■ BEAUTY AWAKENS ON THE STAGE The Sacramento Ballet presents a Tchaikovsky classic. ■ INSIDE, B3
I N E L D O R A D O H I L L S ■ JANUARY 21, 2026
Photo by Doug Barrett
Lifeguard Chloe Doucette is one of several EDHCSD seasonal employees who enjoy summer jobs in the community. The district will host a hiring fair later this month for the 2026 season.
EDHCSD ready to fill summer jobs Sel Richard Village Life correspondent Make your mark with a summer job in El Dorado Hills. “It’s a great opportunity to be a mentor to youth, to make a difference in our community,” said El Dorado Hills Community Services District Recreation Superintendent Sandra Montgomery. At the upcoming annual Summer Job Fair, individuals ages 15 and older who are interested in working at the CSD for the 2026 summer season can drop in to learn about available positions, ask questions and submit applications on site. Recreation, parks, as well as sports and senior ■ See JOBS, page A5
Digital sign ban gets another look
Village Life photos by Noel Stack
EDH firefighter/paramedic Stacy Minnich, left, listens as retired Stockton Fire Capt. Oscar Barrera, right, shares the story of how her selfless donation has saved his life.
Lifesaving and life changing Firefighter donates kidney, grows her fire family Noel Stack Editor
H
Community feedback has prompted the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and staff to revisit a restrictive digital sign ban approved as part of last September’s Sign Ordinance update. The board unanimously voted earlier this month to initiate the process to propose amendments to Title 130 of the El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance regarding digital signs and other related topics. Tom Purciel with El Dorado County long range planning spoke at the Jan. 6 meeting, asking for specific feedback and direction on whether the board desired to keep the ordinance update as is or remove/modify the digital signs ban, and provide direction to ensure digital signs meet the needs of
ugs, tears and a lot of gratitude brought dozens together at the Jan. 15 El Dorado Hills Fire Board meeting, during which EDH firefighter/ paramedic Stacy Minnich received a Life Saving Award — the highest honor bestowed by the fire department. Minnich didn’t rush into a burning building or pull a victim out of crumpled wreckage; she donated a kidney to one of her brothers in the fire service — retired Stockton Fire Department Capt. Oscar Barrera. The two strang-
■ See SIGNS, page A4
■ See DONATION, page A4
Noel Stack Editor
Stacy Minnich, left, holds her awards as she poses for a photo with kidney recipient Oscar Barrera.
Face in a Book owner starting her next exciting chapter in life Noel Stack Editor
T
Village Life photo by Noel Stack
For 14 years Tina Hannemann and her Face in a Book team brought thousands of stories to El Dorado Hills and beyond. The bookstore will close at the end of March.
he end. After 14 years of sparking a love of reading through mysteries, love stories, adventures and history, Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills Town Center will empty its shelves and close its doors at the end of March. Owner Tina Hannemann and her literary team made the announcement late last month. She shared that a number of factors led to the tough decision. “It’s kind of a perfect storm of things — increasing rents is one aspect of it; a flat economy is another,” Hannemann said. “Part of it also is that I’m approaching 65 and my husband Axel is 10 years older than I am. This is the time to take a break and travel and see our family and do the things that we can do while we can do them … so that we don’t have a lot of regrets when we can’t.” Getting a bit teary-eyed, she added, “I think the little family that we’ve created here with our staff, with our community, with our customers and our read-
ers, has just been phenomenal, and the outpouring of … love and affection and good wishes from our Facebook post was, I mean, it’s like, I can’t keep reading. It’s making me kind of sad.” El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce President/CEO said the community is better because of Face in a Book. “Some goodbyes are especially hard. Thank you to Tina and her team for creating a space where people felt welcomed, where curiosity was encouraged and where books brought us together,” Manning said. “We hope you’ll stop in before March to show your support and say goodbye in person. We wish her much happiness on her next journey.” Looking back on the bookstore’s highlights, Hannemann noted the many authors who have come through the doors and attended special Face in a Book events, including children’s book author/illustrator Jan Brett, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” writer Jeff Kinney and actor Neil Patrick Harris, who penned “The Magical Misfits” series. ■ See BOOKSTORE, page A4
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 33 ■ ISSUE NO. 2 FOR GUARANTEED WEEKLY DELIVERY, SUBSCRIBE BY CALLING 530 3445000
■ SPACIOUS AND PRIVATE IN EDH
■ ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR
This move-in ready El Dorado Hills home has great entertaining spaces and a peaceful backyard.
Guest artists join the Folsom Lake Symphony for an evening of music that will sweep you off your feet.
■ VILLAGE HOMES, B1
■ INSIDE, B3
PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 215 FOLSOM, CA 95630 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED