Winters Express: Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Local News Briefs

Express staff

Support Class of 2024

This week, the WHS Grad Nite Parent Group is hosting its last Dine & Donate event in partnership with Putah Creek Cafe on Thursday, March 28 available for pickup after 4 p.m. The carry-out family-style dinner feeds four and features a chicken alfredo dinner with Caesar salad and garlic bread.

For every family meal ordered, Putah Creek Cafe will donate a portion of the proceeds to host a Safe & Sober Grad Nite for the Class of 2024. To order, visit https:// bit.ly/4cvzA2G.

Choose Thursday, March 28, for the order date field, and select the “WHS

Family Meal — Chicken Alfredo” menu item.

History hike

Join Stebbins

Cold Canyon Reserve docent coordinator Bill Pevec will lead a hike about the post-indigenous human history of the Putah Creek Canyon this Saturday, March 30, from 8 to 11 a.m. Sign up at https:// forms.office.com/r/ myJWQ5idX8.

Local egg hunt

Genesis Community Church will host the Winters City Park Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 in the wooden City Park from 10 a.m. to Noon. Children can participate for free and hunt for 3,000 candy-filled eggs. The Easter

City continues cannabis, homeless conversations

By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer

In a 4-0-1 vote, the Winters City Council approved directing staff to bring back licensing information for all cannabis licensing types at a future council meeting. The only council member voting in opposition was Mayor Bill Biasi.

On March 19, there was a lot of debate over safety concerns and which option the council should choose to move forward on the consideration of the licensing types that were discussed, including cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing lab, retail, non-store retail and micro business.

Spending an hour discussing what to move forward on, the city council took questions and discussed briefly what types of cannabis licensing might fit Winters and listened to public input.

The three options brought by city staff were:

1. Continuing to prohibit cannabis cultivation on the commercial level,

2. Bringing back cannabis licensing for some types allowing for the council to discuss it more in depth at a later date, and

3. Allowing some cannabis licensing types but setting the number of licenses allowed at zero, to make to a decision on the number of licenses at a later date.

Among the licensing options, council member Jesse Loren brought up concerns

Robotics qualify for Championships

First middle school team heads to Dallas in April

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Following robotics tournaments earlier this month, two Winters Robotics Club teams have qualified to compete at the VEX World Championship in April. One is a duo from Winters Middle School, earning the honor of being the first middle school team to represent Winters at the World Championship.

WMS students August Nelson and Jack Dennis make up Team 95694B and are looking forward to the next level of competition.

The duo earned a qualification invitation by earning a high skills score.

“The skills score is based on autonomous coding and driver control execution of the game,” Dennis said. Their next step to prepare for the championship is to ensure it works the best it can be by reworking and improving the different parts.

“It feels really good to know we qualified for Worlds,” Dennis said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for all of us.”

Team 39599B members Miles Mariani, Ben Nelson and Jack Tuel have traveled to the World Championship before, but that won’t stop them from giving it their best.

Tuel said the team will continue to build and improve their current design and to keep working on the programming to make it more accurate and efficient.

“Our goal was to qualify by doing well at states, but a few things went wrong there,” Tuel said.

Despite the challenges, the combination of the team’s skills score and random chance helped them to earn a spot from off of

the waitlist.

“I was surprised and excited about qualifying because we were told not to expect to make it — We were sent an email a few hours later congratulating us for qualifying,” Tuel said. The 2025 VEX World Championship takes place in Dallas, Texas. The high school competition is from April 25 to 27 and the middle school competition is from April 28 to 30.

The Winters Robot-

ics Club will share more information on how the community can support the teams as information is finalized.

Get involved

The Winters Robotics Club teams are made up of students from both Winters Middle School and Winters High School. They work together throughout the week, and high school students help to mentor middle school students.

Winters Robotics Inc. serves as a support to the teams by helping to provide funds for tournament registration, supplies and more. For more information and updates, follow Winters Robotics on social media at facebook. com/wintersrobotics or Instagram.com/wintersrobotics. To learn more about volunteering opportunities or on how to donate, send an email to wintersrobotics@gmail.com.

Supervisors give go-ahead to begin construction of El Rio Villas playground

By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer

On Tuesday, March 12, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement to construct a new playground in

the El Rio Villa Housing Community just outside of the city of Winters.

The agreement provides $50,000 from District 2 to New Hope Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that supports affordable housing in Yolo County. The $50,000 will be funded through the previously set-aside $750,000 for the Community Benefit Equal Allocation Plan, which allocated a portion of that funding equally to each of the five supervisorial districts.

Ian Evans, the executive director of Yolo County Housing, signed the final agreement with New Hope Development Corporation after the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved

the agreement at the March 12 meeting.

“The project went through a competitive process with a review panel who scored proposals and ultimately as the executive director, I signed the final agreement with the selected vendor,” said Evans.

New Hope Development is an ancillary entity to Yolo County Housing Authority. New Hope Development has provided equity or loans to several low-income projects in Yolo County, such as the Cesar Chavez apartment complex in Davis, which provides housing for low-income individuals who have experienced a history of homelessness and mental and/ or physical disabilities.

The new playground will serve as a replacement for the old playground that was removed due to being unsafe five years ago. This play structure is one of several projects underway to improve the El Rio Villas housing community which includes projects to repair aging water lines in the housing community, improve the area of Putah Creek that overlaps with the El Rio Villas Community with a walking path and to the removal of weeds and invasive plants.

New Hope Development’s goal is to have the playground open for children to play in by the end of June, just in time for summer. Construction is expected to begin this May.

ABOVE: Team 39599B members Miles Mariani, Jack Tuel and Ben Nelson will compete in the high school session of the VEX World Championships. BELOW: Team 95694B members August Nelson and Jack Dennis will represent Winters as the first middle school team to head to the Championships.

Council seeks elder nominations

Special to the Express

The Winters Elder Day Council celebrates elder adults who reside in the city of Winters and the Greater Winters area, applauding each one publicly by hosting them, their families, and friends at the free and festive Elder Day reception each June.

It’s a community experience where people come together to listen to compelling stories and witness first-hand historical insights and personal narratives from the honorees. The community’s help is needed to help identify residents who are 90 years or older or who are turning 90 this year.

Elder Day

Throughout history, elder adults have achieved much for our families and community. That remains true today and it gives us reason each year to reserve a special day — Elder Day. The event highlights these special people, who with their presence,

make it self-evident of their importance to us all.

Elder Day — Saturday, June 29 — is set aside each year to honor and give respect to every elderly person, via community appreciation, by highlighting and celebrating these trailblazers and their journeys, sharing our sincere affection and gratitude for what they’ve so freely given us. This is when the entire city of Winters will embrace and uplift the honorees.

Looking for local elders 90 and up

The Winters Elder Day Council is looking to the community to help nominate local elders to make the 2024 Elder Day event a success. If you know a community members who are 90 years of age or older or who will be 90 this year, contact Winters Elder Day Council members Wally Pearce at 707-249-7975 or email denropro@gmail.com or Spanish speakers can reach out to Ra-

Woody Fridae asks Elder Day honoree Tony Garcia questions about his life at the 2023 Winters Elder Day event.

Crystal Apilado/ Winters Express

mon Altamirano by calling 916-600-6707 or email Ramon. altamirano@aol.com.

Save the date

Mark your calendars and plan on attending the free, Elder Day festivity on Saturday, June 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Parrish Hall located at 511 Main St. in Winters. Everyone in the community and the honorees’ families and friends are welcome to the free event.

Downtown Spring Open rescheduled to April

Special to the Express

With a forecast of rain, the Winters Downtown Business Association rescheduled the Winters Spring Open scheduled for April 12 thru 14.

“We strive for guests, vendors, staff and volunteers to have a great time at these events. Rain, wind and cold temperatures won’t be a great combination for anyone,” said event organizer Delany Holden, owner of Holden Events.

The new schedule of events is:

• Friday, April 12, 5 to 10 p.m.: The Win-

ters Collective will host a fashion show downtown. Attendees can enjoy outdoor dining, wine and live music.

• Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: An open air street market features 120 vendors along downtown Main Street. Attendees can enjoy live music and downtown eats and drinks.

• Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Get creative with chalk art and live music in Paseo Park. Find more information at discoverwinters.com or facebook. com/DiscoverWinters California.

Nominate a teen volunteer for YoYoSA

Special to the Express

Yolo nonprofits:

Do you have any high school seniors who volunteer with your nonprofit? Have you nominated them for the Yolo Youth Service Award (YoYoSA) yet?

Don’t forget — student applications and nonprofit nominations are due April 5.

YCF seeks applications from high school seniors who have volunteered with a Yolo County nonprofit at least 60 hours during their junior and/or senior years of high school. YoYoSA student awardees will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support post-high school education, which may include college, vocational or technical school. In addition, a $500 grant will be awarded to the nonprofit agency sponsoring each YoYoSA student scholarship winner.

The YoYoSA program is designed to

promote Yolo County youth volunteering with local nonprofit organizations and encourages Yolo County nonprofits to engage with youth volunteers. Note that nonprofits must submit a nomination AND students must apply by April 5, at www.yolocf.org/ scholarships/yoloyouth-scholarship -award.

Eventos hispanos

Evento de ‘Fun Run’ beneficia becas conmemorativas

Por Crystal Apilado

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

Dos estudiantes del último año de Winters High School están trabajando para revivir la carrera “Fun Run” del Día de la Juventud (Youth Day) y honrar la memoria de sus amigos, apoyando becas conmemorativas en su honor.

Los estudiantes de último año Derick Olson y Wes Coker serán los anfitriones de la carrera inaugural “Fun Run” a la memoria de Michael Bazan-Jiménez y Noah Lichwa (Michael Bazan-Jiménez and Noah Lichwa Memorial Fun Run), como su proyecto final de “Capstone” o Piedra Angular Escolar. El evento está programado para ser parte de las festividades anuales del Día de la Juventud de Winters el 27 de Abril a las 8 a.m. El evento es una carrera/caminata divertida de 5 kilómetros.

Los adolescentes de Winters, Noah Lichwa y Michael Bazan-Jimenez, murieron a causa de las heridas sufridas en un accidente de vehículo todo terreno (ATV) el 9 de Junio del 2022. Desde entonces, se han creado múltiples premios y becas conmemorativas para honrar su legado apoyando a los estudiantes graduados.

“Estamos trayendo de vuelta esta Carrera Divertida del Día de la Juventud no solo para recaudar dinero en beneficio de los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria local, sino también para recordar y honrar a los chicos que perdimos ese día,” escribieron Olson y Coker en la página de registro del evento de “Fun Run.”

