Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

SHOVELING OUT Winter storm clean up continues

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

The Sierra was hit by one of the biggest and deadliest storms in decades last week.

U.C. Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory near Donner Summit reported a snowfall of 111 inches Feb. 16-20 — the most snow to accumulate in a five-day period since April 1982.

PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno said PG&E restored power to 128,000 customers but currently 3,292 Sierra Division customers, including 1,866 in El Dorado County, are still without power. Crews from Intren West based out of Stockton, and ProEnergy, headquartered in Sedalia, Mo., have joined 1,000 PG&E workers in the field to restore power.

“Not all of our power lines follow roads and many span forests and uneven terrain, making access di cult and slow going when there’s deep snow and fallen trees we need to cut apart when access roads are blocked,” Moreno shared.

Snow and tree removal contractors are also working around the clock to help snowbound residents. Cody Danley, owner of Danley Tree Service in Placerville, said so far he has helped around 100 people in Camino, Georgetown and Pollock Pines. Danley uses a skid steer to move downed trees and plow driveways so trapped residents can get out.

Danley said he has both a personal cell phone and one for

PG&E crews, sub-contractors and Cal Fire work to restore power on Sly

around 8 p.m. on Feb. 19.

business; both kept ringing and prompted him to refer callers to his friend and colleague, Micah Smith, owner of Tailored Tree in El Dorado Hills.

“Normally, we clear driveways

Noel Stack Editor

for people who are snowed in. This time he had to clear roadways for PG&E crews to get in because so many trees

See STORM, page A8

With another round of labor negotiations in the books (and the next one just around the corner), the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors conceptually approved one last salary adjustment — a 7% bump in their own pay.

“This notion that we only show up on Tuesdays and have board meetings, that is so far from reality,” District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin shared at the Feb. 10 board meeting before making the motion to amend El Dorado County Code of Ordinances Section 2.06.020, Board of Supervisors Salary Provisions.

“I’m out there on weekends with my constituents. I’m there on evenings. I have a lot of meetings here,” she continued. “Someone did some math for me, and they go, ‘Lori, technically you make like $3 an hour, you know, all the hours you work.’ I just want

Man accused of murder enters not guilty plea

Chris Woodard

Sta

writer

Geo rey Snyder pleaded not guilty Feb. 19 to a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Shelley Snyder, during his arraignment in El Dorado County Superior Court.

The court ordered that Snyder remain in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 1.

Geo rey, 57, was arrested Feb. 17 after El Dorado County Sheri ’s O ce deputies responded to a residence on Big Oak Road south of Placerville following a report of a man brandishing a firearm. Deputies detained Snyder at the residence and located Shelley, 56, inside the home. She was deceased from a suspected gunshot wound, according to EDSO.

Shelley Snyder was a third-grade teacher at Buckeye Elementary School in Shingle Springs.

Incarcerated person walks away from camp

News release

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation o cials are searching for an incarcerated person who walked away Monday from Growlersburg Conservation Camp in El Dorado County.

At approximately 8 p.m, sta discovered camp participant Juan David Veramancini was missing from the camp during a head count.

Sta immediately initiated an emergency count, confirming Veramancini was not at the camp. Within minutes, agents from CDCR’s O ce of Correctional Safety were directed to locate and apprehend Veramancini and notification was made to local law enforcement.

Veramancini, 49, was last seen wearing an orange beanie, orange jacket and could be in orange pants or gray sweatpants with white tennis shoes or black boots. He is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 152 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, however, is currently bald.

Veramancini was received from Orange County on July 1, 2024. He was sentenced to 10 years for firstdegree burglary.

people to know that … we all work really hard … all of our employees and sta do.”

Supervisors Brooke Laine, George Turnboo and Greg Ferrero supported Parlin’s motion. District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp voted no.

Since February 2022, the supervisors’ salary has been $6,908.66 a month. If the ordinance revision is ultimately approved, the new base monthly salary will be $7,115.91. Per California Government Code any ordinance which changes supervisorial salaries shall become e ective 60 days after its adoption, a sta report notes. The salary increases would be e ective in the first full pay period that is at least 60 days after the second reading of the amended ordinance.

Calling the process of giving yourself a raise a “super

■ See SALARIES, page A9

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Raymond Frances Moitoza

Sept. 9, 1928 – Jan. 21, 2026

Raymond Frances Moitoza (“Ray”), beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went peacefully to Our Lord on January 21, 2026, surrounded by his children, Ann and Jim, in his home as he wished.

He is survived by his sister LaVerne; his children, Ann and Jim; five grandchildren— Jennifer (Johnson), Amy (Funari), Ana, Andria, and Franklin Moitoza — and three great-grandchildren, Emory and Ethan Johnson, and June Funari. Ray now joins in eternal life his beloved wife of 62 years, Therese, and their sons Steven and David. His own words beautifully sum up his life: “I’m a blessed man.”

Born in Richmond, California, to Evelyn (Cunya) and Francisco Moitoza, Ray was the eldest of six children: Elaine, Darlene, LaVerne, Donald, and Frank Jr. He attended San Pablo Elementary, Grant School, and Richmond High School, where he served as Captain of the Football Team in his senior year. It was there that he met the love of his life, Therese Kaldunski, impressing her with his humor, kindness — and his homemade cream pu s. The two were married in October 1949 and made their home in El Cerrito, Richmond, and eventually settling in Tara Hills [San Pablo] in 1957, where they raised their family of six. After high school, Ray began his career at Rheem Manufacturing, where his father worked, and later joined Standard Oil (now Chevron) in 1947. There, he progressed from laborer to journeyman machinist, eventually teaching apprentices.

Ray’s natural gift for mentoring led him to pursue a career in education. He began his teaching career at Hayward High School while earning his Bachelor of Vocational Education from UC Berkeley [1966] and later his Masters in Education from San Francisco State. In 1971, he joined the College of Marin, where he designed and equipped a new machine shop and taught for over 20 years.

He took pride in achieving a 95% student placement rate, remained in touch with many of his students throughout his life, and loved seeing them succeed in their own careers.

During summer breaks, Ray worked in elite machine shops, contributing to exciting and secretive projects — from camera mounts used during the Cuban Missile Crisis to Star Wars film equipment for George Lucas and top secret projects for Lawrence Livermore Labs.

At the heart of everything Ray did was faith and family. A man of deep Catholic faith, he was a founding parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills and served as godfather to many children.

Ray’s hands were rarely still — always eager to help family and friends with home projects, fix a broken clock, or craft something beautiful and useful. He had a gift for clock repair, a hobby inspired by a student-turned-friend, and delighted in the challenge of restoring rare timepieces.

He also found great joy in family gatherings and outdoor adventures — from vacations at Clear Lake and Donner Lake with the Kaldunski family to Sea Ranch retreats with the Moitoza clan. He cherished family boat rides, laughter-filled dinners, and the peace of the ocean while diving for abalone.

Ray’s warmth, humor, and quiet wisdom inspired everyone who knew him. His guidance was sought often, his steady presence a source of comfort and grace. He lived and taught by example — working hard, loving deeply, and keeping faith always at the center of his life.

Ray’s life was one of purpose, gratitude, and love — a legacy that continues to inspire those blessed to have known him.

A Rosary will be recited at 11:30 AM. followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 noon on March 13, 2026, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3111 Tierra del Dios Drive) in El Dorado Hills, California. A luncheon will follow.

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.

Catherine Curtis

Nov. 23, 1946 – Dec. 8, 2025

Catherine Jean Curtis, 79, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 8th. The daughter of Robert and Claire Coit, she was born on November 23, 1946, a nature lover who often boasted about her fifth-generation Californian status.

Cathy met her husband of fifty-eight years, James Richard Curtis, when he moved in across the street from her on Carisbrook Drive in Oakland, California. They sat in her parents’ driveway, talking for hours, getting to know one another. Jim and Cathy completed each other.

She attended Cal State Hayward, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, spending her junior year as a visiting student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to be with her then future husband, Jim, during his senior year. Cathy later completed her teaching credential at San Jose State.

Cathy married Jim in September 1967 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, then took time to travel with her husband to Alaska and Mexico City before starting their family. They hiked and backpacked over mountains, often Pinecrest, where Cathy’s love of nature grew. They often celebrated their wedding anniversary outdoors — camping amongst her “deer babies”, and the wildlife that she loved.

Cathy imparted her love of nature and art to her two daughters, Laurie Ann and Amy Lynne.

Summer weekends were often spent as a family at the beach, watching her husband teach their daughters to swim and surf. Annual family trips included a week of camping and a week in the snow, skiing. Favorite spots were Potwisha, in Sequoia, and Badger Pass in Yosemite. Later, she traveled abroad with her husband and their teen daughters, visiting England, Scotland, and Wales.

Cathy, the second eldest of seven children, was the self-designated family historian, tracing her roots back to one of California’s first settlers. She cataloged her heritage for her family and handcrafted family trees for her siblings and children.

She was a gifted teacher who specialized in early child development. First, as a preschool teacher, followed by her work with children with learning disabilities. Cathy carried a pack of crayons with her wherever she went, at the ready, to share with any child who was lucky enough to cross her path. She lived her life with an open heart.

Cathy was well-loved in her community. She was an avid walker who knew the names and the individual stories of her neighbors. As a volunteer at the Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library, she assembled gift baskets to raise funds for the organization.

After their daughters grew into adults, Cathy and Jim continued to travel together, returning to Mexico City and exploring Cuernavaca and Taxco. Cathy often shared stories of their adventure to Costa Rica, where she insisted on ziplining.

Catherine is survived by her husband, James, their two daughters, Laurie Ann Curtis and Amy Lynne Curtis, and their six grandchildren: Alex, Jordan, Finn, Morgan, Anna, and Megan, as well as her six siblings: Joan, Nancy, Carol, Alice, William, and James.

Lasca Ann Gaylord

Nov. 18,1980 – Feb. 2, 2026

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.

Dolores Mary (Olivier)

Trahan

June 26, 1930 – Feb. 6, 2026

Dolores (“Dee”) Trahan, aged 95, was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 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.

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.

AVALANCHE UPDATE

Final decedent found, all victims removed from the backcountry

Tahoe Daily Tribune

After avalanche mitigation efforts and a break in the storm, first responders were able to locate the final missing decedent.

On Friday, Feb. 20, California Highway Patrol Air Operations; Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue; Placer County Sheriff’s Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue; Care Flight, a service of REMSA Health; Sierra Avalanche Center; and Pacific Gas & Electric conducted avalanche mitigation efforts, making the search safer for searchers. PG&E conducted water drops for the avalanche mitigation.

In combination with that, and the break in the storm on Saturday, Feb. 21, searchers were able to locate the body of the final missing skier. The victim was found close to where the other victims were found.

Over Friday evening and Saturday morning, all the decedents were airlifted to snowcats that were staged at the Frog Lake Huts, where they were driven out of the backcountry.

The start of the avalanche and its devastating path is still being investigated.

The names of all the victims have been released:

Sentence: Former bishop must register as a sex offender

Chris Woodard Staff writer

Judge Mark Ralphs ordered Alan Andrus, a former bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to register as a sex offender and to serve 32 days in county jail during his sentencing on Feb. 20 in El Dorado County Superior Court.

In November, a jury acquitted Andrus of three felony charges: sexual penetration with a foreign object when the victim is intoxicated, attempted sexual penetration under the same circumstances and sexual battery. Jurors instead convicted him of a lesser included offense of misdemeanor simple battery tied to the third count.

The court found that Andrus committed misdemeanor simple battery for purposes of sexual gratification, triggering the registration requirement under Penal Code Section 290, California’s sex

offender registration law. It requires individuals convicted of certain sexrelated offenses, and in some cases crimes the court determines were committed for sexual gratification, to register with local law enforcement. Prosecutors alleged that on June 4, 2019, Andrus supplied Ambien to a woman identified by the court as Jane Doe and touched her while she drifted in and out of consciousness inside her El Dorado Hills home.

The prosecution also presented testimony from a second woman who alleged Andrus assaulted her in the early 1990s while they both attended Brigham Young University in Utah.

The defense previously argued the evidence did not support the felony allegations and cited inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including the absence of male DNA and deleted phone records.

Do you have an interesting story to share?

Paula Jean Zdenek

Aug. 27, 1952 – Feb. 7, 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 Snaffle Bit Futurity. Working also as a part-time 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

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A separate civil complaint filed by the victim remains pending in El Dorado County Superior Court.

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 offered a kind ear to those who needed someone to listen.

She is survived by sisters Donna Hutchinson, Hemet, 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,

OPINION

California Matters

State school systems face red ink despite an education spending boost

Educating California’s nearly 6 million public school students is the state budget’s second largest expenditure, and one that has increased sharply during Gavin Newsom’s governorship.

The 2026-27 budget that Newsom proposed last month would spend $88.7 billion on students, ranging from transitional kindergartners to high school seniors. When local property taxes and federal aid are included, the total would be nearly $150 billion, an average of $27,418 per pupil.

That’s a 61% increase from the $17,014 they were getting when Newsom became governor, but adjusting for 29% inflation during that period would cut the real gain in half.

Comparing California’s school support to that of other states is di cult because there’s always a lag in data collection. However, the Public Policy Institute of California, using data that are a few years old, reports that the state is no longer in the lower ranks in per pupil spending but is somewhere in the middle, perhaps a few thousand dollars above average.

With the state budget already plagued by chronic de cits in the $20 billion range, just giving schools their constitutional level of nancing will fall $5.6 billion short under Newsom’s budget.

Education o cials constantly press for more state spending, which is governed by complicated formulas in a 1988 ballot measure, Proposition 98. Newsom’s budget calculates that the minimum Prop. 98 guarantee in state and local funds would be $125.5 billion, but he wants to delay $5.6 billion in payments to reduce the budget’s deficit — essentially a loan from the schools to the state, one of many maneuvers he and the Legislature have used to close the gap between revenue and spending.

“This delay shifts costs to the future when the state must ‘settle up’ and meet this obligation,” the Legislature’s fiscal analyst, Gabe Petek, says in his overview of the schools budget, adding, “For the state budget, the settle-up proposal is similar to other forms of borrowing and spending delays — it provides temporary savings in the current year but increases costs in the future.”

Calculating what the state is legally obligated to spend on schools, deciding what it will spend,

■ See WALTERS, page A5

Ishould’ve known better.

All last year, news reports warned that artificial intelligence is opening up a golden age of scamming. But the full extent of AI’s devastating e ectiveness didn’t register on me until just last month.

How extensive is this type of fraud?

According to cybersecurity company Vectra AI, “AI scams surged 1,210% in 2025, far outpacing the 195% growth in traditional fraud.”

Moreover, AI-generated “phishing” emails (those from phony entities o ering fraudulent products or services) are now way more potent than the old-school type.

According to a study by Brightside AI, in 2024 AI-generated phishing emails achieved a click-through rate four-and-a-half times higher than that for ordinary phishing.

Letters to the Editor

Who protects seniors?

EDITOR:

Ilive in a senior mobile home park in

Placerville that was once stable and a ordable.

In recent years, like many parks across California, it was purchased by a corporate owner. Since then, seniors have faced rising rents, new financial demands and sudden rule changes that many cannot a ord.

