce hazardous fuel conditions, salvage dead and dying trees in accessible areas, reforest, improve firefighter and public safety and restore fire in its natural role in the ecosystem.
“The proposed actions will help to reduce the threat of future wildfires for the local communities while also restoring the ecological processes and habitat in the project area.” said Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Joe Stout.
The Mosquito Fire began on Sept. 6, 2022, in the Tahoe National Forest near Oxbow Reservoir and spread into the Eldorado National Forest. The fire was fully contained on Oct. 22, 2022, after burning 76,788 acres, including 23,678 acres within the Georgetown Ranger District of the Eldorado National Forest.
The project area spans 105,860 acres, including lands impacted by the Mosquito Fire and nearby areas outside the burn scar. Proposed activities include the following: Salvage harvest, reforestation, and prescribed burning activities on approximately 2,733 acres within the Mosquito Fire burn area, including up to 100 miles of road reconstruction within the project
area, and the construction of up to six temporary roads (each 300 feet or less)
• Mastication-only treatments on 122 acres.
• Development and maintenance of strategic fuel breaks on 2,588 acres and maintenance of existing fuel breaks on 365 acres.
• Natural fuels prescribed burning to enhance resilience in suitable areas within the 64,346 acres of National Forest System lands within the project area.
As the Forest Service values public participation, officials interested in the public’s comments related to the proposed action. To facilitate this, a virtual public meeting will be held through an ArcGIS StoryMap, which combines maps, multimedia and text to enhance public engagement.
• To view the proposed action, story map and supporting documents visit the project website at fs.usda.gov/project/ eldorado/?project=66160.
Please submit a comment if you have information that you feel the Forest Service may not be aware of or have specific comments or suggestions regarding this proposed action. To ensure your comments are fully considered during the scoping phase and are timely for objection purposes submit them before the end of the scoping period, Sept. 6. Comments can be submitted electronically to cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public// Commentlnput?Project=66160.
California Wildlife Officer
n Badges pinned on 54 new wildlife officers News
is a pleasure to see 54 eager new officers ready to support our mission to protect California’s natural resources and provide public safety through effective and responsive law enforcement.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Officer Academy recently graduated and pinned badges on 54 new officers in Paradise, Butte County. This group represents the largest academy graduating class in CDFW history.
The academy is California Peace Officer Standards and Training certified and offers training consistent with every law enforcement agency in California. In 2008, CDFW partnered with Butte College to provide peace officer academy training for prospective wildlife officers. The college provides CDFW with a stateof-the-art POST-certified academy facility with nearly 50 years of police training history.
“One of the best days of the year for us is adding a graduating class of wildlife officers to CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW deputy director and chief of law enforcement. “It
The newly sworn peace officers will soon begin a Field Training Program where they will apply their academy training under the immediate supervision of seasoned field training officers. Field training with experienced FTOs is also mandated by POST to ensure new wildlife officers can apply the skills they learned during the academy to real life circumstances. FTO is the final stage of formal training. Upon successful completion, these officers will begin patrolling California to protect the natural resources of the state.
The wildlife officers will be deployed across the Law Enforcement Division’s programs: regular patrol, marine enforcement, investigation of petroleum spills and response and cannabis enforcement, to name a few.
The Law Enforcement Division is hiring. For more information about becoming a wildlife officer visit wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement.
The Mosquito Fire burned nearly 77,000 acres in El Dorado and Placer counties in the fall of 2022.
notes Cal Fire’s Aug. 8 incident update. “Crews are actively engaged in a full suppression strategy, including air tankers, helicopters and ground resources. The hot daytime temperatures, gusty winds and low humidities are causing elevated fire activity.”
Placerville Police officers arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of arson early Wednesday morning near a gas station on Forni Road, sparking rumors about the Crozier Fire’s possible cause. Placerville Police Cmdr. Dan Maciel confirmed to the Mountain Democrat Thursday morning the arrest was “in no way connected” to the Crozier Fire or any other recent fire in the county.
El Dorado County officials posted on social media a message that notes, “It is Cal Fire that investigates and determines the cause. At this time, no cause has been determined.”
The Cal Fire incident page, fire. ca.gov/incidents/2024/8/7/crozierfire, lists the cause of the fire as under investigation.
Cal Fire Amador El-Dorado Unit and Eldorado National Forest have unified command over the fire, which was 5% contained as of 9:50 a.m. Thursday. Structures are threatened but thus far no homes or buildings have been reported damaged or destroyed.
“We have been engaged in this fire since its onset early this morning and remain committed to working with our Cal Fire partners to keep it as small as possible,” Eldorado National Forest Fire Chief Brad Stewart told the Mountain Democrat Aug. 7. Steep and remote terrain necessitated an aggressive response from the air with tankers and helicopters dumping water and retardant. Crews later moved into the fire zone. Cal Fire’s incident update reports 46 engines, 15 water tenders, four helicopters, 14 hand crews and 10 dozers — more than 750 personnel in total — have been assigned to the Crozier Fire. The El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville is once again being used as a base camp for firefighters and equipment. The grounds and skatepark are closed to the public.
The California Highway Patrol is
assisting with road closures listed as of Aug. 8: Mosquito Road at Rock Creek Road; Rock Creek Road at Trail Gulch Road; Highway 193 at Shoemaker Road; eastbound Wentworth Springs Road at Citabria Lane; and westbound Wentworth Springs Road at Stumpy Meadows Reservoir.
The Cameron Park Community Services District at 2502 Country Club Drive serves as an overnight shelter for evacuees and leashed or kenneled domestic pets. Evacuees were originally sent to the Placerville Library. The shelter shift came after the Silver Fire broke out Wednesday afternoon on the north side of Cameron Park, prompting more evacuations. Evacuation orders for the Silver Fire have since been lifted. Trailers and RVs are not allowed at the CSD but are permitted at the Placerville library, 345 Fair Lane.
The El Dorado County Animal Services shelter at 6435 Capitol Ave. in Diamond Springs is open to house displaced animals.
Joseph and Chris Novak of Swansboro spoke to the Mountain Democrat while packing up at the library late Wednesday afternoon.
“I just hope the wind maintains its direction away from the houses,” Joseph said. “They’ve done a great job of taking control of things so far.”
As Joseph and his family prepared to move their trailer away from the library parking lot, another evacuee stopped his truck to ask if they needed anything from the store, voicing his desire to help his neighbors if he could during the difficult time. That community spirit extended to the information, donations and support offered at the evacuation centers, according to Chris.
“Everybody has just kept us very comfortable while we’ve been here,” she said.
Businesses have also reached out to help neighbors displaced by the fires, such as Thompsons Toyota offering its waiting area and facilities to those in need. Local kennels and rescue groups have also taken to social media to offer a place for displaced critters to rest while away from home. Noel Stack contributed to the article.
Crozier
Continued from A1
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Emergency vehicles and crews are lined up in the El Dorado County Fairgrounds parking lot Thursday morning, getting ready to head to the Crozier Fire burning in the north part of the county.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
Smoke billows from the Crozier Fire as seen from the air on the afternoon of Aug. 7.
OPINION
California Matters
Newsom also has some authoritarian tendencies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been one of the loudest Democratic politicians in denouncing former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy.
While endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for the presidency this month, Newsom declared, “With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision…” Trump is “lighting democracy on fire,” Newsom told ABC News.
Fears that a second Trump presidency could be an authoritarian nightmare are well justified, given his many declarations of what he would do if elected. However, if one needs an example of how unchecked political power undermines democracy, Newsom’s California is available.
Newsom himself has displayed a penchant for governing by decree, especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, with his Democratic Party holding total control of state government, its o ceholders feel entitled to act as they please, ignoring those who might disagree.
The ruling party’s autocratic streak was demonstrated last month, when Newsom and the Legislature passed a state budget and dozens of “trailer bills” to implement its provisions. Both the budget and the trailer bills could be enacted with simple majority votes, thanks to a 2010 ballot measure, Proposition 25, that reduced the voting margin from two-thirds.
The implications are scary. Californians could fully pay their taxes and then years later be hit with new tax bills because the Legislature has changed tax law ...
Prop. 25 was aimed at removing any Republican role in the budget, and it succeeded. However, it also created a way for governors and legislators to make changes in laws having little or nothing to do with the budget through trailer bills that could not be challenged by the referendum process.
This year’s batch of trailer bills contain two pithy examples of the syndrome.
Assembly Bill 174 contains a slew of items mostly having to do with governmental operations, but one passage exempts the Legislature’s Capitol annex project from the California Environmental Quality Act. It aims to shut down e orts by two groups critical
■ See WALTERS, page A7
California Commentary
Voters confronting candidates and ballot measures this November should know that excessive government debt, at the national, state and local level, should be getting a lot more attention than it does now.
JON COUPAL
This column has previously reviewed the state and local bonds appearing on the November ballot as well as a measure designed to make passing future bonds far easier.
To recap, there are two statewide bond proposals of $10 billion each. Proposition 2 is a $10 billion statewide school bond supported by developers in the naïve hope that it will reduce the pressure for even higher “impact fees” imposed by government entities as a condition for residential construction. Proposition 4 is a $10 billion “climate bond,” a mishmash of projects that have absolutely nothing to do with the climate.
Second, while there are numerous local bond proposals throughout California, they pale in comparison to the massive $20 billion regional
Richard B. Esposito Publisher
Letters to the Editor
Poor re response
EDITOR:
Iam just astounded that after decades of wildfire fighting in California, that Cal Fire did not throw all available resources against the Park Fire, and stupidly let it grow beyond their control. Has Cal Fire not learned a damn thing in decades of fighting fires? It is obvious that whoever was in charge was totally out of touch with reality! Let’s do a simple reality check: It’s easier to put out a small fire than a large fire. Gee! And nobody there knew that? Fire whoever was in charge.
BILL KARR Placerville
Harris doesn’t help Americans
EDITOR:
Now that Biden was forced to drop his run for reelection as he was too low in the polls, his replacement is Kamala Harris. When folks were burning our American flag, Harris says, “Voice your opinion.” We have folks fighting for our country and that upsets me. Harris does nothing. If Harris wins in November and becomes president she wants to have only one health insurance company for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you like your health insurance; you’ll have no choice at all.
Imagine all the companies that would close and all the folks who would be out of a job. And she wants to take Medicare away.
Harris has said folks 18-24 years old are stupid. But she wants to give immigrants Social Security, housing, medical insurance and job training; imagine what this would cost over the years.
How about some help for our homeless veterans?
CONNIE ROSEN Pollock Pines
Misdirection and rubbish rhetoric
EDITOR:
Iwas worried when I saw an opinion piece from Larry Weitzman about the head of the Secret Service. “How”, I wondered, “would Larry
“housing” bond proposed for the nine Bay Area counties. Unlike the two statewide bonds, the Bay Area Housing Financing Agency bond will be repaid exclusively by property owners in just 9 of California’s 58 counties. Chew on that for a minute.
But here’s the kicker, while not a bond proposal itself, Proposition 5 is an even greater threat to California property owners because it lowers the vote threshold for local bonds from two-thirds to 55%. The two-thirds vote requirement for local general obligation bonds has been in the California Constitution since 1879 as a protection for property owners against excessive debt being approved by those who don’t own property.
Even worse, Proposition 5 is retroactive so the lower vote threshold applies to the massive $20 billion BAHFA bond appearing on the November ballot. Voters who mistakenly believe that the two-thirds vote for local bonds will apply to local bond measures this election are in for a rude awakening if Proposition 5 passes.
have enough of a topic to write an entire article and include his trademark speculations and falsehoods?”
My worry was misplaced; he supplemented the expected lies, misdirection and sexism about the Secret Service with lies, misdirection and strawman arguments about the Supreme Court and Democrats.
Weitzman begins by mocking Ms. Cheatle’s experience, suggesting she was hired because she’s a woman who supports workforce diversity. Cheatle was responsible for the security of 318,000 executives and employees at a global company with a market value that would make it comparable to Qatar. Prior to this, she joined the Secret Service in 1995, was on Dick Cheney’s detail on 9/11 and rose to the position of assistant director of Protective Operations. To sum up her experience as “good at guarding potato chips and Cheetos” is absolutely flippant and dismissive.
Much ado has been made by right-wing commentators about female Secret Service agents. Weitzman’s rhetoric is just toned-down regurgitation of right-wing commentators such as Matt Walsh, who wrote, “There should not be any women in the Secret Service. These are supposed to be the very best and none of the very best at this job are women.” They — like Mr. Weitzman — point out that one agent had an issue holstering her weapon, but I’ve seen no claim that this is an anomaly in high-stress situations or that this unnamed agent was even hired in the past two years as a “DEI hire” under Cheatle.
In another example of Secret Service mistakes: a potential Chinese spy with four mobile phones and a USB stick with malware gained access to Mar-aLago and passed at least five Secret Service agents. Or the Washington couple who snuck into a White House state dinner. Further examples of Cheatle’s incompetence and DEI? Hardly, as they happened in 2019 and 2009. What bogeyman does Mr. Weitzman blame?
Weitzman not only argues that Democrats were complicit in the violence due to their rhetoric but suggests, without any evidence whatsoever, that Democrats hoped this would happen and that this was a planned murder. It’s absolutely unthinkable that Weitzman would state this (or that the MTD would publish it). Recall the shooter was a registered Republican who a classmate has described as an
For citizens brave enough to check out this website, be forewarned. It presents the most troubling forecast imaginable.
Going forward to all future elections, Proposition 5 will indisputably open the floodgates to higher property taxes.
As evidenced by this year’s bond proposals, state and local government o cials can’t kick the debt addiction. Even the recent near rejection of Proposition 1 last March hasn’t slowed down the relentless e ort to rack up the state’s credit card.
California’s political leadership needs to rethink this pursuit of more debt. First, according to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, California had about $541.24 billion of debt outstanding in 2021, the most out of any state. But that figure is at the low end. According to the Hoover Institute, California’s state and local government debt is roughly $1.6 trillion, which includes a proper accounting of the state’s unfunded liabilities. To put this in perspective, this works out to about $125,000 of debt per California household and exceeds the annual GDP of all but 13 countries worldwide.
