Congratulations to the Amador County wineries that placed at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. They won seven Best of Class titles, eight double gold, and 26 gold medals. Best of Class winners were Vino Noceto Winery (Sangiovese), Belledor Vineyards (2019 Zinfandel), Sobon Estate (2018 Cabernet Sauvignon), Amador Cellars (2019 Barbera), Cooper Vineyards (Cooper Ranch Red), Bella Grace Vineyards (2021 Sauvignon Blanc), and Jeff Runquist Wines (2020 Primitivo).

The City of Folsom Traffic Management System recently earned a national award. They won a Best in Show award in partnership with Genetec Inc. and EYEP Solutions at the annual Intelligent Transportation Society of America Conference for a cutting-edge project that allows the city to remotely manage many of its traffic signal enclosures. senior traffic signal and lighting technician Shane Flaming and senior civil engineer Zach Bosch received the award.

The Roseville City School District recently broke ground on their 21st school and the sixth new school to open in West Roseville. Westbrook Elementary at 4510 Solaire Drive is expected to open in August 2023 and will accommodate 800 students.

Bill Roby, executive director of the El Dorado Community Foundation, recently received Arts and Culture El Dorado’s 2022 Normadene Carpenter Award. The annual honor recognizes special achievement and extraordinary contributions to the community. Katy Peek, who was instrumental in founding the community foundation and has served the community for over 50 years, was named Honorary Chair of the 2022 Carpenter Award.

Local Ninja, Francisco Barajas has been accepted to compete on American Ninja Warrior. This will be Barajas’ third time competing; last year, he made it to the finals. His platform is stuttering due to his speech impediment and he wants to give confidence to the 1% of population that has the same—hence his stage name “1% Ninja.” Barajas trains and teaches out of Roseville’s THE STUDIO Martial Arts & Fitness (trainatthestudio.com).

Arts and Culture El Dorado’s Poetry Out Loud winners for 2022 are Kelsi Havercroft of Union Mine High School (first place), Emily Lieber of Oak Ridge High School (second place) and Molly Grant of Charter University Prep (third place). Participants memorized, interpreted, and recited poetry. Winners received cash prizes and will represent the county at the California Poetry Out Loud competition. 

The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Roseville (facebook.com/discoveryshoproseville) made history in 2021 by making one million dollars through their shop via purchases, donations, and endless support from volunteers—all to support The American Cancer Society .Their shop is often described as "a happy place" as many folks battling cancer come to celebrate overcoming obstacles. Visit them at 1813 Douglas Boulevard, Suite B-5, Roseville.

Age Well Roseville Summit (roseville.ca.us) is a free community event on April 7 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Roseville Sports Center. The day will focus on our older adult population and their caregivers, and will feature sessions on estate planning, vendor booths, educational workshops, presentations, and a variety of resources, with over 30 vendors present.

Registration is now open for spring break camps throughout April, offered by Folsom Parks & Recreation. Camps include tennis, basketball, baseball, mixed sports, robotics, and engineering and coding. Call 916-461-6601 for more information.

The Sunshine Tour is a special program of Hope 4 the Holidays that aims to bring a positive spring experience for at-risk youth in Sacramento and Placer Counties, by providing them with baskets filled with goodies to enjoy at Easter. To participate, gather or provide baskets, curling ribbons, small plush animals, plastic grass, candy, plastic eggs or small toys. For more info 916-934-9230 or 916-583-1322. 

Cameron Park CSD (cameronpark.org) is offering spring break youth camps between April 11-15 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for ages 5-10. Camps include art, dancing, swimming, and individual and league sports.

Celebrate Earth Dayta at Wakamatsu Farm (arconservancy.org) in Placerville, on April 23, at this free event from 6-9 p.m. The special experience is a site-specific installation resulting in an artful, musical, and interactive gathering. The theme is “Music, Media & Real-World Data in Performance with Nature.”

El Dorado Transit (eldoradotransit.com) is offering a sale on local fixed route monthly passes in April, May, and June. General passes will be $20 while senior, disabled, and student passes will be $10. There will also be a $5 Student Summer Go pass in June and July. The El Dorado Transit connects the Western Slope of El Dorado County and provides connections to Folsom and Sacramento.

Wine Down Wednesdays (roseville.ca.us/residents/city_events/wine_down_Wednesday) is bringing local wines each week in April and May (5:30-7:30 p.m.) to Vernon Street Town Square in Roseville. Taste different varietals and award-winning wines, from floral Viogniers to lush Barberas. There will also be live music and vendors selling crafts, art, and accessories.

Rocklin Clean Up Day (recyclerocklin.com) is happening on April 23 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop off household waste and e-waste like computers, laptops, TVs, speakers, phones, calculators, answering machines, microwaves, etc. (no large or hazardous materials) at three locations: Sierra College, City of Rocklin Corporation Yard, and Whitney Park. You can also bring your aluminum and plastic recycling to help benefit Rocklin schools at Sierra College.

Celebrate Earth Day with Rocklin’s Earth Fest (rosevilletoday.com) at Johnson-Springview Park on April 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event to celebrate mother nature will have vendors, music, food trucks, and Earth-conscious activities. 

Cameron Park CSD is now offering a CSD annual pass (cameronpark.org/csd-annual-pass) that’s valid for a year and allows entry to Cameron Park Lake, the community pool, and the open gym at the community center. Family, individual, and senior passes are available.

Splash away on April Pool’s Day at the El Dorado Hills CSD Community Pool on April 23 from 1-3 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of swimming at this free event. Aquatic staff will be on hand to answer questions about summer swim lessons and other upcoming programs.

A temporary bounce park is coming to the Westfield Galleria in Roseville for three months this summer. FUNBOX (funbox.com), “the world’s largest bounce park” is about 25,000 square feet and includes 15 zones, play areas, and challenges including a maze, dodgeball course, slides, ring toss, ninja wall, and more.

The City of Roseville along with the Roseville Coalition of Neighborhood Associations is conducting a free neighborhood clean-up that allows you to toss unwanted materials through April, May, and June. Visit roseville.ca.us/neighborhoodcleanup to determine your clean-up day and acceptable items.