What concerns me most is not just the changes themselves, but the lack of accountability. When residents ask for documents the law requires, we are told they were “lost.” When we ask for help from agencies or legal aid, we are told not to “sour the relationship” with management. Meanwhile, seniors living on Social Security and SSI are left to navigate confusing rules, missing paperwork and decisions that a ect their housing stability.

Mobile home parks are one of the last sources of a ordable housing for older adults. Seniors should not have to fight alone to understand their rights or to ensure that park owners follow basic

legal requirements. We deserve transparency, consistency and a system that protects the people who are most vulnerable — not the corporations profiting from them.

JO ANNE KELLEGHAN

The age of rage

EDITOR:

Rage among the people has existed since the Greek Democracy in Athens in 2500 B.C. It has ebbed and flowed from Athens to China and the Mao revolution. Tens of millions of people have died at the hands of mobocracies in socialist countries.

Professor Jonathon Turley of George Washington University has just written “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution,” one of the most compelling books written in modern times on why democracy

How do I know all

this? Because I went researching it after I — someone ordinarily leery and skeptical to a fault — came this close to being scammed myself.

I’ve probably clicked away hundreds if not thousands of phony emails over the years with nary a second look, but one that arrived in my inbox early last month caught my attention. It did so by praising — with great specificity — my book, “Friends With Four Legs.”

“In the spirit of James Herriot,” wrote the scammer, “your reflections capture not just the humor of living with animals, but the quiet wisdom they o er us every day. What stands out most is how naturally your stories balance warmth and insight. There’s something especially inviting about the way these stories encourage readers to slow down and reflect.”

Wow! I thought. This person really

The moral of my story? Don’t think it can’t happen to you. AI-powered scams are hyper-realistic and devoid of the red ags — like misspellings and awkward phrasings — that have tipped us o in the past.

knows my book! Might he actually have some good marketing ideas for me? He sounds smart and well educated, and he looks like a nice young man (the letter included a photo). I’ve never really done much marketing … maybe I should check it out? Just see how much it would cost?

Then the too-good-to-be-true nodule in my brain kicked in.

Wait a minute! That verbiage sounds suspiciously like a lightly paraphrased version of the book’s content summary plus reader comments available on Amazon.com.

I checked, and that’s exactly what it was … basically my own and others’ words mashed up and fed back to me in a most eloquent and professional way … by AI.

When I talked to my daughter

about it, she laughed out loud when I admitted I’d been moved by the photo of an earnest young man.

“Oh, Mom!” she exclaimed.

“He doesn’t even exist. That’s AI generated, too.”

Of course it was. I felt like an idiot.

More was to come. From early January to the time of this writing, I received 16 additional emails of the same type. Some were follow-ups, others purported to be from di erent people and companies, but all were likely from the same international crime ring.

Had I followed up with any of these solicitations, they’d likely have asked for a fee up front to get started on their marvelous marketing

massaging the numbers and framing the political optics is a time-dishonored feature of the annual budget process because it’s such a big piece of the puzzle.

Meanwhile, however, school districts throughout the state are having remarkable di culty in balancing their own budgets this year. They face declining enrollments due to demographic factors such as falling birth rates, lower immigration, population losses to other states, local resistance to school closures and pressure from unions for salary increases for teachers and support sta , to cope with their own inflationary pressures.

The fiscal angst is most obvious in urban school districts, where enrollment declines are most severe and where unions are the strongest, often spending heavily to elect friendly school board members.

Forsberg Meyer Continued from A4

plans, which included TikTok videos, curated global promotions, participation in community reading challenges, even a “free” virtual author spotlight and Q&A session.

Had I sent money, I would’ve received nothing in return … except ongoing requests for additional fees to cover “unexpected” costs before the glorious promo plan could commence.

And how ironic is this: When I first searched to learn more about what I thought might be AI-generated emails, Google’s AI function replied: “Yes, this is currently a massive, industrywide and highly sophisticated scam targeting both independent and traditionally published authors.”

So! AI enabled this level of scamming and squealed on it.

The revelation continued:

“These scams use AI to generate highly personalized, overly flattering praise for an author’s specific work, designed to lower their defenses before soliciting

Letters Continued from A4

always leads to mobocracies and the destruction of economies.

He explains how Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense” ignited the American Revolution and how James Madison carefully created the architecture of the republic to avoid the failures of pure democracy that have plagued mankind. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1789 feared the destruction of society by the mob because of history and what they saw in the American people at the time of the Revolution. Indeed, mobs tried to destroy revolutionary leaders in the movement to create a government that was unlike anything in human history. The founders were prescient because revolution in France in 1792, led by social revolutionaries Rousseaux and Robespierre, who were eventually guillotined, led to 50,000 people

Carrie Atkin

Liz Clabaugh

Danielle Keatley

Kate Morse

Caroline Sekar

Kate Vitt

San Francisco’s school system just underwent a teacher strike that was settled with an agreement that will raise costs by an estimated $180 millionplus, leaving great uncertainty over how it will find the money.

Sacramento’s schools have been teetering on the edge of insolvency for years due to outlays that are markedly greater than income. It could be compelled to accept a fiscal overseer if it needs a state bailout.

Los Angeles Unified, the nation’s second largest school system, is facing a $191 million deficit, the latest in a string of budget gaps.

Educators and their unions say their problems could be solved if only they had more state aid. But raising per pupil spending by $1,000 would cost nearly $6 billion a year, and increasing it to

money for bogus marketing services.”

And the sad truth is, the more your ego yearns for such praise to be earnest, the easier it becomes to believe that it is. Trust me, I know.

In the end I saved myself from getting scammed, but it was close. If I’d even just replied to that first email to request more information, as I was considering, I’d have opened myself up to ever more insistent and ongoing pressure.

The moral of my story? Don’t think it can’t happen to you. AI-powered scams are hyperrealistic and devoid of the red flags — like misspellings and awkward phrasings — that have tipped us o in the past.

And they take all forms, including deepfake videos with criminals impersonating bank o cials or government authorities, or posing as cryptocurrency experts or even romantic partners. With “voice cloning,” AI can make you believe a distressed loved one needs

being guillotined over the next eight years. We think this can’t happen in our country but, as Turley explains, it is happening today.

George Floyd was arrested in Minneapolis in May 2020 and died due to a combination of excessive police force and Floyd had ingested enough fentanyl to kill a horse. It’s tragic that he died but he probably shouldn’t have been elevated to sainthood by the public across America and even in Europe.

Between 1997 and 2005, Floyd served eight jail terms on various charges, including drug possession, theft and trespass. He was no angel but the mob destroyed part of southeast Minneapolis in his name while CNN reporters stood in front of burning buildings claiming peaceful protest. My cousin lives about six blocks from the disaster.

We have mobs assaulting ICE o cers while enforcing our

Michael Henry – Blackbird Guide

Andrew Alissandratos – Blackbird Guide

Niki Choo – Blackbird Guide

“Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women,” a statement sent to the media reads. “They were all mothers, wives and friends who connected through a shared love of the outdoors. They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished their time together in the mountains. They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho and the Truckee–Tahoe region.”

Family members said they are still

money for bail, medical care or other emergencies.

To protect yourself, always verify identities. Hang up and call the loved one back, or have a code word or phrase in your family to use for ID verification. Before responding to an “o cial” request for money or information, call the institution yourself to see if the request is legit. And those too-good-to-betrue o ers arriving by email or text? Hit delete.

In general, be wary of urgency. Scammers use it to induce alarm or even panic, which can prod you into bad decisions. Slow down, verify, get advice. Think before you act.

And now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go learn how to block unwanted emails.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of “Friends With Four Legs.” Leave a comment for her online or, for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@ gmail.com.

immigration laws. You may believe that illegal immigrants should not be deported if they haven’t committed crimes but being in the United States illegally is a crime. When we decide which laws we will obey or not we become like the mob that destroyed France in 1792 and it will destroy America if we allow it to.

The Constitutional Convention was about liberty, which is fundamental to a free people and free speech is essential. Free speech is under assault in America and Europe. The Biden administration paid social media companies to suppress free speech which is one of the reasons Elon Musk bought Twitter. The EU is trying to fine Musk for allowing free speech on X.

Turley’s book is a must read for anyone who believes in America. It is an ideal primer about government — its flaws and successes. America’s

grappling with many unanswered questions. However, they shared the following details about the trip:

Eight close friends had planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake Huts outside Truckee. The trip was organized well in advance. According to the statement, the women were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip. They were fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment.

“We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted,” the statement continues. “We are asking for privacy and space as our families grieve this sudden and profound loss.”

$30,000-plus to match the top tier of states, such as New York, would cost at least $30 billion. With the state budget already plagued by chronic deficits in the $20 billion range, just giving schools their constitutional level of financing will fall $5.6 billion short under Newsom’s budget.

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

not perfect, but its system is better than any other governmental system in human history.

DARWIN THRONE El Dorado Hills

Dr. Davey and the team at Cameron Park Dental Care are thrilled to welcome you. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in your choice of dentist. Our friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated staff provides the highest quality of care, utilizing the latest technology in a warm

Two county wrestlers headed to State Champs

Mountain Democrat sta The 2026 Sac-Joaquin Masters Tournament brought Northern California wrestlers to the mat Feb. 20 & 21 in Stockton. Nine El Dorado County grapplers placed in their respective competitions with Oak Ridge High School’s Jordan Deleon (120, 1st place) and Ponderosa High School’s Aidan “Kai” Ford (215, 2nd place) advancing to the State Championship later this week in Bakersfield, Feb. 26-28.

Other top finishers

6th — Cole O’Brien (150), PHS 7th — Dennis Warden (175), EDHS 7th — Jackson Quintell (190), ORHS 7th — Blake Meggers (215), ORHS 7th — Dan Monier (165), PHS 8th — Isaac Gautschi (157), EDHS 8th — James Friedman (285), PHS

Democrat le

Ponderosa Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates Bruin athletic glory

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

After a five-year hiatus, the Ponderosa Athletic Hall of Fame is making a comeback.

On Saturday at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court in Shingle Springs, Ponderosa High School will conduct its sixth induction class. The event is scheduled to run 5-10 p.m.

“We are trying to get it back up and running after (the) hiatus,” said Ali Bailey, a Hall of Fame committee member.

The event was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic.

This year’s seven inductees are David Cort, Class of 1975; Randal Rains, Class of 1983; Zoa Armstrong,

Class of 1994; David Evans, Class of 1994; Adam Evans, Class of 1997; Dillon Brook, Class of 2006; and Koyla Vos, Class of 2019. For more information visit tickettailor.com/events/the ponderosahighschoolathletic shallo ame/1936340.

“We are excited to once again celebrate the outstanding alumni, coaches and community members who have made a lasting impact on Bruin athletics and our school community,” noted in the main page promoting the event.

Ticket prices are $65 per person. The dinner options are tri-tip or vegetarian lasagna. For more information email Bailey at ponderosa.hof@gmail.com.

United Way to host gubernatorial forum

Kristin

Thébaud United Way

SACRAMENTO — Nine United Way chapters across the state of California are bringing qualified candidates for governor to Sacramento on March 23 for the United Way Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum: Voices of Californians. The event will take place from 5:30-7 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m., at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento to provide voters with a substantive, issue-focused opportunity to hear directly from gubernatorial candidates about their priorities and vision for California.

Tickets are $40 for the general public and can be purchased at uwccr.org/cagovernor. Discounted tickets are available for college students at $10 and nonprofit employees at $15 and can be purchased by emailing events@uwccr.org.

“Across our United Way network, we see the hopes and challenges of more than 10 million Californians every single year,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Our families, our volunteers, our donors and our corporate partners all show up because they care about building stronger, more just communities. That’s why it matters that we create spaces like this, places where every voice is valued and where candidates can speak directly to the people they hope to serve. This forum is about connection, clarity and ensuring that every Californian has the opportunity to understand the vision and values that will shape our future.”

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fell across power line,” Smith said, adding he helped carry a veteran out of his home so he could get to the hospital after he and his wife were stranded without heat for two nights.

Both Danley and Smith plowed driveways for elderly people at no charge and said there is still a lot of clean-up that needs to be done. Danley noted some people who were looking for snow removal online reported that they were asked to pay upfront and he warned that anyone asking for payment first should not be trusted.

Pollock Pines resident Pam Crenshaw said she and her husband were

not able to leave their property on Lake Ridge Drive for five days. They ran two generators and eventually ran out of fuel. Crenshaw said El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies and her husband helped their 100-year-old neighbor, who had fallen and was without any heat.

Deputies gave the Crenshaws more fuel to power their generator. Crenshaw said, all in all, she and her husband “did pretty good.”

“The only thing we ran out of was fuel. We had a bonfire in the driveway when the sun finally came out,” she told the Mountain Democrat. Joe Reed, a Pollock Pines resident for the

last 11 years, said he was happy he had a whole house generator installed awhile back.

“The roads were so bad. We got a lot of snow in a short amount of time,” he explained. “There were a lot of newcomers to the area asking for help.”

The good news is that the recent snowfall increased the Sierra statewide snowpack to 73%, according to the Central Sierra Snow Lab. Now comes the rain. El Dorado County Roads – Maintenance Division crews have begun assessing countymaintained culverts and drains and ask residents to do the same to prevent flooding.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It is not worth spending time fixing problems that you will not even have once you do things correctly from the beginning. A do-over is your new teacher. A different recipe, plan or relationship has great potential.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Stars encourage an active expansion of your social circle. Listening to different voices keeps you from getting stuck in your own head or in a single narrative. Uplifting relationships balance your perspective and mood.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re getting validation, and it feels good. The feedback is positive, the responses are what you aimed for, and the outcome is what you’d hoped. Now ask, does it actually solve the problem? And what’s the responsible next move?

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Most people are too focused on their own journey to judge yours, and that’s a good thing. The ones who care will be supportive. So there’s no need to overpolice your every step. Do it like nobody’s watching.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be in a position to take charge. For you, leadership is cultivation. You want to help others, not control them or make them dependent on you. You’ll clear a path, show the way and teach what you know.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You play many roles: friend, worker, helper, leader and partner. Each one asks for certain behaviors, but none of them captures your whole self. They’re expressions, not definitions. A role is something you do, not someone you are.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The option on the table today is not the only one that will be offered and taking it could alter your course. Things may work on paper, but that doesn’t mean they really fit. The ideal arrangement? Try before you buy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t bend for someone who will take advantage of your good nature. You can show said good nature by good-naturedly saying, “Ha! No way.” It’s the swift timing, lightness and the gleam in your eye that sells it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The stressful situation will pass, the problem will be solved and the transaction finalized. It’s all coming together very soon, too, so proceed as though you know this is going your way. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Today’s issue is a snowball rolling down a mountain. You might be able to stop it at the top while it’s tiny, but once it gets near the bottom, it’s a fast-moving, giant wrecking ball.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Talent plus merit is the golden ticket. But if you could only choose one, merit always wins out. With work, the job is learned. The real talent is a desire to put in the work it takes to be good.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You do have high expectations today, but it’s appropriate because you are ready for the challenge. You’ve done the preparation, and now it’s just a matter of surrendering to action. You can trust yourself, and the universe, implicitly.

