Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, August 28, 2024 by mcnaughtonmedia

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

Erica Chambers changes plea in manslaughter case

In the wake of a hearing in April where Judge Mark Ralphs ruled the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce had su cient evidence to take a manslaughter case against Erica Chambers to trial, Chambers changed her previously-entered not guilty pleas in court Friday, Aug. 23.

Agreeing to an o er made by the court, Chambers entered a mix of no contest and guilty pleas to all charges against her; in total, four felonies and seven enhancements. The charges stem from a vehicle collision the night of Nov. 11, 2022, when an SUV driven by Chambers struck a Prius that had just merged onto Highway 50 near Mosquito Road.

Prior to the crash, Chambers and her partner, longtime Camino resident Mason Visman, had been attending Visman’s brother’s wedding. Witnesses at the wedding told investigators she had been drinking heavily at the event, and that she and Visman had left together.

The crash injured both passengers in the Prius and reportedly launched Visman out the window from the passenger seat of the Mercedes-Benz which was registered under his name. Chambers temporarily stopped the vehicle before attempting to drive away from the scene of the incident; shortly afterward, Chambers left the SUV and attempted to ﬂee from law enforcement on foot.

When Chambers was apprehended, the vehicle was empty and she reportedly told o cers she was

More businesses coming soon

Eric Jaramishian Senior sta writer

Behind Dutch Bros. on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville construction of retail space us under way, a project 20 years in the making.

The Crossings at El Dorado, owned by general contracting company Grado Construction, will include future retail tenants like Boots Barn, PetCo, Ulta, Five Below and Michaels. All are ready to go when the 125,000-square-foot center opens. Other businesses have yet to be announced.

“After 20 years, retail development right on Missouri Flat is ﬁnally occurring,” said Grado Construction owner Leonard Grado.

Progress at The Crossings

Already open in the area is Dutch Bros., and a recently constructed 7/11 is expected to have its grand opening Sept. 13. More businesses are expected to begin operating by spring of 2025, according to Grado. Once open, the stores will help keep commerce in the county, including jobs and retail sales, giving a local option to those who might be inclined to shop and dine in other areas of the greater Sacramento area, he explained.

“You not only lose the retail, you lose the jobs because younger people will go to Folsom and work down there,” Grado said. “From my standpoint, I see the developments that I’m doing up here as a quality-oflife issue. If you can retail here

MAIL LABEL

Mountain Democrat le photo by Odin Rasco

Erica Chambers, seen here with attorney Alan Donato during an earlier court appearance, has changed her pleas. She faced mutliple charges stemming from a car crash that left Camino resident Mason Visman dead.

Earthwork and construction keep crews busy at The Crossings on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

A wall goes up for a building being constructed at The Crossings at El Dorado Aug. 21. Construction for the entire lot will finish in spring of 2025.

ESSENTIALS

Larry Pfost

Nov. 22, 1938 – Aug. 1, 2024

Larry Pfost passed away August 1, 2024 in Diamond Springs Ca. at the age of 85. He was born in Whittier, CA on November 22, 1938 to parents Herbert and Jessie (Madden) Pfost. Larry grew up in Southern California, he graduated from Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, CA. His ﬁrst job was working in a welding shop. Larry’s next job was working as a police o cer for Monterey Park and then he went on to attend the California Highway Patrol academy in West Sacramento where he graduated and became an o cer. He loved working as a motorcycle o cer but had to work as a patrol o cer when he transferred to El Dorado County as they did not have motorcycle o cers at that time in this county. He was also an El Dorado County Commercial O cer working with logging trucks and big rigs for several years. He retired in May 1993, after retirement, he went to Sierra College where he learned woodworking. Larry made beautiful furniture. He also worked at Kinetico Water Company for six years. Larry loved racing his super stock cars and held the track record for a couple of years at Placerville Speedway. He loved Nascar and attended many races. Larry and his wife Pat, and usually a dog or two, loved traveling in their motorhome, they were members of the CHP Northern California travel club and spent many enjoyable years traveling with them. They also enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and cruising to Alaska and Mexico. Larry was an active member of the Pleasant Valley Grange and known for his custom pancakes and working on the annual crab feed. In his later life he enjoyed reading, watching all Nascar events and family get togethers. Larry is survived by his wife Patricia, son’s Michael and Mark Pfost (Tina), Step daughters Debbie Lightfoot (Mike Sr.), Laurie Worthey, Sherri Francis (Wil), 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. We would like to thank Snowline Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at a later date.

Paul George Dean

Jan. 21, 1939 – July 22, 2024

Paul was born in the family home on Buck’s Bar Rd. With the exception of his military service, he was a lifelong resident of El Dorado County. He attended grammar school at the old Summit School on Springer Rd. During high school Paul began his military service in the National Guard. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army including one tour in Viet Nam. On return he was employed by Mountain Motors, where he developed his love for Studebakers as well as a life-long friendship with the family of one of the owners, Jim Varozza. Upon returning he also married long-time friend Eileen Ritchie. Paul later worked many years for local contractor, Gordon Stangland. During that time he also developed a close friendship with co-worker Tom Felts. His last job was with El Dorado County Road Dept. Paul is survived by his wife Eileen, sons Gordon, Farren Cooper and daughter, Carmen Burnett. Paul’s folks George and Mildred Dean, (deceased) raised Clara Gemmet (nee Dean), Rose (Pomeroy, nee Dean, deceased), Fred Dean (married to Theresa), Betty Linville (nee Dean), Harry Dean (Married to Judy). Paul and Eileen have ﬁve grand children and one great grand child. There will be a celebration of Paul’s life where he worshipped, Pleasant Oak Baptist Church, 1731 Pleasant Valley Road, Sept 7, 11:00 AM.

John Robert Klos

June 29, 1959 – Aug. 1, 2024

John was the first baby born at the new Marshall Hospital, 65 years ago along with his twin brother James Marshall Klos.

Born to John Joseph Klos and Barbara Shinn-KlosBogdanoff. John graduated from Ponderosa High School in 1977. He worked 30 years in the bridge building industry, in those 30 years of work, he relocated his family to Northern Idaho in 2004 to 2012. John and his wife Lory, moved back to his childhood home where he was currently living when he passed. John is survived by his mother, Barbara Bogdanoff and his wife Lory Powell Klos, son John Klos, daughter Jennifer Klos, step sister Jan Bray Bernedo.

John was preceded in death by his Father John Joseph Klos, twin brother James Klos, step Mother Ruth Klos and step Brother Charles Bray. A memorial will be held at 4261 Jayhawk Dr., Rescue CA, on Saturday, August 31st at 1:00 pm.

DON’T MISS

Mark Wayne Haas

June 7, 1949 – Aug. 13, 2024

Rev. Mark Wayne Haas was born June 7, 1949, to Richard and Helen (nee Hime) Haas in Upland, CA. He attended and graduated from Faith Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran Grade Schools in Whittier, CA as well as California High School (CalHi), also in Whittier. He graduated from Concordia College in Seward, NE in 1971, and from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN in 1985. His vicarage year was at Peace Lutheran Church, Sacramento, CA. On June 14, 1969, he married Dee Anne (nee Shumard). The couple was blessed with three children: Melanie, Gregory, and Matthew. Mark served as a DCE at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Marshall, MO, from 1971 – 1972. He served as a principal at Bethlehem Lutheran School in Berkeley, CA, from 1972 – 1978, and he also served as principal at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Hayward, CA, from 1978 – 1983. After his ordination on March 16, 1986, Pastor Haas served at Peace Lutheran in Sacramento, CA, from 1986 - 2006, and First Lutheran in Placerville, CA, from 2006 - 2016. He retired in 2016. Pastor Haas was preceded in death by his wife, Dee, in 2009. He is survived by his three children: Melanie. Gregory, and Matthew; as well as his two brothers Craig and Keith along with his sister-in-law Sue Parsons. A memorial service is being planned for the 21st of September at Town & Country Lutheran Church in Sacramento.

Cameron Kammerer

Aug. 31, 1993 – Aug. 12, 2024

Christine Ann (Duncan) Bethards

Aug. 7, 1951 – July 28, 2024

Christine Ann (Duncan) Bethards passed away July 28, 2024 due to complications from surgery to treat a brain tumor. She was surrounded by her husband and children who miss her tremendously.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Cameron Kammerer, age 30, who left this world too soon on August 12th, 2024. Cameron was born on August 31, 1993, at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, California. Cameron was loyal, thoughtful, fun, multi-talented and driven. Cameron contributed to a plethora of acts of service with a free and loving heart. Near or far, Cameron was always willing to go the distance. Cameron captured the spotlight at the age of 6 winning the BMX National championship. His passion for sports and competitiveness continued as he joined the Ponderosa High School ski team where he developed a love for the camaraderie of his teammates. In his pursuit of service and community, Cameron participated in the Explorer Program, gaining invaluable experience, and contributing to local fire safety initiatives. His commitment to hard work was evident in his role as a Meat Cutter at Safeway, where he earned the respect and friendship of many colleagues and customers. He would eventually parlay as one of the founding owners of StandardCloCo, a clothing apparel company as content creator, sales, and public relations. Later, Cameron expanded his professional horizons by obtaining a real estate license in both California and Washington. His success reflected his dedication, expertise, and ability to connect with people across diverse communities. Cameron had just enrolled and scheduled to start classes to become an X-ray technician in AZ. He was a young man whose zest for life was reflected in his wide array of interests from the thrill of jet skiing and wakeboarding to the serene enjoyment of snowboarding and camping. From his lens, he also demonstrated the ability to capture and share the profound beauty of life through his artistic endeavors. His legacy endures in the memories he created, and the stunning visual stories told through his photography, videography, edited and incorporated with music which were expressions of his love for life. We will forever remember Cameron for his kind-hearted and adventurous spirit. He lived life to the fullest and brought tremendous joy to everyone around him. Though his time with us was far too brief, the impact he made on our hearts will be felt for a lifetime. Cameron is survived by his parents: Tonya Roman - Carnahan (Jerry), Fred Kammerer (Cynthia Cole), Sibling: Hillary Biafora (Isaiah) Niece: Charlotte Conforti Nephew: Jack Conforti, Step Brothers: Cody Carnahan, Nick Carnahan, Seth Michaels, Johnny Hammer, Step Sister: Sean Hammer, Grandparents: Suzanne Weirick (Brad), Tom Roman (Fay), Christeen Kammerer and multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, his loyal dog Scout, and a host of friends who cherish his memory. Cameron was proceeded in death by his grandfather: Fred Kammerer Sr. A celebration of Cameron’s life will be held on Saturday, August 31st, 2024, Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm Location: Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, California. All are welcome to join us in sharing memories on the day of his actual birthday. *In lieu of flowers, his parents request that donations be made to: Foothill Dog Rescue in Shingle Springs or Ponderosa High School – Digital Media Class.

Luana Mae (Medeiros)

Zylla

May 15, 1942 – Aug. 13, 2024

Chris was born August 7, 1951 to Dan Duncan and Helen (Thomas) Duncan and leaves behind two brothers: Dan Duncan and Steve Duncan. She married Blake Bethards on September 23, 1972 and has four children: Matthew (Joy) Bethards, Jonnalee (Shayne) Black, Laura (Michael) Bouck, and Thomas (Aria) Bethards who all survived her. She has 22 grandchildren who adore their Nana and was preceded in death by two granddaughters. Chris loved quilting and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends and did everything with her husband of almost 52 years. She had a soft spot in her heart for teenagers and loved being the host for her kids’ friends. She hosted several foreign exchange students and welcomed Sergey as part of the family. After her children grew up and moved out she became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and a Big Sister for kids who were facing tough circumstances. Her faith was very important to her. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints for 50 years. Her family will be holding services in remembrance of her life on Saturday, September 7th at 11:00am at the LDS chapel at 3431 Hacienda Road, Cameron Park, CA, followed by a celebration of life for those who wish to share memories with each other. Please consider making a donation to Child Advocates of El Dorado County in lieu of ﬂowers.

John R. Anderson

John R. Anderson, was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 65, on July 26, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Patricia Anderson, and his brother Daniel Anderson. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 25 years, Rose Anderson, his niece Danielle, and nephews Bobby and Nathaniel.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, John’s family moved to El Dorado County in 1974. John attended Ponderosa High School, graduating in 1977. In 1995 he went on a mission trip to the Philippines and fell in love with the Filipino people. He had a wonderful life with his wife whom he loved dearly. Together they owned and operated Rose’s Garden Café in Garden Valley, CA for 14 years. The café was a community hub, and employed several Golden Sierra High School students. John welcomed everyone with a big smile, and his huge heart. John and Rose humbly received and personally experienced much love and support from the community. They retired from the café and moved to Diamond Springs to take care of his mother until she passed. John loved to play his guitar, passionately singing to the Lord, and was not shy in sharing his faith in Christ with other people. Skiing at Sierra at-Tahoe Resort was one of his alltime favorite recreations. John loved travelling with Rose in the U.S. and abroad. He was an adventurer, explorer, and navigator. John was an active member of In Shape Family Fitness where he worked out and oftentimes joined his wife at the pool for the Zumba Aqua Fit classes. He enjoyed life to the fullest in his own simple way. John touched so many lives and will be deeply missed!

The Celebration of Life will be held at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Rd, Placerville, CA on August 29, 2024 at 1:00pm.

Richard B. Esposito (530) 344-5055 / resposito@mtdemocrat.net

EDITORIAL STAFF

Noel Stack Editor 530-344-5073 / nstack@villagelife.net

Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor 530-344-5070 / mescabar@mtdemocrat.net

Eric Jaramishian

bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life

Luana Mae (Medeiros) Zylla was received in the arms of our Heavenly Father. God called her home while she was peacefully enjoying TV with the youngest granddaughter Emma. Services were held at St. Patrick Church, Saturday, August 24, 2024. Viewing 9:30am, Rosary 10:30am, Mass 11am. In lieu of ﬂowers, the family requests donations be made in our mother’s name to the Mother Theresa Maternity Home, the Upper Room Dining Hall, in Placerville California.

A golden finish for Pondo in season opener

Malachi Parker

Sta writer

A controversial two seconds put back on the clock for the El Dorado Cougars flipped in the Ponderosa Bruins’ favor and they ran hard for a 20-14 win in the annual Gold Pan varsity football game Friday. Aug. 23. A battle where every yard was earned came down to the final play. The Cougars sent out their field goal unit to kick the potential game-winning field goal and upset the Bruins, but rather than a kick through the uprights, the snap went over the holder’s outstretched hand. The Cougars failed to land on the bad snap as it rolled away and into the hands of Ponderosa’s Marshall Alvernaz, who ran the ball nearly 80 yards the other way for the gamewinning touchdown.

“We got lucky with a snap and were able to take advantage of it,” Ponderosa head coach Davy Johnson said. Johnson told the Mountain Democrat that prior to the game he thinks his team overlooked El Dorado. The Bruins quickly found out they were going to be in a dog ﬁght.

“Don’t underestimate anyone,” Alvernaz stressed. “We underestimated this team and we really

shouldn’t have.”

Ponderosa notches another win in the ongoing battle between the schools — the Bruins won the coveted gold pan last year too — while El Dorado walks away with a gutwrenching loss to start the season; however, players said they learned they have a team that

can go toe-to-toe and they won’t be an easy out for anyone they cross paths with.

Up next for Ponderosa is road trip to play Natomas High School Friday, Aug. 30. The Cougars will also be on the road to play Woodland Christian in week two.

Odin Rasco

Senior sta writer

A home on Pleasant Valley Road near Cedar Ravine Road was destroyed in a fully-involved house ﬁre Friday, Aug. 23, according to information from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District.

Fireﬁghters from the EDCFPD, Cal Fire

Amador-El Dorado Unit, Rescue Fire

Department and Diamond Springs-El Dorado and Pioneer ﬁre protection districts worked for hours to battle a roaring blaze that consumed the home. Though the ﬁre was stopped before it could spread to other structures or nearby forested areas, the home was a complete

loss. Crews relied on water tenders to shuttle water to the scene of the ﬁre due to a lack of nearby hydrants.

No injuries connected to the ﬁre were reported, according to EDCFPD Capt. Jacob Poganski. Fire investigators are still looking into the cause of the blaze.

Football roundup

Oak Ridge-14; Frontier-28

A rare Saturday night high school game had the Oak Ridge Trojans playing host to the Frontier Titans out of Bakersﬁeld. The Trojans struggled to put a stop to the Titans’ run game as Frontier scored all their touchdowns on the ground. On the other side of the ball, the Trojan o ense struggled to hit stride throughout

most of the game and turned the ball over often. It does not get easier for the Trojans as they hit the road this Friday to take on the San Clemente Tritons, a team ranked 23 in the state.

Union Mine-29; McQueen-20

The ground-andpound o ense of Union Mine propelled them to a season opener win against McQueen High

out of Reno. The threeheaded monster they have in the backﬁeld that consists of Julio Hernandez, Brock Buack and Aiden Goehring led the way as each of them ran for at least 80 yards Friday night. The three combined for 288 yards on the ground to open up the season with a win. Union Mine will be at home Friday night to host Truckee in week two.

order to effectively treat your neuropathy 3 factors must be

advanced treatment method has 3 main

have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained

uncomfortable, and is

Mountain Democrat photo by Malachi Parker

The Ponderosa High School varsity football squad poses with the coveted gold pan after winning the game against El Dorado on the final play Friday night.

Seth Borba, El Dorado Irrigation District

Blake Braa adt, EDC Sheriffs Of ce

Phoebie Carcot, Gold Country Health Center

Greg Ferrero, Incoming County Board of Supervisors Dist. 1

Michael Grassle, Cameron Park CSD

Kristin Halverson, El Dorado Transit

Reggie Higashi, Marshall

Teri McClanahan, Marshall

Melissa Neal, Ag in the Classroom

Robert Nestor, El Dorado Irrigation District

Sol Nisbet, Sol Nisbet Home Loans

Carolyn Parker, EDC Of ce of Education

Bryan Payne, EDC Sheriffs Of ce

Amy Phillips, County of El Dorado

Aaron Pratt, Placerville Police Dept.

Ryan Rothwell, El Dorado Irrigation District

Sylvia Rubio, EDC Chamber of Commerce

Robert St. Pierre, EDC Sheriffs Of ce

Meg Sepulveda, Palos Verdes Properties

Ron Smith, Palos Verdes Properties

Matt Smith, EDC Of ce of Education

Stacy Smithee, El Dorado Community Health Ctr

“As I prepare for my new role as supervisor, I am extremely thankful to have participated and to have learned so much about our beautiful and very diverse county. This has provided me with a baseline of knowledge about the different programs, resources and departments that contribute to the success of our county. Of course I am very familiar with our law enforcement partners, but so much other information was new to me. Learning about the operations of EID, the success of our tourism and lm industry, economic development programs, and agriculture are just a few examples I will be able to refer back to when making decisions for our county. Leadership El Dorado really provided a great overview of all the things that make up the county. “

— Greg Ferrero Class XVI

ASPIREKids - Non-pro t dedicated to removing barriers and building resilience for youth that have experienced trauma or live in low-income situations. ASPIREKids partners with various youth and family service providers in El Dorado County to give trauma-effected and low income children access to extracurricular and normalcy activities. www.aspirekidseldorado.org

Becker Nelson Center & James – Providing high-quality legal services to individuals and business clients throughout Northern California. From our of ces in Downtown Placerville and El Dorado Hills, we handle legal matters involving real estate, business, employment, estate planning, probate administration, trust and estate litigation, civil litigation, and personal injury. www.bncj-law. com/

Giloff Photography – Specializing in portraits (individuals, families, seniors and graduates, sports, cosplay), business (headshots, real-estate, commercial), candid photographs (events, sports), pets, products, and even those cheesy 80’s-style portraits! “For me, photography is not just a job, but a passion of mine. From pre-production, to the photoshoot, to post-production, and nally to delivery, every single piece of the process is exciting. I would love to capture your next special moments!” www.giloffphotography.com

I.O.O.F. Morningstar Lodge #20 – Est. 1854. In 1859, the members erected a building at 457 Main Street. Following a re in 1910, it was rebuilt with completion in December 1911. To celebrate, the members hosted a Grand Ball on the newly installed spring oor, the only one of its kind in the county, and one of only a few left in the United States today. Formerly the home of Arian’s Supply Sergeant since 1954, the lodge is now exploring new uses for the building. www.facebook.com/MorningStarLodge20

Progress House – Progress House treatment philosophy is that all persons have a right to the highest quality of treatment known to the eld of addiction recovery. We provide a complete continuum of evidence based services to individuals affected by addiction through detoxi cation, residential, outpatient treatment and transitional living environments. (530) 863-5863 https://progresshouseinc.org

Discover the incredible advantages of joining Snap Fitness Placerville today! Experience 24/7 access to our state-of-theart tness facility and enjoy exclusive access to a diverse selection of top-tier cardio, strength, and functional training equipment, complemented by a user-friendly member app designed to help you set personalized tness goals and celebrate your achievements. Don’t miss out – take the rst step on your tness journey now by contacting our gym or joining us today!

Photo by Giloff Photography

Pictured: Daniel Sepulveda, Club Manager; Joseph Mackay, Director of Franchise Development;

Cavanaugh,

(left to right) Above: Aaron Pratt, Math Smith, Reggie Higashi, Ryan Rothwell, Seth Borba

Below: Ron Smith, Melissa Neal, Carolyn Parker, Stacey Smithee, Sol Nisbet, Leah Ann Zogg, Sharyn Balentine, Sylvia Rubio, Robert Nestor

Back Row: Crystel Center, Jessica & Kevin James, of Becker Nelson Center and James;

Jamie Benavidez, Shannon Durst, of Progress House Front Row: Cathy Zuber, EDC Chamber; Kathy Drew, IOOF Morningstar Lodge; Shira Giloff, Giloff Photography; Jodi Mottashed, ASPIREKids; Samantha Scott, Cindy Carlson, Progress House

STRONGER TOGETHER

Creative Collaboration Ideas for Small Businesses

Belle Wong

Think you have to go at it alone as a small business? Think again. Growing your business can be hard work. But teaming up with businesses that o er complementary products or services can help you tap into new customer bases and expand your reach. The bottom line: Success can be sweeter when shared.

Here are 10 creative ways to team up with other businesses to boost your brand and grow together.

1. Cross-Promotions and Discounts

Make your business stand out while giving your customers a little extra savings. Partner with another business to o er special deals to each other’s customers. This not only drives

tra c to your business but also builds community by introducing your customers to local favorites.

2. Joint Referral Programs

Referrals work. Dropbox, for example, exploded in popularity through customer referrals. Team up for a joint referral program with another business to enhance credibility and attract new clients through mutual endorsements. You’ll also strengthen your local business connections and foster a sense of community.

3. Joint Marketing Campaigns

It can be tough (and costly) to stand out in a crowded market. Joint marketing campaigns o er a powerful way to enhance your visibility. Combining your marketing e orts

GRAPES AND IVY GRAND OPENING

Miners on Main Scavenger Hunt

There are ten “Miners” hidden throughout Main Street Placerville from Sacramento Street to Clay Street. These Miners all had an impact on Placerville and El Dorado County during the Gold Rush period. Each miner has a QR code on the medallion that will take you to a webpage about the miners when scanned with your phone camera. So grab your phone and begin your hunt. visit-eldorado.com/miners-on-main/ Certi ed Farmer’s Markets https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Land-Use/AgricultureWeights-and-Measures/Certi ed-Farmers-Market

Sept. 01, 07, 14, 20, 21 & 28 Placerville Speedway 100 Placerville Dr. www.placervillespeedway.com/schedule Mimosa Sundays

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come out and enjoy a picnic on our patio. Guests can also contact Ranch Girls Dream to order personal charcuterie platters that will be delivered to the vineyard to enjoy with their mimosas. cielosullaterra.com Del no Farms presents Folk on the Farm Saturdays. Edio Vineyards, 3205 N. Canyon Rd., Camino. del nofarms.com/folkonthefarm Thursday Night Market at Burke Junction

5 – 8 p.m. 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. Experience a free evening lled with local charm, featuring a variety of vendors offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, delicious food, and unique gifts. 530-614-0802. www.foodandfunmagazine.com/ about-5

Sept 01 Everhart Cellars Sangria Sunday 5821 CA State Hwy 49, Pilot Hill. Enjoy Food, Music, Wine and our refreshing Sangria! Cousin’s Lobster & The B-Side Duo. 530885-9463, www.everhartcellars.com

Sept 01 Placerville Elks Lodge Bingo 1 - 4 p.m. First Sundays. A great day of Bingo and friends supporting charities of the Elks. secretary1712@gmail.com

Sept 06 - 29 Imagination Theater Presents “The 39 Steps” Varying times & dates. 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville. A parody of the John Buchan novel and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock lm, international intrigue following the end of World War I- a novelist and a spy cross paths and ineptitude ensues. www.itplacerville.org/the-39-steps

Sept 06 Burgers and Karaoke 5 – 10 p.m. Placerville Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Ct, Shingle Springs. Great burgers and singing to the delight of the Elks audience. secretary1712@gmail.com

Sept 07 Friends of the Library Book Sale

8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 345 Fair Lane, Placerville. Fill up and take away a bag of books for only $7. There is a wide variety of ction, non- ction, vintage and children’s books. Puzzles, DVDs, sheet music, and more! Located in the garage behind the Placerville library.

Sept 07 Girls Night Out

5 - 9:00 p.m. Main St, Placerville. Get all decked out in your most gorgeous masquerade attire as we throw a Mardi Gras party you are not likely to forget! Goodie bags available for sale at 262 or 359 Main St. girlsnightoutplacerville@gmail.com

Sept 07 Country Line Dancing and Lessons Presented by VFW Auxiliary, 6 - 9:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall, 130 Placerville Dr., Placerville. $10/per person.

lets you share costs and creativity to reach a wider audience and create impactful, cost-e ective campaigns.

4. Shared Space and Resources

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” This Aristotle quote perfectly captures the beneﬁt of sharing resources with another business. By teaming up with a business with similar space and equipment needs, you can reduce costs, streamline operations and create an environment ripe for collaboration and community engagement.

5. Collaborative Workshops or Classes

Attracting new customers can be a challenge for small businesses, but collaborative workshops o er a creative solution. Both businesses get to provide unique and engaging experiences that draw in a broader audience. This collaboration increases your visibility and builds a sense of community.

6. Collaborative Product Bundles

Boutique

nds arriving daily

Think of collaborative product bundles as the perfect combo for success. By combining your products with those of a complementary business, you can create packages that are appealing and o er more value to your customers. This approach can boost sales and set your o erings apart from your competition.

7. Event Sponsorship

Imagine your business logo on a banner at a local holiday market or charity run. Local events like town festivals and school fundraisers regularly seek sponsors. Stepping up as a sponsor lets you engage with your community, share costs and connect with a wider audience.

Sept 08 Union Mine FFA Hometown Pride Car Show All Day https://www.unionmineffa.org/

Sept 08 Music on the Divide

3 - 5:00 p.m. IOOF Hall 6240 Main St. Georgetown. HipNosis, brass ensemble. A powerhouse of Funky Jazz, Soul, Blues, Rock and Country. Tickets at the door: $20 adults, $5 Students, Children under 5 Free. www.musiconthedivide.org

Sept 11 & 18 Wednesday Wine and Dine at Star eld Vineyards 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Our summer-time Wednesday dinner service is back! Sipping on your favorite Star eld wine, eating some delicious food, listening to relaxing live music and watching a Sierra Foothills sunset is a phenomenal mid-week break! Reservations required. Adults 21 and over only. $5 members/$10 non www.star eldvineyards.com/Events/Wednesday-Night-Wine-Dine

Sept 5, 12, 19 & 26 Rucksack Cellars Thursday Community Nights 6 - 8 p.m. Live Music. As always, all Rucksack wines will be available by the glass or bottle along with our charcuterie boards. You are welcome to bring your own picnic baskets, but please no outside alcohol. $10/person ($5 for club members). Our picnic tables are on a rst come rst served basis, however there is plenty of room for you to bring your own picnic set-up or sit on our rock wall. rucksackcellars.com/2024/02/05/2024-rucksack-events-tease/ Sept 13 – 15 Sierra Wildlife Rescue 4th Annual Wildlife Bazaar All proceeds from the yard sale will go directly to activities that support our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing our native wildlife. Come nd some great deals while supporting a wonderful cause. Fri - Sat 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 777 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs. https://sierrawildliferescue.org/

Sept 13 Pollock Pines/Camino Taco Night 4:40 – 7 p.m. https://pollockpinesca.org/

Sept 14 Multicultural Celebration S. Lake Tahoe, Bijou Community Park. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Local makers, artists, food vendors.

Sept 14 Food Wine & Live Music at Sierra Vista Winery 5 – 8 p.m. Featuring Ramble Ensemble, a Led Zeppelin Cover Band. We will have specialty pizza available for purchase. As always we will have wine by the glass or bottle for purchase. No outside food or alcohol allowed. Thru 9/11 $5 members/$10 non. After & at the door $10/$15. RSVP 530-622-7221 or www.sierravistawinery.com/shop/events/ramble

Sept 14 Myka Estates Summer Concert Series 6 – 8:30 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes, bell bottoms, jumpsuit or your ashiest out t from the 60’s or 70’s and boogie over for our monthly concert series featuring live music by FBI Band and a Southern Soul inspired pre xe dinner menu by Chef Lisa Scott. Make your reservations now as seats are limited. $65 per person, with wine club discounts of 20% to 30% automatically applying at check out. www.mykaestates.com/product/Wine--Dine---Vibe-SummerConcert--Motown

Sept 20 All in for MORE Poker Tournament 5 – 10 p.m. www.morerehab.org/event-details/all-in-for-more Sept 20 Friday Nights in the Vineyards Everhart Cellars & Hart 2 Hart Vineyards. 6 – 10 p.m. 530-885-9463

8. Group Buying and Vendor Negotiation

Team up with businesses that need similar supplies for bulk discount savings. By pooling orders, you can reach the minimum quantities needed for discounts that would be out of reach for your businesses individually. This strategy cuts costs and strengthens your bargaining power, helping your buying group secure better deals from suppliers.

9. Joint Ventures

When two businesses team up on a project or product, they can combine resources and expertise to achieve something they couldn’t do alone. Take the joint venture between Google and NASA, which began in 2005 and continues today with projects like tracking local air pollution. This is a grand-scale example, but you can ﬁnd similar joint venture success working with local businesses complementary to yours.

10. Knowledge and Skill Sharing

Knowledge and skill sharing among local businesses helps everyone grow. You learn from each other’s successes and challenges and build a more close-knit, supportive local business network. Plus, staying in close contact with other business owners could lead to new collaboration opportunities.

To read the complete article and for examples of the above collaboration ideas, visit https://sba.thehartford. com/business-management/ collaboration-ideas/

www.everhartcellars.com/ Third Saturday Artwalk Placerville’s Historic Main Street galleries and merchants are open late for shopping, dining, live music and more! thirdsaturdayartwalk@gmail.com. www.instagram.com/3rdsatartwalk/ Sept 22 Sierra Symphony presents a Pops Concert featuring Broadway Hits 5 – 7 p.m. Smith Flat House. Enjoy some live musical selections featuring Broadway hits. Tickets are $12 and available at the door. If you pay cash, your tickets are only $10, and as always, students and children are FREE! Smith Flat House will have food and beverages available for purchase, so mark your calendars! We hope to see you there! https://sierrasymphony.org

Sept 27 – 29 Placerville Arts Assn. Artist Studio Tour 11 Studios / 39 Artists. Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Inks, Mixed Media, Collage, Fabrics, Quilts, Sculptures & Photography. For tour details, studio map and directions: www.paastudiotour.com

Sept 27 Everhart Cellars/Hart2Hart Vineyards Friday Family Wine Down 6 – 10 p.m. Every last Friday of the month. Fry Boys Food Truck 6-9pm and DJ Grant 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Family-friendly fun! $10/person, $5/wine club, $5/kids under 12. Wine, hard cider and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase by glass or bottle. www.everhartcellars.com

Sept 28 CASA El Dorado Family Fun Day! Families and community members are invited to join us for a celebration featuring an array of activities for all ages at The Hangar - Taproom & Bottle Shop. Join the CASA El Dorado team for a day of games, activities, and delicious food. It’s a celebration of family, friendship, and the vibrant spirit of our community. This is a free event however any donations would be graciously accepted to off-set any event costs. We can’t wait to see everyone there! 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste B. S. Lake Tahoe. 12 – 4 p.m. www.casaeldorado.org

Sept 28 Food, Wine and Live Music at Sierra Vista Winery Music by North Forty. 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. We will have Specialty Pizzas from our Big Lora Pizza Oven for purchase. As always we will have wine by the glass or the bottle for purchase. No outside food or alcohol allowed. Early Bird Reservations until Wed. 25th WC- $5 | Gen

Photo by Giloff Photography

Owners Joan and Royce Carr

OPINION

California Matters

There was a time, four-plus decades ago, when crime was California’s most powerful political issue.

Richard B. Esposito Publisher

The state was experiencing a serious spike in crime but the Legislature, controlled by Democrats, ignored pleas to do something about it. Republicans sensed an opportunity and for more than a decade, while accusing Democrats of being soft on crime, scored a series of electoral victories. GOP challengers knocked o several Democratic legislators. George Deukmejian, the state’s toughon-crime Republican attorney general, was elected governor in 1982 and succeeded by Republican Pete Wilson in 1990.

Letters to the Editor

Women marching forward

EDITOR:

Not too long ago, there was a time when, athletically, women didn’t have the same opportunities as men. I didn’t know of a woman’s boxing or wrestling team anywhere.

In the 1970s, women’s liberation was a signiﬁcant movement. Their central act of deﬁance was to burn their bras. I appreciated that act as a teenage boy. But bra-burning is a far cry from where women are today.

President Trump started building the wall and enforcing federal immigration laws and it was working. We are for legal immigration for people who want to respect our laws and become citizens; this is what the United States stands for.

One story you won’t hear on the mainstream news is on You Tube. Sage Steele is interviewing Congressman Wesley Hunt and Congressmen Byron Donalds. Hunt shared his favorite story about President Trump. He was in the military in Afghanistan when the president and Secretary of State Pompeo came to talk to Taliban leaders about getting out of Afghanistan.

Retailers, law enforcement groups and local government o cials, angered that the Legislature seemed to ignore their pleas, quali ed a ballot measure, Proposition 36, that would boost punishments for some crimes ...

As the century turned, Democrats regained dominance in the Capitol. A decade ago and with voter support, they began modifying or even repealing the tough sentencing laws of the anti-crime heyday, citing mass incarceration for relatively minor crimes. The inmate population is now half of what it once was and prisons are being closed.

Republicans also mounted a successful campaign in 1986 to remove three liberal members of the state Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Rose Bird. Democratic legislators ﬁnally jumped on the bandwagon and during the 1980s and 1990s enacted a torrent of bills — most notably a three-strikes law in 1994. New laws and tougher attitudes by prosecutors and judges put tens of thousands of o enders behind bars. Even though the state built dozens of new prisons, an eightfold increase in inmates meant severe overcrowding that eventually triggered federal court reduction orders.

I’m only going to discuss sports today because of time. Look at where the American woman has come athletically. American women win the lion’s share of the medals in the Olympics. I’m watching women compete and win in contact sports like wrestling and boxing. Women’s wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in America. Young girls have female role models in everything. And I believe women’s rights groups should take a bow at their success.

I don’t believe women’s empowerment takes away anything from men’s masculinity.

My sister was the only girl among seven brothers. She was tough; she had to be. She was a fantastic boxer and wrestler. She would have excelled if those sports were available for girls then.

As a man, I like to say bravo to women and I’m happy that today’s women have far more opportunities to compete athletically than they did a short 50 years ago.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

The real American way

EDITOR:

MHowever, the state is experiencing a spate of property crimes such as shoplifting, car burglaries and smash-and-grabs, as well as certain violent crimes. Unsurprisingly, crime is once again a potent political issue.

Retailers, law enforcement groups and local

The Rural Life

Have you heard of walking backward?

■ See WALTERS, page A7

Crime in the state makes a major comeback Forward,

It sounds wacky, but “retro-walking,” as it’s also known, is getting exposure lately as a healthful addition to a regular walking routine. I’ve been doing a little backward walking during my regular exercise walks for years now and recently the practice paid me a huge, unexpected dividend. More on that in a moment.

I ﬁrst learned about retro-walking from a physical therapist in the early 2000s. She had me walk backward on an inclining treadmill to strengthen my quadriceps (front of thighs) in order to counterbalance my overly tight hamstrings (back of thighs). Soon after that it occurred to me to try retro-walking on one of my outdoor walks. I discovered that walking backward down a hill felt kinder on my knees, while walking

r. Taylor, the cartoon that ran on the day your letter was published showed an empty store with broken glass, two o cers and the store owner. The ﬁrst o cer says, “Shoplifting is up 25%.” The second o cer asks, “What’s missing?” and then the owner says, “Consequences.”

That says it, Mr. Taylor, we are tired of the lawlessness in our country and the open border thanks to Biden/Harris policies. When President Trump pledged to build a wall at our border from the start the Democrats tried stopping him. So he went by our Constitution and laws, took them to court and won.

backward uphill provided a sort of “rest” when my legs got tired.

Recent articles and news reports have revealed a lot more about the benefits of backward walking. The practice requires you to stand up straighter while improving your balance and flexibility and reducing your risk of falling. Many also find that their normal walking gait becomes improved. In retro-walking, your toe lands first instead of your heel. This enables your ankle joint to cushion the step, thus easing the impact on your knee and hip joints. Moving backward is also extra work for your quads, which, as any physical therapist will tell you, helps to protect the health of your knees.

Retro-walking uses many of the same muscles as regular walking does, only in slightly di erent ways. Plus it engages other muscles, including

“President Trump wanted to get out of Afghanistan but he wanted a conditions-based withdrawal, meaning, ‘You do what we tell you to do and then we will start pulling troops back slowly as long as you abide by our rules.’ It’s President Trump and Mike Pompeo and they are talking to Taliban leadership in the room and they had one translator .... President Trump looked at the Taliban leader and said, ‘I want to leave Afghanistan but it’s going to be a conditionsbased withdrawal, and translator translate (this) ... ‘If you harm a hair on a single American I am going to kill you’ and the translator (hesitates) and Trump goes, ‘TELL HIM WHAT I SAID,’ reached in his pocket, pulled out a satellite photo of the leader of the Taliban’s home and handed it to him, got up and walked out of the room. Do you know that for 18 months not a single American was killed in Afghanistan?”

Then President Trump lost in 2020 and all hell broke loose when Biden withdrew from Afghanistan. We lost 13 brave soldiers, not to mention many U.S. citizens stranded there.

The attempted assassination of President Trump was very sad. I believe God blessed him that day. Unfortunately, shots went into the stand and a father quickly covered his daughter and wife with his body; he took a bullet and died. He is a hero. Two others in the stands were hit and are recovering and I’m praying for them.

I’ve heard some people say the shooter should have taken lessons to shoot better, cursing that he missed. Those people don’t love America but want violence. I would never want that to happen to President Biden.

I want you to know that you go to the ballot box and vote; that’s the America I love.

Retro-walking uses many of the same muscles as regular walking does, only in slightly di erent ways. Plus it engages other muscles, including your gluteals …

your gluteals —butt muscles — which creates extra stretching for your hip ﬂexors. This, in turn, can help alleviate pain in your lower back.

Walking backward also requires you to think carefully about how you’re moving, a challenge that’s good for your brain and promotes full-body coordination.

Safety, obviously, is a consideration. Experts say the ideal way to begin is on a treadmill, where you can slow it down and use the hand rails for balance in the beginning. When you’re ready to try it outside, go with a friend and take turns with one of you walking backward while the other serves as a guide.

I retro-walk only on smooth, level stretches of the quiet private roads near my home. I always walk forward ﬁrst over any section I plan to travel backward on to ensure there’s nothing on the blacktop to stumble over. I

use the side of the road as a visual guide to keep me from angling o the pavement. I learned quickly that when walking backward down a steepish incline (which is very doable and kind of fun), you can steady your balance any time you need to simply by bending your upper body forward. This instantly brings your center of balance back under your control so you don’t feel as if you might tip over backward, down the slope.

And that brings me to the unexpected dividend of my retrowalking — that is, how it saved my bacon in a di erent context.

I was playing “soccer” with my border collie/blue heeler cross, Gia. (I kick the ball, she chases and pounces on it, growling menacingly. Fun for us both.) On the day in question, I

MEYER, page A7

DAWN IRISH El Dorado Hills

JENNIFER FORSBERG MEYER

DAN WALTERS

Walters Continued from A6

government o cials, angered that the Legislature seemed to ignore their pleas, qualiﬁed a ballot measure, Proposition 36, that would boost punishments for some crimes, partially repealing Proposition 47, a 2014 ballot measure that reduced certain penalties.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders tried to fashion a softer countermeasure for the ballot but couldn’t get it done, primarily because Democrats were not uniﬁed. They did, however, put together a 10-bill package that doesn’t go as far as Prop. 36 in cracking down on crime.

When Newsom signed the bills earlier this month at a Home Depot in San Jose, he called it “the most signiﬁcant legislation to address property crime in modern California history,” adding, “This goes to the heart of the issue, and it does it in a thoughtful and judicious way.”

Prop. 36 advocates weren’t impressed, saying, “State leaders have had years to address California’s crime and drug crises, yet little has been done to tackle the root causes. These newly passed legislative bills are half measures, failing to address the fundamental issues of habitual repeat theft, the

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

fentanyl epidemic, and the ongoing homelessness crisis, which remains unaddressed due to the lack of strong incentives for drug treatment.”

By happenstance, as Newsom was signing the 10 bills, UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies released a poll that found Prop. 36 leading by a whopping 56% to 23%. It’s an impressive and perhaps unassailable margin, reﬂecting Californians’ renewed concerns about crime.

One looming uncertainty is whether Newsom will be content with the legislative package or will mount a full-ﬂedged campaign to defeat Prop. 36.

As it stands, the anti-Prop. 36 coalition consists of liberal groups, some progressive legislators and some union o cials, but doesn’t appear to have the millions of dollars that a serious opposition campaign would require.

Newsom has the money or could raise it, but he’s been spending much of his time and fundraising lately on increasing his national political standing.

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

Forsberg Meyer

made a bad kick and the ball rolled over the edge of our ﬂat play area, down a short slope and into thick brush.

I found a long stick, stepped cautiously a couple feet down the slope and ﬁshed the ball partway up. Then I slipped in soft footing, twisted and suddenly found myself about to fall over backward down the slope.

Here I should clarify the brush in question was chamise, or greasewood, common in our area and very unforgiving.

I had two thoughts in quick succession. The ﬁrst was, “Really?! After all I’ve done to guard against falling, I’m going to fall here, backward, down a slope, into brush with branches like shish kabob spikes?”

But the second thought — and it wasn’t a thought as much as a muscle memory — was, “Tipping backward? Bend forward!”

Which I did, and like magic the fall was halted. My balance restored, I was able to climb back up easily onto the ﬂat area.

At that point, I stopped to marvel at the fact that the bend-forward move that saved me was exactly as I’d learned it while walking backward down a slope.

And I’ll tell you what: If that were to be the only beneﬁt I ever received from retro-walking, it would be worth it.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of Friends With Four Legs. Leave a comment for her online or, for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@gmail.com.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the rst 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 Sheri ’s o ce, 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 rst and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY

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

Fire crews had to utilize portable water tanks and water tenders to combat a fire involving multiple disabled vehicles and trailers on private property on Mt. Aukum Road early Sunday morning. Though the fire was kept to just 1/10th an acre in size, it took crews three hours to stop the flames and mop up the scene.

Multi-vehicle blaze doused Sunday

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

County

ﬁreﬁghters quelled a small

materials strewn between them, according to EDCFPD Capt. Jacob Poganski.

fire involving multiple vehicles and trailers on Mt. Aukum Road near the North Fork of the Cosumnes River bridge early on Aug. 25. El Dorado County Fire Protection District firefighters, with assistance from the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit and Diamond Springs-El Dorado and Pioneer fire protection districts, worked for more than three hours to contain and mop up the 1/10th-acre

ﬁre that involved multiple disabled vehicles. Three travel trailers and four vehicles were involved in the ﬁre, with a large amount of accumulated

Plea

Continued from A1

the only person in the vehicle. The arresting o cer, California Highway Patrol o cer James Rebolcaba, noted Chambers was visibly intoxicated and impaired; given their proximity to the roadside and Chambers’ di culty in staying standing, Rebolcaba opted to not conduct a ﬁeld sobriety test. Later, in custody, Chambers did not comply with attempts to conduct a chemical blood alcohol level test; o cers had to get a warrant to draw blood. Results of the blood test conducted by the California Department of Justice indicated Chambers had a blood alcohol content level of .29, and that she had been under the inﬂuence of marijuana. While in custody Chambers was noted to have repeatedly asked, “Where is my husband?” though Rebolcaba explained the question did not make sense at the time, as Chambers had said she was the sole occupant of the vehicle during the crash. Disregarded details at the scene of the incident, including an unexplained pair of men’s dress shoes at the side of the road, paired with Chambers’ question was seen in a new light the following day.

More than 12 hours after the crash, Visman was found dead in brush and trees at the side of the road, directly next to where the accident took place. His body was still dressed in the formal wear he had worn to the wedding. An autopsy conducted on Visman discovered

Continued from A1

Lacking any nearby hydrants, firefighting e orts had to rely on portable water tanks and water tenders. While crews battled the fire, California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce sta maintained a road closure on Mt. Aukum Road/ E-16 for three hours. Poganski indicated the trailers and vehicles were on a “nuisance” property, not a campground or sanctioned business. No structures were damaged and no injuries reported, according to o cials. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

fatal wounds investigators believed were caused by a high-speed impact into an I-beam that supported the guardrail, consistent with the theory he had been ejected from a vehicle after a high-speed collision. Visman experienced brain injury, two large puncture wounds through his back, internal bleeding, a lacerated spleen, a compound fracture of his right leg and excessive blunt force trauma. The autopsy concluded he was likely unconscious immediately after ejection from the vehicle and would have died within minutes of the incident.

Investigators from the CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team reconstructed the accident days later. Data obtained from the Mercedes indicated it had been traveling at a peak speed of 77 mph within ﬁve seconds of impact, signiﬁcantly faster than the posted speed limit of 40 mph on that stretch of the highway. Retrieved data also indicated the driver of the vehicle had been using a seatbelt but the passenger seatbelt was either not being used or being used incorrectly.

Chambers is scheduled to return to the El Dorado County Courthouse in Placerville 10 a.m. on Oct. 4 for judgement and sentencing. Though the indicated sentence mentioned by the court was 10 years, victims still need to be consulted; multiple victim impact statements are expected to be read at the sentencing hearing.

blaze at the Prospector’s Plaza shopping center shortly after 6:30 p.m. Though crews were able to stop the fire from fully consuming neighboring businesses The Habit Burger Grill and O’Reilly Auto Parts, Freshmex Express was completely destroyed by the flames, according to EDCFPD Capt. Jacob Poganski. One occupant of the strip mall sustained minor injuries and was transported to Marshall. Investigators suspect the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction and are continuing to investigate the scene for details. The damage to the building was significant, with EDCFPD o cials

estimating 25% of the building to be a complete loss with remaining portions of the structure damaged by ﬂames, smoke and water damage. Damage to the structure is estimated to be nearly $2.2 million, with an additional damages of $2.3 million accounting for equipment, furniture and products lost by occupants, Poganski said.

Owners of the destroyed restaurant took to social media to share the news and explain their hopes for the future. “It saddens us to say that yesterday our lovely restaurant caught ﬁre,” states a Facebook post on the Freshmex Express page. “We are working hard and diligently to restore our restaurant as fast as possible.”

Courtesy photo

Judge rules DA’s sexual assault case against EDCOE driver may go to trial

Odin Rasco Senior staff writer

All charges filed against an El Dorado County Office of Education van driver accused of sexually abusing developmentally disabled passengers were judged suitable to take to trial during a pretrial hearing Monday, Aug. 19.

TARIK MANASRAH

Closing out more than two hours of testimony provided by witnesses and investigators, Judge Mark Ralphs ruled the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office had presented suitable — though possibly shaky in the case of one charge — evidence to bring eight felony sex charges and one misdemeanor charge against Tarik Manasrah to trial. The felony charges include oral copulation, penetration, sodomy and sexual battery by force with a person incapable of giving consent.

Manasrah, 43, was arrested by El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office deputies Aug. 4, 2023, as part of an investigation into alleged sexual acts involving adult passengers on his driving route. Two adults have been identified in the DA’s case as potential victims, though a lawsuit against the Buckeye Union School District and EDCOE filed by parents claim two children, aged 8 and 4, were also sexually assaulted by Manasrah.

The investigation into Manasrah’s conduct began shortly after Randall Sherman, a service coordinator for the Alta California Regional Center, met a new client, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1. Doe 1, born in 2000, had recently graduated from EDCOE’s Pacific Street Adult Transition Program in Placerville and was going to Alta California to develop a personalized plan for services. During the meeting, Doe 1 claimed she had been sexually assaulted by her driver, who she named as “Ty;” Sherman, a mandated reporter, contacted EDSO shortly after the meeting concluded.

Investigations by EDSO detectives Katie Prescott and Marcos Sosa quickly discovered that “Ty” was a nickname used by Manasrah. When asked why she had not told anyone sooner, Doe 1 explained that the driver knew where she lived and she that she was scared. Doe 1’s mother recounted to detectives a time where she had been worried, as her daughter

was much later arriving home than normal, which the DA’s case asserts was likely the day some of the alleged acts took place.

Doe 1 told investigators of a time where Manasrah allegedly moved her to the back of the van — which detectives indicated had tinted windows — and forced himself upon her. Prescott told the court Doe 1 claimed to have asked Manasrah to “stop torturing her” during the incident.

Doe 1 expressed concern for a friend, another passenger on Manasrah’s route, who now sat in the front seat, where she had sat. Detectives spoke to this girl, identified as Jane Doe 2 in court transcripts, who was a year younger than Doe 1. Doe 2, also a person with developmental disabilities, had challenges communicating during the interview, according to detectives, but some of her responses raised red flags. When going through a photo lineup, Doe 2 identified the picture of Manasrah as “my boyfriend,” according to detectives. When asked how she knew him, she responded “he does happy.”

Doe 2’s testimony is the foundation for the charge Ralphs noted as potentially shaky — the misdemeanor charge of lewd and lascivious acts with a dependent adult by a caretaker. The charge is based on Doe 2’s saying Manasrah had told her to keep a secret about the “hugs” they had.

“Count 9 is thin, but you can make an inference through testimony,” Ralphs explained at the end of the hearing. “There’s no reason for hugs to be a secret, if they’re just a hug.”

Manasrah’s van had been a pilot program for EDCOE, utilizing in-vehicle cameras for routes where radio contact may drop while going through rural parts of the county. The pilot began in February 2023, according to information Sosa acquired from EDCOE, but in at least one instance an EDCOE employee noted that Manasrah had covered the camera’s view with an object.

Manasrah is scheduled to return to the El Dorado County Superior Courthouse in Placerville on Aug. 30 for an arraignment on the information; if he does not change his plea at that time, a jury trial date will be set.

completed, The

will include

Crossings Continued from A1

and not have to drive 40 minutes to go shopping in Folsom and then 40 minutes back, you’ve just gained two hours in your day and saved $20 in fuel. It matters where you’re able to shop.”

The shopping center is expected to generate a couple hundred jobs while generating approximately $45 million to $50 million in annual sales, according to Grado. Another benefit the developer touts is the amount of property tax that will be paid to the county; roughly $350,000.

The location of Placerville in relation to the county is prime for the retail expansion and has generated interest for potential tenants due to its intersection of Highways 49 and 50, Grado added.

“Basically, the entire west slope is going to shop in Placerville; west of Strawberry, from south of Cool, from Plymouth to the north, Grizzly Flat to the south, and possibly Pollock Pines

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

and Camino are all going to shop in Placerville,” he said. “Much nicer to shop local than to have to go all the way to Folsom if you’re from Camino.

“The bottom line is, we want to make retailing available locally instead of having people drive down the hill,” Grado added.

Future plans on Grado’s development agenda include an RV campground and hotel adjacent to the The Crossings property. That project is in the planning stages.

In the meantime, Grado’s eyes are set on the success of The Crossings.

“We’ve appreciated the work at the agencies in the county to help bring this to fruition, from Planning and Building, DOT, El Dorado Irrigation District and El Dorado Fire Protection District, because none of this happens in a vacuum and we don’t take those commitments lightly from the standpoint of what it takes to get it all over the finish line,” Grado said.

by Chad Carpenter

by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The way things look and function is very important to you, and your sophistication in this area will influence others. Your attention to detail will serve you well, though not everyone will appreciate it as they should.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s beauty hiding in plain sight, waiting for you to discover it, and when you do, it will seem like it was meant just for you -- and who is to say it wasn’t? Beauty if often available only to those with an eye for it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Complaining is the first instinct. Your next one will be far more useful, though. You’ll describe a problem to the people who can help and suddenly find yourself in the company of fixers, and you may just be the head fixer yourself.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll find yourself in a unique position to bring harmony where it’s needed. Your mood is even, your action logical, your position stable. This will be attractive to solid supporters and agents of chaos alike, but you can handle what comes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There is no “after” without the “before.” Take pictures even if you don’t think there’s a reason to. This will all change, and you’ll be happy for the record.

Tonight is ideal for making plans, especially the grand kind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It is possible to live in a castle and still feel poor inside because true wealth involves riches of the soul. The heart-guided decisions you make today will grow the riches that matter.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sometimes, we don’t realize what we truly want until we see others having it. Use envy as a compass, guiding you toward your buried desire so you can bring it to the surface, pursue and embrace it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ve been known to lead others without appearing to, which is brilliant, though in your case could also be a subconscious instinct that even you don’t realize it yourself. The result will be a devoted following.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov.

CAPRICORN (Dec.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Contrary to the saying, love isn’t blind, but infatuation is. When the ego creates an

with

TUNDRA

RUBES

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

When

Crossings at El Dorado

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Move to the largest senior apartments in

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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

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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.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Aug. 28

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

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Fairview,” Aug. 28 through Sept. 29 as it kicks o its 20th anniversary season. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.

Sugaray Rayford will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Valhalla Tahoe. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Aug. 29

Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts After Five, a barbecue trip tip dinner with wine and music by Out of the Blue, 5:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP required. Visit crystalbasin. com or email rsvp@ crystalbasin.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.

El Dorado Hills Town Center will be rockin’ with a free concert, 7-9 p.m., featuring the Folsom Lake Symphony. Visit EDHTownCenter.com for all the details.