“Elegí este proyecto porque no queremos que Michael y Noah sean olvidados y también queremos ayu-

dar a la clase del 24,” escribió Olson en una publicación en las redes sociales promocionando el evento. Todos los fondos recaudados en el evento se distribuirán entre la Beca en Memoria de Michael Bazán-Jiménez y la Beca en Memoria de Noah Lichwa. Las becas se otorgarán a los graduados de Winters High School al final del año escolar. El objetivo es seguir organizando la carrera conmemorativa “Fun Run” cada Día de la Juventud. La inscripción para el evento de “Fun Run” ya está disponible en línea en https://bit. ly/3TqEyEZ. La oportunidad de registrarse en persona tendrá lugar el Viernes 26 de Abril de 5 a 8 p.m. durante los eventos de las Ceremonias de Apertura del Duck Derby (carrera de patos de hule) y el Día de la Juventud (Youth Day) detrás del Centro Comunitario Winters Community Center. Todos los participantes que se registren antes del Viernes 12 de Abril tendrán garantizada una camiseta conmemorativa del Michael Bazan-Jiménez and Noah Lichwa Memorial Fun Run para conmemorar el primer evento.

Los participantes que se registren después de esa fecha recibirán camisetas hasta agotar existencias, por orden de llegada. Los miembros de la comunidad que prefieran hacer donaciones directas pueden hacerlo en la página de registro del “Fun Run.” Puede encontrar un botón de “Donación” en la esquina superior derecha de la página en línea en https:// bit.ly/3TqEyEZ. También pueden asistir al evento de registro en persona el 26 de Abril para donar.

Celebrate Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros at the Winters Library

Special to the Express

Children and their families are invited to celebrate Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros at the Winters Community Library on April 20 at 11 a.m.

Many nations around the world observe Día de los Niños in springtime, honoring and celebrating children as the embodiment of every community’s hopes and dreams. Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros underscores the significance of literacy for children from diverse backgrounds, while encouraging libraries and community organizations to

inspire and empower new generations of achievers. The event also connects children and their families to diverse books, languages, and cultures.

Children in attendance at these events will receive a free book and are welcomed to participate in educational activities, watch a special performance at select locations, and listen to a storytime program.

“Our Día celebration across the county will be fun and engaging, and the free books will help add to or create home libraries—

YCF scholarship applications due April 5

Special to the Express

The deadline for Yolo Community Foundation scholarships is fast approaching! Scholarships of up to $10,000 are available for Yolo County students with a wide range of attributes and experiences, including students who demonstrate compassion, who have overcome significant life challenges, who have invested in volunteer services, who demonstrate financial need, and more.

The following scholarships are currently accepting applications through our partners at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation; all are due April 5:

• The Julia R. Millon Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the spirit of Julia Millon, a Winters resident who was dedicated and passionate about all of the activities that en-

compassed her existence, especially life outdoors, ultra-trail running, reading, writing, science, health and wellbeing. The awardee will receive a scholarship of $1,500.

• The David Breaux Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of the late David Breaux, a beloved member of the Davis community, known for his conversations with others about the meaning of compassion. This new scholarship is open to high school seniors and first year college students who demonstrate financial need, are graduating from Yolo County high schools, are pursuing higher education, and demonstrate an abiding commitment to social justice and compassionate service. This is a $2,000 scholarship.

• The Saylor Family Scholarship provides support for promising students

who have experienced significant life challenges, including but not limited to foster care, death of a family member during high school years or other family trauma, teen parenthood, behavioral health challenges, involvement with the juvenile justice system, or financial needs that resulted in the student working during high school. The scholarship may be up to $2,500.

• The Mary Ellen Dolcini Scholarship is made in honor of a long-time community leader. This scholarship may be up to $10,000 and supports high school seniors of Mexican American descent from Davis, Woodland, and the surrounding area in Yolo County to pursue a college education

• The Yolo Youth Service Award Scholarship promotes youth volunteering and encourages Yolo County nonprofits to engage with

young volunteers. YCF seeks applications from high school seniors who have volunteered with a Yolo County nonprofit for at least 60 hours during their junior and/or senior years of high school. YoYoSA student awardees will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support post-high school education, which may include college, vocational or technical school. In addition, a $500 grant will be awarded to the nonprofit agency sponsoring each YoYoSA student scholarship winner.

For details and application information, visit www. yolocf.org/scholarships.

Winters-specific

The Burns-Bellhorn Scholarship Fund accepts applications from seniors at Winters High School or Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy who are attending a community college, vocational school, or trade/

technical school in the fall with a goal to become a tradesman, business person or entrepreneur. The scholarship, which is a $2,000 award, seeks to encourage and assist the recipient’s participation in making the world a better place. Applications are available in the counseling office and are due to Marcella Heredia by April 10.

In addition to these scholarships, which are offered through the Yolo Community Foundation, local students can seek out scholarships (most also due April 5) from our partners at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Learn more at www.sacregcf.org/ students.

For more information about our scholarship program, or to set up a scholarship fund, please visit www.yolocf.org or contact YCF at info@yolocf.org or 530-312-0593.

City Hall recognizes local youths, Women’s History Month

By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer

Children sitting on the floor, parents entertaining, cheerful chatter and with standing room only — the Winters City Council started the meeting community recognition heavy. With a full agenda and an even more full city hall, the city council recognized Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, girl Kiwanis leadership club members and the Winters High School girls soccer team.

Kenneth Matheson, a Winters High School senior, took on the project of making repairs to the community center stage for Senior Capstone and Boy Scout Eagle Service Projects. A couple of years ago, Matheson noted the stage was in disrepair and when it came time to do his projects, he reached out to Public Works Operations Manager

Eric Lucero.

“Last year we actually budgeted for the repairs and hiring contracting,” Lucero said. “And like any other budget time, when you get to the end — General Funds is over-budgeted and (fixing the stage) got cut out.”

Other than public works storing some items and removing debris, Matheson managed the project with the help of his father, brothers and a fellow Boy Scout. Mayor Bill Biasi added that the stage has been in disrepair for a while. Matheson said he noticed that and while he was able to benefit the community with his work, he also was able to pick up some new skills.

“It was a learning experience for me,” Matheson said. “There were a lot of things that I didn’t know that I had to figure out along the way.”

Matheson also

Boys

2016-2011 May 13th-15th

2010-2007 May-20-22nd

thanked the Rotary Club of Winters and Winters Theatre Company for assisting him with fund donations for the project.

Girl Scouts Ella Cooper (Troop 2744) and Reia Cooper (Troop 1225) represented their Girl Scout Troops and thanked Matheson for repairing the stage. They explained that the stage is central for the troops as they hold meetings, events and their bridging ceremony there.

Women's Soccer Day

The City Council declared that March 20 is now Winters High Womens Soccer Team Day, honoring the Winters High School girls soccer team in clinching the NorCal Division 5 Championship.

With the team in attendance, Biasi announced the recognition, which resulted in a lot of excited soccer players.

“You went all the way — You defeated the number one seed,” Biasi said. “So I just want to say we’re very proud of you and it went on to a penalty shootout in the very end and you can’t get any more dramatic than that.”

Recognizing Women’s History Month

Inviting Winters Girl Scout Troops and girls from the Kiwanis leadership clubs at Shirley Rominger Intermediate School and Winters Middle School, the city council issued a proclamation declaring March Women’s History Month.

Council member

Jesse Loren added a bit about her personal history, explaining why this proclamation and recognition of Women’s History Month meant so much to her.

“I was a little kid in 1972 when Title IX was passed,” Loren said. “I’m the youngest of a bunch of kids and I’m the only girl. I went to lots of Little League games and football games but there weren’t any sports for girls until Title IX passed. And then I got to play softball.”

Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, representing the 3rd district of Yolo County, also joined in person for the proclamation. Sandy is the first woman to serve the 3rd district in Yolo County history.

“I’ve been the first woman many times in my life,” Sandy said. “And that’s groundbreaking and that’s a little unnerving and I’ve been honored and supported and respected by my male colleagues. But pushing forward and pushing through is something that we are uniquely qualified to do as women.”

Loren also remarked that Winters has only had five women serve on the city council, including herself and coun-

LIBROS

Continued from Page 2

an important part of encouraging literacy. We hope you will join us in the festivities,” shared Yolo County Librarian and Chief Archivist Diana Lopez. The event is free to attend. Other Yolo County libraries are hosting Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros events

on:

• April 6 at 1 p.m.: Yolo Branch Library, 37740 Sacramento St., Yolo

• April 13 at 1 p.m.: Knights Landing Branch Library, 42351 Third St., Knights Landing

• April 13 at 11 a.m.: South Davis Montgomery Library, 1441 Danbury St., Davis

• April 17 at 2 p.m.: Esparto Regional Library, 17065 Yolo Ave., Esparto

• April 17 at 2:15 p.m.: Clarksburg Branch Library,

cil member Carol Scianna.

“We hope that there are many other women that serve on council,” Loren said.

52915 Netherlands Ave., Clarksburg

• April 27 at 2 p.m.: Arthur F. Turner Community Library, 1212 Merkley Ave., West Sacramento

• April 27 at 11 a.m.: Mary L. Stephens – Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St., Davis No reservations are necessary, and all events are free to attend, thanks to the generous support from Yolo County’s Friends of the Library groups and the Yolo County Library Foundation.

For more information about the Yolo County Library, visit www.YoloCountyLibrary. org or connect with the Yolo County Library on social media: find us on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YoloCountyLibrary or on Instagram and TikTok at @YoloCountyLibrary.

Your

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express Winters High School senior Kenneth Matheson was recognized by the City Council and thanks by Public Works Director Eric Lucero (right) for his work in replacing the stage behind the Winters Community Center for his Senior Capstone and Boy Scout Eagle Service Project.

Girl Scout Troops and girls from the Kiwanis youth leadership clubs were in attendance as Council member Jesse Loren read the proclamation declaring March Women’s History Month.

Courtesy photo

145 Years Ago

March 29, 1879

Hall’s Journal of Health don’t believe in too much water, for it says on the subject of bathing: “Once a week is often enough for a man to wash himself all over, and whether in summer or winter that ought to be done with soap, warm water and a hog’s hair brush. No man or woman should take a bath at the close of the day unless by the advise of a family physician.”

The flour mill in Pleasant Valley is running daily, and is doing good work. We advise all to give it a trial.

The marriage of G.W. Thissell, Jr. and Miss Nettie J. Demaree was one of the pleasantest affairs of the season. The ceremony was performed by Rev. T. H. Duke, and many were the congratulations extended to the happy couple.

R. Clark had removed his law office to the building occupied as a Justice’s Court.

A force of men went up to Madison on Thursday morning to lay the track into the bed of Cache Creek, where the V.V. Railroad will get their supply of gravel. We were shown this week by Mr. Fassett some specimens of gold dust from the hills west of town. They are the result of a few days’ prospecting and are worth about $10. Mr. Fasset said if water could be had the diggins would pay good wages.

On Tuesday morning

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

last, about half-past 11 o’clock, the small dwelling occupied by Mr. World, and owned by D.P. Edwards, situated about 250 yards directly west of the Christian Church, took fire, and was completely destroyed.

130 Years Ago

March 31 1894

Born in Winters, March 26, 1894, to the wife of A.R. Bruhn, a son.

Thursday the Express reporter had the pleasure of taking dinner with the Briggs Brothers at one of their farms north of town. They now have 21 men at work, and possibly you think times are not lively out there. Twelve men are shearing sheep, and it is amusing to see how deftly the shearers deprive the wooly animals of their winter coats. They shear about 700 a day.

Rev. Theo. Fleckenstein of Germantown will preach, in German, in the Methodist church Sunday at 3 p.m., in place of Rev. P.G. Jacobsen, who is unavoidably prevented from coming. All German-speaking people are cordially invited to attend.

Mr. Al Steiger of Vacaville has just com-

pleted two fine bridges for the county in Pleasant Valley. Each bridge is 80 feet long and are built on the road running through the lands of G.W. Thissell. Joe Griffin has the contract for putting in the sewer in the rear of the Hotel DeVilbiss. He has six men at work and handles a shovel himself like a railroad boss.

Dr. C.C. Gleaves, from Pacific Grove, late surgeon on the United States steamship Bear, has succeeded to Dr. Blake’s practice and will make Winters his abiding place.

95 Years Ago

March 29, 1929

Winters defeated Davis on the local baseball diamond Sunday by a score of 10 to 8. Winters lineup was Robt. Haze, D. Perkins, pitchers; Forden, C; L. Freeman 1b; Riddle 2b; Demaree 3b; Martin ss; Shackleford cf; Haze rf, Richey lf. Shinkle played a short time.

The Dr. J.M. Robinson residence, an old landmark in Pleasant Valley, was destroyed by fire at about noon Friday. Dr. Robinson built the house in the early ’60s.

Contractor Charles Unger and corps of assistants are busy this week putting in the new front for the new bank.

The new David Hemenway house is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for occupancy by Mr. and Mrs. Charles McDonald on about the 15th.

Just 50 years ago

the pear trees were in blossom at this date and were used in decoration at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. George Thissell at the bride’s home home in Pleasants Valley, and now at the home of the bride’s sister, near Winters, Mrs. F.P. Mitchell Friday evening, the pear blossoms were again seen among the unique decorations for the Golden Wedding of the couple. The hostess, Mrs. Mitchell, and the groom’s sister Mrs. A.C. Sullivan, had the pleasure of being present at both weddings. Among the fourteen guests who enjoyed the turkey dinner were Mrs. F. Gluck of Pasadena and Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Summers and Dudley Mitchell of Oakland.

80 Years Ago

March 31, 1944

A number of officials of the California Fruit Exchange, Warren P. Tufts, local grower, among the group are just home from five weeks in Washington where conferences were had with War Food and OPA on the ceiling prices the administration is determined shall be put on selling prices of all fresh fruits.

Pvt. Everett Johnson who entered U. S. Army service a short time ago, has written home from Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he is in the Armored command division.

Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Gale had a letter from their son, Lt. Robert Gale written in Burma. He said that he had completed 65 combat missions.

Major Leslie Means, former Yolo County deputy district attorney, lately stationed in Florida, has been sent overseas, according to word received by Woodland friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Ichtertz heard this week from their son, Louis Jr. in service in England.

Lake Berryessa water levels up

Express staff

The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 0.22 feet, with an increase in the storage of 4,142 acrefeet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, March 26, the lake level was 439.59 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,543,560 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 134 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 98 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 505 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment and programming. Mail checks payable to Winter Senior

Public Safety Report

City of Winters

Fire

The Winters Fire Log will return soon. Check for updates at https://cityofwinters.org/157/Fire.

Police Arrest Log

Mar. 15: Pena, Holly Anne (Age 33), Charges: Winters PD warrant, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear ~Ramirez, Jose Angel Vega (Age 29), Charges: Driving while license is suspended for DUI, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear Mar. 19: Riehm, Kelly Ann (Age 33); Charges: Drug DUI, Possession of unlawful paraphernalia, Possession of Nitrous Oxide, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of marijuana while driving; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail Report Log Mar. 13: 11:09

a.m., I-505/Putah Creek Road, Stolen Vehicle Recovery Mar. 16: 12:46 a.m., 600th block of Railroad Avenue, Audible Alarm Mar. 17: 2:32 a.m., 100th block of Wolfskill Street, Verbal Domestic Dispute Mar. 18: 12:24 a.m., 10th block of Abbey Street, Traffic Collision ~9:44 a.m., Martin Street/Scotty Way, Found Property ~8:39 p.m., 700th block of Apricot Avenue, Death Investigation Mar. 19: 1:59 a.m., 1000th block of Roosevelt Avenue, Under the Influence of Controlled Substance ~4:03 p.m., 700th block of Aster Street, Violation of Restraining Order ~4:21 p.m., 10th block of E. Main Street, Audible Alarm

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

Obituary

Jeff Aladdin Lorenzo passed away Monday, March 18, 2024, at the age of 63. He was born on Dec. 4, 1960, in Fairfield to Al and Lynda Lorenzo. He had four siblings: Brad Lorenzo, Cheryl Thompson, John Lorenzo and David Lorenzo. Jeff loved his family and more than anything his five grandchildren. He graduated from Winters High School in 1979. After high school, he worked for his family’s grocery store, Lorenzo’s Town and Country Market. He enjoyed playing his guitar and rocking out, riding dirt bikes and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Debbie Lorenzo; three

children, Elizabeth Ramirez, Jacqueline Skaggs, and Jeff Lorenzo Jr., and five grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Vaca Hills Chapel from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and funeral services on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Jeff Lorenzo

Courtesy photo Jeff Lorenzo

Members of the Winters Soroptimist organization held installation of officers in June 1983. Installed were, back row (from left): Juanita Skaggs (standing in for delegate Marsha Anderson), Dixie O’Brien (treasurer), Sherrie Delgado (standing in for Isabel Lunsford, corresponding secretary); Zella Sawyer (recording secretary), Shirlee Griffin (vice president) and Kathy Parker (president); front row: Chris Jones (delegate), Barbara Cody (director), Theresa Mariani (director) and Sandy Vickrey (delegate).

Yolo County HHSA offers free gardening class

Express staff

Spring has arrived, which means it is time to dust off your gardening tools and begin preparing for a spring and summer garden.

Yolo County residents are invited to learn about gardening basics with Treva Valentine, a UC Master Gardener, on Wednesday, April 24, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hanna & Herbert Bauer Memorial Community Garden in Woodland.

This free interactive class is presented by the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and will cover topics such as soil preparation, strategies for planting and timing for planting summer crops. Previous gardening experience is not required to attend. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the class.

This class is available to all residents as part of HHSA’s

Solano County warns of misleading initiative for California Forever petition

CITY Continued from Page 1 BRIEFS Continued from Page 1

that Winters may not have space for cultivation, while council member Richard Casavecchia floated the idea that a testing lab would add more needed jobs to the town.

With all of the options on the table, retail was the option with the most discussion surrounding it — primarily with concerns of safety and potential for revenue.

City Manager Jeremy Craig said that this process is just the start, explaining that there will still be space for more public input.

“This is a first step in receiving direction from you as a council,” Craig said. “There’s an entire process after this. If it is anything besides ‘leave it as it is,’ we’ll be working with planning staff and consultants to prepare the necessary legislation and zoning changes.”

Winters resident Jennifer Rindahl explained that she does not see the addition of commercial cannabis to Winters as a concern.

“In terms of retail I know that people have expressed some concern,” Rindahl said. “But I want us to think about the number of wine bars we already have in Winters, the number of opportunities to have liquid beverages that obviously have effects on people as well, lots of places to buy cigarettes and other aspects of things that are going to distort our brains.”

Some members of the Winters Down-

dedication to empowering the community with education to enhance access to fresh fruits and vegetables, fostering healthier lifestyles.

Pre-registration is required by April 23 and can be completed by contacting Nick Gazda at Nick. Gazda@YoloCounty. org or (530) 666-8429. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and shoes that can get dirty.

The garden is located at 137 N. Cottonwood Street in Woodland, behind and along the west side of the HHSA Bauer Building.

Community garden classes are offered for free throughout the year by HHSA. Interested residents can learn more about garden activities and classes by visiting www. YoloCounty.org/ CommunityGarden. Please Note: in the event of steady rain, the class will be moved indoors.

town Business Association said they have supported opening options for commercial cannabis in Winters for a few years now. Winters resident Teresa Pisani encouraged council members to look beyond the potential revenue the commercial cannabis industry could bring.

“I encourage you to be courageous and do the right thing for Winters,” Pisani said. “I don’t want us to use the dollar sign as to dictate what our actions are. A lot of talk has been about the revenue that Winters could receive from this industry. And I don’t want that to dictate what our actions are.”

Chris Turkovich, owner of Turkovich Family Wines and Winters DBA board member, said that considering commercial cannabis was something Winters should do.

“We are the smallest community in our region and every other community has already taken this on,” Turkovich said. “Which means we’re already doing a disservice to any future business that may start in Winters, being in the smallest market and now the last market.”

Biasi explained his “no” vote on moving forward with the commercial cannabis conversation.

“So, my feeling on this issue — and I’ve heard both sides of it — people in favor people against. I’ve heard from people at the workshop (...) I have concerns about bringing this type of business to Winters,” Biasi said. “I don’t think it’s

Express staff

Solano County said Wednesday that an effort to circulate a petition “to stop” East Solano Homes, Jobs and Clean Energy Initiative is not authentic.

“Only one local initiative has been approved for circulation — and that petition is to authorize rezoning of 17,500 acres of Solano County agricultural land for a new community,” Tim Flanagan, registrar of voters, said in a statement.

“Anyone who signed a petition and wishes to withdraw their signature may do so by contacting our office. The free-

dom to petition your government through the initiative process is central to our democracy. We strongly encourage voters to carefully read petitions before signing them to ensure they are acting on their convictions instead of misinformation,” Flanagan added. The county said it had received “multiple reports of voters being misinformed by circulators collecting signatures either with incorrect information or for a petition to stop the East Solano Homes, Jobs and Clean Energy Initiative (also known as “California Forever”). No such initiative has been cleared

for circulation.”

If voters feel they signed a petition in error, they may withdraw their signatures from a petition with a written request to the Registrar of Voters, the county stated.

Access the form on the Solano County website at https:// bit.ly/3IZljgU. Voters who wish to file a complaint regarding signature gathering tactics may do so with the state Secretary of State or Solano County.

Contact the county agency by email at Elections@SolanoCounty.com or by calling 888-993-8683, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Council hosts Putah Creek cleanup

Special to the Express

Putah Creek Council will be celebrating Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, with a Putah Creek Clean-up event. Volunteers are needed at both Winters Putah Creek Nature Park and Stevenson Bridge from 9:30 a.m. to noon to collect litter and improve the health of the creek.

the type of business that we want to bring in Winters. And it’s not like I have anything about the cannabis itself, it’s the kind of activity that I feel it would attract.”

Loren said that she spent a lot of time researching and learning about commercial cannabis, including going to tour and learn about cannabis commercialization.

Through this, Loren found that a majority of Yolo County residents voted yes on Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis personal use and cultivation for those over 21 — 60.5 percent of Yolo County voters voted yes on Prop 64.

Homeless ordinance

The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance restricting individuals from camping overnight on public property without a permit between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Among some of the requirements for an individual to be charged with a misdemeanor for not complying with the ordinance is that there is space available at the shelter Fourth & Hope, which is located in Woodland.

The Winters Police Department — when conversing with homeless individuals — starts with HOPE (Homeless Outreach Police Engagement), offering resources and assistance.

Within the ordinance, there are some

Egg Hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m. Golden eggs will also be hidden (one per child) and can be redeemed at the prize table at the event.

Last Call for memories

The Youth Day Committee and the Rotary Club of Winters plan to honor Mike Sebastian with a float dedicated to him and his undeniable love for Youth Day. The Express is partnering with them and asks community members to share their favorite memories of Sebastian and Youth Day to be featured in the Youth Day special edition and to be incorporated in the special float. Youth Day memories or photos can be submitted online now through April 1 at https://bit. ly/3P7UdrJ.

WFoL April meeting change

Volunteers at Stevenson Bridge must be ages 18 or older, and there is a limit of five people.

Sign-up at putahcreekcouncil.org/ events by noon on April 19.

A light breakfast also will be provided. All community members are welcome at Winters Putah Creek Nature Park, however, children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

exceptions for officers when there is an immediate threat to public safety, welfare or public health.

During the meeting, one concern brought up was that this ordinance would push individuals out of the downtown area and onto private property.

Pisani said she dealt with this recently when a homeless man showed up at her place of work.

“I wasn’t able to get to my business door and open up until he vacated,” Pisani said.

Police Chief John P. Miller said that penal code 602, which prohibits trespassing, gives private property owners the right to have individuals vacated from their property.

Winters resident

Sally Brown, who lives near the Putah Creek Nature Park, voiced her concerns over the ordinance, stating that she had not had any negative interactions with individuals.

“Everybody has kind of been polite,” Brown said. “I’m here to talk about this ordinance and I’d like us to rethink it a little bit. Basically, I think that right now this ordinance is criminalizing homelessness.”

Brown proposed allowing homeless individuals to continue to camp in the nature preserve and provide sanitation services.

Biasi said that recently it hit close to home. While he had heard others talk

about how they felt safe walking by or near Putah Creek, he recently had an experience of his own.

“The other night, it was just about sundown and I was going across the train bridge,” Biasi said. “And I could hear a whole bunch of people down below, somebody walking up there, a dog barking very viciously. And for my first time out there, I know I’ve had people come and submit letters and comments on how they feel unsafe taking their children down there .... The other night was the first time I just did not feel comfortable going to the end of the bridge.”

Carla Wroten, Winters DBA President and owner of Steady Eddy’s Coffee House, said that when her staff opens the coffee shop, she worries about their safety.

“I have a predominately female staff and they’re in their young 20s,” Wroten said. “And they’re very nervous to go inside in the morning time because we’re one of the first businesses in town that are open .... What we’re finding is that a lot of the homeless people are coming and charging their phones where Steady Eddy’s is.”

One of the main concerns brought up by a few residents was

With the Winters Community Library closure on Monday, April 1, in observance of César Chávez Day, Winters Friends of the Library will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in the Margaret Parson’s Room.

the fear that this ordinance wouldn’t do much because homeless people would hop over to the Solano County side outside of the Yolo County jurisdiction.

Public Works Director Eric Lucero informed the public that the day before the meeting, Solano County served notice to those camping along the creek. Winters Public Works staff assisted with removing 46 tons of garbage from the Solano County side.

“You wouldn’t want to see the stuff that we’re dumping,” Lucero said.

Casavecchia suggested that after passing the ordinance the council should check up on its progress in May. He added that ways to tell if the ordinance is effectively working would be if the water quality of Putah Creek had improved and if there were fewer violent incidents.

Mayor Pro Tempore Albert Vallecillo said the ordinance is only the beginning and that there is still more to do and more that needs to be done in the future,

“This ordinance isn’t the end,” Vallecillo said. “It’s like a band-aid, it’s like one of those little round band-aids.”

Say that again: Hearing aids can be frustrating, but necessary

By Judith Graham KFF Health News

It was an every-other-day routine, full of frustration.

Every time my husband called his father, who was 94 when he died in 2022, he’d wait for his dad to find his hearing aids and put them in before they started talking.

Even then, my father-in-law could barely hear what my husband was saying.

“What?” he’d ask over and over.

Then, there were the problems my fatherin-law had replacing the devices’ batteries.

And the times he’d end up in the hospital, unable to understand what people were saying because his hearing aids didn’t seem to be functioning. And the times he’d drop one of the devices and be unable to find it.

How many older adults have problems of this kind?

There’s no good data about this topic, according to Nicholas Reed, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who studies hearing loss. He did a literature search when I posed the question and came up empty.

Reed co-authored the most definitive study to date of hearing issues in older Americans, published in JAMA Open Network last year — (https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10383002/).

Previous studies excluded people 80 and older. But data became available when a 2021 survey by the National Health and Aging Trends Study included hearing assessments conducted at people’s homes.

The results, based on a nationally representative sample of 2,803 people 71 and older, are eye-opening. Hearing problems become pervasive with advancing age, exceeding 90 percent in people 85 and older, compared with 53 percent of 71- to 74-yearolds. Also, hearing worsens over time, with more people experiencing moderate or severe deficits once they reach or exceed age 80, compared with people in their 70s.

However, only 29 percent of those with hearing loss used

hearing aids. Multiple studies have documented barriers that inhibit use. Such devices, which Medicare doesn’t cover, are pricey, from nearly $1,000 for a good overthe-counter set (OTC hearing aids became available in 2022) to more than $6,000 for some prescription models. In some communities, hearing evaluation services are difficult to find. Also, people often associate hearing aids with being old and feel self-conscious about wearing them. And they tend to underestimate hearing problems that develop gradually.

Barbara Weinstein, a professor of audiology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and author of the textbook “Geriatric Audiology,” added another concern to this list when I reached out to her: usability.

“Hearing aids aren’t really designed for the population that most needs to use them,” she told me. “The move to make devices smaller and more sophisticated technologically isn’t right for many people who are older.”

That’s problematic because hearing loss raises the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and social isolation.

What advice do specialists in hearing health have for older adults who have a hard time using their hearing aids? Here are some thoughts they shared.

Consider larger, customized devices

Many older people, especially those with arthritis, poor fine motor skills, compromised vision, and some degree of cognitive impairment, have a hard time manipulating small hearing aids and using them properly.

Lindsay Creed, associate director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, said about half of her older clients have “some sort of dexterity issue, whether numbness or reduced movement or tremor or a lack of coordination.” Shekinah Mast, owner of Mast Audiology Services in Seaford, Del.,

estimates nearly half of her clients have vision issues.

For clients with dexterity challenges, Creed often recommends “behind-theear hearing aids,” with a loop over the ear, and customized molds that fit snugly in the ear. Customized earpieces are larger than standardized models.

“The more dexterity challenges you have, the better you’ll do with a larger device and with lots of practice picking it up, orienting it, and putting it in your ear,” said Marquitta Merkison, associate director of audiology practices at ASHA.

For older people with vision issues, Mast sometimes orders hearing aids in different colors for different ears. Also, she’ll help clients set up stands at home for storing devices, chargers, and accessories so they can readily find them each time they need them.

Opt for ease of use

Instead of buying devices that require replacing tiny batteries, select a device that can be charged overnight and operate for at least a day before being recharged, recommended Thomas Powers, a consultant to the Hearing Industries Association. These are now widely available.

People who are comfortable using a smartphone should consider using a phone app to change volume and other device settings.

Dave Fabry, chief hearing health officer at Starkey, a major hearing aid manufacturer, said he has patients in their 80s and 90s “who’ve found that being able to hold a phone and use larger visible controls is eas-

ier than manipulating the hearing aid.”

If that’s too difficult, try a remote control. GN ReSound, another major manufacturer, has designed one with two large buttons that activate the volume control and programming for its hearing aids, said Megan Quilter, the company’s lead audiologist for research and development.

Check out accessories

Say you’re having trouble hearing other people in restaurants. You can ask the person across the table to clip a microphone to his shirt or put the mike in the center of the table. (The hearing aids will need to be programmed to allow the sound to be streamed to your ears.)

Another low-tech option: a hearing aid clip that connects to a piece of clothing to prevent a device from falling to the floor if it becomes dislodged from the ear.

Wear your hearing aids all day

“The No. 1 thing I hear from older adults is they think they don’t need to put on their hearing aids when they’re at home in a quiet environment,” said Erika Shakespeare, who owns Audiology and Hearing Aid Associates in La Grande, Ore. That’s based on a misunderstanding. Our brains need regular, not occasional, stimulation from our environments to optimize hearing, Shakespeare explained. This includes noises in seemingly quiet environments, such as the whoosh of a fan, the creak of a floor, or the wind’s wail outside a window.

“If the only time you wear hearing aids is when you think you need them, your brain doesn’t know how to process all those sounds,” she told me. Her rule of thumb: “Wear hearing aids all your waking hours.”

Consult a hearing professional

Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s a good idea to seek out an audiologist or hearing specialist who, for a fee, can provide guidance.

“Most older people are not going to know what they need” and what options exist without professional assistance, said Virginia Ramachandran, the head of audiology at Oticon, a major hearing aid manufacturer, and a past president of the American Academy of Audiology. Her advice to older adults: Be “really open” about your challenges.

If you can’t afford hearing aids, ask a hearing professional for an appointment to go over features you should look for in overthe-counter devices. Make it clear you want the appointment to be about your needs, not a sales pitch, Reed said. Audiology practices don’t routinely offer this kind of service, but there’s good reason to ask since Medicare started covering once-a-year audiologist consultations last year.

We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care, and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit kffhealthnews.org/ columnists to submit your requests or tips.

The

CHP hosts Coffee with a Cop in Winters on Friday

Special to the Express

On Friday, officers from the California Highway Patrol Woodland office and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, have coffee and build relationships.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 29, at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House in Winters. Contact Officer Rodney Fitzhugh with questions at 530-662-4685 or rfitzhugh@ chp.ca.gov.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Department's work in Yolo County's neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during

emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Make blankets with Project Linus

Special to the Express

Do you enjoy quilting, knitting or sewing? Join Project Linus to make blankets for children in the community who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. Join the next gathering at the Davis Senior Center (646 A St., Davis) on Wednesday, April 10, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to share ideas, patterns and lots of good conversation.

All are welcome to attend the meeting and help sew Linus labels on handmade blankets that will be given

to Yolo County organizations that serve children in need. Project Linus members may take home fabrics and yarn each month to complete a blanket. Finished blankets can be brought to the next monthly gathering or to the Joann Fabric store in Woodland. Project Linus is currently in need of yarn donations. For general information, blanket drop-off location questions, or fabric and yarn donations, contact Deanne Meyer at deannemeyer@gmail.com.

April programs at Library

Express staff

Visit the Winters Community Library during April to participate and enjoy regular monthly programs and special free events:

Lego Block Party (All ages)

• April 3 at 3:30 p.m.: Unleash your creativity with Legos at the Winters Community Library! Stop by the library between 3:30 and 4:30 to make your own Lego creation. Creations will be displayed in the library for a month.

Saturday Matinee (All ages)

• April 6 at 2 p.m.: Stop by the library to catch a Saturday matinee! Enjoy delicious freshly popped popcorn while watching Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves! The movie starts promptly at 2 p.m.

Mangonada Monday (Ages 6 to 12)

• April 8 at 3:30 p.m.: Its sweet, tangy, spicy & delicious!! Join us for a refreshing Mangonada slushy and a variety of fun activities and crafts.

Teen Tuesday: Paint Your Guts Out (Ages 12 to 18)

• April 9 at 3:30 p.m.: Join us for an Olivia Rodrigo inspired tote bag craft! All materials will be provided.

All You Need is Love:

A Romance Book Club (Adults)

• April 13 at 4 p.m., Hooby's Brewing: All you need is love! Romance fans are invited to join our romance book club each month. Each month is a new read. The club is hosted at Hooby’s Brewing at 9 E. Main St. Suite J in Winters.

Teen Game Space

• April 16 at 3:30 p.m.: Come challenge your friends, meet new gaming buddies, and level up your gaming experience at the library! Every month, teens are invited to join our game space. The library has a variety of video game consoles available for use and board games will also be available! Meet up on the third Tuesday of every month at 3:30 p.m.

Bloom and Beauty: Floral Arrangement

• April 20 at 2 p.m.: Bask

in the beginning of spring by joining us for a floral arrangement course. We will share tips and tricks for making beautiful centerpieces with an eye for color, beauty, and shape. Let your imagination play and admiration for nature blossom at this event! Participants will be able to craft their own bouquet to take home, while supplies last.

Family Game Night (All ages)

• April 22 at 5 p.m.: Gather your family, ready your game faces, and head over to the Winters Community Library for a Family Game Night that's sure to be a blast. Bring the whole family and create cherished memories together.

Teen Anime Club (Ages

12 to 18)

• April 25 at 3:30 p.m.:

Welcome to the vibrant world of our anime club, where passionate fans come together to celebrate the art and storytelling of Japanese animation. Join us for anime discussions, recommendations, and Japanese snacks.

Craft Your Heart Out (Ages 16 and older)

• April 27 at 2 p.m.: The Winters Community Library is hosting this open craft event every month. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting, this welcomes all skill levels. Stop by the library to use crafting tools, materials, or to complete your personal projects. Meet fellow craft enthusiasts, share ideas, and make new friends who share your passion for creativity.

Dolly Parton Literacy

Night

• April 11 from 3:30 p.m.:

Join us as we celebrate all things Dolly! This program includes activities for the whole family, a lookalike contest, storytime, karaoke, and prizes! We will also be watching the movie 9 to 5. The movie starts at 5:45 p.m.

Friendship Bracelet

Poetry and Taylor Swift Listening Party

• April 19 at 3:30 p.m.:

Celebrate National Poetry Month and Taylor Swift at the Winters Community Library. Join in to make friendship bracelet poetry and to have a Taylor Swift listening party! Celebrate the release of Taylor's new album, The Tortured Poets Department.

Día de los Niños/Libros

• April 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Children and families are invited to enjoy storytime, crafts and activities, and receive a free book for every child! Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros is a nationally recognized initiative emphasizing the importance of literacy for children from all backgrounds.

Butterfly Storytime

• April 24 at 10:30 a.m.: Enjoy a special bilingual storytime in English and Spanish followed by a butterfly release party. Weekly programs

Tech Tuesday/Thursday

• Schedule an appointment for FREE one-onone technology help at the Winters Community Library! Every Tuesday and Thursday, 30-minute appointments are available from 2 pm to 7 pm. Visit the library or call 530-666-8005 to schedule your appointment for this Thursday. English Conversation Group (Adults)

• April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 6:30 p.m.: Join our adult Conversation Group to practice your English in a fun and relaxed way with help from a group facilitator.

For more information, contact library staff at 530-795-4955, visit the Yolo County Library at yolocountylibrary.org (see Events calendar for Winters Community Library) or connect with the Yolo County Library on Facebook at: www.facebook. com/yolocountylibrary. org.

Courtesy photo

community is invited to attend Coffee with a Cop at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House on Friday at

Wednesdays

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

Thursday, March 28

Library Event: Teen Anime Club, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/

Thursdays

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

Tuesday, April 2

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

Upcoming

Wednesday, April 3

Winters Youth Day Committee Meeting, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance, https://linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday

Thursday, April 4

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community

Monday, April 8

Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/182/Climate-Action-Commission

Library Services

Winters Library Public Hours (No School in Session)

March 25 thru 29, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library

Virtual English Conversation Group Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m.

Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.

Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

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

Older Adult Programs

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

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

Ongoing

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

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

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

Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St.

Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month (January thru March), 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House, 13 Main St.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing, kiwanisclubofwinters@ gmail.com

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.

Winters Community Corazón amplifies cultural voice, community engagement

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent

The Winters Community Corazón nonprofit serves as a cultural bridge, according to Winters Mayor Pro Tempore Albert Vallecillo. “Latino/x culture is not monolithic. Our families come from 26 countries, each unique in some form, joined by language and customs,” Vallecillo said. “Even though our families come from a vast geographic area across our hemisphere, we share more in common than we differ, which I believe is just as true for all humans.”

Corazón board member and Winters city council member Jesse Loren said in a community made up of more than half Hispanic/Latino residents, the underserved communities in Winters have not been proportionately represented in government.

“It is crucial that our youth witness individuals who resemble them holding positions in government and participating in decision-making processes,” Loren said. “In addition, it is vital to collaborate with other nonprofit organizations to address the diverse needs of our community more comprehensively.”

Though notable for the annual Festival de la Comunidad/Carnitas Festival, Vallecillo said the group does so much more, including a 2023 Calor y Humo: Taller sobre

salud y Seguridad — a workshop for agriculture workers led by representatives from the Occupational Health and Safety at UC Berkeley and the Legal Services of California.

“Experts in occupational safety discussed the dangers of both heat and smoke for people needing to work out in the environment even when conditions are not good,” Vallecillo said of the event hosted at the Turkovich Family Winery.

Along with protecting human safety, the group is also protecting crop health and is hosting an olive orchard management workshop. Olives and olive oil are potential replacements for crops that may become unviable as the climate shifts, according to Vallecillo.

Notably, the group’s most essential efforts include helping

immigrants become American residents, three of whom passed the rigorous U.S. citizenship exam last year.

“This something that the Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee, from which Corazón came into being, has been doing for many years,” Vallecillo said. “Workshops are held at least once and twice annually.”

The list now includes 17 applicants who want to become U.S. citizens, a notion Vallecillo remembers as a child.

“As a fourth grader I watched my mom make the effort to earn her American citizenship,” Vallecillo said.”

It was important to her — It was not easy for them as English was not her language, but she was very proud of her accomplishment, as was I for her.”

On March 23, Corazón partnered up with Winters Healthcare,

Fund, NorCal Resist, Yolo Diaper Bank and the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network to host a free vehicle light check and repair event and Community Table in Winters. Residents brought their vehicles to the Winters Healthcare parking lot to have their brake lights, headlights and/ or tail lights replaced or repaired free of charge. The Community Table offered a variety of food and supplies — also at no cost — to residents experiencing economic challenges and insecurities.

The HAC and Corazón are local government advocates who inform officials about the Hispanic/Latino community’s needs, which “is not particularly vocal for many reasons,” according to Vallecillo, adding,

ProsperRosa program provides resources for underserved breast cancer community

Thriving Pink works to connect women with support

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent

Thriving Pink, Yolo County’s resource for fighting and surviving breast cancer patients, works hard to darken the shade of the color associated with the widespread disease.

“A breast cancer diagnosis can carry significant physical, emotional, spiritual and financial challenges,” Joni Rubin, board of directors’ chair, said. “Our vision at Thriving Pink is that no one will go through breast cancer alone.”

Citing high breast cancer statistics, with one in eight women diagnosed, Rubin said community support and resources are so important throughout the breast cancer journey.

According to Rubin, many patients from Winters receive the group’s Granting Pink financial grants, adding, “We want to make sure that anyone who might benefit from our support knows about us and is able to participate in our nocost programs and services.”

Educational workshops, monthly walks, and the Pink Peer Mentorship program also benefit Winter’s residents. Thriving Pink’s ProseROSA program supports the Latina and Spanish-speaking communities in Winters with outreach programs virtually for Yolo County’s rural communities.

“Each month, we have two educational workshops on Zoom that are open to anyone,” Rubin said, adding topics include cancer treatment developments and post-heal-

ing well-being. “We have had people join us from as far away as New York and Canada.”

Surgeon and ProspeROSA Chair Alicia Silva, who grew up in Woodland, said she is passionate about providing support and education to the Hispanic/Latino community facing breast cancer.

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer is difficult enough without added challenges of language and limited resources,” Silva said. “We aim to help Latinas and their families through their journey with breast cancer.”

The group recently added a monthly “Cafecito” and Walk in Woodland for Spanish-speaking thrivers to supplement monthly walks in the Davis area, as well as providing outreach to the incorporated and rural community. of Western Yolo.

“We do talks about breast cancer, early detection and risk reduction throughout the County for local groups such as RISE in Esparto and Empow-

er Yolo in Knights Landing,” Rubin said. “We also table at local community events, such as the Almond Festival in Esparto.”

Breast cancer survivor Maria Del Rio, a mental health clinician, volunteers with ProspeRosa, detailing how “a breast cancer diagnosis is, or any cancer diagnosis, feels like someone pulled a run from under you.”

“Especially when you are 27 years old and have a healthy diet and exercise regime,” Del Rio said of her own story. I think when you get a diagnosis, you just want to survive, and you get in this survival mode that you need to survive to watch your child grow up and be present for her.”

Del Rio said she is still learning from breast cancer as a survivor, calling it a lifetime process.

“We learn to live a new normal and be an advocate for women’s health and breast

Biberstein Social Action

Jason Jurado/Courtesy photo

Albert Vallecillo talks to volunteers at the Community Tables which offered free food and supplies to residents who were experiencing economic challenges.

