Mountain Democrat, Monday, December 19, 2022

Thursday, June 1st, 2023 ~ 6PM

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BY NEW BEGINNINGS

Alleged sexual predator arrested in sting

Placerville police say they took into custody 45-year-old Diamond Springs resident Joshua John Bowen Dec. 8 after a “sting” operation on charges related to inappropriate contact with minors.

The Placerville Police Department launched an

Government center to get security boost

The El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville will soon get security detail due to increased safety concerns in the area such as homeless individuals soliciting and break-ins occurring after dark.

The security addition will be provided by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

Supervisors have collectively recognized issues relating to the Government Center’s security even without the planned navigation center nearby up and running.

“We already have homeless around the Government Center but there is a concern we’ll have more and we don’t know what types of impacts that may have, so we want to be as proactive as possible,” said Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton at the Dec. 13 Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel noted supervisor’s chambers had been broken into after the Sheriff’s Office moved out of the Government Center in 2019.

“That was an eye-opener because I didn’t realize we didn’t have video but there was no one here and we didn’t find that out until days later,” Novasel said. “I do think this is way overdue. I think this is and has been a concern for employees

investigation after Bowen reportedly contacted two teenage boys on social media, sharing pornographic photographs and engaging in “inappropriate” dialogue, according to a news release.

The alleged victims, aged 13 and 16, live in Placerville.

After finding evidence of the accusations, PPD’s Crime Reduction Team put Bowen under surveillance and

initiated a “sting” operation, where Bowen was told to meet the juveniles at the National 9 motel on Broadway for “sexual activities,” police officials state.

While the Crime Reduction Team kept an eye on Bowen, patrol units moved in to take him into custody as he checked into the motel. Bowen was then interviewed

From Camino to Kuwait lil’ fir makes the day

U.S. Air Force Col. Veronica “Polly” Raffetto won’t be in Placerville for Christmas with her family this year but she’s feeling a little bit closer to home after receiving a special delivery in the mail — a big brown box containing a 2-foot silver tip cut from a Camino farm.

The package arrived in Kuwait Dec. 11, where Raffetto has been deployed since October.

Raffetto thanked Gerri Hyder of Indian Rock Tree Farm, who grows the mini conifers and organizes the Trees for Troops program, “It was the highlight of my day to receive (the tree) and made even more special knowing that it came from Camino, just up the road from my home …”

Hyder told the Mountain Democrat four boxes were sent to military personnel from El Dorado County who are deployed overseas this holiday season. She is continuing a tradition started by her late husband Larry Hyder and the late Carl Borelli.

Inside the package Raffetto also found decorations, letters from school children, snacks and toiletries.

Permanent shelter could be built in 2 years

El Dorado County is moving forward with

its plan to implement a permanent homeless shelter/navigation center, which staff is confident can be done in two years.

Deputy chief administrative officer Laura Schwartz shared a timeline with county supervisors at their Dec. 13 board meeting while presenting a revised capital work plan including a construction budget for the navigation center at 300 Fair Lane, the former site of sheriff’s headquarters adjacent to the Government Center in Placerville.

The revised plan also included tenant improvements for the old juvenile hall at 299

Fair Lane, where the temporary navigation center is on track to open mid-January, Schwartz told the Board. Schwartz also brought forward a

permanent facility. These documents will help collect information based on temporary navigation center statistics, along with other information from

jurisdictions that have built navigation centers. “I think there is value in letting the temporary navigation center get up in running … see how it is going,” said District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas. “That may change our mind as to what we need in a more permanent location.”

Additionally, the recommendation

suggested Health and Human Services appropriations and American Rescue Plan Act funds be transferred to the Accumulative Capital Outlay Fund to help cover navigation center construction costs and improvements

OBITUARIES

Barbara Alice Jespersen Dec. 2, 1925 – Dec. 6, 2022

Barbara Alice (Kelsey) Jespersen was born and raised in Canoga Park, Calif. After her completion of high school, she married the one man that she had ever dated or cared for, Leslie B. Jespersen. In 1954, they moved to Placerville where she resided for the remainder of her life. She was a homemaker, raising five children. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, knitting, crocheting and embroidering. She and Leslie were married for 55 years prior to his death 1997.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Leslie, and sons John and Thomas. She is survived by three children, Charles Jespersen (Genell) of Saluda, NC, Jennifer Reed (Mike) of Placerville, and Laurel Young (Robert) of Saluda, NC, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Attempted burglar spotted inside El Dorado Hills home

Mountain Democrat staff

An El Dorado Hills resident encountered a burglar in their hallway Wednesday evening, according to the El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce. Sheri ’s logs show the incident occurred at a Tilden Drive home around 8:30 p.m.

