Mountain Democrat, Friday, October 7, 2022

Arrest made in fatal shooting

Eric Jaramishian Sta writer

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies arrested 28-year-old Brandon Heckley Monday night on suspicion of fatally shooting 35-year-old Monique Benavidez.

Officers were dispatched around 7 p.m. to a Mossy Oak Trail home regarding a woman with a gunshot wound, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Alexander Sorey. Mossy Oak Trail is a private road off Cedar Ravine Road on the outskirts of Placerville.

Upon arrival deputies found Benavidez deceased. Heckley was located near the Mossy Oak Trail residence and taken into custody, Sorey said.

Neighbors described seeing a “large law enforcement presence” that night.

One neighbor, 27-year-old Cheyanne Fuller, said she did not know Benavidez but was told she lived in the home and had a 16-year-old daughter. Neighbors think Heckley and Benavidez may have been partners.

“It is sad to see something like this happen,” Fuller said.

The Sheriff’s Office could not give further details due to the ongoing investigation. Heckley is in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville, held on $300,000 bail. Inmate records show charges against him as first-degree murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and kidnapping.

Greetings with gourds

A MAIN STREET TRADITION — It’s beginning to look like autumn as giant pumpkins were delivered to downtown Placerville businesses Wednesday afternoon. The Fausel family of Placerville Hardware, including A.J. and his dad Albert, pictured above, got to work distributing the hefty gourds to merchants with a little help from “flat” Davey “Doc” Wiser, a life-sized cardboard cutout. Wiser for decades journeyed to Wheatland to purchase the pumpkins but was not able to this year. Instead Albert, Melissa and A.J. Fausel made the trip. The pumpkins are now on display at Placerville News Company, Old Town Grill, Hangtown Cyclery and Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub. This year Sierra Elementary School received a giant white pumpkin that will be raffled off to help raise funds for student activities and the school’s garden club. At Placerville News Company Jeff Meader, at right, greets the Fausels as they cart in the giant pumpkins.

Classic Chrysler takes double wins at Concours

Elegance of design combined with state-of-the-art engineering and attention to the experience of driving and riding in the 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial earned the luxury automobile winning points.

Owned by Lorenzo and Susan Nannini of Pine Grove, this Imperial won Best of Show at the Niello Concours at Serrano Oct. 2.

Roberta Long Mountain Democrat contibutor

Lorenzo and Susan Nannini drove their 1932 Chrysler Imperial CL to the awards stage at Serrano Village Green in El Dorado Hills on Sunday. It was the finalé of the 18th Niello Concours at Serrano.

The couple from Pine Grove captured both premier awards with their pristine, garnet red luxury ride with black convertible top following the contours of the LeBaron body. It was one of 220 manufactured by Chrysler in 1932.

The first award was the 2022 SCCA Championship Award. The Sports Car Club of America gives the award to the automobile that earns the most points at the end of the concours season.

Having won the season championship,

the Chrysler Imperial also took honors at the Niello Concours at Serrano, receiving Best of Show Award.

A concours is an open space where people gather for a purpose. It can also mean a competition. Taking in the scene on the green where 128 of the finest in the history of automobiles are on display is awesome, inspiring and entrance into a world that only comes together once a year in El Dorado Hills.

This year’s theme was Celebrating the British Marques. The Brits showed up in force: Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Austin Healey, MG, Sunbeam, Triumph, Daimler, Lotus, Caterham, Mini Cooper and Morgan.

Other marques, or brands, ranged from military vehicles, Volkswagen buses, race cars, to sports cars.

Mountain Democrat photos by Courtney Jackson

Photo by Tommy Goette/Premier Concours Promotions

Photo by Roberta Long

This two-toned gray 1933 Pierce-Arrow 1236 Salon Club Sedan with red accessories won Most Elegant Motorcar. It was made in Buffalo, New York. Owner Lynn Kissel of Cameron Park points to the archer hood ornament. In 2015 he drove the car from Detroit to San Francisco on the Lincoln Highway.

Myrtle Marie Poe

Nov. 13, 1929 – June 5, 2022

Myrtle was born on Nov. 13, 1929 in Lodi, Calif. to Arthur and Lorna Martinson, She was raised and educated in California graduating from Fresno State University.

Myrtle settled in Placerville, Calif. where she raised four daughters and taught at the Rescue Union School District for 45 years. She loved teaching, reading, and traveling. she enjoyed watching and listening to her favorite teams the Oakland Athletics and the Raiders. She always had a book in her hands and usually fell asleep either reading or listening to one of the games.

Myrtle is survived by her brother Russell (Becky) Martinson of Meridian, Idaho; daughters Linda Keller (Bob) of El Mirage Ariz., Kathy (Al) Elliott of Minot N.D., Chris Ferris of Placerville, and Charlene Muniz of Placerville, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son in law Joe Muniz. Myrtle chose not to have a memorial service, but to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in one of her favorite placesYellowstone National Park

Robert L. Gillespie

Feb. 28, 1962 - Sept. 19, 2022

Robert L. Gillespie passed away suddenly in his Pollock Pines home on Sept. 19. He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Robert was a native Californian and spent his youth in Southern California. It was there he met Laura, the love of his life, and they were married in 1986. He became a father first to Jamie and then to Robby. Robert and Laura had over 25 years together before the Lord called her home in 2011. Her death was unexpected and tragic and left the family bereft.

Robert was able to find love again. A mutual friend introduced Robert to Sherri, a widow herself.

The relationship would blossom into love and in 2013 they married.

Robert leaves behind his wife, Sherri; daughter, Jamie; son, Robby; brothers, Richard, Rodney, and Reed; and four beautiful granddaughters.

A celebration of life will be held for him at the Chapel of the Pines on Oct. 14 at noon with a reception to follow.

Theodore (Ted) John Addison

Oct. 14, 1937 - Sept. 16, 2022

Theodore “Ted” John Addison, age 84, of Cameron Park, Calif, died peacefully on September 16, 2022. Ted was born in Jackson, Mich. on Oct 14, 1937. to Robert R. and Marian L. (Turk) Addison. After Ted graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Jackson, Mich. in 1955, he went on to study at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. He later served proudly in the National Guard for six years.

In 1957, Ted met Shirley Ellen Cavendar at Clark Lake, Mich. and were married in 1961 and went on to have two children, Dane Lawrence and Michelle “Shellie” Kathryn Cook.

His professional career spanned many years in sales and marketing for various companies like Aeroquip in Mich. and Stemco, out of Texas, which brought him to Calif in 1979. Ted eventually owned his own travel agency in Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills. He loved the community and served on numerous committees and boards of directors for area Chamber of Commerce’s consisting of El Dorado County, Shingle Springs/Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and Folsom. He thoroughly enjoyed mixing it up with the local community members and volunteering at community events including the annual Folsom Pro Rodeo.

Ted was a sports fanatic. He spent his entire life cheering on the University of Michigan and Notre Dame athletics teams. His biggest struggle was who to cheer for when Michigan played Notre Dame, even as a Michigan football season ticket holder. He also enjoyed most of his time on the golf course. While these were his favorite pastimes, his greatest joy was sitting on the bleachers watching his granddaughter, Bailey, play softball and his grandson, Dalton, play football.

Ted was predeceased by his brother, Daniel R. and both parents. He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 61 years, Shirley, and their two children, Dane and Shellie. As well as, son-in-law Sean Cook, grandchildren Bailey Addison and Dalton James Cook; nephew Steven T. Addison and wife Diane, great-nephew Stephen, great-nieces Ashley (Nobriga) and Alicia Addison; and niece Danielle. Also survived by nephew, Mike Cavender, and nieces Kelly, Tricia, Betsy, and numerous other great-nieces and nephews.

Ted’s strength, unparalleled. Stubbornness, unprecedented. His uncanny sense of humor, priceless. Ted, you will forever be in our hearts and missed by many. We are all blessed to have known you in our di erent walks of life.

California services will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3111 Tierra de Dios Dr. El Dorado Hills, CA 95762.

Michigan services will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 120 East Wesley Street, Jackson, Mich., 49201.

Mary Katherine Harris Apr. 6, 1960 - Sept. 12, 2022

On Monday, September 12, Mary Kate Harris, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 62 at her home in Placerville, Calif. She was married to husband Richard Harris (Rick) for nearly 34 years. They married on Oct. 29, 1988 in Phoenix, Ariz. They raised a daughter, Sara, and two sons, Christopher and Jackson. She battled Triple Negative Breast Cancer for over a year.

Mary Kate was born on Apr 6, 1960, in Oshkosh, Wis. to Thomas and Dolores Pech. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science from Carroll College and her Master’s degree in Educational Therapy from the University of Phoenix.

Mary Kate had many careers over the course of her life: a Medical Coordinator for Southwest Adoption Center, a representative for the Learning Disabilities Association of America, an Educational Therapist, a Practice Manager for mental health clinic Professional Services Associates, and more in between. All had the same central tenets of helping people and serving her community.

Mary Kate’s passion for helping people extended to her personal life. She was a problem solver for anyone and everyone she met. She was selfless when it came to helping others, often opening her home to strangers and friends alike. She loved being around people and doing anything she could to make people comfortable and happy. She was devoted to her husband and children; caring, loving, and protecting them was her life’s mission and it showed every day. She is deeply missed by her family and many in the community.

Mary Kate is survived by her husband Rick, her children, Sara, Christopher, and Jackson, her sister Anne Marie Haverland (Kirk), her brothers Tom Pech (Chris) and Mike Pech (Nancy), and several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

She is preceded in death by parents Thomas and Dolores and nephew Craig Sawicki.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Send inquiries to mk.life.celebration@gmail.com

Please help fight this horrible disease, please make a donation to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation at: https://tnbcfoundation. org/support-us/donate or donations can be mailed to:

TNBC Foundation PO Box 204 Norwood, N. J. 07648

Edward Albert Newell

May 15, 1948 – Sept. 20, 2022

Edward Albert Newell passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday Sept. 20, in Placerville, Calif. at the age of 74. Ed was born in San Francisco May 15,1948, the eldest of three children of Ray and Hazel Newell.

Ed is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jan Newell of Placerville, his daughter Alicia Newell of Rocklin, his son Bryce Newell of Sacramento, daughter-in-law Dana Newell and his two grandchildren Olivia (4) and Beau (2).

Ed grew up in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek and graduated from Las Lomas High School in 1966. He graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 1970, majoring in Economics and German. While there, he was also a pitcher on the UCD baseball team and made his mark in the record books with the most strikeouts in a 9-inning game (18) and the first Freshman to throw a no hitter (1967). In the early years after college, he taught skiing at Homewood, worked as a carpenter and taught history briefly at Ione High School.

In 1978, Ed launched his business, Newell Construction, Inc. Over the span of 35 years, he built over 80 custom homes in El Dorado and Sacramento counties. He was grateful for the relationships formed with his customers and coworkers throughout the years.

Ed was a devoted family man. He encouraged his children to pursue their passions and supported them throughout their lives. His happiest days were spent surrounded by family.

Ed was also a huge sports fan. He coached youth basketball and baseball, was a life-long Giants and 49er fan, an avid skier, golfer and cyclist. He coached skiing at El Dorado High School from 1975 to 1979. His many ski trips with friends and family were some of his fondest memories.

A celebration of life will be held at Cameron Park Country Club from noon-3:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2022. Please RSVP by Oct. 28, https:// everloved.com/life-of/ed-newell/

Melinda “Casey” Carlton-Mercado

June 23, 1943 - Oct. 1, 2022

Casey was born into a three generation household in Oak Park, Ill., to Russell W. and DeVota (“De” Orth) Carlton, originally from Carthage, Ill. Her childhood with her sister Charlotte Sue, was archetypical American: walking to schools, suburban activities, summer visits to the uncle Bill Shinkle farm in Hancock County Ill. After graduating Oak Park River Forest High School she attended Purdue University, joined Alpha XI Delta sorority, and earned her degree in Home Economics then some post grad study in biochemistry. While there she wed Wm. Schmitendorf and started substitute teaching and working in food service while he finished his advanced degree and went on sta at Northwestern. They had two sons, Paul and Thomas raising them in Glenview. Ill. While homemaking, Casey enjoyed sewing, cooking and crafting. She was a contestant in the Pillsbury BakeO with her chocolate éclair, earning the first model of a GE microwave oven!

Casey started her career working for Kraft Foods then Jewel Food stores as a Home Economist, recipe and menu planner. Her second marriage in 1981 was to Harry C. Mercado, in San Mateo, Calif. She became the Sales Manager for a craft supply company and authored “how to” booklets to support her products. In 1990 the couple started a novel format retail furniture business in Pleasanton, Calif. Retiring in 1996 they moved to Lotus Calif. on the American River. There she was active in Coloma/ Lotus valley community development.

Casey was an energetic person of strong political, societal, and cultural beliefs. She joined the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and led the Foothill Chapter in Placerville advocating for girls scholarships and women’s issues. She was a member of the Shakespeare Club, a social group. Her community and club activities often saw her chairing/cooking event meals at the Grange/Community hall, Shakespeare hall, and in the Lake Oaks Community club house. She loved to hike the Sierra, tour the country in their motor home, logging 80,000 miles, play bridge and do sudokus.

Casey passed peacefully at home at Lake Oaks in Diamond Springs under the care of Snowline Hospice. She is survived by her sister Sue Pierce, husband of 41 yrs Harry Mercado, sons Paul and Thomas Schmitendorf, step sons Robinson and Je rey Mercado, grandchildren Parker, Alexander, and Christopher Mercado, Ivy and Aidan Schmitendorf. A celebration of life service will be scheduled. Remembrance donations can be made in her name to AAUW, 3078 Edythe Ct., Placerville, Calif., 95667

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Eugene R. (Ollie) Olivier

Sept. 17, 1947 – Sept. 17, 2022

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Oct. 9, 1:00 p.m. at the El Dorado Community Hall, 6139 Pleasant Valley Road, El Dorado.

WEATHER

essentials

obituarieS

Diana R. Tucker

Sept. 10, 1945 – Sept. 20, 2022

Diana Rose Tucker was born in North Hollywood, Calif. where she resided with her parents Charles McCown and Anna Dipace and her sister Lynda DeLong. Her and her family moved to Northern California when she was 7 years old and remained in the area until she laid to rest on Sept. 20 at the age of 77. Diana was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend.

Edwin Allen Colegrove

July 21, 1944 – Sept. 17, 2022

With much sorrow we share with you that Edwin Allen Colegrove, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 17, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was the third son of 6 children, born in Wellsboro, Pa. on July 21, 1944 to parents Albert Arnold Colegrove and Velma Fratarcangelo ( Van Schaick.) He grew up in the Lawrenceville, Pa. area spending much time on the family farm. In high school, Ed was an avid athlete playing on the soccer and basketball teams. Upon graduation from Williamson High School, Ed joined the US Navy and spent 3 years adventuring around the globe on Uncle Sam’s dime as an aircraft electrician. He loved flying and aircrafts throughout his life.

Edwin met Lola Joanne Frost during his tour in Norfolk, Va. and it was love at first sight. They were married in 1966 enjoying 56 years of wedded bliss. In addition to Lola, Edwin is survived by his daughters Amy Butts (Larry Wayne) and her three children and Natalie Tache (Chuck) and her 3 children, and siblings Tom Colegrove (Roseann), Judy Muscarella (John) and Cindy Preston (Roger). Uncle Ed was a favorite to a multitude of nieces and

Diana was an amazing tennis player and spent a majority of her time on the courts with her friends.

When she wasn’t hitting balls, you could find her in her garden, cooking up a delicious meal, or spending quality time with her grandchildren and family.

She touched the lives of many and will be missed by all her family and friends, but has since been reunited with her daughter Angela Marie Sander in Heaven.

nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Terry Colegrove and James Colegrove.

Big Ed worked at McClellan as an air craft mechanic, then as an iron worker out of the Navy until he found a perfect match as an electrician with SMUD. During his 31 years with SMUD, Ed worked on the substations, Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant, eventually joining the Hydroelectric Plant division on the upper American River Project as a Power Plant Operator.

Ed was a true mountain man enjoying hunting, fishing, and many other adventures.

Ed was well known for his big heart, big hugs, generous spirit, kindness and Christian love toward all he met.

Celebration of life will be held at the Placerville Seventh Day Adventist Church, 6831 Motherlode Dr. Placerville Calif. 95667. Friday Oct. 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Reception TBA

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Disaster Relief Effort whom Ed appreciated following the Caldor Fire. Website https://www. disasterrel

crime log

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

Sept. 27

4:45 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 32-year-old man and a 33-year-old man, both suspected of DUI in the area of Monarch Lane and South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs.

12:18 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Chipiona Way in Greenwood.

12:40 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on Cold Springs Road in Placerville.

12:56 p.m. Deputies booked

into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and illegal drug related offenses on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

1:38 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Green Valley Road in Rescue.

3 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Royce Drive in Rescue.

3:08 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 65-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct on Green Leaf Drive in Placerville. She was later released.

6:35 p.m. Vandalism was reported at the gym and pool on Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills.

6:47 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail

a 30-year-old man suspected of DUI and illegal drug related offenses on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $35,000 bail as of press time.

8:39 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 21-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct ant being under the influence of a controlled substance on Smith Flat Road in Placerville. She was later released.

Sept. 28

4:47 a.m. Battery was reported on Highway 49 in Placerville.

8:52 a.m. Battery was reported at a care center on Pleasant Valley Road in Placerville.

Hurricane myths

H

urricane Ian is gone, but the media’s myths about hurricanes live on.

Reporters say the federal government must direct disaster response, as if only the feds have the knowledge and money to do it.

“Debate is already growing about how big federal aid must be,” says CNN.

Why?! Don’t they know that government has no money of its own? That everything federal bureaucrats spend is taken from the rest of us?

They don’t think about that.

Federal “disaster relief” is doled out after storms because, as a New York Times headline put it, “A Big Storm Requires Big Government.”

But it doesn’t.

My video this week debunks four myths about hurricanes.

Myth No. 1: We need the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief.

That’s just dumb, given FEMA’s history of incompetence. FEMA once spent millions on bottled water and expensive trailers for housing. Then they just left them on an airfield.

Matt Mayer worked at the Department of Homeland Security during Hurricane Katrina. He says the federal government was just too bureaucratic to be much help.

“States, locals, communities, neighbors” just do a much better job, Mayer told me.

