Mountain Democrat, Friday, August 25, 2023

Pollock Pines woman victim of Maui fire

eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

A Pollock Pines woman has been confirmed a victim of the deadly Maui wildfires.

The death of Theresa Cook, 72, was announced by Maui County on Tuesday, making Cook the first tourist identified as a victim of the blaze.

Melissa Cook, her daughter, posted on social media Aug. 17 that Theresa was staying at a Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina before going missing, eventually updating the post to confirm her body had been found and identified.

News media reported Cook was last seen the weekend of Aug. 11 leaving the Best Western by foot, traveling down Wharf Street and walking

2 years after Caldor

Grizzly flat residents look for answers

is complete and the facility’s doors will open to the public for an open house event Aug. 26.

Upgrades support firefighter safety at station 17

eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District invites the public to an open house for a remodeled Station 17 in Pollock Pines Aug. 26.

The improved digs include a reconfiguration of the station’s dorms, office spaces, storage and gym,

and upgrades to the kitchen, bathrooms and sewer.

The front lobby has also been expanded and a new handicap parking area has been added for accessibility. The apparatus bay floors have been re-sloped and floor drains with a water and oil separator have

“Idreamed of living in the mountains for 20 years. It took me quite some time to get up here. The day I walked onto this property, it felt like home — I had never felt like that until I was here. This community took me under their wing and helped me survive the first two winters up here,” Tabatha Walker recalled. She lived in her Grizzly Flat home for four years and then it was gone overnight — reduced to cinders like more than 400 other homes in the area by the 2021 Caldor Fire. Though “severely underinsured,” Walker was able to

pull the money together from a year of work to afford a rebuild and moved into her new home a month ago. Many other “Grizzlies,” such as longtime resident R.W. MacNeil, have been less fortunate — left with empty properties with little to no hope of rebuilding the homes they lost.

Walker and MacNeil — who goes by Mac — joined with Jon Jochem, another Grizzly Flat resident, to lead a local effort to file a series of tort claims against the U.S. Forest Service. The claims, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, enumerate individuals’ losses from property damage and personal injury caused by the wildfire,

alleging that insufficient forest management by the USFS was a significant contributor to the destruction of 221,835 acres of land and more than 1,000 buildings.

Information included in the basis for the Standard Form 95 claims lines out how the Grizzly Flat Fire Safe Council completed 1,559 acres of fuel treatment between 2006-2021, while the Forest Service treated less than 1,000 acres in the same time — significantly less than the 7,000 acres of National Forest System land identified as needing treatment by the Trestle Forest Health Project.

The trio has worked hard to

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

Jacquelyn Charlene

Beard

April 23, 1945 – Aug. 12, 2023

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jacquelyn Charlene (Horner) Beard on August 12, 2023.

Jackie peacefully departed with her husband and so many loved ones by her side. We are eternally grateful that during her last days she was surrounded by family and friends who loved her immensely.

Jackie was born in Nevada City, CA on April 23, 1945 to Jack and Marion Horner. She spent most of her childhood in San Juan Bautista and Hollister, CA. Later, she attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, CA.

After high school, she moved to Sacramento to attend Sacramento City College. It was there that she met her husband of 56 years, Bill Beard. Together, they raised two loving daughters, Kristyn and Jill.

Once their daughters were grown, Jackie and Bill bought property in Rescue, CA, where they enjoyed hosting holidays and family events. During this time they welcomed their son-in-laws, Jeff and Keith, into the family and shared a special bond with each.

Jackie’s greatest joy in life came from being a grandmother to her five grandchildren, Will, Ella, Sam, Olivia and Ben. She was dedicated to each and cherished every moment with them.

Jackie touched so many lives. She was truly oneof-a-kind. She was the life of the party and led the way for everyone in her path. Memories of her will live on and be kept in our hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on September 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church in El Dorado Hills, CA.

William Edward (Bud)

Sterns

Oct. 8, 1957 – July 27, 2023

William Edward Sterns, affectionately known as “Bud” passed away at the age of 65 in Hawthorne, Nevada.

Born on October 8, 1957 in Garrett, Indiana, Bud was a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. Bud and his family relocated from Indiana to El Dorado County, CA (Placerville area) in 1960. Bud grew up and went to school locally (El Dorado High School, class of 1975). Bud relocated from Placerville, CA to Hawthorne, NV in the early 1990s.

Bud was a truck driver by trade and drove for several companies; American Linen Service, Clifton & Warren (often participating in their annual Hay Bucking contest at the El Dorado County Fair), Nor-Cal Beverage, Bulk Transport and The Hawthorne Army Depot. Bud was also a skilled mechanic for the Hawthorne Army Depot until his retirement. There wasn’t anything Bud couldn’t fix. Bud’s passion for softball was evident throughout his life. He played on several teams in California and Nevada. He was a member of the El Capitan traveling softball team where he showcased his skills as a pitcher. Bud’s love for the game was matched only by his practical joking nature. His legendary pranks brought laughter to all who knew him. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Bud had a unique hobby of collecting keys and worked as a part-time locksmith. In his free time, Bud enjoyed fishing and going shooting with his family and friends. In his younger days, Bud was an avid hunter who loved the outdoors.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bud cherished his role as a loving and caring individual. His family and friends held a special place in his heart. Bud spoke often of his two greatest accomplishments - his children; his daughter Alyssa and his son, Chance. Bud will be greatly missed by his wife, Corinne Sterns, and his children, Alyssa Sterns (grandson, Wyatt) and Chance Sterns, as well as others he is survived by; his mother, Norma Andrews, his sister, Nita Boydell, his brothers, Jim Sterns and Bill Harbaugh, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Bud’s legacy will live on through his children. Bud had a great impact on those fortunate to have known him, with his warm-hearted nature, unwavering love for family and friends, his sense of humor and ability to bring laughter to any situation. He will never be forgotten, nor will his legendary mustache. William Edward “Bud” Sterns was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many. As per Bud’s wishes, there will be no services held. May he rest in peace.

Stephen A. Corey

July 31, 1957 – Aug. 8, 2023

Stephen Anthony Corey, 66, died at home in Placerville, California on August 8, 2023. He was born in Barre, Vermont, the first son of Anthony and Joanne (Stanley) Corey on July 31, 1957.

Steve grew up in Barre, attending St. Monica School and graduating from Spaulding High School in 1975. He attended Plymouth State College, and then headed west to California with his friend Wayne Calderara. They drove an AMC Rambler without reverse on an epic 3000 mile road trip. Steve settled in San Jose, where he worked for Sperry Computer Systems. He eventually moved to Placerville, settling into a little craftsman house in the woods with his beloved dog, Chili.

He was known for his adventures, either on his motorcycle or in his boat. He loved the California lifestyle and made it his home. He was working for Schilling Robotics in Shingle Springs at the time of his death.

He was the much beloved brother of Susan Perry and her late husband, Paul of Barre, VT; Thomas Corey and his wife Sonny of Kingwood, TX; and his sister Cheryl Collins and her partner Gary Mawe of Essex, VT; four nieces and nephews, Thomas Corey of Corpus Christi, TX; Cinnamon Guarino and husband Tom of Los Angeles, CA; Sage Collins and husband PJ Marchand and son Asher James of Grand Isle VT; and Lara Collins and her partner Jon Bolster of Sydney, Australia. Steve also had two step-nieces and nephews, Melissa Jensen, her husband Sam and son Silas; and Lance Perry, his wife Christine and daughters Mya and Hayley all of Barre, VT. Steve is also survived by his dear friend Beth Crayton of Danville, CA and her children Amy and Drew. He leaves behind many beloved cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Tony and Joanne. Steve was a deeply loved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate and remember Steve’s life at a later time. Donations in memory of Steve can be made to your local humane society or animal rescue organization.

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

Aug. 4

10:14 a.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a suspicious subject report on Service Court in Diamond Springs.

11:41 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Hi Twist Lane in Somerset.

6:38 p.m. Burglary was reported on Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines.

Aug. 5

8:39 a.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported at Cameron Park Lake.

1:47 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Terracina Drive in El Dorado Hills.

3:41 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Crystal Boulevard in El Dorado.

3:45 p.m. Grand theft was reported at restaurant on Post Street in El Dorado Hills.

6:12 p.m. Burglary was reported on Suncast Lane in El Dorado Hills.

6:54 p.m. Battery was reported at a restaurant on Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado.

10:18 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Mertola Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Aug. 6

2:02 a.m. Deputies made an arrest following a traffic stop on South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs.

11:09 a.m. Burglary was reported on Brauer Road in Georgetown.

1:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of being a felon in possession for firearm and felony probation violations in Iowa Canyon. He was listed in custody.

1:42 p.m. Burglary was reported on Suncast Lane in El Dorado Hills.

7:57 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ridge Drive in Shingle Springs.

8:11 p.m. Battery was reported on Andorra Place in El Dorado Hills.

11:18 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported on Knollwood Drive in Cameron Park.

Aug. 7

8:02 a.m. Shots were reported at a dwelling on Finders Way in El Dorado Hills.

8:18 a.m. Burglary was reported on Suncast Lane in El Dorado Hills.

8:43 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old man suspected of felony probation violations on Mt. Aukum Court in Somerset. He was listed in custody.

10:32 a.m. Burglary was reported on Robert J Mathews Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

3:56 p.m. Battery was reported at a mobile home park on Patterson Drive in Diamond Springs.

5:19 p.m. Battery was reported at a business on Sailsbury Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Aug. 8

10:45 a.m. Grand theft was

reported on Tamarack Pines Road near Echo Lake.

10:48 a.m. Illegal entry was reported on Highway 193 in Georgetown.

11:05 a.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a suspicious circumstances report on Old Ditch Drive in Placerville.

4:18 p.m. grand theft was repotted on Ice House Road in Pollock Pines.

4:22 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

10:13 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ridge Drive in Shingle Springs.

Aug. 9

4:37 p.m. Burglary was reported at an office on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

12:04 p.m. Burglary was reported on Beasley Drive in Cameron Park. 1 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

1:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of burglary, trespassing, shoplifting, organized retail theft and possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $35,000.

2:12 p.m. Deputies made an arrest after responding to a suspicious person report on Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills.

7:33 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of indecent exposure and a felony probation violation on Forni Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

10:26 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of a felony probation violation on Beach Court in Lotus. He was listed in custody.

9 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

9:25 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Amethyst Lane in Cameron Park.

Aug. 10

12:03 a.m. Battery was reported on Fairway Drive in Cameron Park.

11:10 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

1:17 p.m. Battery was reported at the hospital on Marshall Way in Placerville.

2:46 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Fairway Drive in Cameron Park.

3:20 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old woman suspected of suspected of shoplifting on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

4:13 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 50-year-old woman suspected of suspected of shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a crime on n See crime lOg page A5

Smiths Continued from A1

lawyers.

The Smiths stand accused of multiple counts of reckless arson that caused the Caldor Fire, the 2021 wildfire that ultimately burned 221,835 acres of forest land, personal property and structures, including the town of Grizzly Flat. The Smiths were initially identified as the suspects by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office in 2021.

Arson charges against the pair are subject to an enhancement due to the extent of structure damage and multiple severe injuries caused by the fire. The two are additionally facing a felony charge for possession of a supressor for firearms between Aug. 11 and Sept. 23, 2021. Travis also faces a felony charge for allegedly intentionally and illegally converting a firearm to a machine gun or manufacturing a machine gun some time between Aug. 9 and Aug. 14, 2021.

Both men entered not guilty pleas to all counts at their arraignment in December 2021. The father and son are currently out on bond; their initial bails had been set at $1 million each but were lowered to $25,000 for David and $50,000 for Travis in late December 2021.

15 generators OK’d; new pumps needed

Michael Raffety

Mountain Democrat correspondent

Aug. 14 the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors unanimously approved purchasing 15 generators.

Four bids were received to supply the backup generators.

The lowest bid from Bay City Electric was $1,343,129. Second lowest was Big Valley Electric at $1,401,000.

What senior civil engineer Liz Carrington did was split the bids in accordance with which of the two low bidders had the best individual price for different sites.

Low bidder Bay City had the lowest bid for 11 sites and Big Valley was the lowest bidder for four sites.

Sorting the generators costs this way resulted in a total cost of $941,465.

The 15 generators and later bids for installation and electrical hookup will be covered by funds that ultimately came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, totaling $3.5 million. EID allocates 25% of the costs from water and wastewater funds.

Carrington estimated $3.3 million to connect the generators and include them in the district’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA).

Generators for several recognizable water pump stations include Union Mine, Arrowbee and Rancho del Sol lower pump station.

EDH water plant pump problems

The El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Plant has nine pumps that send treated water to two different elevation zones. Three of the pumps were in bad enough shape when inspected that one was sent out for repair at a cost of more than $18,000.

Replacements have been ordered for the other two. One will arrive in March 2024, before the plant begins operation

for the summer. EID General Manager Jim Abercrombie authorized the first replacement at $70,000.

Replacing the third pump and motor will cost $83,000, with delivery in May 2024. That figure includes $3,000 for a crane for the second and third pump installation, $3,000 for capitalized labor and $68,560 for the pump and motor.

The recommendations came from Bill Petterson, drinking water operations and maintenance supervisor. The EID board unanimously approved.

All pumps and motors come from Granite Bay-based G3 Engineering, the sole provider in California.

Choppa co-op in Tahoe

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

A firefighting helicopter has been newly stationed at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

The helicopter, a Type 2 Standard, was relocated as part of an agreement between the Nevada Division of Forestry and Cal Fire to share resources.

The agreement runs for five years, with the helicopter staffed seasonally from approximately May to October, according to Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit assistant chief Brian Newman.

stated.

The helicopter will be used in a variety of wildland firefighting roles, including water dropping, personnel transportation and rescue operations.

Newman went on to say that the five-to eight-man crew required to operate and service the helicopter will be provided by NDF.

The cost of running the helicopter will be charged to the agency that uses it, either NDF, U.S. Forest Service or Cal Fire, Newman stated.

Courtesy Photo

“The two agencies decided to make this agreement as a recognition of shared interest and responsibility in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” Newman

Cal Fire AEU personnel have already begun training on safety procedures and general operations of the helicopter if they ever have to take to the skies alongside the NDF operating crew, Cal Fire AEU officials stated in a Facebook post announcing the acquisition.

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

What started in March will officially wrap up this Saturday when Placerville Speedway hosts its final championship point race of the season.

Track titlists will be crowned in winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models and pure stocks. Completing the card on Legends Night will be the always exciting Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association.

Following Saturday’s event Placerville Speedway will get set for a bevy of special shows, including the Nor*Cal Posse Shootout on Labor Day weekend, the World of Outlaws on Sept. 16, Monster Trucks on Sept. 22 and 23 and the Hangtown 100 in November.

The evening of racing will be Placerville Speedway’s way of remembering CJ Humphreys, who the racing community lost back in February. A memorial lap and more will take place during opening ceremonies on. The longtime Rescue resident ranks fifth in all-time winged 360 sprint car victories at Placerville Speedway, having netted 25 career triumphs.

Legends Night will also mark the grand finale of Western Sprint Tour Speedweek South.

Multi-time track champion Brian Crockett will make his return to Placerville Speedway and compete with the winged 360 sprint cars.

Crockett is the all-time leader when it comes to combined victories at the Placerville bullring, which includes 48 documented winged 410 sprint car triumphs and more than 100 total wins.

He’s also captured the most combined

Maui fire Continued from A1

in front of Lahaina’s banyan tree wearing a sarong.

Melissa told reporters she contacted multiple agencies, including the Maui Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Red Cross and several shelters, and submitted DNA samples in an attempt to search for her mother.

The Mountain Democrat reached out to Melissa, but did not get a response as of press time.

Fatalities in the Maui wildfire total 115 as of Thursday, Aug. 24, with upward of 1,100 people on the FBI’s list of those possibly unaccounted for after the wildfires destroyed the community of Lahaina. The incident is considered the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.

Maui authorities are requesting those with missing relatives to provide DNA samples to assist in identifying victims of the fire.

Twenty-seven victims of the tragedy in Maui have been identified and their next of kin notified, as of Aug. 24.

championships of any driver in the 58-year history of the quarter-mile. The 2020 campaign saw Crockett claim his 180th career win at the age of 64 in Cottage Grove, Ore.

“It will be pretty cool to see Brian bring his winged 360 sprint car down for Legends Night,” commented Placerville Speedway Promoter Scott Russell. “This show has been a lot of fun over the last few years and we can’t wait for it to occur this Saturday. Brian Crockett was the man throughout his days at the speedway and he’ll be one of several familiar faces scheduled to make an appearance.”

Several names from days gone by will be in attendance with numerous vintage cars on display. The restored machines will also take some laps on the red clay for old times’ sake. Names such as Brian Crockett, Doug Gandy, Walt Carmichael, Richard Forsberg, Joe and Joey Magaruh, Steve Scott, Roger Kolb, George Turnboo and others will be part of the festivities.

The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3 p.m. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45 p.m. with cars on track at 5:15.

Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information log onto placervillespeedway.com.

Speedway schedule

Sept. 2: Winged 360 sprint cars and wingless spec sprints | Nor*Cal Posse Shootout

Sept. 3: Winged 360 sprint cars and wingless spec sprints | Nor*Cal Posse Shootout

Those individuals are:

Theresa Cook, 72, of California

Robert Dyckman, 74, of Lahaina

Buddy Jantoc, 79, of Lahaina

Melva Benjamin, 71, of Lahaina

Virginia Dofa, 90, of Lahaina

Alfredo Galinato, 79, of Lahaina

Donna Gomes, 71, of Lahaina

Conchita Sagudang, 75, of Lahaina

Danilo Sagudang, 55, of Lahaina

Rodolfo Rocutan, 76, of Lahaina

Jonathan Somaoang, 76, of Lahaina

Angelita Vasquez, 88, of Lahaina

Douglas Gloege, 59, of Lahaina

Juan Deleon, 45, of Lahaina

Clyde Wakida, 74, of Lahaina

Todd Yamafuji, 68, of Lahaina

Antonia Molina, 64, of Lahaina

Freeman Tam Lung, 80, of Lahaina

Joseph Schilling, 67, of Lahaina

Narciso Baylosis Jr., 67, of Lahaina

Vanessa Baylosis, 67, of Lahaina

Tau Ponali, 66, of Lahaina

Valerie Kauffman, 78, of Lahaina

Salvador Coloma, 77, of Lahaina

Carlo Tobias, 54, of Lahaina

Albert Kitaguchi, 62, of Lahaina

Lynn Manibog, 74, of Lahaina

Legends Night racing at Placerville Speedway will begin with a memorial lap in memory of winged 360 sprint car driver CJ Humphreys before the 360 feature hits the red clay.

Courtesy photo

NEUROPATHY IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION!

We

What Causes It?

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.

Healthy Nerve

Healthy Blood Vessels

Diseased Blood Vessels

Nerves Shrivel when Blood Vessels Weak and Disappear

As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.

Figure 1

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be determined.

What is the underlying cause? 1

How much nerve damage has been sustained? 2

How much treatment will your condition require? 3

Our advanced treatment method has 3 main goals

Increase Blow ow 1

Stimulate small ber nerves 2

Decrease brain based pain 3

Patient

Nevada Division of Forestry and Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit personnel discuss operation and safety protocol of the NDF helicopter at the Lake Tahoe Airport, where it will be stationed.

Speedway point season wraps up Saturday

Ballot pitch and court ruling open new front in never-ending tax wars

For 45 years — ever since California voters passed the iconic Proposition 13 property tax limit in 1978 — powerful interest groups have fought a running political and legal battle over restrictions on new taxes.

Those who want to raise taxes — public employee unions, particularly — have dueled with anti-tax groups such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association over restrictions imposed by Prop. 13 and subsequent measures.

Prop. 13’s curbs on property taxes have survived several attempts to repeal or modify their provisions, but the battle continues over other aspects of the issue.

Next year’s ballot will likely include another skirmish in the perennial tax war, a measure sponsored by the California Business Roundtable and antitax groups that, if passed, would require any new state or local tax to be approved by voters. It would counteract the state Supreme Court’s 2020 refusal to overturn an appellate court ruling declaring that citizens’ initiative tax proposals do not have to meet the twothirds vote requirement that local government ballot measures face.

The two-thirds vote requirement for special taxes had been installed in the state constitution by Proposition 218, a 1996 measure backed by roughly the same interests sponsoring next year’s initiative.

For years it was assumed that the two-thirds vote applied to all special tax measures, but in 2017 a decision by the state Supreme Court,

Guest Column

Letters to the Editor

Speaking with forked tongues

EDITOR:

Abill to make sex trafficking a felony, once again in California, was blocked last week in the Assembly Public Safety Commission, once again by Democrats, after passing unanimously in the Senate.

Senate Bill 14 by Sen. Shannon Grove was voted down in the Assembly Public Safety Committee with six Democrats abstaining and two Republicans voting “aye” — that means Democrats wouldn’t even commit to a “no” vote lest it look bad during reelection time, stated the California Globe.

Human trafficking is currently defined as a “nonserious” crime, which means the act of human trafficking cannot be considered a strike under California’s Three Strikes law.

The bill was moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s suspense file. This is a committee procedure where a bill with a fiscal impact of more than $150,000 is held by the committee while considerations are made if it should be passed or retained based on the cost.

California has the distinction of being one of the top states for human trafficking in the U.S. When it comes to the top cities for trafficking and exploitation of children, Sacramento ranks No. 7 in the nation. No. 10 is San Francisco, with San Diego at No. 14, San Jose No. 15, followed by Los Angeles.

The bipartisan bill is co-authored by 60 members of the Legislature, including 45 Assembly members. Assemblyman Chris Hodsen (D-LA) is chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The bill will remain in the suspense file until the committee’s suspense hearing on Sept.1. Time to send in those letters and make phone calls.

And meanwhile back in the Senate, Sen Scott Weiner’s Senate Bill 145’s analysis is much more clear than Sen. Weiner, again according to the CA Globe.

“This bill states non-forcible sodomy, copulation and sexual penetration with a minor do not require mandatory sex offender registration unless there is a 10-year gap between the minor and the

other person. However, a court may still require registration if it deems appropriate. These offenses when committed without force, where the minor was a willing participant and under the age of 14, are sometimes referred to as ‘Hofsheier Offenses.’ People v. Hofsheier (2006) held that requiring mandatory sex offender registration for one such offense — oral copulation — was unconstitutional if the stated did not also require registration for a person convicted of non-forcible sexual intercourse with a minor because it made an illegal distinction based on the sex act itself.”

“Non-forcible sodomy, oral copulation and penetration with a minor” is the first legal problem with this bill as it is against the law to have sex with a minor. The legal age of consent — when a person can legally consent to any sexual intercourse — in California is 18.

Some would say some new laws governing sex with minors is sex trafficking. Voters need to take a hard look at those representing them and the legislation they support. And remember that treatment and actions done by or to adults is totally different when it comes to children.

TERRY GHERARDI Cameron Park

Head in sand

EDITOR:

Here comes Mr. Garon again with his simplistic, head-in-the-sand approach to violent crime. It’s the gun’s fault.

Guns were available with almost no regulation until the Gun Control Act of 1968. And yet now we have a mountain of gun control laws and regulations and crime is out of control. Look at Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

San Francisco is so bad that the city government just issued a directive for all city employees who could, to work from home as it was too dangerous to come to the city offices. A quarter of the offices in that city are vacant. Westfield had the huge mall in

n See letters page A5

Voters could face a ballot with only bad choices

The betting odds say the next election will likely be a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

It’s odd, since polls show most Americans don’t like either man.

There are good reasons for that.

Trump is simply mean. He humiliates people, taking pleasure in mocking them publicly.

In his real estate work, he’s famous for not paying little people who work for him. He stiffed a cabinet-builder, a dishwasher and a plumber. No one is too small to get bad treatment from Trump.

It’s sad that today America is so divided. Trump makes that worse.

Of course, Biden is divisive, too. Running for office, he promised, “I will draw on the best of us, not the worst.”

But now that he’s president, he does the opposite. He calls his opponents “full of anger, violence, hate and division.” This is drawing on “the best of us”?

Then there are the lies.

Trump lies even about unimportant things, like the crowd at his inauguration, ratings for his TV show,

even claiming he won a nonexistent “Man of the Year” award.

And of course, he lies about the big things, like winning the last election “by a landslide.”

But Biden lies, too. When Georgia required voters to show identification, Biden called that “Jim Crow on steroids.” He said that again and again.

But that’s a lie. Jim Crow stopped Black people from voting. After Georgia’s law passed, a poll found “zero percent of Black voters said they had a poor voting experience.”

Biden has long lied to advance himself. He claimed he was “the first in his family ever to go to a university.” But he wasn’t. He plagiarized that line from a British politician.

He lied about his law school performance, saying he graduated in “the top half of (his) class.” He actually ranked 76th out of 85.

He repeatedly says he was arrested at a civil rights protest, but that’s not true.

This year one cruel lie caught up with him. For years, Biden insisted he had sixth grandchildren, refusing to acknowledge the seventh, his son Hunter’s daughter, born out of wedlock. Only when even liberal

media criticized him, did he finally acknowledge the little girl.

Then there’s the corruption.

I hate political prosecutions, but so much of what Trump does is just sleazy. He paid a porn star hush money and lied about it. He refused to return classified documents and lied about that. He pressured Vice President Mike Pence not to certify electors, then whipped his supporters into a frenzy about it.

But Biden is corrupt, too. Asked about his son’s work in China, Biden firmly responded, “My son has not made money in ... China.”

But his son admits making money from China!

Biden claimed he “never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their business, period.”

But his son’s business partner says Hunter put his father on speakerphone when Hunter met with potential business associates.

Maybe Biden’s lies aren’t lies. Maybe he’s just old and confused. But that’s disturbing, too.

Recently he announced that the United States “plans to build a railroad

from the Pacific all the way across the Indian Ocean.” Across the ocean?

On “60 Minutes,” he committed America to a possible war. Asked if “U.S. forces ... would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion,” he responded “yes.”

The president’s national security adviser quickly took that back. But it was the fourth time Biden committed the U.S. to a war to defend Taiwan and the fourth time his staff took it back.

Biden is 80. I’m old, too, but I just make videos. I’m not trying to be president.

Trump is old, too. He’s 77, but calls himself “a young vibrant man.” A few years ago he got a doctor to approve a letter saying Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected!” That doctor later admitted that Trump wrote the letter himself.

These are our choices! Two old, corrupt liars? Can’t we do better?

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

Dan WaLtErS

Maybe Biden’s lies aren’t lies. Maybe he’s just old and confused. But that’s disturbing, too.

Crime log Continued from A2

Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

5:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a crime and driving on a suspended license on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

5:54 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of a felony parole violation on Pleasant Valley Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

7:36 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance for sale, felony probation violation and other drug-related charges on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail.

8:12 p.m. A person allegedly drunk in public was reported at a restaurant on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

8:40 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of DUI and possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Highway 49 in Placerville. He was released on $50,000 bail.

9:48 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail an 18-yearold man suspected of DUI and driving without a license on Mt. Aukum Road in Somerset. He was released on $100,000 bail.

Aug. 11

10:49 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of making unnecessary calls to 911 on Main Street in Georgetown. He was released on $3,000 bail.

12:44 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Amethyst Lane in Cameron Park.

3:59 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 23-yearold man suspected of DUI and driving without a license on Lotus Road in Placerville. He was later released.

9:43 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man suspected of a felony probation violation on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

10:48 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old man suspected of a felony probation violation and driving on a suspended license on Highway 193 in Garden Valley. He was listed in custody in lieu of $3,000 bail.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

Walters Continued from A4 dubbed “Upland” because it dealt with taxing marijuana in that Southern California city, obliquely cast doubt on that assumption.

Writing the 5-2 majority opinion, Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar declared, “Multiple provisions of the state constitution explicitly constrain the power of local governments to raise taxes. But we will not lightly apply such restrictions on local governments to voter initiatives.”

He thus implied that special purpose taxes placed before voters through a citizens’ initiative may not be subject to the two-thirds vote requirement for taxes sought by governments themselves.

