Want to participate in a rewarding program and make a difference in your community? The Ombudsman Program helps you be an advocate for seniors in care homes. For these seniors you will become the link to the outside world. To find out more, contact Tammy Bragg at 530-642-4860.

Congratulations to the El Dorado High School Theatre Department who was selected to represent the United States at the Fringe Festival in Scotland for the summer of 2010! The group, under the direction of Paul Tomei, was selected out of 2,000 schools.

The Vision Coalition of El Dorado Hills, a program of El Dorado Hills Community Vision, Inc. was recently awarded $150,000 to mentor the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership to apply for a Drug Free Communities grant. Congrats to the Vision Coalition for being one of only 15 coalitions across the country to receive the grant out of 750 applicants. To qualify for the event, the coalition had to achieve significant measurable results in the prevention or reduction of substance abuse among youth.

Congrats to the Imagination Theater who received two Elly nominations for its production of The Wizard of Oz. Both nominees won in their respective categories. Terri Thomas was awarded for Costume Design and Dave Patrick for Lighting Design.

Cameron Park-based organization Educational Adventures, whose mission is to assist youth in developing happier, healthier lives, will be featured at the “Creativity and the Active Mind” seminar at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds’ Career Expo on November 5. For more information, call 530-306-2379.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue congratulates Pat Mulbradt of El Dorado for winning the 2009 T-Shirt Design Contest. The SWR Board of Directors selected Pat’s drawing of a raccoon for the new T-shirts. For more than 20 years in El Dorado County, SWR has cared for orphaned and injured wild animals and released them back into the wild.

On November 8, Snowline Thrift Stores in Camino is hosting a Holiday Social from 4–8 p.m. with decorations, clothing and specialty items for sale. Refreshments will be served. Return on December 1, for their half-off sale and get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. For more information, call 530-647-2703.

You can now head out every Saturday and Sunday and taste delicious, local olive oils while you’re in the heart of El Dorado County wine country, through January 3. The Gold Hill Olive Oil Company is reopening its historic tasting room located at 5601 Gold Hill Road in Placerville. For more information visit goldhilloliveoilco.com.

As the holiday season approaches, don’t miss the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on November 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lower Theater Plaza, at Town Center in El Dorado Hills. There will be warm drinks, Santa and fun for the whole family!

Be prepared for holiday festivities and check back next month for our Holiday Gift Guide Feature issue!

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