Winters Express Wednesday, March 8, 2023

School board considering to relocate Career Readiness Academy

By Jacob Ho man Express

The Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees reviewed a plan to relocate the Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy (CRA) to the Winters High School site, as well as a shift in the curriculum model for CRA students at its March 2 meeting Director of Technology Services and CRA lead administrator Raena Lavelle presented a plan drafted by Winters JUSD staff detailing the current CRA model, why

staff feels it should change, and some concerns staff have tried to alleviate.  Currently, Wolfskill CRA is a one-classroom model with two teachers giving two 180-minute sessions — one in the morning at 8:30 a.m. and one in the afternoon at 12:30 p.m. every day of the week except Wednesday which has all students attend a 9 a.m. session. The two teachers provide four academic blocks for the curriculum, with their duties split between an hour and a half of direct in-

struction per teacher and an hour and a half of support while the other is instructing. Seniors in CRA also attend a college career readiness session.  The proposed transition model would split the class into two separate classrooms with one session of 250 minutes per day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This increased time will facilitate a five-period day that allows the curriculum to be more flexible, including a once-a-week college

See CRA, Page 3

Youth Day welcomes parade entries, vendor applications

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chair

The Youth Day Committee is officially accepting parade entries and vendor applications to participate in the Park food and activities area.

The 85th Youth Day Parade will again march down Main Street through downtown Winters on Saturday, April 29.

Cash prizes, trophies and ribbons will be awarded to the winners in a number of parade categories. There is no entry fee to register for the parade, and everyone is invited to participate. Forms are available online atwintersyouthday. com.

Kiddie Parade entrants register the morning of Youth Day at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets at 8:45 a.m. Pre-judging of Kiddie Parade entries begins at 9:15 a.m., with

the Kiddie Parade kicking off at 9:45 a.m. down Main Street.

The 2023 Youth Day theme for parade entries and the celebration is “Grow Youthful.”

The Kiddie Parade categories include Decorated Bicycle, Costume, Wagon, Pet, Group and MiniFloat. Motorized vehicles are not allowed and will not be eligible for awards. However powered ride-on vehicles (“Barbie jeeps”) are OK.

This year, Holden Events is organizing

Wroten is 2022 honoree of Theodore Winters Award

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

The Theodore Winters Award is a special honor given to someone who’s made a positive impact in town in a relatively short amount of time. For 2022, this selfless distinction belongs to Carla Wroten. Born and raised just down the 505 in Vacaville, Wroten moved to Winters about a decade ago. Although she still runs her family’s business,

CAL INC, full-time in Vacaville, Wroten yearned to do more for Winters. When an opportunity to take over Steady Eddy’s Coffee Shop presented itself, she and her husband Jamell (Mel) Wroten jumped at it.

While most would consider running two businesses a ‘full plate,’ it wasn’t enough to satiate Wroten’s ambition to improve town. That’s why she poured more of her time and effort into facilitating events

like the Albariño Festival, Harvest Festival, Tractor Parade, Coffee Fest, Hot Cocoa Crawl, assisting with the marketing of Discover Winters and became the Secretary of the Winters Downtown Business Association. Whether or not she has a clone walking around to accomplish all this, on top of being a mother of three remains a mystery. Her aforementioned

See WROTEN, Page 3

High school proposes switch to eight-period block schedule

By Jacob Ho man Express sta writer

the vendor fair. Visit the Winters Youth Day website for more details on how to apply.

The 9th annual Duck Derby is scheduled for Friday, April 28. A Duck Sale booth will be at the Downtown Winters Spring Open on Saturday, March 25. More details will be shared for other Duck Sales booth dates.

The Youth Day Committee is seeking event sponsors. Send an email to crystal-a@ wintersyouthday.com for a sponsor application.

At its March 2 meeting, the Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees heard a proposal by Winters High School staff and Principal John Barsotti to shift the high school’s schedule from a seven-period model to an AB eight-period model.

Barsotti explained that an AB eight-period model would extend the block period for classes to all five days of the week, which is one more

day from the current schedule model that only hosts block periods four days a week.

“For comparison,”

Barsotti said, “our current schedule is a seven-period schedule that has students and teachers in 50-minute periods on Mondays, and block periods the rest of the week — four blocks on Tuesdays, three blocks on Wednesdays, four blocks on Thursdays, and three blocks on Fridays, with an additional Explore (class) block added every other Friday.”

Local News Briefs

Express

ATM machine removal Bank of America placed a sign near the BofA ATM machine located outside of the vacant building on Main and First Street to notify residents and local businesses that it would be permanently removed on March 30. Customers are advised to utilize the Dixon Landing ATM location at 1450 Ary Lane, Suite B in Dixon or any other BofA location.

Beautiful Winters Winters resident

Mark Rowan is launching an effort to remove litter along Grant Avenue. The Beautiful Winters volunteer litter clean-up day is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Rowan said individuals aged 18 and older are able to participate. Interested volunteers are asked to sign up in advance with Rowan by email at Winters. is.Beautiful@gmail. com or by calling 707-496-3600. Gear and resources will be made available to volunteers on the day

The proposal would eliminate the current Monday model where WHS students attend all of their classes for a 50-minute period each.

“A proposed eight-period schedule has block periods each day — four blocks one day followed by four blocks the next day, with an additional explore block added every other Friday. (The) start and end times are identical in both schedules,” Barsotti said. “The proposed

See BLOCK, Page 6

of the event.

Seeking commissioners

The City of Winters continues to seek commissioner applicants. There are four open seats across four City commissions. The openings include:

One seat on the Winters Hispanic Advisory Commission expires Dec. 20, 2025

One seat on Winters Senior Commission on Aging expires June 1.

One seat on Winters Planning Commission expires July 1, 2025.

Two seats on Climate Action Comthe mission expire

See LOCAL, Page 3

Courtesy photo

Carla Wroten said her children Gianna, DJ and Carmella are a big motivation to her and her husband Jamell to get involved and to support the Winters community.

Courtesy photo Josie Hoskins, a Shirley Rominger Elementary School student, receives her Youth Day theme contest prize from Chairman Mike Sebastian.

sta writer

By Sydney Andrade Express sta writer

Soccer

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Winters High School varsity soccer teams went their separate ways to compete in the Norcal CIF Soccer Regionals. The women's team made its way into San Francisco, while the men's team had a much shorter excursion to Davis. Both teams played competitive games but ultimately lost, ending their chances of advancing further in the tournament.

The women's soccer team lost their away game against Lowell High School (San Francisco) by a score of 5–1, while the men's soccer team lost their away game against Thurgood Marshall Academic High School (San Francisco) by a score of 2–1.

While both teams put in their best effort to go all the way in the Norcal CIF Soccer Regionals they accomplished much throughout

the season, and remain the winners of their respective Section Championship games.

Softball

The WHS varsity softball team has officially opened its 2023 season, led by head coach Garrett Garcia. The season started off with three non-league games. The varsity softball team lost to both Dixon High School and Wheatland High School but came out victorious against Rio Vista High School by a score of 8–3.

They next compete in an away tournament in Colusa on Friday, March 9 and their next home game will be on Tuesday, March 14. Come out and support them as they go headto-head against St. Helena High School.

Track

The WHS track team will compete in its first event on Friday, March 10 led by head coach Chris Kays.

Gifts That Sparkle!

Ernesto Villalobos hosted the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament for his Senior Capstone project. LEFT: Everyone celebrates when a Winters player shoots a basket during the tournament.

Warriors bring the heat against Team Davis

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Winters High School and Winters Middle School Life Skills students went shot-for-shot against Team Davis on the

court at the return of the Capstone Basketball Tournament. Ernesto Villalobos hosted the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament for his Senior Capstone project. This year’s game had

current students facing off with WHS Life Skills alumni who played for the Team Davis team. The energy in the gym was electric as players of both sides brought the ball down the

court, competing to shoot the most points for their team. However, the passion of the players and the spirit from the stands resulted in a celebration of all athletes on the floor.

Go WHS Softball and Track!

ABOVE and RIGHT: Winters High School and Winters Middle School Life Skills students play against WHS Life Skills alumni who played for the Team Davis team.

Bats swing against River City, Wheatland in opener

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

The Winters High School varsity baseball club opened its season on Thursday, March 2 against the River City High School Raiders.

The visitors took an early 2–0 lead in the first inning, but the Warrior defense never allowed the possibility of winning to ever get out of reach. Although the squad rattled off five hits for the game, they couldn’t translate them into runs and lost 6–0.

The next day on Friday, March 3, the Warriors played a makeup game against an old-time rival, Wheatland Union High School. The Pirates came out swinging, scoring runs in the first and third innings. While the Wheatland club probably thought it was going home with a win, the

Gio Jimenez

Gio Jimenez, a Winters High School sophomore, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Jimenez competed on the WHS wrestling team this year. Although an underclassman, Jimenez led by example all season long and embodied the ravenous resolve of a Winters Warrior on and off the mat. Head coach Cody Linton said Jimenez is a good athlete and competes hard. “He placed fourth at divisions as a sophomore and won multiple tournaments throughout the year,” said Linton.

fourth inning came around along with the Warriors’ bats.

Winters scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to give them a 4–2 lead. Wheatland managed to score another run in the sixth inning, but the one-eyed, hook-handed opponents ran into the brick wall known as the Warrior defense in the seventh and would lose to Winters 4–3.

“I approached the first game as being a good tell of our team’s capabilities. Sure, we lost, but it was good just to get out there because it allowed our guys to take what we’ve been working on since December and put it into practice. It was also a good wakeup call for them, too, because we’ve been working hard at practice, but that’s only measuring against yourself and not another team, so it was good to get out there

City of Winters Fire

and get that experience,” said the head coach Austin Calvert. “The game against Wheatland was great because we showed a glimpse at what our identity could be this year, and that’s something I’ve been talking to the guys about a lot. I told them, ‘Your identity as a team is set after your first two weeks of games. Because in that time you’re going to go through trials and tribulations, be down, come from behind and be in white-knuckle games. What you do in those first two weeks is exactly what decides the team you’ll be in the rest of the year. So, do you go down early and give up, or do you fight and come back?’ And something clicked in the Wheatland game. We started having quality at-bats, the dugout had energy and it was awesome and encouraging to get that win.”

Public Safety Report

position: Released on Notice to Appear

Feb. 24: Neal, Robert Paul (Age 60),

We expect to receive the Fire report next week.

Police

Arrest Log

Feb. 23: Winters

Juvenile (Age Unk.);

Charges: Assault w/a deadly weapon, possession of knife on school grounds; Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear ~Winters Juvenile (Age Unk.), Charges: Possession of knife on school grounds, Dis-

Charges: Winters PD

warrant, Disposition:

Transported to Yolo County Jail

Feb. 25: Marubayashi-Sharp, Simon Ray (Age 32), Charges:

Possession of Nunchucks, Disposition:

Transported to Yolo Jail

Case Log

Feb. 20: 11:57 a.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Shoplifting

Feb. 22: 10:18

Trotter

Advisor

#7 East Main Street, Suite E Winters, CA 95694 530-795-3929

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photos

LEFT: DJ Troy Barnet (right) introduces Ernesto Villalobos (left).

efforts have not only benefitted the town but are also the reasons she’s been nominated for this award.

“This is just an honor to be recognized by my peers who I work with and work for. My role in the community is communication downtown and I’m the secretary on the board of the Winters DBA,” said Wroten.

“My passion is to help other small business owners find more value when we work together to create that destination spot for Winters. On your own, it’s one way, but when you work with others that are like-minded it’s pretty powerful.”

Wroten said she works closely with Delaney Holden of Holden Events to facilitate some of the amazing, downtown experiences that have been popping up in the wake of the pandemic.

From the outside looking in, Wroten has more than enough responsibilities than most could handle. However, the hours of dedication she puts into the community aren’t just her way of giving back, it’s simply

college career readiness period for all students. This model “allows both teachers to be teaching at the same time,” Lavelle explained “and students still have what would be considered an alternative school shorter day.”

Another change staff proposed is to relocate the CRA from the Early Childhood Education Center site, which hosts the Winters State Preschool Center and Head Start program, to a separate facility location of two classrooms on the WHS campus.

Lavelle provided a list of benefits school district staff see for this transition: the two classrooms will allow both teachers to teach the entire time, increasing the periods gives more educational value for students and schedules in intervention and college career readiness time. Regarding the relocation, Lavelle said this new setting will give CRA students proximity to WHS counselors, nurses, administrators, and WHS courses if they qualify.

In addition to this, Lavelle presented a number of concerns that parents and staff provided regarding this transition, such

LOCAL

Continued from Page 1

on June 30, 2024.

See details for the available commissioner seats online at https://tinyurl. com/2s3t53mx.

City goal setting

City Council and staff will be discussing goals and priority projects at a Goal Setting Workshop on Wednesday, March 22 from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. The in-person meeting will take place in the City Hall large conference room, Abbey Street entrance.

CalTrans meeting

Caltrans will be holding a meeting to discuss potential changes to how road

part of how she was raised. Wroten credited the award as a homage to her parents and family. “I think this award feels extra special because it’s really a reflection of the way my parents raised us. My dad is the president of the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club, my older sister got Volunteer of the Year in 2022 and my mom is really involved with the American Cancer Society,” said Wroten.  “So, these are the people I’ve looked up to in my life, and for me — when I say I go back and forth between two jobs — I see Steady Eddy’s as my passion project, and my involvement downtown is a result that I really want the best downtown possible

as a loss of autonomy, being overwhelmed with the course load, or having them feel “othered.”

In a separate statement to the Winters Express, Lavelle further explained the school district’s awareness of concerns, calling the existing “stigma” of CRA students “long-standing” with the separate sites

for my kids and myself to enjoy.”

Beyond donating hours upon hours of her time, Wroten also donates dollars upon dollars to support the community. To date, Steady Eddy’s has sponsored the annual Winters PTA Poetry Jam/Slam, high

making them more “othered” now than if they shared a site. But the statement affirmed that the CRA “will remain its own separate school, as it is now, but instead of sharing a campus with the preschool, it will share a campus with the high school” and that “ultimately, all Winters JUSD students are our students, including CRA students, and they deserve the access to services and programs needed for their success.”

Lavelle also noted in her presentation that the campus’s two campus monitors will

maintenance is funded. Caltrans is looking for drivers interested in participating in a seven-month road charge pilot focused on rural and tribal communities where those qualified could earn up to $250. The community meeting is scheduled for Thurs-

school sports teams, the Winters PTA, Little League, the Boys and Girls Club, Soroptimist as well as other organizations back in Vacaville, too.

Wroten said her children are a big inspiration to do and donate so much and want to help build a strong community with thriving youth programs to take part in. After giving so much, what Wroten’s gotten in return is worth more than money could buy.

hopefully be enough to keep the two groups of students from distracting each other as well as supervising CRA students to bathrooms, which along with the two groups not sharing passing periods, will hopefully keep the two groups sufficiently focused on themselves.

Lavelle’s statement to the Express added

“Getting so involved has given me purpose. It’s given me inspiration and really made me love our city. I have a love for the town of Winters and I think coming from a much bigger town, it’s made me realize that the town of Winters is still at a point and time where one person can make a huge impact in town. You see the impact immediately when you get involved and that part has really given me a purpose to be part of something bigger than me,” said Wroten. “But I’m able to do all that because I have strong support at home from my husband. He makes it possible for us to dream big. He takes care of so many things around the house with our family and business.”

Wroten will formally be honored as the 2022 Theodore Winters Award recipient at the annual Toast to Winters event, planned for Friday, March 31 at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sacramento–Winters. Tickets are $90 per person and must be purchased in advance at the Winters District Chamber of Commerce’s website www. winterschamber.com.

for the move, but also noted that there already are problems on campus with students leaving school and that giving the campus monitor more to do may stretch them too thin if they aren’t supported.

Trustee Sterling Davis echoed the concern regarding campus monitors, saying “adding this to their list of duties, is that really a feasible thing?” Davis also asked if there is a possibility to add a third campus monitor with the interest of ensuring the transition happens “seamlessly.”

Do you have something to share with the community?

Whether it’s an opinion on local news and events, a picture of a special reunion, a new baby or a wedding anniversary, send it to us at news@wintersexpress.com

that the second monitor was just added this year and that both will hopefully “provide adequate supervision of our high school campus” as well as noting that “both campus monitors understand the many benefits for CRA students and look forward to building relationships with them.”

Lavelle clarified that this change will not affect CRA student exclusion from WHS or their graduation requirements.

When asked for her thoughts, Student Representative to the Board Lupita Tovar voiced her support

day, March 9 at 6 pm at Dunsmuir Community Center, 4841 Dunsmuir Ave. in Dunsmuir.

The briefing will be streamed online at https://us06web.zoom. us/j/89629808019.

To learn more about the opportunity to or to find details on how to sign up,

WHS Principal John Barsotti answered that, though campus monitors are “hustling all day” he felt that “if there was a concern about additional staffing for campus monitors, it wouldn’t be due to two or three extra dozen kids coming on campus. We have several hundred kids on campus already” and if there was concern it would be for the whole school.

“I know there’s always some trepidation with any change,” Barsotti concluded, “but this is the best thing for all students.”

Trustees are expected to vote on the relocation of the CRA school to the WHS site at the March 16 Winters JUSD Board of Trustee meeting.

visitcaroacharge.com/ engage/contact-us.

Andy Pignataro, Agent Insurance Lic. #0D02919

104 Browns Valley Parkway

Vacaville, CA 95688 • Bus: 707-452-9599

statefarm.com

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Hello City of Winters —

My name is Adriana Arias-Morales. I am a senior at Winters High School and for my Senior capstone I will be setting up a donation drive that consists of donations such as blankets, socks, toiletries, feminine products and any new or gently used clothing. Drop off location is in front of the Winters Library. All donations will be given to Fourth & Hope homeless shelter and Empower Yolo homeless shelter. Drop off location is in front of the Winters Library every day from 8am-8pm. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.

Here

Rite Aid, Walgreens)

Art supplies, craft sets & educational materials for children

Travel size foot powder

Cotton underwear for ladies (S – XXL)

Socks for men, women, and children

The following items may be lightly used:

Bath towels

Pillows

Twin bed sheet sets/ blankets

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE

“I know there’s always some trepidation with any change, but this is the best thing for all students.”

John Barsotti, principal

“My passion is to help other small business owners find more value when we work together to create that destination spot for Winters. On your own it’s one way, but when you work with others that are likeminded it’s pretty powerful ”

Carla Wroten, business owner

YESTERYEAR

Picked by Charley Wallace

This photo shows a lot of snow on the intersection of First and Main streets, dated 1903. Maybe a car expert can verify the date by the cars in the photo, which look newer to me. The only buildings still standing are on the south side of Main Street, the old Ford Garage (Steady Eddy’s Co ee Roaster, La Mexicana Store and R & V Screen Printing) and the original California Market (Pizza Factory).

100 Years Ago

March 9, 1878

(From the files of the Winters Advocate)

The race between Jones’ horse Jack and Mollie McCarty, Theodore Winters favorite, for $2000 with proprietors purse of $750 added, two mile heats, came off at Agricultural Park on Saturday last. The timers were Gov. Leland Stanford, Budd Doble and James Gannon. Mollie won by six lengths.

Repairing the bridge across Putah creek at this point commenced on the arrival of the pile driver on Thursday morning, the abutments having been put into line and secured previously. As only six or seven bents of the bridge had been carried away, the connection will be made in a day or two, and the trains will commence running regular probably on Monday next at farthest.

Some party or parties on Thursday

Years Ago

night, finding nothing better in the way of amusement, ran a spring wagon owned by Mr. S. O. Rice, from the rear of his residence into the creek. The vehicle floated away and has not since been found.

130 Years Ago

March 11, 1893

Samuel Taylor has sold the apricot orchard on his place, known as the “Porter Orchard,” to the Pacific Canning Company for a consideration of $40,000. This is at the rate of $500 an acre.

The Ohio State Board of Health has decided that kissing is dangerous, and has

requested the Pastor’s Union of Columbus to make an effort to stop the practice.

Miss Ada J. Hanson will open a fashionable line of millinery next week in the Hemenway building corner of Main and First streets.

Rufus Thurber of Pleasant Valley reports 41 inches of rain for the season, and plenty more to come.

95 Years Ago

March 9, 1928

Winters High School basketball team went into the semifinals for Northern California championship by defeating Sutter Creek by the score of 22 to 19. Win-

Obituary

Donald (Don) Lee Jordan, 82, of Winters, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Don was born in Donnelly, Minnesota on March 6, 1940 to Philip and Lucile Jordan.

Don and his family moved to Winters in 1963. Don enjoyed a long and loving marriage to Shirley. They were married on Au-

gust 8, 1959 in Richmond and were blessed with four children, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Don retired from Don Jordan Insurance Agency and continued farming until his passing.

Don was an active member of the Yolo County Farm Bureau, Yolo Front Loaders Association, Safari Club International, National Rifle Association and the Woodland Elks. Don and Shirley have been committed to helping the local youth and senior organizations.  Don had a life-long love for the outdoors. He was a dedicated farmer, an avid hunter and fisherman.

ters plays Auburn at Auburn tonight.

The new gymnasium being built by the high school district is coming along nicely. The main floor, or basketball court, is of generous proportions, and the galleries on either side are said to have a seating capacity of nearly 500.

C. H. Sanborn drove to Sacramento Saturday and brought his mother over for a week-end visit at the ranch.

High school election takes place on Friday the 30th. The terms of two trustees expire J. W. Chapman and L. H. Wilson. So far only one has signified intention to run for reelection. J. W. Chapman has filed for a place on the ballot.

Charles E. Day has filed the papers necessary for his candidacy for grammar school trustee to succeed W. H. Emory who does not choose to run again. Election is the last Friday this month, March 30.

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley, children, Katrina (Michael Hechtman), Don (Diane Jordan), Tamlyn, and Thomas as well as his mother, Lucile and sisters, Lyndel and Margaret (Greg Dineen).  A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at The Hotel Winters. Dress for a spring celebration. Please RSVP to Jessica at 530-304-8647 by Mar. 31. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Palm Foundation to support local youth or the Winters Christian Ministerial Association to support local senior citizens. Donations can be made at First Northern Bank in Winters.

Things just aren’t the way they used to be. Whatever happened to businesses that were eager to please? Well, there is one right here in our town. We offer the same outstanding service offered decades ago. Are we hopelessly out-of-style?

Jerome Milton Balasek — our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, world-traveler, summiter-of-mountains, fly fisher, and decoy carver extraordinaire — passed away peacefully on February 26.

Jerry was born on June 13, 1932 to Jerome Balasek and Martha Cocks Balasek in Oakland, California. He grew up in El Cerrito, enjoying a childhood fondly characterized by improvised baseball fields, camping trips to Pinecrest and Point Isobel, and hot peanuts at Oakland Oaks games. A champion of thoughtfulness and intellectual liberty, at age four, he sliced open his father’s aviary to free the “imprisoned” birds — his father’s prized canaries. This love of nature carried on throughout his life as he volunteered for various conservation organizations.

Jerry studied education at Chico State, where he met JoAnn Oberst, his wife and best friend. They married in 1957 and moved to Paradise, California where he remained, until forced out by the fire.

In those 62 years after Chico State, Jerry and JoAnn celebrated the births of three children and ten grandchildren, and fostered their careers in public education where Jerry began as a social studies teacher, school administrator, and ultimately assis-

tant superintendent of instruction for Butte County Schools. Jerry and JoAnn enjoyed countless trips to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Mexico and New Zealand. It was this patient zest for adventure and beauty, the joy he found in exploring new curves in the same roads that defined him.

Jerry leaves behind an overflowing reservoir of book and travel recommendations, coordinates for fishing spots, and a globe of individuals who hope to inherit his unforgettable spirit. We will miss him with all he gave us and everything we are.

Jerry was preceded in death by his two parents, his wife JoAnn Balasek, his son, Jon Balasek, and his son-in-law, Andrew Simonds. He is survived by his son Kurt (Connie) Balasek, daughter Karen Simonds, daughterin-law Kathi Balasek, Tina Hankins, grandchildren Michael (Alena) Balasek, Camille (Blake) McDowall, Alexandra, Rebecca, Madison and Jesse Balasek, Kayla (Bryn) Henderson, and Kendall, Kathryn, and Tessa Simonds, four great grandchildren, Caroline and Stella Henderson, Jackson Balasek, and Penny McDowall, and his many wonderful friends.

At his request, no service is planned. We all promise to continue leaving peanuts for the birds.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment and programming. Mail checks payable to Winter Senior Center Fund to: Yolo Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1264, Woodland, CA 95776

Jerome Milton Balasek

Courtesy photos

Jerome Milton Balasek

File

Donald (Don) Lee Jordan

Courtesy photo Donald (Don) Lee Jordan

Master Gardeners: Yolo announces more free March events

By Denise Cottrell

Master Gardeners of Yolo County

Yolo

Master Gardener–

Yolo presents more workshops and opportunities to gain knowledge and information on growing in your garden this month.

March 11: Gardening for Year-Round Meals

The regular monthly Saturday morning meeting of "Gardening for Year-Round Meals" will continue March 11, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Grace Garden, located behind the Methodist Church at 1620 Anderson Rd., Davis. This month's workshop will be led by UCCE Yolo County Master Gardener Pam McCabe, who will discuss what vegetables, fruits, and herbs to plant in March, along with March gardening tasks and how to incorporate March harvests into nutritious, seasonal meals. Participants

will receive recipes, plus tips on controlling powdery mildew and growing edible flowers. Gardening for Year-Round Meals meets on the second Saturday of every month, at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Pam McCabe at pamsaloha@gmail. com.

March 23: Yolo

Master Gardener–Yolo Library Workshop on Edibles in the Garden

The second of this month's Yolo Master Gardener–Yolo Library Workshop will be held on Thursday, March 23rd from 3 to 4 p.m. via Zoom at yolocounty.zoom.us/j/87514031501. This week's topic, "Edibles in the Garden," will be led by UCCE Solano County Master Gardener Tina Sar-

Saravia blogs for the Under Solano Sun and has written articles on various topics for Seeds for Thought, the Solano County Master Gardener newsletter. Saravia is a self-proclaimed foodie

gardener who loves to eat what she grows and loves to grow what she eats. With this workshop, she hopes to inspire everyone to consider using edibles in the landscape. She will share examples and the benefits of using both annual and perennial edible plants to create a more sustainable garden.

If you have specific questions to ask about pruning, planting, weeding or pest identification, contact UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo at 530-666-8736 or by email at mgyolo@ucdavis.edu, or in person at the Master Gardener booths set up at Farmers Markets in Yolo County and at Lowes, in West Sacramento.

On March 18, Master Gardeners will host a Gardening Questions and Answers Desk at the Lowe's

in West Sacramento (2250 Lake Washington Blvd.) from 10 a.m. to noon.

For information on other in-person question and answer sessions located in Yolo County, dates and times are available at yolomg.ucanr. edu/YMGHelp, under the heading "Ask a Master Gardener." When you visit in person, there are three things you can do to aid the Master Gardeners in answering your questions:

1. Bring a sample of your sick plant, such as a small branch with several leaves;

2. Provide details of the problem, such as when you first saw the issue and what you saw;

3. Bring the plant samples and bugs in separate sealed non-returnable containers to aid in identification and, if necessary, leave them with Master Gardeners for additional research.

La ciudad contrata nuevo jefe de bomberos y aprueba cierre vial en Main Street

Por Jacob Ho man

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

El Concejo Municipal de Winters (Winters City Council) dio la bienvenida a los nuevos miembros del personal y aprobó un cierre de carretera estacional en la reunión del Concejo Municipal del pasado 7 de Febrero.

Nuevo personal de la ciudad

Después de meses de búsqueda, la administradora de la ciudad, Kathleen Salguero Trepa, anunció que se había identificado a un nuevo jefe de bomberos y contador principal.

"Estamos encantados de anunciar la llegada de dos nuevos miembros del personal; nuestro Jefe de Bomberos Jack Snyder y la Contadora Senior Shery Enos. Ambos serán valiosas adiciones al equipo," dijo Trepa al Winters Express. Trepa juramentó a Snyder y a Enos. Snyder se desempeñó anteriormente como jefe de bomberos en Elko, Nevada. Fue contratado como subjefe de Elko en el 2017 y ascendido al puesto de jefe de bomberos en el 2021. Antes de su puesto en Elko, Snyder trabajó para la Ciudad de Vacaville. Enos también viene a Winters con experiencia trabajando para la Ciudad de Vacaville Cierre vial por temporada

Chris Turkovich, presidente de la Asociación de Negocios del Centro de Winters (Winters Downtown Business Association - WDBA) y propietario de Turkovich Family Wines, estuvo en el lugar para responder las preguntas que los miembros del consejo

Eventos hispanos

tenían sobre la solicitud de la WDBA para el cierre estacional de Main Street y para una extensión para Cerrar Railroad Avenue para su Festival de Primavera (Spring Festival) a fines de Marzo.

Trepa informó a los miembros del Concejo que la recomendación del personal era aprobar el cronograma solo para el 2023 ya que la Ciudad está en el proceso del Proyecto de Visión del Centro (Downtown Visioning Project). La solicitud de la WDBA había pedido a los miembros del Concejo que consideraran un cierre estacional anual continuo para determinar un cierre constante para comunicarlo a la comunidad.

Una de las discusiones más importantes en la solicitud de cierre de calles giró en torno a si cerrar Railroad Avenue en Main Street. Turkovich dijo que WDBA estaba buscando utilizar un programa de guardia de cruce peatonal de Vacaville para ayudar a controlar el tráfico de peatones en Railroad Avenue, el jefe de policía John P. Miller dijo a los miembros del Concejo que no hubo muchas colisiones de tráfico durante los eventos, pero cerrar la intersección de Railroad Avenue se prestaría a un evento de seguridad. Al ver el Festival del Terremoto (Earth-

quake Festival) del 2016 como un ejemplo, Miller dijo que solo tener guardias peatonales en la intersección "era potencial para el desastre. Cerrar la Railroad redujo el nivel de tensión." Trepa dijo que cerrar la Railroad Avenue al tráfico garantizaría un entorno más seguro.

El concejal Jesse Loren mencionó que muchos residentes de Russel Avenue se ven afectados por el cierre de Railroad Avenue y los cierres de calles aledañas y dijo: "Creo que debemos valorar al residente." Loren siguió diciendo que apoya el cierre de la calle, pero sugirió tener una fecha de cierre posterior para tener en cuenta la multitud del Domingo del Desayuno (Sunday Breakfast).

