Winters Express: Wednesday, December 18, 2025 by mcnaughtonmedia

Councilmember Jesse Loren (center) and Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi take their oaths of office at the Dec. 10 city council meeting.

Council hears updated Paseo Park design proposal

Certifies General Election results

By Sonora Slater Express staff writer

The Dec. 11 special meeting of the Winters City Council was largely focused on a discussion of Paseo Park, an empty lot next to Pacific Ace Hardware on Main Street that has long been in talks to be transformed into a community space.

Cole Skaggs, a consultant with Super Extra Fancy, LLC, gave a presentation to the council on the final design concept planned for the park, created

through several iterations that incorporated feedback from the council and the general public.

Before the presentation, council members briefly certified the Nov. 5 General Election results, and swore in Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi and Councilmember Jesse Loren to continue their positions, on the council. Additionally, Albert Vallecillo officially stepped into his new position of mayor.

Winters resident Kate Laddish expressed gratitude for the re-sworn in members of the council for choosing to continue the work they do for the city.

“What you all do up here isn’t easy,” Laddish said. “I know what we see in meetings is just the very tip of the iceberg of what you do with all the committees and meeting up with constituents, so thank you for throwing your hat in

the ring yet again. We’re very capably served by you both.”

Vallecillo led the conversation for council to see the Paseo Park project moving forward.

“It’s been a long, long process for this little piece of land downtown, but it incorporates all the things that the community wants to see in that space,” Vallecillo said. “It’s exciting to get to this point and see it moving forward, and see it look very doable.”

Skaggs went over all the pieces of the visible design, also noting that there will be some soil preparation and underground infrastructure required to prepare for the build. The park includes several benches and picnic tables, a brick patio for local performances, a games area with things like corn hole

Weather

See PARK, Page 5

Cannabis, street vendor regulation head to council

By Sonora Slater Express staff writer

The Dec. 10 special Winters Planning Commission meeting focused on wrapping up two conversations begun at the meeting held in late October, including regulations on street vendors in Winters and where in the city a cannabis dispensary should be allowed to open — if building such an establishment would be allowed at all.

Assistant city attorney Joanna Gin reminded the commission that based on the conclusions drawn at the Oct. 22 meeting, they would not be recommending a cap on the number of street vendors. The remaining portion of the res-

Winters

olution would simply add the ability to enforce fines for violations of preexisting vendor regulations, like health and safety codes.

Members of the public asked a few clarifying questions about details left unanswered at the last meeting, and then after the distinction between pushcart vendors and mobile vendors (food trucks) was made clear, the commission had time to comment.

Chair Gregory Contreras said that he wasn’t a fan of one new rule in the resolution that states mobile vendors are not allowed to sell within 500 feet of a school unless there is a

See PLANNING, Page 5

Youth Day 2025 theme, art contest announced

Express staff

The Winters Youth Day Committee announced the theme in a social media post for the 2025 Winters Youth Day event as Youth Around the World.

Debbie Pitts submitted the winning theme. “Youth Around the World” reflects the global spirit of our youth and celebrates cultural diversity and unity. In an act of generosity, Pitts donated her prize money back to the organization, helping to ensure the continued success of this cherished annual event.

Art contest opens

With the theme decided, the Youth Day committee launch the 2025 Winters Youth Day Art Contest. This is a unique opportunity for local artists to showcase their talent and contribute to the community by designing the artwork that will be featured on the official event t-shirts and marketing materials. The art contest details and submission form are available online at https://forms.gle/ n8jy1op7iQStKRRA6, https://bit.ly/4iFsvQ6 or on

See CONTEST, Page 5

Volunteer at holiday toy drive

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Youth of One, a local organization founded in 2022, will host its inaugural Christmas Toy Drive, offering local children the chance to pick out a toy for the holidays. Founder Art Garcia is calling on the community to rally together and help make this heartfelt event a success.

Inspired by the large-scale toy drives he witnessed in Los Angeles, Garcia aims to create something equally impactful for his hometown of Winters. Youth of One has been dedicated to empowering local youth by building self-esteem, confidence and social skills through team-building and exercise programs. Now, with this toy drive,

Garcia is expanding the organization’s mission to include holiday joy. Register a child Families can register their children to participate by visiting https://form.jotform. com/243466592145058, https://bit.ly/3ZXkiiO or scanning the QR code available on the Youth of One

See TOYS, Page 5

The hometown paper of Jeanette Jeno

Winters JUSD Board of Trustees

Joedy Michael, Everardo Zaragoza, Sterling Davis, Carrie Green, and Kristin Trott

Sonora Slater/ Winters Express

Eventos hispanos

Faltan iniciativas de gobiernos rurales para comunicarse con los residentes que no dominan el inglés

Por Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez KFF Health News

Eloisa Mendoza ha pasado 18 años ayudando a personas que no dominan el inglés a comprender documentos legales complejos. Los guía en medio de eventos estresantes, repletos de denso papeleo, como solicitudes de ciudadanía, divorcios y traducciones de actas de nacimiento.

Mendoza trabaja en Elko, Nevada, una región remota en el noreste del estado. Su labor se ha vuelto cada vez más importante a medida que la población latina de la ciudad ha crecido a aproximadamente el 26 por ciento. El porcentaje de personas de 5 años o más que hablan un idioma distinto al inglés en casa aumentó al 18 por ciento en 2022, y el español es el idioma hablado en casi el 15 por ciento de los hogares.

A pesar de la creciente demanda para que los gobiernos rurales locales se comuniquen con los residentes en idiomas distintos al inglés, los legisladores estatales en Nevada excluyeron a los condados más pequeños de una ley estatal de acceso lingüístico que se promulgó recientemente. Más gobiernos estatales y locales han implementado medidas similares en los últimos años, pero están concentradas en su mayoría en jurisdicciones urbanas o suburbanas.

Aunque la América rural es en su mayoría blanca no hispana y angloparlante, se ha vuelto rápidamente más diversa.

Sin embargo, implementar leyes estatales y locales de acceso lingüístico es un desafío, según investigadores, dado que los estándares pueden variar entre agencias estatales y localidades, lo que dificulta garantizar

asistencia de alta calidad a los que hablan idiomas diferentes al inglés. No proporcionar acceso lingüístico a quienes lo necesitan no solo constituye una violación de los derechos civiles protegidos por el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles, sino que también puede generar preocupaciones de salud y seguridad pública, dijo Jake Hofstetter, analista de políticas del Migration Policy Institute, un grupo de investigación enfocado en política migratoria.

Aunque el acceso lingüístico es una protección federal, 11 estados y Washington, D.C., han creado políticas amplias dirigidas a sus poblaciones. Algunos estados tienen leyes específicas para sectores como la educación o la atención médica. Otras leyes de acceso lingüístico se han establecido en ciudades como Austin, en Texas; Philadelphia, en Pennsylvania; y Portland, en Maine. En el apogeo de la pandemia de COVID-19, los gobiernos estatales y locales que no tenían sistemas sólidos de acceso lingüístico tuvieron dificultades para comunicar información pública vital a comunidades diversas. Un análisis de la información sobre covid publicada en los sitios web de los departamentos de salud de las 10 ciudades más pobladas del país encontró que no se proporcionaba completamente en español. La población blanca no hispana en las áreas rurales del país disminuyó en aproximadamente 2 millones entre 2010 y 2020, según un análisis de la Escuela de Políticas Públicas Carsey de la Universidad de New Hampshire. El porcentaje de personas pertenecientes a minorías raciales o étnicas en áreas rurales aumentó del 20

Mendoza

ayudando a personas que no hablan inglés con fluidez a navegar procesos legales y trámites burocráticos complejos, como la traducción de certificados de nacimiento, documentos de inmigración, papeles de divorcio y más.

por ciento en 2010 al 24 por ciento en 2020, siendo los hispanos el grupo más grande.

En 2021, 25 millones de personas de 5 años o más en Estados Unidos tenían un dominio limitado del inglés, de los cuales casi dos tercios eran hispanos, según KFF. Nevada es uno de los nueve estados donde al menos el 10% de la población tiene un dominio limitado del inglés.

Según una encuesta de 2023 realizada por KFF y Los Angeles Times, alrededor del 31 por ciento de las personas con dominio limitado del inglés enfrentaron barreras lingüísticas al intentar acceder a servicios de salud.

Una cuarta parte tuvo dificultades para solicitar ayuda del gobierno para alimentos, vivienda o cobertura médica. Además, los inmigrantes que no hablan bien inglés tuvieron el doble de probabilidades de no tener seguro médico en comparación con aquellos que dominan el idioma, y presentaron peores resultados de salud.

Desde que terminó la emergencia por la pandemia, Hofstetter ha observado un número significativo de políticas estatales que abordan el acce-

de 2025 - 10 de enero de 2025

so lingüístico, pero no muchas políticas locales enfocadas en áreas rurales.

El experto señaló que la ley más reciente de Nevada sobre acceso lingüístico, aprobada en 2023, es única porque identifica específicamente y requiere que los condados más poblados del estado — Clark y Washoe — creen e implementen planes de acceso lingüístico. Otra ley aprobada ese

Flores. “Esa es la realidad.”

Flores indicó que, aunque algunas agencias y jurisdicciones habían creado planes de acceso lingüístico en años anteriores, los legisladores descubrieron que no siempre se implementaban ni se hacían cumplir. Por esta razón, decidieron centrarse primero en los dos condados más grandes del estado mientras trabajan para expandir las

“Creo que, desafortunadamente, nuestras jurisdicciones rurales ya están increíblemente limitadas en recursos y, en el momento de esta solicitud, había preocupación de que no estuvieran en condiciones de cumplir con los requisitos.”

Edgar Flores, senador

mismo año destinó $25 millones a las agencias para implementar dichos planes.

El senador estatal demócrata Edgar Flores, quien representa una parte del condado de Clark y fue coautor de la ley más reciente sobre idiomas, indicó que los legisladores han enfrentado resistencia de las agencias estatales en varios intentos por fortalecer los requisitos para proporcionar información y documentos en otros idiomas. Según Flores, los funcionarios citan recursos y personal limitados.

políticas a “todos los códigos postales y todas las agencias”.

“Tenemos personas de todas partes que ahora han hecho de Nevada su hogar,” dijo Flores. “Tenemos una obligación con ellos”.

Las personas que viven en áreas rurales pueden beneficiarse de una red de recursos de agencias estatales que prestan servicios en sus condados o de programas locales que deben abordar el acceso lingüístico debido al financiamiento federal.

Pero Hofstetter señaló que existen brechas en el marco de protecciones federales, estatales y locales a nivel nacional. El grado en que los gobiernos locales ofrecen comunicaciones en idiomas distintos al inglés varía por varias razones, incluida la aplicación de las protecciones de derechos civiles. Esa aplicación de-

pende de quejas de derechos civiles, que a menudo deben ser presentadas por residentes que pueden no conocer sus derechos relacionados con el acceso lingüístico, dijo Hofstetter. Los miembros de la comunidad también pueden enfrentar resistencia de los líderes locales a la expansión del acceso a servicios e información en otros idiomas. En 2018, Mendoza apoyó la idea de ofrecer boletas en inglés y español en el condado de Elko. Los comisionados del condado, tres de los cuales aún están en la junta, votaron unánimemente para recomendar al secretario del condado retrasar la oferta de boletas bilingües tanto como fuera posible después de cuestionar los datos demográficos del censo, y alegar que no tenían fondos para traducir las boletas. Tener acceso a boletas en su idioma preferido ayuda a los votantes a comprender mejor las iniciativas que los afectan, muchas de las cuales están relacionadas con la salud, como una pregunta en la boleta del 5 de noviembre que pedía a los votantes opinar sobre si consagrar el derecho al aborto en la constitución estatal.

La medida fue aprobada con el 64 por ciento de los votantes a favor y necesita ser aprobada nuevamente en 2026 para implementarse.

La Legislatura de Nevada se reunirá nuevamente en febrero, y Flores dijo estar seguro de que habrá al menos un proyecto de ley sobre acceso lingüístico. Hofstetter anticipa más normas estatales y locales sobre el tema en los próximos años.

“Imagino que eso incluirá algunas áreas rurales,” concluyó.

—KFF Health News es una redacción nacional que produce periodismo en profundidad sobre temas de salud y es uno de los principales programas operativos de KFF: una fuente independiente de investigación sobre política sanitaria, encuestas y periodismo. Más información en kffhealthnews.org/topics/ noticias-en-espanol.

Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez/KFF Health News

Eloisa

lleva

años

City offices closed for holiday

Express staff

At the Winters City Council meeting held on Dec. 17, City Manager Jeremy Craig informed the public about the upcoming holiday schedule for city staff. In an effort to accommodate the holidays, Winters City Hall will be closed to the public during this time. Additionally, specific departments will have limited hours of operation.

Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly and check with individual departments for their holiday hours to ensure that necessary services can be accessed when available.

At the Dec. 17 Winters City Council meeting, City Manager Jeremy Craig announced that city staff would be observing the traditional holiday schedule and that Winters City Hall would be closed to the public, and specific departments would have limited hours to the public over the holiday weeks.

Winters City Hall will close on Tuesday, Dec. 24 and reopen to the public on Monday, Jan. 6.

The Public Works department will be working adjusted hours to be available. Public works services and forms are available on the Public Works department

page at www.cityofwinters.org/216/Public-Works.

In addition, building inspections will still be available via appointment. To schedule an appointment or to access other online services, visit the city website homepage at www.cityofwinters.org.

Winters public safety agencies will operate as normal. For information, visit the Winters Fire Department at https://www. cityofwinters.org/157/ Fire or the Winters Police Department at https://www.cityofwinters.org/158/Police. Updates from Winters Fire and Winters PD can also be found on their social media account pages.

Winters Robotics seeks volunteers

Special to the Express

The Winters Robotics Club is hosting a one-day VEX Robotics Competition at the Winters High School gym on Saturday Dec. 21. Volunteers are needed to help make the tournament successful, with opportunities available for various roles, such as judges, referees, emcees, team queuers and concessions.

Many roles do not require technical experience, just a passion for supporting students in their learning journey. The community is invited to attend these free events and witness the exciting challenges that Winters Robotics students will take on.

To volunteer, sign up at https://bit.ly/ 1221FarmBotsVolunteer or by contacting Winters Robotics Inc., at wintersrobotics@ gmail.com.

The Winters Robotics Club is a student-driven team providing students in 6th to 12th grades with a creative, hands-on environment for developing skills in robotics. Under the leadership of coach Dianne Halsey, the team has earned numerous awards and state qualifications, including a VEX World Championship qualification in 2023.

The club also participates in various community outreach activities, including elementary-level demonstrations and events supporting the Yolo Food Bank. It is

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

supported by Winters Robotics, Inc., a nonprofit organization that sustains robotics education in the area.

For more information and updates, follow the club on Facebook and Instagram @wintersrobotics.

Mr. and Mrs. George Griffin are pleased to announce the wedding of their daughter, Fallon Griffin to Mr. Connor Pivateau on June 4, 2024 in Las Mareas, Costa Rica. The two met while students at Oklahoma State University and were engaged in April 2023. The destination wedding was truly magical in the magnificent, tropical setting on the Pacific Coast of Northern Costa Rica. The couple exchanged vows with the beach at their backs and 32 family members and close friends looking on. Although a bit of rain began to fall as the ceremony was about to take place, it did not dampen the spirits of the wedding party or guests. Champagne was served, photos were taken, and the attendees then retired to the covered reception area were cocktails, dinner and dancing was enjoyed by all.

As marriages on foreign soil are not legally recognized, Mr. and Mrs. Pivateau later repeated their vows in a civil ceremony at the Yolo County Administration Center, attended by immediate family.

The bride grew up in Winters, graduated from Winters High School and later from Oklahoma State University with majors in agribusiness and Spanish. She is currently working for HM. CLAUSE as the talent acquisition specialist in Davis.

The groom is the son of Mr. Geoffrey Pivateau and Ms. Peri Alkas of Houston, Texas, where he grew up. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in business administration. He is currently employed by Centene as a financial analyst.

The happy newlyweds have made their home in Winters, having purchased a home in the new Walnut Lane development.

The Winters Robotics Club is seeking volunteers to help support in roles at the VEX Robotics Competition tournament on Dec. 21, at the Winters High School gymnasium.

Lake Berryessa water levels up 1.99

The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 1.99 feet, with an increase in the storage of 36,109 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh, Solano Project Technician with the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 17, he reported the lake

elevation was 434.04 feet above sea level, with water storage behind the Monticello Dam computed at 1,440,757 acre-feet of water. The SID released 50 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 40 cubic feet flowing into Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation on the lake averaged 32 acre-feet of water per day.

Holiday Editorial Content deadlines

Dec. 25 edition, due on Friday, Dec. 20 by 3 p.m. Jan. 1 edition, due on Friday, Dec. 27 by 3 p.m.

Public Safety Report

~9:28 p.m., Main Street, Dispatched and canceled en route

Dec. 4: 8:33 a.m., Wildrose Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~12:45 p.m., Abbey Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~2:41 p.m., E. Grant Avenue, EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury

Dec. 5: 12:56 p.m., Main Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~2:37 p.m., Red Bud Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Dec. 7: 4:30 p.m., Railroad Avenue/ Main Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~5:49 p.m., Halley County Road, Dispatched and canceled en route

Dec. 8: 2:40 a.m., Myrtle Drive, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~7:16 p.m., Wyatt Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Dec. 10: 12:35 p.m., County Road 89/County Road 28, Smoke Investigation

~12:47 p.m., County Road 88/County Road 27 (Madison), Smoke Investigation

~5:57 p.m., Vasey Street, Fire Alarm

~7:15 p.m., Railroad Avenue/Wolfskill Street, Mutual Aid

Police

Arrest Log

Dec. 4: Winston, Donald E (Age 60); Charges: DUI, DUI with BAC over .08

percent, License plate cover; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail

~Winters Juvenile (Age Unk.), Charges: Petty Theft, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear

Dec. 9: Virgen Lomeli, Luis Manuel (Age 36), Charges: Driving with license suspended for DUI, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear Report Log

Dec. 4: 3:21 p.m., 200th block of East Street, Littering

~7:49 p.m., 300th block of Edwards Street, Miscellaneous Incident Report

Dec. 5: 9:46 p.m., 1000th block of Ramos Drive, CPS Referral

~11:34 p.m., 100th block of Elliot Street, Burglary

Dec. 9: 9:52 a.m., 700th block of Main Street, Internet Crimes Against Children Report

For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see www.winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.

95 Years Ago

December 20, 1929

The Rev. and Mrs. Donald Reasoner and two daughters, Ellen and Mildred are expected to arrive in Winters from their Mission in Brazil on the first of the year after being away for four and one half years.

Edwin Martin, student at the College of the Pacific at Stockton is home for the holiday vacation.

Graf Bros. delivered an 1836 HartParr tractor to Tom Harris of Monticello Wednesday.

J. B. MacPherson, general manager of the Hotel Winters and director of the Winters Boys Band made a business trip to Sacramento Friday.

Miss Gertrude Fulton, student nurse at Highland hospital, Oakland is expected home Sunday for a ten days’ visit.

Roy Hiramatsu, Wolfskill pupil is displaying a handmade reindeer, sleigh and Santa in the window of the Winter-Haven Ice Cream Parlor. The deer is very lifelike.

