Mountain Democrat, Friday, September 23, 2022

Supervisors finally OK shelter

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

In a single stroke El Dorado County supervisors voted to implement a temporary homeless shelter/navigation center at the former juvenile detention facility in Placerville, which includes ending an agreement between the county and Cal Fire for use of the building for seasonal operations.

A packed agenda item heard at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting included the termination of the agreement as well as directing sta to implement the navigation center at 299 Fair Lane, move the juvenile court currently under

the old juvenile hall to where the Elections Department is housed in El Dorado County Government Center Building B, direct sta to come up with solutions on implementing a permanent navigation center at the former site of the sheri ’s headquarters and directed sta to complete design and cost reviews for a new juvenile hall.

Cal Fire agreement

The county contracted with Cal Fire to use the old juvenile hall to temporarily house firefighters during the fire season in August 2020 in the wake of devastating fire seasons.

The agreement, which will end Dec.

15 once the Board of Supervisors sends its termination letter to Cal Fire, was month-to-month and never meant to be long-term, according to county leaders.

The facility use termination does not mean the county will stop working with Cal Fire during fire seasons.

“My understanding is they have been looking for other spaces to use anyhow, because they knew we were actually thinking of putting the psychiatric health facility in there and we were thinking of doing that sometime next year,” said Board Chair Lori Parlin. “So we’ve already given Cal Fire the heads up that we were going to end the contract.”

Parlin referred to the Aug. 30 board

discussion regarding the county’s facilities update from Laura Schwartz, where it was reported that the current psychiatric health building on Spring Street in Placerville has a leaky roof.

Some county leaders expressed their concern over terminating the use agreement.

“You have to understand, we just went through another horrific fire and having Cal Fire here has been a blessing,” District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo commented. “I don’t think it feels right to kick them out but I’m glad it’s December and they have time to plan for that.”

Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit public information o cer Diana

Visit to Apple Hill turns sour

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Reno, Nev., resident John Buzzell, 50, has been coming to the popular El Dorado County destination of Apple Hill since childhood but the memories he returned home with after a visit this past weekend weren’t so sweet.

Saturday morning he woke up to find his and his wife Theresa Brzezicki’s electric bikes stolen o their RV. They had been camping near Highway 50 Brewery in Camino with their 7-year-old son.

The bikes, which were locked behind their camper, had trackers that led the family to a homeless encampment on upper Broadway in Placerville.

Buzzell said they found one bike on the hillside and the other was being ridden by a transient staying at the encampment.

Conflict ensued as Buzzell attempted to grab his bike from a man he described to be in his mid-20s.

“Things got violent very quickly,” Buzzell said. “I approached

Plastic water bottle ban moves forward

Laney Griffo Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE —

The South Lake Tahoe City Council on Tuesday evening approved the first reading of an ordinance that would ban the sale of plastic water bottles.

The new regulations would prohibit distribution of singleuse water bottles of less than 1 gallon at city facilities,

permitted temporary activities and special events. They would also prohibit sale of single-use plastic water bottles of less than 1 gallon within city limits.

The new rules would go into e ect April 22, 2023 (Earth Day), giving businesses time to sell the stock they currently have.

The public turned out en masse to give council feedback, both pro and con.

Councilmember Cristi Creegan said this was the most public engagement she’s seen since being on the council.

Representatives from the League to Save Lake Tahoe said over the past eight years of cleanups, they’ve collected 29,513 plastic bottle caps and 21,139 water bottles.

“We are not against this ordinance. If we never have to ship another bail of plastic

water bottles, we would be happy,” said John Tillman, vice president of South Tahoe Refuse. He went on to say there are worse plastics he wished the city would focus on, such as trash bags.

There were concerns raised regarding safety.

“The CDC states water bottles are the safest, most

OBITUARIES

Shirley White

Jan 16, 1966 – Sept. 11, 2022

Shirley White, beloved and longtime resident of El Dorado County, passed away on Sept. 11. Shirley was born on Jan. 16, 1966, in Placerville, Calif. She grew up enjoying the natural beauty of El Dorado County, including her family’s Christmas tree farm, as well as her close community of friends and family. Shirley attended Ponderosa High School, Chapman University and The Institute of Imaginal Studies, ultimately obtaining her master of arts degree in clinical psychology. Shirley cared deeply for others and pursued a career where she positively impacted many lives. She worked for El Dorado County for over 27 years, beginning as a Prevention Outreach Specialist and Health Educator in the Public Health Department, and ending her career as the Manager of Alcohol and Drug Programs for El Dorado County Behavioral Health. Shirley found her work to be rewarding, especially when it came to mentoring youth and helping those struggling with substance use or those exiting incarceration. She always advocated for those in need. She shepherded innovative new programs, including Drug Courts and Behavioral Health Courts, working side-by-side in partnership with many other county agencies, community based groups, treatment providers, individuals and others throughout El Dorado County. She was a recognized leader, mentor and friend to many.

Shirley proudly retired in 2018 and spent the next several years caring for her parents. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and had valiantly begun treatments. Throughout her life, she was a fighter and a bright light to all who knew her.

Shirley loved poetry and books of all kinds, music, hiking, snowshoeing and being anywhere outdoors. Her relationships with others were very important to her and she listened with an open and caring heart.

Shirley is preceded in death by her father Rex Smith. She is survived by her mother June Smith, her sister Sandra Wright, nephews Daniel and Andrew Libby, cousins and other family and friends who will dearly miss her beautiful smile and generous spirit. Shirley’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her and her legacy will live on in those whose lives she impacted in the communities she served.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 27, 1:00 p.m. at Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, Calif. Donations in Shirley’s name may be made to Progress House or Foothill Animal Rescue.

William (Bill) T. Ozawa, DDS 1942-2022

William (Bill) T. Ozawa, DDS passed away from cancer in August 2022 with his family by his side.

He earned his DDS at University of Southern California in 1965, finished his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency in 1970, and later became a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

He moved his family from southern California to Placerville because of his love for the outdoors and established a successful oral surgery practice. Over the years, he cared deeply for his patients and became a treasured member of the community. He retired from oral surgery in 1998.

As an avid fly fisherman, Bill’s favorite part of retirement was being able to regularly say that he’s “gone fishing!”

He will forever be remembered for his commitment to his patients, his wholehearted philanthropy, and his love for family, friends, and fly fishing. He is survived by wife Elaine, daughter Nikki, son Scott, and grandsons Toshiro and Takashi Ozawa.

In lieu of flowers, please help the family honor Bill by donating to either Snowline Hospice or California Fly Fishers Unlimited in his memory.

Bertram Carl Drouin (Bert)

Aug. 1, 1933 – Aug. 31, 2022

Bertram Carl Drouin (“Bert”), loving husband and father, died on Aug. 31, in a peaceful care home.

Bert was born on Aug. 1, 1933 in Lawrence, Mass. His family moved to Southern California and Bert graduated from Grossmont High School in La Mesa, Calif. in 1952. He joined the Army for three years and was stationed in Alaska as a morse code interceptor. From there he graduated from San Jose State University with a police science degree.

Upon graduating from college, Bert joined the San Jose Police Department and during his fouryear tenure as a police o cer, he married his longtime love, Ms. Lola Mae. Bert soon became restless — not with his wife but his job — and decided to move on to bigger and better things by starting his career as a U.S. Customs Agent in San Francisco. From there, Bert and family transferred to Laredo, Dallas, Los Angeles, Anchorage, Washington, DC, Chicago, and then back to Washington, DC where he retired in 1983.

Bert and Lola moved to Northern California and settled in the lovely town of Placerville in a house built by Bert and his friend Larry. He was the manager of Greenstone for six years and on the board of directors and the CSD. He enjoyed playing golf, sharing o -colored jokes with his buddies and wasn’t shy about being the center of attention.

Bert is survived by his wife of 63 years and two adoring daughters, Dana and Dale, and grandchildren Bryan, Brooke and Breanna.

Burial will take place at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. on Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m.

Donations may be made to Sierra Wildlife Rescue, World Wildlife Fund, or the American Legion.

