Volunteers are needed to assist with seasonal plantings, weed management, mulch application, fruit tree pruning, seed germination, and more at Wakamatsu Farm‘s Giving Garden Work Day on April 3 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To sign up and for more info, email [email protected].

Congrats to 17-year-old Placerville resident Jaclyn Lovey for snagging a spot with “Team Alicia” on season 14 of The Voice. At press time, the outcome was TBD.

Friends of Seniors, a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, has announced the opening of their 2018 grant process. This year, they’ll donate up to $10,000 to El Dorado County agencies that support the wellness, life enrichment, dignity, and independence of local seniors. To apply (deadline is April 30) and for more details, visit eldoradocf.org/receive.

Men interested in singing, socializing, and serving throughout the region are invited to join the Gold Rush Chorus on Tuesdays from 7-9:15 p.m. at Church of the Nazarene (6040 Mother Lode Drive) in Placerville. For more info, visit goldrushchorus.org.

On April 22, the Placerville Shakespeare Club is presenting their annual Authors’ Day featuring author presentations, a question and answer period, book sales and signings, door prizes, and light refreshments. Authors appearing include Kristopher Schultz, Catriona McPherson, Danna Wilberg, and Herb Tanomoto. For more info, visit placerville-shakespeare.com.

Congrats to Placerville resident Cathy Keeler for winning the 2017 Wildlife Care Association Fall Photo Contest for her candid photo of owls. Keeler found out about the competition via Style Magazine and was awarded various prizes, including a Mats Jonasson crystal owl.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians has elected its 2018 Tribal Council. Congrats to Regina Cuellar (chairwoman) and Nicholas Fonseca who were reelected, in addition to newly elected members Annie Jones and Jessica Godsey Olvera, and Allan Campbell, Brian Fonseca, and Malissa Tayaba (vice chair).

Enjoy a Beginner’s Bird Walk led by bird enthusiast Parker Flickinger and Sierra Harris on April 28. The all-ages outing begins with an introductory presentation on bird watching followed by a short walk through Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. For the meeting location and to sign up, call 530-621-1224.

Mark your calendar for the following senior trips: Bencia—A Great Day by the Bay on July 19, Mamma Mia on August 9, The Presidio of San Francisco on August 28, and the Cambria Scarecrow Festival on October 15-17. Prices and amenities vary for each excursion, but pre-registration is required for all. For more info, head to the Placerville Senior Center or call 530-621-6255.

Every Sunday, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. (last ride departs at 1 p.m.), the El Dorado Western Railroad, a living history program of the El Dorado County Historical Museum, offers rides on restored Fairmont track inspection cars. Routes are round-trip, take 30-40 minutes, and depart from the El Dorado Station (first and third Sundays) and the Shingle Springs Depot (second and fourth Sundays); tickets are $8 for adults and $3 for kids. For more info, visit museum.edcgov.us/el-dorado-western-railroad.

By Ashleigh Gruenwald