The Winters Fire and Police Departments held a bell-ringing ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor the victims in New York, the Pentagon building and on United Airlines Flight 93. Police Chief John P. Miller said, “Sept. 11 is a reminder to us all of our higher calling and our duty. Despite the readily apparent and imminent danger, first responders fulfilled their obliga-
tion to run toward the danger.”
Miller said 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers died and “hundreds more succumbed to related illnesses in the years that followed.” He also said it should be remembered that “a few citizens also chose to stand their grand to assist others in selfless acts, both in the Twin Towers and on Flight 93 — 2,977 people perished that day and many more would have if not for the actions of the first responders and these citizens.”
Winters FFA competes in showmanship at county fair
By Jackson Bronson Winters FFA Reporter
The fairgrounds were yet again filled with the sights, sounds, and smells characteristic of mid-August.
Blue-corduroy-clad teenagers moved in waves from barn to barn; their livestock projects clucked, mooed, and bahed; and that infamous mixture of feces and funnel cake comforted nostrils for miles around.
In a long-standing tradition, Winters FFA students participated in the Yolo County Fair from Aug. 16 to 21.
Winters High School junior Nico Novello raised five
turkeys over the summer and showed two at the fair this year.
“I’ve learned so much about the biology of turkeys and how to handle an animal,” Novello said about his summer with the birds. “I had never done livestock showmanship before. It’s really made me understand how the food industry works
a little bit more and how to take care of an animal.”
Novello won thirdand fourth-place market turkeys, first place in novice turkey showmanship, and second place in small animal master showmanship.
WHS senior Eden Miller has been
See FAIR, Page 5
Weather
along Highway 128 (Grant Avenue) is one of the “first steps in the planning process for future develop-
next few months as the process begins and look for a work session item on a future City Council agenda to
There was standing room only in The Margaret Parsons Room at the Winters Community Library on Saturday, where residents from Winters and across Yolo County gathered for a parent advocacy workshop on gender ideology.
A little more than 80 people — a mix of those who wanted to hear what was said and others who attended to protest the presence of the Yolo County chapter of Moms for Liberty — packed into the room leaving the standing room along the walls filled. About a third of the group in attendance were Winters residents representing each side of the topic at hand, while the rest of the attendees were protesters from across Yolo County.
Posts rallying protesters to attend encouraged them to join in silent protest or
to turn their chairs around and occupy their focus during the workshop. Many of them united the cause with signs supporting people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and some specifically to show their support for children who identified as part of it.
Yolo County Moms for Liberty chair
Beth Bourne opened the workshop by stating that their goal is to protect parental rights at all levels of government by educating them about what those rights are and how and who to reach out to within their community. Additional speakers on the agenda included Meg Madden, an area advocate, and Amy Anderson, of Sac-Terf Central, who spoke about preserving and protecting the rights of women, girls and their families.
Workshop topics
The workshop event, sponsored by
Yolo County Moms for Liberty, was advertised on social media platforms to address gender identity and social transitioning-related policies and practices within Winters Joint Unified School District school sites, as well as books focusing on gender and LGBTQIA+ topics available at the libraries of schools and Yolo County.
Although a majority of Bourne’s presentation portions focused on her personal experiences and observations detailing gender ideology policies and curriculum within the Davis Joint Unified School District and other examples from other states, she eventually addressed how Winters JUSD’s compliance with California state policies through the Student Support Services LGBTQIA+ page, the family and staff resources page and the Rights of See EVENT, Page 5
of the document at Winters City Hall in the Community Development
City of Winters/Courtesy graphic
The proposed Farmstead development, identified as no. 8 on the map, includes zones for neighborhood commercial, single-family residential and open space.
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Nico Novello and Lauren Back handle turkeys for the judges to inspect at the Yolo County Fair on Aug. 14.
Express staff
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Navarette makes a big impact at City Hall during internship
By Adilia Watson Express staff writer
In just 10 weeks, a Winters High School graduate and new American citizen brought a new level of inclusivity to Winters — and it started with his native language and his Senior Capstone Project.
Over the summer, Luca Navarrete, 18, worked in Winters City Hall translating various forms, documents, social media posts and emergency alerts into Spanish. His supervisor, City Manager Jeremy Craig, supported him in creating a “Start Your Own Business in Winters” guide, which will be available in both languages. Two years ago, the WHS Class of 2023 alumni came to the United States from Mexico City and had to learn English fairly quickly. Now, he is using his bilingual skills to make life in Winters easier for Spanish speakers through the internship opportunity.
“We tried to be inclusive, practical and useful for all of the community,” Navarette told the Express
The California City Managers Foundation funded the internship program that allowed Navarrete to work part-time in City Hall since mid-July. His high school capstone mentor, Express editor Crystal Apilado, referred him to the opportunity.
“When Jeremy asked me if I knew of anyone who would be a good fit for the
role, Luca immediately came to mind,” Apilado told council members.
“His Capstone Project was to create a website and social media presence for his dad’s business, and knowing that Spanish is his native language I knew he would be a valuable asset to the city.”
Navarette presented the products of his internship to the Winters City Council during the Sept. 3 meeting.
His day-to-day tasks included working with local leadership, like Winters Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III and other city administration, on translating emergency text message alerts and common fillable forms into Spanish. Social media announcements for events like the upcoming Festival de la Comunidad went up as well. He also spent time creating the business guide — which he said is a “big deal.” It includes information on obtaining a business license, permits, fees and websites to get more details about becoming an entrepreneur.
When Craig approached Navarrete with the idea to do a business guide, the intern took the project on and began to see how important it was quickly.
“There are a lot of people that have businesses in their house, but they’re not legit because they don’t want to or because they don’t know how to,” Navarrete said. The people who want to read the guide can
also have a Spanish version if reading English is challenging.
He added that the guide is “going to help improve infrastructure and economy of the town, because, if we get more businesses, then we get more more stuff going on in Winters.”
The United States Census Bureau estimates that over 50 percent of the Winters population speaks Spanish as of the 2022 Census.
The chair of the Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee and council member, Jesse Loren, wrote in an email to the Express that translations are a good move.
“When it comes to starting a business or understanding complex legal forms, it’s best to read it in your mother tongue,”
WHS senior asks community to support childhood cancer research
Special to the Express Winters High School senior Robert Maggenti Jr. is spreading awareness about childhood cancer and raising funds to support research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of his Senior Capstone Project. Maggenti brought Gridley High School on board with a sec-
ond Gold Out football game and his fellow Warriors will continue to wear gold throughout September. He’s asking the community to help support his project.
“I have asked all of the high schools in Yolo County and my division to join Winters High School to wear gold shirts and socks, all the month of September and to
Saturday, October 12th
raise funds,” Maggenti said. Maggenti organized a virtual fundraiser where people can gift donations toward St. Jude’s efforts in cancer research and treating patients. As of Tuesday, he has raised $470 toward his updated goal of $2,500 for St. Jude. To support his project with a donation, visit https:// bit.ly/3Mv9KQr.
option once he completes his studies,” Craig wrote in his staff report to the city council. “The value and viability of a summer intern program were proven during this process, and we hope to create such a program should the city budget allow for it in the near future.”
While working up to 25 hours a week in City Hall, he had a second job at Inand-Out during his gap year since graduating from WHS.
she said. “Luca made that possible for all the Spanish speakers in Winters.” She added that the Spanish alerts “could save lives.”
Navarrete noted that he had never been inside City Hall before his internship started and he has grown to appreciate the work staff do to keep Winters functioning.
“Everything is a lot of work, a lot of hustle from everyone that is involved,” he said. “All the stuff from the city to all like civilians that are volunteering and helping out— it’s just a really close community.”
City Manager Craig described the 18-year-old as a “great asset.”
“He has learned a great deal about city government, and we hope he will consider it a viable career
His father became a documented citizen seven years ago, and Navarrete moved to Winters from Mexico City two years ago to live with him. His experience impacted him so much that he wants other young people to become more civically engaged.
“I believe now it’s time for the young adults to help out with this community, just to keep it alive and keep it as nice as we have it right now,” Navarrete said.
The time he spent in City Hall helped the young citizen figure out what was next for his education and career.
He plans to study finance at Solano County Community College in the fall, and then potentially transfer to a four-year university.
“I know what I want and I am hoping to come back here,” he said at the end of his presentation to council members when asked what his next steps are.
Trustees, superintendent commit to district-wide priorities
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
The Winters Joint Unified School Board of Trustees and Superintendent set priorities for the school year last month.
Superintendent Rody Boonchouy laid those out in detail before the Winters JUSD board.
“Over the course of the summer, the site and district leadership have been hard at work reviewing and reflecting on organization-wide gains from 2023-2024, and we are refining our focus for the year ahead,” Boonchouy said.
This work culminated in the 2024–25 school district priorities.
“The development of these priorities began in June following the board’s evaluation of me as superintendent, which included commendations and recommendations for the district’s work ahead,” Boonchouy said.
Considering the future means reflecting on the past.
“These four priorities were at the center of our district leadership retreat. That work involved unpacking the priorities to develop clear and concrete outcomes that will guide the work over the course of the year,” Boonchouy said.
The superintendent said that to achieve greater coherence and clarity, officials align the district priorities with the local control accountabili-
“We are a small district that is improving student outcomes, and we will organize ourselves intentionally and strategically to help us achieve these outcomes.”
Rody Boonchouy, superintendent
ty plan goals, the California State accountability dashboard, and graduate profiles.
“These are the three pillars that guide the direction of our district,” Boonchouy said.
Priority one: create safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments.
“We will initiate efforts inclusive of community partners to address a district-wide commitment to student safety and wellbeing, including issues of cultural awareness, racism, and ways to amplify student’s voice,” Boonchouy said.
According to the superintendent, priority one was learned directly from “students, staff, and community members about issues of bullying, behavior supports, cultural sensitivity, and importantly the need to raise and amplify student voice in our district. “
He said a Culture Climate Committee will help that happen.
Priority two: improve student engagement and access.
“This will enhance access to college and career readiness opportunities,” the su-
perintendent said. Winters JUSD’s Career Technical Education pathways, apprenticeships/internships, AVID, A-G completion, and dual enrollment will help that happen.
Priority three: improve support for academic and graduate profile outcomes
“We will do this by enhancing fidelity, consistency, and structure among Professional Learning Communities to promote learning-focused collaboration and improved student achievement,” the superintendent said, adding that it also includes developing structures that promote teaching and learning of graduate profile skills.
Lastly, Priority four is organizational operations.
That entails optimizing our district’s efficiency and sustainability of staff teams, facilities, and a multitude of functions, ensuring safety, compliance, and a balanced distribution of responsibilities.