Chester “Chet” Riley Aug. 17, 2022 - Sept. 5, 2022

Chester “Chet” Riley was born Aug. 17, 1927 to James and Velma Riley in She eld, Texas. He passed on September 5. He was 95 years old.

Chester is survived by his son Paul Riley, his daughter-inlaw Renee Riley of Cameron Park, and their children Shanon Riley and Je rey Riley; daughter-in-law Barbara Riley Schiavone of Placerville, and her children Robert Riley and Nicole Lane; and great-grandchildren Layla Riley, Addilyn Riley, Kevin Riley, Ryan Meyer, and Makenzie Meyer. Chester was preceded in death by his wife Pauline Riley and son Kevin Riley.

Chester moved to Calif., as a child and as a young man served in the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II. Chester and Pauline were married in 1948 and enjoyed 63 years together. In 1967 they moved the family to Placerville where they had a small ranch on Green Valley Rd. Chester worked for the Department of Fish & Game and retired after 31 years as the manager of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. After that Chester and Pauline traveled all over the United States with their motorhome and Baja VW. Chester will always be known for his exemplary character, true to his generation. He was a kind and loving man. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

The family will hold a private memorial at the Westwood Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. Cards can be sent to Chapel of the Pines, Placerville.

MISSED DELIVERY 530-344-5000.

Clayton Wesley Dawson

Dec. 12, 1933 – Aug. 29, 2022

Clayton Wesley Dawson went to be with the Lord peacefully at the age of 88, on Aug. 29, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He had participated in a 3 year long clinical trial for a new Alzheimer’s medication and selflessly made the decision to donate his brain for further study in hopes of a cure one day.

Clay was born on Dec. 12, 1933 in Oakland, Calif. to Cli ord and Dorothy Dawson, the first of 3 boys. He graduated from Fremont High School in 1952 and in 1954 he married the love of his life, Eleanor Doerfler, at the age of 20. He served in the Navy from 1956 -1959. In the next four years Clay and Ellie had 3 children: Cherie, Mark, and Dan. Clay worked as a machinist before being hired by the City of Alameda Fire Department in 1967. He earned the title of Captain before retiring in 1988.

Upon retirement he moved to Placerville, Calif., to build his dream home and live out his life where he had such fond childhood memories spending summers with his grandparents. Clay was a devoted Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved to volunteer in his church and community, was very generous, a fixer of all things. Some of his passions included his beloved wife, family, small planes, welding, building homes, dark chocolate, and skiing.

Clay is lovingly remembered by his wife Eleanor Dawson; his son Mark Dawson; his daughter Cheryl Zimbrich (John); his daughter in law Michele Peters (Sam); his grandchildren Joshua Zimbrich (Jillian), Nicole Zimbrich, Danielle Martin (Cecil), and Scott Dawson (Raelynda); his great grandchildren Maverick Martin and Eleanor Zimbrich; his brother Lowell Dawson (Judith); his sister in law Heather Dawson, and many nieces and nephews. Clay is preceded in death by his son Daniel Dawson; his parents Cli ord and Dorothy Dawson; and his brother Dallas Dawson.

Clay will be honored with a celebration of life service at First Lutheran Church, located at 1200 Pinecrest Ct., Placerville, Calif., 95667. The service will be held on Oct. 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association or NAMI El Dorado County would be appreciated.

Walter J. Miller

Apr. 17, 1933 – Sept. 14, 2022

Walter J. Miller passed away Sept. 14, in El Dorado Hills, at the age of 89. Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y. to Charles E. and Dorothy A. Miller, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles E. Miller and sister Dorothy M. Olsen. Having earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University in 1954, he moved to Long Beach, Calif. and worked for Shell Oil briefly before joining the Navy in 1955 and becoming a Naval Aviator. Following his 4 years in the service, he re-joined Shell Oil as an engineer. An interest in the law diverted his engineering career, and he left to pursue a degree in law from UCLA Law School. After passing the bar exam, he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s O ce in 1968. In 1974 he went into private practice, but preferring to work in prosecution, he accepted the position of Chief Assistant District Attorney of El Dorado County in 1979. Following the death of District Attorney Ron Tepper in 1989, Mr. Miller was appointed District Attorney and was elected to the position in the following term. He served as El Dorado County District Attorney until his retirement in 1994.

A man of many talents and interests, retirement did not slow Walter down. He gave of his time and talents volunteering in the Master Gardener program, the Placerville Library and the Lions Club. He enjoyed tennis and golf with friends, woodworking, gardening, painting and fly-fishing. In 2020 Macular Degeneration left him legally blind, but his avid love of reading and learning continued to be satisfied by Audible Books.

Complications of Parkinson’s Disease ended his life.

Walter will be remembered by his family and many friends for his intelligence, sense of humor, generosity, integrity, and the respect with which he treated everyone.

He leaves behind brother Richard J. Miller, ten much-loved nieces and nephews, and his loving partner of 22 years, Kathryn Hall. At his request there will be no service. He will be interred privately at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, and a celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

Donations in his memory may be made to the El Dorado County Library, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Fire damage being assessed by GDPUD

Gloria Omania Georgetown Divide Public Utility District

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Board of Directors held an emergency meeting Sept. 13 to receive an update on the impact of the Mosquito Fire and consider emergency response action. A state of emergency order was proclaimed by the governor allowing the district to access FEMA funding.

Operations Manager Adam Brown told the board that GDPUD crews were being escorted daily through checkpoints in order to access distribution infrastructure requiring work to restore water flow. The fire has impacted a tunnel that is part of GDPUD’s irrigation system but a full assessment has yet to be done. Brown stated the emergency for the district will continue during the aftermath dealing with erosion, blocked ditches, clearing debris and making repairs to the system.

Members of the district’s distribution crew jumped into action despite having to evacuate their own families, knowing the importance of their work to keep the water flowing. District water was used to fight the fire through hydrants and from the district’s ditches at 100 gallons per minute. Brown stated it has been beneficial for the district to be able to work with the Cal Fire incident command, U.S. Forest Service, Sierra Pacific Industries, the El Dorado Irrigation District and state water agencies in scoping out the next steps to deal with this emergency.

E orts have begun to access funding with applications for FEMA funds already started.

Director Gerry Stewart stated he has received several calls from customers grateful for the hard work by the district to keep the water flowing and to keep them informed through the WaterSmart notification system. He commended Brown and the crew for their excellent work and dedication.

Irrigation service extended

GDPUD’s Board of Directors held a special meeting

Sept. 6 to discuss the need to maintain irrigation services for fire mitigation due to concerns about the unprecedented extreme temperatures. The board had previously established Sept. 7 as the end of the irrigation season. During this meeting the board modified the district’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan to allow irrigation service to continue to the original end date of Sept. 30.

During the deliberation the board recounted the recent devastating wildfires in the area, including the Caldor Fire that seriously impacted neighboring water agencies the El Dorado Irrigation District and Grizzly Flat Community Services District. The board discussed the importance of keeping ponds filled for firefighting and maintaining green irrigated landscaping during the fire-prone time of the year. It was acknowledged that the district has limited firefighting capacity through treated water sources and storage tanks, requiring a combination of treated and raw water to e ectively fight fires.

Brown reported that the district is currently meeting state requirements for conservation, averaging a reduction of 15%-18% in usage for treated water. The capacity at Stumpy Meadows Reservoir is currently 4,000 acre-feet above the level during the same time last year.

Further, Legal Counsel advised the district of their authority to modify its WSCP for fire mitigation purposes. The district was also in communication with the California State Water Resources Control Board about modifications to the WSCP related to fire mitigation.

Just hours after the board took action to allow the irrigation season to continue, the Mosquito Fire started in Placer County and within a short time expanded into El Dorado County, triggering an evacuation order for Georgetown and the closure of the district o ce.

New general manager hired

The board a rmed an employment agreement with Nicholas Schneider who will began as general manager Sept. 19. Schneider comes to the district from the Mojave Water Agency where he managed a budget exceeding $5 million, established working relationships with elected o cials, state and federal regulators and managed a variety of projects including urban water management plans and integrated regional water management plans. He has successfully overseen several state and federal grant programs.

Schneider holds relevant certifications including an AWWA Water Use E ciency Practitioner Grade 1,

Fair Wineries Harvest Festival

5 TIPS ON COVID-19 TESTING

Testing can help reduce the spread of the virus and help protect those most vulnerable from severe illness and death.

Watch for symptoms & get tested immediately.

Whether you are vaccinated or not, get tested whenever you experience symptoms like fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, vomiting, fatigue, body aches, or headaches. If you test positive, let everyone you have been in contact with know so they can get tested, too. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, stay home and away from others (isolate) until your symptoms have resolved or are lessening.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, get tested.

Whether you are vaccinated or not, test 3-5 days after your exposure. If you test positive, isolate until your symptoms have resolved or are lessening. If you test negative, watch for symptoms and test again if symptoms develop.

Keep at-home test kits handy or find a test site near you.

You can book a test appointment, find a walk-in test clinic or buy a self-test kit from your local drugstore. Visit www.covid19.ca.gov to learn more.

Test before and after you travel, or after attending a high-risk event.

Spending time close to others, especially crowded indoor spaces, poses a higher risk for COVID-19 exposure. Test before and 3-5 days after you travel, or 3-5 days after attending an event. If you are attending an event with 1,000 or more people, testing before you go is strongly recommended to avoid infecting others.

Isolate to avoid spreading the virus and alert those you have been around you tested positive for COVID-19. New treatments can reduce symptoms of the virus when taken early on in the infection. Check with your healthcare provider to see if you’re eligible for anti-viral treatment. you test positive, isolate, notify others, treatment if you’re eligible.

Can California really make power grid 100% green?

As California baked under record-high temperatures earlier this month and the state’s residents turned up their air conditioners to cope, electricity consumption hit an all-time peak.

The record demand of more than 52,000 megawatts was experienced in the 80% of the state’s electric power system managed by the Independent System Operator and was a successful stress test for the grid.

Californians heeded pleas to minimize consumption in the all-important late afternoon and evening hours, thus averting rolling blackouts that grid managers had feared would be needed to avoid systemic collapse. Luck also played a role — no major power plant shutdowns — as did having a healthy amount of reserve generation.

By happenstance, that test of the power grid’s resilience came just a few days after the Legislature passed — at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s behest — legislation to speed up California’s conversion to a carbon-free electrical grid by 2045. So the day’s experience provided a graphic snapshot of what must happen for that conversion to occur.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1020, requires that California get 90% of its power from renewable sources by 2035 — the same year the state is now scheduled to end sales of gasoline-powered cars — and 95% by 2040 while retaining the 2045 deadline for converting to a carbonfree electrical grid.

When power consumption peaked in the late afternoon, renewable sources, principally solar panels, supplied just over a quarter of ISO-managed juice, while plants powered by natural gas were producing nearly half. Later, as the sun began to set, solar arrays generated steadily less power, finally tapering o to zero, while the gas plants’ share of the load increased rapidly.

Introspection

EDITOR:

While not being born blessed or burdened from a family of privilege, I knew that family was important and was determined to be fiercely protective of mine because, at the very least, I knew I was fortunate to be part of a family.

I am very conscious of the di erence between faith and religion. While I don’t follow blindly any one religion because of the frailty of man, I do pray to my god and ask for forgiveness, knowing I’m a failed person, and say grace, thankful to my creator for giving me life.

I love to stand, salute our flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance to it not because it represents a perfect society but because I’m thankful for being blessed to live in what I believe is the best place in the world to live a successful life manifesting my destiny.

I don’t portend to think I’m in any way better or happier than anyone else who lives at this time on this planet. I understand that I was born a white, Christian man in the United States of America, but that doesn’t make me better or guarantee happiness but, to me, tasks me a responsibility to pursue life to the fullest.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Responding to Mr. Ringgenberg

EDITOR:

Climate scientists tell us that the experience, including elevated demands on the grid, will become more common. Meanwhile, California theoretically will, in just 13 years, more than triple its proportion of renewable power production. But there’s more. Power demand will not only increase due to climate change, but because California will be shifting everything it can from to the Editor

like to respond to Mr. Ringgenberg’s letter of Aug. 31. Firstly, however, I would like to ask the editors of the Mountain Democrat what they were thinking by printing his letter. Why would the MD debase itself to the point of spreading such misinformation? It adds nothing to any intelligent, rational discussion of the issues facing our community, country and world. It is nothing more than a regurgitation of crazy conspiracy theories that only further serve to denigrate our politics. Please stop printing such blatant misinformation.

Unfortunately, what it does show is the failure of our educational system to instill any kind of critical

thinking skills, which are essential for a functioning democracy. It shows how low the conservative right will stoop to be in power. Most frighteningly, it shows how easily manipulated we are by malevolent influences.

I would like to suggest to Mr. Ringgenberg that he is a pawn used by the right to vilify those of opposing views in the most grotesque way in an attempt to gain power, not by policy and legislation, but by a variety of unethical schemes. He should realize these tactics are incredibly harmful to our country and our democracy, putting all we hold dear at risk. These tactics can only serve to further divide our country and make governing increasingly di cult.

I would also like to point out to Mr. Ringgenberg that the Republican Party traditionally has been the party of the American elite. According to Forbes, of the 50 richest families in the U.S., slightly more than 50% lean Republican. Furthermore, by most standards, the Trump family would be considered members of the elite class having hundreds of millions of dollars, owning property across the world and living in palatial homes.

I would suggest that if he wants to pray for people, he should pray for those who initiate, give credence to, believe and spread such horrible misinformation and lies. Such behavior has no place among people of faith or, in fact, by anyone. In my view, unjustly accusing people of horrible things and spreading such misinformation is the very antithesis of the Christian message.

I know and believe we are better than this. As a democracy, we must solve our di erences through discussion, debate, giving people the facts and finally by the vote. If we fail to follow the norms and ethics of our democratic republic the law as provided in the constitution and the state, we will continue to degrade our democracy and risk its failure. Whether we are Republican, Democrat or Independent, we must not, we cannot, vilify the other, spread lies and misinformation, gain power by ways other than the vote or incite violence and unrest to get what we want or we prove ourselves to be no better than the authoritarian regimes we fought so hard to defeat in World War II.

SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville

Bussed migrants prove limits to inviting the world

E motions are raw, temperatures are heated and embattled parties are exchanging strong statements. The uproar’s cause: illegal immigrants being sent to sanctuary cities.

New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., mayors Eric Adams, Lori Lightfoot and Muriel Bowser allege that Texas, Florida and Arizona governors — Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and Doug Ducey, respectively — are playing politics with migrants’ lives and that racism motivates their actions.

After calling Abbott a racist, Lightfoot openly questioned the Texas governor’s Christian values. Bowser declared that the migrants’ arrival constituted a public emergency and asked the White House to summon the National Guard, an ignored request. Fulfilling a promise he made in April and upping the ante in the immigration debate, DeSantis sent two planes with migrants, mostly Venezuelans, to Martha’s Vineyard,

an elitist playground. In the spring the Florida Department of Transportation received DeSantis’ approval to set aside $12 million to fly the aliens to Martha’s Vineyard and Delaware. Abbott sent two busloads to D.C.’s Naval Observatory, Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence.

DeSantis and the other governors counter the mayors’ political grandstanding charges by saying that the financial burden illegal immigrants create should be shared among the states. In the governors’ collective opinions, no destinations are better suited as new homes for aliens than sanctuary cities whose leaders have long avowed their willingness to accept them.

Days after the migrants arrived in Chicago — and the total 500 headcount is miniscule compared to the millions that have crossed into Texas — Lightfoot changed her hospitable tone. She shipped the aliens unannounced to suburban Elk Grove Village. Mayor Craig Johnson

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Email: editor@ mtdemocrat.net

was as displeased as Adams, Lightfoot and Bowser with the influx of mostly poor, undereducated and unskilled into his municipality. Johnson asked, “Why are they coming to Elk Grove?”

Johnson’s question is valid. From the moment migrants cross the border, during their resettlement and indefinitely into the future, taxpayers fund the exorbitant costs.