Cuéllar’s seemingly offhand remark touched off a flurry of cases, culminating in the Supreme Court’s refusal in 2020 to overturn an appellate court’s flat declaration that local taxes placed before voters via initiative need only simple majority approval.

The 2024 measure would not only reinstate the two-thirds vote for local special taxes, regardless of origin, but also require voter approval of state tax increases and make it more difficult to impose fees.

However, just as the pro and con campaigns begin to form, a decision issued by a state appellate court in Southern California earlier this month provides a new point of conflict.

Unsurprisingly, the appellate court upheld the validity of a 2020 increase in San Diego’s hotel taxes, placed on the ballot via initiative, that received 65% voter approval, just shy of two-thirds.

Revenue from the tax would expand the city’s convention center and also support homelessness programs and road repairs.

“We have concluded that Measure C, as a citizens’ initiative, was subject to a simple majority vote,” Associate Justice Richard Huffman wrote.

However, the decision sidestepped another aspect of the case — whether the involvement in the Measure C campaign by a member of the city-owned Convention Center Corp., Jaymie Bradford, made the tax an official act, not a true initiative exempt from the two-thirds vote requirement. The court sent that issue back to Superior Court for a ruling.

Ever since the state Supreme Court opened the door to easier passage of local tax increase initiatives, pro-tax forces have shifted to that process while anti-tax opponents have contended that the initiatives are often shams.

The appellate court thus opened another front for the contending forces to clash, especially if the 2024 ballot measure fails. It’s a battle that never truly ends.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Letters Continued from A4 downtown San Francisco and just walked a way and let the bank have it. Nordstrom is gone. The massive cinema complex in that mall is closing.

The problem, Mr. Garon, is you liberals looking myopically at guns as the problem and looking at criminals as misunderstood nice guys that got bad breaks.

Recent changes in the law have made massive shoplifting flash mobs a career path. Thousands upon thousands of violent felons were released from prison on the hapless public by a state that didn’t want to build the necessary housing for them. Parolees arrested with guns and ammo are being released after 10-day timeouts to get more guns and ammo and go back to what they were doing.

By the way, Mr. Garon, have you ever seen the videos of the armed illegals crossing the border thanks to your fearless leader Biden? Until the focus is shifted from regulating guns to incarcerating criminals there will be more and more Chicagos, San Franciscos and Portlands. People like Mr. Garon are unknowingly the best friend the criminal has.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

Announcements

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

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

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

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

Struggle with a hurt, hang up, or habit? ceLeBrAte recOvery meets at Radiant Church on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing from our hurts, hang ups, and habits. Email CR@radiantedc.church. Find us on Facebook at: https://www. facebook.com/CRradiantchurch.

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

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

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575 Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

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

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

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

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of

eL DOrADO cOUNty

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

Pondo defends claim to gold pan

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

Ponderosa’s varsity football team on Friday defeated rival El Dorado 35-21 to maintain its control of the Gold Pan trophy.

It was the first matchup between the two schools since fall

2019 — a full year before seniors on either side of the match up were even in high school.

El Dorado jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and was driving down the field for more. A red zone fumble by Cougars sophomore running back Tyler Villa was recovered by Ponderosa, which marched down the field for a score of its own. The Bruins never looked back, racking up five touchdowns on the ground. Senior running back Dylan Alexander accounted for three scores, while senior quarterback Austin Sanchez and junior fullback Isaac Harder were each responsible for one.

El Dorado’s junior quarterback Sage Pittman completed 52% of his passes for 179 yards and three scores. Three different receivers

— senior Jeremy Kimber and juniors Jesse Morales Beas and Jack Tilman — were on the receiving end of Pittman’s passes.

Despite Pittman’s yardage and touchdown totals both leading the Sierra Valley Conference, it wasn’t enough to deliver a win over the Bruins.

Ponderosa’s Sanchez was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. According to CIF rules, this would typically result in suspension from the following game.

However, according to Ponderosa Head Football Coach Davy Johnson, the ruling was appealed and overturned with video evidence before Monday’s practice. Pondo’s signal caller will be good to go for Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup with Vista Del Lago in Folsom. El Dorado will travel to Woodland Friday, Aug. 25, to take on the 1-0 Woodland Christian Cardinals at 7 p.m.

Football roundup

Oak Ridge routed Spanish Springs of

Sparks, Nev., 54-14 Friday. The Trojans combined for 282 rushing yards and six touchdowns, with junior running back Erick Orme Jr. leading the way with 89 yards and three scores. They’ll travel to Sacramento Friday, Aug. 25, to take on 1-0 Grant High School with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

Union Mine defeated Bella Vista on the road 23-15 Friday. Stats were not published for the Diamondbacks. The team’s road trip will continue when it travels to Jackson to face 0-1 Argonaut Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.

Golden Sierra defeated Valley High 35-22 to start its season 1-0. Stats were unavailable for the contest. They’ll now travel to Angels Camp to take on Bret Harte, which did not play a game last weekend. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.

Senior running back Dylan Alexander crosses the plane for his second touchdown run of the night.

Ponderosa football players hold up the Gold Pan trophy following their 35-21 win over rival El Dorado Friday night.

Mountain Democrat photos by Isaac Streeter

Some Grizzly Flat residents have been staying in trailers and camper vehicles on their property, unable to afford rebuilding homes lost in the Caldor Fire.

Grizzlies Continued from A1

spread the word about the claim process, attempting to contact all Grizzly Flat residents who remained in the area and reaching out to as many former residents displaced by the fire they could find. Walker leaned on her real estate toolkit, putting up a post near her home with plastic sleeves full of claim forms for passers-by to pick up. The trio also held workshops, providing instructions and help for those who wanted to file a claim.

By the Aug. 16 filing deadline — two years to the day since the Caldor Fire swept through Grizzly Flat — more than 40 Grizzlies had submitted Form 95 claims, according to Walker. The claims amount to the first step on the road to a potential class action lawsuit, according to Jochem. The Forest Service has six months to respond to the claims filed by the deadline; if it does not, it will be considered a constructive denial and open the door for the filing of a federal lawsuit. Though an exact figure is unclear at this time, Jochem estimates the class action claim would amount to around $50 million.

For many involved in the work that may lead to an eventual lawsuit, the hope is Grizzlies will finally get an answer to the question that has lingered in their minds since the morning they found out their town was gone — “How could this happen?”

Jochem has filed multiple Freedom of Information Act requests with the Forest Service, to which he has received no reply; he shared his hope is that the truth about decisions made in the early days of the Caldor Fire would finally be known when a lawsuit begins. Walker and MacNeil agreed, adding they felt the Forest Service had not communicated the situation clearly with residents and evacuation orders came so late some had only moments to leave their homes.

Station 17

been added.

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

BiDEN gETS iNviTE TO gRizzLy FLAT

News release

Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has offered to meet President Joe Biden for a tour of Grizzly Flat while the president vacations at billionaire climate investor Tom Steyer’s 4,000 square-foot, $18 million mansion in Glenbrook on the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe.

This comes after Kiley sent a letter to the president last week, insisting he fulfill his promise of aid to Grizzly Flat residents who lost their homes in the 2021 Caldor Fire. Nancy Ward, director of the Office of Emergency Services and an appointee of Gov. Gavin Newsom, supported Kiley’s request to the president for FEMA individual assistance, according to a news release from Kiley’s office.

“The president broke his promise to the people of Grizzly Flat,” Kiley said. “The least he could do is take a little time during his vacation to see for himself the consequences of that broken promise. Victims of the fire continue to struggle, some living in RVs and trailers.”

Kiley’s office notes the town of Grizzly Flat had an elderly population more than double state and national averages, with triple the percentage of households relying on Social Security income. In August 2021 hundreds of homes in the community were destroyed. On Sept. 12, 2021, Biden issued a major disaster declaration that neglected to include FEMA individual assistance for victims in Grizzly Flat, despite the fact that such assistance was approved for nine other fires in 2021 that destroyed fewer homes than the Caldor Fire did.

After surveying damage alongside Newsom shortly after the fire, Biden pledged, “We’re going to take care of them … there’s a lot we can do and it starts off being a federal responsibility, in my view.”

“They said Aug. 14, ‘There is a little fire at Omo Ranch.’ The 15th, ‘there’s still a little fire, don’t worry.’ Aug. 16, ‘Well, there’s still a little fire at Omo Ranch and it’s threatening Leoni Meadows.’ Then that night, the wind shifted,” MacNeil recalled, looking back to the days before his hometown was burned off the map. “We didn’t think they would just let the town burn. They came to my house and said I had to leave right now — I left my cats behind in my house.”

Though the push to get as many fellow Caldor Fire victims to file as they could went well, Walker, Jochen and MacNeil remained somber as they talked about their situation.

“We do a lot of crying around here. It just happens, especially when talking about what happened,” Walker said as she wiped away tears. “We have a gettogether and potluck planned for tomorrow, to celebrate filing the Form 95s and to mark two years since the fire.

Continued from A1

“This facility gets a lot of standing water in the apparatus bays during the winter due to snow melting off vehicles and water being tracked into the garage area, so these new drains will improve safety for the firefighters and provide more resiliency for the facility,” said Jacob Poganski, El Dorado County Fire Protection District captain.

Fundraising for the remodel started back in 2019 among community groups.

The Community Economic Development Association of Pollock Pines, the Pollock Pines and Sierra Springs fire safe councils, the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center Association and other Pollock Pines groups and community figures, including Camino resident and ultrarunner Herve Leconte, initially raised $23,000 to remodel the bathroom to add a shower to accommodate a fifth firefighter assigned to 24-hour response, according to Poganski.

“Due to the increasing realization

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

But I don’t know if many people will actually show up. Everyone from around here just feels so defeated.”

According to census information, Grizzly Flat had an elderly population more than double the averages for California and the U.S., with triple the percentage of households relying on Social Security income prior to the Caldor Fire. With limited funds available paired with fire insurance rapidly increasing in costs, many lost coverage and were left with nothing after the wildfires swept through the town.

Though El Dorado County has extended the period of time residents are allowed to stay in trailers to 2026, many do not see themselves able to afford rebuilding in that amount of time.

“I’m 75 years old,” MacNeil said. “People say, ‘Well, you can start over.’ But that’s bullshit. Where’s the money going to come from? I don’t expect to see anything from this in my lifetime.”

of the toxins firefighters are exposed to during firefighting, there is an industry push to ‘shower within the hour’ of returning to the station to reduce exposures to these carcinogens and other toxins,” Poganski told the Mountain Democrat.

When it became apparent the facility needed an overhaul, former El Dorado County Fire Protection District Director Ken Harper worked to fundraise for the station’s remodel. COVID-19 delayed the overhaul before the project went to bid but construction got back on track in late 2022. The project was overseen by Ron Wood with American River Construction Consulting company and completed by Treehenge Construction Inc.

The total cost for the project was more than $711,000, mostly funded through development impact fees, according to Poganski.

The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include a tour of the remodeled station, a tour of the firefighting apparatus and a free hot dog lunch.

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Remember when things went off-plan, but you still something unexpectedly wonderful out of the deal? Well, this will happen again, so try not to control the action too tightly. You can trust life to delight you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Situations will bring out heightened emotions and relationships have an intensity level that could get uncomfortable. For these reasons, you’ll need to make a conscious effort toward moderation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll return to an old scene with a fresh perspective and see the opportunity you missed earlier. Also, you don’t need anything extra here. You can use what’s there and shape it into something new.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It is brave to speak your mind, but that doesn’t automatically make it your best option. Sometimes being vocal is not the kindest or most effective choice. Think about the role of diplomacy in your overall strategy.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everyone likes the idea of progress; far fewer people like the idea of change. But since progress without change is impossible, you’ll embrace the day’s work. By taking action now, you avoid getting into a bad position later.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Usually, people don’t think too much about the ego they are bringing to a situation. Maturity allows you to detach from your personal interest and ask, “What if this is not about me? What then?”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Stick with your own purposes and projects today and you’ll attract money. People want to take a chance on you because what you’re doing seems like a lucrative opportunity.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You want to know how to do things better, but it’s not so easy to read the feedback. Those who fear you or respect you immensely won’t offer correction unless prompted directly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Because you recognize that you have a lot to learn, you are a very good teacher. You are open to the flow of information and find it easy to collaborate with other brilliant minds.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Things go differently depending on who you spend the hours with. Sometimes you forget that you have a choice about this, but it’s one of the most important choices you make. You are the casting director of your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Stress causes you to misbehave. Do the thing that will bring your stress level down, or better yet, will prevent stress from entering the equation at all. This probably has to do with drawing a boundary.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). What some people would call a luxury, you call a necessity and what you call a luxury is a necessity to someone else. You may as well give up on being sensible today; it will only limit your options.

Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

IN THE KNOW

Aug. 25

Take advantage of great deals on gently used books at the El Dorado Hills Friends of the Library book sale, Aug. 25 & 26.

The Saturday sale is free entry and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All money raised from the book sale provides new books and supports programs at the El Dorado Hills Library. If you want the best selection, become a member of the El Dorado Hills Friends of the Library (starting at only $10/ year for an individual) and gain access to Friday members-only sales, while providing important support to the library. Find more information at friendsoftheedhlibrary.org/ used-book-sales.

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

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Smith Flat House in Placerville hosts a Winemaker’s Diner with Madroña Vineyards at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a fourcourse dinner paired with superb wines. Reservations are required. Call (530) 621-1003.

Dirty Cello will perform at 7 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Gotcha Covered performs Top 40 hits, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Casino Stage Bar inside Red Hawk Casino in Placerville.

The Dry Diggings Camping & Music Festival takes place Aug. 25-27 at Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. For tickets and more information visit drydiggingsfestival.com.

Starbright Entertainment presents One of These Nights – songs of The Eagles, 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Aug. 26

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Successful Gardening with Native Plants, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. No registration required.

UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County host

Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows says so much in few words

Kat Mendenhall Staff writer

Stephen Meadows is a familiar name on the Divide. He has had a weekly radio show on KFOK and is the author of two books of poetry, “Releasing the Days” and “Winter Work.”

After 60 years of writing poetry, Meadows was recently selected as the 2023-25 El Dorado County Poet Laureate.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected,” Meadows said. “Since my mother’s family was part of the Gold Rush, I have been connected to the area’s history for many years. Becoming Poet Laureate was unexpected and gave me pride and a feeling of great accomplishment.”

The Poet Laureate title is bestowed on a noted local poet to honor their body of work and to celebrate poetry as an art form. Consideration is given to the caliber of the work, engagement with poets and writers in the community and

the critical acclaim the work has garnered.

The post entails a twoyear term beginning in July. The term includes the composition of several “occasional poems” per year to be presented or read at public events; creation and implementation

of the Poet Laureate’s own unique Poetry Project as a public benefit; participation in public readings at libraries in all five El Dorado County supervisorial districts on the Laureate Trail; and a commitment to participate in El Dorado County’s Poetry Out Loud programs for high school students. The Laureate Trail allows the public to join the El Dorado County Poet Laureate on a literary tour of the county. Local poets, Poetry Out Loud winners and special guests join the Laureate at El Dorado County libraries for free poetry readings, workshops and open mics.

“The Poet Laureate program allows us to celebrate local poets whose literary excellence is matched only by the generosity of their spirit and their commitment to their community,” said Arts and Culture El Dorado Program Coordinator Jordan Hyatt-Miller. “Stephen

Poem of the Month

Did it matter to you if one lace was

GOLD COUNTRY

by Stephen Meadows

The small creek once I’m sure had gold Now dry and deviled by summer and dust I stand here listening for the sounds of water and the cry of one who has found his nugget shimmering a sun among stones.

Meadows embodies those qualities. As a Georgetown resident with Ohlone heritage, he will serve as an ambassador for the literary arts at events throughout El Dorado County.”

Man of few words

Meadows loves what he does. Now 74, he has written poetry since he was 14.

“I tried writing a novel many years ago and stayed with it a long time, but then I lost the vision,” Meadows shared. “Poetry is a better way to express myself. I like to bring things down from the big picture to the fine tuning. I love the fact that I can say a few words more dramatically while others will use many more words.”

Although he doesn’t write every day, Meadows admitted he often thinks in poetic terms. “Sometimes it is like automatic writing when a poem flows,” he

said, adding it has taken him time to establish his writing style. His poems are generally on the shorter side, 15 to 20 lines in length. Meadows said he tried writing every day but realized it became more of a job. He may get a bright spot, but there wasn’t the same reward as being guided by inspiration.

“When I was coming through school it was a more traditional study of poetry, of the classics,” Meadows said. “Oftentimes you didn’t get anything avant-garde so it’s not surprising much of America is turned o to poetry at an early age.” He had a teacher who pointed out the more unusual poets of the time. It was the beat era and authors like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg gave Meadows a new way to look at poetry.

■ See POET, page B3

Your hands cradling each other. One atop the other laying still.

Finished with sweeping, digging, sawing, saluting, jungle shooting or writing, caressing. They were stunningly beautiful. Handsome for their final rest.

Joanne Blossom is a fourth-generation native Californian and a longtime resident of the Sierra Nevada foothills. She holds degrees in fine art and sociology with graduate work in education. She has studied creative writing and art in Paris.

Courtesy photo

Stephen Meadows has been writing poety for decades. The newest El Dorado County Poet Laureate has published two books and is working on a third.

‘On Golden Pond’ brings touching story to the stage

FOLSOM — Watch the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home for the 48th year in Sutter Street Theatre’s production of “On Golden Pond.”

Norman is a retired professor, nearing 80, with heart palpitations and a failing memory — but still as tart-tongued, observant and eager for life as ever. Ethel, 10 years younger, and the perfect foil for Norman, delights in all the small things that have enriched and continue to enrich their long life together. They are visited by their divorced, middleaged daughter and her dentist fiancé,

who then go o to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the “grandchild” the elderly couple have longed for and as Norman revels in taking his ward fishing and thrusting good books at him, he also learns some lessons about modern teenage awareness — and slang — in return.

The play by Ernest Thompson is directed by Janelle Kau man and Stephen Kau man. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 25 through Sept. 24, at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom.

For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit SutterStreetTheatre.com.

Harrison tribute show a thrill

News release

SUTTER CREEK

— Nick Bold’s “George!” is a spirited performance as close to what it was like to be at an actual George Harrison concert as music lovers could ever imagine. See the show this Saturday at Sutter Creek Theater.

With “George!” Bold takes his passion for the quiet Beatle to a new level. The twohour-plus performance is a tour de force that brings audiences to their feet with joy as Bold embodies the essence of Harrison with his virtuoso guitar playing and spot-on vocals. It’s all there, George’s biggest Beatles hits and all of his wonderful post-breakup solo material, including music from his 1980s supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys.

Manchester’s Bold made his first mark on the music business in the 1980s as founding member, lead guitarist and principal songwriter for the British rock band Virginia Wolf. Signed to Atlantic Records at the urging of Genesis/ Phil Collins’ manager Tony Smith. The band’s membership included drummer Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin’s John “Bonzo” Bonham. Following the release of their Roger Taylor (Queen) produced self-titled debut album, Virginia Wolf was tabbed to be the opening act for The

Firm (Jimmy Page/Paul Rogers) on its 1986 U.S. tour.

In 1988, after touring for over a year to support their Kevin Elson (Journey) produced second album, “Push,” the band decided to split amicably so members could pursue their separate interests. For Bold, that meant songwriting and producing other artists. To date, he has written hundreds of songs, including the hit ballad “Man In The Moon,” which has been covered by numerous artists of all genres. In addition, his band Nick Bold & The Raging Sea performs constantly in the UK and has released two albums of all original, bluesinfluenced melodic rock ‘n’ roll.

Taking a cue from his childhood, when he was constantly being told he looked like George Harrison, Bold appeared on the British TV hit “Stars in Their Eyes” as George. His impeccable impression immediately earned him critical acclaim and led to his performing all over the world in multiple Beatles tributes before becoming a founding member of the U.S. based touring production The Reunion Beatles.

Sutter Creek Theatre is located at 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Open seating, beer and wine will be available. For tickets and more information visit suttercreektheater.com.

Photo by Allen Schmeltz Esther (Shirley Sayers), Norman (Stephen Kauffman) and Billy (Seba Yoke) get to know each other and learn some life lessons in ”On Golden Pond.”

Photo by Shots by Shay

Nick Bold embodies the quiet Beatle, George Harrison, and puts on a spectacular tribute show.

Poet Continued from B1

Over the years he has worked a variety of jobs from being a dishwasher and a gardener to whatever it took to keep the money coming in. This enabled the Garden Valley resident to continue to write hundreds of poems, many that have never seen the light of day.

Meadows and his wife, Karly, have been together for more than 30 years. She is a major supporter of her husband’s work, as well as very artistically talented herself.

When he’s not putting words on paper — he’s working on a third book he plans to publish within the next two years — Meadows is putting music onto the airwaves. His KFOK Community Radio show Meadows Road, on air for more than 20 years ago, plays 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Listeners will hear the folk music of Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and similar performers, as well as American or British folk music with poetic lyrics. Those who pay attention will recognize that lyrics are poetry with musical accompaniment.

“Lyrics have always mattered to me,” Meadows said.

