Mountain Democrat, Monday, October 31, 2022

additions in the city.

HEMP FARMS

to resprouting in county

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Industrial hemp growers are one more step closer to cultivating again in El Dorado County.

Now that the El Dorado County Planning Commission approved unanimously to amend its county zoning ordinance to make way for an industrial hemp pilot program, the ordinance will go through a second reading for approval at a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors Nov. 1.

The board adopted a resolution of intent to amend Title 130 of the county’s Zoning Ordinance

to enact regulations for farming of industrial hemp Sept. 20, after putting a series of moratoriums on its cultivation.

The county Planning Commission made a few edits to the original draft of the ordinance. Those included a change in setbacks in residential areas, from 200 to 600 feet, and removing

references to the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce in the section about inspections, a source of disagreement between law enforcement and county industrial hemp stakeholders.

The El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce requested a regulation that would allow its o cers to

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Placerville Mayor Kara Taylor proclaimed Nov. 1 Extra Mile Day and recognized four local residents as Extra Mile Heroes for all the good they do for the community.

At last week’s City Council meeting Taylor read the proclamation from the dias, acknowledging the national movement of Extra Mile America and pointing out “that a special vibrancy exists within the entire community when its individual citizens collectively ‘go the extra mile.’”

Along with the declaration, the mayor also has the opportunity to name a handful of individuals in Placerville who do, in fact, go that extra mile in all they do. Well-known local heroes John Sanders, Frank Porter, Maureen Dion Perry and David Zalinski were honored by the council and inducted into the exclusive Extra Mile Hero club.

John Sanders, of Old Town Grill, was selected by Taylor for “supporting so many local causes by generously feeding nonprofit organizations and their supporters that do such great work for the community.”

Taylor noted that Sanders was unable to attend the council meeting as he was otherwise occupied serving food at a Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises event that evening.

Being a hospitality industry veteran, Taylor pointed out how di cult it can be to maintain a restaurant’s bottom line without giving so much to charitable causes.

“It’s just that much more appreciated,” she said. “He is everywhere that nonprofits are holding their fundraisers.”

Local veterans and family members of veterans will no doubt recognize David Zelinsky’s name. Taylor recognized Zelinsky for his decades of work advocating for the local veteran population, assisting in the navigation of veteran services. Not only that, but in recent years Zelinsky has taken on an added mantle of fire-safe advocate.

“David Zelinski was among a small handful of citizens that banded together to establish the

News release

Members of the South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition on Oct. 21 hosted their “most popular” field trip for South Lake Tahoe sixth graders at

Echo Lakes Sno-Park.

STEEC, a collaborative network of more than 25 local agencies and nonprofits that work together to bring environmental programs to South Lake Tahoe schools, runs at least one field trip per grade per year. The sixthgrade program features tree planting with the Sugar Pine Foundation and has become a hit amongst the youth.

While the focus was on planting seedlings in the Caldor Fire burn scar with the Sugar Pine Foundation, educators from STEEC’s member groups led four other interactive learning stations to impart valuable placebased lessons about fire and water.

Adilene Negrete and Reanna Suela from the U.S. Forest Service and Victoria Ortiz with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency taught students about defensible

space.

Abi Lloyd from the South Tahoe Public Utility District and Mo Loden of the Lahontan Water Board had students build a “wetland in a bottle” by layering native materials like sand, soil, sticks, pine needles and other plant debris to demonstrate the filtering action of meadows.

Julia Kaseta from the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Ileah Kircho from the Desert Research Institute partnered to teach about how fires a ect soils.

Kelci Brown and Courtney Thomson from the League to Save Lake Tahoe taught a lesson on water quality.

The students thrived in these classrooms without walls and soaked up the lessons about their local environment like sponges as

by Eric Jaramishian

” … you do not get a big profit from industrial hemp, so if you put too many regulations and requirements, you are probably going to price the program to the point where it is not profitable.”

— Charlene Carveth, El Dorado County Agriculture Commissioner

Joyce Susann Draper

6, 1940 –

11,

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, Je Pearson, and Lynn Pearson. She later married Paul Owen Shinn and combined they had a family of five children that included Je 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 Je rey 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.

Sacramento region awarded

for inclusive economic planning

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento region was awarded $5 million dollars in planning money from the Community Economic Resilience Fund program. Developed and led by the Employment Development Department, the Governor’s O ce of Business and Economic Development and the Governor’s O ce of Planning and Research, CERF funds regional economic recovery and resilience strategies that prioritize the creation of accessible, high-quality jobs in sustainable industries.

program will fund planning and

they rotated through stations.

When asked what they learned, students were eager to share.

Some gushed about the soil station, where they conducted an experiment to see how fast water percolated through burned versus unburned soil. They were amazed to find water readily drained through regular soil but could not move through the burned soil. The lesson visibly demonstrated why burned hillsides are so prone to landslides after a fire. The students grasped this concept well thanks to the hands-on experiment.

Student Vita Flaherty said, “We learned that meadows filter water.”

As Abi Lloyd from STUPD said, “It was really great to see kids connect what meadows are — because they live by them and have seen them before — and the importance of their ecological function filtering water.”

Maria Mircheva, executive director of the Sugar Pine Foundation emphasized that it was especially impactful to connect South Lake Tahoe’s youth — all of whom had been evacuated

Placerville Fire Safe Council,” she said.

Zelinsky was out of the country on a family trip and unable to personally receive the award.

The next Extra Mileers presented a twofer recognizing Housing El Dorado’s Maureen Dion Perry, president, and Frank Porter, executive director. Taylor brought forward their names for tireless work in bringing together stakeholders, advocates, government o cials and the housing insecure to develop solutions to the housing crisis.

“When I started on the council several years ago the homeless advocates were a loose, kind of unorganized band of people who would often attend city council meetings to yell at us,” Taylor said. “A lot has changed in those four years.”

She added that the work Perry and Porter have done with Housing El Dorado has changed the landscape.

“Frank and Maureen have worked so hard, they basically treated this like a full-time job,” she said. “I feel like we are finally at the point of making progress and I don’t think it could have happened without housing El Dorado.”

Porter was in attendance and able to accept the award

implementation e orts that aim to help communities economically recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

As the designated regional convenor and fiscal agent of the CERF award for the Sacramento Region — which includes Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties — Valley Vision leaders say they will stand up a planning process that engages across subregions, sectors and communities. Valley Vision is a nonprofit civic organization.

and missed three weeks of school during the Caldor Fire — to the restoration of the burn scar.

Because the fire was so close and so destructive to many places these students know well, they were elated to be a part of the logical solution — planting trees to bring the forest back. When asked what they enjoyed most about the day, most students chirped excitedly about learning how to plant trees.

Alissa Zertuche coordinates STEEC events as the Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s Environmental Science and Engineering Specialist.

“We could never do in the classroom what the Sugar Pine Foundation did with the kids today,” she said. “Getting the kids outside to help plant and restore the environment after the Caldor Fire is so important. The experience of them getting to be a part of rebuilding our community after living through the tragedy is honestly immeasurable.”

The Sugar Pine Foundation’s lesson wasn’t just about teaching the kids how to plant trees but

also about the good and bad e ects of fire, about how some areas burned worse than others and about restoring a diverse palette of native species when replanting. The students planted western white pine and Je rey pine seedlings, which will add diversity to the existing forest.

Maria Mircheva thanked the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for its cooperation to make this planting happen for the children.

“We are grateful to the Forest Service for doing such a good job cleaning up this area and removing the hazard trees and providing this planting site for the sixth graders,” she said. “We hope to work together again to provide more field trip sites for other grades to plant trees this spring and in coming years.”

Student John Escarla summed up the day’s lessons, “I learned about wildfire and safety protection and about water. I also learned about how wetlands purify the water. It was really interesting.”

on behalf of Housing El Dorado’s board of directors, himself and Perry who was out of town on a family trip.

He thanked the council and city sta for working with the housing advocate community.

“There’s a lot of coalition building and community building and weaving things together,” he said. “We will continue doing that work and we certainly appreciate the council’s support of that work.”

Extra Mile America started in 2009 with just 23 cities participating. This year 528 local mayors will proclaim Nov. 1 as Extra Mile Day. The city of Placerville has participated in the movement since 2016.

John D.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Placerville Mayor Kara Taylor has a laugh with Extra Mile Hero Frank Porter of Housing El Dorado. Porter received special recognition along with three other community-minded individuals.

DOT night work to close Mosquito Bridge

El Dorado County’s Department of Transportation will close Mosquito Road at the gates, approximately 0.6 miles from the Mosquito Bridge on the north side and approximately 0.8 miles from the bridge on the south side, from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning Monday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 13.

The public should anticipate delays and drive the posted speed limits, and must utilize the detour via Rock Creek Road. No traffic controls are anticipated on Rock Creek Road during this period.

This Mosquito Road closure is necessary to ensure motorist and worker safety during ditch and drainage construction adjacent to and across the roadway.

The public is reminded to reduce speeds and allow extra time for travel on Rock Creek Road.

During daytime hours project activities adjacent to Mosquito Road will continue to require reversing traffic controls and pilot vehicles along with advanced flaggers, construction signs and changeable message boards through Nov. 23. Locations along Mosquito Road will utilize these traffic controls at various times and dates from Union Ridge Road to Rock Creek Road.

Unless there is a public safety concern, traffic stops are intended to be between five and 10 minutes maximum. Delays could be up to 20 minutes, depending upon traffic of slow-moving equipment and wide loads. Traffic will be released as soon as there is safe travel through the work zones. The public should anticipate delays, drive the posted speed limits and anticipate slowdowns in work zones.

For questions regarding this construction contact the DOT’s main line at (530) 621-5900 (select Option 3 for Engineering).

crime log

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

Oct. 20

7:09 a.m. Officers dispatched to a report of a suspicious subject on Mosquito Road arrested a 40-year-old man who had a warrant out for his arrest.

9:21 a.m. A 46-year-old man under the influence of a controlled substance on Center Street was taken to county jail.

11:51 a.m. Officers were dispatched to a report of a 49-year-old woman on Spring Street dragging a sleeping bag, possibly with a dead animal inside. She was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested.

1:55 p.m. A 36-year-old woman under the influence of a controlled substance on Main Street was booked into county jail.

2:09 p.m. A 48-year-old woman contacted underneath a Main Street business was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

4:06 p.m. A 40-year-old woman who was yelling on Locust Avenue was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. She resisted arrest but was ultimately taken into custody.

Oct. 21

6:20 p.m. A 36-year-old man who was under the influence of a controlled substance on Tunnel Street was arrested.

10:23 p.m. A 53-year-old suspect used a counterfeit $10 bill at a government office on Fair Lane.

10:44 p.m. A suspect damaged a Main Street business’ front door window.

9:28 p.m. A fire was reported on a hillside on Broadway.

Oct. 22

2:44 a.m. A suspect taking gas from a vehicle on Fair Lane fled on foot when officers were checking the area.

1:26 p.m. A motorhome on Broadway with registration expired for more than 10 years was towed.

Oct. 24

1:30 p.m. A verbal argument took place between a delivery driver and employees of a Placerville Drive business. The delivery driver threatened to harm the employees then left the area.