A new financial analysis from the Federation for American Immigration Reform found that to provide for the 1.3 million illegal aliens that Biden has released into the interior and the 1 million estimated gota-ways, taxpayers will be assessed $20.4 billion annually, a sum that will be added to the existing $140 billion that’s allotted each year to the existing, long-term illegal alien population. FAIR estimates that each illegal alien costs American taxpayers $9,232 per year and further calculates that the $20.4 billion could provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Snail Letters

Program benefits to more than 7 million additional needy families, fund and expand the entire National School Lunch Program, hire more than 315,000 police o cers to combat the nation’s escalating crime wave across the country and hire 330,000 new teachers, which would end America’s long-standing teacher shortage.

The billions of dollars spent on migrants is against a backdrop of unmet needs in American families. A Brandeis University study found that 35% of American families, despite working full-time, year-round, do not meet the “basic family needs budget” — the amount needed for rent, food, transportation, medical care and minimal household expenses. For Black and Hispanic families, 50% cannot a ord life’s fundamentals.

The Brandeis survey showed that low-income families with children

DAN

SUMMARY self-mandate to convert to a carbon-free electrical grid by But can California actually do it?

The Brandeis survey showed that low-income families with children are struggling; more than two-thirds of full-time workers don’t earn enough to make ends meet.

are struggling; more than two-thirds of full-time workers don’t earn enough to make ends meet. Those families would need to earn about $11 more per hour to fully cover basics costs or about $23,500 in additional annual earnings. Black and Hispanic families would require a $12 hourly income spike, $26,500 annually, to meet the family budget.

Biden campaigned as Scranton Joe, working America’s champion. But as president, Biden has abandoned his commitment to lower- and middleclass families. Instead, Biden has rewarded illegally present foreign nationals with billions of dollars. As a result, Scranton Joe is as unpopular in his hometown as he is nationwide. In Pennsylvania’s 8th District that includes Scranton, Biden’s approval rating is 38%, indicative of his failures.

crime log

The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheriff's reports:

Sept. 10

4:21 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 19-yearold man suspected of carjacking and intending to defraud as well as a probation violation following an incident on Product Drive in Shingle Springs. The suspect was listed in custody in lieu of $208,000 bail as of press time.

Cameron Park. 3:20 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a drug store on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills.

4:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-yearold woman on suspicion of disorderly conduct on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. She was later released.

5:25 p.m. A burglary was reported at a restaurant on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

Road. 10:27 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 61-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, giving a false name to law enforcement and other charges on Bluffs Road in White Hall. The suspect was later released.

Sept. 11

8:03 p.m. Battery was reported on Da Vinci Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Joe Guzzardi is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist who writes about immigration and related social issues. He joined Progressives for Immigration Reform in 2018 as an analyst after a 10-year career directing media relations for Californians for Population Stabilization, where he also was a senior writing fellow. A native Californian, Guzzardi now lives in Pennsylvania. Contact him at jguzzardi@pfirdc.org.

hydrocarbons to electricity.

Meeting ambitious goals for zero-emission cars — the vast majority of them powered by batteries — will require much more power to recharge them so that Californians can continue to drive almost a billion miles a day. Simultaneously, the state wants to phase out gas-powered home appliances and other devices, such as lawn mowers, and replace them with electric models.

The sharp decline in solar power in late afternoon and early evening hours also requires banking renewable juice when it’s available so that the grid can continue to meet overnight demand — such as recharging the 30 million or so battery-powered cars we will be compelled to buy.

The state now has a few battery banks to preserve solar power but scaling up will be enormously difficult and expensive and at the moment there are few alternatives.

Finally, the grid itself — the massive complex of high-voltage lines linking generators and importing power from other states — will need upgrading, not only to handle the conversion of power sources, but to meet rising demands and to prevent failures that cause wildfires.

Is California really up to the task that the new legislation mandates, a very expensive, relatively rapid conversion and expansion of this immensely complicated and absolutely vital thing we call the grid?

Recent history is not reassuring. This is a state government that took a quarter-century to replace one third of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, has been futzing around with a bullet train project for 14 years with little progress and has dozens of bollixed information technology projects.

Electric power transformation would be infinitely more difficult than any of those.

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

9:33 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a fast food eatery on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

10:24 a.m. Battery was reported in the area of Durock Road and Shingle Lime Mine Road in

9:26 p.m. CHP arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of DUI on Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

9:55 p.m. CHP arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of DUI on Highway 50 at Ponderosa

Plastic ban Continued from A1

reliable source of water in an emergency,” said Brian Hernandez of the American Beverage Association.

While the ordinance does have exemptions for emergencies, another commenter pointed out businesses likely wouldn’t be able to get bottled water in time.

Mayor Devin

Middlebrook suggested businesses have a storage of water bottles. Concerns were also raised about people switching to sugary beverages if water wasn’t available.

Creegan said while she shares those concerns, “this is an opportunity to change people’s behavior.”

Middlebrook noted the ordinance doesn’t ban the sale of water, it just bans single-use bottles but businesses could still sell water in paper or aluminum containers.

Councilmember Tamara Wallace supported the ordinance but wanted to give businesses and the

community more time. She also said she’d like the city to look into ways to financially support businesses to put the infrastructure in place.

The ordinance was approved unanimously and will be brought back during the next meeting for final approval.

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Thursday afternoon 1:00 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

CELEBRATE RECOVERY meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old.

Email: celebrate@greenvalley. church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

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

Hangtown Women’s TENNIS Club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and non-judgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530621-6304

ACROSS Former British colony whose national flag includes the Union Jack It might slowly grow on you Be hot and bothered Freshly Like Venus vis-à-vis Serena Williams Part of YOLO Putdown to a klutz, in dated slang They’re open to change From which we get “Hakuna matata” Politician’s platform Drags The drinks are on me! Maximally neat Opera daughter of Amonasro Green sort Shot Selfish demand Part of a cup Sea that’s the Jordan Big name in sandals One in a state of disbelief Bigwig in the admissions Like some enemies Devil-may-care Member of high society? He wrote “All things are wild and “Let me be frank Writer who founded Objectivism Striped cat of the six-book poem They move around in orbits Knocks Like casting Michael Keaton “Birdman” an actor to play a superhero

DOWN Unfading Flying What makes you question everything you know? Literally, “sulfur island” See 25-Down Eugene O’Neill’s “Desire Under the ___” Big scene Races, in a way Acted sketchy? Shelter opposed policies Leave stunned, a Go for a Ill-suited Dwarf great Central part of It’s “Oh, just stop!” Something to Kicking

6:59 a.m. A vehicle burglary was roped on Sierra Springs Drive in Pollock Pines. 11:19 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Merrywood Circle in Cameron Park. 12:55 p.m. Battery was reported in the area of Luneman Road and Arrowbee Drive in Placerville. Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www. edcarc.net

Swart told the Mountain Democrat the fire agency has not found a definitive location yet but is looking at areas in and outside of El Dorado County within its service area.

“Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit has been in good communication with El Dorado County on the temporary use of its facility,” Swart said. “Cal Fire AEU went into the agreement knowing it was temporary and has been working on acquiring an alternate location for several months.”

The navigation center

The proposed facility would hold dozens of homeless individuals.

The county hired Volunteers of America to operate a temporary homeless navigation center in June, funded by community development block grants. A navigation center was planned on county-owned property just outside of Placerville city limits at Perks Court but that did not get the majority vote needed to move forward.

Volunteers of America, a nonprofit that provides housing solutions and other services to low-income individuals, would run the facility 24/7.

“(Volunteers of America) is successful because they get people out of homelessness,” Health and Human Services assistant director Daniel Del Monte told the board. “They get them connected with permanent destinations.”

Del Monte confirmed to the board that Volunteers of America had no concerns with the new proposed site, contingent that the county provides weekly substance-use and behavioralhealth screening and potential voucher opportunities through the county’s Public Housing Authority.

When Cal Fire vacates old juvenile hall, sta anticipates to open the navigation center no later than January 2023. Costs to operate the facility would not exceed $200,000, which would be paid for by homeless grant funds.

Relocating county facilities

County sta will have its hands full relocating county departments.

Chief Administrative O cer Don Ashton emphasized the importance

of having an exit strategy for the temporary navigation center since the county still plans to put its psychiatric health facility at the site of the old juvenile hall.

“We were planning to begin construction late next year,” Ashton said. “My concern was if we do not have an exit strategy, that gets delayed.”

Parlin agreed on the need for an exit strategy for the navigation center.

“In my mind, if we do not have an exit strategy, we cannot go through with this,” she said.

The county also directed sta to work with the El Dorado County Superior Court to relocate the juvenile court located under the old juvenile hall to Building C, 2850 Fairlane Court, where the Elections Department and Registrar of Voters is currently located.

Sta has 60 days to return to the board with potential locations for the Elections Department but county sta discussed moving the department into the Carlton Building, which Registrar of Voters Bill O’Neill said he is excited for. The Carlton Building is at 3883 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.

“It’s a really nice facility for us and with the warehouse space, it will actually make our lives a little bit easier,” O’Neill said.

The site of the old sheri ’s building is proposed for a permanent homeless navigation center; however, last November the supervisors had selected that as the site for a new juvenile hall.

Chief Probation O cer Brian Richart said finding a new site for a juvenile hall could take months and a ect state grant funding for construction.

“One of the things we had to do for this site is separate it out from the county’s general plot for the government center because the state, due to the financing structure that goes along with this grant, has to release revenue bonds to finance that $9.6 million,” Richart explained to the board. “In order to do that they have to own the property and would lease it to the county at no cost for the period of the bonds.”

Once the bonds are expired, ownership of the land goes back to the county.

Richart also explained the county is nine years down the road on the $9.6 million grant funding, on which it has gotten multiple extensions.

“The state would like us to spend the money but as with any endeavor there are humans that go along with that and there is only so much patience that goes along with that, so to what end would the state react if we are to come back and say we are in design?” Richart asked. “I don’t have the answer for that,”

Designs are specific to the location and the county would have to have the architect come up with another preliminary design. The Board of Supervisors ultimately voted to direct sta to pursue funding to renovate the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center, built in 2004.

Sta was also directed to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval with the goal of having a permanent navigation center constructed no later than December 2024, which is estimated to cost $3 million to $4 million.

Security concerns

County department heads expressed concerns over security at the government center.

Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne states in a letter to supervisors that county sta arrives and leaves work outside 8-5 hours and has been approached by people asking for money. She notes vehicles have been broken into and buildings vandalized and asks what security measures the county would take if the navigation center goes in.

“While trying to address the homeless needs of our county, county sta should not be subjected to unneeded risk in the process,” her letter concludes.

A separate motion was made by the Board of Supervisors specifically to direct sta to address security concerns at the government center prior to the opening of the temporary navigation center.

A better plan?

Residents praised the idea during public comment, stating it was a better solution than the originally proposed Perk’s Court site.

“I love what you have done here.

This is brilliant,” Pollock Pines resident Jane McGinnis told the board. “I think we have been led to a better solution here.”

Placerville Mayor Kara Taylor said she was “thoroughly impressed” with the plans the county came up with. She was also in favor of the Perk’s Court site.

“I recognize there were legitimate concerns at that site but I think the plan that is being presented today addresses those concerns from the community,” Taylor said. “It addresses the need for a navigation center and you have the bonus of adding e ciency to county facilities.”

“We feel this is a good, temporary, fairly quick solution that will allow the building of a permanent facility,” Housing El Dorado Board of Directors President Maureen DionPerry said.

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl shared his appreciation for the board bringing back the topic of a temporary homeless navigation center, stating it is a facility the county needs.

His recommendation included going forward with the temporary navigation center at the old juvenile hall and to continue to look at other temporary locations.

“I’m a little reluctant to say I want to go all in on this not feeling that we have explored every possible permanent facility that is available to us,” Hidahl said.

District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel was also pleased with seeing the topic back in discussion so quickly after their August meeting when the item was last heard.

“I don’t think there is ever going to be a perfect location but what we need to do is assure ourselves, the community and, in this situation, our sta that we are doing the right thing,” Novasel said. “(We have to make sure we) have enough security and the community is understanding, or at least educated, on what we are doing and why we are doing it.”

All motions related to the agenda item went unanimous from the board except for the implementation of the navigation center, which Turnboo voted “no” on, advocating instead for placing tiny homes on Missouri Flat Road next to the sheri ’s headquarters.

New group aims to combat Tahoe algae release

TRUCKEE — In April

areas of the north and west shoreline of Lake Tahoe were covered in slimy attached algae.

In July and August the beaches of the south and east had masses of bright green algae and algae rotting on the shore. The algae at the south end of the lake was reportedly found to have cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which can be toxic for humans and animals.

Recent research projects have captured imagery of algae blooms fouling more than 10 miles of popular beaches at Lake Tahoe on the south, west and north shores.

“All of the incredible things that made summers on Lake Tahoe so special — swimming in the crystal blue water and hanging out on its unique beaches now seem to be fading,” says Lisa Lamb, co-founder of the newly formed SaveTahoeBeaches.org, a nonprofit group hoping to raise awareness for the growing crisis at the lake. “As of late, the lake experience has been clouded by

algae-infested water, foul odors and unkept beaches, something we can work together to change.”

In a recent op-ed published in the Sierra Sun Aug. 26, Geoff Schladow, director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, described different types of algae impacting beaches. Researchers have been endeavoring to understand the changing spread of the algae, as well as the increasing intensity of impacts to the public but funding for this work has dried up.

“It’s really a perfect storm,” said

GDPUD from A3

California Grade 2 Water Distribution and Grade 2 Water Treatment, OSHA 500 Safety Trainer, to name a few. Schneider holds a master’s of science degree in environmental engineering, a bachelor of science degree in turfgrass science and associate degrees in business, construction technology and horticulture.

Heather Renschler of Ralph Anderson and Associates, who contracted with the district for recruitment services on March 18, 2020, stated it was fortuitous that Schneider with his experience and education could be reinterviewed and an agreement reached to fill the position so quickly.

Other board action

Directed staff to amend Ordinance 2011-02, delinquency rates and related fees, to adjust the utility billing late fees and penalties and initiate the public hearing process. The amended ordinance will be introduced during the Oct. 11 regular board meeting. The following amendments have been recommended by staff and endorsed by the Finance Committee:

• Implement a $25 minimum account balance policy

• Increase the “immediate” water reactivation charge from $50 to $75, and the water reactivation fee “at the district’s convenience” charge from $15 to $25

• Remove provision that staff can receive payments in the field since that is no longer permitted due to safety concerns

• Update the current late fee penalties by removing the $12 late fee on day 30, and the 1% interest charge on day 60, and replace it with a 10% fee on all delinquent account balances over $25

SaveTahoeBeaches.org co-founder Mike Bruno. “COVID has disrupted the research funding just when the lake is in crisis because of drought, ash from the Caldor Fire and a warming climate.”

Bruno noted his group is organizing beach cleanups to prevent some of this year’s algae from being returned to the lake where the nutrients that fed them will be recycled to fuel future blooms.

Bruno also sits on an advisory board at TERC, which in 2017 began examining the entire shoreline with an instrumented helicopter and a drone several times each year.

Appointed Alexandra Duarte and Fran Todd to the Irrigation Committee. This committee was established to advise the board on matters related to irrigation service. The committee is tasked with reviewing amendments to the 200501 Irrigation Ordinance. Duarte has been an irrigation customer for more than 30 years for property located in Georgetown. Todd has been an irrigation customer for five years and lives in Pilot Hill.

Approved professional services agreement with ECORP Consulting Services for CEQA consulting services. The board authorized the general manager to execute an agreement with ECORP Consulting Services to provide CEQA analysis of projects included in the district’s Capital Improvement Plan. Based on a $1,800,000 CIP budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, the estimated cost for consulting services would range from $90,000-$180,000.

Directed staff to recruit applicants to fill public member openings on the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee advises the board on matters related to district finances, budgeting, auditing, financial policies and reports. It is comprised of no fewer than three and no more than seven public members.

Those interested in applying for an appointment to the committee are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume by email to board President Michael Saunders atmsaunders@gd-pud.org and/or the general manager atgm@gd-pud.orgby Oct. 3. Applications received after the deadline will be kept on file. For questions and additional information contact GDPUD office manager Jessica Buckle by email atjbuckle@ gd-pud.org.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Because people gather comfortably around you, you’ll be the glue that makes everyone work together. It’s a point of pride when you can connect people who can help each other. In a way, it makes you an architect of fate.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The same argument seems to flare up on the regular, but you’ll change something about it this time so that it won’t come back around. Probably you’ll acknowledge the validity in both sides, and everyone will agree to disagree.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Dreams can come true without a plan, a team, a budget or a timeline; however, your dream has a better chance with all these elements in place. You can start with any element and they’ll all progress together.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). When people want your assistance, you’re apt to spring into action. Some you help really are needy. Maybe they even have more than you; it just so happens that they also want more and ask for more.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have time for whatever you make time for. There are things you want to do that you haven’t figured out how to make happen, but you’ll definitely find a way when it’s a priority for you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A relationship is like an ecosystem. You’ll look for the same qualities in a rela tionship that you do in other environments: loveliness, livability and affordability. In relationships you pay with your emotions and your attention.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll bring energy to your interactions because you want them to be memorable. What can you do that will bring the unexpected charge? It’s worth it to come up with a few surprises, especially with familiar people.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The hoop is held out before you. Should you jump through? This one looks easy, after all. Of course, once you pass the first test, the hoop will be raised higher in a game that will con tinue for as long as you participate in it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have more con trol than most people over your own charisma, and you’re able to turn on the charm at will. You don’t like to shine too brightly too much of the time because you want it to mean more when you go full wattage.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Something magical happens as you put your own agenda on the back burner to advance the goal of another. You’ll take on the challenge with relaxed confidence. You won’t be paid in dollars, but you’ll be compensated.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It will take a beat or two to sync up with a loved one’s groove, but once you get in step, you’ll take on the day like pros. You’re learning to trust each other, which will make for stellar teamwork.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). For you, it’s not enough to feel social responsibility; you have to act on it to make things better. You’re always looking out for anyone who could use help, and today you’ll notice a need worthy of your attention.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Solutions

Courtesy photo

Algae rots at Regan Beach in South Lake Tahoe.

him and he tried to run away. I grabbed my bike and then he started swinging and throwing punches at me while I kept telling him (the bike was my) property. He was very irrational and violent.”

The couple was assaulted again when they tried to retrieve the

second bike. One guy threw “big” rocks at Buzzell and Brzezicki was hit in the head by an older homeless woman, Buzzell told the Mountain Democrat.

Occupants of the homeless camp were yelling at the family until a man Buzzell described

as someone “his age” helped them get the bike back.

“My son witnessed all of it and he is 7,” Buzzell said. “It’s a scary situation where there’s people on drugs, in their mid20s and very physically violent.”

Buzzell said he visited the Placerville Police

Department’s station to report the theft but then decided to take matters into his own hands once the bikes were tracked down, action law enforcement does not recommend.

“It’s our job to put ourselves in harm’s way if that’s the route it goes,” said Placerville Police Department Cmdr. Dan Maciel.

Police took a report and filed a citizen’s arrest on the homeless person who assaulted Brzezicki.

No arrests were made due to the nature of the assaults but that could have been di erent if the family had called police first to retrieve the stolen bikes, said Maciel.

Maciel noted that Placerville police does not get an abundance of calls regarding homeless individuals causing disturbances.

“This is an isolated incident that could have been completely avoided by allowing the police to go up there and retrieve

the stolen property and perhaps even making an arrest on someone that stole the property but because it was done after the fact it skews the investigation and we don’t know where to go from there,” Maciel said.

“It gives me a very bad taste in my mouth after going (to Apple Hill) for 45 years and to

experience something like that; it’s so unreal,” Buzzell said. Police

o cers responded to the scene “but their hands were tied,” Buzzell added.

Buzzell said he and his family took their bikes and left for home immediately. They were not injured but their bikes, which cost around $4,000 each, need repairs.

One bike was spraypainted black and the locks were drilled out, exposing the battery. The other has a bent crank and handlebar with missing screws.

Repairs could cost around $300, according to Buzzell.

“I was worried they were going to come back and attack the RV because Apple Hill is just 5 miles away. We wanted to go to Apple Hill but we just went home and it was too much,” Buzzell said.

Brzezicki said she doesn’t have plans for a return trip to Apple Hill.

Two electric bicycles were stolen from a Reno man visiting Apple Hill last weekend. One of the bikes was painted black by thieves.

Courtesy photo

In the KNOW

Stellar student Congratulations to Alyssa Appel of Shingle Springs, who was named to the University of Alaska Fairbanks fall 2021 Dean’s List and spring 2022 Chancellor’s List

Sept. 23

Visit the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville, open to the public, 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. See the many plants, trees, succulents, natives and more. Wander through the 16 individual gardens at your own pace or ask a docent for help. Garden may be closed for inclement weather; check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden.

The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library hosts a used book sale at the library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, 3-6 p.m. Friday for members (join that afternoon) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for the public.

Myrtle Tree Arts and The Bookery host author Leslie Kirk Campbell. The author of “The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs” will perform a reading 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville and on Sept. 24 offer a threehour writers workshop for writers of all levels (email myrtletreearts@gmail.com to register) and conclude with an afternoon poetry reading with Poetry of the Sierra Foothills, a monthly poetry event organized by Lara Gularte, poet laureate of El Dorado County. RSVP to myrtletreearts@gmail. com for details.

Bob Rawleigh returns to California for dinner shows, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 23 & 24 at Beef ’n’ Brew in Diamond Springs. Reservations are required. Call (530) 3447296.

The Rescue Community Center hosts Friday Night Out, 6-9 p.m. at the facility, 4180 Green Valley Road. Enjoy live music, a raffle, food, beer and wine. Admission is free. Get meal tickets online at rescuecommunitycenter. com/friday-night-out.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Citizen Vine in Folsom, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts a free Movie at the Lake. See “Jurassic World: Dominion” at 7:15 p.m. Play Jurassic Bingo and you could win a $25 gift card to the CSD. Popcorn will be for sale (cash only). Bring your own beverages, lawn chairs and blankets.

Props, Cops & Rodders Show & Shine Fly-In

Start your engines for Cameron Airpark event

Dina Gentry

EDC Office of Education

The Props, Cops & Rodders Show & Shine Fly-In showcasing classic cars and airplanes returns Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Cameron Airpark in Cameron Park.

The El Dorado County Office of Education will host the Kids Zone, where there will be bounce houses, corn hole, Red Hawk Casino’s Kids Quest as well as multiple educational demonstrations like child fingerprinting, car seat and bicycle safety presented by El Dorado Sheriff’s Office STAR volunteers, the El Dorado Community Health Center Dental Van and much more. Toys for Tots will be on site accepting

donations.

This is a full day event, running 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors can admire classic cars, awesome airplanes and engaging equipment from local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, there will be live music by The Viva Santana Show! and Rock Monsterz as well as special performances by the Ponderosa High School marching band and choir. Guests will also enjoy plenty of food truck options — something to satiate everyone’s tastebuds.

Admission for spectators is $5 per car. Profits from this family friendly event benefit the Placerville Community Fund, which provides support to charitable funds as well as local community needs.

Mountain Democrat file photos

Visitors will get to check out many classic cars as well as emergency vehicles and more at the Props, Cops & Rodders Show & Shine Fly-In Saturday, Sept. 24.

“Making this movie in the city I grew up in was extremely important to me.”

— Billy Nunes

Stones tribute show rolls into Sutter Creek Theatre Friday

News release

SUTTER CREEK —

The Sticky Stones, a Rolling Stones tribute, is the latest project from American Mile, a band with sounds ranging from Chris Stapleton and Blackberry Smoke to Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles. See the group live at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Sutter Creek Theatre.

In the past few years American Mile has been carving its name into the roots of rock music around North America. With influences ranging from Aerosmith and The Black Crowes to Chris Stapleton and Tom Petty, the members’ powerful sound have garnered them important shows in front of thousands at festivals — Summerfest, the NASCAR Auto Club 400 and a New Year’s Eve headlining slot at The infamous Idaho Potato Drop in Boise. American Mile is in constant pursuit to showcase the vocal harmonies of country-

rock while presenting it in a modern way.

