Village Life/Cameron Park Life, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Jana Rossi Staff writer

The prospective Cameron Park Lake splash pad became a hot topic during the Oct. 19 Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors meeting, with some concerned the project isn’t the best use of CSD funds.

CPCSD sta and directors in 2019 permanently closed the lake’s swimming lagoon and later sent surveys out to Cameron Park residents asking for input regarding water recreation amenities. Many board meetings later it was unanimously decided a splash pad, considered to require less maintenance and be less costly to operate, would be constructed at the lagoon site.

Director Monique Scobey, who originally voted in favor of the splash pad, made a presentation during the October meeting outlining her change of heart, noting she has heard protests from residents and also thinks the concrete splash pad is not in harmony with Cameron Park Lake and natural surroundings. Other concerns she touched upon in her presentation included the California water situation — citing the o chance the pad could become inoperable if a drought occurs — and the

parking impact a new structure could bring to the lake. She said she also had concerns about spending 70% of the Park Impact Fund on one structure.

CPCSD o cials had hoped a majority of the funding for the project — about $1.2 million — would come from grant money, but the grant application was recently denied.

Trouble blooming

Many residents attending last month’s meeting voiced concern about the unhealthy state of Cameron Park Lake.

Residents Joe and Pat Ryan, whose home backs to the lake, asked directors to use the funds to improve the lake’s condition rather than direct money to the splash pad project. Pat shared with Village Life how much she appreciates everything the board has done and feels bad that residents, herself included, didn’t realize a splash pad was going to be built at the lake until recently. The Ryans, as well as others attending the meeting, said they never received a survey.

James Joyce, a biologist with Solitude Lake

CAMERON PARK LAKE, page A6

VETERANS DAY Event lauds county heroes

The ve each were recipients of a medal of valor, second only to the Medal of Honor, for their heroism in combat.

They include the late Master Sgt. William Cathcart, U.S. Army who received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the Korean War. On an icy February day in 1952, Cathcart rushed to aid the men of another unit and rally them a er their leader had been killed. A er the unit was forced to withdraw from its attack on a strongly held enemy position, Cathcart realized wounded men had been le behind and headed back up the slope to evacuate his stricken comrades, directly into the face of heavy re. Six times he went up and six times he came back with a wounded man, being cited for utter fearlessness and completely sel ess devotion to his men and his duty.

In 1967 Lt. Col. Greg Etzel was an Air Force Captain ying a 22,000-pound Sikorsky HH-3E rescue helicopter, nicknamed the Jolly Green

MASTER SGT. WILLIAM CATHCART

CPL. RICHARD BUCHANAN

S.SGT. SKY MOTE

John Poimiroo

Special to Village Life

Five of El Dorado County’s greatest heroes will be honored at Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, when bronze plaques describing their heroic actions are dedicated at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument, 360 Fair Lane in Placerville.

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

Nov. 10

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a Veterans Day Flag raising ceremony, 11 a.m. at the Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane in El Dorado Hills.

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

Ponderosa Stage Productions presents “Mamma Mia!” Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 & 12 plus a 2 p.m. matinée Nov. 12 at the Ponderosa High School Theater, 3661 Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. Visit pondodrama.com for tickets.

Nov. 13

The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library hosts its annual Bridge Tournament Fundraiser, 1-5 p.m. at the library. For more information and to register visit friendsoftheedhlibrary. org/bridge-tournament.

Nov. 19

The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts a Christmas Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2502 Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.

Nov. 22

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org or call (877) 258-4825; use blood drive code SMFM486.

Veterans Day

Giant, when he earned the Air Force Cross in Vietnam for gallantry against an opposing force. He ew his big, slow chopper into one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam to rescue an F-105 pilot but was forced to turn back due to oncoming darkness. Despite minimum rest, Etzel volunteered to return the next day, ying through intense re, dodging missiles and evading attacking MIGs to locate and rescue the pilot. His heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces were noted in his award citation.

Awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in 1968 while serving as a Marine automatic ri eman in Vietnam, Cpl. Richard Buchanan’s platoon rushed to the aid of a company of Marines that had been ambushed. In the initial burst of re several Marines in Buchanan’s platoon were killed or seriously wounded, including the platoon commander, platoon sergeant, all the squad leaders and the radio operator. Observing a well-hidden bunker, Buchanan assaulted it, directing accurate ri e re. Then, retrieving the platoon radio and directing his com-

rades to follow, he led the Marines to the relative safety of a nearby pagoda where he established a hasty defense. He then single-handedly assaulted an adjacent bunker, silencing the hostile re. Throughout a three-hour battle his command ability and calm presence of mind was credited as saving numerous Marine lives and inspiring all who saw what he did.

LT.

arms, automatic weapons and grenade re from a North Vietnamese force concealed in bunkers. As his unit sustained heavy casualties he moved forward to engage the nearest bunker with grenade re. When a grenade landed near him, he placed himself between his radio operator and the device, taking its full force, which hurled him to the ground, crippling him. Despite his injuries, he moved his unit, directed the construction of litters to relocate the wounded and, meter by meter, maneuvered his men through 200 meters of bullet-

PEOPLE TALK Photos and question by Sel Richard

Jacob Rose Placerville

“I’m going to celebrate both my granddads because they were both in the Navy.”

Who will you celebrate

Barbara Krabbenhoft El Dorado Hills

“I am thankful for my dad, my grandsons and all those who have protected the United States.”

Jennifer Berdrow

Pollock Pines

“All of our heroes.”

Betty Jo Splendorio Sacramento

“My mom’s late husband John Hinrichs. He served in Vietnam.”

Gabriel Soper San Jose

“My dad served in the Army, my brother is a Marine and my sisterin-law is in the Army.”

Andy LePeilbet was an Army lieutenant in 1969 when he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism while serving in Vietnam. Two platoons of 1st Lt. LePeilbet’s unit came under a devastating barrage of small

COL. GREG ETZEL

1ST LT. ANDREW LePEILBET

Changes

Heraclitus

said, ‘The only thing constant is change,” depending on the source you reference. Even the words spoken by the wise seem subject to change.

Autumn is a season all about change — turning of the leaves, changes in the weather, summer clothes put away and cool weather clothes become the fashion and holidays bring out decorations that stay hidden away for the better part of the year. Except for the people who hate being cold, many of us enjoy the change of seasons.

The Cameron Park Community Services District is no exception. Parks & Facilities switches from high-maintenance summer mode to fall and winter tasks and projects. Recreation gets some relief from the delivery of summer programming only to get busy with winter events and programs ... and planning for the next summer. Recreational vehicles and watercra are brought home for winter storage. Reminder: keep your summer recreational vehicles and boats behind your fence setback. Not sure about your CC&R’s? Contact our

PICHLY

CC&R o ce. Jim or Tim can help you out. And our re department begins to breathe easier as we move from high re danger levels to conditions that make re incidents much more manageable.

What changes are you looking forward to and what do you dread?

Sometimes we invite change, even take it head-on. If you’re one of those who embraces change, good for you. For those who do not, think about the struggle to resist. Is it worth the ght? Is the change a threat to you and your family? If yes, work through your plan and keep your head. If it’s not worth the ght or you’re simply scared or stubborn, think about how the change might be bene cial and could improve your quality of life.

The CSD is all about quality of life. Parks help you connect to nature and provide opportunities for exercise. Recreation provides opportunities for fun and positive social interaction. CC&Rs are designed to set a standard for residential curb appeal and the re department is here for your safety. Even with all the changes, I suppose your CSD could be one of those constants ... except when we need to change, too.

Rossi Staff writer

ANDRÉ

Jana

EDHCSD sues Harn over property tax bill omissions

Noel Stack Managing Editor

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District is taking its public fight with county Auditor-Controller Joe Harn to court.

Last month the EDHCSD filed a law suit against Harn, who purposely left Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District fees charged by the CSD off property tax bills. At that time, the audi tor said he took action after noticing discrepancies in the assessments between what CSD consultants submitted and what the EDHCSD Board of Directors approved. He then asked CSD officials for a letter “indicating that the CSD board was responsible for the accuracy and law fulness of the assessments,” as it had done the prior year. No letter was received.

“The CSD sued Harn in 2017 related to the CSD’s failure to comply with the Mitigation Fee Act,” states a news release from the Auditor-Controller’s Office. “One of the outcomes of that litiga tion is that the CSD now is required to indemnify Harn and the county from any errors (in) the CSD’s … fees under the Mitigation Fee Act.”

EDHCSD officials see it differently. In October the district posted a statement on its website claiming, “… the requirement of the county auditor (the indemnifica tion letter) is not based in any law or fact. Rather it is about his office being both ered by questions from the public; a basis in conjecture of a slipshod civil grand jury report about LLADs, and; his concern for the district charging a (lesser) assessment than the maximum permitted by resolu tion of the district board of directors.”

A letter sent directly to the auditor accuses Harn of “political pandering” and calls him “a bully on the playground.”

Fall 2022 property tax bills sent out excluded assessments for more than 20 EDHCSD LLADs, an approximately $1.4 million loss for the district. EDHCSD General Manager Kevin Loewen earlier said scheduled upkeep will continue as usual in those special districts.

