MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Arrest made in Shingle Springs fentanyl death

Mountain Democrat staff

A man who El Dorado County sheriff’s narcotics detectives suspect distributed fentanyl that killed a 20-year-old Shingle Springs woman was sitting behind bars Monday night.

Kamaal Babatunde Agboola Yusuf, 22, was taken into custody by county law enforcement at his parent’s home in Elk Grove’s Lakeside community.

He faces a second-degree murder charge in connection to the May 2022 death in which sheriff’s officials say the victim ingested a counterfeit pill she did not know contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. Yusuf is also charged with distributing a controlled substance to minors as there may have been additional victims under the age of 18, sheriff’s Sgt. Alexander Sorey told

the Mountain Democrat.

Inmate records show no bail listed for Yusuf, who is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Department 7 of El Dorado County Superior Court.

Detectives identified a suspect out of West Sacramento as the supplier of the counterfeit pills.

“The suspect was initially arrested the day after the overdose at his West Sacramento residence, where detectives reportedly recovered more than 5,000 pills containing fentanyl and cocaine, as well as an illegally possessed shortbarreled rifle,” states a social media post from sheriff’s officials.

Sheriff’s officials warn, “Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug that has been the cause of multiple local overdose deaths.”

Planning Trip to Green’s next stop

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Early planning stages for next steps on the Trip to Green project have begun following the pilot program that ran multiple weekends in 2022.

A community workshop was held Thursday evening at Placerville’s Town Hall which shared data collected from the test sessions and presented concepts for where to go next. Trip to Green, a program that alters Placerville traffic and sets the westbound and eastbound signals on Highway 50 to green from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on busy weekends, was met with support from a majority of the 559 individuals who responded to a survey regarding the project.

The workshop presentation was given by Brian Gant, a project manager on Trip to Green, who showed that the three intersections on Highway 50 as it passes by Main Street act as a bottleneck that “significantly contribute to traffic congestion.” Taking available data and survey results into account while considering other possible roadblocks, the El Dorado County Transportation Commission and a consulting firm have settled on two possible avenues to consider, according to Gant.

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

The new El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors president drew upon history to emphasize

what’s unique about El Dorado County.

President and CEO of Grado Construction Inc., Leonard Grado recounted the story of how James Marshall discovered gold on the American River in 1848 as Grado officially took his post with the rest of the 2023 chamber

leadership during an installation and awards dinner Jan. 19 at the Cameron Park Country Club.

Marshall’s discovery changed the area forever and Grado shared an estimate that 90,000 people subsequently moved into the area over a three-year period.

“What we have in El Dorado County is not just gold in the rivers, streams, mountains and the hillsides, but it’s the people that live here. It’s in everyone of you,” Grado told the audience. “What makes this culture in our county

“We’ve focused on two scenarios; obviously, there are millions of possible scenarios to choose from, but we’ve chosen two specific main concepts to explore,” Gant said.

The two new scenarios Gant presented are the “big infrastructure answer” or the “small infrastructure Trip to Green answer.”

The big infrastructure plan as laid out in information provided to those who attended the

El Dorado County sheriff’s detectives arrest Kamaal Babatunde Agboola Yusuf in Elk Grove Jan. 23 on suspicion of dealing counterfeit fentanyl pills.

Photo courtesy of EDSO

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

New El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce President Leonard Grado takes the helm as 2022 President Adam Anderson signs off after two terms. The chamber installed new leadership last week at the Cameron Park Country Club.

Barbara L. Cook

Barbara L. Cook of Cameron Park, in El Dorado County California, died peacefully Tuesday

January 3, at the age of 91. She is survived by her two children Ken Cook and Denise Cook, sister Shirley Pillow, grandchild Ryan Nutting with great grandchild Henry. She lives on in the hearts of her many family members and friends.

Barbara moved to El Dorado County in 1950 and had many accomplishments throughout her busy career that included working at Inter County Title Co, El Dorado High School, and Clerk to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. She was a Real Estate Broker working with the Developer of Cameron Park Dorado Estates, and later with the formation of Cook & Cook Realtors. She was involved in many activities with the El Dorado Association of Realtors holding the record for most consecutive years of membership in their Top Achievers Club. Barbara loved Cameron Park, and was very active with Cameron Park Country Club. She will be missed.

A private family memorial service was held at the Green Valley Mortuary with Reverend Larry George.

Mary C. Howe

Oct. 7, 1920 – Jan 13, 2023

Mary Catherine Burke Howe journeyed to her heavenly home on Friday January 13, at the age of 102. She was born in Inishdooras, Connenara County, Galway, Ireland on October 7, 1920.

In 1942 she graduated from nursing school and served as a nurse at a hospital near London, England until 1945 when she moved to the United States and settled in Camino, Calif. After the death of her husband in July of 1999 and her son in October of 2001 she moved to Millerstown, Pa to be closer to her daughter and then to Newport, Pa in 2015.

She was preceded in death by both her parents Patrick Burke and Mary Sarsfield Burke, two sisters, Anne, Teresa, three brothers Michael Kevin, Patrick and Joseph. Her husband Williard Howe, son James Howe and grandson Anthony Sharar. Mary is survived by two daughters Anne Allen and Patricia Sharar (husband James Sharar), seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday January 18 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in New Bloomfield, Pa. She will be buried at a later date at El Dorado Cemetery, Diamond Springs, Calif. beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers donate to Newport Ambulance League, 50 South 3rd Street, Newport, Pa. 17074

Arrangements by the David Myers Funeral Home, Newport.

Richard Stiavelli

April 22, 1931 – Jan. 16, 2023

Richard died peacefully at home from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his younger brother Michael, daughter Ti ani, sonin-law Timothy, grandson Jake, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by Sylvia, his wife of over 50 years.

Richard lived a life of service to his faith, his country, his family, and to children with special needs. He devoted his career to ensuring that children with challenges were treated with care and respect. He is credited with establishing the State of California Master Plan, which mainstreamed children with special needs into regular classrooms.

Richard will long be remembered as a man of integrity, fortitude and grace. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation or your local agency that feeds the homeless — the two charities that Richard supported.

James D. “Big Jim” Peitz

Feb. 15, 1960 — Jan. 17, 2022

Jim lost his courageous battle with cancer at home with his loved ones beside him.

He was a well known lifelong resident of Pollock Pines and leaves behind many friends who shared his love of the woods and fishing.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James and Arlene Peitz, sister Dawn Peitz, and beloved daughter Chrystal Rose. He is survived by sons James and Dakota of Texas and 4 grandchildren, brother Larry and sisters Lynda, Debbie, Kathy and Cheryl.

Jim will be missed by everyone who he touched with his big heart and infectious laughter.

Ruthie M Loeffelbein

Dec. 7, 1943 – Dec. 18, 2022

Ruth Marie Rumbolz was born on Dec. 7, 1943 in the hospital across the street from her family’s home in Delano, Calif. She loved to climb their big backyard mulberry tree which her father pruned. She attended local schools, graduating from Delano High School in 1961.

Ruthie went to UOP where she made a group of lifelong college friends and reconnected with her childhood friend Dori, including a semester of student teaching in Durango, Mexico. After receiving her 1965 BA in Education, she taught 6th grade at Birch Lane School in Davis for 2 years, making more lifelong friends.

Ruthie married a young pharmacist, Charles “Derf” Loe elbein, at Delano Methodist Church on Dec. 17, 1966. They honeymooned at South Rim Grand Canyon, and lived in various rentals before finally buying a house in Sacramento, where Derf was employed at Mercy General Hospital. While pregnant with their first child, she attended library courses at Sacramento State. They were going to have two children and adopt a third, but the adoption didn’t work out.

Ruthie & Derf built several houses as ownerbuilders, including their first house in Shingle Springs, circa 1971, while living on-site in a 10x50 ft trailer. In 1978, they built their first passive solar home on 10 acres in north Shingle Springs, while living with their 2 kids & 2 dogs in a 10 or 12 ft travel trailer. They also helped build Derf’s parents’ house, a straw-bale house with their daughter in Oregon, and their own straw-bale house in Placerville.

Ruthie took her family on many wonderful camping trips throughout the west with friends, and went on many family whitewater rafting trips, being shuttle driver countless times between put-in and take-out. Later, Ruthie traveled extensively with Derf by train.

Ruthie enjoyed living lightly on the earth, shopping at second-hand stores and other small local businesses, buying organic and local, and gradually becoming vegetarian, then vegan. She got her first electric car in 1992, and took the train for long distances instead of flying or driving.

Ruthie worked briefly for the Post O ce, and teaching adults to read; she served for a few years on the County Civil Service Commission.