Thriving Pink/Courtesy photo

In February, the ProspaROSA program hosted an origami workshop with Sylvina Frausto who led the community of guerreras to create origami hearts.

California home sales remain resilient in February

Despite a recent uptick in mortgage rates, California’s

market continued to demonstrate resilience in February, reaching sales levels not seen since September 2022.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 290,020 in Feb-

according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local Realtor associations and MLSs statewide. The

sales figure rep-

what would be

year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. February’s sales pace jumped 12.8 percent higher from the revised 257,040 homes sold in January and rose 1.3 percent from a year ago, when a revised 286,290 homes were sold on an annualized basis. The monthly sales increase was the second straight month of double-digit gains for California. It was also the second consecutive month of yearover-year gains, but the improvement was mild. The sales pace remained below the 300,000 threshold for the 17th consecutive month. While it is likely that sales will stay below this level in the first quarter of 2024, statewide home sales on a year-to-date basis remained positive

with an increase of 3.4 percent, suggesting a better spring homebuying season than that experienced last year.

“Housing supply conditions in California continued to improve in February with new active listings rising more than 10 percent for the second straight month,” said C.A.R. President Melanie Barker, a Yosemite Realtor. “This is great news for buyers who have been competing for a dearth of homes for sale, and the momentum will hopefully build further as we enter the spring home buying season.”

January’s $789,480.

The near-double-digit, year-over-year gain was the eighth straight month of annual price increases for the Golden State.

port to the statewide median price and was partly responsible for the strong surge year-over-year price growth rate in February.

to build on the momentum exhibited in the first two months of this year. However, tight inventory conditions should keep the market highly competitive and provide support for prices.

The statewide median price recorded a strong year-overyear gain in February, gaining 9.7 percent from $735,300 in February 2023 to $806,490 in February 2024. California’s median home price was 2.2 percent higher than

It was the tenth time in the last 11 months that the median price for an existing single-family home was above $800,000. With mortgage rates on the uptick since the start of the year and concerns about rates staying elevated for at least the first half of 2024, the housing market could struggle

Moreover, sales of homes priced at or above $1 million have been holding up better in the last few months than more affordable options. The high-end market segment continued to grow year-over-year in February by double digits, while the more affordable segment declined again modestly. The mix of sales toward higher priced homes continued to provide sup-

“Consumers have been feeling more positive about buying and selling since the beginning of the year, as increases in sales activity and home prices are reflected in the latest improvement in optimism,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “While the recent upward movement in interest rates may result in more moderate sales in March, we expect homebuyers on the sidelines to reenter the market as the economy slows and rates begin to trend down again in the second quarter.”

Other key points from C.A.R.’s February 2024 resale housing report include:

• At the regional level, unadjusted raw sales increased in all major regions in

See HOMES, Page 4

Express Yourself

Community events just keep on happening

With April just around the corner, it is past time to start thinking about Youth Day. With the passing of Mike Sebastian — Mr. Youth Day — others have stepped up to keep the parade and other events tied to Youth Day alive. With fewer and fewer service clubs in Winters, volunteers are getting harder to find.

There is a whole new generation coming of age in Winters, but it is the older generation that seems to be raising their hands when called on to help. There are explanations for why older people are volunteering. We have more time, and money, than when we were just starting out our lives.

Our local Rotary Club has a few young people and that is a good start. Getting them into leadership positions is an ongoing endeavor, just trying to convince them that it won’t take as much time as they think. Sometimes they believe you.

The Historical Society also has a lot of older people serving as docents at the museum, but we have attracted a few younger souls who ask a lot of questions. Sometimes we forget that we lived through some of the

history that is on display on the walls of the museum, and not everyone has the same life experiences. With the sale of the Anderson Welding building, I made a pitch to Ralph for a few of his father’s tools. Just having something hanging on the wall of the museum, with a short article about what they were used for, goes a long ways in keeping history alive. It is like a rotary phone or a typewriter sitting on a table. I liked the young man, maybe 10 years old, that looked at an old typewriter, and then looked at me, and asked; “How do you text with that?”

I wish I had a video; it would have been my first, and last, online post.

The museum is always looking for its next exhibit and featuring past businesses comes up from time to time. For most businesses that closed decades ago, all we have is a few business cards, maybe a letterhead or two and copies of their advertising, but not too many artifacts. Maybe they are out there is someone’s garage and we just need to ask? The Winters Police Department is getting

See QUICK, Page 5

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Aries, communication with a spouse or a loved one is vital this week; otherwise, you risk arguments for no reason at all. Sit down and have some frank conversations about your needs.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Taurus, when you face adversity you should rest assured that you can handle anything that is thrown at you. Although, you may need a little help from some close friends or family.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, others may not understand who you are and could make assumptions that are inaccurate. They may just need some more information to get a clearer picture.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Cancer, many elements of your life are starting to level out this week. That can be a comfort to you because you seemingly have been running around for some time and could use a break.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Leo, others have nothing but good things to say to you this week. Bask in their kind words and adoration, and use this as motivation for future endeavors.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) With no big events on the horizon, you may want to manufacture one to have a reason to party, Virgo. Start planning your guest list and come up with a fun theme to get behind.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) Libra, while you should be mindful of your goals, you also can support those around you as they pursue their own. Serve as inspiration to people in your life right now.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, this is a good time to start tackling some projects around the house that have been put off for some time. Redecorating and remodeling can be an inspiration right now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) Take a step back and reevaluate your approach to a situation because the way you have been doing it just hasn’t yielded the results you expected, Sagittarius. Take suggestions and tips.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Capricorn, high energy may have you swinging at the fences every time you try to tackle something. You may want to dial things back and take a more measured approach.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) Various transitions in your life could temporarily disrupt your daily activities, Aquarius. You’ll find a new groove soon enough that will feel comfortable and provide you with what you need.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Don’t take stock of what all the naysayers have been dishing out, Pisces. You know yourself better than others and recognize what you are able to accomplish. Get started on plans.

February on a year-overyear basis, with the Central Coast region rising the most from a year ago, jumping 18.7 percent. Sales in the San Francisco Bay Area (14.9 percent), the Far North (12.5 percent) and Southern California (7.0 percent) also showed solid growth from the prior year in February. Sales in Central Valley (0.8 percent) also improved from a year ago, but the sales gain was much more modest compared to other regions.

• Twelve of the 53 counties tracked by C.A.R. recorded a sales decline from a year ago, with two counties dropping more than 10 percent year-over-year and one of those counties falling more than 20 percent from last February. Sutter (-20.5 percent) registered the biggest sales decline, followed

by Butte (-12.0 percent) and San Joaquin (-9.4 percent). Forty counties posted an increase in sales from last year with Mono (300.0 percent) gaining the most year-over-year, followed by Plumas (112.5 percent) and Tuolumne (77.4 percent).

• At the regional level, all major regions registered an annual increase in their median price from a year ago. The San Francisco Bay Area experienced the biggest price jump on a yearover-year basis, increasing 22.6 percent, followed by the Central Coast (11.0 percent), and Southern California (10.8 percent). The Central Valley (6.3 percent) and Far North (2.7 percent) also posted median price increases from a year ago, but their growth rates were more moderate compared to other regions.

• Home prices continued to show year-over-year improvement in many counties, with 47 counties

across the state registering a median price higher than what was recorded a year ago. Siskiyou (63.5 percent) had the biggest increase in price in February, followed by Mono (36.8 percent) and Lassen (23.8 percent).Five counties had a decline in median price from last year, with San Mateo dropping the most at -7.6 percent, followed by Kings (-3.4 percent) and Amador (-1.8 percent).

• Unsold inventory statewide decreased 6.3 percent on a month-over-month basis and dipped from February 2023 by -3.2 percent.

The Unsold Inventory Index (UII), which measures the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate dipped from 3.2 months in January to 3.0 months in February. The index was 3.1 months in February 2023.

• Active listings at the state level increased on

a year-over year basis for the first time in 11 months.

February’s increase was the largest in 12 months ― an encouraging sign that housing supply could be heading in the right direction as the market approaches the spring homebuying season. That said, mortgage rates have increased since the start of the year and are expected to remain elevated, which may cause potential sellers to have second thoughts about listing their house for sale.

• Active listings declined from a year-ago in 16 counties in February, with eight of them registering a double-digit decrease. Mono posted the biggest yearover-year drop at -43.5 percent, followed by Merced (-27.0 percent) and Sutter (-24.5 percent). Thirty-four counties recorded a yearover-year gain, with El Dorado jumping the most (56.6 percent) from a year ago, followed by Yolo (51.6 per-

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cent) and Solano (37.9 percent). On a month-to-month basis, 15 counties recorded a drop in active listings last month while 36 counties recorded a monthly increase in for-sale properties in February. Marin (57.7 percent) experienced the largest monthly increase of all counties last month and Mono (-18.8 percent) posted the sharpest decline.

• New active listings at the state level increased from a year ago for the second consecutive month by double digits as more sellers listed their homes on the market ahead of the spring home buying season as mortgage rates dipped at the start of the year. The annual listings increase was the largest since May 2022, however, the jump in new housing supply did not result in an improvement in the overall active listings because housing demand also increased, albeit moderately, on a year-over-year basis.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for

t h a l l L a b o r

Code provisions, which include but are not limited to the payment of not less than the said specified prevailing wage rates to all workers employed by them i n t h e e x e c u t i o n o f t h e c o n t r a c t , e m p l o y m e n t o f a p p r e n t i c e s , h o u r s o f l a b o r , c e r t i f i e d p a y r o l l r e c o r d s c o n t

Clocking in: Earning through part-time employment

In last month’s article, we dove into allowances, but another central stepping stone in this journey towards financial empowerment is encouraging our teens to engage in part-time employment. When teens start earning their own income, the abstract idea of money and its value becomes tangible, especially when they see their first set of taxes deducted from their mentally calculated paycheck. Earning through part-time jobs teaches them the direct correlation between labor, skill development, and being compensated for their effort. This firsthand experience with money not only helps them appreciate the effort behind every dollar earned

but also lays the groundwork for wise money management. Part-time employment serves as an opportunity for parents to teach how to budget their earnings, save for the future, and even invest in small ways. Developing some financial goals and guiding them through the process of budgeting can amplify these lessons into valuable life skills. This exposure also prepares them for more complex financial decisions down the line, such as investing, borrow-

ing, and planning for retirement.

One of the main challenges of teen employment is balancing work, school, athletics and personal activities. It requires skills such as time management, prioritization, and the art of compromise. Some first-time job seekers need to truly understand what being on time means and what being on a team looks like. These are not just work skills but life skills that foster independence and resilience.

