C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 52 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025
El Dorado Hills boy joins Children’s Congress News release An El Dorado Hills boy was chosen by Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, to join a delegation of their peers and celebrity advocates in Washington, D.C., this summer at Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress, July 7-9. Four-year-old Landon Capozzoli will join 170 other youths from across the country to meet with members of Congress and other key decision makers to inform them of the critical role they can play in supporting the T1D community. Diagnosed with T1D at just 2 years old, Landon is described by mother Kennedy Capozzoli as “a big-hearted, fun-loving kid who lights up every room he enters. He gives the best hugs, loves to make people laugh and has a smile as contagious as his giggle.”
Whether he’s racing around the soccer field, pretending to blast off into space or curling up for story time, Landon approaches everything with joy and boundless imagination. He’s endlessly curious and wants nothing more than to enjoy life freely — without the constant burden of blood sugar checks, carb counting, insulin shots and other daily challenges that come with managing T1D. Landon and his family find strength in connecting with fellow T1D warriors. With the devotion of his parents and sister, through thick and thin, he’s empowered to dream big and embrace life fully. Throughout the event, these youth, ages 4-17, will participate in leadership and character-building programming, interact with T1D role models and engage in a number of activities on Capitol Hill, including attending a Senate hearing featuring
personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued Federal funding through the Special Diabetes Program and accelerating cell therapies. Joining the U.S. delegates are five international delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Together, the delegates will convey to the federal government that T1D is a global issue that requires a global response. About Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress was inspired by a boy from Massachusetts named Thom Solo. One day, at age 9, he asked his mother, “Why can’t kids go to Washington and tell their representatives about what it’s like to have type 1 diabetes and let
Courtesy photo ]
Landon Capozzoli will join 170 youths from across the U.S. to advocate for type 1 diabetes community in Washington, D.C., ■ See CAPOZZOLI, page A2 this summer.
Coordinated effort makes quick work of building fire Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Executive chef Devin Dedier creates a fine Italian dining experience at Vacanza Romana in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Later this year he takes on his largest culinary challenge — Sacramento’s Tower Bridge Dinner.
EDH chef earns a golden opportunity Noel Stack Editor
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Take 880 hungry guests, add four talented chefs, sprinkle in a golden bridge and you have the perfect ingredients for a night to remember.
The 2025 Tower Bridge Dinner will be particularly unforgettable for Devin Dedier, executive chef at Vacanza Romana in El Dorado Hills Town Center. He is one of four invited chefs tasked with creating a delicious meal for diners with very discerning tastes. Dedier joins chefs Bucky Bray with Nixtaco Folsom, N’Gina Guyton with Jim Denny’s and Jeana Marie with Omakase Pro Favor in the kitchen at one of Sacramento’s premiere culinary events. For the last two years Dedier has “worked the bridge,” leading a pod where a team prepares the main chefs’ inspired dishes. In May he received an email many local chefs dream about and, as a special point of pride, Dedier said this is the first time organizers set their sights on chefs working on the outskirts of the capital city. “Normally it always stays in Sacramento,” Dedier explained of the lead chef selection. “Finally getting that spotlight is really great.” This is the first time the executive chef has taken the lead on an event of this scale ■ See DEDIER, page A3
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
At 1:27 p.m. Tuesday Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit responded to calls of a building fire in Cameron Park. Crews arrived at an abandoned multi-family dwelling on Dunbar Road at Starbuck to find the building ablaze. According to Cal Fire Assistant Chief Dusty Martin the building had been vacant for a number of years. Hand crews went to work on the blaze immediately. A tanker plane was called in but did not drop fire retardant on the building. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Responding agencies included Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, El Dorado County Fire, El Dorado Hills Fire, Cameron Park Fire and Growlersburg hand crews.