Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Un-boo-lievable Halloween fun

Halloween celebrations continued in El Dorado County last week with the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s Trunk-orTreat & Scarecrow Contest on Oct. 24 and Trick or Treat at Burke Junction in Cameron Park on Oct. 25. The spooky fun continues Friday, Oct. 31. The city of Placerville and T.W. Bonkers present Trick or Treat on Main in Placerville 4-6 p.m. Enjoy trick or treating, costume contests, carnival games, face painting, a live DJ and more. El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts the Halloween Spooktacular, 3-6 p.m., featuring trick-or-treating, a costume contest and more. Above, garden gnome Baker Ross, 14 months, center, dances to Celtic music played by American River Heritage Band at Burke Junction as mom Chelsea, left, and grandmother Terri Halbleib of Shingle Springs cheer him on. Below left, sheriff’s deputy Austin Reininger, 10, and his sister/deputy Avery, 8, of El Dorado Hills make their rounds at the El Dorado Hills event at Community Park. Parents Adam and Holly Reininger outfit their son’s wheelchair with a different theme every Halloween. Below right, 9-month-old Lydia and mom Mikayla of Cameron Park check out the costumed Highland steers of Grizzly Mountain Minis in the Burke Junction petting zoo.

left, Sarah Lanzani, 10, of Cameron

and

Noel Stack Editor

A unanimous vote has set the stage for the collection of filming fees in El Dorado County. The county Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 supported the fee schedule as presented, with the goal that fees collected will o set general fund cash used to support El Dorado Tahoe Film + Media operations as part of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce.

In February of this year, due to a crippling budget deficit, supervisors voted to cut o funding to this chamber function as well as its tourism o ce.

To address a forewarned loss of tax revenue with the film o ce’s initial elimination, supervisors approved Film Ordinance 5236 on Aug. 19 as well as a memorandum of understanding between the county and chamber on behalf of El Dorado Tahoe Film + Media. At that time they directed sta to prepare a fee schedule for film permit activities. Permits and payment of fees are required for any motion picture, television, digital media or commercial still photography on public or private

delay taking a stance on Proposition 50

Noel Stack Editor

Voters will have to wait until Election Day, Nov. 4, to learn if the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors will take a stance on Proposition 50, a statewide proposal to redraw congressional district lines. Both congressmen representing the county — Tom McClintock and Kevin Kiley — would be a ected if the proposition passes.

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine said she had “heartburn” over the Oct. 21 agenda item submitted by District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo.

“It’s very divisive in our county,” Laine argued, “and I would like to see that removed from the agenda.”

District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp proposed moving the discussion to Nov. 4. He said he detests the idea of Proposition 50 “but in the interest of county government, it’s something we should stay away from at this point and, so be it, the voters will decide.”

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin backed Veerkamp’s idea. Turnboo said he understood his fellow

ESSENTIALS

Linda Rodgers

June 19, 1947 – Oct. 21, 2025

Linda Rodgers, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and longtime Placerville resident, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at the age of 78 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Linda was born in Gary, Indiana, and spent most of her childhood in Tuolumne, California, where she met her future husband, Knute. The two began dating shortly after high school and shared 59 wonderful years of marriage together. They made their home in Placerville in 1979, where they raised their family and became active members of the community.

Linda is survived by her devoted husband, Knute; her son Trevor and his wife Barbara of Santa Monica, and their children AnneMarie, Keaton, Bridgette, and Abigail; her son Toby and his wife Crystal of Bow, Washington, and their children Sydney and Tucker; and her daughter Leslie of Placerville. She is also survived by her brothers Mark, Eddie, and Emilio, and sisters Paula, Kathy, Debbie, and Renee. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter MaryCatherine.

Linda was deeply devoted to her family and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. She found joy in gardening, cooking, baking, and caring for the many pets and wildlife that graced her home. She was an enthusiastic fan of football and baseball and took great pride in creating a warm, welcoming home for all who visited.

Linda was a dedicated parishioner at St. Patrick’s Parish and worked for many years at Ponderosa High School and El Dorado High School before retiring in 2009. Her kindness, humor, and unwavering love will be remembered by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Placerville, Monday November 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM, preceded by Recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Patrick’s Ladies Society or El Dorado County Animal Shelter in Linda’s memory.

Nikki Lou Pease Amburn

Oct. 31, 1943 – Oct. 1, 2025

Nikki Lou Pease Amburn, 82, of Fall River Mills, California, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, in Placerville, California. Nikki’s peaceful passing was supported by her daughter, Shelley Lee, and the compassionate care of Snowline Hospice.

Nikki was a Halloween baby, born on October 31, 1943, in Porterville, California. She grew up in the small community of Jack Ranch and was 12 years old when her family moved to Camino, California. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for her first six years, then continued on to Camino School and El Dorado High School. Nikki worked as a printer for El Dorado County and later retired from the Fall River Joint Unified School District.

Nikki had an eye for beauty in unexpected places. She loved being outdoors, collecting treasures—old rusty metal, twisted branches, or bits of bark—and turning them into art. She created beautiful driedflower arrangements and sand candles. Nikki was one of the first vendors when Apple Hill began and spent many years there until moving to Fall River Mills. After relocating, Nikki poured her artistic spirit into the Shasta County Intermountain Fair, where she became a familiar face and frequent winner. Her exhibits—dried-flower arrangements, photographs, and handmade crafts—brought joy to others and often took home ribbons, a testament to her eye for detail and love of beauty.

Nikki loved the outdoors in every season of her life. She enjoyed driving through the woods and appreciated the hunt—for deer, for treasures, for rocks and for mushrooms alike. She had a knack for finding unique items, whether at thrift stores, garage sales, or antique shops, and rarely passed up the chance to bring something interesting home. Nikki is survived by her daughters, Laurie Baker Chandler and Shelley Baker Lee; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Val Pease, and sister, Rhonda Pease Rhodes.

A celebration of Nikki’s life will be held in Fall River Mills next spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations to Snowline Hospice.

Marlene Ott McDougall

Oct. 18, 1936 – Sept. 22, 2025

Marlene (Marti) Ott was born in Sacramento, Ca. to Philip and Lillian Ott on October 18, 1936. Her sisters were Phyllis and Judy and her brother Mervin. Marti attended Sac. High, Sac. Jr. College and Sacramento State University where she graduated with a teaching credential. She later took graduate level courses toward a masters degree. Marti taught at Bret Harte and Mariemont elementary and others. She loved teaching young children particularly in helping them develop their minds to think. But most of her career was devoted to raising her three children.

William (Billy V) F. Vandegrift

Nov. 9, 1951 – June 30, 2025

She met her future husband Robert (Bob) on a snow trip when she was 13 and he 15 years old. That followed by a bike ride and then a date to a movie on the bus. From that time on, they were together and never parted. They married in 1958 and have been happily married for 67 years.

Marti just liked to work and had many summer and part time jobs while going to school. She started early as a teen working at a snow cone stand at the State Fair. Then Weinstock’s Dept. Store, her dad’s brick contracting company and many others. She worked at a photo shop where she met Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian explorer, and did much of the photo finishing work for his books and lectures. The fun job Marti really loved was working at the Music Circus.

Marti and Bob planed to move to San Jose so Bob could finish his last two years of college at San Jose State University. They married at their Lutheran Church and after the reception, left for a wonderful two day honeymoon in Carmel before starting school Monday morning. They made up for the rush later on with a second honeymoon to Carmel at the same place. Marti took on several temporary jobs during this period including being a Personal Secretary for executives at FMC Corp. and the City of San Jose. After Bob graduated, they returned to Sacramento- it was then Marti’s turn.

She went back to the University to complete her degree and student teaching. They settled in Arden Park in Sacramento where they raised their children and after retirement moved to Placerville, Ca. in 2008.

Marti was active in school a airs and sang in several di erent choirs. She also played the piano quite well and loved classical music. She did modeling work at Department Stores, but turned down agency o ers for a modeling career with a possible TV future as it was not the right path for her life. Marti also resisted pressure from fraternities and college clubs to run for Campus Queen and Sacramento’s Camilla Queen for similar reasons. Marti was a member of the college ski club, played softball but really loved snow and water skiing and tennis. Later on, Marti held o ce in the PTA, helped the kids with scouting and was a pink lady at Mercy Hospital delivering books and flowers to patients with a great smile and a word of encouragement.

Marti and Bob spent much time with family and relatives at Lake Tahoe at the cabin her father built where they did much skiing, fishing, hiking and playing a lot of pinochle. A couple of the standout trips they took was a train trip to the east coast and back to see the fall colors and touring England, Wales and Scotland. Marti didn’t really want to take the train trip- probably too long and dull, but when it ended, she loved it and didn’t want to get o the train.

Marti was a member of the Lutheran Church early on and maintained her deep faith in God her whole life. She is now in the presence of the Lord. She was beautiful to the end and her personality, kindness and humor shined throughout her life. She was popular and well liked and loved by family and always by her husband Bob. The children love and appreciate her as a mother and how they were brought up. Her friends and school mates called her the All American Girl and that is what she was.

Her immediate family consists of husband Robert, sons Sean (Engie) and Eric (Jill) and daughter Sara Gross (Deryk). Marti passed away on September 22, 2025. A private gravesite gathering was held in her honor. She devoted her life to her family and was so much a part of us and we greatly appreciate her, miss her and will love her continually.

Naomi Louise (Bassi)

Kyburz

Jan. 16, 1940 – May 28, 2025

Naomi Louise (Bassi) Kyburz passed away on May 28, 2025 at the age of 85 from natural causes. She was born, raised and lived in Placerville, California her entire life. Naomi was the first of three children born to Joshua and Mary Bassi. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Naomi and her late husband (Samuel Kyburz) owned and operated Kyburz Sports Center & Ski Hut for 27 years. Naomi loved being around her family, she was a fabulous chef (especially her desserts), she had the perfect table setting for every holiday and her passion for gardening was one of her true loves. Her roses and vegetable garden were always gorgeous and abundant. Naomi is survived by her children (Kevin Kyburz and Candace Kyburz Beaver), her siblings (Terry Bassi and Patricia Sea), her grandchildren and great grand child (Casey Kyburz, Colt Lemieux, Lauren Beaver, Rachel Beaver and Paisley Lemieux) and her sisters-inlaw (Kay Kyburz Johnson and Ginny Bassi). Our entire family sends a warm and heartfelt thank you to the sta at Cogir of Folsom Memory Care for their loving care in the last part of Naomi’s journey. A private family service was previously held. The family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. https://alzfdn. org

It is with profound sadness, that we announce the passing of our brother and uncle William F. Vandegrift on June 30th, 2025 in Cameron Park CA.. Known to family and friends as “Billy V.”, he was 73 at the time of his passing. Born on Nov. 9, 1951 in San Pedro, CA and raised in Palos Verdes Estates, CA. A member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills, CA he had been instrumental in acquiring the land for his Parish church. For over 48 years, as a local realtor and developer, Bill was known for his community service through his membership in Knights of Columbus and Rotary. As a resident, he served on the CSD Board for El Dorado Hills and as Chamber of Commerce President. He thrived on the many park projects he supported throughout the area.

