Committee looks to dispense cash from (the) pot
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Sta writer
The Cannabis Community Benefit Committee regular meeting was held in a special location on Feb. 18: Scout Hall. The discussion was about funding. In fact, every meeting is about funding; what the committee has funded, what it might fund in the future and how the projects that have been funded are progressing.
When Placerville adopted ordinance No. 1694 in 2018 allowing cannabis sales in the city limits it included a provision that each licensed business “provide a community benefits component,” thus the committee was born. This provision required each business to contribute a percentage of its gross sales to the benefit program. The committee, made up of city sta , community members and cannabis retailer representatives began its work in 2023.
To date the committee has funded, or partially funded, upward of 20 cprojects. These include, but are not limited to, funding to nonprofits and the Placerville Fire Safe Council, repairs to the Belltower on Main Street, new steps for the large slide at the Placerville Aquatics Center, lighting at Lion’s Park and a new vehicle for the Placerville Police Department’s school resource o cer.
At last Tuesday’s meeting, however, the hot topic was potential projects for the coming year, with more than $20,000 in the pot so far.
Tahoe man killed in backcountry
El Dorado County
Sheriff ’s Office
News release
A South Lake Tahoe man died in an apparent backcountry skiing accident earlier this week around Powderhouse Peak near Luther Pass, the El Dorado County Sheri ’s o ce has confirmed. Frederic Dross, 46, was reported as an overdue backcountry
skier to El Dorado County Central Dispatch at about 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Dross’ vehicle was located at a parking area and a search and rescue response was requested by EDSO.
The man’s body was located a short time later by friends in an avalanche area, sheri ’s o cials reported. Due to the dangerous snow conditions the recovery of the deceased was postponed until early Tuesday.
At 6 a.m. that morning a joint recovery and extraction operation was initiated. The unstable snow created extremely hazardous recovery conditions, o cials noted and through the use of controlled explosives any further avalanche danger was mitigated. At around 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 the decedent, by assistance of EDSO SAR volunteers and Echo-1, was hoisted from the backcountry.
STAYING STRONG
Helping hands boost Sadek duo’s recovery
Shelly Thorene Sta writer
Union Mine High School
wrestling
assistant coach Kevin Sadek and his son, Charles, a top wrestler on the Diamondbacks’ team, are making a comeback from injuries they received in a head-on collision on Dec. 15 last year. Both father and son were traveling on Pleasant Valley Road to their home in Grizzly Flat when their Jeep Liberty was struck by a man driving a Ford F-150. The two were taken by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center and treated for multiple injuries.
Charles su ered a broken left femur and Kevin su ered a broken right femur, broken right wrist in two places and broken left hand. The injuries he sustained put the handyman out of work and stopped his son from participating in wrestling for the rest of the season. It also hampered the graduating senior’s pursuit of wrestling scholarships.
“It (the accident) shut down looking for schools. This was his glory year,” Kevin noted, adding that with physical therapy he believes his son will be back to 100%. Charles was ranked in the top 25% in the state. His dad said the rod placed in his femur should not be a deterrent when his son resumes the sport.
Yvonne Sadek was traveling in another vehicle about five minutes behind her son and husband. The family was returning home from Radiant Life Church. She said when the line of tra c inched up to where she could see the red Liberty Jeep “crunched in the road” she hurriedly passed all the cars on the left to get to the scene. She called the scene “absolutely horrifying.”
Leaving their 10-year-
old daughter, Priscilla in the car, who prayed out loud, “Please don’t take my daddy and brother,” Yvonne said she first heard her husband wailing and thus knew
he was alive. While paramedics worked on Kevin, Yvonne found Charles still trapped in the vehicle. She said she spoke to him through a crack in the wreckage
saying, “I’m right here. You’re gonna be OK.” Yvonne found the other driver lying
grass
and went
on the
alone
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Union Mine assistant coach Kevin Sadek, left, and his son, Diamondbacks wrestler Charles, 18, right, stand together in the small gym at El Dorado High School on Jan. 29 during the SVC League championship. Charles was supposed to compete in the match but both father and son were injured in a head-on collision late last year.
Photo by Yvonne Sadek
El Dorado County firefighters use the Jaws of Life to extricate Charles Sadek, 18, from the vehicle he and his father were in after the Dec. 15 head-on collision on Pleasant Valley Road.
His father Kevin received extensive injuries yet refused a life flight to Renown Medical Center in Reno as he would have been separated from his son. They were both transported to UC Davis Medical Center.
ESSENTIALS
OBITUARIES
Janice “Jan” Emily Janssen
Nov 29, 1941 – Feb 15, 2025
Janice E. (Lewin) Janssen, 83, formerly of Cameron Park, CA and beloved wife of Louis Janssen, passed away on February 15, 2025 at Cogir of Folsom, where she resided for a year with dementia. She was born on a dairy farm in Richville, MN. A twin and the youngest of 8, she grew up loving nature, skating on the lakes, singing, and playing guitar and the organ. She graduated from Perham High School and St. Cloud University with a BS in Elementary Education. After college, she taught school in Colorado with her twin sister Joan. They both moved to Bad Kreuznach, Germany and taught on the U.S. Army base. Jan also taught in Okinawa, Japan for a year, and then moved to California in August of 1968. She met the love of her life, Lou, 10 days after arriving in California, and they were married a year later. Jan taught kindergarten for 35 years in San Jose. When she retired, she and Lou moved to El Dorado Hills. Jan loved to ice skate, garden and travel around the U.S. and world. She and Lou were inseparable. They loved adventures in their motor home, traveling around the mountains in California and Nevada, enjoying the solitude of nature. Thank you to her caregivers at Cogir of Folsom and to Cain Fiduciary Services. She leaves her husband of 55 years, Louis Janssen, brother Paul Lewin of Richville, MN and ten nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Anna Margreta and Erick Lewin; sisters Joyce Weir, Lily Ann Gosswiller, Dawn Klement and Joan Orton; brother Weldon Lewin and infant brother, Raymond Lewin. Jan’s ashes will be spread at a later date in the mountains.
Stanley David Rudger
Feb 19, 1945 – Feb 13, 2025
Rev. Mr. Stanley David Rudger, Deacon for the Diocese of Sacramento, a devoted servant of God and his community, passed away peacefully at nearly 80 years old. His journey of faith led him from his birthplace in San Jose, CA, to a mission in Alaska where he met the love of his life, Paula (Schickler) Rudger. After marriage and the births of his two children, Aaron Rudger and Marcy (Rudger) Ulrich, Stan moved to the Sierra Nevada foothills, where he found his spiritual home at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Placerville. There, he answered the call to become a Deacon, a ministry he embraced with unwavering dedication. After retiring from a 30 year career as an educator, he continued his ministry at St. Josephs Parish in Lincoln, where he leaves a legacy of love and compassion. Deacon Stan’s commitment to service extended beyond the church walls. A lifelong learner, he earned Bachelor and Master degrees from Cal State Hayward and a degree in Theology from UC Berkeley. He was proud to be a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and helped to found the chapter at St. Patricks Church in Placerville. He shared his knowledge as a teacher and coach, most notably guiding his daughter’s high school basketball team for multiple years. His 56-year marriage to his beloved Paula whom he a ectionately called “PJ”, was a source of inspiration, particularly for the many couples whose weddings he o ciated and of course to his children and grandchildren. Paula was a tremendous source of love and support in the last few years of his illness. Her devotion to him and in turn his appreciation of her was a true testament to their love of each other and their unwavering faith in the Lord. Stanley leaves behind his twin sister, Pamela (Rudger) Lynn, elder brother, Donald Rudger, his wife Paula, their children Aaron (Kristen) and Marcy (Marc), five grandchildren (Jacob, Emily, & James Rudger, Quinlan & Gri n Ulrich), and one great-grandchild (Joseph James White) whom he treasured. He will be remembered for his deep spirituality, his uncommon commitment to his family and church, his joy found in fishing, golfing, travel & music, and his unsuppressable humor. Friends may honor his life with visitation, Friday, February 21, 2025 4:00pm at St. Joseph Church, Lincoln where a Rosary and Vigil Service will also be held at 5:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph with a reception to follow. Private Interment at St Patrick Cemetery, Placerville. Live Stream of Saturday service can be found at www. stjosephlincoln.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: St Josephs Church Lincoln - Family Center, 280 Oak Tree Ln., Lincoln CA 95648. Phone: (916) 645-2102.
Robert “Bobby” Anthony Nattrass Jr.
April 6, 1990 – Dec 31, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert “Bobby” Anthony Nattrass Jr, who left us far too soon on December 31st, 2024, at the age of 34. Born on April 6, 1990, in Santa Cruz, California, Bobby was the beloved son of Marin and Robert Nattrass Sr and the cherished older brother of Nicolas James Nattrass and Phillip Clement Nattrass. Father to sweet Robert “Baby Bobby” Anthony Nattrass III. Bobby was deeply loved by his large and close-knit family, including his many aunts, uncles and cousins, who were more like siblings to him. His presence brought warmth, laughter, and an undeniable sense of camaraderie to every gathering. A man of many talents, Bobby had an unmatched ability to pick up new skills with ease. He was an exceptional mechanic, construction worker, and cook, always impressing those around him with his quick learning and craftsmanship. His passion for anything with an engine—whether it was working on cars or riding motorcycles—was evident in everything he did. Bobby also had a green thumb, nurturing plants with the same care and patience he showed those he loved. Above all, Bobby had one of the biggest hearts. If you ever needed a helping hand, he was there-with a smile, a calm demeanor, and his trademark sense of humor. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering support will be profoundly missed, though we take comfort in knowing that his spirit lives on in the hearts of those he touched. Bobby’s presence in our lives was a gift, and while we grieve his passing, we also celebrate the incredible person he was. His memory will remain forever in our hearts. A memorial service to honor Bobby’s life will be held at Green Valley Church on February 27th at 1pm.
Patricia Ann Stinnett (Nicholas)
June 6, 1939 – Nov. 27, 2024
Patricia Ann Stinnett, age 85, of Placerville, passed away of lung cancer at home with her daughter by her side on November 27, 2024. Patricia was born in Compton, California on June 6, 1939, to parents, Ernest and Aresta Craine Nicholas. When Pat was 10 years old her mother formed a gospel trio with herself, and her daughters. They were known as the Nicholas Sisters. They sang on the radio, toured many churches and cut several Christian records. Patricia had a beautiful country singing voice and used her musical talents to bless many churches during her life time. She also played piano, guitar and electric slide guitar. Patricia was married to Fred Lee Stinnett from 1958 until he passed in 1992. Pat and Fred owned several businesses including pest control companies, a floral business and water well drilling companies. She owned Water Tech Well Drilling Company from the late 1970’s through 2016. Her son, Freddie James Stinnett, was co-owner and operator from 1993-2016. He passed away in 2018. Water Tech was a well respected business in the Placerville area. Patricia was a keen business-woman and did all the administrative roles their businesses required. She was a self-taught, hardworking, and determined woman. Pat was a member of Solid Rock Faith Center, and prior to that, Feed My Sheep Church. She had participated in various ministries in the church: Music, food, community outreach, cleaning, prison ministry, VBS, children’s Sunday school, and had been church pianist for many years. Pat accepted Christ as a child and truly loved the Lord. Her happiest times in life was when she was involved in her church. She was wonderful cook, creative macrame weaver, and also a licensed hair stylist. Pat loved all animals and birds and had volunteered with the Sierra Wildlife Rescue group in Placerville. At one time she raised 2 baby orphaned owls and released them to the wild. Patricia was predeceased by her husband, son, parents and sister, Delores. She is survived by her loving daughter, Debra Ann Stinnett and several nieces and nephews, including Pamela Munshower, Bobby Stinnett and other relatives in California, Arkansas and Michigan. Her Celebration of Life will be held at Solid Rock Faith Center, 6205 Enterprise Drive, #H, Diamond Springs, CA 95619, on Saturday February 22, 2025, at 11 am. All friends and family are welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided following the service.
John Anderson “Andy” Buhman
July 16, 1931 – Feb. 2, 2025
John Anderson Buhman, a ectionately known as “Andy” to his friends and family, passed away at home on February 2, 2025, at the age of 93. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Andy touched many lives with his kindness, wisdom and gentle spirit. Born and raised in Seminole, Texas, to John and Catherine Buhman, Andy was one of five children and the last surviving sibling. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Petty o cer, Second-Class Sonarman aboard the USS Shoveler and USS Hubbard. After his military service, Andy married Alyce Nordstrom on December 7, 1956. They began their life together in Seminole, Texas, before moving to California, with their young son. Andy worked as an appliance repairman in Pomona, California, before joining Pacific Bell Phone Company in 1965. His career with the company took the family to Baker, Riverside, and Penn Valley before settling in Placerville in 1972. He later worked at AT&T’s Sacramento o ce until his retirement in 1987 at the age of 56. Andy and Alyce enjoyed their retirement years in Eagle River, Michigan, and Victor, Montana, before returning to Placerville in 2012. A lifelong learner and natural craftsman, Andy mastered various hobbies, including metalwork, carpentry, and furniture making, He had a passion for baking, making jams and wine from his own berries. He loved tinkering on projects. Most recently, he was learning the art of knife-making alongside his grandson, John. He relished deep conversations, especially with his grandsons, on scientific and technical topics, always eager to expand his knowledge. He often said that learning was how he kept his mind sharp at 93. Above all, Andy cherished his family. He was very involved in his family’s lives no matter where he lived. He relished having the grandchildren at his home in Montana and Michigan to create lifelong memories. Beyond boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking and sightseeing, Andy took every opportunity to teach his grandkids practical life skills. Whether it was electrical work, welding, woodworking, yard maintenance, or gardening, he believed in passing down knowledge that would serve them throughout their lives. His patient guidance and hands-on lessons became cherished moments, leaving an imprint in their abilities, confidence and independence. Recently Andy enjoyed winetasting excursions with his grandchildren. Sharing lively discussions and laughter. Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Alyce, in 2013. He is survived by his son, Terry Buhman (wife Kari); grandsons John Buhman (wife Lisa), Matt Buhman (wife Tammy), William Buhman (wife Marilyn), and Michael Buhman (wife Cameron); and great-granddaughters Kaitlyn, Isabel, Emmalyn, and Grace. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his giving love, adventurous spirit, and the lasting imprint he left on the hearts of those who knew him. A celebration of life will be held February 24th @ 1pm at a residence on El Caminito Rd in Shingle Springs. We welcome friends and family. Andy’s internment will be beside his wife at Westwood Cemetery. For more service details, please email us at karibuhman@gmail.com
Glenda Irene Pitts
Dec. 10, 1936 – Jan. 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Glenda Irene Pitts of Placerville, California, on January 30, 2025, at the age of 88. Glenda was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, whose warmth, generosity, kindness and love for Jesus left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Born in Kinta, Oklahoma, Glenda developed a lifelong appreciation for family, Jesus and community. She was a dedicated and compassionate individual who found joy in helping others, whether it was through her work, her volunteer e orts, or the everyday kindness she showed to friends, family and neighbors alike. Glenda was a faithful follower of Jesus and she wanted everyone to know Him! She was a member of Placer Heights Baptist Church, where she joined in 1990! Glenda was a devoted mother to her children and a cherished grandmother and great grandmother, always ready with a word of encouragement or a quiet moment of wisdom. She loved to spend time with her family, sharing stories, laughter, and her love of the Bible, cooking and singing. Her home was a gathering place for all who sought comfort, and her spirit of hospitality and love will never be forgotten. She will be remembered for her strength, her ability to listen with empathy, and her unwavering devotion to Jesus and those she loved. Glenda is survived by her children, Bobbi Akers and Jim Pitts, her grandchildren, Daniel Akers, Elizabeth Earwicker, Megan Willsey, and Seirra Ravera, her great grandchildren, Denver Akers, Carter Earwicker, Cain Earwicker, and Charlie Ravera and a soon to be great-great grandchild, her sister, Lola Bess and family of Atlanta Georgia. She is also mourned by many dear friends and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J.B. Pitts, and her parents, Alice SkrimagerThorne and Troy Skrimager and grandchildren, Patrick James Akers and Christian James Pitts. A celebration of Glenda’s life was held at Placer Heights Church on Thursday February 13th. In
of
the family has requested donations be made to Snowline Hospice, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs CA 95619
Billie Jean Nichols
Dec 9, 1944 – Dec 19, 2024
Billie Jean Nichols, age 80, passed away on December 19th, 2024 at her Placerville, CA home with her children and best friend by her side. Billie Jean was born in San Jose CA, on December 9th 1944, the 1st child of William (Bill) and Eugenia (Jean) Squglio. She lived an active outdoor life and enjoyed waterskiing, motorcycle riding, camping, fishing, traveling and gardening. While at home she loved to read, complete puzzles, watch the local wildlife on her property, and spend time with family and friends.
Billie Jean worked in the electronics industry in what would become Silicon Valley and later, in the Real Estate field alongside her husband Del. She was preceded in death by her infant son Robbie, her sister Suzanne, her parents and her husband Del. She will be deeply missed by her children Robin and Erik, her 4 grandchildren, her sisters Diane and Darlene, her brother Michael, her longtime caregiver and best friend Kathy and many others, in her family and in her community, that knew and loved her.
Viola Victoria O’Donnell Aug. 16, 1926 – Jan. 23, 2025
Viola Victoria O’Donnell, affectionately known as Vi or Grams, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025, at the age of 98. Born on August 16, 1926, in Sandy, Oregon, Viola was the youngest of nine children of Fred and Eleanor Dobberfuhl. She graduated from Silverton High School and went on to become a talented beautician. She later married the love of her life, Herb O’Donnell, with whom she shared many wonderful years before his passing in 1993. Viola and Herb were the principals of Elk Grove Modular, Inc., developing projects in Elk Grove and Old Town Sacramento, as well as Hidden Springs Mobile Villa in Placerville, where they made their home from 1974 until Viola’s passing. A woman of grace, kindness, and impeccable style, Viola was a life member of the Shakespeare Club and the Newcomers Club. She had a passion for organizing and participating in fashion shows for both the Shakespeare Club and Cold Springs Golf and Country Club, where she and Herb were members for over forty years. She loved golfing, traveling, going to church, and spending time with her family, always bringing warmth, laughter, and an open heart to those around her. Viola’s memory lives on through her sons, Jeff and Tim O’Donnell, along with multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will forever cherish her love and wisdom. Viola will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend — always ready for a good time, a heartfelt conversation, or a well-dressed entrance. Her spirit of joy, elegance, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 23, at 1:00 PM at First Lutheran Church in Placerville to honor and celebrate her incredible life.
Pleasant Valley Road getting some safety upgrades
Jo Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent
An El Dorado County road prone to accidents, especially during winter months, should be safer for travelers by fall.
Road work is slated for Pleasant Valley Road this spring, along an almost 14-mile stretch from Mother Lode Drive to Mt. Aukum Road. School traffic is prevalent on the west end of the road with four schools — Union Mine High School, Charles F. Brown Elementary School, Charter Connections Academy and Pacific Crest Academy — located less than a mile from the road.
The approximate $3.5 million project will be paid for through the California’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, $3.15 million (89%); and $371,000 through a Regional Surface Transportation Program advance through the El Dorado County Transportation Commission.The El Dorado County Department of Transportation is currently accepting bids to do the work.
Last week, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project.
Safety improvements along Pleasant Valley Road will include high-friction surface treatment at various high-collision areas on Pleasant Valley Road, re-striping Pleasant Valley Road with thermoplastic traffic
n See ROAD WORK, page A5
WITH YOUR FIRST
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Pleasant Valley Road drivers will encounter some construction later this year as the county moves forward on some road safety projects.
Exhilaration Station hosts special Valentine’s Day dance
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
Around 40 young teens and adults with disabilities danced the night away at Exhilaration Station at a SEBAR Valentine’s Day dance last Saturday. Upon arrival, guests were treated to pizza, fruit, cookies and other snacks in the party room where the youths and their parents or caregivers had a chance to mingle before the dance party started.
Four pageant winners in formal gowns and tiaras were on hand to serve pizza and later dance and socialize at the Feb. 15 event. Miss Teen El Dorado Eleanor Davis, 18, of Placerville beamed. “I love it! This is my favorite place to volunteer,” she shared.
DJ Maverick supplied a wide range of music, including numbers like Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” where couples could slow dance, contemporary country music and funny numbers such as the “Chicken Dance” and “Macarena.” Participation on the floor was nearly 100%.
A few attendees opted out and instead played cards in the party room. Judging by the big smiles in the room, everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.
Exhilaration Station’s founder Judy Knapp opened the business in 2021 as a “family resource center” and her mission, she said, is to prevent child abuse. Knapp is passionate about the subject, sharing. “Most child abuse is
caused by a stressed out parent. Most mental illnesses stem from child abuse. When we look at domestic violence, drug abuse, suicide, hopelessness, unemployment; all these can stem from adverse childhood experiences. If we eliminated child abuse the DSM-5 (referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) would be the size of a pamphlet.”
The facility caters to families with children of all ages, providing a safe place to play and an area called “The Hive” where parents can connect to Wifi and work remotely while their child or children are supervised by staff members.
An onsite clothes closet offers free gently used clothing of all sizes, shoes and baby items. Craft items made by local artisans can also be purchased with a portion going to the facility. The play place is available to rent for birthday parties, celebrations and camps during the holidays and is great setting for social emotional learning.
“Kids learn how to be friends here, how to express and regulate their emotions,” said Knapp, who stressed that one’s EQ (emotional quotient) is actually more important in this world than their IQ.
The acronym SEBAR refers to Social Emotional Building Activities and Recreation and refers to a place where adults who are
differently abled have an opportunity to get together. The cost for a child visit is $12 for the whole day and as the facility is not licensed as a day care, the parent or guardian must remain on the property. A second child is $10 and third or more is $8 each.