“We are a small district that is improving student outcomes, and we will organize ourselves intentionally and strategically to help us achieve these outcomes,” Boonchouy said, adding some outcomes will be further developed with school staff to share ownership.
“We’ve created ambitious expectations for ourselves,”
See SCHOOLS, Page 3
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Luca Navarrete, a 2023 Winters High school graduate, worked to translate emergency alerts and more to Spanish and created a business guide in part of a summer internship at City Hall.
Courtesy photo
Winters High School football players wear gold to spread awareness about childhood cancer and support a teammate’s Senior Capstone Project.
Eventos hispanos
Fideicomisarios seleccionan el diseño de la sala multiusos de Waggoner
Por Logan Chrisp
Traducido por Carol Alfonso
El pasado Jueves 5 de Septiembre, la Junta de Fideicomisarios del Distrito Escolar Winters Joint Unified School District dio instrucciones sobre cual opción les gustaría seguir para una futura sala multiusos en la escuela primaria Waggoner Elementary. La directora del programa Jennifer Gibb, de Van Pelt Construction Services y Brie Gargano de Studio W Architects presentaron tres opciones de diseño de sala multiusos para el recinto de Waggoner. Después de revisar las opciones de diseño, la junta seleccionó la opción B, que incluye una nueva sala multiusos combinada y una cocina. Gibb enfatizó la importancia de seleccionar un diseño ahora para agilizar el proceso de permisos y asegurar la posible financiación estatal. “La intención de avanzar ahora con este diseño, como lo solicitó la junta, es que estaremos listos para cualquier opción que se elija,” dijo Gibb. “De esa manera, si logramos obtener algún financiamiento estatal (porque la Propuesta 2 es exitosa) u otras fuentes de financiamiento, podemos ahorrarnos el esfuerzo de comenzar cuando tengamos el dinero para la construcción completa. Estaremos listos para construir dentro de un año o un año y medio, en lugar de agregar de 18 a 24 meses al diseño y los permisos después de que tengamos los fondos.”
El nuevo diseño, la Opción C, se creó después de que la junta pidiera ver cómo se vería una sala multiusos que tuviera suficiente espacio para actividades físicas. Este tercer diseño amplió la altura del techo y agregó más
SCHOOLS
Continued from Page 2
the superintendent said.
Board President Joedy Michael called the vertical alignment from staff down to site level and across sites very important.
“It really feels like we are trying to align what we do and the way we do business,” Michael said.
The real progress is seen in the student, according to Michael.
“If the students don’t think that we’re actually making progress or they don’t see how this affects their education, I think that may require that lens too,” Michael said.
Boonchouy explained that program benchmarks will help mark success or failure, using the achievement of the dual enrollment program at Woodland Community College last year.
“There are also metrics we are fine-tuning over the course of the year to help us see how we are doing,” Boonchouy said, say-
metros cuadrados al edificio multiusos para respaldar las actividades deportivas, pero por lo demás tenía el mismo tamaño que la Opción B. Si bien brindaba a los estudiantes un área interior que podía usarse para actividades físicas (incluidas las dimensiones reglamentarias de la cancha de baloncesto) durante los calurosos días de verano, el costo adicional hizo que la junta dudara en elegir la tercera opción de diseño.
Las opciones A y B siguen siendo las mismas que cuando se presentaron a la junta en Agosto. La opción A modernizaría la cocina existente en las instalaciones de cocina de Waggoner, en lugar de añadir una nueva cocina como parte del edificio multiusos. Esto requeriría que el personal de cocina encuentre una ubicación alternativa para preparar la comida para los estudiantes mientras se realizan las mejoras. La opción B, en cambio, integra una nueva cocina en el diseño propuesto del edificio multiusos. Este diseño moderniza la cocina actual de Waggoner y mantiene al personal de nutrición en el lugar para preparar la comida mientras se lleva a cabo la construcción, en lugar de tener que encontrar un medio alternativo para preparar la comida como lo requeriría la opción A. Ambas opciones incluyen un escenario en el edificio multiusos. Finalmente, la junta aprobó por unanimidad la selección de la opción B, que combina una sala multiusos con una nueva cocina y permite servicios de comida ininterrumpidos durante la construcción. El costo total de la opción B es de $11,015,920, apenas un poco menos que los $11,048,120 de la
ing he will be back with progress on the Winters JUSD mission priorities.
As for the superintendent’s goals, his are “aligned to these priorities.”
“This is what I will hold myself accountable to and what will drive the evaluation of my performance over the course of this year,” Boonchouy said.
In an email to the Express, Michael said Winters JUSD staff work hard for students and “they are the paddles moving this enormous ship forward.”
“Parents expect their children to receive a quality education when they
La propuesta de la Fase 2, Opción B presenta la construcción de un edificio en el recinto de la
er Elementary para albergar una nueva cocina y un salón multiusos. La Fase 1 del proyecto incluye la construcción de cuatro nuevas aulas de transición para jardín de infantes, una nueva área de descenso (drop-off)
opción A, y significativamente menor que los $12,977,000 de la opción C. El presidente de la junta, Joedy Michael, expresó un fuerte apoyo a la opción B, citando tanto la eficiencia operativa como los comentarios de la comunidad. “(La opción B) se destaca porque es la forma en que el personal se está inclinando desde un punto de vista operativo. Sería una pesadilla tener que hacer la opción A,” dijo Michael. “Si nos estuviéramos enfocando en lo que la comunidad y el personal querían, creo que la opción B es el camino a seguir.”
Si bien la opción C ofrecía el espacio adicional para actividades físicas, los casi $2 millones en costos adicionales hicieron que la junta dudara. La fiduciaria Kristin Trott expresó su acuerdo y dijo: “Realmente quiero que Waggoner tenga un salón multiusos y una nueva cocina, y ob-
entrust them into our schools, and we are dedicated to meeting those expectations. We are excited about these priorities and the positive impact they will have on our students,” Michael said. “Building on the progress from last year, the board and staff continue to align goals across all functions of the district, including the LCAP, to enhance both learning and the overall environment for students and staff. Looking ahead, we anticipate updates on our Professional Learning Communities, student data, and the direct outcomes of these priorities in future meetings.”
tener $2 millones más será un obstáculo. Estoy de acuerdo, la opción B es el camino a seguir.” El fiduciario Sterling Davis se hizo eco de estas preocupaciones, enfatizando la necesidad de una instalación funcional en lugar de un diseño más ambicioso. “Waggoner necesita una sala multiusos con una cocina adjunta. Esa es nuestra prioridad: garantizar que la instalación funcione para nuestra escuela, per-
sonal y estudiantes,” dijo Davis. “La opción C sería increíble, especialmente con nuestra comunidad en crecimiento, pero quiero ser realista. La opción B nos da espacio para nuestros estudiantes, incluso si no es la perfecta.”
El salón multiusos brindará un espacio interior para que los estudiantes lo utilicen durante condiciones climáticas extremas, como calor o humo, que se han convertido
en una preocupación apremiante en los últimos años. “Prefiero tener algo que nada,” agregó Davis. “No queremos arriesgarnos demasiado y terminar sin nada.” Gibb dijo que el equipo de diseño incorporará oportunidades de las sugerencias del personal de la ciudad y compartirá la opción de diseño de la instalación elegida con la comunidad en Octubre para obtener más comentarios.
Entretenimiento gratuito para toda la familia. Presentación de Mariachis, Folklórico, Jimena Izquierdo y banda Los Covas 7:30pm-10:30pm •
Gráfico de cortesía
Escuela Primaria Waggon-
y un estacionamiento.
Join us at the next Express Coffeehouse Chat
Sit down with the Express Editor, City Manager and Superintendent on Friday, Sept. 20, at 8 a.m. at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House. Enjoy a cuppa and get to know your city leaders or ask questions about the city or school district.
Public Safety Report
dent with injury
Sept. 4: 8:06 p.m., Martin Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
Sept. 5: 12:27 a.m., Russell Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~3:16, Highway 128, Grassfire
~10:08 p.m., Putah Creek Road, Grassfire
Sept. 6: 8:08 a.m., Carbahal Street, Gas leak (natural gas or LPG)
~11 a.m., County Road 90, Dispatched and canceled en route
~5:37 p.m., Valley Oak Drive, Hazardous condition – other
Sept. 5: Luis Alberto Banuelos (Age 36), Charges: Winters PD misdemeanor warrant of arrest, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail
~Robert Paul Neal (Age 61), Charges: Three Winters PD misdemeanor bench warrants, Disposition: Released on notice to appear ~Leah Ann Ricketts (Age 40), Charges: Two Solano Sheriff misdemeanor bench warrants and one San Matteo Sheriff bench warrant, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail ~Jennifer Jenette Miller (Age 57), Charges: Mendocino County misdemeanor bench warrant, Disposition: Released on notice to appear Sept. 8: Jeffery Hawkins Anderson (Age 39), Charges: Two Sacramento Sheriff misdemeanor bench warrants, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail Report Log
Sept. 4: 3:40 p.m., 600 block of Overhouse Drive, Grand theft ~5:39 p.m., 300 block of Creekside Way, Outside Agency Assist Sept. 5: 7:24 a.m., 900 block of W. Grant Avenue, Trespassing Sept. 6: 11:34 a.m., 800 block of Jackson Street, Fraud For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.
YESTERYEAR
Lake Berryessa water levels down
Express staff
The water level of Lake Berryessa dropped by 0.45 of a foot during the past week, with a decrease in the storage of 8,088 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh, Solano Project Technician with the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 17, he reported the lake elevation was 430.45 feet above sea level, with water storage behind the Monticello Dam computed at 1,375,823 acre-feet of water. The SID is releasing 362 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 38 cubic feet flowing into Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation on the lake averaged 222 acre-feet of water per day.
Felicia Elizabeth Diaz Norfolk (Googie), age 89, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024. She was born on April 12, 1935. She was known as “Googie” by her family and friends. Not quite sure where that nickname came from but it stuck with her throughout her lifetime. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Felicia Diaz; her husband, Ralph Norfolk; her son Randall Norfolk; sister Rebecca Diaz, and brother-in-law Robert Johnson. She is survived by her son and wife Timothy and Paige Norfolk of Dixon; sister Joan Johnson of Springfield, Illinois; and sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Douglas Taggart of Omaha, Nebraska.
Googie was so proud of her many grandchildren. She is survived by her 10 grandchildren Carrie Norfolk of Fairfield, California; Nathan Norfolk of Fairfield, California; Jennifer Nelson of Manitou, Kentucky; Joseph Norfolk of Winters, California; Kirby Norfolk of Vacaville, California; Benjamin Norfolk of Dixon, California; Brian Norfolk of Dixon, California; Stormi Norfolk of Winters, California; Dakota Norfolk of Dixon,
California; and Dallas Norfolk of Dixon, California. Googie had 25 great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandson.
Googie is also survived by her many nephews, nieces and cousins as well as her many Norfolk relatives who reside in Maryland.
Googie and Ralph were longtime residents on Baker Street in Winters, California. For the last five years, she was a resident of the Solano Life House in Dixon, California. Googie worked at the First National Bank of Dixon in the Winters branch and the Win-
ters Florist shop. She finished off her career working at the University of California at Davis in the College of Agriculture. Googie had a love of cooking. She was also very talented in making beautiful floral arrangements. Her other hobbies included painting beautiful oil landscapes, crocheting blankets, and making picture scrapbooks.
A grave site gathering will be held for her on October 10, at 2 p.m. at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California. Googie had a good life and will be missed by many!
Maintenance along Russell Boulevard
Special to the Express
The Yolo County Department of Community Services’ Public Works Division is performing bike path maintenance along Russell Boulevard between County Road 98 and Patwin Road from Sept. 16 until Sept. 20. This work includes the removal of two trees in declining health, whose
root systems have raised the pavement and created uneven surfaces along the bike path. The county’s contract arborist, West Coast Arborists, will handle the tree removal, while the county’s Road Maintenance staff will address the pavement repairs. Bike path users may encounter closures between County Road 98 and Lake Boulevard. Motorists may also experience lane closures along Russell Boulevard to allow safe maneuvering for the contractor. Cyclists will be redirected to Russell Boulevard during the maintenance. Work is scheduled
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to minimize disruption to local schools. Travelers should expect delays and consider alternative routes. Please follow all construction signs and flagger directions, and reduce your speed in the work zone. Access to local properties and businesses will be maintained throughout the construction. For more information, including the County’s Road Closures Map, visit www.YoloCounty.gov/ Road-Closures. Residents are reminded to slow down and follow all construction signs and flaggers when passing through the area.
Felicia (Googie) Norfolk
Courtesy photo
Picked by Charley Wallace File photo
Homecoming Queen attendants in 1994 were, from left (front), Gabrielle Harris, sophomore class; Rebecca Knabke, freshman class; Monica Rodriguez, junior class. Escorts for the attendants are, from left, Joe Porras and Jorge Garcia. Not pictured, freshman escort attendant Joel Del Rio.
been showing swine for nearly a decade and was showing chickens even before that. For her, FFA and showmanship are a family tradition.
“Growing up, I saw my older cousins raise pigs,” Miller said.
Watching her cousins eventually inspired her to show swine herself. When asked what raising livestock has taught her, Miller said “raising animals has taught me responsibility. I had to go out in the morning to feed the pig. I had to make sure that they were fed and their pens were clean because if I didn’t no one would.”
Many Winters FFA students saw success at the fair, including Emma Magallon who won Reserve Champion FFA market goat, Jordan Skaggs who won Reserve Champion AOB Lamb, and Esperanza Hernandez who won Reserve
versation and begin research on the topic of “gender ideology.”
Transgender Students FAQs page on the school district website. She also included information about specific questions on Winters JUSD’s California Healthy Kids and Youth Truth surveys, the Health Connected Puberty Talk and Health class curriculums, and a breakdown of student clubs listed on the Winters High School website.
She also encouraged parents to opt their children out of participating in surveys and programs they did not agree with, to contact schools to request to sit in on classes and to have conversations with school district trustees or make public comments about their concerns.
Bourne and Madden discussed LGBTQIA+-related services provided by CommuniCare Health, state legislation regarding gender diversity on bathroom signs and how the CIF gender diversity policies and guidelines have created a loss of fair and safe sports for girls and unfair competition in general sports.
Madden also addressed social and medical transitions, trans-identifying students in classrooms, and encouraged families with concerns to speak up and start conversations within the community.
“Talk to your friends. Engage on social media and in person. When you are ready, give (a) comment at public meetings. Call political representatives and ask them to meet with you. They are there to serve you,” Madden said.
Anderson also encouraged people to speak up to start a con-
“The best thing you can do right now is to educate yourself,” Anderson said.
Community comments
Multiple people from Winters — mostly educators and parents in Winters JUSD — stood to speak during the public comment section to round out the event. Although there were opposing ideas, a main theme from all of them was the ask to allow Winters residents to have an open conversation between Winters residents, for residents to put in the time to do their own research on the facts surrounding their concerns, and to come to the conversation with respect for each other’s perspectives.
“I want everybody to understand how important it is to accept or to respect each person’s individual requirements of their own children. And unfortunately, that’s now what we’re seeing,” said Katie Skalicky, a Winters parent. “I put a post online and I was very verbally attacked and there’s no way we’re ever going to find common ground unless we talk about things like this.”
Skalicky continued to speak to the safety of children in locker rooms and of staff members in charge of them, calling it a “can of worms” and potential “false allegations” to allow all genders to utilize the same locker rooms at schools. She then referred back to the notion that the rhetoric to divide the town and exclude people was not true in the community.
“You’re opening up the door to a lot of potential issues for our beautiful town and we are open and accept-
Champion FFA Single Fryer for her rabbit.
Additionally, Colton Brown and Buck Boykin won first-place prizes for their ag mech projects.
Showing at the fair is an experience that teaches young people
ing to everybody. I don’t know where this came from — where we don’t like everybody, where we’re not including everybody,” Skalicky said.
Winters parent Emily Back also stood with a similar message, encouraging residents
lessons that are very hard to find in any other environment. This learned responsibility and passion for work will follow them and earn them success, not just in the show ring, but throughout their lives.
benign aggressive, it brings people in here who want to love.”
Other speakers who have served as educators encouraged parents to be loving and open to what their children are feeling and to provide a safe space for them. Win-
“I want everybody to understand how important it is to accept or to respect each person’s individual requirements of their own children.”
Katie Skalicky, parent
to do more research and have discussions about it together, but without outside influences — and specifically referred to Bourne who has made controversial headline news in Davis and nationwide.
“I think that this community coming in here coming in here and coming together and having a discussion — the idea of it is great,” Back said.
“But when you have someone up here, like this women, who goes and verbally attacks people and has a reputation that you can see all over the internet of
ters JUSD educator Jenny Ramos shared that it was important for some students to have a person — usually a teacher — to discuss what they are feeling with because they do not feel safe at home.
“There’s not always that support there at home, and whoever touched on that — it’s not always there,” Ramos said sharing about a time she had discovered that a student was mistreated because she “identified them by the name they chose to go by.”
She also encouraged parents to opt
An electronic copy of the document can be obtained by members of the public who bring a thumb drive to the Department of Community Development to copy the document onto.
The public review period for the Farmstead development draft EIR is from Sept. 13 to Oct. 28. All comments on the draft EIR must be submitted to the city by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 to be considered.
Under Section 15088(a) of the CEQA Guidelines, late comments will be considered only at the city’s discretion and must be directed to: David Dowswell, Contract Planner City of
out of things they don’t want their children to experience and said that teachers would respect that because all students deserve safe places to change in, learn in and live in.
Encouraging safe spaces, diverse communities
Some protesters at the event challenged the ideas and perspectives presented by calling out questions and statements of their own. Others chose to record the event, hold up signs or applause statements they agreed with (particularly when it was being used as a negative viewpoint).
Anoosh Jorjorian, chair of the Davis Phoenix Coalition, spoke with the Express after the event to share the “why” behind the move to rally protesters for the event.
Jorjorian said Moms for Liberty members have “harassed school districts across Yolo County” and are now “encroaching on Winters.” The group has grave concerns with Moms for Liberty “repeating a lot of disinformation and transphobic talking points
Winters Community Development Department 318 First Street, Winters, CA 95694.
The proposed project includes multiple residential lots including a subdivided 188-unit single-family residential community, a 57-unit townhome community and an 84-unit multi-family residential complex; three commercial lots totaling 3.3 acres; 6.9 total acres of park uses; a new drainage channel parallel to the eastern site boundary; internal roadway improvements; associated utility improvements; new landscaping and frontage improvements.
For more information, visit www.cityofwinters.org.
that are put out by anti-LGBTQ+ organizations.”
“We wanted to be sure that they knew that there’s an overwhelming community presence that opposes them and their agenda,” Jorjorian said. The Davis Phoenix Coalition provides several programs for the LGBTQIA+ community and has a resource page on its website for families and people to explore. Jorjorian encouraged parents to take time to learn the facts about policies set to protect students.
“Those policies are there to protect LGBTQ+ children and their rights and to keep them safe — as I believe all of us want our children to be at school,”
Jorjorian said.
She also said the “key to ensuring that you understand what is going on for your child and to also be able to address any questions that your child has” and to ask questions about LCGTQIA+ issues or if there are concerns about the textbooks and curriculums educators use in the classroom.
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Sophomore Harper Brown manuevers his pig around the show ring at the Yolo County Fair on Aug. 14. Multiple Winters FFA members competed with livestock.
Perennial pruning pointers
Metro
Special to the Express
Foliage and football might be two things people instantly associate with fall, but there’s more to this beloved season than brightly colored leaves and action on the gridiron.
Seasoned gardeners know that gardening is a yearround commitment. Pruning is one of the keys to keeping perennials coming back for years to come, and fall is an ideal time to take on this important task. Pruning perennials in the fall is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, some perennials can be cut down after the first killing frost, while others can be left to benefit wildlife, including birds and insects. Understanding pruning and when to do it this fall can help gardeners lay a strong foundation for their gardens that will benefit them next spring. Why prune some perennials?
The College of Agricultural Scienc-
es at Pennsylvania State University notes that perennials that have become diseased or infested with insects are pruned to prevent those problems from resurfacing in the spring. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, many herbaceous perennials have old foliage and dying stems after several hard frosts. If dead foliage or dying stems aren’t pruned, disease, slugs and other pests can overwinter in the plants. Cutting these plants down to the ground after several hard frosts allows the base of the plant to remain dormant over the winter but makes the plant less hospitable to disease and insects. Which ones?
The first step to pruning perennials is to recognize which need to be pruned and which can be left intact for the winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that bee balm and phlox are prone to powdery mildew and should be cut back once they’re gone. Hostas harbor slug eggs, so they, too, should be
pruned after a hard frost. There’s no need to cut back certain perennials if they’re healthy. Hardy geraniums do not require pruning in the fall, and Penn State Extension notes that hardy perennials like garden mums are more likely to survive a cold winter if they’re left intact. That’s because the tops of such plants will collect leaves and snow for insulation and moisture over the course of winter. Gardeners who are unsure about fall pruning can reach out to their local Master Gardeners group. When to prune
Diseased or infested plants can be pruned at the first sight of disease or infestation, but gardeners can wait until several hard frosts have occurred before they prune healthy perennials. In gardening parlance, a hard frost refers to when temperatures drop below 28 F. Several hard frosts kill the uppermost growth of most perennials, making this an ideal time to prune them.