He is survived by his sister MaryAnna Goode (Stephen) of Atascadero, CA, nieces Michelle Robinson, Shari de Parcq and Jennifer Collins, and their children Chris, Brian, Heather, Reece, Jason, Josh, Paisley and Naomi.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Nov. 7th, at 11:30am with reception following at the Parish for his friends & family.

Roberta Antoinette Bartley

Oct. 13, 1946 – Oct. 17, 2025

Roberta Antoinette Bartley, of Metter, Georgia, passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, October 17, 2025. Born in Oakland, California, Mrs. Bartley was the daughter of the late Robert Kennedy Meader and Margaret Thomas Meader. In 1964 she married her beloved husband, Robert Louis Bartley, in Placerville, California where they raised their two children. Roberta was an amazing person and made many lifelong friends during her employment at Intel, California Department of Corrections and Parole and the California Conservation Corp. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, her son Bobby and her grandson Trevor. Mrs. Bartley is survived by her daughter Lisa Macdonald and her husband Mac Macdonald; her son, Jason Wayne Bartley and his wife, Cynthia; grandchildren- Darrell Rinde, wife Michelle; Phillip Rinde, wife Leah; Jacob Bartley, Jordyn Hackney, husband Phillip; Jared Bartley, wife Lillian. Great grandchildren – Kevin Rinde and Phillip and Parker Hackney. Sisters - Dianne Wyatt and Sharon Norris.

In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held at this time. Arrangements are entrusted to Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter.

Je rey Robert Wall

Feb. 18, 1959 – Aug. 11, 2025

On August 11, 2025, Jeffrey Robert Wall passed away at his home in Placerville, California.

He was born on February 18, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to Donald Jack and Dolores Frenzel-Wall, and grew up in Bloomingdale, IL, where he made childhood memories that carried through his life.

After graduating from Lake Park High School and earning his Engineering degree from Western Illinois University, Jeff followed opportunity west, first to San Luis Obispo, California, and then settling in Placerville, where he built a life filled with family, friends, and a career with Aerojet he was proud of. For more than four decades, Placerville was not just where he lived—it was where he put down roots and created a home.

Jeff was happiest outdoors. Whether it was casting a line in the water, heading out on a hunt or panning for gold, nature was his sanctuary. He will be remembered for his laughter, quick wit, and the sparkle in his eye. And of course—Jeff always had a tale to tell. Whether it was about the one that got away, an adventure in the woods, or a funny twist on everyday life, his stories drew people in and left them laughing.

He now joins in eternal rest with his parents, Jack and Dolores, his sister Peggy, his nephew Tommy, and his son Jay—loved ones he carried in his heart every day. He is survived by his devoted wife, Anishka, and daughter Sonya Cordero (Travis), who carries his first granddaughter – a baby girl who will grow up surrounded by stories of her grandpa; sisters Donna Dunaway (Sig) and Kathy Bennett (Rick); stepdaughter, Adina Conklin; step-grandchildren, Alicia Buckmaster and Lance Hooker (Bruna); and step greatgrandson, Mason Hooker, along with lifelong friends Ronnie Lessor and Mark Kaufmann who will all carry his stories forward, along with countless others whose lives he touched. The family will gather privately to honor Jeff’s life.

All hands on deck to protect Tahoe from golden mussels

■ 2025 boating season in review

Jeff Cowen

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

LAKE TAHOE —

Quick actions by boaters and paddlers this year helped prevent the dangerous golden mussel and other aquatic invasive species from entering the Lake Tahoe watershed, according to agencies leading the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species program. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District, which manage the watercraft inspection program, reported that inspectors performed more than 4,700 decontaminations in 2025, a 60% increase compared to the previous year.

Inspectors attribute the dramatic jump in

decontaminations to actions taken earlier this year to confront

the threat of golden mussels, a new and highly invasive

PPD CRIME LOG

The following information was taken from PPD reports:

Sept. 22

9:14 a.m. Trespassing was reported on Placerville Drive.

mollusk discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta of California one year ago.

In March 2025, the agencies enacted mandatory decontaminations in addition to the mandatory inspections that have been required since 2008. A required stop at one of three regional inspection stations only applies to vessels that don’t have an intact inspection seal from their last haul out from Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake or Echo Lakes.

This season, trained watercraft inspectors intercepted 72 watercraft traveling to Tahoe with aquatic invasive species, 14 of which had invasive mussels onboard.

2025 by the numbers

• 4,700 motorized vessels decontaminated

the library on Fair Lane.

5:37 p.m. Petty theft was reported on Turner Street.

Sept. 27

• 72 vessels intercepted with AIS on board

• 14 interceptions of invasive mussels

• 60% of boats arrived clean, drained and dry

Since 2008, 123,000 watercraft have been inspected.

“Our inspectors were on the front lines of defense against golden mussels, which brought a strong sense of purpose and exceptional teamwork,” said Thomas Boos, AIS prevention coordinator at TRPA.

“We are grateful to our inspectors, boaters, and partners for keeping Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterbodies protected as we face this new threat.”

If introduced, golden mussels would

irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem, recreation and water quality. Since their discovery last year, golden mussels have already been detected as far south as Silverwood Lake near San Bernardino.

Tahoe Keepers

Protecting the Tahoe Basin from invasive species extends beyond the watercraft inspection stations. Agencies and partner organizations rallied this season to augment non-motorized outreach and stewardship programs to reduce the risk of transport on kayaks, paddleboards and fishing equipment.

CELEBRITY SMILES

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

An Oct. 24 head-on collision sent two people to the hospital and temporarily closed Highway 50 near Kyburz, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Just after noon Friday, Christopher Chew of San Ramon was driving a Lexus RX350 eastbound on Highway 50 near Sugarloaf Avenue when for undetermined reasons he drifted into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Ford work truck, according to CHP o cer Andrew Brown. The Lexus then struck head-on with a BMW sedan in the westbound lane.

Chew su ered major injuries and was flown to Sutter Roseville Medial Center for treatment. The male driver of the BMW was transported to Marshall Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and the man driving the Ford work truck was uninjured.

All lanes of Highway 50 were open with no delays shortly after 2 p.m.

2:37 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported at a motel on Broadway.

4:09 p.m. Petty theft was reported on Washington Street.

Sept. 24

2:22 a.m. Battery was reported at a grocery store on Broadway.

9:26 a.m. Petty theft was reported on Broadway.

9:30 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a park on Benham Street.

2:11 p.m. Battery was reported on Spring Street.

2:13 p.m. Petty theft was reported at a bar on Broadway.

8:32 p.m. Battery was reported at an apartment complex on Cold Springs Road.

Sept. 26

12:21 p.m. Trespassing was reported at

3:34 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported at a car wash on Turner Street.

Sept. 28

11:42 a.m. Trespassing was reported at a café on Broadway. 8:26 p.m. Battery was reported at a brewery on Main Street.

Could you benefit with a tooth refurbishment such as veneers?

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When you see celebrities with gorgeous white teeth, chances are they have undergone a smile transformation that involves porcelain veneers. These thin, custom-fabricated shells made of tooth-colored materials are used to resurface stained, pitted, and worn enamel. They also provide very satisfactory results when used to close overly large spaces and correct minor irregularities and crookedness of front teeth. Materials used for veneers include acrylic plastic and composite, but porcelain is often preferred for its durability, stain resistance, and natural look. The big advantage that veneers provide over tooth crowning is that they require very little alteration of the natural tooth beyond removal of sufficient enamel to accept the thickness of the veneer. The results are extraordinary.

We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-theart procedures that will result in a beautiful, long-lasting smile! We want to serve you in the most caring, conscientious way possible. Our staff is committed to providing you and your loved ones with excellent dentistry. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call us today. 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. Porcelain veneers generally last between five and ten years.

BLOWN AWAY SALON & BOUTIQUE RIBBON CUTTING

BLOWN

AWAY SALON & BOUTIQUE

1166 Broadway, Suite P, Placerville (661) 496-8426 blownawaysalonboutique.glossgenius.com

Blown Away Salon and Boutique has just opened its doors in beautiful Placerville, offering a fresh blend of style, relaxation, and elegance. Whether you're looking for a stunning new hairstyle, a pampering salon experience, or a unique shopping experience with trendy boutique finds, Blown Away has it all. With a talented team of stylists, top-of-the-line products, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, this new local gem is here to make you look and feel your best. Stop by and get ''blown away'' by the exceptional service and one-of-a-kind boutique collection today!

Owners Jessica and Tommy Hall are excited to welcome the community to the new West Placerville Grocery Outlet, now open at 31 Fair Lane—formerly the home of Rite Aid. With a mission to offer name-brand products at deeply discounted prices, the West Placerville location continues the Grocery Outlet tradition of delivering value to local shoppers. This new store provides even more access to the savings customers love, helping to meet the growing needs of the Placerville area.

31 Fair Lane Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 499-4233

https://www.groceryoutlet.com/our-story

Placerville

Spotlight on a Gold Member — Sol Nisbet Home Loans

Sol Nisbet Home Loans has earned quite a reputation in her field and in El Dorado County. She takes great pride in providing exceptional service and coupled with the best pricing, no doubt she’s got a solution for success. Working with a Mortgage Broker means she has access to 60 plus lenders, which presents advantages to the consumer looking for a mortgage. She guides and educates her clients. She is there from the very first meeting to the final loan signing with clients, the Notary and often their Real Estate Agent.

With her love for people & what she does, Sol thrives on hard work and helping others. Her new motto is, “We ought to be running

to help dreams come true.” You can count on her to be fully committed to helping folks achieve the American dream of home ownership. However, her commitment to giving back to her community goes beyond her professional responsibilities. Passion is at her core when it comes to impacting the lives of others, especially the lives of children in El Dorado County. Highly involved in the following boards and organizations: Divide Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Foundation for Community Health, Divide for the Kids, Mental Health on the Hill, Divide Ready By 21, Leadership El Dorado (Class 16).

