Mountain Democrat, Friday, October 28, 2022

Cannabis funds City residents to fill out benefit committee

More than $34,000 allocated to Community Benefit Program

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

The city of Placerville will appoint two Placerville residents to the Cannabis Community Benefit Committee, which will recommend to City Council how the community benefit funds should be spent.

In 2018 Placerville adopted an ordinance allowing up to three retail cannabis businesses to operate within city limits. In 2020 the Community Benefit Program was established, funded by a contribution from each licensed cannabis business of 1% of annual gross revenue. However, a committee was not formed at that time.

The program has more than $34,000 in funds. City leaders originally planned for the Cannabis Community Benefit Committee to include a representative from each of the three approved retail cannabis businesses, the city manager or designee, the community services director or designee, the chief of police or designee and one member of the general public. This would populate the committee with a total of seven members.

Since that time two of the three approved cannabis outlets have opened their doors. Sacred Roots opened in October 2021 and recently

Water supplies holding for 2022

the annual Project 184 outage,” states a report from hydrologist Jordan Baxter.

Fire training center to teach real-world scenarios

Noel Stack Managing editor

The sounds of hammers striking nails and tractors navigating across dirt pathways are music to El Dorado Hills Deputy Fire Chief Dustin Hall’s ears.

The El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors heard an update on water supplies at its Oct. 24 meeting.

“September thunderstorms provided the ability to increase hydroelectric generation and … the filling of El Dorado Forebay to maximize capacity, allowing Reservoir 1 Treatment Plant to remain online nearly a month after the start of

Further, he notes most state water curtailments were lifted in September, except at Outingdale. That water subdivision is still being served by its rehabilitated diversion dam, with water supplemented by releases from Jenkinson Lake. This has saved the district $1,000 a day that trucking in water to Outingdale would have cost.

Forebay Reservoir was filled to capacity.

“September powerhouse revenue was 31% higher than forecasted,” Baxter notes.

Weber Reservoir was drawn down by 600 acre-feet to sell to Westland Water District.

EID is still haggling with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the state about selling its conserved water, which amounts to potentially 1,800 acre-feet saved by piping the Main Ditch.

General Manger Jim

The entire department is celebrating, actually, as construction progresses on the long-awaited fire training facility on Golden Center Drive in the El Dorado Hills Business Park, with phase 1 scheduled to open in May 2023.

“We’re definitely excited about it coming along … and right on time,” Hall told the Mountain Democrat.

Phase 1 includes a streetscape

with two-story and three-story residential Class “A” live fire training structures totaling approximately 10,000 square feet and a 1,600-square-foot outdoor classroom with storage and bathrooms as well as a water reclamation area plus grading, paving and utilities groundwork for this and future phases.

Hall said the facility has “real-world application” for firefighters in El Dorado Hills. The burn structures are built

into the hillsides, creating ascending and descending challenges, and have staircases, rooms and balconies similar to the community’s homes. Burn rooms in the structures create the flames and smoke that will mimic the real-world environment firefighters face when responding to a call.

“We want to create a training environment that’s as real as possible,” Hall explained. “I

Winter predictions too familiar

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Flashback to the day after Christmas 2021 — traffic is backed up as all but one road in and out of the Lake Tahoe Basin is closed as snow dumps nonstop. Over the next few days the region would receive record snowfall and nothing in the following weeks.

As La Niña conditions form off the Pacific Coast, forecasters are predicting another similar winter.

“This time of year is, unfortunately, a lot like the last two years,” said Bryan Allegretto, California

snow forecaster for OpenSnow. “That is because this year, like the last two years, a

La Niña pattern is forming.” El Niño and La Niña patterns are often

used as a predictor for what winter conditions

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Crews work on one of two burn buildings under construction as part of the El Dorado Hills Fire Department’s training center in the EDH Business Park.

Tahoe Daily Tribune file photo by Mike Peron

A fierce winter storm in late 2021 brought a hefty dumping of snow above El Dorado County’s snow line.

“We want to create a training environment that’s as real as possible.”

— Dustin Hall, El Dorado Hills deputy fire chief

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.

Joyce Susann Draper

July 6, 1940 – Oct. 11, 2022

Joyce Susann Draper, 82 died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 11 in her home surrounded by family and her loving husband Sammy Draper. Joyce was born on July 6, 1940, in Sacramento Calif., to Raymond and Lela Silvey. She graduated Norte Del Rio High School in 1957 and later achieved a graduate degree in education. She married Milton Harold Pearson and had three children Sidney Ray Pearson, Jeff Pearson, and Lynn Pearson. She later married Paul Owen Shinn and combined they had a family of five children that included Jeff Shinn and Paul Ross Shinn. Paul and Joyce were married for 31 years and after Paul’s death, Joyce found love again and married Sammy Draper on Nov. 5, 2016.

Preceding her in death were sons Sidney Ray Pearson and Jeffrey Pearson, granddaughter Angie Carland and her husband Paul Owen Shinn. She is survived by her husband Sammy Draper and her daughter Lynn Andrews along with many adored grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joyce, who was known as “Grandma Little” was a long-time resident of California and a Special Education teacher at El Dorado High School for the entirety of her career before she retired. She touched the lives of many students and had a passion for education. In her youth, she was a figure skater and enjoyed the outdoors. She loved animals both small and large. She rode horses and enjoyed her little Dachshunds Cricket, Ellie, and Button. She loved to travel and see new places and was always looking for another trip to take or to visit family far away. Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother teacher, and friend.

To honor Joyce’s memory, services will be held on Oct. 29 at 10 A.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, 4621 Pony Express Trail. The family invites anyone who knew Joyce to attend and remember her wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “Friends of Seniors El Dorado County” an organization she felt passionate about.

Sheriff to take back drugs

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Prescription Drug Take Back Day event Saturday, Oct. 29.

Sheriff’s deputies will be at any one of these locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect unwanted prescription drugs to safely dispose:

• El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville

• El Dorado Hills substation, 4364 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills

• Cameron Park substation, 3334 Coach Lane, Cameron Park

• Georgetown substation, 6101 Front St., Georgetown

• Fire Station 17, 6430 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines

The Drug Take Back Day is a DEA effort to prevent medication overdose.

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office crime log: Oct. 20

10:28 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of receiving stolen property, a probation violation and being under the influence of a controlled substance on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. He was later released

10:33 a.m. Battery was reported in the area of Green Valley Road and Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

11:20 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of felony burglary on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $90,000 bail as of press time.

2:04 p.m. A vehicle burglary

No illicit substances, syringes or injectables will be accepted.

Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. The event will also accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

Opioid misuse remains at

was reported at a gas station on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

2:28 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Clubhouse Drive in Placerville.

2:28 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Pheasant Lane in El Dorado Hills.

3:48 p.m. Battery was reported on Castlebrook Road in Cameron Park.

5:04 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

Oct. 21

12:06 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Tea Rose Drive in El Dorado Hills.

12:27 p.m. Battery was reported at the EDSO public safety facility on Industrial Drive in Placerville.

epidemic levels in the United States. A report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

“I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications to help keep our communities safe and healthy,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The takeback campaign is part of DEA’s continued efforts to combat the drug poisoning epidemic and protect the safety and health of communities across the United States.”

Approximately 107,622 people died in the U.S. last year as the result of drug poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means someone in the United States is dying of drug poisoning every five minutes.

