— French author Edouard De Pomaine

The Independent Restaurant and Bar

All upscale restaurants need a few weeks or even months to iron out their menu, service, etc. It is a normal part of the business; every restaurant goes through it. Therefore, I often wait some time before dropping in to talk with the owners

The Independent, which is located at 629 Main St. in Placerville, is the newest of these restaurants and has been open about three months. So when I was invited to a business lunch there, I jumped at the opportunity to see how things were going.

The Independent is operated by the same folks that have the very successful Heyday in Placerville: Jeff and Judy Thoma and Ben Carter. A couple of days after I ate there, I sat and talked with Carter about the restaurant.

“We don’t want to be known as a steakhouse, but something more,” said Carter. “We serve regional American cuisine, with dishes from the east, the south, the heartland and even some Creole ones. And, to accompany this food, we stock quite a number of domestic wines and beers. I take care of the food and service, Jeff is in charge of the day to day operation and Judy adds the artistic element. We are very proud of the way the place looks. She did a great job.

“We are also very proud of our food. We use the best ingredients we can. The Classic Independent Burger you had a couple of days ago was made with prime Herford beef from Kansas. All our beef is prime Herford and you can taste the difference.” I had to agree, the burger was different and very good, and the turnip (yes, turnip) fries that came with it were outstanding.

“We spent a lot of time training our help and kitchen staff to make sure the dining experience would be something special,” added Carter. “They spent a month working together and getting to know each other before we opened. It is well known that good service can save a bad meal, but a good meal cannot save bad service. Our goal is to make both excellent.

“We bake our own breads and even at our bar we make everything from scratch. We don’t buy flavored liquors, we make them, using real flavors, not chemicals. And, we make our own juices.

“Our executive chef is Matt Brown,” continued Carter, “he is industry trained and very creative. He was a sous chef in Sacramento and has 15 years of experience in the business.

“People like our menus. The burger and our grilled New York steak sandwich, along with the roasted chicken Cobb salad seem to be the lunch favorites, while at dinner the rosemary lamb rack, seafood Creole risotto and slow-roasted prime rib top the list. Prime rib is not a special at our restaurant, it is on the menu.”

Both the lunch and dinner menus start with a list of “Beginnings,” appetizers that are also an excellent accompaniment for people just meeting for a drink. Among other things it includes house-cured salmon lox, grilled artichoke halves, the turnip fries, and, at dinner east coast style crab cakes and a charcuterie board. There are usually two soups and the salads include duck confit, Belgian endive and the chicken Cobb (lunch menu). The menu continues with half a dozen sandwiches including the steak and burger selections and a vegetable Romesco at lunch and dinner, along with barbecued chicken, vegetable Romesco and focaccia Caprese at lunch.

Items from the grill include salmon, certified Hereford filet mignon and grilled polenta cakes at lunch and the filet, lamb rack and a certified Hereford New York strip at dinner. Also at dinner from the rotisserie is prime rib and herb chicken, along with buttermilk fired chicken (served with cheddar grits), the risotto and a different recipe grilled salmon.

Desserts include crème brûlée, gelato and at dinner the restaurant’s take on ‘smores.

The Independent Restaurant and Bar is open for food Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Tuesday. The bar stays open from 11 a.m. until the customers leave, or 2 a.m. They also serve “small plates” from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. on weekends. Ask about them.

For more information call 530-344-7645.

Oakstone Big Winners Celebration

This Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25 and 26, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Oakstone Winery, 6440 Slug Gulch Road in Fair Play, will holding a celebration for its six gold medal winners in the 2012 Chronicle Wine Competition, two of which also happen to be new wine club releases.

The 2009 Reserve Zinfandel from the Cardanini Vineyard and 2009 Dolcetto from the estate DeCascabel Vineyard will be released as club selections. Four other wines that won gold medals in the same competition: Slug Gulch Red, Lot No. 25, 2009 Estate Zinfandel-West Side, 2009 Estate Reserve Petite Sirah and 2009 Estate Meritage will also be available for tasting. Some of these wines will not be poured again until much later this year.

The wines will be accompanied by Susan’s gourmet snacks, and as always, everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend. For more information call 530-620-5303.

El Dorado Brewers Dinner at Sequoia

Friday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m., enjoy a fantastic meal at Sequoia, paired with beers from five of El Dorado County’s breweries. The menu includes: hors d’oeuvres of grilled flat bread with a spicy chicken slaw, paired with El Dorado Brewing Gold Rush Lager; Tuscan white bean soup paired with Gold Hill 49er Red; a salad of butter lettuce with dried cherry dressing and California blue cheese, paired with Old Hangtown Beer Works New Zealand Pale Ale; braised farm stew with potatoes and vegetables in a whole wheat bread bowl, paired with Jack Russell Brewing Co. London Porter; and a dessert of chocolate brownie with mocha ice cream and stout caramel sauce, paired with Placerville Brewing Co. Vanilla Stout.

For more information call 530-622-5222.

Chili Cook-Off at Gold Hill Vineyard

Gold Hill Vineyard and Brewery, 5660 Vineyard Lane, off Cold Springs Road, is having its first chili cook-off and beer festival this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, FeBREWary 25 and 26 from noon until 4 p.m. It is a competition between staff and management and should be a great time. Only 75 tickets are available so get them early.

For information and tickets call 530-626-6522 or by e-mailing events@goldhillvineyard.com.

dkcellars at Zac Jack Bistro

There will be three wine dinners in March with dkcellars at Zac Jack Bistro, 3275 Coach Lane in Cameron Park. They will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, March 8 and March 15. This dinner is very popular, so the first two may be sold out, but call.

The menu includes: grilled quesadilla salad with grilled scallions and cilantro pesto, paired with 2008 Sauvignon Blanc; wood fired calzone with prosciutto, bacon, tomato, onion, mushroom, smoked mozzarella, and basil served with a roasted garlic marinara dipping sauce, paired with 2008 Short Bus Zinfandel; beef Wellington, a Manhattan filet wrapped in puff pastry with onion, mushroom, and spinach served with an asparagus béarnaise sauce, paired with 2007 Herbert Vineyard Zinfandel and a sweet finish of chocolate carrot cream cheese cake.

For more information call 530-676-2969.

By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea

On Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m, Chef Greg Kemp, from the Gold Vine Grill in Somerset, will be the chef du jour at Miraflores Winery. He will create a delicious seafood menu and teach you a thing or two about some really sassy sauces. For more information call 530-647-8505.

Celebrate the day

Birthdays to celebrate today: German mythologist and author Carl Wilhelm Grimm (1786); American artist Winslow Homer (1836); commander of all Allied naval, land and air forces in the southwest Pacific during a portion of WWII, Admiral Chester Nimitz (1885); American baseball great John Peter “Honus” Wagner (1874); actors James Farentino (1938), Edward James Olmos (1947) and Abe Vigoda (1921); musician Rupert Holmes (1947), composer and conductor Michel Legrande (1932) and soprano Renata Scottto (1936). It is also the anniversary of the 1867 vote to impeach President Andrew Johnson.

Three Stages Executive Director Dave Pier noted that, “there are few people who epitomize the spirit and the reality of country music the way Merle Haggard does. We’re honored to have him on Stage One.”

Merle Haggard and The Strangers will perform in Three Stages on Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6; both shows begin at 7: 30 p.m. Tickets are $49-$69 with premium tickets available for $79 and are available online at threestages.net or from Three Stages ticket office at 916-608-6888 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time.

Three Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus, 10 College Parkway in Folsom.

Haggard’s career has been illustrious. He has received eight Grammy nominations and won Best Country Vocal Performance for “That’s The Way Love Goes” in 1984.

To date he has written hundreds of songs, including the classics “Sing Me Back Home,” “Okie From Muskogee,” “Mama Tried” and “Silver Wings,” among others.

The former “B” side, “Today I Started Loving You Again,” has been recorded by over 400 artists to date.

Fifty-six of his songs have received awards from BMI (47 country, nine pop). Three of his songs have logged over a million plays (“Today I Started Loving You Again,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “Big City”). He has released over 65 albums, most of which have charted in the major trade publications; four of his albums have been certified gold.

He has been nominated 42 times for CMA awards, more than any other male country entertainer.

Haggard’s life path has never been easy, nor has much of it been pretty, as aired in his 1981 book, “Sing Me Back Home.”

His childhood years were spent in Bakersfield and the death of his father, when Merle was just 9 years old, became the catalyst that led to a squandered youth.

At the same time, his love for the wandering songs of Jimmie Rodgers, lead to an errant passion for the gleaming, endless railroad tracks and the siren song of slow freights and hobo jungles. And, along the way, to numerous brushes with the law.

Incarceration for three years in San Quentin Penitentiary became the experience that finally changed his perspective and the spark that turned his head around. He abruptly assumed the role of a model prisoner and was paroled in 1960. (Over a decade later, in 1972, California’s governor Ronald Reagan granted him a full pardon.)

He was signed by Tally Records, owned by close friend Lewis Tally, and began cutting singles in a garage behind Tally’s house.

His first single was “Singing My Heart Out,” which received some regional airplay on the West Coast, but it was in 1963 that he eventually broke into the top 20 of Billboard’s country charts with his first national hit, “Sing A Sad Song.”

Since then the country charts have been his second home.

His band, The Strangers, have become known as one of country music’s finest road bands, and they themselves have been the recipients of a number of industry accolades, including being eight-time winners of the Academy of Country Music’s Touring Band of the Year Award, as well as, a pair of Music City News awards for Band of the Year. They have also recorded several albums of their own.

In late January of this year, Haggard was hospitalized in Macon, Georgia with double pneumonia. His Website notes that he is resuming his national tour in support of his latest recording “Working In Tennessee” on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in Tucson, Ariz.

On his Website, Haggard states, “Thanks to the wonderful people all over the world that prayed those special prayers. I’m a new man. Another special thanks to the folks of Macon, Ga. for their kindness, intelligence and probably saving my life.”

Parking is free on weekends and for those buying tickets in advance.

One measure, Assembly Bill 1878, would give California’s most vulnerable small businesses an opportunity to correct an ADA violation before a lawsuit can be filed. Once a business has received a written notice of violation, they would be given 120 days to bring their business into compliance.

Approximately 98 percent of California businesses are out of compliance with state and/or federal disability access laws. The complex and inconsistent regulations regarding disability access make it difficult for willing business owners to comply with the complicated and changing regulations and give lawsuit abusers the opportunity to take advantage of the confusing laws. This is harmful to both individuals with a disability seeking access and businesses that are exposed to civil actions, Gaines said.

“The unfortunate reality is that there are individuals who are capitalizing on the complex access regulations enacted by the state and federal government for personal benefit,” Gaines said. “Businesses can be sued for thousands of dollars for simple faults, such as a railing height being off by a centimeter or parking lot striping not being the right shade of a particular color. Many times, businesses want to correct the error to allow for more access to their place of business. These frivolous lawsuits are making it harder for the business to come into compliance, especially in this difficult economic environment.”

The other measure, Assembly Bill 1879, requires the State Architect to compile a list of all federal and state disability access regulations and any conflicts in state and federal regulations must be identified.

“As California continually adds and changes disability access regulations, it is difficult for business to keep up,” Gaines said. “There are instances when state regulations are in conflict with federal regulations, making it even more difficult for businesses to be compliant.”

Legislation in 2008 created a commission to address problems with disability access, however in three years the commission has still not completed the mission statement. Businesses cannot wait years for this information to be brought to light, Gaines said.

“Lawsuit abuse and more regulations are not leading to greater access and compliance, which was the intended purpose of the state and federal access laws implemented in 1960 and 1990, respectively,” Gaines said. “Rather, these landmark pieces of legislation have created an unintentional consequence – having businesses close their doors because of great cost and limited options. While there is a need to preserve the right for a person to have access, there is a corresponding need to create opportunities for a business to give people access to do what the original laws intended – create more access.”

Assemblywoman Beth Gaines represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes portions of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Alpine counties.

In August we began preparation for the upcoming campaign, starting out slowly, dragging out and dusting off the file boxes as we stepped up our campaign. As we updated our business plan, honestly, as much as we count on our volunteers, our businesses and a little bit of luck, we are never sure how many children will be coming to us, asking for a toy and we can’t predict how many toys will be donated.

That being said, when we face challenges, Holli’s and my thoughts are on two things: Our  children whom we will never say no to, and secondly, toys — we keep wishing, if you ask and think good thoughts that the toys will come. When we play, we play to win and in doing so, we will make it happen no matter how hard the challenges we may face. Our children are that important to us.

Holli, myself and a few other volunteers repeatedly went out into the community, speaking to a variety of churches, community service groups, schools and businesses throughout the county. We rang the bell in front of a couple of local businesses for toys; our local wineries hosted wine events to encourage customers to donate toys and many businesses offered specials when a customer brought in a toy. Several businesses even hosted employee toy parties, where each individual donated their favorite childhood toy.

There was something about this year that was magical because you cared, your passion in making a difference was genuine, and our community responded by fulfilling a child’s wish just not to be forgotten on Christmas. I often say when your passion is there, when you know why you do something, people will respond positively.

Holli and I have a small time frame — only six weeks — to collect new toys for our children. Holli andI also have to secure the location to distribute the toys, the nearly 500 volunteers needed to give away the toys over a four-day period, registration of our families (Thank you, Office of Education), our dedicated route drivers to support our businesses, presentations to be done, not to mention purchasing supplies and toys. We need to collect between 12,000 and 14,000 brand new toys in just six weeks. And at the close of the fourth day, looking onto the floor where cafeteria tables stacked high with toys, laid barren, everything gone, only fond memories of witnessing happy children carrying home with them a toy for Christmas.

Nearly 1,000 families signed up for Toys for Tots compared to 750 the previous year. There were 3,158  children compared to 2,088 the year before. We collected 12,728 toys compared to 13,000 the previous year.

Every toy collected was given away to children who requested a toy for Christmas. We do not hold onto toys from one year to the next.

Our local Toys for Tots program also supports Christmas on the Divide, Georgetown Rotarians’ Santa program as well as Calvary Church.

In closing, Holli, I, the Placerville Marine Crops Detachment 697 and the El Dorado Fire Department thank you.

See you in October when we will be sending out our letter for our Toys for Tots Christmas Campaign 2012.

SUE and HOLLI HENDERSON

El Dorado County Toys for Tots

Sacramento Beer Week stretches from Friday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, March 4.

Kick things off with a classy beer pairing dinner at Sequoia, pop out to a few mid-week tastings and round out the week with a beer run canned food fundraiser.

Beer weeks have become increasingly popular around the country with countless craft breweries popping up with their continuously evolving variations on beer.

There are currently 23 styles of beer recognized by the Beer Judge Certification Program — a non-profit organization formed in 1985 ”to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer.” Each of those styles can have several subcategories so that’s a lot of different takes on beer.

Educational happening

Sacramento Beer Week aims at getting area residents out to learn about what’s new in brew while also celebrating a drink that humankind has enjoyed for centuries.

The following events are happening in El Dorado County and nearby Folsom. For more information visit sacramentobeerweek.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

• The Brick Oven Pub in Placerville is bringing in specialty kegs starting Friday that will be on tap throughout beer week. Stop by and see what’s pouring at the restaurant and brew pub located at 2875 Ray Lawyer Drive or give them a call at 530-622-7420.

• The Second Annual Brewers’ Dinner at Sequoia begins at 6:30 p.m. This unique event pairs beers made right here in El Dorado County with a six course menu created to pair with each brew. Try beer from El Dorado Brewing Company, Gold Hill Brewery, Jack Russell Brewing Company, Old Hangtown Beerworks and Placerville Brewing Company. The menu created by head chef David Bagley will showcase the flavor subtleties of the different brews. Find the Sequoia at 643 Bee St. in Placerville. Call 530-622 5222 for reservations.

• Nugget Market of El Dorado Hills, 4500 Post St., will host beer tasting with Bison Brewing from 5 to 6 p.m. and Boston Beer Company from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tasting flights are $3.

• Folsom’s Lockdown Brewing Company will have an evening of music and good beer with The Zanardi Trio from 8 to 11 p.m. Lockdown’s tasting room is located at 718 Sutter St., Suite 200. For more information call Lockdown at 916-358 9645.

Saturday, Feb. 25

• The Folsom Hop Rodeo is likely to be one of the more popular beer week events. The “rodeo” takes place at Samuel Horne’s Tavern whose owners describe the event as a ”full day of the stickiest, hoppiest beers we could find. We will be featuring tasting flights all day of the 12 hop monsters we have lined up. A one stop shop for your Lupulin fix. So saddle up and head on over to historic Sutter Street – chaps optional!!!” Samuel Horne’s restaurant and tap house is at 719 Sutter St. in Folsom. For more information call 916-293-8207.

• Whole Foods Folsom is also featuring hoppy beers Saturday at its beer garden tap-takeover dubbed “The Hopfest.” Whole Foods Folsom is located at 270 Palladio Parkway. For more information call
916-984-8500.

Sunday, Feb. 26

• Sam’s Sunday Sipper at Samuel Horne’s will explore the emerging art of beer mixology. The tavern’s staff will be launching a beer cocktail menu featuring concoctions that merge beer, spirits and some surprise ingredients. Stop by, sample the new menu and talk to the beertenders about honing your own beer mixology skills.

• Beer Lover Sunday at The Cellar Wine Bar in El Dorado Hills features happy hour pricing on all nine draft beers from 2 to 8 p.m., including Delirium Tremens and a selection from Dogfish Head. Find the The Cellar at 3907 Park Drive, Suite 110. Call 916-933-3103 for complete details.

Monday, Feb. 27

• Compare beer styles at the Belgian vs American beer tasting at The Cellar Wine Bar in El Dorado Hills where participants will taste four different styles of Belgian and domestic beers and decide who does it best. Taste a total of eight beers for $15 between 6 and 8 p.m.

• Meet brewer Jamie Mastin of New Belgium Brewing Company at Samuel Horne’s Tavern where he will lead attendees in a tasting session to help build tasting and evaluation skills. According to staff at Samuel Horne’s, Mastin is one of the best in the business at bringing a wonderful balance of knowledge and entertainment to a beer seminar. The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 and includes four New Belgium beers and tasting glass. Space is limited, RSVP at 916-293-8207.

Wednesday, Feb. 29

• Try regional craft beer at BevMo! in Folsom with samples of Sudwerk Brewery beers and a member of their Brew Crew on hand to answer questions. Taste the creations from this Davis brewery between 4 and 7 p.m. BevMo! Folsom is at 2595 Iron Point Road. Call 916-817-2596 for more information.

• Test your beer knowledge with Sam’s Beer Trivia at Samuel Horne’s Tavern where participants will be quizzed about everything beer. To add to the beer excitement Sam’s will have beer from Sierra Nevada all day  including Bigfoot, Ovila Quadruple, Kellerweiss and more. Trivia begins at 7:30 p.m.

Who isn’t looking to save a little these days? Here are some easy ways to save money on taxes.

IRS Free File: More savings, less taxing

Looking for a fast, easy and free option to do your taxes? IRS Free File allows everyone to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns for free. And, the step-by-step, brand-name software offered by IRS’ commercial partners helps you find the tax breaks you are due.

Each of the approximately 20 private-sector partners tailor their offerings based on criteria such as income, age or state residency. If you need help finding a Free File match, just select the “get help finding a Free File company” as your option. Simply enter a little information about yourself and the matches will appear. Some also offer state returns for free of for a fee.

• While all the companies have different criteria, if you made $57,000 or less in 2011 — that’s 70 percent of us — you will be eligible for at least one free tax software program.

• If your income was higher than $57,000, you can still prepare and e-file your return for free by using Free File Fillable Forms. This is the electronic version of IRS paper forms.

Just go to irs.gov/freefile to get started.

Organize records

The IRS recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Keeping track of income-related documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you.

Records to have handy when it’s time to fill out this year’s returns:

• Copy of last year’s return

• Valid Social Security numbers for each family member

• All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms

• Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms

• Form 1099-G showing any state refunds

• Unemployment compensation amount

• Social Security benefits

• Expense receipts for deductions

• Day care provider’s identifying number

Find out if you are eligible for the EITC

No tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than EITC. Yet, one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to claim it, according to the IRS. Because of the economy, even more people may be eligible if they have had changes in their earned income. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The amount of qualifying income depends on your situation. For example, married workers, who earned $49,078 or less form wages, self-employment or farm income last year, are filing jointly, and have two qualifying children, could be eligible. The maximum credit for 2011 tax returns is $5,751 for workers with three or more qualifying children.

• Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors including earnings, filing status and eligible children. Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount.

• You must file a tax return, even if you do not have a filing requirement, and specifically claim the credit. Those who typically fail to claim the EITC include rural workers and their families; non-traditional families, such as grandparents or foster parents raising children; taxpayers without qualifying children; individuals with limited English proficiency; and taxpayers with disabilities.

• If you use a paid tax return preparer, make sure to seek out a reputable one. Tax professionals must sign returns they prepare and use their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers.

To learn more about EITC, go to and use the EITC assistant, or ask your tax professional.

Jonathan Lemaire, 23, was stopped by Placerville CHP on a routine traffic stop on Feb. 1, CHP Officer Dan Stark said. The officer conducting the stop noticed evidence of drug trafficking in the vehicle.

Search warrants were issued for three residences in El Dorado County in connection with the traffic stop. The warrants were served on Feb. 21, leading to the arrest of Lemaire on suspicion of domestic violence, felony possession of a firearm, transporting or selling narcotics, conspiracy to commit crimes, and a felony enhancement. Lemaire’s younger brother, Bradley Lemaire, 18, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

The brothers were released later that day after posting $85,000 bail for Jonathan Lemaire and $9,000 for Bradley Lemaire.

The investigation is ongoing.

Robert Edward Omohundro Jr., 59, was taken into custody on an $11,000 warrant by Rancho Cordova police officers, according to a press release from the Contractors State License Board. Omohundro was taken from the CSLB headquarters to Sacramento County Jail without incident.

A Sutter County arrest warrant was issued for Omohundro after he failed to show up in court on Jan. 19, facing charges related to a consumer complaint with the CSLB in 2010. Omohundro had entered a contract with a Yuba City business owner for a $2,300 kitchen remodel, and after taking a large down payment, abandoned the job before doing any work, the complaint alleges.

A second consumer complaint alleges that Omohundro entered a similar deal and took a $1,400 downpayment, while state law prohibits taking a down payment larger than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less. There are only about two dozen licensees in the state who hae an exception to this rule, and Omohundro is not among them. This job, the press release states, was also left unfinished.

Omohundro had received his general contractor license (#788236) in 2000, and it expired in 2005. However, he continued to work without renewing it. The CSLB revoked the expired license in 2010, based on his suspected illegal contracting activities.

“When it comes to catching those who refuse to follow the law, CSLB is aggressive,” the press release quoted CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “It doesn’t matter where we have to go to catch them in California, but it certainly helps when they come right to us.”

Omohundro was charged with contracting without a license, misrepresentation as a contractor, and failure to appear after written promise. He has since been released from jail.

The talented local band the Empty Wallets will open the show with its Americana grooves followed by country rock and rollers Miss Lonely Hearts.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. All are welcome, no need to be a member of the grange to attend.

The Gold Trail Grange Hall is located at 319 Highway 49 in Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Coloma.

Be sure to wear those dancing shoes and join the grange members for one heck of a good time.

For more information on tickets e-mail the secretary at debm.gtgrange@gmail.com.

Take the opportunity on:

• The second Tuesday of every month from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Georgetown Fire Station No. 61, 6283 Main St. in Georgetown;

• The second Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe;

• The third Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m., sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane in El Dorado Hills;

to become connected and rejuvenated at your local support group.

Refreshments will be served. Free respite care is available to qualified caregivers. Pre-authorization is required for respite services.

For more information contact the Family Caregiver Support Program at 530-621-6151.

That’s why Medicare is helping to lead the Million Hearts campaign, a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common one in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can trigger heart attack, severe chest pain, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. Genetics, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can contribute to heart disease.

Stroke is a brain attack that occurs when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked. This can be caused either by a blood clot or by a burst blood vessel in or around the brain. Lack of blood flow during stroke can cause portions of the brain to become damaged, often beyond repair.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare recently began covering new preventive health services to help people with Medicare reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Starting this year, Medicare will pay for one face-to-face visit each year so that Medicare beneficiaries can discuss with their care providers the best ways to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

The visit must be with your primary care provider, such as your family practice doctor, internal medicine doctor, or a nurse practitioner. And it has to take place in settings such as your primary care provider’s office.

During the visit, your doctor can screen you for high blood pressure and give you advice on how to eat a healthy diet. The idea is to empower people with Medicare to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

Medicare also now covers counseling to help people with Medicare lose weight if they’re obese. An estimated 30 percent of the men and women with Medicare are obese.

If you’re obese based on your body mass index, you’re eligible for face-to-face counseling sessions with your primary-care provider for up to a year.

In addition to the above services, Medicare pays for counseling to help people with Medicare stop smoking and to manage diabetes, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The good news is that most major risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable and controllable. These factors include inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and high cholesterol.

What can you do to reduce your risk? A good first step is talking to your doctor about your heart health and getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Many other lifestyle choices — including eating healthy, exercising regularly, and following your doctor’s instructions about your medications —can help protect your heart and brain health.

Ask your doctor, too, if taking an aspirin each day is right for you.

For more information about the Million Hearts campaign, and about Medicare’s healthy-heart and other preventive health benefits, go to Medicare.gov.

If you’d like to check your 10-year risk of heart attack or dying from coronary heart disease — and what you can do about it — go to the American Heart Association’s Website, at heart.org. In the search box, type “heart attack risk calculator.”

Such services used to be available only at a hospital or doctor’s office. But they’re just as effective, more convenient, and usually less expensive when you get them in your home.

If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage health plan (instead of Original Medicare), check with the plan for details about how it provides your Medicare-covered home health benefits.

To be eligible for home health services, you must be under a doctor’s care and receive your services under a plan of care established and reviewed regularly by a physician. He or she also needs to certify that you need one or more home health services.

In addition, you must be homebound and have a doctor’s certification to that effect. (Being homebound means leaving your home isn’t recommended because of your condition, or your condition keeps you from leaving without using a wheelchair or walker, or getting help from another person.) Also, you must get your services from a home health agency that is Medicare-approved.

If you meet the criteria, Medicare pays for covered home health services for as long as you’re eligible and your doctor certifies that you need them.

Skilled nursing services are covered when they’re given on a part-time or intermittent basis. In order for Medicare to cover such care, it must be necessary and ordered by your doctor for your specific condition. You must not need full-time nursing care.

Skilled nursing services are given by either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse under an RN’s supervision. Nurses provide direct care and teach you and your caregivers about your care. Examples of skilled nursing care include: giving IV drugs, shots, or tube feedings; changing dressings; and teaching about prescription drugs or diabetes care. Any service that could be done safely by a non-medical person (or by yourself) without the supervision of a nurse, isn’t skilled nursing care.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services have to be specific, safe, and effective treatments for your condition.

Before your home health care begins, the home health agency should tell you how much of your bill Medicare will pay.

The agency should also tell you if any items or services they give you aren’t covered by Medicare, and how much you’ll have to pay for them. This should be explained by both talking with you and in writing.

The agency should give you a notice called the Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice (HHABN) before giving you services and supplies that Medicare doesn’t cover.

What isn’t covered? Some examples:

• 24-hour-a-day care at home;
• Meals delivered to your home;
• Homemaker services like shopping, cleaning, and laundry (when this is the only care you need, and when these services aren’t related to your plan of care);
• Personal care given by home health aides like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom (when this is the only care you need).

If your doctor decides you need home health care, you can choose from among the Medicare-certified agencies in your area. (However, Medicare Advantage plans may require that you get home health services only from agencies they contract with.)

One good way to look for a home health agency is by using Medicare’s “Home Health Compare” Web tool, at medicare.gov/HHCompare. This tool lets you compare home health agencies by the types of services they offer and the quality of care they provide.

For more details on Medicare’s home health benefit, please read the booklet, “Medicare and Home Health Care.” It’s online at medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10969.pdf.

David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Trust Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Do you know someone who has been denied health insurance due to a pre-existing condition? If so, they may be eligible for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. Call toll-free 1-866-717-5826 (TTY 1-866-561-1604) or visit pcip.gov and click on “find your state” to learn more.

By Dr. Angel M. Garcia

More Americans are paying more of their health-care costs out-of-pocket every year because they lack insurance, have higher deductibles and co-payments, or have chosen a Health Savings Account plan.

There are ways they can save money without jeopardizing their health and there are steps they should take to ensure they’re getting the best value for their dollars, said physician Angel M. Garcia (DoNoHarmDrs.com), an internist who has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Garcia, author of “Do No Harm: Saving Our Health-Care System,” said patients themselves are the first line of defense in an industry where increasing tensions have created new stressors at every level.

“No physician is beyond becoming burnt out,” he said. “Physicians who are working mechanically, who are no longer interested, committed and enjoying practicing medicine can be a danger to their patients.

“I’ve heard many patients excuse their doctors by saying, ‘Oh, he’s just burnt out.’ While such loyalty is kind, the issue is one the patient should talk about with their doctor. “You could just say, ‘Hey, Doc, you seem tired. Are you OK?’ You may be surprised how much your doctor appreciates your concern.”

Garcia offers these simple ways patients can save money and ensure their money is well spent:

• For minor illnesses, try over-the-counter medications: Some illnesses might be resolved with non-prescription drugs. Caution: If symptoms aren’t resolved in three to five days, or if they go away but keep returning, you must see a doctor. Garcia recommends Zyrtec-D 12 Hour for allergic sinusitis and upper respiratory infections, hydrocortisone cream for rashes and bug bites, Prilosec for heartburn, Imodium AD for diarrhea.

• Talk to your doctor — if you can’t, change doctors: It doesn’t matter whether your physician is nationally renowned or a Harvard graduate; if he or she doesn’t have time to listen to you, or doesn’t seem interested, find a new doctor. A good place to start is references from friends — but be sure to ask whether they’re happy with their doctor’s bedside manner. “Arrogant but good” is not what you want.

• Be prepared so you get the most out of your visit: The doctor will want to know your chief complaint: when the problem began, how it progressed, what makes it better or worse, any associated symptoms, such as fever. He or she will also need to know what medications you take, including the drug name, dosage, how it’s administered and frequency. If you take more than one or two medicines regularly, you should make a list and keep this information in your wallet.

• Don’t skip the follow-up visit: When a patient sees a doctor for a medical complaint, a follow-up visit usually is scheduled. Some patients skip these because they feel better, but that may mean the medications have temporarily relieved the symptoms. The follow-up is worth the money to ensure the problem is resolved and no abnormalities remain.

Dr. Angel M. Garcia is a practicing physician with more than 25 years of clinical experience. His efforts to help reform the health-care industry include creating standardized, electronic medical records for 38 medical and surgical specialties. Maintained in a centralized patient record database, use of these records can prevent complications of many chronic illnesses, including heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Garcia was a five-time guest speaker at the National Medical Records Institute annual scientific meetings. In 2001, Dr. Garcia was selected as a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was a guest of President George W. Bush at the White House for the High-Tech Leaders Forum and the Economic Leaders Forum.

“I am trying to help my parents as they age but am confused about Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal and other programs that I hear about to help older adults. How do I learn about these programs and how they work?”

Don’t feel bad if you’re confused. These programs can be difficult to understand for all of us and do vary from state to state. I think the best way is to talk about one at a time. Since most people receive Medicare benefits at age 65, let’s start there.

Medicare is a federal funded health insurance program that is paid through payroll deductions. Some public employees may not have paid into Medicare in the past but more public agencies are requiring employees pay into Medicare.

Medicare has two parts — Part A that covers hospital costs and Part B that covers physician visits, lab tests and more.

Premiums for this insurance are deducted from the monthly Social Security check or are paid privately if the person is not receiving Social Security. Medicare Advantage is a capitated program offered through various Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) whereby the individual’s Medicare coverage is locked in to this plan that guarantees certain benefits.

Does Medicare pay for dentures, eye glasses or hearing aids?

Medicare may pay for a portion of an eye exam but does not cover dentures, glasses or hearing aids.

The discharge planner at the hospital ordered a wheelchair for my father. She said Medicare would pay for this. Is this true?

Durable medical equipment (DME) is a Medicare benefit and covers items such as a wheelchair, walker, bedside commode, hospital bed, etc. The benefits are limited and may cover a portion of the cost or rental.

A physician must authorize the equipment in order for Medicare to pay for it. It is your responsibility to talk with the equipment company regarding whether to rent or purchase the equipment and to what degree Medicare will pay for the equipment.

There are limitations on the quantity of equipment as well. For example, Medicare will pay for either a wheelchair or a walker but not both. If both are needed, I recommend leasing or purchasing the most expensive through Medicare and purchasing a used piece personally.

Does Medicare pay for all the medical bills?

Medicare will pay 40 to 60 percent of medical bills with Part A paying a larger percentage of costs than Part B benefits.

There are annual deductibles that must be met as well. To help with additional costs, there are a variety of Medicare Supplement insurance products out there that will help but Medicare must be billed and paid before the supplement will consider and/or pay additional on the claim.

When I turn 65 years old, do I automatically go on Medicare?

No, you must apply through Social Security. You can find their 800 number in the front of the phone book or at socialsecurity.gov.

If you are covered by an employer’s health plan, check with them first to see how your age will affect your coverage. If you are covered by a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), talk with them about how to convert your coverage under Medicare as soon as you’re eligible.

Do you have questions we can help with?

Send your questions to carol@elderoptionsca.com. Carol S. Heape, MSW, CMC is executive director/CEO of Elder Options Inc. serving the Sacramento Region, Placerville and South Lake Tahoe.

For information see elderoptionsca.com or call 530-626-6939 or 800-336-1709.

The Cougars are the eighth seed while the Nighthawks are the ninth seed. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

Elsewhere, No. 13 Oak Ridge is at No. 4 West in a D-I matchup and No. 12 Union Mine travels to face No. 5 Calaveras.

That old adage, “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan,” can be especially true when it comes to finances. And, given the current economy, the best time to start taking control of your finances is today.

Being financially responsible doesn’t just happen. It’s a conscious decision you make to live within your means.

Slowly, U.S. consumers may be catching on. A nationwide survey on the financial state of U.S. households, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, found only 13 percent of households are currently saving 7 percent or more of their disposable income, although fully 36 percent of households expect to save at this level in 5 to 10 years.1

While that trend may be encouraging, there remains ample room for improvement.

It’s never too late to plan

No matter what stage of life you’re in, you should have a strategy that helps meet your current financial needs while creating a path to help you reach long-term financial goals.

Whether you’re just starting out or nearing retirement, a strategy is necessary, and the good news is no matter what your age, it’s never too late to start.

A proactive approach now can help avoid heartaches and disappointments later on.

Consider the following scenarios:

• If you’re single and just starting out, it’s never too soon to start a savings plan. By just saving a small amount today, you can make a huge difference later on. What financial goals can you set today to help make your dreams a reality?

• If you’re the head of a new household, perhaps with a new baby, how do you protect your family’s standard of living in case anything happens to you or your spouse? If you died today, how would your family manage financially?

• If you have young children, it’s never too early to start saving for their college expenses. How can you start a college education fund so they won’t be burdened with student loans and can attend the college of their choice?

• If you’re thinking about retirement, consider what amount of your current income you can allocate into retirement savings vehicles, such as 401(k) plans, IRAs and other investments. With retirement possibly lasting 20 or 30 years, the more resources you have the more likely you’ll be able to enjoy it. Do you want to just get by or be financially comfortable so you can enjoy life with your family and friends?

No matter where you are in life, a financial strategy is a necessity. With a proper strategy, you’ll always be in a better position to help achieve your financial goals, whether it’s buying a home, driving a new car or retiring.

1 — Viewpoint on U.S. Savings Rate, PwC Financial Services Research Institute, May 13, 2010.

This educational third-party article is being provided as a courtesy by David Williamson, agent (CA Insurance License No. 0G56679), New York Life Insurance Company. For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed contact Dave Williamson at 916-751-7473 or dawilliamson@ft.newyorklife.com.

As it turned out, Marin County’s loss was El Dorado County’s gain.

When the annual “Senior of the Year” nominations occurred last summer, Griffen, now 73, had no idea that colleagues at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center had nominated her with such glowing, yet truthful conviction.

Griffen had no idea that she would be honored for the volunteer service, talents and time she shares. It has been a willing and gracious journey that has blessed her as much or more than those she serves.

“It is quite the honor,” Griffen, said with enthusiasm. “When I listened to the accomplishments and service of the other seven nominees, I was humbled by their generosity and good works. So when they announced that I was the Senior of the Year, I was amazed … and very honored.”

The honor, according to Griffen, is even more appreciated since it was so unexpected, something she had not worked for consciously. She was simply filling a need that she observed.

Her eyes were opened by Moni Gilmore, who she had met in a senior exercise class.

“Moni encouraged me to volunteer in the Senior Nutrition Program here … and the rest just fell into place,” Griffen said.

Griffen admired Gilmore’s proactive role in assuring services and hope for area seniors. And when Gilmore died, it seems that Griffen traded hats with her. For in Griffen, area seniors continue to have a good-hearted champion.

Griffen, like Gilmore, continues to advocate relentlessly and eloquently for senior rights and services. She walks the walk, dedicating her time, energy and skills to the program.

Griffen has become a light in the El Dorado Hills Senior Center. Along with other capable volunteers, Griffen makes sure that the center is a ray of hope, a place of camaraderie and cheer for those who need it the most.

First volunteer committment

Sometimes just Griffen’s warm greeting and smile brightens a day. At first, Griffen’s commitment was to help with the Senior Nutrition Program, setting tables, making coffee, cleaning up … whatever was needed just one day a week.

But then the center’s musical group, the El Dorado Fun Time Band, lost their sound mixer and saxophone player. They asked Griffen, who plays the piano, to be their sound mixer, a temporary solution. Griffen has been the sound mixer, an activity she enjoys, and one that has assured her continuous presence.

Sharing talents

“Besides providing the senior nutrition lunch, classes and activities, our senior center provides a good movie once a month, music and fun. Janet does a wonderful job coordinating everything. There are so many challenges for our senior citizens, and many are facing even more anxiety with the economy — their 401(k)s and stocks have dwindled, and their retirement dreams have been crushed,” Griffen sympathized. “It is a difficult time, so we are hoping to provide more transportation to enable more seniors to enjoy the center and get around to shop and so forth … our ideas are still in the planning stage, but El Dorado Hills has no public transportation, often making life more difficult for seniors.”

Another trend that Griffen has observed is that people can no longer retire. They reach retirement age and realize that they cannot afford to retire, so they keep working whenever possible. Of course, this phenomenon makes it difficult for college graduates who cannot find the jobs they envisioned.

Teaching role

Besides helping with the lunches and sound mixing, Griffen began teaching a senior exercise class twice a week. Not only did it help others, it assured her own participation, making one of those win-win situations with helping others ultimately and unwittingly helping oneself.

Subsequently, Griffen was inspired to teach French, which is her native language. Though born here, Griffen’s parents made sure to rear their daughter in French language, culture and values.

This experience makes Griffen compassionate, understanding what others who go to school without first speaking English go through. The lessons at her parochial school were in English, but many of the nuns/teachers spoke French. Still, she can empathize with the culture shock of starting school without English skills.

“I feel so blessed to have been brought up speaking two languages and appreciating two cultures,” Griffen said. “It is so enriching. Of course, one of my hobbies is to travel, so I have had so many wonderful adventures.”

One of Griffen’s passions is cooking. She has taught a few French cooking classes at the center over the years, but it is too labor-intensive to offer all the time.

Time for hobbies

Griffen has hobbies, like reading and traveling, which keep her interested and busy. Still, she makes the time to volunteer daily at the senior center, encouraging others to develop hobbies to keep them alive and vital.

“So many seniors are isolated. Their children convinced them to move nearby … and then are too busy to include them in their lives. They become lonely. I recommend that seniors stay in their old towns and neighborhoods; too often seniors move only to feel disappointed and displaced. And if they are in that situation, I recommend finding interests and hobbies to keep them active,” Griffen said.

So Griffen did the opposite, choosing to be in another town, away from the rigors of daily parenting/grandparenting. After working hard all her life, it was Griffen’s time to indulge in her own passions. It was not exclusive of family, just a little more distant. It worked, giving Griffen the opportunity to get in touch with her own desires.

Incessant, but joyful work

It turned out that her desire was to continue to work, to remain active for the sake of humanity. When Griffen retired, she was still young and vital, and she is still that way.

Griffen doesn’t look or act like a senior and probably never will. In fact, she not only works indefatigably at the senior center, she has a real, paid, part-time job with the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, her organizational skills appreciated and continue in even more tangible ways.

Griffen wanted to be a full-time mother to her girls, Michelle and Suzanne. So she worked from home, transcribing dictation for “a penny and a half” per line.

Working from home gave her the opportunity to volunteer at the girl’s school, and she even undertook the task of tutoring some at-risk children. There was not much interest on their part, but Griffen was determined to spark their reading skills.

She figured the only way she could encourage them was to find something that would interest them. So she asked them what they liked, and took them to the library so they could check out books on what truly fascinated them. It worked. It wasn’t a panacea, Griffen explained, but it seemed to help.

Years later, Griffen ran into a handsome, confident young man in the supermarket.

“Mrs. Griffen,” he exclaimed, while she scrambled in her memory to place him. “You tutored me in the third grade. I just always wanted to … thank you.”

Skills are appreciated

Griffen, brought up in a working class family with a strong work ethic, excelled as a student. When she did enter the work force, her organizational skills and more gave her an edge, and launched her into positions of responsibility where she flourished.

Interestingly, she began part time, and when the boss realized she got more accomplished part time than the regular fulltime employee, her expertise was in demand.

Her scholastic skills were also enhanced by 10 years of piano lessons, which increased confidence and the ability to discipline oneself and to strive for excellence.

Thus when Griffen entered the workforce, her career flourished. She retired from civil service as a senior property manager, a position that required great responsibility and attention to detail.

Hard work

For a woman whose ideal was to stay home with her family, Griffen shined in her profession. Besides a certain flair and confidence, Griffen’s previous successes don’t seem to make her conceited or unapproachable.

She remains down-to-earth, firmly rooted in the values with which she was raised. Her immigrant parents worked hard in rather menial jobs, just trying to make it in America, their humble roots and ambitions translated to their daughter, seemingly giving her an outlook of fairness, compassion and joy.

When Griffen retired, it was time to take time for herself. She settled into her “perfect” Serrano home in July 2001. It is large enough, she said, to entertain in, but small enough to accommodate her needs. After having searched in the areas off Highway 80, particularly some Del Webb developments, she knew that the culture there was not her cup of tea. On a whim, she decided to search in Serrano, which had been advertising heavily in the Bay Area.

And she found her new home. A home, and ultimately a community that gave her the wings to be herself, which entails helping others and using her skills to better humanity.

With her outlook influenced by her natural French “joie de vivre” and engrained work ethic, Griffen’s retirement spawned work and responsibility that she chooses freely, providing rewards a paycheck doesn’t guarantee, joy in inspiring others and doing her best to benefit her community and society.

Griffen loves her adopted town, nestled in the foothills like she had imagined for years. But her busy weeks are counterbalanced with the French penchant for finding fun, and Griffen finds inspiration in solitude to provide the recharge she needs for her busy, yet “retired” schedule.

Solitude, beauty give joy

Besides traveling and reading, Griffen’s one indulgence is a cabin retreat near Truckee, where she finds solitude within the forest. After a busy week, she enjoys the peace and freedom of her isolated abode.

An avid reader, her books and travel seem to hone her compassion and her dedication to use her skills to help others.

Griffen has two daughters and two grandsons, so she visits the Bay Area frequently for holidays and other occasions. She will be on hand in Marin County to applaud her grandson, Matt, 16 as he makes his directorial debut. He has been smitten with the drama bug and is a fine actor. Daughter Michelle visits mom quite frequently, bringing Griffen’s beloved “granddog” Max, a darling Yorkshire Terrier, which delights Griffen. Max warms her heart and provides nurturing joy without the responsibility and disruption of a personal pet.

Griffen knew that she would be close enough to continue to be a wonderful mother and grandmother, but far enough away to seek her own joy. In fact, she has acquired an even a larger family, a community of friends and senior acquaintances she cares about.

It is a joy that she shares willingly and graciously, while enjoying the activities and work her volunteerism entails.

Being named Senior of the Year was an unexpected joy and a “wonderful honor.” But even without such recognition, Griffen would continue to work tireless and relentlessly for the common good, especially advocating for seniors.

“I encourage everyone in El Dorado County to go to their local senior center. There are resources and programs that will keep you vital and interested. And by all means, volunteer if you can. Without volunteers, there is no way we could do all this. There are so many opportunities to help in the Senior Nutrition Program. Those who deliver meals to the homebound are so important, often the only link and friendly greeting someone will get all day. If you cannot volunteer, at least become involved. There are so many things you can do to dispel depression and loneliness. Helping others and getting out there is the key. You may be inspired to use your talents to help others, the greatest gift that we can give any time.”

Like so many others, Griffen left the Bay Area seeking a peaceful existence which she found in El Dorado County. It is also fruitful and busy, all a part of Griffen’s kindness, firm convictions, talents, gifts and “joie de vivre” she shares so delightfully with others. As always, when one gives, the benefit is mutually rewarding, a result seemingly reflected in the smile Griffen shares with colleagues, visitors, students and friends daily at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center.

e-mail susanacareywey@comcast.net

Bear Facts staff writer

We can all recollect the breathtaking story of Kyle Seabourn. It is terrifying to know someone so close to us got seriously injured in the Afghanistan war, but it is relieving to hear the miraculous story of his recovery.

He is family to some while many others know him as a friend. Kyle is a graduate of Golden Sierra; here he created strong and lasting bonds with his science teachers as well as discovering his future. He graduated in 2008 filled with the motivation to carry on his love and intriguing interest in chemistry.

It was just November when the young graduate was in a bomb explosion.Kyle was going through the normal protocol for his job when an undetected IED exploded next to him. He was brought to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., where they diagnosed him with multiple compound fractures in his vertebrae. Then they preformed a 14-hour reconstructive surgery on his back, inserting metal plates and rods to stabilize his vertebrae.

He is still in the hospital today but can walk and has to complete a six-month to one-year physical therapy treatment for his back. To Kyle the experience has opened his eyes.

“Things you once thought were important aren’t.”

It’s a wakening reminder of how everyday life can often lead us to take the important things for granted. He said the experience has been humbling and makes him realize how lucky he is. While in Walter Reed hospital he was exposed to burn victims, amputations, and many others in worse conditions than himself.  Overall the experience has made him rethink what is truly important to him.

Being away from family and friends was the hardest part of joining the Army for Kyle. It made him think what is inessential in his life; cell phones, electronics, and vehicles are all of these, but when it comes to what is important, like family, they no longer have value. Kyle greatly missed all who cared for him but he made a new family within his unit. They were with him every step of the way and he created strong bonds with many of them.

“They were more than friends” he said, “many became closer than family; they were the people you went to and trusted.”

While at Golden Sierra he connected strongly with his science teachers; Mr. Daniels and Mrs. O’dette.  He said that the most memorable experience he had at Golden Sierra “were all the useful things Mrs. O’dette taught him in chemistry.”

Mr. Daniels, Kyle’s former chemistry teacher, said, “He wasn’t motivated by grades but by material.”

He was a risk taker and often preformed dangerous chemistry experiments outside of the classroom; it was what he enjoyed in his free time. Kyle also shared a particular interest in shooting and explosives.

After graduating from Golden Sierra in 2008 Kyle went on to Folsom Lake College to major in chemical engineering. After two years he got bored and decided to join the Army to become a combat engineer. His daring and brave personality stuck out from everyone else and though he wasn’t a straight A student he was motivated by his passion.

After being flown out of Germany and into Walter Reed Hospital Seabourn was awarded a Purple Heart. It is meant to symbolize that the soldier has received wounds in battle and expressed bravery, but while interviewing him it was evident that the Purple Heart award he had previously received had no valuable meaning to him.

Kyle sid, “It’s just a shiny piece of metal to me.” He never asked for this and, in fact, does not like the extra attention he has received prior to the experience.

Many wonder and are in awe of his job; he hears things like, “Why would you want to work in the front lines?”“Isn’t that a death sentence?” In reality Kyle doesn’t focus on the extreme risks and repercussions of his job. His main focus is what he genuinely loves and enjoys, which is combat and chemistry. It’s what makes him happy and that’s what’s important.

Though he has an extremet job and always lived on the edge, Seabourn himself has a humble and laid-back personality. He is not fearless, he is brave and although this experience has been a shock to everyone, Kyle’s views have not changed on his job.

We can all take something important out of his experience. We realize that Kyle is just a normal person, and we have to be grateful for every day as well as keeping sight of what’s truly important to us, but most importantly it is a reminder of how fragile we are.

Reprinted by permission from the Golden Sierra High School newspaper, Bear Facts and Girzzly Details February edition. 

Bear Facts staff writer

Picture yourself as a high school student or graduate, as you look through the help wanted ads in the paper you notice you only qualify for a restaurant job.

Sadly, as of Jan. 1, you no longer qualify. It is now a law that all California food handlers, also known as an individual involved in any preparation, storage, or service of food in a food facility (El Dorado County Environmental Department), now have to possess a Food Handler Card.

However, there are some exemptions to this law. If you work in a temporary food facility, certified farmers markets, commissaries, grocery stores, licensed health care facilities or a school kitchen you are exempt from this law. If employees are caught without this card, the facility they work for may receive a minor violation.

Let’s go back to the job search for a second. You’re looking for a job to earn money, right? Well within 30 days after you are officially hired you are expected to shell out $15 to pay for a ServSafe food handler education course. The money to pay for this course comes out of your pocket, as it is not required by law for an employer to pay for your course.

However, some employers offer a reimbursement after you have successfully completed the course. This card is valid for only a three-year period. That means that every three years, as long as you work as a food handler, you have to take this course.

Terry’s Pizzeria owner, Terry Hall, said, “ServSafe is a great tool for owners and managers, in ensuring employees are aware of their responsibility in serving safe food. Food-borne illness can be prevented.”

Now what exactly is this course? You take a two-hour course online, teaching you how to safely handle and prepare food. It covers topics such as cross-contamination, proper hand-washing skills and proper food storage, etc. At the conclusion of the course you given an exam to test if you properly understood what was taught.

In order to pass, you must obtain a 70 percent score or higher.

Senior Amber Morgan, who works at Terry’s Pizzeria, described the course: “I think it is an unnecessary waste of time. I already knew the information; the course is just common sense.”

Reprinted by permission from the Golden Sierra High School newspaper, Bear Facts and Girzzly Details February edition.   

The Sierra Valley Conference co-champion Cougars lost just one game during the league season but run and gun Weston Ranch did what few teams were able to do this year — take the Cougars from Placerville out of their game with a physical, fast-paced style that elimnated El Dorado, 58-51, from the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs.

The Cougars from Stockton trailed for much of the game but took control on the strength of a 26-point fourth quarter and held on for the victory.

El Dorado got off to a rough 1-of-10 start and turned the ball over four times in the opening minutes. Courtney Macklin, who led all scorers with 20 points, got the home team on the board at the 5:16 mark and Sam Reeder made a free throw midway through.

The sloppy play hurt both teams. Weston Ranch struggled on the other end as Macklin and Reeder both had steals and Emily Boyd blocked a shot. Macklin’s second basket with 2:13 left on Reeder’s assist, and Jessica Heinrichs’ wing three gave El Dorado a 8-5 lead but Weston Ranch answered with seconds left in the period to get within one.

After Grace Abela forced two Weston Ranch turnovers and Maddie Zuber intercepted a pass at the start of the second, El Dorado’s offense got on track. Macklin hit a pair of layups and Abela took a feed from Reeder on the run and converted a 3-point play.

Macklin was mugged and left the court briefly as Weston’s Leticia Infante buried a three to cut into El Dorado’s 15-9 lead.

Weston tied it at 19, Heinrichs answered with a layup and two from the line, Weston scored another three and Zuber bucketed a two-pointer just before the half. Heinrichs extended El Dorado’s lead to four on an outlet pass from Macklin, sending the teams into the break with El Dorado up 26-22.

Despite a series of turnovers that kept El Dorado scoreless for nearly two minutes late in the third, the home team maintained the lead, outscoring the visitors 12-10. Sabrina Tate’s tip of a Weston pass to Reeder and her subsequent pass to Macklin led to two El Dorado points and on the ensuing inbound pass, Weston nocthalantly rolled the ball inbound.

Reeder alertly ran back, picked up the loose ball and went in for a layup. She was fouled and made both free throws to extend El Dorado’s lead to six.

But the good times ended in the fourth. Weston tied the game at 40 on its second three in the first two minutes. Falling back, Heinrichs threw up a prayer that found the net and converted the 3-point play but Weston retied it at 45 with a trey and took the lead for good on another.

After Boyd’s cross-court inbound pass to Macklin, who was camped all alone underneath the basket, pulled El Dorado within three, Weston put the game away with 8-of-10 from the charity stripe in an 8-4 run.

“We should have won that game,” Macklin said. “At the end of the third it got more intense. We were tired and so were they and that’s when they took the physicality to another level. The only way we lose is if a team is stronger than us — and they were stronger.”

Along with her 20 points, Macklin had 11 rebounds. Boyd pulled down eight boards and Zuber and Abela both had four.

Heinrichs joined Macklin in double figures with 13 points; Reeder scored five; Boyd bucketed four; Abela had three; and Zuber, Tate and Justine Pereira each had two. Weston was led by AJ Brown with 16 points, Emoni Wilson with 11 and Anna Haley with eight.

“It was just one of those nights when shots didn’t fall and we weren’t able to get it done,” El Dorado coach Pat Winter said.

I have two problems with this.

First, this operates on the premise that it is alright for the majority to take away property from a minority. Make no mistake about it. That is precisely what this is. Mr. Hitler was delighted to target Jews as they had property and money that he and his followers could use. Typically, the governments of most despots target those citizens who have something of value as not deserving it for one reason or another and thereby get the “majority” to align with them by giving away the treasure taken from this minority.

When Gov. Grown or President Obama say they are targeting the “rich” what is the real difference between this and any other minority?

America is no saint in this department. Americans felt justified to take away the property and possessions of minority groups from the very beginning.

Was it justified to remove land and property of Native Americans by force because the majority wanted it? Even at the time there were Americans such as Congressman Crocket who pointed out this practice violated the very concepts upon which this country was supposed to be founded. For Crocket’s stand on principle he was politically targeted as are many politicians today.

I mean what did Bill Cosby do to you that justifies you taking away his property? The rich are an easy target, but what happens when we run out of rich people? I point out it was easy to take the Indians’ lands and property, but eventually America ran out of Indian lands and property to take, so we turned to another minority.

Do you think the rich will just hand over everything they have worked so hard for? Will the rich continue to work hard just so you can take it all away from them? What is the eventual outcome from this practice?

Second, I have a problem with the concept that “we need’ all these government services. Take, for instance, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. This agency was created to pursue the illegal moonshiners of the Prohibition era of the 1920s. After their stellar response to the Branch Davidians they have been stripped of most of their duties. Today the Department of Homeland Security has taken away ATF’s jurisdiction over firearms, unless you call “Operation Fast and Furious” a glowing example of government safety.

Then I was watching television the other evening and saw the program about today’s moonshiners. Apparently ATF no longer has jurisdiction over illegal liquor either. So, what have they left? Tobacco? As vital as this is couldn’t it be done by the local sheriff’s department and highway patrol?

As another government service in need I hear how poorly our elementary school system is going, with three sons in elementary school myself, this is a concern. The given reason for the school’s failures is invariably shortage of money. The shortage as depicted will cause the laying off of teachers, if the new tax, Lotto or gaming revenue, etc., isn’t passed.

As I see the money for our schools goes to pay for the federal Department of Education, then the state Department of Education, then the county Office of Education before it gets to the various district offices of education and then to actual teachers of the classrooms. All of the above departments and offices have personnel and staff who are well paid and get benefits and retirements taken from this monetary fund.

Now this may be necessary, but they admit that with the children of farm laborers they simply cannot get children ready for high school, let alone college. I question this excuse. As an example, my grandfather came from the Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma. After the great bank collapses he lost everything. At times he, my father and grandmother attended our local one-room school where the teacher, Mrs. Kelly, taught kindergarten through the eighth grade. My father started school in the second grade and went on to high school and college, eventually becoming a mechanical engineer.

While I am not saying the old school system was perfect, I ask the questions, Do we need all these departments and offices and are the children of farm laborers that deficient?

You and I could go on with various government offices and agencies, but that is not the issue. The issue is Do you feel justified in stealing from your neighbor to pay for these “vital” government services?

Some of you may question my supporting those “evil rich fat cats.” Let me in all honesty say that I am a college graduate who has been rather underemployed for the last year and a half. And while I am part Native American we don’t all have casinos and government money coming in. Most Native Americans, myself included, work for a living the same as you do. When my family runs short of money we cut back or do without. We do not feel justified by our shortage of income to go steal it from our neighbors.

If we as citizens of the United States decide we need these vital government services, then we need to raise taxes on all of us. If we only go after the evil rich or some other minority we will eventually run out of Indians who have lands or property worth taking. Then who will we go after?

I believe we should question these proposed taxes on principle and we should ask the question, Do we need all these government departments and agencies to provide us with these vital services?

GUY NIXON

Garden Valley

I know other people in the band, so I miss seeing them. With the change of format to rock and this other music, I have stopped going there and have been there only briefly since. A couple of ladies I know said they missed seeing me there and this is the reason, as they have rock and other music and I don’t go to those.

Like Will I am also on a small fixed income, so it is understandable why he sold the bison. I understand this being irritated with that other guy with his know-it-all attitude. People like that usually don’t know it all and often disregard safety rules, whether working with animals, machinery, etc.

It is a wonder that guy didn’t get badly hurt or even killed. Bison are large and powerful animals and don’t have natural enemies. That guy’s attitude was quite dangerous, if you ask me.

I keep hoping I will see Will and these other people again some day.

BILL OLSEN

Placerville

Here is what President Obama said in an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer several Sundays ago: “Our founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about changes that I would like to do sometimes. If it wasn’t for that old document, we’d be a lot further along with our radical agenda of fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”

Before Mr. Obama became president he criticized that document as being a charter of negative liberties.

God has given us the greatest country on this Earth. We have men and women who are in high offices who want to make us a second- or third-rate country. And it looks like we are sure headed that way.

ROY SHOUN

Diamond Springs

The “folks” know nothing. The real images to him are robots of the technical age, so he believes an “Internet cop” should monitor our newspaper editorial page. This, to ensure that the “folks” get only the true information, while at the same time he admits that the Internet can itself be a source of misinformation.

Applied, this can ruin anyone’s gain. Our “folks” have an old saying” “Unless one is a genius, it is best to aim at being intelligible.”

JUNE HOFFMAN

Placerville

It was nice to know what became of the bison. Thank you.

I remember driving up the hill on Highway 50 by the bison as a kid with my parents. We always looked forward to seeing the bison and doing our best to count them.

It was a treat to envision them on the plains of Wyoming and Montana as the herd grew, and atmosphere of the Old West and Western movies.

Yes, we will all miss them. Hope Will Neuman and his wife Marilyn will have a wonderful vacation after their 40-year reign of buffalo we all enjoyed.

CONNIE CAMPBELL

Placerville

Unknown suspects entered the residence of a 28-year-old male on Perry Creek Road, taking $500 in prescription medication, personal items, and an undisclosed amount of cash, Sgt. Phil Chonavec of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department said. A case report was not made until Feb. 19.

No further information was available on the suspect.

Standing at the kitchen sink, you can look out across a raised and gracefully curved eating bar, into the dining area, great room and patio. Gridded windows, set high, flank the living room's masonry fireplace, while shelves fill the spaces below them.

The suspects approached the three male victims, ages 20, 21 and 21, in a vehicle at around 1:30 a.m., brandishing a handgun while taking personal items, wallets and cell phones before fleeing the area.

According to the police report, the victims may have known the suspects, said Sgt. Phil Chovanec of the Sheriff’s Department.

No other information was available.

Brick veneer, raised brick trim and corner quoins create an indelible impression of solidity and permanence, while decorative corbels highlight the posts that rim the wide front porch.

Inside, a slender sidelight brightens the vaulted entry, where a roomy coat closet spans the left wall. A pocket door on the right conceals access to secondary bedrooms and a shared bathroom. A high plant shelf overarches the entry where it angles off to the left.

From there, passageways lead off in three directions. On the left, double doors open into what could be a media room/study or home office. Straight ahead is an angled gallery kitchen, just past the high plant shelf on the right that crowns the opening into a bright and spacious great room.

Standing at the kitchen sink, you can look out across a raised and gracefully curved eating bar, into the dining area, great room and patio. Wide windows fill most of the rear wall. One set opens onto a wide covered patio that could be screened. Gridded windows, set high, flank the masonry fireplace. Shelves fill the spaces beneath them. The inner wall is designed to house a media center, accessible at the rear through a closet in the bedroom on the other side of the wall.

The Hills Creek’s utility room and a well-appointed owners’ suite fill the left wing. This large utility room sits conveniently between the kitchen and the three-car garage, offering easy access from both. In addition to a deluxe bathroom, the owners’ suite boasts two large closets, one for clothing and the other lined with bookshelves.

Visit AssociatedDesigns.com for more information or to search home plans. A review plan of the Hills Creek 10-573 can be purchased for $25. Associated Design’s “Home Plan Collection,” featuring more than 550 home plans, costs $15. Both are available online, by phone at 800-634-0123 and by mail (add $5 s/h) at Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Drive, Eugene, OR 97402.

Sweeney did not engage with the speaker when directly challenged, however he did answer a request by the Mountain Democrat for comment on the issues. Below is his e-mail received just before noon Tuesday. It is presented as written:

“Thank you for the opportunity to respond!

“I do not like to discuss matters of litigation in public meetings; especially when the other party has the floor and already has steadfastly alleged that the laws do not apply to them.

“Mr. Churches even chose to ignore the section of the Patent that he handed out that forewarned that the laws regarding mining were changing and they would be subject to State Legislation!

“First, I strongly support jobs in this county!  I support mining and timbering. If the Feds would authorize more mining and timbering we would not have a National Debt!  Ten years of just harvesting a bit less than the annual growth would pay off the National Debt!

“But to the matter at hand.

“The concerns raised by me were that the mine folks needed to apply for permits to mine as any vested rights were given up by their predecessor in interest at least in 1998!

“Mr. Churches never mentions that the previous owner of the mine at the time (one Clinton Donovan) signed statements or reports on June 4,1998, and June 24, 1999, indicating ‘mine closed and no intent to mine.’  I believe you have received these letters from my assistant.

“This county is conflicted by an ordinance adopted by the voters on Nov. 6, 1984. Implementation of that voter initiative is found in County Ordinance Section 17.14.095. This ordinance states, in part:  “that all boundaries of the proposed project for open pit mining or strip mining shall be greater than a linear distance of ten thousand feet (10,000’) from any existing residential use, hospital use, church use, or school use.”  That measure passed by 16,630 for and 1,042 against. That is also when I was first elected to the Board of Supervisors.

“Any application to reopen the Big Cut Mine would certainly raise a conflict as between a California requirement to protect mineral lands and our County Ordinance. And the applicants would be the real parties in interest paying for any lawsuit.

“This matter was brought to my attention by numerous neighbors that bought their lands based on the mine being closed and now feel that their rights have been violated.

“I hesitate to predict the outcome, but suspect the mineral protection laws (California Code of Regulations 3675-3676) would prevail, but the environmental protection laws would make it impractical to mine, especially open pit!

Respectfully,

Jack Sweeney”

But his real pride and joy is his collection of Native American baskets from tribes all over the country and, in particular, from California.

An avid collector, his ultimate goal is to own at least one basket from all the important weaving tribes. A basket that represents the tribe’s classic style of weaving or what is called a “fancy basket.”

Mercado has been a serious collector for 15 years. His interest was piqued after researching his family history. Both sides of his family are Gold Rush people who owned thousands of acres in the northern part of the state.

In the process of learning more about his family, he learned more about California’s history and about the different tribes that inhabited California.

He now owns a large collection of dolls and baskets, some of which are currently on display at the main branch of the El Dorado County Library in Placerville. The baskets come from different tribes, including the Algonquin/MicMac, Chumash, Eskimo, Havasupai, Hopi, Hupa, Klamath, Pima, Pomo, and Washo.

All the baskets are made of natural materials such as willow, sedge root, ferns, redbud, hazel, grasses, or devil’s claw. But he also has a few beaded baskets. His doll collection, which is not currently on display at the library, includes dolls made of corn cobs, grasses, roots, and other materials. While the designs are often colorful, the color usually is a product of the natural material rather than dyes.

Mercado, who buys his baskets and dolls at art shows, auctions and off the Internet, said his oldest basket dates from the 1900s. However, most date from the 1930s. He said that in the late 1890s Indian pottery and rugs became popular items for decorating American homes. The interest reawakened basket weaving by Indians because there was now a market for them. More valuable baskets, however, were done on a commission basis by women such as Dat So La Lee (aka Louisa Keyser), Lucy Telles, and Elizabeth Hickox.

Making a basket is a time intensive process because the materials have to be cultivated, harvested, stored and prepared before weaving can even begin. There is a lot of mouth work involved as well because strips of materials have to be moistened and softened first and then torn into strips of various widths so they can used for sewing or weaving. Generally it takes three to seven days to make a small to medium-sized basket. A museum quality basket can take two to three months. Mercado says that basket makers today have trouble duplicating the quality of previous baskets because it’s harder to get the same quality materials.

Of all the tribes making baskets, Mercado said the Pomo Indians are considered to be the finest basket weavers that ever lived. They habitated from the northern coast of California to Clear Lake. The tribe used seven different weaving techniques and constructed ultra fine baskets that were often decorated with shells, beads, and feathers.

After viewing his collection at the library, Mercado recommends seeing the collection owned by the El Dorado County Museum, which he says is the finest in the county. Other notable collections are at the Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City, at the Auburn Courthouse, in the California Indian Museum in Sacramento, and at the museum in Yosemite Valley.

The collection is on display through February.

Big government, intrusive bureaucrats, political grease and a lot of money are involved Churches said, describing an ongoing battle with environmental regulations that have effectively shut down mining operations at Big Cut.

At the figurative bottom of the shaft is an 1876 “Mineral Certificate” granted by the federal government and “given under my hand” by President Ulysses S. Grant. The certificate or patent’s language is legalistic and somewhat archaic, but the document appears to state clearly that the property and mining privileges belong to the original owners, “and to their heirs and assigns forever.”

The State Mining and Geology Board has determined that “vested” mining operations ceased years ago when prior owners reportedly indicated they were no longer working the mine. Since that time, both state and county environmental agencies have levied charges against Hardesty that range from illegal storage of hazardous materials to improper grading and water pollution.

Seeking to execute an arrest warrant for Hardesty, district attorney’s investigators and sheriff’s deputies entered the property, guns drawn, between 3 and 4 p.m. Feb. 8 and again at about 3:30 the next morning. Hardesty was not there, but Churches’ 17-year-old son and a friend were “intimidated” and “threatened” by officers during the afternoon incident, according to Churches. The elder Churches was “rousted” from bed in the early morning search and “forced to stand naked on the front porch” with spotlights and assault weapons aimed at him for a period of time, he told the group Monday.

District Attorney Vern Pierson told the Mountain Democrat last week that his office had made an ongoing effort to negotiate terms under which Hardesty would turn himself in so as to avoid issuance of the arrest warrant. Hardesty told the audience that neither he nor his attorney was ever given a copy of the warrant prior to the enforcement teams’ efforts Feb. 8 and Feb. 9. However, he did surrender himself at the El Dorado County Jail in the late morning on Thursday Feb. 9. He “bailed” out later that evening on a $75,000 bond.

Churches described a “domino effect” of problems regarding environmental issues both at Hardesty’s Sacramento County quarry and the Big Cut Mine property. He said two separate environmental consultants conducted studies of alleged violations, but did not turn those reports in to the appropriate state agencies in a timely manner. That led to charges that the miners had failed to correct the conditions at issue. The DA then issued 14 charges of failure to comply with earlier orders, which eventually led to the arrest warrant.

Churches had sharp words for El Dorado County District 3 Supervisor Jack Sweeney who was in the audience Monday. He said he had attempted on at least two informal occasions to engage Sweeney in discussions about the mine’s issues (Big Cut Mine is in District 3 a little more than a mile southwest of Placerville.)

Both times, Churches said Sweeney refused to talk to him but told him, “I can’t help you Rick.” Sweeney did not respond to Churches during the Taxpayers meeting. On the other hand, he said District 2 Supervisor Ray Nutting had met with him and remained supportive of the miners’ concerns.

Hardesty also drew support from the group when he announced, “I’m not going to voluntarily quit mining,” in effect vowing to fight on to enforce his patent and rights to mine on his property. He is set for an arraignment March 13 on the multiple charges the DA has issued.

Sweeney’s administrative assistant e-mailed copies of two California Department of Conservation documents. Mining Operation Annual Reports recorded in 1998 and 1999 clearly show that the mine’s previous owner, Clint Donovan, had checked boxes on the forms for both years indicating that mining operations were “closed with no intent to resume.”

The state and the county thereby treat mining operations on the property as non-compliant and that vested mining rights are no longer valid. Churches and Hardesty maintain that in 1876 when U.S. Grant said the vested mining rights were “forever,” that indeed meant forever.

The agreement formalizes, for $25,000 annually, a role that El Dorado Hills currently provides its fiscally strapped southerly neighbor under the county mutual aid agreement. Ambulance response remains covered by the county Joint Powers Authority, which is outside the agreement.

Latrobe Fire Chief Chris Couper said the agreement’s intent is to “ensure the integrity of the response for everyone,” and “make sure everyone is compensated fairly.”

Couper and El Dorado Hills Fire Chief Dave Roberts presented the proposal to a packed Feb. 13 Latrobe Fire Board meeting, then fielded questions from residents concerned that dwindling district revenues would leave their homes and families exposed to fire danger in what could be a frighteningly dry 2012 summer. Roberts reported that the proposal was generally well received.

During the El Dorado Hills board’s February meeting, Roberts and district counsel Mike Cook reviewed minor contract language changes requested by the Latrobe board, mainly the softening of some contract language.

The final agreement asks Latrobe make its “best effort” to maintain its volunteer organization at or above current levels, with a like effort to have a chief officer present at an estimated half dozen major incidents each year. The El Dorado Hills board had no problem with the changes.

The Latrobe board shelved an accompanying $5,000 proposal for administrative services.

El Dorado Hills resident Dick Ross asked his board to ensure that call activity is tracked and reported, noting “for Latrobe to afford this they have to let something go.”

Latrobe Director John Haverty, who helped form the district in 1982, assured the El Dorado Hills board that his volunteer organization will continue to provide initial incident response after hours and on weekends, which leaves the district needing coverage for an estimated five major calls per year, he said.

His board requested the proposal from El Dorado Hills for help during a mid-week daytime shift currently covered by a soon-to-be-restructured paid staff, he added.

Afterward Haverty added that the board wants to maintain a presence at Station 91 on South Shingle Road during the day in support of the two adjacent schools. “It’s a lot of kids in one spot,” he said.

He reflected on the brutal economics that rural fire districts across the county now face, and why outsourcing some of the responsibility makes sense. “Staffing enough firefighters to man an engine company for five calls a year is tough,” Haverty said. “The sad reality is that it’s a lot to pay.”

Haverty refused to call the county’s rural fire district funding, which likely ends in June, “aid to fire.”

“Look at the portion of tax dollars that go to fire service in other districts and then look at what Latrobe gets,” he said. “We’re paying the same amount of taxes, but not getting the dollars back.”

Haverty said Latrobe residents he’s talked to understand, “We’re trying to get the best protection for them with the budget we have.”

Representatives of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were also at the Latrobe board meeting, pitching a complete annexation. “But we’re not ready for that, at least not now,” said Haverty.

Haverty said he’s gotten “a little heat” from other rural fire officials for agreeing to outsource coverage in the district he helped found. “I tell ’em we have to,” he shrugged.

The die was likely cast when the district formed in 1982 with a meager 6 percent slice of the Proposition 13 mandated 1 percent property tax. By comparison, El Dorado Hills gets 17.5 percent.

Latrobe’s tax and assessment revenue was just $141,840 in 2009, the most recent year the State Controller’s Office reported on special district revenues. Tax revenues have steadily declined since then, said Couper.

Latrobe received $108,000 from the county in fiscal 2011-12, half of the district’s prior aid-to-fire funding. But district officials aren’t counting on anything from the county in 2012-13.

Couper takes no salary as fire chief, reserving sparse district funds for the essentials, including a small group of firefighters paid at intern rates on a midweek daytime shift.

All of Latrobe’s apparatus and equipment will remain owned, operated and maintained by Latrobe staff. The contract invites Latrobe paid and volunteer firefighters to train with El Dorado Hills.

The agreement can terminated with six months notice by either district. The contract went into effect Feb. 20.

Approvals for the city of Placerville project, often referred to as the “Roundabout Project” because of a proposed roundabout at the four-legged intersection at Main Street, Clay Street and Cedar Ravine Road, which was one  of the project’s components, were challenged by the Friends of Historical Hangtown who were represented by attorney Rachel Mansfield-Howlett.

The project combines a number of different components to mitigate traffic and air quality impacts in downtown Placerville and included the realignment of Clay Street with Cedar Ravine, the replacement of the Clay Street Bridge at Hangtown Creek, the widening of Clay Street, the roundabout intersection and the extension of the El Dorado Trail from Clay Street to Bedford Avenue.

In September 2011, Judge Brooks ruled the project’s Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration to be too inadequate and incomplete to continue.

City Attorney John Driscoll filed a brief requesting identification of the specific issues to be addressed with regard to the environmental document.

On Feb.14, Judge Brooks granted the petition, which sets aside and vacates the project approvals and the Mitigated Negative Declaration until an environmental impact report addressing potential impacts on parking, traffic, urban decay, biology, cultural resources, toxicity, aesthetics, growth inducement and consistency with area plans and policies can be completed.

City Manager Cleve Morris said he had been apprised of the ruling. “We will be determining  the options with City Council and reviewing them in closed session. Then the council will make a decision about the next step.”

Public concern against the proposed roundabout was vociferous at numerous community outreach meetings conducted from 2007-2011 and written protests against the roundabout were also received.

“The potential impacts were so serious, the city should have done a new EIR,” said Sharlene McCaslin of Friends of Historical Hangtown.

That will mean the roundabout won’t be built in the near future, but it will also mean that the extension to the El Dorado Trail from Clay Street to Bedford, which the city was prepared to begin, will not be completed either, until the city completes an EIR for it.

“There aren’t so many impacts from the construction of the trail, ” said McCaslin. “The city should have listened to the public.The written public comments and public comments received at the meetings created a “fair argument” that influenced the court.

“I hope the city doesn’t waste more money on a project the public doesn’t want after wasting money on litigation for a project that the public didn’t want,” said McCaslin. “Hopefully the Neighborhood Chats and conversations with the council members will let them know what their constituants want.”

Cool time 

No matter what the weather pattern is outside for Thursday, Feb. 23, there will cool sounds in Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St. in Placerville, with music by Larry Park and Val Pease. Both musicians have been on the music scene for a long time and they have a fabulous repertoire to heat things up. For more details call 530-626-1091.

Brewery dinner

El Dorado County brewers are kicking off Beer Week with the second annual Brewers Dinner at Sequoia, 643 Bee St. in Placerville, on Friday, Feb. 24. El Dorado Brewing Company, Gold Hill Brewery, Jack Russell Brewing Company, Old Hangtown Beer Works and the Placerville Brewing Company are taking part in this wonderful dinner created by David Bagley, of Sequoia. The six-course meal will start with grilled flat bread with a spicy chicken slaw and El Dorado Brewing Gold Rush Lager; the soup is a Tuscan white bean with green chili, olive and mushroom tapenade and Gold Hill 49er Red; a salad of butter lettuce with dried cherry dressing and California blue cheese will go with Old Hangtown Beer Works New Zealand Pale Ale; the intermezzo is frozen lime beer foam; an entrée of braised farm stew featuring a blend of beef, chicken and lamb braised in wort (pre-fermented beer) with potatoes and vegetables in a whole wheat bread bowl is paired with Jack Russell Brewing Co. London Porter; and dessert is a chocolate brownie with mocha ice cream and stout caramel sauce with Placerville Brewing Co. Vanilla Stout. The dinner is at  6:30 p.m. To make a reservation call Sequoia at 530-622-5222.

Mining day

The El Dorado County Museum, 104 Placerville Drive in Placerville, is hosting a Mining History Day on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be thousands of digitized mining photographs and historical mining information and maps to look at and volunteer researchers will be on hand to help with research. Call 530-621-5865 for more information.

Port month

Madroña Vineyards, 2560 High Hill Road in Camino, has been celebrating its New-World Port during February. This is the last weekend to enjoy vertical tastings, food pairings, recipes and fun facts at the winery focusing on New-World Port. Be sure to check out El Dorado County restaurants that are featuring both the 2002 and 2008 New-World Ports with heavenly desserts throughout the month. For more information call 530-644-5948.

Go for the gold

Oakstone Winery, 6440 Slug Gulch Road in Fair Play, invites everyone to celebrate its six gold medal winners in the 2012 Chronicle Wine Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2009 Reserve Zinfandel from the Cardanini Vineyard and the 2009 Dolcetto from the estate DeCascabel Vineyard will be released as club selections, and the Slug Gulch Red, Lot No. 2009; Estate Zinfandel-West Side; 2009 Estate Reserve Petite Sirah; and 2009 Estate Meritage will also be available for tasting. The wines will be accompanied by Susan’s gourmet snacks. There is no charge to attend. To get more details call 530-620-5303.

Cuisine cruise

While out and about check out Cuisine on Carson on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eleven of the wineries along Carson Road between Placerville and Camino will be pouring their great wines and offering small bites. The event is free when you bring your own wine glass and there will be prizes for unique glasses.

FeBREWary

Gold Hill Vineyard and Brewery, 5660 Vineyard Lane, off Cold Springs Road, is having its first chili cook-off and beer festival on Saturday and Sunday, FeBREWary 25 and 26, from noon until 4 p.m. This is a competition between staff and management. For information and tickets call 530-626-6522 or by e-mailing events@goldhillvineyard.com.

Slalom team scores
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Feb. 20, 2012

Slalom
Girls snowboard
1. El Dorado, 86
2.  Ponderosa, 68
3. Union Mine 46
4. Oak Ridge, 28
5. Amador, 13
6. Capital Christian, 5

Boys
1. El Dorado, 207
1. Ponderosa, 207
2. Oak Ridge, 194
3. Union Mine, 154
4. Amador, 143

Girls ski

1. El Dorado, 54
2. Ponderosa, 37
3. Oak Ridge, 29
4. Amador, 23
5. Union  Mine, 18

Boys ski
1. Ponderosa, 109
2. El Dorado, 86
3. Oak Ridge, 28
4. Golden Sierra, 26
5. Union Mine, 23
6.  Amador, 10

Season team totals — snowboard

1. Ponderosa, 896
2. El Dorado, 851
3. Oak Ridge, 295
4. Union Mine, 255
5. Amador, 170
6. Golden Sierra, 114

Season ending combined points 
1. Ponderosa, 1,710
2. El Dorado, 1,672
3. Union Mine, 1,291
4. Oak Ridge, 1,234
5. Amador, 774

Season team totals — skiing
1. Ponderosa, 657
2. El Dorado, 516
3. Union Mine, 154
4. Oak Ridge, 141
5. Golden Sierra, 114
6. Amador, 66

Season ending combined points 

1. Ponderosa, 896
2. El Dorado, 851
3. Oak Ridge, 295
4. Union Mine, 255
5. Amador, 170
6. Golden Sierra, 114

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE — The South 1 Division held its last regular season race with Monday’s President’s Day Slalom runs at Sierra-at-Tahoe followed by its awards ceremony/barbecue in the upper parking lot.

Parity, which has worked its way into the division after years of El Dorado dominance, tilted heavily Ponderosa’s way as the Bruins’ alpine team took home four banners: boys ski, boys snowboard, combined ski and combined snowboard — believed to be the most-ever in school history.

Ponderosa’s boys ski team won its fifth straight title led by Reid Lambres’ remarkable sweep of the win category — also thought to be a program first. He was joined by Lady Cougar boarder Sage Hoffee who  was also a perfect six-for-six on the hill. Monday’s other individual winners were Union Mine’s Gabbi Aveni with her second ski win and El Dorado’s Colby Haffner with his fourth snowboard victory.

“It was an amazing season and a combination of things. In men’s ski it was an alignment of the stars: the Lambres brothers, Alex Matzat and a couple of others who coalesced and dominated,” Bruin coach Adam Savakus said. “It’s sort of been building the last 3-to-4 years with boys ski and trying to get the other teams to rise to that level. This season we had that critical mass (large numbers) at the top that pushed other team scores down.”

Teamwise, Ponderosa amassed 657 points (boys ski) and led the field by 141 points. Its combined ski win was closer: the Bruins tallied 896 points to the Cougars’ 851.

The Ponderosa boy boarders tied El Dorado Monday but overall led the Cougars by 108 points (1278-1170). The combined snowboard racing saw the Bruins win by 38 points (1710-1,672).

The best head-to-head in South 1 was in boys snowboard between El Dorado’s Colby Haffner and Union Mine’s Carter Price who’ve traded off wins and Monday was no exception. Haffner led 3-2 and just nipped Price 1:17.22-1:17.32 in a photo finish. While those two led the top of the All-League team it was Ponderosa’s numbers that made the difference in its banner win.

The 2012 season also saw the return of Oak Ridge after a one-year absence. In the division’s last race, the Trojans had snowboarders Stephanie Summers and Zachary Larsen both place third.

“The snow was great and easy to set your edges in. My whole focus was staying low,” Summers said. “Our team took a year off but that time allowed me to get a more natural feel on the snowboard.”

Hoffee, Brook Beals, Katie Harris, Taylor Caldwell and Madison Orr had enough to hold off Ponderosa as the El Dorado girls repeated as South 1 champs as did its ski team.

“It’s really great we won considering we have only five girls when we usually have a whole team,” said Cougar skier Kristen Vardenega who finished third, one place behind teammate Anna Greenwood. “I took it a little conservatively today because I wanted to make sure we had enough points.”

Golden Sierra freshman Alex Murray had his best race of the season Monday in coming in fourth. He met his goal of cracking the top 10 on the All League team, snagging the final spot.

“I was 11th overall so I had to go all out and put everything in to it and it paid off,” Murray said. “I was a little anxious about failing and not getting a high enough placing but it worked out.”

Below is the top 25 finishers. All League teams and state qualifyers for next month’s championships at Northstar will be in a future Democrat.

Boys skiing

1. Reid Lambres, PO, 41.92/44.92-1:26.84; 2. Alex Mazat, PO, 46.14/47.05-1:33.19; 3. Andrew Olson, PO, 46.56/47.36-1:33.92; 4. Alexander Murray, GS, 48.62/50.16-1:33.92; 5. Zach Fitzpatrick, PO, 48.79/50.32-1:39.11; 6. Alex Bahro, ED, 48.41/51.66-1:40.27; 7. Akio Joy, ED, 49.79; 50.51-1:40.30; 8. Andrew Vardanega, ED, 47.90/54.44-1:42.34; 9. Alec Lambres, PO, 57.20/47.61-1:44.81; 10. Michael Duhain, PO, 52.59/52.45-1:45.04; 11. Samuel Neil, PO, 50.88/55.35-1:46.23; 12. Dustin Diel, OR, 51.84/56.64/1:48.48; 13. Dayton Morris, ED, 52.29/56.31-1:48.60; 14. Dylan Brownell, PO, 54.14/55.44-1:49.58; 15. Keenan Raleigh, ED, 53.93/55.96-1:49.89; 16. Tyler Atkinson, ED, 55.34/58.08-1:53.42; 17. Ryan Faischietto, PO, 49.85/1:03.60-1:53.45; 18. Shane Wise, UM, 57.79/57.30-1:55.09; 19. Steven Haugaard, UM, 57.68/59.34-1:57.02; 20. Rian King-Iseger, OR, 59.44/1:01.27-2:00.71; 21. Kyle Brazil, ED, 1:07.03/53.82-2:00.85; 22. Joel Kaderka, 59.18/1:02.58-2:01.76; 23. Matt Poindexter, ED, 58.07/1:09.10; 24. Ian Reh, AM, 1:06.12/1:06.38-2:12.50; 25. Robby Fritzler, ED, 1:30.40/57.01-2:27.41.

Girls skiing

1. Gabbi Aveni, UM, 50.48/54.15-1:44.63; 2. Anna Greenwood, ED, 51.98/53.59-1:45.57; 3. Petra Van De Hey, AM, 52.38/56.99-1:49.37; 4. Kristen Vardanega, ED, 54.04/56.44-1:50.48; 5. Emily Vivian, OR, 56.17/56.98-1:53.15; 6. Laura Wisdom, PO, 56.15/58.90-1:55.05; 7. Caitlin Phillips, ED, 1:00.16/58.30-1:58.46; 8. Amanda Pinski, PO, 1:00.28/1:02.07-2:02.35; 9. Madison Crovitz, ED, 1:00.38/1:03.59-2:03.97; 10. Jessica Phillips, ED, 1:03.05/1:03.69-2:06.74; 11. Danica Stevenson, OR, 1:04.81/1:02.06-2:06.87; 12. Cari Chavez, PO, 1:06.48/1:08.33-2:14.81; 13. Lauren Olson, PO, 1:00.59/1:18.08-2:18.67; 14. Lauren Struffenegg, AM, 1:13.30/1:14.93-2:28.23; 15. Caitlyn Nolasco, OR, 1:26.19/1:08.32-2:34.51; 16. Tara Chastaine, OR, 1:25.43/1:10.96-2:26.39; 17. Kendra Morrison, AM, 1:35.94/1:33.55-3:09.49.

Boys snowboarding

1. Colby Haffner, ED, 37.61/39.61-1:17.22; 2. Carter Price, UM, 38.23/39.09-1:17.32; 3. Zachary Larsen, OR, 44.53/45.60-1:30.13; 4. Mathew Bateson, PO, 46.70/45.16-1:31.86; 5. Tyler Peeters, ED, 44.23/48.41-1:32.64; 6. Davis Alexander, PO, 45.74/47.22-1:32.96; 7. Quincy Blackwell, ED, 49.11/48.63-1:37.74; 8. Jack Phillips, PO, 49.94/48.58-1:38.52; 9. Shane Austin, OR, 48.26/50.34-1:38.60; 10. Michael Bogowitz, OR, 49.41/50.87-1:40.28; 11. Brandon Walsh, PO, 48.24/52.36-1:40.60; 12. Reed January, PO, 49.38/51.86-1:41.24; 13. Zach Ober, PO, 48.57/54.39-1:42.96; 14. Nate Glyzewski, PO, 50.61/52.57-1:43.18; 15. Austin Casorena, AM, 50.77/53.20-1:43.97; 16. Jonas Rogers, ED, 51.65/52.85-1:44.50; 17. Kyle Cochell, 54.23/51.49-1:45.72; 18. Stephen Geller, ED, 54.27/52.12-1:46.39; 19. Andrew Davidson, ED, 53.99/54.85-1:48.84; 20. Inaki Garat, OR, 55.40/55.88-1:51.28; 21. Cameron Peeters, ED, 57.09/55.39-1:52.48; 22. Travis Harlan, 55.59/58.12-1:53.71; 23. Oliver Verablerose, UM, 57.08/57.13-1:54.21; 24. Travis Cordero, ED, 56.89/58.01-1:54.90; 25. Cambron Lyles, ED, 57.30/59.78-1:57.08.

Girls snowboarding

1. Sage Hoffee, ED, 41.49/43.59-1:25.08; 2. Brooke Beals, ED, 43.46/45.44-1:28.90; 3. Stephanie Summers, OR, 44.46/44.56-1:29.02; 4. Katie Harris, ED, 48.68/49.04-1:33.72; 5. Maggie Nuttall, PO, 44.68/49.04-1:33.72; 6. Monica Zutter, PO, 48.08/49.34-1:37.42; 7. Taylor Caldwell, ED, 49.00/51.85-1:40.85; 8. Kassi Hoelscher, UM, 51.23/51.40-1:42.63; 9. Madison Orr, ED, 50.61/54.09-1:44.70; 10. Torianna Green, PO, 50.71/54.01-1:44.72; 11. Morgan Faulkner, PO, 50.23/54.50-1:44.70; 12. Katie Merrill, AM, 52.85/53.13-1:45.98; 13. Breanne Morley, UM, 51.79/54.31-1:46.10; 14. Ashley Ritters, PO, 50.83/57.97-1:48.80; 15. Olivia Ortiz, PO, 58.74/55.39-1:54.13; 16. Stacy Hayburst, UM, 1:00.52/56.78-1:57.30; 17. Natalia Witkowska, UM, 56.82/1:06.05-2:02.87; 18. Taylor Rasmussen, UM, 1:06.50/1:04.49-2:10.99; 19. Savannah Freudenbe, OR, 1:12.54/1:04.30-2:16.84; 20. Sierra Johnson, PO, 1:11.12/1:13.33-2:24.45; 21. Ashley Farrell, ED, 1:07.64/1:19.65-2:27.29; 22. Megan Goetz, 1:09.97/1:26.00-2:35.97; 23. Shelby Sac, CC, 1:11.84/1:26.29-2:38.13.

Codes: ED-El Dorado, GS-Golden Sierra, OR-Oak Ridge, PO-Ponderosa, UM-Union Mine, CC-Capital Christian and AM-Amador.

Wednesday’s boys playoff basketball

Natomas at El Dorado
Oak Ridge at West
Union Mine at Calaveras

All games at 7 p.m. 

EL DORADO HILLS — Bryce Scott has always been proud of being an Oak Ridge High Trojan.

When he was in fifth grade during the 2004-05 school year, Scott was one of the ball boys for the squad coached by his father Steve that won the Sierra Valley Conference, Sac-Joaquin Section Division II, NorCal and the CIF State Division-II titles.

“It was great being around them,” said Scott, now a senior point guard for his dad on this year’s boys basketball team. “I really looked up to them. I even practiced with them. I always wanted to be in the gym 24/7.”

Two players on that championship team who stood out were guard Hiram Thompson, who Scott wanted to emulate, and Ryan Anderson.

“He taught me all his moves,” Scott said of Thompson. “He’s humble.”

Anderson, who played ball at Cal for two years and is now the starting forward for the Orlando Magic, was “amazing” — then and now — in Scott’s assessment.

“He’s worked harder than most people (playing basketball),” Scott said of Anderson. “He could take over a game in a second. He really just wants to win.”

Seven years later, Scott and Oak Ridge begin tonight what coaches refer to as the “second season,” when Troy, seeded 13, opens the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section D-I playoffs at No. 4 West. The winner advances to Friday’s quarterfinal game against the Bethel-Granite Bay winner.

Scott and the Trojans are looking forward to the postseason, especially after dropping their Delta River League finale to Ponderosa on a shot at the buzzer — giving Oak Ridge a 4-6 league record, 14-12 overall.

“That was really hard game for us,” Scott said.

The Trojans will set their sights on a West squad that took second place in the Tri-City Athletic League.

“It’s time to refocus,” Scott said. “We’ve had a couple of team meetings (after Friday’s game). They (West) are very athletic. They can shoot.”

It goes both ways as the Wolfpack will have their hands full with Scott, who averages 21.7 points per game. Dangerous behind the arc with a team-leading 44 three-pointers, Scott is one of two Oak Ridge players averaging in double figures: senior guard Matt Howard scores at a 10.7 points per game clip.

Scott can also score at the free throw line where he’s made 144-of-192 shots. He’s also dished out 73 assists on the season while on the backboard, Scott pulls in 5.2 rebounds per game.

After he graduates from Oak Ridge, Scott continues his education and basketball dreams at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania on a scholarship.

While he plans to major in business, Scott currently has his mind on his academic studies at Oak Ridge and enjoy the final months of his senior year.  At the same time he’s preparing for the next level as well.

“Working on screens and rolls,” Scott said of his game. “I’m working on my game to get better for college. It’s a whole different type of basketball; better defenders (and) more athletic teams.”

Scott plans to coach basketball after his playing days are over and follow in his dad’s footsteps. He’s off to a good start, assisting an eighth grade boys basketball team.

“I have a passion for the game,” Scott said. “I love to coach. I will definitely always have basketball around me.”

Would Scott like to coach his soon-to-be alma mater? The answer is clearly obvious.

“I’d love to come back here,” Scott said enthusiastically.

If you’re Knick Baron Davis and awaiting to assume Lin’s spot once back from injury, the frenzy has given you a migraine.

Lin’s story is one of the classic underdog who gets an opportunity, makes good and runs with it.

A real feel-good piece.

On the verge of being released from his third NBA team, Lin was rewarded for several end-of-game performances and soon after, “Linsanity”  was born.

He now trends on Yahoo and Wikipedia knows of him. Saturday Night Live’s lead skit last weekend featured him. His every move on the court including the transition from his brother’s couch to new digs has been chronicled. All of New York is captivated.

Lin played his prep ball not that far from here in the Bay Area for Palo Alto High. He was a star for the Vikings and considered a very smart player. Though Stanford was right in his backyard, Lin ended up playing at Harvard.

Lin went undrafted but was signed as a free agent by Golden State. Things didn’t work out and Lin next surfaced briefly with Houston before landing in New York.

What’s (l)interesting is that Lin has a connection to the 2005 Oak Ridge state champion basketball team. Palo Alto sat at 31-1 when it met the Ryan Anderson-led Trojans at Arco Arena for the NorCal final and were soundly defeated 55-35 after failing to handle Troy’s pressure and size.

Lin, a junior at the time like Anderson, missed that one, sidelined after fracturing his ankle in the Central Coast Section title game.

In its March 16, 2005 online edition, the Palo Alto Weekly speculated on the impact Lin’s loss had, quoting both coaches.

“It’s so hard to say what would have happened,” Lin’s coach Peter Diepenbrock said. “But, he does make us very special against pressing teams.”

Oak Ridge coach Steve Scott weighed in when he said, “any time you lose a point guard of that caliber, it’s going to hurt. He’s such an unbelievable player.”

As was Anderson. While Lin did some good things in college for the Ivy League school, he didn’t match Anderson’s two strong seasons at Cal before the former Trojan became a first-round NBA draft pick.

Though Anderson also had to change addresses at the pro level, he’s by far had the most stable NBA career to date and is positioned for a lengthy one.

But Lin outdoes Anderson and everyone else on the planet by his sudden rise to fame. How long it can last is anybody’s guess.

Lin won his state title the next year as a senior with a win over Mater Dei, the same team Oak Ridge defeated for the ’05 championship.

Diepenbrock said recently regarding Lin that it was just a matter of him getting an opportunity.

Talk about making the most of it.

Feb. 23, 1987

National FFA week is Feb. 22-28

Governor George Deukmejian initiated California’s official participation in National Future Farmars of America Week by paying tribute to the state’s FFA high school students. Deukmejian issued a proclamation commending the vocational agriculture organization during FFA Week, Feb. 22 to Feb. 28.

FFA chapters throughout California will be holding activities to generate greater public awareness of vocational agriculture in the state’s high school system.

The governor pointed out that the FFA develops leadership, emphasizes teamwork and promotes individual achievement. Deukmejian made the comments during brief ceremonies at his capitol office attended by state FFA officers and a representative of the California Future Farmers od America Foundation …

Agriculture affects every citizen, weather city or country dweller, because food and fiber must be planted, cultivated, harvested and processed before reaching the consumer …

60 Years ago

Feb. 21, 1952

Sheriff Returns Loot From Randolph Home To Los Angeles

Sheriff Rowland Morris completed his portion of the “green scarf bandit” investigation Wednesday when he delivered to Los Angles authorities approximately $60,000 worth of loot remaining from the cache recovered at the Camino home of James M. Rudolph.

The El Dorado County sheriff called to Los Angles by a grand jury subpoena after refusing to turn over the goods to a Los Angles deputy sheriff without a court order, was acting under the advice of the district attorney and state criminal investigators.

He told the Los Angles authorities he “didn’t want to become civilly liable” for the goods after they left his possession.

He turned over 18 fur coats, 18 brooches (one of $10,000 value), 10 pair of earings, 15 necklaces, 32 rings, eight clips, 18 watches, 12 bracelets, six pistols, five cameras, 26 pieces of luggage and handbags, as well as receipts from three claimants who had already recovered large amounts of the stolen goods. Morris has estimated the total value of the loot at $100,000.

Randolph is held on 20 charges of burglary, robbery, attempted robbery, kidnaping and false imprisonment.

110 Years ago

Feb. 22, 1902

Mining Notes

The new double-compartment shaft at the Pyramid mine is now down at the 100 level. The steam mill is running day and night on ore that is being broken in tunnels 1 and 2, that of the latter tunnel being of high grade. Eighteen men are employed, J. M. Bluett is superintendent, Jas. Oates foreman, ans R. Mitchell millman.

At the Cambrain mine near Lotus, development work is being prosecuted in the big tunnel. Preparations are being made for installation of machinery to run the burleigh drills.

Work is steadily progressing at the Golconda, near Rescue. This is the property recently purchased of Anable and Dunker, by the Golden Gate Mining Co., composed of Bridgeport, Conn., capitalists. The tunnel is being run night and day to intercept the ledge at a depth of nearly 500 feet. Eight men are employed.

At the Zentgraf mine the main shaft is being retimbered and when it is completed it is intended to sink 250 ft. further, to intercept the contact of the Montank and Zentgraf ledges. Litigation over the fire insurance money prevents the rebuilding of the mill, but a new air compressor and hoist have been installed.

At the Black Rock mine a tunnel is being driven to crosscut the ledge which assayed extremely high, both on the surface and at the 50-foot level. The great quantity of water prevented further sinking of the shaft …

Vogel, who recently became associate minister of Nex-Gen Connections at Camino Community Church, is excited about being home.

“It’s a fantastic experience to come back to the town I grew up in and to the church that influenced me so much, and give something back,” he said in part during a recent Sunday’s sermon.

That Sunday seemed to conclude a nine-year journey for the El Dorado High School graduate of 2002 who once planned on an engineering career before discovering a love for scripture and ministry.

“I’m thrilled,” he said Sunday, “to return in a very different capacity at a very different time of my life. I consider it a great honor to serve God at this church at this time.”

The past decade has been eventful for the church as well. Pastor Chris Canclini led the church through a transition from a traditional to a contemporary model of worship but left in 2002. Dr. Tim Thomson of the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy served as interim pastor until Steven Leuice became Lead Pastor in 2003. Pastor Leuice was an overseas missionary for 25 years before serving at Camino.

“I can’t imagine anyone being a better fit here than Elijah,” Pastor Leuice said. “Our ministry philosophy and skill sets complement one another well.”

Associate Minister Vogel started his education at Folsom Lake Community College in the engineering track. Afterwards, he pursued some elective classes at Trinity Life Bible College in Sacramento. While very active in his home church and attending several Latin America Mission trips, the clincher change in direction came when he visited the Masters College in Santa Clarita in 2004.

“As I visited the campus and heard various speakers preach the Word of God, I had a strong desire to know and understand it more.”

Vogel graduated with a BA in Biblical Studies, and then continued his education at the Master’s Seminary, graduating magna cum laude with a pastoral ministry degree called a Master’s of Divinity.

Vogel brings with him six years of ministry experience in the College and Career Department of Church of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.

“It’s a perfect prelude for Elijah’s ‘Nex-Gen Connections’ ministry at CCC,” said Pastor Leuice.

Vogel will be interning in all pastoral ministries at the non-denominational Bible Church located at 4205 Carson Road with a view toward official ordination in the near future. However, his main focus will be with developing a “20-30 something’s” ministry.

“Our area is a tough place for my age demographic. Many of us move for farther education and then local employment options are limited when we finish. Still, this is a great place to live and our prayer is to create a place and environment where young adults and families can discover the love of God and joy of serving Jesus in an authentic, warm and welcoming environment.”

One might wonder if Vogel ever envisioned this future as a young impressionable teen growing up in Camino.

“I always enjoyed participating in the life of the church, but it didn’t strike me how significant that relationship with Jesus Christ and his family can be until much later. Now it’s my sincere desire to see the people of Camino and the surrounding areas become faithful followers of Jesus Christ who love God and share His love with others.”

Union Mine High School placed second, Oak Ridge High School came in third and El Dorado High School was fourth.

The competition over two days took place at Union Mine High School in El Dorado and tested students in 10 academic disciplines: economics, art, language and literature, mathematics, science, music, social science, essay, speech, interview and a super quiz.

The theme for the 30th annual Academic Decathlon was exploring the Age of Imperialism.

Ponderosa will now go on to represent the county at the state level and if successful go on to the national competition finals in Albuquerque, N.M.

Terri Kessler is the coach for the Ponderosa team: Chris Rutten, Joey Costello, Aaron Dinwiddie, Janel Merkel, Shirley Kim, Jeremiah James, Tiffani Lacey, Tyler North, Cari Chavez, Jennifer McMahon, Aaron Prentice, Saejin Yi, Hannah Tucker, Tony Prescott, Jacob Hansen and Jordan Peterson.

El Dorado High School’s Decathlon team was coached by Jo Avery and Jennifer Hansen: Josie Alvarez, Kaitlyn Eyrisch, Michaela Hughes, Emilee Oldham, Dominika Mindekova, Naomi Bastian, Fiach Day, Weston Rademacher, MacKenzie Chopp, Lena Korkeila, Steven Mackey, Dane Neves, Laura Polkinghorn and Sara Weimer.

The coach for Oak Ridge High School’s team was Jeff Hassain: Layna Chen, Thomas Tucker, Juliane Cassidy, Shivani Sharma, Alonzo Lee, Jade Matsumoto, Landon Nagao, Cody West, Jacob Gordon, Austin DeVincenzi, Wyatt Van Horn, Bevyn Cassidy, Riley Bogar, Haesoo Kim, Tim Lo, Marisa Ciccozzi, Jason Stein and Sumega Mandadi.

Union Mine’s Academic Decathlon team coach was Molly Smith: Benjamin Gwerder, Brendan Blockus, Sean Fitch, Jordan Hyatt-Miller, Rebecca Lizarraga, Daniel Stevenson, Daniel Michelson, A.J. Peklar, Alex Dawes, Matt Dwyer, Brittney Morrison, Michael Stevenson, Aaron Below, Spencer Nelson, Kendall Frey-Thomas, Dominic Sanguinetti and Amanda Fogelman.

Clare Dusek, academic decathlon advisor praised the efforts of the Ponderosa students and added that all the teams worked very hard and are tremendous assets to the community.

2012 El Dorado County Academic Decathlon Medal Winners

Language/Literature

Honors Division

Gold — Aaron Dinwiddie, Ponderosa

Silver — Dane Neves, El Dorado Ponderosa HS Oak Ridge HS Oak Ridge HS Ponderosa HS

Silver — Joseph Costello, Ponderosa

Bronze — Juliane Cassidy, Oak Ridge

Bronze —  Janel  Merkel, Ponderosa

Scholastic Division

Gold — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Silver — Fiach Day, El Dorado

Bronze — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Varsity Division

Gold — Michaela Hughes, El Dorado

Silver — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Bronze — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Music

Honors Division

Gold — Aaron Dinwiddie, Ponderosa

Gold — Thomas Tucker, Oak Ridge

Silver — Janel Merkel, Ponderosa

Bronze — Laura Polkinghorn, El Dorado

Bronze — Naomi Bastian, El Dorado

Scholastic Division

Gold — Daniel Michelson, Union Mine

Silver — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Bronze — Rebecca Lizarraga, Union Mine

Varsity Division

Gold — Michaela Hughes, El Dorado

Silver — Steven Mackey, El Dorado

Silver — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Silver — Tony Prescott, Ponderosa

Silver — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Silver — Wyatt VanHorn, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Austin DeVincenzi, Oak Ridge

Bronze  — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Science

Honors Division

Gold — Joseph Costello, Ponderosa

Silver — Aaron Dinwiddie, Ponderosa

Bronze — Juliane Cassidy, Oak Ridge

Scholastic Division

Gold — Aaron Prentice, Ponderosa

Silver — Daniel Michelson, Union Mine

Silver — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Bronze — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Varsity Division

Gold — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Silver — Austin DeVincenzi, Oak Ridge

Silver — Jason Stein, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Bronze — Matt Dwyer, Union Mine

Art

Honors Division

Gold — Layna Chen, Oak Ridge

Gold — Joseph Costello, Ponderosa

Silver — Juliane Cassidy, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Dane Neves, El Dorado

Scholastic Division

Gold — Rebecca Lizarraga, Union Mine

Silver — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Silver — Fiach Day, El Dorado

Bronze — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Varsity Division

Gold — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Gold  — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Silver — Michaela Hughes, El Dorado

Bronze — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Mathematics

Honors Division

Gold — Thomas Tucker, Oak Ridge

Silver — Layna Chen, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Janel Merkel, Ponderosa

Scholastic Division

Gold — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Silver — Aaron Prentice, Ponderosa

Bronze — Daniel Michelson, Union Mine

Bronze — Daniel Stevenson, Union MIne

Varsity Division

Gold — Austin DeVincenzi, Oak Ridge

Silver — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Bronze — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Bronze — Jason Stein, Oak Ridge

Economics

Honors Division

Gold — Aaron Dinwiddie, Ponderosa

Silver — Thomas Tucker, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Joseph Costello, Ponderosa

Scholastic Division

Gold — Tiffani Lacey, Ponderosa

Silver — Aaron Prentice, Ponderosa

Silver — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Bronze — Rebecca Lizarraga, Union Mine

Varsity Division

Gold — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Silver — Wyatt VanHorn, Oak Ridge

Silver — Tony Prescott, Ponderosa

Silver — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Bronze — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Essay

Honors Division

Gold — Aaron Dinwiddie, Ponderosa

Silver — Janel Merkel, Ponderosa

Bronze — Juliane Cassidy, Oak Ridge

Scholastic Division

Winner-Best Essay — Gold — Rebecca Lizarraga, Union Mine

Silver — Daniel Stevenson, Union Mine

Bronze — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Varsity Division

Gold — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Silver — Wyatt VanHorn, Oak Ridge

Bronze — Tony Prescott, Ponderosa

Speech

Honors Division

Gold — Brendan Blockus, Union Mine

Silver — Janel Merkel, Ponderosa

Silver — Naomi Bastian, El Dorado

Bronze — Thomas Tucker, Oak Ridge

Scholastic Division

Gold — Aaron Prentice, Ponderosa

Silver — Rebecca Lizarraga, Union Mine

Bronze — Jennifer  McMahon, Ponderosa

Varsity Division
Winner-Best Speech — Gold — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Silver — Jordan Peterson, Ponderosa

Bronze — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Interview

Honors Division

Gold — Layna Chen, Oak Ridge

Silver — Janel Merkel, Ponderosa

Bronze — Juliane Cassidy, Oak Ridge

Scholastic Division

Gold — Jennifer McMahon, Ponderosa

Silver — Aaron Prentice, Ponderosa

Bronze — Jade Matsumoto, Oak Ridge

Varsity Division

Gold — Brittany Morrison, Union Mine

Silver — Jacob Hansen, Ponderosa

Bronze — Tony Prescott, Ponderosa

Super Quiz

Winner — Oak Ridge High School

Overall Winner 2012

First — Ponderosa

Second — Union Mine

Third — Oak Ridge

Fourth — El Dorado

Top Individual

Joseph Costello, Ponderosa

Top Alternate

Timothy Lo, Oak Ridge

“The horror,” an iconic line from Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” is a phrase that captures the general sentiment of the novella as a whole: horror, darkness and the unspeakable atrocities committed against man by man. Despite this bleak tone especially present in the beginning and the end of novel, Conrad uses ironic humor and satire to emphasize the absurdity of imperialism, almost a comical effect. Conrad uses characters like the African natives to convey this idea of comedy that can be found in the midst of the deadly seriousness of the Congo.

Europe’s motivation for imperializing Africa was not only economic gain but also a sense of superiority to the native peoples which gave them inherent obligation to attempt to “civilize” them and enlighten them of the glorious virtues of European culture. So, a major aspect of “Heart of Darkness” is the antithesis of European colonizers vs. the native peoples. The former was supposed to represent civilization, education, religion and superiority while the natives were merely caricatures of European perceptions, simple savages. Yet, Conrad shows that a European man is as likely to slip into savage, animalistic nature and with that shows how flimsy the façade of civilization is. In fact, he often presents the savages, the natives, as the civilized ones. On the steamship on the way to the Inner Station, Marlow meets a group of cannibals, to whom he refers to as “fine fellows.” This statement is hilariously ironic because according to European sentiment, these cannibals are vicious, evil, and uncivilized. The cannibals themselves are disgusted at the wastefulness of throwing a perfectly edible body overboard, looking at their European invaders with the same disdain the latter feels for them. Yet, despite their protests, they refrain from eating anyone, in their eyes a show of taste and self-control. The cannibals are portrayed as the civilized people, ironic because the European consensus was that they were superior.

Also used to show humor is the native’s use of pidgin English. “Mistah Kurtz – he dead” was the phrase used to inform Marlow of Kurtz’s death. The statement is funny because of its unapologetic directness, devoid of all European sentiments. This instance relates to the novellas theme of natives vs. colonizers, evil vs. good in the sense that the natives’ simple command of English shows that the attempt to “civilize” the native peoples of Africa has not made them model Europeans rather a hybrid of European influence peeking beneath the more dominant African heritage. It almost renders the colonizers crusade fruitless and futile, stripping it of its proposed goal that the European people believed was justification for the exploitation and abuse of the African people.

Lastly, used as a comic interlude, is the harlequin. The harlequin is dressed in a hodgepodge of patchwork, ridiculous like a clown. Conrad used him to be representative of the European people. He ventured into the wild in pursuit of adventure and wealth and rather found a dark, harsh world that he was unprepared for. In the same manner, European colonizers penetrated Africa with their illusions of grandeur and were met with an unforgiving climate, disease, and a hostile people and they looked like the harlequin, ridiculous. To offer a contrast to comedy, Conrad portrays the cruelty of the Europeans motivated not only by greed and pride but also by fear and the will to survive.

Despite the small comedies used to highlight the absurdity of evil, Conrad mostly focuses on man’s capacity for evil. And though he as an author finds irony in the behavior of the characters, the characters themselves still commit heinous acts that reflect a fairly accurate depiction of the dark realities of the European conquest of Africa.

Nerd. Geek. Dork. These are all things I have been called over the years. But what does it really mean? I say that each term is rather ambiguous, and open to interpretation by anyone. Me? Well I wear these terms proudly. I shop at ThinkGeek and get their catalog. I read articles on Dorkly. I’m practically a walking billboard for my people. If I had to define it, I would say that more than anything, geeks and dorks and nerds obsess easily. Maybe they have a single obsession, maybe they have several, or maybe they obsess over different things at different times. You may be asking yourself “Where did all these people get such a bad rap?” Well I could say it comes from one of the technical definitions of the word geek, which Merriam-Webster defines as “a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake.” Or maybe they are just following the second definition: “a person often or an intellectual bent who is often disliked.” Ouch. How about another, this time for nerd? “An unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person.” Super ouch. Just because I like to wear toe socks and my best friend is my computer doesn’t mean I fit some stupid book definition! The point is that you can either define yourself as one of these terms and just ignore the actual definition, or you can panic and have an identity crisis while giving a very important speech that you spent most of your free time on. You know what? Maybe I’m proud to be one of those definitions. Disliked and unattractive? Hopefully not. Intellectual and socially inept? Maybe a bit. I am proud of the fact that I have read every single Harry Potter book at least 3 times apiece and have seen every single Star Wars movie at least twice. I’m not entirely proud that I spend hours a day on the internet when I can and that I own a travel mug with a caffeine molecule on it, but it’s what I enjoy. Maybe you enjoy watching videos of cats on the internet or collecting memorabilia from a long gone cartoon or television show that no one ever really watched but you. That’s okay. That’s you. I’d call that nerdy, I’d call that dorky. I’d also call it a great thing. Let me tell you a bit about video games, something I know plenty about. Video games were once just some moving blips on a screen before they shot off on a tangent of what we know of them today, with fancier graphics than some movies and more interesting storylines than some books. People even take characters of the games and dress up like them for fun, like I did on Halloween this year. Sci-fi is a huge part of the nerd community. Everyone can picture the typical sci-fi nerd. Young-adult male. Pimply. Long-haired. Still living in his mother’s basement. Spends his days blogging about the inconsistencies of space travel in a series or about how Jean-Luke Piccard was so much better than James Tiberius Kirk. And you’d be partially right. I’m sure there are plenty of men who fit that exact bill. But there are plenty others who aren’t like that, who watch Dr. Who occasionally and have a full copy of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog on their iPod. Now let me tell you about my favorite nerd community: nerdfighteria. We’re called nerdfighters and no, we don’t fight nerds. Nerdfighteria was founded by John Green and Hank Green. John, a young adult fiction author, and Hank, a musician who writes comedic songs about science. They make videos for their entire fan community. I had the chance to meet both John and Hank in Redwood City. Every single person at the event was great: helpful, kind, and sociable. When I went to talk to John and have him sign my book, I looked at him and I said “John, I’m an aspiring author, and I want to be just like you someday.” And he looked up at me and said “You know what Brittany? Someday you will be.” Just talking about being a nerd, a geek, a dork, and being prideful about makes me nervous, I’ll still be judged anyways. But whether you want to define it however you want, or you go by the book and say that I’m socially awkward, disliked, and so on and so forth, I will always be proud.

Thank you.

Offered through DFG’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program, a total of 48 hunters will be selected through a random drawing for an access permit to the private Bobcat Ranch property.

Each of the eight hunts will be two days and offered in the following methods: One archery hunt; one apprentice hunt; six general methods hunts.

Permit applications will be accepted for parties of up to two licensed hunters for the archery and general periods. Applicants may apply for more than one period but will ultimately only be drawn for one. Apprentice hunters must have a 2011/2012 junior hunt license to apply for the apprentice hunt.

The Bobcat Ranch is located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Hunting under the SHARE Program helps achieve the ranch’s long-term conservation management objectives, including providing public hunting opportunities and controlling the wild pig population.

Applications for the apprentice hunt must be received by 3 p.m. on Feb. 22. For general and archery hunts, applications must be received by 3 p.m. Feb. 29. More information and applications are available at: 1.usa.gov/yhDJhD.

This opportunity was made possible by the SHARE Program, which offers incentives to private landowners who allow wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on their property. The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide additional hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California. Participating landowners receive liability protection and compensation for providing public access to or through their land for recreational activities.

Up until 2007 no one would ever have considered buying a home was a mistake that could result in financial ruin. After all, owning a home was part of the American Dream worth whatever price needed to be paid. Everyone who owned a home was getting rich. California home prices were higher because everyone wanted to live here. If stretching the truth on loan applications was necessary to ensure we got our shot, so what? Besides, everyone did it and no one cared anyway. Leverage and “creative financing” was considered smart.

When public and private institutions make mistakes there are consequences for all the stakeholders. The colossal mistakes made by our government and Wall Street have been of historical proportions, resulting in the collapse of the housing market and the worst unemployment rate since the Great Recession. We have 5.5 million fewer jobs today than we had at the start of the recession which officially ended in June of 2009. According to the Department of Labor, 12.8 million were unemployed in January. That included 5.5 million folks who have been out of work for more than six months and 4 million have been unemployed for more than a year. Adding the 8.2 million people recorded last month as working part-time but wanting full-time employment and the 2.8 million wanting work but having given up looking, and the ranks of the unemployed is really around 24 million.

A large number of the 24 million unemployed were at one time homeowners. They worked in their yards, had neighbors over for backyard barbecues and most paid their monthly mortgage payment. Then things changed. Home values declined as quickly as they had increased. Homeowners found themselves unable to sell, over mortgaged and unemployed. Millions went into foreclosure. According to RealtyTrac, over the last five years 4 million homes have been repossessed through foreclosure and another 2 million are expected to be by 2014. In addition, millions more with economic hardships have sold their homes through a short sale. Despite all the government loan modifications and loan forgiveness efforts by 2014 it is estimated that 10 million homeowners will have involuntarily lost their homes since 2007.

Losing a home through a foreclosure or short sale can be devastating to the borrower’s credit but it can also be a significant emotional loss. Admitting financial failure to family and friends can be a humbling experience. If owning a home was considered a symbol of financial maturity and attainment of the American Dream, what is losing one? Foreclosure is more than repossession of four walls and a roof. It is taking away a lifestyle and ejecting owners from their secure environment. The reasons for the involuntary loss of a home are varied but the loss of self-esteem is common.

Although losing a home can be traumatic, it isn’t the end of life on the planet. Most of us over time eventually recover from personal and financial setbacks. The loss of a home can be an opportunity to get a new start which begins by putting the loss in perspective. According to surveys, 87 percent of homeowners who have lost their home through foreclosure or a short sale believe they will one day own another. FHA makes that possible by providing financing as soon as two years after a bankruptcy has been finalized and three years after a homeowner has lost a home in foreclosure or short sale.

The first place to start is by repairing credit. If a homeowner has had difficulty making their mortgage payment, they are likely in trouble with other creditors. If emerging from bankruptcy new credit will need to be established as quickly as possible to demonstrate a history of on-time payments. Secured credit cards requiring an advance deposit are available. Credit card balances should be kept under one-third of the available credit line. Most judgments and collections will need to be satisfied although there are some exceptions.

Become a cash hoarder. Lenders will want to see documentation that a borrower has a demonstrated ability to save cash. FHA has a down payment program of 3.5 percent and closing costs will usually amount to another 2 to 4 percent of the loan amount. Underwriters will want to see this and more in a borrower’s account before saying yes to a home loan. There are some exceptions with cash gifts from relatives and there are two loan programs that have a lower down payment requirement. Regardless, cash always looks good.

See your lender. Begin the conversation with your mortgage broker or lender early. They can suggest specific courses of action to improve a credit score and a future loan application.

And finally, get back into a home as soon as possible, after all everyone deserves a second chance.

Ken Calhoon is a real estate broker in El Dorado County. He can be reached through his Website kencalhoon.com.

Placerville weather statistics reported by the Mountain Democrat at 8:30 a.m. on last date listed.
Date  Rain
Feb. 1 0.00
Feb. 2 0.10
Feb. 3 0.00
Feb. 4 0.00
Feb. 5 0.00
Feb. 6 0.00
Feb. 7 0.00
Feb. 8 0.00
Feb. 9 0.00
Feb. 10 0.00
Feb. 11 0.05
Feb. 12 0.00
Feb. 13 1.05
Feb. 14 0.10
Feb. 15 0.00
Feb. 16 0.00
Feb. 17 0.00
Feb. 18 0.00
Feb. 19 0.00
Feb. 20 0.15
Feb. 21 0.00

February rainfall to date 1.45
138-year average rain for month of February 6.49
138-year average cumulative total through February 34.01
Season rain total starting July 2011 15.59
Rainfall to date percent of cumulative avg through February 45.84%
138-year season average rain 39.69
Rainfall to date percent of 138-year season average 39.28%
Season rain total 2010-2011 50.85
Wettest year: 1889-90 78.13
Driest year: 1976-77 15.90
Wettest February: 1936 19.31
Driest February: 1875 0.08

“The settlement occurred because the banks were accused of widespread use of “Robo-signing,” said Jody Durket, CDPE, Intero Real Estate Services.

Robo-signing is a practice employed by banks to automate the processing and approval of foreclosure proceedings against homeowners. “In many cases the banks were discovered to have processed thousands of foreclosures in a single day, all signed by one person,” Durket explained.

Durket, a Certified Distressed Property Expert, said she thinks the settlement presents a unique opportunity for homeowners who are in danger of losing their home. “The reality is, the banks would rather explore other options than foreclosure and this settlement gives them both the motivation as well as the funding to explore them,” she said.

Although the settlement is the largest government industry settlement since the $250 billion Big Tobacco settlement in 1998, there has been opposition on the grounds that the settlement does not go far enough to alleviate the $750 billion in negative equity in the country.