FEMA fails because, like all government bureaucracies, there’s no incentive to spend e ciently. Charities are more flexible and “They’ve been doing it for 200 years.”

Right now in Florida, while some people wait for FEMA, religious charities help people rebuild.

Myth No. 2: Government must stop greedy businesses from abusing customers.

Some businesses do raise prices when storms approach. Politicians call that “illegal price gouging.” This is just dumb, if not cruel.

When storms approach, people rush to buy supplies. If stores don’t raise prices, people buy anything they might possibly need and probably some stu they won’t need. The first shoppers buy extra bottled water, generators, sandbags, etc.

Stores sell out, so only the quickest customers get what they need.

But if stores raise prices for items in demand, fewer people hoard and more people get what they need. Yes, it’s tough on poorer people, but the price boosts give stores extra incentive to restock. Prices quickly come back down.

Banning price increases harms more people.

After Hurricane Katrina, when John Shepperson learned that parts of Mississippi lost power he bought 19 generators, left the safety of his home and drove 600 miles to the disaster area. He o ered to sell his generators for twice what he paid for them.

People were eager to buy.

But Mississippi police called that “gouging.” They jailed Shepperson and confiscated his generators. I bet the cops used the generators themselves. What the law calls “gouging” is just supply and demand. It saves lives.

Letters to the Editor

Fires in homeless camps

EDITOR:

We live in a time before a wildfire destroyed Placerville. Why do I say this? Because the chances of a catastrophic wildfire is greatly increased by the county’s homeless camps.

A recent fire broke out in the homeless encampment above Broadway. Numerous fires have been extinguished there in recent years. If any these fires had begun on a windy day, the fire personal might not have been able to put it out before it spread to town or down Weber Canyon. Other encampments o er similar wildfire fire potential. The Board of Supervisors needs to move forward quickly on readying the homeless facility by the sheri ’s o ce and the inhabitants of these camps need to be actively encouraged to use this facility.

Most people in our community sympathize with the problems of the homeless, but the fire danger is a factor is beyond the social, mental and economic problems of the homeless. Citizens, individually, cannot address this particular wildfire threat. Rather, it is the responsibility of our representatives in the Board of Supervisors to help remove this very clear fire danger to our county.

SALLY DAVIS Placerville

many devastating earthquakes in the Bay Area and Southern California, it’s not the case here in El Dorado County.

I’m often asked about the rampant crime and liberal DAs where I live. They are repulsed regarding drug addicts shooting up near our schools and homeless panhandling in our restaurants and I tell them El Dorado County is not like the rest of California. They ask, “Why’s that?” I say, “It’s a close-knit conservative community with great schools and civic pride. We don’t run our community the same way that ’Frisco or L.A. does. We are a di erent type of county from most of California.”

Then they’ll say, “So your county didn’t burn up in the forest fires like the other counties did the last few years?” And, I say, “Yes, we’ve su ered terrible fires like most of California. The di erence is our victims never receive aid from our state and federal authorities, as did the rest of California.” They ask, “Why’s that?” I say, “I don’t know.”

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Agreeing with Mr. Taylor

EDITOR

Iappreciate the recent letter by Scott Taylor in response to the letter by Mr. Ringgenberg that was published in the Aug. 31 issue.

I, too, wonder at the decision to print that rant. SYLVIA MEDLEY El Dorado

El Dorado County is different

EDITOR:

Itravel a lot around the country and when people hear that I live in California, I’m instantly stereotyped by their perception of Californians.

A question often asked: Do I live in fear of earthquakes? I tell them no. While there have been

Despicable

EDITOR:

What have the Democrats come to? We have a president who, despite his denials, promotes a climate of violence against those with whom he disagrees, calling conservatives semi-fascists, threats to democracy and more. And now look at what has happened.

A 41-year-old man in North Dakota, Shannon Brandt, took his SUV and ran down and murdered 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson because he was a conservative — a young man who had just called his mother to come and rescue him from a crazy leftwinger who was chasing him and trying to kill him.

Unfortunately when she arrived, her son’s lifeless body was waiting for her.

And what happened to Cayler’s murderer? He posted $50,000 bail and went home to relax. Did you hear any of this on the mainstream media? Front page on any major newspaper? We

White House continues to shrug at Chinese espionage

Afederal

jury in Chicago recently found Chinese national Ji Chaoqun, 31, a member of the U.S. Army reserves, guilty of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government. The jury also found Chaoqun guilty of one count of making false statements to the U.S. Army during his application process. Ji enlisted in 2016 via the controversial Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program — an initiative allowing U.S. military o ces to hire legal aliens deemed su ciently useful for service. In light of Ji’s conviction, the MAVNI program should be re-evaluated.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said Chaoqun worked for intelligence agents who operated within the Chinese government. In that capacity, he attempted to recruit engineers and scientists on behalf of the Chinese Intelligence Ministry.

Ji arrived in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa to study electrical engineering at the Illinois Institute of

Technology, which had forged ties with Chinese universities and colleges.

During academic year 2020-21, 317,299 Chinese students were enrolled in U.S. academic institutions. China is the major sender of international students to U.S. college campuses. Among all international graduates, more than a million have remained in the U.S. and work as part of the Optional Practical Training Program. They have displaced American information technology employees or aspiring college degree holders looking for jobs.

Chaoqun’s conviction is the latest in a growing list of Chinese nationals who have infiltrated, with little di culty, the federal government, academia and U.S. corporations.

Because of the victims’ high profiles, the two most well-known Chinese spy cases are Fang Fang, California U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s mistress, and California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s chau er and aide for two decades. At the time, Feinstein was the Senate Intelligence Committee chair. When

the FBI investigations heated up, the two Chinese operatives fled the country and returned home. No further information about them has been gleaned. The conclusion is, however, that if two low-level Chinese spies can access the U.S. Congress, then infiltration must be a snap.

If China represents the biggest threat to the U.S., as FBI Director Christopher Wray and others insist, then tighter oversight on arriving Chinese nationals is paramount. Wray said the Chinese Communist Party has implemented a multi-layered, generational campaign with the goal to become the world’s economic and technological leader. Wray listed economic espionage, data hacking, intellectual property theft, bribery, blackmail and other coercive attempts “to sway our government’s policies, distort our country’s public discourse and undermine confidence in our democratic processes and values.” The FBI director could have pointed to Swalwell and Feinstein as examples

to drive his point home. In June 2015 Chinese hackers stole the personal data of 145 million Americans when they accessed the O ce of Personnel Management’s servers.

With a warning from Wray, a topranking law enforcement o cer, and documented case history to support his concerns, the federal government should, at a minimum, be on high alert to China’s e orts to undermine the government. Instead, the Biden administration proceeds blasély on its existing course and may accelerate Chinese nationals’ admissions and their path to citizenship.

In February the President’s Advisory Commission of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders held its first-ever meeting. Biden established the commission through a 2021 executive order and appointed Health and Human Services Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine

JOE

JOHN

If China represents the biggest threat to the U.S., as FBI Director Christopher Wray and others insist, then tighter oversight on arriving Chinese nationals is paramount.

Letters Continued from A4 both know it would have been on the front page of every paper and every newscast had it been the other way around.

Unfortunately today’s media is much like the former Soviet Union that had two major news outlets, Isvestia and Pravda. Isvestia is Russian for news and Pravda is Russian for truth. The joke on the streets of Moscow was that there was no truth

Tai to co-chair. The 25 individual commissioners have extensive involvement in diversity and equity issues. Six subcommittees were formed to advance equity, justice and opportunity, including a subcommittee to address immigration and citizenship. Whenever the Biden administration talks about immigration in the same breath with equity, justice and opportunity, the takeaway is more immigration which in turn means more employment permits granted to immigrants and fewer jobs for Americans.

AANHPI is toiling in obscurity and will be disbanded when a new Congress takes over in January 2023. But the commission reflects Biden’s

in Pravda and no news in Isvestia. This is the level to which we have fallen.

You want to know what the real threat to democracy is? It’s an uninformed electorate plagued by a media more interested in indoctrinating than informing.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

mindset — equity for all except working Americans and specifically border city residents whose communities migrants have overrun and whose lifestyles have been altered, possibly forever, by the president’s unshakeable commitment to open borders.

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. A native Californian, Guzzardi now lives in Pennsylvania. Contact him at jguzzardi@pfirdc.org.

Stossel

Myth No. 3: Hurricanes are getting worse.

The media say, “Storms are getting worse because of human-caused climate change!” Are these “climate experts” sure it’s “human-caused”? All of it? Never mind.

When I showed video of reporters talking about hurricanes getting stronger to the late climatologist Pat Michaels, he shouted, “No, they aren’t! Look at all the hurricanes around the planet. We can see them since 1970 because we’ve got global satellite coverage. We can measure their power ... There is no significant increase.” There isn’t.

Even our government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration admits, “There is no strong evidence of century-scale increasing trends in U.S. ... major hurricanes.”

There may be evidence in the future. But there isn’t now. That doesn’t stop media fools from saying there is.

Myth No. 4: America must have government flood insurance. After all, private flood insurance costs “too much.”

But private insurers charge more for good reason: Homes in flood zones are more likely to flood.

That’s why federal flood insurance is a scam and a handout that rips o taxpayers.

I should know. I once built a house near the ocean. It was a stupid idea. The ocean was a stone’s throw away.

Private insurers wanted fat premiums. I couldn’t a ord that. I wouldn’t have built had I not discovered cheap government insurance. Thanks, Uncle Sam!

Ten years later my house washed away. It was upsetting, but I didn’t lose money. You covered my loss.

I won’t do it again, but others will.

Until we learn the myths about government “help,” we’ll keep making the same costly mistakes.

Every Tuesday John Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom at JohnStossel.com.

Announcements

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

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

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play 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 nonjudgement, 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 530-621-6304

Democrat is

sharing

news, local stories and community events.

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird was originally purchased by actor Gene Barry. The convertible is driven by Deborah Clendenning of El Dorado Hills to first place in American Sports Cars 1953-1967. Owned by Diamond Springs resident Jim Strauss, this Jeep took first place in the Military Class. This is the prototype Jeep that was submitted to the U.S. government by Willys. It is the test vehicle and the first Jeep in history.

Winner of Outstanding

British Marque

Award was this 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Dropped Coupe owned by Michael Stone of Kingston, Wash. Only 102 of these aluminum-body cars were made. Stone restored this automobile to its original ivory and claret sophistication, including removing the bullet holes left when the previous owner’s wife shot at him through the windscreen. (She was a bad shot.)

Tickets

They were judged in their own class. Each one has a story and the owners are happy to share with young and old alike.

Nineteen years ago Michele Moore, a marketing and event planning maven, and her husband Brian, an automobile restoration specialist, had a vision that Serrano at El Dorado Hills would be the perfect site for a concours, showing beautifully maintained and restored cars people rarely see. They created a collaboration that allowed them to present this event each fall. Rick Niello, president of The Niello

Company, was happy to see his dealership sponsor the concours. Bill Parker, president of Parker Development Company, thought using the Serrano Village Green was a great idea.

Brian and Michele Moore are event owners at Niello Concours at Serrano. Michele is president of Premier Concours Promotions.

Members of Solid Rock Faith Center volunteer at the concours. The SCCA provides judges, field crews and scorers for SCCA-sanctioned events. The judges are volunteers who are experts on different marques.

Concours Continued from A1

Photos by Roberta Long

Photo by Roberta Long

Models from Sacramento boutique Felicia Strati present international styles as part of concours festivities.

MEET

Steve

Ferry and his wife Beth moved from San Jose to El Dorado Hills in 2000 where their son Mark and his wife Amie also reside.

Ferry’s other son Chuck and his wife Anna live in Shingle Springs. While in San Jose, Ferry coached soccer and baseball for seven years and now enjoys seeing his five grandchildren grow up participating in CSD parks and recreation programs.

Why are you a good representative of the El Dorado Hills community?

We built a mortgage banking business, retired and when we moved to EDH I joined Folsom Lake Realty as a broker. We volunteers wrote the Housing and Land Use elements of the General Plan, the Targeted General Plan Amendment and Zoning Ordinance update and I led the e ort to

As a senior construction project manager for Ryan Companies, Lewis Hampton studied architecture/engineering/city planning at University of California, Los Angeles. He seeks to use his professional experience to help El Dorado Hills reach its full potential as an idyllic town for its residents to call home. Having grown up in Clovis, Hampton moved to El Dorado Hills in 2017. Why are you a good representative of the El Dorado Hills community?

As a parent of four young children who are active in all that EDH o ers, I know we are lucky to live in this amazing community with great people. My wife Bonnie is a teacher at Valley View Charter Montessori and has enjoyed teaching many local children. I will do my utmost to help make our

Heidi

Hannaman moved to El Dorado Hills as a child when it was just a town with a two-lane road. Growing up in Crown Village, she attended the local schools while her parents owned a franchise next to Raley’s before it was remodeled to face El Dorado Hills Boulevard. After graduating from California State University, Chico with two bachelor’s degrees, she returned with her husband to raise their two children, just down the street from where her parents still reside.

Hannaman has 25 years of public policy experience at the California Legislature and was appointed to the CSD board in June 2021 to fill a vacated seat.

Why are you a good representative of the El Dorado Hills community?

I am a good representative because of the

A

resident of El Dorado Hills since 2014, Mike Martinelli, his wife and two boys enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle wakeboarding, surfing, fishing, snow skiing and mountain biking together. With a professional background in insurance and financial services, Martinelli has also recently relocated his small business to El Dorado Hills to be closer to home.

A CSD board member since 2018 and its current president, it was through serving as a member of the El Dorado Hills Rotary Club that Martinelli learned of the CSD and its contribution to the community.

Why are you a good representative of the EDH community?

During my time on the board I have kept an open

With more than 40 years in construction management for Babcock and Wilcox, William Willman has built and installed plants from Mexico to the Middle East and throughout the United States. Upon retiring from B&W in 2008, he moved to be near his daughter. Willman holds construction licenses in 13 states, including California, and designed and built his home in El Dorado Hills.

Why are you a good representative of the El Dorado Hills community?

I have served on the EDHCSD Design Review Committee for six years and am currently the vicechair. This has a orded me some familiarity with the CSD. Private and government entities operate a bit di erently and having spent a successful career

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your effervescence makes the whole scene sparkle. You have a way of making people think that they’re the reason you’re smiling, and often it’s true. You enjoy people and bring out the lighter, brighter side in all. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If success were easy, everyone would be reveling in spectacular results. Expect it to be hard sometimes and push through. To keep your stamina up, don’t waste a single moment in doubt. You have what it takes. Believe.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No group is ideal, though you can imagine yours being a little better than it is. Keep in mind that organizational change tends to happen very slowly. Changing yourself can happen fast, and the change in you will affect the group.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Rather than pondering what to do, just do it. If you’re in action mode, so much more becomes possible, and once you’re moving, you won’t want to stop. Fellow water signs (Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer) figure into the action.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Seize the opportunity to hang out with that silly person you know. You two have your own language and an endless stream of inside jokes that the rest of the world will probably never understand.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As inclined as you may be to stick within comfortable boundaries, your curiosity will get the best of you. Nothing makes you more curious than people. The social aspects of your life will sparkle. You’ll make new friends.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your attractions are information to be curious about, not impulses to squash. Just because you don’t know the purpose of wanting to do a thing doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Nothing is a waste. Reasons will be revealed in time. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What you’re involved with has an interesting history. It wasn’t a competition until someone approached it that way and now it’s “game on.” Is there a way to bring it back to its roots? Could competitive forces unite as one team?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Shopping isn’t necessarily buying. You use the same principle in social scenarios. You’ll enjoy getting to know people and you’ll go carefully forward from there, mindful of what’s exchanged and the investment you’re making.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Anyone can seem huge while sitting on a high horse. There are those who would love to remain perched, although at some point everyone must come down and do the things humans do on the ground.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Changes must happen. You see the need and take responsibility for it too, but this isn’t all up to you and nor will you have to do it by yourself. You are a part of a natural evolution that is already in motion -- a wave involving many.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Do you believe in angels?

Either way, you will experience an act of heavenly grace, delivered by an angel of great beauty. In the future you will repay this kindness by intervening to save the day.

SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

RUBES by Leigh Rubin

SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

STEVE FERRY

LEWIS HAMPTON

HEIDI HANNAMAN

MIKE MARTINELLI

WILLIAM WILLMAN

Players to help Presley

Thomas Frey Mountain Democrat contributor

A Fill the Helmets benefit to support Presley Anderson, part of the Union Mine High School football family, will take place Saturday on Main Street Placerville from 4-7 p.m.

In September Presley was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She is the wife of Union Mine head football coach Kirk Anderson and players and coaches say she is a huge part of the Diamondback football program. The couple has four young children.

Rival school El Dorado will join Union Mine with helmets in hand Saturday in downtown Placerville.

Other ways to donate are through a GoFundMe account set up for Presley at bit.ly/ GoFundMeUM. The

GoFundMe webpage notes Presley experienced no signs or symptoms before her diagnosis. She swam competitively

at the University of Southern California and never smoked.

On Thursday the GoFundMe fundraiser

total had grown to more than $119,000. The donations will help with costly medical treatments.

Football

Stat leaders

passing yards: Anthony Mahaffey,

Dorado,

Maddox Varella, Oak Ridge, 1,284

Jordan Harper, Golden Sierra, 381 yards

rushing yards:

Jayden Tinker, Union Mine, 415 yards

Jake Hall, Oak Ridge, 386 yards

Justin Lee, El Dorado, 321 yards

receiving yards:

Devon Hurst, El Dorado, 541 yards

Ryan Wilson, El Dorado, 482 yards

Devon Finau, El Dorado, 375 yards

Schedule

Friday Oak Ridge (5-1) at Granite Bay 7 p.m.

Vacaville Christian at Golden Sierra (2-2) 7 p.m.

Ponderosa (2-3) at Oakmont 7:30 p.m.

El Dorado (3-3) at Bradshaw Christian 7:30 p.m.

Union Mine (3-2) at Galt 7:30 p.m.

Hannaman Continued from A7 community the best it can be.

Hampton Continued from A7

What is the most pressing issue in El Dorado Hills right now?

Managing development. We can all see the rapid growth happening just across the county line in Folsom, and the recent contentious debate over the development proposals for the Central EDH Specific Plan has been an agitating issue about how densely developed El Dorado Hills will become as the old golf course open space is now in county review for development. My view is that we need a much better citizen-empowered process for managing the development of El Dorado Hills. I’ve begun researching various paths to this outcome but welcome more perspective from others before pursuing any particular path.