Knapp said Child Protective Services uses the play place for supervised visits and shared the station at this moment is completely community funded. “We are in the toddler stage,” said Knapp, noting she and her husband Jim work for free. “In the next five years, we will be looking for grants.”
Caregiver Joy Vierra of Camino said she loves the place and looks forward to the once a month get togethers for her client.
Kim Laustrup of Placerville told the Mountain Democrat she was happy she found
the place. She had been searching for social events for her 15-yearold daughter Lizzy who has Down Syndrome. Many of the young adults at the dance already knew each other from their participation in local programs such as MORE and In Alliance in Placerville and Dream Catchers in El Dorado Hills. For more information about Exhilaration Station contact Joy Knapp at (530) 303-3372 or info@ exhilarationstation.org.
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Junior Miss El Dorado County Morgan Williamson, 15, of Placerville, center, dances to the song “YMCA” with young adults with
needs at the Valentine’s Day dance at Exhilaration Station Feb. 15.
Corrie McNamara, 30, of Shingle Springs is
America’s Ideal Miss California & West Coast Allison Cooper, 22, of Shingle Springs, right, dances with Sean Smith, 32, of Cameron Park.
Lake Tahoe communities encourage ‘anything but one person per car’
Jessica Weaver News release
LAKE TAHOE — Traffic congestion in mountain towns is certainly nothing new — especially on weekends and holidays during the winter — but new data suggests use of free-to-the-rider shared transportation options in the Lake Tahoe region is increasing.
“Simply put, if you’re in traffic, you are part of the traffic,” said Nettie Pardue, executive director of the Destination Stewardship Council. “Whether you live in Tahoe full-time or travel to the region to enjoy it for the day, the weekend or longer, it’s up to all of us to do our part and use shared transportation options like TART Connect, Lake Link, resort shuttles, free park and ride services or just simply carpool. All of these options are aimed at reducing the number of people traveling one person per car wherever they want to go in the region.”
As an example of progress, this year from the season opening through the holiday period, additional shuttles from both Tahoe City and Truckee provided service to Palisades Tahoe which in total provided 2,977 rides as compared to 1,013 over the same period last year — a 194% increase in use. Resort parking reservation programs have also improved conditions. Northstar California Resort has had a positive impact on morning traffic during peak periods on SR-267 and Northstar Drive with 65% of all Village View parking reservations being made for vehicles with four-plus passengers.
In South Lake Tahoe, ridership is up so far this winter. Tahoe Transportation District recorded a ridership of 40,003 during November and December of 2024, up from 28,668 during the same time period of 2023. As of September 2024, the TTD increased frequency on Route 50 from hourly to every 30 minutes, ensuring more flexibility and easier connections for everyone. In addition, TTD, in partnership with the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, is providing event-specific services to reduce traffic to and from the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
The reinvestment of tourismgenerated funding has also contributed to the expansion of the variety of free-to-the-rider shared transportation options available in North Lake Tahoe, Truckee and South Lake Tahoe.
Here’s how to get around in anything but one car per person this winter:
North Lake Tahoe to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, park at the Tahoe City Transit Center and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 6:30 a.m. in Tahoe City with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive. TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Mountaineer: Free, on-demand winter transportation is offered daily in Olympic Valley from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Service is offered Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 11
Road Work Continued from A3
stripe (enhanced wet night visibility) and clearing and grubbing along specific locations in order to meet required sight distances. The contract time is 50 days.
The Pleasant Valley Road Safety Improvements Project CIP No. 36105072 was adopted as part of the DOT 2024 Capital Improvement Program.
The Contract Documents, including the Project Plans, may be viewed and/or downloaded from the Quest website at questcdn.com. Interested parties may also access the Quest website by clicking on the link next to the project name or entering the Quest Project number on DOT’s website at edcgov.us/Government/ DOT/pages/BidsHome.aspx. Bids will be received by the
p.m. in Alpine Meadows and daily between the two valleys from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through April 20.
Truckee to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, park at the Truckee High School fields/TTUSD parking lot and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 7:42 a.m. in Truckee with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive.
Truckee to Northstar
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, free shuttle service is offered to and from Northstar from the Lift Workspace parking lot in Truckee starting just after 7 a.m. Additional service will be offered Feb. 22-23.
TART Connect: In Truckee, daily on-demand winter service is offered through April 6, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, and can connect to the Park & Ride.
North Lake Tahoe to Northstar
TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Truckee to Sugar Bowl/Donner Summit
Free daily service is offered between Truckee and Donner Summit through April 20, when Old 40 is open starting just after 7 a.m.
South Lake Tahoe to Heavenly Lake Link: Free, on-demand transportation is offered daily in South Lake Tahoe from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Public transportation: Offered by the Tahoe Transportation District, and funded in part by Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, fixed route bus service offered on the South and East shores of Lake Tahoe includes: 30-minute service is available along Highway 50 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Hourly fixed route services along Highway 50 and into some neighborhoods from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hourly local service between Stateline and Daggett Summit along Kingsbury Grade Regional commuter service between South Lake Tahoe and Minden/ Gardnerville and Carson City via SR-207
Heavenly Resort Shuttles: With routes that start as early as 6 a.m. depending on direction, accessing Heavenly’s four base areas (two in California and two in Nevada) is easy from a variety of lodging properties and businesses in South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Resort added seven new shuttle times this season, a new Lodging Route, and doubled frequency for the Kingsbury route. As a result of implementing parking reservations, carpool numbers are up to 63% of drivers.
“No one likes sitting in traffic, but every one of us has options when it comes to being part of the solution,” continued Pardue. “If you haven’t yet tried park and ride, TART Connect or Lake Link, or a good ol’ fashioned carpool, now is the time.”
County of El Dorado, Department of Transportation, through the Quest Construction Data Network until 2 p.m. on March 4, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read by DOT staff. The bid opening will take place virtually through Microsoft Teams. The virtual bid meeting can be accessed via tinyurl.com/ PVSafetyImprovements – meeting ID: 255 160 678 810, passcode: fk67zk2W and call-in (audio only) (530) 4470967, phone conference ID 687 453 614#. No Bid may be withdrawn after the time established for receiving bids or before the award and execution of the contract, unless the award is delayed for a period exceeding 60 calendar days.
OPINION
California Matters
Will having ‘too many cooks’ complicate recovery from deadly Los Angeles fires?
Aproverb said to have arisen in 16th-century England
postulates, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” When too many people are working on a project without clear accountability, it may produce a shoddy outcome.
In fact, research conducted at Princeton University 11 years ago appears to validate this. Iain Couzin, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and the study’s senior author, said it undercuts the so-called “wisdom-of-crowds” theory that champions multiple inputs.
“It’s a starting point that opens up the possibility of capturing collective decision-making in a more realistic environment,” Couzin said in a statement at the time. “When we do see small groups of animals or organisms making decisions they are not necessarily compromising accuracy. They might actually do worse if more individuals were involved. I think that’s the new insight.”
Examples of spoiled broth abound in the political realm, but a very obvious and current example is California’s haphazard approach to its worst-in-thenation homelessness crisis.
Historians will see the res that blackened much of Los Angeles this year as one of the state’s most signi cant events and how recovery is managed, or mismanaged, will be legend.
Multiple state agencies, cities and counties all deal with aspects of the situation. Despite an estimated $24 billion expended since Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, the number of homeless people in California has continued to rise and the state auditor has found that Newsom’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, which was supposed to coordinate state e orts, had failed to do so.
Local homelessness e orts have also su ered from a lack of clear responsibility with city and county o cials pointing fingers at each other.
What’s happening or not on homelessness is a warning that a new crisis — recovery from the highly destructive and deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles — could be botched.
Earlier this month, UCLA’s Anderson School of Management estimated property losses of between $95 billion and $164 billion, and other estimates range as high as $250 billion. The tasks of cleaning up, financing and rebuilding schools and other
■ See WALTERS, page A7
California Commentary
Letters to the Editor
Only illegal immigrants have to worry
EDITOR:
Mary Giles’ letter on an ine cient immigration system is one of the best e orts at deception on the illegal immigration problem I have ever seen. Let’s dissect it a piece at a time.
She mentions her Italian grandparents coming over — conveniently failing to mention whether they came legally or not. They were probably legal as if not, she would have mentioned it to support her argument for illegal immigration.
Next she says that the current administration is terrorizing immigrant communities. Not quite, Ms. Giles; they are only putting fear in illegals. Fear and concern come with the territory of committing illegal acts.
She talks of “actual criminals.” Guess what, Ms. Giles, when you break a law you are an actual criminal — sort of self explanatory there. Toward the end of her letter she mentions Trump torpedoing the border bill without mentioning one of the main reasons for opposing it. In the bill was a poison pill that put illegals on a pathway that
could have been as short as five years to voting, which has been one of the primary goals of the Democrats from the beginning.
GEORGE ALGER Placerville
An optimistic outlook
EDITOR:
The election is over. America decided, and we chose Trump. Many people are distraught over that fact. I want to point out that America chose Trump, not the Republican Party. Yeah, Yeah, sure, the Republicans hold the POTUS and both Houses, but at the thinnest margins possible. In fact, Republicans lost a House seat in the past election. Yes, sure, Trump is experiencing his highest approval ratings ever and Democrats have an approval rating of just 31%. Please take into consideration that Vance, Gabbert, Bessant, Sacks, RFK Jr. and Trump himself were or are Democrats. Bessant worked for Soros, for
Enough with all the special sessions in Sacramento
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed yet another special session last November. This time to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” The Legislature is proposing $25 million to the California Department of Justice to “Trump-proof” California and another $25 million for illegal immigration legal and support services. But what purpose does a special session even serve? Well, their purpose is made abundantly clear by their o cial term. It’s o cially an “extraordinary” session. The dictionary tells me that
means “going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary.”
Let’s say, hypothetically, a natural disaster like a wildfire, destroys a portion of Los Angeles while the Legislature isn’t in session. It would make perfect sense for the governor to call the Legislature back to address recovery e orts.
But, for better or worse, our state Legislature is a full-time legislature so they are in regular session for most of the year. The session convenes in December and doesn’t end until September (with a month o for summer). They don’t need to be called back. They’re already here. Well, you might be saying, the governor called them into special
So, what is calling a special session, especially one about ghting Trump, about? Well, you could say it’s about emphasizing priorities. But really it is nothing more than political theater.
session in November. You said they aren’t in session in November, so they needed a special session. But they didn’t come back in November. When Newsom declared a special session, he gave it a starting date of “Dec. 2, when the Legislature convenes.”
Even then, they didn’t really get going on it until January — when the regular session is already fully under way. So, what is calling a special session, especially one about fighting Trump, about? Well, you could say it’s about emphasizing priorities. But really it is nothing more than political theater.
Sure, the governor and legislative leaders could just tackle conflicts
with the Trump administration in the normal course of their jobs, but that doesn’t generate national headlines. With Newsom’s national aspirations back on track after Kamala Harris’ defeat at the polls, garnering good press is a high priority for the administration.
But how is that working out? When the wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, the political posturing was seen for what it was — an empty exercise that was tone deaf and in poor taste. Fiddling about Trump while the Pacific Palisades and Altadena burned. Media scrutiny was growing and more responsible legislative leaders
DAN WALTERS
JON COUPAL
public infrastructure, as well as thousands of homes and commercial structures, are almost unfathomably di cult.
As the fires were finally tamed, political figures such as Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and local civic leaders and organizations began raising money and proposing pathways for recovery operations.
However, as the Los Angeles Times has reported, the plethora of recovery organizations makes it di cult to determine who’s really in charge, a lack of clarity compounded by fires having struck both neighborhoods within the city limits, such as Pacific Palisades, and those governed by the county, such as Altadena.
The recovery response got o to a bad start when Bass appointed Steve Soboro , a prominent civic leader, as her recovery czar only to face backlash about being paid $500,000 for a few months’ work. He ultimately agreed to work for free, but the flap implied that decisions were being made without being fully vetted.
Meanwhile, Rick Caruso, another civic leader whom Bass defeated to become mayor, has announced his own recovery e ort, sparked by losses
su ered by members of his family, and has sharply criticized Bass, who faces a reelection campaign next year.
Newsom has spent many days visibly monitoring firefighting e orts, getting a $2.5 billion allocation from the Legislature and seeking federal funds from President Donald Trump, a longtime political foil. However, just after making a quick trip to Washington to bolster requests for money, Newsom signed legislation appropriating millions of dollars to battle Trump in court over other issues, most prominently immigration.
Newsom also issued a decree waiving regulations to allow homeowners to rebuild their homes, even in neighborhoods shown to be prone to destruction in previous fires.
Historians will see the fires that blackened much of Los Angeles this year as one of the state’s most significant events and how recovery is managed, or mismanaged, will be legend.
Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters. org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
were justifiably questioning the wisdom of continuing the Trumprelated special session, especially relative to legitimate public business. Moreover, existing legislative rules allow important bills to move quickly without a special session. The only thing stopping lawmakers from addressing the fires, or Trump for that matter, in the regular session was that they are simultaneously in a special session. But rather than go back to their regularly scheduled business and deal with all the issues facing California, including the wildfires, they doubled down.
Newsom announced he was expanding the special session to fight both Trump and the fires. Democrats also planned to lump it all together in one big bill. Tying funding for victims of a natural disaster to opposing
Letters
Trump? That didn’t go well.
Legislative Republicans immediately objected to holding wildfire funding hostage and legislative leaders backed down after further public scrutiny. The Legislature has since approved a $2.5 billion proposal to respond to the fires while the Senate considers the $50 million to fight Trump.
Excessive spending had already stretched the budget to the point that the governor called for pulling billions out of the state’s rainy-day reserves. Now, thanks to two sessions at once, the Legislature can spend your money twice as fast.
Enough is enough.
Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Continued from A6 goodness sake. Trump’s biggest adversaries today are all Republicans: Cheney, Bush, McConnell and Romney, to name just a few. And Trump pardoned Illinois Democrat Gov. Blagojevich and had all charges dropped on NYC Democrat Mayor Adams. That doesn’t seem very political. It looks like he’s performing a frontal assault on judicial warfare.
So here’s my advice to those who liked our country’s direction: you won’t enjoy the next
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the rst Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org
CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS
CLUB meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheri ’s o ce, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
PLAY CRIBBAGE Join the Gold Country Cribbers 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452. We Play - We Teach - We Have Fun. Wednesdays 4:00 PM. Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County
four years very much. But the silver lining is another election in four short years. I don’t know who will be selected; I don’t know if there will be a Republican or Democratic Party. But I do know that Trump loves this country and I, for one, am very optimistic about the world’s future because he does.
HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship.
KEN STEERS Cameron Park
over to ask him what happened. She said the 26-year-old said he was truly sorry and explained that he had dozed off because he was working all night.
Kevin’s injuries were made worse by the fact that he tried to crawl over to reach their son and he told the Mountain Democrat the accident had taken a toll on him emotionally. “I can’t work and I can’t coach, my two passions,” Kevin lamented.
The community stepped in
The Sadek family is grateful for all the help they received from the community, including a Meal Train set up by Jenny Curtis, wife of Union Mine wrestling team head coach Don Curtis.
“Some of them are great cooks,” Yvonne said. “This community is amazing. People who witnessed the accident brought meals and people who didn’t even know the family made donations.”
Kevin’s repair business, The Helping Hand, came to a sudden halt due to his injuries. He said he saw his physician on Jan. 10 and the prognosis is an estimated nine- to 12-month recovery time.
“Charles is young and fit and his gait is better,” Kevin shared but the younger Sadek is not cleared to do any sports or activities other than stretching and walking around the high school track. At this moment, the family relies on mom’s part-time income as director of Children’s Ministry and office assistant at Radiant Life Church in Placerville.
Charles said he’s saddened by the fact he cannot wrestle and “support my team.” He was hoping his team would make it to the state championship and that he would earn an athletic scholarship to Central Michigan University where his application had already been accepted.
“I am looking into attending Sacramento City Junior College studying finance as a business major,” he shared.
Charles has physical therapy once a week and does upper body work at the gym to stay fit. He said he hopes to wrestle at the JC and later earn an NCAA scholarship, which is still well within his reach as he was ranked 25th in the state before the wreck.
The following is a list of some of Charles’ accomplishments:
• Team captain
• USA Freestyle state medalist
• Tim Brown medalist Fresh/sophomore SCWAY state placer
• Three-time all league
• Three-time divisional finalist
• Two-time divisional champion
• Three-time masters qualifier
• 7th place masters medalist
• More than 100 high school season wins
“It is a blessing how the surrounding community reached out to help,” Union Mine Diamondbacks assistant coach Curtis said. “The school has a great support system.”
And it’s not the first time Charles has needed a support system.
“This kid can’t seem to get a break,” Curtis said, recalling a tragic
Dr.
incident that occurred when Charles was on a church camping trip in the Upper Tahoe Royal Gorge area. “A tree limb fell on Charles and his friend who was in a sleeping bag nearby.”
The friend’s injuries were fatal and Charles was life-flighted to UC Davis Medical Center. The coach called the Sadek family “pretty resilient, Charles, especially.”
It seems the family is not only resilient, but also forgiving. Kevin said they found the social media page of the person who caused the collision and reached out to him.
The recovering father shared that he told the young man he wasn’t mad at him and had compassion, knowing that guilt can stay with
someone for a lifetime.
The other driver’s mother sent a card to the family.
With this just a small part of the outpouring
of love and support the Sadek family received, Yvonne said they’re happy to stay a part of the community — the family was considering
Committee Continued from A1
The committee was given a tour of the city facilities at Benham Park by Director of Community Services Denis Nishihara, who pointed out several needed projects. Scout Hall improvements have been requested by the public, according to Annie Aubrey, committee chair. The building needs roof repairs and a way to restrict access to the roof from outside. The building would also benefit from bringing the inside, including the bathrooms, up to ADA compliance. Nishihara said an engineer would have to inspect the building for structural damage before roof leaks could be addressed.
Next the committee turned its attention to the park and play structures.
“On average, all our parks are over 15 years old,” Nishihara said.
Two glaring concerns in the park are broken slides, which would need to be repaired by a certified repairman from the original company that installed the structures.
“Then we would need a third party inspector,” Nishihara added.
Each slide would cost upward of $11,000 to repair. Nishihara said his team was also looking into statewide grants to cover those repairs or possible replacements of the entire structures.
Next up was the Aquatics Center, where several issues require attention. The splash pad needs valve repairs and new paint. The main pool has some plaster coming up and will need to be resurfaced soon. The committee had a chance to check out the new stairs it previously funded.
tanks and bathroom facilities.
When the committee finished the tour it was time to discuss plans for the coming year.
Other projects discussed included the Adopt a Trail/ Park program and new bollards or mobile vehicle barrier tools.
The proposed Adopt a Trail program, if implemented, will foster environmental stewardship by engaging the community in the maintenance, conservation and enhancement of the local section to the El Dorado Trail. The program will need a new trailer to transport tools and safety gear to volunteers at any given point of the trail being maintained.
The trailer, including equipment and storage, is estimated at a cost of $23,500.
The bollards or mobile vehicle barriers are needed by the city during events in which the street is closed to vehicular traffic like Halloween trick or treating or the Christmas Tree lighting. During such events each end of the street, or anywhere a vehicle can get through, needs to be securely barricaded to prevent vehicles from intentionally or accidentally breaching the barrier and putting pedestrians in harm’s way.
The bollard program would install removable or retractable bollard barriers in strategic locations on Main Street to make easy installation of vehicle barriers possible. This would remove the need to transport water filled barriers to the street when needed.
moving out of state — and so grateful as all these efforts made by friends and strangers “restored my faith in humanity.”
travel to Folsom to pick them up, set them up at the event and then return them at the end of the day. Getting on the calendar to use them also seems to be a struggle with so many communities using them.
The proposed barriers are mobile and can be deployed by one person.
“If we owned them and they were stored at the corp yard they would be easy to deploy,” said Police Chief Joe Wren.
“And they could be shared with other cities,” added Aubrey.
A package including multiple barriers and a trailer is estimated to cost more than $80,000. The committee discussed installing permanent, retractable bollards around the Belltower and purchasing Meridian barriers for other uses.
“Looks like we couldn’t fund all of these,” said committee member Catherine Sylvester.
“Not this year,” retorted Aubrey.
Vice Chair Kelly Chiusano suggested the committee withhold making a determination until solid numbers were available on the bollard/barrier program.
City Manager Cleve Morris suggested that the mobile barriers be prioritized over the bollard installation and also encouraged the committee continue to fund the Placerville Fire Safe Council as that is a tangible community asset that relies on that funding.
Aubrey suggested moving forward with the Adopt a Trail trailer and waiting on the barriers until the next meeting when numbers were firm. Ultimately, the committee decided to make funding decisions at the next meeting scheduled for March 25. Sadek duo Continued from A1
Other concerns in the Benham Park facility include the aging underground propane
Currently the city borrows Meridian barriers that are housed in Folsom as a regional asset. They are free to use but they require two staff members to
Courtesy photo by Shutterfly Photography
Union Mine wrestler Charles Sadek uses a double arm bar hold to control his opponent at a match last year. The senior ranked 25th in the state but was forced to take time off to recuperate from injuries suffered in the crash.
COMICS
Register for historical cross-country ski race
News release
TAHOE CITY — Registration is open for The Great Ski Race set for Sunday, March 2, at Tahoe XC in Tahoe City.
“It’s an iconic part of the experience of being here in the wintertime,” said Doug Read, co-director for the race. “Even the most novice cross-country skier can accomplish it, see some beautiful terrain and enjoy a great time with a bunch of fun people.”
This year, there’s a new 10km course that will circle solely within the boundaries of Tahoe Cross-Country Center in Tahoe City. The traditional 26km course will zoom as usual from the original start zone at Tahoe XC up the 7-mile hill to Starratt Pass, around Mt. Watson and back through forest trails to the finish line in Tahoe XC where the party begins. Registration will be capped at 800.
With the current cold temperatures and the recent fresh snow, the Tahoe
Nordic Search and Rescue team, which puts on the race, is holding strong that this year’s race will be as nice to ski as many others have been.
The new 10k course is $10 beneath the full price for adults and $5 less for kids under 18. All registrations include a commemorative T- shirt, hot lunch, and live music. Prizes for the 26k race will go to the top winners as well as winners of various age groups, according to gender. For the 10k race, prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers according to gender, said co-director Dirk Schoonmaker.
For more information about the race, the course, wave starts, soup station, finish area, etc., go to thegreatskirace.com.
This event is the primary fundraising event for Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. Proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the team members and support winter survival and avalanche education programs sponsored and conducted by the team.
Sierra-at-Tahoe to host state championships
News release
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Sierraat-Tahoe will host the California Nevada Interscholastic Ski and Snowboard Federation High School Championships March 2-6, bringing together the region’s top high school skiers and snowboarders for the final competition of the season. This marks a historical return, as the last time Sierra-at-Tahoe hosted the prestigious event was in 1950.
The event will feature top high school athletes from across California and Nevada, competing in alpine ski and snowboard disciplines. Spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes as they take on Sierra-atTahoe’s renowned terrain.
“Having
snowboard combined champions.
“Sierra-at-Tahoe has rolled out the red carpet to support student athletes from the CNISSF,” EDHS coach Joe Volek, CNISSF commissioner and South 1 division coordinator, commented.
“For so many of these athletes, Sierra-at-Tahoe is more than just a competition venue; it’s their home mountain,” he added. “Having the chance to compete in their own backyard, on familiar terrain, makes this event even more special and a truly fun full circle moment for everyone involved.”
the chance to compete in their own backyard, on familiar terrain, makes this event even more special and a truly fun full circle moment for everyone involved.”
“We are honored to welcome the next generation of competitive high school ski and snowboard athletes to Sierra-atTahoe,” said Dan Healy, general manager at Sierra-at-Tahoe. “Hosting the state championships after almost 75 years is a testament to our resort’s dedication to fostering young talent and celebrating the spirit of competition.”
— EDSH coach Joe Volek
The CNISSF is dedicated to providing a top-notch alpine experience, fostering leadership, encouragement, and support for studentathletes. The return of the championships to Sierra-at-Tahoe is particularly exciting as many of the competing athletes call Sierra their home mountain and look to take home the gold this winter.
Information on event schedule, registration and lodging discounts can be found at sierraattahoe. com/2025championship and sites. google.com/view/cnissf/cnissfchampionship-info.
The CNISSF will feature more than 300 male and female skiers and snowboarders racing in both Giant slalom and slalom. The high school racers who qualify from six divisions across both states will compete for individual and team recognition. Sierra will welcome defending championship high school teams, including Mammoth High School, the 2024 ski champions; North Tahoe High School, the defending 2024 snowboard champions; and El Dorado High School, the three-time ski and
Support the cause
Show your support for the studentathletes and commemorate this special event with official CNISSF Championships 2025 merchandise. A portion of the proceeds will go toward supporting the athletes and ensuring the continued success of high school ski and snowboard programs. Browse the collection and make a purchase at jg.graphics/collections/cnissfchampionships-2025-merch-1.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). “Am I OK?” is a question many wouldn’t think to ask. Asking already puts you in the realm of self-reflection that means you’re so much more than OK. Go deeper today and ask, “What might bring about my thriving?”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Not everyone in your circle is living up to the values you hold dear. You may worry about being guilty by association, but you needn’t. You’re building a legacy that’s entirely your own, and that’s something the faults of others cannot touch.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You honor a person’s preferences, which speaks to the deep respect and care you show others. You’ll give the sweetest gestures, celebrating someone while respecting their wishes.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Good will come out of your interactions with people who think differently. Sometimes people are thinking small, but they have big hearts. You don’t have to change another person’s mind to connect in some way. While intending to find common ground, you will.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s OK to feel nervous; it means you care, and that caring is what drives you forward. Wishing for support is natural, but even without someone beside you in a moment, you’re still capable of navigating this on your own terms.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Emotions have their own timing.
When you’re going through something, just remember that it’s temporary. You have a very stable set point you will return to. There’s a cheerful vibe just waiting on the other side of this with open arms.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some believe we’re born unknowing, while others argue we enter the world fully aware, only to spend our lives unlearning, striving to rediscover that knowledge. Whatever your theory may be, today will put it to the test.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your priorities will shift again, and as they do, you’ll think about making tweaks to your current lifestyle in the interest of creating a more supportive and nourishing environment for your thriving.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your relationship with earth signs -- the Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Photo by Troy Corliss
Ready, set, race. The Great Ski Race returns to Tahoe City on March 2.
n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
n RUBES by Leigh Rubin
n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
Stand
Comedy at The Stage @ 8pm / $28 Home Grown Comedy at The Stage! Featuring Paul Conners, Gabriel Alexan‐der, and JillDo! The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. stageatburke@ gmail.com
Heath Harmison - LIVE COMEDY @ 9:30pm / $29 Feb 21st - Feb 22nd Heath is one of the funniest clean comedians out there. Laughs Un‐limited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@gmail.com, 916446-8128
YOGA AT THE HIVE WITH KAIA FIT @ 10am / $25 Enjoy monthly yoga in our pollinator garden begin‐ning Saturday, February 22nd. The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, 1221 Harter Avenue, Woodland. thehive@zspecialty food.com, 530-668-0660
A Conversation with Bussie Parker Kehoe @ 2pm Join us at the Pence for a conver‐sation with artist Bussie Parker Kehoe & Director Natalie Nelson! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370
EXPERTS ONLY: JOHN SUMMIT, KYLE WATSON, WESTEND, NEM @ 6:30pm Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 Hwy 50, Stateline
Tribute Saturdays Live @ Music City San Francisco @ 7pm / $29 Discover new bands and unforget‐table experiences at The Music City Underground! 1355 Bush St, 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco. aprill@ musiccitysf.org
Brian Bromberg: Charles Ruggiero Three-O! @ 7pm Black Cat, 400 Eddy St, San Fran‐cisco
Audio1 @ 7pm SPIN San Francisco, 690 Folsom St #100, San Francisco
Stabe Wilson: L.A. Fires
Fundraiser @ 3pm Empress Theatre, 330 Vir‐ginia St, Vallejo Blackout Makeout/ Mullet‐proof/ Love and Havoc @ 7pm / $14.60 Neck of the Woods, San Francisco
Brian Bromberg: Charles Ruggiero Three-O! @ 7pm Black Cat, 400 Eddy St, San Fran‐cisco
Uncle Chris @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Dance Fitness Classes at Woodland Senior Center @ 10:15am Dance �tness Classes for Seniors Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Wood‐land. tina�tness68@gmail.com
Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. teainsworth@gmail.com
Children's Dance Classes After School at the Davis Arts Center @ 4pm Tina Fitness offers children's Dance classes after school at the Davis Arts Center. Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com
Music City SF PresentsThe Motown Sound | Free Entry @ 7pm / Free Featuring DJ 7evenB Spinning Timeless Grooves 1355 Bush St, 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco
Dead Heat @ 7pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco Cavalera @ 7pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco
New West @ 8pm Gold�eld Trading Post - Sacra‐mento, 1630 J Street, Sacramento
Hayden Everett @ 8pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco
New West North American Tour '25 @ 8pm Gold�eld Trading Post, Sacra‐mento
only agency authorized by the CA DEPARTMENT of AGING to offer Medicare Seminars. HICAP does not sell or endorse insurance products Benicia Senior Citizens, 187 East L Street, Benicia. hicap info@sasnb.org, 707-526-4108
Jenny Kerr & Friends
Acoustic Happy Hour
@ 6:30pm Madrone Art Bar, 500 Divisadero St, San Francisco
By All Means
Comedy Competi‐tion @ 7pm / $13
A local stand up competi‐tion hosted by Josh Means highlighting the up and coming talent in and around the Sacramento area. Every competition is closed out with an amaz‐ing SURPRISE GUEST! Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128 Strawberry Jealous - Rock, Folk, Blues and Country Night @
Nuclear Disarmament Activism: Does it "Work"? @ 7pm Does Nuclear Disarmament Ac‐tivism “Work”? Taking Stock of Different Approaches with Prof. Stephen Herzog and Masako Toki of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey Davis Friends Meeting (Quakers), 345 L Street, Davis. sfpattison@gmail.com, 530220-5042
Starling @ 8pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento
Tommy Odetto: Bay Area Appearance @ 8pm / $11.82-$19.74 Blue Note Napa, Napa
Danny V @ 8pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St, San Francisco
DannyV, R.SOL @ 8pm / $22.84 Brick and Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco
Repeater @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Deadringer/ The Human Contortion/ The Tower The Fool @ 8pm / $14.60 Neck of the Woods, San Francisco
Tai Chi Classes for Beginners @ 9am Beginning tai chi classes offered at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com
Scott Amendola: Amendola vs. Blades w/ special guest Dan White! Key Jazz Bistro - 7pm show! @ 7pm Keys Jazz Bistro, 498 Broadway, San Francisco
Los Yesterdays @ 8pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco
Seablite @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Milk For The Angry @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Nibling Rivalry's February show @ 9pm / $12
St, Sacra‐mento
@ 7pm / $29 Feb 21st - Feb 22nd Heath is one of the funniest clean comedians out there. Laughs Un‐limited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@gmail.com, 916446-8128
Brian Bromberg:
Fri‐days, 550 Barneveld, San Fran‐cisco. info@dancesf.com, 877398-7025
JGB @ 7:30pm The War�eld, 982 Market St, San Francisco
Les Savy Fav @ 8pm Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
La Sombra @ 8:30pm Knockout, 3223 Mission St, San Francisco
Elysian Moon: Ecstatic Dance - SF @ 10am Church Of 8 Wheels, 554 Fillmore St, San Francisco
Jet Black Pearl: With the Amazing Bubble Man at Yountville Community Center @ 1pm Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St, Yountville
Gaucho at Brenda's @ 5pm Brenda's French Soul Food, 652 Polk St, San Francisco
Blackout Make Out - Live at Neck of the Woods, San Francisco Feb 23, 6pm @ 6pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco
2ND @ 6:30pm Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco
Beginning + Intermediate Tai Chi @ 10am Tai chi classes for beginning and intermediate practitioners at the Davis Arts Center Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com Drew Harrison: Camp
Nibling Rivalry is a highenergy, fast-paced, longform clap-in improv show that will take you on the comedy equivalent of a midway ride at a kitten rodeo. (No kittens will be harmed.) Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1050 20th Street, Sacramento. mickey@saccomedys pot.com, 916-444-3137
Mamadou Traore’s African Art PopUp @ 4pm During Black History Month, Mamadou Traore will host a pop-up exhibit and shop of African art and artisan goods in the IHouse’s Lounge from 4 –6:30
Scott Amendola: Amendola vs. Blades w/ special guest Dan White! Key Jazz Bistro - 9pm Show! @ 9pm Keys Jazz Bistro, 498 Broadway, San Francisco
Sterling Scott - LIVE COMEDY @ 9:30pm / $29 Feb 28th - Mar 1st Often described as a high-energy performer and a crowd favorite Sterling Scott is a Canadian comedic national treasure on the rise to stardom. Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club
PROSPECTING
Section B ■ mtdemocrat.com
IN THE KNOW
Stellar Students
Congratulations to Gracie Hopkins of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the University of Hartford Dean’s List and President’s List.
Congratulations to Ethan Haase, EvaMarie Pelk and Ava Ursu, all of El Dorado Hills, who were named to the Biola University Dean’s List.
Congratulations to Olivia Hicks of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the Seton Hall University Dean’s List.
Congratulations to Zachary Hilliker of El Dorado Hills, who was named to the University of Tampa Dean’s List and learned bus bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the Florida school.
Feb. 21
The Sierra Renaissance Society presents Fencing and Wildlife, a presentation by Kathleen Jermstad, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission free for members; public invited to attend to attend two meetings for free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For more information visit srsedc. org.
The Stage at Burke Junction will host Homegrown Comedy from 8-10 p.m. For more information visit stageatburke.com/ homegrowncomedy.
Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder through March 16. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
Feb. 22
It’s time to prepare the garden for the delicious vegetables you want to grow this year. Master Gardeners Zack Dowell & Patrick Daubert will discuss garden plant selection, planting times, site selection, soil preparation, proper seed planting techniques and pest management at the UCCE Master Gardeners Spring and Summer Vegetables class, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. Register online at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=44193. Drop-ins welcome.
The historical Murer House and Gardens will host the annual Camellia Show and Competition, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1125 Joe Murer Court, Folsom. The entire event is free to the public. For more information contact Rhonda DesVoignes at bdesvoignes@ comcast.net or call the Murer House at (916) 413-9231.
The El Dorado County Historical Society and Save the Graves presents An Evening with 19th Century Placerville’s C.C. Peirce, 2 and 5 p.m., a bene t for the restoration of the historical M.E. Church. For tickets and more information visit edchs.org/fountaintallman-museum-1. Join the Shingle Springs Community Center for a Wild West Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament fundraiser at 5 p.m. Bring your best poker face and help Shingle
D. Lee Reyes Gold Country Artists Gallery
Gold Country Artists Gallery, an award-winning artists’ cooperative in Placerville is featuring the work of Kirk Neiberger and Nataly Tikhomirov in February.
Neiberger calls himself the “Inkist,” a pseudonym that reflects his love for creating his original pen, ink, and sometimes watercolor, illustrations. As a young man, he became intrigued with etchings, but unable to a ord the necessary supplies to create that kind of work, he replicated the technique with materials at hand, finding pen and ink approximated the look and “feel” of etching. He explains that although actual etchings are smaller in size, the amount of detail he discovered in these images is remarkable. He began taking photos of scenes that piqued his interest, and through the years, he took advantage of the opportunities he had to turn his travels into “photo safaris,” creating a library of images from which to draw his inspiration.
He describes a trip with his wife to France, which included a visit to the Ei el Tower. They enjoyed lunch at le Jules Verne, the restaurant located about halfway up the iconic tower, with its stunning views of the tower girders, and spectacular vistas of Paris laid out before them. As they were leaving, walking away from the tower, Nieberger looked back and spotted an unexpected bed of bright, red flowers at the foot of the tower. Always ready with his camera, he dropped to his knee to capture the shot. The result is his illustration titled, “Meet Me in Paris,” with its interesting perspective of the tower seeming to rise out of the flowers. His safaris take him to nearby places as well. “I get ideas of what I’d like to do (for my next project),” he explained. “and then I decided I wanted to see the fall leaves in Hope Valley. So, my wife and I journeyed there. I saw the most gorgeous grove of aspens, and I just had to draw “Hope Valley Fall.” For some of his drawings, he need go no further than his own backyard. “There is a tree that grows near my home in Sutter Creek that has been screaming at me every fall for many years,” he declared. “I finally listened!” he said, which led to his portrayal of this lovely Japanese Elm with its golden-orange leaves, an “Autumn Dream” in the waking world of this artist.
Neiberger’s artwork can be found in many unanticipated places,
turning up in not just local galleries, but gracing the walls of homes and businesses on four continents, six countries, and 34 states. His personal challenge is to have his work displayed and enjoyed in all 50 states. With his incredible artistic talent and strong attention to detail, that’s highly possible.
Tikhomirov is an award-winning artist who grew up in Russia, earned a master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing from a prestigious Russian school of art, and has lived in America with her husband since 1991. Her beautiful paintings showcase her incredible skill with various mediums which she uses in isolation or in combinations to achieve what she sees as the defining beauty and elegance of the flowers she enjoys painting, her inspiration coming from her own garden of gladiolas, dahlias, and the lovely queen of flowers, the rose. What sets her work apart from many of her peers is the attention she gives to the details in her work: a bead of water upon a petal to which she gives the illusion of weight and substance, implying the shadow behind the blossoms by weaving the light filtering between the petals to play on the shadowy leaves. She strives to reproduce the essence of flowers using various styles, techniques and art media. One technique she uses is to mask with fluid or tape to protect the light values and safeguard the details, which create the crisp edges in sharp contrast from the soft darker shapes of the background.
Her goal, she explained, is to recreate the “aura” that emanates from the flowers and using it to direct the degree and depth of color she applies between warm and cool, light and shadow. Her watercolor titled “After Storm,” focuses on a pink rose blossom presented in a realistic form with the play of sunlight and shadow to create a 3D illusion that makes one feel as though they could reach out to pluck it and hold it in their hand.
Tikhomirov’s attention to detail is also revealed by her treatment of the vases in her still life paintings, using the play of light to “bend” the stems inside a glass vase or myriad of reflections on a metal container.
In addition to being a watercolorist par excellence, her portfolio includes extensive experience painting in miniature. Tikhomirov applies her expertise to the traditional, Russianstyle ornamented boxes that now grace the gallery.
The process of making these small, ornamented
boxes can be time consuming. Tikhomirov begins the creation of her boxes by designing her own stenciled patterns. She applies a layer of molding paste to develop raised textures, sometimes sanding areas for variety, or polishing for a smooth, flawless surface. After the paste dries, she paints an overall layer of acrylic color. For a 3D e ect, she paints in small details with other colors.
Some of her boxes are embellished with crystals and stones, and gold and silver metallic paint. For the more elaborate boxes, Tikhomirov uses gold leaf and silver. She attaches small feet to some boxes, while others sit flat. Each box has a hinged lid,
by Nataly Tikhomirov
“Morning Dew” by Nataly Tikhomirov
“Autumn Dream” by Kirk Neiberger
Neiberger
‘Star-Crossed’ brings yin & yang to symphony
In the culinary arts, humans seem to be attracted to contrasts: sweet and savory, sweet and sour. In literature, “opposites attract” is one of the most popular tropes in romantic writing.
And in the world of music, some of the most passionate music ever written embraces the beauty and the tragedy of forbidden love.
Love and loss
Star-Crossed Lovers is the theme for the March 1 Folsom Lake Symphony concert. The concert will focus on three samplings from the musical world. Yet, there is an interesting contrast in the choices themselves. Two are positively western. The other is Asian — but in a distinctly western format.
The western pieces are selections from “Carmen” by Georges Bizet (1838–75) and “Symphonic Dances” from ‘West Side Story’” by Leonard Bernstein (1918–90).
The Asian work that is the showpiece of the evening is “The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto” by He Zhanhao (b. 1933) and Chen Gang (b. 1935). What is fascinating about this work is that it was written by He and Chen (their last names) using traditional Chinese melodies in a western format when they were students at Shanghai University in 1959. The Cultural Revolution ended compositions of this type and “Butterfly Lovers” was not played for some time.
“The Chinese government policy for all arts in the late 1950s was expressed by this brief and wellknown phrase: ‘To make the past serve the present, and foreign things serve China,’” wrote Dr. Lang Xiaoming in his commentary on this work. “The government appealed to musicians to compose Chinese-style symphonic music which must conform to the principles of ‘Revolutionization, Nationalization (in the meaning of race, not the state) and Popularization.’ Following these principles, especially Chinese nationalization, the
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Backtrack Vocals offers a diverse repertoire spanning Top 40 hits, Motown, Broadway, classical and original music.
Backtrack brings its beats to EDC
Jeannette Maynard
El Dorado County Community Concert Association
El Dorado County Community Concert Association’s fourth concert of its 2024-25 season will feature Backtrack Vocals at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Backtrack Vocals is a dynamic vocal band from New York City, known for infusing heart and humor into every performance. With a diverse repertoire spanning Top 40 hits, Motown, Broadway, classical and original music, there’s something for everyone. Its extensive touring history includes the U.S., Vietnam and Kazakhstan, with upcoming shows in Mauritius and Seychelles.
Committed to music education, Backtrack has led programs at more than 250 schools worldwide, from elementary assemblies to college workshops and a cappella camps. Its offerings include school assemblies, choir workshops and 101 clinics on beatboxing, group vocal improv, pop vocal techniques and more. Through these programs, Backtrack empowers students to explore and develop their unique voices, promotes inclusivity and brings a cappella music to life in an engaging, interactive way. Starting on YouTube in 2013, Backtrack has gained 115,000-plus subscribers and 15 million views on their channel. The group has appeared on NBC, FOX, PBS, Steve Harvey’s daytime show “STEVE!,” Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” and HBO’s “PAUSE with Sam Jay.” The musicians made their movie debut in “A Ring
n See CONCERT, page B7
composers of ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ used the famous Chinese tale ‘LiangZhu’ to create this concerto.”
In the Chinese story, the ancient love tragedy is of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, who, sometime in the 4th century, were undone by rigid social conventions. It is China’s “Romeo and Juliet,” where the doomed lovers are eventually transformed into butterflies so they can be together forever. The story made its way into the traditional Yueju opera of Zhejiang Province. These are the melodies He and Chen incorporated into their violin concerto.
Performing with the Folsom Lake Symphony under the baton of Maestro Peter Jaffe is violin soloist South Korean virtuoso Ji in Yang. As a guest soloist, she has collaborated with renowned ensembles spanning the United States and Korea, including distinguished orchestras such as the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlantic Music Festival Orchestra, Daegu Symphony Orchestra, Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ulsan Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others.
Recognized for her expressive and nuanced playing, the United Kingdom’s Musical Opinion described her solo appearance at Cadogan Hall as “brilliantly played.”
Yang’s educational background includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Hyo Kang and Dorothy DeLay. She earned an artist diploma on a full scholarship from Yale University under Hyo Kang and earned her doctorate of musical arts on a full scholarship at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York with Daniel Phillips.