Mrs. Bertha Young, Mrs. Myrtle Wolfskill, Mrs. Behrman, Mrs. T. R. Pleasants and Mrs. Ida Campbell are among the local teachers in northern Solano county who are attending institute in Oakland this week.

80 Years Ago

December 22, 1944

The liquor package establishment on Railroad Avenue reopened yesterday under the management of W. E. Cody.

YESTERYEAR

Picked by Charley Wallace

Kenneth Hattabaugh was named “Fireman of the Year” in December 1977 at the annual firemen’s banquet. He is shown receiving the award from Fire Chief Vernon Bruhn. Bruhn praised Hattabaugh for his devotion to duty as a fireman and his rapid improvement since joining the department. Ken’s birthday is Dec. 30, so if you see him around town, wish him a happy birthday.

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

Charley Travis and R. L. “Pop” Lindsay will aid Mr. Cody in serving the public.

Jack Mermod, Navy Aviation machinist mate, 2nd class, was an arrival at home for holiday leave, Saturday night. Jack has been gone since July 1942, and this is his first visit home.

Lt. (jg) George and Mrs. Crum of San Diego, and Miss Martha Crum of Berkeley will be holiday guests with Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Crum.

Rowena Elaine Martino, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs Joe Martino entertained a group of schoolmates Tuesday, Dec. 12, the occasion, the small hostess’ birthday.

G. E. Merchant and A. L. Martin were among the re-elected directors of the Yolo County Farm Labor Ass’n at the meeting in Woodland last Thursday.

Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Anderson and children have taken up residence in the Main street cottage recently vacated by Dr. Babbin and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Kidder and daughters Mary Lou and Glenda joined a family dinner party Saturday with relatives in Fairfield.

45 Years Ago

December 20, 1979

Ag instructor Joe Aguiar reports that the benefit for the ag site building fund netted approximately $1000. The new ag

site buildings were pared down to bare essentials and need furnishings to make it complete. Prizes awarded went to Betty Donaldson, first; Emily Hattabaugh, second; and Sandra Duncan, third. Cecil Padilla was named to head the Winters Chamber of Commerce when the board of directors met Thursday morning at the Bank of America. Those to serve with Padilla next year will be Jack Graf, vice president; Bill Nichols, treasurer; Vernon Bruhn, sergeantat-arms; and Lorita Wolf, secretary. Newly elected board of directors are Rod Baker, Vernon Bruhn, Jack Cooper and Jerry Wolever, who will serve for three years. Outgoing directors are Bill Cody, Camellia Branscum, Gloria Marion and Bill Strickland.

Sally Paul, Winters resident and teacher of art and homemaking at Winters Junior High School, has some of her design creations appearing on the cover of Decorating Craft Ideas, a 10-timesa-year magazine publication. Sally’s designs are accompanied by an inside story on how to get started in stocking-face sculpture. The cover shows stocking face Christmas ornaments on a Christmas tree background. The magazine sold out at Day’s Pharmacy, but is expected to be restocked by this week.

Express staff

Tuleyome takes donations for Youth Boot Bank

Special to the Express

Tuleyome is excited to announce its second annual donation drive this holiday season, in partnership with REI, for Tuleyome’s Youth Booth Bank.

The Boot Bank is a program that provides free sixmonth loans of hiking boots to youths, allowing them to trade up to larger

and a ping pong table, a mobile piano, a drinking fountain, a Little Free Library, a native plants garden area, and a large mural on the brick wall that runs along one side of the parcel.

There are also plans to hang large shade sails across the seating areas in the park, a replacement for the previously planned large shade trees, as the root systems of large trees can cause problems with underground infrastructure.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell anyone here this, but Winters has hot summers,” Skaggs said. “So the more we thought about it, the more we favored these large shade sails to keep this area active through the summer months. We also

PLANNING

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special event (i.e., a football game), but Vice Chair Lisa Baker said she thinks it could be helpful when it comes to traffic, and only foresees selling in these areas being necessary during a special event, which is allowed.

The resolution ultimately passed 4–1, with Contreras voting no due to a belief that the city council should further consider the 500-foot rule before voting it into place.

The commissioners moved on to considering the location of a hypothetical cannabis dispensary in Winters. Previously, they had pushed it up to a few parcels in the northeastern outskirts of town, near the freeway.

sizes of boots as they grow. In addition to offering boots, the organization offers loans of other equipment for youths attending outings with Tuleyome or its partners — this equipment includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and backpacks.

The goal of the program is to encourage youths and their families to experi-

added some bistro lights to keep it active and safe into the evening.”

The park was originally envisioned as an “art park” and Skaggs said that vision is still very much intact in the current

ence the pleasure of hiking and to appreciate and value outdoor recreational opportunities.

Donation bins are in place at the Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom and Concord REI stores, as well as at Tuleyome’s office at 622 Main St. in Woodland. The organization seeks donations of new or used youth and adult hiking boots and shoes,

Carol Scianna said that she would love for a bike rack to be placed near one of the entrances to the park. There was also some discussion of incorporating the previously suggested idea of a projector screen

“So the more we thought about it, the more we favored these large shade sails to keep this area active through the summer months.”

Cole Skaggs, consultant

design, with three potential mural spaces, opportunities for a creatively designed Little Free Library, a painted transformer, a decorated community piano space, space for sculptures in the planting area and the potential for memorial benches.

Councilmember

Winters resident Kate Laddish expressed concern that this location might lead to a large sign with cannabis-related imagery or wording near the freeway entrance to the city, but Baker assured

somewhere in the park to facilitate community movie nights. Details of how best to accomplish this were not fully decided, but an inflatable projector screen and mobile AV equipment was a popular option. In response to public questions, Skaggs said that the design

come here will get off the freeway, shop, and be on their way,” Arce said.

After a reminder from Gin that the commission’s only purview is to make the land use decision of where the dispen-

“I know you guys are not the guys that would make the decision, but I think we’re making a mistake.”

James Hire, resident

her that Winters already has a content limitation ordinance in place for all signs in the city, and which would also cover a hypothetical dispensary’s advertisements. Commissioner Judith Arce agreed with the near-freeway placement

“I’m envisioning that the people who

sary, if built, should go, and not to make the policy decision of whether it should be allowed at all.

James Hire offered a final public comment on the topic.

“I know you guys are not the guys that would make the deci-

backpacks, jackets, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and tents.

Donation bins will be in place at the REI stores through the end of January.

The Boot Bank is available to the community at monthly office hour events on the first Wednesday of each month at the Tuleyome office, as well as at community events.

was made with safety in mind, trying to avoid dark corners and maintain visibility throughout. It was designed to be low maintenance for city staff, with no raised walls to make leafblowing easy and plans to choose low maintenance plants.

Laddish requested that different picnic benches be chosen to make them more accessible for wheelchair users.

The next step for the council, according to Skaggs, is to participate in budget exercises to get some numbers for the projected cost of the project, and then look for grant funding to support the build. On the design side, his team will work on permitting and getting lists of specifics, including for which plants will be included.

sion, but I think we’re making a mistake,” Hire said.

When it came to a vote, the resolution passed 4–1, with Contreras voting no.

“We talked a lot about where it shouldn’t go, but didn’t have great reasons for where it should go,” Contreres said to support his no vote.

The next step is to bring the topic before the Winters City Council to make a decision, but the details of when that will happen are not yet finalized.

Before the end of the meeting, Arce and Commissioer Ramon Altamirano were nominated and unanimously confirmed as volunteer committee members for the Design Review Committee.

TOYS

Continued from Page 1

Facebook page. The registration period closes on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m.

How to help

The success of this event depends on the generosity of the community. Youth of One is seeking donations, particularly toys for infants and children aged 10 to 12.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with toy distribution. To donate or sign up as a volunteer, contact youthofonewinters@

CONTEST

Continued from Page 1

the Winters Youth Day website, www. wintersyouthday. com. All design submissions are due on Friday, Jan. 31. The winning designer will receive a $200 cash prize and a free T-shirt featuring the artwork.

The art contest is open to all ages, however, submissions are limited to local entrants from Yolo and Solano counties. The artwork must incorporate the theme “Youth Around the World” and include the text “Winters Youth Day 2025.” If the text is not included, it will be added during the t-shirt design process. Submissions must consist of original art or art created from royalty-free clip art. The design should be optimized for screen printing: use solid colors (no gradients), avoid small details or

gmail.com.

Distribution event details

Due to rainy weather, the toy distribution will take place indoors on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pioneer Church’s Wesley Hall, 205 Russell Ave. In addition to choosing their gifts, children will enjoy fun activities designed to make the day extra special. Garcia envisions this toy drive becoming an annual tradition, a moment for Winters youth to anticipate with excitement each holiday season.

thin lines, and ensure clarity at a maximum size of 8-inch x 8-inc (smaller sizes are acceptable).

The winner will be chosen by the Youth Day Committee and the WHS Youth Day Club at an upcoming meeting.

Get involved

The Winters Youth Day board invites the community to participate in making the 2025 Youth Day event a memorable celebration. Whether you’re an artist, a volunteer or someone who simply loves supporting local traditions, there are countless ways to contribute.

There are big plans to move the location of the Youth Day park activities and the committee needs all hands on deck to help make it a success.

For more information on how to help plan or support Winters Youth Day 2025, visit https://linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday.

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Volunteers helped to collect more community toy donations at the second Youth of One toy donation drive.

Thoughtful gifts for aging parents

Children typically want to treat their parents to something special during the holiday season. Parents do a lot for their children, and when those kids become adults, a desire to express their appreciation for Mom and Dad grows.

According to The Wrap Up: Snappy’s 2022 Holiday Gift Report, the majority of Americans (64.2 percent) report they need help when it comes to holiday gifting. They may want to carefully consider a recipient’s interests, as the report also discovered more than half of all Americans want a gift that reflects their personal interests and hobbies. When shopping

for elderly parents, it may not be as simple as identifying interests, particularly if Mom and Dad are experiencing age-related health issues. Consider these gift ideas that may be ideal for the aging adults in your life.