Oct. 26

12:18 p.m. A 65-year-old man was cited for illegal burning on Broadway.

6:40 p.m. A 25-year-old man on felony probation and in possession and under the influence of a controlled substance was arrested.

8:37 p.m. A 30-year-old man was arrested on Thompson Way on suspicion of burglarizing a church.

accompany county staff when doing inspections on the hemp product for THC levels.

They also recommended any product beyond .03% THC be reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

These requests left some wondering if the Sheriff’s Office is overstepping its boundaries on enforcing rules of cultivation.

“Law enforcement has strong-armed their way into this process and while their opinion is valuable and should be looked at, law enforcement’s primary function is to advise and enforce, not set policy,” said Lee Tannebaum, CEO of cannabis company Cybele Holdings and a former hemp grower.

The Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee called to remove law enforcement from inspections, citing that inspections should be done by county staff and not law enforcement.

Sgt. William Coburn also relayed the sheriff’s request that any hemp farm be fenced off for less exposure of the crop and as a deterrent to potential crime.

Agriculture Commissioner Charlene Carveth reported the Industrial Hemp Working Committee found fencing could be cost-prohibitive.

“We are trying to look at it from how it could actually work because you do not get a big profit from industrial hemp, so if you put too many regulations and requirements, you are probably going to price the program to the point where it is not profitable,” Carveth said.

Coburn stated the Sheriff’s Office recommendations come from the same recommendations as for cannabis. He also shared reasoning behind keeping hemp cultivation out of sight.

“Having cultivations closer than 1,500 feet from school, places of worship, parks and other special-use areas we believe could be a problem with exposure and a high possibility of thefts occurring,” Coburn told the Planning Commission.

“The goal behind that is to lessen exposure to juveniles, reduce temptations to people who maybe have an addiction to marijuana,” Coburn added. “It is to separate the youth and people with issues with drugs from a possible drug that is close to a drug.”

Coburn stated having a hemp cultivation site in an area not readily accessible by the public would help

limit the crime of opportunity and mitigate odor complaints.

Responding to inspection recommendations, Coburn said an officer would help deter crimes related to illegal marijuana grows.

Coburn pointed out that in 2020 sheriff’s deputies inspected four of 10 licensed hemp farms and found that three were growing marijuana.

District 4 Planning Commissioner Andy Nevis questioned the reasoning for law enforcement getting involved with the inspections since county staff and code enforcement would perform those duties anyway.

“I’m trying to figure out why it matters if they’re illegally growing marijuana and they are going to get busted either way,” Nevis said.

Coburn said law enforcement is trained better in recognizing the difference between marijuana and hemp.

“If we see a criminal activity occurring, we can act on it and ask questions and can conduct an investigation right there,” Coburn said.

District 2 Planning Commissioner Kris Payne noted marijuana is classified differently from hemp and should not be treated the same regarding regulation.

Industrial hemp is used in variety of products including foods, health products, clothing, rope, bioplastics and more.

A modification growers said they would like to see in the hemp ordinance involves the premises of cultivation defined by the assessor’s parcel number. This is contrary to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s hemp regulations defining the site or area of grow as premises, not parcel, growers are saying.

This restriction prohibits the use of the remainder of the parcel outside the hemp cultivation area for other licensed and governmentally regulated activities, according to past hemp grower and Somerset farmer David Harde.

“In essence, this restriction eliminates the economic potential and other uses of the remainder of the parcel, solely due to this definition,” Harde said.

Despite this, the growers are eager to start cultivating again.

“Overall, we are very pleased with CEDAC, the Agricultural Commission and Planning Commission decisions and approach. The program is workable

as it left the Planning Commission,” Tannebaum stated to the Mountain Democrat.

“The industrial hemp program promises new products and a new direction for our county agricultural

producers,” Harde said. “If the Board of Supervisors establishes the area of the cultivation site as premise and not parcel, the industrial hemp agricultural community will flourish.”

Hemp Continued from A1

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian David Harde, Somerset farmer, shows where he would grow an industrial hemp crop on his property if allowed to cultivate.

El Dorado County Department of Transportation News release

Betting on 2022 election

Some pundits say Democrats will win the midterms.

MSNBC tells us, “Democrats are seeing momentum headed into midterms.”

Nancy Pelosi claimed, “We will hold the House by winning more seats!”

Really? Want to bet?

This fall CNN’s Douglas Brinkley said, “There is a blue wave going on right now.”

Michael Moore agreed, “There is going to be such a landslide” of elected Democrats.

At the time those predictions were made, people who bet on elections believed Republicans had better than a 70% chance of winning back the House.

Whom should we trust?

We can listen to:

No. 1: People who bet.

No. 2: The media pundits.

No. 3: Polls.

No. 4: Professional election forecasters.

Among forecasters, Nate Silver has the best track record. As I write, his FiveThirtyEight website gives Democrats a 55% chance to hold the Senate. The Economist’s forecasters give Democrats even better odds.

But I don’t believe them.

I believe the people who bet. That’s the topic of my latest video.

At the moment, the bettors think Republicans have a 60% chance to win the Senate and an 88% chance to win the House.

I take these numbers from ElectionBettingOdds. com, a website I helped start. StosselTV producer Maxim Lott averages predictions from betting sites around the world and converts them to easy-tounderstand percentages.

I trust those numbers more than other predictors because in the past the bettors were right more often than anyone else.

Bettors don’t get everything right.

In 2016, they, like most everyone else, thought Hillary Clinton would become president. A week before Election Day she was a 75% favorite.

But on Election Day I saw how betting markets find the truth more quickly than others. Before the votes were counted, bettors were switching to Trump.

On election night, it was fun to watch the silly people on TV. Even after bettors were switching, pundits still said that Hillary would win. “Trump is more likely than not to lose,” proclaimed Dana Bash on CNN.

