The fearful posts from my friends sadden me.

This story is as old as the election process. One person wins, the other loses, some people rejoice and some people cry. In spite of every President Elect saying platitudes like "We need to come together as people and forget party lines", we never seem to. The rift is deeper now than it's ever been. 

Maybe it's time that we as a society of people decide for ourselves that we're going to fix the problem and not wait around for Great Leader to pretend to try to do it for us. Because it really has nothing to do with who sits in the Oval Office. It has to do with how you as an individual person sees and treats your neighbor. 

Is it possible for you to look at the ex-soldier with the conceal carry permit and the Trump sticker on his huge truck waiving the American flag and just see a normal guy who loves his country and his family? Or can you only see a racist, sexist, homophobe? 

Can you look at the group of black teens playing basketball in the park and see kids just like any others getting some exercise or can you only see a group of gang-bangers that would shoot you sooner than look at you?

I got news for you: while the negatives do exist, they're nowhere near as pervasive or insidious as our society and the media have characterized them to be. That's what we have to fix, and no president, not Trump, not Hillary, not the media, nobody will ever do that for us. 

It's time that we drop the narcissism, the pessimism and the paranoia - we're all guilty - and start doing some introspection. The change for our country is not going to come from Washington, it's going to come from within all of us.

I want you all to know that I appreciate every one of you as my family and my friends - no matter who you voted for, not matter what you believe, you're all unique, special people to me.

Ian Reynolds, Mather Field, Nov 9, 2016.

Placerville Newswire | Arrested in El Dorado County on Nov 10, 2016. -- Notable Incidents: VEHICLE THEFT...  |  CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB/DATE+, bail $135,000...  |  THRTN CRIME:INT:TERR...  |  VICTIM REPORTED HIS GIRLFRIEND FORGED HIS SIGNATURE ON THREE CHECKS...  |  CHRISTMAS VLY, A MALE ADULT BRANDISHED A HATCHET IN AN AGGRESSIVE AND THREATENING MANNER...

KEY: Common Name
-Booking Number -First Name -Middle Name -Last Name -Sex
-Facility -Date Booked -Status -Age at Booking -Arresting Agency
-First 5 Charges -Bail $

WILLIAM BEST 
JN1605497    WILLIAM    JAMES    BEST    M
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    39    SLPD
3056            F    VIOLATION OF PAROLE:FEL    

ALVARO CANO 
JN1605503    ALVARO    MARISCAL    CANO    M
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    26    SLPD
3056            F    VIOLATION OF PAROLE:FEL    

MATTHEW CECCHETTINI 
JN1605512    MATTHEW    JAMES    CECCHETTINI    M
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    31    TCHP
647(F)            M    DISORD CONDUCT:UI/DRUG    $1,000.00

JENNIFER DREWIEN 
JN1605504    JENNIFER    LEA    DREWIEN    F
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    38    EDSO
DETAINER        F    DETAINER    

DAVID GARNER 
JN1605510    DAVID    KEITH    GARNER    M
PV    20161109    RELEASED    24    EDSO
243(E)(1)            M    BAT:SPOUSE/EX SP/DATE/ETC    $7,500.00

HEIDE GLOCKNER 
JN1605511    HEIDE    LEIGH    GLOCKNER    F
PV    20161109    RELEASED    38    EDSO
484G(A)            M    THEFT:FORGED ACCESS CARD    $4,000.00

LINDA HUNT 
JN1605505    LINDA    DIANNE    HUNT    F
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    28    EDSO
DETAINER        F    DETAINER    

JEFFERY LATHROP 
JN1605501    JEFFERY    MICHAEL    LATHROP    M
PV    20161109    RELEASED    48    EDSO
23152(A)/23152(B)        M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    

CARY LEWIS 
JN1605498    CARY    MICHAEL    LEWIS    M
PV    20161109    INCUSTODY    54    EDSO
12500(A)            M    DRIVE W/O LICENSE    $10,000.00

JAZMINE LOPEZ 
JN1605500    JAZMINE        LOPEZ    F
PP    20161109    INCUSTODY    20    EDSO
484(A)            M    THEFT OF PERSONAL PROP    

ANGELA LUKE 
JN1605506    ANGELA    JANELLE    LUKE    F
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    36    SLPD
647(F)            M    DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOHOL    $500.00

CHRISTY MARTIN 
JN1605502    CHRISTY    MARIE    MARTIN    F
PV    20161109    INCUSTODY    34    PPD
10851(A)            F    VEHICLE THEFT    $25,000.00
ENHANCEMENT        F    ENHANCEMENT / FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $45,000.00

RAYMOND MARTIN 
JN1605499    RAYMOND    DAVID    MARTIN    M
PV    20161109    INCUSTODY    22    EDSO
4573            F    BRING CNTL SUB/ETC JAIL    $50,000.00

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ 
JN1605508    JONATHAN        RODRIGUEZ    M
PV    20161109    INCUSTODY    18    PPD
245(A)(1)            F    ADW NOT FIREARM    $25,000.00

WILLIAM RUIZ 
JN1605507    WILLIAM    PATRICK    RUIZ    M
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    50    EDSO
245(A)(1)            F    ADW NOT FIREARM    $25,000.00
273.5(A)            F    CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB/DATE    $50,000.00
ENHANCEMENT        F    ENHANCEMENT/ BAIL PURPOSE ONLY    $30,000.00
ENHANCEMENT        F    ENHANCEMENT / BAIL PURPOSE ONLY    $30,000.00

LESLIE STROUP 
JN1605509    LESLIE    BRYANT    STROUP    M
LT    20161109    INCUSTODY    54    SLPD
647(F)            M    DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOHOL    $500.00

ASIA TOKUNO 
JN1605496    ASIA    ELIZABETH    TOKUNO    F
LT    20161109    RELEASED    21    SLPD
647(F)            M    DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOHOL    $500.00

---------------
Incident Report: 11/9/2016

@ 0024 13700 PR DOMESTIC DISPUTE \ BUCKBOARD RD, PLACERVILLE EG1610032
DOMESTIC DISPUTE, NO CRIME.

@ 0050 28 VC REPOSSESSION \ VALLEY VIEW PK, EL DORADO HILLS EG1610031
REPOSSESSION

@ 0300 12500(A) VC DRIVE W/O LICENSE \ NORTH SHINGLE RD, EL DORADO EG1610033

@ 0843 485 PC LOST PROPERTY \ MISSOURI FLAT RD, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1610034
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =15

@ 0931 10.16.140 CC PRIVATE PROPERTY TOW \ VALLEY VIEW PK, EL DORADO HILLS EG1610035
PRIVATE PROPERTY TOW

@ 1330 422(A) PC THRTN CRIME:INT:TERR \ SLEEPY HOLLOW DR, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1610042
SUBJECT MADE THREATENING STATEMENTS TO SUBJECTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND BY PHONE.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 20
V02 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =22

@ 1341 530.5(E) PC COMMIT MAIL THEFT \ MINERAL WY, PLACERVILLE EG1610040
TWO PACKAGES WERE STOLEN.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 38 

@ 1400 10.16.010 CO VEHICLE ABATEMENT \ LORRAIN ST, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1610041
A VEHICLE ABATEMENT INFORMATIONAL REPORT.

@ 1601 653M(A) PC ANNOYING PHONE CALLS \ DEER TRAIL LN, CAMERON PARK EG1610046
AN ADULT FEMALE REPORTED HER BROTHER HAD BEEN HARASSING HER BY ELECTRONIC MEANS
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 54

@ 1605 273.5(A) PC CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB \ SOUTH LAKE TAHO EG1610044
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 37

@ 1641 243(E)(1) PC BAT:SPOUSE/EX SP/DAT \ CAMERON PARK EG1610053
VICTIM REPORTED HER BOYFRIEND PUSHED HER SEVERAL TIMES AND PULLED HER HAIR DURING AN ARGUMENT.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 24

@ 1641 470(A) PC FORGERY \ TRAILS END RD, CAMERON PARK EG1610056
VICTIM REPORTED HIS GIRLFRIEND FORGED HIS SIGNATURE ON THREE CHECKS.
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =24
S01 SEX=F SUSPECT AGE= 24

@ 1654 27491 GC DEATH INVESTIGATION \ GREENWOOD EM1610039
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =61

@ 1726 13700 IN DOMESTIC ARGUMENT \ EMBARCADERO DR, EL DORADO HILLS EG1610049
MALE AND FEMALE IN A DATING RELATIONSHIP WERE INVOVLED IN A VERBAL ARGUMENT.

