What's Up In April 2021: The Newest Awards, Events, and Announcements from El Dorado County to Roseville
People & Places in the News
The Folsom Public Library has reopened for “grab and go” services (browsing, hold pickups, Wi-Fi use, personalized help from librarians, etc.) from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
Friends of Seniors (friendsofseniors.org), a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, is accepting applications for their 2021 grant process, which will award up to $10,000 to El Dorado County nonprofits and government agencies supporting the wellness, life enrichment, dignity, and independence of senior residents. Applications are available at app.smarterselect.com/programs/66205-el-dorado-community-foundation and due by 11:59 p.m. on April 30.
T.W. Bonkers Toy & Candy Emporium—which offers unique, classic, educational, and contemporary toys and games for kids of all ages, in addition to sweet treats from Annabelle’s Chocolates, an ’80s-style retro arcade, and tons of nostalgic and current candy—now serves Gunther’s Ice Cream in a variety of fun flavors. Swing by soon (398 Main Street in Placerville) to grab a scoop—and scoop up a new toy, too.
El Dorado Hills Community Services District is planning to develop a new community park on property south of Highway 50. Slated to be over 50 acres, amenities could include ball fields, an aquatic center, and other recreational facilities.
Congrats to the City of Placerville for being awarded second place for their National Night Out 2020 campaign. The 37th annual event—which enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community—involved over 16,000 communities across the U.S. For this year’s celebration, a small portion of the street between Sourdough & Co. and the Bell Tower was sectioned off for socially distanced street dining and meal deals at participating restaurants, including Amore Mio, Placerville Public House, and Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub. Those interested in helping to plan this year’s NNO can reach out to the Placerville Police Department at 530-642-5210.
Congrats to the Folsom Telegraph on their 165th anniversary! The oldest newspaper in Sacramento County, and the fourth oldest weekly publication in California, it has grown from being a four-page paper (known as The Granite Journal) published in a Historic Folsom basement to being the primary source of trusted, reliable community news.
There’s a new nonprofit in town! Placer Business Alliance (placerbusiness.com), which is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Placer County’s business climate through direct engagement with local and regional leaders, has been established to help further economic development in the region. To see how your business can benefit, email [email protected].
Folsom residents planning a landscaping project this spring that requires wood chips can pick them up for free (while supplies last) at the following self-serve locations: Folsom City Hall (50 Natoma Street; look for the cell tower behind the rear parking lot), Dan Russell Rodeo Arena (northern end of Stafford Street), and Fire Station 36 (next to the sandbag location on Oak Avenue Parkway).
HAPPENINGS
Dress up as your favorite superhero, safely meet a celebrity (including Christopher Sabat), or peruse through thousands of rare memorabilia at SacAnime Spring Swap Meet (sacanime.com) from April 2-4 at @the Grounds in Roseville.
Learn how to make fresh herb fettuccini (April 10), zuppa inglese (April 17), and handmade panettone (April 24) at Folsom’s Murer House (murerhouse.org). All three Italian Cooking Classes are from 10 a.m.-noon and include one-on-one interaction with the teacher in a small-group setting. To register (limited to six participants; face coverings required), email [email protected].
Through April 10, Blue Line Arts (bluelinearts.org) is hosting Wild Dreams of a New Beginning!, an exhibit that features an impressive collection of local artists making psychedelic pop-surrealist pieces. Admission is free, and the gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Folsom Garden Club (folsomgarden.org) is hosting a Spring Plant Sale & Craft Festival at the Murer House (murerhouse.org) on April 24-25 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Proceeds benefit college scholarships, grants, and community projects.
State Theatre Acting Company is presenting Gold Age Radio Theatre, Live! on April 10 and 24 at 6 p.m. Admission to the alfresco performances at Auburn’s First Congregational Church (710 Auburn Ravine Road) is free, but donations are appreciated and benefit Auburn State Theatre. For a list of featured shows and more info, visit livefromauburn.com.
All ages are invited to Wakamatsu Open Farm Day on April 3 and 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The first Japanese colony in America, the historically significant site in Placerville (941 Cold Springs Road) features a 1.5-mile wheelchair-accessible path, 1850s farmhouse, and Okei-san’s 1871 gravesite. On-site interpreters are available to share information and answer questions. Those interested in volunteering to improve the grounds are invited to Wakamatsu Farm Workday on April 7 and 21 from 9 a.m.-noon; pre-registration is required at app.donorview.com/jWoOg. For more info, visit arconservancy.org/events.
Experience the historic Gold Country Pro Rodeo from April 24-25 in Auburn. The two-day event at the Gold Country Fairgrounds will feature pro bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, mutton busting, and more. For event updates, visit goldcountryprorodeo.com.
SAVE THE DATE!
On May 15 at 8 p.m., Folsom Lake Symphony is performing a free concert, Twilight Delight—featuring music from beloved films like Rocky, Batman, The Incredibles, Star Wars, and more—at Zittel Family Amphitheater (formerly Folsom Historic District Amphitheater). Though a limited number of people will be in attendance (VIP sponsors; for info on reserving a table, call 916-342-7777), the concert will also stream live on YouTube, Facebook, and more. For more details, visit stylemg.com.
By Megan Wiskus
T.W. Bonkers photo courtesy of Gunther's Ice Cream. Folsom Telegraph photo by Chris Shepard. SacAnime Spring Swap Meet photo by @fourgamershq. Golden Age Radio Theatre, Live! photo by Debra Oldziewski. Folsom Lake Symphony photo by Howard George. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.