• Family photos: As parents and children get older, the tradition of taking annual photos together may take a back burner. Revive the tradition with a family photo shoot for everyone. From a group photo to individual shots, they will enjoy seeing the smiling faces of their family framed in their home.

• Cozy blanket: Older adults may have trouble regulating their body

See GIFTS, Page 7

A last-minute shopping guide for gifts

Express staff

Shoppers who wait until the eleventh hour to do their holiday shopping are in good company. Consolidated Credit says one in five shoppers waits until December to start grabbing holiday gifts.

Although shopping early to land the best deals and avoid the stress of running out of time works for many people, there are those who do their best work when shopping is down to the wire. These tips to shopping local can make late shopping successful.

Gift cards

Don’t downplay the power of gift cards. Some suggest that a gift card isn’t an ideal gift because it doesn’t require much thought or effort. But

the numbers do not lie. Create a gift card bouquet that features a variety of gift cards to local shops and eateries. From a salon or spa service to a meal you can craft a weekend-long or day-away experience. Put $20 to $50 (or more) on a card and wrap them up in a small gift box or get creative and create a card tree. You can enjoy a meal or drink as you travel around town.

Establish a plan

Even if you’re shopping at the last minute, that doesn’t mean you should head out unprepared. Consider the recipient, which kind of gift might fit them best, and how much you’re willing to spend. Then you can narrow down which stores or eateries to visit. While a chunk of places are on downtown Main Street, don’t forget to include

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Get creative with local swag

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Framed family photos or a special photoshoot make a meaningful gift to for parents.

temperatures, which can translate to feeling cold a lot of the time. A new blanket or throw for a bed or to cuddle up with in a favorite recliner might be the perfect gift.

• Family history book: Budding writers can interview their aging parents and jot down family stories. Those stories and anecdotes can be compiled into a book and combined with photos to make a family history log, which can be gifted back to the interviewee.

• Gripping slippers: Slips and falls can injure aging adults and put them out of commission for quite some time. Sturdy and secure slippers with anti-slip soles are good for

getting around the house and making quick trips to take out the trash or get the mail.

• Robotic vacuum: Keeping up with the household chores is easier with a robotic vacuum that automatically scours carpets and hard-surface floors. This eliminates having to wrestle with a cumbersome vacuum.

• Key finder: A key finder can help adults find their keys if they are misplaced. Some employ radio frequency, while others utilize Bluetooth technology and can be paired to a smartphone.

• Magnifying light: Older parents who like to do puzzles or close-up work like knitting or stitching can benefit from an LED lamp that also has a magnifying glass built right in.

• E-reader: Avid readers may

enjoy an e-reader because they don’t have to find spots to store even more books in their homes. E-readers can be customized so the print is the right size for the reader’s needs. Also, the devices are lightweight and easy to stow in a bag.

• Automatic card shuffler: Parents who are known card sharks around the community can use an automatic card shuffler to make card play even easier.

• Dining gift cards: When parents do not want to spend additional time in the kitchen, they may opt to visit a favorite restaurant. A combination of a gift card to a favorite establishment as well as pre-paid taxi or ride share service ensures a good meal and a safe ride home.

businesses located throughout Winters, just outside of town or that have an online only presence. Local business social media accounts are full of specials and ideas. Consider a membership gift

A membership for a subscription or club membership for a local business makes an easy and great last-minute gifts. Form wine and beer to coffee and cheese, there are plenty to choose from. Many Winters businesses also offer bundles for services that can be purchased at once and redeemed throughout the year. Skip the clothing department

Clothes are go-to choices for holiday gifts, but they can be particularly challenging to purchase. Size, cut, style, and additional variables are unique to each individual. Avoid clothes as last-minute gift options and instead consider accessories or local swag by gifting some hometown pride to friends and family.

From caps and sweatshirts to pillows and artwork, many local shops and tasting rooms have Winters swag available.

Gift experiences

People love the charm of the Winters community. Consider gifting an experience to help bring family and friends back to support Winters businesses. Check businesses’ we bsites and social media accounts for a calendar of upcoming events, workshops or classes. Consider a custom-planned wine tour or tasting flight at a number of Winters businesses that sell spirits, wine and beer. And don’t count out the Winters Museum, Winters Opera House or the Winters Community Library to see what’s coming up.

Not sure where to start? Check out the Discover Winters or Winters District Chamber of Commerce websites to get an idea.

With a listing of local businesses, upcoming events, ideas on how to spend time in Winters and more you’re bound to get inspired by something local to gift.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Shopping for a history buff or someone who would like to learn more about our town? Pacific Ace Hardware and the Winters Museum have books about local history.

The impact of social media on students’ mental wellness

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent

Dr. Jenny Pinedo

detailed the fine line tweens walk regarding social media.

The Winters Joint Unified School District director of special education and student support services told the Winters Express in the third report of a four-part series on student mental health that social media is a mixed experience for middle school students.

“While it offers ways to connect with friends, it also brings pressure to measure up to others,” Pinedo said.

Pinedo addressed the impact of social media on middle-school students’ self-esteem.

“At Winters JUSD, we know that healthy self-esteem is key to student well-being and growth,” she said, adding the school district’s priority is to create supportive spaces where students can focus on their strengths rather than look to social media to build confidence. “By promoting programs that encourage self-worth and resilience, we aim to help students navigate social media with a balanced, positive outlook.”

Navigating social media takes work, with more outlets added constantly. Long gone are the MySpace days, when users were limited to

what they could post. Today, outlets, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more make it possible to promote oneself in several ways, which is only sometimes ideal.

“Although TikTok and similar apps are often intended for older audiences, we know that younger students may still have access to them,” Pinedo said. “This can expose them to challenges they’re not fully ready to handle.”

She said even Winters JUSD elementary school educators know social media’s impact on students younger than 12 years old.

“At (Shirley Rominger Intermediate School) and throughout Winters JUSD, we’re committed to

fostering environments where students can feel safe and make responsible choices,” Pinedo said. “We work alongside parents to help students understand healthy online behavior and its impact on themselves and others.”

While assisting students and families in navigating “the digital world in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way,” Pinedo said district officials keep peer pressure in mind.

“Peer pressure is a common experience for middle schoolers, and it can affect their mental health in different ways,” Pinedo said. “This age group is figuring out who they are and where they fit in, which sometimes leads to choices that don’t reflect their

true values.”

Figuring things out looks very different for each middle school student.

“Our counselors and staff create spaces where students feel comfortable discussing their challenges,” according to Pinedo. Said challenges create anxiety, which is where mindfulness enters.

According to Pinedo, mindfulness is a valuable tool for middle schoolers facing the typical stresses of adolescence.

“It helps them build awareness of their emotions and develop healthy ways to manage stress,” she said.

The mindfulness lessons taught in school provide students with practical techniques to stay

calm and focused in the classroom and beyond, according to Pinedo, who added, “Helping students learn to manage anxiety supports our commitment to creating inclusive, supportive environments where all students feel capable and equipped to meet challenges.”

One of those challenges is bullying. A 2021 Journal of Research on Adolescence report states,

“Being exposed to bullying may be especially hurtful in adolescence, a vulnerable period during which both peer group belonging and status become key concerns.”

Pinedo agrees.

“Bullying can be deeply impactful, affecting students’ mental health,

confidence, and even their desire to attend school,” she said. “At Winters JUSD, we take a proactive approach to creating a respectful school culture, which includes implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to encourage kindness and respect.”

Trained staff recognize and address bullying early on, enabling them to provide immediate support.

Pinedo said by focusing on respectful interactions and proactive support, officials aim to ensure that each student feels safe and valued in Winters JUSD schools.

“Supporting mental health in middle school is critical to setting students up for success,” she said. “At Winters JUSD, we view this as part of a holistic approach to education, one that goes beyond academics.”

Pinedo said Winters JUSD offers resources to help students manage their emotions and feel connected to their school community.

“We aim to create an environment where every student has the support they need to thrive, not only academically but personally, aligning with our mission to promote a well-rounded, engaging, and supportive school experience for all students,” Pinedo said.

A basic look at Crohn’s disease

Metro

Special to the Express Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease marked by swelling and inflammation of the digestive tract, specifically the small and large intestines. The disease gets its name from American gastroenterologist Dr. Burrill Crohn, who was one of the first physicians to describe the illness in 1932. Crohn’s disease is similar to ulcerative colitis, but the two illnesses are not exactly the same.

Symptoms

There is no cure for the disease, the signs and symptoms of which can be

extensive depending on which part of the GI tract is affected can includes: persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent need to move bowels, abdominal cramps and pain, sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation, constipation and bowel obstruction, fissures and fistulas and intestinal stricture

These symptoms may lead to low energy, accidents that can make people feel embarrassed, weight loss, and loss of appetite. What causes it?

Doctors are not completely sure what causes Crohn’s disease. It may be an autoimmune reaction in

which the body’s immune system mounts an attack on healthy cells in the body. The immune response causes widespread inflammation, states the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Genes also may be to blame, as Crohn’s disease sometimes runs in families.

Smoking, eating a high-fat diet and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also may increase the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is estimated to affect half-a-million people in the United States. Learn more at niddk.nih.gov.

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Winters housing inventory boost HOMES, Page 2

Thursday, December 19

Winters JUSD Board Organizational Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690

Friday, December 20

Express Coffeehouse Chat, 8 a.m., Steady Eddy's Coffee House

Saturday, December 21

VEX Robotics Competition, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Winters High School gym (201 Railroad Ave.)

Youth of One Toy Distribution 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wesley Hall at Pioneer Church (205 Russell Ave.), youthofonewinters@gmail.com

Winters Open Mic Night, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.)

Wednesday, December 25

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Canceled, More info at https://yolofoodbank.org/find-food/

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Friday, Jan. 3 Winters City Hall Closed, For info, check cityofwinters.org

Monday, Dec. 23-Monday, Jan. 6 Winters Library Public Hours (No School in Session)

Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m., Sat: Mask Only 1–3 p.m.

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m. Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request. Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Ongoing

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org

Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays (September through April), 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn

Winters Museum public hours, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.).

Metaphysical Book Club, Fridays at 5 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up at dixiesbookclub@gmail.com or call 530212-5026

12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com

Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org

Walking Meditation, third Sunday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Meet behind the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

Do you miss out on local happenings?

Page 3

Volunteers play vital role in providing meals to Yolo elders

By Luzangely Martin Special to the Express

Before reaching Yolo County in the 1970s, Meals on Wheels Yolo County started up in England during World War II.

“It started with a bunch of women who wanted to help provide meals to the elderly, and ever since then, it continues to grow,” Peggy Scoggins, the volunteerm manager for MOW Yolo said

Scoggins said MOW Yolo just celebrated its first anniversary for the Winters kitchen location, MOW-Sutter Health Meal Facility, with hopes of continuing its mission of delivering nutritious meals to homebound seniors. She adds that dignity is a huge part of it.

“I know a lot of the senior participants in our program shy away from things like this, only because they hold on to that dignity of theirs. Meals on Wheels allows them to continue to hold on to that dignity by providing that food for them and it helps them tremendously to do other things they need and want to do.” said Scoggins.

Volunteers can get involved in numerous ways, especially through Cafe Yolo, Meal Con-

nection Aide roles and delivery drivers. Cafe Yolo is where Seniors from all around town come together in a restaurant-type setting where they can converse with other seniors and volunteers. Currently the Cafe Yolo locations include Woodland Community and Senior Center, Davis Senior Center, West Sacramento Community Center and Capay Valley Health and Community Center. The plans for a future Cafe Yolo location in Winters is 111 Main St. where Buckhorn Catering used to be.

Scoggins said there are two vital roles in the Meal Connection Aides program, a greeter or a kitchen aide. There is also a need for servers at Cafe Yolo. The greeter and server roles are generally held by someone who’s 15 years old or older and the kitchen aide is someone older than 18.

Despite the age requirements, Scoggins said she always looks forward to including youth in any volunteering opportunity available in Cafe Yolo.

“Since I am the volunteer manager, I try to work with anyone who wants to volunteer, especially the young crowd, be-

cause I think it’s amazing and what better way to help out the seniors,” Scoggins said. As a greeter, you work together with meal connection coordinators at a Meal Connection location and greet delivery drivers once they arrive. Greeters will help drivers load and organize ice chests and hot bags containing meals for seniors, review routes and set them up for a successful delivery. When the delivery driver returns, greeters help unload the drivers’ cars and clean any supplies with the help of the

Merry, merry Christmas berry!

By Kristie Ehrhardt, Special to the Express

On a recent hike through Molok Luyuk, the newest addition to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, one couldn’t help but notice the dark green shrub with the shouty red berries from across the canyon. You didn’t really have to search for it, all you needed to do was lift your eyes from the toes of your boots and glance across the landscape. There, in a sea of gray-green foliage, “Christmas berry” conspicuously stood out like the one (delicious) black-licorice jellybean in a bowl of brightly colored fruity flavors. The entire shrub is quite showy with large, shiny leaves and chunky clusters of splashy red berries. Christmas Berry is also known as Christmas holly and toyon; all are common names for Hetermoleles arbutifolia. Toyon belongs to the very diverse rose family (Roseaceae) but is the sole constituent of the genus hetermoleles. Other members of the rose family include cultivated crops such as apples, peaches, plums and strawberries, as well as native species such as California rose (Rosa californica), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) and many others.

Christmas berry is a woody shrub that occurs along the foothills of Central California and in the Coastal Ranges from Humboldt County south to Baja California. It is commonly, but not always, found on north-facing slopes usually below 4,000

feet in woodlands, forest and chaparral habitats alongside a variety of other species such as coyote bush, coffee berry and live oaks. The name “toyon” is believed to have been used by the Indigenous Ohlone people of historic Central California. It is also thought that the name Toyon could have come from an old Spanish word meaning “canyon,” which is where it frequently occurs. In fact, the striking presence of Christmas holly among the adjacent foothills is thought to have been the namesake for the famed Southern California neighborhood now called “Hollywood.” Native to California, Christmas berry has adaptations that help it not only survive but thrive in our Mediterranean climate. The thick leaves are leathery and waxy which helps them retain moisture during our scorching summers. It also remains green all year long, which makes the plant less flammable than neighboring

Kristie Ehrhardt/Courtesy photo

The shiny green leaves and clusters of red berries make Christmas berries (Hetermoleles arbutifolia) easy to spot this time of year.

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Meels on Wheels volunteers can work in one of the kitchen facilities to help prepare meals for delivery or one of the Yolo Cafe community meals. Tuleyome

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Meals on Wheels Yolo County looks to volunteers to help deliver meals straight to the doorsteps of local older adults.

Winters housing market sees boost of inventory in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, the Winters real estate market tells a story of growth, change and resilience.

One standout trend this year has been the surge in inventory, driven primarily by new construction. A total of 61 newly built homes were sold — more than double the 25 sold in 2023 — fueling a 31 percent yearover-year increase in inventory.

The total number of homes sold in Winters climbed to 111 in 2024, a 50-percent jump from the 74 homes sold last year. This significant uptick reflects rising demand and expanding opportuni-

ties for buyers. However, this growth paired with interest rates has also shifted market dynamics. Homes are taking longer to sell, with the average time on the market increasing to 62 days — up 20 percent from 2023. This slower pace indicates a more cautious approach among buyers, still influenced by persistently high interest rates.

Average home prices experienced modest adjustments in 2024, with the average sales price settling at $682,000 — a slight 1-percent decrease compared to the previous year. Similarly, the list-to-sale price

ratio dipped marginally, giving buyers more leverage to negotiate as homes spent more time on the market.

New housing

New construction

INTERESTED IN SELLING?

New Listing! PRISTINE 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, triple wide modular on permanent foundation 2271 sq. ft. New flooring, new quartz countertops in kitchen and bathroom, 4 car garage, Pole barn, small barn for horse and tack room, all on very well kept private 10 acres in Capay. Call for details.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

and

continued to shape this year’s market, not only driving overall sales but also offering buyers a variety of options with great incentives. Many buyers faced a choice between the modern ap-

peal of a newly built home and the unique character of older homes in more established neighborhoods, showcasing the mix of “new” and “old” Winters. That said, developers are now running low on inventory, and as the saying goes, “If you’re not growing,

you’re shrinking.” This sentiment highlights the importance of sustainable development, particularly in a community like Winters, where smart growth and thoughtful planning are highly valued.

This town’s growth

and

Express Yourself

It looks like it’s going to be a wet year

The entries finally poured in for the annual rainfall contest. I was worried for a little while, but enough guesses came in to make me think people are still reading the Express Sometimes I wonder, but I’m sure there are other things for me to worry about other than the continued success of our newspaper. Thank you to all who entered, and good luck.

I can tell who reads the Express, or my column, by the way they respond to a question about a local story. I’ll mention something in the paper and I’ll get a blank look. I do enjoy comments about my column, and I’ll admit that there are weeks when I don’t read the paper the day it comes out.

Someone will mention something in the paper, and I have that blank stare, too.

I missed Police Chief Miller’s send-off party because I didn’t read the paper soon enough. My mistake. The obituaries are still important, even if I don’t go to many memorial services. Birth announcements are always fun to see

“I missed Police Chief Miller’s send-off party because I didn’t read the paper soon enough.”

as are articles about our students. Maybe I should say that I like reading newspapers. Writing a column keeps me involved in the paper and the community. The hard part is coming up with a new idea every week for 40 years. When I’m stuck, I write about the weather. It helps if it is raining.

The Express still reports on the high and low temperatures, daily rainfall and rainfall totals for the year. I like the comparison to our average rainfall to give me an idea if we are having a wet year, or facing another drought. This year is looking pretty good, so far. I’m expecting enough rain to see the Glory Hole spill one more time. We just need Joe the

See QUICK, Page 5

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20),

Aries, a special person in your life deserves all of your attention. Romance might be on your mind, and you’ll look forward to all of the time you can spend together.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21),

You may feel artistically inspired this week, Taurus. Explore projects like home improvements or crafting. There are many things to try.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21),

Your attendance at a wedding or another special event could have your thoughts moving in a romantic direction, Gemini. Maybe you’re thinking of taking your relationship to another level?

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) , Cancer, forge ahead in your efforts if you aspire to learn a new skill or take on a different project. This might involve meeting new and interesting people. Expand your social network.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23),

Leo, it is important to put others first this week, particularly your spouse or romantic partner. You don’t want any hurt feelings circulating right now.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22),

An unexpected visitor might come your way in the next few days, Virgo. This could require overhauling your schedule and even space in your home to make room.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23), Family and friends will have a difficult time changing your mind once you have taken a stance, Libra. You have dug in your heels on this topic.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22),

Scorpio, new work assignments or additional business may complicate matters in the days ahead. That can be great during times of year when spending can get out of control.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21),

As you prepare for the colder temperatures, holistic arts, acupuncture, herbs, and therapies might be on your mind, Sagittarius. You don’t want to be sick this go-around.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20), Capricorn, you will try to meet the demands of your need for information this week. Chances are you’ll be reading the newspaper and news outlets as much as you can.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18), You cannot gain traction right now, Aquarius. Perhaps you haven’t met the right people yet? Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20), Pisces, if a career change has been on your mind, the new year might be a chance to get those gears moving in the right direction.

