Footloose in the Foothills EXPLORING THE EL DORADO TRAIL George Becerra SHOWCASINGICONICSERRANO’SSTONE SERRANO Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills FALL 2022 AlvarezRudy WELCOMING SERRANO RESIDENTS WITH A SMILE
PAT SEIDE GROUP LISTED BY PAT SEIDE AND NICOLETTE WICHERT THE PAT SEIDE GROUP LUXURY HOME SPECIALISTS CalBRE patricia.seide@cbnorcal.com#00892540 PatSeide.com 916.712.1617 or 916.941.3006 #1 COLDWELL BANKER AGENT IN EL DORADO COUNTY SINCE 1998 S TAY COOL with upgraded OWNED SOLAR in this spacious, exquisite home that is 98% ENERGY INDEPENDENT with 3 BACK UP SOLAR BATTERIES. Beautiful Serrano Country Club estate on the golf course, boasts two master suites. Tucked away on a quiet cul de sac, this home features quality craftsmanship with high end touches such as chef’s kitchen, multiple fi replaces and indoor/outdoor entertaining. Cool off in the saltwater pool with a bubbling waterfall. Four car garage with space for a boat and golf cart complete this timeless estate. 4421 CORDERO COURT, EL DORADO HILLS, CA 95762 4 BED | 5 BATH | 5124 SQ. FT. | PRICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
4 SERRANO FALL 2022
Dennis Rainey EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Krista
PROJECT EDITOR Kristin Conner PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Stephen Rice PROJECT DESIGNER Debbie Hurst SENIOR ADVERTISING DESIGNER John Facundo Jr. NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Lisa Bonk ADVERTISING MANAGERS Du y Kelly du y@sacmag.com Victor Obenauf victor@sacmag.com Carla Shults carla@sacmag.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DIGITAL MEDIA Dan Poggetti EDITORIAL & SALES OFFICES: 1610 R St., Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95811 PUBLISHED BY SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC Stefan Wanczyk, CEO John Balardo, President PRINTED BY JOURNAL GRAPHICS serranoeldorado.comsacmag.com Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills SERRANO www.morethanneat.com WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HELP WITH ORGANIZING YOUR CLOSET, PANTRY OR SOME OTHER AREA OF YOUR HOME OR OFFICE, WE ARE HERE TO HELP! SERVICE AREAS INCLUDE: Pantry • Kitchen • Closet Laundry • Bedroom • Bathroom • Playroom Craft Room • Garage • Relocation Support Office • Paper Management Virtual Organizing SERVICES: Declutter • Purge • Sort • Categorize • Contain • Label 916-365-2059 SimplifyingSisters@morethanneatSpaces Home Furnishings Full Service Interior Design Flooring & Handmade Area Rugs Lighting Custom Window Treatments Custom made Upholstery 5601 H Street www.Urban57.com916.476.6190Sacramento
Serrano is being developed by Parker Development Company, a longtime Sacramento-area creator of high-quality and award-winning master-planned communities.
CONTACT:
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.
PUBLISHER Minard
EDITEDmarketing@serranoeldorado.comorcall(916)939-3333ANDPRODUCEDBYSACRAMENTOMEDIALLC
In this issue, we extend a warm welcome to our new El Dorado Hills Fire Marshal, Chrishana Fields, and we celebrate our very own Serrano gate attendant, Rudy Alvarez. Check out Bill Romanelli’s stories on pages 28 and 44 respectively and be sure to share a smile and a wave with Rudy next time you drive through the Serrano gate.
We hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and fun summer. Given the heat in recent months, we’re looking forward to the cooler weather ahead. I know that I, for one, am excited about the upcoming fall festivities and holiday season.
Finally, if you are in awe of the gorgeous stone seen throughout Serrano, we bring you a story about George Becerra, the craftsman and artist behind Serrano’s iconic stone features on page 24.
SERRANO
Check out Bill Romanelli’s story on page 32 about the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film and Media O ce’s latest work, which showcases our region in the latest box o ce hit, “Top Gun: Maverick.” We’re really excited about the work that Executive Director Kathleen Dodge, in conjunction with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, has been doing for the last two decades to help bring the movie industry to our region. Their work helps bring in millions in revenue to El Dorado County.
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 and the Serrano logo are state-registered trademarks
SERRANO TO
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.
6 SERRANO FALL 2022
Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills
Dear Serrano Community:
WELCOME
I hope you enjoy this issue and a wonderful rest of the year. See you in 2023!
SERRANO
With cooler temperatures comes the opportunity to get outside and explore our beautiful county. Don’t miss Jolaine Collins’ Footloose in the Foothills story “Exploring the El Dorado Trail” on page 36. What better way to spend the day than to do a little walking and exploring and then topping the experience o with wine tasting and delicious indoor or outdoor cuisine at the Smith Flat House?
editor’s note:
The private, member-owned Serrano Country Club o ers elegant and casual dining as well as tennis, swimming and exercise facilities. Serrano’s 18-hole championship golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. For information about Serrano Country Club, call (916) 933-5005 or visit serranocountryclub.org.online:
Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills
Kristin Conner
TOMORROW STRENGTH FOR YOUR BESTAt El Dorado Hills Sports Clubs and Asante Spa, we build strong bodies and nurture restful minds. And when healthy mind and body align, life’s possibilities are boundless. Your best tomorrow awaits. Join Today and Lock In Your Savings For a Whole Year! Membership offer expires October 31, 2022 and is a first visit joining incentive. Offer varies by membership type. Annual membership savings requires a 12-month agreement. Month-to-month memberships also available. Please see club fordetails. Requires a one-time $29 initiation fee. Cannot have been a member in the past 31 days to be eligible. Cannot be combined with other membership offers. Spa specials good through October 31, 2022. Other restrictions may apply. t he bestpart o f yourday FO R sparetimesportsclubs.com 530 Post Court • Club: 916-586-7195 Spa: 916- 936-3474 Pumpkin Perfection Facial $99 (reg. $125) Indulge your skin in this seasonal favorite that uses pumpkin enzymes. It exfoliates, brightens and hydrates. This facial will leave your skin feeling delightfully renewed and ready for fall. Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub & Massage 80-minutes, $155 A luxurious full body treatment containing pumpkin enzymes which help remove dull, dry skin, revealing radiant hydrated skin underneath. Scrub is followed by a relaxing 50-minute tranquility massage. Fall is Peel Season 4 for $323 ($57 savings) Purchase a series of four professional peels for only $323. A peel will reveal tighter and brighter skin! OCTOBER SPA SPECIALS Asante Spa is open to the general public. Sports club members receive preferred pricing.