Green Room Unplugged Artists will perform the music of Prince at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Aug. 30

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

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

Aug. 31

Exit 60 will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/ live-music.

Snowline Health

Dementia Connection

hosts Living Well with Dementia – Caregiver Self-care, 5:30-7 p.m. at 1100 Marshall Way, Room D upstairs, Placerville. This free, in person and online group is for caregivers. Caring for a person living with dementia can be rewarding and challenging. Too much stress can harm both the caregiver and the person they support. Healthy self-care can help individuals manage stress, gain skills to better address challenges and learn to thrive as a caregiver. Self-care is not sel sh; in this course, the group will support each other in learning about and sharing tactics to improve their selfcare.

Del no Farms in Camino presents Folk on the Farm, 6-10 p.m., with Davey and The Midnights. For more information visit del nofarms.com/ folkonthefarm.

The California State Railroad Museum and Foundation welcome guests aboard the historical Sacramento Southern Railroad. Enjoy a 50-minute scenic train ride along the Sacramento River and

Celebrate zinfandel

Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor

Raise a glass for the sixth annual Fair Play Zin Fest on Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at ﬁve wineries in southern El Dorado County. The festivities take place 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Zinfandel grapes came to California during the Gold Rush and have been planted in many areas in the Golden State but really thrive in the Fair Play area. The unique qualities found in the south county resulted in the sanctioning of Fair Play as an American Viticultural Area in El Dorado County, California, United States. The AVA is entirely contained within the boundaries of the El Dorado AVA and the Sierra Foothills AVA. The boundaries of the Fair Play AVA include rolling hills at elevations between 2,000 feet and 3,000 feet above sea level, making it the California appellation with the highest average elevation. The most popular wine grape variety is zinfandel.

Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. DNA analysis revealed it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag, as well as to the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Apulia, Italy, where it was introduced in the 18th century, and Kratošija in Montenegro.

The fabulous ﬁ ve

Bumgarner Winery and Vineyard, 7380 Vineyard View Drive — Stop by for a culinary celebration where Asian-inspired ﬂavors meet exquisite wines. Savor the taste of char siu pork, indulge in Asian dumplings and enjoy refreshing tropical fruit and cucumber salads, all perfectly paired with the ﬁnest zinfandel and a selection of other delightful wines. Don’t miss this unique fusion of food and wine. Live music on Saturday is by Tamra Godey, noon to 3 p.m., and Sunday by Patrick Walsh, noon to 3 p.m.

Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, 8221 Stoney Creek Road — Experience a true, ﬁre-belching French pizza oven where guests will taste di erent pizzas, including The King Charles Supreme and more to pair with an assortment of the award-winning zinfandels. By the way, it is an all-you-can-eat pizza day.

Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery, 3625 Omo Ranch Road — See how well zinfandel pairs with a little exotic spicing. Golden Leaves is serving a variety of meats and vegetables simmered in a delicious broth served over ﬂu y couscous or gluten-free quinoa. Finish with American chocolate brownies and the wine-marinated strawberry shortcake. Dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options will be available.

After making its way to California it has survived many iterations from white zinfandel to zinfandels with levels of alcohol exceeding 15%.

The wines from Fair Play showcase the grape at its best with complex ﬂavors thanks to the terroir and skills of vineyard managers and winemakers.

To enjoy the wines crafted from this enigmatic grape get tickets to visit wineries celebrating the award-winning zinfandels the region is famous for. Each ticket includes a food and wine pairing at ﬁve premium Fair Play AVA wineries, live music, a commemorative wine glass, access to fantastic discounts, a chance at one of ﬁve gift baskets valued at more than $250 and more.

Tickets are available at fairplayzinfest.com. When purchasing tickets pick a winery to check in at and begin a fun day. Tasting tickets are $65 and designated driver tickets are $20.

Live music on Saturday is by Cynthia Renee, noon to 3 p.m., and Sunday by Ed Wilson, noon to 3 p.m. Perry Creek Winery, 7400 Perry Creek Road — Get ready for an extraordinary sensory experience at Perry Creek, where ﬂavors, melodies and ﬁne wines unite for an unforgettable event. Savor the authentic Mexican cuisine from the talented team at Tacos Brambila, featuring a mouthwatering al pastor street taco and crispy tortilla chips with house-made queso dip.

The rich, savory ﬂavors of the al pastor, with its marinated pork and blend of spices, perfectly complement the bold and fruity notes of the zinfandel wines, creating a harmonious balance. The creamy, slightly spicy queso dip adds another layer of delight, enhancing the zinfandel’s vibrant character.

To elevate this culinary journey, Perry Creek will pour its exceptional ZinMan Zinfandel, multiple vintages of Altitude

Friends of the Library News release

Labor Day has special signiﬁcance to a group of volunteers at the Pollock Pines Library. It’s time for the Fall Book Sale to beneﬁt both readers and the historical public library. It’s one of two fundraisers put on by the Friends of the Library that help purchase books for the Pollock Pines Library and pay for needed improvements and upkeep.

The popular sale will be held under the local Safeway breezeway, 6498 Pony Express Trail, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Book lovers can choose from hundreds of books that appeal to a variety interests including nonfiction as well as romance, mystery, historical fiction and children’s books — all at bargain prices. Shoppers can fill a Safeway-size shopping bag for just $5. Electronic payments will be accepted with a small additional charge to o set fees.

The Pollock Pines Library is one of the community’s most treasured resources. It grew from modest beginnings in 1951 to the cheerful ■ See ZIN FEST, page B3

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Zinfandel grapes have been a part of El Dorado County’s landscape since the Gold Rush. Taste the fruits of many winemakers’ labors at the upcoming Fair Play Zin Fest.

Courtesy photo

Friends of the Library volunteers are ready for the Aug. 30 book sale in Pollock Pines to help that community’s library continues its excellent programs and purchase new books.

Rescue USD receives impactful donation

The Rescue Union School District announced a generous donation from the Flaherty IMPACT Foundation — $5,000 in much-needed gift cards to support families in need within the district. This contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of many students and their families who are identified by staff as requiring high priority basic needs, from food and clothing to fuel to drive their children to and from school.

The Flaherty IMPACT Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance to youth in need. The foundation’s mission focuses on supporting displaced and homeless children, youth and families dealing with pediatric cancer and other lifethreatening diseases, and providing college scholarships for at-risk foster youth.

“This generous gift from the Flaherty IMPACT Foundation will have a profound impact on our community,” said RUSD

Superintendent Jim Shoemake. “It provides much-needed support to our families, ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. We are deeply thankful for their commitment to our children’s well-being.”

“At the Flaherty IMPACT Foundation, our sole focus is to provide assistance to youth in need. Kids — foremost and always,” shared founder Michael Flaherty. “We are so honored to support the Rescue Union School District and join them in their efforts to assist and impact the lives of children and families facing significant challenges. Together, we can make a difference.”

Dr. Jennifer Lawson, Rescue USD’s coordinator of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Special Programs, added, “This donation is a testament to the power of community and the positive impact that generosity can have on the lives of our students.”

For more information about the Flaherty IMPACT Foundation visit flahertyimpactfoundation.com.

Volunteers come out for fire relief efforts

Chris Ringnes

El Dorado Community Foundation

El Dorado County was once again rocked with mandatory evacuations resulting from a major wildfire within the community when the Crozier Fire started earlier this month. This time, the victims were from the communities in the northern part of our county, including Swansboro, Georgetown and Garden Valley. Relief was provided to more than 1,200 mandatory evacuees who were in dire need of financial assistance resulting from their evacuation to safety. This assistance was made possible through generous donations to the Community Relief Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation, including an incredible $25,000 donation from the California Fire Foundation. A huge thank you to

the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Placerville Police Department for their presence during distributions, Holiday Market in Cool for

providing a venue and the amazing volunteers who showed up in force to help ensure the distributions of this assistance went as smoothly as possible.

ARC promotes hikes, history and much more this fall

American River Conservancy News release

The American River Conservancy has announced its fall hikes and events, with activities available for all ages and abilities. All programs require online registration and are subject to change. No dogs allowed unless otherwise stated. Visit the ARC website for additional details and registration at ARConservancy.org/events.

Shadow Lake Trail Hike

Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— ARC board member Scott Vail will lead this free, 11-mile loop hike to Shadow Lake, southeast of Loon Lake off Luther Pass. The hike begins at Tells Creek trailhead off Icehouse Road and climbs over 5 miles to Shadow Lake. Wildflowers should be abundant and the views are excellent. This is a difficult hike due to the altitude, grown-over trail in places and fallen logs. Participants should be in good hiking shape. Well-behaved dogs on leash OK. Fit children ages 14 and older welcome. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area.

Plein Air Paint-Out at Wakamatsu Farm

Saturdays, Sept. 14 and Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Oct. 26, 2-5:30 p.m.

— Join artist David Yapp for a time of plein air painting at Wakamatsu Farm. “En plein air” is a French term meaning “in the open air” and refers to painting outdoors. Bring your own paints and equipment for a time of self-guided painting. You supply all your own materials and equipment (easel, canvas, oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.), choose your subject and enjoy the camaraderie of painting outdoors with other artists. Instruction not provided. We encourage meeting together for picnic lunch after the morning session. Rain cancels. All painting levels welcome. Responsible children 12 and older welcome (with adult supervision). Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Cost: $15/members, $20/nonmembers.

Sogetsu Ikebana Classes

Sundays, Sept. 15, Oct. 13 and Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Instructor Yasmin Spiegel is a sensei (teacher) in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana: Japanese flower arranging. Children (8 and older) may attend as long as they accompany an adult. Cost: $35/members, $40/non-members. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area.

• Sept. 15 — Baskets: Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower design, can n See ARC, page B4

Courtesy photo

RUSD Superintendent Jim Shoemake, left, accepts a generous gift on behalf of district students and families from Michael Flaherty.

Courtesy photo

Volunteers Dina Gentry, Shelbi Bennett and Nikki Smaglik, front left to right, join El Dorado Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Pooley, back, during a distribution event to help Crozier Fire evacuees.

Celebrating volunteers — the power behind every community

UC Master Gardeners are dedicated community members who undergo extensive training through the University of California.

Tracy Celio UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

After completing a rigorous 18-week course, these volunteers become valuable community educators. They bridge the gap between university research and everyday practice, translating scientific knowledge into practical advice that helps people enhance their gardens, homes and landscapes.

In El Dorado County, 163 volunteers contribute by extending researchbased knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices. Master Gardeners address critical topics such as fire-wise landscaping, home hardening, planting trees for the future, food security, smart irrigation, water-wise plant selection and identifying invasive plant and pest species. They also offer engaging classes on growing delicious vegetables, landscape design, flower cultivation and creating gardens that attract pollinators.

