Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Signed, sealed but not delivered to Grizzly Flat

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The Grizzly Flat community is facing another hurdle in its effort to recover from the devastating Caldor Fire — lack of a post office.

Residents of the fire-torn community who have for more

than a year now had to drive to the Diamond Springs Post Office to pick up their mail are questioning the delays in rebuilding a U.S. Postal Service facility. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Grizzly Flat to Diamond Springs, a bit more of a trek than a visit to the neighborhood post office.

On Thursday some residents picketed in front of the Diamond Springs Post Office on the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Fowler Lane.

One of the picketers, 73-yearold Grizzly Flat resident Cathie Adams, could be seen in a bear costume with a “Post Office for Grizzly” sign. Standing next to her, fellow Grizzly Flat resident Tabatha Walker’s protest signs read “How long must we bear it?” and “Symbol of recovery is our post office.”

“It is a rather remote community and people are moving back, having gone through the permit process,” Adams commented. “However, the post office there is still a pile of rubble.”

Congressman Tom McClintock’s staff told the Mountain Democrat they have received several inquiries from constituents on restoring postal service to the community.

Supes, Sierra Harm discuss drug use

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

In an update to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Oct. 11 the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition reported giving out 99,000 syringes and receiving 108,000 in 2021 as part of its syringe exchange program.

That collection rate is 108.8%, according to Director Tom Ewing. The return rate for this year is around 95%.

“We are seeing a reduction in syringes on the West Slope and I whole-heartedly believe it is due to the actions of Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition,” Ewing said.

The coalition gained 416 new clients last calendar year, noted Ewing, adding that 48% of those were housed while 52% were unhoused.

In 2021 Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition also gave out 1,335 doses of naloxone to clients and reported 309 reversals of opioid overdoses. Some 2,328 fentanyl tests were distributed, of which 915 identified fentanyl, showing the presence of the deadly substance trending upward in the county.

“It started rising in May of last year, then peaked in December with a 53% positive rate,” Ewing told supervisors.

Ewing cofounded the coalition in 2019, a California Department of Public Health-authorized coalition, which provides a number of services countywide to residents who suffer from addiction.

These services range from syringe exchange, in which the goal is to reduce the number of spreadable diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C, with an ultimate goal of educating substance abusers on the consequences of their usage and providing them with options to end their addictions.

The coalition is required to provide a report to the county of its actions and the results of those actions. The county does not operate the coalition.

Ewing’s presentation last week left the entire dais of supervisors concerned a coalition like Sierra Harm Reduction only makes matters worse in relation to

Turn restriction pilot program called off

Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The citizendeveloped, right-turn restriction pilot program in Meyers has not worked as officials had hoped and they will let it expire at the end of the month.

The Labor Day holiday weekend provided officials with data that showed travel apps are still sending motorists into residential neighborhoods even though turn restrictions are in place, said El Dorado County officials during an online town hall meeting Monday.

“It poses too much of a risk in winter months with the apps still sending people in those directions and will force a left-hand turn,” said El Dorado County Transportation

Director Rafael Martinez. “And with limited visibility causing safety concerns, we (California Highway Patrol and Caltrans) felt it’s not appropriate to use in winter months.”

On the September holiday weekend travel apps sent travelers through N. Upper Truckee Road to get to Highway 50. Transportation department officials said 1,191 vehicles used N. Upper Truckee between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to reach Highway 50 on Labor Day with 530 of those drivers illegally turning right. Two cars went straight and the other 659 turned left toward the roundabout.

Even though drivers were required to turn left and negotiate the roundabout before heading west over Echo Summit

on Highway 50, it was still a couple of minutes faster than staying on the highway, according to the apps.

“It’s not so much the volume but the congestion, which flips the apps to send drivers another direction,” Martinez said.

“We unfortunately don’t think the way

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Grizzly Flat residents Marie Almeida, Tabatha Walker and Cathie Adams picket in front of the U.S. Post Office in Diamond Springs Oct. 13 in response to delayed action in constructing a new Grizzly Flat Post Office, which was destroyed in the Caldor Fire.

“We need to put a fire under the apps that are sending people down roads where it can lead to citations.”

Sue Novasel, District 5 supervisor

Courtesy photo

Rubble remains at the site of the Grizzly Flat Post Office.

Morris Benghiat

May 1, 1930 – Oct 4, 2022

Our dear friend, Morris (Moe, Morry) Benghiat left our world after a short illness at the age of 92. Born in Los Angeles as the second of three, and the only male child, he lived a long and remarkable life.

In the Navy, Moe served on the USS Iowa in Korea earning honors and a letter from the President of South Korea. He worked a career in the aerospace field as a welder and manager. Moe loved stock car racing and introduced his step son, Steve, who continues the sport.

After retiring, he loved to fish, sing in night clubs, make jewelry, and hang out with his friends. Some of his friends were Larry, Curly and Joe, which fit since his nickname is Moe. True story!

Moe was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kathryn aged 18, sister Allegra (Legs to him!).

He leaves his dearest friend Judy Bryant, step-son Steve Benghiat, sister Mildred (Millie) McGinley, nephew Brian Blacker and three nieces. In addition, he left his loving extended family, Tonja, Triss, Melody, Sean, Cody, Kate, Wyatt and Molly as well as many friends living and some deceased. Moe Benghiat is truly missed.

Services will be held at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville Calif., 95667 at 2:30 Thursday, Oct. 27 2022 and he will be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Dixon.

Ethel Denise (Lawyer) Klein

Apr. 19, 1957 – Oct 8, 2022

Mrs. Ethel Denise (Lawyer) Klein, age 65, of Murphy, N.C., and Lotus, Calif., passed away peacefully with her husband at her side on Saturday, Oct. 8, at her home in Murphy. She was born April 19, 1957, in Placerville, Calif., to the late Raymond Lawyer, cattle rancher and former county supervisor, and mother, Marie Lawyer.

She enjoyed chasing waterfalls, long walks on the beach, and traveling.

She was preceded in death by half-brother Douglas Purrier, half-sister Dee Purrier, and aunt Ethel Tidd.

Survivors include her husband, Kevin Klein, and brother, Archie Lawyer.

Matthew Allen Ciufia Oct. 20, 1973 - Oct. 3, 2022

October 3rd, 2022, WOW, what a ride! Matt was born in Sayre, Pa. in 1973. As a toddler he moved to Belgium where he learned to speak Fran-gles and where he attended the International School.

His first skiing experience was at Kitzbuhel, Austria. Before a ski lesson he took o by himself to the top of the mountain where the ski patrol found him.

At the age of 5, his uncle introduced him to the joy of riding on two wheels. Thus began a lifelong love of riding motorcycles.

