Mountain Democrat, Friday, December 20, 2024 by mcnaughtonmedia

THAT’S A WRAP

ESSENTIALS

Cynthia “Cindy” Rae Holmes

Nov. 03, 1948 – Oct. 18, 2024

Sandra L. Folmer (Winton)

May 5, 1946 – Dec. 3, 2024

Sandra L. Folmer, 78, passed away peacefully at home under the loving care of family and Snowline Hospice of Placerville, CA. Born in Stockton, CA. May 5, 1946 to Florence Winton (Board) and Willard Arnold (Arnone) Winton, as firstborn, she remained their “#1” or “Ichiban” Daughter ever after. Survived by husband Doyle Folmer, daughters Vicki Gomez, Norma Folmer, Yvonne Tyler, sister Susan Winton, and brother-in-law Richard Sapudar, she was also blessed with many grandchildren (7) and great-grandchildren (15). Preceded in death by mother, Florence Winton, father Willard Winton, brother Richard Winton and sister Patricia Winton, she will be greatly missed. Graveside interment (immediate family only) will be held January 7, 2025 at 1pm at Park View Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life all are welcome to attend will be held January 18th, 2025 at 1pm at Foothills Church 2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682 (Call office at 530-677-3057 ) Check Park View’s Memorial Page via link below for complete “Tribute” Memorial: https://parkviewmortuary. tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/Sandra-LeaFolmer?obId=33950815

Joseph P. Williams

Sept. 8, 1927 – Nov. 8, 2024

WWII Veteran Joe Williams passed away in his home in El Dorado Hills at the age of 97. Born in Detroit, MI., his parents immigrated from Poland, entering through Ellis Island, their names changing from Wilinski to Williams. A proud World War 2 Navy Veteran, Joe served on the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt. He visited many parts of the world, and was honorably discharged with a Victory Medal. After college he entered the emerging new world of technology and became an expert in the beginning stages of computer development. Joe was still a computer expert at 97. He was flown as a consultant around the country from New York, Chicago to Seattle. He met his first wife, Helen in Los Angles. They moved to El Dorado County in 1970 where they raised four children. Although he worked many long hours, he always found time for summer vacations that the family remembers as fun-filled adventures; especially boating on California Lakes and trips across the country. Joe built his home on Hollow Oak Drive 55 years ago, overlooking Folsom and Sacramento, with views of the costal range. It is still and will be the family and friends gathering place. He was known for his dry sense of humor, open mind and his extraordinary kindness. Joe Williams is survived by his wife, DorothyIngram Williams; his daughter, Carlen Vincent of Cameron Park; his son, Jeffrey Ellsworth of Placerville; his sister, Irene Varney of Florida; his grandson, Ryan Gibson of Cameron Park; great granddaughter, Kyndell Turpen of Cameron Park; son, Grant Ingram of Somerset; grandson, Maxwell Ingram of Cameron Park; and beloved extended family. He will be missed and remembered by countless friends of all ages, In lieu of contributions, please give to your favorite charity; but Joe would be pleased if you took an hour with your loved one, perhaps pour a glass of wine and made a toast to the heavens.

Melba Jean Ray Leal

Sept. 4, 1941 – Nov. 27, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Melba Jean Ray Leal. Living most of her life in Diamond Springs California, Melba was a strong and passionate person and was involved in many movements and positive changes in the community. As a devout Catholic she spent a lot of time growing and promoting the Mother Teresa Maternity Home, and dedicated many hours to praying for and helping others. Melba loved horses and was deeply involved in the Pony Express, clearing and restoring the old rider trails. Melba had a heart of gold and a steadfast disposition. She is survived by her son Gerald Leal Jr, grandchildren Harry Plummer, Jessica Wilkinson, and Eli Leal, and her great grandchildren Gavin Plummer, Jessilyn Wilkinson, and Kimber Plummer. Service for Melba Jean Ray Leal was held on December 18, 2024 at 11 a.m. It was held at St. Patrick Church located at 3109 Sacramento St. Placerville CA, 95667.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Cynthia “Cindy” Rae Holmes, 75, of Placerville, California. Cindy passed away on October 18, 2024. Born on November 3, 1948, in Hawthorne, NV, Cindy was the daughter of the late E e (Eather) Holmes and Raymond Holmes. A graduate of Mineral County High School in 1966, Cindy dedicated 20 years of her life to serving others as a part of the Emergency Department Admitting Team at Marshall Hospital, where her strength, kindness and attention to detail left an indelible mark. Cindy’s legacy is one of courage, generosity, and a magnetic presence. She had an unusual ability to connect with people from all walks of life, possessing a sharp intuition that allowed her to make meaningful relationships and provide valuable insight to others. Her bright and perceptive eyes reflected a soul full of wonder, empathy, and deep emotional intelligence. She lived life of her own accord, often finding light and laughter in the most ordinary moments. Cindy was a woman of many interests. She had a marked appreciation for music and dance, having expressed that it was possible to feel the emotion the musician or artist was trying to evoke, if one really let themselves be enveloped in the song. She dreamed of traveling to faraway places and had an adventurous, daring spirit. She was a fierce supporter of those in need and carried the torch of hope for others when they could not carry it themselves. She had compassion for all living things, especially animals in need, and strove to live life in a manner that was respectful and conscientious of all God’s creations. Cindy’s charisma, wisdom, and determination touched everyone she met, and she will be remembered for her sensational conversations, warm personality, enduring spirit and ability to see beauty in all things. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She is survived by her daughter, Tammie Rae Anderson; grandchildren, Danielle Morales and Nathaniel Anderson, sister, JoAnn Bowles; and her cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, E e (Eather) Holmes and Raymond Holmes. According to Cindy’s wishes, no formal funeral will be held. A gathering to honor Cindy will be held in the spring, and details will be shared with family and friends. For those who wish to show tribute to her, the family requests that donations be made to a local animal rescue organization of your choice.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200

John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org Ryan Carter rcarter@cityofplacerville.org

D.C., 20510 (202) 224-3553

95814 (916) 448-2787

621-5650

(530) 621-5651

Veerkamp (530) 621-5652

Parlin (530) 621-6513

Laine (530) 621-6577 (Placerville) (530) 573-7918 (South

CONTACT US

Missing man found

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

Family members of a Placerville man reported missing Dec. 11 took to social media this week to let concerned community members know that he had been found. Stephen “Stevie” Robbins, 31, was found safe Dec. 13, according to a cousin, Amberlinn Glanville. Community members who shared information on social media and kept their eyes peeled are thanked for their help.

EDITORIAL STAFF Noel Stack Editor 530-344-5073 / nstack@villagelife.net

DON’T MISS

early winter

is above normal for this time of year.

How’s the snowpack looking?

Early winter status looks good for Eastern Sierra

Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune

Snow has started to fly with a couple of storms under the region’s belt, but it’s the time of year where there’s still some mystery to the type of winter hopeful skiers and other snow enthusiasts will have.

Although still too early to say what the April 1 snowpack will look like, snow water amounts across northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra as of Dec. 17 are above normal, ranging from 106% to 157% of median for this time of year.

With three months of winter ahead, these current snow water amounts represent just 25-30% of median springtime peak amounts.

Jeff Anderson, a Nevada water supply specialist, said the April 1 date is important because that’s around the time the amount of water in the snowpack typically peaks and the

snow begins to melt, feeding water to local lakes and rivers.

“The springtime snow water peak is winter’s final report card,” Anderson explained. “That is really the measurement that determines if we had an above-normal winter.”

Though often associated with the quality of winter fun, snowpack information is also important for conservation planning, water supply management, flood control, drought and avalanche prediction, as well as climate modeling.

Nevada’s Natural Resources Conservation Service through the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts across the state and the Eastern Sierra.

The service’s first Water Supply Outlook Report of the season will be published in early January 2025.

For the latest updates or to subscribe go to nrcs.usda.gov/ nevada/snow-survey.

Interim director takes over IT

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate. As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels

ments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most

have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney

painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.” – Neuropathy Pain Patient

Chris

Daley Staff writer

El Dorado County supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Amanda Earnshaw as the interim director of the county’s Information Technologies Division at their Dec. 10 board meeting. The appointment moves Earnshaw up from her prior role as assistant director.

She replaces former Director Tonya DiGiorno. The board unanimously voted to dismiss Digiorno, who was

hired in December 2019, in closed session during a special meeting Nov. 15.

Earnshaw will remain in her new position until a permanent director is appointed. The interim director job at Step 2 of the salary range pays $88.26 per hour. The agreement notes Earnshaw can be “terminated earlier by subsequent action of the Board of Supervisors,” according to the recommendation made by Human Resources.

DUI checkpoint planned in Placerville

On Dec. 20, the Placerville Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence checkpoint 6-11 p.m. at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired drivingrelated crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Aaron Pratt said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number

log Continued

of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

Placerville PD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving.

While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Photo by Mike Peron / Tahoe Daily Tribune

The

snowpack

Camino dominates the court

Placerville prepares plan for public party procedures

Odin Rasco Senior staff writer

The Placerville City Council took steps toward a cohesive and comprehensive set of revised rules and procedures for public events during its meeting on Dec. 10.

Public events, particularly ones that result in the closure of Main Street (or take away just a few parking spaces, in the case of Bell Tower-adjacent closures), have been the source of much discussion, debate and deliberation in recent years.

For decades, event planning largely fell to the Placerville Downtown Association, which put together and fundraised for events such as Oktoberfest, the Festival of Lights (now renamed Hometown Holidays) and the Wagon Train celebration. In 2019, the PDA board was informed it was not in compliance with IRS rules and modified its mission statement, which included an intent to participate in advocacy. This change fundamentally altered the relationship between the organization and the city; in 2022, the City Council changed rules about public events that shifted how the PDA could engage in event sponsorship.

With the city semi-suddenly having to shoulder the bulk of event planning, which had been handled by others for decades, city leaders realized they would have to go back to the drawing board. Feedback from merchants urged for a limit on how many times Main Street would be closed, though other shop owners along the street argued in the negative, saying some of their best business days happen when events are going on. Financial concerns have also led to a reevaluation of how the city approaches public events; with tight budgets requiring frozen staff positions multiple years in a row, and costs only expected to increase, the financial burden for putting on public celebrations is something the council has taken very seriously in recent discussions. Working with direction from the council, paired with insights gleaned from a series of questionnaires,

public workshops and other discussions, Community Services Director Denis Nishihara came before the Placerville City Council with a presentation and a set of revised procedures Dec. 10.

“We have done surveys, community meetings and a lot of work,” Nishihara explained. “Could we have done more? Certainly. But in my experience, I want to tell you, we’ve talked about this bad boy a lot; that’s my professional opinion.”

Though some elements of the revised procedures and policies were sent back for further revision by the council, multiple rules and practices were adopted:

The city set a cap on Main Street closure events to eight a year, with an allotment of no events in Quarter 1 (the weather being too unreliable or too unpleasant for an outdoor event), two events in Quarters 2 and 3, and four events in Quarter 4. Each quarter also has wiggle room left for an additional event, if the city determines it has the bandwidth for the event.

The deadline for applications to put on an event in 2026 was set for March 31, 2025. For following years, the deadline will be in January of the previous year.

The city specified that the three events it would take on as its priorities are Halloween, the Christmas Parade and Hometown Holidays.

Nishiara said he hoped to work with the city’s Finance Department to create a clear fee schedule that would create a reliable formula event planners could use to determine what their event would likely cost to put on. The council also directed staff to alter some rules, such as requiring event applicants to pay a majority of the cost before the event was held.

“A healthy chunk of the money should come in before,” Mayor John Clerici said. “If not, we’re put in the terrible position of having people come to us with a sob story about how they couldn’t get all the money together, and we’ll have to say ‘Well, that’s too bad, but you still owe us.’ It puts us in a potentially really lousy spot.”

Courtesy photos

The El Dorado County Sports Leagues middle school basketball season wrapped up with Camino School’s seventh- and eighth-grade teams netting the Division 2 Championship trophies last weekend after the Trojans toppled the competition during a tournament at El Dorado High School in Placerville.

TRPA board selects Hayley Williamson as its chair

STATELINE, Nev. — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Dec. 18 elected Hayley Williamson, the Nevada at-large board member, as its new board chair for a two-year term. Williamson replaces Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, who served as chair of the bi-state governing body for more than two years and who will remain on the board as one of six local government appointees. Williamson also serves as chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, a seat to which she was first appointed in 2020.

“I am honored to step into the role of board chair and appreciate the opportunity from my fellow board members to uphold and strengthen the bi-state partnership,” Williamson said. “Lake Tahoe is an irreplaceable natural wonder and we must work together to restore and protect it for all. It is also my home, and I am personally committed to helping guide TRPA to fulfill its mission of conservation and restoration.”

The governing board also elected governor of California appointee Vince Hoenigman as vice chair. Hoenigman is the co-owner of a real estate company that has played a crucial role in revitalizing downtown areas in Southern California and Nevada, and volunteers extensively with nonprofit organizations focused on national parks, homelessness and affordable housing. The Bi-State Compact established a 15-member Governing Board, with seven members from California, seven from Nevada and one non-voting appointee made by the President of the United States. Six of the seats are reserved for locally elected governing bodies.

“We look forward to Chair Williamson’s and Vice Chair

Hoenigman’s leadership on the board as Lake Tahoe faces new threats and the cross-cutting effects of a changing climate,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Each board member brings a wealth of experience and unique perspective that reflect the broad importance of Lake Tahoe to local communities, the states and the nation.”

During the meeting, the governing board also voted unanimously to approve amendments to two city of South Lake Tahoe area plans that include incentives for affordable and workforce housing projects and improved walkability and transportation connectivity in town centers. The amendments to the Tourist Core Area Plan and Tahoe Valley Area Plan incorporate the TRPA housing amendments approved by the governing board in December 2023, which set density, height, coverage, and parking standards for affordable and workforce housing projects. The city’s amendments reduce the amount of parking spaces required and increase requirements for bike parking facilities for new and redevelopment projects located with one-half mile of transit. The city’s proposed amendments to increase maximum density in the area plan town centers are being revisited and were not part of Wednesday’s approval.

The board also received a presentation on 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan Updates from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team agencies use the plans to identify and prioritize fuels reduction projects and defensible space in areas most susceptible to wildfire impacts to safeguard lives, homes, critical infrastructure and the landscape of the Tahoe Basin. The 2025 plans also prioritize fuel reduction projects along all evacuation routes to make those areas safer during emergencies.

remaining gifts to the Boys and Girls Club in Placerville therefore shutting the books on another successful year. Walls and crew dropped off close to 500 toys at the Boys and Girls club, enough to share around 100 toys at each of the organization’s five clubhouses in the county.

The Placerville Police Department picked up a couple hundred toys earlier in the week for distribution as well. Giving the remainder to other charitable organizations just makes sense to Walls.

“It’s better than them sitting in a warehouse,” she shared.

This year, the local Toys for Tots program collected or purchased, processed and delivered more than 12,000 items to 2,500-plus children throughout El Dorado County. Volunteer elves placed and later collected 263 collection boxes at businesses throughout the county and processed all the donations in a warehouse space.

The volunteers, nearly 200 in all, assured that each child received three toys and two stocking suffers. Children ages 13 and older received a backpack with five

Rescue Continued from A1

“With the help of El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy Taylor, they rescued the victim using a ladder,” he said. “Although the victim was shaken-up, she survived without major injuries.

“The El Dorado Hills Fire Department is proud of the heroic actions of Capt. Adam Tiffany, firefighter Gary Culmer and sheriff’s deputy Taylor,” Lilienthal added.

Another occupant of the Broome Place residence was transported to a local hospital after suffering from

items inside. Each family received one stuffed animal, one sports ball, one to three books, one coloring book with crayons, an arts and crafts gift and one puzzle. Bicycles and scooters were gifted via a random number drawing with California Highway Patrol providing helmets.

Walls celebrates her 20th year volunteering with the program with the

as the coordinator. She said she

has done it for so long because, “I love it.”

“It’s a wonderful program,” she added. “Let the parents worry about keeping a roof over their kids’ heads; let us worry about the toys.”

As the Toys for Tots team members finished their work in the 2024 holiday season, they set their sights on 2025.

With a grant from the El Dorado Hills Area Foundation, Walls said next year will start off strong.

smoking inhalation.

“Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and extinguished the fire inside,” Lilienthal said, adding that both the first and second floors sustained heavy damage.

“Damage estimates are $450,000 to the property and $100,000 to the contents.”

Crews stayed on scene Thursday morning to ensure no flare ups or threats to other residences in the neighborhood. The fire’s cause is under investigation.

last nine

Courtesy photos

Volunteer elves on a bright Saturday morning take a break from sorting through donated toys to enjoy lunch provided by John Sanders of Old Town Grill.

Photo courtesy of EDH Fire

Smoke billows from the roof of an El Dorado Hills home that caught fire Thursday morning, Dec. 19.

Victoria Ortiz Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

A selection of toys and balls await their forever homes during a Toys for Tots sorting and distribution day in El Dorado County.

OPINION

Your tax dollars not at work

Government excels at NOT getting things done.

But politicians promise more things anyway.

Letters to the Editor Guest Column

Kamala Harris declared that our government would “build thousands of miles of ﬁber-optic cable!” This “Broadband Connectivity Agenda” was supported by “every House Republican on Energy and Commerce,” write Republican representatives.

Three years later, not a single person has been connected.

Why? Because, as Milton Friedman put it, “Few people spend other people’s money as carefully as they spend their own.”

Private individuals and businesses constantly adjust to save time and money. But politicians, spending your money, have little interest in that. They routinely add rules that make everything take longer. You have to “hire certain people based on their color, their sex,” complained investor Matt Cole. “You already have a talent problem, now you’re looking at only being able to recruit from a very small minority of individuals. Then you have to do climate pledges. Then you have to hire from unions.”

“But diversity is good,” I pushed back.

Now Musk has a friend in government. Maybe things will change. But government giving contracts to friends is not good policy. It’s also not a smart way to get things built.

“That doesn’t mean that you should hire someone because of their race or skin color ... You have all these companies that could actually (build broadband), but its unimplementable with the restrictions. They just walk away.”

Eventually, I assume the government will install at least some broadband. By then, their cables may be unnecessary, because of satellite internet, like Starlink, which doesn’t require digging up streets.

“They could do it literally today,” said Cole. “You could have devices in these people’s homes within the next couple of months.”

Why don’t government o cials do that? At ﬁrst, Biden bureaucrats said, “Starlink failed to demonstrate that it had the technical and ﬁnancial ability.”

When it became clear that Starlink obviously did, the administration suddenly called it a monopoly. The FCC chair sneered, “Our economy doesn’t beneﬁt from monopolies.”

“First, they’re not functional; now it’s a monopoly,”

■ See COUPAL, page A7

The Not So Weekly Daley

As he has done for several decades, my most reliable, conﬁdential source from the far north sent me a bundle of the best letters he’s received all year. They range from the sublime to the ridiculous, some even to the unprintable in a family publication. Better yet, he shares his candid replies to a number of those letters with me — and I with you. Herewith, a few of his answers: Dear Kamala, Some winners don’t “love everybody.” They especially don’t love everybody that nobody else even likes. Numerous examples emerged during the campaign and (you know who they are). Many have or need protected status. ‘Nu said? Better luck next time. Love, Santa Dear Matt, Remember when you

Learn the di erence

EDITOR:

In the Friday, Dec. 13, issue of the Mountain Democrat, the article on tree mortality in the Tahoe Basin notes, according to the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the Forest Service vegetation management sta o cer, “... we’ve seen an increase in forest pathogens, such as ﬁr engraver and bark beetles.”

It appears that the manager does not know the di erence between insects and pathogens. This is a small detail, but the vegetation management sta o cer should know the di erence. The readers will be confused.

BOB SCHARPF Placerville

Social media, podcasts, etc.

EDITOR:

Over the years there have been letters written as to the inﬂuence of biased networks like MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc., and also about podcasts and other alternative media.

