Mountain Democrat, Friday, September 1, 2023

Park for county bike enthusiasts set to open

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

BMXers rejoice! Barspins, tailwhips and half-cabs will have a permanent home in El Dorado County next week.

The Old Depot Bike Park will have its grand opening at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The 2.5-acre complex, located at 40 Old Depot Road off Missouri Flat Road, features a paved asphalt pump track, a series of dirt BMX jumps, a restroom, outdoor picnic benches and a children’s play area. The land for the park was acquired by the county in May 2018.

In February 2020 the project secured $2 million of funding from Proposition 68. The park was initially slated for opening in March 2022 but was pushed back due to the

COVID-19 pandemic. The park has had a large amount of community involvement and support over its history. Its roots date back to 2013 when

a Facebook account called “Placerville Bike Park Project” began advocating for the creation of a bicycle-specific park in El Dorado County. Fast forward to early

In placervIlle

RV resort planned to be tourist draw

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Placerville could become a haven for RV campers. Proposed by local development guru Leonard Grado, owner of Grado Construction, is a potential tourist draw in the form of an RV campground called The Crossings RV Resort in the Missouri Flat Road area north of Highway 50. Grado is also involved with the adjacent retail project The Crossings at El Dorado, where Dutch Bros. Coffee recently opened.

The project was presented to the Diamond Springs and El Dorado Community Advisory Committee Aug. 17 by planning staff and Grado, who shared aspects of the project and provided renderings of what they expect to include.

August and supporters of the project were pitching in to help with landscaping as the project neared completion.

The proposed site, located on an approximately 49-acre lot east of El Dorado Road, would include 252 RV, 15 tent, 30 cabin and four yurt lots.

There are also plans to implement a general store, a 75,100-square-foot hotel and event center, a main building, a chapel, bath and shower houses, pavilions around the property and various outdoor

Fuel-clearing goats are coming baaaack

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

As part of Placerville’s continued efforts to remain fire-safe, goats are gearing up to graze at multiple city properties once again. Approved by the Placerville City Council in early August, a new contract with CAPRA Environmental Services Corp. will have more than 66 acres of city property visited by

herds of goats. The caprine custodians will be unleashed in order to bring down brush and grass as a means of fuel reduction.

Six sites have been identified as needing attention from the hooved helpers, according the contract resolution approved by the council. The services will cost $45,470.30, an amount less than had been budgeted by the city and the smaller bid of the two received from different goat-grazing businesses.

The city has worked with the Rancho Cordova-based CAPRA before, hiring them in 2022 to visit Gold Bug Park, Lions Park and the slope north of lower Main Street/ Placerville Drive under the El Dorado Trail — parcels city leaders prioritized for fire fuels management. City documents show the contract to graze roughly 53 acres on the three properties in 2022 cost $31,341.

Mountain Democrat photo by Isaac Streeter The paved pump track at Old Depot Bike Park is one of the many attractions for the soonto-be-opened park. The track can be traversed without having to pedal, so long as the rider pushes downward force in the valleys of the roller bumps.

n See goats, page A9

n See rv resort page A8

n See BIke park page A9

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

Patrick David Pettibone

March 9, 1969 – Aug. 19, 2023

Patrick David Pettibone, 54, died on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at his residence.

Although Pat always claimed he wasn’t born (but instead found under a rock), he was born March 9, 1969 in Sacramento to Thomas and Veronica Pettibone. In 1991, he married Krystal Wright and the two of them had four children together: Carrie Faith, Angelica, Jessica, and Matthew. Even though their marriage ended, the two shared responsibility and love for their four kids.

In 1999, he followed in his dad’s footsteps by going to work for Teichert. Six years later, in 2005, he went into business for himself, beginning Pettibone Land Company. After several years, he closed his business and went to work for his father’s business, TLP Systems.

Pat loved his children and granddaughter more than anything, always keeping photos of them nearby. He and his son, Matthew, had a shared love of airplanes. The two of them would go watch planes at the airport and watch Dogfights together.

He was passionate about music and spent much of his later years creating handmade guitars from reclaimed wood. His creative ways extended beyond guitars, as he could often be found tinkering with one thing or another. Pat had an amazing talent for cooking delicious meals from scratch. He loved working in his garden, turning the grounds of his childhood home into a little oasis.

He is survived by his children, Carrie Faith (Grant) Taylor, Angelica (Connor) LaBuff, Jessica Pettibone, and Matthew Pettibone; his granddaughter, Josephine; his brothers, Steven Pettibone and Michael Pettibone; his father, Tom Pettibone; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Patrick was preceded in death by his mother, Veronica Pettibone.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:33 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2023 at Chapel of the Pines in Placerville, with Pastor Raul Granillo officiating. The family requests that anyone attending wear their favorite tie dye to honor Pat’s memory. For those without tie dye, rainbow or pink clothing can be worn to remember Pat’s colorful personality.

Janice Glenn Griffin

sept. 16, 1939 - July 5, 2023

Janice Glenn Griffin passed away on July 5, 2023. She was born in Halletsville, Texas on September 16, 1939. She grew up in Halletsville and was in her sophomore year of high school when her father was transferred to Fresno, CA. She completed her high school education and graduated from Fresno High School.

She then attended the University of Oklahoma for two years. Returning to Fresno, she started working for Bank of America as a bank teller.

While working for the bank, she married Robert McDonald. They had two children, Michael and Carol. Robert worked for an oil trucking company. They moved to Moraga for several years. While living there, Janice started a business called Galaxy Business Forms. She ran the business until 2021.

Janice moved with Robert to Georgetown, where they bought a new home. While there, Robert became ill and she moved him to The Pines Rest Home in Placerville for about five years. She was his caregiver and to others at The Pines. Robert died after living there for five years. She then moved to Cameron Park from 2002 until the present. There she joined the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Placerville, and was very active in the church. She was also active in the ladies prayer group and was in charge of the quilting group. She read prayers of the people at the first service. She also helped Kathy Fritschi in the kitchen doing meal preparation. Janice was an avid bridge player, and belonged to several bridge groups. Janice met Charles at the church in 2003 and went to various church and community activities. They were married by the church in 2010, and were happily married until her death July 5, 2023.

A memorial service for Janice is planned for September 9, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Church of Our Saviour in Placerville. Her remains will be placed in the church columbarium following the service.

Coffee will be served after the interment service as we celebrate her life.

Anthony James Rodriguez

July 24, 1983 - Aug. 24, 2023

Anthony (Tony) James Rodriguez, (40) passed away on August 24, 2023.

Tony was born on July 24, 1983 in Placerville CA. Tony was predeceased by his mother Regina Guedea who passed away May 2010 and his sister Roxanne Eason who passed March 2022.

He is survived by his Daughter Bella Rodriguez (13), Father, Sammy Guedea and his 12 siblings between both sides of his family.

Tony was a strong willed Italian man who was stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He loved to tease his siblings and always had a funny remark to say. He was generous, loyal, and brave. His favorite past times were cooking an Italian meal for his family and bringing in the holiday season surrounded by those he loved. He loved to ride dirt bikes, roller skate, working out, travel and to be on his boat. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge he gained through real estate, being a national sales executive.

He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them, and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love for those who went before him. He will be missed dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Patrick Church on September 12, at 1:00 pm, followed by a luncheon for everyone to gather together.

Ann F. de la Cerda

Nov. 3, 1949 – Aug. 21, 2023

Loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Ann de la Cerda, 73, of Orangevale, CA, passed away on August 21 after a battle with cancer.

Ann spent part of her childhood years in the Los Angeles area before moving to Redding, CA where she graduated from Shasta High School. She moved to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria area before moving back north in the late 70s and eventually living in Cameron Park, Folsom, and Orangevale for the last 43 years.

She became involved with the printing industry in the 80s, working at three different print shops before retirement.

Her hobbies involved bowling with a bowling league during the 80s at the Folsom Lake Bowl. In recent years, she would play bingo at the local bingo hall. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and playing cards with her family. She also enjoyed traveling through the states over the last 16 years with her son. They saw many national parks including Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, and Olympia. They also saw many museums which included the Smithsonian.

Ann is survived by her son Tony, sisters Louisa Coyne (Jim), Liz Harris (Gabe), brothers Bob Rockenbach, Fred Rockenbach (Linda); plus numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bonnie Rockenbach.