In 1980, he moved to Denver, Colo. and the Rockies where he fine tuned his skiing abilities at Vail, Winter Park, and Keystone. He moved to Santa Cruz in 1983 where he experienced adventures in the Boy Scouts and bodyboarding.

Matt graduated from Elk Grove High School, attended Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, and graduated with a B.A. from California State University, Sacramento.

In 2004, Matt moved to Placerville where he made his home and raised his two sons. This brought him closer to the desert, the Rubicon Trail, and more camping adventures with all his friends and family.

Jawbone Canyon was an annual Thanksgiving outing with lots of food and festivities. He loved riding the Pismo Dunes where he frequently celebrated his birthday. His compadres will always remember his love of bikes, trucks, and Mexican food.

Matt fought a courageous battle against angiosarcoma which he succumbed to Oct. 3, surrounded by his sons, his fiancee, mother, and friends.

Matt will be remembered by his family and many friends. He is survived by his two wonderful sons: Vincent Tyler Ciufia and Ethan Oscar Ciufia; his father, Cono Vincent Ciufia, his mother Rise Roberta Ciufia and his fiancee, Amy Peltzer. The family would like to acknowledge the medical teams at Stanford Hospital’s ICU and Oncology Unit, Marshall Hospital’s ICU, and the Marshall’s Infusion Center where they fought hard with him in his battle with cancer.

$53 million awarded to create more senior housing options

News release

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom, with the California Department of Social Services, last week announced that 12 organizations, funding 14 projects, were awarded a total of $53 million in grants to create more residential care options for older adults and adults with disabilities, including people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. A total of 402 beds or units will be created statewide with these funds.

In El Dorado County Native Directions and Home CA have been issued awards for two projects, one in Shingle Springs for $4,548,890 and the second in Rescue for $4,597,895. These funds will be used to construct two separate, licensed adult residential facilities to serve tribal members in the San Joaquin Delta area with long-term housing and linkages to supportive services. Each project will add 30 beds.

“California is making significant housing investments to support some of our most vulnerable residents — low-income older adults and adults with disabilities — to live with safety and dignity in their communities,” said Newsom. “We are

Right turns Continued from A1

finding apps were following our restrictions.”

He added that when CHP was there to enforce the restrictions on previous holidays, Memorial Day and Fourth of July, drivers abided by the signs. Without CHP, most drivers just turned right. On Labor Day it didn’t matter if CHP o cers were there or not.

District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel attended the meeting and praised Martinez and his sta for the amount of work they put into the e ort.

“All of this, what you’ve been saying, El Dorado County has been proactive in finding solutions,” Novasel said.

She asked if there was anything legally the county could do.

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

Oct. 12

12:22 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 64-year-old woman suspected of DUI in Cameron Park.

8:50 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old man suspected of exhibiting a weapon (not a firearm) and making criminal threats on Claim Street in Placerville.

supporting local communities to acquire, renovate and upgrade properties throughout the state — providing, not just a place to call home, but helping individuals stay out of homelessness. In California, we’re doubling down on our e orts to deliver more housing and services in record time and at a fraction of the price.”

Grants were awarded through the new Community Care Expansion Program, which, through Newsom’s budget, will provide a total of $570 million for the acquisition, rehabilitation and construction of adult and senior care facilities serving Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants applicants and recipients, as well as other community-based residential care settings, such as permanent supportive housing and recuperative care sites.

“These significant and timely investments will provide new housing options that will support older adults and adults with disabilities in California,” CDSS Director Kim Johnson said. “We must continue to combat our homelessness

■ See HOUSING

Transportation department sta said drivers who receive citations could pursue legal action against the travel apps but the county has no legal authority.

“We need to put a fire under the apps that are sending people down roads where it can lead to citations,” Novasel said. “It’s really frustrating. We need to go to the state level.”

Eric Royer of Caltrans also said his agency counted tra c during Labor Day at Pioneer Trail and Highway 50 and at the roundabout. He said the new roundabout project expected to break ground in the spring/ summer of 2024 “will do wonders for keeping tra c flowing on Highway 50.”

9:24 a.m. Grand theft was reported at an apartment complex on Creekside Court in Shingle Springs.

9:55 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 67-year-old man suspected of trespassing, loitering and unlawful urination/defication in a public place on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

12:06 p.m. Burglary was reported on Patterson Way in El Dorado Hills.

1:24 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Cameron Park Drive in

Cameron Park.

There were some public comments following the decision, including one from the pilot program creator Je rey Spencer, who said having a steady stream of cars going through Meyers wouldn’t allow for people turning left to enter the roadway.

The pilot program isn’t being thrown away although the signs that prohibit right-hand turns on Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be removed Nov. 1 or 2. Martinez said he will continue looking at the program once the new roundabout is complete.

“I wish this one was more successful than what we saw,” Martinez said. “But we’re not going to give up. We’re not going to stop.”

4 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a church on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park.

10:56 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Bass Lake Road near Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

Oct. 13

12:17 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old woman suspected of vehicle theft.

She was taken into custody on Highway 50 at Ponderosa Road and later released on $75,000 bail.

9:31 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Sand Ridge Road in Placerville.

11:57 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of possession of narcotics for sale, transporting narcotics for sale and possession of false identities. He was later released on $75,000 bail.

1:-3 p.m. Burglary was reported on Slug Gulch Road on Somerset.

1:37 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of felony shoplifting and reckless driving on Highway 193. He was later released.

6:46 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Sand Ridge Road in Placerville. He was later released.

6:55 p.m. Battery was reported on Montaire Road in Shingle Springs.

10:40 p.m. California Highway Patrol Officers booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm on Highway 50 in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

11:28 p.m. Battery was reported on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park.

Oct. 14

1:21 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 43-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. She was released on $35,000 bail.

6:47 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Bonita Vista Drive in Placerville.

10:16 Grand theft was reported on Embarcadero Drive in El Dorado Hills.

10:53 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Carlson Court in Shingle Springs.

10:56 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Pennyroyal Drive in Pollock Pines.

2:42 p.m. Battery was reported at an apartment complex on La Crescenta Drive in Cameron Park.

3:03 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.

5:59 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 26-year-old man suspected of DUI and possession of a controlled substance on La Crescenta Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail as of press time.

6:45 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 52-year-old man suspected of forgery, identity theft and giving false information to an officer on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $30,000 bail.

8:58 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a veterinary clinic on Sunset Lane in Shingle Springs.

11:40 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Highway 49 in Lotus.

11:42 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 46-year-old man suspected of DUI on Forni Road in Placerville.

Fast Flames

Insurance discounts to reward wildfire safety efforts News release

SACRAMENTO — State Insurance Commissioner

Ricardo Lara will enforce the new insurance pricing regulation he wrote recognizing and rewarding wildfire safety and mitigation efforts made by homeowners and businesses.

Commissioner Lara’s regulation is the first in the nation requiring insurance companies to provide discounts to consumers under the Safer from Wildfires framework created by the California Department of Insurance in partnership with state emergency preparedness agencies. The regulation is now state law and included in the California Code of Regulations.

“Protecting Californians from deadly wildfires means everyone doing their part, including insurance companies by rewarding consumers for being safer from wildfires,” states Lara in a news release. “The reality of climate change is driving my determination to help communities better prepare, help our firefighters save lives and help more Californians find insurance they can afford.”

Lara’s regulation requires insurance companies to

Kimberly Pruett, McClintock’s community outreach director, said the congressman’s office has reached out to regional U.S. Post Office officials to get a solution in place such as locked mailboxes.

“That would at least solve the problem temporarily, so (residents) would not have to drive as far to get their mail,” Pruett said.

Pruett noted that on Oct. 4 McClintock’s office received a response from a U.S. Post Office congressional liaison, stating the federal agency is working on temporary solutions.

“We’ll continue to advocate (for residents) and hopefully they’ll have that temporary solution soon. Then we can look into the rebuilding of the post office and why that is taking so long,” Pruett said.

At the site of the Grizzly Flat Post Office, which is fenced off, an abatement notice

and order posted Sept. 9 by the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department states the property does not have “an approved alternate (private) program application and work plan to properly clean up (the) parcel.”

The alternate debris removal program refers to those who wish not to participate in the California Office of Emergency Servicessponsored Debris Removal Program.

The notice gives the property owner, listed as Ken and Patty Kroeker, 10 days to take action or the county “will request a warrant from the court to enter (the) property, remove all hazardous fire-generated debris, remove slabs and foundations and conduct the required sampling to abate the nuisance on this parcel.” The property owner would be charged for all costs.

Both El Dorado

submit new rate filings incorporating wildfire safety standards created by the Department of Insurance and to establish a process for releasing wildfire risk determinations to residents and businesses within 180 days. The news release notes that transparency is an important benefit of this regulation, requiring insurance companies to provide consumers with their property’s “wildfire risk score” and creating a right to appeal that score.

In 2019 insurance companies representing 7% of the residential market provided insurance discounts. Today that figure has grown to 40%, according to Department of Insurance data. When this new regulation is fully implemented, it is expected to be 100% of the residential and commercial market aligned with the Safer from Wildfires framework.

Lara directed the Department of Insurance to write the regulation to protect consumers and improve market competition after hearing firsthand from consumers and business owners about their frustration with insurance companies that did not consider mitigation in their rating plans. During town hall meetings in more than 38 counties and

County Environmental Management Department and the property owner did not respond to inquiries from the Mountain Democrat as of press time.

“All we get are rumors and promises,” Adams said as she held her sign high. “It should be a beacon for our community and as it is, it’s a shipwreck disaster that we have to pass every day.”

For Grizzly Flat residents to travel to the Diamond Springs Post Office the fastest route is around 20 miles, according to Google Maps. A lot of that travel is spent on windy, narrow roads, which is getting costly for some in the community, said Walker.

“That’s a long drive for us and gas prices are insane,” Walker said. “I used to check my mail almost every day and now I am lucky to do it once or twice a week.

“The post office was

a meeting spot where we would run into our neighbors and friends,” Walker added. “It wasn’t just a post office. We had a community board there where we could post things.

“If we could see progress, then we’d know they were onto something … but nothing.”

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Children have 20 primary teeth that are later replaced by 32 adult teeth. Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth that grow in a person’s mouth because of a condition called hyperdontia. These teeth can grow anywhere in the dental arches (the curved areas inside the mouth where the teeth attach to the jaw). Supernumerary teeth are not painful, but they can put painful pressure on the jaw and gums and may cause overcrowd ing or crooked teeth. The causes of hyperdontia are unknown, but the condition often occurs in combina tion with several genetic conditions. It’s not always necessary to remove supernumerary teeth, but if they are causing pain or affecting other teeth or oral hygiene, the dentist may rec

ommend extraction.

Improving the look, health, and function of your smile is our pri mary focus. Too many teeth? Too few? From general family dentistry to cosmetic dentistry and preventive care, we are dedicated to working with our patients toward the goal of achieving the healthiest, most attractive smiles possible. Are you curious how today’s dental proce dures can virtually change your life? We’d be glad to tell you about the many ways we can help make your smile a dazzling one. Just call us for an appointment.

P.S. Supernumerary teeth usually grow in adults rather than in chil dren and are twice as common in men as they are in women.

an extensive Department of Insurance investigatory wildfire hearing in 2020, consumers testified their homes and businesses were subject to “wildfire risk scores” that many did not know existed and had no right to appeal if inaccurate.

Home hardening retrofits, along with defensible space, significantly increase a home’s chance of surviving a wildfire, according to Chief Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire deputy director of Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation. “Using the latest fire science and recent wildfire data, these retrofits and landscaping requirements provide a strong path to structure survivability,” he states, adding that Cal Fire is currently funding more than $3 million in local wildfire prevention projects to prepare communities for wildfire.

The new wildfire safety regulation requires insurance companies to submit new rates that recognize the benefit of safety measures such as upgraded roofs and windows, defensible space and community-wide programs such as Firewise USA and the Fire Risk Reduction Community designation developed by the state’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

Gold

Post office Continued from

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian Grizzly Flat residents wave to passing traffic on Pleasant Valley Road as they demonstrate outside the Diamond Springs Post Office Oct. 13.

Courtesy photos

Flames consume a car on Newtown Road near Point View Drive in Placerville Oct. 16. El Dorado County Fire Protection District personnel extinguished the fire around 6:30 p.m., keeping embers from spreading to nearby vegetation. Fire officials reported no injuries and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Matters

High costs thwarting California’s housing push

During its just-closed biennial session, the California Legislature passed — and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed — dozens of bills aimed at relieving the state’s acute shortage of housing.

Newsom capped the effort late last month by signing two somewhat similar bills that make it easier to build housing on unused or underused commercial properties.

“California has made historic investments and taken unprecedented actions to tackle the state’s housing crisis over the past four years,” Newsom said. “But we recognize there’s more work to do. This package of smart, much-needed legislation will help us build new homes while rebuilding the middle class.”

The two bills typify the thrust of legislation and the Newsom administration’s tougher enforcement of state housing quotas on local government — making more land available for housing by reducing the ability of local governments, cities particularly, to thwart development through restrictive zoning, convoluted building standards and other practices.

Newsom’s efforts on housing over the last four years recently won him a lengthy plaudit by New York Times columnist Binyamin Appelbaum, thereby enhancing the governor’s drive to become a national political figure.

The praise is welldeserved, as far as it goes. But making more land available is just one factor in the thorny housing crisis and, to date, there’s little evidence that by itself it will result in more construction.

