The El Dorado Hills Library opened its newly renovated Early Literacy Play Center—a dedicated space specially designed for children (from babies to early readers) to play and learn together through a buildable LEGO wall, make-believe farmers’ market, light table, and cozy nook. Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library completely funded the remodel, including the purchase of furniture, toys, activities, and specialty equipment. For more info, visit friendsoftheedhlibrary.org.

Congrats to Lexi Boeger—artist, author, winemaker, and Placerville native—for being awarded the 2021 Carpenter Award, which is presented annually by Arts and Culture El Dorado (artsandcultureeldorado.org) in honor of culture and creativity. Guests from around the region are invited to gather and honor Boeger on November 4 at her namesake Boeger Winery for music, locally sourced hors d’oeuvres by Table Nectar, regional wines, and to preview plans for the new Center for Arts and Agriculture. Tickets ($50) can be purchased at artsandcultureeldorado.org/benefit-2021.

Roseville’s Nixtaco (nixta.co) was one of only 45 restaurants in California to be awarded a special Michelin designation—a Bib Gourmand Award, which honors "good quality, good value restaurants.” The locally owned taqueria, which creates comfort food designed to take you a bit out of your comfort zone, is known for their eclectic tacos and house-made blue corn tortillas, which are made from landrace Oaxacan corn and cooked and ground in-house every day.

Western Slope Health Center (westernslopehealthcenter.com), a Medicare-certified, short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, promoted Suzanne Schroeder, RN, BSN, to Director of Nursing. She possesses more than 30 years of health care experience—including 11 years in skilled nursing facilities—and previously served as the center’s RN supervisor.

Volunteers are needed to help local kids learn to read through United Way California Capital Region’s STARS program, which pairs volunteers and students for online literacy tutoring. No prior tutoring knowledge is needed (training is provided), and volunteers must commit to at least one hour each week split into two 30-minute sessions for three months. For more info and to sign up, visit yourlocalunitedway.org/stars.

In the “Oops, We’re Only Human” department, we apologize for mistakenly omitting the “Best Vietnamese/Pho” category from last month’s Readers’ Choice Awards (Folsom/El Dorado Hills edition). The winners, in their respective order, are Pho ABC, Pho Mimi, and Bo Urban Corner. Congrats!

A bronze Peace Officers Memorial—designed and created by local artist Terrie Bennett (terriebennett.com)— was dedicated by the City of Rancho Cordova at the Rancho Cordova Police Department. The sculpture was commissioned by the city to honor the life of RCPD’s first fallen officer Mark Stasyuk who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

The Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce unanimously appointed Rana Ghadban as their new CEO. Ghadban has served as CEO/president of the Hollywood, Simi Valley, and Calabasas Chambers of Commerce and replaces long-time CEO Wendy Gerig who will retire December 1 after 28 years at the helm. Says Ghadban: “My top priority during the first few months [is to] meet with the community, businesses, and key chamber partners to develop a greater understanding of our region.”

Congrats to Michael Moore, PT, founder and co-owner of Folsom Physical Therapy (folsomphysicaltherapy.com), for receiving the Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Practice Award. The national recognition—presented by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)—was given to Moore for his dedication to physical therapy as a caring profession.

Placer SPCA is hosting their first annual Pets Are Family Photo Challenge—a 24-hour game for individuals or teams to complete various challenges (ranging from silly to creative) to earn prizes. The one caveat? Pictures must include you and your pet. The game is played on phones or mobile devices and goes live at noon on November 6; prizes include a $300 Visa card, $200 Target gift card, and $125 Amazon gift card. To register, visit placerspca.org/petsarefamily.

Through November 28, women artists will be taking the lead at A Room of Their Own, an exhibit hosted by Arts and Culture El Dorado (artsandcultureeldorado.org) at Confidence Firehouse Gallery (487 Main Street) in Placerville. The show features pieces by over 10 local artists in an array of mediums—from photographs and watercolors, to mixed media, ceramics, block prints, and plant-based sculpture. A special artists’ talk on November 18 at 6 p.m. is free and open to the public. Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club (placerville-shakespeare.com) invites the community to Bluegrass & Brews—a concert featuring the Quartz Mountain Ramblers, plus beer tastings, wine, and other beverages—on November 16 from 4-6 p.m. at their clubhouse (2940 Bedford Avenue). Call 916-337-5045 for reservations; tickets may be purchased at the door, but seating is limited.

HART of Folsom (hartoffolsom.org)—a non-profit community-based volunteer organization that seeks to assist individuals making a conscious effort to better their lives and get out of homelessness—is hosting Walk with HART on November 6 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds from the first annual 3K (with or without your pet), which begins at Cummings Family Dog Park, will go toward funding the construction of six tiny homes in Folsom.

Friends of Folsom (friendsoffolsom.org) is hosting their 12th annual Turkey Drive on November 5—where they hope to feed 10,000 local families Thanksgiving meals—at Eagles Lodge (215 Scott Street) in Folsom. The fundraiser begins at 5 p.m. and includes raffles, giveaways, live and silent auctions, live music, food, and more.

Stand Up Placer (standupplacer.org) is hosting a Holiday Faire on November 28 at Loomis’ Blue Goose Event Center. The fundraiser features over 40 mom-and-pop vendors, music, kids’ activities (including a toddler play area), raffles, a wine and hot cocoa bar, pictures with Santa, and more. Ticket entry sales ($5) will benefit women and children in crisis from domestic violence and abuse.

Don't miss An Evening with Brian Shul at the Harris Center on November 27. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., listen to Shul’s inspirational stories of being shot down in Vietnam and flying the world's fastest jet. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) and the Folsom Rotary Foundation (folsomrotary.com). Purchase tickets at brianshul.eventbrite.com.

Don’t miss Foothill Wine Fest (foothillwinefest.com) from 4-7 p.m. on November 20 at the Palladio at Broadstone. Tickets includes a wine glass, unlimited tastings from approximately 50 local wineries, live music, and food. Many of the wines being poured are award winners from the inaugural Foothill Wine Competition, which was held last May.

From November 12-14, you’re invited to support and celebrate local creatives at the 28th annual Placer Artists Studios Tour (placerartiststour.org)—an annual event that showcases 112 artists in locations across Placer County. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, you’ll be warmly welcomed into participating artists’ studios for a peek into their creative process. 

The Doggie Bag (thedoggiebag.com) is hosting their annual Holiday Photo Days on November 7 and November 13, where photographer Kathleen Felion (kathleenfelionphotography.com) provides festive props and backdrops for photos of your furry friends. Appointments must be made in advance. Call 916-789-9663 to reserve your spot.