SERRAN
SPECIALIZING IN LUXURY ESTATE PROPERTIES
916.712.1617 or 916.941.3006
PatSeide.com | patricia.seide@cbnorcal.com
CalBRE #00892540
OWNER/BROKER, LUXURY HOME SPECIALIST
CalBRE #00892540
patricia.seide@cbnorcal.com
PatSeide.com 916.712.1617 or 916.941.3006
Recently, some of real estate’s fi nest got together to create a dream duo which proved to be tremendously successful. Leveraging years of expertise, Pat Seide with Coldwell Banker and Angela Dameri with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, teamed up to represent an exquisite $3.2M estate in the prestigious Serrano Country Club neighborhood. This resulted in one of the highest dollar volume sales ever in El Dorado Hills, and more importantly an ecstatic seller.
By always putting the client fi rst, Pat and Angela have created a legacy of excellence in the region assisting clients with their home sales or purchases at all price levels.”
OWNER/BROKER, LUXURY HOME SPECIALIST CA DRE# 01412951
angela@angeladameri.com www.angelaandjeff.com (916) 316-5567
serranoeldorado.com sacmag.com
Serrano Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills magazine is a publication of the Serrano community in El Dorado Hills. It is written and produced three times a year for Serrano Associates by Sacramento Media LLC. The magazine is distributed under the authority of Parker Development Company to all Serrano residents, property owners and country club members. Additionally, copies are distributed to businesses and outlets throughout El Dorado Hills and neighboring communities from Folsom to Placerville. Copies are available at the Serrano Visitors Center, at Serrano builders’ model home complexes and at select local businesses.
Serrano is being developed by Parker Development Company, a longtime Sacramento-area creator of high-quality and award-winning master-planned communities.
CONTACT: marketing@serranoeldorado.com or call (916) 939-3333
EDITED AND PRODUCED BY SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC
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WELCOME TO
SERRANO
Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills
editor’s note:
Dear Serrano Community:
It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the calendar year, and students throughout El Dorado County are o cially enjoying their summer break. As one who works in K–12 education, I can tell you that our county’s youth and amazing educators deserve this much-needed break after enduring yet another year of teaching and learning in a pandemic. Be sure to check out our El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools’ column as Dr. Manansala reflects on the importance of our students’ mental health and everyone’s wellness during these times.
Speaking of summer, as you are enjoying the hot, fun-filled days, you might be dreaming about cooler weather in the fall and destinations to build or purchase a second home. Be sure to check out Jolaine Collins’ story on page 26 where she shares her excursions throughout the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and Sedona. This is a trip to look forward to any time of the year, but the fall o ers cooler weather and fewer crowds.
We are excited to welcome our new Serrano Country Club General Manager, Josh Rumsey, who brings a wealth of experience to the club, along with a love for the game. Check out Bill Romanelli’s profile about our newest team member on page 22.
We’re also excited to announce that Parker Development Company will be turning over about 1,000 acres of beautiful open space to the Serrano El Dorado Owners’ Association. What better way to ensure preservation of this community treasure for years to come? Be sure to check out the story on page 39.
Speaking of community treasures, the Marshall Cancer Center is now an affiliate of the UC Davis Health Cancer Care Network, giving El Dorado County residents access to world-class care and cutting-edge clinical trials. Read more about this important partnership on page 43.
If it’s sweets you crave—without the sugar and calories—the Sugar Lips Protein Cakery in El Dorado Hills is for you! Don’t miss this story about these delicious gluten-free doughnuts and the devoted Serrano owners behind them on page 34.
And finally, for our readers who are passionate about the El Dorado Musical Theatre (like me), we’re happy to announce they are moving from their current space in El Dorado Hills to the Business Park where they will continue their magic in bringing us amazing musical performances.
Be well!
Kristin Conner, Editor
SERRANO
Living the Good Life in El
Serrano is being developed by Parker Development Company, creator of high-quality, awardwinning master-planned communities since 1956, including Greenhaven and Riverlake in the Pocket area of Sacramento, and The Parkway in Folsom.
Serrano’s amenities include miles of hiking and biking trails and more than 1,000 acres of open space. Numerous neighborhood parks are located within the gated villages. El Dorado County’s K–12 schools o er an exceptional level of education, with test scores that have ranked among the highest in California.
The private, member-owned Serrano Country Club o ers elegant and casual dining as well as tennis, swimming and exercise facilities. Serrano’s 18hole championship golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. For information about Serrano Country Club, call (916) 933-5005 or visit online: serranocountryclub.org.
and the
logo are state-registered trademarks
Dorado Hills
Serrano
Serrano
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RECURRING EVENTS
Sundays through Oct. 30
EL DORADO HILLS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET
The region’s most popular farmers market returns with fresh fruits and vegetables from local area farms, as well as homemade honeys, jams, cheeses, and other household favorites.
Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit edhtowncenter.com
June 16–Sept. 8
LIVE ON THE BOULEVARD— EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER AMPHITHEATER CONCERT SERIES
The popular Thursday night concert series is back with an amazing lineup that promises a “get-out-of-your-seat-and-dance” vibe and entertainment for the entire family. Concerts are festival-style seating, so bring your lowback chairs. For more information, visit edh towncenter. com (There will be no concert on June 30.)
June–August
NINTH ANNUAL HANDS4HOPE— YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Hands4Hope—Youth Making A Difference is holding its school supply drive to collect donations for local students in need. Please visit hands4hopeyouth.org for more information and to learn about the ways to get involved and make a difference in your community.
Ju ly 2
FIREWORKS AND FREEDOM CONCERT, EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER
The award-winning Fireworks and Freedom Concert returns this year! Plan on celebrating Independence Day with exciting entertainment for all
ages. Enjoy live music, food trucks and special vendors. Entertain the kids in the Hands4Hope— Youth Making a Difference Kids Zone, complete with bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, a nd a DJ playing games and giving away prizes benefitting Hands4Hope—Youth Making a D ifference. The concert starts at 8 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater and will conclude with a sp ectacular new fireworks dis play. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more in formation, visit edhtowncenter.com.
July 2
STEVENS PEAK HIKE—AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY
American River Conservancy (ARC) board member Scott Vail will lead this 10-plus-mile hike to Stevens Peak, located southeast of Luther Pass. The hike begins at 8,000 feet off Highway 89 and climbs more than five miles to 10,000 feet at the hike turnaround at Stevens Peak. Wildflowers should be abundant, and the views are excellent. This is a difficult hike due to the altitude. Participants should be in good hiking shape. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 14+ and well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Free. For more information, visit app.donorview.com/jnKmg
July 9
FORNI MEADOWS HIKE—AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY
The free hike is approximately 10 miles round trip, climbing from 6,700 to 7,600 feet. The trail is an old road and suitable for intermediate hikers. The trail ascends to Forni Meadow and passes through old growth red fir and associated vegetation, with views of the Crystal Range and the mountains south of Highway 50. The area was in the Caldor Fire, so hikers will see the fire effects on the ecosystem. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Fit 12-year-olds+ are also welcome. 9 a.m. Visit app. donorview.com/jnKmg for more information.
July 12, 19
EL DORADO HILLS LIBRARY—
TEEN TUESDAYS
Youth Executive League at the Library hosts Teen Tuesdays each week. Come have fun, make friends, and participate in the activities! Activities throughout the month include jewelry making, Dungeons and Dragon characters, a book and cupcake swap, candle making, movies and board games, etc. Call the library at (916) 358-3501 for more information about each week’s activities. The library is located at 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, El Dorado Hills.
July 13, 20, 26
ART ACTIVITIES AT THE EL DORADO HILLS LIBRARY
Come down for different art activities in July. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Activities will be appropriate for children pre-school aged through tweens. Express yourself and explore crafts on the theme of Beyond the Beaten Path. Sponsored by Friends of El Dorado Hills Library. 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, El Dorado Hills. For more details, please call (916) 358-3500.
July 13
COSUMNES HEADWATER MEADOW WALK
Meander through a beautiful meadow of the Middle Fork Cosumnes River, with lunch adjacent to a waterfall. Enjoy a brief discussion of a meadow restoration project with naturalist volunteers from the Cosumnes Coalition. This is an intermediate, high-elevation, 2-mile hike with some steep areas and slippery/rocky terrain on an undefined trail. The hike will be canceled if there is steady rain or lightning storms. Ages 12+ and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit app.donorview.com/X4W6Q for more information.
July 14
WILD THINGS WILDLIFE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Learn from wild animals! Founded in 1987, Conservation Ambassadors’ Wild Things houses and cares for more than 60 species of displaced wildlife. 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at the El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills. Tickets are required. Pick up free tickets the Tuesday before the
show. Sponsored by Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library. For more details, please call (916) 358-3500.
July 15
EL DORADO HILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT ANNUAL FREE CONCERT SERIES
Bring your family and friends to Community Park for a perfect summer night of food, music, and dancing! 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week’s concert will feature Rock Monsterz. For concert status information, please call (916) 933-1335 or visit eldoradohillscsd.org/.
July 16–17
GRANITE CHIEF WHISKEY CREEK/ FIVE LAKES/SHANKS COVE TRAIL OVERNIGHT BACKPACK TRIP
ARC volunteer Tom Dodson will lead this exploration of the Granite Chief Wilderness Area Picayune Valley, starting at Talbot Creek. The hike is moder ate, with no step el evation gains. Elevation is 5,600 feet. Hikers will camp at the upper end of the valley and will hike up to the saddle to enjoy views of the Granite Chief. This is an overnight trip, so bring your own backpack with supplies and food. Hike is easy, with 400-foot elevation gains, and 12 miles round trip. Age minimum: 12 with backpacking experience. Cost: $40/members, $55/non-members (Drivers are needed, so please indicate desire when you are signing up.) Visit app.donorview.com/3PYQ9 for more information.
Rock Monsters
Wild Things
photo: Jake Shebitz
July 17, 21, Aug. 15, 25
ZEN MEDITATION AND QIGONG IN THE WAKAMATSU GARDEN
Join local mindfulness instructor Berry Crawford for a peaceful and relaxing event at the beautiful and historic Wakamatsu farm. This event will include sessions of Qigong, mindfulness meditation and walking meditation. Learn to relax, recharge, and let go, with these ancient and effective practices. Responsible and quiet 12-year-olds+ are welcome. Suggested Donation: $5/members, $10/non-members.
Visit app.donorview.com/N7kge for times and more information
July 24
CAPTURING WAKAMATSU: A POETRY WALK/ WORKSHOP
Taylor Graham, El Dorado Count y’s first Poet Laureate, and award-winning Sacramentoarea poet Katy Brown will lead an exploration of farmhouse, barn, and surroundings, and then ask participants to write a poem inspired by what they have experienced. Children 8+ are welcome with adult supervision. 10 a.m. to noon. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/ non-members. Please register at app.donor view.com/Eb mek
Aug. 4
JORDAN THE SCIENCE WIZARD
Tickets are required for this event even though it is free. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. to noon at El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway. It’s a fascinating science show that is sure to wow. Pick up tickets the Tuesday before the show. For more details, please call (916) 358-3500.