The state says California should be building 180,000 units a year to meet current demand and whittle down the backlog, but at best we’re seeing about 120,000 housing starts and when the housing lost to fire, old age and other reasons is subtracted, the net gain is no more than half the 180,000 figure.

The major constraints are financial — ever-rising costs of construction and the insufficient private sector investment due, in part, to those costs.

The state’s most pressing housing need is apartments for low- and moderate-income families

Letters to the Editor

Vote for Brooke Laine

EDITOR:

High School District board. During that time she worked tirelessly on hundreds of critical issues brought before the board.

Iam

supporting Brooke Laine for District 5 supervisor for El Dorado County. Very rarely do policymakers in positions of influence reach out to learn more, request real facts and data or ask what they can do to help. Brooke Laine did exactly that and it surprised me.

Months ago, Brooke reached out to schedule a tour of main offices, a stabilization suite and supportive housing sites of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless. She asked our team thoughtful questions based on her own prior research, listened to our answers and ideas and then asked what policy changes could help prevent and end homelessness for El Dorado County. She didn’t have an angle or ask for our votes. She wasn’t campaigning; she was listening and learning

After her tour, Brooke surprised me again because she followed up. She called with more questions, asked for my thoughts on current housing proposals in the community and sent me documents to review. I could tell she was gathering information from a wide range of constituents and looking for balanced, common-sense strategies that met the greatest needs in the community.

Brooke Laine surprised me because she doesn’t act like the typical caricature of a politician. She doesn’t act like she’s selling something, shout her strong opinions at others or badmouth the other guy. She understands deeply the pressing issues facing our community, asks thoughtful questions based on research and listens carefully to many voices. She looks for common ground between opposing viewpoints and truly serves as a servant leader.

Brooke Laine is dynamic, thoughtful, balanced and transparent. Brooke might surprise you in the best way possible.

CHEYENNE PURRINGTON South Lake Tahoe

Support Judy Morris EDITOR:

Iamwriting this letter to endorse Judy Morris, who is running for re-election to the Camino school board. As a retired biology teacher from El Dorado High School, I had the privilege of working with Ms. Morris on several occasions during her 12-year tenure on the El Dorado Union

Two examples are securing funding for a new science and math building at El Dorado High School and promoting and supporting academic programs ranging from special education to college and career readiness and supporting the establishment of the Advanced Placement Program throughout the entire district.

On every single issue she always prioritized putting the needs of students first. She also made sure teachers had the resources and materials they needed to help all students achieve success.

Judy Morris has continued her dedication to the students of Camino School. She helped the district acquire funding from the state and community for a much-needed renovation project. She and the entire board have steered Camino School through some very difficult and unprecedented times over the past two-and-a-half years.

For myself, the decision on who (gets my vote) for the Camino Board of Trustees could not be more clear. Judy Morris has 27 years of exemplary school board experience. Her non-incumbent opponent has none. I urge you to do what’s right for all students by voting for Judy Morris.

MICHAEL BASHAM Camino

Be specific

EDITOR:

After reading Bill Snodgrass’ candidate statement as a potential Camino Union School District Governing Board member, I felt it important to respond to his beliefs. He states that he believes in “not teaching sex education to third-graders.”

As a retired third-grade teacher, sex education was never taught in the third grade. It was never in the core curriculum and, as a result, we as a thirdgrade team never taught it.

Furthermore, Bill states, “We should be teaching the three R’s: reading, writing, arithmetic, not special programs handed down from Sacramento.”

I/we taught and continue to teach our students reading, writing and math. What special programs are you referring to, Bill? Please be specific in what you support.

DEBORAH BASHAM Retired Buckeye School teacher

Justice Clarence Thomas, Ginni Thomas — Patriots

Supreme Court

Justice Clarence Thomas and his political activist wife, Ginni, are a highprofile Washington conservative power couple.

Power couples are a common Washington phenomenon. Each spouse wields political power and influence in a certain arena. Together they concentrate power and influence.

Per Public Citizen, of the 115th Congress 59% of retiring congressmen remained in Washington, taking jobs as lobbyists or in consulting firms, trade groups or business groups, working to influence government.

So, we have power couples in office, that were in office — congressmen and ex-congressmen, federal regulators and former regulators, lawyers, etc.

But there is something very different about the Thomases.

Washington power couples are about money, power and influence. But the Thomases are about

principles.

“America is in a vicious battle for its founding principles,” said Ginni Thomas.

Really, if the Thomases are successful in their struggle to restore America’s founding principles, the result is less power and influence peddling because the result is much less government.

Those who are concerned about influence peddling in Washington should enthusiastically support the principles Judge Thomas and Ginni stand for. It is exactly what the founders of the country had in mind. Limit influence peddling and corruption by limiting the size and scope of government.

In 1900 total take of government from the U.S. economy was 7.8%. In 2020 this was up to 43.3%.

Those on the left who are so critical of Judge Thomas and Ginni Thomas are also those who support the vast expansion of government that we have experienced and struggle with

today. This wholesale expansion of government is exactly what the founders did not want for the very reasons we see today.

What about those who argue that Justice Thomas should recuse himself from cases in which his wife has been politically active?

The rules for recusal, as I understand them, are far from black and white. It is very much a subjective decision on the part of the judge to recuse him/herself.

A key issue is it that it is forbidden for a judge to discuss a pending case with a third party.

Ginni Thomas categorically rejected that such discussions ever occur between her and her husband in her recent voluntary testimony before the House Select Committee on Jan. 6.

“I can guarantee that my husband has never spoken with me about pending cases at the Court,” she told

the committee. “It is an iron clad rule in our home.”

But perhaps most importantly, Thomas noted, “It is laughable for anyone who knows my husband to think I could influence his jurisprudence — the man is independent and stubborn, with strong character traits of independence and integrity.”

It should be clear to anyone who has followed Judge Thomas over the years that this is true.

He is a man of deep principle who loves America and is very serious and committed in his Christian faith.

Bottom line on the whole thing is that Judge Thomas and his activist wife are the solutions we need, not the problem. We are getting the problem from big-government leftists who view Judge Thomas and his wife with

Richard

Krysten

column

Star ParkEr

Dan WaLtErS n See Walters, page

summary the California Legislature and Gov. Gavin newsom have enacted dozens of bills to relieve the state’s housing shortage but high development costs suppress construction.

It is ironic the criticism she gets from the left, from the feminists, who pretend to be advocates of strong and independent women. this is exactly what Ginni thomas is. She should be the role model …

Public input sought on county mental health services update

News release

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Division invites the public to provide input on the 2023-26 Mental Health Services Act three-year program and expenditure plan.

Community members can provide input by attending an upcoming community meeting or submitting an online survey or an email. Meetings will be held virtually via zoom and can be accessed online through one of the links below or by calling (669) 900-6833 and entering the webinar ID and passcode.

Community meetings to receive input for the MHSA annual update are scheduled as follows:

• Friday, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m.

Tinyurl.com/MHSA-CPPP-102122

Webinar ID: 826 5522 0916

Passcode: 546195

• Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m.

Tinyurl.com/MHSA-CPPP-110822

Webinar ID: 825 9461 2602

Passcode: 901633

• Monday, Dec. 12 at 4:30 p.m.

Tinyurl.com/MHSA-CPPP-121222

Webinar ID: 834 1780 4600

Passcode: 769934

California voters passed MHSA (Proposition 63) in November 2004. MHSA places a 1% tax on personal incomes over $1 million. Counties receive funds through the state, intending to transform the public mental health system into one that is consumer-friendly, recovery-oriented, accessible and culturally competent. For copies of the current and prior year MHSA plans visit edcgov. us/government/mentalhealth/mhsa/pages/mhsa_ plans.aspx.

To provide input on the MHSA three-year plan for 2023-26 via an online survey go to forms.o ce. com/g/615R8cH6Ku.

Additional input can be submitted via email to MHSA@edcgov.us or via U.S. mail to 768 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 201, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. For more information regarding the MHSA or community program planning process contact Meredith Zanardi at (530) 621-6340.

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 Wednesday afternoon 4:30 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

Walters Continued from A4 — projects that not only draw the most local opposition but are becoming prohibitively expensive to build.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last month that based on documents for the construction of three “a ordable” housing projects, the per-unit cost is more than $1 million and approaching $1.2 million for one.

San Francisco is a notoriously di cult place to build housing, which those outrageous numbers reflect. But $1-plus million is common across the Bay Area and statewide, average costs of projects meant to house low- and moderate-income families are well above $500,000 a unit — enough to buy a nice single-family home in many California communities.

Purely private developments cannot pencil out unless owners can charge market-rate rents una ordable to those in lower income brackets, so developers for that segment must rely on packages of private funds, tax credits and money from state and federal governments.

However, projects using even small portions of public funds are subject to state laws mandating they use union workers, which is one of the big reasons they are so expensive.

The two bills Newsom signed last month to make commercial property available for housing contain boilerplate language mandating union labor. In fact, there are two bills on the same subject because two di erent construction union factions could not agree on the precise language and to break the stalemate, legislative leaders finally decided to send both to the governor.

The land that Newsom and the Legislature have opened for housing needy families will go largely unused if development costs continue to soar.

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

Parker Continued from A4 such animosity.

We should also give Ginni Thomas credit for her activism for American principles.

It is ironic the criticism she gets from the left, from the feminists, who pretend to be advocates of strong and independent women.

This is exactly what Ginni Thomas is. She should be the role model for the left, for professional women and young women who aspire to be professional.

We keep the country free, per the founders, by limiting government. The source for guidelines for ethical behavior is in the very Christian principles that the left has worked so hard to purge from our nation.

This is exactly what Judge Clarence Thomas and Ginni Thomas bring to the table, for the benefit of all of us.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”

PUZZLE BY MICHAEL DEWEY

PUZZLE BY RUTH BLOOMFIELD MARGOLIN

Recreational Cannabis Dispensary

We want to send our deepest love and gratitude to the City of Placerville for welcoming us into the community this past year. And what a fun and busy year it has been getting to meet all the wonderful and kind faces that have walked through our doors! It is an absolute pleasure to serve you and to provide a safe and beautiful place to access your cannabis.

It’s hard to believe that the journey of opening Sacred Roots within the City of Placerville started over 4 years ago when we first spoke in front of the City Council asking them to consider cannabis retailers within the City limits. We helped to bring life into the movement and spoke during public open forum meetings to the community’s concerns as well as to the importance and community benefits of having a cannabis retailer. We helped to promote the measures on the local ballot so that the constituents might decide for themselves—and you did!

There are so many wonderful components to cannabis and its health benefits. Some new and emerging science includes different Cannabinoids such as the popular CBD, but also including Cannabigerol (CBG), which is used for various therapeutic applications, specifically in managing neuropathic pain, G.I. health, plus anxiety/stress. There’s also Cannabichromene (CBC), which is gaining popularity for its anticancer properties; it may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Want to learn more? Sacred Roots offers daily walk-in consultation from our amazing team of Budtenders, as well as one-on-one and group consultation. Call now for details and be sure to visit our showroom to check out our daily deals.

Once again, we send our heartfelt thanks to the City of Placerville and hope we can continue to be a valued asset through community support and project funding. We look forward to meeting a lot more of you in the future and welcome you to join us THIS Saturday for our Cannaversary Celebration (details below)!

A2Drug use Continued from A1 drug use.

“For alot of us it is di cult because we are still seeing a lot of harm until you get to the point of recovery,” District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel said. “I’m worried the two or three years it takes to get people to trust you to get there is … how many are dead by then?”

Ewing emphasized to the board the coalition’s goals is twofold — to build trusting relationships with clients and eventually ease them o their addictions as well as stop the spread of blood-borne diseases.

“You are changing a social structure of drug users,” Ewing explained. “You are changing an individual but you are also changing the community of drug users and their mindset on drugs.”

Supervisors remained unconvinced.

“The problem is when you are giving this stu out, your crackpipes, your tinfoil, you are enabling these people to still do drugs as far as I’m concerned,” Turnboo told Ewing.

The board further questioned county Public Health O cer Dr. Nancy Williams on the positive e ects of the coalition.

Williams responded that it is di cult to obtain information regarding emergency room visits related to opioid overdose and what happens to clients afterward but acknowledged the state’s overall increase in fentanyl users.

“We believe that SHRC’s e orts are probably decreasing that now but its pretty hard to tell when they are fighting an steep uphill battle,” Williams said.

Williams reported 113.9 per 100,000

people in the county were living with an HIV infection in 2020, a decrease from 2019 and 2018 figures. Data from 2021 further showed 117.7 people living with HIV per 100,000.

In 2018 Hepatitis C cases numbered 79 per 100,000, an increase from 57 in 2016 and 66 in 2014.

While Hepatitis C numbers increased (data was only available as recent as 2018), supervisors noted relatively “stable” numbers in infection rates and further questioned the need for Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition.

“It’s a challenge because we are a relatively small county so those numbers are going to reflect that,” Williams told the board.

She noted case increases are related to drug use.

“Those are the kinds of cases we would like to see go down,” Williams said, adding, “Because it can take a long time for people to get diagnosed with Hepatitis, it could be many years before we see a change in that. If drug use goes up in the meantime, even if SHRC is making good progress, they may not be able to keep up.”