Escape

Continued from A1

Anyone who sees Veramancini or has knowledge of their whereabouts should contact any law enforcement agency, or 911, or contact Special Agent Keeney at (916) 210-9159.

Since 1977, 99% of all people who have left an adult institution, camp or communitybased program without permission have been apprehended.

Crime log

Continued from A3

Salaries Continued from A1

uncomfortable position,” Ferrero gave a “ditto” to Parlin’s comments.

“I take work with me on vacation. I take it when we go away on weekends,” The District 1 supervisor said. “We’re gonna have critics, and they’re gonna criticize. But 99% of the people, when I tell them the amount of time I spend and what we’re making, they shake their heads and go, ’You’re nuts.’”

Turnboo noted his commitment to the board is one of the reasons he closed his business of 50 years in El Dorado.

“I couldn’t run the business because my business was me, and I couldn’t be there because of all the hours (and) time that I put in doing this job,” The District 2 supervisors shared. “I’m dedicated to this position and all the hours we spend meeting with constituents, reading the agenda. I mean, sometimes the agenda’s about a foot thick, it seems like, you know?”

Pointing out the county’s goal to attract and retain the best candidates, Parlin said it’s important to be consistent.

“The board should just follow along with the same compensation philosophy that the rest of the county does and the rest of our employees. To me, that seems very fair,” she emphasized. “I also will say, I have asked a few people over the years if they would run for Board of Supervisors and they look at me like I’ve got a third eye, because, they’re like, ‘Not only is your job really difficult, Lori, you guys get paid nothing!’ We always talk about attracting … good employees … but we need to attract good supervisors, too.”

is coming in from, I think now would be a great opportunity to ... look at an individual role and position rather than in the larger scope of the county employees,” El Dorado Hills resident Linda Campbell said. “Some of you may have pensions. You may have other businesses; you may have other sources of income. I don’t believe that it’s absolutely necessary for you to survive.”

“It’s hard to talk about raises when we’re having such critical times in this county,” Placerville resident Ruth Michelson told the supervisors. She noted the major budget cuts made to several county programs.

“I have asked a few people over the years if they would run for Board of Supervisors and they look at me like I’ve got a third eye, because, they’re like, ‘Not only is your job really difficult, Lori, you guys get paid nothing!’ We always talk about attracting … good employees … but we need to attract good supervisors, too.”

— Supervisor Lori Parlin

Even with the increase, interim Chief Administrative Officer Sue Hennike noted a supervisor’s salary still doesn’t fall within the median of comparator agencies — Amador, Napa, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties.

Prior to the board discussion public comment gave the salary bump mixed reviews.

“With the fact that you have budget constraints and an unbalanced budget, because you don’t know where more revenue

“During the budget process, I remember over and over again, ‘We have to tighten our belts. We have to make tough decisions,’ which included breaking a former vow of a board 20 years ago to fund the wagon train,” resident Leo Bennett-Cauchon chimed in.

Shannon Starr with Operating Engineers Local 3 pointed out the supervisors already make more than critical county employees.

“Your current salary equates to a fulltime rate, assuming 40 hours a week, at $39.86 an hour. Your top step 911 dispatcher — and I’ve talked before about what they have to listen to and while you guys get complaints and you have to listen to some stuff, I guarantee what they listen to is worse — you should know they top out at 39.68. So you make more than the dispatchers that are answering 911,” Starr shared. “The highway maintenance workers that are putting their lives on the line, driving on the icy roads, clearing the snow so that people can get in and out of their driveways, get to their appointments in their hospitals. They top out at $36.45.”

El Dorado County Local 1 President Jen Rimoldi took a different approach to the criticism, using the salary increase as a bargaining chip. “I’m just here to give some support for this item because I think it’s great that we found the money in our budget in setting the new baseline — that 7% is a great start into negotiations this year.”

e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.

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You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.

INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES

• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters

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• Air conditioning – be comfortable in the summer!

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COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES

• Restaurant-style dining

• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills

• Clubhouse and tness center

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• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations

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We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Stellar Students

Congratulations to Eric Troy Chally-Butterworth, of El Dorado Hills who recently was recently named to the President’s List and graduated with a master of business administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Feb. 25

Main Street Menagerie PRIDE Celebration! will take place, 6-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Sacramento Metro Chamber and Sutter Health present the Sacramento Speakers Series at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center at 7: 30 p.m. featuring American activist and author Anthony Ray Hinton. For tickets and more information visit sacramentospeakers.com.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom presents Easton Corbin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Feb. 26

Join the American River Conservancy for a Book Club Discussion — “Is A River Alive?” by Robert Macfarlane from 6-7:30 p.m.. Register online at app. dvforms.net/api/dv/jkz5v0. For more information visit arconservancy.org.

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the Style Anniversary Ribbon Cutting from 4-7:30 p.m. For more information visit eldoradohillschamber.org.

The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce will host its Chamber Mixer from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Madroña Vineyards. For more information visit eldoradocounty.org.

Join El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement, federal, state and local elected officials for a Free Town Hall about fentanyl in the community from 6– 8 p.m at Marble Valley Academy, 5005 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills. For More Information contact kelleynale@outlook.com.

Willy Tea Taylor + The Sam Chase will perform, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents the concert series opener Come Closer: Ruby Ibarra at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit crockerart. org.

Feb. 27

Join the city of Placerville for a Community Clean Up Day to clean up a large homeless camp at 7:45 a.m. and the same time on Saturday.

Volunteers will meet at at Hog Wild Barbecue on Main Street, walk to the site, sign waivers and receive a safety talk. Bring gloves and trash pickers if you have them. To get more information or RSVP call the Community Services Department at (530) 642-5232.

The Jamokes Band will perform, 8-11 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Hands4Hope — Youth

Images of Hope enters new chapter

Images of Hope News release

Images of Hope El Dorado is entering a new chapter marked by new leadership and an intentional expansion of services aimed at reaching more residents affected by cancer and other forms of trauma.

At its January board meeting, the nonprofit introduced Kristina Vasquez as its new program coordinator, a move that reflects the organization’s growing footprint across El Dorado County. The decision to add staff comes as Images of Hope broadens its mission to serve individuals impacted not only by cancer but by other trauma.

New staff

Vasquez brings more than two decades of professional experience to the role. A former IBMer of 22 years, she holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from San Jose State University and worked in a range of technology and program management positions focused on corporate giving, government relations and community outreach. Since relocating to El Dorado County, Vasquez has become active in local schools and regional nonprofits including Bridging Divides – El Dorado and the El Dorado Hills Area Foundation.

She is also deeply connected to the arts. Vasquez and her family share a long-standing appreciation for music, theater and creative expression. She has three children, two currently in college studying music and one in middle school who continues the family’s involvement through concert band.

“As someone who takes pride in helping teams stay organized, informed, and inspired, I am most excited about the opportunity to support Images of Hope El Dorado’s dedication to healing, creativity and connection,” Vasquez said. “We have all been touched in some way by the effects of cancer or other traumas, and to be able to join such an amazing, kindhearted team in the service of others is

truly an honor.”

Founder Wendy Goossen said the expanded mission has already allowed the organization to reach new audiences.

“One of the things we were looking at was how we could best serve the community as a whole,” Goossen said. “What other opportunities do we have that can really support people in our community?”

Through the updated mission, Images of Hope has been able to offer services at Independence High School and Pioneer Elementary School, extending its reach beyond traditional program spaces.

Transition

The January meeting also marked a significant leadership transition. The board elected Andrew Vonderschmitt as president of the nonprofit and longtime volunteer Cathy Harris will take on the role of board secretary. Goossen has stepped down from the role of president after many years as the organization’s driving force. Vonderschmitt and Harris will serve two-year terms.

Vonderschmitt has been involved with Images of Hope for six years and moved to El Dorado County in 2016 after a career with several Southern California nonprofits. He previously spent 10 years at the Long Beach Playhouse, where he served as artistic and executive director. Since relocating, he has worked with Arts and Culture El Dorado, formerly the El Dorado Arts Council, Imagination Theater, MORE and currently serves as features editor at the Mountain Democrat. His community involvement has included service on the Placerville Economic Advisory Committee and the Placerville Downtown Association, volunteer work with numerous local nonprofits and co-founding Save the Graves. In 2020, he designed and fabricated the All Colors, All Cancers art installation for Images of Hope which is displayed at Placerville’s Bell Tower each October in conjunction with Pink in the Night. An artist, writer, theater director, woodworker

and maker, Vonderschmitt is married to an artist, and together they are raising two children who inspire their creativity.

“I am very excited to step into this new role with Images,” Vonderschmitt said. “I truly believe in the mission and look forward to working with the board and Kristina on expanding our services throughout the western slope.”

Before joining the board at Images, Harris had been a student and volunteered at many of its events. She currently serves as coordinator for Women’s Fund El Dorado and has volunteered at many local nonprofits including the El Dorado Community Foundation, Marshall Foundation, Housing El Dorado and several others.

“I have been a student at many of the IOH classes since 2017,” said Harris. “I began taking classes where I found, not only healing, but a community of wonderful people with like minds and experiences. When offered a position on the board of IOH, I was eager to help spread the word of the fullness of life that I have found there. I am excited to see what lies ahead

for Images of Hope and the impact it has and will continue to have in our community.”

Harris said that she had a favorite quote that spoke to her involvement with Images and other nonprofits.

“It’s from Mother Teresa,” she said, “‘It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving,’”

Harris has lived in the county since 1994 and is married to, “a wonderful man.” When not volunteering she can be found walking her dogs or enjoying the outdoors in, “this beautiful county.”

Over a decade of service

Goossen will remain on the board and said she looks forward to seeing the new leadership team guide the organization forward.

“As the founder of Images of Hope I am honored that we have made it to our 13 year mark,” she said. “It is now time to hand over the helm to Kristina Vasquez, as the new program coordinator and Andrew Vonderschmitt as president. We have all worked hard and with the support of the community we have and

Green and Gray Gathering fundraiser is coming

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

The Ponderosa High School Foundation will host its annual Green and Gray Gathering fundraiser March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rescue Community Center, bringing together students, families and community members to support campus grants and scholarships.

The event is the foundation’s primary fundraiser of the year, said board secretary Jackson Robertson, who joined the board this school year.

“It’s our main fundraiser for the year,” Robertson said. “The Green and Gray Gathering. It’s just a great community event.”

The evening will feature a dinner of tri-tip and barbecued chicken served with green salad, baked beans, macaroni salad and bread. Live music will be performed by the Ponderosa Music Program, and the program will be emceed by Ponderosa’s Daily Video Bulletin Team, with a special performance by the Speech and Debate Team. Guests can

participate in raffle baskets and a silent auction featuring student-produced creations from Art and Ag Mechanics, along with other items. The popular Dessert Dash returns with sweets prepared by the Bruin Bakers of Advanced Culinary Arts. Attendees can also enjoy photo opportunities with the Ponderosa Bruin, and table décor designed by the FFA Floral program.

“It’s a really great chance for students to shine,” Robertson said.

Robertson said he first attended the event before having a child at Ponderosa and was moved by the program and speakers. He now has a ninth-grade daughter, Jayden, at the school and a son, Jackson, who attends Camerado Springs Middle School and will enroll at Ponderosa next year.

The foundation uses funds raised to provide classroom grants, teacher support and scholarships, as well as campus improvement projects. Robertson said he would like to see scholarship totals grow.

“I’d love to double what we give out right now,” he said, noting the foundation currently awards $1,000

scholarships for four-year programs and $500 scholarships for two-year colleges and vocational training.

This year, the board also introduced a “tool bucket” scholarship for students entering the workforce directly after graduation. Robertson partnered with Churchill’s Hardware to provide a five-gallon bucket stocked with trade tools and said he hopes to secure additional donated equipment from the community.

“Not everybody goes to college,” he said. “We’re just looking to provide different options.”

Robertson said he has also worked to expand sponsorship tiers, securing a $2,000 contribution from Subaru of Shingle Springs — the largest single sponsorship in the foundation’s history, he said.

Robertson said the goal is simple.

“We’re just looking to give these kids the best chance at success.”

For tickets and more information visit pondofoundation.com.

End of an era — final event at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards

After 31 years in Fair Play, Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, 8221 Stoney Creek Road, will host its final public event Friday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Fans of the old Bottle Your Own events should plan on making it to this final toast. The winery team is putting together a BYO-ish experience to thank Charles B. Mitchell customers for the many years of loyalty and good times, and particularly for those who have supported the winery since Charles' passing last year.

The event will be slightly different than previous BYO events.

This reservation-only closing weekend is designed as a relaxed, celebratory thank-you to the community. Guests will enjoy pre-bottled selections of zinfandel, primitivo, cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, along with light snacks and a social atmosphere. Some limited hands-on bottling elements will be available.

Reservations are $10 per person, fully credited toward a bottle of wine to take home. Advance reservations are required.

Wines starting at $8.99 for 500ml bottles and $10.88 a bottle for a regular sized wine bottle will be available. Mitchell aficionados should bring their Grandma Betty's jugs to refill.

For reservations go to square.link/u/rSzHLYx1.

For more information email the winery at CBMVFairplay@gmail.com.

Crystal Basin Cellars to relocate tasting room to Placerville

News release

Crystal Basin Cellars announced it will relocate its operations to 2850 Cold Springs Road in Placerville, with wine tasting at the new site set to begin April 1.

The winery said the move is intended to reduce operating costs, improve customer accessibility and ensure longterm sustainability.

“Our goal has always been to provide outstanding wines from the El Dorado region and to create inviting and memorable experiences for our patrons,” founder Mike Owen said in a statement. Relocating, Owen said, will allow the business to operate more efficiently and make it easier for guests to visit.

GROW FOR IT!

Basic principles of landscape design and installation

If you wake up in the morning crossing your fingers and hoping the view outside your window has magically transformed overnight, you’re not alone. And if it hasn’t, there’s good news.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to redesign your yard, a do-it-yourselfer wanting practical installation tips or an avid gardener searching for inspiration, the upcoming Basic Principles to Landscape Design and Installation Workshop offers an opportunity to turn that “hot mess” into a sustainable and beautiful outdoor space — no wishful thinking required.

According to the winery, the new location will offer improved access, greater visibility, easier parking and a welcoming tasting environment while continuing production of its portfolio of wines.

The decision to move was influenced in part by a recent freeway access closure near the existing Camino site, which created visibility and access challenges for visitors, the company said.

Winery officials said customers can expect the same wines, staff and hospitality at the new site. Events, including the winery’s barrel tasting program, will continue.

The full-day workshop will cover core design principles and teach skills participants can apply immediately at home.

Workshop highlights include:

Design fundamentals: An introduction to the principles and elements of landscape design and how to use them to create a functional, visually pleasing space.

Sketching and planning: Basic tools and techniques for drawing a garden layout.

Site analysis: Understanding soil, sun and water conditions.

Hardscape planning: Integrating patios, walkways, trellises, arbors and container gardens into a cohesive design.

Firescaping: Planning for a landscape that is both attractive and fire safe.

Plant selection: A look at more than 20 water-wise plants for a lush garden. Installation: Proper techniques to help DIYers avoid costly mistakes.

Beyond aesthetics, the workshop emphasizes ecological responsibility, including water-wise gardening, composting, soil health and creating habitat for pollinators.

Speakers include Sheri Burke, a UC Master Gardener of El Dorado County with more than 12 years of experience as a landscape designer and contractor; Dawn Magdelano and Cathy Hopkins, forestry technicians with Cal Fire; and Marlene Simon, curator of the

The company’s Folsom location, Crystal Basin Station, will remain open Thursday through Monday each week. A grand reopening celebration at the Cold Springs Road location is planned for June 6. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

Before the move, the winery will host its Oysterfest event March 7 at the Camino location, billed as the final event there. For more information visit crystalbasin.com.

UC Davis Botanical Conservatory and known to television viewers as “The Plant Lady” on Good Day Sacramento.

The workshop will be held at the Cameron Park Community Center on March 14. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. and the program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m and includes lunch.

The registration

deadline is March 9. Pre-registration is required at ucanr. edu/site/uc-mastergardeners-el-doradocounty/event/centralsierra-landscape-designworkshop-el-dorado.

For more information about UC Master Gardener classes, events and garden resources visit mgeldorado.ucanr. 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.

Game Night at the Museum returns

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News releas

ACRAMENTO — Roll the

Sdice and join the fun when the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation present “Game Night at the Museum” on Thursday evening, Feb. 26. First introduced in 2025 and back by popular demand, the special event takes place after hours from 6-8:30 p.m. Open to gamers 18 and older, “Game Night at the Museum” includes games provided by Sacramento’s Galaxy Game Café, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros., a bar hosted by Acheson Wine Company and vinyl spins from Sacramento’s own Will “The Maestro” Evans Jr., also known as King of Jazz.

A variety of popular and retro games of skill or chance will include dice and card games, plus other tabletop games that cross an array of genres and accommodate a range of players. Alongside open-play tables where guests can enjoy their own games, the museum will offer dedicated spaces for solo challenges, quick activities and casual pick-up matches of familiar classics for multiple players.

Game Night activities will take place in the museum’s spacious Roundhouse area, surrounded by

historical locomotives, exhibits and rail-related artifacts. Gamers looking for a competitive, high-energy experience can test their skills in a Smash Tournament. Semifinalists will win free admission to the next Game Night, and the winner will receive two first-class excursion train tickets for a date and time of their choosing, based on availability. For those interested in lively game play, camaraderie and an opportunity to win prizes during “Game Night at the Museum,” a $10 donation per attendee is appreciated. Alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and older, as well as nonalcoholic beverages and snacks, will be available for purchase. Members who purchase event tickets will each receive one alcoholic drink token or one nonalcoholic drink and snack token.

Proceeds benefit the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. Tickets, a listing of available games, frequently asked questions and more details are available at californiarailroad.museum/events/ game-night-at-the-museum.

Additional adult-only events are planned through August. For more information about the museum and foundation visit californiarailroad. museum.

Pub Train offers adult-only spirited rides

SACRAMENTO — For the third consecutive year, the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are offering spirited rides aboard the Leprechaun Lounge Pub Train on March 14-15. Adults 21 and older can enjoy the luckiest ride in town aboard one of two first-class cars transformed into a spirited Irish pub for the holiday weekend.

In search of the end of the rainbow, the Leprechaun Lounge Pub Train will ride the rails of the Sacramento Southern Railroad for three special train rides on Saturday, departing at 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., and two on Sunday, departing at 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Pulled by a historical locomotive, the adult-only 45-minute train ride offers a fun and unique way to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day-related activities while appreciating scenic views of the Sacramento River. Space is limited aboard the

Images

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will continue to support our cancer patients and those going through trauma in El Dorado County.”

She added that as the organization grows, the board is exploring additional ways to expand programs and serve even more residents.

Board members echoed that sentiment, describing the changes as a thoughtful evolution of the nonprofit.

“I am proud to be part of Images of Hope's history of service to the community,” said board member Christa Campbell. “I applaud Images of Hope moving forward with organizational changes aimed at better serving those impacted by cancer and other traumas in our community.”

“This feels like such an exciting new chapter for Images of Hope El Dorado,” said board member Bill Robinson. “We’re growing in thoughtful ways — adding a program coordinator and new committees that will help us stay organized and focused on our mission.”

“More than anything, these changes will help us reach more people and bring the healing power of art and movement therapy to even more members of our community affected by cancer and other traumas.”

Treasurer Paul Zappettini said the organization’s evolution builds on a strong foundation.

“Images of Hope El Dorado has been supporting those impacted by cancer and other traumas for more than 13 years. I am excited to be a part of the evolution of our nonprofit to even better provide art and

Leprechaun Lounge Pub Train. Tickets cost $45 per person or $40 for members. Each ticket includes two drink tokens, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic options available, snacks and a limited-edition can cooler. To add to the fun, lucky guests might even find a hidden leprechaun and receive a free ticket to a future Golden Hour Express cocktail train ride.

Leprechaun Lounge Pub Train tickets purchased online may be picked up at the ticket office of the Central Pacific Passenger Station on Front Street between I and J streets at Old Sacramento Waterfront. If available, same-day tickets may also be purchased at the ticket office. Advance reservations for the Leprechaun Lounge Pub Train are available at californiarailroad. museum/events/leprechaun-lounge. For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or Foundation, visit californiarailroad. museum.

movement therapies to those in need on the western slope of our county,” he said.

Community impact

Images of Hope El Dorado is a nonprofit organization serving residents on the western slope of El Dorado County who have been affected by cancer or other traumas.

Through healing arts, movement therapy and community-based programs, the organization aims to promote physical, emotional and social well-being.

Founded in 2012, Images of Hope offers a range of classes and workshops including art therapy, pilates, yoga, stress reduction and knitting. Programs are open to caregivers, survivors and community members. The organization also hosts annual events, including the beloved Picnic in the Orchard fundraiser, scheduled for Aug. 15 this year, and the longstanding Banners on Parade project, celebrating its 20th year, which features artist-created canvas banners displayed along Main Street in Placerville before being auctioned to support programming.

Classes rotate throughout the year and include offerings designed to foster healing, resilience and social connection. The nonprofit’s fiscal agent is the El Dorado Community Foundation, and donations are taxdeductible.

More information about programs, schedules and volunteer opportunities is available at imagesofhopeeldorado. org.

We do not publish anonymous letters so don’t forget to include your first and last name and where in El Dorado County you live.

...to our

NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION sponsors

...And to our generous subscribers who donate their vacation credits to the fund.

49’er Bail Bond

Adco Driveline and Custom Exhaust

Adept – Med International, Inc.

ARCO AM/PM Burke Junction Captrust

Conforti Plumbing

Edwards A-1 Appliance

El Dorado Irrigation District

EN2 Resources, Inc.

Farmers Insurance - Sean Smith

Frank’s Body Shop, Inc.

HFW Enterprises, LLC

Lake Oaks Mobile Home Community

Mattress by Appointment Placerville Mountain Roofing Systems

Sierra Valley Enterprises, LLC

Triangle Well Drilling Western Sign Co., Inc.

The Mountain Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program (NIE) was established in 2002 to provide and educational service arm for the newspaper.

NIE’s goal is to assist schools, teachers and parents in developing future readers who can use the newspaper to enrich their own lives and participate responsibly in their community, state and nation. Not only does the Mountain Democrat provide valuable information on a wide range of topics daily, it also can be used as a resource for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines. It helps students connect classroom lessons to the real world around them and develop a positive and

relevant lifetime reading habit. A study released by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation shows data indicating students in NIE programs do 10 percent better on standardized tests and that significant increases in student performances occur, especially in middle schools.

Donations from our sponsors allow our educators to order the newspaper for their classrooms free of charge. These sponsorships contribute to literacy and allow thousands of teachers and students in El Dorado County to learn from a living textbook, the Mountain Democrat, and develop a life-long reading habit that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Please show these sponsors your support for the program by patronizing their businesses.

a sponsor.

Laurie Edwards News release

On Feb. 12, the Rotary Club of Cameron Park recognized Lilly Plasencia, a seventhgrade student at Pleasant Grove Middle

School, as its Student of the Quarter. During the award presentation, Rescue Union School District Superintendent Jim Shoemake commended Lilly and her family for their strong ties to the district community.

Her mother, Marisol, and her cousin, Montserrat Zagal, are district employees, reflecting a meaningful family commitment to education and service.

School counselor Lauren Todoroff said Lilly is “the type of student all schools wish they had and the type of friend everyone wants.”

Staff members said they are proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the positive example she sets on campus each day.

In addition to excelling academically, Lilly participates in the school’s band program and art club. She also serves as a welcoming ambassador for new students and provides translation support for English learners, roles that reflect both her leadership and

Traci Rockefeller Cusack News release

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Region Community Foundation is a leader in managing, facilitating and connecting generous local donors with deserving grant recipients. In 2025 alone, local donors awarded a whopping $22.2 million through Sacramento Region Community Foundation.

“Each grant and scholarship reflects generosity, care and responsiveness,” said Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento

compassion. In recognition of her achievements, Lilly received flowers,

Region Community Foundation. “Every gift, no matter the size, represents an act of care for community and helps ensure resources reach organizations where they can make a difference. The end result is meaningful, substantial and astounding. In fact, since our inception in 1983, the cumulative total is more than $300 million in grants made to enhance the people and nonprofits in our region.”

Grant highlights from 2025:

More than threequarters of total dollars awarded ($17.1 million) supported causes located within the Sacramento region, including grants to local nonprofits and scholarships for students attending area schools.

Grantmaking in youth development and food, agriculture and nutrition increased significantly over 2024, aligned with focused investments to address food security in Yolo County and youth educational outcomes in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights. The increase also reflects local philanthropists’ response to emerging needs, such as emergency relief tied to SNAP funding instability.

The majority of grants were awarded through customized giving accounts established by local people, families and businesses at Sacramento Region Community Foundation and its partner, Yolo Community Foundation. Grants also include a portion of donations made during a recordbreaking Big Day of Giving, the region’s annual giving event.

Breakdown of

impact in 2025:

El Dorado County

$300,000 awarded through 150 grants

Top mission areas supported:

• Animal-related

• Youth development

• Human services

Organizations receiving significant support include:

• Youth Making a Difference

• American River Conservancy

• Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County

Sacramento County

$12.1 million awarded through 3,000 grants

Top mission areas supported:

• Arts, culture and humanities

• Human services

• Youth development

Organizations receiving significant support include:

• Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera

• Roberts Family Development Center

• Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Yolo County

$3.7 million awarded through 700 grants

Top mission areas supported:

• Food, agriculture and nutrition

• Education

• Human services

Organizations receiving significant support include:

• UC Davis Foundation

• Yolo Food Bank

• City of Davis

Placer County

$1.1 million awarded through 450 grants

Top mission areas supported:

• Animal-related

• Education

• Culture and humanities

Organizations receiving significant

support include:

• Feeding the Foothills

• Placer SPCA

• Placer Land Trust

Looking forward to 2026, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation will offer a robust variety of grant opportunities to organizations caring for animals, offering bicycle safety courses and supporting seniors. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation also provides the vision, leadership and engine behind Big Day of Giving, which returns Thursday, May 7. To date, the flagship program has generated more than $117 million for hundreds of area nonprofits since its inception in 2013. Community members, businesses and organizations interested in establishing funds in partnership with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation can learn more at sacregcf.org/donors. For more information about the center of philanthropy in the greater Capital City region, visit sacregcf.org. About Sacramento Region Community Foundation

Since 1983, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation has awarded more than $275 million in grants and scholarships on behalf of local people, families and businesses — and through its flagship program to grow charitable giving in the capital area, Big Day of Giving. The center of philanthropy in the capital area, the foundation’s mission is to lead, serve and inspire enduring philanthropy for a just and vibrant Sacramento region. Learn more at sacregcf.org.

Go take a Poppy Walk

Upcoming outdoor events highlight protected lands

American River Conservancy

News release

On Sunday, March 29, from 3-5 p.m., longtime ARC supporter and Coloma riverfront property owner Robin Center, joined by neighbors Barbara and David Thomas, Dennis Eagan, Andie Thrams and Jim Klotz, will lead a one-of-a-kind Poppy Walk in the ColomaLotus area. Participants will experience glowing orange fields overlooking the crystal waters of the South Fork of the American River, where vibrant spring colors create a striking landscape. The hike to the flowers takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The

Making a Difference presents Nashville Songwriters Live, 7 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents “Our Town” through March 15. For more information visit citytheatre.net.

Ronnie Baker Brooks 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. 28

El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents Lost Chinatowns of El Dorado County, a walking tour from 10 a.m. to noon For more information visit edchs.org.

The Pins for Paws Bowling Event in support of Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode will take place at the Apex at Red Hawk Casino from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information visit animaloutreach.net.

Join the American River Conservancy for Think History’s Dull? Think Again! — An evening with author Alan Ehrgott from 5:30-7 p.m. register online at app.dvforms. net/api/dv/zkqxpw. For more information visit arconservancy.

river trail is steep in places with sections of narrow, flat walking bed and includes views of some of the earliest land ARC protected near Triple Threat Rapid. Healthy snacks and punch will be served upon return. The hike is recommended for fit hikers only. Proceeds benefit the Bill Center Memorial Fund supporting river frontage and trails. A detailed email will be sent following registration. A winter mushroom foray is also planned, with date and time to be announced. Community members are encouraged to register now for updates. Led by ARC volunteer Elizabeth Standeven, the leisurely hike will begin with a

org.

Snowline Health, in partnership with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, presents the sixth annual Battle of the Badges — 911 Chili Cook-Off, from 4-8 p.m. inside the Forni Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For tickets and more information visit 911chili.org.

Take a Little Ride – Jason Aldean tribute will perform at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents Appalachian Spring, an evening of diverse musical landscapes at 7:30 p.m. at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

Cal Expo will host The Great Train Show through March 1. For more information visit calexpo.com.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom will host BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble, “Journey” at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

March 2

The El Dorado County Senior Activities Program will host

brief introduction to the property and tips on where to search for mushrooms. Participants will explore the winter landscape, identify local fungi using field handouts and discuss how mushrooms relate to surrounding plant life. The event will conclude with a group sharing of discoveries. Responsible youth ages 12 and older are welcome. The meeting location, within 30 minutes of the Placerville area, will be announced with detailed email will be sent upon registration and again once the event is scheduled.

More information and registration links are available at ARConservancy.org/ events/.

a trip preview featuring upcoming Collette Vacations destinations from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St., Placerville. Trips range from one to two weeks and include air travel, accommodations and most meals. Featured destinations include New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the American Southwest, Tuscany and New England. For more information call (530) 6216150.

Vitalant will hold a Blood Drive at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court, Shingle Springs from 1:30–3:45 p.m. To make an appointment use code SMFM551 and call (877) 258-4825 or visit donors.vitalant.org.

Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom will host Moon Coin Productions presenting Electric Elton - A Tribute to Elton John at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net.

Now

Banners on Parade is accepting submissions for its 20th anniversary public art event. The deadline is Feb. 28. Interested artists can visit imagesofhopeeldorado.com for more information and to download the application.

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