In January 2024, 26 county residents began training weekly through lecture, reading, hands-on activities, homework and exams to become UC Master Gardener volunteers. In May they graduated and are now joining the ranks of volunteers in El Dorado County. These volunteers bring new energy and perspective, and they also do important work with adults and youth across our county. Please welcome the 2024 graduates: Anne Carney, Cathy Alexander, Christi Jella, Christine Williams, Christy Quinlan, Christy Calderon, Dave Ellis, Eric Lauritzen, Heather Pica, Jackie Shipley, J Bowker, Janis Combellack, Janna Weiss, Jim Lawson, Joan Rasmussen, Joy Martin, Ken Masterman, Marge Gorthy, Patricia Rozenoff, Rich Mangel, Rita Edwards, Sara Elledge, Shelley Joyer, Susie King, Terry Trujillo and Virginia Tahmahkera.

If you visit the Sherwood Demonstration Garden on a class field trip, you might have the pleasure of meeting Dolores Morrison, a key leader providing youth programs in our demonstration garden. Dolores guides students through engaging and memorable experiential gardenbased curriculum. In addition to teaching, she writes articles, educates us on the importance of recordkeeping, tends to the demonstration garden and collaborates with partner organizations, Ag in the Classroom, Fields of Learning and The American River Conservancy. Celebrating a decade as a dedicated Master Gardener volunteer, Dolores has accumulated an impressive 2,550 volunteer hours.

There are seven volunteers who have made the five-year milestone in 2024: Lois Vanderville, Martha Hutchinson, Veronica Salter, Gloria Spencer, Gail Butler, Donna H., and Elissa Bunn. This group of incredible volunteers took class together in 2019 and were spirited and engaged from day one. Upon graduating they took on leadership of the Master Gardener space at the county fair, board and committee leadership positions,

from B1

Zinfandel and the prestigious Premier Cobra Zinfandel. Each wine offers unique nuances that pair exquisitely with the robust flavors of the tacos and queso. Adding to the experience, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. enjoy the enchanting melodies of Jessie Hendrinks on the Spanish guitar, creating a captivating atmosphere.

garden maintenance, facilitating classes with Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises and teaching public education classes.

UC Master Gardeners earn a gold badge upon completing 1,000 hours of service and this year we are excited to recognize Muriel Stephenson, Ruth Haynes and Gail Butler.

Every April, Master Gardeners organize a major plant sale, featuring plants selected for their suitability to our region and cultivated by volunteers. Muriel plays a pivotal role in this event, leading the vegetable production segment and managing all activities on sale day. Despite challenging weather conditions like pouring rain and wind in recent years, Muriel and her team diligently prepare for the sale. She expertly oversees seed selection, nurtures hundreds of plants and mentors fellow volunteers, resulting in thousands of thriving vegetable starts for the community. Her positive attitude makes her a pleasure to work with. Muriel also teaches tomato classes and is a core leader in the Vegetable Garden at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden.

Ruth joined the Master Gardener Program in 2016 and immediately began assisting with public education. In a short time, she was coordinating classes as a board member, which is a huge job. Ruth attends almost every class and makes sure that we have public educational programs all year round. Whether outside at the garden or at one of the many indoor class locations across the county, Ruth is there to welcome our community with a smile, assist volunteer speakers, organizes supplies and communicate back to the board and UC staff. She is a joy to work with and we celebrate her 1,000 hours of service with a Gold Master Gardener name badge.

Gail is celebrating 1,000 hours and five years of volunteering. Behind the scenes, Gail organizes tours and coordinates volunteer staffing for the demonstration garden. She dedicates hours each month to ensure that volunteer needs are met, and coverage is provided where necessary. Gail also manages the county fair horticulture building and adopt-a-spot spaces for Master Gardeners. Her efforts, along with her committee, have made the fair spaces both beautiful and educational, earning Master Gardeners the esteemed Golden Johnny Award for best décor and display in 2022, 2023 and 2024. We thank and commend all our volunteers who contribute to educating and inspiring the El Dorado County community and look forward to engaging with you all in the coming months and years.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_ Education_Classes/?calendar=y es&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_ Education/Classes. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the

Toogood Estate Winery, 7280 Fair Play Road — Visit Toogood to enjoy six different zinfandels, each deliciously paired with a small appetizer. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Fair Play AVA and cool off in the Cool Wine Cave where guests will be sampling an assortment of fantastic wines and ports. Enjoy some live music on the crush pad while soaking in the beauty of this unique wine region.

Book sale Continued from B1

bungalow that currently offers speakers, educational activities and special summer classes. Librarian Kris Spiegelberg welcomes all visitors to the library from the youngest children who come for fun get-togethers to adults with favorite authors.

Friends of the Library has been essential to the upkeep and growth of the library. The group raises money to purchase new equipment, such as a new circulation/reception desk, and

“Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr. edu, or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To

sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master_gardener_enews. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

materials for educational programs like the STEAM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Over recent years, FOL has been the sole source for purchasing new books for the library. With the help of the local Dogwood Garden Club, FOL members also care for landscaping and maintenance of the library grounds. For more information visit pollockpineslibrary.org.

Photo by Audrey Brandt

The UCCE Master Gardener program in El Dorado County is successful thanks to many volunteers like Virginia Salter.

Zin Fest Continued

...to our NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION sponsors

...And to our generous subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

HFW Enterprises, LLC

49’er Bail Bond

Aborn Powers Property Management

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust

Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Artistic Beads & Studio CAPTRUST

Carbon Copy

Conforti Plumbing

Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado County Fair

El Dorado Irrigation District

EN2 Resources, Inc.

Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community

Mountain Roofing Systems

Sierra Valley Enterprises, LLC

The Greenhouse Café

Triangle Well Drilling

Western Sign Co., Inc.

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper.

NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation.

Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

take many unusual and sometimes surprising forms. We use many materials, leaves and branches to create beautiful designs. In this lesson we will make baskets with rattan, curly willow and rolled paper. These baskets will be free formed, each one a unique expression of the feelings of you, the creator. The flowers, leaves and branches that are added are accents to your arrangement.

• Oct. 13 — Working with bamboo: Bamboo, as a material, is revered in Japanese flower arranging. The strikingly smooth outer surface can be used as a water container by cutting windows between segments. The stalks can be split in half and the inside can be covered with paint or paper to add a new design to your arrangement. In some cases, structures can be built from bamboo alone. The leaves are another texture and offer contrast to the straight lines of the stalks. Cutting the stalks into slim circles expands the possible design options. We will explore these various methods of including bamboo in Ikebana.

• Nov. 17 — Midolino belts: Midolino is made up of long, thin pieces of rattan, which is very flexible and elegant. In this lesson we will make “belts” by laying six pieces of midolino side by side and tying them together with raffia covered wire. The resulting sculpture is a long, flexible ribbon of light wood, which can then be included in any floral design. Two or more “belts” can be strung together to enhance the movement of your arrangement.

Family Herbalist Program with Candis

Saturdays, Sept. 14, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 14, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Join Candis Cantin in learning the basics of Western herbology while integrating it with the systems of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. This six-month course will include medicinemaking, plant ID, how to treat acute ailments, use of tonic herbs and food for strengthening vitality as well as how to harvest local herbs for medicine. You will learn about your own constitutional needs and ways to balance yourself for better health and wellbeing. There will be lots of tasting, smelling and hands-on experience with the herbs. Candis has years of experience in growing and processing herbs for medicinal use, is well versed in wild plant identification, and is proficient in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Western herbal traditions. She is notable for her capacity to teach in a way that makes the information accessible to the students and easily applied to their lives. Responsible and quiet 12-year-olds and older welcome. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Cost $480 with a $20 discount if paid in full by Sept. 1. Payment plan available. Visit Candis’ website at evergreenherbgarden.org.

Magical Moonlight Mountain Bike Ride

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

destroyed the lives of 120,000 Japanese Americans at the onset of World War II. From the windswept prison camps of the American West to the battlefields of Europe, ‘Kintsukuroi’ follows the lives of two of those families who lost everything except their dignity.” Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Cost: $25. Profits benefit Wakamatsu Farm.

Autumn in the Home Orchard

Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Class taught by Ryan Bell of Foothill Orchard Care. Ryan will discuss the basics and benefits of cover cropping and organic soil amendments applied in the fall. In this hands-on workshop, we will spread amendments and sow cover crop seed in the volunteer orchard. Rain postpones to Oct. 19. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Cost: $40/members, $45/nonmembers

Where

History and Nature Connect – Locally!

Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Retired teacher, local history buff and long-time ARC member Keith Atwater will share his knowledge of history on this free, two-site visit to Georgetown. First, we’ll visit the Stifle Mine Claim/Traverse Creek Special Interest Area on this easy, educational walk. We will see where gold, vesuvianite, serpentinite, and chrome were mined, where Miwok Chief Coppa Hembo was born, learn about a long-ago grizzly bear encounter and maybe spot a rare wildflower. Part two includes a walk through the Georgetown Nature Area with more Miwok and mining history, for a total of 2 easy miles. Well-behaved dogs on leash OK. Recommended for history and geology buffs ages 8 and older. Meeting location Georgetown area.

Zen Meditation and Qigong in the Wakamatsu Garden

Sunday, Oct. 20, 10-11:30 a.m. — Join local mindfulness instructor Berry Crawford for a peaceful and relaxing event at the beautiful and historical Wakamatsu farm. This event will include sessions of Qigong, mindfulness meditation and walking meditation. Learn to relax, recharge and let go with these ancient and effective practices. Responsible/quiet 12-year-olds and older welcome. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Suggested donation: $5/ members, $10/non-members.

Forest Bathing Walk at Wakamatsu Farm

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools. Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Please show these sponsors your support for the program by patronizing their businesses.

— Enjoy this free, moonlit adventure with experienced rider Tom Judy. Tom will take this group on an easy paced 1- to 1.5-hour ride through Cronan Ranch. Cronan is a perfect place to view the night sky under a full moon. Tom has 37 years of mountain biking experience, and most of it (23 years) riding and leading mountain bike tours on the Divide. Mike Bean, who will be riding sweep, is also an avid biker who has helped build miles of trails on ARC-acquired land. Unclear sky cancels. Meeting location Pilot Hill area. Ages 15 and older welcome.

Stargazing

on the Farm

Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. to midnight — The autumn sky will glow above the Wakamatsu Farm dark sky as we explore the celestial wonders offered. Among these will be the glittering Milky Way, Saturn with its majestic rings and the small blue disk of distant Neptune. We might also witness the explosion of a distant nova. Constellations will be pointed out and mythologies explained. Unclear skies cancel. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Quiet children welcome. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers.

Movie Night

Saturday, Oct. 19, 5:30-8 p.m. — Enjoy a viewing of “Kintsukuroi” at Wakamatsu Farm, where much of the movie was filmed. The evening will start with live music and end with Q&A from the director. “With a stroke of his pen President Roosevelt

Saturday, Oct. 26: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Forest bathing is an immersive experience in nature, a simple, guided walk designed to support health and wellness. On this 1-mile walk around the lake you will have an opportunity to slow down, quiet your mind and experience the natural world through your senses and the infinite wonders of nature. Along the way you will be guided through a series of carefully crafted invitations for you to explore and engage your sensory experience and promote a deeper connection with nature. Susan Reed is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy. Susan takes her passion for hiking and backpacking and couples this with a long career in corporate population health management and well-being to bring people to a connection with the natural world. Adults only please. Meeting location in Placerville/Gold Hill area. Suggested donation: $10/ members, $15/non-members.

Forni Meadow Hike

Sunday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Hike to Forni Meadows from Wrights Road with a side trip to Forni Lake, time permitting. As the trail ascends to Forni Meadow we will pass through old growth red fir and associated vegetation with views of the Crystal Range and the mountains south of Highway 50. While the free hike is through the Caldor Burn scar, there is a lot of new growth and Forni meadow is untouched. This is a moderate hike of 8-10 miles with 1,000-foot elevation change. Well-behaved dog on-leash and fit 12-year-olds and older welcome. Scott Vail, a longtime ARC board member and supporter, worked in numerous aviation and fire management positions with the U.S. Forest Service before retiring recently. Meeting location in Placerville area.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Betty Sederquist, local photographer and teacher, will guide you through this short, fun workshop where she will teach you the basics of phone photography and peek at some of the many photo apps available. Although iPhones are preferred, we can work with most newer phones. You’ll receive a list of apps to download the week of the class. 14-year-olds and older welcome. Meeting location in Gold Hill/Placerville area. Cost: $45/members, $55/non-members.

Historic Placerville Area Cemeteries Tour

Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Join volunteer, educator and longtime ARC supporter Keith Atwater. He will lead these historically fascinating tours of three cemeteries: Smith Flat, Upper Town and Old Town. As you examine many Victorian era headstones, you’ll learn about the people who came here during and after the Gold Rush and where they came from. Visit the graves of European immigrants, Civil War veterans, Masons, Odd Fellows and their families, and hear the interpretations of the many symbols and adornments that were so popular. This 1-mile walk is for quiet children 8 and older. Well-behaved dog on leash OK. Meeting location in Placerville area. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers.

Capturing Wakamatsu: A Poetry Walk & Workshop

Sunday, Nov. 3, noon to 2 p.m. — Taylor Graham, El Dorado County’s first poet laureate, and award-winning Sacramento-area poet Katy

Brown will lead an exploration of farmhouse, barn and surroundings, then ask participants to write a poem inspired by what they’ve experienced. Any who wish may share their poems with the group and ARC. Children 8 and older welcome with adult supervision. Meeting location Gold Hill/Placerville area. Suggested donation: $5/ members, $10/non-members.

Pine Needle Basket Class

Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Learn the technique of coiling and how to start a basket out of pine needles in this one-day workshop led by basket-maker and ARC member Nettie Fox. This class is appropriate for all levels, beginning through advanced. All materials will be provided and space is limited. You will receive information on collecting, storing and dyeing pine needles. Learn all about materials, embellishments and a little history on the art of pine needle basketmaking. Additional supplies will be available for purchase. Ages 12 and older welcome, with adult supervision. Meeting location Gold Hill/ Placerville area. Cost: $40/members, $50/nonmembers.

Fall Bird Walk at Knickerbocker Creek

Sunday, Nov. 17, 8 a.m. to noon — Tim and Angela Jackson will lead this free fall walk to see where songbirds, raptors and water birds can be found. Tim maintains a website (eldoradobirds. com) on birdwatching in El Dorado County. Angela is a local writer and photographer. This is a slow-paced, easy-moderate hike of 3-4 miles. Quiet, mature children 8 and older welcome. Meeting location in Cool area.

Marshall to host a dementia symposium

Marshall presents On Two Fronts, a day-long symposium focused on caring for those with dementia. It is hosted at no cost and in partnership with Snowline Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Association, El Dorado County’s Area Agency on Aging and the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center.

Attendees will be treated to a day of learning with national experts, breakout classes and a resource fair with more than 20 area dementia services/ vendors to help prepare for life’s eventualities. Valet and respite services will be available. A complimentary lunch will be provided.

Speakers are Laura Wayman, “the dementia whisperer” and author of “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care,” and Dr. Shawn Kile, leading neurologist with a focus on dementia research and treatment.

The event takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. To register visit marshallmedical.org/events-calendar/eventdetails/?Event=43972.

Available for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, & one time cleaning. Reliable, honest, and has over 20 years of experience.

margaritalherrera@icloud.com

Nurse celebrated for her ‘above-and-beyond’ care

Lauren Bachelder

Barton Health

OUTH LAKE

STAHOE — Sarah Balasanian, Registered Nurse with Barton’s Medical/ Surgical – Orthopedics Unit, was selected as a recipient of The DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. The award is in recognition of the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide to create a superior experience for patients and their families.

Balasanian was nominated by South Lake Tahoe resident Skylor Klitsch, whose nomination reads, “I had a stay overnight after major foot surgery. Sarah had the best bedside manner and truly went above and beyond — especially when I was in pain — ensuring my care and pain management was coordinated effectively. Words do not do her justice; she was truly amazing!”

Medical/surgical nurses are responsible for providing specialized care to patients admitted to the hospital with orthopedics conditions such as total hip replacement surgery and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, they perform

a wide array of duties including assessments, administering medications, wound care, monitoring postoperative recovery and providing education and support for the patient and family members.

Nurses may be nominated by patients and their families along with other staff and physicians, and the award recipient is chosen anonymously by a committee at Barton Health. As a

winner of The DAISY Award, Balasanian received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Awards are presented quarterly at celebrations often attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors. The DAISY Foundation is a not-

n See NURSE, page B7

News release

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. —

Through the generosity of its donors, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has once again broken its record on competitive grants made. The community foundation is proud to announce that it has granted nearly $400,000 through its Community Impact Grants in 2024, benefiting nonprofit organizations in the Lake Tahoe basin.

These annual competitive grants allow nonprofit organizations to request support focused on the community foundation’s five focus areas: well-being, education, arts and culture, environment and community engagement. Volunteer members serving on the community foundation’s Community Impact Committee review each grant proposal and award the most impactful opportunities.

Last year, the community foundation expanded this opportunity by inviting its Donor Advised Fund holders to co-invest in the Community Impact Grants by providing summaries of the proposals and giving them the opportunity to make grant recommendations from their funds. These co-investments, when combined with the community foundation’s funds, have led to backto-back record setting years for Community Impact Grants.

“The growth of support through co-investments in 2023 was extremely inspiring,” said Donor Services Director Mackenzie Little, “and when given this opportunity again in 2024, our donors were compelled to give even more.” These co-investment opportunities inform donors of direct needs and allow them the ability to expand the collective support for nonprofits serving the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Not only did donor co-investments increase, but the community foundation also allocated additional Community Impact Grant money in 2024. These combined increases mean that the community foundation granted out more than $100,000 more this year than last year and nearly doubled the number of organizations who were funded.

The 2024 Community Impact Grant recipients:

• Achieve Tahoe

• Adventure Risk Challenge

• Bike Tahoe

• Boys and Girls Club Lake Tahoe

• Boys and Girls Club North Lake Tahoe

• Bread and Broth

• Classical Tahoe

• Clean Up the Lake

• El Dorado Search and Rescue

• Encompass Youth

• Gateway Mountain Center

• Headwater Science Institute

• High Fives Foundation

• Incline Education Fund

• Lake Tahoe Community College

• Lake Tahoe Dance Collective

• League to Save Lake Tahoe

• Live Violence Free

• Pet Network Humane Society

• Read with Me

• Saint Joseph Community Land Trust

• Sierra Community House

• Sierra Nevada Alliance

• Sierra State Parks Association

• SOS Outreach

• Tahoe Arts Project

• Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless

• Tahoe Community Nursery School

• Tahoe Family Solutions

• Tahoe Institute for Natural Science

• Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue

Tahoe Prosperity Center

Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Tahoe Youth and Family Services • Tahoe’s Connection for Families • Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society Each year, the community foundation’s Giving for Good campaign raises funds that go back into the community through Community Impact Grants.

“When you invest in Giving for Good, you become part of our commitment to the Tahoe community through the support of our dedicated nonprofits,” said the community foundation’s CEO, Claudia Andersen. “Our donors who generously partnered with us through co-investment this year have helped us to increase this significant investment in our Tahoe community, touching the lives of every person who lives and plays at the lake.” For more details visit parasol.org.

Courtesy photo

Barton RN Sarah Balasanian received a DAISY Award for providing exceptional care.

experience railroading as it was in the early part of the last century. Rides are offered Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and more information visit californiarailroad.museum.

The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Indigenous Voices in Film from 2-4 p.m. For tickets and more information visit crockerart. org.

Sept. 1

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.

Sept. 2

Do you love to sew (or not sew) and support veterans? Sew4Vets is a fun group that meets twice a month (first Tuesday and second Thursday) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. Members sew walker bags, wheelchair bags, pillows and quilts for a number of California veterans hospitals, as well as veterans in local assisted-living homes. Non-sewers help with stringing drawstring bags, stuffing pillows and other “hands on” projects. All supplies furnished. Check us out at Sew4vets.org.

National Alliance on Mental Illness El Dorado County offers free, in-person family support groups monthly: 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in Placerville and 5:30-7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in South Lake Tahoe. For more information visit namieldoradocounty.org.

Sept. 3

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

Sept. 5

hosts Organize your Family History Paperwork at 1 p.m. Judy Keys will teach the Mary Hill Filing System. You’ll be amazed and motivated to do it. She will also have a follow-up class to actually put it together. For more information call (530) 621-1378.

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.

Marshall Hospital Auxiliary is looking for volunteers. Help people and make new friends. Interviews are held monthly. For more information call Norma at (530) 676-1844 or email grizzyq98@gmail. com.

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.

Broadway At Music Circus presents “Jersey Boys” at the UC Davis Health Pavilion in Sacramento through Sept. 1. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.

California Museum in Sacramento presents America at the Crossroads through Sept. 1. Discover the evolution of the guitar as the United States’ most popular instrument. For more information visit californiamuseum.org.

Registration is open for the Gold Country Run 5k/10k presented by Marshall in El Dorado Hills Town Center on Sept. 7. Register online at goldcountryrun.com.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “The Secret Garden” through Sept. 8. Shows run Saturday and Sundays at 1 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents The Proland Vase –Mania and Muse through Sept. 8. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Pickleball” at The Sofia in Sacramento through Sept. 22. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Arts and Culture El Dorado, in collaboration with the El Dorado County Historical Museum and Placerville News Company, host Specters on Glass: Studio Portraiture in Early 20th Century Placerville at the Switchboard Gallery through Oct. 6. The collection is a broad sampling of local citizenry captured on glass dry plate negatives, and sits firmly at the intersection of histories of place and histories of technology.

, 3275 Cedar Ravine in Placerville,

Nurse Continued from B6

for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses.

To learn more and nominate a nurse for The DAISY Award visit BartonHealth.org/Daisy.

Public Notices 

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) 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 13544

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2024-0757

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TAHOE UNITED located at 914 Comstock Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158/Mailing Address: PO Box 7115, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 Registrant’s Name & Mailing Address: John Messina, PO Box 7115, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Signature of Registrant: /s/ John Messina JOHN MESSINA I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false 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 08/01/2024 NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION

ACCORDANCE WITH

(a)

17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS 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) 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 13550

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2024-0745 The following person(s) is/are doing business as:

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) 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 13553

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. FB2024-0752

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: COMPLETE SPECTRUM PAINTING

Placerville FamilySearch Center