The wide variance in estimating total debt amounts is due to di ering methods of how debt is defined. As
the Cato Institute recently noted, total debt should include, at a minimum, general obligation bonds, unfunded pension obligations, and other postemployment benefits (OPEB). “All three types of liability impose risks and costs on future taxpayers.”
In seeing how many states control the amount of debt they incur, Cato notes that there are a variety of legal mechanisms to limit bond debt, including limits on debt outstanding, debt servicing costs and debt issuance. However, the Cato report also notes that many of these restrictions apply only to bond debt, not the more hazardous exposure from unfunded pension and OPEB obligations. This is evident in California where litigation by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation to enforce voter approval of pension obligation bonds in California has been met with widespread hostility from members of the judiciary who, not coincidentally, benefit from a public employment retirement plan.
As a side note, the Cato report
DAN WALTERS
Walters Continued from A6 of the massive construction project to require changes.
The self-serving CEQA exemption not only was inserted into the bill in semi-secrecy, but it continues the rather shameful practice of granting such exemptions on a case-by-case basis rather than undertaking a comprehensive reform of the often misused law.
The second example, Senate Bill 167, is even more outrageous. It sets a very dangerous precedent of rewriting state tax laws retroactively.
The state Franchise Tax Board recently lost an appeal of a corporate tax case involving Microsoft and a years-long dispute over the tax treatment of foreign earnings. The state Office of Tax Appeals ruled for Microsoft, thus requiring the state to refund $1.3 billion immediately, with hundreds of millions in other refunds in the future.
Rather than swallow its loss, the Franchise Tax Board persuaded Newsom’s Department of Finance to include language in SB 167 that voids the appellate ruling and potentially allows tax collectors to go back
Coupal
Continued from A6
relied on data from Truth In Accounting (truthinaccounting.org), a respected financial think tank whose mission statement is “to educate and empower citizens with understandable, reliable, and transparent government financial information.”
For citizens brave enough to check out this website, be forewarned. It presents the most
years and impose more taxes on corporations.
The implications are scary. Californians could fully pay their taxes and then years later be hit with new tax bills because the Legislature has changed tax law retroactively and perhaps even secretly.
The California Taxpayers Association is raising alarms about the law’s potential effects, and its president, Robert Gutierrez, says a legal challenge is being considered.
“This legislation shreds well-reasoned, unanimous decisions of California’s Office of Tax Appeals and serves as a not-so-hidden tax increase,” Gutierrez said. “This is a cash grab that undermines the tax system and threatens the integrity of the tax appeals process in California, and it must be stopped.”
What could be more authoritarian than arbitrary and retroactive increases in taxes?
Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
troubling forecast imaginable. For example, its running total of the national debt increases more than $10 million every second. If that doesn’t scare you, it will assuredly scare your children and grandchildren.
Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Letters Continued from A6
“outspoken conservative.” It has been suggested that the whole thing was a false flag operation staged to make Trump stronger (which, as Weitzman points out, is exactly what happened). That theory is baseless and dangerous, as is Mr. Weitzman’s malarky.
Putting aside the absurd claim of an assassination conspiracy, it’s especially rich that Weitzman engages in exactly the same rhetoric that he argues makes the Democrats complicit in the assassination attempt: “the left will do anything to hang on to power”; “the left’s lawfare against Trump”; the left is willing to resort to murder.
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
JUSTIN EVANS Cameron Park
bullying
Filed by S.O.’s mother, Lolita O’Neal, the suit requests a jury trial and seeks compensatory damages for S.O.’s emotional distress and medical costs.
Though the suit was filed in early 2023, some RUSD parents shared they recently heard about the suit through word of mouth or social media. Responding to an increased call for a response from the school, RUSD Superintendent Jim Shoemake sent the following statement via email to parents on the RUSD mailing list:
“Dear Rescue Union School District parents, I am writing to address recent allegations being made online and to provide clarity regarding a
lawsuit involving a family within Rescue USD. Sadly, allegations have surfaced online in connection to a lawsuit the district is vigorously defending against, and this letter is intended to respond to these allegations while still honoring the legal process.
During the 2021-22 school year (three years ago) a former Green Valley parent made some very serious allegations related to the physical safety of their student. Upon learning of these allegations, our district took immediate and decisive action to investigate the allegations to better understand the situation and ensure our procedures and policies were followed correctly, and most importantly that our students were safe while on our campus. Since that time, the district has been named as a party in a lawsuit brought by the family of the student that made the allegations and has been actively defending against the allegations.
Based on the outcome of our investigation and the status of the lawsuit we want to assure you that we feel that the facts are on our side and we are fully prepared to challenge these allegations in court. The legal process will allow us to present our side of the story and seek a fair resolution based on the facts. Please understand that, due to the sensitive nature of this matter, the privacy interests of those involved and ongoing legal proceedings, we will refrain from commenting on social media posts related to this case. Our priority is to handle this situation with the seriousness it deserves while protecting the integrity of the process and privacy of those involved.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We remain committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all our students, as we have repeatedly demonstrated over the years.”
Attorneys for the plainti did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
COMICS
El Dorado Cougars plan to come out strong
Malachi Parker Sta writer
“Don’t count us out,” El Dorado High quarterback Jason Wilson said. “We may not be the biggest, fastest or strongest but we’re going to work for it.”
The El Dorado Cougars varsity football squad rolls into the new season looking to create a new identity and improve from last year’s record where the team ended the 2-8 overall and finished last place in the Sierra Valley Conference.
“Traditionally we have been a pass first team but I don’t think that is going to be the case this year,” head coach Kevin Placek said. “We’ve got the strongest o ensive line we’ve had since I got here and multiple guys in the backfield that can run the rock.” Placek is headed into his third year at the helm and has a senior class fully committed to lead and go to battle
week in and week out.
“We’ve got 23 guys, but we’ve got 23 guys that can play varsity football,” Placek said.
A main focus Placek has tried to improve on year by year is overall team strength — something this team has demonstrated over the o season — and he told the Mountain Democrat he thinks this is the strongest team he has had in his three years.
“It’s a work ethic thing,” Wilson said. “The embarrassment of last season has pushed us a lot and we want to flip the script.”
The Cougars will begin their season on the road for the first two weeks as they have meeting with Ponderosa High School on Aug. 23 followed by Woodland Christian Aug. 30. Their first home game will come on week 3 when they host East Nicolaus, a matchup that ended in an overtime loss last season.
Red Neck Olympics coming to El Dorado County
News release
Uncle Tom’s Cabin presents the first ever Red Neck Olympics on Aug. 24 with the opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Teams of two to six, ages 16 and older, are welcome to participate. Events include horseshoes, javelin
throw, seed spitting, an obstacle course and much more.
The cost is $20 per person. Interested teams are asked to sign up at forms.gle/ eEEYdMEh4TpQfG5e8. For more information visit Uncle Tom’s Cabin Facebook page.
Register to run in Town Center
News release
Registration is open for the Gold Country Run 5k/10k and Kids k on Sept. 7. Register online at goldcountryrun.com.
Starting and finishing in El Dorado Hills Town Center, the event presented by Marshall will showcase what makes El Dorado Hills “one of America’s best places to live,” according to CNN. Participants will enjoy beautiful views of the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada, interesting landscapes,
vibrant shopping and dining, and an active and healthy community nestled in the heart of historic Gold Country.