Meet the Poet Laureate

Arts and Culture El Dorado sponsors an event at the Placerville Library, 3-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at which the California State Poet Laureate Lee Herrick will officially welcome Meadows as the 2023-25 El Dorado County Poet Laureate.

The community is invited to the Georgetown Library at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, to meet Meadows. This event is hosted by the Georgetown Friends of the Library. Meadows will have his latest book to sell and sign, he will do a poetry reading and there will be open mic time for anyone who would like to read some poetry of their own.

Sierra Master Chorale looking for new voices

News release

GRASS VALLEY — The stage is set, the harmonies are waiting and a new opportunity is knocking. Sierra Master Chorale, an esteemed choir, invites passionate vocalists to audition. As a member of this accomplished ensemble, choristers will have the joy of performing in two celebratory holiday concerts in December and two enchanting spring concerts in May.

Auditions will take place 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, and 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, (or by special arrangement) at InConcert Sierra offices, 333 Crown Point Circle, Suite 125, Grass Valley. Interested singers should complete the online form, available at inconcertsierra.org, in the section titled Chorale, under the tab “Sing With Us.” Sierra Master Chorale stands as a pillar of choral excellence in western Nevada County. Comprising dedicated vocalists

who share an unbridled enthusiasm for choral music, this choir has consistently delivered performances that touch the hearts of audiences.

Under the masterful direction of Alison Skinner, Sierra Master Chorale has earned a reputation for its unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. Members of this remarkable choir are part of a musical journey that resonates deeply and leaves an indelible

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Sierra Master Chorale has openings in all voice parts and will hold auditions Aug. 27 & 29.

n See Auditions, page B5

Sip wine in the tasting room and find great items sold by local vendors.

Findleton Estate and Vineyard in Camino hosts a National Dog Day celebration. Bring your pooch to the winery and enjoy complimentary tasting. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All About Equine hosts a pizza party fundraiser, 12:30-8:30 p.m. at Viscuso’s Pizza & Draft House, 2222 Francisco Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills. Mention AAE when you place your orders and 20% of sales will be donated to the horses.

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Narrow Gate Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area celebrates summer with a food and wine pairing Aug. 26 & 27 at 1 p.m. Teena’s menu is paired with a line-up of Frank’s favorite summer wines. Call (530) 644-6201 to make a reservation.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Solid Ground Brewing in Diamond Springs, 4-7 p.m.

Check out chalk art by Brian Wolf at Imagination theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, 5-8 p.m. Pieces will be for sale. Admission is free and complimentary refreshments will be served.

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music by Great Wide Open, 5-8 p.m. Enjoy food from the Dinner Station truck with a glass or bottle of wine available for purchase. For more information visit sierravistawinery.com/event/great-wideopen.

Peter Wilson and the Pyramids will perform at Mediterranean

Know Continued from B4

Vineyards in the Fair Play area. Show starts at 5 p.m. and Yummy Gyros will be onsite serving dinner for purchase.

Enjoy live music and good food for a great cause benefitting American River Conservancy’s Resilience Reserve. In partnership with Marco’s Cafe, ARC hosts outdoor concerts featuring local bands at the quaint farmhouse of Wakamatsu Farm in Placerville. The gate opens at 5:30 for each show. The next performer is Ryder Thieves. Find more information and purchase tickets at bit.ly/Concerts4CauseARC.

Thrash Compactor will perform at 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Night Owl performs Top 40 hits, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Casino Stage Bar inside Red Hawk Casino in Placerville.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento hosts the Tales & Ales Brewfest, 5-9 p.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

Aug. 27

Shadow Ranch Vineyard in the Fair Play area hosts the South

Auditions Continued from B3

mark on those who participate.

“The Sierra Master Chorale is a welcoming, warm, hard-working group of singers committed to a truly wonderful performance,” said Skinner. “We work hard, have fun and create beautiful music together. What could be better?”

Interested singers should have some choral experience or prior training. There are openings

County Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick up local produce and crafts, then grab a pizza and enjoy some wine tasting. Musician Ed Wilson will perform 1-4 p.m.

Holly’s Hill Vineyards in the Pleasant Valley area hosts live music. See Hill Country Jam Sessions at 1 p.m. For more information visit hollyshill.com/events.

Aug. 28

The Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County meets at 7:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville with speaker El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne.

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

Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento presents “Rent” through Aug. 27. For tickets and more information call (916) 5571999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

in all voice parts. Sierra Master Chorale is seeking dedicated vocalists to audition and become part of an extraordinary musical experience.

The Sierra Master Chorale is a part of the local classical music presenting organization, InConcert Sierra. For more information about the choir or InConcert Sierra visit inconcertsierra.org or call (530) 273-3990.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Breaking the Rules, art of Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown, through Aug. 27, and Estamans de la Raza, contemporary screenprints and lithographs by by Chicanx and Latinx artists living and working in the United States, through Oct. 1. For tickets and more information visit crocker.org.

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

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

Details + Materials: Works by Claudine Granthem are on display at Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in Placerville through Oct. 1.

Public Notices 

por la renuncia de Chris Irwin. El término del nombramiento comenzará el 20 de septiembre de 2023 y finalizará el 13 de diciembre de 2024. La Junta aceptará solicitudes de personas interesadas que sean votantes registrados y que residan en el Distrito Escolar Unido de Placerville. Para solicitar el nombramiento de la Junta, complete un paquete de solicitud que está disponible en la Oficina del Distrito ubicada en 1032 Thompson Way, Placerville, California. La solicitud debe ser devuelta a Eric Bonniksen,

All Events

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Five GRAMMYs, 14 Blues Foundation Awards, and a groundbreaking career spanning nearly 50 years. Born and raised in Compton, Keb’ began his remarkable journey at the age of 21. His captivating new album, Good To Be, artfully links the grit and groove of his Compton, CA, roots with strum and twang of his more recently adopted hometown of Nashville, TN. Drawing on country, folk, blues, and soul, the collection transcends genre and geography, weaving together a joyful, heartwarming, and relentlessly optimistic tapestry that manages to encompass the entirety of this once-in-ageneration artist’s larger-than-life career.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

¡Viva el mariachi! A new generation takes mariachi to whole new heights—Latin Grammy-nominee Mariachi Herencia de México presents Herederos (the “Heirs”). Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future of mariachi music, Mariachi Herencia de México presents an unforgettable night of Mexican music and culture.

The energetic, virtuosic group has issued chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts. 2018’s Herencia de la Tierra Mía charted atop all major streaming services. 2019’s Esencia topped industry charts, while a second volume, issued in 2020 performed similarly.

NOVEMBER 2-5, 2023

THEIR MUSIC, THEIR STORY, THEIR PASSION...

On Your Feet! is the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, two people who— through an unwavering dedication to one another and their pursuit of the American dream— showcased their talent, their music, and their heritage to the world in a remarkable rise to global superstardom. SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC SONGS OF ALL TIME...

Featuring music by Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, and Miami Sound Machine, including Grammy Award winning songs “The Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Anything for You,” “1-2-3,” “Get On Your Feet,” and “Here We Are.”

Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish!

608-6888

Photo by David Grenier

Photo: DJ Corey Photo: DJ Corey