Ruthie was active with many community organizations in El Dorado County, including the Women’s Center; environmental groups like EPIC, Friends of the River, Green Party, Earth Day; Federated Church, the Peace Community, Round Table on Human Rights, PFLAG, and forming the Placerville Food Co-op. Ruthie loved to sing with others, and sang for many years with the People’s Freedom Choir. She was an avid reader, and appreciator of people, colors, and textures in the world around her. She said, “I believe in life, and I believe in love.”

She is survived by her husband Derf and sister Roberta in Placerville, her son Dan in Stockton, her daughter Greta in Oregon, and many extended family members and friends. She is, and will be, missed.

Gifts in Ruthie’s memory may be made to Snowline Hospice, or to The Center For ViolenceFree Relationships [thecenternow.org]. A celebration of her life will be held on Feb. 18 at 1 pm at the Corker Building at the Fairgrounds. Please RSVP to gloe @riseup.net

Irene Goleski

July 16, 1939 – Jan. 1, 2023

Irene was born in Erie, PA but raised in San Francisco, attending high school and college there. She had lived in El Dorado County for 26 years. For more than 25 years she worked in general banking at the former Crocker Bank and in Human Resources at Wells Fargo Bank, both in San Francisco.

She is survived by Charlotte Higgins, her wife/life partner of almost 50 years; her sister Pam Arends; brother Jack Cook; nieces Venessa Scott, Tanya Cook-Riley, and Sonja Solorio; and nephew Aron Arends.

Irene was an avid world traveler, successful entrepreneur, fisherman and a beloved friend and a mentor to many young women and men. She was a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants.

There will be a memorial service Saturday February 4 at 11 a.m. at Federated Church, 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation directly to Snowline Hospice or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Richard “Dick” Y. Kerr

Jun. 21, 1931 – Dec. 20, 2022

Dick was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Baptist minister Howard Kerr and Mary Kerr. He attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., and then enlisted in the US Navy. Rising to Lt. Commander rank, he served actively for eight years and then settled in California as a reservist for a total of 20 years with his first wife, Lesta.

After the Navy, Dick became a schoolteacher, then a high school counselor, with Concord’s Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and finally retired in 1992 as vice principal of its Adult Education division. After he and Lesta divorced, he met and married Betsy Ehlers, a Special Education teacher in the school district.

Upon retirement, they moved to Placerville and found property with a renovated studio in order to care for Betsy’s first husband, Jack, who had developed dementia and bipolar disorder. Jack died in 2003.

Dick and Betsy were active with the United Democrats and enjoyed years of square-dancing with the Placerville Apple Jacks and Jills. They took a nine-month RV tour of the U.S. in 2001, and finished visiting all 50 states and capitals in 2004. Since Betsy’s daughter, Alison, was lead vocalist on Princess Cruises, they enjoyed accompanying her on cruises to Japan, Australia, UK, Italy, Greece, and Israel.

After their 2-story house on an acre became too much to handle, Dick and Betsy moved to a smaller home in Placerville’s Eskaton Village in 2016, situated on a canyon facing a beautiful western sunset. There, Dick contentedly watched golf and his beloved 49ers football team on TV with his cat, Dolly, on his lap until he became fatigued and decided to finally close his eyes in farewell.

Dick was well-known and well-admired for his sweetness and kindness, and his compassionate care for others. He was adored by those who knew him.

Dick is survived by his wife, Betsy, his sister, Linda Boswell, his brother, Ken, his two children, Douglas Kerr and Deborah Brasel, grandchildren Jason Brasel, Joshua Brasel and Janet Smith and six great-grandchildren. His second family consisted of daughters Robin Callan (Sean), and Alison Ehlers (Phil Roberson).

A Celebration of Life will be held in January. Dick’s ashes will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.

Margaret Hickenbottom

Sept. 5, 1926 — Oct. 12, 2022

Our beloved mother, grandmother, Margaret “Margie” Hickenbottom, of Cameron Park, Calif., died peacefully at the age of 96, on October 12, 2022. She was born September 5, 1926, in Wem, England, in the County of Shropshire, to Albert and Eleanor (Thorley) Downes.

Born the youngest of 10 siblings, Margaret worked at the family newsstand in Wem as a young girl. While she was working for the Auxiliary Fire Department, she met the love of her life, Army Sergeant, Forrest Hickenbottom during WWII in England. A year later, they married in Wem and she later traveled to America with the other War Brides to join her husband, Forrest. They moved to Ohio in 1946 and had their 3 sons, Keith, Barry and Je rey.

They lived in Ohio for over 15 years before moving to Simi Valley, California in 1962, where art became her passion along with flower gardening. When Forrest retired in 1987, they moved to Clearlake Oaks because of many KOA trips, and eventually to Cameron Park in 1999.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest, and her youngest son, Je rey. Though a widow, Margaret lived the remainder of her life with a quick wit, and a strong love of family and cooking.

She is survived by her sons Keith and Barry; daughter-in-laws Chris Brandies, Kathryn VanDenBerg, and Gerri Hickenbottom; along with grandchildren Brett, Kelsey, Joel, Jon, Sara, and Jessi; and great-grandchildren James, Cayden, Addison and Calvin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Green Valley Church, located at 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville, CA 95667. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association for Alzheimer’s Research.

Fire districts blaze trail to unification

Rasco Staff writer

El Dorado County Fire and the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District may soon be parts of a greater whole, according to actions taken at Thursday’s El Dorado County Fire board meeting in Placerville’s Town Hall.

In a unanimous decision, the El Dorado County Fire Protection District Board of Directors approved a motion to establish an ad-hoc working committee to explore consolidation or annexation of Diamond Springs-El Dorado’s fire services. The committee will

2 skiers hurt in backcountry avalanche near Heavenly

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Two skiers venturing into Tahoe backcountry near the boundary of Heavenly Mountain Resort on Thursday were injured in an avalanche.

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alexander Sorey said the skiers entered an area known as Rattlesnake, located just outside the ski resort’s boundary near the power lines above High Meadows and below Ridge Run and Sky Express on the California side of the resort.

“We can confirm that an outof-bounds avalanche occurred (Jan. 19) beyond the ski area boundary,” reads a statement from Heavenly officials. “There are two confirmed injuries of backcountry skiers who were in the area.”

Sorey said the Sheriff’s Office organized a search and rescue response, coordinating with Heavenly Ski Patrol, which sent four patrollers to assist.

Rescuers called on local air ambulance Calstar and Careflight from the Tahoe’s north shore to assist along with a hoist-capable CHP helicopter.

Sorey said Calstar and Careflight landed near the victims and they were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno with moderate-to-major injuries.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District rescue technicians assisted on board the CHP helicopter.

Heavenly management notes staff performs avalanche mitigation within resort boundaries. Skiers or riders who want to go beyond boundaries are advised to be prepared and leave through one of the gates provided.

“Within the ski area boundaries, Ski Patrol performs avalanche mitigation work and provides emergency response,” continues Heavenly’s statement.

“Given the large amount of

terrain outside our boundaries, patrol does not ordinarily provide avalanche mitigation or emergency response to those areas. However, in this instance our Ski Patrol team did respond and worked alongside local search-and-rescue teams to assess the area and conduct necessary activity as the result of this outof-bounds avalanche event.

“Guests who wish to access backcountry terrain from the resort are encouraged to do so through designated access points only, which often provide important warnings and may provide snow condition/ avalanche danger information, or the phone numbers for Sierra Avalanche Center or similar organizations,” the statement adds. “Guests leaving Heavenly Mountain Resort boundaries should be experienced and knowledgeable about backcountry travel, as well as prepared with the appropriate gear and safety equipment.”

15 committee/commission posts open in city of Placerville

The city of Placerville is looking to fill a total of 15 seats on various committees and commissions.

The Planning Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Measures H and L Sales Tax Committee and the Placerville Economic Advisory Committee all have multiple seats available to interested parties. All are volunteer posts.

The Planning Commission is made up of five city council-appointed commissioners whose work consists of reviewing proposals relating to city design, land use, subdivisions, signage and environmental impact. The commission makes recommendations to City Council regarding the general plan, rezoning and other planning matters. Four seats are available.

The Recreation and Parks Commission is made up of six city council-appointed commissioners, who act on an advisory basis in matters regarding parks and public recreation. Commissioners are also a

crime log

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office records:

Jan. 4

2:03 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 32-yearold man suspected of burglary, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance on Spring Street in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $104,000 bail.

10:06 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of knowingly furnishing tobacco to a minor and illegally carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle on Highway 49 in Diamond Springs. He was listed in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

11:35 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Cosumnes Acres Road in El Dorado.

11:36 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Crazy Horse Road in Cameron Park.

11:37 a.m. Burglary was reported on Hampton Lane in Cameron Park.

11:38 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a store on Post Street

point of contact for community members’ concerns and liaisons to other governmental agencies and civic groups. There are three seats available.

The Measure H and L Sales Tax Committee consists of five city council-appointed members, who review revenue and expenditures of funds collected from Measure H and Measure L sales taxes. The committee may make recommendations to City Council for expenditures from those tax revenues. Three seats are available.

The Placerville Economic Advisory Committee consists of seven members appointed by City Council. The committee acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council and works to serve the mission of promoting business development. There are five seats available.

All committees and commissions of the city of Placerville, with the exception of the Planning Commission, consist of Placerville residents or El Dorado County residents who own real property or

consist of representation from both fire agencies’ boards and labor representatives.

El Dorado County Fire Chief Tim Cordero said he and David Phillips, president of Diamond

Springs-El Dorado’s fire board, had discussed the possibility of joining forces.

“I’m pretty excited at

Dr. Little’s Dental News

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bacteria produced by the sugar creates decay-causing acids. Many people are not aware of the important role saliva plays in oral health. Or that a simple pack of gum can work wonders towards achieving optimum oral hygiene. We pride ourselves in knowing the ways we can help keep your teeth and gums, and therefore your entire body, healthy and strong. Enjoy the feeling of a fresh, clean, healthy mouth –call us for an appointment and we’ll help you keep your teeth and gums in the best shape possible.

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in El Dorado Hills.

11:39 a.m. Burglary was reported on Summerfield Court in El Dorado Hills.

11:41 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Cambridge Court in Cameron Park.

12:54 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Chrome Ridge Court in Placerville.

2:04 p.m. Burglary was reported at a restaurant on Highway 50 in Placerville.

6:10 p.m. Burglary was reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

8:10 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old woman suspected of unlawful possession of tear gas on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. She was listed in custody in lieu of $40,000 bail.

8:40 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 51-year-old man suspected of robbery on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $275,000 bail.

Jan. 5

9:41 a.m. Grand theft was

reported on Conifer Lane in Garden Valley.

11:14 a.m. Burglary was reported at a mobile home park on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

4:07 p.m. California Highway Patrol officer booked into jail a 48-year-old woman suspected of DUI on Knollwood Drive in Cameron Park. She was later released.

7:12 p.m. California Highway Patrol officer booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of obstructing officers on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown. He was released on $3,000 bail.

10:17 p.m. Battery was reported on Little Brush Ridge Road in Placerville.

11:59 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled substance on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. He was released on $3,750 bail.

Jan. 6

12:14 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 28-year-old woman

suspected of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia as well as possession of narcotics for sale on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. She was listed in custody in lieu of $21,000 bail.

5:27 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old man suspected of possession of tear gas, burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime on Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills. He was listed in custody in lieu of $185,000 bail.

11:05 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. He was released on $53,000 bail.

1:55 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado.

3:19 p.m. Vandalism was reported at a hardware store on Cameo Drive in Cameron Park.

3:47 p.m. Deputies arrested a trespassing suspect at a restaurant on Park Drive in El Dorado Hills.

Odin

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

CHEWING GUM TO PREVENT CAVITIES

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Democrat photo by Odin Rasco

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District Board of Directors, from left, Ken Harper, Paul Gilchrest, Lloyd Ogan, Mark Brunton and Mickey Kaiserman discuss forming an ad-hoc committee to explore consolidation or annexation of Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District.

Unemployment insurance in crisis, needs a sincere fix

California’s recent political history is studded with episodes of short-sighted, irresponsible governance. We’re experiencing one example now — a decades-long neglect of the state’s water infrastructure that leaves us ill-prepared to deal with both drought and periodic deluges.

Among the many other examples, albeit less spectacular, has been a chronic crisis in unemployment insurance, the program that’s supposed to cushion the devastating e ects on workers who lose their jobs and their families during the state’s periodic recessions.

Letters to the Editor

Great employee

EDITOR:

My husband and I live with a family member bedridden with dementia. The mornings when the paper is published are red letter days; we so look forward to them.

SUMMARY

It’s a two-headed crisis. Not only is the program itself under financed, unable to meet the demand for benefits during even a mild economic downturn, but the Employment Development Department that disburses those benefits has proven to be incompetent.

Unemployment insurance and EDD worked fairly well until politicians tinkered with the system a couple of decades ago.

The Legislature and then-Gov. Gray Davis, bowing to pressure from unions, sharply increased benefits but failed to increase payroll taxes on employers to pay for them, fearing a backlash from business groups.

That left the state Unemployment Insurance Fund incapable of dealing with the Great Recession that struck the state later in the decade. The relatively puny unemployment fund was quickly depleted and the state borrowed about $10 billion from the federal government to cover the deficit.

To repay the debt, federal o cials hiked payroll taxes on employers for the next decade. However, California politicians did nothing to shore up the fund and when more than 2 million workers lost their jobs in 2020, due to business shutdowns as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the unemployment fund quickly ran out of money.

Once again, too, the state borrowed from the federal government, this time twice as much, nearly $20 billion.

Not only was the state once again deeply in debt to Uncle Sam, but EDD’s management of benefits, both those from the state program and later a separate set of benefits from the federal government, became a

One morning earlier this month we were at Starbucks when we saw a man take the paper machine away. Fortunately, we had already purchased a paper. He loaded it into his vehicle and drove away. Oh, no, you don’t! We pursued him to Grocery Outlet, to the Wa e Shop and apprehended him there. We demanded to know what he thought he was doing. He seemed to have been just waiting to be asked.

What a wonderful person ... so colorful. Why haven’t we read about him?

How lucky the Mountain Democrat is to have such a wonderful employee and we to have someone else to thank for the paper.

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

Government ‘help’

EDITOR:

The government takes care of the government. As an example, let us zero down to El Dorado County government’s budget. It’s based on antiquated employee sta ng models and not the services provided. The county currently has roughly 1,800 employees with most of the budget going to payroll. So now it takes forever to obtain a permit from the county. The county has a fully sta ed building department, there’s almost no accountability to modernize and be e cient and the employees are getting paid (with salary) increases, what else can be done?

Expand out a little to the state level and look at the filth we now have to endure with drug addicts and the mentally insane living on our doorsteps. The government is responsible for the chaos this situation creates. But there is no accountability or motivation to resolve the issue because there are government employees being paid. Just as long as there is an issue, there will be a need to pay the government.

And at the federal level the government is choosing who gets help, winners and losers, by

classification. Grizzly Flat is a predominantly white, middle-class area of a conservative county. The president and the governor flew there and stood on their burned out doorsteps as a photo op and lied to their faces, saying FEMA would help them but no help came.

The pro-big government fascists post lies defending the government, saying the government did help them, telling us to not believe our own eyes and belittle our neighbors, who are su ering, by saying they should have had insurance when none was available or a ordable because of government policies.

Those posters defend everything the government does, with no shame and even less empathy, because they depend on the government and they know that for now, at least, the government takes care of the government.

KEN STEERS Cameron Park

Dems vs. Biden’s ego

EDITOR:

Biden’s current classified document scandal has all the earmarks of the Democrats needing to get rid of him. Biden’s approval numbers are in the tank and him running in ‘24 will not help down-ticket Democrats in their races.

The only reason they ran that corrupt (man) in the first place was because other Dems in the field were such losers that they thought their best chance to defeat Trump would be to characterize “Vice President Moron” as a kindly grandfather. He was only meant to be a place holder so they could run someone they really wanted in ‘24.

But then Biden’s ego got the better of him and he started thinking about a second term. The Democrats don’t allow one of their tools to not follow the party plan. So now you have Biden’s lawyers miraculously finding the classified documents that they had been walking around for two years and basically ratting their client out. Biden deviated from the plan.

All this classified document scandal is, is the party making sure that Biden sticks to the deal whether he wants to or not.

GEORGE ALGER Placerville

Once a destination, California loses population again

California reigned for decades as the unmatched destination for people around the country.

Now people can’t leave fast enough. Recently released numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that between July 2021 and July 2022, California lost roughly 343,000 residents to other states. This number is a “domestic net migration” figure, meaning that 343,000 more Americans moved out of California over those 12 months than moved here from other states.

Where are they going? The No. 1 net migration winner over that period was Florida, which gained around 319,000 residents from other states.

It’s too easy to say exclusively that Gov. Gavin Newsom is driving people out of state and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is attracting them, but to the extent the two governors symbolize di erent approaches to taxation, regulation and liberty, it

holds true. People are leaving Newsom-like states and flocking to DeSantis-like states. If you want to handicap the 2024 presidential election, this is a good place to start.

The states shedding domestic population are progressive strongholds, with extensive regulatory regimens, strong public employee unions and other Democrat policy priorities. They are, simply, big government states — high tax, high cost of living states. Joining California in the top five net losers are New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

States attracting Americans are lower-cost, lower-tax Republican strongholds. Trailing Florida in the top five net gainers are Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

And even if your individual tax burden is not too bad in California, big government, supported by high taxes (regardless of who pays them), indicates a mindset that the state

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Email: editor@ mtdemocrat.net

should always be doing more and additional money for government is inherently good.

This bigger-is-better approach leads to government solutions in search of problems.

It’s why California government seeps into every crack of your life, blocking the exercise of what you can eat, what house you build, what car you drive, how much you keep of the money you earn, down to such trivialities as what drinking straws you can get in a restaurant. Do you feel as though you personally need government monitoring your straw usage or is that a decision you are competent to make as an adult? Florida trusts you to choose your own straw; California does not.

The California government mindset drives up costs in every area of living. Looking at taxes alone doesn’t tell a complete story of governmentimposed costs. How many taxes would have to move lower to make up for policy-driven expenses in California? Would a 1% decrease make up for gas that’s $2-a-gallon higher than the national average? Would slightly lower sales taxes o set electricity costs 80% higher than the

Mail: Letters to the Editor P. O. Box 1088, Placerville 95667

national average? Exactly what tax would o set the cost of an $800,000 starter home, driven in part by extraordinary regulatory costs in our state?

California will always be desirable for the wealthy. I defy another state to produce a Yosemite, a Golden Gate, giant redwoods, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Santa Monica beach … the list of our wonders is long, if you can a ord to enjoy them. But our unmatched beauty is apparently overwhelmed by policy failures of colossal dimension. People are voting with their feet and moving.

It says so much about our government’s misguided agenda that hundreds of thousands of people last year abandoned everything this state has to o er because of everything this state takes away. It’s time for an a ordability revolution in California to turn us once again into a destination state.

Sen. Ted Gaines (ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He represents nearly 10 million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern and southern California. For more information visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines.

TED GAINES

Unemployment insurance, the California program that supports workers who lose their jobs due to layoffs, has been dysfunctional during the last two recessions. It’s time to fix it.

DAN WALTERS

Fire districts

this opportunity,” Cordero said. ” The timing is there.”

County and Diamond Springs-El Dorado fire services already have a working relationship, with Medic 49 set to begin serving the Diamond Springs area again in early March due to coordination between the two agencies.

“Diamond Springs didn’t have the staff for 49 and I can staff it but couldn’t assign them there without this kind of cooperation,” Cordero noted.

Lloyd Ogan, El Dorado County Fire board director for the Pleasant Valley area, shared he has had experience with similar processes at other fire boards and was confident things were moving ahead.

“From what I see, this discussion between agencies is being set up as well as it could be,” Ogan said.

The process of consolidation or annexation could take between eight months to a year-and-a-half, according to Mickey Kaiserman, El Dorado County Fire board director for the city of Placerville.

managerial nightmare.

Qualified applicants were left waiting for benefits, often for months, and given the runaround by EDD case workers, while the agency paid out as much as $30 billion in the extended federal benefits to fraudulent applicants, some of them behind bars in state prisons — a debacle that’s never been fully explained.

It also left California with a whopping debt, currently about $18 billion, and with a depleted Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Last year, with the state apparently enjoying a nearly $100 billion budget surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators appropriated $750 million to trim the debt and another $500 million to offset the federal tax bite on employers to repay the debt.

Never mind.

immense amounts of money but affects the lives of employers, especially small businesses, and workers who are laid off, such as the thousands of Silicon Valley employees now losing their jobs.

We’ve had stark evidence in the last two decades that the system isn’t working as it should. It falls on Newsom and the Legislature to fix it.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Posts open

Continued from A3 own or manage/operate a business within the city. Planning Commission applicants must either reside in the city of Placerville or be a property owner within city limits and live within the community region, or be a primary business owner within city limits who lives within the community region. A map of the community region is available at the office of the city clerk.

For more information or to apply visit cityofplacerville.org/commissions-and-committees.

The big surplus has now morphed into a multibillion-dollar deficit and the 2023-24 budget that Newsom proposed last month eliminates both payments. Meanwhile, the unemployment fund is barely able to make routine benefit payments even without recession.

Payroll taxes generate about $6 billion a year in revenue for the fund while non-recession benefits run about $5 billion, according to the most recent EDD report. Therefore, it cannot build up the reserves necessary to offset even a mild recession — such as the one many economists believe is likely due to the Federal Reserve System’s increases in interest rates to battle inflation.

This is a serious issue, one that not only involves

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues

and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

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

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

SUDOkU

n TODAy

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People don’t have to aim for personal growth to achieve it. Typically, growth is a side effect of the struggle to get to a goal. You’ve earned your self-improvement and you’re on your way to another big one.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Time will be on your side, but only after you’ve done the groundwork. Time will be honored by your calendar markings and other gestures of respect such as plans that make the most of your minutes.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It takes effort to learn the particulars of a culture, the manners of a land and the etiquette of particular situations. This education is an investment in relationships and will repay you with interest.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re out to win friends, fans, customers and hearts. Lean into charm-school basics like picking the right topics for small talk and learning people’s names. Simple practices done well allow you to shine.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though there are no guarantees in life, there are certainly varying degrees of risk, and you’re not in the mood to take any more than is necessary today. This is intelligence at work. You’ll see the most direct way to your goal.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Imagination turns your elastic heart and mind into a time machine. It’s commonly believed that every moment is nonrecoverable. You challenge the premise, defying physics, flying to worlds to work out the past or future in new ways.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You directed some energy into worry — understandable for the circumstance you were in. But you’re not there any longer. Redirect it all into action or into deciding on the next action.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re undaunted by difficulty and feel confident in your ability to either do the job or learn something and then do the job. If you can’t figure it out, you’ll find the person who already has and get help.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Though unproductive, when tension is high, it’s not uncommon to react emotionally to minuscule disruption. Emotional triggers are like light switches. Something very small can trigger a lot, depending on how it’s wired.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll direct negative energy into positive things. The energy either gets absorbed, dissipates or provides an interesting contrast; it’s the spice, the kick, the bite in the recipe of a day.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Shadows are not things, only the evidence of things. You can’t change a shadow by moving it; you must move the light or whatever is blocking it. You’ll bring illumination to the scene by focusing on what really matters.

such a wonderful place to live is the people here have your back and they are not afraid to jump in and get involved when there is somebody in need. That’s what we are about here.”

Grado highlighted pioneer families such as the Veerkamps and Sweeneys for helping shape what the county is today — a tight-knit community willing to serve others.

“I think they welcomed Marshall,” Grado joked. “They probably said, ‘Hey what took you so long? We found this gold a couple of years ago … ‘

“What they have done through their leadership and spirit of pioneering is establish this area as a great place to live,” Grado continued.

A Fresno-area native, Grado moved to the county in 1985 with his wife from Southern California, who both came to love the community and what it stands for, Grado said.

“The primary question we must ask ourselves is how do we maintain the same rural feel, appreciation and character of our community with a multitude of new folks coming around?” Grado questioned.

His theme this year for the Chamber of Commerce is “Success Through Service.”

“The young people in this room are the ones who are going to take the reins when we decide we’ve had enough or I’ve decided I’ve had enough and move it forward to the next generation,” Grado said.

Drawing a comparison with the rise of social media “influencers” (accounts with large followings) and one of America’s most celebrated figures, Martin Luther King Jr., Grado told those in attendance the chamber’s objective for 2023 — to influence others so they achieve their goals and become fully functioning members of the community.

Highlighting who he believes to be an “influencer” in the community, Grado praised John Sanders, Community Service Award recipient and owner of Old Town Grill on Main Street in Placerville, for his selfless acts in El Dorado County.

“He makes a point to help young people each day to develop the skills needed to be successful employees or employers as they are mentored by him,” Grado continued. “John is an influencer, another servant leader.”

While receiving his award, Sanders told everyone he makes a point to hire those in transitional homes, from foster care or individuals dealing with substance or alcohol abuse.

“John’s generous spirit has inspired so many and he values the diversity of our human community and wants to see no one go hungry,” said Susie Davies, MORE’s executive director and a Chamber of Commerce board member. “Whether he is driving home from an event with leftover food in his truck and stops to give a homeless person a bite to eat or creating a fabulous meal for a nonprofit fundraiser of 500, charging them a minimal fee, these are examples of how John helps everyone thrive in a community.”

Davies, presenting the Community Service Award, touted Sanders’ ability to keep up with his schedule of running his restaurant and catering events, sometimes working three events in a single day.

“Everyone needs a John Sanders in their community,” Davies said. Sanders is honored to serve, he emphasized during his acceptance speech.

“God is very clear about using our time, talents and treasures in a way that

glorifies and honors him and this is all to his honor,” Sanders said.

Grado hopes more will follow in Sanders’ shoes.

“We are at our best when we are engaged with our fellow businesses and residents in meaningful service,” Grado stated. “I would encourage our businesses to not only be successful, but to be significant as well. Significance seeks having an impact to our businesses on the overall health and well-being of the community we reside in, as well as those we employ. It requires the investment of our most valuable commodity — the investment of our time.”

Grado challenged chamber businesses to get involved in a community outreach project in 2023.

“Let’s pull in those on the sidelines that they might experience the true joy of giving back and creating a significant business,” Grado said. “As we move through 2023, we will need to support one another’s businesses purposefully through the predicted uncertain economic times more than ever, we will need to come alongside our fellow proprietors. I’m committed to assisting in any way I can in this endeavor.”

Other members of the community were honored for their servitude as well.

Judy and Cliff Habig were honored with the Divide Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award for raising $6,000, turning their annual community get-together into a fundraiser for the Georgetown, Garden Valley and Mosquito fire departments after losing their home to the Mosquito Fire.

The Habigs have resided in Volcanoville for nearly 24 years and own Main Street Mercantile in Georgetown.

“They have and continue to be avid community supporters,” Divide Chamber President Kathy Fargo said before citing a famous Martin Luther King Jr. quote — “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”

The Golden Slate Award went to Terry Zeller for his contribution to the county’s economic development through motion picture filming.

Zeller was influential in the business side of filming “Christmas, Bloody Christmas” in Placerville in 2022, according to Chamber of Commerce Film Commissioner Kathleen Dodge.

“He truly is a public servant,” Dodge said. “There were probably things that personally made him not want to do this — it was more work. But it was a movie that was going to rent business spaces for months. It was a movie that was going to go to different communities in El Dorado County and rent spaces, hire people and do work with other businesses, and that is what he saw.”

An Achievement in Tourism Award went out to Gordon Helm, past chamber president, for helping to develop a new attraction for visitors — the Miners on Main scavenger hunt.

Ten “miners” from the Gold Rush area have been hidden throughout Main Street in Placerville, each containing a QR code with a medallion that links to visit-eldorado.com with historical info, cleverly meshing the technology of today with the people of the past.

The Historical Preservation Award went to the El Dorado Western Railroad program for its preservation and interpretation of the county’s railroad history.

The 2023 El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was then installed by Sheriff Jeff Leikauf.

Chamber Continued from A1

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

John Sanders thanks wife Debbie, left, for her support as he takes a break from serving the community and accepts the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award.

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian Volcanoville residents and Georgetown business owners Judy and Cliff Habig are presented with the Divide Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year Award for raising $6,000 for local fire districts following the Mosquito Fire’s destruction. Pictured from left are Divide Chamber Vice President Deb Manley, Judy Habig, Divide Chamber President Kathy Fargo and Cliff Habig.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to approve Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM), slashing payments for excess solar production sent to the grid by 75%.

CPUC voted to cut the average export rate in California from $0.30 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh, making the cuts effective on April 15, 2023.

Customers who have new systems installed and approved for grid interconnection before the effective date in April will be grandfathered in to NEM 2.0 rates.

During the vote, the Commission said the balancing of costs and bene ts continue to be “quite generous” under the decision.

Currently, average net metering rates range from $0.23 per kWh to $0.35 per kWh, and the new proposed decision cuts those rates to an average of $0.05 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh. This is set to be the largest cut of export rates in U.S. history, in a market that represents roughly 50% of the nation’s residential solar market.

Key takeaways

UM record broken

Rasco Staff writer

The crowd gathered for the Union Mine v. El Dorado varsity basketball game hosted at Union Mine High School Jan. 13 witnessed history in the making. Union Mine varsity basketball team captain Mason Mottashed, a senior, broke the school’s previous scoring record as he netted 44 points during game.

Supplies brimming

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

El Dorado Irrigation District Operations Manager Dan Corcoran’s update on 2023 water supplies led off with a photo of the South Fork of the American River rushing over the Kyburz diversion dam at 10,000 cubic feet per second. The river was so swollen it was overflowing at the head of the El Dorado Canal in the photo taken Dec. 31.

The 22-mile canal and flume system was closed down for replacement of a 150-foot section of Flume 45, delayed due to heavy rain, but now expected to be completed by Jan. 30.

The heavy rainfall filled Weber Reservoir that began spilling over Dec. 30. Jenkinson Lake filled up its 41,033 acre-feet and began spilling Jan. 12. So much water was coming in EID had to close the Camp Creek Tunnel to Jenkinson Lake.

All reservoirs are in flood control operations, with Silver Lake and Echo Lake spilling since December.

As of Jan. 10, the Sly Park rain gauge was 180% of average. The state Department of Water Resources determined the snow water content of the American

River Basin was 157% of the historical January average.

“Local conditions do not require conservation,” Corcoran reported, though noting, “All water suppliers remain under statewide conservation mode.”

EID expects to sell some water to Westlands Water District.

As of Jan. 17, Folsom Lake held 530,000 acre-feet of water which was 54% of its maximum of 977,000 acre-feet. With a maximum inflow of 135,000 cubic feet per second into Folsom, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began flood releases of 32,500 cfs.

As of Jan. 17, Caples Lake was 71% of its maximum storage of 22,340 acre-feet. Silver Lake was 47% of its 8,912 acre-feet. Lake Aloha’s 5,003 acre-feet were frozen over. Jenkinson Lake was 100% and Weber Reservoir was 94% of its maximum of 1,006 acre-feet.

Stage 1 water conservation remains in effect, by state requirement. Annual 2022 demand was 9% less than 2021 and 5% less than 2020, according to Corcoran.

Dec. 28 snow surveys by the district on Caples Lake, Upper Carson and Lower Carson showed 138% the historical average January snow water content.

The rival teams played hard and El Dorado had secured an early lead of 21-6 by the end of the first quarter. Mottashed led the push back against the Cougars, scoring his recordbreaking 44 points in the remaining three quarters, helping the Diamondbacks secure a 74-57 win.

“The most incredible thing about (Mason’s record) is the fact that he

Trip to Green

didn’t score in the first quarter; all the points came in three quarters,” Union Mine coach Ryan Williams said. “And this happened against El Dorado, our cross-town rival, which made it fun and exciting.”

Mottashed has been scoring an average of 20 points per game, according to Williams. Union Mine currently has an 18-4 record and is undefeated in Sierra Valley Conference league play.

workshop would consist of an elevated tolled express lane that would pass above the rest of the highway, with one lane in either direction. The undertaking is projected to have a timetable of 20 years or more and a budget ranging from $200 million to $300 million, according to information from EDCTC.

The smaller option would see infrastructure installed to make Trip to Green easier to deploy quickly, with much less labor than what was needed for the pilot tests. The infrastructure required would be relatively simple, Gant said, with gates and dynamic signs as well as a possible tolling system that would scan license plates of cars that pass under a system that spans above the highway and sends the bill directly to the driver’s registered address without the need for toll booths or slowing down.

Gates would be installed at the cross-streets that intersect the highway through town and act as a replacement for the orange cones utilized during pilot tests. Dynamic signs would adjust as needed to keep drivers aware of which turns would be available at a given time.

The tolls would help offset the estimated $16 million in costs of the project in the span of years, and construction and planning would take three to five years.

Local residents would be exempt from the tolls, though the exact definition of “local” would be determined once a plan was settled on, Gant explained.

“That would have to be determined with public input; nobody wants to be the first house down the road that has to pay,” Gant joked.

Both plans are rough sketches of possible future plans with all details subject to change as they progress,

according to Placerville City Engineer Rebecca Neves. The workshop provided all in attendance a set of green, yellow and red stickers to affix to boards representing the two new plans, as well as boards for temporary Trip to Green or do nothing options. The small infrastructure plan saw the most green stickers, indicating a positive vote, and was the only board to not receive any red stickers that indicated a “no” vote.

Senior transportation planner for EDCTC Jerry Barton emphasized the primary focus of the workshop was to see which of the possible plans in concept saw more interest from the community.

“We’re presenting options that are at least theoretically feasible. The big infrastructure plan is certainly a bit of a reach, but we want to gauge interest,” Barton said.

An online version of the workshop is scheduled for Feb. 16 and will be hosted on Zoom. An option to rsvp will be available at edctc.org/trip-togreen.

A series of locals-only underground tunnels was determined to be infeasible due to the dense rock located underneath Highway 50, according to Barton.

“A suppressed freeway option was contemplated back in the ’90s but the thick rock bed proved so difficult to work through on recent offramp construction that it’s just not realistically feasible,” Barton said.

As EDCTC continues to gather data from the Trip to Green 2022 pilot, it has opened a merchants-only survey to measure the impact of the program on how businesses fared.

As of press time, Neves reported that only five responses had been received. The survey will be open until Jan. 31.

Continued from A1

Odin

EID photo by Bryan Cooper

The South Fork of the American River swells Dec. 31 where it meets the El Dorado Canal in Kyburz.

Courtesy photo

Union Mine senior Mason Mottashed set a school record for most points scored in a single basketball game.

Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco

Project manager for Trip to Green consultation Brian Gant presents information gathered from the Trip to Green tests conducted in 2022 at a public workshop Thursday evening in Placerville’s Town Hall. The presentation focused on possible next steps for the Trip to Green project.

Placerville resident Robert Sydnor places a red sticker on the board for big infrastructure. The Trip to Green public workshop ended with residents given a set of stickers to show approval or disapproval for Highway 50 plans.

In the KNOW

Stellar students

Congratulations to Grace Donaghey of El Dorado Hills, who has been named to the fall 2022 University of New Hampshire Dean’s List

Congratulations to the following students named to the fall 2022 Dean’s List at Pacific University in Oregon: Amelia Wojcik of Cameron Park and Tyler Agnew of El Dorado Hills

Congratulations to the following students named to the fall 2022 Dean’s List at Benedictine College in Kansas: Hannah Alcorn of Cool and Alexander Kai of Pilot Hill.

Jan. 25

The Shingle SpringsCameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly lunch, 11:30 a.m. at Los Pinos Mexican restaurant, 3420 Palmer Drive in Cameron Park. The guest speaker will be a representative from the Sierra Business Development Center. For more information visit sscpchamber.org.

Shen Yun 2023 will dazzle audiences at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter. net.

Jan. 26

The Placerville Area Chess Club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Cameron Park, 3446 Coach Lane. For more information call Neville Arroues at (530) 642-9043.

For a concert titled “Black Voices,” the Warp Trio will perform music by Samuel Coleridge Taylor written in the late 19th century; Harry Burleigh, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk from the first half of the 20th century; and Jessie Montgomery from 2014, interspersed with recitations of writings by Langston Hughes, Ntozake Shange and Maya Angelou at 12:05 p.m. Jan. 26 & 27 in the Ann E. Pitzer Center recital hall in Davis. For more information visit arts. ucdavis.edu.

27

Jan.

Sierra Community Access Television will televise on Comcast Channel 2 two in-depth videos featuring Sheriff John D’Agostini’s final days as the leader of law enforcement in El Dorado County. Tune in at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28, to see a fascinating interview as Sheriff D’Agostini shares his history, perspectives and wisdom. At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, sit back to view the heartfelt tribute bestowed on him from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, incoming Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, former Supervisor Brian Veerkamp and Congressman Tom McClintock. Both videos may also be viewed in tandem at 10:30 p.m. each evening.

The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents We Banjo 3 at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Jan. 28

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County host Cole Crop Vegetables, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville. Master Gardeners will teach you how to grow these healthy veggies and Master Food Preservers will teach you

Freedom of thought

challenged in Imagination Theater’s ‘Inherit the Wind’

Originally set to open in September, the Mosquito Fire had different plans for Imagination Theater’s production of “Inherit the Wind.” With the fairgrounds encumbered with the first responders’ fire camp, the production was postponed.

The 1955 play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, taking the stage Jan. 27, is a fictionalized account of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 wherein schoolteacher John Scopes was put on trial and convicted of violating the Butler Act. The Tennessee law prohibited teachers from denying the biblical account of the origin of man. Although the real John Scopes was unsure whether he actually taught evolution, he deliberately incriminated himself.

Lawrence and Lee have both gone on record to say that the play was a direct indictment of the then-contemporary Second Red Scare and the McCarthy witch hunts of the late 1940s and 1950s. Both playwrights saw freedom of thought being challenged by McCarthyism and wanted to have their say.

“We were indignant, appalled at thought control in the mid-’50s,” said Lawrence in a 1994 New York Times interview. “So we went back in history to another case where people were being told what to learn, what to think and it did have a great effect on the country.”

After a successful 806-performance run on Broadway, the play went on to be adapted for the screen in 1960 starring Spencer Tracy and Frederic March and was nominated for four Academy Awards. Further film adaptations were released in 1965, 1988 and 1999.

Peter Wolfe, Imagination

Theater’s artistic director, takes the helm of this production and enlists the help of seasoned and firsttime actors to bring this stillrelevant piece to the stage.

“‘Inherit the Wind’ is remarkably relevant to the social, political and interpersonal relations conflicts that have come to impact daily life for everyone throughout the world,” said Wolfe. “Most all of us can probably agree how difficult it has become these days to discover the difference between a simple verifiable truth and a strongly held opinion.”

Local actors and Imagination Theater stalwart David Zarka admitted playing Henry Drummond, based on real-life Clarence Darrow, is a

dream role.

“ Early on, Mr. Darrow’s exploits inspired me to become a trial attorney,” said Zarka. “In the 1960 movie version, Drummond was played by Spencer Tracy, whose gravitas on and off screen was something I hoped one day I might emulate.

“The stars lined up very well for me when Peter cast me in this production,” he added.

“I believe that ‘Inherit the Wind’ challenges us to consider issues from the perspective of our friends and our adversaries alike so that through mutual respect we might build bridges instead of walls between one another,” Zarka continued.

Wolfe told the Mountain Democrat “Inherit the Wind” is a show that ought to be

encouraged.

“‘Inherit the Wind’ is one of those shows that a community theater will produce because they should and they can,” he explained. “Our hardworking cast and crew have worked diligently for many months preparing this intense material about the inherent conflict between observable truth and personal belief.”

Wolfe added that it has been an honor to direct friends and neighbors in this production and invites the audience to experience the comforts, and discomforts of the subject matter.

“Inherit the Wind” runs Jan. 27 through Feb. 19 at Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Tickets are available at itplacerville.org.

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Courtesy photos

Defense Attorney Henry Drummond (David Zarka) and prosecuting attorney Matthew Brady (Michael Frenn) square off while the jury and District Attorney Tom Davenport (Malcolm Hoag) look on in the poignant courtroom drama “Inherit the Wind” opening at Imagination Theater Jan. 27.

Local District

Attorney Tom Davenport (Malcolm Hoag), right, appeals to the judge (Bob Steele) during the teacher’s trial.

Matthew Brady (Michael Frenn), left, questions student Rachel Brown (Katharine Rutherford) about what she learned in Bertram Cates’ class.

“Our hard-working cast and crew have worked diligently for many months preparing this intense material about the inherent conflict between observable truth and personal belief.”

— Director Peter Wolfe

Lively celtic group coming to placerville

El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s third concert of its 70th season will feature the internationallyacclaimed Celtic music group Golden Bough, which will perform a special concert from the Celtic lands at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.

In honor of the birthday of Robert Burns (Jan. 25, 1759), Golden Bough will include some of Burns’ most loved songs. The famous Scots poet’s works have endured the test of time and are regarded as some of the most wellloved songs and poems of Scotland. Because of his great contribution to Scottish poetry and song, his birthday is celebrated around the world.

Golden Bough has become a popular and in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic, gaining critical acclaim and enthusiastic support from folk fans wherever the musicians perform. Their unique interpretation of the music of not only Scotland, but also the other Celtic lands of Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, French Brittany, The Isle of Man and Galicia, has made them a favorite at Highland Games and various Scottish gatherings.

At this performance they will offer a musical fare that ranges from

haunting ballads, mythical tales and beautiful airs to lively sing-alongs and toetapping jigs and reels. The audience will be delighted by the group’s variety of music from all the Celtic lands, as well as their interpretations of Burns’ own songs.

The Celtic nations share a long history of culture and fine arts and their music often intertwines to create the powerfully emotional sound of what we now call Celtic music. Golden Bough was founded in

1980 with the concept of combining this music with various folk styles, highlighting its own compositions.

In the recording studio, as well as on stage, Golden Bough captures the essence and joy of traditional folk music and captivates listeners with the uniqueness of their original compositions. Blending their voices in pristine harmony, Margie Butler, Paul Espinoza and Kathy Sierra perform their unique fusion of Celtic

and original music on a wide variety of common and more unusual acoustic instruments. These include Celtic harp, violin, viola, penny-whistle, guitar, accordion, octavemandolin, harmonica and bodhran (a hand held drum, unique to the Celtic culture).

Golden Bough CDs will be available at the concert. Visit goldenboughmusic.com for more information about the group and its recordings, concert schedule and history.

Memberships still available

The El Dorado County Community Concert Association — the oldest performing arts organization in El Dorado County — has been bringing worldclass entertainment to the greater Placerville area since 1951 and the 2022-23 season is no exception. The association relies on memberships to present the concerts and now is the time to renew a membership or join for

the very first time. The 2022-23 season’s prices are $70 per adult membership and $20 per student membership for the six-concert series. A family membership option is also available for $160, including two adults and two K-12 students.

Non-members may attend for $25 at the door ($10 per student). Seating is limited and El Dorado County Community Concert Association members are seated first. Only cash and checks are accepted at the door (no credit/ debit cards).

All El Dorado County Community Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be performed at a new venue — Placerville

Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6831 Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

To learn more about the upcoming season — and how to become a member or a sponsor — call (530) 556-9498 and/or visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com, where visitors can also find the artists’ websites for a sampling of their music.

The El Dorado County Community Concert Association is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. The association’s vision is to keep quality music alive for future generations in El Dorado County, accomplished through a variety of community and student outreach programs.

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Courtesy photo

Golden Bough brings Celtic music and fun to the stage. See the group live at an El Dorado County Community Concert Thursday.

Grow for it!

Japanese gardens: Good for the soul

Japanese gardens are traditionalstyle gardens that have existed since the 6th to 7th centuries BC. These unique gardens embody principles of Japanese culture, religion and reverence for beauty and the simplicity of nature. The goal of a Japanese garden is to bring humanity closer to nature by inspiring visitors to quiet meditation and tranquil reflection as seen in compact garden features representing the grand scale of our larger world of mountains, forests, rivers and lakes.

In El Dorado County we are fortunate to have a true gem of a Japanese garden right in our own backyard; Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville boasts a classic Japanese garden as one of the 16 individual gardens on display. The late Master Gardener Bob Sherwood, for whom our demonstration garden is named, designed and constructed much of this Japanese garden to promote public interest and education in Japanese gardening. He used three customary Japanese garden design elements — the first are stones, which are the “bones” of the garden, representing structure and stability in nature. Next is both flowing and still water that is present as the life force. Last is careful selection of a variety of trees and plants that offer greenery as well as colors painting the four seasons. Other important garden features include a stone lantern, water basin, Tea House and bridge.

Dogwoods, azaleas, ferns and hostas welcome the visitor entering the garden over a wooden bridge. Japanese gardens usually don’t stress “showy” flowers but favor plants that offer fleeting color. Azaleas, for example, whose quick blooms don’t last long, remind us that life can be

brief and encourage reflection on our own lives. More than 65 plants and trees were carefully selected for the Japanese garden; all are individually labeled and have proven themselves ideal for El Dorado County’s climate. For a complete plant list with common and botanical names, watering requirements and deer resistance information go to the Sherwood Demonstration Garden website at Sherwood Demonstration Garden – UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County (ucanr.edu)

A magnificent copper-trimmed Japanese Tea House prominently overlooks a pond, stones and waterfall that offers soothing sounds. Nestled in and amongst the stones around the pond are iris, juniper, azaleas, gardenias, nandina, spirea and other small shrubs.

Rhododendrons, hydrangea, grasses and Japanese maples all come together for different plant textures, contrast and colors. Bamboo frames part of the view and is a plant that represents longevity and happiness. Maple trees change colors to show appreciation of different seasons, while a variety of pines provide green backdrops to represent consistency and stability.

In describing Japanese gardens, Dr. Koichi Kawana said, “Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with minimum means.” The Japanese garden in the Sherwood Demonstration Garden is a wonderful example of natural simplicity and beauty, inviting visitors throughout the seasons to explore its pathways and many viewpoints. Hopefully you are inspired to discover, reflect and connect with nature at our Sherwood Demonstration Garden.

The garden is generally open during the winter for free public tours from 9 a.m. to noon on the

See talented trio on StaGe

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WSD

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper.

NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation. Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools.

Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Billy Hodges

HFW Enterprises, LLC

Photo by Summer Brasuel

The goal of a Japanese garden is to bring humanity closer to nature.

Kate Halvorson UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

Courtesy photos

El Dorado County Federated Church hosts the PaCaRe Trio in concert at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan.

28. The PaCaRe Trio is a Sacramento-based group of California State University, Sacramento alumni — Paolo Reyes, violin; Carrie Miller, cello; Renee Harris, piano. These talented musicians are passionate about sharing great works of chamber music. They will perform a crowdpleasing program featuring the tango-inspired work “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” by Astor Piazzola, a piano solo by Claude Debussy, duos by Reinhold Gliere and more. Federated Church is located at 1031 Thompson Way in Placerville. Call the church office at (530) 622-0273

Long-awaited

News release

NEVADA CITY — Two years after the release of the tribute CD “Self Portraits – A Tribute to Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait Sessions,” Robert Heirendt and his contributors will perform at a Jan. 26 CD release concert at the historical Nevada Theatre. This special concert will be a benefit for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, a nonprofit organization that works for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world.

In 2019 singer/songwriter Heirendt was inspired to put together a compilation/ tribute album to Bob Dylan’s 1970 album, “Self Portrait,” an album of mostly covers much maligned when it was first released. Heirendt invited some of his musical friends to contribute tracks taken from the “Self Portrait” recording sessions. The resulting album includes 17 songs and was released in June 2020, the 50th anniversary of Dylan’s original release. It is not a track-by-track cover album, but rather a compilation of

release party to benefit nonprofit

studio sessions in Nashville and New York, which took place over 11 months. The sessions included many diverse styles — traditional blues, folk, old timey, country, tin pan alley and gospel, as well as a few songs from contemporary songwriters he admired. The original release included 24 songs from these sessions and also included a few live versions of his songs taken from his 1969 set at The Isle of Wright Festival in England.

original versions of tunes recorded by Dylan during these sessions — a cover album of a cover album.

Heirendt and many of his collaborators hoped to put together a CD release concert around the time of the original release.

Unfortunately, June 2020 was right in the midst of COVID related shelter in place so such plans had to wait. All the artists are

generously donating their talents at the long-awaited event. Performers include Anton Barbeau & Julia VBH, Boston Ravine, Flounder, Juliet Gobert & Homer Wills, Mark Growden, Robert Heirendt, The Moore Brothers, Michael Roe and Tumble.

In 1970 Bob Dylan released “Self Portrait,” his 10th studio album. He recorded more than 50 tunes during these

“I’ve been such a fan of Dylan’s ever since my teenage years when ‘Slow Train Coming’ was released. I had heard about ‘Self Portrait’ and how supposedly ‘awful’ it was but never really checked it out until a just a few years ago,” Heirendt shared. “One day when I was at our local record store, Clock Tower Records, I saw a vinyl copy of ‘Self Portrait.’ For some reason it called to me and I brought it home.

“From the first listen I was really surprised by how drawn in I was! Far from being ‘awful,’ I felt that these cover versions of old tunes were really quite soulful,” he continued. “I then ended

up exploring the original versions of these songs and through this process was exposed to artists that I was not very familiar with – Hank Snow, Tampa Red, The Davis Sisters and many others … “I got an inspiration that doing a cover/tribute album of this much maligned record would be a fun project. I envisioned it as a place for all of my music projects to come together – my solo work, Tumble and Boston Ravine,” the musician added. “I also loved the idea of bringing together many of my musical friends into one project.”

In 2019 Heirendt started asking artists about collaborating and said he was thrilled by the response.

“As the original Self Portrait album was quite an eclectic ‘grab bag’ of styles, the tracks that people contributed also represent a wide array of musical styles,” he said. “I really love how all of the artists made the songs their own, and I think it all fits together as a musical statement in a beautiful way.”

Heirendt’s artistic vision is about interweaving. From

Courtesy photo

Robert Heirendt and fellow musicians take the stage Jan. 26 at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City to celebrate his Bob Dylan tribute album.

Saturday of the month, weather permitting. However, currently the Sherwood Demonstration Garden is closed due to flooding. Check the website for further information about the Sherwood Demonstration Garden at ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden. Master Gardener classes are o ered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_Education_ Classes/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded

classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education/Classes. Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the o ce telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master gardener e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Auburn native set to premiere new feature film

News release

AUBURN — Smallertown Productions, a rising film production company based in Auburn, announced the recent success of its first film, “Follower,” which has been sold to streaming giant Tubi, and the upcoming premiere of its second film at the Auburn State Theater.

“Followers,” a thrilling feature film shot entirely in Auburn, is produced by Auburn native Zac Hersh with state-of-the-art post production provided by another Auburn based studio, Innervoice Media.

Join Smallertown Productions and the Northern California film community at the State Theater Jan. 27 for the premiere of this highly anticipated thriller. Meet the producers, ask questions and be among the first to see the film.

“Followers” tells the story of a social media influencer and her two friends who reunite a year after surviving a vicious attack, hoping to heal and move on. Their past comes back to haunt them when they discover their former attacker has grown a dark web cult following, seeking revenge for the death of their leader, forcing the girls to fight for their lives against a dangerous and relentless enemy in a desperate New Year’s Eve fight for survival.

The premiere event is open to the public, but RSVP is required for access. Space is limited and seats will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to RSVP contact Hersh at zac@smallertownproductions.com.

Do you love capturing the lifestyle, beauty, and culture of El Dorado County? Your photo could grace the cover of the new El Dorado Farm Trails and Visitors Guide –plus earn you a cash prize! All you have to do is enter our photo contest.

https://visit-eldorado.com/photo-contest/

‘Chinese Lady’ casts light on dark history

News release

— Capital Stage continues its 18th season with the third production of the 2022-23 season: the award-winning play by Lloyd Suh entitled “The Chinese Lady.”

SACRAMENTO

Michelle Talgarow, previously seen in “Vietgone” at Capital Stage, will make her directing debut with the company. The cast will feature returning actor Rinabeth Apostol and will introduce Leon Goertzen to Sacramento audiences.

Inspired by the true story of the first Chinese woman to step foot in America, Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play is a tale of dark poetic whimsy and a unique portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of a young Chinese girl.

In 1834, 14-year-old Afong Moy sailed into New York Harbor and was immediately put on display for a paying public who were mesmerized by her exotic ways and horrified by her tiny bound feet. As audiences follow Moy’s travels through America as a living exhibit for decades, “The Chinese Lady” tells her story while also casting a powerful lens on the long history of anti-Asian ugliness and exoticization in America.

Performances will be available as live performances at Capital Stage Theatre, 2215 J St. in Sacramento and virtually on demand, Jan. 25 through Feb. 26. Tickets and subscriptions are available at capstage.org.

Courtesy photo

Producing partners James Rich and Zac Hersh present “Followers,” a new thriller premiering at the Auburn State Theater.

Photo by Charr Crail

Rinabeth Apostol, right, and Leon Goertzen star in “The Chinese Lady,” opening today at Capital Stage.

In the mood for laughs?

News release

NEVADA CITY —

Paul Emery’s Nevada City LIVE! welcomes back the Swami Beyondananda Jan. 27 at the historical Nevada Theatre.

For more than 30 years, Steve Bhaerman in the guise of Swami Beyondananda has been a fount of comedy disguised as wisdom — or is it wisdom disguised as comedy?

Swami Beyondananda & Beyond begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St. in Nevada City. For tickets and more information visit paulemerymusic.com.

how to prepare, preserve and enjoy these yummy veggies. Seating for this class is limited so register for class at ucanr.edu/cole_crops.

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville hosts a swap meet, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The El Dorado County Search & Rescue Crab feed takes place at 6 p.m. the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Enjoy unlimited crab, no-host bar, auction items up for grabs and more. For tickets and information visit edsar.org.

The Beatles Guitar Project presents “A Hard Day’s HELP!” Jan. 28 & 29 at Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The third annual Sofia Soirée will be a unique fundraising occasion that supports B Street Theatre’s objective to further cultural enrichment, social interaction, education and literacy via the shared experience of live and virtual theater and the performing arts. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera presents Ravel’s “Bolero!” at 8 p.m. at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. in Sacramento. For tickets and more information visit sacphilopera.org.

Jan. 29

The Placerville Shakespeare Club presents An Engagement of Murder, a murder mystery luncheon performed by Kathy Drew and her Interactive Entertainment Murder Mystery Players. Doors open at 11 a.m. at 2940 Bedford Ave. in Placerville. Reservations required. Call (916) 337-5045.

Miraflores Winery in Placerville hosts Soup Sundays. Stop by for wine tasting, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and enjoy a complimentary cup of soup prepared by Chef Tara Martinez every Sunday through March 26.

Sessions

Continued from B4

the weaving together of diverse roots music influences, complex patterns, juxtaposed rhythms, experiences and feelings, he strives to create sounds and textures which take the listener to new places. A multi-instrumentalist, Heirendt specializes in the mbira dzavadzimu, a type of kalimba instrument from Zimbabwe. He has studied traditional Zimbabwaen trance music for over a decade. Prior to this, he played keyboards

Public Notices

The Sacramento Chocolate Salon will take place at at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento. Purchase tickets in advance as this event is expected to sell out. For tickets and more information visit SacChocolateSalon.com.

Now

Andis Wines in Plymouth offers a Cozy Month of Soups through Jan. 31. All proceeds from soup sales go to Junior Achievement of Sacramento. For more information visit AndisWines.com/Events.

B Street Theatre at The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, presents “The Last Wide Open” through Feb. 28. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival, scheduled Feb. 16-20, in Nevada City and Grass Valley, is searching for dozens of volunteer pass checkers, ushers, tech support, advocacy action crew and more to help during the event. For more information contact the community engagement team at (530) 265-5961, ext. 201, or email maddie@yubariver.org.

Cordova High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50th Class Reunion Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Folsom’s iconic Lake Natoma Inn. Early-bird tickets are on sale. For more information visit CordovaHigh73.com.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

in many bands beginning in the 1980s. A few of his primary musical influences are The Beatles, Bill Monroe, Andrew Bird, Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and David Sylvian. “Soft Sea Creatures” is his first solo album, which integrates many musical threads including song craft, improvisation, texture, poetry and groove. Heirendt works as a music therapist/social worker, using music to help children and families connect with

17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 11266

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FIlE NO. FB2022-1285

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KERlING CONSTRUCTION, located at 2472 Sierra Vista Rd, Rescue, CA 95672 Registered owner(s): Kerling Company Inc, 2472 Sierra Vista Rd, Rescue, CA 95672

This business is conducted by a Corporation, State of Incorporation: CA

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 6/22/17

Signature of Registrant: /s/ Amy Kerling AMY KERLING, SECRETARY I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).)

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 12/12/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 11267

clerk of El Dorado County on 12/28/2022.

NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION.

THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 11268

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 23CV0007

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner: Pamela Jacinth Culver filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: PAMELA JACINTH CULVER Proposed name: PAMELA JACINTH LANZONE

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

NOTICE OF HEARING: MARCH 10, 2023, 8:30 A.M. DEPT. 9 AT SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF EL DORADO, 3321 Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682.

3. A copy of the ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Mountain Democrat. This order has been filed on JANUARY 04, 2023.

/s/ Gary

their higher selves. He currently plays in the free jazz/groove band Tumble and the bluegrass band Boston Ravine.

Paul Emery’s Nevada City LIVE! presents “A Tribute to Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait Sessions” CD release concert benefit for The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St. in Nevada City. For tickets and information visit paulemerymusic.com.

be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: FEBRUARY 10, 2023, 8:30 A.M. DEPT. 9 AT SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF EL DORADO, 3321 Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682.

3. A copy of the ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Mountain Democrat. This order has been filed on DECEMBER 02, 2022. /s/ Gary Slossberg GARY SLOSSBERG, Judge of the Superior Court 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1 11278

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JSl INVESTMENTS located at 3514 Oeste Lane, Cameron Park, CA 95682 Registered owner(s): 1. Brian A Wolosek, 3514 Oeste Lane, Cameron Park, CA 95682,

I declare that all information

this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 01/05/2023.

The Statement of Abandonment of Fictitious Business Name must be published in a newspaper once a week for four successive weeks and an affidavit of publication filed with the county clerk within 30 days after publication has been accomplished.

The Statement should be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the principal place of business is located. The Statement should be published in such county in a newspaper that circulates in the area where the business is conducted (Business & Professions Code 17917).

Any person who executes, files, or publishes any fictitious business name statement, knowing that such statement is false, in whole or in part, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) (Business & Professions code 17930) 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1 11281

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 1/11, 1/18,

correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).) This statement filed with the county

DAVID SILLS, GENERAL PARTNER

in

Courtesy photo Swami Beyondananda will share humorous wisdom and wit at the Nevada Theatre.