Forming in 2018, American Mile drew attention with its explosive stage presence and southern/blues rock sound coupled with three part harmony and a hint of country. Having earned stripes at venues around Los Angeles, American Mile

Waiting Continued from B1

write, completing the first draft of a film within three months. The couple returned to El Dorado Hills and began the filmmaking process — raising money, hiring a crew, holding casting calls and everything else involved in the making of a film. Postproduction on “Waiting on the World” wrapped this past March. The film, on which Nunes received help from another famous ORHS alum — former NBA player Ryan Anderson — follows a former basketball legend who finds himself back in his hometown with his three best friends. He tries to fight off time, women and change to keep his group of BFFs together — but nothing lasts forever, the film’s synopsis notes. Anderson serves as the film’s executive producer. Important to Nunes was that the movie was

began working with Grammy-nominated producer Keith Nelson of the band Buckcherry, as well as, Grammynominated producer Bruce Witkin. With the release of the debut album in 2020, and signing to booking agency TEI North in

KVIe art auctIon Local artists win awards

Kathleen Richards KVIE

Celebrating PBS KVIE’s decades of creating an accessible venue to bring art into the homes of Northern Californians, the 41st annual PBS KVIE Art Auction showcases 276 works of art by emerging, well-known and world-renowned Northern California artists.

PBS KVIE art curator Jill Estroff has announced that Cameron Park artist Wendell Minshew and Placerville artists Deborah Claussen and Glenna Kessler have been recognized with awards after submitting their artworks to the annual curated competition.

Minshew’s “Open Door” won a Juror Award in the Photography category, Claussen’s “2 Labs in a Truck” won a Juror Award in the Figurative category and Kessler’s “The Rose Garden” won a Curator Award

filmed in Sacramento. “I am the grandson of a lumberman and a native son to Sacramento. My roots are in this city,” he shared. “Making this movie in the city I grew up in was extremely important to me. It made some things easier and certain things much harder,” he added. “After climbing a few mountains to finish my first feature-length film, we are ready for the premiere.”

“Waiting on the World” will premiere at the Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento on Saturday, Sept. 24, doors open at 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets visit eventbrite.com/e/waitingon-the-world-tickets-381224030337. Nunes, who uses the stage name William Henry and acted in his debut film, said he had to call in a lot of favors to get his project off the ground. “I really want

in Figurative category. The artworks will be featured as part of this year’s auction, a live three-day event broadcast on KVIE Channel 6 and online at kvie.org/artauction that airs on Friday, Sept. 30, from 7-10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’re so thankful to

artists who have freely submitted their work to the Art Auction this year,” Estroff said. “Art should be out in the world. My favorites are from observations near and far as well as interpretations of the physical and imaginary places we inhabit. Some pay homage to internationally

n

to treat everybody to a night. Sacramento people are the best.” he said of the upcoming premiere.

“This is my first film, but the plan is to make this a common occurrence around these parts. Depending on how this goes will determine the scope of the next project. I am trying to build something here in Sacramento. I am tired of losing people to Los Angeles.”

The couple currently live in Fair Oaks and Nunes said he hopes this is the start of his production company, Gold City Productions. “We have several other scripts we plan on filming here,” he said.

“The success of this first one will determine the scope of our next one, but this won’t be my last.”

For more information visit goldcityproductions. com/waiting-on-the-world.

Courtesy photo

American Mile presents Sticky Stones — a Rolling Stones tribute. The show comes to Sutter Creek Theatre Sept. 23.

Cameron Park artist Wendell Minshew earns an award in the 41st annual PBS KVIE Art Auction for his photograph “Open Door.”

Artist takes on california’s gold rush and tech rush

Angela Nicholson EDH Chamber of Commerce

The California Welcome Center, a program of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, hosts the exhibit of a talented, local artist.

Summer Dixon is a senior at Oak Ridge High School who was brought up at the intersection between Gold Country and Silicon Valley. This exhibit showcases her AP Drawing portfolio, which was a year-long sustained investigation centered on the question: “How can I compare the Gold Rush of 1848 to the modern-day quest for personal wealth and glory that occurred in Silicon Valley?”

For inspiration, she attended Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park’s Living History Days in Coloma and visited major Silicon Valley landmarks like Apple’s and Intel’s headquarters. She plans to major in computer science in college, but will also continue to practice her lifelong passion for art.

“I chose the Welcome Center because I know it receives a lot of visitors from Silicon Valley, so I thought this exhibit would be an interesting way for them to connect their local history with El Dorado Hills’ local history through a new lens,” Summer shared.

The exhibit is on display through the fall at the California Welcome Center, 2085 Vine St., Suite 105, in El Dorado Hills Town Center.

The welcome center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information call (916) 358-3700 or email chamber@ eldoradohillschamber.org.

To view Summer’s art online visit sites.google.com/view/ summer-dixon/home.

Florida artist wins Duck Stamp contest

News release

A painting by John Brennan of Lutz, Fla. has been chosen as the winner of the 2022 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. The painting, which depicts three Canada geese, will be the official design for the 2022-23 stamp.

The judges praised the anatomical accuracy of the geese and realistic quality of the painting, remarking that it looked almost like a photograph. They were impressed by the attention to detail, especially in the

Summer Dixon’s unique works on display at the California Welcome Center in El Dorado Hills blend history and modern life.

The El Dorado Chapter of the California Native Plant Society hosts its Fall Plant Sale Sept. 24 to Oct. 1. This is your chance to select plants that grow well in the area. And fall is definitely the best time of year to plant them. Visit shop.eldoradocnps.org to browse the plants available then purchase them. All proceeds from the sale benefit the educational outreach efforts of CNPS.

Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in the Pleasant Valley area, is serving its acclaimed Pairings Lunches on the Vineyard Terrace on Saturdays and Sundays with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Pairings 2022 combines a chef’s creativity with the beautifully crafted Miraflores wines. Diners

will be able to talk to the chef du jour about the wine and food experience. On Sept. 24 & 25 chef Carl Williams is preparing a Taste of the Eastern Exotic. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@ mirafloreswinery.com to make a reservation.

Toogood Estate in Fair Play hosts Bottle Your Own Wine events Sept. 24 & 25. Walk-ins welcome. No reservations required.

Ladies, get out the western wear and enjoy Girls Night Out, Wild West edition, 4-9 p.m. in historical downtown Placerville. Events include a fashion show, live music, fun activities and more.

Mediterranean Vineyards in Somerset hosts Medi Nights, 5-8 p.m. with the following shows scheduled: AcüstaGrüve (Sept. 24) and Dirty Cello (Oct. 29). Food trucks will be on site for each event. Purchase tickets at medivineyards.com.

Gwinllan Estate, 7060 Fairplay Road in Fair Play, is having a Harvest Celebration and Rib Cook Off with sides of beans,

coleslaw and macaroni salad, 6-10 p.m. Call (530) 723-2879 to make a reservation.

El Dorado Community Health Centers hosts an Evening Dinner Celebration, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Smith Flat House in Placerville with guest speaker Bill Roby, El Dorado Community Foundation executive director. To reserve a seat visit edchc.org/ events.

Sept. 25

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Story Winery in Plymouth, 1-4 p.m.

Sierra Symphony launches its 2022-23 season with an outdoor pops concert at Smith Flat House, 2021 Smith Flat Road in Placerville. The program features tunes from the Big Band era

See performance with magic and depth at The Center

News release

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts hosts Resonance – Yin Yang Sound Journey Sept. 25. The new sound collaboration by Miyu Tamamura and Ludi Hinrichs generates pure and powerful harmonics, creating an experience of magic and depth of the present moment. Together they glide on the edge of yin and yang, blending delicate and potent vibrations that transcend time.

Hinrichs’ keyboard is perfectly matched with Tamamura’s crystal singing bowls in the ancient Pythagorean tuning. Their music permeates space for one to simultaneously experience stillness and expansion. The sound journey is inclusive and universal, breaking the concepts of traditional concerts, entertainment, music and meditation. The spontaneous improvisation that merges and flows is at the core of their artistic expression. Both musicians believe the experience of harmony and resonance balances yin and yang energies within ourselves, opening people to joy and freeing their hearts and souls.

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Nevada City’s Hinrichs has worked as a professional composer, arranger, pianist, trombonist and vocalist since 1966. He works in the fields of jazz, classical, avant-garde and the classical music of North India. His concerts include duo performances with minimalist Terry Riley, beat poet Gary Snyder and former members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra led by trombonist Arthur

by George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington; selections from “Les Misérables,” “Hamilton” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” a tribute to Henry Mancini, “The Syncopated Clock” by Leroy Anderson, “American Celebration Overture” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 5 p.m. Students and children admitted free. For more information go to sierrasymphony.org or visit the group on Facebook.

The Sacramento Blues Society presents the 2022 Blues Hall of Fame Awards at Harlow’s, 2708 J St. in Sacramento. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the event begins at 1:45 p.m. For tickets visit harlows.com/event/2022-sacramento-blues-society-hall-of-fameawards.

Sept. 27

A computer skills basics class will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Placerville Family History Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road, Placerville. Instructors walk you through the skills you’ll need to use a computer so you can build a family tree or just look at one on your computer.

Sept. 28

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts the Coffee & Commerce breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. at The Mimosa House, 2023 Vine St., Suite 102, El Dorado Hills. Register at web. eldoradohillschamber.org/events.

The Shingle Springs Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon with featured speaker André Pichly, Cameron Park Community Service District general manager, 11:30 a.m. at Los Pinos Mexican restaurant. To register and for more information visit sscpchamber.org.

Pride Night featuring DJ Zephyr comes to The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 7-10 p.m. This once-amonth celebration in partnership with Pure Life and Sacred Roots collectives features a rotating variety of themes, performers and performances in honor of the history of pride and the unique experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. For tickets and more information visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

feathers and reflection on the water, and noted the contrast between the birds and the simplicity of the background. They also appreciated the composition — the decision to use three geese was unique and created an artistically pleasing image.

Brennan decided to enter the contest when he learned the Canada goose would be this year’s species. “I find them to be a very elegant and versatile subject to paint,” he said, “considering their high-contrast head and cheeks and the warm tones of their body.”

He was lucky enough to photograph these geese for reference at Yellowstone National Park. The glassy water made for some very interesting reflections and play of light. He said he decided to keep the composition clean and simple, so as not to distract from the beauty of the animals.

Artists from around the country submitted entries for the contest sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Buck Spencer of Junction City, Ore., placed second; Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., placed third; and Michael Patrick Bailey of Los Angeles received honorable mention.

Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. The contest is open to artists from all 50 states in order to ensure a wide pool of submissions. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects within California.

In the past hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting licenses. Today, hunters are no longer required to carry the stamps because California’s modern licensing system prints proof of additional fees paid directly onto the license. However, CDFW still produces the stamps. Request them at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collectorstamps.

Baron. Hinrichs has collaborated with numerous poets, visual artists and dancers over the years and has had his own groups perform at the California WorldFest here in Grass Valley. Recordings include “Kairos/ Kronos,” “Mountains and Rivers Without End,” “Whimsey” — with his six-piece group, “ChickenBonz,” and “Loss, Remembrance and Emergence” dedicated to his late

Motivated women singers of all ages are welcome to join the Sacramento Valley Chorus. Master Director Dede Nibler will begin the 10-week fun-filled class at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 — culminating in a performance in early December. For more information visit Sacramentovalleychorus.com.

The Valhalla Tahoe historic boathouse theatre and outdoor lawn offer an only-in-Tahoe venue that will host Matt Donnelly – The Mind Noodler. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Now

Fat Cat City hosts a canned food drive in September. The canned food not only helps provide extra nourishment and moisture to recovering cats, some seniors or previously neglected cats have little or no teeth. Donate at Lee’s Feed in Shingle Springs and El Dorado Hills, Bark Avenue in El Dorado Hills, sbarkles in Folsom and Petco in Folsom and Cameron Park.

Capital Stage presents “The Royale” through Sept. 25 at the theater, 2215 J St in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5654 or visit capstage.org.

The Images of Hope Quilt Auction has begun and will run through noon Friday, Sept. 30. The auction includes 18 quilts and one set of four table runners. Visit biddingowl.com/

wife, Karen. His 2021 release is “Dissonance, Awakening and Resonance,” a live recording with special guest Joe Fajen on tabla. Tamamura’s commitment to transformation and healing is the very energy that plays her orchestra of alchemy crystal singing bowls, returning listeners to the silence within. She teaches the monthly program of Sound Healing Meditation at Mountain Stream Meditation Center in Nevada City, where community members come to meditate together. Tamamura’s experiential approach to truth, her spiritual discipline and Japanese heritage are infused in all her artistic expressions including sound healing, Japanese calligraphy and Shiatsu therapy. She lives in the beautiful Sierra foothills with her husband Perry and two cats.

This special sound journey will begin with a tea social in the lobby at 3 p.m. followed by the performance at 4 p.m at The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org/event/ resonance-yin-yang-sound-journey or call (530) 274-8384.

ImagesofHope to place a bid.

There are a few openings for Volunteer Tax-Aide counselors for the next tax season to provide free personal income tax assistance in El Dorado County, for seniors and low- to moderateincome residents under the AARP Tax-Aide program. The program operates Feb. 1 through April 15, 2023. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week. Self-study materials are provided in November. Classroom training on federal and California income taxes and form preparation takes place in November and January. Computer knowledge is required as all returns are prepared with software provided by the IRS for electronic filing. Contact George Samaniego prior to Nov. 1 at TaxesElDorado@gmail.com or (916) 933-8537.

High School students may apply now for the CongressBundestag Youth Exchange program to study abroad in Germany. ASSE is one of four well-established international exchange organizations that administer this prestigious program, which is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the German Bundestag. ASSE has 50 scholarships available to American youth from the western and northwestern regions of the USA. Students are encouraged to learn more and apply at UsaGermanyScholarship.org. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

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Courtesy photo

Hear the enticing sound collaboration by Miyu Tamamura and Ludi Hinrichs, which generates pure and powerful harmonics, at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.

Foreigner, Journey tribute keeps audience on their feet

News

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts welcomes Forejour, a tribute to rock bands Foreigner and Journey, to the Marisa Funk Theater Sept. 24. Co-presented by Harkenback Tributes, Forejour (pronounced ‘forjer’) pays tribute to the music of the two ’80s mega bands, recreating the soundtrack of a generation with stunning accuracy. Forejour’s multimedia show transports audiences back to the heyday of MTV as the band performs the live soundtrack to cherished videos on screen.

The group’s setlist includes the 20th century’s most downloaded song, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” as well as power ballads such as Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” and Journey’s “Faithfully.” Forejour’s unique combination of these two beloved, multi-platinum-selling bands keeps audiences on their feet for the entire show. Amid the seemingly endless profusion of “tribute” acts, Forejour is a rarity as a dual tribute.

After playing for eight years as Replica: ’80s Rock Revisited, the band’s co-founder and bassist Chris Keller said, “We noticed that people responded most to Foreigner and Journey songs, so why not just play all the ones they like?” And so the East Bay band did just that and have built a Forejour following that now sells out shows at performing arts

centers, theaters and wineries all over California.

The group always finishes with “Don’t Stop Believin’,” a Journey singalong that made it to No. 9 in 1991. “It’s a guaranteed standing ovation,” Keller said.

The guys in Forejour don’t try to impersonate Journey and Foreigner physically, yet lead vocalist David

Kelleher uncannily evokes the signature vocal sounds of Steve Perry and Lou Gramm. Also in the band are Eric Wood on drums and vocals, Rob Carter on keyboards and Neal Crouch on guitar.

“We pay tribute not so much to the bands, as to the music,” Keller said. “We don’t try to look like them. We don’t have stage props. It’s about the

music. It’s the synergy of great melody against chord structure against lyrics. It has to be performed faithfully.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. at the The Center for the Arts Marisa Funk Theater, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org/event/forejour or call (530) 274-8384.

Courtesy photo

Forejour faithfully performs fan-favorite Journey and Foreigner hits.