Noel Stack Editor
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors has authorized the release of the administrative dra initial study/negative declaration — a document prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act that examines potential environmental impacts related to incorporation.
The conclusion of the report prepared by Environmental Science Associates: Cityhood does “not have a signi cant e ect on the environment.”
Jon Teo lo with ESA noted the study does not consider future construction, rezoning, subdivision or physical development in El Dorado Hills. Those actions will be individually reviewed by a future city council and sta .
“Future discretionary actions are not dismissed, but they are subject to CEQA later,” Teo lo said.
The document will be posted online at eldoradohillscsd.org for public review. The public and local agencies will have 30 days to comment. A er the comment period closes, comments will be evaluated and issues considered before the EDHCSD board adopts the nal environmental document.
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Sel Richard Village Life correspondent
With his earnest banter and sunny demeanor, one would never guess the trauma John Patricio has faced — unless you happen to notice his wheelchair. A former Marine, Patricio looks the part with his neat buzz cut and burly shoulders. But his military training is what almost did him in.
Now a paraplegic, Patricio is proud of his service during Desert Storm, a er which he reenlisted as a computer technician. It was during this later stint when he developed an infection from inhaling spores in the San Joaquin Valley. Soon headaches were plaguing
him, causing him to hole up in his barracks, windows shut and blinds drawn. Patricio was diagnosed with fungal meningitis and was forced to retire. For a while, he felt better. Patricio worked out and ran. Other than occasional headaches, he felt healthy and normal. Then in 1995, he relapsed. A er a stronger dose of antifungals, he still struggled, which led to lumbar punctures tapping directly into his brain. In four months, Patricio endured six brain surgeries. Ultimately, Patricio required a spinal shunt. “I lived a normal life for 20 years. I did martial arts, jujitsu. I made
■ See PATRICIO, page A6
ESA’s review included 20 focus areas ranging from biological resources to wild re and recreation. The consultant also reached out to Tribal representatives. The consultation concluded with no outstanding issues or requested mitigation measures.
The study is part of an existing contract with ESA — contract amount “not to exceed” $67,000 — for which half is funded by the CSD and half funded by the El Dorado Hills Citizens for Cityhood through a separate agreement.
Cityhood proponent Chris Nicholson urged
Aurora Miller Village Life correspondent
To the casual observer, elite cheerleading presents as e ortless — a stage set with bright smiles, high tosses and a blur of gravity-defying ips timed perfectly to music. However, behind the polished two-and-a-half minute routines is a feat of intense physical impact, unrelenting cardiovascular performance and elite athleticism.
One individual who understands this challenge is local Oak Ridge graduate Heidi Hohloch, who is currently on an impressive competitive streak. Her accomplishments have shattered the typical “side-
■ See CHEERLEADER, page A6
El Dorado Hills home
July 16
El Dorado Hills Town Center presents Live on the Boulevard with Top Shelf Classics at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.
July 17
The El Dorado Hills Arts Association hosts an artists reception for the Membership Show, 6-8 p.m. at Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom. For more details visit eldoradohillsarts.com.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts its Summer Concert Series featuring Guilty as Charged, 7-9:30 p.m. at Community Park, 1021 Harvard Way. For more information visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
Sutter Street Theatre presents “Newsies,” July 17 through Aug. 7. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.
July 19
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosta Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. at Blackstone Park. For more information and preregistration visit eldoradohillscsd.org.
July 20
Senior Helpers Cameron Park hosts Moments for the Mind: Brain Fitness for Seniors from 1-2:15 p.m. at the Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills. For questions contact Jillien Erdman at jerdman@seniorhelpers.com.
July 23
El Dorado Hills Town Center presents Live on the Boulevard with SuperBad at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more details visit edhtowncenter.com.
July 30
Senior Helpers Cameron Park hosts a Caregiver and Person Living with Dementia Support Groups from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills. For more information or to register contact Jillien Erdman at jerdman@seniorhelpers.com.
El Dorado Hills Town Center presents Live on the Boulevard with Cynthia Renee and Cripple Creek at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at the Marshall Amphitheater. For more information or to sign up for the online waitlist visit edhtowncenter.com.
July 31
The Cameron Park Community Services District hosts Cannonball Cinemas showing “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” 7-10 p.m. at the Cameron Park CSD Pool, 2502 Country Club Drive. For more information visit cameronpark.org.
El Dorado Musical Theatre presents “42nd Street,” July 31 through Aug. 8 at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets call (916) 608-6888 or visit harriscenter.net. See more happenings on VillageLife.com.
At the Nov. 3 General Election, voters will have the opportunity to elect two candidates to four-year terms on the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors, representing Division 2 and Division 4. Division 4 includes voters in both El Dorado County and Sacramento County.
Candidates interested in running for the EID Board of Directors may obtain declaration of candidacy forms from the El Dorado County Elections Department and the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Department depending on the division and residency. Completed nomination papers must be led no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 7. If an incumbent does not le for re-election, the ling
deadline for that seat is extended to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, pursuant to California Elections Code §10225. EID board members are elected by registered voters within the district’s boundaries. EID participates in California’s consolidated elections process, which places local special district races on the same ballot as statewide and countywide elections. This consolidation reduces costs for participating agencies and increases voter participation by combining elections on a single ballot.
Residents interested in running for o ce are encouraged to contact the appropriate county elections o ce for candidate ling requirements, key dates and campaign disclosure obligations. Visit eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/Elections for more details.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making a Difference News release
For the 13th year in a row, middle and high school-age youth from Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference are leading a school supply drive to collect essential school supplies for local students in need. Donations will be accepted during July at locations from Folsom to Placerville, with the annual Stuff the Bus event taking place July 17 at El Dorado Hills Town Center. The goal is to help students start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.
The school supplies collected during this drive are essential in helping offset back to school costs for local families experiencing financial struggles. More than 700 students in need from grades TK through 12th are expected to “shop” for free during the distribution event in
early August. Donations needed include calculators, dry erase markers, erasers, glue bottles, graph paper, headphones, highlighters, index cards and lunchboxes.
“Last school year, at
least 792 children in kindergarten through 12th grade identified as being in housing transition while attending El Dorado County schools,” explained Margaret Lewis, the
Noel Stack Editor
With a focus on high-priority services and programs, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors recently approved a plan to utilize more than $3.6 million in Opioid Settlement Funds.
Grantees
El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office — $606,000 for school-based youth substance use education, One Pill Can Kill presentations done in conjunction with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.
El Dorado County District Attorney & Public Defender — $972,627 for Proposition 36 collaborative courts, restorative justice, One Pill Can Kill presentations Marshall Medical Center — $750,000 for Breaking Cycles: MAT, same-day access, Substance Use Navigators, Prop. 36 support Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids — $248,700 for youth substance use prevention education, presentations, campaigns, peer outreach El Dorado Community Health Center — $1,050,000 for STEPS in BH Urgent Care, buprenorphine via Mobile Medication Unit, youth peer outreach
“We really worked hard to balance what the allowable uses of these funds are based on guidance from the Department of Healthcare Services versus our local values and needs and and what we want to focus on here in El Dorado County, you know, recognizing that sometimes our local priorities differ from that of the state of California,” El Dorado County Behavioral Health Director Justine Collinsworth shared during a presentation at the June 23 board meeting. “So we were really mindful to ensure that we listen to our constituents.
“One thing I’d like to note is that we do not promote any type of needle exchange and we are not supporting any programming that does any invasive type program like that,” she added.
The county’s Health and Human Services Agency also retains a portion of the funds.
“Primarily, that has been used to ensure that folks … in need of urgent substance use disorder treatment, like inpatient recovery-type services, are able to find placements,” Collinsworth
explained. “It’s very limited what we have here in the county. So oftentimes we have to look outside of the county to place folks when they need this level of care.
“We are also looking at how some of these funds will be used to support capital development of a future treatmentfocused interim housing location that’s going to be at 300 Forni Road,” she continued. “And one of the things I’m actually most excited about is that we are working with an established children’s vendor here within the county to lift up building a children’s outpatient substance use disorder treatment clinic, which is something that’s been missing in our continuum of care.”
Opioid Settlement Funds come from the national class action lawsuit against major pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies based on the over prescription of opioids, “which caused a mass crisis across the United States,” Collinsworth told the supervisors.
“As a result of that, the defendants are meant to pay out large sums of money to various subdivisions of the settlement across the United States. The state of California is set to receive up to $4 billion over the lifetime of this payout,” she explained. El Dorado County will be receiving funds over time; however, Collinsworth stressed, the money comes in somewhat randomly. This latest disbursement covers activities over the next three years.
“I support all of these destinations for the funds,” District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero said. “Especially, you know, think of the public defender and the DA funds. Prop. 36 is a state responsibility (that’s) still not being funded by the state. Fortunately, we have this money to supplement these programs.”
“I think it’s great that we’re using this money, especially to make the children aware of what’s going on and what drugs can cause,” added District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo. “And I want to just reach out and thank the sheriff for all the hard work they have done.”
Ferrero made the motion to implement the disbursement plan, which was seconded by Turnboo. Supervisors Brooke Laine and Lori Parlin joined the pair in voting yes. District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp abstained as he serves on the Marshall Board of Directors.
Chris Wolfe CalBRE #01894853 (559) 289-8218
chris@chriswolferealestate.com eldoradohillsliving.com
2561 Capetanios Drive, El Dorado Hills
3,467 square feet
4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
0.59-acre property
Listed at $2,395,000 MLS #226074796
Experience exceptional modern luxury in the gated neighborhood of Kalithea, where timeless architecture, elevated design and re ned cra smanship come together on a private 0.59-acre homesite. Completed in 2025, this premium custom-built residence by Story Construction o ers an extraordinary blend of sophistication and functionality with expansive openconcept living, soaring ceilings, wide-plank hardwood ooring, designer lighting and walls of glass that create a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The show-stopping chef’s kitchen features premium appliances, dramatic stone countertops and full-height backsplash, custom cabinetry, oversized dual islands, builtin refrigeration, wine storage and an expansive hidden walk-in pantry. It blends seamlessly both with the bright dining space and the living room, which boasts a custom, built-in entertainment center, cozy replace and outdoor access.
The luxurious primary suite o ers a spa-inspired bath with a freestanding soaking tub, oversized walk-in shower,
dual vanities and an exceptional walk-in closet. Spacious secondary bedrooms and versatile living spaces provide endless possibilities for guests, tness, hobbies or work-fromhome exibility. Resort-style outdoor living is a breeze in the exceptionally beautiful backyard, which showcases a sparkling pool and spa, expansive patios, built-in barbecue pavilion, beautifully landscaped grounds and picturesque views overlooking mature oak trees and rolling hills.
Additional property highlights include owned solar, an oversized garage, designer nishes throughout and an exceptional location within one of El Dorado Hills’ most prestigious neighborhoods, o ering convenient access to award-winning schools, shopping, dining, golf and Folsom Lake recreation. This home is lifestyle, cra smanship and design at the highest level.
Interested in learning more about this stunning Capetanios Drive property in El Dorado Hills? Contact real estate agent Chris Wolfe at (559) 289-8218 or chris@ chriswolferealestate.com.
News release
World-class blues star, harmonica, vocal and songwriting master Chris O’Leary will celebrate the July 10 release of his second Alligator Records album, “Blue Collar,” with a live performance at The Press Club in Sacramento on Wednesday, August 12.
“Blue Collar” finds the Marine combat veteran, ex-federal police officer and former lead singer of Levon Helm’s legendary Barn Burners turning his myriad life experiences into timeless blues tales. On record and on stage, O’Leary commands attention, singing with pure, unadulterated soul and playing harmonica with full-throttle, locomotive power.
“I’ve lived the craziest life,” O’Leary said. “Going to war, performing and touring with (The Band’s) Levon Helm, befriending and learning from blues legend James Cotton, now recording for Alligator. It’s something I’ll never take for granted.” Sacramento Blues Society presents O’Leary at The Press Club, 1119 21st St. in Sacramento. The show begins at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information visit sacblues.org/events.
The self-produced “Blue Collar” delivers 11 original, emotionally complex songs featuring O’Leary’s powerful harp work and soul-testifying vocals. His all-original songs are musically irresistible, often funny and filled with honest truths and sage advice. They are an intoxicatingly refreshing, one-of-a-
kind, high-energy, deep-dish gumbo of Chicago blues, Memphis soul and New Orleans funk. The music is fueled by his dynamic band, exuding swaggering confidence at every turn.
The songs, said O’Leary, are “all personal, all real-life.” On the late-night warning “After 2 A.M .,” O’Leary sings of all the trouble one person can get into after making a few ill-advised choices once the sun goes down. The funny-because-it’s-true “How’d I Ever Get Along?” and the barn-burning, swampy “Live Baby Gators” (featuring accordionist Wayne Toups) turn the heat up. Adding to the proceedings, O’Leary’s friend and mentor Bob Margolin brings his Muddy Watersinfused guitar work to the slow and soulful “Nothing But A Memory.” And O’Leary’s legendary Alligator labelmate, Lil’ Ed Williams, brings his slide guitar firepower to the autobiographical “One More Cup Of Coffee.”
From his Virginia home to stages all over the world, O’Leary has become one of the blues world’s pre-eminent harmonica players, superlative original songwriters, deep-down soulful singers and most in-demand live performers. The award-winning O’Leary has been playing professionally since the 1990s, with five pre-Alligator solo albums to his credit. His 2024 Alligator debut “The Hard Line” steamrolled blues fans around the world with its deeply personal, potent original songs, crackerjack musicianship, devastatingly soulful, hair-raising vocals and a wry, spot-on sense of the absurd.
n First-ever retrospective of the bold, boundary-bending painter of unruly women
News release
ing and profoundly observant. Women tower, teeter, zigzag and dance across Nilsson’s paintings. Limbs stretch, bodies bulge and everyday life tips slightly off kilter. In Nilsson’s hands, the ordinary transforms into the delightfully absurd.
medium, or social decorum dictating how women can and should behave, the exhibition foregrounds Nilsson’s fiercely independent and experimental approach — one she first fully embraced while living in Sacramento.
he Crocker Art Museum is pleased to present Gleefully Askew: A Gladys Nilsson Retrospective, on view from July 19 through Nov. 29. This landmark retrospective—the first devoted to Nilsson’s work—celebrates more than six decades of her raucously off-beat paintings, which are at once mischievous, exact-
“It’s Nilsson’s rare combination of familiarity and surprise — serious craftsmanship paired with riotous play — that defines her extraordinary career,” said exhibition curator Francesca Wilmott, Ph.D. “Just when we think we know Nilsson, she does the unexpected. With gleeful defiance, her work continually tests her limits, as well as ours.”
Gleefully Askew brings together approximately 115 watercolors, paintings, drawings and prints drawn from major public and private collections across the United States, representing critical moments from Nilsson’s 60-year career. Unbound by a region,
Born in 1940 to a working-class family in Chicago, Nilsson began her career shortly after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1962. While pregnant with her son, she adopted watercolor as her primary medium, a practical choice that allowed her to avoid the toxicity of turpentine used with oil painting. Critics, however, linked watercolor’s delicacy to her gender, labeling Nilsson the most “feminine” member of the Hairy Who — the nonconformist group of Chicagobased artists known for their bawdy humor, unexpected source material and formally rigorous yet unorthodox approach to painting.
Long celebrated and just as often too