The suspect was described to be about 6 feet tall, but no other features were identifiable. Surveillance footage of a possible suspect was obtained near the scene by sheri ’s deputies.

Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect is asked to call EDSO dispatch at (530) 621-6600

Contents

Shelter Continued from A1

at the temporary site. $1 million dollars from non-department special revenue ARPA funds will help fund the construction while Homeless Housing Assistance Program and Permanent Local Housing Assistance monies will provide $3 million for the projects.

$4 million will go toward the permanent navigation center construction and $83,000 for the temporary navigation center.

While the wheels of the permanent navigation center turn, the county is looking into moving the Elections Department out of the Government Center’s Building C, where the juvenile court is now expected to be housed.

“There are a lot of things that are going to be happening parallel,” Schwartz said. “At the same time we are going through this request for qualifications (and) the request for proposals process. We’ll be working on the (Election Department) move and the court improvements as well.”

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl suggested sta consider flexibility for the interior design of the permanent facility so it might be transformed for di erent uses in the future.

“We don’t know where we are going to be in five or 10 years,” Hidahl said. “We may find a … more suitable site for a navigation center depending on what happens. Having some ability to change the use of that building overtime is going to be key in what I am looking at in terms of the design aspect of it.”

Thomas concurred with Hidahl’s comments, adding the building should fit in with the rest of the Government Center.

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo was less optimistic about sta recommendations, suggesting American Rescue Plan Act funds be used toward the Grizzly Flat recovery e ort.

“They’re homeless because of the wildfire that went through their community and we are not stepping up to help them,” Turnboo said. Some from the community who spoke during public comment weren’t convinced approving of plans to move forward with a permanent navigation center was a wise

Delivery Continued from A1

“Being away from home for deployments is never easy but knowing that there are special people back home in the states who support our troops makes it all worthwhile,” Ra etto states.

The decorations have gone up on the tiny tannenbaum that adorns Ra etto’s quarters in Southwest Asia, where her fellow soldiers are also grateful for the Trees for Troops delivery.

Ra etto has been on active duty and reserves with the Air Force for 30 years. Husband Kurt and two sons expect her back home in April.

decision.

Grizzly Flat resident Candance Tyler, whose home burned in the Caldor Fire, gave her opinion that some homeless people would not utilize the services o ered at the temporary navigation center.

“Let’s be honest — we still aren’t convinced as a community this is going to go great, so I think testing the waters with the juvenile hall center is a great option,” Tyler told the Board.

Camino resident Sue Taylor shared similar comments about using the temporary site as testing grounds.

“I hope you do succeed with this but don’t do something permanent before you have all the facts to know what you are going to need to

move forward,” Taylor told the board.

Board Chair Lori Parlin emphasized if the temporary site is a failure, “I don’t think anyone on this board is afraid to shut it down.

“If we are successful and we don’t have homelessness in El Dorado County again … or if we shut it down and we have to do something else, we are still going to have that building. We need facilities in El Dorado County,” Parlin said.

“This is going to be hard but I think everyone wants to pitch in and make this work. Let’s hope we are successful,” Parlin added.

The Board voted 4-1 for the center, with Turnboo casting a no vote.

Horse injures driver

A Garden Valley resident sustained major injuries Dec. 14 after attempting to remove one of his horses from a crashed two-horse trailer.

California Highway Patrol officers say a 41-year-old man was driving his 1995 Dodge pickup truck towing a loaded two-horse trailer when he struck a tree off the roadway near the 6500 block of Garden Park Drive in Garden Valley. One horse escaped after the the man attempted to unload the horses from the disabled trailer but a second horse reportedly became

spooked. The horse jumped, landing on the driver and trapping him inside the trailer.