A follow-up presentation will be heard by the board to provide information on how SHRC operates with its purpose of reducing blood-born pathogen incidences and other harms associated with drug use in El Dorado County.

The board motioned to gather more data on diseases in the county to determine how the e orts of Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition a ect local case rates.

crisis.

Building

investment

help get the most

the

budget this year invests an additional $3 billion in behavioral

homeless emergency aid and encampment rehousing strategies, creating a package totaling more than $15 billion in funding.

Housing Continued

In the KNOW

Stellar students Congratulations to the local students who made the Honor Roll at Oregon State University: Sophia Costamagna and Tyler J. Honnold of El Dorado Hills, Bailey M. Greco of Lotus and Erin B. Whelihan of Rescue.

Now

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.

Oct. 21

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 El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a senior Oktoberfest lunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the EDHCSD gym, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills. Enjoy lunch, live music and a raffle. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Climate Change, with speaker Steve Schwarzbach, 1-3 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road in Diamond Springs. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings each year free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc.org.

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts a Halloween Boo Bash, 5-7 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center. Dress up and enjoy trunk-or-treating, a floating pumpkin patch, crafts, food and more.

Musician Ed Wilson performs at the Placerville Public House in Placerville, 8-11 p.m.

Oct. 22

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee, every Saturday, 7-9 a.m. at Lion’s Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts.

Check out the Swap Meet at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center in Placerville, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free. Reserve a spot in advance at eldoradocountyfair.org/ swap.html.

Escape from the traditional “ho-hum” wine events and elevate your wine game with the El Dorado County WINEcation, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 & 23. All weekend each participating winery will offer you a destination to experience wine like never before. For tickets and more information visit eldoradowines.org/ winecation.

How sweet it is Sweet Pairings Bakery really takes the cake

Jacob Bassett Mountain Democrat correspondent

Any time is the perfect time for a sweet treat and nobody knows sweets quite like Tiffany Coburn, chef/owner of Sweet Pairings Bakery in Placerville.

Coburn has been in the culinary industry for 15 years, getting her start in 4-H. This allowed her to put her skills to the test in many competitions.

“I won multiple county and state awards at fairs and stuff for cakes and other desserts,” Coburn shared. “A lot for canning … I did a lot of canning.”

She eventually found herself at the ROP Culinary Arts program at El Dorado High School with head chef Mike Ink, bringing her skill to new heights.

“I went out to Culinary School in Columbia, out in Sonora, and I did the schooling out there but I ended up doing a lot more (teacher’s assisting) because I learned so much from Mike,” Coburn told the Mountain Democrat. “So a lot of the teachers just kinda used me as a second Teacher in class.”

After working cooking jobs all over the county, it wasn’t until she lost her job during the pandemic that she actually had the opportunity to open shop. Coburn sold a lot of her baked goods to a deli that used to inhabit the same space where her bakery is currently located in downtown Placerville.

“This one fell into my lap because the lady who

Day HiKer

Half Dome

had a sandwich deli in here got to the point where the only thing she was selling were my pies and cookies and stuff,” she explained.

While she said she was a bit hesitant to start her own business, nobody can argue with the results. Coburn creates treats that inspire people to come from absurdly far distances — and it’s not hard to taste why. Everything is made completely from scratch using fresh, in-season fruits bought from local farms. She continues to expand her repertoire of delicious recipes for customers to try and also bakes and decorates gorgeous wedding cakes; though she confesses making cookies are her favorite task.

“I do a lot of cookies daily. That’s probably one of my more favorite things to do because it’s like an instant gratification,” Coburn said. “I can make the batter and have them baked off in like an hour, so you instantly get the product.”

Her signature cookie is the delicious cranberry oatmeal pecan, though this season she’s offering a pumpkin walnut cookie with a maple glaze that is absolutely astounding. She’s also put quite a bit of work into creating a new type of scone that’s more than just a hard biscuit. “I worked really hard to come up with a cream scone that on the outside has a nice crust, but then on the inside it’s not soft ‘cakey’ but it’s moist and not this dry, hard-rock scone.”

Seeing the amount of work she puts into perfecting her craft, it’s

no surprise Coburn’s Sweet Pairings Bakery won the Best Up and Coming Small Business award from the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. She recently made heavy investments to improve her bakery, though more expansion seems to be on the horizon. “I took January off so I could do about $20,000 in renovations … So I could get a bigger oven in

here, so I could produce more — got a larger mixer,” she explained.

“That’s when I joined the chamber of commerce.”

This was a big step for Sweet Pairings and the chamber actually allowed her membership in return for providing baked goods at its events. “The next step is looking for a second location; one that’s a lot bigger that I could produce more product

out of,” Coburn added. Though Sweet Pairings is doing well, its space at 681 Main St. in Placerville has been lovingly referred to as a “micro-bakery” because of how small it is, which makes her plans to possibly expand at the end of next year deliciously exciting. For more information visit the website at sweetpairingsbakery.com or call (530) 903-3158.

W e climbed Half Dome on Father’s Day weekend. We hiked up the cables to the top. It was amazing. I trained for this hike. I wanted to make sure I could hike 16-miles on level ground first. I found some long local hikes and I handled them well. I took some hills and worked with heights. Soon it was time to pack and make the three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. Take Interstate 80 west to 99 south to Ca-4E/CA120E to the park entrance.

I would suggest staying overnight in Curry Village. Driving three hours and hiking followed by the drive home is too much. In fact, I would stay two nights. Go to the park, settle in at a campsite, cabin or hotel then get an early start in the morning.

We met our group at Happy Isles on the valley floor. We started out on the Mist Trail on our way to Vernal Falls. Crossing the footbridge, looking up at the falls is a sight to see. The uneven granite steps are all fun and games when you start but after a while they wear on you. You will hike past Emerald Pool and eventually make your way to the top of Nevada Falls. From here you are on level ground through Yosemite Valley before you reach the sub dome and Half Dome’s cables. Get out your gloves; you will need them.

I have friends who take harnesses and carabiners for added support. We posed for pictures on top, saw the marmot and took more pictures. Having spent half the day climbing we knew we didn’t have much time before we needed to head down if we wanted to get to the floor before dark. I wish I had my trekking poles. If you think the steps up are bad, they are worse going down. Rather than blow out a knee I took it slow.

I had a quick recovery, but that was because I took my time coming down. Other than the trekking

Courtesy photo

Tiffany Coburn, owner of Sweet Pairings Bakery in Placerville, puts the finishing touches on a four-tiered wedding cake she created for one lucky couple’s special day.

Photo by Mary West

The climb to the top of Half Dome is exhausting but well worth it. Plan ahead to make sure you have all the tools and time you’ll need to reach the summit. Below, a marmot hangs out and watches as climbers make their way up the Yosemite landmark.

Mary West Outdoor columnist

Tundra by Chad Carpenter

by leigh rubin

GEMINI

three days ahead will be rich for three thousand years.”

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You used to spend time with a different set of people. You had different interests. Many changes have occurred since then. Remember them now to deepen your understanding and appreciation of who you’ve become.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In power games, who wins and who loses is often more important than what’s right or true. It’s a fine reason to avoid power games. It’s better to do good in the world than to assert dominance over others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You want a deep relationship and so you shall build it. You’re brave enough to be vulnerable with a trusted someone. You’ll be receptive to their strengths and vulnerabilities. You’ll share and bonds will be formed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Many will be too obsessed with

getting what they want to take a moment to see things as they are. Pay attention to your surroundings before you make a move. You’ll avoid awkwardness at least, and at best you’ll come off as cool.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Conversations will reveal much. You bring out an unguarded side of people, and even they will be surprised at what they tell you. Note that sharing a sense of humor is indicative of a dozen other intersections of compatibility.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s good to push the edges of your comfort zone, but you don’t have to live in those uncomfortable outskirts. Stay in your strengths today and take home the win. If your confidence threatens them, they’re not on your side.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re on the journey. It’s yours to navigate. Don’t ask other people to greenlight your project. Green lights don’t really work that way. Typically, they are on timers. Often, when you hit one, you’ll start to hit them all.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s much you could add to your life. You’ll be as lucky as you are discerning. When in doubt, it’s better to have a blank space waiting for something wonderful than a dumb placeholder taking up all the room.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your vision is something unique in your mind’s eye. If you want others to see it too, keep describing it. Eventually they’ll see what you see. Until then, hold on to hope and believe in your imagination.

Caldor Fire Fundraiser Out of the Ashes returns to help local fire victims

News release

The West Slope Foundation, Element 79 Vineyards and Winery, along with the wineries of Fair Play, Pioneer Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and Creekside Cork and Brew, host the second Out of the Ashes fundraiser Nov. 12.

This event will feature more than 15 local wineries pouring tastings paired with tapas prepared by Casey of Creekside Cork and Brew. The evening fundraiser at Element 79 Vineyards and Winery in Somerset will also include live music by Tom Powers, silent and live auctions and more.

“For people who want an authentic wine and food experience where

proceeds serve the west slope Caldor Fire survivors’ immediate and longterm individual needs, you won’t want to miss this fantastic event,” said Scot Telfer, executive director of the West Slope Foundation.

Registration is required in advance for this event. Ticket sales close Oct. 31 and will not be available at the door. Go to the registration form located at West Slope Foundation’s Facebook page or website at westslopefoundation.org or email info@westslopefoundation.org.

The West Slope Foundation was formed to meet the current and longterm individual needs of the Caldor Fire survivors of Grizzly Flat and surrounding communities in the burn scar.

Mountain Democrat file photo by Eric Jaramishian

The West Slope Foundation hosts another fundraiser for Grizzly Flat residents, many of whom lost everything in 2021’s Caldor Fire.

by Jeff Macnelly

BuMP by dave Coverly

HorosCoPe by Holiday Mathis

GROW FOR IT!

Fall leaves: Food for your yard

Leaves are magical things. The original solar panels, leaves take sunlight and convert it into food for the plant. But when they dry up and fall on the ground, many people quickly want to rake them out of their yards. Many fallen leaves end up in burn piles or tossed into the green waste bin.

Kathleen Barco UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Why is so much plant nutrition being tossed away when it could benefit our gardens? All the nutrients present in leaves are intended to enrich the soil where they fall by ultimately becoming mulch.

A mulch is any material placed on the soil to cover and protect it. It can help control weeds and retain moisture. Tree leaves make excellent mulch, but it is important to know which type of leaves to use and for what purpose. Mulched leaves are a great addition to a compost heap but be sure they are from a tree that does not inhibit other plant growth, such as oak or black walnut. You can look up details about mulches on the University of California Integrated

Pest Management site at ucipm.ucdavis. edu/PMG/GARDEN/ ENVIRON/mulches. html.

There are several ways to create mulch from the leaves that fall in your yard. The simplest way to chop up leaves is to use equipment designed with a mulching feature. Many lawn mowers are also mulchers. Many wood chippers can also shred leaves into small pieces that quickly break down into mulch. But for those of us who do not own specialized equipment, there are some other, often more fun, ways to use leaves to benefit your garden.

You can dump leaves into a large garbage can, protect yourself with eye protection and gloves, insert your weed whacker and shred the leaves. This method can be clumsy and carries some risk, but it works. Rather than using a weed whacker, you can also use hedge pruners or other long-bladed loppers to shred leaves.

The benefit of reducing the leaves to small pieces is that they are already contained in the can where they can break down into mulch much more quickly. To this same end, a large pile

■ See GARDENER, page B5

Scott Jacob Financial Advisor

Ron Jacob, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Missouri

Rd,

Pixabay image

Turning fall leaves into mulch is a great way to use Mother Nature to control weeds and provide nutrients for your garden.

Virtual workshop focuses on Medicare opportunties

News release

A free, one-hour, virtual workshop to help Medicare recipients understand what drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans will be available in El Dorado County in 2023 is scheduled 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 — open to the public. A onehour question and answer period will follow. The workshop, which will be held via Zoom, is presented by the nonprofit El Dorado County Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.

The workshop will help Medicare enrollees prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs through Dec. 7. The enrollment period is one of the few times Medicare beneficiaries can change, enroll into or dis-enroll from a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO). If switching plans, enrollment in the new plan will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

In 2022 there are 25 Medicare Part D drug plans and six Medicare Advantage Part C plans available in El Dorado County. The workshop will focus on Medicare options available to El Dorado County residents in 2023.

To access the online workshop go to

Know Continued from B1

The Divide Women’s Club hosts a Pumpkin Patch, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Georgetown Park, Georgetown. (Rain date of Oct. 29, same place, same time). There will be pumpkins, crafts, games and refreshments for sale. This will be the fundraiser for scholarships for seniors at Golden Sierra High School. Experience the Wild West at Shadow Ranch Vineyard in Fair Play Oct. 22 & 23, featuring live county music, food and wine. For more information visit shadowranch.com/Events.

Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in the Pleasant Valley area, serves its acclaimed Pairings Lunches on the Vineyard Terrace on Saturdays and Sundays with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Pairings 2022 combines a chef’s creativity with the beautifully crafted Miraflores wines. Diners will be able to talk to the chef du jour about the wine and food experience. On Oct. 22 & 23 chef Carl Williams is preparing a menu to Awaken the Senses. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery. com to make a reservation.

HICAPservices.net/events. The workshop will be offered as a webinar with slides, as well as audioonly by telephone. No registration is required. After the workshop, a recording of it will be available on the site.

“Each year Medicare drug plans can and do change the list of covered drugs or the price of those drugs,” said Rhoda Slagle, regional coordinator for the El Dorado County HICAP. “These changes can lead to considerably higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors if they stay with the same plan. Research shows that people who take the time to review their plan choices each year can often significantly reduce their prescription drug costs by switching to a different Part D drug plan.

“Medicare beneficiaries should be wary of media promotions about specific benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans,” she added. “Television ads about Medicare Advantage benefits can be grossly misleading. El Dorado County residents need to know which Medicare Advantage Plans are available in El Dorado County and that some plans may not include all of the benefits promoted in television ads.”

El Dorado County HICAP can help Medicare

The Placerville Elks Lodge and the Shingle Springs Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce present the Lee’s Boutique Fashion Show and Luncheon, an event benefiting Foster Children of El Dorado County, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court in Shingle Springs. For tickets and more information call Angela at (916) 804-3013.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts the Pumpkin Patch Splash, 1-3 p.m. at the community pool. For more information and to register visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

American River Conservancy hosts Ladies Valley Landback: Returning Native Lands to Native Hands, a fundraiser to transfer title of the 320-acre property currently known as Ladies Valley to the care and authority of the Miwok-Nisenan members of Cosumnes Culture and Waterways. Live event includes Native American music, storytelling, nature-inspired art auction, refreshments and local wines, 2-5 p.m. Find out more and purchase tickets for the event at app.donorview.com/X416J.

beneficiaries review either their Part D drug plan choices or their Medicare Advantage Plan choices for 2023. To receive HICAP assistance, residents of El Dorado County can pick up and return to the Placerville Senior Center a completed HICAP/ Medicare Worksheet for 2023. During Medicare Open Enrollment, the worksheets are available at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, the Placerville Senior Center and the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center. Worksheets are also available by request at each of the six public libraries in El Dorado County. In addition, worksheets can be requested by calling El Dorado HICAP at (530) 621-6169.

Throughout the year HICAP also provides free, unbiased, individual counseling about Medicare to county residents. To request an appointment call (530) 621-6169. The number of appointments is limited, so calling early is recommended. HICAP is not associated with any insurance company. The program works in partnership with older adult programs of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.

For information about other older adult services in El Dorado County visit edcgov.us/SeniorService. aspx.

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts Punt, Pass & Kick, 3-6 p.m. at Promontory Park. Players ages 6-15 are invited to this free, friendly competition. Pre-registration is required. Visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

Folsom Lake Symphony presents Brilliant Gems featuring Violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera highlights the mythical “Firebird” by composer Igor Stravinsky for the opening night of its 2022-23 season, 8 p.m. at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit sacphilopera.org.

Music in the Mountains hosts a Halloween Masquerade Ball at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=143229.

Conservation party planned

News release

On Saturday, Oct. 22, Gaines and Associates, Camo Queen and The Outdoor View are partnering in presenting a Conservation Celebration at the Shakespeare Club in Placerville.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate the conservation community’s partnership in meeting the increasing challenges to wildlife conservation in California.

Working together, conservationists have had great success in the field restoring and enhancing wildlife and their habitats and in the halls of the State Capitol, in front of the California Fish and Game Commission and beyond, securing decisions which

Gardener Continued from B3

of leaves can be reduced in size by running any kind of a lawn mower through it several times.

There is also the school of thought that advocates leaving fallen leaves where they lay. If you can tolerate the untidiness, consider leaving them in place. They will naturally inhibit weed growth and hold moisture against the soil. If you are concerned with the appearance, or you must abide by homeowner association rules, this method is least preferred.

Mulching and composting leaves are a great way to use what nature has given you. If you want to learn more about mulching or creating a compost pile, check out the California Garden Web created by the University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at cagardenweb.ucanr.edu.

Master Gardener classes are o ered

Day Hiker

promote wildlife and our hunting and fishing traditions. Typically speaking, conservation organizations celebrate separately – but not this time.

This event will include dinner, dancing, (live music by Bob Kinney & The Livin’ Daylights) and remarks about maintaining conservation e orts from Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, El Dorado County Sheri John D’Agostini and California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Chief of Enforcement David Bess.

All those who care about a strong future for wildlife conservation and outdoor heritage in California are invited to this special and longoverdue event. For more information visit theoutdoorview.org.

monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_ Classes/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/ Public_Education/Classes.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, through November. Check the website for details at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_ Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on mgeldorado. ucanr.edu or leave a message on the o ce telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master gardener e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Continued from B1

poles I would not change a thing. The 4,800-foot climb, 16-mile trail is my Everest.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love

of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE

IN THIS

OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE

FEDERAL,

COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ.,

Code) 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 10912

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FIlE NO.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TUMBlING DESIGNS BY MORGAN, located at 2864 Ray Lawyer Drive #204, Placerville, CA 95667/PO Box 479, Somerset, CA 95684

Registered owner(s): Morgan E Clay, 2864 Ray Lawyer Drive 204, Placerville, CA 95667 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 09/01/2022

Signature of Registrant: /s/ Morgan Clay MORGAN CLAY, MISS I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).)

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 09/22/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME

STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 10914

as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).)

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 09/20/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 10915

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FIlE NO. FB2022-1030

in Education

En DOr SED B y:

county clerk of El Dorado County on 09/22/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FIlE NO. FB2022-1021

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 1. FOOTHIll TREE SERVICE, 2. FOOTHIll lANDSCAPES , located at 6201 Enterprise Dr. B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619

Registered owner(s): Dykstra Enterprises Inc, 6201 Enterprise Dr. B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619

This business is conducted by a Corporation, State of Incorporation: CA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 02/17/2017

Signature of Registrant: /s/ Chad Dykstra CHAD DYKSTRA, PRESIDENT I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares

40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A

that

($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county

of El Dorado County on 09/22/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 10917

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The name(s) of the business(es): NorCal Dollz

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the filed date. This statement was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

By: Janelle K. Horne Recorder/Clerk, El Dorado County Assigned File No.: FB2022-0962 On 09/06/22 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19/22 CNS-3628460#

THE MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 10918

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The name(s) of the business(es): Flower Notary Services Located at: 3012 Small Claims Place, Georgetown, CA 95634, El Dorado County. Is (are) hereby registered by the following Owner(s): Anita Lucille Flower, 3012 Small Claims Place, Georgetown, CA 95634 This business is conducted by: An Individual

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

/s/ Anita Lucile Flower

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the filed date. This statement was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

By: Janelle K. Horne

Recorder/Clerk, El Dorado County

Assigned File No.: FB2022-0964 On 09/06/2022 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19/22 CNS-3628447#

MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT 9/28, 10/5,

Kevin Imm

section