We have also seen the major networks like

ABC, CBS and NBC become promoters of left wing ideologies. We have a couple like FOX and Newsmax on the right and all the other aforementioned on the left. Since the mainstream media abandoned journalism for partisan promotion there is nowhere to turn for unbiased news anymore. Journalism is dead. Way back in the ‘60s we had real journalists on the networks. Huntley, Brinkley, Cronkite. You could trust the news then. I remember listening to the Huntley/Brinkley Report when a lot was going on in the country and for the life of me I couldn’t tell if they were of liberal or conservative persuasion. Sadly, journalism is dead in this country and you must work hard to research and ﬁnd truth upon which to base important things like your vote. Surprisingly this time people did and the candidate opposed by 95% of the coverage in the mainstream media won.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

admitted to me you didn’t really want to be attorney general? I know you were sloshed on 151 Rum and pretty high on whatever, but I believed you anyway, and you got your wish. So, we’re good? Keep at it Dude or just go get a job. Rudolph is rootin’ for ya. Mr. C Dear Nancy, so sorry you fell down those stairs in Belgium or Luxembourg over there in Europe. Yes, I’ll do my best to help. Was it the grapa that got ya? Kidding. Start using that cane I gave you last year. Be careful, not as young as me anymore. Ho ho, Santa Dear Angelina, I’ll bet I’m still the only one who knows you always wanted to play Maria Callas. You did good girl! Hugs, Clausman Gavin M’Lad, 2028 is only four years away. Not even quite 48

months. Who knows? You might run for president of California by then, if things go south. Know what I mean? Being totally Independent, full disclosure, I told Kamala, Tom McClintock and Adam Schi the same thing. Oh, also Marjorie Taylor Green and Angelina. Good luck, kiddo! Your friend and everyone else’s friend, Santa Hi Brock, you probably don’t remember Joe Montana or Steve Young. Look them up!!! Now!!! Can’t wait til next season, I think. And, it’s just a game. Isn’t it??? Ho ho ho. Do it for Santa. Taylor, Taylor, Taylor, congrats on your Eras Tour. Do you really have more money than God? I’m not all that familiar with your work (too busy in the shop), but my gang all love

you. Heck you could take over for me when I retire — and just buy all the stu instead of making it all year long. Great New Year to you too! “Spare change?” Elf joke. Ho ho ho. Dear Joe, you did the right thing for Hunter as any dad would, if he could. Big di erence though. You did your best these last four years, I’m sure. Enjoy your family, volunteer at the church. Take up golf? Nah. Don’t do that. At our age it’s just inviting back problems. All the best to you and Jill. And thanks for your 168 years of service. I kid. Love, the Big Guy. C’mon, man. We were in school together, remember? Hey JD, remember, you’re gonna be a heartbeat away from becoming

CHRIS DALEY

Dear Grandma, really sorry you got run over by a reindeer. It wasn’t one of mine, so don’t bother with any high-end, white shoe lawyer.

JOHN STOSSEL

Coupal

Continued from A6

said Cole. “The reality is, they didn’t want that to be the solution.”

Didn’t want it to be because Biden Democrats didn’t want to give money to Elon Musk.

Now Musk has a friend in government. Maybe things will change.

But government giving contracts to friends is not good policy. It’s also not a smart way to get things built.

Government pumped billions into high-speed rail. Fifteen years later, they’re still talking about the future.

Bureaucrats wasted $500 million of your money on the solar company Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. They wasted millions more trying and failing to create “synthetic fuel.”

More recently, Biden doled out $7 billion to build 500,000 EV charging stations. Two years later, they’ve built seven.

Republicans joined Democrats in funding a CHIPS Act, meant to bring chipmaker jobs to America. It isn’t working. Most chips are still made in Taiwan.

“Even if they get what they promise,” I pointed out to Cole, Congress appropriated “$53 billion for 115,000 promised jobs. Almost half a million dollars per job!”

“You expect nothing else from government,” he

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

replied.

With Republicans in charge, some say things will be better. But the problem isn’t just Democrats; it’s government.

Trump’s steel tariffs destroyed American jobs by raising the price of steel.

Politicians should just stop subsidizing certain businesses.

Maybe Musk will convince Trump to do that. He’s actually tweeted the U.S. should “remove subsidies from all industries,” including his own! Good for him. That would be great.

End the $30 billion handed to big agriculture, useless subsidies for “clean” energy, governmentguaranteed loans politically to connected businesses, etc.

Maybe Trump will end that part of the Deep State.

But I won’t hold my breath.

Once politicians are in power, they always want to do more.

With your money.

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

Daley

Continued from A6

No. 48. A heartbeat. One lousy little heartbeat, JD. Think about that. A heartbeat. A single, simple heartbeat. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes. But I’ll be with you all along the way. Oh dear, oh my. Full disclosure: I said the same thing to Kamala, Mike, Joe, Dick, Al, the guy who couldn’t spell potatoes, George H.W., Walter and Gerry and the others. Happy holidays and a very Happy New Year! LMK how it’s going, JD. XO, Saint Nick Dear Dan, sorry you couldn’t spell potatoes and sorry I forgot your name. Love, Santa. That’s S.A.N.T.A.

Dear Grandma, really sorry you got run over by a reindeer. It wasn’t one of mine, so don’t bother with any high-end, white shoe lawyer. They’re all in my pocket anyway. BTW, so’s the Easter Bunny. My best for a speedy recovery. John Doe. Get it?

Hey Gaetz, I know you need some scratch, but don’t EVEN think about taking that grandma’s case. Losing would ruin your reputation. Oh, ho. Sorry. I’m killing me tonight. Ho ho, J. Doe (wink and a nod.)

Dear Bobby, please don’t eat the sea monkeys again this year. You know what the red tides do to those little guys. Remember “brain worm.” And sea monkeys are kinda yucky, as you know very well. ILY most of the time, San C.

Dear Liz and Adam K. I can always use a couple more honest elves. Santa phrase. I like to change it up from time to time. Love from the missus and yours truly.

1115

Yo Elon and Vivek, it was news to me the other day too while making a little snack. Peanut butter and boysenberry jam on a half-dozen Saltines. I’m kinda surprised you smart-heads didn’t know either. Saltines only have “ridges” on three sides. Is that new or have they always had a “smooth side?” I plan to track down this mystery and I’ll let you know. Also, you could sic your worker efficiency boffins on it and we’ll see who finds out first. Thanks for the fun holiday challenge. Profitable New Year guys! XO, Santa Dear Everyone Who Believes, Be careful at those office parties, slow down in the snow and fog ‘n’ stuff. Be good to each other and particularly yourselves. See you next week and happy 2025. Love to all, S.A.N.T.A. (Sorry, Dan. Couldn’t resist it.)

Chris Daley is a staff writer and biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

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AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

CLUB meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR

RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

PLAY CRIBBAGE

Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452.

We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the

month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.

GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet first and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.

and

Sacramento. mickey@ saccomedyspot.com, 916-4443137

VISUALS @ 7:30pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco

Salsa & Bachata Dance Fridays Salsa Dancing, Bachata Dancing at Dance Fridays, Dance Lessons @ 7:45pm / $16.74-$27.24 This Friday, Early Bird - THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO DANCE LESSONS, MUSIC, AND DANCE CLUB DANCING, You're invited to our Epic Salsa and Bachata and Cumbia Bash Dance Party Dance Fridays, 550 Barneveld, San Fran‐cisco. info@dancesf.com, 877398-7025

Home Grown Comedy at The Stage! @ 8pm / $25 Stand Up Comedy at The Stage! Starring headliner, Phil Johnson! December 20th at 8pm The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. stageatburke@ gmail.com

Miranda Love Solo @ The Loft @ 8pm The Loft, 1021 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe

Park Street Riot and The Big Poppies @ 8:30pm Torch Club, 904 15th St, Sacra‐mento

Festive Ornaments and Sparkling Delights @ 5pm / $155 Join us for an evening �lled with ef‐fervescent beverages, creative or‐nament painting, and delectable desserts in festive Old Sacramento on this guided experience. Old Sacramento, Sacramento. info@ sactownbites.com, 916-905-0031

Greg Adams and East Bay Soul"Sweet Soul Christmas" @ 6:30pm Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St, Napa Tribute Night @ Music City San Francisco @ 7pm / $29 Discover new bands and unforget‐table experiences at The Music City Underground! 1355 Bush St, 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco. aprill@ musiccitysf.org

Sean Carscadden Music: Sean Carscadden Trio @ Tonewood & Courage, Napa @ 7pm Tonewood & Courage, 1300 1st St #212, Napa

Amy Obenski @ 7:30pm Gather Wine, 2490 3rd St, San Francisco

Greg Adams and East Bay Soul - "Sweet Soul Christmas" @ 9pm Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main St, Napa

Seoul Never Sleeps @ 9pm / $12.33-$19 Neck of the Woods, San Francisco

The Westones: Joe Marcinek band + Westones @ Boom Boom Room (with special guest Robert Randolph!) @ 9:30pm Boom Boom Room, 1601 Fillmore St,

Allman Betts Family Revival After Party with the Joe Marcinek Band @ 11pm Boom Boom Room, 1601 Fillmore St, San Francisco

Brenda Mallory: In the Absence of Instruction @ 12pm In the solo exhibition, Brenda Mal‐lory includes prints, multi-media and installation artworks to con‐sider the complex relationships and structures of power and iden‐tity. Gorman Museum of Native American Art, 181 Old Davis Road, Davis. cngorman@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-6567

David Harness: Work The Groove Holiday Get Down An All Vinyl Affair @ 1pm Phonobar, 370 Grove St, San Fran‐cisco Festive Ornaments and Sparkling Delights @ 5pm / $155 Join us for an evening �lled with ef‐fervescent beverages, creative or‐nament painting, and delectable desserts in festive Old Sacramento on this guided experience. Old Sacramento, Sacramento. info@ sactownbites.com, 916-905-0031

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

Death and Taxes Swing Band @ 5pm 478 Club, 478 Green St, San Fran‐cisco

Matthew Dear @ 7pm Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St, Sacra‐mento

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7pm / $47.75

Harveys Cabaret at Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline

The Pharcyde @ 8:30pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento The Pharcyde @ 8:30pm Harlow's, Sacramento

Miranda Love Solo Acoustic @ 9pm Golden Nugget, 50 Hwy 50, Stateline

The Christmas Ballet @ 2pm Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street (at 3rd Street), San Francisco

San Francisco Ballet - The Nutcracker @ 2pm War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

The Christmas Ballet w/ Smuin Ballet @ 2pm Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco

Peter Lindman Duo with Roger Rocha (4 Non Blondes) @ 4pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco

San Francisco Ballet w/ The Nutcracker @ 7pm War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco

Golden State Warriors vs. Indiana Pacers @ 7pm / $85-$1500 Chase Center, San Francisco

Hamilton (Touring) @ 7:30pm

Fatima Hajji (21+ Event) @ 9pm 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco

Fatima Hajji @ 9pm 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco

Chris Cain @ 6:30pm Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco

Justin RiveraLIVE COMEDY @ 7pm / $25 Dec 27th - Dec 28th NBC's "America's

The office and its programs were “created after (and in response to) the Caldor Fire,” Meyer noted. That conflagration raged through Alpine, Amador and El Dorado counties from Aug. 14 to Oct. 21, 2021, burning nearly 300,000 acres and destroying 1,000 structures, including most of Grizzly Flat. It hit El Dorado County the hardest.

Board Chair Wendy Thomas recited the list of the participating agencies and that the board recommended the county allocate $1 million to the OWPR for next year. One of the programs’s 2024 highlights, she added, was that the county’s budget allocation of $400,000 had “leveraged more than $35 million in grant money.”

“OWPR, on behalf of El Dorado County, was successful in being awarded three main grants, two of which are multi-year grants, to implement projects and coordination efforts,” Meyer shared with the Mountain Democrat.

Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts

Manager Mark Egbert described the history of local forest management, relative to wildfire, as “an effort without leadership … and there is more to achieve.”

Speakers representing a number of local, state, federal and nonprofit agencies praised the work of the OWPR in coordinating the disparate entities’ efforts to address multiple aspects of combating wildfire. Cal Fire Battalion Jeff Hoag described how the program enabled a “switch from (the focus of) suppression to (prevention) due to the great cooperation” while noting, “El Dorado County is still very vulnerable to wildfire.”

“El Dorado County is still very vulnerable to wildfire.”

— Jeff Hoag, Cal Fire Battalion

Weber Creek Pilot Program Grant: $25 million

This California Wildfire Mitigation Program grant funds one of six pilot programs in the state. It “supports completing defensible space clearing and home hardening retrofits for up to 525 homes within the (Weber Creek drainage) area at no cost to the homeowners,” Meyer explained. The county General Fund contributes 5% of the total.

Related to this grant effort, OWPR is also working with county Department of Transportation, the city of Placerville, resource conservation districts, PG&E, SMUD, El Dorado Irrigation District and others on added mitigations that can occur in an effort to demonstrate the reduction of wildfire risk when community-level efforts occur, according to the presentation.

Bureau of Land Management Fire Adapted Communities Project Grant: $10 million

This five-year grant is “aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire across the west slope of the county,” according to Meyer. The grant includes funding for a coordinated defensible space inspection/assessment program offers defensible space clearing work in rural and low-income areas of the county as well as implements new and maintains existing fuel treatment projects and supports the growing network of Firewise Communities throughout the county. The goal is to evaluate up to 30,000 parcels and provide defensible space to 1,000 homes.

California Fire Safe Council Grant: $114,781.51

This grant funded a dedicated fire safe coordinator position within OWPR in 2024. It further “supports coordination with fire safe councils with outreach and education for wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts.” Outreach and engagement activities will continue throughout development of the Western El Dorado Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update,” Meyer wrote. Prior to creation of the OWPR,El

Department of Transportation, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Services staff gave brief summaries of projects targeting issues such as one way in/one way out communities, evacuation scenarios, disaster planning, town halls, innovation and new ideas.

Retired Cal Fire chief and current El Dorado County Fire Safe Council Board Chair Ken Pimlott described 20 active grants of $16.6-plus million for 32 agencies and regional fire safe councils, adding that the councils’ provide “boots on the ground which, unlike (professional) agencies, don’t have other jobs to do.”

“We, the 32 agencies, have moved El Dorado County forward, and thanks for your support.” Pimlott said, also calling attention to the councils’ recent publication, “The Wildfire Preparedness Workbook.”

Meyer presented a video demonstrating a homeowner’s example of defensible space from the Rescue area. “It’s not just for your home,” he stressed. “It’s to protect your neighbors and community.”

George Turnboo District 2 related an incident he witnessed when a “fire was started by a lawnmower while the resident was trying to clear defensible space” and emphasized a greater need for community education.

2025 planning efforts will include more public outreach as well as pursuing more grant funding. Other 2025 goals noted in the workplan:

Facilitate communication and coordination across agencies and organizations to ensure individual planning strategies, efforts and reporting processes are informed by other agency and organization planning efforts, and are not in conflict with each other, in order to promote a common strategy to addressing wildfire preparedness and prevention in El Dorado County.

Develop and implement a system of metrics to track activities and outcomes as related to fire safe council assistance programs; fire safe council defensible space assessments, Firewise Communities, green waste days, prescribed burning, fuel breaks, etc.

Complete update to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which encompasses all areas of the west slope of El Dorado County.

Implement the coordinated Defensible Space Program throughout El Dorado County based on the recommendations of the Defensible Space Working Group.

Supervisors unanimously voted to approve and endorse the OWPR’s annual report.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter n RUBES by Leigh Rubin n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Effective communication isn’t just about self-expression. You make sure others understand you and feel understood by you. A conversation will serve the same purpose as a pop quiz, revealing what people know and expect about each other.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s fun to go places with people you enjoy, although you know the secret: Life is about the company. The venue and particulars matter little; good company will double your fun on any kind of excursion. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today you lack pretension, are averse to striving and wish only to share the most genuine parts of you. Your values are right in line with what it takes to create meaningful, lasting friendships.

(June

. Correction can happen without punishment. This applies when you’re teaching yourself, too. A supportive inner dialogue and allowing large margins for error will optimize the learning environment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don’t have to be perfect to be loved, and anyone who puts a lot of rules around what you must be to win their approval is structuring a transactional relationship. Such a relationship is valid, but ignore its limits at your own peril.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Emotional and physical bruises work in the same way — tender until healed. It’s common not to know an injury exists until something brushes against it. Today helps you realize what parts of you shouldn’t be pressed right now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s an air of mystery to the goings on of the day and sometimes you’re a part of the adventure, serving up an enigmatic puzzle for others to work out. Offering up very little information will add interesting insight into the assumptions of others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today offers a uniquely clear understanding of what it has taken for you to get this far

SUDOKU

PROSPECTING

Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

Now

Imagination Theatre at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “Miracle on 34th Street” through Dec. 22. For tickets and more information go to itplacerville.org.

The Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Mrs. Waldecott and the Christmas Spirits” ... or ... “The Coloma Christmas Speck-tacular” through Dec. 22. Doors open Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to oldecolomatheatre.com.

Holiday Carriage Rides, hosted by Hands4Hope and Young Life, will take place at El Dorado Hills Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 22.

The Polar Express has returned to the California Railroad Museum for a limited time, running through Dec. 22. For tickets and more information visit californiarailroad.museum.

Sutter Street Theatre presents “Holiday in the Hills,” an original script and SST’s love letter to the holiday season, through Dec. 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

The Elf on the Boulevard scavenger hunt at El Dorado Hills Town Center runs through Dec. 24. The elf might be hiding around any participating businesses, so make sure to stop in and see if you can spot it.

Freedom Church, 4414 Commodity Way in Cameron Park hosts a drive-thru Nativity open nightly, 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 27 (closed Christmas Eve).

Sutter Street Theatre presents “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” as part of its family series of shows. Performances will through run Dec. 29. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

B Street Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” at The So a in Sacramento through Dec. 29. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.

Dec. 20

Ed Wilson will perform at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 6-8 p.m.

The Cameron Park Santa Parade will be making a series of stops around the area, weather permitting, Dec. 20-22. For more information visit cameronpark.org.

Enjoy an evening of Homegrown Comedy at the Stage at Burke Junction from 8-10:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the Harris Center for multiple showtimes Dec. 20-22. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter. net or call (916) 608-6888.

Jason Beard’s Bring Joy Band will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Flat Busted will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Friday, December 20, 2024

John Devine’s experiences as a Navy Seal K9 handler were the inspiration for the short

for the film, Devine also acts in the film and his dog Moose takes the starring role as Edo.

‘It’s about saying goodbye’ Short film about a Navy Seal and his dog filming in foothills

Odin Rasco Senior sta writer

Ashort ﬁlm shooting in the Coloma region isn’t just a story for Executive Producer John Devine; it’s a look back to his time as a Navy Seal and his time with a heroic dog named Edo. “I was a Navy Seal K9 handler, so I deployed overseas with my dog and I never got a chance to say goodbye,” Devine explained. “The ﬁlm is kind of a tribute to every canine handler that’s ever had to do the same. Sometimes, you’re just literally having to hand your dog back to the military like it’s a piece of equipment and it goes on to the next handler and you never see it again. The story is about dealing with loss; it’s about saying goodbye, especially when you never had the chance to do it for real.”

The film, tentatively titled “Edo’s Crossing,” chronicles the partnership between a Navy Seal and his K9 partner. The idea for the film first came to life when Devine told his friend, former Navy Seal Team 5 member turned actor and stunt performer Mark Semos, about a story he had written based on his personal experiences. With credits including stunts in “Jurassic World” and “True Detective” and producer on the show “Seal Team,” Semos has found a place in filmmaking and was drawn to Devine’s tale.

“I wrote the story and took it to Mark,” Devine recalled. “He told me, ‘This is a great story; I can turn this into a movie.’ He turned the story into a script, and

without him, this movie would not be what it is.”

Devine and Semos missed each other while serving as Seals by just a few months, but eventually met when Devine later trained the dog who would become Semos’ service animal. The two became friends and have been hanging out and chatting for more than ﬁve years. When asked why he chose to take on the role of director for the ﬁlm, Semos was quick to respond.

“I wanted to make a movie with my friend,” Semos explained.

“Having served, and having my own service dog, the story hits home, but what really hit home was hearing John talk about his dog. That’s what really spawned this

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

film “Edo’s Crossing,” written by director Mark Semos. An executive producer

The film crew prepares to shoot one more scene at Henningsen Lotus Park before moving to another location in Coloma.