What do you think could be improved and how do you hope to accomplish this?

El Dorado Hills has a good base

of open space, parks and recreation facilities, but we need more. The way to get more of the things we need in our community is to seek out all available resources our community has available to us and put those to work in pursuing our community priorities. For example, we need to hold developers’ feet to the fire to build in the best interest of EDH as a whole. We need more athletic fields and other facilities for our kids to play sports. We need to work with the county on improving the flow of traffic in EDH. These are all very doable things if our local representatives make them a priority. What do you love most about El Dorado Hills?

El Dorado Hills has a small town feel with a strong sense of community. We can all come together to manage the future of EDH, to be the small town it has long been and we all want it to remain.

5 TIPS TO FEEL SUPPORTED IN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Pause & recognize stress.

Know the warning signs.

Adopt

Reach out to a specialist

or in person.

CalHOPE

The

thoughtfulness I put into each action the board takes. I take this volunteer position seriously and spend hours preparing for meetings, doing outreach and taking in feedback before arriving at a decision. I have also been accessible and love meeting with residents.

What is the most pressing issue in El Dorado Hills right now?

Without a doubt, the most pressing issue we face is the growth explosion. We need to be prepared to meet this growth and that includes being an advocate with the county to be sure EDH is treated fairly for traffic, housing and park plans. In addition, we have the old golf course land which still needs to be addressed. I have been on record as an advocate for a short course concept and will continue to press the county and the land owner to work with the CSD and residents to bring resolution to this land that is loved by so many.

What do you think could be improved and how do you hope to

Ferry Continued from A7

bring Proposition 90 to El Dorado County. We lobbied the EDUHSD Board to allow bussed students to attend either Ponderosa or Union Mine.

What is the most pressing issue in El Dorado Hills right now?

Cityhood is the most critical issue for EDH residents. El Dorado County has assigned 4,073 units of new housing to EDH while the other four districts can divvy up the remaining 921 units. Not fair! Our EDH Citizens for Cityhood brought the idea of creating a city to the CSD in January of 2020. Motivating our CSD to complete the new city they started will enable us to more effectively fight for better distribution of housing units as well as getting our fair share of the tax base from the county. Other projects include a new senior center, soccer fields and sand pit volleyball courts.

What do you think could be improved and how do you hope to accomplish this?

Transparency cannot be stressed

accomplish this?

In the short term, I think we can improve on providing more sports fields and I have already asked the CSD to revisit pursuing joint use agreements with all of our school districts. In the long term, the district can improve on a better strategy for landscape and lighting assessment districts as we are already experiencing the effects of some underfunded LLADs. I have made several suggestions to that end and plan to be an active part of a resident task force on this topic.

What do you love most about El Dorado Hills?

The people! We have the most amazing community members. Our residents truly care about EDH and want to be involved in their kids’ activities, schools, parks, local boards, you name it. I have seen many changes over the years but there was no question where I would live when it came to raising my own family.

enough. The CSD has been sued on at least two occasions, Austin vs EDC (includes our CSD) and Heritage vs EDHCSD where, I believe, the CSD made significant errors. The CSD carries $5.8 million on its books to pay the Austin and other claims. About 1,200 of our EDH citizens will likely receive more than $20,000 each because the county and the CSD didn’t file paperwork. Has the CSD notified these homeowners of their potential claims?

What do you love most about El Dorado Hills?

We love the trails that we walk daily and we love our church. Beth and I were here when Lakehills Church, now District Church, was built and we love watching all the small children walk into the Gold Mine to attend Sunday school. Also, Town Center and all it offers reminds me of my home town of Balboa Island. Great place to walk, eat, shop and get some yogurt at Yogaberry.

Courtesy photo

The community is rallying to help support Presley Anderson, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She is pictured with her husband Kirk, four kids and family dogs.

Runners make tracks at Tom Laythe Memorial

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

El Dorado County high school cross country athletes showed their speed at the Tom Laythe Memorial Invitational at Willow Hills Park in Folsom Oct. 1.

In a meet consisting of more than 60 teams Ponderosa High School’s girls and boys varsity squads placed fourth. Bruins junior Joshua Chu led the boys, taking second out of more than 200 racers with a time of 15:48. Senior Addie Payne placed eighteenth ahead of 150 girls with a time of 20:31.

The El Dorado High School varsity boys placed second overall in the small schools race. Cougars junior Braidon Campora placed 10th with a time of 17:39.

Union Mine High School’s varsity girls finished fifth in Division IV. D’backs team captain Ramona Reed, a junior, placed

‘Street view’ map also a record of shore conditions

TAHOE CITY —

The Tahoe Fund and EarthViews has created the first-ever “street view” style map of all 72 miles of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. This new, interactive Lake Tahoe Shore View Map o ers a 360-degree view of the shoreline, as well as underwater views and water quality data.

“This map allows people to see Tahoe like never before,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “You can tour Emerald Bay, ‘paddle’ through the iconic rocks of Sand Harbor or explore the hidden beaches along the East Shore with just the click of a button. Best of all, this new tool is bringing a wealth of data and information to scientists and conservation organizations working to improve the health of the lake.”

According to the UC Davis Tahoe

Environmental Research Center, conditions di er widely around the lake’s nearshore — or the area ranging about 350 feet from the shoreline — due to variations in temperature, stormwater flow and runo , aquatic invasive species, the e ects of recreation and fluctuation in lake levels. With these factors impacting water quality and the lake’s iconic clarity, it’s critical to closely monitor the conditions on the shoreline.

“This comprehensive

Martinelli Continued from A7

mind, listened to all members of the community, taken a balanced approach to decision making and simply doing the right thing. I have learned that it is imperative to consider the needs of our entire community and not just the loudest voices in the room. I believe I am a good and fair representative of the community and when re-elected I’ll continue this same approach.

What is the most pressing issue in EDH right now?

Without question, protecting our remaining open space from over-development. Our community has overwhelmingly voiced preservation of open space as a top priority. There are 98 acres of open space in the heart of our community currently under threat of being developed into 700 homes despite the overwhelming opposition. In 2015, 91% of those voting said no to rezoning the property. In 2019, over 500 people voiced their opposition at a county Planning Commission meeting. This year, hundreds of people attended two hearings on the project where the Planning Commission unanimously recommended

Willman Continued from A7

management, planning, operation, budgeting and scheduling, I believe my contributions as one of five CSD board members will be beneficial to the community.

What is the most pressing issue in El Dorado Hills right now?

There are two pressing issues. The green space with the golf course is an issue that I would want to work with Parker Development to figure out some way to keep the majority of that open space. That’s really what the community wants.

The second issue is cityhood. I don’t pretend to know all the ins and outs of cityhood but I would work to better understand the plusses and minuses of cityhood and make sure the residents understood them too. It’s not just as simple as having an election. You’ve got obligations to the county in terms of dollars that have to be reconciled which can sometimes extend over multiple years. I want to present a clear picture to the residents so that when they vote, they’ll understand what they’re voting on.

look at today’s conditions will serve as a significant historical marker,” explained Brian Footen, president and co-founder of EarthViews. “Scientists will be able to look back 5, 10 or 50 years from now and understand how water quality and the physical shoreline have changed over time.”

To create this map, Footen spent seven days circumnavigating the lake in a kayak, with cameras and water quality measurement tools strapped to the vessel.

Using mobile mapping technology, Footen was able to capture synchronized imagery and data every 10 seconds as he navigated along the nearshore. This information was then published online as a “street view” like experience letting the user explore the shoreline from their desktop or mobile device.

For the past year Footen has been conducting several conservation-minded waterway mapping projects for EarthViews, most notably the Puget Sound in Washington and the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Recently, he presented his findings from the Lake Tahoe ShoreView Map to the Tahoe Science Advisory Council to help inform ongoing research and data collection in Lake Tahoe.

Explore the Lake Tahoe ShoreView Map at earthviews.com/laketahoe-mapping-project.

denial of the project. I will continue to advocate for our community and do everything possible to support our community and deliver on their top priorities.

What do you think could be improved and how do you hope to accomplish this?

Communication and ability to connect with our community is an area we can always improve upon. A most recent example is the new organics state mandate. The CSD survey did not reach everyone in the community because it does not have everyone’s email. The CSD needs to do a better job getting information out using all the social media venues we have access to. Additionally, I am pushing the CSD to do targeted public outreach to villages and homeowner associations, conduct quarterly workshops on hot topics or, if residents show interest, establish a committee of community members to tackle specific items such as landscape and lighting assessment districts.

What do you love most about El Dorado Hills?

Vibrant outdoor recreation activities, parks, trails, rolling hills and open space.

What do you think could be improved and how do you hope to accomplish this?

We could use more recreational fields, a bigger and better aquatic center and more programs for the seniors. I am interested in improvements and maintenance of our community parks and recreational facilities for all residents while adhering to sensible budget controls and restraints as in the private sector. I would also like to work with developers up front in the planning stages of future CSD parks, making sure acceptable parcels and allowances are provided for as well as have agreements in advance of the new subdivisions being approved by the county board of supervisors.

What do you love most about El Dorado Hills?

For me, El Dorado Hills is a great bedroom community. It’s close to Sacramento and Folsom but it’s easy access to the mountains and you can get to the ocean. It’s not a real big hustle bustle area and that’s what I like.

35th overall and 15th in Division IV. Union Mine’s varsity boys finished fourth in Division IV.

Led by team captain Dylan Noonkester, also a junior, who placed 51st overall and eighth in Division IV.

Photo courtesy of Mike McRitchie

The Union Mine High School varsity girls cross country team finished fifth in Division IV at the Tom Laythe Memorial Invitational at Willow Hills Park in Folsom Oct. 1. Pictured from left are Ramona Reed, Delaney Lyons, Delaney Palmer, Lylia Zmerzlikar and Gabrielle Garlick.

Photo courtesy of Tahoe Fund and EarthViews A “street view” map of Lake Tahoe is now available.

IN THE KNOW

Oct. 7

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 Fabulous Liars Band perform at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino, 5-8 p.m.

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts the Smash Bros Tournament for Teens, ages of 13-17, at the Cameron Park Community Center at 6 p.m. Length of tournament depends on participation sign up. Top three participants will win a trophy. Bring your own controller or borrow ours. For more information and to register visit cameronpark.org.

Gem Faire returns Oct. 7-9 to the Scottish Rite Center at 6151 H St. in Sacramento. Admission is valid for the entire weekend. For more information visit gemfaire. com or call (503) 252-8300 or email info@gemfaire. com.

Sarah Shook & The Disarmers perform at 7 p.m. at the Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville. For tickets and more information visit goldfieldtradingpost.com.

Oct. 8

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Ornamental Grasses with Sue McDavid, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. Learn about these low-maintenance grasses and how to incorporate them into the landscape at this free class.

Mastroserio Winery in Somerset offers live jazz with wood-fired pizza, 1-4 p.m. To RSVP call or text (530) 417-4321.

Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers plus Jordan T perform at Whiskey Dicks in South Lake Tahoe. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. For tickets visit ticketweb.com.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera performs at two locations in Rancho Cordova — the Sacramento Children’s Museum and one at KP International Market. For tickets and more information visit

Gold Rush Live!

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma invites the public to discover their adventure during Coloma Gold Rush Live!, Oct. 7-9. Join park sta and docents 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in a re-creation of a Gold Rush tent town of 1850.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is the site of Sutter’s Mill, where in 1848 James W. Marshall found shining flecks of gold in the mill’s tailrace. This discovery changed the course of California’s and the nation’s history and led to the greatest voluntary mass migration of people in the western hemisphere.

At Coloma Gold Rush Live! visitors can trace their trail to the goldfields where they will meet adventurers, gold seekers and charlatans who came here to make their fortunes.

“Coloma Gold Rush Live! is our biggest event of the year,” said District Superintendent Barry Smith. “Park sta and volunteers transform the park into an 1850s tent town populated by over 100 volunteers who portray characters from the past. As visitors wander through they get a taste of what life was like in Coloma in 1850.”

For those just arriving from the states, a visit to the general store may be in order to stock up on provisions before heading out to the mines. Be sure to visit the mining camp along the river for some tips on the latest mining techniques. For those who have been prospecting the hills and ravines, stop by the claims o ce to register a claim or talk with the assayer to determine the worth of a recent gold strike.

Visit the laundry for a clean shirt and the tonsorial for a shave and a bath before heading over to the saloon for a little liquid refreshment. But, keep your gold dust close

as wily gamblers have been known to frequent the saloon.

“This event just keeps getting bigger and better every year,” added Smith. “Our interpretive sta works throughout the year to develop venues for the event and to train volunteers in interpretive techniques and appropriate period attire.”

Before heading back out to the mines, stop at the blacksmith to pick up repaired tools or a new pair of shoes for your horse. The carpenters may have a new rocker box ready for you and the doctor will be available to cure your ills. Don’t forget to grab a hot, homecooked meal at the hotel and restaurant.

“Our maintenance team spends countless hours preparing the grounds for this event — from leaf and debris cleanup, to mowing and tree

trimming, to milling lumber for tent poles, benches, tables and other items needed for the event,” said Smith. “With a modern sawmill onsite and a

camp

characters

Oktoberfest time

Mountain Democrat staff

T he Main Street Oktoberfest — a free admission event for all ages — takes over iconic Main Street Placerville Saturday, Oct. 8.

Event organizer Kilt & Cork brings a little bit of Bavaria to historical downtown Placerville. Visitors will enjoy fresh bratwurst dinner plates, warm German pretzels, cold beer and outstanding local wines at the new Weingarten hosted by El Dorado Winery Association. Local merchants will display their wares. There will also be a Kids’ Zone with lots of activities for all ages, 3-6 p.m., and, of course, El Dorado County and other regional breweries will serve their best.

Events include the 3 p.m. Tapping of the Barrels, a 5 p.m. yodeling

competition, the 6 p.m. best dressed competition, a beer stein holding competition at 7 p.m. and the 8 p.m. street-wide chicken dance. Retro Addicts will perform on the Green Room Side Stage, 3-4:30 p.m., followed by Main Street Collective, 4:30-6 p.m. Hasenpfe er Oktoberfest Band will rock the Oktoberfest Main Stage, 6:30-9 p.m.

For tickets, including special packages, and more information visit kiltandcork.com/oktoberfest.

Breweries & wineries

Solid Ground Brewing, HWY 50 Brewery, Fort Rock Brewing, Boring Rose Brewing Co., BarmHaus Brewing Co., Boeger Winery, E16 Winery, Via Romano Vineyards and Smokey Ridge Ranch.

fully outfitted carpentry shop, the maintenance sta can now fulfill most lumber needs in

Democrat file photo by Jackie Penn Kids and a miner pan for gold at a previous Gold Rush Live! event. Gold panning is one of the many hands-on activities offered during the three-day celebration, Oct. 7-9.

Courtesy photo

Raise a glass for Oktoberfest, coming to Main Street Placerville this Saturday.

Courtesy photo

Experience what shopping at the market was like during the California Gold Rush at Coloma Gold Rush Live!

Autumn Activities Abound at Hands4Hope’s Fall Festival in el dorado Hills

The fifth annual Hands4Hope Fall Festival at El Dorado Hills Town Center will be held Oct. 8 & 9, kicking off the fall season with fun for the whole family.

This event is familyoriented and farm-themed, highlighting El Dorado County’s diverse agricultural community with games and activities for all ages, including a harvest obstacle course, hayrides, pumpkin decorating and a dessert trot. A special treat on Sunday will be an animal-petting area with farm animals from Barnyard Animal Rescue Nest.

The Fall Festival will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on the amphitheater-side of the waterfront in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Cost of activities will run from $1-$4. Wristbands will be available for unlimited games, with exception of the hayrides and pumpkin decorating, for $15. Tickets will be sold at the event.

The Fall Festival is Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference’s largest youth-led fundraising event. The youth project team is organized to mimic a functioning event production company, with the end product being an entertaining and familyfriendly fall festival.

Management and staff are made up of youth and the goals are to raise funds to support Hands4Hope

programs, gain career skills and have fun. The youth who manage these events are mentored by adults with current or past career experience in their focus areas (finance, operations, marketing, etc.).

“Planning the Fall Festival this year has been a great experience and it has been so much fun to work on,” shared Youth Operations Lead

Patrick Whelan. “We have been working hard planning this event to create a fun, enjoyable experience for all age groups with some new, fun changes this year.”

All proceeds from the festival will benefit Hands4Hope – Youth Making a Difference’s service-learning Education and Community Engagement programs. Hands4Hope –

Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit organization that inspires and empowers youth in leadership and service. The organization was established in 2008 to provide youth the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to be civic-minded and socially responsible. Hands4Hope reaches hundreds of youth across the region each year

through school-based clubs, after-school committees and community outreach opportunities and impacts thousands of individuals in need through youth-led service projects.

For more information on the Hands4Hope Fall Festival or Hands4Hope –Youth Making A Difference visit hands4hopeyouth.org or call (916) 294-7426.

Courtesy photos

Hayrides, cute animals, games and more — there’s something for everyone at the Fall Festival, a fundraiser to support Hands4Hope’s youth programs.

California Museum’s Día de los Muertos Fiesta returns

SACRAMENTO

— After two years of virtual gatherings, the California Museum’s annual Día de los Muertos fiesta is back in-person 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate this ancient cultural tradition through art, food and entertainment, including a performance and ceremonial blessing by Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec Dancers; live music by Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah Klingler; remarks by Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento

Liliana Ferrer; food and beverages for purchase by Mayahuel and a Mercado de los Muertos featuring pop-up shops by regional artisans and artists, including John S. Huerta.

Additional familyfriendly fun and interactive activities include popular sugar skull workshops with Rob-O of I Love Sugar Skulls ($15 materials fee), hands-on crafts suitable for ages 3 and up and a costume contest with prizes. Guests are encouraged to honor friends and family members who have passed with a remembrance in the Community Altar. Optional altar templates can be downloaded ahead of time or created on site.

The fiesta also celebrates the opening of Mujeres Inspiradoras: Día de los Muertos 2022

(Inspiring Women: Day of the Dead 2022), a temporary exhibit featuring contemporary altars and artwork by an all-female roster of artists. On display through Nov. 5, the annual exhibit explores the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones each year on Nov. 1 & 2 by creating calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls), altares de muertos (altars

of the dead) and ofrendas (o erings). Artists Sonya Fe, Lila Solorzano Rivera and Willow Vielguth will display artwork and create altars dedicated to actors Lon Chaney, Bruce Lee and Betty White.

The California Museum is located at

1020 O St. in the March Fong Eu Secretary of State complex. For more information visit californiamuseum.org/ event/fiesta2022. For exhibit information go to californiamuseum. org/mujeresinspiradoras-dia-de-losmuertos-2022.

There are plenty of hands-on activities to keep the kids, young and old, entertained including gold panning, tin punching, journaling and a plethora of children’s games. And, if you work up an appetite with all this activity, stop by Gold Rush BBQ for sustenance.

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is made possible thanks to the park’s partnership with the Gold Discovery Park Association. Admission to the event is $15 per vehicle, which includes parking. For more information call (530) 622-3740 or visit parks. ca.gov/marshallgold. Note: This is a dog-free event except for service dogs.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49, 8 miles north of Placerville and 18 miles south of Auburn, only one hour from Sacramento.

Gold Rush Continued from B1

“Lucy” by Lila Solorzano Rivera

“Traditional” by Rob-O of I Love Sugar Skulls

“Mis Lagrimas” by Lila Solorzano Rivera

“Untitled” by Willow Vielguth

Golden opportunities await at the Olde Coloma Theatre

Lori Mortensen Special to the Mountain Democrat

Are you an aspiring actor? Do you play the piano? Or, maybe you have behind-the-scenes skills working as a stage hand, applying make-up, building sets or sewing costumes. Tucked away near the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is a golden opportunity to join an eager and dedicated group of volunteers at the Olde Coloma Theatre, located at 380 Monument Road in Coloma.

50th anniversary

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Olde Coloma Theatre has a fascinating history. The log cabin was built in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition at San Francisco’s Treasure Island by the Division of Natural Resources. When the exposition concluded two years later, the building was disassembled and moved to Mt. Danaher and used as cadet barracks for the California Division of Forest Rangers for many years.

When it seemed as if the old log cabin had served its purpose, it was slated to be razed to the ground as a training exercise. However, after a change of heart, the old building was disassembled and put into storage in Sacramento. It was

about this time that June Scott, and her band of volunteer actors, were looking for a stage to call home after wearing out their welcome at local grange buildings.

When Scott heard about the old log cabin, she made a trip to Sacramento and talked with then Gov. Ronald Reagan. After many discussions, he sold the building to her for $1 provided she could raise the funds for a foundation. Temporarily storing the logs at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Scott, along with a host dedicated volunteers, raised money to lay a foundation, reassemble the building and add behind-the-scene extras, such as a lobby, restrooms, dressing rooms and storage and work areas.

Audience participation and volunteer power

In the summer of 1972 the log cabin became the Olde Coloma Theatre that has been dazzling audiences with melodrama and interactive theater with originally written works based on the late 1800s ever since. Neighbors of the Marshall Gold Discovery Park, the Olde Coloma Theatre/ Coloma Crescent Players Inc., is a nonprofit corporation that “thrives on audience participation and runs on volunteer power.”

“When I first joined in 1990,”

said Jason Boyer, president of the board and current volunteer, “there was such a sense of ‘family’ and community here in the building. With each cast, each election and each year, more family members are added. Without the community, places like The Olde Coloma Theatre don’t exist. At least not for very long.”

In the late 1980s, Scott’s daughter and son-in-law, Vickey and Danny Moreno, took the reins and inspired a whole new generation of volunteers including, Eagle Scouts, high school drama students and various church and service organizations. Their one-hour interactive, melodramatic Gold Rush Educational Program brings well-known historical figures from Coloma’s past to life for thousands of fourth- and fifth-grade students from all over the country.

Halloween follies

“Mrs. Waldecott vs. The Spider Witch” and “Creepies, Crawlies & Halloween Follies” runs through Oct. 30. Performances are every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinées at 2 p.m.

Are you looking for a golden opportunity? For more information visit the website at oldecolomatheatre.com or justserve.org for more volunteer opportunities.

Track or Treat rides ready to delight

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation offer interactive and entertaining Track or Treat excursion train rides at the Old Sacramento waterfront over the course of four “fangtastic” weekends this fall: Oct. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30. With wonderful yet wacky coach or VIP First Class train rides available, Track or Treat excursion trains are pulled by a historical diesel locomotive and depart at 10 a.m. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

New this year and part of a reimagined experience, a dedicated skeleton crew and “(g)host with the most” train car attendants will keep the party going for 50 fun-filled minutes. Plus, before and after each train departure, riders will enjoy exclusive access to the Passenger Station where they can participate in spirited games, activities and photo ops.

Train riders are encouraged to dress to impress

sacphilopera.org.

Oct. 9

Have your pets blessed during the annual Blessing of the Animals at Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St. in Placerville. All pets — furry, feathered, finned or scaled — are welcome at 9:30 a.m. in the courtyard between the church buildings for this special service. Parking is available behind the church or on the top of the city garage.

The Sacramento Symphonic Winds hosts a concert at 2:30 p.m. at the El Camino High School Center for the Arts. The Sacramento Symphonic Winds is a 60-piece adult symphonic wind ensemble conducted by new Music/Artistic Director Dr. Matthew Morse. This concert features “Star Wars” by John Williams, “Lincolnshire Posy” by Percy Grainger, “Danzon” from the ballet “Fancy Free” by Leonard Bernstein and more. For more information visit sacwinds.org.

Musician Ed Wilson performs at Nectar at The Villa in El Dorado Hills, 5-8 p.m.

Oct. 11

Would you like to learn how to use the FamilySearch App on your phone? With the app, it’s easy to find relatives around you, look at your fan chart, do

Check out

along with weekly themes: Oct. 8-9, Princess and Pirates; Oct. 15-16, Outer Space; Oct. 22-23, Witches, Wizards and Ghosts; and Oct. 29-30, Heroes and Villains.

For those wishing for a VIP first class train ride experience, a Magical Mad Scientist and his crew of minions are up to the terrific task. An on-board laboratory is decorated with a display of crazy experiments fit for the mad doctor himself, and his tricks and illusions will leave guests of all ages in awe. First class guests will receive onboard refreshments, non-stop fun, and excellent service.

All Track or Treat excursion train rides depart from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot on Front Street between J and K streets). Limited VIP seating is available and online booking is recommended. Tickets are available online in advance (recommended) or at the ticket office on the day of the train ride (based on availability). To purchase Track or Treat excursion train ride tickets or for more information about the California State Railroad Museum or foundation visit californiarailroad.museum.

this how-to class at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Placerville Family History Center, 3275 Cedar Ravine Road, Placerville. Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

Oct. 12

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Starthistle Management with Steve Savage, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center. Learn how to design an effective control program for this tough, invasive weed at this free class.

Oct. 13

Jovive Health, 4062 Flying C Road in Cameron Park, hosts a ribbon cutting 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be food, drinks, a raffle, tours of the of the clinic and much more. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information call (530) 332-2130.

The Placerville Area Chess Club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Cameron Park, 3446 Coach Lane. For more information call Neville Arroues at (530) 642-9043.

and find

Worship

Elizabeth

Oct. 14

at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park. The free event is sponsored by Visiting Angels, Pavilion at El Dorado Hills and Youngdahl Consulting.

information

Oct. 16

El Dorado Western Railroad offers train rides at the El Dorado Station, 4650 Oriental St. Trains leave on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. with the last train departing the station at 1 p.m., weather permitting. For more information call (530) 663-3581.

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.

MissiontoHonorEDC@gmail or

Phoebie Carcot at (530) 4926797.

Musician Ed Wilson performs at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 6-8 p.m.

Join Broken Compass Bluegrass for a fantastic night of jamgrass, bluegrass, country, Grateful Dead material and originals. 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in Placerville. Reserved table seating and general admission tickets are available at tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Oct. 15

Placerville Seventh-day Adventist Church will hold a community blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church campus, 6831 Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and enter blood drive code SMFR645 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be welcome if space allows.

The Sierra Foothills Rose Society celebrates its 57th anniversary with an amazing Rose Show, 1-5 p.m. at Green Acres in Folsom. Many types of roses, arrangements and photos will be displayed. Master Rosarians will also be on hand to answer any rose related questions. For more information visit sierrafoothillsrosesociety.org.

Pioneer Bible Church hosts Live a Fruitful Life, an event featuring keynote speaker Shari Fitzpatrick, chocolate desserts, a jewelry auction and more at 6851 Mt. Aukum Road in Somerset. Doors open at 1 p.m. Get tickets online at pioneerbiblechurch. breezechms.com/form/e73d380.

The Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus presents Robert Cray at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net.

Oct. 18

The Roots & Gold Dust Genealogical Society presents Digging into Find-a-Grave, without the Mess! by Glenda Lloyd, popular genealogy lecturer at area schools and organizations, 1 p.m. in Room 12 (primary room) in the LDS Church at 3275 Cedar Ravine Road, Placerville. Visitors are welcome. For more information call (530) 344-7122.

The rescheduled Arts and Culture El Dorado event honoring Carpenter Award recipient Bill Roby will be held 6-8 p.m. at David Girard Vineyards in Placerville. To purchase tickets visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/benefit-2022.