FALL 2022 SERRANO 9 24 FALL 2022 contents Living the Good Life in El Dorado Hills SERRANO 36 13 Community Calendar FALL 2022 21 The Good Life in El Dorado County LOCAL EVENTS 24 George Becerra THE CRAFTSMAN AND ARTIST BEHIND SERRANO’S ICONIC STONE FEATURES 28 Welcome Chrishana Fields FIGHTING FIRE BEHIND THE SCENES 32 Showcasing our Region on the Big Screen EL DORADO LAKE TAHOE FILM AND MEDIA OFFICE 36 Footloose in the Foothills EXPLORING THE EL DORADO TRAIL 43 Rudy Alvarez WELCOMING SERRANO RESIDENTS WITH A SMILE 46 Inspiring Service to Others LOCAL GRADS GIVING BACK 50 Dr. Ed Manansala UNMISTAKABLE VALUE 28 4332
HolidayPops ThePopsChoraleandOrchestra Presents AShowofClassicChristmasMusic HarrisCenter fortheArts December3rd|7:30 December4th|2:00 Ticketsat:harriscenter.net or thepopschorale.com
PATIENTALAN – HEART
When local business owner Alan learned about his heart condition, he couldn’t believe the severity. He had been going to doctors regularly for years, yet none had picked up on it. It took the cardiology team at UC Davis Health to find the problem and immediately take action to save Alan’s heart and put it right back into his greatest passions: food and family.
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This year’s festivities include a fashion show, spe cialty cocktails, luxury car test drives, the El Dorado Dance Academy performance, a beer garden, racing simulators, a strolling bagpiper and a fabulous dis play of motor cars from the classics to the exotics.
Oct. 2
Oct. 2
THE EXECUTIVE LEAGUE (Y.E.L.L)
Come visit the site of the first Japanese colony in America. Take a self-guided walking tour of Waka matsu Farm. You also can take a trip around the lake on the 1.5-mile wheelchair-accessible trail, or just
Spend the day on the Serrano Visitor’s Center greens celebrating the 18th anniversary of this premier automobile showcase event.
bring a picnic and a chair to sit and relax. On-site interpreters will be on hand to share information and answer questions about Waka matsu Farm’s human and natural history. Ameni ties are limited, so plan for rugged outdoor leisure. $10 per ve hicle. The farm is located at 941 Cold Springs Road in Placerville. Register jnq9W.app.donorview.com/at
CAPTURING WAKAMATSU: A POETRY WALK/WORKSHOP
Oct. 1 and 15, N . 5 and 19
Schedule
WAKAMATSU OPEN FARM DAY
Oct. 1
7–9:30 a.m. Car placement / 10 a.m. Gates open / Noon Fashion show—Tommy Bahama 2 p.m. Bagpiper performance / 3 p.m. Awards presentation / 4 p.m. Best of Show presentation
calendar serranocommunity FALL 2022
Spend time with your friends, participate in arts and crafts, and meet new people over refreshments at the El Dorado County Library in El Dorado Hills every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Check out community service opportunities for grades 8 and up. The library is located at 7455 Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills. For more details, please call (916) 358-3500.
Taylor Graham, El Dorado County’s first poet laureate, along with award-winning Sacramento-area poet Katy Brown, will lead an exploration of farmhouse, barn and surroundings, and then ask participants to write a poem inspired by what they’ve experienced. Children 8+ are welcome with adult supervision. 10 a.m. to noon. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. Visit app.donor view.com/15llL for more information.
Celebrating the British Marques
TRY-ATHALON
FALL 2022 SERRANO 13
Kids with special needs up to age 18 are invited to participate in this adaptive swim-bike-run event at the El Dorado Hills CSD community pool. 8 a.m. to noon. For more details, visit edhcsd.org or call (916) 933-6624. Pre-registration is required.
Th sdays, Oct.–Dec.
NIELLO CONCOURS AT SERRANO 2022
This annual event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available online at theConcours. net and at all Niello dealerships. The advance price is $45 and $55 on event day. Free parking is included in your ticket. The Serrano Visitor’s Center is located at 4525 Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills. For ticketing information and to enter a motor vehicle, please visit theconcours.net/serrano_home.html.
LobachMelissaphoto:FarmWakamatsu
TAI CHI-QIGONG & DANCE
Learn selected Tai Chi-Qigong movements and transform them into gentle dance expressions with the hymns of Mongolian songs and music. Dr. Tzeyue Gigi Hu is a semi-retired Asian Studies educa tor and author. Ages 8+ are welcome. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers online. Visit app.donorview.com/ykG4r for more information.
at the Steven Young Amphitheater. More than 1,200 guests enjoyed this popular fall event last year. Hands4Hope—Youth Making A Di erence is a local nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Wristband prices: $15 (includes everything, except hayride and pump kin decorating). Individual ticket prices are two for a $1. Event sponsorships are available. Visit hands 4hopeyouth.org for more information.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Hike the Acorn Creek Trail with Barbara Houghton, geologist, hydrogeologist and California naturalist graduate. Houghton will talk about the Northern Sierra Nevada geology and some of the history associated with mining and water. Wednesdays in October, 9 a.m. to noon. Age minimum 10 years. A well-behaved dog on a leash is welcome. This is an intermediate 3-mile round trip hike starting in the Pilot Hill area, with some steep areas and uneven terrain. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/ non-members. Visit app.donorview.com/eVwMY for more information.
the subsequent Caldor fire. Hikers will encounter one to two creek crossings on logs or wading, de pending on waterflow and 1 mile of steep climbing. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fit 14-year-olds+ are welcome. A well-behaved dog on a leash is OK. Visit app.donor view.com/X4OvA for more information
This event benefits the construction of the 1850s, all-ages, all-abilities playground at Forebay Com munity Park in Pollock Pines. The event starts at 9 a.m. and will be held at the Apple Mountain Golf Re sort located at 3455 Carson Road in Camino. Late registration is available at 8 a.m. Guests may regis ter in advance at Eventbrite, or by contacting Laura Hutchinson via email at lauradelh@prodigy.net or by calling (707) 349-2171. Tickets are $125 and include a barbecue lunch and ra es up to $300 value.