A funeral service will be held at Green Valley Mortuary in Rescue, CA on September 6 at 11am. For additional service information, go to greenvalleymortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the following: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www. stjude.com)

American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

American Heart Association (www.heart.org)

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org)

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

Aug. 17

a.m. Officers cited two men, ages 36 and 66, who allegedly littered in a waterway on Broadway. 7:38

Officers cited a 40-yearold man who was reportedly found in possession of a stolen shopping cart on Broadway.

11 p.m. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man who had two warrants on Lo Hi Way.

Aug. 18

1:37 a.m. Officers arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of making criminal threats on Marshall Way.

6:05 a.m. Officers arrested a 59-year-old man suspected of a probation violation on Sacramento Street.

10:26 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Broadway. Officers arrested a 37-year-old woman.

3:50 p.m. Officers cited a 67-yearold man who was reputedly found in possession of stolen property on Broadway.

5:43 p.m. Officers arrested a 49-year-old woman on suspicion of child abuse on Benham Street.

Aug. 19

1:05 a.m. Officers cited a 42-year-old man reported found in possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Broadway.

7:33 a.m. Officers arrested a

lAke levels MISSED

36-year-old man on suspicion of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia on Broadway. He also had outstanding warrants.

7:45 a.m. Officers cited a 66-yearold man who was allegedly selling utilities on Broadway.

9:24 a.m. Officers cited a 52-yearold man suspected of trespassing on Placerville Drive.

6:52 p.m. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of illegal drug possession and a felony probation violation on Broadway.

Aug. 21

12:01 a.m. Officers arrested a 30-year-old woman on suspicion of misconduct on Wiltse Road.

11:21 a.m. Officers arrested a 57-year-old man who had a warrant on Ray Lawyer Drive.

4:19 p.m. Officers arrested a 43-year-old woman on suspicion of vandalism on Fair Lane.

10:40 p.m. Officers cited a 47-year-old man reportedly found in possession of s stolen shopping cart on Broadway.

Aug. 22

8:10 a.m. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Placerville Drive.

Aug. 23

8:31 p.m. Officers arrested a 51-year-old man on suspicion of obstruction and driving without a license and insurance on Broadway.

Fire districts team up to add second battalion

Mountain Democrat staff

The El Dorado County and Diamond Springs-El Dorado fire protection districts have formed a joint second battalion.

Within both districts’ response areas there will now always be two chief officers on duty, according to a news release from El Dorado County Fire. Fire

officials say this change will benefit emergency response and district operations. The chief officers took on their new roles beginning Saturday from Camino and Diamond Springs fire stations. Fire officials note there are frequently multiple concurrent emergency incidents that require a chief officer to respond; having an additional chief on duty

ensures there is “resilience in the district to answer a second call.”

The fire districts previously had only one 24-hour chief on duty each day. With two chiefs splitting the response area, crews should have faster response times as well, El Dorado County Fire Capt. Jacob Poganski explained. The chiefs will also now only be responsible to manage

EID hires engineer to study two reservoirs

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

EID owns seven reservoirs covered with Hypalon floating membrane. Carollo Engineers will do a storage analysis of the two leakiest.

The two to be studied at a cost of $146,425 are in Pollock Pines — Reservoir 1 at the Reservoir 1 Water Treatment Plant and the Pollock Pines Reservoir south of Highway 50. The reservoirs are basically large drinking water storage basins.

Additional expenses include capitalized labor of $45,000 returned to EID and contingency of $20,000.

“Staff was originally going to replace only the Reservoir 1 cover. However,

when a grant opportunity became available, they chose to replace two of the three reservoir (covers) in the study (Moose Hall third),“ wrote EID engineer Kailee Delongchamp.

Carollo will provide a basis of design report between this September and February 2024. Design contracting will be March 2024 and June 2025.

Construction bidding will begin July 2025 and continue through December 2025. Construction is expected in 2026.

Reservoir 1 holds 2.8 million gallons and Pollock Pines Reservoir holds 2.6 million gallons. EID officials note Reservoir 1 was built in 1961,

n See reservoirs page A7

Two routes reinstated; transit limited Sept. 4

El Dorado Transit

News release

Effective Saturday, Sept. 2, El Dorado

Transit will reinstate Route No. 25 Saturday

Express and Route No. 35 Diamond Springs/ El Dorado. These routes will provide hourly bus service in the communities of Pollock Pines, Camino,

Placerville, Diamond Springs and El Dorado between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every Saturday.

Labor Day schedule El Dorado Transit’s business office and dispatch center will be closed and the following services will not operate Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day.

stun gun on Highway 50 (street not listed). She was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

9:46 p.m. Battery was reported on Old French Town Road in Shingle Springs.

Aug. 14

10:39 a.m. Burglary was reported on Trade Way in Shingle Springs.

11:23 a.m. Grand Theft was repotted at a ranch on Hidden Valley Lane in Camino.

12:39 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a gas station on Shingle Springs Drive in Shingle Springs.

• Local fixed routes

• Commuter routes

• Dial-A-Ride services

The Sacramento/ South Lake Tahoe connecting bus will operate on a normal weekday schedule Sept. 4. For more information or to reserve a ride on the South Lake Tahoe Connector visit eldoradotransit.com.

11:05 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 51-year-old woman suspected of DUI causing injury and a felony probation violation on Greenleaf Drive in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.

12:18 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Whispering Pines Court in Shingle Springs.

5:24 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Coody Court in Diamond Springs.

three stations each, down from six, Poganski added. The dual-battalion model was made possible through shared service agreements between both agencies, as well as existing cooperative relationships, fire officials note. Roles within both agencies were reallocated to facilitate this model without the need for additional personnel.

El Dorado County Fire provides fire, rescue and EMS services in the communities of Placerville, Shingle Springs, Pollock Pines, Camino, Pleasant Valley, Cool, Coloma, Lotus, Pilot Hill, Pleasant Valley, Oak Hill, Strawberry and Kyburz. Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire provides services within Diamond Springs, El Dorado and Logtown.

SUPPLY WISH LIST

Pines. He was later released.

12:37 p.m. Battery was reported at a gas station on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

1:09 p.m. Deputies issued a citation after responding to a battery report on Ice House Road in Pollock Pines.

8:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of making criminal threats on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was later released.

8:59 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Deer Canyon Road in Placerville.

9:02 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 47-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of illegal drug paraphernalia and being a felon in possession of a

2:10 p.m. Deputies issued a citation after responding to a trespassing report at a store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

2:23 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Pierce Court in Placerville.

8:45 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 77-year-old man suspected of disobeying a court order on Old French Town Road in Shingle Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $2,000 bail.

9:28 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a bank on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

Aug. 15

6:13 a.m. Burglary was reported on Enterprise Drive in Placerville.

7:25

6:45 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Montebello Way in Cameron Park. He was later released.

9:14 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 44-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a felony probation violation on Pleasant Valley Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

10:15 p.m. California Highway Patrol officer booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected on DUI on Canal Street at Highway 50 in Placerville. He was later released.

Aug. 16

12:33 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct on Durock Road in Shingle Springs. He was released on $20,000 bail.

Preferred brands noted, but any and all donations are gratefully accepted.

• Ticonderoga pencils

• Crayola crayons (chunky or regular), colored pencils, markers

• EXPO dry erase markers- erasers

• Large pink erasers, mini pencil-top erasers

• Glue sticks, large or small

• 3-ring binders

• Folders

• Spiral paper notebooks

• Student scissors

• Highlighter pens - chunky or skinny

• Pencil boxes or pencil pouches - someprefer holes to clip inside binders (oldergrades)

• Inexpensive, corded or non, headphones

ANDREA 916-365-3 DRE# 014

• Paper - copy paper, lined paper, graph

•

•

•

•

cards

•

•

•

•

Join us at the El Dorado Hills CSD as we collect donations (see reverse side for supply list) to benefit El Dorado County schools, award instant-win prizes, and raffle off some pretty amazing things, including: Scan

Branded swag & merchandise Local treats & more

Photo courtesy of EID El Dorado Irrigation District’s Reservoir 1 at the Reservoir 1 Water Treatment Plant in Pollock Pines is lined and covered by a synthetic cover.

Democrats emulate Ohio GOP to undermine tax limit ballot measure

Afew weeks ago Ohio voters rejected a constitutional amendment, proposed by Republican legislators, that would have raised the vote requirement for passing constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%.

It was clearly an e ort to undermine a proabortion amendment on next year’s ballot. The outcome was somewhat surprising in a state that has been dominated by Republicans in recent years. President Joe Biden hailed the rejection, calling it a “blatant attempt to weaken voters’ voices and further erode the freedom of women to make their own health care decisions.”

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed itself on abortion rights last year and allowed states to have the last word on the legality of pregnancy terminations, the issue has been fought out state-bystate. Pro-abortion rights groups have sought, with some success, to persuade voters in otherwise conservative states to enshrine abortion rights in their constitutions.

Ohio was another battleground state and the outcome of last month’s special election increased the likelihood that an abortion rights amendment will pass in 2024.

The skirmishing in Ohio also exemplified a trend around the nation: attempting to change the rules governing ballot measures to a ect outcomes.

A recent analysis by Ballotpedia, an authoritative source of election data, found that over the past five years there has been a consistent trend of state lawmakers “making it tougher for citizens to propose and approve ballot measures.”

■ See WALTERS, page A5

The Not So Weekly Daley

Letters to the Editor

A helpful hero

EDITOR:

It is with great pleasure that I tell you about the very positive assistance we received from El Dorado County Parks and Trails employee Brian Bettencourt.

As we were leaving Gerle Creek Camp Ground, we ended up with a shredded trailer tire. After finding a place to stop, this couple of seniors looked at our predicament and prayed for a local savior. In no time here stopped Brian, with a “no problem, we can take care of this” attitude.

Along with much juggling of two jacks and assistance by a friend who had turned around and came back, Brian accomplished this debilitating task with a sense of humor and a can-do smile.

Brian certainly exemplifies the positive attitude and helpfulness of an El Dorado County employee. It is my hope he will get the recognition he deserves. I have written his boss, Vickie Sanders, who assures me he will get appropriate recognition.

ALOHA ADAMS & PHIL DONAHUE Cool

COVID deaths

EDITOR:

The medical journal JAMA recently published a study done by Yale. The researchers looked at death rates during the period from March 2020 to December 2021, comparing death rates between Democrats and Republicans. They looked at 538,000 deaths of people 25 years and older in the states of Florida and Ohio. During that period, Republicans saw a 15% higher increase in excess deaths (more deaths than would be expected) compared to Democrats.

More alarming, in the period of April 2021 to December 2021, that is after COVID vaccines were introduced, that number climbed to 43%. The correlation is clear; the reluctance of some people on the right to get vaccinated cost them their lives. We lost thousands of beloved family members and friends because they were betrayed by the misinformation of the far right.

I continue to be perplexed by the reluctance of people on the far right to trust science and facts but believe in crazy. While no human endeavor is

perfect, the scientific method has proven to be a very reliable way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. Given the choice regarding treatment and prevention of COVID between a vaccine and antiviral medications developed by scientists or taking a horse deworming medicine that someone suggested on the internet, guess which one I chose.

Sadly today, 300-400 people still die weekly in the U.S. of COVID — the majority of whom are unvaccinated.

Unfortunately, and incredibly, the percentage of people who believe crazy, mistrust science and deny the truth has grown significantly. This has led to tragic results. Thousands of people across this country died because they refused to get vaccinated. We almost lost our democracy on Jan. 6, 2021, because they believed Trump’s lies.

Finally, it looks like more than 400 people died in Lahaina and hundreds more have died of heatrelated causes across the South, yet many on the right still deny climate change and have fought to make the necessary changes to stop the warming of our planet.

If the Republican Party wants to regain its position as a viable political party, it must return to some sense of reality. It must realize that the denial of truth, the lies and the spreading of misinformation have done incredible harm to the party and to the country. Until that time comes, our democracy continues to be very precarious.

That being said, those of us who believe in facts and truth and know the di erence between crazy and reality must state the truth boldly and loudly at every opportunity. We must also remain vigilant and stand firm against any further erosion of the Constitution and our democracy and rights.

SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville

Some amusing musings about ‘law abiding’ citizens

Lately I’ve been telling everyone who will listen that I’m uncommonly flummoxed. I’m flummoxed to realize there are quite a number of people, fellow Americans, some public servants and some community leaders, who apparently are ready, willing and able (allegedly) to break any number of laws and rules and suborn any and all ethics and protocols on behalf of Donald Trump and the Republican Party.

The thing that gets me is that most if not all of them probably never knocked over a 7-11 or snatched a purse or swiped hubcaps (more than a time or two). No two-bit criminals in the bunch and surely no bank robbers, airplane hijackers, arsonists or worse.

But give them a complicated (faux legal and painless) way to steal the 2020 presidential election and award

it to Donald Trump, and they’re all on board (allegedly).

In my mind, there are two or more di erent angles at work in this caper: The pitch from some of the Trump lawyers and campaign o cials is one. Responses from some of the other indicted conspirators represent another. A third angle may be the weirdest and hardest to understand.

The Trump Team pitch:

“OK, folks, Trump actually lost. Really, but our lawyers have indicated that if we gathered up a couple handfuls of fake electors in a few states, they can pretend to be the ‘real’ electors who voted for Trump and not Biden. Thereby, Trump is ‘re-elected’ and Biden is down the road, like anyone cares.”

Some responses:

“So, Trump Campaign guy or is it Mr. Chief of Sta , whatever, count us in. You’ve got a hecka plan here, so

what’s in it for us and what could go wrong?”

“Yeah, what’s in it for us and what if something does go wrong, Mr. Trump genius lawyer?”

Campaign guy: “Don’t worry.

When President Trump gets back in the Oval O ce he will overturn any conviction or threat generated by this (faux legal and painless) exercise. Some would call that a full pardon.”

Alleged faux elector wannabes, et all: “Well great! That’s good enough for us. Defense Secretary would be cool and how sweet would that Attorney General gig be.”

And finally, the ludicrously mundane and banal angle: “Honey, don’t wait up. I have a long day ahead of me hanging with Rudy and Mark and Sydney and a few of

the local GOPers. We’ll be breaking a ton of state and federal election laws (some people might say). But don’t worry. Team Trump says we’re practically immune.”

“Fine dear. But, please stay away from those smoky back rooms. Meatloaf’ll be in the oven. Love you.”

I can’t get over the notion that regular, normal people get up one morning and decide to commit (what I would call) treason by trying to overthrow a fair and legal and super-audit-confirmed presidential election.

But, tempting as it might be, never forget they’re all innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers. Truth be told, I do forget that sometimes.

Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

I can’t get over the notion that regular, normal people get up one morning and decide to commit (what I would call) treason by trying to overthrow a fair and legal and superaudit-confirmed presidential election.

DAN WALTERS

Union mine running back Jake cherrington works up the sideline versus Argonaut friday, Aug. 26. cherrington led Union mine’s offense with 184 rushing yards and two scores.

Oak Ridge, Union Mine move to 2-0

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

High schools of El Dorado County went 2-2 under the Friday night lights this past weekend.

Union Mine defeated Argonaut on the road by a score of

26-6 to advance to 2-0. The Diamondbacks ran the ball at will versus the Mustangs, recording 329 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior running back Jake Cherrington was the backfield’s standout, toting the rock for 189 yards and two scores. Union Mine will return home to face

Crossword

the Amador Buffaloes, a team that has averaged 48.5 points a game and is undefeated through two games. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Oak Ridge’s home turf set the stage Aug. 25 to the first

n See Football, page A7

Walters Continued from A4

Since 2018 states approved 42 bills or resolutions making it more difficult to qualify and pass ballot measures, with 88% of them happening in Republican-dominated legislatures.

In California, Democrats are doing what Republicans are doing in other states — trying to thwart ballot measures that run counter to the ideology of the dominant party.

Measures to make it more difficult to recall officeholders and impose new barriers to collecting signatures on initiative and referendum petitions are kicking around the Capitol, clearly aimed at making it more difficult for business groups to counter legislation that would impose new regulations or costs.

For example, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft persuaded voters to exempt them from a law converting their contract drivers into payroll employees; the bail bond industry used the referendum to cancel a law outlawing cash bail; fast food restaurants have qualified a referendum to overturn a new law dealing with wages and working conditions; and the oil industry wants voters to erase a new law on siting of oil wells.

The latest effort by Democrats to rewrite ballot measure rules surfaced last month, a constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult — in effect, impossible — to impose new limits on taxation.