1:17 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Blackstone Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

3:04 p.m. Battery was reported on Bryant Road in Shingle Springs.

11:42 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.

Oct. 22

11:35 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of battery and vandalism at the jail on Forni Road in Placerville.

12:55 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 79-year-old man suspected of DUI on Forni Road in Placerville. He was later released.

4:24 p.m. Illegal entry was reported at a fast food restaurant on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

5:01 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Souza Drive in El Dorado Hills.

6:53 p.m. Burglary was reported on Shirt Tail Trail in Cool.

9:55 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 50-year-old man suspected of DUI on Main Street in Placerville. He was later released.

10:48 p.m. Grand theft was reported at the casino on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.

11:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was later released.

Oct. 23

2:29 a.m. A burglary in progress was reported at a bike shop on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

2:06 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 39-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct involving alcohol/illegal drugs on Coach Lane in Cameron Park. She was later released.

4:43 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

4:47 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported in the area of Bass Lake Road and Hollow Oak Drive in El Dorado Hills.

7:12 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Palmer Drive in Cameron Park.

8:04 p.m. Battery was reported on Carson Road in Camino.

Oct. 24

1:17 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old man suspected

of DUI on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was later released.

11:33 a.m. A prowler was reported on Rolls Drive in Cameron Park.

12:28 p.m. Battery was reported at a school on Oak Dell Road in Diamond Springs.

12:29 p.m. Burglary was reported at a school on Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

1:47 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 60-year-old man suspected of trespassing on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was later released.

2:54 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of loitering and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. She was later released.

5:01 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Cary Drive in Grizzly Flat.

10:43 p.m. Battery was reported at the jail on Forni Road in Placerville.

Oct. 25

3;14 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 56-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at Fresh Pond. He was later released.

7:20 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Windfield Way in El Dorado Hills.

8:52 a.m. Battery was reported at the country club on Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

9:15 a.m. Burglary was reported at a church on Tierra de Dios Drive in El Dorado Hills.

9:58 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old woman suspected of failure to appear in court, giving false identification to law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and loitering on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. She was released on $10,000 bail.

10:09 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a school on Amber Trail in Pollock Pines.

10:58 a.m. Grant theft was reported at a storage facility on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

12:42 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Arcadia Drive in Cameron Park.

2:41 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Delos Lane in Placerville.

3:52 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a school on Pine Street in Pollock Pines.

10:32 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 22-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Oxford Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.

11:34 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines.

Courtesy photo Dispose of medications anonymously on Drug Take Back Day.

Motorcyclist injured

A Pollock Pines man was seriously injured Wednesday in a twovehicle collision on Pony Express Trail.

Traveling west on a 2007 Yamaha R6 motorcycle at about 12:30 p.m. was Danny Tucker, 37, as a 2002 Ford Explorer driven eastbound on Pony Express by Elsie Cannon, 86, made a

left turn onto Sanders Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol collision report.

Following the crash, the Explorer showed front-end damage. The mangled motorcycle laid in the roadway surrounded by crash debris as medics tended to Tucker’s injuries. He had apparently been thrown from his bike across Sanders Drive.

CHP officials said speed and at-fault party are still being investigated.

Tucker was flown by air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment of injuries noted as “major” in the CHP report. Sutter Roseville officials reported Tucker was in fair condition Thursday afternoon.

2 on scooters hit by suspected DUI driver

A South Lake Tahoe woman is suspected of DUI and was arrested after crashing into two people riding electric scooters in South Lake Tahoe.

Alexandra Kazas, 26, was arrested and booked shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Kazas’ blood alcohol concentration tested 0.13, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08,

South Lake Tahoe Police officials said.

Officials said both individuals, who were struck where Park Avenue and Manzanita Avenue intersect, are from out of the country and were transported to a hospital via ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Kazas had bail set at $75,000, but has since been released from jail. She faces two felony counts of DUI involving bodily injury.

Town hall meeting to focus on youth vaping

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, in partnership with the Mother Lode Union School District, is inviting residents of El Dorado County to attend a special town hall meeting focused on youth vaping.

The Impact of Vaping on Our Youth town hall meeting will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Herbert Green Middle School, 3781 Forni Road in

Placerville. The free event, which will also be available virtually via Zoom, will include presentations from a panel of guest speakers, an interactive question and answer period and resource information.

“The town hall meeting is an important opportunity to engage with the community and discuss evidencebased strategies to address the growing problem of youth vaping,” said Kristin Becker, El Dorado County Public Health

program manager.

“Everyone is invited to this event, especially parents and teens.

Representatives from schools, law enforcement, environmental health, building and planning and other county and community-based organizations are also encouraged to attend.”

Statewide data show the use of vaping products continues to increase rapidly among youth,

Mountain Democrat staff

Ashleigh Goodwin Tahoe Daily Tribune

News release

California’s growing AMR challenges demand federal response

An epidemic is taking shape in California and e ective treatments to stop it are getting harder to find.

In 2020 the Centers for Disease Control reported that antibiotic resistant infections and related deaths increased by 15%. A portion of this was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but what too many people don’t know is that antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly urgent threat throughout the country and it takes many forms in California.

While people living with chronic conditions are at an increased risk, there is another growing threat in California that is putting antimicrobials to the test.

Valley Fever is caused by a fungus found naturally in parts of the state, most notably Kern County at the southern end of the Central Valley. Symptoms are usually flu-like, though at its most serious Valley Fever can be long-lasting and even lead to death.

With the fungus long present in the southwest, California and Arizona account for the vast majority of the roughly 20,000 annual U.S. cases. But it would be a mistake to treat this as a strictly local matter. The rise of Valley Fever is part of a larger global health crisis known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.

Doctors typically treat Valley Fever with a threeto six-month course of anti-fungal medication. But the more we expose microbes like fungi and bacteria to medicines designed to kill them, the more some become immune. The medical community calls these drug-resistant microbes “superbugs.”

Drug-resistant superbugs already kill about 35,000 Americans each year and about 1.27 million people worldwide. Without a large-scale e ort to develop better medicines, this superbug threat is growing even more deadly.

The declining e ectiveness of antimicrobials has several causes. For one, these medicines have been vastly overprescribed for years. Excess and incorrect use breeds more resistant microorganisms.

Here, Valley Fever provides a telling illustration. Since Valley Fever resembles many bacterial infections, it’s common for doctors to mistakenly prescribe antibiotics to patients who have the disease. When antibiotics are used inappropriately, it accelerates the process by which bacteria become immune. This is also happening in the world of fungi.

A dramatic reduction in types of pharmaceutical

to the Editor

Elect John Clerici to City Council

EDITOR:

Placerville will be better o if we elect John Clerici to the City Council. John speaks truth to power and supports our city.

John worked with our citizen group to pass Measure L, which is now a key funding source to fix Placerville’s leaking water and sewer pipes, as well as repair our deteriorating roads. John loves our crazy little town enough to put in the endless hours of City Council work for almost no pay. He provides a strong intelligent voice for Placerville on whatever local, county and state organizations he is assigned by City Council.

John will prevent Placerville being overlooked by our much larger neighbors. John knows what he is signing up to do; it does not scare him o .

John Clerici is a former, very e ective City Council member. I am glad he is running and he gets my vote. I hope he gets your vote too.

SUE RODMAN Placerville

Vote for a City Council that truly represents the community

EDITOR:

Idream of a Placerville City Council that actually supports local mom-and-pop businesses and not just those businesses that are willing to be a rubber stamp for the city’s desire for a corporate and cultural change; a council that does not think that building high-density apartments and elite hotels is the most important thing on their plate.; a council that does not work behind closed doors or uses smear tactics on those that disagree with them; a council that does not demean those who love their historical community; and a council that would be good stewards and actually maintain the historical buildings and resources (like existing streetscapes) that they are charged with, rather than waiting for them to deteriorate so they can turn those pieces of history into urban style apartment buildings and seas of asphalt.

Having gotten to know all the candidates I would say the candidates that could make those dreams come to pass are Ruth Carter, David Yarbrough and Sean Briggs. These candidates are very diplomatic, fiscally responsible and have shown a genuine love of the city. Voters of Placerville, please help us to live that dream by voting for these candidates.

SUE TAYLOR Camino

Support for Brooke Laine

EDITOR:

Imet Brooke over 20 years ago when I delivered an audit report to the Clean Tahoe board.

Brooke asked good questions, obviously understood the financial statements and listened to my recommendations.

Brooke has a degree in economics from UC Santa Cruz and has what it takes to make sure our county’s half-billion-dollar budget is wisely invested in fire prevention, public safety, road repair and other vital services that benefit taxpayers.

She’ll make sure we get our money’s worth.

Brooke is a local business owner and retired local bank manager, served as a local mayor and city council member and has worked on local boards focused on education, emergency services, the environment and planning.

She’s also a lifetime resident of our county. Please join me in supporting her for county supervisor.

JOE HARN Cameron Park

Mr. Cary has got to go

EDITOR:

If you Google (purpose of a school board) it says, “The role of the school board is to ensure that school districts are responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of their communities.” Pretty straight forward in these times. And in my opinion one of the most important elected positions in our county. Many people have served on school boards for altruistic reason with little or no vested interests other than our children.

That’s why I question Mr. Cary running for the El Dorado Union High School District board yet again. Tim is the longest standing member, since 2001, and running yet again. I have to ask why he is still on the board. A quick check finds that Mr. Cary is an educational law attorney who was/is the general counsel for the Twin Rivers School District and others.

In his own business website he lists EDUHSD employees as his business references. This information came from a report of EDC Grand Jury in 2013-14. The report also illuminates that Mr. Cary has been the focus of several other grand jury reports from other counties.

At the very least Cary has a vested business interest being on our school board. I believe it is

If I asked you what year(s) is/ are represented by the following Halloween costumes, you might be a little surprised. Classic witch, Spider-Man, dinosaur. No. it’s not 1954. It’s Northern California in 2022. There’s also a pirate, cowboy and cheerleader. Harley Quinn, a rabbit, fairies and Chucky the scary movie character — all per Google.

Back in my costume-wearing days, 1954-55-56, it might have been Lucy from “I Love Lucy,” Marilyn Monroe, a Poodle Skirt or fuzzy dice for the girls. For me and my buddies, a car hop and an Elvis-like pompadour were “in.” (Elvis was still kind of new then). Pirate, tramp, ball player and soldier were pretty common as well.

The tramp as we knew him might swing down from the train and do

a few odd jobs for 10 bucks and a big slice of my mom’s apple pie (known and loved far and wide among the regular rail riders).

The “tramp,” bum, hobo or gentleman of the road in those days could have been what we’d call “homeless” today. And there were distinctions. A tramp wasn’t necessarily a bum, nor was a hobo or gentleman of the road. We wore raggedy clothes, a grubby, floppy hat and charred cork to dirty-up our faces to become the standard tramp of our era.

Years later I learned that many of our tramps and hobos were victims of various war-related conditions. (That was only a decade after World War II and a year or two since the Korean conflict.)

I don’t know how such folk as these prepared for Halloween. Not like

how we did, I’m certain. They may have stored up a few cigarettes for the evening but they didn’t swipe my dad’s Pall Malls or my mom’s Salems for their party as far as I knew. And they surely didn’t raid the liquor cabinet weeks or months in advance of the big night when no one was looking.

Swiping butts and beers was what we did, starting about Oct. 9 or 10 during those character-shaping and defining years.

Fireworks were way harder for us to come by in the Bay Area. We had to rely on someone who had a brother or close cousin who could go to Nevada or Wyoming or Nebraska to buy the cherry bombs, bottle rockets and strings of “crackers” and smuggle them through the agriculture-

inspection station. It was always i y that we’d get what we thought we’d paid for and, without much surplus cash on hand, we never got much and often relied on charity — not unlike your down-and-out tramp referenced above.

Being the last night of October every year, Halloween was often foggy, drippy and cold, which made for a fair amount of anonymous freedom for blowing up things, painting over things, throwing nasty things on porches and dry-soaping car windshields.

Alas, we didn’t have outhouses to tip over, cows to annoy or many such “victims” as might be found where our fathers had roamed the corn fields or

CHRIS

ROBERT PURDIE

development is also

scientists haven’t

new class

market

The reasons are largely economic; according to a Cambridge University study, it costs about $1.5 billion to develop a new antibiotic. Since antimicrobials are supposed to be prescribed as little as possible, companies have little chance of earning a return on this kind of investment.

As long as these market barriers persist, so will the antimicrobial resistant infections and related deaths.

Fortunately, legislative solutions are in the works. One, the Pasteur Act, would create a model in which the government pays for effective new antimicrobials on a subscription basis, providing

from A4

pumpkin patches of their world.

My parents were old-fashioned at Halloween, which drove my brother, two sisters and me apoplectic before I moved out at 18 or 19. My brother was also gone by then. He’d stayed in Florida after high school so he didn’t have to explain why his parents made kids sing or dance or recite a poem in order to get a treat when they came trick-or-treating. My sisters filled me in after Halloween for the next few years with re-enactments of the anguish and trauma they’d

developers with a source of income regardless of quantity used.

Another promising proposal, the Forward Act, takes a more targeted approach, directing funds to the development of new treatments for fungal infections including Valley Fever specifically.

Together, these two bills could mark a turning point in the U.S. fight against antimicrobial resistance — and address a public health crisis that is putting Californians at increased risk.

Robert Purdie is a lifelong California resident who was diagnosed with cocci meningitis, one of the most severe types of Valley Fever, in 2012. Purdie leads Patient and Program Development at the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical.

endured those nights living at home as teenagers. We all vowed never to get that old-fashioned and we didn’t.

Better bone up on a song, dance, card trick or other amusement in case you get trapped in the living room of old-fashioned folk waiting for a popcorn ball or candy apple.

Happy Halloween!

Chris Daley is biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

time that other people in our county sit on our school board. Please do not vote for Mr. Cary this election.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Real choice in election

EDITOR:

Lynn Schardt wrote a good letter extolling the great Democrat candidate Kermit Jones and opposing the evil Republican Kevin Kiley. The letter states all the wonderful things that Jones supports and contrasts with evil Kiley. Unfortunately, all those points made supporting Jones are basically irrelevant. Despite all the flowery rhetoric you hear in campaign speeches, just look at voting records in Congress. The Democrats vote in lockstep with Pelosi because they either support her position or they don’t want to be in a basement office as chairman of the wastebasket committee. So despite the campaign rhetoric, the choice is simple. If you like sticker shock at the supermarket, sky-high gas prices and runaway inflation, vote Democrat. If those things bother you vote Republican. When you remove the frosting, that’s the cake you find.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

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

Daley

PG&E offers customers safety shutoff resources

News release

To make sure customers stay safe during planned wildfire safety outages, Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers expanded customer resources in case public safety power shutoffs are needed this autumn. Because high winds may cause trees and debris to contact energized lines and possibly start a wildfire, PG&E may need to turn off power during dry, windy weather.

According to PG&E data, there was an 88% reduction in customers impacted by power shutoffs in 2021 compared to 2020, and a 43% reduction in the duration of outages during a PSPS in 2021 compared to 2019.

“System improvements and favorable weather meant that PSPS affected fewer customers last year than in 2020 and 2019,” said Mark Quinlan, vice president of Electric System Operations at PG&E. “PG&E continues to use PSPS as a last resort to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Every day, PG&E is working hard to respond to the state’s changing climate, reduce

wildfire risk across every part of the service territory and make the system safer.”

This year PG&E is providing: The Generator and Battery Rebate Program provides a $300 rebate to customers located in Tier 2 or 3 high-fire-threat districts and/or served by an enhanced powerline safety settings-protected circuit.

Hotel discounts are available for customers experiencing a safety shutoff. PG&E is teaming up with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, Choice, and Wyndham Hotels to offer customers discounted rooms as a safe space during a power outage.

Transportation to Community Resource Centers provides accessible transportation to and from CRCs to customers in Shasta, El Dorado, Fresno, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Amador, Calaveras and San Francisco counties during a safety shutoff.

Customers who depend on power for medical devices or assistive technologies may qualify for the Disability Disaster Access and

Abercrombie said next spring EID will start its transfer.

“I don’t understand the reason to conserve if you can’t sell it,” said Director Pat Dwyer.

As of Oct. 12, the El Dorado Irrigation District reservoirs showed Caples Lake 64% full, Silver Lake at 43% and Echo Lake at zero, though there is plenty of water for boating. Lake Aloha is at 2%, Jenkinson Lake is 61% and Folsom Reservoir 34%. Weber Reservoir was 36% full of water.

“The district remains well positioned to meet 2022 demands” and is “ready for continued dry conditions during 2023, if necessary,” Baxter reports.

Operations Manager Dan Corcoran made the board presentation for Baxter, who was not available at Monday’s board meeting.

Corcoran said Jenkinson Lake storage at Sly Park Recreation Area was “trending higher than last year.”

September total district water demand was the lowest since 2019, 10% less than 2021 and 11% less than 2020. “October total district demand (is) on track to be 10% less than 2020 and 4% less than 2013,” noted Corcoran.

Another report by supervising engineer Mike Brink outlined available water and current demand.

The latest report counts water available after a three-year drought. That calculation shows 21,335 acrefeet available for El Dorado Hills and 30,580 acres available for everywhere except El Dorado Hills, called the western/eastern area. El Dorado Hills at a lower elevation uses 0.57 acre annually per equivalent dwelling unit, while the western/eastern area uses 0.38 acre per EDU annually.

The demand for El Dorado Hills totals 11,635 acre-feet, which includes

56 acre-feet of latent demand and 4,350 of other system demand.

For the western/eastern supply area the total demand in 2022 is 26,212 acre-feet of water, with 196 of latent demand and 7,993 of other system demand. That other system demand will be reduced by three water line replacements planned in the Pollock Pines area, noted Engineering Manager Brian Mueller. Some of the other system demand includes back flushing, he added.

Water meter availability for El Dorado Hills is 16,910 EDUs. For the western/eastern area 2022 water meter availability is 11,414 EDUs.

Brink told the board the district averages 700 meter sales per year.

The report “is not a planning document” for future planning but is a “short-term planning document to not over-commit water supply,” Brink wrote.

Normal water supplies for El Dorado Hills include 7,550 acre-feet from the Bureau of Reclamation, 4,560 acre-feet from Main Ditch and Weber Reservoir water and 17,000 acre-feet of Permit 21112 water. EDH total water supplies are 29,110 acrefeet.

Whittling EDH water down for a three-year drought leaves 21,235 acrefeet of water.

The district is in the process of moving its 17,000 acre-feet of Permit 21112 upstream to its Kyburz diversion dam and then into the El Dorado Canal. In the winter water from Reservoir A at the base of Sly Park Dam sends water all the way to El Dorado Hills, allowing the district to save money from pumping up from Folsom Lake.

Jenkinson Lake supplies 15,500 acre-feet and Forebay 15,080 acrefeet.

Supplies Continued from A1

Forebay Reservoir in Pollock Pines, which regulates water flow to EID’s hydroelectric power generation facility, is currently filled to capacity.

File photo courtesy of EID

could look like. They both refer to ocean temperature anomalies o the Pacific coast of South America.

According to Paul Fremeau, atmospheric scientist for WeatherExtreme Ltd., El Niños are associated with warmer-thanaverage ocean temperatures, while La Niñas are associated with colder temperatures.

“This year, La Niña is already solidly in place and will influence, at the very least, the beginning of winter,” Fremeau said.

The Farmers’ Almanac is calling for storms starting Nov. 1 and lasting through the month.

The problem for the Tahoe region’s forecast is that it lies right where El Niño patterns coming from the South and La Niña patterns coming from the North end.

“The far Pacific Northwest often sees an uptick in precipitation during La Niña winters, while the Southwestern U.S. is typically drier than usual. Impacts for our area are relatively unpredictable from an El Niño/La Niña perspective, especially under the influence of climate change,” Fremeau said.

Last year is a perfect example of how La Niña storms end at, or near, Lake Tahoe. According to Allegretto, Tahoe came in at about 104% of average at the Snow Lab which is on the north side of the lake, while south shore ski resorts reported about 75% of average.

The last two years have been La Niña years but the two winters looked very di erent. The 2020-21 winter had a spattering of storms throughout the winter but stayed below average for basically the whole season.

“Last year was a little more typical of La Niña, where we had some big atmospheric river events with long, dry spells in the middle,” Allegretto said, adding that the La Niña storms tend to happen at the beginning and end of the season, which is what occurred in the 2021-22 season.

Allegretto has been tracking ocean temperatures around the globe and is seeing indications that the season is likely to be drier than we’d hope.

The Farmers’ Almanac is seeing similar trends, predicting the Southwest region, which Tahoe is included in, will see mild

Resources Program, a collaboration between PG&E and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. The program assists those who have medical and independent living needs with:

– Creating an emergency plan

– Signing up for the Medical Baseline Program

– Applying for a portable backup battery

– Obtaining ADAaccessible car rides and/or hotel stays

– Receiving food replacement

Customer notifications

New this year, notifications will be sent both day and night, depending on when the dry, windy weather occurs and power will be out.

PG&E management understands this may mean customers are called at night and recognizes the inconvenience this may pose.

In previous years

PG&E has not sent notifications between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. However, due to requirements from the California Public Utilities Commission, the policy has been updated. Although weather conditions can be uncertain, PG&E aims to send notifications via calls, texts and emails two days ahead of a shutoff, one day ahead just before shutting off power, once power is turned off and daily until power is restored.

temperatures and drier-than-normal conditions.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, on the other hand, is calling for “warmer and wetter than normal, with abovenormal mountain snows,” showing the di culty in predicting winter.

“The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-November, midJanuary and early February. The stormiest periods will be in midto late December, early and late January, early and late February and late March,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac website states.

The National Weather Service Reno compared past examples of three La Niña seasons in a row.

“There are only two other instances where we saw La Niñas occur in a row,” states NWS-Reno Senior Meteorologist Dustin Norman in a report. “However, not all La Niñas are created equally. Strong events typically provide us with a better, more reliable signal. This upcoming winter, we are expected to see a weak La Niña. With this in mind, we can look back at the winter of 2000-01, a time that also saw a weak La Niña on its third year.

“Because it was a weak event, we saw almost no predictability in the precipitation pattern across much of the U.S, and a reversal in some instances,” the report continues.

One thing Allegretto sees working in snowsports enthusiasts’ favor is a trend of the storms being colder.

“It is normal in La Niña to have colder storms so while the state could probably still run a drought and have below average precipitation, the colder nature of the storms should help bring higher snowfall than rainfall,” Allegretto said.

Fremeau put faith in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s prediction models that are leaning toward a slightly warmer winter with slightly belowaverage precipitation patterns.

“This forecast doesn’t rule out a few really good storms for Tahoe, so don’t despair,” Fremeau said. “Looking further into the future our changing climate makes the extremes, both snowy and dry, more likely so we could be on a bit of a weather rollercoaster for the foreseeable future.”

PG&E will also send notifications if an outage is no longer expected. Customers can ensure their contact information is current by visiting pge. com/myalerts.

Address alerts

Customers can receive notifications for any important address such as a parent’s home, children’s school or business via text or phone call in 16 languages. Customers and non-account holders can sign up for address alerts at pge. com/addressalerts.

Wildfire Safety Video Hub

To help customers prepare for possible emergencies due to increasing wildfire risk, PG&E is expanding its wildfire safety and preparedness online toolkit. An online Wildfire Safety Videos hub serves as a onestop shop with easy-tonavigate videos about customer support and wildfire safety initiatives.

An in-depth look at customer resources before, during and after a safety shutoff is available at pge.com/ pspsresources.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Day holds golden potential, particularly in the morning hours. Even if you don’t mean to create beauty, you will. Because you can’t resist making things and once you get involved, your taste and preferences make the rest inevitable.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You can save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, of wasted hours by doing your research before setting your aim. Start with someone who already has what you’re after. Are they happy with it? Ask for tips.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Remember when you couldn’t get motivated? But you made it easy for yourself, pushed for one tiny step, then a little more and more... now you’re well on your way. You can use your experience to help someone else.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Kindness is your rule. It doesn’t always work out that way but as you set the intention repeatedly, you work toward a state of being in which the kind thing to do is your automatic default. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may notice yourself seeking validation from someone. You don’t need this, especially since it gives that person the chance to invalidate you as well. If anyone is going to give you points for good behavior, let it be you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Long ago you got in the way of your own success. This time around, you’ll do it differently. It’s not an identical situation, but it’s alike enough to give you the satisfaction of directly applying what you learned to good effect.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). For some, it’s not having love, but getting love that drives them. You enjoy the chase too, and there is much excitement to be had in this regard. But you will wisely cherish your catch. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your attitude is upbeat and confident. Because you care more about helping others than you do about forwarding your own interests, you’ll forge bonds of trust and land easily in situations of mutual admiration and promotion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In the thick of a learning process, it’s totally normal to get worse at it before you get better. But if the trend continues, get some space between you and the project. Perspective is needed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). “Location, location, location...” is not just the mantra for business success, it’s a consideration for all. The crucial step to getting what you want will be showing up at the location where what you want is happening.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You wonder if someone thinks of you. They do, although less than you hope or fear. If thoughts had any mass at all, if they could be seen like clouds or weighed like pennies, you’d find this math both intriguing and liberating.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Having to learn a thing can be humbling, certainly a worse feeling than simply learning what’s being taught. But the mandatory lesson lands with more emphasis and staying power. The hard way cuts to the quick.

by Jeff MacNelly

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

RUBES by Leigh Rubin

by Dave Coverly

by Holiday Mathis

Keep fire safety in mind on Halloween

Halloween is a boo-tiful time of year, full of spooky celebrations and activities, but it also presents some real and scary fire safety hazards. As the holiday nears, the National Fire Protection Association is encouraging everyone to take simple precautions that can help ensure the holiday remains festively fun.

“As more people plan to celebrate the holiday this year, whether it be trick-or-treating or costume parties, we want everyone to know where potential fire risks exist so they can take the steps needed to minimize them,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.

An annual average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations between 2014 and 2019, resulting in one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries and $13 million in direct property damage, according to NFPA. More than two of every five (44%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment.

NFPA offers these tips and guidelines for enjoying a fire-safe Halloween:

• Decorations: Many common

decorations like cornstalks, crepe paper and dried flowers are very flammable. Keep these and similar decorations far away from any open flames or heat sources, like candles, heaters and light bulbs.

• Candles: Using candles as decoration can be risky if not done correctly. Keep them in a wellattended area out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames and make sure they are always supervised when candles are lit. Extinguish candles before leaving an area.

• Jack-o-lanterns: Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting up your jack-o-lantern but if you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution. Light a candle inside a jacko-lantern using long fireplace matches or a utility lighter and keep it away from other decorations.

• Costumes: Avoid fabric that billows or trails behind you, as these can easily ignite. If you are making your own costume, avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.

• Visibility: Give children flashlights or glowsticks for lighting,

Football roundup

Stat leaders

passing yards: Anthony

Maddox

Cody Quijada,

Jake Hall,

Jayden Tinker, Union

687

Schedule

Del

Nevada

celebrated its one-year anniversary. Chucks Wellness opened in June 2021, making the first legal cannabis sale in the city of Placerville. The Mountain Democrat reported earlier this year that the third potential store, The Reserve House missed the deadline to open its doors. With two cannabis businesses in operation, the committee would have an even number of six members “which we usually try to avoid on committees to avoid ties we can’t resolve,” said City Manager Cleve Morris as City Council heard the matter at its Oct. 11 meeting. While he added that he was not overly concerned about potential deadlocks, City Council members decided to

Justin Lee,

605

Dorado, 523

yards: Ryan Wilson, El Dorado, 781 yards

Devon Hurst,

Devon Finau,

Dorado, 718

Dorado, 519

increase public representation from one to two city residents.

“We have almost 11,000 people in Placerville,” said Councilwoman Jackie Neau. “It’s not like we can’t find two people to serve on this committee.”

“It seems like the funnest committee to be on,” said Mayor Kara Taylor.

“If you are interested in serving on the Cannabis Community Benefit Committee get in touch with one of your council members,” she added.

A resolution returned to City Council Oct. 25 to adopt changes to the Cannabis Community Benefit Program that adds one public member to the committee and limits membership to Placerville residents.

these can even be incorporated into the costume. If your child has a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly.

• Smoke alarms: This is a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are functional and up to date.

• Exits: Exits are not an appropriate place for decorations. When decorating, ensure that nothing is blocking any escape routes.

“With a little added awareness and planning, people can enjoy a fun-filled Halloween and stay fire-safe in the process,” said Carli.

For more safety resources and tips visit the NFPA Halloween page at bit. ly/NFPAHalloween. Spooktacular kids activities can be found on the NFPA’s Sparky the Dog homepage at bit.ly/ NFPASparky.

Halloween safety Continued from A8

Courtesy photos

It was a good day for Pleasant Grove Middle School athletics. The eighth-grade Pleasant Grove football team took the gold in the El Dorado County Sports League Championships Oct. 7. The Pumas competed against Gold Trail School at El Dorado High School in Placerville, coming out on top in a 20-0 victory.

The seventh-grade Pumas celebrate their championship victory after defeating the Camino Middle School Lobos 21-7.

Vaping

including those in El Dorado County. According to data from the California Healthy Kids Survey — a statewide survey of students periodically conducted throughout California schools — the percentage of El Dorado County 11th-grade students who reported ever vaping rose from 32% in 2015 to 44% in 2019,

representing a 38% increase.

The percentage of El Dorado County 11th-graders who said they were currently using vape rose from 11% in 2015 to 28% in 2019, an increase of 155%.

“Nicotine, found in vaping products, is highly addictive,”

added Becker. “The majority of people (three out of four) who start using nicotine as a young person will continue to use it into adulthood. Adolescents are going through critical periods of growth and development and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. One of our ultimate goals for hosting this town hall meeting is to partner with the community on effective strategies to prevent youth from starting the use of tobacco and vaping products.”

Advanced registration is not required to attend the town hall meeting. For questions regarding

the event contact Don Snider at (530) 621-6142. For those joining remotely, the following Zoom link and information are provided:

• Bit.ly/VapingTownHall

• Meeting ID: 975 1887 6695

• Passcode: 572887

In addition to the town hall meeting, the El Dorado County Tobacco Use Prevention Program provides ongoing support for tobacco-free environments in El Dorado County, including workplaces, schools and communities. For more information about TUPP visit Bit.ly/EDCTobaccoPrevention.

The training center includes an outdoor classroom with storage and bathrooms.

the to do list: working on the burn structures’ upper levels, starting to pour

the concrete for the streetscape and installing a perimeter fence, among other tasks.

Neighboring fire departments are already taking interest, Hall said. When up and running, the facility will be available for firefighter training and likely joint exercises with fire departments and law enforcement agencies.

Discussions regarding amenities, including a training tower, in future phases continue, Hall said. The department’s design team is taking a forward-looking approach to what will come next.

“We’re looking for longevity,” Hall stressed. “We only get to build this once.”

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

In the KNOW

Now

The Christmas elves at Indian Rock Tree Farm in Camino are once again collecting names and addresses for the Trees for Troops program. For more information or to give a name contact indianrock@ directcon.net or call (530) 622-4087. Donations to help with the shipping are also appreciated. Checks should be made out to “Indian Rock Trees for Troops.”

Placerville Friends of Tibet seeks sponsors for the Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour, scheduled for Jan. 2-14, 2023. The Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour helps support Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India. For more information visit sacredartsoftibettour.org.

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 Readings 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

ORHS rockin’ the house

Sel Richard Staff writer

Dust off those leather pants and starting teasing that hair. The Oak Ridge High School Theatre Department taps into the music and moods of the 1980s with “Rock of Ages.”

Not your typical musical, “Rock of Ages” has been dubbed a rock jukebox musical and features classics from the 1980s that will have the whole audience singing along.

“It’s one of those shows that not many high schools do, but it’s got music that everybody loves,” said Visual and Performing Arts Director Kate Rolls. “Especially with a lot of these kids, it’s music from their parents’ generation ... I think I’m making some parents pretty happy.”

Written by Chris D’Arienzo, the production regales with favorites from Styx, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and other beloved artists.

Rolls is once again bringing back a live band and a light show with dramatic technical elements, although she told the Mountain Democrat she had to contend with a faulty lighting system less than a month before opening night. “It’s going to be

a little tight but I think it’ll be good,” she said with her trademark optimism, excited to be giving tech students the opportunity to learn.

The band, headed up by musical director Anna Shore, includes students Irma Francis and Milla Pleshakov on guitar.

“We’re definitely going for that ’80s rock concert vibe. It’s a stage upon a stage,” Rolls said, mentioning a set that will transport viewers back to The Bourbon

Room on the Sunset Strip.

Choreography is led by Emily Martorana and costume design by Christine Martorana.

Set in Los Angeles, the show features Sherrie Christian, a small town girl with visions of becoming a star. She meets Drew Boley at The Bourbon Room, where their dreams collide.

Senior Carmen Martin, who takes on the role of Sherrie, said she feels a kinship with

her character. “The fact that she wants to be an actress — I’ve started to realize that I love musical theater and that being an actress could be really fun so I kind of relate to her in that way.”

This is only Martin’s second musical, having dipped her toes in last year’s “Les Misérables” ensemble. “That was my first musical ever and now I’m a lead,” she said. “It’s crazy but I love it.”

She has plenty of

singing experience having sung for four years in choir, but she admitted struggling a bit with the acting portion. “I have a hard time capturing all the emotion that I need to get behind,” she said.

Martin said she loves the theater environment and although she hopes to attend college and major in organic chemistry next year, she plans to minor in a music-related field.

can dance; you can jive’ at Pondo’s musical

Jana Rossi Staff writer

Twenty-year-old Sophie decided she would love to have her father give her away at her upcoming wedding. The problem is, she doesn’t know exactly who her father is. After some snooping through her mother’s journal, she narrowed it down to three promising possibilities: Sam, Bill and Harry — so why not invite them all?

Meanwhile, mom Donna is working hard to get her Greek Island hotel ready for her daughter’s special day, but unbeknownst to her she is in for the biggest surprise of her life when her past catches up to her the day before Sophie’s wedding.

So who will give Sophie away? To find the answer, check out Ponderosa Stage Productions’ show “Mamma Mia!” opening Thursday, Nov. 3.

Annabelle Loge plays Sophie Sheridan, the bright, energetic and emotional bride to be. “My favorite part about my role is the relationships Sophie has with her friends and her mother,” Annabelle shared. “This show perfectly demonstrates the mother-daughter relationship and I love being able to act out that relationship.”

This will be Annabelle’s third Ponderosa show but her first as a leading actor.

Tristan Smith plays Harry Bright, a mid-40s English banker, and one of Sophie’s possible dads. Tristan shared, “Harry has actually been a dream of mine since the first time I ever watched ‘Mamma Mia!’ He has a tendency to return to his rebellious teenage years and I really enjoy that about his character.”

Tristan also shared that through his own personal experiences, he can relate to how Harry’s emotions develop throughout the story. “I love to play the role of the stuck-up businessman who still has a heart way down deep inside of (him) and I love to portray how that emotion slowly seeps out of the character over the course of the story.”

This is Tristan’s seventh Ponderosa Stage Productions show and his fourth year of acting and performing. “I have been blessed

Courtesy photo

Donna Sheridan (Sienna Mills) shares a tender moment with her daughter

Sophie (Annabelle Loge). The mother-daughter relationship brings laughter and tears in “Mamma Mia!”

n

MaMMa

Photo by Chris Meissner

Rock out at Oak Ridge High School with the cast of “Rock of Ages.” The show opens Friday, Nov. 4, in El Dorado Hills.

pAA celebrates members’ exceptional art

One reward of being a Placerville Arts Association member is having the opportunity to nurture the appreciation of art and promote the education and creation of art in El Dorado County (and beyond). PAA members aren’t just satisfied with creating art in their studios. They want to spread the joy and wonder of art around in as many places as possible.

One such outreach is PAA’s Member Art Shows. PAA is blessed with members who have a multitude of artistic talents. This past week, PAA held its annual Fall Membership Art Show at the El Dorado County Government Center on Fair Lane. It is always an adventure walking around enjoying all the artistic delights to the eyes and soul that are hung on the walls of this beautiful venue.

As always, this fall show had diverse works of art from realism to abstract and experimental. Works of art were created using watercolors, oils, pastels, charcoal, acrylic, pencil, photography, digital art, clay and mixed media in categories of seascape, landscape, portrait, still life, animals, miniature and experimental — including 3-D.

and a

mother to her daughter Avalina, a master’s

of

is a member of The Myrtle Tree

Book

Collective

the Placerville

the

Courtesy photo

PAA members showcased their finest at the El Dorado County Government Center during a fall show earlier this month.

People’s Choice winner “Tacoma” by Carolyn Cunningham

Sylvia Coleman PAA publicity chair

When I was 10 years old I watched a film that holds the distinction as being the only horror movie that got me scared enough to leave the room. This was actually an impressive feat considering — much to the chagrin of Mother — I’d had a “healthy” dose of the likes of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees the year or two leading up to that thanks to friends introducing me to horror films.

It was ultimately writer/director Clive Barker’s 1987 “Hellraiser,” based on his novella “The Hellbound Heart” from the year before, that did the trick. The main antagonist of the film, “Pinhead,” declares, “We have such sights to show you.” They certainly did. I can still feel that deer-in-headlights look on my face as I watched that gore-fest. Freddy and Jason, even in their darker moments, always brought a bit of ridiculousness with them. “Hellraiser’s” entire mission was to scare and disturb with little interest in jokes or one-line zingers. Mission: accomplished.

Since then “Hellraiser” has floundered into a franchise with 11 films, more than half being directto-video. There are some awful films that make up the later entries and many wondered what could possibly be said to justify another entry. Luckily, with the assistance of original creator Clive Barker on as producer, director David Bruckner (V/H/S) has helmed a stylish, moody and scary entry that relaunches and refreshes the supernatural horror franchise.

The casting, usually the biggest annoyance for horror fans, is pretty solid, anchored by Odessa A’zion who plays Riley, a young woman struggling with addiction who comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites. I liked her character and instincts as Riley and hope we see more of her in the future.

The casting choice that most scary movie fans will be talking about, though, is Jamie Clayton as “Pinhead,” or more accurately “The Priest.” Actor

Doug Bradley played the infamous character for a majority of the films in the franchise, from 19872005. In the original novella, Pinhead was never described as a man or a woman (more nonbinary), so the casting of Clayton is a fresh and interesting take I think fans will enjoy.

This new remake/relaunch has been trying to get off the ground for almost 15 years now, with director after director boarding and leaving as much as free agents from the Oakland A’s. It didn’t help that later entries (like 2011’s “Hellraiser: Revelations”) were prepped and shot in a matter of weeks and unceremoniously dropped on DVD for The Weinstein Company to keep the rights to the franchise. I’m not sure how long Barker has been involved with this new reincarnation, but the extra time paid off. I was quite intrigued by this film from the opening sequence featuring Goran Visnjic (“E.R.” and 2001’s “The Deep End,” shot around Lake Tahoe!) who plays a billionaire obsessed with trying to open “the box” and summon the grotesque demonic Cenobites. Shot on a tight budget but the filmmakers make the most of it delivering a classy, effective horror film. Is it as transgressive, sharp and horrific as the original? No. If you are into that sort of movie not much can top Barker’s original vision, but this well-crafted and competent horror film sets the franchise back on course. Now it’s up to the studio and filmmakers to dig deeper into the chilling world of Pinhead, take the gloves off and really convey the imagination of Barker’s original work. Putting it on the big screen next time would also be a Halloween treat.

Joshua B. Porter is a writer/director/producer. His most recent project, the feature film “No Evidence OF Man,” recently won Best Original Screenplay of a Feature Film at the 2022 Madrid International Film Festival. He can be reached at @joshuabporter or joshuabporter@mtdemocrat.net.

KITTEN

SPIRIT (A148951)

This cute gray DSH is guaranteed to lift the mood of everyone who meets him. 12wks. Such a fun soul.

This cutie has

adopted but wants to tell you to check www.petharbor.com to see

the current

Winter’s Dance’ concert comes to The Green Room

for

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to hear music from Tahoe harpist Anne Roos’ new album, “A Winter’s Dance,” performed live with local flutist David Blonski. Enjoy a full-length concert in an intimate venue, meet the artists, toast to their new release and get a customautographed CD. Join the musicians at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville. Doors open at 4 p.m.

teams up with flutist Blonski on this original, new age album that draws inspiration from old-world folk melodies to evoke the spirit of fall, winter and the holiday season. The audience will be immersed in the playful dance between Roos’ Celtic harp and Blonski’s silver flute. Listeners will be swept away as they dance with the snowflakes and joyfully enter another time and place to celebrate the winter season and beyond.

Experience the performance up close and personal on the club’s intimate stage while enjoying lite bites, craft beers and local wines. Seating is guaranteed by reservation only. Tickets are general admission. Seating is limited with standing room only when seats are taken. Tickets can be purchased at the door if not sold out online. Become a club

member and get early-bird access to reservations for all in-person events and enjoy the library of live online performances. Email boxoffice@ clubgreenroom.com for more info.

About the artists

Roos is the highly sought-after, award-winning harpist known for

her recordings, public concerts and private events. Her ability to play many genres of music on the Celtic harp brings her worldwide recognition, along with a talent to improvise, arrange, direct and perform as a soloist an in ensembles on a professional level. Roos’ honors include performance on the Grammy Award winning Best New Age Album for 2015, “Winds of Samsara.” Her own recordings span the range

from pop to Celtic to new age music. Her tracks played internationally for passengers on board United Airlines flights, for listeners on National Public Radio and even found their way into whimsical, animated online e-cards. In a teaching career that began with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Roos finds joy in providing private harp instruction to anyone in the world with a harp, webcam and solid internet connection. For more information visit harpistanneroos.com.

Blonski is the creative spirit behind 24 album releases on his Timeless Productions label, with nearly a half million sold. He also spent years spearheading the movement to popularize healing music, helping to introduce the new age music genre to the general public through his touring and playing on stage throughout the nation at art shows and festivals.

As a multi-instrumentalist adept at playing the silver flute, didgeridoo, Native American Indian flute, keyboards, guitar and a host of exotic folk, world and percussion instruments, Blonski actively composes, records and performs with the intent of spreading beautiful, relaxing and healing music to new listeners and loyal fans alike. He also enjoys engineering, mixing and producing albums for other musical artists to help in their success and the success of his independent label. For more information visit timelessproductions.com.

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 online 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) 621-1003.

Check out the Harvest Halloween events at Sentivo Vineyards, a spooktacular 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.

Dobra Zemlja Winery in Plymouth hosts A Tutu and Mustache Halloween, 11 a.m. to5 p.m. Oct. 29 & 30. For more information email tastingroom@dobraz.com or call (209) 2453183.