Locked-N-Loaded
Aug. 26
EL DORADO HILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT ANNUAL FREE CONCERT SERIES
Bring your family and friends out to Community Park for a perfect summer night of food, music, and dancing! 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week’s concert will feature Locked-N-Loaded. For concert status information, call (916) 933-1335 or visit eldoradohillscsd.org/.
Aug.
27
TOUR OF THE WAKAMATSU FARM NIGHT SKY
The late summer dusk will reveal th e splendors of the night sky. Learn about constellations and their mythologies, the embedded landmark stars, and planets in view. Listen to this relaxing tour from the comfort of your chair, cot or hammock. Bring binoculars if you wish. Herb Tanimoto, beloved Wakamatsu historian, author and amateur astronomer will lead this unique sky tour. There will be no telescopes. Responsible teens+ are welcome. The event will be canceled in the event of smoke or cloudy skies. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. 8 p.m. Visit donorview.com/739Mn for more information.
Sept. 10
FOURTH ANNUAL EL DORADO HILLS BREWFEST
Enjoy unlimited tastings of 50+ fine craft beers, cideries, meaderies, wine and sake on the sce -
Wakamatsu
photo: Melissa Lobach
nic lawns with views of Serrano. Music, entertainment, food trucks, sam ple pairings, interactive booths, and a VIP Lounge with swag await. Everyone will need to show identification. 3 p.m . to 7 p.m. at the Village Green at Serrano Visitor’s Center, 4525 Serrano Parkway. Event details are subject to change. Please visit eldora dohillsbrewfest.com for ticket prices, or call (916) 933-1335 for updates.
Sept. 24
HANDS4HOPE—YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE ENDLESS SUMMER BEACH PARTY
Join in celebrating the organization’s past year’s successes and help raise funds to continue programs in the upcoming year. The adults-only evening includes a live band, food trucks, beverages, a silent auction, raffl e, short program and loads of beach party fun. Purchase tickets in advance. For sponsorship opportunities, please email info@hands4hopeyouth.org or visit handsforhopeyouth.org for up-todate information.
Sept. 24-25
FOLSOM RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Don’t miss the 30th annual Folsom Renaissance Faire this fall! The faire will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Folsom City Lions Park. Visit folsom faire.com for more information.
the good life in el dorado hills
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLENE TAYLOR/ CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
The El Dorado Hills Chamber held its annual El Dorado Hills Art, Beer & Wine Festival May 7-8, 2022 at the El Dorado Hills Town Center. The event has been held for nearly 20 years and continues to be one of the most popular events in the town. Residents and visitors attend to preview fabulous artists from all over, while enjoying good food, wine, award-winning craft brews and live music.
EL DORADO HILLS 2022 ART, BEER & WINE FESTIVAL
Maestro Peter Ja e and the Folsom Lake Symphony presented the impressive “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. This work requires an expanded orchestra with more than 80 musicians. Korean violinist Ji in Yang performed the stirring Symphonie espagnole by Edouard Lalo. Both pieces received standing ovations. The concert took place at the Harris Center for the Arts on April 23, 2022.
On May 13, Brooks Elementary School held its 30th Art & Talent show, the Spring Spotlight. This year’s theme, sustainability, was integrated into the students’ creations. The art gallery included some great artwork and garden exhibits. The talent show included students from the band program, a kindergarten hat parade, great song and dance performances, a 5th grade boys synchronized swim act and a special surprise performance by the Brooks sta who danced through the decades.
WILLIAM BROOKS ELEMENTARY SPRING SPOTLIGHT
MARCH 25-26, 2023
Welcome Home, Josh Rumsey Serrano Country Club
by BILL ROMANELLI
For Josh Rumsey, taking over management of Serrano Country Club is nothing short of coming home.
“Generations of my family have lived here; my dad was a prison guard at Folsom Prison, and my mom was in the fi rst graduating class at Oak Ridge High,” Rumsey says. “I grew up here; my dad even brought me to the Gold Rush Classic at Serrano when I was 12, and I got an autograph from Chi-Chi Rodriguez at the 11th hole. I am just over-the-moon happy to be here.”
Like all good homecoming stories, Rumsey’s journey to Serrano was a circuitous route, but one that inevitably led him back to El Dorado Hills. His love of golf was cemented during a birthday trip, and his fi rst job in high school was driving a cart at Lake of the Pines in Auburn. e foreshadowing is easy to see.
photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
Even so, he was a criminology major when he started at Sierra College, but he quickly learned it didn’t fit his personality. His dad and his fellow prison guard buddies even said Rumsey was too nice for criminology.
“They actually told me to run in the complete opposite direction,” he says with a laugh. “So, I did.”
He soon discovered he had what he calls “the hospitality gene” after taking a job as a restaurant manager while living in San Luis Obispo. It was an opportunity to put his leadership skills and Type A personality to work, which translated well into the business world. That led to a job as the food and beverage supervisor at the Granite Bay Golf Club, until a friend and mentor left a job as the assistant manager at Thunder Valley Casino Resort and recommend him for the gig.
He stayed at Thunder Valley for two years before going on a career growth tour, working in management roles for Graton Resort & Casino in in Rohnert Park and then for country clubs in Woodside, Monterey and Palo Alto.
“I thought Monterey Peninsula Country Club was the pinnacle for jobs in California, except for Serrano, which I’d always held on a pedestal,” Rumsey says. “I was newly married when the Serrano position opened, and my wife’s family is from the Sacramento area, too. It was a perfect storm of opportunity.”
Rumsey started as the Serrano Country Club’s general manager in February. His short-term focus has been on ensuring the food and beverage experience at the club remains the best in the area, as well as ensuring the sense of the tight-knit community that has always made Serrano special. He’s committed to being available to Serrano’s members 24/7 because, as he puts it, there’s truth to the adage that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
“I like the members knowing I’m available, and when I do have time off, I love golf and being outside,” Rumsey says. “The support and welcome we’ve received from the membership has been fantastic, and words cannot express how happy I am to be here. My wife and I look forward to growing our family and being part of this community for a long time.”
The support and welcome we’ve received from the membership has been fantastic, and words cannot express how happy I am to be here.
VOTED BEST BRUNCH
The Mimosa House
ATMOSPHERE:
Family is one of the most, if not the most important thing in our lives. It is for that reason we created this restaurant. A place where families & friends can come together, over food & drinks, and show why the best memories are made around the table. VOTED BEST BRUNCH IN 2021!
SIGNATURE DISHES:
Brunch Burger: Pure angus beef beef patty with two fried eggs, hickory smoked bacon, melted cheese, tomato, red onion, lettuce and aioli on a toasted brioche bun.
Maui French Toast: Flambéed Sliced bananas with six thick slices of cinnamon vanilla battered French toast, coconut, macadamia nuts and salted caramel.
Don’t Miss!
THE LARGEST CHAMPAGNE AND BUBBLES LIST IN CALIFORNIA.
THE LARGEST LIST OF MIMOSA COMBINATIONS WITH OUT OF WORLD FLAVORS!
SWEET & SAVORY CREPES
PANCAKES, OMELETS & BENEDICT’S
RANCHO CORDOVA: 3155 ZINFANDEL DRIVE (916) 970-1761
EAST SAC: 5641 J STREET (916) 400-4084
ROSEVILLE: 761 PLEASANT GROVE (916) 784-1313
EL DORADO HILLS: 2023 VINE STREET (916) 934-0965
FOLSOM: 25075 BLUE RAVINE ROAD (916) 293-9442
GOLD RIVER: 2180 GOLDEN CENTRE LANE, GOLD RIVER (916) 822-4145
FOOTLOOSE IN THE FOOTHILLS
AUTUMN DESERT in the
Palm Springs Golfing, Joshua Tree Stargazing, Exploring Sedona
Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs
by JOLAINE COLLINS
One positive outcome of the pandemic is gaining a new appreciation for the pleasures of exploring easy-to-reach destinations. Looking ahead to fall’s cooler weather and languid pace, now’s a good time to plan a getaway to the picturesque California and Arizona desert regions—each with its distinct personality, experiences and natural beauty.
An autumn escape to the desert offers what the mind and body have craved these past two years: adventure, relaxation, recreation, and a renewed sense of wonder at wideopen spaces.
That craving can be satiated by spending an extended weekend in Palm Springs, where many Serrano residents enjoy owning a second home. Both regions share the attraction of championship golf courses, easy access to outdoor recreation in beautiful surroundings, and active social lifestyles.
photography by ROB COLLINS and courtesy of VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS, SEDONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM BOARD, and NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
PALM SPRINGS
There are many reasons why Palm Springs has earned its reputation as one of Southern California’s most versatile destinations. The only challenge to the relaxed pace at this desert oasis is choosing how to split your time between the arts and culture scene, recreation, and the many spas and dining options—so plan your stay in advance.
Play a round of golf in the morning, and then enjoy the city’s impressive art museum or Annenberg Theater later that day. Take a hike. Immerse yourself in a wellness spa or desert mineral springs. Treat the family to the 8,000-foot view from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or visit the animals at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
If you are a mid-century modern fan, you will want to check out the year-round architectural tours of Palm Desert’s most striking homes and book event tickets in advance for the fall preview of Modernism Week Oct. 13–16.
When it comes to dining, you don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate the sweeping views of fairways and mountains at restaurants, including the Terrace at Desert Willow Golf Resort, the balcony of Big Rock Pub at Indian Springs Golf Resort and Vue at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
This page: Palm Springs’ mountain views Opposite page: The Saguaro Palm Springs; Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; Joshua Tree National Park; Dinner at Vue at Indian Wells Golf Resort Joshua Tree photo by Chris Miller/Imagine Imagery
JOSHUA TREE
Joshua Tree is more than its 790,000 square-acre national park, renowned for its namesake trees, hiking trails and stacked boulders in two desert ecosystems.
The area is also home to artists, musicians and eccentrics. In town, you will find galleries, kitschy shops and even a tiny museum of crochet creations. Want to go deeper than t h at? Take a sound bath in nearby Landers at the Integratron, a dome structure designed in the 1950s by a UFO-ologist reportedly following instruction from the planet Venus.
Just outside the town of Joshua Tree, Pappy + Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace serves barbecue and beers in the saloon of an old Western-style movie set, built in the 1940s by a group of Hollywood investors, including Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. These days, the legendary roadhouse hosts performances by famous musicians as well as up-and-coming LA bands.
The gates to Joshua Tree National Park are always open and the line of cars waiting to enter can grow long during peak times, so get there before dawn to capture the most spectacular views of the park’s 20-foot trees and rugged landscape. Plan enough time to drive to K eys View well before sunset to beat the crowds and watch the day end in a blaze of colors. Camp out and do some stargazing. The park is a photographer’s 24-hour paradise.