Sol is the founder of the popular

Christmas in Cool event, which brings holiday cheer to the town of Cool and Divide Community. “My goal is to create memories for the kids.” She partnered up with the Divide Chamber of Commerce and other community leaders to make this event happen for the last 9 years. “I want to be a role model for kids, for them to know that with a little work, a positive attitude and collaboration, anything is possible.”

In her spare time, she loves to dance, run, listen to music, hike, cook, volunteer and spend time with friends and family. She and her husband Josh have been married for 11 years and have 4 kids between them. They live in Georgetown, and she has had the honor of calling El Dorado County her home for 24 years.

Sol Nisbet Home Loans (530) 401-5605

sol@homeloansbysol.com

Chamber Champions:

Miners on Main Scavenger Hunt

Officially welcomed into the Chamber family at our October luncheon were: Chaney Family Winery

Scott and Jaimye Chaney

“We’re a small, family-owned winery tucked into the rolling hills of Fair Play, California. Founded in 2023, Chaney Family Winery is our way of sharing a passion for great wine, hard work, and the beauty of this land we love.” (530) 663-6065 • www.chaneyfamilywinery.com

Katrin Snow, Deposition Consultant

“I work with lawyers to equip their clients to speak with clarity and integrity under the high-pressure demands of a deposition, strengthening their case for justice.” (415) 297-0645 • www.katrinsnow.com/

N ovember C ale N dar of e ve N ts

There are ten “Miners” hidden throughout Main Street Placerville from Sacramento Street to Clay Street. These Miners all had an impact on Placerville and El Dorado County during the Gold Rush period. Each miner has a QR code on the medallion that will take you to a webpage about the miners when scanned with your phone camera. So grab your phone and begin your hunt. visit-eldorado.com/ miners-on-main/ The Prospector

Vibrant Live Music + Arcade in downtown Placerville. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559273825704

Marco’s Café Music on the patio. https://marcoscafelotus. com/music/

Hwy 50 Brewery Music and Events https://hwy50brewery.com/live-music/ El Dorado Hills Town Center Events https://edhtowncenter.com/upcoming-events/ Smith Flat House Events https://www.smithflathouse.com/events Sierra Vista Winery Events www.sierravistawinery.com/upcoming-events/ The Meadow Community studio. Yoga, Pilates and more! https://connectatthemeadow.com/upcoming-schedule/

American River Conservancy Events

Conservation, Recreation, Stewardship, Education. https://arconservancy.org/events/ Moonlight Tours

Weekly on Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Where historic gold town stories are as rich as the ore once was, and the ghost tours are so chilling, even the specters have goosebumps. (530) 497-4960, moonlightghosttours@gmail. com, https://moonlighttours.co/ Community Observatory

Night Sky Viewing Weekly on Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 6699 Campus Dr, Placerville. $2 parking fee at the college. www.communityobservatory.com, (530) 344-5707

Placerville Speedway

Located at the El Dorado County Fair and

Event Center. www.placervillespeedway.com

Bingo Night Weekly on Tuesdays. Pollock Pines Community Center, 2675 Sanders Dr. (530) 647-8005. https://pollockpinesca.org/

Nov 01 The Center Drive Fore Change 2nd Annual Golf Tourney

Proudly hosted by the Coffrini Family Foundation, this year’s tournament will take place at xGolf El Dorado Hills, featuring stateof-the-art indoor golf simulators that deliver unmatched accuracy and realism through advanced technology, including high speed cameras, infrared lasers, impact sensors, and cutting-edge gaming software. The course will be PEBBLE BEACH! The tournament will still be a traditional scramble format, with three convenient tee times available: 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM. Teams of two or three players will be formed based on registration numbers, ensuring a great experience for all participants. Guests will enjoy delicious meals served throughout the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) paired with signature cocktails to toast a day of friendly competition and community support. https://the-center-drive-forechange.perfectgolfevent.com/

Nov 01 New Beginnings Cornhole Tournament

Entry - $90 per team of two. Check in at 10 a.m. Winners announced & event wraps up around 3:00 p.m. Every team plays multiple round-robin games, prior to battling it out in either our Championship or Backyard Bracket.  Grab your partner and enjoy an amazing day or cornhole, laughs, food, and fun while supporting a great cause.  No experience needed - just bring your enthusiasm! Food and Drink available for purchase. Held at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Pavilion D. 530-303-3710 , www.newbeginningsgoldcountry.org or http://bit.ly/newbecorn

Nov 05 Weddings & Special Occasions Vendor Mixer

Hosted by the Placerville Gathering Place. 5 – 7p.m. Are you a small business serving the weddings and events industry in El Dorado County? Come by for networking, brainstorming, light bites, and drinks. Remember to bring your business cards & be ready to mingle! 2820 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville.

Nov 06 Beck’s Shoes

One Year Anniversary Celebration Ribbon Cutting ceremony, snacks and refreshments, Beck’s gift card giveaway. 4 – 6:00 p.m. 1224 Broadway, Placerville.

Nov 08 20th Annual Crab & Chowder Gala All-you-can-eat crab, pasta, clam chowder, bread, and salad, plus a no-host bar, exciting raffle, and live music from Dream of the Dreamer. $80 per person Table for 8 – $750, Table for 10 – $925. El Dorado County Fair and Event Center. https://eldoradocountyfair.org/gala.html

Nov 08 Swap Meet El Dorado County Fair and Event Center. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. https://eldoradocountyfair.org/ swap.html

Nov 08 Snowline Thrift Holiday Spectacular

9 a.m. 7 p.m. Get ready for the season at all three Snowline Thrift Stores during our Holiday Spectacular! Placerville, Cameron Park & Folsom. Shop amazing prices on all your holiday needs – from décor and lights to festive tableware, gifts, and more. Whether you’re trimming the tree, setting the table, or finding that perfect treasure, Snowline Thrift has it all at prices you’ll love. All proceeds support the mission of Snowline Health (Hospice & Palliative Care) thank you for shopping with purpose!

Nov 08 Boot Scoot Scavenger Hunt 1 – 3:30 p.m. Benefiting Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode. Get ready to put your boots on & scoot down Main Street for a fun-filled scavenger hunt! Explore local merchants & discover hidden boot bouquets among their usual offerings. Each boot you find earns you a stamp on your Scoot Card which translates to raffle tickets for exciting prizes! $20 per person. Start at US Bank of Placerville parking lot 3075 Sacramento St. Check-in 1:00 p.m.2:00 p.m. Raffle: Held at 3:30pm Nov 15 CASA El Dorado Shine Bright Gala

An evening of elegance, impact, and hope. Join us as we come together in support of brighter futures for local children in foster care. 5:30 –9:30 p.m. Serrano Country Club | 5005 Serrano Parkway, El Dorado Hills. www.

casaeldorado.org

Nov 15

Disaster Readiness Workshop 8171 Mt. Aukum Road, Suite 103, Mt. Aukum. www.westslopefoundation.org/preparedness/workshops

Nov 21

Home Grown Comedy at The Stage at Burke Junction Third Fridays, 8 – 10 p.m. Join The Stage for Stand Up Comedy every month! Every month, new comedians, endless laughs! Tickets only $25. $5 Beer and Wine Menu all night. The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Ln, Suite E-1, Cameron Park. www.stageatburke.com/homegrowncomedy Nov 22 Winter Rummage Sale

Hosted by the Placerville Shakespeare Club, featuring warm winter clothing such as coats, jackets,

Nov 22 Christmas Craft Faire 9 a.m. – 3 p.m Cameron Park CSD, 2502 Country Club Dr, Cameron Park.

Nov 28

Hometown Holiday on Main 4 – 8:00 p.m. Tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. Holiday entertainment, merchants open late, local food and dessert vendors. City of Placerville, Dept. of Community Services, (530) 642-5252.

Nov 28 - 29 Dust Off the Bottle Library Wine Event Taste and purchase past vintages with live music in the barrel room. Lava Cap Winery, 2221 Fruitridge Rd, Placerville. www.lavacap. com. For more information on these and other events, visit www.visiteldorado.com

Formoreinformationontheseandother events,visitwww.visiteldorado.com

Eventdate,time,costorlocationsaresubjecttochange.Priortoattendinganevent pleaseconfirmtheinformation.

OPINION

California Matters

California’s gerrymander, generational rift could shake up its Democratic hierarchy

Democratic politicians throughout California

— those already in

o ce and those who want in — assume that voters will rearrange the state’s 52 congressional districts next month and create new career opportunities.

The assumption is well grounded. A recent CBS News poll found 62% of the state’s likely voters, driven by disdain for President Donald Trump, will enact Proposition 50, a plan to shift five more congressional seats to Democrats even though they already have 43.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gerrymander would o set pro-Republican redistricting schemes in Texas and other states that Trump seeks to retain, or perhaps expand, the GOP’s paper-thin majority in the House next year.

With Prop. 50 seemingly a slam-dunk, current Democratic congressional members and wannabes are trying to sort out who will run for what — no small feat. To create the new seats, the Democrats’ political cartographers have to spread the party’s 10.4 million voters more thinly, reducing its margins in districts it already holds.

California also is not immune to the Democrats’ generational conflict, in the wake of their loss to Trump last year after an aged and obviously impaired President Joe Biden dropped out.

Politico declares, “Fully half of the state’s older House Democrats are set to face same-party challengers next year …”

The most interesting example is in San Francisco, where 85-year-old Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker who has held her congressional seat for nearly 40 years, has already drawn two primary opponents even though she hasn’t announced whether she’ll run again.

First in was 39-year-old Saikat Chakrabarti, a former campaign aide and sta er to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, typifying the young progressives who have chafed at their party’s geriatric leadership.

His candidacy forced the issue for state Sen. Scott Wiener, who at 55 is no spring chicken. He has been waiting patiently for years for Pelosi to retire. Wiener declared his candidacy last week, telling the New York Times, “The world changes. I made a decision that it makes sense for me to get into the race now because I’m passionate about San Francisco having the best possible representation.”

Pelosi won’t announce her intentions until after Prop. 50 is decided. But if she does retire, she likely wants to choose her successor — which is how she got her congressional seat in 1987.

San Francisco politics have a long history of control by a few powerful factions, most prominently one created in the 1950s by Willie

■ See WALTERS, page A7

The Rural Life

When

It’s fascinating to me how getting to know a creature can totally change your feelings about it.

My husband and I, along with extended family members, own a small U.S. Forest Service cabin up Highway 50 at Strawberry. You may recall Strawberry from 2021’s horrific Caldor Fire, which but for the heroic e orts of firefighters would’ve destroyed all the cabins in that area, including ours.

Letters to the Editor

Give Prop. 50 a chance

EDITOR:

Iread Mr. Berry’s “Prop. 50 is gerrymandering” letter. I get it. I object to gerrymandering too. Always have.

But I feel we have never been faced with so clear a danger to ever having a balanced national legislature in the future. What makes me think “yes on 50” is the best option was reading the full wording of the measure.

It is clear that this is temporary. New maps will be drawn, again, by the nonpartisan commission based on the 2030 census. We will return to our current procedure. This proposition further suggests/asks that such nonpartisan commissions be made federal law throughout the nation in the future.

Please read the full text and perhaps rethink your upcoming vote.

MINDY DURAND Placerville

More like Texas

EDITOR:

Alot is being said about Prop. 50. What we have now in having an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission should

be an example of how it should be done and should be adopted by the rest of the states. By voting no we can retain this procedure and not leave it up to politicians of any persuasion or outside influences to e ect Californians.

It seems like the only reason that Newsom wants to change this is because Texas is gerrymandering its districts. If he really wants to be like Texas he should start by lowering taxes, reducing energy prices (not attacking the producers) and reducing regulations so companies want to return to California and bring good-paying jobs. By doing these simple things he can also reduce the cost of building housing and even reduce homelessness. Maybe we should take some lessons from Texas. BRUCE BILA Placerville

Defending democracy

EDITOR:

Areader wrote recently that all of us who are voting no on Proposition 50 should reconsider for the sake of democracy; that’s exactly why I’m voting no … for the sake of democracy in California!

The current congressional delegation from

So fire is obviously the big threat, and although mice certainly don’t fall in that category, we do find them something of a menace — especially over the winter when the cabin is closed up. We don’t use poison, as that puts wildlife that prey on mice

at risk. Fortunately, we’ve found that a combination of scentbased repellents and plug-in electric devices works pretty well.

That is until earlier this fall, when I made a ba ing discovery in the cabin’s sleeping loft. What I saw, though, didn’t make me think “mouse.” Mice, when they come in, are almost always on the ground floor, where traces of foodstu s might be.

But this critter-evidence, a substantial pile of random stu on the otherwise swept-clean floor, was on the upper level. My first thought upon seeing it was “break in.” I actually thought a human had done it — one of those malicious, mess-things-up types.

I tried to imagine how a paint brush or a ip op might contribute to a woodrat structure, but apparently these creatures also simply enjoy gathering junk to decorate their nests.

The items strewn across the floor included several small paint brushes, a small hammer, a paint-can opener, pieces of sandpaper, a note pad and a rubber flipflop. Most of the items — apart from the flipflop — had been pinched from my husband’s stash of cabin-maintenance tools in one corner of the loft and were, apparently, being dragged to the opposite corner.

In that far corner, behind a storage trunk, we found a 4-inch hole gnawed through the wood siding — clearly the critter’s entry point.

But … what kind of critter? A mouse couldn’t have dragged the heavier items. Perhaps a squirrel? I know from experience (and have written

about) how loopy squirrels can be, but I’ve never heard of them engaging in this type of petty theft. Stumped, we put the items back where they belonged and my husband plugged up the entry hole tightly with a wad of steel wool. Problem solved, we thought. Not solved! When my husband returned a couple weeks later to close the cabin for the season, the steel wool was gone and the transport of stu from the tool corner was again in progress. I went researching and verified it wasn’t squirrels; though they can indeed infest structures, they don’t

Brown, brothers Phillip and John Burton and George Moscone. The Burtons both served in Congress. John Burton was a long-time legislative leader and Moscone, then the city’s mayor, was assassinated in 1978.

Brown, now 91 and the only one of them still alive, wields massive influence in the city, after being the longest-tenured Assembly speaker and winning two terms as mayor. He was instrumental in the careers of Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Pelosi, born into a powerful political family in Baltimore, continued the family business in 1963 after marrying Paul Pelosi, scion of an influential San Francisco family, and moving to his city. She integrated into the Brown-Burton-Moscone organization. When Phillip Burton died in 1983, his widow, Sala, took over his congressional seat and then, before dying in 1987, designated Pelosi as her successor.

San Francisco media have speculated that if Pelosi steps down, she might favor Connie Chan, a city supervisor, as her successor, noting that Chan

was the only local official to speak alongside Pelosi at a recent Prop. 50 rally. However, it’s also been rumored that daughter Christine Pelosi might want to succeed her mother.

That’s the way things have gone in San Francisco for decades. Will it continue or is evolution in the air?

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

Continued from A6

California consists of two senators, both democrats: 52 representatives, 43 of which are Democrats, while only nine are Republicans. California Democrats want to create five more seats in the delegation by gerrymandering them from Republicans; that leaves me even more woefully underrepresented in Congress. Why wouldn’t I vote no? And, you trust these same politicians to relinquish their gerrymandering power back to the people in 2030? Why wouldn’t I vote no?

ANTHONY

ARJIL Placerville

This

isn’t a game

EDITOR:

Are yes on 50 supporters really saying, “Do unto others as others do unto you?”

That sounds more like an “eye for an eye” approach — the kind that ultimately leaves everyone worse off. It’s striking how easily that mindset has crept into modern thinking, even among those who call themselves progressive. The true teaching — the one rooted in enduring wisdom — is: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That’s the path of compassion and integrity.

That’s why I’ll be voting no on 50 — not out of anger or ideology, but because higher values still matter. Politics shouldn’t just be a game.

JOHN CHILD Placerville

A waste of money

EDITOR:

Iam writing this letter because I’m upset with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Why? Because of this special election on Nov. 4 that will cost taxpayers $300 million. This special election is a waste of money that taxpayers got stuck paying. All the money being spent on this election should have been spent on more firefighters, police officers, teachers. That would have made a lot more sense. Gavin wants to be the one who beats Trump at something. I’m voting no on Proposition 50.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com

AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org

CAMERON PARK NEWCOMERS

CLUB meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 at the Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., CP, 95682. New and current local community members are welcome for fun and games throughout the month. For further information contact Jill Butler at 530-295-7448.

El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

PLAY CRIBBAGE

Join the Gold Country CribbersWe Play - We Teach - We Have Fun Wednesdays 4:00 PM Gilmore Senior Center 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA 916-212-2465 or 916-768-4452

Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information. GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

HANGTOWN

Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Monica 530-306-7066. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth

High school flag football playoffs under way

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

A new season begins Wednesday for the Oak Ridge and Ponderosa girls flag football teams with the start of CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Both the Trojans and Bruins enter the postseason with winning at least a share of their respective league and conference titles.

The section released the playoff brackets on cifsjs.org on Friday.

Oak Ridge — Earning the No. 3 seed in the Division I bracket, Oak Ridge (11-3 in the Sierra Foothill League, 15-4 overall), which won a share of the league title with Granite Bay, will host No. 14 River City of West Sacramento on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Oak Ridge head coach Eric Cavaliere, who is also the school’s athletic director, has seen his team perform at a high level during most of the regular season. But he feels his team can play better in the playoffs.

“We haven’t played our best late in the season,” Cavaliere said. “We need to continue to improve each day and expect the best from each other on Wednesday.” Oak Ridge enters

the playoffs with a 9-1 record at home.

River City took third place in the Monticello Empire League with a 7-5 record and 11-12 overall.

The River City-Oak Ridge winner will take on the No. 11 Gregori of Modesto-No. 6 Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove winner on Monday.

Other teams in the same bracket are No. 10 Sheldon of Sacramento at No. 7

Turlock and No. 15

Central Valley of Ceres at No. 2 McClatchy of Sacramento. Ponderosa — Playing in the Division II bracket, defending section champion

Ponderosa, which won the Capital Valley Conference title with an 11-1 record and 15-6 overall, is also the No. 3 seed.

Wednesday at SimonBruin Stadium, the Bruins will host No.

14 Lodi, which is a member of the Tri-City Athletic League.

“The girls are excited for the opportunity,” said Ponderosa head coach Tyson Escobar.

“We set two goals at the beginning of this season. CVC champions and SJS champions. So, we’ve reached goal No. 1 with now a four-game season (playoffs that include the final two reaching the title game) trying to accomplish

our second goal of section champions.”

Ponderosa enters the playoffs winning its last five games, and 8 of its last 10. The Bruins are a perfect 10-0 in home games this season.

“The girls are playing very disciplined football on both sides of the ball and are feeling very confident going into Wednesday’s game,” Escobar said. “They understand that each game will be a

Ponderosa’s Ann Dunham (13) puts pressure on the Rio Americano quarterback during a game earlier this month. The Bruins return to the playoffs this season, hoping for another title.

dog fight and need to eliminate mistakes and make plays as the game progresses.”

The Lodi-Ponderosa winner will play the No. 11 Elk Grove-No. 6 El Capitan of Merced game on Monday. Other teams in the same bracket are No. 10 St. Francis of Sacramento at No. 7 Antelope and No. 15 Vista del Lago of Folsom at No. 2 Kimball of Tracy.

Pivotal high school football games on tap this week

Mike Bush Mountain Democrat correspondent

Two of four El Dorado County high school football teams are looking to secure CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berths.

The other two face each other in a Sierra Valley Conference regular season and hope to earn a berth in the section’s new bowl game series.

Oak Ridge (3-2 in the Sierra Foothill League, 6-3 overall) and Ponderosa (3-2 in the Capital Valley Conference, 6-3) will close out action in their respective leagues this Friday. A victory in their league finales should increase the chances of earning a playoff spot in the eight-school brackets of Division I (ORHS) and Division III (PHS).

Oak Ridge and Ponderosa, with a playoff berth, along with other schools in their divisions, would earn a firstround bye week. The first round of the playoffs is scheduled to start on Friday, Nov. 14.

El Dorado (1-5 in the SVC, 2-7) and Union Mine (2-4 in the SVC, 2-7) will square off in their annual Gold Nugget Game at the Diamondbacks’ field in El Dorado on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The game was moved because of Halloween on Friday.

A victory by the Cougars or Diamondbacks could increase their chances of earning a first-ever bowl game, which the section is introducing this season for schools ranked in Nos.

9-16 and don’t earn a playoff berth in their respective divisions. The section’s board of managers passed the new playoff structure earlier this month by a 55-2 vote.

Should El Dorado and/or Union Mine earn a bowl game appearance, they would play on Friday, Nov. 7.

According to Will DeBoard, assistant commissioner for the section, the playoff brackets and bowl game matchups for Divisions I-VII, plus eight-man football, are scheduled to be released on Sunday.

Here is a look at how each team performed in league and conference games last Friday.

Oak Ridge — In an SFL game at Whitney of Rocklin, Oak Ridge was too much for the Wildcats, posting a 28-6 win.

The visiting Trojans held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and increased it to 21-0 at halftime. Oak Ridge scored its final touchdown of the game in the third.

Jasen Womack racked up the big yards for Oak Ridge as he carried the ball 23 times for 157 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans had 162 rushing yards.

Quarterback Nick Johnson completed six of 10 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans. Luke Tuber also ran the offense for Oak Ridge, as he threw five of eight passes for 96 yards and a TD. The Trojans had 210 total passing yards.

On defense, Troy Taber and Ben

Rivas had nine tackles each for the Trojans. Womack and Ascheli Andrade followed with seven each.

This Friday Oak Ridge welcomes Rocklin (1-4 in SFL, 5-4). The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Ponderosa — In a CVC game at Simon-Bruin Stadium, Ponderosa held off a late rally by Vista del Lago to post a 35-34 win.

The game was tied 21-all entering the fourth quarter. The Bruins and visiting Eagles scored two touchdowns each, but Vista missed its attempt in scoring the extra point that led to Ponderosa escaping with the win.

Colton Ridgley threw 225 yards on 18 of 26 attempts and two touchdowns for the Bruins. Zealand Jenkins hauled in seven receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown in the game.

On the ground, Jenkins, along with teammates Ben Bailey and Marshall Alvernaz, scored a touchdown each. Weston Komulainen scored the other

From billboards to an interactive exhibit to a chance-to-win campaign, partners in the basin broadcast one clear message: Clean, Drain, Dry all gear to protect the lake.

2025 non-motorized prevention

• 800 new Tahoe Keepers certified

• 4 free CD3 machines located around the lake

• 4 roving inspectors:

• 10,000 craft inspected

• 17,000 people connected

TD for the Bruins. This Friday Ponderosa travels to Sacramento to play first-place Inderkum (5-0 in the CVC, 8-1). The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7:15 p.m.

El Dorado — Making the trek to Sutter Creek to take on Amador, the host Buffalos ran past El Dorado with a 48-22 score.

Hunter Rupley completed 22 of 38 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns for El Dorado, which trailed 28-12 at halftime.

Heath Morris had eight receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns for the Cougars. Logan Kruse followed with four receptions for 80 yards. Tyler Villa accounted for the team’s other touchdown.

Union Mine — Taking on Galt on the Erv Hatzenbuhler Field at Warrior Stadium on Friday, the Diamondbacks took a bite on the host Warriors, posting a 60-20 win. Galt dropped to 0-6 in the SVC and 1-8 this season.

• 30 beaches protected Since 2008, 8,300 Tahoe Keepers have been certified. The free Tahoe Keepers training program saw one of its biggest years for new certifications and the addition of a fourth roving inspector helped thousands of recreators learn how to clean, drain and dry their gear.

“It wasn’t until I worked at the watercraft inspection station that I saw how vulnerable the lake is to invasive species,” said Leland Li, a watercraft inspector turned roving inspector.

“The folks I talk to are the same; people care and want to protect the lake but may not be aware of all the threats. When beachgoers are educated, they spread the word to others and amplify the effect of our work.”

Winter operations begin

Mandatory inspections and decontaminations continue to be essential in protecting the Jewel of the Sierra. To maintain access for boaters visiting in the winter, inspection and decontamination will only be available by appointment on select Wednesdays at the Meyers inspection station. Winter inspections have shifted away from the year-round launch ramps; however, boats with an intact Tahoe inspection seal can go straight to the ramp. Appointments for winter decontamination can be made at TahoeBoatInspections.

Delay Continued from A1 supervisors’ concerns. “The reason why I brought this forward is because of the DA (district attorney) and the sheriff,” he said. Both those county elected officials have come out against the ballot measure.

With Nov. 4 the day voters will ultimately decide, District 1

Fees Continued from A1

property, facility or residence. An application fee is collected as part of the process as well as a date change fee charged if the change is not weather related and a set up/tear down daily fee. Fees are determined on a sliding scale based on the size and type of production. All fee revenue collected goes toward the annual Film Office costs ($150,750) and county staff time.

Permit exclusions are made for news media, personal/family video, studio filming in a certified studio or portrait photography.

“We made sure to exclude portrait photography that does not require a road facility closure or use of drones,” Garner said. “If you are a photographer and you’re taking your nice, fall family portraits in the area you do not have to pay a film fee for that.”

“We’d make a lot of money though,” noted District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin with a chuckle.

“We would,” Garner responded, “but we’ll put it down as they’re showcasing our beautiful county.” Garner also noted state guidelines prevent exorbitant filming permit fees. “We don’t get to charge $10,000 just because we love our county and think it’s worth that,” she said. “It has to be based on staff costs.”

Jennifer Morris, senior administrative analyst with Planning and Building, researched and developed the county’s film fee schedule, which she presented to the board.

q Film Office hourly rate: $85

q Application fee: assumes 3.25 hours of Film Office and county departments’ review. The permit application fee could be waived or reduced for student projects or for county promotional films.

q Daily Film Fee (Film Permit):

• 01-20 people — $255

• 21-50 people — $510

• 51-100 people — $1,615

hoard random stuff. Turns out all arrows pointed to my old friend, the dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes). Seems I’m always learning about this species in surprising ways, as told in my January 2017 column, “Case of the curious carcass.” Our cat had dropped on our doorstep a creature that looked like a giant field mouse, with that cute rodent’s large, upright ears; prominent, expressive eyes; and thick, soft-looking fur that lightens to cream-colored on its underside.

It was the size of a rat — ick — but unlike a rat (to which the woodrat is not closely related), its tail was lightly furred, a welcome difference from the rat’s “naked” tail.

I wrote back then that it looked like a Disney animal, and have since learned I’m not alone in thinking woodrats are charming.

“Surprisingly adorable,” affirms Urban Edge Wildlife’s Marilyn Krieger in an online article on the species. Their behavior is kind of adorable, too. They build amazing, conicalshaped dens out of twigs, sticks and miscellaneous debris. As naturalist John Muir observed over a century ago, that debris might include “curious odds and ends — bits of cloddy earth, stones, bones, bits of deer-horn, etc.”

I tried to imagine how a paint brush or a flipflop might contribute to a woodrat structure, but apparently these creatures also simply enjoy gathering junk to decorate their nests. They sometimes drop whatever they’re carrying to pick up something else that catches their eye — especially if it’s shiny.

Supervisor Greg Ferrero questioned the need to bring the item back at all — a notion met with interruption from the audience and a call to order.

Parlin moved to continue the item to the Nov. 4 meeting with Veerkamp seconding. The motion passed 4-1. Ferrero voted no.

q Daily Film Fee (Commercial Still Photography)

• 01-10 people — $168.30

• 11-20 people — $336.60

• 21-50 people — $1,065.90

q Daily Film Fee (Prep/Strike Fee for Film Permit)

• 01-20 people — $127.50

• 21-50 people — $255

• 51-100 people — $807.50

q Daily Film Fee (Prep/Strike Fee for Commercial Still Photography)

• 01-10 people — $84.15

• 11-20 people — $168.30

• 21-50 people — $532.95

“These are based on our estimated actual costs,” Garner stressed, noting a nexus study was included in the board packet. “We’ll monitor that down the road if it seems like we’re off and we can always come back and revise the fees.”

Staff will be able to track fees and expenses to ensure everything is in line, Morris added. Parlin requested an annual update on the program, which Garner notes is part of the MOU with the chamber.

“We’ll also be looking at things like TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) that’s generated from any overnight stays, sales tax, those kinds of things,” Garner added. “Because all those obviously have a positive impact on the county budget. We want to make sure we capture as much as we can.”

Still sore from a lack of acknowledgement at the end of “Top Gun: Maverick,” part of which was filmed in the Sierra and Lake Tahoe region, District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo asked, “Can we make sure El Dorado County gets recognized?”

The No. 1 movie’s end credits did not mention the county. Parlin noted language addressing that is in the MOU to ensure there’s no sequel to that oversight. She motioned to approve the fees with District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero seconding. The motion passed 5-0. The fees will take effect 30 days from Oct. 21.

That’s why they’re also known as packrats or trade rats.

Their dens, up to 5 feet high and 8 feet across, according to the National Wildlife Federation, can include separate compartments serving as waterproof bedrooms, nurseries, storerooms for cached food and even latrines.

Fairly amazing.

Also amazing: lining their nests with California bay laurel leaves, which release volatile oils that can kill flea larvae and repel ticks and mites.

Resourceful! And personable to boot, according to Muir. He wrote that while camping one night in the Sierra, “I was awakened by a gritting sound on the granite, and by the light of my fire I discovered a handsome neotoma beside me, dragging away my ice hatchet, pulling … by a buckskin string on the handle.”

Muir tried to frighten the woodrat off, “but he stood scolding and chattering back at me, his fine eyes shining with an air of injured innocence.”

We’ll have to see about that. Before leaving the cabin the last time, my husband nailed up a metal sheet over the woodrat’s entrance hole. We won’t know if it works until we open the cabin up again in the spring.

If we find another huge mess, it’ll be hard for me to think of the duskyfooted woodrat — as handsome and clever as he may be — as innocent.

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.

COMICS

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Indecision ties up mental energy. Don’t agonize, because today’s choices aren’t that different from one another and what you choose doesn’t matter too much. Every decision clears space and creates confidence, which fuels the next choice.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You notice how people change and grow. In some ways, their process is your process, because when one person changes, the relationship changes. Love is caring enough to acknowledge change -- and to balance it, too. Love is constant adjustment.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re looking for the next horizon. The horizon is also looking for you. It’s your enthusiasm and readiness that opens one opportunity after another in the weeks to come. Keep moving forward and fate meets you halfway.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You can put someone’s idea into words the other person understands. You will smooth over tension when opinions or tastes clash. You will soften awkwardness and deescalate conflict so things don’t blow up. When you’re involved, disconnects turn into connection.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A friend waits for you to text because they assume you’re too busy. A stranger holds back a compliment, unsure. You can’t know how others observe you, but chances are, they are waiting for you to make the first move.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). This game you’re playing is pretty long. Not every turn needs to be a play for the win. Some moves are meant to get you to the next move, and that is enough. Today, focus on whatever gives you momentum.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Restlessness feels uncomfortable. Don’t let it go on and on. Take the agitation as a signal to move. If you cannot or should not change locations, can you change your focus where you are? Can you travel inward? Can you approach it differently?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In life and in video games, you don’t have to keep the first avatar you started the game with. You’re free to

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

Oct. 29

Main Street Menagerie Costume Party will take place, 7-10 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

Oct. 30

Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento presents Craftical Magic at 6:30 p.m. Conjure the spooky spirit on Halloween Eve and settle in for a screening of “Practical Magic” (1998) with your favorite craft in hand, or dig into charm-making and tarot readings. Explore the museum’s witchy side on a spirited docent-led tour and toast the night away at the margarita bar. For more information visit crockerart. org.

Placerville Senior Center will host a Trip Preview by Collette Vacations highlighting several trip destinations. For more information call Rebecca Johnson at (530) 621-6255.

Love and Honey will perform, 7-9 p.m. at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “In a Nutshell: Storytelling Series” through Nov. 28 at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Oct. 31

Embrace the spooky spirit as El Dorado Hills Town Center transforms into a Halloween Haven, 3-6 p.m. Participating Town Center businesses open their doors for delightful trick-ortreating, creating a festive and safe environment for kids and families to enjoy. Join the excitement with a thrilling costume contest commencing at 5 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater. Categories include Most Creative, Hero/ Villain or Princess, Cutest, Scariest, and Best Group or Family.

The city of Placerville and T.W. Bonkers present Trick or Treat on Main in Placerville from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy trick or treating from business to business, costume contests, carnival games, spooky activities, face painting, a live DJ and more. Learn more at cityofplacerville.org.

The Pollock Pines Community Center will host a free Haunted House Halloween event from 5-8 p.m. with games, prizes, treats and fun for the whole family.

Ryder Thieves + Frogs Out Front Halloween Haunt will take place, 7 p.m. to midnight at The Green Room Social Club in downtown Placerville. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

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

Fairytale Town in Sacramento presents Trick-or-Treating, Scavenger Hunts and Music in a whimsical setting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit fairytaletown.org.

Visit the Sacramento Halloween Party Pub Crawl beginning at 6 p.m. in Midtown. For more information visit crawlwith. us/sacramento/halloween. Join the Sacramento

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

It is what every actor both fears and reveres. Something going wrong on stage is what actors tell each other about when they chat in the green room, the story of the show that went off without a hitch is seldom told.

In “The Play That Goes Wrong,” even the simplest stage direction is an opportunity for disaster, and the result is two hours of theatrical chaos so precisely executed it’s almost suspicious.

Theatre at the Mine at Union Mine High School plans to exploit those two hours to the fullest when they open “The Play That Goes Wrong” on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

The British comedy, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre, follows the wellmeaning members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery titled “The Murder at Haversham Manor.”

What unfolds is less “Agatha Christie” and more “Oh no, the door fell off again.”

From the moment the curtain rises (sort of), the production begins its descent into bedlam. Cues are missed, props break, actors are knocked out cold and the set itself appears to be held together by sheer optimism. One character’s desperate attempt to keep a portrait from falling becomes an endurance event. Another actor’s repeated entrances through the wrong door feel like a competitive sport.

And yet, amid the mayhem, the cast remains admirably committed to the show. They soldier on with the determination of people who’ve never met a disaster they couldn’t pretend was part of the script. That’s the genius of the thing — everything is supposed to go wrong, but it’s all choreographed with split-second precision. Audiences love it because it feels both familiar and outrageous. Anyone who’s ever participated in community theater will recognize the earnestness of the Cornley crew — the missed lines, the overacting, the tech glitches — and the unspoken rule that the show must, somehow, go on.

Since its debut in London in 2012, “The Play That Goes Wrong” has taken the theater

world by storm, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and earning a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design after its 2017 Broadway run. It has since toured internationally, spawned spin-offs like “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” and “The Comedy About a Bank Robbery,” and even inspired a BBC television series, “The Goes Wrong Show.”

For lighting designer Ethan Shepard, a sophomore, creating the right atmosphere for the play within the play can be a challenge for their first time at the lighting helm..

“Half of it is creating a mood,” he said. “Half of it is like, you want to make sure the actors can be seen, right?”

However the inherent “goes wrong” theme of the show lends itself to experimentation.

“It’s definitely a good show to start with, because stuff is supposed to go wrong,” he joked. “So you may place a light or something happens while the actual production is going on. No one’s gonna notice, or they’re gonna think, oh, that’s another part of it.”

For Ayla Gimpel the productions’ stage manager the chaos is all part of a day’s work.

“I love problem solving,” she said. “I love getting to figure stuff out and work with people. And it’s, all of it is just a big puzzle that I get to help figure out, and I get to help a lot of people and make things go smooth, right?”

The theme of the show is an all too familiar thing for Gimpel.

“You can have a show that you have entirely queued out and timed out perfectly, and, you know, everything

Foundation established with million dollar donation

OUTH LAKE TAHOE — Lake Tahoe Community College has established the Schiller Foundation Economics Scholarship, a new fund made possible by renowned economist, educator and author Dr. Bradley R. Schiller. The scholarship supports LTCC students interested in economics who plan to transfer to four-year universities to continue their studies.

“Dr. Schiller dedicated his career to helping students understand how economics shapes the world around them,” said LTCC Superintendent/ President Jeff DeFranco. “This scholarship will honor his remarkable career and ensure that future students carry forward his vision of economics as a force for positive change. We are extremely grateful to have Dr. Schiller as a friend to LTCC.”

A distinguished teacher and author, Schiller has taught at American University, the University of Nevada, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Maryland. He has advised U.S. presidents from Nixon to Obama and has delivered guest lectures at more than 300 colleges worldwide.

His policy-focused approach is reflected in widely used textbooks, including “The Economy Today” and “The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination.” His commentary has appeared in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Schiller holds a bachelor’s degree with great distinction from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and

he maintains longstanding ties to the Lake Tahoe region.

“Education opens doors to opportunity and understanding,” Schiller said. “This scholarship is meant to help LTCC students see how economics connects to everyday life and to support their continued success at a four-year university.”

The Schiller Foundation Economics Scholarship offers up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of two years per recipient. Each Schiller Scholar may receive $7,000 toward tuition and fees paid directly to the fouryear institution, plus $3,000 for books, housing and other educational expenses.

Eligible students must have completed at least two college-level economics courses, been accepted to a four-year university, and maintained strong academic performance, with at least a B average in macroeconomics and microeconomics. Preference will be given to students who have completed economics coursework and at least 30 units at LTCC.

Second-year renewal will be prioritized for students who complete the equivalent of 20 semester units with a 3.0 GPA or higher during their first year at the four-year institution. Application details and deadlines will be available soon on LTCC’s Financial Aid webpage at ltccfoundation.org.

Schiller has consulted for major federal agencies, congressional committees, political candidates and U.S. presidents on issues including poverty, discrimination, tax reform, pensions and Social Security. He continues to write and comment on economic policy.

American River College celebrates

News release

SACRAMENTO — American River College will mark 70 years of learning, leadership and community this fall with Homecoming Week 2025, a weeklong celebration through Nov. 1 that invites students, alumni, employees and neighbors to reconnect with the college’s legacy.

Themed “You Belong Here: ReDiscover ARC,” the celebration will feature daily events highlighting ARC’s history, spirit of inclusion and role as a cornerstone of the Sacramento region. Activities across campus will include performances, art and athletic events, and opportunities for reflection and community service.

The festivities culminate Saturday, Nov. 1, with the Homecoming Game and Spirit Fest. The pregame celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. in the Beaver Stadium parking lot with music, food, performances and plenty of Beaver Pride before the ARC Beavers football team takes on Santa Rosa Junior College at 1 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to wear red and blue, bring donations for the Beaver Cares food pantry, and join in a spirited day that honors the college’s legacy while looking ahead to its future.

Highlights include:

• Mariachi Los Rios Concert, Oct. 29 • Instrumental Jazz Concert, Oct. 30

• Women’s Soccer – Celebrating Women in Sports, Oct. 31

All events take place at American River College, 4700 College Oak Drive in Sacramento. Full event details and updates are available at arc.losrios. edu/homecoming.

Founded in 1955 on the old Cameron Ranch, American River College now enrolls more than 30,000 students each semester, making it one of California’s largest community colleges. Its mission remains centered on transforming the future of students and the community through inclusive, equitable education.

Art meets nature in California Parks

News release

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks, the California Arts Council and Parks California have awarded more than $2.6 million in community grants to 30 organizations statewide through the Arts in California Parks program, an initiative turning parks into spaces for creativity, cultural exchange and community connection.

The funding supports local nonprofit, community and tribal organizations that bring music, dance, storytelling and visual arts into outdoor public spaces. The goal: to make California’s parks more welcoming and inclusive while

celebrating the state’s cultural diversity.

“Art brings people closer to the meaning of their parks — not only as places of natural beauty but as spaces for reflection, healing and shared experience,” said Armando Quintero, California State Parks director.

“When creativity meets open space, it deepens understanding of one another and reminds us that parks are for everyone.”

Launched in 2024, Arts in California Parks is a four-year, $8 million grants program managed by Parks California. This marks the second round of funding, with individual grants ranging from $28,000 to $150,000. Projects

include everything from youth mural programs and cultural festivals to circus performances and Native art exhibitions.

“At Parks California, we believe access isn’t just about getting to a park — it’s about feeling a sense of belonging once you’re there,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO of Parks California. “These projects reflect our vision of public lands as places where creativity thrives and every Californian can see themselves represented.”

“Sustainers of Life honors Indigenous women by sharing multidimensional stories within broader historical contexts,” said Cecelia Caro, director of exhibitions at Angels Gate Cultural Center. “This program makes it possible to share powerful voices in a setting where the community can reflect, learn and grow together.”

For details on projects, to learm more about future opportunities and upcoming events, visit ArtsInCaliforniaParks.

Sugar skulls and more form a walk of art

Andrew Vonderschmitt

Features editor

On a crisp fall evening the storefronts of Main Street quietly transform. Brightly painted skulls peer from display windows. Altars glow with marigold petals and flickering candles. Street corners hum with the rhythms of a mariachi band and the delicate footwork of baile folclórico dancers.

It’s the start of the fourth annual Sugar Skull Art Walk, scheduled for Nov. 2 from 5-9 p.m. — a celebration of art, tradition and community held in honor of Día de los Muertos.

Organizers say the event brings Latinx and Indigenous artists and student-creators face-toface with the community by taking their work out of galleries and placing it directly in shop-windows and sidewalks.

“We’re positioning Latinx Indigenous art in places of high visibility on Main Sreet,”said organizers.

That visibility is key. The art walk isn’t just an exhibit; it’s a procession, an offering and a bridge. The altars, or “ofrendas,” created by local residents and artists, invite the public to remember loved ones through photos, flowers, drawings or tokens.

The idea came from the desire to merge celebration with remembrance — to move beyond the party and bring life, memory and heritage into the everyday spaces of Placerville. Businesses volunteer storefronts. Artists and students paint, sculpt and display their work. On the night of the walk, the town becomes a gallery, altar and streetfestival all at once.