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

The Latino Center of Art and Culture kicks off its 13th annual El Panteón de Sacramento (in honor of Day of the Dead). From Friday, Oct. 28, to Sunday, Oct. 30, the centuries-old tradition will be recognized on the center’s grounds at 2700 Front St. in Sacramento and feature the recreation of a candlelit Mexican cemetery and chapel accompanied by traditional memorials created by families and friends to honor those who have passed, tell the stories of their departed loved ones and enjoy live performances, entertainment, food, activities and culture for the entire family.

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.

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

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Golden Leaves Winery in Somerset, 1-4 p.m.

Shadow Ranch Vineyard hosts a wine and chocolate pairing featuring gourmet chocolates from Annabelle’s. Reservations are required. Visit shadowranch.com/Events.

Mediterranean Vineyards in Somerset hosts its final Medi Nights show of the year featuring live music by The Burning Daylight People with The Gyro Stop food truck, 5-8 p.m. For more information and reservations visit medivineyards.com.

Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts a Halloween costume/dance party at 6 p.m. RSVP at crystalbasin.com.

The Neon Moon Band will perform at Roosters Bar in Mt. Aukum, 7-10 p.m.

Oct. 30

Sacramento Baroque Soloists presents Voice of the Cello at 2 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. 31

El Dorado Hills Town Center presents the Halloween Spooktacular, 3-6 p.m. with trick-or-treating for the kids, costume contest for kids and pets and a photo contest. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com/ upcoming-events.

The city of Placerville hosts Trick or Treat on Main Street, 4-6 p.m. Bring the whole family for festive fun and trick-or-treating.

Trunk or Treat, a free Halloween extravaganza, takes place at Pinewood Elementary School, 6181 Pine St. in Pollock Pines, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy games, available snacks, prizes, etc. For more information call Jeanne Harper (530) 613-1332.

Freedom Community Church, 4414 Commodity Way in Cameron Park, hosts Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m. Kids are invited to enjoy fun games and get lots of candy.

The Mother Lode Lions Club hosts a Community Halloween Carnival, 6-8:30 p.m., including a costume contest, games, hot dogs, chips and cookies. The hall is at the corner of Missouri Flat and Pleasant Valley roads.

Nov. 2

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Buffet luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hills Church in El Dorado Hills. RSVP online at eldoradohillschamber.org.

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530-344-5028

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Be immersed in the playful dance between Anne Roos’ Celtic harp and David Blonski’s silver flute during a special concert at The Green Room in Placerville Oct. 30.

Chris Cain brings the blues to Sutter Creek

News release

Among the greatest compliments a musician can receive is praise from his fellow artists. With more than three decades of touring and 14 previous albums, master blues guitarist and vocalist Chris Cain has earned his reputation as a musician’s musician.

See Cain live at Sutter Creek Theatre, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

The judge for this year’s show was Magdi Sefain, the former co-owner of Rocky’s Art Gallery on Placerville Drive. Through his many years as gallery owner and curator, he developed a keen eye for exceptional art. To watch the judging walkthrough with Sefain visit PAA’s You Tube channel: youtube. com/watch?v=kAVu3yKPKpc.

To watch a video of the show’s reception and awards presentations visit youtube.com/ watch?v=qyKID2p4gVw and find a slide show of the winners of tne fall show on PAA’s website, placervillearts.com.

New members are welcome. Keep up with PAA programs and outreach on the PAA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/PlacervilleArtsAssociation.

with the privilege of playing such an amazing character with an even more amazing director.”

“This is a young, fresh cast, as most of the more seasoned actors have not returned due to the pandemic,” Drama teacher and director Renee Fritz shared. “We are working through the newbie challenges and I am excited for opening night. This is one of my favorite musicals.”

“Mamma Mia!” features hit songs from the band ABBA that will bring the audience members to their feet and, for some, bring back carefree memories. It doesn’t take a lot of “Money, Money, Money” to see this uplifting and heartwarming show.

Performances for “Mamma Mia!” are scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10 & 12 plus 2 p.m. matinées Nov. 5 & 12 at the Ponderosa High School Theater, 3661 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. Visit pondodrama.com for tickets.

Cast: Donna Sheridan (Sienna Mills), Sophie Sheridan (Annabelle Loge), Sam Carmichael (Stephen Owen), Bill Austin (Hudson Lauer), Harry Bright (Tristan Smith), Sky (Jak Hall), Tanya (Tieran Riffie), Rosie (Kaia Edwards), Lisa (Naomi Lawson), Ali (Emily Oliver), Pepper (Tapanga Tayaba), Eddie (Antonio Christman) and Father Alexandrios (Evan Lustan).

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When she’s not singing, you will probably catch her spending time with her family. She is currently rebuilding a motorcycle engine with her dad.

Drew, a barback at The Bourbon Room, wants badly to be a rock star and senior Andrew Hurtt said he can relate. “I’d say I’m kind of similar to him,” he said. “I feel like he has big dreams but he doesn’t really know how to accomplish them and that’s kind of where I feel like I’m at right now.”

This is Hurtt’s first Oak Ridge production, his foray into musical theater in part due to a shoulder injury that waylaid his lacrosse career. Though he has been playing guitar since the fifth grade, he only joined choir last year to fulfill his arts requirement. “I ended up really liking it,” he said, adding he’s singing in choir again this year as well as taking private voice lessons.

Along with enjoying after-school rehearsals, Hurtt is also busy finishing his Eagle Scout project, still plays lacrosse with friends and is looking into possibly performing in Sutter Street Theatre productions. He plans to attend college in an area where he can indulge in his love for skiing and continue dabbling in theater.

The role of club owner Dennis Dupree is played by senior Kyle Enriques. “I think my character is similar to me,” Enriques mused. “He’s kind of laid back, a pretty relaxed character.”

This is Enriques’ third production and his biggest role. Enriques credits vocal coach Natalie Fletterick with much of his progress, especially after his voice changed during his sophomore year. “I sing in the car. That’s probably where I got most of my practice,” he said with a grin.

Enriques enjoys the social part of theater the most. “I have fun between scenes hanging out with my friends. We just talk about random things,” he said. “That’s really the whole reason I’m here.”

When he’s not belting out tunes behind the steering wheel, Enriques enjoys walking at the lake with his two dogs and playing disc golf or football with friends. He would ultimately like to explore Christian leadership as a pastor or missionary.

“Rock of Ages” will play at the Oak Ridge High School Theater, 1120 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 & 5 and Nov. 10-12 with matinées at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5 & 12. Tickets for $10-$20 are available at gofan.co/app/ school/CA22583_2.

Since his first release in 1987, Cain has created his very own blues sound inspired by his heroes — B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Albert Collins, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery. His jazzinformed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional and always unpredictable. His vocals — gruff, lived-in and powerful — add fuel to the fire. His indelible original songs keep one foot in the blues tradition and both eyes on the future. The pure joy Cain brings to his playing and singing is palpable and draws fans even closer in.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre, 44 Main St. in Sutter creek. For tickets and more information visit suttercreektheater.com or call (916) 425-0077.

NEW TODAY Bike found behind Cameron Park Vet Clinic (3931 Cambridge Rd, Cameron Park) on 10/25/2022. Ref #22-8028

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NEW TODAY Tent and misc. personal property found at Green Valley Community Church (3500 Missouri Flat Rd) on 10/19/2022.

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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.

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FICTITIOUS

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Courtesy photo

Chris Cain comes to Sutter Creek Theatre this Saturday.