Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Candles light the night for Bryce Bazor

Jana Rossi Staff writer

Friends and family gathered around the El Dorado Hills rock Thursday night to share memories and to mourn the loss of a life taken much too soon.

Eighteen-year-old Bryce Bazor, an Oak Ridge High School student and baseball player, lost his battle with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, Oct. 12. He had been fighting the disease, with the entire community rallied behind him and his family, since his diagnosis in July 2021.

Oak Ridge JV baseball coach Wes Clanton addressed the crowd while standing in front of the rock painted in Bryce’s honor. The Oak Ridge baseball team stood by his side as he spoke.

“If you only had time for more

two things, what would they be?” Clanton asked the large group gathered around him.

Recalling Bryce’s (#2) passion for baseball, Clanton said, “He left everything on the field, always playing ball the right

way.”

Good friend Ethan Lepore shared, “The Bazors were my baseball family from a very younvg age and during that time Bryce and I were baseball brothers and good friends. We were connected through our dads’ love for the game. Most of my memories for that period of my life are on and off the field with B.”

A whiffle ball tournament fundraiser was recently held to support the Bazors and a GoFundMe pages is still active at gofundme.com/f/35mqj3bryce-strong.

Following his death an outpouring of support and many words of kindness were shared by Facebook groups. “Bryce was a courageous and exemplary young man — heart of a lion and fire in his soul,”

Turnboo’s assistant in limbo

Mountain Democrat staff

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo’s assistant Todd White, placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 11, appears to be in employment limbo as he shared with the Mountain Democrat his requested public evaluation planned at the Oct. 25 Board of Supervisors meeting had been pulled.

“On Oct. 21 the county delayed the open session, depriving the public the opportunity to know what is happening within their local government,” White states in a press release sent to the newspaper. “This delay means the county is continuing to pay me to stay home. Apparently the supervisors are comfortable with wasting taxpayers’ money; I am not.

“I am proud of the work I have done at the county of El Dorado. I welcome a public evaluation of my work,” he continues. “The

Share thoughts on Trip to Green

Mountain Democrat staff

The Placerville community has a chance to weigh in on the Trip to Green pilot program through an online survey, city leaders announced last week.

Trip to Green switched Highway 50 traffic signals to green all day over three weekends in months that see higher tourist traffic — August, September and October. It was an experiment the city, Caltrans and the El Dorado County Transportation Commission partnered on to relieve traffic congestion.

On Trip to Green weekends travel in Placerville saw detours for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians as passage across Highway 50 was prohibited. For highway travelers only right turns were allowed in downtown Placerville.

City officials note this online survey is for community members; Placerville merchants should expect a separate survey directly.

Take the survey at bit.ly/3eZ1084.

the lead agency in the firefight,

crews will continue to patrol the fire from

ground and air.

fuels “well within the fire perimeter” may continue to produce smoke but “pose no threat to containment.”

The 76,788-acre forest fire started in Placer County Sept. 6 and jumped the Middle Fork of the American River to charge up the canyon into the El Dorado County communities of Volcanoville and Quintette.

Dozers dig in to repair fire lines constructed to fight the Mosquito Fire. These operators are working on the Placer County side.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service

Photo by Deb Dean

Candles are held high as El Dorado Hills teen Bryce Bazor, who lost his battle with cancer Oct. 12, is remembered in a vigil gathering Thursday night.

TODD WHiTE

Photo by Ashley Rossi

BryCE BazOr

John D. Olson

John D. Olson, 59, passed away peacefully at home Sept. 26, 2022. Born in Ventura, Calif., he was a marine, tree faller, good friend and devoted son. He was loved by many.

Donna Louise Torres (Faircloth)

Jan. 14, 1954 – Oct. 14, 2022

On Friday, Oct. 14, Donna Louise Torres (Faircloth), a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away at the age of 68 with her family by her side in Cameron Park, Calif.

Donna was born on Jan.14, 1954 in Fort Bragg, Calif. Donna lived most of her life in El Dorado, Calif. Donna had a passion to serve and care for others. For more than 30 years she worked caring for the elderly and disabled as a certified nursing assistant and then caring for her husband with ALS and multiple family members. She raised her two grandchildren Jonathan Bolin and Melissa Bolin when her daughter was involved in a fatal car accident. She volunteered at food banks distributing food to people in need.

Donna was preceded in death by her Mother, Myrtle Shuster; father, Raymond Faircloth; Husband of 47 years, Daniel Torres Jr.; son, Daniel Torres III; daughter, Angela Torres; sister, Marie Marden (Faircloth); and brothers, Douglas and Steven Price. She is survived by her children, Christopher Faircloth and Nicky Torres; sisters, Florence Maggard and Diane Thomas; brothers, Raymond Faircloth, Cli ord Faircloth, and Ernest Faircloth; 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind her precious little dog Finny, who she loved very much. Finny became her companion after her husband Daniel passed away.

Donna had a passion for the outdoors. She loved camping, gold panning, gardening and enjoying nature. Her favorite place was at the family property “Homeplace”. Donna also enjoyed traveling and cruising. She loved the ocean. She didn’t need expensive homes, fancy cars, or designer clothes as she truly lived a simple life and was thankful for everything she had. She was very proud of her Native American heritage and enjoyed being an active member in cultural events.

A viewing was held Friday, Oct. 21, at Green Valley Mortuary. A memorial service was held at Green Valley Mortuary Saturday, Oct. 22. Graveside services were held afterwards at El Dorado Cemetery followed by Celebration of Life at Mother Lode Lion’s Hall.

Harry Elmer Hopkins

March 31, 1929 - Sept. 21, 2022

Harry Elmer Hopkins, of Camino, CA was born in Wellfleet, Mass., the son of Grace Rich Hopkins and the late Harry E. Hopkins.

Educated at Univ. of Mass. and Yale University, he had a 33-year career at the U. S. Forest Service, mostly in northern California. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Germany 1952-1954.

In 1957, he happily married Karen Adele Johnson of Yreka Calif., and enjoyed 65 years of marriage and five children. Vacations to his beloved Cape Cod were highlights, as were numerous cross-country trips after retirement and special trips to Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Africa. Harry enjoyed being in God’s creation and was a follower of Christ since his teen years.

Harry was pre-deceased by his father Harry, mother Grace, sister Barbara and brother Wendell. He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Karen, his five children and their spouses: Harry Hopkins Jr. of Camino, Shirlee and Lance Swift of Pollock Pines, Ernie Hopkins of Klamath Falls Ore., Karen and Tom Braithwaite of Camino, Kathy and Bob Warren of Grants Pass Ore., as well as many loved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and friend and helper Buster Adams. His memory will be treasured.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Cold Springs Church in Placerville.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to “Leo Cooper Veterans Program”. Mail to Attn: David Sarmago, c/o Cold Springs Church, 2600 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville Calif.

IN MEMORY

later released.

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy Brian Ishmael was on the community’s mind Sunday, Oct. 23, which marked three years since he was killed in the line of duty while responding to a report of robbery from a marijuana garden. In honor of Ishmael, memorials went up around Placerville, including on the bell tower, left photo, and Ray Lawyer Drive overpass, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, top photo, held a run in the fallen deputy’s memory.

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

Oct. 17

3:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 45-year-old man suspected of lewd and lascivious acts

with a child and possession of a controlled substance. He was listed in custody in lieu of $200,000 bail.

7:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was

Oct. 18

6:18 a.m. Burglary was reported on Hogarth Way in El Dorado Hills.

10:01 a.m. Battery was reported on Piedra Verde Court in Placerville.

1:09 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Spanish Flat Road in Garden Valley.

1:33 p.m. Battery was reported at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs.

2:38 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of having false registration tags, driving on a suspended license and a probation violation. He was later released.

3:33 p.m. Battery was reported at a mobile home park on Pony Express Trail in Camino.

4:06 p.m. Grand theft was reported at an eatery on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

4:19 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Pearl Place in Diamond Springs.

6:18 p.m. Battery was reported on Highway 50 in Pollock Pines.

9:40 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 22-year-old man suspected of DUI on Carson Road in Placerville. He was later released.

11:31 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

Oct. 19

12:25 a.m. Deputies arrested a 31-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody as of press time.

7:30 a.m. Deputies arrested a 31-year-old woman appropriating lost property in the area of Green Valley Road/Deer Valley Road in Rescue. She was later released.

8 a.m. Deputies arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of possession of a stolen vehicle in the area of Green Valley Road/ Deer Valley Road in Rescue. He

was listed in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail as of press time.

8:31 a.m. Deputies arrested a 40-year-old man suspected of unlawful possession of tear gas in the area of Green Valley Road/ Deer Valley Road in Rescue. He was listed in custody in lieu of $15,000 bail as of press time.

10:25 a.m. A vehicle burglar was reported on Ironwood Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:11 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on China Garden Road in Placerville.

12:50 p.m. Battery was reported at an apartment complex on White Rock Road in El Dorado Hills.

1:44 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

1:46 p.m. Burglary was reported on Grizzly Flat Road in Grizzly Flat.

1:47 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Village Green Drive in El Dorado Hills.

2:34 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Windplay Drive in El Dorado Hills.

4:04 p.m. Battery was reported at Oak Ridge High School on Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills.

5:21 p.m. Deputies arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

10:44 p.m. Deputies arrested a person on suspicion of being drunk in public at a restaurant on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

10:48 p.m. Deputies arrested a 30-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Green Valley Road at Sophia Parkway in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

11:13 p.m. Battery was reported in the area of Cameron Park Drive/El Dorado Royale Drive in Cameron Park.

11:21 p.m. Deputies arrested a 20-year-old man on Coach Lane in Cameron Park on suspicion of possessing a weapon at a school. He was later released.

Photo courtesy of EDSO

Mountain Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Driver arrested after wrong-way crash

Mountain Democrat staff

A Sacramento woman was taken into sheri ’s custody Sunday night, suspected of drunk driving that led to a wrong-way crash on Highway 50 in Placerville.

Traveling west in Highway 50’s eastbound lanes near the Broadway exit just after 8 p.m. was LetiziyaNataliya Lua, 34, according to the collision report released by the Placerville o ce of the California Highway Patrol. She was driving a

Nissan Altima that struck Placerville man Jose Pena-Cardona’s Ford F-350 nearly head-on. Pena-Cardona, 27, walked away from the crash with minor injuries. Lua was taken to Marshall Hospital for treatment of her injuries, also described as minor in the report

CHP investigators said they suspect Lua was driving under the influence of alcohol. She was booked into the jail in Placerville on misdemeanor DUI charges and later released, according to inmate records.

Deputies exposed to fentanyl in drug bust

STATELINE, Nev. — A crime scene quickly expanded Thursday night as a drug bust went bad for several o cers involved.

O cials with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce said a five-monthlong investigation into narcotics tra cking activities resulted in five deputies accidentally exposed to powder fentanyl.

The o cers displayed symptoms of overdose and after dosing with naloxone, medical first responders transported them to Barton Memorial Hospital. All five o cers were released Friday morning.

Ron Elges, DCSO undersheri , said the exposure occurred during evidence collection.

Assisting the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce with this incident were the Tahoe Douglas Fire

Protection District, the East Fork Fire Protection District, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce, the Reno DEA O ce, the Reno Police Department, the Carson City Sheri ’s O ce and the Carson City Fire Department.

Regina Rojas, a 35-year-old woman from Rancho Cordova, and Jessica Thomas, a 32-year-old Sacramento woman, are suspects in the ongoing investigation.

O cials said during the course of the investigation, the Street Enforcement Team and the FBI made a number of undercover

purchases of fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin from Rojas and Thomas in Douglas County.

Approximately 829.1 grams of fentanyl, 1,722.8 grams of methamphetamine and 59.4 grams of heroin were purchased during the undercover operations.

“This incident is a vivid reminder of the extreme dangers of fentanyl,” said Douglas County Sheri Dan Coverley. “The risk is not only to the public, who may not be aware the substance they are handling is fentanyl, but also to law enforcement who are desperately trying to stem the flow of this horrific substance into our communities.”

Rojas and Thomas were transported to the Douglas County jail in Minden, Nev., where they are presently detained facing three counts of

tra cking a controlled substance, one count of sales of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance for sale.

The two may also face additional charges from the state of Nevada, the state of California and federal criminal charges. Bail is set at $250,000 each.

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Controlling bacteria and plaque inside your mouth means more than daily brushing and flossing. Diet is a crucial contributing factor to dental health. Some foods cause tooth decay while others can help promote dental health. Dental diet “don’ts” are not limited to sugary treats and beverages. Like sugar, starchy foods react with the bac teria in your mouth, creating acids that damage tooth enamel. Instead, choose foods that promote good saliva production, which naturally protects teeth from decay. Fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables get saliva flowing, as do dairy prod ucts and sugarless chewing gum. Green and black teas contain poly phenols that help reduce bacteria in the mouth. Drinking water contain

ing fluoride adds extra protection when used to prepare food.

We believe a healthy diet is as important in a strong defense against tooth decay as diligent oral home care and regular professional cleanings. We also believe our skilled and dedicated dental team is one of our greatest assets here at our office, where our high standards of quality and integrity sincerely motivate us to achieve the best results for our family of patients. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, why not call for an appointment today?

P.S. Studies suggest that dark chocolate doesn’t linger on teeth like other sweets do, making it a better choice for your sweet tooth.

Ashleigh Goodwin

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Dr. Little provides quality family and cosmetic dentistry. His office is located at 344 Placerville Dr., Suite 19, Placerville. (530) 626-9127 Visit us at: www.jefflittledds.com

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

El Dorado

Pioneer

Photo courtesy of El Dorado County Fire Protection District

A Nissan Altima driven by a Sacramento woman rests on the shoulder of eastbound Highway

50 Sunday night after crashing into oncoming traffic.

Tahoe Daily Tribune photo by Ashleigh Goodwin

Law enforcement swarms the crime scene at Kahle Drive and Highway 50 in Stateline, Nev., Thursday night.

REGINA ROJAS JESSICA THOMAS

We need the Republicans to deliver our new leadership

As November elections approach, the glaring and deeply troubling headline I see is Americans becoming increasingly alienated from their own country.

There has never been a greater need for a new generation of leaders to restore clarity about American principles and plant them in American hearts and minds.

The Wall Street Journal reports that all branches of the U.S. military are coming up short in recruiting goals. The U.S. Army will fall short by 25%, meaning 20,000 soldiers. The Air Force and Navy are also falling short.

The WSJ o ers various technical explanations as the source of the recruiting problems facing the U.S. military. But most troubling is the observation that, per surveys, “Fewer than one in 10 youth are inclined to serve.”

It makes sense to expect that kids growing up in a country where they are taught that they live in an evil, unjust, racist nation will have diminishing enthusiasm to put on the uniform, no matter how much they are paid.

A Gallup poll from June showed only 38% of our citizens saying they are “extremely proud” to be an American. This is the lowest since Gallup first did this survey in 2001, when 55% said they are “extremely proud.”

On a similar note, a new Gallup survey shows trust in all branches of our federal government has cratered.

The percentage expressing trust in our judicial branch stands at 47%; in our executive branch, 43%; and in the legislative branch, 38%.

It is the first time all three branches of government fell below 50% in trust.

Gallup notes that when it first did this survey in 1972, at least two-thirds expressed trust in each branch of the federal government.

This is a leadership crisis.

Former Democratic Party congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard drew attention with her announcement that she is pulling out of the Democratic Party.

In an interview on Fox with former Republican congressman Trey Gowdy, Gabbard ticked o her complaints about the Democratic Party, including her concern that Democrats do not carry the banner for “individual liberties,” “limited government” and our “God-given rights enshrined in our Constitution.”

Letters to the Editor

Intentions of incumbents

EDITOR:

All of us are being played as usual by our governments. What else can we expect? After all, it is the time guaranteed by our Constitution and charters for the right to vote on how our governments conduct our business. You hear all the propaganda on how they want you to vote on the propositions. This is all smoke and mirrors to give us the illusion of maybe having a voice in our government.

However, this says nothing about the 990 bills Gov. Newsom recently signed. Do you know anything about the content or purpose of these bills? Do you know how they will change or a ect your life, your family, your neighbors or the state? We should have the right to vote on these bills as well. They should be out for public input and scrutiny instead of hiding in Newsom’s shadow on his desk.

Here is the question you need to ask yourself before you cast your vote if the candidate is an incumbent. “Did he or she vote with a track record that shows their commitment to us and not their own agenda or the wishes of their puppet masters?”

It is my opinion, very critical to ask this question before voting for a candidate. Ignore all the mudslinging and comments put forth by the paid advertising companies. A candidate’s track record is the only true test of character and commitment to us.

Locally we have two candidates up for re-election on the Placerville City Council. “The King of Hearts” and the “White Rabbit” have been on the council at least one term. One is also presently serving as the planning commissioner for the “Queen of Hearts.” In my opinion this is too much power vested in our governments by one family and its friends.

Their track record, to me, does not show a lot of help given to save the history of Placerville (what little we have left), fixing the many issues with the streets in the city or giving a facelift to the city. One

talks about public safety. However, I have heard little about fixing the potholes in the streets, which is a public safety issue for all of us.

This is also an issue in the county. Our county roads are slowly deteriorating from lack of care and concern by the “Gang of Five and the Grifters.” Recently they put $8 million into our budget for road maintenance. This is only a token e ort to say they did something to fix the roads. If they really cared, they would invest in an asphalt plant. Put local people to work and save the trucking expense from the valley.

Be safe and prepare to vote with your heart and the best interest of the city and county. Let us make history together and change the direction of the city of Placerville and El Dorado County by voting out incumbents.

BRIAN DeBERRY Placerville

GOP and Putin EDITOR:

As a 19-year-old Marine riding into the Da Nang Airport to unload our unit’s mail truck, the driver and I would honor the body bags silently waiting to return home. Names of every ethnic race on earth, mostly privates or PFCs, teenagers or early 20s, we guessed. We didn’t see any political party a liation on those bags.

Fast forward to today and we have the Trump/ Putin wing of the GOP calling everyone who doesn’t think Trump should be king, a communist! A look at the words from King Donald’s own mouth show which party is the true communists. “The election was stolen.” Now we have sworn testimony his own sta told him, “You lost. Man up and concede,” and recordings of King Donald’s calls to o cials in states he lost, begging them to manufacture votes. He incited the Jan. 6 riots, then retreated to the White House to watch TV.

“Can Lysol be used to treat COVID?” This while

Rural Life Trees as bookmarks, good friends and even our kin

The older I get, the more I appreciate trees. That’s saying a lot, too, because I’ve loved them from the beginning. When I was little, my two younger sisters and I would accompany our dad when he went to cut downed wood in the forest. As Dad sawed, we girls would be busy, too, spinning elaborate make-believe tales involving the baby pine trees in the area. We’d decorate them with bits of lichen and build little stick-fences around them, then give them names and back stories. Those trees became playmates to us and, to this day, trees feel more like personal friends to me than simply beautiful features of the landscape.

Now, in these later years, I’ve noticed that if you live long enough in one place the trees in that area become like old bookmarks, designating spots where something of significance happened in your life.

For example, a ways down our driveway stands the Christmas Card Tree. When our daughter, Sophie, was 3 or 4 I took a photo of her atop Smokey, her tiny “starter pony” (actually a Miniature Horse by breed). I’d found charming Christmas cards that year featuring a little girl in

holiday array sitting on a bay pony in front of a pine tree. I recreated the image with a similarly attired Sophie on Smokey in front of that young gray pine. I tucked a print of the photo inside every card we sent that year and it was a big hit.

That particular tree bookmarks a sweet memory, indeed.

By contrast, out back of our house stands the Chainsaw Tree. This is the pine (as I recounted in the column “Out on a Limb”) that my husband once fell from while gripping a running chainsaw. He was pruning a few of the tree’s lower branches; I guess the tree took exception to it.

That was more than 10 years ago, yet every time I look at that tree I’m grateful again that my husband, rather incredibly, walked away from the mishap with just a few bruises.

Before it became the Chainsaw Tree, though, that particular gray pine was known as the Phoebe Tree for bookmarking a di erent series of events. When it was just a sapling — in the 1980s — I spent many hours over several frustrating days trying to get a decent picture of the black phoebe that habitually perched at the top of it. (I never did get the photo, as

I wrote in the column “Schooled by a Black Phoebe.”)

Then there’s the Phil Tree. Years ago, Phil and his wife lived on the parcel of land just northwest of ours. A tree lover himself, Phil planted a double row of fast-growing eucalyptus trees all along his driveway. Sometime in the early 1990s, his wife was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident and, not long after that, Phil moved away to be closer to family back east.

A few years later, I noticed a eucalyptus sapling growing on our own property, some distance across from what had been Phil’s land. How it got there, I don’t know. Nature has her ways. It’s now a tall, graceful tree and whenever I walk past it I’m reminded of Phil’s sad story.

Many of my bookmark trees relate to the horses I’ve owned. There’s the Gunner Tree, where I used to hitch my good-natured Quarter Horse gelding to saddle him, in the early ’90s. In the 2010s that pine became the Bathing Tree when my husband put gravel down under it to create a makeshift wash rack where I could easily rinse o my Paint mare, Falcon.

The Domino Tree bookmarks a

memory from the early 1990s that still makes me laugh: the sight of my black Hanoverian yearling gelding standing over a tiny gray pine sapling and leaning forward, then backward, then forward, then backward ... so that the top of the tree scratched his underbelly. (The Domino Tree survived this indignity to become a mature pine that now shades our current barn animals, two goats and a pony.)

Earlier still is the event bookmarked by the Tigress Tree. That gray pine began growing in the spring of 1989, directly over the burial place of my first horse. She had died a few months earlier from impaction colic, bringing me my first-ever bout of the intense grief that follows the loss of a beloved animal.

I had planned to plant a tree over her grave, then nature did it for me. (I wrote about this in the chapter “Rest in Peace, Sweet Mare” in my book “Friends With Four Legs.”)

All these trees, and even the ones that don’t serve as bookmarks, are like kin to me. Lately I’ve learned something that may help explain

STAR PARKER

Forsberg Meyer

Some have noted

But Reagan left the Democrats

became a Republican.

And Gabbard? She says she is now an independent. It’s tough to fathom the genuineness of Gabbard’s disillusionment with her former party, given that she endorsed socialist Bernie Sanders for president in 2016.

Reagan articulated a clear vision of America, about limited government and individual freedom, and then fought to capture leadership in the Republican Party so the party would become the platform for these ideals.

This option certainly is open to Gabbard. But, no thank you. She’s an independent.

Americans are disillusioned because too many so-called leaders are playing games with them.

We need leaders who understand and feel, at the deepest level, what our nation is about. A great definition of leadership/heroism that I once read says that it is someone who embodies “by the cast of destiny, the virtue of their whole people in a great hour.”

Inflation is a sure sign of a corrupt political culture. It begins with irresponsible government spending and printing of money.

Alongside our corrupt political culture is the corruption of our society with the breakdown of marriage and family and the disappearance of children.

A free society is not about economic issues or social issues but both.

In Reagan’s farewell address to the nation he said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”

He knew that in America, the family passes on the values of freedom.

The press wants to focus the upcoming elections on individual races.

This election must be about party. Republicans versus Democrats.

Voters need to turn the country back to Republicans and pave the way for new, great American leaders.

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

why. Earlier this year, in a letter to the Mountain Democrat, Elizabeth Ca rey noted that chlorophyll — the lifeblood of trees — is remarkably similar to our own blood.

“Where chlorophyll has one atom of magnesium per molecule,” she wrote, “our blood has an atom of iron. Other than that, they are identical.”

So then! No wonder we feel such kinship with these magnificent fellow inhabitants of our planet. We are, in essence, related to trees by blood as well as by a nity.

What would our lives be like without them? May we never find out.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of “Friends With Four Legs.” Leave a comment for her online or, for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@gmail.com.

Letters Continued from A4 hundreds of thousands if Americans needlessly die and the U.S. is plunged into a depression that lingers today.

Plenty more King Donald’s spewings but let’s end with “John McCain’s a loser; he got captured!”

Time for the GOP to come out of the closet. Wear your true colors — the red, white and yellow of Putin’s old Soviet Union.

ED FLORIO Rescue

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You strive to give more than you get, but it backfires. Not only is giving its own reward, but people want to heap unexpected and additional generosities on you. Even when you give anonymously, you still come out ahead.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have a choice about who to hang out with, sit next to and generally spend time with. Compassionate, curious and open-minded people will not steer you wrong. The more astute your associates are, the better off you’ll be.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Trust yourself. Your instincts are solid. If you wait until you’re sure, the moment will move on and leave you behind. Instead, act quickly when the impulse to do so is upon you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have fantastic ideas, but you also realize that you can only go so far with them. To make it all the way to your goal, you’ll need to inspire others to come up with solutions, too. That’s true leadership.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The time you spend with a cynic causes a little of their thinking style to rub off on you -- not entirely wrong, but unhelpful all the same. Offset the influ ence putting time in with an optimist, a realist and someone in a state of neutrality.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re climbing to a higher destination. It feels like you’ve still got a long way to go, but where you currently stand has vistas and views, too. Enjoy them. Think of all you’ve seen because you made the simple choice to embark.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You can tell when you’re in a peak state of mind and mood, but do you know how you got there? Figure this out and your productivity will soar. Keep track of what you do and how it makes you feel.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Every endeavor has an arc -- a beginning, middle and end. Early stages are the best times to plan the ending. If you wait until it just happens, you’ll miss the opportunity to build toward it. The end is what people remember.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are smart, motivated, unique and inspired. Believe it. When the world sees that you value yourself and your contributions to others, they will follow suit and value you highly, too.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Blame keeps people stuck. You take responsibility for your part in how things are. Someone will follow your lead, perhaps not meeting you halfway exactly, but if they meet you at all, you’ll be able to solve it together.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Mental knots need time to unravel. The benefits of daydreaming may seem vague, but giving yourself the time and space to let your mind wander will have a restorative effect. Imagination opens the door to later breakthroughs.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Everything may look right, but if it doesn’t also feel right, listen to the instinct. Use it to decide whether to get closer or distance yourself. It may defy reason, as you’re reacting to vibes below your consciousness.

Best of show

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce’s Thunder in the Park car show Oct. 1 featuring classic cars and trucks, live music, raffle prizes, food trucks and vendor booths, was a funfilled day at Cameron Park Lake. Placerville resident Denny Abendroth, pictured accepting his trophy, won Best of Show with his 1940 Ford pickup. Trophies for best street rod, convertible and muscle car, among others, were also awarded.

photos

Mosquito Fire Continued from A1

Damage assessment teams counted 78 structures destroyed across the two counties. The Mosquito Fire is so far California’s largest blaze of 2022. U.S. Forest Service investigators on Sept. 24 took possession of PG&E transmission poles and attached equipment near the ignition site of the Mosquito Fire at Oxbow Reservoir.

Fire crews must now work to repair damage to the land left by containment efforts. As of Saturday,

Limbo Continued from A1

work I have done has been under the supervision of dedicated public servant George Turnboo, my boss. Paying me to stay home is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

The Mountain Democrat reached out to County Counsel David Livingston, who shared in an email the postponement was due to “an issue raised by Mr. White in his response to the county’s notification of his right to have this matter heard in open session.

“Although we suggested a means of addressing his concerns, Mr. White rejected the county’s proposal and stated that he would be unable to provide us with a suggested alternative before Tuesday,” Livingston continues in his email.

An item titled “public employee discipline/dismissal/release” (No. 24) listed under closed session items was continued off calendar, according to an addendum to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting agenda. The addendum added to the calendar, also in closed session, a public employee performance evaluation for a supervisor’s assistant (No. 26).

The continued matter will be placed back on the Board of Supervisors’ agenda “promptly following resolution of Mr. White’s concerns,” Livingston wrote to the Mountain Democrat. “Unfortunately, because this is an ongoing personnel matter, I cannot provide any greater detail at this time.”

Supervisors voted 4-1 (Turnboo dissenting) to place White on leave earlier this month — a purely political move, according to the lifelong El Dorado County resident, who previously served on the El

officials report completion of repairs to 221 miles of dozer line, 34 miles of handline and 100 miles of road. Hazard tree abatement is also taking place and residents in the area are urged to use caution as heavy equipment is expected to be in the area for at least another two weeks.

A closure on the Eldorado National Forest remains in effect due to dangers to the public such as fireweakened trees, hazard rocks and logs and poor road conditions.

Dorado County Youth Commission and the El Dorado Union High School District Board of Trustees and is currently the chairman of the El Dorado County Republican Party Central Committee.

“What the board is trying to do to me is really all about politics and hurting Supervisor George Turnboo,” White alleges in his press release. “George and I have grave concerns about placing homeless shelters next to schools and libraries and we make no apology for it.”

White also claims District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas and her husband, Placerville City Councilman Dennis Thomas, who is currently running for re-election, “object to me exercising my First Amendment right to free speech when I am off work.”

Dennis Thomas recently posted Facebook videos accusing White of being behind a political mailer that encourages voters to “Say no to Dennis Thomas for City Council.” The mailer was paid for by Congressman Tom McClintock’s re-election campaign but in his video Dennis asserts White instigated this example of “dirty politics.”

The El Dorado County Republican Central Committee has endorsed two of Dennis’ opponents — David Yarborough and Ruth Carter.

“You can tell Todd White and you can tell Tom McClintock to take their dirty politics back to Washington, D.C.,” Dennis notes in a video. “That’s not how we treat each other in this county.”

White responded that he has no control over how Congressman McClintock spends his campaign funds.

Jeff

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

by Leigh Rubin

by Dave Coverly

by Holiday Mathis

Teamwork

The rock along El Dorado Hills Boulevard, above, is painted in tribute to Bryce Bazor. Jim Bazor, right, speaks at the vigil in memory of his son Bryce. The El Dorado Hills teen was remembered as a determined young man and a good friend.

Photos by Deb Dean

Bryce Continued from A1

STUNT

ORHS

Oak Ridge

p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Vintage Grace in El Dorado Hills followed by a 4 p.m. celebration of life at Jeff Mitchell Field at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park.

Courtesy photos

The eighth-grade Edwin Markham Middle School Panthers volleyball team celebrates its El Dorado County Sports League Championship against the Camino Middle School Lobos Oct. 8 at El Dorado High School. In the first set Markham dominated 25-16, then Camino took it back 19-25, followed by a final set that went to Markham 15-13. “Going into the end-of-season tournament as the No. 3 seed our girls volleyball team dominated match after match, including a redemption victory over CMP, their only loss of the season, and an epic championship versus Camino,” said Nathan Hendel, Markham’s athletic director.

The Camino Middle School Lobos seventh-grade volleyball team members pose in celebration of their new El Dorado County Sports League Championship title. The Lobos defeated the Edwin Markham Middle School Panthers in two sets Oct. 8.

