El Dorado Hills, CA April 2026

Plant, Invest, Grow

Where Growth Begins

There’s something about spring that feels like a deep exhale. The evening light lingers just a little longer. Warmer temperatures invite us to open our windows. Closets and pantries beg to be organized. Trees and flowers bloom, nudging us to plan our summer gardens. It’s the season of simple things that bring us joy and contentment.

Spring reminds me that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because something, or someone, decided it was worth the effort. When we plant a garden, we don’t see the results immediately. We prepare the soil. We plant the seeds. We water faithfully. And then, gradually, something beautiful begins to take shape. It doesn’t rush; it unfolds.

The same is true in our homes, our families, our work, and our community. The small, consistent investments we make today become the foundation for tomorrow.

This month, our theme of investing invites us to take a closer look. Much bigger than just finances, investing is really about what we choose to nurture. Growth rarely happens overnight, but it almost always begins with intention.

In this issue, you’ll find stories that reflect that notion: insightful wisdom from a beloved local tax specialist on identity and fulfillment beyond a career; practical ways to invest in your home by upgrading your garage to enhance both curb appeal and energy efficiency; creative inspiration from a local mom who blends sweet berries with hands-on art to cultivate meaningful family time; and, for your health, an introduction to Marshall’s latest robotic rehabilitation technology, along with a helpful guide to planting an edible backyard garden rich in color, flavor, and natural wellness.

As April unfolds, I hope we’ll all pause and ask ourselves: What are we planting right now? What future are we quietly building? And may this new month bring us fresh clarity, steady growth, and the joy of watching something beautiful bloom!

KRISTY MURDOCH, PUBLISHER @ELDORADOHILLSCITYLIFESTYLE

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Kristy Murdoch | kristy.murdoch@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Todd Murdoch | todd.murdoch@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Krista Minard

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Cadence Murdoch

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Krista Minard, Samantha Durbin, Lauren Deutsche, David Williamson, Laura SanchezQuan, Sophie Brock

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lauren Deutsche, Alicja Neumiler

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Lifting Up the Exterior

How aligning your money, values, and daily choices can make retirement a deeply fulfilling and purpose-driven chapter of life

WORK, PURPOSE, AND A MEANINGFUL RETIREMENT

Many people spend years anticipating retirement as the moment they can be finally free from work. Yet work is often deeply connected to a meaningful life. It provides structure, opportunities to contribute, personal growth, social connection, and a sense of being needed. That’s why retirement can bring an unexpected kind of tension. While it is a rewarding milestone, stepping away from a familiar routine can also feel like walking out of a building you’ve known forever—and suddenly wondering where to find the front door to the next chapter.

When purpose, identity, and daily engagement are suddenly diminished, overall well-being can be affected, sometimes significantly. This is why I often ask people who are nearing retirement, “What are you going to do while you are in retirement?” If they don’t have a good answer, I gently suggest they may want to hold onto their day job a little longer, at least until they have a sound retirement plan. Financial planning, after all, is about much more than savings goals or choosing a retirement date. At its best, it is a values-based process designed to support the life you truly want to live. The goal is

not simply to stop working, but to create the freedom to spend your time in ways that feel fulfilling, energizing, and aligned with what matters most to you.

Retirement is no longer just a short victory lap. People are living longer, healthier lives, which means this stage of life can stretch into a rich and meaningful chapter. Planning wisely means considering not only how long your money needs to last, but also how you want your life to feel along the way.

When retirement is approached as a transition rather than an ending, it can become one of the most rewarding periods of life. Financial independence becomes a tool that allows you to pursue meaningful endeavors, whether that means opening your own business, taking on part-time work, volunteering,

traveling, pursuing creative projects, learning new skills, or launching new ventures on your own terms.

And because life loves surprises, it’s wise to revisit and update your financial plan regularly. Goals evolve, priorities shift, and new opportunities arise.

I encourage you to reflect on the deeper purpose behind your goals. When your financial decisions are guided by your values, retirement can be more than secure; it can be vibrant, purposeful, deeply rewarding, and maybe even more fun than you expected.

Dave Williamson is a Tax Strategist with Foothills Regional Insurance & Financial Solutions, serving individuals, families, and businesses in El Dorado Hills and beyond. For more information, visit frifs.com.

LIFTING UP THE EXTERIOR

INVESTING IN YOUR HOME STARTS WITH CURB APPEAL, AND GARAGE DOORS ARE OFTEN FRONT AND CENTER

ARTICLE BY KRISTA MINARD

Easy Lift Door Company, founded in the mid-’80s, began in Mike Burbridge’s Sacramento garage. Son Kevin Burbridge took over in 2008; he soon hired nephew Josh Nelson as company president. In the past 18 years, Easy Lift has expanded from Sacramento into the Bay Area (Fremont) and Reno, Nevada, and since its founding has installed and serviced more than 200,000 garage doors for homeowners and builders. As a leader in the industry, local family-owned Easy Lift Door Company remains committed to excellence in its products, customer service, and work culture.

“As a leader in the industry, local family-owned Easy Lift Door Company remains committed to excellence in its products, customer service, and work culture.”

“A garage door can equal 30% of a home’s front exterior,” says Elisha Burbridge, Easy Lift’s Home Service Lead. “Imagine upgrading from a standard white garage door with no windows to a carriage style with beautiful windows. It instantly changes the vibes of your home and will turn heads in the neighborhood.”

Here, he shares more insight about how garage doors can be a good investment in your home for function, esthetics, safety, and even energy efficiency.

What design trends are popular right now?

Farmhouse-style doors with a darker wood tone or black color are the most popular style. Another trend is flush doors with vertical glass for a modern feel.

How do color, windows, and hardware choices help homeowners match their garage door to their home’s architecture?

The right color can either blend seamlessly with existing tones or provide a tasteful contrast that adds visual interest.

Windows—especially tinted or frosted options—bring in light, elevate the look, and add privacy, while hardware details help reinforce the overall style.

How can a new or upgraded garage door improve a home’s energy efficiency and comfort?

One of the most overlooked benefits of an updated garage door is its impact on energy efficiency and your energy bill.  Hot temperatures flow freely into your garage during the

“On average, upgrading an outdated garage door yields a 90%–120% ROI through added home value. This makes a garage door one of the best home improvement options for people looking to sell or invest in their home.”

summer, and cold air has its way in the winter. You’re likely paying a considerable amount more just to regulate extreme temperatures. An insulated garage door helps regulate temperature so you don’t feel like you’re stepping outside. Ever go out to your garage in the middle of winter, and you’re instantly freezing your socks off? Or maybe you like to work in your garage in summer, and it’s sweltering hot? Insulation reduces the discomfort. Live near a busy thoroughfare? Insulation reduces sound transfer as well so your garage and your home stay quiet.

How can upgrading a garage door add value when it comes time to sell?

On average, upgrading an outdated garage door yields a 90%–120% ROI through added home value. This makes a garage door one of the best home-improvement options for people looking to sell or invest in their home.

Many use the garage as their main entry. How have modern garage door systems improved safety and security?

There have been huge strides in improving safety and security, especially in the last 10 years. Standard features for garage door openers include Wi-Fi compatibility, so you can control the largest moving part of your home right from your phone. Ever worried you forgot to close the garage while you were in a rush for work? You can now close your door from anywhere. Other notable

security features: cameras that can be managed through the same app, time-to-close features that automatically close your door after a set time, motion-sensing lighting features, battery back-up—in case of power failure and now standard for all newly installed garage door openers, thanks to CA Senate Bill 969—and auto-locking mechanisms that act as an automatic deadbolt on your door; it stays closed and potential thieves cannot open it from the outside.

What are some other features that make today’s garage doors a worthwhile investment in everyday convenience?

Garage door screens are retractable sturdy screen doors that function as a separate door, working in unison with your existing garage door. They allow free air flow at your control into your home, making things like a home gym much more enjoyable and breathable while keeping out pests or other unwanted elements.

How much quieter are modern garage door systems?

They are significantly quieter than older systems. Specifically, newer belt garage door opener models offer extremely quiet performance without sacrificing reliability, durability, and power. If you have a home with a room above your garage door, upgrading to a belt opener dramatically reduces noise.

For more, visit easyliftdoor.com.