Only hours after the betting shifted did TV anchors finally adjust their predictions.

Letters to the Editor

Be aware of your vote

EDITOR:

We all want to vote for a candidate who is competent and reflects our beliefs and values. But, especially in local school board elections, where candidates often don’t get much publicity, it’s hard to know which candidate to vote for.

Be careful! In past years school board elections were local nonpartisan events. That’s no long longer the case. Many of our local candidates are being supported by outside groups that wish to impose their ideas on us.

Know who you are voting for. Find out from your friends and the teachers of your children which of the candidates have participated in school activities, been on committees and have shown an interest in the kids of the district. Find out which candidates have skills and knowledge to bring to the school board. Find out which candidates want to work together to improve our schools and which simply want to impose their agenda upon us.

Your vote counts. You’ve got to do your homework. El Dorado County students deserve the best education possible.

MARY ELLIOTT-KLEMM Somerset

Political hit piece

EDITOR:

Iwas shocked at a mailer that was sent out last week in support of Briggs, Carter and Yarbrough for Placerville City Council. While half of the mailer was supporting them, the other half was against another candidate.

At the candidate forum at Town Hall on Oct. 5, they stood out as three candidates who didn’t have a clue. They even admitted they have had no experience with the city. One candidate even said he hadn’t had the time and that you have to start somewhere.

They have done nothing to support, help or serve the community but they want to take over the city council. Carter and Yarbrough are real estate agents. It wasn’t even clear if they work in the county, but I have noticed their signs on public

property.

At the forum they had a chance to express their true thoughts in their opening and closing statements. They played nice at the public forum and saved their extreme philosophy for a political “hit piece.” Placerville deserves better than this.

LIZZIE SMITH Placerville

Dirty politics

EDITOR:

Many Placerville voters recently received a flier smearing City Councilmember Dennis Thomas, who is running for re-election. The flier was funded by Congressman Tom McClintock and promotes three candidates for council (Briggs, Carter and Yarbrough). Its false and misleading statements represent a sad new low in city politics.

If they do not condone being associated with these tactics, the three council candidates each have a civic responsibility to say so: clearly, forcefully and immediately.

We don’t need candidates in our non-partisan local elections embracing D.C.-style dirty politics. Placerville has always been better than that.

TOM CUMPSTON Placerville

We need open minds on Placerville City Council

EDITOR:

Placerville is a tremendous place to live, work, play and raise a family, though it is not without its challenges. I believe we need new council members that come to the table with open minds unencumbered by political affiliation. In that light I wholeheartedly endorse Paul Godwin for Placerville City Council. He is a smart, articulate man with an enthusiastic and positive vision for the way Placerville can manage its current challenges, while improving its position as a great place to live and work.

AIDAN MAGUIRE Placerville

Balancing Act Americans getting gob-smacked by energy prices

How do you like Joe Biden and the Democrats now? Energy costs are at record levels and the result is the worst inflation in 40 years (you can blame Jimmy Carter for that earlier one). And it is all (inflation and the current recession) caused by Joe Biden, the green Democrats and their energy policy. When you limit supply in a constant demand, prices go up. But energy demand isn’t constant in a growing economy, it increases incrementally. What Joe Biden did to energy will be judged by history as perhaps the ugliest political move in the last 100 years.

Unfortunately, it was all done with the “Green Dream (Nightmare)” in mind. But it wasn’t obtainable at the commencement of the Biden Administration and it isn’t now and probably never will be, certainly not without the advent of massive nuclear power plant construction, the cleanest and cheapest of all energy. And the

transportation industry, upon which all industry and the population rely, will always need fossil fuel. It’s the densest form of portable energy, denser than batteries by 50-60 times by volume and/or weight. And its replenishment (refueling time) is 10 to 100 times quicker than electricity.

This was found out recently by a local resident who bought a new Ford F-150 Lightning, long range, all-electric pickup. It’s powered by an on-board battery. The truck was bought for all-around use and that included towing a trailer.

The extended-range Lightning 131kWh battery has about 30% more capacity than your average Tesla S and about 15% more than your most expensive Lucid. But the extendedrange Ford Lightning isn’t exactly inexpensive either, with a starting price of $82,000 in base XLT trim.

Even though the EPA promises a range of 320 miles, Car and Driver found the real 75-mph highway range to be a measly 230 miles. And

that’s an extended-range battery. But it gets worse. Towing range is considerably less than half that, below 100 miles (as reported here in a test by journalists that a Lightning towing a 6,000-pound trailer had a range of about 85 miles). And that’s what our local resident found out the hard way after plunking down more than $80,000 for their Lightning. They learned it couldn’t come close to meeting their everyday needs as it needed recharging when towing in less than 100 miles. And refueling it takes about an hour at the fastest, Level 3 charger. With a Level 2, 30 amp, 220v home charger, a full recharge takes about 20 hours. And the cost at PG&E rates would be about $60. That’s a 25 cents per mile cost for energy when not towing. Needless to say, this Ford Lightning customer traded in his new Lightning after only 700 miles for a conventional gas pickup that has no

range or refueling limitations.

And driving a car EV also has huge problems when driving on long trips. One EV car driver, Alan O’Hashi, is so frustrated he is writing a book entitled “On the trail: Electric vehicle advice and anxiety.” It is about his three-hour trips in a gas vehicle taking 15 hours in an EV.

The problem with EVs comes down to fundamental chemistry. Because a battery is a controlled chemical reaction and the elements used are of such low-energy density, batteries are simply limited in range and refueling and will never improve significantly. It’s physics and chemistry and it isn’t going to change without the discovery of “Unobtainium.” If any of my readers has new facts or is aware of a new chemical element, please enlighten us.

And I have yet to discuss the high

Richard

Krysten

LArry WEiTzmAn

n See StoSSel

John SToSSEL

Bettors don’t get everything right. in 2016, they, like most everyone else, thought hillary Clinton would become president. A week before Election Day she was a 75% favorite.

… batteries are simply limited in range and refueling and will never improve significantly. it’s physics and chemistry and it isn’t going to change without the discovery of “Unobtainium.”

November is the expected project planning start date.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance our region’s economic recovery and resilience, and will demonstrate the collective value and impact our region has when we work together,” states Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt in a statement.

Dollars will be used to form a planning group that consists of balanced representation from throughout the region and a regional economic development plan.

CERF will:

• Support efforts to plan and implement inclusive and low-carbon economic growth strategies;

• Focus on the creation of high-quality jobs and inclusive pathways into those jobs, as well as strategies that will support the transition to a carbon-neutral future; and

• Seek planning and implementation processes that focus on those who have often been left out of traditional economic development strategies.

In a months-long grant application process, Valley Vision convened multiple open-to-all webinars, workshops, subregional roundtables and activitybased committees to inform the region’s application. Instrumental in bringing stakeholders together were

In 2020 bettors correctly predicted Biden’s win and called nearly every state correctly.

Over time, betting has been a better predictor than polls, pundits, statistical models and everything else. There’s something about “putting your money where your mouth is” that focuses the

the Prosperity Partnership, the Tahoe Prosperity Center, the Sierra Business Council, Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, the Nevada County Economic Resource Council and the counties of Colusa and Yuba.

“The Envision Tahoe Prosperity Playbook, just completed in June 2022, outlines Tahoe-Truckee’s regional, inclusive and collaborative economic resiliency strategy,” states Tahoe Prosperity Center CEO Heidi Hill Drum. “We’re ready to hit the ground running now to begin our economic development strategies for future diversification and community improvement.”

“This announcement signifies a major step forward in economic development, as regional coalitions have come together across California ready to roll up their sleeves and build regional economic development strategies that will create more inclusive and vibrant economies built on a foundation of equity,” said Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

A Sacramento region virtual kick-off event will be held in early 2023.

mind.

ElectionBettingOdds.com tracked hundreds of races. It turns out that when bettors think a candidate has a 63% chance, those candidates do win roughly 63% of the time.

One reason bettors predict more accurately is

cost of EVs and electric trucks with some Rivian and Hummer pickups costing much more than $100,000 and saddled with the same issues. They cost a lot because batteries are expensive and getting more so. Currently vehicle battery production worldwide is about 5,000,000, all using rare earth metals the wackos won’t even let us mine here in the U.S. Wait until battery production needs reach 100,000,000 annually in their green new world. Battery cost will increase by a magnitude of who knows what?

The revolt is already happening in Europe, with general strikes and protests springing up in France, England, Holland and in many other European countries as the cost of energy has doubled and tripled. Why? Because their green energy policies have been shown to be totally unsustainable.

The election coming in a week will tell us if we are going to continue down this path of energy instability and shortages or if America is going to come roaring back with plentiful, inexpensive energy and a booming economy without inflation.

Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.

because bettors consider things polls and prediction models often miss.

In 2016 Clinton-favoring polls overlooked people without college degrees. Polltakers were also misled by Trump supporters who refused to talk to them.

Most betting markets — like FTX, Betfair, Smarkets and Polymarket — only allow nonAmericans to bet. That’s because uptight, narrowminded American politicians banned gambling on elections.

Fortunately, they made an exception for PredictIt. org. There, Americans are allowed to bet up to $850.

Our foolish bureaucrats promise to shut PredictIt down, but for now, we can take advantage of the “wisdom of the crowd” that Predictit provides.

Which party will win the Pennsylvania senate race? Republican Mehmet Oz is favored, 54 cents to 49 cents.

Who will be Arizona’s next governor? Kari Lake leads 82 cents to 22 cents.

The first Cabinet member to quit? Janet Yellen, at 32 cents (out of a dollar). Then Alejandro Mayorkas at 21 cents.

If you think you know more than the bettors, you can try to make money by betting at Predictit.org. If you are not American, FTX, Betfair, Smarkets and Polymarket will take your bets. All this betting gives us valuable information about the likely future.

Since betting markets are clearly superior predictors, I’m surprised that anyone still pays attention to pundits. I no longer watch the blabbermouths on television. I check the odds at ElectionBettingOdds.com.

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

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

From watching scary movies to dressing up as ghouls and goblins, spooky season means it’s time to pop up your loved ones’ favorite snacks for a ghostly good time. Before heading out to trick-ortreat, gather your minions in the kitchen for some family-friendly fun crafting these haunting yet tasty treats.

Throughout October, you can honor National Popcorn Poppin’ Month with eerie, delicious eats like Spooky Popcorn Spider Web, Green Halloween Zombies and Witchy Popcorn Balls that add festive fun to the Halloween excitement.

As a perfect ingredient in treats of all types, popcorn is beloved for its seed-tosnack simplicity as a non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free snack that’s naturally low in fat and calories. Add in its irresistible smell, taste and versatility, and it’s easy to see why it pairs so well with spooky celebrations.

Find more Halloween treats at popcorn. org.

Spooky Popcorn Spider Web Yield: 1 spider web

1/4 cup butter 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

cups popped popcorn, divided

cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided black string licorice candy eyes

Line round pizza pan with parchment paper; set aside. In large saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in 5 cups marshmallows, stirring constantly, 3-4 minutes, or until completely melted. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat. Stir in 8 cups popcorn until coated. Spread onto prepared pizza pan in irregular round shape, about 1-inch thick, to resemble spider web.

Refrigerate about 15 minutes, or until firm.

In microwave, melt remaining marshmallows about 20 seconds, or until melted. Using spatula, string strands of melted marshmallow over popcorn spider web to create cobweb effect.

In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt 3/4 cup chocolate chips; cool slightly. In large bowl of remaining popcorn, pour chocolate over popcorn, folding gently to coat. Spread mixture on waxed paper-lined baking sheet, separating into eight small clusters. Affix two candy eyes to each popcorn cluster. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes, or until set.

Melt remaining chocolate chips. Cut licorice into 1-inch lengths.

Using small spoon, dab circles of chocolate onto spider web. Affix chocolate-coated popcorn onto chocolate circles. Affix licorice lengths to chocolate popcorn clusters to resemble spider legs.

Refrigerate 15 minutes, or until set. To serve, cut into smaller pieces.

Witchy Popcorn Balls

popcorn balls

chocolate

cookies

spray

popcorn

(1/2 stick)

of 3-ounce

sugar sprinkles,

beans

corns

gelatin

in small dish

Spread sheet of waxed or parchment paper over work surface and place wafer cookies on it.

Spray large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Adjust color with 1-2 drops food color, if desired. Pour mixture over popcorn and mix until coated.

Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and press firmly to form into eight balls. Place balls on eight wafer cookies. Press candy decorations into popcorn balls to form “eyes,” “nose” and “mouth.”

Halloween Zombies

Place popcorn in large bowl; set

In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir marshmallows into butter until melted. Stir in gelatin powder until evenly colored.

Pour melted mixture over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. With buttered hands, shape popcorn into seven ovals.

Flatten one oval slightly and squeeze one end to form “skull” shape. Place on parchment-lined

baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ovals.

To decorate: Press two gumballs into each skull to form “eyes.”

Press candy corn into skull to form “teeth.” Use scissors to trim candy strips and press into top for “hair.” Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.

“zombies” to set about 20 minutes before wrapping individually in plastic wrap or serve immediately.

In small, microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips, covered, 10 seconds. Stir to aid melting. Repeat as needed until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate on top of each popcorn ball. Press licorice strings into chocolate to form “hair.”

Dip cone edges into melted chocolate then orange sugar sprinkles. Place on remaining wafer cookies to form “witches’ hats.” Place hats on popcorn balls. Allow chocolate to set about 45 minutes before serving.

or seal individually in plastic wrap.

Spooky Popcorn Spider Web

Green Halloween Zombies

FAMILY FeATUReS

Witchy Popcorn Balls

In the KNOW

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) 6131332.

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 Lions 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.

The El Dorado County Health and Human Service Agency, in partnership with the Mother Lode Union School District, hosts an Impact of Vaping on our Youth town hall meeting, 6-8 p.m. at Herbert Green Middle School, 3781 Forni Road in Placerville. Those who can’t attend in person can watch via Zoom: zoom. us/j/97518876695?pwd=U TkwUHZ1WGZJWkRNazQr NVJxNXN4QT09. Meeting ID: 975 1887 6695 and Passcode: 572887.

Musician Ed Wilson will perform at 36 Handles in El Dorado Hills, 6-9 p.m.

Nov. 3

Placer Independent Resource Services, along with community partners, will host the third annual Youth Transition Fair for transition-age youth with disabilities and their families, 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Corker Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The event will feature many community partners talking about their services and willing to discuss individual’s needs.

Ponderosa Stage Productions presents “Mamma Mia!” Performances 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.

The Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus presents Big Head Todd and The Monsters at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter. net.

MORE beauty along Placerville Drive

n Mural, garden plaza unveiled at Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises

Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor

Magic happens when great minds collaborate and it was a magical moment when the community mural was unveiled at Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises on Placerville Drive in Placerville.

The Oct. 25 event was the culmination of hours of work from idea, to concept, to design, to implementation and to completion. The process actually goes back to a friendship started in the eighth grade in Florida. Nationally known muralist Ryan Coleman and MORE art teacher James Shoemaker both loved art and continued that field of study at a magnet high school. They went separate ways but art continued to be a driving force in their lives.

“After high school I worked in animation in Atlanta and then went to New York City and worked for critically

acclaimed artist Jeff Koons,” Coleman said.

After eight years with Koons he decided to move back to Atlanta and become self-

employed. His wife Taryn, a successful artist, had ties in Atlanta and the 2011 move proved to be a fortuitous one. His bold, colorful, etherial designs garnered attention and renown.

“I enjoy doing work under my brand and working with clients creating murals, sculptures, paintings — whatever is desired,” Coleman added.

“Life brought me to MORE. I live to teach art,” Shoemaker said. “I had a mural class going and Susie Davies, chief executive officer of MORE asked about painting a mural.”

The idea captured the imagination of the MORE clients in the creative arts class and Shoemaker had the students watch videos of various artists. One of the videos was of Coleman’s work. The art students were immediately taken with Coleman’s art.

“Ryan is like a brother so I reached out to him,” Shoemaker said.

“I knew I wanted to donate my design to this project and to participate in the project journey,” Coleman added.

Coleman came to Placerville and met with MORE’s art students and then went to work back in Atlanta to create the design.

MORE student Kristina Kornegay shared, “... we wanted in our mural ideas like Disney, mystical, magical – most important since we all feel connected to each other.

We wanted the mural to show a connecting flow and it had to be colorful with bright lively colors.”

Classmates Marcos Post, Emerett Aleman and Jared Goff shared that the mural process involved many steps and that Shoemaker and Coleman were in constant contact every step of the way through photographs sent daily.

“Ryan’s design allowed participation from everyone,” Shoemaker said.

The mural was done in 14 panels rather than being painted directly on the wall. This process made it workable so it could stretch along the 52 foot expanse of the MORE building. MORE students, staff and board members helped paint the panels using highquality paint donated by the local Sherwin-Williams store.

“This has been so special and is a one-of-kind piece of art,” Coleman said.

Garden plaza

The mural reveal capped off the official opening of the Peggy DeWolf Memorial Garden Plaza, DeWolf was a charter MORE board of director, one of three founding staff members and volunteer extraordinaire.

“Peggy spent hundreds of volunteer hours working to raise money for MORE,

Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack MORE board members and supporters pull the sheets off the Placerville facility’s new mural created by renowned artist Ryan Coleman and MORE art teacher James Shoemaker as well as MORE clients.

Peggy DeWolf’s children Janet Whitaker, Judy DeWolf and Dan DeWolf, left to right, unveil the plaque dedicating MORE’s garden plaza to Peggy, a founding member of the nonprofit that assists people with disabilities.

MORE’s plaza garden includes a beautiful waterfall installed by Verne Pershing with

Art of Gardening in Placerville.

Jeff

after by people with various intentions. The social options are something to sort through! Treat: There are gems in this group, and you’ve a good sense for the best and brightest.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Trick: Someone isn’t fooled by your costume. They only see the real you. Treat: They fall in love with what they experience when they are with you. Your heart is a beacon, your presence a delight.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Trick: Feelings find their expres sion whether people want them to or not. Treat: Honesty is more fun than decorum, and it can open the way for exciting conversation and real connection.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).

Trick: The situation is like a corn maze in that every turn looks the same and it’s hard to figure which way is out. Treat: You’re challenged to use other senses and to rely on teamwork and problemsolving for the win.

Trick: Unpredictable ele

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).

ments keep you guessing, like a new location, different sidekicks, odd timing... Treat: This keeps things fresh and maybe even thrilling. You got “it,” so flaunt “it.” It’s fun when other people see “it,” too!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Trick: Making improve ments can be a struggle, and awkward phases are to be expected. Treat: Efforts are starting to pay off, though, and the first signs of evidence are to be believed. Let them be a source of pride and keep going.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Trick: A past action catches up with you; what comes around goes around. Treat: Luckily, what you did back there was a promotion of goodwill that will feel wonderful to be on the receiving end of. Life is sweet indeed!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Trick: A wrench gets thrown into works; things get jittery. Treat: Because you are so creative, you’ll see the art in everything and turn the stops, starts and missteps into a new dance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Trick: You feel you’re being shaped and moved along by the fates. Treat: You also get the deeply satisfying feeling of being snuggly fitted into a grand purpose, and you love the other people involved. This is a good team.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Trick: What you thought would be a straightforward task will require different skills than anticipated. Treat: This turns into an oppor tunity to get back to the basics that matter, like working together. There will be smiles all around.

by Chad Carpenter

by Leigh Rubin

by Dave Coverly

El

DAR chapter has fall fun

Margi Klein was recently named El Dorado County Senior of the Year for her tireless work to assist children who are among the most needy.

The beginning of fall kicked o with a warm, fun day at the American Legion Hall for the recent meeting of the El Dorado Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution. Committee reports included reminders of upcoming activities such as participating in the El Dorado County Veterans Day event at the government center in Placerville and preparing for the laying of Wreaths Across America.

Members were also pleased to learn that through the support of the chapter’s Women’s Issues Committee, chaired by Sandra Hand, Hearts Landing Ranch, an equine-assisted mental health program in Granite Bay, has been able to use the chapter’s donations to expand its equine-assisted psychotherapy program for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Supporting youth

A special visitor at the meeting was Regi Bryant, the liaison for the El Dorado Union High School District, whose responsibilities include providing support and resources for the homeless students in her district. Her role has deeply expanded with the growing number of homeless students in the area — a situation exacerbated by fires and other local and personal emergencies. Bryant expressed her appreciation of the chapter’s support, led by the DAR Community Classroom Committee. Chair

Wedding bells

Each chapter meeting includes a special presentation. This month’s knowledgeable speaker was Sheri Fenley. Currently serving as the California State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution – Application Team Chair, Fenley has served in a number of DAR leadership roles at both the state and local levels.

Obviously a historian, Fenley delighted the El Dorado members with background stories, tales and pictures to accompany her presentation, “Weddings at the White House.” The many weddings, always a special occasion, have included President Grover Cleveland, children, relatives and a few friends from 1800 to the present. Fenley also noted several weddings that took place elsewhere, but had wedding receptions hosted later at the White House by the president and/or the first lady.

Everyone appreciated the depth of Fenley’s research, little known facts and the humor she brought to her presentation. In appreciation of her talk, she was presented a plant by chapter Regent Sally Long Johns. Additionally, a donation was made in Fenley’s name to the California State Society DAR Regent’s Honor Flights.

offer special scholarships

Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek

assistance to continue their education or receive training can now apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. Applications are available online at bit.ly/LYDAapply or by contacting Sharon Warner at (530) 344-1476 or liveyourdream@siplacerville.org. The application deadline is Nov. 15.

The Placerville club will provide a $2,500 cash award to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Sierra Nevada Region level, where recipients could receive up to an additional $5,000. The program culminates with three finalist earning $10,000 awards.

Recipients can use the Live Your Dream Award to o set costs associated with their e orts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. This includes tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.

The Live Your Dream Award provides more than $2.8 million in cash awards to head-ofhousehold women in need each year. Since the

program’s inception in 1972, more than $35 million has helped tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. A study conducted by The Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, confirmed the e cacy and impact of this program. It improves the recipients’ quality of life; builds their confidence; strengthens their self-determination and makes them want to, in turn, help others. Helping women in this way has the demonstrated e ect of leading to stronger communities, nations and the world.