Now

American River Conservancy hosts a fundraiser to give the 320-acre property known as Ladies Valley to the Miwok-Nisenan members of Cosumnes Culture and Waterways in perpetuity. This fundraiser aims to raise at least $25,000 to benefit CCAWW and help it steward the land upon acceptance. Buy nature-inspired art to benefit this worthy cause through Oct. 22 at bit.ly/lvlbauction and/or attend the live event Oct. 22, which will include Native American music, storytelling, art auction, refreshments and local wines. Join the event or make a donation at the event registration link: bit.ly/lvlb-event.

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

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.

The Stormy Weather exhibit at Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom runs through Jan. 12, 2023, in the main gallery with the Folsom focus Photography Contest in the community gallery through Jan. 10, 2023. An opening reception takes place 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. For more information call (916) 461-6601.

Cordova High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50th Class Reunion Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Folsom’s iconic Lake Natoma Inn. Early-bird tickets are on sale. For more information visit CordovaHigh73.com.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.

The El Dorado County Certified Farmers Market Association hosts the following markets: El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday; Placerville Cinema, 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday; Burke Junction in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon every Wednesday. For more information visit eldoradofarmersmarket. com/markets.

The Sons in Retirement – Gold Country branch meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Cameron Park Country Club. Check out the club and be a guest for a complimentary lunch. Contact Branch 95’s membership chairman at SIRBranch95@gmail.com for more details.

1850 Wine Cellars, 3 Randolph St. in Sutter Creek, has Trivia Night with Krista every Friday from 6-8 p.m. Six rounds of questions with prizes. For more information call (209) 267-8114.

Hauling

Nevada County artists open their studios

GRASS VALLEY — The Center for the Arts presents the 27th annual Open Studios free art tour, featuring the incredibly diverse variety of artists in Nevada County’s western region.

This October more than 55 local artists will open up their studios and galleries during the second and third weekends so guests can see where art is made, displayed and appreciated.

Stops on the tour include the studios of sculptors, painters, photographers, woodworkers, designers, ceramicists, fiber artists, illustrators and more. Open Studios is a wonderful opportunity to meet local artists, see finished and in progress projects, watch live demonstrations, learn more about artistic processes and inspirations and, of course, purchase beautiful original and printed art directly from the source.

On this self-guided tour everyone can experience first-hand how, where and why art is created.

The studios and galleries will be

open to visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16, and all it requires is a downloaded or printed tour guide to lead the way. Download the guide on the open studios website (openstudiostour.org) or pick one up at The Center for the Arts, BriarPatch Food Co-op, Art Works Gallery, Grass Valley Courtyard Suites, the Grass

Valley and Nevada City Farmers Markets (Oct. 8 and 15), ASiF Gallery and Heartwood Eatery & Annex.

The tour began with the Open Studios Preview Exhibition at the Granucci Gallery, 314 West Main St. in Grass Valley. The community is invited to the gallery at The Center for the Arts to see one piece from

each artist featured. The exhibition is designed so that gallery visitors can see which artists and studios they would like to visit and plan their own personal tour. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information visit thecenterforthearts.org/open-studios or call (530) 274-8384.

Cap Stage play explores pitfalls of blind ambition

Misty McDowell News release

SACRAMENTO — Capital Stage presents “Gloria,” running Oct. 12 through Nov. 13.

This funny, trenchant and powerful play follows an ambitious group of editorial assistants at a notorious Manhattan magazine, each of whom hopes for a starry life of letters and a book deal before they turn 30. But when an ordinary humdrum workday becomes anything but, the stakes for who will get to tell their own story become higher than ever.

From award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, “Gloria” is a scathing look at the human desire for 15 minutes of fame and the collateral damage it causes. This Sacramento premiere, directed by Artistic Director Michael Stevenson, is the second production of Capital Stage’s 18th season.

Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Capital Stage Theatre, 2215 J St. in Sacramento. Tickets and subscriptions are available at capstage.org.

On Facebook? Like us!

Mountain Democrat is on Facebook, sharing breaking news, local stories and community events.

Courtesy photos

Nevada County artists welcome guests during the Open Studios

art tour,

Midtown Sacramento is a Halloween hotspot

Traci Rockefeller Cusack

SACRAMENTO

—

The Midtown Association is excited to showcase and amplify a robust round-up of harvest and Halloween related events and activations happening throughout the district during the month of October. A sampling of some — but certainly not all — the family-friendly, frightfully fun or downright fabulous activations includes: Harvest Festival at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op: The community is invited to enjoy an afternoon of live music with ACME Soundtracks plus Gabe Nelson and Hannah Lingrell and Hans Eberbach. Activities for the whole family include a free photo booth, a vintage clothing market, wine tasting, food sampling and local community groups, too. For more information visit sac. coop.

Paint Nite: The Haunted Mansion at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Streets Pub and Grub: It’s time to plan a cool yet creative afternoon in Midtown when guests can paint a spooky haunted mansion to get into the Halloween

spirit. Starting with a blank canvas and ending with a completed masterpiece, participants enjoy wine, tasty snacks and upbeat tunes. For more information visit streetspubandgrub.com

HarryWeen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in The Starlet Room at Harlow’s: What do you get when you combine Harry Styles and Halloween? HarryWeen of course. A fun way to kick-off Halloween weekend is by dancing the night away in the Starlet Room at Harlow’s to the sounds of Harry Styles. For more information visit harlows.com/events.

Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade at noon Saturday, Oct. 29, at James Marshall Park: Proudly presented by Sutter Midtown restaurants, the familyfriendly event is a four-footed favorite that encourages furry friends to strut, stroll and saunter through the popular Midtown park while competing in a spirited costume contest. For more information visit exploremidtown.org.

Halloween Bar Crawl beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at various venues: Interested adults are encouraged to dress up in their funniest, cutest or scariest Halloween

costume for the fifth annual Halloween Bar Crawl featuring several Midtown locations that include Zebra Club, Henry’s Lounge, Old Tavern, Streets Pub and Tropics Ale House. Each ticket includes two free drinks/shots and exclusive drinks and food specials plus an entry to a coveted costume contest. For more information visit crawlwith.us/ sacramento/halloween.

Halloween Boo Bash at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at Self Designs Art Gallery: Visit Self Designs Art Gallery to experience an art gallery that transports guests to another dimension with creative sights and sounds. Attendees are welcome to participate in their Paint for Pride in the upstairs glow room. Plus, there will be live body painting demonstrations by local artists and a two-level tour of the glowing atmosphere with amazing music, awesome projector visuals and complimentary party treats to fill Boo Bags. For more information visit selfdesignsartgallery. com.

Shannon McCabe’s Vampire Ball at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Harlow’s: Calling all vampire lovers

annual Vampire Ball returns this year as the venue celebrates 14 years of all things Anne Rice, a famous author of gothic fiction and all the vampires chronicled through the history. For more information visit harlows.com/events.

For more information about Midtown Sacramento, special events and activities and the Midtown Association visit exploremidtown.org or follow on social media — Facebook at facebook.com/ exploremidtown and @ExploreMidtown on Instagram and Twitter.

Roo

SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

at

Finest

NEW TODAY Obedience

Garage Sale

Cambridge

El Dorado

Park Ranger I/II

Property Management and Maintenance Technician

Salary:

Date Opened:

Filing Deadline:

until filled. First review of

on October 11,

The Human Resources Department

For

EQUAL

EQUAL

currently

Charming tale opens on Sutter Street stage

F

home

lovable Matthew Cuthbert and his stern sister, Marilla. They agree to adopt a boy to help with the farm work.

their consternation when Anne Shirley, a girl in her teens, is sent by the orphanage by mistake.

See how Anne touches Matthew’s heart with her vivid imagination and her charitable viewpoint and eventually reaches the tender heart beneath Marilla’s hard exterior in “Anne of Green Gables,” opening at Sutter Street Theatre Oct. 8.

This stage adaptation, based on the book by Lucy M. Montgomery, dramatized by Joseph Robinette and directed by Allen Schmeltz, also featured young Josie Pye, a lad named Moody Spurgeon, plus other characters from the original book. The play is rated G — great for the whole family.

“Anne of Green Gables” runs Oct. 8-31 with showtimes at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. Make a reservation at SutterStreetTheatre.com or call (916) 353-1001.

Take an Old Sac ‘Octobertour’

Traci Rockefeller Cusack

release

SACRAMENTO — During the month of October, Downtown Sacramento Partnership and the Old Sacramento waterfront community welcome visitors to the historical downtown district with a special treat — an Octobertour. Guests visiting the district are encouraged to pick up a free holiday-themed map at the Sacramento Visitors Center, 1000 2nd St.; while strolling through the district. After shopping at a store or visiting an attraction, guests will receive an Octobertour stamp to add to their map; after 10 stamps participants are eligible to enter into a raffle with exciting merchandise and gift cards to local stores and restaurants.

As a special treat to downtown, Old Sacramento waterfront will also be the seasonal home to multiple holiday-centered activations, including the Witches Wheel, Scare-ousel, Plenty O- Pumpkins Patch, Track-or-Treat and Movies Under the Stars.

“Octobertour is an exciting new way to discover all of the unique experiences offered at Old Sacramento Waterfront,” said Scott Ford, economic development director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “From enjoying the festive autumn décor to the events and activations, the historical waterfront quarter in Downtown Sacramento provides a variety of experiences that the whole family will love.”

For more information about October tour, including the various activities and instructions for receiving a free map, visit OldSacramento. com/Seasonal-Activities.

PRETTY