Upgrade bathroom safety features for seniors
Bathrooms can benefit from updates that improve their form and function. While styles and color patterns may inspire bathroom renovations, improvements to safety also should be considered.
Bathrooms can be one of the most dangerous rooms in a house. Bath and shower areas account for about two-thirds of accidental injuries in these spaces. Many other injuries involve the toilet. In 2008, a thorough investigation of bathroom dangers conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that mishaps near the bathtub, shower, toilet, and sink caused an estimated 234,094 nonfatal injuries in the United States among people aged 15 years and older.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable in the bathroom due to reduced mobility and flexibility, visual impairment and other factors. However, some key modifications can make bathrooms much safer for aging populations.
pliant raised toilet seat. Standard toilet seats are roughly 15 inches high, but elevated seats can raise the bowl an additional two to four inches. Another option is to invest in risers that can be attached to an existing toilet.
• Grab bars: Seniors may use towel holders as grab bars, which don’t have stability and can dislodge from the wall. Install secured side grip bars by the toilet and inside the shower to make maneuvering easier.
• Water temperature: Seniors may be vulnerable to hot water temperatures. Lower the water temperature setting on the hot water heater. StaySafe.org recommends 120 F.
• Faucets: Change faucet handles to paddle-style handles rather than knobs. Knobs can be challenging to grip for those with arthritis in their hands. Also, handles that are easier for seniors to use can reduce the risk of the elderly losing their balance as they attempt to gain leverage to turn the water on and off.
• Rounded corners: Choose counters and fixtures with rounded corners. Should a senior fall against something, the rounded corner may prevent serious injury.
• Shower benches and transfer seats: Benches and transfer seats make it easier getting in and out of the shower. Also, sitting while showering reduces the risk of becoming light-headed or losing balance.
• Walk-in tubs/showers: Minimizing the threshold to the shower or bathtub is an important safety feature.
Some manufacturers make walk-in tubs with doors that secure and make watertight seals. Showers that don’t have a lip or tub to scale also are better for seniors.
• Raised toilet seat: Install an ADA-com-
• Lighting: Eyesight weakens over time, so improve lighting with combinations of overhead lighting and softer side lighting. Night lights or soft-glowing toilet lights can make it easier to get around the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Nonslip mats: Nonslip mats or tape strips can be used in showers and tub bottoms, as well as outside of the shower to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Rugs should have rubberized, slip-resistant backing.
What to know about kitchen countertop materials
Metro Special to the Express
Kitchens are the busiest rooms in most homes. Kitchens have become more than just places to prepare meals, with many functioning as gathering spaces and even go-to dining spots in homes that do not feature formal dining rooms.
So much time spent in the kitchen makes it worthwhile to invest in these popular spaces. Kitchen renovations are high on many homeowners’ to-do lists, and there’s many decisions to make once they commit to redoing the room.
When renovating a kitchen, homeowners will have to choose which countertop material they want to install, and the following rundown of popular options can help simplify that decision.
Quartz Quartz is considered a low-maintenance and durable countertop material. The home improvement experts at This Old House note that quartz countertops are typically 94 percent ground quartz and now come with an honed, sandblasted or embossed treatment,
which makes them appealing to homeowners with varying ideas on the ideal look of a kitchen countertop. Quartz can crack if it’s not handled properly, and edges and corners can chip over time. Rounded edges can minimize the risk of chipping. Costs vary by location and product availability, but quartz typically costs about the same as natural stone.
Granite
Consumer Reports notes that no two slabs of granite are the same, and that uniqueness has long appealed to homeowners. Tests run by Consumer Reports found that heat, cuts and scratches did not harm granite, though this material, like quartz, can crack around edges and corners. Granite is a durable material that, if properly maintained, can last several decades. Granite also is nonporous, which makes it resistant to bacteria.
Laminate
Laminate countertops appeal to budget-friendly homeowners and Consumer Reports notes that they’re easy to install. Home Depot also
notes that laminate countertops come in a wide range of colors, textures and designs. Laminate countertops also are durable, which helps budget-conscious homeowners stretch their dollars even further. Laminate countertops are easily maintained, though it’s also easy to permanently damage them with knives, so Consumer Reports recommends always using a cutting board when preparing meals on laminate.
Butcher block
Butcher block countertops are among the more unique options homeowners may consider. Sometimes referred to as “wood countertops,” butcher block countertops are made from wooden strips that are fused together. The home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that butcher block is among the more affordable materials, but the final cost will be dictated by location and availability. BobVila.com notes that butcher block countertops are highly sensitive to liquid, so exposure to moisture should be limited. Sealing butcher block countertops im-
mediately after installation can help protect against bacteria and warping. Though butcher blocks can be high maintenance, many homeowners find the unique look is well worth the extra elbow grease.
Kitchen countertops can define how the room looks, and homeowners have many options to choose from when designing a new kitchen.
Focusing on foot health do’s and don’ts
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
The foot is one of the most specialized groups of joints in the human body.
That is what Dr. James Stirton, head chiropractor at Winters Family Chiropractic will tell you when talking about gait, and the way a person walks or runs.
“It has one of the most complex functions and responsibilities in human locomotion,” Stirton said.
“It supports us as we stand on varying surfaces and has different responsibilities during gait.”
The doctor will also tell you the foot has 26 bones, creating three arches to support the body during gait and stance.
“Most people don’t realize there are three arches in the foot,” Stirton said of the medial, lateral, and metatarsal. “The foot needs to be rigid when the heel strikes the ground to absorb the shock to the body during gait.”
Why is this so important?
According to the doctor, on average, adults will walk 10,000 steps in a busy day, while less active adults walk 5,000 steps.
“When the mechanics of the foot are off, including failure of the arches to hold the weight appropriately, it creates a lot of bad forces entering the body and can injure knees, hips, and the back,” Stirton said.
“Since 80 percent of the forces going into our body are coming from the feet, it is likely that most of our aches and pains can be related to a failure in the foot biomechanics.”
“Our feet are not meant to be in shoes, nor are they meant to live their lives on hard, unyielding surfaces like asphalt, concrete tile, and brick,” Stirton said, noting other negative factors for feet. “The rigidity of our footwear, poor support of our feet’ arches, and most of our steps are on hard and unyield-
ing surfaces.”
While many think of chiropractic care for the body, they often forget it entails the feet.
“We are equipped with modern sciences, the latest and greatest in diagnostic equipment scanners,” Stirton said, noting that the proprietary software diagnoses foot structure and arch issues. “It is important to support your arches throughout your lifetime to reduce the damage to your feet and, therefore, your body.”
One way to halt harming foot issues is orthotic supports.
“I use the premier orthotic company for functional orthotics because they have funded a lot of the science related to the health of your feet and body,” Stirton said, adding that custom prescriptions ensure the restoration of arch structure and foot health.
But it’s not just about the footwear. The
doctor said research shows up to 34 percent of back pain sufferers noticed no or reduced lower back pain after the initial use of orthotics, which is why he also prescribes various stretches and activities to assist in foot health.
“These are good to do every day,” Stirton said. “One of them I recommend doing every morning before you put on your footwear is rolling your foot through its complete ranges of motion before you put them on the ground.”
If you hear snaps and pops as your joints in the feet become unstuck, that is OK, according to the doctor.
“Another nice exercise I recommend to my patients is to freeze a water bottle so when you get home after their long day on the feet, they can roll the foot on top of the frozen water bottle and soothe sore plantar fascia tissue on the bottom of your foot,” he said.
Fixing foot issues is possible no matter the age.
“It’s never too soon to get your feet examined, and I examine children as often as adults,” Stirton said. If you have questions and concerns about your foot health, call our office for a consultation.”
The doctor says, “If you’re not certain, ask Stirton.” To learn more about Winters Family Chiropractic and its services, visit americanriverchiropractic.com/index. php/winters-family-chiropractic.
Decades of National Suicide Prevention policies haven’t slowed deaths
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock KFF Health News
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”
When Pooja Mehta’s younger brother, Raj, died by suicide at 19 in March 2020, she felt “blindsided.”
Raj’s last text message was to his college lab partner about how to divide homework questions.
“You don’t say you’re going to take questions 1 through 15 if you’re planning to be dead one hour later,” said Mehta, 29, a mental health and suicide prevention advocate in Arlington, Virginia. She had been trained in Mental Health First Aid — a nationwide program that teaches how to
identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness — yet she said her brother showed no signs of trouble.
Raj’s death came in the midst of decades of unsuccessful attempts to tamp down suicide rates nationwide.
During the past two decades, federal officials have launched three national suicide prevention strategies, including one announced in April.
The first strategy, announced in 2001, focused on addressing risk factors for suicide and leaned on a few common interventions.
The next strategy called for developing and implementing standardized protocols to identify and treat people at risk for suicide with follow-up care and the support needed to continue
treatment.
The latest strategy builds on previous ones and includes a federal action plan calling for the implementation of 200 measures over the next three years, including prioritizing populations disproportionately affected by suicide, such as Black youth and Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
Despite those evolving strategies, from 2001 through 2021 suicide rates increased most years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provisional data for 2022, the most recent numbers available, shows deaths by suicide grew an additional 3 percent over the previous year. CDC officials project the final number of suicides in 2022 will be higher.
In the past two decades, suicide rates in rural states such as Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming have been about double those in urban areas, according to the CDC.
Despite those persistently disappointing numbers, mental health experts contend the national strategies aren’t the problem. Instead, they argue, the policies — for many reasons — simply aren’t being funded, adopted, and used. That slow uptake was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a broad, negative impact on mental health.
A chorus of national experts and government officials agree the strategies simply haven’t been embraced widely but said even basic tracking of deaths by suicide isn’t universal. Surveillance data is commonly used to drive healthcare quality improvement and has been helpful in addressing cancer and heart disease. Yet, it hasn’t been used in the study of behavioral health issues such as suicide, said Michael Schoenbaum, a senior adviser for mental health services, epidemiology, and economics at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Without accurate statistics, researchers can’t figure out who dies most often by suicide, what prevention strategies are working, and where prevention money is needed most.
Many states and territories don’t allow medical records to be linked to death certificates, Schoenbaum said, but NIMH
is collaborating with a handful of other organizations to document this data for the first time in a public report and database due out by the end of the year.
Lack of implementation isn’t only a state and local government problem. Despite evidence that screening patients for suicidal thoughts during medical visits helps head off catastrophes, health professionals are not mandated to do so.
Many doctors find suicide screening daunting because they have limited time and insufficient training and because they aren’t comfortable discussing suicide, said Janet Lee, an adolescent medicine specialist and associate professor of pediatrics at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
The use of other measures has also been inconsistent. Crisis intervention services are core to the national strategies, yet many states haven’t built standardized systems. Besides being fragmented, crisis systems, such as mobile crisis units, can vary from state to state and county to county. Some mobile crisis units use telehealth, some operate 24 hours a day and others 9 to 5, and some use local law enforcement for responses instead of mental health workers.
Only 23 percent of Americans are familiar with 988 and there’s a significant knowledge gap about the situations people should call 988 for,
according to a recent poll conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Ipsos. Most states, territories, and tribes have also not yet permanently funded 988, which was launched nationwide in July 2022 and has received about $1.5 billion in federal funding, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Anita Everett, director of the Center for Mental Health Services within SAMHSA, said her agency is running an awareness campaign to promote the system. Some states, including Colorado, are taking other steps. There, state officials installed financial incentives for implementing suicide prevention efforts, among other patient safety measures, through the state’s Hospital Quality Incentive Payment Program. The program hands out about $150 million a year to hospitals for good performance. In the last year, 66 hospitals improved their care for patients experiencing suicidality, according to Lena Heilmann, director of the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Experts hope other states will follow Colorado’s lead. —KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more at kffhealthnews.org.
Courtesy photo
Orthotic supports can help to alleviate some foot issues when worn correctly.
Wednesdays
Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue
Thursdays
Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690
Thursday, September 19
Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community
WFoL Presents: Let's Talk Romance!, 7 p.m., Winters Opera House (13 Main St.), wfol.org
Saturday, September 28
Festival de la Comunidad (Carnitas Festival), Event: 4:30–10:30 p.m., Food served: 4:30–7 p.m., Winters Community Center and Rotary Park, Bring lawn chairs, https://bit.ly/4efWATp
Tuesday, October 1
Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/
Monday, October 14
Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/182/Climate-Action-Commission Library Services
Winters Library Open to Public (School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m. Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library
Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org
Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.
Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library
All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing
Older Adult Programs
Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Ongoing
Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org
Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays (September through April), 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn Winters Museum public hours, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Paseo Park, Main Street. Metaphysical Book Club, Fridays at 5:30 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up at dixiesbookclub@gmail.com or call 530-212-5026
12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.
Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org
Walking Meditation, third Sunday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Meet behind the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:
» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m.
Brazilian guitar maker returns to Winters after 10 years for collaboration, friendship
By Sonora Slater Express correspondent
Marcello Rizzi wasn’t naive. He realized that his trumpet-playing talents weren’t quite going to cut it when it came to making a living in the real world — so the Brazilian native put his dream of having a career in the arts on hold, and studied mechanical engineering in his home country. But before he returned to schooling to earn his master’s degree in the field, his cousin encouraged him to take a break and travel.
Having grown up skateboarding and listening to Californian music, he decided to spend a month in the Golden State. And having seen Al Calderone’s name pop up on the Internet after semi-spontaneously deciding he wanted to learn to build guitars while in the United States, he soon found himself at 308 Railroad Ave. stepping into ARC Guitar in Winters, California.
derone did something he’d never done before: He invited Rizzi to stay on as his apprentice for the remainder of his sixmonth visa. Rizzi said yes.
A decade-long friendship
Calderone had been leading an approximately three-weeklong guitar-building course for years after teaching himself the art of luthiering, or building and repairing stringed instruments. But he said that Rizzi was an especially adept student, no doubt partially due to his educational background.
“I
t’s an exact art,” Rizzi said. “So all my learnings on engineering fit really well there. Precision, knowing how the machinery works, knowing how materials like wood work.”
So rather than ending the mentorship after a month, Cal-
That was 10 years ago. Since then, Rizzi has come back to visit Calderone several times, the most recent of which was this past June when he came to the United States on the hunt for certain types of wood that are very hard to acquire in Brazil. In between visits, Calderone says he and Rizzi still talk almost daily. Calderone began his career as a luthier in his 40s after a shop botched a repair job on his own guitar, and he vowed to fix his own instruments from then on. He opened his shop in Winters in 2008 after a redevelopment grant from the city allowed him to take over the 113-year-old building where ARC Guitar is currently located.
See GUITARS, Page 4
New species of praying mantis discovered
By Kathy Keatley Garvey Special to the Express
He never expected to discover a new praying mantis species.
But a juvenile mantis that UC Davis alumnus Lohitashwa
“Lohit” Garikipati collected on a 2019 trip to Madera Canyon, Arizona, proved not to be the commonly known California mantis, Stagmomantis wheelerii, but a new species.
It all started when Garikipati, now a newly enrolled doctoral student at the Richard Glider Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History, joined his friends and fellow entomologists to collect specimens on multiple trips to southern Arizona.
“That individual that I collected in 2019 failed to molt to adult,” Garikipati
said. “In subsequent years, I went back looking for a similar individual, but with no luck. It wasn’t until Peter Clausen (a citizen scientist in Sonoita, Arizona) sent me an adult female that I had the inkling it might be a new species.”
resulted in a mantis researcher’s dream: he’d discovered a new species.
His newly published research, “Description and Total Ontogeny of the Sonoran Tiger Mantis, Stagmomantis clauseni sp. nov., and Key to the Subgenus Nigralora (Mantodea: Mantidae),” appears in Zootaxa at 10.11646/
zootaxa.5501.1.4. He named it Stagmomantis clauseni, in honor of Clausen. Its common name, “Sonoran Tiger Mantis,” refers to its locality, aggressiveness and coloring.
“Peter is one of the founders of hobbyist pages like mantidforum.net that I joined as a kid and learned quite a bit about mantises from other hobbyists around the world,” Garikipati said. “He also continues to participate in research in a citizen science capacity by helping researchers by collecting and documenting specimens from Arizona and surrounding areas.” Clausen is on Instagram at https://www. instagram.com/bugsincyberspace.
The Sonoran Tiger Mantis is “a really aggressive species and will stalk prey See MANTIS, Page 4
Courtesy photo
Marcello Rizzi of Rizzi Instrumentos Musicais and Al Calderone of ARC Guitar proudly display the some of the guitars they built together in their international musical collaboration.
Courtesy photo
A close-up look at one of the guitars the duo crafted
Lohit Garikipati/Courtesy photo
The new species of praying mantis, Stagmomantis clauseni, or the common name, Sonoran Tiger Mantis, that UC Davis alumnus Lohit Garikipati discovered.
Farm dreams: Make your homestead a reality
Homewise
Special to the Express
It may not seem like a natural first step for a homebuyer, but the USDA Rural Development program offers more than 50 financial assistance applications that help people in rural areas. Many of these rural areas are also more populated than you may think. The financial programs cover everything from businesses, utilities, environmental programs and yes, even home ownership.
What is it?
The USDA offers loans to help people buy, build or repair affordable homes. Eligibility is based on income and varies according to the average median income for
each area. There are two programs specifically for home buyers. The direct loan program, also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, allows buyers to purchase or build with no money down in eligible rural areas.
• Borrowers must have low or very low income in comparison with the average median income for their area. They must be without decent, safe and sanitary housing and unable to obtain a loan from other resources they can reasonably be expected to meet.
• These loans generally have a 33-year term with payment assistance available. The guaranteed loan program goes
through a third-party lender. It helps borrowers purchase or build with no money down in eligible rural areas.
year, fixed-rate term with refinancing options available.
Resources for homeowners
If you already own your home in an eligible rural area (you can check this at the Rural Development website, rd.usda.gov), you may also qualify for loans to repair or improve your home.
• For loans greater than $25,000, full title service is required.
• If the homeowner receives a grant and the property is sold in less than three years, the grant must be repaid.
gram provides direct loans to very low income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes. Senior may be eligible for grants to remove health and safety hazards under the program. To qualify:
• Borrowers can have a moderate household income in comparison with the average median income for their area. This is generally defined as no more than 115 percent of median household income.
• It’s repaid on a 30-
The Section 504 Home Repair pro-
• Homeowners must both own and occupy the house and be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
• Have a household income below the very low limit by county.
• For grants, homeowners must be 62 or older.
• The maximum loan is $40,000 and the maximum grant is $10,000. Loans and grants may be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance. The loans are payable over 20 years at a 1 percent interest rates.
There are also programs to help homeowners repair in the event of a disaster. Grants are available for very low- and low-income homeowners to repair their homes damaged in a 2022 presidentially declared disaster area. Additionally, the Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants in Presidentially Declared Disasters Pilot program provides loans and grants to very low-income homeowners to repair disaster-related damage.
Express Yourself
Some small towns have figured out how to survive
There are plenty of small towns that have figured out how to change with the times. Winters seems to have morphed into a destination city, where people are willing to travel to experience something different.
I’m still hoping that we can keep our business community healthy enough to supply more services for those of us who live here.
We may never be big enough to have another department store like Greenwood’s, where we could buy shoes and Levis, but there is always hope. Even after we added around 600 homes our population didn’t change very much. Years ago, when I was on the planning commission, we figured that there would be 3.8 people per new home. I still don’t know how you can split people, but that is what planners do. Now we plan on 2.3 per home. That means that for every three homes we allow to be built there will
be approximately one child added to our school system. When my permanent tenant and I travel, we like to stay in downtown hotels or bed and breakfasts. It gives us a chance to support local businesses and gives us a feel for the community. Even in large cities you get a better understanding of the people who live there than if you stay in a hotel on the freeway.
Being married to a quilter gives us plenty of opportunities to visit small towns. Last week, there was a quilting retreat in McCloud, a town of 1,600 around 4,000 feet in elevation. To get there, you just go north on Highway 5 for about three hours, just past Dunsmuir you turn right into the mountains. It isn’t exactly on a major highway but it has a nice, old, touristy Main Street. They have a few old wooden hotels
See QUICK, Page 5
Horoscopes
ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20)
A disagreement may have you questioning a relationship this week, Aries. Do not get ahead of yourself, as you’ll figure out that the turmoil will subside soon enough.
TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21)
Group activities or time spent with a significant other may not go as well as usual this week, Taurus. With your mind elsewhere, it’s hard to focus on having fun and others will catch on.
GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21)
Do not believe everything you hear this week, Gemini. There are a lot of rumors floating around, and only a portion of what is being said is accurate. Get the facts first.
CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22)
Cancer, you are usually outgoing and easygoing, but this week you may be feeling more reserved and shy. Are you missing someone? If so, get in touch and you’ll feel more like yourself.
LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23)
Friends or family members may be making more demands on your time, Leo. You want to go along with it, but be careful not to stretch yourself too thin.
VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22)
Virgo, someone close to you might be feeling under the weather and could use a little extra support right now. Perhaps you can make soup or drop in for a visit to cheer this person up?
LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23)
Seek out quiet spots right now, Libra, as lately your life has been a bit of a whirlwind. Change is good, but so much change at one time can be exhausting.
SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22)
Scorpio, take a step back from all of your responsibilities. Things will not go haywire if you take a break for a few days or even a week. You can commit fully again after some rest .
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21)
There’s no point getting into an argument over a situation beyond your control, Sagittarius. Instead, wait until the time is right to express your thoughts and work out a solution.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20)
Capricorn, even though you may want to expand your friend network right now, you aren’t sure how to begin. Social media can connect you with those nearby.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18)
It is a good idea for you to have set deadlines for your goals, Aquarius; otherwise, you may keep putting things off. With dates on paper, you can check things as they get done.
PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20)
Pisces, you want to return to a relationship right where you left off, but the other person may not be on the same page right now. Give it a little more time.
Express Yourself
Identifying jade with sunscad, blight on apple tree
Special to the Express
This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions that recently came into the UCCE Master Gardener – Yolo County Help Desk.
Jade with sunscald
Q: We have a mature jade plant that has lots of sunscald damage. Some branches on top are limp. What should I do? Should I prune it?
A: Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are succulents. They are members of the stonecrop family and the cultivated varieties originate mostly from the Eastern Cape of South Africa. They can suffer from sunscald when exposed to intense, direct sunlight. They do best with morning sun, six hours is ideal, and shade in the afternoon. Too much intense sun typically results in bleached, dis-
GUITARS
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“It was real creepy and dungeon-like in here before I came in,” Calderone said, recalling that the building’s varied history had seen it used as a horse and buggy showroom, a saddle shop, a fridge repair store and more.
Calderone succeeded in his initial vision of the company — “I fixed everyone’s guitar, and I didn’t mess any repairs up” — along with quite a bit more. He started teaching guitar-building classes soon after his shop in Winters opened. So
MANTIS
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from pretty far away!” Garikipati said. “The tiger portion of its name comes from the pretty active nature of this species, as it tends to move around and forage rather than remaining still for large periods of time, compared to other mantises. When threatened, they will readily hold their ground and flash their bright hindwing coloration and abdominal striping, bare their mandibles, and strike at aggressors.”
The coloring? To be specific, “this species has bright orange/gold on the inner margins of the forecoxa and ventral margin of the propleuron, and has bright black banding along the posterior margin of the first few tergites (dorsal segments) of the abdomen. All those things immediately made me think of a tiger.”
Garikipati further describes S. clauseni as “a low-foliage predator, staying close to the ground in 5 feet or less vegetation. “It’s able to weave within and around tight or dense foliage in the desert and will absolutely chase down prey using its long legs. They’re pretty aggressive, so even insects—and potentially small vertebrates similar or slightly larger in size--would be on the menu!” Garikipati said the species “tend to lay
Tuleyome Tales
colored, or scorched leaves, and in severe cases, it can affect the stems and branches, leading to limp or weakened sections. Jade plants can survive in the ground in our area if in a location that stays relatively warm during the winter. But a prolonged period of temperatures below freezing may kill them. If your plant is in a pot, move it to a location where it gets afternoon shade. Also avoid a spot where it gets reflected heat off a wall or fence, even in the morning. If in the ground, try to provide some shade with 50 to 70 percent shade cloth held above the plant and consider moving it to a better location in the spring. The limp branches at the top may be a
far he’s had 117 students pass through his doors, be it people looking to build a career in luthiering, sons building guitars for their fathers, retired people looking for a new creative hobby, or something else entirely. He loves the work, and said that he has stayed in touch with many of the people he’s taught throughout the years. But similarly to the way his building was reinvigorated by its new purpose, Calderone said that Rizzi’s visit in 2014 “breathed passion back into what [he] was doing.”
When Rizzi first joined Calderone,
their oothecae (egg cases) near each other, which is atypical for most mantises. And they usually lay their egg cases under rocks.”
With Garikipati’s discovery, there are now 28 described native species of mantises in the United States. “And more are likely,” he points out. “There has not yet been a comprehensive genomic or even genital comparison of mantises in the United States, so there may be many cryptic (obscure) species, especially since all native species have flightless females and, in some cases, flightless males.”
Globally, the number of described mantis species is estimated at 2500. Mantids inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, named the first described mantis as Mantis religiosa because the insect appears to be praying when its front legs are resting.
Females of most mantis species live 6 to 12 months, Garikipati says, while the males have a shorter life span, especially when they lose their head (sexual cannibalism). In the tropics mantises live longer; the female lifespan is an estimated 2 or 3 years.
Lohit became fascinated with insects as a child growing up in Pleasanton, Alameda County. At first, lady beetles (aka la-
symptom of bad sunscald. They may also be caused by over or under-watering. Succulents should generally be watered only once per week, which allows the top two inches of soil to dry between waterings. During particularly hot periods, over 100 degrees for a week increase watering to twice a week. It is more common for jade plants to suffer from over-watering than under-watering. It is important that the soil you plant them in drains well. If in a pot, cactus and succulent soil is a good choice. If planted in the yard, planting them in a low mound of decomposed granite will provide adequate drainage. The first step now is to determine the extent of the damage. Are the leaves discolored, shriveled, or falling off? Sunscald often causes
he was put through the paces like all the other students on a journey through the 150-400 hours it takes to build a guitar. He chose his wood, used machinery to bend the sides, attached them to the backing, sanded his creation and envisioned what details he wanted to use to make the instrument his own.
He took this knowledge back home and began building a name for himself in luthiering, building instruments marked by curves that fit the golden ratio and abalone inlay on certain frets in the shape of the Brazilian pine nut that Rizzi also has
dybugs), drew his attention. But mantises soon took over. “They really captured my attention because they were much more interactive compared to other insects--primarily because they are very visual animals--and their predation strategy is just really cool. Add on some great camouflage and behavioral variation with very little research done on this group and the allure of curiosity would probably be hard for many people to ignore!”
Lohit holds a bachelor’s degree in entomology (June 2019) from UC Davis, where he worked as a lab assistant for Professor Jason Bond before and after his graduation. He helped curate the mantis collection at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, and shared his expertise at the Bohart Museum open houses, where he showed his personal collection and fielded questions.
Lohit received his master’s degree from Towson University (TU), Maryland in June 2024, completing his thesis, “Prey Capture in Hidden Predators: Examining the Strike Kinematics of Praying Mantis Ecomorphs.”
Now studying for his doctorate in the comparative biology program at AMNH, he’s a member of the laboratory of major professor Jessica Ware.
Looking back, Garikipati marvels at how it basically took a
the leaves to appear pale or brown and even dried. Remove any that are clearly dead or severely damaged. Less damaged branches may be left on to see if they recover once the plant is protected from the afternoon sun and you are watering on the suggested schedule. If they do not, they can be pruned back to green, firm healthy tissue once the weather cools. Fortunately,
tattooed on his arm. Beyond that, he noted that the wood he uses varies and that they each have “different personalities.”
“It’s not about being ‘better,’” Rizzi explained. “It’s about what you’re searching for. You might want a more bright and aggressive sound or a soft and gentle and warm sound; every wood you want brings a different character to your guitar.”
Rizzi was echoing his teacher’s words — a week earlier, in describing the woods that Rizzi sought during his most recent trip, Calderone, too, described the materials’ “personalities.”
village to find the new species. “This species “is very special-not just because it’s a new species but also because it involved many friends and colleagues in different facets that helped make it happen. For example, I wouldn’t have collected that specimen in 2019 if Joel Hernandez (UC Davis alumnus) hadn’t invited me to tag along to Arizona, which wouldn’t have happened had I had not started working at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, and thanks to Lynn Kimsey (UC Davis distinguished professor and then Bohart director) for taking me in! Alex Nguyen (UC Davis alumnus) collected an additional paratype, and other citizen scientists also raised specimens of this species to provide behavioral data and confirm that captive-raised individuals fell within the size range of wild collected individuals, suggesting little to no effect of captive rearing on size.”
“It’s very much a love letter to the capability of citizen scientists and hobbyists to understand animals that are infrequently encountered,” Garikipati said. “This species is very uncommonly seen, despite its relatively expansive range. But thanks to citizen science and hobbyists we can generate far more replicates and collect behavioral and life history information that may take multi-
Jade plants take pruning well. Over the following weeks, keep an eye out for new growth, which indicates that the plant is recovering. If in a pot, rotate the plant periodically so all sides receive even light exposure. If you notice any pests, such as mealybugs, deal with them quickly since stressed plants are more susceptible to insect damage. By adjusting its care
Rizzi and Calderone both said that their work continues to feel special even after all these years in part because of the community that engages with their art. Rizzi’s work with guitars has given him incredibly unique experiences, from being included in the biography of a well-known Brazilian musician who once recorded a song at his shop, to having a woman tell him that buying a guitar from him brought her back to music, and helped her escape a depressive episode. He even keeps a Spotify playlist with every known song that’s been recorded using
ple field seasons otherwise!”
Garikipati is one of few academic researchers in the United States who study praying mantises.
“In the U.S., the TU Mantis Lab that I just graduated from is really taking the lead in examining mantis behavior and physiology,” he said, “and I believe there is just a few active mantis systematists here, though I haven’t seen articles from them as frequently in recent years.”
Garikipati’s field work on mantises extends to Belize, South America and Guyana.
“Nowhere else yet but I am aiming to do some field work in South Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and India if opportunities arise!”
Lohit has reared and studied mantises for 16 years. “In the entire time I have probably reared more than 60 species, though I stopped counting, so it could be higher. I presently have around 10 species—the ones I am describing or have other behavioral projects planned for!”
Of the species in his collection, Choeradodis sp. is his favorite. “They occupy a niche few invertebrate predators typically do--leaf top mesopredators in the tropics. So they are occasionally found in the wild with insect remains of course, as well as those of smal llizards like anoles.”
His mantises feed on Turkestan cockroaches, Blatta lat-
routine and carefully pruning your jade plant if necessary, you can help it recover from sunscald damage and encourage healthy growth. Is it blight
Q: We have a fouryear-old apple tree. It was thriving until this last spring, when all the blossoms and spurs, and one whole shoot, turned brown. Is this blight, and if so, what should I do?
A: Upon hearing the name Erwinia amylovora, one might think of an exotic European starlet of the stage and screen. Unfortunately, the name instead applies to the extremely unglamorous bacterium that causes the disease popularly known as fire blight, which could be afflicting your relatively young apple tree. Though certainly
See GARDEN, Page 6
one of his guitars — a kind of tribute to the legacy of art, especially in the modern age.
“When there’s artists with my guitars, [who] record a song, it’s on the Cloud now, that lives forever,” Rizzi said. “So my art will live forever.”
At the end of the day, Rizzi said, his dream of a career in the arts did come true, if not in the way he expected — and he credits that wholeheartedly to Calderone.
“I always wanted to be around art,” Rizzi said. “Al made that possible.”
eralis, also known as Periplaneta lateralis, that he rears. He does not feed them crickets. “The roaches cannot climb the plastic containers and they cannot jump like crickets,” he says. He photographs the mantises with his Nikon 3200, mounted with a 90mm macro lens, and a Cygnustech Diffuser. His research on S. clauseni is his fourth publication. His partner, Nicole Williamson, now a project scientist at an environmental consulting company, created the distribution map for the manuscript.
Noted science communicator Alie Ward featured him May 22, 2024 on her popular podcast, Ologies. (See https://www.alieward. com/ologies/mantodeology).
“When a mantis expert is quoted in the media, there’s a good chance it’s him,” Ward said, adding that she follows him on Instagram, @Mantodeology. He has nearly 19,000 followers.
“Get your fill of mantid mythology, evolutionary gossip, sexual cannibalism, mantis motherhood, their alien egg cases, huge eyes, pet advice, and why they can show you the way to hell with this delightful entomologist, UC Davis entomology graduate and longtime keeper of mantids,” she teased. “You’ll lose your mind, but not your head.”
Courtesy photo
Signs of fireblight in an apple tree.
Winters FFA tri-tip dinner next week
The Winters FFA chapter will be preparing and selling tri-tip dinners. The meal feeds four and includes tri-tip and sides of beans, coleslaw, rolls and cookies for $70 per dinner. Pick up your meal at the ag site on Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
To order a dinner and support your local FFA click the link on Winters FFA’s Instagram or visit https:// bit.ly/47wCxh6.
JACKSON BRONSON Winters FFA reporter
Let
Winters
folks solve Winters issues
This past Saturday Yolo County Mom’s for Liberty (M4L), a recognized far-right hate group, held a “Parent Advocacy Workshop” at the public library to address gender identity issues in Winters K-12 schools, attended by approximately 15 supporters. After the extreme actions in Davis last year including school closures caused by a similar meeting, approximately over 60 people including myself came from Winters and beyond prepared to protest the M4L agenda trying to stir up controversy here in our small community.
At the meeting, some of the leading presenters of M4L, and what seemed to be a protest leader for the oppositional Facebook group Yolo County Stop M4L, egged each other on. They angrily yelled or got in the faces of others, while constantly videoing, trying to fan the flames of drama and division. To my (possibly
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faulty) recognition, I do not think that most of these aggressive agitators live in our town. I say this simply to suggest that their presence is not helpful or constructive.
Substantive legal protections and scientific facts are on the side of current Winters public school policies that follow the law, protect trans rights, and teach scientifically-backed knowledge. It was heartening to see so many teachers, parents and children from our community present at this meeting supporting access to substantive knowledge and protections for all children. Anthropologists and sociologists who study world cultures define “gender” as a facet of identity impacted by social and cultural context as well as by perception of physiology (whereas M4L believes “gender” is an “ideology”). Biologists, doctors, and psychologists know that physiology in humans and other organisms is complex and nonbinary — consider intersex individuals, people with three chromosomes, differential hormonal production, etc. — but M4L mistakenly asserts a false universal male-female dichotomy. And because trans and LGBQIA people (whether kids or adults) are often harassed, abused and targeted for violence, our laws protect against discrimination and support their safety. These facts and laws undergird current policies and the positions shared on Saturday by those opposed to M4L’s hate being promoted here in Winters. However, as I listened to both sides, I realized that
cent. We now have the lowest sales tax in the state at 7.25 percent. Most cities in our area are already over 8 percent, so when we shop out of town, we are already paying the higher sales tax. We don’t get much of the 7.25 percent tax now as the state and county take their share first. If we pass an extra penny tax we get to keep the whole amount. The estimate is that it should be over one million in additional dollars so that we can maintain, or increase, city servives. There will be more about Measure S before the election but I’m out of space. Have a good week.
both sides have feelings in common — the dislike of perceived oppression and feeling unsafe — and that these feelings can be used to motivate discussion in our community that may lead to increased parental understanding and safety for all our children.
Although M4L tried to conflate multiple issues as one issue, the three primary issues under discussion were 1. the right for all to feel safe (at home, at school, in bathrooms and locker rooms), whether you are trans or not, 2. parental consent regarding kids’ access or not to LGBTQIA library books, and 3. trans kids’ involvement in sports.
I suggest that any further discussion focus on these as separate issues, and that while continuing to fully follow the law, we may find creative approaches that make our community stronger together from having listened to each other.
CHRISTINA COGDELL Winters
Vote Yes on Measure S to keep Winters financially sound
Just like all of us at home, the city of Winters has been impacted by rising costs for the past four years. Expenses have gone up much faster than revenue. The result is that the recent scaled-back city budget that was approved by the city
council will create a $300,000 deficit for the year. This will be the second year we will have a deficit. One of the ways for a city to increase revenue is to increase the local sales tax. Currently, Winters has the lowest sales tax of all the cities around us. We are at 7.25 percent and all the others are about 1 percent higher. Measure S will increase our sales tax by 1 percent and is estimated to generate an additional $1.2 million dollars for the city. Winters currently gets only a small part of the sales tax dollars — less than 1 percent — which is about $800,000 this year. By passing Measure S the city gets to keep all of the increase so we will get a total of $2 million.
IMPORTANT
POINT! A large portion of the sales tax in Winters is paid by people from out of town who either get off the freeway for gas and food or visit our downtown for dinner or shopping.
SECOND IMPORTANT POINT – Winters is not the only city struggling to balance its budget. Davis, Woodland and West Sacramento all each have a similar sales tax measure on their November ballot. By approving Measure S we can all benefit by the city being able to fill vacant positions at city hall and maintain and improve core services by our Police De-
partment, Fire Department and Public Works. Equally important, the city will be able to rebuild its financial reserves that have been drawn down for the past two years. If we fail to pass Measure S the city will have no choice but to reduce the services that we all depend on. Support the hard-working people who make our city the special place that it is by voting YES ON S this November.
PAUL MYER Former City oF Winters plAnning Commissioner And A member oF the yes on s Committee
Golfers support FFA
We want to give a huge shout-out to Ample Electric for being our 2024 Winters FFA Sponsor! Winters FFA is the proud beneficiary of the 2024 Ample Electric Invitational. We love our sponsor shirts! Every FFA student received a free FFA shirt this year because of the generous support of those who played in the golf tournament — all 255 of them. Thank you all for your support of our program.
KAYLA MEDEROS Winters FFA Advisor
9/18/24 #75438 and several bed and breakfast inns. As the quilters were doing their thing, my friend Richard and I were looking for a place to have an early lunch before heading to the local golf course. It was harder than I thought with most of the restaurants still closed. We ended up at Floyd’s Frosty and when we walked in, there was just an older guy behind the counter. Not as old as we are, but old. It was Floyd himself and he cooked up a couple of hamburgers, fries and handed us a couple of beers. I still live in the past so the $40 bill seemed a little high to me, but I don’t think he is getting rich. One disappointing part of the trip was that their museum was closed both days I tried to visit. A neighboring business told me that they are usually open, and didn’t know why they weren’t. I’m sure their museum is run by volunteers just like ours, but we try to be open for our posted 1 until 5 Thursday thru Sunday. Stop by and see if I’m right.
Measure S will be on our ballots on November 5 that will raise our sales tax by one
Courtesy photo
Winters FFA members show off their shirts and hold up a sign thanks Ample Electric for choosing their group.
Sports
Brown, Madsen dominate Gridley on offense
By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Winters High School varsity football team won its game against Gridley High School by a score of 27–6.
Despite all the talk about the size of Gridley’s team, the Warriors didn’t let that stop them and made up for the difference in speed and ball movement through well-executed passes.
“We were very excited about the challenge and because of their size it was a struggle to run the ball inside so we had to rely on our quick passing game and screens to move the ball for the most part,” said varsity head coach Daniel Ward.
Lane Brown played a great game on the offensive side of the ball, throwing for 206 yards and two
“We were very excited about the challenge and because of their size it was a struggle to run the ball inside so we had to rely on our quick passing game and screens to move the ball for the most part.”
Daniel Ward, varsity coach
touchdowns while completing 72.2 percent of his passes, and also rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown.
While Brown has made steady progression week to week, it was Jesse Madsen who stole the show as the biggest playmaker on offense with seven catches, 130 yards and a touchdown.
“Jesse had his best game as a Warrior,” said Ward.
Sebastian Rodriguez also gained some yardage for the Warriors resulting in a touchdown with 27 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards in the game.
While Brown and Madsen led their team offensively, the Warriors would not have been able to pull off a win without the performance of their strong defensive line.
How to keep young athletes healthy
Metro Special to the Express
Fall sports participation and other activities have officially kicked off for young athletes at both schools and in youth sports leagies.
According to various youth sports participation surveys, including those from the Aspen Institute and TeamSnap, children between the ages of six and 18 spend an average of 16.6 hours each week playing sports.
With so much time devoted to sports participation, everyone involved can take steps to ensure that young athletes are safe and healthy during practice and play.
• Encourage rest. Pushing the body to the brink without routine rest is a recipe for injury. Rest provides recovery time for muscles and joints as well as the mind. Athletes can aim for at least one day off from the sport per week. After the season ends, children can take an extended break before beginning a new sport.
• Eat balanced meals. Families can plan balanced meals that will provide the nutrition young athletes need to fuel their bodies. With
increased physical activity comes a need to eat more. The International Olympic Committee says nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium and iron are essential but often lacking in youths with restrictive diets. A young athlete should eat plenty of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, and vegetables.
• Encourage variety. MedlinePlus reports that many young athletes are engaging in “single-sport specialization” early on, focusing only on one sport, even during offseasons. Repetitive use of joints, bones and muscles for these sports can cause various injuries. To prevent that, young athletes should participate in a variety of sports and training exercises.
• Wear the right gear. Athletes always should wear the safety gear required for the sport they’re playing. This may include eye protection, helmets and more.
• Discourage young athletes from playing through pain. Pressing on through pain or an injury is a recipe for damage that could keep a player out for the season or even permanently. Young athletes shouldn’t try
to be heroes and play through pain.
• Alleviate mental pressure on athletes. Many young athletes throw themselves entirely into sports, perhaps at the expense of having more well-rounded childhoods. The National Federation of State High School Associations says only around 2 percent of high school athletes are awarded some form of athletic scholarship to compete in college, and fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student athletes go on to play professionally. Putting all of one’s eggs in the sports basket can contribute to anxiety that stems from pressure to succeed. Keep the emphasis on fun so young athletes don’t feel pressured.
• Avoid performance-enhancing substances. Caffeine, anabolic steroids, steroid precursors, creatine, and stimulants are substances athletes use to boost performance. They can cause many health issues and even lead to addiction.
Young athletes can take many steps to stay healthy without affecting how much they enjoy the thrill of competition.
Ricky Garcia and Nate Apodaca were two of the players who stood out, playing a majority of the game and racking up some very impressive stats. They combined for two sacks and 16 tackles, with six of those resulting in a loss of yardage for Gridley. In addition to the strong performances from Garcia and Apodaca, Julian Herrera and Gio Jimenez also played great defensive games. Herrera made 15 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack, and Jimenez made 10 tackles.
Danny Sanchez and Anthony Matamoros also had great games on the defensive line with six tackles each, stopping Gridley from advancing the ball the way they had intended. Other notable defensive plays would be the forced fumble by Jake Woods, a
fumble recovery by Miles Mariani, an interception by Isaac Lopez and a total of five passes prevented by Lopez, Matamoros, Jordan Wojan and Macguire Plitt.
“Our kids were pretty excited to be the underdogs for the first time this year and thought they played with a chip on their shoulder like they had something to prove. If we can bottle this up and find a way to play like this every week we will be pretty tough to beat,” said Ward. The Warriors will face off against Live Oak at home on Friday, Sept. 20 during the WHSl annual Homecoming game. Junior varsity will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and varsity will kick off at 7:30 p.m. after the presentation of this year’s Homecoming Royal Court.
Newest softball champions
Special to the Express
A new champion e merged victorious in this year’s co-ed adult softball league. With eight teams competing for the championship glory, seven games were played on Wednesday nights from July 10 to Aug. 21 at the Winters Little League field. The first round of playoffs began on Aug,
28. The top four teams qualified to play in the last round of playoffs held on Sept. 11. Final games scores included:
• The Porta Johns Bombers lost to The Comeback Kids at 6 p.m. with a score of 13–14
• The Nuts lost to The Adjustables at 7 p.m. with a score of 6–11
• The Adjustables played against The
Comeback Kids in the Championship Game at 8 p.m.
The Adjustables, sponsored by Renew Health Chiropractic, came out on top as the champions with a final score of 9–6. For information on the city’s co-ed adult softball league, visit www.cityofwinters.org/168/Programs-Sports.
Kays said. “Defensively he is critical to our pass
at time of
Courtesy photo
The Adjustables team rosters included Brandi Carrion, Bryan Case, Mica Seibert, Roco Romero, Jared Ney, Cody Romero, Jamie Case, Ben Case, Mallory Robben, Whitney Vickrey, Taylor Langdon, Jack Vickrey, Austin Seibert. (Not Pictured: Adam Martinez and Trissy Russell)
Saturday
540 Howard St, San Francisco
4th Annual UC Master Gardeners Fall Faire! @ 1pm Where Science Fair Meets Carni‐
Speed Dating @ 5:30pm / $50-$140 Join the speed dating revolution with a 94% connection rate! Meet singles & ignite connections through fun, chemistry-building games! Yoga Studio, 1694 Union Street, San Francisco. help@ tantrany.com
Davis Senior High SchoolClass of 199430th Reunion @ 6pm / $59 Davis Senior High SchoolClass of 1994- 30th Re‐union- Saturday Septem‐ber 28th, 2024 Mamma Restaurant, 226 F St, Davis. davishigh1994@ gmail.com
HonestAV: Here’s your �ower’s tour @ 7pm August Hall, 420 Mason St, San Francisco
Karla Bonoff @ 7:30pm Harris Center, 10 College Pkwy, Folsom
DJ Keyz @ 8pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento
David V @ 8pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento
Leroy From the North @ 8pm Gold�eld Trading Post Sacra‐mento, 1630 J St, Sacramento
San Francisco @ 9pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco
Carlita @ 10:30pm 888 Warehouse, 888 Marin Street, San Francisco
Art in Action: The Magic of Sun Prints @ 1pm / $8 Bring the kids & learn how to make beautiful blue cyanotype prints in this month's family art workshop! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370
abhaycomedy: Third
Culture Chaos- A Comedy show with Abhay Nadkarni
@ 7pm Eclectic Box SF, 446 Valencia St, San Francisco
Casey MQ @ 9:30pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco
Boys Noize: Ed Banger Records Portola After Party @ 10pm 888 Garage, San Francisco
braxe + falcon @ 10pm 888 Warehouse, 888 Marin Street, San Francisco
DJ Falcon @ 10pm 888 Warehouse, 888 Marin Street, San Francisco
Sanctum @ 12am Sep 30th - Sep 29th
CityNights, 715 Harrison, San Francisco
Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. teainsworth@gmail.com
lovelytheband @ 6pm Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St, Sacra‐mento
Mod Sun @ 6pm Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St, Sacra‐mento
Alt. 94.7 Presents: lovelytheband & Mod Sun: Here's Your Flowers Tour @ 6pm / $32.50 Ace of Spades, Sacramento
La Doña: Cafe du Nord @ 7:30pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
Saint Levant @ 8pm The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd, San Francisco
Saint Levant: DEIRA Tour
@ 8pm / $29.50 The Fillmore, San Francisco
The Viral Podcast Live @ 9:30pm / $39.25$49.25 Punch Line Comedy Club - Sacra‐mento, Sacramento BIT @ 9:30pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco
Dave Webb: the grateful chair @ 11:30am Oct 1stNov 1st Check out a new exhibit featuring photography & a video installation by Dave Webb at the Pence! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@ gmail.com, 530-758-3370
Julianna
Haru
Acid
Sacramento CA, Sacramento
Acid Mothers Temple @ 8pm
Harlow's - The Starlet Room, 2708 J Street, Sacramento
High Holidays @ 9am Oct 2nd - Oct 25th
Join us for the High Holy Days
Congregation Beth Shalom, 1455 Elm Street, Napa. of�ce@cb snapa.org, 707-253-7305
Clockwork Hero @ Serna Plaza @ 12pm California State University, Sacra‐mento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento San Francisco Sheriff candidate forum, hosted by the League of Women Vot‐ers and ACLU Northern CA
@ 6pm / Free Candidates for San Francisco Sheriff will answer questions im‐portant to your community. Attend in person or online. Internet Archive, 300 Funston Avenue, San Francisco. lwvsf@lwvsf.org
Miranda Love solo @ Steamers @ 6pm Steamers Bar & Grill, 2236 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
King Ropes @ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Trashcan Sinatras: John Douglas (Solo Show)
@ 7:30pm
The Lost Church San Francisco, 988 Columbus Ave, San Francisco
Roast Battle Bay Area
@ 7:30pm / $18.25-$26.25 Cobb's Comedy Club, San Fran‐cisco
The Lowdown Drifters
@ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
The Halluci Nation
@ 8pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento
daste
@ 8:30pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street, San Francisco
DATELINE UKRAINE: The Road Ahead @ 5:30pm / $40 Presentation by Ukraine Consul
General Dmytro Kushneruk on the current state of affairs in Ukraine, with Audence Q&Q and Community Connection wine mixer to meet the speaker and other attendees. Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington Street, Yountville. na pavalley@worldaffairs.org, 707738-4500
kinki
Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 Huge garden makeover, be a part of
(Armijo H.S. community garden) @ 3:30pm Armijo community garden ( a.k.a. Garden of Hope, Jardin de la esperanza) has been around almost �ve years and it's time for a makeover. Armijo High School, 824 Washington Street, Fair�eld. sylviah@ fsusd.org, 707-853-9388
Dirty Cello @ 7pm Polish Club, 2040 22nd St, San Francisco
Lil Flip @ 8pm The Boardwalk, 9426 Greenback Ln,, Orangevale
Luke and Kaylee @ 8pm Folsom Hotel, 703 Sutter St, Fol‐som
Life Support @ 8pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento
Papa Lu
@ 9pm Monarch, 101 6th St, San Fran‐cisco
Melissa Santa Maria @ 9pm Monarch, 101 6th St, San Fran‐cisco
Jimmy B
@ 9pm Monarch, 101 6th St, San Fran‐cisco
unseelie
@ 9:30pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco
Ace of Base, Haddaway, Snap, DJ Sash! | San Francisco Concert | Wild Disco 90s
@ 12pm San Francisco! The throwback to the 90s, you don't want to miss! Join us on October 5th, for an elec‐trifying performance of Jenny from Ace of Base, Snap, Haddaway, and DJ Sash! The War�eld,
@ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174
Arts & Entertainment
Four romance writers discuss their works
Yolo County residents can get a WE print and digital subscription combo for $30
Special to the Express
Take a look around any bookstore, or the book sale rack at any airport, and you will see many book covers featuring men with bare chests or couples embracing. Romance novels are experiencing a huge increase in popularity, with sales of print copies surging about 52 percent last year, even as book sales overall declined (Publishers’ Weekly). Once a stigmatized, semi-hidden corner of the literary world, romance novels and the romance genre are now studied by academics, promoted by celebrities, and discussed in book clubs worldwide.
What is the draw of these steamy, emotionally-charged stories?
Winters Friends of the Library invites everyone to learn more at a special author talk with four award-winning romance writers on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Winters Opera House, 13 Main St. Anna J. Stewart, Eileen Rendahl, Sheryl Lister and Tamsen Shultz will share insights on their writing lives and the romance genre. Whether you are an avid romance reader or new to the genre, it will be fascinating to hear what these authors have
Submit your event press release to wintersexpress.com
to say about the challenges and pleasures of writing romance fiction.
Following the talk, attendees may enjoy refreshments and chat with fellow romance readers. Books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge for the event, but donations will be gratefully accepted. A selection of local wines will be available for purchase by the glass. WFoL members will be entered into a drawing for a “Romance Lover’s Gift Basket.” Those who aren’t yet members can join at the door. For more information, visit wfol.org.
University Farm Circle invites you
Special to the Express University Farm Circle, a dynamic, philanthropic, educational, and social programs group, invites you to our annual Newcomers’ Welcome on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 27074 Patwin Rd. in Davis. At the Newcomers’ Welcome event, you
will meet like-minded people looking to foster new friendships and experiences and hear more about what UFC and the larger community have to offer. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for groups and activities of special interest to you. Everything from wine tasting to foreign language groups. All in a re-
laxed and welcoming atmosphere. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. In addition to social time, there will be a short presentation by UFC board members. You are welcome to bring friends who might be interested in joining UFC. For more information, visit www.ufcdavis.org.
Courtesy graphic
Award-winning romance authors (clockwise from top left) Anna J. Stewart, Eileen Rendahl, Tamsen Schultz, and Sheryl Lister will discuss their writing lives and the romance fiction genre.