Santa Letters to

An Easy Appetizer to Add Holiday Cheer

Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Crostini

Recipe courtesy of Liz Della Croce of “The Lemon Bowl” on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 16

• 1 bulb garlic (about 12 cloves)

• 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for drizzling, divided

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper divided

• 32 baguette slices

• 8 ounces feta cheese

• 1/2 cup whole milk, plus additional, if necessary (optional)

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

• 1/4 cup parsley, minced

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Slice garlic bulb in half, exposing garlic heads, and place in center of large piece of tinfoil. Drizzle each half with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Wrap foil tightly around garlic and roast until caramelized, about 30 minutes.

2. Place baguette slices on large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake on second rack in oven until golden brown about 10 minutes; set aside.

3. In high-speed food processor, pulse feta cheese, milk, lemon juice, remaining salt, remaining pepper and roasted garlic cloves until whipped and creamy, adding more milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Check for seasoning and adjust, to taste.

4. To serve, spread each baguette slice with whipped feta and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and minced parsley.

United Dairy Industry of Michigan

Punch Up Your Holiday Beverage Menu

The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze. Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight. In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.

SOURCE:

BUTTERED AND SALTY

‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story ’

HHH 1/2

PG-13, 1 hour, 44 minutes

Biography, Documentary

Now streaming for free on HBO MAX & available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime Democrat correspondent

It’s hard to believe Christopher Reeve has been dead for 20 years. This is the actor who helped convince me a man could actually fly on screen, who helped my young heart and mind believe that Superman was real. “Look! He just lifted himself off the ground and flew out of a city and into the heavens! You see?! Right there with the red cape and bright red boots!! Up, up and away!!!”

Obviously the iconic duality of Mr. Reeve’s Superman/Clark Kent performance in “Superman: The Movie” (1978) and its three sequels are what most know him for. As I got older I became more aware of his talents, including his turn in the cult classic “Somewhere In Time” (1980), the film version of “Noises Off” (1992) and the adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Remains of the Day” (1993).

The Juilliard-educated Reeve had more range and was much more diverse of an actor than many gave him credit for. But it was the infamous events on May 27, 1995, that he may be most remembered for.

On that day Mr. Reeve, an avid equestrian, landed head first on the far side of a fence attempting a vertical jump, shattering his first and second vertebrae.

The injury left the actor paralyzed from the neck down.

“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” focuses on the entirety of Mr. Reeve’s life but spends an extended amount of time post-accident. This is not a surprise as his

fight to stay alive and his activism for spinal cord treatment and disability rights became a beloved mainstay in our popular culture.

Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui pretty much stay in chronological order of the man’s life, weaving in an out his surviving family (including his three children which include son Will, who is now a correspondent on ABC News and has a role in James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman” film). Mr. Reeve’s former partner Gae Exton, with whom he had his first two children, Alexandra and Matthew, talks fondly of him even after their heartbreaking separation, which speaks to the character of both parents as they navigated a split home for their children.

Famous friends such as Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, John Kerry and disability advocate Brooke Ellison speak on behalf of their friend. Absent is a new interview with Robin Williams, who sadly passed away in 2014. Williams was extremely close with Reeve. Footage of the former Oscar winning comedian and actor is sprinkled throughout, showcasing the bond both men felt for one another. Actress Glenn Close has one of the most poignant (in which there are many) moments of the film when she discusses the darkness both men recognized in the other; Reeve with dealing with his disabilities and Williams with his mental illness struggles. Close ended her comments convinced if Reeve was still with us

Concert sure to get rid of

SUTTER CREEK — Upbeat songs from the historic mining days of California and Nevada will fill Sutter Creek Theatre on Dec. 28 when Black Irish Band performs A Winter’s Night Barbary concert. The Barbary Coast in San Francisco was a redlight district during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries in San Francisco that featured dance halls, concert saloons, bars, jazz clubs, variety shows and brothels.

Hailing from the historical Gold Rush country of America, the four-member Black Irish Band just celebrated its 35 year anniversary. The musicians have a musical style that is as timeless as the rugged landscape of the West — a tribute to the people whose lives were spent building the world we now take for granted. The band has a large compliment of traditional maritime and railroad music, as well as ethnic tunes in its repertoire. The musicians excel at Irish & Scottish, Italian and American folk music with an assortment of original songs and

Williams would be here too. Heartbreaking.

The inclusion of son Will, who was the only child of Mr. Reeve and his wife Dana — who the film rightfully dedicates a lot of time and attention to her heroics both caregiving to her husband and her work for disability rights — will surely bring the most tears. He was under no obligation to open himself up as much as he did considering the trauma he experienced losing both parents by the age of 13. He honors his parents with his honest and heartfelt memories and tributes.

“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is a beautiful homage to both Christopher and Dana Reeve. One was a hero on screen. Both were heroes in real life and left the world a better place. Between the millions earned through their foundation to Congress’ Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (implemented in 2009), they changed the world for the better. It’s a great film to help us remember the power of the human spirit during the season of giving. What else would you expect from Superman? Donations to the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation

can be made at christopherreeve.org.

Joshua B. Porter is an award winning

filmmaker. No Generative Al was used in the writing of this article.

Courtesy photo

With a sound all their own and original songs, musicians of the Black Irish Band will entertain the audience at Sutter Creek Theatre.

Region engages in cultural tolerance at Chanukah Wonderland Festival

FOLSOM — Sacramento embraces the true spirit of freedom and the holiday season with the 18th annual Chanukah Wonderland Festival. Everyone is welcome to celebrate community and freedom at the Folsom Community Center.

The festival will include games, music, shows, delicious hot latkes, an authentic Israeli food court,

Chanukah gift shop and lots of Chanukah themed crafts. And, back by popular demand, light up your creativity with the Build-a-Menorah and candle making workshops.

Chanukah Wonderland is an interactive and fun way to teach children and adults the important values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, cultural history, and the right for all people to

Edited by Joel Fagliano No. 1118

worship freely, openly and with pride.

“Every extra point of light dispels a little more darkness and helps make this world a better place,” said Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum, executive director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center. “Our hope is that participants will be inspired to light the Menorah in their own home for all eight nights of the holiday.”

(Note: Chanukah Wonderland kicks-off the Chanukah festivities for the Sacramento region. Watch for the annual Menorah Lighting at the State Capitol and many locations around the county.)

Complete details of the event can be found on chanukahwonderland.info or on facebook.com/ chanukahwonderland.

The Festival runs 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St. Shows, some games and photos with Judah Macabee are free. All-inclusive game and craft passes are available for $15 if purchased before Dec. 20 on the website ($30 at the door).

Chanukah Wonderland, sponsored by Chabad Jewish Community Center, located in Folsom, commemorates the first battle won for religious freedom. As part of the Chanukah outreach campaign, the Chabad Jewish Community Center joins thousands of Chabad Centers across the globe that stage similar public displays of the menorah and its symbolic lights. From Australia to Africa, Columbia to Hong Kong, New York City’s Ground Zero to the White House Lawn, hundreds of thousands will experience the joy of Chanukah with Chabad.

traditional western ballads that appeals to all ages. The band has written and recorded 96 original songs that appear on 21 CD recordings. Many of the original works written by the band are based on Celtic history. The band has sold 120,000 albums independently to date and its music has been featured on College Radio Stations, National Public Radio and on Satellite Radio Programming. The recent original song, “Grizzly of Old California,” which features the vocals of Michael Martin Murphey, has been broadcasted on stations throughout the world. Another noted original work by the band, “Ballad of John Muir,” has been celebrated on the official John Muir National website. The band also boasts 85 music videos on You-Tube at trainfire28.

Black Irish Band will play the Sutter Creek Theater, 44 Main St. in Sutter Creek, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. For tickets and more information visit suttercreektheater.com or call (916) 425-0077.

For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Edited by Joel Fagliano

Know Continued from B1

Dec. 21

Come downtown for Third Saturday Art Walk to get your lastminute holiday shopping done with 27 participating merchants. There will be food and drink specials, as well as live music at The Wine Smith and The Green Room Social Club. Many shops are having some deep discounts and offering free items with a purchase. The raffle prize this month will be $100 to be spent at any of the participating shops or restaurants. Santa will be at Art Studio 360 at 360 Main St. RiverBells Sacramento presents It’s the Time of Ringing, a performance of seasonal and not-so-seasonal handbell music at the Harris Center. The show begins at 3 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Kyli Mari will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Supercommon and Arson Whales will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

American Mile will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com. Music in the Mountains presents its Comfort and Joy Holiday Concert Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

Dec. 22

The Big Poppies will perform at 3 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Dec. 23

The Sacramento Master Singers present a Master Singers Christmas at the Harris Center at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.

Dec. 26

Experience Hanukkah! Join the El Dorado Hills Town Center community and Rabbi Yosef 6:30-8 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater for this beautiful, cultural celebration. Enjoy the enchanting melodies of Hanukkah songs, savor delicious traditional foods, and warm your spirits with a variety of hot beverages. The menorah display will be on display through Jan. 3.

Dec. 27

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive noon to 2:30 p.m. at 2101 Vine St. The Bloodmobile will be parked near the movie theater on the north side. Donors will receive one in-hand Fandango movie voucher. Donors will also receive a T-shirt and $15 gift card from Vitalant, and donors must be opted into the Vitalant donor rewards program to receive these items. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call(877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

RxEMEDY will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Dec. 28

Jerry Rabago will perform at 4 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.

Ryder Thieves and Red Dirt Ruckus will perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville 8 p.m. to midnight. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Black Irish

ach year, a tree grows a new layer of wood under its bark. By counting these layers, called rings, you can discover the age of a tree.

This year, after you take the decorations off your Christmas tree, count its rings! One ring equals one year. (The bark is not a ring.) Can you find out the age of your tree?

My name is Dr. Cypress Sapling. I’m a dendrochronologist. What’s that? Well, a dendrochronologist is a scientist who studies the rings of trees.

he rings of a tree can also show what the climate of the forest was during different years. Look at the tree trunk pictured above. Some of the rings are wide and some of them are thin. A wide ring tells us that this was a good year for growing. There was the right amount of water and sunlight. Drought causes slower growth and narrow rings. Dark spots tell us that the tree survived a fire that year.

By reading the rings of trees, dendrochronologists can read the story of our planet, stories that reside in living trees and in logs used to build ancient buildings. Tree rings have told of weather patterns that lead to severe fires. They have revealed century-long droughts, insect plagues and times of volcanic eruptions.

I don’t have to cut down trees to read their rings. Using a special tool called an increment borer, I can take a core sample from a living tree. A core cample is about the size of a soda straw, and the rings look like lines.

I found an old log cabin while hiking last week. I took a core sample from the logs to ﬁnd the age of the cabin.

Each row of squares below have the letters of a word that can be found on this page. Read today’s Kid Scoop page, then try to unscramble them all.

SCORE YOURSELF:

1-3: Hiker

4-7: Tree Lover

8-10: Tree Specialist

My Christmas tree survived a ﬁre one year. What year was that? In what year was my tree planted? Is my tree older than you? Find the ring that grew in 2011. Was this a good growing year for the tree?

Use the core samples to complete the chart below. Core sample from log cabin

Compare the core samples to see where the patterns of the rings match. The last ring of the living tree grew in the year 2014. Count backwards from the bark to find out the age of each tree. Cutting out the strips makes comparing easier.

Make a list of 18 words from the newspaper that have double vowels. Circle the vowels. Underline the vowel whose sound you hear when you say the word. Standards

… always staying on the trail when hiking through the forest.

This week’s word: FOREST

The noun forest means a large area of land supporting many trees and the plants and animals that live alongside the trees.

Smokey Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

Try to use the word forest in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

The Life of a Tree

Imagine you could talk to a tree that has lived for many, many years. What would the tree tell you about its life?

Core sample from living tree Core sample from Christmas tree

Link: Math: Use a table to sort information and compute results.

Residents unite to bring holiday cheer to local students

The holiday spirit is alive and thriving in El Dorado County, as community members rallied together for The Elf Project, a heartwarming initiative designed to ensure 414 students on the western slope experience the joy of the season. Organized by ASPIREKids, The Elf Project invited residents to collect gifts and spread cheer to local children in need.

“The Elf Project is about more than just giving gifts,” said Jodi Mottashed, ASPIREKids executive director. “It’s about showing these kids and their families that they are supported and cared for by their community. Together, we are making sure they have a Christmas they’ll

remember forever.”

This year, the program aimed to match each student with thoughtful, personalized gifts collected through the generosity of local residents, businesses, organizations and churches.

Generous community members signed up to be elves in September.

Students were selected by their school counselor in October and invited to complete a wish list, sharing their needs, wants and one big wish for Christmas.

The ASPIREKids team anonymously matched each student with an elf. The elves spent a few weeks shopping for their student, wrapping the gifts and labeling them with a special student ID.

Volunteers also collected gifts last week thanks

to the generosity of Aborn Powers Real Estate.

This is the second year ASPIREKids has offered The Elf Project to students on the western slope and is something the nonprofit team looks forward to growing each year. Last year, the program successfully provided gifts to 364 students. This year 414 students will receive presents with distribution taking place this week.

“The holidays should be a time of joy and magic for every child,” Mottashed shared. “We’re so grateful for everyone who helps make that possible through The Elf Project. And a special thanks to District Church in El Dorado Hills. We couldn’t do this without them.”

For more information about ASPIREKids visit aspirekidseldorado.org.

Santa Letters to

e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.

Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry

You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.