Business and anti-tax groups, led by the California Business Roundtable, have qualified a measure for the 2024 ballot that would raise the voting requirements for local tax increases and require voter approval of new state taxes.

Recently, however, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 13 was revised to require any ballot measures seeking to increase voting requirements beyond a simple majority to meet the same supermajority level themselves. It would, in effect, require next year’s business-sponsored tax limit to itself receive a two-thirds vote to be enacted — probably a fatal blow.

Pointedly, ACA 13’s co-author is Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, indicating it’s a priority for legislative leadership.

The business tax measure wouldn’t be decided by voters until the November ’24 election, but ACA 13 could be placed on the March primary ballot because the Legislature itself controls the election calendar.

It’s exactly what Republicans tried to do in Ohio — something that the president of the United States denounced as a “blatant attempt to weaken voters’ voices.”

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

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

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

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

**Beginner instruction available

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

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

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

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

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

mArsHALL HOsPitAL

AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

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

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

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

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of

eL DOrADO cOUNty

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

Photo courtesy of Jenni Curtis/Firecracker Fotography

COMiCS

n SHOE by Jeff

MacNelly

Faccinto claims first track championship

n Nor*Cal Posse Shootout this weekend

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas On Legends Night at Placerville Speedway Shane Golobic captured an entertaining winged 360 sprint car feature, while Michael Faccinto wrapped up his first career track championship.

A packed house on Saturday also saw Lincoln’s Dan Brown Jr. snag the win with the limited late models and Diamond Springs’ Dan Jinkerson lock up the track title for the third straight year.

Oakley’s Nick Baldwin capped off his fifth pure stock championship in style with a victory in the main event, with Lincoln’s Dylan Shrum earning another triumph in the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association feature. Rio Oso driver Landon Brooks finished off the Western Sprint Tour Speedweek South title as well.

The 25-lap winged sprint car finale began with excitement as Colby Copeland and Andy Forsberg exchanged the lead multiple times at the start. The duo got extremely close together at one point in turn four, which forced Forsberg to make a great save to continue. Copeland then felt pressure from Fremont’s Shane Golobic, as several drivers battled it out behind them.

With action all over the track the top three cars began to bunch up as lapped traffic came into play. Golobic had his opening on lap 13 and made the move to assume the point, relegating Copeland back to second. Forsberg then found a new life and was right in the thick of it when things changed on lap 18. With a pair of cars sitting idle in turn four, the field had to take evasive action, which resulted in Forsberg getting caught by another car near the infield k-rail, ultimately ending his night.

Golobic then clicked off the final

n TUNDRA by Chad

Carpenter

seven laps for his 13th career winged 360 sprint car triumph at Placerville Speedway, which paid $4,850-to-win aboard his No. 17w. Copeland, Justin Sanders, Landon Brooks and Tanner Carrick completed the top five.

The top 10 was rounded out by 15th-starting Dylan Bloomfield, Faccinto, Justyn Cox, Ryan Bernal and Kalib Henry. Faccinto’s seventhplace run was good enough to lock up his initial Placerville Speedway title. He becomes the fourth different driver to claim a track championship for Friends & Family Racing, joining Andy Forsberg, David Robinson Jr. and Mason Moore.

Faccinto began the evening earning the $850 Fast Time Award. His lap of 10.833 paced the 40-car field in time trials.

The 20-lap main event for the limited late models saw a dominating performance turned in by Dan Brown Jr. aboard his No. 15 machine. The multi-time Placerville Speedway track champion pulled away from the field over the course of the contest and was never seriously challenged.

Brown eventually accepted the checkered flag for his 15th career late model win at the track, which ranks No. 4 on the all-time list. Paul Gugliomoni came home in second, with Wayne Trimble third, recent winner Matt Micheli in fourth and birthday boy Rod Oliver in fifth. Jinkerson crossed the stripe in sixth and finished off his third consecutive late model title.

The pure stock main event showcased thrilling moments right down to the wire. Oakley’s Nick Baldwin started from the front row, but things were definitely not easy for the veteran. Auburn’s Thomas Arbogast has been fast all season long and found the high-line to his liking

n See SPEEDwAy page A9

Reservoirs Continued from A3

receiving a Hypalon liner and cover in 1988-89, and the Pollock Pines Reservoir was built in 1962, getting its liner and cover in 1990.

“The focus of the study is mainly on the Hypalon liner and covers, which are made of synthetic rubber and have long exceeded their life expectancy of 20-30 years,” EID spokesman Jesse Saich told the Mountain Democrat. “Both reservoirs are experiencing

Football Continued from A5

MaxPreps preseason top-10 matchup in El Dorado County this season. The Trojans narrowly defeated the Grant Lancers by a score of 21-18. Oak Ridge entered the second half down 12-0 before rattling off three unanswered touchdowns to get ahead of Grant. The Trojans never surrendered the lead and advanced to 2-0 on the season. Oak Ridge’s varsity squad will travel to San Diego to take on the 2-0 Madison Warhawks in a neutral site game at Cathedral Catholic High School. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. Friday.

El Dorado dropped its second straight home game of the year with a 49-21 loss to Woodland Christian. Despite the loss, Cougars junior quarterback Sage Pittman had another successful outing against the Cardinals, tossing three touchdowns for 179 yards. Sharing the backfield with Pittman, junior Tyler Villa rushed for 127 yards on 12 carries. El Dorado will now travel to Lincoln for a matchup with the 2-0 Twelve Bridges Raging Rhinos as they look

issues with leaking and are also vulnerable to wildfires, which is why EID is considering replacing them with modern above-ground concrete tanks.”

The engineering estimate for a concrete tank for the two reservoirs is $17 million to $20 million. The project is eligible for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency of 75% to 100% of costs.

to get in the win column. Kickoff will come at 7:15 p.m Friday.

Ponderosa suffered a 49-0 drubbing on home turf from the Vista del Lago Eagles Aug. 25. The Bruins drop to 1-1 on the year with the loss. Due to a lack of officials available Friday evening, the Bruins Week 3 match-up with 1-1 Bella Vista was scheduled to be played on Thursday with kickoff coming at 7 p.m.

Golden Sierra did not play a game this past Friday, contrary to a previous Mountain Democrat report that they would be taking on Bret Harte.

Golden Sierra’s JV team did make the trip to Angels Camp, however Bret Harte does not currently field a varsity squad. The 1-0 Grizzlies are back in action at home taking on 2-0 Stone Ridge Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

The Mountain Democrat aims to cover much more than just football. If you saw a great game, played in one or have one coming up that you think should be covered, email staff writer Isaac Streeter at isaac@mtdemocrat. com.

n RUBES by Leigh

Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Solutions

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your wisdom shines through your choice of what and whom to get involved with. Trust those initial prescient instincts, especially when they seem to have no rhyme or reason. Something deep in you knows.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your team is good, but it could use more people on it. The same one who supports and adores you one day may fall short on another, but with a robust team there will always be someone to absorb the demand. Keep adding.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You keep hitting a block on your way to the next level. It’s OK to accept that this project has an upper limit. Instead of trying to make your offering different, think about who might need exactly this offering.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The people who have what you want may not be the best ones to teach you. They may have lucked into the position with talent, support or good timing. Guidance comes in many forms. Stay open to all kinds.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You are nurtured by earth, air and water, but the element you need most today comes from the fiery ball in the sky. Sunshine above connects with the fire in your belly. Soak up the rays and your passion returns.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s something you’re attached to that used to provide you with a means to collect joy. Now joy is coming to you in a different way. “Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.”

— Rumi

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You don’t need luck; you just need practice. As long as you’re repeating the right things, repetition brings mastery. Tonight: In the absence of a good option, you don’t have to choose the lesser of two evils. Choose nothing instead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There will be a point in every relationship when doing the selfless thing seems hard. That point should not be early on. If you’re feeling resistant or ungenerous, there’s probably a reason, and you should heed it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Fun is contagious. Some people are more susceptible, and certain environments more conducive. But perhaps the most influential factor in the spread of fun today will be timing, which you’re a master of.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your thought process will be like television. You don’t control all the programming, but you can choose the channel and change the show too. You’re never stuck with what’s on. The controller is in your hand.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Being self-entertaining makes you much better company than those who depend on others for amusement and happiness. You’ll be reminded that the better you are with yourself, the more you bring to relationships.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The old adage “Location, location, location...” will apply. You won’t have to work as hard when the environment does the heavy lifting for you. For the greatest ease, go to the popular places at the unpopular times.

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Hanford driver Michael Faccinto is the 2023 Placerville Speedway track champ.

Boat responsibly during Labor Day Weekend

Mountain Democrat staff

With the unofficial end of summer approaching this Labor Day holiday weekend, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways representatives remind boaters and water enthusiasts to take extra precautions to stay safe and prevent tragedies on the water.

Taking a boating safety course, wearing a life jacket while recreating in the water and actively supervising children when in or near a body of water are simple actions everyone can take to help improve safety on California’s waterways.

Here are some key safety tips:

• Always wear a life jacket. Life jackets are the easiest way to reduce the chances of drowning and increase chances of survival in the event of an accident.

• By California law, all children younger than 13 are required to wear life jackets on a moving vessel. Everyone on a vessel, regardless of age, is urged to always wear a life jacket as a preventative measure.

• Life jackets are also required on personal watercrafts, also known

as jet skis, regardless of age. Paddle sports including stand-up paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels and the same life jacket rules apply to people aboard the paddle craft.

• Ensure each life jacket is U.S. Coast Guardapproved, the right fit for the user and approved for the intended activity by checking the label. The label can be found on the inside of each life jacket along with the U.S. Coast Guard approval number.

• Those who don’t have a life jacket can borrow one through DBW’s Life Jacket Loaner Program. For more information about the loaner program visit bit.ly/ lifejacketloaner.

• Take a boating safety course and get a

recreational amenities, including pickleball and bocce ball courts, as well as horseshoe pits, a swimming pool, walking trails and dog parks. A stream and wetland in the area will be incorporated in the design.

The resort store clubhouse, bathrooms and pavilions are planned to have an agrarian farmhouse style complete with a barn design, exposed wooden beams and covered porches. Landscaping will provide privacy for each site on the property.

A shuttle service is being considered that would allow campers to get around Placerville.

At the meeting Grado told the committee he is working to determine how many oak trees on the land must be removed while leaving other trees untouched to screen the property.

“People will know it is there because of the signage but (where) we can preserve trees, we are going to,” Grado said. “The biggest consideration we have in respect to trees in this stage of the game is (road) grades. We are bringing in RVs and trailers, so you have to make sure you have grades vehicles can drive ... so that is the driving component for how many trees need to come out.”

An initial traffic study on the project showed the RV resort would not have significant impacts to the surrounding area as most resort guests would not arrive during peak traffic hours, with check in being around 2 p.m. and check out being at 11 a.m., and because vehicles would not go in and out of the site due to the nature of the RV campground, according to Grado.

This was confirmed by El Dorado County Department of Transportation Director Rafael Martinez, who also noted an intersection would be added at Missouri Flat Road and Headington Road, which is already part of the county’s capital improvement project program.

“My staff have reviewed the project in its entirity and found it is within the threshold of acceptable levels of service and does not trigger any failing benefits-to-cost ratio impacts anywhere in this project,” Martinez told the committee.

Access points into the resort would be

from El Dorado Road and Missouri Flat Road.

Further discussion is needed but if the project gets developed, campers will be able to stay for a 30-day length of time in the short term and at maximum six months for a long-term stay.

“We are looking at this as a combination of an extended stay and tourism site,” Grado said. “There has been a tremendous amount of, in regards to fires and stuff like that, utility work and fuel reduction occurring in the area and there are guys all over the place trying to find places to stay.”

He added that during his time as a developer, he has noticed RV campers will stay at two or three places at a time while traveling state or countrywide and wanted to develop something for tourists as a prime destination in El Dorado County for campers.

“I think it fits well with the respect of what the desires are with a lot of people, especially ones that are full-time RVers,” Grado said, citing various reasons the location works for the county.

“They would have access to different things to do, amenities, the wineries, the casino, rafting and Desolation Wilderness; everything is within an hour from the site,” Grado explained.

Grado shared findings of a feasibility study on the proposed site of The Crossings by a Chicago-based company that specializes in RV campgrounds. The results? Five-out-of-five stars in 10 different categories.

County staff is in discussions to apply the Transient Occupancy Tax to the RV sites, said Deputy Director of Planning Rob Peters. Currently there are no TOT allocation rules specifically for RV campgrounds.

Diamond Springs and El Dorado Community Advisory Committee voted unanimously to approve the project conceptually, praising Grado for his vision on the project and its potential to bring in tourists to El Dorado County as “an asset to the community.”

The El Dorado County Planning Commission will have a hearing on The Crossings RV Resort at an unspecified future date, which will include consideration of rezoning, planned development revision and a conditional use permit to allow RV camping.

Mountain

photo by Eric Jaramishian

Courtesy photo

When visiting California’s waterways, wearing a life jacket is advised.

Life jackets Continued from A8

California Boater Card. Even the most experienced boaters can learn from boating safety courses. As of Jan. 1, all operators of motorized vessels on California waterways who are 50 years of age and younger are required to carry a lifetime boater card. By 2025 all operators of motorized vessels will be required to carry one, regardless of age.

• File a float plan before you head out. Share a float plan with a family member or friend with the details of your trip in the event of an emergency.

• Check the weather. Know the latest weather forecast prior to going out and check regularly for changing conditions.

• Leave alcohol at home. Alcohol and boating never mix. It is against the law to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more. Boat operators can be arrested even when the BAC is less than 0.08% if conditions are deemed to be unsafe. The sun, wind and wave action intensify the e ects of

Speedway

Saturday night.

Continued from A7

As Baldwin ran consistent laps up front, Arbogast began cutting away at his advantage while running the cushion. It was anybody’s race over the final circuits. The final lap saw Arbogast give it one final shot upstairs but Baldwin was calm, cool and collected en route to the checkered flag for his 25th career win.

It marked the fourth straight pure stock championship for Baldwin and his fifth overall.

Arbogast, Kevin Jinkerson, Kenny Bernstein and Clarence Holbrook rounded out the top five.

The 20-lap Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association main event also provided fans with some entertaining competition on the red clay. Fairfield veteran Mike “Spanky” Grenert held command out front over much of the contest, as he looked to make it two wins in a

alcohol.

• Protect loved ones:

Always supervise children by appointing a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.

Know your limits. Swimming in a lake, ocean or river is di erent than swimming in a pool.

• If someone is in distress, seek help from a lifeguard or call 911 if one is not available.

• Stow it, don’t throw it. Keep your trash on board. Never throw cigarette butts, fishing lines or any other garbage into waterways. Take advantage of shoreside facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper. Avoid excess packaging. Used fishing line can be deposited at a fishing line recycling station.

• Download helpful boating apps to your phone. The BoatCA App is a free mobile app with information on boating facilities, life jacket loan stations, laws, boat registration and more.

row at Placerville Speedway.

Behind him cars raced on every inch of the bullring. Lincoln’s Dylan Shrum had already picked o a pair of wins at the track this season and eventually began to work the high-side in his pursuit of the top-spot.

Shrum finally got the run he needed on lap 16 as Grenert also got loose o the fourth corner. After that, Shrum raced away to record victory No. 3 on the season at Placerville over brother Cody in second, Ben Wiesz third, Kevin “Hollywood” Bender in fourth and Mike Reeder fifth.

Placerville Speedway returns to action this coming Labor Day weekend with the two-night Nor*Cal Posse Shootout for winged sprint cars and wingless spec sprints. Reserved tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 2-3 by visiting placervillespeedway.com

Goats

Continued from A1

City leadership appropriated just over $400,000 of American Rescue Plant Act funds to pay for goat grazing in 2021.

Though the gardener goats may be fun to see, city of Placerville o cials ask that children and leashed pets be kept at a reasonable distance.

City sta were reached out to for information on when and where the goats will be deployed this year but did not respond by press time.

Bike park

Continued from A1

The park will be the first public-use example of its kind in the county. Before now, bike enthusiasts were confined to local trails, skateparks or traveling to similar locations in Auburn or Roseville.

District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas, El Dorado County Parks Manager Vickie Sanders as well as representatives from Friends of the El Dorado Trail will be in attendance. All are invited to attend.

Check often to see who is currently available on the EDCAS adoptions page. www.petharbor.com

EMMiE (A147978)

German Shepherds make faithful companions. Stop by the shelter and meet your new best friend. F GSD mix 5 yr. black.

Offer Expires 7/31/23

Mountain Democrat photo by Isaac Streeter

BMX jumps at the soon-to-open Old Depot Bike Park.

In the KNOW

Sept. 1

The Rescue Community Center hosts Friday Night Out, a fun evening of live music, food and drinks, 5-9 p.m. For more information visit rescuecommunitycenter. com/events.

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

Red Dirt Ruckus will perform at Chateau Davell in Camino. The show begins at 5:30 p.m.

Nipper Brothers will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Andis Wine in Plymouth hosts Darin Sexton and Highway 49, performing rock ’n’ roll favorites 6-9 p.m. Dinner cravings will be fulfilled by Nomad Adventurous Eats. Walk-ins welcome but reservations are recommended. Visit andiswines.com/ Experience/Make-aReservation.

Dear Darling will perform at 7 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The final act of the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert series at the Harveys Outdoor Arena is Kane Brown. For tickets and more information visit visitlaketahoe.com.

Sept. 2

The Shingle Springs Community Center hosts a pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Donations welcome.

Cameron Park Cub Scout Pack 550 hosts a bike rodeo event for kids entering kindergarten through third grade: 10-11 a.m. kindergarten (and TK) & 1st graders; 11 a.m. to noon second & third graders. Bring your bike and helmet as you travel through safety stations at Blue Oak Elementary School, 2391 Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. Kids will learn how to wear a helmet properly, the ABC bike check, learn hand signals and more.

Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Fair Play hosts a food pairing, noon to 4 p.m. featuring the 2020 Tannat pared with lamb meatballs with tzatziki and naan. To make reservations visit shadowranch.com/Events.

Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts musician Tamra Godey, 1-4 p.m. on the patio. For more information email info@ medivineyards.com.

Arts and Culture El Dorado’s newest exhibition reflects on the lengthy and expansive career of artist Claudine Granthem, a longtime El Dorado County resident.

Details + Materials: Works by Claudine Granthem features paintings, mixed media works, freestanding bronze, ceramic, metal and wall sculptures.

The exhibition celebrates the unique vision of a local creative treasure. With a strong oeuvre that consists of painting, wood and metal sculpture and drawings, Granthem’s work is at once architectural and deeply human.

“Granthem’s use of materials is lavish in its embrace; she doesn’t try to transform or disguise the material’s innate properties,” curator Marya Osucha explained. “Rather, she leans into it, exploring its boundaries and possibilities.”

Granthem’s art is tied to Placerville, as she occupied a studio space on Main Street during the 1990s. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s of fine arts in visual art from California State Univeristy, Sacramento. She has shown in 30-plus locations throughout her career and received more than two dozen awards for her works.

For Granthem, the meaning of her work is clear. “I want my drawings and sculpture to appeal visually and, at the same time, to imply humanistic ideas buried beneath the surfaces.”

Details + Materials: Works by Claudine Granthem runs through Oct. 1 at The Switchboard Gallery, 525 Main St. in Placerville. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

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

Courtesy photos Local artist Claudine Granthem uses metal, wood and other materials in her unique artwork. Her show at The Switchboard Gallery in Placerville runs through Oct. 1.

n See Know, page B4

sun sets on saureel summer concerts with one final show

The show is a partnership with The Green Room Social Club located on Main Street, Placerville. Green Room proprietor Jennifer Teie and Kilt & Cork founder Russ Reyes said they hope this is the first of many more collaborations bringing quality entertainment to the Sierra foothills.

“It’s just a natural partnership with Russ; we both love live music and have different connections within the music industry,” said Teie, “and we both primarily operate in El Dorado County.”

“Jennifer is such an amazing promoter of high quality live music and she has years of experience producing festivals such as the annual Just Exactly Perfect Festival,” Reyes added. “I love the opportunity to co-brand an event with her!”

The Golden Cadillacs’ members began their musical journey by forming a band back in their high school days in the foothills of Northern California. After exploring different roads musically their paths have led them back together creating a harmony that can only be founded from lifelong friendship.

Country rock means different things to different listeners. Jeremy Plog, one of the two Golden Cadillacs guitarists, explained his band’s sound.

“We all grew up with Merle Haggard and graduated, for me, to Tom Petty and the Allman Brothers,” he said. “People think of country rock as like Eagles. But we’re a little more toward Petty southern rock with country rock influences.”

The Golden Cadillacs coalesced in 2007 as a trio. Today’s lineup includes Plog, guitarist Nick

Swimley, bassist-singer Adam Wade, singer Jillian Secor and drummer Robby Dean. Aaron Shively sometimes appears on pedal steel. Swimley and Plog were longtime members of the Jackie Greene Band. They left the band in 2015. Swimley also plays for Dead Winter Carpenters.

Opening for The Golden Cadillacs is Ryder Thieves. Born on the West Slope, Ryder Thieves is a psychedelic dance rock band with inspired original tunes.

Saureel

Vineyards feature the iconic rolling vineyards that frame a stunning lake that has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the region, “People can make a night of it, as we will have food trucks, vendors, full bar, and free parking,” Reyes shared. “Bring your lawn chairs and just come and enjoy a really great night.”

Tickets are on sale now at kiltandcork.com. Partial proceeds will benefit Arts & Culture El Dorado and Future Farmers of America.

About Kilt & Cork

Kilt & Cork LLC is passionate about promoting the Sierra foothills lifestyle which includes the wineries, brewers, distilleries, restaurants and lodging, but also includes the amazing activities available to visitors and locals alike. Kilt & Cork produces a variety of private and community events in the Sierra foothills such as El Dorado Wines Passport to the Great Out There, Amador Four Fires, Saureel Summer Nights, Gold Hill Country Music Festival, Saureel Summer Nights Concert Series and the Placerville Oktoberfest. The orgnaization is always looking for nonprofits and civic partners who believe in bringing the best entertainment experience possible to their communities while supporting local nonprofit organizations.

will open the concert Saturday evening.

“People can make a night of it, as we will have food trucks, vendors, full bar, and free parking.”

— Russ Reyes, event organizer

Placerville artist earns PBS KVIE Art Auction award

Kathleen Richards News release

SACRAMENTO —

Celebrating PBS KVIE’s decades of creating an accessible venue to bring art into the homes of Northern Californians, the 42nd annual PBS KVIE Art Auction will showcase 276 works of art by emerging, well-known, and world-renowned Northern California artists.

PBS KVIE art curator Jill Estroff has announced that Placerville artist Randy Honerlah has been recognized with an award after submitting his art to the annual curated competition. Honerlah’s “Autumn Glow” won a Juror Award in the Contemporary category. The artwork will be featured as part of this year’s auction, a live threeday event broadcast on KVIE Channel 6 and online at kvie.org/ artauction that airs 7- 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.

“I’m impressed with the range of subjects and styles that are submitted to the PBS KVIE Art Auction each year,” Estroff said. “Our awards jurors had a hard time narrowing their choices

because of the abundance of stellar pieces accepted. Strong use of color, composition, narrative — these are some of the qualities I look for.”

The entire Art Auction collection will be on display at the station, Sept 1–27, offering visitors the chance to see the artwork up close and bid before the live auction. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A complete list of artists curated into the collection is online at kvie.org/artauction.

Images and information on every piece of art up for bid will be available online starting Sept.

1. Proceeds from the auction help support PBS KVIE local productions and community outreach services.

Broadcasting from California’s capital since 1959, PBS KVIE inspires viewers to explore the world and connect with their community through engaging experiences. PBS KVIE curates the best in educational television programming and online content available, reaching 1.5 million households in the nation’s 20th largest television market. PBS KVIE can be viewed in 28 of California’s 58 counties. For more information visit kvie.org.

Local luminaries join Sac Philharmonic & Opera board

News release

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera recently received a fresh injection of board leadership with the election of four new members to its board of directors. The four new members — journalist Lora Painter of ABC10, arts advocate Lars Gjerde, Sacramento State administrator Jennifer Harris, and corporate leader Adam Marszal — begin their tenure immediately.

“SP&O is honored to have these four experienced business and community volunteers join our board of directors,” said SP&O President Sheree Meyer. “Our board has a track record of tremendous success, as our recent accomplishments demonstrate, but with these new members sharing their passion and knowledge, SP&O is poised to reach even greater heights.”

The new board members join the board at a time when the SP&O is on a trajectory of growth and success. SP&O’s recently completed 2022-23 season ended with a chorus of unprecedented achievements, including a reliable and growing subscription base, soldout performances and, since 2015, more than $10 million in gifts and sponsorships made to the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera and the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Foundation.

The new directors

Painter anchors weeknights at 5, 6, & 11 p.m. for ABC10. The California native has a master’s degree from New York University in broadcast news & documentary and a bachelor’s degree in communication from California State University, San Marcos. She has two Emmy nominations for anchoring and writing and has twice received a Best Anchor award from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Painter has been a board member of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and continues to be a member of its Asian Art Advisory Council. She is a former professor at Anyang University in South Korea. She is also an accomplished singer and plays several instruments, including piano and clarinet.

Norwegian native Gjerde earned his doctorate in organ from the Eastman School of Music. During his church music career, Gjerde taught, led choirs and orchestral musicians and created events to support charities. He engaged in regional leadership through the American Guild of Organists. Gjerde later earned his nurse practitioner degree from Yale University and is now a nurse practitioner supervisor at UC Davis Medical Center. A recent chapter president of the

California Association for Nurse Practitioners and chapter dean for the American Guild of Organists, Gjerde is thrilled to serve the visionary board of the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera.

Harris is the associate vice president of Budget Planning and Administration at California State University, Sacramento. A Sacramento native and Sac State Alumna, Harris has worked in a variety

of fiscal management and oversight roles with the state of California, including the California State Auditor’s Office, the Department of Finance and CalPERS. Harris credits her love of classical music to her elementary school violin teacher who took her to hear the Camellia Symphony

“Autumn Glow” by Randy Honerlah

LoRA PAiNTeR

LARs GjeRde

jeNNifeR HARRis

AdAm mARszAL

If I’ve learned anything from reviewing the last decade of Disney’s Marvel and Lucasfilm output it’s this: you can have too much of a good thing. Truth be told, comparing Marvel and Star Wars isn’t exactly fair. They are different franchises, contrasting themes and are run by different CEOs entirely who report to the big cheese at the Mouse House (Disney CEO Bob Igor), but both were well-established IPs with legacy characters purchased within three years of each other by the Walt Disney Company; Marvel was acquired in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012.

Another thing these two silver-screen powerhouses share is the incredible amount of output Disney appears to have posted as its directive on both companies’ break room bulletin boards. In the last 15 years Marvel has released 32 movies and nine TV shows. Lucasfilm — since being absorbed by Disney — has released five films (with double that number getting canceled or delayed) and a dozen or so animated/live action series on Disney+. It’s honestly hard to get an accurate count.

The main point here is this: I am the target

COLINA DE ORO

audience for this kind of content. I grew up loving comic book graphic novels and films (though I was more of a DC Comics guy) and, of course, I love “Star Wars,” but in an era of non-stop content you have to have a reason to really grab an audience and keep their attention, and the onslaught of hundreds of hours of content both from Marvel and Lucasfim in the last half-decade have brought along a surprising response: I just don’t have the time to keep up or worse, I just don’t care.

That doesn’t mean I can’t be won over by some of the output. It is my job to review content, after all, and I am lucky to get the chance to watch so many wonderful creative endeavors by truly talented artists. It’s just harder to get excited about the same franchises every couple of months. I am not cynical, though. When something good comes from these companies I give it credit. After the lackluster “Book of Boba Fett” (2021) and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” (2022) I wasn’t chomping at the bit to dig into “Andor” (2022) but came away believing that show is arguably the best Star Wars content since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”

So here we are with the anticipated “Ahsoka,” starring Rosario Dawson who appeared in one episode of both “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” and was the high point of the latter. After a few years of waiting she finally gets her own series. Ahsoka Tano is one of the better characters from the Star Wars universe in recent memory. A character introduced 15 years ago in 2008’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated film and TV series as a 14-year-old Padawan apprentice, assigned by Yoda to Anakin Skywalker to teach him responsibility. While the character took a while for fans to accept (her calling Anakin Skywalker “Skyguy” was grating to some) she soon became a fan favorite, specifically when the character was

Board members

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Orchestra perform. She is excited to help support classical music and opera in the community and in particular increasing youth access to and appreciation of music.

Marszal was born and raised in Carmichael and currently serves as the CEO of his family’s petroleum company and commercial real estate

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Mellowood Vineyard in Fair Play hosts Dog Days of summer, 1-5 p.m. Bring your four-legged pals along for a tail-wagging good time with live music, wine tasting and more. To RSVP call (916) 261-7512 or email loree@mellowoodvineyard.com.

Steve Kimball Blues Band will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery. com/live-music.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Red Rooster Burgers & Brew in Garden Valley, 5-8 p.m.

(530)

Sierra Vista Winery in the Pleasant Valley area hosts Late For Dinner, 5:30-8 p.m. Pizza made on site and wine by the glass or bottle will be available for purchase. For more information call (530) 622-7221 or visit sierravistawinery.com.

Mastroserio Winery in the Fair Play area hosts Jazz & Pizza Night, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 16 & 20. To RSVp text (530) 4174321 or email mastroserio.winery@gmail.com.

Spunj + Pathnotes will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

reintroduced as a full-fledged adult in “Star Wars Rebels,” which took place years after the events of “The Clone Wars.” It was here that Ahsoka Tano became one of the most beloved Star Wars characters in recent memory and when live action shows started appearing on Disney+ fans demanded Ahsoka get a series of her own.

The show, which premiered Aug. 22, is helmed by “Star Wars The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” showrunner Dave Filoni, who might have cut his teeth in Star Wars animation but has shown great promise writing and directing live-action episodes in the universe with directing episodes of “The Mandalorian” and “Book of Boba Fett” the last few years. Now it’s Filoni’s turn to take center-seat on a live action show. “Ahsoka” continues to showcase Mr. Filoni as the best choice to carry the torch from George Lucas. If only all live action Star Wars (including the films) had him in the driver’s seat. Rosario Dawson, who’s always a wonderful force (no pun intended) in everything she appears in, is good as Tano. She carries herself with grace but can show a dangerous and rebellious side of the character that fans have loved about her since day one.

Unlike several episodes of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and almost all of “Book of Boba Fett,’ this series doesn’t feel limited in scope to the confines of a tightly budgeted, effects-heavy show. This series actually has really good scope that would feel more at home on the big screen, but the first batch of episodes suffer from inconsistency of how the story is laid out. This has been an issue with most of the Disney+ Star Wars series. The premier episode of “Ahsoka” was almost an hour, while episode three was barely over 30 minutes. I don’t know if its a cost-cutting measure or an attempt to pull eight episodes out of a show that could be four or five one-hour-long episodes, but Disney continues to struggle through this in a way that stifles storytellling from one episode to the next.

One final nitpick: Though live-action this show is pretty much a direct sequel to the previously mentioned “Star Wars Rebels” animated series. Several of the characters in that show appear here and even though you will still be entertained watching this show without knowing much about that one, I highly recommend Googling a list of “must see” episodes of that show that connect with “Ahsoka.”

Overall, the show looks great and is off to a fairly consistent start anchored by the presence and talents of Ms. Dawson as the titular character. I always thought introducing who the apprentice to Anakin Skywalker was before he became Darth Vader was a fascinating concept in and of itself. Now we get the chance to see her own adventures. I’ve said consistently that showrunner Dave Filoni should be in charge of the film division over at Lucasfilm due to his understanding of the material and lore of the 46 year old franchise. Until the studio gives him the reins we will have to make due with “Ahsoka,” which already has more of a filmic scope compared to the other Disney+ shows anyway. Get ready to swing your laser swords around!

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/producer. He is currently recovering from jet-lag due to his trip to Asia and can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.

business. He takes pleasure in being involved in organizations and different causes in Sacramento. In his free time, Marszal enjoys golfing and being with his wife, Maggie, and their two daughters, Lucy and Blair. Marszal’s interest in music stems from his time in Jesuit High School’s choir as a teenager.

Skinner Vineyards in Rescue hosts local craft vendors Sept. 2 & 3, weather permitting. For more information call (530) 620-2210. Sept. 3

El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St., beginning at 10 a.m. the first and third Sundays of each month. Trains leave on the hour 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Call ahead to ensure trains are running at (530) 663-3581.

Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Fair Play hosts the South County Farmers Market 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick up some local produce and crafts, then grab a pizza and enjoy some wine tasting.

Mediterranean Vineyards in the Fair Play area hosts musician Peter Morgan, 1-4 p.m. on the patio. For more information email info@medivineyards.com.

Rough Cut Blues Band will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery. com/live-music.

n See Know, page B5

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Enjoy Songs of the ’60s, Binns Melander compositions and arrangements, 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Cultural Center, 410 Church St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information call (530) 265-6124.

See Paul Rodriguez, the Latin king of comedy, and special guest Marc “Skippy” Drive at Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., Sacramento. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit cresttheatresacramento.com/events.

Sept. 5

Meet writer Lisa Thee, author of “Go: Reboot

Your Career in 90 Days,” 4-6 p.m. at Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Equal parts validation, empowerment and guide, “Go!” provides powerful examples of career transformation from a wide array of leaders and outlines a versatile 90-day career reboot plan.

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St. in Placerville, 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.

Myrtle Tree Arts presents Tamra Godey at

The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 7-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Never Come Down will perform at 7 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Sept. 6

Jonny Mojo will perform solo at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 6-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Grover Anderson & the Lampoliers will perform at Valhalla Tahoe’s Boathouse Theatre at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.showare.com.

Sept. 7

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts the final Live on the Boulevard free concert featuring Uptown Funk. Set up begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

The Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a mixer at Blissful Gardens Care, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 4120 Product Drive in

Cameron Park.

Category 5 – A benefit for Anthony Catalano of Little Hurricane takes place at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 7-10 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

El Dorado Musical Theatre’s High Voltage group presents Back to Broadway, 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Sept. 8

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

Knuf will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Sept. 9

El Dorado High Classes of 1982 and 1983 are hosting a 40th reunion event at 5 p.m. Brian Dezzani and Mike Riley are coordinating for the Class of ’82. Kurt Raffetto, Robin

Cleveland, Kathy Barnes Liguori, Tammy Danz, Dean Duncan and Dave Thomas are taking care of the Class of ’83. The event takes place at an outdoor venue in the Gold Hill area of Placerville. The evening includes food trucks, live music, a memorial to those classmates no longer with us and a great deal of reminiscing. Cost is only $25 per person, payable by check or Venmo. More information and how to pay is available via email at EDHS.82.83@gmail.com or on Facebook at EDHS 82/83 Reunion.

The Gold Hill Country Music Festival takes place 2-10 p.m. at Saureel Vineyard in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit kiltandcork.com.

The El Dorado Hills Brewfest takes place 3-7 p.m. at Village Green at Serrano. Enjoy tastings from 40+ craft breweries, cideries, wineries and more. For tickets and more information visit eldoradohillsbrewfest.org.

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

Smokey The Groove will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The shoe fits in this play

everyone laugh. Come see if a little magic can bring Cinderella and Prince Charming together and make dreams come true.

This family show is adapted and directed by Laura Luke. Showtimes are 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday, Sept. 2-24 at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. For reservations and more information go to SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.

InConcert Sierra ready to mentor young composers

News release

GRASS VALLEY — InConcert

Sierra is excited to announce the application period is open for its exceptional music composition program, the Composers Project, designed to nurture the musical talents of young musicians.

Led by the award-winning instructor and composer, Mark Vance, this nine-month program for youth ages 12-21 includes both private lessons and group classes that provide in-depth instruction. This unique Nevada County gem is created for those who aspire to learn about music composition and is truly a chance of a lifetime.

Students enrolled in the Composers Project will learn about and enjoy hands-on experiences with composing their own works. The curriculum includes music theory,

harmony and history, instrument families, notation, melodic and rhythmic dictation, counterpoint, text setting, conducting, public speaking and writing a résumé. Students also engage in mini-workshops with world-class musicians and local professionals who perform for InConcert Sierra’s concert season. This program is divided into two semesters, each culminating in a rehearsal and concert performance of student’s original compositions by professional musicians.

The Composers Project with Mark Vance is enrolling for the 2023-24 school year: the program begins on Saturday, Sept. 23. For additional information contact InConcert Sierra at (530) 273-3990 or email mark@ inconcertsierra.org. Interested applicants whose ages are between 12 and 21 years should apply online at inconcertsierra.org.

Photo by Allen Schmeltz

Actors Kian Jernkins, Desmond Roach, Hattie Smith and Terese Lukenbill, left to right, bring

to the stage in “Cinderella,” Opening Sept. 2 in Folsom.

Brownsville Blues Review comes to The Center for the Arts

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts

welcomes Brownsville Blues Review, the headliners from the Brownsville Blues Festival, to the Marisa Funk Theater Sept. 3. These are some of the best blues acts in the Bay Area and Sacramento and are sure to satisfy any style of a blues lover’s taste. From Willie G’s mighty horn section and R&B to Tia Carroll’s soulful rock and blues and Kyle Rowland’s mastering of Chicago-style, show-stopping blues harmonica and slide guitar, this is an event not to miss.

Oakland’s Willie G has been a solid, horn-heavy blues artist veteran for more than two decades. Hailing from Hallsville, Texas, in the ‘60s, he got out of the military and started working with Bay Area R&B vocal groups The Chancellors and The Capitols. In 1968 he struck out on his own and started to tour California. Willie’s work as a bluesman finally paid off years later in 1993, when he was presented the Blues Contribution Award by the Bay Area Blues Society.

Willie G is a compelling vocalist, focusing on soul, R&B, blues and jazz, delivering a unique brand of high-energy for each power-packed performance. With a strong Bay Area presence on the music scene, Willie G possesses a velvet smooth bass, baritone and tenor voice, coupled with an impressive stage presence.

Little Village recording artist Carroll will light up the stage with her soulful sounds. Award-winning California native Carroll has quietly accumulated one of the most impressive entertainment résumés in the Bay Area and has become one of the most sought-after female singers on the West Coast. She has headlined venues and festivals all over the

world with her band as well as some very wellestablished host bands. She has shared stages with legends Ray Charles, Jimmy McCracklin, Syl Johnson, Sugar Pie DeSanto and B.B King, Tommy Castro, Elvin Bishop, Igor Prado and Eric Gales. Carroll has earned a reputation for her upbeat and engaging manner on stage and audiences around the world are treated to an unforgettable show. Rowland dishes out a sauté of boisterous Chicago and swampy Texas blues with a pinch of West Coast swing. Danceable and listenable, his show will have the audience wanting more, with toes tapping into the next morning. Rowland quickly and naturally developed his own sound. With help from a few of his heroes such as James Cotton, Lazy Lester, Hubert Sumlin, Matt “Guitar” Murphy and many others, Rowland learned specific techniques

of stage presence, the music business and several highly revered harmonica secrets. In August 2022, Rowland signed an endorsement deal with harmonica company, Hohner, which he has proudly used for his entire career. He will represent the Sacramento Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2024. The International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians, represents the worldwide search for blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Center for the Arts Marisa Funk Theater, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org or call (530) 274-8384.

The Public Square

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Public Notices 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Five GRAMMYs, 14 Blues Foundation Awards, and a groundbreaking career spanning nearly 50 years. Born and raised in Compton, Keb’ began his remarkable journey at the age of 21.

His captivating new album, Good To Be, artfully links the grit and groove of his Compton, CA, roots with strum and twang of his more recently adopted hometown of Nashville, TN. Drawing on country, folk, blues, and soul, the collection transcends genre and geography, weaving together a joyful, heartwarming, and relentlessly optimistic tapestry that manages to encompass the entirety of this once-in-ageneration artist’s larger-than-life career.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

¡Viva el mariachi! Latin Grammy-nominee Mariachi Herencia de México presents Herederos (the Heirs). Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future of mariachi music, Mariachi Herencia de México and Grammy Award-winning special guest singer “La Marisoul” take mariachi music to whole new heights in this vibrant celebration of Mexican music and culture.

The energetic, virtuosic group has issued chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent since 2017. Grammy Award winner Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernandez is a Los Angeles-born singer and founding member of La Santa Cecilia, a Grammy Awardwinning and multi-Grammy Award-nominated quartet comprised of Mexican-American musicians.

NOVEMBER 2-5, 2023

THEIR MUSIC, THEIR STORY, THEIR PASSION...

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

SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC SONGS OF ALL TIME...

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

Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish!

Photo by David Grenier

Photo: DJ Corey Photo: DJ Corey