Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

The

SUV in a fiery crash around 5 p.m. on Highway 49 north of Dolomite Drive near El Dorado. CHP o cers at the scene found one vehicle on fire and two occupants of the pickup were pronounced dead at the scene. Their

News release

El Dorado County Superior Court announces the retirement of the Honorable Vicki Ashworth e ective March 17, after more than 10 years of service on the bench.

Elected to the bench in 2014, Judge Ashworth has presided over criminal, tra c, family and civil matters as well as Veterans Court. Ashworth served two terms as presiding judge, 2022-26. She served as the assistant presiding judge 201622. Prior to her career

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

Community Services

Director Denis Nishihara reported a busy and successful year of special events in 2025, highlighting strong volunteer support, public safety coordination and a costrecovery model that has helped sustain city programming.

PLACE ADDRESS LABEL

Addressing the Placerville City Council at its meeting on Jan. 27, Nishihara opened by thanking public safety partners, including Placerville Police Chief Joseph Wren and El Dorado County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Tim Cordero, along with their sta s, for managing the growing number and size of events. He also recognized Sgt. Addison for coordinating logistics for major gatherings such as the city’s parade and tree lighting ceremony.

“We’re very fortunate to have a great team,” Nishihara said, also acknowledging the many community volunteers who support both city-sponsored

and independent events throughout the year.

According to Nishihara, Placerville hosted 26 permitted events in 2025.

That included eight city events, three co-sponsored events and 15 non-city events. The total featured four full street closures downtown, two partial closures, 16 events without street closures and four rolling closures.

He described the year as a success, noting that many events were well attended and financially sustainable under updated permitting guidelines adopted last year. Nishihara said the city’s cost-recovery model, which initially required adjustment from organizers, has proven e ective.

While he emphasized that no changes are planned to the adopted

guidelines, Nishihara acknowledged the application and permitting documents can be lengthy. He said sta plans to create a

simplified, at-a-glance version of the materials to make the process more user-friendly without removing essential information.

“We’re not adjusting any guidelines or pivoting from anything,” he said. “All of the data

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Paula Jean Zdenek

Aug. 27, 1952 – Feb. 7, 2026

Lasca Ann Gaylord

Nov. 18,1980 – Feb. 2, 2026

Paula Jean Zdenek was born on August 27, 1952 in Phoenix, AZ. After a loving, adventurous, and purposeful life, she peacefully passed away in the early morning February 7, 2026 at Gold Country Health Center, Placerville, after a brief illness. She was the beloved and dedicated daughter of Bert Zdenek, Jr., and Hope (Roper) Zdenek, and like her, long-time residents of El Dorado County. She was the owner of “Whispering Hope Equine Training Center,” in Rescue, CA. Beginning in her early teens, raising, training, and horse riding coaching was her life passion. An admirer of natural horse clinician Leslie Desmond, she believed in collaboration with the horse rather than dominance in training and coaching. She also admired and learned from horse training legend Bobby Ingersoll. She cut college classes to watch Bobby win the first ever Sna e Bit Futurity. Working also as a parttime journalist for the Mountain Democrat and horse publications, their paths crossed as he was writing his iconic book “The Legendary California Hackamore & Stock Horse,” of which she helped edit.

A graduate of Rio Linda High School, class of 1970, she was active in many class reunions including the 55th last year. Attending college in San Francisco, she left to begin her career in the early 70s. Attending and winning many notable horse shows, she established her own equine center which she operated until her passing. She was active with the Sacramento Gold Trail Mounties and the Hangtown Toastmasters.

She was fun, irreverent, and opinionated, but also a warm, kind, and generous soul. She never refused helping family, neighbors, and friends. Patrons and friends remember the many times she lowered fees for boarding horses or riding to help them out when times were tough, or maybe o ered a kind ear to those who needed someone to listen.

She is survived by sisters Donna Hutchinson, Hermet, CA, Brenda Gerolomy, and her husband Barrie Gerolomy, Orangevale, CA, and their children. She is survived by many cousins including Albert J. Zdenek, Jr., Miami, FL who considered her a sister. Paula shone as a bright and joyful beacon in life. Family, friends, and those who met her will remember the happiness and contribution she gave them.

A memorial service will be held at Green Valley Mortuary, 3004 Alexandrite Drive, Rescue, on Wednesday, February 25 at 11 AM. A reception to follow. All are welcome.

Larry M. Hermone

Nov. 24, 1941 – Jan. 12, 2026

Larry M. Hermone, born November 24, 1941, passed away peacefully with family at his side January 12, 2026 at the age of 84. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry “Hank” and Corrine Hermone and his son Michael Hermone. Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki, son Robert (Sheri), and grandchildren; Katelin (Megan), Grant (Kristen), and Linnea.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation or First Lutheran Church of Placerville, CA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 28th at 1:00pm at the First Lutheran Church, Placerville; 1200 Pinecrest Ct. Placerville, CA 95667.

Robin Blaise Bement

Feb. 2, 1951 – Feb. 5, 2026

Robin Blaise Bement, of Kelsey, California, passed away on February 5, 2026, in Sacramento, California, after a life of service and devotion to family and community. He was born on February 2, 1951, in Oakland, California, to Ruth and Robert Bement. He married Peggy Bement in 1972, sharing a life built on love, partnership, and mutual support.

From a young age, Robin demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others. He served in Cal Fire for two years, worked for El Dorado High School District for 43 years, and dedicated over four decades as a volunteer firefighter for Garden Valley Fire Department.

Robin was the loving husband of Peggy and the proud father of Jennifer Bement and Paula Roggy. He cherished his role as grandfather to Jessica Zielazowski and Kaycee St. John. together with the delight and joy he had watching his six great grandchildren grow - Jade, Bu y, Conrad, Mia, Landon, and Aidan.

He is survived by his wife Peggy, his daughters Jennifer Bement and Paula Roggy, his brothers Ross Ahntholz, Robert Bement, his grandchildren Jessica Zielazowski, Kaycee St John and great grandchildren Jade, Bu y, Conrad, Mia, Landon, Aidan, and son-in law Bob Roggy.

A celebration of life will be held on March 7th at noon at the VFW Hall in Georgetown. The family invites all who knew Robin to join in honoring his life and sharing memories.

Lasca lived a wonderful and full life of 45 years. She was born in Placerville, California, on November 18, 1980, and lived locally in the foothills of El Dorado County where she attended Ponderosa High School. It was there that she lettered in both cross country and track each year. In 2010 she graduated cum laude from Cal Poly with a degree in Landscape Architecture.

As a member of the San Luis Obispo County Parks & Recreation Department, she started her career as a Parks Aide and retired in 2025 as a Supervising Park Ranger. Lasca was a spirited colleague and trusted friend to those who worked beside her. She had a deep passion for her work and her communitybringing warmth, dedication, and an infectious smile that lifted everyone around her.

Lasca loved being outdoors in nature — kayaking across the bay, hiking in flip-flops, exploring local tidepools, back packing in the mountains, and diving in oceans in numerous locations including the Galápagos. She had an artist’s eye for beauty, capturing coastlines and wildflowers in sketches and watercolor. Along the way, she delighted in quizzing us on plant names. She embraced nature, her friends, and her family with joy, gratitude, and deep respect. Her absence leaves a space as wide and enduring as the landscapes she loved. We will forever see her in all that is beautiful.

For information on how her family will be honoring Lasca’s beautiful life, please contact a friend of the family, Mary, at 805-550-2952.

Jason Lee Rigler

Feb. 17, 1973 – Feb. 11, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the untimely passing of Mr. Jason Lee Rigler, b. 2/17/1973 - d. 2/11/2026. Although he left this earth, his memory will live on in our hearts.

To all those mourning this grave loss, we o er virtual hugs and love. There may be an informal memorial/celebration of life later, TBD. Jason was preceded in death by his grandparents Bob and Dolly, and his dad Steve. Jason is survived by his loving daughter, Violet Fae, his aunt and uncle, Lynn and Greg, his cousins Ian and Julia (Matt), his mother Hyun Suk, his brothers Sam, and Ruben, and 2 nieces and 2 nephews. If you wish to send flowers to the family, please contact mfstephens1@outlook.com or text at 914908-0305 and contact info will be given to you. If you wish to be notified should there be a gathering in his honor in the near future, leave your contact info at the email provided. A book of memories for the family is in the works. We seek as many contributions as possible. Please email pictures to the above email address.

Janice Rago-Gates

June 12, 1940 – Jan. 26, 2026

Janice Rago-Gates, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and greatgreat-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 26, 2026, in Dayton, Nevada. She was born on June 12, 1940, in Oakland, California.

Janice lived in Placerville, California, for 50 years before moving to Dayton. She retired from Lucky’s Supermarket, where she worked as a grocery clerk. Janice enjoyed spending her quiet moments reading. She was a devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville, and after moving to Dayton, she embraced St. Anne’s Catholic Church and its parishioners.

Janice loved life and enjoyed her time with friends, but she treasured her time with family most of all. She believed her family to be her greatest blessing. Janice especially enjoyed the traditions of Christmas. Every year, she spent hours baking, and her Christmas cookies became legendary — so much so that she became known as “Cookie Nana” to her great-grandchildren.

Janice is survived by her loving husband, Phil, of 27 years; her children Richard, Cheryl (Sis), Mark, Theresa, and Kenny; 10 grandchildren; 19 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Evelyn Rago; her son, James; her brother, James Rago; and her granddaughter, Carlene Baker. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or St. Ann’s Catholic Church Building fund.

A service will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dayton, Nevada on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:00am. A celebration of life will follow. Below is the link to the online obituary: https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/carson-city-nv/ janice-rago-gates-12726668

Dolores Mary (Olivier) Trahan

June 26, 1930 – Feb. 6, 2026

Dolores (“Dee”) Trahan, aged 95, was a beloved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and friend. She passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Vancouver, WA, due to pneumonia. Known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering spirit, Dolores touched the lives of all who crossed her path. Her life was marked by happiness, strength, compassion, and generosity. Always ready to o er a helping hand or a comforting word, Dolores exemplified true grace and resilience.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Weldon Trahan, in 2003, and by her son Mark Trahan in 2010.

Dolores was born in Port Arthur, Texas, to Arthur and Maxine Olivier. Raised in Port Arthur, she later moved to California in the early 1960s when her husband Weldon began working in the aerospace industry. A story fondly retold within her family recalls her courage in traveling alone on the airplane from Texas to California with four young children under the age of six.

Dolores devoted her life to nurturing her family and serving others. She was celebrated for her Southern charm, gentle guidance, and her remarkable ability to make everyone feel at home. Dolores found happiness in simple pleasures: cooking and sharing meals with loved ones, tending to her flower garden, enjoying rounds of golf with the Cold Springs Niner group, and spending cherished moments with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy. Her family recalls her “famous” hole-in-one, on the second hole, at Sierra Golf and Country Club. Dolores’s love for children led her to a career at the Smith Flat Day Care Center in the early 1980s. After earning her early childhood education credential, she ultimately became a lead teacher at the center, shaping the lives of many children and maintaining connections with them as they grew into young adults in Placerville.

Dolores was known for her fondness for Snickers bars, Godiva Chocolate Tru es, butter, and Tom Selleck. She had a lighthearted sense of humor, especially enjoying a good laugh when someone tripped. Dolores also enjoyed old movies, making mu ns, ice cream for dessert, decorating for fall, and Paula Deen cooking shows. Her legacy lives on in the love she gave freely and the wisdom she shared with all around her. Dolores is survived by her children—Paula Trahan Rieger (Marty), Anita Trahan, and Alan Trahan; her grandchildren—Mandy Graham(Onna), Daniel Trahan (Carley), and Mark Trahan, Jr.; her greatgrandchildren—Trent, Taylor, and Tiana Irvin; Sophie and Cash Trahan; and Peyton Trahan; as well as many friends who will forever cherish her memory. Though Dolores will be deeply missed, her spirit continues to live on in everyone fortunate enough to have known her. May her memory be a blessing, and may we honor her by upholding the values she exemplified—love, generosity, and kindness. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

Joel Rogers

Feb. 14, 1959 - Jan. 11, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Joel F. Rogers on January 11th, 2026. Born on 02/14/1959 in Modesto, CA, Joel graduated from Los Gatos High School and resided in the Bay Area before eventually making his home in Cameron Park in 1987. It was there that he met his wife Kathy at the iconic Sam’s Town, and together, they built a life of more than 30 years filled with devotion, laughter, and shared faith.

Joel is preceded in death by his parents James and Dorothy Rogers and is survived by his wife Kathy Rogers; his five brothers and sister along with their spouses and children; his daughter, Ti eney; his son, Jerry; his stepchildren Tracy, Patty, Lori, Buddy and their spouses; and many grandchildren who will carry forward memories of his humor, faith, and jovial presence.

Memorial services will be held at Green Valley Mortuary, Rescue CA on Friday, February 27, at 11:00 a.m.

As a friendly face with a gift for conversation and laughter, he left a lasting impression on those that knew him in the Cameron Park community. He will be remembered for his faith, his resilience, and the laughter he shared so freely and will be deeply missed.

Volunteers and food banks fight hunger together

Shelly Thorene Staff writer

“Joyful chaos” is how volunteer 72-year-old

Joan Ford described a food distribution event at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church in Cameron Park on Feb. 10.

“It is wonderful for me to be able to participate and it is a wonderful service to people,” she told the Mountain Democrat. “I only have good things to say about the program.”

Cars were lined up for several blocks for the Food Bank of El Dorado County giveaway that happens every first, second and third Tuesday of the month.

Drivers in line checked in with volunteer Susie Casazza of Cameron Park, who asked drivers how many households they are picking up for and whether they want her to draw an angel on their windshield with a marker. Casazza has been battling a serious health issue but still turns out to volunteer.

Volunteers from the church and from the community formed an assembly line that began in the church and spilled outdoors to gather together produce, staples, protein, milk and bread in shopping carts to wheel out to the curb for the waiting drivers.

After picking up their groceries, community members had the option of obtaining a free lunch in a drive-thru from the Upper Room Food Truck. Upper Room board member Carla Milhomme gave out styrofoam food containers and even a few hugs to the drivers who appreciated the hot meal. Milhomme said the Upper Room provides a free lunch every second Tuesday at Light of the Hills

n See VOLUNTEERS, page A9

List reveals highest paid El Dorado County employees

News release

El Dorado County Auditor-Controller

Joe Harn has updated the list of the county’s highest compensated employees for the calendar year 2025. The list of the top 100 compensated employees based on the cost of total salaries and benefits is available at eldoradocounty.ca.gov/ County-Government/ County-Departments/ Auditor-Controller/ Payroll/Top-PayingPositions.

“Posting the list to the county’s website is part of the ongoing effort to

increase transparency in our county government,” Harn said. “The best government transparency involves placing all financial information online in a readily understandable manner. Government transparency allows taxpayers to see how our county is spending tax money and gives El Dorado County residents the ability to hold us accountable.

As always, the county’s mental health medical director was the county’s highest compensated employee with salaries and benefits totaling $513,889. A psychiatrist,

the sheriff, undersheriff, district attorney and chief administrative officer are also in the top 10.

“The cost of each employee’s CalPERS benefit is included on the list, but the reported retirement cost should be reviewed with some skepticism,” Harn shared. “CalPERS has intentionally understated the actual cost of its retirement programs statewide.

Undoubtedly, higher costs for the county’s retirement program and retirees’ health stipend will need to be paid in the future.”

Dr. Little’s Dental News

GETTING IN BETWEEN

The purpose of flossing is to remove the plaque and biofilm that accumulates between teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach. Otherwise, as we consume carbohydrates, the microorganisms in dental plaque convert the sugars to an acid that attacks tooth enamel. As the acid decalcifies the enamel, a dental carious lesion (cavity) begins to form. Moreover, the germs in dental plaque cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which, if not reversed with good oral hygiene, can destroy the deeper supporting soft tissue structures and eventually the bone that holds the tooth in the socket. At this point, irreversible bone loss may occur. All of these potential problems can be averted with daily brushing and flossing; brushing alone is not enough.

We strive to teach you good oral hygiene. In the long run, you will have better dental health. We stress that health depends on healthy teeth and good dental care. A thorough examination and detailed explanation of all findings and treatment needed are routinely given. Please call us to schedule an appointment. We’re always happy to discuss improving your smile, and thus, your total feeling of self-esteem. We offer “Tooth Print,” which is an impression of a child’s full mouth. About the size of a small wafer, the impression is given to the parent/guardian for the family album or for ID for a missing child. P.S. If not removed with good hygiene, plaque can harden into tartar (dental calculus), which can only be removed with professional dental instruments.

OPINION

California Matters

Here’s how Gov. Newsom’s spending binge outstripped state revenues

An array of charts buried in the fine print of the state budget, unknown to all but a few fiscal nerds, details what California has collected in revenues and spent over the last halfcentury.

The current charts in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2026-27 budget reveal how spending has exploded during his governorship, far outstripping stagnant population growth, inflation and even a hefty increase in revenues.

The result, according to both Newsom’s Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst O ce, is a multibillion-dollar “structural deficit,” meaning that revenues cannot cover spending that Newsom and the Legislature have enacted.

“Both our o ce and the administration expect the state to face multiyear deficits, with estimates ranging from $20 billion to $35 billion annually,” Legislative Analyst Gabe Petek noted in his overview of the proposed budget.

“These deficits are concerning for three reasons. First, after four years of projected deficits and a cumulative total of $125 billion in budget problems solved so far, the state’s negative fiscal situation is now chronic,” he continued.

“Second, structural deficits have grown — our November outlook is the most negative forecast of the budget’s position since the pandemic. Finally, deficits have persisted even as the state’s economy and revenues have grown, underscoring that the problem is structural rather than cyclical. Taken together, these trends raise serious concerns about the state’s fiscal sustainability.”

For reasons known only to themselves, Newsom and his aides assumed that the new revenues gure would be at least semi-permanent. It fueled Newsom’s claim, as the 2022-23 budget was being nalized, that the state enjoyed a $97.5 billion surplus …

Letter to the Editor

Critical thinking at risk

EDITOR:

Irecently read an excellent piece about Umberto Eco, whom I knew as a world-class semiotician and theorist long before “The Name of the Rose.” In a 2010s interview, he commented on social media in answer to one of the questions posed by his interlocutors.

While he recognized the importance of democratizing voices, he also pointed out that not every voice speaks with the same knowledge or authority. Those cranks who used to spout o in pubs or on street corners their unfounded theories dissipating quickly are now gathering huge followings. The standards of what counts as knowledge are erased. No longer are journalistic integrity, fact checkin or peer review considered necessary. We are now steered by the loudest voice, not the most informed.

To my mind, this puts us on a precipice very much akin to what enveloped Europe in the Middle Ages, the era often referred to as The Dark Ages. We are susceptible to superstition, ad

populum fallacies and the insidious denigration of intellectualism. People think they are “researching” after reading a half dozen headlines from biased internet sources. They assume they are informed, and they assume that their opinion, based on a few minutes of doom scrolling, has the same validity as experts who have devoted their lives to studying and understanding complex problems. How far is this, really, from the sort of worldview that branded Galileo a heretic, burned Bruno at the stake or imprisoned Roger Bacon? If we do not stand up against this onslaught against critical thinking, the scientific method and an openness to questioning orthodox habits of mind, we will find ourselves flung o that precipice and, if we survive at all, will spend centuries trying to dig ourselves out of a chasm of fear, superstition and authoritarianism.

JOSEPH CHILDERS

The budget’s historic charts are important because they support Petek’s deficit warning and undercut politicians’ temptation to shift the blame to economic conditions, emergencies such as the Los Angeles wildfires or reductions in federal aid by President Donald Trump.

Here’s what one chart reveals:

■ See WALTERS, page A5

The Balancing

Act

The Minnesota insurrection continues to take its toll

Last month another insurrectionist died while interfering with an ICE arrest. This insurrectionist was not new to acting as such. A week prior he, Alex Pretti, was involved in interfering with another ICE arrest operation; he was actually obstructing justice and trying to prevent ICE from making an arrest.

In that confrontation Pretti was tackled by o cers and actually broke a rib in the confrontation. He was not arrested — although an arrest at that time would possibly saved his life. Even before that incident, Pretti was attacking ICE and damaging their vehicle, which caused his take down. Again he was released. In that video it appeared Pretti was packing. This insurrectionist was part of a network to disrupt and impede ICE in their arrests of illegals in Minnesota. They are well organized with insurrectionists following all ICE movements. Pretti was part of

that. He broke the law and interfered in ICE operations.

Pretti’s father said he was concerned over his son’s safety. He’s quoted in the media as saying, “We had this discussion with him two weeks or so ago. You know, go ahead and protest but do not engage. Do not do anything stupid.”

It appears Pretti did not heed his father’s warning — first bringing a loaded Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun plus two extra loaded clips (about 50-60 total bullets) and then interfering with an ICE operation. With those decisions made, it’s clear he wasn’t a protester anymore. He was an insurrectionist. Videos show Pretti’s had at least three run ins with ICE. Video shows him spitting on ICE agents and actually breaking o the tail light (about $700) of the ICE vehicle. This guy was no mild mannered ICU nurse, but a violent insurrectionist out to hurt ICE o cials.

This is the second death of an insurrectionist. Both deaths caused

Those arrested don’t have a legal visa. All these people entered the country illegally. They are getting our federal bene ts, like welfare money, food stamps, telephones and health care.

by their pursuit in obstructing justice and severe stupidity, preventing federal law enforcement o cers from performing their duties.

There was a movie made in 1969 with Elliot Gould and Candace Bergen called “Getting Straight.”

It was released about two months after “MASH” (March 1970). It was a comedy with some romance, but it told a truth about protesters, in this case college protesters. Gould said protests were about getting laid. After expending all that energy breaking windows and doing damage, hopefully everyone could hook up.

All insurrectionist protesters need to be arrested.

Did anyone see the West Virginia librarian, 39-year-old Morgan Morrow, who was recently arrested for soliciting the murder of our president? She was given a nice name, but that doesn’t hide the fact she looks like a typical protester with low self esteem.

The insurrectionists have networks — probably funded by left wing liberals and Democrats hoping to interfere with the president — and they have accomplices in the form of Tim Walz (can you imagine this guy as vice-president?). During the vice presidential debate, J. D. Vance amply demonstrated Walz’s lack of intellect and brainpower. It was an encounter for the ages as Walz’s most common look was a deer in headlights. Why would anyone in their right mind (or even left mind) get involved with these protesters/insurrectionists/ communists? ICE isn’t going after American citizens or green card legal residents. Those arrested don’t have a legal visa. All these people entered the country illegally. They are getting our federal benefits, like welfare money, food stamps, telephones and health care. If they pleaded for asylum, how many of the millions showed up for

Walters Continued from A4

In the seven budgets Newsom has signed, beginning with 2019-20, and the eighth one he has proposed, revenues have increased by 60%, mostly from taxes that tapped into a 48% increase in Californians’ personal income during the period. Total spending, however, jumped 72%, from $203 billion to $349 billion.

During that same period, the state’s population has been stagnant at 39.6 million while inflation at the national level has been 29%, averaging 3.4% a year, with California’s inflation slightly lower at about 3%.

In other words, revenues have increased at roughly twice the rate of inflation while spending has jumped even higher.

Those numbers are reflected in a nearly 28% increase in the state’s workforce, from 376,990 to 481,850, as the budget expanded programs that were in place when Newsom became governor and added new categories. Spending on health care, especially for low-income Californians, has been one major driver, while constitutional formulas for financing public schools have been another.

Another chart provides a clue to the massive error in revenue projections by Newsom’s budget sta in 2022 which sparked the spending surge.

In 2021, as the state’s economy began recovering

from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and as billions of dollars in federal relief flooded the state, general fund revenues jumped 53% above the prepandemic 2019 level, topping $200 billion for the first time in history.

For reasons known only to themselves, Newsom and his aides assumed that the new revenues figure would be at least semi-permanent. It fueled Newsom’s claim, as the 2022-23 budget was being finalized, that the state enjoyed a $97.5 billion surplus, and his bragging, “No other state in American history has ever experienced a surplus as large as this.”

Newsom’s declaration fueled an immediate spending increase that carried into the following years. But the projected revenue increase turned out to be an illusion, and subsequently the administration acknowledged that it had overestimated revenues by $165 billion over four years.

The structural deficit has been with us ever since, totaling $125 billion so far, as Petek describes. Newsom clearly envisions a presidential campaign after his governorship ends, but the self-inflicted budget mess may haunt him.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Weitzman Continued from A4

their hearing date? I’ll bet the answer is less than 2%. And the reason is votes and Congress. States that gain population from illegal immigration get to count those people for congressional seats. When you add 15 million illegals to the census in blue states, it increases the number of congressional seats blue states receive. This won’t become evident until the 2030s, but it will happen. Maybe a new law is needed saying illegals are not to be counted in the census.

Larry Weitzman is a former El Dorado County resident.

Think this through EDITOR:

see Ms. Wolfson is raging against corporate donations to political campaigns in her letter, “Give the people their votes back.” Her letter is a classic example of the left shooting from the hip and thinking later.

So let’s look at some corporations, like League of Women Voters, NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, Sierra Club. I could go on ad infinitum, but you get the point. Are you sure you want to silence them Ms. Wolfson?

Defense helps Oak Ridge girls win SFL crown

Mike Bush

Mountain Democrat correspondent

Oak Ridge High School girls basketball head coach Briana Dulgar wasn’t sure what type of team she was going to inherit at the beginning of this season. After all, nine players from the 2024-25 Oak Ridge squad had graduated. That team went 21-11, took second place in the Sierra Foothill League and a made a deep run in the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Division I and CIF State Girls Basketball playo s.

This year’s team consists of only three seniors, plus two juniors and a combined five underclassmen — on top of that, one of Northern California’s top players who transferred to the El Dorado Hills campus at the start of this school year. Four months later, Dulgar and the Trojans are the outright SFL champions.

Hosting Folsom High’s squad in the league finale inside the Trojans’ gym on Friday, Feb. 13, the two rivals battled on the defensive side in the fourth quarter. In the end, Dulgar, her assistant coaches in her dad Brian Dulgar, former head coach Steve White

and Natalie Davis and their squad celebrated a 47-43 victory over the Bulldogs, who won the title last season.

“It really comes out to which team puts all the right pieces together on the right day,” Dulgar said.

On top of that, Oak Ridge (14-0 in the SFL, 21-6 overall) earned the section’s No. 2 playo seed in D-I.

THOUGHTFULLY CURATED HOME DECOR AND ARTFULLY REFINISHED FURNITURE

• New Arrivals

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The Trojans have the luxury of earning a firstround bye and played No. 15 Pleasant Grove, out of Elk Grove, on Tuesday. The Eagles posted a 58-50 win over Enochs, out of Modesto, in a play-in game on Monday.

The Pleasant GroveOak Ridge winner will play the winner of No. 10 Davis-No. 7 Laguna Creek of Elk Grove, which was also played on Tuesday, on Thursday at 7 p.m. Oak Ridge knocked o Davis twice in SFL action while it has not faced Laguna Creek this season.

Returning to Friday’s showdown, Oak Ridge, which recorded a 54-44 win over Folsom inside the Bulldogs’ gym on Jan. 23, was solid o the glass in rebounds and its transition game. All this led to outscoring the Bulldogs 17-5.

“If we can shut

down their shooters and minimize their points, I think we’re going to be in a really good position,” Dulgar said. “It all starts on defense; getting stops is really essential. Giving us more o ensive

possessions. We were lucky to have such a high-scoring fourth quarter.”

Folsom (11-3 in the SFL, 19-6) led 38-30 after three quarters.

“I was expecting us to have a bigger lead than

what we performed,” Dulgar said. “I know that Folsom brings out the best in us. It’s always a competitive game.” Dulgar knows about winning league titles.

Olympic hopes on hold but not out of reach

Sel Richard Mountain Democrat correspondent

Oak Ridge High School alum

Brandon Jetter knows what it means to be so close yet so far away. As an Olympic hopeful in bobsled, Jetter competed hard for four years but last month it was announced he was among the final contenders to be considered for the Olympic team but not named as one of the six push athletes chosen to go to Italy.

“I haven’t decided if I’m going to try again for 2030,” Jetter told Mountain Democrat.

Jetter graduated from Oak Ridge in 2015 and from University of California, Davis, in 2021 double majoring in political science and history. He ran track at both schools, but in 2022 was recruited to bobsled after completing a combine, a series of athletic tests including sprints, jumps and throws, at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center.

Since then Jetter has split his winters between Park City, Utah, and Lake Placid, N.Y., where the only bobsled tracks in the country are housed. Since American Olympic athletes do not receive government funding, he worked remotely, doing media post production on his laptop between runs.

“I would be working and then a few minutes before my start time I would start warming up,” he said, describing his years in training. Jetter competed on the Canadian and United States circuit and spent his summers training in San Diego, weightlifting and sprinting under

“For push athletes, we have to be as explosive as possible,”

At 5 feet, 11 inches and 200 pounds,

Former Bruin headed to national team training

News release

Local resident and Ponderosa High School graduate Paloma Daubert has been called up to the U.S. Under20 Women’s National Team.

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach Vicky Jepson named 24 players for a training camp running Feb. 24 through March 3 at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista. The camp is part of continued preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20

Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Poland from Sept. 5-27.

The USA is one of 12 nations to have already qualified for the tournament, doing so at the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship last June. The tournament will feature 24 countries. The rosters consist of 10 professionals and 14 collegiate athletes.

Daubert was part of the 20-player that played in Spain from February last year that included matches against the Netherlands,

Trojans o to the playo s

England and Spain U-19 Women’s National Teams at the L’Albir U-19 Women’s International Tournament.

Daubert played two years at Ponderosa High School, scoring 42 goals with 18 assists. She was a two-time league and team MVP. She graduated early from high school to start her collegiate career at UCLA. Daubert earned All-Big Ten third-team honors in 2025, playing in all 21 matches and made 19 starts, logging 1,676 minutes, the

earned a CIF

A 2016 Oak Ridge graduate, Dulgar and the Trojans won three crowns in the SFL during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Now she has one in her first season running the program at her alma mater. Dulgar was the Oak Ridge junior varsity head coach last season and served as an assistant coach under White in prior seasons.

“It’s amazing,” Dulgar said. “I’m super proud of the girls and the program, and what we are creating in our culture here. I’m just honored for the opportunity and super stoked

“Bobsled requires us to push a 400-pound sled (two man) or a 460-pound sled (four man) as fast as possible down start ramps which di er in incline and length at each track,” he explained.

Jetter is a brakeman, the athlete in the back who pushes and also pulls the brakes at the end of the track. While he raced in twoman and four-man competitions, most of his races were with Kris Horn, a former Olympic brakeman who became a pilot around the time

to how far they have come. It’s really nice to bring it (league title) back home again.”

Trojan shooting guard Leah Harris, a junior, and senior point guard Sophia Ross, who played at Cardondelet High School of Concord in recent years, led the charge in the final quarter. Harris scored seven of her 13 points while Ross had five of her game-high 14 points.

Oak Ridge players who also found the net in the game were junior guard Laurel Smart with eight points, senior forward Siena Maher seven, another

Jetter joined the sport.

“I helped him become competitive and he ultimately qualified for the Olympics,” Jetter said proudly. “He is a legitimate potential top five threat. Playing a part in helping the two pilots who did qualify even if they ended up with a di erent crew was also a very satisfying thing.” As to the transition from track to bobsled, Jetter revealed it is not uncommon for the winter sport to recruit from sprinters. “I love the style of training,”

third-most on the team. She helped lead UCLA’s defense to a 0.47 goals against average, which ranked second in the nation and first in the conference. The Bruin defense also totaled a Big Ten-best 12 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 21 games. Daubert was recognized to the Academic All-Big Ten team in the 2025 season.

senior forward in Kendyl Collie three and sophomore point guard Vanessa Johnson two.

Lilly Reed led Folsom in scoring with 12 points and Raquel Mauch nine.

The Bulldogs held a slim 25-22 halftime lead.

SJS playoffs

Other teams in the same bracket as Oak Ridge are No. 3 Folsom, which hosted Gregori of Modesto on Tuesday. Gregori posted a 67-26

play-in win over Stagg, out of Stockton, also on Monday. No. 11 Cosumnes Oaks-No. 6 McClatchy is the other playo game that was also played on Tuesday.

“We’re taking it one game at a time,” Dulgar said.

In the opposite bracket, top-seed St. Mary’s will play Edison in an allStockton schools playo game, No. 9 Sheldon at No. 8 Inderkum, No. 12 Granite Bay at No. 5 Vanden and No. 13 Monterey Trail of Elk Grove at No. 4 Lincoln-Stockton. All games were also played on Tuesday.

Jetter said. “I love the combination of lifting heavy and running fast. There’s nothing like being in the bobsled. Some people don’t like it but I actually really enjoy it. You’re pulling anywhere from 4 to 6 Gs, getting up to 85 kph.”

Those he has met along the way that have made the deepest impact on Jetter. “The relationships that I formed over the last four years is just incredible. Seeing some of my closest friends make it; it was very emotional. I was so happy for them. It’s hard to describe,” Jetter shared. “I always wondered how I would react if I didn’t make it and I thought I would feel resentment and be depressed. But honestly

I’m excited to cheer on my teammates and friends. They’re just really solid guys.”

Jetter now resides in San Diego with his former teammate, Shane Fisher, a bobsled pilot who also missed qualifying for this year’s team. Fisher is launching the American Paragons Foundation, a nonprofit which helps former Olympic athletes and current Olympic hopefuls find funding and support opportunities — an e ort Jetter is now involved with, along with a personal training side gig.

“I certainly flirt with the idea of going back to track. I’ll definitely be competing in something, just not quite sure what that’s going to look like yet.” Jetter said, admitting that for now, he is focused on a mental reset.

“I like to read. I like to write. And I’ve spent so much time in the winter cold that I really like to just go to the beach and jump into the ocean,” Jetter laughed. “I don’t care how cold it is. I promise that it feels a lot better than being in negative 10 degrees.”

Businesses and donors interested in the American Paragons Foundation

Easily

Heaviest

and information is important and vital, but it can be a hefty read.”

Among the city’s co-sponsored events, Nishihara highlighted Halloween on Main Street, which is organized in partnership with TW Bonkers and the El Dorado Community Foundation.

Looking ahead to 2026, the city has received applications for 17 events so far: seven city-sponsored events, two co-sponsored events and eight noncity events. The current slate includes six full street closures, eight events without street closures and two rolling closures. No partial closures have been requested to date.

Nishihara said additional applications are expected as the year progresses, particularly for events tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

The city is working with partners, including Merchants on Main and the El Dorado County Historical Museum, to plan and potentially re-scope events that highlight Placerville’s history and culture in conjunction with the national celebration.

Nishihara said sta will continue working closely with community organizers and volunteers to ensure a successful 2026 event season.

One event planned for 2026 is the Highway 50 Association Wagon Train event that will see a full street closure throughout the day on June 6.

Greg and Lorretta Rezak of Golden History Association said the organization was planning that as a history focused event.

“We’re going to have a lot of re-enactors on the street,” Greg said, adding the organization could use help on the funding of the event.

“Maybe a break on the street closure? That would be really cool,” he said.

have had a Gold Rush,” she said. “We wouldn’t have had the development for the city of Placerville.”

“I’ll just say we’ve been having this discussion since I’ve been on the council,” said Vice Mayor Jackie Neau. “So this will be going on year six.”

Neau said the city has spent the past five years holding community workshops and conversations to reach its current position, and she expressed appreciation for residents who participated and for sta ’s work in moving the process forward. She encouraged those with additional ideas to work directly with sta but said she believes su cient time and e ort has been devoted to the issue by the council.

“There are other things we need to focus on in the city without beating this horse anymore,” she added.

Councilmember John Clerici said he stands by previous remarks about the evolution of the wagon train event, noting he has watched it for decades.

“Unless you were born in this town, I have probably seen more wagon trains than all of you,” Clerici said, recalling that he first saw the event in 1976. Over the years, he said, he has watched it stretch for miles and remembers when it was a “much more vibrant, much bigger operation.”

Clerici said Main Street storefronts were once fully decorated for the occasion and that community participation extended beyond parade entrants.

“I remember when not just the people in the parade, but the people on the sidewalks” dressed up, he said, adding that his wife, a Placerville native, wore costumes her mother made when she went downtown as a child.

Lorretta said, perhaps not for this year’s event but for future years, it would be helpful if the city would partner with the community in funding the event.

The Rezaks, who own Placerville Antiques, said they had heard negative comments from customers, in person and on social media, over the lack of an o cial event in 2025.

“We had a lot of negative responses,” Loretta said. “negative comments of why this didn’t happen because this [event] has been happening for many many years.”

The organization has partnered with El Dorado Historical Society, Save the Graves and Sierra Community Access to produce the event, according to Loretta.

There is a focus, this year, on making it family friendly with local nonprofits sponsoring games and expanding their involvement, she said.

“It’s just very expensive to produce this production,” she added. “So we’re asking, like I said, not full sponsorship, but partnership with us in order to have this continue. So, please take that into consideration for next year.”

Community member Leo BennettCauchon called on city o cials to support the community event.

Placerville resident Sue Rodman said when she looked at Nishahara’s report listing city sponsored events she “was very disappointed to find the wagon train not there.”

“I consider that one of the premier events in this town,” she said, adding that the city should consider at least a co-sponsorship of the event in the future.

“After all, if it weren’t for wagon trains coming through, we wouldn’t

Crashes Continued from A1

identities are being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Ford Edge, Corry Webb, 34, of El Dorado sustained major injuries and was transported to Marshall Hospital for treatment. SR 49 was closed in both directions for around 90 minutes during emergency response and recovery operations and one-way tra c control was established until the scene was cleared around 8 p.m. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Two people received minor injuries in a collision on Highway 50 west of Silva Valley Road at around 8:30 a.m. Monday. The driver of a silver Infiniti SUV, Christopher Longberg, 47, of El Dorado Hills struck an International box truck driven by David Morla, 32, of Rescue, and then hit a light pole. The box truck landed in the center median and both parties complained of minor injuries. It was raining at the time of the collision and excessive speed is being considered to be a factor in the crash.

“I love the wagon train, don’t get me wrong,” Clerici said. “I think it’s a great thing.” He noted he has personally sponsored a wagon in the event, calling it “a good thing worth supporting,” and said the community’s a ection for it is undeniable.

Clerici also addressed controversy surrounding his earlier use of the word “legacy,” saying the term had been misinterpreted.

“I wish I had never used the word legacy because it got stretched and pushed and prodded because people think they know what I was thinking,” he said.

He clarified that by “legacy,” he was referring not to the history of the town or the wagon train but to a handful of longstanding events the city has consistently supported, including Halloween festivities, the annual tree lighting and, “to a certain degree,” the Christmas parade. While the city has assisted with other events over the years, he said those three were the ones he meant.

Clerici made the assertion that most Gold Rush-era newcomers “walked here. They weren’t riding in a wagon.” Regarding funding, Clerici said he was open to discussing financial support for community events as a private individual, though formal allocations must be made by the council through the city’s budget process.

“That’s a budget decision and we’re making that real soon,” he said, referring to the upcoming fiscal year.

Councilmember Ryan Carter thanked Merchants on Main for its contributions to downtown events and promotions.

“You guys do a great job on these events, we appreciate you greatly,” he said.

“Not just for this, but for some other events,” Clerici echoed. “Thumbs up.”

Three pedestrians, two age 23 and a 22-year-old from the Bay Area, who stopped to assist the driver of a black Kia sedan adjust tire chains on a turnout, were struck by a black Chevy Silverado driven by a 21-year-old man from Sacramento with a 17-year-old passenger on Highway 50 east of Johnson Pass around 12:45 p.m.

The driver of the Chevy Silverado was traveling west on Highway 50 approaching Johnson Pass and lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered roadway. The Chevrolet traveled across eastbound 50 and collided with the Kia, striking all three pedestrians working on the left front tire. One pedestrian was thrown approximately 40 feet, CHP reported, and came to rest on the right shoulder and the other two were dragged by the Chevrolet and ultimately freed by passersby and Caltrans personnel. All three pedestrians su ered major injuries and were transported to Barton Memorial Hospital. An investigation determined drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

U.S. Forest Service ready to hire

News release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced plans to hire up to 2,000 seasonal positions for the upcoming summer recreation season, helping to support active management work and improve access and experiences on national forests and grasslands.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is restoring fiscal responsibility, efficiency and accountability so that Americans can count on services that endure,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We have addressed millions of dollars in salary deficits inherited from the previous administration. The Forest Service is now on a path to fiscal solvency and able to fill these critical seasonal positions to improve services for visitors this summer.”

“Hiring these seasonal positions is essential to delivering the services visitors rely on,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Our seasonal employees are active members of the communities they serve. They keep forests open and accessible, campgrounds and other facilities clean and neighboring towns thriving. It’s a direct investment in the people

who make our national forests and grasslands special.”

Now that the Forest Service has streamlined its hiring process and shortened hiring timeframes, seasonal employees can begin work earlier — opening more opportunities for people in rural communities to compete for jobs close to home.

“This year, we’re focusing our recruitment within the communities we serve,” added Schultz. “Local residents bring invaluable knowledge, pride and a strong connection to the places we care for. We are excited to offer more opportunities for people who want to work close to home.”

These positions are in addition to seasonal fire hiring underway. If you enjoy being in the outdoors and are interested in seasonal employment with the Forest Service, check for opportunities in your area.

Interested applicants must apply through USAJOBS.gov. Application periods, qualifications, and start dates vary by position.

Applicants are encouraged to review job announcements carefully for deadlines and required materials.

To learn more about Forest Service careers, benefits and upcoming hiring opportunities and events visit fs.usda. gov/working-with-us/careers.

Lutheran Church and the first and third Tuesdays at Calvary Church at the Food Bank of El Dorado County’s food distribution in Georgetown and in Somerset every Thursday for many Grizzly Flat residents.

Feeding the Foothills spokesperson Kayla Scott said there is an uptick in the number of people picking up items from the organization’s Pantry on the Go events in Placer and El Dorado counties. Scott said the number of pick-ups doubled in Cameron Park after the government shutdown and the pause on SNAP benefits.

“Volunteers are key to the food distribution program and contributed 16,000 hours in 2025 which amounted to $780,000 for their services in El Dorado, Placer and Nevada counties,” Scott said. She added, “Volunteer groups consist of senior citizens, corporate teams, teenagers needing volunteer hours

Ashworth Continued from A1 as a judicial officer, Ashworth earned a juris doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento. Her legal career began as a deputy district attorney with the Amador County District Attorney’s Office in 1997. In 1999, she joined the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office as a

and mostly just regular folks who want to make a difference.”

Shatonia Chavez of Lincoln is a program support specialist with Feeding the Foothills and began as a volunteer 16 years ago with Placer Food Bank which later became Feeding the Foothills. Chavez said her duties have included fork lift driver, filing and data input and truck driver. She currently oversees all of the volunteers at all 10 of the distribution sites. Some of the distribution sites have 30-35 volunteers who put in around three hours each.

Chavez said she enjoys working with the people and showing compassion — with both the volunteers and the community they serve. She said, “There is no face to hunger. People could show up in a Mercedes but you don’t know their situation. They could be living in that car. We don’t judge. All of my volunteers are fantastic — like family.”

deputy district attorney until her election to the bench in 2014. “I’ve worked with Judge Ashworth for decades; she was an accomplished prosecutor and then capable judge,” El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said. “I congratulate her and wish her and her family the best in retirement.”

The court expresses its deep appreciation for Judge Ashworth’s dedicated service, steady leadership and lasting contributions during her years of service to the court, and we wish her the best in retirement. For more information about El Dorado County Superior Court visit eldorado.courts.ca.gov.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Stellar Students

Congratulations to Kayla Vota and Lauren McCarver of El Dorado Hills who were recently named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll at University of Mississippi.

Congratulations to Brittney Boling of Shingle Springs who was recently named to the Provost’s List at Ohio University.

Congratulations to Joseph Walsh, of El Dorado Hills who recently graduated with the Doctor of Philosophy from Mississippi State University’s College of Education.

Feb. 18

El Dorado Hills Town Center will host its Town Center Connect Mixer at Barrel and Bliss from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

Rockstar Karaoke (all ages) hosted by KJ Ari Galindo will take place, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Feb. 19

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host its Business Luncheon with speaker Assemblyman Joe Patterson from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Koto Bu et in Red Hawk Casino. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host its Installation & Business Awards Dinner from 6-9 p.m. at Serrano Country Club. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents a lm screening of “Little Miss Sunshine” at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.

Feb. 20

The Sierra Renaissance Society will host a talk from Marshall Medical sta titled Senior Health from 1-3 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall. Admission is free for members; the public is invited to attend two meetings for free. For more information visit srsedc.org.

The Placerville Emblem Club will host a Crab Feed at 6 p.m. at the Placerville Elks Lodge No. 1712. RSVP with Cindy at (818) 667-5134.

Ed Wilson will perform at Stubby’s in Cool from 6-9 p.m. Crowned Kings with Sky Eyes celebrating Bob Marleys birthday will take place, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Albert Cummings – Blues guitar pyrotechnics will perform at 8 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

Feb. 21

Join American River Conservancy for Cosumnes River Water Quality Monitoring from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information visit arconservancy.org.

Save the Graves will host a Headstone Cleaning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Placerville Union Cemetery. For more information visit savethegraveseldorado.org.

Oak Ridge prevails at Academic Decathlon

Whitney Burke

El Dorado County O ce of Education

Saturday, Feb. 7, marked the culmination of the El Dorado County Academic Decathlon, which showcased the talent of local high school students across multiple disciplines. Oak Ridge High School emerged as the victor, securing a spot in the upcoming state competition scheduled for March.

The regional competition featured intense matchups among El Dorado, Ponderosa, Union Mine, Oak Ridge and Mountainside Middle College high schools. Decathlon teams are made up of students from all academic levels — honors, scholastic and varsity — who, throughout the season, demonstrated their expertise across seven rigorous objective tests, as well as an essay, speech and interview.

The following organizations helped recruit volunteers: the

Rotary Club of Placerville, Kiwanis Club of Placerville, El Dorado Union High School District Board of Trustees, Assistance League Sierra Foothills, American Association of University Women, El Dorado County O ce of Education, Marshall Medical, Ag in the Classroom, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra, California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer Program and California Retired Teachers Association El Dorado Division 73. “We are fortunate to be part of a community so committed to the success and well-being of our students,” said Ed Manansala, El Dorado County superintendent of schools.

“This achievement reflects the time, energy and support of so many dedicated individuals. I am truly grateful to the EDCOE and EDUHSD team members, coaches and the many volunteers who made

this possible. These students understand the value of education, and their hard work and determination are helping them reach their goals and pursue their dreams.”

Amid the heated competition, Oak Ridge High School’s team, led by coach Je Hassian, claimed victory in the overall school standings.

“After having graduated so many seniors last year o a team that went to state and took second place, I was definitely concerned as to how we would do. The underclassmen excelled and led us to an El Dorado County championship. I am looking forward to seeing how they do this year at the state competition,” Hassian said, expressing pride in the team’s accomplishments.

This year’s competition marked Hassian’s 25th year of coaching.

The theme of this year’s Academic Decathlon, Roaring

Twenties, has been a focal point of study for decathletes since the summer. Coaches, including David Conrad for El Dorado, Joseph Beatty for Ponderosa, Stephanie Luther for Union Mine, Tanya Je erson for Mountainside Middle College High School and Hassian for Oak Ridge, navigated the challenge of preparing students alongside their regular teaching duties. On competition day, the community came together, with many volunteers, presenters and school leaders in attendance. The competition is administered annually by the El Dorado County O ce of Education and promotes academic excellence and socialemotional benefits for team members. The Kiwanis Club of Placerville provided lunch, and attendees were impressed by the dedication and knowledge displayed by the decathletes. For a full list of winners visit mtdemocrat.com.

Embrace Stars showcases neurodiverse talents

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

An inclusive celebration of talent, creativity and community will take center stage Saturday, Feb. 28, when the Embrace Stars Talent Show lights up the multipurpose room at Folsom High School.

An Evening to Remember will run 3-6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. at the campus, 1655 Iron Point Road. Featuring music, dance, drama, instrumental performances and a fashion show, the annual showcase highlights the abilities of more than 100 neurodiverse performers from across the Sacramento region. Organizers describe Embrace Stars as both a performance and a cultural celebration, designed to entertain audiences of all ages while shining a spotlight on inclusion. About 20 participants will take part in the fashion segment, o ering performers of all abilities a chance to step onto the stage, if only for a moment, and be celebrated. The show is produced by WeEMBRACE, a nonprofit founded by Somasundaram

“Som” Sundararajan and his wife, Meena Kalyanasundaram, after

Participants have been working hard on a drum circle presentation, above, and a vocal performance,

the lessons learned through the birth of their son Athish 28 years ago.

Doctors told the couple their son might not survive and, if he did, he would likely live in a vegetative state. Today, Athish is alive, loved and at the heart of a growing organization that supports hundreds of families navigating life with disabilities.

“We wanted to be mentor parents to help other people going through this, because we have been through it,” Som said. “We want to share what we went through and how we can help them out.”

Athish, who has cerebral palsy, multiple special needs, cortical visual impairment and developmental delays, functions cognitively like a 2- to 3-year-

old, Som said. His di cult birth — with low APGAR scores and days on a ventilator at Stanford Hospital — shaped his parents’ understanding and expectations of what many families later discover only after a long and painful diagnostic journey.

An APGAR score is a rapid, standardized assessment of a newborn’s health, calculated at 1 and 5 minutes after birth by evaluating five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration. “For a lot of the people who have kids with

autism, it’s a shock for them,” Som said. “Everyone goes through a denial phase. We knew from day one what was expected, but we saw how hard it is for others to accept it.

“That acceptance process is hard,” he added. “Families need to

DAY HIKER

Johnny Cash Trail

The Johnny Cash Trail in Folsom is a 2.5-mile paved pedestrian path that begins in downtown Folsom, runs along the outer boundary of Folsom State Prison and extends to the dam.

The trail goes beyond its tribute to the iconic country singer, featuring bridges, signs, plaques and guitar pick-shaped road markers. One trailhead is located at Greenback Lane and Scott Street in Folsom. Much of the trail winds past businesses and residential areas, with rolling hills dotted with oak trees.

The path is paved and heavily used by cyclists, though many families were walking when I visited during the recent holidays. A city ordinance allows electric vehicles on the trail, and dogs are welcome if kept on a leash.

Wear comfortable shoes — walking miles on pavement can be tough on feet and backs. While there are benches along the route, there are no public restrooms. In some sections, the trail merges with roads, so visitors should be mindful of traffic.

I’ve long appreciated the concept of the trail as a tribute to the Man in Black and his legendary song “Folsom Prison Blues.” One major drawback for me was the long-promised public art that never materialized — until recently.

After years of anticipation, the first art installation was unveiled in November 2024. Cash’s Pick No. 1, a 7-foot-tall bronze guitar pick created by Sacramento artist Adan Romo, stands at the lower entrance of the trail near the Rainbow Bridge in Folsom’s Historic District. The symbolic piece marks the beginning of the Johnny Cash Trail and celebrates the start of Cash’s musical journey. The trail is located in the historical town of Folsom. I took Auburn Folsom Road to Greenback Lane, turned left and continued to Scott Street. Free parking is available across the street, or visitors can pay to park at Folsom Powerhouse State Park. The trailhead begins at Scott Street; the walk starts by crossing the pedestrian bridge over the American River. Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Photography month is coming

News release

SACRAMENTO — Save the date for Photography Month Sacramento, returning in April 2026 with a month long celebration of photography across the region.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Each group of people has its own little culture. Families, neighborhoods, workplaces, classrooms — all have rules worth learning, habits worth noticing, so you can decide to follow, bend or ignore them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today’s theme: the intelligence in repetition. Routines conserve energy. Sure, there are a lot of different ways to play the day, but grooves come with momentum of their own and require much less of you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You can disagree without voicing it. And when you must voice it, you do so without provocation. That’s diplomacy: choosing negotiation over conflict, making agreements that protect everyone involved and presenting a unified front.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You help others through their feelings. You wish your loved ones were spared every bad feeling. If you could take it on instead, you totally would. And you really want the good feelings to last. You’re a true, strong ally, and they feel it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People process experiences at different speeds. Some reflect quietly, some act quickly and some need time to sort through emotions before they respond. Today, someone doesn’t respond in the way you would, but they are feeling something similar inside.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The job looks like it’ll be a real grind, but that’s OK. A grind has its benefits. The knife gets sharp, the stone is polished, and it’s how you make the coffee, the bread and, of course, the money.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll be proud of yourself for trusting in a slow accumulation process. Affection grows steadily. Savings add up. Work builds. Collections expand. Each careful decision stacks on the last. In a few months, you’ll have a tower of power.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your focus is your superpower. It’s not about doing more than anyone else but about doing the exact thing that matters. You learn fast, study deeply and work without distraction. Your attention carries more weight than words ever could.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re being pulled in two directions at once, which makes it more challenging to decide who and what should get your time. Just remember, there’s a third option: opt out and do what you want.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). An unrelentingly positive attitude can be as toxic as negativity because it negates certain inalienable realities, such as gravity, shadows and human imperfection. Aim for realism with a 20% pump of hope — a perfect recipe.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re no stranger to soft sales, attraction-based strategies, roundabout methods, paying your dues and various other routes to “manifesting.” But today’s most effective tactic for

Led by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, a nonprofit based in Midtown Sacramento, Photography Month Sacramento is a grassroots collaboration among partner organizations, each producing its own photography-related events and activities. Community supporters include Inside Publications, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Office of Phil Serna (District 1) and Visit Sacramento/ Sacramento365.com.

First launched in 2018, the annual event features a diverse lineup of exhibits, receptions, photo shoot meetups, workshops, lectures, field trips and more. Photography Month Sacramento provides a shared platform for galleries, museums, educational institutions, libraries, retailers, hotels, photographers and patrons to celebrate and elevate the art of photography. Participants are encouraged to create or highlight their own activations throughout April.

Thus far, museums, businesses and educational institutions from throughout the region that have signed on for 2026 include the California Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, Casa de Espanõl, Gold Country Photo Society, the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park,

Nevada County Camera Club, Open Call Exhibit: Spring Light, Old Sugar Mill, Sierra College and Yolo Arts’ Gallery 625.

How to get involved: Businesses, museums and organizations

Participation in Photography Month Sacramento is free for nonprofit and for-profit businesses, museums and organizations. The regional showcase offers a turnkey opportunity to highlight existing photographic programming, introduce projects in development or create new experiences designed to engage enthusiasts and connect with new audiences.

How to get involved: Photographers

Photography Month Sacramento is open to professional and amateur photographers. Participants are encouraged to launch or exhibit work, collaborate on grassroots group exhibits or partner with local coffeehouses or restaurants to host exhibits or receptions during April 2026. Once photography-related concepts are confirmed, participants are asked to post event details at photomonthsacramento.org/events, a community-curated calendar connected to and supported by Sacramento365.com. More information is available at photo-monthsacramento.org.

Warm and Fuzzy Drive supports neighbors in need

Kate Barba Hands4Hope

The 16th annual Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Winter Boutique brought warmth to local families in need through a communitywide donation effort. In October and November, 22 businesses and schools hosted drives to collect new winter essentials, individuals handcrafted blankets and hats, and volunteers sorted gently used clothing.

In December, the donations became a festive pop-up boutique that provided a free shopping experience for more than 360 people across two weekends and supported hundreds more through partner agency distributions.

“I love seeing everyone’s faces when they are able to pick out clothes and being able to make their holiday season just a little bit better,” said Emily Harrop, a senior at Vista del Lago High School who served as Winter Boutique Committee marketing co-chair.

The Hands4Hope Winter Boutique Committee, made up of 19 middle and high school students with support from adult mentors and a Hands4Hope staff adviser, began by working with local schools and businesses across the western slope to host collection bins. Generous shoppers, school

leaders, organizations, neighborhoods and church groups donated winter essentials. Individual cash donations, community partners including Julie’s Purse Project and AspireKids, and a sponsorship from the Sierra Pacific Foundation helped fill gaps in inventory.

The community’s generosity filled the boutique with nearly 6,000 donated items, with an estimated thrift store value of nearly $48,000.

“We are grateful to the communities, schools and businesses who supported our collection efforts. We couldn’t have made the impact we did without you,” said Kate Barba, Hands4Hope special events program coordinator. “I am especially thankful to Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park. The congregation and administration generously donated the space, security and comfort of their building, and we are immensely grateful for the support.”

The Hands4Hope Winter Boutique Committee contributed more than 178 hours to planning, outreach, collection coordination, setup and event leadership. An additional 54 youth and adult volunteers helped execute the effort by sorting and transporting clothing, organizing and decorating the space, and assisting guests. In total, 76 committee members and volunteers contributed 575 service hours.

“Helping people genuinely makes me so happy and brings so much fulfillment into my life,” said Alexa Schaudel, a junior at Oak Ridge High School who served as Winter Boutique Committee clothing logistics chair.

Most guests served at the Winter Boutique were referred by First 5 El Dorado, the Placerville Union School District and the El Dorado County Office of Education. Additional referrals came from Folsom’s Hope, Wayfinder Family Services, Catalyst Community, the Boys & Girls Club, El Dorado Community Health Centers and eight other organizations.

After 21 shopping sessions concluded, remaining items were distributed to Victory Outreach of Rancho Cordova, AspireKids and Green Valley Community Church, bringing the total number of individuals served through the effort to more than 750.

Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth-driven organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people through leadership and service. The organization offers hands-on education and community outreach opportunities for students in sixth through 12th grades through school-based and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. For more information visit hands4hopeyouth.org.

Honor Black History Month with ‘Coloma Pioneer Nancy Gooch’

— Local history series spotlights

Sierra Community Access Television

Sierra Community Access Television is marking Black History Month with the launch of a new local history video series spotlighting African American contributions to El Dorado County, beginning with a feature on Coloma pioneer Nancy Gooch.

SCATV2 is debuting a Black History Month playlist anchored by “Coloma Pioneer Nancy Gooch Announces Black History Month,” a production highlighting the life and legacy of Nancy Gooch, one of the first African American women to achieve property ownership and financial success in California’s Gold Country.

Gooch arrived in Coloma in 1850 after securing

American contributions in El Dorado County —

her freedom and later worked to purchase the freedom of her family, according to the program. Her story is presented as part of a broader effort to connect local history with modern audiences.

“Our mission at Sierra Community Access Television has always been to tell the tales of our community,” program director Gary Campbell said. Producer George Sabato said the series not only reflects on the past but also honors “the enduring spirit of those who helped build the foundations of Coloma and El Dorado County.”

The Black History Month playlist includes short films and educational segments featuring historic narratives, creative reenactments and archival footage. Topics include Gooch’s legacy in the Coloma Valley, African American mining communities and businesses in the Sierra foothills,

the role of Buffalo Soldiers in the region and contemporary community members working to preserve and share local history.

SCATV2 is a volunteer-run nonprofit focused on providing a platform for local voices. The new series is part of the station’s ongoing effort to digitize and share El Dorado County history through modern media.

The Black History Month programs are available for streaming on the SCATV2 YouTube channel and air locally on Comcast Channel 2 as part of the station’s regular broadcast rotation.

More information about the series, volunteer opportunities and ways to support community access television is available at sierratv2.blogspot. com or by contacting producer George Sabato at (530) 622-8013.

Teens tackle hunger

News release

On a Sunday usually devoted to touchdowns and tailgates, youth from Faith Episcopal Church chose a di erent kind of teamwork — one aimed at fighting hunger in their community.

The teens organized and sta ed a one-day food drive on Super Bowl Sunday, collecting 2,780 pounds of food for the Food Bank of El Dorado County. The annual e ort brought neighbors together in the church parking lot, where donations of nonperishable items such as cereal, canned fruit and soup were gathered for families experiencing food insecurity across the county.

Working in partnership with the food bank, local youth took the lead

in planning and running the drive. Several of the teen volunteers said the experience was especially meaningful, noting that some have participated in the annual event since childhood.

“It was inspiring to see people of all ages come together,” said one volunteer, reflecting on the turnout during a day typically reserved for football and celebrations.

The donated food will be distributed to individuals and families throughout El Dorado County as part of the food bank’s ongoing mission to alleviate hunger in the region.

Community members interested in supporting future e orts can learn more by contacting the Food Bank of El Dorado County at info@ foodbankedc.org.

Maryland artist wins Upland Game Bird Stamp contest

California Department of Fish and Wildlife News release

Apainting of bandtailed pigeons has been selected as the winning entry in the 2025-26 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The artwork was created by Diane Ford of Bethesda, Md. Ford previously won the California Duck Stamp Art Contest in 2021. This marks her first win in the California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the annual nationwide contest determines the o cial design for the California Upland Game Bird Stamp. Entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge of ornithology, conservation, art and

printing. Designs were evaluated on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

Judges praised the painting’s layout and balance, featuring one pigeon perched on a branch and another in flight. The composition highlights the birds’ banded tails and iridescent green neck feathers. Judges noted the excellent proportions and anatomical accuracy, as well as the inclusion of a toyon shrub. They said the shrub was subtle enough not to detract from the birds, yet detailed enough to evoke a California coastal chaparral and scrub environment. Shades of green contrast with the red berries and complement the pigeons’ neck feathers, creating a cohesive scene. Ford said her

inspiration came from her long-standing love of pigeons, both domestic and wild.

“I’ve been raising and rescuing homing pigeons for 20 years,” she said. “I used one of several birds in my coop as models. The band-tailed pigeons are similar in feathering.”

She added the toyon shrub after learning the species feeds on it.

Je rey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind, placed second in the competition. Ryan Kniss of Johnstown, Pe, received third place. Larry Simons of Lebanon, Ore, earned honorable mention.

An upland game bird validation is required to hunt migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The validation replaces the physical stamp through the department’s Automated License Data System, though the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request.

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Revenue generated from upland game bird validation sales is dedicated exclusively to upland game bird conservation projects, hunting opportunities, public outreach and education. The department sells about 140,000 upland game bird validations annually and distributes approximately 24,000 stamps.

know they are not alone.”

What began about eight years ago as informal parent support has grown into a full-service nonprofit o ering a 360-degree model of care. WeEMBRACE now provides weekend social and recreational programs including arts and crafts, yoga, Zumba, adaptive basketball, soccer and gym activities at sites in Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove. The organization also leases its own space to provide consistent programming.

Parent education is a cornerstone of the group’s mission. WeEMBRACE helps families navigate complex systems such as regional center services, o ers guidance through seminars and webinars and shares resources online. Just as important, Som said, is

Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/ licensing/collectorstamps. An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps.

breaking the isolation many families feel after a diagnosis.

“They close the door emotionally and socially,” he said. “We want them to reach acceptance and community.”

That sense of community and inclusivity is on full display at Embrace Stars, the nonprofit’s flagship annual event. Performers are encouraged to share whatever brings them joy.

“Anything is a talent for us,” Som said. Past performances have included biking across the stage, conversations about favorite hobbies and traditional music and dance. “It’s their stage, their evening.”

The fashion show portion is designed for participants who may only be comfortable on stage briefly. Models choose their own outfits, walk a red carpet and

enjoy their favorite music as they are introduced to the crowd.

Beyond Embrace Stars, WeEMBRACE hosts a sports day each spring and a disability resource fair in May that connects families with service providers and highlights microenterprises run by individuals with disabilities.

Now, many families who once received mentorship have become mentors themselves.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Som said. “The next set of parents helps the next family coming in.” This year’s performers include 12-year-old Shannon, who will play drums and sing “Shout,” and 14-year-old Sahana, who will perform “Believer” after four years of singing. Helen, a longtime participant, will appear in the drum circle, Zumba, dance and fashion portions of the show. Amara, 20, will sing an Indian song in Hindi along with Imagine Dragons’ “Believer” as part of a vocal group that has practiced together each weekend.

For Som and Meena, the goal remains clear: create a place where neurodiverse individuals and their families belong and where their talents are not only accepted but celebrated.

“There’s a lot of talk about inclusion,” Som said. “What we do is make it real.”

Tickets for the Feb. 28 show are available at weembracefamilies. org. Proceeds support WeEMBRACE programs and events throughout the year.

Free tax filing help for El Dorado County residents

News release

ACRAMENTO — El Dorado

SCounty residents and others across the Sacramento region can file their taxes for free through United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program, available through April 15. Households that earned less than $68,000 in 2025 are eligible. Trained volunteer tax preparers help participants maximize state and federal credits, including the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits. Participants save an average of $200

in tax preparation fees, according to United Way.

The program offers free tax assistance both virtually and in person in multiple languages at locations throughout Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. United Way recommends filing as early as possible to receive refunds and credits sooner.

For more information or to sign up, visit yourfreetaxprep.org or call 2-1-1.

“At United Way, we believe every family deserves the dignity and peace of mind that comes from financial

stability,” said Dawnté Early, president and CEO of United Way California Capital Region. “Our Free Tax Prep program is more than a service — it’s an opportunity for our community to keep more of what they’ve earned and build a stronger foundation for the future.”

Since 2020, the Free Tax Prep program has helped more than 28,000 people file their taxes at no cost, resulting in nearly $40 million in total federal refunds across the region. United Way is also seeking volunteers for the program. Each

year, hundreds of volunteers assist residents with online and in-person tax preparation at dozens of sites. More information is available at yourfreetaxprep.org.

United Way California Capital Region has served the area for more than 100 years, working to advance youth opportunities, strengthen communities and improve financial stability and health for families. The organization serves Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. To donate, visit yourlocalunitedway.org.

Calling all STEM students: Apply for PG&E scholarships

SACRAMENTO — The PG&E Corporation Foundation is accepting applications for its annual Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, which will award $350,000 to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

Up to 60 students will receive scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Funding for the awards comes from PG&E shareholders, not customers, according to the foundation.

Samiksha Lingan of Hayward, a 2025 recipient, said the scholarship helps remove financial barriers for students pursuing higher education. Lingan is a data science major at the

GROW FOR IT!

Planning for this year’s veggie garden

Hello! It’s your garden calling. Now is the time to dust off those seed catalogs and decide what will go into the vegetable garden this spring. According to the Master Gardener’s Foothill Vegetable Planting Guide, available at the Master Gardener’s office at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville or online at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Foothill_ Planting_Guide, midFebruary is the ideal time to start tomatoes from seed indoors for transplanting in late April. The laminated guide provides optimal transplant dates based on elevation and last frost date. Those dates are coming up quickly, so it’s time to get moving.

So, what’s the plan? Each vegetable garden should have a plan

Tractor Supply Company will host a Farmers Market and Dog Adoption event in the parking lot on Broadway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include dog adoptions by A Dog Named Blackjack, live music with Bob Morgan, pet treat tasting, a prize drawing, local craft vendors including Sasquatch Designs, L’BRI Pure N’ Natural and The Rooster Reaper with food from Bairds Bakery and Joes Meat’s and more.

The Master Gardener Volunteers present a Growing Spring and Summer Vegetables workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Placerville branch of the El Dorado County Library. Master Gardener Zack Dowell will discuss garden plant selection, planting times, site selection, soil preparation, proper seed planting techniques and

University of California, Berkeley.

“The PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship represents a dedication to uplifting young people,” Lingan said.

“It helps ensure we can realize our dreams and give back to those around us without being deterred by financial obstacles.”

Joe Wilson, vice president of PG&E’s North Valley and Sierra Region, said the company has supported students through the program for more than a decade and looks forward to helping future scientists and engineers contribute to California’s clean energy future.

The program has expanded in recent years. In 2023, the foundation added a $5,000 scholarship to increase the number of recipients.

Hale UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County

drawn on paper showing where each crop will be planted. The plan should be saved from year to year to avoid planting the same crops in the same place as the previous season. Rotating vegetable crops, or changing planting sequences, can be effective in reducing soil-borne insects and pathogens by isolating pests from their previous food sources. Gardeners should also avoid planting members of the same plant family in the same location. For example, melons should not be planted where

pest management. To register visit tinyurl.com/3r8srz47.

El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents The Business of Mining, More than Just Digging, 2 p.m. at The Post Discovery Center, 515 Main St. in Placerville. Jill Kearney reveals how mining shaped commerce and industry in the county. For more information visit edchs.org.

The Oak Ridge High School Foundation will host its annual Blue & Gold Gala, Mardi Gras, a night filled with excitement, entertainment and opportunities to support Oak Ridge High School students from 5-10 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St., Folsom. Parking is free. For tickets and more information visit orhsf.ejoinme. org/blueandgoldgala.

cucumbers or squash grew the year before, as all are members of the cucurbit family, which also includes gourds.

Gardeners may also want to consider companion planting, the practice of growing different plants together to improve productivity. Many companion planting guides reference the Native American “Three Sisters,” the three primary agricultural crops of many Indigenous peoples of North America. This method involves growing corn, beans and squash together. As corn grows, bean plants climb the stalks for support. Beans, like all legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, helping meet corn’s heavy nutrient needs. Squash grows quickly, with large leaves that shade the soil and suppress weeds. Successful companion plants support one another. Flowering companion plants such as marigolds

The American Legion Post 119 in Placerville presents its Crab Feed fundraiser at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information call (530) 626-3956.

Oakstone Winery in Somerset will host its Winter Club Release Tasing event from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit oakstonewinery.com.

Join the Shingle Springs Community Center for its Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament at 5 p.m. To reserve space visit shinglespringscommunitycenter. org.

Hangtown Thrash Presents: Unprovoked + Acid Thrower + 24 Gore + Black Mantis will take place, 6-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit

In 2022, eligibility was extended to students attending historically Black colleges and universities nationwide.

Since 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded $7.8 million to students.

The application deadline is March 12. Scholarships will be awarded by August.

Awards are based on academic achievement, leadership in school and community activities, personal challenges and financial need.

Applicants must pursue qualifying STEM degrees, including engineering, computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, environmental science, math or physics.

Eligible applicants include high school seniors or graduates, GED

recipients, current undergraduate students, nontraditional students and military veterans pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students must reside in PG&E’s Northern or Central California service area, or be a dependent of someone who does, and plan to enroll full time for the 202627 academic year at an accredited four-year California institution or HBCU.

In addition to the foundation’s program, PG&E’s 11 employee resource groups and two engineering networking groups will award more than $300,000 in scholarships funded through employee donations and fundraising. Since 1989, those groups have awarded more than $6 million in scholarships.

and nasturtiums can help attract beneficial insects to the vegetable garden, including those that prey on pests such as aphids. Nasturtium petals are also edible, adding both color to the garden and a peppery flavor to fresh, homegrown salads. Now that you know how to answer the vegetable garden’s call, consult the planting

clubgreenroom.com.

Andis Wines in Plymouth will host a Mardi Gras Bash from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with house made jambalaya and live jazz music. For more information visit andiswines.com.

Now

Imagination Theatre at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “The Quest for Don Quixote” through March 8. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

Women professionals are invited to participate as presenters at a Career Inspiration Event celebrating International Women’s Day from 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, at Lake Forest Elementary in El Dorado Hills. The event will connect presenters with fourth- and fifth-grade

guide for optimal timing, draw up a simple plan to decide what goes where, consider companion planting, and stop by the Sherwood Demonstration Garden for ideas and inspiration. For more information about UC Master Gardener classes, events and garden resources visit mgeldorado.ucanr.

students through brief career discussions. To participate, email Lake Forest Librarian Debbie Shedd at dshedd@my.rescueusd. org.

Early bird tickets are available for the El Dorado High School Foundation’s annual Blue & White Gala taking place March 7 at Cold Springs Country Club. The event will include live music with ShirlJam, dinner, drinks and silent and live auctions. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/ bhfhw47t.

Join American River Conservancy for Wednesday Workdays at Wakamatsu Farm every Wednesday from 8-11 a.m. through March 4. For more information visit arconservancy. org

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents “The Book of

edu. For garden hours and activity information for the Sherwood Demonstration Garden visit ucanr. edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Have a gardening question? Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website or leave a message at (530) 621-5512.

Mormon” through Feb. 22. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net. Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “The Sound Inside” through March 1. For tickets and more information call (916) 9955464 or visit capstage.org.

Artist Open Call. Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek is accepting submissions for its Annual National Exhibition, Golden State, an “in-gallery, juried” exhibition. The juror is awardwinning artist Cheryl Gleason. Artists from across the United States should submit works that engage California’s golden landscapes, its flora and fauna and its storied gold rush. The submission deadline is March 15. Visit the prospectus at gallery10. org/call-for-artists.