CHP investigators described the 6500 block of Garden Park Drive as a steep and muddy road.

Fire and rescue personnel responded to the incident 6:18 p.m. and freed the driver from under the horse. An air ambulance transported the driver to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment.

El Dorado County Animal Services as well as fire and rescue personnel assisted the spooked horse and went searching for the horse that escaped the next day.

Firefighters rescue pets

As a fire consumed a home in Mosquito Thursday night, the efforts of 21 firefighters led to the safe rescue of multiple animals.

Mosquito Fire Protection District firefighters from Station 75 were called to a fire on Stope Drive Thursday night, where flames were reportedly shooting through the roof of the home as they arrived. The residents and all but one of their dogs had already safely made it out. The homeowner was able to locate the remaining dog, which was revived and given oxygen,

at police headquarters before being booked into the El Dorado County Jail.

Detectives obtained a warrant to search Bowen’s residence, where they say evidence was recovered. Inside Bowen’s vehicle investigators found electronics that will be examined with the assistance of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Unit.

“Placerville Police Department would like to remind parents and guardians that social media is the most common medium used by sexual

predators for these types of activities,” warn police officials.

Charges against Bowen include sending or showing harmful material to seduce a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and annoying or molesting a child under 18.

Bowen posted $135,000 bail and has since been released from the county jail, according to inmate records.

The investigation is ongoing. Police officials ask anyone with information to contact Crime Reduction Team detectives at (530) 642-5210.

Gov. Newsom’s Orwellian plan to penalize the oil companies

The 1970s were a long time ago. It might be hard to imagine, or remember, what it was like back then. So, I’ll paint you a picture: inflation was skyrocketing, costs were soaring, Iran was in turmoil and the United States was in proxy war with Russia over the latter’s invasion of a neighboring nation.

Now that I think about it, I guess it isn’t so hard to imagine. The 2020s have a lot in common with the 1970s. So, here’s another blast from the Discoladen past that’s apparently making a comeback: price controls.

The state Legislature recently reconvened for the 2023-24 session. It also convened a special session to go after oil and gas companies for what the governor calls “price gouging.” The special session only lasted about three minutes, the members voted to reconvene it in January, when it will apparently run “concurrently” with the regular session (proving it to be the election stunt we knew it was), but it did give Gov. Gavin Newsom the cover to introduce his proposal to the Legislature.

The governor’s proposal would impose a “maximum gross gasoline refining margin” of a yet-to-be-determined number of cents per gallon. If a refiner exceeds the margin, the California Energy Commission can impose a civil penalty that will be deposited into the Price Gouging Penalty Fund that will supposedly refund the money back to consumers.

There are a lot of issues with this proposal, the first of which is that price controls simply don’t work. It’s basic economics. As David R. Henderson, a research fellow with the Hoover Institution, wrote just this year, “Prices are an indicator of underlying economic phenomena, namely supply and demand.”

Without price balancing supply and demand, buyers will demand more than they did at the free-market price and sellers will supply less. But we don’t need an economist to tell us that — the 1970s proved it. Price controls led to shortages and rationing, a greater dependence on foreign oil and, ironically, higher prices.

There is also a question of whether this “civil penalty” is, in fact, a tax. When Newsom first introduced the idea in October he referred to his proposal several times as a “windfall tax.” But somewhere between then and when he unveiled his proposal earlier this month, his tax had become a “penalty.” The reason for this is clear: thanks to Proposition 13, any tax increase must be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature.

Even with Democratic supermajorities in both houses, getting two-thirds of them to sign on to such a radical proposal was going to be a tough sell. Many that represent oil- and gas-producing areas, like in the Central Valley and along the Central Coast, have seen their districts grow more competitive and killing good-paying jobs doesn’t win you votes.

A penalty, however, only requires a simple

Letters to the Editor

Illegal immigrants

EDITOR:

Here’s something that might put the number of illegal immigrants coming across our southern border every day into perspective:

There are more illegals crossing the southern border every day currently than the entire number of airborne U.S. troops that landed at Normandy!

Stop animal testing

EDITOR:

Imagine you are sitting on your cozy couch in your living room and hear on the news that cruel and harsh experiments were being done on humans — you would be outraged. How is this di erent from animals? They are still living creatures that can feel pain and emotions. Animal rights have been violated for many years now, especially inside the cold white walls of a laboratory.

Approximately 110 million innocent lives are taken each year from this harsh practice. We have normalized it for many years, but it’s very cruel and unnecessary. All experiments involving animal testing involve pain in some sort of way and this can include physical and/or physiological pain. Experiments can vary from taking a baby away from its mother to see the

responses or shaving a rat’s fur to rub potentially dangerous chemicals onto its bare skin.

All kinds of animals are used for experiments. Some animals used include dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, horses and even frogs. Sadly, some animals are even taken away from their natural habitat in the wild to be put inside a cage to be tested on for the rest of its life.

What if I told you that animal testing can be dangerous for humans also? The results produced by animal testing don’t always accurately predict human responses. For example, the drug Vioxx was supposed to help with arthritis and acute pain in adults, but it ended up causing 320,000 heart attacks and 140,000 deaths. Even though it was proven safe in monkeys and five other animal species, it still did serious harm to humans.

It’s the 21st century and inhumane practices need to be stopped. Remember, more than 100 million innocent lives are taken each year from being tested on and there are many cases of it being unnecessary and harmful toward humans.

Animal testing is outdated and needs to come to an end.

Battle of the Bulge and Christmas at Bastogne history

Dec. 16, 1944, the Germans launched their final o ensive in the West, known as the Battle of the Bulge, seeking to re-conquer Belgium. By Jan. 1, 1945, they were in retreat.

It was also known as the Ardennes O ensive. Of course, the Germans had used the Ardennes Forest as a route to attack France and bypass the French Maginot Line of fortifications.

Bad weather kept reconnaissance aircraft grounded, so the Germans gained the element of surprise.

Christmas Eve saw improved weather conditions and Allied aircraft attacked the German armor and infantry. The tanks and infantry had been forced to line up due to fierce American resistance on the north and from Bastogne on the south.

The Germans had 450,000 men, 1,500 tanks and assault guns, 2,600 artillery pieces and 1,000 aircraft.

The Germans lost between 63,000 and 98,000 men killed, wounded or captured. It depleted the German armed forces thereafter. German

aircraft also sustained heavy losses.

America’s peak strength of 610,000 men in that area resulted in 19,000 deaths and 89,000 casualties. It was the largest single battle of World War II.

It was also famous for Gen. Anthony McAuli e’s response to the German commander who sought the surrender of the 101st Airborne troops at Bastogne on Dec. 22, 1944.

“To the German Commander: N U T S !

The American Commander” Gen. McAuli e included this in his Christmas message to his troops,

which read in part, “ These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance. How e ectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division’s glorious history but in world history.”

The troops were surrounded but Gen. George Patton’s Third Army broke the siege, with the spearhead reaching Bastogne on Dec. 26.

Michael Ra ety is a retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a resident of he Placerville area.

There are a lot of issues with this proposal, the first of which is that price controls simply don’t work. It’s basic economics.

and we need to do what we need to do to keep everybody safe.”

Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the addition of four fulltime equivalent sheriff’s security officers to help increase security for the public and county employees, along with any projected overtime costs. The board allocated $250,000 in the 2022-23 fiscal year budget to fund the security plan. When the security detail would begin its duties was not specified.

“With the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office and (the Office of Emergency Services), we are looking into a comprehensive approach to address security around all county buildings, which is needed,” said Ashton.

According to Sheriff

John D’Agostini, two security officers will be on site at a time, but Ashton said changes could be made depending on the security need.

Government buildings A, B and C were determined to be priorities of focus for security detail, according to county staff.

Security officers would not have arresting or citation authority but will carry firearms and have radio communication with the Sheriff’s Office and dispatch, according to D’Agostini, who added, “They look like a deputy, walk like a deputy (and) act like a deputy.”

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl asked who should be called when a crime is committed, commenting that dialing 911 may not get the

fastest response time.

“You still call 911 but you’re going to have those uniforms around here representing the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office that will have direct communications with central dispatch to bring those resources to bear quickly from our side and our 10 beat and Placerville police who may be in the area,” D’Agostini responded.

Hidahl also stated bringing in a security team to the government center would open the door to consider other threat assessment needs, including the addition of metal detectors in buildings.

“I hope we don’t have to move to that but as threats change and the assessment changes, this is the first step, potentially, into looking

at that next security measure we have to have in the board dais and (maybe) within the Planning Commission room,” Hidahl said.

“I don’t think we are there yet, but I think this definitely moves us in that right direction and we maintain the awareness and continual surveillance of what’s going on to determine what are those things that we need … to be preemptive and out in front of things before something happens.” District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo pondered hiring retired deputies to watch the buildings, noting their experience in security work.

D’Agostini said that would be a longer conversation with the appropriate labor

bargaining units.

“We could fit that in but we are kind of on the ground floor with the discussions we had,” D’Agostini explained.

“This is a model we came up with, the most cost-effective manner of providing security.”

Diamond Springs resident and Planning Commissioner Kris Payne called the added security “long overdue.”

“When the Sheriff’s Office was just down the street we had a constant stream of deputies coming and getting their cars, so there was a 24/7

rotation and providing immediate security that could be called upon,” Payne noted. “When that office was shut down it changed the dynamics of how people feel here who are employed, especially at night.”

Placerville resident Peg Vanderkar told the board she also supports increased security.

“Right now even around this government center we know there are things happening that would be nice to be able to call somebody and say ‘we have a problem here,’” Vanderkar said.

Announcements

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

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

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

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

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

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

Coupal

and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

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

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

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical

Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

Continued from A4

majority vote to pass. That would give Democrats in tougher districts room to sit this one out. But then calling it a penalty for the sake of political expediency doesn’t make it one. In 2010 taxpayer advocates joined with the business community to put Proposition 26 on the ballot specifically to address the abuse of tax hikes disguised as other forms of government exactions.

In order to qualify as exempt, Newsom’s “penalty” would have to be adjudicated to be a “fine, penalty or other monetary charge imposed by the judicial branch of government or the state, as a result of a violation of law.” Whether the tax could survive a legal challenge may be up to the courts.

But even if it survives a legal challenge, what the governor is attempting is frightening and worse than a political stunt. The governor who presides over the fourth largest economy in the world is trying to give government the power to decide whether profits from free enterprise are excessive and to declare those profits “a violation of law.”

If this gets through the Legislature, it won’t stop with oil companies. California could declare “excessive” profits in any business — from health care to supermarkets to car dealerships — and give itself the power to redistribute the money through “civil penalties.”

That policy would be perfectly at home in the old Soviet Russia, but it has no place in California.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

according to fire officials.

The Station 75 firefighters, aided by crews from Cal Fire, and the El Dorado County and Garden Valley fire protection districts, managed to push back the flames, keeping them from spreading to a nearby camper trailer and RV.

After the fire was contained fire crews say they found two adult cats, two kittens and a chinchilla that were safely removed from the house and are now doing well, though a bit frightened.

Officials reported that the fire heavily damaged the house and its contents and the cause is under investigation.

In the

KNOW

Dec. 19

Kerry Irish Productions presents An Irish Christmas at 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter. net/events.

Dec. 20

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday, 4-7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 6261091.

Dec. 21

Old Mule performs at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

El Dorado Musical Theatre’s High Voltage group presents the Holiday Celebration concert at 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net/events.

Dec. 22

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts the community menorah lighting to celebrate Hanukkah, 6:30-8 p.m.

A Very Ryder Thieves Holiday Shindig takes place at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 7 p.m.

For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom. com.

Emery Entertainment presents Rocky Mountain High Experience: John Denver Christmas at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net/events.

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

Dec. 23

Matt Rainey and Dippin Sauce perform at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 8 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom. com.

Sacramento Master Singers present A Master Singers Christmas at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net/events.

Dec. 24

Lace up for the annual Jingle and Mingle Run at 9 a.m. — open to anyone who wishes to participate. Meet at the Placerville Station, 2984 Mosquito Road in Placerville. Register online at tctruns. com/2021/12/26/122422.

Enjoy complimentary gift wrapping and hot cocoa, noon to 4 p.m. at 516 Main St., Placerville. Bring all your unwrapped packages and admire the fine art photography of Fab while Stephanie Shrum of

Career day

preps local students for a bright future

Education has such a range of responsibilities and one such is aiding students in pursuing a career field to not only be productive as an adult, but to be happy and satisfied.

El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep held Career Day last month for the entire student body. Students had the opportunity to participate in active career informational workshops with a wide range of community industry leaders presenting from El Dorado County and the Greater Sacramento/Bay Area.

“Giving our students the opportunity to hear from a variety of professionals from multiple vocations is something very important to our school,” said Sharon Shipley, CCP teacher and event organizer.

“The day was designed to allow students to explore viable options for their future as many of them want to start a career or go to community college immediately following high school.

“We see the greatest impact when our students can connect with people who have experience and find that the connections within the community build the esteem of our students,” she continued.

“This was our first year hosting

this event and we look forward to expanding it in the future to give students even more exposure to potential careers.”

Students were able to participate in presentation

Coalition brings outdoor learning to Tahoe students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Six environmental organizations led 500 South Tahoe High School students through a series of hands-on lessons about hydrological and ecological concepts in a place-based outdoor setting. The organizations’ environmental experts donated their time late this fall to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with the young people during a full day of programs. Following the first big snowstorm of the season, the students were excited to get outside in the newly fallen snow and learn about environmental issues affecting the Lake Tahoe area.

Students dove into the importance of forest diversity, fire management and hands-on methods of studying and becoming better stewards of Tahoe’s forests. Participants used nature journaling to investigate local forest ecology with the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. Students also planted native trees and learned about seed dispersal with the Sugar Pine Foundation. The USDA Forest Service and Great Basin Institute led a forest walk focused on tree species identification and fire mitigation.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe and South Tahoe Public Utilities District taught students how individual actions can contribute to the preservation of Lake Tahoe’s world renowned water clarity.

Teams practiced in-field water quality sampling and explored the significance of a healthy watershed.

All six environmental groups are part of the South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, known as STEEC. STEEC aims to provide free, high quality environmental education programs and projects to Lake Tahoe youth. By taking students out of the classroom and into the field, this outdoor investigation not only provided

students with a connection to the place they call home, but ignited interest in local career paths focused on environmental conservation.

Studies show that students who become engaged in the outdoors improve their understanding in a range of academic subjects. Additionally, outdoor classrooms reduce stress, support behavioral and

Rainy weather didn’t stop the El Dorado Western Railroad EnterTRAINment fun at the El Dorado Community Hall Sunday, Dec. 11. Kids enjoyed fun activities at the hall while other guests visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the cozy depot next door. A break in the weather even allowed some train rides. Among the distinguished guests were 2022 El Dorado Rose Sherry Phillipsen and Boy Scouts with Troop 460. For more information about the El Dorado Western Railroad visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/ElDoradoWesternRailroad.

Know Continued from B1

Intero Real Estates makes your gift sparkle.

A Very Special Christmas Eve with Luke and Kaylee takes place at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 2 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Dec. 26

Visit Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., to see local ice sculptors put their carving tools to the test in the Village Ice Sculpture Contest. This multi-block competition will create beauty out of standard blocks of ice and visitors are the judges. Admission is free.

Dec. 29

Hattie Craven Band performs at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 7 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Dec. 30

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. at 2101 Vine St. El Dorado Hills. The Bloodmobile will be parked near the movie theater on the north side. Make an appointment at

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ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you think about the vastness of the world and its billions of human inhabitants, it makes no sense to expect too much from any one source. Establish many channels to what you need; life becomes unstrained.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Of course you’ll be more successful if you can act on good information, but there may not be time to go as deep into the research as you’d like to today. Luckily, your intuition is on 11 and will fill in the gaps for you!

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Pay attention to what makes you ask questions. This is how new interests and epic quests start -- with the spark of curiosity. Curiosity will do the job of courage today. It will be strong enough to push you past a fear.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). New isn’t always better, but sometimes the inferior new thing is the right choice anyway. The reason you crave novelty is because you actually need it. Freshness wakes you up to your life.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Stick with what you said you’d do and complete some version of it. It doesn’t have to be the same version you set out to accomplish, but having some kind of finality will satisfy your mind and keep your standards for yourself intact.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’d rather be a witness than a judge. When it comes to matters of style and personal choices where no one gets hurt, you have the option of being a detached observation. You’re not required to moralize or hand in a verdict.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If a hero swept in to save the day, you’d rather it was a hero who also had problems, especially the sort you could handle, thus repaying the favor. You hate to be indebted in any way and will go far to avoid creating that dynamic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You can’t really work through a feeling without feeling it. Don’t worry, it won’t last. Feelings are clouds drifting through, changing shape, dissipating. Let the emotion briefly rock you. On the other side, you’ll be more powerful.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve known the pain of telling the truth, also the pain of hiding it. This is why you deeply appreciate the situation you’re in today. Your honesty is genuinely needed and wanted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Shopping around is fun if you’re in the mood but laborious if you’re not. You won’t have to shop, though, because you’ll quickly recognize what’s right for you — a perk of knowing yourself so well!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll look for ways to connect the small things you do to a bigger vision of your future. One day it will be a thrill to see how it all lines up. Until then, you’ll keep nudging your life and choices into alignment.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Relationships are like cooking. Some dishes work with a few simple ingredients, and others require you to balance many elements, steps and techniques. Neither way is better; it just depends on what you’re in the mood for.

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intellectual development, promote creativity and build connections between individuals and the natural world.

To allow these vital programs to continue, and to ensure transportation and materials for participating students, please consider donating to STEEC this holiday season through the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. To learn how you can support the program, or to get more information contact azertuche@ltusd.org

Career Day Continued from B1

workshops about culinary arts, Folsom Lake College, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, the military, real estate and regional occupational programs, gaining real insights about these fields — highlights, challenges, salary ranges, growth opportunities and more. The job market and economy has been ever changing the last couple years and CCP has had the opportunity to continue to serve all students to be successful in future career endeavors.

For more information visit ccp.edcoe.org.

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Continued from B3

donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

Attend the Green Tie Ball with Golden Cadillacs at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 8 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets.clubgreenroom.com.

Dec. 31

Celebrate the New Year with HipNosis performing at the Gold Trail Grange in Coloma. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door and online at hipnosisband.eventbrite.com. Ring in 2023 at the Red Dirt Ruckus East Coast New Year’s Eve Party at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville at 7 p.m. For tickets, tables and livestream access visit tickets. clubgreenroom.com.

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Mountain Democrat readers are invited to call Krysten Kellum at (530) 344-5072 or e-mail kkellum@mtdemocrat.net with tips about Christmas light displays to be included in a holiday photo feature story.

The history-based scavenger hunt Miners on Main has begun. The game features 10 prominent historical figures of the El Dorado County Gold Rush for participants to discover as they walk a loop along Main Street, Placerville. There are 10 medallions “hidden” between Sacramento and Clay streets. Each medallion will include a unique QR code that participants can scan with their phones to learn about the individual who had some historical significance during the California Gold Rush. A clue will be provided to find the next Miner on Main. Clue sheets for those who want to play without using a smart device will be available at some shops and the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce office, 542 Main St., Placerville. For more information call (530) 621-5885.

Elf on the Boulevard Scavenger Hunt runs through Dec. 24. Pick up a passport at any participating El Dorado Hills Town Center business and go looking for Elves hiding around. Once all the Elves have been located, return the passport to Face in a Book to be entered into a drawing to receive a Town Center gift card stocking. The first 100 completed passports will receive a gift. The winner of the grand prize will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 28. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

Visit the Drive-thru Nativity at Freedom Church, 4414 Commodity Way in Cameron Park, 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 26 (closed Christmas Eve). There are nine lighted scenes that tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Event is free.

Placerville Friends of Tibet seeks sponsors for the Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour, scheduled for Jan. 2-14, 2023. The Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour helps support Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India. For more information visit sacredartsoftibettour.org.

The Stormy Weather exhibit at Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom runs through Jan. 12, 2023, in the main gallery with the Folsom focus Photography Contest in the community gallery through Jan. 10, 2023. For more information call (916) 461-6601.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $16 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org),

NOTE:

!AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin eschuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que Ie entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para

presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una lIamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que Ie quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que Ie de un

formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte Ie podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que lIame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede lIamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener