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FALL SAVINGS – Weekend Edition – C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 18 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Federal freeze pauses fire safe programs Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
In a letter issued on Jan. 28 and addressed to the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council family, council Chair Ken Pimlott announced that due to a federal funding freeze implemented by the Trump administration all fire
safe programs funded by federal dollars should not “incur costs … until such a time as the federal freeze is resolved and grant funding is released.” Five grants supporting fuel reduction, chipping and public outreach programs in El Dorado County are currently on hold. These
programs affect a number of the 32 different associate fire safe councils in the county. Pimlott told the Mountain Democrat it has been difficult to get guidance from the FSC federal partners because of all the changes taking place. “They are not being given answers
to help us,” Pimlott said. “Our partners are engaged with us but they’re not getting clear answers so they can’t give clear guidance.” On Jan. 27 the Office of Management and Budget released a memorandum, M-25-13, ■ See FREEZE, page A5
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
The Danza Azteca group Ocelotecame out of Lincoln performs at the Lake Oak Mobile Home Community clubhouse on Feb. 22.
Courtesy photo
NASA Astronaut and Marine Corps Col. Nicole A. Mann, left, and Chris Volek pose for a photo. Volek, an EDHS grad, is working on a project to send astronauts back to the moon.
EDHS alum part of Artemis Project El Dorado Union High School District News release
El Dorado High School graduate Chris Volek is helping shape the future of space exploration by contributing to one of
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NASA’s most ambitious space missions — Artemis. From excelling in high school athletics and academics to becoming a design and analysis engineer at Boeing, Volek has taken a remarkable journey that has led him to play a role in returning humans to the moon.
Journey from high school to aerospace engineering Throughout his time at El Dorado High School, Volek said he found inspiration and support from many teachers, particularly in the math department. He credits Mr. Angelo, Mr. Round and Mr. Orris for challenging and encouraging him, fostering a deep ■ See VOLEK, page A4
Danza Azteca honors tradition Shelly Thorene Staff writer
D
anza Azteca group Ocelotecame performed for the residents of Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community Saturday night in Diamond Springs. Two drummers provided the resounding rhythm to which the feathered dancers adorned with Aztec leg rattles (shell-like seed pods containing small stones) twirled and rattled across the floor. The drumming on stage created a dramatic entrance for 11 dancers. After the first dance, dancer and spokesperson Benjamin Ignacio, 45, of Lincoln greeted the crowd in Spanish, assisted by translator/dancer Mia Guzman, also of Lincoln. “Buenos noches! We are happy to be here to share our culture with you to keep it alive. Our ancestors left it (the dance) as our inheritance.” Ignacio said the
Belinda Munoz, 17, of Lincoln, right, applies face make-up on Francisco Augilar of West Sacramento, left, in preparation for their performance at Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community in Diamond Springs. The Danza Azteca group Ocelotecame formed eight years ago in order to keep traditions alive and provide positive representation for the Latin/a/x community. name “Ocelotecame” means jaguar warrior in Nahuatl, his native language. He said the traditions in his village in Guerreo, Mexico, are still alive and he is happy to share them with people. He stressed that the dance is not “folklorico,”
which has its origins in Spain. Ocelotecame’s dances are instead “prayers.” Ignacio outlined the dances to be performed: Rabbit Dance, Rain Dance, Fire Dance and Maize Dance. Ignacio said the feathers for the
headdresses are from a source in Madera and are transported in mailing tubes to each event where they are reassembled, some measuring several feet in diameter. The group was ■ See DANZA AZTECA, page A3
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