In the KNOW

Oct. 26

Folsom Lake College Music Department hosts its Student Showcase at 6 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter. net.

Oct. 27

Placer Independent Resource Services, along with community partners, will host the first Senior Resource Fair for seniors with disabilities and their families, 1-4 p.m. at the Corker Building on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Guests will have the ability to talk with representatives who have many resources to offer in the area and can answer any questions. Admission is free.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office will host a blood drive in memory of Deputy Brian Ishmael, 2-7 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office, 200 Industrial Way in Placerville. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment at donors. vitalant.org and enter blood drive code SMFE332 or call Vitalant at (877) 258-4825 and mention the same blood drive code.

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a mixer 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Cambridge Chiropractic, 4058 Flying C Road, Suite 13, Cameron Park. For more information visit sscpchamber.org.

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.

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership invites the community to grab their blankets and head to the Old Sacramento waterfront every Thursday evening in October for Movies Under the Stars, “Hocus Pocus” (Oct. 27). For tickets and more information visit GoDowntownSac.com.

Musician Bryan Bielanski performs at Poke’ Rok in South Lake Tahoe. For more information visit bryanssuperhappyfuntime. bandcamp.com.

Oct. 28

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 Trunk or Treat, 4-6 p.m. at the EDHCSD parking lot, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills. For more information and to register visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

The El Dorado County Fair Heritage Foundation presents a Lasagna Dinner fundraiser, 4-7:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Placerville. Proceeds support the Livestock Panel Project.

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Tarot Card

— Robert Frost

World renowned Himalayan poet

winery

News

Poetry of the Sierra Foothills for poetry readings and an open mic with featured poet/translator Yuyutsu Ram Dass Sharma, 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Chateau Davell. Yuyutsu Ram Dass Sharma has published 10 poetry collections, including “The Second Buddha Walk,” “A Blizzard in my Bones: New York Poems,” “Quaking Cantos: Nepal Earthquake Poems,” “Nepal Trilogy,” “Space Cake,” “Amsterdam” and “Annapurna Poems.” Three books of his poetry — “Poemes de l’ Himalayas,” “Poemas de Los Himalayas” and “Jezero Fewa & Konj” — have appeared in French, Spanish and Slovenian, respectively.

He has held workshops in creative writing and translation at Queen’s University, Belfast; University of Ottawa and South Asian Institute; Heidelberg University, Germany; University of California, Davis; California State University, Sacramento; Beijing Open University; New York University, New York; and Columbia University, New York.

The Library of Congress has nominated his book of Nepali translations, entitled “Roaring Recitals; Five Nepali Poets,” as Best Book of the Year 2001 from Asia under the A World of Books International Perspectives program. Yuyutsu’s own work has been translated into German, French, Italian, Slovenian, Hebrew, Spanish and Dutch.

Yuyutsu was at the Poetry Parnassus Festival organized to celebrate London Olympics 2012 where he represented Nepal and India. In 2020 his work was showcased at Royal Kew Gardens in the exhibit Travel the World at Kew. Half the year, he travels and reads all over the world and conducts creative writing workshops at various universities in North America and Europe, but goes trekking in the Himalayas when back home.

Chateau Davell is located at 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, Camino. For more information call (530) 644-2016.

Oh, my gourd! The great pumpkin phenomenon

Nothing welcomes fall like a bright orange pumpkin on your front steps, a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick out just the right one to carve for Halloween or imbibing in a pumpkin spice latte and a piece of pumpkin pie. These are all part of tradition, yet, what do we know about pumpkins?

First, let us get a basic slice of pumpkin history. More than 7,500 years old, pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants and originate from Central America/Mexico.

Considered a native plant in North America, pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are a winter squash. Pumpkins are

gourds, as are honeydew melons, watermelons and cantaloupes.

This versatile, nutritious, easy to grow and preserve food source is a fruit. It is 92% water and an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Every part of the pumpkin is edible — the skin, leaves, flowers, pulp, stem and seeds.

The pumpkin originally got its name from the Greek

term, pepon, which means melon. The French changed the pronunciation to pompon. Lost in translation, the name was changed by the British to pumpion. The colonists of New England changed the final pronunciation to what we know today.

English colonists were already acquainted with pumpkins before arriving in the New World. It is likely that during a threeday meeting between colonists and the Native American Wampanoag tribe, pumpkin was served at what became known as the First Thanksgiving. Served not as a sweet desert, but as a savory dish.

Pumpkin was a mainstay in Colonial New England as stated in this 1630s poem: “For pottage and puddings and custards and pies, Our pumpkins and

parsnips are common supplies: We have pumpkins at morning and pumpkins at noon, If it were not for pumpkins, we would be undoon.”

Native Americans used the unique ThreeSisters method of food cultivation. On a riverbank, they planted pumpkins/squash next to maize and beans. The three crops sustained each other. The corn stalks served as support for the beans to climb. The beans grew in the sunlight, nourished the soil and reinforced the corn stalks. The growing pumpkins sheltered the corn’s shallow roots and their vining leaves discouraged weeds.

Culinary history states that pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving did not become an item until the 1800s. The editor of a woman’s magazine, Sarah J. Hale, campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday of November. She supplied recipes for the occasion, including pumpkin pie. It took an act of Congress in 1941 to finally make Thanksgiving Day a legal, United States

holiday.

Irish immigrants brought the tradition of carving pumpkins to America. In their homeland they carved Jack-O’-Lanterns out of turnips or potatoes. The pumpkins in America were much easier to carve. The idea was to keep away evil spirits.

An Irish legend told the story of Stingy Jack, an unpleasant fellow, who played tricks on unsuspecting people.

Now you have some pumpkin history to ponder as you carve your Halloween pumpkin, trick-or-treat or indulge in that extra slice of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Master Gardener classes are offered 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

Photo by Pauline Atkins

Courtesy photo

Accomplished poet Yuyutsu Ram Dass Sharma travels the world, sharing his work. See him live in Camino Sunday, Oct. 30.

Pauline Atkins

UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

n

Gardener

49’er Bail Bonds

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM

Artistic Beads & Studio

Best Western Stage Coach Inn Burke Junction

CAPTRUST

Carbon Copy, Inc.

Carnahan Electric Ltd.

Conforti Plumbing Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado Irrigation District EN2 Resources, Inc.

Farmers Insurance – Sean Smith Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

Gordon Mott Roofing Co., Inc.

Kamps Propane Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community Mountain Roofing Systems

The Green House Café Triangle Well Drilling Western Sign Co., Inc.

WSD

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper. NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation. Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools.

Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Nonprofit Speed Dating events a big success

The El Dorado Community Foundation recently hosted a pair of events called Nonprofit Speed Dating, connecting local nonprofit organizations with community members interested in learning about serving as board members.

Each evening started o with a quick overview of how the event would progress, what the purpose of the event was and why the need existed. Over the course of about 45 minutes, participating community members moved from seat to seat speaking to di erent nonprofits within their area of interest for about 6-7 minutes each. After the speed dating component of the evening was over, all participants had another hour to mix and mingle over drinks and appetizers, allowing them an

opportunity to talk further with anyone they wanted some additional time with.

The events were met with initial praise from nonprofits and community members alike who all felt they were well executed, e cient and a ton of fun. Now, less than a month later, that initial sense of successfully executed events has turned into tangible success as the community foundation has learned that several community members have committed to join boards of local nonprofits they met.

The concept of Nonprofit Speed Dating was the brainchild of Foundation Impact O cer Avis Jolly and Foundation Program Coordinator Kathy Haven. Watching the success of these events unfold in real time makes one thing certain — Nonprofit Speed Dating will return.

our

IN EDUCATION sponsors

to our generous subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

show these sponsors your support for the program by patronizing their businesses.

Billy Hodges

Enterprises, LLC

Courtesy photo

Bassett, left,

during the

Musicians

to the

Nevada Theatre in Nevada City Friday, Oct. 28 as part of Paul Emery’s Nevada City LIVE! concert series.

Painted Mandolin is an all-star quartet dedicated to exploring the acoustic side of Jerry Garcia. The group digs into Garcia’s music from his jug band days with Old & In the Way, the Grateful Dead’s Reckoning and his collaborations with David Grisman in the Garcia Grisman Band.

The quartet includes Craven on violin, mandolin and percussion; Matt Hartle and Larry Graff on guitar and Dan Robbins on bass.

Craven was a member of the Garcia Grisman Band 1991-94 and a member of the David Grisman Quintet 1989-2004. Creativity educator, museum curator, visual artist, actor/ storyteller, event emcee and recipient of the 2009 Folk Alliance Far-West Performer of the Year, Craven has made music with Stephane

Grappelli and Grateful Dead guitarist Garcia, David Lindley, harmonica wizard Howard Levy and seven years recording and touring with banjo fusionist Alison Brown.

“Everything Joe touches turns to music,” Grisman said.

From Santa Cruz, Hartle is the guitarist for the band

Shady Groove and The China Cats. The band has cemented its status as a leading light in the improvisational rock scene of the Bay Area and beyond, consistently providing energetic musical sets, whether opening for nationally touring acts or hosting its own full-blown

jam sessions that can last all night.

The musicians have been joined onstage for their lengthy sets by such noted musicians as Vince Welnick of the Grateful Dead, Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band, Frank Zappa alumnus Ike Willis, Barry Sless of the

David Nelson Band, String Cheese Incident cohort Keller Williams, DJ Logic and blues diva Sista Monica, to name a few. They have played to capacity crowds around the Bay Area at venues such as Santa Cruz’s Catalyst and Rio Theater, as well as the Avalon Ballroom, Boom Boom Room and Studio Z-TV in San Francisco.

Graff plays rhythm and lead guitar in the Banana Slug String Band. They have played to more than 2 million students in 40 states and five countries while releasing 11 CDs of awardwinning original music. The Banana Slugs are regular performers at the Strawberry Music Festival and California WorldFest.

Roberts has played and recorded in settings ranging from solos and duos to big band and orchestra. He is greatly admired for his exceptional tone and his harmonic and rhythmic sophistication making him an in-demand bassist on stage, in the studio and as an educator.

“I am blown away by the

Courtesy photo

Listen to Jerry Garcia’s best music as performed by Painted Mandolin featuring multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven Friday, Oct. 28, in Nevada City.

Opposite of SAD

What your brain does Credit cards are made of this Opposite of WORK

The color of lemons A heavy musical instrument Opposite of SHORT Main ketchup ingredient

You sweep it with a broom

Another word for MOTHER Opposite of LEADER Opposite of SOME

The sound a snake makes Lives above the beanstalk Short name for automobile You sleep on this Actors in a show

Large mammal with a trunk Fragile drinkware

Female royalty

Use this when it rains You write or draw with this Opposite of DOWN Werewolves, vampires, etc. Moving to the music Largest U.S. state

Caused by something funny A lot of this during storms

Eight-armed sea animal Short name for telephone Opposite of LOW

Where Dracula sleeps Short name for a bicycle Opposite of LOSE Response to a question

with Erin Burrell, 5-7 p.m. Whether you’re looking for insight, direction, or meaning, Tarot can be a fascinating and satisfying avenue to explore. For more information call (916) 941-9401.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra host the BIG Autumn Auction, 6-9 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, 50 Natoma St. Enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner and live auction. For more information visit bbbsns.org and select “Events.”

South Fork Arts and Recreation is sponsoring a Community HALL O’ween Dance featuring the Island of Black and White at the Gold Trail Grange in Coloma. Doors open at 6:30 p.m, music 7-10 p.m. Food and drinks will be available. Proceeds benefit the Gold Trail Grange’s efforts to maintain the hall as a community resource. Tickets available at eventbrite.com and at the door.

Smith Flat House hosts a Halloween Bash with a DJ, costume contest, dancing, food and drinks, games and more, 8 p.m. to midnight. All ages welcome. For more information call (530) 6211003.

Check out the Harvest Halloween events at Sentivo Vineyards

Gardener

Continued from B1

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 office 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.

Concert Continued from B3

a spoktacular weekend Oct. 28-30. Trick or treat Friday, 5-6 p.m. and then enjoy “Hocus Pocus 2” on the lawn. Meet the new owners Saturday and Sunday and enter the costume contest Sunday. For more information visit sentivovineyards.com. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino hosts the Howl-O-Ween pet parade and costume contest Oct. 28, benefiting Pet Network Humane Society. Oct. 29 the resort’s second floor will transform into a Haunted Hotel attraction with family-friendly scares 5-6 p.m. and a spookier experience 6-9

p.m. All proceeds from the Haunted Hotel will benefit Incline Elementary School’s computer lab.

Oct. 29

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Shade Gardening with Merry Campbell, Susan Corey-McAlpine and Ada Brehmer, 9 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. Learn which plants thrive in the shade at this free class.

CAR KEY FOUND on Middletown Rd. near Cold Springs Rd. Please call (530) 626-3090

Employment

Obedience

Multiple

talent

on the

with the combination of players in the new band, Painted Mandolin,” said Jay Saber, The Wheel Company.

“How do you possibly spice up the acoustic musical gumbo cooked up by Jerry Garcia over 50 years of pickin’? You need more than great players. You need highly creative, innovative spice masters to make it hot and fresh and imminently danceable. You need Painted Mandolin,” added Tom Miller, Don Quixote’s International Music Hall.

Painted Mandolin featuring Joe Craven takes the stage at 8 p.m. at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad st. in Nevada City. Purchase tickets online at paulemerymusic.com.

Lose Your Agility Class?

Classes at all levels. 5 Instructors to Choose from. Days, Evenings & Weekends. Comp K9 indoor training. Call 530.620.3000 or email to info@CompK9.net

Employment For RentWanted

WANTED! Room for rent near Bass Lake Road. Respectful male who is very career driven and loves to cook seeks a peaceful place for a new beginning. $800 per month would be ideal. Please contact Ernesto (530) 391-5437

For Sale

Apartment for Rent 2 bd,1 ba, 910 sq., ft., conveniently located near Union Mine High School, easy highway 50 access. New paint, luxury vinyl plank flooring, new shower surround, no pets, non-smoker preferred, owner pays water, sewer, garbage. Avail. now $1500 mo, $2000 dep. (530) 644-0417

PLACERVILLE-$1.00 a square foot, includes utilities, 200sf –720sf each, office, storage, light industrial? 4600 Missouri Flat Rd, (530) 622-2640

CASH PAID FOR RECORD

ROCK, JAZZ

CALL (530) 556-5359

FOR RENT 980 sq ft comm. office space, $1200 month includes garbage and water. 2920 Cold Springs Rd. Placerville across from DMV (530) 417-2920

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) 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 10950

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MARGARET MARVEl SPAlDING CASE NO. 22PR0257

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MARGARET MARVEL SPALDING, formerly MARGARET MARVEL DEVEREAUX

A PETITION for Probate has been filed by MICHAEL DAVID CONNER in the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado.

THE PETITION for probate requests that MICHAEL DAVID CONNER be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative

will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: February 22, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 8-Probate at 295 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250.

A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: DAVID R. MORRIS, ESQ. Morris Law Group, PLC 5137 Golden Foothill Parkway, Suite 110 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 (916) 789-9810 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 10973

to the

to

must

on a state

a check drawn by a state or federal credit

or a check drawn by a state or

association,

and

association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state; will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made in an “as is” condition, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest

New Tahoe Blue Vodka bottle reflects hues of the lovely lake

Blue Vodka is

out a colorful, eye-catching new bottle design that reflects the various blue hues of Lake Tahoe and highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to preservation efforts. Since the inception of Tahoe Blue Vodka in 2012, the brand has undergone a series of bottle design refinements, but this latest creative is the most dramatic to date.

“We’re incredibly proud of our vibrant yet thoughtful new bottle design,” said Matt Levitt, founder of Tahoe Blue Vodka. “Aside from the fact that our new design boldly stands out on store shelves, we made some key aesthetic changes that will resonate with our loyal customers and excite an entirely new group of eco-friendly consumers.”

The new design incorporates the marvelous colors of Lake Tahoe and captures Levitt’s vision for the brand that allows consumers to escape to Lake Tahoe from wherever they may be.

In early bottle renditions, Tahoe Blue Vodka used frosted glass — which was trendy for premium vodka brands at the time — and even highlighted a silhouette of the lake. After a consumer survey found 60% of Northern Californians and Northern Nevadans did not recognize the shape of their prized Lake Tahoe, the silhouette was dropped and the snow-capped mountains of Mount Tallac became more prominent in 2019.

The new bottle design moves away from the frosted glass trend and

taps into the rich and unique colors of the waters along Lake Tahoe’s shoreline that range from Caribbean blue to deep indigo while the green undertone subtly reinforces an environmentally conscious focus for the brand. In addition, the brand is moving toward a screw-top closure that will debut in 2023. The actual bottle shape varies which is a direct result of glass availability given the massive disruption in the global supply chain impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings from another consumer survey conducted in 2020 found the new colors are preferred by a landslide and the updated bottle design has a dramatically higher purchase intent score.

When asked when the colorful new Tahoe Blue Vodka bottle will appear on store shelves in any given market or on the store shelves of a particular retailer, Levitt explained, “It is a challenge to predict.

The roll-out is part of a distribution process dependent on when stores sell out of all the current product on their shelves and in their backrooms, and what stock is available by distributors.” With that said, Levitt thinks by the end of the year is a realistic estimate for when the new bottles will be widely available for purchase by consumers.

Along with parent company Tahoe Spirits Inc., Tahoe Blue Vodka has donated more than $200,000 of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment.

For more information about Tahoe Blue Vodka visit tahoebluevodka.com.

CDFW seeks artists to enter bird stamp contest

News release

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is conducting its annual art contest to select the design for the state’s 2022-23 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older, excluding current and former CDFW employees. Entries will be accepted Oct. 31 through Dec. 2.

This year’s stamp will feature the chukar. First introduced to California in 1932, the chukar is native to India and Pakistan. This agile gamebird with a cream-striped underbelly and distinctive banding on its head, neck and flanks blends in well among rocky outcrops and sandy washes of the central Intermountain West. Chukar are social birds and vocalize loudly with clucks and squeaks that accompany a variety of behaviors. Anyone who has attempted to approach a chukar knows that they are powerful runners, moving fast afoot to higher elevations when alarmed. If flushed, chukar will glide downslope to safety, easily outpacing most predators.

Entries must include at least one chukar, preferably in a habitat or

setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a December event.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. CDFW sells more than 150,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectible stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collectorstamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

For contest information and entry forms visit wildlife.ca.gov/uplandgame-bird-stamp.