For many participants the feeling is personal. One educator described the ofrenda as “a way to give young Latinx students a voice and a place to honor their ancestors and their art.” Though the event is free and open to all ages, from face-painting booths to marigold-studded altars there’s a distinct pulse of cultural reclamation.

“The experience of life and loss is something we all share — it goes beyond anything that might divide us,” said organizer Melinda Velasco. “Coming together as a community to create ofrendas and honor our loved ones connects people in a deeply meaningful way.”

The possession will start at the Switchboard Gallery and follow the skulls down Main Street to Art on Center at 3182 Center St.

As the sun dips behind the Sierra foothills the shadows shrink and the skulls seem to smile under

lamplight. Bandleaders raise their strings, dancers form circles and visitors drift in from nearby towns just to soak in the communal warmth.

For the local businesses the art walk is a chance to show placemaking at its best: afternoon commerce turns into evening encounter. Window displays that once held fall fashions now frame sugar-skull murals and papel-picado bunting. For a single night the town lets memory and creativity take over.

In a time when divisions often feel louder than connections, the Sugar Skull Art Walk invites passers-by to pause. To recall. To create. And to cross the threshold from spectator to participant. Because the altars aren’t behind ropes — they’re in your path as you stroll, as you stop, as you linger.

“My hope is that the Sugar Skull Art Walk will continue to strengthen and unite our community for many years to come,” Velasco said.

The event runs on Nov. 2 from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Placerville. For more information visit the official site at sugarskullartwalk.com.

Feel fall at the Fair Play Harvest Wine Festival

Mimi Escabar

Special sections editor

Awonderful way to welcome the fall season is a trip out to the wineries in southern El Dorado County. The Fair Play Harvest Wine Festival on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 will showcase 20 wineries with each offering live music, activities, games, artisanal market vendors, harvest demonstrations, exclusive barrel tastings of future vintages and harvest-inspired food to go with the award-winning wines from the Fair Play American Viticultural area. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The cornucopia of happenings include stomping grapes, painting pumpkins, making a holiday cork wreath and more. Guests will also learn the intricacies of what goes into the wine harvest and have a chance to chat with the winemakers all while enjoying the gorgeous fall colors and views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The unique terroir of the Fair Play AVA produces a distinctive wine that comes from the high elevation vineyards between 2,000 and 3,000 feet above sea level and the complex soils featuring decomposed granite.

One ticket provides access to all the events at all of the wineries. For tickets and more information go to fairplaywine.com/harvest-festival.

Festival happenings

Bumgarner Winery, 7380 Vineyard View Drive

— Celebrate the harvest with award-winning Bumgarner wines and the return of the popular Crimson Trio Hard Cider. Enjoy gourmet pot pies from Solstice Savory Pies made with organic produce and ethically raised meats wrapped in all-butter puff pastry. Sip and compare the awardwinning wines, including the latest releases and library favorites, poured side by side. Then linger for a conversation with winemaker Brian Bumgarner. Ask about vineyard practices or blend decisions, and learn the story behind each vintage.

Busby Cellars, 6375 Grizzly Flat Road — Meet the knowledgeable staff and enjoy the solidly structured wines.

Cantiga Wineworks, 5980 Meyers Lane — Experience the European-style wines with harvestinspired food pairings. Catch the excitement of crush with demonstrations, music, crafts, games and a spiel from the winemakers. A visit to Cantiga is always an education. There will be a quiz.

Cedarville Vineyard, 6320 Marestail Road

— Enjoy the meticulously handcrafted wines using grapes nurtured in the granitic soils of the organically farmed estate. The wines express the elegance, complexity and the distinctive terroir of the hillside estate vineyard.

Chaney Family Winery, 8175 Fairplay Road — For the upcoming Harvest Festival the friendly staff we’ll be offering pumpkin painting, barrel tastings, a candy and wine pairing and live music in the late afternoon. It’s one of our favorite events of the season and we’re excited to share it with the community.

Château d’ Estienne, 2700 Omo Ranch Road — Indulge in extraordinary, award-winning wines from the Fair Play AVA. Enjoy food, live music, games, artisanal market vendors, harvest

demonstrations, and, most importantly, wine tasting while exploring Fair Play’s beautiful wineries. A world away awaits.

Cielo Sulla Terra Estate Vineyard & Winery, 8061 Perry Creek Road — Enjoy food and wine pairings, live music on both dates, and a wonderful craft and art vendor for holiday shopping.

E16 Winery, 8085 Perry Creek Road — Stop by to enjoy the new releases and the warm hospitality that defines the Fair Play region. Whether you’re a longtime friend or visiting for the first time, the Harvest Festival is the perfect way to savor autumn in this unique AVA. Element 79 Vineyards, 7350 Fairplay Road — It

will be a fun time with good food and fabulous wine and other surprises.

Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery, 3625 Omo Ranch Road — Come savor the house made focaccia appetizers paired with award-winning wines on the deck or in the large familial tasting room with jazz and blues in the background. Visitors can stroll through the vineyard enjoying late grapes.

Gwinllan Estate Vineyard and Winery, 7060 Fairplay Road — Have a pulled pork taco with all the sides. The tacos are made at the winery and attendees can watch the demonstration and make their own authentic tortillas if they so choose

Join Elder Options for Carrie’s Corner Holiday Giving

In 2023, Elder Options launched Carrie’s Corner — a special spot where caregivers throughout the community can find thoughtful gifts for those they care for, at no cost. Largely funded by Elder Options, Carrie’s Corner has provided hundreds of items to individuals across El Dorado County and beyond.

This year, the program is expanding to support even more community members, especially those who may be alone or far from family during the holidays. Elder Options is seeking donations through Dec. 15, including blankets and socks, activity sets and games, baking kits, puzzles, personal care items, hats, gloves, gardening supplies and herb gardens. Donations can be dropped off at 630 Main St. in Placerville, or visit elderoptionsca. com for details.

Carrie’s Corner is just one example of how Elder Options blends practical support with heartfelt community care. Founded in 1988 by Carol Heape, Elder Options was among the first locally owned

works together, and somebody’s still gonna drop a line,” she said, adding that a costume or prop will always go missing. “And so that makes it difficult, but it also keeps it exciting.”

Senior Jonathan Hack who plays Chris, the director of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, has had several roles in his time at Union Mine and is happy to have this as a senior year play.

“This has to be one of my favorite shows, I’m so happy that we can be going out on this one,” he said. “It’s one of the funniest ones I think we’ve put on in a long while, and I like how it has a more serious tone to it, but it still manages to be really comedic.”

Hack said the fast-paced nature of the play is challenging but fulfilling.

“Even if you have the line ‘mostly memorized’ two or three words wrong and it flips, it flips the tempo of the scene,” he said. “So for me, I’ve always been good at being able to figure out how a line should work and then trying to perfect it later. But this one, it’s been more about trying to hammer it on perfection as soon as possible, because it’s just that important to this show.”

Hack has loftier goals after school, but plans on keeping the stage in his life.

“After high school, I’m looking into doing criminal justice, maybe joining

care-management and home-care companies in the region. From its Placerville headquarters, the organization helps older adults live safely and comfortably at home while giving families peace of mind.

“They didn’t just send someone over; they coordinated everything,” said Angela Thompson, whose 79-year-old mother Mary receives home care through Elder Options. “Our care manager met with my mom, adjusted as her needs changed, and the caregiver ended up feeling like part of the family.”

Elder Options emphasizes care-managed in-home care — pairing each client with a dedicated care manager who assesses needs, builds a personalized plan and adapts as conditions change. Its services include home care, care management, respite care and help navigating Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver Program.

That model reflects a growing preference among older adults to “age in place” — staying in their homes rather than moving prematurely into

the police force, or, like, maybe law or something of the sort, like maybe studying law,” he said. “Theater has always just been one of the most fun things for me, so It will definitely be on the side, joining some type of theater troupe or anything, doing it more as a hobby.”

Kylie Dormandy, a senior playing Rachel, on the other hand has found her home in the theater.

“My favorite part of being on stage is being able to develop a character and figure out what makes them think and what makes them angry, what makes them happy, what makes them sad,” she said. “That and the community in theater, everyone in theater is so supportive of one another, and that’s something I really want to continue into my professional life.”

Dormandy has plans of going into the arts as a profession.

“I’m actually going to try and pursue acting after high school,” she said. “I’m applying to a couple of different fine arts colleges, and I’m planning on acting professionally.”

She admits this show is a challenge.

assisted living. According to company data, the average client age has risen from the late 70s in the 1980s to the late 80s and 90s today.

Though the company now serves areas from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe and into Carson City, Nevada, it remains deeply rooted in its community. Elder Options’ staff, care managers and caregivers live locally, giving them first-hand knowledge of regional resources and a personal connection to those they serve.

At its core, Elder Options aims to enhance the lives of older adults and their caregivers through compassion, respect and professional expertise. Carrie’s Corner extends that mission beyond clients to anyone who could use a little extra care during the holidays.

“Every interaction is rooted in a deep commitment to enhancing lives,” the agency states on its website. For families navigating complex care decisions, Elder Options’ approach offers one path: stay supported at home, with dignity — and stay connected to a community that cares.

“We’re put in so many stressful situations with the level, the platform, with the sword fight,” she said. “Your adrenaline goes up, and you have to, like, make the mental distinction of this is character or this is actual panic. But I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

In an age when entertainment often strives for perfection, “The Play That Goes Wrong” celebrates the beauty of failure. It’s proof that, when everything falls apart — sometimes

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for their own pulled pork tacos. The 2021 Late Disgorged Blanc des Noirs recently won the Foothill Wine Fest Best of Show Sparkling Wine.

MV Winery, 7263 Fairplay Road, Fair Play — Taste the award-winning wines grown in the 11-acre vineyard. The premium high-quality grapes produce beautiful wines that pair well with food.

Mellowood Vineyard, 2979 Mellowood Drive — The awesome staff we will be serving scrumptious Kenyan samosas and Savory Kenyan Kachumbari and pouring all the Mellowood favorites along with the two incredible new red blends, Asante and GSM. Come taste, explore and celebrate the harvest season.

Medeiros Family Wines, 7480 Fairplay Road — Sample the quality wines that are crafted using modern and traditional techniques in the processing and cellaring of the wines, while embracing sustainable farming practices in the vineyards.

Mirador Winery, 2501 Omo Ranch Road — Small-batch winemaking and a deep respect for the land come together to create sumptuous wines that can be enjoyed in a gorgeous mountain setting.

Oakstone Winery, 6470 Irish Acres Road — The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and the cellar smells like heaven — it must be harvest season. Stop in for a cozy fall tasting weekend featuring the fourth quarter wine club releases and surprises, perfectly paired with seasonal bites and that unmistakable autumn magic in the foothills.

literally — it can be absolutely, gloriously funny.

The show runs through Nov. 15 with Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances. For tickets visit onthestage.tickets/union-mine-highschool. Mountain Democrat

Polynesian Girl Winery, 6020 Grizzly Flat Road — Guests will taste estate wines that are all managed from bud to bottle by family. The quality is controlled at each step of the process to provide a high quality wine. This attention to detail maintains the intimate production of wines in small lots of about 800 cases a year.

Salute Cellars, 7505 Grizzly Flat Road — This is a chance to stomp in grapes at Saluti Cellars and get a grape-stomped T shirt as proof. That’s not all though. There will also be vineyard and animal tours (featuring the rescue critters), wood-fired pizzas and the fabulous wines.

Sentivo Vineyards, 7460 Fairplay Road — The stunning vineyard views are the perfect match to the limitedproduction award-winning wines for visitors to enjoy.

Shadow Ranch, 7050 Fair Play Road — Get to know the Fair Play wine region and taste exceptional wines and small bites. At Shadow Ranch enjoy the famous Harvest Chili as well as live music. Discover the unique terroir and meet the passionate winemakers of this scenic Sierra foothills region.

Toogood Wine Caves, 7280 Fairplay Road — Experience wine tastings inside of the wine cave and barrel tastings of two futures — petite sirah and zinfandel. Each guest will also get a tri-tip slider to enjoy.

Windwalker Vineyards, 7360 Perry Creek Road — It will be a fun time at an Italian-themed wine pairing.

Zombie Crawl beginning at 7 p.m. The crawl includes over 15 bars and continues on Nov. 1. For more information visit sacramentozombiecrawl.com.

The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents “FINAL FANTASY XIV and XVI in Concert” at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera. org.

Nov. 1

The Center for Violence-free Relationships will host its annual Drive Fore Change Golf Tourney at X Golf in the EDH Town Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For tickets and more information visit thecenternow.org.

New Beginnings Gold Country will host a Cornhole Tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For tickets and more information visit tinyurl.com/edx6xm8j.

Imagination Theatre at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents “The Show Must Go On” fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy food, refreshments, entertainment, auctions and a costume contest — all to help fund Imagination Theater’s upcoming season and programs. Each admission includes catered appetizers and a drink ticket along with access to the night’s entertainment and auctions. For more information visit itplacerville.org.

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

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

The Sacramento History Museum invites the community to a Mini Ofrenda Workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1002 Second St. in Old Sacramento. Advance registration is required for this ticketed event at sachistorymuseum.org.

Visitors to Charles B. Mitchell Winery, 8221 Stoney Creek Road in Fair Play, on Saturday and Sunday, the weekend of Dia de los Muertos, will see an altar among the barrels to honor founder and eternal storyteller Charles B. Mitchell with candles, marigolds and the wines

he loved most. Wines ordered by Halloween can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Costumes are encouraged. To learn more go to charlesbmitchell.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showlist.

Join the Sacramento Children’s Museum for Día de los Muertos Community Night from 5-7p.m. All ages are welcome. Register in advance at sackids.org/dia-de-los-muertos-at-scm.

Join the California Museum for the “Recuerdos Ilustrados: Día de los Muertos 2025” exhibit through Nov. 16. Learn more at californiamuseum.org/recuerdos-ilustrados.

The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera presents Opera on the Go with Goldie B. Locks & the Three Singing Bears, The beloved children’s story brought to life like never before. The free, all ages event will take place at Knights Landing Branch Library, 42351 Third St, Knights Landing. For tickets and more information call (916) 476-5975 or visit sacphilopera.org.

American Made – Toby Keith 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 suttercreektheatre.com.

The Sofia in Sacramento presents The Sofia Soirée fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. with VIP event at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

PLACERVILLE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS UNIT

Now

Miraflores Winery, 2120 Four Springs Trail in Placerville, is having Sparkling Sundays, the one day of the week where two fabulous sparklers are poured. Try a complimentary tasting of Blanc de Noirs and Brut. Both are crafted with organically grown grapes from Sonoma County and created in the traditional Methode Champenoise style. Call (530) 647-8505 or email info@mirafloreswinery.com for more information.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host “Sugar Skull Art Walk, honoring Our Ancestors” at the Switchboard Gallery through Nov. 9. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado.org.

Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento presents “Dorothea Puente Tells All” through Nov. 1. For tickets and more information visit bigideatheatre. org.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Eureka Day” through Nov. 16. For more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

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CALIFORNIA RAMBLING

Yosemite’s winter hush

Barbara L. Steinberg

Special to the Mountain Democrat

In winter, a hush and holy stillness settles over Yosemite National Park. It is, by any standards, a most magical and enchanting time to visit. On peaceful walks, you can easily imagine John Muir’s first sighting of these granite domes and thundering waterfalls. In the chill of the day, under sapphire skies, the howls of coyotes drift across the Valley and mingle with mist floating above the meadows.

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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.

During this season, Yosemite’s waterfalls come roaring back to life courtesy of winter snow and rain. Any visit should include a hike to Yosemite Falls. Stream-fed, the voice of Yosemite Falls is a constant this time of year. The reality that this is the highest waterfall in North America is drowned out by the crashing din, “it’s overwhelming — dizzying,” said one couple. The word ‘awesome’ simply isn’t enough.” In the morning frost, early risers are treated to snow showers created by the fall’s spray. During warmer months, visitors from around the world flock to Yosemite. Post-summer and autumn, the visitor tide ebbs, heralding an unhurried transition into a frosty hibernation. Following major holidays, Yosemite settles down for a winter nap. Less traffic in, out and around the Park is a bonus, not to mention that accommodations are more attainable.

Opened in 1927, the majestic lady of Yosemite is The Ahwahnee hotel. This celebrated Three-Diamond resort perches grandly amid the pines and by the granite Royal Arches. The Ahwahnee’s regal architectural details combine the best of the Art Deco and Arts and Crafts movements with a splash of Native American and Middle Eastern influences. Spacious common areas, 99 elegantly appointed rooms and 24 cottages offer exceptional romantic appeal and stunning views of Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls – three of Yosemite’s most famous natural landmarks.

Sun-drenched days in Yosemite Valley can be warm, but anytime is optimal for snuggling in front of a roaring fire. The Ahwahnee’s massive stone fireplaces and comfortable lounges offer reprieves from the cold.

Yosemite Village is an easy walk or shuttle ride from The Ahwahnee and other valley lodgings. Leave your vehicle parked during your stay and take advantage of environmentallyfriendly transit. Snow doesn’t stay long on the valley floor, so walks and hikes are always possible. Many of the Valley trails remain open throughout the winter. You don’t have to be a rugged outdoors person to enjoy Yosemite. Walk outside and you’ll see things you won’t find anywhere else on earth – relish the peace and quiet. There’s plenty of that in winter.

Besides the usual seasonal pursuits, indulge in some retail therapy at the hotel gift shop and world-famous Ansel Adams Gallery. Interpretive displays at the Yosemite Museum depict the rich heritage of the Valley and its native people the Ahwahneechee. An exhibit of Native American basketry by Lucy and Julia Parker is renowned.

A legendary gala, adapted from Washington Irving’s “Sketch Book,” is the Bracebridge Dinner. Trumpets announce the arrival of Squire Bracebridge and presentations of an elaborate seven-course feast are made on cue by the sounding of chimes during the performance. The main dining room of The Ahwahnee is transformed into an Elizabethan Yuletide pageant. Elaborate props,

costumed characters, and period entertainment bring this 17th-century fête to life. You will, quite literally, be left speechless by this most sensory of celebrations.

Outside Yosemite’s boundaries, elegant and historical lodging comes in many guises. Two miles from the Park’s southern entrance, the FourDiamond rated Tenaya at Yosemite offers superb accommodations –nothing less than luxurious; roaring fires, five seasonal restaurants, and heart-stopping scenery. Elegant lodge rooms and suites were recently remodeled, and explorer cabins feature extended space to share with family and friends.

After a day exploring, hiking, or snowshoeing unwind and indulge at Ascent the Spa. Inquire about kid activities. While you wine and dine or soak up some sun, off-spring can unwind at the expanded arcade or indoor heated pool. When the snow flies, an open-air ice-skating rink provides miles of chilly smiles. Incidentally, pet friendly, yes! Indulge your loving pooch with a Pampered Pet Package. As temperatures drop and snow flies, nothing is quite as special as ice skating at Curry Village beneath the splendor of Half Dome and Glacier Point, the warmth of an outdoor fire ring and scrumptious winter s’mores is a winter dream. Yosemite Valley lodges provide shuttle service to Badger Pass Ski Area. If there’s significant snow at Wawona, people cross-country ski on the golf course across the road. Completed in 1878, the 130-foot Wawona Covered Bridge crosses the south fork of the Merced River and leads to the 1880s Pioneer History Center.

Get Your Badger Pass On! Like an old friend, Badger Pass Ski Area is quaint and welcoming. Generations of parents and children have cut their skiing teeth at Badger Pass, California’s oldest downhill ski area. With more than 85 percent of the slopes devoted to beginner and intermediate levels, this is understandable. There’s no friendlier place for the little ones than the Badger Pups program that offers customized instruction, ages 4 to 6.

The sundeck at Badger Pass answers all your wintertime prayers. After time on the slopes or trails, you’ll be ready to enjoy lunch with a full view of downhill daredevils. After refueling and relaxing, embrace your sillier side with a little snow tubing. There are also daily ranger-led snowshoe walks.

Cross-country skiing, snowboarding and showshoeing experiences in and around Badger Pass are both scenic and serene. Miles of groomed trails and fresh powder are unsurpassed even for first-timers. For those with true gusto, the 10-plus mile trek to Glacier Point Ski Hut will reward you with stellar views of Yosemite Valley. Excursions to the rustic stone and log lodge include lodging, meals and layover activities. Experiencing Yosemite’s wintry-white back county and starlit skies? Simply priceless. In snow season, access to Yosemite is via highways 140 (west) 41 (south), and 120 (north). These scenic byways pass by historical towns and untold scenic wonders. Enjoy the sights and an occasional stop along the way for sightseeing and shopping — antiques, art galleries, museums, state parks, trendy boutiques, and wineries — California’s past and present lives on in these Gold Rush-era gems.

Even in sunny California, winter weather is unpredictable. It’s best to check ahead for road conditions and always travel with snow chains! For more information visit Yosemite. com.