@ 1800 488 PC PETTY THEFT \ DEERWOOD CT, GRIZZLY FLATS EG1610052

@ 1812 28 VC REPOSSESSION \ MARKET CT, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1610047
REPOSSESSION

@ 1822 28 VC REPOSSESSION \ MOUNTAIN VIEW DR, LOTUS EG1610048
REPOSSESSION

@ 1829 417(A)(1) PC EXHIBIT DEADWPN:NOT \ SHAKORI DR, CHRISTMAS VLY EG1610051
A MALE ADULT BRANDISHED A HATCHET IN AN AGGRESSIVE AND THREATENING MANNER.
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =35

@ 1912 4600(A) PC DAMAGE JAIL/PRISON/E \ FORNI RD, PLACERVILLE EG1610058
AN INMATE DAMAGED JAIL PROPERTY

@ 1922 470 PC FORGERY \ WHITE OAK RD, RESCUE EG1610055
VICTIM PROVIDED ACCESS TO HIS BANK ACCOUNT TO A FRADULENT EMAIL. MONEY WAS TRASNFRRED OUT OF THE VICTIM'S ACCOUNT.
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =37 

@ 2100 28 VC REPOSSESSION \ DOLOMITE DR, EL DORADO EG1610057
REPOSSESSION

@ 2130 28 VC REPOSSESSION \ CALGARY CT, EL DORADO HILLS EG1610060
REPOSSESSION

@ 2258 INFO IN INFORMATION REPORT \ SLY PARK RD, PLEASANT VALLEY EG1610063

---------------
Distribution of personal information related to juveniles, victims of Domestic Violence and\or victims of sexual assault is unlawful.

NOTE: "Presumption of innocence" serves to emphasize that the prosecution has the obligation to prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.   Innocent until proven guilty.  This right is critically important in modern democracies and republics and should be extended to every arrestee.

ALL ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW. EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE. HOWEVER, INEDC.COM DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR TIMELINESS

"For what it’s worth, Carol, I don’t think Donald Trump won by tapping into America’s “racist underbelly,” and I don’t think Hillary lost because she’s a woman. I think a majority of people who voted in this election did so in spite of their many misgivings about the character of both candidates...

"These two candidates were the choices we gave ourselves, and each came with a heaping helping of vulgarity and impropriety. Yeah, it was dirty job for sure, but the winner was NOT decided by a racist and craven nation – it was decided by millions of disgusted Americans desperate for real change. The people did not want a politician. The people wanted to be seen. Donald Trump convinced those people that he could see them. Hillary Clinton did not...

"Last week, three old friends – people I’ve known for years – each requested to be “unfriended” by anyone who planned on voting for Trump. Honestly, that was disheartening. Who tosses away a friendship over an election? Are my friends turning into those mind-numbingly arrogant celebrities who threaten to move to another country if their candidate doesn’t win? Are my friends now convinced that people they’ve known for years who happen to disagree with them politically are not merely mistaken – but evil, and no longer worthy of their friendship?...

SEE MORE "Mike Rowe Finally Weighs In On Trump’s Victory. Hillary’s Supporters Won’t Like This"  

Every Christmas season in El Dorado County something special happens: Individuals, families, church groups, service clubs, local businesses, Scouts and many more come together to ease the burden on neighbors who struggle to make ends meet by providing all the fixings for a good Christmas dinner to 1,000 local, at-risk families.

The Food Bank of El Dorado County host its annual Holiday Outreach Dec. 16 & 17 at the food bank’s new distribution warehouse in Cameron Park.

The El Dorado Sheriff’s Department’s STAR volunteers will deliver food baskets to local homebound residents and local veterans organizations will make sure all veterans in El Dorado County have a good holiday meal for them and their family.

Food bank founder Mike Sproull asks community members to contribute what they can toward this effort, noting that El Dorado County as a team can and will ease the burden of neighbors who struggle to make ends meet and local, underprivileged children who are deeply affected this time of year — volunteer, donate food or make a monetary contribution.

Contributions can be mailed to the Food Bank of El Dorado County at 4550 Business Drive, Cameron Park 95682. For more information on volunteering call (530) 621-9950 or email volunteer@foodbankedc.org.

http://foodbankedc.org/

Loretta Reddog, of Placerville, Calif., shovels a walkway to her tent while followed by her dog Gurdee Bean at the Oceti Sakowin camp where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball.

CANNON BALL (AP) — So far, the hundreds of protesters fighting the Dakota Access pipeline have shrugged off the heavy snow, icy winds and frigid temperatures that have swirled around their large encampment on the North Dakota grasslands.

READ MORE 

Placerville, CA – El Dorado County announces the start of tree mortality operations in Grizzly Flats and Camino. Within the next month, County staff will be contacting landowners who have dead or dying trees that threaten County roads. County staff will be asking property owners to sign right-of-entry documents, which are mandated by the State of California funding for the tree mortality crisis, so forest/timber professionals can mark and eventually remove dead and dying trees. 

The initial County tree mortality operations are planned for the Mount Pleasant section of Grizzly Park and the areas around Cable, Mace, and Carson roads in Camino. These areas are planned for the first tree removal projects due to the amount of dead and dying trees in the areas and traffic volume (cars, school buses, etc.) that are threatened by the trees. The County is targeting late February or early March for trees to be removed along the roads in these areas. Future projects along County roads are currently being planned with State, Federal and private partners (e.g. PG&E). 

Community Meeting in the Grizzly Flats Area for Tree Mortality on December 15th

El Dorado County announces a community meeting in Grizzly Flats to discuss planned tree mortality operations in the area. The meeting is December 15th at 6:30 pm at Walt Tyler Elementary School, located at 6801 Tyler Drive, Grizzly Flats. At the meeting, County staff will be discussing the steps for the County to remove dead and dying trees on private property that threaten County roads. For example, County staff will be asking property owners to sign right-of-entry documents, which are mandated by the State of California funding for the tree mortality crisis, so forest/timber professionals can mark and eventually remove dead and dying trees. 

Background Information
On October 30, 2015, Governor Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency due to unprecedented tree mortality caused by the conditions of extreme drought and related bark beetle infestations. The Governor's Emergency Proclamation contains 18 distinct actions that direct state agencies, utilities and local governments to remove dead or dying trees in high hazard areas across the entire State of California. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a local state of emergency due to pervasive tree mortality on March 28, 2016. In May 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved the County’s Tree Mortality Hazard Tree Removal Plan. On October 11, 2016, the Board of Supervisors accepted grant/project funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding, which will provide 75% cost share of total eligible costs for projects related to the tree mortality emergency, plus a 10% administrative fee. County, city and special districts are eligible for reimbursement through CDAA. CDAA does not provide assistance to private individuals or business. For information on programs that provide assistance to private landowners please visit the County’s tree mortality website: http://www.edcgov.us/Living/Tree_Mortality.aspx.
  
Data collected by state and federal agencies demonstrates that due to drought conditions and bark beetle infestation, over 102 million trees in the State of California are dead and that tens of millions more are likely to die over the next five to six years. Based on the May 2016 overflight of El Dorado County, by the National Forest Service, the County has about 512,000 dead trees of those 200,000 are in the Eldorado National Forest. 
 

Food bank fills holiday tables with its annual Holiday Outreach
Every Christmas season in El Dorado County something special happens: Individuals, families, church groups, service clubs, local businesses, Scouts and many more come together to ease the burden on neighbors who struggle to make ends meet by providing all the fixings for a good Christmas dinner...
http://inedc.com/14/food-bank-fills-holiday-tables-its-annual-holiday-ou...

Good boy! Narcotics K9 retires from El Dorado Co.
An El Dorado County Sheriff’s K9 is retiring after 8 years on the force, the sheriff's office said Wednesday. Bakus was a narcotics-detection K9 for the El Dorado County Narcotics Investigation team. The 11-year-old is credited for apprehending 17 violent criminals and more than 100 non-violent criminals.  Bakus’s last day on the force is Saturday.  http://www.kcra.com/article/good-boy-narcotics-k9-retires-from-el-dorado...

El Dorado County Announces the Start of Tree Mortality Operations in Grizzly Flats and Camino
Placerville, CA – El Dorado County announces the start of tree mortality operations in Grizzly Flats and Camino. Within the next month, County staff will be contacting landowners who have dead or dying trees that threaten County roads...
http://inedc.com/14/el-dorado-county-announces-start-tree-mortality-oper...

Loretta Reddog and her dog Gurdee Bean Protest in Bitter Cold
Loretta Reddog, of Placerville, Calif., shovels a walkway to her tent while followed by her dog Gurdee Bean at the Oceti Sakowin camp where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Cannon Ball... http://inedc.com/14/loretta-reddog-and-her-dog-gurdee-bean-protest-bitte...

Man arrested on suspicion of setting ex’s Placerville home on fire
Scott Sherman, 35, is believed to have set fire to his ex’s unoccupied Placerville home in May. Sherman was arrested Sunday, Placerville police said. Placerville Police
Department... http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article119193458.html
    
Apple Hill: a hidden gem in the Sierra Nevada
On the way to South Lake Tahoe, before the Sierra Nevada mountain range begins its steady ascent to the snow line, Apple Hill is a stop that embraces every bit of the Christmas season... http://theorion.com/60859/multimedia/apple-hill-a-hidden-gem-in-the-sier...

Local Repeaters
EL Dorado County Amateur Radio Club - EDCARCL AG6AU Repeaters. 147.825 MHz (- offset) (pl 82.5) High level repeater with the transmitter located on Mt. Danaher near Camino, CA and several ... http://www.edcarc.net/html/repeaters.shtml 

Nutting loses appeal, drops lawsuit
Former El Dorado County District 2 supervisor Ray Nutting lost an appeal in the Third Appellate District Court Nov. 29. The appeal challenged a 2014 ... http://www.villagelife.com/news/nutting-loses-appeal-drops-lawsuit/

El Dorado County Man, 24, Accused Of Molesting 4-Year-Old
Investigators say 24-year-old Jacob Malone inappropriately touched the victim last Thursday at the child’s home...
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/12/06/el-dorado-county-man-24-accuse...

Rocklin boy, 14, accused of killing his little sister, gets new lawyer, court date
The youth, who is not being named because he's a juvenile, is being held in the juvenile detention facility in El Dorado County...
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article119158908.html

Discovering California's Lost Samurai
Tucked away in the foothills of El Dorado County is the town of Coloma, the birthplace of the California Gold Rush. But this town was also once home ... http://fox40.com/2016/12/07/discovering-californias-lost-samurai/

Tahoe under the surface: Photographer dives deep for underwater shots
Journalist and photographer Dylan Silver slips into a 9 mm-thick wetsuit, booties and gloves before diving into Lake Tahoe on a winter day, underwater camera in hand. http://www.sierrasun.com/news/local/lake-tahoe-under-the-surface-photogr...

Holy Cross opened nearly 60 years ago. The Diocese says it will close in the spring.
St. Theresa at South Lake Tahoe shut down in 2013 because of financial issues, Snyder said. He said he does not anticipate any further school ...  
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article119077418.html
    
South Lake Tahoe police: Rental home scams on the rise
South Lake Tahoe police says investigators have been receiving reports of vacation home renters who have been scammed out of money on Craigslist... http://www.rgj.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/07/south-lake-tahoe-police-v...

New Foothill Area Assemblymember Takes Oath, Declines Per Diem Allowance
The 6th Assembly District straddles the eastern suburbs of Sacramento, including Folsom, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills...
http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2016/12/new-foothill-area-assemblymember-tak...

Their daughter died five years ago. Now they meet the woman whose life she saved.
In 2011, the 24-year-old El Dorado Hills resident had a brain aneurysm in her sleep and died. Linda West broke down as she embraced Jeanne Schreiber on Tuesday, meeting for the first time the woman whose life was saved by her only daughter’s kidney. “I guess I should let go now,”...  
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article119320968.html

WEATHER:

Detailed forecast for Motherlode

Today

Rain. Highs 48 to 56. Prevailing southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Rain. Lows 42 to 52. Prevailing south winds 5 to 15 mph.

Friday

Rain likely. Highs 50 to 58. Prevailing south winds 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night

Rain. Lows 41 to 51. Prevailing south winds up to 15 mph.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs 50 to 58. Prevailing south winds up to 10 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 39 to 47.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Highs 48 to 56.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 36 to 46.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs 49 to 57.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Lows 39 to 47.

Tuesday And Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs 50 to 60. Lows 39 to 51.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Warmer. Highs 54 to 66. 

“The guy knows how to make money, folks,”...

BY JONATHAN SWAN AND ALLIE BICE: As Donald Trump fills out his Cabinet, a few things are becoming clear: He loves generals, he prizes loyalty, and he especially values the loyalty of those who funded his presidential campaign. 

Trump has so far chosen four major donors or fundraisers to join his Cabinet. With just over half of the jobs filled, he already has more high-end campaign donors in his Cabinet than either President Obama or President George W. Bush did when taking office. 

Obama’s first Cabinet had more campaign donors (at least eight) in total than Trump, but the most any of them gave Obama was $9,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. Many of Obama’s initial picks were Democratic politicians. 

Presidents often reward campaign donors with foreign ambassadorships — France is an especially prized posting — and donors are sometimes offered top Cabinet positions (the current Commerce Secretary, Penny Pritzker, was Obama’s national finance chairman in the 2008 campaign.) 

Trump, however, has gone further in rewarding his biggest donors.

Former Goldman Sachs partner Steven Mnuchin, the President-elect’s choice for Treasury secretary, served as Trump’s top fundraiser and personally contributed $430,000 to Trump and to the Republican National Committee’s joint fundraising account. 

Pro wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick to head the Small Business Administration, gave $6 million to Rebuilding America Now, a super-PAC that backed Trump. She also gave $153,000 to Trump’s joint fundraising account and more than $400,000 to the RNC.

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, Trump’s choice for Commerce secretary, had a senior role on Trump’s fundraising team. He gave $200,000 to Trump’s joint fundraising account and $117,000 to the RNC. 

Andy Puzder, the fast-food CEO chosen for Labor secretary, raised campaign cash for Trump and personally contributed $388,000 to the RNC and $150,000 to Trump’s joint fundraiser. He also gave $10,000 to the Trump super-PAC Rebuilding America Now.

Another Trump Cabinet selection, Education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos, belongs to one of the major Republican donor families in the country. DeVos, however, was no booster of Trump’s. She gave $50,000 to a super-PAC supporting Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Trump’s rival in the GOP primaries. She also wired the maximum amount to another of Trump’s rivals, Scott Walker.

Trump is taking a political gamble by nominating major donors for such lofty posts. 

One of his biggest campaign promises was to “drain the swamp.” And for 18 months he campaigned, theatrically, on the most populist message seen in recent Republican politics. He thrilled his crowds by ridiculing the donor class that he said dictates much of the Washington agenda.  

Trump’s first campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says that a big part of Trump’s appeal was that the billionaire self-funded his primary campaign. Despite Trump’s reversal in the general election — he began soliciting campaign donations and tacitly blessed outside super-PACs — many of his fervent supporters believe he is beholden to no one.  

Democrats are seeking to portray the incoming president as a man more likely to fill Washington’s swamp rather than drain it.

And some of Trump’s staunchest allies aren’t pleased with some of the Cabinet selections, particularly the nomination of Puzder for Labor secretary. 

Hours before Trump had announced Puzder on Thursday, three hard-line immigration groups criticized the fast-food CEO’s appointment on the grounds that he would be too sympathetic to foreign workers. 

“President-elect Trump’s choice of Andrew Puzder to run the Department of Labor raises questions and concerns about whether he will vigorously defend the interests of American workers,” Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), said in a statement. 

“Puzder has served as an executive of a fast food conglomerate,” he added, “an industry that has thrived on low-wage labor, illegal workers, and which has lobbied for greater access to foreign guest workers to maximize corporate profits.”

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), was even rougher on Puzder. 

“Bad news,” Krikorian told The Hill in an email Thursday. He sent The Hill a link to an article Puzder wrote in the Wall Street Journal last June.

In the section of the article most troubling to Krikorian, Puzder praises the contribution of immigrant workers. He writes: “The American Enterprise Institute found in 2011 that ‘temporary foreign workers — both skilled and less skilled —boost U.S. employment’ and that immigrants with advanced degrees working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields ‘boost employment for U.S. citizens.’”

“Considering that managing the importation of guest workers is part of the Labor Department’s responsibility, Puzder’s views on other immigration issues are irrelevant, ” Krikorian said.

“He’s full-on Gang of Eight when it comes to the piece of immigration policy he’ll be responsible for,” added Krikorian, referring to Congress’ failed attempt to pass comprehensive immigration reform.  

Trump’s top allies argue that the President-elect’s donors in Cabinet are, for the most part, in lock step with his agenda.

A senior source in Trump’s close orbit told The Hill that it would be wrong to see the Cabinet selections as a move toward the agenda of the donor class. The people Trump has chosen, the source said, are not the kind of free-market purists who have long held power in the Republican Party. 

The source singled out Wilbur Ross as a case in point. 

Ross is a billionaire who made his fortune by investing in distressed businesses. The New York Times’ "DealBook" depicted Ross as a complicated character, a risk-taker who could be viewed either as a "vulture" picking off the carcasses of American companies or as a “phoenix” raising them from ashes. 

But Ross is not seen as coming from the free-trader school dominant in conservative Washington politics. 

For one thing, he’s a former Democrat. For another, he is down in writing agreeing with Trump’s nationalist prescriptions for protecting American jobs. 

In the senior Trump source’s telling, Ross is “one of these anti-offshoring billionaires.”

Ross co-authored the Trump campaign’s economic white paper, which proposed “eliminating America’s chronic trade deficit.”

“And if we have to use tariffs, so be it,” the source added. “We’re not bringing in outsourcing CEOs. We’re bringing in guys who challenged conventional wisdom.” 

Trump will likely respond to criticisms about these donors the same way he’s dealt with criticism all campaign: He’ll shrug it off. 

And he wrote the playbook for doing so. 

In a triumphal rally in Cincinnati last week, Trump hit back at those criticizing his decision to nominate a billionaire donor to run his Commerce Department. 

“The guy knows how to make money, folks,” Trump said.

VIA: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/309576-what-trumps-cabinet-picks-re...

VETERANS! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU!!! Walk-in Service at the El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Office!

Walk-in Service Hours: 
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9AM-12PM on Friday!

This is the best way for you to get information or get a claim started.
Our Hours of Operation: 8AM-5PM!
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Please share this information with other veterans you know.
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Issued by NWS for: 5 Miles SSE Diamond Springs CA 

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
139 PM PST Sat Dec 10 2016

...More Rain and Snow Tuesday through Thursday...

.Impacts...
*Travel delays due to slick, messy roads with potential of poor visibility due to heavy rain
*Roadway and small stream flooding possible in areas of poor or clogged drainage
*Potential material flow from 2014 King Fire burn area

.Forecast Confidence...
*High, Wet pattern
*Medium, Precipitation amounts and snow levels

.Timing and Strength...
*Heaviest precipitation Tuesday and Thursday with lighter amounts Wednesday
*Total 4 to 7 inches over Sierra Nevada and foothills, 1 to 3 inches in Valley
*12 to 24 inches new snowfall near and above Sierra Nevada passes
*Snow levels 3500 feet to 6000 feet north to south with lowest snow levels Thursday

Detailed forecast for

Motherlode

Today

Partly cloudy. Highs 49 to 57. Light winds.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Lows 37 to 43. Light winds.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Highs 48 to 56. Light winds.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Lows 39 to 47. Prevailing southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Tuesday

Rain. Highs 46 to 54. Prevailing southeast winds up to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night

Heavy rain. Lows 41 to 51.

Wednesday

Heavy rain. Highs 48 to 58.

Wednesday Night And Thursday

Heavy rain likely. Lows 43 to 51. Highs 47 to 57.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Colder. Lows 32 to 42.

Friday And Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers. Highs 39 to 51. Lows 28 to 42.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. Highs 35 to 45. 

Based on recent precipitation, the annual seasonal closure of native surface roads, also known as dirt roads, has gone into effect. Rainfall, soil moisture, road and trail conditions and weather forecasts are factors that trigger a seasonal closure earlier than Jan. 1. The roads will remain closed until at least April 1, 2017.

“My goal is to keep these roads open to the public as long as possible as winter approaches,” said Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree. “However, due to the recent storms, the soils are getting saturated to the point where they can’t hold any more water. Under these conditions these roads could be badly damaged.”

The seasonal closure is designed to protect roadbeds and watersheds from damage and to protect water quality. A minimum three month closure period from Jan. 1 through March 30 was designated for the core part of the winter in the Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Plan. To maintain flexibility, the timing of the dirt road closure is determined based on current conditions each year which may cause the closure to go into effect early or be extended.

Roads subject to seasonal closure are identified on a map that is free of charge and available at all Eldorado National Forest offices and on the web at fs.usda.gov/eldorado.

The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area of the Eldorado National Forest near Georgetown, which has its own route closure process.

Traditional news outlets like New York Times, Wall Street Journal expand into ads, sponsored material

http://www.wsj.com/articles/publishers-take-on-ad-agency-roles-with-bran...

New York Times: Co. staffer recently spent weeks digging into a technology company, visiting engineering departments and interviewing executives to ferret out the best story there was to be told about the firm.

It wasn’t for a hard-hitting exposé. Instead, the writer was working for T Brand Studio, the company’s in-house ad agency, to put together a report commissioned by the media publisher on how best to market itself in an ad campaign.

Publishers are pouring resources into such initiatives as they try to turn their niche “branded content” businesses into significant growth drivers. They are expanding into areas that traditionally have been the domain of advertising agencies—from doing research for companies to creating ads that run outside their own websites.

For traditional news outlets such as the Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Time Inc., expanding in promising digital areas like sponsored content is vital. In many cases, print advertising is falling faster than digital-ad revenue is growing, and in the online world the dominance of ad giantsFacebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google is intensifying. A recent round of poor financial results in the newspaper industry underscored those pressures, forcing publishers to cut costs and lay off employees.

Branded-content revenue has been growing at a fast clip industrywide, though it still makes up a relatively small portion of companies’ overall revenue. Publishing executives acknowledge that building large, profitable branded-content businesses won’t be easy. The most compelling products—deeply reported, interactive ads that tell stories—can be labor intensive, and some require sophisticated video production. Also, these businesses compete with a plethora of digital media companies such as Vice Media and BuzzFeed that have placed branded content at the center of their business models.

ENLARGE

Critics of branded content suggest that it blurs the traditional boundaries between advertising and editorial, and may risk confusing and alienating some readers.

The Times’ T Brand Studio, which employs 110 people, took in about $35 million in 2015, approximately 18% of the company’s total digital advertising revenue. That was up from $14 million the year before, according to Sebastian Tomich, the Times’ vice president of advertising and innovation. The Times, like other big publishers, doesn’t disclose detailed financials for its branded content business. Mr. Tomich said it is “very profitable” and is expected to report “substantial growth” for 2016.

To help accelerate growth, the Times has begun moving deeper into more agency-like services, creating ad campaigns that may show up outside the Times’ own properties or offering consulting and research services, Mr. Tomich said.

Related Coverage:

• U.S. Digital Ad Revenues Grew 19% in First Half of 2016 (Nov. 1, 2016)
• Facebook Profit Soars, but Growth Concerns Emerge (Nov. 2, 2016)
• Plummeting Newspaper Ad Revenue Sparks New Wave of Changes (Oct. 20, 2016)
• Mic CEO Says All Advertising Will Be Branded Content (May 25, 2016)

For example, a T Brand-created ad campaign for a sleep-apnea mask sold by Royal Philips NV later appeared on other online properties, including Forbes. Mr. Tomich said publishers have no choice but to start taking more agency-like roles, since they don’t control access to audiences like they have in the past. “Advertisers don’t need publishers’ audiences the way they used to; they can get that anywhere,” he said.

Branded content has served as the business backbone for many digital media outlets for years. BuzzFeed expects branded content and agency services to drive nearly all of its $250 million in revenue forecast for this year, people familiar with the matter say. Vice Media similarly anticipates the lion’s share of its projected 2016 revenue of $750 million to $850 million will come from sponsored material and agency work.

Jordan Hyman, executive director of content sales for WSJ Custom Studios, the Journal’s in-house branded-content unit, described advertising agencies as “frenemies” since they can be partners, clients or competitors, depending on the situation. “To a degree we think of ourselves as an agency within a publisher,” Mr. Hyman said. “Clients typically own the assets we create and they can take them and do with them as they see fit.”

For a Morgan Stanley campaign that launched Dec. 1, WSJ Custom Studios created a range of 360-degree video and articles, and a “hub” where that content is published. Mr. Hyman said that type of work would previously have been carried out by Morgan Stanley’s digital agencies.

WSJ Custom Studios, which has a staff of 45, has also done work for brands including Netflix Inc., Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and MetLife Inc. The unit is forecasting $60 million in revenue during the fiscal year ending June 2017, but is currently on pace to generate a little less, according to people familiar with the situation. That represents about 10% of overall ad revenue.

More on Media & Marketing:

• Anheuser-Busch InBev to Consider Ad Buying Review for 2017 Dec. 9, 2016
• Nielsen and Foursquare Partner to Tie Digital Ads to In-Store Visits Dec. 9, 2016
• Facebook Finds Two More Ad-Metrics Discrepancies Dec. 9, 2016
• ABC Advertising Sales Chief Geri Wang To Step Down Dec. 8, 2016

Time Inc. now employs 125 writers, producers, developers and marketers at The Foundry, its centralized advertising-content agency. Beyond creating advertisements for brands that runs across its 26 magazine titles, including People and Sports Illustrated, the company also has a growing “enterprise business,” through which it creates articles and videos and designs and operates stand-alone websites on behalf of companies such as Ford Motor Co. and Comcast Corp.

Those companies often end up buying other advertising, distribution and data services from the company, according to Jen Wong, chief operating officer and president of digital at Time Inc. Ms. Wong said the company is on pace to double sponsored-content revenue in 2016, though she declined to offer more financial details.

At the Washington Post, revenue from its BrandStudio branded-content unit is also growing quickly, and the division’s staff will increase to 65 next year from around 15 two years ago, said Jed Hartman, the company’s chief revenue officer.

Sponsored content shouldn’t be viewed as a silver bullet for publishers’ revenue concerns, but just one part of a revenue mix that also includes automated display and video ads, Mr. Hartman said.

“We see too many companies surging in hot mediums but getting crushed in others. You have to focus on all of them,” he said.

Write to Jack Marshall at Jack.Marshall@wsj.com and Lukas I. Alpert at lukas.alpert@wsj.com

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Deloitte

CMO Insights and Analysis from Deloitte

• Brands as Publishers

  In this new age of the “always-on” consumer, many marketers are evolving from a campaign model to a “brand as publisher” model, producing a steady stream of content for multiple websites, social media, newsletters, and other consumer channels. This represents a big shift for brands, and it’s forcing them to rethink how they organize for increasing volumes of content, including putting new people, processes, and tools in place—all aligned for content that delivers on their brand strategies.

Please note: The Wall Street Journal News Department was not involved in the creation of the content above.

{Correction, the original peition, and following AUSD Press release contains a typo.  SELFA should read SELPA, an acronym for "Special Education Local Planning Agency."} 

On December 7, the Antioch Unified School District approved a petition by Rocketship Charter School to open in Antioch in 2018.

The 3-2 approval came after a 3-hour 31-minute meeting which included more than 2-hours of public comments with directors Fernando Navarro, Alonzo Terry and Walter Ruehlig voting “Yes” while Diane Gibson-Gray and Debra Vinson voted “No”.

The approval dissented with the staff recommendation to deny the petition. In a 23-page staff report and review of the petition, staff and legal counsel laid out a variety of concerns.

During the meeting, Dannis Woliver Kelly, legal counsel, highlighted how the Districts team spent a great deal of time in reviewing the petition and carefully analyzed the petition to create the staff report—which determined there were grounds for denial.

“The grounds for denial fell into two categories which included “demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program as described or it did not provide reasonable comprehensive descriptions of all of the 15-required elements,” explained Kelley.

She highlighted the staff report was not designed to showcase every concern or deficiency, but provide numerous factual findings for denial—such as revenue, budget and fiscal plan.

Terri Ryland, financial consultant, explained what the team found in their review:

• Signatures review – not enough enrollment to meet the 50% requirement. With insufficient enrollment, it will not meet the financial assumptions to be fiscally sound.
• Start-up grant of $400k, its uncertain and not promised or confirmed—backup plan per Rocketship was to fill up that start-up cost through philanthropy. Staff called that even more uncertain than a federal grant.
• Private start-up costs were not identified
• Significant mathematical error in the summary budget within the petition – Year 1 surplus of $29,000 fund balance. Netted with Year 2 deficit of $570k. Presented as Year 2 ending balance of $1.5 million. Every year starting in year 2 had a negative fund balance. Staff called this plan that of “fiscal insolvency”.
• 15% of the Rocketship Budget goes to the Central Office services but not clear in petition or what it goes for how it benefits the needs of the students.
• Location of facility undecided so it’s unclear of the budget can handle start-up cost for the facilities.
• Charter has assumed receipt of SB70 money which is uncertain—subsidized rental cost but its unclear of its location and if they will qualify for the money.
• Petition says they will become a member of the El Dorado County Charter SELFA – but not enough detail provided in budget to verify the Special Ed costs are included and if support staff required will be included in the cost.
• Charter budget is presented in summary form and details are difficult to know—such as special education, XYZ… etc.
• Daily Rate for substitutes is accurate, but budget only assumes they will hire a sub for 30% of the teacher absenses—wondering the plan for the other 70% of the time and it was not addressed.
• Dollars for re-location, parent and teacher appreciation—district is concerned for what those costs could be for non-public and if it could be considered a violation and a gift of public funds.

Staff further highlighted under the “demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the petition”, they say in their research, Rocketship has a history attempted to be approved locally, noting they have had a lot of mixed success in getting approval, but after approval actually opening their facility—which was included in the staff report.

Describing all 15-elements required for approval, staff says Rocketship did not meet the requirements and used State Board of Education Regularity rubric—minimum standards for what the state would expect.

The District also says a big concern was the governance model for the charter school highlighting how parent involvement may be difficult. Staff also highlighted how Rocketship Board Meetings are not local to Antioch and its unclear if there would be local representatives on the non-profit board, confusing information about the school advisory board if it was a regional board or if this school would have representative. The meetings are in other places in the Bay Area and lacks detail as to being able to access if parents would be heard by the board.

In addition, concerns of the admissions process is unclear and how the lottery would work if it is in fact local students as well as the petition being unclear of suspension and expulsion policy.

Board Questions:

Board Member Alonzo Terry asked who hired the consultant and if the school district gave them instructions of what they would like them to do.

Terri Ryland explained they were to review the petition from a financial position.

Alonzo Terry was critical of the staff report.

“Everything I just heard was negative,” said Terry. “I didn’t hear anything positive at all.”

Ryland replied she did not showcase every time where the numbers lined up, but where they didn’t.

“Then my question to you is there anything right with Rocketship that you looked into,” replied Terry.

Ryland replied they did have a budget, which is required and had assumptions without a lot of detail.

“I am going to ask you the question again, did you see anything right with the budget that they presented to you,” asked Terry.

“Everything I didn’t comment on would have been right,” said Ryland.

Dannis Woliver Kelley, Legal Counsel, stated for clarification they are up there presenting to the Board what he basis for the staff recommendation to deny.

“So of course we are focusing on the things that bring concerns either fiscally or legally. We are not presenting a comprehensive review of the pros, cons, etc. I commented on only a few things, if you look at the report, you will see many sections of the petition we did not express concern about,” said Kelley. “If you want to infer from that, that we thought it was sufficient then that is perfectly fine. But just so you understand we are presenting on what the basis of the teams recommendation is. We think those issues are pretty foundational and significant.”

Diane Gibson-Gray further clarified that if they were standing up their recommending approval, they would be presenting all that was right.

“Its just in this in this case, the recommendation is to deny the petition,” said Gibson-Gray.

“Right, we wouldn’t have a big report unless the approval was with conditions,” said Kelley. “Then we might have a report that could have things that should be changed or are changeable and would be present it as part of the outcome.”

Board Member Fernando Navarro asked how many charter schools the law firm has reviewed in its history. Kelley explained hundreds.

“How many have you approved,” asked Navarro.

Kelley replied many.

How many of the Rocketships have you reviewed.” Asked Navarro.

“This personally is my second and the first one was approved,” replied Kelley.

“Just doing some reviews of your law firm, it seems your law firm I wouldn’t want to say was shopped to strafe this effort but it seems in my opinion the end result is what we got,” said Navarro.

Kelley replied, “Well I don’t know if I can speak to that. I got a call from an existing client saying we had a charter petition and could you help us. I said yes, as a matter of fact I’ve looked at Rocketship petitions in before. I would be happy to help.”

Board member Walter Ruehlig asked if it was normal procedure if they would wait for 48-hours before a meeting to submit your report both to the petitioner and this reviewing board.

“I just found that odd, 48-hours before. It didn’t seem to give a lot of time for response or amending or curing which leads me to my next question is it your practice to look for curatives and an opportunity to work back and forth to correct things,” asked Ruehlig.

Kelley explained that it varied from district to district—but that it comes with an MOU for if they are going to approve it.

“It’s been my experience that the report will be released at a time when staff feels like it would be ready to make the recommendation and to bring that as part of the agenda item with the material to the board,” said Kelley.

Board Member Debra Vinson asked if it was customary for the report to come to the Board 48-hours before the meeting so that the board has time to review it.

“In my experience, it’s fairly customary, yes,” said Kelley.

Board President Diane Gibson-Gray explained that once it comes to the board, it’s then a public document and they had 24-hours to call the meeting—they did 48-hours.

Ruehlig also asked if the petitioner made any overtures to them to have a sit down to discuss the progression of the review.

Kelley replied, “No.”

Terry then asked “why not?”

“I am the legal counsel assisting the staff team. I would not have a conversation with the petitioners, I am in the background doing a legal compliance review and helping staff pull together their thoughts. I don’t know if they made any overtures with the Superintendent or any of the other staff,” said Kelley.

According to the audio from the meeting, public comments – 28-minute mark to the 2-hour 30-minute mark.

Board Discussion

Vinson stated she appreciated all the families, children and everyone who came out and spoke in support of the charter saying she understands their 1st amendment right and what is best for their children.

“I did read the charter, the entire thing. I went through and highlighted and sent email questions to the staff, but before I go into that. I received a number of letters, emails, phone calls and a couple of things I want to make clear,” said Vinson. “The decision that I make tonight will be based on my decision and my decision alone and what is best for our children. As many of you know, I was threatened with a recall and I want to make it clear I am under no distress with my decisions. I also want to make it clear that there was no information from any of our teachers, AUSD, or any pro quo or if you do this we will make this go away. There is none of that. So my decision is based on reading the information and within the best interest of our children. Many of the staff will tell you I put the children’s needs first. That is what will happen tonight.”

Vinson, who said she was a Charter School Board President for three years, said in going through the charter there were a number of problems with the educational code highlighting this decision was not what was best for the teachers union, her personal opinion, but what is best for the children.

“There are a number of concerns that I listed for myself,” said Vinson. “Let me just say I was Board President of a Charter School for 3-years

Vinson listed her concerns:

• Being the oversight agency
• There is a problem with charter schools having less experienced school leaders.
• Obvious friction that will come from having a charter school within AUSD and trying to maintain some degree of solvency.
• The employee qualifications
• The health and safety of the public charter school
• The measurable pupil outcomes
• The racial ethnic balance
• The admission requirements – once they are met what the wait list would look like and how other students would be able to enter into the charter. (Lottery process)
• The annual audit requirements were not clear
• The student discipline practices were not clear
• The faith and special needs and special education students programs were not clear or spelled out.
• There is a proposed facility location, there was no details on the facility
• Didn’t see anything for capacity interview. Said she would have loved to see a capacity report.
• Didn’t see the curriculum team, charter school team, business/financial services team, administrative governance team, special education team – the details were missing.
• Did not see the number of signatures required saying the education code stated they had to have at least 50% of the total population signatures.

Navarro stated he reviewed the staff report on Rocketship and said the staff recommended the petition be denied.

“Fortunately, I determined some time ago that I was not going to rely solely on staff recommendations when making decisions that impact the lives of our students nor am I going to take the word of what Rocketship claims they could accomplish,” said Navarro. “What I did was go and see Rocketship for myself. I looked at the performance data available by the California Department of Education. I observed enthusiastic parents and the smiles on the children. I observed those who spoke in favor and those who opposed Rocketship.”

He continued by explaining those in favor were parents seeking a better education for their children and fulfillment of the American Dream.

“Opposed were adults seeking to protect the status quo and willing to take the position of intimidation. Anyone who dared to stand up against the system that has failed our children,” said Navarro. “Bottom line, we are temporary guardians of the children in our schools. The children belong to the parents and we are privileged for the ability educate them.”

He further highlighted how money should go with the children and where the children go so should the money.

“My vote tonight is going to be with the children and the parents of this district. They are already leaving AUSD schools in record numbers in search of something better. Now with Rocketship, we can have something better in Antioch,” said Navarro. “Folks, from my vantage point, I don’t see division, I see an opportunity. If Rocketship is approved by a vote of the board, they won’t build their schools for another two years. This gives us as a District an opportunity to get our act together. Let’s compete. One school will not dismantle are whole district. We can rebuild our school now that we have competition. Competition is healthy and it’s the American way. I’ll stand for the rights of Americans to ensure that their kids get the education they deserve every day of the week. That is why I am voting in favor.”

Ruehlig stated Charter School petitions are one of the most gut-wrenching decision a trustee can make saying it’s not easy at all.

“In my 10 years sitting on the board, I have voted for a charter and against a charter. Charters run the gamut,” said Ruehlig. “I learned 1/3 of all of all charters increase their scores positively, 1/3 negativity, and 1/3 stayed the same. It’s a mixed bag. I don’t want anyone to think all charters are good, all are bad. It’s a very individuated matter.”

Ruehlig also stated that the Chief of Police, and the newly elected mayor both send their kids to charter schools.

“We wouldn’t want to think we had to be a chief of police or mayor or white or middle class or privileged to have that free choice. There should be a seat at the table for military academy, charter schools, Montessori schools, home schools, alternate schools, comprehensive schools, and yes traditional public schools,” said Ruehlig. “None say they are better, they are different. They are options.”

He further highlighted when he visited Antioch Charter School and Rocketship, they told him 1 in 3 students fit their model.

“I found that refreshing, they admitted 2 out of 3 students in Antioch wouldn’t thrive in their school. Again, it’s not better or worse, it’s just different,” explained Ruehlig. “Charter schools are a great equalizer for those of us who cannot afford $15,000 to $20,000 to send our kids to De La Salle or some other school. All our parents deserve to be vested in educational opportunity. I would hate to think somebody knows better than the parents, the parents are not fools. They know their kids, they know their families, they know if their kid is happy or prospering, they don’t need to be told that.”

Ruehlig stated Rocketship is not perfect and he had concerns and questions.

“One overriding concern is why we waited until 48-hours to submit this report. Why wasn’t this an opportunity for two sides to sit down and work cooperatively to improve the petition. That said, I am not happy. It looked like the verdict was in, the final chapter of the story was written before the story even began,” said Ruehlig.

He explained that no one can criticize Rocketship’s track record.

“We are not talking about a school that is coming out of nowhere, they have been around for 10-years, there are 15-nation wide and have a 96% average daily attendance. 91% of their students return each year and we know people vote with their feet. No one is pointing a gun to their head and forcing them to come back,” explained Ruehlig. “Nobody is forcing them to go, nobody is forcing them to stay. This is working for some people, why should we take it away from them?”

He noted Rocketship scores 49% in the common core.

“Math standards, you heard what our scores are. Our superintendent committed to a goal which we haven’t had in years. A goal of improving 5% a year. That would take us 8-years if we achieve that goal. We have been in stagnation and spinning our wheels for years,” explained Ruehlig. “It would take us 8-years to get where Rocketship is today. In the final analysis I will be voting for the charter application on conscious.”

He noted his experience and 48-years in public service while stating he would not turn his back on his ideals.

“I am not going to turn my back on chronically underserved minority population free choice and the right for their precious children to have a decent and competitive future. That to me would be a vote against civil rights and kids rights,” said Ruehlig. “I hope we share the equal opportunities we ourselves were gifted with. It’s the least we can do for our kids.”

Ruehlig then asked on the critique that the days at Rocketship are too long and wanted that addressed because it says it was tough on kids and stresses them out.

Terry stated he was “sad and almost to cry” as he made his comments explaining how he visited Rocketship and spent more than two-hours there with two other teachers from the AUSD.

“Walter and I went to the Antioch Charter School here. I had never been so proud in how our kids were performing in those schools. I went to Rocketship, I was so impressed I am on my knees talking to the kids seeing how they function. I said I wish we could steal what you have, what Antioch Charter have and make sure we have it here because we have the potential and we are doing it. We have some of the greatest teachers,” said Terry. “Every kid in that school is not bad. Every teacher is not bad. We have more great teachers I am impressed with on both sides. We are talking about paper, red tape. Us adults we are educated people and get caught up in that red tape and forget about what the source is we are dealing with. Our children are not commodities, they are human reality. Understand what this is all about.”

He continued by stating at the end of the day, everyone needed to work together.

“Rocketship, I will vote for you. But you will let us be part of you in your decision making. These are our kids,” said Terry.

He went on to discuss how the Board should be honest, truthful and set a good example and they are not doing that.

“No I didn’t get voted back on this board, thank god, but let me tell you this. As long as I am breathing on this earth, no one is going to stop me from fighting for our kids,” said Terry. “You don’t have to elect me, I was selected to help our kids and that is what I am going to do.”

Vinson had an alternative proposal for Rocketship and would like to know if they would come work with the AUSD for two-years to provide oversight

Rocketship replied they work under a governance under state law that they operate schools in partnership over their authorizer.  The framework is consistent with state law—which creates choice.

“I saw some of that, but I didn’t see the full detail so I am asking again would you be willing to consider and MOU to come under oversight of this board for two-years because your meetings are in San Jose and I think it would in terms of partnership and connecting would go well for this District for you to consider that. I know if you do opposite of that we don’t really have oversight, we would only be authorizers,” explained Vinson.

Rocketship replied an authorizer is much more than oversight which includes framework. If you are asking for this board to be our governing board, that is not what we are proposing—that is not what we do.

Ruehlig asked whether Rocketship on common measurable that are agreed with together. Rocketship replied yes – called a Charter Compact on ideas of how to improve and create apple to apple comparisons and they welcome that approach. Rocketship said they welcome a partnership.

Diane Gibson-Gray said she was going to be clear and that there was a certain set of criteria and it was not met, yes or no.

“In my opinion, the criteria was not met, so I am going to be voting no,” said Gibson-Gray.

Prior to board motion, Antioch legal suggested that if they do make a motion in favor, that they do so conditional on Rocketship addressing the deficiencies that have been identified.

“Some people made verbal comments that suggested that there were things in the report that are not right because that is not how Rocketship does something. If that is not true, then the petition should accurately reflect what they do,” said Dannis Woliver Kelley. “In addition, I think there are budgetary issues and absolutely critical that there be an MOU developed as one of the conditions and an MOU that will address these items. Sometimes petitions just have to be amended to better reflect what is actually happening or address some concerns.”

Kelley went onto state they will need to do an MOU and she recommends that to the Board—saying they should not approve the petition without some sort of guiding contract with the Charter School.  She also suggested including a term – up to 5-years.

Superintendent Stephanie Anello stated that what legal is asking was if the Board approves it tonight that Rocketship address the concerns staff has outlined—such as accounting errors.

Vinson stated that her concerns are why she is in favor of including an MOU as part of the conditional approval.

“I want to put it out there that I do want there to be some conditional items for oversight. What is the problem with what? I am concerned why wouldn’t that be considered? If we are going to do an MOU I would like to see that as part of the consideration,” said Vinson. I don’t feel like that is asking too much.”

Navarro then made the motion to approve the petition.

“Without any conditions?” asked Gibson-Gray.

“Without any conditions,” stated Navarro.

“The motion on the table is to approve the petition without any conditions,” statedGibson-Gray. “Is there a second.”

Terry seconded the motion.

Ruehlig stated he would support that as long as the conversation continues as witnessed here tonight by many people to iron out these things.

“Yes, but if you approve it without any conditions, its like buying a car without signing the contract and you walk away thinking you have them and you don’t have them,” said Gibson-Gray. “They have to be in the motion.”

Final Vote

• Motion by Fernando Navarro, second by Alonzo Terry.
• Final Resolution: Motion Carried
• Yes: Alonzo Terry, Fernando Navarro, Walter Ruehlig
• No: Debra Vinson, Diane Gibson-Gray

Gibson-Gray, Navarro, Terry Terms Expired Prior to Rocketship Vote

According to the Antioch Unified School District Education Code, 9300 — BP 9307 Item III:

“Members of the Board of Education are elected at large biennially on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each succeeding even-numbered year to fill the office of those members whose terms expire on the first Friday of December next succeeding the election.

Based on the educational code, Board Members Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry, both who were not re-elected, terms expired on December 2, 2016. The votes they casted occurred on December 7th.

Diane Gibson-Gray, who was re-elected, also had her term expire on December 2ndand would not be allowed to vote until being sworn back into office.

It’s unclear if the AUSD will take action based on the education code. It also has not been clarified by AUSD if there was a quorum of elected board members to even vote on December 7th. The three new Board members are not expected to be sworn in until December 14th.

US Forest Service: 2017 Hotshot Temporary Fire Positions. Duty Station: South Lake Tahoe CA. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will be filling several.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will be filling several TEMPORARY SEASONAL FIREFIGHTER positions for the 2017 season.

Openings will be at the GS-03 (entry level: less than 6 months paid fireline experience) and GS-04 (more than 6 months paid fireline experience) levels. Interested candidates apply to the vacancy announcement numbers listed on the next page. APPLICATION PERIOD: JANUARY 9 – 13, 2017!!!  
17-TEMPF-R5-0462-4FTHH-DT This number applies to Hotshot positions (must have a minimum of 6 months paid fireline experience)

17-TEMPF-R5-0462-3FAID-DT This number applies to both Hotshot and Engine entry-level positions (less than 6 months paid fireline experience).

Tallac Hotshots
Supt – Kyle Betty phone 530-543-2851
email: kbetty@fs.fed.us
Duty location:
South Lake Tahoe, CA Hotshot crew member GS-0462
17-TEMPF-R5-0462-4FTHH-DT
17-TEMPF-R5-0462-3FAID-DT (entry-level)
Grade 4
Grade 3
Please feel free to contact the supervisor listed above for further information regarding the position you are interested in. If you have questions about the application process, you may contact Sally McRaven, Fire Admin at 530-543-2784 or smcraven@fs.fed.us

Applying for Temporary Fire Positions

The Forest Service has a new application system. We will be utilizing USAJOBS, which is the Federal Government’s official job search website. The internet address is: www.usajobs.gov

On this website, the first thing you will be required to do is to create a profile, with a username and password, where you will describe your work experience and your level of education within “Resume Builder”. When applying for a Federal job, you should be very detailed and precise in describing your work experience. Always remember, the personnelists who will be qualifying your application cannot assume you have specific knowledge; you must say it in writing. You will also have the option of attaching additional separate resumes to your profile. This is a good idea since you will not be limited to 5,000 characters as you are in the usajobs Resume Builder narrative blocks. You can have a total of 5 separate resumes attached in your profile, including the one created in Resume Builder. You will be required to attach documentation to verify your fire qualifications and your education (if higher than high school). If you claim to have a college degree, you must attach college transcripts however they do not have to be official.

Upon completion of your profile, you can begin applying for jobs. You can search www.usajobs.gov using the announcement numbers specific to the GS level you are applying for. Type the vacancy announcement number in the Keyword Search window.

A referral list (a list of qualified applicants) will be generated from these announcement numbers. If your application has not been submitted before the deadline date, you will not be considered for the position(s). 
 

Santa is going to enjoy Brunch and a Mimosa at the Bistro from 9:30 to 1pm. Don't worry, he'll make the time to hear out the wishes of Kiddies and Grandkiddies from near and far.

Plus, we've got a Photographer to record the special moment.  We'll provide a link to a website so you can save or print your own photos.

Then, Santa's gonna to head up to Crystal Basin Cellars for some of the killer red juice. He'll be listening to the Christmas wishes of All Critters with 2 legs or furry 4-legged ones. Bring Yo' Selfie Sticks and Take Yo' Own Pics!

You know very well that Santa and CBC won't charge for this stuff, so don't even ask! 

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas Season!

The Crystal Basin Team

The setting for this story could be a Hollywood movie fade-in on a thriving mining community southeast of Placerville, CA in the early 1850’s. It was called “Newtown”. You can vividly imagine the noisy rousting about of the miners in and about the saloons and boardwalks crowded with all manner of local folks trying to go about their business amid barking dogs, horses, carriages and stagecoaches coming and going. The Wells Fargo Concord Stage Coach was the grandest of all, carrying the gold to Sacramento banks.

Newtown is where the party of Mormons, on their way to Salt Lake after moving through Placerville (Old Hangtown), built a corral for their stock to fatten up for the long trip. Besides, they found enough gold in a ravine near Weber Creek to make their stop worthwhile. They named the area Pleasant Valley. Another town grew nearby called Dog Town. In 1849, five of those men returned and by 1852 the miners secured construction of ditches from the north and south forks of Weber Creek and from the North Fork of the Cosumnes River.

It was too great a secret to be kept. Population of miners exploded. A sawmill was built in Pleasant Valley, and Newtown was born, first with a store, then a hotel, butcher shop, post office, brewery, billiard saloons, drinking establishments and miners’ cabins. Newtown was filled and kept growing. The population was 99% male. It is said that one diversion for those gold panners tired of the saloon or the streambed would be to watch Dr. Snow’s wife hang her laundry.

The Davies Family Inn is at Shadowridge Ranch, the original homestead of the Raffetto family who owned a couple of stores in Newtown or Sunny Italy, as the Italians liked to call it. There they sold produce and goods that they raised and made on the ranch, to the gold miners.* In January 1872 came the worst storm on record, followed by a severe earthquake. In May the village of Hanks Exchange, just a few miles to the west, burned and then, a few months later, Newtown was struck.

On Oct. 12, 1872 a fire started in the Newtown brewery and rapidly spread to the remainder of the town. The inhabitants bravely fought the fire that would leave many of them penniless, but were unable to stop its spread. Soon nearly every building in this prosperous town became nothing but a pile of ashes. Small portions of the town were rebuilt, but many of the residents moved elsewhere.

After only 20 years, Newtown, a town that once had more citizens than Placerville, became only a shadow of its once prosperous youth.

*Read John Gardella Reminiscences of Old Newtown http://home.earthlink.net/~cquasne/newtown.htm – – B

Martin T. Smith authors a delightful account of Henry Hooker’s time in this area:
http://nevadatrivia.com/nevada-history/henry-clay-hooker/

In 1919, Charles and Matilda (Tilly) Carpenter purchased the ShadowRidge Ranch for a staggering $2,000, which took them years to pay off! Some of the buildings were destroyed by fire, so Charles began rebuilding them. Using timber from the ranch, each log was felled by hand, skidded with a team of horses, hewn by hand, winched into position and chinked with local clay. Charles then traveled by horse and wagon to San Francisco where he salvaged doors, windows and flooring from the 1915 Panama Exposition World’s Fair. Most are still intact and can be seen today in the cabins.

Since there was little money for decorating, Tilly set about planting her famous flower gardens. By the mid 1920’s her garden had become so large and colorful, people from all over the county would travel the old dusty road just to glimpse the magnificent waves of colors, shapes, and fragrances. Today the gardens have been carefully restored, many of the flowering plants returning year after year from the original gardens.

Today, ShadowRidge Ranch sports friendly

hospitality to BnB visitors, wedding parties, corporate events, and celebrations of all kinds. Jim Davies is the Chef in residence and his wife Linda is more than an adept event planner and hostess. The grounds, gardens, and every aspect of the lodge and accommodations are so thoughtfully and meticulously cared for you would think a maintenance crew is operating full time.
http://www.thedaviesfamilyinn.com/home

Backroads Barn
Proprietor: Reneé Hargrove

Adjacent to ShadowRidge Ranch/Davies Family Inn, the Backroads Barn shares the property’s rustic setting. It is a charming destination for visitors looking for vintage, antique, repurposed and quality handcrafted goods. It has become a popular destination to be considered along the way to El Dorado wineries, farms, ranches, shops and restaurants.

Reneé explains that Dave Thomson and some key ‘pickers’ have built a unique and specialized vintage inventory for the Backroads Barn.  Dave is known for his water features, which add a calm and cooling essence to the already appealing scenery. Many local artisans’ wares are featured in the shop’s center, as well as in the adjacent storage barn. Reneé makes an effort to showcase artisans’ work along with “keeping it local” and American-made. Backroads Barn also sells architectural salvage, like reclaimed wood, hardware, and old doors so their customers can create lifestyle pieces for themselves or for resale.

The painted wooden barn quilt was one of the first installed in 2015 after El Dorado County Farm Trails Association’s ‘Quilt Trail Project’ began. Each barn quilt has special meaning to each host location so The Davies Family Inn wanted to honor the lore of the homestead and onsite cabins.

Visit Backroads Barn Friday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless there is a Wednesday Special Event Sale.
https://www.facebook.com/backroadsbarn and http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org.

The Davies Family Inn is also known as 
ShadowRidge Ranch
3700 Fort Jim Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
Proprietors: Jim Davies and Linda Hopkins Davies

Issued by NWS for: 5 Miles SSE Diamond Springs CA:
Flood Watch in effect from December 15, 01:00 PM PST until December 16, 04:00 AM PST;
Wind Advisory in effect from December 15, 06:00 AM PST until December 15, 06:00 PM PST.

Flood Watch: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA 330 AM PST TUE DEC 13 2016 ...ADDITIONAL RAINFALL THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK...
A COUPLE MORE PACIFIC STORMS WILL IMPACT INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INTO FRIDAY WITH POTENTIALLY HEAVY RAIN. SNOW LEVELS WILL BEGIN OVER MID-SLOPES OF THE SIERRA NEVADA BEFORE INCREASING TO NEAR PASS LEVELS ON WEDNESDAY. AS SNOW LEVELS CLIMB, SOME SNOW MELT IS QUITE POSSIBLE DUE TO RAINFALL AND WARMER TEMPERATURES. FINALLY SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP BELOW PASS LEVELS BY LATE THURSDAY.

Wind Advisory: URGENT WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM PST THURSDAY ...STRONG GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...
SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE REGION ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AS A STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH ARE LIKELY WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE OVER THE NORTH END OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND ACROSS HIGHER TERRAIN.
* TIMING...SOUTHERLY WINDS INCREASE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING INTO THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
* WINDS...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH.
* IMPACTS...DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS. LOCAL POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE DUE TO DOWNED TREES AND OR POWER LINES.

 Local Weather Forecast:

Detailed forecast for

Motherlode

Today

Cloudy. A slight chance of very light rain in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon. Highs 48 to 58. Prevailing southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Tonight

Rain. Lows 42 to 50. Prevailing southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs 51 to 63. Prevailing south winds up to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the evening, then a slight chance of rain after midnight. Lows 44 to 54. Prevailing southeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph after midnight.

Thursday

A chance of rain in the morning, then heavy rain in the afternoon. Breezy. Highs 50 to 58. Prevailing southeast winds 10 to 25 mph with gusts to around 45 mph.

Thursday Night

Heavy rain. Colder. Lows 34 to 44.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers. Highs 39 to 51.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Colder. Lows 23 to 33.

Saturday Through Monday

Mostly clear. Highs 40 to 53. Lows 23 to 34. 

Project Proposes to Close Gaps in Center Median Barrier

CAMINO – Caltrans is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, December 15 to present design alternatives for a U.S. Highway 50 safety project in the Camino area of El Dorado County.

The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Camino Elementary School, 3060 Snows Road, Camino. A project presentation will take place at 5:45 p.m.

In partnership with El Dorado County and the El Dorado County Transportation Commission, the estimated $50 milllion project proposes to fill in the gaps of concrete center median barrier on Highway 50 to improve safety, widen outside shoulders, and install several acceleration/deceleration lanes from Still Meadows Road to Upper Carson Road.

In addition, a new undercrossing will be constructed to allow access between the north and south sides of the highway.

This latest meeting will focus discussion on project design alternatives on the north side of Highway 50 adjacent to the Carson Court and Carson Road intersection. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to view the proposed alternatives at this location, ask questions and provide input to the project team.

Current proposed alternatives can be viewed on the project webpage at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/d3/projects/subprojects/4E620/index.html

Construction is estimated to start in spring 2019 and finish in 2021.

Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Follow Caltrans District 3 on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap at: quickmap.dot.ca.gov. 
 

Please mark your calendar for MONDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, 2016 AT 6:00 PM for the El Dorado Hills 2016 Santa Run sponsored by the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. MONTANO DE EL DORADO WILL BE THE FIRST STOP of the 2016 Santa Run. Come see all the decorations and enjoy the first look at Santa Claus.

We will be giving out cookies and candy canes, Relish will be handing out sliders, and US Bank will be giving out candy boxes. There will be lots of fun things going on and definitely worth making a trip over.

Don't forget about Toys for Tots as well! The fire department will be here that day to pick up donations and gifts so bring a gift or two to donate if you can. If you can't make it out that day but still want to donate you can drop gifts off at 36 or Relish anytime between now and Monday!

El Dorado County Announces the Cancellation of the Community Meeting in the Grizzly Flats Area for Tree Mortality on December 15, 2016.  The notice also announced that the same public meeting will be rescheduled in early 2017 but did not give a reason for the delay.  The National Weather Serviced announced a weather warning of extremely high winds at the same time as the meeting had been scheduled.  Such weather conditions often make mountain roads like the one leading to the small mountain community of Grizzly Flats temporally impassable due to fallen trees blocking the roadway.

The notice from the county reads:
Placerville, CA – El Dorado County announces the cancellation of the community meeting in Grizzly Flats on December 15th to discuss planned tree mortality operations in the area. The meeting will be rescheduled for early January. At the meeting, County staff will be discussing the steps for the County to remove dead and dying trees on private property that threaten County roads. For example, County staff will be asking property owners to sign right-of-entry documents, which are mandated by the State of California funding for the tree mortality crisis, so forest/timber professionals can mark and eventually remove dead and dying trees.
The initial County tree mortality operations are planned in the Mount Pleasant section of Grizzly Park. This area is planned for the first tree removal projects due to the high concentration of dead and dying trees that threaten County roads. The County is targeting late February or early March for trees to be removed along the County roads in this area. Future projects along County roads are currently being planned with State, Federal and private partners (e.g. PG&E).

The weather warning reads:URGENT WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM PST THURSDAY ...STRONG GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...
SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE REGION ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AS A STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH ARE LIKELY WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE OVER THE NORTH END OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND ACROSS HIGHER TERRAIN.

* TIMING...SOUTHERLY WINDS INCREASE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING INTO THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* WINDS...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH.

* IMPACTS...DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS. LOCAL POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE DUE TO DOWNED TREES AND OR POWER LINES.