Oct. 6
AHANDS4HOPE—YOUTHMAKINGDIFFERENCE’S5THANNUALFALLFESTIVAL
Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26
This two-day event promises fun-filled activities for children from pre school through middle school, in cluding tractor hay rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, a cake walk, hair decorating, an obstacle course, music and other fun festival games! Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Oct. 8–9
14 SERRANO FALL 2022
Oct. 15 CREEKCAPLESHIKE
Trunk or Treaters will walk from trunk to trunk, collecting candy from volunteers who have decorated their vehicles to serve as a backdrop for this spooktacular free event! 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the CSD pavilion parking lot located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Do rado Hills. For more details, visit edhcsd.org, or call (916) 933-6624.
CoalitionWildernessCaliforniaphoto:CreekCaples
ACORN CREEK GEOLOGY HIKE
Board member Scott Vail will lead this free hike on the Caples Creek trail to the Old Sil ver Trail. This rigor ous, intermediate hike will review the fire e ects of the Caples prescribedescapedfireand
Oct. 22
Oct. 8
Oc t. 28
2 ND ANNUAL FOREBAY CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
PUMPKIN SPLASH PATCH
Children ages 3 to 10 are invited to hunt for the perfect pumpkin in a heated pool and then deco rate it and take it home just in time for Halloween! The event will be held at the El Dorado Hills’ CSD community pool from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org, or call (916) 9336624. Pre-registration is required.
CALL (916) 939-3889 TO SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION AT DIGNITY MEDICAL AESTHETICS!
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.
DMA realizes that natural looking results are a huge priority for their patients and achieves that through their procedures
New patients receiving Botox or filler for the first time are strongly encouraged to return for a courtesy follow-up
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.
1200 Suncast Lane, Suite 5, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 | (916) 939-3889 | dignitymed.com
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(teacher) in the Sogetsu School of Japanese flower arranging, called “Ikebana.” This three-part class includes another full-day workshop decorating sugar skulls and creating beautiful table arrange ments just in time for the holidays. $95/members, $115/non-members. Individual classes vary. Visit app.donorview.com/ooeeD to learn more.
THE CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER IS AN OFFICIAL VOTE CENTER
Oct. 31
TRUNK OR TREAT
N . 10
ARC LEGACY STORIES: THE ARC FUND
For the 13th year, Hands 4Hope youth are collect ing new and gently used* items of all sizes (infants to adults) which they will sort and organize for their Winter Boutique—an event where those in need can “shop” at no charge for clothes and blankets for their families during the cold season. New and gently used items needed: Warm pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, closedtoe shoes, hats and gloves. New items needed include pajamas, underwear, socks and sports bras. To make a monetary donation or to learn more about the Warm & Fuzzy Drive and other Hands4Hope community engagement programs, visit hands4hopeyouth.org/outreach program. *Please do not donate clothing with stains, holes or worn beyond wear.
HANDS4HOPE CLUB APPLICATIONS
TOYS FOR DRIVEANDREGISTRATIONTOTSTOY
Voting hours are: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Location: 2085 Vine St., Ste. 105, El Dorado Hills Town Center. El Dorado County O ce Registrar of Voters sta will be on-site for assistance.
These workshops can be taken together or sep arately. Instructor Yasmin Spiegel is a “Sensei“
HANDS4HOPE—YOUTHMAKINGADIFFERENCE“WARM&FUZZYDRIVE”ANDWINTERBOUTIQUE
Ever thought about investing in ARC? With the creation of The ARC Fund this year, the time is now! Join the fund creator, Jim Curtis, and ARC’s Executive Director, Elena DeLacy, as they explore how you can invest in ARC with your gift of $50 or more in cash, or any amount of stocks. When you in vest in ARC, not only can you save tax dollars, but the results can pay o big in the short- and longterm for local watershed health. Join in the one-hour webinar from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to learn more. Visit app.donorview.com/p6rnb for more information.
N . 12
fromisRegistrationavailable10a.m.to4:30p.m. at the inVinelocatedWelcomeCaliforniaCenat2085St.,Ste.theElDorado Hills Town Center. The donation collection box will be on-site through Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. For more information, visit eldorado hillschamber.org.
Take this pre-Halloween history walk to visit the Union Cemetery on Bassi Road, the historic and sa cred Miwok grinding rock site and the Chinese store in Gold Discovery State Park. Other stops include Saint John’s Church and graveyard, the (rumored to be haunted) Vineyard House, and explore Coloma’s Gold Rush-era cemetery. This 1-mile walk is for quiet children 8+. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A well-behaved dog on a leash is OK. Visit app.donorview.com/WMZk7 for more information.
Oct. 29 and N . 20
Don’t miss this free Halloween extravaganza from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pinewood Elementary School, 6181 Pine St. in Pollock Pines. Children will enjoy games, snacks and prizes. For more informa tion, contact Jeanne Harper at (530) 613-1332.
HISTORIC COLOMA SITES AND CEMETERIES TOURS
Oct. 29
SOGETSU IKEBANA PRINCIPLES
Calling All Students! Rolling Hills Middle School, Marina Village Middle School and Oak Ridge High School students who are inter ested in joining the Hands4Hope Club at their school can apply now! Earn community ser vice hours, learn valuable life skills, and make an impact on your community through this popular service-learning nonprofit. To get in volved, locate your school under the “Clubs & Committees” section at hands4hopeyouth. org and submit an online application today!
16 SERRANO FALL 2022
Oct. 29–N . 8
Thr gh Octob
The theme this year will be Community of Heroes. The community at large will select a business, an or ganization and/or an individual who they believe has been a STAR this year in promoting the Pol lock Pines community. The event will be held at the Apple Mountain Golf Resort located at 3455 Carson Road in Camino from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost will depend on the bu et chosen, historically around $25. RSVPs are required to ensure an accurate head count for seating and dinner. This is a dress-up af fair and many of our federal, state and county o cials will be in attendance.
N . 17
This annual event includes Christmas carols, an On Stage Production dancing parade, stage perfor mances, hot chocolate and noshes, handmade crafts to help middle school youngsters earn their way to Washington D.C. in the spring, and the presentation
Enjoy complimentary bites provided by local restau rants, wine tasting and a signature ra e. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are o ered via an online auction, and you can visit a boutique and shop lo cal artisans’ creations. Tickets will be available online Oct. 26. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit assistanceleague.org/ sierra-foothills for more information.
JINGLE! MINGLE! 2022 FUNDRAISER
MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY Plans are still in the works for this important 2023 community project. Volunteers are needed! Please contact Jeanne Harper at (530) 613-1332 for more information or to sign up to volunteer.
N . 26
CHRISTMASTREELIGHTING
N . 20
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Com merce and California Welcome Center will host this year’s annual Christ mas tree lighting.
THE STARS COME OUT COMMUNITY AWARDS NIGHT!
Dec. 3
Dec. 3
Santa will arrive on his traditional El Dorado Hills fire truck to light the tree with magic glitter, so get ready for the holidays. Current health and safety guidelines at the time of the event will be followed. The festivi ties will run from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at El Dorado Hills Town Center Theater Plaza located at 2085 Vine St. in El Dorado Hills. Event details are subject to change, so please visit facebook.com/welcome centerEDH or call (916) 933-1335 for updates.
Join CSD sta for this festive holiday event, which includes breakfast, a visit with Santa, and a holi day craft fair. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the CSD gym located at 1021 Harvard Way in El Dorado Hills. For more details, visit edhcsd.org or call 916-933-6624. Pre-registration is required.
Dec. 4
SMALL BIZ SATURDAY
Dec. 3
FALL BIRD WALK AT KNICKERBOCKER CREEK
POLLOCK PINES—CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR!
Tim and Angela Jackson will lead this free fall walk to check out the songbirds, raptors and water birds. This is a slowpaced, easy-moderate hike of about 3 to 4 miles. Quiet, mature children 8+ are wel come. 8 a.m. to noon.
Come visit Santa Claus! He will be making a spe cial appearance from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the El Do rado Hills CSD gym. Santa’s helpers will be serving cookies and hot chocolate. For more details, please visit edhcsd.org or call (916) 933-6624. Pre-regis tration is required.
forapp.donorview.com/Yvm85Visitmoreinformation.
18 SERRANO FALL 2022
COOKIES WITH SANTA
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Stay tuned for promotions from the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce and California Welcome Center. To learn more, check out the El Dorado Hills Chamber’s social media sites, visit eldoradohills chamber.org or call (916) 933-1335 for details.
of 25 to 30 lit Trees for Teens donated by commu nity businesses, organizations and individuals. The evening culminates in the lighting of the grand Pol lock Pines Christmas tree. The event will be located in front of the El Dorado Savings Bank at 6462 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The entire community shows up for this interactive display of holiday spirit! For more information, call Jeanne Harper at (530) 613-1332.
Jan. 16
Dec. 12
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FALL 2022 SERRANO 21
The award-winning live concert series, Live on the Boulevard, has drawn crowds to the El Dorado Hills Town Center for more than 16 years. Local band, Island of Black & White, performed in August to yet another packed crowd.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLENE TAYLOR/ CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
LIVE ON THE BOULEVARD AT EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER
FOLSOM LAKE SYMPHONY AL FRESCO CONCERT
22 SERRANO FALL 2022
The Folsom Lake Symphony kicked o its 19th season with a free “Symphony al Fresco” concert on Sept. 1 at the El Dorado Hills Town Center. The symphony braved the heat and performed a great variety of music to the crowd’s delight. Fan favorites included “Here Come the Bands” and the main theme songs from Star Wars and Shaft. Visit folsomlakesymphony.com to view upcoming concerts at the Harris Center in Folsom.
24 SERRANO FALL 2022
“I worked on homes for Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Harpo Marx, even a guy we all knew was in the mafia,” he says. “I never met any of the famous people, though and, unfortunately, that mafia guy never saw our finished work. We heard someone put on a contract on him, and he’d been taken out.”
hen George Becerra graduated from high school in 1958, he wanted to join the U.S. Forest Service to fight fires. So it’s a little ironic that he actually made his mark on Serrano by building fireplaces.Aftersix months in the Forest Service, he realized he couldn’t earn enough money to make a living. So, at 18, he started working as a mason’s helper, which led to an apprenticeship and, after a couple of years, he earned his stone mason’s card.
It sounds easier than it is. Spreading mortar with a trowel is an art form, to say nothing of the skill needed to hand pick and arrange bricks, rock or stone in a structure that fits perfectly in its assigned space, functions properly and looks good. It’s a craft Becerra honed over a 42-year career that started in Palm Springs, where he did stonework for some high-profile clients.
W
by BILL ROMANELLI photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
THE CRAFTSMAN and SERRANO’SBEHINDARTISTICONIC
BECERRAGEORGE
STONE FEATURES
FALL 2022 SERRANO 25
26 SERRANO FALL 2022
Becerra’s work at Serrano wasn’t limited to the country club’s fireplaces, however. Nearly all the stonework at the club bears his fingerprints, and his characteristic attention to It’sdetail.asource of pride that his work is still admired three decades later. It’s a legacy, and something he appreciates every time he visits his daughter, who lives in Serrano. e best part is when his grandkids and great-grand kids, point to the fireplace and say, “Grandpa built that.”
FALL 2022 SERRANO 27
Becerra started building fireplaces after about six years as a mason, and he says that while working on the first one, he was scared to death. It’s very easy to build a fireplace incorrectly and talking about that is where he gets“You’veexcited.got the firebox, (where the wood goes) that has to fit exactly in a certain spot, but the hard part is called the throat, between the firebox and the chimney,” he says. “ at has to angle up, just perfectly in the verti cal space you have, so the smoke goes up the chimney and not into the room. You can’t get thatFortunately,wrong.” that first fireplace went perfect ly, and he worked in Palm Springs until 1978 before moving to Newcastle, where he worked for Elliott Homes. His team then built thetotheemployerBecerra’sspecialty.Itday,fireplaceoneeveryforweeks.becameaIn1990,woncontractbuildallstonework
at Serrano. e tons of beautiful gray and gold quartzite Bill Parker had discovered on a hunting trip—and spent $1 million to truck in from a quarry on the Nevada-Idaho border—was now in his hands.
ONE OF HIS first projects WAS TO BUILD THE FIREPLACES IN THE SERRANO COUNTRY CLUB, WHICH TODAY ARE STILL REVERED 30 YEARS LATER AS works of art.
“Each one took about a week. In a place like Serrano, you take a little extra time to make it perfect,” he says. “It was hard work. Every stone was handpicked to fit exactly in the spot we needed it.”
One of his first projects was to build the fireplaces in the Serrano Country Club, which today are still revered 30 years later as works of art.
28 SERRANO FALL 2022 Chrishana Fields Welcome fiFightingrebehindthescenes
Outside of work, Fields and her husband love to travel. “Mexico, New Mexico, you name it,” she laughs. “We rode motorcycles for a while but gave them up for a Corvette.”
Chrishana Fields is new to the El Dorado Hills Fire Department, but she is not new to the world of fire prevention.
Fields also runs. And sews. Starting off with patterns, she now creates clothing from scratch and has a room in her house devoted to the hobby.
One thing led to another, and she fell in love with and thrived in the field. But it’s not her whole life.
Like Johnson, who was mentored by firefighters while growing up, Fields came sideways into the field. She was studying nursing, working at McClel lan Air Force Base and starting training as an emergency medical technician when a job as inspector with Sac Metro came up. “I was a single mom, and it was better suited for me to be at home at night with my son,” she recalls.
“I have several machines and a serger,” she says, “and a whole closet just for fabric!”Another love is working for a nonprofit that organizes toy drives and men tors youth with exposure to various vocations—including sending kids to fire camp. “It’s a way to turn back and give back,” she says with satisfaction.
Not every fire department professional zooms around in a big red truck. Chrishana Fields, the new El Dorado Hills fire marshal, has plenty of experi ence with that, but her focus now is on fire prevention, risk reduction, educa tion, code compliancy, planning reviews, vegetation management, defensible space, evacuation plans and other aspects of fire protection.
Fields, who lives in Elk Grove and commutes four days a week to El Dorado Hills, has 19 years of field experience, having worked her way through the ranks as inspector, supervisor and deputy fire marshal at the Sacramento Metro Fire Department before landing the El Dorado Hills job last summer. Several of those years were spent working with current Fire Chief Maurice “Mo” Johnson, a longtime El Dorado Hills resident and former fire marshal who’s been in his current position about four years. He has nothing but praise for his new employee.
FALL 2022 SERRANO 29
“I’ve always been enamored by her body of work, depth and breadth of knowledge and how she thrives on teaching new employees about commu nity risk. I knew we needed that here, and she is the perfect person for the job. She provides leadership, coaching . . . building community.”
by JANET FULLWOOD photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
“I’m saving lives now, but from behind the scenes,” she says. “You don’t see the big red truck rolling up when I’m on the job.”
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PRESENTEDBY
bigscreen
Dodge has been the executive director of the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film and Media Office since she moved here from Los Angeles in the early 1990s. Her job is to do everything she can to convince movie companies to come and fi lm in El Dorado County.
by BILL ROMANELLI photography by PARAMOUNT PICTURES, SKYDANCE and JERRY BRUCKHEIMER FILMS
EL DORADO LAKE TAHOE FILM AND MEDIA OFFICE
“I said, in a very colorful way, ‘You’re ____ kidding me!’” Dodge says. “He laughed out loud, put me on speaker phone, and made me say it again for everyone in his conference room.”
When Kathleen Dodge answered the phone and heard Mike Fantasia on the line, she knew it was going to be something special. Fantasia, the supervising location manager who had worked on “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Memoirs of a Geisha” was looking for a location to shoot a new fi lm. When he told her it was “Top Gun: Maverick,” Dodge, a 30-year professional in the fi lm industry, lost her cool.
32 SERRANO FALL 2022
ElDoradoLakeTahoeFilm andMediaOffice showcasing our region on the
screen
FALL 2022 SERRANO 33
Snow scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick” were fi lmed in the Lake Tahoe area and at the Lake Tahoe Airport (pictured).
“ ere’s also a huge sense of community pride that comes with seeing our region on the big screen,” Dodge says. “A project like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ could have been shot anywhere in the world, and they chose South Lake Tahoe.”
34 SERRANO FALL 2022
Much of the fi lm office’s success is due to Dodge. She is the only employee, but she is backed by chamber staff and the incredible cooperation of local agencies and
Kathleen Dodge at the Sacramento premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick”
more than a village to make a fi lm company successful here,” Dodge says. “It takes at least 75 local agencies, often more, all working in cooperation to permit motion picture projects and help them get what they need to get
e fi lm office is part of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and, as such, it’s a huge driver of local economic development. Every year, the movie industry brings anywhere from $1 million to $6 million to the region, as crews buy materials for sets, clothes for costumes, and food and lodging for everyone. at’s to say nothing of the jobs and careers it creates for locals who are interested in getting into the movie business.
“Itbusinesses.takessomuch
“There’s also a huge sense of community pride that comes with seeing our region on the big screen,” Dodge says. “A project like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ could have been shot anywhere in the world, and they chose South Lake Tahoe.”
their jobs done. We get a lot of repeat business because companies know we’ll help them get what they need as quickly, productively and safely as we can.”
e economic development benefits aside, however, it’s hard to beat the pure “cool factor” that comes with seeing your hometown in a movie. Ask Dodge which parts of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ were fi lmed in Tahoe, and she’ll say, “almost any scenes with snow.” A discerning eye also can catch glimpses of the region in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Almost Famous,” “ e Bodyguard,” “ e Horse Whisperer” and “City of Angels,” among others.
For more information on jobs in the industry, the work of the fi lm office, or to download the map and self-guided tour, visit fi lmtahoe.com.
Some of the fi lms and a television show with scenes fi lmed in the Lake Tahoe area
For the true fan, the fi lm office off ers a map and self-guided tour of 44 fi lm projects shot here in recent years, so you can visit each site for yourself, including one of Dodge’s favorites.
To foster that cooperation, the fi lm office also conducts a lot of community outreach, teaching residents everything from how to get jobs in the industry to explaining what’s involved in having a home or a property selected and used as a fi lming location. Note to Serrano residents: If you don’t mind having a lot of people in your home for days or weeks and you want to get paid for it, the fi lm office can tell you everything you need to know.
FALL 2022 SERRANO 35
“‘Modern Family’ shot an entire episode, ‘Lake Life,’” so, of course we have a Modern Family Vacation Tour on the website, too.”
36 SERRANO FALL 2022 El Dorado FOOTLOOSE IN THE FOOTHILLS
FALL 2022 SERRANO 37
While much of the trail climbs through pine forests and majestic oaks or stretches along farms, range land and creeks, some of it connects to small business districts. Adjacent roads beckon users to pause at restaurants, wineries and shops housed in historic buildings. Ample parking near several trailheads, and paved routes with ADA accessibility, make this an attractive trail for short jaunts or longer adventures.
Trail A EQUESTRIANSHIKERSBIKERS,ROUTESCENICFORAND
Winding through 37 miles of Gold Rush landscapes, the El Dorado Trail meanders west from the Apple Hill community of Camino to the El Dorado County line just south of Folsom, hugging the Pony Express Trail and logging routes along the way.
by JOLAINE COLLINS photography by JOLAINE COLLINS, JACKIE NEAU and JEFF BARKER
Hiking, biking and horseback riding through El Dorado County are some of the most enjoyable ways to appreciate the natural beauty and historic past of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The El Dorado Trail provides opportunities to do all those things, and more.
e trail does a great job of blending uses for bikers, hik ers and equestrians. e newest part of the trail, a section that runs between Missouri Flat Road and Oriental Street in the town of El Dorado, features a Class One paved trail that winds through rolling terrain, and a dirt trail that runs parallel to portions of it. ey both allow biking, hiking and horseback riding.
38 SERRANO FALL 2022
For the past 30 years, Neau has biked and hiked the trail, taking in the beauty of flora and fauna during many chang ing seasons—enjoying vibrant fall colors, spring wildflowers and birds foraging in wetlands, cows grazing in lush meadows along creeks—all within a couple of miles of small industrial areas, schools, churches and residential neighborhoods. “It’s so serene,” she says.
VIEWS OF NATURE, HISTORY
e rail-trail is a work in progress, with future extensions sketched from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe, along the Pony Express Trail. Regional planners envision eventually linking it to a system of interconnected trails and parks across Placer, Sacra mento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
Another striking aspect about the trail is that it’s very fam ily friendly, she says. “You’ll see seniors getting in their morn ing exercise, kids learning how to ride their bikes, and moms walking babies in strollers. People of all ages enjoy the trail.”
e El Dorado Trail—which repurposes abandoned railroad beds—includes more than 12 continuous miles of paved surfaces for road bikes and pedestrians between the towns of El Dorado and Camino, and 25 miles of dirt trails suitable for mountain bikes, horseback riding and hiking.
Part of the nation’s growing 24,000-mile Rails-to-Trails Conservancy system, the trail follows two former rail lines, the Southern Pacific Railroad and Michigan-California Railroad. Its path includes Placerville’s Main Street, which was a stop along the Pony Express route.
An area along the trail known as “ e Cut” reveals massive boulders that were divided many years ago to make room for the railroad track that connected the Sierra Nevada to the growing pioneer communities of Placerville, Folsom and Sacramento.“It’safun adventure exploring these trails, their local his tory and rural surroundings,” says Neau.
“It’s the backbone of a future trail system that will connect many towns in El Dorado County,” says Jackie Neau, Placerville city councilmember and a longtime trail user and advocate. “It’s unique that it connects the region’s rural scene to the towns of Camino, Placerville and El Dorado.”
FALL 2022 SERRANO 39
The El Dorado Trail—which repurposes abandoned railroad beds—includes more than 12 continuous miles of paved surfaces for road bikes and pedestrians between the towns of El Dorado and Camino, and 25 miles of dirt trails suitable for mountain bikes, horseback riding and hiking.“TheCut”
Whether you’re seeking the serenity of a nature walk, a recreational ride on the saddle of a bike or a horse, or the adventure of rock hopping chunky terrain, the El Dorado Trail o ers a great route to do it all.
40 SERRANO FALL 2022
Weber Creek Bridge
Portions of the trail are simply railroad track with gravel-fi lled spaces between the ties. e corridor features a short section of track currently used by the El Dorado Western Railroad to run excursion train rides between Shingle Springs and El Dorado.
● SMITH FLAT JACQUIER ROAD TRAILHEAD: Look for the trail sign at the corner of Jacquier Road and Camelia Lane. You can venture uphill toward Camino or downhill toward Placerville from here. Consider bringing a cooler for storing fresh produce gathered from 24 Carrot Farm, located a few hundred yards up Jacquier Road. Hungry? Stop at Historic Smith Flat House, established in 1861, with its rock-walled cellar, pleasant outdoor courtyard and gazebo. e restaurant welcomes dogs and is open for dinner and lunch throughout the week.
Another historic highlight is the century-old Weber Creek Bridge, a former railroad trestle refurbished as a scenic crossing for pedestrians and mountain bikers—many of whom have attached hundreds of “love locks” to the bridge’s lattice railing. e 100-foot-high bridge is less than a mile from the Missouri Flat Road trailhead in Placerville, not far from Historic Highway 49.
● PLACERVILLE STATION TRAILHEAD: is leg of the trail travels along Placerville’s historic Main Street and off ers refueling stops at any of the town’s restaurants or shops. As you head up the hill, turn left on Bedford Avenue where the trail leaves Main Street and begins the climb to Camino. e next five miles to the end of the paved trail near U.S. Highway 50 in Camino include a short railroad tunnel and a shady ascension through a mixed forest of cedars, ponderosa pines, oaks and madrones. Look for distant views of the Sacramento Valley.
● EL DORADO COMMUNITY HALL TRAILHEAD: Begin at the far west end of the trail on Oriental Street, across from the El Dorado Post Office on Pleasant Valley Road. Stay left to travel on the paved trail which passes through fields and gently rolling hills, with road crossings controlled by signals. You’re not far from Poor Red’s, a longtime landmark famous for its barbecue and Golden Cadillacs.
Whether you’re seeking the serenity of a nature walk, a recreational ride on the saddle of a bike or a horse, or the adventure of rock hopping chunky terrain, the El Dorado Trail off ers a great route to do it all.
A RAILROAD FOUNDATION
FALL 2022 SERRANO 41
Once you reach the end of the trail in Camino, residential streets will lead you to the hilltop tasting room of Chateau Davell Winery.
Poor HistoricRed’sSmith Flat House
PAVED TRAIL ADVENTURES
Along the trail, there are other remnants of the region’s railroad past, including discarded locomotive parts and rocky black cinders known as clinkers—the residue from burning coal.
● Binoculars are handy for spotting
IF YOU GO
wildlife. Don’t forget to look down for the occasional rattlesnake.
24 Carrot Farm
42 SERRANO FALL 2022
● You’ll nd a printable trail map with details about paved and dirt trails, parking, trailheads and restroom facilities at eldoradotrail.com.
● Bring water and snacks for scenic stops along the way.
Downtown Placerville
● Ex tend your adventure at the restaurants, shops, wineries and breweries along the El Dorado Trail, including the one-mile stretch on Placerville’s Main Street.
● Respect all trail users. Bike riders use the right side of the trail and pedestrians walk on the left. Keep dogs on a leash with a tight lead.
fi
by MARK BILLINGSLEY photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM PHOTOGRAPHY
“My best memory in my 19 years here has to be when a group of ladies came up to the gate with a birthday cake,” says Alvarez, 49, who commutes from Rocklin to El Dorado Hills on weekdays. “It’s the people that live here, the residents that I’ve come to know and how they’ve made me feel over the years that keeps me coming back and makes my job a lot easier.”
FALL 2022 SERRANO 43
Rudy Alvarez
WithWelcomingSerranoResidentsaSmile
R
udy Alvarez has a penchant for Pepsi, Lemonhead candy and other sweets. Yet, somehow, he is still 140 pounds after nearly two decades of construction workers and residents handing him plates of holiday food as he checks them through the gate entrance at Serrano. He is the welcoming face at the main gate.
“When I’m on the gate by myself, residents will drive up and the first thing they ask is, ‘Where’s Rudy?’” says Marlon Parrish, Alvarez’s co-worker with Allied Universal. “Recently there was a line of about five cars with well-dressed older women coming through the gate; I mean they had brightly colored hats on and everything. I asked Rudy what that was about, and he said they
“ at really made me feel good,” Alvarez says of the residents rallying to keep him. “I know (residents) made sure I stayed, and I’m so thankful for that.”
44 SERRANO FALL 2022
“He’s a Serrano institution,” says Serrano El Dorado Own ers’ Association General Manager, Kathryn Henricksen. Alvarez could just give a disinterested wave of acknowledgment as resi dents have come and gone all these years, but he’d rather walk out and greet them, and he always shares something more than just a hello. at has gone a long way in his career and has made those who live and visit Serrano feel special.
Alvarez says he’s seen a lot of change at Serrano from his view at the security gate. He’s seen multiple generations now. Infants tucked away in the backseats of the cars he’s checked through when he started at Serrano are now adults with driver licenses. ere aren’t as many contractors streaming in and out, as Serrano
Parrish says some residents shared with him that before Allied Universal was hired as the current security company, all but Alva rez were fired. at just never happens, Parrish said.
were visiting a resident who’s battling cancer. To know all that stuff is amazing, and it says a lot about him. He cares.”
Parker added that real estate agents and clients who arrive to view homes in Serrano can sometimes be intimidated by gated communities, but Alvarez always makes them feel welcomed when he greets them.
When he’s not working the Serrano front gate, Alvarez works at a Walmart in Rocklin, where he stocks shelves and unloads trucks. And, yes, most defi nitely, he enjoys unloading the Pepsi trucks.
Alvarez says he has no plans to move on or move up and no plans to go anywhere than to the front gate each weekday. Serrano has become a second home in a way, he says, and he’s just fi ne where he is.
FALL 2022 SERRANO 45
“Most of the time when you drive through, you’re not focused on that (interaction), and he goes out of his way to wave and smile,” Serrano developer Bill Parker says. “Even those residents with the clickers still get
has almost reached build-out status, with less than 100 lots left.
a wave and a smile; he’s so friendly. He has a great way to greet people from a customer standpoint.”
“He goes out of his way to wave and smile,” Serrano developer Bill Parker says. “Even those residents with the clickers still get a wave and a smile; he’s so friendly. He has a great way to greet people from a customer standpoint.”