There are trails for every level of hiker. The Hidden Valley trail is an easy, 1-mile hike through smooth, picturesque boulders. If you’re feeling energetic, spend three hours hiking Ryan Mountain. The views from its 5,400-foot peak are worth every step along the mountain’s narrow trail.
In the fall, the region takes advantage of some of its best weather, with festivals and events geared to those who love the arts, music and star-filled night skies.
SEDONA
Sedona is both rugged and sophisticated, with its outdoor adventures and art. For many, it is also a spiritual mecca known for its vortexes—areas of concentrated energy rising from the Earth.
Uptown Sedona is easy to explore on foot or in an open-air trolley.
e area’s picturesque red rock outcroppings may look familiar because they’ve been backdrops in many old Western movies. e best way to kick up some of the red dirt is by going off-road with an excursion company like Pink Jeep Tours or lacing up your boots and hitting any of the region’s many hiking trails through vast forest lands and mesas.
Art galleries, shops and restaurants make for pleasant strolling in the shadow of magnifi cent rock ridges and along the banks of Oak Creek.
Spend a morning exploring the dramatic Boynton Canyon and its Sinagua ruins or hit the Airport Mesa trail, both of which are reported to have powerful vortexes. e nearby Mesa Café offers a great post-hike or sunset meal where you can watch small planes and helicopters take off and land at the tiny airport.
Uptown Sedona is easy to explore on foot, or in an open-air trolley. Art galleries, shops and restaurants make for pleasant strolling in the shadow of magnificent rock ridges and along the banks of Oak Creek.
Enjoy authentic Southwestern fare and good tequilas at uptown’s Elote Café. Cucina Rustica, located in Village of Oak Creek, offers new interpretations of Mediterranean tapas and an extensive wine list in a cozy, Italian setting. Its sister restaurant, Mariposa, provides a stunning setting for fi ne dining at sunset. Sedona’s best restaurants book up weeks or months in advance, so make reservations early.
This page: Joshua Tree National Park; trails around Sedona lead to impressive views of rock formations, including Chicken Rock along the Little Horse Trail; the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park in Sedona.
Opposite page: Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Sedona is about 100 miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy the scenic route via tree-lined Oak Creek Canyon but arrive at the national park early to avoid the crowds and capture its spectacular views in the morning light. If you only have a day to spend there, come prepared to hike into the steep canyon, or enjoy the accessible, paved Rim Trail and its many viewpoints of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. e simplest way to see the park is by hopping on and off shuttle buses, which stop at multiple viewpoints. Learn more about the canyon’s ancient formation at the geology museum and don’t miss the beautiful El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge. Restaurants in the park tend to be busy at mealtimes, so consider packing a picnic and snacks.
GETTING THERE
S outhwest Airlines o ers daily non-stop fl ights from Sacramento to Palm Springs, making the trip to California’s coolest desert city a snap.
Several airlines fl y nonstop from Sacramento to Phoenix and Flagsta for ease in exploring the Arizona desert.
For those who prefer a leisurely car trip, consider breaking up the eighthour drive from El Dorado Hills to Palm Springs with an overnight in Los Angeles. Or fl y to Los Angeles, rent a car and head southeast from there. Joshua Tree is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles—and less
than an hour from Palm Springs—via Interstate 10. Plan on at least fi ve hours to drive from Joshua Tree to Sedona via Interstates 10 and 17.
Both Joshua Tree and the Grand Canyon are national parks and require a park pass for entrance. These can be purchased in advance online.
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Dignity Medical Aesthetics Celebrates 16 Years in El Dorado
This year marks the 16th anniversary of El Dorado Hills’ favorite medical practice for treatments to slow the appearance of aging on the face, neck and body.
Dignity Medical Aesthetics (DMA) was established in 2006 by Missey McCallum, RN, and Sherellen Gerhart, MD.
Dignity Medical Aesthetics has been the premier medical aesthetic practice in El Dorado Hills since 2006. They offer services such as laser and IPL treatments for permanent hair reduction, removing brown spots and redness, as well as treating lines, scars and laxity to help provide younger, smoother looking skin. They offer non-invasive treatments for lifting the neck or brow and skin tightening. They have options for Body Contouring, Radio Frequency Microneedling and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Plus Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are offered to naturally help with hair loss and skin rejuvenation. They are national leaders in injections of Botox and fillers for relaxing lines, adding volume, and for lifting facial areas to lessen the appearance of sagginess and jowls. Also they are now offering QWO injections for cellulite.
All new patients receive a complimentary 45 minute consultation to carefully review their medical history followed by a general overview of treatment options that can best meet their personal needs for enhancing their appearance.
New patients receiving Botox or filler for the first time are strongly encouraged to return for a courtesy follow-up appointment
They are known for excellent service with competitive pricing All medical providers at Dignity Medical Aesthetics are thoroughly trained.
DMA realizes that natural looking results are a huge priority for their patients and achieves that through their procedures
By looking at their website (www.dignitymed.com), you can see examples of most of their treatments and services. Check out their amazing reviews on line too.
PROTEIN CAKERY SUGAR LIPS
Serrano
Entrepreneurs Deliver “Healthy” Sugar-Free Doughnuts
by BILL ROMANELLI
photography by CHARLENE TAYLO R / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY and SUGAR LIPS PROTEIN CAKERY
As Lisa Mason was preparing to compete on the world stage in fitness and body building, she was tired of eating chicken and salad at every meal.
“I have a horrible sweet tooth,” says Mason, a former Serrano resident and fi refi ghter (now living in Texas) who partnered with fellow Serrano resident Dee McVay, a former nurse and Army veteran, to create a better baked good— something that was actually healthy, but didn’t taste like it. “I just knew there had to be a way of satisfying that craving without destroying my fitness training.”
After two months of experimenting, they found a way to make truly delicious, sugar-free, nutritious works of baked art, and Sugar Lips Protein Cakery was born.
“We wanted a name that sounded a little risqué—sort of naughty but really nice, just like the sweets themselves,” McVay says. “It’s also about kissing sugar goodbye.” e idea caught on fast. Not only did Mason go on to take third place in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation competition (while eating a doughnut every day), but her fellow fitness advocates also became fanatics.
“I started driving to Lisa’s house just to buy a few doughnuts for myself—they last in the freezer for months—but before long, I was bringing hundreds of them to my work,” says Serrano resident Meghan Hanson, a nurse, integrated health coach and bikini body building competitor herself. “ ey started calling me the doughnut dealer.”
McVay now bakes about 2,000 doughnuts a week, in addition to cakes, pies, cookies and other special orders. She does it all from her kitchen in her Serrano home, where she and Mason set up a cottage business license, and Hanson helps with the baking and marketing.
So how can a doughnut, or a cake, cookie or pie really be “nutritious” or healthy, and still actually taste good? It’s all about the right ingredients, and what amounts to a complete reinvention of how baked goods are made. While a few products do still have some low amounts of natural sugars (usually only in the sprinkles), about everything they make is low calorie, sugar- and gluten-free, low carb, and free from nearly all the ingredients that can cause infl ammation. ey also are packed with protein.
An average frosted chocolate cake doughnut from your local doughnut shop might be around 400 calories, for example. e same Lisa
Mason
Lisa Mason
thing from Sugar Lips comes in at a mere 150. Add to that an average of 12 grams of protein, and one doughnut can provide about 20 percent of the protein you need every day and leave you feeling full for hours.
But do they really taste that good? Spoiler alert— and all journalistic objectivity aside—they are freaking delicious.
“Dee is an absolute food genius,” Lisa says. “We fi rst started out selling these on Fridays just to raise funds for competition entry fees and, almost from the start, we were earning $1,000 a day.”
McVay now bakes about 2,000 doughnuts a week, in addition to cakes, pies, cookies and other special orders.
At $5 a pop, they cost a little more than your average doughnut, but for anyone willing to spend $4.50 on a muffi n from your favorite coffee franchise, and get all the fats, processed sugars and empty calories that come with it, a Sugar Lips doughnut is more than a fair trade, and it has some local benefits too.
While Mason moved to Texas because her husband got a job they could not refuse, McVay has called Serrano her home for almost a decade, and she plans to stay right here.
“I love living here. We came to Serrano and El Dorado Hills for
Meghan Hanson
Dee McVay
“We’re also hiring,” McVay says. “No experience needed, so if you love cooking and baking, and don’t mind eating your mistakes, we’d love to talk to you.”
the schools, but we’ve stayed because there’s a tremendous feeling of community here that has only gotten better through these pandemic years,” McVay says. “Everyone I know here is so friendly.” at includes the local business community that was immensely helpful to them as they were getting things started, offering mentoring, advice and support. As a result, they are as committed to giving back to the local community as they are to growing the company, donating baked goods to organizations like Feeding the Fellas, the Folsom Turkey Drive, the American Cancer Society and others.
Nearly all of Sugar Lips’ sales are done through their Instagram page (@sugarlipsproteincakery), where you can send a direct message to place an order and pick it up right from McVay’s front door. If you happen to be in Roseville, starting in June, you can also fi nd them at West Coast Nutrition, Winks Fitness and Wellness Gym and the Fig Tree Coff ee, Art, and Music Lounge. Eff orts are in the works to get their products carried locally, and to expand their infrastructure so they can move out of McVay’s kitchen and into higher-volume production.
“We’re also hiring,” McVay says. “No experience needed, so if you love cooking and baking, and don’t mind eating your mistakes, we’d love to talk to you.”
Serrano El Dorado Owners’ Association to Take Ownership of Open Space
LOCAL CONTROL WILL PRESERVE A PRIME COMMUNITY ASSET
by BILL ROMANELLI
ne of the best amenities
Serrano offers is idyllic scenery, with its master-planned residential villages surrounded by beautiful areas of open space. All told, there are about 1,000 acres of open space in the development and, over the next years, ownership and management for all of them will come under the control of the Serrano El Dorado Owners’ Association (HOA).
Considering that the entire development is approximately 3,500 acres, pre serving nearly a third of the developable land as open space is significant, but it was part of the development plan from the very beginning.
Songbird Pass
photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
“It’s unusual to have this much open space within a community; in fact, I’m not aware of any other development in the Sacramento region that has near that amount,” says President of the Parker Development Company Bill Parker. “ at adds a great deal of value to the community, and the homes. Proper maintenance of the area, particularly its trails, vegetation, and fi re prevention provisions, will ensure that value continues in the future.”
Development of Serrano has been subject to the El Dorado Hills Specific Plan fi rst approved in 1988, which called for the 1,000 acres of open space. It requires completion of a separate Open Space Management Plan to ensure the ecosystem can thrive and remain protected from intrusions, such as invasive species and inappropriate uses.
Work on that management plan has been ongoing since 2016. Initially, Parker Development Company was required to give the El Dorado Hills Community Services District (CSD) fi rst right of refusal on the open space, and then the off er had to be made to the county. Both entities declined for various reasons, mostly due to fi nancial obli-
Songbird Pass
Serrano residents love the landscape of their community; becoming the owners of that landscape all but ensures it will remain a community asset.
gations, paving the way for Parker to offer the land to the HOA. From the start, they were very interested.
“At first, it came down to local control; we didn’t want to have a maintenance obligation for property the association didn’t own,” says General Manager of the Serrano HOA Kathryn Henricksen. “We also did some research and learned that when a single agency both owns and maintains open space, membership satisfaction is actually higher.”
That’s mostly due to the efficiencies that come with only needing to contact one agency instead of two when maintenance issues need to be addressed, but it also comes from simple pride of ownership. Serrano residents love the landscape of their community; becoming the owners of that landscape all but ensures it will remain a community asset. Given that the HOA is already responsible for much of the landscape and maintenance within the development, taking ownership of the open space was a logical next step.
The HOA board of directors approved efforts to take ownership of the open space (a goal in 2017) and the HOA’s Land Use Subcommittee
Goat Hill Trail
of volunteers took on the herculean task of realizing that goal. ey hired an environmental consultant and began working in partnership with Parker Development Company to prepare the fi nal Open Space Management Plan for approval by the county. at plan was formally approved by the county in May 2021.
With the plan approved, the county and the CSD were once again given the opportunity to take over the open space. Both declined, freeing Parker and the HOA to begin identifying the fi rst open space areas that could be transferred. Phase One, which encompasses about 400 acres, is currently under way and should be complete by the end of this year.
ese initial acres include a variety of grassland areas, oak woodlands, riparian areas and wetland mitigation areas. Prior to the fi rst transfer, the HOA will appoint a supervisor manager to oversee the formal monitoring work. Future phases and the timeline for compete transfer of all the open space are still in the works, as they are dependent on the fi nal development plans for the remaining villages.
Songbird Pass
by BILL ROMANELLI
photography by CHARLENE TAYLO R/CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY and MARSHALL MEDICAL CENTER
The words “good news” and “cancer” rarely go hand in hand, so in those unique times when they do appear together, they merit attention.
e good news for cancer patients and their families in El Dorado County is that the Marshall Medical Center is now an affi liate of the UC Davis Health Cancer Care Network, giving residents access to world-class care and cutting-edge clinical trials, right here at home.
“I am thrilled to have this important affi liation for cancer patients in El Dorado County,” says President and CEO of Marshall Medical Center Siri Nelson. “Being able to provide academic-level care right in Cameron Park will enable patients to get the best care possible. A cancer diagnosis is challenging enough for people, without the added burden of having to leave their own community for care.”
e affi liation, which only involves the Marshall Cancer Center (the larger Marshall Medical Center will remain an independent, nonprofit community hospital) was announced in January. It had been over a year in the making, with Marshall’s leaders looking for a way to elevate the level of services they could provide, and UC Davis Health was looking for ways to improve access to care in rural and remote areas.
For patients, that means they and their doctors can now work directly with one of the top cancer centers in the nation.
Standing: Robert Stevenson, Director, UC Davis Health Cancer Care Network; Brian Goldsmith , M.D., Chief Medical O cer, Marshall Medical Center
Seated: Kristen Mensonides, Executive Director of UC Davis Health Service Lines, Cancer Care Network & A liate Relationships; Brad Simmons, Chief Administrator, Operating O cer, UC Davis Health Hospital Division; Siri Nelson, President and CEO, Marshall Medical Center
“Our doctors will have access to UC Davis experts in sub-specialties we don’t have here,” says Marshall Medical Center’s Executive Director of Marketing and Community Relations Lourdes Edralin. “They can collaborate on creating and implementing treatment plans and, as part of the Cancer Care Network, help match qualifying patients with clinical trials.”
In recent years, the UC Davis Health’s Cancer Care Network has focused on increasing diversity in clinical trials by involving patients who live in “remote” areas. A lack of patient diversity has been a limitation of clinical trials, largely due to simple geography. Patients can’t or don’t want to drive for hours to get to a major cancer center.
“Patients also want to stay with the doctor they know and love,” says Ashley Tydon, the new Cancer Care Network Clini cal Research director (as quoted in a press release). “With this new affiliation, they can continue to be seen by their community oncologist and still participate in an array of clinical trials that can give them access to novel therapies or new approaches to health care.”
The UC Davis Cancer Center currently has more than 200 clinical trials under way as it conducts a broad spectrum of Phase I, II, and III trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of newly developed drugs and treatments.
The new affiliation will officially be known as Marshall Cancer Center—A UC Davis Health Affiliate. Marshall’s Edralin emphasizes that Marshall Medical Center is not in any way being “taken over” by UC Davis Health—they are simply affiliating to share resources and bring the best and newest care and treatment options to the community.
The Marshall Cancer Center will remain in Cameron Park and serve patients throughout El Dorado County.
“We’re also looking for ways to increase our footprint beyond Cameron Park,” Edralin says. “We have a clinic in El Dorado Hills, and our leadership is looking for additional locations across the county.”
The affiliation between Marshall Cancer Center and UC Davis is now fully up and running after about a four-month phase-in process. For more information, visit marshallmedical.org.
“Our doctors will have access to UC Davis experts in sub-specialties we don’t have here,” says Marshall Medical Center’s Executive Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Lourdes Edralin. “They can collaborate on creating and implementing treatment plans and, as part of the Cancer Care Network, help match qualifying patients with clinical trials.
Siri Nelson, President and CEO, Marshall Medical Center
El Dorado Musical
EDMT’s production of “The Music Man”
Theatre
The region’s successful theater company gets a new home.
by MARK BILLINGSLEY photography by CHRISTOPHER KIGHT
It’s been a well-choreographed move, with the cast and crew each playing their roles to ensure the success of the debut of El Dorado Musical Theatre’s (EDMT) new headquarters in the El Dorado Hills Business Park.
The new space at 4949 Windplay Drive in El Dorado Hills will allow the 20-year organization to consolidate four separate workspaces under one roof, with a 450seat theater in the plans, as well. The space has room for seven studios, as well as design and costuming workshops. No longer will the EDMT crew have to lug sets from a warehouse in Rancho Cordova to rehearsal or performance spaces. Costumes can be fitted and altered during rehearsals rather than having to be sent out of the current space, tailored, and brought back to the performers.
“There will be so much more opportunity for collaboration with it all being in the same space,” says Zach Wilson, EDMT’s 22-year-old technical director and onstage talent who has been in more than 50 EDMT productions. “We don’t have to drive down to Rancho Cordova to our set shop anymore. The bigger space allows us to expand in many ways and serve the people in the community.”
EDMT’s new home
Wilson and his older sister, Anjie Rose, grew up on and off the EDMT stage. eir mother, Debbie Wilson, is also a co-founder. Zach was the lead in “ e Music Man,” which ended its run in May. It was his last play as an actor/ singer/dancer, as once a performer turns 22, he or she ages out of the company. Wilson will transition to the behind-thescenes work fulltime this summer.
“Growing up, I always loved coming to rehearsals and the shows,” he says. “I have always admired people who were in the shows and looked up to them, and they were always very nice to me. It’s been a nice group of people and that never changed in almost 20 years. But now the scale, the amount of people we can reach, and the production value of
the shows has been increasing exponentially, and it’s really cool to be a part of that, and now I’m the one setting an example for younger people.”
Emily Hobbs played Marian Paroo opposite of Wilson’s Harold Hill in “ e Music Man.” Hobbs is a 2022 Folsom High School graduate who received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University in the fall to continue her theater arts studies. She’s been able to see EDMT grow into a regional powerhouse for children and young adults looking to have a lot of fun and potentially turn their love of theater into a career.
“I started when I was 7, and I’m now 18, so I’ve grown so much, not only in performance skill, but also in confidence and being able to work with people, be-
Costumes can be fi tted and altered during rehearsals rather than having to be sent out of the current space, tailored, and brought back to the performers.
cause that’s so important, not just in this industry, but in life,” Hobbs says. “I’ve learned so many life skills in theater— how to talk with people, how to work out problems and how to do teamwork. Theater is the biggest team sport ever.”
The El Dorado Musical Theatre will be settling into the new space just as Hobbs leaves for college on the other side of the country. There is a tinge of jealousy, she admits. But she also shares her excitement for the friends and family she leaves behind. Her mother, Chris Hobbs, is EDMT’s producer.
“I’m super happy for them, but I just missed it,” Hobbs says of the move to the larger building. “It’s a beautiful space, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
“Is this the final move? Maybe it is,” Debbie Wilson says. “Not only do we have more room for the performing arts institute, but what I’d really like to do is have a school attached. That way, kids could get their academics in the morning and then get their theatrical training in the afternoon.”
So, it would be like “Fame,” the popular early 1980s hit TV show set in a New York City performing arts high school?
“Yes, but hopefully without that much drama off stage,” she says. “We always say ‘keep the drama on stage.’ (The school) is my dream and this move is a step in that direction. This theater, this company, started around my kitchen table.”
And now the EDMT curtain opens for another successful 20-year run.
The Importance of Mental Health and Wellness
by DR. ED MANANSALA
TEL DORADO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
he character of students in El Dorado County reflects achievement, persistence and hope. Yet even in the midst of such promise, students in El Dorado County and throughout the United States are encountering greater pressures surrounding mental health and overall wellness. The last two years of the pandemic have accentuated these challenges. In a recent CDC study regarding teenage mental health, it was noted that American high school students who say they feel “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” rose from 26% to 44%. Across our county, efforts are underway to help identify and address the mental health needs of our students and families.
The El Dorado County Youth Commission, comprised of 12 students appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, helps develop and express the opinions, ideas and vision of El Dorado County youth by working with local government and community decision makers. Amy Pooley, El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE)’s youth commission advisor, says “this partnership between the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the El Dorado County Office of Education allows commissioners to express the voice of youth to county leaders.” For the past six years, the commission has focused on youth mental health.
Commissioner Emma Lopez, a graduating senior from El Dorado High School, noted, “We have administered an electronic wellness survey to gauge student awareness of available resources and analyzed the results to see how we can make a more significant impact. We
also focus on engaging peer to peer through social media and other methods during our annual Wellness Week.”
Fellow commissioner Lauren Sumimoto, a sophomore at Oak Ridge High School, added, “I have been focused on strengthening community relationships by presenting at multiple organizations, like services clubs and the County Board of Education, to provide the youth’s perspective on addressing mental health concerns. It’s important to insert student voices where the decisions are made.”
Our 15 school districts, EDCOE and partnering agencies also have made mental health and wellness a top priority in caring for students. Through a strong partnership with Sierra Child & Family Services, wellness centers are now available at several of our school districts. Students can obtain resources for help overcoming stress, anxiety, loneliness and more.
In addition, EDCOE recently applied for and received the Mental Health Student Services Act Grant to assist in expanding access to mental health services for children and youth, including countywide student assessments and campus-based mental health services. It will also facilitate community partnerships to better link families to ongoing mental health services.
As we all know, healthy students build strong communities and enjoy brighter futures. Understanding and addressing the mental health needs of our students helps shape healthier, happier and more productive schools. The investment we make in our students is a true investment in the future of El Dorado County.
DR. ED MANANSALA
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