Turkovich les dijo a los miembros del Concejo que WDBA pensó intencionalmente en la solicitud de cerrar Railroad y expandirse a East Main Street frente a Steady Eddy's y Hooby's Brewing.

"Reconocemos que cerrar Railroad es un gran problema y no lo tomamos a la ligera," dijo Turkovich. "Deberíamos esperar un crecimiento" en el evento a medida que continúan organizando más de ellos en alineación con las celebraciones tradicionales del Cuarto Viernes (Fourth Fridays).

Después de la discusión sobre los

cierres de calles, el deseo de crear un plan para eventos como el Festival de Primavera y el acuerdo unánime del Concejo, el personal de la Ciudad y los representantes de WDBA de que la seguridad es de suma importancia, se aprobó un plan de cierre de temporada para el 2023.

Los concejales detallaron: Main Street estaría cerrada desde la intersección de Railroad Avenue hasta el cruce peatonal en Paseo Park desde el último fin de semana de Marzo hasta el último fin de semana de Octubre de Viernes a Domingo por la tarde (antes del mediodía). Trepa dijo que la ciudad tiene personal programado para trabajar hasta el mediodía los Domingos y que la reapertura de la calle debería alinearse con el horario.

Los detalles del Festival de Primavera de la WDBA incluyen:

• Viernes 24 de Marzo: Main Street estará cerrada desde Main hasta First Street);

• Sábado 25 de Marzo: Main Street estará cerrada desde Second hasta Elliot Street, incluida la intersección para una exhibición de artesanías);

• Domingo 26 de Marzo: los detalles del evento y el cierre se compartirán una vez que se hayan finalizado.

Los concejales ex-

igieron que la señalización para un desvío desde Russell Street a Abbey Street se anotara y se comunicara a través de esfuerzos de mercadeo a nombre de WDBA y Holden Events (quien fue contratado para organizar el evento).

El consejal Richard Casavecchia solicito al personal que trajeran datos del evento de Mayo para ayudar a determinar qué tipos de límites deberían crearse para eventos futuros.

Grabación de la reunión

La transmisión de audio de la reunión del Concejo Municipal del 7 de Febrero no se grabó.

Trepa confirmó que la Ciudad no pudo recuperar el audio de la grabación. El paquete de la re-

unión está disponible en la página del Concejo Municipal en el sitio web de la Ciudad de Winters, https:// www.cityofwinters. org.

Próximas reuniones

Trepa confirmó que la fecha del taller de establecimiento de objetivos del Ayuntamiento se reprogramó para el Miércoles 22 de Marzo de 9 A.M. a 2 P.M. en la gran sala de conferencias del Ayuntamiento (Winters City Hall - Entrando por Abbey Street).

La reunión es solo en persona y no será grabada.

El objetivo de la reunión pública es que los Concejales establezcan las prioridades de los proyectos.

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

Lopez, Martinez are speakers at Yolo County Women’s History Month event

By Louisa R. Vessell Special to the Express

The Yolo County Women’s History Month Committee is excited to announce its 2023 celebration honoring Women’s History Month at the Gibson House grounds on March 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories” recognizing women, past and

BLOCK

Continued from Page 1

new schedule also directly aligns with our three district goals: college and career readiness, fostering conditions of learning…and creating a safe and welcoming learning environment that motivates and supports the social and emotional wellbeing of all students while heightening connectedness and student engagement.”

WHS agriculture

teachers Donnie Whitworth and Kayla Mederos further detailed the AB portion of the new schedule, where students would alternate their block of classes each day with their A-Day schedule and their B-Day schedule. Speaking to the proposed schedule, Whitworth explained “Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays would have the longest blocks. Wednesdays would be minimum day early release with

present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, and more.

The timely theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade.

The guest speakers

staff development, and then every other Friday would also have the same schedule” with alternating Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and the Explore blocks every week.  This system also allows students who don’t need intervention to work on extra-

for the event are Winters residents Gloria Lopez, author of An American Paella — a compilation of Spanish immigrant stories, and Corinne Martinez, whose family’s stories are included in the book. They will prepare paella on-site for guests as well as share their experiences and excerpts from the book.

Admission to the program is $20 per

Projects and 12thgrade Explore curriculum, would increase the time between advisors and students as well as provide new opportunities for seniors. Hurst also presented support from parents and students about the potential change.

Teachers Polita

Receive colorectal cancer screening kit at health fair

person which includes small tasting portions of paella, tapas, and tortillas española.

To make a reservation for the event, visit www.ycwhm.org to register through the Eventbrite platform.

Questions can be directed to Louisa R. Vessell at 916-451-2113, email lvessell@sbcglobal.net or visit www. ycwhm.org.

and teacher Daniel Ward said the proposed system would be of benefit to student-athletes, who currently have to spend a lot of time out of class during certain sports seasons. With the proposed model, the alternate block schedules and release times spread out the classes that will be missed.

By Stephanie Winn Special to the Express

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Month and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is urging people who may have delayed screenings during the pandemic to get back on track. The cancer center’s Latinos United for Cancer Health Advancement (LUCHA) Initiative is teaming up with Winter’s Healthcare, Rise Inc,

and Genentech to provide a cancer prevention community health fair scheduled for Saturday, March 11, at the Winters City Park from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Free colorectal cancer screening kits will be available to anyone who hasn’t been screened in the last year and is 45 or older. Contact Angelica Perez at amiperez@ucdavis.edu or 916 734-4563 for more information on the fair.

curricular activities and increases the amount of time staff can dedicate to subjects like social-emotional learning and college and career exploration.

Teacher and Senior Capstone Coordinator Andrea Hurst said the benefits an eight-period day would have for both the Capstone

Gonzales and Matt Baker also noted that this AB system would decrease the amount of homework each student has per night, gives teachers and students more time for group learning and individual student support, and overall decreases stress on students.

Athletic Director

Teacher Jim Stark provided Trustees with research and data on eight-period block schedules from “dozens of studies, it’s been looked at from every angle, every permutation” including decreases in staff and student stress, better student grades, increases in student performance on standardized tests, and positive perceptions from teachers and students.

Barsotti concluded this change will be revenue neutral and will require no increases in staff or costs not already present in the seven-peri-

od model. According to Barsotti, a full block schedule provides an opportunity to offer a variety of lesson activities during block instruction. The proposed eight-period schedule “is student-centered, focusing on students’ wants and needs, and has academic, emotional, and cognitive benefits for students directly aligns with our three district goals and has a high level of support from the people tasked with ensuring this change is successful for the benefit of all students.”

Trustees voiced their support for the presentation.

Superintendent Rody Boonchuoy noted to Trustees that changes like this aren’t always received positively by school districts, and that “the biggest issue that can undermine and potentially sink a shift like this is the depth of involvement and interest of the staff to do this work, and what you can see here is our staff is driving this… so this is phenomenal, this is true distributive leadership that our staff is leading the way.”

Trustees are expected to take action on the item at the March 16 Board of Trustees meeting.

Cancer Prevention Community Health Fair

“This is phenomenal, this is true distributive leadership that our staff is leading the way.”

Rody Boonchouy, superintendent

FEATURES

Wednesday, March 8

Winters Senior Commission on Aging Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters .org/winters-senior-commission-on-aging

Wednesdays

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue.

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 200 Baker St. – Rooms 4 & 5, 530-668-0690

Saturday, March 11

Community Health Fair, 9 a.m.– 1 p.m., Winters City Park

Monday, March 13

Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission

Upcoming

Thursday, March 16

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office/Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/ WintersJUSDBoardAgendaCommunitySite

Monday, March 20

Winters Natural Resources Commission Meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission

Tuesday, March 21 Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/city-council-meetings_/

Wednesday, March 22

Winters City Council Goal Setting Workshop, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m, City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance)

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, 13:30 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, Second Thursday, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-666-8005 to schedule an appointment

Afterschool Adventure (ages 6-12), Third Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Winters Community Library

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.) CANCELED March 23

Ongoing

Winters Wide World of Sports exhibit, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Winters Museum, 13 Russell St.

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Meeting details: https://wfol.org/

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 p.m.), 13 Main St.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing

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

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.

First-time buyers face challenges

HOMES, Page 2

Charley hangs out with childhood idols OPINION, Page 3

A combination of crispy and cheesy FOOD, Page 6

Where are they now: Alberto García

By Aaron Geerts Express sta writer

Winters Warriors are a proud group who trailblaze down a myriad of different career paths after they graduate. Alberto García is one such Winters High School alumni who looks back fondly on where his career path started and embodies the fact that just because one is from a small town doesn’t mean they’re smalltime.

Born — in Woodland — and raised in Winters, García is a graduate of the WHS Class of 2000. While graduating high school is no small feat, for García it only marked the beginning of his lifelong educational journey.

Following his WHS graduation, García enrolled at UC Davis and completed his undergraduate degrees in communication and history in 2005. He completed his Masters degree in Latin American Studies at Stanford University.

“I finished (Stanford) in 2007, took a break from school and then went back to Davis to work on an educational research project there for a few years,” said García. “Then I enrolled in Berkeley in 2009 for a Ph.D. program in History. I finished there in 2016. I stayed there for a year as an adjunct member of the faculty. That was 2016–17 school year, then in 2017–18 I was at the University of Texas at Austin as a

Snow at Lake Berryessa, milestone lake levels

Winters Express

The Winters area saw snow-dusted peaks in February following an extremely cold weather system. On Feb. 24, Lake Berryessa News posted photos of the snow-covered lake on its Facebook page. According to the post, the snowfall began around 11 p.m. on Feb. 23. Upon morning, about four inches of snow blanketed the hills at 1,500 feet and up. The snow-capped region could be seen from Vacaville and Woodland.

Lake Berryessa News also reported the lake level hit a milestone at 415.2 feet on Monday. It is 24.8 feet below the Glory Hole, which is a 21.2foot rise since its low of 394.0 feet on Dec. 1, 2022.

As of Tuesday morning, the level of Lake Berryessa was up by 1.58 feet, with an increase in storage of 22,779 acre-feet of water from the lake levels reported on March 1, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, March 8 the lake level was 415.33 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,115,547 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 67 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 57 feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 29 feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

post-doctoral fellow there. After that in the fall of 2018, I came back to California and became a full-time faculty member at San Jose State where I teach history courses.”

From Warrior, to Aggie, to Cardinal, to Golden Bear, to Longhorn to finally becoming a Spartan — García’s educational resume is a lengthy academic journey. Although there are a lot of miles on his educational odometer, García’s passion for education burns as hot as it did when he was still walking through the halls at WHS.

“History was always my favorite subject in school growing up. My parents are originally from Mexico, and I got to meet two of my great-grandparents before they passed away. So, their stories at the turn of the 20th century got me going. That was the first spark, then I had a really great US History teacher at Winters High in Jim Stark,” García said reminiscing about his inspiration for education. “I continued pursuing it

when I was in college and made history one of my majors. Then one of my professors at Davis thought that I should make it my living — so I did, and it’s been great.

García noted that even though he’s in San Jose, his career makes it feel close to his roots.

“I know it sounds corny, but the students really are the best part of being a professor at San Jose State. Especially because it’s a lot of folks from places similar to Winters. Just small towns and from working-class families and things of that nature,” García said.

Because decades of hard work in education simply aren’t enough to satiate García’s ambition, he opted to write a book titled, “Abandoning Their Beloved Land. The Politics Of Bracero Migration In Mexico.”

A revised version of his dissertation, the book dives deep into the Bracero Program in the US from 1942–1964. It’s more than just a book for García, however, it’s part of his family story as his grandfather was a Bracero working in the central valley. According to García, it’s also a story many of his friends back in Winters share whose grandfathers were also Braceros.

As García continues down his educational journey and career, he also has advice for current Winters Warriors looking to embark on their own after

“If there’s something you really want to do, and something you’re really interested in and passionate about pursuing, don’t limit yourself just because you’re from a small town.”

Alberto García

graduation. “Winters was a great foundation for me. It’s not perfect, but a great place to grow up and gave me a sense of community. My parents were farmers and made a good life here.

(I) had good friends growing up and had great teachers from kindergarten all the way through high school,” said García.

“For the current Warriors, all I have to say is keep at it. It’s a completely different world now from when I was at WHS 20-plus years ago, but keep at it. Sure, you might be from a small town, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited in what you can do. If there’s something you really want to do, and something you’re really interested in and passionate about pursuing, don’t limit yourself just because you’re from a small town.”

CLÍNICADECIUDADANÍA CITIZENSHIPCLINIC

¿Tieneunamicaydeseaconvertirse enciudadanoestadounidense?

¡Acompáñenosennuestraclínica gratuita!

Dónde: CentroComunitariode

Winters(201RailroadAve)

Cuándo: 11demarzo(9-11AM)

Cómo: Losabogadospresentarán losrequisitosdeciudadaníay programaráncitasparael25de marzoyel8deabril

Quién: ParalosresidentesdeYolo Countyquetienenbajosingresos y/otienenmásde60años

Doyouhaveagreencardand wanttobecomeaU.S.citizen? Joinusforourfreecitizenship clinic!

Where: WintersCommunity Center(201RailroadAve)

When: March11(9-11AM)

How: Attorneyswillpresenton citizenshiprequirementsand scheduleappointmentsfor March25andApril8

Who: ForYoloCountyresidents whoarelow-incomeand/or overtheageof60yearsold

Courtesy photo

Snowfall began around 11 p.m. on Feb. 23. Upon morning, about four inches of snow blanketed the hills at 1,500 feet and up.

Courtesy photo Alberto García WHS Class of 2000

First-time buyers face unique challenges

By Joedy Michael Special to the Express

The American dream of home ownership is an aspiration pursued by many people — first-time homebuyers face unique challenges. With high home prices and low inventory, competitive markets force buyers to stretch their budgets. For real estate agents and mortgage lenders, this means finding creative solutions for the ebb and flow of rates.

According to local sales data, the median price of a single-family home in Winters increased by 18.2 percent from February 2021 to February 2023. At the time of writing this, there are 11 homes active on the market listed under $1 million, with an average listing price of $631,000. Firsttime homebuyers will need more money for a down payment and potentially have a higher monthly mortgage payment than their current rent.

So, what do you do if interested in buying your first home?

First-time homebuyers should work with a real estate agent to

develop a strategy for finding and buying a home. A good agent will help buyers find homes that meet their needs and negotiate the price and terms. Right now, we recommend all buyers have their financial situation in order and be ready to act quickly when the right house comes on the market.

IRELAND AGENCY INC.

Being pre-approved for a mortgage is a must — getting a lender to fully underwrite makes offers much more competitive, providing better terms and a shorter closing window when needed. For a seller, this is second to an all-cash offer. Also, consider local lenders. They understand the market, are accessible and may have better resources to

help you. Lastly, be flexible and have patience. In a seller’s market (which

we are still in), you may need to balance two of these three options: price, location and home condition. If your heart is set on location or home condition, you may need to be flexible on price. If your price is fixed, you may need to be

Tim

In a seller’s market (which we are still in), you may need to balance two of these three options: price, location and home condition. Adobe/Stock image

flexible on location or home condition. Let your agent implement the strategy. When the timing is right, execute. While the home buying process can be daunting for firsttime buyers, there are steps they can take to make the process easier. By working with a real estate agent, getting underwritten for a mortgage, being flexible, and having patience, first-time homebuyers can achieve their dream of owning a home. — Reach Realtor Joedy Michael at Joedy. Michael@norcalgold. com, or 530-545-3698

ACRES OF INCOME PRODUCING WALNUTS! Located just East of town towards Davis off Russell Blvd. Could make for a great building site (check with the county)! Offered at $1,049,000.

INTERESTED IN SELLING?

New Listing in Vacaville! 5 ACRE, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS with a nice horse set 3 stall barn with tack room, outdoor sand arena, fenced and cross fenced, 2/2 bath modular home along with a large shop, custom chicken coop. Home has been completely remodeled in 2017 down to the studs and and reinforcing foundation. All new heating and air, windows, kitchen, appliances, bathrooms, flooring, all eco friendly materials, lots of fruit trees. This is a rare one of a kind property!! Call for appt today!

New Listing in Winters Now Lowered $200,000! Come Take A Look! HARD TO FIND CUSTOM

3 BEDROOM, 3 BATHROOM, 3200 sq. ft. home. In ground pool, new paint, new flooring throughout, large shop, stalls and fenced paddocks for horses, goats, etc..

SOLD

BEAUTIFUL RANCH STYLE HOME on .4 of an acre. Completely remodeled on the inside, Blank slate on the outside. Plenty of room for an RV and all the other toys. 4 beds 2 baths .Walking distance to Walnut Park and Downtown Winters. Offered at $699,000.

GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY! Located right across the street from the Winters Hotel. Currently being used as a smog/mechanic shop. 9600 square foot lot! $995,000. Call for details! SOLD

By working with a real estate agent, getting underwritten for a mortgage, being flexible, and having patience, first-time homebuyers can achieve their dream of owning a home.

Afew years ago, Californians voted to stop changing our clocks for daylight saving time, but nothing happened. The U.S. Senate just voted to make daylight saving time permanent starting in November 2023. A quote from Florida Senator Marco Rubio, one of the sponsors, says it all.

“Hopefully this is the year that this gets done and, pardon the pun, but this is an idea whose time has come.”

If the House of Representatives passes the bill, and the president signs it, we will have more light in the evening and won’t have to adjust our clocks ever again.

I’m not holding my breath, but I would like to see the end of daylight saving time in my lifetime.

I got to hang out with a couple of my childhood idols on Sunday. The Historical Society of Winters hosted an open house for their Wide World of Winters Sports and Bob Graf and Spider Thomas showed up. Missing was Byron Randolph, who I’m not sure got an invitation to the event.

My father would take me to see my brother Polk play baseball at the high school diamond, but the stars of the show were Spider and Bryon. Watching them pitch was amazing. At one point Bryon had six shutouts in a row. Opposing players would just shake their heads and mutter to themselves. I remember one saying out loud, “How are we supposed to hit that stuff?

Spider played both baseball and basketball and at some point while playing at Sacramento State College, was voted the best two-sport athlete in California. Over

our clocks?

the years I would run into Spider, mostly at Bob Graf’s annual birthday wiffleball tournament. Spider was always the gentleman and always had a smile on his face.

Both Spider and Bryon played in the minor leagues but never made it into the majors. Both ended up teaching and coaching for a living, which some would call a good life.

My friend, Rich Chiles, also made an appearance on Sunday. We played together in high school, and he did make it into the pros. Watching him hit against the Oakland A’s, when the Twins were in town, was the highlight of many summer afternoons. We are both members at Yolo Fliers Club, so I often get to see and talk to him. He gets quiet when someone brings up his baseball career, but he deserves a pat on the back for what he accomplished playing and coaching baseball.

Bob Graf was a good friend of my brother, Polk. Even though he is a lot older than I am, he was still at Cal Poly when I got there. I’m sure there are stories as to why it took him nine years to graduate, but that is another column.

When Bob ran at Libby’s cannery in Sunnyvale, he hired a lot of Winters people during their summer season. He put me in charge of making fruit cocktails, seven days a week, and to this day, I think that is the biggest paycheck I ever received. Nice union job and plenty of overtime. The job lasted eight weeks and it was enough to fund another year of college. Those were the days.

Remember to turn your clock forward on Saturday night and have a good week.

Will this be the last time we change

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case Number: CV2023-0044

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner: Yousaf Maidanwall filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present name

Yousaf Maidanwall

to Proposed name Matheulla Hadi

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 3/14/2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept.: 14 Room:

The address of the court is Yolo Superior Court 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Winters Express

Date: 1-11-2023

DAVID ROSENBERG Judge of the Superior Court

Published February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 2023 #301

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case Number: CV2023-0043

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner: Anomulah Abrahemkhel filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name

Anomulah Abrahemkhel to Proposed name

Inam Hadi

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

UCSF's16th International

Conference Neonatal & Childhood Pulmonary

Vascular Disease 2023

@ 8am / $250-$595

Mar 16th - Mar 18th

This educational meeting will bring together international experts to explore our current understanding of the basic pathobiology as well as new and future therapies for pulmonary vascular disease. Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco. info@ocme.ucsf.edu, 415-4764251

Living Trust SeminarSuisun City, CA - March 16, 2023

@ 3:30pm

This is a FREE Living Trust Seminar

Joseph A Nelson Community Cen‐ter, 611 Village Drive, Suisun City. info@LearnLivingTrust.com, 800350-6376

Living Trust Seminar - Va‐caville, CA - March 16, 2023

@ 6:30pm

This is a FREE Living Trust Seminar

Round Table Pizza, 888 Alamo Drive, Vacaville. info@LearnLiv ingTrust.com, 800-350-6376

Oak Ridge High School Theatre

presents Clue: On

Stage @ 7pm / $10

Mar 16th - Mar 25th

Oak Ridge High School

Theatre proudly presents Clue: On Stage. Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock and Mus‐tard as they race to �nd the murderer in Boddy Manor Oak Ridge High School, 1120 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills. ortaboost @gmail.com, 916-3379630

Beginner Improv Comedy Classes - Level 101 - 7 Weeks

@ 7pm / $319

In this 7-week class, you will learn the basics of improv comedy and build up to your own graduation show. Make friends, socialize eas‐ier, and see shows for free (nonsold out). Endgames Improv Train‐ing Center - ETC South, 2989 Mis‐sion Street, San Francisco. info@ endgamesimprov.com, 415-8542262

Adam Gopnik

@ 7pm / $10 Jewish Community Center of San Francisco -- Kanbar Hall, 3200 Cal‐ifornia St., San Francisco

Dance Theatre of Harlem

@ 7:30pm / $25

Lesher Center for the Arts - Hof‐

mann Theater, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek

Janiva Magness

@ 8pm Gold�eld Trading Post, 1630 J St, Sacramento

Eazy Dub

@ 8pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento

ZuhG @ 8pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento

San Francisco. info@jazzattheball room.com, 917-725-2400

Best of San Francisco Stand-up Comedy @ 8pm / $15

A fresh line-up of SF's Best Comics every Friday at the beautiful Variety Theater in downtown SF's iconic Hobart Building. Variety Club Pre‐view Room, 582 Market Street, San Francisco. bestofsfstandup@ gmail.com, 415-748-5119 Street Urchinz @ 8pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐

mento

Colm Ó Riain's St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza @ 8pm / $10-$45 Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street, San Francisco

Andrew St. James

@ 9pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco

NEUROFEST 2023: Arti�cial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Science of Brain Health

@ 12:30pm / Free NEUROFEST, a one day free public event for community members of all ages, brings the exciting world of brain science to the community! UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis. kpcummings@ ucdavis.edu, 253-298-0522

S.R. Laws at Blue Note

Blue Note Brewing Company, 750 Dead Cat Alley, Woodland Roaring '20s: Jazz and Cabaret in Silent Film @ 4pm / $65 Take a time machine with us back to the Roaring Twenties and enter our speakeasy for a night of jazz, cabaret, �lm, food and wine. Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street, San Francisco. michelle@sfsalonmu

Lánre @ 7pm The Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 4th St, San Francisco

Stevie Nicks @ 7pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco

Button Masher @ 7pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Danny Delorean @ 7pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Mega Ran @ 7pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Wyn Starks @ 7:30pm The Independent, 628 Divisadero St, San Francisco

Michael Rault @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco

QUILT San Francisco 2023 @ 10am / $12 Mar 24th - Mar 25th San Francisco Quilters Guild pre‐sents an in person show of more than 300 quilts Event Center at St Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco. sfqgpublic ity@gmail.com

FIRST Robotics Competi‐tion 2023 Sacra‐mento Regional @ 9am In CHARGED UP pre‐sented by Haas, 45 high school teams are inspired to see the potential of en‐ergy storage in a new light as they compete to charge up their communi‐ties, working in 3-team al‐liances. The Pavilion, 750 Orchard Road, Davis. jm ckinley@�rstinspires.org, 916-549-8984

The Purple OnesInsatiable Tribute to Prince: The Purple Ones at Empress Theatre @ 8pm Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo Melvin Seals & JGB @ 8pm / Free-$17.50

982 Market St., San

Healing Arts Workshop (1-Day) @ 3:30pm

Sign up for this free, one-time Healing Arts workshop at the Pence Gallery. Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@ gmail.com, 530-758-3370

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC: DENNY JAMES AND ROB

ROCKS @ 5pm Join us on Friday night for an un‐forgettable musical experience with Denny James and Rob Rocks. Three Restaurant, 721 Texas Street, Fair�eld. Threerestaurant@ gmail.com, 707-673-4129

Containher @ 7pm The Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 4th St, San Francisco

Best of San Francisco

Stand-up Comedy @ 8pm / $15 A fresh line-up of SF's Best Comics every Friday at the beautiful Variety Theater in downtown SF's iconic Hobart Building. Variety Club Pre‐view Room, 582 Market Street, San Francisco. bestofsfstandup@ gmail.com, 415-748-5119

Coven @ 9pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐

mento

DJ Keyz @ 9pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento

David V @ 9pm Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St, Sacra‐mento

BLK&WHT @ 9:30pm Audio SF, 316 11th St, San Fran‐

Dust in My Coffee: 36

Handles

Public House @ 2pm 36 Handles Public House, 1010 White Rock Rd Ste 100, El Dorado Hills

Free Uber, Lyft, And Cab

Rides By Wells Call Injury

Lawyers @ 5pm Mar 17th - Mar 18th

Free Uber, Lyft, And Cab Rides By Wells Call Injury Lawyers Wells Call Injury Lawyers, 620 Great Jones Street,

high school teams are in‐

A satisfying combination of crisp and cheesy

Recovering from my hospital stay in September seemed to take longer than I anticipated. Beyond the doctor-suggested three to four weeks, it took even longer for me to relearn what foods would make my digestive system rebel against me. Over time, I was able to handle spicy foods again, but I figured nachos were forever going to be off my list of things I could eat.

During a grumbling conversation about my dislike for how processed nacho cheese has sealed my fate with nachos, a friend advised me that I should try the nachos from Chuy’s Taqueria. After a grueling two weekends of Girl Scout cookie booths in windy, rainy weather – I decided it was time to take a break, treat myself and give them a try.

The excitement of eating nachos for the first time since August was more thrilling than I thought. I didn’t realize how many meat options Chuy’s offers on their menu and for a quick second I was torn between the carne asada and the carnitas. Being a child of the 80s, I went for the steak.

Chuy’s certainly brought the beef, the jalapenos, and the queso. My stomach and foodie heart sang with joy when I discovered that Chuy’s cooks top their nachos with legit melted cheese, not goopy processed who-knows-what. And it wasn’t just a sprinkle on top. Strands

of cheese were melted over, under and throughout my pile of crisp tortilla chips.

The shredded beef was seasoned and cooked perfectly. It wasn’t tough or dry, and I was able to break the meaty chunks into smaller pieces with ease. The flavor was also on par with my expectations of what carne asada ought to taste like. Not too salty, and had just enough smoky flavor and a hint of chilies to taste.

The large marinated jalapenos and spicy carrot slices were the silver lining on top. The one request I made was for no onions, but the tomatoes, chopped cilantro and creamy guacamole on top brought all the right flavors together so that I didn’t miss

Crisp chicken perfection

them. For fun, because why not, I also ordered three flautas on the side. I appreciate a good, crispy flauta and I had yet to try Chuy’s. I wasn’t disappointed. Some folks miss the mark on their flautas. The flour tortilla is not crisp enough, there’s not enough flavor in the chicken filling or its overcooked. Not these ones.

These flautas had just enough crispiness to the flour tortilla shell to satisfy that want for crunch. The chicken filling was meaty enough that you actually could taste the chicken, but wasn’t overpowering with too much seasoning. I also enjoyed the toppings of shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa and sour crema drizzle.

I was able to scoop it all up with the role and get a good flavor profile in one bite.

The flautas were also a good-sized role that I brought the rest home to eat for dinner. Once again, my stomach claimed it was hungrier than it could actually handle. I also didn’t share anything that came home with me, much to my preteen’s dismay, and I don’t feel bad about it.

If anyone wants to get nachos, let me know. I now know where to go to enjoy them.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when I stumbled into Putah Creek Café with my brother, his wife and their baby girl. We were promptly seated at a booth and were lucky enough to have the one and only Olivia Rodriguez serving us. After some friendly banter, I eyeballed the menu and landed on the fried chicken sandwich. I thought to myself, “Fried chicken sandwich? That’s a weird way of spelling FLAVOR FAVE!”

Now, some folks get carried away and fry their chicken to a crisp — not the case here. Putah Creek nailed that perfect, crispy-to-juicy ratio and the sandwich gave me a satisfying crunch when I bit down into it. Unfortunately, there’s no Oscar for ‘best-supporting cast in a sandwich.’

If there were, I’d nominate the pickles, spicy mayo and fluffy, brioche bun for really bringing this bad boy together. It’s the type of sandwich that’s so good you sort of blackout while eating it, and when you come to, you’re really upset that

it’s gone — or maybe that’s just me.

And don’t get me started on the fries.

Fine, twist my arm why don’t you? The fries are crispy, thin and a delight that’s nothing out of the ordinary. While many opt for ketchup with their fries, I — as habitual readers of my ridiculous food reviews may already know — need ranch. Not just a little ranch either. Heavens no, I want enough to watch my fries struggle to breathe in the ocean of ranch I’ve tossed them in. Only when they’re covered in that thick,

white nectar of the gods will I fish them out and scarf them. And Putah Creek’s ranch is spot-on. I may have even poured a little on my sandwich because I’m sick like that. At the end of the meal, my plate was spotless, and I was feeling fat and happy. Sure, happy that I get my food review meals paid for, but more so for getting to stuff my face with a delicious fried chicken sandwich. Ten out of ten I’d eat again and that — boys and girls — is why it’s this week’s FLAVOR FAVE!

Aaron Geerts/Winters Express

Putah Creek Café’s fried chicken sandwich nailed the perfect, crispy-to-juicy ratio.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

The autas had just enough crispiness to the our tortilla shell to satisfy that want for crunch. The chicken lling was meaty enough that you actually could taste the chicken, but wasn’t overpowering with too much seasoning.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Chuy’s Taqueria brought the beef, the jalapenos, and the queso to their nachos.