Pictured: Derek Dolfi e, 2009 Oak Ridge High School graduate (left) and Emilee Johnson, 2021 Ponderosa High School graduate (right)
Inspiring
46 SERRANO FALL 2022
Johnson is a self-professed overachiever with a 4.3 GPA who is entering her freshman year at University of California, Davis this fall, where she’ll study aerospace engineering. She made news last year when, as a Girl Scout, she created and launched a tutoring website: zoomingintotutoring.com. She developed the program that led her to becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout. is honor is notably the highest award in Girl Scouts, but her inspiration came from working with the El Dorado Hills-based nonprofit Hands 4Hope Youth Making A Diff erence when she was at Ponderosa. Hands4Hope Youth Making A Difference inspires youth in leadership and service by giving them a voice, and an opportunity, to address issues affecting their communities.
by BILL ROMANELLI photography by CHARLENE TAYLOR / CHARM
TO
PHOTOGRAPHYFALL2022SERRANO 47 LOCAL GRADS GIVING BACK I
S vice Ot h s
t’s well documented that participating in extracurricular activities, particularly in high school, plays an important role in a student’s overall academic success, but what kind of impact can involvement in a club have on young adults and their communities after they graduate? For the students, the impacts are predictable and easily summed up as valuable life skills. e community benefits however, can be even more far-reaching.
Two local examples are Emilee Johnson, who graduated from Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs last year, and Derek Dolfie, who graduated from El Dorado Hills-based Oak Ridge High School in 2009.
A
perfect example of that is Derek Dolfie, the Oak Ridge graduate from 2009. After high school, he studied political science at San Diego State University and then earned a Master of Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine. In 2016, he was hired by the League of California Cities, where he’s now a lobbyist on environmental quality policy matters of concern to cities throughout California.
48 SERRANO FALL 2022
“What I learned from this is that if you can give something back, you should,” Johnson says. “It doesn’t need to take all kinds of time or money—an hour a week can be all it takes. It may not seem like much, but it can make a huge difference for someone else,” she says.
“What I le ned this is that if y can give s ething back, y sh ld,” Emilee Johns says.“It doesn’ t need to take all kinds of time m ey—an h r a week can be all it takes. It may not seem like much, but it can make a huge diff ence f s e e else,” she says.
Now that she’s graduated and moving on, she’s handing the Zooming Into Tutoring reins over to CSF to continue giving Ponderosa students the opportunity to teach others. As for her, Johnson looks forward to engaging in more community service in her future.
“I started with Hands4Hope my junior year and got involved in a variety of projects, a lot of which did outreach with foster kids,” Johnson says. “It got me thinking about foster kids as a group, what they needed, and what I could do to help them. e biggest need I saw was for tutoring.”Forthe next two years, Johnson taught herself how to be a tutor and she created an online tool to help other people learn how to be tutors and to connect students in need with tutoring volunteers. She made cold calls to foster agencies serving families she thought might want her services, and she worked through yet another school club—the California Scholarship Federation (CSF)—to recruit student volunteers. By the time she graduated, she had 15 fellow high school students signed up and helping other kids.
Dolfie is more than just a lobbyist. e Youth and Government™ program had such an impact on him that he’s now an adult volunteer with the program, serving as lead advisor for the El
He’s done well for himself. He loves his career, and he gives all the credit for that to the YMCA’s Youth and Government™ program he joined while he was a student at Oak Ridge. e Youth and Government™ program helps high school students learn about state govern ment and how it works, and it creates a mock model legislature and court system that sup ports that learning.
FALL 2022 SERRANO 49
Dorado delegation. ey meet every week with the youth on campus and participate in three conferences a year.
As a working lobbyist, Dolfie takes a lot of pride in working with legislators to create poli cies that make California better, but it goes to another level when he knows he’s giving young people direct, working knowledge of the legisla tive process, and perhaps helping to shape their future careers in government.
“Kids in high school are at a pivotal point in life and are looking for guidance, even if they don’t admit it,” Dolfie says. “Something I like to tell adults is, ‘be the person you wish you had in your life when you were 16.’ I was lucky I had good adults around me. For so many kids today, having that kind of mentor and advisor can re ally help them lead a fruitful and rewarding life.”
“What’s great about being in Sacramento is our club actually goes to the Capitol and debates policy and legislation on the Senate and Assem bly floors,” Dolfie says. “Doing that, I fell in love with government, and for me the rest is history.”
Every Child in El Dorado County Will Have an Excellent Teacher
Local students have clearly expressed their views and beliefs of what makes a valuable and excellent teacher. ey have validated that these characteristics resound in classrooms and schools. Our teachers are devoted to students, teaching and learning. is devotion is reflected in teachers and classrooms that are welcoming, caring, and responsive to the needs of all students. One student expressed that she feels like there is a “Welcome” mat at every classroom door and students are cared for, safe, and growing academically.
If you have not recently thanked a teacher, I encourage you to do so. A kind word or note of gratitude is always appreciated. Our teachers in El Dorado County are invaluable.
50 SERRANO FALL 2022
In a recent gathering with students from Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Union Mine and El Dorado high schools, they highlighted that the teachers are ready for a great year. In the fi rst weeks of school, teachers are going above and beyond to develop positive relationships, trust and a focus on learning. “Teachers are making themselves available for us inside and outside of class,” one senior expressed.
DR. ED MANANSALA
Teacher excellence in the classroom is something that is grown and cultivated, often by our valued, experienced mentor teachers. rough a partnership with the Alder Graduate School of Education, EDCOE will begin working collaboratively with district leaders to create a unique path that prepares, supports, and invests in the recruitment of excellent teachers, pairing teacher candidates with mentors. At the completion of the program, residents earn a teaching credential and a master’s degree that will provide a pipeline to continue growing excellent teachers in El Dorado County.
by DR. ED MANANSALA
s we launch into the 2022–2023 academic year, we are excited to see, hear and feel the sense of excitement, optimism, and possibility from our teachers throughout El Dorado County. Nothing makes a bigger impact on the quality of your child’s schooling than the teacher. And we are confident of this; our teachers provide unmistakable value!
Just as students and teachers benefit from these positive relationships, research has shown that positive connections between families and teachers is just as valuable. For many children, the most significant adults in their lives on a day-to-day basis are immediate family members, caregivers and their teacher. Regular two-way communication allows families to partner meaningfully to improve students’ academic achievement, social competencies and emotional well-being.
EL SUPERINTENDENTCOUNTYDORADOOFSCHOOLS
Unmistakable Value
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