Founded in 1939, the Placerville club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org — an online community o ering o ine volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls visit soroptimist.org.

Carol Bly Special to the Mountain Democrat

Russ & Grace Toliver

Dorado

of

know when they first met at the

of 12 that they’d be married

years later.

are from Illinois and since married have lived together in 10 different locations throughout the U.S. and Europe. Russ served in the United States Air Force, which required travel to around 40 countries. He retired as chief master sergeant (E9) after having served for 26 years.

After retirement from the military, they settled in El Dorado County and Russ worked as a real estate broker until the age of 83. He also has been active in the Barbershop Gold Rush Chorus for 30-plus years. Grace served as a skilled pianist for various activities, church and El Dorado High School. They have five children: Jerry Toliver, Sue Marshall, Nancy McNelis, Shawn Toliver and Anne Muscarello, eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren (with another on the way).

‘Book of Mormon’ spreads the Good Word in Sacramento

News release

The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.”

It’s “The Book of Mormon,” the nine-time Tony Award winning Best Musical.

This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, “The Book of Mormon” has truly become an international sensation and now audiences in Sacramento have a chance to see the show with performances scheduled Nov. 2-13 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St.

For showtimes and tickets visit broadwaysacramento.com or call (916) 5571999. For more information about the tour visit TheBookOfMormonTour.com.

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 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.

Elder Options hosts an open house, 1-4 p.m. at its new office, 630 Main St. in Placerville. Clients, employees and community members are invited to see the transformed space.

New Beginnings Gold Country hosts the Restoring El Dorado County dinner fundraiser, 5:30-9 p.m. at Serene Ranch in Placerville. Enjoy a beautiful night featuring a meal catered by Chef John Sanders. Hear about the mission of New Beginnings and its new Community Care Center, have the opportunity to win prizes and listen to guest speakers. For tickets and more information visit newbeginningsgoldcountry.org.

The Pinebrook Village Holiday Craft Faire takes place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at 7900 Folsom-Auburn Road in Folsom. Shop handmade crafts and gifts, home décor, jewelry, fashion accessories and more created by local artisans. Admission and parking are free.

Oak Ridge High School Theatre Arts presents the rock musical “Rock of Ages: Teen Edition” Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 10-12 at the school theater, 1120 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. For tickets and more information visit ortab.org.

Falcon’s Eye Theatre at Folsom Lake College presents “Puffs” Nov. 4-20 at Harris Center for the Arts. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Nov. 5

The Hangtown Car Show with Burgers and Brews takes place noon to 5 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Spectators get in free. The Placerville Lions will have their famous hot dog booth. There will be bands, booths and food galore.

A Mosquito Fire Victims Benefit Fundraiser will be held 3-7 p.m. at Serene Ranch, 5601 Cold Springs Road in Placerville. To purchase tickets online visit foodbankedc.org/donate, selected a donation amount and specify “MF” in the note section. For more information contact Todd White at toddwhite2006@hotmail. com.

If you’re looking for a chance to serve but don’t know where to begin, come to the Community Service Fair, 5-7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3431 Hacienda Road, Cameron Park. Visitors can check out booths representing opportunities big and small throughout El Dorado County and find the best fit for their schedule, talents and interests. There will be an on-site service project to assemble hygiene/first aid kits and accept donations of tents, tarps and sleeping bags to support the work of Job’s Shelter of the Sierras, a volunteer

Photo by Julieta Cervantes

Sam McLellan and the company of “The Book of Mormon” is presented by Broadway On Tour Nov. 2–13 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento.

teaching classes and doing whatever was needed to keep the organization afloat. She was known in the early years of MORE for passing around a hat when a bill was due and money was limited,” said MORE executive Director Susie Davies in her opening remarks.

A plaque at the plaza remembers her tenacity and was unveiled by her children Dan DeWolf, Janet Whitaker and Judy DeWolf. The plaque was created by Bill Broyles, Diamond Concrete, with material donated by Kevin Arnold.

The vision and design for the Garden Plaza was a collaborative effort of Charlie Downs and MORE’s own Jordan Postlewaite. “Our clients dreamed of a wheelchair accessible walking path, picnic and resting areas with a large concrete plaza area for outdoor enjoyment all created by Gordon Vicini’s crew,” Davies said.

The beautiful rock wall was created by Doug Veerkamp’s crew. The

greenhouse, raised garden beds and irrigation system was completed by J & A Landscaping. Security lighting and lighting of the plaza was completed by DNL Electric and the beautiful waterfall was created by Verne Pershing and his crew with The Art of Gardening.

Donors to the Garden Plaza present at the ceremony were: Linda & Alan Baracco of The Wayne Grey Wilson Foundation; the Peggy DeWolf Family — Janet Whitaker and Paul La Mere, Dan and Kelly DeWolf; Judy DeWolf and Alan Supan; Billie and Bob Gillet; Liz Drummond, representing the Latrobe Fund; Freda B. Runyon Foundation; Linda Dwyer of the Dwyer Family Fund; the Jeter Family; the family of Rico Mayhew. Other donors were: the Family of Jake Christopher; Carol and James Dayley; Enterprise Holdings, Debi and Paul Harlow; the Lighthall Family; Helen and Jim Ware; and Janet Whitaker.

Continued from

About DAR

As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove

lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR visit DAR. org, and for more information about the El Dorado Chapter or if you wish to learn about your Revolutionary War ancestors email ElDoradoCountyRegent@yahoo.com.

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

With the completion of the Peggy DeWolf Plaza Garden and the exterior mural on the side of the building, MORE’s Placerville campus is complete — and colorful.