Mountain Democrat, Friday, May 1, 2026

DECISION 2026

Two vying to be county treasurer-tax collector

Noel

Stack Editor

Corey Leikauf isn’t looking for a glamorous job; the El Dorado County treasurer-tax collector candidate said he prefers positions that o er a challenge without the attention.

“I like doing things behind the scenes. I’ve always been that type of person,” Leikauf said. “I get joy from working through complex problems and trying to make things run smoother and more

e ciently.”

Leikauf, an El Dorado County native who currently works in the county AuditorController’s O ce, has a background in both government and private sector accounting. He graduated from Boise State University and started his career at U.S. Bank.

“There, I focused on cash flow management, reconciling, internal controls, and

Noel Stack Editor

El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector Sean Coppola calls his job “the perfect role.” The appointed department head is on the ballot this June to keep his elected seat.

“The fiscal success of the county is so important to the wellbeing of the community and I know that firsthand from being in the o ce for the past couple of years and seeing how

Stan’s wait ends with a key

■ Stan Mowatt’s story evolves from surviving outside to sleeping inside

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

Aformerly homeless man has turned a new page in his life after finally securing a place to call home. On April 9, Stan Mowatt opened the door to his new apartment at Eskaton Lincoln Manor on Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. Friend and advocate Dr. Mitchell Goodis was there by his side, ready to help. Dr. Goodis received the call from Lincoln Manor about the open apartment as Mowatt’s phone number had changed since he signed up on the waitlist many years ago. The unit’s previous tenant moved into an assisted living facility, and he and her family decided to leave all of the furnishings

for Mowatt.

“It’s like manna from heaven,” said Goodis, adding he’s overjoyed that his friend and former employee finally has a fully furnished place to call home. Mowatt worked at Dr. Goodis’ practice as a dental lab technician making dentures for five years. His employment ended after he su ered a stroke, which a ected his memory, balance and the use of his left hand.

At 67, unemployed and on Social Security, Mowatt’s income was not enough to qualify for most apartments, which often require income to be three times the rent. Eskaton Lincoln Manor takes part in HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program that provides a rent subsidy for low-income seniors. According to Zach Melchiori, Eskaton vice president of Sales, Marketing and Brand Management, to qualify for ■ See HOME, page A9

intertwined everything is,” Coppola shared.

“And I see (running) as a great opportunity to continue to serve ... to ensure that we progress responsibly into the future, and hopefully a future that our kids love as much as my fiancée and I did growing up here.” Coppola replaced former TreasurerTax Collector Karen Coleman, who retired after nearly

IN CALIFORNIA Leaders explore reintroducing grizzly bears

Eli Ramos Tahoe Daily Tribune

LAKE TAHOE — After more than a century of extinction in California, the state could reintroduce the grizzly bear by 2028 through California Senate Bill 1305, the California Grizzly Restoration Act. The bill, introduced by Sen. Richardson and coauthored by Sens. Weber Pierson, Stern and Blakespear, would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap for the reintroduction of grizzly bears. This would require a scientific assessment and consultation with Native American tribes in California. The act is co-sponsored by the Yurok and Tejon tribes. Crucially, the bill would prohibit reintroduction until ecological and biological research was done into the viability of establishing a grizzly population, along with consultation with tribes and communities.

Grizzlies have been extinct in California since 1924 after they were killed by settlers, miners, ranchers and government agents. In the time since, California has recovered various species and

ESSENTIALS

Sondra Pike Browning

Apr. 16, 1940 – Apr. 17 - 2026

Sondra Pike Browning, age 86, a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on April 17, 2026 in her home in El Dorado, California surrounded by her husband, Vern, her two sons, Buck and Joshua, and her much loved pets. Sondra, known by all for her quick wit, sharp mind, and generous spirit was loved by many and will be profoundly missed.

Sondra was born to Dale and Roberta Pike on April 16, 1940 in the town of Rushville, Nebraska, When Sondra was an infant her family moved to Los Angeles where her father was employed in the aircraft industry during World War II. After the war the family moved to Chico, California where Sondra benefited from an excellent education provided by the Chico Public Schools through high school. She continued her education at Chico State College for a year and then transferred to the University of California in Davis where she earned her BA in English along with a Secondary Teaching Credential.

Sondra taught English in Placerville, California, Travis AFB, and in Orangevale at Casa Roble High School where she taught film making, English, and served as yearbook advisor. While teaching she attended night classes at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, earning her Juris Doctor Degree, and embarked on a successful law practice in California and Wyoming for over 30 years, specializing in wills, trusts, and probate. The nephew of a deceased client stated in his eulogy for his aunt, “After working with Mrs. Browning on my aunt’s probate, I will never again tell another demeaning lawyer joke.”

Sondra was involved in community a airs, often donating her time and expertise. She served on the Buckeye Elementary School Board for nine years and as a public member of the State of California Veterinary Medical Board for four years.

Sondra worked alongside her husband, Vern, to maintain, improve, and manage the properties she inherited from her family in California, Wyoming, and Montana. She felt a strong and abiding attachment to Wyoming as her grandparents, Herb and Mabel Flatt owned the Lodge on Beartooth Lake during the late 1930’s and the early 1940’s.

Sondra is survived by her husband of 61 years, Vern, her sons, Buck and Joshua, and brother, Jerry Pike. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, William and Donald Pike. At Sondra’s request, there will be no service. Her ashes will be placed in a stone encasement along side her relatives’ ashes on the family property in Crandall, Wyoming.

Donations may be made to Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County in Diamond Springs, California, or the charity of choice of the donors.

Loretta Ann Willis

Nov. 9, 1933 – Apr. 16, 2026

Loretta Ann Willis, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, at her home in El Dorado, California, on April 16, 2026. Born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to William “Joker” Reed Moreland and Sarah Ann Moreland, she moved to El Dorado County in 1937, where she spent the rest of her life growing up, building a home, and raising her family. She is survived by her children, David Willis; Kathy Willis and her children, Jennifer Hemphill (Eliot), Steven Reeves, Veronica Monte (Ryan), Loretta Purves (Ryan), and Regan Taylor (Ryan); and her son Alan Willis and his children, Tania Langland, Sarah Willis (James), and Allie Willis. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

Loretta graduated from El Dorado High School in 1951 and completed LVN school in 1952. She worked at the Old Sanitarium in Placerville for a time before starting her family. She later spent 25 years at Beno’s Department Store in Placerville, selling 51’s to the people of Placerville, before retiring in 1993 to lovingly raise her grandchildren, Veronica Monte and Loretta Purves. She found joy in time spent with family and her loyal dog, Coco, visiting with loved ones, and watching western movies.

Loretta will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and the deep love she had for her family. She will be greatly missed.

Joyce E. Dunham

Sep. 25, 1928 – Apr. 19, 2026

Joyce E. Dunham, of Shingle Springs, CA ascended to be with the Lord on April 19, 2026. She was 97 years old and lived a full and fruitful life, always commenting that she loved every stage.

Joyce is survived by her children Judy Ziesmer of Shingle Springs, Gary (Linda) Dunham of Folsom, Scott (Niurka) Dunham of Cary, NC, eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-greatgrandchild. She was predeceased by her husband of over 70 years, Neil Dunham.

Joyce was born on September 25, 1928 in San Diego, CA to Ken and Florence Fawcett. She met her soul-mate Neil Dunham on July 4th, 1946 in San Diego. They were married on December 28th, 1946. After their marriage they lived in San Diego until moving to Sacramento in 1960. A temporary move to San Diego in 1975 was followed by their return to Sacramento in 1977. After Neil’s retirement in 1982 they moved to their house in Shingle Springs where she lived until passing.

Joyce and Neil enjoyed many years of exploring the country by trailer, treating the family to annual Silver Lake vacations, square dancing, and continuing to grow in their Christian faith. They were fortunate to travel and had many treasured memories of trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.

Joyce was a dedicated and devoted homemaker and mother. She enjoyed entertaining, tennis, gardening, reading and baking. Her greatest joy was time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in hearing her children’s stories of their own journeys.

Joyce was admired for her positive and caring attitude, her thoughtfulness of others, and her love of family and friends. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Pastor Jacob Ricketts will lead a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on May 13th, 2026 at Park Community Church in Shingle Springs. Following the ceremony, friends and family are invited to enjoy a light lunch and share memories in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests considering a donation to Park Community Church or to a charitable foundation of the donor’s choice.

Karen (Graves) Blasingame

Aug. 25, 1955 – Mar. 22, 2026

Karen Blasingame, 70, a lifelong Placerville resident, passed away on March 22, 2026. Her life was defined by a fierce devotion to her family and friends, and a kindness that knew no bounds.

Madeleine Carol (Putnam) Melo

Apr. 13, 1945 – Apr. 17, 2026

Madeleine Melo passed away on April 17, 2026, at her home in Star, Idaho. She was born April 13, 1945, in Visalia, California, to Dorothy and Lloyd Putnam. At age eleven, she moved to Placerville, California, where she graduated from El Dorado High School. She pursued a degree in nursing, attending Sierra Junior College and Chico State. Madeleine was a pioneer in nurse midwifery, and one of the first certified nurse midwives in California (#23). Over her career, she delivered more than 2,000 babies, supporting families through life’s most meaningful moments. In 1979, Madeleine settled in Fort Bragg, California. She married Jere Melo in 1987, and together they were active in local organizations and civic life. They shared a love of travel, including meaningful trips to Japan through the Fort Bragg–Otsuchi Cultural Exchange. Family was at the center of their life, and they took great joy in bringing people together and being present for life’s milestones.

Madeleine was preceded in death by her husband, Jere Melo; her parents; her brother, David Putnam; and her great-nephew, Matthew Lancaster. She is survived by her sisters, Barbara Harris of Caldwell, Idaho, and Ada Kornmeyer of Port Ludlow, Washington; as well as many nieces, nephews, and their extended family.

She will be remembered for her strength, compassion, and the way she showed up— consistently and wholeheartedly—for the people she loved.

Deceaseds Funeral Arrangements: Services will be held in both Star, Idaho, and Mount Shasta, California. For additional details, visit https:// everloved.com/life-of/madeleine-melo/

LAKE LEVELS

Born on August 25, 1955, at the Placerville Sanitorium to Floyd and Marie Graves, Karen’s story began in the close-knit community of Omo Ranch. She attended the historic two-room schoolhouse at Indian Diggins, where she forged the foundational friendships that would last a lifetime. She graduated from El Dorado High school in 1973.

Karen was the heartbeat of her family and she was fiercely devoted to them as well as her friends, always the first to o er help to anyone in need. The number of lives touched by her giving spirit is immeasurable; she lived fully, leading always with love, kindness, and quiet strength.

The impact of her passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who knew her, but her legacy lives on in the family she adored. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Marie Graves; her sister, Betty Murray; and her brother, Floyd Graves.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years, Harold Blasingame; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom were the pride and joy of her life.

Celebration of Life

Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM

American Legion Hall Post #119 4561 Greenstone Rd., Placerville, CA 95667

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

EDSO CRIME LOG

The following information was taken from El Dorado

reports:

March 13

1:37 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Boulder Mine Lane in Pilot Hill.

3:01 p.m. Battery was reported on Eight Mile Road in Camino.

4:12 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Deer Canyon Road in Camino.

4:27 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a pharmacy on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park.

4:32 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Falcon Haven Road in Shingle Springs.

4:35 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a restaurant on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

5:34 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a mobile home park on Patterson Drive in Diamond Springs.

March 14

3:30 p.m. Trespassing was reported at Clark Mountain Road in Placerville. 8:11 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

8:16 p.m. Battery was reported on Coloma Street in Placerville. An arrest was made.

March 15

12:18 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Faith Lane in Diamond Springs.

1:13 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a store on Ellinghouse Drive in Cool.

2:25 p.m. Battery was reported on Lovejoy Lane in Cool.

3:17 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a person suspected of in icting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and probation violation on Seneca Circle in El Dorado Hills. They were listed in custody in lieu of $52,500 bail.

3:25 p.m. Trespassing was reported at a storage facility on Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado.

3:44 p.m. Battery was reported at a care o ce on French Creek Road in Shingle Springs.

4:22 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Clark Mountain Road in Placerville.

6:28 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Serenity Lane in Placerville.

8:59 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Old Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills.

10:44 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Spanish Dry Diggins Road in ■

EVERY STEP COUNTS

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

On April 25, around 60 people of all ages put on their walking shoes to take part in the third annual Jenna’s Walk For Joy, a 5k walkathon fundraiser for mental health awareness and the Jenna Sue Souza Furst Memorial Scholarship Fund. The event began at Town Hall where Dr. Martin Entwistle, associate chief medical o cer and vice president of Population Health at Marshall Medical Center, shared inspiring remarks with the group. Participants carried signs from Main Street up to Schnell School Road looping back on the El Dorado Trail with messages about mental health awareness to spread the word and garner community support. After the walk, participants gathered again at Town Hall for a light lunch and heard powerful stories from NAMI Clubhouse El Dorado members

and sta . Clubhouse members Tom, Lenaya, Margie and Mike spoke openly about their mental health journeys and highlighted how Clubhouse El Dorado serves as a valuable community resource. Other speakers included Kim Hughes, clinical director of the wellness centers in El Dorado County high schools. Hughes emphasized the critical

role these centers play in giving students a safe space to reset and access the help and resources they need. Scholarships were awarded to Rowan Thomas of Ponderosa High School, Olivia Beckett of El Dorado High School and Tyler Andujar of Oak Ridge High School. The $1,000 scholarships each include a $250 therapy voucher.

California Commentary

EV mandates are costing government and taxpayers

Over the last three years Caltrans has received over half a billion dollars of taxpayer funds to convert its vehicles into “the greenest fleet in the nation.” This year, the agency is seeking another $25 million to continue its buildout of charging stations.

A recent Caltrans report reveals that it has spent the lions’ share of funding on 852 Tesla’s and Rivians. Nice vehicles but, according to the report, “Electric vehicles are on average 132.82% more expensive than their equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle counterparts.” Are vehicles costing twice as much for the same or less functionality worth it? (The report notes that ZEVs have limited range and face charging time delays, leading Caltrans to estimate that they will need two to three vehicles for every one diesel counterpart to do the same amount of work).

The report also highlighted that over the past three years, installing a charging unit cost $116,146 and took 1.9 years to finish, and Caltrans estimates future projects will each cost $210,231 and take up to three years to complete.

The California Legislature and CARB should completely rethink these expensive mandates, especially when the state’s highway system ranks 49th or 50th (second worst) in the nation for overall cost-e ectiveness and condition. According to the 2025 ASCE report, California roads received a D grade and bridges received a C-. And it’s not just the potholes throughout the state that plague California, the other hole is California’s massive budget deficit. Citizens are unlikely to be sympathetic to calls for higher taxes when they learn that Caltrans spent over $1 million on just one hydrogen vehicle.

Two Fridays ago marked the end of a 15-day comment period on the California Air Resources Board’s regulations that essentially mandate all state and local governments to convert completely to zero-emissions vehicles. The smart thing to do would be to completely repeal these regulations to accommodate higher priority transportation projects or to reduce stress on the state budget. But since repeal is unlikely to gain favor with California’s political leadership, serious consideration should be given to some sort of temporary suspension.

While the state continues its heavy handed mandates, the federal government has withdrawn the federal waiver upon which CARB was relying to force private employers in California to purchase only ZEVs. But CARB is pursuing a back-door strategy by extending the mandate to private fleets that contract with state and local governments.

If any of my readers have had to take a commercial flight recently, the Transportation Security Administration lines were hours long, sometimes six hours as recently reported in Atlanta. This problem can be attributed to the Democrats, or as I call them “Evil-crats.”

They won’t fund the Department of Homeland Security, which sta s and controls TSA — the agency that screens all airport passengers. Since the Evil-crats have refused to fund the DHS because Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also under DHS, TSA agents are not getting paid. Consequently, security checkpoints are not being sta ed or are severely understa ed as these agents live essentially paycheck to paycheck. Hundreds of agents have quit, taking new jobs. President Donald Trump ordered ICE agents to airports to assist TSA, the lines and airport congestion has been reduced

Letters to the Editor

Road rage

EDITOR:

The California Assembly passed AB 1421 this year directing the California Transportation Commission to study adopting a vehicle milage tax. Since the CTC commissioners are appointed by the governor and the Legislature, the outcome of their study is sure to reinforce the legislative intent of increasing taxes on anyone who drives a vehicle.

A VMT would be a new tax that would tax drivers for every mile they drive. The program would require tracking devices keeping tabs on every mile driven. These plug-in devices are already being evaluated for distribution. Vehicle telematic systems use GPS, sensors and OBD-II ports to track a vehicle’s location, speed, driving behavior and mileage.

Under consideration is a tax of 6 to 9 cents per mile. A two-car family would likely pay between $3,500 and $4,500 yearly. Commuters and

families who live in the more rural areas would of course pay more. The VMT may replace the 70 cents per gallon state tax but once in place taxes are rarely fully eliminated.

The legislative justification for a VMT is declining taxable revenue from fuel sales. Vehicles today are more fuel e cient, and California’s two million electric vehicles and 600,000 hybrids pay nothing or little highway fuel taxes.

The El Dorado County Taxpayers Association is opposed to a VMT. We agree that state highway fuel taxes are declining and perhaps EVs should pay their fair share of highway fuel taxes, but 36 million California drivers are already paying the highest fuel taxes in the country. They should not be further penalized (taxed) for previous actions of California lawmakers and the administrative state.

The recently closed Phillips 66 and Valero refineries will likely push fuel costs higher. In 1984 California had 43 refineries. The 12 remaining

but the TSA still needs to be funded.

A little known fact is that the members of Congress bypass TSA. ICE is funded through Sept. 30 via the One Big Beautiful Bill, but individual funding of DHS has yet to be passed with Democrats holding up funding of the DHS unless ICE is abolished. This is America hating at its highest level — similar to defund the police. Joe Biden allowed 15 million illegal aliens in the U.S. It was a huge a ront to the America-loving immigrants here who waited years for their turn for entry into the U.S. Evil-crats hope to acquire these 15 million new non-American voters, putting them in power forever and allow them to turn America into a socialist state. In blue states it is already happening with new taxes — such as wealth confiscation taxes — much higher income taxes and new and increased taxes on almost everything to pay for “free” stu . Chicago just raised

Joe Biden allowed 15 million illegal aliens in the U.S. It was a huge a ront to the America-loving immigrants here who waited years for their turn for entry into the U.S.

its hotel tax to 19%. Other blue state cities that need money for their “free” stu will likely follow suit.

Evil-crats in Washington state recently passed its first income tax, 9.9%, and since it is only on millionaires (for now), it is driving rich people and high-income earners out of the state. Starbuck’s trice CEO Howard Schultz is now a Florida resident. California taxes are driving out the wealthy, including business leaders in Silicon Valley. They’re going to Tennessee, Texas, Florida and other low-tax jurisdictions. New York City socialist Mayor Mamdani has proposed new, much higher taxes, including a confiscation of wealth tax, and the rich are bailing — all going to the aforementioned states with much lower taxes and better weather.

Another young woman was recently killed by an illegal alien who should have been deported for his last arrest. She was shot in the head in cold blood. Ms. Gorman was a Loyola

freshman walking with friends near a Chicago pier, a sanctuary city and in a sanctuary state. What did Evil-crats say? Chicago Mayor Alderman Maria Hadden said Ms. Gorman was in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” The only person in the wrong place was the illegal alien killer who shouldn’t have been here. But Chicago obviously doesn’t follow the rule of law.

Evil-crats will say anything to gain power. Evil-crats call our current president a fascist while they in fact engage in fascist activities like suppressing opposition and wanting to control industry and all property. They tell you what to eat, banning meat while allowing SNAP recipients to buy sugar soft drinks and candy with food stamps. They tell you where to live after taxing you out of your home (that’s proposed in New York City), confiscating your property, including your car (New York has a

Weitzman Continued from A4

tax if you drive into the city). They tell you what you can and can’t say, controlling the press. I could go on. Yes, Evil-crats are socialist/ communists.

Evil-crats have allowed 15 million people into the country who are not Americans, do not have our culture, resist assimilation, look for government handouts and will vote with Democrats for more. Why else would the laws go unenforced at the

Coupal

Continued from A4

For example, the EV mandate would be imposed on a company like Waste Management which pays the local government a franchise fee for the exclusive right to provide garbage collection services to all the residents. According to the report, the vehicles required for these services would require three vehicles for every one diesel counterpart. This is on top of the vehicles costing more than double or around $726,490 each with an average delivery time of 689 days. In addition, “To meet service expectations without delays or reduced route completion, a two to three vehicle rotation is required: one sweeper in active service, one charging, and/or one standing by

refineries continue to struggle with excessive regulations, increasing costs which are passed along to drivers. There are better alternatives responding to declining fuel taxes. California drivers are accustomed to road hazards, but this proposed tax scheme may turn into road rage.

El Dorado County Taxpayers Association is a non-partisan, common sense, non-profit, countywide, civic league open to all county residents.

HENRY KRIZL Vice president, El Dorado County Taxpayers Association

Grateful for this community

EDITOR:

Iwanted to give a huge shout out to city of Placerville worker Todd Du n. Back in March I was helping family move product to their business downtown. When we had finished for the day, I o ered to walk the family dog home. Just out front of Fire Station 25 “pony girl,” as the family calls her (she’s an Irish Wolfhound), got spooked and slipped out of her collar. She turned and galloped away back down to Main Street. With leash in hand I ran after her. Some bystanders told me she turned down the alley and was headed for Highway 50. I was in a panic and kept running. I ran cast on Highway 50 when a city worker saw me and pulled over to ask how he could help. Actually, there were two di erent workers who stopped to help. I told them to look for the biggest dog they’ve ever seen; she is on the loose and heading towards Bedford Avenue. without hesitation he sped o before I got his name. I was in such a blur at that moment, that I didn’t really get a good look at their faces. Just then a text came through from my nephew that big girl had ran back to the shop where Mom was at. Thank you, God. For two days I had prayed on this, asking God to help me find this guy to thank him in person for his kindness.

I wondered who the worker was who helped me. I went to work the following Monday, telling coworkers of this incident and expressed

borders? And when a new president attempts to enforce the deportation of these 15 million illegal aliens, the Democrats take the side of the illegal aliens. For the same reason, it is the Evil-crats who do not want voter ID, resist the SAVE Act and want to abolish ICE. Evil-crats hate America and want its destruction. Is that what you want too?

Larry Weitzman is a former El Dorado County resident.

to fill in as needed; this depends on operations for a 12-hour shift or a 24-hour shift.” Local governments would need at least double the vehicles at double the price.

Let’s be clear. EVs have a future, particularly here in California where they are already ubiquitous. For some families and some businesses, they make economic sense. But that is more the exception than the rule. Both the market and the technology still have a long way to go. Yet CARB persists in its belief that the mandates will force both to magically catch up.

That is costly wishful thinking.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

how a nice city worker had helped me and how i wished I could thank him and wanted to tell his bosses what a great employee(s) they have. Here’s the best part of this story: Not more than 10 minutes later, a man walked up to my counter to purchase some things. When I saw that he signed o as a worker on a city of Placerville account, I happen to mention if he heard of a dog getting loose in downtown Placerville a couple days ago. He said, “That was me!” It totally made my day, and it just goes to show what the power of prayer can do. It’s for real.

I just want the city of Placerville to know what a great guy Mr. Todd Du n is. If the world had more like him, we’d be in such a good place. Thank you, Todd Du n, and thank you to the other city worker who stopped to help me as well. (I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.) I love Placerville!!

RENEE

SCHWERTNER

Placerville

Pedigree

EDITOR:

My mother’s parents were half New England Yankee and half New York City Irish. My father’s father was an Irish immigrant, a buyer for a department store in 1907 when my grandmother was committed to a mental hospital with “brain fever” upon the birth of her third child. She never recovered. My grandfather sent the boys to stay with his sister in Ireland on the family farm there in 1912

where World War I kept them longer than he had planned.

My father was the only one of the boys to return to the States to live. He and my mother were part of the post-war migration to the suburbs in the late ‘30s.

I guess most people, being new, identified with a group there. There wasn’t a lot of what you would call diversity. We were Catholic. I think my parents considered themselves upper class. When I went to high school, my mother started teaching at the Catholic grade school down the street where I had gone. My brother was still a student there.

My parents thought my mother needed someone to help clean house. I am uncomfortable about describing the people who came by color, really only shades, if you want to know the truth. They’re still in my heart.

A man who could not read came. We wondered how he got there without a car. He was so gracious that my parents hated to let him do anything. They looked up to him, period. I did too.

A woman came later — beautiful and gentle. My mother waited on her. She was a Jehovah’s Witness.

After some time, when I felt prepared to go out into the world, I went up to the Berkshires where a family member had a big house they opened in summers. I had spent every one there, looking up to the farmers. So I became one.

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

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In Memory

Martha Francis de Haas

February 9, 1938 – April 10, 2026

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Martha Francis de Haas, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted daughter, on April 10, 2026, at the age of 88. She passed peacefully at her home in Gold Hill surrounded by her family.

Born Martha Francis Veerkamp on February 9, 1938, to Clinton and Narcissa Veerkamp in Placerville, California, Martha lived a life defined by love, loyalty, and an unshakable devotion to family and faith.

Martha was born into the Federated Church of Placerville, and that congregation became the steady heartbeat beneath every chapter of her life. She grew up in its pews, and it was there, on January 26, 1958, that she married the love of her life, Mervin de Haas — her high school sweetheart. It was there, fifty years later, they celebrated their life together and their commitment to each other. Her life will be celebrated again at the Federated Church of Placerville on May 2, 2026 at 1pm.

Together, Martha and Mervin would build a partnership spanning 68 years, four children, and adventures that took them across the world and back home again.

As a young Army wife, Martha embraced each new chapter with grace. She accompanied Mervin to Germany, where their eldest daughter Kathryn settled into early childhood and their second daughter Karen was born. When Mervin left the service, the family returned to his parents’ ranch in Lotus, California, where Michael and Kimberlee followed in the years ahead. During those Lotus years, Martha poured herself into her community, becoming a beloved figure in the local 4-H club where she spent countless hours teaching young women the art of sewing.

In the mid-1970s, Martha once again packed up her family and followed Mervin — this time through Europe and on to Zaire, Africa. Her willingness to uproot and adventure, always keeping her family close and her spirit steady, spoke to the kind of woman she was: adaptable, strong, and deeply present for those she loved.

Returning from Africa, Mervin and Martha settled in El Dorado Hills — close enough for Mervin to commute to Sacramento, and close enough for Martha to make the short drive to her parents’ ranch in Gold Hill to help with the family farming. She managed all of this while raising four children, supporting her husband, and working full-time as a dental assistant in Placerville.

Then, in 1986, Martha came full circle. She and Mervin built their own home on the Gold Hill property, just 200 yards from the farmhouse where she grew up. There, amid the Bartlett pear orchards her family had long tended, Martha helped operate the ranch and fulfilled what would become one of her life’s most sacred callings — honoring her parents’ wish to live out their final years on the land they loved. She cared faithfully for her mother until her passing in 1991, and for her father until his passing in 1996. It was a quiet, profound act of devotion that said everything about who Martha was.

Throughout her life, the Gold Hill ranch was Martha’s place of joy. She delighted in the sight of the fruit trees in bloom, the orchard she had known since childhood. In her later years, when the fruit trees were gone, she channeled that same love of growing things into an iris garden she tended with great care. She took pride in labeling each variety and welcomed any visitor with a tour — eager to share what she had cultivated. To this day, her raised iris beds and scattered plantings remain, still visible through the living room picture window, a quiet and colorful testament to the woman who loved that land her whole life long.

Martha is survived by her husband of 68 years, Mervin de Haas; her four children, Kathryn Marker (Steven), Karen Hamilton (Anthony), Michael de Haas (Maryann), and Kimberlee Whitcombe (Kirk); eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; one great-greatgrandchild; and her sister, Marie Schubin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Narcissa Veerkamp, and her eldest sister, Ceedola Daubner. Martha de Haas was a woman who knew where she came from and never forgot it. She was raised on that Gold Hill ranch, raised in a faith that anchored her through every season of life, and she gave herself fully — to her family, to her land, and to her God — until the very end.

EID board looks closer at future water supply plan

Jack Carrerow Mountain Democrat correspondent

A workshop on the future water needs and supply for El Dorado County was presented by El Dorado Irrigation District Engineering Manager Patrick Kalvass at the April 27 EID Board of Directors meeting.

The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires water purveyors serving more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually or more than 3,000 customers to prepare a UWMPA report every five years, according to Kalvass. The report is intended to update the board regarding incorporation of updated growth projections, water supply and demand forecasts, and the district’s results in achieving a reduction in per-capita urban water consumption, among other topics. It covers the long-term adequacy of existing and planned water supplies when compared to anticipated growth over a period of at least 20 years.

Senate Bill 72 mandates that the California Department of Water Resources update the California Water Plans from each water district in the state every five years to modernize water management and set long-term water supply targets. It focuses on addressing climate change impacts by establishing, for example, a 9 million acre-foot additional water supply target by 2040.

Kalvass cited county growth as a defining factor in

determining water supply needs, as well as climate variations.

“We estimate growth at about 1% in the western part of the county, El Dorado Hills specifically, and about half that for the eastern area,” Kalvass told the board.

Kalvass also said water consumption could drop by 2050, due to the enactment of the California Green Code — the nation’s first mandatory statewide green building code, requiring new buildings to meet sustainability standards in water efficiency, energy efficiency, material conservation and indoor air quality.

“With this study, we were required to look at two years of dry climate but we found that even with five years of almost drought or little rainfall, the district will have adequate water supply,” he said.

Legislative update

The board also heard recommendations from Reeb Government Relations, on what the districts’ stance would be on certain legislative actions that will be debated over the next few months in Sacramento.

Assembly bills include AB3022, which concerns California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s action related to invasive golden mussels, to which it is recommended the district favors; AB2656, a bill regarding artificial intelligence performing services within the scope of work, Reeb suggested the district

oppose; and AB2739, a water affordability and system stabilization bill, which was suggested the district be in favor.

There are also two Senate bills: SB1125 — a water rate assistance program; and SB1330 — that assault and battery charges be brought against anyone assaulting utility workers. Both of these should be supported, according to Reeb.

AB1894, a bill concerning all invasive mussels, was originally suggested to be opposed, unless amended. It was amended, Reeb confirmed, and now will be watched.

All the recommendations were approved by the board 5-0.

Other action

Other board actions, included awarding a contract to Tyler Technologies in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,751,041 for design, implementation and annual support of an Enterprise Resource Planning system through April 30, 2031, and to DebtBook in the not-to-exceed amount of $116,680 to provide investment, debt and cash management software and related services through April 30, 2029; and approve a budget transfer from available fund balance in the amount of $606,637 to the Financial System Replacement Project.

The board also approved 4-0 awarding a contract to Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Inc., in the not-to-exceed amount of $283,556 for construction of the Deer Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Sinkhole Repair Project. Director Chuck Mansfield, who had a conflict of interest, recused himself from the vote.

The meeting led off with EID General Manager Pravani Vandeyar announcing EID received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. This recognition is for the district’s annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

“The report was reviewed by an impartial panel and reflects our continued commitment to transparency, accountability and clear communication,” Vandeyar told the board. “The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community with responsible financial stewardship.”

Vandeyar gave a special shoutout to Finance Manager Madison Franklin, who, she said was instrumental in the successful completion of the audit with the changes in staffing that occurred.

“She was key to understanding the data and where to find it while remaining gracious and focused during a stressful time,” the GM explained. “We would not have been able to achieve this without her direct involvement.”

The next EID Board of Directors meeting is scheduled at 9 a.m. on May 11.

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.com Join the Gold Country CribbersWe Play - We Teach - We Have Fun Wednesdays 4:00 PM, Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA, 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452 HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB: Come play tennis for fitness, fun & friendship. Meet at El Dorado HS tennis courts on Acacia St., Placerville, Wednesdays 9-11 except June -August, hours 9-11. Social activities & monthly tennis clinics. Some tennis ability required. Call Trisha 530-651-8121. Come and enjoy a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA), for the CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30 AM on March 16, May 18, July 20, September 21, and November 16, 2026. The location is at the Denny’s Restaurant, 3446 Coach Lane in Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for information and programs.

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) 503-7400 or see edcdems.org for more information.

Do you have

Hats off to these graduates

Academy celebrated the graduation of the academy’s Class of

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

April 11

From

Bo Fisher, Garden Valley; Jaden Trujillo, Georgetown; Mason Talley, Garden Valley; Collin Sherman, Garden Valley; David Onyike, Garden Valley; Nikko Sapiandante, Georgetown; Brendan Fretz, Georgetown; Marshall Grossbeck, Georgetown; Sophia McCarty, Georgetown; Randy Campo, Mosquito; Gavin Faulkner, Mosquito; and Jaden Guseynov, Mosquito. Not pictured but also graduated is Frank Wattson, Georgetown.

reintroduced them to the state, such as the California condor, tule elk, gray wolf and North American beaver.

Although it was thought that the subspecies in California was distinct, genomic research has shown that they were part of the greater Ursus arctos populations distributed through Montana, Wyoming and western Canada. Those populations would provide the potential sources for grizzly reintroduction.

The California Grizzly Restoration Act passed in one senate committee with a 5-2 vote and is set for a hearing on May 4.

Opponents worry about the impact reintroducing an apex predator could pose to rural communities in bear country.

Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, who represents District 1 (including Tahoe), has opposed this bill, arguing the introduction could impact livestock, public safety and local economies.

“I am dedicated to continuing to advocate for a practical, science-based approach that prioritizes public safety, protects working lands and ensures rural voices are not sidelined in decisions that directly impact their way of life,” said Hadwick. “Our wildlife management system is already stretched thin, with increasing predator populations and habitat pressures contributing to ecological imbalance and limited prey availability every day.”

n

by Chad Carpenter

nearby, but Oyler said this could be a result of a number of factors. Black bears may tolerate humans better than grizzly bears or, on the flip side, humans may have low tolerance for grizzly bears and are more likely to scare them away.

A 2024 study in Yellowstone National Park on black bears and grizzly bears showed grizzlies were tolerant of recreationists and rarely attacked people, but were more likely to display agitation or warning behaviors rather than the neutral state black bears tended to show. However, attacks from both grizzly bears and black bears were recorded more often in the backcountry areas.

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by Leigh Rubin

There’s concern among residents that given black bear and human interactions in Tahoe, grizzly bears may be far less friendly and more prone to attack when interacting with people. Danielle Oyler, who works with Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, told the Tribune when managing human-bear conflict, grizzlies and black bears are attracted to the same sources.

“Grizzlies and black bears overlap in population here, and in the western half of Montana, we see some of those human-bear interactions,” said Oyler. “Grizzlies are also attracted to things like garbage, birdfeeders and pet food — anything that provides calories to them.

“We use the same deterrent methods, like electric fences and mats, noise makers and bear-resistant containers,” she added.

Anecdotally, black bears seem to be more often sighted in towns with both black bear and grizzly populations

bears Continued from A1 Crime log Continued from A2 Greenwood. March 16

8:52 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Galaxy Court in Shingle Springs.

11:02 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Mercedes Lane in El Dorado Hills.

12:56 p.m. Burglary was reported on Knollwood Drive in Cameron Park.

2:10 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Boulder Mine Lane in Pilot Hill.

4:04 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Meder Road in Shingle Springs.

7:27

8:08

“Our wildlife management system is already stretched thin, with increasing predator populations and habitat pressures contributing to ecological imbalance and limited prey availability every day.” — Assemblymember Heather

How do grizzlies and black bears interact with each other? Oyler said food competition and pressures could exert an impact on how they behave. She noted that among other bears in Alaska, it has been observed that a higher food availability leads to higher tolerance for other bears. In 2010, Schwartz et al. published a study that showed black bears were likely adjusting their behaviors, preferring to be more active in the day rather than dawn and dusk, which is when grizzly bears tend to be active. The authors pointed out bears also alter their activity patterns in response to humans.

Hadwick

There’s clear anxieties among rural communities about the impact to livestock and those who recreate in backcountry should grizzly bears be reintroduced, especially as the current bill means that the grizzly bear gets several exemptions to the current Fish and Wildlife Code.

But the bill may continue to garner support, as the text reads: “The grizzly bear holds enduring cultural, historical, ecological, and symbolic significance as a vital relative to many California Native American tribes, the emblem on the California State Flag, and the official state animal of California. Evaluating whether reintroduction may be feasible and advisable in particular areas of the state is also consistent with the state’s policy to maintain and restore healthy, natural ecosystems that sustain communities, support the economy, provide for recreation, and preserve California’s history, culture, and traditions, while recognizing the historical and ongoing harms inflicted on wildlife, natural systems and California Native American tribes.”

8:12 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a person suspected of DUI, theft, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, obstructing a peace officer, grand theft and other charges on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills. They were listed in custody in lieu of $208,000 bail.

March 17

2:39 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a person suspected of owning a firearm as a felon, possessing burglary tools, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, grand theft and burglary on Carella Drive. They were listed in custody in lieu of $565,000 bail.

12:15 p.m. Battery was reported on Patterson Drive in Diamond Springs.

1:12 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Quarry Trail in Cool. An arrest was made.

6:33 p.m. Burglary was reported at a school on Valley View Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can’t possibly know the outcome for every action. But if you do what’s likely to lead to good health, you have the best shot at feeling able, successful, confident and energetic later, thus giving future you more options.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You feel the vibes and respond — you laugh, cry, advance or retreat. Your sensitivity also makes you more creative. The imaginative processes that mystify many will come very easily to you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Neat results are born of messy processes. Being willing to get a little grubby with the work will be the key to your overall success. And remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect (or even good) to be finished. Finished is the goal.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The good ideas abound. The sustainable ideas are a bit harder to come by. Be discerning. Take ideas through a bit of rigor to test them out. You deserve a solution that will pay you back in a lasting way.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you hear sad stories, instead of feeling pity, you’ll see the strength in others. That’s worth mentioning and reflecting. You’ll offer concrete assistance in the form of information, resources and tools to actually improve things.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The same efforts aren’t yielding the desired result. It’s time to change the strategy. Try one small experiment. You cut an hour of effort and spend it thinking instead. New information isn’t attacking you. It’s collaborating with you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your full attention has power. People find it addicting. A few uninterrupted minutes with you will make a lasting impression. Your focus tells people they matter more to you than whatever’s happening on your phone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People irritate you — or rather, what you think about people can be quite irritating. Today, you will steer that noise differently or possibly drown it out by focusing exclusively on what you want instead of what’s getting in the way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As you investigate an unfolding mystery, you’re somewhat unattached to being right. This is the way to do it. It makes it OK to change your mind. Your ideas are allowed to evolve, and they will. They’ll evolve toward truth instead of bias.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You see patterns across situations. What happened before, what’s happening now, what might happen next. You connect dots that aren’t sitting right next to each other because you see more pictures — more possibilities, more things that might be. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There is no generic version of this story that will satisfy across the board. While

Stanislaus and Eldorado national forests move ahead with forest clean-up project

U.S. Forest Service News release

The U.S. Forest Service recently announced the publication of the completed environmental impact statement for the Mokelumne Amador Calaveras Forest Health and Resilience Project in the Federal Register. The project area spans 246,838 acres and aims to reduce wildfire risks, protect communities and improve forest health.

The project activities include thinning through timber harvest, fuel reduction through mastication, fuel break construction, prescribed fire and mitigation of non-native invasive plants. Several treatments will often overlap on the same acres. These actions help to reduce the density and accumulation of vegetation in strategic areas improving forest resilience to wildfire and drought.

The project has been a collaborative effort in partnership with the Upper

Coppola

Continued from A1

seven years in the elected position. He was appointed on Dec. 2, 2025, by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to take the leadership role and serve out her term, which ends Jan. 2, 2027.

“Everything’s going fantastic. The transition went extremely well,” Coppola said. “It truly was a very easy transition, and the staff has all been very supportive.

Mokelumne River Watershed Authority, who provided planning management with a consultant team (Stantec). The project has also been developed in collaboration with the Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group — a collaborative, comprised of professionals, environmental groups, industry representatives, recreation groups, local and regional government and research scientists.

Public input throughout the planning process has been vital to ensuring the project meets the needs of communities and forests. Feedback from diverse stakeholders has provided practical insights that strengthen environmental protections and enhance forest resilience strategies.

The completed environmental impact statement is available on the project website. Following the Federal Register notice each forest will sign a record of decision, which also will be posted to the project website.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

The League of Women Voters of El Dorado County will host a forum with treasure-tax collector candidates Sean Coppola and Corey Leikauf, 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at Placerville Town Hall, 549 Main St.

activities.

A self-professed “finance nerd,” Coppola admitted, “I definitely kind of geek out when it comes to finances and numbers.”

But, more importunately, he added, he enjoys his job because he gets to serve a community he loves and he works with an amazing team.

“We’re like a family,” Coppola said. “It’s important to have that enjoyment when you get into the office because happy folks are efficient. They work harder. They work better.

“At the end of the day, we’re here to ensure that the county and our residents are thriving and succeeding,” he continued. “I truly believe that I’m the best fit for this job because I take that to heart and I know how to get the best out of each and every (staff member).”

“I think we’ve been very successful as an office,” he continued. “We’re on pace to bring in over $38 million of interest revenue for the year on our billion-dollar portfolio, which is fantastic. So it’s just been keeping the momentum going. We’ve been modernizing a lot of the county functions within our our office between the collection services, through the payment processing services that we provide. We’re looking to get some more implemented this summer.”

If elected to a full, four-year term Coppola said he wants to keep the momentum going. “Our interest revenue is through the roof. Our investment strategy is obviously working,” he noted. “We’ve been developing it and fine-tuning it over the past couple of years and we’re getting it to a point where we’re really hitting our stride.”

The Treasurer-Tax Collector Office’s primary responsibilities include oversight of the county’s banking and investments, along with tax collection

Leikauf Continued from A1

it’s a heavily regulated environment,” Leikauf explained.

“After that, I moved into public accounting. I worked at Eide Bailly, which is a regional accounting firm. They specialize in financial institutions and local and state government. There, I audited state pension systems exceeding over $30 billion between two different states. Part of that is substantiating and checking for accuracy over investment portfolios,” he continued. “After that, I moved to Deloitte and Touche. My primary focus there was working on auditing insurance companies and working on IPOs.”

While his career grew, Leikauf and his wife Klerisa started talking about growing their family and that discussion led them back to El Dorado County.

“We just missed family and ... made the decision to come back. Ultimately, I wanted to stay up the hill — I didn’t want to go down to Sacramento — so I started working for the AuditorController’s Office.” He has worked there for more than three years.

As an administrative analyst II, Leikauf said he wears many hats, but primarily works with special districts, monitoring spending and budget activity. “I also have the ability to approve, review or decline expenditure claims from the special districts ... (and) work on approving and reviewing journal entries, specifically with EDCOE, and those are very large journals.

“I have over a decade of professional

Coppola served as the assistant treasurer-tax collector prior to his appointment to the top job. He studied at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and started his career as an accountant with a Folsom property management company, working his way up to controller. But the draw home was strong for Coppola and fiancée Stephanie Silva, a middle school teacher. They moved back to El Dorado County, plan to stay and hopefully raise a family.

“We just want what’s best for our county, and we will always be here to help El Dorado County ... in any way we can,” he shared.

experience relating to the field,” he shared. “I think my broad financial experience best suits me to lead.” Leikauf shares a name with a wellknown El Dorado County leader — his dad, Sheriff Jeff Leikauf.

“I can understand maybe what some people would say,” the candidate admitted. “I am incredibly proud of my last name. I’m incredibly proud of what my dad has done as sheriff ... but I’m running on my own merit.”

The younger Leikauf said he’s grateful for all the community support he has received and enjoys being on the campaign trail, oftentimes educating voters about the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. The office’s primary responsibilities include oversight of the county’s banking and investments, along with tax collection activities.

Noting the office has only been challenged twice in the last 40 years, Leikauf said it’s important for voters to have options.

When he’s not digging post holes for campaign signs or handing out pamphlets, the candidate gives back to the community that has supported his family over the years, volunteering with the EDSO Thrive with 10-35 nonprofit organization and his church as well as at events hosted by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. He shared one of his favorite hobbies is to spend time with his wife and their two Boston terriers.

“We like to go golfing. We’re not very good,” he admitted, “but, you know, it’s fun just to hang out.”

Just kidding around

big

Eskaton Lincoln Manor the income limit for one person is $45,050 and the waitlist is approximately twoand-a-half years.

Mowatt lived in his Honda Pilot SUV for more than four years. At night, he slept in his SUV parked at Goodis’ dental practice after hours. During the day, Mowatt parked his vehicle across the street on property owned by Dr. Goodis on Koki Lane near Union Mine High School.

Mowatt said over the years several people called the sheriff’s department to complain about him. He said parents were worried about his presence. Mowatt said eventually law enforcement knew who he was and “left him alone.” Used to being independent, he said living in his vehicle wasn’t all that bad. “I had a 360-degree view and if I didn’t like the view, I just moved on.”

“When Stan heard his application to Lincoln Manor was accepted he went out and bought a coffee maker right away,” Goodis shared.

Goodis brought over a recliner that someone gave away and helped

sleeping upright in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, Mowatt said, for now, he is sleeping in the recliner. He has prepared a few meals, such as macaroni and cheese and soup, and commented, “I was a pretty good cook at one time.”

Mowatt’s housing needs have been met, but his vehicle is still unregistered and can’t pass a smog test due to a faulty catalytic converter. The expired tags prevent him from parking his SUV at the apartment complex. Mowatt said a Honda dealership gave him a quote of $4,500 to replace the catalytic converter.

Goodis and Mowatt are working together on a budget that will allow him to start saving for another vehicle. They may consider the state’s vehicle buyback program that gives the owner up to $2,000 for a vehicle that can’t pass a smog test. In the meantime, Dr. Goodis is storing the SUV and providing rides. Together, they are also figuring out how he can use Dial-a Ride and El Dorado Transport to get around.

PROSPECTING

Section B n mtdemocrat.com

IN THE KNOW

May 1

The Rescue Community Center will host Friday Night Out from 4-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit rescuecommunitycenter. com.

Art on Center, the Center for Native, Latino and Indigenous Art at 3182 Center St. in Placerville will host a Closing Reception for Echos of the Past with refreshments and a conversation with Gustavo Arias from 6-8 p.m. To learn more email artoncenteredc@ gmail.com.

The Golden Cadillacs will perform at the Troublemakers Beer Garden in Lotus from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

RxEmedy will perform, 7 p.m. to midnight at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Lynsey & Prime Country will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento presents Homeschool Clubhouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma presents Sombremesa ceramic works and paintings by Alejandra and Luis Magaña of ALMa Design Studio through July 1, with an Artist Reception from 6-8 p.m. For more information call (916) 461-6601 or visit folsom.ca.us/government/ parks-recreation/facilities/ gallery-at-48-natoma.

Forever Goldrush will perform at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Sacramento Youth Symphony presents Honoring our Past & Inspiring our Future 70th Anniversary Celebration at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

May 2

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District will host a Community Clean Up Day, 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. at Bayside Church, 800 White Rock Road. Clean up unwanted material from your home and garage, clean your yard of unwanted green waste, clipping and tree trimmings and properly dispose of bulk items. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.

The Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 512 , will host its Famous Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Placerville Airport, 3501 Airport Road. Enjoy breakfast, airplanes on display and old friends. Proceeds go to the Sunny Atkin Scholarship Fund for students of aeronautical related studies.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club will host its annual Plant Sale, 8:30-11 a.m. in the front yard of the clubhouse at 2940 Bedford Ave. For more information visit placerville-shakespeare.

com.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will host Growing Peppers and Tomatoes, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville. Learn how to successfully

Dalton returns to Georgetown

News release

Country music icon Lacy J. Dalton will return to the historical Georgetown IOOF Hall on May 3, bringing decades of storytelling, grit and unmistakable vocals back to a foothill audience that has long embraced her work.

Presented by Music on the Divide, the Sunday afternoon concert offers more than a performance — it’s a rare chance to experience a pioneering voice in an intimate setting, the kind Dalton has increasingly favored in recent years.

Dalton’s career stretches across generations of country and Americana music, earning her a place in the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame in 2017 and a lifetime career achievement honor from the Josie Music Awards in 2022. Known for her textured, soulful delivery, she carved out a sound that blends vulnerability with strength — a voice that once led People magazine to describe her as “country’s Bonnie Raitt.”

Her rise to fame began in the late 1970s after signing with Columbia Records. Her breakout single, “Crazy Blue Eyes,” climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard country chart and helped earn her top new female vocalist honors from the Academy of Country Music. From there, Dalton built a catalog of hits, including “16th Avenue,” “Takin’ It Easy” and “Hillbilly Girl With the Blues,” songs that resonated with both industry insiders and everyday listeners.

She also stood out in a male-dominated touring circuit, opening for artists such as Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Charlie Daniels. Her collaborations extended beyond the stage, including work on Nelson’s platinum album “Half Nelson,” where she was the only female artist among a lineup featuring Ray Charles and Neil Diamond.

While her early success was rooted in mainstream country, Dalton later transitioned into Americana, blending elements of rock, folk and western storytelling. As an independent artist, she

founded Song Dog Records and released projects such as “Wild Horse Crossing” and “The Last Wild Place Anthology,” both reflecting a deepening connection to personal and social themes. Her more recent work, including 2024’s “For the Black Sheep,” continues that trajectory, focusing on unity and acceptance.

Dalton’s influence extends beyond music.

In 1999, she co-founded the Let ‘em Run Foundation, dedicated to protecting wild horses and burros. Her advocacy earned her induction into the Mustang Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame in 2024. She has also worked in rehabilitation and education, teaching songwriting and music theory to incarcerated individuals through California’s Arts in Corrections program, helping participants find creative expression and purpose.

That commitment to connection —

whether through activism, teaching or performance — shapes the kind of shows Dalton delivers today. Rather than large arenas, she gravitates toward smaller venues where audiences can engage more personally with the music and the stories behind it.

The Georgetown performance reflects that approach. The concert offers a setting that mirrors Dalton’s style: unpolished, authentic and deeply rooted in tradition.

For longtime fans, it’s a chance to revisit the songs that defined an era. For newer listeners, it’s an introduction to an artist whose voice and perspective remain as relevant as ever.

For tickets to the Georgetown event and more information visit MusicOnTheDivide.org.

To learn more about the artist visit lacyjdalton.org.

Sound you can feel

Sydney Joyce InConcert Sierra

GRASS VALLEY — The Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra will present “Sound You Can Feel,” a program of breathtaking masterworks that evoke spring’s energy, warmth and sense of renewal, on Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. The concert begins like a deep, restorative breath, with Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus,” widely regarded as a supreme example of classical choral writing and an uplifting opening to the program.

by Valle Visions

The Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra will present “Sound You Can Feel,” in Grass Valley May 17 and 19.

The program continues with Vivaldi’s “Beatus Vir,” a largescale work for double choir and orchestra. It has shifting textures that create a physical sensation of sound coming from different directions and enveloping the audience in a grand, invigorating and cinematic way. The “Beatus Vir” text is inherently hopeful, producing a feeling of being replenished.

SMC tenor David Endicott Hicks is featured in the dramatic, fast-paced aria “Peccator Vedibit,” the eighth movement of “Beatus Vir.”

Hicks is the artistic director and president of the board of Lyric Rose Theatre Company. He is a graduate of Nevada Union High School, holds a bachelor of music from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, and completed graduate vocal performance training at the New England Conservatory of Music. His career includes work on and off Broadway, national tours and opera appearances in the United States and internationally. The second half of the program begins with Fauré’s “Pavane.” The opening flute theme is noted as one of the most recognized and haunting melodies ever written. While the music unfolds with lush, sweeping beauty, the text

carries subtle societal humor, creating an intriguing contrast between music and text.

The program concludes with Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare,” a five-movement work with a sweeping emotional arc. Shifting between moments of lyric beauty, rhythmic intensity and reflective stillness, the final movement builds in intoxicating sound and energy. The work is reminiscent of cinematic music, unfolding through a range of emotions and vivid sound painting.

“Definitely one of the most emotionally touching choral pieces I’ve ever sung, and it’s not just because of the lyrics — it gets right down to your core,” one SMC chorale member said.

“The music on this program

is filled with beauty,” Artistic Director Alison Skinner said. “This is something I felt we need right now, to let this music fill your soul with beauty and hope.”

Julie Hardin, SMC alto and ICS executive director, said learning the music for this program has been unexpectedly restorative and that the choir looks forward to sharing it with audiences.

“There are times when leaving work I simply don’t feel like going to a rehearsal,” she said. “But once I arrive, the music takes over, the camaraderie lifts my spirits, and I leave feeling energized and grateful that I made the effort to go. The music is transformative.”

The Sierra Master Chorale began in 2008 and is part of InConcert Sierra, a Nevada County nonprofit organization that presents concerts featuring the world’s leading and emerging classical musicians, as well as robust educational programs for all ages. Since its inception in 1946, ICS has continued to foster a vibrant arts and culture scene in the region.

For more information, call (530) 273-3990 or visit inconcertsierra.org.

Get a Taste on Main Street

Street will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lot behind the courthouse at Main and Bedford streets in Placerville. For tickets or more information, visit edhscougarmusic.org.

Bringing roots rock to Sutter Creek

News release

UTTER CREEK

S— Northern California roots rock band Forever Goldrush will bring its signature blend of Americana and rock ’n’ roll to the Sutter Creek Theatre for an evening performance May 1. The band is scheduled to play at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Seating is open, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Formed in 1997, Forever Goldrush has built a steady following across the region with its melodic, harmony-driven sound and dynamic live performances. The fourpiece group is known for what it describes as an “uplifting sweetjam style,” combining thoughtful songwriting with tight musicianship. Over nearly three decades, the band has released four critically

acclaimed albums and toured extensively throughout the United States.

Forever Goldrush draws inspiration from a wide range of American roots traditions, blending elements of rock, folk and country into a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Their catalog features standout tracks such as “Walk Away” and “Let It Roll,” which highlight the group’s emphasis on rich vocal harmonies and expressive

instrumentation. The band has shared the stage with a variety of well-known artists, including Neko Case, Drive-By Truckers, The Mother Hips and Train and Elle King, further solidifying its reputation as a seasoned live act. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater. com. Additional information about the band, including music and tour updates, can be found at forevergoldrush.net.

Mick Martin birthday comes to Sac

News release

SACRAMENTO — The Mick Martin Celestial Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser, featuring The Mick Martin Big Blues Band with Marcel Smith, will take place at 7 p.m. May 17 at The Sofia in Sacramento.

The event, presented by the Sacramento Blues Society and its “Blues in the Schools” program, will also feature special guests Dana Moret and Katie Knipp, two women musicians and writers whom Martin admired.

The evening opens with The Becketts, a Blues in the Schools family trio composed of a father and two sons. The group will perform a set of 1960s British blues songs honoring the late Martin’s influences, including Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

The Mick Martin Big Blues Band continues Martin’s legacy of original blues music and highenergy performance. The ensemble features lead vocalist Marcel Smith, guitarist Andrew Little, keyboardist Steve Ustein, bassist A.J. Joyce and drummer Jim Caselli. A three-piece

horn section includes trumpeter and trombonist Dave Johnson and saxophonists Andres Sandoval and Danny Sandoval.

Martin once said of the group, “This is my dream band come true.”

A commemorative 11-by-17 poster featuring a hand-drawn portrait of Martin by artist Matt K. Shrugg will be available for purchase in the lobby, along with band and guest artist merchandise.

The Sacramento Blues Society, founded in 1979, is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting blues music. It received the Blues Foundation’s “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award in 2015.

The organization supports local blues programming through its monthly Blue Sunday series at the Torch Club, educational outreach in schools and scholarships including the Gene Chambers Musicians Emergency Fund, the Mick Martin Student Fund and the Little Charlie Baty Memorial Music Scholarship. It also sponsors K-ZAP’s weekly radio show “Mick Martin’s Blues Party with Kyle Rowland.”

Learn more at at sacblues.org. For tickets and more information visit bstreettheatre.org.

Verge Center opens Sac Open Studios registration

ACRAMENTO — Verge Center for the Arts

Shas opened registration for its 2026 Sac Open Studios, a two-weekend event expected to draw up to 30,000 attendees across the Sacramento region.

The nonprofit arts organization announced the tour will take place Sept. 12-13 and Sept. 19-20. Artists and businesses can register to participate through May 12.

Artists can sign up to be included in the Sac Open Studios tour, which has previously featured up to 270 artists. During the two weekends, attendees can visit a wide variety of artist studios throughout the region.

Weekend one, Sept. 12-13, includes Central, South and West Sacramento, as well as Woodland, Davis

and surrounding areas. Weekend two, Sept. 19-20, includes East Sacramento, Parkway, Elk Grove, Walnut Grove and more.

The Sacramento region is home to creatives working across a range of mediums and practices, and Sac Open Studios invites the public to engage with the area’s art community. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting the program. SMUD returns this year as a regional sponsor, joined by community partners including Blick Art Materials and Warehouse Artist Lofts. For information about sponsorships and advertisements, email jesus@vergecontemporary. org.

Artists will open their studios to the public free of charge. A kickoff party is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 6-9 p.m. at Verge, 625 S St., Sacramento,

where attendees can preview artwork from participating artists. More information and registration are available at sacopenstudios.com or by calling (916) 448-2985. Verge Center for the Arts is a contemporary art center in Sacramento dedicated to supporting the local creative community and providing public access to contemporary art. Located downtown, Verge features more than 30 on-site artist studios, a printmaking lab and gallery space with rotating exhibitions from regional and international artists. As organizer of the annual Sac Open Studios program, Verge connects artists and the public while supporting a sustainable creative economy in the Sacramento region. Learn more at vergecontemporary.org and on Instagram @ vergeart.

Chris Cain to headline Red, White ’n Blues Spring Fling

SACRAMENTO — Guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter Chris Cain will headline the Red, White ’n Blues Spring Fling at Swabbies on the River on Saturday, May 16.

With more than three decades of touring and 15 albums, Cain has earned a reputation as one of the blues’ most dynamic performers. Once described as “one of the greatest guitarists you’ve never heard,” he is now widely recognized by fans and fellow musicians as among the genre’s most talented players.

Influenced by artists including B.B. King, Albert King, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, Cain combines a powerful vocal style with inventive playing that continues to draw critical acclaim.

Cain’s latest Alligator Records release, “Good Intentions Gone Bad,” features 13 original songs, including several tracks with a horn section. The album was produced by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen at Greaseland USA studio in San Jose. The project highlights Cain’s range, from the title track’s humor to the slow-burning “Waiting for the Sun to Rise” and the Memphis soul-inspired “Thankful,” featuring Tommy Castro.

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Cain’s 2021 album “Raisin’ Cain” brought increased attention, earning four 2022 Blues Music award nominations, including album of the year and best guitarist. He has performed at major festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival, and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, South America and beyond.

Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa has called Cain his “favorite blues player on the scene today,” while Robben Ford praised his intensity and songwriting. The Red, White ’n Blues Spring Fling will take place Saturday, May 16, from noon to 4 p.m. at Swabbies on the River, located at 5871 Garden Highway in Sacramento. For more information call (916) 920-8088 or visit swabbies.com.

A Big Day of rescuing German shepherds in EDC

Andrew Vonderschmitt

As animal shelters across northern California continue to face overcrowding, a small,

volunteer-driven rescue in El Dorado County is turning to community support during this year’s regional day of philanthropy.

El Dorado County German Shepherd Rescue, led by

founder and director Cindy Williams, is participating in Big Day of Giving, a 24-hour fundraising campaign supporting nonprofits across El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties.

Mission to save

The rescue focuses on saving German shepherds and shepherd mixes that are abandoned, abused or at risk of euthanasia. Dogs taken in are medically treated, rehabilitated and socialized before being placed in permanent homes.

In addition to rehoming dogs, the rescue prioritizes public education, working with schools, scout groups and community programs to promote responsible pet ownership, training and the importance of spaying and neutering.

A vision

What began as a lifelong dream has grown into a volunteerpowered rescue dedicated to giving German shepherds a second chance.

Williams started the organization more than two decades ago after moving to El Dorado County with a clear goal: to create a safe place for dogs in need.

“I am the founder,” Williams said. “But without the volunteers that we have, this could never happen.”

The rescue operates out of Williams’ home, a rural property she and her husband, Jim, have transformed into a working sanctuary for

dogs — many of them pulled from shelters just before euthanasia.

“We live on the property with the dogs,” she said. “The majority of the dogs are here, and we bring them in from surrounding areas, typically ones that are on the euthanasia list.”

Williams’ connection to the breed dates back to her late teens, when she got her first German shepherd, Maui, while attending San Diego State University. She credits the dog with having a profound impact on her life.

“He kept me out of trouble and saved my life,” she said.

That early bond, combined with childhood exposure to a neighborhood animal rescuer, shaped her long-term vision. After years of informal rescue work in her hometown of Brawley, she relocated to El Dorado County and sought a property that could support a full-time operation.

Capacity and volunteerism

Over time, the rescue has expanded across roughly 10 acres, with additional land across a nearby creek serving as a buffer and exercise area. Dogs are housed in modified kennel spaces and rotated between indoor and outdoor areas designed for comfort in all seasons.

Still, capacity remains limited. The rescue prioritizes dogs most at risk, often those struggling in shelter environments.

“German shepherds don’t do well in shelters at all,” Williams said. “Our goal is to help alleviate those challenges.”

Dogs are typically evaluated on-site before being placed in foster homes, though fostering large breeds has become increasingly difficult to secure. In recent months, the rescue has also taken in litters of puppies — something it does not usually do — due to overcrowding in

local shelters.

The organization relies on a network of about 20 to 25 volunteers who contribute in a variety of ways, from hands-on animal care to fundraising, photography and outreach. A smaller core group assists regularly with daily operations.

“It’s not just coming out here,” Williams said. “It’s anything that helps the dogs.”

Amanda Dragon, a volunteer with the rescue, has spent nearly two years helping out, making a weekly drive of up to an hour and 15 minutes to support the organization.

“I’ve had a lifelong love of animals,” Dragon said, adding that she is especially drawn to German shepherds.

“They can be somewhat difficult to work with at times and I have kind of a calm disposition and I tend to do well with them.”

Dragon primarily serves as a dog walker, providing exercise, attention and basic training. She described the experience as mutually beneficial. “It’s a win-win,” she said. “I get to spend time with amazing animals and get some exercise at the same time.”

Her passion for rescue work began in childhood, when she cared for injured animals in her suburban Illinois neighborhood.

Today, that commitment continues at home, where she has three rescue dogs, three rescue cats and three rescued lizards.

Dragon encouraged others to get involved, even if they can only volunteer a few hours

each week.

“Even if you spend four hours a week like I do, the difference that I’ve just made in these dogs’ lives for the day means everything to them,” she said. “If that’s all I get to do, then it’s worth it.”

Dragon also urged community members to adopt pets rather than purchase them and to take advantage of available spay and neuter resources.

Community and growth

Community involvement extends beyond traditional volunteer roles at the rescue. Local students, service groups and participants from programs such as On My Own Independent Living Services regularly assist with tasks suited to their abilities, reinforcing the rescue’s broader mission.

“I wanted it to be a place for people too,” Williams said. “The dogs help people as much as we help them.”

Looking ahead, the rescue is planning modest expansion to increase its capacity.

Plans include enlarging its kennel space to house more dogs while maintaining its small-scale, hands-on approach.

At the same time, Williams said the organization is considering longterm sustainability, including the possibility of adding paid staff and transitioning leadership to a younger generation of volunteers already involved in its operations.

Despite the growth, Williams emphasized that the rescue’s success depends on collective effort.

“We’re in the day-today grind,” she said. “But the volunteer’s — they’re what make this work.”

Donations help cover veterinary care, food and ongoing operations as the organization continues its mission to rescue and rehome dogs with nowhere else to go.

To learn more about the rescue visit edcgsr. org.

To learn more about the Big Day of Giving and the El Dorado County nonprofits participating, including the rescue visit bigdayofgiving.

Eldoradocounty.

Cap Stage premieres ‘Espejos: Clean’

Capital Stage continues its 21st season with the Sacramento premiere of the fully bilingual play “Espejos: Clean” by Christine Quintana, translated and adapted by Paula Zelaya Cervantes and directed by Dena Martinez. Performances run May 6 through June 7 at Capital Stage in Midtown Sacramento.

Presented in Spanish and English, the production features supertitles and centers on two women from different worlds and languages whose chance encounter at a luxury resort in Mexico sparks misunderstandings, revelations and unexpected healing.

The cast includes Stephanie Altholz, returning to the company after roles in “Alabaster,” “Clybourne Park” and “Slowgirl,” alongside Capital Stage debut actor Sarita Ocón.

Playwright

Quintana is a writer, actor and co-artistic producer of Delinquent Theatre. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Vancouver, she has worked with major Canadian theaters including Tarragon Theatre, Arts Club Theatre Company and Bard on the Beach. Her work has been translated into Spanish, French, ASL and German and includes “Selfie,” a Governor General’s Award nominee, and “Never the Last,” which received

grow two of the most popular garden vegetables: tomatoes and peppers. Topics covered will be how to plant seedlings in the garden, methods of pruning and training growing plants, and diagnosing and resolving problems including pests. There is plenty of space, but chairs are limited. Please bring a portable chair if you have one. Register at tinyurl.com/4dyypjby.

The Dogwood Garden Club will present its Spring Craft Fair in the Pines, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pollock Pines Elementary School, 6290 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines. The event will feature locally handcrafted items, savory soups and sandwiches, luscious baked goods, raffle prizes and a fun time. All proceeds collected by the Dogwood Garden Club will be distributed to local nonprofit groups. Learn more about the garden club at dogwoodgardenclub.org.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park will host Intro to Improv for Real Life with Luminous Linda from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

An artist’s reception for Myra Cooper Holmes will be held 1-3 p.m. at Art on the Divide Cooperative Gallery, 6295 Main St. in Georgetown.

Mellowood Vineyard in Fair Play will host Fiesta on Omo from noon tp 5 p.m. For more information visit mellowoodvineyard.com.

Taste new heights in wine and meet El Dorado wine region’s mountain winemakers at Wines That Touch the Sky from noon to 3 p.m. at the Citizen Hotel, 926 J St. in Sacramento An afternoon of incredible views from the seventh floor and enjoying the Sierra’s influence in wines poured from Northern California’s highest elevation vineyards. Taste over 60 wines with the winemakers from Lava Cap, Boeger Winery Madroña Vineyards, Edio Vineyards, Element 79, Cedarville, Starfield Vineyards, Miraflores and Bumgarner Winery. Enjoy wines with a charcuterie spread. For reservations go to sierrahighlands.org/blog.

Ed Wilson will perform at Placerville Speedway from 4-6 p.m.

The IOOF Morning Star Lodge and El Dorado County Historical Society present A Grand May Day Ball from 6-9 p.m. at 467 Main St. Proceeds go to the building preservation fund. For more information visit edchs.org.

The Nipper Brothers perform 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Troublemakers Beer Garden in Lotus.

Marco’s Café will present Tamra Godey at 7 p.m. For more information visit marcoscafelotus.com.

multiple Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominations.

Translator and adapter

Cervantes is a Mexican playwright, screenwriter and director. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, she has written and directed work across Mexico and Canada and adapted nearly 30 plays. Her original works include “The Orbweaver/El Hilador,” which has been staged in Mexico City and at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, and “245 Acts of Unspeakable Evil,” an award-winning collaboration with Ana González Bello.

Director

Martinez is a Capital Stage board member, company artist and veteran stage director and actor. At Capital Stage she has directed “Fade,” “The Hombres” and “The Roommate” and appeared in productions including “English,” “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” and “August: Osage County.” Her broader directing work includes projects with Shotgun Players, City Lights Theater and the Latino Center for Arts and Culture. She also leads the theater arts program at the Sierra Institute for Arts and Music. Tickets are available now at capstage.org.

The Jeffy Spaghetti Variety Show + Lizz Shine & The HRT will perform, 8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents WordWave One-Act Winners Performance at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Patton Leatha will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.

The Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael will host the Big Day of Giving Paint In from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit sacfinearts.org.

Fairytale Town in Sacramento presents Super Hero Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an author visit with Kathryn Maria Michenfelder at 11 a.m. and Three Little Pigs” at 1 and 2 p.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

The Sofia in Sacramento presents Windborne at 7 pm. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.

Upstairs at The B presents Seekers of The Strange at the B Street Theatre at The Sofia in Sacramento at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre. org.

The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley presents Fleetwood Macramé at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

May 3

Creative Soul Artisan Market and Jose Wine Caves present the Sip & Spoil Mom vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy wine tasting, delicious food, live music, fun giveaways and an amazing lineup of local vendors at 6220 Prospectors Road, Garden Valley.

Cantare Chorale presents Dawn Within family matinée at Foothills United Methodist Church in Rescue at 3 p.m. For more information visit cantarechorale.com.

Tune in & Turn Out! Singer Songwriter Showcase will take place, 1-4 p.m. and The Audities will perform, 6-8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Music on the Divide presents Lacy J. Dalton at the Georgetown IOOF Hall from 3-5 p.m. For tickets and more information visit musiconthedivide.org.

Ed Wilson will perform at Helwig Winery in Plymouth from 1-4 p.m.

Marco’s Café will present Sunday Supper with Tepid Club of Cool at 4 p.m. For more information visit marcoscafelotus.com.

Main Stage Playmakers will hold auditions for “Lightning Thief” at 10 a.m. at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. For more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

VITA Academy presents Great Composer Chamber Music Series — Friends from Afar at 2 p.m. at the Scott Skillman Recital Hall as Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter. net.

Folsom Concert Association presents TAKE3 at 2 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

May 4

All ages Monday Open Mic Night hosted by Grayson Howard will take place, 6-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social

Dr. Davey and the team at Cameron Park Dental Care

Know Continued from B5 Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

May 5

Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St., presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 626-1091.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park will host Country Western Line Dancing with Sara Schindler with lessons at 6 p.m. and open dance from 7-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke. com.

Garratt Wilkin & The Parrotheads Cinco de Margarita Party! will take place, 6-8 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

Music in the Mountains presents Spring Youth Orchestra concert at 7 p.m. at the Sierra College multi purpose room, 250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley. For tickets and more information visit musicinthemountains.org.

May 6

Singer Songwriter Sessions: Appreciation & Birthday Celebration for Fred Webb! will take place, 7-10 p.m. at

The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Espejos: Clean” through June 7. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.

The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley presents Illumination Tales free Student Matinee at 10 a.m. and North Mississippi All-Stars at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenterforthearts.org.

May 7

Join the El Dorado Community Foundation for its Professional Advisors Forum, a free educational event, from 7:30-11 a.m. at Serrano Country Club. For more information or to register visit eldoradocf.org.

FamilySearch Center will host Preserving Pictures, Digitize for Free. at 2 p.m. at 3275 Cedar Ravine, Placerville.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the Art & Bloom Studio Grand Opening at 995 Governor Drive, Suite 102 from 4-7 p.m. Check out the space and enjoy complimentary refreshments, free art stations and shop. This event is free and open to the community. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

The Shingle Springs/Cameron

Park Chamber of Commerce will host its Networking After Dark Mixer at Los Pinos, 3420 Palmer Drive, Cameron Park from 5:307:30 p.m. For more information call (530) 677-8000 or visit sscpchamber.org.

Join American River Conservancy for Fishing on the Farm from 4:30 p.m. to sunset. A detailed email will be sent once you register online at ARConservancy. org.

Left of Cool Duo will perform, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom. com.

FLC Dance and Music Departments presents A Swingin’ Salute Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday at 6:30 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova presents No Bad Parts, a solo show by Madison Dunn and Art A’ La Carte, an exhibit that celebrates food and the farm to fork movement both through May 23. For more information visit rcmacc.org.

May 8

El Dorado County Farm trails presents the Mother of all Spaghetti feeds, a scholarship

Public Notices

This statement filed with the county clerk of El Dorado County on 04/06/2026 NOTICE-IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE

OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code) 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1 15993 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE

fundraiser with live music from Bobby Dickson at 5 p.m. at the Rescue Community Center. Learn more at edc-farmtrails.org.

Plaid City will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino. com.

Now

Theatre at the Mine at Union Mine High School presents “Ranked: a Musical” through May 2. For tickets and more information visit onthestage. tickets/union-mine-high-school. Imagination Theater at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents Narnia the Musical” through May 10. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

Ponderosa High School Theater presents “Disney’s Frozen” through May 9. For tickets and more information visit pondodrama.com.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host Pictures and Pages: Illustrators of El Dorado County, at Switchboard Gallery through June 7. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents East of the Golden Gate, a new temporary exhibit at the Fountain & Tallman Museum through May 8. For more information visit edchs.org.

The Atrium Gallery EDH at El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Spring Studio, an artists exhibition featuring the works of Volha Narita-Johnson and Jenny Huang, through May 17. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Once Upon a Time .” through May 3 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

The City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents Storytime Theatre’s “Robin Hood” through May 3 and “Peter and the Starcatcher” through May 17. For more information visit citytheatre.net.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Hedda Gabler” through May 16 For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre.org.

Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Hadestown: Teen Edition” through May 23. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Registration is live for the 2026 Wheelbarrow Races to take place Saturday June 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fair. For more information or to register visit studebakerwheelbarrowraces. com.

The Sacramento History Museum presents Black Soil: Our roots run deep through May 3. For more information visit sachistorymuseum.org.

Check out Placerville Cars and Coffee every Saturday, 7-9 a.m. at Lions Park. Hang out with other car enthusiasts.

EDH Cars and Coffee invites car people to meet up and hang out Saturdays, 7-9:30 a.m., rain or shine, in the right-side parking lot of the Regal movie theater in El Dorado Hills Town Center. The motto is “If it rolls, it goes.”

Marshal Gold Discovery Park will host Living History Days every second Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit marshallgold.com.

The Pollock Pines Community Center will host a Yoga Class every Monday at 10:30 a.m, Bingo Night every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and a Beginners Line Dancing Throwdown from 6:30-9 p.m. For more information visit pollockpinesca.org.

The Georgetown Library will host the Thursdays at Two Poetry Group every first and third Thursday of the month.

Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark. org.

n See KNOW, page B10