Winters Express: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Middle school proposes FLEX schedule change

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Winters Middle School Principal Jose

Bermudez proposed a new schedule that would provide more flexibility to support students with intervention and enrichment opportunities and a chance to engage in a chosen elective class.

At the April 2, Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, Bermudez and other WMS staff compared the current model and the differences the new FLEX schedule would bring. The FLEX schedule would add a 25-minute block for all grade levels three to four days a week after the second period. FLEX would be offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays that are on the Early Release sched-

ule.

In the current WMS schedule, classes are run in a trimester model and all students have a wheel class. Students who need intervention support are assigned to a workshop class instead of an elective and are sometimes pulled out during class to get individual, specialized support.

The proposed FLEX

13 nonprofits collaborate for BDOG

This year’s Big Day of Giving is Thursday, May 2, and local nonprofit organizations are participating. The opportunity early giving opens up to the public on Thursday, April 18. The Big Day of Giving is hosted by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, is an annual 24-hour giving challenge. Funds raising make a big difference in Winters. BDOG is a critical opportunity for donors to rally to uplift and support the nonprofits operating in and serving our community.

This year, 13 non-

profit organizations from Winters are partnering again to prepare for and publicize the Big Day of Giving. This year’s collaborative group of nonprofits are Winters Education Foundation, Winters Farm to School, Winters Friends of the Library, Winters Museum, Winters Participation Gallery, Winters Senior Foundation, Winters Healthcare, Winters Youth Day, Winters Music Boosters, Winters Theatre Company, Winters Robotics Inc., Putah Creek Council and Meals on Wheels Yolo County. While their missions are varied, each participating nonprofit contributes to the community’s character, spirit and quality of life.

Winters Farm to School’s mission is

to raise funds to provide fresh, local produce, fruits and nuts for Winters school food program; educate children about the positive, longterm health benefits of healthy eating habits and to reconnect children to the rich, deeply rooted agricultural heritage in the community.

Winters Education Foundation raises funds to ensure continued educational excellence and equal educational opportunities for every child in a Winters public school classroom. Last year WEF provided more than $20,000 for teachers to use in their classrooms, but the need was double the amount requested. Teachers in Winters do amazing work with a very slim budget — BDOG donations will

support WEF’s grant program.

Winters Friends of the Library promotes literacy, fosters a love of reading, enhances the community’s cultural life and encourages involvement in the library and its programs. This year, WFoL is raising funds for library programming and collections, as well as replacing library furniture and supporting WFoL programs and community events.

Winters Music Boosters is dedicated to providing financial support and volunteer assistance to help maintain the music programs in Winters public schools. WMB is raising funds to expand the performance

The Winters State Preschool Center will host its annual enrollment fair for the 2024–2025 school year on Friday, April 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 200 Baker St. Seasonal road closure

In his April 12 update, City Manager Jeremy Craig announced that the city’s seasonal road closure schedule would start up over the weekend. The Sunday Farmer’s Market will return to the closed area of Main Street from Railroad Avenue to the crosswalk at Paseo Park on April 28. Medicare event

The Winters Senior Foundation will host “What you need to know about Medicare” on Thursday, April 18 at 2 p.m. in the City Hall large conference room (318 First St. — Abbey Street entrance.)

The presentation will cover the 2024 changes and how to get the best coverage. The event is free for senior citizens to attend. Youth Day updates

The Winters Youth Day Committee will be rescheduling the Duck Derby event scheduled for Friday, April 26, due to the high input of water in

SCWA receives state grant to support salmon at Los Rios Check Dam

Express staff

public schools. WMB is raising funds to expand the performance and music competitions available to high school and middle school students.

The Winters Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Winters through educational events, research, oral histories, and photo and artifact exhibits. BDOG donations will support the work to bring new exhibits to the community and expand the museum’s area.

Winters Participation Gallery sponsors the Kate Humphrey Historical Mural Project, providing a unique creative and artistic opportunity for Winters’ youth to

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learn about the town’s history and translate that into an exterior mural. They work to make Winters more beautiful one wall at a time. Each mural, depending on the size of the wall, can cost up to $15K. The funds earned at BDOG allow them to buy the various supplies they utilize every year. The Winters Senior Foundation is a local nonprofit, all-volunteer, community-based organization representing and advocating for the senior population in the city of Winters and surrounding areas. WSF wants to expand its yearly Santa bag program which serves seniors who need an extra hand from time to time. Last year they were able to reach 65 individuals but the need is much greater.

Winters Healthcare

is a small Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in Winters and Esparto, dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical care to each person, regardless of his or her ability to pay. Winters Healthcare has about 9 percent of diabetic patients and many do not have the means nor the capacity to go to a specialist for a retinal eye appointment regularly. Funds raised will help to purchase a retinal eye camera and software to provide a routine annual eye exam for our patients with diabetes.

Winters Theatre Company is a nonprofit performing arts organization that offers the community a wide range of quality theatrical experiences

while supporting local arts and education. This year, they are raising funds to help bring a wider variety of music and theater events to the community, upgrades to the stage and Winters Opera House facilities, and funds for theater arts education classes for the community.

Putah Creek Council protects and enhances Putah Creek, its watershed and its tributaries through advocacy, education, and community-based stewardship. PCC is aiming for certification on its plant health practices, which would make it possible to take on large contracts and expand their operation.

Winters Robotics, Inc. is the nonprofit partner of the Winters Robotics Club that aims to ensure a sustainable engineering

and robotics program for students in the Winters community.

Winters Youth Day e raises funds to educate student leaders on the city and local government, provide scholarships for high school students, and host the annual Youth Day festivities. In 2024, they launched a new Civic Engagement Day at City Hall for high school and middle school students to learn more about how local government works and to revive the Youth City Council Meeting. Funds will go toward next year’s Youth Day efforts and to further develop the civic engagement experience for Winters students.

Meals on Wheels Yolo County is the only provider of fully-prepared meals for food insecure, isolated seniors in Win-

ters and Yolo County, now nourishing nearly 1,000 aging adults countywide daily to “Eat Well, Age Well.” MOW Yolo now operates two meal production facilities in Woodland and Winters and is placing increased emphasis upon fresh and local meal ingredients, medically-tailored meal options, and increased rural meal access for the mostisolated seniors. Donations will be accepted until midnight on the Big Day of Giving (Thursday, May 2). Visit www. bdog-winters.org to access all of the local nonprofits’ pages on GivingEdge. Look for updates from the different groups on social media and in the Express

According to Bermudez, California requires that students receive a minimum of 54,000 instructional minutes in a school year and he emphasized that “every minute matters.”

“Schools cannot afford insufficient models of service delivery, and when FLEX came to mind it’s about that service delivery. And it’s a delivery … when we talk about interventions we always think about students who are struggling –students who need support. But interventions are also for stu-

dents who are at grade level who need to be pushed and advanced to certain degrees as well,” Bermudez said. WMS staff utilize the iReady diagnostic tool, administered three times a year, to get data on each student’s individualized learning needs. However, it only shows where students are at that time and not how they’re doing during the in-between from test to test.

“When we’re talking about how we place students, how we support students, how we advance students – it’s going to be more real-life data instead of waiting until the end of the semester,” Bermudez said. Emma Brown, WMS counselor, told trustees their “why” behind the proposed schedule change is that one size does not fit all when it comes to students’ needs.

“Not all of our students need intervention but that’s what our current model is

geared towards.

Some of our students, as Mr. Bermudez mentioned, also need enrichment and they’re not currently getting that opportunity in our current schedule. Our current model doesn’t allow for the flexibility we need or for student choice,” Brown said. The FLEX session offers a group rotation every 10 to 12 weeks. Groups would fluctuate based on the students’ needs of enrichment or support.

WMS students have shared feedback with staff through surveys that they want more choices. Brown said the FLEX schedule will give staff “a regular opportunity to adjust based student needs throughout the school year.”

“Some of the rationale behind this is that building targeted instructional support into the schedule helps ensure that student’s individual needs are met during the school day and this

is done consistently and also allows us to align our specialized services in a general education setting and it gives us flexibility to adjust and avoids the risk of tracking (student achievement) in our core classes,” Brown said.

Madeline Castro, WMS special education teacher, said the FLEX schedule benefits special education students by providing individualized support and allowing them to select elective classes.

“With the FLEX, we’re able to do pushin models and support teachers more in the classroom. Instead of (students) being pulled out of class or losing that elective … we can pull them during that FLEX time and work with them at that time,” Castro said. Bermudez ensured trustees that staff collaboration was done throughout the process of creating the FLEX schedule. In addition to staff meetings, he also met with each teacher one-onone and different focus groups. The original proposed Power Hour schedule was changed due to that feedback.

The move to discontinue offering the advisory class was made because staff said they felt the lessons offered could be done through the FLEX session. Removing the advisory would also increase class time minutes and supplement for minimum days.

Brown said they hope to give students more options to choose from for their learning through the FLEX schedule. If approved, WMS would add more elective class choices, and allow students who do need extra support to attend an elective class and have support over just having a support class. The schedule change would also give staff a chance to better balance the number of students in required classes like science, math and English.

Brown said the change meant more students would be “getting more types of support in smaller groups, so a higher quality of support as well.”

Trustees are expected to take action on the FLEX schedule at the April 18 meeting.

Yolo County Supervisors urge Medi-Cal contract agreement

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors has authored a letter to Partnership HealthPlan, Dignity Health and Common Spirit encouraging that an agreement be reached in its ongoing contract negotiations.

Seventeen thousand Yolo County residents and 66,000 Californians overall on Medi-Cal have been forced to find new medical providers after the contract between Common Spirit and Partnership (Dignity) expired on March 31.

Impacted patients who need help finding new providers are encouraged to call Partnership Care Coordination at 800-809-1350 or Partnership’s Member Services Department at 800-863-4155 while contract negotiations are ongoing.

The letter is as follows:

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors are writing to address a matter of utmost importance to the health and

wellbeing of our community. The contract negotiations between Partnership HealthPlan and Dignity Health have reached an impasse, leaving over 17,000 individuals in Yolo County without access to their primary and specialty healthcare providers, resulting in an influx of patients to alternative providers. Some patients report not being able to access essential healthcare services and others report extreme hardship in navigating healthcare options during this period of great uncertainty.

The inability to access healthcare services not only poses immediate risks to individuals’ health but also undermines the overall resilience and wellbeing of our community. Dignity Health has been an integral part of the Yolo County community for over 100 years, providing healthcare services to generations of residents; and our County strongly

urges Dignity Health to maintain its strong presence and service within our community.

We understand the complexity of contract negotiations and the differing priorities and concerns of both parties. However, we urge Partnership HealthPlan and Dignity Health to prioritize the needs of our community and come to the table to renegotiate a contract that ensures continued access to healthcare for all individuals in Yolo County.

A mutually beneficial agreement is imperative in this situation. Both parties must recognize their shared responsibility to uphold the wellbeing of the population they serve. By working collaboratively and in good faith, we can find solutions that meet the needs of both Partnership HealthPlan and Dignity Health while ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare services for our

See MEDI-CAL, Page 6

Personal de la ciudad aborda ordenanza y propuesta

para acampar

Lake Berryessa water levels up

corto desde el 2022, con 15 minutos de duración, el Concejo Municipal de Winters tuvo un único comentario público y solo elementos del calendario de consentimiento. El pasado 2 de Abril, el Consejo Municipal se reunió, en ausencia del concejal Jesse Loren. Los miembros del consejo proporcionaron actualizaciones sobre las reuniones a las que asistieron, aprobaron el calendario de consentimiento y abordaron un comentario público. El Administrador de la Ciudad, Jeremy Craig, solicitó que se eliminara el punto E de la agenda de consentimiento y luego continuó diciendo: “Teníamos información adicional que necesitábamos investigar, por lo que nos gustaría llevarla a otra reunión.”

El punto E fue la Resolución 2024-23: “Aprobar un acuerdo de servicios profesionales con Davids Engineering, Inc. para

realizar dos estudios de viabilidad de aguas subterráneas por un monto sin exceder de $579,268 y autorizar al Administrador de la Ciudad a ejecutar el acuerdo.” El único comentario público hecho por Jeff TenPas, residente de Winters, fue con respecto a la ordenanza de campamento propuesta y diseñada para proteger el arroyo de Putah Creek al impedir que las personas sin hogar acampen allí. TenPas dijo que ha paseado a su perro a lo largo del arroyo aproximadamente dos veces al día durante los últimos 30 años y que no se ha sentido amenazado o molestado por personas y pidió aclaraciones sobre en qué parte de la ciudad podrían acampar si las viviendas en Woodland estuvieran llenas o no es tuvieran disponibles, con mención específica durante la temporada de invierno. “Lo que no puedo descifrar de la ordenanza es dónde estaría el campamento en Winters. Comenzaré diciendo que, hasta donde puedo decir, el lugar donde

han estado acampando está lo más alejado posible e interfiere con el uso público del arroyo lo menos posible,” dijo TenPas. “No puedo imaginar dónde se emitirá el permiso para que la gente pueda acampar.” El alcalde Bill Biasi dijo que el consejo tuvo una discusión extensa en la última reunión y remitió el asunto al Jefe de la Policía de Winters, John P. Miller, quien dijo que la ordenanza solo se aplicaba a áreas dentro de los límites de la ciudad y no se aplica al lado del Condado Solano. Miller dijo que si bien las personas pueden acampar en ciertas áreas de la ciudad durante el horario público, deben obtener un permiso para hacerlo. “Las leyes prohíben la actividad en lugar de permitirla,” dijo Miller y continuó “(la ordenanza) prohíbe la actividad en ciertas áreas. No llegamos tan lejos como para identificar “dónde” dentro de la ordenanza de la

ciudad.” El Asistente al Fiscal de la Ciudad, Martín de los Ángeles, aclaró además que durante la temporada de invierno u otros casos extraordinarios, la ordenanza se aplicaría según un enfoque situacional.

“La ordenanza cumple con la ley actual, que, desde una perspectiva de aplicación, no se aplicaría a personas sentadas, acostadas o durmiendo en propiedades de la ciudad que designamos en la ordenanza si no hay vivienda o refugio disponible,” de los Ángeles dijo. “Como señaló el jefe, no señalamos lo que estaría disponible, pero también hemos incorporado a la ordenanza la autoridad para que el administrador de la ciudad emita pautas y también proporcione avisos; todo esto ocurre antes de que se aplique la ley.”

No hubo temas de discusión ni presentaciones en la agenda, que normalmente ocupan la mayor parte de las reuniones del consejo municipal.

The water level of Lake Berryessa slightly went up during the past week by 0.01 feet, with an increase in the storage of 188 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, April 16, the lake level was 439.91 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,549,593 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 139 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 92 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 345 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment

Express staff

145 Years Ago

Mr. H.M. Goin as principal, and Miss Anna Goodin as assistant, have been very successful with the school, and given universal satisfaction.

A young man whose face bore the unmistakable stamp of the amateur poet, stepped into our office one day this week, and as he placed a roll of manuscript in our hand, bashfully inquired if we could find a place for an “Ode to Spring.” We told him we thought we could, and after looking around awhile found a splendid place for it in our waste basket.

Late yesterday afternoon a man was caught stealing some trifles from Dr. Bell’s drug store. He was ar-

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

rested and placed in the lock-up, and shortly after Womack saw smoke issuing therefrom. Upon opening the door it was discovered that the prisoner had divested himself of every stitch of clothing, piled it up, set it on fire, and seemed to be enjoying his situation. He was examined before Judge Hulse this morning and sentenced to 25 days in the county jail.

130 Years Ago

April 21, 1894

J.W. Lamme was appointed school census marshal for Winters district and completed the work of enumerating on Tuesday last.

There are 316 children between five and seventeen years of age in the district, a gain of 12 over last year. Of these, 177 are boys and 139 are girls. Three of these are negroes. There are 70 under five years of age. The total number who have attended public school during the year are 262, and six have attended private school.

The census of 1890 gave Winters township a total population of 1,155, which included the town of Winters, which was credited with a population of 586 souls.

Nov. 26, 1939 –March 16, 2024

We share the sad news of the passing of Dr. Maggie Burns, scientist, writer, actor and philanthropist. She was a beloved member of the Winters community and a leader in supporting the arts, culture, literacy and education throughout Yolo County.

Maggie grew up in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Allegheny College. She went on to Yale University to obtain a master’s degree, and then to Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where she received a PhD in 1971. She served as Professor of Ophthalmology and Chemistry at Albert Einstein, and then at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. Her research focused on how retinal blood vessels interact and change during normal development

July 29, 1932 –

March 9, 2024

Upon graduation, he worked for the USDA, then joined the US Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of captain.

From 1960 to 1965 he was Staff Ophthalmologist and Consultant at the Animal Medi-

We mourn the passing of Dr. Roy Bellhorn, an avid educator, clinician, researcher, philanthropist, volunteer and chorister. He was a kind man with a gentle sense of humor and will be missed by his colleagues, friends and family. Roy Bellhorn grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University (MSU) for his undergraduate degree (1954) and his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (1956).

The Buckeye public school will close next Wednesday, but Miss Spencer will continue with the graduating class two weeks longer. Henry and William Brinck and their families went to San Francisco last Saturday to visit the fair and take in the Mardi Gras festivities.

First Street, and will be 20x34 feet in size, one story high.

Walter Hemenway has begun the erection of his photographic parlors and artist’s studio. It will front on

Obituaries

and in hereditary or toxin-induced retinal degeneration. She pioneered the application of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry to the study of changes in ion localization in normal and diseased retinas. Her research was fully funded by the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and private organizations for 30 years. A pioneering woman in the male domain of eye research, she blazed a trail for others to follow. In the 1980s, she was a leader in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. She was a founder of Women in Ophthalmic Research, an organiza-

tion to provide networking and professional support for the increasing numbers of women scientists and physicians entering the field. After retiring from UC Davis in 2000, Maggie devoted her talents to a multitude of personal and public projects in her community. Her objective in retired life was to use her skills and learn new things while working with passionate people. She was a columnist for the Winters Express and won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for agricultural and investigative reporting. As a published poet, Maggie was nomi-

Roy W. Bellhorn

cal Center, H. Bergh Memorial Hospital (ASPCA) in New York City. During that time, he obtained his MSc in ophthalmology from New York University’s Post Graduate School of Medicine, and in 1965 joined the faculty there.

He developed veterinary ophthalmology referral practices in New York City and New Jersey and consulted for the pharmaceutical industry. In 1970 he joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, and consulted for the New York Zoological Society’s zoos and aquarium.

In 1984, he left Einstein to join the faculty at the School of

Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. As a Professor, he continued his research, instructed veterinary students (Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 1991), trained comparative ophthalmology residents, and provided clinical services to the Veterinary Med-

If Yolo county had a first class system of irrigation, there would not be so many long faces over the long continued dry winds of the past two weeks.

G.W. Martin, father of Mrs. John Griffin, arrived from Perry, Missouri, on Wednesday morning’s train and will spend a time with his daughter and son in law here.

nated for a Pushcart prize, and she was an occasional actress for Winters Community Theatre. She helped found the Yolo Community Foundation, served as its second board president, and served on the board of the Yolo County Library Foundation. In all these efforts, Maggie valued the opportunity to support others as she had been supported in life, remarking in an interview that “We have all been warmed by fires we did not set.” Maggie will be missed by her family and many friends who appreciated her curiosity, humor, thoughtfulness and wisdom. Those who saw her perform as

ical Teaching Hospital and the California Regional Primate Research Center. He also served as Chief of the Comparative Ophthalmology Service and Associate Director of Small Animal Clinics at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

With Drs. Michael Floyd and Leigh WestHyde, he developed a model clinical and academic program in veterinary dentistry at UC Davis. In 1994, he retired as Professor Emeritus from the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences. Roy’s research included eye diseases of domestic and exotic animal species and abnormalities of the blood vessels providing nutrition to the retina.

Roy received an alumni research award from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (2014), and an emeriti research award from UC Davis (2015–16). He was President of the American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (1968–69) and a Found-

R.L. Briggs left for San Francisco Thursday morning on his way to Eureka, where he goes to attend the grand Parlor, N.S.G.W., as a delegate from the Parlor here.

an actor admired her gutsy presence, and many read and enjoyed the warmth and liveliness of her poetry and columns. Her beloved life partner for 56 years was Roy W. Bellhorn (1932 – 2024). She is survived by her sister Anne Burns Johnson (Dave), niece Hannah Marble and nephews Gareth Johnson and Michael Burns. Memorial contributions may be made to her and Roy’s Wide Wide World Fund (www.sacregcf.org/widewide world).

A remembrance and reflection will be held at the University Retirement Community, 1515 Shasta Drive in Davis on April 26, at 2 p.m.

ing Father and Charter Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, also serving on the ACVO Board of Regents (1970–76, President 1975–76). In retirement, Roy continued his interests in barbershop and other choral group singing and participated in community service organizations including Meals on Wheels, English as a Second Language, and Reach Out and Read. His beloved life partner for 56 years was Margaret (Maggie)

S. Burns (1939–2024). He is survived by sisters Donna Snell and Jan Fienen and their families. Memorial contributions may be made to his and Maggie’s Wide Wide World Fund (www.sacregcf. org/widewideworld), or to his Sustainable Livestock Fund in Western Kenya (Goal4. org). A remembrance and reflection will be held at the University Retirement Community, 1515 Shasta Drive in Davis on April 26, at 2 p.m.

Margaret S. Burns

Courtesy photo Margaret S. Burns

Courtesy photo Roy W. Bellhorn

Picked by Charley Wallace File photo

Bill Cody serves pancakes at the Rotary Pancake Breakfast in front of City Hall in 1975. The woman is unknown, but Flip Richie is waiting in line. For years, the pancake breakfast was held outside, sometimes on Main Street, sometimes on First Street. Since 1980, the breakfast has been held at the Community Center. The breakfast started in the late 1950s. This year’s breakfast will be held on April 27, from 7 to 9:30 a.m.

Unlocking peace and joy: The power of mindfulness, walking meditation

By Jason Jurado Special to the Express

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of tranquility and connection can seem like it is out of our reach. Studies show that we have between 60 and 80 thousand thoughts per day and that 47 percent of those thoughts are of something other than what we are doing at that moment. Either ruminating on the past or concerned with the future. Those thoughts are where most of our stressors come from. Finding a way to become more balanced and live in the present moment can be challenging. Yet, there are many techniques that can help guide us in achieving this. Mindfulness and meditation offer profound pathways to cultivate awareness, reduce stress, and deepen our connection to life. Among the different types of meditation practices, walking meditation emerges as a gentle yet transformative journey into the here and now.

Embracing the essence of mindfulness

Mindfulness, using a definition I think gets to the heart of the practice, invites us to be present for the mystery of our lives

with open eyes and a loving heart. It’s a deliberate engagement with the present moment, allowing us to witness the flow of thoughts and emotions without judgment. Meditation is a vehicle for cultivating this heightened awareness. It is a process or technique that allows you to be fully present in the moment. Be here now.

Unveiling the benefits

The benefits of mindfulness and meditation ripple through various aspects of our lives, offering profound transformations. Studies reveal many advantages, from heightened happiness and reduced stress to improved cognitive function and better quality of sleep. Mindfulness serves as a powerful tool for fostering healthier relation-

ships, enhancing communication, and promoting empathy. Furthermore, it has been shown to aid in managing diseases (some symptoms) and nurturing overall well-being by reducing stress.

A journey to presence

In the realm of mindfulness practices, walking meditation stands as a serene yet effective technique for grounding oneself in the present moment. Unlike conventional walking, where the focus often lies on reaching a destination, walking meditation invites us to savor each step along the way. It’s a practice of being fully present, imprinting peace and serenity with every stride.

If you were to be outside and you see a beautiful flower in another area

from where you are standing, you could walk over to that flower and when you get there enjoy its beauty. Enjoying that experience fully. But you can also enjoy every step you take that gets you from where you were to that beautiful flower. Enjoy each step because each step, each moment, is your life.

Navigating the process

Engaging in walking meditation involves a gentle process of mindfulness and breath awareness. By synchronizing each step with the rhythm of our breath (counting how many steps you take with your inhale and how many steps with each exhale) and grounding ourselves in the sensation of our feet touching the earth, we create a seamless union of body and mind. Through patience and compassion towards oneself, you can gradually deepen into the practice, finding peace and happiness in each step.

Walking amidst the world

While walking in public spaces, the practice of walking meditation may require adjustments. Yet, the essence remains unchanged—stay attuned to the breath, feel the connection with the earth, and

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Who hasn’t tapped fingers on a desk with anxiety or shook a leg under a table awaiting some sort of news? These motor impulses may seem involuntary, but they largely are under the control of the individual. For a portion of the population, fidgeting and tremors are out of their control, and are hallmarks of a movement disorder called Parkinson’s disease.

The Parkinson’s Foundation says Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 10 million people worldwide. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly affects the dopamine-producing neurons in an area of the brain called the substantial nigra.

Since PD affects the nervous system, various parts of the body controlled by nerves can be impacted by the disease. Symptoms often start slow-

ly and may be virtually undetectable to the average person. The Mayo Clinic says the first symptoms may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Stiffness or slowing of movement also can be an early marker of the disease. Some people with PD may begin to have expressionless faces and speech may become soft or slurred. Symptoms worsen as the condition progresses. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke identify these four primary symptoms of PD, though it should be noted that everyone experiences symptoms differently.

• • Tremor: Shaking often begins in a hand, although a foot or the jaw may be first affected. One tremor characteristic of PD is a rhythmic back-andforth motion that may involve the thumb and forefinger and appear as “pill rolling.” It is

most obvious when the hand is at rest.

Rigidity

Muscle stiffness and resistance to movement affects many people with PD. The muscles remain constantly tense and contracted so that a person aches or feels stiff. This rigidity can become obvious when another person tries to move the individual’s arm, which will only move in short, jerky movements known as “cogwheel.”

Bradykinesia

This is a slowing down of spontaneous and automatic movement. Activities that were once easily performed now take much longer. There often is a decrease in facial expression, called “masked face.” A person with PD may not move his or her arms while walking.

Postural instability

This impaired bal-

embrace the unfolding moment with grace. It’s an invitation to reclaim ownership of our emotions, acknowledging them as integral parts of our being, and creating space for healing and growth.

Journey of self-discovery

In essence, mindfulness and walking meditation offer more than mere techniques; they unfold as journeys of self-discovery and inner transformation.

Through the gentle art of presence, we learn to embrace the full spectrum of our experiences, finding peace amidst the chaos and joy in the ordinary. As we walk the path of mindfulness, we awaken to the richness of life unfolding in each moment, one step at a time.

In a world that often rushes past, mindfulness and walking meditation allow us to slow down, to savor the beauty of existence, and to rediscover the profound simplicity of being alive.

—Jason Jurado is the owner of One Path Coaching in Winters. He sees all oneon-one clients online and also offers in-person group workshops in town. He lives in Winters with his wife and their two cats.

ance and change in posture can increase the risk of falls. Postural instability also may affect walking gait. Someone with PD may appear to be shuffling. The cause of PD remains unknown. Scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are at the root of the disease. There is no cure for PD, although there are treatment options that may help alleviate some symptoms. Currently there is no treatment to slow the progression of PD. The Mayo Clinic says changes occur in the brains of people with PD. Notably there is the presence of clumps of substances called Lewy bodies. These Lewy bodies often show a widespread protein called alpha-synuclein, which cells can’t break down. Researchers have found alpha-synuclein in the spinal fluid of people who later develop PD.

The Parkinson’s Foundation says people with PD take domaminergic medications to replace missing dopamine in the brain. This helps to treat various symptoms. Ongoing research into PD has led researchers to find ways to identi-

fy biomarkers for PD that can lead to earlier diagnoses and more tailored treatments. Various conditions can produce symptoms similar to PD. It is best to discuss any concerns with a doctor. A consultation with a neurologist likely will be recommended. With the right treatment and support, someone with PD can still live a quality life for years after diagnosis.

Special to the Express

Adobe/Stock photo

Adobe/Stock photo

number of ideas about what to do about that,” Stevenson added. “Usually, you just remove the boards when they are not needed.”

That can be a timing issue as the water held back from the dam is used for flooding rice fields and other ag needs, as well as for some environmental purposes.

However, with the advent of pumps, the need to let the water level rise and spill over for the ag uses is not as great. So Fish & Wildlife is willing to pay SCWA to figure out the best alternative: a fish ladder or some kind of bypass or a different diversion option that does not even re-

quire the dam. Once that plan is identified and designed, the agency will go back to the state for a second grant to implement the project.

“And CDFW has a program for that and has said, ‘when you are ready, come back,’” Stevenson said. Stevenson said part of the grant also will pay for about half of a creek slope survey — technically a separate project, but linked due to the need for water flow information — with SCWA paying for the rest.

The bypass project is part of a bigger Southern Realignment Project of Putah Creek through the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.

A $1 million environmental review and

design package was completed in 2016, but the project plan has been sitting on a shelf ever since. The current price tag to implement that plan is estimated at $20 million to $30 million. For the investment, two miles of Putah Creek will become four miles, following more closely its historic route. It also would create 490 acres of floodplains to benefit the juvenile fish and other environmental assets, plus 90 acres of freshwater tidal habitat. It would also result in expanded and improved riparian habitat.

“So it’s a little more complicated than just finishing the Los Rios Check Dam (project),” Stevenson said. However, “because it is

New turf at middle school

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

On Friday afternoon, Winters Middle School and Van Pelt Construction Services representatives hosted a ribbon cutting for the turf project at the WMS amphitheater.

WMS student body

President Julian Bermudez officially cut the red ribbon held by Winters Joint Unified School District Superintendent Rody Boonchoy and Jennifer Gibb, Van Pelt Construction Services project manager. WMS Principal Jose Bermudez opened the event to kick off the excitement for the project recently approved and identified by trustees in the Facility Master Plan of school district projects and needs. The project installed turf along the levels of the amphitheater seating and at the bottom outside of the multi-

purpose room. The left-hand side of the bottom area features the words “Cardinals SOAR” and a bright red cardinal, while the right-hand side features the words “Wintres Middle School” and two smaller cardinals. The red cardinal image is the middle school’s mascot, while SOAR embodies the school’s values of “Safety First, Own Your Actions, Always Be Kind, and Respect for All.”

all in public lands, we would not have to buy anything.”

It would require all of the local, state and federal permits, which can take time to secure.

Additionally, SCWA is looking at finding solutions to other fish passage barriers in the creek, also related to farming diversion needs and water rights.

Playing into all of this is the Department of Water Resource’s “Big Notch Project,” a 30,000-acre floodplain habitat restoration and fish passage project in the Yolo Bypass. Federal and state agencies broke ground on the project in June 2022. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is a partner in the project.

BRIEFS Continued from Page 1

It is billed as the largest floodplain salmon-rearing habitat restoration project in California history. The project is located in the Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area, six miles northeast of Woodland and 15 miles north of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the nearby Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area.

It removes a section of the weir, installs three gates, and excavates “a notch” of 180,000 cubic yards of earth to create a new path for salmon. Additionally, a new control building and pedestrian bridge will be built.

It is also billed as part of the state’s big-picture water management plan, implemented in conjunction with the State

Water Project and fed-

eral Central Valley Project for farming, business, urban and environmental uses, DWR reported. It was supposed to be completed last year.

“The construction of the Big Notch Project, officially known as the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project, will be complete by August 2024, and the Department of Water Resources will secure the rights to operate by the end of fall of 2024. The (Big Notch Project) will operate during its next permitted operational season, November 2024 to March 15, 2025,” DWR said in an email response to Express sister paper The Daily Republic

water in Putah Creek. However, the Youth Day Opening Ceremonies festivities will continue as planned for 7 p.m. at the stage behind the Winters Community Center on April 26. Save the date to see the Youth Day Educator of the Year honored, meet the new Royal consul members and see Shirley Rominger Intermediate Students perform in a Talent Showcase performance. Hooby’s Brewing is also hosting a Youth Day cornhole tournament fundraising event on Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. Social and competitive tournaments will be hosted in upper and lower divisions with a $20 entrance fee. More info will be announced.

MEDI-CAL Continued from Page 3

proposals. Time is of the essence, and prompt action is necessary to prevent further disruptions to healthcare services in our community. It

Sincerely, Lucas Frerichs, Chair, Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 2

Dr. Mary Vixie Sandy, Vice Chair, Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 3

Oscar Villegas, Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 1

Jim Provenza, Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 4

Angel Barajas, Yolo County Board of Supervisors District 5

our collective obligation to ensure that all Californians, regardless of their insurance, have access to the healthcare services they need and deserve. For these reasons, we respectfully ask your prompt action and a successful resolution to this issue. For any questions about the County’s position, please contact the County’s Chief Administrative Officer, Gerardo Pinedo, or Associate Management Analyst, Cindy Perez, in the County Administrator’s Office, at (530) 666-8114 or cindy.perez@yolocounty.org.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Wednesday, April 17

Yolo County/Winters City 2x2 Meeting, 4 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters.org/258/2x2-Meetings

Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance)

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

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, April 18

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

Thursdays

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

Friday, April 19

Express Coffeehouse Chat, 8:30 a.m., Steady Eddy's Coffee House

Library Event: Friendship Bracelet Poetry and Taylor Swift Listening Party, 3:30–5 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/ locations/winters/

Saturday, April 20

Library Event: Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/

Monday, April 22

Library Event: Family Game Night, 5–7 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/

Tuesday, April 23

Winters Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/ Library Services

Winters Library Public Hours (School in Session)

Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

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

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

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

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

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

Older Adult Programs

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

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

Ongoing

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

Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays, 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

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m.

» Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

Rominger Intermediate revives fifth-grade Angel Island trip

By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer

For the first time in three years, Shirley Rominger Intermediate School fifth graders attended the Angel Island Field Trip in San Francisco.

Angel Island, the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, has a long history. It was the site of the U.S. Immigration processing in the early 20th century, internment camps during World War II and the barracks of the United States military until it became open to the public as a state park in the 1960s.

“The trips we took to Angel Island are a part of a Living History program offered by the State of California Parks Department. They are offered to give students the opportunity to experience history, not just

read about it or hear about it.” says retired fifth-grade teacher

Woody Fridae. “I’ve had many students thank me for the time

we spent together in the classroom, but often the thing they first mention as a fond memory is the trip to Angel Island,” says Fridae.

Woody Fridae used to run the Angel Island field trip before his retirement. Fifth grade teacher Octavio Melchor worked to revive the experience for students this year.

“I’ve had many students thank me for the time we spent together in the classroom, but often the thing they first mention as a fond memory is the trip to Angel Island,” says Fridae. “I’ve had former students who make sure their children have the same opportunity that they did to go to Angel Island, and the parents come back as a chaperone and experience the trip anew with

See ANGEL, Page 6

Memorial garden honors

Japanese residents, culture

By Denise Cottrell UCCE Master Gardener of Yolo County

History begins with stories. Stories integrated into our lives beyond memorizing dates and names from hundreds of years ago. We are all linked to historical events large and small through the stories of our family, our ancestors, and our community. The Historical Society of Winters provides our community’s link to local history and creates a context for understanding how our lives have been affected and changed by larger events.

On May 4, at 2 p.m. the Winters Historical Society will host a dedication ceremony for the Japantown Memorial in Rotary Park. The memorial, dedicated to the pre-war Japanese community in Winters, evolved from The Historical Society’s exhibit “The Lost Japanese Community of Winters.” The exhibit has been a catalyst for bringing together past and present residents of Winters and community organizations to help preserve a period in Winters history now largely lost.

“The Lost Japanese Community of Winters” showcased the Japanese community who immigrated to the Winters area in 1888. They became a part of the agricultural community with businesses and homes in the area adjacent to railroad bridge which now encompasses Rotary Park. Their community thrived until World War II when they were forced to leave and taken to concentration camps.

On June 20, 2023, the Winters City Council approved the Historical Society’s request to install the monument in Rotary Park. The idea for the installation which memorializes the pre-world War II Japanese Community of Winters, came from a meeting of the museum’s exhibit committee. The committee was inspired by a 1930’s photograph, the “Nishida Funeral Gathering” which portrays the attendees in front of Japantown buildings alongside the Winters Railroad Bridge. The team of Gloria Lopez, Floyd Shimomura, Howard Kato, Woody Fridae, Vicki Jacobs, Rob Coman, Charley Wallace and Lorie Lindsey worked together to make it happen.

Memorial garden project

As the project developed several people and organizations collaborated to create the memorial garden site to honor citizens of Japanese descent from Winters which will provide a space for reflection

and remembrance in Rotary Park. For the design of the monument and the surrounding garden, the Historical Society of Winters collaborated with former Winters residents Floyd Shimomura and Howard Kato in conjunction with UCCE Master Gardeners – Yolo, Stephanie Myers and Ruth Shimomura, and Heather Nichols of Yolo County Resource Conservation District. Monuments express meaning through the form and shape, and the inclusion and placement of man-made features such as plaques, and the choice of plants and their symbolic meaning. Monuments are designed and the site planted as a symbol with the ability to convey meaning to visitors without words. The plants for the memorial site were chosen for their ability to represent the Japanese community and Japanese motifs, in addition to the ability to withstand our inland climate, heavy public traffic, and provide low water use and maintenance. The monument is placed to provide a view facing south to the railroad bridge. There is a bench located along the brick sidewalk leading to the monument. Two additional benches will be installed facing the monument.

Meaning behind the plants

In mid-March, UCCE MG-Yolo and community volunteers planted four trees and 50 shrubs at the site. Two tree species were selected both with ties to Japan, the Japanese flowering cherry and ginkgo. Japanese flowering trees are an iconic symbol of Japan and have played a part of the US relationship with Japan through

the decades including pre-war and up to now.

To the east of the monument and the benches is a single Japanese flowering cherry tree, an Akebono Yoshino Cherry, which was planted to provide spring bloom and eventually shade. This tree blooms in early April with mildly fragrant soft pink flowers that will fade to white when they are fully opened. The leaves of the tree are glossy, and dark green and in fall change to shades of yellow and orange. This deciduous tree will grow from 25 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide.

On the west side of the site three Sky Tower Gingko trees are planted in a group. Ginkgo has been planted since ancient times in Japanese and Chinese temple gardens. Ginkgo are noted for their ability to stand the test of time and can survive adverse air quality in the urban environment. The three trees will grow upward in a tight column ranging in size from 15 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. The leaves are light green in the spring and darken in the summer. In the fall the Ginkgo will be ablaze with golden leaves. Smaller plants of different heights were selected to fill in the site around the trees and planted in drifts to complement each other. Gold and Silver Chrysanthemum (Ajania pacifica), a native to Japan, are interspersed throughout the site. Although the plant was once popular with California gardeners, no local nurseries within a 50-mile distance of Winters had them for sale. Fortunately, Winters resident Ellie Yeatman has them growing in her beautiful front yard and

See GARDEN, Page 5

Kristen Smith/Courtesy photo Student Gianna Wroten fuels up on breakfast before embarking on her patrol duties and service tasks for the day. Students had hands-on experience with drills and other military-related tasks on the trip. Courtesy photo Stephanie Myer, Howard Kato and Heather Nichols prepare the site and plant the foliage in the Monument Memorial Garden.

State housing affordability deteriorates

Affordability gap for Black and Hispanic/ Latino households remains wide

California Association of Realtors Special to the Express Housing affordability continued to deteriorate for all ethnic home-buying groups last year as interest rates rose higher and the typical mortgage payment for a median-priced home climbed from a year ago. Eghteen percent of all Californians earned the minimum income needed to purchase a home in 2023, down from 21 percent in 2022. At

the same time, housing affordability for White/non-Hispanic households fell from 25 percent in 2022 to 21 percent in 2023. Nine percent of Black and Hispanic/Latino households could afford the same median-priced home in 2023, down from 11 percent for both ethnic groups. The significant difference in housing affordability for Black and Hispanic/Latino households illustrates the homeownership gap and wealth disparity for communities of color, which could worsen as the economy slows and rates remain elevated in 2024. Housing affordability was better for Asians but also declined from the prior year, with the index registering 28 percent of Asian homebuyers who could afford

the median-priced home in 2023, down from 32 percent in 2022, according to C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Index. Housing affordability gaps narrowed last year but remained wide as interest rates continued to climb while home prices stayed relatively flat. The affordability gap between Blacks and the overall population in California improved from 9.7 percentage points in 2022 to 8.5 percentage points in 2023, and the gap for Hispanics/Latinos improved from 9.6 percentage points in 2022 to 8.9 percentage points in 2023.

According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the 2022 homeownership rate for all Californians was 54 percent, 64 percent for non-Hispanic Whites, 59 percent for Asians, 45 percent for Hispan-

ics/Latinos and 35 percent for Blacks.

With Black and Latino households having much less wealth than the national average, C.A.R. last year urged the state to fully fund the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan assistance program, which provides a loan for 20 percent of the home purchase price, in the California 2023-2024 state budget. This program will help bridge down payment and closing cost hurdles that people of color often experience more acutely and allow many work-

ing Californians to get on the housing ladder and gain the benefits of homeownership.

Additionally, in an effort to address California’s growing housing affordability crisis and racial homeownership divide, C.A.R. has partnered with nonprofit housing organizations to provide closing cost grants up to $10,000 for eligible first-time home buyers from an underserved community.

A minimum annual income of $204,800 was needed to qualify for the purchase of a $813,980 statewide median-priced, existing single-family home in 2023. The monthly payment, including taxes and insurance on a 30year, fixed-rate loan, would be $4,190, assuming a 20 percent down payment and an effective composite interest rate of 6.66 percent.

The 2023 California median income for Whites was $103,870, $120,630 for Asians, $75,950 for Hispanics/Latinos and $63,800 for Blacks — an income gap of nearly one-third that of the overall population, which was $92,420.

Since 2022, C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund’s Pathway to Homeownership Closing Cost Assistance grant program has provided closing cost grants totaling $2 million for 208 first-time home buyer households from an underserved community throughout California. By the end of 2024, C.A.R. expects to have provided a total of $3 million to more than 300 first-time home buyer households since inception of the Pathway to Homeownership Closing Cost Assistance program.

C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Index (HAI) measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase a median-priced, single-family home in California. C.A.R. also reports affordability indices for regions and select counties within the state. The index is considered the most fundamental measure of housing well-being for home buyers in the state.

You are never too old to make a mistake?

There are times when I wonder if anyone reads this column, but a few people, at least, were reading last week’s Express. When I was writing about the gardeners who worked on landscaping the Japanese Memorial, I didn’t call them UC Davis Master Gardeners. I thought the gardeners who work on keeping Winters pretty were called the Guerrilla Gardeners, but I was told I was wrong. The gardeners that work in the Library and the round-a-bout are Master Gardeners, a title that they worked hard at achieving. Maybe there are two groups working on planting vegetation and pulling weeds in Winters, and I’m sure someone will let me know before too long. Somewhere I have heard the name Guerrilla Gardeners, but maybe that is just a case of hearing what I want to hear. A little self-promotion. I went to hear some bluegrass music at the Winters Opera House last weekend. It was good to see a large crowd, and everyone appeared to be having a good time. The Winters Theatre Company is now renting the upstairs of the Opera House and besides their normal selection of plays, they

are planning to add live music to the Opera House stage. I am prejudiced, but the Opera House is, how do I put this, quaint compared to the Community Center.

The Youth Day

Pancake Breakfast is a big fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Winters. When I joined Rotary, Harold Anderson was in charge of the breakfast. I started helping him, along with John Donlevy. As Harold aged out of the job, other Rotarians stepped up to help put on the feast.

Over the years the food prep has changed. We used to cut all of the fruit and potatoes the night before, along with rolling napkins and utensils. Buckhorn Catering was a big help, but they didn’t make it through COVID. Now the Buckhorn and the Putah Creek Café talked their suppliers into donating a lot of our provisions. The utensils now come in individual packages with a napkin, salt and pepper thrown in.

Even the eggs come in a bag so we don’t have to spend time cracking eggs and hoping that we get all of the shells out of the mix. The potatoes are an issue. We used to

See QUICK, Page 4

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Aries, this is a great week for transformation. Be careful where you direct your attention, as what you do will have lasting effects. Choose your plans wisely.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Use this week’s powerful energy to strip away all of the unnecessary static in your life right now. It is doing more harm than good. Open yourself up to new opportunities, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, there is a lot of stuff going on around you, and you need to sort through the noise to determine your priorities. Things will start to become more clear this week.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) You are in a great position to make some lasting and strong impressions on others, Cancer. Focus on group work, as this will showcase how well you work with others.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Leo, you do not know which direction to go in this week, and that is perfectly fine. Try out different options and figure out what fits best. This will require some trial and error.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) Virgo, you have a tremendous amount of power at your disposal this week. Use all of it wisely and thoughtfully. Others will be strongly affected by your presence.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) A conflict in your life that you may feel is beyond your control may crop up at the worst time, Libra. Use this as a learning opportunity on how to cope under pressure.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, you have the power to produce a powerful outcome, even if it seems that forces are working against you. Do not give up; in fact, double down your efforts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) Sagittarius, take things with a grain of salt if people seem insensitive to your feelings this week. You don’t know what others have going on in their lives.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Nothing can stop you when you put a lot of gusto behind your efforts, Capricorn. Just be mindful of who you might affect if you take things with a little too much ambition.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) Aquarius, are you getting the sense that something is going on around you that you’re simply not a part of? Maybe your exclusive invitation is just waiting in the wings. Be patient.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Pisces, stand up for what you want, even if means that you are taking a different stance than others. You don’t have to please everyone in every endeavor.

Turning passions into paychecks

“S

tart a business” is highlighted on Harvard’s website as one of the top ways to enhance a college application. There’s also volunteering, taking college courses, and working summer jobs (among other things).

But regardless of whether a teen is aiming for an Ivy League school, this month we focus on entrepreneurship as a valuable way for all teens to develop financial savvy, creativity, and independence.

Launching a small business goes beyond just having a great idea. It’s about transforming that idea into a product or service that people value. This process not only teaches important life skills like negotiation and marketing but also cultivates a practical understanding of customer service and financial management.

When brainstorming business ideas with teens, discuss what skills and interests they have and who

might benefit from their services. Focus on what’s achievable and encourage looking up to successful role models for inspiration. Here are some practical, low-cost business ideas, with a few being popular requests in our local Facebook groups:

• Tutoring: Sharing knowledge in subjects they excel in.

• Digital marketing: Offering photography or videography services.

• Household tasks: Providing lawn care or general household help.

• Tech support: Helping others with their digital devices.

• Pet services: Walking dogs or pet sitting. Crafting a simple business plan is a key step for any teen ready to dive into entrepre-

neurship, whether they’re aiming to tutor, offer tech support, or walk dogs. First, clearly identify your business goals and the people you aim to serve. Next, map out how you’ll operate, like deciding whether tutoring sessions will be online or in person. Then, figure out your pricing by checking what others charge for similar services. Use social media and other tools to spread the word about your services. Finally, make sure to ask for customer feedback to tweak and improve your offerings.

Good financial management is crucial for teen entrepreneurs aiming for business success. It’s important for teens to meticulously record all income and expenses to gauge their business’s profitability. Effective budgeting is essential; they need to cover all costs, including supplies and advertising while remaining profitable.

QUICK

Continued from Page 3

pre-cook and season them, then just heat them up on Saturday morning. Last year the raw pieces were too large and we had a problem getting them cooked all the way through. Jack Vickrey is in charge of potatoes, so if you have a problem, talk to him, not me.

One thing that

Teens should be encouraged to reinvest their earnings back into the business to support growth, rather than spending them immediately. Additionally, seeking advice from experienced mentors can provide invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of the business world.

Starting a small business offers teens a rich educational experience, enhancing their skills and resumes. Parents play a vital role by discussing these business principles and guiding teens through the early stages, helping them not only to earn money but also to learn important financial management lessons.

— 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.

stays the same is the coffee from Steady Eddy’s. There were years when our Rotarian in charge of coffee was a tea drinker. I’m glad to announce that our coffee maker is now a black coffee drinker. Less than two weeks to go, so cross your fingers for good weather and cooked potatoes. Have a good week.

Letters

Cannabis dispensery questions

First, I’d like to tell all of you the things I’m NOT opposed to: I’m NOT opposed to people using cannabis.

I’m NOT opposed to a downtown association and/or chamber seeking a financially stable, vibrant, safe and family oriented downtown.

I’M NOT opposed to a cannabis testing lab within the city limits of Winters that could bring in that cash flow.

I commend the downtown association and the chamber for their input to council on this city’s growing strategies.

Like I stated in the first public discussion meeting on the cannabis licensing process, I AM opposed to a retail cannabis dispensary within the limits of Winters. I’m sympathetic to people who have to travel out of town for medicinal cannabis. (However, I did some research and found at least two cannabis dispensaries that will deliver to Winters. So, that’s an option.)

BUT I’m no more sympathetic to them as I am to any of us that travel out of town for a hospital, medical specialist, e.g. cancer infusions, chemotherapy, dialysis, radiation, NICU facilities, etc. None of these services have home delivery. We’re all not only traveling out of town for services, but also probably spending monies out of town (leakage as HDL consultants call it). We’re traveling out of town for a full service car wash, a title company, a thrift store, etc. You get the point. All of these services mentioned would employ more people than a cannabis dispensary and many could be a business where our young people might find employment.

We’re all used to traveling out of Winters for services of all kinds and our monies are spent in neighboring cities. This is just a fact of choosing to live in a safe small community.

The downtown association and chamber have been before council, in force, and have stated their approval of a cannabis dispensary. These same groups have voiced their concerns of unhoused persons negatively affecting their businesses.

I have one question for each of them. Would they like that cannabis dispensary right next door to their business, complete with bars on the windows, a security guard and no loitering signs posted? (All state mandated regulations.)

If their answer is yes to a cannabis dispensary right next door to their safe family oriented business, recognized and well known by surrounding cities as such, are they concerned the atmosphere might change to a Haight/Ashbury vibe?

If the downtown business owners answer is NO, they don’t want a cannabis dispensary right next door, I’d have to ask why?

Questions for council:

• Has a cost benefit analysis been performed?

• Who on city staff is going to oversee regulatory fees, etc.?

• Is this assignment going to be added to an already existing employee’s workload?

See LETTER, Page 6

Baseball bats in wins over Live Oak

It was a great week for the Winters High School varsity baseball team, with two victories against Live Oak. On Tuesday, April 9, the varsity team won its game against Live Oak High School by a score of 10–4. The Warriors had a very early lead in the game with nine hits on the day and scoring seven runs in the first inning. Julian Herrera singled, scoring two runs. Sebastian Rodriguez took a pitch for the team driving in a run followed by Derrick Olson who played a smart game at bat and earned another run for his team on a walk. Ashton Baylor followed Olson and landed a hard double,

scoring another two runs for the Warriors. The sev enth run in the first inning was earned off a Live Oak error.

Anthony Duran had an RBI off a sacrifice fly and Jake Woods received a walk, which also quickly added to the score in the third inning.

Isaiah Pazmino also had a great day at bat with two hits and two runs scored in the game. Jordan Calvert battled at the plate with one hit, one RBI and one run scored. Baylor also contributed to the score later in the game with a third RBI.

Miles Mariani started the game on the mound for the Warriors, allowing only

over six innings. Mariani struck out six Live Oak batters and walked one. Gio Jimenez stepped in to relieve Mariani and finished the game off strong. Baylor led the Warriors with seven putouts and two assists in the game. Herrera and Calvert also played great defensive games with three putouts. Nothing got

Tracks keeps pace in fourth meet

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

The Winters High School track and field team competed in the fourth Sac Valley League meet on Wednesday, April 10, in Live Oak. They competed against athletes from Colusa, Live Oak, Paradise, Pierce and Willows High Schools. The girls teams earned second place with a combined score of 159 points, just behind Willows’ first place of 169.75 points. The boys teams combined score of 86 points put them in fifth place.

Girls varsity

The Winters girls varsity 4x100 relay hung tight to the top and took first place once again. Sophomores Violet Tuel, Varenna Terronez, Ava Muir-Vickrey and junior Jordan Tucker finished the race at 52.7, smoking the competition with Pierce not crossing the finish line until 5.3 in second.

In the 100-meter heat, Terronez came in first at 13.0, followed close behind by Tucker in second at 13.1 and sophomore Reece Barbosa at 13.4. Tuel and Muir-Vickrey tied for third place with a Willows athlete at 13.9. Additionally, sophomore Ismene Taylor was on their heels at 14.0, taking eighth place due to the tie.

Tucker snagged first place in the 200-meter race at 27.7

Senior Lucie Obrist is not to be forgotten. Obrist took first place

for Winters in the 100-meter hurdles at 17.5 and in the 300-meter hurdles at 52.4. She also took a third-place spot in the 400-meter race at 1:12.0.

Girls junior varsity

The girls junior varsity athletes also gave top-notch efforts at the meet.

Sophomore Lilliana Borchard tied for first place in the 100-meter race with a Colusa athlete at 14.1. Borchard snagged a first-place spot in the 200-meter race at 29.6 and fourthplace in the 100-meter hurdles (30 inches) race at 22.8.

Freshmen Angelina Passantino and Jemima Lanfranco also represented Winters taking top spots in their events. Passantino took first place in the 1,600-meter race at 6:24.7 and second place in the 800-meter are at 2:58.6. Lanfranco was close behind in the 800-meter race coming in third at 3:07.1 and fourth in the 400-meter race at 1:13.4.

Boys junior varsity Warriors on the boys junior varsity team also brought the heat.

Freshman Chase Gibson and sophomore Macguire Plitt took top spots in multiple races. In the 100-meter event, Gibson tied for first place with a Pierce athlete coming in at 11.8, followed by Plitt in third at 12.3. In the 200-meter race, Gibson came in first at 24.2 and Plitt in third at 25.4.

Sophomore Avhin Willim and freshman Henry Girimonte also

represented Winters well. Willim took third place in the 300-meter hurdles event and fourth in the 400-meter event at 1:00.4. While Girimonte came in third in the 1,600-meter race at 5:22.4 and fourth in the 800-meter race at 2:30.4.

Field events

The Warriors didn’t let up in the field event competitions either.

Representing the girls varsity team in the long jump event, Barbosa took first place at 15 feet, 7.5 inches, and Muir-Vickrey in fourth place at 14 feet, 2.5 inches.

In the varsity triple jump, Muir-Vickrey took second at 29 feet, 6 inches. Not far behind, Tuel took third place at 27 feet, 3.5 inches, and Taylor in fourth at 26 feet, 8.5 inches.

Sophomore Ramon Lopez scored two first-place spots for the boys junior varsity team. He took first in the shot put (10-pound) competition at 39 feet, 6 inches and in the discus event at 108 feet, 8 inches. Sophomore Aidan Tuel took third place in the discus at 87 feet, 8 inches

Willim took third place for Winters in the boys junior varsity triple jump at 34 feet, 2.5 inches.

past Olson, who had two putouts and one assist on three chances at the ball with zero errors on the day.

On Friday, April 12, the varsity team won its second game against Live Oak High School by a score

Lead off hitter Pazmino led the Warriors at bat with two hits and one RBI in four at bats. Duran and Jordan Wojan were also huge assets to the score, each battling at the plate and driving in two runs each. Rodriguez once again used his speed to steal two bases and earn two runs for his team. Olson and Everett Beason, who was recently brought up as a freshman,

GARDEN Continued from Page 1

yard and she allowed UCCE MGs- Yolo to take serval cuttings to propagate. The chrysanthemum will produce a late summer and fall bloom of small clusters of yellow flowers.

Three types of Germanders were selected to add additional blooming plants to the site. Germanders are originally from North Africa, Europe, and Asia and do well in our Mediterranean climate. Compact Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans), a broadleaf evergreen shrub with gray-blue foliage and blue flowers, will contribute a fuzzy texture to the garden and grow 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The Germander’s whorls of small deep blue flowers were selected to complement traditional blue and white Japanese fabric designs supplied by Ruth Shimomura, which will be painted on the utility boxes by local artist Jaime Montiel. Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) and Majorican Teucrium (Teucrium cossonii (majoricum) are two groundcovers which will add an additional size element to the site. Wall Germander is a “creeping”

also contributed to the score with one RBI each. In addition to his RBI, Beason also contributed two runs to the final score.

While the Warriors had a great day at bat they also played a great defensive game. Calvert struck out 11 batters as the starting pitcher for the Warriors, giving his team an outstanding advantage in the game.

Baylor had 12 putouts behind home plate, while Duran, Herrera and Olson led the Warriors in field with two putouts each and zero errors.

The Warriors have found their momentum and are working hard to continue their winning streak this coming week.

plant with displays of deep pink flowers on branches of glossy green leaves. This creeping plant grows 1 to 2 feet tall with a 2 to 3-foot spread. Majorcan Teucrium will spread with rosy-lavender flowers throughout much of the growing season. It will grow less than 1 foot tall with a 2 to 3-foot spread.

Two additional plants, Dwarf Mat Rush (Lomandra longfolia) and Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens) complete the landscape. Dwarf Mat Rush is native to eastern Australia and can be recognized by the slender gray green arching leaves rimmed with white. This evergreen will bloom with creamy-yellow flowers and grow to 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is a California native peren-

nial from the Santa Cruz Islands. The plant will grow into a mounding shrub 3 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. With its narrow pale gray-green leaves and red bark, you may notice in the last days of summer, the light pink flowers age into eye-catching reddish-brown seed heads attractive to pollinators especially butterflies.

These recently planted plants will eventually fill the site and provide a memorial and garden inspired by history and a community remembering the past.

Local organizations working together have created new “stories” and enjoined the community to dream, blossom, heal and mobilize. The exhibit, “The Lost Japanese Community of Winters” is currently on display at the Winters Museum until September.

Courtesy photo

The plants settle into the garden after the work day. They have since grown due to the rains.

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However, due to guidelines during the 2020 pandemic, conducting the Angel Island field trip became impossible. It was only this March that students could attend the Angel Island trip for the first time since it stopped. Melchor worked to bring back the Angel Island field trip program, just as they were before the pandemic.

“The trip went well. The students were successful in their tasks and had an experience on Angel Island that will be forever remembered.”

Octavio Melchor, Fifth grade teacher

On their first trip back, students got to experience what it was like to be a Civil

LETTER Continued from Page 4 their children. I spent over 20 years taking children to Angel Island. It was a favorite activity of mine and theirs too, they tell me (...) I’m glad it is now running again,” says Fridae.

War soldier stationed at Angel Island. Students got to prepare meals, dress up in uniforms, learn to navigate using compasses and learn how to communicate using Morse code and signal flags. “Students gained a wealth of experience learning about the life of a Civil War soldier in the year 1863,” says Mechlor. “The trip went well. The students were successful in their tasks and had an experience on Angel Island that will be forever remembered.”

With the return of the Angel Island trip, students will continue to learn about — and engage in — history through hands-on and memorable ways.

• Will an additional person need to be added to payroll to carefully monitor state mandated regulations to protect our city?

I leave you with these questions to ponder.

MARJORIE MACIEL Winters

Bike events coming to Winters

Bicycles are a win-win, for people and for the climate crisis, so the Winters Climate Action Commission has embarked on a mission to make Winters a more bike-friendly town. We have a perfectly sized town for bikes, but there are also some challenges, which we plan to address.

To encourage community engagement in this effort, we will be hosting three events in May. Many of us learned to love riding when we were young, so three events focus on younger riders: a Bike Rodeo for elementary school children on Thursday, May 9, another one for middle schoolers at Winters Middle School on Wednesday, May 15, and a bike-themed treasure hunt in downtown on Friday, May 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Third, everyone can join Team Winters and keep track of their riding as part of the regional celebration May is Bike Month.

In addition to the climate benefits of reducing emissions from cars, there are many other reasons to ride a bike. Riding is a fun, low-impact exercise that brings all the benefits of activity that your doctor has probably mentioned. It’s an excellent social activity: there’s a reason you see riders out in packs, or gathered in groups for a well-deserved snack at Steady Eddy’s.

And to my mind, one of the main benefits is engaging with the world as you ride, as you move at a speed where you can take in your surroundings, feeling

the wind in your face. If you are one of the many people who find riding a bike to be a bit sweaty for commuting, e-bikes are now available to fit most budgets. These will get you there faster than pedal power alone, and are just about as climate-friendly as a conventional bike.

The Climate Action Commission has discussed a wide range of actions to make Winters safer and more accessible to two-wheeled traffic. These range from easy, short-term projects like installing more bike parking to long-term goals that will require substantial planning and funding, such as improving how bikes cross Grant Avenue. We have secured funding for new bike parking from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, and these racks should be installed by early May. Thanks to efforts by city and county staff, substantial funds have been raised for a bike bridge over I-505, connecting Winters to El Rio Villa and points to the east. If you have more ideas for how to make Winters a better place for bikes, we’d love to hear from you at one of our meetings (second Monday of every month) or drop by our table at one of the May events.

“May is Bike Month” is a bike-promotion program across the Sacramento region. Riders who participate get badges and priz-

es, and their miles go toward team and regional totals. The visible leaderboard encourages friendly competition. I know when I rode for my workplace at UC Davis, people would dust off their bikes and ride for the good of the group, and for the fun of participating with their friends and co-workers. We have set up a group called ‘Team Winters’ and we encourage anyone who feels like a part of our town to join. You can sign up and find more information at www.mayisbikemonth.com.

The Bicycle Rodeo will be held at Waggoner Elementary School parking lot on May 9, and will feature a variety of educational and fun activities. The Climate Action Commission will have a table, so please drop by and introduce yourself. We will also have a table at the Main Street Music event on Friday, May 10, where prizes for the scavenger hunt will be handed out. If you have an old bike in need of a little lube and adjustment, we will have a bike repair table at both of these events. So, dust off that old bike and helmet, and we’ll see you on the streets of Winters!

— Through “The Climate in Town,” members of the Winters Climate Action Commission share information with local residents about opportunities to help make Winters a greener and more livable city, and, hopefully, save money at the same time.

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

Kristen Smith/Courtesy photo Rominger students who attended the Angle Island trip lined up to hear their orders for the day. Students broke up into different groups to take on the different experiences lined up for them during the trip.