Veterans Day

strafed terrain. As he did so, communist forces massed to launch an allout attack in an attempt to overrun his unit but LePeilbet tenaciously commanded the field, evacuating wounded to places of safety and deploying his men to

Harn received a copy of the lawsuit last week, calling it “a colossal waste of money.”

“I was served a 117-page document (the lawsuit) and I haven’t read the whole thing,” he shares in his news release. “I did notice a significant error right up front. The suit states that the CSD board voted unanimously to charge its residents these assessments; actually, Director Heidi Hannaman voted no. Interestingly, the CSD’s GM signed a verification under penalty of perjury indicating that he is responsible for the accuracy of the state ments in the lawsuit and he believes the facts are correct.”

An erratum was later submitted to the courts to correct the error.

Village Life reached out to Loewen for additional comment regarding the law suit and Harn’s statements. He told the newspaper he plans to respond to Harn’s claims but had not sent anything prior to press time. The story will be updated on VillageLife.com when Loewen shares his response.

If/when supplemental property tax bills are sent out, the cost is estimated at $60,000. Harn said the county would ini tially incur the expense and then recover the cost from LLAD funds received.

All this legal wrangling could have been avoided had the CSD signed the letter, he added. “If the CSD board isn’t respon sible for the assessments, who is?”

LLAD liaison

The EDHCSD recently announced its board is considering the formation of a LLAD Advisory Committee, which will review budgeted vs. actual costs, discuss issues with underfunded LLADs, delve into LLAD financials and intricate operations and serve as a liaison between the LLAD community and the board of directors. A workshop for potential members has been scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. Those interested are asked to email EDHCSD Director of Administration & Finance Teri Gotro at tgotro@edhcsd.org.

Continued from A2

repel the enemy.

Sky Mote, a gradu ate of Union Mine High School, was a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps, serving in Afghanistan in 2012 when the Marine Tactical Operations Center at which he was serv

ing was infiltrated and came under automatic, small arms fire from a rogue Afghan uniformed policeman. Working unseen by the attacker in an adjacent room, Mote could have exited the structure to safety. Instead, to protect his fel low Marines, he grabbed his M4 rifle and boldly engaged the gunman, until falling mortally wounded. For his heroic and selfless act in helping to halt the enemy assault, which allowed all but one of the other Marines to get to cover and survive, he was awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously.

Expected to attend the ceremony will be Lt. Col. Etzel, Cpl. Buchanan and 1st Lt. LePeilbet. The families of M. Sgt. Cathcart and S. Sgt. Mote have also indicated they will be there. This is the first time all five heroes have been honored collectively by El Dorado County.

Also being recognized on Veterans Day will be the El Dorado County Veteran of the Year Dave Sauvé and recipi ent of the El Dorado County Veterans Service and Support Award — The Gilmore Hero Foundation.

Read more about the cer emony and award recipients online at VillageLife.com.

for these black belt students

Hard work

and hard work.

Parker and Gavin both started training with Master James Carswell at the age of 4 as part of the Tiny Tigers program. A er completing the program as Tiny Tiger 4th dan black belts, the boys began the journey to black belt. At such a young age they showed grit and determination at every stage and now at just 8 years old they have earned the right to wear a black belt. Taekwondo has given them con dence, focus, balance, and enjoyment that positively impacts all

parts of their lives. And the strong sense of community fostered by Carswell creates an environment of motivation, encouragement and positive reinforcement.

Jonah earned his 1st dan black belt last October and now at only 10 he has achieved 2nd dan black belt status. He has placed in every event he has competed in and worked himself into the nal four, which quali ed him to compete for a championship competition for sparring and poomsae in October.

York earned his 3rd degree black belt and Murphy earned her 2nd degree black belt.

As they advance, each student sets new goals to achieve, with York working on leadership and teaching skills while Murphy is focused on teaching at various levels, starting with the Tiny Tigers.

top

as a new board member are

ensure

responsibility and sustainability and to make parks more available. He has spent the last 20 years working for Sacramento County Waste Management and currently serves on the Cameron Park CSD’s CC&R Committee.

This will be Scobey’s second four-year term serving Cameron Park. She was appointed to a one-year term in 2017 with Director Wooten and then rst elected with Carlson and Wooten in 2018 for a four-year term.

“I am pleased and privileged to serve another four years as a director for the Cameron

Park CSD,” Scobey said. “In the past four years many tasks have been accomplished. We have balanced the budget, installed a cost-saving solar project, added a disc golf course and weathered the COVID crisis. Now, there are many projects ahead of us, includ-

ing negotiating our re contract, improving park amenities and continuing responsible management of the district.”