Yang plays on a Petrus Guarnerius violin, crafted in 1723. The creator of the instrument was Pietro Guarneri, known as Peter Guarnerius of Venice (1695-1762), a member of an instrument making family. Stradivari and Guarnerius instruments are ranked as the greatest of violins. Some fine violinists
prefer the instruments of Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu to those of Stradivari.
The Star-Crossed Lovers concert is Saturday, March 1 with a show time of 7:30 p.m. at The Harris Center for the Arts on the campus of Folsom Lake College, 10 College Parkway in Folsom. Visit folsomlakesymphony.com for tickets. Send your event for consideration in Susan’s column to slaird@handywriting.com.
Jazz & Juleps celebrates 45 years of compassion
Laurie Heyman News Release
EL DORADO HILLS — Snowline Health will host its Jazz & Juleps Brunch, a lively celebration featuring live jazz, delicious cuisine, exciting experience-based auction items and signature mint juleps. The event will take place on Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills.
This special gathering invites guests to enjoy a festive New Orleans-style atmosphere, all in
Go
support of Snowline’s mission to provide compassionate care, grief support and hospice and palliative care for those in need.
For 45 years, Snowline has been a pillar of support for patients and families facing serious illness, grief and loss in El Dorado, Sacramento and Placer counties.
As a nonprofit organization, Snowline’s commitment goes beyond end-of-life care, it extends to grief counseling for children, palliative care, veterans services, Alzheimer’s and dementia classes, support and essential services that ensure dignity and comfort
for those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Jazz & Juleps Brunch is more than just a celebration, it is a fundraiser that helps sustain Snowline’s mission for years to come. Proceeds from the event will directly support our programs, ensuring that every patient and family receives the compassionate care they deserve. For tickets or more information visit JAZZJuleps.givesmart.com. For more information about Snowline Hospice and how you can support its mission visit SnowlineHealth.org.
all in for local Free Museum Weekend
Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release
SACRAMENTO — More than 20 Sacramento Area Museums are collaborating to present a Free Museum Weekend on March 1-2.
Similar to the past few years, the popular community event is free but requires advance registration and capacity will be limited for each museum. Nearly 30,000 tickets will be available across all participating destinations but will fluctuate by museum and/or by day. Advance registration is required to participate in the 2025 Free Museum Weekend.
To make the event accessible to underserved community members, pre-selected nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to secure tickets early in mid-February. Then, free ticket registration for the general public will be available on Feb. 24 beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until all tickets have been secured.
To reserve free entry on either day, interested community members should visit sacmuseums.org/ free-museum-weekend. With limited availability, event registration is expected to be secured quickly. Should more free event tickets become available, announcements will be made on SAM social channels (Facebook & Instagram) @SacMuseums.
Participating museums
• Aerospace Museum of California
• California Automobile Museum
• California Museum
• California State Library
• California State Railroad Museum
• Capitol Park at California State Capitol Museum
• Crocker Art Museum
• Don & June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum
• Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
• Locke Boarding House Museum
• Maidu Museum & Historic Site
• Museum of Medical History
• Utility Exploration Center
• Sacramento Children’s Museum
• Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
• Sacramento History Museum
• Sacramento Regional Fire Museum
• SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity
• Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum
• State Indian Museum
• Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
• Verge Center for the Arts
All participating museums will be open at 10 a.m. both days and the last entry is one hour prior to museum closing time (which could differ slightly by museum). Free tickets are available only for regular admission March 1-2.
And, to make visiting local museums accessible to everyone on Free Museum Weekend, SacRT is offering a free ride flyer valid on March 1 or March 2 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Riders can visit sacrt.com/freerideflyer to print or screenshot the flyer to present bus operators and light rail fare inspectors the day of their ride.
The two-day special event also coincides with the launch of Museum Membership Month that takes place annually during March and is designed to raise awareness of the importance of supporting the museum community while encouraging year-long membership. During Museum Membership Month, many of the local museums are offering special incentives and discounts for enthusiasts who choose to become members and support their favorite museums and destinations.
For more details “like” Sacramento Area Museums on Facebook at Facebook.com/SacMuseums, follow them on Instagram and X @SacMuseums or visit SacMuseums.org.
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South Korean virtuoso Ji in Yang will perform “The Butterfly Lovers” with the Folsom Lake Symphony on March 1.
Susan Laird The Arts
‘Our Town’ brings life lessons
Sutter Street Theatre
FOLSOM — “Our Town” was described by the playwright, Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written.”
Get tickets for Sutter Street Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s
“Our Town” under the direction of Allen Schmeltz and starring Sam Williams as the Stage Manager and Hannah Hurst as Emily Webb along with many other talented actors.
The story follows the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts. Narrated by a Stage Manager and performed with minimal props and sets, audiences follow the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry and eventually — in one of the most famous scenes in American theater — die. This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet it presents “Our Town” as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed.
“Thornton Wilder’s masterpiece … An immortal tale of small-town morality a classic of soft-spoken theatre.” — The New York Times
“No American play describes more powerfully how we imagine ourselves.” — New York Daily News
“Our Town” runs Feb. 21 through March 16 at Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter St. in Folsom. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays. For reservations and more information visit SutterStreetTheatre. com or call (916) 353-1001.
Artists Continued from B1
and the feel of one in your hand is solid and luxurious, a treasure worthy of holding other, smaller treasures. The interiors of the boxes are painted in a rich, red color, bringing cinnabar to mind, and some are lined with rich, red felt. A coating of lacquer creates a shiny, gem-like surface, and each box is a one-of-a-kind work of art.
Tikhomirov’s larger Russian Papier Mache Boxes look like real treasure chests, sumptuously glowing with gold, adorned with jewel-colored designs and bright blue bird designs that vibrate with energy against the gold. She decorates some of her boxes with fanciful creatures like griffins or dragons, all of her own design. One may discover a box with a golden dragonfly lit upon a field of vivid blue, and another with a scarab design, decorated in a variety of blues with gold accents. Perhaps one finds an elegant rooster, an elephant with an Indian motif, adorned with gold, red and green, or an underwater scene with a variety of small fish and two beautiful koi cavorting on the lid.
Tikhomirov covers many of her Russian boxes with elegant geometric designs like fleur-de-lis, interconnected rings, rays, scallops and stars, designs made complex by the artist’s attention to detail. The skill she brings to her art highlights her incredible talent. She speaks humbly about her work, which has not only garnered rave reviews from art experts around the world, but
purchased by museums, and private collectors from Tokyo and Paris, to New York and San Francisco.
Gold Country Artists Gallery features the work of many awardwinning regional artists working in fields as diverse as fine jewelry, photography, fused glass, wood turning, pastels, colored pencil,
scratch board, and watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on the 3rd Saturday of each month until 8 p.m. For more information, call (530) 642-2944 or visit www.goldcountryartistsgallery.com. Gold Country Artists Gallery is located in downtown Placerville, 379 Main St.
“After Storm” by Nataly Tikhomirov
“Hope Valley Fall” by Kirk Neiberger
Photo by Allen Schmeltz
Brian Hurt, Haley Winalski, Hannah Hurst, Elizabeth Old and Beau Engler from left to right, will star in ‘Our Town’ by Thornton Wilder at Sutter Street Theatre.
includes dinner, dessert and initial buy in. For more information visit shinglespringscommunity-center.org.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra Crackin’ Crab for Kids’ Sake takes place 6-10 p.m. at the Forni Building on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For tickets and more information visit bbbsns.org/events.
Join us in learning resources and sharing thoughts on coping strategies for Resilience in Times of Change and Loss at Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma Street, Placerville, on Saturday, February 22, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. Includes a presentation by Rev. Libby Vincent, spiritual director, and associate priest, followed by workshops on making soul collages and on reflection and movement with dance instructor and spiritual director Sheryl Trainor, ending with a soup lunch. Questions or to RSVP call 530-391-4588 or just come. This event is free to all participants. Parking is behind the church.
Feb. 23
The Vita Academy presents TriMusica and Friends at 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College in Folsom. For more
For Information
Call Elizabeth Hansen at 530-344-5028
information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
Feb. 24
Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts Addressing Dementia Challenging Symptoms of Home and Community Safety Issues at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park, 1:30-3 p.m. For more information call (530) 621-7820 or email dementia@ snowlinehealth.org.
Feb. 27
Snowline Health Dementia Connection hosts a free Caregiver Support Group at the Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information call (530) 6217820 or email dementia@snowlinehealth.org.
Feb 28
The Stage at Burke Junction presents “Lobby Hero” Feb. 28 through March 30. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com. Brigham Young University presents BYU Ballroom Dance: Rhythm at 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College in Folsom. For more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
March 1
Snowline Health presents its Jazz & Juleps Brunch, a lively celebration featuring live jazz, delicious cuisine, exciting experiencebased auction items and signature mint juleps, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills. For tickets visit JAZZJuleps. givesmart.com.
Folsom Lake Symphony presents the Star-Crossed Lovers concert at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College in Folsom. For more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 6086888.
March 3
FLC Jazz Band presents Women in Jazz featuring Mary Fettig at 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College in Folsom. For more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
March 4
Broadway Sacramento presents “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” March 4-8 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.
March 9
Sacramento Symphonic Winds presents A Place for Us – A Leonard Bernstein Tribute at 2:30 p.m. at California State University, Sacramento, Capistrano Hall. For tickets and more information visit sacwinds.org..
Toast album release with artist Collier
Sutter Creek Theater News Release
inger/songwriter Vanessa Collier’s sixth album “Do It My Own Way” came out Sept. 13 via Phenix Fire Records. Recorded on analog gear with the musicians largely in one room, “Do It My Own Way” is sonically inspired by the classic Memphis soul sound of Stax and Hi Records, especially that of the Staples Singers.
The multi-instrumentalist Collier takes on multiple roles, writing the songs, producing the album, arranging horns and all instrumental and vocal parts, playing acoustic and electric guitars and alto and tenor saxophones, flute, as well as singing the lead and background vocals.
The songwriter/bandleader made her Chicago Blues Festival debut this year, in front of tens of thousands. Best known in the blues world she’s a 12-time Blues Music Award nominee and four-time winner, including for the monumental Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Horn Player of the Year, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year this year “Do It My Own Way” finds her influenced by soul artists like Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m on March 1. The event is open seating with beer and wine available. For information or to purchase tickets visit suttercreektheater.com.
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Vanessa Collier will celebrate her sixth album release at the Sutter Creek Theater on March 1.
Lakeview Elementary to offer new STEM curriculum
Lakeview Elementary, a school in the Rescue Union School District, has announced the launch of Project Lead The Way as part of its curriculum, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. This cutting-edge program will provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire creativity, spark curiosity and build essential problem-solving skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
PLTW is a nationally recognized program that introduces students to real-world challenges through dynamic lessons in engineering, biomedical science and computer science. Through activities such as robotics, coding, prototyping, and data analysis, students will develop critical thinking and collaboration skills while gaining a deeper understanding of STEM fields.
“We are excited to bring PLTW to Lakeview Elementary, giving our students a unique opportunity to explore, create, and innovate,” said Principal Laurisa Stuart. “This program will empower students to think critically, work collaboratively, and apply their learning in meaningful ways that prepare them for future success.”
What will PLTW look like in the classroom?
In a typical PLTW class, students will engage in hands-on, project-based learning designed to encourage exploration and innovation. Each lesson will begin with a real-world challenge, prompting students to apply STEM concepts to design creative solutions. Whether collaborating in small teams to build simple machines, coding and testing software for a robotics project or collecting and analyzing data during a science experiment, students will be immersed in an interactive learning environment that promotes problem-solving, teamwork and
perseverance.
Unlike many schools that offer PLTW only in traditional classrooms, Lakeview Elementary will provide a unique dual-learning experience:
Classroom integration — PLTW lessons will be woven into daily instruction to reinforce STEM concepts. Specialist instruction — Students will also engage in hands-on activities with dedicated art and STEM teacher, allowing for deeper exploration and cross-curricular learning.
“Bringing Project Lead The Way to Lakeview is a reflection of our deeper commitment to continuous improvement in Rescue USD,” said Superintendent Jim Shoemake. “This program represents the kind of forward-thinking education that ensures our students are not only prepared for the future but excited to be part of shaping it.”
For more information about PLTW contact Principal Stuart at lstuart@rescueusd.org.
Reggae virtuosos will get the Foundry jumping
News release
NEVADA CITY — The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is thrilled to welcome Mike Love – Solo with Special Guest E.N. Young for a special performance on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Born and raised in O’ahu, Hawaii, Love is a visionary musician whose work is devoted to revolution through sound. Rooted in reggae’s spiritual and message-driven traditions, his music blends influences from progressive and classic rock, soul, blues, flamenco, jazz and classical styles, creating a uniquely powerful and dynamic experience.
A self-described creator of “revolutionary consciousness
Celebrate at chapbook launch event
News release
Join Poetry of the Sierra Foothills for a launch celebration for “The Way Back” by Mike Owens, a chapbook is about hope while serving a life sentence. Incarcerated people can be forgotten and become a population that is not remembered. Writing is a way for voices to be heard from behind prison walls and where stories can be told to empower free expression.
Bob Stanley will present Owens’ work during the event. He studied
poetry at California Institute of Technology and University of California, Los Angeles. Sacramento’s Poet Laureate from 2009 to 2012, Stanley has organized poetry events in California for many years.
Also on tap, Lara Gularte, El Dorado County Poet Laureate Emerita, will present “Voices of the Creek” a New Rivers quarterly anthology. She is a teaching artist at Mule Creek State Prison.
The event will take place at Chateau Davell Winery in Camino on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m.
music,” Love is known for thoughtprovoking lyrics that address social and environmental issues, animal rights and personal growth. His music is more than entertainment — it’s a form of healing, learning and transformation. With a dedicated international fanbase, he has become a leader in contemporary reggae, captivating audiences with his deep musicality and uplifting messages.
Joining Love for this special evening is E.N. Young, an acclaimed reggae artist and producer. Throughout his career, he has produced, mixed or mastered more than 1,000 songs, crafting the sounds of some of today’s top reggae artists. His music fuses roots reggae with innovative production, and his live performances bring
electrifying energy to the stage. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, Young has toured extensively, performing at festivals and venues worldwide. His distinctive sound and high-energy stage presence have made him a sought-after performer in the reggae world.
The event starts at 8 p.m. and is appropriate for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit minersfoundry.org or call (530) 2655040.
The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is a landmark dedicated to fostering arts, music and community engagement. The Foundry provides a space for live performances, gatherings and cultural celebrations.
Courtesy photo
Mike Love will be joined by E.N. Young for a special performance.
Now
The Mills Station Arts & Culture
Placerville, hosts Atelier on Main: A Placerville Arts Association member show through Feb. 23. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org/gallery.
Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents Rumpelstiltskin” through Feb. 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
Broadway Sacramento presents “Mean Girls”
through Feb. 23 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit broadwaysacramento.com.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Marie Curie and the Sisterhood of Science” through Feb. 23 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.
Viewpoint Photographic Art Center in Sacramento presents Faces of America: Getting By in Our Economy and Mark Thomas & John Romie: The Road through March 1. For more information visit viewpointphotoartcenter.org.
Imagination Theater at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “Stuart Little, The Musical” through March
2. For tickets visit itplacerville.org.
California Stage presents “As You Like It” at the R25 Arts Complex in Sacramento through March 2. For tickets and more information visit calstage.org.
The Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael presents Awash with Color, an annual art show featuring the members of Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons, through March 8. For info visit sacfinearts.org.
Atrium Gallery EDH in El Dorado Hills Town Center presents Hidden Kiss, a solo artist exhibit featuring Lin Fei Fei, through March 22. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom presents Art Movement in Fiber through March 27. For more
information call (916) 461-6601 or visit folsom.ca.us.
California Museum in Sacramento presents Our War Too: Women in Service through May 4. For information visit californiamuseum.org.
Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Collidoscope – De La Torre Brothers Retrospective through May 4; Frames of Mind –The Ramer Photography Collection through May 4; Black & Gold – Traditional and Contemporary Japanese and Chinese Ceramics through Dec. 31, 2025; and Pueblo Pottery – Native American Pottery and Sculpture through Dec. 31, 2030. For more information visit crockerart.org.
Marco’s Café in Lotus hosts a family friendly Open Mic Night every Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information visit marcoscafelotus.com.
Community access television unveils exciting new projects
Sierra Community Access Television is proud to announce two innovative new projects that highlight the creativity, community engagement and rich local history that SCATV2 is known for — from a dynamic new music video to an insightful historical series, SCATV2 continues to captivate and inspire audiences on the western slope of El Dorado County.
“Preserving the History of Coloma” Series
In another exciting development, SCATV2 is proud to announce the premiere of Preserving the History of Coloma, a captivating four-episode series about Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Produced by Gary Campbell, the series provides an in-depth look at the historical restoration efforts in Coloma, the birthplace of the Gold Rush. Through interviews with historians and park rangers, exclusive footage and behind-the-scenes insights, viewers will discover the challenges and triumphs of preserving Coloma’s architectural
treasures.
The four episodes are as follows:
• Episode one: The Shop — A deep dive into the preservation of structures over 170 years old in the heart of Gold Rush history.
• Episode two: St. John’s Church — A focus on the meticulous restoration of St. John’s Catholic Church, built in 1858. Episode three: The Saw Mill — An exploration of the legacy of Sutter’s Mill, with insights from Interpretive Lead Holly Thane.
• Episode four: Emmanuel Church — A look at the inspiring restoration journey of the first church built in Coloma during the post-Gold Rush era.
This series has been made possible through generous funding from the Latrobe Fund and Sapling Fund. SCATV2 extends its heartfelt thanks for their support in preserving California’s rich history. The series is now available to watch on Comcast Channel 2 and SCATV2’s YouTube Channel.
Placer County major motion picture to premiere
ROCKLIN — Robert Craig Films is celebrating the debut of its first feature film, “No Address,” in theaters nationwide and presented by Fathom Entertainment, beginning Feb. 28. The film shares the personal journeys of those experiencing homelessness, reminding us that homelessness could happen to anyone. Shot exclusively in the Greater Sacramento Region, it features many familiar faces in front of and behind the camera, showcasing the deep film industry talent in the region.
This is the first Placer County produced major motion picture to be released nationwide in theaters. Robert Craig Films shares the premiere with The Gathering Inn as a fundraiser to help those experiencing homelessness in the region. This is separate from the Big Five Giveback promise by the production company to donate 50 percent of the net profits of all five productions with the 1,402 Giveback partners, or registered nonprofits, nationwide who work hard to help resolve homelessness in their communities. Giveback
Concert Continued from B2
for Christmas” in December 2020 and their international presence was highlighted by a performance and interview on a Kazakhstan national morning show in June 2023.
Half-season pricing available EDCCCA — the oldest performing arts organization in El Dorado County — has been bringing worldclass entertainment to the greater Placerville area since 1950 and the 2024-25 season is no exception. Reduced half-season membership pricing is offered for the remaining three concerts at $60 per adult, $10 per student and $120 for a family
partners are hosting VIP preview nights and red carpet events across the country on Feb. 27.
The film will play on 97 movie screens throughout the Central Valley out of more than 5,100 screens nationwide across most Cinemark, AMC and Regal movie theaters.
Tickets for “No Address” can be purchased online at fathomentertainment.com and at participating theatre box offices.
Inspired by true events, “No Address,” follows the harrowing journey of Lauren, a young woman pushed onto the streets and forced to survive against all odds. Alongside a makeshift family of outcasts — each with their own haunting story of struggle and loss — Lauren discovers that home is not just a place, but the people who refuse to let you fall.
“No Address” is directed by Julia Verdin and with producers Jennifer Stolo and Lucas Jade Zumann, and produced by Robert Craig, Angela Lujan, Sally Forcier and Julia Verdin.
The hometown premiere event will be at the Cinemark Westfield, Roseville on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Learn more at noaddressmovie.com.
membership, including two adults and two K-12 students. This special pricing is not available through the website. Call (530) 556-9498.
All EDCCCA concerts are performed at Union Mine High School, Theatre at the Mine, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado.
Buy tickets at the door
Non-members may attend for $30 at the door ($10 per student). Only cash and checks are accepted at the door (no credit/debit cards). Seating is limited. To learn more about the 2024-25 season visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com.
Public Notices
Applications Available at: 2684 Coloma Court, Placerville, CA 95667 Ph: (530) 622-1186
TDD: (800) 735-2929
SCATV2 is excited to premiere a unique new music video titled “We’re Telling Your Tale,” created by SCATV2 Program Director George Sabato. The video blends the power of creative writing, modern technology and local storytelling. Sabato crafted the song and lyrics with the help of ChatGPT, inspired by SCATV2’s commitment to sharing the stories of the community. Using tools like Lyricstosong.com and Canva, Sabato produced a visually stunning video that captures the essence of SCATV2’s mission to tell local tales in a dynamic and artistic way.
“I wanted to embrace technology creatively while showcasing how SCATV2 brings local stories to life,” said Sabato.
The music video is available for viewing on SCATV2’s YouTube Channel and will also air on Comcast Channel 2.
For more information on SCATV2, please visit sierratv2.blogspot.com. SCATV2 broadcasts on Comcast Channel 2 and is available to stream on YouTube. Subscribers are alerted when new videos are posted.
Carpets • Blinds • Appliances On-site Laundry • Playground • Accessible Units Available Limited assistance for those who qualify. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.
Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry
You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.
INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES
• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters
• Private patio
• Attached garage
• In-home washer and dryer
• High ceilings
• Housekeeping, laundry, and trash service
• Basic cable and utilities included — stay warm this winter!
• Pets welcome
COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES
• Restaurant-style dining
• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills
• Clubhouse and tness center
• Library and full-service beauty salon
• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations
• Transportation services
• 24-hour emergency maintenance
• Gated electronic entrance
We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.