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE

The Estate of Naoto Imamura Decedent

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, subject to confirmation by this court, on January 1, 2025, or thereafter within the time allowed by law, Yolo County Public Administrator, as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent, will sell at private sale to the highest and best net bidder on the terms and conditions stated below all right, title, and interest of the decedent at the time of death and all right, title, and interest that the estate has acquired in addition to that of the decedent at the time of death, in the real property located in Yolo County, California.

2. The property commonly referred to as 35800 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612, assessor’s parcel number 043-230-019-000, and is more fully described as follows: Parcel One:

Beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 28, as said lot is delineated and so designated on that certain map entitled “Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9A, Yolo County, California”, which said map was filed for record in the office of the County Recorder of Yolo County California, on May 10th, 1923 in Volume 3 of Maps, at page 48; thence along the Southeasterly boundary of said Lot 28, S 60° 23’ 30” West, 71.37 feet; thence leaving said Southwesterly boundary N. 60° 23’ 30” East 458.99 feet to the Northeasterly boundary of said Lot 28, being also the center line of Willow Avenue; thence along said Northeasterly boundary, S. 27° 39’ 30” East 71.41 feet to the point of beginning and being the Southeasterly 1/2 of said Lot 28.

Parcel Two:

All that portion of Lot Number Twenty-nine (29) which lies Northwesterly of a line drawn parallel to and distant at right angles Sixty-five (65) feet Southeasterly from the Northwestern boundary line of Lot numbered Twenty-nine, as said lot is so designed on that certain Map entitled “Holland Land Co. Subdivision 9-A, Yolo County, California”, which said map was on May 20, 1923 recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Yolo County, California in Map Book #3, page 48. APN: 043-230-019-000

3. A one-half (1/2) undivided interest in the property commonly referred to as 35750 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612, assessor’s parcel number 043-230-018-000, and is more fully described as follows:

The land described herein is situated in the State of California, County of Yolo, unincorporated area, described as follows:

Beginning at the Northwest corner of Lot No. 28, as said lot is delineated and so designated on that certain map entitled “Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9-A, Yolo County, Calfornia”, which said map was filed for record in the office of the County Recorder of Yolo County, California, on May 10, 1923, in Map Book No. 3, at page 48: thence along the Southwesterly line of said Lot No. 28, South 29° 36’ 30” East yo.y feet; thence leaving said line, North 60° 23’ 30” East 458.99 feet to the Northeast line of said Lot No. 28; thence along said Northeast line North 27° 39’ 30” West 71.01 feet to the most Northerly corner thereof; thence along the Northwest line of said Lot No. 28, South 60° 23’ 30” West 461.41 feet to the point of beginning.

4. A one-third (1/3) undivided interest in the property commonly referred to as 35850 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612, assessor’s parcel number 043-230-020-000, and is more fully described as follows:

The land described herein is situated in the State of California, County of Yolo, unincorporated area, described as follows: Lot 29 of Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9-A, according to the Official Plat thereof, filed for record in the Office of the Recorder of Yolo County, California, on May 10, 1923 in Book 3 of Maps, at page 48.

EXECPTING THEREFROM the Northwesterly 65 feet measure at right angles from and parallel to the Northwesterly line of said Lot 29, as described in Deed from Cyril B. Dodson to Naoto Imamura, et al, dated November 22, 1949 and recorded in Book 311 of Official Records, at page 397.

APN: 043-230-020-000

5. Undeveloped agricultural real property of approximately 36.4 acres commonly known as 35565 JEFFERSON BLVD CLARKSBURG, CA 95612 legally described as follows:

The land described herein is situated in the State of California, County of Yolo, unincorporated area, described as follows: Lot 21, Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 5, filed January 19, 1921 in Book 3 of Maps, page 36, Yolo County Records.

APN: 043-210-017-000

6. The property will be sold subject to current taxes, covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, rights, rights of way, and easements of record, with any encumbrances of record to be satisfied from the purchase price.

7. The property is to be sold on an “as is” basis, except for title.

8. Bids or offers are invited for this property and must be in writing and can be mailed to the office of Dylan P. Hyatt, attorney for the personal representative, at 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815 or delivered to Dylan P. Hyatt personally, at any time after posting of this notice and before any sale is made.

9. The property will be sold on the following terms: Cash, or part cash and part credit, the terms of such credit to be acceptable to the undersigned and to the court, 10 percent of the amount of the bid to accompany the offer by certified check, and the balance to be paid on confirmation of sale by the court.

10. Taxes, rents, operating and maintenance expenses, and premiums on insurance acceptable to the purchaser shall be prorated as of the date of recording of conveyance. Examination of title, recording of conveyance, transfer taxes, and any title insurance policy shall be at the expense of the purchaser or purchasers.

11. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids.

12. For further information and bid forms, contact Dylan P. Hyatt, 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815.

Dated: 11-25-2024 Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc. DYLAN

JANUARY 1, 8 2025 #77711

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE The Estate of Betty Imamura Decedent

2. An undivided one-third (1/3) interest in the real property commonly referred to as 35850 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612, assessor’s parcel number 043-230020-000, and is more fully described as follows:

Lot 29 of Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9-A, according to the Official Plat thereof, filed for record in the Office of the Recorder of Yolo County, California, on May 10, 1923 in Book 3 of Maps, at page 48.

EXCEPTION THEREFROM the Northwesterly 65 measured at right angles from and parallel to the Northwesterly line of said lot 29, as described in Deed from Cyril B. Dodson to Naoto Imamura, et al, dated November 22, 1949 and recorded in Book 311 of Official Records, at page 397.

APN: 043-230-020-000

3. The property will be sold subject to current taxes, covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, rights, rights of way, and easements of record, with any encumbrances of record to be satisfied from the purchase price.

4. The property is to be sold on an “as is” basis, except for title.

5. Bids or offers are invited for this property and must be in writing and can be mailed to the office of Dylan P. Hyatt, attorney for the personal representative, at 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815 or delivered to Dylan P. Hyatt personally, at any time after posting of this notice and before any sale is made.

6. The property will be sold on the following terms: Cash, or part cash and part credit, the terms of such credit to be acceptable to the undersigned and to the court, 10 percent of the amount of the bid to accompany the offer by certified check, and the balance to be paid on confirmation of sale by the court.

7. Taxes, rents, operating and maintenance expenses, and premiums on insurance acceptable to the purchaser shall be prorated as of the date of recording of conveyance. Examination of title, recording of conveyance, transfer taxes, and any title insurance policy shall be at the expense of the purchaser or purchasers.

8. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids.

9. For further information and bid forms, contact Dylan P. Hyatt, 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815.

Dated: 11-25-2024

Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc.

DYLAN P. HYATT Attorney for Yolo County Public Administrator 12/11, 18, 25 77608

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE

The Estate of Shizuko Imamura Decedent

2. An undivided one-half (1/2) interest in the residential real property commonly referred to as 35750 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612, assessor’s parcel number 043-230-018-000, and is more fully described as follows:

Beginning at the Northwest corner of Lot No. 28, as said lot is delineated and designated on that certain map entitled “Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9-A, Yolo County, California, on May 10, 1923, in Map Book No. 3, at page 48: thence along the Southwesterly line of said Lot No. 28, South 29° 36’ 30” East yo.y feet; thence leaving said line, North 60° 23’ 30” East 458.99 feet to the Northeast line of said Lot. No. 28; thence along said Northeast line North 27° 39’ 30” West 71.01 feet to the most Northerly corner thereof; thence along the Northwest line of said Lot No. 28, South 60° 23’ 30” West 461.41 feet to the point of beginning.

APN: 043-230-018-000

3. An undivided one-third (1/3) interest in the residential real property located at 35850 Willow Avenue, Clarksburg, California 95612, in State of California, County of Yolo, unincorporated area described as follows: Lot 29 of Holland Land Co. Subdivision No. 9-A, according to the Official Plat thereof, filed for record in the Office of the Recorder of Yolo County, California, on May 10, 1923 in Book 3 of Maps, at page 48.

EXECPTING THEREFROM the Northwesterly 65 feet measured at right angles from and parallel to the Northwesterly line of said lot 29, as described in Deed from Cyril B. Dodson to Naoto Imamura, et al, dated November 22, 1949 and recorded in Book 311 of Official Redocrds, at page 397.

APN: 043-230-020-000

4. The property will be sold subject to current taxes, covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, rights, rights of way, and easements of record, with any encumbrances of record to be satisfied from the purchase price.

5. The property is to be sold on an “as is” basis, except for title.

6. Bids or offers are invited for this property and must be in writing and can be mailed to the office of Dylan P. Hyatt, attorney for the personal representative, at 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815 or delivered to Dylan P. Hyatt personally, at any time after posting of this notice and before any sale is made.

7. The property will be sold on the following terms: Cash, or part cash and part credit, the terms of such credit to be acceptable to the undersigned and to the court, 10 percent of the amount of the bid to accompany the offer by certified check, and the balance to be paid on confirmation of sale by the court.

8. Taxes, rents, operating and maintenance expenses, and premiums on insurance acceptable to the purchaser shall be prorated as of the date of recording of conveyance. Examination of title, recording of conveyance, transfer taxes, and any title insurance policy shall be at the expense of the purchaser or purchasers.

9. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids.

10. For further information and bid forms, contact Dylan P. Hyatt, 1555 River Park Drive, Suite 108, Sacramento, CA 95815.

Dated: 11-25-2024 Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc.

Express Yourself

California can fix its school crisis

By Dan Walters CalMatters

When the state Department of Education released academic test scores of California’s public school students in October, it cast them in positive terms.

“Overall,” the department said, “the percentages of California students meeting or exceeding standards (demonstrating proficient or advanced grade-level knowledge and skills) in (English language arts), mathematics, and science increased, from 46.7 percent to 47 percent in (English language arts), from 34.6 percent to 35.5 percent in math, and from 30.2 percent to 30 percent in science.”

What the department didn’t say is that those minuscule increases from the previous year meant that California remains one of the states where academic achievements are still below what they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As CalMatters’ account of the test scores notes, “both English language arts and math scores are 4 percentage points below their 2018-19 levels, which were among the highest scores for California students since the state began administering the Smarter Balanced test in 2014-15.”

Alix Gallagher, director of strategic partnerships at the education research nonprofit Policy Analysis for California Education, told the San Jose Mercury News that the slow recovery from the pandemic indicates that the massive federal and state funds given schools to cope with the pandemic failed to prevent declines. “What we would want to see is that with those additional funds, we had a really strong recovery. Instead what we saw were really modest gains,” Gallagher said.

The department’s obfuscation continued a month later when it released its “dashboard” of public education markers that trumpeted nonacademic factors, such as increases in attendance and

MEALS

Continued from Page 1

the drivers’ cars and clean any supplies with the help of the coordinators.

Kitchen aides help at the meal production facility where Cafe Yolo is hosted, by preparing the meals that will be served and get delivered to those on the routes. Kitchen aides are responsible for regulating the hot and cold food lines to

“The department’s obfuscation continued a month later when it released its “dashboard” of public education markers that trumpeted nonacademic factors, such as increases in attendance and decreases in student suspensions, but ignored California’s subpar academic outcomes, which should be the most important.”

decreases in student suspensions, but ignored California’s subpar academic outcomes, which should be the most important.

That’s not surprising, given that the state’s education bureaucrats consciously developed the multipoint dashboard to conceal the chronic lack of academic achievement.

A state-by-state report on school system transparency of academic test results issued by the Center for Reinventing Public Education, based at Arizona State University, gives California a “D” for its lack of clarity.

“I have a Ph.D. in education policy and I can barely navigate these sites,” Morgan Polikoff, a USC professor who worked on the report, told CalMatters. “How do we expect a typical parent to access this information and make sense of it?”

Are California’s stubborn failings in teaching basic subjects such as math and reading, which the educational establishment hopes no one will notice, fixable?

Two recent projects to improve academic skills indicate that learning can be improved with sustained effort that uses proven techniques and shuns trendy short-term fixes that school systems often adopt in their desperate efforts to raise test scores.

Policy Analysis for Public Education, a think tank jointly operated by several major universities that studies California schools, cites the math

ensure correct portioning, slicing vegetables and wrapping bread, loading and packing hot and cold meals into shipping containers, preparing and arranging cold packs, and assisting with dishwashing along with kitchen cleanup.

Delivery drivers, as mentioned, take care of delivering meals and also provide friendly social interactions to older adults in Yolo County

Weatherman to do his job and keep the rain coming. We keep building houses around the edges of the city, and it will be interesting to see if our storm drains can handle all of the runoff. Before they built the red tile roof houses, my cul-de-sac and the cemetery would flood for days at a time. Where is all of that water going, now? Dry Creek is my

has had a direct impact on our schools. As a real estate agent and school board trustee, I’ve had a front-row seat to the intersection of housing and education. Winters is one of the few districts in California projecting student population growth in the coming years. This trend, along with strong attendance, is vital for the district’s ability to meet goals for staffing, salaries, benefits, retirement costs, and overall operational expenses. In contrast, many districts across the state are grappling with declining enrollment, leading to school closures, larger class sizes, and

project in Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s Sierra House Elementary School and a reading program in Grass Valley School District as successful examples.

In both, California Education Partners, a school reform organization staffed by academic experts, provided three years of hands-on help to improve instruction, and PACE evaluators found significantly positive results. “The Sierra House model serves as a blueprint for building adult capacity and fostering instructional coherence,” they said, while Grass Valley’s phonics-based reading program was adopted district-wide and “improved student outcomes.”

California’s educational crisis is palpable. Not only do California schools fare very poorly vis-a-vis other states in federal academic testing — seventh from the bottom — but there’s a yawning “achievement gap” between low-income and English-learner students and their more privileged classmates that widened during the pandemic.

Rather than hide the problem with gimmicks such as the school dashboard, California should own up to it and embrace successful examples such as those in Tahoe and Grass Valley.

— CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to Commentary.

cities and rural areas.

Volunteers must provide their own car and are given a route that usually includes about 20 deliveries per route.

They must also have a valid California driver’s license, a clean DMV record, proof of automobile insurance, and be at least 21 years of age.

Drivers are also given an opportunity to work alone or with a partner.

“It’s fun when you

guess, but who knows. Congratulations to the Arcata Tigers. The football team that thumped our Warriors, to reach the state finals, beat Portola (27–21) in overtime to take the state championship. The game was played in Fullerton, a neutral site, and was close all night.

I’m looking forward to watching our Warriors next season to see if they can continue to improve. Until then, there are other sports teams to cheer on.

Have a Merry Christmas.

even layoffs — a challenge emphasized at the recent California School Board Association annual conference last week that our school board attended.

In summary, 2024 has been a year of progress for Winters real estate. The 31 percent growth in inventory, largely driven by new construction, combined with a substantial rise in total sales, reflects the strength and potential of our vibrant community. For 2025 — thoughts and ideas coming soon. — Joedy Michael is a local real estate agent based in Winters. To inquire about market insights or more, reach out to him at Joedy. michael@exprealty.com or connect with him on Instagram @joedymichael_realestate.

Double down on apprenticeships

By Paul Nelson De La Cerda Special to CalMatters

Apprenticeships are a time-honored tradition dating back centuries, and serve as a pathway to skilled trades and professions. They play a vital role in shaping our workforce and economy, and offer valuable hands-on training and mentorship, helping people get the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers.

According to research by Jobs For The Future, there were almost 93,800 apprentices registered in California last year, up from more than 84,200 in 2018. Additionally, CalMatters reported that California registered more than 180,000 new apprenticeships since Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2018 pledge to add 500,000 in the decade after he took office.

This shows there is plenty of room for growth.

That said, almost every sector is grappling with the so-called “skills gap,” which refers to the mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills jobseekers have. As we navigate a constantly evolving job market, the role of apprenticeships has become more critical than ever. In reality, the skills gap impacts every industry. It presents itself when there is a shortage of workers with the necessary technical, soft or specialized skills needed for a job. As industries change, the demand

have a partner, one drives and does all the GPS handling while the other delivers the food.” said Scoggins.

At Cafe Yolo locations, servers don’t just deliver handmade meals to older adults but also bring an opportunity to engage in friendly social interactions. Despite not having a dine-in for the senior community in Winters yet, local areas like Davis and Woodland are in great need of them all the time. Servers are needed on Wednesdays in Woodland and West Sacramento and

TULEYOME

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chaparral species that readily combust. Underground, the roots are thoroughly branched and sprawling to help it acquire moisture from the surrounding soil.

The wood is very hard and was used to make tools and weapons while the leaves were used for wound care by Native Californians. Although the leaves and unripe berries contain a cyanide compound which can cause sickness or even death, as the fruit matures it becomes concentrated only in the seed. This aids in plant dispersal as birds and small mammals eat berries and distribute seeds elsewhere without harming them.

The cyanide compounds remain in the

for certain skills can shift quickly, leaving many workers unprepared.

As California employers work to address the skills gap, large issues start to pop up. Notably, they’re faced with reduced productivity. When businesses can’t fill roles with the right skills, productivity suffers. This makes sense — employees might take longer to complete tasks or require more training, which slows down operations.

Coupled with this, it’s becoming normal for businesses to invest in upskilling or reskilling their current workforce to close the gap. While training and skills development opportunities are great, they take a toll on employees because they’re working and playing catch up on acquiring skills. By offering handson experience and accessible pathways to employment, apprenticeships offer a scalable and equity-focused approach to today’s workforce challenges. Californian public and private organizations should invest in these programs to close the skills gap, improve employee retention and create a more resilient workforce.

— Paul Nelson De La Cerda is the co-founder and principal of The Clover Agency. Financial support for this story was provided by the Smidt Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.

on Fridays in Davis.

“Seniors are often the forgotten corners of our community. You know everybody forgets that one day they’re gonna get old, so what better way to help out the people who need us the most,” Scoggins said.

For more information about volunteer opportunites or MOW Yolo services, visit mowyolo.org or call 530-662 7035. Check out the MOW Yolo Instagram @mowyolocounty and Facebook at Meals on Wheels

leaves, which may help deter browsing by deer and elk. The ripe berries are described as sweet to spicy and bitter. Native Americans used them as a food source after roasting or drying to remove the bitterness and rarely ate them raw. Pioneers used the berries in custards, jams and pies and fermented them as a type of cider beverage; the process of fermentation or cooking deactivates the cyanide compound — seems like kind of a tough trial-and-error lesson. Sprigs of Christmas berries were often used commercially in place of English holly for Christmas decorations. By the 1920s, Christmas Berry was harvested so severely that it was nearly extirpated from within Southern California, prompting the state

Yolo County. You can also email them at volunteer@mowyolo. org with any questions or about ways to help out.

— Luzangely Martin is a senior at Winters High School. For her Senior Capstone Project, Martin is working to interview with and write a series of articles featuring local nonprofit organizations and share about their current volunteer needs. She is also working to bolster community service at WHS by creating a high school volunteer resource guide as part of her project.

to pass a law making collection of the plant illegal.

In 2012, Christmas berry was adopted as the official native plant of Los Angeles by the Los Angeles City Council. It can be cultivated and grown in domestic gardens in well-drained soil and has even become popular as an ornamental in Southern England.

Butterflies love the flowers, and the berries are an important winter food source for many resident bird species, including California quail, northern mockingbirds, and scrub jays, as well as migrating species such as cedar waxwings.

— Tuleyome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland. For more information go to www.tuleyome.org.

WHS soccer teams open season

By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer

The Winters High School soccer season is in full swing and the Warriors are already hard at work proving their mettle out on the field.

Girls soccer

The WHS girls soccer team athletes are doing what they do best — dominating the competition and proving their champion title with a 7–0 record going into week four of the season.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the varsity girls soccer team won its match against St. Helena High School Saints by a score of 4–0 with goals scored by Idaly Lopez Sanchez, Alexys Penunuri and Ava Muir Vickery scoring two.

The girls soccer team also won their match against Fairfield High School Falcons by a score of 4–0 making it their seventh shut out of the season.

Aylin Molina and Penunuri both scored one goal each for the Warriors while Muir Vickery scored two.

The girls took a break after their busy

start at the beginning of the season where they played in a tournament against Rosemont, Weston Ranch, Yuba City and Grant.

The Winters girls soccer team came out of the tournament undefeated, setting the tone for what is sure to be another amazing season.

Boys soccer

On Monday, Dec. 9, the Winters varsity boys soccer team also won its match against the St. Helena Saints by a score of 4–0. Freshman Alessandro Monsalve could not be stopped and scored all four goals for the Warriors.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the WHS varsity boys kept that momentum going and won their match against

the Fairfield Falcons by a score of 6–0.

Cole Coker, Juan Bermudez, Anders Jepsen and Monsalve all scored one goal each for the Warriors while Alejandro Murillo Cerrillo led his team with two goals on the night. Daniel Scott Fuller played as goal keeper contributing six saves and helping

his team in earning their second shut out of the season.

The boys put in work last week and headed out to Dixon High School to face off with the Rams on Friday, Dec. 13. Unfortunately, lost their match against one of their biggest rivals by a score of 1–3.

The boys and girls soccer team schedules can be found on the WHS Athletics page at whs.wintersjusd.org/en-US/athletics-d8f556f5.

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-chief

Despite a strong season opener, the Winters High School girls basketball team felt the sting of its first loss in the first round of Woodland Christian’s Cardinal Classic basketball tournament.

The Warriors lost to the Sutter High School Huskies 34-52 on Dec. 12.

“We were caught on our heels and our shots weren’t following which led to some scoring opportunities for Sutter,” said head

coach Ivan Dodic.

With a goal to whittle away at the Huskies lead, the girls played a better second quarter and kept the lead at halftime to 13. Although they played hard, the Warriors were called on a few fouls that impacted the remainder of the game. The Huskies took the win in the fourth quarter.

Senior Jordan Tucker led the team with 15 points, followed by sophomore Maci Dodic who put up 8 points for the Warriors.

On Dec. 13, the second day of tournament play, the Warriors beat the Roseville High School Tigers in overtime 44–42.

“This game was a battle but I felt we were in relative control most of the game, we had a hard time hitting our free throws which kept it close throughout,” Dodic said. “Roseville played an unconventional defense which caused us to overthink a little bit but the girls did a great job adapting and figuring it out in the end for the win.”

Tucker led the team again putting up 16 points on the score board. Dodic and junior Lili Borchard added in vital plays to help keep the Warriors in

Damien Torres, a Winters Middle School seventh-grader, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Torres plays four different sports year-round incuding Winters Jr. Warriors midget football, Winters Middle School basketball, Winters Little League majors baseball and with the UC Davis Next Level flag football program. WHW football coach Art Garcia said Torres has a “huge heart.” “He

Damien Torres

Imaginarium

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The Emo Night TourSacramento 10 Year Anniversary

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Damien Escobar @ 9pm / $74.07$119.91

Blue Note Napa, Napa

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SHIBA SAN @ 10pm Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard St, San Francisco

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LaRussell & Compenny Year End Celebration

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A Noh Christmas Carol, Theatre of Yugen's Signature Holiday Show <December 4-29> @ 3pm / $40 Theatre of Yugen's signature holi‐day production, A Noh Christmas Carol, �nally returns by popular demand! December 4 – 29 at NOH‐Space (2840 Mariposa St., San Francisco) Theatre of Yugen at NOHspace, 2840 Mariposa Street, San Francisco. boxof�ce@theatreo fyugen.org, 415-621-0507

Massane: Brrr at The Barn @ 4pm

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Imaginarium 360 @ Cal Expo @ 5pm / Free Welcome to the Imaginarium 360! @ Cal Expo, Sacramento! TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ON OUR WEBSITE. This is not a free event. Join us for a mind-blowing experi‐ence for the whole family! Sacra‐mento County Fair, 1600 Exposi‐tion Blvd, Sacramento

Gaucho at Brenda's @ 5pm Brenda's French Soul Food, 652 Polk St, San Francisco

Latin Sundays @ The Music City Live Bands & DJ Sets @ 7pm / $29

Brazilian Rhythms/Salsa/Cumbia/ Latin Jazz/Spanish Rumba/Latin Rock/ Forró/Global Beats & More 1355 Bush St, 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco. aprill@musicci tysf.org

K2icyy: Welcome to 9Side Tour @ 7pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento

Homayoun Shajarian and Anoushiravan Rohani

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Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness, San Francisco

Luke and Kaylee

@ 9pm Center Bar @ The Golden Nugget, Stateline

Peter Lindman Duo with Roger Rocha (4 Non Blondes)

@ 4pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco

Heavenly Holidays featuring Mark Mackay and Morgan Myles

@ 6pm Heavenly Mountain Resort, 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe

Allie X @ 7pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco

Kaskade: Aprés Ski NYE

2024 @ 7pm Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 Hwy 50, Stateline

Jackie Fabulous

performances, and a midnight balloon drop. The Acad‐emy SF, 2166 Market Street, San Francisco. info@academy-sf.com, 415-624-3429

NEW YEAR'S EVE RAGER with THE CASUALS @ 9pm / $47.31 Brick and Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco

San Francisco New Years Eve Bar Crawl 2025 @ 10pm / $24.01 Ring in the New Year like never be‐fore with our highly anticipated New Year's Eve Bar Crawl! Comet Club, 3111 Fillmore Street, San Francisco. info@pubcrawls.com

Jazz Ma�a at It's A New Day + Breakfast Of Champions 2025 @ 4am The Great Northern, 119 Utah St, San Francisco

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Uptown Theatre Napa, Napa

Madeon (DJ Set) @ 8pm The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

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Dengue Fever

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Ring in the New Year like never be‐fore with our highly anticipated New Year's Eve Bar Crawl! KBAR.DOCO, 732 K Street, Sacra‐mento. info@pubcrawls.com

New Year Eve 2025: The most upscale Bollywood NYE Party San Diego @ 6:30pm The Royal Cuckoo, 3202 Mission st, San Francisco

New Year’s Eve at Music City SF: Frank & Dean Show + Multi-Venue Party! @ 7pm / $29

Dirty Cello at Opera House

on New Year’s

Special to the Express

From Iceland to Italy, and all over the U.S., San Francisco-based band Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues, rock and Americana.

Dirty Cello is performing at the Winters Opera House to ring in 2025. Skip the usual hype of New Year’s Even and join in the fun and rock and roll on Dec. 31 from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s a casual event and you’ll get home at a reasonable hour. Tickets are $35 and are available to purchase at www.winterstheatre.org.

Led by vivacious crossover cellist, Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues and rock with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ Americana, Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping.

Arts & Entertainment

Ring in 2025 at DMTC Gala

Special to the Express

Davis Musical Theatre Company, invites one and all to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and ring in 2025, in musical Broadway style, at its annual New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec. 31 at the Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center, 607 Pena Drive in Davis. Join DMTC, and the cast of their musical Broadway classic, “42nd Street,” for dinner and a show on New Year’s Eve, with champagne and dancing leading up to the countdown to

the game. Dodic made a collective 10 points

midnight! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Following the performance, a delicious full buffet dinner, catered by Ludy's of Woodland, will be served, including a tri-tip carving station, turkey with fixings, pasta (alfredo and marinara), salad, rolls, dessert and a special midnight toast with champagne or Martinelli's! There will also be a cash bar (credit cards accepted) for the purchase of beer, wine, cocktails and spirits.

and Borchard added up 7 points for the Warriors.

“Jordan Tucker played hard throughout as she always does

Tickets are $75 per person and include reserved seating for a special performance of “42nd Street,” dinner, dancing and a midnight toast. Tickets for this special Gala Event are limited and can be purchased online at dmtc.org or by calling 530-7563682.

For more information about DMTC, current productions, audition opportunities, and to purchase individual or season tickets, go to dmtc.org, or e-mail info@dmtc.org.

and Lilli Borchard had a couple huge baskets in the fourth quarter which kept us in it. Maci Dodic hit 4 clutch free throws in overtime to seal the win,” Dodic said.

On Dec. 14, the Warriors rounded out the Cardinal Classic Tournament with a win over Roseville’s Destiny Christian Academy Lions. The final score was 39–26.

Dodic said it a “a crazy, chaotic and long game” due to multiple game delays and confusion from calls.

“Fortunately our girls kept their composure and were able to pull out the victory,” Dodic said.

Tucker and Dodic led the way for the Warriors with aggressive play and vital free throws. Tucker scored 13 points and Dodic scored 10.

On Dec. 17, the Warriors took a win over the Williams High School yellowjackets of 45–6.

“Unfortunately Williams is having a real down year for their basketball program,” Dodic said. “Although we took the pressure off early, our girls were still way too much for Williams.” Dodic said “it was not a fun game for either team” but some of the Warriors’ “bench players to get some playing time and experience which should help us down the stretch of the back half of the season.”

Courtesy photo Skip the usual hype of New Year’s Even and join in the fun and rock and roll with Dirty Cello at the Winters Opera House to ring in 2025.