The directors will be sworn into their positions at the December CPCSD board meeting.

Courtesy photo

Cameron Park Family Taekwondo Academy students celebrate their new black belts. Back row, left to right, Brandon York, Jonah Hesse, Master James Carswell and Sharon Murphy with Parker Horiuchi, front row left, and Gavin Fithian.

Special to Village Life

Parker Horiuchi and Gavin Fithian, both 8; Jonah Hesse, 10; Brandon York, 15; and Sharon Murphy, 70, are among the Cameron Park Family Taekwondo Academy students who recently achieved various degrees of black belt status thanks to years of dedication

Management, con rmed an algae bloom brought on by drought conditions is in part to blame for the lake’s disheveled condition. Joyce and CPCSD Parks & Facilities Superintendent Mike Grassle have developed a treatment plan that will be implemented starting this winter.

The plan adds up to 16 aerators, two of those expected to be installed in December, to the bottom of the lake that will run 24 hours a day in order to percolate the stagnant water while bringing in oxygen. Larger fountains will also be placed throughout the lake. A phosphorous treatment and a systemic herbicide called SONAR was recommended by Joyce to help control weeds. This treatment would be applied every two years during the spring and summer months of April, May and June.

Director Eric Aiston agreed that while a majority of the funds are slated to be used for the splash pad, there are still funds available and he would like to see Cameron Park Lake care and costs associated be placed on a future agenda.

Place to play

Suggestions on what to do with the lagoon area ran the gamut, from using the site as a launch pad for kayaks and paddle boats (using funds to get the

paddle boats back into the lake) to creating an educational area.

Angela Honoro was one of several Cameron Park residents who spoke in favor of the splash pad. Honoro , a mother of four daughters (the youngest being 7) said she thinks having something for the younger generation would be ideal for the lake area. She encouraged directors to move forward with their original decision.

Resident Colette Thiel joined the meeting via Zoom and also spoke in favor, saying the additional feature to the lake would be a wonderful place to take her grandchildren.

Also supporting the splash pad were Sharon Keoppel and her 16-year-old son Jonathan Smith, calling it a fun amenity. Jonathan acknowledged that while the splash pad would appear to be geared for use by younger kids, he said even at his age he and his friends would still enjoy the project.

At this time the district continues to move forward with the splash pad.

CPCSD General Manager André Pichly said plans have been submitted to the county for approval and he hopes that will be done before the December board of directors meeting. At that time, or at a subsequent meeting should approval be delayed, the directors will decide if they want to send the project out to bid.

4212 Gina Way, Cameron Park

2,298 square feet 4 bedrooms, 2 baths 0.35-acre property

Listed at $780,000 MLS #222121596

Cameron Park home o ers beautiful views

This stunning, fourbedroom home sits on a beautiful corner lot showcasing breathtaking Marble Valley views.

The single-story house has a lovely, custom front door that opens into the spacious oor plan featuring high ceilings, upscale lighting, fresh paint inside and out, crown moulding, new luxury vinyl ooring throughout and natural light ooding in through large picture windows.

The front living room is an impressive, welcoming space that also serves as the formal dining room. Nearby, the open den/o ce o ers a quiet place to get work done.

An elegant, arched doorway opens to the home’s great room. The updated, open-concept kitchen has an island with a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, new cabinetry, a gas cooktop and a dining bar. Other amenities include a pantry closet, built-in microwave and oven plus dining space that ties the kitchen to the family room, where a gas log replace keeps the room cozy.

Retire to the primary suite that has a spacious walk-in closet. The suite’s bathroom features dual sinks, a soaking tub and a stall shower.

The home has three additional bedrooms and a bathroom.

Entertain in style in the backyard, which has a new wood fence, a beautiful deck overlooking the impeccable local views and a repit area where you can catch up with family and friends while roasting marshmallows. The rest of the space is low-maintenance with a few mature trees and shrubs.

The front yard boasts a green lawn, a nicely sized shade tree and manicured shrubs.

The new homeowners will enjoy being close to Highway 50, award-winning schools, local parks, Cameron Park Lake and more.

Interested in a tour of this lovely Gina Way property in Cameron Park? Contact Realtor Marilyn Go at (530) 672-4530 or visit marilyngo .com.

No one wants to make the choice to seek memory care, but the decision is often necessary for both you and the one you love. CountryHouse is here to help families going through this difficult time by making a tough decision easier. For a limited time, those who choose CountryHouse for their loved one can opt for a trial stay...and save. Place a refundable deposit by December 31, 2022, and in return, you’ll pay no community fee and have no long term contract. Best of all, if you decide to extend the stay, the fourth month of base rent will be free.