Boosting Independence

At Marshall, the ZeroG® 3D uses revolutionary robotic rehabilitation technology to help people recover from injury

When Diane Marchesi was about 3 years old, she contracted polio, and about three years ago, as an adult, she developed post-polio syndrome, which causes new, progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, joint pain, and more. As a patient at Marshall Orthopedics, Marchesi now has access to one of the most innovative pieces of physical therapy equipment in the world: the ZeroG® 3D robotic rehabilitation system that’s installed at Marshall’s Center for Sports Rehabilitation and Active Living, located at the new 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility here in El Dorado Hills.

“For people like me,” Marchesi says of the rehabilitation system, “it’s a lifesaver. For walking, balance, getting my legs stronger..I finally can get help.”

For Marchesi and other patients, the magic comes from the boost provided by the system, which suspends a harness from specialized bars in the ceiling and gives patients a safe, supported basis from which to work. While connected to that overhead harness, they can engage in complex physical movements and daily activities without the risk of falling. Marchesi, for example, walks heel-to-toe on a low, cushioned beam, able to safely challenge her balance while training her muscles to capably negotiate the raised plank beneath her feet.

ARTICLE BY KRISTA MINARD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY MARSHALL

“It’s brilliant engineering,” says local philanthropist Robert Pepper, who with his wife, Star, gifted the funds for the ZeroG® 3D system to the Marshall Foundation for Community Health through their own community foundation. “There are plenty of places to give,” he adds, “but I can’t think of a place where you get more satisfaction out of seeing the results. When you see the face of someone who has been able to push themselves to the limit in their recovery because of the difference the ZeroG® makes . . . it puts a smile on our faces. I want to see that thing running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Unveiled just this past December, Marshall’s ZeroG® 3D is the first of its kind in use west of Salt Lake City. It is a significant advancement in rehabilitation and recovery for patients who’ve had strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, or are living with complex neurological conditions.

“We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of Robert and Star,” says Sol Nisbet, Chair of the Marshall Foundation for Community Health. “Their gift represents an extraordinary and visionary investment in the recovery and independence of patients throughout our region—from Georgetown to Folsom and beyond. It will be a transformational tool in helping Marshall’s teams return their patients to the active lifestyle we know they desire and deserve.”

Diane Marchesi is deeply grateful as well—so much so, she becomes emotional when she talks about the potential ahead. Because of the ZeroG® 3D, she says, “I am going to walk out that door one day. Without a walker. I really believe it.”

While the life-changing ZeroG® 3D is a prime example of the cutting-edge technologies Marshall is bringing to the region—at its 111-bed acute care hospital in Placerville and its outpatient clinics throughout the foothills—the nonprofit health care organization also excels in its community outreach. Its engagement in advancing local youth sports programs, for example, includes providing sponsorship and support in the form of injury prevention, education, and wellness training before, during, and after kids’ games. You might see Marshall staff at events, matches, and tournaments, working with young athletes to help them stay safe and healthy while competing.

For more information about Marshall and the ZeroG® 3D, visit marshallmedical.org and marshallfound.org

PAINTING WITH BLACKBERRIES

ARTICLE BY SAMANTHA DURBIN AND LAUREN DEUTSCHE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN DEUTSCHE

A LOCAL MOM INSPIRES CRAFT TIME AND SNACK TIME

“Lauren embodies the benefits of investing time with your children through making things.”

Lauren and I went to high school together in Oakland, CA. Lauren, a Folsom resident and mother of two, was always quietly cool and pretty. We reunited when I moved to SoCal in my early 30s. That’s when I learned she’d become a kindergarten teacher, and I attended her wedding. Now here we are, both back in NorCal, raising children, balancing it all, still friends.

Lauren moved to Folsom with her husband and children in 2021. She enjoys living between the Bay and the mountains and often explores the coast, trails, and local farms. When she’s local, she’s busy raising her two boys, actively participating in their schools and community. A former teacher, she homeschooled her boys in their first years, instilling an appreciation for nature and encouraging creativity.

Step into her home, and nearly everything is intentional and handmade, from the monogrammed garlands in the bedrooms to the birthday cake toppers. It’s organized and tidy, yet deeply imaginative. We get a glimpse into her lovely world on Instagram, where she shares her craft projects, many of which involve her children.

Lauren embodies the benefits of investing time with your children through making things. “Spending time together through hands-on activities strengthens our emotional bond, encourages problem-solving and creative thinking, and validates interests,” says Lauren. “Many of our projects are child-driven, the result of brainstorming ideas, collecting materials, and then creating. This has led to a happy home environment.”

If you need any ideas, you can visit Lauren’s IG at @ ourwestcoastnest. Here, she shares an easy craft that requires minimal supplies and can be turned into a healthy snack.

“Have you ever painted with berry juice? My 2.5-year-old mashed blackberries with a fork, straining them over a bowl to catch the juice, which we used as paint. The berry juice made a beautiful hue that changed as it dried, delighting my little one. When we were finished painting, we spread the leftover mashed berries on a slice of sourdough toast and enjoyed a sweet snack. We both really enjoyed this activity!”

Plant You r Kitchen Garden

A quick guide for simple ideas to start off your backyard kitchen garden. With endless health and medicinal benefits, combined with the beauty and enjoyment to be found, gardening is endlessly rewarding.

GETTING STARTED

• Plant your vegetable options right into your beds with flowers, the pollinators (bees, butterflies and more) are attracted to the beautiful flowers and your veggies will easily and abundantly go-to-fruit, living harmoniously in one bed.

• Every garden needs a rain gauge - you’ll be surprised at how fun it is to check. There is nothing like rain water for your garden. (This is optional, but definitely fun).

• Get your family involved. It’s never too late!

• Just go for it, our local climate can be weird and often extreme but don’t let it stop you- the most success and fun I’ve had was just going for it. Experiment and see what you love and what works best for you!

• In most cases, when watering, don’t water the petals and leaves, (especially when they’re in direct sunlight) try to water straight to the soil. All they need is water, nutrients and light to thrive! (and maybe a little love helps too!)

• Don’t forget herbs: Lavender, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Oregano, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley and more. Don’t be afraid to skip the spice rack and grab your seasoning from the garden.

ARTICLE BY LAURA SANCHEZQUAN

BACKYARD

GARDENS OFFER FRESH VEGGIES AND FOOD FOR YOUR SOUL

What to Plant

Whether starting from seed or seedlings, you can’t go wrong with these options. Start with foods you know you like to eat.

TOMATOES:

They’re delicious, money-saving, good for eating fresh and for preserving. Tomatoes come in endless colors, shapes and sizes. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, and ensure they receive consistent moisture, supporting them with cages or stakes as they grow.

EGGPLANT:

Eggplant is a short season vegetable and a relative of peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. It thrives in heat and full sun and can be deliciously made into baba ganoush and many other delicious dishes.

OKRA:

Okra loves our hot summers and full sun. Don’t wait too long to pick your okra, ideally harvesting them when they are 2 to 4 inches long. Can be eaten raw on a salad or best served deep fried. (The flower that turns into the okra itself is uniquely beautiful as well!)

PEPPERS:

Like tomatoes, peppers have many purposes and variations. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil after the last frost, spacing them 18 inches apart, and provide consistent watering while ensuring the soil doesn’t become waterlogged.

Flowers Bring Pollinators

Flowers bring joy to all five of our senses, but they also bring pollinators to our garden in order to ensure your backyard kitchen will produce lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not to mention they also contain health and even medicinal properties.

HIBISCUS:

Make sure your hibiscus plants, whether tropical or hardy, get at least 6 hours of sun per day in order to achieve optimum blooming. Hibiscus flowers can be made into a delicious tea that can be served hot or ice cold (and is a good source of Vitamin C). With over 200 varieties of hibiscus world wide, their blooms only last a day or two! Stunning in all shapes, sizes and colors.

MARIGOLDS:

To the surprise of most people, marigold flowers are edible. Whether used fresh, dried, or infused into various beverages, Marigolds have a multitude of uses in the kitchen. An added benefit of planting these bright and low maintenance flowers next to tomatoes– they help keep pests away from devouring your tomatoes while also encouraging pollinators.

ZINNIAS: PLUMBAGO:

These bright, colorful garden gems have many benefits beyond their beauty and ease of care. Along with attracting pollinators, and being low maintenance they also have medicinal properties. Zinnias have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they’re rich in antioxidants, and the natural compounds in zinnias can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

Plumbago is thought to have many health benefits, such as its anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties, resulting from its principal chemical components, which are concentrated in the roots, leaves, and stems of plants. This attractive light purple flowering plant thrives in the sun, and has moderate watering needs. Trim and prune to suit your own preferences of growth and it’s a welcome, abundantly beautiful member of any garden.

events

EVERY SATURDAY

Town Center Market

EDH Town Center Amphitheater | 9:00 AM

Every Saturday, year-round, the market comes to Town Center with produce from local farmers, goodies from area bakers, and crafts and goods from makers. Last year, the market moved to this pretty waterside location, and the community comes out each weekend for treats and live music. April is a great time for radishes and sweet springtime carrots! edhtowncenter.com

APRIL 4TH

CSD Easter Egg Hunt

Promontory Park – Alexandra Drive | 9:00 AM

It’s Easter weekend! Come collect eggs at the park and celebrate. Bring a basket and your sharpest eyes! Plus, don’t miss your chance to meet the Easter Bunny for a photo! Ages 12 and younger; free entry. eldoradohillscsd.org

APRIL 10TH - 19TH

EDMT Presents Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids”

EDMT Performing Arts Center – 4949 Windplay Drive

Based on the beloved 1970 Disney animated film, and performed with a jazzy, upbeat score, El Dorado Musical Theater’s rendition of Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids”  takes attendees on a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with plenty of unbelievable twists and turns. Laughs and adventure are promised throughout. edmt.info

APRIL 18TH - 19TH

El Dorado Wineries Passport Weekend

El Dorado Wineries | 11:00 AM

For more than 30 years, high-elevation wineries in El Dorado County have thrown open their doors on a spring weekend to welcome visitors for food and wine pairings and good music. Enjoy new releases, barrel tastings, and more during this weekend celebrating wine, food, music, and springtime. To see participating wineries, visit eldoradowines.org.

APRIL 25TH

Rise and Shine Community Day of Service

Throughout Placerville | 8:00 AM

Help keep Placerville beautiful by joining other fun-loving volunteers to clean up, fix up, and spruce up the area’s parks and community spaces! Choose your work site and meet there at 8 a.m. to work in the glorious spring weather for a few hours, then gather for a picnic at Lions Park on Cedar Ravine Road. visit-eldorado.com

APRIL 25TH

April Pools Day

El Dorado Hills Community Pool – 1021 Harvard Way | 1:00 PM

Jump start the summer season with a free afternoon of swimming at the community pool. Aquatics staff will be on hand to answer questions about swim lessons, junior lifeguards, recreational swim, pool rentals, birthday parties, and more. eldoradohillscsd.org

Want to be featured?

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MORNING AND START YOUR DAY OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

habits for morning success

One of the best ways to invest in yourself is by creating a consistent and intentional morning routine. No matter how unpredictable or chaotic the rest of your day may become, starting your morning with self-care and purpose sets a positive tone that stays with you throughout the day.  Once you develop a morning routine that truly resonates with you, you’ll look forward to it every night, knowing it will set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day.

If you’re ready to elevate your mornings, here are some meaningful ways to invest in your routine and start each day on the right foot.

Be Your Own Barista:

One of life’s simplest pleasures is savoring a homemade coffee each morning. While skipping the drive-thru may be tough at first, brewing your own allows you to appreciate the process—and chances are, you’ll end up preferring your own perfect cup of joe.

Get Your Steps In:

An hour-long gym session before work may not be realistic, but a quick morning walk is. Use this time to clear your mind, enjoy nature, and listen to your favorite podcast or artist—an easy way to start your day feeling relaxed.

Enjoy Some Breakfast:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet often the most overlooked. Setting your alarm just minutes earlier to prepare a fresh, nutritious meal can transform your morning, fueling your body and mind for a more energized and productive day.

Read A Book:

Starting your day with a book is far more calming than scrolling through social media. Reading in the morning helps ease you into the day, providing a peaceful and mindful escape that sets a positive, focused tone for what’s ahead.

Accepting new primary care patients in Folsom

As the region’s only academic medical center, we’re proud to expand access to high-quality personalized care for Folsom, El Dorado Hills and beyond with our new Folsom Medical Care Clinic, near Highway 50 and East Bidwell inside our Folsom Center for Health development.

The new three-story building includes primary care and some specialty care — such as OB/GYN, neurology and orthopedics — in one convenient location, with added services such as expanded imaging scans, cancer infusions, and more.

Plus, we’ve remodeled our Folsom Turn Pike Specialty Care Clinic to provide even more access to our dermatology, gastroenterology/GI, pulmonology services, and more.