At Preserve, owner Cole Ogando describes the current set of high school students working for him as some of the “best and brightest.” He recognized their ability to manage high-level academics and extra-curricular activities, while also being wonderful, hardworking employees. Downtown businesses have also partnered with the school district to provide more opportunities and skill development through the Culinary Advisory Committee. On Facebook, when a teen or parent asks about local jobs, there are often really good options for teens who can handle putting in a hard day’s work. It’s a nice piece of “it takes a village” that is

wonderful about Winters.

Striking a balance between work and academics, dealing with life’s stresses, and finding suitable job opportunities are real concerns that need to be navigated thoughtfully. As parents, our role is to provide a supportive framework where our teens feel empowered to discuss these issues openly, seek advice, and make informed decisions. Whether it be bussing tables or hosting at Preserve, doing food prep at Steady Eddy’s, umpiring Little League games, or starting their own babysitting venture, getting part-time jobs and opening a dialogue about finances can significantly influence your teen’s

Letters

perspective on money and employment.

By supporting them early in the process, we equip our children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to face the financial challenges of the future, ensuring they grow into financially savvy adults.

— Joedy Michael is a dedicated real estate agent with a growing passion for enhancing financial literacy for others. Leveraging his experience in the real estate market, Joedy strives to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make sound financial decisions in the pursuit of secure futures. Want to share your insights or contribute, email Joedy.michael@exprealty.com or connect with him on Instagram @joedymichael_realestate.

Community, caring and connection

Special to the Express

This column is written by the UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions that recently came into the UCCE Master Gardener — Yolo Help Desk.

Q: Our Ceanothus looks really bad in the spring and summer (leggy, yellow and brown leaves). We use drip irrigation on it, but it is off now. Should we plug the irrigation? Is it getting over-watered?

A: The short answer to your question is that the symptoms you describe may be the result of overwatering, or poor soil drainage. However, a more complete answer needs to be tempered because we don’t know which of the 30 native species or their many cultivars you might have. Some are native to the coast, and some to the Sierra Foothills. Water and temperature needs vary somewhat between those native to the coast where temperatures are cooler and summer fog is fairly common versus the inland species that are adapted to survive many months of hot sun with no precipitation. But all Ceanothus are relatively low water-use plants.

An excellent website to consult to determine the watering needs of a wide variety of plants, based on the growing location in the State, is Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) https:// ccuh.ucdavis.edu/wucols.

Developed by UC Davis, WUCOLS lists 50 cultivars of Ceanothus with irriga-

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ready to celebrate 150 years of public service. Chief Miller asked me if I had any pictures of old officers, especially if you can see what badge or arm patch they were wearing. I found a few, but I asked him if he had contacted the Washabaugh family. Their grandfather was Police Chief Earl Washabaugh and

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tion needs that range from very low to moderate. If you purchased your Ceanothus from a local nursery, we will assume that it is adapted to the hot, dry summers of the Valley. Most cultivars once established (over three years old) need little supplemental water in the summer. If newly planted, it will need water weekly in the summer with the frequency decreasing each year until three years old. Your plant should be watered at the drip line with enough water in that area for it to soak in at least twelve inches. If you are using drip irrigation, place a series of drippers at the drip line. Be sure to group your Ceanothus with other plants in the same drip-watering zone that need very infrequent irrigation.

Irrigation needs will be influenced by how the amount of clay in your soils are and whether the plant is in full sun or part shade. If growing in clay soil, it will need irrigation less frequently. Most Ceanothus cultivars like full sun, but will do well enough in part shade. If your plant is in too much shade, it may get leggy.

Pruning is another factor to consider. Ceanothus are susceptible to fungal infections, so avoid pruning during the rainy season. Avoid heavy pruning at all times. If you prune into the hardwood, the branch is likely to not develop new growth and will eventually die.

Ceanothus are relatively fast-growing but short-

their father, Richard, was also our police chief. Chief Miller lamented the fact that there isn’t much institutional knowledge in the department.

lived. Many species will begin to look leggy with dead and dying branches after fifteen years or so. It could be that your plant is just nearing the end of its lifespan.

Q: Hello, we will be doing planting and within the area, we will need to remove some poison hemlock. Should we bag it and remove it offsite?

A: If you’re indeed dealing with any of the poisonous hemlock plants (Conium maculatum and Cicuta species) then you must handle them with care, because these plants are toxic when ingested and potentially deadly to people, pets, livestock and wildlife. All parts of the plant are toxic, including when dried, and there is no known antidote.

The word “if” is used deliberately. Poison hemlock has numerous lookalikes, including cow parsley, common yarrow, wild parsnip, wild carrot, spotted water hemlock, water hemlock and Western water hemlock. Poison hemlocks and water hemlocks are related to the carrot, celery and parsnip, and to herbs such as parsley, cilantro, fennel and dill. Because it is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), it very closely resembles the wild carrot. Bay Area naturalist Michael Ellis wrote of a Northern California couple who went gathering what they thought were wild carrots, and who ended up needing emergency medical attention after eating some of the plants.

Hopefully someone reached out to the Washabaughs to see if they kept any police memorabilia. For those of you that believe that everything should be thrown away, close your eyes to those of us that consider hoarding a way of life.

Have a good week.

This weekend, my wife and I were honored to volunteer at the Brake Light Repair and Community table event in Winters. This event brought together many amazing organizations and people that are helping out in the community. The event had a brake light inspection/repair area in one part of the lot and then there were tables with items to be given away on the other side. There were diapers, household items, toiletries and food tables as well. The food items ranged from staples such as beans, rice, pasta and noodles to soups, peanut butter and canned goods. The organizers also brought a box of yummy treats for everyone to enjoy.

The event was held in the parking lot of Winters Healthcare which was one of the groups putting on the event. The other groups were Winters Community Corazón, NorCal Resist, Yolo Diaper Bank, and the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network.

I was there representing my business, One Path Coaching, as having these basic needs met are a very important part of positive mental health. My wife is on the board of the Center for Spiritual Living, Yolo, and they tithe to a couple of these organizations. The community was well served and it was great to meet everyone who came out. I only took a few photos to respect everyone's privacy. The photos are of me and my wife and one is someone you just might recognize from around Winters. I love our community and how involved it is in supporting each other. The other benefit was that my wife and I were able to meet so many amazing people and enjoy some great conversations.

JASON JURADO

Traycee Jurado/Courtesy photo

Jason Jurado and Albert Vallecillo stock supplies for residents on Community Tables outside Winters Healthcare on March 23.

Softball wins doubleheader against Durham

By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer

Winters High School varsity softball had a packed week, going 2-for-2, with two wins against Durham and a pair of losses against Gridley and Dixon.

On Tuesday, March 19, Winters faced off against Durham High School for a doubleheader.

The first game, a spectacular slugfest, resulted in a total of 32 hits and 29 runs between Winters and Durham, resulting in Winters coming

out on top winning 18–11. The second game of the day was a much quieter game for Durham, result ing in another Winters vic tory, winning 14–1.

Warrior Aylin Molina smashed three RBIs and a double in the second game, going 2-for-4. Ahtzire Figueroa also had a fantastic game behind the plate, scoring three times, and hitting a double going 2-for-4.

Bayla Garcia continued her great season, pitching all

nings of the second game. Garcia Struck out six and only allowed one run.

On Tuesday, March 19, Winters suffered a narrow

loss against Girdley 6–7. Winters scored six runs in the third inning but followed it up with four scoreless innings.

Meanwhile, Gridley scored seven runs on 10 hits. Gridley player Alyssa Thompson ensured her team’s victory by smashing a home run off Garcia, and scoring four RBI’s.

On Friday, March 22, the Warriors had a game they’ll learn from against the Dixon Rams, losing 10–0.

Dixon racked up 12 hits to Winters’ three. The opposition scored a home run for the second game in a row. Dixon Ram Olivia Gomez blasted one over the fence and scored two RBIs.

Despite the losses, Garcia holds the 13th most strikeouts in the California Softball Northern Section. This week, Winters plays on Friday, March 29, against Colusa at home at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, April 2, the Warriors will travel to Buckingham Charter for an away game at 4 p.m.

WHS baseball plays first league games

The Winters High School varsity baseball team lined up for its first league games last week.

On Tuesday, March 19, the WHS varsity baseball team lost the first league game of the season against Durham High School by a score of 0–9.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, Durham gained the lead early on in the game, and due to the lack of contact behind the plate, the Warriors simply couldn’t compete. Ashton Baylor and Julian Herrera were the only players who managed to collect a hit for the Warriors but unfortunately were unable to capitalize on anything.

With three of the starting pitchers out due to injury, Gio Jimenez stepped up as starting pitcher for the Warriors. Jimenez struck out one Durham batter and made zero walks with seven hits and nine runs over four innings. Luis Lara stepped in to relieve Jimenez, striking out three Durham batters and walking three.

On Wednesday, March 20, the varsity baseball team lost its second league

that the “two organizations offer this segment of Winters a seat at the table.”

Loren said Corazón was created to support the work of the HAC, together focusing on partnering with area agencies to uplift the Hispanic/Latino community.

“Winters Joint Unified School District Superintendent Rody Boonchouy and City Manager Jeremy Craig help host welcome events to introduce key community members, giving both new leaders a jump start on making connections,” Loren said.

The group also assists younger citizens, making it possible for lower-income families to attend a summer school program during the months students are out of school for the summer break between school years.

“This is vitally important to families where parents work,” Vallecillo said.

Corazón offers two small scholarships for Winters High School graduates studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject matter at Solano Com-

game against Gridley High School by a score of 2–7.

The Warriors made some improvements at the plate with five Warriors collecting hits. Isaiah Pazmino and Herrera were a force to reckon with in the lineup collecting two hits each. Pazmino went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. Baylor, Miles Mariani and Sebastain Rodriguez also battled at the plate with one hit each. Herrera and Rodriguez made it across home plate each earning a point for the Warriors.

Pazmino started the game off on the mound for the Warriors, striking out four batters, walking two, and giving up seven runs over six hits for five innings. Lane Brown stepped in to relieve Pazmino, striking out one batter and giving up one hit.

On Thursday, March 21, the team lost its third league game of the week against Durham High School by a score of 6–15.

While the Warriors' batting continued to improve at the plate throughout the week they still struggled to keep up with Durham after a detrimental error in the bottom of the first inning

munity College. Future work includes partnering with other nonprofit organizations to amplify the group’s impact on older residents.

“Our newest dream is to foster a cohesive senior community where every resident can reap the rewards of our forthcoming Senior Center,” Loren said. “Our commitment extends across all age groups as we strive to empower residents of every generation to lead more enriching and fulfilling lives.”

The group is seeking a volunteer coordinator to recruit more student helpers, specifically for the Festival de la Comunidad, the annual gathering on the last Saturday of September.

Whether holding a festival, providing agricultural-related education, or citizenship classes and resources, the Winters Community Corazón is a solid cultural voice assisting or advocating for the Hispanic/Latino community.

“We would also like to hear about needs in the community that we might be able to address,” Loren said

For more information or to inquire about assistance from the group, email info@winterscorazon.org or visit www.winters corazon.org.

allowed Durham to score three runs.

Jordan Calvert started off pitch ing for the Warriors, striking out three, walking three, and giving up 13 runs on eight hits over al most four innings pitched. Mariani stepped in to relieve Calvert, striking out three batters, walking one, and allowing three runs on four hits.

Mariani stepped up at the plate for the Warriors going 2-for-4 at bat and leading the team with two runs batted in. Baylor and Pazmino were once again con sistent behind the plate, each contributing an RBI.

cancer awareness. I think that while I was undergoing chemotherapy what helped me was my faith, family, and determination that I was going to get through chemotherapy and not let it stop me.”

Del Rio says she volunteers to give back to the Hispanic/Latino community and be part of a great team providing advocacy, education, empowerment, and community healing.

“The Latino Community in Woodland is so rich in culture and togetherness,” Del Rio said. “It is nice to see the community support each other in moments of hardship.”

Del Rio hopes to grow with ProspeRosa’s Spanish-speaking community.

“It is so important for all communities to have access to services and thrive regardless of their background,” Del

Rio said.

Also a survivor, Rubin said volunteering and sharing one’s breast cancer journey is a part of the healing process. Diagnosed with stage three breast cancer 15 years ago, Rubin said, “Connecting with people who had walked this journey ahead of me really helped me through my treatment, and now I am able to do the same for others.”

“It allows me to pay it forward,” Rubin said.

Last fall, the group worked with the two Winters High School seniors on their Capstone project to raise community awareness for early screening.

“During October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we participated in the Winters High School Pinkout football game, did downtown business outreach, and received a proclamation from the Winters City Council,” Rubin said.

The group also delivers comfort bags for

newly diagnosed patients to all local healthcare systems, including Winters Health Care.

“Winters Health Care is also one of our partners, along with UC Davis, in a grant we received from Common Spirit Health that brings breast cancer outreach and education to the Latina community, including education on genetic risk and support for genetic testing,” Rubin said.

The group is also a member of the Winters Chamber of Commerce and is working to partner with the Winters Downtown Business Association.

“We are always open to additional ways that we can get out the word about Thriving Pink in order to support anyone in Winters experiencing breast cancer at any point in their journey,” Rubin said.

For more information about Thriving Pink and the ProsperRosa program, visit www.thriving pink.org.

April in the garden with Master Gardeners

By Denise Cottrell UCCE

March 21, according to our calendars, is the first day of spring however, mother nature does not need a calendar. For the past weeks, a walk around the neighborhood brings the delight of flowering trees and bulbs. The warming weather is a reminder of garden chores and the locations in the garden that need a new plant or two. As you ponder your garden chores, remember, in April, the UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo will host three plant sales, in addition to our local Questions and Answer Desks, and free public workshops and talks. The UCCE MGs-Yolo are your gardening assistant with research-based information.

If you are looking for the perfect plant for your landscape or your vegetable garden, UCCE MGs-Yolo will host plant sales in Woodland and Winters. This is the perfect time to ask questions of a Master Gardener about the plants you wish to purchase.

In Woodland, The UCCE Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale will be held at Woodland Community College on the first two Saturdays in April (6 and 13) from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Located in the Shade House/Greenhouse area of the campus, (2300 Gibson Rd., Woodland) this sale will feature drought tolerant ornamentals, including bulbs, California natives, perennials, and succulents. In addition, several heirloom varieties of tomato plants will be available for sale. This sale offers reasonable prices with 4-inch tomatoes for $4, quart sized pots, $5 and gallon size, $6 with cash, checks and credit cards accepted as payment. A plant list is available on

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Despite its high toxicity, Conium maculatum was brought to the United States in the 1800s by Europeans for use as an ornamental called “winter fern.” It has since become naturalized in most states and California, where it can be found everywhere except deserts and in the Northeast corner of the state. It invades vacant lots, roadside ditches and pastures, but has also taken root in some city parks and residential areas. California’s native hemlocks are found mostly in wet spots in the foothills, but occasionally in the Sacramento Valley as well.

How do you know if you’ve got poison hemlock in your midst?

The plant is usually a biennial, with firstyear growth producing ground-level rosettes.

In the second year, the plants grow from two to ten feet tall with ribbed, hollow stems covered in purplish streaks or splotches— the defining feature. Small, white flowers grow in numerous umbrella-shaped clusters, called umbels. The leaves are fern-like and finely divided, like a feather. They smell bad when crushed. The dead giveaway to the identification of this plant is the purplish markings on its hollow stem.

Large areas of poison hemlock can be mowed as long as the mowing occurs before

Get a WE print and digital

the UCCE MGs-Yolo website: https.ucanr.edu. Visit Winters on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the UCCE MGs-Yolo Spring Plant Sale located at the Winters Community Library Teaching Garden (708 Railroad Ave.) This event is a collaboration of three community organizations: The UCCE MGs-Yolo, Winters Friends of the Library, and Winters High School students from FFA. The sale will feature plants from Morningsun Herb Farms of Vacaville and for your vegetable garden, the FFA will have tomato and pepper starts for sale in addition to milkweed to support monarch butterflies. To complement the plant sale, WFoL will have their book cart available with a variety of cookbooks, gardening books, and nature books for sale with proceeds from the book sale to benefit the Winters Community Library. Attend this sale and support three local organizations. (Cash, check, and credit cards accepted as payment.)

Need more plants? Return to Woodland on April 27, for the Woodland High School Plant Sale located near the green house on the school campus at 21 N. West St. In case of rain, the backup date is April 27. Cash or checks only. Bring your own box if possible. For a copy of the plant list, visit https://ucanr.edu/ sites/YCMG/files/394986.

pdf . The UCCE MGs-Yolo

the plants have gone to seed. Mowing after seeds are present will scatter those seeds over a wider area. If you have a limited patch of poison hemlock on your (gloved) hands, pull up the plant, making sure to get the taproot. Seal the plant, roots and all, in a plastic bag, and place this bag in the garbage, not the city compost. While most city compost operations can effectively wipe out invasive weeds and plant pathogens, because poison hemlock remains toxic in dried and seed forms, it’s best that you use an ounce of prevention by disposing of that pound of poison hem-

will host a Questions and Answers Desk in two locations, West Sacramento, and Davis. If you are out and about, these Saturday events provide an excellent way to find the answers for your garden queries. On Saturday, April 6 and April 20, from 10 a.m. until noon, you will find the UCCE MGs-Yolo “Questions and Answers Desk” at Lowes, (2250 Lake Washington Blvd.) in West Sacramento. Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon you will find the “Questions and Answers Desk” at the Davis Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is in Central Park at 4th and C Streets. The UCCE MGs-Yolo can be found near the Central Park Gardens, between the Rose and Sensory Gardens.

As part of their mission, UCCE MGs-Yolo provide several workshops and talks every month which are free and open to the public. Below is a list of the workshops and talks scheduled for April 2024.

• “Plant Propagation (Seeds and Cuttings)” will be led by UCCE MG-Yolo, Jim Schulte at the Woodland Community and Senior Center (2001 East St., Woodland) on April 5th at 1:30 p.m. One must register in advance to attend this workshop. Register by calling 530-661-2001 or drop by the Center to sign up.

• The monthly Saturday morning Kitchen Garden Chat will continue Saturday, April 6th, from 10 to 11 a.m., on Zoom ( https://ucanr. zoom.us/j/98028723763). Experienced UCCE-Master Gardener-Yolo Treva Valentine will lead the discussion. April is the month for “Action in the Edible Garden.” Come learn how to get started, how to harden off your seedlings, what to plant when, and what to know about growing veggies in containers. All

lock in the landfill bin rather than the compost bin. Burning releases the toxins into the air and is not advisable.

That Northern California couple was lucky; Socrates was not. In 339 BCE, rather than go into exile upon facing charges of “impiety” and “corrupting the youth” of Athens, the famed philosopher took an infusion of hemlock, and upon ingesting the toxic tea passed out of this world and into the books of history and botany.

Poison Hemlock Management Guidelines — UC IPM (ucanr. edu)

Weed Gallery: Poison hemlock (ucanr.

Visit Winters on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the UCCE MGsYolo Spring Plant Sale located at the Winters Community Library Teaching Garden (708 Railroad Ave.)

questions about the edible garden are welcome.

• The UCCE MGs-Yolo and the Yolo County Library Workshop will hold its regular semimonthly Gardening Workshops on the second and fourth Thursdays of April. The first workshop is on April 11th, from 3 to 4 p.m., on Zoom (https://ucanr.zoom. us/j/91740889482). The topic is “Fertilizing Plants in the Home Landscape,” led by Pam Bone. Bone is an emeritus Environmental Horticulture advisor from Sacramento Co. and an expert in landscape trees. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how to provide the nutrients needed to thrive.

• On April 25, from 3 to 4 p.m. the UCCE MGs-Yolo and the Yolo County Library will present via Zoom “The Amazing Honeybee.” Attend this workshop to learn about the life the life of honeybees and their importance as pollinators. This talk, led by Master Gardener-Solano Shari Garger, will also provide instructions on how to create a bee-friendly garden, in addition to instructions on how to safely use less pesticides. For the Zoom link, contact Joan Tuss at Joan.Tuss@yolocounty.org

edu) — UCCE Master Gardeners-Yolo will answer your gardening questions via the Master Gardeners Help Desk at 530-666-8737 or send an email to mgyolo@ucdavis.edu. Attaching pictures and providing information regarding watering, sun exposure, details about your problem helps for answering your queries.

• Gardening For YearRound Meals will meet on April 13, from 11 a.m. to noon for the regular monthly meeting at Grace Garden, located behind the United Methodist Church at 1620 Anderson Rd., in Davis. UCCE MG-Yolo Lonnie Green will present “Come Hear the Buzz About What Pollinators Do in the Garden.” The workshop will include information on which birds and insects are responsible for the job of pollinating garden crops in California and ways a gardener can help the pollinators do their job. Don’t forget to bring your questions about your edible garden, time will be provided for a question-and-answer session.

• On Monday, April 29, at 1 p.m., the UCCE MGs-Yolo will present “May Day Crafts and Victorian Flower Language.” Attend this class to learn about the tradition of making May Day baskets, and the ins and outs of the Victorian language of flowers. The free class will be held at the West Sacramento Community Center, located at 1075 W. Capitol Ave., West Sacramento. Pre-registration is required for this free class. You may register in person at the the Community Center or by calling 916-617-5320. More information about the UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo County can be found online at yolomg. ucanr.edu. Contact Jennifer Baumbach at jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu or call the UCCE Yolo County Master Gardeners help line at 530-666-8736 for additional information about scheduled events If you have a question about a specific garden issue call the Master Gardener hotline at 530 666-8736 or email mgyolo@ ucdavis.edu and leave a message.