Welcome, Gulf Fritillary butterflies

As the Master Gardeners of El Dorado County welcomed human visitors to Sherwood Demonstration Garden this past summer, every one was in for a special treat. Swarms of bright orange, spotted Gulf Fritillaries (Agraulis vanil lae), also called passion butterflies, converged at Sherwood’s Perennial Garden arbor. These little Frits had found their per fect summer retreat.

Reddish orange, and quite showy, Gulf Fritillaries primarily migrate from Florida and Texas. In the 1970s they were thought

to be extinct in the Sacramento/Davis area. Surprisingly, they have made an amazing come back. They have become much more common in the California Central

Valley, moving farther up into the foothills since 2010. Preferring open sunny grasslands, parks and woodlands, they love

Ken and his 5-year-old German Shepherd/Lab shop greeter, Koda

Pauline Atkins UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Photo by Bobbie McCaffrey The Gulf Fritillary Butterfly is a beautiful, new addition to the foothills. They were once though extinct in the Sacramento/ Davis area.

Novemberin the United State is the traditional season for giving thanks to our Creator for the many blessings we received from Him.

This year, especially, there is reason to be grateful as communities around the world return to normal.

I spent two lovely weeks in Italy last month. Museums are open everywhere in this cradle of Western Civilization and the art is breathtaking. Italians are smiling and so happy to welcome visitors to their beautiful country again. I had the opportunity to see many works by the famous Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Michelangelo was the quintessential renaissance man. He was a painter, a sculptor, a poet, an architect and more. He used every faculty of his mind to bring beauty into the world.

His approach to sculpting was inspired. “I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free,” he said.

Re ecting on that, one could say that today’s arts community — globally and locally — is the sibling of that freed angel. It is such a joy to see this angel of our better natures so vibrant a er a two-year slumber.

■

Photo by Susan Laird

Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti is entombed in the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

It’sunfortunate, but recessions are a fairly normal part of the economic landscape. When a recession occurs, how might you be a ected? The answer depends on your individual situation but, regardless of your circumstances, you might want to consider the items in this recession survival checklist:

Suzy O’Neal Financial columnist

Assess your income stability. If your employment remains steady, you may not have to do anything di erent during a recession. But if you think your income could be threatened or disrupted you might want to consider joining the “gig economy” or looking for freelance or consulting opportunities.

Review your spending. Look for ways to trim your spending, such as canceling subscription services you don’t use, eating out less o en and so on.

Pay down your debts. Try to reduce your debts, especially those with high interest rates.

Plan your emergency fund. If you haven’t already built one, try to create an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account.

Review your protection plan. If your health or life insurance is tied to your work, a change in your employment status could jeopardize this coverage. Review all your options for replacing these types of protection. Also, look for ways to lower premiums on home or auto insurance without signi cantly sacri cing coverage to free up money that could be used for health/life insurance.

Keep your long-term goals in mind. Even if you adjust your portfolio during times of volatility, don’t lose sight of your long-term goals. Trying to “outsmart” the market with short-term strategies can o en lead to missteps and missed opportunities.

Don’t stop investing. If you can a ord it, try to continue investing. Coming out of a recession, stock prices tend to bottom out and then rebound so if you had headed to the investment “sidelines” you would have missed the opportunity to bene t from a market rally.

Revisit your performance expectations. During a bear market you will constantly be reminded of the decline of a particular market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. But instead of focusing on these short-term numbers, look instead at the long-term performance of your portfolio to determine if you’re still on track toward meeting your goals.

Assess your risk tolerance. If you nd yourself worrying excessively about declines in your investment statements you may want to reevaluate your tolerance for risk. One’s risk tolerance can change over time — and it’s important you feel comfortable with the amount of risk you take when investing. Keep diversifying. Diversi cation is always important for investors — by having a mix of stocks, mutual funds and bonds you can reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio.

To cite one example: Higher-quality bonds, such as Treasuries, o en move in the opposite direction of stocks, so the presence of these bonds in your portfolio, if appropriate for your goals, can be valuable when market conditions are worsening. (Keep in mind, though, that diversi cation cannot guarantee pro ts or protect against all losses in a declining market.)

A recession accompanied by a bear market is not pleasant. But by taking the appropriate steps you can boost your chances of getting through a di cult period and staying on track toward your important nancial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Suzy O’Neal, (530) 676-5402. Edward Jones, member SIPC.

‘Bah! Humbug’ musical brings joy

News release

El Dorado Musical Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol, the Musical,” Nov. 11-20 at Harris Center for the Arts.

“A Christmas Carol” is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story. Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who cares for nothing more than his wealth and greets all Christmas joy with an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” He’s forced to face his sel sh ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his past, present and future. Scrooge recognizes his faults and

everything about butter y gardens. Sherwood Demonstration Garden is a smorgasbord for Gulf Fritillaries. Their adult diet consists of ower nectar from zinnias, asters, thistle, verbena, lantana, butter y bush, native owers and, most importantly, their host plants.

The Frits host plant is the Passi ora vine or various other passionower species. According to butter y experts, if a gardener wants to attract these pollinators to their yards, they should plant a

welcomes Christmas morning with a cheerful “Happy Christmas” before spreading joy and love to those around him.

El Dorado Musical Theatre is an award-winning, nonpro t youth performing arts center focused on building con dence for life through excellence in theatre. For 22 years EDMT has brought high quality productions to the community and positively impacted the greater Sacramento region.

Harris Center for the Arts is located at 10 College Parkway on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

perennial Passi ora. The leaves and vines provide a good structural habitat to nurture and protect eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult butter y. Courtship behavior usually takes place on the host plant. The females lay their yellow eggs, about the size of a sesame seed, on the leaves. From these tiny eggs, a erce looking orange and brown striped caterpillar hatches.

The very hungry, spiked caterpillars munch, munch, munch and grow like crazy on the passion ower vine leaves.

Unfortunately, the caterpillars will strip and skeletonize the leaves, nibble the stems, seed pods and passion fruit of the host plant. Not what gardeners like to see. This perennial Passi ora may look dead, but it is not. Cut back in fall, it will grow and leaf out again next spring. Remember, you are not a bad gardener; you are a butter y conservationist!

These leaves not only provide Frits with nourishment, they also contain toxic chemicals that pass into the butter y’s body during its life cycle. This acts as a defense mechanism in response to predator sightings. When frightened, butter ies release smelly poisonous chemicals to scare o their enemies. The spikes on the caterpillars are not stinging, but so to the touch, they just look scary. This also provides natural protection from predators.

Once they make their winged metamorphosis into a beautiful butter y, it is time to utter away and eat. As they itter

from ower to ower the feet of the butter y have special sugar receptors. When their feet touch sugar, the proboscis, or elongated sucking mouthpart, uncoils for feeding on the sweet ower nectar. With all their favorite owers growing at Sherwood Demonstration Garden, it is a feeding paradise.

These ashy, fast, high ying, long winged beauties have a short life span of 14-27 days. Be sure to plan a trip to Sherwood Demonstration Garden next spring/summer to spot our newest visitors — the Gulf Fritillary Butter y, itting and uttering to-and-fro in the garden.

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

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

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on mgeldorado.ucanr.edu or leave a message on the o ce telephone at (530) 6215512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr. edu/master gardener e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Your ‘recession survival’ checklist

Runs to make a difference

In addition to being grateful for the events we can simply experience, there are events where our partici pation is leveraged for the greater good.

Events to feed neighbors in need will be held in Sacramento and Folsom on Thanksgiving morning. There is nothing quite like the joy one feels when par ticipating in one of these events. Not only are neigh bors facing hard times provided with necessary food and essentials, calories are burned before family feasts.

It’s hard not to smile when you see some people wearing turkey hats (or costumes) on Thanksgiving morning. The positive vibes are giddy.

The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services hosts the annual Run to Feed the Hungry in East Sacramento. Nearly 30,000 people participate in this annual 5K/10K fun run/walk. Visit runtofeedthehun gry.com for registration and more information.

The Folsom Turkey trot hosts some 4,000 partici pants and benefits the Twin Lakes Food Bank. Like its

older cousin in Sacramento, participants receive a fun run T-shirt and the opportunity to make a difference. Visit folsomturkeytrot.com for registration and details.

German heritage revival

The Sacramento Turn Verein brings its annual Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) back to the community, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3. In many towns in Germany and Austria, advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town’s Christkindlmarkt. Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the market combines food and drink in the open air, shopping, pageantry and tradition. Onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel played by local youth.

The annual Sacramento Christkindlemarkt is held in the historical Turn Verein building on J Street in Sacramento. Highlights of this festive event include

traditional German music, 28 booths featuring local vendors, lebkuchen and magenbrot (traditional German baked Christmas treats), glühwein (mulled wine), daily appearances of Saint Nicholas and the German Christkind (Christ Child) and holiday cheer. Visit sacramentoturnverein.com for more.

Carpe diem

“Renaissance” means “rebirth.” As our community reawakens, take advantage of opportunities to experi ence something beautiful. Michelangelo himself felt the art experience went beyond simple observation. “Every beauty which is seen here by persons of per ception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all come,” Michelangelo said. Happy Thanksgiving! Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@handywriting.com.