The race will be a premier running event managed by GCR+S Events and it features a 5K and 10K course with an initial loop in Town Center followed by an out and back (with a screaming fast finish), making it a great event for participants and spectators alike.
The runs will be followed by a Finisher Fitness Festival presented by Marshall and other sponsors.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There may be no tangible
prize for the endeavor you spend so much time on, and yet there are rewards you can feel. They have no surface, but you can hold them. They are more real to you than anything that has mass.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Maybe there are no mistakes. Don’t be too quick to frame, score or account for things. Let the action settle in. Maybe you wouldn’t repeat the same move next time, and yet purposes were served; this you can’t deny.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There are and will always be things you don’t know about others. These mysteries keep things interesting. Some groups are more passionate than others. You can match most any level, but it’s better to nd the group at the intensity level you enjoy.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The true essence of companionship is being in it together no matter what. Shared struggles with good company turn adversity into an adventure. Every moment, good or bad, becomes a meaningful part of your story.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Take your feet o the pedal of your ambition. Let yourself ride on the momentum you’ve already got in motion and it will take you further than you think. This will save “gas” or whatever you’ve been using to fuel this aim.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Freud said, “There are no jokes,” but whether he said it with a straight face or a gleam in his eye is a detail that’s eluded documentation. For today, what’s said in jest will be true, at least in part.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Being correct, e ective, dutiful, respectful, kind, prudent... this is what matters most to you now. All contentment will be an outcropping of doing the right thing. You’ll handle important matters and focus on what’s crucial for a desired outcome.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There’s no reason to judge yourself now; each moment is an opportunity for growth and understanding. Nor should you subject yourself to the judgment of others, for their perceptions do not de ne your worth or journey.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Relationships are cocreated, so no one is completely in control. You can manage your end of things, but that in and of itself may not be enough to get a thing headed where you want it to go. It’s a day for realistic assessment.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Before any result is accomplished, do the work of making a connection. Your tone is charming and will resonate. Once you’ve built rapport, people will listen, understand and follow your lead.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Friends have roles, but these roles change. Stay open and adjust. Also, note that di erent kinds of groups
■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin
■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
Mountain Democrat photos by Malachi Parker
The El Dorado Cougars football team runs out to begin a preseason practice. FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Head coach Kevin Placek goes over defensive coverages with his players.
Move to the largest senior apartments in
e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.
Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry
You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.
INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES
• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters
• Private patio
• Attached garage
• In-home washer and dryer
• High ceilings
• Housekeeping, laundry, and trash service
• Utilities and basic cable included
• Air conditioning
• Pets welcome!
COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES
• Restaurant-style dining
• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills
• Clubhouse and tness center
• Library and full-service beauty salon
• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations
• Transportation services
• 24-hour emergency maintenance
• Gated electronic entrance
We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.
O cial
DINING
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
HEALTH & BEAUTY
HOME IMPROVEMENT
RETAIL STORES
PETS
Gold Oak for Students Leads Recall Efforts of School Board
G.O. for Students is dedicated to protecting quality public education for all Gold Oak Union Students through high QUALITY Educators, robust OPPORTUNITIES for students, families and educators, and STUDENT SUCCESS at the center of school board decisions. Learn more about why parents, staff and community members are coming together in this recall by reading the petitions below.
Follow Gold Oak for Students on Facebook
For more information on the recall and our community coalition, visit us on YouTube at Gold Oak for Students or scan the QR Code.
Paid for by Gold Oak for Students
PROSPECTING
Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com
IN THE KNOW
Aug. 9
The Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center hosts a Taco Night Fiesta, 4-7 p.m. with all-you-can-eat dinner. For more information call (530) 647-8005.
Born N Raised will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/livemusic.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host its National Night Out celebration from 5:30-8 p.m. at Community Park. There will be free barbecue, music and children’s activities, along with presentations by the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce K-9 and Bomb Disposal teams.
Wolf Jett will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Aug. 10
The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Dance Arts, 4062 Flying C Road, Suite 51, Cameron Park, host an open house, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m. Free dance classes will be o ered. 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 Aug. 10 & 11
chef William “Bud” Walter is preparing a Hot August Nights meal. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@ mira oreswinery.com to make a reservation.
Cameron Park residents are invited to participate in a National Night Out celebration at Peak Nutrition, 3392 Coach Lane. Set to run from 4-8 p.m., the event will include food trucks, music, children’s activities, drinks and shakes for residents.
Guests from the Cameron Park Fire Department and EDSO will provide demonstrations for event attendees. Local civic leaders and community partners are also expected to attend.
The El Dorado County Historical Society invites all members to the next installment in the 2024 Historical Field Speaker Series: California Impressionist Art in El Dorado County & Beyond - Tilden Daken, 4:15-5:45 p.m. at the Art on the Divide Gallery, 6295 Main St. in Georgetown. Del no Farms in Camino presents Folk on the Farm, 6-10 p.m., with Pony Bradshaw. For more information visit del nofarms.com/ folkonthefarm.
Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts Music in the Vines this summer with Jacob Benning Trio. RSVP by calling (530) 240-8386 or email info@ medivineyards.com.
Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Secret Garden,” Aug. 10 through Sept. 8. Shows run Saturday and Sundays at 1 p.m., with a 4 p.m. showing Saturday, Aug. 24. For tickets
Join music lovers at upcoming El Dorado Community Concerts
Jeannette Maynard News release
The El Dorado County Community Concert Association, the oldest performing arts organization in El Dorado County, is thrilled to return with an exceptional line up of quality live entertainment at Union Mine High School Theatre.
The Back by Popular Demand 2024-25 concert series brings back some of the membership’s favorite artists.
The association relies on memberships to present the concerts and now is the time to renew your membership or join for the very first time.
The first concert of the upcoming 2024-25 season opens with TAKE3 on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. With a flair for the wild and unexpected, the genre-defying trio, TAKE3, brings the refinement of a rigorous classical music background and infuses it with rock-star charisma.
The second concert of the season on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., will feature Street Corner Renaissance. With infectious energy, humor and delightful harmony, Street Corner Renaissance sings a cappella versions of doo-wop and R&B music from days gone by.
The third concert in the series is Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. Pioneers in four-hands piano in jazz, Trick & Alderighi are also acclaimed for their arrangements of classics from stride piano, ragtime and boogie woogie traditions as well as from the Swing Era.
The fourth concert in the series, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 7 p.m., will be Backtrack Vocals — a five-
person a cappella singing group that transforms familiar pop, funk, Motown, standards and Broadway songs with all-new vocal (and beatbox) arrangements.
The fifth concert of the season on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 3 p.m., brings Tom Rigney and Flambeau specializing in fiery Cajun and zydeco two-steps, low-down blues, funky New Orleans grooves and heartbreakingly beautiful ballads and waltzes.
The sixth and last concert of the season is Acoustic Eidolon on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. The show features Hannah Alkire on cello and Joe Scott on double-neck guitjo, an instrument of his own design praised by USA Today as a “beautiful harplike sounding instrument … like nothing we’ve ever heard before.”
The 2024-25 season’s prices remain at $80 per
The Spinners bring decades of hits to Harris Center
Ed Sengstack Harris Center for the Arts
FOLSOM — Harris Center for The Arts presents the intricate harmonies with breathtaking vocal acrobatics of The Spinners, performing on Aug. 15.
Timeless in a way that few other acts today are, The Spinners are one of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history. With a towering legacy spanning over six decades, The Spinners have never lost their universal appeal. In 2021 they returned with their first all-new original album, the aptly-titled “Round the Block and Back Again.”
The group created and came to define the smooth sound of Philadelphia Soul, channeling the highs and lows of romance and heartbreak into a catalog of classic hits, beloved across generations. Throughout the years the Spinners continue to top the pop, R&B and now adult contemporary charts with smash singles like, “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Then Came You,” “The Rubberband Man’’ 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. Though The Spinners popularized, and came to embody, the lush sound of Philly Soul in the 1970s, the group got its start in Detroit at Motown
Courtesy photo
The Spinners have been spinning the hits for decades. See the group live in Folsom
TOM RIGNEY
BACKTRACK VOCALS
TRICK & ALDERIGHI
STREET CORNER RENAISSANCE
TAKE 3
Courtesy photo
annual Tahoe Blue Vodka Bloody Mary Competition will feature some amazing drinks.
Chókim bètana wéeye focuses on sound, visual, multi-instrumentalist and performance artistry, the exhibit demonstrates how water moves through the landscape and connects.
New RR museum exhibits showcase local artistry
Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release
SACRAMENTO — The California State Railroad Museum and Foundation are proud to partner with the Sacramento Public Library to host two special exhibits that showcase local artistry created by Parks and Tranquility Grant Awardees. The overarching concepts of the two exhibits, titled Chókim bètana wéeye (It Comes from the Stars) and Fieldnotes, were presented by the artists then selected by joint committee with the Sacramento Public Library and California State Railroad Museum, and curated with help provided by the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation.
“Public art is a powerful way to help connect people to each other and to our shared history,” said Dr. Ty Smith, museum director of the California State Railroad Museum. “We are very pleased to offer a platform to demonstrate how we’re all connected — through land, water and the riverfront — and multi-dimensional art helps reflect on the past, but it also
can show us a path forward.”
Chókim bètana wéeye (It Comes from the Stars) — The new sound and multi-media installation was created by Amy Melissa Reed, descendent of people Indigenous to the Sonoran Desert. Reed is also co-founder of Gold Lion Arts in Sacramento and Ma Series Arts, an arts organization to support and fund underfunded BIPOC Femme and Queer artists and culture bearers. With a focus on sound, visual, multi-instrumentalist and performance artistry, the exhibit demonstrates how water moves through the landscape and connects us all. The soothing, trickling and sometimes dramatic sounds were recorded in rivers, the ocean and inside Summit Tunnel, which played a key role in the building and completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The multi-sensory new exhibit is now on display inside the Fruit Growers Express refrigerator car in the Roundhouse at the California State Railroad Museum.
Fieldnotes: California State n See EXHIBITS, page B4
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 16th | 2PM
We will be tasting a variety of wines and learning the proper way to taste and judge wine. We will be supplying charcuterie boards and chocolate for the tastings. Wines will also be available for sale.
Courtesy photo
Laugh out loud in Tahoe
STATELINE, Nev. — Get ready to laugh out loud as Late-Nite Productions presents an evening of comedy with Sheng Wang on Aug. 17 at Bally’s Lake Tahoe Showroom. Wang is a comedian, actor and writer originally from Houston, Texas. His first Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy” (produced/directed by Ali Wong), is streaming now. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and also wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Sheng resides in Los Angeles and in his time off he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. at the Bally’s Lake Tahoe Showroom, 55 U.S. Highway 50 in Stateline. For more information visit LateNiteProductions.com. For tickets go to Ticketmaster.com or stop by the Bally’s box office.
Hell’s Kitchen Lake Tahoe expands ‘Ramsay experience’
Brenna O’Boyle Tahoe Daily Tribune
STATELINE, Nev. — In order to secure a reservation at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Lake Tahoe, log into Open Table and make a reservation now.
That’s because this bustling restaurant tucked inside Harveys Casino off the gaming floor just expanded. Now it’s expecting business to increase by 15% to 20%.
In 2023, Hell’s Kitchen Lake Tahoe served more than 100,000 diners in its then 165-seat restaurant. Recently, it added 56 seats, a 1,200 bottle wine display and a new bar and entrance.
Guests are now welcomed through a redesigned entrance with playfully devilish décor featuring gold H’s and pitchforks adorning the glass doors. Wolf by Vanderpump is the Michelinstar celebrity chef’s new neighbor.
“It looks great like every Hell’s Kitchen does. It fits the brand,” said West Coast Regional Chef Diego Echavarria with the Gordon Ramsay group. “I’m excited for the possibilities the expansion will provide our guests.”
“We will be able to accommodate a lot more people,” Echavarria said. A wall was removed opening up the original restaurant and adding 1,800 square feet. The total restaurant seating area is now 4,780 square feet.
“It allowed us to take large parties at a greater count than we did previously,” said Senior Director of Food and Beverage Abby Jestis. “We’re able to accommodate at least another 120 covers a night.”
The expansion also allows the tables to be spread out for a roomier experience. In addition, it subdues the restaurant’s volume to make the dining experience even better.
“I think people come here because of the Ramsay name,” Jestis said. “But we have a lot of repeat guests, which I think is directly related to the caliber and quality of the food … It’s the Ramsay experience.”
Executive Chef Sander Guillen makes sure every dish meets the Ramsay experience’s high standards.
“This guy and his team do a fantastic job every day,” said Senior Executive Chef Terry Gegogeine who is in charge of seven restaurants, the banquet department, four production kitchens, and the employee cafeteria at Harveys and Harrah’s in Stateline.
Hell’s Kitchen has 25 back-of-house and 40 front-of-house employees in addition to eight seasonal workers.
This allows the team to accommodate its 40,000 unique reservations a year.
The last weekend of July, the expanded restaurant did three turns and served 650 people, Jestis said.
“Quality and consistency, I think those are the main things,” said Gegogeine describing why Hell’s Kitchen is a sought after reservation. “Everybody comes here because of the Gordon Ramsay brand and name. But I feel like they come back because our staff does a great job executing that higher-end dining experience.”
The quality begins with the products. The produce comes from Bonanza Produce in Reno. The meat is sourced from West Coast Prime in Las Vegas. The seafood is from Sierra Gold in Reno.
“We strive to use as many local ingredients as possible,” Jestis said.
Drawing inspiration from the television series, Chef Gordon Ramsay creates a unique dining experience for guests to feel as if they are dining on set at Hell’s Kitchen.
It serves Hell’s Kitchen’s most famous dishes, which include Beef Wellington, Pan-Seared Scallops, Lobster Risotto and Sticky Toffee Pudding. In 2023, Guillen and his team made 30,000 Beef Wellingtons, 20,000 Pan-Seared Scallops, and 20,000 Lobster Risottos.
About a third of diners at the Lake Tahoe restaurant also ordered the Sticky Toffee Pudding.
“It’s Gordon Ramsay’s grandma’s recipe,” Guillen said about his favorite dessert. “It’s made out of dates, sticky
toffee sauce and ice cream that’s made especially for us.”
The ice cream is sourced from Hoch Family Creamery in Minden.
“We get a lot of compliments on the Sticky Toffee Pudding,” said Guillen who was on the restaurant’s opening team as chef de cuisine in 2020.
A year later, Guillen was promoted to Executive Chef.
“He’s kind and approachable,” said Marketing Manager Ashley Duke for Stateline’s Harveys and Harrah’s. “He’s not your average chef.”
Guillen offered an insider’s tip, order the Beef Wellington.
“It’s a little different than the classic Beef Wellington,” Guillen said. “It has more steps.”
It includes making specialty mushrooms into paste, spreading it on crepes, and wrapping the crepes around 6-ounce fillets. For the recipe go to GordonRamsay.com/GR/ Recipes/Beef-Wellington.
“It’s delicious!” Guillen said. “That’s the No. 1 seller dish in Hell’s Kitchen and Chef Ramsay’s signature dish.”
Another insider’s tip, the $104.95 Prix Fixe Signature menu offers 3 of Gordon Ramsay’s most popular dishes. There’s also a wine pairing option for an additional $60.
For the complete menu go to gordonramsayrestaurants.com/en/us/ hells-kitchen/menus/lake-tahoe.
Midsummer Fairytale awaits at Amador County Fairgrounds
PLYMOUTH — Step into a world of enchantment and adventure at Midsummer Fairytale, a fantasy fair and music festival combo unlike any other at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Aug. 10 & 11, for a weekend filled with magic, music and merriment. The fair will be alive with the sounds of a Celtic and folk music festival, featuring talented musicians who will serenade you with enchanting tunes that stir the soul. Dance to lively beats and let the music carry you away to distant lands, or immerse
yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the vendor marketplace, where artisans and merchants from across the realm offer their finest wares. Discover treasures, trinkets, and handmade crafts that will transport you back to a time of knights and fair maidens.
Interactive entertainment also awaits around every corner. From daring sword fights to mystical mermaids, there’s something to captivate every member of the family. Try your hand at archery, witness spectacular performances, and engage with characters straight out of legend when you enter the world of Sherwood Forest to join Robin Hood
Continued from B3
Railroad Museum — After extensive research conducted at the California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, a thought-provoking video installation art piece was created by local artists and curators Chris Christion and Jessica Wimbley.
Fieldnotes: California State Railroad Museum centers on the history of Black laborers and riders within railroad history, including representations of Black Pullman porters, performances as Black female riders and workers, migration and archival materials from the CSRM Archives, Prelinger Archives, and a repository of images produced and collected by the artists. Chris and Jessica’s interdisciplinary practice includes ambitious video and digital installations, with past works featured in the California Natural Resources Agency building in Sacramento and the Library of Congress. The new Fieldnotes installation is on display on the concrete pillars outside the Fruit Growers Express refrigerator car in the Roundhouse at the California State Railroad Museum.
“Parks and Tranquility uses the power of art as a tool for community engagement and wellness,” said Ricardo Ramirez, system supervisor of Community Engagement for Sacramento Public Library. “This community collaboration is bringing arts and
and his Merry Men in daring escapades and noble quests.
Don’t miss the grand spectacle of the royal court. Meet the queen, join in courtly ceremonies and experience the splendor of regal life. This is your chance to step into a fairytale and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable adventure at Midsummer Fairytale. Gates open at 10 a.m. each day, and the festivities continue until the sun sets. Tickets are available now via Eventbrite. Visit GoStang.com for more information.
educational experiences to life at multiple park sites with support from the California State Library’s Parks Pass Grant. The new exhibits by Amy Melissa Reed, Chris Christion and Jessica Wimbley illustrate how nature can inspire and bring us together.”
To celebrate the debut of these two captivating exhibits, a special evening reception will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Roundhouse at the California State Railroad Museum. During the program, the artists will discuss their video and sound art exhibitions, and the evening will also feature performances by Ma Ensemble along with additional Sacramento poets and artists who were awarded Parks and Tranquility grants. The reception is free and open to the public with advance registration.
These special art exhibits on display at the Railroad Museum are possible due to funding provided by the state of California and administered by the California State Library. For more information about the Sacramento Public Library’s Parks and Tranquility program visit saclibrary. org/tranquility. For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or Foundation visit californiarailroad.museum.
Courtesy photo
Comedian and television writer Sheng Wang brings his jokes to Bally’s Aug. 15.
Exhibits
Songwriter, storyteller Lucinda Williams coming to Sac
News release
SACRAMENTO — Revered alt-country singersongwriter Lucinda Williams brings her acclaimed live show to the Crest Theatre in Sacramento on Aug. 16.
The three-time Grammy Award winner will perform a special career-spanning show featuring some of her most beloved songs from her revered catalog. Fans will experience a truly intimate evening with the pioneering artist unlike anything she has done in the past.
Williams recently released her critically acclaimed album, “Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart” (Highway 20 Records/Thirty Tigers). She was featured on CBS Sunday Morning and the subject of major stories in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste, The FADER, SPIN and more. “Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart” received great reviews from outlets that include The Wall Street Journal, NPR Music, Pitchfork, No Depression and much more, with The Associated Press referring to it as “another important chapter to one of the most important musical journeys of the last half-century.”
“Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart” is a melodic 10-song rock o ering that is an inspiring testament to Williams’ fortitude and perseverance to continue to create under any circumstances. The album kicks o with the gritty “Let’s Get The Band Back Together,” launching a musical journey that includes edgy rockers such as “Rock N Roll Heart” and “This Is Not My Town.” Williams pays tribute to rock legends Tom Petty (“Stolen Moments”) and Replacements’ co-founder Bob Stinson (“Hum’s Liquor”), to whom who she dedicates the album. It would not be a Lucinda Williams album without pulling on the heartstrings. The moving “Last Call for the Truth,” the nostalgic and beautiful “Jukebox” and the poignant album closer “Never Gonna Fade Away” are Williams at her classic best. A true highlight of “Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart” is the epic “Where the Song Will Find
Mindy Giles News release
SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Blues Society celebrates its anniversary with 45 Years of Songs That Changed Our Lives, a seated, supper club-styled show on Aug. 11 at Harlow’s with four powerful NorCal women singers: Chrissie O’Dell, Dana Moret, Pinkie Rideau and Tia Carroll.
Each singer will perform her favorite songs from many decades. R&B, soul and blues songs the audience will most likely know from those cruisin’ in the car FM radio days, hangin’ out in record store days … summer songs.
Expect to hear “You Haven’t Done Nothing,” “Damn Your Eyes”, “Somethin’ to Talk About,” “World of Contradiction,” “Cry To Me” and favorite songs from many decades by Stevie Wonder, Etta James, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Jimmy Reed, Bonnie Raitt and more.
SBS asked these entertainers to choose songs that were important to them from each of the decades the SBS has been in existence. It’s the society’s way of giving a visceral nod to all the years — the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s, the 2010s, and the 2020s.
So many blues and roots music lovers worked hard to make the SBS emerge, last and still be going strong 45 years later in 2024. The musicians will be backed by many members of the stellar Cold Blood/ Zenn VuDu group: Steve Dunne (guitar and vocals/ music director), Jonathan Stoyano (bass), Larry Davis (keyboard), Bryan Kilfoil (drums) and Otis Mourning (sax/clarinet).
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music begins at 6 p.m. at Harlow’s, 2708 J St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit harlows.com. Stay
Me,” a hauntingly beautiful piece orchestrated and arranged by Lawrence Rothman. Throughout the song, Williams expresses that despite everything she has been through, she will never stop seeking. Williams is a renowned singer-songwriter celebrated for her pioneering contributions to the alt-country and Americana music genres. Born in 1953 in Lake Charles, La., she has released a series of critically acclaimed albums throughout her career, notably 1998’s “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road,” which earned her a Grammy. Williams is known for her emotionally charged lyrics, distinctive raspy voice and a unique blend of folk, rock and country influences. Her songwriting prowess and introspective storytelling have made her an influential figure in the music industry, inspiring countless artists. Williams continues to captivate audiences with her heartfelt and authentic music. With a four-decade celebrated career, immeasurable influence, and uncompromising artistic integrity, she show no signs of slowing down.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Crest theatre, 1013 K St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit crestsacramento.com/events.
Photo by Danny Clinch
Lucinda Williams captivates audiences with her heartfelt and authentic music. See her perform live in Sacramento on Aug. 16.
Courtesy photo
See Tia Carroll and other powerful singers perform at the Sacramento Blues Society’s 45 Years of Songs That Changed Our Lives.
RCRC announces Rural County Photo Contest winners
n Humboldt County photo takes top spot
Carolyn Jhajj
RCRC communications director
SACRAMENTO — The Rural County Representatives of California recently announced the winner of RCRC’s eighth annual Rural County Photo Contest. This year’s first-place prize goes to Lisa Wilhelmi Perkins for her spectacular photo of Clam Beach at sunset, with yellow lupine in full bloom, in Humboldt County. Both amateur and professional photographers from all over California submitted entries, capturing the splendor of the state’s rural counties.
Wilhelmi Perkins, a McKinleyville resident, turned her hobby of photography into a serious pursuit after retiring from 14 years of public service in Humboldt County. Influenced by local photographers and the beauty of the north Humboldt County region, her work has been featured in publications like the Times-Standard and often captures the natural landscape, from redwood forests to ocean shores, as well as cherished life moments with friends and family.
“Congratulations to Ms. Wilhelmi Perkins for helping Humboldt County take the top spot in the RCRC
Nisson Orthodontics
JH Ag Inc.
Tiffany Carter-Kelly, Inc.
Cattlemen's Livestock Market
Chaney Cattle Company
Circle BS Ranch
Clifford Carpentry
Clifton & Warren Cold Springs Dental
Coloma Feed & Hardware
Combellack, Blair & Susanne
Cool Feed & Ranch Supply
Costa, Steve & Abby Crane Inspection Agency
Crystal Basin Construction
Curatoria, Inc.
Dan Herrmanns Landscaping
Daniel Hovarter Tree Service
Daren C. George Construction
Darrah Builders
Darrah Livestock
Darrah Livestock & Kelly Family Davis, Misti & Aaron Dees Burke Engineering
First place photo by Lisa Wilhelmi Perkins, Humboldt County.
n See CONTEST, page B7
BEEF
BUYERS: Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc.
Mountain G. Enterprises, Inc.
RESERVE CHAMPION GRANGE:
Maxyne Miller – Pleasant Valley Grange
BUYER: The Davies Family Inn
RESERVE CHAMPION 4-H:
Addi Bowman – Latrobe Outlanders
BUYER: All Pro Chimney
POULTRY
SUPREME CHAMPION TURKEY:
Abigail Baumunk – Union Mine FFA
BUYER: Joe Vicini, Inc.
RESERVE SUPREME CHAMPION TURKEY:
Jayden Johnson – Gold Hill Toppers 4-H
BUYER: Popas Pools
CHAMPION TURKEY GRANGE:
Genevieve Forma – Pleasant Valley Grange #675
BUYER: Raley’s Supermarket
RESERVE CHAMPION TURKEY FFA:
Isabella Slominski – Union Mine FFA
BUYERS: Bryon Iseger
Martin Elevators
RESERVE CHAMPION GRANGE TURKEY:
Colby Lerch – Pleasant Valley Grange #675
BUYERS: Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc.
Mountain G. Enterprises, Inc.
SUPREME MEAT PEN CHICKEN:
Kayleigh Hamon – Ponderosa FFA
BUYER: Raley’s Supermarket
RESERVE SUPREME MEAT PEN CHICKEN:
Emma Rodgers – Union Mine FFA
BUYER: Kyle & Brooke Carey
CHAMPION MEAT PEN CHICKEN GRANGE:
Anna Hall – Pleasant Valley Grange #675
BUYER: Ski Air Conditioning, Inc.
CHAMPION MEAT PEN CHICKEN 4-H:
$1,200.00
$500.00
$1,300.00
Gabriel Johnson – Rescue Up ‘N’ Comin’ 4-H
BUYER: Cameron Park Grocery Outlet
RESERVE CHAMPION MEAT PEN CHICKEN GRANGE:
Cole Hall – Pleasant Valley Grange #675
BUYER: Hometown Country Jerky
RESERVE CHAMPION
Second place photo by Jeanie Bridges, left, showcases beautiful Siskiyou County while the third place photo by Ashley Nelson, above, displays the beauty of Tuolumne County.
Sutter Street Theatre presents an Old Tyme Radio show at 4 p.m. Enjoy
and in
For tickets and
call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
Rootsafari will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.
Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery hosts Live in the Vines with music by Darth Mozart, 5-8 p.m. For more information visit sierravistawinery. com/upcoming-events.
Historic Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek welcomes the public at its monthly second Saturday Demonstration Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The crew is firing up the antique blacksmithing forge, pouring and crafting hot metal and demonstrating the magnificent and still-intact machinery. For more information call (209) 560-6160.
The Kings Beach Art Tour features 29 artists who will open their studios to display and sell their art in a fun and interactive way, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 & 11. For more information visit northtahoebusiness.org/kings-beach-art-tour.
When Doves Cry — The Prince Tribute Show will take the stage at the Harris Center at 7:30 p.m. The multi-talented 8-piece tribute show
will be performing Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain” album in its entirety to celebrate its 40th anniversary as well as a set of Prince’s greatest hits. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
Ryder Thieves will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.
Radio Bamdad’s 15th Anniversary Concert featuring an exceptional performance by the sensational 25BAND at The Sofia in Sacramento. The show begins at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
California Stage in Sacramento hosts Proxy Moon for its Second Saturday Bandstand from 7-9 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit calstage.org.
Aug. 11
El Dorado Western Railroad offers excursion rides with trains running on the hour, 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., weather permitting, at the El Dorado Station. For more information visit facebook.com/ ElDoradoWesternRailroad.
Ed Wilson will perform at Barm Haus Brewing Co. in Garden Valley, 1-4 p.m.
Uncommon Ground will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.
Aug. 13
El Dorado FamilySearch Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road in Placerville, hosts British Research, concentrating on English records, 1-2 p.m. For more information call (530) 621-1378.
Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Dementia Connection Caregiver Faith Based Support Group, 3-4:30 p.m. at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. This free, in person and online group offers faith based support to caregivers and family members who are caring for or have a loved one with dementia. The group’s goals are to provide inspirational caregiving strategies
and sharing in a welcoming, non-judgmental space and promote emotional and physical health, awareness of resources, problemsolving, stress reduction and personal growth. Call the Dementia Connection at (530) 621-6820 if respite care is needed for a caregiver to attend this group.
Aug. 14
Master Gardeners and Master Food Preservers combine for All About Berries, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. Master Gardeners will discuss how to grow and care for common berry plants with an introduction to less known varieties and review common diseases and pests in our area. Master Food Preservers will show you how to preserve berries in fun and creative ways and share what to do with your preserved foods once you have them in your pantry. Register at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=43101.
Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Dementia Connection Basic Training, 1:30-3 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. This free, in person and online class you will learn how to best support your older adults who may be experiencing cognitive impairments. You will also learn more about common symptoms of dementia and how they differ from normal aging, tips for communicating with those experiencing memory loss, warning signs and resources for additional support.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Pickleball” at The Sofia in Sacramento from Aug. 14 through Sept. 22. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Valhalla Tahoe. For tickets and more details visit valhallatahoe.com.
Aug. 15
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce hosts a business luncheon with speaker Jeff England with El Dorado Disposal, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Koto Buffet inside Red Hawk Casino. To register visit business. eldoradocounty.org/events.
The El Dorado State monthly planning meeting will be held 5-8 p.m. at The Breakroom, 4131 South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs.
Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts After Five, a barbecue trip tip dinner with wine and music, 5:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP required. Visit crystalbasin.com or email rsvp@crystalbasin.com. Performance scheduled are Matt Rainey (Aug. 15), Patrick Walsh (Aug. 22), Out of the Blue (Aug. 29), Tony Quinn (Sept. 5), Lisa Bond and Tiffany Shiro (Sept. 12) and Scott Rodell of Apple Z (Sept. 19).
One of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history, The Spinners will perform at the Harris Center starting at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 6086888.
The Crocker Art Museum presents “Lady Bird” at 7 p.m. as part of its Movies Off the Wall series. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.
Bloody Mary Continued from B2
Event highlights
• Bartender Showdown: Watch as top mixologists compete live, showcasing their skills and creativity in crafting the perfect Bloody Mary.
• People’s Choice Award: Attendees can vote for their favorite Bloody Mary, with the winner receiving the prestigious People’s Choice Award.
• Live entertainment: Enjoy performances from local bands and DJs, adding a festive atmosphere to the event.
• Food and drink pairings: Savor delicious garnishes piled on top of eccentric Bloody Mary creations.
“I’m thrilled to host the Tahoe Bloody Comp once again and bring together our community for a day of fun, flavor, and friendly competition,” said Mike Peron, event director. “This event not only showcases the incredible talent of our local bartenders but also supports local businesses and charities. We invite everyone to join us for a memorable day by the lake.”
Freelance Reporters Wanted
FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Now El Dorado County Certified Farmers Markets offer fresh fruit and vegetables and much more: Burke Junction in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays; Placerville Cinema, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays; and El Dorado Hills Town Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. For more information visit eldoradofarmersmarket.com.
Olde Coloma Theatre presents “The Whirling Dervish of Coloma” or “Ladies, Gentlemen and Others?” through Aug. 11. For tickets and more information visit oldecolomatheatre.com.
Broadway At Music Circus presents “Waitress” at the UC Davis Health pavilion in Sacramento through Aug. 11. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents: Denying Gravity –Woods Davy and the Assembly of Stones through Aug 11; Penetrating Expressions – Kifwebe Masks of the Songye and Luba People through Aug. 11; and The Proland Vase – Mania and Muse through Sept. 8. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.
The Stage at Burke Junction presents “Proof,” a play by David Auburn. The show will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1. Shows start at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.
Thursday Night Market at Burke Junction runs through Sept. 26 at the Cameron Park shopping center. Enjoy vendors, food and entertainment 5-8 p.m.
Email resume and writing samples to Noel Stack at nstack@mtdemocrat.net.
Public Notices
is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 07/16/2024 NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS
E-mail your public notice to legals@mtdemocrat.net
Be sure to include your name
OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9 13480 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE
with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: ALEXANDRA QUADER Proposed name: ALEXANDRA BEDOLLA 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should
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.
‘Secret Garden’ blooms on Folsom theater’s stage
FOLSOM — “The Secret Garden” brings its mystery to Sutter Street Theatre on Aug. 10.
After Mary Lennox is orphaned, she becomes the ward of an uncle in England she has never met. As she adjusts to her new life at secluded Misselthwaite Manor, Mary discovers a secret garden. If she can uncover the mysterious circumstances behind the garden, she might be able to save her sickly young cousin and melt the heart of her emotionally distant uncle.
Don’t miss this touching coming-of-
Concerts Continued from B1
adult membership and $20 per student membership for the sixconcert series. A family membership option is also available for $180, including two adults and two K-12 students. For those who cannot attend every concert, subscription prices still make the concert series very affordable.
All El Dorado County Community Concerts will be performed at Union Mine High School, Theatre at the Mine, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado — a perfect venue for the intimate, live performances the membership enjoys.
To learn more about the upcoming season visit the association’s newly redesigned website at eldoradocommunityconcerts.com, where guests can join online and hear a sampling of the music.
The El Dorado County Community Concert Association is an allvolunteer, nonprofit organization. Dedicated members donate their time and talents to keep administrative costs low. The association’s
Spinners
age story, based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The drama is adapted by Jerry Montoya and this production is directed by Allen Schmeltz.
Showtimes for “The Secret Garden” are 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 10 through Sept. 8 with a special 4:30 p.m performance scheduled Saturday, Aug. 24. The show is rated G, appropriate for the entire family. Sutter street Theatre is located at 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For reservations go to SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.
vision is to keep quality music alive for future generations in El Dorado County, accomplished through a variety of community and student outreach programs. Donations, in excess of season memberships, are
Continued from B1
in 1954. The Spinners signed with Atlantic Records in 1972, teaming up with producer Thom Bell in Philadelphia, where the group blossomed under his masterful productions.
gratefully accepted and are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information about the association, or to inquire about possible sponsorship opportunities, call (530) 556-9498.
Round the Block and Back Again makes wonderfully clear. Melding intricate harmonies with breathtaking vocal acrobatics, the album, released Aug. 27, 2021, showcases The Spinners at their soulful, multi-octave best.
The Spinners had another classic hit single, “Working My Way Back To You,” topping the pop and R&B charts, earning the group its 12th gold record. “The Love Trippin” album’s release included “Cupid,” one of the fastest-selling records in The Spinners’ career. The follow-up album, “Labor of Love,” featured such stand-out tunes “Yesterday Once More” and “Long Live Soul Music.” Four decades later The Spinners have not skipped a single beat as
A fan favorite drawing large crowds to sold out performances both at home and abroad, The Spinners have left an indelible impact, not only on music history, but on the hearts of millions of fans throughout the world.
The Spinners will perform at the Harris Center, 10 College Parkway in Folsom, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
Photo by Allen Schmeltz
“The Secret Garden” has impacts on many lives. Watch as actors Elizabeth Old, Kennedy Yanda,
Dennis Curry, Micah Espinoza and Emily Jo bring the drama’s characters to life.