Jessica Cyphers Staff writer

For patients of Dale Stanec, Jr., DDS, going to the dentist feels a little like going home.

“We know all of our patients. They’re our friends,” said Dr. Stanec, who works alongside his wife and office manager, Elena, in his Cam eron Park office. “The experience in our office is very personal. We’re very small and greet each patient by name when they walk in. It’s a comfortable, homey place to have dental work done, and we like it that way.”

Dr. Stanec has been in dentistry in the Cameron Park area since 2002. As a kid, he was “always into science and math” and loved the idea of owning his own business. “I ran a lawn-mow ing business as a kid — always had some kind of business going — so becoming a dentist and owning my own practice just made sense,” said Dr. Stanec. Dr. Stanec did his under graduate work at Cal Poly,

San

although he was born and raised in San Jose, it was a natural draw to open his practice in the foothills. “Elena and I love

In his office, Dr. Stanec offers a full scope of general and cosmetic dentistry with expertise ranging from porcelain veneers and dental implants to crowns and bridges and more. Unlike many other dentists, Dr. Stanec doesn’t employ dental hygien ists or other technicians but does all of his dental work himself.

“I spend a lot of one-on-one time with my patients. It’s fun for me to do the work myself because I get to spend more time with my patients and hang out with them and really get to know them. It makes it fun to do what I do,” said Dr. Stanec.

Another advantage of keeping his practice small is that, because he sees every patient one at a time, Dr. Stanec can be very thorough and immediately answer any questions that come up. He is also able to really respect his patients’ time. “I am almost always early or on time,” said Dr. Stanec. “My patients know that, so they’re usually early or on time for their appointments, too. It’s a win win for everyone.”

Dr. Stanec is located at 3955 Cam eron Park Drive — in Cameron Park. His office is right near the Goldorado Shopping Center, directly across from the new Walgreens on Palmer Drive, and is very conveniently located for all of his patients. The move is just one more way Dr. Stanec shows his commitment to providing the best possible care for his patients.

“I look forward to going to work and getting to see who’s on the sched ule every day,” said Dr. Stanec.

“I love the work that I do and am proud to do really quality work. Originally I’d planned to be a little bigger, but then I realized I liked it this way. I really enjoy my patients and

this way I can get to know them well.”

For more information or to sched ule an appointment with Dr. Stanec, visit drstanec.com or call 530-676-6500.

Luis Obispo and then attend ed dental school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern in 2001 and says that,

this area. We had a lot of family and friends here and thought it would be a great place to raise our kids.”

Dale III, Dr. Stanec, Luis, and Elena Stanec

Shingle Springs Cameron Park

Shingle

SpringS~Cameron

park Chamber of Commerce

President’s Corner Colette Thiel

Wow! It’s already November. Time changes, the daylight is shorter but that doesn't stop business owners from continuing to work hard to build their business. The economy continues to struggle with higher prices and supply chain issues. Your Board of Directors is committed to continue growing our Chamber. Our membership growing in 2022 has surpassed 2021 and we have set loft goals for 2023. It’s more than just signing up and paying dues. It’s about getting involved, networking and having our business/community voices heard on a larger scale.

It's Small Business Season: Support Local! Throughout the holiday shopping season, the Chamber is encouraging consumers to “Think Small” and earmark at least part of their holiday spending in support of local small business. Small business is the backbone of our economy. 64% of our new jobs in the US come from small business. When people spend their dollars locally, more money stays local. On average, for every $100 sent locally, $68 of that stays here.

By implementing Small Business Season, we hope to encourage people to patronize all sorts of small businesses this holiday. In addition to our wonderful retail options, there are dining establishments, personal service providers, even local artisans that need our support. Small Business Season is a way to help our residents develop a better appreciation for how their spending affects our area and quality of life.

All businesses need one another. There’s a symbiotic relationship.

But small business is the most endangered because many small businesses don’t operate with large cash reserves. When costs skyrocket, they feel it.

If you know of a business in our community that could benefit from networking, marketing, and more exposure, please send them our way or better yet, invite them to attend our monthly luncheon to check us out.

Visit our FB page www.Facebook.com/SSCPChamber and our website at www.sscpchamber.org to keep informed of events happening in our great area over the next few months. We invite everyone to participate in our events. It’s a terrific opportunity to meet other residents and business owners.

Our Chamber has an open-door policy and works in partnership with our community and businesses to help navigate the road map to have a thriving and healthy community which benefits ALL residents.

The SS/CP Chamber Needs

The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers to spend a few hours a month helping the chamber with its events and management. The payback is helping your local business advocates support the community in which they live and serve,

October (Fridays to Sundays) – CP Rotary Club Observatory

while striving to make Shingle Springs and Cameron Park wonderful places in which to live! We have several key positions opening right now. Get involved today! Please contact Colette Thiel at Colette@thielhomes.com for more information.

Shingle Springs Cameron Park

From 8:30pm to 10:30 pm, weather permitting, the observatory is open to the public on weekend evenings. Trained docents show the many celestial wonders of the universe through two 14 – inch telescopes. Folsom Lake College, El Dorado Center, Campus Drive (continue through the back parking lots to the left of the observatory gate). For info and closure updates, call (530) 642 – 5621, Ext. 9.

November - Small Business Saturday Shop locally by visiting the various shops and restaurants in Town Center! Visit https://edhtowncenter.com/upcoming-events/ for more details.

November 19 – Third Saturday, Placerville Art Walk

Historic Downtown Placerville. Main Street galleries and merchants host changing art shows and late night shopping every third Saturday of the month. Demonstrations, refreshments, music and more. Placerville Downtown Association, 376 Main St.., Placerville. Read more on EventCrazy.com.

November 19 – Christmas Craft Faire

From 10am to 4pm, this is a legendary event in our community where over 60 local handmade craft vendors gather to sell their unique goods for the Holiday Season. Participants are welcome to stroll through the campus and purchase goods from our vendors all day long!  Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park. For more information, call the Chamber at (530) 677-8000 or visit https://www.sscpchamber. org/2022/11/19/76996/christmas-craft-faire/

Dark Month – SS/CP Chamber Networking Luncheon

Please join us again in January. Contact the Chamber for more details at (530) 677-8000.

Dark Month – SS/CP Chamber Mixer

Please join us again in January. Contact the Chamber at (530) 677-8000.

November 25 – Christmas Festival of Lights

From 4:00-7:00pm, start the holiday season off with a magical night in downtown Placerville! The Placerville community gathers each year, filling Main Street with family, friends, and neighbors to share the magical moment when we kick off the Holiday Season with the Christmas tree’s lighting.

Shops are open late, restaurants are ready to serve you, and entertainment will be on the street. It is a very sweet and simple tradition we hold dear. Come early, parking can be a challenge, but it is so worth it!

• Christmas Tree lighting at 6 pm

• LIVE Christmas Music

• Old Fashion Christmas Carolers

• Main street shops & restaurants open late to get your holiday shopping done!

• Arrive early for parking, Main Street will be closed to cars.

December 2 – Christmas Tree Lighting

From 4:30 – 6:00 pm, plan on attending the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is a joyous night as kids take a picture with Santa, drink hot cocoa, eat Christmas cookies and create this year's newest ornament for their trees. We conclude the night with magic, as Santa lights the tree for everyone to see!  Christa McAuliffe Park, 2400 Merrychase Dr., Cameron Park. https:// www.sscpchamber.org/2022/12/02/76997/christmas-tree-lighting/

December

3 – Christmas Tree Lighting

The El Dorado Hills Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 3, 2022, will be a magical night for the whole family, with games, a merchant open house, live music, and, of course, a visit from Santa! For more information, visit https://visiteldorado.com/event/el-dorado-hills-christmas-tree-lighting/

December 3 – Christmas Carriage Rides

The El Dorado Hills Town Center is a magical place during the holiday season. There's no better way to enjoy its charm than with a horse-drawn carriage ride! Enjoy carriage rides on select Fridays and Saturdays, December 3-17, from 6-9 pm on Fridays, and 5-9 pm on Saturdays. For more information, visit https:// visit-eldorado.com/event/christmas-carriage-rides/

4 – Placerville Christmas Parade

December

A local favorite for 40+ years, this big parade is full of smalltown fun. The Hangtown Christmas Parade winds its way down Broadway, then onto Main Street, beginning at 1 pm. Spectators can enjoy everything from fine equines decked out in their best tack to high school bands in bright uniforms and the always-stunning and eagerly awaited special floats that grace the Hangtown Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is Victorian, A Charles Dickens Christmas, and the Parade Grand Marshal is Albert Fausel. For more information, visit https:// hangtownchristmasparade.com/

Join the Chamber

The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce, originally formed as the Shingle Springs Business and Professional Association, Inc. in December 1967. It works to promote the area, encouraging business and industrial investment to provide the foundation for a solid community.

The Chamber’s mission statement reflects this premise: “To advocate, promote and preserve the quality of life in our Chamber Community, by means of a strong, healthy and diverse business community.”

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE